Long way to go

[LouTheBlade]

I have to disagree Lou. I was at Ipswich and distinctly remember the cheers of excitement as our fans were amazed that the same bunch of players could string 5 or so passes together - something they rarely did under the very long ball but often successful Basset era. It may have not all come in the place at once but the change in style was ordered, and evident immediately.

UTB

I'm not going to argue about it alco. I have been a season ticket holder myself for the last 20 years and attended many an away game that season (albeit not the Ipswich one). The change wasn't that instant. Those that bash on about changing hoofball may insist that it was, but it wasn't. The style was attempted from the off, it wasn't successful from the off. The suggestion that it was is factually incorrect as far as I'm concerned and I know a number of people that would agree with me.

Differences of opinion are what football is all about but I'm not on board with that account of things. Anyone who could do such a thing so quickly would be a bonified football genius. Old habits always die hard.

 

[Revolution]

Lou, what agenda do I supposedly have please?

And I do say so, because I was there. Were you there at Ipswich that day? Others who were there agree with me, it would appear.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Lou, what agenda do I supposedly have please?

And I do say so, because I was there. Were you there at Ipswich that day? Others who were there agree with me, it would appear.

So we're basing it on one game rev? No I wasnt at Ipswich (just about 40 other games under kendall). People who have a good memory of a couple of games will say all sorts of things. I take such comments/opinions with a pinch of salt.

Rev, we'll just leave it there mate cos we clearly dont agree on many things.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

I was at Ipswich and distinctly remember the Blades passing like nothing previously seen that season. My point been that our team of 'Professional' footballers have it in them to pass and move.

 

[sheffielder]

This is the problem with some football fans.....you simplify everything too much. There aren't only two ways of playing the game sheffielder.

Are you saying that Taylor, Morgs, Monty, Cresswell and Henderson are built to play one touch fluid football? You named half of our usual starting eleven above and conveniently left out the less technically gifted players. Dont get me wrong, I like the five players ive just mentioned - but they aren't suitable for a side that plays the kind of football O'Driscoll promotes. They simply aren't and you cant argue with that.

I have never acknowledged the term "hoofball" because the suggestion that we have been playing this way is a little exaggerated IMO. The so called "sunshine gang" make us out to be a modern day Wimbledon, when what we have actually been doing is playing simple, direct percentage football. Certain people have confused this with so called long ball tactics.....which is incorrect. I haven't said for a minute that we are built for this "hoofball" or so they call it, but I know for a fact that we aren't built for stylish passing football either! To say that we are and to base that argument on five of our players is complete nonsense.

In the event of O'Driscoll becoming manager (I dont think he will for the record), he will immediately want to move certain players on. I can promise you that with great certainty.

Must be hard talking to us football fans who simplify things. You should get your cv in Lou but you should probably stick to teaching 5 year olds. Don't tell me the 5 players you have mentioned can't play football till they have actually tried i. Henderson isn't actually a bad player when the ball is played into his feet, it's just we had a manager who wanted to see him battle for it. Cresswell is technically very good and I think you have sold him out there. I am not too worried about my centre half playing football and Monty is the perfect for winning the ball and giving it 5 yards to britton. Taylor, well I would assume whoever comes in has a problem there in getting rid of him. Unfortunately he is not good enough. I think our players would enjoy playing football and those who can't can be shipped out. We just have more footballers than hoofers in my opinion

 

[raul]

So we're basing it on one game rev? No I wasnt at Ipswich (just about 40 other games under kendall). People who have a good memory of a couple of games will say all sorts of things. I take such comments/opinions with a pinch of salt.

Rev, we'll just leave it there mate cos I'm getting spanked here.

No need to thank me Lou.....

 

[Revolution]

So everyone who's posted in this thread who was there said it happened. And someone who wasn't there, you, says it didn't. So therefore it didn't. Okay, whatever.

Incidentally, I missed the Stoke game, which was next, but saw the Birmingham game on Boxing Day, and it was more of the same. I assume I imagined that, though.

Again, what agenda do I have?

 

[sheffielder]

So we're basing it on one game rev? No I wasnt at Ipswich (just about 40 other games under kendall). People who have a good memory of a couple of games will say all sorts of things. I take such comments/opinions with a pinch of salt.

Rev, we'll just leave it there mate cos we clearly dont agree on many things.

