United 1 WBA 1 - report/ratings

[Deadbat]

Late again – sorry! Went to watch the Sheffield Sharks (basketball) team straight after the United game. They beat the league leaders London last night – despite having players missing and showed more passion and fight than their football counterparts in the city! It was much more entertaining and warmer – got to drink IPA in my seat too. Definitely recommend people to go and watch (not expensive) if you have never been before. Anyway, penned a few words below….



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The Blades blew the opportunity to move further up the league table after a desperately disappointing performance against relegation threatened West Bromwich Albion. United never got going from start to finish and despite leading thanks to George Campbell’s own goal, the same player deservedly equalised for the Baggies late on and gave the visitors a crucial point. The home side lacked fluency, ideas and urgency throughout and barely created any significant opportunities for most of the contest. West Brom, were not much better but for a side struggling to stay in the league, showed enough fight to merit taking something back to the Black Country.



United made three changes with Bamford, Brooks and Hamer back in for Cannon, Campbell and Chong. West Brom were on a desperate run of eleven games without a win – as they named James Morrison as interim manager till the end of the season.



The game started with the ball barely in play as Tanganga and Bielik both going down for treatment. The visitors looked more dangerous with balls down the left causing problems but Bindon swept up. United were having a lot of possession but were too slow to move it forward and Brooks shot wide, was the only effort they created. Hamer was guilty of squandering possession before Price drove at goal and nearly got his shot away. The game was lacking quality throughout and was stop start with more stoppages. There was a bizarre moment when Hoever controlled his own sides corner, went back to his own keeper but found touch for a corner – this was from fully 70 yards – and right inside his own half. Molumby fired over from the corner with the best chance of the half. The referee deemed there would only be 4 minutes to play – which was baffling after there had been so many stoppages – but the crowd probably did not complain too much – due to what they had witnessed.



Bamford and Bielik had both been struggling for their respective sides, with knocks picked up in separate incidents and neither came out for the second half. Campbell and Taylor came on and faced up to each other in their positions. West Brom began the half better and after a quick break, Price was in after the challenge on halfway and Davies had to make a smart save. Riedewald was booked after the foul in the build-up – when the referee played a smart advantage.



The Blades had not looked like scoring all afternoon but they did – thanks to an opponent – on the 53rd minute. Hamer came down the right side, and his low cross was diverted into his own net by GEORGE CAMPBELL (OG). The defender was not under any pressure despite the dangerous ball into the box but his panicky moment summed up how things were going for Albion currently.



Davies then had to deny Price whose curling cross looked like it might creep in but United had a flurry of opportunities soon after this – after creating nothing all game. O’Hare dropped on the ball at far post after a corner but his effort hit Peck – when it may have being going in. Then after a cross from Hamer, Peck nodded wide – when he should have done better. Soon after, Bindon helped on and Campbell hit a bouncing shot that was parried by O’Leary and then as the ball looped up, there were some appeals for handball as West Brom cleared.



After this flurry of chances – United were made to pay as GEORGE CAMPBELL made up for his own goal by scoring at the right end, seven minutes from time. The ball dropped on halfway and he got there before his namesake Tyrese and as O’Hare was brushed off, no tackle came in and he fired a tremendous shot that flashed into the far corner. A goal not in keeping with the poor fare both sides had served up but a great goal – particularly from a centre back.



Cannon and Seriki came on for United but they struggled to create anything of note in the final period of the game. Four minutes of stoppage time were played but the only other discussion point was another completely unnecessary booking from Hamer- for dissent -which puts him out of trips to Norwich and Birmingham.





United – A depressing performance sadly. We have seen some good showings at the Lane this year and since November time, some entertaining games and attack minded displays from United- even in defeat. Yesterday, there was very little, if any positives from the whole game. We did not get beat I suppose but a point was not much better than zero, in the grand scheme. Davies did ok and Bindon was good and some flashes from Brooks yet again. Outside of this – nothing. Individually and collectively, it was not good enough from start to finish. We created nothing, the football was dull and slow. It was a hard watch. I am not sure I would say too much different if we had eeked out a 1-0 win.



It was a bad game of football – where a side right at the bottom more than matched us and easily deserved a draw. If had played at an intensity and got it forward and shown some courage – we would have forced them back and eroded a team lacking confidence, even further. We played into their hands and they grew into the game. They were nothing special but we were at their level. That sums it up. United got exactly what they deserved for a passive showing where players attitude was poor (almost arrogant) and they did not do enough by a long way. We had a lot of ball but did nothing with it and the football was predictable and easy to play against. We lost a lot of 50-50’s as the game went on the equaliser summed it up with 4 or 5 players not reacting and waiting for another to do it. They showed more passion arguing with each other – after it had gone in. The team is hard to feel connected to. A lot of very ordinary players. I like the young lads Seriki and Brooks and Bindon has improved a fair bit. There are a lot of bang average players across the side – that are essentially mid table Champ players (Tanganga, Burrows, Rothwell, Campbell etc) and that is where rightly find ourselves. The front 4 did not do enough as Wilder rightly said but the structure and shape of the team did not help them be effective either as we were too deep and played it agonisingly slowly.



I left feeling much better after the Boro/Cov games than yesterday. That sums up how bad it was. It reminded me of the times when we used to be mid table under Warnock in the 2000s. A lot of experienced players that lacked pace and a team that is one paced and dull. United’s season is effectively over now, if it was not already before kick-off, and thoughts will turn to the summer and changes that need to be made to make United a more consistent outfit that can contend at the top of the league. There are several players that do not seem ‘winners’ to me and I think we need several changes to personnel and the attitude to ensure we can be more than an ‘ok’ side that has a few good performances but way too many let downs – like today. Personally, I would not be playing any of the loan players now – there is no point as we need to build around players who are going to be here next season. Maybe Bindon – as McGuiness is so bad. This is the time you may as well play likes of Arblaster (not every game) and Campbell/Burrows etc and try and get them into some sort of form for next season. I think we will probably end up winning as many as we lose and will finish just in the top half but it has been a completely wasted season (board must take the blame for that and they must be fair) and we have made things even harder by some dreadful recruitment. However, I am still concerned about the complete lack of coaching and plan for the players that are here – we are not a system team but one that relies on individual moments. That will be shown up even more when we move some of the talented ones on – I am concerned that Wilder/Knill have enough to overcome this – despite their man management/motivational skills. I think many of the questions asked at them when the change was made (which was wrong I admit) will be fired with more regularity next season unless they pull some hats out in transfer business in the summer (but recent signings do not fill me with confidence).

 

[Deadbat]

Ratings:



Davies 6/10 – Fine. Made a couple of smart saves – ones you expect but still saved them (Cooper has been letting these types in). He did get stuck on his line for one cross but overall he made not real mistakes and had little chance I felt with the goal which came through bodies and was well struck. His distribution was a bit mixed. Some quick throw outs but some kicks that looped to nowhere or went to the side where we had no players.



Hoever 3.5/10 - Did ok last week but was largely dreadful today. He has had more poor games than good ones (decent cameo v Wednesday but mostly he has looked poor in possession and made mistakes – Soton). He started with some loose touches, gave it away a few times and then the inexplicable back pass summed his game up. He did improve a bit after the break and at least got forward to put a few crosses in but overall he was one of the poorest players on the field.



Burrows 4.5/10 – Has improved in recent weeks and seemed to be getting back to some kind of form but he gave an ordinary performance yesterday. Saw little of him going forward at all and when he go there, he took too long to make decisions. Defensively he also got caught out a few times and another who dithered when he needed to react better.



Bindon 6/10 – Our best outfield player. He had a mad minute when he played a short pass back and then soon after another bad ball into Burrows I think – when they had a few half chances but outside of that looked good. He won his battle v Dyke when against him and was composed on the ball. He at least tried to play it out quicker than the others at the back. Read the game well and made a few good interceptions. Did he turn his back on the shot for the goal though?



Tanganga 4/10 – Worrying how ordinary he is and that is maybe overplaying it. He is not great on the ball, does not win enough of the 50-50 stuff and although he gets up and wins some defensive headers – he often is fixated in wrestling with his man unnecessarily. He gets caught out and is so slow with the ball and often plays passes behind teammates. I do not think it is a stretch to say I expected much better for the alleged high fee/wages we offered to get him. I would not be bothered if he was not here long term – he is a bog-standard average Championship centre half. If we want to be up near the top, you will have to upgrade from him – in the same way we had to with Jack Robinson. Tanganga is sadly not much better.



