Coventry 1 United 0 - report

[Deadbat]

The Blades poor run since the international break continued as they failed to win for the 5th straight game losing at bottom of the table side Coventry. United have now only picked up 2 points from 15 and are now looking a completely different side that accelerated to the top of the table after the first 10 games of the season. Injuries, suspensions and loss of form has meant the Blades now are struggling to know where they next win is coming from after a run that is more akin to a side trying to avoid relegation than one chasing a promotion place.



It is the worst run since Heckingbottom took over and questions over team selection, tactics and the overall shape/solidity of the Blades are being aimed in his direction with good reason after such a big decline in results and performances so quickly despite the injury issues. Tonight, the Blades probably were slightly the better of two really poor sides but other than a miscued free kick from Norwood that hit the bar and an excellent effort from McBurnie that came off the post, struggled to create much. Coventry created even less but a moment of madness from the experienced Basham saw the visitors concede a late penalty and Waghorn was clinical from the spot and this was enough to take the crucial three points.



Heckingbottom made three changes with Davies, Ahmedhodzic and McBurnie coming in for Foderingham, McAtee and Sharp. Osborn moved into the midfield area with the defence at least looking more settled. Coventry had played less games than anyone else due to issues with the pitch and needed confirmation they could even use the stadium after Wasps had been liquidated in the week. They made one change with Michael Rose in for Callum Doyle. Gustavo Hamer was back on the bench and City started with Godden and Gyokeres, the strike partnership that had ripped United to shreds last week at the CBS Arena.



The game began when United won a free kick down the right but it bounced out off a Blades man. The game struggled to get going and neither side could build any momentum in a contest that lacked intensity and courage from both sides. The safety-first nature was shown when the home side went backwards to their keeper and United did likewise. On 10 minutes a decent piece of work from Ndiaye saw him feed Norrington Davies but the United player pulled up and it seemed yet another non-contact injury. Whether it was hamstring or ligament was unclear but he had to be stretchered off-putting serious doubts about his availability short term but also crucially for him, the World Cup.



McAtee came on and Osborn went back to left wing back. Ahmedhodzic got away with a handball before Davies’ poor kick out soon after summed up the sloppy start from the Blades. The home side were not much better and Godden went down injured also but he was able to carry on. As has been the case in recent games, only Ndiaye looked like providing a spark and he tried to get on the ball and create but lacked help from his teammates and could not do it all himself.



Ahmedhodzic had to step in after Doyle’s give away before City had a spell of territory but the first effort on goal was woeful and a long way wide and over after Norwood got away with a foul in the build-up. McBurnie tried to play Ndiaye in but he was caught offside. The game was really poor and lacked skill and creativity with it being played at such a slow pace.



McAtee’s first real meaningful impact nearly saw him sent off and he was maybe fortunate to get away with a bad tackle where he dived in but after a long delay, referee Stroud deemed it to be a yellow card offence. Sheaf then brought down Ndiaye as he looked to break and he was booked drawing frustration from the home fans who felt the first offence was significantly more dangerous. Their mood was not helped when Dabo was then booked for an innocuous tackle on Basham and a series of decisions around this period went against the home side. Ndiaye was tripped out wide and the free kick then led to two corners but Doyle’s shot was a long way wide but at least an effort from United after they too, like the home side, had never looked remotely like scoring.



The end of the half saw both sides win corners and United at least had a spell of possession with Baldock, Ahmedhodzic and Norwood involved in the best spell of football the visitors had played but they could not fashion a decent opportunity. It had been a really poor game and the City fans felt the referee had not helped with his handling of such a tepid contest.



The second half saw United win an early corner but this was cleared before Coventry came and had a dangerous attack as a give away from Doyle nearly played them in but the shot was blocked before an offside flag went up. United then won a free kick after Dabo baulked Osborn, with the Coventry man having now to be very careful being already on a yellow card. Norwood’s free kick seemed to be overplayed but glanced off the top of the bar with Wilson looking concerned as he misjudged the flight. It may not have been intentional but was the closest either side had come to scoring.



Norwood’s silly foul saw Coventry finally win a free kick drawing cheers from the crowd but the sliced shot that ensued summed it up. Dabo came off for Hamer as Robins looked to maybe protect the defender after his challenge earlier in the half. Ahmedhodzic was caught leading to another yellow card before Ndiaye came inside and hit a cross shot that went out on the far side with Wilson maybe getting a touch.



McAtee had not been in the game but a nutmeg got him in a good position but his cross was deflected into the keeper before finally after an hour United got an effort on goal as McBurnie’s header was comfortable for the City keeper. Waghorn and Palmer came on for Allen and Godden as City tried to find a spark in the game. United had created little but they had created even less and the fans were starting to become frustrated.



Ndiaye’s skill and weaving runs were maybe the only thing of quality for both sides and he continued to try and find space but had little help from his teammates. Coventry finally fashioned a chance when Hamer got in after a penalty appeal was waved away for a tackle on Palmer and his fellow sub flashed a shot that Davies had to push behind.



Ndiaye run and shot saw him curl it not far wide in a decent effort before the same man was cynically brought down by McFadzean who was booked and United had a decent spell with the best effort of the game as after it was moved around, McBurnie hit a powerful shot that hit the post with Wilson beaten. The ball came back in and Ahmedhodzic’s header was at the goalkeeper. United had not been good and struggled to create any momentum but had bit the bar and post. Fleck came on for Doyle and United were looking more likely if anyone would nick it but with 5 minutes left a moment of madness cost them the game.



Gyokeres had been kept quiet but was allowed to turn and Basham let him run through before stupidly diving in and clearly took him down. The referee needed help off his assistant but it was as clear a penalty as you could wish to see and finally, they got the right decision. WAGHORN took it and converted confidently despite Davies going the right way.



