United School report / season review - part two; The Defence

[Deadbat]

Playing Squad



Goalkeepers



Mark Howard Howard was brought in at the back end of the previous season and did not play. He must have known as he walked around the Wembley pitch at the end that he may be replacing Steve Simonsen as he patted him on the back. So it proved as cut backs meant United opted to go with the unproven Howard who had been fairly well travelled but never really established himself anywhere. The season began for Howard at home to Burton and then Shrewsbury and I felt he was less than convincing in the early games. He had a decent kick and did come off his line more than Simonsen (not hard) but was still indecisive and another keeper that seemed to not control his area. He did seem to improve and made a few decent save v Donny and Bury at the Lane. We had not conceded that many goals and maybe he and the defence were starting to gel when disaster struck at Orient when he pulled a hamstring. After scans it showed up it was not a straightforward injury and he would be out well until Christmas at the earliest. As Long came in and took his place we did not really miss Howard in the end. Any criticism (not that there has been much) of Long certainly was not used with the phrase, ‘Howard was better at this or that…’ As it turned out a few aborted come backs meant Howard never really got back fit and was not even on the bench nor did he play more than a couple of games for the u21’s (reserves). Worrying that he still was not back in contention some 7 months after what was a routine injury.



Grade C-



George Long

Long has shown real promise in the Youth Team and had dipped his toes into the first team at the back end of the relegation season. He played a few games last season but there was mixed success with a poor game versus Exeter and Simonsen came back and stayed in despite some pretty awful performances overall. When he came on at Orient he was excellent and made one really good save. He let in a late goal versus Oldham but then he then impressed on TV at Notts County drawing rave reviews with some of his stops. He then kept four clean sheets on the bounce in the league and was only denied 5 by a late goal at MK Dons from the spot. He had a poor game against Crewe when he was at fault for a couple of goals and a few questions started to be posed about his form around td his time. It was accepted there were some moments of hesitancy and he did not always perhaps communicate that well with the back line, United did keep plenty of clean sheets. The defence did a good job of protecting him. As United’s form started to dip Long had a few dodgy moments as he conceded a horror goal v Yeovil at the Lane when he tried to dribble out and then also spilt a few shots (Coventry winner at the Lane) and let in a soft header at Notts County. However he recovered and we went on another decent run and another considerable number of clean sheets. In the last season fade out, he could not be blamed for that many goals and the hammerings at Stevenage and Portsmouth were not down to him.



He continued to make excellent reaction saves and some of his saves in some games were superb where he got across and somehow saved (made a number of worldy saves that prevented certain goals where he clawed the ball out). His kickng was mixed. He could clearly hit it a long way but at times he was not always sure but sometimes was put under unnecessary pressure.



He like Simonsen could be at times indecisive coming off his line and he conceded a few penalties by not getting there when coming off his line (Donny – latterly v Brentford at the Lane too) but his handling overall was pretty sound and yes he shovelled a few shots out centrally but most of the time he was quite solid and as I say had the tendency to make those wonder saves that not many keepers in the lower league can make. He kept 19 clean sheets in total out of 37 (league/play offs) so an almost 50% record and contributed to our best record for clean sheets in a league season; 21.



He still has things to work on in terms of communication, knowing when to come and his taking of high balls/crosses. He also need to command the box better but overall all the tools are there for him to become a top keeper. He is 6’2’’ and is athletic and looks the part (probably still growing) and is still only 19. I would not be surprised to see a Premiership club take a chance on him as a developing number 2/3 and then loan him out to a club lower down (Champ or League One) until he is ready. He would be better staying here and developing of course but the reality is if he keeps improving he won’t be here that much longer in my opinion.



Grade B-



The rest



Danny Coyne Coyne came in on a short term contract but this turned into him staying for the whole season. He never actually played but it was good to have some experienced cover.



George Willis Willis was on the bench earlier in the season but with a young keeper already in the side, you could understand why United signed an experienced back up. Hoopefully Willis can kick on and maybe get some experience in the non league next season as he plays regularly for the u21’s.



