Swansea 0 United 0 - thoughts/ratings

[Deadbat]

Thoughts on the game:

Overall reaction

Another dreadful game. Might have been even worse than last week! Barely an effort on goal all game and neither side seemed capable of even the basics for long stretches. We certainly have not been an entertaining watch this season but have been quite solid. Out of possession lots to like with a decent shape and structure making it hard for teams to go through us. Sadly on the ball we have been dire for the most part, as our passing and possession stats confirm. We play aimless passes or help it round the corner stuff. There is little football and no real intricacy or thought to progressing with the ball. Its been really bad in this regard. Maybe we improve and having a solid base gives us something to build on but usability to play a 5 yard pass is really nlt good enough.

It's a decent point but another opponent who will be middle of the league at best. Compared to last season it has been a decent start and we are not looking a soft touch but we need to see more games before we get too excited about the defensive improvements. Think Swansea and Brum were dire offensively. Credit to us of course but felt Swansea got into loads of decent areas down the side but awful crosses of mishit shots meant they never hurt us. We actually had the better chances in the game and felt we definitely deserved a draw despite the possession stats- they did nothing with the ball despte keeping it more than us. A bit like Brum last week, I thought as an away side, we will be more pleased with the performance. They were even more punchless than us!

Game summary

Played a back 3 (or 5 depending how you look at it) with McCallum centre back. Burrows in and Blaster in a midfield three. O' Hare was just off Bamford.


We started ok without really getting forward much but it was a scrappy opening but then they were better side for 30 mins then and dominated possession. This was odd with us having a 3 in there. Our passing was awful and we just kept turning it over. They had a few crosses but Cooper was not tested. We then ended the half on top but our chance (best of the game) came out of nowhere. A cross dropped and O'Hare found space but hit the bar. Decent effort but having made a yard, he will perhaps be disappointed. We then have a few shots blocked in the scramble. McCallum also headed at the keeper from a clever Rothwell corner.

Second half was perhaps the opposite to the first. We were the better team for 30 mins and had a couple of decent chances. A McGuiness effort over with a volley when well placed and a Peck shot at the keeper. Maybe our best chance in this spell was a Seriki run and cross that evaded everyone when I thought Bamford was well placed to score. We were on thr front foot and our best spell of the season, even yhough I think we did not create sustained pressure but were on top.

We made changes and could not keep pushing and then sat back the final 15. They brought two good strikers on in Viptonik and Stewart (not sure why they did not start?) but despite having a few crosses they did not test Cooper. They hit the post but was ruled offside (it wasn't) in the build up. We defended well but never really pushed for a winner. We brought on Shackleton and RND rather than say Donovan, so settled for a draw- which is an ok result but at some point we will have to try and win games. The game sort of fizzled out to a limp draw. I'd have took a point before kick off but we go to Cardiff next week and you hope we will see more attacking threat.

Overall, with what we have at our disposal its two ok draws but I still do not see how we are going to score many goals but acknowledge the defensive improvements. Our ball retention has been not good enough. We often talk up Blaster and Peck as two talents but they just cough up possession routinely. They have to look after the ball better. O'Hare did better off Bamford but thr latter has had scraps again.

Its been a tough week with everything off thr pitch so well done the manager and players for a battling performance. It badly lacked quality or attacking threat but defensively we did really well.

 

[Deadbat]

Player ratings

Cooper 6/10 - Nothing to do. Did what he had to but one resistant moment where he failed to take a cross first half. His handling and general play fine but had nothing much to do. Gets a bit extra for another clean sheet. Needs to take kicks quicker or will get penalised.

Seriki 6/10 - Did ok defensively but poor passes/touches going forward like last week. Some odd decisions with the ball. He put one brilliant cross over 2nd half after a great run. Our best and only proper passing move of danger, the entire game.

Burrows 5.5/10 - Not totally convincing and at times switched off when crosses came in. Saw little going forward but he was more solid 2nd half apart from one cross where he was nowhere but his opponent made a mess of the shot. Stupid dive and rightly booked. He was ok but nothing remarkable and as a wing back, like to see more but maybe he was instructed to hold back?

McCallum 6.5/10 - Looked composed and read the game well. One headed effort - our only effort on goal first half. He dealt with some tricky defenders well. Showed he can do a job there as an athletic, pacy defender that can cover in around two more traditional centre backs.

