Bad subs

[Ricky]

Maybe simply changing the wing backs after about 60 minutes is something to consider.

Doing that and keeping Duffy on might give us our best chance of playing the same way for 90 minutes.

 

[Going t lane]

Agree about the full backs needing to be subbed. About 15 mins into the second half, I was hoping that CW was going to bring off Freeman and Stevens, and possibly Mcgoldrick. I'd have swapped them for Stearman, with Bash going on the right (id have played him right back not wing back), Johnson on for Stevens (asked him to get on the front foot and attack whenever he could), and Washington or Coutts on for Goldie. I definately didn't see Sharp and Duffy coming off.

Wilder wins us many games when he gets it right. But I think he got it wrong on this occasion. Mind u, the team coming out for the 2nd half and being like chalk a cheese must have baffled him as well, so I think our leader deserves a bit of slack. Let's put it down to one that got away tonight.

We can all say what Chris should have done after the game,like the idea about changing the wing backs. But this games gone let's think about beating stoke.

 

[Tom Bott]

It's only so frustrating because we showed in the first half how much better we are than them.

Apart from the first 30 seconds.

 

[Tom Bott]

Doing that and keeping Duffy on might give us our best chance of playing the same way for 90 minutes.

Duffy is too old to play 90 minutes 2/3 times a week, all the players wear sports bra's and the staff can see who is tiring.

Leave Duffy on for 90 minutes against Derby so he is too tired to face Stoke on Tuesday, or worse gets injured.

I might take up football management, it's easy.

 

[dc_blade]

Apart from the first 30 seconds.

In some ways, that made the first half performance even more impressive. At half time I was really proud of how we’d regrouped after the early goal and played our own game and got back into it.

 

[Revolution]

In some ways, that made the first half performance even more impressive. At half time I was really proud of how we’d regrouped after the early goal and played our own game and got back into it.

Agree. A good side will know that anyone can score before a game has settled down, and not let it affect them. We are a good side and we didn't let it rattle us.

I understand (but do not like) the Duffy substitution but Sharp for Clarke was a step backwards I felt. Sharp got into good positions all night and the crossing was poor. Clarke looked lethargic when he came on. I am worried about him: we need him to show some form sooner or later off the bench (he's nowhere near starting).

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

As much as last night's defeat was really fucking frustrating, I'm surprised so many are ready to jump at some of the players and Wilder with such strong condemnations.

It was very, very frustrating to watch that second half after wrestling control of the game back in the second half, after conceding so early. But to me it looked like 'one of those games' and not necessarily the case that Wilder wanted us to 'stop trying to win'.

Appreciate that substitutions are there to be debated but the intention behind them shouldn't be in any doubt. Wilder isn't making subs so that we can meekly surrender a game. If that's what happens, that's what happens, it's not by design though is it?

Fucking irritating result but enough there to see why we'll be a top six challenger this season. Come on Blades.

 

[blade67]

in the 2nd half, Derby stepped up pressure on our midfield and that meant the supply to Duffy dried up and he couldn't get in the game. Coutts' arrival was an attempt to get more of the ball. It didn't work because Derby for the most part kept control of the midfield

Sharp was doing everything he should do but he simply didn't get the service all night. Clarke is more of a physical presence and I guess the logic was he would get more ball and maybe give us a platform to get back in the game. That didn't work either as it seems that Clarke is in terrible form. That is a bit of a concern because we need him playing like he did this time last year when he comes on.

Washington was a throw of the dice in a game we were going to lose if we didn't shake things up for the last few minutes.

Overall, in the context of the game, I can't see that Wilder did anything wrong really, it just didn't come off. Derby showed the whole league how to stop Sheffield United in that 45 minutes, it will be interesting to see how many managers can either see what they did or have the players to execute the plan as well as Derby did

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

Anyone that's watched United knows that we don't do shut up shop, at best we close 2 checkouts and put a wet floor cone out.

And there, amidst all of this thread’s hand-wringing, verbiage and personal abuse, is the perfect summary of last night’s second half.

 

[grafikhaus]

Why take Duffy off?

He was bossing it. Lampards face when he came off was one of relief.

Perhaps the clue is that Duffy can't perform for a full 90 minutes? He's only completed full games ten times in 38 starting apps. in 2016-17, seven times from 28 starts last season. This season from 10 starts? None.

 

[1889]

When you’re chasing the game and you’re only attacking options on the bench are Clarke and Washington, the managers seat must be a lonely place. It’s unusual to bring your subs on and actually weaken the team?

Wilder might as well put my dog on instead of Washington, he can run fast. Ched Evans, would be a far more effective than CW, in my opinion

 

[boo radley]

The subs didn't cost us the game we had lost our way straight from kick off.( 2ND half ) the changes. We're made to try and pick it up again, it didn't work but at least Wilder tried to wrestle back control.
We often lose our way after halftime something Wilder will be aware of, he hasn't really found the answer yet but he will I'm sure as it costs us points.
We seem to sit off and allow teams to get at us .Could it be the fitness level is not quite there ?