Next season I cannot see that United will change things next season in this area barring Long going. If they keep those two (Coyne will depart) and Howard gets fit; Long will remain as the number one and Howard will have to try and oust him but it would take a series of poor games for that to happen I feel. Of course if someone comes for Long then Howard is back to number one and we probably have to sign another keeper to compete or as back up.



Returning players;



Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires)



Goalkeepers



Mark Howard 1 year (2014)

George Long 3 years(2016)

Danny Coyne Out of contract (2013)

George Willis 2 years (2015)



Defenders



Neill Collins



Collins was excellent in 2011/12 and one of the most consistent players. I felt he had a dip at the end of the year but was good in the playoffs. As this season started he was a little shaky at the start of the season but did score three goals including a vital one at Scunthorpe and he soon got back to the solid form he had shown. He picked up an injury and was out for a spell but we did ok without him with Hill filling in. He came back and we kept a number of clean sheets. Along with Maguire and Long behind him, we had a pretty solid defence most of the season aside from a few shocking away games later in the season (incidentally his man Lopez scored a hat trick and he was at fault for 2 goals v Portsmouth). He did start to slip off in form and awful mistakes v Crawley at home and letting in Wright Phillips cost us badly. He made a number of other ricks towards the end of the season and his solid form was not quite there.

He is a solid-ish defender who heads and kicks the ball away. He is not a bad footballer actually but often struggles to clear ball other than straight our or even worryingly more towards our own goal rather than getting it further away down the line (even if kicking it out surely he can get it further away before it exits the field). He reads game fairly well and tries to come out of defence but his lack of pace and athleticism means quicker and more nimble players can cause him real problems.

He has been a decent servant to the club and been one of our more consistent players but that is on one of the worst United teams I have ever seen. That is the problem. He will always be remember as part of the team that went down, failed to come up and then failed to come up again in a shocking division. He is part of the losing mentality of this group and sadly you would not call him a winner. Inevitably when the games come to the end, his performances dip and errors creep in. I personally would not have given him another contract. He is now approaching 30 and is not going to improve. He is steady at this level and probably it is certainly not his fault we have not gone up again but I want my players in top form when we get to the end of the season not jittery as Collins often is, when it really matters.



Grade C



Harry Maguire



Maguire overall had an excellent season in 2011/12; his first full season in football and surprised many he played so many games and was so consistent. He remained in the side this year and was ever present apart from 2 games he missed due to suspension (we failed to win either). Once again he was one of our better players. He also got more goals this time out (5) and contributed to a number of clean sheets and our excellent defensive record. He seemed even stronger physically and was very good at reading the game once again. He did make mistakes and at times was too nonchalant with the ball (Crawley at home for instance). He picked up some daft bookings and was crude at times (Brentford away – could have been sent off) but overall he was fairly consistent. He has improved certain parts of his game and no longer do big centre forwards bully him and he actually shows a lot of confidence that he will win his battle with the centre forward both challenges within the game and also the overall contest over 90 mins.



He does try and go long too much and the Hollywood ball is over done which is a shame as when he uses the ball he can clearly pass it well.



His main weakness of course apart from overplaying at times is his lack of speed and the fact if he is turned he struggles to get back and this would be even more of an issue at a higher level and he would need someone with more pace/covering ability than Collins and McMahon at either side of him.



There is no doubt if he had a smidgeon more pace/mobility he would not be with us and someone would have snapped him up. I do believe he can play at a higher level (PFA selection/Player of Year etc confirms that) and would be ok in the Championship but unsure whether he could do it at the top level unless he had a lot of pace and cover around him. The difference between Lowton, Walker, Naughton, Jagielka is they all had that speed and were great athletes. However whatever happens Maguire is set to have a 15 + year career in the game as a very solid centre back who is a very good footballer for someone of his size/build. I think he may remain for a bit longer but again, like Long, he could still play higher than he currently is.



