Did Adkins stumble across the winning formula tonight?

[blade67]

Howard

Brayford / Kennedy / Edgar / Freeman

Done / Basham / Coutts / Adams

Sharp / Sammon

Baxter, Long, Collins, K Wallace, Mcnulty, JCR, Reed

This still looks like our best side to me given the players who are fit and becoming available.

I suppose that the front six could be

Done Basham Coutts Adams
Baxter
Sharp

is an alternative that should be considered (perhaps as a 2nd half alternative)

There is still a problem at CH and ideally you would buy a proper CM and a goalie but no one else in this league has all the problems solved either so perhaps we have to accept the status quo until Adkins gets to move the dead wood out

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Whatever the limitations of Notts, that was a cracking performance & a joy to watch at times. 433 suits us so, so much better & seems to allow Baxter to be Baxter.

Done seems right back to his highest standards straight away, & Scougs' confidence seemed to grow visibly as the game went on.
But worth going though solely for that sublime bit of skill from JCR just before he came off - really hope they put it on the brief highlights on the YouTube channel, it deserves to be seen by everyone.

P.S. While I agree Che wasn't great, there were moments where his class shone through, I thought. He's destined to play in that central position - & has got the strength, the touch & the pace to be a real class act there. And thought Woolford was decent tonight tbf.

 

[Pinchy]

Hard yo know what to make of tonight, everyone was great but County could not have cared less. Baxter in particular had the freedom of the park to pick his passes. Doing the same thing against a team that wants to win is another matter entirely.

Still, Done, JCR and Adams showed what they bring to the team.

I agree about Done, JCR and Adams but Still was completely anonymous...

 

[Guesty]

I agree about Done, JCR and Adams but Still was completely anonymous...

Wahey!

 

[Pinchy]

Wahey!

Roger.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Was it 4-3-3? Lots of pace and directness in the forward positions, ball players in midfield, Scougs back in his favoured role, Baxter pushed further forward?

The Port Vale starting line up certainly looked very slow in comparison.

The title may be a bit over the top, but there may be things to take from this "meaningless" game. Looking forward to comments from those who were there.

Bergen Blade I think you're in for a real treat when you see the game.

To answer your question: WHF Jr Sr thought it was all about the 4-3-3, but is concerned about where Sharp would fit in.

I thought it was all about speed of passing and general intent, which may of course stem from having players available in the 4-3-3.

There was all sorts tonight that was great to watch.

It has to be said that they really did let us play, but play we did. The big question is can we do it on Saturday in a real game? If we can it will be great to watch.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

For those that didn't go hopefully someone will do a video clip of Campbell Ryce trickery just before he came off - amazing skill and really deserved a goal. In short yes notes county were crap but well done United !

A great passage of play - and one of many highlights.

Credit due to Adkins for this as well. Jam has said that he has been given licence to try things, playing with freedom, instead of playing with fear. Decent save by their keeper from the deflected shot. Pity.

 

[PokerBlade]

Helped us a lot that they didn't put in a hard tackle all game. Very novel to go to a nothing game on a rainy Tuesday night and be able to enjoy it all the way like that. Our attacking play was far too much for them to handle but we really can't expect to play anyone that bad again all season.

If we put out that side in the league I'd be very worried about us getting bullied out of the game. Plenty of positives about our attacking options but not much we didn't know. The biggest positive going forward is to get 70 minutes out of Done.

 

[Pinchy]

Bergen Blade I think you're in for a real treat when you see the game.

To answer your question: WHF Jr Sr thought it was all about the 4-3-3, but is concerned about where Sharp would fit in.

I thought it was all about speed of passing and general intent, which may of course stem from having players available in the 4-3-3.

There was all sorts tonight that was great to watch.

It has to be said that they really did let us play, but play we did. The big question is can we do it on Saturday in a real game? If we can it will be great to watch.

Sooner or later, United will be great to watch under Adkins. Like anyone else though, he needs time and not to be distracted by frantically jerking knees!

 

[Ricky]

County were poor, our Midfield will not get that much time and space again this season BUT...Baxter was outstanding (under no pressure), Reed constantly broke up play, though needs to be more positive in possession. Done was a breath of fresh air with pace and directness coming in off our left and Scougs looked more like his best as the game wore on. Worryingly Woolford still looked average and although I'm a big fan, Adams had a poor game. His 1st touch and ability with back to goal need a significant amount of work. Anyone who believes he is ready to play up top needs to watch the game back.