Peck 5/10 – Started the game looking for the ball and moving it around and was busy but it was all safe and sideways. He played a few balls that were loose and as the game went on, despite us having a lot of the ball, WBA realised we were not playing it quick or forward so just sat in two banks. We had no idea in midfield how to get behind them. We ended up with Peck and Riedewald collecting the ball but then they had no one to link as O’Hare was too far off and the wide men were sort of doubled up on them so they just let them have it. He gets in the way of a goal bound shot and then missed a bit of a sitter with a header – summed up his 2nd half. Thought he should have reacted when Campbell ran out but so many others were guilty too. Oddly Soumare would have been better today as he may have ran with it and got them to commit men out.



Riedewald 5/10 – Like Peck, he began neat and tidy and helped mop up but become clear, that we did not need two players the same. It ended up with him often being at the side or behind the centre backs as we were too deep and took too long to move it forward. I do not recall him being involved at all after the break and was taken off as he tired. Sadly, we ended up with a bit like for like in his replacement.



O’Hare 4/10 – He has been good this season and might end up being our player of the season (only Brooks/Seriki that can rival him but it’s a low bar) but since Xmas he has had more ineffectual games than influential ones. He had another game where nothing came off. He ran around and tried to get involved but nothing stick and with the other front players often stagnant – meant we were just too rigid and he was just buzzing around and not getting the ball or anyone to link with. The second half he had a chance to score but needed to show composure but somehow hit Peck (not O’Hare’s fault I suppose!). The goal we concede, he is awful (watch it back) with an apology of a challenge.



Hamer 5/10 – His mark may be seen as low for a player who set up the goal and a few of our decent attacks (did not have many) coming through him but I thought it was another maddening performance. HE gave it away 4 or 5 times, often under no pressure, first 20 minutes. I know we argue that at least he tries to go forward but these giveaways were simple balls – not him trying precise or clever defence splitters. He sort of sulked for a period but then he did get the assist with a good ball and a few other moments he linked as we had a better 10 minutes or so. He played a great ball for Peck who should have scored and another decent ball to Campbell. However, nowhere near enough from him and a series of silly fouls should have seen him booked before he picks up the ridiculous yellow at the end for dissent. He has now had 23 bookings since the start of last season which is totally absurd. He lacks professionalism to not get booked and thus suspended (3 different suspensions where he has missed 7 games now I believe?). That coupled with his ballooning weight – look at pictures of even start of last season – compared to when we signed him and him at Coventry and he clearly does not take care of his body – to the extent he is rightly mocked by opposition fans. He picks up most of his bookings as he cannot run – due to said excess weight – and just pulls a man back as he is too lazy/not mobile enough to run back. This summary of him might be excessively critical – he has the most assists in the league and oodles of talent I admit – but he does not get the best out of his ability and his decision making in all aspects of his make-up – is meaning he will not get the move he probably thinks. He is not good enough for any higher than the Champ and any move would have to be abroad. Despite the assists, he has had a majorly disappointing season and in line with howe have done – just woefully inconsistent and at times half arsed – and why we are slang bang middle – and average.



Brooks 5.5/10 – I cannot score him much higher even though I felt sorry for him. He had little service and had to come inside looking for the ball. Few flashes first half but overran it or did not find the end product. Continued to look one of our main threats but there was not really anything coming from the few dribbles/touches he had and they doubled up on him and the threat diminished. Him and Hoever did not have that same understanding down this side. Clearly his athleticism and pace is drawing attention from opposition managers who are planning for him more than even a Hamer now.



Bamford 4/10 – He is another who has been a bit in and out (with a stop start spell due to injury and suspension). Thought he was poor against Coventry too in his last start and nothing happened for him in this game either. He looked a yard off the pace and the ball did not stick with him, like it normally does. He did not get much service as we were too slow to move it forward but the defence handled him easily. Picked up a dead leg and went off.



Subs -



Campbell 5/10 – Will get a lot of criticism for the goal for not chasing back or letting the player get there first and rightly so but others must come across too. Looked lazy though. I thought despite some frustrating moments, that he was better than Bamford and at least gave us a threat behind. Had a shot saved and a few attacks saw him the player causing some nuisance at least. With hindsight he maybe should have started with Bamford today.



Rothwell 3.5/10 – Came on when we needed to find more creativity but he is just another Riedewald type / lite. He is not a player that runs with the ball or will thread a pass/pop up in the box. He gave it away with his first touch and then after this, barely noticed him – until he gave it away again. There was one moment they ran down the right side and he tried to get back and he looked so slow and was puffing straight after – this was soon after he came on! A bewildering signing for me. No resale value – not someone that is going to improve. Like Tanganga – just an ordinary, steady mid table Champ player – which I suppose is fine as that is where we are! I would have been fine giving him a deal till the end of the season. At least he only has another year – I think in 12 months we will have a situation like Mee/Ings – where he is not involved and just runs down his deal. I hope I am wrong but we have been critical of Chong/McGuiness/Matos signings but this one was a Wilder one – that seemed a bit desperate?



Cannon – Did he touch the ball? He is not a game changer as will not win headers if we go long or quick enough to play it through for him to chase. I would rather we had Ryan One – a player that I believe has more potential than Cannon – but can see why we did loan him out too. Cannon remains a player I would like us to move on this summer.



Seriki – Given 3 minutes but did not do enough according to Wilder! There is some argument for Hoever to have kept his place as he did well at QPR but he brought Brooks back – when Chong did well and Seriki/Brooks are the better players. You play your best players. Wilder chose not to do that. He clearly has an issue with Seriki. He unbelievably called him out (mentioned 3 others who played most of the game) again post-match. It is tantamount to bullying to me. If I was his agent, I would be looking to get him out – as Wilder clearly does not like him or rate him – he has been one of our best players this season – but still is not a regular starer and is routinely criticised – often without good reason.





Manager: Wilder 2/10 – Hard to be positive about him and what we saw. We did not lose I suppose but the whole set up, team selection, subs and the way we failed to address any of the issues in game, is down to him and his coaching staff. He continues to throw the players under the bus after the game and chose to have a go at a ‘punter’ (that phrase is disrespectful too) for saying we were faffing around with it- saying we are a possession-based side – but we are 9th (so almost the same as our league position!) and that is wrong. We were faffing around. The caller on Radio Sheffield was right. We were too slow, too many touches and went sideways and backwards (Wilder did agree with that tbf). We had two midfielders doing the same thing. The defenders took too long to come out with it – we had no threats out wide as they bottled Brooks up and Hamer came inside. He is right -the front 4 offered little but whilst they could have done more, we got the ball to them too late or under pressure as the whole shape of the team was wrong with us too deep and there being gaps between the departments. There was little to no movement and no urgency in anything we did. The team were incredibly fixed and easy to play against. We had 2 shots on goal I believe all game – none when we were winning – that is against an awful side who are losing almost every week. However, him and Knill have opportunities to change it but he does not and when he does it almost like for like (Rothwell) and waiting till 3 minutes from the end to introduce Seriki is beyond baffling.



He bristled again at the suggestion we were dull, stating we were pragmatic and got 92 points and nobody moaned (we did – perhaps wrongly) but we were dull last year and in the end the 92 points mattered not one jot as we failed to go up. He will take this 92-point thing to the grave – it is boring now. We did great and most other seasons we would have gone up but we did not and it has gone now. This season weirdly it has been more entertaining at times (granted not as won as much) but today not only did we did not win but we were awful to watch. So, he had to take it on the chin and look inwards rather than slating fans or calling out young players. He has steadied the ship and done well to move us up the league (I think anyone with a acumen of managerial ability would have kept this group up despite the handicap Selles gave us) but now we need to look to next season. I am deeply concerned that the coaching of the team is still substandard. I think we rely a lot of moments of magic from individuals rather than a structure or way of playing and even for all the criticism of Hamer- if/when he moves on and we might lose a Brooks too – be interesting to see how we go next season with poorer players as we will have to have a structure or way to create and similarly defend as a team. Yesterday was not even average – it was a crap performance and he has to think about what they can do a coaching team to ensure that does not happen – but sadly we see one of these maybe 1 or 2 in 5 despite some good performances.







