Wallpaper the cracks!

[Fiery Blade]

Whilst almosr everyone enjoyed yesterdays win at Bristol and the fact that we have now gone three games undefeated we have not turned the corner just yet!
Yes, Henderson was fantastic yesterday, the ball ran for us and the way we came back after the last gasp equiliser was brilliant - nothing more than I expect from a United side!
But, was it the right tactics to sit back and squander a two goallead away from home, was it right to bring on Fortune in the closing minutes when he clearly struggled for pace and touch at Barnsley
Wouldn't the tactic of keeping hold of the ball in midfield to defend rather than inviting Bristol City on to us be encamping in our own area?
All questions I would ask Blackwell!
Yes, when our players are fit we have a team capable of going to places like Bristol City and winning but did we win yesterday despite Blackwell or not I don't know the answer and I suppose we will only see over the next few games whether we are on our way back I'm not so sure!
By the way where was the big centre half from Fulham yesterday
Can't see the point of signing him then putting on Fortune!

 

[SotonBlade]

Totally appreciate the need to be cautious, and i don't think things will be back to normal for a long while. I do feel thought that we need to put a positive spin on it, as do the management and players, as confidence breeds good performances.

On Kallio, i think the only reason he wasn't involved was because we already had 5 loan players in the squad

 

[judge]

and the winner of most bitter post of 2009 is awarded to fiery blade

congats mate

 

[Santos]

Whilst almosr everyone enjoyed yesterdays win at Bristol and the fact that we have now gone three games undefeated we have not turned the corner just yet!
Yes, Henderson was fantastic yesterday, the ball ran for us and the way we came back after the last gasp equiliser was brilliant - nothing more than I expect from a United side!
But, was it the right tactics to sit back and squander a two goallead away from home, was it right to bring on Fortune in the closing minutes when he clearly struggled for pace and touch at Barnsley
Wouldn't the tactic of keeping hold of the ball in midfield to defend rather than inviting Bristol City on to us be encamping in our own area?
All questions I would ask Blackwell!
Yes, when our players are fit we have a team capable of going to places like Bristol City and winning but did we win yesterday despite Blackwell or not I don't know the answer and I suppose we will only see over the next few games whether we are on our way back I'm not so sure!
By the way where was the big centre half from Fulham yesterday
Can't see the point of signing him then putting on Fortune!

Can't comment on the performance but...

I think we have turned the corner - injuries have subsided so much so that I am officially lowering the threat level to moderate and we're able to get some of our strongest players out there. The reaction after the Barnsley game inparticular from our fans was OTT, we were down to our bare bones and playing like a team of strangers, now with players back we're starting to get the results and returning to SUFC of last season. If we can get Naysmith back sharpish all the better.

As for the second half, it's just the way football works, you don't remain unbeaten for 11 months at home by simply lying down and letting teams have it easy when protecting a 2 goal lead.

 

[Santos]

Totally appreciate the need to be cautious, and i don't think things will be back to normal for a long while. I do feel thought that we need to put a positive spin on it, as do the management and players, as confidence breeds good performances.

On Kallio, i think the only reason he wasn't involved was because we already had 5 loan players in the squad

I know what you mean but it seems a bit unfair on the lad to trudge him half way up the country to basically do what he's been doing at Fulham but in Sheffield.

 

[Fiery Blade]

and the winner of most bitter post of 2009 is awarded to fiery blade

congats mate

Its not bitter, read the post

 

[DazBlade88]

The key after the last 20 minutes yesterday is that Blackwell SHOULD learn that sitting back like we did isn't going to work.

We had 5 men at centre half for the last 10, because Henderson was back there too. We were clearing it to nobody, inviting them on. If we'd have carried on like we did in the first half we'd have finished the game off before they equalised in my opinion.

Still, we bounced back after a hurtful goal. That's a very encouraging sign.

 

[SwissBlade]

Good post Fiery! I don't think its a bitter, merely realistic. The subject is spot on...and i'm on the 'Keep Blackwell' Side of the fence

Fantastic win yesterday, given the circumstances in the last few minutes I was hugely relieved to get the win and it changed what could have been miserable weekend into a good one!

But... we were 0-2 up, yes Bristol were unbeaten at home in 11 months, but we shouldn't be giving leads like that away. Simple as.

The trouble is, we did the same against the pigs. We allow teams to come back into games, its normal that they do this but we have to cope with it. Not let them sit on our 18yd line. Its a Midfield problem and with Monty, and Williamson just back its not so surprising that we fade towards the end of the game.

From listening yesterday, Edwards was critical before we scored 1st half that we were giving away and when we were 1-2 up we were still giving possession away.

Its not Hoofball thats the problem, its keep ball!

