Match Thread Chesterfield v. Sheffield United - 11th July 2026

[Ginger Gnome]

It was a really poor game with no particular style of play, quite a few aimless chips and hoping for a lucky break, all four central midfielders were poor, although at least in Peck's case he's a game behind the others. Bamford and Cannon were miles off it, Campbell looks sharper than both at this point. Donovan and Seriki up the right has promise at least.

 

[Bramhall Lane blade]

Baptiste looked ok on the ball.

 

[JOEYDEE]

VAR got everything right for once ...

 

[Nedski]

was the opposite of last years friendly. that shouldve ended 7-4

we were good defensively Chesterfield rarely created much. but attacking wise we were shocking that we got nothing despite creating so many chances, Hamer, campbell Marsh & sachdev? shouldve all scored. if it was that it was trying to play an extra pointless pass

i think it sachdev, how can you be surprised the ball came to you, when your in a acres of spaces 18yds out

That was Marsh wasn't it? Had loads of time, but not a great touch then a poor finish. His best attributes are his touch and finishing

 

[Ron_Justice]

Baptist looked accomplished, but the level of the Oppo needs to be factored in. Would be very handy to not have to shell out for a new CB. Said in Shoutbox at the time, and this is VERY PREMATURE, but think there's something of Illiman about Donovan. He stature, the way he moves, the way he carries himself, the aggression in recovery, the directness. He's a bit raw on todays showing (nothing major, just decision making maybe) but he looks like a find IMO.

 

[bakeblade]

The biggest thing about him is his height. 5ft 8ins.

His dogging club might disagree

 

[Ron_Justice]

That was Marsh wasn't it? Had loads of time, but not a great touch then a poor finish. His best attributes are his touch and finishing

Said the same after last weekend, he probably needs to think about moving on IMO. Don't think he's there yet, physically, and not sure how many more times we'll lone him out, hoping the game time translates into him getting to the level required.

 

[SB_90]

That was Marsh wasn't it? Had loads of time, but not a great touch then a poor finish. His best attributes are his touch and finishing

it was number 18. i know that. if you cant score that. he might as well go.

but i might be getting mixing them up. always the problem in preseason no names on the back

 

[coolasanidiot]

Thought Rothwell was hopeless, lets hope this isn't one where Chris tries to prove us all wrong. 100% back up only. Conversely thought Blaster seemed sharper hope he is.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Yet to taste defeat this season. The juggernaut rolls on Whoop! Whoop!

 

[Blademan89]

Thought Rothwell was hopeless, lets hope this isn't one where Chris tries to prove us all wrong. 100% back up only. Conversely thought Blaster seemed sharper hope he is.

Ur so was bamford & he wasnt much better vs Halifax. Looks tibbe going through motions like others.

But its only 2nday game of the the season. Let's see what what when tbey ramp it up towards end.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[Bladesman]

Interview:

 

[232 Bramall Lane]

"Shuttleworth United Nil".

 

[blade too long]

Clean sheet ...just need another 46

 

[Nick Jansky]

It was a really poor game with no particular style of play, quite a few aimless chips and hoping for a lucky break

Who needs tactics. We have a culture that will carry us through.

 

[232 Bramall Lane]

I have a long held belief that our pre season results usually have the opposite outcome to our early season results.
Last season being a prime example.
Maybe someone on here has the details of previous successful or disastrous season's pre- season results?

 

[Large Mendonca]

I have a long held belief that our pre season results usually have the opposite outcome to our early season results.
Last season being a prime example.
Maybe someone on here has the details of previous successful or disastrous season's pre- season results?

I remember us looking mustard in Adkins pre season games, and that turned out shit. I think you’re onto something

 

[Aston max]

I've rewatched it today, there's still a lot of rust in the legs ( and brains ) if I'm honest we need a centre half and if the rumours about peck are true a CDM ! Our starting 11 doesn't look to bad with who we've got, but don't expect much beyond mid-table IMHO, we could do with a number 10/Winger asap.
As it stands
Cooper
Seriki, tanganga, baptiste,Burrows
Ollie,Rothwell
Donovan,ohare, hamer
Bamford

 

[BangorBlade]

Same as last season, playing out on the right doesn't work as he drifts in MF and this leaves Burrows either pinned back and when he does down the left there's a gap at the back, we balance like the right side, may bring in Cleary type of player which means either Hamer or O'Hare are a 10

 

[ckpe147]

I've rewatched it today, there's still a lot of rust in the legs ( and brains ) if I'm honest we need a centre half and if the rumours about peck are true a CDM ! Our starting 11 doesn't look to bad with who we've got, but don't expect much beyond mid-table IMHO, we could do with a number 10/Winger asap.
As it stands
Cooper
Seriki, tanganga, baptiste,Burrows
Ollie,Rothwell
Donovan,ohare, hamer
Bamford

Surely it would be Riedewald instead of Rothwell?

