I thought Blades played well today

[Bill the Butcher]

can't speak for anyone else, that O's goal led a charmed life. Orient were very poor didn't appear to have much possession couldn't string two passes together but still managed 2 goals WTF !!

Yeah... just started playing well an hour too late

 

[DazBlade88]

Karl Robinson commented that if Blades could play like that 2nd half for the rest of the season, we'll win league.

Also, said it was a penalty. I've not seen a replay of it so can't say. But it looked like JCR fell

I thought it was a penalty on JCR, but it seems to be a worrying trend that our players are looking for pens rather than trying to get a cross in. Murphy and JCR both did it today when it would have been better to stay on their feet and create a good chance.

he also said that we were far too deep until they scored then we pushed up the pitch and overran them BUT as soon as we got ahead retreated too far down the pitch again

It's really starting to bug me that we're doing this when we're clearly struggling to play in that way. We look so much better when we're playing on the front foot, but we keep putting ourselves on the back foot and conceding a goal. If you keep possession in their half there's less chance of them scoring. We gave them a situation where they could gamble and put men in the box when there was no reason to.

Kenny Jackett (Wolves) and Dichov (Donnie) were in the director's box, so expect a bid (Scougs? Baxter?) soon. Also there were Deane & Agana - still looking top-notch (unlike a lot of other ex-players).

If Wolves bid for Scougall based on his current form then they need their heads testing. He shouldn't be in the starting 11 for me. Baxter, JCR and Flynn/Murphy behind McNulty is where we look the most dangerous.

How McNulty isn't starting is beyond me. 3 goals and 3 assists in just over 7 games of playing minutes is bloody good going. You can see that he's got that natural goalscoring instinct.

 

[metty]

JCR fell all right, largely because their defender legged him over. As obvious a penalty as you'll ever see, and how both the ref and the lino missed it is beyond me.

I was near the front of the kop in line with them and I thought that there wasn't any contact at all. We should have had a pen earlier when their defender scooped the ball out using his hand when on the ground.

 

[ScoobBlade]

Murphy,Scougall and Baxter were poor ,JCR and Mcnulty should get a run in the side.

I agree regarding mcnulty, he's bagged a few of late and looks like he's started to settle

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Sitwell, I got the tail end of that on Praise and Grumble on RS on the way home. They just had to be Pig fans. If the new presenter can't spot the signs what's he doing presenting a show on Sheffield football ?


Lane Ender. I know what you mean I was entertained as well, like a black comedy at the end. People were laughing around me after their equaliser

Sorry Cahill, lets not trot out this same old shit every time someone has the temerity to criticise the performance. First half, their keeper had a tame header to save which virtually floated into his hands, that's as busy as he got in that half. Only when JCR came on for the last 20 minutes we then start to look that we may at least get an equalisers. The ending was a kick in the teeth and felt like a loss but I think a few get carried away with the late drama, it was not a good performance, and without the introduction of Mcnulty & JCR we would never have scored. I'm still backing Nigel, but he sure as hell does a good PR job for himself at the end of games.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Of course, hugely disappointed with their equaliser but we'd mullered them second half and how we didnt get 5 is a mystery.
The Wallace miss is up there with the all time great misses of the century and the chances we created was a bright note for me.
Are we a team about to come good or one spluttering and farting into mediocrity? I'm still on the positive side of that question thus far, we have the players to to do the job if.....
Only disappointment today (other than equaliser) was Scougall, who flatters to deceive this season.

agreed scoogs seems a bit lost he is not the same player this season clough needs to take him out ,he is contributing nothing at all to the point of being a passenger.

 

[bladesadviser]

Just got back
a couple of quick points jcr was a definite penalty it was right in front of me
Also wondered why the goal was disallowed for offside as it came off an Orient player before mcnulty put it in

 

[Kenilworth]

Just got back
a couple of quick points jcr was a definite penalty it was right in front of me
Also wondered why the goal was disallowed for offside as it came off an Orient player before mcnulty put it in

Seen replay and deffo came off a blades player to him and player was offside (McNuts wasn't)
Was a pen though

 

[Northyorksblade]

I was near the front of the kop in line with them and I thought that there wasn't any contact at all. We should have had a pen earlier when their defender scooped the ball out using his hand when on the ground.

Very vocal shout of handball from the kop.

 

[B.Lade]

JCR fell all right, largely because their defender legged him over. As obvious a penalty as you'll ever see, and how both the ref and the lino missed it is beyond me.

From the centre of the kop my immediate reaction was he dived but given how certain other people are I'd like to see a replay.

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

From what I saw yesterday we played some nice football yesterday, but yet again without the 'cutting edge'!

Howard's mistake for their goal was a gift as was the free header for their equaliser at the end: how/why the hell do you give away a lead like that and why/how do you manage to conceed a corner when the ball should have been hoofed downfield????

Then there was the offside disallowed goal, the 'miss of the century' by Wallace (how the f**k do you miss from there???), the penalty shout (yes it was a pen ref you tosser!), the sending off (playing against 10 men), hitting the post, 15 shots with only 2 on target, the 13 corners with no end result......

