Midfield: My main concern

[mattbianco1]

I'm reading far too many negative threads ranging from McCabe's a nob to Wilson should resign etc...

IMO we are only struggling in Midfield:

Defence - SOLID, even when Hill deputised for Collins at CB we were solid. Our Number 1 has got injured and yet we're still solid.

Attack: SOLID, after losing a 30+ scorer last season it was always going to be tough. Blackman & Kitson have goals in them but need supply. So far Blackman has 7 goals in 17 league games. Carry on that scoring rate and he'll touch 20. In back up we have Porter who, whilst not renowned for goals has deputised very well since Kitson has been injured. Miller, bless him. He deserves a start. But where? Blackman & Miller won't work. Blackman is scoring so can't really drop him.
We are taking chances at a high percentage rate when you think about it. If we can work on creating chances more then we'll start banging them in.

Midfield - No creativity whatsoever
Doyle - quality. does what you want/expect of a captain. Gets stuck in. Breaks up play. Keeps the ball moving.
McDonald - Really unimpressed with him so far this year. Should be creating more. Should be scoring more.
Flynn - Carrying a big weight at the moment. Tries hard, works hard. Unfortunately we have lost Quinn & Williamson who created tons of goals last season (which you expect your wingers to do). Unfortunately Flynn so far hasn't delivered the assists.
Williams - Not a left winger.

Manager - Hands are tied. 2nd in table. 1 defeat after 17 games. I'd rate him 8.5/10
His substitutions are his ONLY let down IMO. Doesn't give players long enough to make an impact. As stated above Miller deserves a run out. Giving him 2mins here and there is no good for anybody. When the game is tied with 20mins to go, we should be the team playing the first hand to try and win the game.

In Ratings

GK - 9/10
Defence - 9
Midfield - 4
Attack - 8
Manager - 8.5

Where I would change it..

Need a winger. Whether that is McFadzean, Tonne or Chappell I don't know. If not what about pushing McMahon further forward and play Westlake at RB. I know we've done this with Williams and it hasn't worked but McMahon seems to offer so much more going forward than Williams does.

Answers on a postcard

 

[BristolBlade]

I would agree that as we can all see so far this season that the lack of creativity in the midfield is truly evident, however your praise for Doyle I just can not get my head around. In my opinion he offers very, very little if anything the captaincy only suits him due to his bully mentality!
He fails to make an adventurous pass and fails on more than one than occasion to complete a simple ball in any direction. He would struggle to get into many League 1 teams, I think if he wasn't captain I would say Harriot would do a better job (only seen Harriot once in the JPT v Notts County and had a better game than the Doyle, did the simple things simply).
Doyle has very little attacking enthusiasm and that has seemed to rub off on McDonald, who yes has been very poor this season, they are both playing very defensively.
McDonald needs to be playing just behind the front two and Doyle sitting behind in a diamond formation, this will bring the full backs into the game more as well, it will offer both central and wing play, this was clearly evident in the 1-1 draw at Coventry early in the season, the movement looked good that night (OK I know Quinn was on the left).
McDonald is off the pace and it just seems every attack we start ends up going back, which isn't always a bad thing however its every bloody attack! People are saying in the stands that Blackman is a lazy striker in whch I do agree on some occasions however if Mcdonald isnt in a good attacking position then any striker can not make the run into a position/empty space etc.
The stats from last season are not great if you look at goals from midfield and I'm not going to dwell too much on players that are not here as that's pointless (Williamson 13 League 1 goals last season).

