Colchester v Blades - Match Highlights

[Bladesman]

Here are the highlights.

http://www.skysports.com/footballleague/championship/video/10133533/colchester-1-2-sheffield-utd

 

[Superblades]

Long was miles off for their goal, he kept us in it at the end so will let him off.

 

[Bladesman]

Long was miles off for their goal, he kept us in it at the end so will let him off.

I thought the same. If he going to come out that far then he has to get to the ball.

 

[Ricky]

Long's to blame for that one. Very bad decision. Can't blame him for the start to that half and the rest of it though.

 

[metalblade]

Yes he should have stayed on his line that time but two attackers against one defender going to head the ball was always going to end in an attempt on goal, where were our defenders ?

 

[Grappler]

Once again, Billy showing strength for the first goal.

 

[Bladesman]

Once again, Billy showing strength for the first goal.

Good strength, I thought that chance had got away from him. Their defending doesn't look up to much and surprised we didn't go for the kill in the second half.

 

[Grappler]

Good strength, I thought that chance had got away from him. Their defending doesn't look up to much and surprised we didn't go for the kill in the second half.

The problem is that Billy is having to be the target man, hold the ball up and then go and score! We still need a tall lad up front to play alongside him.

 

[Bladesman]

The problem is that Billy is having to be the target man, hold the ball up and then go and score! We still need a tall lad up front to play alongside him.

He does need help, we can't expect him to score in every match. He has already been through a goal drought this season.

Although the more goals he scores the more humble pie I have to eat.

 

[Mancblade1889]

Yes he should have stayed on his line that time but two attackers against one defender going to head the ball was always going to end in an attempt on goal, where were our defenders ?

That's a carbon copy of wigans second in mid week if we are so poor at winning headers in our own box make sure you limit the amount of crosses into the box. It always seems the opposition wingers have so much time to cross the ball without us getting anywhere near them

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Once again, Billy showing strength for the first goal.

One of the Colchester fans bleating about a foul by Billy on their player before the first. I would be interested if they could point out which bit they thought was a foul, as there wasn't even a hint of one.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

I hope Long sees the highlights and realises just how far out he was when Colchester equalised.
Water under the bridge and all that, but purely to improve his game for next time.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I hope Long sees the highlights and realises just how far out he was when Colchester equalised.
Water under the bridge and all that, but purely to improve his game for next time.

In complete no man's land for the goal – you either come and punch (which we know he likes to do) or stay on the line. In the end he does neither, and is exposed as a result. That aside, he was actually one of our better performances – one very good save, and several saves that weren't remotely spilt. And of course the assist for Sharp, quick-thinking after he claimed a cross where he was slightly barged into.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

All I can say.
"Thank fuck for Billy Sharp"

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Not that I like to take any credit away from Billy as he's in great form and did his job on the first goal.....but what are their defenders doing?! Sums up the level we are playing at. Awful.

 

[Bladesman]

Extended highlights:

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

I was quite impressed by Colchester. Hard to believe they are bottom of the league. Unlucky not to get a point or all three of them.

 

[judge]

Brayford needs to start cutting crosses out and tighten up a bit around our penalty area

 

[Diamondlife]

Brayford needs to start cutting crosses out and tighten up a bit around our penalty area

was just thinking that myself Judge as I was watching the highlights back. I actually liked the unextended highlights better as we didn't do as much wrong on them That said it's the 3 points that count, we can play entertaining football in the Championship next year

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Bizarre that the best shot from either side that Long pushed past the post isn't on there from the 2nd half. Also missing our best crafted opportunity in the 2nd where Baxter played it through to Sharp.

Forgot about Edgar's error first half – he seems to be prone to one of these a game, though he is our best option there currently.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Anyone know the attendance figures at Donny v Gills? Can't find any online.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Brayford needs to start cutting crosses out and tighten up a bit around our penalty area

I agree but it was Coutts who didn't close the cross down for their goal. Brayford and Coutts know each other well and pair up well offensively but do leave gaps at the back.

View attachment 15509

Anyone know the attendance figures at Donny v Gills? Can't find any online.

