Back 4: Micky's gamble

[Ollessendro]

Adams has gambled on a back that we know little about to get us out of trouble. With one of the worst defensive records in the league many Blades have been calling for experience, a leader, a soldier and a rock solid centre half. Adams has had a month to sort the defence out and he has stamped his mark. The defence will now be made up of 3 defenders he has brought in and a highly capable other (Lowton or Parrino).
The back four for the rest iof the season (barring injuries and suspensions) is likely to be:

Parrino* Collins Lowry Mattock

* or Lowton

(CB cover Noz).

Adams has had a month to shape his teams defence and has concentrated on this area. It will make or break us. Could be a master stroke. Could see us in league One next year. I know little about any of them.

Once again (as with Doyle and Bent)I feel we have to trust Adams judgement. Lenners and co will find the negatives, but really February will tell us whether Adams has made the right choices.

It’s disappointing to lose Bartley, but all I can say is that I hope Adams knows what he is doing. He has brought in a bruiser. Another Morgan. Collins is off limited ability, but is hard and will run the back 4. Many called for this, but now we have him it is a disaster and he is the worse player to grace the game (other than Monty).

Adams can have no excuses if we go down. Yes he inherited a very poor squad, but he has made 5 signings and had a month to shape things. If he keeps us up he will be a hero, but if we go down then I will blame him (not Blackwell, Speed or the board).

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Adams has gambled on a back that we know little about to get us out of trouble. With one of the worst defensive records in the league many Blades have been calling for experience, a leader, a soldier and a rock solid centre half. Adams has had a month to sort the defence out and he has stamped his mark. The defence will now be made up of 3 defenders he has brought in and a highly capable other (Lowton or Parrino).
The back four for the rest iof the season (barring injuries and suspensions) is likely to be:

Parrino* Collins Lowry Mattock

* or Lowton

(CB cover Noz).

Adams has had a month to shape his teams defence and has concentrated on this area. It will make or break us. Could be a master stroke. Could see us in league One next year. I know little about any of them.

Once again (as with Doyle and Bent)I feel we have to trust Adams judgement. Lenners and co will find the negatives, but really February will tell us whether Adams has made the right choices.

It’s disappointing to lose Bartley, but all I can say is that I hope Adams knows what he is doing. He has brought in a bruiser. Another Morgan. Collins is off limited ability, but is hard and will run the back 4. Many called for this, but now we have him it is a disaster and he is the worse player to grace the game (other than Monty).

Adams can have no excuses if we go down. Yes he inherited a very poor squad, but he has made 5 signings and had a month to shape things. If he keeps us up he will be a hero, but if we go down then I will blame him (not Blackwell, Speed or the board).

Tha were doing OK then you started typing and it went wrong for you.

 

[Micalijo]

Adams has gambled on a back that we know little about to get us out of trouble. With one of the worst defensive records in the league many Blades have been calling for experience, a leader, a soldier and a rock solid centre half. Adams has had a month to sort the defence out and he has stamped his mark. The defence will now be made up of 3 defenders he has brought in and a highly capable other (Lowton or Parrino).
The back four for the rest iof the season (barring injuries and suspensions) is likely to be:

Parrino* Collins Lowry Mattock

* or Lowton

(CB cover Noz).

Adams has had a month to shape his teams defence and has concentrated on this area. It will make or break us. Could be a master stroke. Could see us in league One next year. I know little about any of them.

Once again (as with Doyle and Bent)I feel we have to trust Adams judgement. Lenners and co will find the negatives, but really February will tell us whether Adams has made the right choices.

It’s disappointing to lose Bartley, but all I can say is that I hope Adams knows what he is doing. He has brought in a bruiser. Another Morgan. Collins is off limited ability, but is hard and will run the back 4. Many called for this, but now we have him it is a disaster and he is the worse player to grace the game (other than Monty).

Adams can have no excuses if we go down. Yes he inherited a very poor squad, but he has made 5 signings and had a month to shape things. If he keeps us up he will be a hero, but if we go down then I will blame him (not Blackwell, Speed or the board).

