This Is A Low

I have to say that I have never been this angry with my football club.  It's gone too far now.  The situation is upsetting and people need to step up to change our fortunes.  Last night was pathetic from back to front.  The ineptitude of the inexperienced goalkeeper through to the lethargy of our attacks was a shambles.




The substitutions, although bold, made no sense.  Going 4-2-4 removing our creative players in Baxter and Reed was always going to make the task second half impossible.  At 3-1 a game is not lost and we would have created chances.  Patience and balance was required.  Not a strange gung ho approach which left us unbalanced.




It must also be said that it is not Dean Hammond's fault alone.  Our keeper was a joke.  People on Saturday claimed he had become our number 1.  I like a pint at an away game as much as the next bloke but how many had they had?  What on earth had Long done in the two games prior to deserve a recall to the starting 11?  Our more consistent players such as Basham and Freeman have been absolutely woeful at moment.  Collins is not good enough.  Baxter is being played out of position.  There is still no consistency to the selection of the side.



What does Adkins do?  His clean slate policy in the summer could end up costing him his job. 
However, how else was he to go about dealing with what he was left to deal with?


If Adkins makes wholesale changes on Saturday what really will it achieve?  Who comes in?




I am sure that people will be delighted to see McNulty and Higdon bagging goals last night.  Stating how they are much better than Sammon et al.  But are they the answer?  The players who failed to get us up last season?  I don't think so.  The fans gave Sammon an absolute slating last night.  Was he worse than anyone else?




These rhetorical questions are worth asking but I do have my theory as to what the real issues at the club are.  Recruitment, the board and the tactics.


Firstly, we have once again had a shocking transfer window in which we sold our best player.  Jamie Murphy played in 95% of Clough's games and came off of the bench in those he did not start.  He is irreplaceable particularly with someone like Woolford.  That money hasn't been sufficiently invested or if it has incorrectly.  None of Adkins signings have done it yet.  Even if they are consummate, the adjective not the verb, professionals on and off of the pitch.  The book with regards to that stops at Adkins.




 In this division it doesn't take much to unlock a back four.  Look at ours.  We should be looking closer to home with our recruitment.  George Graham once said never buy a player who thinks he is doing you a favour buy one who thinks you are doing him one!  If that is the basis for good recruitment we have seriously missed the boat.  When we have followed that policy in recent times Done, Adams and Wallace have come in.  The current crop have not met the mark whatsoever.




Secondly, the board and their approach needs a drastic change.  Where is Kevin McCabe?  He has vanished off of the face of the earth.  We simply are fed up of empty promises.  None football people making the decisions.

Thirdly.  Tactically.  We cannot keep playing 442 with no wingers at the club.  Adkins needs to adapt to what he has rather than playing square pegs in round holes.  If he doesn’t change this rightly or wrongly he will be sacked.

I am getting too upset and angry writing this so will stop.  We simply have to win on Saturday.  I would say that I am looking forward to it.  But that’d be a lie.

UTB

Fleetwood Reaction

Unfortunately, we are out of the prestigious competition which is the Johnstone Paint Trophy.  As I drove back the 120 miles to my bed last night I found myself pondering a number of questions two which seemed at the time to be hard to answer.  Firstly, is it good enough and secondly, is it really any better than last season.


Following a good nights sleep, the answer to both is a resounding no; which I will do into more detail about in due course.


United last night lined up in a simple 442 with an all too familiar square pegs in round holes approach to the selection.  Woolford on the right hand side of midfield and young Harrison was at right back.  With this in mind United faced a degree of early pressure down that flank without Fleetwood ever really threatening to break the deadlock.


As the game progressed Kennedy, J. Wallace, Long and Scougall made positive contributions to an absolutely dire game of football.  The only shining light was Jimmy Ryan who for whatever reason United didn't make any attempt to sign in the summer.  Ryan was everywhere and distributed the ball backwards, sideways and forwards with speed.  Imagine that.


Adkins threw the dice in the final stages of the game introducing Baxter, Hammond and Sharp in attempt to turn the fate of the blades.  It was a game of few chances as Fleetwood counter attacked in the closing minutes.  United were caught and Fleetwood rattled the bar before the referee blew the whistle.


Penalties in front of the United faithful had a predictable outcome as we lost 4 - 1 with only Jose converting his spot kick.


Is it good enough?  Quite simply no.  Last night was a winnable game.  Why didn't we win?  Well Adkins can quote goalkeepers and luck until the cows come home but he didn't have a game plan for the game.  We don't have wingers so why play 442?


The game plan appeared to be to simply play through the thirds and hope for the best.  Luckily we have some good footballers to make things happen such as J. Wallace and a slightly resurgent Scougall (he must've read what I said about him after the Crewe game) to create some chances.


Now don't get me wrong if Kennedy's effort early in the second half had gone the correct side of the post or Wallace had won a penalty we may have been in a more positive position this morning.  But and its a big but at that.  Is it good enough?  No.


If you train even with a weight session players probably are at work for around four hours max with breaks and lunch involved.  Why is it so abundantly clear that we have no real game plan for the various opposition we play?  What do they do all day?


Short free kicks?  Why the hell have they come back?


So no.  It is not good enough from management to playing staff.  Something is seriously the matter.


More alarmingly.  It is not better than last season.  The effort.  the desire.  The football.


Something needs to change sooner or later but regardless we go on to Saturday.




Fleetwood Town: Maxwell, Jonsson, Pond, Bell, Ryan, Matt (Ball 58), Forbes (Grant 83), McManus (Hunter 72), Haughton, Teixeira, Davis. Not used: Sowerby, Gogic.
 
