Leadership and our upturn in form

[s4-blade]

After a great month for us in which we've pretty much turned the corner and sped half way up the road, I've noticed one more stand out feature. People have attributed the wine to more experience, more height and strength, a more defensive mindset and a different (dirty) style of play. However, I'd like to point out that throughout the run, we've been playing with five true leaders in the team; four of which are seasoned team captains.

Jay McEveley is our club captain and has returned to the team.
Chris Basham has captained us many times over the last two seasons.
Dean Hammond is a true experienced captain and of premier league level as well.
David Edgar is his country's international captain and has returned from injury.
Billy Sharp is a Blade, a leader by actions and words and fights for the team.

So we've got five leaders spread out across defence, midfield and attack who command and organise the team while also taking pressure off of the players along side them.

So, i ask this, how important to our recent surge has this leadership been?

 

[PeteBlade]

I'm not entirely sure as all 5 of those have been slagged to absolutely high heaven and used as a reason why Adkins is a terrible, useless manager by some so don't know how they've suddenly managed to show this perceived leadership in a month.

 

[s4-blade]

I'm not entirely sure as all 5 of those have been slagged to absolutely high heaven and used as a reason why Adkins is a terrible, useless manager by some so don't know how they've suddenly managed to show this perceived leadership in a month.

If you watch closely, you can see how well the organise and communicate, especially Hammond and Sharp. And well erm, some would say that people opinions change on results and the word fickle is often (accurately) used. Personally, I'm not one for slating players because we've had a few bad results.

 

[PeteBlade]

If you watch closely, you can see how well the organise and communicate, especially Hammond and Sharp. And well erm, some would say that people opinions change on results and the word fickle is often (accurately) used. Personally, I'm not one for slating players because we've had a few bad results.

But you'll hail them as excellent leaders because of a small run of good ones?

 

[bornablade]

I would add Brayford to that list. Leads by example.

 

[Caseh]

But you'll hail them as excellent leaders because of a small run of good ones?

And their previous seasons being leaders and fighters counts for nothing?

 

[PeteBlade]

And their previous seasons being leaders and fighters counts for nothing?

It depends what you mean by 'leaders' and 'fighters'.

The terms are very subjective and romantic.

 

[s4-blade]

But you'll hail them as excellent leaders because of a small run of good ones?

They weren't in the team before the run of games though. Edgar and JMac were injured and Hammond is a new addition.

 

[blade67]

The improvement coincides with Brayford's return. Not the only factor, but more significant the. JMac playing

 

[PeteBlade]

They weren't in the team before the run of games though. Edgar and JMac were injured and Hammond is a new addition.

B Sharp been in all season, J Mac before his injury and Hammond played a fair few where he got questioned as s professional footballer never mind a good signing...

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Collins and Hammond are proper leaders, Sharp and Brayford also add something on that front. Although McEveley, Edgar and Basham have worn captains arm bands at points in their careers, they don't strike me as proper leaders.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

The improvement coincides with Brayford's return.

I think Coutts would agree with this.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

After a great month for us in which we've pretty much turned the corner and sped half way up the road, I've noticed one more stand out feature. People have attributed the wine to more experience, more height and strength, a more defensive mindset and a different (dirty) style of play. However, I'd like to point out that throughout the run, we've been playing with five true leaders in the team; four of which are seasoned team captains.

Jay McEveley is our club captain and has returned to the team.
Chris Basham has captained us many times over the last two seasons.
Dean Hammond is a true experienced captain and of premier league level as well.
David Edgar is his country's international captain and has returned from injury.
Billy Sharp is a Blade, a leader by actions and words and fights for the team.

So we've got five leaders spread out across defence, midfield and attack who command and organise the team while also taking pressure off of the players along side them.

So, i ask this, how important to our recent surge has this leadership been?

Nah. Too many cooks.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

After a great month for us in which we've pretty much turned the corner and sped half way up the road, I've noticed one more stand out feature. People have attributed the wine to more experience, more height and strength, a more defensive mindset and a different (dirty) style of play. However, I'd like to point out that throughout the run, we've been playing with five true leaders in the team; four of which are seasoned team captains.

