Midfield and up front 10 games into the season...

[GrayBlade]

There’s always a bit of setting in and tweaking in the first few games of the season, but has there ever been a time when we’ve had so many options for 5 positions? I’m at a loss how it’ll pan out right now who will grab the shirts and I wondered what the others think our first choice 5 will be most games come October?

We could end up with the tried and tested of Norwood, Fleck, Sharp and McGoldrick with Freeman in the Duffy role, or we could have Besic, Fleck and Morrison with Robinson and McBurnie up front or will Norwood keep his place and Besic replace Fleck?There’s also Lunny, Mousset and Osborn to throw into the mix as well.

In reality, it’ll most likely be a mix of new and old, but for the first time in years I really haven’t a clue (no change there then) how it’ll pan out. I do find it really intriguing though, I’m like a kid on Christmas morning. Hopefully I’ll still feel the same in 9 games time.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

 

[blade67]

who knows what the front 5 will look like in 9 games time.

I've not really seen Besic, Mousett or Morrison yet - so I've no idea at all really how good they are.

As it stands, Sharp looks the weakest of the forwards - except he looks the best from 12 yards in, which is when they really earn their money.

Perhaps we'll see plenty of rotation

 

[Woodwardfan]

Intense, hopefully friendly competition for places.

Bet not one of them feels this squad is not fit for purpose and not one will take his place for granted.

Recipe for achievement with all the ingredients in place.

One or two will wonder when they get playing time. Train hard lads, that's a start.

 

[GrayBlade]

View attachment 59719

Piss orf

 

[Cerberus Blade]

There’s always a bit of setting in and tweaking in the first few games of the season, but has there ever been a time when we’ve had so many options for 5 positions? I’m at a loss how it’ll pan out right now who will grab the shirts and I wondered what the others think our first choice 5 will be most games come October?

We could end up with the tried and tested of Norwood, Fleck, Sharp and McGoldrick with Freeman in the Duffy role, or we could have Besic, Fleck and Morrison with Robinson and McBurnie up front or will Norwood keep his place and Besic replace Fleck?There’s also Lunny, Mousset and Osborn to throw into the mix as well.

In reality, it’ll most likely be a mix of new and old, but for the first time in years I really haven’t a clue (no change there then) how it’ll pan out. I do find it really intriguing though, I’m like a kid on Christmas morning. Hopefully I’ll still feel the same in 9 games time.

I remember us signing Jim Bone from Norwich in the 1970’s and wondering “where the hell does he fit in?”

The team back then more or less picked itself. It was “Hodgkinson, Badger, Hemsley, Flynn, Colquhon..etc every week. With the possible exception of away games when Frank Barlow sometimes replaced Flynn, because the home crowd used to give Barlow a load of stick!

So you can imagine, my brain is frazzled with such permutations right now.

I think Robinson and McBurnie will hold onto the striker positions for now, with Sharp needing to be content with a bit-part (despite everything) from the bench.

I think Freeman (L) will cement himself in the midfield role at the expense of Lundstram. I think McGoldrick will operate as a number 10 rather than striker.

I think Mousset and Morrison will start to feature more regularly when all the leaves have fallen from the trees (not now).

I think Osborn will play a bit-part as a utility player. Same for Jags.

I think programmes will go up to £3.75 just to put the programme seller out of his stride. I think we’ll introduce a new flavour of meat pie and Gary Sinclair will become “slimmer of the year”.

I’m losing it now!

 

[Pinchy]

Oli and Moose up front. Robinson roaming free behind them. Luke Freeman in for Fleck.

Wilder spent record fees on these players to play, not sit on the bench. He recruited them because he believes they are better than what we have got.

That said, there’ll be nothing rigid about it. He’ll choose the team from game to game. He’ll rotate the squad and use substitutes creatively, just as he did so successfully against Bournemouth.

 

[I should coco]

That said, there’ll be nothing rigid about it. He’ll choose the team from game to game. He’ll rotate the squad and use substitutes creatively, just as he did so successfully against Bournemouth.

He might even call one of the top forum 'experts' to ensure no Bladey sentimentality.

