Arblaster

[Sean Thornton]

I’ve commented before on him finding it harder to create himself some space and therefore is rushing more. Injury related, confidence or fitness hopefully that will come. But surely he’s better in a more free flowing style not how we are set up now. Plus wide on the right doesn’t suit him and he’s getting stick when there because he’s getting picked in front of Donovan who’s much more athletic and mobile. He’s not pulling any trees up whilst others are having a siesta underneath them.

 

[YES Blade]

Unfortunately playing players out of position is Chris "I know best" Wilder's remit.

I can't imagine any other manager consistently plays wing backs at full back, centre backs at full back, defensive midfielders at full back, centre midfielders in defensive midfield, attacking midfielders in defensive midfield, centre midfielders on the wing, strikers on the wing, left wingers at right wing, right wingers at left wing.

And we wonder why look awful, disjointed, and have team that looks like they are playing together for the first time every time?

Even if Arblaster hadn’t had the injury, I think he’d still struggle where he’s being asked to play.

It’s just a bizarre selection and gives the impression Wilder is picking him out of sentiment rather than what’s best for the team and Arblaster.

How can Arblaster be selected ahead of Donovan, Ayew and Chong? (Ok, Chong is just back from injury so that might change)

 

[KMC-1889]

I think his most likely position is an 8 or honestly as sub and on a rotational basis.

Phillips and Peck as the main fixtures in a three. Then Arblaster for those more front foot matches and Hamza for ones where a more combative option is needed. Neither Jairo nor Rothwell are remotely close to being my starters in my view.

Then it’s up to Wilder if he goes 5 at the back or 4-3-3. I think I’d like to see the latter with some proper pace in there. Donovan on one side and as someone else mentioned, perhaps Oné on the left. Then pick whichever striker is appropriate for the day.

Love this idea tbh. I really hope wilder doesn’t dig his heels in after the break because this feels very similar to the conversations we were having in 2021 when we were all desperate for him to drop the 3-5-2 when it wasn’t working anymore.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Love this idea tbh. I really hope wilder doesn’t dig his heels in after the break because this feels very similar to the conversations we were having in 2021 when we were all desperate for him to drop the 3-5-2 when it wasn’t working anymore.

His conversation with Brentford re: Donovan will be interesting if he goes 3-5-2. You wonder how he'll sell that to BBD too....

Guess that's the problem with not having a DoF buying players to a plan. We've ended up with a bunch players Wilder 'trusts' but are all suited to different formations...

 

[ancientblade]

hes not playing well but wilder is playing him in the wrong position i think he would do well alongside philips with peck as the attacking midfielder althpugh his shooting would have to improve

 

[S17 Blade 1889]

For me, I'd love to see him get back to fitness and really have a go. He would be fantastic with a Gattuso type at the side while he was pulling the strings.

I think it's obvious it's not working for him this season but i would be inclined to give him huge credit, blade or not, for playing where he is asked and probably not complaining. It must be really frustrating for a pro to have a position not be played there (for whatever reason) then be called out by fans.

I think he's shown his commitment by this alone compared to some of the shit there at the minute. There are worse players at United and definately not a commited as he is.

 

[AWetFlannel]

Is that you Ollie ?
I played football 40 years ago and got paid to play it to, a good wage in those days not comparable with today
I broke my ankle spent a year in a walking calliper had 3 operations on it
I was the bees knees before my injury and never played again as I was left with a nerve damaged right ankle with a clump of metal in it

I take this to mean you do think you know more than PL scouts, particularly those at Brighton, and the England setup then, which is hilarious.

 

[AWetFlannel]

I dont think anyone is having a go at him personally.

However many may conclude his contribution to the team in his performances this season dont justify his selection.
Thats a reasonable assessment.

Not everything has to be pro or anti, some things can just be as people see it .

People are absolutely having a go at him personally, spewing out disrespectful venom about his personal life.

 

[The Fox]

People are absolutely having a go at him personally, spewing out disrespectful venom about his personal life.

Maybe 2 out of 98 contributions on the thread , it should be zero but given the nature if a forum its a very low amount.

Most are supportive , not judging him as a person but simply his level of performance or contribution, which is probably valid even mitigating how he's being used positionally.

The comments on the whole are as well balanced as you'll get .

 

[AWetFlannel]

Maybe 2 out of 98 contributions on the thread , it should be zero but given the nature if a forum its a very low amount.

Most are supportive , not judging him as a person but simply his level of performance or contribution, which is probably valid even mitigating how he's being used positionally.

The comments on the whole are as well balanced as you'll get .

Maybe, or definitely?

He's played a blinder pumping the gaffer's daughter, first name on the team sheet now however poor he is.

I agree it's a minority and apologise if I'm being pedantic, but you did say "I don't think anyone is having a go at him personally". Add to that the people who liked the comment, and others who are subtly (or not) making accusations of nepotism.

Criticising his performances is of course fair, I've criticised him, Peck, Brooks and Seriki plenty of times.

 

[The Fox]

Maybe, or definitely?

