Pre-season 2026/27 Halifax Town 1 - 3 Sheffield United - 4th July 2026

[Grappler]

Both halves were 4-4-2ish but it wasn't particularly rigid, particularly second half when Jairo sat deep, the fullbacks (and occasionally centre backs) pushed on and Hamer drifted inside. First half Marsh was often further forward than Cannon, who was making runs from deep, and although One was playing from the left, he made a few runs through the middle too.

View attachment 239724View attachment 239725

Put Tanganga, Cooper and Arblaster into the second half side in place of Davies, McGuinness and Blacker and you'd have a pretty solid line-up, with right wing and centre back the obvious spots that need new signings and a toss up between Campbell, Cannon and O'Hare for the second central attacking spot.

I think Ryan One charging down the middle, straight at goal, would put the shits up most Championship defenders.

The lad wouldn't look out of place in a Boxing ring.

Tall, solid, pace and technique. Please don't sell him yet, United.

 

[b1ade4life]

Quick thoughts.

First half XI
1 Michael Cooper (fuck all to do)
5 Japhet Tanganga (c)
(Looks solid)
16 Jamie Shackleton
33 Jamal Baptiste
(Looks a good prospect. Calm and composed)
14 Harrison Burrows
4 Oliver Arblaster ( a level above anyone else on the pitch.
Back to the old Blaster. 4/5 wonderful through balls)
7 Joe Rothwell
34 Louie Marsh (tried hard)
26 Ryan One
( big powerful but out on the left wing)
39 Zach Giggs (ok)
9 Tom Cannon (looks sharp and put himself about alot)

Just seen the highlights, blaster playing like a mini pirlo

 

[Blackheath Blade]

Proud to see he’s been following my recommended pre-season diet and fitness regime.

Working wonders!

He can eat 20 kebabs a week for me if he regularly knocks goals in like he did yesterday.

 

[Uganda Blade]

He can eat 20 kebabs a week for me if he regularly knocks goals in like he did yesterday.

But that's less than three a day. Why the rationing?

 

[Newbury Blade]

Fuckin hell Gus.

View attachment 239721

Great, we needed a wide player.

 

[Keen Blade]

Is young Giggs L footed or R footed ?
If we are persisting with an inverted winger on one side and No winger on the other side , I want my ST money back.
Brooks was wasted on the R.
Look at the difference in England's performance once the wingers start going on the outside on their strongest foot.

 

[Blademan89]

Is young Giggs L footed or R footed ?
If we are persisting with an inverted winger on one side and No winger on the other side , I want my ST money back.
Brooks was wasted on the R.
Look at the difference in England's performance once the wingers start going on the outside on their strongest foot.

England play with inverted wingers lol, so none of them was going on outside with their strongest foot.

Stats suggest otherwise regarding brooks being wasted, 6 goals & 2 assist in his break out season, in a poor side, I would say he was effective. He also started having better games though when he was mixing it up coming in and taking on, on the outside.

I will say though, I find it a irritating/ poor that professional footballers cant use either foot. And especially if your a winger you should be able to use both feet.

 

[Silent Blade]

Is young Giggs L footed or R footed ?
If we are persisting with an inverted winger on one side and No winger on the other side , I want my ST money back.
Brooks was wasted on the R.
Look at the difference in England's performance once the wingers start going on the outside on their strongest foot.

Saka and Madueke are left footed, both play on the right. Gordon and Rashford are right footed, both play on the left. You are either thick or just enjoy being a troll in here.

 

[Keen Blade]

England play with inverted wingers lol, so none of them was going on outside with their strongest foot.

Stats suggest otherwise regarding brooks being wasted, 6 goals & 2 assist in his break out season, in a poor side, I would say he was effective. He also started having better games though when he was mixing it up coming in and taking on, on the outside.

I will say though, I find it a irritating/ poor that professional footballers cant use either foot. And especially if your a winger you should be able to use both feet.

Players of England standard are more likely to be genuinely two-footed.
What I meant was the performance was much improved by at least some wide attacking being done on the outside and not ALL by coming inside.
Genuinely two-footed players are way out of dem Blades' reach.
Even when Brooks tried to cross from the outside R , he often used the outside of his L foot which is sub-optimal.
The best way to beat a full back is to not have him know in advance which way you're gonna try and beat him.
If as a winger you're consistently going one way , you make his job easy.