Fantastic season, just run out of steam

[Baaaaaaa Blades]

Young Duffy might have been useful tonight. We need that option going forward.

Hopefully Swift can provide that for us.

Agreed. , personally any age Duffy I would have loved to have seen in games like this all season , so gutted he was a fool ! Bet he is too !

 

[BLADE1958]

Wat a load of crap you talk we had a massive chance to get in Europe and yet again we blew it just like 74

 

[Roygbiv]

Feel people are jumping the gun saying players have hit their peak. We are in mid table form. We know what we lack but there is nothing right now pointing towards a relegation scrap next season. Things could change but right now nothing what we've seen since lockdown suggests we will struggle next season.

 

[Wards]

Wat a load of crap you talk we had a massive chance to get in Europe and yet again we blew it just like 74

There’s a way of addressing a post. And then there’s this

 

[Argentinemanager]

What a team we have, worked wonders and shit miracles this year, so proud of my team, the players have stepped up this year and being unbelievable, thanks to all the lads for the best season in the last 45 years
UTB

 

[HeySethUTB]

Strong in the tackle, poor on the ball it’s not fooling anyone. I just hope we don’t have a disruptive season with COVID and have to play games at this level at the same frequency. Can’t really moan at a top ten finish, wilder says he doesn’t care about the last result, so I’m entitled to say I’m not bothered about the last few seasons and where we have come from, in the present we were legitimately challenging and Europe was there for the taking. Teams like Tottenham, Arsenal and dare I say it Everton won’t be as uncompetitive next year. UTB! other season awaits us in the premier league let’s see what the summer brings.

 

[Gimli]

We’re starting to look like we lack some quality, teams are just low blocking us on the wings and hitting us on the break. Our play style is starting to become ineffective and I think we need to spend big in some areas yet wilder says we won’t be doing that. Fear for a relegation scrap in 20/21.

I get your point but itwasn’t ineffective against Chelsea, Wolves and Spurs.

If we’re in a relegation scrap so be it - we have a team and a manager who will be up for the fight.

We also have a manager who doesn’t accept standing still - his aim will be to improve on our league position this year not regress. (Not saying we will, it’s a very tough league)

 

[Guesty]

'No way will Wilder take 4 points from the last 3' said someone in the Shoutbox on Wednesday night.

How right you were, my friend.

 

[S10 Blade]

Wasn't Luke Freeman signed to take over Duffy's role? What has happened to him? Not a word? Also Callum Robinson might be a better player coming back (or selling to raise some funds?

 

[Dublinblade]

Feel people are jumping the gun saying players have hit their peak. We are in mid table form. We know what we lack but there is nothing right now pointing towards a relegation scrap next season. Things could change but right now nothing what we've seen since lockdown suggests we will struggle next season.

Roy our goal scoring record and chances created over the whole season both point to a relegation scrap as does the age profile and size of our squad. I've said it to many for long before these last two games, expecting the same level of results next year on the back of the defense is not sustainable. I think we will have enough to avoid relegation but I dont expect it to be comfortable, of course CWAK might work miracles in bringing in players but if we dont have money to spend, its going to be a worry.

 

[BettingBlade]

Wasn't Luke Freeman signed to take over Duffy's role? What has happened to him? Not a word? Also Callum Robinson might be a better player coming back (or selling to raise some funds?

Having watched us over the last couple of games, I can't see Robinson making much of a difference. I think he's a great player but I dont think we have time to try and shoehorn players into our system unless we change it at any point.

I'll be honest, I'm disappointed Freeman hasn't played more.

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

So many things to be proud of. Yes, we've faded at the death but I think there have been extenuating circumstances and it would have been so interesting if we'd have kept going when we were rolling in early March - damn COVID. More than any other team, we need the fans. A lot of people complaining that we haven't got the energy, that energy would have come from 28000 screaming Blades. We are capable of playing well in front of empty seats, as per Chelsea and Spurs, but we're better with the fans, even away from home.

Got to now reflect on a tremendous season and be proud of what we have accomplished. To even have suggested twelve months ago that we'd finish the 37th game disappointed because our shot at Europe had gone, you'd have locked people up for it. On a shoestring, we have troubled the Premier League's top teams and, for the most part, competed with them. Lots of people saying that they're worried about second season syndrome but I'm not - we have Chris Wilder. He always improves us. You've also got to think that the club is prime for some rich investment too?