Attendance: Not given because of a power cut before kick-off according to Gillingham site

 

[Bergen Blade]

I was quite impressed by Colchester. Hard to believe they are bottom of the league. Unlucky not to get a point or all three of them.

They're an athletic side with some pace. Their weakness seem to be a lack of know how, composure and experience. Take our goals, for example

1st: Briggs misjudges the flight of the ball, lets it bounce past him and Sharp runs onto it. Briggs is quicker and beats Sharp to the ball, but again fails to make a clearance. Then Brindley is there to cover, but not alert enough to get to the ball first, and although he gets between Sharp and the goal, he fails to block a rather weak shot. I don't think Sharp would beat either of those two defenders in a sprint, nor in a marathon and the goal isn't about strength or skill either - it's his persistence and determination that makes the goal.

2nd: Their centre half isn't determined or focused enough and scores an own goal as the ball drops in front of him. A player on the post also fails to stop the ball.

In the first half they were rather poor, letting us dictate the pace of the game. Generally they found it difficult to break us down as we defended quite deep and were robust. I think we were better at making the game being about what we are good at. Moncur apart they seemed to lack creativity. I think he did look a good player, but would he fit into a 4-4-2? Some mentioned Sordell. He's got good attributes, but doesn't seem to score enough goals (fewer in the league than Sammon). Gilbey in central midfield was decent, not often we see a central midfielder outpace Brayford. Eastman at centre half is a big guy and was largely untroubled, but he's the main guy in a defence that has conceded far more than anyone else.

I think we were a bit lucky to win it. Moments before our winning goal Hammond looked to make a very risky tackle in our box again, but thankfully Moncur stayed on his feet. For a lot of the game our attacking were mainly long balls up to Sharp and Done, who usually lost out and then we tried to pick up the second ball. Done wasn't much involved and our midfield were reluctant to push forward. The back four generally defended well. Long obviously made an error for their goal, but also made some good saves.

Delighted with the win, but we do have to improve.

 

[wizadry]

I have praised McEveley in recent weeks but what could have been going through his mind to head a ball straight into the path of the incoming winger only he will know, just do what you're good at and get rid of the fucker. He got bailed out by someone blocking the shot, a great block at that, only next time he might not get away with it. We have to stop this absolutely shambolic defending what we tend to do at times, i fear we can only stop it by getting better players in, there's loads out there so lets hope our scouts are out there doing their jobs to stop this stupid defending from happening as often as it does.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

They're an athletic side with some pace. Their weakness seem to be a lack of know how, composure and experience. Take our goals, for example

1st: Briggs misjudges the flight of the ball, lets it bounce past him and Sharp runs onto it. Briggs is quicker and beats Sharp to the ball, but again fails to make a clearance. Then Brindley is there to cover, but not alert enough to get to the ball first, and although he gets between Sharp and the goal, he fails to block a rather weak shot. I don't think Sharp would beat either of those two defenders in a sprint, nor in a marathon and the goal isn't about strength or skill either - it's his persistence and determination that makes the goal.

2nd: Their centre half isn't determined or focused enough and scores an own goal as the ball drops in front of him. A player on the post also fails to stop the ball.

In the first half they were rather poor, letting us dictate the pace of the game. Generally they found it difficult to break us down as we defended quite deep and were robust. I think we were better at making the game being about what we are good at. Moncur apart they seemed to lack creativity. I think he did look a good player, but would he fit into a 4-4-2? Some mentioned Sordell. He's got good attributes, but doesn't seem to score enough goals (fewer in the league than Sammon). Gilbey in central midfield was decent, not often we see a central midfielder outpace Brayford. Eastman at centre half is a big guy and was largely untroubled, but he's the main guy in a defence that has conceded far more than anyone else.

I think we were a bit lucky to win it. Moments before our winning goal Hammond looked to make a very risky tackle in our box again, but thankfully Moncur stayed on his feet. For a lot of the game our attacking were mainly long balls up to Sharp and Done, who usually lost out and then we tried to pick up the second ball. Done wasn't much involved and our midfield were reluctant to push forward. The back four generally defended well. Long obviously made an error for their goal, but also made some good saves.

