Midfield this Midfield that but

[boo radley]

It seems loads want to over state what the midfielder do and not recognise enough what the rest of the team contributes.
The time generated for the midfield to play is made by ALL the team.
The way our players are confident with the ball and have confidence in each other is what we have been crying out for for years. The partnership between Freeman and Basham is something that has been overlooked by most and the developing partnership on the left is coming along nicely.
I would like to see some stats but to me it looks like the wing backs and center backs cover more areas of the pitch than anyone and do more running. This and the confidence on the ball is what creates our outlets.
There also need to be a mention for our strikers and there defensive duties. Billy running his sock off to get the right side of player and Ched on Saturday, well you can see he is not up to the pace of the game but his control and bring downs of thigh chest and short pass on Saturday and the way he also took responsibility tells me if he can get back to something like the game pace of the old Ched we will have a cracking player.
MOTM for me Saturday was either Bashambaur or Fleck but the margins were so small that in games like that where the team as a whole performed brilliantly then it is hardly worth arguing about.

 

[DronnieBlade]

The Coutts n Fleck partnership is, as will be proved, as good as anything in this division.

Other areas of the pitch, less so. Improvements ideally required.

THATS why they get so much deserved coverage. We don't have a spare £15 m to upgrade these two, which is what it would take.

UTB

 

[Pollingtonblade]

To think some on here lauded midfield dynamos like Monty and Doyle.

 

[PokerBlade]

You'll see several times a game that one of Basham or O'Connell will make a move forward to support the attack and quite often be allowed to stay forward until possession changes over. And then you get the other side of that which is instances like Fleck taking a free kick in line with their box and then, when they break, making a recovering challenge near our own six yard box. A couple of times on Saturday Fleck ended up dropping into the left back position because Stevens had pressed so high up.

The style we play is incredibly physically and mentally demanding on the players and takes a whole team contribution to avoid leaving huge gaps across the pitch. It's why we look susceptible to attacks on the break, but it's a risk vs. reward decision. The fullbacks have to play both defence and attack as the play dictates, Duffy/Carruthers have to constantly switch between a central role and both wide positions. The two other midfielders have to get high up the pitch and cover the back three. It really is a highly demanding system for the players.

On balance, it's probably the fullbacks that are key as they have to be very well rounded. If they can't attack, you don't support the strikers or have any width. If they can't defend, you get a very exposed back three. If they aren't quick and full of stamina, they can't possibly do both roles through a game.

Imo the Flecks and Coutts stand out so much because they are simply our best players (aside from Sharp and arguably O'Connell), but in terms of the system as a whole I'd agree that they're highly dependent on the players around them to shine. Example: Coutts prior to having any movement around him only ever found a backwards pass. In that sense, we allow the midfielders to look as good as they do. As far as the 3-5-2 goes imo it's not a system that ever works without particular fullbacks that can handle it (hence our only other experience of it working being when we had a young Wayne Quinn and Borbokis).

 

[Pinchy]

To think some on here lauded midfield dynamos like Monty and Doyle.

Which is why they don't appreciate a Rolls-Royce when they see one...

 

[Sean Thornton]

To think some on here lauded midfield dynamos like Monty and Doyle.

Yes."lauded" *


Minstrels still sing songs about their prowess.......

* a word never used before today, about either of them.

 

[Harrisblade]

The Coutts n Fleck partnership is, as will be proved, as good as anything in this division.

Other areas of the pitch, less so. Improvements ideally required.

THATS why they get so much deserved coverage. We don't have a spare £15 m to upgrade these two, which is what it would take.

UTB

Upgrade them to what exactly?

 

[Esablade]

It seems loads want to over state what the midfielder do and not recognise enough what the rest of the team contributes.
The time generated for the midfield to play is made by ALL the team.
The way our players are confident with the ball and have confidence in each other is what we have been crying out for for years. The partnership between Freeman and Basham is something that has been overlooked by most and the developing partnership on the left is coming along nicely.
I would like to see some stats but to me it looks like the wing backs and center backs cover more areas of the pitch than anyone and do more running. This and the confidence on the ball is what creates our outlets.
There also need to be a mention for our strikers and there defensive duties. Billy running his sock off to get the right side of player and Ched on Saturday, well you can see he is not up to the pace of the game but his control and bring downs of thigh chest and short pass on Saturday and the way he also took responsibility tells me if he can get back to something like the game pace of the old Ched we will have a cracking player.
MOTM for me Saturday was either Bashambaur or Fleck but the margins were so small that in games like that where the team as a whole performed brilliantly then it is hardly worth arguing about.

