Top 4

[toledo]

Still 2nd so we got lucky with Burnley / Leeds draw: best result we could hope for, together with Sunderland draw with Plymouth.

We have our worst result behind us and we’re still 2nd, so let’s push on Blades.

I had the weekend to reenergize…/

Toledo

 

[JT89]

Still 2nd so we got lucky with Burnley / Leeds draw: best result we could hope for.

We have our worst result behind us and we’re still 2nd, so let’s push on Blades.

I had the weekend to reenergize…/

Toledo

* Worst result so far

 

[MBH]

Terrible game but predictable that it ended as a draw.

As for 'worst result behind us"...you think so? Honestly? I can tell you now as a Sunderland supporter that the draw with Plymouth will not be the end of our poor results as the jitters take hold - and neither will it be for you lads. There will be another one or two of the "Hull's at home" or "Plymouths at home" before the season is out.

We play Middlesbrough next Monday - tough game for us.

We go to Leeds shortly as well - a game that has Sunderland win written all over it. Does that mean I think we are streets ahead of Leeds? No. but does it mean that since 1967 and my first football match I can instinctively tell which games SAFC will do well in and those we will bladder? Pretty much.

We also play Luton at home next month - thats Luton who have one away win all season and they will arrive at our place with us unbeaten at home. Guess what happens next if we take them lightly?

17 games to go and the likes of Hull, Plymouth and Luton have suddenly cottoned on that if they dont start picking up shock points at places like SUFC and SAFC - they are going down.

No time for complacency - from fans or players/manager. It's about to get tougher.

 

[JayGreen17]

Look where we would have been if we had won at home to bloody HULL

 

[MBH]

Look where we would have been if we had won at home to bloody HULL

Famous last words Marra.

It's like when the commentators after the match explain why teams have conceded a goal and point out mistakes.

the only thing is - if no one made any mistakes then all the games end 0 v 0.

As for my team, Sunderland - if only we'd beaten Plymouth and if only we hadn't missed two penalties against Burnley - but we did - and we move on. the game of football is littered with - what might have been's.

If only we hadn't missed a penalty against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane eh? We did and we lost. That's the way it goes. It all balances out in the end.

 

[Silent Blade]

Terrible game but predictable that it ended as a draw.

As for 'worst result behind us"...you think so? Honestly? I can tell you now as a Sunderland supporter that the draw with Plymouth will not be the end of our poor results as the jitters take hold - and neither will it be for you lads. There will be another one or two of the "Hull's at home" or "Plymouths at home" before the season is out.

We play Middlesbrough next Monday - tough game for us.

We go to Leeds shortly as well - a game that has Sunderland win written all over it. Does that mean I think we are streets ahead of Leeds? No. but does it mean that since 1967 and my first football match I can instinctively tell which games SAFC will do well in and those we will bladder? Pretty much.

We also play Luton at home next month - thats Luton who have one away win all season and they will arrive at our place with us unbeaten at home. Guess what happens next if we take them lightly?

17 games to go and the likes of Hull, Plymouth and Luton have suddenly cottoned on that if they dont start picking up shock points at places like SUFC and SAFC - they are going down.

No time for complacency - from fans or players/manager. It's about to get tougher.

I celebrated watching Sunderland beat Leeds in 1973 on tv, I got to meet Jim Montgomery at my boarding school in 1977. A top man he was!

 

[sheff_blade90]

hopefully this stops the meltdown yes it was a bad performance that we couldve still have won. but we are still 2nd & 2pts behind Leeds. 1pt ahead of burnley

 

[Sheffsteel]

Terrible game but predictable that it ended as a draw.

As for 'worst result behind us"...you think so? Honestly? I can tell you now as a Sunderland supporter that the draw with Plymouth will not be the end of our poor results as the jitters take hold - and neither will it be for you lads. There will be another one or two of the "Hull's at home" or "Plymouths at home" before the season is out.

We play Middlesbrough next Monday - tough game for us.

We go to Leeds shortly as well - a game that has Sunderland win written all over it. Does that mean I think we are streets ahead of Leeds? No. but does it mean that since 1967 and my first football match I can instinctively tell which games SAFC will do well in and those we will bladder? Pretty much.

We also play Luton at home next month - thats Luton who have one away win all season and they will arrive at our place with us unbeaten at home. Guess what happens next if we take them lightly?

17 games to go and the likes of Hull, Plymouth and Luton have suddenly cottoned on that if they dont start picking up shock points at places like SUFC and SAFC - they are going down.

No time for complacency - from fans or players/manager. It's about to get tougher.

