BladesPod: Norwich analysis, transfer talk and Bolton preview

[Beans]

Afternoon all, back with another pod with Blades Analytics recapping an excellent point at Norwich, and then talking about some of these transfer stories:

- Fleck to West Ham thoughts (17:15)
- what kind of player Scott Hogan is (26:05)
- a brief ode to Leon Clarke (29:55)
- the state of the squad as a whole after this window (33:10)

Finally, we preview this weekend's match with Bolton Wanderers, and what to expect from them (41:10).



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

Cheers as always for listening, and UTB!

PS: Even if Clarke doesn't leave, I wrote this about his ridiculous 2017/18 season for the Dem Blades fanzine, now reproduced online with added GIFs of Clarke banging in the goals: https://www.uptheblades.com/latest-articles/2019/1/29/leon-clarke-a-tribute

 

[Bartleby]

Thinks it's done that thing where there's no download option again?

 

[Beans]

Thinks it's done that thing where there's no download option again?

Well you say "it's", but in this case, it's just me being an idiot.

Try now! Thanks for pointing it out!

 

[Bartleby]

Well you say "it's", but in this case, it's just me being an idiot.

Try now! Thanks for pointing it out!

Yep sorted thanks

 

[itsinyerblood]

Afternoon all, back with another pod with Blades Analytics recapping an excellent point at Norwich, and then talking about some of these transfer stories:

- Fleck to West Ham thoughts (17:15)
- what kind of player Scott Hogan is (26:05)
- a brief ode to Leon Clarke (29:55)
- the state of the squad as a whole after this window (33:10)

Finally, we preview this weekend's match with Bolton Wanderers, and what to expect from them (41:10).



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

Cheers as always for listening, and UTB!

PS: Even if Clarke doesn't leave, I wrote this about his ridiculous 2017/18 season for the Dem Blades fanzine, now reproduced online with added GIFs of Clarke banging in the goals: https://www.uptheblades.com/latest-articles/2019/1/29/leon-clarke-a-tribute

Cheers Chaps, another very listenable show.

Especially liked Jay's demolition of the nonsense about needing pacey/speedy players. At around 27.50 secs Jay offers a perfect example of what Wilder's been on about before. If in doubt then please offer your lugholes to this piece of seminal wisdom, it cuts through any nonsense about speed and it's necessity. By all means let's have speed of thought, and hopefully this is what Hogan (if he signs) brings to the Blades.

Finger's crossed, come Friday we'll have strengthened the squad and put ourselves in a brilliant position to push on in our remaining games UTMB

 

[Antonb]

Yet another great podcast. These are a must listen for us unitedites!

 

[nezimão]

love the pod chaps. curious about your average listens? are you allowed to say how many tune in?

 

[Rodley]

If you’re not listening to this WTF are you doing?

 

[Beans]

love the pod chaps. curious about your average listens? are you allowed to say how many tune in?

Gets between 1500-2000 per episode, usually depending on what’s being discussed

 

[Bartleby]

Enjoyed as usual.

The "imagine what Wilder could do with money" comment from your mate near the end scared me a bit as I pondered on the implications of that comment . I'd prefer to think about "imagine what Wilder could do with money with Sheff United" if that could ever be possible

 

[jt64]

Haven't listened to this one yet, but listened to a previous installment on the way down to Swansea and if you're not doing so you're missing out, it's good stuff

 

[Sheffsteel]

Informative and professional as usual.

Agree with your views on the Fleck transfer interest, it makes no sense to me as I don’t think he’s PL standard.
Also a bid of 4 million is embarrassing low for an established PL club. It’s pocket money for them, such a low bid proves they can’t be seriously interested.

If I didn’t know better one would think it’s just someone at West Ham trying to get some revenge over the Tevez deal so they are trying to de stabilise our promotion run in.

 

[Revolution]

Good listen as always.

A question: whilst I was very happy with the point, would we have been better off starting McGoldrick and Duffy at Norwich? We were the better side throughout the second half but dominated (and scored) after their introduction.

 

[Beans]

Good listen as always.

A question: whilst I was very happy with the point, would we have been better off starting McGoldrick and Duffy at Norwich? We were the better side throughout the second half but dominated (and scored) after their introduction.

Hindsight is 20/20 and all that, but you could certainly make that case. That said, Norwich are weak in the air (23rd in the league for aerial wins per game) so I could see the logic in going with Madine. Similarly with Dowell, Norwich tend to dominate possession (more than we do) and IMO he's been brought in to be the kind of player who can create something in a flash / on the break.

To be fair to Madine he did what was asked of him really well - 11/12 aerial duels won, got a few shots away himself.

Looked like we changed to a back four in the second half too and gave ourselves an extra man in midfield, so while Duffy and McGoldrick certainly improved us, it's probably not as simple as saying we should have just rolled with the same team as last week

Nice actually having these options suddenly, isn't it?

