Not doing too bad

[CopenhagenBlade]

For a team that according to this site has;

Simonsen-a keeper that can't catch a cross
Collins- a slow hoofer
Maguire- slow, too young and over elaborates
Williams/LJF Neither can defend and are crap
Flynn-lightweight, never beats a man
Doyle- a hoofer, who can't pass and chases shadows
McDonald- a lazy luxury who can't tackle
Quinn- He hides, doesn't track back and just kicks the ball over his own shoulder
Cressy- Slow and 10 years past his best
Evans- can't head, can't shoot, no first touch and slow plus earns 200k p/w

And has a pig as a manager we are doing pretty well

 

[bricktop]

For a team that according to this site has;

Simonsen-a keeper that can't catch a cross
Collins- a slow hoofer
Maguire- slow, too young and over elaborates
Williams/LJF Neither can defend and are crap
Flynn-lightweight, never beats a man
Doyle- a hoofer, who can't pass and chases shadows
McDonald- a lazy luxury who can't tackle
Quinn- He hides, doesn't track back and just kicks the ball over his own shoulder
Cressy- Slow and 10 years past his best
Evans- can't head, can't shoot, no first touch and slow plus earns 200k p/w

And has a pig as a manager we are doing pretty well

So i take it you have just been reading the bits you want to read.

 

[mickerz-blade]

I think he has a very good point.
It may be nice to review the poll about where people thought we'd finish, Just as a reminder. I know we're only half way through but i think it would give those who thought we'd get relegated a chance to revise their forcast on what they have seen so far.

 

[Bladesman]

Don't get me wrong we are doing well but the better teams in this league have exposed those certain flaws mentioned above in some of our players. Thankfully we have a team that despite the flaws is doing well and keeping us up there.

That I think is more down to the lack of quality overall in this League than anything else. Rochdale the other week were very very poor and they did create a one or two chances at best but had a better side been gifted those chances (even by the crap ref) the result may of been a lot different.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

In the Chumpionship, anyone is capable of beating anyone on their day, I don't think the same applies in this division. We have had some off days when the odd bit of class, or mistake by the opposition, or the opposition not taking their chances has meant we've picked up points when we wouldn't have done in a higher division or against better opposition.

There's generally a team who put together a run in the 2nd half of the season but I'd be amazed if the top 5 don't remain as they are now. Having said that, we could lose players, Udders may lose Rhodes etc etc. No doubt though that promotion is there for the taking but a lot will depend on what happens in the next 5 weeks. The good thing is, DW seems to know what is needed in this division in terms of players and tactics and even if we do lose a key player or two, you'd hope that we'd keep things ticking over.

 

[bricktop]

I think he has a very good point.
It may be nice to review the poll about where people thought we'd finish, Just as a reminder. I know we're only half way through but i think it would give those who thought we'd get relegated a chance to revise their forcast on what they have seen so far.

Off the top of my head i predicted about 14th.

Nice to see i was wrong.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Oh there's time Brownie, there's time.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I think we are performing well beyond what should be expected. We have a huge wage bill, but it isn't being spent on Wilson's players its still on he was left to pick up.

I still don't think the defence is good enough, we don't have enough pace, and we aren't clinical up front. But we are seemingly getting away with it at this level.
Overall Wilson is far outperforming all realistic expectations, I just keep waiting for us to really fuck it up.

 

[blade too long]

Wilson has turned united into a team , a proper team , an entity that can change players and play to a system
Different players come in and do a job
eg
Flynn came in on tuesday, filled Williamsons boots
January should hold no fears, we appear to be able to cope with our own players
isnt that unexpected

 

[dingledog]

It's not been this good for a long time. It's going well long may it continue.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Given how Phillips and Clarke had looked key to how we were playing during their loan spell, I thought we'd suffer quite a lot from their return to Blackpool - in the same way the midfield looked a bit clueless last season directly after Andy Reid's loan ended. But we've done very well. Since the JPT loss, we've tightened up the defence and look an altogether more settled team - just like the start of the season when we barely changed the starting XI. Evans's form has helped hugely of course, but it's not just him.

January is going to be extremely nervy. Obviously concerned we'll get rid of the odd key player, but if we can avoid that we're in with a great chance. The idea of a fully fit Beattie alongside an in-form Evans for the rest of the season could be a huge boost.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I'm pleased with how things are going at the moment. But it's a concern that the players linked with bigger clubs are the youngsters, Long, Lowton and Maguire. Then Williamson and Evans are out of contract this summer, while we are relying on the experience of Simonsen, Collins, Doyle, Monty, Quinn and Cresswell. They seem to be doing well now, but if we go up, will they do better at Championship level than when they were two years younger?