Sheffield United: Long, J Wallace (Hammond 72), Done, Scougall, Woolford, Sammon (Sharp 72), McEveley, Reed (Baxter 81), Kennedy, KWallace, McGahey. Not used: Howard, Freeman

I Just Have To Go

"You must be fucking bonkers you mate."  "I can't fucking stand watching them at home let alone in that joke of a competition."




The thing is I am fully sane.  Or at least I hope that I am.  In a galaxy far, far away when we are going to Florence, not Fleetwood for a European rather than JPT fixture I think I will miss the niche nature of fixtures like this.




What is there to get excited about?  Well nothing on paper apart from seeing those boys in red and white turn out.  Even though they will be wearing bright green this evening. 




Saturday was a useful exercise in many ways.  Hammond, Harris, Coutts (until he took a knock) and Sammon got some much needed minutes in their legs.  We won.  We kept a clean sheet.  We created chances.  Although the opposition was questionable the performance was alright all things considered.  Unfortunately if we do not build upon it tonight Saturday once again becomes problematic.




The team selection needs to reflect our needs in the league.  Harris should again play even if it's only for an hour.  Hammond and Sammon should also get 90 minutes.  It will be no surprise if Louis Reed is included in the selection after being in the local press this morning but also being short on first team action as of late.  I would also stick with Long as my thoughts on Howard are no secret.  If people are to make mistakes I would rather they be young players than journeymen.




Due to Adams and Basham getting a knock on Saturday, players such as Kennedy and Done should start at contrasting areas of the pitch providing an interesting but exciting selection.  Sammon and Done have not played together much if at all nor have Collins and Kennedy.  I would however not be surprised to see Harrison return to partner the one with the dodgy knees.


Either way I am looking forward to this evening and have high hopes to return from the North West looking forward to a semi final.


UTB

Sheffield United After 16 Games - The State Of Play

So I have had to do a little annoying thing called work but after yesterday I have lots to get off of my chest.  Like at work I feel I need to write a report and highlight how everyone is doing but also what they need to do in order to improve.  So if you're sitting comfortably then I will begin.

Nigel Adkins - Grade D - The return of points against some of the opposition we have had, particularly at home, is not good enough.  Do I want him sacked?  Of course not.  He does have to improve.  His signings haven't done it for him yet.  He doesn't know his best 11.  He appointed a clown as captain.  Acknowledges problems in interviews and then doesn't address them.  He simply must do better.

Mark Howard - Grade E - A completely useless goalkeeper who inspires nothing but fear and complacency in his back four.  Never wins us any points.  Get rid.

Kieron Freeman - Grade B - One of the best performers this year by some distance.  Needs to get his defensive positioning refine.  Didn't deserve to be dropped yesterday.  Offers energy and enthusiasm to a side with none.

Bob Harris - Grade C - Injured until yesterday.  Some fantastic passing on his return to action.  Very confused how you can be out for as long as he was then play a full 90 minutes?  In my opinion he is still one of our best and most important players.

James Wallace - Grade D - Injured.  Back.  Injured.  Spoke to the man last season and seemed a stand up bloke as he passed me a Christmas Card at Fleetwood away.  Great talent.  Sadly we will never see it.  Will have to leave as soon as possible.  Unfortunately.  I would love to be proved wrong here but I am a realist.

John Brayford - Absent - Get well soon.  Take the armband.  Invigorate the side.  Inspire the fans.  Not much on you shoulders eh John?

Chris Basham - Grade B - Commitment, effort and superb tackles.  Needs to play as a centre back as doesn't have the technique or ability to play in midfield.  Is he a captain?  Always struck me as a quiet reserved sort.

Ryan Flynn - Grade C - Played well yesterday.  Very worried about his injuries.  He's been in and out for so long.  If he gets a string of performances together he should start on the right hand side week in week out.  If he doesn't he should be released in the summer.

Paul Coutts - Grade D - Fantastic passer of the ball.  Unfortunately not always in the correct direction.  Much improvement needed.  He is ours for the next 18 months so we need to accept he is here to stay.  Cheers Clough.

Billy Sharp - Grade C - Effort is there for all to see.  Has had a decent return of goals.  Needs to stop slapping the floor and screaming when things do not work out.  As a senior players needs to be more vocal on the pitch.  If he is the big blade he claims he will be hurting.  Needs to show it.

Joe Baxter - Grade C - If Baxter plays well, United play well.  Would be a grade higher if not for the GBH tackle away at Fulham.  Needs to play centrally with two others or up front with someone.  I would keep him around as he is still by some way our best player.

Marc McNulty - Grade D - I'm sure he is great fun to go for a pint with as many 'twitterblades' like to say but he simply isn't good enough.  A good finisher.  His performance at Bradford was terrible.  Hasn't been on the bench in a good while.  I would imagine he will be going out on loan or leaving in January.

George Willis - Absent - I haven't the foggiest what George is like.

Matt Done - Grade B - A quality player who at times is starting to look frustrated.  Has been given next to no service from the strange midfield combinations he plays in front of.  Keep running Matty we love you.

Neil Collins - Grade C - Player lots of games and been very simply ok.  Has cost us at times with his naive play.  Needs consistency next to him and a better keeper behind him.  Should score more goals as he rises like a fish at corners.

Stefan Scougall - Grade E - Ironic it was a Halloween yesterday as he looked like a ghost throughout his cameo.  Has been very poor apart from the Johnstone Paint trophy game.  A loan would do him good.  He needs to gain confidence if he is ever going to play for us.

