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NEXT GAME:no idea
Sometime in August
Kick off unknown pm
No idea where
Definitely the Championship
Rovers v The Blades
- Thread starter khmerblue
- Start date
Barmitzvah Boy
Global winner of the 2021 Christmas Quiz 👊🤩🤩
God sake, that was dreadful. Outclassed, outplayed and we looked a league lower.
If SUFC had focussed more on their left side in the 1st half we would have been dead and buried.
Dack had another stinker, we kept pushing the high ball to Graham who is unable to jump rather than play it on the deck. Raya made 3 excellent saves in the 1st half to keep us in it.
Smallwood needs dropping fast.
I am not a happy bunny.
If SUFC had focussed more on their left side in the 1st half we would have been dead and buried.
Dack had another stinker, we kept pushing the high ball to Graham who is unable to jump rather than play it on the deck. Raya made 3 excellent saves in the 1st half to keep us in it.
Smallwood needs dropping fast.
I am not a happy bunny.
Barmitzvah Boy
Global winner of the 2021 Christmas Quiz 👊🤩🤩
Who were those ejits having a full blown punch up in the Riverside on 0-2? Pathetic.
Wilpshire Blue
Senior Member
Second best throughout the match. For the first time for a long while at Ewood we didn’t look like getting a grip on the game at any point.
Why is Rothwell still not starting?
Oh and can someone buy Brereton a pair of boots with Velcro straps?
Why is Rothwell still not starting?
Oh and can someone buy Brereton a pair of boots with Velcro straps?
A
ABBEY
Guest
Best side ive seen since I came back by a long way. Organized beyond belief. Rothwell must start . We were always going to have nights like this . If we had to lose one let be tonight rather than saturday.
steve w
Senior Member
Agree with others - we were beaten by a far better team and they wont be far off automatic promotion based on tonight.
Positives....................!!! I thought Williams looked far more threatening than Bell and thats about it from my perspective
MOM - Raya, for keeping us in it
Positives....................!!! I thought Williams looked far more threatening than Bell and thats about it from my perspective
MOM - Raya, for keeping us in it
geedog
Senior Member
So just got back home and have to say that was some beautiful football the passing into Channels the vision and movement was fast and on point, they deserved to win, we have to put tonight down to experience and move on, the year of no losses at home has gone and we should look to Saturday and three points
25 unbeaten matches over 13 months (unlucky for some) comes to an end! No complaints either as Wilder's Sheffield United gave as good a display of teamwork, energy and basic nous as Ewood regulars have seen since Wagner's Huddersfield Town rolled up two years ago, we all know what happened to them at the end of the season! Pass and move one and two football straight out of Bill Shankly's coaching manual. "Pass the ball the way you are facing, don't stand and admire but instantly move into space to receive it back, the man on the ball then should always have 3 options of colleagues in space in front of him. Rinse and repeat until in and around the penalty area when trickery and skill can be used to create openings. End result was that United's one and two touch football was a direct comparison to our ponderous one touch to control, 2 touch to look up and 3 to pass. Chalk and cheese. This morning try as I might I can't recall Sheffield hoofing the ball from back to front whereas last night this tactic was the overused and the extent of our creativity.
Rovers were at a loss on how to to combat Sheffields play with Evans and Smallwood totally rendered out of their depth against the Blades midfield. Duffy in particular was involved in almost everything and again reminded me of Huddersfield's Aaron Mooy.
Armstrong obviously instructed to play wide left was virtually out of the equation (as was Reed) in the first half although a couple of blistering runs which left United's right back blowing bubbles showed Mowbray had done his homework on United's defence.
Even worse Graham and Dack were playing statues. I said at HT that one of them would have to make way and so it panned out as 10 mins into the second half Danny Graham (many peoples MoM on sat to dunce in 3 days) was mercifully withdrawn on 55 minutes and replaced with Brereton. The midfield had already been improved by replacing Smallwood with Mulgrew and bring Reed into midfield. Rovers improved markedly with Mulgrew pulling the strings from the back and providing a a calming influence on the rest of the team. When Bell was replaced with Rothwell on 70 mins the Rovers started to offer more of a threat to United who in fairness appeared to have gone from their 1st half 4-4-2 to a more defensive 4-5-1. No doubt with the intention of closing the game down and scoring on the break. It worked too as the only save Henderson had to make (in my recollection) was a fairly average stop from an Armstrong effort just before the end. Maybe Mowbray and his team would be well advised to watch this match over and over as seeing matches out from a winning position appears a complete mystery to them.
I felt comfortable before the match that this was our strongest squad, but they were made to look ordinary. We've made a good start but maybe the promotion 'bounce' is wearing off. Tonight we looked a bottom six team. I hope it's a one off but it's worth noting that Bristol City, Swansea and Boro have all beaten Sheff Utd this season.
Raya ..... 7 Kept rovers in the game with a series of reaction saves in a one sided first half.
Bennet... 5 Not a great evening but a better and more comfortable fit at right back than Nyambe imo.
