A good result - but...

[Lane Ender]

I will never understand as long as I live some Blades fans problems with goalscorers from players like Beattie and Blake not been team players to Blackman only scoring pens.

Sharp has scored 3 in 6 and even if he's playing shit a 1 in 2 ratio is fantastic.

Leave our goalscorers alone.

Spot on he missed two sitters but hes getting in scoring positions.
No gripe with Billy he will get 20 plus this season.

 

[TC's Magic Boots]

Billy will always score goals and has never had pace, so what's the concern with him ? My concern yesterday was Duffy. He shows no pace, no vision and can't tackle. He doesn't show any sign of being a match winner like we were led to believe. Midfield is the worry for me but I'm willing to give them time as it's still early and I guess yesterday wasn't our strongest midfield.

 

[Revolution]

Edit: and in defence of Done our high pressing caused Gilingham problems, Done is a key part of that.

100% right. As I said elsewhere, this was the first sign of the pressing game Wilder says he wants to play. Done did a decent job here, and he's not the only one. I am not a Basham fan but he got forward when he could, as did the other midfielders (even Coutts to some extent!)

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

The key issue for me is conceding the first goal.

Would love to see this team score first (and early) and see what that does for us.

 

[Lane Ender]

I think Chapman and Brooks do have the capability to do this, I like both of them for their no fear approach. Hoping Lavery might have this also.

We havent unleashed these two little gems yet with Lavery in the wings we have plenty of options unlike last year

 

[GrayBlade]

The key issue for me is conceding the first goal.

Would love to see this team score first (and early) and see what that does for us.

Me too and also keep a clean sheet.

That's got to be our next target, if we don't concede we'll always be in with a chance and have something to build on. We can't keep chasing games.

 

[grafikhaus]

He had his problems under Robson and Blackwell the first time around, but at this point with Sharp he deserves the Keith Edwards treatment: just pick him every week and let him get on with it. He'll get the goals. Yes, there'll be a 4 or 5 game barren spell, but then you'll get the 6 or 7 game scoring spell. Happened twice last year.

Precisely. That's 'all' Edwards did - score. I remember back in the Fourth Division on a shitty, cold terrace at Rochdale. Leaning on a barrier next to me, some bloke was giving Edwards constant abuse. 'You lazy fucker, Edwards!' etc. etc. We got a 1-0 win thanks to a late goal by...Edwards.

Maybe Lavery is the missing link?

Bit harsh, Chali! He hasn't played yet!

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I'm OK with Sharp and Done starting for now. With Clarke and Lavery competing with them, it should keep them all on their toes. Hopefully if it's not working for Sharp and Done, we can get a Chief/Pesch effect from Clarke/Lavery off the bench

 

[Ricky]

It's hard to drop a goalscorer like Sharp even when they're playing poorly - you know over the season they'll get 20+ and having one poor game doesn't really affect the probability of them scoring in the next.

But I really would like to see some pace and ability up front. Done and Sharp are both limited in what they can do with the ball. We do have to work much harder to create chances than teams usually have to against us, having strikers like them two (and Clarke) doesn't really help our cause in that regard. It also doesn't help that it take Sharp at least 3 or 4 chances to score.

 

[bartman]

. It also doesn't help that it take Sharp at least 3 or 4 chances to score.

This is probably about right for our level. If he scored 1 in three he would be playing in the championship or above.

 

[Revolution]

This is probably about right for our level. If he scored 1 in three he would be playing in the championship or above.

Quite. Plus there is nobody on the books with a better ratio of goals per game career wise or this season.

 

[blade789]

If we offered Billy Sharp on loan to all the clubs in this division with the stipulation he had to start every game, every single club would say yes and have him in their side.

There is no discussion to have on if Sharp should be in the team or not.

 

[blade too long]

strikers have a luxurious position in a team, they can play on the periphery of a match for 89 minutes but stick that ball in the net in the other minute , theyve done their job
for gods sake Rooney is getting an extension to his England career on the back of his goal scoring record
if it were on form he wouldnt get within 50 miles of the squad

 

[Grappler]

We won't have bought Lavery to sit warming the bench, I assume he is part of the plan, either as an attacking midfielder/winger or a strike partner for Sharp, etc.

 

[Ricky]

Sharp and Clarke are going to have to build an understanding and learn to play together whether they like it or not.

I think there's a way to play them together and fit Lavery into the team without being too light in midfield. Play Lavery attacking left wing, play Duffy tucked in from the right almost as a third CM, with Freeman providing most of the width on the right supporting a lot of the attacks. If he can keep up what he did yesterday this could work well...

