Lessons from the pre-season friendlies

[robbiez666]

Watched them all on SUTV (which was good value for £6 and I thought Danny Hall was decent on co-commentary)

Pros:

Lots of players got competitive minutes into their legs
The new system is better to watch
The high press works well against weaker teams
The new system creates more chances
It suits quite a few of our players - Brooks, Seriki, Barry, Bindon, Cannon, Peck
There's a lot more energy

Cons:

Aside from the first 45 minutes of Burton, it wasn't much of a challenge - Ideally I'd want us to fit in another game against a much better team
We have too much dead wood (on good wages) or players not yet ready (including several injuries)
We will concede more this season
We are short in several key positions - especially midfield
I'm not sure how Hamer, and to a lesser extent O'Hare, fit into this system. Moore as well. Not convinced it particularly suits Burrows either.
The defence wasn't tested enough, and when it was it wasn't great

Interesting pre-season. Hopefully we'll bring a few more bodies in before the end of the transfer window.

I genuinely don't know how we'll fare playing like this in the Championship

Potential starting XI

---------------------------Cooper
---Seriki---------Bindon---------Anel/Robbo--------Burrows
---------New-------------Peck-----------------Hamer/O'Hare
--------Brooks--------Cannon/Campbell---Barry

 

[Chazzer]

Shouldn't Arblaster be included?

 

[robbiez666]

Shouldn't Arblaster be included?

I meant for the first game

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

I agree about Burrows.. not looked comfortable imo in any of the games! Also Hamer appears too deep and he’s not been normally playing him with O’Hare.

Disagree about O’Hare who I feel has been one the better performers.

Not seen anything to convince me Cannon has improved in the new system but at a push feel wide more suitable for him than central.

A little worried Selles has said today he feels we have 4 that can play the No.9 and we’re stocked there. If Moore moves on only Campbell is proven imo.

 

[Frank the tank]

Watched them all on SUTV (which was good value for £6 and I thought Danny Hall was decent on co-commentary)

Pros:

Lots of players got competitive minutes into their legs
The new system is better to watch
The high press works well against weaker teams
The new system creates more chances
It suits quite a few of our players - Brooks, Seriki, Barry, Bindon, Cannon, Peck
There's a lot more energy

Cons:

Aside from the first 45 minutes of Burton, it wasn't much of a challenge - Ideally I'd want us to fit in another game against a much better team
We have too much dead wood (on good wages) or players not yet ready (including several injuries)
We will concede more this season
We are short in several key positions - especially midfield
I'm not sure how Hamer, and to a lesser extent O'Hare, fit into this system. Moore as well. Not convinced it particularly suits Burrows either.
The defence wasn't tested enough, and when it was it wasn't great

Interesting pre-season. Hopefully we'll bring a few more bodies in before the end of the transfer window.

I genuinely don't know how we'll fare playing like this in the Championship

Potential starting XI

---------------------------Cooper
---Seriki---------Bindon---------Anel/Robbo--------Burrows
---------New-------------Peck-----------------Hamer/O'Hare
--------Brooks--------Cannon/Campbell---Barry

I'd probably wait until I'd seen the first eleven play before jumping to wild conclusions

 

[Darren William]

I'd probably wait until I'd seen the first eleven play before jumping to wild conclusions

Still lack depths in quality the squad really does no game changers when the real business starts u look at the so called average teams in the division getting on paper I know quality additions but spending abit .Some taking piss outta Wrexham but if that clicks there with a few more big signing u got to take them serious.

