Style of play

[ATL Recs]

We went long too much, very hoof.

But they did not play football on the floor. They launched it at every opportunity

No they didn’t

 

[Carlton Blade]

No they didn’t

Their keeper smashed the ball as far as he could every time he had it. They had 2 or 3 spells of possesion over the whole 90 minutes.

They're a long ball team

 

[SUFCinks]

New season and the quality of the oppo has MASSIVELY improved so I appreciate it's much harder task but the style of play so far for me has been very concerning.

Yesterday against Tottenham was especially bad. I am struggling to argue with any of the oppo fans comments about being northern cloggers etc as we have shown very little to counter that. Yesterday we started so brightly and bravely and seemed to want to compete with them and try and control the ball with dynamic passes and movement. We looked good and were causing tottenham issues. You could sense that that confidence on the ball caused Tottenham to be more cautious. Then after about 10/15 mins we defaulted to parking the bus and launching aimless long balls. It was a tedious & painful watch.

We are allowing teams who thrive on being on the ball so much time to control the game and pin us back that they are inevitably going to score. When they do, we then try and resort to attempting to play but the players are knackered from chasing the ball and heads have dropped. Tottenham should have probably scored more yesterday if it wasn't for Wes. Even by parking the bus they had lots of chances which makes me think our tactics aren't that effective at this level.

We have such long periods out the game that when we finally get the ball back we can't get out as we have all our player bunched in and around our box, there are very little outlets up the pitch. We resort to long balls and lose it and then get pinned back for 5 mins until they have a shot or another clearance. It's a horrid nervy watch where we constantly invite wave after wave of pressure. A risky game plan that hasn't paid off so far. Against players who love having the ball and are very technically gifted allowing them so much control has not been productive for us.

I hear talk about us trying to be brave on the ball and play but I have seen very little of that so far. We have to try and have more control of the game, value possession and believe in ourselves. We saw yesterday that when we tried to play we can create nice dynamic moves that caused problems for Tottenham. It caused them to be more cautious. When we sit back and invite pressure for so long against the the best players in world football then it's only a matter of time until our defense will make a mistake or they will break through. By which point the momentum and pattern of the game is stuck so heavily in 1 direction it makes it incredibly hard for our players to reset with the other team smelling blood.

Overall i guess i'm saying we can be better, what i've seen so far has been pretty poor, and I would encourage us to be much braver as we have shown that when we do we can compete and unsettle teams. I understand that there will be spells of games where superior oppo will have the ball more but when we do get it back that's when we need to try and re-assert ourselves on the game and have more composure. Defending for 70+ mins of every game will only have 1 outcome at this level. We have to improve.

 

[FTPE]

New season and the quality of the oppo has MASSIVELY improved so I appreciate it's much harder task but the style of play so far for me has been very concerning.

Yesterday against Tottenham was especially bad. I am struggling to argue with any of the oppo fans comments about being northern cloggers etc as we have shown very little to counter that. Yesterday we started so brightly and bravely and seemed to want to compete with them and try and control the ball with dynamic passes and movement. We looked good and were causing tottenham issues. You could sense that that confidence on the ball caused Tottenham to be more cautious. Then after about 10/15 mins we defaulted to parking the bus and launching aimless long balls. It was a tedious & painful watch.

We are allowing teams who thrive on being on the ball so much time to control the game and pin us back that they are inevitably going to score. When they do, we then try and resort to attempting to play but the players are knackered from chasing the ball and heads have dropped. Tottenham should have probably scored more yesterday if it wasn't for Wes. Even by parking the bus they had lots of chances which makes me think our tactics aren't that effective at this level.

We have such long periods out the game that when we finally get the ball back we can't get out as we have all our player bunched in and around our box, there are very little outlets up the pitch. We resort to long balls and lose it and then get pinned back for 5 mins until they have a shot or another clearance. It's a horrid nervy watch where we constantly invite wave after wave of pressure. A risky game plan that hasn't paid off so far. Against players who love having the ball and are very technically gifted allowing them so much control has not been productive for us.

I hear talk about us trying to be brave on the ball and play but I have seen very little of that so far. We have to try and have more control of the game, value possession and believe in ourselves. We saw yesterday that when we tried to play we can create nice dynamic moves that caused problems for Tottenham. It caused them to be more cautious. When we sit back and invite pressure for so long against the the best players in world football then it's only a matter of time until our defense will make a mistake or they will break through. By which point the momentum and pattern of the game is stuck so heavily in 1 direction it makes it incredibly hard for our players to reset with the other team smelling blood.

