Match Thread Preston NE v The Mighty Blades

[Not_a_Cheat]

So after the disappointing, and probably undeserved defeat last week to Bristol City, we travel to Preston NE in search of a turn in form. Preston come into the game looking for their third straight win. They're already unbeaten in five, compared to our 4 without a win. For what it's worth though, they haven't beaten us at Deepdale in our last 5 visits....

Anyway...

Any team news?

Carruthers presumably coming in for Fleck?

Otherwise unchanged?

Or mix it up a bit with a Brooks start?

Really difficult test this afternoon. Scarily I feel the grumblings will be starting if we do go five without a win, but I think we'll turn the corner today, and come away with a 2-1 win. Well we can hope so at least....

Safe journey lads and lasses

UTB

 

[Dellas Cowboys]

take care on the Snake Pass if going that way, gritted but possible icy patches

http://glossop.online/traffic/a57-snake-pass-traffic-live.php

 

[Tommoblade66]

Pubs in Manchester anyone, stopping off

 

[Grappler]

Staying over in Preston, some good old boozers in the centre (and a decent Wetherspoons over the road), going by train with Mrs G, didn't want to risk the roads (Snake) when we booked the tickets.

There was a time when I would have said this would be easily winnable, but I see this going either way. Hopefully we come away with all three points.

UTB.

 

[Stretch]

A tough fixture before our midfield woes so even tougher now. Ben Pearson for them is a right dirty sod and will look to leave his mark on our lads and Johnson has a wonderful engine. We need to make sure we aren't bullied in there so tempted to go Bash and Lunny with Duffy (of course).
Wright back in as sweeper as well, Steerman and Joc either side.

Not nearly as fluid as we are used to but one of those games to grind something out of in my opinion.

Most likely a draw but hoping for a 2-1 Blades win [Clarke and Sharp]

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

All depends on how we cope with Johnson and Gallagher.

All depends on how they cope with Duffy and Lundstram.

But we have Billy Sharpe nah nah nah nah.

 

[Champagneblade]

I’m in a restaurant in Singapore and I’ve just spied they have Peroni on tap.

If this isn’t the omen we’re all looking for, then I don’t know what is.

It would be nice to get a few unexpected wins after playing well in a few games recently and not getting the deserved victory.

We need to remember the art of defence a little.

I can see Bash and Lundstram in the middle of the park. I’m slightly over my “throw Brooks in” moment, unless it’s for Billy. We could do with a bit of Big Sam back to basics on defending.

I’d take a bit less overlapping centre backs in this one and happily have the experience of Wright and Stearman alongside O’Connell.

Given we’re away, not losing wouldn’t be the worst. Perhaps Knill can step in and stop Wilder subbing the whole defence and throwing forwards on. “Come on Chris, leave it. He’s not worth it!”

Despite our wobble, a win puts us 13 above Wednesday once more. How their form has nosedived!

Peroni now in hand, come on you Red and White Wizaaaaards!!!

 

[Camden Blade]

I am just pulling into Preston Station now on train from London and the rain has lifted and sun is shining. Tough fixture but I had doubts about a lot of games this season Leeds away etc which we won. I know we are short in midfield but we're due some luck. 2.1 Blades. Spoke too soon. Rain.

 

[Bladebri]

I hope this is our worst ever game and we win 0-10

 

[Harry's Game]

First time on a game day since September when you have to say we are not favourites to win the match.

I expect that Bash will be pushed into midfield and CCV will come back in.

Personally I would switch to a back four today, I think Stearman and CCV would be more comfortable and then flood the midfield with five and play Clarke up top as loan striker. However I dont think CW will do that and we will stick to 3-5-2

Tough ask today, a point is always decent away in this league and would snatch your hand off if offered one today with our depleted ranks.

Think we may go down 1-2 or 1-3 today.

 

[8lade]

Hoping for a start of
Mooore
Stevens
O'Connell
Stearman
Wright
Baldock
Duffy
Basham
Lundstram
Clarke
Sharp

With
Blackman
Lafferty
CCV
Carruthers
Brooks
Lavery
Donaldson

If that's the starting line up and we lose I'll give up managing for good!

 

[Dkc]

Yep, if it wasn't for Fleck's red card I'd say we did well against City so no changes. But the lack of Fleck might require a shift in tactics. But the thing I love about Wilder's teams is that we never go defensive.

 

[BigBed]

Please, Please, just fuckin win!!

 

[Tom Bott]

defensive.

Might need to Google this word, is it slang for playing like a bunch of pigs with a clueless manager ?

