Nobody likely to come in

[Bergen Blade]

nor leave. Is this fair enough or does it mean we're again gambling on the fitness of certain individuals?

I think the reason behind some of our improved performances is due to a better balanced midfield, and the introduction of two pacey players in the starting eleven. This has given me hope that we may still get in the play offs, and restored some faith in Blackwell's football filosophy.

However, if he doesn't worry every minute, every hour, every day over the fitness of those two, how can the above mean he's realised the importance of pace and mobility? Has he just stumbled across the right formula, without knowing which variables he's put right? Will this mean that he'll mess it all up again as soon as Camara or Ward get injured, bringing in Quinn (for either) and returning to the old tactics?

 

[Micalijo]

Even I find it hard to believe that Blackwell doesn't recognise the importance of pace in modern day football, although plenty of his signings suggest otherwise.

If we can get Henderson, Camara in front of Ward, Willo, Monty and Yeates I think we are a match for any side in the division in terms of variety and ability in those positions. Whether Blackwell can get the best out of that I doubt but that lot playing most games should give us a good chance of top 6. I like Cresswell also sogood options if Camara stays fit.

However, the defence and especially Bunn are atrociously bad and could scupper any attempt to get in the top 6. I hope Seip and Morgan can add some stability but the problem for me is that if Willo or Morgan get injured we may as well not bother.

We also lack options and pace on the bench - which I think are vital, and given the money he has spent I think it is really bad management.

 

[DuncDisorderly]

nor leave. Is this fair enough or does it mean we're again gambling on the fitness of certain individuals?

#

Without unlimited funds and squads, we are always going to gamble on fitness of key players. Some of us might (and I know some might not) argue that were it not for the injuries early season that did for Williamson as one example, we would have been much better placed now.

ManUre would be stuffed if Rooney did a metatarsal. Why would it be such a litany of Blackwells 'poor management' (TM) if we suffered a similar fate..?

 

[JohnDenver]

Without unlimited funds and squads, we are always going to gamble on fitness of key players.

Indeed. If we're going to succeed we need luck with injuries. Do we really think Burnley reserves were promotion material last season?

Even I find it hard to believe that Blackwell doesn't recognise the importance of pace in modern day football, although plenty of his signings suggest otherwise.

Pace costs money. We can gamble on quick players in the hope they'll learn to kick a football, but it's just a gamble. Kyel Reid anyone?

 

[Bergen Blade]

#

Without unlimited funds and squads, we are always going to gamble on fitness of key players. Some of us might (and I know some might not) argue that were it not for the injuries early season that did for Williamson as one example, we would have been much better placed now.

ManUre would be stuffed if Rooney did a metatarsal. Why would it be such a litany of Blackwells 'poor management' (TM) if we suffered a similar fate..?

I think we should aim to have a squad that allows us to keep playing the prefered (current) style, even when we get injuries. By this I mean that even though we lose Camara we should aim to have a poor man's version of him, a striker that, although he may not be as good, he'll still give the team some of the same things, he'll be a threat to get in behind defences, help us stretch them, run at them.

In my opinion we'll be more effective if we keep playing two pacey, flair players (Camara, Ward) in the starting line up, and I've been hoping that the last few line ups has meant that Blackwell also had come to the same conclusion. But I'm worrying that an injury to either will mean he'll have to return to something completely different, followed by blaming bad luck, rather than being proactive and get another quick lad in on loan now as cover.

 

[judge]

i think we should borrrow some money off the banks ,spend it on players and get in more debt

seems to me that most blades will never be happy

at least that would give micalijo and his mates something else to rattle on about

 

[Pinchy]

I think we should aim to have a squad that allows us to keep playing the prefered (current) style, even when we get injuries. By this I mean that even though we lose Camara we should aim to have a poor man's version of him, a striker that, although he may not be as good, he'll still give the team some of the same things, he'll be a threat to get in behind defences, help us stretch them, run at them.

In my opinion we'll be more effective if we keep playing two pacey, flair players (Camara, Ward) in the starting line up, and I've been hoping that the last few line ups has meant that Blackwell also had come to the same conclusion. But I'm worrying that an injury to either will mean he'll have to return to something completely different, followed by blaming bad luck, rather than being proactive and get another quick lad in on loan now as cover.

What's our Luton doing these days? If only we had him and the prolific Christian Nade. Ah well.....

 

[DuncDisorderly]

I think we should aim to have a squad that allows us to keep playing the prefered (current) style, even when we get injuries. By this I mean that even though we lose Camara we should aim to have a poor man's version of him, a striker that, although he may not be as good, he'll still give the team some of the same things, he'll be a threat to get in behind defences, help us stretch them, run at them.

