Last night..

[Chezzy Blades]

The performance was tragic last night.

We had one shot on target in 90 minutes. We only had 3 off target that I can remember (there may have been more)

The goal was at the other end but I've since read it was Howard again? We've been getting by on keepers who've spent most of their career as number 2's now since Paddy. They seem to start well but go downhill quickly. (Bunn, Long, Simmo, Howard) What's causing this trend? Do we need to look at the goalkeeping coach as to why our keepers go from decent to nervous wrecks who never seem to save anything?

We played a right back at left back, a right back at left centre half, a centre midfielder at right centre half and a right winger at right back. Not one of the back four playing in their natural position. This is not all down to injuries. This is down to piss poor recruitment. We have 3 natural centre halves on the books, one has dodgy knees, one is on loan at Port Vale and one was sat on the bench. Why bother with McGahey on the bench is he can't even get a game when we have no defenders? He's no world beater but at least he's a centre half and a big lad!

On that note, height. Yeovil had FIVE players last night who were taller than Basham. Ugwu, Moore, Webster, Arthurworrey and Foley (luckily he took the set pieces) were all taller than 6'2. We had one player over 6 foot. Ryan Flynn was marking Moore at corners until he went off injured. When is Nigel going to realise we desperately need to get some height on the pitch? Nice football is one thing, but that stats show this season we have haemorrhaged goals at corners and free kicks. The goal last night came from another long straight free kick. Get us some big lads signed who will attack these balls as they come in!


Midfield. Scougall and Holt should never play in the same midfield again. It worked for half an hour against an Oldham team who were hanging on. Last night, the 2 centre midfielders of Yeovil dominated our three. Holt never gets near enough to make a tackle, and by the time he arrives the ball is long gone. Scougall shows some nice touches going forward but makes exactly the same runs as Holt and also doesn't arrive in time to tackle. Poor Doyle is running for 3 and by the second half his legs can't get him there fast enough either. Basham HAS to play in central midfield, we don't have anyone else with enough energy to cope without him. Also, Coutts on the right wing? He hasn't shown much yet but he does appear to be a competent passer who generally looked to retain the ball. We had (another) right back sat on the bench in Alcock, why not start him, push Flynn forward and get Coutts into his natural position? That's we players playing where they should instead of in roles they're uncomfortable in.

Changes. Nigel seems to have no idea how to change the system to chase the game. Why make a like for like change after going behind and bring Baxter on for Scougall? Davies and after he went on Done were isolated up front all night against 2 big monsters, why not bring McNulty on and at least have a go at them? We ended up with Freeman bombing on the left wing, Murphy floating around in a central no mans land, Baxter doing nothing but silly flicks and Matty Done trying to chase down 3 men on his own. Making sensible changes rather than just throwing players into random positions and hoping would give us a better chance of getting back in the game. We never even troubled the Yeovil goal after going behind last night, their keeper could have sat and had a fag and a cuppa.

I'm not one of these who wants my money back, and i'm fully aware we've won 4 out of 6 and barring a calamity will be in the playoffs. The problem is playing like we are (Bristol and Barnsley away aside) we're miles behind MK, Swindon and from what i've heard of how they've been playing Chezzy too. I can't see 3 consistent performance to get us anywhere near winning the playoffs. Even if we did, can anyone see us staying up playing slow tempo football with small players?

I realise this will look like an overreaction to one defeat (who knows it might be) but we've not been playing well for any length of time all season, and to drive just under 500 miles to hear Nige say "the players weren't up for it and I don't really know why" really struck a nerve last night.

The day out itself was good as always. Nice weather, decent grub, nice enough drive. It's just a shame we had to kick off. Oh well, i'll be over it by the time we play Bradford i'm sure. Roll on Saturday. Up the Blades.

 

[Bladesince59]

I was there too and we were dreadful apart from about 5 minutes, a third way through the first half. We lacked height and it was so obvious against Yeovil - we looked like an under 15 team playing against men.

I agree, a decent goalie is crucial - we have always been OK with a good keeper and indifferent when we haven't.

We were awful in midfield so there was no support up front. But hey there was no-one really up front hence all the sideways play. We could also do with someone at CB and it would be good to have a "leader" on the field.

