First time in a long time...

[Ricky]

The fans really got up for it, supported the team and spurred them on.

That's what happens when the team give it their all, compete for 90 minutes and have a real go.

It was refreshing to see and a reminder of our potential to make Bramall Lane a fortress in this league.

Can't fault the effort of any of them today. We were very unlucky not to win and were inches away from certain goals or clear cut chances on a number of occasions.

10 points from four home games with three clean sheets also gives us a bit of hope. The formation seems to be working well at home.

 

[Surrey Blade]

I think it's time to give NA a bit of credit too. It may be too little too late, but there are now clear signs of progress on the pitch. The players seem to know what their roles in the team are and there seems to be a sense of urgency and purpose at last. Let's hope that the club now builds on this progress so that we can look forward to a much more successful season 16-17.

 

[Harry's Game]

We look a far more organised unit with Baptiste in there.

Edgar has also surprised me in the central roll of the three centre backs looks far more commanding than he did in the orthodox two CB roll.

Any chance we could sign Baptise on a cheap deal?

 

[Esablade]

We look a far more organised unit with Baptiste in there.

Edgar has also surprised me in the central roll of the three centre backs looks far more commanding than he did in the orthodox two CB roll.

Any chance we could sign Baptise on a cheap deal?

Not good enough...according to some

 

[Harry's Game]

Not good enough...according to some

Would that be our 'friend' the poster who doesn't go but has 'heard he isn't outstanding' ?

 

[PokerBlade]

We look a far more organised unit with Baptiste in there.

Edgar has also surprised me in the central roll of the three centre backs looks far more commanding than he did in the orthodox two CB roll.

Any chance we could sign Baptise on a cheap deal?

I doubt it. I thought 'Boro had paid big money for him in the closed season. Maybe if they go up he'll be surplus to requirements but still likely out of our realistic range.

 

[UnitedBlade]

Baptiste signing would be a great step forward. I suspect he'll get other offers.

Played well today, deserved more.

 

[Ricky]

That back three works well.

Baptiste is well suited to the right slot and has unsurprisingly improved us, and McEveley is perfectly suited to the left slot. Edgar has been performing better in the middle of the three recently but we need to look to sign someone better than him.

McEveley in particular deserves praise IMO, he's done well since being part of the back three. Gives us balance and contributes going forward considerably more than he has done before. Should be given a new deal. Didn't think I'd be saying that.

 

[zablade]

Any chance we could sign Baptise on a cheap deal?

If the club knew what it was up to they would be moving hell and high water to get him on a season long loan for next season.

But unfortunately we are too busy trying to decide whether to stick with the manager or not.

 

[spongebobblade]

We look a far more organised unit with Baptiste in there.

Edgar has also surprised me in the central roll of the three centre backs looks far more commanding than he did in the orthodox two CB roll.

Any chance we could sign Baptise on a cheap deal?

Baptiste has really made a difference. Assured no nonsense type of player we have needed for sometime now. A defender who genuinely knows how to defend. It's been a while since we had one of those. Although very doubtful he should be at the top of the shopping list if the price was right and we were given any encouragement. Build from the back as they say.......
Quick word for Hammond. Though I'm no fan he had one of if not his best game for us today

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Yes - much better today. More commitment and playerrs being far more positive and running at the opposition. Sounds basic stuff but we have rarely seen it this season.

Only frustration was not making the most of numerous good positions but there is no doubt we deserved to win.

 

[PeteBlade]

Agreed, I think it was one of the performances of the season for me and the crowd responded in kind.

Gillingham very very lucky to get away with any points.

You could say, they were toothless...

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Yes - much better today. More commitment and playerrs being far more positive and running at the opposition. Sounds basic stuff but we have rarely seen it this season.

Buts lets hope the management are not fooled by a few better performances and that the large axe is still being sharpened for use.

 

[bladesman3]

I doubt it. I thought 'Boro had paid big money for him in the closed season. Maybe if they go up he'll be surplus to requirements but still likely out of our realistic range.

He has said he won't be staying

 

[spongebobblade]

He has said he won't be staying

At the lane or Boro? not quite what Adkins was saying after the match. He hinted it may be difficult but not to be ruled out?

 

[Seanshoreham]

Enjoyable game today shame we didn't get the goal we deserved - one of those good 0-0 games IMO

Just had a look at the stats on BBC

on target 8-1
Efforts 18-9
Good end to the season is vital for Nigel to access the players who can cut it next season...

 

[Blade82]

I'm more confident over where we're heading after today.

Baptiste should be one of our main priorities but will be difficult to keep him even if boro go up as he'll want championship football and wages.

However we now have two away games and we all know how soft we have been away from the lane. if we are to build confidence and momentum for next season we need some positive results in the final five games home and away

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I'm more confident over where we're heading after today.

Baptiste should be one of our main priorities but will be difficult to keep him even if boro go up as he'll want championship football and wages.

However we now have two away games and we all know how soft we have been away from the lane. if we are to build confidence and momentum for next season we need some positive results in the final five games home and away

The final 5no games in the overall scheme of things mean nothing . It is perhaps the time to experiment . Even if we won the last 5 games it will have no relevance or bearing on next season.

Next season SUFC will be completely differant on the playing staff front to this season. If not Adkins will get the sack and we will not get promotion.

Couple of good results and all is not forgiven , this season has been a disaster , part to Adkins but most to this set of players.

UTB

 

[yorkshirecoast]

The final 5no games in the overall scheme of things mean nothing . It is perhaps the time to experiment . Even if we won the last 5 games it will have no relevance or bearing on next season.

