MATCH DAY THREAD: Brentford v The Mighty Blades

[Not_a_Cheat]

So back in action at last with 2 games in quick session starting with the trip to Brentford this afternoon. And though the play offs are still within reach, these 2 games present a big hurdle to overcome. London not being a particularly successful place for us, so far this season....

Anyway...

Any team news?

Basham likely to return...

Otherwise unchanged?

Brooks still not recovered enough to start?

Really tough game this, but also a chance to move back into the play off places. Really not that confident though, and I think a draw wouldn't be such a bad result. I'll hope for better but I reckon 1-1.... at best

Safe journey all, and hopefully for you we get the 3 points....

UTB

 

[Ricky]

Bump.

Don't think anyone knows we're playing today...


It's a better chance to get a win than it might look. Brentford aren't in great form. We could really do with winning given we have Cardiff next and hard games after that. I think it's quite likely to be a 1-1.

I hope Brooks starts. It's time.

 

[gavtheblade]

These international breaks are a nuisance.
The break suits some teams,but not others.
Let's hope we're hungry for the play offs.
If not it's consolidation time .

 

[Seanshoreham]

Looks like a well-balanced game to me and possibly a draw

All the best to our fantastic support who are travelling, keep singing loud and proud

 

[Cerberus Blade]

The league table says we are better than them. So we should act it. For what it's worth, I thought their passing, speed and movement was superb when we played them on the first match of the season. If they get that kind of rhythm going we could be in for a hard time - hopefully they won't.

I'm more concerned about how we are going to play. I've seen all the games in the last month, home and away. To be honest, we've not been great. I think the most appropriate description would be "toothless". The only match in March where we scored any goals was the 2-0 home win over Burton - and I thought that flattered us tbh. Burton squandered some great chances and were unlucky not to score.

I thought the game at Ipswich was dreadful for example. I know some have put it down as a useful point, but I thought Ipswich were absolutely terrible - hopeless tbh! One of the worst teams I've seen this season - but, we still couldn't find a way past them.

We seem to have lost that spark, that threat in front of goal.

I think Brentford will cause us far more problems than Ipswich or Burton did. So, it's probably going to be another MOTM for Blackman if we get something from this?

 

[SB_90]

this for me is going to be a very tough fixture & easter weekend because besides burton maybe Barnsley we have the hardest the easter fixtures . they are a good team proved it in the few years already in the championship before we got here. & in hindsight on the opening day we were very fortunate v Brentford, because they missed many guilt edge chances including that open goal & also Blackman had 3 or 4 brilliant saves.

although good Friday has been very good for us, won promotion in 2005 & the title last season.so maybe we can get a bit of that

 

[oldblade]

Difficult game to call.

We have not won away at any of the sides that are currently in the top half of the table. We have draw 3 and lost 6. This suggests that we struggle against the better sides when we are away. Although , in contradiction of that, some of our away wins have come against sides who were in the top half when we actually played them.

Brentford are a good side, but their results have at times been all over the place. They have beaten teams like Fulham and Villa and yet are the only team that Leeds have beaten this year. They have also drawn almost half of their home games.

I think I would be pleasantly surprised if we won. But I would also be very pleased with a draw. A defeat would (as usual) be disappointing, but not unexpected.

 

[8lade]

We've been playing badly since the start of the year and if it isn't the lads not coming to terms with the heavier pitches or general tiredness, something else struck me...wasn't there a manager who had to ban the players from online gaming the night before a game as it left them mentally tired? Would certainly explain some of the sluggish performances from numerous of our players on multiple occasions.

 

[Sheffsteel]

The league table says we are better than them. So we should act it. For what it's worth, I thought their passing, speed and movement was superb when we played them on the first match of the season. If they get that kind of rhythm going we could be in for a hard time - hopefully they won't.

I think Brentford will cause us far more problems than Ipswich or Burton did.

I’ve been looking at their stats over the season and it shows that
They consistently dominate possession and often have 20 shots at goal
But their finishing is finishing is consistently poor, many of their shots are of target.

Their fans (and manager for that matter) say they are the better team almost every match.
Their fans are always saying “some team is going to get a good thrashing sooner or later”

So of course there’s plenty to be concerned about.
Our defence is pretty good but we find that teams only need 1 or 2 chances to score against us.
Let’s hope Brentford continue to be terrible in front of goal.

 

[blademark]

I’ve been looking at their stats over the season and it shows that
They consistently dominate possession and often have 20 shots at goal
But their finishing is finishing is consistently poor, many of their shots are of target.

Their fans (and manager for that matter) say they are the better team almost every match.
Their fans are always saying “some team is going to get a good thrashing sooner or later”

So of course there’s plenty to be concerned about.
Our defence is pretty good but we find that teams only need 1 or 2 chances to score against us.
Let’s hope Brentford continue to be terrible in front of goal.

Interesting stat, we have won 15 from 15 when leading at half time. The highest in the division.

