Is it time to change the system?

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

Not a reactionary post, but something I think genuinely needs to be considered. Since the dawn of Chris Wilders reign, we've seen a new system implemented that relies on high intensity play particularly from out wide. For 90% of the time that it's been used, it's worked a treat, seeing us rise from the bottom of league one to the brink of European football in 4 years.

However, it's become especially noticeable since "project restart" that we fade badly in the second half of games. As such, if we're not winning by half time - our chances of getting goals in the second half of games is somewhat diminished & as a result, our chances of winning games drops. I don't think it's an issue with our fitness per-se, but the system that we play is very demanding. When players tire, mistakes happen & we become exposed - in the Premier League, you WILL be punished for that.

We need to find a way to be in the games we play for longer. We can't rely on getting early goals then trying to hang onto leads (if we get them) because if we don't, then we're in trouble.

There must be a system we can play, with the players that we have that can bring better results that we're currently getting.

Is it time for the next iteration of Sheffield United under Chris Wilder?

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

No

 

[JayGreen17]

I hate to use the word but we are a team in transition, from one that has been used to a system with the same players for years to one that’s improving the squad with new players - CWAK trying things to see what works, it’s a really difficult place to be as we can’t wait to long to settle on who we need to be. Add into that mix injuries to key players and it makes it even more difficult.

it’s gonna be a tough few games and we need to sit tight and be patient, If we can get 18-20 points by the new year we’ll be fine (I think)

 

[Geordie Blade]

No - we just need the right players for it.

The XI that started today (Stevens at LCB, Lowe at LWB) would be fine. I like Robinson as an individual player, but he completely nullifies our system. I’d still like to see Ampadu at LCB.

 

[JayGreen17]

The base of the team was good first half, we need a creative type to replace Lunny, not just cos he’s shite but we need that creative Spark to turn things.

 

[Danetheblade]

I hate to use the word but we are a team in transition, from one that has been used to a system with the same players for years to one that’s improving the squad with new players - CWAK trying things to see what works, it’s a really difficult place to be as we can’t wait to long to settle on who we need to be. Add into that mix injuries to key players and it makes it even more difficult.

it’s gonna be a tough few games and we need to sit tight and be patient, If we can get 18-20 points by the new year we’ll be fine (I think)

But. He isn't trying new things at all? It's the same formation. Same way of attacking, same style of play?

 

[CarlMcBlade]

If Fulham are supposed to be the “whipping boys” of the league. We are well fucked.
The way they ran through us at will in the second half was frightening. We are so vulnerable on the counter attack and seem to have no way of stemming the flow of play.
The way we concede possession so easily, invariably turns the game into attack versus defence......With us on the receiving end.

 

[AnstonBlade1]

I think today we should of gone for it and put McGoldrick as a no.10 and two up top.

 

[Zlatan]

Other than maybe a diamond or a 4-3-1-2, what could we change it to? We don't have any attacking midfielders or out and out wingers.

 

[McGoaldrick]

I really think subs are the issue. We have become accustomed to just changing the strikers & having an emergency sub in case we’re losing.

I understand we were limited today by the injury to Lowe but we have an abundance of options to freshen things up. Ampadu at CDM for when Norwood fades, Osborn, Bogle (wherever he is!). Especially important when the players clearly are not getting enough time to recover and the system is demanding.

Baldock looked rested and back to his best making darting runs down the wing late in the game but we had no one keeping up to support him.

Thought we were really good on the whole today until 70 mins, just not clinical enough.

 

[DeanLearner'sCat]

Every time we've had a bad run over the last few years, people think a system change is needed. The system suits the players we have. If we'd have taken our chances against Leeds and today, we'd probably have 6 points. If we'd scored a penalty against Villa, that's possibly another 1. We've just got to be more clinical.

However, without JOC, we look weaker defensively. And with each game without a win, our confidence takes another hit. So, in any system you like, it's gonna be a long old season.

 

[S40BLADE]

It is well known that discussions of tactics and formations are strictly prohibited amongst our fans and anyone saying otherwise needs to be branded as "negative" and against Wilder's ways... Joking aside I agree but with the lack of any creative signings the possibility of changing shape has now gone IMO. We will just have to be the GoOd hONeSt GrAfTers rest of the season.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

I think today we should of gone for it and put McGoldrick as a no.10 and two up top.

If you we don’t “go for it” against a bottom of the league team......When do we go for it?

 

[A Storm of Blades]

Not a reactionary post, but something I think genuinely needs to be considered. Since the dawn of Chris Wilders reign, we've seen a new system implemented that relies on high intensity play particularly from out wide. For 90% of the time that it's been used, it's worked a treat, seeing us rise from the bottom of league one to the brink of European football in 4 years.

