The inquest shouldn't take too long.

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

The inquest, if indeed it should even be called that, shouldn't take long, and nor should it need to. Quite simply, we previously found a way to play in this division, and we need to get back to it. We need to ditch this tentative, cagey, defensive approach.

As things stand, we go down, without so much as a whimper. I'm not saying that to be melodramatic, merely forecasting how things would likely pan out if we carry on as we are. As Nicolaus_Copernicus said in shoutbox, we've lost our vibrancy. In Wilder's own words, we need to be "at it" once more.

IMO, a back to basics approach is needed:

The wide centre backs need to return to bombing on, to create the overload. Unless they do, the midfield falters, with minimal movement up top and we lose possession. We then invite pressure on, on a regular basis. If the back line are feeling less able or inclined to overlap, the question of why this is the case, needs to be asked. Without an overload, we become a very defensively orientated 5-3-2 and we'll be set for a hiding most weeks, or at best, we stand to be solid but create very little. If need be, move Enda to LCB and Lowe to LWB if this makes this more natural.

The wing backs need to be more incisive. I noticed how many times on recent weeks - and again today - George gets to the edge of the opposition's area, and his only options were to plump a nothing ball into the box or a square ball to Berge. We lost possession and once more, we're scampering back. He's lost his overlapping CB and we've lost sight of how we want to attack. The triangle of CB, WB and CM overlapping one another on either side is what makes us so potent.

Fleck, Norwood, Berge is our best midfield. Without them, we are far, far worse at retaining possession or picking a killer pass. If the ball isn't kept and recycled well, the CBs don't bomb on and the WBs don't overload. It is the very foundation of all that we do, when we are at our best. For all his stand out qualities, Berge doesn't orchestrate the midfield in the same way that Norwood does. With the exception of Lundstram in there, this goal typifies it perfectly:


People need to get back to how they instinctively play - a less is more approach. For example:

Sharp: Wilder needs to tell him to proper bog hang the shit out of the opposition. He isn't a target man, he isn't nimble enough to run the channels and he isn't tricky enough to play out wide. Get in the area, stay near the penalty spot, make a nuisance of yourself. That's what he's built an entire career on. I want to see him scoring goals after the ricochet has come off Oli's arse end:


Lundstram: Needs to bust his lungs each game, until they have to sub him. No Norwood-style pulling of strings. Keep it simple. Just this:


We need Moose or Brewster to provide the electric, instinctive, shoot-on-sight approach again. The running the channels. Like this:

Above all, We need to change the psychology of the approach. We've shifted the mindset to try and be solid, and grab something. We aren't as solid as last year, we won't be - we've lost JOC and Henderson and so, a little bit of caution to the wind is needed. We were at our best last season, when we were plucky. We need to not try and defend what the opposition are doing, but instead, impose how we want to play on them. We were at our best last season when we didn't give a fuck who you were, we'd come to play:


The psychology of the conversation in the squad needs to refocus on: "When are we at our best?" - what does that look like, what does it entail? How do we get back to that?

Finally, perspective. We're solid, just not creative. I never expected anything from a top, developing side such as Wolves or a side with such a quality attack, as Arsenal. They can step it up a gear when they need to. In the games versus Villa and Leeds we weren't off the pace - but if last season's United turn up, we win both those games and don't lose against Arsenal. We aren't far away, we just need to get back to what we do best.

This isn't an overhaul, this isn't a revolution, this isn't a panic. This isn't Fulham who need wholesale changes, in order to survive. We found a way to play in this division before and we need to go back to it.

In the words of John Egan, we need to start playing proper football - the Sheff United way.

 

[nickwr37]

The inquest, if indeed it should even be called that, shouldn't take long, and nor should it need to. Quite simply, we previously found a way to play in this division, and we need to get back to it. We need to ditch this tentative, cagey, defensive approach.

As things stand, we go down, without so much as a whimper. I'm not saying that to be melodramatic, merely forecasting how things would likely pan out if we carry on as we are. As Nicolaus_Copernicus said in shoutbox, we've lost our vibrancy. In Wilder's own words, we need to be "at it" once more.

