United School Report / Season Review part one

[Deadbat]

2012/13 SUFC SCHOOL REPORT





As I have traditionally done at the end of the last few seasons; it is that time again when I write a review of the campaign and also compile a school report for the different sections of the club. I will look at how they have fared and what are the prospects for next season for each respective department of the club.



I will begin with the review and a breakdown of the board and manager/s.



Over the next week I will add to this with breakdowns of the players/squad at the club and do the same. Feel free to add comments/disagree/debate.....after each post I make.



I have graded the board, the manager, players and the fans; in a traditional school report style of A+ to F- (every player who started at least one league game).



However, I have had to grade players based on the games they did play so some players who played a lot more; may still get a lower grade despite disproportionate number of games in comparison. If I have missed anyone then please say!



Season review



The end of the previous season had of course ended in utter disappointment and disbelief as the Blades saw their star striker imprisoned, coughed away a sizeable lead to rivals Wednesday who confirmed promotion on the final day and then lost on penalties at Wembley with goalkeeper Steve Simonsen blazing over the bar to end a marathon shootout. It could only happen to the Blades. Despite the ending, it was easy to forget the football that manager Danny Wilson had got them playing, the number of goals they scored and the excitement that he had brought back to Bramall Lane after a wretched few years. Albeit at a lower level it had been entertaining for the first time in a long time and many felt that despite the end of season meltdown, Wilson’s appointment had been vindicated.



The summer would see the inevitable talk of departures and soon after the final defeat Simonsen, Beattie, Taylor and Ertl departed. None of these departures were lamented but many feared who else would depart. Whilst some stayed; others followed, firstly Matt Lowton to Aston Villa where he would go on and be a major success. Just before the end of August Stephen Quinn also went for a cut prize fee to Hull and he too excelled. Lee Williamson opted to strangely choose a month to month deal at Portsmouth over staying at the Lane before latterly earning a longer deal at Blackburn whilst Kevin McDonald, Matt Hill and Chris Porter opted to remain. The season began with Nick Montgomery and Richard Cresswell still around and the former departed for Australia whilst the latter eventually re-negotiated his contract to stay in a player coach role and to allow United to stay within the new financial constraints that affected the overall salary on first team players.



In terms of incomers, there was little to get excited about although signing Tony McMahon was seen as a fair replacement for Lowton and also coming in was young Walsall right back Darryl Westlake. Also coming in was a trio of new strikers with John Cofie on loan from Manchester United, well travelled but still relatively young Nick Blackman came in from Blackburn and Shaun Miller arrived from Crewe. Dave Kitson was to join the striking ranks early on in the season whilst it was expected youngsters George Long, Terry Kennedy, Elliott Whitehouse, Callum McFadzean and Joe Ironside would all be more involved.



The overall expectation on the message boards was mixed. Many felt United would do well to make the top 6 before the season started with the departures and the loss of goals in Evans, Williamson and Lowton. Indeed some even predicted they would struggle to make the top half. I too felt a mid table finish; pushing on for to 10 would be about as good as it good. What many did not realise is that without Charlton, Wednesday, Huddersfield and us (the side that had been there!) there were no standout sides. Stevenage had lost players and the teams coming down were not reckoned to be that strong with Doncaster not expected to be serious contenders and Pompey and Coventry in financial dire straits. MK Dons were reckoned by many (including myself) to be the stand out team (shows what I know!) but as the season started you realised that even this inferior United side would have a chance and as it transpired should have had enough to go one better.







August The season began as the previous one had ended with a defeat on penalties to Burton in the League Cup but a week later the Blades narrowly beat Shrewsbury with an early goal from David McAllister in a less than convincing performance at the Lane. They then drew twice on the road at Coventry and Colchester, but ought to have garnered more from these games and missed a number of chances in the second away game. It had been a steady start but it was clear that this side lacked the attacking threat of a year ago.