Doyle 3 goals 46 League 1 games
McDonald 3 goals 33 League 1 games
Flynn 2 goals 29 League 1 games

only Flynn has scored this season with 2! ok McAllister on the opening day also. McDonald has only 7 shots on target in 17 league games this season!! not going to score too many with figures like that, not saying he should be a 20 goal a season player just want to see more, we need to take the pressure off of the front players.
I do like the idea of McMahon pushing up to right wing and Westlake at right back lets change it up a bit (depending how bad his hamstring injury is).
17 games and only 1 defeat second in the table, superb I'm a happy Blade, I am by no way trying to slag the lads off but we can not rely on our solid back four and keeper to keep us at 0-0 week in week out.
on the positive side of things I think Porter has been superb over the last few weeks, he has won most things in the air feeding off scraps and I know Blackman is top goal scorer with 7 but lets see Miller and Porter together to start just one game see if they can give another showing together like they did in the JPT.
Anyway up the Blades and see you at the Lane for the Stevenage game!!!

 

[metalblade]

Same owd, same owd, we were moaning about how shit the midfield was most of the time when Colin was manager, nothing changes eh ?
Williams, should be nowhere near midfield, then again he should be nowhere near the first team.
Doyle, never thought I'd say it but he comes close to being as bad as Monty, think I'd sooner have Monty at least he was honest Doyle is a real sneeky dirty bastard always looking for a way to kick someone's ankles.
McDonald, he does have some talent but a bigger fooking wuss I have yet to see on a football field never a hair out of place, he couldn't tackle a hot dinner.
Flynn, is it Mr Average or Mr mediocre ? does nothing really badly but then again does nothing really well.
Reserves/back up, we have none worth getting excited about just kids with no experience and unlikely to get any with Wilson.
Manager, Danny is really starting to show his true colours, Mr nice guy who had no plan B until he found the Blackwell diaries in his office waste bin (damn McCabe for sacking the cleaners) I always said he had no balls as far back as when he was a player for the pigs.

 

[Putney Blade]

Yes /No.

Agreed we need creativity in midfield. Disagree with attack is ok. Both need addressing. Blackwell/Porter/ Kitson/Porter/Cresswell - are all the same 'big posts, lack pace types'. Unsure about Man Utd kid/Miller not seen enough. So, we have 7 players (not mentioning Ironside etc), 5 of them lack pace (perhaps unfair on Blackwell), 2 might have some pace and can offer something different. We are very one dimensional up-front, 'cos of this, we lump it up them, don't need creativity to do this. No good having creativity in midfield if we don't have creativity / pace up front. Remember Briton from Swansea. Good creative player but his talents were lost at United 'cos we didn't match his style with players around and ahead of him.

You can have all creativity in the world however, Porter still wouldn't score. What a poor player.

UTB

 

[mattbianco1]

Strange how people see things differently

 

[bartman]

Same owd, same owd, we were moaning about how shit the midfield was most of the time when Colin was manager, nothing changes eh ?
Williams, should be nowhere near midfield, then again he should be nowhere near the first team.
Doyle, never thought I'd say it but he comes close to being as bad as Monty, think I'd sooner have Monty at least he was honest Doyle is a real sneeky dirty bastard always looking for a way to kick someone's ankles.
McDonald, he does have some talent but a bigger fooking wuss I have yet to see on a football field never a hair out of place, he couldn't tackle a hot dinner.
Flynn, is it Mr Average or Mr mediocre ? does nothing really badly but then again does nothing really well.
Reserves/back up, we have none worth getting excited about just kids with no experience and unlikely to get any with Wilson.
Manager, Danny is really starting to show his true colours, Mr nice guy who had no plan B until he found the Blackwell diaries in his office waste bin (damn McCabe for sacking the cleaners) I always said he had no balls as far back as when he was a player for the pigs.

Wiliams= good back up
Doyle- same player as last season and will be the same next
McDoanald- couldn't agree more this season- he looks good when attacking defences but doesn't do it enough
Flynn- out of his depth
Are the kids good enough ?..Chappell on loan so no idea how well he is doing,McFadzean,injured again,Whitehouse- still injured,Ironside-needs to go out on loan.

DW- What do you mean by Plan B? what do you want it to be ? He has changed tactics during games this seasosn but in general plays two up front...should he play 3 and leave the full backs exposed like he has tried this season.

