United 1 Gillingham 2 - report

[Deadbat]

Nigel Clough suffered his first home defeat of his tenure as Sheffield United manager after a desperately, disappointing performance against fellow relegation rivals Gillingham. United had given away an awful goal due to Harry Maguire’s horrendous back pass but got back level deservedly thanks to Chris Porter’s header from a Simon Lappin corner. However they could not build on this and another incredibly sloppy giveaway early in the second half saw Cody McDonald convert. After this United huffed and puffed but in truth visiting keeper Stuart Nelson barely had a save to make and the Gills packed the defence and held on relatively easily.

In front of the watching co owner, Prince Abduallah, United made two changes with White and Flynn back in for Coady and McGinn. Porter and Miller continued up top for the Blades. Gillingham had confirmed in the week that previously temporary manager Peter Taylor was now in charge until the end of the season.

United began with Lappin and Doyle in the centre and White out left in what seemed quite a conservative line up. The visitors had a few long throws as the home side were slow to start and this lethargy was punctuated on seven minutes as in bizarre circumstances the visitors took the lead.

It was a dreadful goal for the home side to concede Maguire left his back pass horribly short and KEDWELL chased down the clearance and as Long tried to clear the ball bounced off the striker and bounced into the net. It was a bizarre goal but the sort of defending you would not expect to even see at Graves Park on a Sunday morning. Maguire looked at Long and received reciprocal stares. It seemed the defender was the main culprit but both did not cover themselves in glory.

Dack came on for Gregory who went down injured and soon after the scorer Kedwell who had took a
knock when scoring was replaced too with McDonald coming on.

United tried to fight back with Porter nodding wide beating the keeper who was struggling with some of the high balls. Lappin’s corners were a feature of United’s response and from one such delivery, Maguire met on the full but his header was cleared off the line from the full back. United won a series of corners and it was from such a route they got level. Once again Lappin from the right swung in a delivery and

PORTER beat the keeper and defender to firmly head home. After this United tried to assert their control and Miller had on effort just wide and another at the keeper after he made space. Collins dithering nearly led to a chance but he recovered to block McDonald who was suddenly in on goal.

The half time whistle came soon after and United would feel despite a mixed first half performance they were in a good position to go on and win the game.

This feeling was undone within moments as another awful goal was conceded early in the second half.

Mousinho’s header looped onto the bar surprising Long and MCDONALD reacted first as three United players stood motionless and headed in eventually despite Long trying to palm the ball out.
Baxter came on for Lappin and immediately tried to get on the ball. He played a clever ball inside the full back but McMahon dithered and his cross was blocked for a corner. Miller shot wide on the angle and then McGinn was next to come on for Hill. Porter should have done better but headed wide when well place and Nelson was still to make a save in the second half as Gillingham were fighting hard to stop any clear chances.

Taylor was brought on for Flynn as United went to a new formation with three at the back and tried to match up with Gillingham’s packed midfield which had won every loose ball all afternoon. United could not find a way through and had nothing from wide positions. The game was completely bottled up and this suited the visitors who continued to preserve their lead.

The crowd became frustrated and United looked clueless with little penetration or idea how to break the Gills down. The lack of pace throughout United’s side was evident as Gillingham sat deep and waited for the inevitable long ball or diagonal cross from way too deep before heading away and regrouping. It was predicable ad depressing stuff from the Blades who proved that they belong in the relegation places with such lack of creativity and clear chances on goal.

The game entered the final 4 minutes of stoppage time and after a scramble Nelson went down amongst a body of players. It was unclear how hurt he actually was as he went down and this seemed to anger the United players and Miller was booked. The keeper unsurprisingly sprung up and was fine after a number of minutes of treatment. The Blades could not find anything and were resorting to diagonal balls into the box that were headed away with ease. Taylor tried to find space but it fizzled out and the as the ball was cleared; Baxter’s wild lunge at the end summed up the frustration of the home side and he was lucky to only get a yellow card. The game ended soon after and the home side were lustily booed off after a wretched display.