Lots for all the players and staff to learn now. Much as he is a legend, Wilder is going to have to consider how he deals with bigger names and top stars - the reported issues with Mousse, if true, are something he will need to reflect on. Big names are going to be willing to join us now and it is up to Wilder/Knill to integrate them into the side without damaging the foundation. For me, we're three players short of a European challenge next season: a goalkeeper (or Henderson), a top quality midfielder who can create a little bit more than our current lot can and a striker who can create something out of nothing too. It's not about getting a striker who can "score 20 goals" - I think Sharp, if you gave him the bullets, could score 20 in this league - but it is about having a striker with something a little more that can worry teams a little more than McBurnie, Sharp, McGoldrick and Mousset. They don't come cheap either.

We're also going to have to accept that some of our League 1 and Championship heroes may need replacing soon as well. It's not wrong to improve the team by replacing the likes of Basham, Stevens, Norwood, McGoldrick and Sharp. Wilder knows he can't be sentimental about it - see how he ditched Duffy - and knows we need to keep improving. As long as we replace the players in a respectful manner, as long as we remember the amazing contributions that they made to our rise back to the Premier League, it's fine. I think there are signs that Wilder is beginning to see the end for Norwood and I can see us starting 20/21 with Berge in that positions and Fleck and a new signing in front.

It's disappointing the way it's ended but that cannot detract from what this team has done. If we'd been there, the lap of appreciation would have been fantastic and the players should be proud of the way they've competed this season. Best team in my time supporting the RAWW and I think it could get better yet. I've never been as hopeful for a trophy or a European adventure.

 

[The Vicar]

All this talk of we need this & we need that, we should not forget Bournemouth spent £130 million over 2 seasons & around £200 million in wages. So £330 million over 2 seasons, & how many signings were success stories? Splashing the cash is no guarantee of success!

What happened to Jordan Ibe? Signed for £15 million & just released!

 

[TONY_TONY_AGANA]

What a fucking season. The lads have run through brick wall after brick wall for the gaffer, and ultimately have just run out of steam. Proud of them

 

[McGrath]

It was almost identical to the 1-0 loss to Preston in our last home game of that season

Then we went and signed Egan, Henderson, Norwood and McGoldrick in the close season and the rest's history.

I seem to remember Stevens and Baldock made a big jump in their play as well. Hopefully the same will happen with some of the newer signings.

 

[McGrath]

A Reading fan at my work says Swift is very creative, good at passing and can strike a good free kick... but at that same time says he doesnt run about the pitch the same way Fleck does so isnt sure how he'll fit into our style of football - fingers crossed all the same.

It's good to have variation though. No point in having two identical players. Besides, most of our players didn't run around that much until they signed for us!

 

[Roygbiv]

Roy our goal scoring record and chances created over the whole season both point to a relegation scrap as does the age profile and size of our squad. I've said it to many for long before these last two games, expecting the same level of results next year on the back of the defense is not sustainable. I think we will have enough to avoid relegation but I dont expect it to be comfortable, of course CWAK might work miracles in bringing in players but if we dont have money to spend, its going to be a worry.

With all due respect there is nothing that backs up the claim we are going to be in a relegation scrap. You can't say we don't score enough and dismiss how little we concede. I don't expect the defensive record to be as good but it doesn't need to be. I agree it's going to be harder and that we need more up front but throughout the entire season we have shown , at worst, mid table form. Our defensive record since lockdown has been much more "realistic" but we are still picking up enough points to be comfortable.

I just think people talking about mass changes and formation tweaks are doing so on the emotion of 2 bad performances. This time last week people were raving about how amazing we were after beating Chelsea. A week ago! Nobody then was saying we were heading for a relegation battle.

 

[Upton_Blade]

I've been saying for a while that I don't see why we play 2 up top so rigidly when we have McG who is basically a 10 anyway, bring a real quality 10 in, we can play them behind a striker if we want to, just gives us more options. A Duelofeu type.

I've said multiple times the best formation with the players available, or easily attainable, that means we probably wouldn't lose our solidity is 3421. Even without further signings it would IMO just give us that bit extra going forward and a bit a fluidity at the top of the pitch.

GK: ???

LCB: JOC
CB: Egan
RCB: Bash (need a cover signing)

LWB: Stevens (need a cover signing)
RCM: Berge
LCM: Fleck
RWB: Baldock (need a cover signing)

AML: Freeman
AMR: Didzy/Swift

ST: McB

 

[Upton_Blade]

We still need to remember that mid-table-bang-average Everton fielded 2 players that cost a combined £110m. That’s level we’re at now.

