Slavs management

[Grey Blade]

I don't think I've ever listened to a complete Slav interview and I've not even started to listen recently. I just couldn't understand what he was trying to say and if the players lost interest as quickly as I did, I'm not surprised it didn't work under Slav.

I don't know whether he was trying to speak in riddles or whether it was just his command of English which made it appear that way.

I noticed the goal celebrations on Tuesday were very enthusiastic and I wonder if the team knew a change of manager was about to take place?

 

[bladebloke]

There was very little difference between today and a Slav performance. There was a fair bit of discontent from the crowd after the first 20 minutes or so, but luckily we were playing against a very bad team.

Wow, get to Specsavers

 

[Bladesman]

I don't think I've ever listened to a complete Slav interview and I've not even started to listen recently. I just couldn't understand what he was trying to say and if the players lost interest as quickly as I did, I'm not surprised it didn't work under Slav.

I don't know whether he was trying to speak in riddles or whether it was just his command of English which made it appear that way.

I noticed the goal celebrations on Tuesday were very enthusiastic and I wonder if the team knew a change of manager was about to take place?

When his interviews were written down they made a lot more sense. They were also pretty spot on and fair reflection of the performance he had seen.

 

[blade_11]

There was very little difference between today and a Slav performance. There was a fair bit of discontent from the crowd after the first 20 minutes or so, but luckily we were playing against a very bad team.

Yeah it’s not like we played it through the lines quickly, had good combinations down the wings, pressed well, looked decent at the back & created chances

 

[CaptainMorgans]

I'm loathed to get carried away after one result, particularly given the level of opposition and the (semi) inevitable "new manager bounce," but all of our players are so much more comfortable playing in that system that you have to wonder why SJ didn't revert back to it sooner when it became clear he didn't have the tools to play the way he wanted.

We look a lot less vulnerable at the back, Norwood finds himself less exposed defensively and with more time on the ball & some of the link up with McGoldrick on the park was really nice to see again.

With Berge returning, providing we don't suffer a load of injuries and can keep McGoldrick and Gibbs-White in the XI then I'd fancy us to put some results together between now & Christmas.

 

[Champagneblade]

Its not always about being the best manager or having the best CV.

Its about being the best fit, or being in the right place at the right time.

On paper SJ is streets about PH, but never really felt like it clicked at the lane.

Hecky has fairly underwhelming history in management, but this could be his 'right place right time' appointment.

Remains to be seen, but a good start under Hecky.

Take a look at Nigel Spackman. Out of nowhere and with no experience at all he was the right person at the right time before the Board started interfering with first team affairs.

Heckingbottom is quite uniquely qualified. He had a decent enough playing career. He then went towards academia with not just a Bachelor's but also a Master's degree and he'll have his in football qualifications too with the UEFA A and Pro licences.

He's been burnt before by moving into Leeds and he's local to the South Yorkshire area. He speaks well in interviews. Let's hope he's a diamond in the rough and a good fit.

Certainly if Sunday is anything to go by as the template then we can be optimistic. For those saying it was only Bristol, let's be right, 75% of the division you could say it's only <insert club name>. I've said it before but had we got tied against 20 of the teams in this division in last year's Fa cup with the same squad, it would be 8 changed and which number are we in the hat?

We just need to believe that we are better than the opposition and play like that.

 

[SwissBlade]

Do you think the players downed tools regarding Slav or did they just not understand what he was trying do?

I certainly didn't get what Slav was trying to achieve week in week out, it was different every match.
So much better today and I actually feel slightly optimistic.
UTB

Nobody downed tools, there was always effort there.
He was just trying to get the players playing a different way after many years in a certain way.
We reverted back to the previous way yesterday

 

[ATL Recs]

Bristol City though may be one of the worst teams i've seen

Not seen a good good team live yet even WBA said then they won’t finish top 3
We have beaten ourselves with indecision, errors and mind set
Couple of intriguing opponents coming up after Cardiff should be a barometer of where we may get to
QPR n Fulham

 

[Snowflake]

Yeah don’t underestimate how much them being awful made us look decent today

...but don’t underestimate how the way in which we started affected them.