Next season SUFC will be completely differant on the playing staff front to this season. If not Adkins will get the sack and we will not get promotion.

Couple of good results and all is not forgiven , this season has been a disaster , part to Adkins but most to this set of players.

UTB

Forget experimenting. We need to play well and win games - and reward us fans for our loyalty. If we experiment and lose at home to the dingles I will be f'kin fuming.

 

[Blade82]

The final 5no games in the overall scheme of things mean nothing . It is perhaps the time to experiment . Even if we won the last 5 games it will have no relevance or bearing on next season.

Next season SUFC will be completely differant on the playing staff front to this season. If not Adkins will get the sack and we will not get promotion.

Couple of good results and all is not forgiven , this season has been a disaster , part to Adkins but most to this set of players.

UTB

If we lose the next 5 fans will be in uproar. Adkins probably loses his job. Season ticket sales will suffer and the turmoil affects recruitment. The next five games are huge for our plans next season.

 

[PokerBlade]

Enjoyable game today shame we didn't get the goal we deserved - one of those good 0-0 games IMO

Just had a look at the stats on BBC

on target 8-1
Efforts 18-9
Good end to the season is vital for Nigel to access the players who can cut it next season...

He really can't need more time to assess the players in the squad. A full season where he's given them all a fair crack is plenty. Today's good performance aside, there's general agreement about the weak links. McEveley, Coutts, Flynn, for a start. It's not that I don't want a good end to the season but I definitely don't want a good end to give anyone delusions about players who have let us down over the full campaign.

 

[SB_90]

Crowds are always catch 22 because players need to give crowd something to get behind & some players need crowd

 

[Fulwood Blade]

yes, enjoyed the endeavour - quite simply though - lack of quality.

If this is the blueprint for next season, then we will be looking at a 7th season in the division.

Mass clear out still needed. Don't be taken in by our nearly boys.

This performance had Monty written all over it - 100% effort - little quality.

UTB

 

[PokerBlade]

yes, enjoyed the endeavour - quite simply though - lack of quality.

If this is the blueprint for next season, then we will be looking at a 7th season in the division.

Mass clear out still needed. Don't be taken in by our nearly boys.

This performance had Monty written all over it - 100% effort - little quality.

UTB

Might be a little harsh since I don't like criticising after a good performance but I'm with you about not getting taken deceived by nearly men now playing without pressure.

Given where Gillingham are in the league it's another game we have to look at and see that if we just bring in a few quality players that this division is ours for the taking. What we can't do is think that this division is weak so maybe the players that haven't been good enough somehow will be next time round.

 

[Ginger Gnome]

He really can't need more time to assess the players in the squad. A full season where he's given them all a fair crack is plenty. Today's good performance aside, there's general agreement about the weak links. McEveley, Coutts, Flynn, for a start. It's not that I don't want a good end to the season but I definitely don't want a good end to give anyone delusions about players who have let us down over the full campaign.

Even though he went for a few shots where he should have passed, most of the early good stuff was down to Flynn's movement and tireless running. The end product wasn't good enough, but his driving runs lifted the fans which seemed to encourage the other players to do the same.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Might be a little harsh since I don't like criticising after a good performance but I'm with you about not getting taken deceived by nearly men now playing without pressure.

Given where Gillingham are in the league it's another game we have to look at and see that if we just bring in a few quality players that this division is ours for the taking. What we can't do is think that this division is weak so maybe the players that haven't been good enough somehow will be next time round.

you are correct - it was a good performance - but someone (other than Billy) needs to have some quality and composure.

I was disappointed that we didn't hunt Gillingham down - similar to Walsall.

Seems like Adkins instructed us on "another" type of game.

We needed to win and should have battered them into submission - yet it was Gillingham that stepped it up just after half time.

It was a nothing result - we should have committed and had a right go - and even lost trying.

UTB

 

[mosbolad]

Thoroughly enjoyed the game, just a little disappointed we didn't go onto win. That would have been a decent point but for some poor performances earlier in the year, so unfortunately too little too late. Starting to look good though and lets keep the momentum up and hope for a great next season.

Off to the pub to watch AJ hopefully bring home the title.

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

Today's good performance aside, there's general agreement about the weak links. McEveley, Coutts, Flynn, for a start. It's not that I don't want a good end to the season but I definitely don't want a good end to give anyone delusions about players who have let us down over the full campaign.

Not sure I really agree with this. All three were good today, JMac's couple of Keystone Kops Utd moments aside. If he could pass creatively at the end of those barnstorming runs, JMac would be a real gem for us when he is on his game. Flynny ripped them up thro the middle first half, but faded a little second. Not sure I'd be aggressively trying to retain Coutts, but fair play to him, he was quietly effective today, got forward well, and actually did some tackling.

Shout out to Edgar, too. Unfairly maligned at times I think.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Baptiste really impressed me today, was always in the right place at the right time to put a challenge in.
He has this deceptive lazy swagger about him, he reminded me of Paul McGrath.

 

[PokerBlade]

Not sure I really agree with this. All three were good today, JMac's couple of Keystone Kops Utd moments aside. If he could pass creatively at the end of those barnstorming runs, JMac would be a real gem for us when he is on his game. Flynny ripped them up thro the middle first half, but faded a little second. Not sure I'd be aggressively trying to retain Coutts, but fair play to him, he was quietly effective today, got forward well, and actually did some tackling.

Shout out to Edgar, too. Unfairly maligned at times I think.

Mid-table players having a good game. I'm not taking anything away from today's performance but if these guys were good enough then we wouldn't be so far short on the table. And they're players who have been here long enough for us to know their deficiencies.