Credit to Morgan

[diplomat]

As things stand I think swopping the mainstays who got us in a shout of automatic for kids who've played a few minutes here and there would have been suicide and Morgs would have been panned for it.

I think the up and at 'em approach we employed in the last two games can only be done at home and would be interested to see if we went more cautious.

I thought that had a Pompey win all over it today simply due to the buzz of the fans takeover I bet it was bouncing down there. Those players are playing for a contract next season whether it be at Pompey or anywhere else. I could see that having an impact.

Any news from anyone who went? Were we over run or did they just score three spozzy goals? (I've not seen or heard any stats or reports at this stage)

 

[Racy]

All the young uns have had is bit parts give them a run and they will come up with the goods.

 

[JohnDenver]

I suppose they've been running rings around other lads of their age?

Clearly not, but the bigger problem is we have a first team so immobile that the opposition runs rings around them.

It's about balance, but currently we're leaning too far in the direction of experience. The youngsters may not be fully ready, but the oldies are collectively past it. Let's dilute them a bit.

 

[super_pig]

All the young uns have had is bit parts give them a run and they will come up with the goods.

Amen

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Morgan making exactly the same mistakes as Wilson

Same squad but Morgan didn't build it

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Any news from anyone who went? Were we over run or did they just score three spozzy goals? (I've not seen or heard any stats or reports at this stage)

We started on the back foot, they looked well up for it as was to be expected. We then looked like we'd started to settle. Then they scored - too much space down the left (think McDonald claimed he was fouled) and an easy-looking header.

After that, we were all over the place and in less than 10 mins were 3-0 down. Heads had by that time well and truly sunk.

It was a bit like the Stevenage game, only we didn't come away with the positive of a McFadzean cameo - which along with Ironside would have made a lot of sense to bring on. We were well and truly awful. I couldn't believe they were 10 of the same 11 from the Swindon win.

 

[cooperblade]

We started on the back foot, they looked well up for it as was to be expected. We then looked like we'd started to settle. Then they scored - too much space down the left (think McDonald claimed he was fouled) and an easy-looking header.

After that, we were all over the place and in less than 10 mins were 3-0 down. Heads had by that time well and truly sunk.

It was a bit like the Stevenage game, only we didn't come away with the positive of a McFadzean cameo - which along with Ironside would have made a lot of sense to bring on. We were well and truly awful. I couldn't believe they were 10 of the same 11 from the Swindon win.

Why have we become so mentally fragile all of a sudden? Twice in a couple of months we've gone behind away from home and then totally fallen apart in the space of a few minutes. Shouldn't this be where the likes of Collins, Higginbotham, Hill, Kitson, Robson, Doyle, and McMahon come into their own?

It's happened under 2 managers now so it seems more a player thing than something to do with the set up, the instructions they're given etc.

Needs sorting now, a play-off tie can disappear out of sight very quickly.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Why have we become so mentally fragile all of a sudden? Twice in a couple of months we've gone behind away from home and then totally fallen apart in the space of a few minutes. Shouldn't this be where the likes of Collins, Higginbotham, Hill, Kitson, Robson, Doyle, and McMahon come into their own?

It's happened under 2 managers now so it seems more a player thing than something to do with the set up, the instructions they're given etc.

Needs sorting now, a play-off tie can disappear out of sight very quickly.

It can seem that we are trying to fill the team with confident individuals, rather than building a team that gains confidence by playing good football.

 

[cooperblade]

It can seem that we are trying to fill the team with confident individuals, rather than building a team that gains confidence by playing good football.

Agreed. The only way I can see out of our current predicament is if we find a manager who can introduce an effective style of play (whatever that is) that we can build a club around. Get the academy playing that way, the U21s, the first team and have a club full of players who know the style, trust the style and win games playing in that style.

We need a sea change now. It isn't the time for a Phil Parkinson or someone of his ilk to come in with more of the same old stuff.

We can't buy our way out of trouble so we have to do it on the pitch.

