BBC Home

Explore the BBC

New visitors: Create your membership
Returning members: Sign in

158 comments

user rating: 3 star

Time was right for Warnock to leave

Sheffield United
comment on the article

Following the defeat to Wigan last Sunday which consigned his team to relegation from the Premiership, former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock adequately summed it up.

"We haven't been quite good enough," he said.

And the same could be said of Warnock himself.

He has long held had an appetite for the top flight. So a return to the Championship must taste even more sour.

He may have a case for moaning about allegedly dodgy transfer dealings and weakened teams, but Sheffield United and Warnock have only themselves to blame.

Just a season ago, Warnock was sitting in the last-chance saloon.

Backed by chairman Kevin McCabe, he was given money to spend for the final push in 2006 and proved his management credentials by forming an entertaining and ruthless team that sailed into the Premiership behind Reading.

He had the nous to sign striker in Rob Hulse and surprised many by finally proving that his image as a long-ball merchant was old news.

Phil Jagielka was proving his credentials as a high-class utility player, Paddy Kenny was making crucial saves either side of getting his eyebrow bitten off and Keith Gillespie was inspiring the Blades to key victories against relegation rivals.

Even Warnock trademark rants were fewer and far between. He was clearly enjoying his time in a league he had spent years targeting.

But then there was a crucial run of five games around March in which United picked up one point and lost Hulse to a broken leg.

And little by little the strain began to show and some of Warnock’s past failings became increasingly apparent.

Warnock likes to choose from a big squad and has an ability to chop and change his players, where sometimes consistency would seem the better option. Danny Webber, one of the key figures in the Blades' promotion in 2006, was only used sparingly last term.

And having succeeded with an attacking formation both in the Championship and against fellow Premiership strugglers, Warnock decided to stick with a more defensive line-up leading to fewer and fewer chances as things became more and more tense.

Just as United needed to go for it, they were slipping into their shells and the Premiership trap-door.

However, the Warnock legacy delivered the first taste of the top flight for 13 years; a blossoming academy system and a stadium and training facility that has been dragged into the 21st century.

His decision to go is well-timed. Relegation is fresh in the minds of Blades fans but the lasting memory of Neil Warnock will be of the man who led them to the promised land - no matter how briefly.

comment on this article | send to a friend

Latest 10 comments

view all 158 comments

Read members' comments or add your own
comment by flitwick_blade (U3714008)

posted May 18, 2007

jomjoz6...
disgrace
how can you say rob hulse was a bad signing
the reason clubs like us go down is to people like you slating the players...
were not BRAZIL! were sheffield united
a progressing club
CKR? League two player mate...
joker
im sitting here right now reading your comments, if your gunna be like that go to hilsboro' and slate us
UTB!

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by andylosttheplot (U8398812)

posted May 18, 2007

What ever you think of Warnock tactically, its been very refreshing to see a manager of the Blades who was really committed and definitely wasn't in it just for the pay cheque. He oozed passion about the club.

Most of the games we've won this year have involved the players that got us up there, he should have used them more - the new signings just didn't cut the mustard really; Hulse a notable exception. I had my reservations about Jon Stead but he delivered a reasonable strike rate as a fairly unsupported striker.

It was obvious from the beginning of the season that we didn't have a 'big name' striker - I was always wondering where the goals were going to come from. We were far too defensive away from home and gave Hulse and Stead far too little support.

I'm sad to see Warnock go, he's done a lot for the club behind the scenes as well as on the pitch, but ultimately it's the right time to leave. Let's just hope who ever takes over has some credentials and the fans continue loyally to pour into the ground like this year, it made Bramall Lane an exciting place for football and somewhere that other teams were not looking forward to having to play at. I wish Neil Warnock well... that is until he brings any team back to Bramall Lane.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by JRJ123 (U6642747)

posted May 20, 2007

Defensively, Sheffield United were naive. They could not afford to keep losing 3- or 4-0. If they had managed to stop Aston Villa scoring that 3rd goal when they played, they would still be in the Premiership.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Nortonblade1889 (U8420148)

posted May 20, 2007

Warnock did great this season, 4 comments on SUFC needing other clubs to "do favours" then all should reflect on the Gerard Penalty 1st game of season + the Man U Penanlty not awarded (and one due in 44th Min against Wigan on Jagielka B4 Wigan score 2nd goal)
If justice was to be done Mr Warnock would be back in Bramall Lane preparing for next season - In the Premiership!

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Nortonblade1889 (U8420148)

posted May 20, 2007

I agree with Wycombedavid competely, the West Ham breach of rules does stink.
If Sheff Utd and other strugglers had "special loan deals" for the likes of Ruud V Nistelroy, Beckham etc would the Premier league rush registration through clearing these players to play in the last few vital fixtures?
I think not - the duty was to uphold the rules for ALL 20 member clubs and keep a level playing field
Perhaps the Prem Chairman Mr D Richards is not now in the best position to review this matter, his previous job in football I believe was Chairman at Sheff Wednesday FC!!

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by switchblade (U2033044)

posted May 22, 2007

"Defensively, Sheffield United were naive. They could not afford to keep losing 3- or 4-0. If they had managed to stop Aston Villa scoring that 3rd goal when they played, they would still be in the Premiership."

They were naive at times but you should get your facts straight JRJ123. The Blades let 4 in on one occasion and only lost by 3 goals on 3 occasions - and all of them were away matches. In fact, most games were lost by only 1 goal.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by switchblade (U2033044)

posted May 22, 2007

NortonBlade - I agree... and there were quite a few other dodgy decisions that went against us to.
Oddly enough all the dodgy decisions involving WHU seem to have gone in their favour (e.g goals given which never crossed the line).

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by bristol_blade (U8438577)

posted May 23, 2007

I hate to say it as a Blade but having watched the Villa game on telly and the Wigan game at Bramall Lane we didn't deserve to stay up.

Both performances were inept - no creative ideas at all. Against Wigan we just kept lumping the ball in the air out to Gillespie - complete waste of time.

And there just wasn't the fight from the lads we've come to expect. If they can't be motivated for the last 2 games of the season then when will they be?

Not sure about Robson but it was time for a change and we'll just have to see what happens but have this horrible feeling mid-table obscurity beckons.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Nortonblade1889 (U8420148)

posted May 23, 2007

Hi Bristol Blade, don't lose the faith. I agree Bryan (R) is a bit of a gamble - but fortune favours the brave, and we are overdue a big lump of luck.
I was at Villa - agree we were off form, but the fixture was really hard re: their parading of Euro team legends before hand and the atmosphere it generated
We'll be back - and I am sure, one way or another stronger for this saga

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by gregtheblade06 (U8380268)

posted May 24, 2007

Whiteclaus.....it just sums up Leed's season when your highlight is us going down....enjoy league 1 hahahaha dennis wise is a bramall lane legend for what he has done to leeds

add comment | complain about this comment

view all 158 comments | back to the top

Comment on this article

Sorry, you can only contribute to 606 during opening hours. These are 0900-2300 UK time, seven days a week, but may vary to accommodate sporting events and UK public holidays.

RATE THIS ARTICLE

Rate Breakdown

  • 5 16.36%
    9 votes
  • 4 18.18%
    10 votes
  • 3 20.00%
    11 votes
  • 2
    0 votes
  • 1 45.45%
    25 votes

average rating:
2.60 from 55 votes

Sign in if you want to vote

MY RELATED LINKS

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

RELATED BBC LINKS

BBC Local
More on this team at the BBC website for South Yorkshire