Wanting us to Lose

[Latters]

I must confess that I was one of the fans that really wasn't upset that we lost to Scunthorpe and probably didn't want us to come back. Partly because it was bad for the scum, but moreso that we just didn't deserve it. We played poor and if that was all we were going to put in, I was quite content for us to get what we deserved.

I didn't go last night but my feelings towards us last night couldn't have been different. We deserved to get someting out of the game. We were all over them in the first half and had it not been for a dodgy pen, I think we would have won the game.

The point of my post, though, is that if you can see that we're trying to play for the win, play with a bit of passion and play decent, attacking football, the attitude of the fans towards the team is far more positive.

Yes, we lost, but we played well, deserved something from the game and that performance gives me some hope (obviously not for this season). If Blackwell can get us to produce more performances like that then I'd be quite happy.

I'm off to renew my season ticket today. Up the Blades. :mwah:

 

[Bergen Blade]

Yesterday brought back a spark for me too, watching in the pub with 10-15 Newcastle fans, and I really wanted us to win.

Regarding our tactics last night, I don't think that was a very positive line up, but what we did and what worked well for us was our high pressure, closing them down in their half and stopping them from getting their passing moves going. This meant we won the ball several times high up the pitch and we found space to pass the ball in, as their formation was very attacking and their midfield was reluctant to backtrack. Without having pace or players with great off the ball movement, we still managed to create chances.

It was a typical Blackwell performance for me, but these tactics won't work in every game. When we rebuild over the summer we must try to put together a squad that allows us to chose from several different tactical approaches.

 

[JohnDenver]

Folk are lauding last night's efforts, but the awful truth is that Newcastle (promoted and relaxed) were playing it out from the back and giving us the chance to press the ball. When we play teams similar in style to us, it will never be pretty, and the pressing game will not create much.

Despite the positives from last night, we still gave the ball away too cheaply, we still played as if the ball was red-hot far too often. Part of this is down to tactics, part is coaching, but the biggest factor is that our players just aren't that good.

Blackwell isn't about to have a tactical epiphany. Taylor, Monty, Quinny et al aren't suddenly going to become comfortable on the ball. We already know that against weaker opponents and with a full strength team, we can look a good side. We also know that we're not good enough to outplay better teams. So in sum, I learned absolutely nothing new last night.

(feels like Monday morning - JD)

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

Folk are lauding last night's efforts, but the awful truth is that Newcastle (promoted and relaxed) were playing it out from the back and giving us the chance to press the ball. When we play teams similar in style to us, it will never be pretty, and the pressing game will not create much.

Despite the positives from last night, we still gave the ball away too cheaply, we still played as if the ball was red-hot far too often. Part of this is down to tactics, part is coaching, but the biggest factor is that our players just aren't that good.

Blackwell isn't about to have a tactical epiphany. Taylor, Monty, Quinny et al aren't suddenly going to become comfortable on the ball. We already know that against weaker opponents and with a full strength team, we can look a good side. We also know that we're not good enough to outplay better teams. So in sum, I learned absolutely nothing new last night.

(feels like Monday morning - JD)

So you don't think Newcastle were out to put on a show last night?

Give the manager and the players a little bit of credit when they play well. Christ, we all know that Blackwell isn't going to change into O'Driscoll overnight but Newcastle looked poor first half because United made them. They came into it when Gutierrez started to run at tired/slow legs (Williamson and then, Little) in the final 25 minutes. They were the top of the league, of course they were going to have chances at some point. That's why they're top of the league. It's annoying me that so many people can't see past the anti-Blackwell opinion enough to give the team some credit. The 1500 Blades on the top tiers applauded the team to a man last night and that'll do for me.

 

[Nick Jansky]

Lots of credit due to the team for last night's performance. Many on here were predicting a huge embarrassment, but it was anything but that, and they restored some pride in front of a Sky audience. Well done Blades.

 

[JohnDenver]

So you don't think Newcastle were out to put on a show last night?

Give the manager and the players a little bit of credit when they play well. Christ, we all know that Blackwell isn't going to change into O'Driscoll overnight but Newcastle looked poor first half because United made them. They came into it when Gutierrez started to run at tired/slow legs (Williamson and then, Little) in the final 25 minutes. They were the top of the league, of course they were going to have chances at some point. That's why they're top of the league. It's annoying me that so many people can't see past the anti-Blackwell opinion enough to give the team some credit. The 1500 Blades on the top tiers applauded the team to a man last night and that'll do for me.

I've never been anti-Blackwell - that's not behind my comments.

I'm just saying that that performance, while thoroughly decent, doesn't fill me with hope just the same as the Scunny effort didn't fill me with anger and dread. Our strengths and weaknesses remain the same.

Guess I'm tired of reading opions based on our last game (or two). If we look at the team over a period of time, the inevitable conclusion is that we're just average in almost every respect.

But then it feels like Monday x10 today and I'm just grumpy.

 

[Santos]

I must confess that I was one of the fans that really wasn't upset that we lost to Scunthorpe and probably didn't want us to come back. Partly because it was bad for the scum, but moreso that we just didn't deserve it. We played poor and if that was all we were going to put in, I was quite content for us to get what we deserved.

I didn't go last night but my feelings towards us last night couldn't have been different. We deserved to get someting out of the game. We were all over them in the first half and had it not been for a dodgy pen, I think we would have won the game.

The point of my post, though, is that if you can see that we're trying to play for the win, play with a bit of passion and play decent, attacking football, the attitude of the fans towards the team is far more positive.

Yes, we lost, but we played well, deserved something from the game and that performance gives me some hope (obviously not for this season). If Blackwell can get us to produce more performances like that then I'd be quite happy.

I'm off to renew my season ticket today. Up the Blades. :mwah:

Spot on, I was the same against Scunny and to a lesser degree Barnsley. But last night was an unexpected breath of fresh air. On them from the off, pressing, passing well and looking quite sharp. We deserved at the very least a point and although it may have something to do with the fact they were on the deckchairs i thought we were the better team.

More of the same please, perform like that at Hillsboro and i won't have any complaints regardless of the outcome.

My worry is Blackwell is going to go for the ultra cautious outlook of weathering the early storm, put half the team marking Johnson and the other half marking Tudgay, hope to stay in the game till the 70th minute and hope to nick a goal at the other.

They are Sheffield Wednesday, They are Shit, Attack and knock the shit out of them.