McGuinness 6.5/10 - Solid again but was slow twice first half when he got turned and was outmusled. Few hesistant moments when clearing but he did what he had to and has put 3 good performances in to be fair. 2nd half had z good chance he missed but defensively did what he had to. Not sure they put many balls into our box.

Tanganga 7/10 - Probably our best player for 2nd week running. Got blocks in, made tackles and swept up. Limited them to nothing. Started the season really well. Got booked for a foul after the chance Bamford had.

Rothwell 5/10 - Some duff corners but 2 great ones too that led to chances. He started poorly with some loose stuff and put them in once but then got hold of things more but he tired yet again. I think he will have been disappointed with two younger lads next to him who tossed it away even more than him! He at least created a few chances.

Peck 4.5/10 - Might get criticised for these ratings but thought he (and Arblaster) were dreadful today on the ball. He gets marks for getting around the pitch and a few interceptions but think he has put two anonymous games together. Maybe he is unsettled but he just is helping balls on or playing long balls? He is nlt keeping it like he can do. We only had maybe a 20-25 min spell where our midfield three kilt it for more than a few passes.

Arblaster 4.5/10 - Won a couple of tackles but often seemed miles behind play. He just does not seem to be able to get around the pitch? Keep hearing he will get there but its been nearly 2 years since the injury now. I worry he just cannot physically do the things he used to. What was perhaps more concerning was that he is in the team as he is a good passer and can control possession or thread some balls through but we saw none of that. He gave it away throughout the game or played aimless balls to noone. Again kept to a shape and gets some credit for that but disappointing performance.

O'Hare 6.5/10 - Our best attacking threat in that he buzzed around, had a few bits of link play and of course hit the bar. Still too many touches/spins at times but one of the few who kept the ball at least. He worked very hard out of possession too.

Bamford 5.5/10 - Hard one to mark as had little to no service again (just one chance last week) and he had noone to support him, apart from that 2nd half spell with O'Hare where we got men around him. Caught offside too much but did hold it uo when he could. Thought he could have anticipated the Seriki cross and turned this in?

Subs:

Riedewald 5/10 - Broke up play a few times and at least kept the midfield together and narrowed the gap when they started to attack more.

Campbell 4/10 - Not in the game and gave away some silly fouls. Ball stopped sticking and we ended up defending more after he came on. Got caught offside twice. Chance at end but on his heels.

Norrington Davies/Shackleton - Depressing to see these coming on - no offence - but showed lack of options and the fact these two poor players are still at the club. They clearly were brought on to help see things out. Both backed off a few times but were just bodies to ensure the point.

Wilder 6/10 - Defensively sound. Well organised and hard to break down. Out of possession very good. We had a good shape and limited a home side to nothing - bit like Brum did to us last week and gradually got on top. Will be disappointwd not to push on and win, maybe? Other side *on the ball) was sadly really poor again. Little passing or movement and no real plan how to attack teams. We are dreadful with the ball and just seem to be playing aimless long balls save for a spell 2nd half, where we had a decent spell off the back of a few corners. Not sure we played more than 4 passes to teammates in a row, in their half, all game. They maybe could say the same. We did have 3 decent chances. They had zero. So in that sense he will say we take that and we nick the points. I think a draw was about right - like last week, don't think either side did enough to win.

Thought his presser yesterday was very good and showed good leadership- at least his words did. He is probably fed up with it all in terms of bad owners again. I have concerns over his coaching and tactics but with everything going on, is a steady pair of hands. Think he's been shat on with best players sold and nobody coming in and after talking about new signings constantly, seems to have been promised things, he is not getting. I do have sympathy for him in that regard but we still have enough to be competitive amd have been do far, if awful to watch.

Swansea - Expected much more but despite shading the first half, they created nothing of note. Few crosses/half chances but nothing clear. They then defended deeper 2nd half and looked more like the away side. Thought they were as bad as us in terms of forward passes or lack of creativity. Made changes with dangerous subs (Not sure why these did not start?) but despite finishing stronger, created nothing.

They looked a very uninspiring team but credit to United for limiting them. A better team puts them away 2nd half as they had gone but we sort of let them off the hook. See another dull season going nowhere (much like us probably!).

Player of the match - Opuku showed a few glimpses first half but nobody particularly impressed.

Weak link - Fulton is a player I like but he gave ot away as much as anyone. Eventually taken off. Idah was poor too.

