Match Thread Middlesbrough v. Sheffield United - 28th September 2021

[McGoaldrick]

Typical warnock result but i do also think slavs team selection is a bit naive. We can’t change the dynamic of the midfield now & there’s no creative spark on the bench really, except for hourihane’s crosses/set pieces. Could have done with guedioura and bogle on there to offer something different. Bring on didzy and this will be like watching us last season

 

[Iceybabey]

We're a midtable team atm. I think Berge's a miss and not getting that lad from Barcelona. We're relying too much on MGW and Iliman to produce every game but they could have done with having a little help, if we'd have brought another winger or two in in the summer.

 

[Lawrence]

Terrible! No midfield, Norwood and Fleck so light weight 2 changes for Didzy, Hourihame for god sake!

 

[Drunk blade]

Look weak at the back but two quality finishes to be fair

 

[Alex Cheeseright]

Slav rocket at half time
2-4

Not enough hair dryers in the world can light this bunch.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Warnock's done a job on us so far. Pressing out midfield. Fleck and Norwood little time on the ball. Norwood has basically been marked out of it so far. Once again, iffy at the back. Davies is sloppy. A couple of times he's given it away. Fleck and Osborn as well. We should have been closer ion the first. Baldock and Davies giving their men too much space. Sharp having a poor game. Not much upfront for us. Most danger coming from players running from deep.

We need to compete better be first to the loose ball. I'd be tempted to bring another midfielder on.

I’m not thrilled by the thought of McGoldrick or McBurnie coming on to make any difference. For me that first half means game over, we regroup and go again in probably a much tougher test on Saturday.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

Our midfield don’t even look before they pass the ball sometimes. Lost count how many times our back 4 has been completely exposed because Fleck and Norwood are playing like they’re both pissed up.

But but but but fleck and Norwood played right well against Peterborough

People need to get real Norwood/fleck/sharp/Osborne don’t have enough quality for a team wanting promotion

 

[Jan Age]

Recent result have masked poor performances if you ask me…

Summary: we struggle against midtable sides but are too good for relegation fodder.

My prediction: 14th.

out midfield is not good enough - busted flush.

 

[Chilttheblade]

Conor Hourihane needs to come on second half for Norwood.

Yes so he can send corners to Egan, our best chance

 

[GreenhillBladeinToronto]

The reason will be because its on Sky.

You can't watch games of they are on domestic or international TV unless you're in a unsold territory.

No, games have been on Sky (in UK) before but hasn’t impacted SUTV availability in Canada before if no Canadian channel is picking up the Sky feed, which they’re not.

Fortunately have “Secured” another feed

 

[Espania blade]

Typical warnock result but i do also think slavs team selection is a bit naive. We can’t change the dynamic of the midfield now & there’s no creative spark on the bench really, except for hourihane’s crosses/set pieces. Could have done with guedioura and bogle on there to offer something different. Bring on didzy and this will be like watching us last season

It's already like watching us last season!

 

[Chingo]

This second half made for McB at the side of Sharp as a front two with Brewster just behind them !

 

[Nagima]

We are seeing tonight the lack of a physical box to box midfielder. They are getting numbers arriving to the edge of the box and Fleck or Norwood aren't putting in a tackle. At the other end neither are driving with pace at Middlesbrough. It's just feed it on and let someone else do it. Hourihane will come on but isn't the answer either. We are being out thought and out fought in there.

 

[Cheesebored]

Their left winger is giving Baldock and MGW the runaround. Getting bullied in midfield. Davies is a nice footballer but not strong enough for a championship CB. Sharp having a bad day at the office.