United – A disgusting performance. Heard Clough say we never deserved to lose and just gave away two stupid goals. I agree but if we cannot do the basics of k twice working hard, closing down, winning loose balls then we do not give us chance to win the game. There was so much wrong with the performance. We gave away a ridiculous goal through Maguire’s idiotic play but then had a series of corners and got level and looked like we may get in front before half time but after this 10 minute burst we regressed. They scored another stupid goal early second half and after this we offered little to nothing. We continued to get outfought and just played aimless balls in hope of a chance dropping. We had a few pulled cross shots wide and a scramble or too at the end but cannot remember any really clear cut chances all second half.

They saw out any threat rather easily as we played aimless diagonal or long balls to the front and never got wide. The wingers offered very little all game and the midfield never got on the ball. I felt Miller and Porter were 2 that tried hard but they got no service and with a midfield filled with mainly defenders it was difficult to see how we would get through

On top of that our defence was a shambles all game. Even if we had been poor up top and not created and drawn 0-0, you may not have been happy but we never had a solid base to build on. Maguire and Collins have been generally dreadful this season and Long has not convinced with how he communicates with them. We conceded a couple and more shocking defending could have given them even more.

The style of football was basically kick and rush. It has gone from one extreme to the other with Maguire and Hill just lumping long and high diagonal balls all game. We had nothing wide all game and with no wingers and no creativity in the centre (Baxter tried but was crowded out) we looked utterly clueless.

I heard Clough say he was still evaluating the side which is worrying. I could save him the bother. They are all almost to a man not good enough. I would have no hesitation getting rid of the lot (if that was possible) and starting again. We have been watching this set of spineless, losers who blame everyone but themselves for the continual decline of this club. We keep saying we cannot get worse.

Well we can and relegation is a real possibility unless we can suddenly bring in some quality new players in January. The Prince must be wondering what he has got himself in to. It will be interesting what he does over the coming months. If he does put money in then it will show he means business (although the complete non impact of King, Cuvelier and Baxter may see him think twice?) maybe. However, if he does not then not only will it show he maybe does not have the clout or real desire to turn it around. One thing is clear without new players in January then this is a real relegation scrap. I heard some say playoffs are a long shot as I came out and wondered what they were drinking?! Playoffs are gone. Mid table would be a big success. For me I would take anything but going down way things are going. That may seem negative but this side looks like a relegation outfit. We don’t score or create much; look clumsy and slow at the back and lose the battle so many times. We are 2nd bottom as we are the 2nd worst side in the league. That is the facts and the players need to stop talking and get on with it. This should be it for many of the players. They have had their chance and then some. They have blown it time after time.

They should be gone but the transfer window dictates they have another few months at the least. Then if we were ruthless and this new board means business, around a dozen would be transfer listed and we would bring in a similar amount of new players. People may say you cannot make so many changes but how can we get any worse than this lot. I am sick of Collins, sick of Doyle, sick of McMahon, sick of Flynn, sick of misguided arrogance of likes of Long and Maguire (who are sadly not that good) and sick of the rest. They are getting paid good money and are not performing. Weir was useless and I do think Clough may have a bit more idea (anyone would really than Weir who was woeful) but the fact remains, after the number of managers that have had this bunch. They are crap. Spineless crap. I am sick of their excuses, sick of all this talk of formation, style, how we operate etc. Football is simple. Yes, at times selection could be better and the style Weir played was beyond moronic but we have to do a number of things to win (at this level at least). Defend sensibly, win tackles/loose balls, get wide and get crosses in. Then remarkably to get shots/headers in on goal! We seem incapable of doing most of this. The lack of effort//work ethic from the whole side is still the most galling and angry element I take from writing this report tonight. That has to change whoever plays for us.

 

[Deadbat]

Gillingham – They scored a fortunate first goal and maybe the second had a touch of luck and barely had many other chances all game. They were poor and quite cynical with time wasting, feigning injury (keeper at end was a disgrace but ref let him get away with it and fell for it hook, line and sinker) but you know what good luck to them. They came to one of biggest clubs in the league with a hugely superior wage bill and resources and out worked and out fought us all game. They showed superior desire, passion and will to win and for that they deserved something. A win was very fortunate on the balance of the game but then if it was just about effort then they did deserve to win in many ways. The centre backs headed the ball away all game.