Overall a good run out with lots of positives shame only 5000 were there to enjoy it. UTB

It's his footwork that Adams needs to work on more than his first touch. He needs to keep it closer to his feet more often and take a different approach to taking players on. He's too clumsy too often and tries too many nutmegs and other things that don't work. He needs to prioritise keeping the ball more and drawing challenges from defenders rather than just knocking it past them and trying to run through them. Positional sense, off the ball movement, decision making and the physical side of the game will naturally improve with experience but his footwork is his main problem and if he can improve it he'd help himself a hell of a lot. A good example was when he fluffed that chance late on after that great bit of skill from JCR. He's got to be quicker with his feet. And it's something that can absolutely be improved with the right sort of practice.

 

[sheffielder]

Clough stumbled over a winning formula when Doyle got sent off against Fulham in his first season, we can only hope it finally clicks in that we need 3 in the middle with the players we have.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Helped us a lot that they didn't put in a hard tackle all game. Very novel to go to a nothing game on a rainy Tuesday night and be able to enjoy it all the way like that. Our attacking play was far too much for them to handle but we really can't expect to play anyone that bad again all season.

If we put out that side in the league I'd be very worried about us getting bullied out of the game. Plenty of positives about our attacking options but not much we didn't know. The biggest positive going forward is to get 70 minutes out of Done.

This is spot on.

A first team opposition in a League game would break up play, share fouls around (bizarrely they gave away three penalties and had a player sent off while being almost apologetic in their attempts to regain possession), moan at the ref, and generally be "professional" and cynical.

If we can earn the right to play, then tonight has shown we really can play.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

County were poor, our Midfield will not get that much time and space again this season BUT...Baxter was outstanding (under no pressure), Reed constantly broke up play, though needs to be more positive in possession. Done was a breath of fresh air with pace and directness coming in off our left and Scougs looked more like his best as the game wore on. Worryingly Woolford still looked average and although I'm a big fan, Adams had a poor game. His 1st touch and ability with back to goal need a significant amount of work. Anyone who believes he is ready to play up top needs to watch the game back.

Overall a good run out with lots of positives shame only 5000 were there to enjoy it. UTB

Another good summary of the game.

 

[Barney]

........................Howard.........................
Brayford - Edgar - Kennedy - Freeman
............Coutts..............Wallace............
Done................Baxter...............Adams
.........................Sharp.............................

I'd say the above is our best chance of success.

 

[Dec]

........................Howard.........................
Brayford - Edgar - Kennedy - Freeman
............Coutts..............Wallace............
Done................Baxter...............Adams
.........................Sharp.............................

I'd say the above is our best chance of success.

I agree but not convinced if Adams is ready just yet, still looks like he has a lot to learn. If only we still had Murphy instead...

 

[sitwell]

Although it was like a testimonial (to their managers coat I think) some good performances ,and it was worth the tenner to see JCRs little run . Plusses ,Baxter Done and Scougall ,Minus's Long ,Adams and the rain. Maguire and Collins spent the whole second half chatting just behind me ,I would give anything for Maguire back at the Lane. Anyway
Long 4
Freeman 7
Magahey 6
McEveley 7
Woolford 6
JCR 8
Baxter 8
Reed 7
Scougall 8
Adams 5
Done 9

subs Coutts Wallace and Sammon 6
Adkins 7

Ref 8 can we have you every week.

 

[Revolution]

Can't learn much from that I suspect but a big win can only be a good thing IMHO. Done's return could be crucial.

 

[Dkc]

Interesting Long only got 4, was he that bad?

 

[Deleted member 1486]

Interesting Long only got 4, was he that bad?

Clearly lacks confidence, so desperate to not make a mistake he quite often double-guesses himself, such as whether he should come out to collect a ball or not, then when he does come he's left it a little late and looks like he's flapping (I think a bit more confidence and he'd be chasing those balls without even thinking about it).

I think that first game really must have knocked him. I genuinely hope he can turn it around, I think his biggest problem exists in his own head (and the other bits can come together with experience), he looks a decent shot stopper. If he can put it all together he'll be (at least) half-decent.

 

[GB10]

So Done ran off a shoulder injury did he.......? How very unique.

It's a generic turn of phrase used by people who know about the game for all sorts of injuries

Don't worry you wouldn't get it

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

I also really enjoyed last night. Not sure Billy can play in 433 unless Adams and Done are wide of him. If so give it a go.

Done superb a la last season. Class finisher.

Adams rusty but will be fine with more game time.

Scougal so pleasing to see in his best position runs directly at goal and playing FORWARD passes.

Rice attacking byline. And that skill. Wozzer !!

Coutts when on in cm. Sure he'll be there when fitter.

Baxter again quality with time and space but we all know he won't normally get that in league.

IF we play that system greater pressure on defence and don't feel either current CB's would cope.

Long hesitation, command of area and lack of punch is his downfall. Will not play in league and if Howard injured at all feel NA will loan a keeper.

