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Blackwell: 'We showed character in abundance'.

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell has praised his team's character after the Blades 1-0 victory over Peterborough United at Bramall Lane today.

United ended their seven game run without a victory, and the Blades manager also claimed his 100th managerial victory.

Despite seeing little of the ball for the final forty-five minutes, and negative tactics being utilised from the start of the second half, Blackwell praised his team for the professional performance they put in.

'Overall I think it was a fair result but most of all I am just delighted that we have got the win at last - and with a clean sheet which we haven't had for a long time either.

'We created some good chances in the first-half and I think Ched Evans' shot which hit the bar did bounce down over the line so we could have been two or three up.

'People should remember that we had two lads making their debuts today in Williamson and Camara, and Ward playing only his second game in three months.

'We knew that they would tire and that helped Peterborough more the longer the game went on which is why we tried to shore things up through substitutions.

'There were some tired legs out there, especially when Peterborough were throwing the kitchen sink at us. We were getting overmanned which is why we tucked Quinny in there.

'With Darius Henderson suspended we had no target man but I think Camara and Evans did a really good job. Camara's movement early on was Premiership class and the defenders couldn't handle him.

'The way he took his goal showed the predatory instinct of a quality player we haven't had recently, but his hamstring was tightening and we took him off because we couldn't risk losing another one to injury. He hasn't played for about five months.

'Lee Williamson can run beyond defenders and has an eye for goal. Although, surprisingly, he was running out of steam in the second half he showed that he will be an asset when he is match sharp.

'Mark Bunn made a terrific save from the penalty. It is proving hard to get another goalkeeper worthy of being in our side, which proves just how good Paddy Kenny is because replacing him has proved almost impossible.

'With Ian Bennett out for three or four weeks and the loan deadline next week we can't do without bringing in another goalkeeper before Christmas. But it means we have to do something for the short term until then, and again for the long term.

'It was a big game for us to win and when we needed to show character we showed it in abundance. And the good news is that Henderson is back next week, along with Naysmith, Cresswell and Montgomery so we should start to try and get something like our best eleven out there.

'We have been used to going on long unbeaten results and having a reputation for being mean as regards conceding goals, and we want to get back to that.'



Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.