That Chris Wilder knows his stuff and the one thing he won't do is chuck on players like lower-league Billy, just for Bladey reasons.

I think Pinchy knows his stuff and one thing for sure is that Billy and the other Bladey rabble won't get any games this season, to give our new galacticos more time on the pitch.

 

[GrayBlade]

I remember us signing Jim Bone from Norwich in the 1970’s and wondering “where the hell does he fit in?”

The team back then more or less picked itself. It was “Hodgkinson, Badger, Hemsley, Flynn, Colquhon..etc every week. With the possible exception of away games when Frank Barlow sometimes replaced Flynn, because the home crowd used to give Barlow a load of stick!

So you can imagine, my brain is frazzled with such permutations right now.

I think Robinson and McBurnie will hold onto the striker positions for now, with Sharp needing to be content with a bit-part (despite everything) from the bench.

I think Freeman (L) will cement himself in the midfield role at the expense of Lundstram. I think McGoldrick will operate as a number 10 rather than striker.

I think Mousset and Morrison will start to feature more regularly when all the leaves have fallen from the trees (not now).

I think Osborn will play a bit-part as a utility player. Same for Jags.

I think programmes will go up to £3.75 just to put the programme seller out of his stride. I think we’ll introduce a new flavour of meat pie and Gary Sinclair will become “slimmer of the year”.

I’m losing it now!

Yes that’s all very well but who’ll win control of the club?

Good post CB

 

[Sheffsteel]

Oli and Moose up front. Robinson roaming free behind them. Luke Freeman in for Fleck.

Wilder spent record fees on these players to play, not sit on the bench. He recruited them because he believes they are better than what we have got.

That said, there’ll be nothing rigid about it. He’ll choose the team from game to game. He’ll rotate the squad and use substitutes creatively, just as he did so successfully against Bournemouth.

Sounds a bit radical but pretty much agree with all of that.

We will set up differently dependent on the opposition and whether we are at home or away. We’ve seen how Wilder’s team usually pin back teams into their own penalty area, it seems Wilder appreciates that this won’t happen anymore, so we need to focus more on counter attack. That means strikers/ midfielders with pace.

Wouldn’t surprise me if after Christmas our starting 11 is very different missing our legendary players.
I’m not saying this will happen....but it wouldn’t surprise me if Norwood, Fleck, Sharp and McGoldrick struggle to make the first 11 in the late stages of the season,
Think the players gradually replacing the above will be Freeman, Morrison. Mousett and McBurnie.
However as said by Pinchy instead of pissing off players not getting a start, think Wilder will continue with his policy of giving subs plenty of game time.

 

[Ricky]

Oli and Moose up front. Robinson roaming free behind them.

Might happen.

Luke Freeman in for Fleck.

Might not. Won't.

 

[Pinchy]

Might happen.




Might not. Won't.

Played midfield in three at QP. Holloway. Bit in Wikipedia.

 

[BushBlade]

Played midfield in three at QP. Holloway. Bit in Wikipedia.

During his time at QPR, Freeman was used in more central roles as part of a midfield three under Ian Holloway.

It doesn’t say a flat three though. One could quite easily say Duffy was a winger who during his time at Sheffield United was used in more central roles as part of a midfield three under Chris Wilder.

 

[DronnieBlade]

.

Pig mentality is sweeping through the ranks.

$ = better ?

Big mistake .

UTB

 

[Joe Boltons Left Foot]

this is not sentimentality but i have a sneaky feeling that despite being the first one to be dropped from the front line Billy will end up being in the top two for minutes played by the end of the season ( and also in the top two highest scorers ) just cant bet against him. The man is on a mission and his guile will be critical. Could be wrong of course and maybe Oli and Robinson might make the shorts there own

 

[Pinchy]

He might even call one of the top forum 'experts' to ensure no Bladey sentimentality.

That Chris Wilder knows his stuff and the one thing he won't do is chuck on players like lower-league Billy, just for Bladey reasons.

