Leicester - my thoughts and ratings

[mickle-blade]

I thought that was one of Harper's better games yesterday, seemed more involved than usual, always available and very rarely wasted it. A bit too much sideways at times but looked easily the most composed in the middle (for us anyway).

Same old, same old for me, the midfield is the problem, very little skill and imagination going forward and once again, outpassed. Never mind, at least Tongy will be back soon

We should have brought Wellens and Fryatt in when we had chance.

The players that we do have here should be able to produce a lot better than they are doing.

Can't wait for Tonge to return..........we can play him at left back and play Squinny at centre half.

Perhaps Camara can play in goal and Cresswell in midfield.

Just a thought.

 

[bladeinlondon]

Watched it on the tv- just one word - mediocre

 

[Wards]

Totally bemused by the words "class act" and Killgallon used in any ratings of the Leicester game.

I thought he just about scraped into average.

Andy Taylor gets an absolute slaughtering, but in my opinion, Killgallon hardly did anything better than him. Killa often gets away with woeful mistakes, simply because he's Killa.

A shining example yesterday, when for about the 20th time Killa played the ball straight to a Leicester player, having a minute earlier just blindly attempted to bounce the ball off another opponent because he couldn't be bothered to look up for a pass.... Nothing was said. Very shortly after, Harper toe poked the ball backwards to one of the Leicester strikers, Taylor reacted quickly and slid to win the ball, bloke behind shouts "come on Taylor you dozy useless bastard!".

Why can't people just watch what is in front of them, rather than coming to the match having already decided how someone has played?

People mention a lack of skill in midfield and problems up front, but if we can't even control a ball/pass to a red and white shirt from the back, what chance do we have?

I wouldn't say we deserved a point, but we certainly made enough chances (even when playing as crap as we did) to have got at least a draw.

The defence struggle to find an easy pass out because there's never one on. The lack of movement in the midfield make it a defenders nightmare when trying to bring the ball out, they stand about like statues.

 

[Foxy]

The defence struggle to find an easy pass out because there's never one on. The lack of movement in the midfield make it a defenders nightmare when trying to bring the ball out, they stand about like statues.

I'd agree, but when a certain often slaughtered man is on the pitch, there is always a pass on.... Mr Montgomery, for his faults, always makes himself available.

There were also 3/4 times each in the first half alone when Killa and Walker both ignored easier passes and chose to either take on 4 Leicester players or aimlessly punt the ball to one of them.

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

Watched it on the tv- just one word - mediocre

One word: generous!

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

People mention a lack of skill in midfield and problems up front, but if we can't even control a ball/pass to a red and white shirt from the back, what chance do we have?

I wouldn't say we deserved a point, but we certainly made enough chances (even when playing as crap as we did) to have got at least a draw.

How come every other team seems to be able to find the very players we need? Most other teams seem to have no problems when in possession of the ball. Most other teams have players in midfield who can pick out a pass. What is so terrible about SUFC that we cannot find these players? It baffles me.

And yes, we could have got a point. But it would have been absolute highway robbery if we had. We were flattered at 1-2 IMO.

 

[Foxy]

How come every other team seems to be able to find the very players we need? Most other teams seem to have no problems when in possession of the ball. Most other teams have players in midfield who can pick out a pass. What is so terrible about SUFC that we cannot find these players? It baffles me.

Simple, because to our fans, every other team plays flowing, wonderful football as they don't have **insert comedy name for current manager here** or **scapegoat 1** and **scapegoat 2**.

We have players who can do it, its just they can't do it every week (or most weeks this season!). If they could, they wouldn't be playing for Sheffield United. Tactics/managers can't do a massive amount about players clearly good enough making the wrong decisions/making mistakes time and time again as we just do not have the ready made replacements.

And yes, we could have got a point. But it would have been absolute highway robbery if we had. We were flattered at 1-2 IMO.

It wouldn't have necessarily felt deserved, but highway robbery? I think we made more than enough chances for that to not be the case.