The way I see it is that when all 4 teams click/ play their best, Leeds are best followed by Sunderland.
So can totally understand the Leeds and Sunderland fans confidence verging on arrogance.

The only negatives for Leeds and Sunderland fans is that every team (even the best) occasionally have off days
And we’ve seen it a few times already this season, when Leeds and Sunderland have an off day, they can drop points against any team in this league.
Also the Sunderland team are young and inexperienced so might fall away when they become tired towards the end of the seasons
And how will the Sunderland players and fans handle the pressure. Regards Leeds they have this history of falling apart under pressure.
Just the odd defeat with a few draws for Leeds and their fanbase will go into melt down demanding Farke is sacked.

Whereas Burnley and Sheff Utd are quite similar, don’t tend to play as well but have quality players, so tend to still win 1-0 even when having an off day.
Also both Burnley and Sheff Utd have recently seen their teams promoted from the Champiomship, so know what to expect
And both Sheff Utd and Burnley managers (Wilder and Parker) have previously achieved promotion from the Championship.

Burnley have this amazing habit of never conceding, so if they get their attack sorted they could go on a long winning streak.
Sheff Utd are harder to predict, had terrible injuries in the 1st half of the season and still being in 2nd place is very impressive.
Sheff Utd will be significantly (on paper) stronger in the 2nd half of the season with 5 new signings during this transfer window.
All the new signings are expected to go straight into the 1st 11, so our bench should now be really strong with options.
However having theoretically better players doesn’t automatically mean the team will perform better, they need time to gel.

 

[jono_t2000]

All 4 teams have their strengths and weaknesses.

Leeds - good going forward but a questionable defence and shocking keeper

Burnley - Solid at the back but struggle breaking teams down

Sunderland - good squad but young squad meaning inconsistent results

Us - Not as solid as Burnley and also struggle breaking teams down, however have the X-factor of Hamer.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I don't really see Sunderland as being part of it.

They haven't been in the top three since November.

 

[Sheffsteel]

and if only we hadn't missed two penalties against Burnley - but we did - and we move on. the game of football is littered with - what might have been's.

If only we hadn't missed a penalty against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane eh? We did and we lost. That's the way it goes. It all balances out in the end.

Might sound harsh but I blame your managers inexperience for the penalty misses.

He never thought that the Burnley keeper would use gamesmanship to increase the pressure on Isodor.
Historically you see it so many times, the longer the delay for a pressure penalty, it greatly increases the chances of a miss.

To be fair to Isodor..his penalties weren’t terrible….he went for power over accuracy and the Burnley keeper pulled off 2 good saves.
Also it took bottle for him to take the 1st penalty and even more bottle for him to take the 2nd penalty.

Only last week Chris Wilder showed experience learning from the Isidor penalty miss.
We got a deserved penalty against Norwich, a nervous looking Rhian Brester picked the ball up and placed it on the spot at the Kop end.
Think Brewster has missed his last 2 penalties and we all thought “surely Brewster isn’t taking the penalty”
Some of the Norwich defenders tried to delay the penalty, one whispered something to him, the Norwich goalie came off his line dancing around trying to put off a nervous looking Brewster…..one of the Norwich defenders was booked for delaying the penalty…with the irony that the booking delayed the penalty further.

Then once everyone was settled….Brewster simply handed the ball over to Harrison Burrows…the real penalty taker (Moore has took previous penalties but he’s out injured). Obviously this was all pre-arranged, there was no time for any pressure to build resulting in Burrows confidently slotting it just inside the post.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I don't really see Sunderland as being part of it.

They haven't been in the top three since November.

Tend to agree….dont’ think they’ll have the staying power when the pressure is on…but the same was said about Ipswich last season.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I celebrated watching Sunderland beat Leeds in 1973 on tv, I got to meet Jim Montgomery at my boarding school in 1977. A top man he was!

It was the 1st cup final I ever watched on tv.
Remember the commentators and experts all bigging up Leeds, it seemed that Sunderland had no chance.
I tended to want the underdog to win but when I saw the red and white stripes….even though I young….I really wanted Sunderland to win.

Since that day I’ve always had a soft spot for Sunderland
Also remember the fantastic play off final against Charlton and eventful penalty shoot out
After Sunderland lost…me and my Blades pals watching it were all saying that is “so Sheffield United”.
We have this history of glorious failure…so close yet so far.

We’ve played in 8 FA cup semi finals since the war and failed to win any of them.
Also been in 5 play-off finals, lost the lot and not even scored a single goal. This explains why if we end up in the play-offs most of our fanbase accept we’ve lost with some even refusing to travel down to Wembley.