 

[robbiez666]

I'd also say that our back up players are either not good enough, injured/unfit, or both

GK - Davies, Grbic - Both not good enough, Dabies seems injured a lot - I hope Faxon goes out for 6 months. See what he's made of.
LB - RND - Not good enough and always injured/unfit, McCallum - Not a LB, more of a LWB. A liability but presumably on good wages
RB - No senior cover - The young lads are nowhere near
CB - Robbo, if Anel stays. RND is not good enough and always injured/unfit. Dovy is too young. Baptiste is injured and untried.
CM - Shackleton - Dogging, Davies - never fit, Arblaster - we'll have to see how he comes back, young lads are nowhere near
CF - One needs regular football, Moore doesn't fit the system and is likely off. Jefferson and Ukaki need to play regularly at a lower level.

We're likely to be able to put out a first XI who can compete with anyone but struggle for depth

 

[Frank the tank]

Still lack depths in quality the squad really does no game changers when the real business starts u look at the so called average teams in the division getting on paper I know quality additions but spending abit .Some taking piss outta Wrexham but if that clicks there with a few more big signing u got to take them serious.

Sorry that was just a noise

 

[AdamSufc1997]

Big con is we've hardly signed anyone and there's only 2 weeks to go!

 

[robbiez666]

I agree about Burrows.. not looked comfortable imo in any of the games! Also Hamer appears too deep and he’s not been normally playing him with O’Hare.

Disagree about O’Hare who I feel has been one the better performers.

Not seen anything to convince me Cannon has improved in the new system but at a push feel wide more suitable for him than central.

A little worried Selles has said today he feels we have 4 that can play the No.9 and we’re stocked there. If Moore moves on only Campbell is proven imo.

I agree O'Hare has done pretty well but I'm not sure he's good enough to play a CM in this system. He's good going forward but defensively? Some big strong lads in the Championship. And we don't seem to be playing him of Hamer as part of the front 3.

 

[robbiez666]

Still lack depths in quality the squad really does no game changers when the real business starts u look at the so called average teams in the division getting on paper I know quality additions but spending abit .Some taking piss outta Wrexham but if that clicks there with a few more big signing u got to take them serious.

I'd argue that we have game changers. Hamer, O'Hare, Brooks and it looks like Barry.

 

[Nick Jansky]

I'd argue that we have game changers. Hamer, O'Hare, Brooks and it looks like Barry.

And Seriki is developing into one.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

For me

Positives

There’s some life in the A.I. Lads. We’ve seen them on the pitch. Perhaps one of them will break into the squad and give us a good option.

We’ve scored 15 goals (vs 7) against the identical opponent to last season. So potentially see some more attacking endeavour next season - we were mediocre attacking wise last season.

We’ve presumable at least 2/3 more signings to come in. Assuming we use the loan spots sensibly - these should be contributors to what Selles wants. Perhaps we might even sign someone permanently.

Baby steps for Cannon. Whilst not setting the world alight, he’s at least had some output in goals and assists.

2 assists in like 15 mins for Barry.

One - looking like an option off the left. Confidence must be sky high as he’s been banging them in.

Negatives

Agree burrows hasn’t looked brilliant but a top 5 LB in the division should hopefully be ok in time.

Wish we’d had some harder opponents in preseason to test stuff against. Wilder knew what he wanted so I guess was only arsed about fitness. Shame he’d not organised any serious games.

 

[Bergen Blade]

And Seriki is developing into one.

The line ups have changed a lot, but Seriki has partnered Brooks on the right every minute they've played this pre season. A coincidence, or a sign Selles really rates them as a duo? I think they complement eachother well and could be a real strength for us this season.

They never started a game together last season.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Watched them all on SUTV (which was good value for £6 and I thought Danny Hall was decent on co-commentary)

Pros:

Lots of players got competitive minutes into their legs
The new system is better to watch
The high press works well against weaker teams
The new system creates more chances
It suits quite a few of our players - Brooks, Seriki, Barry, Bindon, Cannon, Peck
There's a lot more energy

Cons:

Aside from the first 45 minutes of Burton, it wasn't much of a challenge - Ideally I'd want us to fit in another game against a much better team
We have too much dead wood (on good wages) or players not yet ready (including several injuries)
We will concede more this season
We are short in several key positions - especially midfield
I'm not sure how Hamer, and to a lesser extent O'Hare, fit into this system. Moore as well. Not convinced it particularly suits Burrows either.
The defence wasn't tested enough, and when it was it wasn't great

Interesting pre-season. Hopefully we'll bring a few more bodies in before the end of the transfer window.

