My take

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pommpey

THE FUTURE ... AS IT USED TO BE
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Before I read Deadbat's

In honestly, there were some positives from today's game. These were mainly on the pitch, mind.

We are all deeply disappointed and somewhat distraught at our terrible start mind. I did expect us to get roundly tubbed today by an Arsenal team which on paper looks expensive and capable, and Arteta does have them playing a pretty, possessive style. They do rely on one or two players being on their game however and as much as their supporters regale in some sort of glory, they are a billion miles away from Henri, Pires, Bergkamp and other such legends who made Highbury a redoubtable, entertaining venue back in the day.

I thought we made the first 45 minutes difficult for them and played well, but well in the way we would be proud if United were an uppity Div One side in the Cup holding a PL team out for the first half. They pressed and we pressed back from the 5-3-2 and yes, that fucking shirt pull was a red card in anyone's game. It shows again how fucking biased the PL and it's officials actually are, especially as Souness showed, Egan vs Watkins was seriously less clear cut, yet that card was straight out of the pocket and he was gone.

But here's the problem. For an hour I was greatly impressed by the singular actions and energies of Burke, who looked ever likely to trip Arsenal's frail defence up. He does have pace - please name me the last player you saw go past Hector Bellerin as though he wasn't there? Yet our up to recently flawless manager hooks him off and sticks on McB, and the whole fucking system stalls. I honestly don't know what CW tells McB when he comes on. He's a gangly centre forward who has no pace or real skill, he's evidently crap in the tackle and drifts out (again) of the danger area so the previously occupied central two get the chess out and have a couple of rounds. On past form at Swansea, he was definitely a target man, meaning 'go stand on the centre circle and score goals' yet he spent too long out wide left, even when we went to 4-3-1-2. I was disgusted with Wilder's substitution (so was Burke) and fuck me, five minutes later (from a ball he gave away) we are 0-1 down. We seemed to have some control over the game up until then and I'd have taken a 0-0 draw from the Emirates, but why, Wilder? He also hooked Osborn, whilst wasn't achieving much, stuck Fleck on who achieved less. What gives? Then Basham - who can play in midfield - for Sharp, who is (sorry Billy) never in the game?

Anyway:

Ramsdale 5/10: Error prone and unsteady. Watched the first one go in and badly positioned for the second. You might not be Henderson as you attest, but this time last season, he'd let half the goals in you have, son.
Baldock 6/10: Only just. He does what he does, but was frustratingly shit with his crossing. That one on 85 mins - there were three of ours in the box an two Arsenal players in the far end of the 18 yard box on their own and Baldock crossed it straight to them.
Basham 6.5/10: Again, got himself in the right areas most of the time but seemed to want to be the other 50% lacking of every player in every position at times. He still has deft, deceptive and steady skill. Him and Berge in midfield, anyone?
Egan 6.5/10: He is missing Jack so badly. Good to see him back but didn't govern the 18 yard box well
Robinson 6/10: Beaten easily at times and is a bit slow to read the movement.
Stevens 5/10: Pepe came on and did him. The end.
Lundstram 5.5/10: First half he was 'okay', better than he has been. But the second half he seems to be playing in a team on his own and like someone who was transferred in yesterday and not had chance to even meet the players. Why is Wilder playing him?
Berge 7/10: Okay, he is languid and doesn't burst forward, but he is difficult to dispossess (unlike the other two midfielders) and I still think he is better than Norwood
Osborn 5.5/10: He had a lot to do but looks now like he can't cope at this level at times. Bit bemused as to why he was withdrawn
McGoldrick 6/10: Aside from the rather splendid goal, he was largely anonymous at times
Burke 8/10: Thought he had a great game and chased everything, even though there was fuck all for him to get on the end of.

McBurnie 3/10: My faith in him is diminishing
Fleck 3/10: I think he is now done with us. Saw him touch the ball what, five times and each time he is not in any threatening or advantageous position
Sharp 2/10: Not sure he was going to get anything, even with the two up front supported by the No10

International Break next and you know that always galvanises us and we come back winning, don't we Blades? No, we don't, do we?

