Watch out Burnley are coming

[Charlieblade]

Whatever you choose to call it, we have stumbled against some sides, and only been effective for half a game against some sides.
We need effective performances against all sides. In most cases the team does not perform effectively for the full game. Other than lowly Oxford, we have failed to put a decent performance against any other team for the whole match. Defence, attack and midfield letting us down at least half the game.

Some of that is down to players. Individually or collectively, not good enough. Inexperience? A bad day. It happens to them all, young or old. If it isn’t working the manager has to have a plan B, and Shane tactics or personnel. The side have enough skill and experience collectively to do better.

We happen to be top on points. That's ok for now, but our performances leave us vulnerable to other sides taking over. No one wants to be overtaken by Leeds, Burnley or even a resurgent Norwich.
This is not a team of misfits held together by tape and string. There is some serious talent in the side now, let’s not waste it.

 

[MadDad38]

Norwich's last 6 match points haul is well below our trottered friends from S6. Their last 2 results have been good, admittedly.

 

[Cappy]

Whatever you choose to call it, we have stumbled against some sides, and only been effective for half a game against some sides.
We need effective performances against all sides. In most cases the team does not perform effectively for the full game. Other than lowly Oxford, we have failed to put a decent performance against any other team for the whole match. Defence, attack and midfield letting us down at least half the game.

Some of that is down to players. Individually or collectively, not good enough. Inexperience? A bad day. It happens to them all, young or old. If it isn’t working the manager has to have a plan B, and Shane tactics or personnel. The side have enough skill and experience collectively to do better.

We happen to be top on points. That's ok for now, but our performances leave us vulnerable to other sides taking over. No one wants to be overtaken by Leeds, Burnley or even a resurgent Norwich.
This is not a team of misfits held together by tape and string. There is some serious talent in the side now, let’s not waste it.

I think what you’re doing is something a lot of fans do of their team. You’re focusing on what you perceive to be weaknesses of our team and countering that with what you perceive to be strengths of the other teams. You aren’t taking into account their weaknesses.

Those other teams also have inconsistent players, coaches and indeed are inconsistent as a team when it comes to performance. The league table is the best measure of that.

What’s different though is we are getting better results than they are, consistently.

It smells like you’re trying to paint a picture of failure to protect yourself emotionally or so that if failure happens, you have some “told you so” posts to reference?

The reality is we are a championship team and come with all the weaknesses of that, from top to bottom. But we have some really good strengths too. One of which is the togetherness to get results, and it’s working better than any other team.

They’ve had 27 hours of football so far this season to prove to be better than us and get above us in the league. They haven’t. Perhaps celebrate the reasons they haven’t as an opposed to dreading the reasons they might? UTB

 

[Charlieblade]

I think what you’re doing is something a lot of fans do of their team. You’re focusing on what you perceive to be weaknesses of our team and countering that with what you perceive to be strengths of the other teams. You aren’t taking into account their weaknesses.

Those other teams also have inconsistent players, coaches and indeed are inconsistent as a team when it comes to performance. The league table is the best measure of that.

What’s different though is we are getting better results than they are, consistently.

It smells like you’re trying to paint a picture of failure to protect yourself emotionally or so that if failure happens, you have some “told you so” posts to reference?

The reality is we are a championship team and come with all the weaknesses of that, from top to bottom. But we have some really good strengths too. One of which is the togetherness to get results, and it’s working better than any other team.

They’ve had 27 hours of football so far this season to prove to be better than us and get above us in the league. They haven’t. Perhaps celebrate the reasons they haven’t as an opposed to dreading the reasons they might? UTB

I can agree up to a point Cappy. I am guilty of concentrating on a perceived Blades weakness. The only time another team comes into it, is my historical focus on sides we used to share old division one with, and more recently, sides I see as bogeymen in the Championship. Memory is a funny thing isn’t it? I can remember the three sided ground, standing anywhere you want on the old Kop, in the mid 60s, and taking my sons to their first game about 12/14 years ago, but very little in between!

