Can't help but finally think we may have found a manager who see's what I see.

In his first two games he has:

-Dropped Quinn and Taylor (which the former is overdue by 12 months and Taylor needed dropping immediately)
-Brought in a player that might be a shrewd acquisition.
-Without trying to impose an immediate change, seems to be phasing a style of play that made him a successful player. (Does anyone remember Robson coming in and thinking it was OK to immediately 'revolutionise' things?)
-Demonstrated in his interviews he knows what needs to be done at the club and has a clear understanding of how to achieve this.


Everything about Speed, his personality, history as a player, the noises he is making and the actions he is taking has given me cause to feel optimistic and I am beginning to remember the feeling of actually walking through the turnstile without being anxious of what neck aching rubbish we will probably be served up.

Its early days I know but I think Speed could be the next Owen Coyle because the effect he had on Burnley was prompt yet structured and I think I can sense similarity to whats happening/going to happen at United.

Optimism? In a Blade? Stop that right now!

Time will tell, for me, it's far too early to tell whether Speed will be up to, what is, a very difficult job.

He certainly has my full support though and there is nothing obviously wrong/crazy/annoying about him, which makes a change from previous managers.

I'll be interesting to see if he goes 4-4-2 in the end. Cresswell clearly isn't a left sided midfielder or winger and I cannot understand why anyone would play him there. Speed has continued with this since taking over. That said, I agree that you can't just go in and change the formation without considerable work in training first.

When was the last time we had below 20,000 at a league match? Very disappointing attendance against Preston, although I can see why some United fans stayed away (finances, ticket prices which are still far too high for the product)and the general lack of entertainment last year.

UTB

Reading Blade

I hope that Speed does well especially if it relieves Deadly D'Jaffo's neck ailment.

I think you dare be optimistic, a bit anyway. Quinny and Taylor were always going to be under some pressure when we got some competition for places, so I don't think that is totally a Speed development.

Sadly, neither is signing Calve as Blackwell had him here on trial before he went to Blackpool for the same. Blackwell also bought in Stephen Jordon who looks a very decent full-back. So that isn't really the Speedo revolution either.

I think he is imposing change, but he said himself after the Boro game that he'd given everyone too much instruction, mind you at that time he'd been manager for four days and John Carver had only done one session with the boys. There is clear change going on and it is good, but with some concerns. I think there is a general recognition that pretty possession football in itself is not the answer. We'll soon get bored with making 20 passes played in front of an opposition with two banks of four, as we did on Saturday. You need to have something exceptional, a forward pass, a break away, or as on Saturday a to get hit by a bolt of lightning.

I'm hoping that we get Henderson back soon. Yes, yes I am. He will be able to play the Chief role better than the others, but we need to have a bit more about us going forward. Willo is the other interesting one when he's fit, and one of Monty or Ertl may have to give way.

Overall, you can feel positive, but we are a long long way from the finished article as Speed will imagine us. I have said that he has a three year contract because that is how long he has to get us to the PL, and I believe that. As with Roy Keane at Ipswich last year it takes time to get a squad doing what is required, and I think it will take us a while too. Lots of patience required from everyone...
-Demonstrated in his interviews he knows what needs to be done at the club and has a clear understanding of how to achieve this.

"As with Roy Keane at Ipswich last year it takes time to get a squad doing what is required, and I think it will take us a while too."

A major advantage Speed has over Keene is that he knows the club already plus he seems to be well liked in football. Today should be interesting...

The major advantage that Roy Keane has is that he is already an experienced manager who has got a team promoted from this League...

Keane managed that with a blank cheque book.

Think today has been another depressing day as a Blade. The same old excuses and lines, wages not right, agents fee's not right. Player has to be made of the "right stuff" to play for Sheffield United. Once again its aload of utter rubbish.

Why is it that our competitors who have similar attendances and revenue are able to go out and recruit? Days like today are jjust soul destroying supporting this club.

Why be depressed? We didn't sign anyone, we rarely do. We didn't sell anyone either.

There weren't many signings in the Championship full stop. We're all waiting for the 25 player squads to be announced before we squabble over the off-cuts...

I think its the feeling that with just a few more players we could be right up there in the mix. On paper we are just perhaps 2 or 3 players away from having a really decent starting 11 and once we get back Henderson and Williamson, we will have some depth and mayhe this quality squad.

It feels like close but no cigar.

"It feels like close but no cigar."

I agree with you, but who knows..?

And I wish him the best of luck with Ipswich and their resources. What is it you don't like about Speed Duncs? I seen a couple of less than enthusiastic posts here and elsewhere. Or is it more to do with Blackwell and the way he was sacked?

I have no problem with Speed at all. I've met him briefly a couple of times and he is right as rain. Knows his stuff and will be a good manager. Whether that is here and during the next three years remains to be seen. He's making an encouraging start. I will continue to support the club as before.

I have my concerns about our new style of play. In getting rid of 'long ball to the big lad' I really dont want us to become Swansea or Donny, making 20 great passes to nowhere in front of two banks of four. We have to have better penetration and make chances, but hell, its only two games into the new revolution, and I'm happy to shut up and see what happens.

Blackwell? 'The King is dead, long live the King' sums up my attitude. I did feel Blackwell was treated a bit shabbily but lets not get carried away. Getting sacked is a hazard of any performance based profession as it was for me for 25 years. (and yes I got fired a couple of times for under-performing!). As someone much brighter than me once explained it, 'Thats enough about the labour pains. Show me the baby'. In the end you get the big salary for being the person who can overcome difficulties and still deliver results. No one cares about the labour pains, and with no baby to show, you are always in peril.

No, I'm looking forward to the season, but I know it is transitional. There were plenty saying 'I dont care if we get promoted, so long as we play good football'. I hope that we really mean that...

"There were plenty saying 'I dont care if we get promoted, so long as we play good football'. I hope that we really mean that..."

Can we honestly hope for anything else? No new players yet, apparently no money to spend... I will be very pleased to stay in the championship, promotion is out of the question. But that's okay, mid-table championship is a familiar & comfy place to be, I don't mind it so much.