McCabe

[chipsncake]

How can this man, lauded by many as an outstanding businessman, get so many crucial footballing decisions wrong? I can't think of one decision he has got right since our premiership days and the worse our predicament gets the quieter he becomes. Unless the transfer window for loans brings about a miracle then we as good as down and with McCabe at the helm it won't be an easy journey back.

---------- Post added at 05:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:29 PM ----------

Transfer this to Brownies "the buck stops here" thread.

 

[Bubbleburp]

Everything has gone downhill since Trevor Birch arrived at the lane :cry:

 

[chipsncake]

Everything has gone downhill since Trevor Birch arrived at the lane :cry:[/QUOTE

McCabe appointed him purely for selfish reasons, yet another decision he will be rueing.

 

[Deadbat]

Birch

Everything has gone downhill since Trevor Birch arrived at the lane :cry:[/QUOTE

McCabe appointed him purely for selfish reasons, yet another decision he will be rueing.

Birch will be gone by the end of the season. I am pretty sure of that. We cannot afford to keep him and I am certain there will be a mutual agreement where his contract is paid up to some degree.

I think the final straw was when Birch had pretty much agreed a deal with O'Driscoll and then McCabe came in and overuled hiim and appointed Adams. Sure he is the owner and it is his right but his previous managerial appointments have proven he does not have a clue in this area. He gives Birch his head to run things then comes in and interferes in the football department again where he has proved a total failure.

The latest managerial appointment is looking like another disaster as I had forecast at the time. I dont totally blame Adams as he has been dealt a bad hand but signings of has beens and never beens like Doyle, Collins and Bent really are not going to help us one bit (compare that with Palace's signings of Vaughan - young, hungry and fast). If anything by taking out Britton, Ward and Bartley he has managed to make the squad even worse.

The results on the pitch have been appalling since he came and unfortunately he looks clueless how to change things as he admitted at the end of the game yesterday.

Best case scenario despite the probable relegation is that we get new owners, chairman, board etc and gut the whole playing squad from top to bottom. Get in a manager/coaching set up that is bright, progressive and innovative and try and change the whole culture/identity of the club.

Sadly I cannot see any of those things happening.

I look at our squad and compare it with Weds that went down and ours is quite a lot worse. They have made improvements/additions to the squad and are still mid table. I honestly can see next season in league one being a struggle too.

What a mess.

 

[lenners]

Manadaric has a questionable pedigree as a businessman but one thing he does have is a footballing track record, something McCabe obviously lacks.
Seeing as we didn't have the imagination or balls to go for SOD I wonder if Pembo might be an option when we get relegated and with a brief honestly based around young players and playing football.
The guy even played for us which might help McCabe with his thought processes.

 

[raul]

I think the final straw was when Birch had pretty much agreed a deal with O'Driscoll and then McCabe came in and overuled hiim and appointed Adams. Sure he is the owner and it is his right but his previous managerial appointments have proven he does not have a clue in this area. He gives Birch his head to run things then comes in and interferes in the football department again where he has proved a total failure.

Please tell me this is opinion, or at least a second hand ITK rumour.

 

[Deadbat]

Unfortunately it is the truth but I cannot say who my source was, at least on a public forum as they would kill me and land me in trouble! Feel free to pm me though! It is not exactly groundbreaking stuff but I do know a bit more about what happened than has been put in public. To be honest I think most fans probably admit/realise we went for O'Driscoll, it fell through and went for Adams after this. Does anyone really think any different?

Not that any of the above matters anymore. We made our choice and it is looking another pooe appointment even though Adams has an incredibly tough job; his signings, selections and style of play has seen the side get even worse since Speed/Carver and we are going to die a slow and lingering death in terms of the inevitable relegation I feel. I hope I am wrong but cant see where the next goal is coming from let alone the next win.

 

[God]

" If anything by taking out Britton, Ward and Bartley he has managed to make the squad even worse."

