John Brayford

[Blade for Sale]

I really dont know why we are discussing this as Brayford is months away from playing
in the first team by then we may have a solid settled CB partnership

Didn't Brayford tweet something recently hinting he may be back sooner then expected? Brayford and Done coming back would be some shot in the arm.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Circumstances dictate, particularly in crisis, the way one responds to situations. Unfortunately this could mean Brayford filling in at centre half as he's better than all of our other options (though who knows about Edgar).

For what it's worth, all being well I'd be picking;

Howard?
Brayford Edgar? Basham Harris?

Freeman Wallace? Baxter? Murphy
Done
Sharp

Question marks over those I don't trust as players, either in ability or fitness. Anybody not in this starting 11 (Adams aside) can be considered not good enough.
Goalkeepers: Even ignoring Howard's inability to stay fit he isn't good enough for a promotion push. He cost us lots of points last season and I haven't forgotten how poor he was for Swindon's last minute winner in the play-offs, I knew it was going in as soon as Byrne struck it, because I have no faith in Howard's shot stopping. That being said the alternative proved how far off the required standard he is on Saturday.

Defence: Brayford and Basham have never let us down in those positions and have excelled regularly at this level. Edgar I haven't seen yet. Harris, injuries again are an issue, but his form at the back end of last season was shocking too, torn apart on many occasions and his distribution was woeful at times. His form is far too erratic, which is why he's in League 1. That being said the alternative proved how far off the required standard he is on Saturday.

Wings: I'd be tempted, like others, to give Freeman a try on the right wing. His defence isn't great for a right back but he could be an effective wing back. With Brayford on the overlap I think they could develop something decent down there, not much would get through. JCR could come on and stretch teams. Che Adams could come in on any wing or up top to shake things up on 65 minutes, until he finds consistency. With Flynn coming back, I can't for the life of me understand the point in Woolford.

Central Midfield: What a catastrophe. Baxter doesn't look like he wants it enough. He isn't mobile enough for a 4 man, and he doesn't use his ability nearly enough to influence games (a la Andy Reid). Wallace is the nearest thing we have to an all rounder, which is what we've missed since Coady left (we really should've signed him, what a glaring miss that was). Unfortunately, he can't stay fit either, but when he's fit he has to start from what I've seen of him, which admittedly isn't enough. Coutts, used to be everything we need, he isn't anymore though, he's done. Scougall, Reed - it's too early to write them off, but they're not where we need them to be right now. Scougall in particular really needs to improve his output, it's been poor for a long time now, he's weak, he doesn't score goals, doesn't create goals and doesn't make many tackles. All that being said there is definitely some ability in there.

Strikers: Matt Done is our best player, creates, scores and works his knackers off, can't wait for him to become available again. Billy Sharp should still come good for us, provided he gets the service. I've seen enough of him in pre-season to suggest this, particularly against Hull where he demonstrated good movement, good work ethic and some neat turns which against lower end opposition would draw fouls/goals. Sammon and Higdon should be treated as "big man options" only and not to be relied upon for goals. Not impressed with either.

I posted on BM that I wasn't happy with what I'd seen since Adkins took over a few weeks ago, I genuinely thought he'd analyse our position quicker and rectify it. It's an absolutely disastrous start he's got off to, the pressure is already on because I feel he's lost the fans' belief in his abilities to some extent and his interviews can be a bit tedious. It feels like he's been speaking to an American psycologist, all this "positive positive positive" craic seems a bit fake to a cynical Yorkshireman. If it works on the players then great, I really hope it does.

 

[Jan Age]

Why would you spend loads of money one something and then use it for something completely different? You wouldn't buy a pair of shoes and wear them as gloves?

What the beard offers as an attacking right back far outweighs any benefit of sticking him in at CB.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I suppose where we differ Fulwood is that I do rate Freeman. Not as highly as I rate Brayford at RB but I rate Freeman as a better RB than I do Collins CB. Therefore, I tend to think a back four of

Freeman---Brayford---Edgar—Harris

Would possibly be better than

Brayford---Collins---Edgar—Harris

Although I don’t think there is a lot in it and there is some merit playing Freeman at RM in front of Brayford. But I also think if Brayford played CB that Flynn and Freeman could make a decent pairing down the right side.

Long term, I’d like to see us bring in another CB and have Brayford at right back but with what we have, I think it’s a case of needs must.

