pommpey
THE FUTURE ... AS IT USED TO BE
- Banned
- #1
I was expecting a bit better tonight. Sure, it was a game of two halves, but the first ten were pretty abysmal.
Not taking anything away from Wolves, mind. They looked capable in many areas and once they were two up, just denied us possession. They also did exactly what someone else has said on here and completely shut out our passing lanes, in particular with the CB overload trick. This has been coming for some time and it amazes me we have got away with it for so long. The triangles - Fleck, Stevens and O'connell and Baldock, Lundstram and Basham on either side was so sweetly channeled into a full stop. It was only later in the game when both us and Wolves switched formations that we managed to get past this. Note: other teams will lap this up.
The front two are again, so badly denied chances. Look at the difference between Wolves on the break and us and how they find Raul and we don't find McB and Sharp. Again, both of them spend too much time outside the box searching for the ball, which for the opposition central defence is fucking marvellous. A real 'tabs out' moment, because on either side, Sharp and McBurny were getting caught round the axles of the CB Overload fun and failing badly. We've all seen what can be done when the right cross comes over and yeah ... Norwood, once again I am looking at you (but Lundstram and Fleck remain standing) Most of our corners and crosses were so comfortably and easily mopped up by our-once 'can't afford £375k to buy him' England defender. We miss a number ten and when he finally came on, looked so match rusty he may have well been subbed himself.
Midfield though was atrocious at times ... first half failed to impose and move forward and second half were simply huffing and puffing and failing even to blow the curtains in, never mind the house down. Okay, after 55 minutes we started to venture into Wolves's territory but by that time the damage was done and we were a hoof up the pitch and Traore on it from being sunk altogether. The stark reality of us is now evident - we made ninth last season not because of goals scored but because of lack of goals scored against us, for which a lot of that we can thank one Dean Henderson, the only real change in lineup from last season to this tonight. Is Ramsdale good enough? Fuck knows. He's got big shoes to fill and I suspect he knows it.
Ramsdale 5/10. The two goals I feel Henderson would have got a hand to them. He did look somewhat static in his diving for them whereas Deano would have been quickly and athletically airborne. Yes, I am comparing both. Ramsdale's performance, as our most expensive signing this time out and our most expensive keeper is crucial if we are facing a lack of output at the other end. If we perform just like we did last season, yet ship shots on target like tonight, we are in trouble.
Baldock 6/10. Typically aggressive and uncompromising outing from George and he was caught up the pitch for their first. But as part of the right side triangle he was not really in on it and his fnal ball is still piss poor. What do they do in training?
Basham 7/10. Still living up to his deserved award last season he still looks like a liability but plays like a legend. Thing about Bash is that when he gets it, he is actively looking three moves ahead, so either plays the right short pass, or moves through the gaps in front of him. Although he was hooked, it was understandable to go 4-1-2-1-2 to get Didsy on and leave the stongest central duo on the pitch, I would have said stick him in midfield in Lunny's place and have him off to change the shape. He also covered a lot of ground - quickly - in the second half to get goal side of Netto.
O'Connell 6.5/10. Looked extremely un-match-sharp. I think Southgate now feels justified in picking Coady over him as Jack couldn't win much either defending or advanced nor join the attack. He seems behind on his usual 'quick for a big lad' pace and I even saw him outmuscled by Traore, which is a bit of a battle Royale you'd like Jack to win.
Egan 6.5/10. If Jack's having a mare, so does Eegs. The first goal was avoidable and he seemed well out of his box to let Raul get his shot in, but 120 seconds in on the new seasonit's kinda understandable. As the game wore on both seemed better composed and better placed with four at the back which is the first time I have seen that, but he is another for whom I sincerely hope the chemistry returns and returns fast.
Stevens 5/10. Only just really. Thought he looked well off the pace and not quick enough to deal with Traore (who himself was having a bit of a shocker). His man dropped the shoulder and clipped past him effortlessly which, two seasons ago, I'd have betted Stevens would have had none of it. This might be his last season with us. Since the lockdown he has been a shadow of his former busy, industrious and dangerous self.
Lundstram 4/10. Again, a player who shouldn't really be part of this seasons outfit if he is unsettled and isn't the player he once briefly was. I honestly thought, with the mercurial start he had twelve months ago, that we were all wrong about him. But it seems all the doubts were in fact correct. He seemed to be a facsimile love-child of Monty and Patterson tonight, either playing his own game or making shit judgements (like the second minute) and costing us, or just surrendering the initiative or possession
Norwood 4/10. He is indeed pivotal for our side, but he not Pirlo. He is so easily pressed and dispossessed and still reverts to the clippy-pass across the pitch (behind the player) and his corners are fucking shocking. Here - have this. I am 57, fifteen stone and crack out about 15-20km (sometimes slightly more) a week in one of my Blades tops on the streets of this south coast shithole. But as much as my arthritic right knee is constantly braced I could still whip in a corner better than Norwood - one at least that beats the fucking first man. You only do that trick when you have a flick on bloke on the front stick and none of our players were there tonight - so why fucking do it at such a low trajectory? He's got some of the best physical conditioning staff, physios, gym work, training pitch, boots better than my adidas Shitkicker IIs, a playing surface to die for and a pro-level manufactured football (i.e. not one of your £30-00 Amazon replicas) So what fucking gives? A 25 yard drive at eight feet off the deck which crosses the penalty area between the six yard box and penalty spot. You have four players over six foot in there and three players waiting on the periphery. Fuck's sake!