Grade B-



Tony McMahon



McMahon’s capture was reckoned to be a bit of a coup as he was well liked at ‘Boro. He was seen as an aggressive full back that attacked with intent and somewhat of a dead ball specialist. The season began and I have to say I was not that impressed with him and we realised how good Lowton actually was. He barely got over half way and was erratic in his defensive work. He was argumentative with the officials and committed silly fouls leading to a number of bookings totting up and two separate suspensions. He did improve around the Autumn and had some better games after Westlake had been brought in for a spell. His game at Crawley was his best as he scored two tremendous free kicks (followed up with one at Oxford) and he also scored via a deflection an important goal at Tranmere. In the games v Swindon and Brentford he hit the post 4 times but he also missed a crucial penalty. Overall I have to say I had expected better. Our defence was solid but I cannot say it was down to him and out of the 5 main players he was probably the weakest. Other than the spell of free kicks he had; he did not offer much going forward and in many games never got over half way. I would have no issue with this if his defensive work was so solid but he did make mistakes and was sloppy at times. We have him another season so I expect he will remain at right back but it is not an area of the side I feel entirely secure with. Sadly there are many more even more of concern and with no funds/lack of depth and his potential replacement Westlake no better, will remain in the side

Grade D+



Darryl Westlake



Westlake came in from Walsall where he had not even been a regular at the Bescot and was seen as someone who could develop and a prospect. The reaction of Walsall fans should have concerned us when we signed him and when McMahon arrived soon after, it was clear he may not be a regular just yet and only had a few games early on including a bizarre one in midfield where he looked out of his depth. He had a spell of games in the side around November with some success and showed he got forward more than McMahon. He was perhaps harshly left out at Brentford after a decent game the week before but after this he never really played much other than the odd game. He got back in more at the end of the season as McMahon was suspended and then injured but never totally convinced. He never really actually did that much when he did advance but many fans seemed happy that he at least offered us some width and a different dimension where a full back got above the winger. Sadly he looked pretty hopeless at times defensively with some poor positional play and inability to get tight enough on the winger. His control and touch was never the best and I was always concerned when the ball went towards him that he actually did not have the poise let alone ability to even do the basics. Cannot see that he is ever going to really make it much higher than the lower division for me. He does not look like someone that is going to improve as things like touch, intelligence and positioning is often down to instinct and football smarts as much as coaching.



Grade D-[color]

 

[Deadbat]

Matt Hill



Hill was a bit of a scapegoat when he came to the club and did offer up some pretty abject shows but slowly became fairly consistent and ended the campaign really well (until a shocker at Huish Park where he was at fault for both goals). I was not that disappointed he was brought back as I felt for this level for a defensive full back he was as efficient as you would get. So it proved as he put in a really consistent season and I am surprised he did not get any mention or awards in the player of the season categories. He played almost every game and whilst predominantly left back, featured at centre back and also right back. He did not make many mistakes and rarely got beat by the winger. The negatives are clear but he knows his limitations. He barely goes forward and offers little as an attacking threat but first and foremost he is a defender and does that well. His passing and balls down the line can be poor and sometimes he seems to hit aimless balls high into the sky under little pressure. He is not a cultured footballer and can be a bit agricultural but I repeat he is a defender. His strengths are just as clear. He rarely is second to the ball, decent in the air for a small-ish guy and a good tackler/reader of the game. He was often always there to mop up by coming inside or just would get there first and clear the ball. He is the sort of player that if we went up his weaknesses would be exposed even more (and would have to be replaced) but I feel he cannot really be blamed for our late season capitulation again. He was a steady 7/10 most of the season but then had an utter mare at Yeovil in the most important game of the season.



Grade C



Marcus Williams



There is little good to say about the signing of Williams. He had been quite poor in the games he played the previous year and seemed an odd signing considering at that time we had Jean Francois too. He was in and out but Francois remained at left back much of the time. When Hill came in, he lost his place and never really got it back. He played more on the left side of midfield and some horror games where the offensively challenged pair of him and Hill played will scar many Blades in the two side stands who had to watch this ‘link up.’ I will say I recall one game where he was one of our better players (was it Donny?) but that just escapes him a ‘U’ (unclassified) in my mark! He seemed to have a fall out with Wilson and was never even part of the squad for much of the rest of the season. Sadly he has another year on his contract and no one will want him so he will be stuck behind the scenes for another year as I cannot see a new manager suddenly taking to him. Another ludicrous decision but the club (Wilson wanted him and the board approved it) to give him a 3 year contract.



