Ball Retention

[PokerBlade]

I think last season there was a brief spell where I said I saw something in Coutts, and then shortly after I posted that he went back to being abysmal. But if there's a lesson to be learned from him then it's what a difference it makes in not just having a midfielder who passes well, but in having players around him that get into positive positions to receive the ball. Perhaps we made him look bad just like we did with Britton.

Scougall was one of the worst for it last season. Would make what I call cowardly runs where he'd pick up positions behind two opponents and halfheartedly call for a pass that's never on. And he wasn't the only one. Nobody ever looked happy to have the ball, and the lack of movement ahead of them meant the only passes were sideways or backwards.

We're getting the most out of Fleck and Coutts by surrounding them with players who are eager to receive the ball and do the hard work to create options for them.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Spot on.

I think the current way is what McCabe wanted when he talked about a change of style post Warnock. And Wilder is the first manager since to actually manage to get a team doing it. And even better, he didn't need to go spending millions to do it, unlike Other managers who thought that was how it was done.

It is a real pleasure to see United pinning sides in their third, retaining possession in the right areas and recycling the ball. I am also seeing confidence grow, and more composure from the defence to take a touch and pass it quickly into Fleck or Coutts rather than just clear it forward.
Long may it continue. I sincerely hope we are finally shedding our reputation of hoofball and putting that past firmly behind us forever.

We are well on the way to becoming a proper football team.

The key point about the current team is that they don’t just keep possession for the sake of it but are instead going forward, creating chances and scoring goals. Just as the better teams of Warnock and Bassett did.
They also used to pin opposition teams into their own third (and at an higher level) because that’s what very good, dominant teams do.
I don’t know why people can’t appreciate the current team without having to denigrate and belittle our only other recent successful teams and managers.
Lord knows we have had an plenty of other terrible, unsuccessful teams playing all different styles of football.
The only reputation we need to worry about shedding is that of perennial losers and nearly men. If Wilder can do that we’ll all be happy.

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

Compare this to the backs against the wall efforts under Clough, albeit against 9 men

 

[Bartyblade]

Compare this to the backs against the wall efforts under Clough, albeit against 9 men

Watching that actually made me feel sorry for the Bury players!

 

[Bergen Blade]

Spot on.

I think the current way is what McCabe wanted when he talked about a change of style post Warnock. And Wilder is the first manager since to actually manage to get a team doing it. And even better, he didn't need to go spending millions to do it, unlike Other managers who thought that was how it was done.

The style of football under Robson, Speed, Wilson, Weir, Clough and Adkins was also different to Warnock's, so different styles was implemented, although they didn't make us achieve what we wanted.

Robson - Possession-based, but lacking tempo and movement. Motivation was also a problem.

Speed - Took over after Blackwell, tried to tweak things, less long balls, but we didn't seem to be progressing.

Wilson - Had a great team at League One level in his first season, one that you'd expect promotion from, whatever style was played. Gave players a lot of freedom and being better individually than the opposition they dominated most games. More negative in his second season, having lost a few key players, and eventually we just stopped creating, let alone scoring.

Weir - A bit similar to Robson's football, but with a poorer team, lacking movement and creativity to outplay/outpass teams, which seemed to be the aim. Reluctant to change things.

Clough - Great first season, first making us hard to beat, then going on a tremendous run which included a cup semi final. We looked solid defensively and dangerous on the break. More was expected the following season, but we didn't cope well with that as league One side defended deeper. Showed that his style was well suited to being under-dogs as another cup semi-final was reached. Clough missed out on a few signings and failed to address those problem areas, as well as building a team that badly lacked height and strength. We were a joke at set pieces.

Adkins - Tried various tactics and formation, but seemed clueless about how to compose a well-balanced side and there was a lack of spirit and enthusiasm, movement and tempo.


Along the way, the failings of the above managers have been discussed at length on here. During those debates I think some people have feared that the only alternative to the above have been a return to long ball. But we are now seeing what should have been our aim all the time. A manager who is clear about what he wants, assesses the players well and gets the most out of them. Wilder picks well-balanced teams playing modern, effective football with good tempo and movement.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Watching that actually made me feel sorry for the Bury players!

