18/09/10 - Sheffield United v. Portsmouth

[Bramley]

Pompey Predictions & Thoughts

Difficult game for me as regardless of their league position I think they've got an excellent first XI and plenty of fire power.

Without bringing in a left-sided winger and a striker I can see us continuing to struggle for goals, but I see no reason why we can't match Pompey. Morgan definitely needs to be back marshalling the defence, Bartley needs an "organiser" next to him and that's definitely not Nosworthy.

Either way, despite the scoreline reports from the Lane in terms of chances created and passing were positive on Tuesday, so I'm looking forward to a few beers and a more positive atmosphere within the ground.

Head says 1-1, heart says a 2-0. Either way.....

COME ON YOU RED AND WHITE WIZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARDS! :thumbup:

 

[Robbie]

I've plumped for 6-0 on the prediction league COYRAWW.

 

[Kev Gee]

Can see it being close. I just hope the crowd continues to give support.

 

[Micalijo]

Defeat, probably 2-0. They have far too much quality for us and league table is irrelevant. As Ollie says elsewhere, Scunthorpe are the worst side in the division so Pompey will cause us serious trouble. They'll pass it better and make us look daft. People have gone way over the top in terms of how good we were on Tuesday. Alot of our chances came from set pieces and when we pass it, it is always hurried and only once in my opinion when Cresswell got away did it produce a chance for a player running into space. Wardy's chance was decent football as well. No doubt it is better to watch but it will not produce results consistent results unless we get some pace in and drop Monty to be replaced by a footballer. Only because we were so dire under Blackwell is this seen as progress but 1 goal in four games is not good, irrespective of luck and what Speedo is trying to do. People seem to make out we are very close but I think we are a long way off. Creswell, Boggy, Evans - all are either past it, useless or both. Our midfielders score once in a blue moon and the defenders are at best average and at worst totally error prone. Simmo is doing his best to remind me of Bunny and I don't think we are close.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Blades 4-2 Portsmouth

I can see a few goals in this one. Pompey are desperate for a win and United similarly in the sense that they want to make amends for Tuesday.

This is by no means an easy game and touching on mic's point again, Portsmouth do have quality in their side. I wouldn't say their league position is irrelevant (you are where you deserve to be) but I dont think they'll be down there all season. You're looking at a side cobbled together that hasnt quite developed its cohesion yet.

United have to do 90% of what they did on Tuesday. If they play with a similar approach then they will be good enough to beat Portsmouth. I know the knockers wont agree but I think our players deserve a bit more credit than they get. During passages of play over the last two games we have seen what our better players are capable of.....

We have a good experienced keeper (the 4th goal on Tuesday aside), two good full backs, a fantastic captain, a maestro in the midfield anchor role and a little winger that has the quality to go as far as he wants in the game. Things aren't that bad and our manager and players are set to prove it. Down with the pessimism and negativity.....UP THE BLADES!

:thumbup:

 

[davidpinder]

Blades 4-2 Portsmouth

I can see a few goals in this one. Pompey are desperate for a win and United similarly in the sense that they want to make amends for Tuesday.

This is by no means an easy game and touching on mic's point again, Portsmouth do have quality in their side. I wouldn't say their league position is irrelevant (you are where you deserve to be) but I dont think they'll be down there all season. You're looking at a side cobbled together that hasnt quite developed its cohesion yet.

United have to do 90% of what they did on Tuesday. If they play with a similar approach then they will be good enough to beat Portsmouth. I know the knockers wont agree but I think our players deserve a bit more credit than they get. During passages of play over the last two games we have seen what our better players are capable of.....

We have a good experienced keeper (the 4th goal on Tuesday aside), two good full backs, a fantastic captain, a maestro in the midfield anchor role and a little winger that has the quality to go as far as he wants in the game. Things aren't that bad and our manager and players are set to prove it. Down with the pessimism and negativity.....UP THE BLADES!

:thumbup:

Have we signed a news striker?? Where are we going to get 4 goals from?

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Have we signed a news striker?? Where are we going to get 4 goals from?

A little faith david, a little faith. You come across as a little impatient but you're not the only one in all fairness.

Nothing wrong with our forwards. We're trying to totally transform the way we play. Not an easy transition.

 

[redalwaysablade]

If we weren`t creating any chances at all, I would be worried, but as Keith Edwards says, someone will get a battering at some point, Morgs back in I think, sounds like Speed is contemplating using Quinny, so who gets the hook ?...........

 

[Robbie]

someone will get a battering at some point,

Precisely.

We've got goals in this team.

 

[mattbianco1]

Have we signed a news striker?? Where are we going to get 4 goals from?

Could've easily had 6 on Tuesday had it not been for 2 posts. 2 goal line clearances. 2 Blatant penalties turned down. Random disallowed goal (make that 7 we could've had!)

I thought we'd lose to Pompey but having lost to Scunthorpe I expect a nervy first half 0-0. Then 2-0 or 3-1 home win in the second.

