United 1 Reading 2 - brief moan/report

[Deadbat]

No detailed match report sadly from the Reading game. Went out with mates after the game and so got back late. I was going to write one today but frankly I can't be arsed.

Also due to other stuff happening today including Webding birthday (wish him a good one) and I'm out with the family, probably doesn't stack up for us to a pod so we will give everyone a break from us.

The game was dreadful and the performance as bad as Stoke. We looked completely disinterested and clueless from the start to finish. Fair play to Reading. They fought harder and all the dangerous players wore yellow. They scored a good goal, albeit awful defending and should have been 2 or 3 up.

Not even sure we played any better 2nd half. Hecky said we did but they just sat back more? We unreservedly got the late goal but then like so many games (6 and 5 at the Lane) this season, we throw it away. The defending on the winner was laughable as we had noone marking or even paying attention. Reading's reaction at the end said how much they wanted it more than us. United's players body language, urgency and desire was pitiful. Noone took responsibility all game. We had no idea how to even fashion a chance and the only ones we had were from headers. We had nothing up front, the midfield did not penetrate, the wing backs were abysmal and the rest of the defence statuesque.

Hecky picked the wrong team and his tactics were awful sadly. We had players playing in odd positions and had nonpace or movement.

I actually came away and kind of thought what does it even matter if we scraped 6th? Huddersfield or Forest would beat us comfortably over 2 legs. It just kind of builds up the hope to be knocked down. Hecky has done a great job but for the last few months, albeit with injuries, not sure we have looked much better than under Skav really? Take MGW out and this is a really poor side and one I think we all know will be nearer the bottom than top next season when we lose Berge, MGW and with inferior replacements. Then our best players Basham and Sharp if they stay being a year older.

The performance yesterday was diabolical really. Individually and collectively. A team 4th bottom were far better than us and wanted it more. Also the goal at the end sums up the mentality of this group. To concede so many last minute goals is not a fluke. Its down to poor leadership and players not doing the little things when it matters. Sadly we have seen for the last period that most if these players are probably done but we will be saddled with most of them (Stevens, Baldock, McBurnie, Fleck, Norwood etc) for another year. The same losing mentality is there really. As you say take away that great run Dec-Feb and the rest of the season we are a bottom half side. Indeed the form table puts us there. I was really depressed at how bad we were yesterday. The lack of desire was just startling. I see us just fading out now sadly. Yesterday was not a one off either. Stoke, Millwall, Coventry, Forest all ganes where the opponent wanted it more and were better. We need some hungry, fast and physical players in the summer who don't get run through or just stop and play sideways passes all the time.

Anyway, rant over. Enjoy your weekend

Ratimgs

Foderingham 6/10 - No chance on the goals. Saw another hit the post. Not many saves at all though.

Baldock 2/10 - Dreadful. Fouling constantly. Poor control and going forward may as well not bother. A player that has really regressed for me.

Stevens 3/10 - see above. Thought he was OK last two. Back to standards of last 2 seasons in this game.

Uremovic 3/10 - Had a mare. Gave it away constantly and set up Joao for the one that hit the post. Taken off but any could have been pulled at HT.

Davies 2/10 - No idea what's going on off the field but he is not right at all. He does not seem focused to me & kind of going through the motions. Can't head, slow and weak. Even on the ball takes forever. Partly at fault for both goals. Missed a sitter at the end too. Robinson had a few iffy games recently but is better than him.

Egan 4/10 - Set up the goal and then set up their winner with a stupid foul. Outside of this might have been our best defender by default.

Osborn 2/10 - Runs around but offers nothing. Played in odd positions which is not his fault but then what is his best position? So one footed. Those chipped cross he kept trying! Nice lad but not worth a new contract. Lacks quality sadly.

Hourihane 2/10 - Barely touched it and when he did was backwards and sideways. No mobility at all and can't tackle. One or two ok corners. A dreadful signing. Like Davies, cost us probably loads in wages/loan fee & he has been a non factor.