Not me....I was laughing my bollocks off. Especially the forward who was chasing about quite keen for a while, then realised he was wasting his time and gave up.
Difference between this team and previous times we were closing out games.....a midfield duo with a sublime touch, good vision and a football brain. Trust themselves to get the ball and keep it, keep calm and play.
Credit to Wilder and Knill for breeding confidence

 

[Sheffsteel]

Bergen,

Pleased you've given a level headed accurate discription of Robson. Some of our fans slag him off saying he was the worse manager ever and he was totally useless.

However in early matches I remember us controlllng most games, having lots of possession but our attacks were too slow. The matches were boring (compared to Warnock) because there was rarely any goal mouth action at either end, it was quite similar to Dave Weir's style.

However eventually our fans voiced their dissatisfaction at the patient possession style and he tried to go more long ball/ direct. The problem then was we were stuck in between styles, half the team wanted to pass and the rest played long ball and we were a mess. No surprise Robson was sacked.

 

[I should coco]

However eventually our fans voiced their dissatisfaction at the patient possession style and he tried to go more long ball/ direct.

I seem to think that three sides of Pigboro chanting " There's only one Bryan Robson" might have had something to do with it.

A disgrace of a manager and the most embarrassed I've ever felt in a local Derby (and yes, I was there in 79).

He simply had to go.

 

[BushBlade]

Bergen,

Pleased you've given a level headed accurate discription of Robson. Some of our fans slag him off saying he was the worse manager ever and he was totally useless.

However in early matches I remember us controlllng most games, having lots of possession but our attacks were too slow. The matches were boring (compared to Warnock) because there was rarely any goal mouth action at either end, it was quite similar to Dave Weir's style.

However eventually our fans voiced their dissatisfaction at the patient possession style and he tried to go more long ball/ direct. The problem then was we were stuck in between styles, half the team wanted to pass and the rest played long ball and we were a mess. No surprise Robson was sacked.

That's because he assembled a team where half the players were suited to Warnock style football and the other half to a passing game.

I imagine training was like this;

'Monty, I need you to retain possession more, nice mix of long and short passes.

'Are you pissed gaffer?'

'Er, yes'.

 

[itsinyerblood]

The style of football under Robson, Speed, Wilson, Weir, Clough and Adkins was also different to Warnock's, so different styles was implemented, although they didn't make us achieve what we wanted.

Robson - Possession-based, but lacking tempo and movement. Motivation was also a problem.

Speed - Took over after Blackwell, tried to tweak things, less long balls, but we didn't seem to be progressing.

Wilson - Had a great team at League One level in his first season, one that you'd expect promotion from, whatever style was played. Gave players a lot of freedom and being better individually than the opposition they dominated most games. More negative in his second season, having lost a few key players, and eventually we just stopped creating, let alone scoring.

Weir - A bit similar to Robson's football, but with a poorer team, lacking movement and creativity to outplay/outpass teams, which seemed to be the aim. Reluctant to change things.

Clough - Great first season, first making us hard to beat, then going on a tremendous run which included a cup semi final. We looked solid defensively and dangerous on the break. More was expected the following season, but we didn't cope well with that as league One side defended deeper. Showed that his style was well suited to being under-dogs as another cup semi-final was reached. Clough missed out on a few signings and failed to address those problem areas, as well as building a team that badly lacked height and strength. We were a joke at set pieces.

Adkins - Tried various tactics and formation, but seemed clueless about how to compose a well-balanced side and there was a lack of spirit and enthusiasm, movement and tempo.


Along the way, the failings of the above managers have been discussed at length on here. During those debates I think some people have feared that the only alternative to the above have been a return to long ball. But we are now seeing what should have been our aim all the time. A manager who is clear about what he wants, assesses the players well and gets the most out of them. Wilder picks well-balanced teams playing modern, effective football with good tempo and movement.

