Kevin McCabe: Another big, big opportunity

[lenners]

We've had the best part of a decade to do it, we got part of the way there and could have nailed it in 2007 and then started sliding backwards again.
But next season, if United get it right, we have a massive (to use a word our friends would recognise) opportunity to cement a generation's supremacy above them.
The league is not strong, the chances are there for anyone who gets properly organised and a return to the Premiership would bring massive long-term benefits to United, not least commercially in terms of sweeping up the next generation of fans.
So what's it going to be Kevin?
Are we going for it?
Or are we going to carry on muddling, scuffling and generally defeating ourselves?

 

[Micalijo]

Proper organisation requires a proper manager. A proper manager who can cope with the odd injury and inspire his players to play above themselves when it really matters. Until Blackwell leaves, we have no chance of taking the opportunity you refer to - which I assume involves promotion. Also, McCabe is in my opinion absolutely skint so there is nowt but sales and loans in store.

Yes McCabe and Birch could help by taking a more hands on role with Blackwell but I don't trust any of them to grasp the situation and take even the slightest gamble, whether that be sacking Blackwell, buying one extra player or heaven forbid insisting a player stays in the face of any bid.

 

[JohnDenver]

I wish I was as skint as McCabe.

 

[Blades_257]

It really is a big opportunity next season because the league will be wide open, but it doesn't even look like our ambitious board are going give our most loyal, arguably most important player a half decent contract.

 

[Pinchy]

I assume you mean the central midfielder who can't control a football or deliver an accurate pass but runs around a lot. If so three cheers for the board. Use the money on recruiting a proper midfielder who can do all the jobs required by that role rather than the very favourable and selective 'job' description that you lot have written for your parochial favourite.

 

[Toronto Blade]

It won't be easy either although the league might not be as light weight for a few years to come.Bristol City made a good move for a good manager,Reading will strengthen as will Borne of the three promoted teams usually do well.
This would be a great chance to go up next season but will the board go for it?

 

[beightonblade]

some clever dealing in the transfer market this summer and the Blades cud put a reight team together for not much money .............. trouble is you have to have the owner with the will and the manager and scouting team with the knowledge.

 

[super_pig]

brilliant description pinchy.. couldn't have put it better myself.. we have to push the boat out for a proper centre mid.. that is all we need.. i say this every year. nowt happens.

 

[Santos]

brilliant description pinchy.. couldn't have put it better myself.. we have to push the boat out for a proper centre mid.. that is all we need.. i say this every year. nowt happens.

Hendrie
Speed
Howard
Williamson
Harper

 

[alcoblade]

A proper manager who can cope with the odd injury

LOL - you're as balanced as ever Mic. As you know I've been very critical this season - but to describe it as coping with "the odd injury" is pushing it, ever so slightly....

UTB

 

[Big Mart]

We've had the best part of a decade to do it, we got part of the way there and could have nailed it in 2007 and then started sliding backwards again.
But next season, if United get it right, we have a massive (to use a word our friends would recognise) opportunity to cement a generation's supremacy above them.
The league is not strong, the chances are there for anyone who gets properly organised and a return to the Premiership would bring massive long-term benefits to United, not least commercially in terms of sweeping up the next generation of fans.
So what's it going to be Kevin?
Are we going for it?
Or are we going to carry on muddling, scuffling and generally defeating ourselves?

For Gods sake give it a rest Len, you've been going long enough to know what next season's going to bring. Every time the season ends we have threads like this, and they always bring out the eternal optimists plucking names from the air who we should sign, saying how the squad is the strongest one yet, telling us that if we keep the Clueless Twat in midfield we'll be so strong, blah blah blah.

I'm suprised that you of all people should start this because we're what we've always been, a nearly club, in fact a small club with a big fan base. We have a non footballing businessman at the helm and a non footballing manager in charge. Pretty much nowt to look forward to, apart from laughing at the Grunters but even that wears a bit thin after a bit

:gallop:

 

[DuncDisorderly]

Didn't take us long to get back to normal I see. Everyone back in their places..?