Britton was homesick and orchestrated a move back to Swansea. Bartley didn't want to stay once Rangers were interested in taking him and Wards form has been poor even pre MA. Agreed its probably weakened the sqaud but its nothing to do with MA.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Unfortunately it is the truth but I cannot say who my source was, at least on a public forum as they would kill me and land me in trouble! Feel free to pm me though! It is not exactly groundbreaking stuff but I do know a bit more about what happened than has been put in public. To be honest I think most fans probably admit/realise we went for O'Driscoll, it fell through and went for Adams after this. Does anyone really think any different?

Not that any of the above matters anymore. We made our choice and it is looking another pooe appointment even though Adams has an incredibly tough job; his signings, selections and style of play has seen the side get even worse since Speed/Carver and we are going to die a slow and lingering death in terms of the inevitable relegation I feel. I hope I am wrong but cant see where the next goal is coming from let alone the next win.

Interesting Stuff deadbat. Not bothered about what the source was, but are you able to shed light on why McCabe stepped in and overruled Birch?

 

[super_pig]

umm i know who deadbat is (he probably doesn't remember me).. coming from anyone else i'd say bollox.. but coming from him i'd say this is a worrying development
btw god.. while you are around.. would you stop putting leaflets through my letterbox.. i'm not interested .. thanks:thumbup:

 

[JohnDenver]

" If anything by taking out Britton, Ward and Bartley he has managed to make the squad even worse."

Britton was homesick and orchestrated a move back to Swansea. Bartley didn't want to stay once Rangers were interested in taking him and Wards form has been poor even pre MA. Agreed its probably weakened the sqaud but its nothing to do with MA.

Well said. The fundamental problems we face are due to poor planning and decision making from the board downwards since 2007.

 

[Deadbat]

Adams and departures

" If anything by taking out Britton, Ward and Bartley he has managed to make the squad even worse."

Britton was homesick and orchestrated a move back to Swansea. Bartley didn't want to stay once Rangers were interested in taking him and Wards form has been poor even pre MA. Agreed its probably weakened the sqaud but its nothing to do with MA.

I agree Bartley, Britton and Ward hardly pulled up trees but put those 3 in the side ahead of Doyle, Collins etc any day of the week for me. All 3 players were here and playing regularly until Adams came and then they all left (or will probably leave Ward).

I think Adams had some input into them going as they were/are under contract. I was led to believe Bartleys deal was till the end of the season and thus United had to cancel the loan for him to go to Rangers and ditto for Britton.

I aint for one minute saying they were key components in the side but they are better than what we have now and certaintly were better footballers and offered pace;more than what we have now which is perhaps the slowest set of plodders I have ever seen at the Lane comparing with the Porterfield Dad's Army side.

 

[God]

McCabe should take note of this quote by Richard Scudamore

"Premier League boss Richard Scudamore has argued that the huge spending witnessed during the transfer window highlights a game in rude health.

Led by Fernando Torres' £50m move from Liverpool to Chelsea, about £210m was spent by English clubs - most of which stayed within the Premier League.

Scudamore said: "The point is inward investment is generally encouraged.

"What I don't buy is that they [the clubs] shouldn't be out there spending in these austere times."

Scudamore, who added that a player moving for £100m was inevitable, added: "If [Chelsea owner] Roman Abramovich has the money to spend and he wishes to do that, then in some ways that's the game and that money gets recycled around."[/QUOTE[

So instead of this ridiculous austerity path, that you have personally guided the club you claim to love down, give the manager the cheque book and spend your way out of the shit that you have dropped us in or are the facts of the matter quite simple, a club in the black is far easier to sell than one in the red? So do you love the Blades McCabe or just want to flog us off?

---------- Post added at 03:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:50 PM ----------

I'll be round with the warcry booklets later pig .

---------- Post added at 03:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:34 PM ----------

Agreed, quality wise they are far better than the current crop of incumbents, but if they have no desire to stay and play why keep them? Anyway as I understand it both Bartley and Britton requested moves, one to join a massive club and the other because he missed his girlfriend (awww diddums) back in Wales, so contracts were cancelled to achieve both players wishes. MA is obviously building a team that have the heart for the relegation battle ahead, the emphasis being on heart rather than quality, unfortunately you only have to look at players like Monty to see how far heart gets you. I fear the worst.