The midfield were first for the ball and often the second ball and they showed an incredible desire to work hard and not give up any balls. The two goals exemplified this approach. I have to say they are a poor side and will be near the bottom but a great win for them today and for sheer effort along had to be commended. Many will say they were using spoiling tactics and were using every trick in the book but so what? If we cannot make the keeper make a save let alone score then we are very desperate if that is all we can complain about. They are a team that if we had matched or got close to their effort we probably had a few players who could unlock them and win the game but all game we never upped it and just seemed slower in mind and body all game.


Long 4/10 – Looked very nervy all game. He wasn’t directly at fault for the first as the back pass was awful but he was still slow to react I felt. On the second he also did not seem to be quick enough to the first header and then I felt the second went in too easy. He never seemed to communicate with the defence all game and I felt him and the two centre backs were generally really poor and an accident waiting to happen all game.


McMahon 5/10 – He was slow and hesitant but still actually defended better than the rest of the back line. That was more by default as the rest were so bad. He again continued to argue more with the officials and try and scrap with the opponents rather than just get on with the game. Trying


Hill 5/10 – His touch on the ball was often horrific and at times always seemed to be at full stretch. Do not doubt his honesty and effort but he is a poor player and often cannot even do the basics in terms of control, touch and passing.


Maguire 3/10 – A shocker. He gave away a goal with a stupid short back pass and then was nearly culpable on quite a few other occasions with poor touches. He generally just lumped it diagonal and long when he got it; often to no one in particular. Looked like he was running in treacle most of the game and just not quick enough to react.


Collins 4/10 – Nearly as poor as above. He reminds me of a table football player who can only kick it one way (often when he kicks it out – why cannot he try and control it and play it down the line or kick it out further towards opponents’ goal?). His inability to react saw them get in a few times. He made one good tackle but that was only due to his original mistake. Second half he continued to dither and look woefully slow to react to any danger. Him and Maguire for the most part this season have not been good enough and any manager worth their salt would take at least one out for me.


Doyle 3.5/10 – Cannot remember him doing anything of note all game. He gave the ball away a few times and did not really get on the ball the rest of the game but more than that I felt we completely lost the midfield all game and the things he sometimes does ok (the ratting, pressing, covering) were not there. They won every first and second ball all game


Flynn 3/10 – People may keep defending him but he is the most defensive winger I have ever seen. He constantly goes inside or backwards. Seems scared what might happen if he actually goes forward or tries to beat a man. I watched him for a spell today and he just ambled about like he was having a kick about with his mates in the park. A very average to poor player who does not have the heart/desire to want to overcome situations like today. He is not the only one.


Lappin 4/10 - Do not see the point of him. Is he any better than McGinn or Coady (not that they are that great) and why play such a defensive midfielder (when we already have one wit Doyle) at home? We played with two such anchor men and still completely lost the midfield battle all game as we rarely won a tackle, loose ball or header all game. If we bring players in surely they have to be better than the ones we already have? He is no better and is taking up more resources.


Miller 5.5/10 – Thought he looked the sharpest forward. Things did not always come off and the service he got was poor all day. However, he tried to get on the ball and cause problems. Had a few efforts on goal that were at keeper (1st half) or dragged wide (2nd half) and seemed frustrated that he had to go looking for the ball.


Porter 5/10 – His touch on the deck is often shocking and shoots off but he does well when ball played into chest or head and he can bring others into play. Technically he is mostly dreadful and never looks comfortable on the ball but he scored a good header (wasted another one 2nd half) and at least gives us an outlet. He wasn’t great but with such poor service from wide and in general play not sure I can be so critical of him.


White 5/10 – Thought he had a good first half and was maybe our best player but then faded badly. He put 3 or 4 really good balls in but no one got on the end of and got up and down, working hard for the team. Second half he wasted most of the balls he had a chance to get the ball in the box. Not sure he is a winger but then like rest of our team we have players playing all over the field that seem to either be alien to that position or not have a position?


