McBurnie and Robinson - physicality

[SUFCinks]

Apart from score the first goal at Chelsea and set up the second

Fair to him he played well for a 45 min spell - showed glipses of quality as per the post.

Has he done much else? his touch has let him down several times, he hasnt really turned or dribbled past defenders, is a bit weak on the ball, reluctant to shoot. Hes young, learning and tries and even though the service hasnt been that good for him i think we need more from a striker.

Lets hope he finds his feet a bit more and his service improves.

 

[blade67]

Not seen a problem with McBurnie TBF . Apparently he was injured on 'satdi but still did OK with shit service.

McBurnie and Mousset to start for me next week if fit. Didsy if Mcburnie can't make it

 

[finlaytheblade]

I don’t think McBurnie isn’t strong, Robinson I’d agree

Robinson at Preston was used mainly as a wide player he did roam around a bit but wide was where his best work came from.
He finding it difficult playing more centrally and in a higher division .Don't think strength is his problem hes a well built lad just needs time to adjust,feel he will get stronger as the season wears on.
A feature since Wilder came in is how we get stronger as the season progresses,both promotions were built on teams which grew in the 2nd half of the season.No reason that cant happen again as long as confidence isn't lost.
I've noticed over the years that teams who win things tend to get stronger as the season progresses the abnormality here are Man city and the pool who are constant.

 

[1066blade]

I still wish we'd signed Maupay, more tools in his box.

 

[Akinbiyi]

I still wish we'd signed Maupay, more tools in his box.

Don’t be daft. McBurnie is far more suitable for how we play.
Mousset is potentially everything Maupay is and more. No need for both.

 

[Ricky]

But. I thought he was really quite poor yesterday. Can’t say I noticed his strength being an issue but I did think his touch let him down a number of times—he either miscontrolled it with his first touch or managed to bring it under control and then passed straight to an Everton player.

I think strength can be an indirect factor there as well. When you don't back yourself to hold onto the ball after physical contact it can be distracting to the first touch. Mousset for example can relax a bit more because even if a touch is loose he can overpower the opponent and keep possession. There was a moment late on in front of us where McBurnie basically surrendered possession on a counter with what seemed like a nervous 'don't fancy myself here' touch but it could well have been due to tiredness/injury.

The lack of support is undoubtedly making him (and Robinson) look poorer than they are though. It has been piss poor a lot of the time. It must be frustrating for them. It's certainly frustrating enough to watch.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

McBurnie is fine how he is, Robinson still has a way to go. McBurnie & Moose will become the no.1 partnership i'm sure.

 

[Brother-Leech]

It’s an interesting op. When I watched MOTD this morning I noticed how strong our players looked. I think it’s often understated how much impact the strength and conditioning work has had on our squad. I assume it’s still Matt Prestridge, apologies if I’ve missed something and got that wrong. I’m sure it’s a lot of what’s helped us settle into the EPL.

 

[Luke1993]

I still wish we'd signed Maupay, more tools in his box.

How many goals has he got? In a Brighton team that are playing quite well, to his strengths and creating chances? Whereas on the other hand, if we're being honest we haven't played anywhere near like we can, not great service at the moment yet he's outscored him. I've said on another thread, McBurnie will outscore maupay by at least 5 goals come the end of the season, injury dependent of course.

 

[1889]

Personally I think Moose and Sharp would be our best attacking combination.Reckon they’d compliment each other very well

 

[Pinchy]

I always make a point of giving a definitive opinion on a new player, especially when playing at the highest level of his life, after six games. It’s very sensible and reveals an in depth knowledge of the game.

What I really want of course is for my favourite, Billy, to play. He deserves it, you see.

 

[PokerBlade]

I'm really hesitant to judge anyone strongly at this stage. This is a squad of players very limited on experience at this level, led by a manager who's never managed at this level. This season was always going to come with a steep learning curve for all of them.

