Cost of a striker.

[Ceasefire]

Akpom 2.75 million. Rhian 23.5 million. The Middlesbrough guy was untouchable tonight and totally dominated our defence and disorientated midfield. Bad day at the office, press the reset button and go again on Saturday.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Forget Akpom..... its Archer who we should have got, as a very obvious Khadra replacement, who would inevitably join a rival otherwise

If we were run half competently we would have brought in him and Lewis OBrien, at no unreasonable expense, and guaranteed ourselves promotion

Instead it is going to be very, very uncomfortable with a good team with a better manager chasing us down whose January business has made them better than us, if they weren't already

Tonight was a very in your face, painful blow that emphasised loud and clear the implications of a good January versus an inactive one. It was everything we feared it could be, it was the worst case scenario

If Abdullah costs himself millions over this, it serves him right

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Arc of a Diver..?

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Archer would have been perfect for us.

 

[Vass Borbokis]

Forget Akpom..... its Archer who we should have got, as a very obvious Khadra replacement, who would inevitably join a rival otherwise

If we were run half competently we would have brought in him and Lewis OBrien, at no unreasonable expense, and guaranteed ourselves promotion

Instead it is going to be very, very uncomfortable with a good team with a better manager chasing us down whose January business has made them better than us, if they weren't already

Tonight was a very in your face, painful blow that emphasised loud and clear the implications of a good January versus an inactive one. It was everything we feared it could be, it was the worst case scenario

If Abdullah costs himself millions over this, it serves him right

Absolutely spot on. Other teams strengthening while behind the scenes we're an absolute fucking shambles.

 

[Weasel]

It was clear as day we just needed a couple of signings (both mentioned above would have been ideal) and I think we were just about home and hosed. Both could have been got in with fees agreed for the summer if we got promotion. The fact that we didn't is testament to us trying to us hoping we had enough rather than us making sure that we did. I get that we are skint, but cmon the cost of a couple of decent loans for the millions on offer in the PL. Surely the board could have sorted some funding from somewhere on the provision that parties funding the loans were well remunerated if and when we were promoted? The board took the cheap and easy option in January and hoped we had enough to squeeze up. Hopefully we will still do it but it was so frustrating to see us sit by and watch others strengthen.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Forget Akpom..... its Archer who we should have got, as a very obvious Khadra replacement, who would inevitably join a rival otherwise

If we were run half competently we would have brought in him and Lewis OBrien, at no unreasonable expense, and guaranteed ourselves promotion

Instead it is going to be very, very uncomfortable with a good team with a better manager chasing us down whose January business has made them better than us, if they weren't already

Tonight was a very in your face, painful blow that emphasised loud and clear the implications of a good January versus an inactive one. It was everything we feared it could be, it was the worst case scenario

If Abdullah costs himself millions over this, it serves him right

Akpom and Archer ripping
it up they are too good for
Championship completely unhinged our fence.
There movement through out the team always looked as though they were going to win the match.
We have to put it behind us don't think any other club in the league have the same level of pace and ability. Those two were brilliant.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

If anybody still wants living proof that this transfer embargo (sorted in Feb? ) is going to hurt us, step forward…Cameron Fucking Archer.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

If anybody still wants living proof that this transfer embargo (sorted in Feb? ) is going to hurt us, step forward…Cameron Fucking Archer.

All hindsight but he looked a better option than Khadra & clearly was available following his loan with Preston, Villa wanted to get him out again. Shrewd business

 

[raimond]

Akpom 2.75 million. Rhian 23.5 million. The Middlesbrough guy was untouchable tonight and totally dominated our defence and disorientated midfield. Bad day at the office, press the reset button and go again on Saturday.

He's scored 22 in 64 games for them, but has got 17 in his last 19.

So he'd scored 5 in 45 before Carrick.

 

[Blacksea]

All hindsight but he looked a better option than Khadra & clearly was available following his loan with Preston, Villa wanted to get him out again. Shrewd business

CONFIRMED - Cameron Archer signs for the Blades - 4 year contract

After a good loan spell at Preston, Villa are reported to be looking to loan him out again. Send Mcburnie out on loan and either Jebbison/Osula, then get this lad in. Forward line of Sharp, Brewster, Ndiaye and Archer should do us.

www.s24su.com

Hindsight?
From last summer?

