4 games ago

[DronnieBlade]

Didn't Wilder switch it back to 4-4-2 at half-time?

Horses for courses & all that. 3-5-2's an attacking formation & it does leave the full backs exposed at times - it's not going to work smoothly & problem-free in every situation.

Great thing is that Wilder's willing to switch things about mid-game according to the situation that develops. Peterboro had us on the ropes a bit for the last 10/15 mins of the first half, & CW reacted & changed things.

But 3-5-2 seems a decent template for us when we're able to get on top in games. Peterboro will surely be the best pure footballing side we'll come across this season I'd have thought - we'll not face the sort of intricate problems they presented on any sort of regular basis.

Yes he did at H/T.

UTB

 

[spongebobblade]

It just needed a bit of patience. It was asking a lot for a new manager to come in, change the way we play and accommodate the huge turnover of players at the same. Without getting carried away we are settling down nicely now and are growing in confidence. Posh were decent and would have run last years team ragged. A huge test next week. Can't wait for it

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

How do Posh manage to have so many quick footed midfielders every year? Given a 25 goal striker and a thug at the back they'd go up at a canter.

Yeah, they've built a culture over recent years, haven't they? Very impressive tbh. And Moncur fits in superbly into their fluid style.

But, I agree with you, they're a bit lacking where it matters - Conor Washington's been a hell of a loss for them &, going by today, they're miles off replacing him. Interesting that Tafazolli's not found his way into the side too, especially with them conceding so many.

 

[Rodley]

Moore is a class act. Glad we stuck the hand in the pocket for him. 1st time in seasons we've got a manager who can actually recruit decent players with the backing we get.

Early days yet and we're far from the finished article, but plenty of promise. I just hope when the inevitable blip comes the knives aren't out (from the noisy minority) straight away because given the workrate and commitment from the team, they deserve patience and backing.

UTB

 

[Ricky]

The switch to 4-4-2 helped us, they were beginning to dominate in the last 15-20 minutes of the first half. Scougall came on and helped us but if he had been better in the final third we would've put the game to bed. Peterborough continued to have plenty of the play but they looked less likely to break through us down the middle in the second half.

Peterborough were good today, but we beat them. So that's very satisfying.

 

[blade too long]

Peterborough were good today, but we beat them. So that's very satisfying.

its more satisfying beating a good side 1-0 than a 4-0 win over one of the also rans
shows we have the makings of a good side

one of the better 3 point hauls

 

[SwissBlade]

There is always a reason for having patience at the start of the season, never an exact science but a sensible guide of
10 games is usually enough to provide that time for new players (and managers) to settle in.

Seems that we're starting to generate some momentum and great to see a clean sheet.

We're moving in the right direction, the key will be if we have a couple of bad results or injuries/ suspensions. It looks like we have a strong base, but the test will be strength in depth, eg losing one of the back 3 etc

Onwards and upwards

 

[SB_90]

How do Posh manage to have so many quick footed midfielders every year? Given a 25 goal striker and a thug at the back they'd go up at a canter.

They did last year & were in playoff mix but But chairman cocked up sold him in January to forest. They tailed off as expected blamed the manager & sacked him

 

[JohnDenver]

They did last year & were in playoff mix but But chairman cocked up sold him in January to forest. They tailed off as expected blamed the manager & sacked him

A chairman deflecting blame onto the manager? Glad we're not run like that.....

 

[loyalblade95]

Got to admit having 3 centre halves makes us very solid.

I'm interested to see what will happen when we are attacked wide.

I thought Peterborough would have done that after their fans comments about their fullbacks but they kept going central and running into a big black brick wall

we were for the first half but forced peterborough to go more direct in second half by changing to 4-4-2

 

[Benny and the Blades]

They were a good team and our defence held them, but at the other end we didn't win 2 or 3-0 due to poor finishing.....

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

we were for the first half but forced peterborough to go more direct in second half by changing to 4-4-2

Just watched the highlights and they didn't get deep wide any time of note.

Everytime they got wide the passed it central

 

[HillmortonBlade]

3 games with a new manager and a raft of new signings is not long enough to judge a team.

Nor is 8 games. But it's looking so much better.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

The manager and players seem to be moving along quietly, getting their heads down and working hard which is what we want.

I'm pleased by what we're seeing at the moment but am wary of false dawns given the ones we have had in the past. I think Wilder is on to something but let's see. Tricky one next weekend against the form team but with the form United are in I would back us to take something.

A point would be welcomed with open arms just to keep an unbeaten run going.

 

[DaveBassettsgoneonholiday]

What I’m starting to like about Wilder is, that when he realises things aren’t working he’ll do something about it.
At the start of the season he went with Long (apparently happy pre season for him to be first choice) in goal, Brayford (fans favourite, though not at his best), Hussey (his signing) and Clarke (his signing). We could all see this wasn’t working and in the past it appears to have been the preferred option for the manager to have a “stick with it, they’ll come good” (read…stubbornly refuse to drop them) kind of attitude.
Well, not this time so it would seem. Reputation & favouritism don’t come in to it and he doesn’t waste time (& points dropped) fannying about.
Still early but it looks like we’ve got a manager who can actually manage at last.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

I'm interested to see what will happen when we are attacked wide.


I wouldn't worry too much about that in this division.
Don't think any side has any decent wingers/wing backs good enough to cause us to many problems.