Grade F



Danny Higginbotham



Came in just after Xmas when we had a number of injuries and suspensions and played at Doncaster with a reshuffled defence. He seemed on the surface a decent signing that had played most of his career at a higher level and although on downward peak would still have know how and ability to play a number of positions. It never worked out that way. He could play a few positions but sadly played most of them equally badly! Lacking pace, he was also very poor in possession of the ball and seemed to panic often when under pressure for such an experienced player. I cannot remember many good games he had sadly and whilst at the time it seemed a decent cover player, it was another drain on wages and a player we did not need as the defence was not the issue and this money could have been used on a better attacking player.



Grade F+



The rest



Jean Francois Lescinel Francois came back after 8 months out when he played at Notts County after a few reserve games but he picked up another injury and this was to his other knee and he was then out again for a period. This short period turned into a longer one and then it was revealed he had more cruciate problems too. It was to put him out for the season and would mean he had played 10 minutes in around 15 months of his Blades career. He is out of contract at the end of the season and it would be financial suicide to keep him on as I fear whether he actually may ever play again anywhere after two such serious injuries.



Terry Kennedy Kennedy has not really pushed out as much as I would have hoped. Whilst his centre back partner Maguire has gone on to be a real success, Kennedy had a number of injuries and in the last 2 seasons has never threatened to be a first team regular. He has captained the under 21’s and been in and around the squad but only played once, at Doncaster and did not really totally convince and it is unclear whether he will ever make it here. Still young but his contract is up and you would think if he was going to come through here it would have happened by now in such a poor side. He is maybe a bit small and also not that quick nor strong to make it at centre back so may need to move down the league or just get some regular football at say conference level before he kicks on again.



Aaron Barry Never really impressed me when I have seen him for the Academy or Reserves (usually at right back) but he has been on the bench a few times this season, particularly at the end. Another out of contract that I expect to depart.



Next season Maguire, Collins, McMahon and Hill are all under contract and with United remaining in this league, I expect that defence barring injuries will begin the campaign. One one hand that is fine as the defence was very solid and the strong part of our team. However it is still an area that does not convince me despite the clean sheets etc. We will lose Higginbotham and some of the youngsters so will need some depth but I also feel we need to be looking for a centre back to put real pressure on Collins and two full backs the same (Hill and McMahon are steady but you could not keep them if we went up so surely we need to be planning for the future and do we need more in at least one of those positions from an attacking point of view).



Player / PositionYears remaining (contract expires)



Defenders





Neil Collins2 years (2015)

Harry Maguire2 years (2015)

Tony McMahon1 year (2014)

Darryl Westlake1 year (2014)

Matt Hill1 year (2014)

Marcus Williams 1 year (2014)

Danny Higginbotham Out of contract (2013)

Jean Francois LecsinelOut of contract (2013)

Aaron Barry Out of contract (2013)

Terry KennedyOut of contract (2013)

 

[Wards]

I can't believe I've just read that Marcus Williams has another year. And Collins another 2?! What were we expecting to do with him had we gone up cos he's barely competent at this level.

Jesus fucking wept. Anyone who makes excuses for Wilson and the board for this shambles of a situation wants their heads looking at.

Good write up DB.

 

[Hartley Hare]

I can't believe I've just read that Marcus Williams has another year. And Collins another 2?! What were we expecting to do with him had we gone up cos he's barely competent at this level.

Jesus fucking wept. Anyone who makes excuses for Wilson and the board for this shambles of a situation wants their heads looking at.

Good write up DB.

I think if you give players three year contracts, you can do a deal on the annual salary. Here's a guess;

1 year contract £200,000 ; 2 years £175,000 ; 3 years £150,000.