Norwood 4/10 - Least tried to get on it a bit and some of his passing was really good 1st half,out to Baldock. Got steadily worse as the game went on.

Gibbs White 5/10 - Nothing really worked and he seemed to be playing almost on his own. Seemed visibly frustrated with his teammates as he almost had to dribble through them himself due to no movement.

McBurnie 2/10 - I would never boo players but a standing ovation? He fell over, miscontrolled it, ambled around and then hobbled off. Offers nothing. May aswell not play with a striker. One year before we offload him on a free transfer. Probably back to Bradford.

Subs:

Berge 5/10 - Meandered about like a stroll in the park but did give us a few runs at least. Only player along with MGW who offers us anything remotely purposeful attacking wise.

Jebbison 3/10 - Dreadful again sadly. Missed a header badly and other than that did he touch it? Would rather we had put Egan up to for the last 20 minutes as we looked more dangerous with him up. Daft booking too. Saw him on Abbeydale Road with a massive pizza (with Osula) after the game. Not sure he burned off any energy though!

Ndiaye - Scored the goal which was well taken. We may have to start him with MGW and almost not play with a striker now McBurnie is out. He at least offered us something.

Heckingbottom - 2/10. Gets some credit fir Ndiaye sub and Berge improved us but then he picked the wrong team and employed dreadful tactics. Then did not change them at all. Really concerned after initial start under him, the performance levels and desire of the players have fallen off a cliff. Does not bode well longer term.

 

[Espania blade]

Still a descent report DB - and as usual spot on

 

[Roygbiv]

Agree with all of that. I too came out thinking what's the point of even being in the play offs. I know it's ridiculous as you never know what happens but we've played well once in 2 months now and I fear this group are just reverting what they actually are. I have sympathy for the injury situation but it wasn't like we were down to the bare bones yesterday other than up front. There were at least 6 players in the line up yesterday that you'd say are first choice when everyone is fit and they were lucky to only lose by 1 against a side who would be in the relegation zone if not for Derbys point deduction

A truly diabolical showing yesterday in front of a big crowd.

 

[LewishamBlade]

Agree with all of that. I too came out thinking what's the point of even being in the play offs. I know it's ridiculous as you never know what happens but we've played well once in 2 months now and I fear this group are just reverting what they actually are. I have sympathy for the injury situation but it wasn't like we were down to the bare bones yesterday other than up front. There were at least 6 players in the line up yesterday that you'd say are first choice when everyone is fit and they were lucky to only lose by 1 against a side who would be in the relegation zone if not for Derbys point deduction

A truly diabolical showing yesterday in front of a big crowd.

I really cannot get over it

 

[Roygbiv]

I really cannot get over it

I'm glad it's not just me. Most pissed off ive been at the team for ages for some reason

 

[LewishamBlade]

I'm glad it's not just me. Most pissed off ive been at the team for ages for some reason

Business end of the season, to do that, is just unforgivable. For a fourth bottom and pretty much safe side to want it more than us at the Lane in the midst of a play off push is just beyond the pale.

 

[Addison]

We were all out drowning our sorrows after that. Credit to you DB for putting pen to paper.

Lamentable performance from the manager, coaching staff and players. Agree the game tells us a lot about this group of players they just didn't have the desire and the goal conceded at the end shows nothing has changed since the beginning of the season. If they can't get motivated in front of the largest gathering of Blades at Home this season then when will they? Play offs look lost for me as there have been too many of these performances lately.

We were never that bad under Slav, that just sums up how much they stank the place out. Yet even at the end we missed 3 good opportunities.