 

[Micalijo]

Interesting Stuff deadbat. Not bothered about what the source was, but are you able to shed light on why McCabe stepped in and overruled Birch?

Interesting stuff - or the insane ramblings of a deranged lunatic when yours truly says it. I guess that is just the way it goes.

Definitey more to it, as Deadbat says.

 

[God]

The poor decision making has been alarming, which in my opinion started with the appointment of Robson. Also, I still believe that had McCabe got the cheque book out and kept James Beattie instead of being a tight arse, his goals would have got us to the promised land. Instead he (McCabe) set off on this policy of austerity and look where its landed us. PPPPPPP - Piss Poor Planning Promotes Piss Poor Performance.

 

[Casper]

I agree Bartley, Britton and Ward hardly pulled up trees but put those 3 in the side ahead of Doyle, Collins etc any day of the week for me. All 3 players were here and playing regularly until Adams came and then they all left (or will probably leave Ward).

I think Adams had some input into them going as they were/are under contract. I was led to believe Bartleys deal was till the end of the season and thus United had to cancel the loan for him to go to Rangers and ditto for Britton.

I aint for one minute saying they were key components in the side but they are better than what we have now and certaintly were better footballers and offered pace;more than what we have now which is perhaps the slowest set of plodders I have ever seen at the Lane comparing with the Porterfield Dad's Army side.

Amen brother! Its sad, very sad. SOD would have built a team around those 3. With a couple of additions (rather than Mickys 5) we would have probably been at least 8 points better off now.

 

[Foxy]

Amen brother! Its sad, very sad. SOD would have built a team around those 3. With a couple of additions (rather than Mickys 5) we would have probably been at least 8 points better off now.

Definitely, it's nailed on given that it's the choice we didn't make

We'll ignore the fact that SOD is another manager who rates Monty as well

 

[lenners]

The problem with bottling a more imaginative choice was what you might end up with if your chosen firefighter can't put the fire out.
In our case, it might be League One football and contracts for players like Doyle and Collins along with the burden we've already got with lengthy contracts for other players teams already don't want.

 

[Casper]

Definitely, it's nailed on given that it's the choice we didn't make

We'll ignore the fact that SOD is another manager who rates Monty as well

Nothing wrong with Monty if hes played to his strengths. As ive put in another thread, man management and motivation is the key. Sadly it doesnt look like Micky is up to it.

 

[Jon Bon]

Unfortunately it is the truth but I cannot say who my source was, at least on a public forum as they would kill me and land me in trouble!

How can you get in any more trouble if you're already dead? Come on, take one for the team and spill the beans. You only die once..... (c) Cubby Broccoli

 

[broomhillblade]

Amen brother! Its sad, very sad. SOD would have built a team around those 3. With a couple of additions (rather than Mickys 5) we would have probably been at least 8 points better off now.

Pure speculation. Donny have hardly set the league on fire since January 1st. They haven't even managed to get 8 points for themselves (Two wins (one against Scunthorpe) - and one draw - against the Blades).

 

[lenners]

I think SOD's in mourning for what could have been.

 

[Bladesway]

Forget the SOD thing because its speculation and rumour, just take bear facts into account and you can clearly see that Kevin McCabe is the reason we are in this mess. Some will blame Warnock, some Blackwell, some Robson, some Speed and now some Adams. One common factor overrides all and its Kevin McCabe. In my opinion his mistakes are as follows:-

He shouldn't be sacking Managers until he has a better replacement lined up. He let Warnock go without thinking about who would replace him (he managed to fuck that up big time), he sacked Robson without having a better replacement lined up (Blackwell just filled his boots afterwards because he was cheap option), he fired Blackwell having absolutely no one lined up and then when we said we were being patient and waiting for the right man for the job to come up (following Speed leaving) he shat his pants and took Adams because he was a Blade and would buy him some Blade points. The man is a recruitment nightmare.

He shouldn't have let Warnock spend bits and bobs on bits and bobs players in the JTW when we were in the Premiership. Knowing (as we all knew then) that one top class signing would have all but put us safe he let Wanock do his speculate to accumulate and didn't say "Neil, heres a great big pot of money go get us one player who will stand out head and shoulders above the rest".

