My take

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pommpey

THE FUTURE ... AS IT USED TO BE
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Again, we've been found out. This time it has developed us into the just-up-from-the-championship-feytin-relegation squad people said we should be. Garth Crooks, the fat bastard, must be feeling pretty smug now.

After today, I think we can forget Europe and also the Hawkeye goal now for good. We weren't good enough in that game, certainly weren't good enough against NUFC and now have been shown what real PL class looks like against a pretty average MUFC side. I'm not really at a loss as to what has gone wrong with us as a football team (although it's both puzzling and obvious in equal measures) moreso what we were expecting with the players on the pitch today, versus that Man U side.

Firstly, we can't keep playing 3-5-2, or whatever it is. Today, their midfield was a class above ours and outskilled, outpassed and outnumbered our three. It's to be expected given who was playing and the formation. 4-2-3-1 is difficult to move through, especially when we don't seem to want to provide options or be mobile. Every time a Man U midfielder received, he looked up and there were three options moving away from their marker to receive. As soon as one got that pass he looked up and there were three, and so on. Our midfield's heads were physically wobbling from simply chasing the empty space behind a pass. If we had gone 5-4-1, even at 1-0, we'd have weathered the storm better and possibly been able to utilise Stevens and Baldock better on the overlap.

Secondly, out signings have been abject failures. I simply don't accept Berge and the excuse he is young and needs time. There isn't time. Okay, we aren't fighting relegation, but there has been nothing - and I mean nothing - which suggests this bloke is any better than say, Nick Montgomery or Michael Doyle. His input into the game, his positioning and his workrate is way, way below Premier League. Simply, Genk must be laughing their cocks off at us now with all that cash burning a hole in their pockets. McBurnie 'tries' ... but that centre from Basham (of all people) today was right - on - the - fucking - button. I'd have fucking nailed that, and I am quite sure many on here would have. Score that, and it's a more interesting game with wind in our sails. Moussett? What the fuck is wrong with this lad? We are a PL side, with some pretty canny sports scientists and physios, I'd like to think good conditioning and dietary specialists and the treatment and physiology crew to keep these well paid individuals relatively free from injury. Yet this one is constantly sicknote, even on a world stage at Old Trafford. Again, Eddie Howe must be snorting up his sleeve. Cheers, you fucking cabbages. You've relieved me of one hell of a fucking suitcase. The rest of them ... save Henderson, even the loanees ... are dismally poor. Are Wilder and Knill really that naive? Tell me. Who is the only other permanent signing we have made who came from a PL club when we went up? Yep. Phil Jagielka. On a free. Yet we spunk £22m on Berge and £20m on McBurnie clearly at a level far below PL standard.

Thirdly, we are now playing at 'relegation level', despite our rejoiced league position, which is looking more and more like fortune than fate. At this rate, it is difficult to see where our next goal will come from and even our next win, even at an empty BDTBL. Furthermore, we have to presumably do with this squad next season, as revenues will be pretty marginal, if at all. We have to recover. We have to start playing like we did.We need strength in depth and art and capability in midfield to push on and create chances. Compare our performance v Burnley at home this season where we were pretty unstoppable versus today, where we barely started.

Moore 4/10: The first two goals. Henderson would have been moving out and spreading as Martial drew back his foot to shoot. Moore however waits until the shot is made and then flails. He's not good enough at this level.

Baldock 5.5/10: Pretty much outplayed on that flank and found it hard to involve himself in anything going forward.

Basham 6/10: The poorest I have seen him play TBH. He does bloody try, but was outfoxed by Martial today on all three goals.

Jagielka 6.5/10: For a mid thirties vet, he did his best with some seasoned interceptions and okay-ish judgements, but he's way past his best playing against ... Manchester United.

Robinson 6/10: Was largely passed through or around. Again, a fair attempt against a pretty relentless opposition, but with two others he hasn't even been part of a defence with, he had his shortcomings. But, again. 'Manchester United'.

Stevens 5/10: Well off his game, once again. As Man U were swapping wingers, he had snags with both and where you usually get consistency and graft, he sems to have come back far short of that

Lundstram 4/10: Was marginally our best midfielder today, and that's saying summat. He dug out, but couldn't get near the ball and was knackered by 70 minutes just chasing fuck all.