As for the bewildering tactics PH completely lost the plot and reverted to the poor management he displayed in the EPL. He lost 8 of his 11 games then and was under the delusion Osborn was a number 10. He's not, never has been and never will be. He runs around a lot but doesn't have the ability to find space, open up play with passes or go past players all the attributes required. The decision to go again with this led to our complete no show in the first half. When we had the ball we were far too slow and deep and gave the appearance of a 3-5-1-1. When they had the ball we tried to press up the field and they just passed around us into the gaps.

It had to change at half time and it did but the changes completely unbalanced the right hand side. Berge at least provided some momentum but Ndiaye came on too late.

Why did we have to make 2 changes in the starting midfield to-day? Fleck was injured surely it would have been better to start with Berge in the 10 role as we looked better when he came on. As for Davies something is clearly wrong. His was so slow with the ball at his feet weak in the challenge and at fault with both goals. It says something when even I am advocating for Robinson to return.

We had just got 4 points from 2 games against top 6 opposition and were playing fourth bottom. Minimal changes should have been made to the formation yet we tinkered and turned in the worst performance at Home.

Even if Sharp comes back for the Cardiff game I doubt the players have it in them to maintain a challenge, they looked as if they were already on the beach. PH has done well to get us where we are with limited support from the Board but his tactical limitations were cruelly exposed against a hard working Reading team.

Hope I'm wrong and we come out firing on all cylinders against Bristol City but I just don't see it happening unless PH tells them Chris Wilder is the manager!

 

[Webding]

You’ve actually been kind on a few there. It’s a good job we will only cover this one in brief (not boxers) on Monday’s pod, otherwise it would have just been a slating session yesterday.

 

[Revolution]

I'm glad it's not just me. Most pissed off ive been at the team for ages for some reason

You often preface your comments on players on the pod with something like “this isn’t a criticism”.

Don’t do that this time. Criticism is warranted.

The worst thing about yesterday? It was entirely predictable.

 

[Revolution]

We were all out drowning our sorrows after that. Credit to you DB for putting pen to paper.

Lamentable performance from the manager, coaching staff and players. Agree the game tells us a lot about this group of players they just didn't have the desire and the goal conceded at the end shows nothing has changed since the beginning of the season. If they can't get motivated in front of the largest gathering of Blades at Home this season then when will they? Play offs look lost for me as there have been too many of these performances lately.

We were never that bad under Slav, that just sums up how much they stank the place out. Yet even at the end we missed 3 good opportunities.

As for the bewildering tactics PH completely lost the plot and reverted to the poor management he displayed in the EPL. He lost 8 of his 11 games then and was under the delusion Osborn was a number 10. He's not, never has been and never will be. He runs around a lot but doesn't have the ability to find space, open up play with passes or go past players all the attributes required. The decision to go again with this led to our complete no show in the first half. When we had the ball we were far too slow and deep and gave the appearance of a 3-5-1-1. When they had the ball we tried to press up the field and they just passed around us into the gaps.

It had to change at half time and it did but the changes completely unbalanced the right hand side. Berge at least provided some momentum but Ndiaye came on too late.

Why did we have to make 2 changes in the starting midfield to-day? Fleck was injured surely it would have been better to start with Berge in the 10 role as we looked better when he came on. As for Davies something is clearly wrong. His was so slow with the ball at his feet weak in the challenge and at fault with both goals. It says something when even I am advocating for Robinson to return.

We had just got 4 points from 2 games against top 6 opposition and were playing fourth bottom. Minimal changes should have been made to the formation yet we tinkered and turned in the worst performance at Home.

Even if Sharp comes back for the Cardiff game I doubt the players have it in them to maintain a challenge, they looked as if they were already on the beach. PH has done well to get us where we are with limited support from the Board but his tactical limitations were cruelly exposed against a hard working Reading team.

Hope I'm wrong and we come out firing on all cylinders against Bristol City but I just don't see it happening unless PH tells them Chris Wilder is the manager!

All that stuff about Berge needing a run of games…and he keeps leaving him out.

After that I do not want to see Hourihane, Davies and McBurnie again this season. And that goes for Uremovic too if Basham is fit.