We can't afford to come away from the Fulham game empty handed. If we do, we'll be relegated by Xmas.

pommpey
 

The Burke substitution was utterly baffling. I still don’t understand it.

I could see why Bash was hooked for Sharp as it allowed us to go 4-3-1-2. I’d have sooner seen Burke stay on and us use that shape though.

I was mildly encouraged by the last 10-15 minutes but I dearly hope Wilder sticks with that mentality that allowed us a glimmer of a point. I don’t want to see us set up to park the bus anywhere other than away at City and Liverpool, the rest of the division aren’t all that.
 
Before I read Deadbat's

In honestly, there were some positives from today's game. These were mainly on the pitch, mind.

We are all deeply disappointed and somewhat distraught at our terrible start mind. I did expect us to get roundly tubbed today by an Arsenal team which on paper looks expensive and capable, and Arteta does have them playing a pretty, possessive style. They do rely on one or two players being on their game however and as much as their supporters regale in some sort of glory, they are a billion miles away from Henri, Pires, Bergkamp and other such legends who made Highbury a redoubtable, entertaining venue back in the day.

I thought we made the first 45 minutes difficult for them and played well, but well in the way we would be proud if United were an uppity Div One side in the Cup holding a PL team out for the first half. They pressed and we pressed back from the 5-3-2 and yes, that fucking shirt pull was a red card in anyone's game. It shows again how fucking biased the PL and it's officials actually are, especially as Souness showed, Egan vs Watkins was seriously less clear cut, yet that card was straight out of the pocket and he was gone.

But here's the problem. For an hour I was greatly impressed by the singular actions and energies of Burke, who looked ever likely to trip Arsenal's frail defence up. He does have pace - please name me the last player you saw go past Hector Bellerin as though he wasn't there? Yet our up to recently flawless manager hooks him off and sticks on McB, and the whole fucking system stalls. I honestly don't know what CW tells McB when he comes on. He's a gangly centre forward who has no pace or real skill, he's evidently crap in the tackle and drifts out (again) of the danger area so the previously occupied central two get the chess out and have a couple of rounds. On past form at Swansea, he was definitely a target man, meaning 'go stand on the centre circle and score goals' yet he spent too long out wide left, even when we went to 4-3-1-2. I was disgusted with Wilder's substitution (so was Burke) and fuck me, five minutes later (from a ball he gave away) we are 0-1 down. We seemed to have some control over the game up until then and I'd have taken a 0-0 draw from the Emirates, but why, Wilder? He also hooked Osborn, whilst wasn't achieving much, stuck Fleck on who achieved less. What gives? Then Basham - who can play in midfield - for Sharp, who is (sorry Billy) never in the game?

Anyway:

Ramsdale 5/10: Error prone and unsteady. Watched the first one go in and badly positioned for the second. You might not be Henderson as you attest, but this time last season, he'd let half the goals in you have, son.
Baldock 6/10: Only just. He does what he does, but was frustratingly shit with his crossing. That one on 85 mins - there were three of ours in the box an two Arsenal players in the far end of the 18 yard box on their own and Baldock crossed it straight to them.
Basham 6.5/10: Again, got himself in the right areas most of the time but seemed to want to be the other 50% lacking of every player in every position at times. He still has deft, deceptive and steady skill. Him and Berge in midfield, anyone?
Egan 6.5/10: He is missing Jack so badly. Good to see him back but didn't govern the 18 yard box well
Robinson 6/10: Beaten easily at times and is a bit slow to read the movement.
Stevens 5/10: Pepe came on and did him. The end.
Lundstram 5.5/10: First half he was 'okay', better than he has been. But the second half he seems to be playing in a team on his own and like someone who was transferred in yesterday and not had chance to even meet the players. Why is Wilder playing him?
Berge 7/10: Okay, he is languid and doesn't burst forward, but he is difficult to dispossess (unlike the other two midfielders) and I still think he is better than Norwood
Osborn 5.5/10: He had a lot to do but looks now like he can't cope at this level at times. Bit bemused as to why he was withdrawn
McGoldrick 6/10: Aside from the rather splendid goal, he was largely anonymous at times
Burke 8/10: Thought he had a great game and chased everything, even though there was fuck all for him to get on the end of.