Sharp came on for the despondent Basham and United won two late corners but could not really fashion a clear chance with a ball going over Sharp at the far post and McBurnie having an effort blocked. The referee played an extra two minutes on top of the additional time but the final whistle finally came and United were defeated again; their third defeat in four games and they have fallen off a cliff since the break. United sit bottom of the form table and in real danger of completely wasting an excellent start to the season with so many teams bunched so close together.

 

[Deadbat]

United – We look so flat and devoid of energy and confidence. The injuries are not helping and we got another big one it seems but I still expect more from some very experienced players who need to do much more. We have gone from a side who looked like scoring quite a few goals to one that is struggling to muster a chance at the moment. We need stop feeling sorry for ourselves and impose ourselves more. Tonight, we maybe shaded it and did hit the post but it was a stretch to even say we deserved to win it. If anyone did, it was perhaps us and 1-0 to us may have been more just but 0-0 was about what the game deserved. They had one shot saved and we had one off the post. Outside of that – nothing. It was a game mired in midfield and nothing happened really. We barely moved it forward and other than the odd scraps and bit of Ndiaye quality, did we do anything outside of the McBurnie effort. Not sure Norwood meant the one off the bar?



The worrying thing is Coventry were garbage. Absolute rubbish. They barely had an attack. Gave it away and were slow and clumsy. The front lad Gyokeres was never in it till the end and we should be putting away such an awful side 2 or 3-0. I am sick of the injury excuses too. We had 8 or 9 of our strongest side (Bogle and Berge maybe only two who would get in – Wes/Davies of course but keeper had nothing to do!). We have enough experienced players to beat the bottom of the league but again too many passengers, too many waiting for things to happen and too many sadly not good enough. That includes a number of pros who have been here a while. Doyle and McAtee look nice footballers but lack physicality and presence. The latter has been a major disappointment and is miles off senior men’s football at this level sadly. Osborn is just not good enough and Bash is making bad mistakes every week. Not sure the others like Norwood, Egan, Baldock, McBurnie are doing enough. Anel was ok and Ndiaye excellent but the rest were very average. They did not impose themselves. Too many are going through the motions and are almost feeling sorry for themselves. It’s odd. We had been in great form and yes have lost a few players but that does not mean the rest just stop running and competing and being brave in what they do. We have played safe attacking wise and made mistake after mistake the other way. We have gone from being an exciting and attacking side to a very average to poor one who barely looks like scoring but you know will toss goals away the other end. We look dull and boring now. This is remarkable after we looked so fresh and energetic only a month or so again.



The result is a run of awful performances and points total and you worry how we can get going again? Big test for Hecky now to actually see if he can adapt and change things both personnel, tactics and approach. We seem to be lacking in motivation and too many need to wake up. He leads this so he has to take responsibility. His selections and subs are a major worry but the lack of a clear plan of how we break bad teams down is a major concern. We have now struggled hugely against some dire sides and yet they get through us easily. Tonight, they only needed to do it once and we again make an appalling error.



Even though we are 4th, we know we lose a few more and we are mid table and promotion seems a long way off. We are now playing a tough run of games too – this last lot was the easier section – which is a real concern. Norwich are off form too but their attackers will worry us more than ours with them you would think. Then Burnley and a few others who are better than whom we have played you would sense. I thought we may drop some points and with the changes every week in personnel (Some our own fault – McBurnie and Wes and you could argue the number of pulls/hamstrings that we have a big internal issue at the club?).



It's a big game Saturday but we said that tonight and last week and the players and manager have failed to respond. He keeps going on about injuries etc but he needs to look within at these and also realise he and the players need to sharpen up or they will achieve nothing this season. It may seem a harsh assessment but I have been shocked how timid and slow we have been in everything we have done since the break. We look like we are waiting for things to happen. Take Ndiaye out and I am not sure we have anyone who can actually get us up the field. We are packed full of slow, weak and/or little players. Saying that we still have a spine that should mean we need to be doing much better than we have seen in the recent run of games. He needs to give the likes of Brewster and Khadra games now. We may be exposed at the back but McAtee and Osborn are a waste of time. They do nothing to affect games really.



Ratings:



Davies 6/10 – Couple of dodgy kick outs but did not have anything to do first half at all. Second half made one save he pushed out and then the penalty which he had no chance with.



Baldock 6/10 – Steady and at least he tried to get on the ball and link. Usual lack of final ball but I felt he showed more energy than most first half. Second half not sure he got forward as much but wasted any chances he had to cross.



Norrington Davies – One run down the left and bang down he goes. Like Lowe, Berge, Clark and Robinson, another hamstring/muscle injury. Clearly there is major issues with the conditioning/fitness side as we are picking up the same sort of injury constantly. Shame as before his poor game Saturday he has been one of our best players but looks the sort of injury that could see him out for a few months and maybe the World Cup. Sad for him and now we have three left wing backs (four if you count Bogle out). Osborn cannot play there so he will have to play Robinson in this position you would think. Given up on Stevens and Clark – not sure we will see either of them for a long time, if at all.



Ahmedhodzic 6.5/10 – Handball early but he looked one of our better players first half. Got on it and tried to link/run forward and made a few interceptions where he used his body/strength. Had a few forward runs too at the end of the half. Second half he had one header and he at least tried to step out to put us on the attack.



Basham 3/10 – Steady to begin if a little rushed when he had the ball but defensively not sure there were big errors to start with. He was ok and I felt had his best game for a while and stopped some dangerous forwards but then he ruins it all with an absolutely stupid moment. He let his man get across him and then let him run and then compounded it by chopping him down. Obvious penalty. Was hooked soon after. He has been really poor this season and I hate to say it but the two-year contract might be a mistake on his performances now. Love the guy but likes of him, Sharp, Stevens and Fleck’s best days are long gone.



