The League 1 "swagger"

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Snake

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That performance last night reminded me so much of the League 1 season we had under Wilder. Just like then, we are a bit rough around the edges and deffo not the finished article, but there something a tad special there - our swagger is back.

haha I've been a blade long enough to not get too carried away but if we can keep this team together and add 3 or 4 key additions in the rest of this window and January then things will look very positive indeed.

Can't wait for QPR next week.... not too bothered about the BTC boys game on Tuesday night - I hope our kids turn em over.
 

I really enjoyed watching that last night, and it’s been an awful long time since we’ve been able to say that.
Some great performances and I loved having so many home grown players on the pitch. I really hope some of them have a break through season and become first team regulars.
We still need a few additions to give us more depth but so far it’s looking way more promising than I had imagined it would.
 
Snake said:
That performance last night reminded me so much of the League 1 season we had under Wilder. Just like then, we are a bit rough around the edges and deffo not the finished article, but there something a tad special there - our swagger is back.

haha I've been a blade long enough to not get too carried away but if we can keep this team together and add 3 or 4 key additions in the rest of this window and January then things will look very positive indeed.

Can't wait for QPR next week.... not too bothered about the BTC boys game on Tuesday night - I hope our kids turn em over.
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Difficult to know and judge how bad or good Preston are. Historically they’re midtable, QPR will be perhaps similar though they’ve been shitter the last year or two. So Norwich will be the first gauge, really.

Last night was a classic case of beat what’s in front of you, QPR will be the same.

But you’re right, we started bright, we settled far better than Preston and despite losing possession more than we’d like, Preston were kind enough to give it us straight back.

O’Hare was everywhere, a very busy AM across the line behind Moore and between Hamer and Brooks on the flanks.

He was allowed to play this role because Arblaster and Souza dominated the defensive midfield, Preston had no answer at all for this. They pressed, they harried, they controlled possession and importantly had shape. Their understanding together seemed very good, allowing the other to move forward when needed.

At the back it was very organised, mostly. There wasn’t really a threat from Preston, the right was probably more settled, burrows better defensively than with the ball, but he’s settling in. Robinson seemed to be talking to him and organising him

It was good to watch, some really neat football in tight spaces at times. No panic, just play and move for each other to create space
 
The best performance in recent years was probably the 5-2 win over Burnley but that match ebbed and flowed. Burnley had their spell of control and we had a brilliant 15 minutes where we over powered them.

During the promotion season under Hecky many games were quite even. We scored from moments of quality from mainly N’Diaye and McAtee, then we defended for our lives forming an impenetrable wall. We showed character and battling spirit.

However last night was very different.
When was the last time a game looked so easy? Especially when playing away? Altho as stated maybe it’s more about PNE being really poor.

Agree the last time we looked so composed controlling a match for 80 minutes was during the league 1 100 point season.

We finally have a midfield that are comfortable on the ball and make loads of short passes able to keep possession, we’re not at that level of understanding yet and some one touch passing went astray but it brought back memories of the Coutts, Fleck and Duffy midfield. Early days but you feel Wilder is building something.
 
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DronnieBlade said:
Preston were gash. Let’s not forget that.

But I agree about the swagger. It’s last year in reverse. We had multiple players on the pitch worth more individually than PNEs starting 11.

Almost unfair but that’s the rub !!!

UTB
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“Last year in reverse” is a good way of putting it.

Last year, we looked out of our depth, couldn’t keep the ball and posed no threat whatsoever. Whereas when the opposition had the ball, it almost felt like they were choosing when to score. It was horrible. But last night was very much the opposite - we held all the cards and it felt like the game was completely on our terms.
 
Geordie Blade said:
“Last year in reverse” is a good way of putting it.

Last year, we looked out of our depth, couldn’t keep the ball and posed no threat whatsoever. Whereas when the opposition had the ball, it almost felt like they were choosing when to score. It was horrible. But last night was very much the opposite - we held all the cards and it felt like the game was completely on our terms.
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I enjoyed last night and we looked comfortable but first game last season was Palace and last night was PNE. They are from different planets.
 
Geordie Blade said:
“Last year in reverse” is a good way of putting it.

Last year, we looked out of our depth, couldn’t keep the ball and posed no threat whatsoever. Whereas when the opposition had the ball, it almost felt like they were choosing when to score. It was horrible. But last night was very much the opposite - we held all the cards and it felt like the game was completely on our terms.
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Although they were incredibly... Incredibly few and far between we should make sure to note we did have the odd spell in games where we looked a good side, it was a disaster but I honestly wasn't that bothered. The gap between champ and PL is almost out of sight now. Promoted sides are regularly coming straight back down. The only almost success story of late is Forest, they've spent every last penny, bought 600 player and even they're in a relegation scrap every season.

For me I'm just glad we go the points deduction out the way. Preston were wank, as mentioned we're a little rough round the edges but with enough games and gel time I think we'll be fine. First game worries are over and we can just crack on now.
 