Honestly, if we get Souttar and Dobbin for example then I'd be very excited about our season.

 

[Champagneblade]

Surely it would be Riedewald instead of Rothwell?

Honestly, if we get Souttar and Dobbin for example then I'd be very excited about our season.

That’s it really.

It doesn’t take much to make this a team that challenges to be in the mix.

A lot of the players you mention may come free later in the window.

We have time. It’s not the moment to panic and end up with average signings just to say we’ve got them in. Of course all managers want their squad as soon as possible but act too quickly and we’d have been missing out on the likes of Morgan Gobbs-White and James McAtee.

 

[joe casey]

I remember us looking mustard in Adkins pre season games, and that turned out shit. I think you’re onto something

Randomly always remember Newcastle losing 6-1 to Leyton Orient in pre-season - the same year they went on to absolute blitz the Championship

 

[Ginger Gnome]

That’s it really.

It doesn’t take much to make this a team that challenges to be in the mix.

A lot of the players you mention may come free later in the window.

We have time. It’s not the moment to panic and end up with average signings just to say we’ve got them in. Of course all managers want their squad as soon as possible but act too quickly and we’d have been missing out on the likes of Morgan Gobbs-White and James McAtee.

We waited, hoping for those kinds of players at the end of the window last season and ended up hopelessly understrength in the first game before splurging on a load of total dross at the end.

 

[Champagneblade]

We waited, hoping for those kinds of players at the end of the window last season and ended up hopelessly understrength in the first game before splurging on a load of total dross at the end.

Very true. We can’t have a repeat of that one. Concerning all the same staff are there. It’s as if the mistake isn’t acknowledged.

 

[dexter101]

I've rewatched it today, there's still a lot of rust in the legs ( and brains ) if I'm honest we need a centre half and if the rumours about peck are true a CDM ! Our starting 11 doesn't look to bad with who we've got, but don't expect much beyond mid-table IMHO, we could do with a number 10/Winger asap.
As it stands
Cooper
Seriki, tanganga, baptiste,Burrows
Ollie,Rothwell
Donovan,ohare, hamer
Bamford

I agree with you. I really don't want Hamer out wide any more. It just makes us feel so lop sided.

From what I saw, Seriki and Donovan will do a good job working together on that right hand side. Then you have Burrows who either should be getting forward but theres no cover, or has to stay back, in which case, he isn't a great traditional LB.

If we are keeping Hamer, the other option would be to sell O'Hare if he wants to be in a sides starting 11. Then we have a pathway for Marsh or similar as Hamer's back up in the centre.

I don't see us fitting O'Hare and Hamer into the same side anymore, unless Hamer drops deeper which clearly isnt the plan.

 

[KMC-1889]

Same as last season, playing out on the right doesn't work as he drifts in MF and this leaves Burrows either pinned back and when he does down the left there's a gap at the back, we balance like the right side, may bring in Cleary type of player which means either Hamer or O'Hare are a 10

It feels so obvious to have Hamer in the 10 and O’Hare out left. He has the legs to help out Burrows defensively and when pressing on Burrows, O’Hare and Hamer are three of our more technically gifted players that should be able to create space with that passing triangle.

It’s how the 4-2-3-1 is used at elite level (see video below on how Tuchel is deploying it) but we just look like the players don’t know how to play it so we end up static.

 

[Uganda Blade]

It feels so obvious to have Hamer in the 10 and O’Hare out left. He has the legs to help out Burrows defensively and when pressing on Burrows, O’Hare and Hamer are three of our more technically gifted players that should be able to create space with that passing triangle.

It’s how the 4-2-3-1 is used at elite level (see video below on how Tuchel is deploying it) but we just look like the players don’t know how to play it so we end up static.

Either that or we sign a natural left-winger and stop trying to shoehorn both O'Hare and Hamer into the team.

 

[FTPE]

What happened to Shackleton? We've been told to expect big things but he didn't play did he?

Played mid week against Bradford apparently.
Played about 70min I've been told.