We Played Like a Bunch of Old Pros

[coaxingstar71]

I think the point is that we do have quality in our squad (by league one standards) but at the moment those players aren't showing that quality, because their confidence has gone. When that happens, you don't just hang around and wait for it to come back. You get out their and fight and try to win with sheer effort and determination.

When a bad runs end, it rarely ends when a struggling team suddenly rediscovers it confidence overnight and out-classes the opposition with minimal effort. It usually ends when a struggling team manages a couple of ugly wins, which have little to do with quality, and lots to do with hard work. These wins start to bring the confidence back, and then the quality starts to reappear, and the wins become better wins. Hopefully in the process that team has learnt the lesson that they can't just take it easy and wait for their quality to win the game. They have to match the opposition for effort before their skills can show through.

I'm not saying this is definitely the end of our bad run, and the start of a run at the play-offs. It may not be. However, if we are working on the basis that it's meaningless because we didn't show much quality, I think we were looking out for the wrong signs.

I think the signs of a turnaround are there. I think we've genuinely shown that added determination and work rate in the last few games. We've conceded 1 goal in 270 minutes (scoring goals hasn't really been the problem this season - conceding them has - so that improved defensive record is critical) and I don't think the fact that this coincided with Brayford's return is a coincidence. I agree that we still need a clear out and new signings in January and in the summer, but I have hope that following a couple of ugly wins, we will begin to see some of that quality show through in the players we have.

Ah, someone who understands football, bravo!

 

[spongebobblade]

Bloody terrible performance once again but without doubt for the first time in quite a while now the highlight was our ability to get stuck in and let the opposition know we were there. It was risqué at times but it lifted the crowd and it's a platform to build from

 

[2win!]

The workrate and commitment has definitely improved over the last few games but it has been at the expense of the attack. We desperately need two lively winger if we're going to carry on playing this way. We're not creating chances but are restricting the opposition.

Think about it! That's because our midfield is back protecting the the slow donkeys at the back (the same situation as in DW1 days except we had Ched Evans then). Colins sits so deep that the gap is so big between defence & attack. Until the dross is emptied this team aint gonna improve. We need two strong CB's that can push the back line forward, squeezing the play then you'll see an attacking team. We have been in this league too long and the likes of Colo & captain calamity are part of the reason we are not going anywhere.

 

[blade too long]

I dont think its fair to say it was a terrible performance. More that amongst some solid performances and steeley effort there was inter laced some truly awful individual efforts. I thought Collins gave a decent opening 20 minutes then slumped into a catalogue of errors . On 4 occasions he dwelled too long on the ball and gave it away. Coutts.was ok first half but inexplicably turned into a pillar of salt in the second half like hed gazed into Medusas eyes. Woolford was rightly given the hook after what looked like both lungs had collapsed .This left us short centrally.but the subs proved we have the talent to beat the teams in this league

 

[Bladesman]

We actually showed some bottle today , for the first time in ages. It's almost like the team have been given some sort of ultimatum............

Hopefully some of the team will do enough to put themselves in the shop windows so we can finally offload them.

 

[sheffielder]

An ugly professional win.

Walked a fine line today, and sometimes stepped/trampled over it. But good to see we have that in our locker.

Hammond, the Beard, Coutts, Edgar, Sammon all used their experience

When we were 1-0 up and had a corner Edgar was doing his nut, I had no idea what he was on about, but he was, of course, telling us to take it short. Obvious, but we weren't going to do it.

Great to see he had the nous, confidence, and motivation.

Can you expand on where Sammon used his experience? What did he do?

I think it's fair to say the best thing he did was come off on 65 minutes to make the rest of your thread makes sense.

 

[bladesadviser]

We have certainly played better and lost this season. Thought Long had a good game and you can start to see why Adkins wanted Hammond. For probably the first time in a long time we didn't get out fought totally in midfield, not saying we won everything but far better than Bury and Colchester when we were not at the races

On the down side Woolford is clearly not good enough and Sammon confuses me, he seems to be neither the bustling centre forward that his stature implies or a fox in the box. I still think we are searching for the big number nine

Positives are that it was three points and I would gladly take a 6 or 7 "win ugly 1-0 wins" on the bounce

 

[Smirth]

The old adage of taking each game as it comes has never been more appropriate then it is for us now.

Yes it was ugly yesterday, it wasn't fast flowing football, but it was effective and got us the win. It was similar to some of the Blackwell games and personally I've no problem with it if that is what Adkins has decided to do to get us out of this rut. We all know the players aren't good enough, some complain louder than others about it, but then you can't also complain if Adkins plays in a different style to get us a result like he did yesterday. If we'd started with the likes of Scougall, Adams and Baxter yesterday we wouldn't have won IMO. Adams would have been out of position and wouldn't have worked hard enough, Scougall would have been too light weight and would have been bullied and Baxter would probably have been sent off.

10/10 for Adkins from me yesterday. It wasn't pretty but he was a man under intense pressure and made a strong call with his line up and style of play. It's probably the best show of leadership from him so far this season and it could well be the turning point. We just need to take it one game at a time and I know Adkins will happily change his line up and formations for the coming games over the Christmas fixture to suit the opposition we are playing against.

