Donny thoughts.

[SandyMcBlade]

Donny.
W.........D.........L.........Goals F............A
6..........4.........10................18..........26 .........Home
8.........7..........4..................30.........25...........Away

The Tables show Donny are a different prospect away than they are at home and look to be the kind of team the Blades hate playing against, very good at packing the defense and hitting on the break, and the mood the home fans are in right now about the team playing a waiting game is going to make it all the more difficult...

 

[SwissBlade]

I think we really need to be patient tomorrow. Clough and the players will know that we'll get nervy in the crowd if we don't go at donny, but we really need to avoid playing into their hands.

Donny will want us to attack and go at them, but we need to coax them out, perhaps sit deeper, play possession game and play the ball about to bring them on otherwise they'll sit too deep and we won't get in behind.

They're still trying to get into the play off slots, they'll be a little more desperate.

Perhaps we should take the away dressing room...

 

[Dalelane01]

Donny.
W.........D.........L.........Goals F............A
6..........4.........10................18..........26 .........Home
8.........7..........4..................30.........25...........Away

The Tables show Donny are a different prospect away than they are at home and look to be the kind of team the Blades hate playing against, very good at packing the defense and hitting on the break, and the mood the home fans are in right now about the team playing a waiting game is going to make it all the more difficult...

Yes they have good reults away recently beat swindon . Agree with what you say

 

[zablade]

Good bet for a draw this one I think.

 

[wizadry]

I just think we have to fear no one and take the game to them personally. We're a different kettle of fish when we play this way, we could have gone in 3 or 4 nil up against Barnsley playing this way, they didn't no what hit em. They perhaps had 10 mins in the second half where they tried to get the ball down but other than that they couldn't cope with us, i want some more of this please Nigel.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I just think we have to fear no one and take the game to them personally. We're a different kettle of fish when we play this way, we could have gone in 3 or 4 nil up against Barnsley playing this way, they didn't no what hit em. They perhaps had 10 mins in the second half where they tried to get the ball down but other than that they couldn't cope with us, i want some more of this please Nigel.

We had 3 grafters in midfield (Flynn/Coutts/Basham) and to be fair to Holt, he puts himself about, bit like Scoogs, so it was no surprise we beat Barnsley.
Was the same at Rochdale (a) and same at Bristol(a). There is a pattern in when we play players that are solid, we stifle the opposition. At home the emphasis is more on the home team and we struggle. We beat the dingles with two "Bassett" type goals - does anyone fucking care?

For me, like you, we just need more of the same - fuck the entertainment business now(too late for that), we have to be effective, gets points AND more importantly carry on this no compromise sort of stuff, create a pattern everyone understands and win the bloody playoffs. Do I care if we bore the opposition to bits with strong, effective football....not one iota.

We need to get out of this division and at last we seem to have found a STRONG way of playing.

Lets get out, then re-assess next season, hopefully one division up.

UTB

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I think we really need to be patient tomorrow. Clough and the players will know that we'll get nervy in the crowd if we don't go at donny, but we really need to avoid playing into their hands.

Donny will want us to attack and go at them, but we need to coax them out, perhaps sit deeper, play possession game and play the ball about to bring them on otherwise they'll sit too deep and we won't get in behind.

They're still trying to get into the play off slots, they'll be a little more desperate.

Perhaps we should take the away dressing room...

Given how we are likely to set up, it might be worth NC coming out and saying that we might well be playing patient possession football.

Communicate.

If we end up passing it between the back four enticing Donny out and we all know that's what's going on, it might be less exasperating for some.

In fact we could all stroke our chins like appreciative connoisseurs, whilst talking loudly and knowledgeably about recycling possession.

;-)

UTB

 

[wizadry]

We had 3 grafters in midfield (Flynn/Coutts/Basham) and to be fair to Holt, he puts himself about, bit like Scoogs, so it was no surprise we beat Barnsley.
Was the same at Rochdale (a) and same at Bristol(a). There is a pattern in when we play players that are solid, we stifle the opposition. At home the emphasis is more on the home team and we struggle. We beat the dingles with two "Bassett" type goals - does anyone fucking care?

For me, like you, we just need more of the same - fuck the entertainment business now(too late for that), we have to be effective, gets points AND more importantly carry on this no compromise sort of stuff, create a pattern everyone understands and win the bloody playoffs. Do I care if we bore the opposition to bits with strong, effective football....not one iota.

We need to get out of this division and at last we seem to have found a STRONG way of playing.

