Central midfield for Watford game???

[Come from away]

Looking at what we have got rather than what might be or simply declaring every one as hopeless, I think Rachyblade has it right. We will likely see Monty and Howard as we did not give France much of a run in central midfield and Little will not make a complete game. Unless Quinn remains as No 1, oops!

 

[boo radley]

Why not ask numpty Brian of radio sheff fame. He sas all the answers.

 

[SheepdipBlade]

Given that last years run to the play off final was largely built around a rock solid defence within which Monty played a full part, I find it difficult to accept that Monty shouldn't be in the first 11. I would agree that as a centre mid he needs to offer more going forward than the back four - and the stats from last season showed his work rate/ground covered to be the highest in the division. It's also worth noting that some of the new arrivals have publically appreciated Monty's knowledge of the game - which suggests that professional footballers seem to see strengths that us mere punters are missing - and therefore that his work rate is complimented by a footballing brain.

IMO he'd be one of the first names on the sheet - the lad is a true Blade and what he offers in terms of team spirit and motivation (esp for the youngsters) more than makes up for his (alleged) attacking weaknesses.

 

[Latters]

I haven't seen where other professionals acknowledge Monty's footballing brain and to be fair it doesn't really matter who acknowledges it. It is rarely displayed on the pitch. He does put in a lot of effort and cover a lot of ground, but if he had an ounce of positional sense he would have to cover a lot less ground. Countless times you see him running 30-40 yards to make a tackle where he should have been in the first place, some times he makes the tackle and looks like a great defensive midfielder, others the player he's trying to tackle simply puts a foot on the ball and Monty sprints straight past and looks a tool.

Playing him with an attacking midfielder does not help his game either. When another of our midfielders has the ball, Monty can usually be found stood bang next to him, thus taking himself away as an option to pass to and a lot of time actuall getting in the way. I'm not saying he's our only bad midfielder, but I do not see how a midfield consisting of him and another can suffice in a team supposedly pushing for promotion.

 

[The One]

I haven't seen where other professionals acknowledge Monty's footballing brain and to be fair it doesn't really matter who acknowledges it. It is rarely displayed on the pitch. He does put in a lot of effort and cover a lot of ground, but if he had an ounce of positional sense he would have to cover a lot less ground. Countless times you see him running 30-40 yards to make a tackle where he should have been in the first place, some times he makes the tackle and looks like a great defensive midfielder, others the player he's trying to tackle simply puts a foot on the ball and Monty sprints straight past and looks a tool.

Playing him with an attacking midfielder does not help his game either. When another of our midfielders has the ball, Monty can usually be found stood bang next to him, thus taking himself away as an option to pass to and a lot of time actuall getting in the way. I'm not saying he's our only bad midfielder, but I do not see how a midfield consisting of him and another can suffice in a team supposedly pushing for promotion.

You normally find Monty running 30-40yards to make a tackle because he's making up ground that his partner has left. Not sure when i've seen monty looking a tool by running straight past a player either?

Monty was an intergral part of our run in last season that almost got automatic and was probably one of very few players that actually turned up for the play off final.

Oh and guess what, Monty was an integral part in the team that got us promoted a few years ago. A midfield with him in must be really crap.

 

[silverfox]

Me and Steve! Solid

We could still do a job!

 

[Latters]

I agree he was one of only a couple of players to get any credit in the play off final. But that's because it was a scrappy game with very little football played and one in which we had very little possession.

If you haven't seen him chuck himself into a challenge only for the player with the ball to knock it past him then you've not been looking at the pitch when the Blades have been playing.

If he could sort his positional play and passing he'd be alright but training daily for about nine years hasn't sorted it out so I doubt it's going to improve.

I don't think our main problem lies with our attacking midfielders. With decent players around them, Howard and Hendrie would be just fine. Somebody in the McCall, Speed, Carsley (as much as I dislike him) or even Robbie Savage mould who has a bit of nouse, can create space, doesn't need to run about all day long because of good positional sense and can play a simple pass is what I think we're lacking. I'm obviously not saying that the players mentioned are the ones we need to sign, just somebody of their ilk.

 

[The One]

I agree he was one of only a couple of players to get any credit in the play off final. But that's because it was a scrappy game with very little football played and one in which we had very little possession.

If you haven't seen him chuck himself into a challenge only for the player with the ball to knock it past him then you've not been looking at the pitch when the Blades have been playing.

If he could sort his positional play and passing he'd be alright but training daily for about nine years hasn't sorted it out so I doubt it's going to improve.

I don't think our main problem lies with our attacking midfielders. With decent players around them, Howard and Hendrie would be just fine. Somebody in the McCall, Speed, Carsley (as much as I dislike him) or even Robbie Savage mould who has a bit of nouse, can create space, doesn't need to run about all day long because of good positional sense and can play a simple pass is what I think we're lacking. I'm obviously not saying that the players mentioned are the ones we need to sign, just somebody of their ilk.

If you watched the game then you'd see that Monty's pass completion is much, much higher than both Howard's and Quinny's who give the ball away more often than most players in the squad. Monty does more than his own job. He covers for wingers, right/left backs and central defenders aswell as doing his own and his midfield partners job.