 

[scouseblade]

Forget Akpom..... its Archer who we should have got, as a very obvious Khadra replacement, who would inevitably join a rival otherwise

If we were run half competently we would have brought in him and Lewis OBrien, at no unreasonable expense, and guaranteed ourselves promotion

Instead it is going to be very, very uncomfortable with a good team with a better manager chasing us down whose January business has made them better than us, if they weren't already

Tonight was a very in your face, painful blow that emphasised loud and clear the implications of a good January versus an inactive one. It was everything we feared it could be, it was the worst case scenario

If Abdullah costs himself millions over this, it serves him right

I dont agree Carrick is a better manager.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

I don't think the lack of a striker is the problem. It's the build up play and how we get the ball to them that is the problem. We rarely release the ball to them outside the 18 yard box, but wait until they're in the 18 yard box crowded out by players, where we need a lucky break or a defender to fail to clear it for them to shoot. When we do cross the ball it's usually crossed in from inside or the edge of the 18 yard box next to the goal line and aimed at the 6 yard box, where again, strikers are crowded by defenders. We rarely see a cross come into the box from out wide to a player running into the 18 yard box. They're already in there marked by a defender. We're too predictable in our build up play. We start an attack and more often than not, pass backwards and sideways (ooo, look how much possession we had!), where opponents track back in number. By the time we get it forward we've got banks of players to get through instead of three or four players due to playing "safety possession ball."

Time and time again last night Boro released the ball to their strikers running off ball outside the 18 yard box. Midfielders ran with the ball with runners either side of them. We don't play like that. Our off ball supporting players are always static stood in space, easy for defending players to read the pass so that when the ball is released the first touch is under pressure as opponents can see it coming from a mile off.

That said the one time we did release the ball early to a player, Ndiaye decided to take 10 touches and try to walk it in the net rather than shoot early. A wasted golden opportunity to extend the lead. Very poor decision making.

We have the players to play like Boro but it's Hecky's tactics that suffocate our attacks. Too many of our goals come from scrappy rebounds and not from great build up play, or we rely on set pieces. As such, we make it hard for ourselves and easy for opponents to defend against us. How often do you see us release the ball to a strikers feet, splitting the defence and beating offside to go one on one with the keeper, or an early enough pass for their first touch to be a shot?

We don't need a new striker, we need better tactics, but Hecky doesn't have anything else up his sleeve. It's try plan A. When plan A doesn't work keep trying plan A to see if plan A will work. When plan A ultimately fails then stick with plan A and change some players, because clearly they're the problem and not the tactics. Failing that with 10 minutes to go, take off a defender and bring on a striker and start lumping it up the pitch.

Heckingbottom. Good coach. Poor tactician. He's been outdone recently by a manager of a non-league side, a team in a relegation fight and a first time young manager who has turned a struggling team into promotion contenders, all in the last month, but referees and our players being too honest is clearly the problem and the reason why our strikers don't get decent service.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

CONFIRMED - Cameron Archer signs for the Blades - 4 year contract

After a good loan spell at Preston, Villa are reported to be looking to loan him out again. Send Mcburnie out on loan and either Jebbison/Osula, then get this lad in. Forward line of Sharp, Brewster, Ndiaye and Archer should do us.

www.s24su.com

Hindsight?
From last summer?

Fair play to whoever recommended it. He wasn’t a player on my radar & i was pleased with Khadra but I also don’t watch that much football or scout.

A few Blackburn fans didn’t seem particularly bothered we’d signed him which was possibly a warning sign.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

It was clear as day we just needed a couple of signings (both mentioned above would have been ideal) and I think we were just about home and hosed. Both could have been got in with fees agreed for the summer if we got promotion. The fact that we didn't is testament to us trying to us hoping we had enough rather than us making sure that we did.

Yep, and what makes it even more stupid and inexcusable was that our performance levels should have in no way convinced them that we could just breeze to promotion with what we had

It was a fucking miracle to find ourselves with the gap we had. So what you do is make damn sure that you capitalise on an unexpected gift of an opportunity, be ruthless and do what needs to be done. Instead it appears we were lazy, stupid and complacent

It might end up like the McCabe / Nick Blackman moment but much more costly

 

[AnstonBlade1]

Those two up front ran a mock all night caused us all sorts of problems we just couldn’t handle them, they were too quick and strong.
Every time they went forward they looked like they had an extra man.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

Those two up front ran a mock all night caused us all sorts of problems we just couldn’t handle them, they were too quick and strong.
Every time they went forward they looked like they had an extra man.

