11/09/2010 - Derby County vs Sheffield United

[Blade58]

As long as people don't boo him during a match, I have no problem with people disliking him.

I'm simply happy to give him a few more matches in a better side to improve.

I never, ever boo one of our own!

Although Ched has sent me close to the edge a few times!

 

[raul]

Thing is - the example Ched needs to follow is actually playing alongside him. Not big enough to be an out and out target man. Not quick enough to outpace defences. A reasonable first touch. Good awareness and an appetite for hard work. Step forward Richard Cresswell.

 

[alcoblade]

As long as people don't boo him during a match, I have no problem with people disliking him.

I'm simply happy to give him a few more matches in a better side to improve.

Fair enough, and we're not overloaded with options. Booing players never works, but to be honest Ched's been treated more than fairly by management and fans, considering what we've had back from him. It's a key role and his time has got to be almost up. We can't afford to carry a dud in a striking position. I'm sure the price tag has forced us to ignore what's staring us in the face

UTB

 

[Mad Mick]

7 shots on target 6 off, when was the last time we had so many? Not this season I'm sure.

 

[Mad Mick]

Great result.

 

[Blade58]

F'kin get in!

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Excellent stuff! And by the sounds of it, a fine performance

 

[Linz]

As long as we keep clean sheets, one goal away from home is quite enough

 

[beightonblade]

owd BB predicted 1-0 to the Blades ........... well it were our gerts tea leaves !

Well done Blades.

 

[Foxy]

Good all round performance.

I said very early on that we were defending noticibly higher up the pitch and we were constantly in the faces of the Derby players. There was a good 5/10 mins early doors where the game consisted of Wardy/Ched/Cresswell chasing down the panicing back four of Derby who then gave us the ball. We bossed them in to giving us chances.

Was particularly impressed with the tempo and more than anything the space making. In the last few years, we've had the odd one or two making themselves available when we are on the ball... Today, every player looked to use the ball and space intelligently. If one made a pass, he instantly looked for space to make himself available for the return, instead of standing back watching his mates.

We used Wardy more intelligently, had clearly been working on getting the full backs (Calve in particular) into crossing positions, but also having another option available and not being afraid to work it back.

But for some bad luck and a yard here and there we could have won 5-0 without complaint today.

Huge breath of fresh air, certainly away from home and something to build on.

 

[1973_Blade]

7 shots on target 6 off, when was the last time we had so many? Not this season I'm sure.

I think you'll find out that was the total for last season

 

[ZoneManWilf]

Good all round performance.

I said very early on that we were defending noticibly higher up the pitch and we were constantly in the faces of the Derby players. There was a good 5/10 mins early doors where the game consisted of Wardy/Ched/Cresswell chasing down the panicing back four of Derby who then gave us the ball. We bossed them in to giving us chances.

Was particularly impressed with the tempo and more than anything the space making. In the last few years, we've had the odd one or two making themselves available when we are on the ball... Today, every player looked to use the ball and space intelligently. If one made a pass, he instantly looked for space to make himself available for the return, instead of standing back watching his mates.

We used Wardy more intelligently, had clearly been working on getting the full backs (Calve in particular) into crossing positions, but also having another option available and not being afraid to work it back.

But for some bad luck and a yard here and there we could have won 5-0 without complaint today.

Huge breath of fresh air, certainly away from home and something to build on.

Exactly my thoughts, nicely summed up. Pity about the Evans/Ertl chance in the first half, Ertl had time to control the ball and pick his spot but he paniced and skewed it first time. Score that and we could have gone home then, cos there was no way Derby were getting 2.

Ward's workrate today was tremendous he often made intelligent runs both attacking and hassling the Derby back 4, was my MoM just ahead of Calve who is a proper footballer, and looks great going forward, could have created more than just the one goal with his dangerous play and crosses from the right.

Bartley had another solid game.

Extremely pleased I got persuaded to go at the last minute

 

[Trigger Blade]

But for some bad luck and a yard here and there we could have won 5-0 without complaint today.

Listened to it on Radio Derby and they said exactly the same, which is very encouraging.