Martyn Woolford - Grade D - Feel for him as if the 3 chances he missed against Newcastle had gone in I feel we would have a different player on our hands.  Not been given enough game time to get any consistency.  Playing at full back.  Needs to stop drifting inside when he has the ball.

Connor Sammon - Grade C - Showed some great early season form.  Dropped then placed on the left wing via the bench.  United look a better team when Sammon plays.  Needs like so many others some consistency.  Unfortunately I doubt he will be a cheap asset either!

Jay McEveley - Grade F - Sorry Jay.  You need to go.  I haven't forgiven you for the handball at Spurs.  You don't deserve to be the captain of Sheffield United.  Cost us points already this year.  if all the fans dislike you it isn't personal we just think you're shit at your job.

Jamal Campbell - Ryce - Grade C - Offers us a genuine threat at times and can be a fantastic impact player.  Needs to play in around the first team every week and would help us.  Needs to stop trying to beat men numerous times.  Also with us for another 18 months when he will be 35!

Craig Alcock - Grade C - A great performance at Bradford to get us a point.  Injured again.  Do we need an injured 4th choice right back at the club?  Probably not.  Sorry Craig.

Louis Reed - Grade C - Some great aspects of his game; lots to work on.  Would play him every single week.  If he isn't going to play he needs to be loaned out somewhere.  Why have journeymen like Hammond rather than academy players making mistakes in your side?

Diego De Girolamo - Grade C - Seems to be getting on with it and trying to impress.  Met his Dad in Einstiens in Chesterfield last month who was a smashing bloke who said.  "arrrr Diego loves Adkins."  How nice.  Needs a loan to get more league games under his belt.

George Long - Grade E - Messed up his big chance.  Has cost us too many points over the years.  Sorry George.  Off you go.

Terry Kennedy - Grade C - Played a half at Port Vale then not since.  In my opinion our best defender.  Who knows what will happen.  Bets case scenario comes into the side and the defence improves.  Could so easily get injured again though.

Callum McFadzen - Grade E - Terrible performance at Gillingham.  Why is he still at the club and not out on loan?

Che Adams - Grade B - Goals and pace.  Two of my favourite things.  Needs to play ever game and keep running at people.  Would imagine he would be a nightmare to mark.  Will hopefully continue to develop.

Kieran Wallace - Grade A - Why was he dropped?  The most impressive player this season.  Developed into a solid performer in a brand new position.  Has been MOM on around 4 occasions.  Bravo young man!

Connor Dimaio - Absent - Needs a loan desperately.

Harrison McGahey - Grade B - Has looked assured when he has played.  Similar to Reed in my opinion.  Has to play or needs to be loaned out.

Florent Cuvelier - Absent - A talented boy who is clearly a crock.  A shame.

David Edgar - Grade C - Started well and then faded dramatically.  Suffering the same problems as the other defenders.  Needs consistency behind and next to him.  We have shipped more goals now he has gone out of the side.

Dean Hammond - Grade F - Shocking first three games.  Looks uninterested and unfit.  If he is the sort of player we are courting in January I might go and start watching Sheffield FC.

The Board - Grade E - Mission statements and an open policy with supporters on twitter is all very nice but we are not nice.  We are Sheffield United.  People don't like us.  I don't care and neither should the board.  Selling Murphy and not investing heavily was a joke.  Need to do business quietly and reward the fans with something not give them a call to arms like last week.  We all laughed when Mr Chansiri turned up at S6 but he is doing what he said.  Also where is Kevin McCabe?

The Supporters - Grade F - Last season at Spurs we nearly sang White Hart Lane into the ground.  The previous year we created an amazing atmosphere at Wembley.  Bramall Lane is a graveyard.  The away games are aggressive and spiteful.  The atmosphere at the end of the Oldham game and yesterday was vile.  We are supporters.  We choose to go.  We are owed very little.  Lets get behind the team.

Do I have answers?  No.  But I would love some of you to discuss these opinions with me.

August Review For SUSC Newsletter

Patience, frustration, excitement, disappointment, optimism, regret and nerves are emotions football fans experience on their way through the summer months.  When the season starts, the often new manager, has to deal with the uncertainties from the terraces whilst meshing together new recruits and the existing squad in an aim to meet the expectations which surrounds the entire football club.  Throw into the mix the various media predictions made by those informed in the local press and those often uninformed in the nationals.  Whilst finally having to wait until all the fun of the transfer window ‘slams shut’ and you have quite a daunting task, being a successful football manager.

Step forward Mr Adkins.  Most blades were impressed with the appointment and rightfully so.  Adkins has a proven track record and many of the daunting tasks outlined before seem to have been taken in the stride of the new man in charge.  His positivity has resounded around the club and despite the very typical blades performance on the opening day of the season this continues to be the case.

So what has Adkins actually done?  It’s quite simple really he has addressed the frailties of last term which were so painfully obvious to everyone apart from the one man that mattered.  Sharp and Sammon, the former particularly are excellent acquisitions for this level.  At the time of writing they both have two goals each.  Throw into the mix a solid squad player in Woolford and the aerial steel of Canadian international David Edgar and you are onto a winner.  Strength, height, work rate and genuine quality at both ends of the pitch.

It’s not been all plain sailing for ‘Positive Nigel’ having his best player sold, his captain appointment being largely criticised by everyone involved with the club externally and having to deal with a list of injuries any physiotherapist would lose sleep over.  But as the weeks go by it hasn’t really mattered who wore the captain’s armband.  We haven’t missed the best right back and one of the best strikers in the league.  All whilst Jamie Murphy gets splinters in his backside on the south coast.

