O'Grady

[bartman]

yep -
COG actually had 2 headers in the fist half - both the sort of crosses that centre forwards dream about

UTB

Must admit I can't remember COG having two headers. I remember one that was behind him. The easiest header to score from was missed by Baxter in the first half. About 8 yards out no one near him and still headed it over .

 

[Foxy]

The easiest header to score from was missed by Baxter in the first half. About 8 yards out no one near him and still headed it over .

Was a great ball from Flynny to pick him out too.

 

[alcoblade]

I didn't say that 4-4-2 was positive as I personally think it's inflexible for the players we have and the way we play. But I was pointing out that was one of the systems we played yesterday because you said we didn't play 2 up top...

I still stick to the point fella, if Baxter was playing "up top" then we need to redefine what "up top" is.

UTB

 

[SwissBlade]

I still stick to the point fella, if Baxter was playing "up top" then we need to redefine what "up top" is.

UTB

Fair enough.

From what I saw from the Kop he was up alongside CoG in the first half, admittedly I don't think it worked as I don't think it suits Baxter to play in that way off a main target man, which is no doubt why it was changed.

Personally I think Clough should stick Baxter in front of Doyle and let him play the ball about. I'd have stuck Scoogs off CoG, he was a headless chicken at times yesterday.

Do you dispute that we played 3 up front second half?

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I didn't say that 4-4-2 was positive as I personally think it's inflexible for the players we have and the way we play. But I was pointing out that was one of the systems we played yesterday because you said we didn't play 2 up top...

I thought we played 2 up top in the second half, with Che Adams being the other. It contributed with us being over run in midfield at times. The first half was a bit of mixture.

OMG - do we NEED Mcnulty in that team - at least NC has the thoughts of pairing COG and sparky together - just our luck that one of them will get an injury.

UTB

 

[Woodwardfan]

Baxter and Adams swopped positions after about half an hour in the first half.

Neither Baxter or Adams got into the game up front and nor did McNulty when he came on. Nobody except Baxter looks forward to pass the ball. Even when Scougall does his little surge past a player he invariably lays the ball off sideways. Losing Flynn at half time was a really big blow. O'Grady did make players aware that he wanted the ball and had some presence and that might change a few mindsets. Playing 4-5-1 so long has made most players one-dimentional. It is entirely possible to build an attack without involving wingers who are doubled up on these days; we have been rumbled and have insufficient variety.

 

[sitwell]

I still stick to the point fella, if Baxter was playing "up top" then we need to redefine what "up top" is.

UTB

Baxter was playing in the hole ,that great big fucking black hole he disappears into for 89 minutes.

 

[sheffielder]

I am not sure what people were expecting when we don't have a midfield to allow us to play 2 up top. Doyle is just about ok when he just has himself to worry about, however Scougall was fucking woeful (and I love Scoogs).

We should have brought Cuvellier on for Adams and allow him to tuck inside. We got absolutely bob all pressure on the ball when they had it. The 442 won't last long.

Please in January can we go out and replace Coady, finally. Maybe we can then push Scougs forward to be the same player he was last season.

 

[alcoblade]

Fair enough.

From what I saw from the Kop he was up alongside CoG in the first half, admittedly I don't think it worked as I don't think it suits Baxter to play in that way off a main target man, which is no doubt why it was changed.

Personally I think Clough should stick Baxter in front of Doyle and let him play the ball about. I'd have stuck Scoogs off CoG, he was a headless chicken at times yesterday.

Do you dispute that we played 3 up front second half?

No, as always we were much more positive all round on the second half. I am completely mystified as to why he sticks to the same failing tactics, week in, week out.

Listening to him trying to justify that first half as an attacking display was really disappointing. I generally agree with Clough's assessment which makes the shit football easier to stomach, knowing he'll try and address it. He souned like he was trying to defend himself on the radio, but his analysis was way off, IMHO.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

I am not sure what people were expecting when we don't have a midfield to allow us to play 2 up top. Doyle is just about ok when he just has himself to worry about, however Scougall was fucking woeful (and I love Scoogs).

We should have brought Cuvellier on for Adams and allow him to tuck inside. We got absolutely bob all pressure on the ball when they had it. The 442 won't last long.

