On 24.11.2019....

[Torrix1889]

we played Manchester United at home. Just watched the extended highlights again and we were fantastic, completely unplayable at times and left multi-million pound players chasing shadows.....ok, we had a crazy 10 minute second half spell where we shipped 3 goals but that apart the performance was nothing short of outstanding.

Team that day was..... Moore, Baldock, Bash, Jags, JOC, Enda, Norwood, Fleck, Lunny, Didsy, Moose...............with the exception of probably JOC that team could take the field at 6pm tonight.

So, it could beg the question, why are we all shitting ourselves we are going to be on the end of a right hammering tonight?

What has happened to that set of players that ripped apart some of the most expensive and talented players in the world that evening? Have we simply been found out, have we run out of steam?

For me teams have figured out our style, we still try to play the patient build-up and overlapping play but it is definitely not as potent as it was, OK we are missing JOC down the left but against Villa and Toon both Bash and George were not getting forward as they would normally do.....Villa seemed to overload us in midfield and not allow Norwood any time on the ball whereas Newcastle played 2 banks of 4 across the width of the pitch looking to hit us on the break with their pace and power.

Our default plan B is to keep the same system but go longer, how many times do we shift it across the back line only to end up going long.....quite often at the moment, which when coupled with giving possession away isn't going to end that well....

Still, enjoy the highlights...

 

[DronnieBlade]

Our best performance of the season.

At times we were out of this world good on the night .

UTB

 

[Stretch]

It's just the usual doom & gloom mentality that kicks in after a couple of poor performances.

That point each season where dummies are hurled and marbles lost, as we decide that the job is fucked and it's back to the drawing board, or else.

Win lose or draw tonight I am confident we will play well again, and if not in this match, then the next one. This team rarely let's us down more than once.

 

[Guesty]

People go on about how good that performance was, but the fact is Manchester United absolutely took us apart once they started attacking with any purpose. They won't make the same mistake again. In addition, this time O'Connell is out (as far as I know) and both Fleck and Jagielka aren't fully fit.

On top of that, there's the strange post break malaise that seems to be affecting us more than anyone.

Stretch, not to be argumentative but haven't they just played badly twice? Albeit with some bad luck against Villa.

 

[TJB.]

We should be playing without a scrap of fear tonight. Both fans and the media are expecting a hammering based on our first two performances of the restart. For me that means we have absolutely nothing to lose against a Man U side packed with unquestionable talent.

Chuck the kitchen sink at them. Let's see the gutsy, brave, determined Sheffield United that we know and love.

I've always said that we as Blades need to see 100% effort on the pitch, and we'll take whatever result that brings. I'm desperate to see that 100% make a return tonight.

 

[Beans]

The problem is that a once-in-a-lifetime (hopefully) set of conditions look to have really impacted us, based on two performances so far. By no means have the players become bad over the last few months, but it's inarguable that we have looked lethargic and sloppy so far since the resumption. Several other teams have too, but it is a shock seeing it from a set of players who we've grown used to seeing play at such high levels. We are a really, really good team this year, so it's extra-shocking to see that compared to watching Norwich get ripped apart, West Ham losing both games, etc.

The question is whether we can indeed flip the switch as we have tended to do under Wilder: it's an entirely new set of circumstances, and not a situation that anyone could have prepared for.

I guess what I'm saying is that ordinarily I would just write this off as two bad games and expect us to be right back at it in the next one (although Man U away is tough regardless), but post-pandemic I really don't know. It may well be that we look crap for the rest of the season - it's going to be hotter than we're used to playing in, we don't know the impact on conditioning that a three-month break will have, we've suddenly got injuries piling up and so on. Nothing but respect for what this team have achieved and if we end up finishing the season in poor form - dare I say, relegation form - then I'll still be over the moon with what we've done this season and expect that things will be put right before the next one. But right now I kind of need to see a return to our usual performance levels before I'll believe that it's just round the corner, I suppose - these are, to coin a phrase, unprecedented times.

 

[Stretch]

People go on about how good that performance was, but the fact is Manchester United absolutely took us apart once they started attacking with any purpose. They won't make the same mistake again. In addition, this time O'Connell is out (as far as I know) and both Fleck and Jagielka aren't fully fit.

On top of that, there's the strange post break malaise that seems to be affecting us more than anyone.

Stretch, not to be argumentative but haven't they just played badly twice? Albeit with some bad luck against Villa.

The Villa performance wasn't great mate, but as it was the first game back I am willing to forgive it a bit more, and as you say the 'incident' overshadowed everything anyway. The Toon 'performance' was as bad as anything I have seen by United, but I said that when Hull, Barnet and Liverpool all beat us too.

