MATCH DAY THREAD: Barnsley v The Mighty Blades

[Roygbiv]

Obviously it's not over technically but that's ended my hopes on a personal level. The players just aren't good enough in both boxes. I don't blame the tactics, I don't think things can be improved as the squad stands. I think we've hit the ceiling and it's simply time to move on from these players who will always be welcome at Bramall Lane.

 

[Numpty's Dusty Ruts.]

I


This is so true. Missed chances are one thing but we also defended like school kids at times today. Far too much space given to players shooting from the edge of the box. Christ knows how many long rangers we have conceded this season? Only saw their second goal once but Moore looked like he pushed the long range shot right back into the danger zone - this has also happened a few too many times with him. Then they score from a corner, something that we have managed maybe once all season!

I fucking hate football sometimes.

I agree with the issue about defending. We have actually scored a lot of goals, but we've let far too many in. Didn't go today (phew!) as ticket prices were stupid, but from where I usually sit (back of the kop, behind the goal), for most of this season any side better than totally shite (and Barnsley aren't totally shite) managed to create panic in our defence (and in the crowd!). We continue to score goals, and there's nothing wrong with a few 1-0 squeaky wins, but we seem generally totally incapable of a clean sheet. I don't agree that it's always the striker's fault if we fuck up, and the last 3 games indicate this - we've taken 2 points from 9, scoring 4 goals, and if the defence had been more capable we'd have won all 3 of those games. The strikers put us in the driving seat and the defence fucked up!

 

[super_pig]

everyone is criticising billy and leon but i would expect they are thinking 'christ do we have to score three every game to win?'

 

[Bladesman]

everyone is criticising billy and leon but i would expect they are thinking 'christ do we have to score three every game to win?'

Both have a decent amount of goals this season.

It is the lack of goals elsewhere in team that needs to be questioned. Apart from today Fleck hadn't scored since we beat Wednesday away.

 

[cahill]

Seems like we missed Stearman then.

Me

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Me

You were never going to play today.

 

[Antonb]

just got back. Very disappointing . A poor first half cost us. Moore isn't a great keeper . Decent, but not great. Should have done better with the first goal. People will say it was a good strike, but I was right behind the goal and could see he was going to hit it, and where it was going so Moore should have. Wasn't like it was in the top corner. Fleck got into great postions to shoot but then passes it side ways. We have a lack of confidence and quality in front of goal. Both from midfield and the striking department. Which is why we wont get in the playoffs. But overall you have to say its still been a good season so trying not to be too gutted!

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Those stats speak volumes.

Thought we were ok for first 20 minutes, then they fluke a lucky corner from which they scored.

Not seen any replays - but from memory, we had no one sitting on the 18 yard box and their fella Gardner just hit it from 20 yards with no one closing him down. For me a goal against the run of play and it knocked the stuffing out of us.

For 20-25 minutes 2nd half we were magnificent - but we can't keep having that amount of possession and not winning games of football. Against Cardiff it was similar - 57% possession and we just don't make use of it.

Reason for me - we lack quality in and around the box - but what an expensive job it's going to be to solve that particular problem.

Fleck - outstanding today. Duffy made us tick 2nd half - what a shame we couldn't close the game out yet again.

It's not over by the way to some of our fans - we just need to beat boro and then move on to the next game - fat lady isn't singing just yet

UTB

 

[SB_90]

Obviously it's not over technically but that's ended my hopes on a personal level. The players just aren't good enough in both boxes. I don't blame the tactics, I don't think things can be improved as the squad stands. I think we've hit the ceiling and it's simply time to move on from these players who will always be welcome at Bramall Lane.

well i guess big summer in prospect & wilder got it spot on last time i hope he gets its spot on. as next year we can get play offs at least, just need another stearman like CB & guy that's got composure infront of goal. although that easier said than done

 

[Roygbiv]

well i guess big summer in prospect & wilder got it spot on last time i hope he gets its spot on. as next year we can get play offs at least, just need another stearman like CB & guy that's got composure infront of goal. although that easier said than done

Wilder knows what we need and where the flaws are. Unfortunately we don't really have anybody in charge of the club

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Can I just point out that despite the chances we might have taken today, we generally shouldn’t be having to score 4 goals to win a game against a third-bottom Barnsley team. Pinning this solely on the strikers, who have surpassed expectations for this season frankly, would be misplaced.

Correct. We have to be a bit better at both ends.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I think exactly the same but two quality strikers.

I would prefer two. Relying on one player is a risky game.