First real tactical blooper?

[The_Green_Man]

First and foremost, these things happen and you have to pick yourself up and brush yourself off and move on....

I haven't had the luxury of being at the game today however thankfully I have had the pleasure of being able to watch two "sufficient" live streams that have allowed me to watch the game from the stands whilst listening to our Keith on the radiobox.

I think for me you have to say that Walsall did their homework on us today? Every time our full backs pushed on in the first half, the opposition looked to get their pace through into the gaps left behind and it worked a treat. Defensive you can't help but be disappointed with how the central defenders dealt with the pace in behind and out wide..also a few questionable moments from Moore as well.

When the second went in, the above was quite apparent and it was quite apparent that it needed looking at but it didn't happen. I'm not going to attack Wilder in the slightest because he is a fantastic manager and he hasn't got much wrong to date.....

But it does show that we need to become more adaptable to our oppositions style of play. They knew that Wilder likes his full backs to get up the line and upon turning over possession they looked to exploit the absences and gaps and it worked.

Another thing I noticed......Sharp and Lavery had little to no success up top in the air, this was blatantly obvious so it was a bit of a shame to see us still trying to put balls forward in the air.

A couple of things in that to learn from I think because the opposition will watch this tape back and see how Walsall managed to undo us.....

Not the end of the world, far from it......In fact the first game since Southend in which I have nothing obvious negatives...And we can easily put them right!

 

[Bladesman]

Seems to me like Moore was culpable for most of the goals today.

Maybe just a bad day at the office for him.

 

[FriethBlade]

Your comments re Sharp and Lavery illustrate why a big, mobile striker has to be on the shopping list. If we don't get one in this window we may live to regret it.

 

[The_Green_Man]

Seems to me like Moore was culpable for most of the goals today.

Maybe just a bad day at the office for him.

I was hard to conclusively see from the streams but he definitely seems to have played a part in it, again though you can't really wave a finger too much because he has been fantastic since joining us and has saved our bacon on many occasion.

I need to see it back but watching it live online, the gaps in behind when the full backs pushed forward were staggering!

 

[The_Green_Man]

Your comments re Sharp and Lavery illustrate why a big, mobile striker has to be on the shopping list. If we don't get one in this window we may live to regret it.

The last thing we want though is to rely on a target man as such, especially when for the most our football on the deck has been fantastic.

In the second half it was more apparent to me because the camera was right alongside the 18 yard box giving me the perfect view. In my opinion it wasn't through lack of trying because with put plenty of balls in the box however the CB's mopped them up all day long.....Then in the second half we became a little more direct which was surprising considering we hadn't really had any success in the air what so ever.

Just nit picking I guess but definitely a couple of negatives.

 

[robbiez666]

As I said before the game, I think playing Done at LWB was a huge mistake.

 

[loyalblade95]

Seems to me like Moore was culpable for most of the goals today.

Maybe just a bad day at the office for him.

we all know how good he is so it will be a bad day at the office for him, everyone has them, now as he usually does he'll pick himself up and be back to normal next saturday, end of the day we haven't lost away from home in the league since august 20th and id rather lose away from home than lose at home

 

[Stretch]

First and foremost, these things happen and you have to pick yourself up and brush yourself off and move on....

I haven't had the luxury of being at the game today however thankfully I have had the pleasure of being able to watch two "sufficient" live streams that have allowed me to watch the game from the stands whilst listening to our Keith on the radiobox.

I think for me you have to say that Walsall did their homework on us today? Every time our full backs pushed on in the first half, the opposition looked to get their pace through into the gaps left behind and it worked a treat. Defensive you can't help but be disappointed with how the central defenders dealt with the pace in behind and out wide..also a few questionable moments from Moore as well.

When the second went in, the above was quite apparent and it was quite apparent that it needed looking at but it didn't happen. I'm not going to attack Wilder in the slightest because he is a fantastic manager and he hasn't got much wrong to date.....

But it does show that we need to become more adaptable to our oppositions style of play. They knew that Wilder likes his full backs to get up the line and upon turning over possession they looked to exploit the absences and gaps and it worked.

Another thing I noticed......Sharp and Lavery had little to no success up top in the air, this was blatantly obvious so it was a bit of a shame to see us still trying to put balls forward in the air.

A couple of things in that to learn from I think because the opposition will watch this tape back and see how Walsall managed to undo us.....

Not the end of the world, far from it......In fact the first game since Southend in which I have nothing obvious negatives...And we can easily put them right!

I wasn't there today so enjoyed reading this analysis. Today was always bound to happen. A back 3 can be so effective but can be easily exploited with pace and clever players. I do wonder whether today should have been one of those times when we switched to more of a back 5 and were less offensive, especially at 1-1 when we could have bided our time and tried to pick them off? Just a thought rather than a suggestions and I know that the prospect of playing defensively away from home won't sit well with some but at the end of the day a draw would have been a solid result, especially with Bolton slipping up.

All that been said I don't want us to change our pattern of play unless it is absolutely necessary, i.e. hanging onto slender leads in the late stages of games. Wilder wants to attack and entertain and occasionally we will come unstuck because of it. Even more so when the back line make silly mistakes, which seemed to be the case today.