 

[Ballinpigpubs13]

I felt we were all over them in the 2nd half. An equaliser that did'nt come would'nt have been highway robbery. I'm sure we've played worse this year and got a result.

 

[Big Mart]

I'd agree, but when a certain often slaughtered man is on the pitch, there is always a pass on.... Mr Montgomery, for his faults, always makes himself available.

Foxy, without aiming to be patronizing, have you ever played football? Seriously, have you ever played football at any level other than the playground? Mr Montgomery does not always make himself available. What Mr Montgomery does is get in the way. He crowds the man (his team mate) who's in possession and he is not an outlet. When in possession you look to find space and time, which at a professional level can be as little as a split second, but to a good player that's all they need. Your fellow midfielder can give you that by finding his own space to move into, by taking opposition players with him, and by using his own brain to do that. Our little scapegoat doesn't have that brain. He runs towards the player instead of away from him, he's often bypassed by our players because it's obvious that he'll lose the ball should they give it to him, and he offers nothing when we're in possession because he can't use the ball or retain it to any degree.

We aren't happy to be slagging him off week after week, we'd be far happier talking about a replacement who could do the simple stuff but unfortunately, we've been forced to watch the combative game from our midfield for so long now that we've almost forgotten what flowing, possession, passing football is.

We need rid of him, we need a football manager and we won't be happy until we get at least part of that. Success isn't reacing play off finals, success is reaching a higher level and being good enough to stay there before pushing on even higher.

:gallop:

 

[Foxy]

Foxy, without aiming to be patronizing, have you ever played football? Seriously, have you ever played football at any level other than the playground? Mr Montgomery does not always make himself available. What Mr Montgomery does is get in the way. He crowds the man (his team mate) who's in possession and he is not an outlet. When in possession you look to find space and time, which at a professional level can be as little as a split second, but to a good player that's all they need. Your fellow midfielder can give you that by finding his own space to move into, by taking opposition players with him, and by using his own brain to do that. Our little scapegoat doesn't have that brain. He runs towards the player instead of away from him, he's often bypassed by our players because it's obvious that he'll lose the ball should they give it to him, and he offers nothing when we're in possession because he can't use the ball or retain it to any degree.

I assume from that, once again, that you've hardly ever watched Nick Montgomery with an open mind. I'll not waste my time picking out example after example even at Leicester, when collectively, we were crap but as usual someone had the balls to move out of his comfort zone and try and help.

We aren't happy to be slagging him off week after week, we'd be far happier talking about a replacement who could do the simple stuff but unfortunately, we've been forced to watch the combative game from our midfield for so long now that we've almost forgotten what flowing, possession, passing football is.

It does seem like you are, given that he's usually the main reason you post?

We need rid of him, we need a football manager and we won't be happy until we get at least part of that. Success isn't reacing play off finals, success is reaching a higher level and being good enough to stay there before pushing on even higher.

Who is this man? and more to the point, who is "we"?

 

[Big Mart]

You should never assume Foxy, you know how that makes you look, and if you'd taken time to read my post you'd have seen that it stretched to more than the Leicester game and was a general observation based on years of watching a player and forming an opinion. I've explained some of the reasons why I don't like the player whereas you haven't, you just found fit to dive in, take a swipe and offer no opinion.

As to your last point well I apologise, I must be the only poster on here who doesn't likeMonty or Blackwell, or maybe it's just that you read other posts from other posters the way you just skimmed through mine.

:gallop:

 

[Foxy]

You should never assume Foxy, you know how that makes you look, and if you'd taken time to read my post you'd have seen that it stretched to more than the Leicester game and was a general observation based on years of watching a player and forming an opinion. I've explained some of the reasons why I don't like the player whereas you haven't, you just found fit to dive in, take a swipe and offer no opinion.