Subs


Baxter – Played one lovely through ball inside the full back which was better than anything we had seen before but other than that found it hard to create opening or probe with so many men packed in the defence. Played mostly in the centre of the park. Another who I have no idea what his best position is and despite all the hoopla over his and the Cuvelier’s signing; they so far have been poor and not worked out at all.


Taylor – Tried to get involved but had few touches of note other than forcing a few corners or blocks. Miller is a
better player and so he is probably going to be used from the bench for the foreseeable future.


McGinn –Came on and tried to get involved as we went to a back 3 but he did not really get on the ball as the game kind of petered out.


Clough rating 3/10 – Poor team selection and his after match comments concerned me. The style of play was poor and we never looked safe at the back nor convincing up the top. Early days of course but it shows that as bad as Weir was, these players are woefully inadequate. Hope he can realise this quicker than the last guy!


Officials – Referee: Thought Gillingham were very cynical…..erm I mean professional all game. They time wasted and feigned injury and there really should have been more than 4 minutes at the end of the game. The officials were quite weak at times and let them get away with quite a lot (how many foul throws) but they did not affect the result and we had a few decisions go for us too. He could easily have awarded a few hand balls against Maguire and McMahon and Baxter on another day may have seen red. At the end the keeper clearly was not injured but he fell for it and somehow booked Miller? I could understand United’s frustrations but then why they had not shown any of this passion in the previous 90 minutes is beyond me.


Crowd/Atmosphere. – The Prince was introduced before the game and went round the Kop and shook hands with many fans at the bottom before taking his place in a box on John Street. He must have been shocked at what he had seen and how bad we were! The crowd was flat most of the game and only a few shouts for desperate appeals/decisions towards the end saw the decibel level raised. For the most part the couple of hundred from Gillingham made more noise. Mind you the performance was so bad you could understand the frustration from the home fans. Suppose some will come on and say it is too negative and the fans need to lift the side. I have to say I am sick of this line of thought. When are the team going to bother and show some effort/passion? As I have said before if they don’t like playing in front of 15-20,000 as they cannot handle the pressure then they can go and play in front of a few thousand in League Two every week (at this rate be doing it for us!) in next few seasons. Sick of them going to the press/official website and making kind of digs about the crowd saying it is hard but it can be used to our advantage by getting them on side. All empty words and the mouth pieces Doyle and McMahon need to shut up. They are mostly abysmal every week and then come out to the press and talk a load of crap basically. I am sick of it. You are 2nd bottom in League One for one reason; you are mostly awful. They should be embarrassed to even come out and say anything.


The crowd reaction at the end was loud boos and the team deserved it. On probably 2 or 3 times more than most sides in this league and getting out worked most weeks. They should be ashamed and the patience of me and many fans has probably snapped now. They are perennial losers and we need some new blood throughout (I mean a huge shake up of Charlton type – when they got rid of the lot – but worryingly too many have longer contracts and not sure how we can get rid?). The crowds will start to dip and if the unthinkable does happen and we go down then we may drop into 4 figures for the first time since the mid 80’s.

 

[true99blade]

I am simply perplexed about the rating and comments of White. He contributed to nothing apart from needlessly running into defenders and giving the ball away in the first half. A slight improvement happened in the second but he never deserved over a rating of 4/10. Hill and Collins are harshly marked in my opinion.

 

[Silent Blade]

Doyle 3.5/10 – Cannot remember him doing anything of note all game. He gave the ball away a few times and did not really get on the ball the rest of the game but more than that I felt we completely lost the midfield all game and the things he sometimes does ok (the ratting, pressing, covering) were not there. They won every first and second ball all game

Is there a clause in his contract that he has to play in every game?

 

[Sirius]

it

Is there a clause in his contract that he has to play in every game?