The important thing is that we've seen glimpses of the best of the team as individuals and as a whole. McBurnie and Robinson have both got a goal to their name (Robinson should've been credited with both at Chelsea imo).

Neither McBurnie nor Robinson had a good game yesterday. McBurnie in particular I was disappointed with because I expected his hold up play to be a lot better. That said, neither got service that suited them. For most of the first half we struggled to put a pass together. It wasn't even like they were losing aerial battles, it was more like the ball rarely got near our strikers. And when it did get up to them they were isolated and had little option before they lost the possession. Some blame for that has to go to the rest of the team who were too quick to hit and hope instead of look for a measured pass, and some credit has to go to the opposition for keeping us pinned back. And for all the flak he got for missing chances last week there has to be some respect given to what a good job McGoldrick has done in linking the strikers to the midfield. We missed what he gives.

Let's say we'd had Maupay on the pitch yesterday (given he was my and others first choice in the Summer) - would he have done any better in that type of game? Would he have come on and out-muscled people like Mousset did? Probably not.

 

[GrayBlade]

Fair to him he played well for a 45 min spell - showed glipses of quality as per the post.

Has he done much else? his touch has let him down several times, he hasnt really turned or dribbled past defenders, is a bit weak on the ball, reluctant to shoot. Hes young, learning and tries and even though the service hasnt been that good for him i think we need more from a striker.

Lets hope he finds his feet a bit more and his service improves.

I think he looked our best prospect preseason and I wonder if he’s still feeling the hamstring he tweaked.

 

[Kanye]

I always make a point of giving a definitive opinion on a new player, especially when playing at the highest level of his life, after six games. It’s very sensible and reveals an in depth knowledge of the game.

What I really want of course is for my favourite, Billy, to play. He deserves it, you see.

Why is it not ok for one's definitive opinion to be Sharp to play?

He wouldn't be my first choice, personally. If probabaly opt for McGoldrick and Mousset, like you said, but I don't think it's unreasonable to want to see Sharp start, is it?

 

[William]

It’s an interesting op. When I watched MOTD this morning I noticed how strong our players looked. I think it’s often understated how much impact the strength and conditioning work has had on our squad. I assume it’s still Matt Prestridge, apologies if I’ve missed something and got that wrong. I’m sure it’s a lot of what’s helped us settle into the EPL.

I think Lee Rickards managed S&C and Prestridge managed Sports Science. Definitely done a great job whoever it is and sure they’ll get it right with the new players. Waiting for that new keeper to put on some timber too.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

McBurnie is fine how he is, Robinson still has a way to go. McBurnie & Moose will become the no.1 partnership i'm sure.

Disagree! McBurnie needs to shave his beard off, because he can’t see the ball when it’s on the ground, only when it’s in the air. Problem is, he can’t now. He’s let it grow so long that bats are roosting in it and it’s a preserved area.

 

[8lade]

Maupay made his bed with his dallying over the best offer and offered nothing new anyway.
Madine I'm surprised he's still getting mentioned, not an improvement on what we had last season barely a look in for Cardiff this season.
I didn't think McBurnie was a great option for 17m but he brings different things to the team and this is a league up he's not going to get his own way.

 

[1889]

I always make a point of giving a definitive opinion on a new player, especially when playing at the highest level of his life, after six games. It’s very sensible and reveals an in depth knowledge of the game.

What I really want of course is for my favourite, Billy, to play. He deserves it, you see.

Interesting, so I suppose based on your expert eye, it is acceptable for you to declare, after just six games, that McBurnie is an upgrade and better option than Sharp?

Despite the fact that Sharp scored more goals last year and has played many more games alongside the nucleus of the team, playing the same system over the last few seasons?

I don’t know if you would have been able to pick this up on the TV, but McBurnie offered next to nothing against Everton. Rarely extended himself beyond a jog, conceded possession due to poor control and embarrassingly threw himself on the floor trying to con the ref, when we were in a strong attacking position. I know I don’t have your wealth of football genius, but I didn’t see anything to justify a £20 million fee before we signed him and in the six games since I’ve seen very little to change my mind.

