Were we really that bad

[chesblade]

Didn't go today for family reasons, but listening to radio Sheffield we did not sound that bad, few defensive errors but we still had chances just could not score. Someone must listen to the fans, he did drop flynn and we were doing okay. The sooner Collins and hill back the better

 

[Balham]

No. They were clinical, we weren't.

If listening to the fans involves dropping Flynn then it should be discouraged.

 

[Deadbat]

I listened to bits on the radio and it sounded like we were well in the game first half but they took their chances and we did not. Second half we had a few half chances but it sounded like they strolled it really and could have had even more.

As an interesting aside, my friend (not a Blade) who actually does some part time scouting for one of the top Prem league clubs was at the game. He was earmarked to watch Reading as the team he scouts for faces them in a few weeks but I asked him for his 'scout' view on the Blades.

He texted me earlier (in installments) and:

'United started ok and had a few chances with Blackman particularly impressive (only player he rated and could see why Champ teams are looking at him). United are very brittle at the back and looked like they could concede every time Reading attacked. The two centre backs are slow (not just in foot speed) but reaction speed and give forwards too much space. Even bigger a weakness was the full backs who could not stop their man or get close enough. Westlake the left back was appalling and was given a sorry going over. He was comfortably the worst player on the field. After the second went in, United kind of fell apart after half time and looked completely deovid of ideas. They are one of the slowest sides I have seen (granted I watch Prem league most weeks). The midfield is a major weakness is they lack mobility aswell as pace and are too rigid especially defensively meaning they play with a bank of defenders and a bank of midfielders with a big gap in between. The strikers also had no movement and the team overall were bereft of movement, athleticism and pace in feet and mind. 4-0 was a bit harsh but Reading did not really get out of first gear and could have stepped up even more. Massive gap between two sides in everything but mostly finishing'

He did say the United supporters were excellent!

 

[SotonBlade]

I think if we can get Collins starting, things will turn around. Play the wingers on their wings, don't stick Blackman on the wing, if he stays here anyway. We need to put the same side out for a few games, and I really believe it will come.

Best side we can put out for me if all fit, would be this:

Long, McMahon, Maguire, Collins, Higginbotham, Flynn, McDonald, Doyle, Murphy, Kitson, Blackman.

Coyle, Westlake, Lecs, Whitehouse, Ironside, De Girolamo, Porter

If Blackman does go, I expect possibly another winger or striker to come in, and i'd really like something creative in the centre of midfield. There's a serious lack of depth in midfield. Especially challenging Macca and Doyle.

This time next week, who knows the shape of the squad, but 3 points against Coventry is imperative.

 

[drinksmat]

I thought in parts we we played a lot better than some recent stuff. We were slow out of the blocks and were on the back foot after the early goal. The last had a touch of offside about it from where I sat but by that stage it was already long over. Do we need to improve yes, did I feel bad leaving the ground today, no - we were beaten by a better team.

 

[Northern Rivers Blade]

Deadbat, did you tell your mate to stop beating about the bush and tell you what he really thought!

 

[Ollessendro]

No, we were not that bad. Balham's match report in the thread is pretty accurate.

We were beaten by a much better team basically. Reading have players of a different class. United actually played really well in spells. I saw some of the Blades best play in spells this season. We controlled the game for long spells, but failed to take our chances. Reading on the other hand, scored on almost every occassion that they came forward. They were clinical. Their 2 wingers were too hot to handle and their strikers a handful. They basically lead ou defence a merry dance all day.

Reading scored early doors and I thought 'oh fook, we are in for a hammering'. But we then started to dominate. Blackman skinned the full back and sent it across goal (I've no idea how the hell it did not go in), Kitson missed a header and Murphy forced a save (should have scored). This was all at 1-0. However we switched off and they punished us. At 2 nowt the game was well and truly over.

I thought United started the 2nd half well, but Reading scored when the impressive McCleary skinned Westlake and finshed well. Or was that the 4th? The other goal came from McClreary as well, but Maguire and Higginbottom were asleep and Long punished us. There was a goalline sramble which just about summed up United's luck. Federici saved a shot low to his left, a melee ensued and eventually Murphy fired goalwards. A Reading defender on the line somehow blocked it and it spooned out. Late on Flynn missed a free header from 5 yards out. United could have easily have scored 2, 3, even 4 today.

So in summary, it was not that bad. The result was harsh. Anyone who says otherwise will be doing some scoreline journalism. There were some definite positives in how we played. However we defended really badly and switched off. Do that against a Premiership club and you get punished.