Jay McEveley is our club captain and has returned to the team.
Chris Basham has captained us many times over the last two seasons.
Dean Hammond is a true experienced captain and of premier league level as well.
David Edgar is his country's international captain and has returned from injury.
Billy Sharp is a Blade, a leader by actions and words and fights for the team.

So we've got five leaders spread out across defence, midfield and attack who command and organise the team while also taking pressure off of the players along side them.

So, i ask this, how important to our recent surge has this leadership been?

Yes, good suggestions in the post but I am going to say none.

Adkins has changed how we play - simple as - strong, hard, committed, dirty (at times), forward looking, long if needed, short if required, Billy running channels, solid, solid and more solid.

All these players have played a lot of the season - we are now a TEAM

UTB

 

[Bladesman]

The improvement coincides with Brayford's return. Not the only factor, but more significant the. JMac playing

I would say the main reason for the upturn in form is Brayford.

He gives the other team something to think about especially now he is linking up really well with Coutts as it's a partnership we have been waiting to see for a while.

 

[S60 unitedite]

Think brayford coming back in has made us a bit more secure as well as the no wingers which is making it harder for us to be hit on the counter attack

I think we needed to go to being a bit gritty and harder counter attack and then with confidence like the second half vs Bradford play our stuff

I think we weren't playing as a team until Barnsley away and we were too easy to attack x

 

[Sirius]

Yes, good suggestions in the post but I am going to say none.

Adkins has changed how we play - simple as - strong, hard, committed, dirty (at times), forward looking, long if needed, short if required, Billy running channels, solid, solid and more solid.

All these players have played a lot of the season - we are now a TEAM

UTB

Delighted at the recent upturn in results. Have we discarded the dwarves

 

[grafikhaus]

The improvement coincides with Brayford's return. Not the only factor, but more significant the. JMac playing

Certainly does but we've had a settled team for this upturn:



From the Barnsley game, eleven players have either started or come on as subs. (in yellow) in all four League games. I've included the four games before 'the run' but the previous games (from the start of the season) show the same inconsistent team selections. Not NA's fault, injuries, finding his best team and disciplinary problems have all forced his hand. Talking of the latter Baxter - as good as he is - has not featured in our decent run and neither has Adams...(League only).

 

[vorpal blade]

People have attributed the wine to more experience, more height and strength

I wondered what the 'eck this was about until I noticed the E and S keys are so close together on the keyboard. Gave me a giggle

 

[sheffielder]

Not sure it's the leadership which has changed anything.

Gone back to 442 and have a settled team structure
Hammond is playing a lot better
Brayford playing behind Coutts has certainly given Coutts more confidence.
Long is showing that he is the keeper a 'few' of us thought he could be. Still early days.
Collins and McEverley are stopping the mistakes.
Even Basham is winning balls in midfield facing the opposition goal..

 

[s4-blade]

I wondered what the 'eck this was about until I noticed the E and S keys are so close together on the keyboard. Gave me a giggle

It's New Year's Eve after all.

Sorry for the typo.

 

[west_yorks_blade]

Surprised the OP doesn't even mention Brayford - 4 wins and a draw since his return.

He is the main reason for our improved form

- A very solid and dependable right back
- Provides great support for attacks, including overlaps and allows Coutts to push up
- Has a talismanic quality that imbues the whole side with greater confidence

 

[Bladebri]

I'm sure one thing has changed and that's the players are playing for each other and believe in each other, not seen much of that this season so far.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Delighted at the recent upturn in results. Have we discarded the dwarves

We have indeed discarded the smaller players (please note with the present FA inquiry, are you allowed to call players dwarfs? )

Scoogs apparently said as much when a guest during the Bradford game - thinks he has been marginalised.

I think he is one of the players, given a chance by Adkins who hasn't taken that chance the way Adkins feels the game should be played. It really is quite simple - numerous think we need big, strong, uncompromising players to get out of this division - that is what we now have, and hey presto, we start getting decent results. There was also a decent bit of skill and football on Monday as well. Long may it continue.

We have to move some players on - I like Scoogs attitude, but I don't see him create much or score many. Perhaps Clough may come along in the JTW?

UTB

 

[SK10Blade]

George Long has been a big factor in the wins as well, good luck to him, lets hope he improve even more.