United 3 Swansea 3 - report/ratings

[Deadbat]

The Blades once again threw away a lead as this time they somehow managed to toss away a 3-1 lead to only draw 3-3 with Swansea City. United led thanks to Gus Hamer’s curling strike but the Championship leading scorer Zan Vipotnik converted a penalty after a clumsy Adam Davies challenge on Goncalo Franco. Tyler Bindon cleared a certain goal off the line and United broke to score almost immediately with Harrison Burrows converting a neat finish after more good work from Hamer. Tom Cannon then sent a long-range finish into the corner to seemingly give United an unassailable lead but once again United could not hold on. Substitute Adam Idah scored a smart finish after a cross from the left and the same man assisted finding Ji Sung to convert and complete the turnaround.



United made one change with Seriki back in after suspension for Hoever. Rothwell was back on the bench. Swansea’s chances of a playoff chase seemed extremely remote ahead of a game that seemed to be a classic end of season contest with very little tangible to play for.



The game began with both teams looking to feel each other out but there was little goalmouth action with the ball being given away plenty. The wind was making possession football difficult to achieve in fairness but it had been a touch watch until United found some quality to take the lead on the quarter of an hour mark. The ball was played to HAMER who was given way too much space to drift inside and curl the ball into the far corner away from Vigoroux. The lead did not last long as 8 minutes later, Swansea were level. Peck failed to deal with the ball into the box and as it looped inside, Franco took a touch and keeper Davies cleaned him out. The penalty was despatched by VIPOTNIK and parity was restored.



There were chances either end as the game opened somewhat. Vipotnik got in too easily and his effort was pushed away by Davies whilst Vigorous denied Bamford at the other end. Hamer had a golden chance to restore United’s lead but blasted over the bar.



The second half saw it swing from one end to the other and this was typified in the 53rd minute when Widell took the ball on the angle and drove goalwards but Bindon got back to clear right on the line. United broke and O’Hare found Hamer, who waited patiently to slip in BURROWS who drilled across the keeper for an excellent finish and give United the lead again.



Rothwell and Cannon came on for Riedewald and Brooks before Swansea replaced Ronald with Nunes and Cullen for Yalcouye. On 64 minutes, the game looked to have been sealed as CANNON dropped on a loose ball and hit a long-range effort into the corner and gave United breathing space. The visitors made more changes with Idah, Fulton and Ji Sung coming on for Widell, Stamenic and Vipotnik. With 15 minutes to go, the Swans got one back. It came down the right and as the ball came in IDAH was able to slide home with no pressure, from around the penalty spot.



United fans had seen this script before and despite Davies replacing Hamer, the leveller came. It was also created down the right and Burows could not get enough on the ball and Idah got the better of him and his cross was turned home by JI SUNG and it was 3-3. Swansea sprinted back to the centre circle, feeling they were the team now more likely to win it. The game had 6 minutes of stoppage time but whilst the visitors ended up with more attacking intent, neither side created anything of real substance and the final verdict of a point each, was about right with some good goals but some appalling and naïve defending both ways. Neither side is going to be close to promotion or relegation and clearly have a lot of work to do, to be a contender next season.

 

[Deadbat]

United – A 3-3 that was not as entertaining as it sounded! It was boring for long spells and both sides lacked quality and the ability to control the game. It was another game we had control of and just threw away. Wilder says it is not tactics or shape but down to mentality and fitness but I cannot totally agree with this. Whilst the latter two are issues, the fact we cannot see games out and do not ever have control when we lead, is down to issues around how we set up and tactics. Surprising he does not see this. We did not go for a 4th as he says. We got caught in a nothingness but once again the goals we concede are pathetic with Burrows and Bindon down the left showing their weaknesses with basic defending in terms of stopping crosses and marking. A lot will point to Riedewald going off and we have dropped off but was he was playing that great or protecting the defence particularly? I think that is a bit of an excuse. Suppose easy to say we dropped off when he went off but were we in that much control before that? Granted Rothwell was poor again but not sure Peck was great and we did not have control of the game, even when 3-1 up. We scored 3 decent goals and at times played some ‘nice’ stuff but we continue to be so soft and any time teams have a go at us, they can score. The two centre backs are not strong enough and do not do the basics at all. Burrows was also poor 2nd half outside of the goal. Did not get enough from Brooks, O’Hare and Bamford either.