 

[bakeblade]

No detailed match report sadly from the Reading game. Went out with mates after the game and so got back late. I was going to write one today but frankly I can't be arsed.

Also due to other stuff happening today including Webding birthday (wish him a good one) and I'm out with the family, probably doesn't stack up for us to a pod so we will give everyone a break from us.

The game was dreadful and the performance as bad as Stoke. We looked completely disinterested and clueless from the start to finish. Fair play to Reading. They fought harder and all the dangerous players wore yellow. They scored a good goal, albeit awful defending and should have been 2 or 3 up.

Not even sure we played any better 2nd half. Hecky said we did but they just sat back more? We unreservedly got the late goal but then like so many games (6 and 5 at the Lane) this season, we throw it away. The defending on the winner was laughable as we had noone marking or even paying attention. Reading's reaction at the end said how much they wanted it more than us. United's players body language, urgency and desire was pitiful. Noone took responsibility all game. We had no idea how to even fashion a chance and the only ones we had were from headers. We had nothing up front, the midfield did not penetrate, the wing backs were abysmal and the rest of the defence statuesque.

Hecky picked the wrong team and his tactics were awful sadly. We had players playing in odd positions and had nonpace or movement.

I actually came away and kind of thought what does it even matter if we scraped 6th? Huddersfield or Forest would beat us comfortably over 2 legs. It just kind of builds up the hope to be knocked down. Hecky has done a great job but for the last few months, albeit with injuries, not sure we have looked much better than under Skav really? Take MGW out and this is a really poor side and one I think we all know will be nearer the bottom than top next season when we lose Berge, MGW and with inferior replacements. Then our best players Basham and Sharp if they stay being a year older.

The performance yesterday was diabolical really. Individually and collectively. A team 4th bottom were far better than us and wanted it more. Also the goal at the end sums up the mentality of this group. To concede so many last minute goals is not a fluke. Its down to poor leadership and players not doing the little things when it matters. Sadly we have seen for the last period that most if these players are probably done but we will be saddled with most of them (Stevens, Baldock, McBurnie, Fleck, Norwood etc) for another year. The same losing mentality is there really. As you say take away that great run Dec-Feb and the rest of the season we are a bottom half side. Indeed the form table puts us there. I was really depressed at how bad we were yesterday. The lack of desire was just startling. I see us just fading out now sadly. Yesterday was not a one off either. Stoke, Millwall, Coventry, Forest all ganes where the opponent wanted it more and were better. We need some hungry, fast and physical players in the summer who don't get run through or just stop and play sideways passes all the time.

Anyway, rant over. Enjoy your weekend

Ratimgs

Foderingham 6/10 - No chance on the goals. Saw another hit the post. Not many saves at all though.

Baldock 2/10 - Dreadful. Fouling constantly. Poor control and going forward may as well not bother. A player that has really regressed for me.

Stevens 3/10 - see above. Thought he was OK last two. Back to standards of last 2 seasons in this game.

Uremovic 3/10 - Had a mare. Gave it away constantly and set up Joao for the one that hit the post. Taken off but any could have been pulled at HT.

Davies 2/10 - No idea what's going on off the field but he is not right at all. He does not seem focused to me & kind of going through the motions. Can't head, slow and weak. Even on the ball takes forever. Partly at fault for both goals. Missed a sitter at the end too. Robinson had a few iffy games recently but is better than him.

Egan 4/10 - Set up the goal and then set up their winner with a stupid foul. Outside of this might have been our best defender by default.

Osborn 2/10 - Runs around but offers nothing. Played in odd positions which is not his fault but then what is his best position? So one footed. Those chipped cross he kept trying! Nice lad but not worth a new contract. Lacks quality sadly.

Hourihane 2/10 - Barely touched it and when he did was backwards and sideways. No mobility at all and can't tackle. One or two ok corners. A dreadful signing. Like Davies, cost us probably loads in wages/loan fee & he has been a non factor.

