Pre season positives so far

[Ricky]

Performances in pre season might not always mean much but for what it's worth these are the players who I've been pleased with so far, based on the Malaga, Chesterfield and Rotherham games.


Basham and O'Connell - they've carried on as they were last season, tidy, solid and just about flawless. No doubt at all that these two will make the step up. I think O'Connell could be our best player this season. He was very good on the ball tonight.

Coutts - has looked good and consistent in all three games I've seen. You can tell he's in good condition. He's gone a long time without fitness issues now and I think he's returning to the Championship in good shape. He's been better than Fleck, who has been quite sloppy at times.

Stevens - I've liked what I've seen of him. Looks like a real all rounder. Scored twice now as well. Freeman was our goalscoring wing back last season, maybe it'll be Stevens this season. I think he's got it in him.

Brooks - I've said enough about him on the Brooks thread, but he looks completely at ease in the first team and has won us these last two games. He has to have a serious chance of starting v Brentford. He seems more likely to make things happen than anyone else we have. Yes they're only friendlies he's played in but his quality couldn't be more obvious.

Carruthers - for the most part I think he's had a good pre season. He's got plenty of minutes under his belt and his general performance level has been good. He's putting himself in a good position going into the season. Hopefully his fitness is better than ever. He's got great potential and if he gets anywhere near reaching it there's a regular place for him in this team.

 

[Pinchy]

Let's just allow DB to come through in his own time or, more importantly, Tufty's time. He's seen many a youngster with potential over his years. The lads a talent; he's exciting. He's a proper footballer. Pele bless him.

However:

Getting carried away will help nobody at all. Sheffield United, our club, are the overriding priority. Bladey Boybanders would do well to remember that cardinal principle.

 

[Snowman]

May all that come to fruition Herbert.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Let's just allow DB to come through in his own time or, more importantly, Tufty's time. He's seen many a youngster with potential over his years. The lads a talent; he's exciting. He's a proper footballer. Pele bless him.

However:

Getting carried away will help nobody at all. Sheffield United, our club, are the overriding priority. Bladey Boybanders would do well to remember that cardinal principle.

You'd do well to crawl back under your fucking stone but it ain't a perfect world is it?

 

[Lard_Lad]

Stearman has looked solid and looks to have provided that championship experience at the back we needed

 

[Ricky]

Positives as a team...

We generally seem accomplished, competitive and prepared in every department, as you'd expect really as we've largely played the same players and system we used last season.

We have three centre halves who are good at playing the ball out.

Brooks and Lavery being on the pitch together looks likely to be fruitful for us.


Possible concerns...

Sharp and Clarke together up front - I'm not sure we can start the season with this pairing. We've looked considerably better with more pace and trickery up top.

Only one new signing seems guaranteed to start v Brentford - Stearman.

Freeman and Fleck - not really been on their game, no major concern though.

Defending set pieces - I think we've looked a bit less convincing than we did last season, and it'll be more difficult defending them in the Championship.
We haven't really got anyone who can score from a free kick either, which is worth consideration.

 

[Pinchy]

Occasionally we suffer wholly unnecessary and irrelevant contributions from obsessives who can't resist embarrassing themselves.

We really could do without poisonous, vindictive, spiteful, Johnny come Lately individuals, who seek only conflict, on our forum.

There is, at least, I suppose, a modest amusement factor to be found in the notion that anyone gives a fuck about such continuing tilting at windmills, believing them to be giants.

I shall now open another bottle of Valpolicella Ripasso Classico. I shall drink to proper football, to Tufty and to the Right Way, safe in the knowledge that he and I are ad idem.

I have banished my fly-swatter to the broom cupboard. There is no further need of it, such is the insignificance of the insects.

 

[Dellas Cowboys]

Positives as a team...

We generally seem accomplished, competitive and prepared in every department, as you'd expect really as we've largely played the same players and system we used last season.

