For those who actually went.

[Rustyblade]

"The United fans who are here today were pleased with that performance."

Anyone care to confirm Mr Blackwell's take on their opinion?

 

[Linz]

My view...

The first half was bobbins. Preston ought to have had a penalty but the goal we conceded was very very unlucky. Kallio and Geary were getting run ragged at times. Preston had some neat passing play but didn't really threaten again once they'd scored. Yeates was cutting inside too much.

Second half was much better. Yeates went close early-doors with the one that hit the post and when Wardy came on, we actually looked threatening. Better play through midfield. Very unlucky at times with the way the ball kept falling... if it could bounce Preston's way, it would. Not really seen the penalty yet, but if it wasn't one, it just made up for the one they should've had one in the first half.

So pleased with the performance as a whole might be pushing it after the first 45. But satisfied with the second half display. If we can stretch that out over a full game, I don't think too many people would be able to complain.

 

[keenzy]

"The United fans who are here today were pleased with that performance."

Anyone care to confirm Mr Blackwell's take on their opinion?

I wasn't please.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

My view...

The first half was bobbins. Preston ought to have had a penalty but the goal we conceded was very very unlucky. Kallio and Geary were getting run ragged at times. Preston had some neat passing play but didn't really threaten again once they'd scored. Yeates was cutting inside too much.

Second half was much better. Yeates went close early-doors with the one that hit the post and when Wardy came on, we actually looked threatening. Better play through midfield. Very unlucky at times with the way the ball kept falling... if it could bounce Preston's way, it would. Not really seen the penalty yet, but if it wasn't one, it just made up for the one they should've had one in the first half.

So pleased with the performance as a whole might be pushing it after the first 45. But satisfied with the second half display. If we can stretch that out over a full game, I don't think too many people would be able to complain.

Fair summary although I actually thought we started OK until they scored (albeit 10 mins). As you say, much better in the 2nd half after Wardy replaced Squinny and it was more like it for the last half hour.

I thought Kallio had a nightmare, summed up by being outpaced several times by Chris Sedgewick and Yeates was best player for us by a mile, looked a good signing.

What will Blackie do on Saturday, that's the question.

 

[Torrix1889]

Fair summary although I actually thought we started OK until they scored (albeit 10 mins). As you say, much better in the 2nd half after Wardy replaced Squinny and it was more like it for the last half hour.

I thought Kallio had a nightmare, summed up by being outpaced several times by Chris Sedgewick and Yeates was best player for us by a mile, looked a good signing.

What will Blackie do on Saturday, that's the question.

Get up around 10:00am, make a brew, read the papers, walk the dog and have a sandwich at lunch time. Come 3 o'clock he might just switch on Soccer Saturday to see how Speed is getting on in his first game as caretaker manager...........

Wishfull thinking.........

 

[Ollessendro]

What will Blackie do on Saturday, that's the question.

A little bit of this (i.e. show disappointment as Bristol's first goes in) and a little bit of that (the classic - hand in pockets, no idea what to do, too stubborn to change things, what Ollessendro calls 'the lost puppy act'.

 

[Foxy]

I was satisfied as there were enough positives to take out of it that we aren't as doomed as is being made out.

Thought we started fairly well again, until the goal, which had referee interferance and plenty of bad luck along the way. We then lost our way a bit for the rest of the half. Though we did exert some pressure late in the half.

Was encouraging to see is try and play the ball around, instead of reverting to hitting it long after going behind.

At one stage a 10/15 pass move (which stretched all the way across the pitch) was actually ended by our Arsenal loanee hoofing the ball into the box!?!

Whatever he said at half time had us out of the traps fairly early, with Yeates unlucky not to score right at the start of the half. We were making chances, but nothing hugely clear cut.

We then had a couple of subs at around 60 mins, which was encouraging, as despite being better than of late, Blackwell wanted to change things early for once.

No idea on the penalty call, it was down the other end of the pitch and whilst it didn't look nailed on, it's hard to see from that far away. Thought that would have killed our spirit and meant game over... but it didn't hit us anywhere near as hard as I imagined (perhaps we are now used to being a couple of goals down! )

We didn't panic and again tried to build attacks, we were pushing forward, often leaving us short at the back (but coping with this). Preston started to panic a bit and if we'd played a bit longer, I think we'd have been the ones much more likely to add to our tally.

Decent second half, signs of more passing and understanding breaking out and a slightly calmer approach instead of panicing and wellying it forward.

We need a leader on the pitch in my opinion, someone to rally and organise as that was lacking. Other than that, with a bit more bite (Yeates fully commiting to what he's trying to do and taking people on more!) and continuing to develop the style of play that we tried to employ (it wasn't total football by any stretch, nor was it mistake free, but it was better!) I don't think we'll be too bad over the coming weeks.

For Saturday, I'd drop Quinny to the bench and put Wardy on in his place (depending on his hamstring).

 

[super_pig]

>when Wardy came on, we actually looked threatening.
really? get away!

