Match Thread The Mighty Blades v Preston NE (FA Cup 4th Round)

[Aston max]

Some team's just can't produce any quality when they face each other and I think Preston are one of ours I can't ever remember a real quality game against them

 

[Pinchy]

Just got back,

Was not a classic game of football, both sides looked to be playing at half pace.

Duffy was out of sorts, but still the main attacking threat on the pitch, Fleck was steady but a bit subdued, probably mindful of the looming suspension, Lundstrum flattered to deceive as per his last few games.

Billy was bullied out of it until he won the penalty which he put away well, let’s hope he now gets back to something like the player he was in the first three months. Don never got going, and Ched.... sorry guys I don’t think it’s going to happen.

The defence was never in trouble, Stearman may turn out to be decent after all, and Moore made a very good save in injury time.

I said at half time if anyone scored that would be it and I was right. But It was probably the worst game this season for quality along with the Sheffield derby.

We did however deserve the win.

Stearman is an excellent centre-back and has been a rock for about half a dozen games now. “May turn out to be decent after all” is a mardy, absurd statement from a Shakey Jakie who hasn’t the good grace to admit he got it wrong.

Stears is, quite literally, different class. Well played yet again Stears. A very good player and a leader through and through. Our next captain, for sure.

 

[Pinchy]

Near enough our best 11 with 7 changes??

Absolutely nowhere near. What a ludicrous, probably comment. We’ll see how near it was on Tuesday...

Moore, Baldock, Stearman, Fleck. That’s it. What a silly, attention-seeking thing to say.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

Absolutely nowhere near. What a ludicrous, probably comment. We’ll see how near it was on Tuesday...

Moore, Baldock, Stearman, Fleck. That’s it. What a silly, attention-seeking thing to say.

It was me who said it, not Minty.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

It was me who said it, not Minty.

The phrase I used was 'near enough'. I'm curious what your view of the 1st 11 is & also 3 subs. See how much it wildly differs from the 14 on show today. My opinion was based upon the last 30 games, as opposed to the last 1.

 

[Minty]

Absolutely nowhere near. What a ludicrous, probably comment. We’ll see how near it was on Tuesday...

Moore, Baldock, Stearman, Fleck. That’s it. What a silly, attention-seeking thing to say.

Fucking hell Pinchy - slag me off for agreeing with you why don't you!

 

[cahill]

Just got back,

Was not a classic game of football, both sides looked to be playing at half pace.

Duffy was out of sorts, but still the main attacking threat on the pitch, Fleck was steady but a bit subdued, probably mindful of the looming suspension, Lundstrum flattered to deceive as per his last few games.

Billy was bullied out of it until he won the penalty which he put away well, let’s hope he now gets back to something like the player he was in the first three months. Don never got going, and Ched.... sorry guys I don’t think it’s going to happen.

The defence was never in trouble, Stearman may turn out to be decent after all, and Moore made a very good save in injury time.

I said at half time if anyone scored that would be it and I was right. But It was probably the worst game this season for quality along with the Sheffield derby.

We did however deserve the win.

 

[Pinchy]

Fucking hell Pinchy - slag me off for agreeing with you why don't you!

Sorry. Not you at all. The one before. You were right. I was agreeing with you..

Some people will always find a way to knock their own team, however daft they have to be in order to do it. The team today demonstrated that we now have a very decent squad and a second string that can compete well. It was nowhere near our first choice though, as you indicated. We’ll see the first choice team on Tuesday and it will be very different...

 

[cahill]

Just got back,

Was not a classic game of football, both sides looked to be playing at half pace.

Duffy was out of sorts, but still the main attacking threat on the pitch, Fleck was steady but a bit subdued, probably mindful of the looming suspension, Lundstrum flattered to deceive as per his last few games.

Billy was bullied out of it until he won the penalty which he put away well, let’s hope he now gets back to something like the player he was in the first three months. Don never got going, and Ched.... sorry guys I don’t think it’s going to happen.

The defence was never in trouble, Stearman may turn out to be decent after all, and Moore made a very good save in injury time.

I said at half time if anyone scored that would be it and I was right. But It was probably the worst game this season for quality along with the Sheffield derby.

We did however deserve the win.

Basically how I saw it

 

[zablade]

Stearman is an excellent centre-back and has been a rock for about half a dozen games now. “May turn out to be decent after all” is a mardy, absurd statement from a Shakey Jakie who hasn’t the good grace to admit he got it wrong.

Stears is, quite literally, different class. Well played yet again Stears. A very good player and a leader through and through. Our next captain, for sure.

Stearman played very well. As did Wright who also started.


Wright plays and we kept clean sheet... Odd that....

 

[Tom Bott]

It’s tomorrow at around 7.20pm, on the One show.

Ah the One Show where the presenter thought that llamas came from the Pyrenees.

Star football writer in the making there.

 

[William Large]

I thought the defence was nice and tight. Wright reads the game so well and is constantly watching and talking to the other defenders it’s no surprise we don’t concede many with him playing.
Preston are an awful side to play against, not blatantly dirty but just snidey little nudges and shoves to piss you off (aside from the defender who wrapped himself around Clayton constantly).
For me Ched made a huge difference when he came on. He attacked the defenders in the air when balls were sent high and gave them problems, instead of letting them boss him.
Not a great game but it’s about getting in the hat for the next round. Someone nice and shit at home or a big premier league team please after two crap draws so far.

 

[Pinchy]

Stearman played very well. As did Wright who also started.


Wright plays and we kept clean sheet... Odd that....

They did but Stearman was the leader and organiser. To say he ‘might just turn out to be decent’ or similar words grossly underestimates his performances, which have been impeccable for numerous games now, and his value to our team. He was captain in all but name today.