Norwood 4/10: Okay, he didn't give the ball away to day and started finding people with long passes, but what is it with those overhit corners and crosses?They are chances squandered. Fuck's sake. You are meant to have one of the sweetest right feet in the division, but this 'knock it long to the back stick' bollocks finds no one. It goes out of play.

Fleck 3.5/10: Nope. There is something afoot with Fleck. Some 'offer' has been made, or he's fell out with someone backstage. For someone to go from Michael Brown to Michael Doyle over the lockdown there are other issues at play here. He is anonymous now. He used to run the fucking game for us.

Mousett 2/10: A busted flush. Okay, he's scuffed goals v West Ham and Arsenal, but I was expecting blistering pace and savage finishing, not him limping after five minutes after a challenge (and he was, today) and then binning out of the match at half time.

McGoldrick 5/10: Never in the game much. Did some moderately entertaining flicks and stuff, to which Maguire must have smiled patronisingly and patted him on the arse for.

Subs:

McBurnie 3/10: Piss poor. All those campaigning for Maupay - you were right. But think on. Brighton would have possibly got McBurnie and he'd be on 12 goals by now and Maupay loaned out. It's the Baldes way

Berge 2/10: No idea what the plan was to bring him on. Even in 'his position' he looked out of position. He offers nothing. He isn't skilful, threatening or defensive enough to carry the role and Norwood was doing better.

Zivkovic 2/10: Only because he must have been thinking, "what the fucking hell is this team I have joined?"

We got the beating we deserved today, to square our actual position in this league versus where we are. the NUFC game was the warning and the AVFC the warning for that.

Arsenal in the cup? Not a fucking chance. As shit as they are, they'll beat us.

Again, my opinion, so please comment on the game, not on what a cunt you think I am being critical about the game. We can disagree. It's allowed.

pommmpey
 

I find it difficult to find fault with the attackers, as they had possession for about 60 seconds the entire game.
 
I find it difficult to find fault with the attackers, as they had possession for about 60 seconds the entire game.

I expect McBurnie to hold the ball up better than he does though.
 
Bet you feel better after that. I think that the problem with our system is that if both wing backs get pushed back, we are light in midfield. Gary neville said during the match that man utd always had an out ball to their full backs. It might have been worth going 5 4 1
 
Again, we've been found out. This time it has developed us into the just-up-from-the-championship-feytin-relegation squad people said we should be. Garth Crooks, the fat bastard, must be feeling pretty smug now.

After today, I think we can forget Europe and also the Hawkeye goal now for good. We weren't good enough in that game, certainly weren't good enough against NUFC and now have been shown what real PL class looks like against a pretty average MUFC side. I'm not really at a loss as to what has gone wrong with us as a football team (although it's both puzzling and obvious in equal measures) moreso what we were expecting with the players on the pitch today, versus that Man U side.

Firstly, we can't keep playing 3-5-2, or whatever it is. Today, their midfield was a class above ours and outskilled, outpassed and outnumbered our three. It's to be expected given who was playing and the formation. 4-2-3-1 is difficult to move through, especially when we don't seem to want to provide options or be mobile. Every time a Man U midfielder received, he looked up and there were three options moving away from their marker to receive. As soon as one got that pass he looked up and there were three, and so on. Our midfield's heads were physically wobbling from simply chasing the empty space behind a pass. If we had gone 5-4-1, even at 1-0, we'd have weathered the storm better and possibly been able to utilise Stevens and Baldock better on the overlap.

Secondly, out signings have been abject failures. I simply don't accept Berge and the excuse he is young and needs time. There isn't time. Okay, we aren't fighting relegation, but there has been nothing - and I mean nothing - which suggests this bloke is any better than say, Nick Montgomery or Michael Doyle. His input into the game, his positioning and his workrate is way, way below Premier League. Simply, Genk must be laughing their cocks off at us now with all that cash burning a hole in their pockets. McBurnie 'tries' ... but that centre from Basham (of all people) today was right - on - the - fucking - button. I'd have fucking nailed that, and I am quite sure many on here would have. Score that, and it's a more interesting game with wind in our sails. Moussett? What the fuck is wrong with this lad? We are a PL side, with some pretty canny sports scientists and physios, I'd like to think good conditioning and dietary specialists and the treatment and physiology crew to keep these well paid individuals relatively free from injury. Yet this one is constantly sicknote, even on a world stage at Old Trafford. Again, Eddie Howe must be snorting up his sleeve. Cheers, you fucking cabbages. You've relieved me of one hell of a fucking suitcase. The rest of them ... save Henderson, even the loanees ... are dismally poor. Are Wilder and Knill really that naive? Tell me. Who is the only other permanent signing we have made who came from a PL club when we went up? Yep. Phil Jagielka. On a free. Yet we spunk £22m on Berge and £20m on McBurnie clearly at a level far below PL standard.

