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

[Iceybabey]

That left foot ping from Stearman to Boldock out on the right wing was the best peace of skill in the whole game. Unlucky that Boldocks touch was lacking but the execution by Stearman was excellent.

 

[Pinchy]

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.

As I said, silly. You’ve decided to make an invalid point and now employ selective facts and circumstances to suit it. The first XI right now is the one that started at Norwich and will start against Villa. It certainly does not include Heneghan, Wright, Lafferty, Lundstram, or Sharp. That’s half the outfield team. Add to that Donaldson and Duffy won’t start on Tuesday either and we’re up to seven.

I’m really not sure you have a point worth making, here.

 

[Pinchy]

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.

Stears was talking and organising throughout. He does so every game. He’s our next captain, probably next season because Sharp (how ridiculous was his MOTM selection) won’t be playing much.

I’ve nothing against Jake Wright, a very capable player. I’m redressing the balance of malice from the idiots.

 

[Pinchy]

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.

Duffy? That’s a new one...

 

[Pinchy]

That left foot ping from Stearman to Boldock out on the right wing was the best peace of skill in the whole game. Unlucky that Boldocks touch was lacking but the execution by Stearman was excellent.

His tackle at the Kop end was superb. Powerful, decisive defending. As good as young Slater’s at Ipswich.

Well played again, Stears. I’ll keep saying it whist others sit in silent rage.

 

[Pinchy]

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.

No reason at all. Tell the Shakies who decided that Stears had to be garbage because their boy lost his place and a little tantrum was required. There was a lot of vitriol aimed at Stears; none whatsoever at Jake, certainly not from me.

 

[spongebobblade]

I’m beginning to wonder who exactly thought Stearman was garbage? A few genuinely and legitimately thought he had an unconvincing nervy start with us probably while he adapted to a back three? Wright had on the other hand been unbeaten in a blades shirt until Cardiff away this season and a captain in all but name. Stearman has simply got better and better over the course of the season and that’s the reason why he’s keeping Jake (Shakey? Really?) out of the side. Both are good players and leaders. Stearman is a better player and on form at the moment but I’m happy to have both of them. I’m more than happy to have Wright as back up at the moment. He’ll still has plenty to contribute this season

 

[Snowman]

Duffy? That’s a new one...

It was late.......

 

[cahill]

He was absolutely, completely and utterly shitfaced. Very nearly tackled himself before the world’s slowest steward caught up with him,

I’ll bet he wasn’t as “ shit faced” as the middle aged bloke behind me who slept virtually the whole game, Steward nudged him to make sure he wasn’t in a diabetic coma

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

As I said, silly. You’ve decided to make an invalid point and now employ selective facts and circumstances to suit it. The first XI right now is the one that started at Norwich and will start against Villa. It certainly does not include Heneghan, Wright, Lafferty, Lundstram, or Sharp. That’s half the outfield team. Add to that Donaldson and Duffy won’t start on Tuesday either and we’re up to seven.

I’m really not sure you have a point worth making, here.

To be succinct the point I made was that despite fielding a strong team, the level of performance was very poor and we exhibited a number of failings which we shouldn't have. The point is worth making because we're now heading towards the sharp end of the season and we shouldn't be turning in that level of performance, with those players on the pitch against what was basically a 2nd string Preston.

I thought the point was valid, and it's one that you don't think is. Ok, it's a forum, that what it's here for. Disagreement and discussion. I used the word 'starting 11', when possibly 'first teamers'; would have perhaps more appropriate, but I'd be silly to bog myself down with semantics.

My comment was that we fielded a very strong starting 11, and in my opinion, due to the strength of the starting 11 and certainly finishing 11, I expected a higher level of performance against Preston. Higher level in the areas mentioned as being deficit. Dragging the general validity of the comment into a discussion about the exact meaning of a phrase verges on pettiness.

Having attended every home game this season, both cup & league, to me eyes and those around me it was the worst home performance of the season. I'm perfectly entitled to say that, I pay my money, i support the team for 90mins and I am then perfectly entitled to critique. I'm not seeking attention nor am I trolling; I'm simply stating my opinion. I want us to perform to a high standard every game, and know the levels that we can, 1st 60mins of the Bristol City game as the bench mark. For us to get promoted, or at least be in the mix this season, from now until the end of the season quality performance needs to be the norm, especially in the light of the recent slump. Yesterday, was a step back and posed more questions that it answered.

I don't believe that my facts are selective. When arriving at my view of what is 'near enough' the first 11, I use the general inferences drawn evidence from the whole season, with specific focus on the previous 10 or so games and not just the previous 90mins, to do the opposite would be twisting facts to suit my argument. It might be that post player purchases, CW's starting 11 will change, but until he shows his hand consistently, I don't know.

Moore is currently first choice goal keeper. Baldock is first choice right WB, Stearman is 1st choice CB, Wright although not a starter was first choice last season and has featured in near enough half the games this season, Basham played the last 30 mins and is a 1st choice defender. Yesterday's midfield three have been the 1st choice midfield since Coutts' injury and has featured in every game when it can be fielded. The front two again have featured heavily. The only players that played yesterday, whom I don't consider starters/first teamers were Heneghan, Lafferty and Evans.

The 11 that started yesterday had 162 league appearances between them this season, the subs brought on another 56 appearances. Whether your definition our stating 11 or strongest 11 differs from mine (taking into account cup tied), we started and finished the match with a very strong side, 8/11's or near enough the best we could have fielded. A side that at this stage of the season, against that quality of opposition should not be turning in that level of performance.