September The Blades thumped Bournemouth 5-3 in the first game without Stephen Quinn with Cofie showing real flashes of individual ability allied to an excellent performance from Ryan Flynn but then followed with a trio of draws. It was definitely a point gained at Scunthorpe as United somehow nicked a late draw despite playing for a long spell with 9 men. The results with Bury and Doncaster at the Lane were not quite received as well. They got back to winning ways at Yeovil and then should have beaten Notts County as a better performance was not rewarded with a win although Dave Kitson was on the scoresheet for the first time since signing a short term deal. United’s performances so far had been mixed. They were not conceding many but were not scoring many and it was certainly a different kind of team and set up than that shown the previous season albeit with different (lesser) personnel.



October A fortunate win at Hartlepool thanks to loanee Paul Gallagher was followed up by another workmanlike win at Orient thanks to a superb strike by the emerging talent of Nick Blackman. United then failed to win at home again with another late leveller scored by the opposition, this time a feisty Oldham side but United then went on the road and won again at Preston and finally found some home form with two wins in a week against Walsall and Portsmouth with both goals coming from Blackman’s now traditional casual penalty kick routine. United were not pretty but were around the top and were grinding out wins.



November A draw at Swindon should have been followed up by another goalless draw but another late goal saw a penalty scored for MK Dons and the unbeaten run was over. It had lasted 3 months and was impressive but the fans had not been convinced by the performances although a week later a great performance with Shaun Miller to the fore saw United beat Stevenage 4-1. An entertaining draw with Crewe followed 3 days later before United were well beaten on the road by the best side they had seen; Brentford.



December After a late smash and grab against former manager Micky Adams and Port Vale; United went out of the JPT (they had seen off Notts County on Sky previously) to Coventry with another….yes, you guessed it….penalty shoot out defeat. United were able to win at Carlisle to set up an enticing top of the table clash with Tranmere but again United failed to deliver at home and it was another stalemate. On the eve of Christmas though, two Tony McMahon free kicks in poor conditions saw United go to the top of the league after they won at Crawley. Their best performance at home for some time saw them beat Scunthorpe but injuries to Neill Collins and more seriously Shaun Miller were to have a big impact.



January In abysmal conditions United somehow lost to the bottom of the league Hartlepool and then were very fortunate to get a late draw at Doncaster. After they won again at another former Blade; Chris Wilder’s Oxford; in the Cup; they then limply lost at home again to Yeovil. Failure to beat Notts County who had 10 men for much of the game and then a limp exit to Reading in the Cup ended a rotten month. Right at the end Blades fans had another kick in the teeth as the club opted to sell Nick Blackman.



February United’s poor form continued with a late defeat to Coventry in a Friday night game (the third straight home defeat) but they got back to winning ways at Shrewsbury a week later. This was followed up by wins versus former boss Blackwell at Bury, finally at home against Colchester and then a huge win on the road at Bournemouth. However another poor home performance saw yet another 0-0 draw against Orient.



March United won well at Oldham but then failed to win at home with another 0-0 draw and then got hammered at Stevenage as they dropped off the pace. A solid win at Tranmere on Good Friday looked to have got things back on track but against 10 men they could not beat another mid table side Carlisle and drew 0-0 yet again.



April After a draw at Walsall; an awful defeat against Crawley at the Lane saw the board act and the next day Danny Wilson was sacked. An instant response against Swindon for caretaker manager Chris Morgan saw United produce an excellent performance full of passion and chances. However, the home jinx came back to haunt them again as they failed to keep a 2-1 lead against 9 (granted United had 10) and chucked away a last minute goal in a bizarre game. After this hammer blow United then went down easily at relegated Portsmouth and lost at Crewe before ending with a goalless draw (the 6th out of 23 at the Lane) against Preston. United failed to score in the last 3 games which summed up much of the season.



May So it was the playoffs and Yeovil over two legs awaited the Blades. A tight first leg of really poor quality saw only one goal in it as youngster McFadzean’s deflected shot gave United the edge but in the second leg at Huish Park we limply went down without even a whimper. The season ended with an awful second half performance where we never really looked like scoring. It was the sort of nothing showing we had seen most of the year and was fitting the season ended like that.