WBA – They looked a side lacking confidence, as they are, and gave it away a fair bit early and looked cautious to attack but realised we were slow and lacking ideas and grew into the game. They had more efforts on goal first half (we had none – so not hard) and started to look more likely than us. The game was abject but that may have suited them as they made it scrappy – as they were compact in defence and packed midfield. I have seen worse sides than them this season but I would say, our performance was shocking and we played into their hands. They were easily as good/bad as us though and game seemed to be drifting to a stalemate or a single goal for ether side. After they conceded, they wobbled and we had chances. We score a 2nd and it is done but they hung in and scored a good goal. After this I was surprised they did not attack more and go for the win. Make no mistake, if they had, they probably would have got it as we were offering nothing. They sort of settled for what they had and would have taken a point before the game I suppose but think they might regret not trying to get a winner?



They have a few decent players and squad wise – on paper at least – not sure they are much worse than a dozen other sides (including us) but it has all gone wrong. Lots of poor managerial choices, which we know about and then have just got stuck down there. Replacing an inexperienced manager for an inexperienced manager was bonkers and they have had to make another change – but gone for another novice? I thought like of them and Leicester would be ok – due to some of quality and goals they possess but they seem to be right in a fight and teams like Charlton, Oxford, Blackburn and Pompey are picking up points suddenly. I still think two of the above may go rather than the bigger two clubs but we will see. They cannot buy a win currently but will see today as a positive step in that they did not go under and showed some fight. The squad is a bit of a mess with some experienced players but players on their way down, a number of injury prone players and some youngsters but no one seems to be leading and they have just sort of crumbled in recent months.



Have to say, I love that West Brom away kit. The green and yellow stripes evokes memories of Regis, Cunningham, Batson etc but also makes me think of the Battle of Bramall Lane too! It is a great kit – although nothing like a Norwich City strip, as Sinclair called them!



Opponent Man of the Match – George Campbell. Great run from the back and striker. Actually, he cannot take this (see below!) but thought Styles did a decent job under Brooks – helped by Bostock. Price, the lad on the right was quite tricky and Molumby was much better 2nd half after we had won most of the ball in the first half.



Opponent Weak link – George Campbell. Stupid own goal under little pressure. No, cannot give him that as he scored in the right net (see above!). Dyke up front was a complete nonentity – just grappling and grabbing. Mad that have Maja, Wallace and Mowatt – solid to good Champ players that cannot even get in the team -shows their drop off in form I suppose and that they are not the players they were. Not as shocked Gilchrist did not start – never rated him at the Lane – technically he was not good enough and made mistakes due to poor positional sense. Think Wilder worked this out – but maybe too late.



Referee / Officials – Dean Whitestone. I started getting frustrated with him as the game kept stopping but not his fault players kept going down ‘injured’ I suppose? He did try and let things flow and not go to his book early on. As the game went on, I released he was one of the better referees we have had recently (not hard as we have had some shockers) and most of his bookings were fine. Heard some appeals for a hand ball when we had a chance at 1-0 but not seen it back and not did many (any?) players appeal?



Crowd – Flat and felt like a meaningless end of season game – at least for the home fans – so quiet. I only heard the WBA fans all game and they did get behind their team and get the reward in the end. I also though there was a lot less there than the announced 28,307 – but WBA did pack out the away end but there were gaps in the BLUT and sides of the Kop – that seemed to be more than 3K?

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Tanganga is worse than Robinson actually.

 

[Tarqs]

The 'punter' is right. Slow predictable side to side, full back to full back (in 5 passes rather than 2/3).

Playing to burrows is pointless as he rarely has any options ahead of him due to the shape we have with hamer. We have a midfield that wont progress the ball, just intent on keep ball (soumare gets hammered but hes one of the only midfielders we have that actually tries to play betweeb the lines.

Gane was crying oyt for seriki and brooks early on. Particularly as they barely attacked until last 20 when we decided we were happy with a 1 0.

So frustrating.

 

[BerksBlade]

Completely agree with your points re. Seriki and Wilder. The treatment of Seriki (and to a lesser extent, Brooks) is bordering on bullying. Fed up of Wilder talking about "winning games of football" yet doing nothing to change things during the game when it's clearly not working. What does Alan Knill actually do nowadays? The "92 points" thing: doesn't matter whether we got 82, 92 or 102 points - in the end it wasn't enough. How many of those points came against the top 2? Then we throw away the chance to break the play-off hoodoo once and for all.
But Wilder has to continue next season as there's no way we're putting the pieces in place to allow a different manager to flourish. Can't wait for players like Brooks, Seriki and One to be sold, to be replaced by the likes of Jimmy Dunne.

 

[Revolution]

I believe I am right in saying that the last opposition player to score for and against us in the same league game was Marcus Nilsson of Fleetwood in our 2-2 draw there in 2015-6, ten years ago this weekend.

I’m not sure who was the last Blade to do it. I saw David Holdsworth score at both ends in the space of 5 mins in our 2-1 defeat at Swindon in 1996-7, but someone else may have done it since.

As for the game, very frustrating. They sat back and it seemed to completely bewilder us. It became possession for possession’s sake. Would it have killed Burrows to try to beat his man on occasion instead of checking back? And Riedewald was far, far too deep. Hamer had a very poor first half and Brooks did not get enough help. Bindon my Motm but in a tallest dwarf sense.

Davies did well except he was nowhere on corners. Wrexham are going to give us a beating.

I do not understand WBA. After their excellent equaliser they seemed to dawdle and settle for a point when there was no risk in trying to win the game. That may yet come back to bite them.

My early impressions of Rothwell are not good ones.

 

[HOT CURRIE 10]

You are right about his plan,whatever that is ?? This mark 3 type has played better football (newish coach) ? But with the very highly paid players at his disposal,I expect a lot more. What his problem with Seriki (didn’t do enough) and Brooks is,I don’t know,but he runs them both into the ground when playing good minutes. 3 shocking decisions by the owners. I’ve said before,I really don’t know how you raise the enthusiasm to write reports consistently. 9/10.

 

[Wilderat Heart]

Staggered by your review of Riedewald by a mile the best player on the pitch first half. Of course he was too deep he was the only player looking to.come and collect the ball we got a throw in he came and demanded the ball who else did that then.kept possession when he got it he looked to play forward finding Peck in space to turn regularly. Second half he faded and the booking was damaging. Riedawalds injury was for me.more damaging than any of those stupid red cards.He is the best defensive midfielder at the club by a million miles.

 

[bakeblade]

Ratings:



Davies 6/10 – Fine. Made a couple of smart saves – ones you expect but still saved them (Cooper has been letting these types in). He did get stuck on his line for one cross but overall he made not real mistakes and had little chance I felt with the goal which came through bodies and was well struck. His distribution was a bit mixed. Some quick throw outs but some kicks that looped to nowhere or went to the side where we had no players.



Hoever 3.5/10 - Did ok last week but was largely dreadful today. He has had more poor games than good ones (decent cameo v Wednesday but mostly he has looked poor in possession and made mistakes – Soton). He started with some loose touches, gave it away a few times and then the inexplicable back pass summed his game up. He did improve a bit after the break and at least got forward to put a few crosses in but overall he was one of the poorest players on the field.



Burrows 4.5/10 – Has improved in recent weeks and seemed to be getting back to some kind of form but he gave an ordinary performance yesterday. Saw little of him going forward at all and when he go there, he took too long to make decisions. Defensively he also got caught out a few times and another who dithered when he needed to react better.



Bindon 6/10 – Our best outfield player. He had a mad minute when he played a short pass back and then soon after another bad ball into Burrows I think – when they had a few half chances but outside of that looked good. He won his battle v Dyke when against him and was composed on the ball. He at least tried to play it out quicker than the others at the back. Read the game well and made a few good interceptions. Did he turn his back on the shot for the goal though?