Not that I don't trust your judgement, obviously.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

1) I don't think we even played 3-5-2 in the game against Sunderland. If we did who are the three centre backs in this team?:-
Sheff Utd: Tracey, Borbokis, Quinn, Bruce, Derry, Hamilton, Ford (Marcelo, 23 ) , Marker (Nilsen, 45 ) , Kachouro (Henry, 45 ) , Woodhouse, Stuart
I suspect the real problem that day was the presence of Bruce himself and Nicky Marker at Centre back rather than the system.

2) Spackman did play 3-5-2 and I don't remember us getting too many "ass rapings". Our record under Spackman was P43 W20 D17 L6 PTS 77 AVG 1.79 Win% 47%

3) I think it's our best formation with the current squad because we don't have the personnel to play 4-3-3 (No good attacking midfielder if Britten plays deep) or 4-4-2 (No pace up front and the wingers get tied down by defensive duties). 3-5-2 gives us a solid base and allows Ward and Yeates more license to attack and create.

No, you're right Sothall. I must've been seeing things that day. I wasn't there. I wasn't there as a season ticket holder and I definitley didn't see us play 3-5-2. Thankyou for clarifying that.
You really should take into football management Sothall and bring back the glory days of 3-5-2 that all the great managers have won with this system. Just remind me which sides recently succeeded with 3-5-2 again...

That's a bit of an over-reaction isn't it? I was at the game too and I genuinely don't think that we played 3-5-2, the players selected seem to back that up but I'd be interested to know who the mystery third centre-half was if you're so certain we did.

Like 99.9% of the posters on here I've never been a professional football manager but I do take an interest in how we might get the best out of our squad and what other Blades opinions are also. My apologies for making a suggestion that doesn't meet with your approval.

Anyway, it sounds like we played really well and created plenty of chances playing 4-3-3 on Saturday, so obviously we should stick with that system for the time being. Up the Blades.

 

[86Blade]

two wins and two clean sheets and the two week break allowed Speed to improve things even more, much better style of football and hopefully can keep this winning run going in our next two home games against Scumthorpe and Pompey.

 

[Kenny_R]

Well done on Saturday, we were fucking awful. We tried to 'play footy' (whatever the f_ck that means), but with no outlet up front, we just passed ourselves into trouble time and time again, and you lot really hurried us in possession causing loads of problems. We were second best all over the field and lucky to get 0.

first time we've played badly this season so not too disheartened, big test against Hull tomorrow now.

Good luck with the rest of the season (until we play you at yours, obviously)

 

[Houso]

Well done on Saturday, we were fucking awful. We tried to 'play footy' (whatever the f_ck that means), but with no outlet up front, we just passed ourselves into trouble time and time again, and you lot really hurried us in possession causing loads of problems. We were second best all over the field and lucky to get 0.

first time we've played badly this season so not too disheartened, big test against Hull tomorrow now.

Good luck with the rest of the season (until we play you at yours, obviously)

Cheers mate. Good luck to you lot too

 

[Fiery Blade]

As long as people don't boo him during a match, I have no problem with people disliking him.

I'm simply happy to give him a few more matches in a better side to improve.

How many matches does this guy need?

It's not about liking or disliking a player - its whether he's any good or not -At the moment the jury is out as he has not performed anything like his alleged potential.
All this about a young development player -he's a full international with a so -called pedigree
He has a large price tag, earns large wages so it's about time he started putting in LARGE effort

 

[beechblade]

How many matches does this guy need?

It's not about liking or disliking a player - its whether he's any good or not -At the moment the jury is out as he has not performed anything like his alleged potential.
All this about a young development player -he's a full international with a so -called pedigree
He has a large price tag, earns large wages so it's about time he started putting in LARGE effort

I understand the frustrations but as Speed said he hasn't been coached much in his career and with Ched its often a case of too much effort, too much tryng too hard. It makes him noticeably stiff on the field and he needs to relax more. I'm hoping he can get Ched to do this, he's a confidence player and if Speed can in still him with the right knowledge I'm sure we'll see his confidence grow.

Has anyone watched him pre-match as they do shooting practice? look how composed and relaxed he is compared to in a game, his shots in the pre-match warm up are pretty damn good.