Fleck 5/10. I have no idea what has happened to Flecky. Last season he started to look like our new Michael Brown or even better as he both set up and scored goals. Now he looks like he is completely lost. Surely he's released Coutts and Duffy have finally gone? He, really, is our proper number ten. He should be playing in a more advanced position (if we could trust the other two midfielders to get their shit together) because he has the vision and bite to either put the pass that Billy wants in, or hit a shot which - like tonight, makes the target. But he is so 'absent' now. Such a fucking shame both for him and for the Blades
McBurny 4/10. Nope, still not convinced. Spent a lot of the first half rolling about asking the ref for a whistle and the second outside the danger area or not making the move toward the ball to meet the cross. I really hope it works out for him, because I think he really wants this. But we aren't Swansea, and this isn't the Championship. No, he did't get great service, but in fairness, when he did, he should have buried it
Sharp 4/10. See again, not because he was shit. Because Billy's game is in front of goal with half a yard and a rolling, loose ball. None of that tonight. He was simply sponged up.
Subs:
McGoldrick 4/10. Didn't have much effect. He tried to get involved with the brick walls down the flanks and showed his lack of sharpness elsewhere, even giving the ball away dangerously at least once.
Berge 5/10. Thought he was 'okay', but when he came on, it seemed like he thought we were 2-0 up. He's so fucking languid. Once, he dropped his shoulder, Currie-style, and went last one of their blockers but unlike TC who would have suddenly lit the afterburner for ten or fifteen yards and gone past two and into the box and on-goal, he stopped and checked back. He'd just fucking come on, so his legs were fresh and warmed up, so fucking-well ATTACK!
No idea why he didn't bring Ampadu, Burke or even the industry of Osborn on to be honest and maybe we need that and for players like Stevens and Norwood to spend some time on the bench and compete. Or maybe Wilder and Knill are up to something with that lot, showing them that a bad start is a bad start and that this is the reason for the changes. Whatever happens, he and Knill haven't got long, We need to put this shit behind us much as the last thee losses and get a result next match because we cannot - and I mean can fucking not, afford to take Fat Boy Bielsa's Champions of Europe Leeds United on with diminishing levels of confidence. A loss to them will really, really bite deep and recovery from that will be a long, long hike uphill.
pommpey
Not taking anything away from Wolves, mind. They looked capable in many areas and once they were two up, just denied us possession. They also did exactly what someone else has said on here and completely shut out our passing lanes, in particular with the CB overload trick. This has been coming for some time and it amazes me we have got away with it for so long. The triangles - Fleck, Stevens and O'connell and Baldock, Lundstram and Basham on either side was so sweetly channeled into a full stop. It was only later in the game when both us and Wolves switched formations that we managed to get past this. Note: other teams will lap this up.
The front two are again, so badly denied chances. Look at the difference between Wolves on the break and us and how they find Raul and we don't find McB and Sharp. Again, both of them spend too much time outside the box searching for the ball, which for the opposition central defence is fucking marvellous. A real 'tabs out' moment, because on either side, Sharp and McBurny were getting caught round the axles of the CB Overload fun and failing badly. We've all seen what can be done when the right cross comes over and yeah ... Norwood, once again I am looking at you (but Lundstram and Fleck remain standing) Most of our corners and crosses were so comfortably and easily mopped up by our-once 'can't afford £375k to buy him' England defender. We miss a number ten and when he finally came on, looked so match rusty he may have well been subbed himself.
Midfield though was atrocious at times ... first half failed to impose and move forward and second half were simply huffing and puffing and failing even to blow the curtains in, never mind the house down. Okay, after 55 minutes we started to venture into Wolves's territory but by that time the damage was done and we were a hoof up the pitch and Traore on it from being sunk altogether. The stark reality of us is now evident - we made ninth last season not because of goals scored but because of lack of goals scored against us, for which a lot of that we can thank one Dean Henderson, the only real change in lineup from last season to this tonight. Is Ramsdale good enough? Fuck knows. He's got big shoes to fill and I suspect he knows it.
Ramsdale 5/10. The two goals I feel Henderson would have got a hand to them. He did look somewhat static in his diving for them whereas Deano would have been quickly and athletically airborne. Yes, I am comparing both. Ramsdale's performance, as our most expensive signing this time out and our most expensive keeper is crucial if we are facing a lack of output at the other end. If we perform just like we did last season, yet ship shots on target like tonight, we are in trouble.
Baldock 6/10. Typically aggressive and uncompromising outing from George and he was caught up the pitch for their first. But as part of the right side triangle he was not really in on it and his fnal ball is still piss poor. What do they do in training?