 

[Revolution]

Afternoon all, back with another pod with Blades Analytics recapping an excellent point at Norwich, and then talking about some of these transfer stories:

- Fleck to West Ham thoughts (17:15)
- what kind of player Scott Hogan is (26:05)
- a brief ode to Leon Clarke (29:55)
- the state of the squad as a whole after this window (33:10)

Finally, we preview this weekend's match with Bolton Wanderers, and what to expect from them (41:10).



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

Cheers as always for listening, and UTB!

PS: Even if Clarke doesn't leave, I wrote this about his ridiculous 2017/18 season for the Dem Blades fanzine, now reproduced online with added GIFs of Clarke banging in the goals: https://www.uptheblades.com/latest-articles/2019/1/29/leon-clarke-a-tribute

It's more accurate to call it a ridiculous half season (good read though).

Clarke was excellent from March to December 2017. Outside that, his form
Fluctuated from decent to dismal.

Been a good signing for us though.

 

[TCsLoveChild]

excellent as always boys, well done UTB

 

[Dnblade]

Hindsight is 20/20 and all that, but you could certainly make that case. That said, Norwich are weak in the air (23rd in the league for aerial wins per game) so I could see the logic in going with Madine. Similarly with Dowell, Norwich tend to dominate possession (more than we do) and IMO he's been brought in to be the kind of player who can create something in a flash / on the break.

To be fair to Madine he did what was asked of him really well - 11/12 aerial duels won, got a few shots away himself.

Looked like we changed to a back four in the second half too and gave ourselves an extra man in midfield, so while Duffy and McGoldrick certainly improved us, it's probably not as simple as saying we should have just rolled with the same team as last week

Nice actually having these options suddenly, isn't it?

Yeah i watched the 2nd half back last night,thought we played well,and pressed them and apart from the goal they hardly really threatened...Yeah,it looked like we went to a 442 diamond 2nd half and moved Bash into midfield until the last few minutes after they brought on the 2 subs,and lweooked like we switched him back again into what looked like a 532 to see out the game...well worth our point.
Good listen again by the way.

 

[Rob86]

Very good chaps listened earlier !

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

Afternoon all, back with another pod with Blades Analytics recapping an excellent point at Norwich, and then talking about some of these transfer stories:

- Fleck to West Ham thoughts (17:15)
- what kind of player Scott Hogan is (26:05)
- a brief ode to Leon Clarke (29:55)
- the state of the squad as a whole after this window (33:10)

Finally, we preview this weekend's match with Bolton Wanderers, and what to expect from them (41:10).



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

Cheers as always for listening, and UTB!

PS: Even if Clarke doesn't leave, I wrote this about his ridiculous 2017/18 season for the Dem Blades fanzine, now reproduced online with added GIFs of Clarke banging in the goals: https://www.uptheblades.com/latest-articles/2019/1/29/leon-clarke-a-tribute

This is a great listen, always makes the commute into work a bit more enjoyable. Keep up the good work lads.

 

[Breakingblade]

Great listen, so refreshing to hear thoughtful analysis. Please keep up the good work

 

[vas borbokis]

These are really good to listen to. Thanks for doing them chaps.
Can anyone direct me to current xg data please?
I'm sure there was a link to xg tables some months ago but cant seem to find up to date stats.
TIA & UTB

 

[Beans]

These are really good to listen to. Thanks for doing them chaps.
Can anyone direct me to current xg data please?
I'm sure there was a link to xg tables some months ago but cant seem to find up to date stats.
TIA & UTB

Cheers for listening Vas. Laddo posted this earlier with up-to-date Championship xG:



Click the tweet to see the full thread, he put some explanation for specific teams there.

I often refer to the Expected Table on Infogol, although it's less detail than what Jay's put together there: https://www.infogol.net/leagues/english-football-league-championship-table-2018-19/89

 

[Topplayersleave]

Informative and professional as usual.

Agree with your views on the Fleck transfer interest, it makes no sense to me as I don’t think he’s PL standard.
Also a bid of 4 million is embarrassing low for an established PL club. It’s pocket money for them, such a low bid proves they can’t be seriously interested.

If I didn’t know better one would think it’s just someone at West Ham trying to get some revenge over the Tevez deal so they are trying to de stabilise our promotion run in.

Trying to unsettle him, and thus unsettle our team
They're frightened that we're coming for them

 

[vas borbokis]

Many thanks Ben.

 

[Silent Blade]

If you’re not listening to this WTF are you doing?

Erm

 

[Rodley]

Erm

Doh!

 

[Silent Blade]

Doh!

 

[Houston_Blade]

Good listen as always, some very good points about the team v Bolton. I must say though that I hope the players haven’t listened to the stats about Bolton, it might be a Barnet type performance if they have.

 

[Beans]

Good listen as always, some very good points about the team v Bolton. I must say though that I hope the players haven’t listened to the stats about Bolton, it might be a Barnet type performance if they have.

Never in doubt pal!