I just think some folk (not you necessarily) are writing us off far too easily.

 

[IOM Blade]

Our best performances of the season have all been with McGoldrick and Mousett up front. Arsenal (home), Burnley, Spurs, Man U, Villa.

When staring with those two we have won 4, drawn 3, lost 1. The defeat coming at Anfield which was the last time they started together 12 games ago.

 

[YES Blade]

Man U are stronger compared to when we played them at the Lane with Pogba back and Fernandes signing since.

I’ll never write us off, but given the circumstances, tonight is going to be very tough.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

If only Phil Jones could play the whole 90 minutes tonite,we might have a chance.

 

[IOM Blade]

Our best performances of the season have all been with McGoldrick and Mousset up front. Arsenal (home), Burnley, Spurs, Man U, Villa.

When staring with those two we have won 4, drawn 3, lost 1. The defeat coming at Anfield which was the last time they started together 12 games ago.

McGoldrick and Moose's record is even more impressive given 6 of the 8 games were against teams in the top half.

7 of the 8 games McBurnie and Sharp have started together have been against bottom half teams.

McGoldrick	Robinson	W1	D2	L1
McBurnie	Robinson	W1	D2	L1
McGoldrick	McBurnie	W2	D1	L1
McGoldrick	Mousset	W4	D3	L1
McBurnie	Sharp	W3	D2	L3
McBurnie	Mousset	W0	D1	L0
Mousset	Robinson	W0	D0	L1

 

[Bladesman]

The problem is that a once-in-a-lifetime (hopefully) set of conditions look to have really impacted us, based on two performances so far. By no means have the players become bad over the last few months, but it's inarguable that we have looked lethargic and sloppy so far since the resumption. Several other teams have too, but it is a shock seeing it from a set of players who we've grown used to seeing play at such high levels. We are a really, really good team this year, so it's extra-shocking to see that compared to watching Norwich get ripped apart, West Ham losing both games, etc.

The question is whether we can indeed flip the switch as we have tended to do under Wilder: it's an entirely new set of circumstances, and not a situation that anyone could have prepared for.

I guess what I'm saying is that ordinarily I would just write this off as two bad games and expect us to be right back at it in the next one (although Man U away is tough regardless), but post-pandemic I really don't know. It may well be that we look crap for the rest of the season - it's going to be hotter than we're used to playing in, we don't know the impact on conditioning that a three-month break will have, we've suddenly got injuries piling up and so on. Nothing but respect for what this team have achieved and if we end up finishing the season in poor form - dare I say, relegation form - then I'll still be over the moon with what we've done this season and expect that things will be put right before the next one. But right now I kind of need to see a return to our usual performance levels before I'll believe that it's just round the corner, I suppose - these are, to coin a phrase, unprecedented times.

The only comfort for me was seeing that only City have come back all guns blazing. Liverpool looked laboured in their performance and could have easily lost to Everton. Leicester should be beating both Watford and Brighton if they want to finish the season well in the top 4. Spurs v Man Utd was a decent game to watch but yet Man Utd still only managed a draw.

Like I have said it did take a couple of weeks for some clubs in the Bundesliga to start getting into gear.

 

[DronnieBlade]

McGoldrick and Moose's record is even more impressive given 6 of the 8 games were against teams in the top half.

7 of the 8 games McBurnie and Sharp have started together have been against bottom half teams.

McGoldrick	Robinson	W1	D2	L1
McBurnie	Robinson	W1	D2	L1
McGoldrick	McBurnie	W2	D1	L1
McGoldrick	Mousset	W4	D3	L1
McBurnie	Sharp	W3	D2	L3
McBurnie	Mousset	W0	D1	L0
Mousset	Robinson	W0	D0	L1

Scandalous Sharp has not been allowed a start alongside anyone other than McB.

EVERYTHING taken in to account, has demonstrated to be our most complete and consistent CF.

Pairing him with McB is more than a bit odd IMHO. Appreciate sometimes due to injuries this has realistically been our only option. But all the time ....?

Pair with One of the others or the bench.

We KNOW what he and Dids are about. Why haven’t we seen it ?

Moose on top form is the conundrum here. Has defo looked our Best striker at times. But lacks consistently and stamina appears a real challenge for the lad.

For me it’s Dids and Sharp to start more often than not with the other 2 from the bench to influence in the 2nd half of games.

UTB

 

[CoatesyBlade]

we played Manchester United at home. Just watched the extended highlights again and we were fantastic, completely unplayable at times and left multi-million pound players chasing shadows.....ok, we had a crazy 10 minute second half spell where we shipped 3 goals but that apart the performance was nothing short of outstanding.