Everytime they went forward they had space because they were so quick and positive in getting the ball forward.

Everytime we went forward we were too slow in the build up and ended up with no space and crowded out as a result.

Forward passes from players running with the ball to players running off it, versus players passing the ball to static players alongside or behind them. One approach created chances and goals, the other very little.

 

[Eza Blade]

Why the fuck do we need to put the boot in on Brewster. Apart from getting ruined by our training facilities why do out fans have to look to call out our players after a loss even when there not on the pitch

 

[Sheffsteel]

Akpom 2.75 million. Rhian 23.5 million. The Middlesbrough guy was untouchable tonight and totally dominated our defence and disorientated midfield. Bad day at the office, press the reset button and go again on Saturday.

I can understand why you'd say that but you're basically suggesting we cheat and risk going bust?

We are already at danger levels with debt and you're suggesting is to ignore the alarm bells and go into more more debt.

It was only last week that Jebbo was the next big thing.

The Boro fan suggested our fan base would crack and become all nervous after just 1 defeat.
We just need to show character, hold our never and we'll still comfortably finish top 2.

EDIT: Agree with the poster above, there's no issue with strikers.
It's more the style of play, it's a pragmatic style linked to getting results but it's short termism.
The problem is...at the moment results are more important that performances, so we should accept however we perform if it gains results.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

I don't think the lack of a striker is the problem. It's the build up play and how we get the ball to them that is the problem. We rarely release the ball to them outside the 18 yard box, but wait until they're in the 18 yard box crowded out by players, where we need a lucky break or a defender to fail to clear it for them to shoot. When we do cross the ball it's usually crossed in from inside or the edge of the 18 yard box next to the goal line and aimed at the 6 yard box, where again, strikers are crowded by defenders. We rarely see a cross come into the box from out wide to a player running into the 18 yard box. They're already in there marked by a defender. We're too predictable in our build up play. We start an attack and more often than not, pass backwards and sideways (ooo, look how much possession we had!), where opponents track back in number. By the time we get it forward we've got banks of players to get through instead of three or four players due to playing "safety possession ball."

Time and time again last night Boro released the ball to their strikers running off ball outside the 18 yard box. Midfielders ran with the ball with runners either side of them. We don't play like that. Our off ball supporting players are always static stood in space, easy for defending players to read the pass so that when the ball is released the first touch is under pressure as opponents can see it coming from a mile off.

That said the one time we did release the ball early to a player, Ndiaye decided to take 10 touches and try to walk it in the net rather than shoot early. A wasted golden opportunity to extend the lead. Very poor decision making.

We have the players to play like Boro but it's Hecky's tactics that suffocate our attacks. Too many of our goals come from scrappy rebounds and not from great build up play, or we rely on set pieces. As such, we make it hard for ourselves and easy for opponents to defend against us. How often do you see us release the ball to a strikers feet, splitting the defence and beating offside to go one on one with the keeper, or an early enough pass for their first touch to be a shot?

We don't need a new striker, we need better tactics, but Hecky doesn't have anything else up his sleeve. It's try plan A. When plan A doesn't work keep trying plan A to see if plan A will work. When plan A ultimately fails then stick with plan A and change some players, because clearly they're the problem and not the tactics. Failing that with 10 minutes to go, take off a defender and bring on a striker and start lumping it up the pitch.

Heckingbottom. Good coach. Poor tactician. He's been outdone recently by a manager of a non-league side, a team in a relegation fight and a first time young manager who has turned a struggling team into promotion contenders, all in the last month, but referees and our players being too honest is clearly the problem and the reason why our strikers don't get decent service.

Rewatching the game this morning it was clearly a tactic of Carrick's to invite our midfield with the ball into their half and then win it back quickly, and getting it forward even quicker knowing full well there was no chance our midfield could turn and get back to cover.

Early on they did this successfully but slowed it down by passing back and giving us time to get back in shape. Clearly there was a shift in message mid way through the first half as from then on, they just pumped that hole between our def and midfield and there was nothing we could do.

Taking off Norwood (the one midfielder who was actually staying in that zone), just gave them a revolving door at our defence.

 

[SwissBlade]

Akpom 2.75 million. Rhian 23.5 million. The Middlesbrough guy was untouchable tonight and totally dominated our defence and disorientated midfield. Bad day at the office, press the reset button and go again on Saturday.

Akpom played well, but thought the players around him were better and brought him into the game. Archer, McGree and Forss were excellent.

