Weir Dismissed as Blades Face Rock Bottom

Article by David Naylor

Scotsman David Weir was shown the exit door at Sheffield United this week after overseeing a dismal start to the League One season that has seen the South Yorkshire club pick up just 5 points from 10 league games. United's latest predicament will leave some fans wondering where their club is heading next- could a humiliating relegation to League Two be on the cards?

The coming months may expose this statement as being a tad too alarmist, however the Blades must act carefully when choosing a new boss as the wrong man could see United spiralling towards League Ones trap door.

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The third-tier-club have reached the end of season play-offs in each of the last two seasons after being relegated from the Championship two years ago but a top-six challenge this season may already be beyond them. Already 14 points adrift of the play-off places, it would take a drastic turn in form for a promotion-push to be become a reality. United aren't helped by the number of teams already above them that will also be realistically in with a chance of reaching the play-offs. Wolves, for example, seem to possess at least some of the required ingredients for success. In Kenny Jackett Wanderers have a boss who has achieved promotion in each of his two previous managerial roles, most notably from League One with Millwall in 2010.

Wolves can also boast a squad that includes a number of players who have played at Championship level, and the likes of Kevin Doyle, Kevin Foley and Leigh Griffiths have played several times for their respective national teams. Peterborough, with record signing Britt Assombalonga in tow, will be promoted in May, and various other teams, including Preston, MK Dons, Bradford, Brentford and Rotherham will in my view be strong contenders for promotion come the end of the campaign. Sheffield United have a decent side but will that be enough? I'm not so sure.

So, United could do with making a wise appointment. Nigel Clough, having only just cleared the manager's office at Pride Park after his dismissal from Derby, is rumoured to be meeting Blades big-wigs next week to discuss the vacant post at Brammall Lane. Nigel, son of East Midlands legend Brian Clough, may be tempted by the proposed multi-million pound investment that United's new co-owner, a Saudi Arabian Prince, is set to bring to the club. To be fair, the new investor has already put his money where his mouth is, so to speak, by stumping up the cash for recent signings that include promising Winger Ryan Hall and infamous goal machine Marlon King. Clough couldn't quite orchestrate a successful play-off push in the Championship with Derby County, although this was perhaps down to being awarded a mediocre budget in a league where Middle-Eastern money-men seem happy to splash the cash at clubs such as Nottingham Forest, and given the right resources the former Burton Albion boss could instigate a drive up the table.

In regards to the other candidates for the United hot-seat, current Caretaker Manager Chris Morgan could have the passion and determination required to turn things around at Bramall Lane. Morgan, a former club captain, has been at the club for a decade however the decision makers at Bramall Lane may look for a candidate with more experience in the manager's chair after the apparent failure of Weir's reign. With the club's new co-owner suggesting that his level of investment could warrant Premier League football within five years, the Yorkshire club may be able to tempt the ever-entertaining Paulo Di Canio back into lower-league management after his high-profile exit from Sunderland. Di Canio may employ distinctive managerial methods although, that being said, he does seem to have a knack of getting results in the lower leagues.

His possible appointment could hit the buffers if the already infamous Sheffield United board, including controversial owner Kevin McCabe, fear an Italian-flavoured backlash from Blades supporters. Radical decisions may have to be made, however, if the club is to get back on track and avert the disaster that would be League Two football. However the coming weeks and months pan out for United, I'll be watching on through curious White-Rose tinted binoculars.

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