It was a very ordinary performance and that of a team that knows its season is done. However, we scored three goals and should have seen it out bit the moment they scored, we knew what would happen. It has happened time after time. We have a bunch of weak-minded players (do agree with Wilder on this – although he signed most of them!) and they are not winners. Hence, why we keep chucking games away. Swansea were so ordinary and a good side puts them away. Sadly, we are barely even average and as others have said, just not a serious side. They are a depressing bunch to watch. We have a mish mash of old players who do not have legs, youngster who are inconsistent and a lot of very average slow and unathletic players. The squad is miles of a promotion contender and sadly we will lose assets like Hamer and Brooks in the summer you sense and be even further off. I am not convinced from recruitment in the last 18 months; we will sign the right sort of players to arrest the slide and drop off in games. Wilder says he knows the players cannot last but then signs players like Rothwell and Phillips (and Bamford and Riedewald too – although both done ok – neither can last 90 minutes). It is quite a depressing watch at the moment as we continued to chuck games away. Our form in the last few months has dropped off (take away wins v SWFC and QPR - two awful sides) and we have barely put any results of note together and now have won 2 in 8.



The season cannot end quick enough but I worry what we will do and how we can change things with money tight and the lack of anything creative personnel wise. I worry the likes of Choudhury, Dunne etc will the profile of players we go after – which is not what we need. We have shown that the old, slow players like Mee, Ings and Rothwell is just a drain of the valuable resources we have. We need to change how we recruit and do things differently. I remain to be convinced the manager of the club will do things that arrest the problems we have seen this season. I absolutely think Wilder will stay and should as we do not have a change to the set up off the field. Bettis sort of barked at those asking for a Director of Football in the recent forum but if we do not do that, do we just plough ahead with Mikey Allen, Jamie Hoyland and Carl Shiebber (and Bettis) which is not a modern way of progressing? I am concerned that the disaster with Selles, means that Wilder and this old school way is the way it will be for another season or so. The new owners have to be looking at a more progressive way of doing things and how we find players or operate at management level – so it is not just Wilder doing everything. Sadly, they have been here 18 months and we have not changed anything. They kind of looked like they wanted to change that side with the Selles appointment (wrong man clearly) but the lack of foundation/team behind him or any modern type coach meant we went back to what we had before. Now, we just will seemingly limp along with this set up which is completely bewildering long term? Wilder might get us mid table again next year – maybe a bit higher – maybe a bit lower – but then what? Those are the bigger issues. The last few weeks performances and results smack of a club that is mired in mediocrity and does not have a direction or route they hope to go in. The recent forum was ok in terms of Bettis talking about soap in the women’s toilets or more pixels on the big screen, but I still have no idea what or how the owners are going to properly progress us?



Ratings:



Davies 5/10 – Stupid moment on the first goal. He did not need to come out like that and took his man out. He did make a good save just after tipping it around the post. Not a lot of chance with the 2nd and 3rd goals and had no protection at all.



Seriki 4.5/10 - Average display. Barely saw him going forward. The third goal he is a bit slow to react to get across. Rarely did he got up and beyond Brooks. Our whole defence was poor today.



Burrows 4/10 –He scored a very good goal and takes it superbly but defensively he was horrific the last half hour. Both goals come from him not getting tight enough or dealing with the danger at all. He has to do better on both and had to deal with routine defending. I keep saying he is a wing back and not a full back, but even as a wing back you must stop your winger or make basic tackles. They exploited him the last half hour constantly. Wilder should have put Hjelde there to help him but we ended up with nobody covering to help at all.



Bindon 4.5/10 – He did clear one off the line which was superb but his basic defending still leave a lot to be desired for me. He does not react or cut out crosses or mark when the ball comes in. Both the 2nd and 3rd goal he just stands there and does not react. The 2nd his poor pass leads to the danger. I have seen a lot saying we need to sign him and maybe he is better than Tanganga and possibly both would be ok with a dominant centre back but neither have shown enough to me to say they could be part of a promotion chasing side.



Tanganga 4/10 – Another poor display even if the goals are not down to him. He lost a few challenges or his errors led to some breaks first half. Second half they came at us and we never looked secure. A disappointing signing and one I would not be averse to moving on already – but doubt he has any takers? Both our centre backs are painfully weak and concede soft goals from routine crosses into our box.



Peck 5/10 – Ordinary. Moved it on a bit but nothing where he created too much – he did help it onto Hamer for the goal I suppose. He looks tired and we never had proper control of this midfield area. He lost his runner on their first but did play in Hamer on our goal. Second half I barely noticed him.



Riedewald 5.5/10 – I am not sure he is quite the player some think. Positionally he is ok and we did have more protection but he gave it away a fair bit today and I rarely noticed him making many interceptions or tackles. Granted we go 1-3 to 3-3 so easy to point at him coming off but it is a bit pointless if he cannot play more than an hour? I am unconvinced he is the long-term answer in here – due to his lack of fitness and ability to get on the ball and impact games. I know I am in the minority who will point to drop offs when he is subbed.