I dont think anyone is really going to argue that we shouldn't have pace in the side, or that the football of recent weeks has been more enjoyable purely from a fans perspective to watch.

The only issue I have with the 'poor mans version' argument is that the system works because of the skills of the players in those positions. Trying to get a lesser player to play those roles won't necessarily work out. Whether we could have a youngster to 'understudy' those positions is another matter.

Also I do like the fact that we have other types of players that could give us something different if we've been worked out by the opposition, the fabled 'Plan B' that everyone gets excited about when we don't have one...

 

[Bergen Blade]

What's our Luton doing these days? If only we had him and the prolific Christian Nade. Ah well.....

Still varying between this

http://webtv.tv2.no/webtv/sumo/?progId=335857


and letting the ball roll over his foot.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I dont think anyone is really going to argue that we shouldn't have pace in the side, or that the football of recent weeks has been more enjoyable purely from a fans perspective to watch. ...

Repeatedly we've had line ups lacking pace. If we don't judge a manager's player preferences on line ups, what do we judge them on?

The only issue I have with the 'poor mans version' argument is that the system works because of the skills of the players in those positions. Trying to get a lesser player to play those roles won't necessarily work out. Whether we could have a youngster to 'understudy' those positions is another matter.

Not sure we disagree much at all. Of course it won't "necessarily work", but it will give us the option of maintaining the newfound rythm, and allow us to have a well balanced team with complementary skills, where the opposition won't always have the play comfortably happening in front of them.

Also I do like the fact that we have other types of players that could give us something different if we've been worked out by the opposition, the fabled 'Plan B' that everyone gets excited about when we don't have one...

Yes, for our bench, our aim should be to have players with different attributes to change the pattern of the game, but also to have players who can replace similar players who are just having an off day, allowing us to keep the same style, if that is what we want.

 

[JohnDenver]

If we don't judge a manager's player preferences, what do we judge them on?

I've always rated Chris Coleman and Pep Guardiola for their taste in suits.

Blackwell could never look this sharp:

 

[raul]

Top Man. Suit £99.99 with free tie. Shoes £39.99 with free belt. Go on John, knock yourself out.:hug:

 

[Revolution]

I've always thought that dressed like that Guardiola looks like someone who's gone straight to any away game in London from work and didn't have time to change out of his suit, and is planning a trip to the pub for an hour or so after the game.

I think it's a look that works for him, mind.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Blackwells only playing this way because Henderson is out.

Back to hoof after his ban. Hendo will get straight back into the team even if we have won the previous game.

 

[Brisca Blade]

Blackwells only playing this way because Henderson is out.

Back to hoof after his ban. Hendo will get straight back into the team even if we have won the previous game.

We didnt hoof it when Henderson played in this system against Bristol City

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I agree but history is not on Blackies side.

I hope I'm wrong and will take no pleasure in being right.

 

[DuncDisorderly]

Repeatedly we've had line ups lacking pace. If we don't judge a manager's player preferences on line ups, what do we judge them on?.

I accept this. It is interesting to consider then, that of the front six we have played, Yeates, Ward, Williamson, Cresswell, Camara, and Monty, Blackwell has brought five of them to the club. It is known that we wanted Yeates in the summer, and Ward and Williamson were out early season for many games with injuries. It does show, perhaps, that Blackwell has been trying to get these options in the squad and maybe with a bit more luck, we might have seen this kind of forward line much earlier in the season.

Not sure we disagree much at all. Of course it won't "necessarily work", but it will give us the option of maintaining the newfound rythm, and allow us to have a well balanced team with complementary skills, where the opposition won't always have the play comfortably happening in front of them.

Yes, for our bench, our aim should be to have players with different attributes to change the pattern of the game, but also to have players who can replace similar players who are just having an off day, allowing us to keep the same style, if that is what we want.

With the restrictions on the playing budget this season, its a wonder we've got a full bench out most Saturdays, but I do think we agree on this point.

I would still like to see some of the younger players, maybe two a game, getting on the bench to introduce them to the first team squad. We used to survive with five substitute options, so why not...

 

[Micalijo]

I accept this. It is interesting to consider then, that of the front six we have played, Yeates, Ward, Williamson, Cresswell, Camara, and Monty, Blackwell has brought five of them to the club. It is known that we wanted Yeates in the summer, and Ward and Williamson were out early season for many games with injuries. It does show, perhaps, that Blackwell has been trying to get these options in the squad and maybe with a bit more luck, we might have seen this kind of forward line much earlier in the season.



With the restrictions on the playing budget this season, its a wonder we've got a full bench out most Saturdays, but I do think we agree on this point.

