Things i feel need to change

[blader]

1. Marcus Williams. Not going to write an essay, but I think we all know why by now.
2. Ryan Flynn. Sorry kid, but if you have no intention of taking on your full back, dont call yourself a winger.
3. Murphy on the wing. Its where hes played and played well. He won spl player of the month as a winger, hea not a striker. On a sidenote, could flynn be a striker? Not sure, but he cant continue out wide.
4. Not a necessity, more a suggestion. But do we think ironside deserves a start over kitson yet? Hes offered more than kitson in the last couple of games IMO.

Im sure there are many other suggestions from the other thousands of fans, but we can all agree today certainly was not good enough! However, i am not in the 'wilson out' camp, think thats pretty kneejerk to be honest.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

1. Marcus Williams. Not going to write an essay, but I think we all know why by now.
2. Ryan Flynn. Sorry kid, but if you have no intention of taking on your full back, dont call yourself a winger.
3. Murphy on the wing. Its where hes played and played well. He won spl player of the month as a winger, hea not a striker. On a sidenote, could flynn be a striker? Not sure, but he cant continue out wide.
4. Not a necessity, more a suggestion. But do we think ironside deserves a start over kitson yet? Hes offered more than kitson in the last couple of games IMO.

Im sure there are many other suggestions from the other thousands of fans, but we can all agree today certainly was not good enough! However, i am not in the 'wilson out' camp, think thats pretty kneejerk to be honest.

UTB

Yes, agreed. But unless we change our approach, we will go nowhere this season. I blame Wilson for this. The pedestrain football would work given 11 players of much greater ability than the opposition. But we aren't. No zip whatsoever, no drive, passion, change of gear. Every attack on goal is in a full box - because we've worked it side to side or cut back so many times.

It's incredibly boring, and proving ever more ineffectual. I worried when we lost Miller that it would cost us promotion. Signing Murphy gave me hope - only time will tell - but today he was as garbage as 10 others.

Truly pathetic it was.

UTB

 

[SwissBlade]

Like it blader! A decent constructive post, wasn't there today so can't really comment on the way we played in this game. But generally, I'd say:

1. Agreed
2. Personally I was impressed with the change in Flynn he's become more of a battler. Was today a bad game or is he just not good enough in your opinion?
3. You make a logical point. Is it not time to try Blackman back up front (even though I personally prefer him on the wing). It might be worth shaking things up and putting him upfront with one of the younger lads.
4. Sort of addressed this in my above point, but I'd like to see Any player that isn't performing to get dropped.

And my own comments:
5. KMac is by far the most creative player in the side, but I feel he gets lost in some games. when this happens and is unable to offer any incisive passing, he doesn't offer much. He can be weak and get bypassed against battling sides, doesn't help breakdown play and it's not like he shoots... Ever. Sometimes it's worth hauling him off and shoring up the middle.

6. Doyle. In a battling division, it's sometimes concerning that when we don't boss the midfield with skill, the only player then that can make a tackle is the oldest player on the pitch. Does he need more physical help in the middle. Could Cresswell do this.

7. Substitutions. We're back to the only way that we can attempt to change a game is to flood the side with strikers. It sounded today that we weren't creating chances until they got their goal. Yet once 0-2 down the only option was to bring on more strikers.

I think it's a lot of questions to ask, not all will need a change, but some tweaks are needed.

I know that many on here won't like it, but we need to go back to our successful form of earlier in this season. Less creativity, get back to basics. That means stop conceding. Stop taking silly risks and get the discipline back. It won't be pretty. But it's necessary.

 

[blader]

To try and respond to the whole post:

I think there has been an improvement in Flynn this season, but his constant unwillingness to at least TRY and beat the full back is very frustrating. It slows down our attack and allows defenders to come back. Especially with Kitson in the middle who thrives off the winger getting to the byline and putting balls into the box. Blackman may be worth trying again upfront, but i do feel he is better as a winger, which was shown with the introduction of Miller. I think losing Miller is going to prove to be a pivotal point in our season.

As for your points:
5. Yes, K-Mac is so difficult to know how to deal with. He is our most talented footballer, but frustrating all to often also. I love the way he plays football, but you can't help but feel he could always give a little more. Either way, dropping him would not be the answer, I'd prefer to see Whitehouse given a go alongside him, not to replace him.