We look like we have got to the playoffs - for once the other results are going in our favour but we look as likely to score when it matters as we did with Craig Beattie up front in the Burnley play off final of 2009.

After the time he has had at Sheffield , Clough has not really improved us much has he.

UTB

 

[Blade56]

The performance was tragic last night.

We had one shot on target in 90 minutes. We only had 3 off target that I can remember (there may have been more)

The goal was at the other end but I've since read it was Howard again? We've been getting by on keepers who've spent most of their career as number 2's now since Paddy. They seem to start well but go downhill quickly. (Bunn, Long, Simmo, Howard) What's causing this trend? Do we need to look at the goalkeeping coach as to why our keepers go from decent to nervous wrecks who never seem to save anything?

We played a right back at left back, a right back at left centre half, a centre midfielder at right centre half and a right winger at right back. Not one of the back four playing in their natural position. This is not all down to injuries. This is down to piss poor recruitment. We have 3 natural centre halves on the books, one has dodgy knees, one is on loan at Port Vale and one was sat on the bench. Why bother with McGahey on the bench is he can't even get a game when we have no defenders? He's no world beater but at least he's a centre half and a big lad!

On that note, height. Yeovil had FIVE players last night who were taller than Basham. Ugwu, Moore, Webster, Arthurworrey and Foley (luckily he took the set pieces) were all taller than 6'2. We had one player over 6 foot. Ryan Flynn was marking Moore at corners until he went off injured. When is Nigel going to realise we desperately need to get some height on the pitch? Nice football is one thing, but that stats show this season we have haemorrhaged goals at corners and free kicks. The goal last night came from another long straight free kick. Get us some big lads signed who will attack these balls as they come in!


Midfield. Scougall and Holt should never play in the same midfield again. It worked for half an hour against an Oldham team who were hanging on. Last night, the 2 centre midfielders of Yeovil dominated our three. Holt never gets near enough to make a tackle, and by the time he arrives the ball is long gone. Scougall shows some nice touches going forward but makes exactly the same runs as Holt and also doesn't arrive in time to tackle. Poor Doyle is running for 3 and by the second half his legs can't get him there fast enough either. Basham HAS to play in central midfield, we don't have anyone else with enough energy to cope without him. Also, Coutts on the right wing? He hasn't shown much yet but he does appear to be a competent passer who generally looked to retain the ball. We had (another) right back sat on the bench in Alcock, why not start him, push Flynn forward and get Coutts into his natural position? That's we players playing where they should instead of in roles they're uncomfortable in.

Changes. Nigel seems to have no idea how to change the system to chase the game. Why make a like for like change after going behind and bring Baxter on for Scougall? Davies and after he went on Done were isolated up front all night against 2 big monsters, why not bring McNulty on and at least have a go at them? We ended up with Freeman bombing on the left wing, Murphy floating around in a central no mans land, Baxter doing nothing but silly flicks and Matty Done trying to chase down 3 men on his own. Making sensible changes rather than just throwing players into random positions and hoping would give us a better chance of getting back in the game. We never even troubled the Yeovil goal after going behind last night, their keeper could have sat and had a fag and a cuppa.

I'm not one of these who wants my money back, and i'm fully aware we've won 4 out of 6 and barring a calamity will be in the playoffs. The problem is playing like we are (Bristol and Barnsley away aside) we're miles behind MK, Swindon and from what i've heard of how they've been playing Chezzy too. I can't see 3 consistent performance to get us anywhere near winning the playoffs. Even if we did, can anyone see us staying up playing slow tempo football with small players?

I realise this will look like an overreaction to one defeat (who knows it might be) but we've not been playing well for any length of time all season, and to drive just under 500 miles to hear Nige say "the players weren't up for it and I don't really know why" really struck a nerve last night.

The day out itself was good as always. Nice weather, decent grub, nice enough drive. It's just a shame we had to kick off. Oh well, i'll be over it by the time we play Bradford i'm sure. Roll on Saturday. Up the Blades.

I was there too and we were dreadful apart from about 5 minutes, a third way through the first half. We lacked height and it was so obvious against Yeovil - we looked like an under 15 team playing against men.

