Starting season with Collins & McEveley

[Slim Man]

Straw poll...

I'd put myself in the happy for now box.
Come the end of August, we could have have 8 clean sheets having played 5 games with a Maldini/Baresi like partnership forming and I'll still change my vote to disappointed.

Those two won't be enough to get us over the line over the full course of the season IMO.

Nor do I think we won't sign anyone, may I add. Bit surprised myself that we haven't added a single body to the backline as yet though.

 

[pommpey]

How about:

"Sign some fucking defenders, you cunts!"?

pommpey

 

[Slim Man]

How about:

"Sign some fucking defenders, you cunts!"?

pommpey

Thought about that
Then I thought shouting in a poll would be a bad idea.

 

[Esablade]

 

[Bladesman]

Shocked and disappointed.

I thought we would have at least brought in another centre back by now.

A black mark against Adkins on this one if someone is not signed before the window shuts.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Disappointed but not shocked, this is SUFC.

 

[Edinblade]

For me this says more about how crap Clough was. He had these players available last season along with another proven CB who he sold to Donny.
If Adkins thinks they can do a job then so be it.
I'll never forgive Clough for thinking he could go a season without cb's. A whole season wasted because he was so thick.

 

[DazBlade88]

If it means that we're going to attack and try and outscore teams you won't see me complaining.

After the lack of goals last season I'm more than happy to see plenty of entertaning games.

 

[SB_90]

t last few weeks I feel too many fans & the media have rose tinted glasses think the same defence have turned into world beaters over pre season

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

We need cover - but for now, based on pre-season, looks ok.

And I'd factor in there seems to be more of an emphasis on scoring.

We'll have a better idea on Satdi. We'll only really know a few games in.

(Afaics most of the anti seems to be based on last season.)

 

[ilovesufc]

I think we'll be OK for now, but definitely want to see us sign at least one centre back asap. The difference from last season is that Collins will be playing, so at least we have one true centre back in there who knows his job inside out, even if he isn't the greatest defender ever seen at the Lane. McEveley is a good enough footballer (for this level), but he isn't a natural centre back, and that is the most worrying part of playing him in such an important position. He hasn't played there throughout his career so just doesn't have the true instinct for it, which I believe is what leads to his mistakes. This shows particularly nearer to the end of games when he is tiring, another factor in why we conceded so many late goals last season. So OK as cover for now, but a dedicated, mobile centre back is required to play alongside Collins (or two with Collins on the bench as cover but not sure that is actually realistic given our spending/squad size so far).

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

Majorly disappointed with not bringing in at least one centre half. We are starting with pretty much the same back 5 who weren't good enough last season. With the 'new emphasis on attack' that Adkins is supposedly bringing to the club, that will inevitably leave an already leaky defense more exposed than last season too.

I hope to god Che, Murph, Billy et al have brought their goal scoring boots, cause I think we're going to need them.

 

[Jehovah]

Ultimately, I am shocked. However, the results will speak for themselves. If we start well, then no one will care about the lack of centre halves. I think its a very risky strategy though. If we don't start well, people will be saying "we all knew we needed defenders ffs"



"FFS"

 

[Nick Jansky]

A black mark against Adkins on this one if someone is not signed before the window shuts.

Disagree. Adkins might well have identified a number of targets, but he isn't responsible for negotiating the deals to sign them, that would be Brannigan.

 

[Fiery Blade]

But we do have Billy Big Boots !!
Mind you he's now got to score three every game to make up for Calamity Collins and Makeshift McEverley !
Really disappointed, but not shocked - Mr Adkins has soon got into the 'United Way' of doing things

 

[Barney]

shocked and dissapointed at this one as I honestly thought we'd get at least one centre half in this transfer window. I'm confident NA will sign one before the transfer window closes though

 

[sheffielder]

Happy to wait out transfer window, however if we don't bring anyone in someone needs to explain why we haven't spent some serious money on our problem area.

Happy to go with with Collins and Mceverley than bring in WHitbread who is arguably not much better that Mcev

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Very disappointed, personally. But not enough to let it drag me down. Still totally buzzing about the season ahead.

Just basically trust Nige & (they've gradually earnt it) trust Jimbo/Kev/Abz too.
Willing to see what develops & transpires, & can't wait for the season to start.