Egan 6.5/10 – Not sure I noticed him first half as they, like us, barely had an attack. It was mired in midfield with nobody running ahead of the strikers. He had a few headers off target again but he did ok when he had the ball and not sure they got many chances from him.



Norwood 5/10 – Not his best game – not sure he had control of the game or impacted it that much. Few silly fouls and lucky not to get booked first half and his passing was a bit mixed and seemed to take an age to do things. Not sure he got on the ball and when he did it was all a bit safe and in front. He was ok but did he do enough to affect games.



Doyle 5.5/10 – He was one of our more involved players but he gave it away or did not make the right choices and at times the midfield was so far off the defence and the attack. One effort a long way off target but a few dangerous corners which are one of his big attributes. He does fade in games and he too gave it away a bit to set them on the attack. However his corners were a threat so would have left him on.



Osborn 2/10 – Terrible. He started left midfield and gave it away constantly or kept coming back. He looked so slow and weak. Went to left wing back and did not get much better really and Dabo got past him twice. He cannot use his right foot, looks so pedestrian and technically inept. Miles off the standard needed for a promotion side. Looks a League One squad player at best sadly. Nice lad but contributes next to nothing wherever he plays. He looks stuck in mud as players just run past him or overpower him. I would not even have him on the bench personally. Rather see a youngster like Arblaster personally. Not good enough but now may have to play as we have 4 left sided defenders crocked. You’d argue you could play Robinson here but then who plays centre back – as Bash is performing so badly too.



Ndiaye 8/10 – Our best player by a long stretch. Only one who wanted to get on the ball and at least shielded it and ran with it. He tried to find others or link but no one was close to him. He showed lovely control and ability to come away from opponents but he needs runners or people to get close to him. Felty sorry for him as he made run after run and tried to keep the ball moving or find space but no one helped him at all.



McBurnie 5/10 – Not been really at it last few weeks after that purple patch. He looks leggy and ineffective again and not even a nuisance factor after he had been really effective for a spell, scoring and working hard. Did have our best effort with the shot off the post but outside of this just seemed to be lumbering around without achieving anything. He had no real service though at all.





Subs –



McAtee 3/10 – He did score Saturday but most games he plays, he is non existent and looks lost. He does not know where to move to the ball, he struggles with the physical stuff and when he gets it there is no end product or he just gets rid of it quickly. He is not ready at all for this type of football.



Fleck – Weird change. Doyle’s set plays was one of our main dangers. Came on and ran into his own man and then put a few crosses in but now with McAtee not offering much, he may have to start.



Sharp – Pointless sub. We needed some pace to stretch them. He had one volley over. I am not Brewster’s biggest fan but he at least can offer something different in terms of running. Sharp is not an impact player.



Manager: Heckingbottom 2/10 – Poor team selection again (Osborn – really?) and his subs were too late and pointless in terms of the impact they would have. Khadra and Brewster have not been great but both offer something different. Tactically we look so clueless how to break bad teams down and the main tactic seems to be give it to Ndiaye and hope something happens. We lack fluency and idea really and then defensively we keep making mistakes. At the moment the side is lacking hunger and energy and he needs to somehow get these players back to what they were. Even with the injuries we need to show more about us in terms of forward play and being more purposeful. We look like we are just turning up and hoping at the moment. The questions asked from him at Leeds and Hibs will be asked of him here if the form and performances continue as sadly his coaching deficiencies seem to be coming to the fore now. It is first big test so we will see how we respond but current form and results suggest it is hard to see where the next win is coming from and it may get worse before it gets better.





Coventry – Awful. Might have been the worst side we have played. Had one shot (Hamer) and the rest of the game they gave it away, fouled and moaned. They did not keep it and looked a side that was lacking confidence. A good side would have beat them easily. One run and stupid tackle and they win it. Ridiculous they won for how bad they were but not sure we were much better? They have some quite agricultural players but they were barely tested at all. Maybe the win will kick start them but take out Gyokeres (same with us with Ndiaye) and they look a poor side and you can see why they have struggled albeit played less games.





Opponent Man of the Match – Not sure anyone was great – maybe Gyokeres just for the forward run and drawing the penalty. The two centre halves headed it and kicked it away but not sure they were great.



Opponent Weak link – Maybe the ref! He did his best at times in general play for us. Dabo could and maybe should have walked for a clumsy foul after a yellow. I think McFadzean the centre back and ex Blade is a poor player and we did not exploit him at all.



Referee/Officials – Keith Stroud. Did 4 games last season but not sure he was that controversial but do recall him having a few ‘poor’ ones mixed with some ‘ok’ games in taking United. Tonight, he could have sent McAtee off (looked a bad one and think we would have been crying out for a red) and then could have sent Dabo off (bottled it after not sending ours off and the crowd getting on his back). He gave some odd fouls and then started booking loads of their players – some deserved and some not. Thought we got more than our fair share of the 50-50’s and as Saturday we cannot blame the ref. He did seem to miss the spot kick but the assistant gave it. Rightly so. It was a stonewall.

 

[Deadbat]

Hecky says we were strong without the ball and for long spells with it.

Disappointing interview and says how they keep clean sheets so are tough to play against - they were bottom! He talked about how good they can be - they were terrible and were there for the taking but we lacked positivity and did not select the right changes/make the subs to take the game to them.

He seemed a bit clueless and was taking about set plays being our main threat.

Asked if we had not gone forward more and he said he disagreed with it massively. He says that the wing backs ran forward and we attacked.