I agree, a decent goalie is crucial - we have always been OK with a good keeper and indifferent when we haven't.

We were awful in midfield so there was no support up front. But hey there was no-one really up front hence all the sideways play. We could also do with someone at CB and it would be good to have a "leader" on the field.

We look like we have got to the playoffs - for once the other results are going in our favour but we look as likely to score when it matters as we did with Craig Beattie up front in the Burnley play off final of 2009.

After the time he has had at Sheffield , Clough has not really improved us much has he.

UTB

Both take a like for going and feeding back the experiance. Just so you know it sounded crap on the radio anall.

 

[Revolution]

Thanks for those posts. Great analysis.

I hope if nothing else that the last 2 games have consigned Scougall and Reed to the bench in the playoffs (if we make them).

The midfield is functioning so much better lately with Basham. Shame we have to have him at centre back because there is no one else.

 

[Grecian2000]

Well done for the report chaps.

I must have missed today's OFAC thread. Did we lose because of excessive booing/whingeing or because of the bastards who stayed away?

 

[Chezzy Blades]

Just noticed some of the grammar leaves a little to be desired - apologies. I was still writing in frustration and the auto correct on my Mac seems to have a mind of its own.

To be honest Grecian, excluding the frustration at full time the fans were more patient last night than in recent games. I was stood right on the far end of the terrace, but I didn't hear as much verbal abuse aimed at the players as I did at Oldham or some of the home defeats over the last few weeks.

 

[awblade]

The OP is everything I have been saying for months. The management team don't even seem able to get the simple things correct, which is the most worrying for me, as you say, correct positions and balanced players (height, strength and skillwise) through the team.

Fortunately, I took a miss on going last night!

 

[georgebernardshaw]

Hindsight is wonderful, but it might have been better to turn off the M5 at Junction 6 and watch Yorkshire stuff Worcester by 10 wickets.

Cheaper too

 

[Bladesince59]

Well done for the report chaps.

I must have missed today's OFAC thread. Did we lose because of excessive booing/whingeing or because of the bastards who stayed away?

There was no booing or whingeing until the final whistle blew when the players came to applaud the fans for a 450 mile round trip and staying to watch a load of crap.

 

[forever_blade]

Was there last night too, got in about 3am, up for work at 6am & no I don't want a medal.

The performance was much like most games we've had this season, square pegs in round holes, players carrying knocks & trying to play on through them, no killer instinct, a lot of good possession (which I don't mind at all) but no point having the possession if we don't make progress with it (and no I'm not one of those who bellows at 'em to 'get it forward' then complains & moans when they panic, lump it forward then lose it).

Our build up play doesn't progress forward fast enough, we keep possession well but well for too long in the wrong area's of the pitch, we miss a link up man with the energy to get up & down & transfer defence into attack quickly & efficiently without losing it & before the opposition can settle - God I miss you Conor Coady

In saying that we should have had more than enough to beat an already relegated Yeovil who are at the foot of the table however this doesn't give us a divine right to just turn up & roll them over.

The only player to show any drive & come out with any sort of credit was Brayford for me & he wasn't exactly at full potential but at least he looked like he cared, was bombing up to support & trying to make things happen. Possibly Murphy who got by his man a lot first half, cut back to a red & white shirt but the chance was blazed over. The amount of times we didn't hit the target simply wasn't good enough, it's surely a given to make the keeper work. One shot on target tells it's own story.

The rest seemed content keeping the ball, keeping it some more, keeping it abit more then losing it rather than grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck & taking the initiative. In all fairness to Baxter alright he lost it a few times but at least he was trying to make things happen one of his first touches he put Murphy through on goal with a quality ball inbetween the defensive line where he should have scored & Done nearly did.

I'd rather they shift it quicker & try the ambitious ball or shot on target than playing the easy ball every time & passing the responsibility onto someone else to deal with. Playing the easy ball every time is fine when we need to keep possession & when we're infront but not when we're 1-0 down at bottom of the league. We're too reactive rather than proactive when we don't score early, it seems to take conceding a goal to wake us up.

Bristol City & Barnsley away we were different class, the difference between those two performances compared to last night, well I just don't get it.