He shouldn't have put his other interests ahead of first team investment. Its the reason we struggled to get up to the Premiership in the first place (a little shrewd money in the right places would have ensured we got ourselves up the tree a couple of years earlier. Its the reason we got relegated. Its the reason we sold BT. Its the reason we had/have global connections which have to date benefitted the first team to the tune of How High Dong and Li Tie! Oh and don't forget how the links have forged us a load of Hungarians and an Estonian reserve, reserve keeper.

Anyone remember comments like "Europe in 5 years"?

He shouldn't have gone anywhere near the World Cup 2018 bid. We were never going to get anything of a benefit out of Sheffield Council and the Pigs were always going to be a step ahead of us. Also, it was always a long shot if we were ever going to see the World Cup played in England in our lifetimes (we won't by the way).

He shouldn't have fired Kevin Blackwell this season having committed to him the back of last. Its totally unhinged the team this season and had Blackwell been in charge we would have been a good few points better off as a minimum. Do we have a better man in now? He plays direct football and has made most of his living in the lower leagues. Ooooh I'm moist at the thought of Micky Adams and his entertaining brand of Football.

Any one of these errors is bad enough but bring them together and you have the reason we are in this sorry, sorry mess. Why we are going to get relegated and probably be overtaken by the Pigs (we have already been overtaken by Leeds).

FFS, we were at the start of what should have been a golden age for the Blades. How the hell has it ended up here? On a personal level I am disgusted at what McCabe has done to the club from what was a very promising position only 4 years ago. He has almost single handedly butchered the heart from the club, turned us all into plastic ticket wielding clients rather than fans and marched us backwards to where we were last in the late 80's. Now that really does take some doing.

 

[Muttley]

Ditto Bladesway

It's his money though. His property empire is much more important than SUFC. He's used us and failed.

At his age , why the frig wouldhe want all those millions anyway? Gold plated coffin when he dies? He can't take it with him!! Greedy businessman, another statistic of what is very wrong in todays society.

 

[Micalijo]

Forget the SOD thing because its speculation and rumour, just take bear facts into account and you can clearly see that Kevin McCabe is the reason we are in this mess. Some will blame Warnock, some Blackwell, some Robson, some Speed and now some Adams. One common factor overrides all and its Kevin McCabe. In my opinion his mistakes are as follows:-

He shouldn't be sacking Managers until he has a better replacement lined up. He let Warnock go without thinking about who would replace him (he managed to fuck that up big time), he sacked Robson without having a better replacement lined up (Blackwell just filled his boots afterwards because he was cheap option), he fired Blackwell having absolutely no one lined up and then when we said we were being patient and waiting for the right man for the job to come up (following Speed leaving) he shat his pants and took Adams because he was a Blade and would buy him some Blade points. The man is a recruitment nightmare.

He shouldn't have let Warnock spend bits and bobs on bits and bobs players in the JTW when we were in the Premiership. Knowing (as we all knew then) that one top class signing would have all but put us safe he let Wanock do his speculate to accumulate and didn't say "Neil, heres a great big pot of money go get us one player who will stand out head and shoulders above the rest".

He shouldn't have put his other interests ahead of first team investment. Its the reason we struggled to get up to the Premiership in the first place (a little shrewd money in the right places would have ensured we got ourselves up the tree a couple of years earlier. Its the reason we got relegated. Its the reason we sold BT. Its the reason we had/have global connections which have to date benefitted the first team to the tune of How High Dong and Li Tie! Oh and don't forget how the links have forged us a load of Hungarians and an Estonian reserve, reserve keeper.

Anyone remember comments like "Europe in 5 years"?

He shouldn't have gone anywhere near the World Cup 2018 bid. We were never going to get anything of a benefit out of Sheffield Council and the Pigs were always going to be a step ahead of us. Also, it was always a long shot if we were ever going to see the World Cup played in England in our lifetimes (we won't by the way).