 

[Oreyt]

I don't really buy into this "emphasis on attack" stuff. Your defence is a resource, tasked with an important job. You can't just shrug and give a "will this do?" type response. I get Pinchy' s response that Adkins isn't stupid and he will have been looking for a CB. Let's just hope it's soon.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I don't really buy into this "emphasis on attack" stuff. Your defence is a resource, tasked with an important job. You can't just shrug and give a "will this do?" type response. I get Pinchy' s response that Adkins isn't stupid and he will have been looking for a CB. Let's just hope it's soon.

Emphasis on attack does not equate to ignoring defence.

The manager has limited resources and has, amongst other things, prioritised goal scoring.

This would seem to be the best approach with what he had available.

Ideally we'd have a solid keeper and defence, a creative but resilient midfield, and free-scoring attackers but I don't see that as a reasonable expectation.

 

[Blade82]

Happy for now.

I think the type of player/experience Nigel is hoping for may not become available until later on in the window or maybe when the loan window opens.

We're stronger than we ended last season so a few games with these at the back shouldn't to any harm but I'm sure he'll strengthen when the right man/men becomes available

 

[Dog Blade]

In an ideal world we’d have had two quality centre half’s in by now and McEveley and Collins would be squad players at best.


Fact is we haven’t ,and by all accounts McEveley is the natural choice as captain due to his commitment, leadership, professionalism and so on. Happy for him to be skipper, for the moment.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Lack of centre halves was fucking obvious LAST September.

It was fucking obvious when Paddy M came and for me he made a bit of difference.

It was fucking obvious when we knew he was definitely going back December 31st.

It was fucking obvious we needed a solution during the JTW.

It was fucking obvious as we didn't get top 2 at the business end of the season.

It was SO FUCKING obvious in the playoffs - sorry Swindon, we would have stuffed you if Clough had swallowed his pride and egotistical nature and sorted the problem - score 5 away from home and don't win.................jeez.

Rant over...........I am so

UTB

PS: Dear Mr Adkins, I hope your man management skills are all they are professed to be, and a genuine good luck to Collins and Mceverly - we are Blades after all.

 

[OllyBlade]

I'm unhappy but I think rather too much has been made of our weaknesses at the back. We let in 53 goals last season, 2 less than Chesterfield and 4 less than Swindon. Comparing records with the top 2, we let in 9 more than MK Dons and 15 more than Bristol City. So improvement needed, hence I'm unhappy with the fact we've signed no-one. But, we scored 35 goals fewer than MK and 30 fewer than Bristol City. This suggests that the attack always had to be the priority, and we've signed 3 attacking players and seen Che come on leaps and bounds, hopefully.

The worries about the defence have been artifically highlighted because of the 5 goals conceded against Swindon in the play-offs, where thanks to Clough's mismanagement and injuries we had to stitch together a makeshift backline. That game was also notable for bad performances from usually solid perfomers, as Harris for example got completely taken apart on the left.

I still think we are looking a bit light to be confident of automatic, but I think our defensive woes have been made bigger than they are. Our problem last season often was brittle confidence thanks to an inability to score at one end. E.g. Leyton Orient away, we dominate the whole game, concede a sloppy corner and concede a goal from one lack in concentration. The problem wasn't so much letting in loads of goals as in consistently letting in 1 goal per game, which became a big problem thanks to an inability to score.

I'm also just as surprised by the lack of outgoings as I am by the lack of new defenders, and wonder if one explains the other. Are we having a hard time getting rid of fringe players in the squad? We have quite a few with recurrent injuries who are unlikely to be involved whom we seem unable to ship out e.g. Cuvelier. I'm surprised we aren't seeing some of the younger squad members being loaned out, e.g. Calvert Lewin, who'll surely now have a tough time getting in the team?

One signing I would have liked to have seen which doesn't seem to have been questioned much is a new goalkeeper. Howard had a poor end to the season and there are question marks over Long as usual. I would in fact say I'd prefer us to sign 1 CB and 1 proven GK rather than 2 defenders.

