Deadbat
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- Joined
- Aug 6, 2009
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I have been extremely concerned with the performances this season. We may have 9 points but this hugely flatters us when we perhaps deserve maybe 2 (Swansea and Wolves) points maximum. The stats and the eye test both are aligned. We may have lost three important players (best 3 attacking players) and that has to be taken into consideration but there is still enough quality/experience in the club that should not see us routinely outplayed week after week. Sunday was better in terms of organisation and tactics but we never looked like scoring and once again the appalling conditioning of our players meant they were always susceptible to a late goal. I hoped tonight against a League Two side would give us chance to replicate the only decent performance of the season really – the win at Mansfield. We changed the team but it was a relatively strong side packed full of players who have played the top two levels all their career. I thought we would be too strong for a side in the bottom division.
What we saw, was one of the worst Blades performances in years. Make no mistake, this was as bad as anything we have seen from us when you figure in the opposition and how the game played out. We were dominated for long spells of the game and really Fleetwood should and could have been at least 3 up before we finally fashioned a few late chances. It would have been rough justice on them if we had forced penalties. They were full value for the win and 1-0 flattered us. I am struggling to find many positives individually or collectively. It was an absolute s**t show from us. We looked slow, lethargic, disinterested. We barely put a tackle in all night. It was slow, passive and we played sideways and backwards. We had more possession but did nothing with it and Fleetwood were the more likely first half making Cooper work on a number of occasions. We should have trailed at the break. We had a few crosses but rarely did we pass forward and even against a League Two side, resorted to humping it and hoping Cannon might get on a loose ball. I did not even realise a number were playing till I looked at the team sheet. The players attitude was disgraceful, not helped by a rigid 4-4-2 that does not get the best out of the players we have and no clear plan/tactics to progress the ball. We had two ideas. Kick it long and hope something drops or give it Donovan and maybe he might fashion something. In general play, we looked totally clueless.
Second half, their managed did what every other manager does against us. Pushed them higher up the field and they started to pressure us and get the ball into the box. We continued to sit off and get deeper. Against Fleetwood. They had more chances and Cooper kept us in it but then they scored. Or rather we scored for them. After this we made changes but it made little difference. They harshly had a second disallowed and hit both posts. We were not looking even likely to get in their half. It was wretched. Finally, they started to tire and we had a Peck effort well saved and then Cannon should score after a mix up at the back, before BBD (who did ok) had a shot saved with the keeper’s legs. Fleetwood deservedly won the game. They will have been surprised how easy it was. If you watched the game without knowing what division both teams were in, you would not be clear who was the higher team. Passing, set plays, lack of movement, nobody showing and nobody taking responsibility. It was cowardly.
For an experienced manager and set of largely senior players to serve us such an abject showing, really is unacceptable. The fans there made their feelings known singing, ‘What the f****g hell was that?’ I can see why for most away games we are struggling to sell out (we did somehow tonight - maybe novelty factor if going to a different ground for some?). The football has been appalling to watch, with very little technical ability, patterns of play and in most games, we never look like scoring (the late spell makes it look like a different game than it actually was). I am struggling to see what is being done on the training field and what style we are meant to be playing. I could have lived with that (as we have had dreadful cup knock outs under Wilder in his spells at the club) but the performances on the whole have been largely in keeping with that.
Sadly, I do not see anything but a defeat on Saturday. Hope I am wrong. That would leave us not far from the bottom places and not sure why Wilder thinks having a three-week break is going to help the team? We had 3 months off and a preseason? It’s bewildering that this is the target -get to the international break? What is that going to chance.
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Cooper 7/10 – Our best player again. Made a number of saves. A few at full stretch. No chance on the goal. Seemed a bit lucky on the disallowed one but at this stage his players in front were all over the place. Weird he was allowed to wear yellow (same as the team). Looked like we had an extra outfield player! Wished we had! He has been our player of the season by a long stretch.
Doherty 2/10 – Looked slow, cumbersome and out of position constantly for an experienced pro. They got down his side a few times and he struggled to keep up. Poor on the ball too. Hooked second half after leaving Andrew to get down that side time after time. Another ridiculous signing. Wolves fans said he was done. Nobody wanted him. In we swoop!