Team that day was..... Moore, Baldock, Bash, Jags, JOC, Enda, Norwood, Fleck, Lunny, Didsy, Moose...............with the exception of probably JOC that team could take the field at 6pm tonight.

So, it could beg the question, why are we all shitting ourselves we are going to be on the end of a right hammering tonight?

What has happened to that set of players that ripped apart some of the most expensive and talented players in the world that evening? Have we simply been found out, have we run out of steam?

For me teams have figured out our style, we still try to play the patient build-up and overlapping play but it is definitely not as potent as it was, OK we are missing JOC down the left but against Villa and Toon both Bash and George were not getting forward as they would normally do.....Villa seemed to overload us in midfield and not allow Norwood any time on the ball whereas Newcastle played 2 banks of 4 across the width of the pitch looking to hit us on the break with their pace and power.

Our default plan B is to keep the same system but go longer, how many times do we shift it across the back line only to end up going long.....quite often at the moment, which when coupled with giving possession away isn't going to end that well....

Still, enjoy the highlights...

I like the positivity! We need a bit of it after the restart that’s for sure!
And I agree... in fact I’ve just posted on another thread the same team for tonight as you highlighted.
The only difference is they’ve brought in this Bruno, a cracking player who has lifted the game of his team mates too!
Will be interesting to see the plan for tonight... I’m looking forward to it! UTB

 

[71Blade]

What a revisit that was, even though i was there hard to believe just how good we were that night first half unplayable at times.
Still believe the 10-15 min spell from manure is the best ive seen from an away side the pace and power was incredible, that said heads could have dropped, to come back and gain a point was priceless just to wipe that smug grin off that waste of a shirt Lingard !!! UTB

 

[The Vicar]

When all is said & done we are in the PL, our next few games are against MU, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Everton & an excellent Wolves team. Still challenging for Europe & in the FA Cup, if you had told me in early 2019 that we would be in this position with 8 games to go before the end of this season I would have questioned your sanity, or asked for the Lottery numbers! And have spent over £50 million on players!

Yes the break has not been kind to us & a couple of decisions have seemed harsh, but come on who would not settle for this after the previous 12 years?

It may be, as in the first year of the Championship, that we are fading a bit as the stronger [& now with full squads after returns from injuries] teams are showing their quality in depth, linked to the millions they have spent over many years. But we are still there, still playing with the top teams, and as important not looking over our shoulders at the results from the bottom 6.

Sp enjoy the sun, enjoy the games & don't get too downhearted if the end of the season does not match the first 28 games.

MTLBWY

UTB

 

[ATL Recs]

we played Manchester United at home. Just watched the extended highlights again and we were fantastic, completely unplayable at times and left multi-million pound players chasing shadows.....ok, we had a crazy 10 minute second half spell where we shipped 3 goals but that apart the performance was nothing short of outstanding.

Team that day was..... Moore, Baldock, Bash, Jags, JOC, Enda, Norwood, Fleck, Lunny, Didsy, Moose...............with the exception of probably JOC that team could take the field at 6pm tonight.

So, it could beg the question, why are we all shitting ourselves we are going to be on the end of a right hammering tonight?

What has happened to that set of players that ripped apart some of the most expensive and talented players in the world that evening? Have we simply been found out, have we run out of steam?

For me teams have figured out our style, we still try to play the patient build-up and overlapping play but it is definitely not as potent as it was, OK we are missing JOC down the left but against Villa and Toon both Bash and George were not getting forward as they would normally do.....Villa seemed to overload us in midfield and not allow Norwood any time on the ball whereas Newcastle played 2 banks of 4 across the width of the pitch looking to hit us on the break with their pace and power.

Our default plan B is to keep the same system but go longer, how many times do we shift it across the back line only to end up going long.....quite often at the moment, which when coupled with giving possession away isn't going to end that well....

Still, enjoy the highlights...

Our system can only work if both left and right are balanced if one goes the other has to go holdin a line so we push up across the whole width of the pitch and drop with the whole of the pitch . Our left side has been badly dented with the loss of JOC and Fleck being half fit
You also need to take into account preperation 2/3 weeks of close..ish work is not good enough for a team that spends hours of drilling and repetative work in groups

 

[Guesty]

The Villa performance wasn't great mate, but as it was the first game back I am willing to forgive it a bit more, and as you say the 'incident' overshadowed everything anyway. The Toon 'performance' was as bad as anything I have seen by United, but I said that when Hull, Barnet and Liverpool all beat us too.

I just think some folk (not you necessarily) are writing us off far too easily.

To be fair, I am bad for writing us off, historically speaking!