In saying all that no I don't want a refund you pay the money you take the gamble but it really is alarming how consistently inconsistent we are....never the easy way ehh?!

Stick with 'em, get behind 'em & keep the faith

 

[Bergen Blade]

Our lack of height and strength all over the pitch means we never win the ball in good areas and that's why the opposition is always able to get back before we start going forward, and that's why our tempo becomes too slow and lethargic.

The likes of Holt and Scougall are good runners, but as a team we're not great at team movement. We have never found real rhythm and not gelled as a team this season, and again we fielded a team that had never played together before. We never really opened them up with passing and movement, Holt and Scougall often just ran straight forward into the sack of the opposition defence, long before the ball got up there. Personally I thought Scougall did quite well, though, a few successful dribbles, looked sharp and gave us some energy in the first half.

Coutts shouldn't be playing wide in a 4-5-1 system, he just doesn't offer enough mobility. Done started wide left. He can probably do a job out wide, but as a wide creator he is mediocre and would be better on the right, instructed to cut inside and support the striker. Freeman has been praised for being able to play on the left, but I think he's clearly better on the right. We missed Harris' left foot, overlaps and combination play with Murphy. Freeman always seems to be cutting inside when running on the ball, as do Murphy, so we lacked real width and crossing.

 

[sitwell]

Was there last night too, got in about 3am, up for work at 6am & no I don't want a medal.

The performance was much like most games we've had this season, square pegs in round holes, players carrying knocks & trying to play on through them, no killer instinct, a lot of good possession (which I don't mind at all) but no point having the possession if we don't make progress with it (and no I'm not one of those who bellows at 'em to 'get it forward' then complains & moans when they panic, lump it forward then lose it).

Our build up play doesn't progress forward fast enough, we keep possession well but well for too long in the wrong area's of the pitch, we miss a link up man with the energy to get up & down & transfer defence into attack quickly & efficiently without losing it & before the opposition can settle - God I miss you Conor Coady

In saying that we should have had more than enough to beat an already relegated Yeovil who are at the foot of the table however this doesn't give us a divine right to just turn up & roll them over.

The only player to show any drive & come out with any sort of credit was Brayford for me & he wasn't exactly at full potential but at least he looked like he cared, was bombing up to support & trying to make things happen. Possibly Murphy who got by his man a lot first half, cut back to a red & white shirt but the chance was blazed over. The amount of times we didn't hit the target simply wasn't good enough, it's surely a given to make the keeper work. One shot on target tells it's own story.

The rest seemed content keeping the ball, keeping it some more, keeping it abit more then losing it rather than grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck & taking the initiative. In all fairness to Baxter alright he lost it a few times but at least he was trying to make things happen one of his first touches he put Murphy through on goal with a quality ball inbetween the defensive line where he should have scored & Done nearly did.

I'd rather they shift it quicker & try the ambitious ball or shot on target than playing the easy ball every time & passing the responsibility onto someone else to deal with. Playing the easy ball every time is fine when we need to keep possession & when we're infront but not when we're 1-0 down at bottom of the league. We're too reactive rather than proactive when we don't score early, it seems to take conceding a goal to wake us up.

Bristol City & Barnsley away we were different class, the difference between those two performances compared to last night, well I just don't get it.

In saying all that no I don't want a refund you pay the money you take the gamble but it really is alarming how consistently inconsistent we are....never the easy way ehh?!

Stick with 'em, get behind 'em & keep the faith

Serious question ,who should get the most of the blame in your opinion,Clough or the players ?

 

[sheffielder]

Thanks for those posts. Great analysis.

I hope if nothing else that the last 2 games have consigned Scougall and Reed to the bench in the playoffs (if we make them).

The midfield is functioning so much better lately with Basham. Shame we have to have him at centre back because there is no one else.

must be the kids fault, always is. I hope if nothing else it consigns Doyle back to the bench and we start seeing the midfield from the barnsley game.

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

Thanks for those posts. Great analysis.

I hope if nothing else that the last 2 games have consigned Scougall and Reed to the bench in the playoffs (if we make them).

I thought Scoogs made a big difference, for the better, when he came on at Oldham.

