Lundstrum and humble pie

[Pinchy]

After the reaction to Paul Coutts when he first arrived at the Lane, you'd think fans would have learnt how to keep their powder dry

The S2 intelligentsia have concluded 24 goal Oli McBurnie is crap after six games. They know their stuff round here...

 

[wizadry]

Freeman should, without a doubt, play ahead of Fleck. He is a better player and the side will be far better balanced. Two left footers in a three man midfield? No, play the better, quicker, brighter, more influential of the two, alongside Lunny and Ollie.

When will it end? The results when Fleck plays speak for themselves, take him out of the team and the results don’t even come close, as evidenced a few weeks ago when Fleck was missing.

Norwood, Fleck and Freeman can work as they’re all very good midfielders but we all know you’re determined to get our best midfielder out of the team for some unknown reason.

It’s not working too badly at the moment though so I’m not too fussed if Freeman can’t get in ahead of Lunny as he is also doing a good job, other than the Southampton game, Lunny has been on the whole very good.

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

It's so very refreshing to hear the Blades described as a "proper team" on the very illustrious forum of Match of the Day. I (almost) feel as though some of our top experts are now getting the message at last - maybe we have arrived at the top table with some measure of legitimacy after all!

We didn't need anyone to tell us the Blades are a proper team - we know that after the amazing transformation and near-miracle team-building process we have seen under Chris Wilder and Alan Knill. However, some of our fans don't seem to get the obvious message and lessons we should have learned from them - everyone needs to contribute positively in order to create and maintain the magical synergy that makes Sheffield United a Premiership Squad.

If any players in the squad adopt the attitude of some of our fans to some of their own players, then we are screwed. Chris Wilder knows it, and I'm sure he deals with it professionally whenever he gets even the slightest sniff of it.

WE NEED TO WISE-UP and trust the boss and give full backing to the players - all of them, including those we wouldn't select ourselves!

 

[Grecian2000]

Two left footers in a three man midfield?

Not sure I quite understand that sentence. Only having one left footer would mean two right footers! What difference does it make?
At this level, indeed at ANY professional level, you should be basically two footed anyway, so one of each and the "odd one" being either/or should be fine.
Or have I missed something in the point you were making?

 

[FleaPitBlade]

I was faffing about in the Premier League app last night.

There's a player comparison tool.

Put Lundstram next to any of the comparable players currently dithering around in England's midfield - Rice, Winks, Henderson - and his stats come out equal or better than all of them.

I'm not one to form my opinions purely on figures and numbers alone but if he carries on like this, he will have a genuine claim for a call up.

 

[sitwell]

I was faffing about in the Premier League app last night.

There's a player comparison tool.

Put Lundstram next to any of the comparable players currently dithering around in England's midfield - Rice, Winks, Henderson - and his stats come out equal or better than all of them.

I'm not one to form my opinions purely on figures and numbers alone but if he carries on like this, he will have a genuine claim for a call up.

Like Southgates ever heard of Sheffield united

 

[Nick Jansky]

Like Southgates ever heard of Sheffield united

He’s watched us at least once this season. But I take your point, despite Burnley players having made the squad in recent times.

 

[sitwell]

He’s watched us at least once this season. But I take your point, despite Burnley players having made the squad in recent times.

You mean he watched the opposition.

 

[Nick Jansky]

You mean he watched the opposition.

Thought he was watching Henderson as well?

 

[sitwell]

Thought he was watching Henderson as well?

Henderson of Man Utd ?

 

[bromtom]

When will it end? The results when Fleck plays speak for themselves, take him out of the team and the results don’t even come close, as evidenced a few weeks ago when Fleck was missing.

Norwood, Fleck and Freeman can work as they’re all very good midfielders but we all know you’re determined to get our best midfielder out of the team for some unknown reason.

It’s not working too badly at the moment though so I’m not too fussed if Freeman can’t get in ahead of Lunny as he is also doing a good job, other than the Southampton game, Lunny has been on the whole very good.

Freeman

1-1 Bournemouth (we were poor until Freeman came on, gave us a spark, played some great balls to Robinson)

1-0 Palace (assisted the goal)

2-2 Chelsea

The games he didn't play in, we lost, apart from yesterday which was our worst performance of the season in every sense but defensively.

Love Fleck but based on this season, Freeman has been better for us.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I still think he’ll come bad personally.

 

[wizadry]

Freeman

1-1 Bournemouth (we were poor until Freeman came on, gave us a spark, played some great balls to Robinson)

1-0 Palace (assisted the goal)

2-2 Chelsea

The games he didn't play in, we lost, apart from yesterday which was our worst performance of the season in every sense but defensively.

Love Fleck but based on this season, Freeman has been better for us.

We’ll agree to disagree then Tom as I simply can’t advocate us dropping Fleck and fortunately for me I think Wilder tends to agree.

 

[Silent Blade]

He’s watched us at least once this season. But I take your point, despite Burnley players having made the squad in recent times.

Attended the Palace and Leicester games

 

[Kanye]

Been so impressed with his long passing him and Norwood are two of the best passers I've seen in a blades shirts
His physicality suits the prem in a way it didn't the hustle and bustle of the championship ,having said that he was always one of our more intelligent and disciplined players but didn't have the fitness he seems to have now

I think we all feared the worst pre season when he started every game but wilder seems to know more than us when it comes to.spotting talent

Never thought fitness was the problem tbh. Always seemed like decision making to me.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

Never thought fitness was the problem tbh. Always seemed like decision making to me.