O’Hare 4/10 – He has dropped off a lot last few months and games sort of pass him by. Rarely see him create much or drive or even press defenders. He did play in Hamer in the build-up the third but not impacting games enough.



Brooks 4.5/10 – As above. Not in the game or impacting things at all. A few runs but mostly came inside or got harried out of it. Just looked like week had taken his toil on him. Taken off around the hour mark.



Hamer 7/10 - Not everything came off but he was our best player by a distance. Scored one, set up another and was the one who looked like he could make things happen. He can frustrate but only player on whole pitch showing some class really.



Bamford 4.5/10 – Like O’Hare, I feel the last few games he has looked tired and not impacted enough. The ball came off him too much and we just did not keep it at the top of the field. Ball not sticking and he is not linking like he was.



Subs -



Rothwell 3/10 – Barely touched the ball and it just came off him when it did go near him. Miles off the pace and looks another waste of funds -as stuck here another year.



Cannon 6.5/10 – Scored a well taken goal. Not sure he saw too much of it after that as we ended up defending but credit for the excellent strike.



Davies – Barely noticed him until he gave away a telegraphed pass.



Chong – We were on the back foot and hardly got him the ball to make an impact.





Manager: Wilder 4/10 – We had control of the game and once again threw it away. His subs saw one score but another Rothwell struggled. We never had control of the game despite being two goals up and I just thought if we conceded, they would go on and get back into it. It happens most weeks and he has to take responsibility for the tactics and not just point to mentality and fitness. The fact it keeps happening and he cannot arrest this, is a worry moving forward. He keeps saying it is not tactics. So we then expect huge changes to a side that has lost more games than any other side than Wednesday- and a completely different side next season.





Swansea – A side that seems destined to finish mid table almost every season and does not seem to know it’s direction (a charge you could level at us too). They have switched from young British managers to foreign coaches and back. They do produce strikers they can move on for money and have another that can probably do this with. The rest of their team lacks experience and quality to seriously contend for promotion and like us, seem sort of stuck in no man’s land of what to do next. Maybe their owners have more money (odd to see Snoop Dogg patrolling the touchlines at a recent game!) but they need to make a fair few changes to be near the top I would suggest and without significant investment – wondering how they quite do it?



Today they looked a soft side, like us, but showed smattering of quality and did fight back. They deserved a draw for showing this resolve and did not go under – other Swansea sides have just wilted at the Lane but to must fair this United side do not have anything like the heart and nous of previous Blades teams that have despatched the Swans easily in the past.



Opponent Man of the Match – Vipotnik scored and nearly had another but the lad Idah – his replacement – helped turn it round with a goal and assist. Thought Tymon was lively too.



Opponent Weak link – Widell looked so weak and kept falling over but nearly scored but he looked like he would fall over if a United player blew on him! Ronald got the penalty but his touch and passing was awful and was looking for free kicks – got rightly hooked.



Referee / Officials – Fine. One booking each – Yalcouye and Seriki – the former for complaining for a decision and not even sure what Seriki got his for? Not a difficult game to referee as barely a bad foul all game.



Crowd – Swansea only brought maybe 7-800 and still made more noise than United’s fans! It was so flat and uninspiring despite six goals. I am not even sure it was close to 26,457 it was announced as. There were big gaps and I know a lot of ST holders who did not go today. A smattering of boos on full time but most just seem rather resigned to another average performance where we chucked away three points again. We had an exciting spell Nov to Jan where we were scoring 3-4 goals at home in games but the few months before and after, have been quite uninspiring and not exactly great for the club who want to get everyone to renew their season tickets for next season.

 

[Maurice Maurice]

An easy first!

Think your scores are way off though. Burrows scored one, cost us two, no more than a 3.
Riedewald 4, safe slow passes all day long and is done after an hour.
Brooks a generous 4, did fuck all.
Tanganga 3, he's really not very good.

Wilder 2. Has no idea what to do in the second half of a football match.

