Lunny love in!😇

[Akinbiyi]

Its preseason and only one game but on tonight's showing Fleck really needs to find his form and soon

Jesus Christ

 

[Akinbiyi]

He is a modern day Nick Montgomery. Not much skill but can tackle and run around a bit. Also, much like Monty he is good at giving the ball back to the opposition.

Lunny was just about adequate cover in the Championship but we should be looking at someone better now we are in the PL.

He’s fuck all like Monty?

 

[nopigfansintown]

Best passing range at the club with the exception of Norwood,. A balanced player with an excellent first touch. His mobility lets him down somewhat, as does his tendency not to take advantage of his physicality as much as he should. He should dominate in the air and brush of opposition midfielders more often (Grealish aside).
He was described by Knill as one of the two best technicians in the lower leagues when we signed him. He was correct.

 

[UlrikaJonssonPaintTrophy]

I do see what you mean but football isnt that simple.

You’re sounding like a Brentford fan. Their team is full of quality players, on paper they arguably have higher quality than our team BUT they are so lightweight, weak and can’t tackle, hence they finish mid table every year.

In a successful team obviously you need plenty of silky flair players but you also need a player or two who provide the steel.

“Football isn’t that simple... they are so lightweight, weak and can’t tackle, hence they finish mid table everywhere...”

 

[Trueblade]

Lundstram divides fans purely because there does appear to be something in the belief that when he starts we lose.

Likely that has very little if anything to do with it at all, but it will and has had an effect!

 

[S64 Blade]

I've never had much of an issue with him. Thought he was a useful player that could probably do with some fine-tuning. He's good at being a box-to-box player and his size and power has proven useful at times. Part of his reputation has come out of playing alongside Evans, who was excellent at making a 10 yards sideways pass look outstanding.

 

[Keen Blade]

Players develop.
Viewpoints change.
I've given Lunny plenty of stick in the past , from my eagles-nest at the back of the Kop or some other corner of an away ground.
But last night , from a seat just above the dugout , I saw a tall , athletic Lundstram put in a very good box-to-box performance in midfield. He fears no one in the tackle , he can win midfield headers , one of which was the assist for our goal. He appeared to me to be much more involved + made more passes than Fleck , though the latter curled one sublime crossfield ball from deep on the left to forward on the right. Such a pass is probably beyond Lunny at this stage.
It is significant that CW kept him on for the whole match.
We have watched s Blades team on song this last 3 years.
But in some of the 38 cup-finals to come , we are going to be up against it in midfield and apart from Lunny ours are short in stature + not terribly athletic , though they've had the luxury of showcasing other skills until now.
But Lunny's contribution is crucial in the coming season.
He'll start plenty of games unless you'd prefer to move Bash out of the back 3.
To describe him as the new Monty with our beloved Nick's triangular head & square boots , is to ignore the facets of Lunny's game which Monty could only dream of. Passing ability for a start.
The only thing that Lunny needs is our support whilst he grows in confidence.
Maybe then he'll pull the trigger at the right time when he's in and around the opposition box , something which HMS Basham had to learn to do at Elland Road in March.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

He needs to win me over.

It's encouraging that he looked bang at it, because his last run of form was for Oxford in League One and I still hold real doubts that he's anywhere near premier league quality.

I'd obviously love for him to prove me wrong but he's got a lot of work to do. As I've said all along, he doesn't know what type of midfielder he wants to be. He's shown that he isn't the type to sit in front of the back four and dictate play, like Norwood or Coutts, he hasn't got the engine to be box to box and stay ahead of the play and make scything runs into the box and he hasn't got the feet or quick thinking to be the edge of the box, Duffy or Brooks type player. I'm not sure where he fits.

He's always looked a split second off the pace in a United shirt too, as though the game happens a bit too quickly for him to process and react to, let alone be ahead of.

 

[Edinblade]

I always thought he could be a useful player. We’re going to be surprised by one or two this season. The Premiership does funny things and some players you don’t expect to step up, just thrive whilst others do the opposite. Interesting times ahead.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Will be more important this season when we don’t have as much of the ball. He can play but he can also stop others playing.

 

[Snake]

I don't get all these comparisons with Monty, with Monty being portrayed in a negative way. Monty did a job for us in the Warnock era.