Yep £35m Gylfi crossing for £50m Richarlison to score.

On top of that they've spent £650m in the last 5 years.

They may have under performed based on the last few years relative to spend but it still shows how much quality they have in certain areas and that no games in this division are gimmes.

Like CW has said we have to be 8/9 out of 10 across the board to get results and any slip in levels makes us vulnerable.

I really do think some Blades have been at the deludamol from our porcine neighbours some times.

 

[nopigfansintown]

The players given us absolutely everything and performed beyond all expectations, but let’s be right, Europe with this squad would be caused us a major headache next year.

Moving it forward, with a limited budget, I think we need the following:-

1. A striker with pace and power
2. A midfielder like Fleck who can carry the ball forward, break lines and make through balls
3. A goalkeeper

Add competition for Bash and Baldock to your list.

 

[georgebernardshaw]

Wat a load of crap you talk we had a massive chance to get in Europe and yet again we blew it just like 74

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

We wait to see if CW/AK can come up with a squad capable of having an effective Plan B. Plan A has been outstanding, but recently it has become apparent that we do not have a convincing alternative. Today it was disappointing how often in the last 25 minutes we ended up playing it back to Henderson, who hoofed it high and long, which is never going to work with Sharp and McG up front. The last 4 years have been outstanding, and I look forward (anxious as ever) to seeing what they come up with to continue our progress.

 

[Silent Blade]

Wat a load of crap you talk we had a massive chance to get in Europe and yet again we blew it just like 74

You got the year wrong!

Crap!

 

[Niceguyeddie]

Yep £35m Gylfi crossing for £50m Richarlison to score.

On top of that they've spent £650m in the last 5 years.

They may have under performed based on the last few years relative to spend but it still shows how much quality they have in certain areas and that no games in this division are gimmes.

Like CW has said we have to be 8/9 out of 10 across the board to get results and any slip in levels makes us vulnerable.

I really do think some Blades have been at the deludamol from our porcine neighbours some times.

I think that was his point

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I think we just ran out of ideas as much as steam tonight.

No penetration in the final third. It’s a problem that’s been evident all season. We need more quality in depth but we also need different types of players. Players who will run with the ball at feet and take players on. More “individual” than “team” in terms of their mindset. (I appreciate that’s heresy to the current philosophy but I do think one or two players like that, in a squad, is a valuable thing).

An example: Allan Saint-Maximin of Newcastle. I’m not suggesting we should or could sign him. But a player like that who rips through defences and runs 70 yards with ball at feet, that’s what you need to create havoc amongst these teams who want to tap it around sideways and backwards and keep possession.

 

[HolmesfieldBlade]

We just need a PL quality number-10 and another pacy striker to compliment McBurnies insane pressing.

Reminds me in League One when Matt Done played and it wasn't quite working up front.

If we back Wilder we will maintain current level or better.

Don't believe this talk of no transfer funds for coming season... Wilder will get enough to at least improve the squad.

 

[Booker4]

Crying out for creativity & pace.

Agreed. I wonder with out budget been cut that Bright Samuel from QPR would be a good option? He's valued at around £5m; has had a great season for QPR, and a move to Brugge seems to have broken down as the player seems less keen. I think QPR fans said he's had a better season than Eze. He's mainly a winger, but maybe we could play him as a second forward or in the number 10 role if we chose to use that role again.

 

[true99blade]

Just don’t understand how we’re “desperate” for this and that. Obviously strengthening is important and welcomed, but it’s doing these players a disservice moaning about what they lack, given how amazing this team has done and the memories they’ve made.

 

[JPSharpy93]

I think we just need to add pace and power to get to the next level, that doesn’t come cheap. The likes of St Max, Almiron, Richarlison, Walcott, Calvert Lewin, Vardy, the Liverpool front 3... have caused us problems this season...we need to threaten more on the counter, we rely too much on crab like side to side passing around the box to attack

Deary me...Add Nathan Redmond to this list, I’d love to see us have a player like that.

 

[saintquin]

Well done on a great season. Think most had you as one for relegation.
Shame about the end but you just got to be happy where you've finished. More than half of the league teams would take that if offered before the season started.
Good luck next season and I hope for you lot the dreaded 2nd season syndrome doesn't kick in!