Wilder-Fear, the weird changes & Square pegs, and what happens next

[SwissBlade]

Last night I was trying to come to terms with what the fuck actually happened yesterday. It was all too obvious what was happening on the pitch as we played poorly for the first half, stepped it up second and our goal was deserved as it had been coming. On the same token, if we’d managed to get away with a 1-0 win, even before Egan’s red and the penalty, it would’ve been a good result. Job done. It didn’t go like that.

We’re not a team of bottle jobs, but we did bottle it yesterday.

Wilder Fear?
Its not something consistent, just an observation on a couple of occasions, so please be aware that I know that there have been games like Preston, like Leeds, like Birmingham, where he hasn’t been as Cautious, but there have been elements of caution which is unusual. But I think Wilder has shown signs of fear in his own approach.

Our approach v Wednesday and second half yesterday were not usual. Against Wednesday we played with a cautious ‘don’t lose’ mentality. Yesterday, moves made by Wilder meant that despite what he said post-match, he was setting us up to defend a lead, not extend it.

There is an argument that there is a maturity in his approach, Fulham last season, Villa away (and home to an extent) and Bristol City had all shown that there is a weakness in us, but I think that the positive front foot mentality which we all love in Wilder and his approach is what’s got us to 2nd in the league.

Weird Changes & Square Pegs
Many have mentioned it, but it wasn’t so much the changes made, it was the slight unpredictability of what those changes brought, which for me only causes confusion. There were simple changes with all three departing players having a readymade replacement on the bench. But Wilder didn’t take this approach and I have to say that he went negative in all but the Bash/ Madine change.

Basham for Madine (not straight swap for Cranie)
Billy for Cranie (not straight swap for Hogan)
Duffy for Coutts (not straight swap for Dowell or even Hogan on and McG slot in behind the front two)

The big game changer was Billy going off, not that Cranie was poor, but that it affected the way things were up front. Cranie or Stearman could’ve replaced Duffy.

Coutts wasn’t a wrong move so much, but the wrong move at that time. Coutts is at his best when he is able to retain possession, he’s not the right man to come on, chasing the ball to win it back. We needed an enforcer.

I think these changes contributed to the end result.

What happens next?
Who knows results wise, we still have 12 points up for grabs. There is no time to hang on for draws, we have to remove the shackles again and go for it. Pressure should be off now so rather than being shell-shocked and setting up/ playing with fear, we need to go for it.

No idea on the extent of Bash and Billy’s injuries, but assume that neither will feature v Forest.

Bash and Egan’s replacements are straight swaps, I think Baldock comes back in and I think Madine and Hogan have to start up top as they will give a really different threat.

McG hasn’t done anything wrong and he is clearly bang in form, I just don’t think he offers the physicality for Forest, so I’d drop him in behind.

Duffy, again hasn’t done anything wrong, but I think McG offers more right now. I also think Duffy brings us an impact from the bench

Hendo
Cranie Stearman JOC
Baldock Norwood Stevens
Fleck
McG
Madine Hogan​

We have to go for it!

 

[Houston_Blade]

I don't know why we have any fear. We got to 2nd in the league playing a certain way, the Villa game seemed to give Wilder the Willies and since then we've ground more out than we've dominated.

We need to go to back the 'fuck it' mentality and dominate games again, at least if we have a go people can't complain.

I can understand why a change of mentality happened, we had something to protect being in 2nd place, however when we overthink things we aren't as good. I just hope that the players picked in the remaining games have the ability and remember how to play 'tuftyball' in the way that we saw early on in the season.

I remember listening to Bladespod earlier in the season and statistics backed up our league position (i.e. highly placed in goals scored, conceded, attacks, xg, passes etc). I'd be interested to know whether this is still the case after the last 8 or 9 games where we've played a much more reserved style Blades Analytics and Beans might be able to clarify this.

 

[Rufus Smalls]

That looks a good line up - but I fear the momentum and our mindset of the last few weeks will mean we will struggle to get enough wins to overhaul the Dirties.

UTB !

 

[SwissBlade]

I don't know why we have any fear. We got to 2nd in the league playing a certain way, the Villa game seemed to give Wilder the Willies and since then we've ground more out than we've dominated.

We need to go to back the 'fuck it' mentality and dominate games again, at least if we have a go people can't complain.

