Sheffield United's future rests on results and balance sheets, not entertainment

By FBFR

We are just out side the play-off places, with supporters unsure if we are doing well, poorly or just okay. Every Blade you speak to has a different take on where we are at and how well we are doing, so let’s compare ourselves with some others in the Championship.

I am aware that our style of play is as big a point for discussion as our league position, and it’s hard to quantify style. But, if we take goals scored as a basic yardstick and begin by looking at our home games and those of the teams just above us, we find that we have scored 19 goals in 12 games. Leicester in fifth, meanwhile, have scored 17 in 12, and Swansea, in sixth, 10 in 12.

I guess the supporters of those two teams are very happy occupying a play-off spot, and looking forward to 2010 with optimism. To complete the scoring comparison, on our travels we have scored 16 goals, while the Foxes and the Swans have netted just 11 times each.

If that doesn’t put your mind at rest, let’s compare us with other teams that have dropped from the top flight recently: Reading can’t win at home and have just sacked their manager. They came down a year after us and have scored only nine goals at home this season against our 19. Watford lie three points beyond us but are flirting with administration and are obviously struggling to make ends meet amid the wage demands of modern times.

Of the teams most recently relegated, the Baggies’ nerves are jangling after they slipped from the top two. The Geordies have gambled and at the minute look a safe bet for a swift return, but the Boro are in all kinds of trouble. Having hit the panic button just a whisker from the top of the table they now find themselves with a manager who talks nonsense for a living, home attendances dwindling and goals at the Riverside hard to spot - just 11 so far. They are now looking like they may have a long stay in the second tier of the English game.

Switching attention to south Wales, Cardiff were booed off after a 1-1 draw with Blackpool recently - are they entitled or right to boo off their team when fourth in the Championship? One can only assume that they believe they should be top two and winning everything at home. Like Newcastle, West Brom, Sheffield United, Middlesboro, Derby, Reading and of course Wednesday supporters all do as well.

There are only two automatic places available and, as I see it, holding your nerve is more important than booing or cheering.

At United, Kevin Blackwell has been forced through sensible prudence to make so many changes we should by rights be fighting off relegation. Instead we have unbelievably maintained a chance of the play-offs. Blackwell has managed this while squad-loads of players have come in and out of Shirecliffe, and has maintained a top-half team who give nothing less than their all for the cause, very much in the Blades tradition.

The style, quality and entertainment have undoubtedly suffered during these periods of transition, but the manager knows the fate of his career at the Lane rests on results, league tables and balance sheets rather than aesthetics, artistic interpretation and entertainment.

With Lee Williamson and young Chedwyn taking longer to click than expected, Blackwell has been pushed past the limits of most but still has a chance to deliver in the second half of the season. Speaking of clicking, Camara, surely, is entertaining enough for the most demanding of supporter.

The half full, half empty debate should be over; we are what we are, we are where we are and it’s from this point that we will start to grow stronger and stronger. We may just do it a little more slowly than some would like.

Comments

[Steven Leach]

Excellent report!

Top marks, for top quality, intelligent writing!

[Lanterne Rouge]

The style of play certainly wasn't a problem when Neil Warnock took the club up before. That said, I think most outsiders would have expected Blades to make more of a challenge this year after last year's near miss (they may yet do so).

I have got a feeling that there could be a late winter charge now. The team are physically strong and difficult to beat. It's no longer true that a team needs to play the long ball to get out of the Championship but a bit of muscle can come in handy.

How is James Harper doing?

[thebladesmaywinagainsomesunnyday]

Good article, yet its plain dull to be made to listen to Blackwell droning on about injuries constantly.As for aesthetics, the team are quite dull even at the Lane.