United 1 Port Vale 0 - report

[longinthe toothblade]

Three points in the bag but I didn't come away from the game with a spring in my step.

Same old, same old for me with a lot of huff and puff, but without much of an end product.

A few high points - Davies [best game for us so far and led the line well], Holt had his moments [although instinctively his first move is sideways or back], great to see Howard back, Basham was the best defender on the park, we enjoyed the 'rub of the green'.

Lows - Harris [another bad day at the office], Coutts [jury is still out for me], Done [obviously under instructions to start out wide on the right?] the match officials [poor] and generally disappointed in terms of the overall play - as they say, we are at the business end of the season and instead of pushing on we have definitely plateaued [and it's below par].

Port Vale won the middle field battle for a large part of the game and closed us down up front. We have got to pick it up starting on Tuesday night and we need to create some real momentum over these next 9 games.

Got to try and hit the play offs running otherwise it's going to be a shit load more grief and disappointment for all of us [again].

UTB

 

[Dkc]

Have now seen the game

We were far better than Vale in the first half, good passing play, 4 or 5 decent chances Great move for the disallowed second goal. Long crossfield pass by Harris, first time volleyed cross by Baxter, neat finish by an offside Davies Fantastic run by Murphy half way through the second half, went through their defence, laid it back, Davis nearly scored Too many aimless long balls in the second half though. Howard’s distribution was excellent throughout. The Murphy run came from a Howard throw following a Vale corner.

Ref was poor, as were Vale. We were by far the more inventive side in the game and tried a lot of things that didn’t come off. Vale’s players were on the whole bigger and able to muscle us off the ball on many occasions.

With the benefit of freeze-frame Howard definitely handled outside the box – no question

Second half was poor, from both sides, but we still had a few decent attacks and were unlucky that they didn’t result in more clear chances

No lack of effort from our players but the tempo could have been more urgent - sometimes we dwell too long on the ball. Goals come from one-touch passes and directed headers, there weren’t enough of these. We can do it when we try. I didn’t see any weak Blades players on the pitch but we’re still not playing as a team – not good enough at anticipating runs before they occur, one-twos, etc.

I still think there’s a very good team hiding in there somewhere

 

[Bergen Blade]

No lack of effort from our players but the tempo could have been more urgent - sometimes we dwell too long on the ball. Goals come from one-touch passes and directed headers, there weren’t enough of these. We can do it when we try.

Sometimes our movement into space and into the box are lacking. Our players often come short for the ball, but this means players receive the ball with their backs to goal, and when well closed down it's more difficult to create openings and chances that way. Just an example, where we had plenty of players involved to work a crossing opportunity, but only one player in the box when the cross actually came in:





I think the problem is a mix of the team not having gelled right, a lack of urgency, players not running into space, but also players choosing "safe" options.

Holt had his moments [although instinctively his first move is sideways or back],

Not just Holt, it's a bit typical for us that the player on the ball in the photo above passes it back to one of the players on the touchline, rather than trying a clever turn.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Sometimes our movement into space and into the box are lacking. Our players often come short for the ball, but this means players receive the ball with their backs to goal, and when well closed down it's more difficult to create openings and chances that way. Just an example, where we had plenty of players involved to work a crossing opportunity, but only one player in the box when the cross actually came in:

View attachment 11070



I think the problem is a mix of the team not having gelled right, a lack of urgency, players not running into space, but also players choosing "safe" options.



Not just Holt, it's a bit typical for us that the player on the ball in the photo above passes it back to one of the players on the touchline, rather than trying a clever turn.

classic example bergen of players under pressure and lacking a bit of confidence (self beleaf).this is cloughs main job now to somehow instill a bit of beleaf in the players and the best way is to win games (only way).If we as fans show a bit of the patience we showed on sat we can do it.

 

[Bladesince59]

It's not going to get us through the playoffs is it? Assuming we get to the playoffs.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Clough does not allow players to push on in numbers. We always attack 8 men defences with 3 players tops.

Most goals are not perfectly worked, they arise from rebounds, second balls, mistakes even. If we don't have men in the final third then those types of goals cannot possibly happen because we can't pick up the loose balls.