My concern is the wide players and I fear that someone will have to be sold(Harry?) so we can get them in...as I said oon another thread- Willo and gallagher for me which should lead to McD being abole to find more creative outlets

 

[bartman]

Yes /No.

Agreed we need creativity in midfield. Disagree with attack is ok. Both need addressing. Blackwell// 'big posts, lack pace types'.

UTB

I assume you mean Blackman- big posts,lack pace type...Blackman has loads of pace and is certainly not a target man...trouble is that he can be lazy especially in his movement off the ball....for me i would like Miller have a run instead of him as I think his movement would create more for others as well as himself

 

[BristolBlade]

Ha ha for sure mattbianco1, that's whats great about being a football fan, we have our favourite players, we have our least favourite players.
we think we can pick the right team week in week out and do a better job than the manager, however we all have our opinions and I respect everyone else's, no ones right really, but what makes me laugh we can all be very fickle.
No matter where we are from we want to see Sheffield United out of League 1, but the most important thing is..........we are all Blades!!!

 

[LoughboroBlade]

On the basis of the recent games, I'd switch Blackman to left wing and go with Miller and Porter up front for a bit, who both appear to link up well. Blackman is unproven on the wing, but given Williams/Cofie/McAllister aren't wingers either there's at this stage little harm in trying it. On paper, Blackman should offer a pacy option that gives a goal threat from midfield in advanced areas, and having him & Miller on the pitch at the expensive of a more defensive option should mean a net gain in terms of movement for when K-Mac is on the ball.

Blackman's our top scorer, but if he's not scoring in open play and failing to read the balls Porter's winning, we won't lose a huge amount by trying him on the wing.

 

[alcoblade]

I take it you were referring to metalblade.........

Strange how people hear things differently

UTB

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Half agree with mattb but the problem is very simple. We lack natural width and creativity in wide areas. This means we do not stretch the opposition enough to create space and ultimately chances. The opposition are then able to condense the play when we have the ball and make it virtually impossible for us to get behind them. That creates a situation where the midfielders and full backs are forever pumping the ball into the channels looking for the front two (which is making the likes of McDonald and Doyle look ineffective), pulling the forwards out of position and leaving little else to aim at in and around the penalty area.

It would help if we had attack minded full backs who like to get forward a lot. This would create the natural width we crave but we don't have those either. We would be better off playing in a 4-3-3 with Miller and Cofie alongside one of the other boys. May as well play narrow with a bit more pace, its the only solution given whats available.

 

[Ollessendro]

The most frustrating thing is that we are close to being a very good team. With Kitson back (Porter has done well but we have really missed Kitson) and a decent pacey winger we would have a very good starting 11. The glaringly obvious factor that Wilson is ignoring (Miller in for Blackman) is annoying too. But I suppose it is difficult to drop Blackman, who is our top scorer. It was really frustrating to see Gallagher go back. He was hit and miss, but would probably have improved with fitness. He would certainly be better than Williams has been. If we could stretch play a bit with Flynn and a proper winger on the flanks it would crete more space for K Mac, offer him more of an outlet and get better service for the forwards. I think that our first 11 (plus 2) is probably the best in the division (or could be with the addition of a winger) but the rest of the squad is just not up to it.

In a bizarre way I wonder if Kitson leaving in December might actually benefit the team. Personally I think he is miles better than this division and would like to see him stay until May. However I expect he will move on to bigger and better things. Presumably he is earning decent-ish money and that could be used to bring in a proper winger. Even if it is just a loan for a couple of months. Porter is limited, but can do a job and we are in desperate need or more width, creativity and pace in midfield.

People are saying that Wilson has his hands tied, but he has created this himself. He chose to re-sign Porter, bring in Kitson, Miller, Blackman and Cofie. Everyone could see there were too many strikers. Just sacrificing one or two of these would have enable him to go for midfield creativity. Now he is playing a shite left back on the wing. This is his choice and his making.