Please in January can we go out and replace Coady, finally. Maybe we can then push Scougs forward to be the same player he was last season.

I am expecting that we do what we do in the second half, in the first half. It's really that simple for me.

Our first half football would see us relegated, and it's the same week in, week out.

UTB

 

[The Bohemian]

Yesterday, O'Grady apart, was disappointing but not dispiriting. We did create chances - two first half headers that O'Grady and Baxter should have buried (Baxter's the easier of the two) and not dis-similar to Walsall's equaliser which was put away with a minimum of fuss. In fact I don't believe chance creation is our biggest problem - it's putting them away. Had we converted some straightforward chances on Tuesday (including 2 from McNulty) 1-0 would have been 2, 3 or 4.

I was disappointed with the substitutions yesterday; Adams struggled after a bright start and should have given way earlier, though if McNulty was carrying a knock that probably explains why. The enigma that is Jose Baxter was in evidence again with a largely inept performance punctuated by a killer pass for O'Grady's goal, but I was still surprised to see him substituted before Adams.

Flynny has been a revelation at right-back and losing him was game changing.

On a positive note, despite all our obvious shortcomings and a crowded treatment room, we're still only a good run away from the top 2.

Cloughie really needs to get it right in January. If Wallace (James) is not going to play regularly we need someone to provide his drive and creativity. We can't wait for Scougall to rediscover last season's form, we need Basham at centre-half and we can't expect a 17 year old to shoulder the burden, week in, week out.

I've seen enough to believe McNulty and O'Grady can score regularly in Div 3, so I expect O'Grady to be made permanent. We can't wait for Higdon (who on previous evidence would have buried yesterday's two headers) to become the player Cloughie, presumably, expected; Porter is surely on his way out and Murphy always looks happier and more threatening out wide So, if we have money to spend I would invest in another central striker and wouldn't be surprised to see Davis joining in January, even though he's back in favour at Blackpool.

 

[SwissBlade]

No, as always we were much more positive all round on the second half. I am completely mystified as to why he sticks to the same failing tactics, week in, week out.

Listening to him trying to justify that first half as an attacking display was really disappointing. I generally agree with Clough's assessment which makes the shit football easier to stomach, knowing he'll try and address it. He souned like he was trying to defend himself on the radio, but his analysis was way off, IMHO.

UTB

Having watched my last league game in sept I thought yesterday was an improvement, we dominated large parts of the game and controlled it when in possession. But without making excuses, Walsall played a game which makes it very tough to beat and breakdown. It's not so much an excuse, but a point of note. 11 men behind the ball is tough. We do this when we play premiership sides and it works for us as were a really good side on the counter.

What we need is sides to come and have a go.

Walsall were a neat passing side in possession, but were cautious first half. Second half we were able to get our goal as they went 4-3-3 a few mins before we scored and they went more positive. The result was that we scored. What should've happened is that we concentrated and retained possession whilst they stretched themselves in chasing an equaliser. The last thing we needed was to concede.

I'm not really sure what the answer is other than us sitting back and inviting teams on to allow us to hit sides other the counter.

We also need players like Scoogs, Murphy and Che to support CoG better in terms of delivering the balls into the danger area more frequently and clinically. All three were disappointing yesterday.

 

[JohnDenver]

We also need players like Scoogs, Murphy and Che to support CoG better

Agree, but it's a bit harsh on Che for a kid on his full debut. He looks a talent to me, but it may be next season before he starts to settle.

 

[SwissBlade]

Agree, but it's a bit harsh on Che for a kid on his full debut. He looks a talent to me, but it may be next season before he starts to settle.

Yeah and he certainly needs time, you shouldn't confuse my comment on one performance with some other posters on here. I'm absolutely not writing him off.

But what I'm saying is based on the Walsall game. He didn't give us what we needed yesterday.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Sami Hyypia has quit as BHAFC manager. Potential spanner in the works.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Sami Hyypia has quit as BHAFC manager. Potential spanner in the works.

yes a big spanner in the works unfortunately ,and with our luck will be recalled back to Brighton . We must be the only team in the top 6 in league 1 , who still has no idea who are the best forwards to play . All our forwards seem to require time to settle and time is running out.