 

[GlosBlade]

We ok today, just a difference in class of the premiership players. It's a gulf really. And we played well between the first and second goal, just a shame we weren't as clinical in front of goal as they were. Fans were brilliant, and no arguing or even slagging off the players, even at four nil.

 

[chesblade]

So on the performance (westlake not included ) do you think Danny should go or stay? I say stay and see who he brings in.Do know from someone someone at scunthorpe we did make an offer for Duffy but was rejected

 

[raul]

Players bad supporters good ?

It won't play well in some quarters but it makes me feel optimistic in the (very) long term.

Love our club tolerate the present

 

[Jon Bon]

They are one of the slowest sides I have seen. The midfield is a major weakness is they lack mobility aswell as pace and are too rigid especially defensively meaning they play with a bank of defenders and a bank of midfielders with a big gap in between. The strikers also had no movement and the team overall were bereft of movement, athleticism and pace in feet and mind.

Absolutely bang on the money. I've been saying this all season. Maybe I could get a job scouting for Spurs...?

 

[alcoblade]

If listening to the fans involves dropping Flynn then it should be discouraged.

You haven't seen much of us this year, I take it?

UTB

 

[secretchief]

United actually played really well in spells. I saw some of the Blades best play in spells this season. We controlled the game for long spells, but failed to take our chances.

We must be the Red and white Wizards with all these spells!

Seriously, thanks to all for comments on the game. All description is useful to Blades not able to go.

 

[cahill]

How come MK Dons, Luton and Bradford haven't been out of their depth against Prem. teams ? Reading will probably be a Championship team next season, the division we are hoping to be in and competing against

 

[gavtheblade]

How come MK Dons, Luton and Bradford haven't been out of their depth against Prem. teams ? Reading will probably be a Championship team next season, the division we are hoping to be in and competing against

we aint got a prayer with the current starting 11,we are pants,doyle is a joke of a player and a crap captain.
Change the leader and see if results begin to improve.

 

[Balham]

You haven't seen much of us this year, I take it?

I go when I can. Flynn is a decent footballer at our level, the problems are behind him at fullback and in centre midfield where the two favourites don't make forward runs.

Flynn is the scapegoat for the entire team's lack of movement.

UTB[/quote]

 

[super_pig]

'United started ok and had a few chances with Blackman particularly impressive (only player he rated and could see why Champ teams are looking at him). United are very brittle at the back and looked like they could concede every time Reading attacked. The two centre backs are slow (not just in foot speed) but reaction speed and give forwards too much space. Even bigger a weakness was the full backs who could not stop their man or get close enough. Westlake the left back was appalling and was given a sorry going over. He was comfortably the worst player on the field. After the second went in, United kind of fell apart after half time and looked completely deovid of ideas. They are one of the slowest sides I have seen (granted I watch Prem league most weeks). The midfield is a major weakness is they lack mobility aswell as pace and are too rigid especially defensively meaning they play with a bank of defenders and a bank of midfielders with a big gap in between. The strikers also had no movement and the team overall were bereft of movement, athleticism and pace in feet and mind. 4-0 was a bit harsh but Reading did not really get out of first gear and could have stepped up even more. Massive gap between two sides in everything but mostly finishing'

mid term report ?? cc Danny Wilson esq.

 

[alcoblade]

I go when I can. Flynn is a decent footballer at our level, the problems are behind him at fullback and in centre midfield where the two favourites don't make forward runs.

Flynn is the scapegoat for the entire team's lack of movement.

UTB

Can't agree, sadly.

It's convincing ourselves that players like Flynn can contribute to a promotion winning side that will mean we will stay in the division for a few more years to come.

UTB

 

[Ollessendro]

How come MK Dons, Luton and Bradford haven't been out of their depth against Prem. teams ? Reading will probably be a Championship team next season, the division we are hoping to be in and competing against

Cannot answer the first question. Yesterday's result was disappointing, but we always knew that we would have to play out of our skin and them play really poor to stand any chance of winning. IF Reading get relegated this year, then they will probably win the Championship next season (and almost certainly go straight back up). Do not get me wrong, our team is not nearly enough to compete in the Championship, but we were not that bad yesterday.

I guess Norwich and QPR fielded weakened teams and did not take the opposition seriously. Reading were completely ruthless. They scored pretty much every time they came forward. I only remember Long making one other save. They scored at the right times (against the run of play for example). Our luck was out a little, but we only have ourselves to blame. You need to take your chances. Simple as. We missed a host of chances at 1-0. It could have been a different game. I still do not think we would have won, but we had 3 golden chances to equalise.