 

[super_pig]

matts praise for Doyle stems around the fact that he is a 'monty is great' merchant (see avatar).. he seems to think running around like a headless chicken is great stuff.. whilst our best player by a mile macdonald gets grief for not scoring enough.. (how many has Doyle scored per chance??..)
Doyle has been w**k this year and has been lucky to stay on the pitch in a lot of games.. macdonald has noone to pass to and noone on his wavelength..
Olle is bang on.. instead of signing all of these bloody strikers, DW should have made it his priority to replace Williamson and Lowton.. our biggest miss is that noone attacks empty space and can carry the ball..
the biggest disappointment to me is mcmahon.. the most conservative fullback i've ever seen.. when he has the ball he stops dead .. takes a run up and then launches it like a set piece.. he can't run with the ball.. scapegoat alert

 

[metalblade]

People are saying that Wilson has his hands tied, but he has created this himself. He chose to re-sign Porter, bring in Kitson, Miller, Blackman and Cofie. Everyone could see there were too many strikers. Just sacrificing one or two of these would have enable him to go for midfield creativity. Now he is playing a shite left back on the wing. This is his choice and his making.

I can't agree with this bit entirely Olle, I would imagine Kitson is on the most money out of that lot but he certainly is not a Wilson signing considering he stated we should not be bringing in any more over 30 yr old strikers a few days before Kitson signed. That signing to me has McCabe written all over it due to him being a family friend of the McCabe's. I'm amazed that when Quinn was around we could afford to loan Gallagher but now both have gone we cannot afford to bring in anyone, something don't sound right here.

 

[super_pig]

McCabe is quite happy to spend money on his mate but not on positions we really need.. shame he doesn't know any wingers.

 

[mattbianco1]

matts praise for Doyle stems around the fact that he is a 'monty is great' merchant (see avatar).. he seems to think running around like a headless chicken is great stuff.. whilst our best player by a mile macdonald gets grief for not scoring enough.. (how many has Doyle scored per chance??..)
Doyle has been w**k this year and has been lucky to stay on the pitch in a lot of games.. macdonald has noone to pass to and noone on his wavelength..
Olle is bang on.. instead of signing all of these bloody strikers, DW should have made it his priority to replace Williamson and Lowton.. our biggest miss is that noone attacks empty space and can carry the ball..
the biggest disappointment to me is mcmahon.. the most conservative fullback i've ever seen.. when he has the ball he stops dead .. takes a run up and then launches it like a set piece.. he can't run with the ball.. scapegoat alert

Michael Doyle is a ball winner. Nick Montgomery was a ball winner. However, Michael Doyle wins the ball and can pass, he can also ruffle up the opposition in the Michael Brown mould. Montgomery could tackle and man mark. That's all.

The question you say about Doyle's goal tally is nonsense. Doyle is our Stuart McCall (how many did he chip in with?) McDonald should be our Michael Brown/Tonge. Should be chipping in with 8 goals per season plus assists and he's not.

McDonald is the attacking midfielder expected to score. Doyle is the defensive midfielder expected to stop the progression of the opposing midfields attacks... Can't believe I had to explain that!

 

[DazBlade88]

For me, McDonald will never score many goals. He's got a great eye for a pass but his shooting is pretty awful to be honest.

He prefers to influence the game from a deeper role so that's why we need attacking wingers/full backs to support the attack, which we haven't got. Last year we had Lowton, Williamson and Quinn all doing that but this year we only really have Flynn who looks like doing anything out wide.

This has been my big frustration this summer and the first third of the season. We've been crying out for natural wingers and we haven't brought one in, apart from Gallagher a month's loan. And add to that, any wingers we do have (Chapell, Tonne, McFadzean) at the club aren't being tried in the league.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Michael Doyle is a ball winner. Nick Montgomery was a ball winner. However, Michael Doyle wins the ball and can pass, he can also ruffle up the opposition in the Michael Brown mould. Montgomery could tackle and man mark. That's all.

