MATCH DAY THREAD: The Mighty Blades v Reading

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

N

Not_a_Cheat

Active Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2016
Messages
1,293
Reaction score
1,236
So back in action, at home again, this time with the visit of Reading. They have been struggling for form this season, with just one in their last 6, however that was in their last match v Leeds. So, as in every case, we need to professional and clinical if we want to ensure the right result....

Anyway...

Any team news? :)

Freeman obviously out but is Baldock fit to return.

Does that role go to Basham?

Brooks a return after signing his new 4 year contract?

Who starts up front?

Any news on Sharps fitness? (Apologies if I missed something but our first child between my partner and I, was born yesterday so phone was busy. She'll be Blade sure enough)

I hear the weather forecast isn't too good which may affect the game I guess, but BDBL pitch is up to that, and we don't play it high for wind to be an issue. Anyway 2-0 Blades win with Brooks getting his first goal.

UTB
 



Hope he doesnt change the team round too much, thought sharp looked a liitle bit short last week (understandable after not playing for several weeks) but id stick with Bash at rwb and play sharp even if for 60 mins or so ( depending how we are doing) Coutts has to come straight back in for Lundstrum although he has played well to be fair to him.whats great is that we have so many options in every position, up until sir chris wilders time something ive not seen in years, remember when we had a team of square pegs in round holes.. UTB
 
Not_a_Cheat said:
So back in action, at home again, this time with the visit of Reading. They have been struggling for form this season, with just one in their last 6, however that was in their last match v Leeds. So, as in every case, we need to professional and clinical if we want to ensure the right result....

Anyway...

Any team news? :)

Freeman obviously out but is Baldock fit to return.

Does that role go to Basham?

Brooks a return after signing his new 4 year contract?

Who starts up front?

Any news on Sharps fitness? (Apologies if I missed something but our first child between my partner and I, was born yesterday so phone was busy. She'll be Blade sure enough)

I hear the weather forecast isn't too good which may affect the game I guess, but BDBL pitch is up to that, and we don't play it high for wind to be an issue. Anyway 2-0 Blades win with Brooks getting his first goal.

UTB
Click to expand...
Congrats on baby bladette.
 
I compare this game to the MK Dons home game around this time last year. Reading are a good footballing side who've started slowly and are in a lower league position than they should be. They'll start climbing the table at some point and had a good win at Leeds last week so they might be on the cusp of some decent results. It's going to be a tough game. They've got a lot of pace and trickery and I can see our defence having to make a lot of blocks today. I expect a good footballing game, quite end to end but not wide open.

I'd probably line up like this but it's difficult to select the defence. I just hope Baldock's fit. We could do with him today against their quick wingers.


Blackman

Basham CCV O'Connell

Baldock Coutts Fleck Stevens

Duffy

Sharp Clarke


Subs: Moore, Wright, Lafferty, Lundstram, Carruthers, Brooks, Donaldson


I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Stearman start though.

If he's available it'll be interesting to see who misses out from the squad.
 
Fair play to Lundstram - I must be honest and say I wasn't impressed initially, but he's played ok in the last couple of games v Forest and Ipswich. He's a long way to go though to reach Coutts standard and for that reason Coutts has to come straight back into the side today.

I can't see us changing anything up top. I think Sharp has been lucky to walk straight back into the side considering how good the combo of Clarke and Brooks was working. I didn't see much from Sharp in the game v Ipswich to justify his place tbh - but I'm pretty sure it will remain like that today and he'll start again with Clarke up front. I hope he can bag a goal or two and get back in the groove a bit. I must be honest and say I look forward seeing Brooks come on at some point because that gives us so much more attacking threat.

Baldock should be back in at full back today. That's good. I really like him and think he gives us something a bit extra going forward and in defence.

Stearman hasn't been missed at all imo and I wouldn't care if I never saw him in a Blades shirt again tbh. He hasn't impressed me at all in the few games I've seen him so far.

I hope Blackman can keep another clean sheet today and that his confidence will continue to grow. He still worries me with his hesitant, laid back, style. I'm convinced he's going to get really casual sometime soon and just gift the opposition one - I really hope I'm wrong about that.
 
The only discussion should be around whether Baldock is fit or not, otherwise the team picks itself.
 
I don't think it's worth risking Baldock in this one, in Bash we can trust!
 
Was the video taken today? Lavery in the matchday squad?
 



Cerberus Blade said:
Fair play to Lundstram - I must be honest and say I wasn't impressed initially, but he's played ok in the last couple of games v Forest and Ipswich. He's a long way to go though to reach Coutts standard and for that reason Coutts has to come straight back into the side today.