Thirdly, we are now playing at 'relegation level', despite our rejoiced league position, which is looking more and more like fortune than fate. At this rate, it is difficult to see where our next goal will come from and even our next win, even at an empty BDTBL. Furthermore, we have to presumably do with this squad next season, as revenues will be pretty marginal, if at all. We have to recover. We have to start playing like we did.We need strength in depth and art and capability in midfield to push on and create chances. Compare our performance v Burnley at home this season where we were pretty unstoppable versus today, where we barely started.

Moore 4/10: The first two goals. Henderson would have been moving out and spreading as Martial drew back his foot to shoot. Moore however waits until the shot is made and then flails. He's not good enough at this level.

Baldock 5.5/10: Pretty much outplayed on that flank and found it hard to involve himself in anything going forward.

Basham 6/10: The poorest I have seen him play TBH. He does bloody try, but was outfoxed by Martial today on all three goals.

Jagielka 6.5/10: For a mid thirties vet, he did his best with some seasoned interceptions and okay-ish judgements, but he's way past his best playing against ... Manchester United.

Robinson 6/10: Was largely passed through or around. Again, a fair attempt against a pretty relentless opposition, but with two others he hasn't even been part of a defence with, he had his shortcomings. But, again. 'Manchester United'.

Stevens 5/10: Well off his game, once again. As Man U were swapping wingers, he had snags with both and where you usually get consistency and graft, he sems to have come back far short of that

Lundstram 4/10: Was marginally our best midfielder today, and that's saying summat. He dug out, but couldn't get near the ball and was knackered by 70 minutes just chasing fuck all.

Norwood 4/10: Okay, he didn't give the ball away to day and started finding people with long passes, but what is it with those overhit corners and crosses?They are chances squandered. Fuck's sake. You are meant to have one of the sweetest right feet in the division, but this 'knock it long to the back stick' bollocks finds no one. It goes out of play.

Fleck 3.5/10: Nope. There is something afoot with Fleck. Some 'offer' has been made, or he's fell out with someone backstage. For someone to go from Michael Brown to Michael Doyle over the lockdown there are other issues at play here. He is anonymous now. He used to run the fucking game for us.

Mousett 2/10: A busted flush. Okay, he's scuffed goals v West Ham and Arsenal, but I was expecting blistering pace and savage finishing, not him limping after five minutes after a challenge (and he was, today) and then binning out of the match at half time.

McGoldrick 5/10: Never in the game much. Did some moderately entertaining flicks and stuff, to which Maguire must have smiled patronisingly and patted him on the arse for.

Subs:

McBurnie 3/10: Piss poor. All those campaigning for Maupay - you were right. But think on. Brighton would have possibly got McBurnie and he'd be on 12 goals by now and Maupay loaned out. It's the Baldes way

Berge 2/10: No idea what the plan was to bring him on. Even in 'his position' he looked out of position. He offers nothing. He isn't skilful, threatening or defensive enough to carry the role and Norwood was doing better.

Zivkovic 2/10: Only because he must have been thinking, "what the fucking hell is this team I have joined?"

We got the beating we deserved today, to square our actual position in this league versus where we are. the NUFC game was the warning and the AVFC the warning for that.

Arsenal in the cup? Not a fucking chance. As shit as they are, they'll beat us.

Again, my opinion, so please comment on the game, not on what a cunt you think I am being critical about the game. We can disagree. It's allowed.

pommmpey

You are funny
Youve missed one off your list
 
“Looks out of position even when he’s in his position.” At least you made me smile. Thanks
 
Once we get back on the Desso, we’ll be back on track.

giphy.gif
 
Again, we've been found out. This time it has developed us into the just-up-from-the-championship-feytin-relegation squad people said we should be. Garth Crooks, the fat bastard, must be feeling pretty smug now.