 

[ATL Recs]

Wow, get to Specsavers

We played higher up the pitch yesterday moved the ball quicker and having White in a central role was a big contributor to how good Norwood was he didn’t need to go long even though he can extremely well
I’m a Slav supporter and he left I am sure with broken promises I would have given him time to evolve but financially we can’t can we
I hope I eat humble pie over this appointment and certainly yesterday was a much more fluid performance with and without the ball
BC were poor but no different to any one I’ve seen this season live ( didn’t do Bournemouth)
QPR n Fulham should give an idea on the new management team
And yes you do need specsavers

 

[Bell4]

Agreed they were the worst i've seen at BDTBL this season - but we won the game without really having to push the game - it dropped into our lap.

You can only beat what's in front of us.

We move on.

UTB

There has really been nothing to beat all season - we have tended to beat ourselves TBH

 

[bakeblade]

Not seen a good good team live yet even WBA said then they won’t finish top 3
We have beaten ourselves with indecision, errors and mind set
Couple of intriguing opponents coming up after Cardiff should be a barometer of where we may get to
QPR n Fulham

True, QPR look a good team with some really skilful players so will be a real test.
Fulham are capable of blowing most teams away.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

There has really been nothing to beat all season - we have tended to beat ourselves TBH

Agreed - there hasn't been much to beat - in the end, playing 4 at the back has left us exposed and we've been picked off quite successfully by teams who've worked with little possession.

If we can stop conceding silly goals by being solid and I suppose a bit boring, we can go on a run and accumulate some really good points we can end up in the playoffs.

UTB

 

[Danny_Blade]

Regarding those saying they weren't sure whether our players could understand Slav, but he did get Watford and Fulham promoted! Even though those two squads likely had more foreign players in them than ours I'm sure not many if any of them were Serbian players so my point still stands I think

 

[blade67]

Its not always about being the best manager or having the best CV.

Its about being the best fit, or being in the right place at the right time.

On paper SJ is streets about PH, but never really felt like it clicked at the lane.

Hecky has fairly underwhelming history in management, but this could be his 'right place right time' appointment.

Remains to be seen, but a good start under Hecky.

I think the relationship between Hecky and McCall is critical. If they can find a way to compliment each other, things may go better than seemed likely on Thursday

 

[Fraggle Blade]

Not seen a good good team live yet even WBA said then they won’t finish top 3
We have beaten ourselves with indecision, errors and mind set
Couple of intriguing opponents coming up after Cardiff should be a barometer of where we may get to
QPR n Fulham

Correct, we've not seen good teams in this division yet, but they are normally really well organised and fairly solid and some have a physical presence.
Bristol City had nothing, everything about them was poor.
Perfect storm for us really, new manager and a poor opponent, good morale boost ready for better opponents.

 

[Iceybabey]

Everybody had an off day against us in the promotion season(s)...
Just saying.

Think 'off days' for the opposition might be back on the cards.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[coaxingstar71]

It did feel under Slav that he was trying to fit square pegs in round holes. We failed to bring in any real wingers in the summer, yet he stubbornly tried to make us play a formation with them and it didn't work. Most people know that you either set your tactics and formation and fit your players into it, which is fine when you're Guardiola and you can just go out and buy the best players that fit in with your ethos, but when you're at Sheffield United you might be served better and looking at the players you've got and playing the tactics and formation that suit those players best, at least until you've had time to turnover the squad and got your own players in.

 

[Weasel]

It did feel under Slav that he was trying to fit square pegs in round holes. We failed to bring in any real wingers in the summer, yet he stubbornly tried to make us play a formation with them and it didn't work. Most people know that you either set your tactics and formation and fit your players into it, which is fine when you're Guardiola and you can just go out and buy the best players that fit in with your ethos, but when you're at Sheffield United you might be served better and looking at the players you've got and playing the tactics and formation that suit those players best, at least until you've had time to turnover the squad and got your own players in.

Spot on. I couldn't fathom his infatuation with continuing to play a certain formation when a blind man could see that we just didn't have the right players to do if effectively.

Want to play 4-2-3-1....fine but then bring in players who are comfortable playing in a traditional 4 at the back, midfielders who are physical and mobile and offer protection, and a mobile set of front four players. We probably had some mobile front players but even then no wingers. He couldn't have picked a more alien formation for this squad that is totally suited to how we set up last night. Bad management to not see something so basic as that. He should have tried his formation in a run of games pre season if he'd been given that opportunity and then sussed it out for himself pretty quickly. Totally wrong set of players for his preferred formation.