Back to Lundstram, I believe he actually might look better playing in the prem. There won't be as much expectations of him to drive the game forward. He will provide solid cover in the middle of the park when we need a bit more muscle not to get steamrollered.

When Coutts got injured people around me at the Lane were constantly moaning at Lundstram because he couldn't play the Coutts role. I was of the opinion, that Coutts is Coutts and as much as I loved the guy, he couldn't play the Lundstram role. The difference is back then we were pushing for promotion so expected to go out and beat teams. In addition to playing our Tufty ball, our survival next season may well depend on how well we can stop other teams from playing ...... over to you Mr Lundstram.

 

[Mouth of the South]

He really can't do the Fleck role where he's required to be more mobile and get up & down the left hand side and drive towards the box - he always looks like a fish out of water when he's asked to do it as per the first half last night.

However, put him where he's more comfortable i.e. in a deeper, more central role (aka Norwood's role) and he looks a different player. Wanting the ball, spraying passes, putting a foot in when needed etc. I thought he was excellent in the second half and maybe, just maybe, he could be the more physical option that will be required at times next season. That said, the comparisons with Montgomery are both wildly off the mark and insulting to Lundstram's ability on the ball, even though I still feel he gives the ball away too often by attempting too many Hollywood passes.

That said, I still don't like Utd playing a flatter 3 in midfield unless 1 of the strikers (McGoldrick/Robinson) drops deeper or CW plays an AM and just 1 striker as it leaves the front 2 isolated, as was shown (again) in the first half.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

It is significant that CW kept him on for the whole match.

More through necessity that he and JOC played the full 90 – Wilder said they both had to because of injuries ahead of the game (presumably Lynch and Morrison). I imagine they were picked because they’re the fitted players in the squad.

 

[Rusty view]

Like Lunny from day 1. Admittedly he has struggled in some games (i blame Evans for that).

Think he'll be a vital player for us next season.

 

[blader]

I’m a fan of any player if they help the team win matches.
Lundstram was the engine room of our midfield, he lacks style but there was plenty of substance there tonight. He looked up for it.

The problem

I’m a fan of any player if they help the team win matches.
Lundstram was the engine room of our midfield, he lacks style but there was plenty of substance there tonight. He looked up for it.

But here is the problem. The statistics show he significantly has the adverse effect and does not help us win games. Just look at his starting record since he joined:

P 22
W 4
D 6
L 12

Win percentage of 18%

And then compare it directly to our record WITHOUT him in the starting line up:

P 24
W 16
D 3
L 5

Win percentage of 67%.

That is no coincidence! This is over a 3 year period too, not just a couple of games with skewed data. We are a significantly weaker team with Lundstram in the team than the rest.... and this was in lower divisions and a team that has beeen competing at the top end of the division ever since he joined.

I personally don’t rate him anyway. Those that do, ofcourse you’re entitled to your opinion, and he may flourish in other sides. The stats however, suggest he doesn’t make wilder’s teams successful. My best guess would be that he is too laboured and safe in his passing to suit our system.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I think the Monty comments are a relative comparison not a literal exact comparison of the 2 players.
Agree Lunny has far more technical ability than Monty.

I always thought of Lunny as “a shit Steven Gerard” (and I mean that as a complement)
Very similar playing style but not as good (obviously) and without the goals.

I have also been a bit of a fan of Lundstram from the beginning.
Not because he’s so good, it’s because I see potential to be a good allround player and he’s still young, so still able to learn and improve.

The comparison with Monty might be more about career paths.
Nick Montgomery was always hard working, tenacious in the tackle but our least technical player in the Championship.
We used to joke and laugh that the end of his boot must be shaped like a 50p because his passing was attrotious.
Then once he arrived in the PL, he became a Kante esque type of destroyer. He also kept his game simpler, making short passes to feet.
The top PL found him tough because he was like a Jack Russell terrier nipping their feet tackling the ball.
He changed Blades fans opinions and he finally earned respect of being one of our more important players in the PL.
In fact I remember Warnock once saying that “Monty was a managers player, the 1st name he put on the team sheet”.
It made me think how ironic it would be if Lunny becomes our most effective midfielder next season.