The home wins against Chesterfield and Blackpool were comfortable despite being somewhat laboured at times.  The Morecambe game proved to be particularly laboured and the spirited performance at Fulham ultimately disappointing for a long midweek trip.  Winning matches though is a favourable and good habit for every football team.  The Swindon and Peterborough victories however were pleasing for other reasons mainly the empathic nature of both.

At Peterborough the blades controlled the game and despite the hosts levelling never looked rushed.  The wave and wave of attacks delighted the travelling fans who had not seen positive football played like that away from home in far too long.  This made the Swindon victory even more pleasing to watch as United picked off their more talented opposition executing a masterful game plan to near perfection.

During August Sharp, Sammon, Edgar, Basham and Freeman have all been outstanding.  People will poke fun at Baxter and our captain because we apparently have to get on someone’s case but the squad as a whole have all done well.

Yes, we would have loved some more ammunition adding on deadline day.  But the loan window is a safer less risky option for an already huge squad.  As players come back, particularly Flynn and Kennedy we should see the bench gain strength and the competition for places having a positive effect on the first eleven on the field.  We sit in second place with some very ‘winnable’ games ahead.

As envious as Adkins task may have seemed on paper he is going about it the correct way.  Cynics rightfully would ask for us to remain calm and not get carried away but I haven’t been this pleased with a start to a season in a long time.  Simply if we perform in a similar manner for the rest of the campaign we will get promoted.  I guess that is the positivity winning football matches brings.  A much more welcome emotion than was running through our minds in early August.

Enjoy the season Blades; as it is going to be a good one.

Peterborough United (A) Sky Bet League 1 Tuesday 18th August 2015

I love being proved wrong.

Well it depends who is doing the wrong-proving really doesn't it, but as Connor Sammon smashed home his second goal on Tuesday night my good friend Lew took great delighted in telling me that "and you said he would only score 5 all season!'  He still might.  But Connor Sammon and the other 14 players who played for United contributed to the most convincing away victory since Barnsley last season.

When we arrived in Peterborough we had little opportunity to do anything but head towards the ground.  Finding out that the Blades were unchanged I was very pleased and couldn't remember the last time this had been the case?  Any statisticians out there care to inform me that would be brilliant.

We took our seats on row E which is always a treat especially when you are on the side and United kicked right to left first half.  Peterborough appeared to be playing with 3 at the back and following some detective work on twitter that proved to be the case.  This allowed Sharp and Scougall in particular to find plenty of space and begin to make their mark on the game.  United made a couple of good moves which broke down with the usual suspects of the SAS attack looking dangerous.

A good passage of passing play resulted in Sammon receiving the ball when he took on his man an emphatically smashed it beyond the keeper at around the 20 minute mark to put the Blades ahead.  His celebration was that of a man who was delighted to get a goal for his new club.  The intelligent play of Sharp in the build up was a massive contributing factor in creating him the space.

Injuries to Sougall, gashed ankled and Collins, thigh, blighted an otherwise exceptional first period of play.  K. Wallace and Campbell Ryce were introduced in their place.  

In fairness Peterborough also contributed to an exciting first half by putting the Blades under pressure and if not for an outstanding challenge by Kieron Freeman they could have made a dangerous entry into the box.  Meaning that at half time we were one nil up and I was very content indeed.

Unfortunately, the second half didn't begin as promisingly and United conceded early in the second half but luckily for us anxious supporters the team displayed a resolute confidence.  Within a few short attacks United were back in the lead after excellent work by Adams who cut the ball back for Sammon to smash home with his left foot.  

Chants of "feed the fish and he will score" rung out around the away end as the players celebrated in front of the 1,600+ travelling away fans.  I was definitely being proved wrong. Sammon was showing his ability to finish, one with each foot, could he get a hat trick?

United consolidated by replacing the far from nomadic Sharp with James Wallace and placing Baxter behind Sammon.  We held onto the ball fantastically.  Baxter dictated the tempo and despite the claims of many was fantastic like most of this seasons performances.  Baxter often receives criticism for misplacing passes, these passes tend to be forward and when they work devastate defences at this level.  His all action performance was rewarded late in the second period.

Wallace received the ball in midfield and drove forward with the ball and played a one two with Baxter.  He then played the Ball to Jose on the edge of the box who took one touch and smashed it home off of the underside of the crossbar.  Baxter's celebration spoke volumes about his somewhat troubled summer.

United finished up winning 3-1 and the performance of the team was fantastic.  Edgar was amazing in the air, Campbell - Ryce stretched play, both Wallace's made great contributions from the bench and Baxter was exceptional.  Lets hope he provides this with consistency for the remainder of the season.  I certainly hope so, but as Sammon proved what do I know?

RQQS91 Man Of The Match - Jose Baxter

Peterborough United: Alnwick, Ntlhe (Brisley 14), Zakuani, Bostwick, Maddison, Santos, Washington, Davey (Payne 73), Gormley (Coulibaly 54), H Anderson, Collison. Not used: Henry, Taylor, Vassell, J Anderson.

Att: 6,526

Sheffield United: Howard, Freeman, Basham, Sharp (J Wallace 75), Baxter, Collins (K Wallace 25), Scougall (Campbell-Ryce 20), Sammon, McEveley, Adams, Edgar. Not used: Long, McNulty, Woolford, Reed.

Credit to Sheffield Star for the photographs.

A Posh Day Out

A fantastic club only slightly tarnished in my eyes by the opinion of Durham on my drive home from work during the week, I really like Peterborough and would be happy to see them have a good season, starting of course, on Saturday.  A very pissed Sunday at V festival watching Noel Gallagher and the Stone Roses with some of their supporters the other year, one of whom looks like George Boyd, had a major effect on my affiliation towards them.  Yatesy, Dan and Bodle are the sort of lower league fans which this amazing game is built on and I look forward to hopefully bumping into them this evening for a quick scoop.