We have three centre halves who are good at playing the ball out.

Brooks and Lavery being on the pitch together looks likely to be fruitful for us.


Possible concerns...

Sharp and Clarke together up front - I'm not sure we can start the season with this pairing. We've looked considerably better with more pace and trickery up top.

Only one new signing seems guaranteed to start v Brentford - Stearman.

Freeman and Fleck - not really been on their game, no major concern though.

Defending set pieces - I think we've looked a bit less convincing than we did last season, and it'll be more difficult defending them in the Championship.
We haven't really got anyone who can score from a free kick either, which is worth consideration.

I think Stevens has a very good chance of starting against Brentford.

 

[Tyler Durden]

I'm a bit unsure about Stearman on tonights showing. Looked somewhat out of sorts in terms of his positional sense and his first touch looked questionable. I'm willing to put that down to pre-season rustiness.

Carruthers was at his infuriating best. At times unplayable but at other times complacent. It's a peculiar style that makes his contribution to the team hard to gauge.

No problems with Sharp obviously, he just needs more football. Brief glimpses of his usual self tonight.

Clarke - See Sharp.

O'Connell looked steady and dependable for the most part, could even have scored but for a point-blank save from a header.

Basham tackled very well, despite my usual criticisms. Credit where it's due

No issues with central midfield. Again, just more time needed to regain the requisite sharpness.

Stevens very impressive, very tenacious too. I like that

Lafferty - Oh dear.

 

[Ricky]

I think Stevens has a very good chance of starting against Brentford.

60-40 IMO.

Long term, I'm sure we didn't sign him to be back up.

I think he'll be a slow burner - people will like him more and more with every game.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Occasionally we suffer wholly unnecessary and irrelevant contributions from obsessives who can't resist embarrassing themselves.

We really could do without poisonous, vindictive, spiteful, Johnny come Lately individuals, who seek only conflict, on our forum.

There is, at least, I suppose, a modest amusement factor to be found in the notion that anyone gives a fuck about such continuing tilting at windmills, believing them to be giants.

I shall now open another bottle of Valpolicella Ripasso Classico. I shall drink to proper football, to Tufty and to the Right Way, safe in the knowledge that he and I are ad idem.

I have banished my fly-swatter to the broom cupboard. There is no further need of it, such is the insignificance of the insects.

Wow, 5 paragraphs dedicated to insignificant little me eh?
Have I started another one of your famous crybully meltdowns?

I shall now open a can of Vimto and look smug.

 

[FTPE]

Bash and JOC have hit the ground running and I'm really excited about Stevens.
Carruthers opened my eyes to what Wilder bought him for last night, Brooks is obviously the biggest shinning light and Lavery looks Sharp.

Unfortunately Sharp looks a yard off the pace (but he did the following preseason and look how that turned out for him) and Freeman has forgot how to play football.

 

[LSF]

I'm a bit unsure about Stearman on tonights showing. Looked somewhat out of sorts in terms of his positional sense and his first touch looked questionable. I'm willing to put that down to pre-season rustiness.

Carruthers was at his infuriating best. At times unplayable but at other times complacent. It's a peculiar style that makes his contribution to the team hard to gauge.

No problems with Sharp obviously, he just needs more football. Brief glimpses of his usual self tonight.

Clarke - See Sharp.

O'Connell looked steady and dependable for the most part, could even have scored but for a point-blank save from a header.

Basham tackled very well, despite my usual criticisms. Credit where it's due

No issues with central midfield. Again, just more time needed to regain the requisite sharpness.

Stevens very impressive, very tenacious too. I like that

Lafferty - Oh dear.

I like it when you talk football. It's usually insightful and measured..
Your politics measure up to mine too.. the rest.... Sigh..
Anyway, last night..
Agree with your assessment other than Stearman who I thought looked quality in the role he filled.
No frills, sharp in the tackle, strength belies his slight physique, good in air. Can't see what's not to like with him.
Also mention to Eastwood, who surprised me with his performance.

