Southampton 1 United 0 - report/ratings

[Deadbat]

It was back-to-back defeats on the road as the Blades went down to defeat against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium in a midweek fixture in the Championship. Any slim chances United had of making the playoffs are surely now over, if it was not before this game. Attention will now turn to ensuring United do not get sucked back into the relegation zone, being only 4 points from the bottom three and tough games to come against Ipswich and Millwall in the next 10 days. It was only a single, deflected goal that decided proceedings but the home side were good value for the victory and were only tested in the final moments.



Wilder rotated his crew again with perhaps a reflection on a touch afternoon for 9 men in the defeat at Charlton and one eye on the forthcoming game at the weekend versus high flying Ipswich. Three changes were enforced with Tanganga and Soumare suspended and Bindon ill. However, Seriki, McCallum, Brooks and Bamford were also taken out of the line up with 7 changes in total. In came a completely new back four and Peck was back starting after injury. Chong and McGuiness both started, after not even making the bench at the weekend. There was still no place for Gus Hamer in the first eleven.



The home side also made 5 changes and seemingly switched their formation as they looked to do the double over the Blades. Hero from that game at the Lane, Ross Stewart, was preferred to leading scorer Adam Armstrong. Former Blade loanee Cameron Archer was on the bench.



United playing in purple, attacked their fans and Peck had a deflected effort that won an early corner but this came to nothing before Mee had to be alert at the other end. After only 6 minutes, United were behind, Hoever was caught in possession and the ball dropped for SCIENZA, who took it on and with no challenge incoming, hit a powerful shot but it deflected off Arblaster to wrongfoot Cooper and go into the net. It was a disastrous start for the Blades, coming off the back of the nightmare at the Valley.



Hoever’s poor start continued as he conceded a free kick. The delivery was not far away from Stephens. Hoever was able to get forward and make a positive contribution as he burst away from two men and found Chong, but the winger’s cross was rather aimless and the keeper Peretz punched away.



Stewart’s header from a corner was headed off the line by Arblaster before the Saints had a good shout for a penalty as Fellows stayed on his feet despite clear contact by Burrows who failed to execute a clean tackle. Southampton missed a fantastic opportunity to score a second as O’Hare’s loose pass saw Arblaster in trouble and the midfielder was muscled out of it. Downes took it on and played in Ayaz who seemed set to convert but made a hash of his close-range finish.



Jander then picked up the ball on the angle and fired a diagonal effort not far wide. It had been a dominating half from the Saints who had not been particularly brilliant but the lack of intensity and pressure on them from the opposition, it was easy for them to find space and create openings. At the other end, Campbell and Cannon had been completely isolated with O’Hare peripheral and Arblaster and Peck not able to have any control or ability to link play.



A rare chance came when a keeper kick out, was pounced on by O’Hare and he threaded it through for Campbell but the shot was fired off target.



After this moment of promise, United were back on the defensive. Hoever slipped and Scienza was away and came inside, hitting a fierce shot that was well saved by Cooper. Burrows managed to just get a foot to the ball to prevent any chance of a rebound. S



Scienza had been the outstanding player on the pitch and with Chong not supporting back defensively, Hoever was left on an island. Despite this, the Wolves loanee’s one on defending had been a real issue and he was beaten too easily again. This time Arblaster was able to make the block. The right back was once again beaten soon after as the Saints continued to exploit the United right side. Ayaz’s shot was off target.



The Blades were glad to hear the half time whistle in a game they had been outplayed and were lucky to still be in the game with the Saints missing other opportunities in addition to their goal. The Blades had not had a single shot on target and looked a side without belief and a clear plan of how to fashion opportunities.



United did fashion an attack as O’Hare broke but his shot hit a defender and deflected into the keeper. The corner was won by the head of Cannon but straight at the keeper – at least a shot on target. Southampton broke out on 48 minutes as possession was conceded but the ball was overhit and Cooper could clear. Scienza came inside and hit an effort over the bar as they continued to look to him.



O’Hare was booked after he slipped on the turf but caught his man – seemed a harsh booking considering the circumstances. Scienza was booked for a more straight forward foul as he took out Hoever after being frustrated he did not get a decision earlier.



United were looking improved and Chong linked well with Hoever but his cross was blocked by a defender to stop a chance for O’Hare. Soon after Brooks and Bamford came on for Chong and Campbell before Armstrong replaced Stewart for the home side. The striker nearly scored with his first touch as Fellows came inside and the cross came over but Armstrong headed wide.