Why?  I cried when the fixtures were released do we have Peterborough on a Tuesday, tonight is my fourth trip in the last 6 seasons to Posh and once more it is on a Tuesday.  A good mate of mine Alan Wilson once said, buy his fantastic book on Liverpool here Great Read, "Peterborough is a funny place but its most distinct feature is that it stinks of piss."  Very unfair comparison in my opinion mainly because of the excellent Charters.  A dry docked Dutch boat which has 10 cask ales on offer.  I have only ever managed 2 (honest Mum) when visiting midweek.  A great boozer with a Chinese upstairs - how good would that be to bookend a game one Saturday?  Well there is always next season or the FA Cup.

So why Posh?  Well since everyday is a school day I managed to extract this nugget of information from the Official Peterborough United website:

"Peterborough United are known throughout the world of football as 'The Posh' and the nickname was almost certainly inherited from earlier, unconnected professional clubs in their home city. 

Although the present club did not come into being until 1934, the 'Posh' name first came to the fore a decade earlier, almost certainly stemming from Pat Tirrel, player manager of Fletton United, a previous user of the present club's London Road ground, who announced in close season of 1921 that he was looking for 'Posh players for a Posh team' to compete in the Northamptonshire League (later the United Counties League). 

Fletton, previously known as the 'Brickies,' re-formed as Peterborough and Fletton United in 1923 and both nicknames were in use through the 1920s, although supporters complained that 'Posh' references were sometimes used by newspapers in a derisory manner. 

Peterborough and Fletton United folded in 1932, the present club was formed two years later and a Midland League debut against Gainsborough Trinity on 1st September 1934 was greeted with cries of 'Up The Posh' from the crowd."

So there.

Right, Blades.

What can we expect tonight, very hard to say as away games are always more tricky than home ones regardless of having SAS in attack.  Without drowning myself in football puns I would expect a hard fought narrow victory for the away side.

Why?  Well I would hope that there is a little momentum after the weekend going into tonights game.  Adkins will probably name the same side with the only question mark around Baxter, however, Adkins seems to back him to play in a two and personally I feel he can offers us lots at this level, he just needs to do it more often.

Billy Sharp was unlucky not to score on Saturday and I would expect that luck to change this evening and open his third Blades account.  If the scoreline was to be any more I would be very surpised but would love to see Sammon also open his account.

On Saturday we rode our luck somewhat allowing Chesterfield to have lots of the ball.  Although we restricted shots that amount of possession was not comfortable to watch and would be a very foolish approach against a talented Peterborough side.

So I am going for a narrow 1-0 victory for the Blades.  We tend to always play well at Peterborough in my experience and lets hope that continues tonight.

UTB

Chesterfield Football Club (H) Sky Bet League 1 Saturday 15th Of August 2015

Get in the back of the net!

I am not going to get carried away after Saturday.  I promise.  I mean we played well and some players played very well but one result doesn't make a season.  But since you all asked, the pint tasted very nice at 5:00pm especially since it was purchased by a Chesterfield fan.

He has taken all the headlines and rightfully so.  Che Adams is a young footballer of drastic talent and ability.  Both goals were taken very well and it was a pleasure to see us score so early on in both halves.  Adams has pace and can finish.  These two qualities are very rare at this level and I unfortunately feel we wont be able to watch this exciting talent for a long time to come as he has the attributes to go very far in the game.  Some lazy comparisons to Jordan Slew have been made and I don't think they could be further from the mark.  Regardless Adams was unplayable at times and will have a fantastic season with the blades.


However much credit has to go to his partners in crime Sammon and Sharp.  

Sammon was instrumental in both goals with his intelligent play and looked a real danger.  I described him as a much better Porter in terms of physicality and movement.  As lazy as that comparison may appear it was proved to be right.  If Sammon gets past 5 goals this season I will be shocked but his all round game will be vital to what we are trying to achieve.

Many people had reservations about Billy Sharp.  How wrong will they prove to be.  Billy worked his balls off for the team and his all round play deserved a goal.  We are very lucky to have a player of his quality at this level.

Chesterfield it has to be said payed well.  Sam Morsy was outstanding and we should consider a bid in my opinion as he dominated the midfield.  The midfield was very much patched up and I was surprised to see Baxter play considering he couldn't walk 5 days previously.  Scougall although not sparkling was busy and involved in some good passages of play.


I felt the back four didn't have much to contend with and what was thrown their way they dealt with very well indeed.  The captain was more comfortable at left back and Collins was strong in the air and very vocal.  The fact we faced a total of 15 corners would also give you confidence that we are improving in that area.

Although they had lots of the play we dealt with them and I always thought we would go another gear if needs be.  Onwards and upwards it seems starting at Peterborugh on Tuesday.

UTB  

RQQS91MOM: Che Adams

Attendance: 23,031

Sheffield United: Howard, Freeman, Basham, Sharp, Baxter (J Wallace 59), Collins, Scougall (Reed 68), Sammon McEveley, Adams (Woolford 64), Edgar. Not used: McNulty, Campbell-Ryce, Long, K Wallace.

Chesterfield: Lee, Jones, Hird, Morsy, Evatt, Gardner (Gnaduillet 81), Ebanks-Blake, O’Shea, Novak, Banks (Ariyibi 68), Talbot (Raglan 81). Not used: Humphreys, Onovwigun, Orrell, Cairns.

'Tahn' Are Coming To Town Duck

A local derby to welcome the new manager officially in at Bramall Lane, marvellous.