We could be winning 2-0 in the play-off final with 5 minutes to go and much of the fanbase would be 100% convinced we’ll concede 2 late goals and lose 3-2 in extra time. Yes the paranoia is that bad.

 

[Blademan18891889]

I don't really see Sunderland as being part of it.

They haven't been in the top three since November.

Better than us in both games, I wouldn't be writing them off from being involved tbf.

 

[dsr-burnley]

All 4 teams have their strengths and weaknesses.

Leeds - good going forward but a questionable defence and shocking keeper

Burnley - Solid at the back but struggle breaking teams down

Sunderland - good squad but young squad meaning inconsistent results

Us - Not as solid as Burnley and also struggle breaking teams down, however have the X-factor of Hamer.

On a technicality, Burnley don't struggle breaking teams down. Burnley aren't bothered about breaking teams down as long as they don't let a goal in. Which is why, in for example games at home to Derby and Stoke recently, we continued to sit back with just 1 man up front, passing it around the back waiting for the Derby and Stoke players to attack en masse and leave us a nice empty penalty area to score through.

You don't get nine 0-0 draws in 29 matches by "struggling to break teams down". You don't score 10 goals in 13 home games by "struggling to break teams down". You get it by sitting back with all-out defence.

I promise you, if Sheffield United will be happy to take a point at Turf Moor, it is yours. We will not score if you concentrate on defence.

 

[dsr-burnley]

As for my team, Sunderland - if only we'd beaten Plymouth and if only we hadn't missed two penalties against Burnley - but we did - and we move on. the game of football is littered with - what might have been's.

But there is always" if only the ref had given a penalty for Burnley for a foul 3 yards outside the penalty area ... "

 

[jono_t2000]

On a technicality, Burnley don't struggle breaking teams down. Burnley aren't bothered about breaking teams down as long as they don't let a goal in. Which is why, in for example games at home to Derby and Stoke recently, we continued to sit back with just 1 man up front, passing it around the back waiting for the Derby and Stoke players to attack en masse and leave us a nice empty penalty area to score through.

You don't get nine 0-0 draws in 29 matches by "struggling to break teams down". You don't score 10 goals in 13 home games by "struggling to break teams down". You get it by sitting back with all-out defence.

I promise you, if Sheffield United will be happy to take a point at Turf Moor, it is yours. We will not score if you concentrate on defence.

Yeah that's a fair way of looking at it.

Serious question, considering the dull style of football, do you think Burnley will stick with Parker if you fail to achieve promotion?

 

[Blade56]

It was the 1st cup final I ever watched on tv.
Remember the commentators and experts all bigging up Leeds, it seemed that Sunderland had no chance.
I tended to want the underdog to win but when I saw the red and white stripes….even though I young….I really wanted Sunderland to win.

Since that day I’ve always had a soft spot for Sunderland
Also remember the fantastic play off final against Charlton and eventful penalty shoot out
After Sunderland lost…me and my Blades pals watching it were all saying that is “so Sheffield United”.
We have this history of glorious failure…so close yet so far.

We’ve played in 8 FA cup semi finals since the war and failed to win any of them.
Also been in 5 play-off finals, lost the lot and not even scored a single goal. This explains why if we end up in the play-offs most of our fanbase accept we’ve lost with some even refusing to travel down to Wembley.

We could be winning 2-0 in the play-off final with 5 minutes to go and much of the fanbase would be 100% convinced we’ll concede 2 late goals and lose 3-2 in extra time. Yes the paranoia is that bad.

I was secretary of HQ Branch of supporters Club back in the day. Ian Porterfield signed my son’s blades membership card after I had signed him up as he popped out in the delivery room. Midwife was not happy but can’t see anyone becoming youngest member after that little stint.

 

[Frank the tank]

On a technicality, Burnley don't struggle breaking teams down. Burnley aren't bothered about breaking teams down as long as they don't let a goal in. Which is why, in for example games at home to Derby and Stoke recently, we continued to sit back with just 1 man up front, passing it around the back waiting for the Derby and Stoke players to attack en masse and leave us a nice empty penalty area to score through.

You don't get nine 0-0 draws in 29 matches by "struggling to break teams down". You don't score 10 goals in 13 home games by "struggling to break teams down". You get it by sitting back with all-out defence.

I promise you, if Sheffield United will be happy to take a point at Turf Moor, it is yours. We will not score if you concentrate on defence.

So you don't score a lot of goals because you don't want to.?

 

[Birdwell Blade]

Terrible game but predictable that it ended as a draw.

