Sheffield United vs Bristol City

EFL Championship Matchweek 1 - Saturday 9th August 2025 - 17:30 - Bramall Lane
Please keep all discussion related to the match within this thread.

Player Ratings:
Matchday Stats/Player Ratings - https://www.s24su.com/forum/match-day/match/sheffield-united-vs-bristol-city.750/

Officials:

Referee: Josh Smith
Assistants: Sam Lewis and Andrew Dallison
Fourth Official: Tom Reeves

Coverage:

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Live TV Coverage:

SUTV (in Unsold Markets or Non-Televised in UK): https://www.sufc.co.uk/live/

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[Superjack]

Austrian, actually.

But they do tend to get historically mixed up.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

Agreed. Stinks of playing to the crowd that.

Was there anybody actually left in the ground.

 

[atlanticblade]

What set up?

You havent noticed all the vertical passing then, now weve stppped passing sideways and backwards all the time?

 

[Cheeky Blade]

Maybe the Snek will pop its head up this week with news on new CB’s…particularly if we’re losing Robbo also…we’re basically left with the U21’s and crocks.

 

[tyke1889]

Well on the plus side my phone received a signal in the ground for the first time ever so I could read these comments instead of watching the game

Mine fucking didn't! Who gets a signal in the South stand, and what operator do you use?

 

[Tom Bott]

2.35 xg for us vs 1.33 for them

3 points for only one team though.

 

[Linzip]

So worst start to a season at home for 71 years!!!!! Thanks to COH Sports!!!! That’s what you get with your ‘new approach / AI’ ….. with no money!!!!!

Ask yourself why Americans want to buy a football club they know nothing about. They have already borrowed money against our 2027 parachute payments.

 

[Racing Blade]

As bad as that looked, a quality and commanding LCB to nurture Bindon and compensate for Burrows’ many defensive inadequacies would make a big difference. So would a quality CDM in place of Peck - hopefully that is Soumare.

Obviously, other things need to happen apart from that, but those two things would address the worst of it.

We then need a RB, RW & a striker to compete with Campbell.

Although a big plus was Campbell lasting for 90 minutes. Another was our xG. But defensively, including the midfield, it was shocking.

Agreed. Add a Harry Souttar and a Vini Souza to tonight's team and Bristol City don't win.

Sometimes, in football, you look at things, scratch your head, and wonder how on earth there's a way of improving a side.

Not the case here. It's crystal clear what needs to be done. Over to the board and management team to get it done and done in good time.

 

[ForgeBlade]

That was fucking tragic. Not much else to say, we got humiliated at home by a side that we spanked 6-0 over 2 games less than 4 months ago.

 

[MartBlade]

Agreed. Add a Harry Souttar and a Vini Souza to tonight's team and Bristol City don't win.

Sometimes, in football, you look at things, scratch your head, and wonder how on earth there's a way of improving a side.

Not the case here. It's crystal clear what needs to be done. Over to the board and management team to get it done and done in good time.

Need whoever we bring in to have some presence and leadership qualities too… I couldn’t see a single leader on the pitch today. It’s vital that we get some experienced voices to get the best from the youngsters.

 

[reedy63]

That was one of the worst opening games of the season at Bramall Lane.
Where is the defence? Every time Bristol City went forward, they cut through with ease.
A centre Half or two are needed urgently. The American owners must give the money to buy new players.
Selles tactics are very poor, must improve or he will be sacked before we've played ten games.

 

[Alfiesdad]

I thought we might struggle without a defensive midfielder, a makeshift centre back partnership and a right fullback and winger combo that can't defend, but that performance was a self inflicted horror show.
Was it naivety, arrogance or just plain uselessness on the managers part to expect that starting 11 to succeed in a game playing those tactics?
After the equaliser, while people were marvelling over our attacking intent, all I could see were massive holes, no block to prevent a counter, you know that thing where a Coutts or Vinni drops in.
The opposition could see it and ruthlessly exploited it. RND has never been that good and is even worse since his injury.
What does Selles see in him in training that makes him think he's a centreback?
People around me screaming to get Jack Robinson on! Yes him, last years scapegoat to steady the ship.
I'm pretty sure a manager once said, play round them, play through them or play over them. Well BC did all those things against us.
Mitigate that, Happy Clappers

 

[Th!stledo]

View attachment 218817

Was totally shell-shocked after the game. I get that sometimes one gets things wrong and moving forward, can then look at rectifying the errors.
The above and listening to Selles's interview on Sky, it seems like he feels the team and the tactics were good enough to get a positive result and that they just fell short.
I find this concerning.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Well on the plus side my phone received a signal in the ground for the first time ever so I could read these comments instead of watching the game

A bloke in front of me was reading the programme half of the second half.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

I thought we might struggle without a defensive midfielder, a makeshift centre back partnership and a right fullback and winger combo that can't defend, but that performance was a self inflicted horror show.
Was it naivety, arrogance or just plain uselessness on the managers part to expect that starting 11 to succeed in a game playing those tactics?
After the equaliser, while people were marvelling over our attacking intent, all I could see were massive holes, no block to prevent a counter, you know that thing where a Coutts or Vinni drops in.
The opposition could see it and ruthlessly exploited it. RND has never been that good and is even worse since his injury.
What does Selles see in him in training that makes him think he's a centreback?
People around me screaming to get Jack Robinson on! Yes him, last years scapegoat to steady the ship.
I'm pretty sure a manager once said, play round them, play through them or play over them. Well BC did all those things against us.
Mitigate that, Happy Clappers

It was totally horrific , beginning to end. Two people texting me at half time telling me it was a good first half...'attacking intent.'