Lets get out, then re-assess next season, hopefully one division up.

UTB

The thing is though i agree with your post in principle but i thought we played some great quick attacking football aswell as mixing it up a bit, it's this we've not done enough of this year, this has something to do with our recruitment and now we have Davies we can change the way in which we approach games.

Both the goals we scored came from decent bits of football leading upto firstly the free kick which set Davies up for a sublime header and secondly the Holt goal from the edge of the box which came from another set piece which he slotted away brilliantly with great technique. There is a time and a place to get the ball in the box and we are doing this a lot more and ten times quicker and better than what we've done all season. Either Clough has finally realised this or the players are finally carrying out his instructions, my money is on the former but that's up for debate.

 

[dingledog]

I never have thoughts about Donny.

 

[Dnblade]

Given how we are likely to set up, it might be worth NC coming out and saying that we might well be playing patient possession football.

Communicate.

If we end up passing it between the back four enticing Donny out and we all know that's what's going on, it might be less exasperating for some.

In fact we could all stroke our chins like appreciative connoisseurs, whilst talking loudly and knowledgeably about recycling possession.

;-)

UTB

Hopefully Donny won't sit back ....they really need 3 points if they want to make the 6th place spot...I've just watched the Bradford goals..Butler didn't look interested for the 2nd,and left it to the other Centre Back before blaming everyone else...can't see what all the fuss is about with him and Collins..Hopefully an early goal for us and they'll have to come out and we can get them turned on the break.

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

Given today's results, it's quite clear who the main contenders now are. We're obviously in the strongest position, Chesterfield and Rochdale look to be the strongest challengers to us after they both won today. Rochdale's winner came in the 5th minute of stoppage time. Chesterfield are a point behind us from one game more, Rochdale five points behind on same number of games now. After all the concern over Donny, Bradford and Barnsley in recent weeks, Fleetwood appear the next most dangerous team in the mix after the Spireites and Dale.

Victory over Doncaster tomorrow night would put us 4 points above Chesterfield and 8 clear of Rochdale (who'd have a game in hand) and Fleetwood (same games). With five/six to play, that'd be a big gap for Rochdale and Fleetwood to close and I'd guess that they're saying that their target is Chesterfield rather than United. Barnsley, Bradford, Doncaster and Peterborough, all teams who have occupied sixth in recent weeks, have all peaked too early and have blown it over Easter it seems. Barnsley lost to United and Colchester, Peterborough lost at Scunthorpe and drew with Walsall at home, Bradford beat Doncaster to reignite their challenge but then lost to Preston in their crunch game, Doncaster got battered by Bradford. Hopefully, the nail in Doncaster's coffin is applied tomorrow night. Whilst it isn't impossible for these four to get back into the mix, it's two from United, Chesterfield, Rochdale and Fleetwood now with the likely pair being United and Chesterfield.

 

[Harry's Game]

Apart from Barnsley losing all the results went against us on Monday so we need to win Tuesday to avoid being back under pressure next weekend, between us Chesterfield and Rochdale for 5th and 6th now I reckon.

 

[boo radley]

Used to like them cheap T shirts from Sports Soccer.

 

[sheffielder]

Chesterfield have yet to play with any pressure. Let's see how they handle it. Barnsley was a must win for us and we came through, so we just need the same mentality from the players against Donny.

 

[sheffielder]

We had 3 grafters in midfield (Flynn/Coutts/Basham) and to be fair to Holt, he puts himself about, bit like Scoogs, so it was no surprise we beat Barnsley.
Was the same at Rochdale (a) and same at Bristol(a). There is a pattern in when we play players that are solid, we stifle the opposition. At home the emphasis is more on the home team and we struggle. We beat the dingles with two "Bassett" type goals - does anyone fucking care?

For me, like you, we just need more of the same - fuck the entertainment business now(too late for that), we have to be effective, gets points AND more importantly carry on this no compromise sort of stuff, create a pattern everyone understands and win the bloody playoffs. Do I care if we bore the opposition to bits with strong, effective football....not one iota.

We need to get out of this division and at last we seem to have found a STRONG way of playing.

Lets get out, then re-assess next season, hopefully one division up.

UTB

half agree. We need to win and win well. These 6 games need to be attacked going into the play offs and the players on form, not just squeeking results out.

