Quick Walsall report

[Balham]

We drew 1-1 in an open game on a cold afternoon.

The first half saw our only chances being a free header 5 yards out from Hammond and a goal disallowed for offside while the home side hit the crossbar twice and drew an excellent double save from Long.

After the break we were eventually punished by a cross-field ball with Bradshaw tapping in unmarked at the back post before Baxter drew is level against the run of play, hitting the bottom corner from 20 yards. Adams had a decent chance one on one and should have had a penalty but Walsall also had some decent pressure so a draw isn't the worst result.

Marks:

Long 8: the double save in the first half was excellent and he also made a couple of decent stops in the second half. No chance with the goal.

Freeman 7: occasionally caught out by Walsall constantly looking to switch the play but generally defended well.

Basham 7: did fairly well after getting turned a couple of times in the first half

Collins 8: I've been really critical of Collins but he was excellent today. Defended well and bailed out Basham. Had a couple of decent opportunities from corners too

Harris 7: see Freeman. Booked.

Baxter 7: stated on the right but moved into the no10 role after half an hour. Occasionally guilty of showing the play too much but generally good in possession

Coutts 6: did OK but lack of mobility is shown up playing alongside Hammond. Tidy in possession but struggled to get close to Evans and Sawyer.

Hammond 3: awful. Don't know what Adkins sees in him. Out of possession he struggled more than Coutts, with the ball he was wasteful. Should have been substituted.

Campbell-Ryce 6: negated on the left as he has no left foot. On the receiving end of some roughhouse treatment.

Adams 5: should have had a penalty and should have scored but his defending just isn't good enough. Didn't really do that much in attack

Sharp 5: not happening for Offside Billy at the moment, isolated for the hour he was on the pitch.

Subs
Sammon 6: put himself about
Scougall n/a: did OK

Adkins 4: poor substitutions, we were losing the game in central midfield but he replaced the centre forward and winger


Referee: absolutely woeful. I know as a football fan I'm biased but he was a complete homer

 

[sheff_blade90]

agree with majority above, delighted to see long have another great game partially them 4 saves (but sure them long detractors will still complain)

anyone a know hypnotist to make this lot believe we start games 0-1, Why do we have to wait til we go behind, to start finally put the opposition under some pressure & becoming a attacking threat because listening today was so frustrating as for me it was almost a carbon copy of Southend game we've played great in last 2 games v southend & walsall but only once when 0-2 & 0-1 down as we could easily have won the last 2 & been 6th 4pts off auto instead of 11th 8pts off

 

[Grey Blade]

Agree with most of that. Maybe give Hammond 4. I thought he may need time to settle in but surely he has had long enough now.

 

[Coily]

Hammond 3: awful. Don't know what Adkins sees in him. Out of possession he struggled more than Coutts, with the ball he was wasteful. Should have been substituted.

Have just listened to Adkins' interview and what struck me with the huge amount of praise that he heaped on Hammond. He can't wait to see the stat analysis apparently, does so much work that people either don't see or don't want to see.

Now I can't comment directly as I didn't go, but I think Adkins is playing a dangerous game with this line. We may not all be qualified experts of the game, but making out that we can't see what is in front of us is patronising frankly. And after 3 wins in 13, he's hardly in football genius territory himself.

 

[Chezzy Blades]

Collins 8: I've been really critical of Collins but he was excellent today. Defended well and bailed out Basham. Had a couple of decent opportunities from corners too

I saw this the other way. Thought Basham's pace saved Collins a few times and he put in more than one last ditch tackle in both halves. That said, both were a marked improvement on recent centre half performances.

 

[Trigger Blade]

Have just listened to Adkins' interview and what struck me with the huge amount of praise that he heaped on Hammond. He can't wait to see the stat analysis apparently, does so much work that people either don't see or don't want to see.

Now I can't comment directly as I didn't go, but I think Adkins is playing a dangerous game with this line. We may not all be qualified experts of the game, but making out that we can't see what is in front of us is patronising frankly. And after 3 wins in 13, he's hardly in football genius territory himself.

Adkins said the same last week about Hammond and that fans don't understand the unseen work that he does. I watched really closely today and concentrated very hard and there wasn't much to get excited about.

The free header was pathetic, so not jumping quite high enough is one of his skills (and he really didn't need to get up much to be above the ball), along with being knocked off the ball by smaller opponents, as well as sidefooting passes to no effect.