Thanks DB for telling it like it is, without a sugar pill coating. We stumble from one crises to another. What, I wonder will the next plan to fail consist of?
If the Prince is other than a publicity stunt by the club, has money to put into the team, perhaps he should start first thing Monday morning and pay some of the useless sods off. Doyle, as captain, you should be at the head of the queue, lead them right down to the job centre. I hope that the exit door hits you on the arse. January may be too late.

 

[Deadbat]

I suppose it is all about opinions. Some say Hill was the worst player. I thought he was poor but neither he and McMahon directly contributed to any chances for them as ordinary as they were.

I thought White was busy, actually attacked full back and got some decent crosses in. He was ordinary but he was far better than any of the other 3 (Lappin's only contribution was some decent corners but was anonymous in general play) in midfield. Flynn may aswell have been sat with me.

 

[grafikhaus]

As bad as it gets. Gillingham were little more than a pub team but were more than good enough for us.

Irrespective of Long having little or no chance with the first, it's obvious the back four have little or no confidence in his judgment, thus leading to howlers like Harry's.

Oh, and I thought Flynn was far from the worst performer today.

 

[Deadbat]

What did Flynn do (positive) in the game? Not being funny but I genuinely can barely remember him touching the ball. (say same about Doyle)

The rest were garbage too by the way.

The fact there is debate over who was the worst player says it all sadly.

 

[sheffielder]

Is there a clause in his contract that he has to play in every game?

There is a rumour about that or to be precise 75 mins.

 

[Blade59]

The problem with Maguire and Collins is that we have no other centre backs (other than moving Hill from left back) so they can continue to keep making mistakes and keep their places. Long is letting goals in to easily. The first whilst not his fault he could have reacted quicker to close the forward down. The second should have been a routine tip over the bar from the initial header. I would give Howard another go. Flynn was not the worst player but refuses to take on defenders and repeatedly crosses from poor positions.

 

[Deadbat]

No competition whatsoever.

Howard is worse than Long - played 2 games and was poor in both

McGinty and Hill only other options at centre back. Deary me.

Left back; Williams, Johns, McGinty all even worse than the poor Hill

Right back; Westlake shocking and worse than McMahon - who is crap.

End of this year out of contract is all above I believe; except Maguire/Collins - both RBs and Hill/Williams are out of contract - not sure f Johns and McGinty were 1 or 2 year deals,

 

[Wards]

I were one of those that thought Hill was abject (I tweeted DB after the game about it!). Haven't seen it back yet but from where I was sat it appeared as though he dithered badly for the second goal and could and should have reacted to clear the danger. He didn't seem to get close to his man all game, never looked to join in with any attacking play and put in a few very disappointing crosses from areas that were too deep to do any damage.

I like Hill as he generally never hides and wears his heart on his sleeve but he isn't good enough. For a home game I'd have started with White at full back and maybe Flynn in front of him to create some space (when he cuts inside) for him to overlap into.

Maguire was equally as poor and it infuriated me at how many diagonal balls he aimed to Porter. If that's the best we can come up with against such a poor team then it doesn't bode well at all.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Thanks deadbat for putting it straight about this shower of idle overpaid crap we call a team. Shame on them all and clough seems a pillock already from where i am standing.

 

[alcoblade]

End of this year out of contract is all above I believe; except Maguire/Collins - both RBs and Hill/Williams are out of contract

Music to my ears. I think this is the only period in 40 years of supporting them that we could sell ANY player and I wouldn't give fuck. I doubt we would raise much more than £1M for the lot, unfortunately.

UTB

 

[Foxy]

Shame on them all and clough seems a pillock already from where i am standing.

At least we've given him a chance though eh?

 

[stannyblade]

Nobody deserves more than 3.5 imo

 

[metalblade]

Can't really argue with that report DB, the truth might hurt a few on here but the facts are we are very serious relegation candidates and even a large change of playing staff come January may not be enough to save us from the drop. I really thought we might improve post Weir but the team selection and performances just go to reinforce my fears that once again the club has got it wrong in appointing Clough as manager, add to this a squad that is by far the worst to wear the red n white stripes in my lifetime and we have a recipe for disaster.