I disagree with alot of whats said about last season !
We sold our 2 best players s couple of weeks before the Premier started.
We didn't recruit .
Wilder has come in , he accepted relegation and the need to replace the old heads.
His recruitment has been fantastic and intelligent. We have the skills of o'hare who will be worth 25 million by end of season , we have pace we have ability to keep the ball .if we do go up again I can see a season like our first season of 9nth place as wilder is definitely wanting this .
Sign Cooper, sign whittaker we have a strong squad .
Everyone talking about Burnley but I'd put my life we will finish higher
 
I thought we were bang average over a side destined to go down. Encouraging result, but some perspective, pllleassseee.
 
I enjoyed Friday night a lot and it's put brought a buzz about football back in my life. But talking about where we might finish in the prem if we get promoted is probably a little bit premature
 

Lightsoot said:
I thought we were bang average over a side destined to go down. Encouraging result, but some perspective, pllleassseee.
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I think you're completely wrong. We were organised, defended well, moved the ball well and were good enough to take a breather after the 2nd goal and use it as a training exercise.

If you couldn't see that, granted against a poor side, then maybe your expectations will never be met.
 
Maurice Maurice said:
I think you're completely wrong. We were organised, defended well, moved the ball well and were good enough to take a breather after the 2nd goal and use it as a training exercise.

If you couldn't see that, granted against a poor side, then maybe your expectations will never be met.
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You’re easily pleased, Maurice. I saw a dreadful home team who we struggled to create clear cut openings against, who we scored with a wicked deflection and a keeper calamity, albeit well finished by Hamer.

Other than Moore’s miss from Brooks’ cutback, name me a clear cut chance we created?

They were terrible, but on the rare times they got forward we didn’t look comfortable. I’m delighted we won, but fuck me, take those rose tinted specs off.
 
Digs blade said:
Bloody hell mate it’s all doom and gloom
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I loved the win mate, honestly. It’s a great start but thought they were shite and we looked quite disjointed. I think we’ll get a lot better, but some seem to want to crown us as automatic contenders based on beating a wank, free falling Preston. They’ll get leathered 5 and 6 this season. We managed 2, with some helping hands.
 
Snake said:
That performance last night reminded me so much of the League 1 season we had under Wilder. Just like then, we are a bit rough around the edges and deffo not the finished article, but there something a tad special there - our swagger is back.

haha I've been a blade long enough to not get too carried away but if we can keep this team together and add 3 or 4 key additions in the rest of this window and January then things will look very positive indeed.

Can't wait for QPR next week.... not too bothered about the BTC boys game on Tuesday night - I hope our kids turn em over.
Click to expand...
I enjoyed that league 1 season more than any of the promotions to the premier league, the football was brilliant, I’ll never forget playing Bradford the game after we got promoted at Northampton, Bradford were no mugs that season they finished 5th. We absolutely tore them a new one, we passed the ball round like they didn’t exist, it was completely men against boys, it was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen of a Sheffield United team, some people can criticise my opinion and say “yes but it was only league 1” but we found ourselves in that league and it took us 6 years to get out, the performances that season and the togetherness on and off the pitch will take a lot of beating while I’m still on this planet earth. I also think it was the relief of going up and also the fact it was the first time we’d won a league since 1982.
It’s amazing to think that we’ve only 3 league titles since the 50’s. We seem to average a league title every 30+ years so on that average it’ll be a fair few years until the next !
 
Lightsoot said:
You’re easily pleased, Maurice. I saw a dreadful home team who we struggled to create clear cut openings against, who we scored with a wicked deflection and a keeper calamity, albeit well finished by Hamer.

Other than Moore’s miss from Brooks’ cutback, name me a clear cut chance we created?

They were terrible, but on the rare times they got forward we didn’t look comfortable. I’m delighted we won, but fuck me, take those rose tinted specs off.
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Hahaha, I'm easily pleased, hahaha. You're funny.
 
Maurice Maurice said:
I think you're completely wrong. We were organised, defended well, moved the ball well and were good enough to take a breather after the 2nd goal and use it as a training exercise.

If you couldn't see that, granted against a poor side, then maybe your expectations will never be met.
Click to expand...
Agree with that performance summary. But, I also agree with Lightsoot, our weakness is still infront of goal. We were yelling at Brookes and a few others to shoot or cross. We do it all right then bottle in front of the old onion bag and I think it’s a bad habit we developed last year for fear of giving possession away. Souza and Hamer had a bash but way off. Moore had a bash but side netting.

Hopefully someone with an air trigger mentality (Campbell or JRS) might start planting a few of the chances we’re creating like Billy would.
 
We can discuss personnel, tactics and attitude/swagger all we want...

The biggest difference last night was we looked athletic, mobile, dynamic and fit. Preston looked like us last season!!

The main thing we've got rid of this off season has been slow, cumbersome and flat footed players.

