Question - What is it about Blackwell you like?

[Flatulent_Bob]

As I've said on numerous occasions I don't like the man, and I don't like his demeanour. I don't like his tactics or the way he never takes any responsibility for poor results.
However his results record stands up against anyone in our league and his style while ugly is effective.

While I don't think performances have been great it seems harsh to sack a manager who's results slumped since the injuries started. This could be blamed on an unbalanced squad or failure to prepare for this eventuality but even the harshest Blackwell hater must see that trying to get a settled side in that climate is next to impossible. Our strength last year was a settled defensive unit, we haven't had that recently. Our midfield has been ripped apart and I think it is only our forwards that are starting to look like they are developing a partnership. Obviously the Hendo and Ched knockers won't agree but I think it is clear that in the last 3 games they are linking up better and seem to have a better understanding.

According to the manager after the international break 5 players are expected to be back. Naysmith, Willo (has not been 100% fit presumably), Geary, Monty, and someone else he can't remember (I would guess at Wardy but he was brought back early with Del).
I honestly think that a defence of Walker, Morgan, Killa/Davies Naysmith, Monty is strong one and one that have mostly played together from last season.
I'm looking forward to seeing what Williamson can offer after being bought in January and I think that defensive line will allow us to see the best of Harper.
As it stands I don't think our team has any confidence in our ability to keep clean sheets and therefore we are playing with one eye on getting back if we lose the ball. I think an established defensive unit will help these issues.

Our next few games are key and although I would shed no tears if Blackwell was sacked I think his record deserves a fair crack of the whip.
We have Peterborough, Bristol City, Plymouth, Forest, Palace, which are big games for his career at United. If results continue into those games I think he should be replace before Christmas and if we are really looking at a playoff position the majority of those games have to be won. A failure to win 3 out of those 5 I think coupled with the no win in 8 would leave him rightly looking down the barrel.
To re-iterate the point I believe his general results record since coming to the club give him this amount of leeway but things need to improve and quickly. Thankfully this league being the beast that it is means that no one is out of it at this stage. This has been proven recently with the amount of team having late runs towards the playoffs. However IMHO decisions have to be made before January and we are in a position where results need to be the key criteria in deciding who is our manager come 2010.

 

[dingledog]

I don't particularly have have for or against view, the realist inside me says he is here to stay, so we have to get on with it. Over my 50 years I have experienced a lot worse at the lane, including his diabolical predecessor.

 

[JohnDenver]

Imagine this message board as a room, and we are all sitting here chatting face-to-face about United and Blackwell. The staggeringly repetitive comments of some posters, and the vitriol with which they're delivered, would empty the room in no-time.

It may be due to the nature of the medium, but still, some folk need to have a think before they post the same stuff over and over again.

We could reincarnate Alf Ramsay and put him in charge, but there'd still be a minority who think he's the worst manager in our history. It's a divisive business. But please understand that nasty repetitious posts weaken your argument, whatever it is you espouse.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Whilst there are merits in your reasoning Bob I fear that the side whatever the mix of players is so short of confidence that the games that should be winnable will be difficult. Performances have improved since Blackpool and Scunthorpe but in the last two games we have only scored two penalties and created very little!
I fear that Christmas may be too late to revive this season and that we are heading for another season in the CCC (at best)

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Whilst there are merits in your reasoning Bob I fear that the side whatever the mix of players is so short of confidence that the games that should be winnable will be difficult. Performances have improved since Blackpool and Scunthorpe but in the last two games we have only scored two penalties and created very little!
I fear that Christmas may be too late to revive this season and that we are heading for another season in the CCC (at best)

I understand that risk Fiery, and yes it could turn out that we sack him too late and we miss the playoffs by a game or two.
But working entirely on his results I think he deserves this time to get some of the injuries back and turn it round.

The other thing is that we have no idea if anyone wants the job should it become available. Although ethically a grey (or probably black) area I would be surprised if we haven't made tentative contacts with a few people to see if they would have any interest should the job become available. I think it would be naive to think we wouldn't try to be in the best position should we have to remove our current manager, but we don't know if the manager of choice would be available. Should the next game not result in a win I would think this would be looked at, if it hasn't already.

Would I like a more attractive style and better results than Blackwell? Sure I would but that is one hell of an ask.
One other point what would happen to season tickets sales for next season if we slump, sack Blackwell and his replacement gets us just short of the playoffs? I would wager we would have an increase in sales under the wave of optimism for the next season, just as we did when Blackwell took over from Robo. Maybe the board don't think it would be a major issue if that happens.
Especially given the likely scenario that the teams that come down this time won't be as strong as what we have now in regards to Newcastle, WBA and Boro. Just a throw away thought.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Always a risk changing managers and there are several out there that I certainly wouldn't want! including the likes of Southgate & Coppell
Unfortunately in football manager you can go from hero to zero and back again dependant upon fortunes but Paul Ince looked a good bet when he went to Blackburn only to fall on his arse, Keane did a great job at Sunderland initially only to fail the following season and now not pulling any trees up at Ipswich.
Probably the best of the current bunch of managers that might want a challenge at BDTBL would be Simon Grayson, but arguably Leeds would be a 'bigger' side than us next year when they get promotion!