Norrington Davies 1.5/10 - First half he was one of the better players in the sense he looked like he cared and got stuck in but then 2nd half he had an absolute nightmare. Probably close to a 0 or 0.5 for that half! He scores an own goal – under no pressure whatsoever. He makes error after error. Gets booked after losing the ball and then just kept passing it to them, overrunning it and looked completely gone for an experienced player. They played on him down that side and got many chances from him switching off or losing his battle.
Tanganga 3/10 – Poor showing again where he looked slow and does not react to balls coming in. Dreadful technically. Cannot believe how bad he is on the ball. Two lower league players Helm and Evans moved our centre backs around as we sat off, lost balls coming in and never really won the challenges. Not really a captain. The whole side lacks leadership. Two young players, Peck and Donovan are the ones telling people what to do!
McGuiness 3/10 – Headed a few away but another who did not really impose himself and Fleetwood just sat off him, knowing all he can do is punt it away. He looks a player that if he was playing League 2, that would be about his standard. We can rarely have had two such poor centre backs in terms of technical ability but also passivity. They are not dominating and do not attack the ball. However, the stuff in front is making them look even worse.
Riedewald 2/10 – Played it backwards and sideways all game and rarely seems to move into the opposition half. Another who has put on weight and has no mobility. Very ordinary player and whilst last season he would plug gaps and get into good positions, they just ran through us. Another signing that seems a waste of a wage. Slow, not particularly a stopper but does not offer anything offensively. Just another nothing type player on current form.
Rothwell 1.5/10 – Did not even know he was playing? He barely had a kick. Spends more time flipping his hair back than actually touching the ball. His legs have completely gone. If people had actually watched him for Rangers, we maybe would not have signed him but like with BBD, Doherty and many others, we sign players based on performances from years ago?
Arblaster 4/10 – Felt a bit sorry for him, as he was put wide left. He had a few neat touches and one effort early on (our only real one on goal until the latter stages). Faded badly and we stopped even having possession. Second half not in the game and the lower league side swarmed all over us.
Donovan 5/10 – At least tried to get on the ball and make things happen. Had to come off the flank as he has no service. Looked fed up by the end. Things did not come off but at least he was trying to dribble/create.
Campbell 1.5/10 – One run and shot away from the keeper. Outside of that, like Rothwell, I barely noticed him at all. Looks genuinely like he has some health issues as he cannot run, was blowing after just the first 5 minutes and seems to be something badly wrong with him? He simply cannot move around the pitch rendering him a complete waste of a shirt. Why we gave him a new contract, I do not know? Miles off the players from a few seasons ago. He has been largely awful the whole of the calendar year (1 goal is it?) and needs sending on some sort of boot camp, as he is no good to us at the moment – either that or some urgent medical tests?
Cannon 4.5/10 – Do not think he was the worst player and one of few who put some effort in and at least was an outlet the few times we had an attack. Couple of crosses he put in where no one attacked it. He should have scored with the late chance he had. How bad have we got, that he has been one of the better performers (still mostly poor) this season?
Subs –
Ayew 4/10 – Mis controlled a few and had one good chance but he sort of stumbled before backheeling to Cannon who should score. Another who looked shattered soon after he entered the field. Why are we wasting money on people who cannot run?
Brereton Diaz 5/10 – Actually put some effort in and had a few runs at least. Overrun a couple but decent shot that was saved at the end. Worrying when he looked dynamic compared to the total slugs on display.
Shackleton 3/10 – Left big gaps in that position. Brought on to plug the gaps and failed to do that.
Peck 5/10 – Few awful corners but at least got on the ball a bit and had that one shot. He deserves some credit for going to the fans and telling the rest to go over. Showed more courage than the manager.
Bamford – Seemed to be playing central midfield or maybe wing. At this point, I had no idea what the formation was but he was thrown on way too late.