But I can see, that Sharp, has a better first touch, is more astute, is stronger, makes more runs off the ball, has better awareness of those around him, is the best finisher at the club and puts absolutely everything into every game he plays for Sheffield United.

Mousset would thrive alongside Sharp, I realise he’s the wrong side of 30 and not as effective in the air as McBurnie, but that is it.

It seems your preference is based on the fact that Sharp has been in and around the club most of his career, is a supporter and is a Sheffield lad, which, whatever the evidence to the contrary, in your mind, by definition means he’s therefore, shit

 

[1889]

Why is it not ok for one's definitive opinion to be Sharp to play?

He wouldn't be my first choice, personally. If probabaly opt for McGoldrick and Mousset, like you said, but I don't think it's unreasonable to want to see Sharp start, is it?

Not if you went to the Southampton match, Brian Pinchy obviously didn’t

 

[BushBlade]

I always make a point of giving a definitive opinion on a new player, especially when playing at the highest level of his life, after six games. It’s very sensible and reveals an in depth knowledge of the game.

What I really want of course is for my favourite, Billy, to play. He deserves it, you see.

I’m going to have to take that at face value as you’re quite happy to make a judgement that Freeman should be playing in Fleck’s position and he’s not even played six games at PL level yet.

 

[ReeceofBDTBL]

We only have 2 strikers with good hold up play and that’s Moose n Sharp. Mcgoldrick is great at linking play but his physicality and ability to make the ball stick is a bit mediocre imo.

Mcburnie: Excellent penalty box striker, poor hold up play and mediocre link up play
Robinson: Mediocre penalty box striker, poor hold up play and mediocre link up play.
Sharp: Excellent penalty box striker, good hold up play and mediocre link up play

Obvious what Didz and Moose are all about, but I’d definitely have Sharp ahead of Mcburnie and Robinson because I think, as of now, he’s a better player and simply gives the team more.

 

[@thelane]

Great OP. I think in certain games Robinson looks as if he is unwilling to sprint due to a lack of confidence in his body (hamstring(s).I'm thinking in particular yesterday and the Leicester game, where there had been rumours circulating he had been carrying a minor hamstring injury (he was out with a serious hamstring injury last season).
I've watched all our games back and it's clear to me that Mcburnie's base fitness level is not good enough: he's blowing after less than an hour.
It will be interesting to see his physical development and basic fitness when he's been Prestridged.

I agree about Mcburnie....he looks a fantastic character, but I’m just not seeing the “he was brilliant today” performances that some fans say about him. I really want him to do well.....but I think our best attacking line up would be sharp down the middle with Mouse and Robinson either side.....I think we would get goals every game.....I agree Mcburnie looks laboured half way through a game and just bounces off the more physical defenders (the Southampton number 4 for one)

 

[Booker4]

I love McBurnie, I should start by saying that. I can't recall the last time I was so excited about a Blades signing, even though I prefer the Dave Bassett £40,000 signings, those days are gone and Mouset at £10m is looking like a bargain in today's transfer figures.

Back to McBurnie, and I think one thing that strikes me is that we should remember he's only played one full sseason's of football essentially ans that was last season. He's now having to adjust to playing in the Premier League, like many others and I think the signs are very promising. Its difficult for forwards too that play for a team that isn't going to create the chances we did last season, although last week as we know we still created many.

I believe that, like the team as a whole, McBurnie will improve as he goes along. I can't subscribe to McGoldrick starting because his finishing isn't good enough in my view but I do think he could do very well as a sub, holding the ball up and linking play and no doubt he'd get some goals too. I think it will be Mousset and McBurnie that will be the starting partnership in time. Robinson for me is a good player but again we need to be patient with him, as the step up is huge.and he shows promise but I think he might take longer to adjust than McBurnie and Mousset, but who knows! Ultimately we have different options which is the main thing.

