Team for Tomorrow Neet

[wizadry]

I've got a full brain cell and I'm backing us to win. Wright has done very well for a 2nd div cast off but I wouldn't say we are about to fall apart just because he's missing. Hope I'm wrong but I think most of our problems will be our attack trying to get through the mass ranks of Walsall players on the edge of the area for 90 mins.

I was jesting about his record with us mate.

I have every confidence we'll find a way to beat them into submission, legally obviously.

 

[Good Pinch Of Snuff]

a dickie bird told me that Lambert is not only coming up to watch EEL

 

[west_yorks_blade]

a dickie bird told me that Lambert is not only coming up to watch EEL

Isn't he a Barnsley fan? What does he know about Lambert?

 

[Dellas Cowboys]

a dickie bird told me that Lambert is not only coming up to watch EEL

mmmm, that's what was worrying me

 

[Blade for Sale]

a dickie bird told me that Lambert is not only coming up to watch EEL

It would be most pleasing if we still had Butler. However in all seriousness, we are coming up to Jan and have 4/5 players having very good seasons. We are going to have to get used to speculation linking them with teams at the bottom of the Championship. I have faith that CW has generated an extremely good team spirit however, and that none of our stars would swap this ride for a less pleasant one, albeit in the league above.

 

[Pinchy]

Tufty did not sign Leon to sit on the bench; impact player or otherwise. He was signed to play up front with Billy Sharp. The manager won't have changed his mind about that nor will he until it's given a fair crack of the whip. You know, like Runaround Done was given a third of the season to do a bit more than try really hard.

 

[bertieblade]

Just hope lambert is not coming up to watch Coutts, we have to sign him to a new contract ASAP

 

[Pinchy]

It's the only league game of the night. There will be any number of managers and scouts present. It would be astonishing if there were not. Just as Tufty would take in a match when his own team were not playing.

The real time to worry is when nobody is interested in your players.

 

[Ricky]

a dickie bird told me that Lambert is not only coming up to watch EEL

He'll be looking at Coutts and Fleck as well. Lambert's a manager who's got previous for signing players from the lower leagues, and maybe he'll be more aware of those two with them both being Scottish like him.

Coutts has a clause in his contract that extends it by a year once he's played a certain number of games, which he should've done very soon. Wilder confirmed it. So nobody will take him off us for a pittance.

 

[Bladey McBladeface]

You know, like Runaround Done was given a third of the season to do a bit more than try really hard.

You mean, 'runaround Done', the guy who was given a third of a season and saw us go on a 14 match unbeaten run.

I get that you don't like Done. That's fine. But does it really need stating every time? The guy is a decent footballer. Sure, his finishing hasn't been exemplary, but he brings a lot to the team.

 

[Pinchy]

You mean, 'runaround Done', the guy who was given a third of a season and saw us go on a 14 match unbeaten run.

I get that you don't like Done. That's fine. But does it really need stating every time? The guy is a decent footballer. Sure, his finishing hasn't been exemplary, but he brings a lot to the team.

It needs stating as often as people claim he is a decent footballer when he clearly isn't. Can you list his qualities without saying "runs around a lot" several times in slightly different words?

 

[Pinchy]

He'll be looking at Coutts and Fleck as well. Lambert's a manager who's got previous for signing players from the lower leagues, and maybe he'll be more aware of those two with them both being Scottish like him.

Coutts has a clause in his contract that extends it by a year once he's played a certain number of games, which he should've done very soon. Wilder confirmed it. So nobody will take him off us for a pittance.

But is the contract term exercisable by United or the player? Or both?

Of course people (not just one) will be watching Coutts and Fleck, as well as all the other players in the league who are performing well. It's the height of naivety to think otherwise. It's also a lot better than having nobody watching our players; a proposition that speaks for itself.

There will be literally dozens of representatives from other clubs there tonight. Some of them will be watching Walsall players too.

 

[Bladey McBladeface]

It needs stating as often as people claim he is a decent footballer when he clearly isn't. Can you list his qualities without saying "runs around a lot" several times in slightly different words?

You make 'runs around a lot' sound like a dirty word. It isn't. Working hard and pressing opponents is a huge part of the modern game.

Aside from that, Done's 'running around' creates space and his movement is intelligent. His finishing hasn't been fantastic, I accept that, but he is getting on the end of chances: sooner or later those chances will turn into goals (not that it matters greatly when his presence in the team has coincided with so many team goals anyway).

Finally, I'd argue that Done is positionally useful. He can play up top but, he can also play wide of a central striker if we need him to.

A team is the sum of its parts, it's not always about individuals and who looks better on paper.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

I thought we were playing tonight?!

 

[Pinchy]

You make 'runs around a lot' sound like a dirty word. It isn't. Working hard and pressing opponents is a huge part of the modern game.

Aside from that, Done's 'running around' creates space and his movement is intelligent. His finishing hasn't been fantastic, I accept that, but he is getting on the end of chances: sooner or later those chances will turn into goals (not that it matters greatly when his presence in the team has coincided with so many team goals anyway).