 

[Deadbat]

Summary One of the worst (if not the worst season) I have seen in my 30 years of watching the Blades. I started watching under Porterfield and some of those teams were poor, McEwan’s teams were even worse and then some dark days under Heath and latterly Adams. This side is the worst of the lot. I never saw the side that went down to the fourth (too young) that many say was even worse but for me this is the worst bar none. It is a side bereft of pace, athleticism, skill, goals, idea and leadership both on and off the field. We have drawn 6 games 0-0 and only won 8 of 23 games at home. We kept cleans sheets and the defence was ok but overall the games mostly were dire and I was bored many games. We were winning games and many were saying fans were being overly critical as we were at the top but a lot saw that the writing was on the wall and that we were so poor even in the odd narrow wins we were gaining.



Even going away and some narrow wins, the performances were more workmanlike than impressive and many wins home and away came due to the sheer dross they were up against. It was an awful division and we could not get out of it. Yes we had a worse side and some poor, slow players and all I have said above stands about managerial mistakes and poor play but we still should have done enough to have gone up with the experience we had. We blew it again. As sides like Bournemouth and of course Donny ramped it up at the clutch time; we meekly fell away again, winning 1 of our last 8 games. The players and coaching staff basically proved they did not have what it took once again. The whole mentality from top to bottom is of a losing culture and as I allude to there is not a lot we can do about the owner and board but we really need to change the manager/coach/personnel in charge of the 1st team and the playing staff from top to bottom. Some of the young kids are ok but most of the rest need jettisoning and quick. I just hope we can bring someone in that may actually know what they are doing and can galvanise the fans and get an exciting young and hungry group of players that are desperate to play in front of so many fans and don’t use this as an excuse for their own ineptitude. I still believe so many players would love to play in front of large crowds and in a really decent ground but these lot have proved they wilt and so it is time for many to probably move on. Next season I cannot see much apart from mediocrity unless there are big changes.





Staff report



Board / Club



Kevin McCabe

Last season I was more measured in my approach to the board and McCabe. We kept much of the team together and the controversial Wilson appointment nearly paid off. However they get no such free ticket this year. Nearly everything they have done has gone wrong going through numerous bumbling decisions off the pitch (Winter came in as CEO then mysteriously disappeared – not the first really, Robinson, Birch etc that were utter disasters). We somehow lost the much vaunted John Pemberton from the Academy without even any real explanation and then in came Jamie Hoyland and then he soon left. It was all a bit bizarre. We seemed to have changed the coach every month and no reasons or honesty why this is happening?



On the field, we let Quinn, Lowton, Williamson go and then replaced them with inferior talent. We sold our leading scorer Blackman and once again as with Evans never had a plan B. It was planning of the poorest kind but I expected nothing less from such an incompetent board of directors and chairman that seems incapable of making correct football decisions and then often acts impulsively (Blackman 3 games, Wilson 5 games from the end of the season). Our chairman continually talks about bad luck and the rub of the green and treats us supporters with contempt as he makes such decisions. He genuinely seems to think we would all be massively in favour of appointing a rookie manager Chris Morgan. In effect it does not appease the fans it just smacks of cheap and desperation. Granted Wilson was a dead man walking but doing it 5 games before the season was folly in some ways and unsure what he thought a coach who had been involved in the set up would suddenly turn things around?



The squad is a joke with a smattering of young talent surrounded by ageing has beens and players not good enough (proved it for 3 seasons straight – what I term ‘losers’). We have no flair, quality, pace, no strikers, little creativity, wingers who cant cross/beat men and a defence that is solid apart from when it really matters. What a mess.



We now have a new chairman, David Green and also the bloke McCarthy seems to be more involved than ever when a few years ago was he not chairman at Sheffield FC? I do not even know who Jeremy Tutton or Ian Cameron are? Noone seems to invest whoever they are. I am not sure we have the right people making decisions and would not trust McCabe and whoever he employs to get anything right – he has proven this. It is frightening to think who he will bring in as the new manager. He goes from the controversial Robson, Wilson to those he thinks we would be desperate to have as they are Blades, Blackwell, Warnock, Morgan. In reality most of his appointments have been unmitigated disasters as has the transfer policy with sanctioning of players such as Robson, Kitson, Higginbotham, Williams, and re-signing (incredulously of Doyle/Collins) means we are saddled with further debt. It is the board that surely signs off such cheques and therefore the blame lays sorely with them as they not only keep appointing these awful managers but allow them to bring in slow, old dross. We have an academy that is not used enough (players blooded far too late) and most of our loans are ineffective. We rarely find gems (Miller/Blackman rare one) and our so called changes to our scouting system seems to have done little – as we were relying on old mates (Kitson getting Higginbotham) for some signings which is embarrassing really.