I have seen Collins a few times and he always strikes me as being a nervous wreck, including both his previous appearances for United (fair enough thrown in v Wendy) and certainly when faced with a moderately skillful/combative striker. We had Evans up front on his own at Elland Road this term and I'd have looked a half decent centreback that day for Leeds such was the lack of our attacking intent and options. He won every header that day so fair play, could be what we need but he was barely challenged. What frightens me is that he can barely kick the ball - seriously, he cannot make proper contact with it, like Monty and yet he is pro-footballer. I don't see him as having any leadership qualities at all. He's very rarely been a regular starter and I think this type of player struggles to really show these qualities. I'll caveat all this by saying Adams is manager and I'm a paper shuffler so fully admit he knows more than me!

 

[frechyblade]

It's fairly obvious that Adams has sacrificed style for substance, he has replaced Britton with a more combative midfielder (Doyle) and replaced Bartley (who he saw as too lightweight and a poor trainer from what I've heard) with a poor mans Morgan. My concern is that we may win more 50/50 challenges then what? we need to retain the ball after we have won those challenges otherwise it just comes back. Time will tell if it is the right thing to do. I think it is the end of our flirtation with pretty passing football and a move back to a more direct style of play, It raises some issues with how it now links with the academy where Pembo is obviously focusing on creating footballers that play a diffferent style.

UTB

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Thought provoking stuff as ever Olle (with a hint of controversy as always)

This literally will be Micky's back four as even Parrino didnt play under Speed. I dont feel entirely convinced by the personnel we have in this area but I think that is largely down to the fact I haven't seen them play together yet and still know very little about Parrino and Lowry other than what I've seen in the couple of games they've had.

It's still a young back four but Collins will add experience and leadership to it. He has a massive part to play and we need him to be at his very best. I wouldn't rule Nosworthy and Jordan out yet either.

Noz has his critics and his last few perforances were truly dreadful but with PL experience on his CV and a glowing reference from Sunderland fans, there must be something about him (we've seen the odd glimmer of it) but we need him to produce it immediately on his return. If we can get him playing well, he would be a decent option at right back IMO. I think some of his better games for us have been in that position.

Noz and Jordan could also be very useful in the run-in as they can both play at full back and centre half. We're going to need that depth and flexibility now we've let Bartley go.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Would it surprise you to learn that amongst others, Leeds, Donny and indeed tonight's opponents Leicester have conceded more than us this season ?

Our problem is that only Palace have scored less.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Would it surprise you to learn that amongst others, Leeds, Donny and indeed tonight's opponents Leicester have conceded more than us this season ?

Our problem is that only Palace have scored less.

Got to point the finger at Ched.

 

[Guesty]

No, he's turned it around and everyone was wrong, apparently.

 

[Balham]

Got to point the finger at Ched.

Or the tactics, using 4-5-1 for the majority of the season. That works if, and in our case it's a big if, the midfielders are mobile and able to get forward to support. With our one-paced side (Richard Cresswell being a prime example) it was never going to work.

Put someone near Ched to support him and look what happens.

 

[SwissBlade]

With one of the worst defensive records in the league many Blades have been calling for experience, a leader, a soldier and a rock solid centre half.

Its not a gamble then is it? Basically anything he does will be better than what went before, even if its shite...

Adams has had a month to shape his teams defence and has concentrated on this area. I know little about any of them.

I feel we have to trust Adams judgement.

but really February will tell us whether Adams has made the right choices.

It’s disappointing to lose Bartley, but all I can say is that I hope Adams knows what he is doing. He has brought in a bruiser. Another Morgan. Collins is off limited ability, but is hard and will run the back 4.

Adams can have no excuses if we go down. Yes he inherited a very poor squad, but he has made 5 signings and had a month to shape things. If he keeps us up he will be a hero, but if we go down then I will blame him (not Blackwell, Speed or the board).