What kind of squad will we have next season?

 

[SwissBlade]

It's all very early and now were where we should be. Just need to keep it going, great that the optimism I coming back, bu still a long way to go.

Apparently February will be critical

 

[stannyblade]

I said 2nd so lets end the season now..

 

[Sirius]

I think we are performing well beyond what should be expected. We have a huge wage bill, but it isn't being spent on Wilson's players its still on he was left to pick up.

I still don't think the defence is good enough, we don't have enough pace, and we aren't clinical up front. But we are seemingly getting away with it at this level.
Overall Wilson is far outperforming all realistic expectations, I just keep waiting for us to really fuck it up.

FB Isn't it good to have a team that can be coached/ motivated to collectively exceed their individual abilities. D.W would not have been my first choice as manager, but from afar it seems that he, Frank Barlow, Morgs and Uncle Tom C and all are the dogs bollocks right now

 

[grafikhaus]

..,They seem to be doing well now, but if we go up, will they do better at Championship level than when they were two years younger?

What kind of squad will we have next season?

Oh, Bergen!

I just keep waiting for us to really fuck it up.

...and Bob! This is United! For now, enjoy what we have. Sure, let's not go all short-termism like Wendy, who truly believe they are brilliant, but don't worry about what the future might bring.

Graham Taylor in a press interview to Rob Shepherd in 'Do I not like that' - 'Rob, Rob, you worry, but don't make the rest of us fucking worry!'

New Years Resolution? - 'Don't worry. Be happy!'

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

New Years Resolution? - 'Don't worry. Be happy!'

Great sentiment GH! Unfortunately that needs to get through the default setting for a Blade:

If it can go wrong, it will go wrong!
And even if it can't go wrong, United will find some way to fuck it up!

 

[Fiery Blade]

Don't get me wrong we are doing well but the better teams in this league have exposed those certain flaws mentioned above in some of our players. Thankfully we have a team that despite the flaws is doing well and keeping us up there.

That I think is more down to the lack of quality overall in this League than anything else. Rochdale the other week were very very poor and they did create a one or two chances at best but had a better side been gifted those chances (even by the crap ref) the result may of been a lot different.

Fullly concur with your sentiments Bladesman!
The side Wilson has got together seem to have enough to put us in the top five at the end of the season but we face some tricky away fixtures at Charlton, Huddersfield, Mk Dons and Wendy and I also think Brentford, Notts Co, Carlisle and Hartlepool wont be a walkover!!
Lots of work to do yet!
The January window will play a major part but I still feel that getting Beattie fit and firing on even 3 cylinders will put us in a different class to most of the sides in this poor division - him and Evans at this level would be far too good for any defence at this level.
As for Wilson, still not his biggest fan but he seems to be doing what is needed!!!

 

[Bergen Blade]

Oh, Bergen!



...and Bob! This is United! For now, enjoy what we have. Sure, let's not go all short-termism like Wendy, who truly believe they are brilliant, but don't worry about what the future might bring.

Graham Taylor in a press interview to Rob Shepherd in 'Do I not like that' - 'Rob, Rob, you worry, but don't make the rest of us fucking worry!'

New Years Resolution? - 'Don't worry. Be happy!'

Appreciate the concern, but I am very happy and very optimistic, in general and as a Blade. It must be allowed to look at where we are heading long term, while being pleased with the last few results though. The lack of long term planning is the main reason we're in the third division.

When we were relegated I was personally hoping we'd have a clear out of the high earners and start building a fresh, young side that would improve year by year. Maybe we didn't get any offers for the high earners, and this may have prevented Danny Wilson from doing that. What has happened is that we've gone for experience and relied on the players that brought us down. It is currently going well, and on current form we're in a good position to bounce back and if so it will be deserved.

But rather than being happy with a squad that's too good for League One, but not good enough for the Championship, we must make it our priority to

1) keep the players that can make us take a step further
2) look for more additions that have similar potential (if not current ability)
3) give playing time to youngsters with potential, at the expense of "proven" players
3) avoid making expensive short term signings

 

[blade too long]

I had heard the Marshall to Swillsborough move is not finalised as Stoke enquired about Ched and United said 2.5million and Marshall , but they didnt baulk at it, so united asked for 3 plus their key hope

 

[stannyblade]

I had heard the Marshall to Swillsborough move is not finalised as Stoke enquired about Ched and United said 2.5million and Marshall , but they didnt baulk at it, so united asked for 3 plus their key hope

how funny would it be if we got Marshall?

 

[blade too long]

imagine hed get a friendly reception in the derby if he did