Finally, I'd argue that Done is positionally useful. He can play up top but, he can also play wide of a central striker if we need him to.

A team is the sum of its parts, it's not always about individuals and who look better on paper.

I'll take that as a "No" then!

Why do you think Tufty has left him out?

 

[bartman]

Aside from that, Done's 'running around' creates space and his movement is intelligent. .

His movement is reactive rather than proactive which is why he isn't anything better a below average L1 striker

 

[Hodgyman]

Chris Wilder will pick the team that he feels will do the best for us. I paid my money to watch Chris Wilder's team. In Chris we trust don't we?

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

If we don't have Done in the team we lose about 60% of puns.

Clarke and Lavery simply don't provide those options.

 

[Pinchy]

Chris Wilder will pick the team that he feels will do the best for us. I paid my money to watch Chris Wilder's team. In Chris we trust don't we?

Of course. As I always conceded when he selected Done. It seems it doesn't work that way now he's dropped him, given all the bleating from the Runarounders.

 

[Balham]

It's the only league game of the night. There will be any number of managers and scouts present. It would be astonishing if there were not. Just as Tufty would take in a match when his own team were not playing.

The real time to worry is when nobody is interested in your players.

Indeed. I find it astonishing that people are surprised that the new Wolves manager is taking the opportunity to travel an hour to watch one of his players who's out on loan. What we should note is that while EEL is fast becoming a cult figure at the Lane, he's not the best centre half and given Lambert's love of a back 4 his weaknesses would be exposed in the league above. Playing three at the back has stopped a lot of issues being caused by some positional naivety in our centre halves.

On Clarke: he needs to get his head in the right place. He was off the pace against Charlton and the partnership with Sharp just isn't working at the moment. He remains a quality footballer (cf goal vs Chesterfield) but something has yet to click.

 

[Ricky]

But is the contract term exercisable by United or the player? Or both?

Of course people (not just one) will be watching Coutts and Fleck, as well as all the other players in the league who are performing well. It's the height of naivety to think otherwise. It's also a lot better than having nobody watching our players; a proposition that speaks for itself.

There will be literally dozens of representatives from other clubs there tonight. Some of them will be watching Walsall players too.

"Revealing their contracts all contain clauses which could tie them to United beyond the end of the season, Wilder (pictured), said: “Billy is triggered on games, Doney is triggered on games, Couttsy is triggered on games, Kieron is triggered on games and Bash is triggered on games. As soon as they hit them, they are automatically here. If we look at those contracts and then adjust them if there’s a reason, then that’s what we’ll do. But those lads will probably hit those games before Christmas. We’re in a more comfortable position that perhaps it looks to some. I’m never going to leave anybody out, unless it’s a ridiculous contract that hurts the club financially.”

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk...proach-to-contracts-at-bramall-lane-1-8257358

 

[Pinchy]

Indeed. I find it astonishing that people are surprised that the new Wolves manager is taking the opportunity to travel an hour to watch one of his players who's out on loan. What we should note is that while EEL is fast becoming a cult figure at the Lane, he's not the best centre half and given Lambert's love of a back 4 his weaknesses would be exposed in the league above. Playing three at the back has stopped a lot of issues being caused by some positional weaknesses in our centre halves.

On Clarke: he needs to get his head in the right place. He was off the pace against Charlton and the partnership with Sharp just isn't working at the moment. He remains a quality footballer (cf goal vs Chesterfield) but something has yet to click.

On the centre-back issue, watch this space in January. At the risk of repeating myself, our brother Jake, admirable though he is, is not here for the long haul. Whether he catches an Eel or not, Tufty hasn't forgotten who he was fishing for previously...

As for Leon, I agree with your balanced view, but he's more than good enough to persevere with. The lad he's currently preferred to was given long enough and, however industrious he may have been, found wanting in key skills. Tufty does nothing without good reason.

 

[Pinchy]

"Revealing their contracts all contain clauses which could tie them to United beyond the end of the season, Wilder (pictured), said: “Billy is triggered on games, Doney is triggered on games, Couttsy is triggered on games, Kieron is triggered on games and Bash is triggered on games. As soon as they hit them, they are automatically here. If we look at those contracts and then adjust them if there’s a reason, then that’s what we’ll do. But those lads will probably hit those games before Christmas. We’re in a more comfortable position that perhaps it looks to some. I’m never going to leave anybody out, unless it’s a ridiculous contract that hurts the club financially.”

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk...proach-to-contracts-at-bramall-lane-1-8257358

Thank you, Ricky. I hadn't seen that. I feared a "Hammond" as I think the term is now colloquially known.

 

[Bladey McBladeface]

I'll take that as a "No" then!

Why do you think Tufty has left him out?

It's fair and reasonable for Chris Wilder, in a squad of 4 strikers (+Chapman) to look at all his options now they are all fit. That doesn't mean that he suddenly thinks Done is useless, nor does it mean that he won't get further opportunities, nor does it mean that the alternative options will turn out to be a better fit.