Delighted with the win, but we do have to improve.

1. In what way do we need to improve?
2. What position or positions would you prioritise in the JTW?

 

[Silent Blade]

Then Brindley is there to cover, but not alert enough to get to the ball first, and although he gets between Sharp and the goal, he fails to block a rather weak shot.
.

I was surprised at the schoolboy error made by Brindley when I saw the goal on TV. He only has to run and boot the ball out of defence!

 

[anglian blade]

For a lot of the game our attacking were mainly long balls up to Sharp and Done, who usually lost out and then we tried to pick up the second ball. Done wasn't much involved and our midfield were reluctant to push forward.

Woolford and Coutts seemed to have instructions to stick to the wings. This meant that whenever the ball was in the middle of the park we were either outnumbered and lost possession or had no-one to pass to and resorted to hoof. When Baxter came on and played deeper than Done we started to look a lot better, but I would have taken either Woolford or Coutts off and kept both Done and Sharp on

 

[Bergen Blade]

1. In what way do we need to improve?
2. What position or positions would you prioritise in the JTW?

1. I think Adkins had a more adventurous plan when he came here, but for various reasons he couldn't make it work. What we're seeing at the minute seems to be Plan B, a rescue plan to save the current season and kick start a promotion challenge that was drifting away. We have found a way of playing that have brought improvements in results and have succeeded in making games be about something we're good at.

We're a cautious, big, experienced side who give little away and keep enough players back to avoid being hit on the break too often. We have very good composure and technical ability in the back four and this supplements a midfield that is rather static and lacks a playmaker centrally. We're fortunate to have the influential determination and goal scoring ability of Sharp. He's not perfect, but he's been vital the last few weeks. The combination play of Brayford and an improving Coutts on the right is a creative strength, and is a bit similar to what we got from Lowton and Williamson in our first season down here.

So, we've got something about us. But can it last long enough to make an auto promotion challenge? For how long can nous compensate for our lack of pace, skill and creativity? Can our plan to dominate other teams physically remain effective all season? For how long can we outscore teams without creating more chances than them? I don't know, but I think it will be difficult if we don't address some of our weaknesses.

2. Accepting 4-4-2 is what we'll play:

• One centre half
• A busy, competitive and mobile wide man who's also a goal threat
• A strong striker with decent mobility

 

[BushBlade]

I was quite impressed by Colchester. Hard to believe they are bottom of the league. Unlucky not to get a point or all three of them.

That tends to be how it is in this league though. No one regularly outplays other sides or gets outplayed, generally it's just the little things that make the difference; conceding late goals is a classic, as is conceding a lot on the occasions you score a lot.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

1. I think Adkins had a more adventurous plan when he came here, but for various reasons he couldn't make it work. What we're seeing at the minute seems to be Plan B, a rescue plan to save the current season and kick start a promotion challenge that was drifting away. We have found a way of playing that have brought improvements in results and have succeeded in making games be about something we're good at.

We're a cautious, big, experienced side who give little away and keep enough players back to avoid being hit on the break too often. We have very good composure and technical ability in the back four and this supplements a midfield that is rather static and lacks a playmaker centrally. We're fortunate to have the influential determination and goal scoring ability of Sharp. He's not perfect, but he's been vital the last few weeks. The combination play of Brayford and an improving Coutts on the right is a creative strength, and is a bit similar to what we got from Lowton and Williamson in our first season down here.

So, we've got something about us. But can it last long enough to make an auto promotion challenge? For how long can nous compensate for our lack of pace, skill and creativity? Can our plan to dominate other teams physically remain effective all season? For how long can we outscore teams without creating more chances than them? I don't know, but I think it will be difficult if we don't address some of our weaknesses.

2. Accepting 4-4-2 is what we'll play:

• One centre half
• A busy, competitive and mobile wide man who's also a goal threat
• A strong striker with decent mobility

Thanks. I agree with pretty much all if that. I suspect financial constraints mean we can only have two at the most.

I'd go for your 2. and 3. I think.

Why do you prioritise a CH? Is it because we can't play a high line with Collins, or some other reason?