Freeman E-Landell O'Connell Lafferty

.............Duffy Coutts Basham

.................................................Lavery

...................Sharp Clarke


Two players who can attack down the left, three players who can attack down the right (Coutts). Lavery's hardworking enough to track back as well.

 

[blade too long]

Sharp and Clarke are going to have to build an understanding and learn to play together whether they like it or not..

considering over 6 games results are improving , they are starting to get there
its taken a while to get the service they need, but its looking like its starting to come together,slowly
some things are worth waiting for

 

[Danny_Boy]

Oh good another Blade slagging Sharp off, scored his 3rd goal in his sixth game (equivalent of 23 for the season if he carries on) and creates the other goal in a 2-1 away win and Blades slagging him off, seriously what does he have to do? Run around more or win headers to know one.

We have a 20 goal a season striker in Sharp, teams all over the country would kill for a 20 goal a season striker, what do some of our fans do? Slag him off and ask him to be dropped. "bangs head against brick wall"

 

[him behind you]

Thought the same, it was a bit frustrating for Billy and Done first half...but, felt we got stronger up front as the game went on...Billy could-a/should-a had a couple and whisper it to some on here, bringing Clarke on helped 'up' the pressure in their half when They were starting to build a bit themselves...

But did you notice that when Clarke came on we played the ball to feet and he looked much better IMO

 

[Esablade]

But did you notice that when Clarke came on we played the ball to feet and he looked much better IMO

Yep, agree...they both play better to feet...

I know there's a few slagging Clarke off..but he's very similar to Billy for me and if one of them get injured I feel much better knowing we've got a decent replacement for that position.

 

[TC's Magic Boots]

It's hard to drop a goalscorer like Sharp even when they're playing poorly - you know over the season they'll get 20+ and having one poor game doesn't really affect the probability of them scoring in the next.

But I really would like to see some pace and ability up front. Done and Sharp are both limited in what they can do with the ball. We do have to work much harder to create chances than teams usually have to against us, having strikers like them two (and Clarke) doesn't really help our cause in that regard. It also doesn't help that it take Sharp at least 3 or 4 chances to score.

Strikers are told to be greedy in front of goal and not to be discouraged by missing. Shearer never ever looked pissed off when he missed and that's why he was the best England striker for years. Billy isn't going to score with every attempt or, as has been said elsewhere, he would not be playing here. I don't mind the misses as it means he is getting in the positions to have a go. I think that once we have settled into the style of play CW wants and more chances are created, Billy will once again get around the 20 goals a season. At this point I don't think criticism is warranted.

 

[Barney]

Innit bloody marvellous?

Two wins in a row, and we're talking about who to drop - some realism wouldn't go amiss

So when we lose, we cannot talk about who may have played well then?

 

[BushBlade]

But did you notice that when Clarke came on we played the ball to feet and he looked much better IMO

Did anyone notice the little one two him and Billy played on our left side towards the end of the game?

I think they both know that if they're both going to be regular starters they have to develop an understanding. Whether they do or not remains to be seen but I'm sure they're trying hard.

Billy's still learning how to be a captain and whilst all players are taught to talk about 'the team' in the interviews you can't fake the look Billy had when he congratulated Freeman (well, you can but it takes a lot of practice and usually if you can do that you're either an Oscar winner or a top salesperson), he was genuinely pleased.

CW's only just started really, he's connecting with the players, building their trust, building a team. We're damaged goods and it was never going to happen overnight. The main thing is we seem to be moving forwards.
And I realise we thought the same with Adkins after Swindon so we can't relax yet.

 

[georgebernardshaw]

So when we lose, we cannot talk about who may have played well then?

You can talk about who you like, mate

 

[Barney]

You can talk about who you like, mate

Oh, it's just that as you were making an issue of people pointing out not very impressive performances in wins, I was trying to establish whether you would then also make an issue of people pointing out good performances in losses, for balance purposes.

 

[georgebernardshaw]

Oh, it's just that as you were making an issue of people pointing out not very impressive performances in wins, I was trying to establish whether you would then also make an issue of people pointing out good performances in losses, for balance purposes.

Were you? Well done

 

[Grizzly blade]

Billy Sharp.

My opinion. Missed two very good chances on Sunday, the header was a particularly poor effort.
Off the ball he works hard, but is painfully slow. Numerous times balls were played beyond their defence and he often had a head start but was easily caught and was forced to turn back.
He also made some pretty poor decisions, one in particular first half where he tried to play the Hollywood pass to Done as we broke forward with a 3 v 2 and ignored the correct, simple ball to the advancing Duffy. Worked correctly that would have been a very clear open sight of goal! I shouted expletives at the tele!!!