Overall i guess i'm saying we can be better, what i've seen so far has been pretty poor, and I would encourage us to be much braver as we have shown that when we do we can compete and unsettle teams. I understand that there will be spells of games where superior oppo will have the ball more but when we do get it back that's when we need to try and re-assert ourselves on the game and have more composure. Defending for 70+ mins of every game will only have 1 outcome at this level. We have to improve.

We beat one of the best sides in the country after 90 plus min.
I dont know how all these tactical nuisances would have changed things from minute one yesterday.
You could give Pep, Klopp, Ferguson, Mourinho our 11 yesterday and none of them are beating this Spurs side away from home.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Agree about our poor style of play.

Think the recent success of promotion is making Blades see the game through rose coloured spectacles.
Last season under Hecky we finished 2nd but does anyone know what our style of play was?

Ironically a reason for achieving promotion was, we DIDN'T have a style of play.
In every game we had 20 minutes of playing some great/ attractive, passing football, so we were capable with players like N'Diaye and McAtee
but then in the same games we spent the last 30 minutes parking the bus and playing long ball, unable to keep possession.
Maybe this lack of basic composure on the ball is like a ticking time bomb.

You can play a more physical, lump it forward style in the Championship, in that division Norwood is an asset with his long glory ball passes.
1 in 5 it's a great ball creating a great chance to score, 4 times out of 5 he's cheaply given the ball back to the opposition.

However in the PL, the standard is much higher, so keeping possession is so important, it plays a part in receiving pressure on the defence.
Under Wilder we had regular spells of stringing 10+ passes together, sometimes we over passed and seemed reluctant to cross it into the box.
However at least this takes pressure off the defence.

Where as under Hecky it's all quick and direct and we don't keep the ball long enough.
So we seem to be facing a constant rear guard action and it's always going to be difficult to not concede.

To be honest don't think our current style can work in the Premier League, unless we have more really quick players relying on the break.
Also don't think it's good to watch us....where the ball always seems to be in our half.

 

[Sheffsteel]

We beat one of the best sides in the country after 90 plus min.
I dont know how all these tactical nuisances would have changed things from minute one yesterday.
You could give Pep, Klopp, Ferguson, Mourinho our 11 yesterday and none of them are beating this Spurs side away from home.

This thread isn't about the result, it's about style of play.

Pep, Klopp, Ferguson would have a game plan and every player would be encouraged to play pass and move.
They would be dropped if they just kept booting it long.

Mourinho would play similar to Hecky, very defensive, not good to watch but with a game plan to try and pinch a 1-0 win.

Appreciate for most fans it's all about the result.
I'm in the minority, for me it's more about the performance and style of play.
Don't mind losing if we're showing attacking intent, most other Blades wouldn't care less, as long as we win.

 

[Frank the tank]

New season and the quality of the oppo has MASSIVELY improved so I appreciate it's much harder task but the style of play so far for me has been very concerning.

Yesterday against Tottenham was especially bad. I am struggling to argue with any of the oppo fans comments about being northern cloggers etc as we have shown very little to counter that. Yesterday we started so brightly and bravely and seemed to want to compete with them and try and control the ball with dynamic passes and movement. We looked good and were causing tottenham issues. You could sense that that confidence on the ball caused Tottenham to be more cautious. Then after about 10/15 mins we defaulted to parking the bus and launching aimless long balls. It was a tedious & painful watch.

We are allowing teams who thrive on being on the ball so much time to control the game and pin us back that they are inevitably going to score. When they do, we then try and resort to attempting to play but the players are knackered from chasing the ball and heads have dropped. Tottenham should have probably scored more yesterday if it wasn't for Wes. Even by parking the bus they had lots of chances which makes me think our tactics aren't that effective at this level.

We have such long periods out the game that when we finally get the ball back we can't get out as we have all our player bunched in and around our box, there are very little outlets up the pitch. We resort to long balls and lose it and then get pinned back for 5 mins until they have a shot or another clearance. It's a horrid nervy watch where we constantly invite wave after wave of pressure. A risky game plan that hasn't paid off so far. Against players who love having the ball and are very technically gifted allowing them so much control has not been productive for us.

