On hecky that one

[Broomhall Blade]

I'm not Hecky's biggest fan but I don't even think I could criticise him today.
My view is the players let him down today, the only criticism I have was the substitution he should have taken Osborn off when bringing Baldock on.

 

[BettingBlade]

I don’t agree. We didn’t play as well as we have been and a good team played well against us. That’s pretty much it.

We’ve played like that all season apart from about 5 games?

 

[chesblade]

When you look at the match stats there was not much in it. Bring on Tuesday

 

[Duffy21Blade]

I can't blame Heckingbottom for the performance, that team put in two dominant performances against QPR and Fulham of late.

Whilst I do question the timing of his subs (Norrington-Davies on in the 87th?!) - his bench is limited and the squad on the whole is threadbare. On the players today.

 

[Brussblade]

got it wrong today. Didn’t understand game plan and not sure players did either. Seemed to be roll it to egan and then I’m not sure what next. All options closed down, no movement and then end up in a kick it up field and hope a defender misjudges or something. Subs confusing as well. Dominating the ball and constant wave of attack and see baldock coming on. Thought fair enough getting osborn off so there’s a bit more composure going forward only to see him take norwood off who was starting to dictate the game for us. I’m not sure that second goal goes in either with norwood instead of fleck having to come deep and pick up the ball but obviously we’ll never know. Not shouting for him to be out or anything but just thought he got it wrong today and hopefully he fixes it for Tuesday now he knows what to expect

I may be an idiot too. We failed to cope with their effective use of balls into channels to pacey wide men intent on putting simple crosses into areas where strikers were running. Individual mistakes cost us but Forest created so many chances from the same positions time again that I think the management need to take some responsibility for shuffling the pack more effectively.

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

Could have posted this in any number of (histrionic / morose / distraught) threads, but:-
When we mullered Fulham were they shite or did we actually out play them - assisted by scoring early giving us confidence & allowing us to pursue a (perfectly executed) game plan?

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

B

Bullshit. That was the same team and set up that nobbed Fulham last week. That one was on the players - way too pedestrian and indecisive in possession and left huge gaps in behind for forest to exploit.
Subs weren’t great but we’ve got naff all on the bench to change the game. To be fair, PH took Norwood and Stevens off because they were poor today. He’s not going to go all out attack in the first leg of a play-off and risk going 3 down and tie over.
It’s halftime and we’re a goal down…but we’ll have to do a lot better at their place.

We didn’t nob Fulham we beat Fulham who couldn’t give a flying and we’re so far on the beach they were pissed up on the pool lounger


We have played well about 4 times since Christmas hecky is a bang average manager and I struggle to see what he actually sets us up to play like

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

When you look at the match stats there was not much in it. Bring on Tuesday

When you watch the match you will see it should have been about 5-0

 

[brownblade]

We got in behind their defence 3 or 4 times in the first half and end product was poor each time, unfortunately.

Overall end product wasn't quite there today as a whole.

One goal in it, albeit away from home. Got to believe/hope we can bring our best football on Tuesday.

Otherwise hopefully it'll be an exciting transfer window cherry picking the EFL players out of contract...! Seriously!

 

[Greenwich Blade]

We didn’t nob Fulham we beat Fulham who couldn’t give a flying and we’re so far on the beach they were pissed up on the pool lounger


We have played well about 4 times since Christmas hecky is a bang average manager and I struggle to see what he actually sets us up to play like

I look forward to hearing about your job application when a replacement is required for Hecky.

 

[Swannyblade]

We didn’t nob Fulham we beat Fulham who couldn’t give a flying and we’re so far on the beach they were pissed up on the pool lounger


We have played well about 4 times since Christmas hecky is a bang average manager and I struggle to see what he actually sets us up to play like

You can only nob what’s in front you…that’s a motto to live by

 

[Mario1889]

Sometimes the opposition are a bit better.

They were a lot better.

It was only a combination of poor finishing and some excellent defending that stopped Forest from being out of sight by FT.

I wasn’t overly impressed when Hecky got the job and I’m still not now. All he did was what any manager with half a brain would have done when he got the job and reverted to a system the players knew and were comfortable with.

He struggles to adapt however and I’m not sure he has a plan B.

On paper are Forests players really that much better than ours? I’m not so sure but there were times that there looked to be a gulf in class between the two sides.

 

[Birdwell Blade]

They were a lot better.

It was only a combination of poor finishing and some excellent defending that stopped Forest from being out of sight by FT.