I have not even gone into the changes in terms of the freehold of the hotel and the ground which puts the power even more firmly with the McCabe family and his ‘company.’ We had the talk of Malaysians a few years ago that came to nothing and then last year the Nigerian guy who offered some sound bites but nothing has happened.



The only positives is the ground still is decent (but that is only in comparison to holes in the division) and we have a nice training ground. However the pitch is awful at the Lane. We have had a terrible winter and long winter but look at our rivals across the city and their surface for the final game of the season. Somehow they manage to keep their pitch so much better. I suppose some fans will say the usual stuff about drainage etc but we have had this problem for years and it is totally unacceptable. We need to get it sorted but I guess with all the other issues are low down on the agenda and we barely keep it on the pitch anyway.



I suppose the board has kept the season ticket prices down (did they have a choice and it won’t make much difference as crowds will dip quite a lot in my opinion). Oh and I suppose the kit was nice this year but that will be changed (again) next season.





Grade F



Next season



I cannot see any way forward unless someone buys the McCabe family out and we can start again but the debts we/he has and is owed (due to his own dreadful mismanagement) means he will be stuck here – of course if he walked away without any new investment we would even be more royally screwed. We are simply stuck between a rock and a hard place. We won’t go into administration due to the money and debts being mostly with McCabe rather than other creditors. However we can’t get bought out as the debts and situation McCabe has created. We are stuffed and will continue to suffer with even more awful decisions.



Overall, the board (and McCabe) has completely made a royal mess of this football club and I am unsure how we can get out of it. I believe things may get worse before they get better and it would not totally surprise me if we went further down the pyramid. It should be embarrassing that we are at the same level as many of the clubs we are and also that locally sides like Wednesday, Donny, Barnsley, Rotherham etc (have brighter futures on and off the field) have all done so well. The fans deserve better but it could be a long time before we see any real glory and it remains to be see how many loyal ones will be left in 4 or 5 years if we are still in the lower leagues.

 

[Deadbat]

Managerial team/Coaches



Danny Wilson



Wilson had been a success first season and things contrived to stop him being a United legend. Sadly you feared for him as players left and he was faced with a tougher hand to work with. Still as you saw the awful division in front of us and that despite United not being able to play much football, they still should go up. We were in a great position around Xmas and despite the shocking performances and negative approach (granted we could never replicate what we did as we did not have personnel but it was awful to watch) we seemed set to go one better. After Xmas we did lose a key man in Miller but Wilson sanctioned signings such as Poleon, Forte (and Cofie earlier in the season), spent funds on Murphy, Higginbotham and Robson and barely any of these signings made much impact really. These funds and wages alone were still surely much more than every other club had at their disposal and were wasted. Like the previous year with O’Halloran, Egan, Hoskins etc when we needed signings to make the late push Wilson got nearly all of them wrong.



We started to lose at home after previously good form and then even when the reverses stopped we began to draw most games at the Lane and had some awful runs of 0-0 draws. It was unclear on how we were playing with little football, more direct stuff (but not proper direct stuff that sometimes can be effective). Wilson was not blooding youngsters (forced into Long, Ironside and McFadzean not given chances, De Girolamo should have featured more long before he was injured) and kept playing the same underperforming players such as Doyle, Flynn, Kitson etc.



Wilson may say he got us near the top with a lesser squad, we had a good defensive record but ultimately as season hit final straight we started to choke again and could not score goals or even look like scoring. We did not even show passion or work ethic of many of the sides we played and the players did not actually seem to be really playing for Wilson. That or he could get no more out of them. The decision to sack him was still a surprise. I expected it but expected it at the end of the season. It is easy to say in hindsight (as you could say McCabe had nothing to lose) but the decision simply smacked of moving the chairs on the titanic as Morgan may have the passion, drive but no managerial experience whatsoever and seemed sadly out of his depth.