And as important as the other essential qualities you refer to Bergen, what we're seeing, in the main, is entertaining. Apart from what you describe about much of Clough's time as manager (and you're correct, it was reported that he was trying to sign the type of player who would've improved us, such as Alan Judge who opted for Brentford), we've mainly been stuck in a rut of unimaginative managers who had all the vision of a peanut. Now it seems we have a manager who makes it look oh so easy, which of course, is exactly what it's not. I'm sure Wilder would be the first to acknowledge the part played by Alan Knill in ensuring that we play a quick tempo, accurate passing game, and not allowing our opponents to rest on the ball. As you also mentioned, we now have physically imposing players in defence that give us a commanding presence, plus we have a goalkeeper who is trustworthy and instructs the players in front of him in a manner we've lacked until now.

 

[Pinchy]

Let's enjoy it. But let's not pretend Tuftyball is remotely like DD's Hoof and Hope. That suggestion is Football Alchemy employed by those who refuse, against overwhelming evidence, to accept that their hero's "style" is redundant and has been for a very long time.

I'm afraid the touchstone is, like the fax machine, broken beyond repair. Neither Coutts nor Fleck are equipped with sponsored neck-braces, thank Pele.

We play football, the "right way", says Tufty. Not a phrase ever used by, or about, DD or OBN. That's quite telling.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Let's enjoy it. But let's not pretend Tuftyball is remotely like DD's Hoof and Hope. That suggestion is Football Alchemy employed by those who refuse, against overwhelming evidence, to accept that their hero's "style" is redundant and has been for a very long time.

I'm afraid the touchstone is, like the fax machine, broken beyond repair. Neither Coutts nor Fleck are equipped with sponsored neck-braces, thank Pele.

We play football, the "right way", says Tufty. Not a phrase ever used by, or about, DD or OBN. That's quite telling.

Before the Bradford match, Wilder was quoted as saying:-

“It’s a local derby in front of 20,000-plus,” said Wilder. “It will be a competitive game, we just want to make sure that it’s played in the right manner.“ Hopefully, it will be, if it’s refereed in the right manner, and both teams have a right go at it. Players have got a responsibility about playing the game in the right way. I don’t think supporters want to see players sent off, as we had at Scunthorpe (when Chris Basham was red-carded). This fixture has a history of players getting sent off. People want to see XI versus XI in front of a full house – which I think it will be, a big crowd – and both local teams going great.”

Read more at: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/spor...ine-ahead-of-bradford-city-showdown-1-8192772

He's clearly having a dig at the Scunthorpe player for getting Basham sent off and about being competitive but not dirty.
Like most sane people, I'm sure that Wilder is well aware there are a thousand ways to play football not just two ("Hoof" and "The right way").
The best Bassett and Warnock teams weren't purely "hoof" and they weren't even the same as each other.
Warnock's 02-03 team didn't employ the same tactics as his 05-06 promotion team.
There is no single "right way" in terms of football tactics and it can never be simplified into a binary right or wrong.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Bassett was a hero of mine, as were nearly all the players he brought in.

But to a football mad teenager with rose tinted specs, it was pretty clear to me then, as it still is now, that we employed a very direct style of play of hit it long to Deane....either bring it down or flick it on for another fella to run into. It was clear then we were different to almost every other team at that time, and certainly one of the nicest sides to watch Of that era Norwich!!
Defending involved simply clearing it. Any throw in within their third was a throw into the box looking for flicks and bits and pieces.

But hey....I loved it!! My team were in the top division....we had seen goals, cup upsets....fantastic times.

But things have moved on, and changed with the premier league money. I love to watch intricate passing, great skill and odd bits of genius. I want to watch pro footballers do something on a field way beyond me and almost everyone else in the crowd. As a lad watching DB's side, and being a tidy footballer as a lad, I always had a feeling that it was never too later for me to "make it". Especially when watching players like Bobby Booker! (Loved him, but let's be right....he was a bit of a donkey)

And now....watching Coutts, Duffy, Fleck and co.....I'm seeing it. Consistently quality and far far better than I could have dreamed of being. First touch.....I love talking about first touch!!

 

[Pinchy]

Before the Bradford match, Wilder was quoted as saying:-

“It’s a local derby in front of 20,000-plus,” said Wilder. “It will be a competitive game, we just want to make sure that it’s played in the right manner.“ Hopefully, it will be, if it’s refereed in the right manner, and both teams have a right go at it. Players have got a responsibility about playing the game in the right way. I don’t think supporters want to see players sent off, as we had at Scunthorpe (when Chris Basham was red-carded). This fixture has a history of players getting sent off. People want to see XI versus XI in front of a full house – which I think it will be, a big crowd – and both local teams going great.”

