Fulwood Blade
Well-Known Member
Well, what a fascinating game last night v Boro. Football skill wise it was pretty average compared to some recent games, but we brought a new dimension to our game and it was sort of edge of the seat stuff at times. Surely it was obvious to most that Madine was needed at half time – he was probably needed before HT, but CW made the correct choice. The only question was who to bring off? Could have been a few, but Duffy it was. Duffs seemed a bit scared of the close attention Boro gave most of our players in the first half, so probably the correct decision – suppose this is why CW gets paid - to make these right decisions.
Madine helped to change the dynamics of the game - sometimes you have to go a bit long, especially playing a Tony Pulis side, and even though it wasn't pretty or purist football, it generally worked. We seemed to pick the game up after 50/55 minutes – the crowd sensed it and burst into life and gave a bit of encouragement which I am sure helped the team. If ONLY we could do it more for the team - fucking hell, we are a reserved lot at times!
So, on to the goal – what another peach of a cross from Norwood – goal making, game winning and there are still some that doubt him – bonkers, just bonkers. Norwood is invaluable as to how we play the game and even he dug in a bit last night. Well done to Stears for using Fry as a ladder and climbing frame and thanks to the ref (Mr Pedantic) who had a perfect view of it and let it go. We’ve had some poor luck earlier on in the season – think our “stars” are aligning a bit (Billy's 2nd goal v Villa) come the run in and it’s payback and things are equalling out a bit.
As for the game footballing wise – well, just average for me. Can understand the twitterati giving MoM to Stears, but for me, and once again, John Egan goes under the radar. He was outstanding in doing the basics very very well. But Egan was not MoM for me – i’d give it (and my boy too) to Crainie – just thought he was excellent, did nothing wrong and grew into the game wherever he played last night. Bash? You've lost the shirt fella
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The real winners were the management team last night and can take 9 out of 10 for that performance – adjusted the team throughout the game for various reasons and we ground it out. It wasn’t pretty, but 100% dogged, resilient, resourceful considering who we were playing – and let’s not underestimate the achievement - Boro are a very big team, but we just got on with getting 3 points in difficult circumstances.
What do the pundits say? “good teams win when not playing at their best” – Well, we achieved that last night.
Could it be that our stars are aligning? The media are still going Leeds/Norwich crazy, but we’re like a thoroughbred racehorse sneaking up on the rails and winning the race in the final furlong.
Can we push to the top and stay there this time?
One game at a time fellow Blades – Reading up next and chance to go top AGAIN.
Just a quick note about West Brom, tickets arrived this week and ticket pricing was £15 for over 60’s and £20 for adults – great prices, seems like they have carried on the “twenties plenty” pricing from the Premier league. Great to see, so well done West Brom.
UTB
Madine helped to change the dynamics of the game - sometimes you have to go a bit long, especially playing a Tony Pulis side, and even though it wasn't pretty or purist football, it generally worked. We seemed to pick the game up after 50/55 minutes – the crowd sensed it and burst into life and gave a bit of encouragement which I am sure helped the team. If ONLY we could do it more for the team - fucking hell, we are a reserved lot at times!
So, on to the goal – what another peach of a cross from Norwood – goal making, game winning and there are still some that doubt him – bonkers, just bonkers. Norwood is invaluable as to how we play the game and even he dug in a bit last night. Well done to Stears for using Fry as a ladder and climbing frame and thanks to the ref (Mr Pedantic) who had a perfect view of it and let it go. We’ve had some poor luck earlier on in the season – think our “stars” are aligning a bit (Billy's 2nd goal v Villa) come the run in and it’s payback and things are equalling out a bit.
As for the game footballing wise – well, just average for me. Can understand the twitterati giving MoM to Stears, but for me, and once again, John Egan goes under the radar. He was outstanding in doing the basics very very well. But Egan was not MoM for me – i’d give it (and my boy too) to Crainie – just thought he was excellent, did nothing wrong and grew into the game wherever he played last night. Bash? You've lost the shirt fella
.The real winners were the management team last night and can take 9 out of 10 for that performance – adjusted the team throughout the game for various reasons and we ground it out. It wasn’t pretty, but 100% dogged, resilient, resourceful considering who we were playing – and let’s not underestimate the achievement - Boro are a very big team, but we just got on with getting 3 points in difficult circumstances.
What do the pundits say? “good teams win when not playing at their best” – Well, we achieved that last night.
Could it be that our stars are aligning? The media are still going Leeds/Norwich crazy, but we’re like a thoroughbred racehorse sneaking up on the rails and winning the race in the final furlong.
Can we push to the top and stay there this time?
One game at a time fellow Blades – Reading up next and chance to go top AGAIN.
Just a quick note about West Brom, tickets arrived this week and ticket pricing was £15 for over 60’s and £20 for adults – great prices, seems like they have carried on the “twenties plenty” pricing from the Premier league. Great to see, so well done West Brom.
UTB