 

[Bladesman]

As I've said on numerous occasions I don't like the man, and I don't like his demeanour. I don't like his tactics or the way he never takes any responsibility for poor results.
However his results record stands up against anyone in our league and his style while ugly is effective.

While I don't think performances have been great it seems harsh to sack a manager who's results slumped since the injuries started. This could be blamed on an unbalanced squad or failure to prepare for this eventuality but even the harshest Blackwell hater must see that trying to get a settled side in that climate is next to impossible. Our strength last year was a settled defensive unit, we haven't had that recently. Our midfield has been ripped apart and I think it is only our forwards that are starting to look like they are developing a partnership. Obviously the Hendo and Ched knockers won't agree but I think it is clear that in the last 3 games they are linking up better and seem to have a better understanding.

According to the manager after the international break 5 players are expected to be back. Naysmith, Willo (has not been 100% fit presumably), Geary, Monty, and someone else he can't remember (I would guess at Wardy but he was brought back early with Del).
I honestly think that a defence of Walker, Morgan, Killa/Davies Naysmith, Monty is strong one and one that have mostly played together from last season.
I'm looking forward to seeing what Williamson can offer after being bought in January and I think that defensive line will allow us to see the best of Harper.
As it stands I don't think our team has any confidence in our ability to keep clean sheets and therefore we are playing with one eye on getting back if we lose the ball. I think an established defensive unit will help these issues.

Our next few games are key and although I would shed no tears if Blackwell was sacked I think his record deserves a fair crack of the whip.
We have Peterborough, Bristol City, Plymouth, Forest, Palace, which are big games for his career at United. If results continue into those games I think he should be replace before Christmas and if we are really looking at a playoff position the majority of those games have to be won. A failure to win 3 out of those 5 I think coupled with the no win in 8 would leave him rightly looking down the barrel.
To re-iterate the point I believe his general results record since coming to the club give him this amount of leeway but things need to improve and quickly. Thankfully this league being the beast that it is means that no one is out of it at this stage. This has been proven recently with the amount of team having late runs towards the playoffs. However IMHO decisions have to be made before January and we are in a position where results need to be the key criteria in deciding who is our manager come 2010.

I agree with a fair bit of that BUT regardless of injuries I am rather worried that there is a growing unrest in the dressing room between players and manager. Which was clearly highlighted with Harper the other week shouting at the sidelines (I think that was the blackpool game). Also Killa shouting every word under sun at Barnsley and then later on in the game when 2nd goal went in for Barnsley Williamson making the cut throat signs. Also the fact that Kyel Reid has barely kicked a ball despite the injury list just doesn't seem right. So even with all the players fully fit it seems that a few players do not respect the manager which will cause problems on and off the field.

 

[SwissBlade]

I like Blackies ability to get on with the job. He's got loads of injuries, getting stick in the car park from 20 fans, players like Killa not wanting to stick around, having to deal with agents and all the trouble he has trying to find Macron clothing that fits him (sweatshirt, Cagoul and now winter coat) But he gets on with it.

He probably sat down to watch his old boys Luton last night and still got abused.

Sure he has a moan to the media everyday, nowt wrong with that, we spend all day whinging on here, but he gets up every day comes to work and what thanks does he get?*


*Other than a nice pay packet

 

[Bramley]

Lots of pro stuff and lots against here.

I think weather we like it or not he's gonna be here till at least christmas. If we are still playing badly and not picking up points then i can see a case for removing him. McCabe wont do it lightly though.

For what its worth here's a few things i like about Blackwell.

After his 1st game in charge, (a 2-0 defeat against Chalton at home) He came on the radio, and really laid into the team. He promised it was either shape up or ship out, and the end to that season was pretty good, just missing them play offs. He deserves massive credit for this because robson had sucked the soul out of the club.

Last season, ok we didnt play great football. We didnt sparkle all season and lost a lot of high profile games. But, we were within touching distance of the top 2 going into the last game, and that was despite selling Beattie in Jan.

I think he's a fighter, and shows plenty of passion for the club. Perhaps to much when he's interviewed after games. Maybe that gets peoples back up and why he gets dogs abuse from some. He does care about Sheffield United though, unlike money bags nobson before him.

I agree that he makes some strange decisions, plays players out of position when there is no need to like against Newcastle, but i think some fans will never be happy, and most that are moaning now are ones that campaigned for many a year to have Warnock removed.

Don't forget in the promotion season United were regularly booed off at half time by their own fans.

 

[Bramley]

Imagine this message board as a room, and we are all sitting here chatting face-to-face about United and Blackwell. The staggeringly repetitive comments of some posters, and the vitriol with which they're delivered, would empty the room in no-time.

It may be due to the nature of the medium, but still, some folk need to have a think before they post the same stuff over and over again.

We could reincarnate Alf Ramsay and put him in charge, but there'd still be a minority who think he's the worst manager in our history. It's a divisive business. But please understand that nasty repetitious posts weaken your argument, whatever it is you espouse.

Probably the best post I've read in ages, bravo.