 

[alcoblade]

Can't really argue with that report DB, the truth might hurt a few on here

Doesn't the truth hurt us all right now?

UTB

 

[Balham]

Can't disagree Deadbat with very much of what you've made of the game today for what it's worth...

Long 4: nothing to do but loses marks for his hesitence when Maguire's backpass was obviously short and for a lack of command of his area which led to their second.

McMahon 5: seems to look anywhere but himself for the blame for poor performances but in what should be one of the better sides in League One, full backs need to be able to attack and frankly, he's not good enough.

Maguire: 4 worried constantly by McDonald's pace and movement and responsible for the first goal when he sold Long short (but the keeper sealed it with his hesitence). Relatively solid for the most part but the long diagonal passes only work when there's someone free to aim at.

Collins 2: played like he was concussed.
Absolutely hopeless. Since he came into the club with Doyle it's been a downwards trend.

Hill 3: bombscare. See McMahon, but with no ability on the ball.

Flynn 5: why didn't he shoot? He's been knocked elsewhere for turning back inside but what's the point in running into 2 or 3 defenders? The issue is what happens after he's laid it back to McMahon/Doyle, which is usually a Hollywood pass from Maguire.

Doyle 2: frankly fucking hopeless. Twice in quick succession in the first half he played a delightful chipped pass to their goalkeeper. Nick Montgomery; but without the winning the ball back part. I can only imagine that he's got a hold on the rest of the players because he sure as hell doesn't justify his role any other way.

Lappin 5: plays the Doyle role better than Doyle but that doesn't work when they're in the same team. Decent corners and can consider himself unlucky to be withdrawn.

White 4: faded badly after a decent first period. One shanked cross summed up his second half.

Porter 6 (MoM): worked hard, scored with a decent header but with a bit more decision could have scored again. Struggled in the air against Legge.

Miller 5: getting there but short of match practice and belief. Clever movement though and with a bit more luck the chances will fall to his right rather than left foot. Very unlucky to get booked.

Subs:
McGinn n/a: can't remember him doing much but he's more forward thinking than either Doyle or Lappin and should be starting, especially at home.

Baxter 5: not sure he's a CM, one delicious pass split apart their back line but that was about it.

Taylor n/a: one decent run and pull back.

We are in big, big trouble unless we can convince Micky Adams to come calling for some of the dross he left us with in January.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I don't want to criticise him this early as he deserves the time to make changes and influence the side but his midfield selection is bewildering. When I look at the four across the middle that he has selected the last 2 or 3 games it makes me do a little sicky burp.

 

[ponteblade]

I agree with deadbat about team, but none of the team has any confidence!! How do they get it? But doyle and Collins are very poor and flyn, no idea for a winger! But clough needs time, but his interviews need to be more honest, not saying we won't win giving stupid goals away, when we should be able to score goals to overcome stupid defense errors!

 

[JohnDenver]

I thought Miller had a hugely promising game. His first 90minutes in the first team for 11 months and showed more cleverness, class and threat than anyone.

If he hadn't been playing alongside such shite he'd have been subbed after 60mins.

 

[Blackheath Blade]

For what it's worth, here's my ten pennorth having seen that fuckin shambles today:

Long - I cant help but feel all this attention has gone to his head (England recognition, Blades no; 1 etc). There was no way he was gonna reach that back pass from Maguire as it would have meant him leaving his six yard area. The second goal? Comedy gold, pure farce. Maybe it's an age / lack of experience thing but why does he not talk or shout at the defenders in front of him? Clough was bollocking him in the opening minutes for not getting rid of the ball quickly and he needs to get his act together sharpish.

Doyle - was he playing today? Ineffective, negative, uninspiring and wank. The worst so called captain i've seen in all my years of watching United. Why dont you just fuck off and infuriate another set of supporters?

Maguire - overrated.

Flynn, Hill, Collins - Not worth a shirt.

The only players in the starting eleven who shouldn't be ashamed of picking up their wages this week are Porter and Miller. Porter took a fair amount of stick from their central defenders, yet won a lot in the air, scored a lovely goal and brought other players into the game. Miller run his nuts off today and deserved a goal.