So far, we have created very few chances. Sharp may well have 3...one a penalty and another a simple tap in. He has still missed a good number of chances! For what he adds to THIS team, and taking into account his cost financially I would look to move him on.
I think other strikers would match his output and add more value to the team, with more chance creation made for others.
Let's not Kidd anyone that he actually meant to cross the ball to Freeman either BTW....he was shooting and pulled it. Luckily, the excellent Freeman had made a superb run to get in the right place.

I have high hopes for the Lavery fella...his supposed Pace is what we are desperate for up front, and will give our attacks an extra dimension.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Being brutally honest...United looked poor up front all game. We shouldn't hide away from that fact. We had very little attacking threat. Done runs around a lot and "stretches the game" as they say - but to what effect? Sharp was ineffectual too, with the exception of converting the penalty. The facts are that our best attacker was full back Kieron Freeman. I'm sorry, that's just not good enough and I'd rather say it now and hope someone else notices it than wait until we've missed out on several more points.

Wilder needs to get some zip and urgency in that attack and he needs someone up front who will stick it away regularly. I fear that he will be tempted to leave things as they are for now, because we won, with Done and Sharp leading the attack. I think this is wrong and the sooner he changes it the better. Clarke is better than either of them and we need some pace alongside him - hopefully young Lavery may provide it?

It's a fair point but strikers with zip & urgency & an eye for goals don't grow on trees and everyone in the league/championship is on the look out for such a person.

Bit like saying you want a prettier wife and faster car. Sometimes you have to make do with what you've got..

 

[Danny_Boy]

Billy Sharp.

My opinion. Missed two very good chances on Sunday, the header was a particularly poor effort.
Off the ball he works hard, but is painfully slow. Numerous times balls were played beyond their defence and he often had a head start but was easily caught and was forced to turn back.
He also made some pretty poor decisions, one in particular first half where he tried to play the Hollywood pass to Done as we broke forward with a 3 v 2 and ignored the correct, simple ball to the advancing Duffy. Worked correctly that would have been a very clear open sight of goal! I shouted expletives at the tele!!!

So far, we have created very few chances. Sharp may well have 3...one a penalty and another a simple tap in. He has still missed a good number of chances! For what he adds to THIS team, and taking into account his cost financially I would look to move him on.
I think other strikers would match his output and add more value to the team, with more chance creation made for others.
Let's not Kidd anyone that he actually meant to cross the ball to Freeman either BTW....he was shooting and pulled it. Luckily, the excellent Freeman had made a superb run to get in the right place.

I have high hopes for the Lavery fella...his supposed Pace is what we are desperate for up front, and will give our attacks an extra dimension.

You'd move on a 20 goal a year striker? I won't resort to name calling but wow. So worrying that you're not alone in that opinion either. I can't understand the mentality he scored and he created the other goal in a game we scored 2 in. Seriously what more do people want.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Being brutally honest...United looked poor up front all game. We shouldn't hide away from that fact. We had very little attacking threat. Done runs around a lot and "stretches the game" as they say - but to what effect? Sharp was ineffectual too, with the exception of converting the penalty. The facts are that our best attacker was full back Kieron Freeman. I'm sorry, that's just not good enough and I'd rather say it now and hope someone else notices it than wait until we've missed out on several more points.

Wilder needs to get some zip and urgency in that attack and he needs someone up front who will stick it away regularly. I fear that he will be tempted to leave things as they are for now, because we won, with Done and Sharp leading the attack. I think this is wrong and the sooner he changes it the better. Clarke is better than either of them and we need some pace alongside him - hopefully young Lavery may provide it?

can understand your points - but the main need was to stabilise the defence and tighten up in midfield - we did both of those.

More work needed, but a pleasing result with some excellent possession and movement

good result, getting better - more work this week.

UTB

 

[Grizzly blade]

You'd move on a 20 goal a year striker? I won't resort to name calling but wow. So worrying that you're not alone in that opinion either. I can't understand the mentality he scored and he created the other goal in a game we scored 2 in. Seriously what more do people want.

What is dificult for you to understand?
I have explained very clearly the reasons why I have that opinion.

As for Sunday....I will repeat for you. He pulled his shot for the first goal, it certainly was not a cross. The ball fell for him, and he mis kicked it so badly it turned into a cross. His goal was a penalty. A penalty not won by him, earned or whatever.
We could have any other striker on the pitch....Lavery for example....who is quicker and offers a different threat to Sharp. Lavery will be up front, and in the box, so may well be given the number of chances Sharp has had. What's to say Lavery won't get 20 goals? Will he be in the salary Sharp is? Not a chance he will.

Anyway....glad you opted to leave out the name calling, doesn't make for good debate. And I would certainly like some opinion other than "he scored 20 last season" to explain why he's worth his place