That style of play probably won't win us promotion, but it can help to drag us out of the mire we were in and give us a platform to work from.

 

[Treeton Blade]

We played like a bunch of old

We got outmuscled or outskilled in virtually every contest. Really poor.

All this false positivity really harks me off as well, it really isn't deserved. It was an awful performance as usual.

Yes, boo to positivity, let`s all say `woe is us`, and walk around staring at our shoes

 

[HighfieldBlade]

At times they were the fresh faced teenagers - and I was cheering for Jason Voorhees.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

All you need to do is listen to Adkins' comments for the last month or so, he wants us to keep in touch with the pack until January when, presumably he can address what everyone can see is wrong. I think he's been surprised about how bad we are and it's clear we're going dull defensive for the next few games.

We almost managed it at Barnsley and definitely got away either it yesterday but I can't see anything much changing for the next few games.

We await January with anticipation!

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Like a bunch of old pros? Never a truer word said.

Here's McEv & Collins -

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

We played like a bunch of old

We got outmuscled or outskilled in virtually every contest. Really poor.

All this false positivity really harks me off as well, it really isn't deserved. It was an awful performance as usual.

Debatable whether its false positivity Barney, we know it wasn't very good really but who knows this might be us about to turn a corner, bit far fetched I know but I'll take the positivity today without the false.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

I think the point is that we do have quality in our squad (by league one standards) but at the moment those players aren't showing that quality, because their confidence has gone. When that happens, you don't just hang around and wait for it to come back. You get out their and fight and try to win with sheer effort and determination.

When a bad runs end, it rarely ends when a struggling team suddenly rediscovers it confidence overnight and out-classes the opposition with minimal effort. It usually ends when a struggling team manages a couple of ugly wins, which have little to do with quality, and lots to do with hard work. These wins start to bring the confidence back, and then the quality starts to reappear, and the wins become better wins. Hopefully in the process that team has learnt the lesson that they can't just take it easy and wait for their quality to win the game. They have to match the opposition for effort before their skills can show through.

I'm not saying this is definitely the end of our bad run, and the start of a run at the play-offs. It may not be. However, if we are working on the basis that it's meaningless because we didn't show much quality, I think we were looking out for the wrong signs.

I think the signs of a turnaround are there. I think we've genuinely shown that added determination and work rate in the last few games. We've conceded 1 goal in 270 minutes (scoring goals hasn't really been the problem this season - conceding them has - so that improved defensive record is critical) and I don't think the fact that this coincided with Brayford's return is a coincidence. I agree that we still need a clear out and new signings in January and in the summer, but I have hope that following a couple of ugly wins, we will begin to see some of that quality show through in the players we have.

Great post Workington. Sums up my feelings entirely.

 

[mosbolad]

We played like a bunch of old

We got outmuscled or outskilled in virtually every contest. Really poor.

All this false positivity really harks me off as well, it really isn't deserved. It was an awful performance as usual.

I presume you watched the game on Sky TV and if so you supported the club you (apparently) love and provided the Blades financial support for the league campaign through the sky subscription. Well done Barney!

Next thing you'll be sellotaping your season ticket back together!

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

View attachment 14812

Brilliant.

Hadn't even cottoned on that it was the 13th yesterday.

 

[HouchensHead]

Like a bunch of old pros? Never a truer word said.

Here's McEv & Collins -

That's two blonde, quite old, ladies mate. I think I speak for the rest of this forum that your posts are not funny in the slightest. Stop trying so hard.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

That's two blonde, quite old, ladies mate. I think I speak for the rest of this forum that your posts are not funny in the slightest. Stop trying so hard.

Cheers for the advice, "mate". You may or may not be right, but don't get ahead of yourself - you can't even speak on behalf of yourself without a penis growing out of your head.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

That's two blonde, quite old, ladies mate. I think I speak for the rest of this forum that your posts are not funny in the slightest. Stop trying so hard.

Coventry fans. The gift that keeps on giving.

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better/worse.

Only the certifiably insane could go on another club's message board, criticise a regular contributor, and then claim to be speaking for all mankind.

For info you'll be on Ignore so don't spend too much time on Oscar Wilde level put-downs.

UTMB

 

[Pierre's PC]

Coventry fans. The gift that keeps on giving.

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better/worse.

Only the certifiably insane could go on another club's message board, criticise a regular contributor, and then claim to be speaking for all mankind.

For info you'll be on Ignore so don't spend too much time on Oscar Wilde level put-downs.

UTMB

To be fair WHF, this one is quite cute, we could keep him and bring him out at Christmas to perform his party piece while we look on like proud parents.

 

[HouchensHead]

Cheers for the advice, "mate". You may or may not be right, but don't get ahead of yourself - you can't even speak on behalf of yourself without a penis growing out of your head.

There's never been a reported case of a penis growing out of someone's head. You really need to work on your insults because they aren't very good.

 

[Bartleby]

An ugly professional win.

Walked a fine line today, and sometimes stepped/trampled over it. But good to see we have that in our locker.

