We need to talk about Paul.

[MobileBlade]

He was in charge for 11 League games and 1 cup game, which he also lost.

List them.

 

[ghandi]

With the greatest of respect I’ve met and worked with plenty of people who have excellent qualifications but are absolutely shit at putting it into practise and applying it to real life.

Oh I agree but Hecky's success with U23s would lead one to believe he isn't one of those types of people.

 

[Now and again]

Oh I agree but Hecky's success with U23s would lead one to believe he isn't one of those types of people.

Certainly hope that he can make that considerable step up. A lot more relentless intensity at senior level. Like I say I’d be over the moon if this is the making of him and a resurgence in our fortunes.

 

[Bartleby]

List them.

Wasn't it 10 league games?

29 Leicester City 5–0 Sheffield United
30 Leeds United 2–1 Sheffield United
31 Sheffield United 0–3 Arsenal
32 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–0 Sheffield United
33 Sheffield United 1–0 Brighton & Hove Albion
34 Tottenham Hotspur 4–0 Sheffield United
35 Sheffield United 0–2 Crystal Palace
36 Everton 0–1 Sheffield United
37 Newcastle United 1–0 Sheffield United
38 Sheffield United 1–0 Burnley

LLLLWLLWLW

 

[MobileBlade]

Wasn't it 10 league games?

29 Leicester City 5–0 Sheffield United
30 Leeds United 2–1 Sheffield United
31 Sheffield United 0–3 Arsenal
32 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–0 Sheffield United
33 Sheffield United 1–0 Brighton & Hove Albion
34 Tottenham Hotspur 4–0 Sheffield United
35 Sheffield United 0–2 Crystal Palace
36 Everton 0–1 Sheffield United
37 Newcastle United 1–0 Sheffield United
38 Sheffield United 1–0 Burnley

LLLLWLLWLW

It was. And I think you can safely say you could exclude Leicester. Think he was only told at lunchtime, was only allowed in changing room 45 mins before kick off due to covid regs and had no involvement in build up.

 

[Now and again]

The players did at least seem to have a look of a team with the shackles let off in the training session posted. I’m really hoping we see a far more energetic and positive performance over the coming games.

 

[Booker4]

I looked into the Leeds and Hibs spells since we appointed him. I found the video attached interesting, the Leeds fans on here seem positive on him, seems he took over a team struggling and blooded several of the youths. At Hibs he started really well, got manager of the month and then the next season they won the first game but they didn't win another until he was sacked but he'd drawn five games just before he was sacked so it's not as if they were losing every week. They spent only £250,000 on Doige, the rest were free transfers, although this is no doubt the norm for the SPL outside of the Old Firm.

I also think having McCall and Lester with him is a major plus, both were decent players, McCall especially and more importantly they are known to be good coaches. I, like others, have my doubts for the linger term but for this season I fully expect us to challenge for the play offs and I think we'll see a marked improvement in tempo and excitement in the football. I didn't want Slav to go, but I do feel that Hecky, McCall and Lester will get another 15% or so out of this team, we'll be hard to beat and 100% effort, stuff that in part made the Wilder team a success and the players will be far more comfortable under Hecky I would have thought than under Slav - just guessing there. Slav needed new players, more technical players, pace and creativity and whilst all of that would have been great the board were not willing to give him the cash to overhaul everything Wilder put in place. We do of course have some skill and creativity and hopefully Ndiaye and MGW will be used to full effect and I'm hopeful that McBurnie and Brewster will be big contributors because playing one up top was not going to suit this team.

I do wonder if Regan Slater may well be given a shout in the next few matches, I wouldn't be surprised that he comes back into the reckoning, at least on the bench. That would be amazing to see him do well.

 

[Addison]

A lot of re writing of history on this thread. The fact is PH failed to get the same group of players playing any better than CW who left because he wasn't getting anymore out of them. Up to the Everton game the performances were appalling.

The Crystal Palace game was where the players effectively downed tools a disgraceful showing that led to PA instructing his people to go and get Slav. That was the game where Lundstram came off the bench and lazily gave the ball away for their second goal. The commentators were scathing about his lack of application after just coming off the bench. JL was still getting a game 8 games into PH's tenure. Thankfully he never wore the shirt again after that.