 

[AnstonBlade1]

Onto Bournemouth Saturday to get out arse handed to us

 

[Drunk blade]

But but but but fleck and Norwood played right well against Peterborough

People need to get real Norwood/fleck/sharp/Osborne don’t have enough quality for a team wanting promotion

But brewster and mcburnie do? They are on the bench for a reason

 

[Vass Borbokis]

That was one of the worst 45 minutes by a striker I've seen in a long time. But it's Bill so it'll go unnoticed. Think he needs a rest, looking slow mentally and physically tonight. Ndiaye the only decent performance first half really. Can only get better second half (we hope)

 

[Hockey'sBeard]

Not a big fan of mcburnie but we need more physical presence I think. We are so lightweight and vulnerable at back, every corner, free kick into box we cannot defend. Up front loads of possessio, pretty intricate tippy tippy passes but no mixing it up - who can hold ball up front ? As soon as we lose it they they threaten our goal every time.
we are clearly a team in transition and a long way to go until I think we can dream about promotion I fear!

 

[FinBlade]

Conor Hourihane needs to come on second half for Norwood.

This was my thought as I started to wonder what is Norwood bringing to this game. Didn't see him much on anything, but maybe he did some support stuff while others were on the ball.

Billy seems to be off his familiar spot or something and doesn't look dangerous nor even that effective which is sad for us.
Another off spot has been Osborne in defence situations. Of course he has been active in attacking, but still somehow looked inefficient.

Opponent started to push on us agressively after we had first longer passing/creating moment and that has caused some troubles in our play.
Hopefully we can get our stuff together and be bit more efficient in 2nd half. Maybe refresh midfield/attack with sub or two as well.

 

[originaltrueblade]

Fleck back to his normal self

 

[Nah den]

We are seeing tonight the lack of a physical box to box midfielder. They are getting numbers arriving to the edge of the box and Fleck or Norwood aren't putting in a tackle. At the other end neither are driving with pace at Middlesbrough. It's just feed it on and let someone else do it. Hourihane will come on but isn't the answer either. We are being out thought and out fought in there.

Agreed. The problem is our powder poof midfield. Osborn, Fleck, Norwood are too small, too weak and too slow. We are so easily opened up through the middle by bang average players.

 

[Hillsboro Blade]

This is a season of transition. Mid table at the very best. I’m looking forward to the summer when we hopefully get rid of Norwood, Fleck, Baldock, McBurnie, Brewster and the other two keepers. A few half decent performances have clouded people’s judgement. We will see a far faster team next season if Slav stays.

 

[Drunk blade]

This was my thought as I started to wonder what is Norwood bringing to this game. Didn't see him much on anything, but maybe he did some support stuff while others were on the ball.

Billy seems to be off his familiar spot or something and doesn't look dangerous nor even that effective which is sad for us.
Another off spot has been Osborne in defence situations. Of course he has been active in attacking, but still somehow looked inefficient.

Opponent started to push on us agressively after we had first longer passing/creating moment and that has caused some troubles in our play.
Hopefully we can get our stuff together and be bit more efficient in 2nd half. Maybe refresh midfield/attack with sub or two as well.

To be fair Billy's 36 and is playing his 3rd game in a week because the others are so shit, can't be expected to do it. We need to sign his long term replacement in January

 

[McGoaldrick]

It's already like watching us last season!

It’s not complete without didzy dropping back from striker to do cruyff turns at left back

 

[Chingo]

I don't think we've played too bad, but the defense is continually letting us down, we had several chances to clear the ball for both goals, if we had a confident/ competent defense it wouldve provided a platform for the second half but that task seems impossible now

If the midfield didn’t give the ball away so often the defence would be under as much pressure , Norwood and fleck are so careless

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

McGoldrick come. Good decision.

 

[Chilttheblade]

We need forwards but presence of Brewster and Mc Burnie at the club means we can't get new forwards.
Club caught in a delema

 

[Hockey'sBeard]

Not convinced Didzy is answer but i Live in hope.….

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

But brewster and mcburnie do? They are on the bench for a reason

We have spent the best part of £60/70 million on 3 of the best youngsters in the league we are currently in when we signed them at the time

It is bat shit mental that we continue to play players such as sharp/Osborne/Norwood/fleck

When we have spent money on these players , there is zero chance they will ever be of any use to us whilst sat on the bench or getting 10/20 minutes

 

[Arcott]

Not sure I understand that substitution