UTBFTP

 

[Karaoke Blade]

Seriki was booked for time wasting. It was 3-3 at the time which just about sums this team up

 

[Esteban Cambiasso]

United – A 3-3 that was not as entertaining as it sounded! It was boring for long spells and both sides lacked quality and the ability to control the game. It was another game we had control of and just threw away. Wilder says it is not tactics or shape but down to mentality and fitness but I cannot totally agree with this. Whilst the latter two are issues, the fact we cannot see games out and do not ever have control when we lead, is down to issues around how we set up and tactics. Surprising he does not see this. We did not go for a 4th as he says. We got caught in a nothingness but once again the goals we concede are pathetic with Burrows and Bindon down the left showing their weaknesses with basic defending in terms of stopping crosses and marking. A lot will point to Riedewald going off and we have dropped off but was he was playing that great or protecting the defence particularly? I think that is a bit of an excuse. Suppose easy to say we dropped off when he went off but were we in that much control before that? Granted Rothwell was poor again but not sure Peck was great and we did not have control of the game, even when 3-1 up. We scored 3 decent goals and at times played some ‘nice’ stuff but we continue to be so soft and any time teams have a go at us, they can score. The two centre backs are not strong enough and do not do the basics at all. Burrows was also poor 2nd half outside of the goal. Did not get enough from Brooks, O’Hare and Bamford either.



It was a very ordinary performance and that of a team that knows its season is done. However, we scored three goals and should have seen it out bit the moment they scored, we knew what would happen. It has happened time after time. We have a bunch of weak-minded players (do agree with Wilder on this – although he signed most of them!) and they are not winners. Hence, why we keep chucking games away. Swansea were so ordinary and a good side puts them away. Sadly, we are barely even average and as others have said, just not a serious side. They are a depressing bunch to watch. We have a mish mash of old players who do not have legs, youngster who are inconsistent and a lot of very average slow and unathletic players. The squad is miles of a promotion contender and sadly we will lose assets like Hamer and Brooks in the summer you sense and be even further off. I am not convinced from recruitment in the last 18 months; we will sign the right sort of players to arrest the slide and drop off in games. Wilder says he knows the players cannot last but then signs players like Rothwell and Phillips (and Bamford and Riedewald too – although both done ok – neither can last 90 minutes). It is quite a depressing watch at the moment as we continued to chuck games away. Our form in the last few months has dropped off (take away wins v SWFC and QPR - two awful sides) and we have barely put any results of note together and now have won 2 in 8.



The season cannot end quick enough but I worry what we will do and how we can change things with money tight and the lack of anything creative personnel wise. I worry the likes of Choudhury, Dunne etc will the profile of players we go after – which is not what we need. We have shown that the old, slow players like Mee, Ings and Rothwell is just a drain of the valuable resources we have. We need to change how we recruit and do things differently. I remain to be convinced the manager of the club will do things that arrest the problems we have seen this season. I absolutely think Wilder will stay and should as we do not have a change to the set up off the field. Bettis sort of barked at those asking for a Director of Football in the recent forum but if we do not do that, do we just plough ahead with Mikey Allen, Jamie Hoyland and Carl Shiebber (and Bettis) which is not a modern way of progressing? I am concerned that the disaster with Selles, means that Wilder and this old school way is the way it will be for another season or so. The new owners have to be looking at a more progressive way of doing things and how we find players or operate at management level – so it is not just Wilder doing everything. Sadly, they have been here 18 months and we have not changed anything. They kind of looked like they wanted to change that side with the Selles appointment (wrong man clearly) but the lack of foundation/team behind him or any modern type coach meant we went back to what we had before. Now, we just will seemingly limp along with this set up which is completely bewildering long term? Wilder might get us mid table again next year – maybe a bit higher – maybe a bit lower – but then what? Those are the bigger issues. The last few weeks performances and results smack of a club that is mired in mediocrity and does not have a direction or route they hope to go in. The recent forum was ok in terms of Bettis talking about soap in the women’s toilets or more pixels on the big screen, but I still have no idea what or how the owners are going to properly progress us?



Ratings:



Davies 5/10 – Stupid moment on the first goal. He did not need to come out like that and took his man out. He did make a good save just after tipping it around the post. Not a lot of chance with the 2nd and 3rd goals and had no protection at all.



Seriki 4.5/10 - Average display. Barely saw him going forward. The third goal he is a bit slow to react to get across. Rarely did he got up and beyond Brooks. Our whole defence was poor today.



Burrows 4/10 –He scored a very good goal and takes it superbly but defensively he was horrific the last half hour. Both goals come from him not getting tight enough or dealing with the danger at all. He has to do better on both and had to deal with routine defending. I keep saying he is a wing back and not a full back, but even as a wing back you must stop your winger or make basic tackles. They exploited him the last half hour constantly. Wilder should have put Hjelde there to help him but we ended up with nobody covering to help at all.



Bindon 4.5/10 – He did clear one off the line which was superb but his basic defending still leave a lot to be desired for me. He does not react or cut out crosses or mark when the ball comes in. Both the 2nd and 3rd goal he just stands there and does not react. The 2nd his poor pass leads to the danger. I have seen a lot saying we need to sign him and maybe he is better than Tanganga and possibly both would be ok with a dominant centre back but neither have shown enough to me to say they could be part of a promotion chasing side.