 

[alcoblade]

For Gods sake give it a rest Len, you've been going long enough to know what next season's going to bring. Every time the season ends we have threads like this, and they always bring out the eternal optimists plucking names from the air who we should sign, saying how the squad is the strongest one yet, telling us that if we keep the Clueless Twat in midfield we'll be so strong, blah blah blah.

I'm suprised that you of all people should start this because we're what we've always been, a nearly club, in fact a small club with a big fan base. We have a non footballing businessman at the helm and a non footballing manager in charge. Pretty much nowt to look forward to, apart from laughing at the Grunters but even that wears a bit thin after a bit

:gallop:

I think you'd be lost if we had something to look forward to....

UTB

 

[super_pig]

>Hendrie past it
Speed past it
Howard crap
Williamson crocked
Harper legs gone

ok for those who like to be pedantic about such matters ;-) i will rephrase.. ahem we need a decent centre mid who is fit.. how about that?.. not some knobhead that runs around like a dog in the park.. chasing a stick.. there are players out there. adam .. hoolihan.. stock.. snodgrass.. lansbury

 

[Toronto Blade]

As long as we sell off our best players we will struggle only 5 points short of the playoffs ,just one of the Kyles or Killa could have grabbed at least two wins.
We will see if Cardiff's brave gamble of keeping their players even though they are in much more trouble with cash will pay off.

 

[Santos]

>Hendrie past it
Speed past it
Howard crap
Williamson crocked
Harper legs gone

ok for those who like to be pedantic about such matters ;-) i will rephrase.. ahem we need a decent centre mid who is fit.. how about that?.. not some knobhead that runs around like a dog in the park.. chasing a stick.. there are players out there. adam .. hoolihan.. stock.. snodgrass.. lansbury

I didn't mean to be an arse,

I think it is fair to say that certainly 4 out of the 5 playes i mentioned were greeted with a positive attitude by the fans, the problem has been that we put what we see as 'good' players who have played well against us for other clubs in the past or come with a good reputation, then they stick on a Blades shirt and it just doesn't happen.

I think the problem probably stems deeper than simply just lacking one of the players you mentioned, it is the whole mentality, personally under the current system I wouldn't bother looking at any of the players you mention.

 

[JohnDenver]

As long as we sell off our best players we will struggle only 5 points short of the playoffs ,just one of the Kyles or Killa could have grabbed at least two wins.
We will see if Cardiff's brave gamble of keeping their players even though they are in much more trouble with cash will pay off.

Please don't call Cardiff brave. They have been reckless and (if bailed-out by this Malaysian), very very lucky.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

We've had the best part of a decade to do it, we got part of the way there and could have nailed it in 2007 and then started sliding backwards again.
But next season, if United get it right, we have a massive (to use a word our friends would recognise) opportunity to cement a generation's supremacy above them.
The league is not strong, the chances are there for anyone who gets properly organised and a return to the Premiership would bring massive long-term benefits to United, not least commercially in terms of sweeping up the next generation of fans.
So what's it going to be Kevin?
Are we going for it?
Or are we going to carry on muddling, scuffling and generally defeating ourselves?

Why don't you put that in a letter to him?

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

It really is a big opportunity next season because the league will be wide open, but it doesn't even look like our ambitious board are going give our most loyal, arguably most important player a half decent contract.

Our most important player? You aren't talking about Monty surely.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

lenners, you've got this nail squarly hit right in the centre.

Pigs down, two clubs from the prem in cash trouble along with how many from CCC? It's got to be one of the weakest 2nd divisions for many a long year?

It's a great opportunity to press on, will we take it?

