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.