However, the main problem is that paired with Coutts, there's no forward monentum in the middle. They're too similar, although Coutts does create openings. Walsall were much quicker than us at going forward, we must be the only team that backpedals faster than it attacks

I saw some positives today, Long made a couple of excellent saves, and the back four looked less in trouble, badly defended goal apart.

Che is in danger of becoming a man with a reputation of going down easily, I couldn't be sure about today's shout for a pen, but he had the keeper and a defender both diving in and it would surely have been given at the other end.

It's not the disaster the X Factor generation, want it now, attention seeking foot stampers would have you believe and we battled for a point, but play offs look optimistic on that showing.

 

[Jehovah]

If we continue to pay Long, Coutts and Hammond in the same team, that's me done.

 

[Blade56]

 

[Paulus]

Agree, Basham was very good today Collins was average. We rode our luck in the first half which evened us up from the second half last week. I would go:

Long 7: Freeman 6: Basham 8: Collins 6: Harris 6: Baxter 8: Coutts 6: Hammond 5: Campbell-Ryce 6: Adams 5: Sharp 6:

Toss up between Baxter and Basham for our MOM and I'd give it to Baxter on the basis of his excellent finish and a couple of sublime passes. Samson was effective as a sub and gave the team a boost, Scoogs less so. If I were in Adkins place next time out I'd keep it much as today but start with Done and leave Adams on the bench. My hardest decision would be whether to start with Billy or the Fish.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Can't find the highlights on Sky's website (yet) but did catch a glimpse of it on TV. Looks like we were caught napping at the back when Walsall scored, leaving Bradshaw unmarked for a tap-in.

 

[Sirius]

Have just listened to Adkins' interview and what struck me with the huge amount of praise that he heaped on Hammond. He can't wait to see the stat analysis apparently, does so much work that people either don't see or don't want to see.

Now I can't comment directly as I didn't go, but I think Adkins is playing a dangerous game with this line. We may not all be qualified experts of the game, but making out that we can't see what is in front of us is patronising frankly. And after 3 wins in 13, he's hardly in football genius territory himself.

Adams has told us that the present side aren't good enough to get promoted. Three wins out of thirteen games suggests he's bang on the money with that. We have lost winnable games because our manager is arrogant enough to believe we can wait another month, lose more points before he decides it's time to play catch up with unidentified players,.
The time to act is now, in fact it's past high time to do something positive, to gain precious points through December. Get your finger out Mr Adkins.

 

[Dkc]

Imagine if we'd kept Clough as manager and were experiencing such mid-table mediocracy at this stage of the season. He'd certainly be in danger of losing his job, and the majority of fans would be calling for his head. On paper Adkins was the best man for the job. What is it about the Blades that turn decent players and managers into crap ones?

 

[blader]

Think there's a lot of generosity in those marks.

Baxter was head and shoulders above anyone else in our team and it would be unfair to give anyone a mark within one of his IMO.

First half we were outclassed (by Walsall!) in every department. Sawyer absolutely ran midfield (I would love to have him in our team) we crested absolutely nothing and they could have been 3/4-0 to the good.

Second half started much the same until they inevitably, and deservedly, scored. Then, we finally realised w needed to score a goal and stepped it up a gear. For the remainder of the game we matched them, no more than that, but at least we competed. This seemed to coincide with Sammon's sub to be fair to him, at least he made a nuisance of himself. We were still too narrow and the ball appeared to be a hot potato.

We are so slow and lack so much quality in every department, it makes for painful watching. Especially when you see other sides pass and create space with such ease.

My ratings:

Long - 6.5 - made some good saves, but a couple of them he brought on himself by not collecting first time. Lack any confidence when crosses come into the box.

Freeman - 5.5 - poor by his standards. Didn't assist attacks and left way too much space for their full back to attack. Has been fairly decent this year but not today.

Basham - 6.5 - good in patches. Passing fairly average as usual but tidied up generally quite well in defence.

Collins - 6 - was fairly good first 30 I thought. At least, he seemed to be in the end of most crosses and long balls to get a head on it, however once he headed it the ball could have gone anywhere. Deteriorated as the game went on and terrifies me with the ball st his feet.

Harris - 5.5 - very similar to freeman. Barely offered anything going forward but made 2/3 reasonable tackles. Still too narrow just like Freeman.

Baxter - 8 - would be great player in a better team. Makes intelligent passes, creates space and scored a good goal. Unfortunately he was shoved out on the right first half but naturally came inside which left us bare on the right. Much more effective when moved central and scored s good goal.