 

[Manuel Azaña]

If he's ''rubbish'' but wasn't released, what does that say of Wilder's decision?

Maybe they think Wilder's clueless?

I for one second do not believe Chris Wilder will choose any player in the squad of 25 and/or the matchday XI on sentiment, or for the sake of making up the numbers.
Each player, will carry some responsibility.

Some folk maybe should stop playing Championship Manager and realise football's not played on a computer.

 

[I should coco]

I'm pretty much the John Lundstram fanclub on here, feel like I've been sticking up for him for ages

In that case, I'm not sure you have ever read anyone else's posts. Plenty like myself have defended him to the hilt, notably Grappler and I think even our resident Lord Troll Pinchy , acknowledges him as a 'footballer'.

He is a modern day Nick Montgomery. Not much skill but can tackle and run around a bit. Also, much like Monty he is good at giving the ball back to the opposition.

As I've said many times, the biggest issue with some of our fans is that he simply wasn't Coutts#2.

Monty wasn't a bad player, but Lunny is completely different and has a wide range of accurate passing.
What time is the Specsavers appointment today, as I'd like to be off the roads if you're driving down.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Although I have my my disagreements with people on him for the time being I am always open to changing my mind...

But one thing we can all agree with is how hilarious some of these "View From's"; courtesy of the Great Roy, are from when we signed him:

“If I was Lunny I would do at least one more year as a captain of a side going for promotion in league 1. That will give him more of a chance to move to a bigger club next summer than Sheffield United.”

“I do have this latent resentment that these “big” teams can nick players off lower league teams for ridiculously little money.”

“I like Christopher John Wilder less than I ever have, I never liked him very much at all.”

“working under Wilder is a challenge for any player. He’s not exactly Mr Personality”

They are a very weird bunch at Oxford. I now regret failing to put a request in to Roygbiv a few months back for a View from Oxford Fans on Wilder’s Manager of the Year award.

 

[coolasanidiot]

The problem I have with Lunny every time he plays he is one of those that is doing great and then..... comes the blunder, pass straight to their player, short back pass, over hit pass that causes havoc. Every time - fraid he's flawed.

 

[Gimli]

According to the Spanish commentary he’s called Juan Looondstram now - maybe that’s why he played so well...fancy foreigner

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I've always said he has some talent but when he got a run of games our form dropped dramatically. Not entirely his fault given he was alongside Evans at the time. Still not a great sign now we've stepped up a level. Can't fault him for his attitude and his tackle on Grealish was one of my favourite moments of the season, so I'd love him to prove people wrong.

I'd love him to prove people wrong as well. But I think he's a boring footballer. He loves the short 3 yard pass - and then likes to pass it back again another 3 yards to the one who's just passed it to him. I think he's slow, not just in terms of pace, but also in terms of thinking. He's just not alert and looked out of his depth at Championship level. So God knows why we've held onto him? I suspect because we don't have any back up for Fleck currently - but if we did have a tough-tackling midfielder then I think Lunny would be on his way - and I think there's a good career in football for him - but at League 1 level, not much higher.

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

I see Lundstram as someone who could mature into a Kevin McDonald type player. Not the most explosive midfielder but has enough technical ability to be an effective, championship player.

To reach, or even exceed, that estimation he will need game time and I think he would benefit from a season long loan.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

I'd love him to prove people wrong as well. But I think he's a boring footballer. He loves the short 3 yard pass - and then likes to pass it back again another 3 yards to the one who's just passed it to him. I think he's slow, not just in terms of pace, but also in terms of thinking. He's just not alert and looked out of his depth at Championship level. So God knows why we've held onto him? I suspect because we don't have any back up for Fleck currently - but if we did have a tough-tackling midfielder then I think Lunny would be on his way - and I think there's a good career in football for him - but at League 1 level, not much higher.

Sums my thoughts up too,but if he is still here for start of the season i am going to wipe the slate clean and see how he does if selected for a Prem game,(which i doubt will happen),i still get the feeling that someone come for him on loan.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Not

The problem


But here is the problem. The statistics show he significantly has the adverse effect and does not help us win games. Just look at his starting record since he joined:

P 22
W 4
D 6
L 12

Win percentage of 18%

And then compare it directly to our record WITHOUT him in the starting line up:

P 24
W 16
D 3
L 5

Win percentage of 67%.