Many people will have been grinning ear to ear when this fixture came out as the first home game, particularly those who booked their holidays in the off season.  So when Dean Saunders brings his fresh Chesterfield side into the 'fortress' tomorrow the atmosphere should be fantastic and make for an entertaining afternoon, hopefully ending with a better feeling than we all had last Saturday at 5:00pm.

Do you want the good news or the bad news?  Lets start with a negative.  Like any blade I am devastated to see Jamie Murphy go.  At best he is a pacy goal getting winger who can cause problems for any side.  At worst he goes missing in games and in my opinion gave Bob Harris far too many headaches last season.  If the fee is in the region reported then he has to be moved on for better or worse.  No player is bigger than Sheffield United and I do believe the money will be reinvested.

That aside we should be optimistic about tomorrows game.

Chesterfield are a lot weaker despite turning Barnsley over last week at home.  They have lost many players to the division above and although still have some quality we should be in with a chance of the three points.  Saunders in my opinion is a shocking manager but I will always remember his time with us fondly.  The throw in goal anyone?  But his managerial credentials are not as sparkling.  My Chesterfield supporting mate has been depressed all Summer!

Firstly, Billy Sharp at home for the third first team home debut, on the front of the programme has to be favourite to score for the Blades.  I agree with Alan Biggs in that alongside Sammon we could have a real strike partnership on our hands.  Billy will have a big year in white and red, how weird does that sound,  starting tomorrow afternoon.

Secondly, the captain.  Lets get behind him until he makes a mistake.  He is not the answer in my opinion but we have to trust the gaffer 100% until there is sufficient evidence to suggest that a change is needed.  Yes last season he wasn't very good in spells but last weeks debacle rests at the feet of the collective as I have mentioned previously.

Thirdly, the fans.  I pray to god, despite not being religious, the positivity the gaffer shows is reflected in the stands.  If we are not winning by two goals to nil inside 20 minutes I hope we stay with the team.  I love a good moan and whinge as much as the next one but I tell you what I don't love.  Being bottom of the league.  So lets sing loud and proud.

United should line up in my opinion 442 right to left as follows: Howard, Freeman, Edgar, Collins, McEveley, Adams, Wallace, Basham, Woolford, Sharp and Sammon.

I wouldn't be surprised if Scougall and/or K. Wallace was also involved.

I expect the Blades to win by a narrow margin and can see Chesterfield scoring.  I will go for an optimistic 3-1 home victory.  Whatever happens lets hope by the time I get my pint of farmers blonde in The Crown after the game tomorrow I feel a lot better about life than I did 7 days ago.  Enjoy the first home game boys and girls, I can't wait.

UTB

Morecambe Football Club (A) Tuesday 11th August 2015

A win as they say is most certainly, a win.

United as many, including myself, predicted lined up with many changes on Tuesday night.  The back five received wholesale changes apart from the captain.  A fresh midfield apart from Mr Woolford.  Whilst McNulty and Sammon played together for the first time up front.

The game started in suitably scrappy fashion.  Morecambe tried to play in spells as did the Blades but it was not one for the neutrals.  Most of United's positive play came from a combination of Wallace, Scougall and Freeman.  Despite Scougall having a complete lack of ability to control a ball with his first touch, "he has been so bad for so long" quipped Lew, his energy alone was a major positive.  As for most weeks it goes without saying Basham was his assured self in the midfield, however, this energy and effort did not stop Morecambe hitting the post in the opening period.  His box to box style isn't suited to a 442 in my opinion.

United broke on occasion but it was never particularly decisive.  The best move ended in Freeman firing one past the post.  After great endeavour and work from Socugall.  McNulty always creates himself half a chance and on one occasion really should have found the back of the net.  My good mate Josh stated that his movement just isn't good enough when you compare it to someone like Sharp; even against Gillingham this was evident.

So as the teams headed in at half time I was left thinking.  Is this better?  Yes.  Is it good enough?  No.  Sammon worked his socks off without ever looking dangerous and in the back four defensively McEveley actually looked the most assured.  Howard spilled one easy ball but luckily it wasn't destined for the back of the net, take notes George.

The second half continued in a similar fashion and like many grounds at this level it is hard to judge incidents at the other end as it is next to impossible to see what is happening.  Adams was introduced for Woolford and showed signs he can offer us an option from wide positions.  David Edgar, who had a quiet game and one very hard to comment upon, was later withdrawn for Neil Collins.

United seemed to have wave after wave of attack without really testing the goalkeeper.  People screaming "shooooooooooot" and singing, what in my opinion is the worse chant in football, "attack, attack, attack" surely didn't help the cause.  The only thing worse than playing in tin pot stadiums watching sub standard football is the moronic nature of many of the fellow Unitedites.  I believed throughout we would win the other night and the performance needed to be better but the important thing was getting into the hat.  Which in a strange manner we did.


So as extra time loomed United managed to grab a winner through many peoples nemesis Neil Collins.  His celebration spoke volumes about his frustrations over the last year.  Collins cares about the club, he is by no means a perfect player but defensively it is not his fault for some of the issues, defending starts from the front and is a team ethic.  The experts in the twitterverse banging on about 'he will cost us in't league' and 'don't be fooled by what he has said he is shit' need to seriously look at themselves.  What fan doesn't love a bit of passion?

So United had won and we are in the next round with lots of exciting potential ties in front of us.  Happy days as a late legend would say.  We got the business done.

So who else is worth a mention?  Basham was his assured self, Scougall was energetic as was Freeman, K. Wallace had a solid outing and I hate to say it but McEveley defended very well.  But the stand out performer was J. Wallace with responsibility in abundance he is often 5 or 6 steps ahead of his teammates in his thinking.  With Jose unfortunately injured this could, touch wood, be his chance.