After today, I think we can forget Europe and also the Hawkeye goal now for good. We weren't good enough in that game, certainly weren't good enough against NUFC and now have been shown what real PL class looks like against a pretty average MUFC side. I'm not really at a loss as to what has gone wrong with us as a football team (although it's both puzzling and obvious in equal measures) moreso what we were expecting with the players on the pitch today, versus that Man U side.

Firstly, we can't keep playing 3-5-2, or whatever it is. Today, their midfield was a class above ours and outskilled, outpassed and outnumbered our three. It's to be expected given who was playing and the formation. 4-2-3-1 is difficult to move through, especially when we don't seem to want to provide options or be mobile. Every time a Man U midfielder received, he looked up and there were three options moving away from their marker to receive. As soon as one got that pass he looked up and there were three, and so on. Our midfield's heads were physically wobbling from simply chasing the empty space behind a pass. If we had gone 5-4-1, even at 1-0, we'd have weathered the storm better and possibly been able to utilise Stevens and Baldock better on the overlap.

Secondly, out signings have been abject failures. I simply don't accept Berge and the excuse he is young and needs time. There isn't time. Okay, we aren't fighting relegation, but there has been nothing - and I mean nothing - which suggests this bloke is any better than say, Nick Montgomery or Michael Doyle. His input into the game, his positioning and his workrate is way, way below Premier League. Simply, Genk must be laughing their cocks off at us now with all that cash burning a hole in their pockets. McBurnie 'tries' ... but that centre from Basham (of all people) today was right - on - the - fucking - button. I'd have fucking nailed that, and I am quite sure many on here would have. Score that, and it's a more interesting game with wind in our sails. Moussett? What the fuck is wrong with this lad? We are a PL side, with some pretty canny sports scientists and physios, I'd like to think good conditioning and dietary specialists and the treatment and physiology crew to keep these well paid individuals relatively free from injury. Yet this one is constantly sicknote, even on a world stage at Old Trafford. Again, Eddie Howe must be snorting up his sleeve. Cheers, you fucking cabbages. You've relieved me of one hell of a fucking suitcase. The rest of them ... save Henderson, even the loanees ... are dismally poor. Are Wilder and Knill really that naive? Tell me. Who is the only other permanent signing we have made who came from a PL club when we went up? Yep. Phil Jagielka. On a free. Yet we spunk £22m on Berge and £20m on McBurnie clearly at a level far below PL standard.

Thirdly, we are now playing at 'relegation level', despite our rejoiced league position, which is looking more and more like fortune than fate. At this rate, it is difficult to see where our next goal will come from and even our next win, even at an empty BDTBL. Furthermore, we have to presumably do with this squad next season, as revenues will be pretty marginal, if at all. We have to recover. We have to start playing like we did.We need strength in depth and art and capability in midfield to push on and create chances. Compare our performance v Burnley at home this season where we were pretty unstoppable versus today, where we barely started.

Moore 4/10: The first two goals. Henderson would have been moving out and spreading as Martial drew back his foot to shoot. Moore however waits until the shot is made and then flails. He's not good enough at this level.

Baldock 5.5/10: Pretty much outplayed on that flank and found it hard to involve himself in anything going forward.

Basham 6/10: The poorest I have seen him play TBH. He does bloody try, but was outfoxed by Martial today on all three goals.

Jagielka 6.5/10: For a mid thirties vet, he did his best with some seasoned interceptions and okay-ish judgements, but he's way past his best playing against ... Manchester United.

Robinson 6/10: Was largely passed through or around. Again, a fair attempt against a pretty relentless opposition, but with two others he hasn't even been part of a defence with, he had his shortcomings. But, again. 'Manchester United'.

Stevens 5/10: Well off his game, once again. As Man U were swapping wingers, he had snags with both and where you usually get consistency and graft, he sems to have come back far short of that

Lundstram 4/10: Was marginally our best midfielder today, and that's saying summat. He dug out, but couldn't get near the ball and was knackered by 70 minutes just chasing fuck all.

Norwood 4/10: Okay, he didn't give the ball away to day and started finding people with long passes, but what is it with those overhit corners and crosses?They are chances squandered. Fuck's sake. You are meant to have one of the sweetest right feet in the division, but this 'knock it long to the back stick' bollocks finds no one. It goes out of play.