 

[drblade]

Forget Akpom..... its Archer who we should have got, as a very obvious Khadra replacement, who would inevitably join a rival otherwise

If we were run half competently we would have brought in him and Lewis OBrien, at no unreasonable expense, and guaranteed ourselves promotion

Instead it is going to be very, very uncomfortable with a good team with a better manager chasing us down whose January business has made them better than us, if they weren't already

Tonight was a very in your face, painful blow that emphasised loud and clear the implications of a good January versus an inactive one. It was everything we feared it could be, it was the worst case scenario

If Abdullah costs himself millions over this, it serves him right

This.

UTB

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

Rewatching the game this morning it was clearly a tactic of Carrick's to invite our midfield with the ball into their half and then win it back quickly, and getting it forward even quicker knowing full well there was no chance our midfield could turn and get back to cover.

Early on they did this successfully but slowed it down by passing back and giving us time to get back in shape. Clearly there was a shift in message mid way through the first half as from then on, they just pumped that hole between our def and midfield and there was nothing we could do.

Taking off Norwood (the one midfielder who was actually staying in that zone), just gave them a revolving door at our defence.

That's what angered me the most, that Carrick made tactical changes and Hecky didn't. It was very poor tactical management by Hecky last night and his sub was baffling. Bringing on Ozzy to try to harass pacey midfielders. It was obvious that Ndiaye, McAtee and Berge were ineffective.

It's like punching yourself in the testicles and feeling pain then deciding to stop the pain by punching yourself over and over in the hope that it will go numb, when stopping punching yourself is the answer.

 

[SwissBlade]

Rewatching the game this morning it was clearly a tactic of Carrick's to invite our midfield with the ball into their half and then win it back quickly, and getting it forward even quicker knowing full well there was no chance our midfield could turn and get back to cover.

Early on they did this successfully but slowed it down by passing back and giving us time to get back in shape. Clearly there was a shift in message mid way through the first half as from then on, they just pumped that hole between our def and midfield and there was nothing we could do.

Taking off Norwood (the one midfielder who was actually staying in that zone), just gave them a revolving door at our defence.

Boro targeted Norwood, McAtee and Berge so they had no time on the ball and with no natural enforcer in midfield we probably needed to take off McAtee or Ndiaye and replace with Bash, we perhaps needed to drop to 1 up top and get the middle bolstered

Removing Norwood for Osborn was game over. Norwood came back into the game and Osborn for all his running, achieves very little, often giving the ball away stupidly.

McAtee was flustered at times and as you said on the other thread needed hauling - perhaps at half time

Boro made it a game of physicality and when they settled and did that our game was finished.

Good lesson and it highlights the need to bring in a more physical presence in midfield.

In many ways it reminded me of premiership games where we used Lundstram as the big unit

 

[Charlieblade]

I can understand why you'd say that but you're basically suggesting we cheat and risk going bust?

We are already at danger levels with debt and you're suggesting is to ignore the alarm bells and go into more more debt.

It was only last week that Jebbo was the next big thing.

The Boro fan suggested our fan base would crack and become all nervous after just 1 defeat.
We just need to show character, hold our never and we'll still comfortably finish top 2.

EDIT: Agree with the poster above, there's no issue with strikers.
It's more the style of play, it's a pragmatic style linked to getting results but it's short termism.
The problem is...at the moment results are more important that performances, so we should accept however we perform if it gains results.

Very good post. Right on the money, literally. At least someone understands about gambling on future debt. The only safe alternative was to sell Berge and, or Ndiaye. Ask yourself the. Questions. Do these guys absolutely guarantee goals and do the y fit in our dressing room? Will one or both get a season ending injury. Will one or both get banged up for a hidden offence, just when we need them most?
Something else totally out of the blue could still scupper our season. This is United after all.
End result - no promotion and more debt.

We ain’t got no money and even hindsight can’t get us extra players. We do it with what we’ve got, or not at all.

Support United or go for another club. One with deep pockets and long arms. Rant over.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

That's what angered me the most, that Carrick made tactical changes and Hecky didn't. It was very poor tactical management by Hecky last night and his sub was baffling. Bringing on Ozzy to try to harass pacey midfielders. It was obvious that Ndiaye, McAtee and Berge were ineffective.

It's like punching yourself in the testicles and feeling pain then deciding to stop the pain by punching yourself over and over in the hope that it will go numb, when stopping punching yourself is the answer.