The question you say about Doyle's goal tally is nonsense. Doyle is our Stuart McCall (how many did he chip in with?) McDonald should be our Michael Brown/Tonge. Should be chipping in with 8 goals per season plus assists and he's not.

McDonald is the attacking midfielder expected to score. Doyle is the defensive midfielder expected to stop the progression of the opposing midfields attacks... Can't believe I had to explain that!

Can't believe you quote Doyle and McCall in the same breath - Doyle is just about ok at third division level - McCall was quality in the Championship even when pushing 40 years old

 

[Fiery Blade]

How many 'promising players' are we paying yet are not considered by Wilson good enough even for third division level - Chappel, Harriot, MacFazdean, Kennedy, Philliskirk, Tonne, MacAllister, Westlake, Ironside, Miller, Cofie, - we still have the old men brigade of Cresswell, Kitson, Porter (Pick any one from three to partner Blackman) - thats probably the reason we can't afford proper players - Perhaps we are carrying too much deadwood - if we are paying them why aren't we playing them?

 

[mattbianco1]

Can't believe you quote Doyle and McCall in the same breath - Doyle is just about ok at third division level - McCall was quality in the Championship even when pushing 40 years old

He's our Stuart McCall in this league. McCall was quality, one of my favourites but I do feel that he looked better because he had Brown alongside him and vice-versa. Brown would've been nothing without McCall.

Last season Doyle and Collins were our most improved players, one main factor for Doyle been so good was the fact that McDonald was awesome. McDonald playing shit is having a knock on effect with Doyle. They play off each other, as do Central Defenders as do Strikers.

 

[Latters]

He's our Stuart McCall in this league. McCall was quality, one of my favourites but I do feel that he looked better because he had Brown alongside him and vice-versa. Brown would've been nothing without McCall.

Last season Doyle and Collins were our most improved players, one main factor for Doyle been so good was the fact that McDonald was awesome. McDonald playing shit is having a knock on effect with Doyle. They play off each other, as do Central Defenders as do Strikers.

McDonald hasn't been shit. McDonald has nobody to pass to since the departure of Quinn, Lowton and Williamson and has to try to hang on to the ball for too long before anybody either can be arsed to or has the brains to make some space for themselves.

 

[Fiery Blade]

He's our Stuart McCall in this league. McCall was quality, one of my favourites but I do feel that he looked better because he had Brown alongside him and vice-versa. Brown would've been nothing without McCall.

Last season Doyle and Collins were our most improved players, one main factor for Doyle been so good was the fact that McDonald was awesome. McDonald playing shit is having a knock on effect with Doyle. They play off each other, as do Central Defenders as do Strikers.

Both Doyle and MacDonald have given the ball away too much this season - their ball retention is appalling!
On Saturday we constantly gave the ball away before we could create anything going forward putting pressure straight back on the defence!
Also if McGuire had got sent off (as he could have been) for that 1st half 'penalty' incident and Hill injured we are up the creek without a paddle for key players yet we are paying 12 15 players in the squad that Wilson obviously doesn't rate and won't play!!

 

[mattbianco1]

How many 'promising players' are we paying yet are not considered by Wilson good enough even for third division level - Chappel, Harriot, MacFazdean, Kennedy, Philliskirk, Tonne, MacAllister, Westlake, Ironside, Miller, Cofie, - we still have the old men brigade of Cresswell, Kitson, Porter (Pick any one from three to partner Blackman) - thats probably the reason we can't afford proper players - Perhaps we are carrying too much deadwood - if we are paying them why aren't we playing them?

Go on then, who do you put these players in place of?

Westlake for McMahon, that's easy.
Tonne, McFadzean or Chappell for Williams/Flynn then what? Enlighten us with the rest of players you would drop.

We've tried McAllister, he's not good enough on the right but can't get in the CM slot because we have two far better players there.