IMO, a back to basics approach is needed:

The wide centre backs need to return to bombing on, to create the overload. Unless they do, the midfield falters, with minimal movement up top and we lose possession. We then invite pressure on, on a regular basis. If the back line are feeling less able or inclined to overlap, the question of why this is the case, needs to be asked. Without an overload, we become a very defensively orientated 5-3-2 and we'll be set for a hiding most weeks, or at best, we stand to be solid but create very little. If need be, move Enda to LCB and Lowe to LWB if this makes this more natural.

The wing backs need to be more incisive. I noticed how many times on recent weeks - and again today - George gets to the edge of the opposition's area, and his only options were to plump a nothing ball into the box or a square ball to Berge. We lost possession and once more, we're scampering back. He's lost his overlapping CB and we've lost sight of how we want to attack. The triangle of CB, WB and CM overlapping one another on either side is what makes us so potent.

Fleck, Norwood, Berge is our best midfield. Without them, we are far, far worse at retaining possession or picking a killer pass. If the ball isn't kept and recycled well, the CBs don't bomb on and the WBs don't overload. It is the very foundation of all that we do, when we are at our best. For all his stand out qualities, Berge doesn't orchestrate the midfield in the same way that Norwood does. With the exception of Lundstram in there, this goal typifies it perfectly:


People need to get back to how they instinctively play - a less is more approach. For example:

Sharp: Wilder needs to tell him to proper bog hang the shit out of the opposition. He isn't a target man, he isn't nimble enough to run the channels and he isn't tricky enough to play out wide. Get in the area, stay near the penalty spot, make a nuisance of yourself. That's what he's built an entire career on. I want to see him scoring goals after the ricochet has come off Oli's arse end:


Lundstram: Needs to bust his lungs each game, until they have to sub him. No Norwood-style pulling of strings. Keep it simple. Just this:


We need Moose or Brewster to provide the electric, instinctive, shoot-on-sight approach again. The running the channels. Like this:

Above all, We need to change the psychology of the approach. We've shifted the mindset to try and be solid, and grab something. We aren't as solid as last year, we won't be - we've lost JOC and Henderson and so, a little bit of caution to the wind is needed. We were at our best last season, when we were plucky. We need to not try and defend what the opposition are doing, but instead, impose how we want to play on them. We were at our best last season when we didn't give a fuck who you were, we'd come to play:


The psychology of the conversation in the squad needs to refocus on: "When are we at our best?" - what does that look like, what does it entail? How do we get back to that?

Finally, perspective. We're solid, just not creative. I never expected anything from a top, developing side such as Wolves or a side with such a quality attack, as Arsenal. They can step it up a gear when they need to. In the games versus Villa and Leeds we weren't off the pace - but if last season's United turn up, we win both those games and don't lose against Arsenal. We aren't far away, we just need to get back to what we do best.

This isn't an overhaul, this isn't a revolution, this isn't a panic. This isn't Fulham who need wholesale changes, in order to survive. We found a way to play in this division before and we need to go back to it.

In the words of John Egan, we need to start playing proper football - the Sheff United way.
⚔

Good post and agree.

 

[lazyfecklessblade]

The inquest, if indeed it should even be called that, shouldn't take long, and nor should it need to. Quite simply, we previously found a way to play in this division, and we need to get back to it. We need to ditch this tentative, cagey, defensive approach.

As things stand, we go down, without so much as a whimper. I'm not saying that to be melodramatic, merely forecasting how things would likely pan out if we carry on as we are. As Nicolaus_Copernicus said in shoutbox, we've lost our vibrancy. In Wilder's own words, we need to be "at it" once more.

IMO, a back to basics approach is needed:

The wide centre backs need to return to bombing on, to create the overload. Unless they do, the midfield falters, with minimal movement up top and we lose possession. We then invite pressure on, on a regular basis. If the back line are feeling less able or inclined to overlap, the question of why this is the case, needs to be asked. Without an overload, we become a very defensively orientated 5-3-2 and we'll be set for a hiding most weeks, or at best, we stand to be solid but create very little. If need be, move Enda to LCB and Lowe to LWB if this makes this more natural.

The wing backs need to be more incisive. I noticed how many times on recent weeks - and again today - George gets to the edge of the opposition's area, and his only options were to plump a nothing ball into the box or a square ball to Berge. We lost possession and once more, we're scampering back. He's lost his overlapping CB and we've lost sight of how we want to attack. The triangle of CB, WB and CM overlapping one another on either side is what makes us so potent.

