Reims v Blades - Match Thread

[super_pig]

He was that awful Lampard said he was the toughest player he'd played against. Every team needs a workhorse, Monty was, Lunny ain't.

urban myth

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

I've attracted an amount of ill informed criticism since I switched from Blogging about Beer to Champagne. I know you'd want me to set the record straight. Which I have in my recently published Blog. My Tipple Of The Trip award goes to the magnificent Bar Owner who refused to let me choose which Champagne to drink. He decides. And then, he wouldn't even tell me what it was until I'd finished it. What is not to love. He's a Don. Despite watching the game through 70% Pinot Noir glasses. My analysis of United's performance is a load of nonsense. But, that's what this thread is for. Surely. You can read here....

https://ball-sup.blogspot.com/2019/08/champagne-inconvenient-truth.html

Any questions?

 

[Kevin Arnott]

JOC should be fit to play v Bournemouth

Les Musset fit soon

Sheffield United: Blades boss provides important update on Jack O'Connell and Lys Mousset

When Chris Wilder unveiled his selection picks for today's friendly against Stade de Reims, Jack O'Connell's absence alarmed both Sheffield United supporters who had travelled to France and those who were following events via social media back home.

www.thestar.co.uk

Thanks for the update pal.

 

[William]

View attachment 59022

No

 

[William]

I

Lundstram is the new Monty.. not because he is useless and couldn’t trap a bag of cement but because he is so divisive with the fans.. i actually saw a fight over Monty in the Westfield corner during a game, he was truly awful

If monty had an ounce of Lundsram’s skill he’d still be playing for Manchester United now.

 

[Snowman]

Just collecting my thoughts on this

We were crap today for 80% of the game, and every percent we weren't, it was quickly followed by a moment of crapness.

Everyone was giving the ball away, Robinson, Lundstram, Stevens, Osborn etc, we conceded from losing possession.

It was a poorly planned friendly in my opinion, we flew on the day of the game despite it being a 1630 kickoff, which seems a bit mad to me for a game in another country. If it was a 7:45 maybe.

It's a week before Bournemouth, so nobody wants to do any damage to themselves, plus as above pregame they'd I assume travelled to Shirecliffe/BL to get on the bus, then to the airport, then to France, and then to the ground.

Everybody looked a bit fed up and the levels were about 50% apart from upfront, where we looked a bit better but still not at it.

If we could have sent this team back in time to replace Barnsley and play ourselves, they would have been battered too.

Just something not right today, off day.

Still, plenty to take from it, Robinson has to start - he's been in my opinion the best player this preseason by a long way.

I'd take Bryan if JOC isn't fit over Stevens and Osborn, I just think Stevens is too important to sacrifice, he beats people, has quick feet and excellent delivery, and I don't think Bryan is bad at all, he's not JOC but he's capable and very athletic.

Freezy, excellent player, again feet are quick as you like, great delivery and fast - which I didn't really know until he arrived.

Morrison is class, just understands everything. Knows where people will be, he was linking well with McBurnie and they've probably had 2 training sessions together if that.

McBurnie had a fair cameo too I thought, linked well, made himself available and was unselfish.

Overall, bring on Bournemouth.

I suspect you are completely accurate in that assessment.Unfortunately, I also suspect that CW will not agree (yet). Another two games wasted whilst he finds that he has to agree with you and 80% of the Blades, or we lose. Play as we have done, to the shape we know with the players in the correct places.

Much as CW is thought to be the Messiah, he is human and therefore not infallible.

 

[Snowman]

I

If monty had an ounce of Lundsram’s skill he’d still be playing for Manchester United now.

It's Lundstram (with a t) and Monty didn't play for Manchester United and like Lundstram, never did and never will. Just tell me what skill Lundstram possesses please?

 

[S40BLADE]

No

Then your extremely deluded.

 

[10-0 win]

todays game will more or less be our challenges for the next 9 months, pace,quick passing and high pressure,- - play offensive . not like today, we're at our best at offensive play. Anticipated a tough survivalseason but better that than any other scenario................UTB

 

[jono_t2000]

todays game will more or less be our challenges for the next 9 months, pace,quick passing and high pressure,- - play offensive . not like today, we're at our best at offensive play. Anticipated a tough survivalseason but better that than any other scenario................UTB

Its kinda damned if you do, damned if you don't. I think Wilder worried about prem teams ability to counter and transition from defence to attack in a blink of an eye. Hence the flat 3. But that in turns to us being pressed in our defensive third and giving ball away cheaply. Like others have said i say we just play the Sheffield United way and overload the attacking third.