Read more at: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/spor...ine-ahead-of-bradford-city-showdown-1-8192772

He's clearly having a dig at the Scunthorpe player for getting Basham sent off and about being competitive but not dirty.
Like most sane people, I'm sure that Wilder is well aware there are a thousand ways to play football not just two ("Hoof" and "The right way").
The best Bassett and Warnock teams weren't purely "hoof" and they weren't even the same as each other.
Warnock's 02-03 team didn't employ the same tactics as his 05-06 promotion team.
There is no single "right way" in terms of football tactics and it can never be simplified into a binary right or wrong.

You know and I know what managers and players mean when they speak of the "right way". It's often accompanied by "play football" or "get it down and play" I fear you are in denial. Nobody else in the football universe, outside of deepest, darkest S2, regards Bassett as anything but one of the leading exponents of Hoof and Hope.

Do you have some sort of phobia about our team playing the game properly as it is understood by those within the game? I can't imagine why, honestly. It's far more effective, and infinitely more pleasurable to watch. It wins games, leagues and trophies. It's the proper football of all the great managers, players and teams. You line up behind Bassett, Beck and Charlie Hughes. Your choice of course, but it's bizarre isn't it?

 

[Grizzly blade]

You know and I know what managers and players mean when they speak of the "right way". It's often accompanied by "play football" or "get it down and play" I fear you are in denial. Nobody else in the football universe, outside of deepest, darkest S2, regards Bassett as anything but one of the leading exponents of Hoof and Hope.

Do you have some sort of phobia about our team playing the game properly as it is understood by those within the game? I can't imagine why, honestly. It's far more effective, and infinitely more pleasurable to watch. It wins games, leagues and trophies. It's the proper football of all the great managers, players and teams. You line up behind Bassett, Beck and Charlie Hughes. Your choice of course, but it's bizarre isn't it?

I wouldn't have said hoof and hope....not under Bassett. But it was long ball. He hit channels, hit the big man. Those were aimed passes being fair....granted not inch perfect very often and more general vicinity but you get my drift.

Now Blackwell....that was feckin hoof and hope!

 

[Pinchy]

Bassett was a hero of mine, as were nearly all the players he brought in.

But to a football mad teenager with rose tinted specs, it was pretty clear to me then, as it still is now, that we employed a very direct style of play of hit it long to Deane....either bring it down or flick it on for another fella to run into. It was clear then we were different to almost every other team at that time, and certainly one of the nicest sides to watch Of that era Norwich!!
Defending involved simply clearing it. Any throw in within their third was a throw into the box looking for flicks and bits and pieces.

But hey....I loved it!! My team were in the top division....we had seen goals, cup upsets....fantastic times.

But things have moved on, and changed with the premier league money. I love to watch intricate passing, great skill and odd bits of genius. I want to watch pro footballers do something on a field way beyond me and almost everyone else in the crowd. As a lad watching DB's side, and being a tidy footballer as a lad, I always had a feeling that it was never too later for me to "make it". Especially when watching players like Bobby Booker! (Loved him, but let's be right....he was a bit of a donkey)

And now....watching Coutts, Duffy, Fleck and co.....I'm seeing it. Consistently quality and far far better than I could have dreamed of being. First touch.....I love talking about first touch!!

Absolutely. I enjoyed the Bassett years as well. I have often said, though people choose to ignore it, that he was the right man at the right time. The point that some people inexplicably but doggedly refuse to take, against a tidal wave of evidence, is that that time is long gone.

So we get thoroughly disingenuous claims that Bassett "wasn't really Hoof". Really? Ask the whole world outside S2, who regard him as the absolute epitome of the 'style'.

We get Hoofers claiming that superb passing teams like Bayern are somehow descended from the alehouse legacy. The current ploy is to pretend that Tuftyball is founded on Bassett/Warnock.

It's risible. It's the last desperate throes of zealots clinging to a bygone era, backs against the wall, eyes fixed to the clouds (no doubt hoping for a glimpse of the football), refusing to acknowledge their own demise.