I can understand why a change of mentality happened, we had something to protect being in 2nd place, however when we overthink things we aren't as good. I just hope that the players picked in the remaining games have the ability and remember how to play 'tuftyball' in the way that we saw early on in the season.

I remember listening to Bladespod earlier in the season and statistics backed up our league position (i.e. highly placed in goals scored, conceded, attacks, xg, passes etc). I'd be interested to know whether this is still the case after the last 8 or 9 games where we've played a much more reserved style Blades Analytics and Beans might be able to clarify this.

Great comments, i think the phrase 'trust the process' is very apt for United. Yes we will get results like the Villa 3-3. But that approach got us 0-3 up and it also got us 4-1 at home. The stats as you say, backed up that our approach was a winning approach.

You're completely correct, since Villa (and it also happened after Fulham last season) we have been cautious at times. Its not always a bad thing though as since Villa 3-3 we have had a fantastic run which got us back in top two contention.

That first 80 odd mins was the best we'd played this season, i'd argue it was the most dominating performance in a long long time. It was the right approach. We need to find that again.

 

[Houston_Blade]

We need to find that again.

This is the bit that I'm worried about, even the players seem to be overthinking it now. Regardless of whether playing this way will get us automatic we should be reverting to this approach in preparation for the play offs. Over 2 games playing this way we can beat anyone. In the final I couldn't bear a frigid performance, just go for it for once and at least the naysayers can be proved wrong.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

Great comments, i think the phrase 'trust the process' is very apt for United. Yes we will get results like the Villa 3-3. But that approach got us 0-3 up and it also got us 4-1 at home. The stats as you say, backed up that our approach was a winning approach.

You're completely correct, since Villa (and it also happened after Fulham last season) we have been cautious at times. Its not always a bad thing though as since Villa 3-3 we have had a fantastic run which got us back in top two contention.

That first 80 odd mins was the best we'd played this season, i'd argue it was the most dominating performance in a long long time. It was the right approach. We need to find that again.

It’s probably the best ‘80 minute period’, but not the best football per se. The first 45 mins against Villa at home were breathtaking. As good as I’ve ever seen a United team play.

 

[Weasel]

Maybe that we are now sitting 3 points behind will take some of the pressure off the players and we will see the players getting back to the have a go attitude that has served us so well.

We shouldn't be surprised that Utd struggled yesterday. Millwall are a big physical side and exactly the sort of side who we seem to dislike playing against so much. They are also fighting for their lives at the moment to prevent relegation and had nothing to lose once they were behind. Yes we played into their hands by being too negative, but they are not the rollovers that I think some thought they would be pre match. I always thought that the 3 points yesterday would be huge and wouldnt come easy. We so very nearly managed to grab them as well, that was the gutting thing.

We also seem to be unable to hack the pressure of being in the promotion spots. As soon as we go there, then invarioubly, we cock up the next game and slip back out of them again. It's almost like our only chance of autos is to time it just right and get in the top two on the last day of the season, as we can't manage to stay there as the pressure is too much for our lads to take. They see how close they are and start to panic.

Still if we do manage to play with a 'just go for it' attitude v Forest (which to be fair we have adopted during the vast majority of the season), and win the game, which is really now a must win, then that would give us a lift and put pressure on Leeds again. It's not over yet, but i feel as if we now need to win the last four to have a chance. It's do or die time.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

Also having seen what happened to both BS and CB yesterday, it may be wise not to ride McG so hard down the home straight. He has made a career out of being injury prone and he’s surpassed all expectations regarding appearances so far this season......

 

[grafikhaus]

Last night I was trying to come to terms with what the fuck actually happened yesterday. It was all too obvious what was happening on the pitch as we played poorly for the first half, stepped it up second and our goal was deserved as it had been coming. On the same token, if we’d managed to get away with a 1-0 win, even before Egan’s red and the penalty, it would’ve been a good result. Job done. It didn’t go like that.


No idea on the extent of Bash and Billy’s injuries, but assume that neither will feature v Forest.

etc.

Good post but I don't agree with the 'stepped it up', 'had been coming' bit. I can't recall a single shot the 'wall goalie had made before our goal - as usual, we didn't work the opposing goalie in a home game nearly as much as we should, FFS , I wish we'd shoot more. A couple more like Didsy's near-miss and who knows? When we 'stepped it up', it was a feeble effort - a 'dead cat bounce'.

