For people within the football fraternity, it is little surprise that Gary Speed has been named the new manager of Sheffield United.
Gary has been on the coaching staff at Bramall Lane for some time and the Blades did not allow him to talk when other clubs came calling. Rightly or wrongly, people in the game read between the lines and thought he was a manager-in-waiting in case things didn't go right for Kevin Blackwell.
Speed: lined up for management for a long time
Nobody knows if that conversation ever took place, but when you have someone of his stature and experience you want to keep hold of him. This may be his first managerial job, but he had a fantastic playing career and played under some fantastic managers. He has gained a lot of knowledge over the years and if he can use that then he will have every chance.
Some people would say the appointment of a first-time manager is a risk. However, even supposedly "safe" appointments can go wrong. Just look at Steve Coppell at Bristol City.
Peter Beagrie
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This is a good opportunity at a club that was involved in the fabric of the Premier League in the not-too-distant past and they are desperately striving to get back there. He also has a decent squad to work with if everybody is fit.
One of the biggest groans for Blackwell was the fact that he had more people in the treatment room than the dressing room at times and that contributed to a lack of success during his spell in charge.
He got them to the play-off final in 2009, but after losing to Burnley he gave a highly emotive interview in which he tendered his resignation. That was turned down and he got on with the job, but unfortunately they fell short last season.
Kevin then failed to make an instant impact this season. The draw against Cardiff was a good point with 10 men, but they then lost to lowly Hartlepool and were beaten 3-0 by QPR last weekend. That looks like a bad result on the surface, but Kevin can point to mitigating circumstances and they were unfortunate not to receive a couple of penalties.
Ultimately Kevin lost his job and some people would say the appointment of a first-time manager is a risk. However, even supposedly "safe" appointments can go wrong. Just look at Steve Coppell at Bristol City.
Every signing a football club makes - player or manager - is a risk. It doesn't necessarily follow that a great player will make a great manager - perhaps Bryan Robson is an example of that - but Gary is a level-headed character.
He's not long out of the game and will see things from a player's point of view, which is important. He wants to change the long-term culture at the club, but to do that he needs a couple more flair players. It will be interesting to see if the club give him the funds to do that.
One thing that must change is the results. A team can play good football, but this is a results-based industry and that's no good unless you convert your play into goals and wins.
The first chance for three points is at Middlesbrough, live on Sky Sports on Sunday, when Gary will come up against his friend and former Leeds team-mate, Gordon Strachan.
I think it's a good game for Gary to start with. He might have preferred it at Bramall Lane, but at least the players might be a bit more relaxed away from home.
After spending a couple of seasons at Sheffield United, Gary knows the players and I'm sure they trust him. He'll know the aspects they haven't enjoyed and those that they have, which is a good starting point.
For me it's a predictable move, but a positive one.
Bellamy the Bluebird
An even bigger news story this week was Craig Bellamy's loan move to Cardiff City. Despite their financial woes, the Bluebirds have sanctioned a deal which apparently sees them pay just a fraction of the wages of a striker who was arguably one of the top five players in the Premier League last season.
I have access to the football grapevine and it seems both Tottenham and Celtic were desperate to sign him, but it appears Bellamy didn't want a permanent move because he didn't really want to leave Manchester City.
Maybe he thinks that he can take a year out on loan and Roberto Mancini might be gone when he goes back to Eastlands, so he'll have a better chance of getting in the team.
But from Cardiff's point of view, there's suddenly a silver lining in the cloud that has been hanging over them for a long time.
I wonder where he'll play because their front four of Peter Whittingham, Chris Burke, Michael Chopra and Jay Bothroyd have been very consistent. Maybe Bellamy will go back to his Norwich days and play in central midfield!
Rival chairmen have questioned this deal because Cardiff owe other clubs money, but there's nothing in the rules to stop them. A wave of optimism is sweeping through Cardiff and their supporters will have an extra spring in their step when they go to the game on Saturday.