I think Pinchy knows his stuff and one thing for sure is that Billy and the other Bladey rabble won't get any games this season, to give our new galacticos more time on the pitch.

No. It’s desperately important that we keep the same team as last season. We can afford to spend £40m on spare parts. Tufty broke those transfer records to ensure we have back-up for fan favourites, not for one moment did he consider spending £9m and £17m respectively on first-choice strikers. The owners don’t mind that.

This season is all about rewarding long-service and previous success. Who cares whether we stay up or not as long as Billy and the Scottish hero are first names on the team-sheet. The suggestion that Billy might be best used sparingly, playing 30 or 60 minutes and starting now and then, is a vile insult to a club legend. Such ideas literally make me vomit .

Pauses to clean iPhone screen...

I was told by people on here, so it must be right, that we would have to significantly and substantially improve our team to have any hope of surviving in the Premier League. £20m would be nowhere near enough, they said. Nobody dissented. I accepted that proposition. There was then near unanimous delight at our fantastic transfer window. Spending levels suggesting real ambition and determination to compete.

How foolish we were. We need not have spent a penny. We’re fine as we were. Send the new fellas back. Gerremout. Gerremallout.

 

[Pinchy]

During his time at QPR, Freeman was used in more central roles as part of a midfield three under Ian Holloway.

It doesn’t say a flat three though. One could quite easily say Duffy was a winger who during his time at Sheffield United was used in more central roles as part of a midfield three under Chris Wilder.

Fleck, incredibly, used to be a striker at Rangers. Nothing is set in stone, apart from Bladey intransigence and a granite-skulled refusal to accept that favourites might not be guaranteed an automatic place. That simply doesn’t compute.

 

[S40BLADE]

Fleck, incredibly, used to be a striker at Rangers. Nothing is set in stone, apart from Bladey intransigence and a granite-skulled refusal to accept that favourites might not be guaranteed an automatic place. That simply doesn’t compute.

Where abouts did you hear about this im just curious.

 

[WalkelyFan]

I confess to a certain amount of ambivalence. I can see a need for playing different teams depending upon circumstances, At the same time I see the advantages of having a team that know each others way of playing from being together week after week. I can make a case for Morrison and Freeman being changed on circumstances. likewise Mousset McBurnie and Robinson.

I suspect that Wilder will stick with a team and go for subs - rather than naming team changes at the start. (Bit like Saturday really. But I do trust Wilder to get it right.

 

[Akinbiyi]

Oli and Moose up front. Robinson roaming free behind them. Luke Freeman in for Fleck.

Wilder spent record fees on these players to play, not sit on the bench. He recruited them because he believes they are better than what we have got.

Why's that? Because they're all new?

For someone who seemingly knows what he's talking about you're dreadfully wrong about Freeman. He couldn't play Fleck's role in this division, that would be for Osborn. But since you want Fleck out so bad, Osborn for Fleck.

Playallthenewsignings. Gerremallin. Championshippromotionsideart.

 

[Akinbiyi]

Where abouts did you hear about this im just curious.

This is true. Not much detail as it's pre 2010 but check this article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8589788.stm
But I don't think he played many games up top if any. Think he mainly played wide left and attacking mid as far as attacking roles go.

 

[BushBlade]

Fleck, incredibly, used to be a striker at Rangers. Nothing is set in stone, apart from Bladey intransigence and a granite-skulled refusal to accept that favourites might not be guaranteed an automatic place. That simply doesn’t compute.

I could be equally as glib and simply say ‘Wilder hasn’t paid £5m for an attacking midfielder to play him out of position’.

I’m not for one minute suggesting that Fleck is irreplaceable or a guaranteed starter but Freeman is a very attack minded player who is far better being deployed in an attacking role supporting the two strikers than as a box to box player with significant defensive responsibilities. If he ever plays Fleck’s role then it’s either because we have some kind of injury crisis or we’ve changed how we play. Wilder isn’t one for shoehorning players into positions that don’t suit them, just to keep them in the side.

 

[Akinbiyi]

I could be equally as glib and simply say ‘Wilder hasn’t paid £5m for an attacking midfielder to play him out of position’.

