Nice to see Blackwell isn't altogether more logical and consistent than his old tutor Warnock.

I mean, Warnock could always be relied to make an arse of himself in public and now Blackwell is following suit.

48 hours ago Blackwell said of Peter Halmosi (Plymouth midfielder) -

'he's a good player and he's one that I would have on my list'

then, yesterday, when it emerged other clubs were bidding for him, Blackwell said,

'I'm not interested in Peter Halmosi and never have been'.

The airwaves are filling up with talk of who Blackwell isn't interested in. This is rather unusual do you not think? Speculation about who the Blades are NOT going to sign?

The facts are that this is a make or break season for United. They hope to hang on to the quorum of players still remaining from the Premiership days and mould them together (as Blackwell has showed he can do) to make a thrust for reinstatement to the top league. It's on a knife-edge because if they don't make it back to the Prem at the end of this season the parachute payments will have run out and they will have to unload the big earners and perform root and branch surgery on the playing staff.

At the moment there's still a hope that they can keep most of the squad together and push on for the Prem, but it's a fine balance. Splashing out on another big earner, or several moderate earners, could be disastrous if the team don't get out this time.

So, as I see it, there is really no intention or plan to make additional signings at the moment. Cotterill excepted. They may also want to wait and see if they can hang on to Beattie first. If so, then I'd expect to see Hulse out the door, maybe Stead and Webber as well, and Gillespie to free up some more cash to support finding someone who can play alongside Beattie - because they haven't found it yet.

I think that if the Blades aren't careful they'll get too far into the season before they realise they should have bought a good midfielder to complement Tonge and Speed, and a good full back too.

These are big gaps and have been for some time now.

Meanwhile, in the absence of signings I will be entertained by more gaffs from Blackwell like the one yesterday when he spoke of

"dotting the T's and crossing the i's"

must have a funny computer keyboard eh?

There appears to be a huge shortage of Blade replies to your excellent points.
Maybe they're thinking.........

There appears to be a huge shortage of Blade replies to your excellent points.
Maybe they're thinking.........

Aye, strange that. Never mind.

Every time I hear Blackwell saying "we've got a strong squad" I think two things.

1 He's right, we have. But is it strong enough?
and
2 He's preparing us for signing nobody - probably been told to wait till Christmas by McCabe and then if we are there or thereabouts he'll be offered some cash. If not then...

a note to Santa perhaps?

I'm expecting United to be there or there abouts next season - if not somethings seriously wrong. Maybe the board, having had their fingers burnt by Robson, are biding their time this season.

I dont think we have a problem at the moment with the squad we have.
We have to remember Blackwell has only been there a relitavely short time so for me it is just a fact of adding a few quality signings if we must.
Players like Hendrie for instance who was shocking most of last term could prove to be the player we knew with Blackwell now in charge.

I suspect that the board are budgeting accordingly and not allowing Blackwell much to spend. We need a good start and then possibly there might be more cash in January.

Blackwells comments aren't exactly unexpected, they are simple economics of supply and demand. The more demand the higher the players price tag. Blackwell is merely downplaying his interest in the hopes of getting him for the lowest price possible

Its obvious what your board are doing its clean cut.
Don't even think mcabes gonna start splashing the cash when he thinks he's suddenly got the best manager since sliced bread.
That is one of the new games biggest mistakes these days, thinking a manager who did well in his honeymoon period can sustain the sort of record he had in such a short space of time.

You're skint! :hihi: