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http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/sport/McCabe39s-forward-planning-should-reap.5796315.jp?
Published Date: 05 November 2009
By Alan Biggs
Last week the Telegraph expressed the hope and expectation that chairman Kevin McCabe and manager Kevin Blackwell would meet to re-assess Sheffield United's budget ahead of the January transfer window.
Unbeknown to us, that meeting took place on the very same day.
No-one can deny that finances are tight but neither can they dispute that, in a recession, the reasons are understandable given that United justly pride themselves on responsible house keeping.
It was good for fans to hear McCabe take a bullish stand in detailing how his session with Blackwell was designed to sustain a renewed promotion bid.
Clubs who have dropped from the Premiership in recent times - Reading, Norwich, Charlton and the like - have found it hard to reverse the fall as parachute payments disappear.
That is why United's current struggle is hardly without precedent. They are not alone and there is no shame in it.
But the resourceful McCabe clearly planned ahead for just this sort of challenge, knowing it would be tough.
Not for the first time, Blades followers may have cause to be grateful for his prudence rather than thrashing out in his direction, especially as he recognises the immediate need.
It looks almost certain that Matt Kilgallon will be sold in January, an event beyond the club's control. Winger David Cotterill also looks outward bound with Swansea having made an approach.
Blackwell seems assured of investing from the proceeds to shore up a squad which has had the heart ripped out of it and relies on too many loans.
McCabe said: "A substantial budget with realistic expectations has been made available to Kevin for players to strengthen the squad over the next eight months.
"It is clear we are determined to provide Kevin with a platform to reach the Premier League."
Published Date: 05 November 2009
By Alan Biggs
Last week the Telegraph expressed the hope and expectation that chairman Kevin McCabe and manager Kevin Blackwell would meet to re-assess Sheffield United's budget ahead of the January transfer window.
Unbeknown to us, that meeting took place on the very same day.
No-one can deny that finances are tight but neither can they dispute that, in a recession, the reasons are understandable given that United justly pride themselves on responsible house keeping.
It was good for fans to hear McCabe take a bullish stand in detailing how his session with Blackwell was designed to sustain a renewed promotion bid.
Clubs who have dropped from the Premiership in recent times - Reading, Norwich, Charlton and the like - have found it hard to reverse the fall as parachute payments disappear.
That is why United's current struggle is hardly without precedent. They are not alone and there is no shame in it.
But the resourceful McCabe clearly planned ahead for just this sort of challenge, knowing it would be tough.
Not for the first time, Blades followers may have cause to be grateful for his prudence rather than thrashing out in his direction, especially as he recognises the immediate need.
It looks almost certain that Matt Kilgallon will be sold in January, an event beyond the club's control. Winger David Cotterill also looks outward bound with Swansea having made an approach.
Blackwell seems assured of investing from the proceeds to shore up a squad which has had the heart ripped out of it and relies on too many loans.
McCabe said: "A substantial budget with realistic expectations has been made available to Kevin for players to strengthen the squad over the next eight months.
"It is clear we are determined to provide Kevin with a platform to reach the Premier League."
