Plan B

WHO WILL BE NEXT TO TAKE THE HELM AT THE LANE?

With Weir gone and speculation high the next Blade's manager is as much a mystery to the press as it is the fans waiting patiently. The bookies change the odds-on favourite daily and the fans each have their own personal opinion on who can guide us to salvaging the season, what I aim to look at is some of the names and possibilities mentioned by the fans and press.

Money Talks
Whenever a club with a few penny's to spend is managerless the same name crops up in the press time and time again. And now with Prince Abdullah's money it comes as no surprise that Sven Goran Eriksson is being mentioned as The Next Blades manager.

9/1
Likely Tactics-
4-1-3-2
Wing Play
My Opinion - Not going to happen

At 9/1 odds the bookies are taking this seriously, but in my opinion not only would Sven not be interested with dropping to League One, but I also doubt that the board despite its new wealth would want to offer the wages this man would request.
This may end up being good for us if we do not approach Mr Eriksson, his proven continental style of build up and wing play did not do any great favours for England, neither has it proven to be a huge success in English League football. The transfer policy would focus on well known journey men and not on producing a young progressive team, which at this point is what the club needs.

Forgetful

Whilst many realise that this man gave us some unforgetable moments whilst in charge, some who are calling for his return seem to either forget or live in a bubble of ignorant bliss as to some of the tripe and nonsense we had to endure under him. True, Neil Warnock knows how to inspire a team, knows how to perform at this level, but I would see this as two steps backwards.

40/1
Likely Tactics-
4-4-1-1
Long Ball from back
Aggressive Defence and
Counter attacking
My Opinion - He knows better

Bookmakers see this as less likely than some of the fans placing him at 40/1, I think Warnock has the intelligence to know if he ever did return to The Lane now would not be the right time and rightly so.

Whilst his tactics and approach have matured and evolved slightly as seen with his time at QPR and Crystal Palace, his fundamentals remain the same. A strong aggressive back four who are capable of hitting it towards the forwards. An all out target man with a more technical forward playing just behind him. Two holding midfielders who aren't scared to go forward and two quick wingers.  No doubt this splits opinion, some find it medieval and backwards, some find it effective and necessary Personally I think we have gone in a different direction to Mr Warnock and his return would be of no benefit.

The Favourite

It seems that this particular candidate was pre determined to be the next Blades boss. Jobless almost in sync with Weir. And with his dad's grand name the live up to Nigel Clough quickly became the odds on favourite to take charge. 

2/7
Likely Tactics-
4-3-1-2
Progressive attack
Deep defence
My Opinion - Odds aren't usually wrong

When your dad is a legend and you know you have yet to break from his shadow the prospect and challenge of bringing success to Sheffield United is one almost to good to be true. And with your name being mentioned from day one with the odds in your favour one would believe he is our next manager.

Is this good for United, I am 50/50 on this one, whilst he could be just what we need going forward do we really need a manager who does not allow much attack from the back. Harry Maguire has goals under his belt already this season, and he looks a threat when forward for set pieces, but could Cloughs conservative views on defence hinder Harry's game?

Who Says Romance Is Dead?

We have all thought about it, we are football fans, we all have that old romantic in us, that belief that fairy tales can come true. Yes Brian Deane is in management, yes he isn't doing a bad job in Norway, but is he our next manager?

40/1
Likely Tactics-
4-3-3
Attack from the start
My Opinion - Don't ruin your legacy

Brian Deane is a legend at The Lane, the man is an all time favourite and lives in our folklore. With odds against him at 40/1 it would seem it is an unlikely appointment but one being talked about, even if by a minority.  I for one would like Deano to refrain from being our manager, he is doing a good job abroad, his attacking tactics would be a breath of fresh air, but I for one would not like to see Deano ruin his legacy by becoming a failure in our hot seat.

The Dark Horse

When his name is mentioned I think people take it with a pinch of salt, but never the less it is being mentioned, and it is not an impossibility. Tony Pulis not only got Stoke to the Premier League but kept them there for a long period of time.

60/1
Likely Tactics-
4-4-2
Long Ball
My Opinion- Please No

Many aren't very happy with the fact this man's name is being mentioned, some think he would be a great choice, but at 60/1 either way it seems unlikely. But should Tony Pulis take charge at Bramall Lane I would recommend you get used to looking in the air. 