Basically your team would look like this

1. Long

2. Westlake
3. Hill
5. Kennedy
6. Maguire

4. Harriott
7. Chappell
8. McAllister
11. MacFadzean

9. Miller
10. Cofie

Subs
Philliskirk
Tonne
Ironside
Willis
+ 3 professionals that you've dropped

 

[mattbianco1]

Both Doyle and MacDonald have given the ball away too much this season - their ball retention is appalling!
On Saturday we constantly gave the ball away before we could create anything going forward putting pressure straight back on the defence!
Also if McGuire had got sent off (as he could have been) for that 1st half 'penalty' incident and Hill injured we are up the creek without a paddle for key players yet we are paying 12 15 players in the squad that Wilson obviously doesn't rate and won't play!!

That's one big contradiction mate.

The post above this you have "Liked" a post saying that McDonald isn't shit and that its his teamates that's shit. Then you respond saying his passing is appauling.

Have a word mate

 

[Fiery Blade]

Go on then, who do you put these players in place of?

Westlake for McMahon, that's easy.
Tonne, McFadzean or Chappell for Williams/Flynn then what? Enlighten us with the rest of players you would drop.

We've tried McAllister, he's not good enough on the right but can't get in the CM slot because we have two far better players there.

Basically your team would look like this

1. Long

2. Westlake
3. Hill
5. Kennedy
6. Maguire

4. Harriott
7. Chappell
8. McAllister
11. MacFadzean

9. Miller
10. Cofie

Subs
Philliskirk
Tonne
Ironside
Willis
+ 3 professionals that you've dropped

Sorry Matt, you appear to have missed the point,
What I am alluding to is the fact that because we don't have enough cover or talent in midfield Mr Wilson keeps trying to put in square pegs into round holes eg Westlake, Williams, Cresswell, Cofie, MacAllister have all been tried at right or left midfield yet Tonne (a natural left sided midfielder has not been picked) and Chappell and Harriott have been sent out on loan and we have around six or seven strikers for two positions.
The squad is inbalanced and injuries and suspensions will only exaserpate the situation
I wasn't saying that the players Wilson refuses to pick should replace the 'accepted first choices' that would be on everyone's list ie Long/Howard, Hill, McGuire, Collins, Doyle, MacDonald, Kitson - the spine of the side - its the others!

 

[mattbianco1]

I agree with you Fiery Blade , we should try these players. The problem we have now is that we can't throw them in at the moment. I don't like Williams on the Left but we can't throw a young 'un in against Stevenage.

Maybe Chappell & Harriott are in Wilsons plans and that is why he's sent them out. If they can't cut it in L2, they can't cut it for us

 

[Fiery Blade]

That's one big contradiction mate.

The post above this you have "Liked" a post saying that McDonald isn't shit and that its his teamates that's shit. Then you respond saying his passing is appauling.

Have a word mate

This season his ball retention has been poor - perhaps he's passing to where players should have moved -
The old pass and move except our players don't move they ball watch!
His passing this year is certainly nowhere near last seasons standards - he also appears to be 'going through the motions' at many games - perhaps because he is surrounded by mediocrity!

 

[super_pig]

McDonald is the attacking midfielder expected to score.

sorry.. i defer to your inside information on MacDonalds role within the team

 

[Grecian2000]

The problem we have now is that we can't throw them in at the moment. I don't like Williams on the Left but we can't throw a young 'un in against Stevenage.

Too right Matty, how the hell is a young 'un going to cope against the mighty Stevenage in front of 16 thousand or so?

Glad I didn't have to wash your kecks the day Nicky Law made his debut against that team from Manchester the other year.
Perhaps some of the older members would care to take us through Graham Shaw's debut at some time.

I'm not saying any of the youngsters ARE good enough, but if we're scared of trying someone out in this league we are well and truly fucked.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Another hobby horse of main is the total lack of ideas and movement at throw ins - we get a throw in 10 metres from the opponents goal line and .... nothing, no plan, no running off the ball and 99% of the time we give the ball away ! So Frustrating .....do they not practice things like this in training?