Bottom line is, I don’t want us to suffer another season like the last one, cut adrift from the rest of the football world. That’s what it felt like anyway. My concerns are the long term future of SUFC and this squad in particular. The togetherness really is something else. Senior pros who have gained their experience the hard way, JLT and Tom Davies being prime examples. They have the chance to tutor the stars of the future in our academy graduates. How many times has any academy produced even one future star per season?

I don’t see this as going overboard, when we have 3 or 4 graduates at least, making the grade at top championship level. They will make mistakes of course, but the pro players have a responsibility to bring them on and lead by example. Allow youngsters to make mistakes, provided they learn from it.

I want Blades to do well, especially this mix of youth and experience. Yes it makes life hard for players like Hamer, Moore, O’Hare and Souza et al, but what an opportunity for them to leave their mark on the game. Look at the side they helped to shape and mould, where so few have gone before!

Get this squad, and extras into the EPL, and make sure they stay there, and go on to a greater future. If the youngsters are good enough, they are definitely old enough.

 

[espoo blade]

WBA- TBH JLT MOM TD AKA TODA (not TMRW) LB SMH FML

TL;DR

 

[blade too long]

Whatever you choose to call it, we have stumbled against some sides, and only been effective for half a game against some sides.
We need effective performances against all sides. In most cases the team does not perform effectively for the full game. Other than lowly Oxford, we have failed to put a decent performance against any other team for the whole match. Defence, attack and midfield letting us down at least half the game.

Some of that is down to players. Individually or collectively, not good enough. Inexperience? A bad day. It happens to them all, young or old. If it isn’t working the manager has to have a plan B, and Shane tactics or personnel. The side have enough skill and experience collectively to do better.

We happen to be top on points. That's ok for now, but our performances leave us vulnerable to other sides taking over. No one wants to be overtaken by Leeds, Burnley or even a resurgent Norwich.
This is not a team of misfits held together by tape and string. There is some serious talent in the side now, let’s not waste it.

liverpool wiped the floor with man city first half but were very much like we are at times , playing what used to be the edited out bits on MOTD

no , thats literally no club Ive ever seen dominates all 46 games from start to finish
every point weve won we deserved as we showed enough quality to win a game then defended well
weve been poor in 2 games where we created little , immediately after Baldocks sudden death , but are over it now

Burnley have been winning 1-0 mainly in a similar way to us , getting late winners against the run of play in their games
west brom keep drawing so they arent pulling up many trees
Leeds last 6 away theyve won one , so they have room for improvements

there are frustrating periods in all games, Im sure Arsenal fans are moaning at stopping at 5 at half time v west ham

as to poor overall performances, we dominated at preston, we won at a canter at Blackburn and won in 2nd gear v stoke and Luton
and we couldnt have been any more dominant than we were at hull

Sky sports said Sheffield United maintained their unbeaten start to the Championship season as they cruised to a 2-0 win at Hull City.

Gustavo Hamer set them on their way to victory at the MKM Stadium, while substitute Sam McCallum doubled their lead after the break.
Sky say we cruised our fans feel short changed , WHY

 

[brownblade]

Imo we need cover for Souza - a replica if possible - because if we don't have a Souza (injury or multiple bans), you can forget autos. This player needs to be 6'3" minimum and able to cover Souza , Souttar or Anel.

I wonder if this (below) was a short term injury. Because this guy would be beyond perfect on a 6mth contract.

Exclusive: Cheikhou Kouyate fails Leeds medical

Leeds United have pulled the plug on a potential deal to sign Cheikhou Kouyate after he failed his medical at the club.

www.footballinsider247.com

 

[blade too long]

We lost heavily to Burnley twice with injury ravaged collection of stand ins playing with littlr or no confidence
That will hopefully not be the case on Boxing Day unless we get 6 or 8 major injuries in the next 5 games

we will go in still possibly unbeaten at home and with a lot of drive we didnt have last season

 

[brownblade]

I can agree up to a point Cappy. I am guilty of concentrating on a perceived Blades weakness. The only time another team comes into it, is my historical focus on sides we used to share old division one with, and more recently, sides I see as bogeymen in the Championship. Memory is a funny thing isn’t it? I can remember the three sided ground, standing anywhere you want on the old Kop, in the mid 60s, and taking my sons to their first game about 12/14 years ago, but very little in between!