Fleck, Norwood, Berge is our best midfield. Without them, we are far, far worse at retaining possession or picking a killer pass. If the ball isn't kept and recycled well, the CBs don't bomb on and the WBs don't overload. It is the very foundation of all that we do, when we are at our best. For all his stand out qualities, Berge doesn't orchestrate the midfield in the same way that Norwood does. With the exception of Lundstram in there, this goal typifies it perfectly:


People need to get back to how they instinctively play - a less is more approach. For example:

Sharp: Wilder needs to tell him to proper bog hang the shit out of the opposition. He isn't a target man, he isn't nimble enough to run the channels and he isn't tricky enough to play out wide. Get in the area, stay near the penalty spot, make a nuisance of yourself. That's what he's built an entire career on. I want to see him scoring goals after the ricochet has come off Oli's arse end:


Lundstram: Needs to bust his lungs each game, until they have to sub him. No Norwood-style pulling of strings. Keep it simple. Just this:


We need Moose or Brewster to provide the electric, instinctive, shoot-on-sight approach again. The running the channels. Like this:

Above all, We need to change the psychology of the approach. We've shifted the mindset to try and be solid, and grab something. We aren't as solid as last year, we won't be - we've lost JOC and Henderson and so, a little bit of caution to the wind is needed. We were at our best last season, when we were plucky. We need to not try and defend what the opposition are doing, but instead, impose how we want to play on them. We were at our best last season when we didn't give a fuck who you were, we'd come to play:


The psychology of the conversation in the squad needs to refocus on: "When are we at our best?" - what does that look like, what does it entail? How do we get back to that?

Finally, perspective. We're solid, just not creative. I never expected anything from a top, developing side such as Wolves or a side with such a quality attack, as Arsenal. They can step it up a gear when they need to. In the games versus Villa and Leeds we weren't off the pace - but if last season's United turn up, we win both those games and don't lose against Arsenal. We aren't far away, we just need to get back to what we do best.

This isn't an overhaul, this isn't a revolution, this isn't a panic. This isn't Fulham who need wholesale changes, in order to survive. We found a way to play in this division before and we need to go back to it.

In the words of John Egan, we need to start playing proper football - the Sheff United way.
⚔

Love an essay with videos! Agree completely, we’ve been too passive, our best football is imposed on the opposition.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

We need to go back further. Last season was great but we struggled to score goals then and relied heavily on the defence. The defence is different this season and it's not working anymore so do something different. Last season we won 1-0 nine times, that won't happen this season so we need a system change, we have to create more chances and ultimatly score more goals.

 

[The Bear]

The inquest, if indeed it should even be called that, shouldn't take long, and nor should it need to. Quite simply, we previously found a way to play in this division, and we need to get back to it. We need to ditch this tentative, cagey, defensive approach.

As things stand, we go down, without so much as a whimper. I'm not saying that to be melodramatic, merely forecasting how things would likely pan out if we carry on as we are. As Nicolaus_Copernicus said in shoutbox, we've lost our vibrancy. In Wilder's own words, we need to be "at it" once more.

IMO, a back to basics approach is needed:

The wide centre backs need to return to bombing on, to create the overload. Unless they do, the midfield falters, with minimal movement up top and we lose possession. We then invite pressure on, on a regular basis. If the back line are feeling less able or inclined to overlap, the question of why this is the case, needs to be asked. Without an overload, we become a very defensively orientated 5-3-2 and we'll be set for a hiding most weeks, or at best, we stand to be solid but create very little. If need be, move Enda to LCB and Lowe to LWB if this makes this more natural.

The wing backs need to be more incisive. I noticed how many times on recent weeks - and again today - George gets to the edge of the opposition's area, and his only options were to plump a nothing ball into the box or a square ball to Berge. We lost possession and once more, we're scampering back. He's lost his overlapping CB and we've lost sight of how we want to attack. The triangle of CB, WB and CM overlapping one another on either side is what makes us so potent.