Tanganga 4/10 – Worrying how ordinary he is and that is maybe overplaying it. He is not great on the ball, does not win enough of the 50-50 stuff and although he gets up and wins some defensive headers – he often is fixated in wrestling with his man unnecessarily. He gets caught out and is so slow with the ball and often plays passes behind teammates. I do not think it is a stretch to say I expected much better for the alleged high fee/wages we offered to get him. I would not be bothered if he was not here long term – he is a bog-standard average Championship centre half. If we want to be up near the top, you will have to upgrade from him – in the same way we had to with Jack Robinson. Tanganga is sadly not much better.



Peck 5/10 – Started the game looking for the ball and moving it around and was busy but it was all safe and sideways. He played a few balls that were loose and as the game went on, despite us having a lot of the ball, WBA realised we were not playing it quick or forward so just sat in two banks. We had no idea in midfield how to get behind them. We ended up with Peck and Riedewald collecting the ball but then they had no one to link as O’Hare was too far off and the wide men were sort of doubled up on them so they just let them have it. He gets in the way of a goal bound shot and then missed a bit of a sitter with a header – summed up his 2nd half. Thought he should have reacted when Campbell ran out but so many others were guilty too. Oddly Soumare would have been better today as he may have ran with it and got them to commit men out.



Riedewald 5/10 – Like Peck, he began neat and tidy and helped mop up but become clear, that we did not need two players the same. It ended up with him often being at the side or behind the centre backs as we were too deep and took too long to move it forward. I do not recall him being involved at all after the break and was taken off as he tired. Sadly, we ended up with a bit like for like in his replacement.



O’Hare 4/10 – He has been good this season and might end up being our player of the season (only Brooks/Seriki that can rival him but it’s a low bar) but since Xmas he has had more ineffectual games than influential ones. He had another game where nothing came off. He ran around and tried to get involved but nothing stick and with the other front players often stagnant – meant we were just too rigid and he was just buzzing around and not getting the ball or anyone to link with. The second half he had a chance to score but needed to show composure but somehow hit Peck (not O’Hare’s fault I suppose!). The goal we concede, he is awful (watch it back) with an apology of a challenge.



Hamer 5/10 – His mark may be seen as low for a player who set up the goal and a few of our decent attacks (did not have many) coming through him but I thought it was another maddening performance. HE gave it away 4 or 5 times, often under no pressure, first 20 minutes. I know we argue that at least he tries to go forward but these giveaways were simple balls – not him trying precise or clever defence splitters. He sort of sulked for a period but then he did get the assist with a good ball and a few other moments he linked as we had a better 10 minutes or so. He played a great ball for Peck who should have scored and another decent ball to Campbell. However, nowhere near enough from him and a series of silly fouls should have seen him booked before he picks up the ridiculous yellow at the end for dissent. He has now had 23 bookings since the start of last season which is totally absurd. He lacks professionalism to not get booked and thus suspended (3 different suspensions where he has missed 7 games now I believe?). That coupled with his ballooning weight – look at pictures of even start of last season – compared to when we signed him and him at Coventry and he clearly does not take care of his body – to the extent he is rightly mocked by opposition fans. He picks up most of his bookings as he cannot run – due to said excess weight – and just pulls a man back as he is too lazy/not mobile enough to run back. This summary of him might be excessively critical – he has the most assists in the league and oodles of talent I admit – but he does not get the best out of his ability and his decision making in all aspects of his make-up – is meaning he will not get the move he probably thinks. He is not good enough for any higher than the Champ and any move would have to be abroad. Despite the assists, he has had a majorly disappointing season and in line with howe have done – just woefully inconsistent and at times half arsed – and why we are slang bang middle – and average.



Brooks 5.5/10 – I cannot score him much higher even though I felt sorry for him. He had little service and had to come inside looking for the ball. Few flashes first half but overran it or did not find the end product. Continued to look one of our main threats but there was not really anything coming from the few dribbles/touches he had and they doubled up on him and the threat diminished. Him and Hoever did not have that same understanding down this side. Clearly his athleticism and pace is drawing attention from opposition managers who are planning for him more than even a Hamer now.



Bamford 4/10 – He is another who has been a bit in and out (with a stop start spell due to injury and suspension). Thought he was poor against Coventry too in his last start and nothing happened for him in this game either. He looked a yard off the pace and the ball did not stick with him, like it normally does. He did not get much service as we were too slow to move it forward but the defence handled him easily. Picked up a dead leg and went off.



Subs -



Campbell 5/10 – Will get a lot of criticism for the goal for not chasing back or letting the player get there first and rightly so but others must come across too. Looked lazy though. I thought despite some frustrating moments, that he was better than Bamford and at least gave us a threat behind. Had a shot saved and a few attacks saw him the player causing some nuisance at least. With hindsight he maybe should have started with Bamford today.



Rothwell 3.5/10 – Came on when we needed to find more creativity but he is just another Riedewald type / lite. He is not a player that runs with the ball or will thread a pass/pop up in the box. He gave it away with his first touch and then after this, barely noticed him – until he gave it away again. There was one moment they ran down the right side and he tried to get back and he looked so slow and was puffing straight after – this was soon after he came on! A bewildering signing for me. No resale value – not someone that is going to improve. Like Tanganga – just an ordinary, steady mid table Champ player – which I suppose is fine as that is where we are! I would have been fine giving him a deal till the end of the season. At least he only has another year – I think in 12 months we will have a situation like Mee/Ings – where he is not involved and just runs down his deal. I hope I am wrong but we have been critical of Chong/McGuiness/Matos signings but this one was a Wilder one – that seemed a bit desperate?



Cannon – Did he touch the ball? He is not a game changer as will not win headers if we go long or quick enough to play it through for him to chase. I would rather we had Ryan One – a player that I believe has more potential than Cannon – but can see why we did loan him out too. Cannon remains a player I would like us to move on this summer.



Seriki – Given 3 minutes but did not do enough according to Wilder! There is some argument for Hoever to have kept his place as he did well at QPR but he brought Brooks back – when Chong did well and Seriki/Brooks are the better players. You play your best players. Wilder chose not to do that. He clearly has an issue with Seriki. He unbelievably called him out (mentioned 3 others who played most of the game) again post-match. It is tantamount to bullying to me. If I was his agent, I would be looking to get him out – as Wilder clearly does not like him or rate him – he has been one of our best players this season – but still is not a regular starer and is routinely criticised – often without good reason.





Manager: Wilder 2/10 – Hard to be positive about him and what we saw. We did not lose I suppose but the whole set up, team selection, subs and the way we failed to address any of the issues in game, is down to him and his coaching staff. He continues to throw the players under the bus after the game and chose to have a go at a ‘punter’ (that phrase is disrespectful too) for saying we were faffing around with it- saying we are a possession-based side – but we are 9th (so almost the same as our league position!) and that is wrong. We were faffing around. The caller on Radio Sheffield was right. We were too slow, too many touches and went sideways and backwards (Wilder did agree with that tbf). We had two midfielders doing the same thing. The defenders took too long to come out with it – we had no threats out wide as they bottled Brooks up and Hamer came inside. He is right -the front 4 offered little but whilst they could have done more, we got the ball to them too late or under pressure as the whole shape of the team was wrong with us too deep and there being gaps between the departments. There was little to no movement and no urgency in anything we did. The team were incredibly fixed and easy to play against. We had 2 shots on goal I believe all game – none when we were winning – that is against an awful side who are losing almost every week. However, him and Knill have opportunities to change it but he does not and when he does it almost like for like (Rothwell) and waiting till 3 minutes from the end to introduce Seriki is beyond baffling.



He bristled again at the suggestion we were dull, stating we were pragmatic and got 92 points and nobody moaned (we did – perhaps wrongly) but we were dull last year and in the end the 92 points mattered not one jot as we failed to go up. He will take this 92-point thing to the grave – it is boring now. We did great and most other seasons we would have gone up but we did not and it has gone now. This season weirdly it has been more entertaining at times (granted not as won as much) but today not only did we did not win but we were awful to watch. So, he had to take it on the chin and look inwards rather than slating fans or calling out young players. He has steadied the ship and done well to move us up the league (I think anyone with a acumen of managerial ability would have kept this group up despite the handicap Selles gave us) but now we need to look to next season. I am deeply concerned that the coaching of the team is still substandard. I think we rely a lot of moments of magic from individuals rather than a structure or way of playing and even for all the criticism of Hamer- if/when he moves on and we might lose a Brooks too – be interesting to see how we go next season with poorer players as we will have to have a structure or way to create and similarly defend as a team. Yesterday was not even average – it was a crap performance and he has to think about what they can do a coaching team to ensure that does not happen – but sadly we see one of these maybe 1 or 2 in 5 despite some good performances.