Hendrie needs to come in when his suspension is up.

 

[SBSP]

If you watched the game then you'd see that Monty's pass completion is much, much higher than both Howard's and Quinny's who give the ball away more often than most players in the squad. Monty does more than his own job. He covers for wingers, right/left backs and central defenders aswell as doing his own and his midfield partners job.

You must have a very blinkered view at the games - are you one of these people that won't accept any mistakes Monty makes.

I admit that most of pur midfield has been shit for the last few years but a 'professional' footballer that has no sense of positioning and cannot play even a simple pass should not be in our team, he shouldn't be playing in the Football League.

It is a joke that he has been in our team for so long and I bet the opposition players piss themselves when they see him in sour starting 11 every week. it just shows how fucking clueless some of our recent managers have been.

 

[londonerblade]

we should try and get tom soares on loan from stoke

 

[madeinsheffield]

Beckham's looking for a club in November, do you think Posh will like it in sunny Sheffield????

 

[SheepdipBlade]

I haven't seen where other professionals acknowledge Monty's footballing brain and to be fair it doesn't really matter who acknowledges it. It is rarely displayed on the pitch.

It was on the official site - think it was either Williamson or Reid who was commenting. And in addition to this the ex pro pundits on Sky etc were gushing in his praise at the end of last season.

I'd like to hear your reason behind saying his knowledge is rarely displayed - as (unless you are a pro footballer yourself?) how can you know the details of what's happening on the pitch - and judge it's effectiveness better than Reid/Williamson or the ex pros? (which isn't to say that you're not entitled to your own opinion - but is to say that other's are better placed to judge what's being displayed, and that their comments should be valued)

With regard to his passing - we must all surely agree that it's not the strongest part of his game, but some people seem to be looking for every stray pass he makes, yet will remain unmoved if a "more popular" player - Naughton was a good example last season - makes just as bad a mistake.

IMO the most balanced view - and supported by people at the Lane and wider in the game (who know more than I [and most of us on here] will ever know) - is that Monty is an big asset to the team, and that it's quite surprising he's not moved on to Premiership club.

Not read anything on here so far to change my view that he's one of the first names on the team sheet.

 

[SBSP]

Not read anything on here so far to change my view that he's one of the first names on the team sheet.

Can i please come and live in your world where you don't see any bad in people and are blind to their mistakes.

MONTY IS NOT A FOOTBALLER AND SHOULD NOT BE IN OUR TEAM, SQUAD OR ANYWHERE NEAR THE CLUB!

 

[Houso]

Monty is a footballer and should be in the team, in the squad and central to the club.

Third player on the teamsheet after Killa and Morgs for me.

 

[Vistoma]

In the words of this man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8TNtU0_0_c

4-4-2 for me please,

narrows down choices for central mid.

Hendo and Monty

 

[Ollessendro]

My opinion (for what it's worth)..

.......................Bunn

Walker......Morgan......Killa.........Taylor

Cotterill......Monty......Howard......Reid

.................Hendo.....Evans

Subs; Ward, Treacey, Little, Bromby, Quinn

I know Howard was poor the other night, but I still hold out some desperate hope that he can become the creative midfielder we need him to be. With Monty there to do all the running he SHOULD be able to concentrate on supporting the front 2.

Jimbo hits the nail on the head. This is the team that should, and probably will, start on Saturday.

I believe (although some of this might be false hope) that KB will finally drop the long underperforming Quinn. That leaves us with Dingle Howard to create something in CM. For me he has the next 2 home games to produce and if shows nothing, then give Hendrie a chance.

 

[Houso]

I'd agree with everything in that previous post.

Although, I'd like an extra couple of players on that bench!

 

[SheepdipBlade]

Can i please come and live in your world where you don't see any bad in people and are blind to their mistakes.

MONTY IS NOT A FOOTBALLER AND SHOULD NOT BE IN OUR TEAM, SQUAD OR ANYWHERE NEAR THE CLUB!

No need to shout mate!!

You'd be welcome to come and live in my world. If you read through these posts you'll see there's quite a few of us here already - people who aren't "blind to others mistakes" - but try to support and encourage our team - and try to take a rounded and balanced view of what's going on.

It ain't hard really - count to ten, and think with your head not your heart

 

[Wobbly Blade]

This is how KB sees it (IMHO):
Monty - the reason we had a fantastic defensive record last season, rest of midfield not up to it and leaves us exposed if he's not playing (see first part of last season for examples).

Squinny - had three shots against Middlesborough , the only person looking vaguelky as though they knew where teh goal was, last seasons top scorer after BT was sold.

So if we want to be defensively frail (... Port Vale 2) or unable to score (Blades 0 ...)
we wil play without Monty or Quinn. Until Messi signs its Monty's left feet and Elpiton, so get used to the idea.

And, (IMHO again) I think KB has got it right. If we make a half decent start and finish anything like we did last season we are sorted. So far we are 1 point up on where we were at this stage last time round.

UTB