 

[forever_blade]

Serious question ,who should get the most of the blame in your opinion,Clough or the players ?

Both in my opinion. I'll be the first to admit I'm a big fan of Clough & I think the majority of us want to see the man who saved us from the brink of League 2 last season succeed at this football club however it cannot be denied the man has made mistakes this season, we can go on about that all day & night (as many do) but for me I don't see the point in dwelling on what's been & gone.

The side he put out last night was more than good enough to beat an already relegated side who are at the foot of the table, once they cross that white line it's in their hands it's their responsibility & for me too many of them simply didn't fancy it last night.

For me another area of concern is the fact we don't press as a 'team' well enough or high enough & it has a knock on effect all over the pitch. Every single player to a man should be up their opposite numbers arse before they've even had time to think about what their gonna do with the ball, that's how possession is turned over & how we make progress higher up the field to allow us to play in the right areas.

Now going back to your question on whether Clough or the players are mostly to blame, if Cloughs tactics are for the players to sit deep, allow the opposition on & not press high then there the instructions the players are being directed to follow but I can't for the life of me understand why we would sit so deep when it's crying out for us to press sides & turnover the ball higher up the field again allowing us to build in the right areas. Does have to be noted though that every match Clough is always screaming at them to press higher & move the ball quicker.

Pressing as a side requires high fitness levels, discipline & the ability for every man to know their job & back their team mate up in pressing (hunting in packs) otherwise the whole system breaks down.

At the minute our tactics appear to be to sit back as a solid (or not so solid) ten & watch Done (or whoevers uptop) press the opposition back four down until they reach over halfway. For me we should press higher, take the risk & go at sides from the off, getting in their faces higher up the field & if they play round us then fair play to 'em but if every mans on his game & has the intensity & concerntration to stick to their job (man) this shouldn't happen.

For me both Clough depending on the tactics distributed in the dressing room should shoulder some of the blame however on the touch line he always appears animated directing players to press higher. Some players need to take a look as to whether their performing to the standard required on a consistent basis as quite frankly the mixed results speak for themselves that they unfortunately aren't doing.

Performances at Bristol City & Barnsley prove that we can play with the intensity to press sides & take the game to them. It'd just be nice to do it on a consistent bloody basis.

They're a frustrating lot & call me a glass half full Blade but we've got to do our best to stick with 'em. Forget what's gone off previously it's been & gone now, no point dwelling on it.

Onto Saturday, UTB as always

 

[JJBlade]

The performance was tragic last night.

We had one shot on target in 90 minutes. We only had 3 off target that I can remember (there may have been more)

The goal was at the other end but I've since read it was Howard again? We've been getting by on keepers who've spent most of their career as number 2's now since Paddy. They seem to start well but go downhill quickly. (Bunn, Long, Simmo, Howard) What's causing this trend? Do we need to look at the goalkeeping coach as to why our keepers go from decent to nervous wrecks who never seem to save anything?

We played a right back at left back, a right back at left centre half, a centre midfielder at right centre half and a right winger at right back. Not one of the back four playing in their natural position. This is not all down to injuries. This is down to piss poor recruitment. We have 3 natural centre halves on the books, one has dodgy knees, one is on loan at Port Vale and one was sat on the bench. Why bother with McGahey on the bench is he can't even get a game when we have no defenders? He's no world beater but at least he's a centre half and a big lad!

On that note, height. Yeovil had FIVE players last night who were taller than Basham. Ugwu, Moore, Webster, Arthurworrey and Foley (luckily he took the set pieces) were all taller than 6'2. We had one player over 6 foot. Ryan Flynn was marking Moore at corners until he went off injured. When is Nigel going to realise we desperately need to get some height on the pitch? Nice football is one thing, but that stats show this season we have haemorrhaged goals at corners and free kicks. The goal last night came from another long straight free kick. Get us some big lads signed who will attack these balls as they come in!