I wasn’t overly impressed when Hecky got the job and I’m still not now. All he did was what any manager with half a brain would have done when he got the job and reverted to a system the players knew and were comfortable with.

He struggles to adapt however and I’m not sure he has a plan B.

On paper are Forests players really that much better than ours? I’m not so sure but there were times that there looked to be a gulf in class between the two sides.

I thought we were a lot better 2nd half, particularly when we had them pinned in their half. Yes they battered us 1st half but whatever happened at half time made a difference. Their 2nd came against the run of play (for me), as I think we had a great spell before they scored

 

[JJBlade]

Players to blame for me too

As long as we have very very very average players who feel that they can get away with having a day off whenever they don't fancy it, we will get results like this, and Millwall, Derby, Stoke, Coventry and the first half at QPR amongst many more.

 

[Wincobank S9 Blade]

They’re just better than us simple as that, more up and coming players one of the best young England coaches along with Graham Potter. It’ll be yet another play off misery for us I have absolutely no hope of going to their gaff and winning I just want to see a respectable performance and hope everyone comes back okay. This city needs more investment in football otherwise it’ll be same old same old. We live in hope.

 

[Blade21]

They were a lot better.

It was only a combination of poor finishing and some excellent defending that stopped Forest from being out of sight by FT.

I wasn’t overly impressed when Hecky got the job and I’m still not now. All he did was what any manager with half a brain would have done when he got the job and reverted to a system the players knew and were comfortable with.

He struggles to adapt however and I’m not sure he has a plan B.

On paper are Forests players really that much better than ours? I’m not so sure but there were times that there looked to be a gulf in class between the two sides.

Glad I'm not alone

 

[Slug]

Both teams got in down the side of the centre halves and inside the full backs several times…Forest created a scoring opportunity virtually every time they did whereas we created absolutely fuck all. They are a good team but we have to do so much better in the final third.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

I look forward to hearing about your job application when a replacement is required for Hecky.

Unfortunately I am not a football manager so I won’t be applying

However it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to show that there are quite a few better managers out there

For example the opposition manager

 

[bertieblade]

Fallowfield do you have anything positive to say about our club / team?

 

[Champagneblade]

I'd love to know the reasoning behind the Baldock substitution.

While I get that hooking Norwood was probably the right thing to do, but bringing on Baldock in a game that needed a change was baffling to me.

Regarding the performance, abysmal. Fleck, Norwood, Osborn & Stevens were shocking and made it too easy for Forest to cut right through us. I can't foresee an upturn by Tuesday night, the Forest players will feel confident (and hopefully, complacent) that they outfought and out thought us today.

We needed more legs in midfield because we were being overran.

With the limited options available he decided Osborn could help there. Hourihane is a decent ball player but he isn't one to come on and dominate. We just don't have that type of player. Something to address.

 

[Captain2]

Unfortunately I am not a football manager so I won’t be applying

However it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to show that there are quite a few better managers out there

For example the opposition manager

Not sure he’s a better manager certainly got a better squad of players, a team with momentum and lots of flair and creativity.We’ve not been convincing getting into the play off mix, too many players past their prime.
Yesterday we were lucky to escape with only a one goal deficit.
My worry is for next season and what type of squad Hecky will have at his disposal.
Felt for Egan yesterday, think he’s been immense this season playing every minute of every game(I think)
Championship is definitely our level atm

 

[Caseh]

The Baldock change made complete sense as we needed energy in the middle, and putting Osborn in there had the potential to do that - No other sub we made could have done that for us.

Also, sometimes we can lose and it not be the manager or players fault. We were beat by a team that played better than us, and they do to teams what we used to do teams - Make them look bad. Why are football fans obsessed with looking to blame someone?

 

[Yewsman]

For those criticising Hecky I would say the guy deserves huge credit. I think he has got the best out of every player (except McB!). Look at Wes, Robinson (now automatic choice at LCB and chipped in with some really important goals), managed Ndaiye really well I think, got Berge playing best football for us at last, Brewster and Bogle started to look like real players before injuries. Fact is we are down to bear bones of squad. There was no one on bench yesterday who he could bring on to try something slightly different.
We’re not out of it yet (though I’m not putting my house on us getting through). Stranger things have happened.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

Not sure he’s a better manager certainly got a better squad of players, a team with momentum and lots of flair and creativity.We’ve not been convincing getting into the play off mix, too many players past their prime.
Yesterday we were lucky to escape with only a one goal deficit.
My worry is for next season and what type of squad Hecky will have at his disposal.
Felt for Egan yesterday, think he’s been immense this season playing every minute of every game(I think)
Championship is definitely our level atm

You don’t think Steve copper is a better manager than heckingbottom?