Final thoughts on Wilson is that whilst he is undoubtedly a poor manager in many ways and is a lower league boss (proved by umpteen years at same level) he always carried himself with dignity and class (Evans affair etc). He always spoke well and I felt as a man he left with his dignity as a person. He failed at United (not the first and but for one man in Rhyl he would have maybe been a hero) but he is not the worst manager United have ever had and I believe did his best for the club. Ultimately he lacked idea, drive and contacts (loan signings pathetic) to propel the club to the next step but this has happened to him at so many other clubs it cannot be just us; it must be him. I did not have same bad feelings or negativity towards him as I probably have other departing managers (Robson, Heath and even Blackwell) and he did seem like a really nice bloke. Sadly being a nice bloke was not enough.



Grade D+





Chris Morgan



Morgan was always involved in the coaching last season but became more involved and you could see is presence on the side of the pitch or in the stand a lot more this season. He started to take more sessions in training and pre game. I have never been convinced he would make a ‘manager’ but of course that could be unfair just on interviews and watching him fire balls at centre halves in the warm up! However I feared when we made a change he would always be the one who would get the reigns temporarily. The move to appoint him I suppose was intended to galvanise us for the run in and it worked. For one game. After this excellent performance v Swindon; we reverted to type and it was mostly awful again with little attacking threat or goals from the side. We had some brief hope after the first leg but then went out with a whimper in the second leg. I cannot see him being around next season as he is not an Academy coach nor would a new manager want to keep him you would think – they will bring own men in. A sad way for his SUFC career to end but he does need to go and manage in the non league (doubt he would get a Div 2 job) and earn his next job higher up the league. This experience will do him the power of good and he would have moved on anyway if Wilson had been sacked at the end of the season. He had 5 (+ 3 bonus) games to get us up and probably get him a job he never thought he would get so soon and it was just too much but I cannot blame him. His interview at the end of the Yeovil game summed up what limitations he probably has. He was struggling to know what to say and actually said we had a ‘fantastic’ squad. If he had come out and said we had underachieved, this was not acceptable for SUFC and that if he gets the job there would be big changes in philosophy and personnel, I might of said give him an interview but his comments said he is too close to it and we need a fresh start. Sadly albeit in limited time, we failed. We scored 1 deflected goal in the final 5 games and barely created a chance. We have to look elsewhere. Hopefully he can still be remembered for being a good servant and for the most part a very good centre back for United through some good days.



Grade D





Frank Barlow Barlow did not say much nor was he interviewed much in the press, but seems to have been Wilson’s trusty number 2 most of his managerial career. I would have liked someone with a bit more idea in the modern game to have assisted Wilson. It seemed like he was very much old school and our coaching and ideas on the field really lacked creativity and freshness. With most managers they have a man they like as their assistant wherever they go and I am sure he will turn up with Wilson at another lower league club soon. There are worse management teams than them at this level that is for sure.





Darren Ward is our goalkeeping coach and has been involved with a number of young goalies coming through such as Long and Willis and they both seem to be developing well so fair play to him.



Bill Dearden was brought in and expected to improve the scouting of players but it has not really worked. We did good work in Blackman and Miller but these were 2 rarities amongst a number of awful signings (many were old players that surely he would not scout to be fair). It worries me if he has seen something in the likes of Westake, Poleon, Murphy and feels these are the best we can get? Surely there are better players in the lower leagues and even Conference we could sign for relatively cheap fees and wages? We have to change our approach and now Kitson, Higginbotham and Robson are gone, we are stuck with Collins and Doyle sadly (one day we will be shut of them) we need to look for young, fast and hungry players that are on the way up. I would rather us take a chance on 1 or 2 young players from lower leagues combined with a couple of our own kids than say 1 Robson (wages would be similar). We have to change this approach of who we sign and look at the potential of players to a) improve b) play higher up and c) perversely the sell on value they could attract (Blackman although timing of sale was poor – made good money).



