Not good enough.

[bricktop]

I think the first and the major problem Gary Speed has got to contend with is that he has got a squad where the nucleus is not of the required standard.

First up is defence. Johnny Ertl has looked poor and was at fault for at least 2 of the QPR goals last week, Chris Morgan is starting to age and doesn't look like the same player he once was any more, Andy Taylor is possibly one of the worst footballers we have had in the last 20 years, and Rob Kozluk is a regressive signing.

Midfield Leon Brittian has not yet shown us what he is capable of, and think he might have been overated at Swansea, Mark Yeates has by my reckoning has only produced sporadically and more often than not looks like only an average Championship player at best, Richard Cresswell and Jamie Ward are played out of position all to often on the wings and would be a lot more effective as the front pair. Stephen Quinn must be kicking himself at not getting a starting position. And finally Monty has gone off the boil and is back to his old self of losing possesion with every tough.

Finally the forward line, Ched Evans looks to be a very expensive dud, and does not look like a goalscorer, and i don't rate Boggy either who has yet to do anything of note in a Blades shirt

With this squad we have now, we need to strengthen and bring some new faces in, or else we are doomed and are fighting a losing battle from the start. People said Norwich, Charlton, Southampton, Leicester, Forest, Leeds was all too big to go down, but down they went so it can happen to us, and if we don't strengthen with this side of has beens, never will be's and no marks we are going to struggle

 

[Ballinpigpubs13]

Can't believe we've just given Quinn a 3 year contract. A piece in the Boro fansine "fly me to the moon" yesterday read " Stephen Quinn once quoted as being the NEW Ashley Cole, but plays more like Cheryl Cole" Speeds got to get alot of dead wood sorted out and damn quick.

 

[SoccerCynic]

Yes!. A statement of intent is now needed to support Gary Speed. I was slated 18 months ago for daring to suggest that we must seek a replacement for the stalwart Morgan. We cannot afford to be sentimental. Keep him as a squad player/coach by all means but he may not be able to fit in to the new tactics we all want. Monty and Squinny certainly cannot and the squad is thin on quality. There is no need to panic and I fully support the new management team but this week needs to see some movement. Interesting times!

 

[super_pig]

>Stephen Quinn must be kicking himself at not getting a starting position.
i wish he would.. then he might get injured
> And finally Monty has gone off the boil and is back to his old self of losing possesion with every tough.
LOL.. when was he ever 'on' the boil (dates required)

 

[Pinchy]

Stephen Quinn must be kicking himself at not getting a starting position.

Will he be be flicking himself aimlessly over his own shoulder without the slightest idea where he'll end up?

 

[beightonblade]

McCabes made a reight mess of things at BDTBL...........who'd have thought it ?...sum Blades say he's the best we've had.

 

[Ollessendro]

I think the first and the major problem Gary Speed has got to contend with is that he has got a squad where the nucleus is not of the required standard.

First up is defence. Johnny Ertl has looked poor and was at fault for at least 2 of the QPR goals last week, Chris Morgan is starting to age and doesn't look like the same player he once was any more, Andy Taylor is possibly one of the worst footballers we have had in the last 20 years, and Rob Kozluk is a regressive signing.

Midfield Leon Brittian has not yet shown us what he is capable of, and think he might have been overated at Swansea, Mark Yeates has by my reckoning has only produced sporadically and more often than not looks like only an average Championship player at best, Richard Cresswell and Jamie Ward are played out of position all to often on the wings and would be a lot more effective as the front pair. Stephen Quinn must be kicking himself at not getting a starting position. And finally Monty has gone off the boil and is back to his old self of losing possesion with every tough.

Finally the forward line, Ched Evans looks to be a very expensive dud, and does not look like a goalscorer, and i don't rate Boggy either who has yet to do anything of note in a Blades shirt

With this squad we have now, we need to strengthen and bring some new faces in, or else we are doomed and are fighting a losing battle from the start. People said Norwich, Charlton, Southampton, Leicester, Forest, Leeds was all too big to go down, but down they went so it can happen to us, and if we don't strengthen with this side of has beens, never will be's and no marks we are going to struggle

Spot on Brownie. I was jumping up and down all pre season saying our squad was nowhere near good enough. People told me to chill out, wait for this, wait for that, etc. However we ended up with a 19 man squad. Of that a few are crocks and only half are good enough to cut it at this level.

The defence is still the major weakness for me. Perhaps with Nos, Bartley, Morgs and Calve then we could have ba steady-ish back 4. If we can stop conceding and losing games, then we might start to grown in confidence.