Manager Rating: Wilder 1/10 – Hard to give him more than 1/10. He did not play but everything served up from the way the team set up, the lack of application, intensity, dreadful passing, no forward thinking play and the timid, conservative plan really means he cannot just blame the players (who were garbage but he picked/signed and coached them). He said he did not trust the players last season but now he does? This is a crazy statement. We have pretty much the same set minus the best 3 attacking players and some experienced has beens added. What has changed? I see the same set of losers that seem demotivated, not got any idea what they are doing and are serving up utter dross. I have kind of made excuses for losing the better players but now you see that Brooks/Hamer just were often finding moments to cover up for the complete lack of plan/tactics in the side. The players he has signed have been mostly dreadful and he also has no idea what formation to play. Sadly, I do not think he has a clue how to turn it around. He said at the weekend, ‘he does know what he is doing and has been around.’ The evidence so far suggests he does not have the mojo/motivation/tactical nous at this level anymore. A lot will talk about 4-4-2 but we have played different formations (Sunday was better with the 3 but relied on Phillips sitting) and still looked awful, never having the ball or playing any progressive football.
I worry that the owners are wedded to him now. He did ok last year but let’s be honest anyone who came in with the players we had, would have kept them up. I just hope it does not turn nasty if the results continued to drop (which they will if the performances continue). He will have not had those chants and boos at the team at the end very much. He is in charge of that performance and cannot keep saying he cannot go out and play. He is responsible for the team that goes out there. Tonight was totally unacceptable and he has to own that. Not mumble some rubbish about players not taking their chances etc. We had so many senior players and a strong squad. Disappointing he did not face the fans and went straight down the tunnel. He should have gone over after such a showing and took the criticism for me.
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Fleetwood – Deserved to win. Better side and won all the battle but also played better football and looked more dangerous. Not even sure they are that good and probably will be mid table in the bottom division. Not even that experienced a side really? A lot of kids and lower league players who have not played much higher. Yet beat us and beat us well. The goal music is entertaining too- Captain Pugwash style! Got a great draw. They will give Arsenal a better game than we would have done. At least they might have a plan and some tactics.
Opposition player of the match – Andrew caused problems with his crossing and running. The front two were a handful and former Blades Neal (got man of the match) and Potter (great block from the Cannon shot) worked far harder than any of our players. They were better man for man in every area of the field. Keeper made two good saves late on but had nothing to do until then!
Referee – Ben Speedie. No relation to the former Scotland striker David! Fine really. Maybe Evans challenge is a red card in the Premier League but no VAR of course. We barely put any tackles in at all. We just sat off. The offside I thought might have been harsh. They ruled the lad was in the way but I think it was already in the net pretty much and we got away with that.
What we saw, was one of the worst Blades performances in years. Make no mistake, this was as bad as anything we have seen from us when you figure in the opposition and how the game played out. We were dominated for long spells of the game and really Fleetwood should and could have been at least 3 up before we finally fashioned a few late chances. It would have been rough justice on them if we had forced penalties. They were full value for the win and 1-0 flattered us. I am struggling to find many positives individually or collectively. It was an absolute s**t show from us. We looked slow, lethargic, disinterested. We barely put a tackle in all night. It was slow, passive and we played sideways and backwards. We had more possession but did nothing with it and Fleetwood were the more likely first half making Cooper work on a number of occasions. We should have trailed at the break. We had a few crosses but rarely did we pass forward and even against a League Two side, resorted to humping it and hoping Cannon might get on a loose ball. I did not even realise a number were playing till I looked at the team sheet. The players attitude was disgraceful, not helped by a rigid 4-4-2 that does not get the best out of the players we have and no clear plan/tactics to progress the ball. We had two ideas. Kick it long and hope something drops or give it Donovan and maybe he might fashion something. In general play, we looked totally clueless.
Second half, their managed did what every other manager does against us. Pushed them higher up the field and they started to pressure us and get the ball into the box. We continued to sit off and get deeper. Against Fleetwood. They had more chances and Cooper kept us in it but then they scored. Or rather we scored for them. After this we made changes but it made little difference. They harshly had a second disallowed and hit both posts. We were not looking even likely to get in their half. It was wretched. Finally, they started to tire and we had a Peck effort well saved and then Cannon should score after a mix up at the back, before BBD (who did ok) had a shot saved with the keeper’s legs. Fleetwood deservedly won the game. They will have been surprised how easy it was. If you watched the game without knowing what division both teams were in, you would not be clear who was the higher team. Passing, set plays, lack of movement, nobody showing and nobody taking responsibility. It was cowardly.