We go again. UTB

 

[BladeFisher]

First and foremost, these things happen and you have to pick yourself up and brush yourself off and move on....

I haven't had the luxury of being at the game today however thankfully I have had the pleasure of being able to watch two "sufficient" live streams that have allowed me to watch the game from the stands whilst listening to our Keith on the radiobox.

I think for me you have to say that Walsall did their homework on us today? Every time our full backs pushed on in the first half, the opposition looked to get their pace through into the gaps left behind and it worked a treat. Defensive you can't help but be disappointed with how the central defenders dealt with the pace in behind and out wide..also a few questionable moments from Moore as well.

When the second went in, the above was quite apparent and it was quite apparent that it needed looking at but it didn't happen. I'm not going to attack Wilder in the slightest because he is a fantastic manager and he hasn't got much wrong to date.....

But it does show that we need to become more adaptable to our oppositions style of play. They knew that Wilder likes his full backs to get up the line and upon turning over possession they looked to exploit the absences and gaps and it worked.

Another thing I noticed......Sharp and Lavery had little to no success up top in the air, this was blatantly obvious so it was a bit of a shame to see us still trying to put balls forward in the air.

A couple of things in that to learn from I think because the opposition will watch this tape back and see how Walsall managed to undo us.....

Not the end of the world, far from it......In fact the first game since Southend in which I have nothing obvious negatives...And we can easily put them right!

At last some sense. This is a wake up call to Wilder & Knill. Get it sorted!!

"A couple of things in that to learn from I think because the opposition will watch this tape back and see how Walsall managed to undo us....." Yeah in three games!

 

[Isar]

I was not at the game, or have I seen any highlights. Looks like their finishing was very efficient.

The BBC stats are:

Home TeamWalsal lAway TeamSheff Utd
Possession
Home47%
Away53%
Shots
Home10
Away15
Shots on Target
Home6
Away5
Corners
Home2
Away8
Fouls
Home13
Away10

 

[sitwell]

Your comments re Sharp and Lavery illustrate why a big, mobile striker has to be on the shopping list. If we don't get one in this window we may live to regret it.

Surely better to play to the strengths of our strike force than get a big lump in to match them up ? We are the highest away goalscorers in the league by some margin.

 

[Snowman]

Why did he play Done at LWB? He saw him last season and identified he was shit there and even said at the start of the season that he wouldn't play him in defence. Not seen the game yet as reliant on BP but it just doesn't feel right.

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

On train coming home. A lot of our team were coasting as if second half we'd stroll it! They came out second half gunning for us. Not tactics but pure desire today.

Really disappointing as I've not thought that before this season.

Sure CW will sort, Both wing backs, Duffy,Sharp andBasham poor. Not sure about goals as at far end of ground second half to be able to tell.

Expect CW to act in market as this backs up his comments where we need to strengthen . Our bench looked pre match one of our weakest for a number of weeks.

 

[Boxer Blade]

Surely better to play to the strengths of our strike force than get a big lump in to match them up ? We are the highest away goalscorers in the league by some margin.

Its got us to the top of the league hasn't it, as disappointing as it is its been a bad day and we haven't been used to too many of them this season, good runs come to an end, last time it happened we went and won the next six, whos to say it wont happen again? Bad day in great season.

 

[coolhandluke]

First and foremost, these things happen and you have to pick yourself up and brush yourself off and move on....

I haven't had the luxury of being at the game today however thankfully I have had the pleasure of being able to watch two "sufficient" live streams that have allowed me to watch the game from the stands whilst listening to our Keith on the radiobox.

I think for me you have to say that Walsall did their homework on us today? Every time our full backs pushed on in the first half, the opposition looked to get their pace through into the gaps left behind and it worked a treat. Defensive you can't help but be disappointed with how the central defenders dealt with the pace in behind and out wide..also a few questionable moments from Moore as well.

When the second went in, the above was quite apparent and it was quite apparent that it needed looking at but it didn't happen. I'm not going to attack Wilder in the slightest because he is a fantastic manager and he hasn't got much wrong to date.....

But it does show that we need to become more adaptable to our oppositions style of play. They knew that Wilder likes his full backs to get up the line and upon turning over possession they looked to exploit the absences and gaps and it worked.

Another thing I noticed......Sharp and Lavery had little to no success up top in the air, this was blatantly obvious so it was a bit of a shame to see us still trying to put balls forward in the air.

A couple of things in that to learn from I think because the opposition will watch this tape back and see how Walsall managed to undo us.....

Not the end of the world, far from it......In fact the first game since Southend in which I have nothing obvious negatives...And we can easily put them right!

Switching to 4-4-2 usually negates this and it's a switch CW has made time and time again .

Why didn't he do it today ? Maybe Done at LWB meant CW didn't revert to a back 4 and push Basham up ???

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

Switching to 4-4-2 usually negates this and it's a switch CW has made time and time again .