Coutts - 5.5 - did ok first half. Didn't even notice him second half. Not the answer.

Hammond - 5 - I'm never sure whether it's Coutts or Hammond on the ball, or who makes a tackle because they are the same player in ever respect. Offers nothing new.

JCR - 4.5 - not his day. You can usually tell after 15 minutes if it is his day or not and today wasn't. Rarely (if ever) beat his man, didn't get any crosses in and was generally anonymous.

Adams - 5 - average. Didn't do too much, got into a decent position about twice in the 90 minutes. Was completely ineffective as a striker and improved slightly when put out wide

Sharp - 4 - not his day, rightly subbed. I do feel sorry for him as he gets little service, well not of any quality anyway. Seemed to play deeper today just not sure he'll ever be a success as Sheff Utd, which is clearly the club's fault as he has succeeded everywhere else!

Sammon - 7 - good. Came on, put himself about, harried defenders and won the ball in good areas. As good as he has been for a while.

Scougall - 2 - waste of space. Tries hard but offers no quality. Cannot understand for the life of me why he got on ahead of Done. Another who should be shipped out ASAP.


All in all, another thoroughly depressing day to be a blade. We somehow got a point but on another day would have been beaten easily. Oh well, never mind, think it's gonna save me a load of time/money going to watch them much more this season!

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

fans don't understand the unseen work that he does

Adkins didn't say that. And in his interview today he spoke specifically about the shift that Hammond put in.

I didn't see it myself - but maybe that's the point: he's cutting down their options by working his socks off. If we've got a real grafter in midfield then that gives us a base to work from.

I remain unconvinced, but, for now, trust Adkins' judgement.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Can't find the highlights on Sky's website (yet) but did catch a glimpse of it on TV. Looks like we were caught napping at the back when Walsall scored, leaving Bradshaw unmarked for a tap-in.

To leave Bradshaw that amount of space was criminal, Bash looked the culprit but I wasn't there. Decent point though today against one of the leagues bigger clubs

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I'd give it to Baxter on the basis of his excellent finish and a couple of sublime passes.

Haven't seen it mentioned yet, but Baxter whacked a similar pass to his one at Bradford over towards Adams at 1-1 after Sharp had gone off. I think had Sharp been on he'd had controlled it forward to run onto rather than floor it – at the time it was delivered it looked a cracking pass that Adams sadly didn't capitalise on.

 

[mosbolad]

If we continue to pay Long, Coutts and Hammond in the same team, that's me done.

Good!

 

[bartman]

Agree, Basham was very good today Collins was average. We rode our luck in the first half which evened us up from the second half last week. I would go:

Long 7: Freeman 6: Basham 8: Collins 6: Harris 6: Baxter 8: Coutts 6: Hammond 5: Campbell-Ryce 6: Adams 5: Sharp 6:

Toss up between Baxter and Basham for our MOM and I'd give it to Baxter on the basis of his excellent finish and a couple of sublime passes. Samson was effective as a sub and gave the team a boost, Scoogs less so. If I were in Adkins place next time out I'd keep it much as today but start with Done and leave Adams on the bench. My hardest decision would be whether to start with Billy or the Fish.

I thought Baxter Coutts and Long were stand outs today.Basham in particular liked lost when they had there dominant 20 mins in the first half.

We played ok at first but stopped closing down which let them get a foothold. Long kept us in it. Adams had a nightmare offering no support to an isolated Sharp or cover for Harris.

After we scored it was an even game and was end to end with Walsall relying on set pieces.

Hammond had his best game for us and was still poor. Felt sorry for Sharp.Hos effort is not questioned but he is not a lone striker.

As for the ref. Frustrating in his inconsistency and bottled three decisions- the crude tackle from behind on JCR early on, the penalty and the handball ( again in the area) yet he gave a similar one in their favour later on)

 

[Northyorksblade]

Adkins didn't say that. And in his interview today he spoke specifically about the shift that Hammond put in.

I didn't see it myself - but maybe that's the point: he's cutting down their options by working his socks off. If we've got a real grafter in midfield then that gives us a base to work from.

I remain unconvinced, but, for now, trust Adkins' judgement.

You know when we get a player from a higher league who comes with decent credentials, the first game he plays, I want to come away from the game, win or lose, saying, 'I really like the look of x.' Didn't say this first second, third or subsequent games. If you can't see the difference in his play from the rest, then IMO he's not good enough.

