BladesPod: Beating Wigan and a Billy Sharp love-in

[Beans]

Afternoon all,

New podcast is up, discussing the 4-2 win over Wigan this weekend (01:30) plus - of course - we had to spend a good chunk of our Monday talking about the remarkable Billy Sharp and his completely absurd statistics (15:20).

We also answered a few questions from people who fired them in on Twitter, including how McGoldrick did as a Duffy replacement (27:05), Nick Powell as a possible transfer target (31:25), Stearman vs Egan (34:40), and how we'll cope without Basham against Forest (38:45).



https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/bladespod/id1309198119?mt=2

As always, thanks very much for listening, sharing, subscribing etc, and UTB!

 

[SwissBlade]

Nice one Beans and Blades Analytics will give this a listen in the morning

 

[Wapping Blade]

Cheers fellas. Tempted to listen now but I’m on Netball Taxi duty tonight so should really save it for then.

 

[SwissBlade]

Excellent podcast, once again.

Very interesting about the contributions of Clarke, Stevens and Norwood. A few weeks ago it was all Fleck, who does seem to play better when Duffy is on the pitch. But shows the ability and capability in the side now

From where we were 12 months ago, the depth and versatility in this side has really moved on

 

[Wapping Blade]

Good to see Jay correctly using “Tuftyball”

 

[Blades Analytics]

Good to see Jay correctly using “Tuftyball”

All credit to you for that 1!

 

[AWetFlannel]

Agree with what was said regarding Nick Powell. Luke Freeman is definitely the most Duffy-like player we could go for.

However, someone like Powell could alsmost be a Brooks replacement in providing individual moments that Duffy can't replicate.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Afternoon all,

New podcast is up, discussing the 4-2 win over Wigan this weekend (01:30) plus - of course - we had to spend a good chunk of our Monday talking about the remarkable Billy Sharp and his completely absurd statistics (15:20).

We also answered a few questions from people who fired them in on Twitter, including how McGoldrick did as a Duffy replacement (27:05), Nick Powell as a possible transfer target (31:25), Stearman vs Egan (34:40), and how we'll cope without Basham against Forest (38:45).



https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/bladespod/id1309198119?mt=2

As always, thanks very much for listening, sharing, subscribing etc, and UTB!

Excellent ep. Think Blades Analytics has it right on which of Stearman/Egan will be RCB – we went with Egan there alongside Stearman in the middle at QPR.

 

[Rusty view]

Afternoon all,

New podcast is up, discussing the 4-2 win over Wigan this weekend (01:30) plus - of course - we had to spend a good chunk of our Monday talking about the remarkable Billy Sharp and his completely absurd statistics (15:20).

We also answered a few questions from people who fired them in on Twitter, including how McGoldrick did as a Duffy replacement (27:05), Nick Powell as a possible transfer target (31:25), Stearman vs Egan (34:40), and how we'll cope without Basham against Forest (38:45).



https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/bladespod/id1309198119?mt=2

As always, thanks very much for listening, sharing, subscribing etc, and UTB!

Cheers will taken a listen on my next run instead of listening to Debbie Harry....actuslly then again....

 

[Beans]

Cheers will taken a listen on my next run instead of listening to Debbie Harry....actuslly then again....

Can’t compete with that.

 

[Fanny magnet]

Really enjoyable listen lads

 

[SUFC Guy]

Cracking podcast cheers!

 

[Antonb]

these podcasts are soo good!

 

[Rusty view]

Can’t compete with that.

Call me

 

[Bladeaway]

Billy for England!

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

Excellent Podcast & very enjoyable listening. Quick question for you Beans or Blades Analytics on the Basham suspension.

How do you think playing Freeman at RCB with Baldock at wing back for the Forest game? Personally I can't see Stearman being effective enough going forwards which will destroy our balance & force us down the left all game. Similarly with Egan at RCB. Having Freeman & Baldock in the squad would give us much better options going forwards and also will give us more balance in the squad, even if we naturally will be less effective defensively.

 

[Blades Analytics]

Agree with what was said regarding Nick Powell. Luke Freeman is definitely the most Duffy-like player we could go for.

However, someone like Powell could alsmost be a Brooks replacement in providing individual moments that Duffy can't replicate.

Agree with that sentiment completley. I think i prefer Freeman due to his re

Excellent Podcast & very enjoyable listening. Quick question for you Beans or Blades Analytics on the Basham suspension.

How do you think playing Freeman at RCB with Baldock at wing back for the Forest game? Personally I can't see Stearman being effective enough going forwards which will destroy our balance & force us down the left all game. Similarly with Egan at RCB. Having Freeman & Baldock in the squad would give us much better options going forwards and also will give us more balance in the squad, even if we naturally will be less effective defensively.

I can see your point! if you were going to do that i'd say baldock would be the more natural defender, i still think Freeman is slightly suspect in a 1v1 defensive situation and his game suits us offensively more than Baldock who has that pace and strength to be a good defender. I actually think Cranie could be the answer, he can carry the ball well, play out not quite ala Bash but he is comfortable no doubt. However, throwing Cranie in to Forest away might be a much so i'll stand by pod suggestion of Egan at RCB, stears in middle.

I don't mind Egan there, he certainly doesn't have the dribbling or driving runs ability of Bash to get to byline/oppo box but he is a very good passer of the ball and pretty comfortable stepping into MF so we won't lose too much. Plus with Egan, JOC and Stears on same pitch we are even more of a threat from set pieces which can be vital in close games, esp when we tend to win if we go up!

 

[Bergen Blade]

Plus with Egan, JOC and Stears on same pitch we are even more of a threat from set pieces which can be vital in close games, esp when we tend to win if we go up!