The subs did cost us the game. A sub is supposed to have an influence o the game in a positive way. Even to bolster your defence if needed. The subs last night were not that though. They were made to try and get us going again but not one of them did and it weakend us in defence against their mobile attack.
Duffy was not that bad although you could see he was frustrated with himself as he came off. He was still threatening and therefore an asset on the pitch.it seemed like CW for one was happy to settle and thought Coutts was enough. Trouble is however you think the replacements happened, Bash off was very weakening.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I watched the game with my own eyes without the need for GPS monitors or anything and could clearly see that Freeman and Stevens were shattered and should’ve been subbed off before both Billy and Duffy. It was Freeman’s fatigue that cost us the result as he took an age to get across, to try and cut the cross out for the winner.

I thought that. I thought Freeman had a very poor game tbh. I can understand why Stevens was shattered, because he put a shift in, I thought he was just about our best player in that first half, him and Norwood. But Freeman did nothing and still looked knackered.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Perhaps the clue is that Duffy can't perform for a full 90 minutes? He's only completed full games ten times in 38 starting apps. in 2016-17, seven times from 28 starts last season. This season from 10 starts? None.

That's the wrong conclusion, although it seems to be one that you share with the manager.

Duffy was not at his best yesterday - I can understand why Wilder chose to sub him. But he's become a bit of an obvious choice for sub under Wilder - and there are many times that he's subbed off when he's got plenty left to give. Duffy blows hot and cold - it's nothing to do with him being "knackered" - it's the type of player he is. He's one of those creative individuals who do unusual things and take risks. When it comes off it is devastatingly good, when it doesn't come off it brings deep moans from the crowd and some fans think it's because he's tired.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

When you’re chasing the game and you’re only attacking options on the bench are Clarke and Washington, the managers seat must be a lonely place. It’s unusual to bring your subs on and actually weaken the team?

Wilder might as well put my dog on instead of Washington, he can run fast. Ched Evans, would be a far more effective than CW, in my opinion

You've raised the interesting spectre of Ched Evans eh? You're a brave man! Expect an avalanche of abuse now. I don't know if you're right about that. I've never met your dog.

Rude words
Your proper scaring me

Tut-tut! (Should be "you're")

 

[Weasel]

The warning signs were there with Freeman that he was tiring and going to potentially cost us. There was an example prior to the goal where he took an absolute age to get over to Derby's attacking left player and we were lucky that they didn't make more of it. Even Goodman commentating on the box made a point of saying how Freeman lacked urgency and that he needed to do a lot better. Personally, I don't think Freeman was playing badly, I just think he tired very quickly in the 2nd half. That's where our management should have noticed that he was struggling and probably swapped him for someone who is fresher. We didn't learn from previous times where we had got away with it, and it cost us.

It reminded me of the Villa game at BL last season where you could see that they were overloading us on our left for the last 20 mins and it was a matter of time before they had a real chance to win it as we had been fortunate a couple of times. We didn't change owt that night either to help Stevens out and Snodgrass said thank you very much, as our luck ran out in the last minute.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Woodburn is pissing me off.

Had he not been too fucking scared, weak and useless to get on the bench, we'd have that option we need for games like today. But instead, we have nothing. We have to change our shape.

Cheers Ben.

Wonder if he's back at Liverpool already? He might as well be. Fuck him off and bring in a proper first team player in January.

I find it hilarious actually how some fans look for anything or anyone to lash out at, after a defeat. What the hell has Ben Woodburn got to do with anything that happened at Derby yesterday?

I agree that he's not looked up to it in the brief glimpse we've seen of him so far. But I'm not aware he contributed to that defeat in any way, shape or form.

Who can we blame next? I know...Steve Bruce.

If Steve Bruce hadn't been such a bastard and had let Scott Hogan join us in summer for a fee we weren't willing to pay, we'd have beat Derby yesterday easily. It's all Bruce's fault!

 

[Tapton Blade]

Blade 67 has got it spot on "Derby showed the whole league how to stop Sheffield United in that 45 minutes, it will be interesting to see how many managers can either see what they did or have the players to execute the plan as well as Derby did" Think he was right, Derby in the second half chased down our players as soon as we got the ball, as if their life depended on it. We had no time to pass and when we tried some were cut out and they broke at pace. This made us sit back and unable to get out most of the second half.They had the players to do it and they unfortunatly achived it. Onwards to Tuesday night now.

