Speed - an ambitous choice but when do we expect results

[Ollessendro]

So Beighton, is Speed a signal of ambition from Kevin Mac or is he just another two hat cheap as chips???

Seriously though, what and when do we expect from Speed?* I know this is how long is a piece of string, but we fickle Sheffielders often expect results fast. Should we expect promotion next season, or are we willing to accept mediocrity for a few years if he seems to be pushing us in the right direction?

My thoughts

The key for me is going out and trying to win games and playing to our strenghts (where Blackwell fell down). I expect United to go out and try to win every single game. This comes first for me. Warnock had a lot of success (promotion season) when he changed his style to not worry about other teams. We went out and attacked teams and panned a lot of them. Ironically this is what tripped NW up as he reverted to 4-5-1 away from home and respecting too much/worrying about opposition. I think it is vital that Speed`s team goes out and does everything to win the game. They attack and play to their strengths (not worrying about the opposition). I`ll give him a break and am less worried about football if he addresses this first.

Saying that it is not unreasonable to expect Speed to change our style dramatically and I hope he does. Kendall did it, so why can`t Speed? We`ve got a decent bunch of players, so getting it on the deck and playing is not an unreasonable suggestion. The defence is a bit weak and squad small, but we`ve got guys who can play so let`s hope Speed changes it.

I personally am willing to give him time if he shows positivity and some signs of addressing the 2 above issues.

* I`ve done a poll, but apologies as it is sujective and peple may want to sito the defence fr a while.

 

[Toronto Blade]

Speed did say in his interview along the lines of attractive football is nice but he wants results,I wouldn't expect too much to change .
He will have Nosworthy and Jordan to add to the lineup for sunday,with one goal in three games he needs to sort out a lack of scoring .

 

[DuncDisorderly]

Can we have a 'want it now' option on the poll..?

 

[Latters]

I've voted that I don't expect anything for 4 or 5 seasons, but that's just because what being a Blades fan is about. I want success, but I don't expect it because we aren't good enough. What ever happened to the over-use of the abbreviation NGE?

 

[Worksop II]

Can we have a 'want it now' option on the poll..?

Absolutely Dunc, and why not add an "it`ll never happen" option as well

 

[beightonblade]

hey up olle....................... Gary Speed wern't my choice but if i'm honest i cud have accepted him with the reight righthand man / mentor.

that two hat ellis has blown that out the water.......... he has my backing until he proves otherwise.....get nowt at Middlesborough and its shoes off !

 

[bricktop]

I think in the short-term we will see us battling for points and not really changing our style of play a great deal apart from a few tweaks.

In the longer-term i would think that we will begin to start playing a more attractive style of football, and getting the ball down a lot more.

 

[SwissBlade]

I expect nothing from Speed, he's another whipping boy, but I really hope he can work well with the squad Birch, Blackie, Ellis and he have built this summer.

What I imagine will happen is a boosted performance on the back of a shocker on Sat along with the bonus a chane of manager brings...

However, whats guaranteed is that if he has a slump or the football isn't Brasilian style then there will be the usual backlash from Blades fans

 

[travellingblade]

I voted that "I expect us to win promotion within 2 seasons", because that's my "expectation", however, I'd also be willing to extend his contract after 2 seasons, even if we didn't achieve promotion, provided the club was moving forward with good quality football.

For me, achieving promotion to the Premiership is NOT the Holy Grail, or Promised Land. I'd be quite happy with a top half finish in the Championship every season (and I don't know how many of those I've got left), provided that OUR club is well respected. I'd also accept being a yoyo team, like West Brom, for a while.

On the other hand, I'd hate us to become like Wednesday or Leeds, a supposedly "big fish in a little pond".

Naturally, I'd also welcome being a top half of the Premiership club also, during this decade.

I think in Gary Speed & Trevor Birch we have the foundation for a posperous future. What we need to do, as fans, is get behind the team and every player who pulls on the Red & White stripes, whatever his surname is!!!!!!

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Interesting poll. I think what most Blades want is some sort of improvement, if not on the playing style then on results.

If we're still in the championship in two years but he has turned us into a regular top 6 team that plays decent football then yes, give him a new contract....if we can keep him!

UTB

 

[beechblade]

Speed did say in his interview along the lines of attractive football is nice but he wants results,I wouldn't expect too much to change .
He will have Nosworthy and Jordan to add to the lineup for sunday,with one goal in three games he needs to sort out a lack of scoring .

It doesn't necessarily have to be more attractive at the start that will take a while for the team to adapt to but it has to be more exciting, trying to play total football (ala Robson's suppossed style) straight from the off won't work IMO, it has to be a gradual progression, Speed did say he wants to put his stamp on the game, and he also said he wanted the team to know which passes will work. I imagine he'll try to adapt us so we are both adept and more comfortable at a short game under pressure (Not the hot potato and punt we seem to do, when under any form of pressure), but I also don't think we will see an end to the long ball, just better decisions in when to use it. Maybe back to that mix of last seasons first 5 games, and a bit more excitement and movement and that will set us off nicely. At least I hope that anyway.