More subs came for the Blades when Hamer and Seriki replaced O’Hare and Hoever but the game was now ticking into the final 20 minutes and the Blades had still not properly tested the Saints keeper. By contract Cooper was worked as Mee lost the challenge and the ball came in from the right and Scienza’s header was saved at close range from Cooper.



Hamer’s corner was met by McGuinnes but was well off target – this was after Bamford’s deflected effort ballooned over leading to the set piece. Hamer had another corner that Harwood Bellis had to stoop to clear and United at least were showing some signs of life.



Scienza and Wellington were replaced by Charles and Robinson. United’s final change came when Ings came on for Cannon. The game was drifting to a rather tepid end with the home side not being threatened but disaster nearly struck for them when an error from the centre backs saw Bamford in. The striker cut inside and created the space but with just the keeper to beat his effort was too close and Peretz made the save. The rebound bounced away. Seriki was played in Brooks as the 6 minutes of stoppage time began, but his cross bounced back off him and out for a goal kick.



Charles was booked for a foul on Peck before a deep cross from Brooks was headed into the site netting by Hamer. The final opportunity came as the ball was pumped into the box but the ball was only looped goalwards by McGuinness but cleared and the final whistle arrived not long after.

 

[Deadbat]

United – Shocking performance sadly. It was a boring and slow game and we looked a side that had no belief it was going to score, let alone get a positive result. We got exactly what we deserved.



We played well Saturday until the moments of madness from our players (not helped by the referee of course!) but we gave a good account with 9 men. I knew we may change a few tonight but it was too many and we put too many weak links in. We looked like a side that knows that its season is done. It looked like a May mid table side playing thinking of their holidays! The performance was flat and had no intensity. We sat back, conceded, and should have been 2 or 3 down at half time. The right side was a major issue but we had no central midfield of note at all. Second half we improved but only marginally and our best spell was 87-91 minutes – that 4 minutes we won a few corners, got into their last third and had the Bamford chance. The rest of the game, it was slow, predictable and boring. We had no real plan how to move the ball up the field. There were big gaps between the defence and midfield and the attack. We sat off when they had it and when we did get it, was slow and cautious and had movement. Southampton were not great but won quite comfortably in the end and 1-0 probably flattered us. The stats may suggest we had as many opportunities on goal but outside of the Bamford one – the keeper was not tested. Outside of the goal, they had 4 or 5 good chances and Cooper made 2 saves to keep us in it. As I say, think they are poor and been in rotten form but won’t have many easier games this season. We gave them much more of a fight at the Lane.



If we had got a draw, we would have been fortunate as we offered next to nothing. They were not much better, but were better. The subs improved us marginally but it seemed the dye had been set and it was hard to change how poor we had been. The shape of the team was wrong and we had not way of linking defence to midfield and then into attack. Like the Mansfield game, looked like a team just thrown together.



Any talk of the playoffs seemed fantasy land to me despite all these points projections and discussions of how we could achieve it. I do not think we will go down, despite it suddenly being very much back in the mix. We have lost 15 games and despite improvements, we are poor side with a soft underbelly and lack a clear plan. This is the second most defeats in the division – only SWFC have lost more and that is only 18 games. We have also lost more games under Wilder than we have won – despite the improvements. It is disappointing that after scoring 3’s and 4’s for a series of games late Nov to the Leicester game, we have scored none in the last three. Three defeats out of three including the Mansfield game seems to have completely flattened things. The performance tonight was reminiscent of those early ones under Selles – with a slow, boring performance lacking any kind of tempo or urgency – let alone ability.



There were circumstances around the selection I suppose and with a few injuries and suspensions (latter arguably our own doing) but there should have still been enough players at our disposal to put a better performance in that what we saw?



Two very tough games v Ipswich and at Millwall now. Any kind of return would be positive but we also have Boro coming up. Those Oxford, Pompey and SWFC games could end up being so important if we do lose the next two. As I say, I think we will have plenty enough to stay up but if 4 points goes down to 1 or 2 then the pressure suddenly goes up and this side has shown time and time again – they wilt when under pressure.



Ratings:



Cooper 7/10 – No chance with the goal after the deflection, as no one closed the player down. Made a great save in the first half and had several others just go side as was completely exposed. Pulled off another decent save from the header second half from the scorer. No fault to him for the defeat – same on Saturday.