John Pemberton was seen as one of the most important people in the club and key to everything we did. He helped build a side in the Academy that got to the Youth Cup Final and also was involved in helping us bring through several players (6 or 7 involved in match day squads from that Youth Cup final side). He got the teams at youth level playing good football and was also touted as a possible next manager. He turned down Crawley to stay with us and then oddly he left the club with no real announcement why and no explanation. He re-appeared back at Forest but then left there when Billy Davies came in. Not sure what he is doing now but it all seemed strange.



Jamie Hoyland Following Pemberton came former Blade Hoyland who had been coaching after his playing days for clubs in Lancashire. Like with the first team manager it was if McCabe thought by naming a former Blade favourite and burying the bad news about the loss of Pemberton, he would appease the fans and they would not question things. Not sure we are all that daft. To compound matters Hoyland was only here for a few months before he too resigned. There were rumours it was down to travelling over the Pennies but when he came he had stated it was his dream job – so it all did not seem to add up. He even made some remarks on Twitter about so called unrest in the club when we lost saying some would have been happy we did not go up? It certainly seemed not a straight forward case of him not wanting to commute to me.



David Unsworth Unsworth had been a coach at Preston and was caretaker manager only last season but he was appointed to the staff at the Lane to work in the Academy. Soon after this he was in the first team coaching set up after Wilson left as he assisted Morgan. Now Morgan will probably move on, Unsworth I expect will move back to the Academy as he was brought in for this role rather than first team matters



The Academy has plodded on with Travis Binnion a former Blades youth player (and a few others I do not know) proceedings over things but the results have been quite poor but that is of course not the ultimate aim. It does not seem we have given as many professional contracts out this year and I have to be honest that when I have been up there I have not seen any real stand outs so hopefully there a few younger players that can push on for the u18’s this coming season.

 

[Deadbat]

Next season



In terms of the first team manager and the coaching staff at this level next season; there is a real fear over who we may appoint. On the surface despite the financial difficulties, lack of talent on the field and lack of real ambition from the board, it still should be a fairly attractive proposition for many. A big club, with big crowds, nice ground facilities, academy etc. McCabe has spoken of a young manager (despite links with Australian Graham Arnold) which is more promising but I have no confidence he knows what he is doing. I keep thinking that surely he must get it right at some point but then I look at what he has done previously and see no reason to see anything different. A quick look at the bookies and the list and I really do despair. Someone said on another forum it was like choosing between an STD!



Bets courtesy of Skybet (as of 07/05/13)



Martin Allen 9/4 – Failed at clubs with even less expectations (Notts County). Seem an Adams type manager and his style is mostly direct whenever I have seen his teams.

Stuart McCall 5/1 – He also failed badly at Bradford and I am not sure his success at Motherwell means that much as the standard of football is so poor (just like at Murphy on the pitch).

Chris Morgan 10/1 – See above for my comments

Gareth Southgate 12/1 – Not sure he is the man for the challenge. Never convinced me at Boro and less than inspiring on TV. Left a good job coaching for the FA saying it was not for him.

Phil Parkinson 11/1 – Done well at Bradford but another that has failed at as many clubs as he has done well and it would be the biggest club he has ever been at and the expectations may be too much.

Neil Warnock 16/1 – Gave me some of my best days as a Blades fan but he is a managerial dinosaur and McCabe would not have him back. Full of his own self importance.

Graham Arnold 18/1 – Would be a major gamble but would still prefer him to some of the above but that is more about the lack of excitement at the above names.

Steve Cotterill 20/1 – Another manager that has been round the league and other than odd bits and pieces strikes me as a bit of a journeyman that never seems to stay anywhere very long (normally gets sacked)

Wally Downes 20/1 – No thanks.

Les Ferninand 20/1 – No experience whatsoever.

Karl Robinson 28/1 – Always quite liked him and talks a good game but failed with decent funds at MK Dons. Probably prefer him to many on this list.

Michael Appleton 33/1 – Another that has had lots of clubs for someone very young too. Not for me.

Kevin Blackwell 33/1 – Is this serious?

