Elsecar_Blade
Active Member
Having seen a bit of Wednesday this season thanks to the missus being pregnant, I'm probably a Blade who knows them better than most. I've seen all United's home games this season and six Wednesday games (plus TV matches) so I've decided to look at what is likely/unlikely to happen tomorrow at Hillsborough. My heart wants a United win and my head says we can win - however, my head knows that Wednesday are an 'effective' side so we have to be prepared for a draw or a defeat as well.
Likely Line-Ups:
UNITED: Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Collins, Maguire, Doyle, Montgomery/McDonald, Williamson, Quinn, Cresswell, Evans
SUBS: Howard, Ertl (or Montgomery or McDonald), Flynn, Beattie, Hoskins
WEDNESDAY: Bywater, Buxton, R. Johnson, Batth, R. Jones, Semedo, Lines, Antonio, Prutton/M. Jones/Bostock, Madine/Lowe, O'Grady
SUBS: Weaver, Llera, Prutton/M. Jones/Bostock, Madine/Lowe, Morrison
For United, the only real selection dilemma revolves around the injury to Kevin McDonald. If he is fit enough, he will start, if not, Montgomery will lead United into battle instead.
For Wednesday, it's a little more complicated. With a lack of wingers following injury to Jermaine Johnson and the loss of Ben Marshall, it remains to be seen whether Megson trusts Mike Jones enough to start on Sunday. I think Semedo and Lines will start for sure with Lines able to play central or out wide. Bostock has played poorly from what I've seen so I could see Prutton central with Semedo and Lines out wide with their new winger, Michail Antonio, on the opposite wing. The other question is over Gary Madine or Ryan Lowe to partner O'Grady up front - I suspect Megson will go with Madine after Simonsen's problems in the air at the Lane.
Simonsen, Maguire and Collins vs. Madine and O'Grady: A pivotal battle for me. In my opinion, this is where Wednesday could win the game and where United could lose it. Expect Wednesday to bombard United's area early on and test Simonsen in particular but also the fragile confidence of Collins (not seen since earlier in the season) and the maturity of young centre defender, Maguire. It is paramount that Simmo is at his best in the air come 1pm tomorrow as Wednesday will test him early. If Collins and Maguire can repeat their Huddersfield heroics, stand and be strong, United could shut down Wednesday's biggest danger - there really aren't many more. That isn't me being disrespectful to the Owls, far from it, many of their fans would echo that sentiment. Long balls into the box, throw ins and set pieces represent the majority of Wednesday's goals this season and that is a fact. The other recent contributor, wonder goals from Jermaine Johnson, will not be on the pitch.
Lowton vs. Antonio, Jean-Francois vs. Lines/M. Jones: Obviously, it depends on how Wednesday line up but I suspect this is the way they'll go. Simple jobs for Lowton and LJF - stop the crosses and don't give away too many corners, free kicks and throw ins around the area. Like above, Wednesday's main attacking danger and we'll deal better with long crosses from deep than crosses from wide. Concentration is key for these Blades full backs as one crossing chance could be the difference for the Owls.
Doyle and Montgomery/McDonald vs. Semedo and Lines/Prutton: The Wednesday fans rave about Semedo but I don't see it - I see a solid midfielder, not that good going forward but does a decent job retaining possession. Wednesday rarely have the ball at their feet and under control in the area just outside the box and if they do, Lines is the more dangerous of the three mentioned for them. He has a decent long shot on him so we have to be aware of that and close him down if he gets into that area of the pitch. The key in midfield for me is the fitness of McDonald - if he plays, if he is on the bench or if he doesn't make it. If Monty starts, we can count on 100% effort and committment and hopefully a few tackles made at key times. However, Monty doesn't offer that creative edge and does tend to give free kicks away which is not a good tactic against Wednesday. It could be a battle in there but McDonald has shown the ability to get stuck in recently though. Personally, if he is fit enough to play but isn't 100%, I'd use K-Mac as a sub. I'd rather him be a sub and play the last half hour than start and come off at 60 minutes. If we get to 60-70 minutes and the game is level, Wednesday will get more and more desperate. This is the time that a cool foot on the ball and a decisive pass on the break could work wonders for United. In the heat of the blood and guts battle early on, Monty might be more suited to it than McDonald. Just a thought.