Hammond, the Beard, Coutts, Edgar, Sammon all used their experience

When we were 1-0 up and had a corner Edgar was doing his nut, I had no idea what he was on about, but he was, of course, telling us to take it short. Obvious, but we weren't going to do it.

Great to see he had the nous, confidence, and motivation.

watched the first half on BP earlier, will watch rest tomorrow, and that sums up how it came across to me. Wouldn't want to see us become a dirty team but good to see some more aggression and our players dishing out a bit of what we've been on the receiving end of in this division. Might be the key to getting out of this shit and having to endure the likes of Bury coming to the Lane and getting away with it.

McEveley was very lucky, I'd be interested to know what he said to the ref whilst he was being booked, but it got a chuckle out of him.

 

[Bladesman]

To be fair WHF, this one is quite cute, we could keep him and bring him out at Christmas to perform his party piece while we look on like proud parents.

Well we already have a resident Rotherham United fan. We can collect them like Pokemon.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

watched the first half on BP earlier, will watch rest tomorrow, and that sums up how it came across to me. Wouldn't want to see us become a dirty team but good to see some more aggression and our players dishing out a bit of what we've been on the receiving end of in this division. Might be the key to getting out of this shit and having to endure the likes of Bury coming to the Lane and getting away with it.

McEveley was very lucky, I'd be interested to know what he said to the ref whilst he was being booked, but it got a chuckle out of him.

Tbf to the ref he took his time on "admin" tasks before he went and spoke with Captain Jay.

As a tackle it was very 70s: kick him up in the air, let him know you're there. But was it two-footed off the ground career threatening? No.

Still I don't think anyone could have complained if it had been red and a three match ban.

Maybe the deciding factor for the ref was it was so early on the game.

Also he followed through with his trailing leg just to make sure. Again a very 70s approach.

Interesting that he/we largely managed to contain him after this, and he was eventually subbed.

I think the whole thing was premeditated, but maybe Jay got a bit overexcited in the, er, execution.

 

[Finnieston]

Our players played how they generally play today. My concern is that we don't have that extra oomph in our locker to put teams to bed where we are expected to be on the front foot. Its been our Achilles all season, and will only be rectified in January, not with this current set of players.

I think that with us having an indifferent start and the fact that Coventry are having a good season up till now we had to change our style . No good going out gung ho when playing bad, and I think those three points were crucial when looking at our league position. I think to a man United had a plan to nullify Coventry and just see what their reaction would be,and then take advantage of any negativity. To me it worked a treat,and you could see the frustration in in their team at not having it all their own way. To me it was worth it to see how dogged and resilient we were. Granted we were fortunate a few times with two Collins errors and the goal line incident and fouls etc. The week before Brayford scored the winner but it was not given. But no moaning and groaning and verbal abuse like the Coventry fans were putting out. Now other teams have seen how they react I think they could find the rest of the season getting harder. Thoroughly professional performance from united for having the guts to try it . Especially with Sky on the case. A few more points on the board and we could creep up, and then watch the confidence return.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Tbf to the ref he took his time on "admin" tasks before he went and spoke with Captain Jay.

As a tackle it was very 70s: kick him up in the air, let him know you're there. But was it two-footed off the ground career threatening? No.

Still I don't think anyone could have complained if it had been red and a three match ban.

Maybe the deciding factor for the ref was it was so early on the game.

Also he followed through with his trailing leg just to make sure. Again a very 70s approach.

Interesting that he/we largely managed to contain him after this, and he was eventually subbed.

I think the whole thing was premeditated, but maybe Jay got a bit overexcited in the, er, execution.

I do reckon it was part of a concerted plan to rough up Coventry's more delicate playmakers - one which in this case went horribly wrong (i.e. I don't think the intent was there for it to be a legbreaker). Jay led from the front in this respect. And, to be fair to him, he had a very good game apart from that shockingly rash challenge.

I kept thinking they'd double up on him to induce another mistimed tackle. But I suppose the seeds of fear had been planted, & no Cov player wanted to get too near him from that point on. And he was very disciplined for the rest of the game.

Collins had a mare, but the rest of the defence each had pretty fine games I thought.

 

[Sean Thornton]

There's never been a reported case of a penis growing out of someone's head. You really need to work on your insults because they aren't very good.

Jesus, looks like he's a doctor!

 

[Sean Thornton]

To be fair WHF, this one is quite cute, we could keep him and bring him out at Christmas to perform his party piece while we look on like proud parents.

But you know he'd end up soiling the carpet

 

[BushBlade]

We actually showed some bottle today , for the first time in ages. It's almost like the team have been given some sort of ultimatum............

It's almost as if some of the senior players thought they had a 'mate' at high level who would be able to get NA replaced with someone a bit more Clough-like but the mate has been sacked and now they understand they're not as influential as they thought and the manager is here for the long term.

 

[BushBlade]

There's never been a reported case of a penis growing out of someone's head. You really need to work on your insults because they aren't very good.

There have been many reported cases of shit spewing from people's brain via a keyboard onto a message board though, which seems to be your ailment.