I think you are more than capable of falling out with yourself mate

 

[LouTheBlade]

I think you are more than capable of falling out with yourself mate

Haha brilliant. Keep it coming guys.

Always there raul. Nice editing though, you never fail to get a chuckle out of me

 

[alcoblade]

I don't understand why you think changing style is such a long term goal. It can, and has been done quickly. I don't think anyone is suggesting we looked like Brazil the week after Bassett left. But the general approach did change very quickly. Expecting style to be changed and results to follow immediately would be very unrealistic, I agree. Asking your players to stay nearer the ball and provide options for those in posession isn't rocket science and is exactly what ALL our players will have been used to at some point in their life.

UTB

 

[LouTheBlade]

Must be hard talking to us football fans who simplify things. You should get your cv in Lou but you should probably stick to teaching 5 year olds. Don't tell me the 5 players you have mentioned can't play football till they have actually tried i. Henderson isn't actually a bad player when the ball is played into his feet, it's just we had a manager who wanted to see him battle for it. Cresswell is technically very good and I think you have sold him out there. I am not too worried about my centre half playing football and Monty is the perfect for winning the ball and giving it 5 yards to britton. Taylor, well I would assume whoever comes in has a problem there in getting rid of him. Unfortunately he is not good enough. I think our players would enjoy playing football and those who can't can be shipped out. We just have more footballers than hoofers in my opinion

I think you're ignoring the actual point I made sheffielder and I dont disagree with you about Cresswell and Hendo. Yes they can play a little at their feet but theyre not as good technically as certain other players. They are a different style of player and suit more direct play. My opinion but I believe its a true one.

I would be worried about the centre half playing football if I were you because if you're going to pass the ball you have to start doing it from the back. I havent sold anyone out, I'm just pointing out obvious attributes and tendencies of players.

If you think we have more footballers than hoofers thats fine. I dont entirely agree and I think thats debatable but I respect that opinion. I just resent the suggestion that I stated the players could only play hoofball (which I didnt), I said that theyre not suited to O'Driscoll's style. That was why I said it is too often simplified. Just because I said they dont suit his style, doesnt mean I think they are hoofers. I recognise there are more facets to the game than just two styles.

I seem to have struck a nerve on a couple of things with a few people - I wouldnt take the direct terminology I use too seriously. I dont mean to offend, but my views stand.

 

[LouTheBlade]

I don't understand why you think changing style is such a long term goal. It can, and has been done quickly. I don't think anyone is suggesting we looked like Brazil the week after Bassett left. But the general approach did change very quickly. Expecting style to be changed and results to follow immediately would be very unrealistic, I agree. Asking your players to stay nearer the ball and provide options for those in posession isn't rocket science and is exactly what ALL our players will have been used to at some point in their life.

UTB

Thank you! This is a far more realistic account. As I said pretty much from the outset of this conversation.....the attempt to change our style straight away was apparent because the players were attempting passes. But the suggestion that it changed and worked effectively overnight is false - IMO. The application of it was there but it took a while to bed in. It did not change in a week and a half. The general approach did change yes but its bound to! It doesnt mean our style completely changed straight away - I just see that as exaggeration.

Essentially alco, you have put it far better than I could.....much obliged.

UTB indeed!

 

[Micalijo]

Thank you! This is a far more realistic account. As I said pretty much from the outset of this conversation.....the attempt to change our style straight away was apparent because the players were attempting passes. But the suggestion that it changed and worked effectively overnight is false - IMO. The application of it was there but it took a while to bed in. It did not change in a week and a half. The general approach did change yes but its bound to! It doesnt mean our style completely changed straight away - I just see that as exaggeration.

Essentially alco, you have put it far better than I could.....much obliged.

UTB indeed!

Still 100% loving this and will continue to do so for weeks. This forum is wonderful. Goodnight Blackwell and bye bye!!! Oh yes.

The change under Kendall was instant for me Lou.

What on earth do you mean re general approach did change but our style didn't completely change overnight? You are some wordsmith Lou!!! Basically we all agree that a club can change its style pretty much overnight with some success.

Up The Blades. Loving it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Revolution]

What on earth do you mean re general approach did change but our style didn't completely change overnight? You are some wordsmith Lou!!!

This is the internet, Micalijo, and you never admit you're wrong on the internet, under any circumstances. This way Lou can still pretend he was right about United's playing style at Ipswich under Kendall...