Hoever 2/10 - They exploited him time after time. His mistake led to the goal and they just kept coming at him. Chong was absolutely no help but he was given a torrid time. Of the two games I have seen, I haven’t a clue why we thought he would be a good addition – continuing our dreadful recruitment. He committed fouls, slipped over and got beat for pace/skill easily. It was a tough to watch. He got a bit better after the break but when the man you are marking is the best player – that is not a great look.



Burrows 4/10 – Continued to look a shadow of the player we saw last season. He was lucky not to concede a penalty after he got his feet in a mess. Ok in general play but we saw nothing of him going forward and if he is not attacking, what does he offer, as he cannot defend? Another I barely noticed but did not make defensive mistakes of the other side.



Mee 5.5/10 – They were not helped by a midfield that sat off, did not press and just lacked any intensity meaning free balls were coming forward constantly and they had to contend with strikers but also the midfielder coming at them. He had a few interceptions and headers away. 2nd half made an error that led to the headed chance and looked leggy at the end and there were gaps opening up. Worried about the centre of defence when I saw the team sheet but it was other areas that ended up being far more of an issue.



McGuiness 5.5/10 – As above. Easy to single out players who are not good enough and do not believe he is. Didn’t do a great deal wrong and the defence was horrible exposed at times with nothing in the midfield area. Had a few looped headers at the end when he should have done better but he cannot be criticised tonight. He looked like he popped his shoulder our or suffered a dead arm but did finish the game.



Arblaster 2.5/10 – I am desperate to see some shoots of light but I am not seeing it. Maybe he will get there and perhaps next season after a summer/pre-season may see him get to the levels he was – but at the moment he looks a long way off. He is slow in possession, struggling physically in terms of challenges and lacking any kind of burst as he runs. He made a few clearances (one off the line) but deflected the goal in and attacking wise he offered nothing. Lost it in a few times leading to them having opportunities as he was so slow to react/move. All his passes was safe or back and the cross at the end summed up his night. I hate to say it, but how he is running (or struggling to run) reminds me of when Coutts came back (after even less time out) when he had a serious injury. Really hope he can get to where he was but he is not ready. I suppose if we can get the wins to stave off a relegation scrap, then he can probably be given time but we should not be playing him currently in the first team.



Peck 3/10 – Not much better than Arblaster. Maybe not quite fully fit but I rarely saw him all game. He did not win many tackles and he too rarely passed forward. They spoke about us having energy and legs in midfield – well for two youngsters they offered zero intensity, barely got on the ball and we had big gaps in this area of the pitch. Surprised Davies did not come on. We had to change this area but he left it and as a result the game just petered out.



O’Hare 4/10 – Not his best night but not for want of trying. Not sure he is suited from that wide left role and is better when he is more central or off the striker. Struggled to get in the game and despite working hard – had little of the ball. One ball to Campbell and then one 2nd half where he nearly got in but barely noticed him. Booked harshly. I think he tried but another who did not get into the game but the system and lack of control in central midfield did not help.



Chong 2/10 – Laughably bad again. Started off with a few chances with the ball but he put in aimless crosses or lost it. Defensively he did not even try and get back and sort of ambled around. He has no pace or power and seems to not even be that good technically. A dreadful signing. He was taken out of the whole squad and then starts? Surely he will not be involved now moving forward. He did have a better spell 2nd half in terms of a few runs and crosses but was too little, too late and was taken off.



Cannon 4/10 – He tried to make runs and peel off and had our only effort (till the late Bamford chance) with a header but struggled to get in the game but I thought he at least showed for the ball. He just was completely starved of the ball. Says something when he came off for Ings and I was disappointed as thought he may at least offer something – as opposed to his replacement.



Campbell 3/10 – He had the once chance where he fired wide but he barely touched it much outside of that. Given no service whatsoever and him and Cannon had no kind of understanding – but they got no service. There was no link play and they barely saw the ball. I want him to move more and offer more but felt a bit sorry for the front two first half.



Subs -



Bamford 4.5/10 – At least offered something in terms of his movement and hold up but he did miss an excellent chance. He did the hard work and created the space but it’s a glaring miss– he has missed two big opportunities in the last two games. We do look more like scoring when he is on the field though.



Brooks 4.5/10 – Not in the game – had a few runs down the right but did not always take the right choice but at least he put some crosses in and offered a threat down there. Another who gives us energy and some intensity.



Hamer 5/10 – Put in a couple of dangerous corners and at least passed it forward but it seemed like we were desperate at this stage and all a bit panicky but gave us some creativity at least. He surely must start game or we need to sell him?