I think that's why Wilder + co look to bring players like Stearman into the squad, they're comfortable on the ball and will put a shift in.

 

[PokerBlade]

I'll throw out another example of allowing/not allowing midfielders to look good to: Quinn went from a decent prospect in his first Prem appearances, to a hate figure in Blackwell hoofball where he only ever hooked the ball aimlessly over his head, and back to being one of the most technically proficient players in the squad under Wilson.

 

[Pinchy]

I'll throw out another example of allowing/not allowing midfielders to look good to: Quinn went from a decent prospect in his first Prem appearances, to a hate figure in Blackwell hoofball where he only ever hooked the ball aimlessly over his head, and back to being one of the most technically proficient players in the squad under Wilson.

He went on record as saying that his career stood still under SemiPro and Quickfix. The former had us playing the most appalling "football" I've ever seen.

 

[sitwell]

It seems loads want to over state what the midfielder do and not recognise enough what the rest of the team contributes.
The time generated for the midfield to play is made by ALL the team.
The way our players are confident with the ball and have confidence in each other is what we have been crying out for for years. The partnership between Freeman and Basham is something that has been overlooked by most and the developing partnership on the left is coming along nicely.
I would like to see some stats but to me it looks like the wing backs and center backs cover more areas of the pitch than anyone and do more running. This and the confidence on the ball is what creates our outlets.
There also need to be a mention for our strikers and there defensive duties. Billy running his sock off to get the right side of player and Ched on Saturday, well you can see he is not up to the pace of the game but his control and bring downs of thigh chest and short pass on Saturday and the way he also took responsibility tells me if he can get back to something like the game pace of the old Ched we will have a cracking player.
MOTM for me Saturday was either Bashambaur or Fleck but the margins were so small that in games like that where the team as a whole performed brilliantly then it is hardly worth arguing about.

You can't shake your dislike of coutts can you.

 

[Pinchy]

You can't shake your dislike of coutts can you.

Boo doesn't like midfield much. He'd rather miss it out.

 

[Antonb]

your missing another important player. Duffy. He is vital to the way Coutts and fleck play. He kind of bounces between them and the rest of the team. Playing pin ball here there and everywhere. The opposing players don't know where he is going to pop up next. He is so clever. The three of them know each others game, they gell together like glue.

 

[Valleyblade]

I guess the point you're making is that the entire team contribute to the whole. Good. We're a team.

My worry with the way we set up is whether we can keep up the "cup final" work rate and pace.

We've managed it, and I hope we can continue it, at home, with the crowd on form, but have come unstuck away.

Great to be talking about a footballing midfield though, been a long time since we had a competitive one of them.....those.

 

[wizadry]

People are recognising the whole team but when our midfield three play like they did on Saturday it's hard not to keep banging on about them, it was a joy to behold.

 

[JohnDenver]

I'll throw out another example of allowing/not allowing midfielders to look good to: Quinn went from a decent prospect in his first Prem appearances, to a hate figure in Blackwell hoofball where he only ever hooked the ball aimlessly over his head, and back to being one of the most technically proficient players in the squad under Wilson.

When I watched back our first ever Premier League game the other day, it was obvious how our midfielders were instructed to lift the ball in behind defences constantly and without question. The forwards were drilled to gamble on making runs, and by sheer force of effort (and Brian Deane), we'd cause teams all sorts of bother.

How Blackwell ever thought that was the way to play given the resources at his disposal... It was an act of pure vandalism.

We really should enjoy what we're seeing this year. We've waded through enough shite to have earned the privilege.

 

[wizadry]

When I watched back our first ever Premier League game the other day, it was obvious how our midfielders were instructed to lift the ball in behind defences constantly and without question. The forwards were drilled to gamble on making runs, and by sheer force of effort (and Brian Deane), we'd cause teams all sorts of bother.

How Blackwell ever thought that was the way to play given the resources at his disposal... It was an act of pure vandalism.

We really should enjoy what we're seeing this year. We've waded through enough shite to have earned the privilege.

Great post JD but your last paragraph really does hit the nail on the bonce.

 

[sheffielder]

I do appreciate the midfield, I really do but the way we play wouldn't work without what our outside CB's and WB's do. O'Connell overlapping is especially orgasmic and is the way 3-5-2 is meant to be played.