Norwood 4/10 - Least tried to get on it a bit and some of his passing was really good 1st half,out to Baldock. Got steadily worse as the game went on.

Gibbs White 5/10 - Nothing really worked and he seemed to be playing almost on his own. Seemed visibly frustrated with his teammates as he almost had to dribble through them himself due to no movement.

McBurnie 2/10 - I would never boo players but a standing ovation? He fell over, miscontrolled it, ambled around and then hobbled off. Offers nothing. May aswell not play with a striker. One year before we offload him on a free transfer. Probably back to Bradford.

Subs:

Berge 5/10 - Meandered about like a stroll in the park but did give us a few runs at least. Only player along with MGW who offers us anything remotely purposeful attacking wise.

Jebbison 3/10 - Dreadful again sadly. Missed a header badly and other than that did he touch it? Would rather we had put Egan up to for the last 20 minutes as we looked more dangerous with him up. Daft booking too. Saw him on Abbeydale Road with a massive pizza (with Osula) after the game. Not sure he burned off any energy though!

Ndiaye - Scored the goal which was well taken. We may have to start him with MGW and almost not play with a striker now McBurnie is out. He at least offered us something.

Heckingbottom - 2/10. Gets some credit fir Ndiaye sub and Berge improved us but then he picked the wrong team and employed dreadful tactics. Then did not change them at all. Really concerned after initial start under him, the performance levels and desire of the players have fallen off a cliff. Does not bode well longer term.

Thanks for making the effort mate, pretty dreadful performance from everyone.
I was hoping PH was going to make a sub at half time, but didn't expect it after seeing the subs just faffing about a half time.
Usually it's obvious when someone is coming on as they really up their half time routine with sprints etc.
Berge just ambled off and then finished came on, kinda sums him up really.
I

 

[bakeblade]

All that stuff about Berge needing a run of games…and he keeps leaving him out.

After that I do not want to see Hourihane, Davies and McBurnie again this season. And that goes for Uremovic too if Basham is fit.

Or Jebbison

 

[Sandygate Blade]

Spot on Deadbat. I've thought it for a few weeks now but this doesn't feel like a promotion side. Shocking yesterday with total lack of quality and interest. Looks like I'll be away for the Play off final so won't have to worry about missing it.

 

[Revolution]

One more point. Revo Sr, still incandescent with rage after yesterday, pointed out to me that if we’d won that free kick after we equalisd, we wouldn’t have scored.

The centre backs would have played it between themselves, we’d have tried to go down one wing, Baldock or Stevens would have gone about 10 yards, played it back, and then we’d have tried down the other wing, failed there, and gone back to Wes.

 

[Webding]

One more point. Revo Sr, still incandescent with rage after yesterday, pointed out to me that if we’d won that free kick after we equalisd, we wouldn’t have scored.

The centre backs would have played it between themselves, we’d have tried to go down one wing, Baldock or Stevens would have gone about 10 yards, played it back, and then we’d have tried down the other wing, failed there, and gone back to Wes.

I dunno, the only things Hourihane almost did right were a handful of deep free kicks from a similar area… so based off those, I’d say we would have been more likely to get everyone forward and raise hopes of a late winner… only to boot it straight out and/or be offside.

 

[pommpey]

An entirely fair write up DB. Comes to something when your outs of ten are lower than mine.

I too am not entirely fucked if we don't make the playoffs. It's the way the club has conditioned me and by fuck even if we did scrape it through on extra time, away goals and penalties, the spectre of the club trotting out next season in the PL with this string of anal beads chills my claret somewhat. I am watching Liverpool pull the legs off Citeh at the moment and the thought of even a Liverpool B side stuck out against us makes my fucking shit turn to Caramac.

pommpey

 

[cahill]

All that stuff about Berge needing a run of games…and he keeps leaving him out.

