Can This Team Go Up?

[robbiez666]

We've got some talented players and a huge squad, but I'm not convinced the make-up of the squad is such that we can actually go up.

We're too small. We can't therefore defend set pieces. We get outmuscled. We can't score in the air from our set-pieces.

We have nothing upfront. No one in the box. No power of strength to hold the ball up or worry defenders. This could probably be addressed by playing two upfront but our manager, despite promising to do it, wont. Playing wingers is almost pointless if there's no one in the box.

It's not about having a team of kickers and giants, but having a good mix. We're too soft. There's no leadership. There's very little passion. no height.

I said at the start of the season, and continually said that Clough deserves until summer (or if we mathematically can't go up). Still the case. I really doubt another manager could get us up with this squad. They'd probably make a better fist of it, but we're too easily undone.

If we don't go up, we're screwed. Too many players who we'll struggle to offload.

 

[wizadry]

Can this team go up? Yes!

Will it? Who fucking knows at the minute!

 

[Bladesman]

No.

 

[sheffielder]

No

 

[zablade]

I'll give you a team to get us into the play offs..

Howard

Braford, Collins, Kennedy, Harris

Flynn, Basham, Reed, Murphy

Done. (Loan in Striker)

Playing 4-4-2 in that formation with the more solid midfield presence of Basham and Maceverly out of the way.

Need that target man / striker FFS

 

[Gavlar]

I'll give you a team to get us into the play offs..

Howard

Braford, Collins, Kennedy, Harris

Flynn, Basham, Reed, Murphy

Done. (Loan in Striker)

Playing 4-4-2 in that formation with the more solid midfield presence of Basham and Maceverly out of the way.

Need that target man / striker FFS

I agree with the Kennedy shout but am not convinced that Collins will comeback and do anything, plus JCR has been one of the decent
finds we have this season, surely he gets a shout?

 

[zablade]

I agree with the Kennedy shout but am not convinced that Collins will comeback and do anything, plus JCR has been one of the decent
finds we have this season, surely he gets a shout?

JCR s better of the bench, Colins is no superstars but he is million times the defender Jay Mac is. however I don't expect Clough to swallow his pride and recall Collins or go 4-4-2. It's just my pipe dream

 

[Gavlar]

JCR s better of the bench, Colins is no superstars but he is million times the defender Jay Mac is. however I don't expect Clough to swallow his pride and recall Collins or go 4-4-2. It's just my pipe dream

You're right Clough wont recall Collins, what about Alcock or is the clue in the name?

 

[Blade56]

We've got some talented players and a huge squad, but I'm not convinced the make-up of the squad is such that we can actually go up.

We're too small. We can't therefore defend set pieces. We get outmuscled. We can't score in the air from our set-pieces.

We have nothing upfront. No one in the box. No power of strength to hold the ball up or worry defenders. This could probably be addressed by playing two upfront but our manager, despite promising to do it, wont. Playing wingers is almost pointless if there's no one in the box.

It's not about having a team of kickers and giants, but having a good mix. We're too soft. There's no leadership. There's very little passion. no height.

I said at the start of the season, and continually said that Clough deserves until summer (or if we mathematically can't go up). Still the case. I really doubt another manager could get us up with this squad. They'd probably make a better fist of it, but we're too easily undone.

If we don't go up, we're screwed. Too many players who we'll struggle to offload.

Question is can we stay up?

 

[DSB-91]

On the basis of today's game? No. Absolutely ineffective against a team who are far from great but made us look terrible simply by not allowing us any time on the ball and taking their chances.

It was obvious United's tactics weren't going to work about 25 minutes into the first half but still we persisted with them, banging our head against a brick wall until Gillingham snatched the game at the end. It wasn't a smash and grab, their goals were lucky, but they had the better chances and we were totally lacking in creativity, adaptability or quality from start to finish.

Unless we become more flexible in the way we play I think a team's going to figure us out pretty quickly in the play-offs. That's assuming we make them because many more performances like today and we'll slip out of the top 6 altogether. Yes I'm being negative but I'd be surprised if there were any blades there today who aren't similarly pissed off.

