Collins approach to Long was a disgrace

[Grappler]

Just to add, that I still think there is a ton of potential in Kieron Freeman, but would play him on the wing, he has tricky, skilful feet and can score. We don't need that "tippy tappy" stuff in the back four, just real men who can put a foot through a ball and clear it.

I would play Freeman in the place of Woolford.

 

[sheffielder]

I'll help you. He's fucking rhubarb! Absolutely terrible.

See, not difficult when you shake off the Bladey Blade chains.

I'd love to help you out, I really would. Anyway, how the hell does what you have said make any sense in what you're replying to?

 

[Grappler]

Oh, and just to make matters worse, on Radio Sheffield, when they go round the grounds, it sounded like Andy Butler was having a good game. Can someone confirm one way or another? Please don't let that be true, it's enough to put me off my beer (again!)

 

[United Aren't Back.]

The goalkeeping situation is a mess.

Sadly I think yesterday proved that Long will in all likelihood probably never make it at this level or higher. I could be wrong of course but this is not based just on one game. He was loaned out to two sides last season and struggled at both and was even dropped by Oxford who sent him back. At Motherwell he did ok in the playoff games but for the rest of the time he made numerous mistakes.

People say he is a confidence player but he has been around now for 2 or 3 seasons and I would wager he has got worse as a player and in terms of confidence since he made his debut at 17.

He was given the nod yesterday by the new manager and should have been as confident as he could possibly be to get the start; be the number one. the first goal was laughable. Why did he just not power through the player and punch it away; if he had tried to go through the man and hit the floor; the referee would have given a foul to us. this was Simonsens biggest issue. The referees never give fouls on goalkeepers if they take players out on corners in attempts to get the ball; indeed they normally give it to the keeper for being obstructed. The way he tried to punch it about shoulder high as a 5;9-10 guy was able to hold him off was pathetic. Then he did not come at all for the second.

I am unsure where he goes from here as Howard will now be back in next week and then what - another loan - to where? Scotland which is abysmal standard or another League Two side where he wont even be a first choice keeper.

Sad in a way as when he came into the team I really thought he might make it as he had the build, athleticism and reflexes but his basic command of an area/ability to impose is non existent.

I see he only had another year left on his contact and I would not expect him to be offered anything unless there is a remarkable turnaround. The goalkeeping situation since we came down has never been sorted and for all those that say Howard is ok they really need to look at the two playoff games (two biggest games of the season and he made 2 huge errors in both legs - and for all those saying he was injured - that is another reason why he is not good enough).

I doo think when need a new keeper as much as 2 new centre backs and all this Howard is ok...we wll bumble along is not good enough for such a key position ...he proved in the final few month of last season he was not good enough as shot after shot sailed pat him.

Goalkeeper is as big a weakness as centre half..can Adkins not see it..in which case hes a fucking idiot or is there no money? Given that rotund Billy is in vogue I will hazard a guess..its the former more than the latter.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Jay Mac had the Captain's armband yesterday I think, did he show any leadership ability?

Early days, but it looked minimal. I don't know what sort of captain he is – didn't look vocal, didn't show anything to suggest he was trying to get hold of the situation.

I wonder if we should read more into Adkins's suggestion a few weeks back that we could have a club captain and team captain. Perhaps the team captain is still to be signed...

 

[Grappler]

Early days, but it looked minimal. I don't know what sort of captain he is – didn't look vocal, didn't show anything to suggest he was trying to get hold of the situation.

I wonder if we should read more into Adkins's suggestion a few weeks back that we could have a club captain and team captain. Perhaps the team captain is still to be signed...

While Doyle was not the best player on the pitch, he did go in with the hard tackles at times, Morgan was always the enforcer when Captain, no-nonsense and someone the rest of the lads could depend on.

Nigel Adkins really has his work cut out, and he knows it after yesterday.

 

[Bladesman]

Collins has let himself down.

Yesterday you would have thought he would have approached the game with a point to prove. To prove Clough was wrong freezing him out last season and that he still has something to offer us. Seems to me all he did was make mistakes and blame everyone else for them.

Although I agree Howard should have started instead of Long.

 

[jt64]

Jay Mac had the Captain's armband yesterday I think, did he show any leadership ability?

I did notice at one stage in the first half he went to Long and had a quiet word with him, about what I don't know but it could simply have been giving some support that he'd respond to, rather than the Collins approach.

 

[sheffielder]

I did notice at one stage in the first half he went to Long and had a quiet word with him, about what I don't know but it could simply have been giving some support that he'd respond to, rather than the Collins approach.

I remember something similar happening when Wilson was here. Same happened with Doyle and Collins towards Long. Robson (Scottish one who's first name I can't remember) ran all the way from the right hand side of midfield to have a word, and put his arm round Long

 

[Grappler]

I did notice at one stage in the first half he went to Long and had a quiet word with him, about what I don't know but it could simply have been giving some support that he'd respond to, rather than the Collins approach.

Cheers mate, I wasn't at the game and thought that Basham would have been given the arm band.

 

[Bladesince59]

Edwards is right - it's the entire defence we need to replace - by next weekend?

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I did say it would end in tears !!!

That wasn't the end, it was the beginning

 

[robbiez666]

Just to add, that I still think there is a ton of potential in Kieron Freeman, but would play him on the wing, he has tricky, skilful feet and can score. We don't need that "tippy tappy" stuff in the back four, just real men who can put a foot through a ball and clear it.

I would play Freeman in the place of Woolford.