Tanganga 4/10 – Another poor display even if the goals are not down to him. He lost a few challenges or his errors led to some breaks first half. Second half they came at us and we never looked secure. A disappointing signing and one I would not be averse to moving on already – but doubt he has any takers? Both our centre backs are painfully weak and concede soft goals from routine crosses into our box.



Peck 5/10 – Ordinary. Moved it on a bit but nothing where he created too much – he did help it onto Hamer for the goal I suppose. He looks tired and we never had proper control of this midfield area. He lost his runner on their first but did play in Hamer on our goal. Second half I barely noticed him.



Riedewald 5.5/10 – I am not sure he is quite the player some think. Positionally he is ok and we did have more protection but he gave it away a fair bit today and I rarely noticed him making many interceptions or tackles. Granted we go 1-3 to 3-3 so easy to point at him coming off but it is a bit pointless if he cannot play more than an hour? I am unconvinced he is the long-term answer in here – due to his lack of fitness and ability to get on the ball and impact games. I know I am in the minority who will point to drop offs when he is subbed.



O’Hare 4/10 – He has dropped off a lot last few months and games sort of pass him by. Rarely see him create much or drive or even press defenders. He did play in Hamer in the build-up the third but not impacting games enough.



Brooks 4.5/10 – As above. Not in the game or impacting things at all. A few runs but mostly came inside or got harried out of it. Just looked like week had taken his toil on him. Taken off around the hour mark.



Hamer 7/10 - Not everything came off but he was our best player by a distance. Scored one, set up another and was the one who looked like he could make things happen. He can frustrate but only player on whole pitch showing some class really.



Bamford 4.5/10 – Like O’Hare, I feel the last few games he has looked tired and not impacted enough. The ball came off him too much and we just did not keep it at the top of the field. Ball not sticking and he is not linking like he was.



Subs -



Rothwell 3/10 – Barely touched the ball and it just came off him when it did go near him. Miles off the pace and looks another waste of funds -as stuck here another year.



Cannon 6.5/10 – Scored a well taken goal. Not sure he saw too much of it after that as we ended up defending but credit for the excellent strike.



Davies – Barely noticed him until he gave away a telegraphed pass.



Chong – We were on the back foot and hardly got him the ball to make an impact.





Manager: Wilder 4/10 – We had control of the game and once again threw it away. His subs saw one score but another Rothwell struggled. We never had control of the game despite being two goals up and I just thought if we conceded, they would go on and get back into it. It happens most weeks and he has to take responsibility for the tactics and not just point to mentality and fitness. The fact it keeps happening and he cannot arrest this, is a worry moving forward. He keeps saying it is not tactics. So we then expect huge changes to a side that has lost more games than any other side than Wednesday- and a completely different side next season.





Swansea – A side that seems destined to finish mid table almost every season and does not seem to know it’s direction (a charge you could level at us too). They have switched from young British managers to foreign coaches and back. They do produce strikers they can move on for money and have another that can probably do this with. The rest of their team lacks experience and quality to seriously contend for promotion and like us, seem sort of stuck in no man’s land of what to do next. Maybe their owners have more money (odd to see Snoop Dogg patrolling the touchlines at a recent game!) but they need to make a fair few changes to be near the top I would suggest and without significant investment – wondering how they quite do it?



Today they looked a soft side, like us, but showed smattering of quality and did fight back. They deserved a draw for showing this resolve and did not go under – other Swansea sides have just wilted at the Lane but to must fair this United side do not have anything like the heart and nous of previous Blades teams that have despatched the Swans easily in the past.



Opponent Man of the Match – Vipotnik scored and nearly had another but the lad Idah – his replacement – helped turn it round with a goal and assist. Thought Tymon was lively too.



Opponent Weak link – Widell looked so weak and kept falling over but nearly scored but he looked like he would fall over if a United player blew on him! Ronald got the penalty but his touch and passing was awful and was looking for free kicks – got rightly hooked.



Referee / Officials – Fine. One booking each – Yalcouye and Seriki – the former for complaining for a decision and not even sure what Seriki got his for? Not a difficult game to referee as barely a bad foul all game.



Crowd – Swansea only brought maybe 7-800 and still made more noise than United’s fans! It was so flat and uninspiring despite six goals. I am not even sure it was close to 26,457 it was announced as. There were big gaps and I know a lot of ST holders who did not go today. A smattering of boos on full time but most just seem rather resigned to another average performance where we chucked away three points again. We had an exciting spell Nov to Jan where we were scoring 3-4 goals at home in games but the few months before and after, have been quite uninspiring and not exactly great for the club who want to get everyone to renew their season tickets for next season.

