Our beautiful, and ever so slightly bonkers system....

[Jim Chimmerney]

It's difficult to defend against because whichever side we attack down you have, in effect, 2 wingers be it JOC/Stevens, Baldock/Basham or whichever combo are playing. Add to that the movement of the strikers, the likes of Duffy/Dowell buzzing around and it's no wonder teams still struggle despite knowing exactly what we're doing.

I would love to see us up against Prem teams playing like this, the difference would obviously be keeping them out at the other end because this system does leave us wide open at times.

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

On this subject, how would you think the England team would fare if we took up the Wilder/Knill methodology?. Could it lead to the seemingly elusive World Cup/ Euros win we’ve all longed for?

I think the problem with the system is the time it would take the players to understand and train with it...remember our first 4 games under Wilder!? The England trainer just doesn’t get enough time with the players.

 

[Tom Bott]

We also now have Dowell going straight down the middle to confuse them even more..

I watched his highlights as we signed him, and said to my mate he loves a back heel, saw a great one last night.
See 50 secs.in.

https://www.skysports.com/watch/vid...field-united/11646381/west-brom-0-1-sheff-utd

 

[Ron_Justice]

Dowell said something post match last night when asked about our 'system' iirc. His answer went something like 'yeah, we try to overload all over the pitch'. I suspect that beyond the obvious overlapping CB's, there's also a further layer(s) of more subtle instructions that AK & CW have coached into the system that results in teams being unable to cope with the numbers we have in any given area of the pitch, at any given time.

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

..Continues to confound our opponents and amaze the neutral pundits.

Would welcome opinions from anyone with a better brain than mine.

Kinell Stretchy, will you have time to read everything?!

 

[Stretch]

Kinell Stretchy, will you have time to read everything?!

I know, set myself up for that one lol

 

[WalkelyFan]

Couple of things I menton in conversation. One is the right-sided centre half last season (can't remember who it was now) who looked at JOC coming towards him with the ball and the expression on his face as he looked to his right and saw Stevens said "Who the fuck is marking this bloke"

The second one is the Reading game. you often (apocryphally perhaps) hear of mangers saying keep it tight for the first twenty minutes - our right wing back scored in 38 seconds.

 

[fishpie]

I love this thread.
I was happy when Wilder got together a side, with every single one of them able to control a ball..
I'm so glad Chris and Alan Knill had higher expectations ...UTB

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Who says they are better

We might not be able to find out if the so called better centre halves are really better if we get up due to a case of them being able to earn £80K/week elsewhere without having to run the length of the pitch every two minutes.

Be, fuck that for a lark.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

No expert on tactics but Norwood does play very deep at times. Certainly difficult to see on TV but watching live there is usually players covering from CM when the entire defence is in the opposition penalty area

`when the entire defence is in the opposition penalty area'

Lovely to read, thanks Chris and Alan.

 

[lakedistblade]

Watching prem teams and league cup final noticeable how they try to work it down the wings but seem to get more trapped than we do. Possession play passing across defence ( yawn) often leads to trying to thread down the wing and no doubt our system is very well adapted to these situations. Think we are going to hear a lot more about this and until others catch on we can keep piling up the points. SUFC at footballs tactical cuttting edge -who'd have thought it ?

 

[Northyorksblade]

Mrs NYB and me were saying yesterday we'd love to see if our system could work in the Prem. Come on Football God's, give us a go.

 

[blade too long]

After watching Sky super Sunday with 4 of the big 6 playing I know who's better to watch just now. Those 2 games were utter cack. We are good to watch . They were boring can't remember a save of note in either game

 

[Rusty view]

Just found this on twitter. And thought it showed the bonkers system to full effect.

Look at Craine go........

Oh and enjoy the limbs in the away end

Check out @JoeClar82388071’s Tweet:

 

[Dnblade]

I wonder if the idea was born out of every team in L1 parking the bus,so they decided to employ the centre backs to create overloads to help break teams down,and we had the players to do it.
I'm trying to think back to when we first played that way...Was it after CW's first 4 games,and things hadn-t gone well?
I'd love us to go up and employ the same system and improve on it...I can't see Wilder taking us up and not giving it a real go,he won't want to just make up the numbers...Could be a complete disaster or a revelation and breath of fresh air...still got to get there ofcourse.

 

[mattbianco1]

Begs the question, would (will) it work in the Prem? With better & quicker players reading the danger, better & quicker players in the counter attack, it’d be interesting to see how it did over a season

Imagine Kyle Walker as our RCB

 

[The Crab]

Moore should have visited pork talk. They have the key to beat our system.

They're simple really.

Edited that for you.................

 

[ChemEngBlade]

Imagine Kyle Walker as our RCB

That would be majestic

 

[Fanny magnet]

I think the problem with the system is the time it would take the players to understand and train with it...remember our first 4 games under Wilder!? The England trainer just doesn’t get enough time with the players.

Don't think we played this system till after first few games

That would be majestic

Maguire sand lowton/naughton

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Just found this on twitter. And thought it showed the bonkers system to full effect.

Look at Craine go........

Oh and enjoy the limbs in the away end

Check out @JoeClar82388071’s Tweet:

The best thing about that is we don't actually need lightening fast pace up top or in midfield - just an ability for everyone to know what they are doing and to give options to the player on the ball.