I actually think the likes of Evans, Britton and Ertl will come good given a chance. I'd like to see Ertl and Britton together in CM, with Yeates and Ward out wide (although i'd prefer another winger to be signed and Ward used up front) and Evans and Cresswell up front together. The point is that players are not performing and our back up options are either poor or also not performing.

For me I'd like to see immediate signings of a CB and winger. I think this is not out of the question. I don't think it is time to panic, but a few signings to increase competition for players would help.

I think that confidence is also a major issue and should not be underestimated. I remember one of Blackwell's first games (Boro in the cup) and we were awful. Truly terrible. A few weeks later the same team looked much better and started playing well. It just took a little bit of time to get some belief back. Hopefully Speed can do the same. I've no doubt that Warnock (a master of getting the best out of mediocre resources) could have this side in the top half and maybe even pushing for the play offs, but it is a big ask to get Speed to do the same.

 

[LSF]

Will he be be flicking himself aimlessly over his own shoulder without the slightest idea where he'll end up?

Priceless Pinchy!

 

[Pinchy]

Thanks Fritter, always nice to hear from an old sparring partner.

What do you think of it so far?

 

[LSF]

Thanks Fritter, always nice to hear from an old sparring partner.

What do you think of it so far?

Eh Up Pinchy, how goes it my old duellist . So far, so not so good eh! My hero Monty living up to your billing (sad to say, but I reckon he'll come out of this dip in form . As for the rest - they all look short of confidence which is the real factor at this level. There is so little difference in the championship in ability,fitness and preparation that confidence is usually the dealbreaker.
Other than that, If we can get the back four sorted, and rid ourselves of poor old Andy Taylor who doesn't enjoy what he does for a living and has no stomach for it, then inject some pace up front, we might just finish mid table.
But to achieve that mediocre standard we have to improve somewhat - says it all really eh?

 

[Latters]

Eh Up Pinchy, how goes it my old duellist . So far, so not so good eh! My hero Monty living up to your billing (sad to say, but I reckon he'll come out of this dip in form . As for the rest - they all look short of confidence which is the real factor at this level. There is so little difference in the championship in ability,fitness and preparation that confidence is usually the dealbreaker.
Other than that, If we can get the back four sorted, and rid ourselves of poor old Andy Taylor who doesn't enjoy what he does for a living and has no stomach for it, then inject some pace up front, we might just finish mid table.
But to achieve that mediocre standard we have to improve somewhat - says it all really eh?

It's just a pity that his dip in form coincided with the commencement of his career!!!

 

[LSF]

It's just a pity that his dip in form coincided with the commencement of his career!!!

Rather odd that none of the several managers he's played for ever noticed it eh?

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Rather odd that none of the several managers he's played for ever noticed it eh?

Warnock, Robson and Blackwell, hmmm.........

 

[LSF]

Warnock, Robson and Blackwell, hmmm.........

With all due respect Jim, all three, despite anyone's opinion of them, know far more about football than me, thee and any other fecker who posts on here!

 

[JohnDenver]

I think the first and the major problem Gary Speed has got to contend with is that he has got a squad where the nucleus is not of the required standard.

First up is defence. Johnny Ertl has looked poor and was at fault for at least 2 of the QPR goals last week, Chris Morgan is starting to age and doesn't look like the same player he once was any more, Andy Taylor is possibly one of the worst footballers we have had in the last 20 years, and Rob Kozluk is a regressive signing.

Midfield Leon Brittian has not yet shown us what he is capable of, and think he might have been overated at Swansea, Mark Yeates has by my reckoning has only produced sporadically and more often than not looks like only an average Championship player at best, Richard Cresswell and Jamie Ward are played out of position all to often on the wings and would be a lot more effective as the front pair. Stephen Quinn must be kicking himself at not getting a starting position. And finally Monty has gone off the boil and is back to his old self of losing possesion with every tough.

Finally the forward line, Ched Evans looks to be a very expensive dud, and does not look like a goalscorer, and i don't rate Boggy either who has yet to do anything of note in a Blades shirt

With this squad we have now, we need to strengthen and bring some new faces in, or else we are doomed and are fighting a losing battle from the start. People said Norwich, Charlton, Southampton, Leicester, Forest, Leeds was all too big to go down, but down they went so it can happen to us, and if we don't strengthen with this side of has beens, never will be's and no marks we are going to struggle

I honestly think all our players (barring Taylor) are good solid Championship level performers. Trouble is, some have gone stale and most are horribly lacking in confidence. Unless this can be rectified, the division is so tight that we could still finish near the bottom.

It worries me that those we've rewarded with new contracts are among the strugglers. It's up to them to carry the fight...