I would hate to be in Norwich's position relying on one forward. If Pukki is injured they'll be relegated and that reminds me of when we used to over rely on Deano.

 

[wizadry]

I always make a point of giving a definitive opinion on a new player, especially when playing at the highest level of his life, after six games. It’s very sensible and reveals an in depth knowledge of the game.

What I really want of course is for my favourite, Billy, to play. He deserves it, you see.

Pinchy, who do you see as our best forward and main talisman as it stands from the evidence we’ve seen so far?

For me, it’s Billy hands down, regardless of his Bladey credentials. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of time for this to change and I’m looking forward to this transpiring as this will mean we have at least one very good striker on our books.

 

[Stanthemanfan]

We only have 2 strikers with good hold up play and that’s Moose n Sharp. Mcgoldrick is great at linking play but his physicality and ability to make the ball stick is a bit mediocre imo.

Mcburnie: Excellent penalty box striker, poor hold up play and mediocre link up play
Robinson: Mediocre penalty box striker, poor hold up play and mediocre link up play.
Sharp: Excellent penalty box striker, good hold up play and mediocre link up play

Obvious what Didz and Moose are all about, but I’d definitely have Sharp ahead of Mcburnie and Robinson because I think, as of now, he’s a better player and simply gives the team more.

Didz doesn't have good hold up play?
Really?

 

[Kanye]

I personally think that if we're not playing McGoldrick (which we probabaly should) we should absolutely be playing Freeman.

I can completely understand why we play the flat 3 in this division, but without someone venturing in the number 10 space, and crucially, being able to progress the play, the gap between the strikers and the midfield is too big. From what I've seen, only McGoldrick and Freeman can do that at this level. (I do have hope that Ravel could do that job too, once hes acclimatise to the level/system)

 

[Pinchy]

puts absolutely everything into every game he plays for Sheffield United.

Embarrassing Bladey Claptrap.

 

[1889]

Embarrassing Bladey Claptrap.

Single minded determination not to be out worked, or out fought, is a minimum requirement, if you want to play for Chris Wilders team.

It’s clearly a huge part of what’s got Utd from Division One to the Premier League. There’s no room for passengers now we’re arrived, whatever their cost.

What’s embarrassing is your ‘Bladey Claptrap’ default response to anyone who doesn’t share your opinion. If you spent less time licking yourself and more time watching the game, you maybe wouldn’t need telling

 

[DronnieBlade]

Interesting, so I suppose based on your expert eye, it is acceptable for you to declare, after just six games, that McBurnie is an upgrade and better option than Sharp?

Despite the fact that Sharp scored more goals last year and has played many more games alongside the nucleus of the team, playing the same system over the last few seasons?

I don’t know if you would have been able to pick this up on the TV, but McBurnie offered next to nothing against Everton. Rarely extended himself beyond a jog, conceded possession due to poor control and embarrassingly threw himself on the floor trying to con the ref, when we were in a strong attacking position. I know I don’t have your wealth of football genius, but I didn’t see anything to justify a £20 million fee before we signed him and in the six games since I’ve seen very little to change my mind.

But I can see, that Sharp, has a better first touch, is more astute, is stronger, makes more runs off the ball, has better awareness of those around him, is the best finisher at the club and puts absolutely everything into every game he plays for Sheffield United.

Mousset would thrive alongside Sharp, I realise he’s the wrong side of 30 and not as effective in the air as McBurnie, but that is it.

It seems your preference is based on the fact that Sharp has been in and around the club most of his career, is a supporter and is a Sheffield lad, which, whatever the evidence to the contrary, in your mind, by definition means he’s therefore, shit

Nailed it

UTB

 

[Akinbiyi]

It’s a little bit hard to pick a players who’s fucking suspended