That is no coincidence! This is over a 3 year period too, not just a couple of games with skewed data. We are a significantly weaker team with Lundstram in the team than the rest.... and this was in lower divisions and a team that has beeen competing at the top end of the division ever since he joined.

I personally don’t rate him anyway. Those that do, ofcourse you’re entitled to your opinion, and he may flourish in other sides. The stats however, suggest he doesn’t make wilder’s teams successful. My best guess would be that he is too laboured and safe in his passing to suit our system.

Not arguing one way or the other as I’m a bit on the fence with the lad but stats can be misleading. You also have to analyse the opposition in each game and various other factors. Was he brought in for the games where we were playing better teams and were expecting to see less of the ball? Were the games without him ones where we were going to dominate and didn’t need the extra solidity that he might bring. If so the win ratio in those games he played would be expected to be lower merely due the improved quality of the opposition.Etc. etc.

Now I don’t know if any of that is true but using raw stats like that can be misleading. What is telling though is that CWAK have kept him when they have released others so they see something in the lad that can be of use in the PL so I’ll trust their judgement

 

[Maidenhead]

If you watch Lundstram closely, he's an excellent footballer in a technical sense.

His speed of thought let's him down sometimes but last season he was much improved from the player trying to fill Coutts' berth post Burton and I'm backing him to improve further.

I'm pretty much the John Lundstram fanclub on here, feel like I've been sticking up for him for ages (apart from Barnet) but this season, he'll show a few people.

Seems to be one of the players Wilder trusts most, so there's obviously something there.

some time ago I described him as having the potential to be the next diving cheating twat Steven Gerrard.

He's still on the young side and still has that potential, but the time for him to step up and show that is fast approaching.

 

[benn5712]

Terrific in the 2 - 2 at Villa season before last.

 

[Bladesman]

In that case, I'm not sure you have ever read anyone else's posts. Plenty like myself have defended him to the hilt, notably Grappler and I think even our resident Lord Troll Pinchy , acknowledges him as a 'footballer'.



As I've said many times, the biggest issue with some of our fans is that he simply wasn't Coutts#2.

Monty wasn't a bad player, but Lunny is completely different and has a wide range of accurate passing.
What time is the Specsavers appointment today, as I'd like to be off the roads if you're driving down.

He looked like what he is a lower end championship midfielder. That is the biggest issue, we know he isn't a Coutts or a Norwood. He also isn't a Fleck.

I'd not be wanting to rely on him if we get a few injuries in midfield.

 

[true99blade]

The problem


But here is the problem. The statistics show he significantly has the adverse effect and does not help us win games. Just look at his starting record since he joined:

P 22
W 4
D 6
L 12

Win percentage of 18%

And then compare it directly to our record WITHOUT him in the starting line up:

P 24
W 16
D 3
L 5

Win percentage of 67%.

That is no coincidence! This is over a 3 year period too, not just a couple of games with skewed data. We are a significantly weaker team with Lundstram in the team than the rest.... and this was in lower divisions and a team that has beeen competing at the top end of the division ever since he joined.

I personally don’t rate him anyway. Those that do, ofcourse you’re entitled to your opinion, and he may flourish in other sides. The stats however, suggest he doesn’t make wilder’s teams successful. My best guess would be that he is too laboured and safe in his passing to suit our system.

With the vast majority of those games were our first season back in the championship, I'd prefer to look at the fact that our best player at the time got his leg broken and a few players' form dipped instead of solely linking straight to Lundstram. There are a lot more variables to think about other than did Lundstram play in those games. I do agree I don't think he is a perfect fit into our system. But he's still a very handy player to have in the squad, especially off the bench. You can't deny he did look a lot stronger and more capable last night. Still got plenty of time in his career also. If he carries on improving we'll have a great player on our hands.

 

[stringer]

Not sure why people have this idea of Lunny being a Monty knock off. He's far , far better on the ball, an excellent passer and doesn't play in the same way at all.


Interesting to see how far forward he got tonight. Looked liberated not playing as deep.

Said it for a while now, he’ll thrive as a box-to-box midfielder rather than in the Coutts role. Has a knack of getting goals too compared to his fellow midfielders