McBurnie 3/10: My faith in him is diminishing
Fleck 3/10: I think he is now done with us. Saw him touch the ball what, five times and each time he is not in any threatening or advantageous position
Sharp 2/10: Not sure he was going to get anything, even with the two up front supported by the No10

International Break next and you know that always galvanises us and we come back winning, don't we Blades? No, we don't, do we?

We can't afford to come away from the Fulham game empty handed. If we do, we'll be relegated by Xmas.

pommpey

Can't disagree with any of that, exactly my thoughts.
 
Before I read Deadbat's

In honestly, there were some positives from today's game. These were mainly on the pitch, mind.

We are all deeply disappointed and somewhat distraught at our terrible start mind. I did expect us to get roundly tubbed today by an Arsenal team which on paper looks expensive and capable, and Arteta does have them playing a pretty, possessive style. They do rely on one or two players being on their game however and as much as their supporters regale in some sort of glory, they are a billion miles away from Henri, Pires, Bergkamp and other such legends who made Highbury a redoubtable, entertaining venue back in the day.

I thought we made the first 45 minutes difficult for them and played well, but well in the way we would be proud if United were an uppity Div One side in the Cup holding a PL team out for the first half. They pressed and we pressed back from the 5-3-2 and yes, that fucking shirt pull was a red card in anyone's game. It shows again how fucking biased the PL and it's officials actually are, especially as Souness showed, Egan vs Watkins was seriously less clear cut, yet that card was straight out of the pocket and he was gone.

But here's the problem. For an hour I was greatly impressed by the singular actions and energies of Burke, who looked ever likely to trip Arsenal's frail defence up. He does have pace - please name me the last player you saw go past Hector Bellerin as though he wasn't there? Yet our up to recently flawless manager hooks him off and sticks on McB, and the whole fucking system stalls. I honestly don't know what CW tells McB when he comes on. He's a gangly centre forward who has no pace or real skill, he's evidently crap in the tackle and drifts out (again) of the danger area so the previously occupied central two get the chess out and have a couple of rounds. On past form at Swansea, he was definitely a target man, meaning 'go stand on the centre circle and score goals' yet he spent too long out wide left, even when we went to 4-3-1-2. I was disgusted with Wilder's substitution (so was Burke) and fuck me, five minutes later (from a ball he gave away) we are 0-1 down. We seemed to have some control over the game up until then and I'd have taken a 0-0 draw from the Emirates, but why, Wilder? He also hooked Osborn, whilst wasn't achieving much, stuck Fleck on who achieved less. What gives? Then Basham - who can play in midfield - for Sharp, who is (sorry Billy) never in the game?

Anyway:

Ramsdale 5/10: Error prone and unsteady. Watched the first one go in and badly positioned for the second. You might not be Henderson as you attest, but this time last season, he'd let half the goals in you have, son.
Baldock 6/10: Only just. He does what he does, but was frustratingly shit with his crossing. That one on 85 mins - there were three of ours in the box an two Arsenal players in the far end of the 18 yard box on their own and Baldock crossed it straight to them.
Basham 6.5/10: Again, got himself in the right areas most of the time but seemed to want to be the other 50% lacking of every player in every position at times. He still has deft, deceptive and steady skill. Him and Berge in midfield, anyone?
Egan 6.5/10: He is missing Jack so badly. Good to see him back but didn't govern the 18 yard box well
Robinson 6/10: Beaten easily at times and is a bit slow to read the movement.
Stevens 5/10: Pepe came on and did him. The end.
Lundstram 5.5/10: First half he was 'okay', better than he has been. But the second half he seems to be playing in a team on his own and like someone who was transferred in yesterday and not had chance to even meet the players. Why is Wilder playing him?
Berge 7/10: Okay, he is languid and doesn't burst forward, but he is difficult to dispossess (unlike the other two midfielders) and I still think he is better than Norwood
Osborn 5.5/10: He had a lot to do but looks now like he can't cope at this level at times. Bit bemused as to why he was withdrawn
McGoldrick 6/10: Aside from the rather splendid goal, he was largely anonymous at times
Burke 8/10: Thought he had a great game and chased everything, even though there was fuck all for him to get on the end of.

