Fucked by injuries, time wasting and a terrible referee

[Ricky]

An unfortunate way for our home run to end. The lack of strikers really screwed us yet we still never deserved to lose that game and to see a fancied side like Norwich resort to such pitiful levels of time wasting from an early stage in the game is a big compliment to us.

Today was one we could 'afford to lose' after 4 consecutive wins and the defeat shouldn't be so hard to take but the manner of it leaves a real bitter taste and we could have missed our last chance this season to go top of the league.

But performance wise, nothing to worry about. We're in good shape. Things just went against us today. And our fans knew that. It was good to see the crowd's reaction at the final whistle. We'll stay behind this team 100%.

Hopefully we've got a defeat and all our bad luck out of the way in time for next week.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

An unfortunate way for our home run to end. The lack of strikers really screwed us yet we still never deserved to lose that game and to see a fancied side like Norwich resort to such pitiful levels of time wasting from an early stage in the game is a big compliment to us.

Today was one we could 'afford to lose' after 4 consecutive wins and the defeat shouldn't be so hard to take but the manner of it leaves a real bitter taste and we could have missed our last chance this season to go top of the league.

But performance wise, nothing to worry about. We're in good shape. Things just went against us today. And our fans knew that. It was good to see the crowd's reaction at the final whistle. We'll stay behind this team 100%.

Hopefully we've got a defeat and all our bad luck out of the way in time for next week.

I disagree about the time wasting mate. We could have played for another 90 mins and not scored.

Think the morons on the Kop offered more danger to their thundercunt of a keeper than our players shooting.

Onwards and upwards!

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Time wasting is part of a tempo-slowing strategy. We do it as well.
I like the one where you go to the far end of the field when you're about to be subbed and then walk slowly back shaking hands and back-slapping with every other player. Cracking one that one.

 

[bartman]

An unfortunate way for our home run to end. The lack of strikers really screwed us yet we still never deserved to lose that game and to see a fancied side like Norwich resort to such pitiful levels of time wasting from an early stage in the game is a big compliment to us.

Today was one we could 'afford to lose' after 4 consecutive wins and the defeat shouldn't be so hard to take but the manner of it leaves a real bitter taste and we could have missed our last chance this season to go top of the league.

But performance wise, nothing to worry about. We're in good shape. Things just went against us today. And our fans knew that. It was good to see the crowd's reaction at the final whistle. We'll stay behind this team 100%.

Hopefully we've got a defeat and all our bad luck out of the way in time for next week.

I thought we have them the goal ( Stevens out of position and allowing a free header) whilst the midfield was too deep until the first two subs came on. I thought the two wing backs were poor and Duffy was disappointing.

For me the blame is on the team not other factors

 

[Foxy]

Time wasting is part of a tempo-slowing strategy. We do it as well.
I like the one where you go to the far end of the field when you're about to be subbed and then walk slowly back shaking hands and back-slapping with every other player. Cracking one that one.

You forgot the bit about forgetting your squad number and name first, before acting surprised to hear you are coming off.

 

[robbiez666]

If we beat Wednesday 1:0 next week and we do similar levels of time-wasting, I'm sure fans will be praising our professionalism.

It's not nice to watch but it's not the reason we lost. Neither is the referee.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

You forgot the bit about forgetting your squad number and name first, before acting surprised to hear you are coming off.

Yep that adds an extra minute onto the change

 

[PeteBlade]

No idea how their keeper escaped a booking.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Lack of a muscle up front is what cost us. Lots of good attacking positions and delivery but their defence was never really pressured and swatted it all away.

 

[Ricky]

The keeper and that cheating little pussy Maddison wasted the best part of 10 minutes between them.

Time wasting's to be expected but they took the piss, and from an early stage in the game. This from apparent promotion contenders. They would've been delighted with a draw today. Pathetic.

And the useless referee didn't add on anywhere near enough time, or ever think to book the keeper.

 

[Foxy]

It's not nice to watch but it's not the reason we lost. Neither is the referee

Absolutely not. We lost because we didn't have a striker and they managed to score whilst playing us cleverly.

That doesn't change the fact there was no danger of a proper game breaking out today.

He must have shown the keeper his watch 20 times, let them get away with booting the ball away throughout... Including a couple of stoppages where they actually did it multiple times.

Then the only one trying to play football gets sent to the stands (okay, just behind the dug out), for returning the ball.

 

[Yewsman]

Thought Ched did better than I expected and seemed to last for 90 minutes but is clearly nowhere near up to the job.
Don't think we deserved to lose but Norwich did a job on us. Typical unadventurous away performance but it worked for them. Got the goal (against the run of play really) but well constructed and taken and despite having the lions share of possession and attacking for pretty much the whole match we never really looked like scoring unless we had a bit of luck with the ball dropping to one of our players in the penalty area. It's difficult to score when you have no fit recognised strikers on the pitch. Brooks looked good and showed some nice touches and probably should have scored in first half. Still that's 90 minutes under his belt and he is learning all the time and will just get better and better. Not despondent at all. With proper strikers and a bit of luck we could have won. We move on....