I hear talk about us trying to be brave on the ball and play but I have seen very little of that so far. We have to try and have more control of the game, value possession and believe in ourselves. We saw yesterday that when we tried to play we can create nice dynamic moves that caused problems for Tottenham. It caused them to be more cautious. When we sit back and invite pressure for so long against the the best players in world football then it's only a matter of time until our defense will make a mistake or they will break through. By which point the momentum and pattern of the game is stuck so heavily in 1 direction it makes it incredibly hard for our players to reset with the other team smelling blood.

Overall i guess i'm saying we can be better, what i've seen so far has been pretty poor, and I would encourage us to be much braver as we have shown that when we do we can compete and unsettle teams. I understand that there will be spells of games where superior oppo will have the ball more but when we do get it back that's when we need to try and re-assert ourselves on the game and have more composure. Defending for 70+ mins of every game will only have 1 outcome at this level. We have to improve.

You appreciate its much harder opposition and you appreciate its a much harder task but go on at length about how we need to be better than these better quality and expensively assembled squads without really giving a thought for how we might bridge that gap

Yesterday for example we were leading one nil for 90 mins and had a couple of great chances to make it two against the form team at home in the toughest league in the world who then brought on a player who cost more than our team

I would love to know how you think we could do better than that without getting smashed week in week out

 

[dexter101]

I think against top 6 oppenents, away from home especially, I am all for clogging up the game.

Against Everton we played some nice football but we also have a lot of players still learning each other. Mcatee started yesterday, he hasn't played any matches with vini or hamer. New midfield has plenty of creativity in it which I think we will show against slightly lesser opposition.

 

[crazyblade1889]

New season and the quality of the oppo has MASSIVELY improved so I appreciate it's much harder task but the style of play so far for me has been very concerning.

Yesterday against Tottenham was especially bad. I am struggling to argue with any of the oppo fans comments about being northern cloggers etc as we have shown very little to counter that. Yesterday we started so brightly and bravely and seemed to want to compete with them and try and control the ball with dynamic passes and movement. We looked good and were causing tottenham issues. You could sense that that confidence on the ball caused Tottenham to be more cautious. Then after about 10/15 mins we defaulted to parking the bus and launching aimless long balls. It was a tedious & painful watch.

We are allowing teams who thrive on being on the ball so much time to control the game and pin us back that they are inevitably going to score. When they do, we then try and resort to attempting to play but the players are knackered from chasing the ball and heads have dropped. Tottenham should have probably scored more yesterday if it wasn't for Wes. Even by parking the bus they had lots of chances which makes me think our tactics aren't that effective at this level.

We have such long periods out the game that when we finally get the ball back we can't get out as we have all our player bunched in and around our box, there are very little outlets up the pitch. We resort to long balls and lose it and then get pinned back for 5 mins until they have a shot or another clearance. It's a horrid nervy watch where we constantly invite wave after wave of pressure. A risky game plan that hasn't paid off so far. Against players who love having the ball and are very technically gifted allowing them so much control has not been productive for us.

I hear talk about us trying to be brave on the ball and play but I have seen very little of that so far. We have to try and have more control of the game, value possession and believe in ourselves. We saw yesterday that when we tried to play we can create nice dynamic moves that caused problems for Tottenham. It caused them to be more cautious. When we sit back and invite pressure for so long against the the best players in world football then it's only a matter of time until our defense will make a mistake or they will break through. By which point the momentum and pattern of the game is stuck so heavily in 1 direction it makes it incredibly hard for our players to reset with the other team smelling blood.

Overall i guess i'm saying we can be better, what i've seen so far has been pretty poor, and I would encourage us to be much braver as we have shown that when we do we can compete and unsettle teams. I understand that there will be spells of games where superior oppo will have the ball more but when we do get it back that's when we need to try and re-assert ourselves on the game and have more composure. Defending for 70+ mins of every game will only have 1 outcome at this level. We have to improve.

Maybe we should be more open like Burnley and get smashed every week?

I couldn’t give a shit about what opposition fans think. We got under Spurs fans skin because we very nearly beat them. I’m sure they would much rather we play like Burnley and lose 5-1. Consider it a complement they don’t like our style.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Style of play boils down to we don't have the finances to recruit quality, depth or experience. We're going to really struggle to compete in terms of tactics and attractive football - and the squad is so thin that we can't afford to play a high tempo press. We're an injury or suspension away from being down to the bare bones and the kids, all across the pitch.

 

[Working Class Hero]

The style of play has been pretty poor this season, but it's to be expected really. The bigger issue is the style of play since Heckingbottom took over. We've never really had one, and that makes it hard to see what the plan actually is for staying up. We need to find a system that works and gets results.