Lots for NA to think about now for Saturday . Will he revert to 442 and perhaps only swap Flynn for Rice or Adams and Mceverly for Edgar due to injuries . I suspect he will and keep Done and Scougal on bench.

Hope he doesn't though !!

 

[him behind you]

Cup tarts?????

 

[Woodwardfan]

If Kennedy is fit surely he will replace Edgar.

In 4-3-3, 3-5-2, 4-5-1 or 4-1-3-2 the prospect of Sharp supported in the final third by Done, Baxter and/or Adams has to be exciting when also supported by a bench including Sammon, Ryce and McNulty.

For 4-4-2 we need to play Coutts centrally if/ when he gets fit and sign a new player ( unless J.Wallace gets fit ).

Baxter at No.10 will guarantee Sharp 20 goals plus this season - unless he takes penalty job from him! The Scougall we saw a year ago could play there too.

In fairness to the manager he had to go through this process of testing players in systems and it might even be a while before it all settles. Yes points are vital but he was only appointed in June this year. Changing managers had to cause disruption early season and I think the description "stumbling" in the title is a tad harsh.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

IF we play that system greater pressure on defence and don't feel either current CB's would cope.

That's why I've banged on about it so much, build from the back.

Yesterday at SPS with the U21's what stood out was how disciplined and organised things were.
This held us back as well, let me explain.

When we had the ball [usually it was Wallace who did it] we still had a midfielder drop or stay back to defend the back four resulting in a body short in midfield as we attacked thus no midfielder running beyond the ball as an option.
When Wallace got forwards [he looked good when he did] the No 4 filled in instead. We had the ball and were attacking but defence seemed the priority?

A strong back four with better centre halves would negate that mentality.


On a side note dues anyone know who wore the number 4 shirt, he looked very good.

 

[Guesty]

Although it was like a testimonial (to their managers coat I think) some good performances ,and it was worth the tenner to see JCRs little run . Plusses ,Baxter Done and Scougall ,Minus's Long ,Adams and the rain. Maguire and Collins spent the whole second half chatting just behind me ,I would give anything for Maguire back at the Lane. Anyway
Long 4
Freeman 7
Magahey 6
McEveley 7
Woolford 6
JCR 8
Baxter 8
Reed 7
Scougall 8
Adams 5
Done 9

subs Coutts Wallace and Sammon 6
Adkins 7

Ref 8 can we have you every week.

I can see why you'd have Adams as a minus, but he did win two penalties (one of which he scored) as well as carving their defence open for Done's goal. If he can do that every time he plays badly I'll be very happy.

 

[Maidenhead]

answer to original question. no . they were shite

If we win the opposition were shite

If we lose, we're shite

It's the Blades way

 

[mosbolad]

Interesting Long only got 4, was he that bad?

No he wasn't, not at all.

My man of the match was JCR. Plenty of pace trickery to get passed a player and into the box from the right, just what we need.

 

[Eskimo]

Last night provided a new piece of the jigsaw for Adkins and hopefully a bit more insight. He was able to see in flashes how we had managed to beat championship/ premiership teams in cup matches. As individuals this group if players might impress with their technical skills in training too. But.....they just aren't strong enough physically and teams that set up intent on kicking, obstruction, general gamesmanship and fighting their way through a game will beat us. ( no complaints about that by the way) Notts County played like under 16s and were made to pay.

I don't think you can toughen up players. We need a Trevor Hockey.

The defence did not have much to do last night, no commanding performance.

All this sounds negative and it's not meant to be. We are not far short of a team good enough to do well, that's the frustration isn't it? It was an enjoyable game last night which will give some of the players confidence. UTB

 

[Ricky]

........................Howard.........................
Brayford - Edgar - Kennedy - Freeman
............Coutts..............Wallace............
Done................Baxter...............Adams
.........................Sharp.............................

I'd say the above is our best chance of success.

You'd put both Edgar and Kennedy at centre half in front of Basham?

If everyone's fit I'd go with Basham and Collins at centre half and the same three as you in midfield but with Reed in place of Coutts for certain games. It would lack mobility and defensive ability but the possession keeping capabilities should outweigh that in most games.

One problem is that neither Adams or Done are great on the right wing. What will often happen if we play three up front like that (Done Sharp Adams) is two rather than one will usually be up front centrally and one in more of a wide midfield position. Like last night in that asymmetrical shape, but with one of them taking up the left wing just as JCR took up the right.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Was it

A:

- - - - Baxter (Holding)
Reed - - - - - - Scougall​

B:

- - - - Reed (Holding)
Baxter - - - - - - Scougall​

C:

Reed - - - - - Baxter
- - - - - - Scougall (advanced)​

D:

Reed - - - - - Scougall
- - - - - Baxter (advanced)

​

?