That is my whole point. You've apparrently spent years watching Nick Montgomery and you are of the opinion that Monty does nothing but get in the way and crowd his man. I fail to see how you could come to this conclusion with an open mind about his play, because I've seen time after time him being the only midfielder creating space. He might not be the player with the best ability to use this, but he does stand up to the plate and at least offer it... despite the slaughtering he gets.

Again, you say you've formed an opinion, I assume given that you decided a long time ago exactly what Monty is and does, that you have no intention of his future performances being able to change your mind. I'd rather watch him and say what I see in front of me, not what I've already decided about him.

As recently as our last game, he showed a number of examples of what you say he isn't capable of, whilst not having a particularly good game by his standards.

As to your last point well I apologise, I must be the only poster on here who doesn't likeMonty or Blackwell, or maybe it's just that you read other posts from other posters the way you just skimmed through mine.

What is there to apologise for? It's merely an observation that despite that fact you claim to not be happy slagging him off every week, it's the thing you partake most in?

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

It wouldn't have necessarily felt deserved, but highway robbery? I think we made more than enough chances for that to not be the case.

I felt we were all over them in the 2nd half. An equaliser that did'nt come would'nt have been highway robbery. I'm sure we've played worse this year and got a result.

All over them in the second half? You're having a laugh. We looked more dangerous second half - which wasn't difficult - and we created some good chances (Ward's volley tipped over, Morgan's header wide) as well as a few half-chances; we also pegged them back a little but I think people are doing Leicester a dis-service to say we were all over them. They had numerous chances - admittedly on the break but still very good chances - where Bunn made some very good saves and there were numerous near misses with the final balls which would have been tap ins for them.

It's all opinion of course but I thought we were even second half but the damage had been done in the first half when quite frankly it could have been 3 or 4 at half time. By that reckoning, a United result would have been highway robbery as Leicester were by far the more deserving team. As I say, thats an opinion but I thought Leicester were unlucky to only win by 1 in the end.

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

As for Montgomery, he has improved immeasurably over the past two/three seasons. If there is one thing I do know about Gary Speed, it has been his influence on Monty has been good. Speed does an awful lot of talking to Monty - particularly when he first arrived - and Monty now keeps it simple more often. He has changed many an opinion amongst the fans although there are many who still slate him - either because they still don't rate the 'new' Monty or they have a mind made up about him.

I know he is limited in possession but there are times in a season - particularly if we go up anytime soon - where Monty is a valuable asset to SUFC. Maybe not at home to Plymouth when the onus is on United to break them down but certainly away games at the better sides. And he loves the club - and that can't be a bad thing to keep in the squad.

 

[shorehamview]

Foxy, without aiming to be patronizing, have you ever played football? Seriously, have you ever played football at any level other than the playground?

Well, if that was an attempt at not being patronising it ranks along with Paul Gascoigne's attempts at staying sober. Have you ever played football Mart? At any level other than the playground, with grown-ups and a referee and proper nets and all that? Half time oranges and a rub down after?

Mr Montgomery does not always make himself available.

He doesn't? Bloody hell, you mean he is the only footballer in the world who doesn't ALWAYS make himself available? Or is it just being used to say that because he "does not always make himself available" then that automatically means he's shit?

Now, against Leicester he was at fault for the penalty, but if you took your "I hate Monty and fuck-all will change my mind, ever" blinkers off you might see him for the player he is. No, he's not a world beater, because if he was he wouldn't be playing for a Championship side, but he can't be as bad as some make out either, otherwise he wouldn't have lasted at the level he has for the time he has. That's not luck either. Perhaps, Big Mart, if you'd pay more attention to the player as a whole rather than just looking to slaughter him when he's made a mistake then you might see it.

 

[Pinchy]

Who is this man? and more to the point, who is "we"?[/QUOTE]

'He' is Blacko the Clown'. 'We' are the growing number who are sick to the back teeth of the appalling football substitute that we have endured for too many years at our club. We want a change. We want proper football. We've had enough of non-footballers like Montgomery and Quinn. We can see their gross deficiencies with our own eyes. We see them outplayed, outpassed and outclassed week after week after week by half-decent opponents. Sure they try
hard but it's shadow-chasing without a shred of authority, creativity or imagination.

