Neil Collins

[sitwell]

Maybe its time we cut the bloke some slack ,I'm for ever hearing nobheads on Radio Pig stating how they don't rate him although they never actually go to the games and some on here won't give him an inch. He had an awful season last year but hardly ever played with the same defenders ,plus he had a very weak keeper behind him. This season he has risen to the challenge ,still with a crap keeper behind him and had to be the dominant defender vocally with a very young inexperienced partner and full back. Last night when the shit almost hit the fan in the last '200 minutes' he won header after header and got much further distance than a Simmo punch ,he is a good organiser and brave (mentally and physically).

 

[Kenilworth]

Good shout Sitters

I think Collins has been very good in every time I have seen him at the back - save for the error against Charlton that led to their second goal.
My only criticism of him is that he consistently misses the target when getting into excellent positions from corners and free kicks.
He has missed at least 4 or 5 really good chances from promising positions this year.
As long as he keeps getting into those positions he will surely begin to add some goals to his season.
Perhaps the biggest acloade he deserves though is how well he has helped big Harry Maguire settle in and learn his trade at league level.
Having this responsibility has kept collins on his game and is really shining up a gem for us at CB

UTB

 

[TarquinDelouche]

I know it's getting ahead of myself, but I wonder how he'd perform next season should we find ourselves in the position of being promoted.

 

[diplomat]

I have no issue with Collins in our current plight. He's a "stopper". He's experienced enough to bring on Harry. He isn't nearly as bad as I thought he might be when we knock it around the back a bit. He's been in this situation before with Leeds (I think he was a regular in their promotion team). He doesn't deserve to be a boo boy target at all.

 

[Muttley]

He's won me over for the most part of this season so far.

 

[beechblade]

He's pleasently suprised me, he's preformed really well, the odd mistake but thats to be expected, I think he's very comfortable at this level, I'm sceptical about a level above but he's earnt his shirt so far this season.

 

[alcoblade]

Maybe its time we cut the bloke some slack ,I'm for ever hearing nobheads on Radio Pig stating how they don't rate him although they never actually go to the games and some on here won't give him an inch. He had an awful season last year but hardly ever played with the same defenders ,plus he had a very weak keeper behind him. This season he has risen to the challenge ,still with a crap keeper behind him and had to be the dominant defender vocally with a very young inexperienced partner and full back. Last night when the shit almost hit the fan in the last '200 minutes' he won header after header and got much further distance than a Simmo punch ,he is a good organiser and brave (mentally and physically).

He won me over when, after a season of park football displays for us last year and all the criticism that came with it, he stepped up as one of the first to take a penalty against Hartlepool.

He's never going to be a world beater but he's doing a decent job in this league, and desreves some credit.

UTB

 

[Longtime Blade]

Isn't it time for a general statement from Deadbat about Collins? It was his criticism of Collins as an "awful, awful player"

followed by the mark "F minus" at the end of the season that led to the continous heavy slagging of the poor chap.

 

[alcoblade]

Isn't it time for a general statement from Deadbat about Collins? It was his criticism of Collins as an "awful, awful player"

followed by the mark "F minus" at the end of the season that led to the continous heavy slagging of the poor chap.

Let's not re write history though. He was truly dreadful last season.

UTB

 

[Kenilworth]

Let's not forget The Nos factor last season either.

 

[sitwell]

Simmonsen
Nosworthy Lowton Collins Mattock ,

Given that Lowton was/is only a kid ,its hardly surprising Colins struggled a bit really.

 

[alcoblade]

Simmonsen
Nosworthy Lowton Collins Mattock ,

Given that Lowton was/is only a kid ,its hardly surprising Colins struggled a bit really.

I'm happy to give credit for this season. And being part of a poor side pulls down those around, agreed. But let's not pretend he didn't contribute royally to our relegation. He was absolutely abysmal last season. If I were to rank him based on that then he'd be competeing for my all time bottom 11.

UTB

 

[Bladesman]

He never did that bad for L**ds at this level but Id say a Championship player he is not despite the Nosworthy factor last season.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Isn't it time for a general statement from Deadbat about Collins? It was his criticism of Collins as an "awful, awful player" followed by the mark "F minus" at the end of the season that led to the continous heavy slagging of the poor chap.

I like Deadbat's reports as much as the next man but to suggest that the Blades boo-boys are hanging on his every word is a bit far-fetched

 

[timb2222]

Collins has ben a revelation this season compared to the joke of a footballer he looked last. My only critisism of him however, is that I dont think he attacks the ball well enough. He seems more comfortable letting the ball bounce, and if there is an opportunity to intercept a pass he tends not to take it and covers the man instead even if there is another player to pick him up. Apart from this though he has looked very good every time I have seen him this season

 

[bladeinspaceandtime]

Maybe Wilson and the current coaching staff have been able to get the best out of Collins, whereas that clueless Mickey and co. weren't able to?