The Others? You ought to have a long hard look at yourselves this evening and consider your privileged lifestyles which we contribute towards. You are pinching your fuckin money at the moment gentlemen and if you dont want to do your job at Bramall Lane, you should piss off and pinch your money elsewhere.

 

[grafikhaus]

I don't want to criticise him this early as he deserves the time to make changes and influence the side but his midfield selection is bewildering. When I look at the four across the middle that he has selected the last 2 or 3 games it makes me do a little sicky burp.

Yes, it would be easy to get on NC's back, but I'm afraid the signs are beginning to appear.

Bewildering selections? Check.

Ranting and frustration on the touchline ('it's not my fault, guv. it's everybody else')? Check.

A blind, Jones-esque refusal to be honest in post-match interviews? Check.

Owing to bad planning, I was in the ground at 2 O'Clock yesterday. It was amusing to watch a bunch of overpaid wage-thieves (not just the players, but the 'back room staff') of both sides go through their pathetic little routines. I counted nearly fifty personnel on the pitch at one point. They put their little plastic discs down, they do a few routine runs, they put a few 'dollies' in for the keeper to save and come 3 O'Clock? Fucking nothing.

If Clough goes, I hope we never again go down the tried and failed routine of appointing a manager in the conventional sense. You know the ones - initials on his track suit and getting the players to call him 'gaffer'. Apart from politicians, I can't think of another profession that rewards routine, abject failure with a handsome pay-off.

NC was nowhere to be seen during this pre-match circus - it was left to Morgs and a couple of other time-serving stiffs. We have specialist 'fitness coaches' (not that you'd know), people who presumably watch upcoming opponents (ditto), goalkeeping coaches (ditto, ditto), so if you can't get the best out of your limited squad (which Gillingham and every other team who've come to BDTBL seem to do) and can't pick players best suited to their positions well, doesn't leave much, does it?

 

[alcoblade]

Yes, it would be easy to get on NC's back, but I'm afraid the signs are beginning to appear.

Bewildering selections? Check.

Ranting and frustration on the touchline ('it's not my fault, guv. it's everybody else')? Check.

A blind, Jones-esque refusal to be honest in post-match interviews? Check.

Owing to bad planning, I was in the ground at 2 O'Clock yesterday. It was amusing to watch a bunch of overpaid wage-thieves (not just the players, but the 'back room staff') of both sides go through their pathetic little routines. I counted nearly fifty personnel on the pitch at one point. They put their little plastic discs down, they do a few routine runs, they put a few 'dollies' in for the keeper to save and come 3 O'Clock? Fucking nothing.

If Clough goes, I hope we never again go down the tried and failed routine of appointing a manager in the conventional sense. You know the ones - initials on his track suit and getting the players to call him 'gaffer'. Apart from politicians, I can't think of another profession that rewards routine, abject failure with a handsome pay-off.

NC was nowhere to be seen during this pre-match circus - it was left to Morgs and a couple of other time-serving stiffs. We have specialist 'fitness coaches' (not that you'd know), people who presumably watch upcoming opponents (ditto), goalkeeping coaches (ditto, ditto), so if you can't get the best out of your limited squad (which Gillingham and every other team who've come to BDTBL seem to do) and can't pick players best suited to their positions well, doesn't leave much, does it?

That's a great post fella, but it's as much out of frustration as anything I agree with the statement about the next manager, and as I said I would have preferred to gamble on a lower league up and comer. But, he's had nowhere near long enough to start making a mark.

I was surprised at the number of defenders on the pitch yesterday, at home against Gillingham. It's always easy identify where we went wrong, especially afterwards. But he wants us to stop losing, and get out of the losing habit - he failed , but let's give him a few months to work out the shittest of the shit.

UTB

 

[raul]

Sick of them going to the press/official website and making kind of digs about the crowd saying it is hard but it can be used to our advantage by getting them on side. All empty words and the mouth pieces Doyle and McMahon need to shut up. They are mostly abysmal every week and then come out to the press and talk a load of crap basically. I am sick of it.

