So, it isnt just us noticing it.....

[blader]

Skysports match preview: "The Blades tried to play a different type of football at the start of the season, but the three-pronged attack was too predictable and teams were able to work them out. They have struggled for goals and all of their league wins this season have been by a slender 1-0 margin."

I like "the blades TRIED to play a different type of football...."

1. That means we had a go and failed.
2. suggesting were back to 'get it lump'd up'. harsh, and untrue, but nice to see other peoples perceptions.... :S

 

[axel smeets]

People will of course disagree, as is their right, but I have expounded this viewpoint to my mates at work: There was an attempted style change immediatley, and it was noticeable at Boro, home v Preston, away at Derby. Then, we played well v Scunthorpe at home for the first 30 minutes, could have been 3-0 up and failed to score.
Scunthorpe won 4-0, as we all know, and I think at this point, Speed's arse went. He was terrified of another 4-0 home reverse, or even worse away, so went back to a more 'blackwell' style of play in the hope that it would prevent us from shipping goals.

Thoughts?

 

[Blade]

agree entirely. scunthorpe was the turning point and disappointingly I would much rather we had continued on that initial path. it's hard to believe we would have got to this point with less points and the football was at least entertaining. rome wasn't built in a day yet I think Speed shat himself too early in the transitional stage. Up until the last few games and reid's appearance we've played little football of note. An over reliance on Richard fucking Cresswell has also paid it's toll.

I'm overjoyed with every 3 points we can pick up nowadays and was delighted last night but we desperately need to make sure we bring in a centre back, a left back and a forward who can make a difference by the end of january. Our surprising delay in finding a replacement for Morgan is giving me the shits every time the ball goes near our area and despite all three strikers claiming a goal yesterday the performance showed how impotent the current bunch of strikers are.

 

[alcoblade]

I see it differently. I think we're playing it totally different to the way we played under Blackwell. I don't see any sign of hoof and the players are trying to pass and move. But as was always the fear / reality, if you aren't winning games then nobody will either notice or give a fuck. I'm far happier with the football, but still far from pleased because we're not good enough where it counts. We need a striker and a midfielder when Reid goes back. And we need some organisation at the back. Until then we'll struggle, and any football we play will go un noticed.

UTB

 

[Kenilworth]

Not entirely the case IMO Alco.
There were plenty of times yesterday when defenders had the time to control the ball and build but they chose to thump it first time to no one in particular - or out of play instead. Nos did this a few times as did Jordan. When we break we seem to play the ball too short or just behind the running player so the passing appears disjointed and slow (contrast this with the speed that Palace players showed when breaking). I think this is a confidense issue and may get better the more points we pick up. Cannot fault the effort and commitment yesterday though.

 

[Blade58]

I think it's more of a halfway house.

The football is better than it was under Blackie, but we've toned it down a bit at the expense of trying to make us harder to beat.

Is it working?

I'll tell you in a couple of months time

And yes alco, we definately need a proven sniffer and Reidy here long term!

 

[grafikhaus]

GS did try a different style up to Scunthorpe. Trouble is, most of the players he inherited aren't good enough to carry it off. And no, it's not 'back to Blackwell'. That was truly turgid stuff and we usually didn't have a shot in the first hour.

Expect a season of transition, where avoiding the drop is paramount.