 

[BigBed]

All won, no losses, no draws, but also no fluidity like last season, but that will come as we gel.
We need a couple more players, defo a keeper, a better forward than we have, and an enforcer type defender.
These should be our backbone and we should be looking toward the £2-3million mark for each.

 

[bladesmanluke]

Most important player at the club is now Jake Eastwood. I hope he's ready. Last night was the first first team friendly I've missed so I can't really comment, but the reports are positive?

 

[Woodwardfan]

Performances in pre season might not always mean much but for what it's worth these are the players who I've been pleased with so far, based on the Malaga, Chesterfield and Rotherham games.


Basham and O'Connell - they've carried on as they were last season, tidy, solid and just about flawless. No doubt at all that these two will make the step up. I think O'Connell could be our best player this season. He was very good on the ball tonight.

Coutts - has looked good and consistent in all three games I've seen. You can tell he's in good condition. He's gone a long time without fitness issues now and I think he's returning to the Championship in good shape. He's been better than Fleck, who has been quite sloppy at times.

Stevens - I've liked what I've seen of him. Looks like a real all rounder. Scored twice now as well. Freeman was our goalscoring wing back last season, maybe it'll be Stevens this season. I think he's got it in him.

Brooks - I've said enough about him on the Brooks thread, but he looks completely at ease in the first team and has won us these last two games. He has to have a serious chance of starting v Brentford. He seems more likely to make things happen than anyone else we have. Yes they're only friendlies he's played in but his quality couldn't be more obvious.

Carruthers - for the most part I think he's had a good pre season. He's got plenty of minutes under his belt and his general performance level has been good. He's putting himself in a good position going into the season. Hopefully his fitness is better than ever. He's got great potential and if he gets anywhere near reaching it there's a regular place for him in this team.

Thing about Carruthers and Brooks is that they have loads of 'assists' in their game.

Fleck does too. Duffy is not bad but not good enough considering his key role in the team.

Holmes was the man that got away. I think you are right about Stevens and hopefully Freeman can continue to do as well on the right.

Carruthers' form could determine our season.

 

[Tyler Durden]

I like it when you talk football. It's usually insightful and measured..
Your politics measure up to mine too.. the rest.... Sigh..
Anyway, last night..
Agree with your assessment other than Stearman who I thought looked quality in the role he filled.
No frills, sharp in the tackle, strength belies his slight physique, good in air. Can't see what's not to like with him.
Also mention to Eastwood, who surprised me with his performance.

I forgot to mention Eastwood. He did very well in unexpected circumstances. Commanded his area very well and made more than one potentially game changing save, and importantly, he communicates with the defenders. Overall very strong in an area which looked like being our weakest last night.
If I was to summarise in general I'd say that the team in general need just a few more run-outs in order to get back into the routine. Stoke on Tuesday will be a good test.
There's a daft tendency for people to view pre-season as being set in stone for the year ahead. Some players who haven't necessarily shined of late might well come to the fore with increased fitness and game time, others might drop off in the league.
Everything is in flux at the minute and that's natural.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Brooks- keep him in the squad, ease him into the championship via the bench. See what happens. It's one thing tearing non league sides and league one sides up....it's another thing in live games that mean something in the championship.

Strikers need games to get that sharpness, pre season concentrates on fitness first of all so I expect their game to come back into line over the next two weeks.

Defence is pretty good for me. Obviously it's been disappointing that Baldock has gained an injury but that's life.

My concerns are that Evans seems a long way off match fitness, and by the description of Moore I would say now it's ACL damage. Lavery is hit and cold and impact sub.
So, new striker and Goalkeeper are looking crucial.
I'm sure Wilder has it in hand though, and perhaps the injuries have meant the board are looking at the budget and realising it needs raising. But I'm confident we will have things ready for the season opener.

Only problem, is that it takes time for strikers and keepers to form partnerships and understanding.