 

[Hartley Hare]

There are so many players in our first team squad, but many are of a similar standard in each position. Goodness knows which is our best starting eleven, and it would take a year to perm eleven from twenty five.

We need a settled side to start a decent winning run, to secure a play-off berth, top two looks pie in the sky now?

I keep thinking every week we will start a long unbeaten run but alas not yet.

HH

 

[sheffielder]

On the basis of today's game? No. Absolutely ineffective against a team who are far from great but made us look terrible simply by not allowing us any time on the ball and taking their chances.

We are too good to press teams though. I find it strange we never allow teams no space in the league, like we do in the cup. Football isn't rocket science

 

[Blade56]

One positive from today's result is NC should stop embarrassing himself and the club by talking piggy talk saying we can still get automatic

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

No, not on current evidence.

Concedes soft goals at crucial moments and struggles to score.

 

[Silent Blade]

Yes, we can go up as we have a big squad and the hard pitches in April and May will suit our style of play.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Yes, we can go up as we have a big squad and the hard pitches in April and May will suit our style of play.

Yes but the clubs when we play them away , will leave the water sprinklers on all day and night.

UTB

 

[Silent Blade]

Yes but the clubs when we play them away , will leave the water sprinklers on all day and night.

UTB

I think we can get enough points to get into the play off spots by winning most of our home games. It takes time for us to find the right team after having signed a lot of players. The silent majority like me, you and most of the Blades fans are not pressing the panic button like those narrow minded minority

 

[metalblade]

As it is at the moment not a prayer, unless we bring yet more players in then the play offs are far from certain

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I think we can get enough points to get into the play off spots by winning most of our home games. It takes time for us to find the right team after having signed a lot of players. The silent majority like me, you and most of the Blades fans are not pressing the panic button like those narrow minded minority

Its no good pressing the panic button as you say . Mr Clough is the right man , but this is the season to get promoted. Next season imo will be even harder . If we have to bring in 1 or 2 loan players then so be it . We are just a couple of players missing from being a really good side . Mr Clough for some reason missed the boat in the JTW for a couple of strikers , although lets hope the bloke from Rochdale will turn us around up front.

Mr Clough will sort this out , even for his own pride and self respect , but todays performance was totally unacceptable . The younger players will excel with having support from the more senior pros , and again it is a worry , that this appears not to be happening . It was apparent again today . No wonder Mr Clough has to shout and bawl from the touch line , with continual instructions , because none of the senior players seem unable to take any responsibility .Whats missing is a strong organiser and leader on the pitch . More questions than answers , and its down to Mr Clough and his back-room staff to resolve it.

If we get in the play offs i am 100% certain we will win them. The thing is , can we get there.

Not a good day , i don't mind losing , but today just showed we were weak in every department.

UTB

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

I'll give you a team to get us into the play offs..

Howard

Braford, Collins, Kennedy, Harris

Flynn, Basham, Reed, Murphy

Done. (Loan in Striker)

NOOOOOOO!!!!! just stop it! stop it! stop it!!!!

 

[robbiez666]

Its no good pressing the panic button as you say . Mr Clough is the right man , but this is the season to get promoted. Next season imo will be even harder . If we have to bring in 1 or 2 loan players then so be it . We are just a couple of players missing from being a really good side . Mr Clough for some reason missed the boat in the JTW for a couple of strikers , although lets hope the bloke from Rochdale will turn us around up front.

Mr Clough will sort this out , even for his own pride and self respect , but todays performance was totally unacceptable . The younger players will excel with having support from the more senior pros , and again it is a worry , that this appears not to be happening . It was apparent again today . No wonder Mr Clough has to shout and bawl from the touch line , with continual instructions , because none of the senior players seem unable to take any responsibility .Whats missing is a strong organiser and leader on the pitch . More questions than answers , and its down to Mr Clough and his back-room staff to resolve it.