And to come back with 2 goals only to throw it away makes it feel like more of a loss than 0-1 would have!

Orient defended well as we huffed and puffed and they know they got off yesterday.

And a final word for the supporters; over 19k is amazing for L1, well done.


Oh and I'm thinking of applying for the new 80th minute season ticket offer?

 

[bartman]

. NC has built up a huge well of goodwill after the last 3 months of last season but, must admit, both his team selections and motivational skills are baffling me.

.

Surely if NC's motivational skill are poor,the players wouldn't be battling until the last kick of the game. Under Adam,the players gave up as soon as we went behind

 

[curtisblades]

McNulty is a good number 9 at this level and when given the chance I think he will score for fun. Clough needs to start McNulty and JCR as when they play, we seem to get better. Drop Scougall, he is clearly not as good as we all think.

 

[grafikhaus]

Surely if NC's motivational skill are poor,the players wouldn't be battling until the last kick of the game.

I meant from the start. Not bothered if he feeds 'em raw meat, they should be tearing onto that pitch from the start.

 

[DazBlade88]

I meant from the start. Not bothered if he feeds 'em raw meat, they should be tearing onto that pitch from the start.

I don't think it's a lack of motivation, I think it's how the team is being sent out. I'd love to see us start a game like we started the second half yesterday.

 

[BeatleBlade]

Should be starting Mcnulty as to me he is the Striker we have been looking for from what I have seen.

 

[Deadbat]

I know it sounds like a witch hunt but Baxter is the problem ,play slows down with him and his lack of movement . First half he just kept occupying the same area as Murphy. He has great talent but I genuinely think he is a problem for us ,we seem to have to find a place for him because no one knows his position. We cant run our team around one players ability.

Interesting how people are so mixed on Jose. I am somewhere in the middle. The lad does have talent but to me he is still carrying too much weight and for all his talent does not do enough. As you say I am not sure where he plays either. He is not mobile or quick enough to be a central midfielder but lacks pace/strength to be a striker. I think he has to play just behind a striker for me if he plays or even alongside another striker where he plays slightly more withdrawn.

He was never in the game yesterday but neither was Scougall. However last season the way we played so those two be key to what we did. Why has it changed this season? It is down to who the other players around them being lesser players?

I think we do have the issue that if we change the formation then not sure where either he or Scougall play (I think the latter could have a run in central midfield and see if that gets him more involved but Wallace/Doyle I think will be more than acceptable at this level).

However to balance criticise of Baxter without his goals we would be a lot lower in the league and is still one of few who can make and take decent goals. Interesting to note as well we have lost 4 games this season and Baxter has started none of those for those stating or believing in the perception he is the issue.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Baxter has to play in the hole - up top is a joke, especially when he isn't match fit like yesterday.

If we had started with Mcnulty we would have easily won - because he is a natural goal scorer.

UTB

 

[Lane Ender]

I know he's not popular with a lot on here but I'd love to see Higdon with Mcnulty up top with JCR and Murphy supplying.

 

[Revolution]

I know he's not popular with a lot on here but I'd love to see Higdon with Mcnulty up top with JCR and Murphy supplying.

I think this front 4, with Doyle and Wallace in the middle, could see us in the top 2.

But I fear there is no chance of this happening, even if Wallace was fit enough.

 

[Railway Blade]

Ithink Nigel is at fault for trying to crowbar in what he considers his best players to the detriment of the team shape and organisation. He is trying to get Baxter, Murphy. Scougall,Flynn all in the same side and the team shape suffers. Mcnulty should be up front, Baxer or Scougall behind him, on form I would go Baxter. JCR should be on one wing and either Flynn, Murphy or Davis on the other.

We also need to sort out a back four and stick to it. Constant chopping and changing personnel is not helping them settle and build a working relationship.

 

[LSF]

Interesting how people are so mixed on Jose. I am somewhere in the middle. The lad does have talent but to me he is still carrying too much weight and for all his talent does not do enough. As you say I am not sure where he plays either. He is not mobile or quick enough to be a central midfielder but lacks pace/strength to be a striker. I think he has to play just behind a striker for me if he plays or even alongside another striker where he plays slightly more withdrawn.

He was never in the game yesterday but neither was Scougall. However last season the way we played so those two be key to what we did. Why has it changed this season? It is down to who the other players around them being lesser players?

I think we do have the issue that if we change the formation then not sure where either he or Scougall play (I think the latter could have a run in central midfield and see if that gets him more involved but Wallace/Doyle I think will be more than acceptable at this level).

However to balance criticise of Baxter without his goals we would be a lot lower in the league and is still one of few who can make and take decent goals. Interesting to note as well we have lost 4 games this season and Baxter has started none of those for those stating or believing in the perception he is the issue.

You make an interesting point about Baxter and Scougalls contributions last season and their anonimoty on Saturday.
As disappointed as I am in Scougall's (less so Baxter) play since his breathtaking start last season, I still think he can come good again.
Consistency is what separates the good from the average and that is why these two young pros are currently plying their trade in division 3.
The vital ingredient may or may not emerge with the onset of time...

 

[Taramasalata]

From where I was sitting, decent match, poor defending let us down.