The only thing that concerns me when watching is that I still have that feeling that it's all going to go tits up, like when Derby scored on 90 minutes and I should be past that now. These lads as a team are by far my favourite team. I saw a load of them in the Kettle Black on Saturday and they are a fantastic set of lads. Just the way it used to be.

 

[Pinchy]

I do appreciate the midfield, I really do but the way we play wouldn't work without what our outside CB's and WB's do. O'Connell overlapping is especially orgasmic and is the way 3-5-2 is meant to be played.

The only thing that concerns me when watching is that I still have that feeling that it's all going to go tits up, like when Derby scored on 90 minutes and I should be past that now. These lads as a team are by far my favourite team. I saw a load of them in the Kettle Black on Saturday and they are a fantastic set of lads. Just the way it used to be.

Jack the Hat is a terrific player and a great professional (so far as I can tell). He's one of quite a few future captains in our team (not all at once, of course).

 

[Sean Thornton]

When I watched back our first ever Premier League game the other day, it was obvious how our midfielders were instructed to lift the ball in behind defences constantly and without question. The forwards were drilled to gamble on making runs, and by sheer force of effort (and Brian Deane), we'd cause teams all sorts of bother.

How Blackwell ever thought that was the way to play given the resources at his disposal... It was an act of pure vandalism.

We really should enjoy what we're seeing this year. We've waded through enough shite to have earned the privilege.

Blackwell. Midfield?

 

[Houston_Blade]

Blackwell. Midfield?

Jagielka had a claim in against Blackwell for a stiff neck from watching the ball going over his head constantly.

 

[boo radley]

You can't shake your dislike of coutts can you.

Why have you read something into this that is not there?

 

[boo radley]

Boo doesn't like midfield much. He'd rather miss it out.

I like it a lot more than you.

 

[Grizzly blade]

It seems loads want to over state what the midfielder do and not recognise enough what the rest of the team contributes.
The time generated for the midfield to play is made by ALL the team.
The way our players are confident with the ball and have confidence in each other is what we have been crying out for for years. The partnership between Freeman and Basham is something that has been overlooked by most and the developing partnership on the left is coming along nicely.
I would like to see some stats but to me it looks like the wing backs and center backs cover more areas of the pitch than anyone and do more running. This and the confidence on the ball is what creates our outlets.
There also need to be a mention for our strikers and there defensive duties. Billy running his sock off to get the right side of player and Ched on Saturday, well you can see he is not up to the pace of the game but his control and bring downs of thigh chest and short pass on Saturday and the way he also took responsibility tells me if he can get back to something like the game pace of the old Ched we will have a cracking player.
MOTM for me Saturday was either Bashambaur or Fleck but the margins were so small that in games like that where the team as a whole performed brilliantly then it is hardly worth arguing about.

Sorry, you are wrong.

The midfield makes this team, and any good team.
Other players provide options for the midfield, but it's the quality of those two Scottish genius in particular that is key. You couldn't put a single other player at the club in their role and have them do half the job. The others create space yes, but also receive the ball in a much less congested area most of the time so have time. And what really is good about the rest, is that they appreciate how good Fleck and Coutts are....and have confidence enough to pass them the ball even when it's tight. Because they know that even if the midfield is busy, and those two are marked they can still give them the ball with confidence that 99/100 they will retain possession.
Also, the movement of them both is superb....the timing of their movement to coincide with a team mates readiness to pass to them so they get that yard of space...seriously it's brilliant. (Compare to our past players if you struggle to see what I mean)

As for running, it's clear that when we are playing well the wing backs run more than anyone. They have to because in our system they generally provide the width. So if we are attacking well they will be running.
But not far behind will be Fleck and Coutts. And while they might not be at full pace too often, they will be on the move constantly for the full game. Short darts, quick turns...the sort that sap energy.

It is a team game however, and nobody should undervalue any team members efforts or contributions and I am not here. It's just that the two players we simply cannot afford to replace is Fleck and Coutts. And as they continue to prove their sheer class and quality over the season we will see that they really are among the best in the division.
I certainly wouldn't swap either for any other midfield player in this league.

 

[SteveBlade]

It works both ways though, if we didn't have players as good as Coutts and Fleck in the middle we'd never control games like we do. They really are the heart of the team.

How many times have we seen midfielders from yesteryear look like they're going to shit themselves when they get a bit of pressure put on them? Or look clueless as to what to do with the ball, even with loads of time?

The work rate and quality of the rest of the team definitely make it easier for them to operate, but our system would completely collapse if after all the work we put in, our midfielders weren't up to taking the ball and out footballing the opposition.