 

[Pragmatic Blade]

I was at the game yesterday and sat on the side behind the dug outs. I agree with Blader in that the marks Balham handed out were generous. Personally, I think it is unfair to single out Hammond, he was no better or worse than a number of our other players yesterday and Baxter looked the only player capable of a bit of class which is often the case.

One final point, although we defended better as a whole, I thought our full-backs were poor today, and Lalkovic (the Walsall no. 15) gave Freeman a torrid time. I was glad when he was subbed towards the end!

This was a point gained and if we go on to win the next two, 7 from 9 isn't a bad return. However, we haven't won back to back games for months!

 

[bartman]

I was at the game yesterday and sat on the side behind the dug outs. I agree with Blader in that the marks Balham handed out were generous. Personally, I think it is unfair to single out Hammond, he was no better or worse than a number of our other players yesterday and Baxter looked the only player capable of a bit of class which is often the case.

One final point, although we defended better as a whole, I thought our full-backs were poor today, and Lalkovic (the Walsall no. 15) gave Freeman a torrid time. I was glad when he was subbed towards the end!

This was a point gained and if we go on to win the next two, 7 from 9 isn't a bad return. However, we haven't won back to back games for months!

Agree Freeman was poor but he did have two players attacking him as he had no support from Adams

 

[Woodwardfan]

Just watched the highlights and it was Hammond who got turned inside out for their goal and didn't prevent the pass to the scorer. Not good enough, but at least he was there I suppose.

 

[mosbolad]

Can't find the highlights on Sky's website (yet) but did catch a glimpse of it on TV. Looks like we were caught napping at the back when Walsall scored, leaving Bradshaw unmarked for a tap-in.

http://www.skysports.com/football/walsall-vs-sheff-utd/report/340297

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

You know when we get a player from a higher league who comes with decent credentials, the first game he plays, I want to come away from the game, win or lose, saying, 'I really like the look of x.' Didn't say this first second, third or subsequent games. If you can't see the difference in his play from the rest, then IMO he's not good enough.

I can't see it because it's not there or I'm looking for the wrong thing or I'm looking in the wrong place.

Hammond's and Adkins' substantial credentials suggest second and third are possible.

Maybe he's a water carrier/domestique like Deschamps.

 

[Northyorksblade]

I can't see it because it's not there or I'm looking for the wrong thing or I'm looking in the wrong place.

Hammond's and Adkins' substantial credentials suggest second and third are possible.

Maybe he's a water carrier/domestique like Deschamps.

But the point I'm making, is that purely as an onlooker, with no credentials, after this many games surely I would have spotted something a bit better than we already have. He should shine in our team.

 

[Leonardo Green]

I thought it was dreadful from start to finish.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

But the point I'm making, is that purely as an onlooker, with no credentials, after this many games surely I would have spotted something a bit better than we already have. He should shine in our team.

Tbh I agree.

Adkins mentioned specifically the amount of ground Hammond covered yesterday. If he spends his time doing the defensive work of two players, which we've needed, then that's a substantial but often invisible contribution.

I don't see it but the evidence says it might well be there so I reserve judgement for now.

 

[judge]

My observations are that the players seem to be in a trance when we dont have the ball
Che adams was definetly fouled
Too many beards

 

[Woodwardfan]

Haven't seen it mentioned yet, but Baxter whacked a similar pass to his one at Bradford over towards Adams at 1-1 after Sharp had gone off. I think had Sharp been on he'd had controlled it forward to run onto rather than floor it – at the time it was delivered it looked a cracking pass that Adams sadly didn't capitalise on.

Pure class and he repeats it when there is a willing runner.

Adams has faults but at least he makes the runs and if he does Baxter will see the run and it's something defences can't cope with, better than playing across the front of them all the time.

Further point is that such runs and through balls aren't there in home games when the opposition have all their men back; some teams even do that to us in our away matches ( Crewe, Burton etc.).

 

[BushBlade]

Imagine if we'd kept Clough as manager and were experiencing such mid-table mediocracy at this stage of the season. He'd certainly be in danger of losing his job, and the majority of fans would be calling for his head. On paper Adkins was the best man for the job. What is it about the Blades that turn decent players and managers into crap ones?

But we'd have reasonably expected Clough to have sorted out the problems of last season by now. He'd have had more or less two years at the club so it wouldn't be unfair to expect him to have made some progress. Just like if we're in the same position this time next year, it would be reasonable to criticise Adkins.