 

[Pinchy]

I wouldn't have said hoof and hope....not under Bassett. But it was long ball. He hit channels, hit the big man. Those were aimed passes being fair....granted not inch perfect very often and more general vicinity but you get my drift.

Now Blackwell....that was feckin hoof and hope!

Watch the documentary "The Crazy Gang". There's Bassett, in the Wimbledon dressing room, clearly and unashamedly expounding his "football" philosophy. It has nothing to do with "aimed passes". Lurch lumbers forward to the half-way line and launches it towards the big lumps camped on the edge of the opposition box. That's it.

He refined it a little when he (to his credit) had Deane and Agana. Once they'd gone he reverted to classic Route One aimed at Flo, Williams or some other useless fucker. He was rightly sacked by Macdonald and has been unemployable for a very long time.

I digress, however. The point is that the time to leave all this behind is long gone. Everywhere but S2 that is, and it's embarrassing.

 

[Bartyblade]

Absolutely. I enjoyed the Bassett years as well. I have often said, though people choose to ignore it, that he was the right man at the right time. The point that some people inexplicably but doggedly refuse to take, against a tidal wave of evidence, is that that time is long gone.

So we get thoroughly disingenuous claims that Bassett "wasn't really Hoof". Really? Ask the whole world outside S2, who regard him as the absolute epitome of the 'style'.

We get Hoofers claiming that superb passing teams like Bayern are somehow descended from the alehouse legacy. The current ploy is to pretend that Tuftyball is founded on Bassett/Warnock.

It's risible. It's the last desperate throes of zealots clinging to a bygone era, backs against the wall, eyes fixed to the clouds (no doubt hoping for a glimpse of the football), refusing to acknowledge their own demise.

Give it a rest Pinchy -we get it, you're the only one who really understands football!
Not sure you actually get any enjoyment out of it, but that's not my problem

 

[ben1987]

We were watching dean Hammond spray it round last season. Wilder ahhht

 

[frank drebin]

Bergen,

Pleased you've given a level headed accurate discription of Robson. Some of our fans slag him off saying he was the worse manager ever and he was totally useless.

However in early matches I remember us controlllng most games, having lots of possession but our attacks were too slow. The matches were boring (compared to Warnock) because there was rarely any goal mouth action at either end, it was quite similar to Dave Weir's style.

However eventually our fans voiced their dissatisfaction at the patient possession style and he tried to go more long ball/ direct. The problem then was we were stuck in between styles, half the team wanted to pass and the rest played long ball and we were a mess. No surprise Robson was sacked.

if you were watching the game and we had a shot it was time to go for a piss cos we weren't having another that half

 

[Grizzly blade]

Watch the documentary "The Crazy Gang". There's Bassett, in the Wimbledon dressing room, clearly and unashamedly expounding his "football" philosophy. It has nothing to do with "aimed passes". Lurch lumbers forward to the half-way line and launches it towards the big lumps camped on the edge of the opposition box. That's it.

He refined it a little when he (to his credit) had Deane and Agana. Once they'd gone he reverted to classic Route One aimed at Flo, Williams or some other useless fucker. He was rightly sacked by Macdonald and has been unemployable for a very long time.

I digress, however. The point is that the time to leave all this behind is long gone. Everywhere but S2 that is, and it's embarrassing.

Not gonna disagree with the last bit at all.
We have to move on and catch up. No good having the academy being taught to pass the ball then playing differently.
Hopefully, we will see the fruits of someone's labour in the coming years as more kids step into the side, seamlessly fitting in with the fast possession football we play presently.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

You know and I know what managers and players mean when they speak of the "right way". It's often accompanied by "play football" or "get it down and play" I fear you are in denial. Nobody else in the football universe, outside of deepest, darkest S2, regards Bassett as anything but one of the leading exponents of Hoof and Hope.

Do you have some sort of phobia about our team playing the game properly as it is understood by those within the game? I can't imagine why, honestly. It's far more effective, and infinitely more pleasurable to watch. It wins games, leagues and trophies. It's the proper football of all the great managers, players and teams. You line up behind Bassett, Beck and Charlie Hughes. Your choice of course, but it's bizarre isn't it?