We improved against Everton and got a win hopefully down to some harsh words from PH but against Newcastle away one of the worst teams in the league the levels dropped again as we never looked like scoring. We beat Burnley on the last day and there is a good argument to say they were already on the beach.

PH gets a clean slate from me, its a lower level and I really hope he is his own man and does well on the pitch. Off the pitch it seems he has been given a wide ranging role akin to that of a DOF, a job he has no experience of. I fear he will flounder in this role as CW did as there will be just too much to deal with. When Bettis comes calling and tells him to exclude a youngster who hasn't signed a contract he will need to take a leaf out of Slavs book tell him to do, one include the player, give him some game time so that a new signed contract ensues.

An interesting if not worrying period ahead. Good luck to PH tomorrow he will need it.

 

[Yewsman]

His first job is to get the best out of each of the current first team squad. Slav clearly wasn't doing that. We have players who have performed well af this level. McB, Brewster, Freeman, not to mention the older players like Steven's, Fleck, Norwood, Bash, Egan etc.. He also needs to get Berge performing and Mousset though that is probably too much to hope for.
If we can get them performing to maximum level we will win matches and also be in a position to recoup some of the large transfer fees we paid if finances dictate we need to off load.

The other thing is we need a proper and proficient recruitment department. Up until we got in the PL CWs recruitment had been fantastic but in the PL it all fell apart. None of the players we bought in the PL have been a success. Some were bought then not played (e.g. Freeman, C Robinson) others from the Champ never really made the step up to the PL and we also overpaid in transfer fees (McB Brewster Berge). It was CWs poor recruitment that has largely been the cause of our demise. I include under this heading recruitment from the U23s and PH has shown he is prepared to give them a chance and hopefully some will get through to the first team. We do also need to try and pluck players from the lower leagues (like we did with JOC, Fleck, Duffy, Steven's, Baldock) and in particular overseas players.

Let's hope PH is up to it!

 

[Booker4]

Just wondering has HibbyBlade got anything to add on what happened to Hecky at Hibs, why did results not continue well in the second season?

 

[bakeblade]

That's not actually true. Even though football contracts are strange beasts, you still need to comply with Employment Law even with fixed term contracts (which we are talking about). To use simple figures if you are a 5 year contract at £20k a year and I approach you and say I want to give you a more senior position at £25k a year but its only three years then that would be illegal unless after a reasonable consultation period you agreed as the terms are actually less. I couldn't say you've got a hour to decide as that would be unreasonable. Also, after 2 years even on a ftc you have protected rights and after 4 years you automatically become permanent.

I think you answered it regarding football contracts, in your example players who are given a 4 year contract would then become permanent employees? I don't think so.

 

[Teofilo Cubillas]

Hecky holds a UEFA pro licence which is the highest qualification, this badge is primarily about building football clubs over a few years

That is the question.

I would imagine that the length of Hecky's contract is about paying him - in time - the same as Slav... ie... 2 million over 4 or 5 years.

Is he going to be in charge over that period of time. I would say yes. The problem is, what is the strategy?

That was evident from the press conference. There was an announcement of a new strategy, except the details of the new strategy were not in anyway announced. I could only think that the new strategy was one concerning "austerity", or the need to rebuild, or the need to take a re-think.

What have Man U just done with the appointment of Rangnick? But they still need to rid themselves of Ronaldo, just as we needed to rid ourselves of Lunny last year.

What I'm hoping for next season, is the possibility of appointing Blessin as team coach, with Hecky as Football manager.

 

[BigBed]

Shit, thought this was a Salt n Peppa come back thread!
Oh well.

 

[MobileBlade]

I think you answered it regarding football contracts, in your example players who are given a 4 year contract would then become permanent employees? I don't think so.

Under employment law after 4 years service on a FTC you are automatically a permanent employee. Theres nothing to stop a club putting into a contact an end of contract payment that would buy out any potential unfair dismissal claim that would outweigh anything that could be claimed.

Its the Fixed-Term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2002 btw.

 

[robbiez666]

That is the question.

I would imagine that the length of Hecky's contract is about paying him - in time - the same as Slav... ie... 2 million over 4 or 5 years.

Is he going to be in charge over that period of time. I would say yes. The problem is, what is the strategy?