 

[sufcboy95]

Positives- Stevens has looked class and expect him to take over from lafferty. Bash and JOC have carried their form on from last year. Stearman seems to have settled well in the centre, feel for jake wright though. And of cause David brooks

Negatives-Fleck and freeman have both been poor, expect them both to pick it up though. And my main concern is we're very light up top. Sharp and Clark have both been poor. Evans is no where near fit. Hanson isn't good enough. And I like Lavery but just don't see him as a goal scorer

 

[coolhandluke]

Positives- Stevens has looked class and expect him to take over from lafferty. Bash and JOC have carried their form on from last year. Stearman seems to have settled well in the centre, feel for jake wright though. And of cause David brooks

Negatives-Fleck and freeman have both been poor, expect them both to pick it up though. And my main concern is we're very light up top. Sharp and Clark have both been poor. Evans is no where near fit. Hanson isn't good enough. And I like Lavery but just don't see him as a goal scorer

Agreed . I also agree that relegation is a certainty.

 

[LSF]

I forgot to mention Eastwood. He did very well in unexpected circumstances. Commanded his area very well and made more than one potentially game changing save, and importantly, he communicates with the defenders. Overall very strong in an area which looked like being our weakest last night.
If I was to summarise in general I'd say that the team in general need just a few more run-outs in order to get back into the routine. Stoke on Tuesday will be a good test.
There's a daft tendency for people to view pre-season as being set in stone for the year ahead. Some players who haven't necessarily shined of late might well come to the fore with increased fitness and game time, others might drop off in the league.
Everything is in flux at the minute and that's natural.

Yep, a good summary as to how I feel at this stage...
Mind you, listening to some around me, it was doom and gloom already and some of the slagging of players was depressing.

 

[FTPE]

Really proud of Eastman last night.
I've not seen enough of him to say he's already enough cover for Moore but I've been impressed enough to say that even if he isn't, he's not far off.

 

[coolhandluke]

Undoubtedly far more negatives than positives for me . Injuries to Boldock , Evans and now Moore are even worse news . Has anyone also noticed how another of our new signings has been quietly shuffled off to the U23's ?

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

The club want to use Brooks very carefully or he will get footy burnout,not had a rest due to Toulon,and young lads need to able to recharge there batteries.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Yep, a good summary as to how I feel at this stage...
Mind you, listening to some around me, it was doom and gloom already and some of the slagging of players was depressing.

It's a volatile fanbase, has been for as long as I can remember, any sense of perspective goes out of the window, and being in their company over the course of a season it gets very tiresome.
The infighting in the stands (physical I might add) was even feature last season, on more than one occasion. It'll be an even more common thing this season I fear.

 

[adebo]

A quick mention for baldock who was great against stocksbridge. Freeman has his handsfull holding his spot this season. Baldocks delivery was better than freemans. However freeman will score more goals because he likes to get in front of goal. Close call and tough competition there

 

[blade too long]

does anyone really expect fluidity in pre season friendlies

I think the training/ medical staff are just concerned with body fat index , oxygen in blood levels , recovery rates

CW wont be expecting fans going ole at a string of fluid passes

movement , shape , inter action and communication are all they are looking for

Such as Sharp and Fleck etc move through different gears in league games

in fact us winning 9-0 showed us far less than last nights game, the staff will get more feed back from that than a stroll in a one sided game

My only worry are injuries such as Moores, the players will step up when asked , when it matters

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Wow, 5 paragraphs dedicated to insignificant little me eh?
Have I started another one of your famous crybully meltdowns?

I shall now open a can of Vimto and look smug.

That explains it, it's the E numbers.

 

[Tyler Durden]

That explains it, it's the E numbers.

No, I just love purple.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Thing about Carruthers and Brooks is that they have loads of 'assists' in their game.

They will only have loads of assists if we have the strikers to convert them. Keeper & striker(s) required urgently.