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

If we start without both Duffy and Brooks, we're all doomed.

If we start with BOTH , I reckon we could have a right good go at them and come away with the points.

They won't like it up 'em.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I’ve been looking at their stats over the season and it shows that
They consistently dominate possession and often have 20 shots at goal
But their finishing is finishing is consistently poor, many of their shots are of target.

Their fans (and manager for that matter) say they are the better team almost every match.
Their fans are always saying “some team is going to get a good thrashing sooner or later”

So of course there’s plenty to be concerned about.
Our defence is pretty good but we find that teams only need 1 or 2 chances to score against us.
Let’s hope Brentford continue to be terrible in front of goal.

You could be a Blade or a Brentford fan with that post. True for both teams.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Getting towards 'make or break' for Brentford more than us. There will be nerves.

Anything can happen. If we win we can kick on towards the play-offs, slightly against the odds to be fair.

If we draw we are still left wondering.

If we lose we can stop wondering

 

[LoughboroBlade]

A line-up likely to anger one or two...

Though not me.

 

[bladesmanluke]

Seems very defensive

 

[Stretch]

Duffy out so yet again we stick Brooks and Holmes on the bench?!

I don't normally like to criticise starting line ups because I don't know what's gone on during the week and who has looked best in training but surely to god the penny must have dropped by now that that midfield is not going to create enough?

Hope I am wrong.

 

[FinchleyBlade]

Looks a poor side on paper. Holmes must be wondering why he bothered signing, and Brooks again on the bench with him when we lack any creativity without Duffy.

Not confident at all after seeing that side.

 

[Blade58]

What's up with Duffy?

 

[diode_blade]

duffy groin problem
Chris Basham and John Lundstram return to United's starting line-up for the Good Friday trip to Brentford.

They take over from Mark Duffy, who misses out with a groin problem, and Lee Evans, who is only deemed fit enough for the bench after extensive travelling whilst on international duty with Wales.

Blades: Blackman, Baldock, Stevens, Fleck, O’Connell, Basham, Lundstram, Clarke, Sharp, Leonard, Stearman.
Unused: Moore, Donaldson, Wright, L Evans, Lafferty, Holmes, Brooks.

 

[Revolution]

Lundstram and one of Basham/Leonard in midfield.

Hmmm...

I do hope Brooks actually gets to show us what he can do before the end of the season.

 

[snootyfenooty]

With that midfield we'll hardly get a shot at goal let alone score from one. Clarke and Sharp will probably get the flack though even if they don't get the service so all will be fine I suppose.

 

[Espania blade]

I'd have put Holmes in for Billy and played one up front (Leon) 4-5-1

 

[FinchleyBlade]

Lundstram and one of Basham/Leonard in midfield.

Hmmm...

I do hope Brooks actually gets to show us what he can do before the end of the season.

If I were in his position I'd leave to be honest, why would he stay here to sit on our bench when he can go to premier league side and sit on their bench for 5x the money?

 

[Ginger Gnome]

Wilder is rapidly turning into Clough, going from bombing everyone forward to a tepid safety-first mentality that still usually concedes anyway. His change of approach is odd, he's not shown any real balls with his tactics or selections since pussying out of trying to beat 10-man Wednesday, despite still talking like he doesn't want to play for draws.

 

[diode_blade]

Chris Basham and John Lundstram return to United's starting line-up for the Good Friday trip to Brentford.

They take over from Mark Duffy, who misses out with a groin problem, and Lee Evans, who is only deemed fit enough for the bench after extensive travelling whilst on international duty with Wales.

Blades: Blackman, Baldock, Stevens, Fleck, O’Connell, Basham, Lundstram, Clarke, Sharp, Leonard, Stearman.
Unused: Moore, Donaldson, Wright, L Evans, Lafferty, Holmes, Brooks.

 

[GrayBlade]

Looks a poor side on paper. Holmes must be wondering why he bothered signing, and Brooks again on the bench with him when we lack any creativity without Duffy.

Not confident at all after seeing that side.

You say it’s poor but the only changes he’s made from our usual starting 11 are Leonard and Lundsrum for Evans and Duffy. I personally would have started Brooks as Duffy’s injured but it’s not far from being as good as it gets is it really?

I don’t think Brentford at home are a team to attack so maybe he’s hopimg to keep it tight and nick one fingers crossed he’s call it right.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Let's see what Leonard has got in the locker!! 2 weeks to prep for the game against a team that plays open football.

Let's see the cut of your jib Len Dog!!

 

[biggey blade]

I'd have put Holmes in for Billy and played one up front (Leon) 4-5-1

Why go for one up front in Leon who has no form at min at all he missed from 2 yards out last game. He has had a good season no denying but at the min he can't score at all so don't think it would be right going one up front with just Leon if anyone up front on his own at min it has to be sharp and 2 number tens behind him in my opinion.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Last week it was Leon, this week Sharp. Missed two guilt edged chances.

 

[Iceybabey]

Sharp signed a new contract?