I can't see us changing anything up top. I think Sharp has been lucky to walk straight back into the side considering how good the combo of Clarke and Brooks was working. I didn't see much from Sharp in the game v Ipswich to justify his place tbh - but I'm pretty sure it will remain like that today and he'll start again with Clarke up front. I hope he can bag a goal or two and get back in the groove a bit. I must be honest and say I look forward seeing Brooks come on at some point because that gives us so much more attacking threat.

Baldock should be back in at full back today. That's good. I really like him and think he gives us something a bit extra going forward and in defence.

Stearman hasn't been missed at all imo and I wouldn't care if I never saw him in a Blades shirt again tbh. He hasn't impressed me at all in the few games I've seen him so far.

I hope Blackman can keep another clean sheet today and that his confidence will continue to grow. He still worries me with his hesitant, laid back, style. I'm convinced he's going to get really casual sometime soon and just gift the opposition one - I really hope I'm wrong about that.
Click to expand...

Be fair to stearman he's only played about three games.
 
Cerberus Blade said:
Stearman hasn't been missed at all imo and I wouldn't care if I never saw him in a Blades shirt again tbh. He hasn't impressed me at all in the few games I've seen him so far.
Click to expand...

What a ludicrous remark. For what it’s worth Jake Wright hasn’t impressed me at all in his last few appearances, but that’s not on the agenda, is it?

As for Blackman, he doesn’t worry me at all. He’s a class act. Sure, he’ll make an error some time. All keepers do. I wonder if you’re mistaking him for that walking bomb scare, Calamity George?
 
bigbirdblade said:
Be fair to stearman he's only played about three games.
Click to expand...

There’s no enthusiasm on here, for some bizarre reason, to be fair to Richard Stearman. Some of them are so devoted to fan-favourite Jake that nothing else matters except him playing. There’s a similar approach towards Sharp.

Personally, I want Sheffield United to win games and play the football that makes me proud of them.
 
Ricky said:
I compare this game to the MK Dons home game around this time last year. Reading are a good footballing side who've started slowly and are in a lower league position than they should be. They'll start climbing the table at some point and had a good win at Leeds last week so they might be on the cusp of some decent results. It's going to be a tough game. They've got a lot of pace and trickery and I can see our defence having to make a lot of blocks today. I expect a good footballing game, quite end to end but not wide open.

I'd probably line up like this but it's difficult to select the defence. I just hope Baldock's fit. We could do with him today against their quick wingers.


Blackman

Basham CCV O'Connell

Baldock Coutts Fleck Stevens

Duffy

Sharp Clarke


Subs: Moore, Wright, Lafferty, Lundstram, Carruthers, Brooks, Donaldson


I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Stearman start though.

If he's available it'll be interesting to see who misses out from the squad.
Click to expand...



and the lottery numbers if you would be so kind
 
Reading team:


Mannone

Gunter Moore Ilori Blackett

Bacuna Edwards Van Den Berg

Beerens Aluko Barrow


I think.

No out and out striker.
 
Ricky said:
Reading team:


Mannone

Gunter Moore Ilori Blackett

Bacuna Edwards Van Den Berg

Beerens Aluko Barrow


I think.

No out and out striker.
Click to expand...

Saw them at elland road last weekend, lineed up like we do except up front it's two wide men and a lone forward. Van den berg could well be playing in a back 3 today.
 



We should all be delighted, especially if the best we have to whinge about is that our bench is quite as strong as it is.

It's pointless to thank Wilder and Knill, I've exhausted my praise credit where they're concerned, they're simply the best - there, a cue for Tina Turner's song!

We're getting better and better, we're attracting players from the best clubs in the Premiership, and Wilder and Knill have begun by building a first class defensive unit, it's the foundation of everything an ambitious club should need to move forward. There's little to add to our midfield, a wonderful unit where graft, industry, imagination, and creativity are almost taken as a given. As for our forwards? It might seem a strange thing to say, but if there's any room for improvement it's here, and I write that full of praise for Clarke, Brooks, Sharp, Donaldson and whoever looks like a prospect. Not bad is it, one small area that needs tweaking, and you know that Wilder will already be considering strengthening in January, UTMB
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Silent Blade
Big Match Revisited on ITV4 Saturday 7th February 2026 10.30am
Replies
5
Views
1K
Silent Blade
Silent Blade
R
'Memries' Blades v Liverpool 1 April 1961
Replies
12
Views
466
bornandbred
B
R
'Memries' Crystal Palace v Blades 13 March 1973
Replies
7
Views
304
Bell4
Bell4
ucandomagic
Blades v Saints v Disney – Season Endgame Graphs
Replies
24
Views
1K
Pedro Verde
Pedro Verde
Coolblade
A few observations from the stats (Charlton)
Replies
2
Views
699
coolasanidiot
coolasanidiot

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

Back
Top Bottom