Seen a different game to me.

 

[Rudders]

Hecky says we were strong without the ball and for long spells with it.

Disappointing interview and says how they keep clean sheets so are tough to play against - they were bottom! He talked about how good they can be - they were terrible and were there for the taking but we lacked positivity and did not select the right changes/make the subs to take the game to them.

He seemed a bit clueless and was taking about set plays being our main threat.

Asked if we had not gone forward more and he said he disagreed with it massively. He says that the wing backs ran forward and we attacked.

Seen a different game to me.

Clueless. Sounds truly delusional. I know he can't chuck the players under the bus but wow. Worrying me now. Just get back to basics. This is the Hecky that got sacked from Hibs, not the one riding high with us at the top of the league. Zero fire.

 

[Addison]

Mirrors my thoughts on where we are. We are in a downward spiral and the manager game by game is looking incapable of arresting the slide. Last seasons inept safety first away tactics have reappeared and it is painful to watch.

Another hamstring injury is testament to the poor conditioning of the players. Yet no-one seems to be taking responsibility for it with local journos fearful of even mentioning the subject. It is the single reason behind why we are faltering yet the policy seems to be sweep the subject under the carpet and hope it goes away. It won't and shows no signs of improving if you continue to bury your head in the sand.

As for the continued selection of Osborn the manager has a worrying blind spot with the player. Yes he runs around and does as he is told but he never has a positive affect on the game. He'll start on Saturday at LWB and Narwich will target his lack of pace and height. JLT at LWB would be a sensible choice but it wont happen.

We're at the bottom of the form table so being in 4th place is irrelevant. As you say the players have to take some responsibility for their performance on the pitch but there has been no sign of it in the last 2 games. The Anel lucky charm has also now disappeared.

A third of the season gone. We're at a crossroads already promotion form in the first 10 games relegation in the last 5. PH has to get into the players the next 48 hours and challenge them to prove they are capable of mounting a promotion challenge, stop feeling sorry for themselves and perform for 90 minutes. Nothing less than a front foot start on Saturday will be acceptable otherwise we will drift into mid table obscurity or worse.

 

[Roygbiv]

Spot on. Another poor performance against a truly awful side. To lose that game is a huge worry as you wouldn't think we will get many easier ones all season.

We look completely out of ideas and totally shattered. The injuries have been ridiculous but that team should have picked up 3 points tonight and yet we didn't have a meaningful shot on target .

It's a weird (terrible) league so you can't say we won't win on Saturday and go another run but right now, and looking at the next 4 games, we look more likely to be mid table than top by the time of the World Cup which is incredible given where we were a month ago

 

[blades_95]

Hecky says we were strong without the ball and for long spells with it.

Disappointing interview and says how they keep clean sheets so are tough to play against - they were bottom! He talked about how good they can be - they were terrible and were there for the taking but we lacked positivity and did not select the right changes/make the subs to take the game to them.

He seemed a bit clueless and was taking about set plays being our main threat.

Asked if we had not gone forward more and he said he disagreed with it massively. He says that the wing backs ran forward and we attacked.

Seen a different game to me.

He’s not totally wrong, Baldock and Osborn do run forward. The problem is they both just chop back and slow everything down.

Might seem harsh but I’m sick of seeing Baldock run forward, chop back and pass to a centre half. Second half when he had about 12 minutes to pick a cross and delayed until their man got back and tackled him sums him up.

Osborn, I don’t even know what to say. The fact Wilder signed him for the Prem is hilarious, he’s just not very good is he.

Bash, a legend but he’s been poor since he came back from injury last season. Time’s up for him unfortunately.

One minor disagreement Deadbat, I thought McAtee was okay tonight. Not helped by playing on Osborn and Basham’s side but some neat touches & passes, beat his man a few times and put a couple of decent balls in. Not great, but the bar was low tonight.

 

[Harry's Game]

Going to go out on a limb here…

….Hecky isn’t going to be manager of the month for October.

 

[Hillsboro Blade]

When a Manager is saying the complete opposite to what 90% of supporters have just watched, he needs to stop the fucking bullshit. Say it how it is, adapt, and for fucks sake change your tactics away from home. The most negative away performance I’ve seen in many years was at Coventry with that prolific scorer Willie Falconer up front. A nil nil bore. Tonight was close to that. Just man the fuck up Paul, have a go for gods sake, we’ve got the players for it!!

 

[Champagneblade]

Hecky says we were strong without the ball and for long spells with it.

Disappointing interview and says how they keep clean sheets so are tough to play against - they were bottom! He talked about how good they can be - they were terrible and were there for the taking but we lacked positivity and did not select the right changes/make the subs to take the game to them.

He seemed a bit clueless and was taking about set plays being our main threat.

Asked if we had not gone forward more and he said he disagreed with it massively. He says that the wing backs ran forward and we attacked.

Seen a different game to me.

Hate to say it but once the Manager starts giving interviews where he's seen a different game to the fans then they start to be on borrowed time.

You can't afford too many of those and 5 without a win is longer than a blip.

As you say injuries are a concern. Was the fitness guy from Preston a bad appointment?

But they aren't an excuse.

I think my best XI would probably be:

Wes
Anel Egan Norrington-Davies/Robbo
Bogle Norwood Doyle Lowe/RND
Berge N'Diaye
McBurnie

Toss a coin on whether Robbo plays LCB or it's Lowe at LWB.

Today we started with 7 of those.

It's not as if the replacements were kids. They were a Welsh capped Keeper in Davies who probably makes the Wales WC squad and didn't negatively impact the game, a guy we paid 3.5m for (Tiny Tim Osborn), our longest serving player (Basham) and one of our most consistent performers (Baldock).