Seriki 4/10 – Made a few runs but he hit the defender or failed to find that moment of quality. He should have been on a lot earlier (HT).



Ings – Not sure why we are playing him over someone like One? He offers nothing, Looks old and finished.



Manager: Wilder 2/10 – He was hamstrung with some of his selections but the performance was extremely poor. The rotation and changes can be explained by a few playing 90 with 9 men but those brought in, once again were miles off the standard required. The rotations he keeps doing is not working – he is changing too many and leaving some of our better players (Bamford, Seriki, Brooks out) is leading us chasing games. He made changes but the shape of the team remained and the major issue – midfield was not addressed. The coaching and way we approach games has to be questioned. Sky were slamming us on the commentary, saying why are they not pressing, why are they not playing forward passes and getting players closer together? They were damning of our lack of real plan and our intensity. They were 100% right. Leaving all the talented offensive players on the bench means there was a strong chance we were chasing the game. His comments post-game were mind blowing – he said: ‘We were a lot better second half but we've got to get something from the game, even the last 5-10 minutes we should. We should've possibly won that 3-1 with the chances we've had but we've got to convert those situations. Second half we came out, we won more duels, we passed it better, we didn't turn it over as much and allowed them to dominate like they did first half, we dominated them.’ We did not dominate them at all – we were slightly better 2nd half but should have won 3-1? We had one shot on target! That is a bizarre take. I think he has realised he cannot keep slamming the players and tried to defend them but he will know is an insipid performance. He also had said he will not criticise Peck and Arblaster (they were both awful tonight) saying they should not be playing (he picked them when he has Davies and Hamer on the bench) but he will criticise Brooks and Seriki – constantly.



Southampton – Despite their struggles last season, I felt they were certain to be in the top 6. They had been nowhere near competitive in the Premier League but the quality they still had meant you would not expect the drop off they have had. Will Still did not work out and his lack of any kind of UK management experience meant he was naïve in some of the ways he set the team up and it seemed inevitable he would go. The new manager Eckert, who had been with the u21’s, did well initially but that initial new manager bounce, seems to have worn off very quickly and they sit mired in the middle of nowhere. Too far off a playoff push with the inconsistency of performances but too much to not get drawn into a scrap. Their team is eerily similar to ours. Some good players who have not hit the height of before mixed in with some signings that have not worked and some young players. The balance has not been right. It might be they make another managerial change before the season is out or at the end of the season. They seem to be not clear of the direction they want to go -on and off the pitch.



They have been in dreadful form but tonight met an awful side that sat back and allowed them to run at us. They get the early goal and could have had more. Probably could not believe the amount of space that they had at times. Will be frustrated not to put the game away and then late on, bad defending nearly saw them lose two points. Do not feel they will climb much higher and results over the last month suggest they will lose as many as they win. They showed pockets of good play, which was more than us and created far more than we did and made Cooper work. The annoying thing is they were very ordinary – but much better than us. Completely won midfield and then used the left side to exploit our weak links.



Opponent Man of the Match – Scienza. Caused all sorts of problems and far better than anyone on the pitch.



Opponent Weak link – Stewart was not in the game much but still offered more than out two strikers. The two centre backs are quite slow and immobile but we did not test them at all.





Referee / Officials – Thomas Kirk. Not one I am that aware of. Did Swansea this season but we barely made a tackle in that! Also did QPR away last season and gave them a harsh penalty. Two bookings on Peck and Charles were both harsh. Did he get much wrong – it was a nothing game. I saw a few (minority) saying it was a foul on Hoever but it was not. The rest of the game, I cannot recall getting too upset by any of his decisions really? He could have given a penalty to them actually on Burrows to be fair.

 

[Matlock Blade]

Good report. Does anyone know why Wilder appears to dislike Brookes and Seriki?

 

[dc_blade]

Good report. Does anyone know why Wilder appears to dislike Brookes and Seriki?

I think it was fair enough to rest them tonight. They can’t play every game. Unfortunately the replacement for Brooks is Chong, who is an embarrassment. And Hoever may be ok eventually but was terrible tonight. It’s an issue of squad building over the last 18 months.

 

[Champagneblade]

Any United manager should be banned from making more than four changes to the XI game to game.

I’ve never known us once pull of any kind of performance when we’ve made wholesale changes. Mansfield another prime example.