Some of us have played and watched a great deal of football. Why on earth does our identifying the huge limitations of players such as these and actually wanting better for our club amount to scapegoating?

Do you admire our football?

If Monty and Quinn played for other teams would you be begging SUFC to acquire their services?

Personally I'd gladly loan the pair of mediocrities to each successive opposing team in turn. I'd back us for the play-offs at least.

 

[Foxy]

Ah I forgot, no-one who acknowledges that certain individuals aren't dogshit have never played or watched football. Not sure how that works with the current pro's that
think otherwise though.

Future matches or performances mean nothing, because they aren't capable of doing anything that isn't pre-decided in the opinion of them.

 

[Pinchy]

Ah I forgot, no-one who acknowledges that certain individuals aren't dogshit have never played or watched football. Not sure how that works with the current pro's that
think otherwise though.

Future matches or performances mean nothing, because they aren't capable of doing anything that isn't pre-decided in the opinion of them.

I was doing no more than responding to your rather arrogant assertion that anyone who does not rate your unlikely heroes highly is either looking for scapegoats or lacks the insight to see the qualities that you think obvious.

I look forward to your reaction to Monty's future inadequacies.

Do you have an answer for either of my questions?

 

[JohnDenver]

I look forward to your reaction to Monty's future inadequacies.

Might save you some bother with that. His future ones will be exactly the same as his old ones. Except they'll all happen a little slower.

 

[little di]

Have you ever played football Mart? At any level other than the playground, with grown-ups and a referee and proper nets and all that? Half time oranges and a rub down after?

Actually, he's played football at a decent level for several years. And our flat is filled with the awards and trophies to prove it!

 

[ken shabby]

As kiwi mentioned earlier in this thread, i too don`t mind who plays for United as long as they show they can do a job i can`t. I`d love monty`s job, all he does is pressurise, tackle, foul, scuff a few passes & lump the rest on. He has stamina & no football brain. I could do that job & so could half the BDTBL faitful

Some members of the crowd think he doesn`t have to pass to a fellow Blade, doesn`t have to shoot, doesn`t have to create, doesn`t have to be able to put a decent cross in, "that`s not his job", well bugger me, i thought they were the skills of every footballer from right back to left wing.

monty is shite & a stand out of all that is wrong with the Blades at the moment, bereft of ideas, bereft of footballing talent.

 

[Foxy]

Shite today again, bet we can't wait to get home and mention the 4/5 passes that went astray...

Of course ignoring all the tackles and the good crosses he put in.

He never made any space either, or offered an outlet did he?

I was doing no more than responding to your rather arrogant assertion that anyone who does not rate your unlikely heroes highly is either looking for scapegoats or lacks the insight to see the qualities that you think obvious.


I look forward to your reaction to Monty's future inadequacies.


Do you have an answer for either of my questions?

How was I being arrogant? and who is my hero?

I believe I said that Monty makes himself available but was then told I was wrong and that i've never played football?

That's me being arrogant is it?

I'll admit Monty's inadeqacies, but if admitting the things he does well is making him my hero, I feel your view of my opinion may be slightly skewed.

 

[Pinchy]

Shite today again, bet we can't wait to get home and mention the 4/5 passes that went astray...

Of course ignoring all the tackles and the good crosses he put in.

He never made any space either, or offered an outlet did he?





How was I being arrogant? and who is my hero?

I believe I said that Monty makes himself available but was then told I was wrong and that i've never played football?

That's me being arrogant is it?

I'll admit Monty's inadeqacies, but if admitting the things he does well is making him my hero, I feel your view of my opinion may be slightly skewed.

The arrogance lies in your suggestion that anyone who criticizes Monty does so either because they have some deep-seated need for a scapegoat or because they simply lack the insight that you and others have as to Monty's 'job' and how well he does it.