Good summary... The problem for me is if you take Hamer out of the side we create nothing, he was involved in every goal and could have had a couple more

If he goes next season and isn't replaced or wilder makes another of his big money disaster signings to replace him we could be in trouble

 

[Bergen Blade]

We scored three counter attacking goals which is good. We could do better from regular open play. When Brooks and Seriki have quiet games we need others to step up and do more ball carrying. There were a couple of occasions first half where Peck looked up and found nobody to pass to. Then he set off on the ball himself and this opened things up. I hope we encourage him to do this more. He's got good ability, tell him to be more like Michael Brown, not Michael Doyle.

 

[Working Class Hero]

I didn't go today, but Rothwell getting the lowest mark of the lot is telling. Absolute wazzock of a signing.

 

[ATL Recs]

Good summary... The problem for me is if you take Hamer out of the side we create nothing, he was involved in every goal and could have had a couple more

If he goes next season and isn't replaced or wilder makes another of his big money disaster signings to replace him we could be in trouble

Rest assured there’s no need to worry about big money signings next season

 

[Addison]

We will not progress as a club until COH address their current plight. A considerable amount is still owed to PA for the sale of the club. They are now embroiled in a legal action as a consequence of alleged fraudulent actions against a former partner. Thats hardly going to encourage new investors to get into bed with them. We are destined to drift as a lower/mid table championship team for the foreseeable future until these problems are resolved.

Post match the manager says he's not going to revert to 3 at the back, 3 in midfield or 4-5-1 to sit on the edge of the penalty area to see games out. That reflects his current mentality. Anyone of those formations for the last 20 minutes would at least have made the opposition think and countered their focus down our right hand side. The reason we are falling away in every game is about tactics and shape. We lose all semblance of these when substitutions are made. Hjelde is this seasons Rob Holding. Official splinters in arse player. Waste of a wage if the manager has no intention of playing him. Yet he can play LCB, LB or LDM and has a long throw. A useful asset off the bench you would have thought. Soumare on one leg would have had more of an impact than Rothwell or Davis as a sub.

The Bindon Tanganga partnership hasnt worked all season yet we persevere with it. CW says Bindons weaker foot is his left. Thats the side we play him! Both switch off and have Jackie Long throw levels of concentration. The only time the CB pairing looked solid was when Mee partnered Tanganga. Mee has completely disappeared off the radar without explanation. If you cant defend crosses into the box you concede on a regular basis. Add in a back up goalkeeper that has a mistake in him every match and you have further reasons for our demise.

The coaching staff seem incapable of arresting the slide. The last 3 home games are likely to be poorly attended as a consequence affecting revenue and season ticket take up.

 

[bladeinspaceandtime]

"Manager: Wilder 4/10 – We had control of the game and once again threw it away. His subs saw one score but another Rothwell struggled. We never had control of the game despite being two goals up and I just thought if we conceded, they would go on and get back into it. It happens most weeks and he has to take responsibility for the tactics and not just point to mentality and fitness. The fact it keeps happening and he cannot arrest this, is a worry moving forward. He keeps saying it is not tactics. So we then expect huge changes to a side that has lost more games than any other side than Wednesday- and a completely different side next season."

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Could someone with much more knowledge and footballing IQ than me explain what the fuck was going on with Tom Davies as LH?!?! Really?

They were targeting Burrows and Wilders response was Davies on at LH....

 

[Deadbat]

"Manager: Wilder 4/10 – We had control of the game and once again threw it away. His subs saw one score but another Rothwell struggled. We never had control of the game despite being two goals up and I just thought if we conceded, they would go on and get back into it. It happens most weeks and he has to take responsibility for the tactics and not just point to mentality and fitness. The fact it keeps happening and he cannot arrest this, is a worry moving forward. He keeps saying it is not tactics. So we then expect huge changes to a side that has lost more games than any other side than Wednesday- and a completely different side next season."

I'd had 6 pints tbf. I'd barely control of my bladder let alone what I was typing.

Get rid of We had control of the game! We never did, we were just winning but soon as we let them get one, we were done.

 

[Deadbat]

Could someone with much more knowledge and footballing IQ than me explain what the fuck was going on with Tom Davies as LH?!?! Really?

They were targeting Burrows and Wilders response was Davies on at LH....

I don't sew the point of playing Davies anymore. He's not going to be here in a few weeks. Rather them give a youngster a go.