I am not suggesting that your observations are wholly invalid - Done does need to improve his finishing - but I am saying that your observations are over-the-top and deliberately negative.

 

[Pinchy]

His movement is reactive rather than proactive which is why he isn't anything better a below average L1 striker

Careful. That's far too profound. We need to stick with the superficial...

 

[wizadry]

Indeed. I find it astonishing that people are surprised that the new Wolves manager is taking the opportunity to travel an hour to watch one of his players who's out on loan. What we should note is that while EEL is fast becoming a cult figure at the Lane, he's not the best centre half and given Lambert's love of a back 4 his weaknesses would be exposed in the league above. Playing three at the back has stopped a lot of issues being caused by some positional naivety in our centre halves.

On Clarke: he needs to get his head in the right place. He was off the pace against Charlton and the partnership with Sharp just isn't working at the moment. He remains a quality footballer (cf goal vs Chesterfield) but something has yet to click.

I've yet to see anything in Clarke but i'm sure CW will give him enough opportunities to show us why Pinchy is getting so excited by him.

I thought the Chezzie GK had enough time to have a shit, shave and shower before getting down comfortably to collect Clarkes shot, it was really poor goalkeeping but they all count as they say.

I'd much rather see Chapman than Clarke in the system that suits us. Clarke might have done well in the past but upto now that's all it is, the past.

 

[Pinchy]

It's fair and reasonable for Chris Wilder, in a squad of 4 strikers (+Chapman) to look at all his options now they are all fit. That doesn't mean that he suddenly thinks Done is useless, nor does it mean that he won't get further opportunities, nor does it mean that the alternative options will turn out to be a better fit.

I am not suggesting that your observations are wholly invalid - Done does need to improve his finishing - but I am saying that your observations are over-the-top and deliberately negative.

That's fair enough, but surely you acknowledge that Tufty hasn't left him out for some esoteric or experimental reason? I accept CW does not think he's useless but it's equally clear that he doesn't think he's done enough to keep his place and someone else [Leon as it happens] might well do better. In simple terms he's been dropped and for entirely justifiable reasons. It's not a crazy decision, is it?

 

[Pinchy]

I've yet to see anything in Clarke but i'm sure CW will give him enough opportunities to show us why Pinchy is getting so excited by him.

I thought the Chezzie GK had enough time to have a shit, shave and shower before getting down comfortably to collect Clarkes shot, it was really poor goalkeeping but they all count as they say.

I'd much rather see Chapman than Clarke in the system that suits us. Clarke might have done well in the past but upto now that's all it is, the past.

He was instrumental in all three goals, Wiz. It was a very impressive cameo indeed. Not only that, his career record suggests he's very capable indeed at this level. The lad who Tufty has just dropped, by contrast, has yet to demonstrate that he can score sufficient goals to play up front at this level. A high work-rate is admirable but I'm afraid a striker has to strike now and then. I'm not sure his assists are particularly impressive either?

Leon's started off his Blades career with an injury and hasn't had the chance to get into his stride yet. Is there any reason why he shouldn't be given just as much opportunity as Matt Done?

 

[Bladey McBladeface]

That's fair enough, but surely you acknowledge that Tufty hasn't left him out for some esoteric or experimental reason? I accept CW does not think he's useless but it's equally clear that he doesn't think he's done enough to keep his place and someone else [Leon as it happens] might well do better. In simple terms he's been dropped and for entirely justifiable reasons. It's not a crazy decision, is it?

Not at all. Wilder is entitled to drop him and I can see the argument for doing so.

My issue really is that you seem so keen for Done to fail. Anyone who has played their part in a run like the one we are having deserves a pat on the back, not a slap across the face, whatever their limitations may be.

 

[Pinchy]

Not at all. Wilder is entitled to drop him and I can see the argument for doing so.

My issue really is that you seem so keen for Done to fail. Anyone who has played their part in a run like the one we are having deserves a pat on the back, not a slap across the face, whatever their limitations may be.

Oh yes, I agree. I would have given Ol' Big Nose a pat on the back for his terrific achievement in getting us to the Prem. I would then have sacked him in the realisation that he would be out of his depth in the league above. You have to be ruthless in football.

I'm not keen for Done to fail; but I've seen enough to form a view (just my opinion, but it's the only one I've got) that his undoubtedly high work rate is more admirable than effective. It's not about favourite players for me (though I do have them) it's about the team and I think Done is a weak link and people get a little carried away by his tireless chasing at the expense of any real quality.

I also think it's selling Chris Wilder, his philosophy and methods well short to claim (as some do) that we can't play a high line pressing game without a particular player. I find that proposition very odd (and alarming too) indeed and so, I suspect, would Tufty.

I detect, I hope I am wrong, a reluctance amongst some who want me to 'be fair' to Done to extend the same courtesy to the player Tufty (who knows what he is doing) has decided should replace him (at least for now). It's a bit rich to call for patience with Done but dismiss Clarke after a handful of games (mostly played when far from fully fit).