As usual most of what you’re arguing against is a figment of your imagination and you’re inventing things that I’ve never said.
So I’ll try one more time to explain my point of view which will always be different to yours but equally valid.

I’m delighted with the way we are playing at the moment because we are attacking, creating chances, scoring goals and winning matches.
Just the same as I was delighted with the successful Bassett and Warnock teams when they were attacking, creating chances, scoring goals and winning matches.

I do think Bassett played direct football but not “hoof and hope”. Not when we were at our peak with Deane and Agana as you have agreed with elsewhere.
I think that Warnock didn’t play exactly like Bassett and Warnock didn’t always play in exactly the same way either because the game is infinitely more varied and interesting than that.

I enjoy watching many different styles of football as long as they are attacking, entertaining and successful.
I don’t want Wilder to play like Bassett or John Beck(!), I want him to carry on with just what he’s doing because it’s bringing back the excitement and success of the best Bassett/Warnock teams.

I wasn’t embarrassed at the time when we played more direct football. I don’t find it “shameful” now and I never will do.

 

[Roygbiv]

I wouldn't have said hoof and hope....not under Bassett. But it was long ball. He hit channels, hit the big man. Those were aimed passes being fair....granted not inch perfect very often and more general vicinity but you get my drift.

Now Blackwell....that was feckin hoof and hope!

Blackwell's last season was horrible. In fairness he was blighted by injuries but seeing the ball hoofed up to Cresswell and Henderson all game was soul destroying. Then there was Jordan Stewart at left back..

 

[Cerberus Blade]

What's any of this got to do with retracted testicles?

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

The ball retention, which we can give attribute mostly to Coutts, Fleck and Duffy has also dispelled the myth that we need a Basham type physical presence in the middle. I was guilty of thinking that without Basham in the middle Coutts and Fleck might suffer, but they have flourished.

Having good footballers at the back such as Freeman, Lafferty, Ebanks-Landell, Wright and O'Connell also helps.

 

[Bergen Blade]

The ball retention, which we can give attribute mostly to Coutts, Fleck and Duffy has also dispelled the myth that we need a Basham type physical presence in the middle. I was guilty of thinking that without Basham in the middle Coutts and Fleck might suffer, but they have flourished.

Having good footballers at the back such as Freeman, Lafferty, Ebanks-Landell, Wright and O'Connell also helps.

There remains a potential weakness in Coutts and Fleck's ability to cover enough ground defensively, but several factors have made us cope:

• Coutts being transfer listed in the summer was the kick in the arse he needed and he's much fitter now
• Wilder has made every player in the team work hard defensively. The central attacking role is sometimes given to luxury players, but Wilder has been using Duffy and Scougall, both of whoom are very hard working.
• Done's work rate and pressing from the front has made it harder for the opposition teams to build attacks from the back. Coupled with our general high pressure, this has enabled our midfielders to press/challenge wrong sided players, rather than chasing after them
• Our immensely solid back three has dealt with opposition strikers very well
• Wilder has often selected Basham at centre half and pushed him into midfield several times, when more physical attributes have been needed. This has made us more flexible, even without turning to substitutions.
• Opposition teams have often sacrificed width in respect of our quality. This has enabled our wing backs to stay higher, helping with our pressing game. If opposition teams had dared playing out and out wingers, our wing backs may have been forced to drop deeper, and therefore unable to help out Coutts and Fleck as much
• Our superior quality, our players' composure on the ball has made teams concentrate more on their defending, rather than running riot between our midfield and defence.

In some of the games, it's been possible to hear on BP how much Wilder's shouts to Coutts. For me it demonstrates that Wilder hasn't just put two ball players on the pitch and hoped we'd be allright. It is absolutely vital that Coutts is at his very best in terms of work rate, concentration and taking responsibility. Under Adkins, and even Clough, he was accepted as a luxury player and kept his place in the team, despite being an absolute liability defensively. Now, he's even challenging for headers!

 

[Pinchy]

Give it a rest Pinchy -we get it, you're the only one who really understands football!
Not sure you actually get any enjoyment out of it, but that's not my problem

Enjoyed the John Harris era immensely and Tuftytime is great so far. Also bits of Bassett and Warnock but not all. The important point is that they are now both dinosaurs and we should never ever even dream of bringineitherofemback. Many would. They are idiots.