 

[finlaytheblade]

The style of play has been pretty poor this season, but it's to be expected really. The bigger issue is the style of play since Heckingbottom took over. We've never really had one, and that makes it hard to see what the plan actually is for staying up. We need to find a system that works and gets results.

We have too many players not up to speed due to lack of game time pre- season or coming back from injury .We are being punished for this in the last quarter of games as the goals conceded late are killers .I knew we would survive the extra time yesterday having this fitness problem ! but thought we would manage probably a draw alas we totally lost it when they equalised.we would have won that in previous seasons! Just it's come to bite us when we are not ready for this.
We don't normally conceded so many late goals fitness is the big issue and costing us.
Who can you blame? Bringing players late who have had no proper pre- season is a big one, coaches and fitness men can only demand so much from players or they pickup niggles ! It's tough blaming Hecki would be stupid .We have to take the positives and move on, we are so close to getting results.

 

[Swannyblade]

Burnley have got a style of play and are getting turned over every week because the quality of the opposition is higher. We’re trying to be pragmatic and we’re getting much closer to results than they are.

 

[crazyblade1889]

Burnley have got a style of play and are getting turned over every week because the quality of the opposition is higher. We’re trying to be pragmatic and we’re getting much closer to results than they are.

Bang on. I’d much rather be us than Burnley, or Luton for that matter who also have an identifiable style of play.

 

[BettingBlade]

Strikes me as quite similar to the Warnock season this. Hang on like fuck away and pick up wins at home.

The caveat of course is that we have better quality players in key positions compared to that squad. I’d say there’s only really Jagielka that would displace any of our starting 11 from that team.

We’ve already shown an ability to get on the scoresheet more often than that team but we certainly dont have the momentum and cohesion that the Wilder team did just yet. The circumstances in which the squad has been assembled is a big factor in why we’re stalling at the moment.

We’re actually not a million miles away I dont think. I’ll be more worried if we dont begin to play with a bit more freedom as the season progresses. Need to cut out throwing points away and quick.

The positives are that we’re not getting hammered (on the scoresheet at least) and I wouldnt be surprised to see the points total to stay up being pretty low this year.

 

[SUFCinks]

We beat one of the best sides in the country after 90 plus min.
I dont know how all these tactical nuisances would have changed things from minute one yesterday.
You could give Pep, Klopp, Ferguson, Mourinho our 11 yesterday and none of them are beating this Spurs side away from home.

But we didn’t beat anyone over 90 mins. We have nothing to show from that performance.

Using Fulham, Brentford and Brighton as examples of teams who’ve been able to compete at this level. Brentford probably being the most similar to us although miles better, they defend well but when they have the ball they are not wasteful with it. They play to feet or a dynamic and direct and utilise the opportunity better to put the opposition team under pressure. They all play good football but in different ways. We can play counter attacking football, we will have to, but we spent most of the game just clearing the ball to then be put under more pressure. It’s a ticking time bomb against good teams. We are too wasteful. It really is like some 80’s/90’s style northern gritty stereotype and if you can’t see that then I feel you need to watch more footy because it is bad.

When we played like we did in the first 10/15 mins which i thought was really positive then we can, and did upset them. My view is that whilst we can’t expect to be barca and i totally agree with that view (obviosuly) as we don’t have the personnel to play total football, we can at least attempt more regular patterns of plays like the first 10 mins. Parking the bus, hoofs and time wasting have us tracking for 8 points so far. The supposed benefit of being so defensive and negative has had no reward.

We’ve seen glipses we can be better and i would encourage them to be much braver.

 

[Carlton Blade]

But we didn’t beat anyone over 90 mins. We have nothing to show from that performance.

Using Fulham, Brentford and Brighton as examples of teams who’ve been able to compete at this level. Brentford probably being the most similar to us although miles better, they defend well but when they have the ball they are not wasteful with it. They play to feet or a dynamic and direct and utilise the opportunity better to put the opposition team under pressure. They all play good football but in different ways. We can play counter attacking football, we will have to, but we spent most of the game just clearing the ball to then be put under more pressure. It’s a ticking time bomb against good teams. We are too wasteful. It really is like some 80’s/90’s style northern gritty stereotype and if you can’t see that then I feel you need to watch more footy because it is bad.