 

[sheffielder]

We had 3 grafters in midfield (Flynn/Coutts/Basham) and to be fair to Holt, he puts himself about, bit like Scoogs, so it was no surprise we beat Barnsley.
Was the same at Rochdale (a) and same at Bristol(a). There is a pattern in when we play players that are solid, we stifle the opposition. At home the emphasis is more on the home team and we struggle. We beat the dingles with two "Bassett" type goals - does anyone fucking care?

For me, like you, we just need more of the same - fuck the entertainment business now(too late for that), we have to be effective, gets points AND more importantly carry on this no compromise sort of stuff, create a pattern everyone understands and win the bloody playoffs. Do I care if we bore the opposition to bits with strong, effective football....not one iota.

We need to get out of this division and at last we seem to have found a STRONG way of playing.

Lets get out, then re-assess next season, hopefully one division up.

UTB

half agree. We need to win and win well. These 6 games need to be attacked going into the play offs and the players on form, not just squeeking results out.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Chesterfield have yet to play with any pressure. Let's see how they handle it. Barnsley was a must win for us and we came through, so we just need the same mentality from the players against Donny.

sheffielder , i don't think Chesterfield will play with any pressure , due to this was a season of consolidation for them. Anything else is a bonus . Like usual and in the past , our destiny is in our own hands . Back to back wins tomorrow , will give us the edge and calm nerves . Did it against Barnsley , the acid test is against Donny . It would just be the ticket if we hit form in the run in ,to the play offs .

Also i would like to see Preston promoted outright , as they would be the main threat in the play offs . The other three , we should / can be able to handle in two legs and a final.

First task - into the play offs , which will be a great achievement in a topsy turvy season

UTB

 

[Fulwood Blade]

half agree. We need to win and win well. These 6 games need to be attacked going into the play offs and the players on form, not just squeeking results out.

we won't need to squeak results out if we are big and strong at the core of the team.

We beat Barnsley well by not giving them any sniff of the game and would take each of the last 6 games as 2 nil, being strong and just not allowing the opposition to get in the game. The key is still how the opposition approach games at BDTBL - we are a different team away from home. MK Dons and Swindon should be shitting themselves at the prospect of facing the "new" Sheff Utd.

UTB

 

[Chezzy Blades]

Keeping Basham in Centre Midfield is absolutely crucial for me. No-one else at the club can give us both the tenacity of Basham and his height in that role. He never gave any of Barnsley's midfield a second's peace Saturday which for me was one of the main reasons we won.

We still don't always press the opposition properly as a team, but when Basham's chasing down everyone we don't always need too.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Either Clough has finally realised this or the players are finally carrying out his instructions, my money is on the former but that's up for debate.

I'd like to think we now have the correct players in their correct positions playing in a measured and structured way. Looking back, Clough decided to change/tweak the team in JTW and that patience may well be showing now. If it is, then great - we hopefully go into the Playoffs playing with confidence.

Apart from Brayford (who is a bit like Basham - fills in very well at CH) we have square pegs in square holes.

UTB

 

[SotonBlade]

I never have thoughts about Donny.

What about the other Osmonds?

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

half agree. We need to win and win well. These 6 games need to be attacked going into the play offs and the players on form, not just squeeking results out.

Because you posted this twice does that mean you fully agree?

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Spotted one of their supporters proclaiming his fondness for bestiality and under age sex. We have a moral duty to defeat these dark forces

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I'd like to think we now have the correct players in their correct positions playing in a measured and structured way. Looking back, Clough decided to change/tweak the team in JTW and that patience may well be showing now. If it is, then great - we hopefully go into the Playoffs playing with confidence.

Apart from Brayford (who is a bit like Basham - fills in very well at CH) we have square pegs in square holes.

UTB

Always thought the square pegs in round holes scenario would be our own downfall , but yes you are bang on , we do seem to have square pegs in square holes , eventually and at the right time . We can all argue / debate , that we should be there automatic in the top two , but if its the play offs , so be it . Promotion is promotion , never mind how you get there . Still 100% certain we will do it , but just because we got a great result at Barnsley , you cannot tempt fate or take anything for granted . Holt , Coutts , Freeman are coming into there own , and i know it sounds daft , but i still feel Higdon ( if fully fit ) , will play a important part.

UTB

 

[bartman]

Apart from Barnsley losing all the results went against us on Monday so we need to win Tuesday to avoid being back under pressure next weekend, between us Chesterfield and Rochdale for 5th and 6th now I reckon.

