The bar has been raised

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Boxer Blade

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As I have mentioned in another thread we raised the bar yesterday, the question is was it a one off? or have we turned the corner now, for me that performance and result has been coming for a few weeks, I really can see us performing like yesterday on a regular basis, we will obviously have days when we just dont put it together, however we can and will play better making yesterday's performance the average, I suppose the one area we cannot guarantee is injuries but our squad is probably bigger and better than everyone else's, the main reason for my optimism is when I start to think nah, this can't carry on, I think of Wilder and Knill and think, yes it will, in Wilder and Knill we really believe, UTFB
 



The bar has certainly been raised Boxer as yesterday's performance proved. Even during our early season flop on results the performance of the whole squad is of a higher tempo and entertainment value from the squad. Those early season defeats were hard to stomach yes but the team effort throughout those games were light years ahead of last season's dross.

That bar has certainly been raised thanks to Chris Wilder & Co.:)
 
On the days we "don't put it together", we've got to grind out results like the really good teams
do. If wilder can instill that into the team, "promotion is soon, yoo ni ted "
 
We will have more games where we look really good due to the midfielders we've got. When they get space we'll dominate.

But we should remember that Port Vale were the worst away side in the division before last week's win at a very poor MK Dons.
 
You always have to consider tactics.

1: The issue that's encouraging is that Port Vale set up very defensive with "park the bus" tactics.
As we regain the fear factor at BL most teams will come highly respectful and defensive like yesterday.
Similiar to England v Malta the other night In the past we've struggled to break down teams that defend in numbers. With EEL we looked dangerous from corners like when we had Harry Maguire.
Once we scored the game opened up and instead of consolidating the lead we kept up the pressure.
Maybe it's a mentality thing but Wilder needs to reaffirm that we need to keep up the pressure.

2: Part of our success yesterday was whenever the Port Vale defenders tried to play the ball out from the back they were constantly being closed down by Sharp and Done who put them under pressure meaning their defence were struggling to pass to their midfielders. Their best player Grant struggled to get on the ball and he was dropping deeper ans deeper.

I've mentioned in another thread that on face value Sharp and Done are dissapointing because they're not taking their chances BUT it looks like Wilder tactics are to defend from the front and ask his forwards to chase around like madmen. Klopp has Liverpool playing a similar way hence why the talented Sturridge can't get in their side.

3: Mental approach is key. As Wikder said in his post match interview we need to be "confident but not arrogant" on Tuesday against Shrewsbury. Winning can become an habit, you need leaders with character and the right mental approach to each game. The encouraging thing is that past form suggests Wilder is aware of this. Last season Northampton started slowly but once they started winning they went on a really impressive run winning league 2 with ease.
 
I'm treating yesterday has a one off.
Not many teams are going to come to the Lane and give us that much space and time on the ball.
Port Vale have been dire away from home if you listen to their fans. Prior to their win against MK (which they were lucky according to Robinson and their fans) they had taken just 2 points.
There is more likely to be matches like the Bristol Rovers game than the Port Vale one.
Yesterday was good enjoy it but don't expect that every week.
I am not a slasher by the way. I think and have said on other threads that this is our year.
I have also backed United at different odds to win the league. Which if they do it should win me enough to cover my season ticket in the championship. UTB.
 
People go on about Port Vales away record prior to yesterday's game. But how many times have teams that seemingly have been doing poor in the league over the past couple of seasons come to Bramall Lane and snatched something because they have upped their game.

For me, yesterday was a long time coming, and yes Port Vale were poor, but this was a Port Vale who were above us in the league at the start of play (4th?) and so they must have been doing something right at some point.
I think we showed what we can do to any team in this division on our day, and in doing so made a poor Port Vale (even though they were 4th) team look abysmal.
 
As I have mentioned in another thread we raised the bar yesterday, the question is was it a one off? or have we turned the corner now, for me that performance and result has been coming for a few weeks, I really can see us performing like yesterday on a regular basis, we will obviously have days when we just dont put it together, however we can and will play better making yesterday's performance the average, I suppose the one area we cannot guarantee is injuries but our squad is probably bigger and better than everyone else's, the main reason for my optimism is when I start to think nah, this can't carry on, I think of Wilder and Knill and think, yes it will, in Wilder and Knill we really believe, UTFB
I raised the bar yesterday.
 
You always have to consider tactics.

1: The issue that's encouraging is that Port Vale set up very defensive with "park the bus" tactics.
As we regain the fear factor at BL most teams will come highly respectful and defensive like yesterday.
Similiar to England v Malta the other night In the past we've struggled to break down teams that defend in numbers. With EEL we looked dangerous from corners like when we had Harry Maguire.
Once we scored the game opened up and instead of consolidating the lead we kept up the pressure.
Maybe it's a mentality thing but Wilder needs to reaffirm that we need to keep up the pressure.

2: Part of our success yesterday was whenever the Port Vale defenders tried to play the ball out from the back they were constantly being closed down by Sharp and Done who put them under pressure meaning their defence were struggling to pass to their midfielders. Their best player Grant struggled to get on the ball and he was dropping deeper ans deeper.

I've mentioned in another thread that on face value Sharp and Done are dissapointing because they're not taking their chances BUT it looks like Wilder tactics are to defend from the front and ask his forwards to chase around like madmen. Klopp has Liverpool playing a similar way hence why the talented Sturridge can't get in their side.

3: Mental approach is key. As Wikder said in his post match interview we need to be "confident but not arrogant" on Tuesday against Shrewsbury. Winning can become an habit, you need leaders with character and the right mental approach to each game. The encouraging thing is that past form suggests Wilder is aware of this. Last season Northampton started slowly but once they started winning they went on a really impressive run winning league 2 with ease.
Agree with most of that sheffsteel,but I don't think they came to defend they set up to play from the back ( which is unlike previous Vale teams) we never allowed them to play and put them on the back foot from start to finish.what also excites me was the attacking verve we were very open to the counter attack, which is a feature of games
under Wilder.He wants to play open attacking football which is really entertaining ( not had that since Harry Basset days) I look forward to being entertained again by this style of footy, sort out the third (we do waste a lot of good openings) and no team in this division will cope with our exciting brand of a pressing game.although sharp and Done are working hard for the team I do think we can improve on what they offer.
Maybe the window will bring some more flare and Panash Upton for we look really strong every where else.
Over to you Mr Wilder with the support of Macabe and the Prince, (££)
 
Not a one off. Someone at some point was going to get tore a new one once our play in the final third improved in quality.
 
I would speculate CW will expect that level of performance week in week out and will strive to get even more from them. Anybody dropping below that will be replaced, and as he has stated before it isn't personal just about getting the best result for SUFC.
 
We've pressed fast all season. Most teams will make 'unforced' errors (technically we force them to make the mistake) where they rush or misplace a pass and we just intercept it with ease. Did it loads yesterday - EEL, Coutts, Fleck, Duffy and O'Connell seemed to read these misplaced passes and just walk into the space where the opposition were passing it. Hopefully we'll start to see some clinical finishing from now on. If so, we'll win a lot more games than we lose or draw.

Barcelona were built on this high pressing game. Forcing the opposition to make quick 1 touch passes. Most teams in League 1 aren't capable of 1 touch passing so will lose the ball constantly.
 

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