6. Sort of answered above, think his defensive duties are not really earning him a place at the moment as he offers absolutely NOTHING going forward. Feel Whitehouse might just give us this, but again I can't say for certain as I haven't seen much of him.

7.Difficult again. When you looked at our bench today, there really wasn't much choice other than Ironside. I notice Taylor scored from Shrews again today and think another attacking player is a necessary addition. Other than adding to the squad, Wilson was limited with his options today, the 11 that started certainly should have been good enough to see the game out anyway. I think DW was banking on this.

 

[alcoblade]

ded.

I know that many on here won't like it, but we need to go back to our successful form of earlier in this season. Less creativity, get back to basics. That means stop conceding. Stop taking silly risks and get the discipline back. It won't be pretty. But it's necessary.

We certainly aren't conceding because we're opening up more. Today was the most grinding performance under Wilson. Hartlepool and Doncaster were just behind.

If this is the end game of our style of play then you can keep it.

UTB

 

[Foxy]

3. Murphy on the wing. Its where hes played and played well. He won spl player of the month as a winger, hea not a striker.

He prefers playing down the middle and you've decided upon seeing him a maximum of two games that he isn't a striker? If that's how things work Kevin McDonald isn't a footballer.

 

[SwissBlade]

We certainly aren't conceding because we're opening up more. Today was the most grinding performance under Wilson. Hartlepool and Doncaster were just behind.

If this is the end game of our style of play then you can keep it.

UTB

I wasn't saying that were opening up more, but in the games I've seen we've had fullbacks bombing on a lot. It leaves us exposed when we get hit on the break. At the start of the season we were more conservative and we maintained our shape much better.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

You want something changing?

Here - give the players a new one of these each

 

[SwissBlade]

He prefers playing down the middle and you've decided upon seeing him a maximum of two games that he isn't a striker? If that's how things work Kevin McDonald isn't a footballer.

If you read his post properly he bases his argument on where he was successful for Motherwell.

 

[alcoblade]

I wasn't saying that were opening up more, but in the games I've seen we've had fullbacks bombing on a lot. It leaves us exposed when we get hit on the break. At the start of the season we were more conservative and we maintained our shape much better.

Though your probably right, the thought of us being more conservative in any way fills me with dread.

Ryan Flynn and his endless cutbacks typify United and the way we play.

UTB

 

[Rodley]

We just lack zip - constantly wingers cut inside and it gives the opposition the chance to reorganise and we completely lose impetus.

I don't think the pitch helps us either, but the lack of dynamism has been present for a while. The difference is we don't have the firepower to blow teams over!

 

[Foxy]

If you read his post properly he bases his argument on where he was successful for Motherwell.

I've read it properly... He himself prefers playing down the middle and most Blades have seen him twice at most, which is why I think it's incredibly harsh to have decided he isn't a striker.

I actually agree with trying him on the wing and thought that Wilson would have started him there at Oxford

 

[blader]

He prefers playing down the middle and you've decided upon seeing him a maximum of two games that he isn't a striker? If that's how things work Kevin McDonald isn't a footballer.

No I haven't 'decided' that at all. i was simply saying that for the majority fo his career he has been successful as a winger. Also in December 2012, he was the best player in Scotland... playing as a winger. If George Long said 'I prefer playing centre back' would you let him?

 

[Highbury_Blade]

You want something changing?

Here - give the players a new one of these each

View attachment 5500

Surely you mean a set of these?

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Surely you mean a set of these?

There appears to be one missing......

 

[Foxy]

No I haven't 'decided' that at all.

I kinda assumed that's what you meant by "he's not a striker".

i was simply saying that for the majority fo his career he has been successful as a winger. Also in December 2012, he was the best player in Scotland... playing as a winger. If George Long said 'I prefer playing centre back' would you let him?

I agree with you, I'd give him a go on the wing, but that doesn't mean I think it's time to decide he shouldn't play up front. I'm not entirely sure where you are going with the George Long comment... Jamie Murphy is a Winger/Forward and has played both positions. George Long is a goalkeeper.

 

[blader]

OK, yes I can understand your first point. If I can correct myself, he hasn't played as a striker too often.

All I'm saying with point 2, is that where a player 'prefers' to play is irrelevant, they play where they're told and where they will be best. You can say that it's not time to decide where he is best, which I get, but at the same time, we signed him based on his performances for Motherwell, where he's been a winger. He's never actually had a consistent run of games playing up front for Motherwell.