I don't understand football as well as the great players and managers but I hear them all say there is a "right way" and it's crystal clear what they mean by that, because I've seen how they and their teams play. I like football played the "right way". I'm not enthused by teams who play a supercharged version of pub football. Bill Shankly called it "alehouse football". Bill understood the game.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Let's enjoy it. But let's not pretend Tuftyball is remotely like DD's Hoof and Hope. That suggestion is Football Alchemy employed by those who refuse, against overwhelming evidence, to accept that their hero's "style" is redundant and has been for a very long time.

Similarities between Wilder, Warnock and Bassett:

• Driven personalities, all clear about what they demanded from their players.
• Getting the most out of players
• Focus on team spirit
• Work rate
• Pressing
• High tempo
• Forward passing

Best Bassett qualities:

• Identified things that we could do a bit better than the rest, which made us compete against anyone (including the country's top teams) in individual matches
• Turning cheap, unknown players into effective pieces of the jigsaw

Best Warnock qualities

• Motivating and man management
• Rarely dull
• Gradually built two excellent teams

Best Wilder qualities

• A more varied approach
• Tactically astute and up to date
• Flexibility
• Counter attacking
• Movement

 

[finlaytheblade]

Great debate this!!All 3 managers had and have there vision of playing the game and all 3 have had some great success ( I hope Chris Wilder puts the other 2 in the shade ,he's made a great start with his brand of attacking football ) Bassett and Warnock wernt too bothered about keeping possession
but it was eX citing football as most of it was winning football .They both lost there way after some really good periods.which happens when the footy
is basic stuff ( got rumbled).
All three are great motivators ( getting the best from what you have ) ,Wilder seems to be a better coach as the style we have adopted is really pleasing on the eye,but he also expects players to leave everything on the pitch and soon calls them out if it's not happening ( as today ).
I really enjoyed the good times under Bassett and Warnock but the way Wilder has got us playing makes me purr with satisfaction .Although we are having a hiccup in the goals department we are playing some really good stuff and with Wilder on there case I expect goals to flow more easily,or else
I'm sure he will refresh it in January.
I had my reservations when he got the job ( Micky Adams a big blade had a shocking time here ) but he soon put that to bed after a difficult start.
He seems to have a great partner Knilly who puts together some great set piece routines .

 

[Bartyblade]

Great debate this!!All 3 managers had and have there vision of playing the game and all 3 have had some great success ( I hope Chris Wilder puts the other 2 in the shade ,he's made a great start with his brand of attacking football ) Bassett and Warnock wernt too bothered about keeping possession
but it was eX citing football as most of it was winning football .They both lost there way after some really good periods.which happens when the footy
is basic stuff ( got rumbled).
All three are great motivators ( getting the best from what you have ) ,Wilder seems to be a better coach as the style we have adopted is really pleasing on the eye,but he also expects players to leave everything on the pitch and soon calls them out if it's not happening ( as today ).
I really enjoyed the good times under Bassett and Warnock but the way Wilder has got us playing makes me purr with satisfaction .Although we are having a hiccup in the goals department we are playing some really good stuff and with Wilder on there case I expect goals to flow more easily,or else
I'm sure he will refresh it in January.
I had my reservations when he got the job ( Micky Adams a big blade had a shocking time here ) but he soon put that to bed after a difficult start.
He seems to have a great partner Knilly who puts together some great set piece routines .

Liked the "purr with satisfaction" comment!
Been watching the Blades since John Harris, but a bit before he got the Currie/Woodward axis together.
Not been able to watch week in/week out for years, but seen quite a few.
Never ever have I seen a Blades team play with such mastery of the ball, vision and spontaneity as the team I saw today at Charlton.
Perhaps we weren't quite as secure defensively as some games this season (I think we'd run ourselves into the ground by the last ten minutes) but the inter-passing in the mid-field, the tight triangles by the pitch perimeters all over the field and the stress we put their defenders under, really should have made any Blade purr with satisfaction.
OK, disappointing in the end - but to me, a real football team is starting to blossom!