The same Kieron Freeman who was diabolical last season when played? Adkins seems to think he can play as CB.

I'd loan him out for a season tbh, get him playing regularly at League 2 level

 

[Grappler]

That wasn't the end, it was the beginning

True mate, but there is no way of dressing this one up is there? To lose 1-0 or even 2-0 happens. To lose 4-0?

Adkins may have just realised the enormity of the task ahead of him.

As others have already said, if the board want to make a return on investment, they need to invest in decent players now. January will be too late.

 

[Grappler]

The same Kieron Freeman who was diabolical last season when played? Adkins seems to think he can play as CB.

I'd loan him out for a season tbh, get him playing regularly at League 2 level

Just my opinion mate, I thought he came off the bench and did well a few times last season, scored a few, was man of the match in a couple of games for me.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Only on page 3 of the thread but in footballing terms Collins played like a proper defender.

Saw him give Long grief as well.

McEveley had a go at Long over his goal kicks, though he did try to encourage him later.

 

[robbiez666]

Just my opinion mate, I thought he came off the bench and did well a few times last season, scored a few, was man of the match in a couple of games for me.

Oops, I somehow read Wallace instead of Freeman. Apologies and I agree with you.

 

[Grappler]

Oops, I somehow read Wallace instead of Freeman. Apologies and I agree with you.

No worries pal (well, plenty of worries about SUFC, but you know what I mean)

 

[robbiez666]

No worries pal (well, plenty of worries about SUFC, but you know what I mean)

I was incredibly shocked that anyone would big up Kieran Wallace!

 

[Grappler]

I was incredibly shocked that anyone would big up Kieran Wallace!

Not sure why he came to us, unless it was a "2 player package" that Ilkeston demanded, in order for us to get Che Adams? We certainly didn't need any more squad players.

 

[alcoblade]

I remember something similar happening when Wilson was here. Same happened with Doyle and Collins towards Long. Robson (Scottish one who's first name I can't remember) ran all the way from the right hand side of midfield to have a word, and put his arm round Long

And about three years later, we are still talking about players putting their arms around him. To be fair, no wonder Collins ( who's own future is under threat) despairs. So do I.

UTB

 

[Cyprus Blade]

The only reason i could see for extending Jmac a contract is so other clubs don't hold us to ransom for a fee on a new CB.

Wasn't McEveley's contract extended before Adkins appointment ? If so it had to be some sort of business decision, Clough decision or contract clause giving the player the say. But then Adkins gave the captain's armband to him. So I guess he rates him. God knows why.

 

[Snowman]

Both Scousers?

 

[sheffielder]

And about three years later, we are still talking about players putting their arms around him. To be fair, no wonder Collins ( who's own future is under threat) despairs. So do I.

UTB

players put arms around each other all the time.

 

[Snowman]

Both Scousers?

And as for Long, like others on here I am a member of the goalkeepers union and I don't think I have seen a post from anyone who has played that position who believes he is ready for first team action. At the moment it seems a doubt whether he will even make it in the professional game.

 

[sitwell]

Long is not good enough to be a professional goalkeeper ,I have said this for 3 seasons now ,there are far better non league keepers than him at semi professional level. He reminds me of a sunday league team when the keeper doesn't turn up so you put the weakest outfield player in ,either that or Billy Casper.
as for Collins ,he has been a bully for a long time ,masking his own inadequacies for himself in my opinion and the reason I think Clough didn't rate him but Long simply had to man up and tell Collins to do his own fucking job in what should be Longs area.

 

[Pinchy]

I'd love to help you out, I really would. Anyway, how the hell does what you have said make any sense in what you're replying to?

I was helping you with your reluctance to acknowledge that Local George is an unmitigated disaster as a goalkeeper.

In what way do you suggest you might help me? I've considered the matter with care and concluded that I don't need an injection of silly Bladeyness and I'm unaware of anything else of value that you might have to offer?...

 

[alcoblade]

players put arms around each other all the time.

And there's nothing wrong with it. But when it becomes a pre requisite to avoiding mental breakdown, it's really a problem. One that we've been discussing, regarding Long, for Almost four years now.

God knows what it takes for the penny to drop with some.

UTB

 

[sheffielder]

Long is not good enough to be a professional goalkeeper ,I have said this for 3 seasons now ,there are far better non league keepers than him at semi professional level. He reminds me of a sunday league team when the keeper doesn't turn up so you put the weakest outfield player in ,either that or Billy Casper.
as for Collins ,he has been a bully for a long time ,masking his own inadequacies for himself in my opinion and the reason I think Clough didn't rate him but Long simply had to man up and tell Collins to do his own fucking job in what should be Longs area.

We need a keeper because neither Long or Howard are good enough at this time.
We need a CB, possibly two because Collins or McEverley are not good enough
Basham needs to be moved to the back or protect the back 4, not allow Baxter to sit deep.

The platform for any team are the Keeper, 2 x cb's and 2 x CM. Everywhere else we are strong when you add Harris to and Brayford to the team.

Apparently Coady wasn't the finished article last year, well how's he getting on. We are paying for years of neglect and it might be an NFL saying, but you have to win in the trenches first.

 

[sheffielder]

And there's nothing wrong with it. But when it becomes a pre requisite to avoiding mental breakdown, it's really a problem. One that we've been discussing, regarding Long, for Almost four years now.

God knows what it takes for the penny to drop with some.

UTB

The issue is Howard is not good enough, we're stuck between a rock and a hard place