Peter's Picks of the Week
CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Steve Morison (Millwall)
Morison scored two goals in a 4-0 romp against relegated Hull as Millwall built on their fine opening-day win away at Bristol City. Morison has managed 99 goals in four seasons, three spent with Stevenage before his £130,000 move to Millwall. He handsomely repaid them with 23 goals, firing the club to promotion via the play-offs - and now he's carrying on his form in the Championship. He even sandwiched an international debut for Wales in between two victories for the Lions.
See highlights of Millwall v Hull here
CHAMPIONSHIP GOAL OF THE WEEK - John Eustace (Watford)
John Eustace scored an acrobatic overhead kick to put the Hornets 2-0 up against Coventry. For a man who is generally thought of as a continuity player and isn't noted for his goalscoring prowess, it was a fantastic piece of skill and innovation. Unfortunately for him, Watford couldn't hold on and the game finished 2-2.
Click here to view
LEAGUE ONE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Brett Pitman (Bournemouth)
Brett Pitman's quickfire 15-minute hat-trick destroyed Gary Johnson's fancied Peterborough at the Fitness First Stadium last Saturday. He scored 28 goals last term, including six in his first 10, but he's got three in his first two this season. That's the sort of form that has seen Premier League Blackpool come in for him.
See highlights of Bournemouth v Peterborough here
LEAGUE ONE GOAL OF THE WEEK - Dean Furman (Oldham)
The nod goes to Dean Furman's long-distance scorcher for Oldham, which made it two wins out of two for new boss Paul Dickov. A sweet strike with his right foot.
Click here to view
LEAGUE TWO PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Elliot Benyon (Torquay United)
I spoke to Torquay boss Paul Buckle at the end of last season and he said he was planning to tie down his promising youngsters on long-term contracts. Those youngsters have helped continue Torquay's good form into this season and Benyon is the perfect example. He has three goals to his name already, including two at Lincoln to make it a perfect start for the Gulls. The first was a brave diving header in the six-yard box and the second a controlled stooping header from a Chris Zebroski cross.
See highlights of Lincoln v Torquay here
LEAGUE TWO GOAL OF THE WEEK - Patrick Ada (Crewe)
Cameroonian defender Patrick Ada smashed in a right-foot volley for Crewe, but unfortunately the quality of the goal wasn't matched by the quality of the result as they lost narrowly 3-2 to Cheltenham.
Click here to view
Comments (3)
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Nathaniel Chafer (Sheffield Wednesday fan) says...
I think that Gary Speed has got a poison chalis here.
Posted 09:05 20th August 2010
Ld Dd (Arsenal fan) says...
THE ONLY POINT I HAVE TO MAKE IS THIS, CARDIFF HAVE A NEW OWNER WHO IS A BILLIONAIRE, IM SURE WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT ALL OUTSTANDING DUES WILL BE PAID. BUT ON BELLAMY, THE CHAIRMAN OF MOTHERWELL SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO TALK SPORT YESTERDAY, 18-8-2010, WHEN A FORMER PLAYER OF MOTHERWELL SAID ABOUT ALL THE CONTRACTS THAT WERE RIPPED UP A FEW YEARS AGO, BUT IT DID NOT STOP MOTHERWELL GOING OUT TO BUY NEW PLAYERS , AND AS FOR THE ORIENT OWNER, IF YOU OWE, BUSINESS OR CONSUMER, YOU HAVE TIME TO PAY, IF AGREED, IT DOES NOT MAKE YOU INSOLVENT IF ALL PARTIES AGREE, SO ORIENT, IF YOUR OWNER DOESN`T SPEND MONEY YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A TEAM OF NO HOPERS, CARDIFF WILL COME GOOD BE IT TODAY OR TOMORROW, WE DONT OWE £700 MILLION POUNDS, DO WE?
Posted 13:46 19th August 2010
Casey Turner (Millwall fan) says...
What about James Henry for player of the week? He set up all four goals this week and 1 or 2 against Bristol City - the guy played exceptionally on Saturday against Hull. No complaints about the brilliant Morison but Henry deserves a mention and i feel he would have got it had Morison not scored twice
Posted 12:27 19th August 2010
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