 

[A Storm of Blades]

Its kinda damned if you do, damned if you don't. I think Wilder worried about prem teams ability to counter and transition from defence to attack in a blink of an eye. Hence the flat 3. But that in turns to us being pressed in our defensive third and giving ball away cheaply. Like others have said i say we just play the Sheffield United way and overload the attacking third.

An overload that also saw us with the best defensive record. It’s akin to a boxer with a heavy jab stops the opponent coming forward. I’m ever-so-slightly worried CW is overthinking this. And it is a bit strange that a midfielder not deemed good enough in the Championship, looks like the first name on the team sheet for our Premier League return.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Oooh. And I had a conversation about how long it would be before the likes of you pulled the 'how many games have you been to?' joker out. You do realise that my attendance at games has zero effect on outcome, don't you? I could do forty-odd games a season and we'd still be slaves to team selection and ability on the pitch. Tell me you understand that, otherwise you're wasting your time being a football fan. Mind you, in your pickle-sized brain, attending is EVERYTHING, and it is the fulcrum on which you judge people. Let me remind you, I started talking about Monty and Lunny, you started talking about me. Pattern forming here. Same old shit, different sleeve badge on the shirts. I've just watched fifteen minutes of today's game and Lunny touched the ball twenty odd times. Most of them he was either in a poor position to retain, lay off or even contribute or in some cases - as attested by 'hearsay' on here, he gave the fucking ball to the opposition. Call me picky, but that isn't quite what I see as being credibly suitable to face Premier League opposition. It wasn't last season vs Boro (where he was fucking shockingly poor) and it won't be against Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and even Burnley, Southampton and Watford this season. They'll leave him stood pissing his pants. Note - I'm talking about Lundstrum here.

Anyway, I hope you'll have a little ol' think about this lot. We still have weaknesses in our starting eleven (if CW deigns to start Lundstrum) and still have strengthening to do, post McBurnie-wanking. Midfield is still hit and miss and PL oppositions will not be in any way as forgiving as Matlock Town and the rest of the pre-season lot.

pommpey

Simple question Pommpey.

Have you ever seen Lundstram play live?

Indeed, did you ever see him play a full game, or should I say start a game, on the Sky Red Button?

 

[Woodwardfan]

Wilder said he expects to sign a midfielder this window. He knows we are light in the current Lundstram role.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Its kinda damned if you do, damned if you don't. I think Wilder worried about prem teams ability to counter and transition from defence to attack in a blink of an eye. Hence the flat 3. But that in turns to us being pressed in our defensive third and giving ball away cheaply. Like others have said i say we just play the Sheffield United way and overload the attacking third.

Yes, from a tactical viewpoint this is extremely difficult.


We should remember that Duffy's often dropped down alongside Norwood and Fleck and it's been to cope with being under pressure. When that's not been enough we've pushed Basham into midfield to be even more competitive in a midfield diamond.

Judging by us never trying the latter in pre season and the fact we've not signed someone similar to Basham (being able to switch between CH and CM) , I think we're not planning on doing that this season.

So, we seem to want to cope by playing an inverted midfield, including Lundstram. Bournemouth have a lot of pace going forward and having a two man midfield with Norwood and Fleck does seem a bit naive. On the other hand it does limit us offensively. I'm sure Wilder would take a tight game and 0-0 at this point. It's easy to say that we should go forward like normal, but an open game and us being hit on the break, losing by a few goals could be detrimental for us.

 

[pommpey]

Simple question Pommpey.

Have you ever seen Lundstram play live?

Indeed, did you ever see him play a full game, or should I say start a game, on the Sky Red Button?

Simple answer Woodwardfan.

Yes.

pommpey

 

[FriethBlade]

Bromtom and others at the match, any Reims players catch the eye in positions we need to fill?

 

[super_pig]

Yes, from a tactical viewpoint this is extremely difficult.


We should remember that Duffy's often dropped down alongside Norwood and Fleck and it's been to cope with being under pressure. When that's not been enough we've pushed Basham into midfield to be even more competitive in a midfield diamond.

Judging by us never trying the latter in pre season and the fact we've not signed someone similar to Basham (being able to switch between CH and CM) , I think we're not planning on doing that this season.