For an experienced manager and set of largely senior players to serve us such an abject showing, really is unacceptable. The fans there made their feelings known singing, ‘What the f****g hell was that?’ I can see why for most away games we are struggling to sell out (we did somehow tonight - maybe novelty factor if going to a different ground for some?). The football has been appalling to watch, with very little technical ability, patterns of play and in most games, we never look like scoring (the late spell makes it look like a different game than it actually was). I am struggling to see what is being done on the training field and what style we are meant to be playing. I could have lived with that (as we have had dreadful cup knock outs under Wilder in his spells at the club) but the performances on the whole have been largely in keeping with that.
Sadly, I do not see anything but a defeat on Saturday. Hope I am wrong. That would leave us not far from the bottom places and not sure why Wilder thinks having a three-week break is going to help the team? We had 3 months off and a preseason? It’s bewildering that this is the target -get to the international break? What is that going to chance.
___
Cooper 7/10 – Our best player again. Made a number of saves. A few at full stretch. No chance on the goal. Seemed a bit lucky on the disallowed one but at this stage his players in front were all over the place. Weird he was allowed to wear yellow (same as the team). Looked like we had an extra outfield player! Wished we had! He has been our player of the season by a long stretch.
Doherty 2/10 – Looked slow, cumbersome and out of position constantly for an experienced pro. They got down his side a few times and he struggled to keep up. Poor on the ball too. Hooked second half after leaving Andrew to get down that side time after time. Another ridiculous signing. Wolves fans said he was done. Nobody wanted him. In we swoop!
Norrington Davies 1.5/10 - First half he was one of the better players in the sense he looked like he cared and got stuck in but then 2nd half he had an absolute nightmare. Probably close to a 0 or 0.5 for that half! He scores an own goal – under no pressure whatsoever. He makes error after error. Gets booked after losing the ball and then just kept passing it to them, overrunning it and looked completely gone for an experienced player. They played on him down that side and got many chances from him switching off or losing his battle.
Tanganga 3/10 – Poor showing again where he looked slow and does not react to balls coming in. Dreadful technically. Cannot believe how bad he is on the ball. Two lower league players Helm and Evans moved our centre backs around as we sat off, lost balls coming in and never really won the challenges. Not really a captain. The whole side lacks leadership. Two young players, Peck and Donovan are the ones telling people what to do!
McGuiness 3/10 – Headed a few away but another who did not really impose himself and Fleetwood just sat off him, knowing all he can do is punt it away. He looks a player that if he was playing League 2, that would be about his standard. We can rarely have had two such poor centre backs in terms of technical ability but also passivity. They are not dominating and do not attack the ball. However, the stuff in front is making them look even worse.
Riedewald 2/10 – Played it backwards and sideways all game and rarely seems to move into the opposition half. Another who has put on weight and has no mobility. Very ordinary player and whilst last season he would plug gaps and get into good positions, they just ran through us. Another signing that seems a waste of a wage. Slow, not particularly a stopper but does not offer anything offensively. Just another nothing type player on current form.
Rothwell 1.5/10 – Did not even know he was playing? He barely had a kick. Spends more time flipping his hair back than actually touching the ball. His legs have completely gone. If people had actually watched him for Rangers, we maybe would not have signed him but like with BBD, Doherty and many others, we sign players based on performances from years ago?
Arblaster 4/10 – Felt a bit sorry for him, as he was put wide left. He had a few neat touches and one effort early on (our only real one on goal until the latter stages). Faded badly and we stopped even having possession. Second half not in the game and the lower league side swarmed all over us.
Donovan 5/10 – At least tried to get on the ball and make things happen. Had to come off the flank as he has no service. Looked fed up by the end. Things did not come off but at least he was trying to dribble/create.