Contradictions all over the shop Ollie:
We know nothing about them, but we know Collins will run the back 4
We have to trust Adams' judgement, but you don't trust him.
Adams can have no excuses, he's made just 5 changes in a month, but lets blame him instead of any one else for the pre Adams' failings.

But february will tell us if we've made the right choices - Lets sack him at the end of feb then, afterall "Adams can have no excuses if we go down. Yes he inherited a very poor squad, but he has made 5 signings and had a month to shape things. If he keeps us up he will be a hero, but if we go down then I will blame him (not Blackwell, Speed or the board)"

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Got to point the finger at Ched.

Nope, he'll end up with 15 plus this season.

 

[SwissBlade]

Nope, he'll end up with 15 plus this season.

Make that 20 Plus

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Make that 20 Plus

Fine by me, I've still got my 66/1 running on him

 

[Ollessendro]

Would it surprise you to learn that amongst others, Leeds, Donny and indeed tonight's opponents Leicester have conceded more than us this season ?

Our problem is that only Palace have scored less.

We have one of the worst defensive records in the leage (as well as one of the worst attacking). We have conceded 43 goals in 27 games, that's 1.6 goals a game. Not a big problem Jim? Your pedantic point doesn't stand up I'm afraid. Your post is actually a good one compared to some of the others (see below).

Tha were doing OK then you started typing and it went wrong for you.

Its not a gamble then is it? Basically anything he does will be better than what went before, even if its shite...

Contradictions all over the shop Ollie:
We know nothing about them, but we know Collins will run the back 4
We have to trust Adams' judgement, but you don't trust him.
Adams can have no excuses, he's made just 5 changes in a month, but lets blame him instead of any one else for the pre Adams' failings.

Huh?

Yes it is a gamble. He has brought in players that are not very well known or established and the possible loss is relegation. That's not a gamble Swiss?

We know little of Collins other than he has experience and is a brute. Is it an unrealistic assumption that he, the oldest player in the back 4 with more games in the English league than the other 3 put together, will lead the back 4??

Where does it say I don't trust Adams? I backed him over the signings of Bent and Doyle in that he knows more than I do and has worked with both before. Once again I will trust his judgement and hoe for the best (blind faith you may call it). I will however hold him to account if he fucks it up.

Don't be ridiculous. I am not calling for the sacking of Adams. Get a grip ffs. I have backed Adams and I think he is the right man to take us forward. However, with the opportunity to bring in players and half a season to get out of this mess then he cannot say he has not got ample opportunity. He has inherited a poor team, but we are still not in the relegation zone. He has not lost any of his better players (or one's that he rates), he has had the opportunity to bring in players and time to work with the squad. Would you seriosuly not be disappointed with Adams if we got relegated? Has he got a get out clause because the baord made a bad decision, Blackwell left us in a mess and Speed was no better?? Because Micky is a Sheffielder, he has got us playing with a bit of passion and is making the right signals then he will be blameless if we get relegated???

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Not a big problem Jim?

Didn't say it wasn't a problem, I said goal scoring has been a bigger problem. Our record of not losing when we've scored 1st has been phenominal in the last 3 seasons and if we score 1st it's a different game. Yes we've defended poorly and yes, our defence has cost us several times but goals change games and we haven't scored anywhere near enough.

 

[MunXy]

hes had a month to shape a piss poor side by bringing in dregs that we can afford or con into joining us ?
olle, when Alex ferguson first joined manure it took almost 18 months for it to bare fruit, and his team was already pretty good but not winning trophys, yet you expect adams in a matter of a month to turn, what has been described on many occaisions as "the worst blades side in 30 years" into promotion hopefuls?
ffs give adams a chance, infact give United a chance.
if you move into a new house it takes you several months just to unpack let alone get shit to your liking, give adams time to give a little confidence or a good kick up the arse to our team of whoafully underachieving prima donnas, get behind adams and the team, tonight could be the start of a new dawn or if the crowd dont get behind the team, kill cinfidence totally. your choice, i think with the crowd behind us we can again be a team that no one enjoys travelling away too, and make BDTBL once again a hostile fortress for opposing teams.