However, it's become especially noticeable since "project restart" that we fade badly in the second half of games. As such, if we're not winning by half time - our chances of getting goals in the second half of games is somewhat diminished & as a result, our chances of winning games drops. I don't think it's an issue with our fitness per-se, but the system that we play is very demanding. When players tire, mistakes happen & we become exposed - in the Premier League, you WILL be punished for that.

We need to find a way to be in the games we play for longer. We can't rely on getting early goals then trying to hang onto leads (if we get them) because if we don't, then we're in trouble.

There must be a system we can play, with the players that we have that can bring better results that we're currently getting.

Is it time for the next iteration of Sheffield United under Chris Wilder?

No it’s time go back to the most successful variant of the system and #Bringbackthe10

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Every time we've had a bad run over the last few years, people think a system change is needed. The system suits the players we have. If we'd have taken our chances against Leeds and today, we'd probably have 6 points. If we'd scored a penalty against Villa, that's possibly another 1. We've just got to be more clinical.

However, without JOC, we look weaker defensively. And with each game without a win, our confidence takes another hit. So, in any system you like, it's gonna be a long old season.

That is exactly where we are lacking. Our finishing as a goals to chances ratio is absolutely appalling. Didzy may be our only goal scorer from open play but his goals to chances ratio is also very poor. McBurnie also doesn’t seem to have the composure required to thrive at this level.

 

[DronnieBlade]

No.

I say let’s keep going a goal down b4 reverting to a 10 and 2 9s !.

UTB

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

For me it's a combo of us being sussed that bit more by the opposition, and the current players not playing the system as well as last season. JOC getting crocked and replaced by a Forest reserve, Stevens/Norwood off form, Fleck injured etc. it's perhaps no surprise it isnt working as well.

I just dont think he has signed players to allow a dramatic alteration to the system. It would be nice to see a return to the number 10 variant. That might help, to quote Wilder and Billy after the game, the shackles come off....

 

[Bladesman]

 

[Snowflake]

For me it's a combo of us being sussed that bit more by the opposition, and the current players not playing the system as well as last season. JOC getting crocked and replaced by a Forest reserve, Stevens/Norwood off form, Fleck injured etc. it's perhaps no surprise it isnt working as well.

I just dont think he has signed players to allow a dramatic alteration to the system. It would be nice to see a return to the number 10 variant. That might help, to quote Wilder and Billy after the game, the shackles come off....

Spot on.
We needed pace, so let’s see what happens when Lowe, Burke and Brewster are all up to fitness.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

McGoldrick and McBurnie are never going to provide us goals in this league unfortunately. Whether Brewster/ Burke can answer that problem is to be seen.

We look far from the team we witnessed last season and Wilder doesn’t look himself either.

Loss of confidence in both the system and the direction could be bad news. We have signed around 15 + players since we were promoted and spent over £100m yet we start with 8 players from the championship, what the hell have we spent our money on?

 

[McGoaldrick]

No.

I say let’s keep going a goal down b4 reverting to a 10 and 2 9s !.

UTB

Infuriating isn’t it

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

This is exactly what is.

We were getting goals in certain games last year which put us in the driving seat and took some pressure off the back 3 and GK.

Enda Stevens not performing and JOC being injured has had a bigger knock on effect to our attacking play than many think. Stevens looks a Guinness coloured shadow of his former self.

 

[AnstonBlade1]

If you we don’t “go for it” against a bottom of the league team......When do we go for it?

We’re the home team we should of gone all out certainly didn’t second half

 

[Deadbat]

Classic example of why stats can be misleading. Other than maybe Lunny v Leeds/Villa and McBurnie today how many of them 43 have been really good chances or glaring misses?

 

[saw516]

Classic example of why stats can be misleading. Other than maybe Lunny v Leeds/Villa and McBurnie today how many of them 43 have been really good chances or glaring misses?

well as the sat said, xg of 5, so of those 43 shots we should have scored 5 of them

 

[Silent Blade]

Classic example of why stats can be misleading. Other than maybe Lunny v Leeds/Villa and McBurnie today how many of them 43 have been really good chances or glaring misses?

You missed Lowe's concussion too

 

[Brumdog66]

The issue is we don't have wide players so need to play some form of 5 at the back in my opinion

 

[OrderOfStGeorge]

We need a plan b and also to add better quality in our midfield alongside Berge because he is playing alongside players that are not good enough in the midfield.

 

[8lade]

How good would it be if a team turns up expecting the usual formation and we line up differently?
Of course we still need a competent team to play that formation but I think we have players versatile enough for this we need to shake it up a bit and this would at least confuse them for a while, any advantage is crucial for us.
So that's a 'yes'.

 

[Ginger Gnome]

The bigger reason for playing 5 at the back isn't that we don't have wide players (Burke and Bogle could play on the wings), but that we don't have any centre backs good enough for a back four. Likewise we need some kind of midfield three to compensate for the lack of quality there. The squad really doesn't have the variety in it to do a lot other than some variant of 3-5-2, we just need the players to actually perform for 90 minutes.