 

[Ollessendro]

Collins has won me over this season too. Personally I have not seen or heard a lot of criticism of him this season. I think he has been excellent so far and at this level looks a very comfortable defender. That is not to say that we should forget how bad he was last season. But, inspired by Bergen's 'clean slate for all' thread I have given him another chance and am happy with him leading the defence. He is far from perfect (like Kenny says he gets in good positions but has a ten bob head, he is slow and can give his man too much space) but he has defended solidly and has shown a side to his game we did not know. He retains possession well and gives players an option (and even often starts attacks) as well as being a good 'stopper' (exactlyu what he is).

I think there are several reasons for his improvement:
- drop in standard: 3rd tier and strikers are not as good. Lapses in concentration are not punished as often etc. (may be slightly harsh but) Evident when he struggled against Huddersfield and Charlton.
- increased confidencerobably from the manager/coaching staff and improved performances
- better coaching staff: there is no doubt in my mind that there is a link as to why he played so badly under Sheffield United's worst ever manager and is doing better under Wilson.
- stability: played every game with the same defensive partner and pretty much the same back. It's no coincidence we are 4th, with a fairly good defensive record, and that we have had stability across the back line. With a competent keeper we'd be top 2 and have the best defensive record in the league.
- cutting out the errors: probably linked to all 3 and with the Charlton exception, he has cut out the basic errors that were costing us goals.

 

[Kenilworth]

By the way Sitters there are 2 x ll in Neill for Mr Collins.

Call yourself a Blade? Next you'll be spelling it Bramhall Lane

 

[bricktop]

I think Collins has played well this season, but that is as much to the drop in standard than anything. He is an ideal player to help us get out of this division but nothing much more.

 

[Deadbat]

Isn't it time for a general statement from Deadbat about Collins? It was his criticism of Collins as an "awful, awful player"

followed by the mark "F minus" at the end of the season that led to the continous heavy slagging of the poor chap.

I am not sure my comments/thoughts led to the continous slagging of him?!!!

I stand by most of what I wrote in the sense that he was truly appalling last year. Maybe I should say now in fairness that he was an awful, awful player at Champ level and above. In league one he is steady but I am still not convinced with him. I feel he had a decent season and massively improved from last season but like Brownie feel much of it is down to the poorer standard.

He has shown to me he is a far better footballer than I thought and is certainly not the clogger I also saw in him las season. His touch and passing is generally good with the time afforded at the lower level.

He has played well most games and wins a lot of headers and at times has been commanding. I still feel their is always a mistake round the corner (as he has still shown at times this season -both him and Maguire) though but even more than my biggest criticism is that he still does not 'always' win the important headers.

By that I mean the ones right deep into our box that have sometimes led to goals. I will grant Simonsen has not helped matters at all. However in the Charlton and Huddersfield game he lost vital headers that led to goals; he also as our most dominant centre half should have been attacking the high balls in the last 10-15 mins against Wednesday but I barely recall him winning a header. Ditto at Orient when if he had got anything on the ball from the free kick it would not have even got to Simonsen but was beaten by his attacker. He wins a lot of headers but I have noticed sometimes important ones towards the end of games he does not seem to get there.

As others have said I feel he is a player that deserves his place but one that if we were to get promoted is not soomeone I would feel comfortable at all in the league above. I feel happier with Maguire and think if Morgan gets back to any kind of fitness he will be the one to give way. Well done to him though as many had wrote him off in the summer but now he has become respectable and not the joke he was last season.

 

[sitwell]

By the way Sitters there are 2 x ll in Neill for Mr Collins.

Call yourself a Blade? Next you'll be spelling it Bramhall Lane

Fuckin L ,Soz Kenillworth I will make sure Mr Colins name is spelt Neill in future.

 

[Longtime Blade]

To Deadbat

Thanks Deadbat for your considered reply to my request. Perhaps I went too far in implying that you had started

the "slagging off" given to Collins. However. I do believe that many fans who come on here are strongly influenced by your

opinions, as I am. I'm not an uncritical admirer of him. I wrote a piece on here recently saying that I couldn't think of a

player signed by any one of our last four managers who has led to a distinct improvement in United's performances or

results - except for Cresswell in 09/10 and Reid, very briefly, last season. Darren agreed with that. Do you? (Of course, that

was before the arrival of the two loan lads from Lancashire.)

Many people seem to attribute the relegation to Simmo and Collins more than anyone else. However, I believe that the prime

cause was the inability to score goals (or more than one goal) at home against mediocre teams like Watford, Derby, Millwall,

Middlesbro and Coventry. The "goals for" column in away games was also dreadful.