 

[alcoblade]

I posted on BM that I wasn't happy with what I'd seen since Adkins took over a few weeks ago, I genuinely thought he'd analyse our position quicker and rectify it. It's an absolutely disastrous start he's got off to, the pressure is already on because I feel he's lost the fans' belief in his abilities to some extent and his interviews can be a bit tedious. It feels like he's been speaking to an American psycologist, all this "positive positive positive" craic seems a bit fake to a cynical Yorkshireman. If it works on the players then great, I really hope it does.

Sadly, I think there's more truth in this than there should be, based on reactions on here.

For fans opinion to be remotely changing so soon, it is quite frankly fucking ridiculous.

We've will never get a better manager than Adkins in our current position.

There's a good number of fans who need to regain a sense of perspective. Too many years in division 3 has puddled their brains.

UTB

 

[blade too long]

was it just me noticed we kept a clean sheet on Tuesday

must have adressed a few issues

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Let's play him where he made a name for himself. He isn't a centre half, where as Basham on the other hand.

Pegs and holes etc;

Square pegs in round holes? There's websites for that sort of stuff mate. Keep it to yourself, this is a family forum.

 

[BushBlade]

Sadly, I think there's more truth in this than there should be, based on reactions on here.

For fans opinion to be remotely changing so soon, it is quite frankly fucking ridiculous.

There's a good number of fans who need to regain a sense of perspective. Too many years in division 3 has puddled their brains.

We will never get a better manager than Adkins in our current position.

UTB

No we won't but that doesn't mean we have to be impressed with what he's done so far. I think it's possible to be fairly unimpressed but still believe that long term, he'll get us up.

I don't think there's anything wrong with considered criticism either (as opposed to just moaning and saying he's crap). By discussing what hasn't worked well so far and analysing why, one can get a feel for how difficult his job actually is.

 

[BushBlade]

was it just me noticed we kept a clean sheet on Tuesday

must have adressed a few issues

Yeah, I reckon if we played league 2 teams every week we'd stand a good chance of winning the league.

 

[alcoblade]

No we won't but that doesn't mean we have to be impressed with what he's done so far. I think it's possible to be fairly unimpressed but still believe that long term, he'll get us up.

I don't think there's anything wrong with considered criticism either (as opposed to just moaning and saying he's crap). By discussing what hasn't worked well so far and analysing why, one can get a feel for how difficult his job actually is.

It's all worth discussion. However, in not being impressed by signings (quantity and quality) there's little knowledge about how constrained he is financially. I expect quite a lot.

UTB

 

[blade too long]

Yeah, I reckon if we played league 2 teams every week we'd stand a good chance of winning the league.

yes no team ever lets in goals v league 2 clubs

heres oxfords 4th at brentford

 

[blade too long]

who are chesterfield hoping for in round 2 , oh hang on they lost 3-1 at league 2 carlisle

chessy in good form for saturday

but youd expect a clean sheet at a league 2 club

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Sod whether Brayford plays RB or CH! It's his music selections on twatter that I'm looking forward to

Seriously though, the moment when - 15 minutes or so into the game in which he's been selected on the subs bench for the first time after his absence - he runs out doing his sub's warm-up in front of the South Stand, reckon the roof will be torn off the place! The Return of the Icon!

 

[Fiery Blade]

was it just me noticed we kept a clean sheet on Tuesday

must have adressed a few issues

We were only playing Morecambe who lost to Hartlepool on Saturday ! (Hartlepool stayed in the league last year due to a very late run that got them out of the brown sticky stuff )

 

[BushBlade]

yes no team ever lets in goals v league 2 clubs

heres oxfords 4th at brentford
View attachment 12866

Not one of those Brentford players started on Saturday according to the radio commentary.

 

[BushBlade]

It's all worth discussion. However, in not being impressed by signings (quantity and quality) there's little knowledge about how constrained he is financially. I expect quite a lot.

UTB

Surely that's the benefit of discussing it? To get those kind of points out there.

 

[alcoblade]

Surely that's the benefit of discussing it? To get those kind of points out there.

Well, we will never know the constraints he's under, though logic suggests he must be. But that doesn't mean it's not worth discussion.

So, anyone who has started losing faith in the manager after about 50 working days is losing the plot. That's my input to the discussion.

UTB

 

[blade too long]

We were only playing Morecambe who lost to Hartlepool on Saturday ! (Hartlepool stayed in the league last year due to a very late run that got them d
d
out of the brown sticky stuff )

swansea only just stayed in the league 10 years ago
york missed relegation by a point got in the play offs
dont you watch much football

portsmouth only just avoided relegation the
year before , beat championship derby last night

palace saved themselves with a draw at the pigs , arent they in the prem now

see you missed chesterfield lost at second division carlisle too

whats your point

 

[BushBlade]

Well, we will never know the constraints he's under, though logic suggests he must be. But that doesn't mean it's not worth discussion.