Fleck, Norwood, Berge is our best midfield. Without them, we are far, far worse at retaining possession or picking a killer pass. If the ball isn't kept and recycled well, the CBs don't bomb on and the WBs don't overload. It is the very foundation of all that we do, when we are at our best. For all his stand out qualities, Berge doesn't orchestrate the midfield in the same way that Norwood does. With the exception of Lundstram in there, this goal typifies it perfectly:


People need to get back to how they instinctively play - a less is more approach. For example:

Sharp: Wilder needs to tell him to proper bog hang the shit out of the opposition. He isn't a target man, he isn't nimble enough to run the channels and he isn't tricky enough to play out wide. Get in the area, stay near the penalty spot, make a nuisance of yourself. That's what he's built an entire career on. I want to see him scoring goals after the ricochet has come off Oli's arse end:


Lundstram: Needs to bust his lungs each game, until they have to sub him. No Norwood-style pulling of strings. Keep it simple. Just this:


We need Moose or Brewster to provide the electric, instinctive, shoot-on-sight approach again. The running the channels. Like this:

Above all, We need to change the psychology of the approach. We've shifted the mindset to try and be solid, and grab something. We aren't as solid as last year, we won't be - we've lost JOC and Henderson and so, a little bit of caution to the wind is needed. We were at our best last season, when we were plucky. We need to not try and defend what the opposition are doing, but instead, impose how we want to play on them. We were at our best last season when we didn't give a fuck who you were, we'd come to play:


The psychology of the conversation in the squad needs to refocus on: "When are we at our best?" - what does that look like, what does it entail? How do we get back to that?

Finally, perspective. We're solid, just not creative. I never expected anything from a top, developing side such as Wolves or a side with such a quality attack, as Arsenal. They can step it up a gear when they need to. In the games versus Villa and Leeds we weren't off the pace - but if last season's United turn up, we win both those games and don't lose against Arsenal. We aren't far away, we just need to get back to what we do best.

This isn't an overhaul, this isn't a revolution, this isn't a panic. This isn't Fulham who need wholesale changes, in order to survive. We found a way to play in this division before and we need to go back to it.

In the words of John Egan, we need to start playing proper football - the Sheff United way.
⚔

If Moose and Brewster link up it'll be Moose-Brew and a joy to watch.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

The inquest, if indeed it should even be called that, shouldn't take long, and nor should it need to. Quite simply, we previously found a way to play in this division, and we need to get back to it. We need to ditch this tentative, cagey, defensive approach.

As things stand, we go down, without so much as a whimper. I'm not saying that to be melodramatic, merely forecasting how things would likely pan out if we carry on as we are. As Nicolaus_Copernicus said in shoutbox, we've lost our vibrancy. In Wilder's own words, we need to be "at it" once more.

IMO, a back to basics approach is needed:

The wide centre backs need to return to bombing on, to create the overload. Unless they do, the midfield falters, with minimal movement up top and we lose possession. We then invite pressure on, on a regular basis. If the back line are feeling less able or inclined to overlap, the question of why this is the case, needs to be asked. Without an overload, we become a very defensively orientated 5-3-2 and we'll be set for a hiding most weeks, or at best, we stand to be solid but create very little. If need be, move Enda to LCB and Lowe to LWB if this makes this more natural.

The wing backs need to be more incisive. I noticed how many times on recent weeks - and again today - George gets to the edge of the opposition's area, and his only options were to plump a nothing ball into the box or a square ball to Berge. We lost possession and once more, we're scampering back. He's lost his overlapping CB and we've lost sight of how we want to attack. The triangle of CB, WB and CM overlapping one another on either side is what makes us so potent.

Fleck, Norwood, Berge is our best midfield. Without them, we are far, far worse at retaining possession or picking a killer pass. If the ball isn't kept and recycled well, the CBs don't bomb on and the WBs don't overload. It is the very foundation of all that we do, when we are at our best. For all his stand out qualities, Berge doesn't orchestrate the midfield in the same way that Norwood does. With the exception of Lundstram in there, this goal typifies it perfectly:


People need to get back to how they instinctively play - a less is more approach. For example:

Sharp: Wilder needs to tell him to proper bog hang the shit out of the opposition. He isn't a target man, he isn't nimble enough to run the channels and he isn't tricky enough to play out wide. Get in the area, stay near the penalty spot, make a nuisance of yourself. That's what he's built an entire career on. I want to see him scoring goals after the ricochet has come off Oli's arse end:


Lundstram: Needs to bust his lungs each game, until they have to sub him. No Norwood-style pulling of strings. Keep it simple. Just this:


We need Moose or Brewster to provide the electric, instinctive, shoot-on-sight approach again. The running the channels. Like this:

Above all, We need to change the psychology of the approach. We've shifted the mindset to try and be solid, and grab something. We aren't as solid as last year, we won't be - we've lost JOC and Henderson and so, a little bit of caution to the wind is needed. We were at our best last season, when we were plucky. We need to not try and defend what the opposition are doing, but instead, impose how we want to play on them. We were at our best last season when we didn't give a fuck who you were, we'd come to play:


The psychology of the conversation in the squad needs to refocus on: "When are we at our best?" - what does that look like, what does it entail? How do we get back to that?

Finally, perspective. We're solid, just not creative. I never expected anything from a top, developing side such as Wolves or a side with such a quality attack, as Arsenal. They can step it up a gear when they need to. In the games versus Villa and Leeds we weren't off the pace - but if last season's United turn up, we win both those games and don't lose against Arsenal. We aren't far away, we just need to get back to what we do best.

This isn't an overhaul, this isn't a revolution, this isn't a panic. This isn't Fulham who need wholesale changes, in order to survive. We found a way to play in this division before and we need to go back to it.

In the words of John Egan, we need to start playing proper football - the Sheff United way.
⚔

I know what you mean but you’re basically just telling players to be more confident – it’s not easy to switch that on and off at will. We’re not deliberately playing in a way that isn’t in keeping with those highlights, but a lack of confidence impacts on everything we do – and most vitally the willingness to be brave in our decision-making when with the ball. We’ve been punished in possession and conceded this season so far, so players then are cagier in trying those sorts of difficult pass, and that impacts our ability to take the game to who we’re playing. Coupled with that, part of what probably gave the team confidence was its consistency, which we’ve lost with the changes. It’s not an easy fix. A positive result against Fulham might help to give us some of that confidence.

 

[sufcboy95]

We need to get more bodies in midfield. We’ve been horrendous in possession because we’re playing with a back 5 rather than 5 across midfield as it’s been previously. Go 4 at back and pack the midfield and get more bodies going forward when we attack

 

[cahill]

If Moose and Brewster link up it'll be Moose-Brew and a joy to watch.

But where is Mousse ? Rhetorical question, but is he ever going to be « with us »

 

[VwBlade]

Excellent post and I agree fully. As much as I like Osborne he doesn't bring the guile and creativity that fleck does. He's more the ankle biting Jack Russell terrier type to be brought on the protect a lead. Berge is settling excellently into the prem but we need Norwoods incisive defence splitting passes back. I think fear of second season syndrome is definitely present within the squad

 

[McGoaldrick]

3 points vs fulham and a last minute brewster winner at anfield and all is forgiven

 

[alvblade]

3 points vs fulham and a last minute brewster winner at anfield and all is forgiven

Unlikely

 

[PokerBlade]

The only thing I'm grasping at right now is how utterly ridiculous the results are across the board. Man U letting six in, Liverpool currently 4-1 down to Villa in the first half, this is bizarre.

As for us, we look like we're playing at half speed. I know we aren't blessed with pace on the ball but the speed of passing isn't there, the pressing isn't there. Completely missing the intensity that got us here.

 

[Yank]

 

[BobblesBlade]

We needed someone who can score goals
but
a midfielder or two that can create the for the forwards.

Fingers crossed Brewster will bang some in but if Wilder thinks Osborne and Lundstram are the starters then we are screwed.

 

[Greg.]

We only conceded 1 against Villa with 10 men
Liverpool have conceded 4 in the first half

 

[BobblesBlade]

The only thing I'm grasping at right now is how utterly ridiculous the results are across the board. Man U letting six in, Liverpool currently 4-1 down to Villa in the first half, this is bizarre.

As for us, we look like we're playing at half speed. I know we aren't blessed with pace on the ball but the speed of passing isn't there, the pressing isn't there. Completely missing the intensity that got us here.