Midfield. Scougall and Holt should never play in the same midfield again. It worked for half an hour against an Oldham team who were hanging on. Last night, the 2 centre midfielders of Yeovil dominated our three. Holt never gets near enough to make a tackle, and by the time he arrives the ball is long gone. Scougall shows some nice touches going forward but makes exactly the same runs as Holt and also doesn't arrive in time to tackle. Poor Doyle is running for 3 and by the second half his legs can't get him there fast enough either. Basham HAS to play in central midfield, we don't have anyone else with enough energy to cope without him. Also, Coutts on the right wing? He hasn't shown much yet but he does appear to be a competent passer who generally looked to retain the ball. We had (another) right back sat on the bench in Alcock, why not start him, push Flynn forward and get Coutts into his natural position? That's we players playing where they should instead of in roles they're uncomfortable in.

Changes. Nigel seems to have no idea how to change the system to chase the game. Why make a like for like change after going behind and bring Baxter on for Scougall? Davies and after he went on Done were isolated up front all night against 2 big monsters, why not bring McNulty on and at least have a go at them? We ended up with Freeman bombing on the left wing, Murphy floating around in a central no mans land, Baxter doing nothing but silly flicks and Matty Done trying to chase down 3 men on his own. Making sensible changes rather than just throwing players into random positions and hoping would give us a better chance of getting back in the game. We never even troubled the Yeovil goal after going behind last night, their keeper could have sat and had a fag and a cuppa.

I'm not one of these who wants my money back, and i'm fully aware we've won 4 out of 6 and barring a calamity will be in the playoffs. The problem is playing like we are (Bristol and Barnsley away aside) we're miles behind MK, Swindon and from what i've heard of how they've been playing Chezzy too. I can't see 3 consistent performance to get us anywhere near winning the playoffs. Even if we did, can anyone see us staying up playing slow tempo football with small players?

I realise this will look like an overreaction to one defeat (who knows it might be) but we've not been playing well for any length of time all season, and to drive just under 500 miles to hear Nige say "the players weren't up for it and I don't really know why" really struck a nerve last night.

The day out itself was good as always. Nice weather, decent grub, nice enough drive. It's just a shame we had to kick off. Oh well, i'll be over it by the time we play Bradford i'm sure. Roll on Saturday. Up the Blades.

Don't you know by now that in the wacky world of Sheffield United having big players means, carthorses, clumsy, unskilled, dirty HOOF BALL merchants.

That's what we'll get again soon when the experiment of trying (and failing) to play a bit of proper football gets binned.
We'll get the absolute polar opposite, so instead of losing and being shit we'll be winning a few games but still being shit.

Good enough for a lot of our fans, but not me, United have bored me shitless for decades, win lose or draw and I've had it with them.
Playing good football isn't difficult, it just needs good coaching and players brought in that have the ability mentally and physically to do it.
It shouldn't be too difficult at Third Division level when we have such a massive financial advantage over the rest of the teams in this division.

 

[Revolution]

I thought Scoogs made a big difference, for the better, when he came on at Oldham.

As he did at Colchester. He has played poorly when he started for most of the season, however.

 

[grafikhaus]

Excellent stuff, forever_blade, but I must take issue with this:

Both in my opinion. I'll be the first to admit I'm a big fan of Clough & I think the majority of us want to see the man who saved us from the brink of League 2 last season succeed at this football club

When Clough came in, we had 33 games to 'save ourselves from the brink of League 2' - hardly 'on the brink', eh? Even then, we did not benefit from the 'new manager syndrome', getting just 14 points in his first 14 games. After Weir, anybody could have improved on things.

I'd argue that Lee Johnson has performed much more of a miracle at Barnsley in recent weeks than Clough did last season.

Good post, though.

 

[forever_blade]

Excellent stuff, forever_blade, but I must take issue with this:

When Clough came in, we had 33 games to 'save ourselves from the brink of League 2' - hardly 'on the brink', eh? Even then, we did not benefit from the 'new manager syndrome', getting just 14 points in his first 14 games. After Weir, anybody could have improved on things.

I'd argue that Lee Johnson has performed much more of a miracle at Barnsley in recent weeks than Clough did last season.

Good post, though.

Fair point grafikhaus but I remember walking out of Crewe away thinking "can we really go down again..?!" that's when it really did feel like we we're on the brink as such (obviously we weren't but it definitely felt that way) & there was no evidence to suggest we we're going to have the upturn in form that we did & Clough does have to take a lot of credit for that.