I agree it's a minority and apologise if I'm being pedantic, but you did say "I don't think anyone is having a go at him personally". Add to that the people who liked the comment, and others who are subtly (or not) making accusations of nepotism.

Criticising his performances is of course fair, I've criticised him, Peck, Brooks and Seriki plenty of times.

Criticism of any player is valid , that's a definitely . Its a forum of opinions even ones you or I may disagree with .

Anything that goes beyond performance, manager or players , is just a reflection of how some people choose to behave on social media these days

The nepotism calls are mainly a dig at wilder i suppose , after all Arblaster doesnt pick himself .

Never apologise for being pedantic , its a badge of honour.

 

[KMC-1889]

Are people personally criticising Arblaster or just pointing out that having an interpersonal relationship with your current boss is effecting his work? I don’t think that’s an unfair observation and given Wilder’s history of erratic decision making its unquestionably a factor in the way he’s been managed compared to players like Buyubu, Curtis, Marsh and One.

 

[Nick Jansky]

Are people personally criticising Arblaster or just pointing out that having an interpersonal relationship with your current boss is effecting his work? I don’t think that’s an unfair observation and given Wilder’s history of erratic decision making its unquestionably a factor in the way he’s been managed compared to players like Buyubu, Curtis, Marsh and One.

In which case there’s absolutely nothing there to castigate Arblaster for. He doesn’t pick the team or formation. I have my suspicions that some of it is thinly disguised Wilder bashing. That shouldn’t be needed, there’s plenty of other more valid stuff to bash him for.

 

[YES Blade]

In which case there’s absolutely nothing there to castigate Arblaster for. He doesn’t pick the team or formation. I have my suspicions that some of it is thinly disguised Wilder bashing. That shouldn’t be needed, there’s plenty of other more valid stuff to bash him for.

It comes with the territory, not just football, but any other business. If you’re shagging the boss’s daughter, there is always going to be suggestions of nepotism whether it’s fair or not.

Ollie surely wasn’t naive enough to think that it wouldn’t be mentioned by the fans if results were poor?

 

[uTurn]

If Blaster were performing to Dean Hammond levels, and still getting picked, the nepotism suggestion might hold a bit of water. In reality, he's a young lad, who's still getting back up to speed from an injury which could end a career if handled badly.

While I agree his future ought to be in central midfield rather than out wide, having him there could work upon Seriki returning. Femi providing width, and an option to cross from advanced positions, and Oli being something akin to what Norwood did for us a lot - offering a deeper option in the so-called "half space" to cross into the box.

It's potentially a way to get first team games under his belt without having to carry too much physical strain.

 

[FTPE]

His future may be best served away from English football

Why what country do they not run or tackle in?

 

[The Fox]

Why what country do they not run or tackle in?

I know it was tongue in cheek but apparently its Spain .

Unless your a Bull that is .

 

[Bladeloyal]

It comes with the territory, not just football, but any other business. If you’re shagging the boss’s daughter, there is always going to be suggestions of nepotism whether it’s fair or not.

Ollie surely wasn’t naive enough to think that it wouldn’t be mentioned by the fans if results were poor?

He's in a loving relationship with the mother of their child , who's his boss make no difference to that .show some respect

 

[raul]

Lad has had not one, but two potential career ending injuries and he still needs i.d if he's stopping off at the Supermarket on the way to Grandad's place with a pack of Peroni.

Injuries part and parcel etc, but he's very young ( and a parent now too ) to have the psychological worries of what happens to his career and thus life at such a young age if it happens again.

Hope he goes on to have a long career at whatever level his talents allow.

 

[Rufus Smalls]

Born in Sheffield. Gets you far with our fanbase, even if you’re just a bang average player. Had a few decent spells in games before the injury and that was enough to make many of our fans decide that he’s the next messiah.

Some will no doubt say something about “linked with prem clubs” yet not a single offer has ever been made for him. Sure, maybe some have scouted him…..but there’s a reason why they never bid for him.

True, and one of those bang average Sheffield born players is, unbelievably, our chief scout.

 

[Nick Jansky]

True, and one of those bang average Sheffield born players is, unbelievably, our chief scout.

And another one is our manager.

 

[Upton_Blade]

I actually really like Blaster even after his injury.

The problem we have is that he looked amazing when he was partnered with Souza in the 1st part of the 92 point season before he got injured.

I'm not being funny but I reckon I could have probably looked good next to Souza at that point as he was an absolute cheat code at Championship level.

What CW needs to do is work out where he fits in the way he wants to play right now and, quite frankly, it looks like he's struggling to find it at present.

 

[RandomBlade]

Even if Arblaster hadn’t had the injury, I think he’d still struggle where he’s being asked to play.

It’s just a bizarre selection and gives the impression Wilder is picking him out of sentiment rather than what’s best for the team and Arblaster.

How can Arblaster be selected ahead of Donovan, Ayew and Chong? (Ok, Chong is just back from injury so that might change)

Serious? He cant fill any of said three positions for a start. Are we suggesting Wilder is changing formation just to acccomodate Blaster? Not that its a problem selecting those three providing the formation suits. Wilders struggling what team to pick at the moment so yeah its trial and error. Bit contredictory I know.