Fleck 3.5/10: Nope. There is something afoot with Fleck. Some 'offer' has been made, or he's fell out with someone backstage. For someone to go from Michael Brown to Michael Doyle over the lockdown there are other issues at play here. He is anonymous now. He used to run the fucking game for us.

Mousett 2/10: A busted flush. Okay, he's scuffed goals v West Ham and Arsenal, but I was expecting blistering pace and savage finishing, not him limping after five minutes after a challenge (and he was, today) and then binning out of the match at half time.

McGoldrick 5/10: Never in the game much. Did some moderately entertaining flicks and stuff, to which Maguire must have smiled patronisingly and patted him on the arse for.

Subs:

McBurnie 3/10: Piss poor. All those campaigning for Maupay - you were right. But think on. Brighton would have possibly got McBurnie and he'd be on 12 goals by now and Maupay loaned out. It's the Baldes way

Berge 2/10: No idea what the plan was to bring him on. Even in 'his position' he looked out of position. He offers nothing. He isn't skilful, threatening or defensive enough to carry the role and Norwood was doing better.

Zivkovic 2/10: Only because he must have been thinking, "what the fucking hell is this team I have joined?"

We got the beating we deserved today, to square our actual position in this league versus where we are. the NUFC game was the warning and the AVFC the warning for that.

Arsenal in the cup? Not a fucking chance. As shit as they are, they'll beat us.

Again, my opinion, so please comment on the game, not on what a cunt you think I am being critical about the game. We can disagree. It's allowed.

pommmpey

To be fair there are bits and pieces in there I agree with, Berge, Mousett’s lack of effort, Stevens alarming transformation and Robinson not Good enough for this level...

Mostly though my reaction is..

D4586843-924A-4450-B5DF-DB9EF33631E0.gif
 
I think that above says it all, no need for any dissection of the match. However for the first time in ages I was absolutely livid and turned off the TV at 3-0. I've calmed down now.

Onwards to beat Arsenal.
 
I think all the pundits were visibly shocked at how poor we were tonight, they simply didn’t know what to say. We’ve worked so bloody hard as a club this season to get where are in the league and dispel all the lazy opinions about SUFC. It wasn’t just us the fans talking up our chances of getting into Europe, amazingly the pundits were too. Neville, Carragher, Redknapp, Savage and the great Alan Shearer all waxing lyrical about our guts, guile and unique style of play this season...But in 3 miserable games.......all that has seemingly turned to shit....... Where has our United gone.
 
Where has our United gone?

I think we are all wondering that, Pal.

Where is the press, passion, work rate, bravery, passing, originality?

The only man that would seem to know is CW...and he doesn't seem to want to tell us why the attitude has changed. Maybe we're leaving more room for improvement next season? If these performances continue the pride generated this season may ebb away.

Come on Blades!
 

Not sure how bash gets a 6?

You surely cant say Mcburnie, Berge, Mousett were more at fault for the result than Bash?

Forget the price tags, judge it on what you saw, bash had a shocker.

Poor performance from all concerned but look at what we were up against. Men against boys.

I hope we’re getting the chance to get the 2nd season syndrome out of the way now instead of starting next season like this.
 
Bit of a rant! We are all upset but are we really that bad! It’s sunny and we will be Prem next year with our young guns 😜 I’m still sat outside having a beer in June ! Not all bad ! Maybe?
 
I think we need to chill a bit, ask any fan back when we beat Norwich and they would have told you that the tactics in the past 3 and a bit seasons have been a revolution and hugely innovative, now after 1pt in 3 games back from the most disruptive break in football, we suddenly need to scrap the formation which has seen us go from bottom of league one to european contention.

we are experiencing a slump, we are due one, especially after what has happened, lets just get some perspective here
 
I expect McBurnie to hold the ball up better than he does though.

I agree, however my main gripe is that we seem to be absolutely useless without JOC and Egan. We need to be focusing on these areas in the next recruitment drive.
 
Again, we've been found out. This time it has developed us into the just-up-from-the-championship-feytin-relegation squad people said we should be. Garth Crooks, the fat bastard, must be feeling pretty smug now.