To be fair to them, you only have to look at how on our travels, free from the tyranny of people who pay their wages and want them to try and win, our results are greatly impro...............


oh.

 

[Mendi]

it was a awful result.

 

[highpeakblade]

Had a read through the above and a good few things that I completely agree with and a lot as already been covered. I went to Colchester last week and came away happy enough despite our flaws but yesterday was just a massive step backwards again for us which hugely disappointed me and i'm sure you guys.

To an extent I agreed with Cloughy's selection because of performances last week that warranted another bite of the cherry however I was disappointed to see McGinn on the bench again and Flynn selected.

About the shambolic, pathetic defending that saw us go behind early doors, I actually thought we responded quite well and we were on top hence the equaliser in good time. From then for a short spell they couldn't handle porter and especially Miller who was sharp first half and I thought we would go on and bang another in and go in front.

As time went on we eased off a bit which pissed me off no end as Gillingham were another example of a team who were simply there for the taking. You don't get better opportunities than these sort of games, we carved the upper hand and we failed to capitalize on it which sums us up at the minute perfectly.

Second half again another piss pathetic excuse of defending and they scruffed the ball into the net to go in front and then threw pretty much most bodies behind the ball and we lacked any sort of ambition or quality to get back into the game AT HOME which again hugely pisses me off.

Too sum yesterday up........

Too many casualties.......If a player has a bad day the rest of the lads can generally carry them over then line but when 5-6 players don't show up then you know you are fooked.

Maguire and collins.........Another pathetic defensive display from a back partnership who prior to this season were on paper one of the best in England? I don't know what has gone wrong but a couple of things for me are simple. Maguire is massively over-rated, his goal scoring this season has taken the focus off his defensive frailties. He makes an unbelievable amount of schoolboy mistakes, he does the basics badly, he lacks pace, he gets turned constantly, his positioning isn't as good as in the past......Collins for me is no world beater but in the past has been a steady eddy, for whatever reason as the minute he is off par and I don't know why??? Whether it is his injury I don't know but at the minute he is not good enough.

Doyle.......Another piss taking excuse of a performance from our so called captain. You can't call him a captain because he doesn't lead by example, too many negatives to talk about regarding his performance yesterday, all I can say about him is utterly shocking, an insult to the captains armband and infuriated me.

Lappin substitution??.......Why did he take him off?? He put in a shift 100 times better than Doyle or Flynn yet gets substituted! He wasn't world beating yesterday but was the standout player in midfield for me! Bad Bad Bad decision!

I don't know had enough of writing fucking negatives. When things are so blatantly obvious to us all but yet the manager fails to act on them it makes you wonder just what goes on at Sheffield United Football Club. What red tape and contractual agreements are in place because whatever the problem is it is ruining our football club and as a whole putting us in trouble.

DROP DOYLE AND MAGUIRE FFS!!!!!!

 

[oldblade]

No competition whatsoever.

Howard is worse than Long - played 2 games and was poor in both

McGinty and Hill only other options at centre back. Deary me.

Left back; Williams, Johns, McGinty all even worse than the poor Hill

Right back; Westlake shocking and worse than McMahon - who is crap.

End of this year out of contract is all above I believe; except Maguire/Collins - both RBs and Hill/Williams are out of contract - not sure f Johns and McGinty were 1 or 2 year deals,

These are the same players that kept more than 20 clean sheets last season. Why are they performing so much worse this season?

I see it as an organisational (or lack of) problem, and the buck stops with the management team.

 

[Pragmatic Blade]

These are the same players that kept more than 20 clean sheets last season. Why are they performing so much worse this season?

I see it as an organisational (or lack of) problem, and the buck stops with the management team.

The players also need to take responsibility. We have kept one cleans sheet all season. That is one of the major problems. We have had a failure to score goals for a long time now - remember all the frustrating 0-0 draws last season? However, the problems are there for all to see. Perhaps our inability to keep a clean sheet is behind some of the more 'negative' team selections. I am sick of watching us gift teams 2 goals every week!