After that I do not want to see Hourihane, Davies and McBurnie again this season. And that goes for Uremovic too if Basham is fit.

Last two sentences 100% right. I didn’t like Hourihane from the start, thought he was a coward who hid during matches but then I started to take to him, but alas my initial thoughts were probably right. Davies, poor, McBurnie, well as much as i’m desperate for the lad to do well it just isn’t in him. Must be easy to defend against, cant control the ball, just wait for it to bounce off him and off you go, like taking candy etc. The new lad, can’t understand all the plaudits he’s been getting, looks well below the standard required at Championship level.

 

[alcoblade]

One more point. Revo Sr, still incandescent with rage after yesterday, pointed out to me that if we’d won that free kick after we equalisd, we wouldn’t have scored.

The centre backs would have played it between themselves, we’d have tried to go down one wing, Baldock or Stevens would have gone about 10 yards, played it back, and then we’d have tried down the other wing, failed there, and gone back to Wes.

This is us isn’t it? Side to side, with nobody prepared to run directly at the ppposition, or play through the middle. Heaven help us when MGW goes.

Berge threatens to ( and does) once a blue moon. That’s it.

 

[Knebworth]

You often preface your comments on players on the pod with something like “this isn’t a criticism”.

Don’t do that this time. Criticism is warranted.

The worst thing about yesterday? It was entirely predictable.

Why predictable? Bournemouth was a good performance.... should have built on that

 

[Houston_Blade]

Great report and spot on with the marks. I agree that it’s pointless us getting in the play offs, we’re not good enough to beat anyone in the top 6 over 2 legs and then will lose the final if we fluke the semis. Very defeatist but we’ve just been absolutely well beaten by another bang average team.

Happy birthday Webding

 

[Duffy21Blade]

Agree with all of that. I too came out thinking what's the point of even being in the play offs. I know it's ridiculous as you never know what happens but we've played well once in 2 months now and I fear this group are just reverting what they actually are. I have sympathy for the injury situation but it wasn't like we were down to the bare bones yesterday other than up front. There were at least 6 players in the line up yesterday that you'd say are first choice when everyone is fit and they were lucky to only lose by 1 against a side who would be in the relegation zone if not for Derbys point deduction

A truly diabolical showing yesterday in front of a big crowd.

Totally agree.

Any talk of the play-offs with this group is effectively us saying, 'one last shot at some glory with the remaining core players from the Wilder era'. We are witnessing the end of that era of our club - the end began when Wilder left. His core group - Baldock, Stevens, McGoldrick, Fleck, even Basham dare I say it, are not going to get any better. I do think Sharp deserves another deal, his movement / intelligence is still there and he still knows where the net is. I just hope we don't plan to build the team around the others, because I really think this could set us back a few seasons.

They've served the club well and one day in the future we will look back to the Wilder years like we do the Bassett and Warnock ones, and remember the great contributions those players made. But it's over, and it was over the day Wilder left.

Egan and Berge are probably the only saleable assets, perhaps they could leave this summer to recoup some funds. I think Brewster could still come good at this level, we know he was starting to get there until his injury. However, as much as I want him to do it, I can't see McBurnie ever being the no. 9 for us that he was for Swansea.

But now, its absolutely clear as day we need to start to clear the decks and rebuild. I think yesterday's performance summed up exactly why we need to do this.

 

[Roygbiv]

Totally agree.

Any talk of the play-offs with this group is effectively us saying, 'one last shot at some glory with the remaining core players from the Wilder era'. We are witnessing the end of that era of our club - the end began when Wilder left. His core group - Baldock, Stevens, McGoldrick, Fleck, even Basham dare I say it, are not going to get any better. I do think Sharp deserves another deal, his movement / intelligence is still there and he still knows where the net is. I just hope we don't plan to build the team around the others, because I really think this could set us back a few seasons.