When we played like we did in the first 10/15 mins which i thought was really positive then we can, and did upset them. My view is that whilst we can’t expect to be barca and i totally agree with that view (obviosuly) as we don’t have the personnel to play total football, we can at least attempt more regular patterns of plays like the first 10 mins. Parking the bus, hoofs and time wasting have us tracking for 8 points so far. The supposed benefit of being so defensive and negative has had no reward.

We’ve seen glipses we can be better and i would encourage them to be much braver.

I agree, but 40% of the starting defence was out yesterday, Anel had moved position and it was Thomas' first start. Only JLT was a recognised, day 1 starter playing in their 'normal' position

 

[SUFCinks]

You appreciate its much harder opposition and you appreciate its a much harder task but go on at length about how we need to be better than these better quality and expensively assembled squads without really giving a thought for how we might bridge that gap

Yesterday for example we were leading one nil for 90 mins and had a couple of great chances to make it two against the form team at home in the toughest league in the world who then brought on a player who cost more than our team

I would love to know how you think we could do better than that without getting smashed week in week out

Brentford is a perfect example. We don’t have to be barca and i’m not expecting that would ever be successful against the level of oppo and our squad. Our pattern of play in the opening 10/15 needed to be more regular throughout the game. We caused them issues and you could tell at times they were rattled. Of course teams will pin is back at times but we allowed them to do it for the whole game after that. No problem with us defending for periods of the game but not 70 mins. When we got the ball back our first thought was get rid of it instead of thinking about building some control back into the game or looking to cause them trouble.

We basically invited attack vs defence for 70 mins against incredibly gifted players.

 

[SUFCinks]

But our

Maybe we should be more open like Burnley and get smashed every week?

I couldn’t give a shit about what opposition fans think. We got under Spurs fans skin because we very nearly beat them. I’m sure they would much rather we play like Burnley and lose 5-1. Consider it a complement they don’t like our style.

does it matter that much if we lose 5-1 or 1-0 when you only have 1 point? It’s awful to watch. I’m not suggesting a burnley approach but when I watch us play i would enjoy seeing us with the ball and being brave instead of watching tottenham dominate us. The outcome is likely to still be 0 points but it would be more entertaining and we can be proud of the effort, yesterday i think we had an OK first half but 2nd half was awful. Apart from a good finish from hamer after a long throw we barely touched the ball.

I understand why some fans may just be thinking about the 3 points but there has to come a time when an identity and way of playing is vital to long term success. We can’t just defend most of the season then say we’ll buy some players if we stay up and then all good we’ll start playing well. We really need to instil that now or ideally before promotion which I don’t think we’ve done. Brighton, Fulham, Brentford, Leicester, Wolves, Southampton even Forrest to some extent have stuck to a style of play and that has given them varying success at this level. They all play MUCH better football than us which is frustrating but it underpins the reason why they’ve had time in the prem.

I would say under wilder when we had a much stronger identity and style of play that was far more enjoyable to watch. I believe we have a stronger squad now than then.

 

[Frank the tank]

Brentford is a perfect example. We don’t have to be barca and i’m not expecting that would ever be successful against the level of oppo and our squad. Our pattern of play in the opening 10/15 needed to be more regular throughout the game. We caused them issues and you could tell at times they were rattled. Of course teams will pin is back at times but we allowed them to do it for the whole game after that. No problem with us defending for periods of the game but not 70 mins. When we got the ball back our first thought was get rid of it instead of thinking about building some control back into the game or looking to cause them trouble.

We basically invited attack vs defence for 70 mins against incredibly gifted players.

But our

does it matter that much if we lose 5-1 or 1-0 when you only have 1 point? It’s awful to watch. I’m not suggesting a burnley approach but when I watch us play i would enjoy seeing us with the ball and being brave instead of watching tottenham dominate us. The outcome is likely to still be 0 points but it would be more entertaining and we can be proud of the effort, yesterday i think we had an OK first half but 2nd half was awful. Apart from a good finish from hamer after a long throw we barely touched the ball.

I understand why some fans may just be thinking about the 3 points but there has to come a time when an identity and way of playing is vital to long term success. We can’t just defend most of the season then say we’ll buy some players if we stay up and then all good we’ll start playing well. We really need to instil that now or ideally before promotion which I don’t think we’ve done. Brighton, Fulham, Brentford, Leicester, Wolves, Southampton even Forrest to some extent have stuck to a style of play and that has given them varying success at this level. They all play MUCH better football than us which is frustrating but it underpins the reason why they’ve had time in the prem.