 

[blade too long]

HOW WE PLAY NOW HAS NO BEARING WHATSOEVER ON HOW WE MIGHT PLAY IN MAY , I CANT UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE DONT SAY WILL WE PLAY LIKE WE DID AT BRISTOL CITY OR THE 6 WIN RUN ITS JUST AS LIKELY
DO WE HAVE TO BE SUCH MAUDLING MISERABLE TWATS ALL THE FUCKING LIVE LONG DAY

people go on like we have been utter wank in all 38 games , I dont think that is the case but no lets just dwell on the not so good and lets be fucking miserable no hopers

 

[blade too long]

We must be the only team vying for the play offs whose fans go at it with a cant do attitude its fucking unbelievable what a set of miserable down beat lose at any cost fans we have in our ranks

Do Barnsley fans dwell on their bad run
will rochdale be remembering us beating them and saying we are wasting our time,,,

so why do we excel in being such mioserable fuckers

 

[Lane Ender]

We must be the only team vying for the play offs whose fans go at it with a cant do attitude its fucking unbelievable what a set of miserable down beat lose at any cost fans we have in our ranks

Do Barnsley fans dwell on their bad run
will rochdale be remembering us beating them and saying we are wasting our time,,,

so why do we excel in being such mioserable fuckers

Because we are a club with history and don't want to mixing it with the likes of fucking Rochdale etc

 

[HillmortonBlade]

Because we are a club with history and don't want to mixing it with the likes of fucking Rochdale etc

I was surprised that the other clubs in the division did not get together last August and agree that we are too big a club for the league and to give the points automatically., I mean, who the f**k are the like of Rochdale to deny us our right!!

 

[blade too long]

Because we are a club with history and don't want to mixing it with the likes of fucking Rochdale etc

I dont see how our history effects us now , weve been in div 3 twice before , thats our history too

 

[Lane Ender]

I was surprised that the other clubs in the division did not get together last August and agree that we are too big a club for the league and to give the points automatically., I mean, who the f**k are the like of Rochdale to deny us our right!!

They should give us the points the amount of revenue we create for them

 

[Lane Ender]

I dont see how our history effects us now , weve been in div 3 twice before , thats our history too

Didn't hang around as long as this though

 

[Fiery Blade]

Because we are a club with history and don't want to mixing it with the likes of fucking Rochdale etc

Can I suggest that all the Whingers, Whiners, Moaners, Groaners, that seem to just love slating all things United from Owners to Board,Members, Manager, Coaches, Players, Ticket Office, Club Shop, Caterers, Pitch, New Strip, Old Strip, Sponsors, Programme Sellers,- Just Piss Off Full Stop
I for one am sick and tired of reading the Ultra Negative ramblings of the likes of Woodward Fan, Torrix, Blader, the Clown Guy and anyone else who can't think of a positive yet reel out twenty negatives week in week out !!!

 

[Fiery Blade]

See Earlier Post PLUS Lane Ender !

 

[blade too long]

Didn't hang around as long as this though

no we went to div 4
SO WE WERE OUT OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 5 SEASONS
came up and went back again , was there

 

[oldblade]

Plus an additional draw and defeat to Preston, of course.

Why mention those matches and yet make no mention of the additional win against MK Dons?

 

[oldblade]

Do we?

Bristol City won 1 lost 1
Swindon won 1 lost 1
MKD lost 2
Preston won 1 drawn 1
Posh won 1 lost 1

So thats won 4 drawn 1 lost 5 against the current top 5 teams. That's average at best.

We have also beaten and drawn with quite a few teams considerably higher placed than any of those.

 

[Lane Ender]

Can I suggest that all the Whingers, Whiners, Moaners, Groaners, that seem to just love slating all things United from Owners to Board,Members, Manager, Coaches, Players, Ticket Office, Club Shop, Caterers, Pitch, New Strip, Old Strip, Sponsors, Programme Sellers,- Just Piss Off Full Stop
I for one am sick and tired of reading the Ultra Negative ramblings of the likes of Woodward Fan, Torrix, Blader, the Clown Guy and anyone else who can't think of a positive yet reel out twenty negatives week in week out !!!

Ok I'll come on here and say what a you want here Cloughs doing a great job, it's work in progress , we'll go up through the play offs etc etc.
No fucking chance I'd rather say as it is.
But if they come out tomorrow and a least give it a go I would congratulate him

 

[Lane Ender]

no we went to div 4
SO WE WERE OUT OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 5 SEASONS
came up and went back again , was there

We've had over 100 seasons in the top two divisions less than ten in the bottom two pretty good history

 

[blade too long]

it is , but we are in league one , on merit as we had a bad season , coventry had 45 consecutive seasons in the top , just saying it doesnt remedy their chances

 

[blade too long]