This makes sense as you can save money over the years. Also you can get more if a player is sold.

Although, in the case of Williams, it does not look like a good move, however you kid yourself otherwise.

 

[Deadbat]

I am still staggered we gave contracts of any length / extension to Doyle, Collins, Williams, Philliskirk (ok now gone), Tonne etc. In an ideal world we would have had almost the entire team out of contract execpt maybe Long, Maguire, the other promising kids and maybe a couple of others max. We keep extending this losing culture. If we went up give Doyle/Collins 1 year deals (let them compete with players we would have had to bring in to improve things). I cannot see why we rewarded failure? They shoould all have been playing for their futures and not playing knowing it did not matter what league we were in they would still be here. If we failed they would be dumped and thus an incentive to really give that extra. I suppose you could say you can't polish a turd but I do not know why for a team that is failing season after season we have around a dozen to 15 first team players still under contract. It is baffling.

 

[Deadbat]

Ps - There is 2 schools of thought -mass changes could not work (Preston - Westley) but also they can work (Charlton - Powell) but I do think this club/team needs a mass shake up.

 

[Wards]

What's to lose? It's not working now (continuity, of sorts that is) so mass change cant really be viewed as a big gamble IMO. If anything it's the only logical step.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Extremely harsh marks for the mainstays of the defence - for me Long, Maguire, Collins and Hill all worth at least B+ and McMahon B.

Can't wait to see the marks for areas of the team where we were really sh!te. Take it E- is the lowest mark available, or as I like to think of it 'a Kitson'

 

[Hartley Hare]

True, somethings not quite right. The best defensive unit in the league and a record number of clean sheets for the club.

Bit mean DB.

 

[metalblade]

And I thought he was being generous.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

True, somethings not quite right. The best defensive unit in the league and a record number of clean sheets for the club.

Bit mean DB.

We are playing shit teams so clean sheets should be the norm.

 

[Rustyblade]

We are playing shit teams so clean sheets should be the norm.

The only problem with that argument is the unfortunate fact that we also happen to be shit.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

The only problem with that argument is the unfortunate fact that we also happen to be shit.

Given our wage bill our shit should be used for putting on the roses not in a pooh bag.

 

[Fiery Blade]

True, somethings not quite right. The best defensive unit in the league and a record number of clean sheets for the club.

Bit mean DB.

I think Deadbat has been generous - most of the clean sheets were because the other sides are just as crap as United in the attack - Yeovil could have had five on Monday except for poor finishing!

 

[super_pig]

collins' drop off in form coincided with his new contract.. doyles drop off in form (??) coincided with monty leaving
great report dB but you haven't left much headroom for the midfield and attacking options.. assuming it goes down to F of course

 

[Fiery Blade]

I believe Williams' mark has set the trend!

 

[JohnDenver]

I am still staggered we gave contracts of any length / extension to Doyle, Collins, Williams, Philliskirk (ok now gone), Tonne etc.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We shouldn't forget that Doyle and Collins were excellent the previous season and formed part of the spine around which our more talented players could thrive (before we flogged them). I don't think anyone expected Doyle to turn in the shocker of a season he has just had.

It's fair to question the length of the contracts awarded to Doyle and Collins, but I've no complaints about the decision to retain them at the time. While Williams career here descended into tragi-comedy, we should also remember he was at best a third choice left back behind Hill and LJF. As for the youngsters we retained, Lowton didn't break into the first team until he was 21 and I recall people questioning his potential at the time.

The real problem we've had this season has been lack of adequate replacements for those who left.

 

[Darren]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We shouldn't forget that Doyle and Collins were excellent the previous season and formed part of the spine around which our more talented players could thrive (before we flogged them). I don't think anyone expected Doyle to turn in the shocker of a season he has just had.

It's fair to question the length of the contracts awarded to Doyle and Collins, but I've no complaints about the decision to retain them at the time. While Williams career here descended into tragi-comedy, we should also remember he was at best a third choice left back behind Hill and LJF. As for the youngsters we retained, Lowton didn't break into the first team until he was 21 and I recall people questioning his potential at the time.