Bash & Billy both hamstrings, apparently. Billy's worries me, the fourth official had the board in his hand without any sign of Crainie coming on. I think Billy must have shouted to the bench that he was out, CW told the fourth official to get the board ready and then Crainie stripped off and got ready to come on. Looks/sounds pretty terminal.

 

[Champagneblade]

I actually think yesterday's result helps set the tone for Easter.

There really us no need for fannying about.

I agree with your team.

I think it would be great if the likes of Crainie and Stearman could be the ones to get us over the line.

I have confidence in both and that still looks a solid backline.

I also agree having Didzy behind Madine and Hogan. Having Hogan's mobility might be a help. Sharp has had a brilliant season but as we all know, if he's not scoring then he's not the type to be a constant threat as he's no outstanding physical attribute like pace or strength. Though he does have a good scoring record vs Forest.

No point to drop Madine after he scored. And Duffy isn't the goal threat that Didzy is.

I'd love it if Big Leon could have the game of his life for Wigan.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

etc.

Good post but I don't agree with the 'stepped it up', 'had been coming' bit. I can't recall a single shot the 'wall goalie had made before our goal - as usual, we didn't work the opposing goalie in a home game nearly as much as we should, FFS , I wish we'd shoot more. A couple more like Didsy's near-miss and who knows? When we 'stepped it up', it was a feeble effort - a 'dead cat bounce'.

Bash & Billy both hamstrings, apparently. Billy's worries me, the fourth official had the board in his hand without any sign of Crainie coming on. I think Billy must have shouted to the bench that he was out, CW told the fourth official to get the board ready and then Crainie stripped off and got ready to come on. Looks/sounds pretty terminal.

That’s the thing about Leeds, they only won 1-0 against Wednesday, but they were putting it into the box & shooting at every opportunity. They were pushing 20 shots by the time they scored. You knew eventually something would go in for them. When we are arsing about with it on the byline or 30 yards out, doing our chuckle brothers routines, you know it isn’t.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

I actually think yesterday's result helps set the tone for Easter.

There really us no need for fannying about.

I agree with your team.

I think it would be great if the likes of Crainie and Stearman could be the ones to get us over the line.

I have confidence in both and that still looks a solid backline.

I also agree having Didzy behind Madine and Hogan. Having Hogan's mobility might be a help. Sharp has had a brilliant season but as we all know, if he's not scoring then he's not the type to be a constant threat as he's no outstanding physical attribute like pace or strength. Though he does have a good scoring record vs Forest.

No point to drop Madine after he scored. And Duffy isn't the goal threat that Didzy is.

I'd love it if Big Leon could have the game of his life for Wigan.

It certainly sets an Easter tone, we will be harshly judged by our peers, certain people will be crucified, our automatic promotion push will die, a few bodies will go missing during the next couple of games, but I doubt there’ll be any resurrections.

 

[Wards]

Assuming Bash and Billy don’t make it I can barely argue with that team - although I’d always try make an exception for Duffy (providing we’re heading into the game with the correct attacking mindset)

 

[Edinblade]

I didn’t understand any of the subs. But after the first one worked, in hindsight Wilder should have gone for the obvious replacements for the second two. Three big changes to our formation was too many. The players didn’t know what was going on.

 

[SwissBlade]

That’s the thing about Leeds, they only won 1-0 against Wednesday, but they were putting it into the box & shooting at every opportunity. They were pushing 20 shots by the time they scored. You knew eventually something would go in for them. When we are arsing about with it on the byline or 30 yards out, doing our chuckle brothers routines, you know it isn’t.

Without getting too embroiled I Leeds V Blades discussions here, they also had lots of chances v Birmingham and lost...

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

Without getting too embroiled I Leeds V Blades discussions here, they also had lots of chances v Birmingham and lost...

Without wishing to embroil ourselves either, at Brum we didn’t and we drew. Leeds: played 2, 3 points. Us: played 2, 2 points. They’ve had 40 shots, we’ve had 10.

If you get enough monkeys on enough typewriters you eventually write Shakespeare. If you only get a few, you end up with The Star.

 

[sheffielder]

Against Brentford we put an extra striker on and it won us the game. Surprised Hogan wasn’t brought on for Sharp for the same need.