Referee - Tom Nield. Fine really. Barely a bad tackle all game. Barely a tackle! Thought they got a lot of the 50-50 stuff first half but was better 2nd half. 4 bookings - 2 to each team. Got Burrows one spot on. Tanganga bit soft. Did think he let the game flow and tried to play advantage when he could.

 

[HOT CURRIE 10]

Shite,I’m first.

 

[Gin&Juice]

Strap in. Gonna be one of them Warnock limbo seasons

 

[Harry's Game]

Yeah can’t argue with much of that might have given Peck half a point more and Rothwell half a point less.

Keeping a solid shape at the back is important, especially away from home, but when you don’t have any pace to break with you are limited to trying to nick something from a set piece. It’s not new to us, Neil Warnock played that way with us for most of his time as manager, the difference being he’d have about 5 different forward options on the bench if he needed to change things if we fell behind, currently we only have human void Cannon or Campbell… Cannon we all know is an empty shirt but I am really annoyed now by Campbell’s attitude. I called him “Tired Campbell” on another thread but it’s almost beyond a joke when after 2 minutes on the pitch he gives the impression he’s just completed a 10k park run.

 

[Rufus Smalls]

Thanks DB.

No, you weren’t being harsh on Peck, Arblaster or Rothwell. Our creativity in midfield is seriously lacking and being athletic and ‘getting around the pitch’ should be the minimum for a midfielder.

Defence again solid so a big positive there from last season.

 

[Paisley Blade]

I’d have McCallum a point higher and MoM.
Actually feel calm when he’s on the ball, which is generally a good sign

 

[coolasanidiot]

Good write up. What you say about Blaster is correct, but to me he is already better and fitter than last season. Once the rust is totally off I think he'll rise again.

I couldn't agree more about RND and Shackleton - epitomises how low we have stooped, also you are right about the presser yesterday- I thought Wilder was exceptional, had to be a bit corporate but he spoke extremely well, for me came across as caring and astute. You could tell he was upset.

 

[Deadbat]

Thanks DB.

No, you weren’t being harsh on Peck, Arblaster or Rothwell. Our creativity in midfield is seriously lacking and being athletic and ‘getting around the pitch’ should be the minimum for a midfielder.

Defence again solid so a big positive there from last season.

I only gave Rothwell a 0.5 more than the others for a few more forward passes and 2 good corners. He started terribly though with 2 poor touches. Like fact he did not hide. Forgot other two were playing till another aimless pass to noone. Really disappointed in those two today. Felt they were our two poorest players.

 

[Deadbat]

Good write up. What you say about Blaster is correct, but to me he is already better and fitter than last season. Once the rust is totally off I think he'll rise again.

I couldn't agree more about RND and Shackleton - epitomises how low we have stooped, also you are right about the presser yesterday- I thought Wilder was exceptional, had to be a bit corporate but he spoke extremely well, for me came across as caring and astute. You could tell he was upset.

I am not seeing it. He is often having to go to ground as he cant keep up,running wise. He used to take it in the half turn and link play. However, he seems to move it on very quickly and not trust he can physically hold people on.

I really hope he can get back to the level but I feel like the lack of ability to physically do the things he used to means he is rushing, when in the ball

 

[Silent Blade]

I thought Arblaster played well today

 

[Deadbat]

I thought Arblaster played well today

Had a look at the stats on Fotmob as the eye test sometimes fails and sadly backs up my take on Peck and Arblaster.

The below are poor stats for midfielders.

Peck

Offensively

17/32 pass completion. 7 passes into final third. 2 chances created. 1 touch in opposition box. 1 shot. 1 shot on target. No accurate crosses. 1/4 accurate long balls.

Defensively

3 clearances. 1 tackle. 1 interception. 40% on ground duels.

Arblaster

Offensively

17/26 pass completion. Only 3 passes into final third. 1 chance created. 1 touch in opposition box. No shots. No accurate crosses. No accurate long balls.

Defensively

4 interceptions but zero tackles, blocks or interceptions. 50% on ground duels

Rothwell

Won't quote all his stats but was 15/18 on passes, 5/5 on long passes. Defensively not as good but contributed more overall than above 2.

Swansea - quick comparison

Fulton was 44/51 passes - not saying he did much with it and I thought he was poor too as I said above!