McBurnie 3/10: My faith in him is diminishing
Fleck 3/10: I think he is now done with us. Saw him touch the ball what, five times and each time he is not in any threatening or advantageous position
Sharp 2/10: Not sure he was going to get anything, even with the two up front supported by the No10

International Break next and you know that always galvanises us and we come back winning, don't we Blades? No, we don't, do we?

We can't afford to come away from the Fulham game empty handed. If we do, we'll be relegated by Xmas.

pommpey

Ayup pal keep smiling.

At least pig fans can’t call us Sheffield United nil any more.
If only the fans could get behind the players and be the 12th man.
 
The international break now give CW a chance to revaluate the team and it’s formation. Also an excellent chance to get all the new boys up to speed.
 
The international break now give CW a chance to revaluate the team and it’s formation. Also an excellent chance to get all the new boys up to speed.
Going to be a long 2 weeks for Lowe and Bogle as they're the only 2 new lads that aren't away on internationals.

Couple of games of Rondo with Billy, Bash and Baldock.
 
The international break now give CW a chance to revaluate the team and it’s formation. Also an excellent chance to get all the new boys up to speed.
The trouble is half the team will be playing for their countries, how's that going to help us re-evaluate and get up to speed?
 
The trouble is half the team will be playing for their countries, how's that going to help us re-evaluate and get up to speed?
Stupid fucking time for an international break full stop. Seasons only just got going and now we have to pause for this charade that no one really gives a shit about.
 
Going to be a long 2 weeks for Lowe and Bogle as they're the only 2 new lads that aren't away on internationals.

Couple of games of Rondo with Billy, Bash and Baldock.
Granted. But I do think Bogle and Lowe’s time is gonna come a lot quicker than they previously imagined.
 
Keep the faith and I'm still excited about the rest of the season, this got me thinking of my Team for Fulham:

Ramsdale

Baldock Basham Egan Ampadu Stevens

Berge Norwood Fleck

McGoldrick Brewster
 

I've got to say pommpey I do agree with pretty much everything you say and see. You see games exactly how I do. I agree with pretty much everything you say here, particularly with your McBurnie analysis. It's clear we've been mugged off on the £20m price tag as much as it's hard for many Blades to admit. He's just not striker material at this level (I'm struggling to see how he was at Champ level). He looks like he falls over the ball everytime he gets it and offers ZERO threat.

Burke in my opinion thrives on service. Give him the right ball through the opposition defence and I think he'll go on to score for us. He's no good at the McGoldrick role of coming short and passing off to the midfielders. He needs to play on the last line and on the shoulder of the defender or in behind running on to through balls. We currently don't have anyone capable of a decent through ball.

For me, the team looks unbalanced since we've stopped overlapping and overloading the wings. Even when we do do that we don't have anyone capable of winning a cross.

It's frustrating.

Brewster will offer loads more than we currently have but he will need help. For me, if we did ever get Brooks back him and Brewster would be great with Brooks picking up from deep and running at defences with either supply to Burke running through or Brewster with hits at goal.

It's annoying because we offer zero threat outside of crosses.
 
It's a bit harsh to criticise Ramsdale on the second goal. It was a moment of individual brilliance and a quality finish. I'd have been chuffed to nuts if one of our players had scored that. Sometimes you've just got to give credit to a great goal.
 
It's a bit harsh to criticise Ramsdale on the second goal. It was a moment of individual brilliance and a quality finish. I'd have been chuffed to nuts if one of our players had scored that. Sometimes you've just got to give credit to a great goal.

Enda Stevens is completely at fault for that goal. The whole passage of play is down to Enda Stevens being weak and slow.
 

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