Please tell me what heckingbottom did previously to deserve to get the united job ? He got this job because the prince couldn’t be arsed anymore

Good bloke ok manager

 

[highgreeninjapan]

When you look at the match stats there was not much in it. Bring on Tuesday

Depends what stats. XG has it at roughly 3-1, which feels about right, I reckon. 5 big chances to zero, which also feels about right.

 

[wizadry]

I think Hecky was worried that Norwood might collect a second yellow card as we were chasing the game, which then leads to even more counter attacks, meaning more chances of cynical fouls from the team trying to defend against it.

I’d have left him on personally as he was just starting to get in to the game and they were on the back foot. Osborn had one of his worst games in a Blades shirt and should’ve been replaced by Baldock at HT. Baldock needs to start the second leg.

It certainly isn’t over, not by a long stretch.

 

[Captain2]

You don’t think Steve copper is a better manager than heckingbottom?


Please tell me what heckingbottom did previously to deserve to get the united job ? He got this job because the prince couldn’t be arsed anymore

Good bloke ok manager

He should have kept the job after he stepped in after CW departure, mistake was appointing Slav . Who knows who is the better manager of the 2 I know Forest have better individual players on yesterday’s showing.
Who would be your choice?Big Sam, Brucie, Megson?

 

[Captain2]

I think Hecky was worried that Norwood might collect a second yellow card as we were chasing the game, which then leads to even more counter attacks, meaning more chances of cynical fouls from the team trying to defend against it.

I’d have left him on personally as he was just starting to get in to the game and they were on the back foot. Osborn had one of his worst games in a Blades shirt and should’ve been replaced by Baldock at HT. Baldock needs to start the second leg.

It certainly isn’t over, not by a long stretch.

That was the big mistake, can’t for the life of me understand why managers play players totally out of position. Nothing against Osbourne but he was woeful yesterday both in attack and defence.So many attacking moves stuttered to a halt cos he can’t kick with his right foot, and maybe the slip could be attributed to him being on the wrong foot along with a sodden pitch.
Baldock and RND will start Tuesday

 

[100% part time blade]

We started slowly and seemed poorly organised for the goal. But thought we got to grips with them a little more and were decent from 10-30. Got in down the right but lacked the quality to create a chance (Berge heavy touch, MGW poor cross etc.) whereas when they got in they turned it into an opportunity. Fell apart 30-45, should probably have conceded another but got away with it. Came out 2nd half the better team, midfielders wanted the ball and started playing. Had them penned in until we gifted them a 2nd

We got in behind their defence 3 or 4 times in the first half and end product was poor each time, unfortunately.

Overall end product wasn't quite there today as a whole.

One goal in it, albeit away from home. Got to believe/hope we can bring our best football on Tuesday.

Otherwise hopefully it'll be an exciting transfer window cherry picking the EFL players out of contract...! Seriously!

Both teams got in down the side of the centre halves and inside the full backs several times…Forest created a scoring opportunity virtually every time they did whereas we created absolutely fuck all. They are a good team but we have to do so much better in the final third.

I’d agree with all of these. The set up and tactics created opportunities: we repeatedly got in behind with good runs, balls through or over the top, or we got in behind from pressure when they tried to play out. Against Fulham we repeatedly turned these chances into goals; in this game we made poor decisions / heavy touch / wayward cross so we didn’t even make the goal-scoring opportunity. They turned every opening into an opportunity. I don’t think that’s the tactics - it’s just players playing well or not playing well. Tiny things make such a difference: Osborne’s slip, first goal goes in, Forest players are on the up, relaxed and every touch/pass/run seems easier. We go a goal down and everything is under more pressure. I actually think Hecky’s input at half-time saw us get hold of it, play with more control and get well on top until we gave a goal away with a mistake.

In terms of the subs, I think Baldock offers us a lot, but I worry he looks like a raging red card waiting to happen, especially in games where there’s a lot at stake. I’m not sure if starting him in the next leg is a good idea.

 

[MK4BLADE]

Similar level of teams. Johnson is CL quality. That’s the difference

Yep Johnson is forests best player and has said his toughest opponent this year has been RND, what do we do stick him on the bench, i bet Johnson was rubbing his hands with glee. I do have to question heckys team selection particularly at LWB and also his subs yesterday
Enda has been really poor defensively lately imo.