I genuinely don't know how we'll fare playing like this in the Championship

Potential starting XI

---------------------------Cooper
---Seriki---------Bindon---------Anel/Robbo--------Burrows
---------New-------------Peck-----------------Hamer/O'Hare
--------Brooks--------Cannon/Campbell---Barry

On the point about us being weaker defensively. I do agree. Weve obviously been without a proper defensive midfielder.

Essentially playing the academy or a.i lads or overall more attacking minded players in the 3. Once there’s a DM in the squad perhaps we will look more solid at the back.

Selles seemed to have hull performing well defensively - iirc 4th best in the division - so hopefully he’ll have some ideas so we don’t get overrun

 

[robbiez666]

On the point about us being weaker defensively. I do agree. Weve obviously been without a proper defensive midfielder.

Essentially playing the academy or a.i lads or overall more attacking minded players in the 3. Once there’s a DM in the squad perhaps we will look more solid at the back.

Selles seemed to have hull performing well defensively - iirc 4th best in the division - so hopefully he’ll have some ideas so we don’t get overrun

I think we're ok if there were 3 CMs in front of them. Burrows, Anel, Bindon, Seriki is a good back 4. There's little depth mind.

 

[North Riding Blade]

Watched them all on SUTV (which was good value for £6 and I thought Danny Hall was decent on co-commentary)

Pros:

Lots of players got competitive minutes into their legs
The new system is better to watch
The high press works well against weaker teams
The new system creates more chances
It suits quite a few of our players - Brooks, Seriki, Barry, Bindon, Cannon, Peck
There's a lot more energy

Cons:

Aside from the first 45 minutes of Burton, it wasn't much of a challenge - Ideally I'd want us to fit in another game against a much better team
We have too much dead wood (on good wages) or players not yet ready (including several injuries)
We will concede more this season
We are short in several key positions - especially midfield
I'm not sure how Hamer, and to a lesser extent O'Hare, fit into this system. Moore as well. Not convinced it particularly suits Burrows either.
The defence wasn't tested enough, and when it was it wasn't great

Interesting pre-season. Hopefully we'll bring a few more bodies in before the end of the transfer window.

I genuinely don't know how we'll fare playing like this in the Championship

Potential starting XI

---------------------------Cooper
---Seriki---------Bindon---------Anel/Robbo--------Burrows
---------New-------------Peck-----------------Hamer/O'Hare
--------Brooks--------Cannon/Campbell---Barry

'Lessons from pre-season' - fans MUST maintain their negative approach at all costs. See Robbie for advice should you be unsure.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Watched them all on SUTV (which was good value for £6 and I thought Danny Hall was decent on co-commentary)

Pros:

Lots of players got competitive minutes into their legs
The new system is better to watch
The high press works well against weaker teams
The new system creates more chances
It suits quite a few of our players - Brooks, Seriki, Barry, Bindon, Cannon, Peck
There's a lot more energy

Cons:

Aside from the first 45 minutes of Burton, it wasn't much of a challenge - Ideally I'd want us to fit in another game against a much better team
We have too much dead wood (on good wages) or players not yet ready (including several injuries)
We will concede more this season
We are short in several key positions - especially midfield
I'm not sure how Hamer, and to a lesser extent O'Hare, fit into this system. Moore as well. Not convinced it particularly suits Burrows either.
The defence wasn't tested enough, and when it was it wasn't great

Interesting pre-season. Hopefully we'll bring a few more bodies in before the end of the transfer window.