As for 'worst result behind us"...you think so? Honestly? I can tell you now as a Sunderland supporter that the draw with Plymouth will not be the end of our poor results as the jitters take hold - and neither will it be for you lads. There will be another one or two of the "Hull's at home" or "Plymouths at home" before the season is out.

We play Middlesbrough next Monday - tough game for us.

We go to Leeds shortly as well - a game that has Sunderland win written all over it. Does that mean I think we are streets ahead of Leeds? No. but does it mean that since 1967 and my first football match I can instinctively tell which games SAFC will do well in and those we will bladder? Pretty much.

We also play Luton at home next month - thats Luton who have one away win all season and they will arrive at our place with us unbeaten at home. Guess what happens next if we take them lightly?

17 games to go and the likes of Hull, Plymouth and Luton have suddenly cottoned on that if they dont start picking up shock points at places like SUFC and SAFC - they are going down.

No time for complacency - from fans or players/manager. It's about to get tougher.

Exactly. Nail on head.

 

[Pintor75]

Complete bore fest of a game last night where they cancelled each other out. None of the top four have a prolific striker, which hopefully we have addressed now, and it shows in their play, defence and not conceding is the name of the game, 90 mins I'll not get back!
I can see leeds struggling in the premiership if they go up, their players look so small, guess they'll have to get the cheque book out

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

My predictions

1. Burnley
2. Utd
3. Sunderland
4. Leeds

 

[ancientblade]

i certainly wouldnt rule sunderland out was very impressed with them at the lane as for the 1973 cup final that double save from jim montgomery is the 2nd best save ive ever seen in 60 odd years just behind gordon banks incredible save from that pele header in mexico 1970

 

[ben1987]

Think a few are being a little critical of United after the Hull result.

Yeah the performance really wasn’t great but we managed to concede 3 from an expected goals of 0.46. We had a perfectly good equaliser chalked off for 1-1 which could’ve swung the momentum right in our favour.

We’ve won the most games in the division.

Some talk like we’re up there undeservedly. We’re not. As above, we’ve got the most wins. We’re on a 2 point deduction. Yeah we’ve not blown many teams a way but a fair chunk of those games have been really comfortable victories in second gear where we’ve barely faced a shot on target.

We’re up there on merit and so far have done the best business of the window compared to the other 3.

 

[Silent Blade]

 

[ISZA ⚔️]

Better than us in both games, I wouldn't be writing them off from being involved tbf.

They definitely weren’t better than us at the Stadium of Light.

 

[ben1987]

They definitely weren’t better than us at the Stadium of Light.

Agreed.

They were better than us at BL for decent chunks of the game without creating all that much but missed a pen. Never felt like we were hanging on though.

In the away fixture we were better than them for long periods of the game, in almost a mirror image. We missed a pen, had loads of the ball in the middle but didn’t create all that many clear cut chances. We missed a pen and Robbo’s clusterfuck put them in one on one.

Both games could have easily gone either way.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

All 4 teams have their strengths and weaknesses.

Leeds - good going forward but a questionable defence and shocking keeper

Burnley - Solid at the back but struggle breaking teams down

Sunderland - good squad but young squad meaning inconsistent results

Us - Not as solid as Burnley and also struggle breaking teams down, however have the X-factor of Hamer.

Leeds have kept 4 clean sheets on the bounce since the calamity against Hull.

 

[MBH]

I don't really see Sunderland as being part of it.

They haven't been in the top three since November.

I dont think that many people do - including a large slice of our own fans.

However having been around the block a bit here - when you are just 3 points off second - you are right in it and as I see it our job is to be in the top 2 after 46 games ie tag along for the ride and if any teams slip up right at the death - capitalise on it.

"How the hell did that happen" is the cry I'm hoping for from the top 3's fan base.

Our Wembley record isn't great you know. since 1973 we have played at Wembley 10 times and won twice - the last 2 - one we couldn't be at because it was the EFL cup final (ironically the third most important English club knock out cup) during COVID. Our win in the league 1 final v Wycombe was our first successful play off campaign.

I share your pain at final/Wembley losses.

 

[MBH]

They definitely weren’t better than us at the Stadium of Light.

TBF we played how we wanted to play - on the break - and have done it many times before this season. For example we tried it last 10 minutes on Saturday v Plymouth and typically it didnt work and they scored at the death.

Playing on the break - even if it is at home - means we can utilise Isidor and Mayenda on the break.

you didnt push us back that game - we deliberately sat back. For once though we rode our luck and won - narrowly.

you might not have seen our record of conceding goals in the last 10 minutes of games this season. Not very good. It came off against your lads but hasn't against others.