Why didn't he do it today ? Maybe Done at LWB meant CW didn't revert to a back 4 and push Basham up ???

He did but too late. And left done at lb !

 

[coolhandluke]

He did but too late. And left done at lb !

What was the score when he did it ?

 

[Slug]

First and foremost, these things happen and you have to pick yourself up and brush yourself off and move on....

I haven't had the luxury of being at the game today however thankfully I have had the pleasure of being able to watch two "sufficient" live streams that have allowed me to watch the game from the stands whilst listening to our Keith on the radiobox.

I think for me you have to say that Walsall did their homework on us today? Every time our full backs pushed on in the first half, the opposition looked to get their pace through into the gaps left behind and it worked a treat. Defensive you can't help but be disappointed with how the central defenders dealt with the pace in behind and out wide..also a few questionable moments from Moore as well.

When the second went in, the above was quite apparent and it was quite apparent that it needed looking at but it didn't happen. I'm not going to attack Wilder in the slightest because he is a fantastic manager and he hasn't got much wrong to date.....

But it does show that we need to become more adaptable to our oppositions style of play. They knew that Wilder likes his full backs to get up the line and upon turning over possession they looked to exploit the absences and gaps and it worked.

Another thing I noticed......Sharp and Lavery had little to no success up top in the air, this was blatantly obvious so it was a bit of a shame to see us still trying to put balls forward in the air.

A couple of things in that to learn from I think because the opposition will watch this tape back and see how Walsall managed to undo us.....

Not the end of the world, far from it......In fact the first game since Southend in which I have nothing obvious negatives...And we can easily put them right!

Where did you find these streams that you speak of?

 

[chesblade]

Think we need Wright in defence. Calm and can see the attacking threat

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Your comments re Sharp and Lavery illustrate why a big, mobile striker has to be on the shopping list. If we don't get one in this window we may live to regret it.

Mobile would be enough.

 

[sitwell]

What was the bench today ?

 

[INTAKE BLADE]

CW said after on radio sheff that his instructions to go 442 were ignored, somthing he sounded pissed off about.

 

[bartman]

Your comments re Sharp and Lavery illustrate why a big, mobile striker has to be on the shopping list. If we don't get one in this window we may live to regret it.

A mobile striker would not have made adifference today as there was very little service to the forwards. Moore, EEL and Basham very poor and the passing was too slow

 

[DiggerBlade]

On train coming home. A lot of our team were coasting as if second half we'd stroll it! They came out second half gunning for us. Not tactics but pure desire today.

Really disappointing as I've not thought that before this season.

Sure CW will sort, Both wing backs, Duffy,Sharp andBasham poor. Not sure about goals as at far end of ground second half to be able to tell.

Expect CW to act in market as this backs up his comments where we need to strengthen . Our bench looked pre match one of our weakest for a number of weeks.

Coming out in the 2nd half and assuming another victory will never beat the desire to win so it sounds like Walsall wanted it more than the Blades. There lies the facts.

I've always said that teams that want it more stand a greater chance of achieving it.

 

[DiggerBlade]

CW said after on radio sheff that his instructions to go 442 were ignored, somthing he sounded pissed off about.

I heard him too and thought the much the same.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Your comments re Sharp and Lavery illustrate why a big, mobile striker has to be on the shopping list. If we don't get one in this window we may live to regret it.

One defeat and suddenly we're exposed as needing someone big upfront? I listened to Wilder in his post match interview. He's not the type to shy away from difficult questions and takes plaudits in the same way he does criticism, he'll know what went wrong and why the players let us down. Wilder's had a superb season so far, so cut him some slack before you drawing conclusions that are tactically incorrect. If balls were being played in the air to Sharp and Lavery then the players who are responsible for the delivery should be aware of where they fell short.

This is the first poor performance in ages, we all believe that this team can get promoted so the phrase, "In Wilder we trust", was never more needed. Should we get promoted and find that winning doesn't come as easily next season we should all recall days like today and not fall into the trap of hectoring the manager for what was clearly the players fault. Wilder will sort this out. UTB

 

[Lowen]

Moore was terrible, at fault for 3/4 goals and had two other mistakes go unpunished. This is just a minor bump and we will get back on track, never beat Walsall away so it was meant to be especially considering theyve got our number this season too. What i would like to see in this team is some PACE though, we have consistently lacked this and some of our key players like sharp and coutts would look even better if they had pace around them.

 

[Ricky]

The centre halves were exposed a bit and they dealt with it hopelessly. With a competent goalkeeping performance they'd have probably got away with it though.

It was probably a time to take the safer option and go to 4 at the back.

If instructions to go to 4-4-2 were ignored/not heard then that could explain what happened for their 3rd goal - the ball over the top went into the area Basham would've been so maybe he had moved into midfield.

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

What was the score when he did it ?

Either 2-1 or 3-1. Beer clouds the memory !!

 

[The_Green_Man]

Slug and others.....

A couple of travelling blades were extremely kind enough to stream live video from the match via a supporters group on Facebook. In all fairness the streaming of the second half in particular was extremely good quality and would rival some mediocre TV channels;.