I was gutted at Leicester losing 3-0 to bloody West Ham. Cost me 220 quid the fookers

 

[steve26272]

Agree totally

My only concern is around why we have gone more defensive
Maybe a combination of several things....

1)Our defence know we can’t score, so can’t play with the freedom of ‘we’ll out score you’ hence sit back more
2)Do they have the confidence in Ramsdale they had in Henderson?
3)Have teams figured out how to affect us
4)Do the miss the pressure and added yard a crowd gives
5)big contracts and plaudits, do they think they have made it?

My guess is each one of these will play a part, and if each one only hits by 1%, then at this level that will be the difference

 

[bertieblade]

I was gutted at Leicester losing 3-0 to bloody West Ham. Cost me 220 quid the fookers

Hopefully you have not hit any money riding on Liverpool in an attempt to recover your Losses

 

[BobblesBlade]

Hopefully you have not hit any money riding on Liverpool in an attempt to recover your Losses

I was actually gonna go ht x ft Liverpool. Glad I didn’t.

 

[JayGreen17]

The inquest, if indeed it should even be called that, shouldn't take long, and nor should it need to. Quite simply, we previously found a way to play in this division, and we need to get back to it. We need to ditch this tentative, cagey, defensive approach.

As things stand, we go down, without so much as a whimper. I'm not saying that to be melodramatic, merely forecasting how things would likely pan out if we carry on as we are. As Nicolaus_Copernicus said in shoutbox, we've lost our vibrancy. In Wilder's own words, we need to be "at it" once more.

IMO, a back to basics approach is needed:

The wide centre backs need to return to bombing on, to create the overload. Unless they do, the midfield falters, with minimal movement up top and we lose possession. We then invite pressure on, on a regular basis. If the back line are feeling less able or inclined to overlap, the question of why this is the case, needs to be asked. Without an overload, we become a very defensively orientated 5-3-2 and we'll be set for a hiding most weeks, or at best, we stand to be solid but create very little. If need be, move Enda to LCB and Lowe to LWB if this makes this more natural.

The wing backs need to be more incisive. I noticed how many times on recent weeks - and again today - George gets to the edge of the opposition's area, and his only options were to plump a nothing ball into the box or a square ball to Berge. We lost possession and once more, we're scampering back. He's lost his overlapping CB and we've lost sight of how we want to attack. The triangle of CB, WB and CM overlapping one another on either side is what makes us so potent.

Fleck, Norwood, Berge is our best midfield. Without them, we are far, far worse at retaining possession or picking a killer pass. If the ball isn't kept and recycled well, the CBs don't bomb on and the WBs don't overload. It is the very foundation of all that we do, when we are at our best. For all his stand out qualities, Berge doesn't orchestrate the midfield in the same way that Norwood does. With the exception of Lundstram in there, this goal typifies it perfectly:


People need to get back to how they instinctively play - a less is more approach. For example:

Sharp: Wilder needs to tell him to proper bog hang the shit out of the opposition. He isn't a target man, he isn't nimble enough to run the channels and he isn't tricky enough to play out wide. Get in the area, stay near the penalty spot, make a nuisance of yourself. That's what he's built an entire career on. I want to see him scoring goals after the ricochet has come off Oli's arse end:


Lundstram: Needs to bust his lungs each game, until they have to sub him. No Norwood-style pulling of strings. Keep it simple. Just this:


We need Moose or Brewster to provide the electric, instinctive, shoot-on-sight approach again. The running the channels. Like this:

Above all, We need to change the psychology of the approach. We've shifted the mindset to try and be solid, and grab something. We aren't as solid as last year, we won't be - we've lost JOC and Henderson and so, a little bit of caution to the wind is needed. We were at our best last season, when we were plucky. We need to not try and defend what the opposition are doing, but instead, impose how we want to play on them. We were at our best last season when we didn't give a fuck who you were, we'd come to play:


The psychology of the conversation in the squad needs to refocus on: "When are we at our best?" - what does that look like, what does it entail? How do we get back to that?

Finally, perspective. We're solid, just not creative. I never expected anything from a top, developing side such as Wolves or a side with such a quality attack, as Arsenal. They can step it up a gear when they need to. In the games versus Villa and Leeds we weren't off the pace - but if last season's United turn up, we win both those games and don't lose against Arsenal. We aren't far away, we just need to get back to what we do best.