Gary Neville 33/1 – Would love him at the Lane or his brother – get both!!! Seriously Gary as manager and Phil as number two (and player captain). Would never happen as out chairman does not think out of the box.



You then have Steve Kean, Eddie Howe, Ian Dowie, Paul Jewell, Keith Curle etc. It is not a pretty list.



As much as I have criticised McCabe and fear for who he appoints I really do not know who is out there. None of the above fill me with glee. We would have to look at other clubs managers and see who we may get (if McCabe is willing to pay). The likes of Steve Davis, Uwe Rosler, Gary Johnson, Dean Smith are all names that could do a steady job. Rosler is one I would like but again not sure he would come. We will wait and see but I am not sure whoever gets it can do much better faced with such a dwindling squad in terms of talent but then again I look at the division (albeit will be stronger) and with 5 or 6 astute signings that bring us that pace and hunger and you never know (look at Brentford etc).



Next - The Defence

 

[Deadbat]

* Took this betting odds late last night/early morning before Wilder has gone to top of list (2-1) and Jackett and Saunders became available. For me its a no. Another Adams type appointment. We need someone with no connection to the club at all for me.

 

[Gavlar]

fairplay deadbat you are massively dedicated and very accurate. I only dream of you writing a report of a successful promotion campaign next season.

gavlar

 

[super_pig]

if it is wilder then i will scream
we need a manager who has no contacts with the blades. a clean slate. a winning mentality. i'd love gary neville. he knows how to win. he would kick ass. they haven't the guts to appoint him though

great report btw.. good work.. send it to mccabe

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Next season



In terms of the first team manager and the coaching staff at this level next season; there is a real fear over who we may appoint. On the surface despite the financial difficulties, lack of talent on the field and lack of real ambition from the board, it still should be a fairly attractive proposition for many. A big club, with big crowds, nice ground facilities, academy etc. McCabe has spoken of a young manager (despite links with Australian Graham Arnold) which is more promising but I have no confidence he knows what he is doing. I keep thinking that surely he must get it right at some point but then I look at what he has done previously and see no reason to see anything different. A quick look at the bookies and the list and I really do despair. Someone said on another forum it was like choosing between an STD!



Bets courtesy of Skybet (as of 07/05/13)



Martin Allen 9/4 – Failed at clubs with even less expectations (Notts County). Seem an Adams type manager and his style is mostly direct whenever I have seen his teams.

Stuart McCall 5/1 – He also failed badly at Bradford and I am not sure his success at Motherwell means that much as the standard of football is so poor (just like at Murphy on the pitch).

Chris Morgan 10/1 – See above for my comments

Gareth Southgate 12/1 – Not sure he is the man for the challenge. Never convinced me at Boro and less than inspiring on TV. Left a good job coaching for the FA saying it was not for him.

Phil Parkinson 11/1 – Done well at Bradford but another that has failed at as many clubs as he has done well and it would be the biggest club he has ever been at and the expectations may be too much.

Neil Warnock 16/1 – Gave me some of my best days as a Blades fan but he is a managerial dinosaur and McCabe would not have him back. Full of his own self importance.

Graham Arnold 18/1 – Would be a major gamble but would still prefer him to some of the above but that is more about the lack of excitement at the above names.

Steve Cotterill 20/1 – Another manager that has been round the league and other than odd bits and pieces strikes me as a bit of a journeyman that never seems to stay anywhere very long (normally gets sacked)

Wally Downes 20/1 – No thanks.

Les Ferninand 20/1 – No experience whatsoever.

Karl Robinson 28/1 – Always quite liked him and talks a good game but failed with decent funds at MK Dons. Probably prefer him to many on this list.

Michael Appleton 33/1 – Another that has had lots of clubs for someone very young too. Not for me.

Kevin Blackwell 33/1 – Is this serious?

Gary Neville 33/1 – Would love him at the Lane or his brother – get both!!! Seriously Gary as manager and Phil as number two (and player captain). Would never happen as out chairman does not think out of the box.



You then have Steve Kean, Eddie Howe, Ian Dowie, Paul Jewell, Keith Curle etc. It is not a pretty list.