 

[DazBlade88]

Good post Fiery! I don't think its a bitter, merely realistic. The subject is spot on...and i'm on the 'Keep Blackwell' Side of the fence

Fantastic win yesterday, given the circumstances in the last few minutes I was hugely relieved to get the win and it changed what could have been miserable weekend into a good one!

But... we were 0-2 up, yes Bristol were unbeaten at home in 11 months, but we shouldn't be giving leads like that away. Simple as.

The trouble is, we did the same against the pigs. We allow teams to come back into games, its normal that they do this but we have to cope with it. Not let them sit on our 18yd line. Its a Midfield problem and with Monty, and Williamson just back its not so surprising that we fade towards the end of the game.

From listening yesterday, Edwards was critical before we scored 1st half that we were giving away and when we were 1-2 up we were still giving possession away.

Its not Hoofball thats the problem, its keep ball!

Spot on mate.

The frustrating thing is, when we're going forward we can play some pretty good passing football when we're on form. But, when we do get a 2-0, or 3-0 lead, we don't know how to play some patient possession football. We don't make the opposition work hard enough to win the ball back and try to cause us problems, we gift them the opportunities to take control of the game.

 

[SwissBlade]

We don't have a McCall, Brown or perhaps even a Tonge that can take hold of the ball.

From what I saw last week v P'Boro, Williamson likes to do this and Wardy always wants the ball. Unfortunately the likes of Quinn, Monty and Harper can't or won't do this.

 

[Fiery Blade]

We don't have a McCall, Brown or perhaps even a Tonge that can take hold of the ball.

From what I saw last week v P'Boro, Williamson likes to do this and Wardy always wants the ball. Unfortunately the likes of Quinn, Monty and Harper can't or won't do this.

Yesterday WBA went three up against the Pigs before half time same as us a few weeks ago. Difference is WBA closed the game out in the secong half Piggies heads went down totally Brunt scored 0-4 Job Done very professionally!
If we aspire to be a top CCC side like Newcastle, Wba then that is what we have to do!
Like v Pigs yesterday we surrendered a substantial lead when we could have closed out the game fortunately my mate Hendo was there Coup De Gras :thumbup:

 

[JohnDenver]

I am officially lowering the threat level to moderate

If moderate is blue, then I want it raising again to red.

 

[JohnDenver]

Yesterday WBA went three up against the Pigs before half time same as us a few weeks ago. Difference is WBA closed the game out in the secong half Piggies heads went down totally Brunt scored 0-4 Job Done very professionally!
If we aspire to be a top CCC side like Newcastle, Wba then that is what we have to do!
Like v Pigs yesterday we surrendered a substantial lead when we could have closed out the game fortunately my mate Hendo was there Coup De Gras :thumbup:

West Brom are better than us, and Brizzle are better than Wendy. QED.

 

[oldblade]

Whilst almosr everyone enjoyed yesterdays win at Bristol and the fact that we have now gone three games undefeated we have not turned the corner just yet!
Yes, Henderson was fantastic yesterday, the ball ran for us and the way we came back after the last gasp equiliser was brilliant - nothing more than I expect from a United side!
But, was it the right tactics to sit back and squander a two goallead away from home, was it right to bring on Fortune in the closing minutes when he clearly struggled for pace and touch at Barnsley
Wouldn't the tactic of keeping hold of the ball in midfield to defend rather than inviting Bristol City on to us be encamping in our own area?
All questions I would ask Blackwell!
Yes, when our players are fit we have a team capable of going to places like Bristol City and winning but did we win yesterday despite Blackwell or not I don't know the answer and I suppose we will only see over the next few games whether we are on our way back I'm not so sure!
By the way where was the big centre half from Fulham yesterday
Can't see the point of signing him then putting on Fortune!

I am simply very happy to have beaten a side that has a very very good home record and where we have not won for the best part of 40 years.

A very good result. Whether or not it heralds better things to come I don't know.

Whatever the whys and wherefores, we got 3 points and had the strength of will to get the winner after being pegged back 5 minutes into stoppage time. I (and others) have been critical of Blackwell and blamed him when we have slumped to abject defeat in other games. You can't have it both ways. Whatever reservations some of us may have with regard to Blackwell's managerial capabilities, he deserves praise for this victory at a ground where not many teams have won in recent seasons.

 

[Bladesway]

Great win, great character to come back after being pegged back and great to break one of the longest home records in all 4 leagues.

Some minor issues about letting teams back in but savouring the three points right now so don't care about any negatives. When was the last time we stuffed Brizzle down there?

 

[essex blade]

havent won at ashton gate since 1971

 

[bladeinlondon]

The ball was in their half far too much in the last 30 mins of the game - dont change a winning combination we had enough chances to close them down and should have. However WE WON

 

[Kev Gee]

agreed. at 2-0 we should have played keep ball. Do we have the players to do this? It seems to be a SUFC tactic that after we go 1 or 2 up we sit back & invite pressure.