 

[Pinchy]

>Hendrie past it
Speed past it
Howard crap
Williamson crocked
Harper legs gone

ok for those who like to be pedantic about such matters ;-) i will rephrase.. ahem we need a decent centre mid who is fit.. how about that?.. not some knobhead that runs around like a dog in the park.. chasing a stick.. there are players out there. adam .. hoolihan.. stock.. snodgrass.. lansbury

Pratley or Danns, preferably both as Willo is unfit and Harper on his way.

 

[Willie Carlin]

So what should his plan be in your opinion len ?

 

[Willie Carlin]

I saw Pratley for Swansea when they where in Wendies league when he played under Martinez. I e-mailed United and B. Robson to take a look at him because I thought he had potential. Not even a reply.

 

[lenners]

I saw Pratley for Swansea when they where in Wendies league when he played under Martinez. I e-mailed United and B. Robson to take a look at him because I thought he had potential. Not even a reply.

Looked a cracking player at the Lane the other week.
If Swansea had signed a decent striker or we'd have kept hold of Walker for the season, either would have probably been in the play-offs.

 

[JohnDenver]

Looked a cracking player at the Lane the other week.
If Swansea had signed a decent striker or we'd have kept hold of Walker for the season, either would have probably been in the play-offs.

Jason Scotland... They'd have been in a great position with him in their side.

As for us, an eligible Paddy, a fit Naysmith, and half decent effort from Chedwyn should have seen us comfortable in the playoffs.

But hey ho. Onwards and upwards*.



*SWFC excepted.

 

[lenners]

So what should his plan be in your opinion len ?

More than anything it's about organisation and getting a team and squad in place in the next few weeks.
We really do not want any more of that bollocks about not knowing until the end of August or waiting til contracts run out or let's see what we can do in the loan window.
Get down to it now. We know we need a lot of players so let's nail them down.
We also know that a small degree of investment/risk might pay major dividends. Not massive but given the state of the league it's really worth a go.
The season after next, who knows who's coming down (another WBA and Newcastle scenario?) or if they might have the luxury of four years' parachute payments in the bank.
Next season is likely to present the best opportunity for some time.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Looked a cracking player at the Lane the other week.
If Swansea had signed a decent striker or we'd have kept hold of Walker for the season, either would have probably been in the play-offs.

Right on the first point however Blackie decided that a player who has just acquired a Eredivisie winner medal wasn't good enough either. While there may be something in the fact that if the board hadn't accepted bids we would of made the playoffs. But there is also just as many players we had on our books that our current manager can't work with that would of made a difference.

 

[Blades_257]

brilliant description pinchy.. couldn't have put it better myself.. we have to push the boat out for a proper centre mid.. that is all we need.. i say this every year. nowt happens.

Well we've had plenty of 'proper centre mids' haven't we. Funny how Monty always finds himself back in the team.

And please don't suggest attacking midfielders as replacements for him.

Bob, along with Morgan, Monty's our most important player and has been for a while now.

 

[Houso]

>Hendrie past it
Speed past it
Howard crap
Williamson crocked
Harper legs gone

ok for those who like to be pedantic about such matters ;-) i will rephrase.. ahem we need a decent centre mid who is fit.. how about that?.. not some knobhead that runs around like a dog in the park.. chasing a stick.. there are players out there. adam .. hoolihan.. stock.. snodgrass.. lansbury

Adam? In playoffs, would go for a few million anyway.
Hoolihan? Left winger...
Stock? Maybe, most likely of the bunch.
Snodgrass? Would cost millions. Leeds don't sell on the cheap.
Lansbury? Lower Prem loan I reckon to continue his learning.

Players being out there is much easier said than done.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Well we've had plenty of 'proper centre mids' haven't we. Funny how Monty always finds himself back in the team.

And please don't suggest attacking midfielders as replacements for him.

Bob, along with Morgan, Monty's our most important player and has been for a while now.

Ah ok then, I don't agree. I think if he wants to be a top earner he needs to be performing at a higher level and not be letting any Championship players make him look poor. If you watched the Swansea game he looked out of his depth trying to stay with their no 8 and was caught out time and time again.