Blades v Grimsby - Match Highlights

[Bladesman]

Not like anyone really gives a toss about this cup but thought I would post the highlights anyway.

 

[Revolution]

Nice goal from Clark. That's encouraging.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Pity to see Long make another hash of a routine save and gift them a goal.

 

[coaxingstar71]

However, on the bright side, 4 goals and a cracking strike from young Slater.

 

[Dec]

Pity to see Long make another hash of a routine save and gift them a goal.

Bit harsh... takes a wicked deflection, he did well to get anything on it.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Really enjoyed watching that game on BP. Like everybody else I wasn't bothered about the result, but there were a few new players that I wanted to learn about.

We started in 3-4-3 with wingbacks, two central midfielders and Hallam/Brooks supporting Lavery from attacking midfield roles:

Long
Brown Basham O'Connell
Freeman - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kelly
Whiteman Slater
Hallam - - - - - - - - Brooks
Lavery

​

2nd half we put Done on for Freeman and switched to a 3-4-1-2:

Long
Brown Basham O'Connell
Brooks - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kelly
Whiteman Slater
Hallam
Lavery Done​

After a few minutes Brooks and Slater swapped. It looked a bit more fluent though with players swapping positions and making covering runs for other player. For a while I thought we had switched to a back four.


Generally we did well. Our players looked a lot more skillful and showed more clever movement than the home side. I really like what Wilder is doing for us and players are really going to benefit from playing a modern and effective type of football.

A few thoughts on the youngsters/players that hasn't figured as much:

Brown - his best game for us. Generally solid defensively and joined in the attack a few times as well. Not a world beater and missed a sitter from Hallam's pass, but did fine. Right sided centre half (in a back three) may be his best position.

Kelly - Was always an outlet on the left. Doesn't look the most athletic, but does get crosses in and although not every one found a teammate I like his crossing ability. Noticed he's been getting great reviews on loan.

Whiteman - A tall, elegant midfielder who can pass well and covers a lot space and tackles well. I wish he was a little bit stronger and tougher. Although he slide tackles well he could be a bit more dominating in other challenges, but that may come with age.

Slater - An impressive debut. Confident on the ball and showed a lot of maturity, making himself available and using the ball well. It impressed me to see young players keep the ball under pressure that well. Good goal as well. Played on the right most of the second half, but centre midfield looks his natural position. Small, but looked a bit more aggressive and commanding than the likes of Reed and Dimaio who also looked good when they first played. I hope he'll develop better athleticism than those two though. Tenacious, but not sure about how quick he is.

Hallam - A small number 10 with some of the attributes that Duffy has - good close control, clever and tries to get involved offensively. Took a few set pieces, which is also supposed to be a strength of his. Got an assist for O'Connell's goal and if Brown had scored his sitter he would have had two. Could have scored as well. Like Duffy drifted out of the game for spells, but I was encouraged by that performance and look forward to seeing more from him.

Brooks - A real talent with great technique. Looks a bit lanky now that he's grown a bit, and on some occasions that makes him struggle, but that won't be a long term problem. Always positive on the ball and involved in many of our best moves. At the moment he looks more suited to an attacking role than central midfield, but that may change.

Lavery - Did ok, but does not look 100% match sharp yet. 65 minutes will do him good. With him, Clarke and Done all returning + Chapman also having shown he's a genuine option up front, we now look tremendously strong in that department. It will be really interesting to see which combinations Wilder will use from now on.

Cummings - Mostly untroubled as he took Basham's role as the middle of three centre halves. 6'2 or 6'3 with an athletic build. Seen him a couple of times before and think he's got a good chance of making it.

 

[Rodley]

Really enjoyed watching that game on BP. Like everybody else I wasn't bothered about the result, but there were a few new players that I wanted to learn about.

We started in 3-4-3 with wingbacks, two central midfielders and Hallam/Brooks supporting Lavery from attacking midfield roles:

Long
Brown Basham O'Connell
Freeman - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kelly
Whiteman Slater
Hallam - - - - - - - - Brooks
Lavery

​

2nd half we put Done on for Freeman and switched to a 3-4-1-2:

Long
Brown Basham O'Connell
Brooks - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kelly
Whiteman Slater
Hallam
Lavery Done​

After a few minutes Brooks and Slater swapped. It looked a bit more fluent though with players swapping positions and making covering runs for other player. For a while I thought we had switched to a back four.


Generally we did well. Our players looked a lot more skillful and showed more clever movement than the home side. I really like what Wilder is doing for us and players are really going to benefit from playing a modern and effective type of football.

A few thoughts on the youngsters/players that hasn't figured as much:

Brown - his best game for us. Generally solid defensively and joined in the attack a few times as well. Not a world beater and missed a sitter from Hallam's pass, but did fine. Right sided centre half (in a back three) may be his best position.

Kelly - Was always an outlet on the left. Doesn't look the most athletic, but does get crosses in and although not every one found a teammate I like his crossing ability. Noticed he's been getting great reviews on loan.

Whiteman - A tall, elegant midfielder who can pass well and covers a lot space and tackles well. I wish he was a little bit stronger and tougher. Although he slide tackles well he could be a bit more dominating in other challenges, but that may come with age.

Slater - An impressive debut. Confident on the ball and showed a lot of maturity, making himself available and using the ball well. It impressed me to see young players keep the ball under pressure that well. Good goal as well. Played on the right most of the second half, but centre midfield looks his natural position. Small, but looked a bit more aggressive and commanding than the likes of Reed and Dimaio who also looked good when they first played. I hope he'll develop better athleticism than those two though. Tenacious, but not sure about how quick he is.

Hallam - A small number 10 with some of the attributes that Duffy has - good close control, clever and tries to get involved offensively. Took a few set pieces, which is also supposed to be a strength of his. Got an assist for O'Connell's goal and if Brown had scored his sitter he would have had two. Could have scored as well. Like Duffy drifted out of the game for spells, but I was encouraged by that performance and look forward to seeing more from him.

Brooks - A real talent with great technique. Looks a bit lanky now that he's grown a bit, and on some occasions that makes him struggle, but that won't be a long term problem. Always positive on the ball and involved in many of our best moves. At the moment he looks more suited to an attacking role than central midfield, but that may change.

Lavery - Did ok, but does not look 100% match sharp yet. 65 minutes will do him good. With him, Clarke and Done all returning + Chapman also having shown he's a genuine option up front, we now look tremendously strong in that department. It will be really interesting to see which combinations Wilder will use from now on.

Cummings - Mostly untroubled as he took Basham's role as the middle of three centre halves. 6'2 or 6'3 with an athletic build. Seen him a couple of times before and think he's got a good chance of making it.

Great to have a review from Bergen Blade.