 

[BazWainwright]

Good writeup DB and nothing to counter. I felt this game, like Charlton, was one against a team we (on paper) should be battering them given their on field capability and form. Southampton were nothing special ... but still a lot better than us in all departments. I can't seem to work out what it is that makes players come to Bramall Lane and play in such a clueless, inept way. The back four was 'new' and it showed. Mee and McGuiness reminded me of Collins and Mceverley, Houver was desperately unimpressive and Burrows looks completely disconnected. Our central midfield pairing didn't seem to want to either win their individual battles or take the ball up the pitch and link up. Chong is a very, very poor weakness, O'Hare toiled to no avail and the 'never should be used' pairing of Campbell and the hapless Cannon got and showed absolutely nothing. You're right, we deserved nowt out of that game. Most of the players look like they know the season is now over and all they have to do is protect their chances of being transferred out or their wage bonus come May. This season has been a disaster.

 

[Balham]

Just home.

Can't really disagree with any of that Deaders. That first half was worse than almost any other performance I can think of this season - including the embarrassment at Ipswich.

Tactically, however, we were a shambles. Southampton's back four was woeful but we sat off them; they had no pace anywhere in their team but we picked a side which isn't capable of sprinting. All the options Wilder picked were the slower ones.

For all the clamour for Arblaster and Peck to play in central midfield together, tonight was the reason why that won't work. It's the same with the Mansfield game when we'd got ourselves back into it only to end up with a midfield pairing of Davies and Arblaster. None of those three - Peck, Arblaster and Davies - is capable of breaking the lines. They're nowhere near fast or athletic enough so they have to play the safe option which means we are then reliant on moments of brilliance from the wingers or a mistake from the opposition. Add to that the fact that McGuinness is incapable of playing the ball in front of the player he's passing to and Mee resorting to hit and hopes and we're constantly on the back foot, coughing up possession and territory.

Anyway, for what it's worth:

Cooper 6: gains a mark for that double save in the first half alone but his kicking was questionable. Had no chance with the goal.
Hoever 3: totally off the pace. Wasn't fouled for the goal but instead of getting up and trying to get back he chose to roll around on the floor. Left totally exposed by Chong which didn't help but Scienza had the freedom of the right side.
McGuinness 4: I'm not sure he won a single header against Stewart which, given that his only strength is heading, was a problem. Southampton were happy for him to have the ball as they knew his pass would be behind the right back, forcing us back to the goalkeeper for a long kick out.
Mee 6: battled away even though his career is clearly on the wane. Some important blocks.
Burrows 4: seems generally unsure at the moment and makes the wrong decision - early cross when the drive is on or vice versa
O'Hare 5: nullified by Southampton moving the ball around him, made the wrong decision to shoot when we were able to break
Arblaster 3: off the pace, coughing up possession in dangerous areas and seems to be painfully slow. Given the responsibility of a late free kick but didn't seem to want it? Unable to get close to Southampton's midfielders who just passed it around him
Peck 4: see Arblaster but slightly better at breaking up play
Chong 1: I thought he was bad against Mansfield. I'm not sure what question Wilder is asking himself if Tahith "Chongy" Chong is the answer. Shouldn't ever be in our first XI and quite possibly our XIX ever again.
Campbell: 3: clearly not right, whether it's physical or mental I'm not sure. Snatched at a decent opportunity after the Saints goalkeeper had made yet another kicking error
Cannon 4: runs around like a madman but never seems to be in the right place

Subs
Seriki 5: tried to get involved, got forward. Fortunate that his slip just after coming on wasn't punished
Brooks 6: would have been higher had his cut back not been awful. Chased lost causes, put a couple of decent crosses in
Bamford 5: would have been higher had he taken the one decent chance we had but it was on his weaker foot and it was a weak finish
Hamer 4: not involved, other than taking corners or trying stupid flicks in stupid places. It's telling that he can't get in a vastly changed team
Ings 4: a season too far for him at this level. He's even slower than Arblaster and McGuinness and that's actually quite impressive.

We can, however, still make the play offs.

 

[TJ blade]

Just home.

Can't really disagree with any of that Deaders. That first half was worse than almost any other performance I can think of this season - including the embarrassment at Ipswich.

Tactically, however, we were a shambles. Southampton's back four was woeful but we sat off them; they had no pace anywhere in their team but we picked a side which isn't capable of sprinting. All the options Wilder picked were the slower ones.