This isn't an overhaul, this isn't a revolution, this isn't a panic. This isn't Fulham who need wholesale changes, in order to survive. We found a way to play in this division before and we need to go back to it.

In the words of John Egan, we need to start playing proper football - the Sheff United way.
⚔

Great post

 

[JayGreen17]

We needed someone who can score goals
but
a midfielder or two that can create the for the forwards.

Fingers crossed Brewster will bang some in but if Wilder thinks Osborne and Lundstram are the starters then we are screwed.

Ozzie and Lundstram are not the answer, they’re second rate champ not first team prem, we’ll go down with those 2 in the first team.

 

[Sean Thornton]

The inquest, if indeed it should even be called that, shouldn't take long, and nor should it need to. Quite simply, we previously found a way to play in this division, and we need to get back to it. We need to ditch this tentative, cagey, defensive approach.

As things stand, we go down, without so much as a whimper. I'm not saying that to be melodramatic, merely forecasting how things would likely pan out if we carry on as we are. As Nicolaus_Copernicus said in shoutbox, we've lost our vibrancy. In Wilder's own words, we need to be "at it" once more.

IMO, a back to basics approach is needed:

The wide centre backs need to return to bombing on, to create the overload. Unless they do, the midfield falters, with minimal movement up top and we lose possession. We then invite pressure on, on a regular basis. If the back line are feeling less able or inclined to overlap, the question of why this is the case, needs to be asked. Without an overload, we become a very defensively orientated 5-3-2 and we'll be set for a hiding most weeks, or at best, we stand to be solid but create very little. If need be, move Enda to LCB and Lowe to LWB if this makes this more natural.

The wing backs need to be more incisive. I noticed how many times on recent weeks - and again today - George gets to the edge of the opposition's area, and his only options were to plump a nothing ball into the box or a square ball to Berge. We lost possession and once more, we're scampering back. He's lost his overlapping CB and we've lost sight of how we want to attack. The triangle of CB, WB and CM overlapping one another on either side is what makes us so potent.

Fleck, Norwood, Berge is our best midfield. Without them, we are far, far worse at retaining possession or picking a killer pass. If the ball isn't kept and recycled well, the CBs don't bomb on and the WBs don't overload. It is the very foundation of all that we do, when we are at our best. For all his stand out qualities, Berge doesn't orchestrate the midfield in the same way that Norwood does. With the exception of Lundstram in there, this goal typifies it perfectly:


People need to get back to how they instinctively play - a less is more approach. For example:

Sharp: Wilder needs to tell him to proper bog hang the shit out of the opposition. He isn't a target man, he isn't nimble enough to run the channels and he isn't tricky enough to play out wide. Get in the area, stay near the penalty spot, make a nuisance of yourself. That's what he's built an entire career on. I want to see him scoring goals after the ricochet has come off Oli's arse end:


Lundstram: Needs to bust his lungs each game, until they have to sub him. No Norwood-style pulling of strings. Keep it simple. Just this:


We need Moose or Brewster to provide the electric, instinctive, shoot-on-sight approach again. The running the channels. Like this:

Above all, We need to change the psychology of the approach. We've shifted the mindset to try and be solid, and grab something. We aren't as solid as last year, we won't be - we've lost JOC and Henderson and so, a little bit of caution to the wind is needed. We were at our best last season, when we were plucky. We need to not try and defend what the opposition are doing, but instead, impose how we want to play on them. We were at our best last season when we didn't give a fuck who you were, we'd come to play:


The psychology of the conversation in the squad needs to refocus on: "When are we at our best?" - what does that look like, what does it entail? How do we get back to that?

Finally, perspective. We're solid, just not creative. I never expected anything from a top, developing side such as Wolves or a side with such a quality attack, as Arsenal. They can step it up a gear when they need to. In the games versus Villa and Leeds we weren't off the pace - but if last season's United turn up, we win both those games and don't lose against Arsenal. We aren't far away, we just need to get back to what we do best.

This isn't an overhaul, this isn't a revolution, this isn't a panic. This isn't Fulham who need wholesale changes, in order to survive. We found a way to play in this division before and we need to go back to it.

