Didn't read much last night (in general), because I thought that watching a bit of TV, with a drink, after watching that match, was called for.
I always read "My Take", and as usual, it pulls no punches, and is fairly accurate in the marking.
Two players who hardly got a look-in for a long time, played last night.
Verrips - wow, not sure what to say. I recall a long time ago, watching our team warm up at BDTBL. I was sat in South Stand, G Block (my usual seat) and so had a good view of the "practice goal" which is always in the right hand corner of the pitch, facing the Kop. Verrips was in the net and the players were going through their warm up routine. Verrips let about 99% of the goals in. I nudged Mrs. G and said something like, "is he trying to make the lads feel good?, Simon Moore usually saves a lot more than that?" I didn't think too much more about it, but in the recent cup game against Carlisle, I thought Verrips was not great, and last night cemented it.
Freeman - He showed more guts and guile in last nights 10-15 minute cameo than our entire midfield almost since the season restarted. Like most of us, I was amazed that we signed this lad, hardly used him, then loaned him out. He might not be a world-beater, but we need someone who can take players on and go forward. He has to start, at the weekend.
As for the rest of the players, I will say, in his defence, I don't think any of us thought Billy was a starting player this season. We all thought he would be brought on with 20 minutes remaining in a game, when defenders were getting tired, and he could just hang around the box and nick a goal. It's not Billy's fault that he is being picked to start.
Flecky - if you are reading this John, take a deep breath, admit your failings, and just go hell-for-leather in the next game (if picked), hold your head up man, have some fucking pride, get stuck in like you used to.
One more thing (a final thought), we have a lot of players who look "beaten" before kick off, but it's not all of them. We can't expect a brand new starting 11, but with the right signings, 3-5 new players, who do have confidence, who do have belief, who are positive, and dare I say it, aggressive, that attitude can rub off on some, and can give some added belief to the ones like Baldock, McBurnie, Brewster, others, who haven't totally disappeared.
Anyway, me and the Mrs. will be sat there, on Saturday, no matter what.
Up the Blades.