Six of our players took off when we won the ball and even then, Crainie joined it shortly afterwards.

It's very clever football by a team that has been well schooled by Alan Knill.

It's been well documented in the dark, distant past "what the fuck do we do in training"- think it's quite easy to see NOW what we do in training - we are a well oiled machine

UTB

 

[Rusty view]

The best thing about that is we don't actually need lightening fast pace up top or in midfield - just an ability for everyone to know what they are doing and to give options to the player on the ball.

Six of our players took off when we won the ball and even then, Crainie joined it shortly afterwards.

It's very clever football by a team that has been well schooled by Alan Knill.

It's been well documented in the dark, distant past "what the fuck do we do in training"- think it's quite easy to see NOW what we do in training - we are a well oiled machine

UTB

Mighty Ducks -sque.

Quack, Quack, Quack.

"because we are ducks and ducks fly together. that's right and just when you think they're about to break apart dot slide together. when the wind blows hard and the sky is black. when the roosters are crowing and the cows has been in circles in the pasture"

Sorry, I've gone all Adkins!

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I wonder if the idea was born out of every team in L1 parking the bus,so they decided to employ the centre backs to create overloads to help break teams down,and we had the players to do it.

Danny04's book explains when it came about. It was in L1 after we'd hit the bottom of that division.

CW came in one Monday morning to training and said we we were going to 3 at the back with over lapping centre backs - apparently Bash was immediately up for it, JOC took a bit of persuasion but soon took to it.

The rest as they say is history. I suppose some could say it was a gamble at the time, but quite inspired as time has gone on.

UTB

 

[Dnblade]

Danny04's book explains when it came about. It was in L1 after we'd hit the bottom of that division.

CW came in one Monday morning to training and said we we were going to 3 at the back with over lapping centre backs - apparently Bash was immediately up for it, JOC took a bit of persuasion but soon took to it.

The rest as they say is history. I suppose some could say it was a gamble at the time, but quite inspired as time has gone on.

UTB

I wonder who will be the first team to copy us...it must have other clubs and coaches looking at how we play,and if we go up even more so...obviously Wendy will claim to have done it years ago,but I haven't seen any team play like we do.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I wonder who will be the first team to copy us...it must have other clubs and coaches looking at how we play,and if we go up even more so...obviously Wendy will claim to have done it years ago,but I haven't seen any team play like we do.

Indeed, and neither have I - Basham is fantastic at it and JOC isn't bad. Having seen Stevens play in the past 3 games, I reckon he could be better than either of them. He's looked really solid in the back 3 - Perhaps, and it's only a suggestion, we could bring in a real quality wing back next season (and let's hope it's the Prem) and play Stevens in the back 3.

UTB

 

[Dnblade]

Indeed, and neither have I - Basham is fantastic at it and JOC isn't bad. Having seen Stevens play in the past 3 games, I reckon he could be better than either of them. He's looked really solid in the back 3 - Perhaps, and it's only a suggestion, we could bring in a real quality wing back next season (and let's hope it's the Prem) and play Stevens in the back 3.

UTB

Yes,he's looked really good... I think playing Johnson at wing back on Saturday gives us that pace and ability to run in behind...granted he's not the ready made quality wing back you mention,but he did ok...even got back and won the ball on at least one occasion,and can also cut inside like with the shot he had ..if he does get a run who knows..but opposition Full Backs have got a bit more to think about when they push forward with his pace.

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

Indeed, and neither have I - Basham is fantastic at it and JOC isn't bad. Having seen Stevens play in the past 3 games, I reckon he could be better than either of them. He's looked really solid in the back 3 - Perhaps, and it's only a suggestion, we could bring in a real quality wing back next season (and let's hope it's the Prem) and play Stevens in the back 3.

UTB

Excellent suggestion . After Saturday's performance I've been thinking along exactly the same lines .

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Please transfer this to “England wank”. Thanks.

Actually I think it is valid to discuss how the brilliant system we are playing might be transferable to the international game or indeed the premier league, try to take your Bladey Bladey specs off that you accuse everyone else of wearing.

 

[Stu_Blade]

Bury have just been described as Sheffield Unitedesque as they had a centre half playing on the wing! Bury apparently play attractive football which they have shown in parts against Portsmouth tonight

 

[Numpty's Dusty Ruts.]

I don't do the analysis stuff, but very much admire those who can. All I know is that my much loved, but slow, turgid and knackered old club have been transformed in a really short space of time into something dynamic and beautiful to watch, with no real "names", and not a huge amount of cash. For a long time, especially on those cold, grim winter afternoons and evenings, esteemed Forgeblade and myself have frequently said, "We've come out of a lovely warm pub, with good beer, to watch this shite!!". Not any more. I'm 60 and cynical, but at times it takes your breath away, it's so beautiful, and almost effortless (I know it's not, it's chuffin hard work). Even if we fall close to, or at the last hurdle, the fact that SHEFFIELD UNITED play with style and panache, has made this season just amazing, and one of the best. I love Bonkers Football!

 

[Jacopo]

You do realize of course that in 3 yrs time the pigswill be saying that they invented the system in about 1066 and we copied them.

Here they are seen practising their system on the ye olde training ground...