Also agree with your point regards Lee Johnson, top young gaffer (whose side we swept aside only two weeks ago ) however I hear where your coming from.

 

[sheffielder]

Fair point grafikhaus but I remember walking out of Crewe away thinking "can we really go down again..?!" that's when it really did feel like we we're on the brink as such (obviously we weren't but it definitely felt that way) & there was no evidence to suggest we we're going to have the upturn in form that we did & Clough does have to take a lot of credit for that.

Also agree with your point regards Lee Johnson, top young gaffer (whose side we swept aside only two weeks ago ) however I hear where your coming from.

Some would argue that Clough's season turned round with the sending off of Doyle against Fulham the week before the Crewe horror show. After Doyle was sent off Scougall came on at half time and Baxter was pushed up top. Add Doyle back in and that was the team that went through to the end of the season.

* Against Crewe there was no Doyle who was suspended and we got battered, Long made no mistakes yet was the scapegoat for that defeat, as all kids are under our Nigel. Admittedly Long was overdue a change, and bringing in Howard brought stability to the defence.

Scary when you look back that last season's 'success' was not planned!

 

[sheffielder]

As he did at Colchester. He has played poorly when he started for most of the season, however.

He has played badly because he's not played the same position he was last season. He was at the top of the midfield 3 last season, yet when he has played this season he has been alongside Doyle. He even had Basham starting the season in his position and now it's Holt.

 

[sitwell]

Both in my opinion. I'll be the first to admit I'm a big fan of Clough & I think the majority of us want to see the man who saved us from the brink of League 2 last season succeed at this football club however it cannot be denied the man has made mistakes this season, we can go on about that all day & night (as many do) but for me I don't see the point in dwelling on what's been & gone.

The side he put out last night was more than good enough to beat an already relegated side who are at the foot of the table, once they cross that white line it's in their hands it's their responsibility & for me too many of them simply didn't fancy it last night.

For me another area of concern is the fact we don't press as a 'team' well enough or high enough & it has a knock on effect all over the pitch. Every single player to a man should be up their opposite numbers arse before they've even had time to think about what their gonna do with the ball, that's how possession is turned over & how we make progress higher up the field to allow us to play in the right areas.

Now going back to your question on whether Clough or the players are mostly to blame, if Cloughs tactics are for the players to sit deep, allow the opposition on & not press high then there the instructions the players are being directed to follow but I can't for the life of me understand why we would sit so deep when it's crying out for us to press sides & turnover the ball higher up the field again allowing us to build in the right areas. Does have to be noted though that every match Clough is always screaming at them to press higher & move the ball quicker.

Pressing as a side requires high fitness levels, discipline & the ability for every man to know their job & back their team mate up in pressing (hunting in packs) otherwise the whole system breaks down.

At the minute our tactics appear to be to sit back as a solid (or not so solid) ten & watch Done (or whoevers uptop) press the opposition back four down until they reach over halfway. For me we should press higher, take the risk & go at sides from the off, getting in their faces higher up the field & if they play round us then fair play to 'em but if every mans on his game & has the intensity & concerntration to stick to their job (man) this shouldn't happen.

For me both Clough depending on the tactics distributed in the dressing room should shoulder some of the blame however on the touch line he always appears animated directing players to press higher. Some players need to take a look as to whether their performing to the standard required on a consistent basis as quite frankly the mixed results speak for themselves that they unfortunately aren't doing.

Performances at Bristol City & Barnsley prove that we can play with the intensity to press sides & take the game to them. It'd just be nice to do it on a consistent bloody basis.

They're a frustrating lot & call me a glass half full Blade but we've got to do our best to stick with 'em. Forget what's gone off previously it's been & gone now, no point dwelling on it.

Onto Saturday, UTB as always

Cheers ,excellent post ,I think we see it almost the same. I really do think some players have let us down badly this season ,some on a regular basis who should be moved on but almost everyone at some stage.

 

[Bergen Blade]

He has played badly because he's not played the same position he was last season. He was at the top of the midfield 3 last season, yet when he has played this season he has been alongside Doyle. He even had Basham starting the season in his position and now it's Holt.