UTB
MunXy

 

[oldblade]

Didn't say it wasn't a problem, I said goal scoring has been a bigger problem. Our record of not losing when we've scored 1st has been phenominal in the last 3 seasons and if we score 1st it's a different game. Yes we've defended poorly and yes, our defence has cost us several times but goals change games and we haven't scored anywhere near enough.

I think the problems at both ends of the pitch are as bad as each other. 26 goals scored in 27 games is very poor, but so is 43 conceded. And the goals coceded column seems to have started going up at an increasing rate at the same time as our goal scoring has improved, thus wiping out any benefit.

In that run of games over the Christmas/New Year period against Hull, Norwich, Burnley and Doncaster we scored 2 goals in each game, and yet only got 1 point. If our defence had only tightened up to the extent of conceding 2 goals in each of those games we would now be 3 points better off.

 

[SwissBlade]

Huh?

Yes it is a gamble. He has brought in players that are not very well known or established and the possible loss is relegation. That's not a gamble Swiss?

We know little of Collins other than he has experience and is a brute. Is it an unrealistic assumption that he, the oldest player in the back 4 with more games in the English league than the other 3 put together, will lead the back 4??

Where does it say I don't trust Adams? I backed him over the signings of Bent and Doyle in that he knows more than I do and has worked with both before. Once again I will trust his judgement and hoe for the best (blind faith you may call it). I will however hold him to account if he fucks it up.

Don't be ridiculous. I am not calling for the sacking of Adams. Get a grip ffs. I have backed Adams and I think he is the right man to take us forward. However, with the opportunity to bring in players and half a season to get out of this mess then he cannot say he has not got ample opportunity. He has inherited a poor team, but we are still not in the relegation zone. He has not lost any of his better players (or one's that he rates), he has had the opportunity to bring in players and time to work with the squad. Would you seriosuly not be disappointed with Adams if we got relegated? Has he got a get out clause because the baord made a bad decision, Blackwell left us in a mess and Speed was no better?? Because Micky is a Sheffielder, he has got us playing with a bit of passion and is making the right signals then he will be blameless if we get relegated???

If you claim that the defence is awful, amongst the worst, then how can you call it a gamble when we bring in a 3 defenders, one who's played at Wolves, Leeds, Sunderland and us, a defender from Villa and another from West Brom. Compared to what we had its not a gamble. Age is not a gamble, you just assume it is.

I read your post and whilst you were trying to spark debate by offering both sides it sounds like you fully expect him to fuck up. So excuse me for thinking that you don't trust him, apologies if you do.

I know you're not calling for the sacking of Adam's but considering he's been with us since New Year, he's been able to bring in 5 players and you want a complete turn around by the end of Feb? It depends of course how bad you saw things pre Adams, some thought we were so bad that even Jesus Christ couldn't help us, so I would expect them to give him longer, those, like myself who didn't think things were that bad, should perhaps be screaming at him now. But I'm not. I have faith in him and if anyone can get us going Micky will.

I would be seriously disappointed if we got relegated of course, its unthinkable. But with Adams? No, he's the 4th manager this season, hasn't exactly had money or time to spend on recruitment, so yeah I think he does have a get out clause. It would have nothing to Micky being a Blade or a a Sheffielder, its more to do with the support he'd receive.

If a guy came to fix your shed, but found the structure was unstable, had to pull it down to rebuild, would you blame the guy doing the rebuild or the shed builders before.

We're in the position we're in from making hasty decisions, lets not put more pressure on now by saying that Feb is the do or die.

All that said, I fully expect us to pick up points in Feb, but its the toughest month of the season with Tues-Sat-Tues games all the way through as well as heavy pitches

 

[sitwell]

I would make an offer to Lowry now ,he is going to be a top centre half with more experience.

 

[alcoblade]

I would make an offer to Lowry now ,he is going to be a top centre half with more experience.