This wasn't us scratching around for a team like at Stoke.

When are Stevens and Clark fit again? Osborn looks totally out of his depth. He has no impact on the game at all. It's like watching someone play in socks while everyone else plays in boots.

At best our salvation is going to rely on Robinson/Clark/Stevens coming back.

Maybe he's not fully finished but to not acknowledge Basham's lack of form is negligent.

Either way being so passive from the bench doesn't help either. Why we chose not to have Khadra and Brewster run at them in the latter parts of the game while a number of players were on bookings? Perplexing.

 

[Keen Blade]

Hecky says we were strong without the ball and for long spells with it.

Disappointing interview and says how they keep clean sheets so are tough to play against - they were bottom! He talked about how good they can be - they were terrible and were there for the taking but we lacked positivity and did not select the right changes/make the subs to take the game to them.

He seemed a bit clueless and was taking about set plays being our main threat.

Asked if we had not gone forward more and he said he disagreed with it massively. He says that the wing backs ran forward and we attacked.

Seen a different game to me.

Hecky has lost the plot.
2 points from 15.
Players looking like they either can't be arsed or don't know how to play.
Injuries excuse doesn't wash.
To Deadbat's slow , small & weak , I will add clueless.
God knows how bad Lopata must have been for us to let him drift away for nowt - the way I remember him playing , there is only Anel ahead of him at CB.
Agree that Osborn & McAtee add nowt
Agree that a lot of the older pros are genuinely past-it or coasting.
And if course we are stuck with our 2 £20m strikers , yet PH picked Sharp on Saturday.
All adds up to a very poorly performing squad when you think if it's size & cost in wages.
But to get back to the main point - Hecky has lost the plot if he thinks that performance was anything other than poor from the 18 at his disposal.
I can't bear to think of 4 seasons listening to him if he's gonna start trying to kid us + kid himself.

 

[Grappler]

Hate to say it but once the Manager starts giving interviews where he's seen a different game to the fans then they start to be on borrowed time.

You can't afford too many of those and 5 without a win is longer than a blip.

As you say injuries are a concern. Was the fitness guy from Preston a bad appointment?

But they aren't an excuse.

I think my best XI would probably be:

Wes
Anel Egan Norrington-Davies/Robbo
Bogle Norwood Doyle Lowe/RND
Berge N'Diaye
McBurnie

Toss a coin on whether Robbo plays LCB or it's Lowe at LWB.

Today we started with 7 of those.

It's not as if the replacements were kids. They were a Welsh capped Keeper in Davies who probably makes the Wales WC squad and didn't negatively impact the game, a guy we paid 3.5m for (Tiny Tim Osborn), our longest serving player (Basham) and one of our most consistent performers (Baldock).

This wasn't us scratching around for a team like at Stoke.

When are Stevens and Clark fit again? Osborn looks totally out of his depth. He has no impact on the game at all. It's like watching someone play in socks while everyone else plays in boots.

At best our salvation is going to rely on Robinson/Clark/Stevens coming back.

Maybe he's not fully finished but to not acknowledge Basham's lack of form is negligent.

Either way being so passive from the bench doesn't help either. Why we chose not to have Khadra and Brewster run at them in the latter parts of the game while a number of players were on bookings? Perplexing.

"...Either way being so passive from the bench doesn't help either. Why we chose not to have Khadra and Brewster run at them in the latter parts of the game while a number of players were on bookings?..."

With 15-20 minutes to go, I would guess we were all thinking, "bring Khadra on, leave him up front, start firing balls forward to him, they won't want to come too far up the pitch if they know they will end up in a foot race with Khadra".

Well, at least I was thinking that.

 

[Champagneblade]

"...Either way being so passive from the bench doesn't help either. Why we chose not to have Khadra and Brewster run at them in the latter parts of the game while a number of players were on bookings?..."

With 15-20 minutes to go, I would guess we were all thinking, "bring Khadra on, leave him up front, start firing balls forward to him, they won't want to come too far up the pitch if they know they will end up in a foot race with Khadra".

Well, at least I was thinking that.

It's wasn't even requiring ingenuity or creativity. Just do what we did against Swansea in almost the exact same game situation!

 

[KiwiBlabe]

The worrying thing is Coventry were garbage. Absolute rubbish. They barely had an attack. Gave it away and were slow and clumsy.
And
Either way being so passive from the bench doesn't help either. Why we chose not to have Khadra and Brewster run at them in the latter parts of the game while a number of players were on bookings? Perplexing.

The above 2 are the worrying things for me. I wont go in on individuals, but as a team, well we didn't loo like a team at all. Poor body language and the movement when we had the ball was beyond bad. Worrying times, but not unsurmountable yet.............as long as no more injuries...........yeah right

 

[Revolution]

Game management is a bit of a concern.

Now we have five subs:

• for me, there is no excuse for not bringing on a defender at half time on Saturday when we have 2 on the bench and 3 of the back 5 are playing awfully
• for me, there is no excuse for not bringing on Robinson when RND gets injured (unless Robinson is not fit enough, which begs the question as to why he's on the bench).

I realise there is a fine line between doing things for the sake of it and sitting there and losing, but for me we are potentially losing points because Heckingbottom is not reactive enough.

And if McBurnie is carrying an injury and Brewster is on the bench, why on earth is McBurnie playing a whole game? Didn't we just go through this crap with Bogle? Didn't we just leave Fleck and Sharp on when they were carrying injuries, to their detriment? What are they doing?