I’m not for one minute suggesting that Fleck is irreplaceable or a guaranteed starter but Freeman is a very attack minded player who is far better being deployed in an attacking role supporting the two strikers than as a box to box player with significant defensive responsibilities. If he ever plays Fleck’s role then it’s either because we have some kind of injury crisis or we’ve changed how we play. Wilder isn’t one for shoehorning players into positions that don’t suit them, just to keep them in the side.

It's ok. Norwood is good enough to handle all the defensive responsibility in front of the defence.
Infact, I think Wilder might line up 5-1-4 to squeeze in all his new strikers. Anything to get rid of Fleck and Billy. Irrespective of the team shape.

Gerramallin. Allthenewsignings. Givemallagame.

 

[Sheffsteel]

this is not sentimentality but i have a sneaky feeling that despite being the first one to be dropped from the front line Billy will end up being in the top two for minutes played by the end of the season ( and also in the top two highest scorers ) just cant bet against him. The man is on a mission and his guile will be critical. Could be wrong of course and maybe Oli and Robinson might make the shorts there own

I agree but that’s because Sharp will mainly be used as a sub brought on when we’re hoping to dominate the end of a game, so his goals per minutes will be impressive. When we’re dominating with plenty of goal mouth action then I still put Sharp as our best striker.
Many of Sharps goal are from inside the 6 yard box, he’s a great poacher doesn’t need pace BUT he does need setting up and finding with a pin point pass.

In certain situations Sharp is still our best striker...in other situations Sharp is our worse striker.. Think Wilder knows this... .so,will try to play to Sharps strengths within his tactical framework......think he’ll mainly be sub though once the new signings get up to speed and improve as expected.
If they don’t make an impression (eg Mousset) then Sharp will get the chance to start games, especially at home.

It’s a great situation to be in. Outsiders think we’re totally relying on Jags, Ravel, Mousset and McBurnie to rescue our team.
They were probably shocked that none of these including our hero Sharp didn’t even start against Bournmouth.
There is no urgency to play our new big money signings and we can integrate them in when the time is right.
However after Christmas I do expect many of our new players (if they do what Wilder expects) to be starting games.

 

[Pinchy]

Why's that? Because they're all new?

For someone who seemingly knows what he's talking about you're dreadfully wrong about Freeman. He couldn't play Fleck's role in this division, that would be for Osborn. But since you want Fleck out so bad, Osborn for Fleck.

Playallthenewsignings. Gerremallin. Championshippromotionsideart.

He doesn’t have to play Fleck’s role. He can play his own. Alternatively Besic could play, or do we come full circle to the Scottish hero being guaranteed a place? Because that’s what you lot really want. Sharp too.

 

[Akinbiyi]

He doesn’t have to play Fleck’s role. He can play his own. Alternatively Besic could play, or do we come full circle to the Scottish hero being guaranteed a place? Because that’s what you lot really want. Sharp too.

You’ll complain about people wanting Sharp and Fleck to start, but your vendetta against them is even more bizarre.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Prediction for yous.

Someone, soon, will officially go off the reservation !!

.

UTB

 

[Pinchy]

S40BLADE,
Just remember it from the day of the broken fax, mate. Recall them saying Hutton was a midfielder and Fleck a striker, or had been.

 

[Bennyand the Blades]

Why are people still thinking in terms of just 11 players ? At this level it's even more of a squad game than in the Championship and players are used to change the shape of the team much more than we have had to in the past.
Then there's cover, remember how first season back in the Championship we were holding our own until Coutts got injured, we then dropped like a stone because there was no one good enough to take his place, where would we have finished if we had had Norwood on the bench to step in ?
We can't afford to take that chance again in this league, we need cover in every position so lets stop thinking in terms of who plays where and start thinking more about how much stronger is the squad...…..

 

[Mojo]

If it aint broke don't fix it. Players will come in as and when they are needed and when they are ready.

I suspect we might see one or two changes on Sunday but also wouldn't be surprised if its the same line up. It's just great to have a wealth of attacking options available unlike last time we were in this league.