That was evident from the press conference. There was an announcement of a new strategy, except the details of the new strategy were not in anyway announced. I could only think that the new strategy was one concerning "austerity", or the need to rebuild, or the need to take a re-think.

What have Man U just done with the appointment of Rangnick? But they still need to rid themselves of Ronaldo, just as we needed to rid ourselves of Lunny last year.

What I'm hoping for next season, is the possibility of appointing Blessin as team coach, with Hecky as Football manager.

but the thing with PH is that he's here for the long-term. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be managing the first team in the long-term, but surely having a bright footballing guy who is responsible for all the footballing operations is a good thing? Unless it goes horribly wrong, I presume he'll just step back if a head coach comes in, so no need for compensation. It will at least mean stability and continuity, and that's the only way to build a successful team.

 

[Teofilo Cubillas]

but the thing with PH is that he's here for the long-term. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be managing the first team in the long-term

That's exactly my point.

 

[Champagneblade]

Hecky holds a UEFA pro licence which is the highest qualification, this badge is primarily about building football clubs over a few years with regards to structures from youth through to first teams and long term strategy. Along with his BSC and MSC (Honours) in Sports Coaching I would say this is why he has been given a 4+ years contract with the title of Football Manager (a better title would be Head of Football) which may lead to a first team coach being appointed as per the continental football clubs. I suspect Hecky had a huge say in the strategy.

Given he did play a few matches for the Pigs this does partly dispell the myth them. You CAN educate pork after all!

 

[Hblockblade]

Though I agree with most of that, it’s about results, nothing more. His managerial track record suggests those things haven’t equated to results in the past.

I also agree with his track record isn't the best I just feel the fit seems right ere, some top managers and players go to clubs and not perform then find a club they do, hopefully it works ere for hecky

 

[Houston_Blade]

Obviously I experienced Hecky at Hibs.

He started well, we got the new manager bounce, he was getting a tune out of the players that were there and things seemed rosey.

However, he made the mistake a lot of English managers do when they come up to Scotland and used the summer window to fill the team with League One and Championship journeymen who all came up short. We only have two of those players left because they managed to turn it around under our next manager. He persisted with them though, despite results, and started getting arsey about fan criticism in post match interviews. We slipped down the league and he got sacked after a 5-2 cuffing off a Neil Lennon Celtic who were in no great shape themselves.

He talked a good game, but I could never figure out what his playstyle was... It seemed to start off as a high press but eventually just turned to long ball guff.

Scottish football is a strange beast though and I don't think it suited him at all.

We’ll have a team full of league 1 and Championship journeymen soon so it doesn’t bode well!

 

[Scarebus]

Just wondering has HibbyBlade got anything to add on what happened to Hecky at Hibs, why did results not continue well in the second season?

Pretty sure the club ownership changed not long after he arrived and they basically didn't want him & didn't back him.

*Just checked. Hecky came in in Feb, the club was sold in June and he was gone in November. P32 W11 D12 L9. Not horrific.

 

[Bell4]

I looked into the Leeds and Hibs spells since we appointed him. I found the video attached interesting, the Leeds fans on here seem positive on him, seems he took over a team struggling and blooded several of the youths. At Hibs he started really well, got manager of the month and then the next season they won the first game but they didn't win another until he was sacked but he'd drawn five games just before he was sacked so it's not as if they were losing every week. They spent only £250,000 on Doige, the rest were free transfers, although this is no doubt the norm for the SPL outside of the Old Firm.

I also think having McCall and Lester with him is a major plus, both were decent players, McCall especially and more importantly they are known to be good coaches. I, like others, have my doubts for the linger term but for this season I fully expect us to challenge for the play offs and I think we'll see a marked improvement in tempo and excitement in the football. I didn't want Slav to go, but I do feel that Hecky, McCall and Lester will get another 15% or so out of this team, we'll be hard to beat and 100% effort, stuff that in part made the Wilder team a success and the players will be far more comfortable under Hecky I would have thought than under Slav - just guessing there. Slav needed new players, more technical players, pace and creativity and whilst all of that would have been great the board were not willing to give him the cash to overhaul everything Wilder put in place. We do of course have some skill and creativity and hopefully Ndiaye and MGW will be used to full effect and I'm hopeful that McBurnie and Brewster will be big contributors because playing one up top was not going to suit this team.