If we weren`t creating any chances at all, I would be worried, but as Keith Edwards says, someone will get a battering at some point, Morgs back in I think, sounds like Speed is contemplating using Quinny, so who gets the hook ?...........

I said in another thread. Quinn in & Monty/Ertl out. It's too defensive and clearly Quinn can play the passing game better than the other two.

I like Monty but think i'd go Quinn, Britton, Ertl

 

[redalwaysablade]

Could've easily had 6 on Tuesday had it not been for 2 posts. 2 goal line clearances. 2 Blatant penalties turned down. Random disallowed goal (make that 7 we could've had!)

I thought we'd lose to Pompey but having lost to Scunthorpe I expect a nervy first half 0-0. Then 2-0 or 3-1 home win in the second.



I said in another thread. Quinn in & Monty/Ertl out. It's too defensive and clearly Quinn can play the passing game better than the other two.

I like Monty but think i'd go Quinn, Britton, Ertl

Not an easy decision, but, it`s points we require. Will be interesting to see Quinn in a passing side, saw him play for his National side when younger and he was using the ball very well, Speedo will know what he has to offer, stating the obvious maybe, but it`s still early enough for him to try out different players within the same squad.

Hoping for the same entertainment with a few goals to boot.

UTB.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Two changes for me:-

------------------------------Simonsen------------------------------
Calve---------------Morgan---------------Bartley--------------Jordan
-------------------------------Britton--------------------------------
---------------------Quinn--------------Montgomery-----------------
-------Ward--------------------Evans------------------Cresswell-----

Subs: Aksalu; Nosworthy; Taylor; Lowton; Ertl; Yeates; Bogdanovic

We still look two players short to me, but based on what we have I would go as above on Saturday. Not convinced on a Quinn and Monty partnership in the middle but having Britton in ther should help.

 

[davidpinder]

Two changes for me:-

------------------------------Simonsen------------------------------
Calve---------------Morgan---------------Bartley--------------Jordan
-------------------------------Britton--------------------------------
---------------------Quinn--------------Montgomery-----------------
-------Ward--------------------Evans------------------Cresswell-----

Subs: Aksalu; Nosworthy; Taylor; Lowton; Ertl; Yeates; Bogdanovic

We still look two players short to me, but based on what we have I would go as above on Saturday. Not convinced on a Quinn and Monty partnership in the middle but having Britton in ther should help.

Still think that is more of a 4-5-1 formation. I'd go with


------------------------------Simonsen------------------------------
Calve---------------Morgan---------------Bartley--------------Jordan
Yeates--------------Britton----------------Ertl-----------------Quinn
---------------------Ward------------------Cresswell------------------

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Still think that is more of a 4-5-1 formation. I'd go with


------------------------------Simonsen------------------------------
Calve---------------Morgan---------------Bartley--------------Jordan
Yeates--------------Britton----------------Ertl-----------------Quinn
---------------------Ward------------------Cresswell------------------

Tempted by reverting to 4-4-2 myself but I would stick with the 4-3-3 for now (I dont think it looks like a 4-5-1 personally). It gives our full backs more licence to get forward which is something I like to see. There will be certain moments where we have to revert to 4-4-2 though. Maybe Saturday is one I dont know.

 

[Zlatan]

I wonder how this would fare? Both wingers cutting inside to draw their full backs in, with Calve and Jordan on the overlap.

I don't think Ward would pull up many trees in that position, but we can only work with what we've got.

-----------------Simonsen

Calve------Morgan------Bartley-----Jordan

-----------Britton-------Monty

Quinn-------------Ward------------Yeates

------------------Evans

 

[super_pig]

>Defeat, probably 2-0
heh.. can't wait to ram this one back down your throat :~.. portsmouth are crap.. they'll not be as lucky as scunny

 

[norfolkblade]

3-0, ched hat trick to silence his critics

 

[Worksop II]

3-0, ched hat trick to silence his critics

I imagine 1 goal would leave most speechless

 

[norfolkblade]

I imagine 1 goal would leave most speechless

Haha, perhaps it should be 3-1, with Ched scoring all 4, to give the moaners something to talk about, bless 'em

 

[Ollessendro]

2 nil to Pompey.

They haven't won at the Lane since the fifites and haven't won this season. It would be just like SUFC to give them a helping hand. I'm sure Speed's powderpuffs will give them a helping hand tomorrow.

United will create lots of chances with Evans and Cresswell being unlucky not to score. More sideways passes from Ertl and Monty, with Britton and Ward the only players looking like professional footballers. Morgs might sure the defence up, but he'll still ahve either Bartley or Nos playing at the side of him.

This is a relegatin 6 pointer and I fear they'll have the edge. They've got a decent first team and have to win at some point.

 

[Ted Danson]

2 nil to Pompey.