Yes, early days but he looks top drawer to me.

UTB

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Agreed - looks good - although he missed a couple of great chances today. In stark contrast to Mattock who looked terrible before he got injured - as he did v Norwich.

 

[Foxy]

Out of interest, those who say Mattock has been poor so far, what did you think to him v. Coventry?

 

[alcoblade]

Out of interest, those who say Mattock has been poor so far, what did you think to him v. Coventry?

Didn't see him. I take it he played well?

You' concede he's been awful at home, surely?

UTB

 

[vale87]

Can we have our manager back please?

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Out of interest, those who say Mattock has been poor so far, what did you think to him v. Coventry?

Didn't go to Cov but heard from several that he was poor. And he has been absolutely pathetic in his two home games.

 

[Ollessendro]

hes had a month to shape a piss poor side by bringing in dregs that we can afford or con into joining us ?
olle, when Alex ferguson first joined manure it took almost 18 months for it to bare fruit, and his team was already pretty good but not winning trophys, yet you expect adams in a matter of a month to turn, what has been described on many occaisions as "the worst blades side in 30 years" into promotion hopefuls?
ffs give adams a chance, infact give United a chance.
if you move into a new house it takes you several months just to unpack let alone get shit to your liking, give adams time to give a little confidence or a good kick up the arse to our team of whoafully underachieving prima donnas, get behind adams and the team, tonight could be the start of a new dawn or if the crowd dont get behind the team, kill cinfidence totally. your choice, i think with the crowd behind us we can again be a team that no one enjoys travelling away too, and make BDTBL once again a hostile fortress for opposing teams.

Relax man. Go back and read my post properly before you get so het up.

I am asking Adams to keep us up. No more, no less. I do not expect promotion, as you (pathetically over the top) pointed out. I think he should be able to keep us in the division with the resources he has.

If you claim that the defence is awful, amongst the worst, then how can you call it a gamble when we bring in a 3 defenders, one who's played at Wolves, Leeds, Sunderland and us, a defender from Villa and another from West Brom. Compared to what we had its not a gamble. Age is not a gamble, you just assume it is.

I read your post and whilst you were trying to spark debate by offering both sides it sounds like you fully expect him to fuck up. So excuse me for thinking that you don't trust him, apologies if you do.

I know you're not calling for the sacking of Adam's but considering he's been with us since New Year, he's been able to bring in 5 players and you want a complete turn around by the end of Feb? It depends of course how bad you saw things pre Adams, some thought we were so bad that even Jesus Christ couldn't help us, so I would expect them to give him longer, those, like myself who didn't think things were that bad, should perhaps be screaming at him now. But I'm not. I have faith in him and if anyone can get us going Micky will.

I would be seriously disappointed if we got relegated of course, its unthinkable. But with Adams? No, he's the 4th manager this season, hasn't exactly had money or time to spend on recruitment, so yeah I think he does have a get out clause. It would have nothing to Micky being a Blade or a a Sheffielder, its more to do with the support he'd receive.

If a guy came to fix your shed, but found the structure was unstable, had to pull it down to rebuild, would you blame the guy doing the rebuild or the shed builders before.

We're in the position we're in from making hasty decisions, lets not put more pressure on now by saying that Feb is the do or die.

All that said, I fully expect us to pick up points in Feb, but its the toughest month of the season with Tues-Sat-Tues games all the way through as well as heavy pitches

It's a gamble becuase they are unknown and untested (with the possible exception of Collins). Adams has brought in 3 players, who will make or break our season, that are unproven and that we don't know a lot about.

Nope, you saw it was an 'Ollessendro' post and you over reacted.

I believe that Adams has enough to keep us up. You can dress it up however you want, but he has come in to gety us out of this mess. Yes the baord fucked up, yes Blackwell dismantled the squand and ya de ya. However, Adams has been brought in to keep us in the division. If we get relegated he has failed.

 

[Micalijo]

Can we have our manager back please?

Yes, certainly. Where shall I drop him?