The real problem we've had this season has been lack of adequate replacements for those who left.

As I recall we got Williams in on loan in Sept 2011 to cover for Jean Francois who was suspended as he had managed to accumulate 5 bookings in his first 7 games! That was a reasonable move. The mistake was then signing him permanently in Jan 2012.

 

[DazBlade88]

Agree with most of that DB. Thanks for the taking the time to write it and I look forward to your next few installments, some of them will probably be a lot more polite than they should be

The only thing I disagree on in this section is Hill being at fault for both goals at Yeovil. When I was watching it back on Tuesday morning, I thought it was Doyle at fault. He was tracking Upson but got distracted by the ball and chased it like a little kid in a playground despite two men being over there(Higginbotham I think it was should have stopped the cross), then decided to pick up Maguire's man, Hayter whilst Upson made a free run into the box leaving Hill 2-on-1 at the back post and obviously Upson got there first. It should have never reached the situation it did.

 

[Wards]

Yep, I can't see how Hill was culpable for the 2nd either. The lad who scored was either Doyles man (and needed to be tracked) or needed to be picked up by Maguire - who ended up marking no one.

No doubt that Hill is limited as a footballer but far from the guilty party in that defence.

 

[Deadbat]

Maybes (Hill 2nd goal) but he still should have reacted and attacked ball when it came over. There were 3 at blame as Collins failed to press to stop the cross, Doyle did not go with the runner and Hill did not react. It matters little now. They were all shite.

 

[Sheff de party]

I'm pretty shocked that a defence that kept a club record of clean sheets includes 2 B-s and the rest lower. Not sure what someone has to do to get a great mark. Harry has been outstanding pretty much every time I've watched him. Speaks volumes that the two highest marks went to the youngest players!

Not that I dont respect your opinion DB, I always read your match reports, but i have to think you've been a bit mean here!

 

[Deadbat]

When it matters our defence normally ship goals / make mistakes and whislt have kept a lot of clean sheets; you can hardly say any of them have been outstanding. Even Maguire has had some rotten games and made mistakes (as you say stand out one). Collins form drops off towards end of season every game (made around 8 or 9 bad mistakes in run in for me - 4 or 5 led directly to goals for me). Hill had a mare at Yeovil (again when it mattered). Also McMahon was ordinary much of year and take away a few free kicks and one or two good games and can you say he had a good season or you felt comofrtable with him right back (Westlake even worse)? Also his ill discipline cost us as he was suspended for quite a few games - ditto Maguire.

The defence on paper looks watertight with defensive record and of course they have kept a lot of clean sheets but a lot of it has been due to way we have set up and system as much as stand out individuals or one part of the team. I would rather us have been more ambitious and say won 2 more at home and lost 2 at home than say draw 4 (6 points to 4 points).

Maybe I have been a bit harsh but most seasons when it comes to big games and run in there has been some bad individual ricks (so many goals at home down to direct errors, Long Yeovil, Crawley both centre backs, Long Brentford first goal - Collins Brentford second goal, also in run in Collins a few at Pompey, 2 or 3 at Stevenage down to poor marking etc).

Whenever they faced anyone half decent they normally were badly exposed for me. It is not a good defence really but serves a purpose at this level. I do agree that despite my reservations it is still strongest part of team and with a better midfield/attack we would have probably gone up. It scares me to death what teams in div above would have done though (saw that with Collins etc when we went down).

 

[Grecian2000]

I'm looking forward to reading the marks for other areas of the team because our best players (Long, Maguire) have been defenders (only ONE team conceded fewer goals in the 46 league games I believe).

As I said sometime earlier in the season, if you can't create and score (and we can't) then the pressure on the defence becomes unbearable. Any goal conceded means a loss of points and that is unsustainable throughout the whole season. Last season we conceded MORE but it didn't matter because we has enough firepower to make a difference.

The defence have kept us in the promotion hunt and we have let in an acceptable amount of goals. The problem has been entirely at the other end of the field.