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Can't wait for the defense of this shower from jimmy ramble side kick man mountain who has defended the club owners all summer over transfer judgement at end of window christ

Only one channel where the truth is allowed, Just United.

 

[Bookers Mullet]

The match yesterday reminded me the most of was Newcastle at home in the premier league, we were shambolic and cut open with ease.

Against Bristol city.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Wasn't quite sure what to expect at yesterday's opener but didn't expect a damn good thrashing.

The back line needs sorting of course. We did have a prolonged passage of play in the first half but our numerous corners with no reward revealed no power in the air. Hamer's more effective further forward too.

New manager, new system and some new faces means the kindest thing I can say is that we are a work in progress.

 

[The Crab]

Well…

Not the best introduction to Selles-ball

Any attacking positives are swamped by some really baffling defending.

If it’s clear to us laymen where the problems lie, it doesn’t seem clear to our manager and coaches, and for me starts to bring into question the strategy of the board. Not just yesterday but we’ve had a full pre season to sort this

 

[KMC-1889]

The most worrying thing about yesterday is how weak we looked both mentally and physically. Shrugged off the ball by their back line, outpaced by their midfield but even worse mentally weak when the third goal went in.

Up to half time we were in it, and looked the more likely to go and score a couple. As soon as the third goal went in the heads went. Same as last season.

 

[Alfiesdad]

It was totally horrific , beginning to end. Two people texting me at half time telling me it was a good first half...'attacking intent.'

Exactly, suicide football, but apparently for some, that is this seasons acceptable.

 

[skegblade]

Watched on TV we had a corner on the 87th minute the camera was at the side of him the stand was virtually empty

When will a Sheffield club get proper backing.
Utd just seem to get owners with no money behind em.

But everything looked rosy when they came in according to some
The American dream every one's a trillionaire

 

[utd4ever]

Watched on TV we had a corner on the 87th minute the camera was at the side of him the stand was virtually empty

But everything looked rosy when they came in according to some
The American dream every one's a trillionaire

Yep. Dreams dashed every time.

 

[HillStreet Blade]

Mine fucking didn't! Who gets a signal in the South stand, and what operator do you use?

O2, I was very surprised.

 

[tyke1889]

O2, I was very surprised.

I'm on 3's signal on iD, poor in the stand but zero in the concourse.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Exactly, suicide football, but apparently for some, that is this seasons acceptable.

“Apparently” doing some heavy lifting there.

Has anyone actually said that on here so we can mock?

 

[Shawy24]

The defeat was on the cards from the moment we saw how he set up in pre season. All bomb forward and then try and rush back with the midget midfield chasing the big quick lads is like school footie. Even with the most obviously needed defensive reinforcements in place you’re not going to defend from the front with two little wingers, one paced Peck and lazy Hamer in a “system” like that.

It was all too obvious. Back and forth along the back line again. No one to take the ball in midfield. No one to break the lines so out to the wing it goes. Bit of excitement and a corner. Whoopy Bloody Do, because there is NO ONE available in that team to convert the long aerial lob into the box. Then, oh shit, they’ve broken. Help help, where is everyone?

Just two more things on this rant. What the fuck Selles thought RND would bring to the team is beyond me but just let me remind the Widler boys, that it was Widler that failed to sign a competent centre back, played Robinson so he could claim a contract extension, gave RND a new contract and signed the gloriously misnamed Cannon.

Finally. Dear American Owners. This is not a play station game. This is not FIFA 25. This is not a game where statistical analysis of performance in isolation can trump someone who knows how to create a team. If we get ten chances and they get three, we win, doesn’t and has never worked as a certainty in this game.

AND it takes more than a few banners and flag waving to create a team. Spend it on the team because with this club, no team, no supporters, no money because we’re not a cult like the other lot and things can get very prickly in that car park if we feel we are being taken for a ride.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

I'm on 3's signal on iD, poor in the stand but zero in the concourse.

Vodafone is a bit shit on the kop.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

The defeat was on the cards from the moment we saw how he set up in pre season. All bomb forward and then try and rush back with the midget midfield chasing the big quick lads is like school footie. Even with the most obviously needed defensive reinforcements in place you’re not going to defend from the front with two little wingers, one paced Peck and lazy Hamer in a “system” like that.

It was all too obvious. Back and forth along the back line again. No one to take the ball in midfield. No one to break the lines so out to the wing it goes. Bit of excitement and a corner. Whoopy Bloody Do, because there is NO ONE available in that team to convert the long aerial lob into the box. Then, oh shit, they’ve broken. Help help, where is everyone?

Just two more things on this rant. What the fuck Selles thought RND would bring to the team is beyond me but just let me remind the Widler boys, that it was Widler that failed to sign a competent centre back, played Robinson so he could claim a contract extension, gave RND a new contract and signed the gloriously misnamed Cannon.

Finally. Dear American Owners. This is not a play station game. This is not FIFA 25. This is not a game where statistical analysis of performance in isolation can trump someone who knows how to create a team. If we get ten chances and they get three, we win, doesn’t and has never worked as a certainty in this game.

AND it takes more than a few banners and flag waving to create a team. Spend it on the team because with this club, no team, no supporters, no money because we’re not a cult like the other lot and things can get very prickly in that car park if we feel we are being taken for a ride.

Good mention of school football. Our defending and midfield yesterday behaved like 11 year olds, three people trying to do the same thing, all running for the ball simultaneously.

 

[Alfiesdad]

“Apparently” doing some heavy lifting there.

Has anyone actually said that on here so we can mock?

Sorry you got triggered by the word "apparently". I really don't want to get into it with people on here