Basham 7/10. Still living up to his deserved award last season he still looks like a liability but plays like a legend. Thing about Bash is that when he gets it, he is actively looking three moves ahead, so either plays the right short pass, or moves through the gaps in front of him. Although he was hooked, it was understandable to go 4-1-2-1-2 to get Didsy on and leave the stongest central duo on the pitch, I would have said stick him in midfield in Lunny's place and have him off to change the shape. He also covered a lot of ground - quickly - in the second half to get goal side of Netto.
O'Connell 6.5/10. Looked extremely un-match-sharp. I think Southgate now feels justified in picking Coady over him as Jack couldn't win much either defending or advanced nor join the attack. He seems behind on his usual 'quick for a big lad' pace and I even saw him outmuscled by Traore, which is a bit of a battle Royale you'd like Jack to win.
Egan 6.5/10. If Jack's having a mare, so does Eegs. The first goal was avoidable and he seemed well out of his box to let Raul get his shot in, but 120 seconds in on the new seasonit's kinda understandable. As the game wore on both seemed better composed and better placed with four at the back which is the first time I have seen that, but he is another for whom I sincerely hope the chemistry returns and returns fast.
Stevens 5/10. Only just really. Thought he looked well off the pace and not quick enough to deal with Traore (who himself was having a bit of a shocker). His man dropped the shoulder and clipped past him effortlessly which, two seasons ago, I'd have betted Stevens would have had none of it. This might be his last season with us. Since the lockdown he has been a shadow of his former busy, industrious and dangerous self.
Lundstram 4/10. Again, a player who shouldn't really be part of this seasons outfit if he is unsettled and isn't the player he once briefly was. I honestly thought, with the mercurial start he had twelve months ago, that we were all wrong about him. But it seems all the doubts were in fact correct. He seemed to be a facsimile love-child of Monty and Patterson tonight, either playing his own game or making shit judgements (like the second minute) and costing us, or just surrendering the initiative or possession
Norwood 4/10. He is indeed pivotal for our side, but he not Pirlo. He is so easily pressed and dispossessed and still reverts to the clippy-pass across the pitch (behind the player) and his corners are fucking shocking. Here - have this. I am 57, fifteen stone and crack out about 15-20km (sometimes slightly more) a week in one of my Blades tops on the streets of this south coast shithole. But as much as my arthritic right knee is constantly braced I could still whip in a corner better than Norwood - one at least that beats the fucking first man. You only do that trick when you have a flick on bloke on the front stick and none of our players were there tonight - so why fucking do it at such a low trajectory? He's got some of the best physical conditioning staff, physios, gym work, training pitch, boots better than my adidas Shitkicker IIs, a playing surface to die for and a pro-level manufactured football (i.e. not one of your £30-00 Amazon replicas) So what fucking gives? A 25 yard drive at eight feet off the deck which crosses the penalty area between the six yard box and penalty spot. You have four players over six foot in there and three players waiting on the periphery. Fuck's sake!
Fleck 5/10. I have no idea what has happened to Flecky. Last season he started to look like our new Michael Brown or even better as he both set up and scored goals. Now he looks like he is completely lost. Surely he's released Coutts and Duffy have finally gone? He, really, is our proper number ten. He should be playing in a more advanced position (if we could trust the other two midfielders to get their shit together) because he has the vision and bite to either put the pass that Billy wants in, or hit a shot which - like tonight, makes the target. But he is so 'absent' now. Such a fucking shame both for him and for the Blades
McBurny 4/10. Nope, still not convinced. Spent a lot of the first half rolling about asking the ref for a whistle and the second outside the danger area or not making the move toward the ball to meet the cross. I really hope it works out for him, because I think he really wants this. But we aren't Swansea, and this isn't the Championship. No, he did't get great service, but in fairness, when he did, he should have buried it
Sharp 4/10. See again, not because he was shit. Because Billy's game is in front of goal with half a yard and a rolling, loose ball. None of that tonight. He was simply sponged up.
Subs:
McGoldrick 4/10. Didn't have much effect. He tried to get involved with the brick walls down the flanks and showed his lack of sharpness elsewhere, even giving the ball away dangerously at least once.
Berge 5/10. Thought he was 'okay', but when he came on, it seemed like he thought we were 2-0 up. He's so fucking languid. Once, he dropped his shoulder, Currie-style, and went last one of their blockers but unlike TC who would have suddenly lit the afterburner for ten or fifteen yards and gone past two and into the box and on-goal, he stopped and checked back. He'd just fucking come on, so his legs were fresh and warmed up, so fucking-well ATTACK!
No idea why he didn't bring Ampadu, Burke or even the industry of Osborn on to be honest and maybe we need that and for players like Stevens and Norwood to spend some time on the bench and compete. Or maybe Wilder and Knill are up to something with that lot, showing them that a bad start is a bad start and that this is the reason for the changes. Whatever happens, he and Knill haven't got long, We need to put this shit behind us much as the last thee losses and get a result next match because we cannot - and I mean can fucking not, afford to take Fat Boy Bielsa's Champions of Europe Leeds United on with diminishing levels of confidence. A loss to them will really, really bite deep and recovery from that will be a long, long hike uphill.
pommpey