 

[PokerBlade]

He went on record as saying that his career stood still under SemiPro and Quickfix. The former had us playing the most appalling "football" I've ever seen.

"Stood still" is flattering to Blackwell. He made some very good players look very poor. I remember having an argument about Quinn when my Dad's mate was slating him and I was saying how much better he was than what the instructions were. I also remember nearly choking when I heard Blackwell on the radio saying he didn't tell his players to go long or rush it.

When I watched back our first ever Premier League game the other day, it was obvious how our midfielders were instructed to lift the ball in behind defences constantly and without question. The forwards were drilled to gamble on making runs, and by sheer force of effort (and Brian Deane), we'd cause teams all sorts of bother.

How Blackwell ever thought that was the way to play given the resources at his disposal... It was an act of pure vandalism.

We really should enjoy what we're seeing this year. We've waded through enough shite to have earned the privilege.

You have to look at the Bassett days in context. His time with Wimbledon in particular he was ahead of the curve in many ways with regard to discipline, fitness, and work rate (even with his teams' off the pitch antics). There's a reason he was so damned effective in that period. Shame that his later career left him remembered by many as one of the dinosaurs.

Blackwell has no such contextual excuses. He was way behind the times and even finishing in the play-offs with us was, in context, a failure relative to the players and resources at his disposal. The only regret I have about him is I don't think he would've taken us down and the timing of his sacking was beyond a farce, although I don't think Speed would've failed either given time.

 

[boo radley]

Sorry, you are wrong.

The midfield makes this team, and any good team.
Other players provide options for the midfield, but it's the quality of those two Scottish genius in particular that is key. You couldn't put a single other player at the club in their role and have them do half the job. The others create space yes, but also receive the ball in a much less congested area most of the time so have time. And what really is good about the rest, is that they appreciate how good Fleck and Coutts are....and have confidence enough to pass them the ball even when it's tight. Because they know that even if the midfield is busy, and those two are marked they can still give them the ball with confidence that 99/100 they will retain possession.
Also, the movement of them both is superb....the timing of their movement to coincide with a team mates readiness to pass to them so they get that yard of space...seriously it's brilliant. (Compare to our past players if you struggle to see what I mean)

As for running, it's clear that when we are playing well the wing backs run more than anyone. They have to because in our system they generally provide the width. So if we are attacking well they will be running.
But not far behind will be Fleck and Coutts. And while they might not be at full pace too often, they will be on the move constantly for the full game. Short darts, quick turns...the sort that sap energy.

It is a team game however, and nobody should undervalue any team members efforts or contributions and I am not here. It's just that the two players we simply cannot afford to replace is Fleck and Coutts. And as they continue to prove their sheer class and quality over the season we will see that they really are among the best in the division.
I certainly wouldn't swap either for any other midfield player in this league.

This midfield is one of the best we have ever had but you seemed to miss out just about the most important component of it. The link between it and the forwards.You missed the point about the overlapping centre backs. You seem a man in the know? so I think you will be able to provide stats about how passes each player makes and the yards covered.
This team is fantastic and to separate it into it component parts does a disservice to the work Chris Wilder, Alan Knill and the players themselves have put in to be part of it. I'm convinced that whilst anyone of them would enjoy an individual praise, they recognise they are part of something special and will continue to work hard to do nothing to jeopardise their own position and upset the team.

 

[8lade]

Soooooooooooooooooooooooo...just changing tact ever so slightly, does anybody want to see our players get the call for Scotland? I certainly do I think once they get in the squad it will be a short step away from debuts.

 

[Pinchy]

I like it a lot more than you.

That's a very odd and unjustifiable thing to say. You have a preference for anti-footballers and ragamuffins in there, do you not? I prefer Rollers.

 

[boo radley]

That's a very odd and unjustifiable thing to say. You have a preference for anti-footballers and ragamuffins in there, do you not? I prefer Rollers.

You really are the boy who cried wolf.
Just looked up anti footballer and it came up with your name.
You can keep your crazy gang/Wimbledon Mk Dons style away from me. I prefer to get our players to attack in numbers like myself and Chris Wilder discussed in a conversation early last November. No we will not go back to your David Weir style and the team containing Your hero Doyle.
Fast incisive passing and a confidence on the ball is what we have and although you hate it we have a team ALL of whom play a style of football 99% of Blades fans wanted. The 1% like you can go elsewhere to watch your negative brand.
COYRAWW.