Saturday...

[mattbianco1]

I've always stuck by Blackwell, even after the no-show in the playoff final i came on here and defended him and even got into a bit of an argument for it

BUT

Everyone got on his back after Middlesbrough which i think is very harsh, first game of the season against a team meant to be one of 3 for auto-promotion, away from home. In my eyes that is a good result and one we might not be able to get from them if we'd played that game towards the end of the season, so please don't get at the manager for a GOOD result.

Last night, abysmal result. But Blackwell shouldn't slate the players as publicly as he did, then blames it on the amount of players missing. With the exception of the international call-ups these things are going to happen through the season. Two suspended, lets say Walker, Evans & Cotts were injured. That is the team that he would have to play at Say Newcastle or Reading. I'm sorry Kev but surely this proves that you haven't got this strength and depth that you've been saying you have.

Saturday - We need a convincing win. If not i fear the worse for Blackwell... Rightly or Wrongly the fans will get on his back even if we win 1.0 or 2.1 the fans will come away disappointed. We need a good solid performance, good passing, lots of chances and to win 3 or 4.0 if this doesn't happen then all of the fans that DO boo us of the pitch saturday and moan and groan at every miss placed pass thereafter have only got yourselves to blame if we keep stuttering. We need backing from the fans, why do you think we're called "Supporters" its not to get at the manager at every bad result is it? Its to get behind the team and pick them back up.

I for one always applaud the players off the pitch, afterall they wear our shirt.

Right rant over.... Please don't get at the team on saturday or Blackwell. BUT a good result is definately needed or everyone will just keep mentioning the game last night. Convincing win and all will be forgotten.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Great points
Whilst I agree that there are many morons who just go to the Lane to Boo and Complain there are many many more just wishing the team to win!
My main point would be: How can the team turn in such a great performance in the Play Off Semi at the Lane and then just not turn up against Burnley
And if these guys are the future of SUFC how come they turn in such a lacklustre performance against a side that would have been happy to return to the potteries losing only 3-0!!!
I was watching Blackwell during the second half and most of his anger was directed towards Jordan Robertson & Billy Sharp but seemed to accept poor performances from Howard, France and Quinn. In short unless they seriously strengthen the team in the next two weeks will not be challenging for promotion.
I seriously doubt McCabes commitment to promotionmore a case of running a prudent club going nowhere.
I would never boo at a game, but alternatively I would not give rubbish a standing ovation just because they are wearing a red and white striped shirt.
Just before the play off final I spoke to a young boy looking forward to visiting Wembley He thought that the Blades would triumph I told him not to expect too much I have had a lifetime of being let down by my heros at Bramall Lane but I still go expecting that one day they will prove me wrong and one day be as proud to be a blade just as my dad was and I am- Blackwell says it hurts when they lose prove it Kevin - we want action not hollow words!!!

 

[blades1889]

i dunno i hate the long ball tatic we did not look threating as i thought we used to with managers like warnock and bassett. we only looked mid table team. quinn was shite, again.

 

[Fiery Blade]

I gather from your comments that you are not the founder member of the Stephen Quinn fan club!!!
I must agree the lads gonw backwards in the last year

 

[SheepdipBlade]

I've always stuck by Blackwell, even after the no-show in the playoff final i came on here and defended him and even got into a bit of an argument for it

I'm with you on this. Blackwell has still to prove himself at this level, but it's not time to start looking to change things now - to bring in a third manager in 2 seasons can't be in our best interests.

But I do have a concern about how robust Blackwell is. His offer to walk after the play off final shows how deeply scarred he was by his time at Leeds (I once spent a weekend there - and I'm still getting over it ) and if we have a shakey start to the league season (as Leeds did after they got beaten in the play off final) - and the fickle and unthinking "supporters" get on his back (as they did in Leeds) - I'm not sure how much he would take.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

I've lived in Leeds since 1969 and have friends who are Leeds fans that hate Blackwell!

 

[jodman]

I'm with you on this. Blackwell has still to prove himself at this level, but it's not time to start looking to change things now - to bring in a third manager in 2 seasons can't be in our best interests.

My sentiments exactly.

The problem in my eyes is that the brand of football and the type of players that KB has signed would indicate that the long ball game is going to be our modus operandi for the forseeable future.

If the team were showing development in terms of style of play i personally think the fans would be more tolerent and patient when things don't go to plan.

 

[Stan]

I hope for Blackie's sanity that we get a decent win Saturday. I know it must be difficult being interviewed after a loss, but he seemed on the verge of "losing it" when he was on the radio after the Port Vale game.
Gary Speed always comes over well when interviewed.

 

[matth]

If he insists on playing the long ball, he should look for players who can do this and do it well. Stoke did pretty well in this division because they had the players and the tactics to play kick and rush successfully. It wasn't pretty, but neither is a bunch of talented, skilful footballers resorting to hoofing the ball up the pitch to an empty box and occasionally getting a lucky free-kick or penalty to score from.

The trouble is, he's a stubborn sod who is seemingly more intent on proving himself right and not giving in to the common consensus - even when it's blatantly correct - than doing what's best for the team.

 

[SwissBlade]

Blackwell should've taken more blame himself, but at the end of the day the strength in depth has gone because we've sold/ released so many players and not replaced them.

I'd have hoped he'd given more youngsters a chance to impress....

 

[Revolution]

If he insists on playing the long ball, he should look for players who can do this and do it well. Stoke did pretty well in this division because they had the players and the tactics to play kick and rush successfully.

That's right. They had a tactical plan that many see as crude, but they executed it well last season and the season before. One reason is that they buy players to fit the plan - big lads. Contrast that with our midfield were 5' 9" is considered gigantic.

 

[Stan]

I can never understand it when commentators say we're a big, physical side. Hendo is big and, i suppose he's quite physical. Morgs is pretty average size for a centre half, although he is a physical player. Monty is a all-action, but certainly not big. Other than that, i can't see why we are tarred with that brush.
As you say, if our aim is hoofball then we should get the players for the job.