Kevin Blackwell. He was a man under a lot of pressure and a considerable amount of scrutiny from the Blades faithful just over 4 weeks ago. But now, the 'slaters' have happily kept quiet with the Blades boss pulling some tricks out of the hat. United have created a run which begun a month ago which sees them unbeaten in their last six. Four wins and two draws is unarguably promotion form.
I (BladesMadeditor) remained rather discreet about my opinions on Kevin Blackwell on the main site. Although, on the Message-board I was backing Blackie to the full. I was one of the minority. At the end of the day, Kevin got our beloved club to the play-off final last season - this shows he's capable and proves why he shouldn't have been given the boot when the times were tough just over a month ago.
The disastrous run started after a thrilling Sheffield Derby with Sheffield Wednesday. The Blades claimed revenge over their Steel City counterparts with the Owls recording a Derby double last season. It was presumably going to all go rosily from then on.
A defeat to Swansea at the Liberty Stadium, a home draw with Ipswich, likewise on home turf versus Doncaster, away losses at Scunthorpe and most terribly, performance wise, Blackpool, then a rout from Cardiff at Bramall Lane and finally an unfortunate home defeat against Newcastle followed. Who'd have thought it?
Kevin Blackwell was under enormous pressure from the fans. Kevin McCabe didn't publicise his thoughts on the club's run of results to a full extent, but I'm sure he was backing his namesake all the way. And rightly so.
A creditable draw at neighbours Barnsley was pleasing, and then a triple run of victories enlightened the S2 outfit's spirits. A home win against Peterborough, an incredible away triumph at Bristol City where Darius Henderson scored a terrific hat-trick, and a scrappy 0:1 win at a wet Plymouth replaced the grief with happiness among the supporters. Nottingham Forest held United to a 0:0 draw on Tuesday night, the Blades definitely on top throughout against an in-form Forest, and then most recently a comfortable 2:0 walk in the park against Crystal Palace. Did Mark Bunn, the Blades goalkeeper, even have to make a save in the final two games mentioned?
Goals were leaking in at the wrong end in the barren run, but now that problem seems to have been rectified with three pleasing clean sheets. It's definitely onwards and upwards for Kevin Blackwell's Red and White Wizards, and the injury list still has names joining it!
The Blades can confirm their place in the play-offs for the first time in a few months next Saturday when they descend to London for a meeting with troubled Queens Park Rangers.
Up the Blades!
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