I would say under wilder when we had a much stronger identity and style of play that was far more enjoyable to watch. I believe we have a stronger squad now than then.

Are you being serious ?
Those clubs have spent hundreds of millions of pounds and have billionaire owners who subsidise them

How can you not know the difference between us and them
As well as that we've had to buy eleven players this season so comparisons to wilders promotion team are invalid

Simply demanding we play better without understanding why we might not be as good as some of the teams we are playing is really going to detract from your fan experience and makes me wonder where youve been for the last few years

 

[SUFCinks]

Are you being serious ?
Those clubs have spent hundreds of millions of pounds and have billionaire owners who subsidise them

How can you not know the difference between us and them
As well as that we've had to buy eleven players this season so comparisons to wilders promotion team are invalid

Simply demanding we play better without understanding why we might not be as good as some of the teams we are playing is really going to detract from your fan experience and makes me wonder where youve been for the last few years

When they came up they had not spent hundreds of millions, they started playing a brand of football in the championship and generally stuck to it and expanded on it as they acquired better players.

Big difference. I’ve adressed my points above about the limitations and my expectations. Seems like you have selective reading. Instead of looking for an argument try reading them.

 

[prescotblade]

Watching Euros and style of play, should we follow Southgate’s style or play on the front foot and press more.
Guess the answer will depend on the players, but does our recruitment reflect this.

 

[Groucho Blade]

We can’t compete financially with PL clubs for the better players. And we really shouldn’t be relying on defending for 85 minutes and trying to nick a goal on the break. That’s not gone well recently.
In our first season in the Prem under Wilder we had a style of our own that took teams by surprise. Unfortunately we rested on our laurels a bit and didn’t develop it. So mebbe we should try again to develop a style of our own that top clubs find difficult to play against.
Perhaps something radical like the 2-7-2 that Motta’s doing at Bologna

 

[Lightsoot]

Watching Euros and style of play, should we follow Southgate’s style or play on the front foot and press more.
Guess the answer will depend on the players, but does our recruitment reflect this.

Any team following Southgate’s style of play is doomed. High press, energetic, well organised teams with no reliance on a couple of supposed ‘stars’ are flying. Switzerland have just put a masterclass on against Italy.

 

[dexter101]

Any team following Southgate’s style of play is doomed. High press, energetic, well organised teams with no reliance on a couple of supposed ‘stars’ are flying. Switzerland have just put a masterclass on against Italy.

I think we need to find a style that we can use in what I hope will be a successful championship season where we are dominating and winning and then the style can be adapted to a season back in PL. Look at Burnley over the past 2 seasons. One style doesn't work.

 

[JJBlade]

They don't have a style of play, it doesn't exist.
And in the last 40 years there have been more games when we walk out of the stadium without a fucking clue about what they were trying to do than when there was any real pattern. Whether we tried to play hoof or decent football, played against Liverpool or Macclesfield Town, it made no difference, most games involving us have no familiar pattern that shows anything has been worked on.

And whilst ever the club constantly succeeds in signing it's seventh choice of player because he's the cheapest option and has that tragic ability for a footballer "VERSATILITY" ie, shit at everything, there will never be a style of play.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

One that wins games of football … that’s all I ask for

 

[bornablade]

I want us to play like Georgia.

High energy, lots of skill, everyone knows their job. A real team effort. They have played a style that we as Blades can truly identify with.

There's a real need for us to improve our fitness in relation to last season. Let's be driving forward without looking knackered well into the final part of the games.

 

[dexter101]

I want us to play like Georgia.

High energy, lots of skill, everyone knows their job. A real team effort. They have played a style that we as Blades can truly identify with.

There's a real need for us to improve our fitness in relation to last season. Let's be driving forward without looking knackered well into the final part of the games.

I was so shocked by how poor our fitness was last season. Right from the go we looked unfit. Not below pl standard, genuinely unfit!

 

[derfblade.3]

We can’t compete financially with PL clubs for the better players. And we really shouldn’t be relying on defending for 85 minutes and trying to nick a goal on the break. That’s not gone well recently.
In our first season in the Prem under Wilder we had a style of our own that took teams by surprise. Unfortunately we rested on our laurels a bit and didn’t develop it. So mebbe we should try again to develop a style of our own that top clubs find difficult to play against.
Perhaps something radical like the 2-7-2 that Motta’s doing at Bologna

No goalie or 2 goalies?