 

[Racing Blade]

I thought Peck was a lot better than that today. He tried to pass much more incisively than usual, successfully too on a few occasions.

Agree about Riedewald though. The reason things drop off second half is that some of our subs wouldn't improve a League One side, nothing more.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Their worst player was Cameron Burgess, he was absolutely terrible unless the ball was aimed at his head. Like a Primark Souttar.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

I don't sew the point of playing Davies anymore. He's not going to be here in a few weeks. Rather them give a youngster a go.

For Davies, add Bindon and Riedeweld too. As bad as Rothwell and McGuiness clearly are - like it or not (I chose not), at least they'll be here next season so may as well get a handful of games under their belt.

In playing Bindon we're aiding which ever top Championship side he goes on loan to next season.

And you're right, if we don't have a LWer in the U21/U18s who's worthy of a 20 minute looksie, then I'd be amazed ..

 

[Deadbat]

For Davies, add Bindon and Riedeweld too. As bad as Rothwell and McGuiness clearly are - like it or not (I chose not), at least they'll be here next season so may as well get a handful of games under their belt.

In playing Bindon we're aiding which ever top Championship side he goes on loan to next season.

And you're right, if we don't have a LWer in the U21/U18s who's worthy of a 20 minute looksie, then I'd be amazed ..

Weirdly I'd play McGuiness, Matos, Cannon, Chong in the final games. They may have a decent game and some stupid club might take a gamble. We did! Ideally all 4 will be somehow moved on.

See no point in playing Bindon, Davies, Hoever, Hjelde and Riedewald as all are not going to be our players. I'd also try Faxon in goal.

 

[LSF]

I don't generally single individuals out for criticism as they are all far better footballers than I ever dreamed I'd be.....but.... Yesterday was the poorest performance I've seen from Femi Seriki, he had problems staying on his feet most of the game, his decision making was poor and his direct opponent has his number for the 96 minute duration of the game.
Collectively we have the softest underbelly I've seen from a Blades team for several years

 

[John Street West Terrace]

Yesterday just summed our season up in a nutshell … attacking wise decent & defensively brittle . I blame that result firmly on Mr Wilders doorstep & his fkg obsession with wanting to give everyone a game . As soon as he took off Reidewald & Hamer when there was still 25 mins to play we completely lost the midfield & turned the game on its head .
I genuinely think CW has his substitutions pre planned because no manager would have made those subs at that point in the game ?
If your gonna insist on making 3/4/5 subs get the fkg game won first & bring them on in the last 10 mins !!
If we we’d played another 10 also we’d would have lost . Terrible tactical subs yesterday .

 

[raul]

3-3 and a last minute of added time free kick.

In every other year Bramall Lane would have 25,000 Blades on their feet roaring encouragement, desperate for a winner.

This? The half of that number who'd actually stayed that long to see it merely shook their heads the ball is passed between three players on halfway before going back to the Keeper.

Looking forward to the lap of appreciation.

 

[coaxingstar71]

An excellent report and accurate summary of events as usual Deadbat

It's funny to think now that our defence of Egan, O'Connell, Bash, Baldock and Stevens were actually brilliant compared to this lot.
We just don't look secure at the back and every time the opposition attacks us, I almost expect them to score. Even when we're passing it around at the back, I'm half expecting one of them to give a goal away. Bindon is better on the ball, but Tanganga seems to wait until the man is right on top of him before he releases it and he's very prone to just passing straight to the opposition forwards.

I think we'll see a much changed team for Monday on the back of that performance and it's Wilders way anyway.

 

[Blade59]

Pretty frustrating game that pretty summed up our season. Never totally in control but scored 3 good goals and had some other good passages of play. Not sure I would criticise Davies to much for the penalty, had to come for it after Peck messed up and Swansea player just got there first. The 2 goals in the second half just as in the last game and others previously were far to simple to concede. Player allowed to put cross in unchallenged to player unmarked in the box for a close range finish. Just basic defending and we don't spot or react to the danger when we can see it a mile off sat in the stands. After that happy to take a point as with the time left fully expected Swansea to get a fourth. At least 51 points looks slightly safer than 50.

Once again we were done after 65 minutes. I don't get why Jairo has to come off on 60 minutes. It is not like he is a box to box midfielder covering loads of ground. It is obviously pre planned but surely he can last 75 - 80 minutes at least. I accept he wasn't great yesterday but we loose any shape or structure as soon as he goes off. I know Wilder says tactics have nothing to do with it but surely if you are bringing on a second striker with 25 minutes left at 3 - 1 up would we have not been better going 3 5 2. Once Brooks went off we had no natural wide midfielders so playing 3 at the back would have allowed the full backs to push up and fill that gap.