Look at the bench. Who would you rather bring on with 20 mins to go? Hecky's favourites Sharp and Norwood? Bit of experience to close out the game by slowing it down? Or Peck, Brewster, Seriki? Energy and dynamism to cause the other team even more problems with 20 to go?

I'm really encouraged Team Tufty have seen how the PL has gone and is modelling our squad like wise. Fuck experience. We need to be quicker, more explosive!
 
Lightsoot said:
You’re easily pleased, Maurice. I saw a dreadful home team who we struggled to create clear cut openings against, who we scored with a wicked deflection and a keeper calamity, albeit well finished by Hamer.

Other than Moore’s miss from Brooks’ cutback, name me a clear cut chance we created?

They were terrible, but on the rare times they got forward we didn’t look comfortable. I’m delighted we won, but fuck me, take those rose tinted specs off.
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I think that the positive of Friday night was the athleticism of the midfield and we were trying lots of first time and positive passes. Not everything was coming off though.
I still worry about the defence. We don’t get tight on their strikers. There were a few times when they had way too much time and space to control the ball and turn.
The video in this link of the block looks great but I think, going off memory, that the attack should never have got that far if we were tighter on their attack just before this
 
I was impressed by what looks like a team that have bought into a clear message. They haven't fully got to grips with it yet and there's still loads of work to be done and time will bring this team together further but it gives us what we had absolutely none of last year... hope.

At the moment, the biggest worry is the bench. Couple of injuries and we are back moving pieces around.

Bench was light! OK, add Shackleton, mcCallum, Tom Davies (not sure he will ever be back...) but I started going through the team and any injuries to that starting line up and we don't really have cover.
 
It was a very nice feeling to find ourselves in thinking that we have a good chance of winning unlike last season, personally I don’t want to get carried away like those who are deluded that they’re ‘massive’, as well we all know there will be plenty of bumps in the road I’ve seen that before when we bought well and had to sell halfway through a season also when we signed Dads Army with former greats who’d past their sell by date ie Withe, McNaught, Phil Thompson et al.

It’s looking good but another 30 wins and I’ll be content yes it sound depressive but being a United fan you know you can rely on hot sweats and palpitations.
 
Lightsoot said:
I loved the win mate, honestly. It’s a great start but thought they were shite and we looked quite disjointed. I think we’ll get a lot better, but some seem to want to crown us as automatic contenders based on beating a wank, free falling Preston. They’ll get leathered 5 and 6 this season. We managed 2, with some helping hands.
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I take your point but in the words of Warnock you’ve got to take the positives out of it.

After watching us get hammered for the last 12 months we went away from home, dominated the game, clean sheet and 3 points.

Preston looked poor but there are plenty of other Preston’s in this league as well.

We aren’t prime Barcelona in a total mismatch of a league so of course teams are going to get the odd chance against us but that was as complete an away performance as you could wish to have
 
SwissBlade said:
Difficult to know and judge how bad or good Preston are. Historically they’re midtable, QPR will be perhaps similar though they’ve been shitter the last year or two. So Norwich will be the first gauge, really.

Last night was a classic case of beat what’s in front of you, QPR will be the same.

But you’re right, we started bright, we settled far better than Preston and despite losing possession more than we’d like, Preston were kind enough to give it us straight back.

O’Hare was everywhere, a very busy AM across the line behind Moore and between Hamer and Brooks on the flanks.

He was allowed to play this role because Arblaster and Souza dominated the defensive midfield, Preston had no answer at all for this. They pressed, they harried, they controlled possession and importantly had shape. Their understanding together seemed very good, allowing the other to move forward when needed.

At the back it was very organised, mostly. There wasn’t really a threat from Preston, the right was probably more settled, burrows better defensively than with the ball, but he’s settling in. Robinson seemed to be talking to him and organising him

It was good to watch, some really neat football in tight spaces at times. No panic, just play and move for each other to create space
Click to expand...
The last few words said a lot ! For some time we have not had players who move around off the ball and create space for the player with the ball. Now we do !
 
Snake said:
That performance last night reminded me so much of the League 1 season we had under Wilder. Just like then, we are a bit rough around the edges and deffo not the finished article, but there something a tad special there - our swagger is back.

haha I've been a blade long enough to not get too carried away but if we can keep this team together and add 3 or 4 key additions in the rest of this window and January then things will look very positive indeed.

Can't wait for QPR next week.... not too bothered about the BTC boys game on Tuesday night - I hope our kids turn em over.
Click to expand...
Deffo. Christ we need the feel good and excitement back after last season.
Really ready for that feeling again. Looking forward to it now .
 
We are going back into dont worry about the opposition lets just keep attacking mode that served us well

The aquisitions look to be just what we needed, young healthy with good motors on them

We are passing to our own players again, we look a lot more structured at the back


I think those predicting league one in early july as we didnt seem to be signing anyone were a tad premature
all we have aquired look to fit the positions and theres some obvious leaders in the team now

2025 as they say in the vineyards looks like being a good year
 

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