Stamenic 31/34 passes

Its not all about passing as most of those were pointless and thought Swansea's midfield was as poor as ours tbh but wanted to look at stats as I thought may have been harsh on Blaster and Peck but not sure I was looking at stats!

 

[Addison]

Its a point we didnt lose and the game plan was disrupt and get a point so in that context it worked. The inability to move the ball forward at pace has plagued us in recent times. Donovan was kicking his heels on the bench when he should have been on for the last 20 minutes.

I appreciate we changed the formation today but like for like substitutions continues with little in the way of innovation from the coaching team.

Agree with view it shows how far we have fallen when we are reduced to Shackelton and RND coming on to hold onto a point.

Dont agree with the managers view Arblaster played well. He didnt imo as you highlight with the stats. Some future father in law bias revealing itself there.

After a difficult week we didnt capitulate and came away with something. Unbeaten in 2 games and no goals conceded. We have to hope CW is given more than Webster and a n other as incomings next week.

 

[Silent Blade]

Had a look at the stats on Fotmob as the eye test sometimes fails and sadly backs up my take on Peck and Arblaster.

The below are poor stats for midfielders.

Peck

Offensively

17/32 pass completion. 7 passes into final third. 2 chances created. 1 touch in opposition box. 1 shot. 1 shot on target. No accurate crosses. 1/4 accurate long balls.

Defensively

3 clearances. 1 tackle. 1 interception. 40% on ground duels.

Arblaster

Offensively

17/26 pass completion. Only 3 passes into final third. 1 chance created. 1 touch in opposition box. No shots. No accurate crosses. No accurate long balls.

Defensively

4 interceptions but zero tackles, blocks or interceptions. 50% on ground duels

Rothwell

Won't quote all his stats but was 15/18 on passes, 5/5 on long passes. Defensively not as good but contributed more overall than above 2.

Swansea - quick comparison

Fulton was 44/51 passes - not saying he did much with it and I thought he was poor too as I said above!

Stamenic 31/34 passes

Its not all about passing as most of those were pointless and thought Swansea's midfield was as poor as ours tbh but wanted to look at stats as I thought may have been harsh on Blaster and Peck but not sure I was looking at stats!

No tackles or crosses by Arblaster? This is wrong. It was his low cross in the first half that had the Swans defence all at sea just before O'Hare's shot hit the bar. He cleverly won a tackle on the right in the second half and set up a chance for Sereki to overlap and Sereki's cross nearly got converted by Bamford.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[Deadbat]

No tackles or crosses by Arblaster? This is wrong. It was his low cross in the first half that had the Swans defence all at sea just before O'Hare's shot hit the bar. He cleverly won a tackle on the right in the second half and set up a chance for Sereki to overlap and Sereki's cross nearly got converted by Bamford.

Fotmob records accurate crosses. The cross was deflected into O'Hare's path off a Swansea player so guess that's why its recorded as no accurate crosses?

Not sure on the tackle? Recall him sliding in to sort of intercept a loose ball down the right.

Its a site used by a lot of football statisticians and coaches. I've checked another site which has similar stats?

My overall point remains (even querying the odd stat), the stats generally match what I saw. Few passes completed, poor accuracy percentage and not a great deal defensively really. Same for Peck. Essentially little influence on the game.

Need more from both IMHO

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

I feel like many of our issues in terms of being able to play would be solved if players were 5 - 10 yards closer to each other. Specifically the space between the defence, midfield and attack is too big IMO. Leaves us with no real passing lane to progress the ball and invariably leaves whoever had possession 3 options - go long, back or sideways. It’s very easy to defend against.

 

[BazWainwright]

Agree with your marks in principle. It was refreshing to see Wilder try something different in a 3-5-1-1 (or 5-3-1-1 whichever way you look at it) but from start to finish as you say Deadbat, we were unimpressive, short of ideas and really low on footballing talent. The back four did okay and gave Cooper nowt much to get worried about but in honesty for the second week running, we were playing a pretty ineffective attacking outfit. Any chance they had they squandered and like us, just coughed it up with a poor pass. I wo like wingbacks but they have to be wingbacks. We had that with Baldock and Stevens, we haven't got that with Seriki and Burrows. The former covered ground and turned up as auxiliary strikers on the far post. The latter play like back four defenders even in a 3-5-1-1, giving us five at the back when the three man midfield needs that additional outlet. Sure, we got it wide but United do the same thing and instead of pressing home an attack, they pull back and go across the pitch too many times. Centrally todays game was an example enough that the clumsy-footed Rothwell isn't anything more than a disruptor who costs us free kicks in dangerous areas, and Peck and Arblaster cannot feature in the same lineup because both haven't the conkers to thread one-twos forward and get themselves in the shooting zone. O'Hare also takes far too many touches these days and thinks that taking just one more player on is worth losing it and putting them on the counter-attack.