After today, I think we can forget Europe and also the Hawkeye goal now for good. We weren't good enough in that game, certainly weren't good enough against NUFC and now have been shown what real PL class looks like against a pretty average MUFC side. I'm not really at a loss as to what has gone wrong with us as a football team (although it's both puzzling and obvious in equal measures) moreso what we were expecting with the players on the pitch today, versus that Man U side.

Firstly, we can't keep playing 3-5-2, or whatever it is. Today, their midfield was a class above ours and outskilled, outpassed and outnumbered our three. It's to be expected given who was playing and the formation. 4-2-3-1 is difficult to move through, especially when we don't seem to want to provide options or be mobile. Every time a Man U midfielder received, he looked up and there were three options moving away from their marker to receive. As soon as one got that pass he looked up and there were three, and so on. Our midfield's heads were physically wobbling from simply chasing the empty space behind a pass. If we had gone 5-4-1, even at 1-0, we'd have weathered the storm better and possibly been able to utilise Stevens and Baldock better on the overlap.

Secondly, out signings have been abject failures. I simply don't accept Berge and the excuse he is young and needs time. There isn't time. Okay, we aren't fighting relegation, but there has been nothing - and I mean nothing - which suggests this bloke is any better than say, Nick Montgomery or Michael Doyle. His input into the game, his positioning and his workrate is way, way below Premier League. Simply, Genk must be laughing their cocks off at us now with all that cash burning a hole in their pockets. McBurnie 'tries' ... but that centre from Basham (of all people) today was right - on - the - fucking - button. I'd have fucking nailed that, and I am quite sure many on here would have. Score that, and it's a more interesting game with wind in our sails. Moussett? What the fuck is wrong with this lad? We are a PL side, with some pretty canny sports scientists and physios, I'd like to think good conditioning and dietary specialists and the treatment and physiology crew to keep these well paid individuals relatively free from injury. Yet this one is constantly sicknote, even on a world stage at Old Trafford. Again, Eddie Howe must be snorting up his sleeve. Cheers, you fucking cabbages. You've relieved me of one hell of a fucking suitcase. The rest of them ... save Henderson, even the loanees ... are dismally poor. Are Wilder and Knill really that naive? Tell me. Who is the only other permanent signing we have made who came from a PL club when we went up? Yep. Phil Jagielka. On a free. Yet we spunk £22m on Berge and £20m on McBurnie clearly at a level far below PL standard.

Thirdly, we are now playing at 'relegation level', despite our rejoiced league position, which is looking more and more like fortune than fate. At this rate, it is difficult to see where our next goal will come from and even our next win, even at an empty BDTBL. Furthermore, we have to presumably do with this squad next season, as revenues will be pretty marginal, if at all. We have to recover. We have to start playing like we did.We need strength in depth and art and capability in midfield to push on and create chances. Compare our performance v Burnley at home this season where we were pretty unstoppable versus today, where we barely started.

Moore 4/10: The first two goals. Henderson would have been moving out and spreading as Martial drew back his foot to shoot. Moore however waits until the shot is made and then flails. He's not good enough at this level.

Baldock 5.5/10: Pretty much outplayed on that flank and found it hard to involve himself in anything going forward.

Basham 6/10: The poorest I have seen him play TBH. He does bloody try, but was outfoxed by Martial today on all three goals.

Jagielka 6.5/10: For a mid thirties vet, he did his best with some seasoned interceptions and okay-ish judgements, but he's way past his best playing against ... Manchester United.

Robinson 6/10: Was largely passed through or around. Again, a fair attempt against a pretty relentless opposition, but with two others he hasn't even been part of a defence with, he had his shortcomings. But, again. 'Manchester United'.

Stevens 5/10: Well off his game, once again. As Man U were swapping wingers, he had snags with both and where you usually get consistency and graft, he sems to have come back far short of that

Lundstram 4/10: Was marginally our best midfielder today, and that's saying summat. He dug out, but couldn't get near the ball and was knackered by 70 minutes just chasing fuck all.

Norwood 4/10: Okay, he didn't give the ball away to day and started finding people with long passes, but what is it with those overhit corners and crosses?They are chances squandered. Fuck's sake. You are meant to have one of the sweetest right feet in the division, but this 'knock it long to the back stick' bollocks finds no one. It goes out of play.