Most of the time our formation last season and this have been 4-1-4-1, i.e. last season Scougall and Coady were flanking a deeper Doyle:

 

[metalblade]

Most of the time our formation last season and this have been 4-1-4-1, i.e. last season Scougall and Coady were flanking a deeper Doyle:

View attachment 11322

Why are Forest wearing our 2015/16 kit ?

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Excellent stuff, forever_blade, but I must take issue with this:



When Clough came in, we had 33 games to 'save ourselves from the brink of League 2' - hardly 'on the brink', eh? Even then, we did not benefit from the 'new manager syndrome', getting just 14 points in his first 14 games. After Weir, anybody could have improved on things.

I'd argue that Lee Johnson has performed much more of a miracle at Barnsley in recent weeks than Clough did last season.

Good post, though.

Clough was in the right place at the right time for us , and whats out there on the management front , he still is.

Lee Johnson went through the new manager syndrome for the first 5 or 6 matches . The statistical analysis of new managers is that you can determine were you are going / success / failure after 10 matches . In saying that he is young , enthusiastic , infectious and seems to have good knowledge of this league , with no doubt assistance from his dad , Good luck to the guy.

Weir at the time did seem a good bet , but turned out a disaster as he seems to be a much better coach than a manager .

I do disagree that Johnson as performed much more of a miracle than Clough . IMO both have not produced any miracle at all , but would say Clough has put himself , the club and us fans on a knife edge this season , due to basic fundamental mistakes . These being not sorting out the CF and CB situation , which is still costing us , and will cost us a lot more if we don't make it this season.

stubbornness ,naivety , incompetence , in built self belief , not being tactically astute , full trust in Simon Clough - only Nigel Clough can answer those statements , but his actions have made us fans think , of one of them , or all of them . Thats why there is so much doubt going around , but in saying all that , at the moment , its better the devil you know.

UTB

 

[finlaytheblade]

Both in my opinion. I'll be the first to admit I'm a big fan of Clough & I think the majority of us want to see the man who saved us from the brink of League 2 last season succeed at this football club however it cannot be denied the man has made mistakes this season, we can go on about that all day & night (as many do) but for me I don't see the point in dwelling on what's been & gone.

The side he put out last night was more than good enough to beat an already relegated side who are at the foot of the table, once they cross that white line it's in their hands it's their responsibility & for me too many of them simply didn't fancy it last night.

For me another area of concern is the fact we don't press as a 'team' well enough or high enough & it has a knock on effect all over the pitch. Every single player to a man should be up their opposite numbers arse before they've even had time to think about what their gonna do with the ball, that's how possession is turned over & how we make progress higher up the field to allow us to play in the right areas.

Now going back to your question on whether Clough or the players are mostly to blame, if Cloughs tactics are for the players to sit deep, allow the opposition on & not press high then there the instructions the players are being directed to follow but I can't for the life of me understand why we would sit so deep when it's crying out for us to press sides & turnover the ball higher up the field again allowing us to build in the right areas. Does have to be noted though that every match Clough is always screaming at them to press higher & move the ball quicker.

Pressing as a side requires high fitness levels, discipline & the ability for every man to know their job & back their team mate up in pressing (hunting in packs) otherwise the whole system breaks down.

At the minute our tactics appear to be to sit back as a solid (or not so solid) ten & watch Done (or whoevers uptop) press the opposition back four down until they reach over halfway. For me we should press higher, take the risk & go at sides from the off, getting in their faces higher up the field & if they play round us then fair play to 'em but if every mans on his game & has the intensity & concerntration to stick to their job (man) this shouldn't happen.

For me both Clough depending on the tactics distributed in the dressing room should shoulder some of the blame however on the touch line he always appears animated directing players to press higher. Some players need to take a look as to whether their performing to the standard required on a consistent basis as quite frankly the mixed results speak for themselves that they unfortunately aren't doing.

Performances at Bristol City & Barnsley prove that we can play with the intensity to press sides & take the game to them. It'd just be nice to do it on a consistent bloody basis.

They're a frustrating lot & call me a glass half full Blade but we've got to do our best to stick with 'em. Forget what's gone off previously it's been & gone now, no point dwelling on it.

Onto Saturday, UTB as always

great post forever blade