I don't think we need to win tomorrow. If we lose (and i think we will win) we will still be 5th. 3 wins from the last 6 games will see us in the play offs i reckon. With our away form i think we will get two wins .

 

[Grappler]

Always thought the square pegs in round holes scenario would be our own downfall , but yes you are bang on , we do seem to have square pegs in square holes , eventually and at the right time . We can all argue / debate , that we should be there automatic in the top two , but if its the play offs , so be it . Promotion is promotion , never mind how you get there . Still 100% certain we will do it , but just because we got a great result at Barnsley , you cannot tempt fate or take anything for granted . Holt , Coutts , Freeman are coming into there own , and i know it sounds daft , but i still feel Higdon ( if fully fit ) , will play a important part.

UTB

I agree your Lordship, Freeman was the least mentioned player when he came in, but is really proving his worth. If we are leading in a game, I would be tempted to throw Higdon (if fit) up front with big Steven Davies, those two bruisers could cause some carnage I am sure.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Always thought the square pegs in round holes scenario would be our own downfall , but yes you are bang on , we do seem to have square pegs in square holes , eventually and at the right time . We can all argue / debate , that we should be there automatic in the top two , but if its the play offs , so be it . Promotion is promotion , never mind how you get there . Still 100% certain we will do it , but just because we got a great result at Barnsley , you cannot tempt fate or take anything for granted . Holt , Coutts , Freeman are coming into there own , and i know it sounds daft , but i still feel Higdon ( if fully fit ) , will play a important part.

UTB

I know I am in a small, but growing minority who want Basham in midfield, but he and Coutts seem to just fit there. We went to Rochdale and the midfield that night was Flynn, Coutts, Basham and Murphy - sound familiar? Coutts/Basham Doyle, Murph v brizzle also - we just look solid and would be quite happy to generally stick with that (fitness provided) for the next 6 games and then into the play offs. Whilst it is not the most skilful, it seems our best combination at not letting the opposition play. It would give both Swindon or MK Dons (assuming we get either of those) in the play off semis a difficult and totally different approach to what they have already played against us this season. For me I am just hoping that Fleetwood/Chezzer or Rochdale come through in 6th and surprise whoever finishes 3rd in the other semi. I know our record in the PO is shocking, but in Clough we have to trust, and to be fair, considering the changes the management have made recently, it does seem to be coming back together as a footballing unit.

Just want to look forward to, when someone asks..."who are you playing Saturday"...the answer is M'boro, Watford, leeds, B'ham, piggies etc....not R'dale, Crewe or Walsall !

Just Keep the faith.

UTB

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I don't think we need to win tomorrow. If we lose (and i think we will win) we will still be 5th. 3 wins from the last 6 games will see us in the play offs i reckon. With our away form i think we will get two wins .

ok, so we do not "need" to win in terms of league position, we NEED to win to keep this new found confidence going. Would settle for more of the same (v Barnsley) - solid, defiant, tempo, strength. We need to send a big message out to MK Dons and Swindon - to actually put the fear of god into them as to what will come in the (PO semis) - hopefully. We need them to know that we are no longer a soft, pushover of a team. 5 wins out of the next 5 and then if safe, rest players, even if it is against Chezzer at home.

UTB

 

[bartman]

ok, so we do not "need" to win in terms of league position, we NEED to win to keep this new found confidence going. Would settle for more of the same (v Barnsley) - solid, defiant, tempo, strength. We need to send a big message out to MK Dons and Swindon - to actually put the fear of god into them as to what will come in the (PO semis) - hopefully. We need them to know that we are no longer a soft, pushover of a team. 5 wins out of the next 5 and then if safe, rest players, even if it is against Chezzer at home.

UTB

I honestly can't see Swindon being a problem for us in the play offs . A young team who were easily dismantled by MKD at the weekend who kept closing them down until they made mistakes. MKD will be a different proposition should we make the final as we won't know if they will play football or play like a set of thugs like they did at BDTBL.

I agree that we need to qualify for the playoffs asap as players like Murphy, Harris, Kennedy,Basham and Brayford will need to be rested

 

[longinthe toothblade]

Given how we are likely to set up, it might be worth NC coming out and saying that we might well be playing patient possession football.

Communicate.

If we end up passing it between the back four enticing Donny out and we all know that's what's going on, it might be less exasperating for some.

In fact we could all stroke our chins like appreciative connoisseurs, whilst talking loudly and knowledgeably about recycling possession.

;-)

UTB

He's going on about "recycling possession" - AGAIN