WBA – They looked a side lacking confidence, as they are, and gave it away a fair bit early and looked cautious to attack but realised we were slow and lacking ideas and grew into the game. They had more efforts on goal first half (we had none – so not hard) and started to look more likely than us. The game was abject but that may have suited them as they made it scrappy – as they were compact in defence and packed midfield. I have seen worse sides than them this season but I would say, our performance was shocking and we played into their hands. They were easily as good/bad as us though and game seemed to be drifting to a stalemate or a single goal for ether side. After they conceded, they wobbled and we had chances. We score a 2nd and it is done but they hung in and scored a good goal. After this I was surprised they did not attack more and go for the win. Make no mistake, if they had, they probably would have got it as we were offering nothing. They sort of settled for what they had and would have taken a point before the game I suppose but think they might regret not trying to get a winner?



They have a few decent players and squad wise – on paper at least – not sure they are much worse than a dozen other sides (including us) but it has all gone wrong. Lots of poor managerial choices, which we know about and then have just got stuck down there. Replacing an inexperienced manager for an inexperienced manager was bonkers and they have had to make another change – but gone for another novice? I thought like of them and Leicester would be ok – due to some of quality and goals they possess but they seem to be right in a fight and teams like Charlton, Oxford, Blackburn and Pompey are picking up points suddenly. I still think two of the above may go rather than the bigger two clubs but we will see. They cannot buy a win currently but will see today as a positive step in that they did not go under and showed some fight. The squad is a bit of a mess with some experienced players but players on their way down, a number of injury prone players and some youngsters but no one seems to be leading and they have just sort of crumbled in recent months.



Have to say, I love that West Brom away kit. The green and yellow stripes evokes memories of Regis, Cunningham, Batson etc but also makes me think of the Battle of Bramall Lane too! It is a great kit – although nothing like a Norwich City strip, as Sinclair called them!



Opponent Man of the Match – George Campbell. Great run from the back and striker. Actually, he cannot take this (see below!) but thought Styles did a decent job under Brooks – helped by Bostock. Price, the lad on the right was quite tricky and Molumby was much better 2nd half after we had won most of the ball in the first half.



Opponent Weak link – George Campbell. Stupid own goal under little pressure. No, cannot give him that as he scored in the right net (see above!). Dyke up front was a complete nonentity – just grappling and grabbing. Mad that have Maja, Wallace and Mowatt – solid to good Champ players that cannot even get in the team -shows their drop off in form I suppose and that they are not the players they were. Not as shocked Gilchrist did not start – never rated him at the Lane – technically he was not good enough and made mistakes due to poor positional sense. Think Wilder worked this out – but maybe too late.



Referee / Officials – Dean Whitestone. I started getting frustrated with him as the game kept stopping but not his fault players kept going down ‘injured’ I suppose? He did try and let things flow and not go to his book early on. As the game went on, I released he was one of the better referees we have had recently (not hard as we have had some shockers) and most of his bookings were fine. Heard some appeals for a hand ball when we had a chance at 1-0 but not seen it back and not did many (any?) players appeal?



Crowd – Flat and felt like a meaningless end of season game – at least for the home fans – so quiet. I only heard the WBA fans all game and they did get behind their team and get the reward in the end. I also though there was a lot less there than the announced 28,307 – but WBA did pack out the away end but there were gaps in the BLUT and sides of the Kop – that seemed to be more than 3K?

I thought CW made 2 big mistakes in his team selection.
1. Not starting our best attacking RB Seriki
2. Not having Soumare on the bench. It made sense to start Peck and Jairo, however we needed the option to bring on someone a bit different when Jairo inevitably tired. Rothwell and current version of Blaster are not those players, perhaps CW thought we'd have the game won by then.

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

If we're in the top half of the table with a more realistic chance of the playoffs I dont think you see that performance from us. That was the performance of a team that knows the season is over.

I find it very odd people are picking apart Hamer's performance as there were far worse performances on the pitch. We'll miss him badly when he's gone.

I think Bamford might be in with a shout for player of the season despite him joining in November.

Question for next season: Is Peck & Riedeweld a promotion winning central midfield combo? Or just a solid championship pairing?

 

[Deadbat]

Staggered by your review of Riedewald by a mile the best player on the pitch first half. Of course he was too deep he was the only player looking to.come and collect the ball we got a throw in he came and demanded the ball who else did that then.kept possession when he got it he looked to play forward finding Peck in space to turn regularly. Second half he faded and the booking was damaging. Riedawalds injury was for me.more damaging than any of those stupid red cards.He is the best defensive midfielder at the club by a million miles.

He was steady but didn't play many forward passes nor carry it. I know that is not his game but my point was we didn't really need him and Peck so deep. However I'm not sure he needed to be so deep. They let him recieve it so deep as they know he won't carry it and just allowed them to sit in. We ended up with almost 3 centre backs at times v 1 striker.

He is the best defensive midfielder at the club I agree but he was nothing more than ok yesterday. They nearly scored after he lost his 50-50 & clattered his man and rightly got booked. 2nd half he was non existent in the game and couldn't run. He was rightly hooked but Rothwell was even worse sadly. Soumare would have offered more in this game as we needed someone to bring a player out when we had it.

Peck and Riedewald are steady midfielders and our best pair but neither carry the ball, turn and go or play many forward passes centrally. They both took way too many touches.

Not sure either can be more than 5/10 when we created absolutely nothing despite dominating the ball (70% 1st half)

 

[Deadbat]

If we're in the top half of the table with a more realistic chance of the playoffs I dont think you see that performance from us. That was the performance of a team that knows the season is over.

I find it very odd people are picking apart Hamer's performance as there were far worse performances on the pitch. We'll miss him badly when he's gone.

I think Bamford might be in with a shout for player of the season despite him joining in November.

Question for next season: Is Peck & Riedeweld a promotion winning central midfield combo? Or just a solid championship pairing?

It's a solid champ midfield but the fact Boro's pair (who are quick, runners and receive and go on the half turn) completely outplayed them shows that our midfield is still not close to a team challenging for promotion.

 

[Deadbat]

If we're in the top half of the table with a more realistic chance of the playoffs I dont think you see that performance from us. That was the performance of a team that knows the season is over.

I find it very odd people are picking apart Hamer's performance as there were far worse performances on the pitch. We'll miss him badly when he's gone.

I think Bamford might be in with a shout for player of the season despite him joining in November.

Question for next season: Is Peck & Riedeweld a promotion winning central midfield combo? Or just a solid championship pairing?

I agree we had several worst than Hamer but he was still frustrating and wasteful on the ball. His booking at the end was total idiocy too.

 

[Maurice Maurice]

Staggered by your review of Riedewald by a mile the best player on the pitch first half. Of course he was too deep he was the only player looking to.come and collect the ball we got a throw in he came and demanded the ball who else did that then.kept possession when he got it he looked to play forward finding Peck in space to turn regularly. Second half he faded and the booking was damaging. Riedawalds injury was for me.more damaging than any of those stupid red cards.He is the best defensive midfielder at the club by a million miles.

Agree with this. Riedewald was deep but he wanted the ball and when he got it he tried to inject a bit of pace into our game. Sadly, all around him it was walking pace with no one showing for the ball and no one looking to make space. Looked like they had more man than us as every second ball went to them and every 50/50 we neshed. Riedo looked like a footballer trying to show a bunch of kids how to play football, sadly no one else on the pitch got it.

 

[Silent Blade]

I believe I am right in saying that the last opposition player to score for and against us in the same league game was Marcus Nilsson of Fleetwood in our 2-2 draw there in 2015-6, ten years ago this weekend.

I’m not sure who was the last Blade to do it. I saw David Holdsworth score at both ends in the space of 5 mins in our 2-1 defeat at Swindon in 1996-7, but someone else may have done it since.

As for the game, very frustrating. They sat back and it seemed to completely bewilder us. It became possession for possession’s sake. Would it have killed Burrows to try to beat his man on occasion instead of checking back? And Riedewald was far, far too deep. Hamer had a very poor first half and Brooks did not get enough help. Bindon my Motm but in a tallest dwarf sense.