Would be good if Hecky can bring in a winger in January so that we actually have an option or plan B up top though.

 

[Kop sufferer]

I don't know if it's just me, but I felt a sort of distance between the players and supporters and the European coaching staff if you can call it that, I used to look from my seat at the "technical" area and thought where is everybody, just Slav prowling around, no punching the air, back slapping or owt like that, because let's face it, that was the norm previously. It all seemed hollow, surreal there not appearing to be any sort of connection between coaches and players on the pitch for long periods of the game, then again perhaps it was just me

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Always maintain that professional footballers at this level should be able to adapt and learn a new system. Having said that, there's no doubting the improvement under Hecky.

 

[Weasel]

I think players can adapt and play to a formation. Any formation actually given time. Better quality players can do that better as they have the brains and the nous to be able to adapt quicker and learn. You could play 5 different formations for Man City this season and their players would adapt be and good in each as they are top quality players. However the further down the scale you go, the less ability and flexibility you get with an inferior set of footballers.

United players can play 4-2-3-1, or 4-4-2 or whatever formation you can think of but it cannot be doubted that certain players suit different formations. We can play 4-2-3-1 with this set of players, but the trouble is we play it very badly as players are not doing what collectively plays to their strengths. Bring in a few different players and we can adapt again, or we stick with the same players try a different formation and see their individual failings exposed again. United got promoted not because they had outstanding individual players, but because Wilder identified a formation that suited the players he had to a tee and the machine was greater than the sum of its parts. Every player knowing their role in the team and formation. The complete opposite to what SJ was doing.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

I think players can adapt and play to a formation. Any formation actually given time. Better quality players can do that better as they have the brains and the nous to be able to adapt quicker and learn. You could play 5 different formations for Man City this season and their players would adapt be and good in each as they are top quality players. However the further down the scale you go, the less ability and flexibility you get with an inferior set of footballers.

United players can play 4-2-3-1, or 4-4-2 or whatever formation you can think of but it cannot be doubted that certain players suit different formations. We can play 4-2-3-1 with this set of players, but the trouble is we play it very badly as players are not doing what collectively plays to their strengths. Bring in a few different players and we can adapt again, or we stick with the same players try a different formation and see their individual failings exposed again. United got promoted not because they had outstanding individual players, but because Wilder identified a formation that suited the players he had to a tee and the machine was greater than the sum of its parts. Every player knowing their role in the team and formation. The complete opposite to what SJ was doing.

In hindsight the move would have been to save the money abs just give PH the job in the summer and trust the side and players with a couple of additions could compete.

I’m loathed to blame jokanovic completely as we failed for a number of reasons

• piss poor preseason prep - amounting to 1 game against a trailers filled league 1 side
• Covid interrupted what little preseason we had make about 1/3 of it virtual
• complete inability of the club to get in his desired targets.
• a relegation hangover
• Complete lack of creativity to work with

AND REALISTICALLY you don’t hire a manager and expect him to completely disregard the tactics that have made him a success! That’s insanity

but that said - sharp mentioning lack of effort on the training ground and the standards etc suggest it wasn’t all rosey behind the scenes. And I don’t think it can be argued even with limitations and being hamstrung he was getting everything out of the squad.

 

[finlaytheblade]

In hindsight the move would have been to save the money abs just give PH the job in the summer and trust the side and players with a couple of additions could compete.

I’m loathed to blame jokanovic completely as we failed for a number of reasons

• piss poor preseason prep - amounting to 1 game against a trailers filled league 1 side
• Covid interrupted what little preseason we had make about 1/3 of it virtual
• complete inability of the club to get in his desired targets.
• a relegation hangover
• Complete lack of creativity to work with

AND REALISTICALLY you don’t hire a manager and expect him to completely disregard the tactics that have made him a success! That’s insanity

but that said - sharp mentioning lack of effort on the training ground and the standards etc suggest it wasn’t all rosey behind the scenes. And I don’t think it can be argued even with limitations and being hamstrung he was getting everything out of the squad.