Bottom line is, I don’t want us to suffer another season like the last one, cut adrift from the rest of the football world. That’s what it felt like anyway. My concerns are the long term future of SUFC and this squad in particular. The togetherness really is something else. Senior pros who have gained their experience the hard way, JLT and Tom Davies being prime examples. They have the chance to tutor the stars of the future in our academy graduates. How many times has any academy produced even one future star per season?

I don’t see this as going overboard, when we have 3 or 4 graduates at least, making the grade at top championship level. They will make mistakes of course, but the pro players have a responsibility to bring them on and lead by example. Allow youngsters to make mistakes, provided they learn from it.

I want Blades to do well, especially this mix of youth and experience. Yes it makes life hard for players like Hamer, Moore, O’Hare and Souza et al, but what an opportunity for them to leave their mark on the game. Look at the side they helped to shape and mould, where so few have gone before!

Get this squad, and extras into the EPL, and make sure they stay there, and go on to a greater future. If the youngsters are good enough, they are definitely old enough.

Top tip: Enjoy it. Might not even last another month, who knows, we've got to enjoy the good times.

 

[Old Programme seller]

2 season ago under Hecky we started the campaign with some open football eventually we went to a more mundane style of football in comparison, as the league table started to form our opponents started to shut up shop and try and catch us on the break saving them getting battered and also us getting suckered punched in short the season is a forever changing beast with changes of managers and systems.

 

[andy m]

Our form looks excellent if you view the table. In truth it is inconsistent, and I have pointed out poor performance levels against some clubs, which you choose to ignore due to our league position.

Inconsistency is ok if it lasts the season, and we win the league! Pointing this out upsets some supporters then so be it.
The current situation will not last unless our performances improve. The fact we are top points to a weak competition, and most supporters would deny that weakness. I choose to celebrate our victory’s and demand a higher standard from the team we all support.

If that honesty offends some, then I am happy for them to continue ignoring the long term implications of accepting mediocre style and inconsistent performances. That smacks of tunnel vision in favour of short term, unsustainable success.

Am I happy that we top the league. Of course I am. Pointing out that this could so easily backfire on us seems to be a crime, and I am guilty of demanding more.

I raise these obvious flaws because not everyone takes the short term view. It seems that some fans are content for a repeat of last years heartache. This will happen again if we get promoted with a weak underperforming squad. Get away with it in the Championship, but not in the EPL

The big difference, is the opportunity to celebrate the success earned by doing things differently. Using a blend of experience, increasingly reliant on a strong, promising youth academy. Team spirit has benefitted from youth, but performance levels have declined. This opinion of mine may not be shared by all. The only change I am suggesting is to raise regular performance levels to match our league position.

That's a minute of my life I'll never get back.

 

[Charlieblade]

That's a minute of my life I'll never get back.

Yeah, sorry about that. Next time I will add a header, “NOT COMPULSORY READING”.

 

[Sizablade]

See Burnley got there two reserve Central defenders playing today.....John Egan and Joe Worrall!

Puts into perspective when we complain about being behind them in the league. Albeit they are slightly injury prone now but 2 former promotion captains sitting on reserve brings it home a bit.

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Burnley, Leeds and Sunderland get yourself through to 4th round.

 

[Isar]

It won't weaken their promotion push.

 

[Snowflake]

It won't weaken their promotion push.

Doesn’t that depend on whether key players are injured in cup matches ?

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Burnley have still only conceded 9 goals.

In the entire history of English football, only Chelsea in 2004-05 have ever conceded fewer goals after 28 matches.

 

[N20 Blade]

Burnley have still only conceded 9 goals.

In the entire history of English football, only Chelsea in 2004-05 have ever conceded fewer goals after 28 matches.