 

[Rufus Smalls]

Good report as usual thanks Deadbat. I would have given McBurnie a slightly higher score. Thought he got stuck in and had to feed off scraps from our ‘creative’ midfielders. Unlucky with hitting the post and won some good headers in defence. How frustrating must it have been for him to be looking for some extra pace up front to help him out and win the game, only for the manager to bring Fleck on the pitch with probably the orders to ‘sit in’ midfield.

 

[Blade59]

Pretty asccuarate assessment overall but thought Mcburnie deserved a bit higher mark and didn't think Mcatee was that bad but agree both him and Doyle are lacking physically. I said after about 20 minutes in that this has a 1-0 defeat written all over it and so it proved. Coventry were rubish but we didn't wake up to that fact until about 70 minutes. Had we been lass passive and safe from the start that is an easy win but then off course we go and hand them the three points through a stupid decision by Bash.

 

[Bladesince59]

Hecky is poor isn't he? Every game we question his team selection and his lack of meaningful subs. Every game it's the same outcome. Getting fed up with him now.

 

[metalblade]

United – We look so flat and devoid of energy and confidence. The injuries are not helping and we got another big one it seems but I still expect more from some very experienced players who need to do much more. We have gone from a side who looked like scoring quite a few goals to one that is struggling to muster a chance at the moment. We need stop feeling sorry for ourselves and impose ourselves more. Tonight, we maybe shaded it and did hit the post but it was a stretch to even say we deserved to win it. If anyone did, it was perhaps us and 1-0 to us may have been more just but 0-0 was about what the game deserved. They had one shot saved and we had one off the post. Outside of that – nothing. It was a game mired in midfield and nothing happened really. We barely moved it forward and other than the odd scraps and bit of Ndiaye quality, did we do anything outside of the McBurnie effort. Not sure Norwood meant the one off the bar?



The worrying thing is Coventry were garbage. Absolute rubbish. They barely had an attack. Gave it away and were slow and clumsy. The front lad Gyokeres was never in it till the end and we should be putting away such an awful side 2 or 3-0. I am sick of the injury excuses too. We had 8 or 9 of our strongest side (Bogle and Berge maybe only two who would get in – Wes/Davies of course but keeper had nothing to do!). We have enough experienced players to beat the bottom of the league but again too many passengers, too many waiting for things to happen and too many sadly not good enough. That includes a number of pros who have been here a while. Doyle and McAtee look nice footballers but lack physicality and presence. The latter has been a major disappointment and is miles off senior men’s football at this level sadly. Osborn is just not good enough and Bash is making bad mistakes every week. Not sure the others like Norwood, Egan, Baldock, McBurnie are doing enough. Anel was ok and Ndiaye excellent but the rest were very average. They did not impose themselves. Too many are going through the motions and are almost feeling sorry for themselves. It’s odd. We had been in great form and yes have lost a few players but that does not mean the rest just stop running and competing and being brave in what they do. We have played safe attacking wise and made mistake after mistake the other way. We have gone from being an exciting and attacking side to a very average to poor one who barely looks like scoring but you know will toss goals away the other end. We look dull and boring now. This is remarkable after we looked so fresh and energetic only a month or so again.



The result is a run of awful performances and points total and you worry how we can get going again? Big test for Hecky now to actually see if he can adapt and change things both personnel, tactics and approach. We seem to be lacking in motivation and too many need to wake up. He leads this so he has to take responsibility. His selections and subs are a major worry but the lack of a clear plan of how we break bad teams down is a major concern. We have now struggled hugely against some dire sides and yet they get through us easily. Tonight, they only needed to do it once and we again make an appalling error.



Even though we are 4th, we know we lose a few more and we are mid table and promotion seems a long way off. We are now playing a tough run of games too – this last lot was the easier section – which is a real concern. Norwich are off form too but their attackers will worry us more than ours with them you would think. Then Burnley and a few others who are better than whom we have played you would sense. I thought we may drop some points and with the changes every week in personnel (Some our own fault – McBurnie and Wes and you could argue the number of pulls/hamstrings that we have a big internal issue at the club?).



It's a big game Saturday but we said that tonight and last week and the players and manager have failed to respond. He keeps going on about injuries etc but he needs to look within at these and also realise he and the players need to sharpen up or they will achieve nothing this season. It may seem a harsh assessment but I have been shocked how timid and slow we have been in everything we have done since the break. We look like we are waiting for things to happen. Take Ndiaye out and I am not sure we have anyone who can actually get us up the field. We are packed full of slow, weak and/or little players. Saying that we still have a spine that should mean we need to be doing much better than we have seen in the recent run of games. He needs to give the likes of Brewster and Khadra games now. We may be exposed at the back but McAtee and Osborn are a waste of time. They do nothing to affect games really.



Ratings:



Davies 6/10 – Couple of dodgy kick outs but did not have anything to do first half at all. Second half made one save he pushed out and then the penalty which he had no chance with.



Baldock 6/10 – Steady and at least he tried to get on the ball and link. Usual lack of final ball but I felt he showed more energy than most first half. Second half not sure he got forward as much but wasted any chances he had to cross.



Norrington Davies – One run down the left and bang down he goes. Like Lowe, Berge, Clark and Robinson, another hamstring/muscle injury. Clearly there is major issues with the conditioning/fitness side as we are picking up the same sort of injury constantly. Shame as before his poor game Saturday he has been one of our best players but looks the sort of injury that could see him out for a few months and maybe the World Cup. Sad for him and now we have three left wing backs (four if you count Bogle out). Osborn cannot play there so he will have to play Robinson in this position you would think. Given up on Stevens and Clark – not sure we will see either of them for a long time, if at all.



Ahmedhodzic 6.5/10 – Handball early but he looked one of our better players first half. Got on it and tried to link/run forward and made a few interceptions where he used his body/strength. Had a few forward runs too at the end of the half. Second half he had one header and he at least tried to step out to put us on the attack.