I can see it now, King and Ironside upfront whilst those behind them kick the ball as hard as humanly possible in their general direction. This would alienate players who against Coventry proved they are up for the fight, players like Taylor, Brandy, Coady and so on. I think this would if anything bring darker times to Bramall Lane.

We Can Dream

Many of the fans would like to see us appoint him, and with good reason, the man won the Champions League as a caretaker manager. But lets all face reality, Roberto Di Matteo, it is not happening.

80/1
Likely Tactics-
4-2-2-1-1
Continental progressive attack
My Opinion- We aren't this lucky

We could have endless money and offer Roberto a seven figure a year sum and I personally still think he would laugh in our faces. Not out of disrespect for us but because it makes no sense, The man who won Chelsea the biggest prize in club football, why would he come here, and with odds of 80/1 the Bookmakers seem to agree.

We can all fantasize about the beautiful progressive football he would demand. The gifted coaching staff he would bring and the players who would be lining up to sign for us, but lets get real we have more chance of enticing Fergie out of retirement.

Other Names and odds

Karl Robinson 4/1

Dean Saunders 20/1

Richie Barker 20/1

Chris Morgan 25/1

Greg Abott 33/1

David O'Leary 33/1

Russell Slade 33/1

Steve Evans 40/1

Paul Jewell 40/1

Avram grant 80/1

Who I Want

I want a manager who I think can bring some stability to the management position and make the job his own. Pre season he was my second choice after Kenny Jackett, but still despite the odds not suggesting he is in the running I want Alan Curbishley to be our next manager.

80/1
Likely Tactics-
4-1-3-2
Balanced passing and
ruthless attack

With him being 80/1 it seems unlikely, but if we stumped up some decent wages, gave him the control he needed and the funds to sign players with our new owners backing this could be the first steps to success. The man has brought through many young players who have gone on to play at a high standard. Many may not want him because of his West Ham days, but look how and why he left there, look at his record with Charlton. His style of play could guide us up, it could certainly save us from our current predicament. The man knows how to inspire goals and how to keep it tight knit at the back, could we possibly ask for anything more? But as said earlier the odds usually do not lie and my wish looks like being just that, a wish.

Jonathan Gascoigne

Odds from SKYBET & Odds Checker

Breaking Point

It was a Friday, The Blades were on television, The oldest Football League Club Notts County our opponent, playing at the worlds oldest Professional football ground in the year The Football League had begun celebrations of their one hundred and twenty fifth birthday, SKY had rubbed there hands together at how well timed the fixture was on a marketing front. But to the fans of the Blades the only important thing in their mind was the new manager, David Weir, a man with a long successful career in his past, a man well respected throughout the footballing community, a man taking his first job in first team management, a man now in charge of leading my team to a successful campaign.

The football we played that day left the fans salivating, we were dominating, few of us could believe that this was real, the passing, the patient breakdown of our opponents, the chances (be them all squandered) we genuinely thought what we were seeing was the team that would be setting the pace in this division.

After the visitors had a man sent off we continued to apply pressure, and Kevin McDonald opened the scoring making it 1-0 to The Blades. After the break The visitors did hit back Showunmi getting a goal just before the hour mark. We didn't falter, Porter and Brandy both missing what many may describe as easy chances. But the game was won as Harry Maguire one of the jewels of the Blades first team popped up to grab the winner. As the final whistle went, the ground erupted in applause and jubilation. The fans, myself included, had seen how football should be played, and this season we will have plenty of reasons to cheer, or so we thought.

Harry Maguire celebrating his first and The Blades second

Like many of the fans, I knew it was only a matter of time before someone came knocking for Kevin McDonald. The man had been a maestro for us and our team looked to rely on him to create our chances and dictate the pace of the game, when Kenny Jackett and Wolves began their approach it seemed to wash away the euphoria of the Notts County game. And sure enough, when we travelled to Brentford there was no Kevin Mac on the team sheet. We went on to lose 3-1, we were discouraged, but he hadn't gone yet, and even if he did surely we could replace him. Loosing to Brentford away wasn't the end of the world, but four days later when McDonald signed for our division rivals the end of the world seemed in reach. 

McDonald at his new club

The Blades went on to draw 1-1 with Colchester and cracks began to form in the style of play we had adopted.  The first game of the season seemed a million miles away, but we still had faith, faith that Weir would adapt his tactics, make a signing, change things to play to our strengths. We were expecting an injection of passion and a new game plan, what we actually received were the same tactics leading to an away loss at Yorkshire rivals Bradford, a game where it looked as though we hadn't even turned up, and a home loss to the MK Dons, the tactics hadn't changed, but still we had faith that Mr Weir knew what he was doing.