 

[Pinchy]

To be succinct the point I made was that despite fielding a strong team, the level of performance was very poor and we exhibited a number of failings which we shouldn't have. The point is worth making because we're now heading towards the sharp end of the season and we shouldn't be turning in that level of performance, with those players on the pitch against what was basically a 2nd string Preston.

I thought the point was valid, and it's one that you don't think is. Ok, it's a forum, that what it's here for. Disagreement and discussion. I used the word 'starting 11', when possibly 'first teamers'; would have perhaps more appropriate, but I'd be silly to bog myself down with semantics.

My comment was that we fielded a very strong starting 11, and in my opinion, due to the strength of the starting 11 and certainly finishing 11, I expected a higher level of performance against Preston. Higher level in the areas mentioned as being deficit. Dragging the general validity of the comment into a discussion about the exact meaning of a phrase verges on pettiness.

Having attended every home game this season, both cup & league, to me eyes and those around me it was the worst home performance of the season. I'm perfectly entitled to say that, I pay my money, i support the team for 90mins and I am then perfectly entitled to critique. I'm not seeking attention nor am I trolling; I'm simply stating my opinion. I want us to perform to a high standard every game, and know the levels that we can, 1st 60mins of the Bristol City game as the bench mark. For us to get promoted, or at least be in the mix this season, from now until the end of the season quality performance needs to be the norm, especially in the light of the recent slump. Yesterday, was a step back and posed more questions that it answered.

I don't believe that my facts are selective. When arriving at my view of what is 'near enough' the first 11, I use the general inferences drawn evidence from the whole season, with specific focus on the previous 10 or so games and not just the previous 90mins, to do the opposite would be twisting facts to suit my argument. It might be that post player purchases, CW's starting 11 will change, but until he shows his hand consistently, I don't know.

Moore is currently first choice goal keeper. Baldock is first choice right WB, Stearman is 1st choice CB, Wright although not a starter was first choice last season and has featured in near enough half the games this season, Basham played the last 30 mins and is a 1st choice defender. Yesterday's midfield three have been the 1st choice midfield since Coutts' injury and has featured in every game when it can be fielded. The front two again have featured heavily. The only players that played yesterday, whom I don't consider starters/first teamers were Heneghan, Lafferty and Evans.

The 11 that started yesterday had 162 league appearances between them this season, the subs brought on another 56 appearances. Whether your definition our stating 11 or strongest 11 differs from mine (taking into account cup tied), we started and finished the match with a very strong side, 8/11's or near enough the best we could have fielded. A side that at this stage of the season, against that quality of opposition should not be turning in that level of performance.

I’m afraid my disagreement begins at the very beginning. If you think that performance was ‘very poor’ you must have missed any number of comparative performances pre-Wilder. There’s no graduation of performances in S2. Brilliant or shite, with nothing in between, We were not as good as we can be by a long way but ‘very poor’ and ‘dire’ which I’ve also seen, smacks of Bladey Inferiority Complex. A similar performance from Bolton against us has people purring with admiration.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[grafikhaus]

Just back. Good god it was awful. The too highlights were the pitch invader & CW opening himself up for an personal injury claim.

Good spot. In the second half, CW either kicked or threw a plastic bottle to his right which unfortunately hit a ball boy/girl full on. Credit to CW, he spent some time consoling the 'victim' (well, we all are nowadays, aren't we?)

I've seen 'em given.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

Good spot. In the second half, CW either kicked or threw a plastic bottle to his right which unfortunately hit a ball boy/girl full on. Credit to CW, he spent some time consoling the 'victim' (well, we all are nowadays, aren't we?)

I've seen 'em given.

Just me & thee 'witnessed' it, G. I caught the start of it in the corner of my eye, but I think he accidentally shoe'd it full force into the young lad's face. It was one of those 'he couldn't have connected any better & it couldn't have hit him any flusher' type moments. He was genuinely worried that he'd done some damage and fair play to the young lad he took it very well. He'd have been perfectly entitled to have done a 'ronaldo' in the circumstances and dropped to the floor & rolled about. The club doctor had a quick look as well. If I was the young lad's parents, i'd be saying 'get him a place at the academy & we'll forget all about it'

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

It was dogshit

To be fair, I thought we upped it a bit second half after a dull first half. If you play dog shit for most of the game and you score the winner when the ball hits your backside, it would appear that automatically wins you the man of the match award by the match sponsors, which must be to the chagrin of George Baldock. That wasn't a dig at Billy who put the penalty away well, but does whoever decide watch the game?.

 

[Foxy]

it would appear that automatically wins you the man of the match award by the match sponsors

It's actually voted for by supporters via twitter.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

It's actually voted for by supporters via twitter.

Astonishing Foxy, must have been those that didn't attend the match. Yesterdays decision rather demeans the award.

 

[Booker4]

Was Jamal Blackman injured? Seems odd leaving him out for this one.

I thought exactly the same. Wonder if Chelsea changed their mind and have recalled him?!

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

I thought exactly the same. Wonder if Chelsea changed their mind and have recalled him?!

He was sat behind the bench in the south stand.

 

[BushBlade]

I thought exactly the same. Wonder if Chelsea changed their mind and have recalled him?!

He's injured.

 

[Antonb]

hurt himself in training