Ok I'll come on here and say what a you want here Cloughs doing a great job, it's work in progress , we'll go up through the play offs etc etc.
No fucking chance I'd rather say as it is.
But if they come out tomorrow and a least give it a go I would congratulate him

we dont want you to feel its arduous to get behind the team
if you feel your best way of supporting the team is being huber critical of everything , its your choice , I hate detest being in this league , but w have a chance to get out and I THINK ITS MY JOB AS A SUPPORTER TO LIFT THEM NOT SLAG THEM . I know in this age of social media players read everything we put on here and on twitter , if they read this its no wonder they dont feel confident, sevveral fans think they are utter shit useless and they believe it , so I go the other way and try and support them , if thats ok with you
The silence at some blades games shows how little we truly support our club , at times I feel let down by our fans who are so negative its translated into our spell here being extended as players pick up on vibes , us having big gates is working against us now due to the 25% of pure bile and negativity thats oozing off the terraces , thanks for that
criticism is a right , but weve turned it into something more tangible , thats dragging us down

 

[Lane Ender]

we dont want you to feel its arduous to get behind the team
if you feel your best way of supporting the team is being huber critical of everything , its your choice , I hate detest being in this league , but w have a chance to get out and I THINK ITS MY JOB AS A SUPPORTER TO LIFT THEM NOT SLAG THEM . I know in this age of social media players read everything we put on here and on twitter , if they read this its no wonder they dont feel confident, sevveral fans think they are utter shit useless and they believe it , so I go the other way and try and support them , if thats ok with you
The silence at some blades games shows how little we truly support our club , at times I feel let down by our fans who are so negative its translated into our spell here being extended as players pick up on vibes , us having big gates is working against us now due to the 25% of pure bile and negativity thats oozing off the terraces , thanks for that
criticism is a right , but weve turned it into something more tangible , thats dragging us down

If you reckon I get off in slating what's going off at the Lane you're way off the mark.
You can feel the mood in the ground at the moment it's soulless I've never heard the Shoreham as quiet as it is now.
Can you honestly take any positives from this season.

 

[oldblade]

If you reckon I get off in slating what's going off at the Lane you're way off the mark.
You can feel the mood in the ground at the moment it's soulless I've never heard the Shoreham as quiet as it is now.
Can you honestly take any positives from this season.

Getting to a league cup semi final isn't a positive?!

 

[HillmortonBlade]

Getting to a league cup semi final isn't a positive?!

You stole my words... the main issue has been inconsistency. Therefore, there must be good as well as bad.

 

[Lane Ender]

Getting to a league cup semi final isn't a positive?!

Went to all them cup matches home and away but I'd sacrifice all that cup success to be in Bristols position

 

[Lane Ender]

Getting to a league cup semi final isn't a positive?!

Went to all them cup matches home and away but I'd sacrifice all that cup success to be in Bristols position

 

[Fiery Blade]

If you reckon I get off in slating what's going off at the Lane you're way off the mark.
You can feel the mood in the ground at the moment it's soulless I've never heard the Shoreham as quiet as it is now.
Can you honestly take any positives from this season.

Yes, wer'e in the play off positions and have not played well - surely that must be a positive !
We are capable of better performances eg Southampton, Spurs, QPR so to be where we are with just nine games to go _ Everything to play for, yet, you Whingers and Whiners are not satisfied ! Yes we would all like to be where Bristol City are, but we are not so get over it Get behind the team and lets cheer them on to promotion !
Alternatively, if it offends you so much to see the Blades do us all a favour and stay at home and leave BDTBL to the true supporters !!!

 

[Rodders]

we dont want you to feel its arduous to get behind the team
if you feel your best way of supporting the team is being huber critical of everything , its your choice , I hate detest being in this league , but w have a chance to get out and I THINK ITS MY JOB AS A SUPPORTER TO LIFT THEM NOT SLAG THEM . I know in this age of social media players read everything we put on here and on twitter , if they read this its no wonder they dont feel confident, sevveral fans think they are utter shit useless and they believe it , so I go the other way and try and support them , if thats ok with you
The silence at some blades games shows how little we truly support our club , at times I feel let down by our fans who are so negative its translated into our spell here being extended as players pick up on vibes , us having big gates is working against us now due to the 25% of pure bile and negativity thats oozing off the terraces , thanks for that
criticism is a right , but weve turned it into something more tangible , thats dragging us down

It's a bit rich someone who doesn't live in the country telling people who've spent their hard-earned how they should be acting.

 

[Dkc]

We get the best attendances but not sure we have the biggest stadium (thinking of Coventry and MK)

Preston have a proud history and have played quite a few seasons in the top flight. Same with Coventry, Notts County and Bradford. Oldham have been up there too, as have Barnsley, and Orient. Coventry used to be a regular top flight club when I was young, and won the FA Cup. They probably had bigger attendances than us then.

We're not doing bad compared to this lot (Preston aside)