Reading's wingers were very good. They got the ball out wide quick and their wngers attacked us. Their front 2 are very lively and have excellent movement. Westlake got torn to bits and McMahon struggled. Maguire and Higginbottom looked slow and pnderous, as Hunt and Le Fondre ran rings round them.

Reading just happen to have hot a bit of form too and have recently turned over West Ham, West Brom and Newcastle. I am concerned about our current situation, but yesterday was just a sign of where we are.

 

[metalblade]

Doesn't matter how you dress it up Ollie Reading made six changes from the last starting line up and still managed to be everything that we are not, winning at a canter. Reading the team we went into the Premiership with not that many years ago who could be considered a yo - yo team much derided on here as a nothing team followed by plastic fans ............................. kinda puts it into perspective how bad we have been managed and how bad we have become in the few years since we were racing each other for the Championship Trophy.

 

[cahill]

and now Oldham, OLDHAM, have done one of the elite teams in the Prem

WTF

 

[Large Mendonca]

Nice to see a team show a bit of bottle in a FA Cup match. That's quite a weekend for lower league teams ? well, except one.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Nice to see a team show a bit of bottle in a FA Cup match. That's quite a weekend for lower league teams ? well, except one.

Because they have the bottle to go out there and scrap for anything - we show no passion, commitment etc etc - I have been banging on about it for weeks - the picture on the O/S sums it up McCabe and Wilson
Put your own caption in but mine is Mc Cabe (through gritted teeth) 'Smile Danny boy because you'll get all the sh!t when we don't go up again!' Wilson ' Yes Boss, anything you say Boss'

 

[Bergen Blade]

I asked him for his 'scout' view on the Blades.

He texted me earlier (in installments) and:

'United started ok and had a few chances with Blackman particularly impressive (only player he rated and could see why Champ teams are looking at him). United are very brittle at the back and looked like they could concede every time Reading attacked. The two centre backs are slow (not just in foot speed) but reaction speed and give forwards too much space. Even bigger a weakness was the full backs who could not stop their man or get close enough. Westlake the left back was appalling and was given a sorry going over. He was comfortably the worst player on the field. After the second went in, United kind of fell apart after half time and looked completely deovid of ideas. They are one of the slowest sides I have seen (granted I watch Prem league most weeks). The midfield is a major weakness is they lack mobility aswell as pace and are too rigid especially defensively meaning they play with a bank of defenders and a bank of midfielders with a big gap in between. The strikers also had no movement and the team overall were bereft of movement, athleticism and pace in feet and mind. 4-0 was a bit harsh but Reading did not really get out of first gear and could have stepped up even more. Massive gap between two sides in everything but mostly finishing'

Interesting to hear an outsider's view. We did actually play with two quick wide men, so we've no doubt fielded slower teams. Kitson and Porter up front in an away match against a team from two divisions higher is very unorthodox though.

Last season our players had superior technical ability compared to the rest of the division and it saw us carve through teams with neat passing. Having lost Lowton, Williamson, Quinn and Evans we're no longer capable of outplaying teams in the same manner.

We have different strengths now but have yet to find a playing style and mentality that makes effective use of them.

 

[themaninblack]

A pal of mine - Reading fan - rang me and said that the Blades looked quite good and that his lot were flattered by the scoreline. Concerning their erstwhile 'Ginger Prince', they were surprised by how much weight he is carrying compared to his glory days. I suppose his game has changed over the years and he is more of a back-to-goal player now.

 

[Ollessendro]

Kitson and Porter up front in an away match against a team from two divisions higher is very unorthodox though.

This was a terrible move for me. Absolutely no pace or movement up front. It was stark contrast to Hunt and Le Fondre, whose movement were excellent. They were a real handful, where as Porter was terrible and Kitson not much better. Porter just looked hopeless and where as he won a few headers, there was no one to latch on to them. Kitson has a much better touch than Porter, but tends to drop deeper and does not lead the line properly. Neither pulled up any trees. Balham Blade and I were saying to each other early doors, why the fook has he picked those two? Why not play Blackman (or Murphy) up top and Flynn out wide.

Reading's wingers were excellent and created all their chances (bar the Leigertwood goal). We had two pacey wingers, but it did not quite come off for them. Murphy skinned his man at one point and seemed to have the beating of him. Think it him that sent the cross over for Kitson to miss a headed chance. However on most oaccassions he (very frustratingly) kept cutting inside. He also lacks a bit of composure. Blackman caused problems and was unlucky not to score/set up a goal, when he skinned the defender and put it across thew face of goal (only for Porter somehow not to score).