 

[Yewsman]

PS thought the ref was great first half then seemed to completely lose it second half for some reason. The first half was what is good about football the second had everything that is bad. Niggling fouls, poor advantage playing by the ref and inconsistent decisions plus blatant gamesmanship/play acting by Norwich. Sadly this is rife in the game and the authorities do nothing to stamp it out.

I hope there is no retrospective trial by video of Coutts "foul" in the second half which the ref didn't see and the lino turned a blind eye to.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Absolutely not. We lost because we didn't have a striker and they managed to score whilst playing us cleverly.

That doesn't change the fact there was no danger of a proper game breaking out today.

He must have shown the keeper his watch 20 times, let them get away with booting the ball away throughout... Including a couple of stoppages where they actually did it multiple times.

Then the only one trying to play football gets sent to the stands (okay, just behind the dug out), for returning the ball.

He twice allowed the keeper to put the ball down for a goal kick then decide he would prefer to move it to the other side of the goal instead.

Still no booking!

I do blame the referee for not booking him as that would put a stop to his antics instantly.

However for a professional footballer to waste time to such an extent that even his own teammate is telling him to get on with it is above and beyond what should be considered acceptable.

People have paid good money to watch two teams of professionals play the game to the best of their ability. May the best or even the luckiest team win.

Nobody has paid money to watch a prima-donna arsing around in his six yard box. Choosing the perfect spot, lining the ball up just so, removing random bits of litter as if he'd just discovered an unexplored bomb.

 

[TheGoatPenguin]

Defeated by circumstance today. If we had two fit strikers its a totally different game.

Ched isn't anywhere near fit/upto it and Brookes is playing out of position and still learning the game. It was always going to be a struggle for goals.

Created plenty and had most of the possession. Just lacked Sharp's fox in the box style. Their goal was the typical counter attack we have been struggling with for a while and it was that bit of extra quality that teams have at this level. Apart from that they were happy to sit back and defend.

The time wasting from the first half was ridiculous. Last 10 minutes of time wasting is professionalism, that was a side low on confidence needing a win.

 

[Davalon]

It annoyed the life out of me but there's little point in moaning about the time wasting.

It happens everywhere and we've done it many many times over the years just like they did today.

 

[bromtom]

We were poor today at the back, for about 25 minutes from kick-off at least, sloppy mistakes, dodgy passing, and it all contributed to costing us a goal. Much better second half though.

50/50 balls weren't going for us, set plays were hit and miss, again scared to shoot. Just not our day, should have had a corner that the linesman got totally wrong, but I don't think we would have done anything with it to be honest.

Usual referee stuff, when you're losing he's always a twat, but he should definitely have cracked down on the time wasting, particularly the keeper. Never seen anyone get so many warnings without a card.

Chucking bottles uncalled for as always.

But, we're still 6th, joint 2nd on points, and we did play some nice football. Brooks can run past or through people like they're not there when he wants, and his chance was probably our best. Baldock and Thomas looked good when they came on, Thomas in particular because he whipped the ball in the box, which is frustratingly rare at the moment.

Onwards and upwards, Wendy next.

UTB

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Today illustrated why we needed to bring in at least 2 decent strikers in the transfer window. Brooks showed flashes of quality but Evans did nothing and is a shadow of the player he was. Clarke isn't good enough and Sharp, whilst a top finisher, does not create anything and relies totally on good service. I'm just hoping Donaldson can continue his debut form.

68% possession today but we rarely looked like scoring. We over play it at times and we were crying out for a pacey, powerful and direct striker. Very frustrating.

 

[jamie_blade]

Norwich today came with a game plan. They set up for a draw, which looking at their recent results and ours, you can't blame them for. We were bang in form and playing well against some good teams in this division. Their new found defence was solid all game, they closed the play out and all the little pockets we usually have against teams weren't there today. Every time we attacked or had a set play, every player for them was in the box defending. The time wasting was a disgrace and the antics of their players summed up how desperate they were for this win. We missed Clayton and Billy, we needed a bit of pace to stretch their defence, but sadly only Brooks provided a little bit of that. A little criticism from today was the expectation of fans around us. Yes we've had a great start to the season, better than most expected so the level of expectation is so high. This doesn't mean we will turn up and win every week. Shouting at players and moaning at tactics when we had 1 semi-fit striker on the pitch doesn't help. Anyway we move on regroup and go into the next game, hopefully with some players returning.

 

[Ricky]

As for our performance, fundamentally it was decent, as usual. But we started sloppy defensively and they got in down the side of our back 3 a few times, and punished us, against the run of play at the time. We've had warnings about conceding goals like this, but got away with it against Brentford and Derby.

The lack of strikers undoubtedly cost us. I'm convinced we would've scored today with another out and out striker on the pitch. We had a lot of the ball but had to change our approach play, lacked a focal point and a number of good crosses were gobbled up by their CBs in the middle of the 6 yard box.

Stevens was poor and for me he's not good enough going forward. He's solid needs to improve in that department.

Freeman wasn't great either and there's a case to start Baldock next week.

Thomas looked impressive when he came on. Dribbles at speed and could be a good impact sub.

Brooks did quite well but it wasn't his best game, the lack of pace and movement around him held him back. He'll look better with Donaldson.