 

[Brisca Blade]

I think most people on here want to see the same thing two wingers, a ball player and a someone to do the hard stuff in the midfield. A old fashion tall/small player combination upfront. The dissapointing thing is we have these players in the squad and they just need to be given the chance and belief to play.

For me

Ward Monty Williamson Yeats
Evans Creswell

 

[Ollessendro]

I think most people on here want to see the same thing two wingers, a ball player and a someone to do the hard stuff in the midfield. A old fashion tall/small player combination upfront. The dissapointing thing is we have these players in the squad and they just need to be given the chance and belief to play.

For me

Ward Monty Williamson Yeats
Evans Creswell

Por moi

Ward Harper Williamson Yeates

------ Evans Camara

 

[Micalijo]

Agree with that Ollie. That is the side for me, although I prefer Daz to Evans, purely on likelihood to score a goal.

I'm sure Beregn would agree that there is a real lack of height. This is KBs fault for building a totally unbalanced squad. I know we should pick our best footballers and not worry about defending set pieces as a priority but there are times when all players need to win a header (to keep an attack going, stop a break away etc) and although Willo aint the smallest there is no chance with the others. Problem is Quinn and Monty are the alternative. I didn't really like Halford but I can see why Blackwell would play him out wide.

But, whatever your preference is, we have fairly decent options in terms of passing the ball and there is no excuse for what we are having to watch.

I hope you haven't got Monty at RB? The defence is beyond hope so no point discussing it is there?

 

[LouTheBlade]

On current form;

Ward Williamson Monty Yeates

Cresswell Camara

(swapping monty for harper and cresswell for henderson - when in/out of form)

Evans has been playing a lot better recently but until he starts to show a goal threat I wouldnt even consider him.

 

[Rattly Noise]

Evans has been playing a lot better recently but until he starts to show a goal threat I wouldnt even consider him.

How is he going to show a goal threat if he's not playing?

 

[DazBlade88]

That is the side for me, although I prefer Daz to Evans, purely on likelihood to score a goal.

I'm sure Beregn would agree that there is a real lack of height.

I'm a decent player, but I don't know if I could replace Evans. I am quite short too, so I wouldn't be much use if the ball is coming at me in the air all the time.

But hey, it's gotta be worth a try :thumbup:

I wasn't pleased with the performance on Tuesday night, we did quite well once we went 2-0 down though. This is what frustrates me so much about our away tactics, because when we attack teams we look dangerous, but we're seemingly happy to go for a 0-0.

We have the 3rd worst defence in the league away from home, so I don't understand why we keep trying to play that way. I'd be happier seeing us lose when we've tried to win from the start than in the manner we've lost the last 4 away games in the league.

 

[LouTheBlade]

How is he going to show a goal threat if he's not playing?

Well he's certainly not showing one by playing is he?! He would be an option off the bench late on in certain games. Once he starts coming on and making a significant impact then he would earn the right to play.

If he cant do it with the abundance of opportunities he has had, then he will have to do it the hard way and earn the right.

 

[Ollessendro]

Agree with that Ollie. That is the side for me, although I prefer Daz to Evans, purely on likelihood to score a goal.

I'm sure Beregn would agree that there is a real lack of height. This is KBs fault for building a totally unbalanced squad. I know we should pick our best footballers and not worry about defending set pieces as a priority but there are times when all players need to win a header (to keep an attack going, stop a break away etc) and although Willo aint the smallest there is no chance with the others. Problem is Quinn and Monty are the alternative. I didn't really like Halford but I can see why Blackwell would play him out wide.

But, whatever your preference is, we have fairly decent options in terms of passing the ball and there is no excuse for what we are having to watch.

I hope you haven't got Monty at RB? The defence is beyond hope so no point discussing it is there?

This is all hypthetical Micalijo. I'm talking about playing with completely different tactics to blackwell. Evans is over 6 foot, so is Willo and most of the back 4. I wouldn't include Henderson purely for defensive duties. However, i wouldn't argue against him being in the team. ONLY if we play the righ tactics though. Ball to feet, spread it to the wingers. None of this hoof it to big Darius malarky.

Nah Monty is warming the bench. My defence would be:

Geary Seip Morgs Kalio

they did a good job away at QPR and I think with a few games together then they would be a decent back 4. I'd have the young Arsenal guy as back up. Nosworhty is a slightly quicker, lot blacker Andrew Davies.

Daz makes a good point about our away record and goals conceded. Blackwell needs to get this into his thick skull. WE CANNOT BASE OUR TACTICS AROUND PLAYINF FOR A 0-0, SNEAK A 1-0 WHEN OUR DEFENCE IS SHIT!!!! The most frustrating things is that when we get Harper, Willo, Evans, Ward, Camara and even Quinn on the ball and attacking teams we look really dangerous. I'm not asking for a Keggan or Brazil philosophy, but I think we'd see the improvement in performances (and results) if we were more attacking minded.

 

[Deleted member 1486]

What will Blackie do on Saturday, that's the question.

Hoping it snows so nobody can take their shoes off without getting frostbite?