I actually thought Coutts was going to come on for Basham but by going to Madine straight away the only subs we could make were negative. If you make negative subs after that, Cranie for Sharp then Coutts for Duffy then you are sending a message to the team and you end up not being able to get out. Madine and Goldy are not going to relieve the tension and play the channels to relieve tension then Henderson’s kicks were straight

I don’t think you can have a flat midfield three when your two strikers are goldy and madine personally.

I just think the order of the subs led to our surrender although that wasn’t the intention when we brought Madine on.

 

[Eskimo]

Good post Sitters. We have been quite fortunate with injuries/suspensions through the season and it’s generally been acknowledged that the group (not a big squad) has over achieved against expectations. Some look knackered others out of sorts e.gFreeman. Some will need to be nurses.
Our crisis has come now, but better now with points in hand for the playoffs than later.
Wilder can show real leadership and take the pressure off by having a go now. Whether the recent more cautious/mature approach was justified or not, we should now be on the front foot against Forest. But fuelled by a genuine confidence in the approach that’s taken us so far not desperation.
Yesterday’s result was gut wrenching but it could prove to be cathartic. I hope this is how Wilder sees it and regards challenges like this as something to be overcome and one of the reasons he wanted to be a manager

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

That looks a good line up - but I fear the momentum and our mindset of the last few weeks will mean we will struggle to get enough wins to overhaul the Dirties.

UTB !

Whilst I feel the same mate, if we truly thrive on that underdog mentality, then GAME ON!

 

[Topplayersleave]

I always said that the Aston Villa result is what would eventually kill us. We haven't looked like the same team since despite keeping pace with the top two, everything since that night has become laboured.

Anybody with a 3-0 lead at Aston Villa would change things tactically in the last 10 minutes to see the game out. It's a normal thing to do

However, Sheffield United isn't a normal football club, there's something wrong with it. If it was human it'd be Forest Gump.

So having gone defensive and shipped three goals in eight minutes our management team and players decide that the best way to ensure that it doesn't happen again is to be more defensive. And we haven't been convincing since

You really couldn't make it up.

 

[Davalon]

No point being cautious now.

Go for broke.

Automatic is unlikely and continuing to grind and play nervy football isn't the ideal prep for the play offs.

No doubt we'll lose to a team finishing 15 points or more behind us anyway.

 

[metalblade]

Four games to go and we have to go out and win them all it's as simple as that. Leeds only need 3 wins and a draw I can't see them not getting that but should they lose one we might just sneak in on goal difference if we win every game and we need to score goals too as our advantage in that respect is now just +3.
We will be missing two of our regular back three and our best striker so it will be a tall order our chances of auto promotion are hanging by a thread. No point in being cautious now every game is a must win affair Leeds can afford to draw one of their remaining games so no pressure on them really now. Should we win all four remaining games and it is still not enough at least we would go into the play off's with a bit of form and momentum five points from the last twelve would suggest we have stalled we need to get back to winning and dominating teams and fast, even that might not be enough now.

 

[Houston_Blade]

I always said that the Aston Villa result is what would eventually kill us. We haven't looked like the same team since despite keeping pace with the top two, everything since that night has become laboured.

Anybody with a 3-0 lead at Aston Villa would change things tactically in the last 10 minutes to see the game out. It's a normal thing to do

However, Sheffield United isn't a normal football club, there's something wrong with it. If it was human it'd be Forest Gump.

So having gone defensive and shipped three goals in eight minutes our management team and players decide that the best way to ensure that it doesn't happen again is to be more defensive. And we haven't been convincing since

You really couldn't make it up.

Didn't you say that the Villa game would end our season? I'm pretty sure since then we've won the majority of our games and are still in with a chance of automatic promotion. You keep telling yourself you were right all along though, you seem the type.

 

[Topplayersleave]

I don't think you will I think you'd be gutted if we went up

Didn't you say that the Villa game would end our season? I'm pretty sure since then we've won the majority of our games and are still in with a chance of automatic promotion. You keep telling yourself you were right all along though, you seem the type.

Indirectly the Villa game probably will cost us, and I don't just mean the two points.
The difference in our style of play can be traced all the way back to the last eight minutes of that game, we haven't been or looked convincing since because we haven't tried to be.