As much as I have criticised McCabe and fear for who he appoints I really do not know who is out there. None of the above fill me with glee. We would have to look at other clubs managers and see who we may get (if McCabe is willing to pay). The likes of Steve Davis, Uwe Rosler, Gary Johnson, Dean Smith are all names that could do a steady job. Rosler is one I would like but again not sure he would come. We will wait and see but I am not sure whoever gets it can do much better faced with such a dwindling squad in terms of talent but then again I look at the division (albeit will be stronger) and with 5 or 6 astute signings that bring us that pace and hunger and you never know (look at Brentford etc).



Next - The Defence

Gary Neville 33/1 – Would love him at the Lane or his brother – get both!!! Seriously Gary as manager and Phil as number two (and player captain). Would never happen as out chairman does not think out of the box.

Thats a good call Deadbat

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

A good report Deadbat and a damning indictment of McCabe.
His business decisions and staff appointments have truly been poor.
As a holder of a number of worthless plc shares I am objecting to his shoddy performance as Chairman.
His self-serving policy of diluting the value of each of his ventures needs to be stopped.

 

[bartman]

if it is wilder then i will scream
we need a manager who has no contacts with the blades. a clean slate. a winning mentality. i'd love gary neville. he knows how to win. he would kick ass. they haven't the guts to appoint him though

great report btw.. good work.. send it to mccabe

i'm unsure about Wilder. Forget about his Blades connections. He has done his apprenticeship in the lower leagues with very little money (especially at Halifax) and may be able to identify some good lower league players that other clubs at our level seem to be able to get.

I certainly would prefer him than some of the others on the list

 

[Kev Gee]

Great report Deadbat & BANG on the money as always.

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

Good report Deadbat.

Regarding a new manager, I would prefer it if we took a chance on a bloody foreigner, someone who could potentially do what Poyet/Martinez/Rosler has done at this level. Someone who has been brought up correctly in the game, fresh ideas, slick football and no old buddies or contacts.

 

[Wards]

The Neville/Neville (not their dad!) Is a good shout, but could we tempt or indeed afford then because they certainly wouldn't be cheap.

Thinking about it we'll probably go for the dad afterall!

 

[super_pig]

i'm unsure about Wilder. Forget about his Blades connections. He has done his apprenticeship in the lower leagues with very little money (especially at Halifax) and may be able to identify some good lower league players that other clubs at our level seem to be able to get.

I certainly would prefer him than some of the others on the list

i'm sure that Chris Wilder is a good manager .. it is just that i don't want anyone with Blades baggage.. noone that buys into the 'we can't win playoffs/big matches' mentality that seems to abound (self included btw)

 

[Selly]

A good report Deadbat and a damning indictment of McCabe.
His business decisions and staff appointments have truly been poor.
As a holder of a number of worthless plc shares I am objecting to his shoddy performance as Chairman.
His self-serving policy of diluting the value of each of his ventures needs to be stopped.

As Linz has poionted out elsewhere, McCabe is our Owner, not our Chairman...

 

[Billyblade]

Nice one DB, interesting read as always.

The Neville/Neville (not their dad!) Is a good shout, but could we tempt or indeed afford then because they certainly wouldn't be cheap.

Thinking about it we'll probably go for the dad afterall!

Not the Nevilles please in any combination. They might be a success and I would very much like to continue disliking them thank you.

 

[Grecian2000]

although signing Tony McMahon was seen as a fair replacement for Lowton

Wow, I'm glad I never posted that at the time. A bit like replacing your Jag with a Lada.

 

[metalblade]

Depressing reading but spot on Deadbat, much the way I see things too. I have been watching the Blades since pre Div 4 and trust me this present lot are just about as bad as they were. This chairman (sorry owner, well we all know the rest are puppets) and his cronies who seen to come and go every few weeks are the worst I have ever seen at the club and that takes some doing. The most depressing thing is I like many others are fast moving to the stage where we no longer care what happens or who the next incumbent appointed manager will be. Fair play to any fan who still pays to watch SUFC but time gets to most in the end and after 50 years of mainly let downs the present state of the club has brought me to the end of my rope.