Fleck 3.5/10: Nope. There is something afoot with Fleck. Some 'offer' has been made, or he's fell out with someone backstage. For someone to go from Michael Brown to Michael Doyle over the lockdown there are other issues at play here. He is anonymous now. He used to run the fucking game for us.

Mousett 2/10: A busted flush. Okay, he's scuffed goals v West Ham and Arsenal, but I was expecting blistering pace and savage finishing, not him limping after five minutes after a challenge (and he was, today) and then binning out of the match at half time.

McGoldrick 5/10: Never in the game much. Did some moderately entertaining flicks and stuff, to which Maguire must have smiled patronisingly and patted him on the arse for.

Subs:

McBurnie 3/10: Piss poor. All those campaigning for Maupay - you were right. But think on. Brighton would have possibly got McBurnie and he'd be on 12 goals by now and Maupay loaned out. It's the Baldes way

Berge 2/10: No idea what the plan was to bring him on. Even in 'his position' he looked out of position. He offers nothing. He isn't skilful, threatening or defensive enough to carry the role and Norwood was doing better.

Zivkovic 2/10: Only because he must have been thinking, "what the fucking hell is this team I have joined?"

We got the beating we deserved today, to square our actual position in this league versus where we are. the NUFC game was the warning and the AVFC the warning for that.

Arsenal in the cup? Not a fucking chance. As shit as they are, they'll beat us.

Again, my opinion, so please comment on the game, not on what a cunt you think I am being critical about the game. We can disagree. It's allowed.

pommmpey
Your comments on today's game are harsh given the circumstances (30 degrees, 3 games in 6 days, injuries) but we were poor so understandable.

Your comment about "fortune" is a bit much though. We've been a small margins team for 3 seasons. It's what we do well. And there were spells in Oct-Dec where we were genuinely a good attacking side. Those players are still here, just out of form. We are way too reliant on McGoldrick to link things and our best performances had Mousset trying.

But my main issue is you basically putting more weight on the 3 weirdest league games we've ever played than the 28 that preceeded it. Yes we need additions and most certainly an injection of athleticism, but that doesn't nullify the skills and abilities of those who got the team to the position they are in.
 
Take 2 players out of the team in Egan and particularly o'connell and the entire dynamic of the team changes with o'connell playing we are more solid but also have another option going forward which then also influences Stevens play and the midfield and up top.we have to prepare for instances where if Jack or bash are injured or out we have players who can slot straight in and play in the same style as them.if not the whole team play is affected.
 
I think we need to chill a bit, ask any fan back when we beat Norwich and they would have told you that the tactics in the past 3 and a bit seasons have been a revolution and hugely innovative, now after 1pt in 3 games back from the most disruptive break in football, we suddenly need to scrap the formation which has seen us go from bottom of league one to european contention.

we are experiencing a slump, we are due one, especially after what has happened, lets just get some perspective here
Spot fucking on, no it ain't been nice the last 3 games but jeez..a week ago before Villa we were totting up how many points we may get (me included). So the last three & three quarter seasons Chris has given us wonderful football, memories etc then after an insane 3 months we have a WEEK where we've lost our mojo. No JOC or Fleck for Villa, Fleck back for Toon but obviously nowhere near top speed, tonight no Hendo, JOC or Egan at back.
A fuckin week! We've been through some proper shit pre Wilder/Knill...10 games to go in top 6, flirting with Europe! Those of us unfortunately old enough to have witnessed dark times over last 50 years have had the time of our United lives under Wilder...a lot of people are sounding very Wendyesque, we're not massive but we are wonderful SUFC.
 
I think we need to chill a bit, ask any fan back when we beat Norwich and they would have told you that the tactics in the past 3 and a bit seasons have been a revolution and hugely innovative, now after 1pt in 3 games back from the most disruptive break in football, we suddenly need to scrap the formation which has seen us go from bottom of league one to european contention.

we are experiencing a slump, we are due one, especially after what has happened, lets just get some perspective here
I understand your point completely about the slump. But this current system and shape did not get us promoted from league one.
 
Firstly, we have been fortunate with injuries in Wilder's time.

We've never had a great deal of depth.

We lost one player, Coutts, and we went from table toppers to 10th.

Same here. We don't cope well with players missing.

Bang at it with a raucous crowd and our first choice XI and we are a match for anyone bar the top two.