Davies did well except he was nowhere on corners. Wrexham are going to give us a beating.

I do not understand WBA. After their excellent equaliser they seemed to dawdle and settle for a point when there was no risk in trying to win the game. That may yet come back to bite them.

My early impressions of Rothwell are not good ones.

Colin Franks scored an own goal for Blackburn but equalised for us a minute later in September 1976, has anyone else achieve the same feat in one minute?

 

[de g.]

Tanganga 4/10 – Worrying how ordinary he is and that is maybe overplaying it. He is not great on the ball, does not win enough of the 50-50 stuff and although he gets up and wins some defensive headers – he often is fixated in wrestling with his man unnecessarily. He gets caught out and is so slow with the ball and often plays passes behind teammates. I do not think it is a stretch to say I expected much better for the alleged high fee/wages we offered to get him. I would not be bothered if he was not here long term – he is a bog-standard average Championship centre half. If we want to be up near the top, you will have to upgrade from him – in the same way we had to with Jack Robinson. Tanganga is sadly not much better.

This, lots of times over. So many times recently we've been ponderous in attack as a result of Bindon/Peck/Seriki etc having to do a pirouette after receiving the ball behind them, allowing the defence to reset.

Rothwell 3.5/10 – Came on when we needed to find more creativity but he is just another Riedewald type / lite. He is not a player that runs with the ball or will thread a pass/pop up in the box. He gave it away with his first touch and then after this, barely noticed him – until he gave it away again. There was one moment they ran down the right side and he tried to get back and he looked so slow and was puffing straight after – this was soon after he came on! A bewildering signing for me. No resale value – not someone that is going to improve. Like Tanganga – just an ordinary, steady mid table Champ player – which I suppose is fine as that is where we are! I would have been fine giving him a deal till the end of the season. At least he only has another year – I think in 12 months we will have a situation like Mee/Ings – where he is not involved and just runs down his deal. I hope I am wrong but we have been critical of Chong/McGuiness/Matos signings but this one was a Wilder one – that seemed a bit desperate?

I think honestly 3.5 is a generous mark. We were observably a worse team with Rothwell on the pitch, and I don't recall him contributing anything other than one bit of interplay with maybe Gus and O'Hare in front of us in the family stand, but even that you just got the sense he was causing more problems than he solved by being too close to the others and getting in the way of the out ball. Not quite as bad as Soumaré's worst performance ever in a Blades shirt from a few weeks back, but not giving a great deal to work with.

Bindon and Davies were really the only two to come out of that game with any credit, for me.

 

[BazWainwright]

Fair report on all sides. Season is OVER and the sooner the faithful accept that - and the WBA game is evidence of that - the better.

Davies was okay as far as his duties went save for putting some snow on the ball with his clearances. The backline was fraught with inconsistency and poor play. Did think the midfield pairing of Peck and Reidewald was an improvement but will change next week with Philips being available again. Brooks badly missed Seriki, Hamer for me is a busted flush now and we will be a better team without him. O'Hare is full of graft and Bamford starved of opportunity, once again.

Let's just make the best of the next ten games, prepare ourselves for some changes in the summer, get COH to make good of their errors and reset the campaign.

 

[Tarqs]

It's a solid champ midfield but the fact Boro's pair (who are quick, runners and receive and go on the half turn) completely outplayed them shows that our midfield is still not close to a team challenging for promotion.

In fairness i think he started peck and arblaster vs Boro.

 

[54yrblade]

We are morphing into a team with Wilders traits. Boring, one dimensional, unable to change and incapable of moving forward.

A fed up punter.

 

[Carlton Blade]

It was a staggeringly dull game of football. Best forgotten at the earliest.

Hoping that's not what we are looking to do the rest of the way. Double hoping we aren't looking to start building towards next season with a style that was very reminiscent of a lot of last seasons home games

 

[RAP51]

Colin Franks scored an own goal for Blackburn but equalised for us a minute later in September 1976, has anyone else achieve the same feat in one minute?

When we signed Franks he was described as the fastest player in the football league. Obviously that helped him to run to the other end of the pitch.

 

[jono_t2000]

I believe I am right in saying that the last opposition player to score for and against us in the same league game was Marcus Nilsson of Fleetwood in our 2-2 draw there in 2015-6, ten years ago this weekend.

I’m not sure who was the last Blade to do it. I saw David Holdsworth score at both ends in the space of 5 mins in our 2-1 defeat at Swindon in 1996-7, but someone else may have done it since.

As for the game, very frustrating. They sat back and it seemed to completely bewilder us. It became possession for possession’s sake. Would it have killed Burrows to try to beat his man on occasion instead of checking back? And Riedewald was far, far too deep. Hamer had a very poor first half and Brooks did not get enough help. Bindon my Motm but in a tallest dwarf sense.

Davies did well except he was nowhere on corners. Wrexham are going to give us a beating.

I do not understand WBA. After their excellent equaliser they seemed to dawdle and settle for a point when there was no risk in trying to win the game. That may yet come back to bite them.

My early impressions of Rothwell are not good ones.

Jack Robinson in the 5-2 win over Burnley

 

[The Vicar]

He bristled again at the suggestion we were dull, stating we were pragmatic and got 92 points and nobody moaned (we did – perhaps wrongly) but we were dull last year and in the end the 92 points mattered not one jot as we failed to go up. He will take this 92-point thing to the grave – it is boring now. We did great and most other seasons we would have gone up but we did not and it has gone now. This season weirdly it has been more entertaining at times (granted not as won as much) but today not only did we did not win but we were awful to watch. So, he had to take it on the chin and look inwards rather than slating fans or calling out young players. He has steadied the ship and done well to move us up the league (I think anyone with a acumen of managerial ability would have kept this group up despite the handicap Selles gave us) but now we need to look to next season. I am deeply concerned that the coaching of the team is still substandard. I think we rely a lot of moments of magic from individuals rather than a structure or way of playing and even for all the criticism of Hamer- if/when he moves on and we might lose a Brooks too – be interesting to see how we go next season with poorer players as we will have to have a structure or way to create and similarly defend as a team. Yesterday was not even average – it was a crap performance and he has to think about what they can do a coaching team to ensure that does not happen – but sadly we see one of these maybe 1 or 2 in 5 despite some good performances.

This to me is the basis of our problem. We do not look well coached and seem unable to change tactics mid game in response to the opposition. Plus bizarre decisions that make no sense are become more and more regular. Not playing 2 up top against a struggling WBA team, when we had a flurry of games where we scored 3 goals around Christmas. Not playing Seriki, when his partnership with Brooks has been the standout element of the season. Changing like for like in substitutions instead of making a positive change, in a game like yesterday why not make a statement change and take a chance, we are not going down, so throw caution to the wind.
Plus I think we are in a difficult situation. If we stick with CW and things don’t improve, then the owners could be reticent to sack him, having made a mistake once before. Alternatively we make a change, things don’t go well, and we are back to this season.
Personally I still think he has enough good will to let him have another shot, but at the same time to have a plan ‘b’ for if it goes badly.

 

[Blade56]

Great report Deadbat and spot on, especially re Wilder/Knill but mainly Wilder.

My worst fears have come true, with his last departure and the circumstances of his return I think he has a god like complex, no one dare criticise let alone the owners change him. We are stuck with him on his terms just the way I think he likes it. It will take a disastrous season for the club to be able to show him the door. We are imo entering a few year period of “more of the same we saw today” with him living off the mythical 92 points and the double-double.

The “bad news days” over in S6 also gives him and Knill a convenient smoke screen for their shortcomings.

As for Seriki him and Brooks are what the game should be about, young talent coming through out youth set up and growing into the first team.

Pi55es me off big style way Wilder always comes down on him, it was Wilders mistake to leave it so late to bring him on today,. As you say to call him out on a 3 minute showing is at best unprofessional by Wilder but as you say tantamount to publicly bullying the lad. Wilder should be more professional not bad mouthing the same player, easy for him when Seriki has no right to reply.

 

[I should coco]

We are morphing into a team with Wilders traits. Boring, one dimensional, unable to change and incapable of moving forward.

Much like much of our fanbase then.

It was a staggeringly dull game of football. Best forgotten at the earliest.