Quinn vs. Buxton: Of Wednesday's full backs, Buxton is the better going forward. We have to be aware of him on the overlap and allowing him space to cross. Quinn will need to work hard and I have no doubt he will as usual. Buxton is a class act at this level, IMO, and I don't fancy Quinny beating him around the back often. Quinn needs to support LJF and - if he gets a chance - use the ball wisely but for me, the wing where United will do most damage is on the right. I'd also be wary of Quinn and Williamson swapping wings tomorrow - Willo works well with Lowton and Quinn should leave alone tomorrow and focus on keeping things tight on the left.
Williamson and Lowton vs. SWFC left winger and Reda Johnson: I said that Wednesday could win the game in their striker positions, United's likely position to win the game is down the right. Reda Johnson is a mountain of a man and teams could be forgiven for thinking that a speedy winger could damage him - not the case. Johnson uses his frame to make blocks and strength to get in position to stop the wingers well. He is also good at going into the box but I think defensively there is a way to beat him. Not by running at him but by passing around him. United's biggest threat at times this season has been Lowton and Williamson (and McDonald) combining down the right with good passing moves. If we do that tomorrow, I sense we could get a lot of joy.
Evans and Cresswell vs. Bywater, R.Jones and Batth: Humping the ball into the box will not work. Fact. Jones and Batth would be delighted if United did that tomorrow. However, there is a lack of pace in that Wednesday back line and if we can get Lowton, Williamson and Quinn (as well as Ched at times, too), there is rewards to be had. Low crosses and crosses from bylines that give defenders nightmares, they're what we need. Goals will come from these if we do it. Evans is red hot right now, Cressy will be desperate to score and I'm confident that they will score tomorrow. In reserve, we have Hoskins and Beattie as well, Hoskins caused them problems last season apparently, and we have to believe in our game plan and our football philosophy. If we get drawn into hoof vs. hoof, we will draw at best. Pass that ball, Blades!
Wilson vs. Megson: Megson has a Plan B - regardless of what people say. Plan (a) involves hoofing the ball into the box. Plan (b) involves a third striker and then a fourth striker being thrown on to get on the end of the hoof. Plan (c) is to put on Miguel Llera to supply the hoof, bit more cultured defender than Jones or Batth you see (and someone to exploit). We know what to expect from Wednesday, like Premier League teams do with Stoke, it's just a question of if we can deal with it. If we deal with it, we're well on our way. Wilson MUST stick to footballing them to death, don't allow his side to trade hoofs, keep believing in football and in particular use the right hand side with Lowton and Williamson. I'm interested to see what happens with McDonald - if he is only 80% fit and unable to play a full 90 minutes, like I said earlier, use him as a sub. I think Wilson will have the advantage of having more options to change the game.
Up the Blades!
Likely Line-Ups:
UNITED: Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Collins, Maguire, Doyle, Montgomery/McDonald, Williamson, Quinn, Cresswell, Evans
SUBS: Howard, Ertl (or Montgomery or McDonald), Flynn, Beattie, Hoskins
WEDNESDAY: Bywater, Buxton, R. Johnson, Batth, R. Jones, Semedo, Lines, Antonio, Prutton/M. Jones/Bostock, Madine/Lowe, O'Grady
SUBS: Weaver, Llera, Prutton/M. Jones/Bostock, Madine/Lowe, Morrison
For United, the only real selection dilemma revolves around the injury to Kevin McDonald. If he is fit enough, he will start, if not, Montgomery will lead United into battle instead.
For Wednesday, it's a little more complicated. With a lack of wingers following injury to Jermaine Johnson and the loss of Ben Marshall, it remains to be seen whether Megson trusts Mike Jones enough to start on Sunday. I think Semedo and Lines will start for sure with Lines able to play central or out wide. Bostock has played poorly from what I've seen so I could see Prutton central with Semedo and Lines out wide with their new winger, Michail Antonio, on the opposite wing. The other question is over Gary Madine or Ryan Lowe to partner O'Grady up front - I suspect Megson will go with Madine after Simonsen's problems in the air at the Lane.
Simonsen, Maguire and Collins vs. Madine and O'Grady: A pivotal battle for me. In my opinion, this is where Wednesday could win the game and where United could lose it. Expect Wednesday to bombard United's area early on and test Simonsen in particular but also the fragile confidence of Collins (not seen since earlier in the season) and the maturity of young centre defender, Maguire. It is paramount that Simmo is at his best in the air come 1pm tomorrow as Wednesday will test him early. If Collins and Maguire can repeat their Huddersfield heroics, stand and be strong, United could shut down Wednesday's biggest danger - there really aren't many more. That isn't me being disrespectful to the Owls, far from it, many of their fans would echo that sentiment. Long balls into the box, throw ins and set pieces represent the majority of Wednesday's goals this season and that is a fact. The other recent contributor, wonder goals from Jermaine Johnson, will not be on the pitch.