It was nice to see Wilder has finally buckled to the fucking obvious and didn't give the abject Cannon any minutes and long may that continue. For that matter, all match we had eleven men on the green stuff and for that matter although it was an arse-grindingly dull and frustrating 0-0 borefest, I think we were marginally better than last week in some areas and at least got some attempts on goal off.

Couldn't give a fat rats arse about the League Cup on Tuesday. Play RND, Rothwell, Cannon, Michael Twiss, Jay McEverley, Michael Higdon and whoever is still on the books and rest the ... ahem ... 'first team' because another trip to Wales might need a goal this time for fear we be labelled the most boring football club ever.

 

[Deadbat]

I feel like many of our issues in terms of being able to play would be solved if players were 5 - 10 yards closer to each other. Specifically the space between the defence, midfield and attack is too big IMO. Leaves us with no real passing lane to progress the ball and invariably leaves whoever had possession 3 options - go long, back or sideways. It’s very easy to defend against.

The trouble is none of our midfielders carry the ball forward and rarely get ahead of the striker/s. This means we have to play perfect passes or as you say lots of short passes but even those we give the ball away too much. The system means we are solid and compressed but players rarely move out of set areas. This means to create chances or score goals is hard if essentially only the striker is in the box. We are relying on set plays a lot.

 

[ZLB]

Thoughts on the game:

Overall reaction

Another dreadful game. Might have been even worse than last week! Barely an effort on goal all game and neither side seemed capable of even the basics for long stretches. We certainly have not been an entertaining watch this season but have been quite solid. Out of possession lots to like with a decent shape and structure making it hard for teams to go through us. Sadly on the ball we have been dire for the most part, as our passing and possession stats confirm. We play aimless passes or help it round the corner stuff. There is little football and no real intricacy or thought to progressing with the ball. Its been really bad in this regard. Maybe we improve and having a solid base gives us something to build on but usability to play a 5 yard pass is really nlt good enough.

It's a decent point but another opponent who will be middle of the league at best. Compared to last season it has been a decent start and we are not looking a soft touch but we need to see more games before we get too excited about the defensive improvements. Think Swansea and Brum were dire offensively. Credit to us of course but felt Swansea got into loads of decent areas down the side but awful crosses of mishit shots meant they never hurt us. We actually had the better chances in the game and felt we definitely deserved a draw despite the possession stats- they did nothing with the ball despte keeping it more than us. A bit like Brum last week, I thought as an away side, we will be more pleased with the performance. They were even more punchless than us!

Game summary

Played a back 3 (or 5 depending how you look at it) with McCallum centre back. Burrows in and Blaster in a midfield three. O' Hare was just off Bamford.


We started ok without really getting forward much but it was a scrappy opening but then they were better side for 30 mins then and dominated possession. This was odd with us having a 3 in there. Our passing was awful and we just kept turning it over. They had a few crosses but Cooper was not tested. We then ended the half on top but our chance (best of the game) came out of nowhere. A cross dropped and O'Hare found space but hit the bar. Decent effort but having made a yard, he will perhaps be disappointed. We then have a few shots blocked in the scramble. McCallum also headed at the keeper from a clever Rothwell corner.

Second half was perhaps the opposite to the first. We were the better team for 30 mins and had a couple of decent chances. A McGuiness effort over with a volley when well placed and a Peck shot at the keeper. Maybe our best chance in this spell was a Seriki run and cross that evaded everyone when I thought Bamford was well placed to score. We were on thr front foot and our best spell of the season, even yhough I think we did not create sustained pressure but were on top.

We made changes and could not keep pushing and then sat back the final 15. They brought two good strikers on in Viptonik and Stewart (not sure why they did not start?) but despite having a few crosses they did not test Cooper. They hit the post but was ruled offside (it wasn't) in the build up. We defended well but never really pushed for a winner. We brought on Shackleton and RND rather than say Donovan, so settled for a draw- which is an ok result but at some point we will have to try and win games. The game sort of fizzled out to a limp draw. I'd have took a point before kick off but we go to Cardiff next week and you hope we will see more attacking threat.