 

[BladeFisher]

Agreed. The only way I can see out of our current predicament is if we find a manager who can introduce an effective style of play (whatever that is) that we can build a club around. Get the academy playing that way, the U21s, the first team and have a club full of players who know the style, trust the style and win games playing in that style.

We need a sea change now. It isn't the time for a Phil Parkinson or someone of his ilk to come in with more of the same old stuff.

We can't buy our way out of trouble so we have to do it on the pitch.

Pemberton.

 

[alcoblade]

How have these kids been doing in the Under-18s and Under-21s? I haven't followed the results, but I guess they must have been thrashing other underage teams every week to justify the claims made above? Ironside is one that everyone makes a fuss about. I bet he has scored a bucketful against other kids hasn't he? Must have if he's ready to lead the attack at League level. Similarly, Callum Mac and Whitehouse - I suppose they've been running rings around other lads of their age?

If I'm wrong about the above, some of us, especially ghandi and Racy are talking tripe. Surely not?

This is a concern of mine - the notion that we can replace the current shower by "the kids", because they will cure everything. Based on what? If they're good enough get them in. If they're not, then guess what - they won't be good enough.

And remember, if they are good enough, it's likely they will follow the path of Naughton, Walker and Slew.

We are not in a position to limit our options to "getting the kids in". We need to get the best 11 on the field that we can. This year it was a lad picked up for nothing from Blackburn - but sadly we know what happened there.

McCabe is in danger of getting a lot of fans on board with his "concentrate on youth" policy. Believe me, his intentions are not wholly the same as yours.

UTB

 

[LoughboroBlade]

It can seem that we are trying to fill the team with confident individuals, rather than building a team that gains confidence by playing good football.

Higginbotham and Robson are prime examples of this. Both in theory are confident, experienced players, but both have been arguably the most guilty of wasteful possession and getting us into trouble. At no point yesterday did Higgy look remotely comfortable - probably our worst defender, which given Collins was poor on goals 2 and 3 is saying something.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

a play-off tie

Thats the only bonus we can afford to give the players

 

[Bergen Blade]

This is a concern of mine - the notion that we can replace the current shower by "the kids", because they will cure everything. Based on what? If they're good enough get them in. If they're not, then guess what - they won't be good enough.

And remember, if they are good enough, it's likely they will follow the path of Naughton, Walker and Slew.

We are not in a position to limit our options to "getting the kids in". We need to get the best 11 on the field that we can. This year it was a lad picked up for nothing from Blackburn - but sadly we know what happened there.

McCabe is in danger of getting a lot of fans on board with his "concentrate on youth" policy. Believe me, his intentions are not wholly the same as yours.

UTB

I don't think anyone is saying the kids will cure everything, but don't you think we should be looking to build a side that can develop and progress?

Yesterday's team:

Long
McMahon Collins Higginbotham Hill
Flynn McDonald Doyle Murphy
Porter Kitson

Subs: Westlake, Robson, Forte.

How many of those are on their way up as players? How many of those have bonded with the club, city and fans? To what extent is that bunch determined to make Sheffield United a great club again?

 

[alcoblade]

I don't think anyone is saying the kids will cure everything, but don't you think we should be looking to build a side that can develop and progress?

Yesterday's team:

Long
McMahon Collins Higginbotham Hill
Flynn McDonald Doyle Murphy
Porter Kitson

Subs: Westlake, Robson, Forte.
c
How many of those are on their way up as players? How many of those have bonded with the club, city and fans? To what extent is that bunch determined to make Sheffield United a great club again?

The two most exciting prospects this season came from Crewe and Blackburn. We flogged one because he was good, and other looked good and got injured, so we didn't get chance. No rush for "the kids" was needed there Bergs. The previous kids who looked good got the same treatment, and agreed to it, so they weren't determined to make Sheffield United great again either.

My point is that we just cannot limit ourselves to such a policy - if we did, we wouldn't have brought in Blackman and Miller. And those that clamour for it should evidence their request - as Pinchy says - are any of them tearing up the U21's? If so, then fine, we're all in agreement. Qualification from the first team needs to be more than being one of "the kids".