Can't accept the players downed tools.
Beleaf is a big word in anything you do be it sport or any walk of life.
It was clear the players lost beleaf in what SJ was trying to implant as early as August.
Beleaf in what your doing and things are bound to improve.SJ completely ignored ! You have to take the players with you or it won't work.
Did he finally realise this in his last 2 games? if so that was very niev of him considering his managerial experience.
First law of football management ! Play to your teams strengths.
I said this a few months ago on here ! A Robson situation is looming he would have taken us down or put us in a relegation scrap ! we got rid in time to have a punt at the play offs
(Blackwell)almost did it.
Roll on 15 years and the same scenario may be unfolding.
We have a better squad this time round can we do it.
I think we can!!

 

[steve26272]

which is fine when you're Guardiola and you can just go out and buy the best players that fit in with your ethos, playing the tactics and formation that suit those players best

Great point - but just to exaggerate Slavs stubbornness - when Guardiola had Aguero & Jesus out, he played without a striker.
He didn’t try to turn someone into one, and that’s with players of Sterling, Silva & De Brunye’s quality

Simple philosophy but put the players in a position that suits them best, and bubble them from pressure so they apply themselves

Not difficult really

 

[sitwell]

Football is a business and a profession , I get that, but its also about fun and enjoyment. Jokanavic had none of that in him ,dour and complicated ,and his football mirrored his personality. The worst fit ever for Sheff Utd.

 

[Bladesman]

It did feel under Slav that he was trying to fit square pegs in round holes. We failed to bring in any real wingers in the summer, yet he stubbornly tried to make us play a formation with them and it didn't work. Most people know that you either set your tactics and formation and fit your players into it, which is fine when you're Guardiola and you can just go out and buy the best players that fit in with your ethos, but when you're at Sheffield United you might be served better and looking at the players you've got and playing the tactics and formation that suit those players best, at least until you've had time to turnover the squad and got your own players in.

One thing Slav did do well is get us to attack quicker, it is just a shame like you say he couldn't get the wingers in he needed.

Hecky is trying to keep that attacking flair SJ wanted to play but use our original Wilder formation. 3-4-1-2.

 

[GrunkyPeep]

Spot on. I couldn't fathom his infatuation with continuing to play a certain formation when a blind man could see that we just didn't have the right players to do if effectively.

Want to play 4-2-3-1....fine but then bring in players who are comfortable playing in a traditional 4 at the back, midfielders who are physical and mobile and offer protection, and a mobile set of front four players. We probably had some mobile front players but even then no wingers. He couldn't have picked a more alien formation for this squad that is totally suited to how we set up last night. Bad management to not see something so basic as that. He should have tried his formation in a run of games pre season if he'd been given that opportunity and then sussed it out for himself pretty quickly. Totally wrong set of players for his preferred formation.

Would be good if Hecky can bring in a winger in January so that we actually have an option or plan B up top though.

Great point! It's easy to give the old "but we didn't buy him any wingers" point again but from looking at the start of the season, was that really our problem? I don't think it was, it may have won us a few more points but would have been papering over the cracks of what our real problem was which was shipping so many goals.

If he wanted to play with 4 at the back and 2 wingers we arguably needed to buy 7 new players (new back 4, 2 wingers, and a CDM). That is on top of already needing a keeper, another LCM, a competent midfielder, and a creative outlet. That's a full team. Do we really think that is a reasonable ask for any club in a transfer window?

Maybe it was PAs fault for hiring someone who was tactically stubborn. Maybe SJ gave the impression he could coach the players into the new system. The answer is probably somewhere in the middle.

 

[Bladesman]

Great point! It's easy to give the old "but we didn't buy him any wingers" point again but from looking at the start of the season, was that really our problem? I don't think it was, it may have won us a few more points but would have been papering over the cracks of what our real problem was which was shipping so many goals.

If he wanted to play with 4 at the back and 2 wingers we arguably needed to buy 7 new players (new back 4, 2 wingers, and a CDM). That is on top of already needing a keeper, another LCM, a competent midfielder, and a creative outlet. That's a full team. Do we really think that is a reasonable ask for any club in a transfer window?

Maybe it was PAs fault for hiring someone who was tactically stubborn. Maybe SJ gave the impression he could coach the players into the new system. The answer is probably somewhere in the middle.

Sorry but Egan, Davies and Enda should be able to play just fine in a back 4. Egan and Enda play in a 4 for Ireland all the time. Davies barely had experience playing in a 3 prior to joining us.

I agree we needed wingers and a CDM. We still need that CDM now.