I genuinely don't know how we'll fare playing like this in the Championship

Potential starting XI

---------------------------Cooper
---Seriki---------Bindon---------Anel/Robbo--------Burrows
---------New-------------Peck-----------------Hamer/O'Hare
--------Brooks--------Cannon/Campbell---Barry

Bindon has been phenomenal on the ball so far. If he and Ahmedhodzic can make it work at centre half, and if Seriki and Burrows become our full backs, playing out from the back can work better. This should allow the midfielders to more often take up attacking positions, rather than dropping deep to get things going themselves.

Hamer has tried taking responsibility by dropping deep in pre season, but on some occasions it's given him too much to do, especially when our back four + gk has included players who aren't great on the ball.

 

[robbiez666]

Bindon has been phenomenal on the ball so far. If he and Ahmedhodzic can make it work at centre half, and if Seriki and Burrows become our full backs, playing out from the back can work better. This should allow the midfielders to more often take up attacking positions, rather than dropping deep to get things going themselves.

Hamer has tried taking responsibility by dropping deep in pre season, but on some occasions it's given him too much to do, especially when our back four + gk has included players who aren't great on the ball.

One of the strangest things about this preseason is that the first xi haven't really played together. Neither have partnerships. Seems a bit odd. Have Anel and Bindon been on the pitch together yet?

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

One of the strangest things about this preseason is that the first xi haven't really played together. Neither have partnerships. Seems a bit odd. Have Anel and Bindon been on the pitch together yet?

When Robinson went off at Burton injured.. not before. I think.

 

[Eric_Brooks]

Anyone there today would have been delighted with Ohare and probably the least of our concerns. Looks sharp

 

[Bergen Blade]

When Robinson went off at Burton injured.. not before. I think.

No goals conceded during their 25 minutes together.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Watched them all on SUTV (which was good value for £6 and I thought Danny Hall was decent on co-commentary)

Pros:

Lots of players got competitive minutes into their legs
The new system is better to watch
The high press works well against weaker teams
The new system creates more chances
It suits quite a few of our players - Brooks, Seriki, Barry, Bindon, Cannon, Peck
There's a lot more energy

Cons:

Aside from the first 45 minutes of Burton, it wasn't much of a challenge - Ideally I'd want us to fit in another game against a much better team
We have too much dead wood (on good wages) or players not yet ready (including several injuries)
We will concede more this season
We are short in several key positions - especially midfield
I'm not sure how Hamer, and to a lesser extent O'Hare, fit into this system. Moore as well. Not convinced it particularly suits Burrows either.
The defence wasn't tested enough, and when it was it wasn't great

Interesting pre-season. Hopefully we'll bring a few more bodies in before the end of the transfer window.

I genuinely don't know how we'll fare playing like this in the Championship

Potential starting XI

---------------------------Cooper
---Seriki---------Bindon---------Anel/Robbo--------Burrows
---------New-------------Peck-----------------Hamer/O'Hare
--------Brooks--------Cannon/Campbell---Barry

Decent summary that.
Although what you often find is that form in pre-season friendlies have zero bearing on what’s in store.

Another factor is that we’ve decided to go down the confidence building root by playing relatively weak opposition.

Looking forward to the new season….haven't got a clue what to expect.
If I had to bet money think we’ll finish 4th or 5th and probably get to the play-off final again.

Of course it’s so easy to predict another play-off defeat
but it would be so typical we reach another final, 1000’s are traumatised from last season
So we only take about 25K, the lowest championship play-off final following ever……but this time we win.

Then they’ll be a good 15 to 20,000 regretting they didn’t go.