The Prince Arrives

When it was revealed His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah had become part owner of Sheffield United a wave of optimism had swept over most of Sheffield. We had a man of incredible wealth now here to take us to the next level, the main issue with this was that the transfer window was shut. We went on to play against Rotherham, The Prince was there to see new man Jose Baxter open the scoring and put us into the lead.  But despite the goal, our tactics were leaving us open to counter attack, we were not creating scoring chances. We were keeping hold of the ball but not really doing anything productive with it. At half time the Blades fans (still in good cheer and being loud and proud) expected Mr Weir to change the shape and give us more attacking options but also give the midfield more chance to block a fast paced counter attack.  Possibly playing two upfront and playing with two deeper midfielders whilst two men out wide cut in and dictate the attacking tempo.  But instead we came out in the same shape and went on to suffer a 3-1 defeat. We would go on to lose our next three games, making it six defeats in a row, it was now clear Mr Weir was out of his depth and a change had to made.

Weir contemplates the repercussions of his approach

Also by now Weir had began to alienate those who were supporting him, speaking nonsense in post game interviews, claiming we had a great deal of chances when in reality we had one maybe two.  Passionless statements, avoiding hard questions from the press.  But most if all the main point of aggravation between Weir and the fans was his stubborn, some may even say arrogant refusal to change a system that was not working.  The final straw for many, including Radio Sheffield pundit Keith Edwards, having eleven men back defending set pieces, this meant if we got the ball we had no one available to play the ball to leaving no option for a quick counter attack.  Some noticed that players were not getting into attacking or useful positions, giving the impression they were scared to lose their place in the team if they deviated away from Mr Weirs master plan.  It was clear to many that Mr Weir had to leave, but some fans,had different opinions, this lead to many arguments. When the Crawly game came around many fans continued their arguments in the stands.  The game ended 1-1 The Blades having to come from a goal behind.
United had not won in the League since the opening game of the season and after losing 1-0 at home to Hartlepool in The Johnstone's Paint Trophy Mr Weir was given his marching orders, the experiment had failed and The Blades were yet again without a manager.

Chrissy Morgan's Red 'n' White Army

Like the back end of last season the reigns fell to Chris Morgan to be the caretaker manager of the first team.  Morgan is a man of passion and fight and no doubt the team needed this, also the players needed a leader, something Chris Morgan is no stranger to being.  But Chris in my opinion is not ready for management, whilst obviously this is only temporary, for the team to recover from this dreadful start and to start putting things together a new manager needs to be found soon.

Coventry away, and just like David Weirs first game in charge Chris Morgan's first game as temporary manager is being televised. The team started out in the same shape as under Weir, the tactics and focus all the same, so it came as no surprise that we were quickly a goal down, Leon Clarke grabbing the goal. The game had it's controversial moments, Mike Dean making questionable decisions, players remaining on the pitch when they should have been sent off. But no excuses could be found, in this shape and with this approach we conceded again.

Fight Back

Half time came and went, and shortly after the restart we went 3-0 down, Leon Clarke grabbing his second. Something then changed, substitutions were made, the shape and philosophy, we were no longer the team trying and failing to play pretty football, neither were we the team playing 'hoof ball' like in previous campaigns, we were a team playing the ball forward, not perfectly, but we were attacking.  Fighting for our lives and that spark and passion we had been missing was suddenly on show.  We grabbed a goal from a Lyle Taylor free kick, and that belief and perseverance kept going, Ryan Flynn who had not had a particularly impressive game was replaced by Ryan Hall. Hall placed a cross into the box which was converted by Taylor grabbing his second.  Suddenly we were only one goal down with ten minuets to go, and if not for two outstanding saves from Joe Murphy in the Coventry goal and the same man wasting a great deal of time when taking goal kicks one would think we could have grabbed a point.

Taylor celebrates his goal and demonstrates his
passion and willingness to battle for The Blades

We had lost again, and unfortunately we now sat at the bottom of the league, but we had proven, that when we change, in attitude, our tactics and determination, it was almost a defining moment, once Weir's legacy was put behind us we showed we can fight, we can take the game to teams and we can get out of this slump we are in.  But this fightback, this change in direction all now depends on one man,  a man who hasn't even been appointed yet, whilst he does not yet know it, the next Sheffield United manager has to be ready for the fight of his life.

Jonathan Gascoigne