That's where I'm disagree. I think Osborn at LCM holding that channel, protecting JLT giving us energy and mobility in there was just what we needed. I'd argue he should have started instead of McAtee in that role. (personally I think our best XI would be playing Ndiaye as a No 9 and McAtee in the MGW but that's a thread for another day).

That's what frustrates me. The evidence is that this system is most successful when we have a LCM and RCM who are lung busting up and down merchants a la Fleck and Lundstram that first PL season. Since then we've not replaced either. Osborn is the closest we have but I'm consistently flabbergasted that we've had half a dozen transfer windows since then and not addressed that area...

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Boro targeted Norwood, McAtee and Berge so they had no time on the ball and with no natural enforcer in midfield we probably needed to take off McAtee or Ndiaye and replace with Bash, we perhaps needed to drop to 1 up top and get the middle bolstered

Removing Norwood for Osborn was game over. Norwood came back into the game and Osborn for all his running, achieves very little, often giving the ball away stupidly.

McAtee was flustered at times and as you said on the other thread needed hauling - perhaps at half time

Boro made it a game of physicality and when they settled and did that our game was finished.

Good lesson and it highlights the need to bring in a more physical presence in midfield.

In many ways it reminded me of premiership games where we used Lundstram as the big unit

Yep, as I've just said on another post, the evidence is this system worked best with Lundstram and Fleck covering every blade of grass. Osborn is the closest we have to that, but not buying midfielders with that skillset for the past 3 seasons now is where the issue truly lies. Not noticing this from 30min onwards is on Hecky. Osborn and Basham would have been a bold, but much stronger tactically move.

Last night we had a window into what the PL will look like. If we think a midfield of Berge, Norwood, McAtee (I assume Citeh would loan him back if we get promoted) is going to cut it, we've seen tonight we'll get over-run every week.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

If there was one game I could accept Hecky putting the shutters up at 1-0, it was this one. I'm surprised we didn't, certainly not effectively

All we needed was a fucking draw. And we couldn't manage that even after being 1-0 up

It soon became apparent what a threat they were with 4 out and out attacking players with pace and quality, who they played quickly and directly to. If there is any game, any circumstances, any type of opponent to sit back against in a solid shape it was surely this one

I thought we'd at least make changes in this direction after half time, but nothing changed, nothing improved and, as seems to be a theme with Hecky, the half time break is more of a positive for our opponents than for us. I wonder why.....?

 

[raimond]

Yep, as I've just said on another post, the evidence is this system worked best with Lundstram and Fleck covering every blade of grass. Osborn is the closest we have to that, but not buying midfielders with that skillset for the past 3 seasons now is where the issue truly lies. Not noticing this from 30min onwards is on Hecky. Osborn and Basham would have been a bold, but much stronger tactically move.

Last night we had a window into what the PL will look like. If we think a midfield of Berge, Norwood, McAtee (I assume Citeh would loan him back if we get promoted) is going to cut it, we've seen tonight we'll get over-run every week.

We've got Coulibaly to be the physical presence which Lundstram was when he was arsed.

Norwood's class but despite the stats saying he wins us the ball, he does it by being smart, nicking it and reading it. McAtee and Berge are good footballers but they're both total luxury players. Neither get a challenge in.... McAtee had a stinker last night but at least gave his all. When the going's tough Sander actively hides- he doesn't show for the ball whatsoever. You can watch his movement disappear altogether. Great footballer potentially but his issues are all in his head and heart.

Stick a physical presence in to protect Norwood and let him do his thing, and set free the other (either Sander, McAtee or Doyle) and suddenly we've got a midfield. I don't think it's the players as such, it's the balance.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

We've got Coulibaly to be the physical presence which Lundstram was when he was arsed.

Norwood's class but despite the stats saying he wins us the ball, he does it by being smart, nicking it and reading it. McAtee and Berge are good footballers but they're both total luxury players. Neither get a challenge in.... McAtee had a stinker last night but at least gave his all. When the going's tough Sander actively hides- he doesn't show for the ball whatsoever. You can watch his movement disappear altogether. Great footballer potentially but his issues are all in his head and heart.

Stick a physical presence in to protect Norwood and let him do his thing, and set free the other (either Sander, McAtee or Doyle) and suddenly we've got a midfield. I don't think it's the players as such, it's the balance.

We've been saying this exact same thing since tucking into our Christmas Dinner with just 2 points...

We've got x4 freakin LBs, x3 LCBs but not one single physical midfielder...