The Bohemian
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- Jul 24, 2012
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I understand why some people get worked up about Wilder fielding a reserve team on Sunday although that opinion surely hinged on the precise science of hindsight? Had we won the game which, despite Wilder's condemnation, we could easily have done had good chances been taken I doubt there'd have been much fuss.
For me Wilder's approach made sense and I went to the game looking forward to seeing Dowell and squad players take their chance (or not as ultimately proved the case).
For what it's worth, here's what I saw:
Players who did OK
There were no stellar performances but:
Coutts (comfortably MotM to my eyes) did enough to escape Wilder's vilification. Other than being caught in possession once he was efficient, if not spectacular, in his passing and put in a few good tackles.
Dowell looks to possess many of Duffy's traits - great touch, ability to beat a player, head up and capable of seeing a killer pass. He also put a real shift in and made a couple of decent tackles.
Stearman gave away the penalty but had made two crucial, (one probably goal saving), tackles beforehand. He wasn't great but certainly did enough to escape the worst of Wilder's wrath.
Players who blew it, big time
Marvin Johnson: has some ability and made a couple of decent runs but temperament seems questionable and was seemingly looking to get himself substituted towards the end of the game, without being obviously injured. On evidence to date Norrington-Davies (on loan at Barrow) could be a better cover option for Enda.
Freeman: Appalling first-half, seemed unwilling to put in a shift and was surely one of those fitting Wilder's "arrogant" label. Second half improvement with two or three great crosses giving evidence of just how much of a toss he didn't give before the interval. On borrowed time.
Washington: Offered just shy of nothing. Service was admittedly poor but on the few occasions he did touch the ball he showed poor choices and a worse touch. Does he offer more than a match fit Evans?
Clarke: Probably the worst I've seen him in a Blades shirt. Saw more of the ball than Washington but equally poor in possession. Snap header tipped onto the bar in the last few minutes was his only contribution of note. Made a strong case for M****e.
Just not good enough
Cranie: Did little wrong and, if he'd been a racehorse probably ran to form. Unfortunately, just not good enough for where we want to be and demonstrated just how effective Basham is in the same role. George Cantrill from the U-23s offers more scope from what I've seen to date.
Lundstram: Can't really fault his commitment but looks consistently as though he is playing a league above his capability. Had no significant impact on the game.
Is he a bird? Is he a plane?
Kean Bryan: played on the left of the back three and has the technical ability you'd expect of a Man City Academy product with a cupboard full of England youth caps. Didn't show a great deal to get excited about yesterday but demonstrated one major flaw in his heading inability. Clearly not writing him off after one game but not sure where he fits in to our current preferred system.
I've read and listened to arguments about not respecting the competition and giving supporters value for money but Wilder put out a team that should have been well capable of despatching a run of the mill, non-league outfit. The lessons learned could prove invaluable in the months ahead and the harsh truth is that, save for a few exceptions, existing cover players are just not good enough.
For me Wilder's approach made sense and I went to the game looking forward to seeing Dowell and squad players take their chance (or not as ultimately proved the case).
For what it's worth, here's what I saw:
Players who did OK
There were no stellar performances but:
Coutts (comfortably MotM to my eyes) did enough to escape Wilder's vilification. Other than being caught in possession once he was efficient, if not spectacular, in his passing and put in a few good tackles.
Dowell looks to possess many of Duffy's traits - great touch, ability to beat a player, head up and capable of seeing a killer pass. He also put a real shift in and made a couple of decent tackles.
Stearman gave away the penalty but had made two crucial, (one probably goal saving), tackles beforehand. He wasn't great but certainly did enough to escape the worst of Wilder's wrath.
Players who blew it, big time
Marvin Johnson: has some ability and made a couple of decent runs but temperament seems questionable and was seemingly looking to get himself substituted towards the end of the game, without being obviously injured. On evidence to date Norrington-Davies (on loan at Barrow) could be a better cover option for Enda.
Freeman: Appalling first-half, seemed unwilling to put in a shift and was surely one of those fitting Wilder's "arrogant" label. Second half improvement with two or three great crosses giving evidence of just how much of a toss he didn't give before the interval. On borrowed time.
Washington: Offered just shy of nothing. Service was admittedly poor but on the few occasions he did touch the ball he showed poor choices and a worse touch. Does he offer more than a match fit Evans?
Clarke: Probably the worst I've seen him in a Blades shirt. Saw more of the ball than Washington but equally poor in possession. Snap header tipped onto the bar in the last few minutes was his only contribution of note. Made a strong case for M****e.
Just not good enough
Cranie: Did little wrong and, if he'd been a racehorse probably ran to form. Unfortunately, just not good enough for where we want to be and demonstrated just how effective Basham is in the same role. George Cantrill from the U-23s offers more scope from what I've seen to date.
Lundstram: Can't really fault his commitment but looks consistently as though he is playing a league above his capability. Had no significant impact on the game.
Is he a bird? Is he a plane?
Kean Bryan: played on the left of the back three and has the technical ability you'd expect of a Man City Academy product with a cupboard full of England youth caps. Didn't show a great deal to get excited about yesterday but demonstrated one major flaw in his heading inability. Clearly not writing him off after one game but not sure where he fits in to our current preferred system.
I've read and listened to arguments about not respecting the competition and giving supporters value for money but Wilder put out a team that should have been well capable of despatching a run of the mill, non-league outfit. The lessons learned could prove invaluable in the months ahead and the harsh truth is that, save for a few exceptions, existing cover players are just not good enough.