Overall, with what we have at our disposal its two ok draws but I still do not see how we are going to score many goals but acknowledge the defensive improvements. Our ball retention has been not good enough. We often talk up Blaster and Peck as two talents but they just cough up possession routinely. They have to look after the ball better. O'Hare did better off Bamford but thr latter has had scraps again.

Its been a tough week with everything off thr pitch so well done the manager and players for a battling performance. It badly lacked quality or attacking threat but defensively we did really well.

I’m sure Man Utd, Spurs and Sunderland fans are equally pissed off tonight. .

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

I think the stats say it all regarding our approach and coaching. If our three midfielders played in the Swansea side they’d dominate the ball and game.

They’re clearly told to get rid of the ball quickly and play forward quickly, hook it around corners, play forward one touch without just calming it down. It’s like watching a Bassett teams midfield - hook it, help it on, play one touch around the corner and into the channels. Only we don’t have dynamic forwards or wingers to secure it and run onto it.

 

[Dkc]

Thought Burrows' dive was a definite pen when I first saw it. Well done to the ref for spotting it and the card was deserved of course. But on another day there's slight contact and he gets the pen. All players these days are urged to go down in the box if they can make it look like a foul, so I would describe it as a calculated risk that didn't pay off. Like it or not, that's how the game is these days.

You feel that this team with a Souttar type, a Hamer replacement and a decent strike partner for Bamford could be in the mix this season. If no more decent players come in we're in for a long, hard season.

 

[Maurice Maurice]

I felt a bit sorry for O'Hare, he ran his heart out today but his touch was mostly terrible and because he had no support he spent most of the game chasing shadows. 10/10 for willingness, not much for anything else.

Both the wife and me thought Sydie looked like his mind was elsewhere. He didn't have anything like the aggression and energy of last season and it looked to us like the events of this last week had him wondering why he's still here. Purely speculation of course.

Blaster looks like he's made out of tissue paper and every time he falls down, which is quite a lot, you fear he won't get up again. He disappeared for long spells today and when you did notice him he didn't add very much at all.

UTBFTP

 

[Stretch]

I thought we were better today than against Brum, but I am making some allowance for us being the away team with injuries (already) and fuck all depth.

Swansea are tipped as being ones to watch this season, but we largely kept them quiet and actually ended up having the best chances. They were very wasteful though on the occasions when they did carve us open.

It's not great atm, but 2 league games in it could be much worse considering all the shite that is happening off the pitch and a transfer window that has been horrendous so far. Another point ground out, we go again.

Let's hope we can sign 2 exciting attacking players on loan, and that Donovan & Chong can step up.

 

[Magic Sponge]

Good review. We definitely let ourselves down with misplaced passes and poor decision making today. I thought we were reasonably solid defensively but a bit too linear across midfield in possession and lacking any penetration going forward other than Seriki. We're clearly being set up to not get beat. I thought Swansea were pretty poor overall though and after an hour the game was screaming for Donovan to come on and run at their defence. A decent point away from home.

 

[Silent Blade]

Fotmob records accurate crosses. The cross was deflected into O'Hare's path off a Swansea player so guess that's why its recorded as no accurate crosses?

Not sure on the tackle? Recall him sliding in to sort of intercept a loose ball down the right.

Its a site used by a lot of football statisticians and coaches. I've checked another site which has similar stats?

My overall point remains (even querying the odd stat), the stats generally match what I saw. Few passes completed, poor accuracy percentage and not a great deal defensively really. Same for Peck. Essentially little influence on the game.

Need more from both IMHO

It was a good cross, not Arblaster's fault that Burrows or Peck failed to connect it properly before O'Hare hit his chance against the bar.

 

[Daredevil]

Player ratings

Cooper 6/10 - Nothing to do. Did what he had to but one resistant moment where he failed to take a cross first half. His handling and general play fine but had nothing much to do. Gets a bit extra for another clean sheet. Needs to take kicks quicker or will get penalised.

Seriki 6/10 - Did ok defensively but poor passes/touches going forward like last week. Some odd decisions with the ball. He put one brilliant cross over 2nd half after a great run. Our best and only proper passing move of danger, the entire game.