It wasn't great admitedly, but 'staggeringly dull'?

Are we really becoming that entitled.

 

[GeorgeDonis1889]

Much like much of our fanbase then.


It wasn't great admitedly, but 'staggeringly dull'?

Are we really becoming that entitled.

We really are. Even the reasonable ones now. Never shut up moaning last season and we got 92 points.

Been great to watch over last few months. Last 20 games we're 1 point off most in the division. Most goals scored and best goal difference in that time. Still moaning.

I really don't know what people want other than winning 4 and 5 every game playing all out attack. This "we don't look well coached" line is tedious. People actually think we've gone from 0 points after 6 ganes and barely able to muster a shot on goal to this without being coached. 92 points without being coached.

Maybe we should not bother with a manager as our players are obviously so brilliant they can coach themselves. Or better yet lets get a coach in based on 1 game like we did with Sellès because people thought Hull were better coached

 

[Carlton Blade]

Much like much of our fanbase then.


It wasn't great admitedly, but 'staggeringly dull'?

Are we really becoming that entitled.

I'm not one of the players. The matches being interesting and entertaining matters to me. A first half with 308 completed passes but no shots on target isn't what I enjoy.

So yes, staggeringly dull.

I pay for my ticket. I'm 'entitled' to my opinion

 

[54yrblade]

We really are. Even the reasonable ones now. Never shut up moaning last season and we got 92 points.

Been great to watch over last few months. Last 20 games we're 1 point off most in the division. Most goals scored and best goal difference in that time. Still moaning.

I really don't know what people want other than winning 4 and 5 every game playing all out attack. This "we don't look well coached" line is tedious. People actually think we've gone from 0 points after 6 ganes and barely able to muster a shot on goal to this without being coached. 92 points without being coached.

Maybe we should not bother with a manager as our players are obviously so brilliant they can coach themselves. Or better yet lets get a coach in based on 1 game like we did with Sellès because people thought Hull were better coached

Or, get a manager who can make positive changes happen in game, can improve them, lead by example and have teams that don't buckle under the slightest of pressure - as proved last season, the PO final and now this season.

 

[bedfordblade]

Ratings:



Davies 6/10 – Fine. Made a couple of smart saves – ones you expect but still saved them (Cooper has been letting these types in). He did get stuck on his line for one cross but overall he made not real mistakes and had little chance I felt with the goal which came through bodies and was well struck. His distribution was a bit mixed. Some quick throw outs but some kicks that looped to nowhere or went to the side where we had no players.



Hoever 3.5/10 - Did ok last week but was largely dreadful today. He has had more poor games than good ones (decent cameo v Wednesday but mostly he has looked poor in possession and made mistakes – Soton). He started with some loose touches, gave it away a few times and then the inexplicable back pass summed his game up. He did improve a bit after the break and at least got forward to put a few crosses in but overall he was one of the poorest players on the field.



Burrows 4.5/10 – Has improved in recent weeks and seemed to be getting back to some kind of form but he gave an ordinary performance yesterday. Saw little of him going forward at all and when he go there, he took too long to make decisions. Defensively he also got caught out a few times and another who dithered when he needed to react better.



Bindon 6/10 – Our best outfield player. He had a mad minute when he played a short pass back and then soon after another bad ball into Burrows I think – when they had a few half chances but outside of that looked good. He won his battle v Dyke when against him and was composed on the ball. He at least tried to play it out quicker than the others at the back. Read the game well and made a few good interceptions. Did he turn his back on the shot for the goal though?



Tanganga 4/10 – Worrying how ordinary he is and that is maybe overplaying it. He is not great on the ball, does not win enough of the 50-50 stuff and although he gets up and wins some defensive headers – he often is fixated in wrestling with his man unnecessarily. He gets caught out and is so slow with the ball and often plays passes behind teammates. I do not think it is a stretch to say I expected much better for the alleged high fee/wages we offered to get him. I would not be bothered if he was not here long term – he is a bog-standard average Championship centre half. If we want to be up near the top, you will have to upgrade from him – in the same way we had to with Jack Robinson. Tanganga is sadly not much better.



Peck 5/10 – Started the game looking for the ball and moving it around and was busy but it was all safe and sideways. He played a few balls that were loose and as the game went on, despite us having a lot of the ball, WBA realised we were not playing it quick or forward so just sat in two banks. We had no idea in midfield how to get behind them. We ended up with Peck and Riedewald collecting the ball but then they had no one to link as O’Hare was too far off and the wide men were sort of doubled up on them so they just let them have it. He gets in the way of a goal bound shot and then missed a bit of a sitter with a header – summed up his 2nd half. Thought he should have reacted when Campbell ran out but so many others were guilty too. Oddly Soumare would have been better today as he may have ran with it and got them to commit men out.



Riedewald 5/10 – Like Peck, he began neat and tidy and helped mop up but become clear, that we did not need two players the same. It ended up with him often being at the side or behind the centre backs as we were too deep and took too long to move it forward. I do not recall him being involved at all after the break and was taken off as he tired. Sadly, we ended up with a bit like for like in his replacement.



O’Hare 4/10 – He has been good this season and might end up being our player of the season (only Brooks/Seriki that can rival him but it’s a low bar) but since Xmas he has had more ineffectual games than influential ones. He had another game where nothing came off. He ran around and tried to get involved but nothing stick and with the other front players often stagnant – meant we were just too rigid and he was just buzzing around and not getting the ball or anyone to link with. The second half he had a chance to score but needed to show composure but somehow hit Peck (not O’Hare’s fault I suppose!). The goal we concede, he is awful (watch it back) with an apology of a challenge.



Hamer 5/10 – His mark may be seen as low for a player who set up the goal and a few of our decent attacks (did not have many) coming through him but I thought it was another maddening performance. HE gave it away 4 or 5 times, often under no pressure, first 20 minutes. I know we argue that at least he tries to go forward but these giveaways were simple balls – not him trying precise or clever defence splitters. He sort of sulked for a period but then he did get the assist with a good ball and a few other moments he linked as we had a better 10 minutes or so. He played a great ball for Peck who should have scored and another decent ball to Campbell. However, nowhere near enough from him and a series of silly fouls should have seen him booked before he picks up the ridiculous yellow at the end for dissent. He has now had 23 bookings since the start of last season which is totally absurd. He lacks professionalism to not get booked and thus suspended (3 different suspensions where he has missed 7 games now I believe?). That coupled with his ballooning weight – look at pictures of even start of last season – compared to when we signed him and him at Coventry and he clearly does not take care of his body – to the extent he is rightly mocked by opposition fans. He picks up most of his bookings as he cannot run – due to said excess weight – and just pulls a man back as he is too lazy/not mobile enough to run back. This summary of him might be excessively critical – he has the most assists in the league and oodles of talent I admit – but he does not get the best out of his ability and his decision making in all aspects of his make-up – is meaning he will not get the move he probably thinks. He is not good enough for any higher than the Champ and any move would have to be abroad. Despite the assists, he has had a majorly disappointing season and in line with howe have done – just woefully inconsistent and at times half arsed – and why we are slang bang middle – and average.



Brooks 5.5/10 – I cannot score him much higher even though I felt sorry for him. He had little service and had to come inside looking for the ball. Few flashes first half but overran it or did not find the end product. Continued to look one of our main threats but there was not really anything coming from the few dribbles/touches he had and they doubled up on him and the threat diminished. Him and Hoever did not have that same understanding down this side. Clearly his athleticism and pace is drawing attention from opposition managers who are planning for him more than even a Hamer now.



Bamford 4/10 – He is another who has been a bit in and out (with a stop start spell due to injury and suspension). Thought he was poor against Coventry too in his last start and nothing happened for him in this game either. He looked a yard off the pace and the ball did not stick with him, like it normally does. He did not get much service as we were too slow to move it forward but the defence handled him easily. Picked up a dead leg and went off.



Subs -



Campbell 5/10 – Will get a lot of criticism for the goal for not chasing back or letting the player get there first and rightly so but others must come across too. Looked lazy though. I thought despite some frustrating moments, that he was better than Bamford and at least gave us a threat behind. Had a shot saved and a few attacks saw him the player causing some nuisance at least. With hindsight he maybe should have started with Bamford today.