 

[Rob86]

I was fuming last night but have since settled down and really, what subs do we have ! We’re not in the same financial position as teams like Derby. They bring Jozefoon on and we bring Leon Clarke on. Got to get some perspective and I shouldn’t be getting too pissed off. Same thing may well happen Tuesday, we’ll probably be on top and then Stoke will have decent options off the bench and that may or may not turn the game.

Agree with an earlier post that Johnson should come on up top. Leon’s done unfortunately and we’ll find it extremely tough to bring anyone ‘proven’ in as a) the price will be too much and b) none of the top teams will do business with us to help strengthen a competitor. Need to scour the lower leagues and take a punt on someone. Seriously doubt Ched will be the answer but he’d be coming back in Jan for me to see how he does. If he’s wank, let him sign for Fleetwood and the end of the season.

 

[finlaytheblade]

The subs did cost us the game. A sub is supposed to have an influence o the game in a positive way. Even to bolster your defence if needed. The subs last night were not that though. They were made to try and get us going again but not one of them did and it weakend us in defence against their mobile attack.
Duffy was not that bad although you could see he was frustrated with himself as he came off. He was still threatening and therefore an asset on the pitch.it seemed like CW for one was happy to settle and thought Coutts was enough. Trouble is however you think the replacements happened, Bash off was very weakening.

He could see the game drifting away from us tried to influence it but didn't work, with hindsight one can always say subs cost us the game but Wilder tried to change it ,it didn't work and we lost.At least he tried to win it an they were not negative changes.

 

[SUFC Guy]

I don't think the plan was to settle for a point. I think it was to becone more compact and break out to get the win - obviously did not work!

I also think that CW is trying to address the problem of burn out that we experience at around 60 to 70 minutes by telling them to to sit back for a while and then go again later on with an eye on the same 11 starting on Tuesday!
The way we train and play takes its toll on the players and this team is still trying to find a way how to handle it.

Still early days but we will find a way to be successful.

Let's batter the fuck out of Stoke!

Keep the faith and UTMB !

 

[boo radley]

He could see the game drifting away from us tried to influence it but didn't work, with hindsight one can always say subs cost us the game but Wilder tried to change it ,it didn't work and we lost.At least he tried to win it an they were not negative changes.

He may well have wanted to win. The commentator on sky actually said that CW had said to him , if it was equal wit 15 mins to go he would settle fo that. Now you may or may not believe the commentator but I would doubt he would lie? The fact remains that a subs job is to have a positive effect and non of them were up to the task.

 

[Ricky]

I find it hilarious actually how some fans look for anything or anyone to lash out at, after a defeat. What the hell has Ben Woodburn got to do with anything that happened at Derby yesterday?

I agree that he's not looked up to it in the brief glimpse we've seen of him so far. But I'm not aware he contributed to that defeat in any way, shape or form.

Who can we blame next? I know...Steve Bruce.

If Steve Bruce hadn't been such a bastard and had let Scott Hogan join us in summer for a fee we weren't willing to pay, we'd have beat Derby yesterday easily. It's all Bruce's fault!

Simple really - if he was anything close to what we expected then our substitute options would be very different.

But he's a waste of space and now we'll be fined for the privilege of having him.

 

[snootyfenooty]

Some interesting comments re-the subs, the conclusion being that department is very weak. CW's main option is usually to take off both our main goalscorer and main creative player. That speaks for itself. Replacing one with an out of position, out of fitness Coutts or a Lundstram type and the other with a headless chicken is not going to strengthen the team for the remainder of the game and there is a certain inevitability about the outcome.

The solutions to me until we find decent subs in the JTW are to bring on a slew of defenders, park the bus and hang on for a draw. Other clubs manage it with regularity. Bringing on the likes of Leon and CW are neither potential match winners nor match savers. Fuck the aesthetics, lets grab a few scruffy points between now and the end of the year, they all count.

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

AGAIN.

 

[YES Blade]

I think Wilder waited too long to make the subs, it was clear 5 minutes after we scored that Stoke were throwing everything at us and we needed to react.

Just fresh legs up front would have helped.

 

[Reedy1889]

AGAIN.

Not for me, I thought we needed Washington on for McGoldrick to run the channels & also Couttsy on for Duffy with Flecky the slightly more advanced of the midfield trio as he was clearly tiring. The problem was more, why did we drop deep and resort to aimless hoofs the players looked to have lost all calmness they possess and we paid the price.

 

[Snowman]

It's that four at the back shit again. Every time he changes it, we go into reverse gear. He got away with it against Preston when he had time to change it back again, this time he didn't have the time. There was simply no need to put Stearman on. Duffy had told him he wanted off. Fine, midfielder on. McGoldrick was still doing ok and is a clever player. At least the balls sticks to him. Washington?????????

 

[Ricky]

Nothing wrong with the subs he made.

Maybe could have got Duffy off a bit earlier and gone with McGoldrick and Johnson behind Clarke.