Lowton vs. Antonio, Jean-Francois vs. Lines/M. Jones: Obviously, it depends on how Wednesday line up but I suspect this is the way they'll go. Simple jobs for Lowton and LJF - stop the crosses and don't give away too many corners, free kicks and throw ins around the area. Like above, Wednesday's main attacking danger and we'll deal better with long crosses from deep than crosses from wide. Concentration is key for these Blades full backs as one crossing chance could be the difference for the Owls.
Doyle and Montgomery/McDonald vs. Semedo and Lines/Prutton: The Wednesday fans rave about Semedo but I don't see it - I see a solid midfielder, not that good going forward but does a decent job retaining possession. Wednesday rarely have the ball at their feet and under control in the area just outside the box and if they do, Lines is the more dangerous of the three mentioned for them. He has a decent long shot on him so we have to be aware of that and close him down if he gets into that area of the pitch. The key in midfield for me is the fitness of McDonald - if he plays, if he is on the bench or if he doesn't make it. If Monty starts, we can count on 100% effort and committment and hopefully a few tackles made at key times. However, Monty doesn't offer that creative edge and does tend to give free kicks away which is not a good tactic against Wednesday. It could be a battle in there but McDonald has shown the ability to get stuck in recently though. Personally, if he is fit enough to play but isn't 100%, I'd use K-Mac as a sub. I'd rather him be a sub and play the last half hour than start and come off at 60 minutes. If we get to 60-70 minutes and the game is level, Wednesday will get more and more desperate. This is the time that a cool foot on the ball and a decisive pass on the break could work wonders for United. In the heat of the blood and guts battle early on, Monty might be more suited to it than McDonald. Just a thought.
Quinn vs. Buxton: Of Wednesday's full backs, Buxton is the better going forward. We have to be aware of him on the overlap and allowing him space to cross. Quinn will need to work hard and I have no doubt he will as usual. Buxton is a class act at this level, IMO, and I don't fancy Quinny beating him around the back often. Quinn needs to support LJF and - if he gets a chance - use the ball wisely but for me, the wing where United will do most damage is on the right. I'd also be wary of Quinn and Williamson swapping wings tomorrow - Willo works well with Lowton and Quinn should leave alone tomorrow and focus on keeping things tight on the left.
Williamson and Lowton vs. SWFC left winger and Reda Johnson: I said that Wednesday could win the game in their striker positions, United's likely position to win the game is down the right. Reda Johnson is a mountain of a man and teams could be forgiven for thinking that a speedy winger could damage him - not the case. Johnson uses his frame to make blocks and strength to get in position to stop the wingers well. He is also good at going into the box but I think defensively there is a way to beat him. Not by running at him but by passing around him. United's biggest threat at times this season has been Lowton and Williamson (and McDonald) combining down the right with good passing moves. If we do that tomorrow, I sense we could get a lot of joy.
Evans and Cresswell vs. Bywater, R.Jones and Batth: Humping the ball into the box will not work. Fact. Jones and Batth would be delighted if United did that tomorrow. However, there is a lack of pace in that Wednesday back line and if we can get Lowton, Williamson and Quinn (as well as Ched at times, too), there is rewards to be had. Low crosses and crosses from bylines that give defenders nightmares, they're what we need. Goals will come from these if we do it. Evans is red hot right now, Cressy will be desperate to score and I'm confident that they will score tomorrow. In reserve, we have Hoskins and Beattie as well, Hoskins caused them problems last season apparently, and we have to believe in our game plan and our football philosophy. If we get drawn into hoof vs. hoof, we will draw at best. Pass that ball, Blades!
Wilson vs. Megson: Megson has a Plan B - regardless of what people say. Plan (a) involves hoofing the ball into the box. Plan (b) involves a third striker and then a fourth striker being thrown on to get on the end of the hoof. Plan (c) is to put on Miguel Llera to supply the hoof, bit more cultured defender than Jones or Batth you see (and someone to exploit). We know what to expect from Wednesday, like Premier League teams do with Stoke, it's just a question of if we can deal with it. If we deal with it, we're well on our way. Wilson MUST stick to footballing them to death, don't allow his side to trade hoofs, keep believing in football and in particular use the right hand side with Lowton and Williamson. I'm interested to see what happens with McDonald - if he is only 80% fit and unable to play a full 90 minutes, like I said earlier, use him as a sub. I think Wilson will have the advantage of having more options to change the game.
Up the Blades!