They haven't won at the Lane since the fifites and haven't won this season. It would be just like SUFC to give them a helping hand. I'm sure Speed's powderpuffs will give them a helping hand tomorrow.

United will create lots of chances with Evans and Cresswell being unlucky not to score. More sideways passes from Ertl and Monty, with Britton and Ward the only players looking like professional footballers. Morgs might sure the defence up, but he'll still ahve either Bartley or Nos playing at the side of him.

This is a relegatin 6 pointer and I fear they'll have the edge. They've got a decent first team and have to win at some point.

Yeah just like we did with Preston who hadnt won since 78. oh wait a minute.....

Talking of relegation 6 pointers at this point in the season is nonsense, this isnt the premiership, anyone can beat anyone else and we're not going to be anywhere near the bottom of the league at the end of the season.

 

[alcoblade]

Haha, perhaps it should be 3-1, with Ched scoring all 4, to give the moaners something to talk about, bless 'em

Do you think Ched's critics are just a bunch of moaners, rather than objective viewers who think that 5 goals in 42 is a terrifying stat for a side with few goals from non striking options?

The contributions of most footballers are difficult to assess and very subjective. The contributions of strikers are much easier to rank. The objective view of Ched is that right now he isn't good enough, simple as that.

I'll be delighted if Evans' gets a hatrick. I'll bare my arse on the town hall steps, but I'll be delighted, none the less.

Back to the O/T, Morgan is a cert to start and given our capitulation after Monty's departure, I can't see him being left out. I expect (and hope) to see a little less football, without going any where near the dross that Blackwell served up. We need to change style a little slower, IMHO.

UTB

 

[B.Lade]

Do you think Ched's critics are just a bunch of moaners, rather than objective viewers who think that 5 goals in 42 is a terrifying stat for a side with few goals from non striking options?

The contributions of most footballers are difficult to assess and very subjective. The contributions of strikers are much easier to rank. The objective view of Ched is that right now he isn't good enough, simple as that.

I'll be delighted if Evans' gets a hatrick. I'll bare my arse on the town hall steps, but I'll be delighted, none the less.

Back to the O/T, Morgan is a cert to start and given our capitulation after Monty's departure, I can't see him being left out. I expect (and hope) to see a little less football, without going any where near the dross that Blackwell served up. We need to change style a little slower, IMHO.

UTB

2 changes for me. Morgan in for Nos, Quinn in for Monty. I do rate Monty as a player but in a passing side I think Quinn is better suited and let's face it he's ten times more likely to get a goal. I see Monty more as an Ertl standby I suppose.

 

[alcoblade]

2 changes for me. Morgan in for Nos, Quinn in for Monty. I do rate Monty as a player but in a passing side I think Quinn is better suited and let's face it he's ten times more likely to get a goal. I see Monty more as an Ertl standby I suppose.

You might be right fella, but let's remember what cost us most on Tuesday - poor defensive work. I can see more emphasis on this given the result, and our very early days as a footballing outfit.

UTB

 

[Balham]

I agree with most of what Olle says, just changed a couple of bits.

2 nil to <B>United

Portsmouth</B> haven't won at the Lane since the fifites and haven't won this season. [They're there for the taking, low on confidence and not playing hugely well]. I'm sure Speed's <b>tactics</B> will give <B>us</B> a helping hand tomorrow.

United will create lots of chances with Evans and Cresswell being on the scoresheet. More sideways passes from Ertl and Monty [doing the simple things and keeping possession]. Morgs will shore the defence up with either Bartley or Nos playing at the side of him.

This isn't a relegation 6 pointer and at home we'll have the edge. We're a decent team and will win this one.

 

[shorehamview]

Remember the other year when Derby got relegated and then didn't win for around 174 years until they played us?

Pompey to win by two or three goals.

Knock, knock, knockety knock.*

I don't think this is a relegation match by a long way, but I also think that Speed needs more time than halfway through September to get a side playing nicely and winning. Perhaps we could possibly give a poor Portsmouth side a good tonking, if only because Portsmouth is a shithole and therefore they and their tattooed bell-ringing idiot deserve it.

Clappity clap clap.*

It just might be a very good close game though.

Fencey-sit, fencey fence fence.*





* That should cover all bases. And if it doesn't, well, fuck 'em.

 

[Willie Carlin]

2 changes for me. Morgan in for Nos, Quinn in for Monty. I do rate Monty as a player but in a passing side I think Quinn is better suited and let's face it he's ten times more likely to get a goal. I see Monty more as an Ertl standby I suppose.

I agree with those changes. Quinn will relish playing in the team now we are attempting to play passing football. As well as being capable of getting a goal he can pass the ball something Monty's not too proficient at doing.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

2 nil to Pompey.

Give it a rest, it's getting boring now.

 

[Eckingtonian]

Entertaining 1-0 Blades win for me.

 

[GainsboroBlade]

2-0 to the Blades!!!!!!!! Ward and Boggy