Burrows 5.5/10 - Not totally convincing and at times switched off when crosses came in. Saw little going forward but he was more solid 2nd half apart from one cross where he was nowhere but his opponent made a mess of the shot. Stupid dive and rightly booked. He was ok but nothing remarkable and as a wing back, like to see more but maybe he was instructed to hold back?

McCallum 6.5/10 - Looked composed and read the game well. One headed effort - our only effort on goal first half. He dealt with some tricky defenders well. Showed he can do a job there as an athletic, pacy defender that can cover in around two more traditional centre backs.

McGuinness 6.5/10 - Solid again but was slow twice first half when he got turned and was outmusled. Few hesistant moments when clearing but he did what he had to and has put 3 good performances in to be fair. 2nd half had z good chance he missed but defensively did what he had to. Not sure they put many balls into our box.

Tanganga 7/10 - Probably our best player for 2nd week running. Got blocks in, made tackles and swept up. Limited them to nothing. Started the season really well. Got booked for a foul after the chance Bamford had.

Rothwell 5/10 - Some duff corners but 2 great ones too that led to chances. He started poorly with some loose stuff and put them in once but then got hold of things more but he tired yet again. I think he will have been disappointed with two younger lads next to him who tossed it away even more than him! He at least created a few chances.

Peck 4.5/10 - Might get criticised for these ratings but thought he (and Arblaster) were dreadful today on the ball. He gets marks for getting around the pitch and a few interceptions but think he has put two anonymous games together. Maybe he is unsettled but he just is helping balls on or playing long balls? He is nlt keeping it like he can do. We only had maybe a 20-25 min spell where our midfield three kilt it for more than a few passes.

Arblaster 4.5/10 - Won a couple of tackles but often seemed miles behind play. He just does not seem to be able to get around the pitch? Keep hearing he will get there but its been nearly 2 years since the injury now. I worry he just cannot physically do the things he used to. What was perhaps more concerning was that he is in the team as he is a good passer and can control possession or thread some balls through but we saw none of that. He gave it away throughout the game or played aimless balls to noone. Again kept to a shape and gets some credit for that but disappointing performance.

O'Hare 6.5/10 - Our best attacking threat in that he buzzed around, had a few bits of link play and of course hit the bar. Still too many touches/spins at times but one of the few who kept the ball at least. He worked very hard out of possession too.

Bamford 5.5/10 - Hard one to mark as had little to no service again (just one chance last week) and he had noone to support him, apart from that 2nd half spell with O'Hare where we got men around him. Caught offside too much but did hold it uo when he could. Thought he could have anticipated the Seriki cross and turned this in?

Subs:

Riedewald 5/10 - Broke up play a few times and at least kept the midfield together and narrowed the gap when they started to attack more.

Campbell 4/10 - Not in the game and gave away some silly fouls. Ball stopped sticking and we ended up defending more after he came on. Got caught offside twice. Chance at end but on his heels.

Norrington Davies/Shackleton - Depressing to see these coming on - no offence - but showed lack of options and the fact these two poor players are still at the club. They clearly were brought on to help see things out. Both backed off a few times but were just bodies to ensure the point.

Wilder 6/10 - Defensively sound. Well organised and hard to break down. Out of possession very good. We had a good shape and limited a home side to nothing - bit like Brum did to us last week and gradually got on top. Will be disappointwd not to push on and win, maybe? Other side *on the ball) was sadly really poor again. Little passing or movement and no real plan how to attack teams. We are dreadful with the ball and just seem to be playing aimless long balls save for a spell 2nd half, where we had a decent spell off the back of a few corners. Not sure we played more than 4 passes to teammates in a row, in their half, all game. They maybe could say the same. We did have 3 decent chances. They had zero. So in that sense he will say we take that and we nick the points. I think a draw was about right - like last week, don't think either side did enough to win.

Thought his presser yesterday was very good and showed good leadership- at least his words did. He is probably fed up with it all in terms of bad owners again. I have concerns over his coaching and tactics but with everything going on, is a steady pair of hands. Think he's been shat on with best players sold and nobody coming in and after talking about new signings constantly, seems to have been promised things, he is not getting. I do have sympathy for him in that regard but we still have enough to be competitive amd have been do far, if awful to watch.