We appear to have pretty much given up this season. Play offs were always unrealistic but top half should have been achievable but even this looks highly unlikely and we will probably finish around where we are now. Maybe a couple of draws and if we catch someone on a bad day one win from the last 6 games.

 

[Grappler]

An excellent report and accurate summary of events as usual Deadbat

It's funny to think now that our defence of Egan, O'Connell, Bash, Baldock and Stevens were actually brilliant compared to this lot.
We just don't look secure at the back and every time the opposition attacks us, I almost expect them to score. Even when we're passing it around at the back, I'm half expecting one of them to give a goal away. Bindon is better on the ball, but Tanganga seems to wait until the man is right on top of him before he releases it and he's very prone to just passing straight to the opposition forwards.

I think we'll see a much changed team for Monday on the back of that performance and it's Wilders way anyway.

Add in Anel and Big Souttar to that list as well.

Radio Sheff were once interviewing Michael Cooper about "yet another clean sheet", and he said something like "have you seen the lads in front of me?" and laughed.

Tanganga played a couple of good games, when first signed, but now, he looks terrible (to me), Bindon is a young lad, learning his trade, but has often been the best defender, hence the many man-of-the-match awards he has won.

Bindon should be the "gopher" for a leader, maybe Mee needs to come back, who knows.

When I think back to the names, highlighted above, Egan, O'Connell, Basham, Baldock, Stevens, I am reminded of lads and a team that all the fans loved and felt connected to.

 

[Deadbat]

Odd Wilder hasn't played Mee when we needed an experienced leader. He wasnt great but these two dont concentrate ornark. Like Holding, seems to have fallen completely out of favour. I heard that Wilder had fallen out with him from a few sources which fits with why he's not even getting on the bench.

We need two new centre backs. I keep hearing how good Bindon is but he switches off at critical times. I would not go near signing him. There are lots of CBs at this level that are maybe not as good on the ball but do the basics better. Tanganga looks short of confidence and if there were takers id move on. He only has 2 years left on his contract so we'd be selling cut price next summer

Seriki has enough credit to remain in it and McCallum might start at left back.but they need competition. Burrows ceiling is not any higher. He cannot defend whatsoever. He needs to be retried in a left side of midfield for me - which may happen if Hamer moves on, as expected.

A lot of work to be done in the summer. It's remarkable we had such a turnaround 2 years ago in terms of recruitment and now we have to completely change the team again.

I think only Cooper, Seriki, Brooks, Peck, O Hare and Bamford - are 5 that may start- a few of those might be sold too.

Add in Wilder said none of the subs are good enough and it could be as many as 12-15 leaving (with loans and out of contract) and even though squad will be smaller - around 10 coming in to replace those outgoing.

 

[sitwell]

Their worst player was Cameron Burgess, he was absolutely terrible unless the ball was aimed at his head. Like a Primark Souttar.

Was he the giant bearded centre back who kept passing the ball to me in the JSS. Joke of a footballer.
I disagree about the red Deadbat,I thought he was very weak and fucking awful from the first minute ,but not the reason we didnt win.
There were a lot of rumours about Ben Mee flying about in the hotel yesterday ,here say ,but more than one person told me hes a nasty piece of work behind the scenes and has been fucked off as a bad apple.

 

[Deadbat]

Odd Wilder hasn't played Mee when we needed an experienced leader. He wasnt great but these two dont concentrate ornark. Like Holding, seems to have fallen completely out of favour. I heard that Wilder had fallen out with him from a few sources which fits with why he's not even getting on the bench.

We need two new centre backs. I keep hearing how good Bindon is but he switches off at critical times. I would not go near signing him. There are lots of CBs at this level that are maybe not as good on the ball but do the basics better. Tanganga looks short of confidence and if there were takers id move on. He only has 2 years left on his contract so we'd be selling cut price next summer

Seriki has enough credit to remain in it and McCallum might start at left back.but they need competition. Burrows ceiling is not any higher. He cannot defend whatsoever. He needs to be retried in a left side of midfield for me - which may happen if Hamer moves on, as expected.

A lot of work to be done in the summer. It's remarkable we had such a turnaround 2 years ago in terms of recruitment and now we have to completely change the team again.

I think only Cooper, Seriki, Brooks, Peck, O Hare and Bamford - are 5 that may start- a few of those might be sold too.

Add in Wilder said none of the subs are good enough and it could be as many as 12-15 leaving (with loans and out of contract) and even though squad will be smaller - around 10 coming in to replace those outgoing.

Obviously that's 6 not 5!