For all the clamour for Arblaster and Peck to play in central midfield together, tonight was the reason why that won't work. It's the same with the Mansfield game when we'd got ourselves back into it only to end up with a midfield pairing of Davies and Arblaster. None of those three - Peck, Arblaster and Davies - is capable of breaking the lines. They're nowhere near fast or athletic enough so they have to play the safe option which means we are then reliant on moments of brilliance from the wingers or a mistake from the opposition. Add to that the fact that McGuinness is incapable of playing the ball in front of the player he's passing to and Mee resorting to hit and hopes and we're constantly on the back foot, coughing up possession and territory.

Anyway, for what it's worth:

Cooper 6: gains a mark for that double save in the first half alone but his kicking was questionable. Had no chance with the goal.
Hoever 3: totally off the pace. Wasn't fouled for the goal but instead of getting up and trying to get back he chose to roll around on the floor. Left totally exposed by Chong which didn't help but Scienza had the freedom of the right side.
McGuinness 4: I'm not sure he won a single header against Stewart which, given that his only strength is heading, was a problem. Southampton were happy for him to have the ball as they knew his pass would be behind the right back, forcing us back to the goalkeeper for a long kick out.
Mee 6: battled away even though his career is clearly on the wane. Some important blocks.
Burrows 4: seems generally unsure at the moment and makes the wrong decision - early cross when the drive is on or vice versa
O'Hare 5: nullified by Southampton moving the ball around him, made the wrong decision to shoot when we were able to break
Arblaster 3: off the pace, coughing up possession in dangerous areas and seems to be painfully slow. Given the responsibility of a late free kick but didn't seem to want it? Unable to get close to Southampton's midfielders who just passed it around him
Peck 4: see Arblaster but slightly better at breaking up play
Chong 1: I thought he was bad against Mansfield. I'm not sure what question Wilder is asking himself if Tahith "Chongy" Chong is the answer. Shouldn't ever be in our first XI and quite possibly our XIX ever again.
Campbell: 3: clearly not right, whether it's physical or mental I'm not sure. Snatched at a decent opportunity after the Saints goalkeeper had made yet another kicking error
Cannon 4: runs around like a madman but never seems to be in the right place

Subs
Seriki 5: tried to get involved, got forward. Fortunate that his slip just after coming on wasn't punished
Brooks 6: would have been higher had his cut back not been awful. Chased lost causes, put a couple of decent crosses in
Bamford 5: would have been higher had he taken the one decent chance we had but it was on his weaker foot and it was a weak finish
Hamer 4: not involved, other than taking corners or trying stupid flicks in stupid places. It's telling that he can't get in a vastly changed team
Ings 4: a season too far for him at this level. He's even slower than Arblaster and McGuinness and that's actually quite impressive.

We can, however, still make the play offs.

View attachment 229465

What with this squad

 

[Putney Blade]

Truly awful performance. No offensive qualities whatsoever. No guile, intensity, pace, power or leadership. Wilder is so wide of the mark if he believes we deserved something from the game. What’s more, Campbell is soooo poor. Cannon is poor, Ings is poor but Campbell is a terrible footballer. Get shut along with Ings! All in all it’s worrying.

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

Good report and I agreed with your ratings Deadbat, until I saw Balhams, and I think he's closer.

Not going to reiterate what has already been said, but that was woeful. We look to be in serious trouble again with a few days of the JTW left. Need some fighters, this lot are as soft as shite.

Very worried

 

[Slug]

Chong is absolutely abysmal.

My eyesight isn't the greatest these days. If I was at the game tonight and someone had told me that it was actually Diana Ross on the right wing, not a professional footballer, I'm pretty sure I would have believed them.

 

[Harry's Game]

Got the feeling from the Presser yesterday that Wilder was upset about something and trying to make some sort of point to the owners, maybe they have rejected his targets this January so he selected a side basically to struggle tonight.

I realise there were a few out from injury or suspension but to leave 5 fit players on the bench who were infinitely better than the ones he selected stinks of a fit of pique, we surrendered a game we had a chance of getting something from tonight from the outset and we have 2 infinity more difficult games coming up..

2 defeats in the next 2 and we are back in the relegation scrap…

 

[Maurice Maurice]

How do Campbell, Arblaster, Burrows and Chong get more marks than Hoever? They were all equally as bad. Peck, whilst nowhere near decent had to do the work of two or three others who were doing nothing and was at least a 5.