Rothwell 3.5/10 – Came on when we needed to find more creativity but he is just another Riedewald type / lite. He is not a player that runs with the ball or will thread a pass/pop up in the box. He gave it away with his first touch and then after this, barely noticed him – until he gave it away again. There was one moment they ran down the right side and he tried to get back and he looked so slow and was puffing straight after – this was soon after he came on! A bewildering signing for me. No resale value – not someone that is going to improve. Like Tanganga – just an ordinary, steady mid table Champ player – which I suppose is fine as that is where we are! I would have been fine giving him a deal till the end of the season. At least he only has another year – I think in 12 months we will have a situation like Mee/Ings – where he is not involved and just runs down his deal. I hope I am wrong but we have been critical of Chong/McGuiness/Matos signings but this one was a Wilder one – that seemed a bit desperate?



Cannon – Did he touch the ball? He is not a game changer as will not win headers if we go long or quick enough to play it through for him to chase. I would rather we had Ryan One – a player that I believe has more potential than Cannon – but can see why we did loan him out too. Cannon remains a player I would like us to move on this summer.



Seriki – Given 3 minutes but did not do enough according to Wilder! There is some argument for Hoever to have kept his place as he did well at QPR but he brought Brooks back – when Chong did well and Seriki/Brooks are the better players. You play your best players. Wilder chose not to do that. He clearly has an issue with Seriki. He unbelievably called him out (mentioned 3 others who played most of the game) again post-match. It is tantamount to bullying to me. If I was his agent, I would be looking to get him out – as Wilder clearly does not like him or rate him – he has been one of our best players this season – but still is not a regular starer and is routinely criticised – often without good reason.





Manager: Wilder 2/10 – Hard to be positive about him and what we saw. We did not lose I suppose but the whole set up, team selection, subs and the way we failed to address any of the issues in game, is down to him and his coaching staff. He continues to throw the players under the bus after the game and chose to have a go at a ‘punter’ (that phrase is disrespectful too) for saying we were faffing around with it- saying we are a possession-based side – but we are 9th (so almost the same as our league position!) and that is wrong. We were faffing around. The caller on Radio Sheffield was right. We were too slow, too many touches and went sideways and backwards (Wilder did agree with that tbf). We had two midfielders doing the same thing. The defenders took too long to come out with it – we had no threats out wide as they bottled Brooks up and Hamer came inside. He is right -the front 4 offered little but whilst they could have done more, we got the ball to them too late or under pressure as the whole shape of the team was wrong with us too deep and there being gaps between the departments. There was little to no movement and no urgency in anything we did. The team were incredibly fixed and easy to play against. We had 2 shots on goal I believe all game – none when we were winning – that is against an awful side who are losing almost every week. However, him and Knill have opportunities to change it but he does not and when he does it almost like for like (Rothwell) and waiting till 3 minutes from the end to introduce Seriki is beyond baffling.



He bristled again at the suggestion we were dull, stating we were pragmatic and got 92 points and nobody moaned (we did – perhaps wrongly) but we were dull last year and in the end the 92 points mattered not one jot as we failed to go up. He will take this 92-point thing to the grave – it is boring now. We did great and most other seasons we would have gone up but we did not and it has gone now. This season weirdly it has been more entertaining at times (granted not as won as much) but today not only did we did not win but we were awful to watch. So, he had to take it on the chin and look inwards rather than slating fans or calling out young players. He has steadied the ship and done well to move us up the league (I think anyone with a acumen of managerial ability would have kept this group up despite the handicap Selles gave us) but now we need to look to next season. I am deeply concerned that the coaching of the team is still substandard. I think we rely a lot of moments of magic from individuals rather than a structure or way of playing and even for all the criticism of Hamer- if/when he moves on and we might lose a Brooks too – be interesting to see how we go next season with poorer players as we will have to have a structure or way to create and similarly defend as a team. Yesterday was not even average – it was a crap performance and he has to think about what they can do a coaching team to ensure that does not happen – but sadly we see one of these maybe 1 or 2 in 5 despite some good performances.







WBA – They looked a side lacking confidence, as they are, and gave it away a fair bit early and looked cautious to attack but realised we were slow and lacking ideas and grew into the game. They had more efforts on goal first half (we had none – so not hard) and started to look more likely than us. The game was abject but that may have suited them as they made it scrappy – as they were compact in defence and packed midfield. I have seen worse sides than them this season but I would say, our performance was shocking and we played into their hands. They were easily as good/bad as us though and game seemed to be drifting to a stalemate or a single goal for ether side. After they conceded, they wobbled and we had chances. We score a 2nd and it is done but they hung in and scored a good goal. After this I was surprised they did not attack more and go for the win. Make no mistake, if they had, they probably would have got it as we were offering nothing. They sort of settled for what they had and would have taken a point before the game I suppose but think they might regret not trying to get a winner?



They have a few decent players and squad wise – on paper at least – not sure they are much worse than a dozen other sides (including us) but it has all gone wrong. Lots of poor managerial choices, which we know about and then have just got stuck down there. Replacing an inexperienced manager for an inexperienced manager was bonkers and they have had to make another change – but gone for another novice? I thought like of them and Leicester would be ok – due to some of quality and goals they possess but they seem to be right in a fight and teams like Charlton, Oxford, Blackburn and Pompey are picking up points suddenly. I still think two of the above may go rather than the bigger two clubs but we will see. They cannot buy a win currently but will see today as a positive step in that they did not go under and showed some fight. The squad is a bit of a mess with some experienced players but players on their way down, a number of injury prone players and some youngsters but no one seems to be leading and they have just sort of crumbled in recent months.



Have to say, I love that West Brom away kit. The green and yellow stripes evokes memories of Regis, Cunningham, Batson etc but also makes me think of the Battle of Bramall Lane too! It is a great kit – although nothing like a Norwich City strip, as Sinclair called them!



Opponent Man of the Match – George Campbell. Great run from the back and striker. Actually, he cannot take this (see below!) but thought Styles did a decent job under Brooks – helped by Bostock. Price, the lad on the right was quite tricky and Molumby was much better 2nd half after we had won most of the ball in the first half.



Opponent Weak link – George Campbell. Stupid own goal under little pressure. No, cannot give him that as he scored in the right net (see above!). Dyke up front was a complete nonentity – just grappling and grabbing. Mad that have Maja, Wallace and Mowatt – solid to good Champ players that cannot even get in the team -shows their drop off in form I suppose and that they are not the players they were. Not as shocked Gilchrist did not start – never rated him at the Lane – technically he was not good enough and made mistakes due to poor positional sense. Think Wilder worked this out – but maybe too late.



Referee / Officials – Dean Whitestone. I started getting frustrated with him as the game kept stopping but not his fault players kept going down ‘injured’ I suppose? He did try and let things flow and not go to his book early on. As the game went on, I released he was one of the better referees we have had recently (not hard as we have had some shockers) and most of his bookings were fine. Heard some appeals for a hand ball when we had a chance at 1-0 but not seen it back and not did many (any?) players appeal?



Crowd – Flat and felt like a meaningless end of season game – at least for the home fans – so quiet. I only heard the WBA fans all game and they did get behind their team and get the reward in the end. I also though there was a lot less there than the announced 28,307 – but WBA did pack out the away end but there were gaps in the BLUT and sides of the Kop – that seemed to be more than 3K?

thanks DB, a brave effort given the lousy performance. I disagree with your view of the midfield. I thought they did ok but overall it was awful. Me? Train from Bedford, 2 changes up, one change down. Trains busy, late, crowded. Got home at 10.30. All that for a poor match. Before the game, Kevin Gage was saying forget the play offs, I agreed with this, been saying it for a while. Why have we only one goalie? Our captain is not up to the job and a few others have to go.

 

[I should coco]

I'm not one of the players. The matches being interesting and entertaining matters to me. A first half with 308 completed passes but no shots on target isn't what I enjoy.

So yes, staggeringly dull.

I pay for my ticket. I'm 'entitled' to my opinion

Of course you are entitled to your opinion, as people are to challenge it.

If you genuinely think that was staggeringly dull, I can only assume you started watching us in 2016/17, because compared to some of the shit I've seen in the last 55 years, it was okay. Not great, but we had some decent passing moves and tried to play football. It didn't come off, but no-one died.