 

[sitwell]

The switch to 4-4-2 helped us, they were beginning to dominate in the last 15-20 minutes of the first half. Scougall came on and helped us but if he had been better in the final third we would've put the game to bed. Peterborough continued to have plenty of the play but they looked less likely to break through us down the middle in the second half.

Peterborough were good today, but we beat them. So that's very satisfying.

Bit of a worry for me that Chris doesn't favour 3-5-2 and has rather been forced into it because of the players we have ,we were more solid after the change and defended the lead well ,but I think he prefers that formation. I hope we go with the 3-5-2 ,its exciting and we have the players to play it although variety is a great option to have. Anything is better than seeing defenders passing the ball back and forth between them and a loan man up front ,anything.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

It was nice to celebrate a goal that you felt meant something again.

It was also nice to see the players come to the kop end at the end of the match and be able to applaud them with pride and genuine appreciation, so long since that has been possible.

 

[wizadry]

What I’m starting to like about Wilder is, that when he realises things aren’t working he’ll do something about it.
At the start of the season he went with Long (apparently happy pre season for him to be first choice) in goal, Brayford (fans favourite, though not at his best), Hussey (his signing) and Clarke (his signing). We could all see this wasn’t working and in the past it appears to have been the preferred option for the manager to have a “stick with it, they’ll come good” (read…stubbornly refuse to drop them) kind of attitude.
Well, not this time so it would seem. Reputation & favouritism don’t come in to it and he doesn’t waste time (& points dropped) fannying about.
Still early but it looks like we’ve got a manager who can actually manage at last.

Bang on the money, it's brilliant isn't it? Keep it up Blades, although it's costing me a fucking fortune celebrating every win, calm down CW!

 

[Grizzly blade]

I think the recent upturn can be credited to the manager, as well as the effort of the players.

He changed it, brought in players who were/are transfer listed and proved its nothing personal. Do your job when you get the chance and you will play.
The lad from Wolves, plus adding Moore has strengthened the back line massively. I expect to see a healthier amount of clean sheets as we move forwards, injury permitting.
It's much easier to play when the back four can do their job.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Yeah, they've built a culture over recent years, haven't they? Very impressive tbh. And Moncur fits in superbly into their fluid style.

But, I agree with you, they're a bit lacking where it matters - Conor Washington's been a hell of a loss for them &, going by today, they're miles off replacing him. Interesting that Tafazolli's not found his way into the side too, especially with them conceding so many.

Think he’s been injured as there was some discussion pre-match about whether he could be fit for this one.

 

[BushBlade]

Think he’s been injured as there was some discussion pre-match about whether he could be fit for this one.

He seems to be a bit injury prone.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

He seems to be a bit injury prone.

I'm not sure. Don't know the nature of the injury or what his past record is like.

 

[ZoneManWilf]

What I’m starting to like about Wilder is, that when he realises things aren’t working he’ll do something about it.
At the start of the season he went with Long (apparently happy pre season for him to be first choice) in goal, Brayford (fans favourite, though not at his best), Hussey (his signing) and Clarke (his signing). We could all see this wasn’t working and in the past it appears to have been the preferred option for the manager to have a “stick with it, they’ll come good” (read…stubbornly refuse to drop them) kind of attitude.
Well, not this time so it would seem. Reputation & favouritism don’t come in to it and he doesn’t waste time (& points dropped) fannying about.
Still early but it looks like we’ve got a manager who can actually manage at last.

Almost word for word the pre match conversation we had in the pub.

Adkins and Clough both did the opposite far too often and stuck to players/tactics that weren't working.

Wilder got Hussey in but realised it wasn't working and did something about it. He realised the formation needed changing and did something about it.

Adkins said a lot of the right things but his actions left a lot to be desired. Wilder strikes me as someone who just gets on with it and fixes things without fannying about.

 

[Yewsman]

Totally agree.
Would also say that he seems to have the ability to get the best out of existing players.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

Be interesting when Coutts is fully fit;Clarke regains fitness;Wallace 2 as I shall call Lavery ever gets fit.

Selection dilemma but in a good way.

 

[Houston_Blade]

We were at the foot of the table with 1 point, 11 points behind leaders Bolton.

Now just 2 points off them and the automatics.

How things can change in football.

The reason?

I'm sold on this, I used to think there was a direct correlation between a Blades victory and Neil Warnock being in a full kit with the socks above knees.

 

[SHOREHAMST.com]

The 352 has worked well and it was good to see CW adapt to suit the games requirements Saturday to protect the lead, if not a little frustrating after a very positive, attacking first half hour.

However, I still think CM will be our downfall. Just don't think we've got anything near enough required over the course of a season.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

3-5-2 has a lot to answer for.

It suits the players we currently have very well but the switch to 442 (I think it came before the second half when they were running through us) demonstrated flexibility and the will to make changes on Wilder's part. Freeman looks a far better player in a 352, but the key to it I think is having a tactically aware CH in the middle of the 3 CH's. Wright isn't quick but he has a good head on them shoulders. O'Connell looks a lot more comfortable too and the big lad is a massive plus (you could go sailing in one of his boots they are that ruddy big). But the best change of all is that we have decent keeper for the first time in yonks. Still work to do - LWB and MF aren't right yet and Sharp looks to have lost a yard of pace he couldn't afford to lose. Big test this w/e - get something out of that and we are rolling.

 

[DifferentClass]

I'm sold on this, I used to think there was a direct correlation between a Blades victory and Neil Warnock being in a full kit with the socks above knees.

As much as I loved Colin, that was fucking disturbing.