I’m perfectly happy for Wright to be around as cover for Stears and JOC but I doubt Jake will be and that’s the best he’s going to get here. He’ll be off in the Summer with our grateful thanks and best wishes.

The continuing campaign against Stears simply for not being Jake Wright has run its shameful course and really ought to be terminated forthwith.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[Pinchy]

I thought the defence was nice and tight. Wright reads the game so well and is constantly watching and talking to the other defenders it’s no surprise we don’t concede many with him playing.
Preston are an awful side to play against, not blatantly dirty but just snidey little nudges and shoves to piss you off (aside from the defender who wrapped himself around Clayton constantly).
For me Ched made a huge difference when he came on. He attacked the defenders in the air when balls were sent high and gave them problems, instead of letting them boss him.
Not a great game but it’s about getting in the hat for the next round. Someone nice and shit at home or a big premier league team please after two crap draws so far.

Actually it was Stears who was the gaffer in there. He was the one constantly talking, encouraging and organising. He’s our next captain, no question. Only Baldock pipped Stears for MOTM.

Time for the Shakey Jakies to see reason and take their vitriol and prejudice elsewhere. They are now embarrassing themselves.

Well played Stears. Impeccable yet again. Top man.

 

[William Large]

Actually it was Stears who was the gaffer in there. He was the one constantly talking, encouraging and organising. He’s our next captain, no question. Only Baldock pipped Stears for MOTM.

Time for the Shakey Jakies to see reason and take their vitriol and prejudice elsewhere. They are now embarrassing themselves.

Well played Stears. Impeccable yet again. Top man.

Actually, I saw jake wright doing it pretty consistently throughout the game. Crazy thought but maybe they both did? I thought stearman was solid as he has been for a while. Baldock was MOTM by some distance.

 

[LJBlade]

If Fleck gets a booking today I will not be a happy Chappy

Ahh, I completely forgot about this. There were a couple of tackles/challenges that I thought Fleck had sorted of ‘backed out’ and I wondered why because it seemed so out of character. This explains it.

 

[LJBlade]

I'm sorry but Stearman looks a reyt player atm.

Why are you sorry about that?

 

[nowtfancy]

Stearman MoM today
Duffy a rare off day
Referee (and Preston) absolutely shite

 

[LJBlade]

Haven't seen them back but at the time I thought the first shout was a penalty and the second not. Billy was tackled from behind. Ched fell over too easily, looking for a pen.

This. Both happened right in front of me, first definite pen the second Evans fell over too easily.

 

[sheffieldwhite]

Preston are an awful side to play against, not blatantly dirty but just snidey little nudges and shoves to piss you off (aside from the defender who wrapped himself around Clayton constantly).

That's what happens when Simon Grayson manages a club for over 4 years

 

[freddyp]

Today's team was chosen from the squad that won 1 out of 10. Was only going to go our way with a penalty or own goal. Could have played all day without scoring. Shows how important new signings are. They will give us the push needed to consolidate play off spot.

 

[Iceybabey]

Why are you sorry about that?

Some folk might take offence to praising a player who seems to attract a lil negativity here and there for some reason.

 

[Iceybabey]

Today's team was chosen from the squad that won 1 out of 10. Was only going to go our way with a penalty or own goal. Could have played all day without scoring. Shows how important new signings are. They will give us the push needed to consolidate play off spot.

Spot on. Reckon we'll go with the same team we saw at Norwich this Tues.

 

[LJBlade]

Stearman played very well. As did Wright who also started.


Wright plays and we kept clean sheet... Odd that....

What an extremely simplistic way of looking at it.

 

[LJBlade]

Some folk might take offence to praising a player who seems to attract a lil negativity here and there for some reason.

I assumed that might be the case. You don’t have to apologise for those who can’t see the obvious. That’s their problem.

 

[LJBlade]

Actually it was Stears who was the gaffer in there. He was the one constantly talking, encouraging and organising. He’s our next captain, no question. Only Baldock pipped Stears for MOTM.

Time for the Shakey Jakies to see reason and take their vitriol and prejudice elsewhere. They are now embarrassing themselves.

Well played Stears. Impeccable yet again. Top man.

I understand your need to big Stearman up at every opportunity but in the first half at least it was Wright doing all the talking. Doesn’t take away from the fact that Stearman has a very good game though.

 

[William Large]

I understand your need to big Stearman up at every opportunity but in the first half at least it was Wright doing all the talking. Doesn’t take away from the fact that Stearman has a very good game though.

stearman was good but wright was talking and organising throughout. Baldock clear MOTM.

 

[sheffielder]

Is there some bizarre reason that both Stearman and Wright can't both be good. Obviously Stearman is ahead in the 1st eleven stakes but Wright is also a quality player and we should be happy we have them both. Stearman is new granted, but Wright has never let us down when we have called on him, never.

 

[Snowman]

I understand your need to big Stearman up at every opportunity but in the first half at least it was Wright doing all the talking. Doesn’t take away from the fact that Stearman has a very good game though.

Pinchy can't see the irony of the situation where he constantly belittles Wright by comparison to Stearman's career, belittles Wright by reference to silly names for those who believe he is and has been a good player for us (Shaky) and then lambasts those who don't gush about his new hero because they had legitimate concerns earlier in the season.

No doubt Pinchy has had to come to terms with the fact he was so wrong about Weir, Wilder and Duffy that he has to cling onto the one thing he may have got right and thus bore us all off with his genius ad infinitum.

For the avoidance of doubt, not that my opinion counts in kingpinchydom, Stearman, following an uncertain start has been full value for the transfer fee and at times has been akin to a colossus in the centre. Good signing. No need to belittle Wright though by (a) deciding his future for him and (b) comparing his playing career.