Campbell 1.5/10 – One run and shot away from the keeper. Outside of that, like Rothwell, I barely noticed him at all. Looks genuinely like he has some health issues as he cannot run, was blowing after just the first 5 minutes and seems to be something badly wrong with him? He simply cannot move around the pitch rendering him a complete waste of a shirt. Why we gave him a new contract, I do not know? Miles off the players from a few seasons ago. He has been largely awful the whole of the calendar year (1 goal is it?) and needs sending on some sort of boot camp, as he is no good to us at the moment – either that or some urgent medical tests?
Cannon 4.5/10 – Do not think he was the worst player and one of few who put some effort in and at least was an outlet the few times we had an attack. Couple of crosses he put in where no one attacked it. He should have scored with the late chance he had. How bad have we got, that he has been one of the better performers (still mostly poor) this season?
Subs –
Ayew 4/10 – Mis controlled a few and had one good chance but he sort of stumbled before backheeling to Cannon who should score. Another who looked shattered soon after he entered the field. Why are we wasting money on people who cannot run?
Brereton Diaz 5/10 – Actually put some effort in and had a few runs at least. Overrun a couple but decent shot that was saved at the end. Worrying when he looked dynamic compared to the total slugs on display.
Shackleton 3/10 – Left big gaps in that position. Brought on to plug the gaps and failed to do that.
Peck 5/10 – Few awful corners but at least got on the ball a bit and had that one shot. He deserves some credit for going to the fans and telling the rest to go over. Showed more courage than the manager.
Bamford – Seemed to be playing central midfield or maybe wing. At this point, I had no idea what the formation was but he was thrown on way too late.
Manager Rating: Wilder 1/10 – Hard to give him more than 1/10. He did not play but everything served up from the way the team set up, the lack of application, intensity, dreadful passing, no forward thinking play and the timid, conservative plan really means he cannot just blame the players (who were garbage but he picked/signed and coached them). He said he did not trust the players last season but now he does? This is a crazy statement. We have pretty much the same set minus the best 3 attacking players and some experienced has beens added. What has changed? I see the same set of losers that seem demotivated, not got any idea what they are doing and are serving up utter dross. I have kind of made excuses for losing the better players but now you see that Brooks/Hamer just were often finding moments to cover up for the complete lack of plan/tactics in the side. The players he has signed have been mostly dreadful and he also has no idea what formation to play. Sadly, I do not think he has a clue how to turn it around. He said at the weekend, ‘he does know what he is doing and has been around.’ The evidence so far suggests he does not have the mojo/motivation/tactical nous at this level anymore. A lot will talk about 4-4-2 but we have played different formations (Sunday was better with the 3 but relied on Phillips sitting) and still looked awful, never having the ball or playing any progressive football.
I worry that the owners are wedded to him now. He did ok last year but let’s be honest anyone who came in with the players we had, would have kept them up. I just hope it does not turn nasty if the results continued to drop (which they will if the performances continue). He will have not had those chants and boos at the team at the end very much. He is in charge of that performance and cannot keep saying he cannot go out and play. He is responsible for the team that goes out there. Tonight was totally unacceptable and he has to own that. Not mumble some rubbish about players not taking their chances etc. We had so many senior players and a strong squad. Disappointing he did not face the fans and went straight down the tunnel. He should have gone over after such a showing and took the criticism for me.
---
Fleetwood – Deserved to win. Better side and won all the battle but also played better football and looked more dangerous. Not even sure they are that good and probably will be mid table in the bottom division. Not even that experienced a side really? A lot of kids and lower league players who have not played much higher. Yet beat us and beat us well. The goal music is entertaining too- Captain Pugwash style! Got a great draw. They will give Arsenal a better game than we would have done. At least they might have a plan and some tactics.
Opposition player of the match – Andrew caused problems with his crossing and running. The front two were a handful and former Blades Neal (got man of the match) and Potter (great block from the Cannon shot) worked far harder than any of our players. They were better man for man in every area of the field. Keeper made two good saves late on but had nothing to do until then!
Referee – Ben Speedie. No relation to the former Scotland striker David! Fine really. Maybe Evans challenge is a red card in the Premier League but no VAR of course. We barely put any tackles in at all. We just sat off. The offside I thought might have been harsh. They ruled the lad was in the way but I think it was already in the net pretty much and we got away with that.