UTB

 

[SandyMcBlade]

Makes you wonder if Cloughs not paying above his valuation of a player is coming back to bite him on the bum, It could well cost him more in the long run.....

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Yesterday, O'Grady apart, was disappointing but not dispiriting. We did create chances - two first half headers that O'Grady and Baxter should have buried (Baxter's the easier of the two) and not dis-similar to Walsall's equaliser which was put away with a minimum of fuss. In fact I don't believe chance creation is our biggest problem - it's putting them away. Had we converted some straightforward chances on Tuesday (including 2 from McNulty) 1-0 would have been 2, 3 or 4.

I was disappointed with the substitutions yesterday; Adams struggled after a bright start and should have given way earlier, though if McNulty was carrying a knock that probably explains why. The enigma that is Jose Baxter was in evidence again with a largely inept performance punctuated by a killer pass for O'Grady's goal, but I was still surprised to see him substituted before Adams.

Flynny has been a revelation at right-back and losing him was game changing.

On a positive note, despite all our obvious shortcomings and a crowded treatment room, we're still only a good run away from the top 2.

Cloughie really needs to get it right in January. If Wallace (James) is not going to play regularly we need someone to provide his drive and creativity. We can't wait for Scougall to rediscover last season's form, we need Basham at centre-half and we can't expect a 17 year old to shoulder the burden, week in, week out.

I've seen enough to believe McNulty and O'Grady can score regularly in Div 3, so I expect O'Grady to be made permanent. We can't wait for Higdon (who on previous evidence would have buried yesterday's two headers) to become the player Cloughie, presumably, expected; Porter is surely on his way out and Murphy always looks happier and more threatening out wide So, if we have money to spend I would invest in another central striker and wouldn't be surprised to see Davis joining in January, even though he's back in favour at Blackpool.

Good post and puts in words the thoughts of the majority of Blades fans , thinking and hopes.

UTB

 

[Harry's Game]

yes a big spanner in the works unfortunately ,and with our luck will be recalled back to Brighton . We must be the only team in the top 6 in league 1 , who still has no idea who are the best forwards to play . All our forwards seem to require time to settle and time is running out.

UTB

Can't recall him until Jan 1st at the earliest though can they? Need to get two wins on the bounce before we possibly lose him... And then please Spend some fucking Money!!

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Sami Hyypia has quit as BHAFC manager. Potential spanner in the works.

Potentially. Alternatively, the new chap (whoever it will be) will no doubt want to reshape the squad in Jan. Getting rid of O'Grady may now be even more attractive to them.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I still stick to the point fella, if Baxter was playing "up top" then we need to redefine what "up top" is.

UTB

Definitely 4-4-2. Baxter started up there with O'Grady and then swapped with Che Adams after 30 minutes, as Woodwardfan said.

My guess is that Clough thought there would be little room for a quick striker to run into early doors, but more later, hence the swap.

 

[alcoblade]

Definitely 4-4-2. Baxter started up there with O'Grady and then swapped with Che Adams after 30 minutes, as Woodwardfan said.

My guess is that Clough thought there would be little room for a quick striker to run into early doors, but more later, hence the swap.

Then perhaps the issue is that he's just too slow to keep up withy play. At no point in the first half did I consider we were playing with 2 up top.

UTB

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Potentially. Alternatively, the new chap (whoever it will be) will no doubt want to reshape the squad in Jan. Getting rid of O'Grady may now be even more attractive to them.

Or they might just recall him and put him on the bench for this evening.

Always the risk though with loan signings rather than permanent signings.

 

[Blade56]

Don't supose COG and Nige have had a little tiff

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

yes a big spanner in the works unfortunately ,and with our luck will be recalled back to Brighton . We must be the only team in the top 6 in league 1 , who still has no idea who are the best forwards to play . All our forwards seem to require time to settle and time is running out.

UTB

I can see COG not returning , and the recall is just another piece of bad luck for the blades . Next option and perhaps better ,the permanent signing of Doyle and Davies.

He was a loan player , Brighton have sacked there manager and are struggling in the championship . Its football , not the boards fault or Mr Cloughs fault. The biggest problem and concern is that COG was the best player for united at PV , IMO. which makes him going back a bigger issue as the earliest we will have a replacement is the 10th January to play.

UTB