At the moment we are bringing in Championship players to a Premier League XI and the drop in standard is evident.

Robinson has done alright. But he wasn't featuring regularly in the Championship so to expect him to replace arguably our best player with all O'Connell brings isn't realistic.

It might be of benefit long term this little run. For Lunny, Bash etc maybe they will have a new look at those deals. Because teams in better circumstances than us aren't going to be pushing the boat out to get them in.

In all my concern is that we perhaps need an alternative approach. We have been very rigid to this system and it has served us well. But our first shot in target was in the 82nd minute. I don't remember a shot on target against Newcastle and apart from the ghost goal, I don't recall the Villa goalie troubled either.

I'm not suggesting we just lump it now, but there has to be more urgency and a little less fannyinf about when we are in a position to get balls into the box. If anything the last few games has shown us it is that we are spending plenty of time out of possession so when we have it, it needs to count.

This summer can be tricky because we lack depth. I'd suggest we cash in on Robinson to WBA, spend any funds we have on one more attacking option and look for out of contract players with a little more nouse. I can see us going for Hendrick as an alternative to Lundstram. There will be so many out of favour goalkeepers who won't get a shirt that I don't think spending millions on one is the best move. Hendo again would be ideal. I didn't think Blackman was all that bad either to be honest. There will be others without a club. Hate to say it, but maybe even players like Joe Hart isn't finished yet, despite his recent rough period. He's the sort that Chris and Alan could turn around.

Either way, I think this is going to be a challenging period. Maybe as someone said to me today, this is our second season syndrome come early. If it highlights areas of focus for the management then it night be a good thing.

I did want us to play in Europe but I'm not sure we have the squad for it. We can't push for a result in Bratislava and then be 70% ready for the Premier League on Saturday. We're not there yet.
 
*@pommpey you have pointed to individual errors and single players have been scathed, (rightly so in most cases) but with Wilder emphasis on the team and the control of the dressing room, maybe this is more of a collective problem. Have Billy and the senior players lost control in there?
Has the lockdown fitness programme been adhered to, and was it appropriate for the task?
With most players affected, it must be something to do with the team. Tactics maybe, enforced change in style and emphasis?
Are these lads all prepared for the change to the current quick turnaround in games? I know they were used to playing twice a week last season, but this intensity of fixtures is on another scale.
I thought that the need for rotation would actually help us, giving game time to squad players makes sense, if the players are up to it.
Maybe Wilder has imposed tactical changes they cannot cope with? As the reality of enforced changes for injury and suspension hits home, the previous consistency in selection, has become a liability with squad members unprepared to step up?

My answer to all the above is that they are all professional athletes and should be able to cope. But the collective answer is more likely to do with missing the fans, and 3 away games on the bounce, in difficult circumstances, and the lack of a 13th man. The loss of intimate support must be a crucial factor in our overall performance. BLADES FANS MATTER.

The only other explanation is a team virus. ;)
 
We can be disappointed and puzzled at the performances since we came back, and worried too, but a minority seem willing to wade in after literally a week of football.

Moore at fault for the first two? I thought the third was the one he should be questioned most for.

I was delighted with the signing of Berge and agree he's yet to live up to his price tag but fuck me, he's just turned 22, playing in England for the first time, had to play a variety of positions, been here a few months including a three month unprecedented lockdown in a foreign country, let's cut the kid a little bit of slack.

It's clear the enforced break has negatively affected us so far, and a few injuries aside, our performance levels have dropped, but let's not jump the gun after literally a week of three games after a three month gap.

I'm concerned but willing to wait a little longer before deciding certain players aren't up to it.
 
Ok, we are all a bit shocked and numb at just how things are not working at the mo.
For the last 4 years since CWAK took over, apart from the first four games in league one where we looked shite, they changed things and suddenly boom.
We have enjoyed watching and listening to football not seen it heard at the lane since the bug bang created the universe.
 
We'll need to cash in on Berge , McBurnie & Mousset to have any chance of improving the forward dynamic especially when you consider that we've given contracts to Sharp & McGoldrick who , for all their virtues , are getting too old for 90 mins in the Prem - just look at the age & athleticism of our opponents !
 

And there must be 3 better players out there - at least ones who offer some threat - for the £50m which we've spent on our 3 who between them offer very little.
 

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