Fitness affects that bit I take your point

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

I’ve got to admit I’d given up with Lundstram prior to this season and that wasn’t without chance. I think this flat 3 has really suited him as there’s usually two players covering when he bombs on therefore he can take more risks.

 

[Pinchy]

Not sure I quite understand that sentence. Only having one left footer would mean two right footers! What difference does it make?
At this level, indeed at ANY professional level, you should be basically two footed anyway, so one of each and the "odd one" being either/or should be fine.
Or have I missed something in the point you were making?

Yes. Balance. The vast majority of professional footballers are not ‘too footed’. You’ll find very few midfield threes with two lefties in there.

Still, let’s shoehorn our favourites in rather than select our best team. They deserve it. Jake Wright to replace John Egan. I say.

 

[Pinchy]

When will it end? The results when Fleck plays speak for themselves, take him out of the team and the results don’t even come close, as evidenced a few weeks ago when Fleck was missing.

Norwood, Fleck and Freeman can work as they’re all very good midfielders but we all know you’re determined to get our best midfielder out of the team for some unknown reason.

It’s not working too badly at the moment though so I’m not too fussed if Freeman can’t get in ahead of Lunny as he is also doing a good job, other than the Southampton game, Lunny has been on the whole very good.

Lunny has been, on any analysis, our best midfielder this season. Freeman has been brighter, quicker and more effective than the Scottish hero.

 

[Guesty]

I’ve got to admit I’d given up with Lundstram prior to this season and that wasn’t without chance. I think this flat 3 has really suited him as there’s usually two players covering when he bombs on therefore he can take more risks.

Even when he was quite poor for us, he was terrific and finding space coming forward. Of course in those days he rarely received the ball.

On his passing, in the early days he could clearly see the passes, and he had decent technique when hitting the ball long, but he'd always overhit. It's like the ability was there but his radar was mis-calibrated. He's certainly got that fixed now.

 

[I should coco]

Still, let’s shoehorn our favourites in rather than select our best team. They deserve it. Jake Wright to replace John Egan. I say.

As ever, no-one is saying what you suggest.


Just 1/10 on a very poorly thought WUM.

Freeman has been brighter, quicker and more effective than the Scottish hero.

2/10 on the WUM scale for that. Freeman has looked bright but is a poorer tackler and has come on when we've been pushing forward so I have yet to see what his tracking back/ shadowing / closing down is like for a full game.

Keep trying though. You can't do a Billy Blade post as he's supsended but chuck in some trafic cone jokes and what about using Dinosaur Dave again?
That is just soooooo funny.

 

[Bladesman]

As ever, no-one is saying what you suggest.
View attachment 61721

Just 1/10 on a very poorly thought WUM.



2/10 on the WUM scale for that. Freeman has looked bright but is a poorer tackler and has come on when we've been pushing forward so I have yet to see what his tracking back/ shadowing / closing down is like for a full game.

Keep trying though. You can't do a Billy Blade post as he's supsended but chuck in some trafic cone jokes and what about using Dinosaur Dave again?
That is just soooooo funny.

It’s trying too hard.

 

[bromtom]

As ever, no-one is saying what you suggest.
View attachment 61721

Just 1/10 on a very poorly thought WUM.



2/10 on the WUM scale for that. Freeman has looked bright but is a poorer tackler and has come on when we've been pushing forward so I have yet to see what his tracking back/ shadowing / closing down is like for a full game.

Keep trying though. You can't do a Billy Blade post as he's supsended but chuck in some trafic cone jokes and what about using Dinosaur Dave again?
That is just soooooo funny.

Freeman has started multiple games, played 80 minutes against Chelsea for example and looked just fine.

 

[Pinchy]

It’s trying too hard.

I have to entertain my dedicated followers. They hang on my every word...

 

[PittsburghBlade]

Who say's he has to play 90 minutes, isn't this why we have subs, so the manager can change the shape of the team if he want's to.
You can't have enough good players not in this league

What are you talking about here? Makes no sense to what I’ve said.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Love Fleck but based on this season, Freeman has been better for us.

Twice Saturday and I think once last week he got caught on the ball trying to take it round someone right by his own penalty area. On none of the occasions were we punished, so it’s overlooked. Do that against Liverpool and you’d expect us to concede as a result.

For me, Fleck’s a better player than Freeman when defending, but Freeman for me has quicker feet and is more sensible using the ball.

 

[wizadry]

Freeman has been brighter, quicker and more effective than the Scottish hero.

With all due respect pinchers that is complete and utter bollocks.

 

[Pinchy]

With all due respect pinchers that is complete and utter bollocks.

Matter of opinion mate. Did you see Fleck, as he does time and time again, give the ball away on the edge of our box on Saturday?

Freeman has a quicker mind and quicker feet. He has vision. Fleck plays in tunnels. Freeman is simply a better footballer. Fleck has a nice nickname though. All Braveheart and that.

 

[wizadry]

Matter of opinion mate. Did you see Fleck, as he does time and time again, give the ball away on the edge of our box on Saturday?

Freeman has a quicker mind and quicker feet. He has vision. Fleck plays in tunnels. Freeman is simply a better footballer. Fleck has a nice nickname though. All Braveheart and that.

I did see him give the ball away in a very dangerous position and it could’ve cost us but it didn’t so I’d rather remember the good defensive display he did other than that poor giveaway. At least he wasn’t just trying to lump it anywhere, eh?

 

[Westran]