I would still like to see some of the younger players, maybe two a game, getting on the bench to introduce them to the first team squad. We used to survive with five substitute options, so why not...

'Restrictions on budget.' Nice to start the day with a good joke Duncs. Don't tell McCabe about these restrictions because he is very fond of saying we have 4th or 5th highest in the tier.

Have to agree to disagree. I think he's blown vast resources, you think he's had a tough hand dealt to him.

 

[boo radley]

'Restrictions on budget.' Nice to start the day with a good joke Duncs. Don't tell McCabe about these restrictions because he is very fond of saying we have 4th or 5th highest in the tier.

If he said that he was either misinformed or lied.
Not even trevor birch said that.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

He's not had a tough hand dealt but injuries have been extremely difficult to deal with.

I'm sure that the team selection has been a major factor in how we have played along with Blackies seemingly first task to 'stop the opposition' instead of letting them worry about us.

 

[alcoblade]

'Restrictions on budget.' Nice to start the day with a good joke Duncs. Don't tell McCabe about these restrictions because he is very fond of saying we have 4th or 5th highest in the tier.

Have to agree to disagree. I think he's blown vast resources, you think he's had a tough hand dealt to him.

Both are true. He has had a tough hand. No manager wants to be managing a budget downwards, in our case drastically. It does nothing for morale, and player turnover disrupts organisation, whoever the players are (ref our defending V Plymouth).

Out of the millions raised, (let's be clear, there's been a massive raising of money in the transfer market) he's had some to spend. I think he's done just about OK with this, but looks to have squandered up to £3M on Evans when clearly he's not worth it, and we needed it elsewhere.

On Balance, I don't have a problem with his transfer dealings and only the most blinkered (sorry Mic, you're coming across that way) would argue he hasn't had it tough. What we can agree on is that he's had the resource to provide far more entertainment, and fallen well short. Fortunately, there's signs that the penny has dropped. Coincidentally (I think not) at the same time as dropping said striker, who can't hit a bull's ass with a banjo.

UTB

 

[DuncDisorderly]

'Restrictions on budget.' Nice to start the day with a good joke Duncs.

A £14m to £8m budget drop means some serious restrictions, especially considering there are some generous existing contracts in place. I don't suppose many CCC sides are paying £28k a week for a left back who isn't even playing...

 

[Fiery Blade]

See that George Boyd has gone to Forest on loan- would have been a great signing!

 

[alcoblade]

A £14m to £8m budget drop means some serious restrictions, especially considering there are some generous existing contracts in place. I don't suppose many CCC sides are paying £28k a week for a left back who isn't even playing...

At the same time, barring Newcstle there wouldn't be any other championship clubs stupid to pay someone of Naysmith's calibre £28K per week. Or even half that. Or even half that again. But that's another story.

Is he really earning that? My word, we lost the plot along the way.

UTB

 

[JohnDenver]

At the same time, barring Newcstle there wouldn't be any other championship clubs stupid to pay someone of Naysmith's calibre £28K per week. Or even half that. Or even half that again. But that's another story.

Is he really earning that? My word, we lost the plot along the way.

UTB

An established Premiership and international footballer persuaded to drop a division? His wages shouldn't be a surprise.

I agree it was a daft signing to have a left-back on such high money, but how many people made that point at the time? How many understood the short-term gambles we made to try to get back up?

We can hammer the current management all we like, but until a few more bills are paid-off we're running with chains round our ankles.

 

[sitwell]

Don't forget Naysmith was also the carrot that enticed Beattie.

 

[alcoblade]

An established Premiership and international footballer persuaded to drop a division? His wages shouldn't be a surprise.

I agree it was a daft signing to have a left-back on such high money, but how many people made that point at the time? How many understood the short-term gambles we made to try to get back up?

We can hammer the current management all we like, but until a few more bills are paid-off we're running with chains round our ankles.

He's an above average championship right back. If people aren't suprised at the suggestiuon he earns £28K per week, then I'm even more suprised by how detached people have become from financial reality. If true, then he and Beattie earned more than half our entire gate receipts.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

Don't forget Naysmith was also the carrot that enticed Beattie.

So a ridiculous signing to entice another ridiculous signing.

UTB

 

[JohnDenver]

If true, then he and Beattie earned more than half our entire gate receipts.
UTB

That's a succinct explanation for why our tactics for 18 months were purely to launch it at Beattie from full-back.

 

[Micalijo]

If he said that he was either misinformed or lied.
Not even trevor birch said that.

Read his statements in the accounts Boo. There's a couple of references to us having the highest wage bill outside of parachuted clubs.

Totally agree that Naysmith makes a vast difference, but taking him and Killa out I still think we will have loads of players on well above CCC average.