 

[Guesty]

On point 1, far be it from me to go against the flow but Williams was only as bad as everyone else today. Both the goals came from the other flank and he didn't seem to get beaten too much. His distribution is indeed woeful, I can't deny that.

 

[blader]

On point 1, far be it from me to go against the flow but Williams was only as bad as everyone else today. Both the goals came from the other flank and he didn't seem to get beaten too much. His distribution is indeed woeful, I can't deny that.

I think the issue with Williams stretches back longer than 3pm today though, I think that's why he is a special case

 

[Foxy]

I think the issue with Williams stretches back longer than 3pm today though, I think that's why he is a special case

The issue with Williams is that he's unpopular. A few weeks in a row now I've heard him abused for actually doing the right thing and doing his job

 

[blader]

But why do you think he is unpopular Foxy? The huge majority of fans don't dislike a player for no reason.

 

[Small Mendonca]

There appears to be one missing......

With the majortiy of players, there's also one of these missing.

 

[Foxy]

But why do you think he is unpopular Foxy? The huge majority of fans don't dislike a player for no reason.

Mainly because people like to have a scapegoat is my honest answer.

I'm the first to admit that I'd rather we didn't have to play him, but that doesn't render him unable to play well or do the right things.

Bloke behind us absolutely slaughtered him today mid-move for backing off his man a yard, sending him safely wide before winning the ball and playing a simple ball to one of our midfielders, apparently, this was "rubbish Williams, like playing with ten men every week, useless bastard". Funnily enough, he never really said a word when Maguire played their striker in, or when Doyle turned on the ball twice under no pressure and passed to an opponent.

You can't tell me that was deserved criticism because he's a poor player. I don't disagree with honest assessment of his performances, but he's clearly a new scapegoat with people taking it too far purely because of who he is.

 

[Small Mendonca]

I agree Foxy. I don't think Williams is very good at all but he isn't the reason why we lost today and didn't play any worse than anyone else.

 

[blader]

No OK, people do give him a harsh time, and more than the other players. But I feel this is because:

1. Over the last year, he has consistently underperformed, and shown a real lack of even the basic understanding of football in some matches
2. People are frustrated simply because he is in the starting 11. Thereby, slag him off as they know he is a poor player, and just an 'average' performance will not be enough to win fans over.

Can you remember a game where you would give Williams more than a 5 out of 10? and not by his standards, but by a top of League 1 player standard?

Edit: No he didn't play any worse than anyone else. But that's the nicest thing I've ever heard said about him. When will we hear 'Williams was BETTER than everyone else?'. NEVER!

 

[SwissBlade]

Mainly because people like to have a scapegoat is my honest answer.

I'm the first to admit that I'd rather we didn't have to play him, but that doesn't render him unable to play well or do the right things.

Bloke behind us absolutely slaughtered him today mid-move for backing off his man a yard, sending him safely wide before winning the ball and playing a simple ball to one of our midfielders, apparently, this was "rubbish Williams, like playing with ten men every week, useless bastard". Funnily enough, he never really said a word when Maguire played their striker in, or when Doyle turned on the ball twice under no pressure and passed to an opponent.

You can't tell me that was deserved criticism because he's a poor player. I don't disagree with honest assessment of his performances, but he's clearly a new scapegoat with people taking it too far purely because of who he is.

There are other players that have bad games, but Williams is awful. That's not scapegoating, it's just pointing out that he is not up to the standard of others.

 

[Guesty]

I agree Foxy. I don't think Williams is very good at all but he isn't the reason why we lost today and didn't play any worse than anyone else.

That's a funny way of spelling my name

 

[alcoblade]

The issue with Williams is that he's unpopular. A few weeks in a row now I've heard him abused for actually doing the right thing and doing his job

I accept that he's unpopular and is treated as a scapegoat - but the issue with Williams is really that he is rubbish.

Quinn was an undeserving scapegoat for many. Williams has unfortunately earned his title.

UTB

 

[Small Mendonca]

That's a funny way of spelling my name

Haha! Only just noticed your post on the first page - I also agree with you Guesty

 

[Guesty]

Haha! Only just noticed your post on the first page - I also agree with you Guesty

No worries, just joshing!