Sorry, rambly post, but hey this is a forum so suck it up

 

[Fiery Blade]

I'm unhappy but I think rather too much has been made of our weaknesses at the back. We let in 53 goals last season, 2 less than Chesterfield and 4 less than Swindon. Comparing records with the top 2, we let in 9 more than MK Dons and 15 more than Bristol City. So improvement needed, hence I'm unhappy with the fact we've signed no-one. But, we scored 35 goals fewer than MK and 30 fewer than Bristol City. This suggests that the attack always had to be the priority, and we've signed 3 attacking players and seen Che come on leaps and bounds, hopefully.

The worries about the defence have been artifically highlighted because of the 5 goals conceded against Swindon in the play-offs, where thanks to Clough's mismanagement and injuries we had to stitch together a makeshift backline. That game was also notable for bad performances from usually solid perfomers, as Harris for example got completely taken apart on the left.

I still think we are looking a bit light to be confident of automatic, but I think our defensive woes have been made bigger than they are. Our problem last season often was brittle confidence thanks to an inability to score at one end. E.g. Leyton Orient away, we dominate the whole game, concede a sloppy corner and concede a goal from one lack in concentration. The problem wasn't so much letting in loads of goals as in consistently letting in 1 goal per game, which became a big problem thanks to an inability to score.

I'm also just as surprised by the lack of outgoings as I am by the lack of new defenders, and wonder if one explains the other. Are we having a hard time getting rid of fringe players in the squad? We have quite a few with recurrent injuries who are unlikely to be involved whom we seem unable to ship out e.g. Cuvelier. I'm surprised we aren't seeing some of the younger squad members being loaned out, e.g. Calvert Lewin, who'll surely now have a tough time getting in the team?

One signing I would have liked to have seen which doesn't seem to have been questioned much is a new goalkeeper. Howard had a poor end to the season and there are question marks over Long as usual. I would in fact say I'd prefer us to sign 1 CB and 1 proven GK rather than 2 defenders.

Sorry, rambly post, but hey this is a forum so suck it up

But you seemed to have forgotten that our best defender in the club is sidelined on crutches until at least Christmas and our regular full back Harris seems miles away from full fitness !
Despite apparent riches in the striking dept we can only play two of them and one of the better ones Done is another out injured !

 

[OllyBlade]

But you seemed to have forgotten that our best defender in the club is sidelined on crutches until at least Christmas and our regular full back Harris seems miles away from full fitness !
Despite apparent riches in the striking dept we can only play two of them and one of the better ones Done is another out injured !

Nope I haven't forgotten, I said I was unhappy with the lack of defensive signings. Injuries are part of it, we are missing Kennedy too and if we are being brutal we'll have to make a decision at some point if he'll ever be able to play a full season. Remains to be seen if McFadzean will be viable as left back cover in the long term too.

 

[Edinblade]

A lot are saying we're starting with same defence as last season.
This is not the case. Last season Clough was too thick to play CB's. Paying however many £'s for The Beard then playing him out of position was scandalous. At least our new captain now has more experience of playing CB. And along side him will be a CB whose more than capable at this level.
The massive (excuse the use of such a word ) difference this season is not only are we playing at least one recognised CB we are also starting with a manager who has a fantastic track record.

 

[Mad Mick]

We know where our weakness's are and so do the management. I can only assume they have tried getting people in, but for one reason or another it's not worked out. I'm not entirely happy about it, but see how it goes. Maybe the new management style will have a different outcome on players performances. However if the defence is a shambles I'll be very pissed off.

 

[Esablade]

Interesting...

 

[Fiery Blade]

A lot are saying we're starting with same defence as last season.
This is not the case. Last season Clough was too thick to play CB's. Paying however many £'s for The Beard then playing him out of position was scandalous. At least our new captain now has more experience of playing CB. And along side him will be a CB whose more than capable at this level.
The massive (excuse the use of such a word ) difference this season is not only are we playing at least one recognised CB we are also starting with a manager who has a fantastic track record.

I believe you are doing Mr Clough a big disservice calling him thick - obstinate, intransigent and full of self belief yes but definitely not thick !
Brayford despite him predominantly being an overlapping full back looked more comfortable at centre back than anyone else we tried including Kennedy - if you think Collins is more than capable at this level then you are deluded
Also, by the way our manager was sacked from his last job despite his 'fanastic' track record !