Well I endured Monty yet again today. He was rubbish in every facet of the game, even the ones you claim he does well. He won few if any tackles. His passing was typically woeful and his creative input, as ever, zero.

Tell me what I missed?

Quinn was just as bad. They must be the worst central midfield pairing in the Championship, bar none. Thank the Lord Preston were Sunday League standard today.

Oh and St.Ledger - don't call us - we'll call you!

Do you have an answer for those 2 questions?

 

[Foxy]

The arrogance lies in your suggestion that anyone who criticizes Monty does so either because they have some deep-seated need for a scapegoat or because the simply lack the insight that you and others have as to Monty's 'job' and how well he does it.

I was actually merely stating that he makes himself available and never hides. To be then told that he doesn't and that I've never played football.

I then said that some people have already decided how he's going to play before turning up, as evidenced by their posts. I'm not entirely sure what isn't true about this?

I didn't belittle anyones opinion or state that they lacked insight, more suggested that they were closed-minded towards people they've decided they dislike.

Well I endured Monty yet again today. He was rubbish in every facet of the game, even the ones you claim he does well. He won few if any tackles. His passing was typically woeful and his creative input, as ever, zero.

Tell me what I missed?

Different match to me by the sounds of it, I'd hazard a guess he was very high up the list of successful tackles in the stats and some of his crosses created our best chances of the first half. He misplaced 4 passes, two of which were very poor, which was less than the majority of the team.

As for the two questions...

Do you admire our football?

No, not particularly. Though we are starting to play well in spells, which is pleasing.

I'm not sure how that relates to me saying that Monty makes himself available though?

If Monty and Quinn played for other teams would you be begging SUFC to acquire their services?

Depends how they were playing and who we had in their place. We need a Monty type player, we always will. I'd gladly replace him with someone better, but who is better at his job than Monty in this division?
Quinny on form and scoring goals again would be nice, but at the moment, I'd replace him with Willo (when fit) or Harper.

I'm not all that sure how these two questions relate to me saying that Monty makes himself available and I think displays some of the qualities it's been said he lacks in this thread?

 

[LSF]

Foxy, i may well be telling you something you've already gathered...trying to reason with Pinchy as far as Monty goes, is, well ...a waste of ferkin time! As eloquent as David is with the pen, his sword is mightier when it comes to calling Nicholas from a pig to a dog.

As for Big Mart.... one word would be a waste...

 

[Revolution]

We need a Monty type player, we always will

Nonsense. In a 4-4-2 formation two central midfielders who both offer something going forward and something defensively will always be better than Monty and one other midfielder, unless that midfielder is someone like Michael Brown circa 2003.

Are there any other teams in our division who use a player of such limited creative ability in midfield? I can't think of any off hand.

You cannot carry such a one dimensional player week in week out unless you surround him with creative players, and our manager has spent the first half of the season not playing or discarding such players.

 

[puppet]

We need a Monty type player, we always will

Nonsense. In a 4-4-2 formation two central midfielders who both offer something going forward and something defensively will always be better than Monty and one other midfielder, unless that midfielder is someone like Michael Brown circa 2003.

Are there any other teams in our division who use a player of such limited creative ability in midfield? I can't think of any off hand.

You cannot carry such a one dimensional player week in week out unless you surround him with creative players, and our manager has spent the first half of the season not playing or discarding such players.

so "blooming" (in the name of decency and not swearing but providing the minimum characters.... not bad for aeroslled at 3;30am ) true

 

[puppet]

..........

 

[dingledog]

Monty is a class player and does what he does very well, probably the best in this league. OK so he has his weaknesses, tell me a player that doesn't, but we are a far stronger side with hiom playing.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I'm a big monty fan, but even with my rose-tinted specs on i could see he was awful yesterday.

Quinny on the other hand i thought played very well when we were passing the ball around for the first half. Then we reverted to a more direct affair in the second, and he looked crap.