 

[UnitedBlade]

Hoping for a start of
Mooore
Stevens
O'Connell
Stearman
Wright
Baldock
Duffy
Basham
Lundstram
Clarke
Sharp

With
Blackman
Lafferty
CCV
Carruthers
Brooks
Lavery
Donaldson

If that's the starting line up and we lose I'll give up managing for good!

Rumour from Shoutbox that Duffy has gone down with an illness.

None of the Holy Trinity.

 

[8lade]

Rumour from Shoutbox that Duffy has gone down with an illness.

None of the Holy Trinity.

Well in keeping with that; 'holy fuck'.
Carruthers my man step up to the plate.

 

[1973Blade]

I'd accept a dull 0-0 today!

 

[SteveBlade]

- Clarke - Brooks -
- Carruthers -
Lundstram - Bash
Stevens - JOC - Wright - CCV - Baldock
- Moore -

I think we'd need Basham in midfield, although I hate losing him from defence, but we're very fucking short. Carruthers really needs to step up today, and a quality Brooks performance might be required if we want to get anything.

 

[8lade]

I don't believe in football gods but they're a malevolent set of bastards that I don't believe in

 

[Tom Bott]

Sometimes you wish that statisticians would find another job.

• Sheffield United's Championship win percentage when injured midfielder Paul Coutts has appeared this season is 69% (11 wins in 16) - without him, it is just 20% (1 win in 5).

 

[Nade]

- Clarke - Brooks -
- Carruthers -
Lundstram - Bash
Stevens - JOC - Wright - CCV - Baldock
- Moore -

I think we'd need Basham in midfield, although I hate losing him from defence, but we're very fucking short. Carruthers really needs to step up today, and a quality Brooks performance might be required if we want to get anything.

Why not Duffy? He's on fire at the moment.

 

[SteveBlade]

Why not Duffy? He's on fire at the moment.

He's defo in there if the rumours about him being ill aren't true.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Be tempted to go 3:1:4:1:1 today rather than the usual 3:4:1:2.

Moore
CCV Stearman or Wright JOC
Basham
Baldock Lundy Samir Enda
Duffy
Leon.

I wouldn’t be 100% sure about Samir, thus the reason I’d have Bash as a genuine holding DM to mop up after him !!!!

As sure as eggs is eggs, if Samir gets a chance, he MUST take it.

For this reason, I’m not at all sure he will get that chance, and that Tufty will revert to the side used against Bristol with CCV coming on for Bash at RCB with Bash moving up to replace Fleck.

Interesting selection dilemma !

UTB

 

[Harry's Game]

I don't believe in football gods but they're a malevolent set of bastards that I don't believe in

At least at the moment they have their evil eyes on both Sheffield Clubs.

 

[8lade]

At least at the moment they have their evil eyes on both Sheffield Clubs.

I don't know, we've got:
one out sick,
one injured,
one suspended for a poor tackle but previous tackles against our players much worse than that have gone unpunished
all from the same area of the pitch
plus the period of time we had both RWBs out at the same time.
In comparison to that Wednesday are just incompetent which is self inflicted (unless I've missed their injury list).

 

[HillmortonBlade]

I don't know, we've got:
one out sick,
one injured,
one suspended for a poor tackle but previous tackles against our players much worse than that have gone unpunished
all from the same area of the pitch
plus the period of time we had both RWBs out at the same time.
In comparison to that Wednesday are just incompetent which is self inflicted (unless I've missed their injury list).

It could be lack of depth, rather than football gods, luck, etc

 

[8lade]

It could be lack of depth, rather than football gods, luck, etc

No I'd disagree with that it's only because we have depth that we can still put out a decent midfield 3 and who has more than 2 specialist RWBs?
Any more midfield players out and we'll be wishing we had a recall on Whiteman.

 

[Large Mendonca]

- Clarke - Brooks -
- Carruthers -
Lundstram - Bash
Stevens - JOC - Wright - CCV - Baldock
- Moore -

I think we'd need Basham in midfield, although I hate losing him from defence, but we're very fucking short. Carruthers really needs to step up today, and a quality Brooks performance might be required if we want to get anything.

I'd go with exactly that if Duffy is out.

 

[HillmortonBlade]

No I'd disagree with that it's only because we have depth that we can still put out a decent midfield 3 and who has more than 2 specialist RWBs?
Any more midfield players out and we'll be wishing we had a recall on Whiteman.

Ah, agreed. I thought you were blaming the football gods for our woes!

I think we shall see over the next few weeks how strong we are in depth..

 

[SteveBlade]

Duffy out.

No Brooks anywhere.

Lavery on the bench.

Fucking Sharpe.