I was optimistically working on the basis that (a) sooner or later, like our home clean sheet run, they would have a bump and start conceding and (b) given they don't score excessively this would slow them down.

However, they still don't concede and then scored 5 in 45 minutes on Wednesday. It does worry me that they look so impregnable. I will watch their match with Leeds with interest. If Leeds don't score, that will say plenty.

 

[LBA_Blade]

Burnley have still only conceded 9 goals.

In the entire history of English football, only Chelsea in 2004-05 have ever conceded fewer goals after 28 matches.

Is that because of Scott Parker and he introduces himself to the oppo's strikers they nod off?

 

[Varkanoid]

Forget what's behind and look in front, after tonight be clear air again.

 

[NerdyBlade]

Burnley have conceded 4 goals all season at Turf Moore in 16 games

...which would be impressive, had they won more than 6 of those

 

[dsr-burnley]

Burnley have conceded 4 goals all season at Turf Moor in 16 games

...which would be impressive, had they won more than 6 of those

We're going for a record. Six 0-0 draws already; double figures has to be achievable. (We beat Cardiff 5-0 in the first home game and have scored 10 in 13 since then. Parker likes defending, and so if the opponents come hoping to defend their goal at all costs and Burnley are playing hoping to defend their goal at all costs, it's hardly a surprise when it finishes 0-0.)

Three home games this year. 0-0, 0-0, and 0-0. Might as well watch tiddlywinks.

 

[Champagneblade]

Just shows how competitive the top of the championship is.

Burnley 16 game unbeaten run. Still behind us.

Leeds 11 game unbeaten run. Level points without the deduction.

When you consider the injuries and now issues we are addressing this window, you’d expect us to be stronger in the second half of the season.

We’ve given ourselves a great platform now.

Even without Arblaster, having Choudhury, Souza, Davies and the emergence of Peck gives us nice options.

BBD, Hamer and O’Hare looks bang tidy. Then JRS, Brooks and Brewster as potential game changers is more than most will have.

Cannon, Campbell and Moore provide good varied options up front, as well as BBD.

I’d like Seriki to emerge. He could be a real pain in the ass especially against lesser teams. But having Robbo and Gilchrist as back up centre halves is decent and having Seriki with Kenny or another looks good. I don’t like the idea of Burrows being injured as I think the cover is variable but the main glaring weakness is one centre back.

I’ve mentioned him before but as an example if we got Isaak Toure, 2.06m tall from Lorient on loan at Udinese, left footed, he’d be ideal alongside Anel.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Have to admit it, their defence has been brilliant so far. We need to find out what they're doing and have some of that.

Get boffins on it!

 

[SwissBlade]

Have to admit it, their defence has been brilliant so far. We need to find out what they're doing and have some of that.

Get boffins on it!

Stopping the ball hitting the back of their net…

Worth noting that we sit 2nd still, but have the most wins, 18 after 29 games, Leeds have 17 and Burnley & S’land 15.

Burnley know how to keep the ball out but we know how to win

We’ve also lost the most with 5…

 

[ancientblade]

wasnt that impressed with burnley to be honest last night i think that parker went out not to lose that game last night thought leeds were the only team trying to win the game have to say was impressed with burnleys centre backs really solid just like us when souttar and anel were together

 

[bakeblade]

Burnley have conceded 4 goals all season at Turf Moore in 16 games

...which would be impressive, had they won more than 6 of those

They're more boring to watch than us

 

[Silent Blade]

 

[bakeblade]

wasnt that impressed with burnley to be honest last night i think that parker went out not to lose that game last night thought leeds were the only team trying to win the game have to say was impressed with burnleys centre backs really solid just like us when souttar and anel were together

That's how I saw it, the difference between Company's side and Parkers is night and day.

 

[Snake]

Burnley have got a decent run in now. They've already played twice v Leeds, Sunderland, M'boro and Blackburn. They've got to fancy their chances of top 2.

Our game at Turf Moor may well be crucial