Writer: Shepsblade Mail feedback, articles or suggestions

Date:Saturday November 21 2009

Time: 9:51PM

Your Comments

The result and the clean sheet were far more important today than the performance IMO. Williamson looks like he will be a good player for us and Quinny was awful, how he continues to get in the side only KB knows. I honestly thought we missed Hendo today, he might not be everyones cup of tea but he is more of a goal threat than Ched.
100% BLADE
the thing is we played different today 100% glade.... and didn't play the ball long every 2 mins (looking for hendo), our 2nd half performance was woefull, we got a let of with the pen save but then all we did was welcome the pressure onto us constantly there after. some of those players need to take a long look at themselves because no one looked bothered at all in the 2nd half. no right when you have 25,000 blades in the ground in the *****ing down rain supporting their team. it was only the result that avoided a riot today between the fans and the massively over weight arogant cockney in the dug out......blackwell commented that bunn wasn't up to it before kick off.... well he signed him then bunny proves him wrong with a solid performance and a great penalty save. up yours blackwell... can't wait to see the back of you... least nobson didn't make excuses and could pull in quality players, no one wants to play for blackwell
bladesforlife1889
thats 100% blade.. sorry mate
bladesforlife1889
I have to disagree slightly. Are you suggesting that Bunn, Walker, Morgan, Davies,Ward, Williamson and Camara didnt play for their manager yesterday because i certainly didnt get that impression. The remaining players are not worth their shirt full stop so i will leave them out of it. Its difficult to know who to blame in times of crisis (no win in 7 or 8 was becoming a crisis) but you cant blame everyone! I think to be honest some fans on the back of the kop need to take a look at themselves. In my 16 years watching i cant remember fans booing after a victory.....
TheBladesWay
Our second half performance reflected the fact that Ward Williamson, and Camara were all tiring after playing next to no games and when you have passengers like Quinn and Harper in the team i ask how any team are not going to be put under long periods of pressure. Thank god for Davies and Morgan yesterday who were superb and i for one am looking forward to seeing a team which will be able to call upon Hendo, Cresswell, Geary, Monty and Naysmith. Theres alot of teams in contention, the season is by no means over. If we can keep a settled side and become harder to beat we could have a better 2nd half to the season. We have always done better after xmas under Blackwell.
TheBladesWay
it's not just about 1 win its about blackwells overall tactics and lack of ability to bring in decent players that will make a difference. selling cotts and losing 1m on him in a season when we have an injury crisis is crazy. we got totally outplayed for the whole 2nd half yesterday at home by the worst team in the whole championship. we were simply lucky and as far as i could see we couldn't have done anymore in order for peterborough to get an equaliser. didn't lick like we wanted that win at all yesterday which really dissapointed me. 25,000 there yesterday in horrible conditions and thats the best they can do. there was no pride, no commitment, nothing from the dug out at all... we litterely grabbed a 1-0 win yesterday and struggled. i agree with some aspects what you said TBW... But yesterday was far from what the players are capable of. If we played a good side yesterday we would have lossed that game 4-1 without a shaddow of a doubt. we need a new manager to come in get the whole squad together bring back sharp and cotts.... and to inject some pride.... it was easy to see that some players out there yesterday are hating their football.... bunn, killa, harper, quinn, evans all look absolutely fed up. evey club blackwell has been at he has caused a rift between players and fans alike. we has never been successfull. WE ALL NEED TO ALSO REALISE WITH INJURIES AND EXCUSES ASIDE... BLACKWELL HAS SPENT THE MOST MONEY ON PLAYERS THAN ANY OTHER SHEFF UTD MANAGER IN THE CLUBS HISTORY!!....... FACT!!
bladesforlife1889
Back to the negative ranting, eh BFL. You continue to see things no one else can...but its all about opinion, isnt it. There is no doubt that after a useful first half the fitness of a few players, and a bit of nerves and determination to protect a thin lead took over in the second, and we were riding our luck, but the win, however it was arrived at, was the important thing yesterday. The old problem of central midfield being ineffective was again there for all to see. I am not going to get on Quinn's case, but its time he had a 'rest'. How we miss Monty, but Williamson showed some good touches and clearly with a few games under his belt will be a great improvement in a vital area for us. My vote for MOTM is Bunn. He has had a fair amount of hammer - rightly - but his handling, distribution, and penalty save showed great character yesterday. Wards pace down the right is a refreshing change from the head down pointless wandering with no end product of Cotterill, and Camara gave us a snapshot of why he spent so long in the top division. Davies is growing alongside Morgs at the back, and his accurate long passing to Ward was outstanding. I would like to see him signed permanently in January. I know Evans hasnt proved himself yet, but he will, he has goals in him. He's 20 yrs old and will prove to be a good signing. Jurys still out on Harper, just when you think he's settling in the game, he disappears. Montys return will be interesting to see how and where Harper fits. On to Ashton Gate.
gloucblade
When Davies first came I thought he was absolute rubbish. However, since then he has settled in and improved no end and I agree glouc, I would like to see him signed permenant.
100% BLADE
ok then glouc let's just keep on kidding ourselves and making excuses for our rather expensive but very very average squad of players... who are probably at best capabale of a league finish position somewhere between 8th and 13th place!! all we needed were a few key signings last january and we would have got promoted.... all we needed again was a bit of ambition in the summer just gone and we would be well and truely challenging for a top 2 finish this season... instead we absolutely bottle it, sell off our start assets and let a manager rip the spine out of our club. we arn't a big club really after all and the attendances will start to drop unless mccabe acts quick to inject some belief and ambition into the club. if we had played a good or midtable side yesterday we would have lossed 4-1.
bladesforlife1889
davis gave away a very silly penalty yesterday and for me hasn't done enough to prove he has what it takes. elliot ward is a massive centre half, wants away, and boy can he take a pen... hoping blackwell doesn't prove to be blind once again regards to the players situation. ward wants away so surely we can get him?
bladesforlife1889
Can't agree with you that we missed Henderson 100% Blade. I thought the first half was a breath of fresh air. We had a striker in Camara who actually moved into space and wanted to run at players. I think a few more games under their belts and Camara - Ward might be a decent partnership. Evans just doesn't look like he's interested for me and I didn't miss Henderson at all!
Blade1889
PS - forgot to add, I was really impressed with Williamson. Looks like a quality player with some composure on the ball :)
Blade1889
give him a month when blackwell has got his claws into him and he starts running around like a chicken with no head and starts hoofing the ball 90 yards every oppertunity he has.
bladesforlife1889
Three points and a clean sheet. ok it was against the bottom club but how many teams become instantly revitalised with a management change, this was a potential banana skin and give the Blades credit they had a good first half, but held on towards the end probably a bit nervous due to the negativity coming from a small minority trying to undermine their confidence to get rid of the manager. Good to see Williamson getting fit and producing a good display and camara could still be a threat. Got to question what we are doing wrong with Ched, he revels in a welsh shirt but seems to have no confidence at the Lane, I know he is only young but how long does he need to settle in properly? I still believe the lad has a lot of potential, I only hope we harness it before the boo boys cripple him completely.
coachkev
coachkev - you have answered your own question there!!!!!! he is managed by blackwell when he wears the red n white stripped shirt. he can't stand how he has been told to play, and he's not enjoying his football... wouldn't be surprised if he went in january. same goes for sharp banging the goals in for donny... i rest my case!!
bladesforlife1889
Ched commanded a big transfer fee for a young lad and when the deal was dragging on and on fans were fearful of it falling through and urging Blackwell to make the signing. When it was finalised it was a relief for Blades fans everyone expected big things from him. The weight of expectation was firmly on this young mans shoulders and after a few below expectation performances he is getting slaughtered from some fans, which obviously makes him more wary and nervous and undermines his confidence. One minute we are blaming the players, then the manager, then the chairman. They get criticism for not being ambitious, then when they spend money we are moaning about Blackwell spending more than any previous manager. Thats bound to happen due to the economics of football and the ever increasing transfer fees demanded by players and agents. £3-4Million for a 20 year old Man City sub would have been unheard of three or four years ago.
coachkev
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