On Saturday lets hope the momentum continues.

RQQS91 MOM - James Wallace

MORECAMBE: Roche , Beeley , Edwards , Devitt, Molyneux (Miller 79), Mullin, Goodall, Wildig (Kenyon 57), Fleming (Ellison 70), Wilson, Parrish. Not used: Thompson, McGowan, Ryan, Doyle.

SHEFFIELD UNITED: Howard, Freeman, McEveley, Edgar (Collins 83) K Wallace, Scougall, J Wallace (Reed 90), Basham , Woolford (Adams 46) , McNulty, Sammon. Not used: Long, McFadzean, Higdon, Sharp.

Images credit to sufc.co.uk and the Sheffield Star.

What shall we expect up at Morecambe?

A better performance!

Well we can all live in hope cant we?  As I sit here twiddling my thumbs ahead of the trip to the most North of North Lancashire I find myself wondering what to expect this evening.  The answer is simply I don't know.  I hope on the other hand for a drastically contrasting effort by the eleven the manager selects.

Mark Howard, James Wallace, Marc McNulty and Louis Reed are the names of four whom many would select in their preferred starting elevens.  These four need to come into the team as a matter of urgency.  Taking David Edgar will make his first team bow as a given that would mean 5 changes.  Personally I think that would suffice but we will have to see as I am clueless as to Adkins and his policy with cup matches.  Young Diego was omitted from the U21 squad yesterday which would also suggest his inclusion in the 18 for this evening.

That considered I would have United line up four four two right to left as follows: Howard, Freeman, Edgar, Basham, McEveley, Adams, Wallace, Reed, Woolford, Sammon and McNulty.  Before the wooden staffs are lit and you hound me out I despise McEveley, however, Adkins will and should not bomb his captain out straight away.  He might be an alright option at left back after Saturday's  horror show.

Although Adkins claimed Basham is a midfielder by his and the players omission a move to centre half is vital for the time being and this match is a perfect opportunity to partner him with Edgar.  This may be a controversial statement but I don't think the defence would be as bad with added midfield bite, don't get me wrong it needs improving.  Reed and/or Wallace may be the answer but this is a perfect opportunity to test this theory.

So tonight there should be a sense of excitement(ish) again as we get to see our beloved Blades.  Who knows what to expect but it can't be any worse can it?

UTB

Gillingham Football Club (A) Sky Bet League 1 Saturday 8th August 2015

Anticipation has a habit to set you up for disappointment...  You all know the rest of the lyrics.

Sheffield United had a fantastic pre season in terms of results; they didn't lose a game.  So when at 8:00am Adam picked me up to make the short trip down to Kent I was excited that at the fifth time of asking we had a very good chance of going up.  As the rest of the lads jumped in the car the sense of excitement grew and we all collectively seemed very positive indeed.

Having squeezed a holiday in between tramlines and the start of the season it was very apparent that the good feeling that surrounded the club hadn't left during my trip to France, which was very pleasant indeed by the way since you asked.  When we had Wilson we all knew we had a good squad but the manager had serious question marks making for a nervous start to the season.  The inevitable failure losing out to them lot and the loss of key players made the following summer a similar affair.  Weir is best left unmentioned.  Last year Clough had galvanised us the previous season so there was optimism but this season felt different.  Adkins has done it before and we all genuinely believe he can do it for us.

The journey was full of football discussion but the only real bone of contention to do with the Blades was dovetailed in the form of a lack of any recruitments in defence doubled with the appointments of our new captain.  We arrived in Gillingham around half 12 and consumed a couple of pints in the designated away boozer.  We went to the same one last year and I have to say it is a toilet and will gladly never go there again.  Despite the slightly expensive ale the optimistic mood grew as more and more blades arrived.  When we made our descent towards the scaffold supported away end songs about Billy Sharp bounced off of the walls of the terraced housing as the near 2,000 blades most kitted out in our new strips made their way to their seats.

A lethargic start saw what appeared to be Long dropping the ball into his net via a Gillingham player and any optimism soon begin to peel away.  United showed very little fight and the first half could have been a greater score if it wasn't or some solid defensive work from Baxter clearing balls which had been whipped into the box past the stationary back four.  Murphy and Woolford swapped wings and the team seemed somewhat confused as to where they were playing.  Sound familiar? 

Basham as always showed a degree of commitment but this was in vain as the early goal soon led to a second as the defence never seemed to recover from the opening 10 minutes.

After half time, Baxter was withdrawn with injury and this led to the introduction of Sammon and what appeared to be some form of diamond formation with Basham sitting in front the back four.  No real chances of note were created and Gillingham soon score a 3rd goal which coincided with the exodus from the away end.  This then led to a very good goal for Gillingham's fourth towards the end of the game but despite the ferocious strike being good enough to beat any keeper, United appeared to be asleep from the throwing.
So United lost 4-0.

This was a disaster 4 of the back 5 are not good enough.

I am so angry at the performance and the result I have no desire to go into all the individual errors.

Tuesday in the cup the season starts again and the blades better book their ideas up.

GILLINGHAM: Nelson , Jackson, Egan, Houghton, Williamson, Morris (Hessenthaler 45), Osadebe (Wright 88), Norris, Dack, Dickensen, Oshilaja. Subs not used: Garmston, Ehmer, McGlashan, Morris, Donnelly.

SHEFFIELD UNITED: Long , Freeman, Basham, Murphy, Sharp, Baxter (Sammon 46), Collins, Woolford (Reed 70), McEveley, McFadzean, Adams,(Scougall 70). Subs not used: Howard, J Wallace, Higdon, K Wallace.