I think Coutts was probably our best player, yet again.

 

[Camden Blade]

Today illustrated why we needed to bring in at least 2 decent strikers in the transfer window. Brooks showed flashes of quality but Evans did nothing and is a shadow of the player he was. Clarke isn't good enough and Sharp, whilst a top finisher, does not create anything and relies totally on good service. I'm just hoping Donaldson can continue his debut form.

68% possession today but we rarely looked like scoring. We over play it at times and we were crying out for a pacey, powerful and direct striker. Very frustrating.

We did overplay it today. We were like Arsenal trying to walk the ball into the net. Several times in the first half in and around their box we had opportunities to shoot but didn't. Still I thought we deserved a draw. The absence of Sharp and Donaldson was the difference. The ball did not drop for us today and we looked sluggish in the first half and gave the ball away several times. Inevitable we would get punished. But still happy we have nothing to fear in this division. A negative result was going to come sooner or later.

 

[FreePaulRodgers]

Blackman was booked for time wasting against Derby without getting 18 warnings that Gunn did.

 

[grafikhaus]

Today illustrated why we needed to bring in at least 2 decent strikers in the transfer window. Brooks showed flashes of quality but Evans did nothing and is a shadow of the player he was. Clarke isn't good enough and Sharp, whilst a top finisher, does not create anything and relies totally on good service. I'm just hoping Donaldson can continue his debut form.

68% possession today but we rarely looked like scoring. We over play it at times and we were crying out for a pacey, powerful and direct striker. Very frustrating.

Agree totally. I turned up at the Lane today fully expecting at least a point...until I heard the team. We've got a very good back line, a fabulous midfield but our strike force has been threadbare for too long. We've relied on Billy for two full seasons and most of this season (four goals from just two full 90 minutes so far). The jury is still out on Clarke, never mind Ched and today one goal was always going to be too much. Sure some of the crosses were thrilling, but we rarely looked like actually getting on the end of one.

It should not have come to this. The last-day transfer deadline disappointments were poor, but we shouldn't have left it too late. And just to cheer people up even more...I doubt if Donaldson or Billy will feature next Sunday. Clayton has 'tweaked' a hamstring and I hear Billy has pulled a stoach muscle - neither overnight jobs.

 

[lepton blade]

For me Carruthers made a big impact in a very short space of time but as others have commented the like if striking guile was our undoing today. Cannot fault the application and effort of the lads though. I'm sure they will all be hurting a bit, and will be wanting to respond in our next game.
Who are we playing again?

 

[FleaPitBlade]

Play real time. Every injury, sub, and delay in play and the clock stops.

Sometimes the answer is absolutely obvious.

Either that, or we need referees to grow some bollocks and actually add on the 15 minutes of injury time that wouldn't have been totally OTT today.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Agree totally. I turned up at the Lane today fully expecting at least a point...until I heard the team. We've got a very good back line, a fabulous midfield but our strike force has been threadbare for too long. We've relied on Billy for two full seasons and most of this season (four goals from just two full 90 minutes so far). The jury is still out on Clarke, never mind Ched and today one goal was always going to be too much. Sure some of the crosses were thrilling, but we rarely looked like actually getting on the end of one.

It should not have come to this. The last-day transfer deadline disappointments were poor, but we shouldn't have left it too late. And just to cheer people up even more...I doubt if Donaldson or Billy will feature next Sunday. Clayton has 'tweaked' a hamstring and I hear Billy has pulled a stoach muscle - neither overnight jobs.

If that is right about Sharp and Donaldson then the derby could be a nightmare. Fuckin tinpot transfer dealings.

 

[Northyorksblade]

I am so disappointed that a Norwich team, full of quality, come to Bramall Lane, to play a team just promoted from league one and park the bus, time waste and feign injury. Pathetic. Lost the little respect I ever had for them.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Just seen the highlights - should Jamal have done better there? seemed to go close to him and he was slow to get down?

 

[HillmortonBlade]

Time wasting is part of a tempo-slowing strategy. We do it as well.
I like the one where you go to the far end of the field when you're about to be subbed and then walk slowly back shaking hands and back-slapping with every other player. Cracking one that one.

I wasn't at BDTBL today for the reason which will become evident in a moment..

This morning HBJnr was playing and at 3-2 down he was shouting "six seconds ref" when the opposition keeper remembered that he had to check his boots before taking a goal kick.

This afternoon, while in his second game of the day and 2-1 up, HBJnr found it necessary to take his time to find the perfect piece of grass upon which to place the ball for a goal kick.

Both were appropriate. Both equally annoying to someone.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Today illustrated why we needed to bring in at least 2 decent strikers in the transfer window. Brooks showed flashes of quality but Evans did nothing and is a shadow of the player he was. Clarke isn't good enough and Sharp, whilst a top finisher, does not create anything and relies totally on good service. I'm just hoping Donaldson can continue his debut form.

68% possession today but we rarely looked like scoring. We over play it at times and we were crying out for a pacey, powerful and direct striker. Very frustrating.

I think Clarkes ok Deano, just a fucking glass back unfortunately.