 

[CrookesBlade]

I'd also say that our back up players are either not good enough, injured/unfit, or both

GK - Davies, Grbic - Both not good enough, Dabies seems injured a lot - I hope Faxon goes out for 6 months. See what he's made of.
LB - RND - Not good enough and always injured/unfit, McCallum - Not a LB, more of a LWB. A liability but presumably on good wages
RB - No senior cover - The young lads are nowhere near
CB - Robbo, if Anel stays. RND is not good enough and always injured/unfit. Dovy is too young. Baptiste is injured and untried.
CM - Shackleton - Dogging, Davies - never fit, Arblaster - we'll have to see how he comes back, young lads are nowhere near
CF - One needs regular football, Moore doesn't fit the system and is likely off. Jefferson and Ukaki need to play regularly at a lower level.

We're likely to be able to put out a first XI who can compete with anyone but struggle for depth

I’d usually defend Davies as he’s never really let us down when called on and you can’t expect a Kelly/Tracey situation in this day and age but he looked very rusty at Burton.

He’s certainly a better option than Grbic but if Cooper’s injury is going to be a thing this season we need an upgrade in cover…which I can’t see until we get one of them off the books.

 

[UddersBlade]

Decent summary that.
Although what you often find is that form in pre-season friendlies have zero bearing on what’s in store.

Another factor is that we’ve decided to go down the confidence building root by playing relatively weak opposition.

Looking forward to the new season….haven't got a clue what to expect.
If I had to bet money think we’ll finish 4th or 5th and probably get to the play-off final again.

Of course it’s so easy to predict another play-off defeat
but it would be so typical we reach another final, 1000’s are traumatised from last season
So we only take about 25K, the lowest championship play-off final following ever……but this time we win.

Then they’ll be a good 15 to 20,000 regretting they didn’t go.

Ha ha….love your irony there. I also think we’ll finish top 6 ….. & also may make the final for a 6th time…… but I think we’ll find yet another way to lose …..probably a 90th minute own goal after missing a penalty 2 mins earlier!!!! After 54 years watching the Blades ….nothing will surprise me!

 

[Danetheblade]

Big con is we've hardly signed anyone and there's only 2 weeks to go!

Plenty of time then really.

 

[Snowflake]

Big con is we've hardly signed anyone and there's only 2 weeks to go!

Sounds like this forum 12 months ago !!

 

[robbiez666]

I’d usually defend Davies as he’s never really let us down when called on and you can’t expect a Kelly/Tracey situation in this day and age but he looked very rusty at Burton.

He’s certainly a better option than Grbic but if Cooper’s injury is going to be a thing this season we need an upgrade in cover…which I can’t see until we get one of them off the books.

I'd say we'd need to get both out before we can upgrade. Loan Faxon with a recall on him.

 

[loyalblade95]

Our current strongest 11.

--------------Cooper
Seriki-Anel-Bindon-Burrows
----O'Hare--Peck--Hamer
Brooks----Campbell----Barry

Positives:

• Plenty of fitness into as many players as possible, plus all the expected expectation with players/positions expected from a new manager.
• Performances by Oné and Ukaki (especially Oné), not good enough to be first team players, but good enough to serve as backup to Brooks and Barry, the odd start with mostly 20-30 minute sub appearances.
• Brooks, O'Hare, Cannon and Seriki look like they've been given a new lease of life under Selles, his style of play seems to suit them a lot more.
• Soumare incoming, Barry and Bindon both making instant impacts, recent links to both a RB (Callum Brittain) and a CB (Holding) showing that RS is keen to address the weaker parts of our squad (RB, CB and CDM)
• Players who look good in multiple positions, someone like Peck who could play as both a CDM (where he has been used this preseason) and as a CM, same with Arblaster when he returns (as both played CM for us last season).

Negatives (sort of):

• We still look a few players (both starting and depth wise) 2 weeks before BCFC, but there was always a chance that might happen anyway.
• Would like a RB, CB and CDM, all of which I think we'll get, probably a Winger who is comfortable on either side as well.
• Yes it's only been tested against lesser opposition, but as long as it gets the players up to speed with the tactics/formation, it doesn't matter too much as our squad is good enough to play like that and beat championship teams with those tactics.

 

[jt64]

Main lesson - don't wet your bed too early