I do wonder if Regan Slater may well be given a shout in the next few matches, I wouldn't be surprised that he comes back into the reckoning, at least on the bench. That would be amazing to see him do well.

Really well balance post

always look forward to reading your posts

 

[cahill]

Let's see what he does over the remainder of the season. I'll be backing him and the lads.
He speaks positively, and the training video looked good.

“ speaks positively “ “ and the training video looks good “ . What more could we ask for ?

 

[mattbianco1]

Hi Stegosauris here

And we've got lumbered with him for 4 years. Should have given him a years contract to see

Hey up Dino.

More chance of me being in charge in 2026 than Hecky

 

[mattbianco1]

The fact is PH failed to get the same group of players playing any better than CW

Wilder got 14pts from 28 games last season

Hecky got 9pts from 10 games.

 

[jalfie69]

3 wins in 12 games. Not much of an achievement though that’s mainly on the players.

In the prem with an already relegated side, not bad in my opinion

 

[Blacksea]

A lot of re writing of history on this thread. The fact is PH failed to get the same group of players playing any better than CW who left because he wasn't getting anymore out of them. Up to the Everton game the performances were appalling.

The Crystal Palace game was where the players effectively downed tools a disgraceful showing that led to PA instructing his people to go and get Slav. That was the game where Lundstram came off the bench and lazily gave the ball away for their second goal. The commentators were scathing about his lack of application after just coming off the bench. JL was still getting a game 8 games into PH's tenure. Thankfully he never wore the shirt again after that.

We improved against Everton and got a win hopefully down to some harsh words from PH but against Newcastle away one of the worst teams in the league the levels dropped again as we never looked like scoring. We beat Burnley on the last day and there is a good argument to say they were already on the beach.

PH gets a clean slate from me, its a lower level and I really hope he is his own man and does well on the pitch. Off the pitch it seems he has been given a wide ranging role akin to that of a DOF, a job he has no experience of. I fear he will flounder in this role as CW did as there will be just too much to deal with. When Bettis comes calling and tells him to exclude a youngster who hasn't signed a contract he will need to take a leaf out of Slavs book tell him to do, one include the player, give him some game time so that a new signed contract ensues.

An interesting if not worrying period ahead. Good luck to PH tomorrow he will need it.

Definitely correct with the history rewrite,most of the posts while the new manager search was going on seemed resigned and not happy that the board were going to end up appointing Hecky as the cheap option,cue the delight when it was Slav.

 

[Bell4]

So our Hecky hasn’t got a great managerial record has he?

Everything else aside with politics around the club and various theories as to what is going on we have a new manager that hasn’t exactly got a great pedigree.

I’ll be backing him and the lads tomorrow and getting behind them, and I’d love him to be a success for us.

My inclination is that we will get a new manager bounce, more intensity and attacking intent from the lads. But and it’s a big but he hasn’t had success anywhere he’s been previously when in the number one position for a sustained period. Let’s hope this is the making of him.

UTB

So glad he’s not being judged on results

in that case

he will be phenomenal

 

[Now and again]

So glad he’s not being judged on results

in that case

he will be phenomenal

Where is he not being judged on results?

 

[CarlMcBlade]

I’m sure we’re all (mostly) behind him

Yes, we can all have a moan and a whinge on here. But I’d say 100% of all Blades will be behind the team at BDTBL on Sunday.

 

[Now and again]

Obviously I experienced Hecky at Hibs.

He started well, we got the new manager bounce, he was getting a tune out of the players that were there and things seemed rosey.

However, he made the mistake a lot of English managers do when they come up to Scotland and used the summer window to fill the team with League One and Championship journeymen who all came up short. We only have two of those players left because they managed to turn it around under our next manager. He persisted with them though, despite results, and started getting arsey about fan criticism in post match interviews. We slipped down the league and he got sacked after a 5-2 cuffing off a Neil Lennon Celtic who were in no great shape themselves.

He talked a good game, but I could never figure out what his playstyle was... It seemed to start off as a high press but eventually just turned to long ball guff.

Scottish football is a strange beast though and I don't think it suited him at all.

Cheers pal. What were your thoughts when he was given the role the other day?