In The Hat And Back On The Road

Football is very strange at the best of times but no more so than when one alright result doubled with the prospect of a new ground and a London away day get rolled into one week,  Undoubtedly to those in loftier positions, this would look about as bleak as Brendan Rogers Liverpool 'project' at this moment in time.  But the Blades find themselves in the third round of the cup that caused much momentum and some season defining moments last term, things are looking up one could say.


It seems fitting that after a series of terrible home performances United and Clough rolled the dice in the second half of a game playing a more positive system.  I didn't feel the game last Saturday warranted a full blog post as anyone who witnessed the first half doubled with the freezing temperatures didn't need to re-live what was relatively dire.  The change to the formation and the approach in the second half though was much more positive.  Don't get me wrong lets not be negative but it was hardly exciting. 


I do feel the following points are worth mentioning though:

1. Marc McNulty.  Is he our best striker?  No.  Does he offer more than the rest of them?  Maybe.  Should he start more games?  Absolutely.  I feel sorry for McNulty as I don't feel Mr Clough has given him a fair crack of the whip.  His ability to nick the ball off of the defenders toe alone gives an extra threat.  In a two with O'Grady or Higdon would produce goals there is no arguing about it - so at least in home games I would like to see this risk taken more often than not.  He is a little bulldog and god knows we need that.
2. Switch to 442 - for a formation which we haven't played since the dark days of the end of Danny Wilson's reign - I say dark days as it was something I would compare to watching a close friend marry a basket case with the inevitability of impending disaster which you are helpless to stop - we adapted very well all be it against a team from League 2.  Start a game like that at home and we could blow someone away.
3. Cuvelier - have we turned into the pigs?  Fucking hell.  We paid decent money for this kid who was highly rated and we haven't seen anything from him yet but yes he looked alright for 5 minutes.  Obviously like any blade I am delighted to see him back fit but lets calm down.  Even the official site is publishing his every movement.  I always remember a good mate and infamous twitterblade Tyrone saying "I remember Cuvelier coming on against at Home Crawley and bottling it."  Its not everyday you remember someone remembering but my points still resonates.  Maybe you'll remember me remembering when he scores on Saturday?

What was our award for beating a League 2 side?  A trip to the big smoke to see us play QPR at Loftus Road.  The last time I was in West London I had a joyful afternoon enjoying table service in an O'Neils next to Shepherds Bush Empire.  No sooner had the Guinness been delivered we would pay and upon the change returning, a fresh pint ordered and between the 6 of us 'some r8 ale was quaffed' - efficiency personified.


I hate Harry Redknapp, I like Joey Barton, I am astonished how many professional games Clint Hill has played in the top flight, think Rob Green is a joke and think Loftus Road is a tidy little ground I especially like seeing the old BBC centre form the upper tier of the away end.  Aside from that I have no real opinion on them as a club - I am just delighted for a London game.  With Orient coming in April this game for me personally cant come soon enough.  I have drunk a significantly small amount of M&S lager this season and something needs to change before too long.  Hopefully we will take a good following down there and make a real day of it.


This weekend bring a more significant fixture in more ways that one.  A trip to Fleetwood Town to see United play them for the first time in the clubs history.  Tickets have been like rocking horse shit and I personally cannot wait to experience a new ground.  Unfortunately bollocks here has offered to drive so no ale but due to the time of year I'm sure a hot drink will go down swimmingly!


What can we expect form the blades this weekend then?  Hopefully 3 points.  I would love to see O'Grady start and bag his first goal in red and white, although on Saturday it will be yellow and black.  The fact we have had midweek off will have given us plenty of preparation time and despite Tuesdays game against Premiership opposition the 3 points on Saturday are essential.  I am happy for us to go 451 as away it works but I hope if we go behind we make positive changes to shift the game.


Regardless of the result on Saturday it has been a happier week to be a blade after last weekends result and the cup draw.  Who knows it might be Mr Cuvelier who bags a late winner and sends the blades home happy from the coast.  Either way its going to be fucking cold but lets get those 3 points.


Cannot wait to tell you all about it on Sunday.


Until then.


Up The Blades


Jon

Mk Dons Tuesday The Second Of December 2014 - Not Enough To Win, Didn't Desrve To Lose

Football is, as they often say, a funny old game.  This season much joy has occurred amongst the Blades ranks with dramatic late equalisers and winners.  Last night the shoe was very firmly on the other foot.  The Blades did not deserve to lose the game, but once again they did not do enough to secure 3 points at home in front of a relatively big crow.  Those lucky enough to be in a warm home, it has dropped and was a good 8 degrees colder than Friday"


Not one for being negative, lets start with the positives, it shouldn't take me long.

1. Chris Basham - another outstanding committed performance.  If he is injured it a massive blow as he is fast becoming one of our key players.  'Bash' wanted the ball and although hesitant in releasing it on occasion, he gave MK Dons as good as they gave us.
2. Chances created - before you all get on my driveway and start a lynch mob - we created more than we have done in the recent home games.  Yes they were not the best chances but the ball was going into the box more and that was pleasing.
3. O'Grady - looked exactly what we had been missing until he went off.  Industry, ability to win the ball in the air and a ball ache for defenders.

Negatives:

1. The officials.  Personally I hate refereeing a bunch of fourteen year old boys so wouldn't entertain the idea of refereeing at a higher level but please.  The officials were an embarrassment.  Mk Dons were in over the ball, kicking it away constantly and would appeal if someone did as much as farted.  Horrendous.  I understand all three of those things are part of football but it is the consistency by which the referee addresses them, I haven't seen a crowd at the lane that irate in a long time.  The football league need to support referees in this league more whether that is a spray or not, a top six clash like that needs to be managed with consistency and clarity.  I am sure MK Dons will be equally bemused for the inconsistent bookings they received.
2. Set Pieces - broken record.  Pick men up when the ball breaks, get out, press the loose ball and every other simple cliché we are not doing.  Attacking wise they were good when Bob was putting it in the box but the short passes are useless - get the big lads up and whack it in.
3. Substitutions - Michael Higdon scored two goals against MK Dons less than a month ago.  Instead Nigel puts on a 18 year old centre back up front.
4. Nigel Clough - not changing the system again when we could have, late substitutions, poor decision making, stubbornness and then the two biggest errors.  Firstly, charging on the pitch to shout at the ref, I don't like it and it looks desperate not passionate.  Secondly, claiming we played well and he was pleased.  Sorry Nigel but nobody else in red and white was pleased.  Don't insult us.
5. Injuries - god help us if Basham joins Wallace on the treatment table.

I don't feel the players require rating as the game should have ended 0-0 and they all did ok, but we shot ourselves in the foot.  When will the luck change?  When we start setting up games in a manner to win them and give ourselves a platform to make our own luck.


Its the magic of the FA Cup on Saturday I cannot wait.


Until next time.


Jon