I have no idea how Wilder could start that eleven players, against a putrid Southampton side and expect any more than what we got. A nil nil draw would have been a major achievement, but we were always going to concede a bad goal, it's what happens in these games.

Campbell, Chong and Burrows should be sacked off. Not only are they average at best but their body language says it all. The fans who travelled all that way care, those fucking jokers don't. Get shut please.

UTBFTP

 

[Bladey_blade]

I think Hoever is better than tonight showed there were a few decent moves forward, he was totally exposed against one of the better players in the division in scienza, just watch chong on the goal, positioning is clueless,not sure seriki fares better in a similar position with chong in front of him

 

[Champagneblade]

There’s a lot fundamentally wrong right now and it’s not going to be fixed this season.

Some things the Manager has to flatly accept and stop being in denial about.

Multiple changes: they NEVER, EVER work for us. You should be able to go game to game with FOUR maximum. Stop pissing about with Cup games too. I don’t buy into this bollocks that I picked a team that should have won. You make TEN changes and you’re asking for trouble. You then make another ten for the next one. It’s just a complete momentum killer. You can’t solicit sympathy for the Norwich game because so many changes were enforced and then voluntarily do that to yourself against Mansfield and Southampton and expect understanding.

The players; we have a decent first XI when fit. Some of the other players should never have worn the shirt. I’d have Cooper; Seriki, Tanganga, McCallum, Brooks, Peck, Arblaster, Riedewald, O’Hare and Bamford as a basis for next season. Every chance Peck secures a summer move though.

Books need to be balanced. Hamer seems hard to accommodate and his wages will be too high. Burrows seems to have hit a wall. Take the cash for both if it’s there.

There’s almost too many to mention but all the summer signings from relegated teams, McGuinness, Chong, Ogbene. I don’t know if we will find a sucker to take them off us.

The fitness; if these guys can’t collectively be fit to last 90 minutes then they should look to a new profession.

There needs to be a far more considered approach to which players we bring in. We should be well clear of players like Shackleton and Davies who have already had injury troubles.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

I’m not gonna go too in depth tonight but when you’ve lost yer centre back pairing plus your DM & you decide on top of that you’ll drop Seriki , McCallum , Brooks & Bamford & bench Hamer we deserve all we got ……, A big fat Fuck All … cheers Chris really enjoyed it .. 5 hour trip & overnighter to watch you play the fringe players & give everyone a game

 

[Champagneblade]

I’m not gonna go too in depth tonight but when you’ve lost yer centre back pairing plus your DM & you decide on top of that you’ll drop Seriki , McCallum , Brooks & Bamford & bench Hamer we deserve all we got ……, A big fat Fuck All … cheers Chris really enjoyed it .. 5 hour trip & overnighter to watch you play the fringe players & give everyone a game

That’s my point too.

We were already due to be without Tanganga, Bindon, Soumaré/Riedeweld and McCallum.

That was already enough to change. Keep the rest as it was. The team the offensively played well first half vs Charlton and by all means ready Hoever, Hamer et al to step in when needed.

 

[Houston_Blade]

I only saw the second half but thought we should have had a point based on chances alone.

We were poor in possession and slow, Arblaster and Peck is obviously not something that will work beyond the current injury/suspension issues.

Full backs and centre backs in the starting XI today are such a drop off from the first choice and the forwards without Bamford look woeful. Chong is shite and O’Hare is being played out of position.

Southampton were shit but worryingly we got worse once we brought the better players on. Seriki looked like he’d had 6 pints on the bench, Hamer did nothing, Ings is a waste of a shirt.

Bamford and Brooks at least looked like they knew what they were supposed to be doing.

We need to ride out the games without decent CB’s and focus on winning the games against the poorer sides, we’ve shown that we struggle against anyone with half an idea.

Wilder’s post match comments sound to me like COH won’t be making signings, the season is now done. Just concentrate on being lower mid table and get away from the scrap at the bottom.

 

[Revolution]

Well, it seems that the consensus was we made too many changes on top of the ones that were forced.

More unserious nonsense as we slide towards the relegation zone.

We do not have Man City’s squad. We cannot rotate like them.

Wilder and many of the players need to buck their ideas up. The next two games are very difficult.

And there is no justification for bringing Chong on as a sub, let alone starting him.

Mark my words, if we could go down with a game to go, we will.

 

[Blades1971]

Chong, Hover, Burrows should be no way near our starting line-up. Ordainery fans can see this. Why not Mr Willder??