They've served the club well and one day in the future we will look back to the Wilder years like we do the Bassett and Warnock ones, and remember the great contributions those players made. But it's over, and it was over the day Wilder left.

Egan and Berge are probably the only saleable assets, perhaps they could leave this summer to recoup some funds. I think Brewster could still come good at this level, we know he was starting to get there until his injury. However, as much as I want him to do it, I can't see McBurnie ever being the no. 9 for us that he was for Swansea.

But now, its absolutely clear as day we need to start to clear the decks and rebuild. I think yesterday's performance summed up exactly why we need to do this.

It needed a clear out at the start of the season but we couldn't shift any of them. Slav said that essentially everyone was up for sale but there was no interest. I credit Heckingbottom massively for at least giving us something to cling onto this season but we are now seeing the same failings as we saw under Slav. The same mistakes, lack of leadership and lack of energy.

I hope they prove me wrong and we turn our form around but we are now replicating the same displays we saw under Slav. I worry that this is actually our actual level.

 

[Duffy21Blade]

It needed a clear out at the start of the season but we couldn't shift any of them. Slav said that essentially everyone was up for sale but there was no interest. I credit Heckingbottom massively for at least giving us something to cling onto this season but we are now seeing the same failings as we saw under Slav. The same mistakes, lack of leadership and lack of energy.

I hope they prove me wrong and we turn our form around but we are now replicating the same displays we saw under Slav. I worry that this is actually our actual level.

Completely agree.

Many clubs including our own have had a 'flippant approach' (if that's the right term) to signing players. Sometimes we're just desperate to get the players in the building, No disrespect to Brewster because as I said in my previous comment, I think he can still come good, but we gambled £25m on someone who came with a youth reputation but no PL experience. We did that because we needed a striker and deadline day was close.

In the first Premier League season, Mousset and McBurnie were joint-top scorers (with 6 goals) - but nobody else who came in that season really contributed. Signing Berge in the January window felt more of a marquee signing as in to say, 'we can sign a player who the top clubs like Liverpool and Spurs were watching' (allegedly). The core of the promotion team got us to 9th in the PL. There was only Lundstram who came back from nowhere, effectively replaced Duffy in the midfield, and we stopped playing with a number 10.

Yet other clubs, and Brentford I think are the best example, appear to have a 'root and branch' approach to player recruitment. It seems that every player they sign is done with real due diligence. They will only bring players in that fit their system. They will look at foreign markets, they seem to have found a gap in the Danish one. I wish we could put the building blocks in place to run our club in a similar way.

I suppose this also shows that when you change manager, it's key that you appoint a manager or coach that buys into the same strategy. Perhaps they do have a plan, and that's why PH was given a 5 year contract. But recruitment and reshaping of the team is critical now, due diligence is needed for every transfer unless its a loan. We can't afford to sign just anyone to replace the out of contract players. I'm definitely more concerned about the off-season business than the play offs.

 

[Working Class Hero]

Agree with all of that. I too came out thinking what's the point of even being in the play offs. I know it's ridiculous as you never know what happens but we've played well once in 2 months now and I fear this group are just reverting what they actually are. I have sympathy for the injury situation but it wasn't like we were down to the bare bones yesterday other than up front. There were at least 6 players in the line up yesterday that you'd say are first choice when everyone is fit and they were lucky to only lose by 1 against a side who would be in the relegation zone if not for Derbys point deduction

A truly diabolical showing yesterday in front of a big crowd.

Who are the 6 first choice players?

I count Egan, Norwood, Foderingham and Gibbs-White.

I'd personally have Stevens as well but there's not much in it and many wouldn't have him over RND. But even so, that's less than half of the team who would be starting in an ideal world. That can't be discounted as a factor in our form.

I'm not defending that tripe by the way.