Swansea - Expected much more but despite shading the first half, they created nothing of note. Few crosses/half chances but nothing clear. They then defended deeper 2nd half and looked more like the away side. Thought they were as bad as us in terms of forward passes or lack of creativity. Made changes with dangerous subs (Not sure why these did not start?) but despite finishing stronger, created nothing.

They looked a very uninspiring team but credit to United for limiting them. A better team puts them away 2nd half as they had gone but we sort of let them off the hook. See another dull season going nowhere (much like us probably!).

Player of the match - Opuku showed a few glimpses first half but nobody particularly impressed.

Weak link - Fulton is a player I like but he gave ot away as much as anyone. Eventually taken off. Idah was poor too.

Referee - Tom Nield. Fine really. Barely a bad tackle all game. Barely a tackle! Thought they got a lot of the 50-50 stuff first half but was better 2nd half. 4 bookings - 2 to each team. Got Burrows one spot on. Tanganga bit soft. Did think he let the game flow and tried to play advantage when he could.

Sorry I am finding your negativity a little boring. You need to get real and understand where we are. We got a point away from home and could have won. At the moment this is a good result and should be judged as such.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Sorry I am finding your negativity a little boring.

Wouldn’t be a proper Yorkshire report without a good sprinkle of negativity like you’re splashing Hendo’s on your Shepherd’s Pie.

 

[Alex Cheeseright]

Might have to give a rating to Phil Jones as he has improved the defence into a formidable unit. Granted only 3 games, but still...best defence in the country!!!

 

[Servigliano]

Had a look at the stats on Fotmob as the eye test sometimes fails and sadly backs up my take on Peck and Arblaster.

The below are poor stats for midfielders.

Peck

Offensively

17/32 pass completion. 7 passes into final third. 2 chances created. 1 touch in opposition box. 1 shot. 1 shot on target. No accurate crosses. 1/4 accurate long balls.

Defensively

3 clearances. 1 tackle. 1 interception. 40% on ground duels.

Arblaster

Offensively

17/26 pass completion. Only 3 passes into final third. 1 chance created. 1 touch in opposition box. No shots. No accurate crosses. No accurate long balls.

Defensively

4 interceptions but zero tackles, blocks or interceptions. 50% on ground duels

Rothwell

Won't quote all his stats but was 15/18 on passes, 5/5 on long passes. Defensively not as good but contributed more overall than above 2.

Swansea - quick comparison

Fulton was 44/51 passes - not saying he did much with it and I thought he was poor too as I said above!

Stamenic 31/34 passes

Its not all about passing as most of those were pointless and thought Swansea's midfield was as poor as ours tbh but wanted to look at stats as I thought may have been harsh on Blaster and Peck but not sure I was looking at sta

Had a look at the stats on Fotmob as the eye test sometimes fails and sadly backs up my take on Peck and Arblaster.

The below are poor stats for midfielders.

Peck

Offensively

17/32 pass completion. 7 passes into final third. 2 chances created. 1 touch in opposition box. 1 shot. 1 shot on target. No accurate crosses. 1/4 accurate long balls.

Defensively

3 clearances. 1 tackle. 1 interception. 40% on ground duels.

Arblaster

Offensively

17/26 pass completion. Only 3 passes into final third. 1 chance created. 1 touch in opposition box. No shots. No accurate crosses. No accurate long balls.

Defensively

4 interceptions but zero tackles, blocks or interceptions. 50% on ground duels

Rothwell

Won't quote all his stats but was 15/18 on passes, 5/5 on long passes. Defensively not as good but contributed more overall than above 2.

Swansea - quick comparison

Fulton was 44/51 passes - not saying he did much with it and I thought he was poor too as I said above!

Stamenic 31/34 passes

Its not all about passing as most of those were pointless and thought Swansea's midfield was as poor as ours tbh but wanted to look at stats as I thought may have been harsh on Blaster and Peck but not sure I was looking at stats!

I'd trust a football wise pair of eyes against any stats when it comes to judging a particular player. There are an almost infinite number of confounding factors involved which thankfully are beyond a mere machine's cold analysis. I'd trust even your judgement more than the stats !
It's interesting that Tanganga looks a lot better than he did last season, not that he was by any means poor then, but I'd say that's mainly because he's playing alongside a big bruiser CB a la Cooper. On the other hand maybe it's the influence of Jones, or both.