So, anyone who has started losing faith in the manager after about 50 working days is losing the plot. That's my input to the discussion.

UTB

Thanks for your contribution, appreciate it.

 

[blade too long]

.

Not one of those Brentford players started on Saturday according to the radio commentary.

so it wasnt brentford playing
you saying they only have 11 players , in the championship
at home to a league 2 club surely your premise is we were shit , but didnt we make changes
if we can make wholesale changes surely a team a league above us should be able to


try and think before you post

 

[BushBlade]

.





try and think before you post

No need for that.

 

[Fiery Blade]

swansea only just stayed in the league 10 years ago
york missed relegation by a point got in the play offs
dont you watch much football

portsmouth only just avoided relegation the
year before , beat championship derby last night

palace saved themselves with a draw at the pigs , arent they in the prem now

see you missed chesterfield lost at second division carlisle too

whats your point

The point is we beat Morecambe 0-1 scoring in the last minute !
Apparently we again missed a host of chances according to an eye witness
Not interested in Palace, Portsmouth, Swansea, York Chesterfield or Carlisle I'm interested in United and I expect better !
Yes, I watch a lot of football !
Last week we lost to Gillingham 4-0 which is not acceptable!
Wot's your excuse ???

 

[blade too long]

The point is we beat Morecambe 0-1 scoring in the last minute
I'm interested in United and I expect better !

so because we won with a late goal its unacceptable

so when man utd scored 2 very late goals to beat bayern in the cl final thats unacceptable

games last 90 minutes

so long as you score more than the other team , you win

all wins are very acceptable even against morecambe
9 thats 9 championship sides went out to lower opposition



so if we beat say wigan in the play off final with a 91st minute goal you wont be happy because it took too long

you have to stop thinking that because its ONLY Morecambe we should tear them a new ass hole
its a cup game,
we won it , thats the idea
how can you expect better than winning
its a new one on me

 

[Punk Blade]

Having a selection dilemma with two good players vying for one position is a good thing, and something we need all over the pitch, not just at RB.

The important thing for me is that it isn't just our best players on the pitch, or our best players in their best position, it's also players in good form on the pitch. If Freeman is performing well when Brayford is available I'd like to see them both in the starting XI which would mean one of them not at RB. I'm more worried about the comparative lack of competition/options down the left flank.

 

[Fiery Blade]

so because we won with a late goal its unacceptable

so when man utd scored 2 very late goals to beat bayern in the cl final thats unacceptable

games last 90 minutes

so long as you score more than the other team , you win

all wins are very acceptable even against morecambe
9 thats 9 championship sides went out to lower opposition



so if we beat say wigan in the play off final with a 91st minute goal you wont be happy because it took too long

you have to stop thinking that because its ONLY Morecambe we should tear them a new ass hole
its a cup game,
we won it , thats the idea
how can you expect better than winning
its a new one on me

Try reading the post BTL not part of it !
What I did say is that we only beat Morecambe by the skin of our teeth - it wasn't a comprehensive victory scoring a goal in the last minute despite having 21 shots on goal and 12 corners - The fact that we were not one goal behind is that the post saved us when the goalkeeper was beaten by a longe range shot !
What I did say was UNACCEPTABLE was losing to Gillingham last Saturday when nearly 2,000 fans travelled to Gillingham with new hope only to be short changed by an inept, gutless display by the Blades shipping four goals and managing just one shot on goal in the latter stages - That was Unacceptable and I challenge anyone to disagree !!!

Before the season started Mr Adkins did say that we shipped in too many goals and didn't score enough last season - not a lot has changed to date !

 

[blade too long]

Try reading the post BTL not part of it !
What I did say is that we only beat Morecambe by the skin of our teeth - it wasn't a comprehensive victory scoring a goal in the last minute despite having 21 shots on goal and 12 corners - The fact that we were not one goal behind is that the post saved us when the goalkeeper was beaten by a longe range shot !
What I did say was UNACCEPTABLE was losing to Gillingham last Saturday when nearly 2,000 fans travelled to Gillingham with new hope only to be short changed by an inept, gutless display by the Blades shipping four goals and managing just one shot on goal in the latter stages - That was Unacceptable and I challenge anyone to disagree !!!