UTB

 

[Bergen Blade]

The two most exciting prospects this season came from Crewe and Blackburn. We flogged one because he was good, and other looked good and got injured, so we didn't get chance. No rush for "the kids" was needed there Bergs. The previous kids who looked good got the same treatment, and agreed to it, so they weren't determined to make Sheffield United great again either.

My point is that we just cannot limit ourselves to such a policy - if we did, we wouldn't have brought in Blackman and Miller. And those that clamour for it should evidence their request - as Pinchy says - are any of them tearing up the U21's? If so, then fine, we're all in agreement. Qualification from the first team needs to be more than being one of "the kids".

UTB

I think there was a general disagreement between you and me when I said that youngsters who aren't introduced to a higher level of football at such a vital age as 18-19-20 may often stagnate. If you want us to wait until - suddenly - they become so much better than the first team members that the current under-pressure managers dare picking them, then I think we will see few youngsters come through, and those who do - the outstanding talents will often be sold. By that policy we will not benefit from having motivated, continuity bearing and inexpensive club players.

I think we fully agree that we should be making more signings like Blackman and Miller (and Murphy). Having a policy where we try to give playing time to younger players don't prevent us from doing that. Spending loads on average, 'experienced' journey men will.

 

[alcoblade]

I think there was a general disagreement between you and me when I said that youngsters who aren't introduced to a higher level of football at such a vital age as 18-19-20 may often stagnate. If you want us to wait until - suddenly - they become so much better than the first team members that the current under-pressure managers dare picking them, then I think we will see few youngsters come through, and those who do - the outstanding talents will often be sold. By that policy we will not benefit from having motivated, continuity bearing and inexpensive club players.

I think we fully agree that we should be making more signings like Blackman and Miller (and Murphy). Having a policy where we try to give playing time to younger players don't prevent us from doing that. Spending loads on average, 'experienced' journey men will.

We don't actually disagree on much of this Bergs, I suspect. But I do think that if players are going to be very good, its clear early doors. It certainly was with Naughton and Walker. It was with Mcguire. Less so with the fringe players this season, but I'd agree we need to see a bit more of them. I'm not sure we've had many, if any, who've escaped us, and I think football heads have good clue before the first team.

We've had games towards the end of this season with about 5 home grown players on show. I believe wanting more than this will consign us to years of lower division football.

UTB

 

[Blade59]

The problem with the kids is that we now need them to come in and make an instant impact. Wilson wasted a great opportunity last season. Many games because of the quality we had we won comfortably and could have introduced youngsters for the last 30 minutes or so allowing them to develop. Also the FA cup games against lower opposition was another opportunity not taken. Come this season some of them may then have been ready to become first team regulars to replace some of the players we lost or at least used more from the bench. If we had still been in the Championship we would have been loaning them out to clubs at this level so I could not understand his reluctance to introduce them when the opportunity arose. It was after all supposed to be a major part of his job brief when appointed.

 

[alcoblade]

The problem with the kids is that we now need them to come in and make an instant impact. Wilson wasted a great opportunity last season. Many games because of the quality we had we won comfortably and could have introduced youngsters for the last 30 minutes or so allowing them to develop. Also the FA cup games against lower opposition was another opportunity not taken. Come this season some of them may then have been ready to become first team regulars to replace some of the players we lost or at least used more from the bench. If we had still been in the Championship we would have been loaning them out to clubs at this level so I could not understand his reluctance to introduce them when the opportunity arose. It was after all supposed to be a major part of his job brief when appointed.

Good post - we must make sure we use every free opportunity to blood them, such as when we are 3 up. Thats been an issue this year, too many close games. The FA cup is a bit more difficult when you need the cash, but is still an opportunity. But there always remains the chance that some of the players aren't good enough. If you're nowhere near good enough in the U21's, you'll be nowhere near good enough in the first team. I don't see or hear enough to know. I fairly sure many of those shouting for the kids don't see or hear enough to know either. I will bow to the greater knowledge of those that do though.

UTB