 

[Champagneblade]

Chong, Hover, Burrows should be no way near our starting line-up. Ordainery fans can see this. Why not Mr Willder??

You only need to read the quotes from Wolves fans to know that Hoever isn’t what we needed.

We needed a defensive alternative to Seriki; a George Baldock to his Jayden Bogle if you like. In the end we got someone who is similar in style but worse at both defending and attacking and on more money.

We really have to be so much more considered with signings.

 

[dexter101]

Last night was like watching a side move 2x slower than the opposition both in pyosical movement and decision making.

In November we struck on a formation and style of play that suited 11 players. The moment they can't be in the starting line up we look confused and lacking.

We have to rotate players, the problem is that our second 11 isnt as good but also doesn't fit the same style of play.

We have 2 wingers in brooks and chong, but one tracks back and one wanders around. We dont have any left sided wide players. O hare does a good job in the position but he just wants (and should) to come inside closer to the forwards.

Hamer is the same as Chong (not in terms of ability or performance!!) But he won't work back.

We either have to find another style of play for our mid week games or better hope we can have a really big personnel change in the summer.

Let's accumulate enough points to make sure we are comfortably above relegation, and then build a far more balanced squad for next season.

 

[232 Bramall Lane]

" Should have won 3-1" !!!!!!

 

[Servigliano]

I’m not gonna go too in depth tonight but when you’ve lost yer centre back pairing plus your DM & you decide on top of that you’ll drop Seriki , McCallum , Brooks & Bamford & bench Hamer we deserve all we got ……, A big fat Fuck All … cheers Chris really enjoyed it .. 5 hour trip & overnighter to watch you play the fringe players & give everyone a game

100% agree save that there may a very good reason - fitness/injuries - why Wilder played nowhere near our best team.
If any were just "dropped" that would be unforgiveable.

 

[Keen Blade]

Why do people keep saying
"I don't think we'll be relegated"
?
And we call the pigfans delusional !

 

[Balham]

" Should have won 3-1" !!!!!!

I heard that from Wilder. Absolutely no idea what he’s on about, the only chance we had was Bamford's in the 89th minute.

 

[Webding]

Campbell 3/10 – I want him to move more

 

[Melton Blade]

I don't blame COH for keeping the cheque book shut. This season is done regards promotion and CW admits we have a bloated squad.

Our wage bill must be Top 5 in the Champ but it has been wasted on some garbage plus a large bunch of the squad who have regressed enormously this year.

God knows who will buy some of these players off us but with the end of parachute payments we will be forced to sell what we can and as fans we need to prepare for a major rebuild next year.

Given CW's persistent carpng at the likes of Brooks & Seriki, do we really think he is the best fit to re integrate the likes of One, Marsh, RND, Blacker etc next season?

UTB

 

[Tray]

I think what frustrates me the most is that some of these performances are not just passive, they're actively harming the team. The decision making last night was absolutely woeful. It's like they don't look up. 5 yard passes misplaced, or straight to a man with 3 men surrounding him. Shooting when the pass is so obviously the better decision. McGuiness not realising where he is and heading the ball 5 yards wide from 3 yards out.

Arblaster clearly isn't ready to be back, but we're currently out of options in the middle, I can't blame Wilder for that, but selecting Chong is ludicrous. He offers little going forward, again with poor decision making, and doesn't provide the full back with any support either. Hoever hasn't impressed me in his short time here, and didn't help himself running into trouble, but as Deadbat said he had the best player on the pitch running at him all game with no help.

Campbell may as well not be there. The one time he got a chance due to our good pressing, he couldn't get it on target either.

Unfortunately beyond our starting XI, we have nothing at all to offer. We need Seriki, Brooks, Tanganga, Riedewald, O'Hare and Bamford on the pitch as a minimum. Only one of them started today.

I want to see O'Hare playing just off Bamford, Hamer left, Brooks right, Seriki behind him. But whether it's fitness issues or just blind rotation we just can't seem to get our best team on the pitch.

Don't bother splashing out this week, save money for the summer. Yet another big rebuild. UTB.

 

[Bell4]

Once we saw the team sheet - nothing we witnessed on the pitch after that was in any way whatsoever any surprise.


I was receiving texts from mates after they saw the team sheet that mirrored Deadbats post match report .

We could all write it

So frustrating and disappointing- if we can all predict the outcome as basic punters , why can’t CW ?

To say we gave it a right go and could have won 3-1? What planet is he on . And I’m one of his biggest fans . FFS