Basham 3/10 – Steady to begin if a little rushed when he had the ball but defensively not sure there were big errors to start with. He was ok and I felt had his best game for a while and stopped some dangerous forwards but then he ruins it all with an absolutely stupid moment. He let his man get across him and then let him run and then compounded it by chopping him down. Obvious penalty. Was hooked soon after. He has been really poor this season and I hate to say it but the two-year contract might be a mistake on his performances now. Love the guy but likes of him, Sharp, Stevens and Fleck’s best days are long gone.



Egan 6.5/10 – Not sure I noticed him first half as they, like us, barely had an attack. It was mired in midfield with nobody running ahead of the strikers. He had a few headers off target again but he did ok when he had the ball and not sure they got many chances from him.



Norwood 5/10 – Not his best game – not sure he had control of the game or impacted it that much. Few silly fouls and lucky not to get booked first half and his passing was a bit mixed and seemed to take an age to do things. Not sure he got on the ball and when he did it was all a bit safe and in front. He was ok but did he do enough to affect games.



Doyle 5.5/10 – He was one of our more involved players but he gave it away or did not make the right choices and at times the midfield was so far off the defence and the attack. One effort a long way off target but a few dangerous corners which are one of his big attributes. He does fade in games and he too gave it away a bit to set them on the attack. However his corners were a threat so would have left him on.



Osborn 2/10 – Terrible. He started left midfield and gave it away constantly or kept coming back. He looked so slow and weak. Went to left wing back and did not get much better really and Dabo got past him twice. He cannot use his right foot, looks so pedestrian and technically inept. Miles off the standard needed for a promotion side. Looks a League One squad player at best sadly. Nice lad but contributes next to nothing wherever he plays. He looks stuck in mud as players just run past him or overpower him. I would not even have him on the bench personally. Rather see a youngster like Arblaster personally. Not good enough but now may have to play as we have 4 left sided defenders crocked. You’d argue you could play Robinson here but then who plays centre back – as Bash is performing so badly too.



Ndiaye 8/10 – Our best player by a long stretch. Only one who wanted to get on the ball and at least shielded it and ran with it. He tried to find others or link but no one was close to him. He showed lovely control and ability to come away from opponents but he needs runners or people to get close to him. Felty sorry for him as he made run after run and tried to keep the ball moving or find space but no one helped him at all.



McBurnie 5/10 – Not been really at it last few weeks after that purple patch. He looks leggy and ineffective again and not even a nuisance factor after he had been really effective for a spell, scoring and working hard. Did have our best effort with the shot off the post but outside of this just seemed to be lumbering around without achieving anything. He had no real service though at all.





Subs –



McAtee 3/10 – He did score Saturday but most games he plays, he is non existent and looks lost. He does not know where to move to the ball, he struggles with the physical stuff and when he gets it there is no end product or he just gets rid of it quickly. He is not ready at all for this type of football.



Fleck – Weird change. Doyle’s set plays was one of our main dangers. Came on and ran into his own man and then put a few crosses in but now with McAtee not offering much, he may have to start.



Sharp – Pointless sub. We needed some pace to stretch them. He had one volley over. I am not Brewster’s biggest fan but he at least can offer something different in terms of running. Sharp is not an impact player.



Manager: Heckingbottom 2/10 – Poor team selection again (Osborn – really?) and his subs were too late and pointless in terms of the impact they would have. Khadra and Brewster have not been great but both offer something different. Tactically we look so clueless how to break bad teams down and the main tactic seems to be give it to Ndiaye and hope something happens. We lack fluency and idea really and then defensively we keep making mistakes. At the moment the side is lacking hunger and energy and he needs to somehow get these players back to what they were. Even with the injuries we need to show more about us in terms of forward play and being more purposeful. We look like we are just turning up and hoping at the moment. The questions asked from him at Leeds and Hibs will be asked of him here if the form and performances continue as sadly his coaching deficiencies seem to be coming to the fore now. It is first big test so we will see how we respond but current form and results suggest it is hard to see where the next win is coming from and it may get worse before it gets better.





Coventry – Awful. Might have been the worst side we have played. Had one shot (Hamer) and the rest of the game they gave it away, fouled and moaned. They did not keep it and looked a side that was lacking confidence. A good side would have beat them easily. One run and stupid tackle and they win it. Ridiculous they won for how bad they were but not sure we were much better? They have some quite agricultural players but they were barely tested at all. Maybe the win will kick start them but take out Gyokeres (same with us with Ndiaye) and they look a poor side and you can see why they have struggled albeit played less games.





Opponent Man of the Match – Not sure anyone was great – maybe Gyokeres just for the forward run and drawing the penalty. The two centre halves headed it and kicked it away but not sure they were great.



Opponent Weak link – Maybe the ref! He did his best at times in general play for us. Dabo could and maybe should have walked for a clumsy foul after a yellow. I think McFadzean the centre back and ex Blade is a poor player and we did not exploit him at all.



Referee/Officials – Keith Stroud. Did 4 games last season but not sure he was that controversial but do recall him having a few ‘poor’ ones mixed with some ‘ok’ games in taking United. Tonight, he could have sent McAtee off (looked a bad one and think we would have been crying out for a red) and then could have sent Dabo off (bottled it after not sending ours off and the crowd getting on his back). He gave some odd fouls and then started booking loads of their players – some deserved and some not. Thought we got more than our fair share of the 50-50’s and as Saturday we cannot blame the ref. He did seem to miss the spot kick but the assistant gave it. Rightly so. It was a stonewall.