He shouldn't have fired Kevin Blackwell this season having committed to him the back of last. Its totally unhinged the team this season and had Blackwell been in charge we would have been a good few points better off as a minimum. Do we have a better man in now? He plays direct football and has made most of his living in the lower leagues. Ooooh I'm moist at the thought of Micky Adams and his entertaining brand of Football.

Any one of these errors is bad enough but bring them together and you have the reason we are in this sorry, sorry mess. Why we are going to get relegated and probably be overtaken by the Pigs (we have already been overtaken by Leeds).

FFS, we were at the start of what should have been a golden age for the Blades. How the hell has it ended up here? On a personal level I am disgusted at what McCabe has done to the club from what was a very promising position only 4 years ago. He has almost single handedly butchered the heart from the club, turned us all into plastic ticket wielding clients rather than fans and marched us backwards to where we were last in the late 80's. Now that really does take some doing.

That's a top post. Even I reluctantly concede we would be better off now with Blackwell been allowed to stay on.

 

[dingledog]

FFS, we were at the start of what should have been a golden age for the Blades. How the hell has it ended up here? On a personal level I am disgusted at what McCabe has done to the club from what was a very promising position only 4 years ago. He has almost single handedly butchered the heart from the club, turned us all into plastic ticket wielding clients rather than fans and marched us backwards to where we were last in the late 80's. Now that really does take some doing.

Couldnt agree more. The man might be a property genius, but he is a football disaster.

 

[Micalijo]

Ditto Bladesway

It's his money though. His property empire is much more important than SUFC. He's used us and failed.

At his age , why the frig wouldhe want all those millions anyway? Gold plated coffin when he dies? He can't take it with him!! Greedy businessman, another statistic of what is very wrong in todays society.

No doubt Mutts he is what we would call a very wealthy man but I think you might be underestimating the impact this property recession has had on his finances. I genuinely believe his wealth is very much now on paper, tied up in ventures which could go either way, rather than cash and alot of Valad wedge has gone into exisiting property ventures facing the inevitable problems of negative equity, tenants leaving and general economic downturn. And yes I agree, much of this crash has been caused by bankers and property developers working in much the way McCabe has with BoS. Reckless speculation, riding the crest of a wave etc - he is no better than anyother property developer imo, just very lucky that a bunch of Aussie mugs came along a few months before the credit crunch. Macca blames the 'worldwide recession' for problems of not having any centre backs etc but as above for me property developers like him have done alot to cause the crash.

 

[Tuns]

Couldnt agree more. The man might be a property genius, but he is a football disaster.

Property genius?

In his era add up the amount spent in transfer fees v amount raised from sales. Add up the amount raised from TV, gates, cup runs, Tevez etc v wages. Then explain why we 'owe' McCabe the huge amount we apparently do.

 

[broomhillblade]

No doubt Mutts he is what we would call a very wealthy man but I think you might be underestimating the impact this property recession has had on his finances. I genuinely believe his wealth is very much now on paper, tied up in ventures which could go either way, rather than cash and alot of Valad wedge has gone into exisiting property ventures facing the inevitable problems of negative equity, tenants leaving and general economic downturn. And yes I agree, much of this crash has been caused by bankers and property developers working in much the way McCabe has with BoS. Reckless speculation, riding the crest of a wave etc - he is no better than anyother property developer imo, just very lucky that a bunch of Aussie mugs came along a few months before the credit crunch. Macca blames the 'worldwide recession' for problems of not having any centre backs etc but as above for me property developers like him have done alot to cause the crash.

Back in the days of the 'old' BladesUnited, when fans were queuing up to sing McCabe's praises and say he's the greatest Chairman we've ever had, etc., I posted a note of caution. I said that I had never met McCabe but he was making all the right noises and I hoped that the fans' optimism was fully justified. However, when things seem too good to be true, they often are. From memory, I don't think my post got a single response (nothing new there!).

It now seems my natural caution/scepticism of all things was justified. But then again, nobody likes a smart arse!

 

[Bladesway]

That's a top post. Even I reluctantly concede we would be better off now with Blackwell been allowed to stay on.

Bloody hell, thats humbling But in the same shout it shows how far backwards we had gone.