So, we seem to want to cope by playing an inverted midfield, including Lundstram. Bournemouth have a lot of pace going forward and having a two man midfield with Norwood and Fleck does seem a bit naive. On the other hand it does limit us offensively. I'm sure Wilder would take a tight game and 0-0 at this point. It's easy to say that we should go forward like normal, but an open game and us being hit on the break, losing by a few goals could be detrimental for us.

why ?? fuck it .. guns blazing and all that
now i reckon that approach against liverpool or city might be detrimental but bournemouth? they’re not all that esp with brooksy out

 

[Bergen Blade]

why ?? fuck it .. guns blazing and all that
now i reckon that approach against liverpool or city might be detrimental but bournemouth? they’re not all that esp with brooksy out

Maybe, but they are well set up for counter attacks and likes of Wilson and King love running at and in behind defences.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Maybe, but they are well set up for counter attacks and likes of Wilson and King love running at and in behind defences.

Would never have happened against our flat 3-5-2.

Lundstram would have tracked Gosling all the way before calmly dispossessing him and laying the ball off to Hendo to punt back.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Would never have happened against our flat 3-5-2.

Lundstram would have tracked Gosling all the way before calmly dispossessing him and laying the ball off to Hendo to punt back.

At this stage Bournemouth have got past seven opposition players, just outside their own box. They are good at punishing teams who overcommit, and Wilder will want to avoid that on Saturday.

They were the best counter attacking side in the league last season. It's all very easy for fans to say that we should go out and outplay them. But Wilder needs to pick the exact tactics and line up that gives us the best chance of a result. I'm not saying I'd go with Lundstram, but I realise it's a difficult team selection and many things to consider.

 

[Addison]

View attachment 59057

At this stage Bournemouth have got past seven opposition players, just outside their own box. They are good at punishing teams who overcommit, and Wilder will want to avoid that on Saturday.

They were the best counter attacking side in the league last season. It's all very easy for fans to say that we should go out and outplay them. But Wilder needs to pick the exact tactics and line up that gives us the best chance of a result. I'm not saying I'd go with Lundstram, but I realise it's a difficult team selection and many things to consider.

I understand what you're saying but thats Bournemouth away and the Home team getting numbers forward. If we play 3-5-1-1 and Bournemouth are expecting us to get 7 players in or around their box then they'll be disappointed.

I don't think we're advocating outplaying them we're saying lets go with what the players are familiar with. If we get outnumbered in midfield early on then Basham is the option to step up. Its worked for the last few seasons why change it now.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Henderson probably should have tipped it round the post for the first – I never like keepers opting to avoid giving away a corner by pushing it back into the danger zone.

Egan & Stevens caught napping for their 2nd.

Miscommunication between McBurnie and Henderson for their 3rd.

 

[wizadry]

Henderson probably should have tipped it round the post for the first – I never like keepers opting to avoid giving away a corner by pushing it back into the danger zone

.....especially when I have a ‘bet builder’ bet containing a certain amount of corners in it.

 

[super_pig]

View attachment 59057

At this stage Bournemouth have got past seven opposition players, just outside their own box. They are good at punishing teams who overcommit, and Wilder will want to avoid that on Saturday.

They were the best counter attacking side in the league last season. It's all very easy for fans to say that we should go out and outplay them. But Wilder needs to pick the exact tactics and line up that gives us the best chance of a result. I'm not saying I'd go with Lundstram, but I realise it's a difficult team selection and many things to consider.

number of goals Sheffield United conceded to counter attacks last season?
0

 

[Come from away]

Based on this performance we are bound for relegation and a difficult life in the Championship. However, we have actually strengthened the team that got promotion so I have to believe that once the new players bed in we will compete.

 

[Tom Bott]

Any questions?

How much does a decent, non fancy brand name champagne cost in Reims ?

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

it didn’t seem to me any of those goals were a result of the flat midfield three.

The first was from a set play. It rebounded off the post so should of been offside.
The second was a long ball over the defence and the third was a cross.

 

[S40BLADE]

Would never have happened against our flat 3-5-2.

Lundstram would have tracked Gosling all the way before calmly dispossessing him and laying the ball off to Hendo to punt back.

Can't tell if this tongue in cheek or not anymore.

 

[wizadry]

it didn’t seem to me any of those goals were a result of the flat midfield three.

The first was from a set play. It rebounded off the post so should of been offside.
The second was a long ball over the defence and the third was a cross.

I feel your pain mate, when one of the most famous and notorious grammar fuck ups of all time gets punished severely on here.