If we get in the play offs i am 100% certain we will win them. The thing is , can we get there.

Not a good day , i don't mind losing , but today just showed we were weak in every department.

UTB

You're 100% positive we'll go through in the playoffs if we reach them? That's some strong beer you're drinking!

 

[Roygbiv]

We can clearly beat any side on our day so yes we can go up. We will? I doubt it

 

[Lane Ender]

NOOOOOOO!!!!! just stop it! stop it! stop it!!!!

Totally agree with you fella.
Middle of the park no room for Basham

 

[Lane Ender]

You're 100% positive we'll go through in the playoffs if we reach them? That's some strong beer you're drinking!

Yea with a few shots in there as well

 

[Kenilworth]

We could but unless we address the goal scoring problem we are dead in the water.
Should be absolutely bossing games and putting teams under the cosh with the midfielders we have BUT in division 3 you need to compete physically, which we don't.

We can only reach rhe play offs - and that's looking uncertain - IF we get there I wouldn't be confident of overcoming any of the teams in there over two legs. Just not enough goal threat and always a defensive rickett in us - which invariably gets pounced on (whilst we fuck up any at the other end)

 

[BerksBlade]

On today's evidence - not a snowball in hell's chance.
Lacking in height, strength, creativity & leadership.

 

[blader]

I find it interesting that I, and a handful of others, expressed these feelings in August. However, due to us saying realistic things, and not the usual 'we'll piss the league' blind/deluded pre-season attitude of many others, we were berated and brushed aside as 'knockers' 'pessimists' or whatever other name we were called.

I think it's fair to say our concerns have been proven correct. I Am disappointed by our league position, but had resigned us to a playoff challenge once I saw our signings. We had a terrible summer, and this has cost us automatic promotion. the lack of a proven striker was inevitably going to be our downfall, and the most ridiculous thing is we did nothing about it in the January just gone. Until we sign a 15+ goals a season striker we will never get promoted out of any league. I don't know where the blame lies, but alarm bells rang when Higdon was our 'marquee' signing!! Poor again from the blades, but why should we expect any different nowadays? Anyway, I look forward to Murphy being sold for 500k, being replaced by some other no-mark but then being slagged off when we criticise the club again.. Rinse and repeat....

 

[ken shabby]

Can this team go up? Not with a clown in charge who thinks having 3000 midfielders, 1 defender and no goalscorer in the squad is the way to start a fashionable footballing trend. The only people who like this new trend are our 3rd divisions opponents who are laughing their bollocks off. They know their backline/goalie will have a cushy time against a team of frail midgets and one goal should be enough for them.

 

[robbiez666]

I find it interesting that I, and a handful of others, expressed these feelings in August. However, due to us saying realistic things, and not the usual 'we'll piss the league' blind/deluded pre-season attitude of many others, we were berated and brushed aside as 'knockers' 'pessimists' or whatever other name we were called.

I think it's fair to say our concerns have been proven correct. I Am disappointed by our league position, but had resigned us to a playoff challenge once I saw our signings. We had a terrible summer, and this has cost us automatic promotion. the lack of a proven striker was inevitably going to be our downfall, and the most ridiculous thing is we did nothing about it in the January just gone. Until we sign a 15+ goals a season striker we will never get promoted out of any league. I don't know where the blame lies, but alarm bells rang when Higdon was our 'marquee' signing!! Poor again from the blades, but why should we expect any different nowadays? Anyway, I look forward to Murphy being sold for 500k, being replaced by some other no-mark but then being slagged off when we criticise the club again.. Rinse and repeat....

Do you remember when most eulogised the signing of Higdon as a major coup? For the selling club, it was.

 

[Blade56]

I think we can get enough points to get into the play off spots by winning most of our home games. It takes time for us to find the right team after having signed a lot of players. The silent majority like me, you and most of the Blades fans are not pressing the panic button like those narrow minded minority

Can the narrow minded minority remind you we have only won 2 of those home games in over 3 months.