Before the season started Mr Adkins did say that we shipped in too many goals and didn't score enough last season - not a lot has changed to date !

well it wasnt a good first game
but thats all it was the first game
so long as we learn from it losing in the firstgame is nt the end of the season
hopefully its put in 3D technicolour to Adkins WHATS NEEDED
If we had scraped a draw we might not have progressed squad wise as quickly as we have been forced to

A team can grow more from a bad result
saying you want only a omprehensive win again is being disrespectful to Morecambe
you point out any team thats gone to a lower league side and won comprehensively

we arent that big never ever have been not in my 50 years of watching us

are you saying anything less than 3-0 is poor
which planet or time zone have you been watching us in

still dont get why you feel scoring late on is a bad thing , gives the opposition no time to respond
If we could take the lead in the 89th minute in 30 or so games this season Ill be ecstatic

IF YOU CAN POINT OUT 3 OCCASIONS WEVE GONE AWAY IN THE LEAGUE CUP OVER THE PAST 45 YEARS AND WON BY 3 OR MORE iD BE GOB SMACKED

 

[TonyAgana]

well it wasnt a good first game
but thats all it was the first game
so long as we learn from it losing in the firstgame is nt the end of the season
hopefully its put in 3D technicolour to Adkins WHATS NEEDED
If we had scraped a draw we might not have progressed squad wise as quickly as we have been forced to

A team can grow more from a bad result
saying you want only a omprehensive win again is being disrespectful to Morecambe
you point out any team thats gone to a lower league side and won comprehensively

we arent that big never ever have been not in my 50 years of watching us

are you saying anything less than 3-0 is poor
which planet or time zone have you been watching us in

still dont get why you feel scoring late on is a bad thing , gives the opposition no time to respond
If we could take the lead in the 89th minute in 30 or so games this season Ill be ecstatic

IF YOU CAN POINT OUT 3 OCCASIONS WEVE GONE AWAY IN THE LEAGUE CUP OVER THE PAST 45 YEARS AND WON BY 3 OR MORE iD BE GOB SMACKED

Your poem doesn't rhyme.

 

[Fiery Blade]

well it wasnt a good first game
but thats all it was the first game
so long as we learn from it losing in the firstgame is nt the end of the season
hopefully its put in 3D technicolour to Adkins WHATS NEEDED
If we had scraped a draw we might not have progressed squad wise as quickly as we have been forced to

A team can grow more from a bad result
saying you want only a omprehensive win again is being disrespectful to Morecambe
you point out any team thats gone to a lower league side and won comprehensively

we arent that big never ever have been not in my 50 years of watching us

are you saying anything less than 3-0 is poor
which planet or time zone have you been watching us in

still dont get why you feel scoring late on is a bad thing , gives the opposition no time to respond
If we could take the lead in the 89th minute in 30 or so games this season Ill be ecstatic

IF YOU CAN POINT OUT 3 OCCASIONS WEVE GONE AWAY IN THE LEAGUE CUP OVER THE PAST 45 YEARS AND WON BY 3 OR MORE iD BE GOB SMACKED

Where on earth did you get the three goal scoreline from ??? Never mentioned any scores whatsoever !
Introducing your own agenda again !
As far as I can ascertain I am from planet Earth and currently operating in British Summer Tim,e but one has to wonder when I get quoted totally wrong in your bizarre posts !
What I was alluding to and that you seem to have failed to grasp is, that, if the Blades had scored early on, they could have dominated the game much more and perhaps scored some more goals to give the team confidence (say like v Colchester City or Scunthorpe last season when after scoring early went on to register four goals in each game)
Never ever said we are a big side (as you put it) but I can confidently say we are a much, much bigger club in history, support, financial clout, facilities etc than Morecambe ever will be and realistically I would have been really disappointed if we had not progressed to the next round.
As regards scoring in the last minute I don't have any issues with that whatsoever, but, again I was disappointed given the new regime and now the attacking players available to Mr Adkins and his team to score goals for the Blades.
It will be interesting to see how the Blades progress over the next few weeks, but As I have said, at present Mr Adkins & Co has not filled me with the confidence that many Blades fans have had pre season !
PS Don't think it would be a very smart move to sell Murphy, one of the few supply lines to the strikers we currently have at our disposal with JCR, Done, Flynn, Coutts, Brayford and Harris on the treatment table !

 

[Celtic Blade]

The reason Brayford is currently injured is because NC decided to put him at CH and force him to try and win headers against blokes twice his size, it knackered his knees and we nearly ruined our record signing. Its pretty simple to me, put Freeman left back, put Brayford RB, give him the arm band and climb out of this league

 

[blade too long]

Where on earth did you get the three goal scoreline from ??? Never mentioned any scores whatsoever !
Introducing your own agenda again !!

I got it from the word comprehensive

giver me your definition of that

obviously 1-0 was woefully inadequate, I take it 2-0 would be so so

just to clarify then what is comprehensive