We tried to defend a 3-0 lead with eight minutes to go and we failed

We then decided that the best way to ensure we don't concede too many goals like that again is to play all our games more defensively.

Here's a newsflash WE CAN'T DEFEND
We never have been able to defend.

The fact has just been masked by us constantly being on the front foot and playing the game in the opponents half.
The last 10 minutes at Villa has changed everything about us, so yes that night at Villa will probably be the result that kills us. And in true United fashion it'll probably be at the hands of Aston Villa

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I always said that the Aston Villa result is what would eventually kill us. We haven't looked like the same team since despite keeping pace with the top two, everything since that night has become laboured.

Anybody with a 3-0 lead at Aston Villa would change things tactically in the last 10 minutes to see the game out. It's a normal thing to do

However, Sheffield United isn't a normal football club, there's something wrong with it. If it was human it'd be Forest Gump.

So having gone defensive and shipped three goals in eight minutes our management team and players decide that the best way to ensure that it doesn't happen again is to be more defensive. And we haven't been convincing since

You really couldn't make it up.

Seems a fair summary.


Also when it comes to the mentality of the players us fans need to take into account the promotion bonus and pay rise that is available to the squad if we go up and the wish to defend a lead may just mentally be safe guarding their dosh?

 

[Jonboy60]

Fuck England, Fuck International breaks. Hate them.

 

[AWetFlannel]

That’s the thing about Leeds, they only won 1-0 against Wednesday, but they were putting it into the box & shooting at every opportunity. They were pushing 20 shots by the time they scored. You knew eventually something would go in for them. When we are arsing about with it on the byline or 30 yards out, doing our chuckle brothers routines, you know it isn’t.

As soon as we drop points the knownowts come out, attacking the style that has got us promoted once and massively overachieved for two seasons in the Championship.

Leeds didn't score against Birmingham, we did. Leeds scored one against Wednesday, we scored one today. It's almost as if our 'chuckle brothers routine' works - creating high quality chances rather than loads of low quality ones.

 

[Akinbiyi]

As soon as we drop points the knownowts come out, attacking the style that has got us promoted once and massively overachieved for two seasons in the Championship.

Leeds didn't score against Birmingham, we did. Leeds scored one against Wednesday, we scored one today. It's almost as if our 'chuckle brothers routine' works - creating high quality chances rather than loads of low quality ones.

Nobody is attacking that style of play.

People WANT us to start playing like that again. We aren’t doing and haven’t since the Villa game.

We have been cautious and edgy since - not our usual gung-ho, go for it approach that you speak of. That’s what people want.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

As soon as we drop points the knownowts come out, attacking the style that has got us promoted once and massively overachieved for two seasons in the Championship.

Leeds didn't score against Birmingham, we did. Leeds scored one against Wednesday, we scored one today. It's almost as if our 'chuckle brothers routine' works - creating high quality chances rather than loads of low quality ones.

I might be a lot things, I may not be as knowledgeable as you are regarding football, but i'm certainly not a 'knownowt'.

Starting with the WBA game, in the last 9 games of the season, the start of the sharp end, we've scored 11 goals, Leeds have 14, Norwich have scored 23. We've conceded 4 goals, Leeds 5 and Norwich 8 goals. We have won 17 points, Leeds have won 18 points and Norwich have won 25 points out of 27. And i'll have a wild guess that that pattern continues for the next 4 games. But not to worry, as Norwich & Leeds celebrate promotion, we can take comfort in the low number of high quality chances we made during the last 1/3 of the season.

 

[BettingBlade]

Indirectly the Villa game probably will cost us, and I don't just mean the two points.
The difference in our style of play can be traced all the way back to the last eight minutes of that game, we haven't been or looked convincing since because we haven't tried to be.

We tried to defend a 3-0 lead with eight minutes to go and we failed

We then decided that the best way to ensure we don't concede too many goals like that again is to play all our games more defensively.

Here's a newsflash WE CAN'T DEFEND
We never have been able to defend.

The fact has just been masked by us constantly being on the front foot and playing the game in the opponents half.
The last 10 minutes at Villa has changed everything about us, so yes that night at Villa will probably be the result that kills us. And in true United fashion it'll probably be at the hands of Aston Villa

Those 7 clean sheets in a row were clearly all just luck then?

Of course we can defend. What are you talking about? We’ve had our best defensive run of the season since that game.