Very much how I see things, a staggering change from how we were playing a month ago, disappointing to hear Hecky making out that Coventry are something like Real Madrid they are bobbins and bottom for a reason. I know they have played less games but I don't see that lot worrying the play off spots, a decent team will be beating them by 2 or 3.

 

[Sithblade]

Deadbat Webding your country needs you.
Tories and Labour are a busted flush. We’d be better off with The Tufty Club

Tories and Labour are a busted flush. We’d be better off with The Tufty Club

I KNOW Liz Truss came across like a talking doll but when it became clear she was cutting income tax, I imagined everyone would rush off to the pub to celebrate. But they didn’t. Instead, everyone …

www.thesun.co.uk

 

[Deadbat]

Superb. I'd start a campaign
...but I can't be arsed

 

[Champagneblade]

Superb. I'd start a campaign
...but I can't be arsed

To be fair, if the last incumbent had just done nothing, she'd have been better off, so you've got my vote

 

[Champagneblade]

Game management is a bit of a concern.

Now we have five subs:

• for me, there is no excuse for not bringing on a defender at half time on Saturday when we have 2 on the bench and 3 of the back 5 are playing awfully
• for me, there is no excuse for not bringing on Robinson when RND gets injured (unless Robinson is not fit enough, which begs the question as to why he's on the bench).

I realise there is a fine line between doing things for the sake of it and sitting there and losing, but for me we are potentially losing points because Heckingbottom is not reactive enough.

And if McBurnie is carrying an injury and Brewster is on the bench, why on earth is McBurnie playing a whole game? Didn't we just go through this crap with Bogle? Didn't we just leave Fleck and Sharp on when they were carrying injuries, to their detriment? What are they doing?

It's very true what you say.

These are logical things.

It's almost as if injuries have become such a focus that actual form of players is getting completely disregarded.

It's not like you're expecting the team to go 3-3-3-1 with McAtee up front, the opposition being bamboozled and the manager being lauded for pulling something unexpected out of the bag.

You're looking for things like:

• a player being well off form costing you goals being replaced. (Blackpool)
• a player carrying an injury already to have his minutes better managed. (Coventry)
• a couple of attack minded players to be introduced if only to try something different after you've failed to scored in the 70 so far. (Coventry)

These aren't earth shattering moves are they?
-

 

[cahill]

Judging by Deadbat’s report it’s starting to look like we should chalk off this season. Not much hope given the amount of injuries we have plus the disappointment of a couple of loan players failing to make an impact on games ( Khadra, McAtee).

Should the slide continue we can wave goodbye to the likes of Berge and Ndiaye in January, RND probably as well if he hadn’t been crocked.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Hecky has lost the plot.
2 points from 15.
Players looking like they either can't be arsed or don't know how to play.
Injuries excuse doesn't wash.
To Deadbat's slow , small & weak , I will add clueless.
God knows how bad Lopata must have been for us to let him drift away for nowt - the way I remember him playing , there is only Anel ahead of him at CB.
Agree that Osborn & McAtee add nowt
Agree that a lot of the older pros are genuinely past-it or coasting.
And if course we are stuck with our 2 £20m strikers , yet PH picked Sharp on Saturday.
All adds up to a very poorly performing squad when you think if it's size & cost in wages.
But to get back to the main point - Hecky has lost the plot if he thinks that performance was anything other than poor from the 18 at his disposal.
I can't bear to think of 4 seasons listening to him if he's gonna start trying to kid us + kid himself.

Your last sentence sums this up.
Thankfully, as we all knew a long while ago, a) he will not be here for the five years, no one would be, and b) if he starts spouting drivel, he will be forced out by the fan reaction.
I want him to stay for now, get promoted, and make us all happy. I do not want him sacked as he does deserve a proper chance.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

"...Either way being so passive from the bench doesn't help either. Why we chose not to have Khadra and Brewster run at them in the latter parts of the game while a number of players were on bookings?..."

With 15-20 minutes to go, I would guess we were all thinking, "bring Khadra on, leave him up front, start firing balls forward to him, they won't want to come too far up the pitch if they know they will end up in a foot race with Khadra".

Well, at least I was thinking that.

He looked horribly unfit in losing the ball v Blackpool by dithering. He was outstripped embarrassingly for pace by their man, almost leading to a fourth goal for them.

 

[Lower Drop Blade]

Bin the management asap he is completely out of his depth

 

[Keen Blade]

Your last sentence sums this up.
Thankfully, as we all knew a long while ago, a) he will not be here for the five years, no one would be, and b) if he starts spouting drivel, he will be forced out by the fan reaction.
I want him to stay for now, get promoted, and make us all happy. I do not want him sacked as he does deserve a proper chance.

Have you seen his selections today ?

 

[Balham Blade]

Hecky says we were strong without the ball and for long spells with it.

Disappointing interview and says how they keep clean sheets so are tough to play against - they were bottom! He talked about how good they can be - they were terrible and were there for the taking but we lacked positivity and did not select the right changes/make the subs to take the game to them.

He seemed a bit clueless and was taking about set plays being our main threat.

Asked if we had not gone forward more and he said he disagreed with it massively. He says that the wing backs ran forward and we attacked.

Seen a different game to me.

Coming back to this: he had a point. Coventry had conceded one goal in five games coming into Wednesday's match with us and it's now one in seven. They aren't great with the ball but they play with three or four forwards who force the game back towards the opposition goal. We lacked the guile to play through the lines as if we could have broken that initial press we would have had some joy running at their back 6. It also didn't help that the pitch was heavy and slow.

Finally, Coventry were bottom because they had played three fewer matches than anyone else. They're not a top half team but equally they're not the hopeless cases that their league position would perhaps have suggested (that award goes to Huddersfield).