 

[Maurice Maurice]

Made me sad reading that Deadbat, I wanted to be able to disagree on a few things, say your marks were off but apart from Berge, who was a 3 for me, you were horribly accurate. We were collectively shite, from the manager making the decision to go with those players in that line up, to every player who pulled the shirt on yesterday.

Oh and just to be clear, my reason for pulling Berge down is the fact that he can play, it's his heart that's weak. Can you imagine sitting on the bench watching that, knowing that the shower on the pitch were selected in front of you? Fuck me, if I'd been in that situation I'd have been like a rabid dog once I got on. I'd have been letting every fucker know that they needed to grow some, and when I got the ball I'd want to make something happen. He jogged on, had a couple of trots forward, got caught on the ball a few times and gave up. Not what you need when you're chasing the game, a real luxury player.

 

[CoatesyBlade]

I said to my young un ‘at least we’ll have the tufty pod to listen to on the way home tomorrow’
Was looking forward to hearing you and webding ripping into them.
But fair play, what an absolute shower that was yesterday. Don’t blame you for having a week off.

 

[Roygbiv]

Who are the 6 first choice players?

I count Egan, Norwood, Foderingham and Gibbs-White.

I'd personally have Stevens as well but there's not much in it and many wouldn't have him over RND. But even so, that's less than half of the team who would be starting in an ideal world. That can't be discounted as a factor in our form.

I'm not defending that tripe by the way.

I think Heckingbottom chooses Wes, Egan, Davies, Stevens, Norwood and MGW even if everyone is fit

 

[Revolution]

Completely agree.

Many clubs including our own have had a 'flippant approach' (if that's the right term) to signing players. Sometimes we're just desperate to get the players in the building, No disrespect to Brewster because as I said in my previous comment, I think he can still come good, but we gambled £25m on someone who came with a youth reputation but no PL experience. We did that because we needed a striker and deadline day was close.

In the first Premier League season, Mousset and McBurnie were joint-top scorers (with 6 goals) - but nobody else who came in that season really contributed. Signing Berge in the January window felt more of a marquee signing as in to say, 'we can sign a player who the top clubs like Liverpool and Spurs were watching' (allegedly). The core of the promotion team got us to 9th in the PL. There was only Lundstram who came back from nowhere, effectively replaced Duffy in the midfield, and we stopped playing with a number 10.

Yet other clubs, and Brentford I think are the best example, appear to have a 'root and branch' approach to player recruitment. It seems that every player they sign is done with real due diligence. They will only bring players in that fit their system. They will look at foreign markets, they seem to have found a gap in the Danish one. I wish we could put the building blocks in place to run our club in a similar way.

I suppose this also shows that when you change manager, it's key that you appoint a manager or coach that buys into the same strategy. Perhaps they do have a plan, and that's why PH was given a 5 year contract. But recruitment and reshaping of the team is critical now, due diligence is needed for every transfer unless its a loan. We can't afford to sign just anyone to replace the out of contract players. I'm definitely more concerned about the off-season business than the play offs.

For many years I bemoaned the fact that every transfer was seemingly done without any regard for proper squad building or who we already had. So you ended up, twice in 5 years, with a midfield who did not contribute anywhere near enough in terms of goals and assists, in 2011 and 2014-16. Or thousands of full backs and no decent centre halves under Clough.

After some very good years under Wilder in terms of squad building, it has started to happen again. Once again, aside from Berge’s recent burst, we have a midfield that doesn’t score or create enough. That’s 3 times in 11 years.

If Hourihane is signed permanently, that’s a sign of struggle next season.

 

[Revolution]

Why predictable? Bournemouth was a good performance.... should have built on that

Predictable because we haven’t put together 3 good performances in a row for some time. Plus we are running on fumes so far as goalscoring Is concerned.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

People keep saying we are losing Berge. Please let it happen. The most over rated, bone idle player in the team and doesn't merit scapegoat status, but McBurnie does as hes lazy. McBurnie is useless but not especially lazy. The giant statue in the middle is an utter joke.