ATTENDANCE: 7,511.

Images - credit to Sheffield Star

Cheltenham Town Pre Season Friendly Tuesday 21st July 2015

"What are we doing with our lives?"  Asked young Josh as we climbed into Adams car to make the short trip to Gloucestershire to visit Cheltenham.  Me, Adam and Cal all claimed it was to tick the ground off and what else is there to do?  He did have a resounding point.  Nevertheless, I will always ask the question why not?  Last night we were rewarded with an enjoyable away day to kick off my season as I had missed out on Ilkeston on Saturday.

Cheltenham, like much of Gloucester and its surrounding areas is a very pleasant place indeed.  Unfortunately, it was lacking considerably in pubs near the ground and we found ourselves in the feathered fish.  The less said about the pub the better as the variety ale and price perturbed my good mate Chris.  More entertaining was some local fella who was stumbling around holding 3 bottles of Modelo.  He was smashed out of his wee head and it was very apparent, as per usual, he wanted to engage in conversation with me.  We didn't oblige but he was a very amusing piece of pre match entertainment.  In future I would suggest venturing into Cheltenham central rather than the pubs nearby.

We arrived at the Abbey Business Stadium and it was very close to a non-league set up.  Similar to Stevenage if you were being lazy with your comparisons.  A quaint old stand where the players come out, standing behind one goal and a new stand filing the other two sides of the stadium.  I purchased the leaflet, which was moonlighting as a programme and took my seat just in time for the game to kick off.

Adkins had said he would give players 60 minutes before wholesale changes, something I presume he will also adopt on Thursday down at Exeter.  A fixture I wont be attending, as I want to enjoy Tramlines and not argue throughout with my better half, sorry Lucy.  So it was no surprise to see the team, which had finished Saturdays trip to Ilkeston with the one change of Wallace replacing Baxter.

United started quite brightly and the ball moved forward much more regularly than I remember for much of last season.  Unfortunately an inexperienced back four, as patched up as last nights were, would always have problems. 

Che Adams always looks dangerous with his movement and I really feel he could have a massive season for us from the bench initially but grow into a real asset.  His goal was taken very coolly after the superb ball through from young Calvert Lewin to put the Blades in front.

James Wallace who has never failed to impress me had a good solid half and unlike any central midfielder we have had in this division since Kevin McDonald, consistently played the ball forward.  If he stays fit I feel it will be a quality addition to our arsenal.

I am sure you all want to hear about Diego but there is nothing much to say.  He looks very good on the ball and has excellent feet.  He held the ball up well in one passage of play but those of you who remember York City last season he doesn’t look like a player who has progressed much in a year almost to the day.  If that is the young mans fault remains a different story.

Other notable performances include the sprinkles of magic for Reed, despite the fact he couldn’t tackle out of a paper bag, and the vocal George Long looking very assured until the patched up back four containing two central midfielders made a mistake for the hosts to equalise.  Harrison McGhaey overplayed a pass, which spit the defence, quit unusual, as he had smashed about 4 balls out safety first until this lapse in concentration.

The real stand out performer of the first half was local boy Callum McFadzean.  Not offered a new deal by his predecessor Mr Adkins has given him a chance and this performance would have been encouraging to the manager.  A gritty and determined player Callum was strong in the tackle and put in a quality challenge, which he was incorrectly cautioned for, to stop a Cheltenham attack.  Bob Harris will always be first choice but I wouldn’t see any reason not to offer the academy graduate a year deal even if the majority of his football was still to be played in the under 21’s.  His brother who was released after a few credible loans like Callum will be lining up in the Championship when it kicks off, so the question is certainly worth asking.

The game was evenly poised at half time even though United had been better for the initial period, without, as you may have guessed, creating any real opportunities.

The second half was predictably dull as the players tired as the 60-minute mark approached.  It was genuinely as non-event in terms of action.

The substitutes happened and a more experienced team appeared with Martyn Woolford playing at full back.  Baxter tried some tricks, which didn’t work, Murphy ran the ball out of play, McNulty flicked on a pass for Higdon, which would have been too much for Messi, and it looked as disjointed as 11 changes to a team mid match would do.

Campbell Ryce grew into the game and his deliveries caused Cheltenham to conceded a number of corners.  One was cleared to Higdon who smashed home a well taken volley in emphatic fashion.

Moments later the ball was drilled across the box after good work from Murphy and the ball fell to Baxter who emphatically smashed it home to make it 3-1.

The referee drew the game to a close and that as they say was that, a worthwhile exercise by all accounts and plenty of food for thought for Mr Adkins.

I was home for Half 12, still questioning my sanity, but I tell you one thing, football is back and I for one am delighted.

Attendance 1,247 (236 away)

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Phillips (Kitscha 60), McLennan (Wynter 75)), Storer (Hall 60), Downes (Deaman 60), Barthram, Pell (Rowe 60), Wright (Dale 60), Morgan-Smith (Williams 60), Waters (Kotwica 60), Munns (Bowen 60), Parslow. Substitutes: Kitscha, Bowen, Williams, Deaman, Dale, Rowe, Wynter, Kotwica, Hall.

SHEFFIELD UNITED: Long (Howard 60), Dimaio (Freeman 60), McGahey (Collins 60), K Wallace (McEveley 60), McFadzean (Woolford 60), Scougall (Campbell-Ryce 60), J Wallace (Basham 60), Reed (Baxter 60), Calvert-Lewin (Murphy 60), De Girolamo (Higdon 60), Adams (McNulty 60).