blade too long
we go again
http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20130713-bury-report-912084.aspx
3 goals , in one game , now thats encouraging,
3 goals , in one game , now thats encouraging,
bury 1 blades 3
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blade too long
we go again
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being encouraged isnt optimism , if I said we are now certs to go up on the strength of beating Bury , thatd be optimistic
no it would be lunacy
double post
blade too long
we go again
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which is why I swerved that one
KenMcnaughtsNuts
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LoughboroBlade
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For anyone that went, did Johns play in midfield when he came on? Obviously scored early after coming on, but any general feedback on his performance?
cooperblade
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He played on the left of the attacking 3 in midfield. Had loads of space, got good service and used it well putting some decent balls across. Goal was incredibly scruffy but he'd got himself in a great position before missing a super chance and then sort of tackling the rebound in. Encouraging start from him.
The first half was absolutely dreadful.
We lined up
Howard
Kennedy Higginbotham McGinty Hill
Doyle Whitehouse
Brandy Smith McFadzean
Ironside
It simply didn't work. The passing and movement fell way short of the required standards, mainly because of the personnel we had on the field for me. We had no-one capable of getting the right sort of service into our attacking players. Too many sideways balls in our own half, I tweeted (@Lock_the_Locks - blatant beg for followers) at the time that it was all a bit Robson-esque. Brandy didn't have a single touch of note.
The only time we looked like creating was when McFadzean ran at the Bury defence but he was always starting from deep and ended up getting crowded out.
Kennedy did OK but don't see him challenging for the right back shirt yet. Similarly with Smith, don't see him challenging for a shirt just yet.
McGinty gave the ball away badly on a couple of occasions and looks to me like someone who'll start the season on the bench at best. Not writing him off just needs work/help which Weir should be perfect for.
The other thing of note is what a great talker Higginbotham is. Was the only voice you could hear throughout - sometimes encouragement, sometimes telling people they needed to do better and quite often giving tactical instructions (heard him say to Whitehouse, I think, "don't always come short, try and stretch them sometimes").
I expected 11 changes at half time but we only got 2 - Westlake and McGinn coming on. Both made a difference, particularly McGinn. There was a noticeable difference between his passing and Doyle and Whitehouse's. It was more ambitious, more varied and more often played forward. Whilst his passing wasn't always perfect, he looked like someone who'll be key in the new formation. He'll show for the ball, keep things ticking over and look to start attacks from deeper. Excellent goal as well.
The expected changes came on the hour and we instantly looked a different side.
When all the subs were on, we went
Howard
Westlake Maguire Collins Williams
McGinn Whitehouse
Murphy McDonald Johns
Porter
Brandy touched the ball more in 6 minutes than the previous 60 and looked dangerous, as did Murphy who replaced him.
McDonald looked excellent and all of a sudden, we had tempo, we found space and we created chances. Our attacks had much more variety and purpose and everyone was involved in an attacking sense.
Glad it got better because I was worried at half time! I worry that the squad is going to be thin again in terms of back up for our more creative midfield players, I don't see any great options as cover for McGinn and McDonald who looked key to the new formation. Maybe Diego can play in the McDonald role when fit?
Obviously we also need strikers. Ironside didn't quite look up to the job of playing on his own up front.
Based on what I saw yesterday, my team v Notts Co would be
Long
Westlake Maguire Collins Hill
McGinn Doyle
Brandy McDonald Murphy
Porter
Bergen Blade
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Put up a piece on the Scandinavian site earlier, think you're right with that team selection:
http://scandinavianblades.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/30399895-current-squad
Living In a Fantasy World
Warriors Wield Blades
Well its certainly positive signs
Come from away
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Sothall_Blade
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Re:- "Central Midfield - Three options for two positions is not enough for such a vital area of the team. Are there other options within the squad? Can McGinty or Kennedy be retrained?"
I've been wondering whether McMahon might make a decent alternative to Doyle as the holding midfield player.
He should be equally capable of winning the ball and passing it a few yards to the more creative players.
He also offers much more than Doyle in terms of free kicks and shooting from range during open play.
If we're going to play more attacking full backs, McMahon might be better utilised in front of the back four.
Sothall_Blade
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All the indications are that Williams is Weir's first choice left back.
I think he started the first three friendlies at left back and came on as part of the stronger group in the last match.
As he is the only attacking left back we have in the squad, he fits the new system better than Hill, Higginbotham, McGinty etc..
Fair play to Weir for giving everybody in the squad a fresh start AND for being attack-minded.
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