In the words of John Egan, we need to start playing proper football - the Sheff United way.
⚔

“Vibrancy” “Tempo” Both missing.

 

[PokerBlade]

The only thing I'm grasping at right now is how utterly ridiculous the results are across the board. Man U letting six in, Liverpool currently 4-1 down to Villa in the first half, this is bizarre.

As for us, we look like we're playing at half speed. I know we aren't blessed with pace on the ball but the speed of passing isn't there, the pressing isn't there. Completely missing the intensity that got us here.

Having finished watching the Villa game I'm going to double down on this post.

I like seeing the big clubs get shown up so I feel bad taking away from that result but this is a sign things are badly wrong, isn't it? Not that result in isolation, but it seems like the kind of result I expect to see once or twice a season is happening twice a weekend. Man City getting torn apart last week, Man U leaking six at home, Liverpool letting SEVEN in. This is partly because our results mean I can't sit back and enjoy it, still though, it's looking more and more like the start of this season is a farce.

 

[Large Mendonca]

The pressing game is also not there for some reason, we've definitely lost our mojo and I think our boss has too - he looks very forlorn at every post match interview we have these days. As the OP says, unless we get back to "The Sheff United Way", we'll go down without a whimper.

 

[Red Wing Blade]

One of Wilder's biggest problems is that too many players ended last season out of form and playing poorly, and they've brought that into the new season.

Stevens, Fleck and Lundstram were garbage after lockdown and Stevens and Fleck have continued in that manner. Lundstram is a bit hit and miss at the moment but arguably the best of these three on current form.

Norwood was inconsistent after lockdown. One minute looked absolute class with his mixed bag of passes, though his corners and free kicks were still woeful, the next game he was invisible. Even when on form he's guilty of giving away possession more than any other midfielder and often does cheaply. He's started this season the same way so Wilder dropped him for Berge, hoping we get some consistency in midfield and retain possession better. That's pretty much left only Berge and Osborn playing consistently but they're not going to open up defences.

Up top Didsy has stopped dropping deep and linking up the midfield with the front line like he used to. Sharp is way off the pace now and I'm sorry to say so, but he appears to be finished as a Premier League striker. Mousset is either injured or not fit, so unreliable, though our most technically gifted attacking player when on form. McBurnie is all huff and puff with no end product. He doesn't win nearly enough aerial battles for a player of his height and he's not savvy enough to create chances for himself or others. Worse yet we just hoof it long when he's on the pitch. I can't see him topping his tally of last season if he started every game. Sorry.

Overall Wilder has lots of problems with this squad going back to last season and to fix them means replacements, and we don't have that kind of money. It's cost us over £60mil to bring in Berge, Ramsdale and Brewster.

This season is going to be his biggest challenge in management and hopefully won't end with the first relegation on his CV. There could be an argument that he's got everything he can out of these players and there's nothing left to get out of them. But they're not even playing to the best that he got out of them and no other manager could get more out of them than Chris Wilder.

 

[metalblade]

He has to bring in Bogle, Lowe and Ampadu in other words player who can take players on and beat them, it as all got slow out wide nobody wants to get the ball in early no one wants to go 1on1 with a defender it is always stop and pass back and work a crossing opportunity by which time the opposition are all back and set.

 

[Stretch]

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[ChipButtyBlade]

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[blademark]

Some excellent posts, none more so than the opening essay which was superb. In a nutshell, most seem to agree that we have lost out mojo, and our unique way of playing that gives us our edge. I think some of that is due to changing to a flat 3 in midfield and a large amount is due to lack of supporters. Sadly I'd be surprised if supporters were allowed back at all this season, so Wilder needs to quickly sort out selection and formation otherwise we could be sunk.
You never know, today might bring a pleasant surprise. I'm still optimistic he can sort it out, and our first win will be huge, and can hopefully trigger some kind of a resurgence.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

“Vibrancy” “Tempo” Both missing.

We’ve become the team everybody thought we’d be. A defensively minded bunch of cloggers.
This is were AK has to earn his money and be the good assistant. Chris has started to have blind spots with regard to team selection. He seems too eager to drop certain players and much too loyal to others.