Noticed Stearman was very eager to go forward for the free kick before our second on Saturday. Then O'Connell seemed to tell Stears to go back, as he was going forward. Stears looked very disappointed, but following a discussion with the bench, was allowed to go forward too, and then of course he set up Billy for the goal.

 

[Blades Analytics]

Noticed Stearman was very eager to go forward for the free kick before our second on Saturday. Then O'Connell seemed to tell Stears to go back, as he was going forward. Stears looked very disappointed, but following a discussion with the bench, was allowed to go forward too, and then of course he set up Billy for the goal.

Nice pickout that Bergen!

I think its a facet of the game we need to realise, what we lose in bash gives us options in another area, certainly those 3 are as imposing an aerial threat you can want with Norwood's general delivery. Plus we will naturally have to do more defending away at Forest, perhaps 3 "proper" defenders (although Bash is one of championships top defenders statistically) isn't such a bad thing?!

 

[Bergen Blade]

Nice pickout that Bergen!

I think its a facet of the game we need to realise, what we lose in bash gives us options in another area, certainly those 3 are as imposing an aerial threat you can want with Norwood's general delivery. Plus we will naturally have to do more defending away at Forest, perhaps 3 "proper" defenders (although Bash is one of championships top defenders statistically) isn't such a bad thing?!

True, I'm pretty certain that's what we'll do, although it does change the look of the back three a little bit (less mobility) and Forest don't seem to be the biggest/most physical of attacks.

 

[Revolution]

I am pleased to see you two are finally giving Sharp the credit he deserves.

As for leaving him out, i understand the arguments re rotation but Sharp has not started 4 games - and we haven't won any of them. He's also never as effective as a sub. This is too much non Sharp time IMHO. Plus small sample size, but his less effective games are when we are away (Derby, Bristol City). I think away games should be the ones he misses and always start at home if fit.

 

[Beans]

I am pleased to see you two are finally giving Sharp the credit he deserves.

As for leaving him out, i understand the arguments re rotation but Sharp has not started 4 games - and we haven't won any of them. He's also never as effective as a sub. This is too much non Sharp time IMHO. Plus small sample size, but his less effective games are when we are away (Derby, Bristol City). I think away games should be the ones he misses and always start at home if fit.

Finally?! I feel like we never shut up about him

 

[Revolution]

Finally?! I feel like we never shut up about him

You underrate him.

 

[Blades Analytics]

I am pleased to see you two are finally giving Sharp the credit he deserves.

As for leaving him out, i understand the arguments re rotation but Sharp has not started 4 games - and we haven't won any of them. He's also never as effective as a sub. This is too much non Sharp time IMHO. Plus small sample size, but his less effective games are when we are away (Derby, Bristol City). I think away games should be the ones he misses and always start at home if fit.

That's a fair theory actually. I can understand the away call certainly. I think on this occasion it was a rest with upcoming games in mind, Sharp doesnt have the body to do Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday constantly and with Forest away (naturally Billy will want to play) and SWFC at home (He will be buzzing for this considering he hardly got a kick in derbies last season) i think it was a valid resting point. Be interesting to see how it progresses over season

 

[Blades Analytics]

You underrate him.

We Under rate Billy????

 

[Revolution]

That's a fair theory actually. I can understand the away call certainly. I think on this occasion it was a rest with upcoming games in mind, Sharp doesnt have the body to do Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday constantly and with Forest away (naturally Billy will want to play) and SWFC at home (He will be buzzing for this considering he hardly got a kick in derbies last season) i think it was a valid resting point. Be interesting to see how it progresses over season

He did not play in a Derby at all last season He was injured for the first game (albeit on the bench) and Wilder played Wilson in the second in his place.

 

[Revolution]

We Under rate Billy????

You did before Saturday. Have you forgotten your under/over and the discussion about him before the season began?

Sharp's drop in output last year was not age related. It was due to:

- injury
- Wilder not picking him as much.

He should be playing every game (with occasional rest if we have 3 games in 8 days too often) until the goals dry up imho.

 

[Blades Analytics]

He did not play in a Derby at all last season He was injured for the first game and Wilder played Wilson in the second in his place.

Point and case really, these next 2 are games Sharp will want more than most. I think you made a great point about away games might be time to rest him and maybe as season wears on we will. It's in Alan Biggs article today, CW said we are still learning how to plot our way through the tricky schedules, that's a massive lesson from last season, can we ensure that come Feb-March we have players fit and in form to continue into the business end.

 

[Blades Analytics]

You did before Saturday. Have you forgotten your under/over and the discussion about him before the season began?

Sharp's drop in output last year was not age related. It was due to:

- injury
- Wilder not picking him as much.

He should be playing every game (with occasional rest if we have 3 games in 8 days too often) until the goals dry up imho.

I fully accept i thought Billy would get between 10-12 for the season, under 15 certainly as we discussed on the pod. He's out performing what i think most fans thought he could achieve, if you were one of those that thought he is capable of 20 a season then i doff my cap and salute you, but i know not many out there did (although no negatives were ever said about sharp, he's a predator, fact!). I think the fact we are creating more chances this season than last and the fact those chances are the type he thrives on explains the massive up trend. To be fair to him he also looked fit and ready from the summer.

 

[Revolution]

I fully accept i thought Billy would get between 10-12 for the season, under 15 certainly as we discussed on the pod. He's out performing what i think most fans thought he could achieve, if you were one of those that thought he is capable of 20 a season then i doff my cap and salute you, but i know not many out there did (although no negatives were ever said about sharp, he's a predator, fact!). I think the fact we are creating more chances this season than last and the fact those chances are the type he thrives on explains the massive up trend. To be fair to him he also looked fit and ready from the summer.

Sharp certainly looks fitter this season.

One of the interesting decisions we have to make this season is what to do about Sharp's contract situation. That's a harder decision if we go up (though it would be a "good problem")