Lenihan .. 4 Not his best game but kept under almost constant pressure most of the first 45. Is it too difficult to judge long ball clearances to fall at chest height to DG rather than either at or 4 ft over his head? I recall this lot were after him last close season.
Williams.... 7 My MoM. Won countless headers in clearing cross after cross and reverted to left back seamlessly after Mulgrew was introduced at HT.
Bell.... 5 Another hot and cold performance. Amari can look a thoroughbred one minute and a donkey the next. Seems reluctant to take on full backs and get to the by-line this season when last year I saw that as one of his strong points.
Reed.... 6 Poor first half out wide and looked far more accomplished in centre mid after he'd replaced Smallwood.
Smallwood... 4. I think Richie is about to become a benchman. Never at the races as Sheff Utd ran circles around him and Evans. I think this HT substitution like Danny Graham's 10 mins later can be chalked down as an act of mercy.
Evans.... 6 Tried hard but exposed, out paced, out muscled, out thought and outnumbered time and again.
Armstrong .. 5 Did little before the break but if partnered with DG in the first half might have troubled Sheff Utd with his pace through the middle.
Dack... 4 Ineffective and appeared a little disinterested too? Worst match I've seen him play.
Graham ...4 Ditto.
Subs
Mulgrew 7 made a difference although tbf Sheff Utd were on a 'to have and to hold' instruction as soon as they went 1 up.
Brereton...5 better on the night than DG but I'm sorry I know it's early days but as yet I can't see 8m or whatever it is that we paid in this lad.
Rothwell... 6 Did certainly try to make things happen and did trouble the opposition.
Mowbray.... 4 Plans laid waste by the strength and tactics of the opposition.
Referee Robert Jones (Liverpool). I think I preferred the referee on Saturday! This chap seemed more than a little partisan toward the away team on more than one occasion.
Rovers were at a loss on how to to combat Sheffields play with Evans and Smallwood totally rendered out of their depth against the Blades midfield. Duffy in particular was involved in almost everything and again reminded me of Huddersfield's Aaron Mooy.
Armstrong obviously instructed to play wide left was virtually out of the equation (as was Reed) in the first half although a couple of blistering runs which left United's right back blowing bubbles showed Mowbray had done his homework on United's defence.
Even worse Graham and Dack were playing statues. I said at HT that one of them would have to make way and so it panned out as 10 mins into the second half Danny Graham (many peoples MoM on sat to dunce in 3 days) was mercifully withdrawn on 55 minutes and replaced with Brereton. The midfield had already been improved by replacing Smallwood with Mulgrew and bring Reed into midfield. Rovers improved markedly with Mulgrew pulling the strings from the back and providing a a calming influence on the rest of the team. When Bell was replaced with Rothwell on 70 mins the Rovers started to offer more of a threat to United who in fairness appeared to have gone from their 1st half 4-4-2 to a more defensive 4-5-1. No doubt with the intention of closing the game down and scoring on the break. It worked too as the only save Henderson had to make (in my recollection) was a fairly average stop from an Armstrong effort just before the end. Maybe Mowbray and his team would be well advised to watch this match over and over as seeing matches out from a winning position appears a complete mystery to them.
I felt comfortable before the match that this was our strongest squad, but they were made to look ordinary. We've made a good start but maybe the promotion 'bounce' is wearing off. Tonight we looked a bottom six team. I hope it's a one off but it's worth noting that Bristol City, Swansea and Boro have all beaten Sheff Utd this season.
Raya ..... 7 Kept rovers in the game with a series of reaction saves in a one sided first half.
Bennet... 5 Not a great evening but a better and more comfortable fit at right back than Nyambe imo.
Lenihan .. 4 Not his best game but kept under almost constant pressure most of the first 45. Is it too difficult to judge long ball clearances to fall at chest height to DG rather than either at or 4 ft over his head? I recall this lot were after him last close season.
Williams.... 7 My MoM. Won countless headers in clearing cross after cross and reverted to left back seamlessly after Mulgrew was introduced at HT.
Bell.... 5 Another hot and cold performance. Amari can look a thoroughbred one minute and a donkey the next. Seems reluctant to take on full backs and get to the by-line this season when last year I saw that as one of his strong points.
Reed.... 6 Poor first half out wide and looked far more accomplished in centre mid after he'd replaced Smallwood.
Smallwood... 4. I think Richie is about to become a benchman. Never at the races as Sheff Utd ran circles around him and Evans. I think this HT substitution like Danny Graham's 10 mins later can be chalked down as an act of mercy.
Evans.... 6 Tried hard but exposed, out paced, out muscled, out thought and outnumbered time and again.
Armstrong .. 5 Did little before the break but if partnered with DG in the first half might have troubled Sheff Utd with his pace through the middle.
Dack... 4 Ineffective and appeared a little disinterested too? Worst match I've seen him play.
Graham ...4 Ditto.
Subs
Mulgrew 7 made a difference although tbf Sheff Utd were on a 'to have and to hold' instruction as soon as they went 1 up.
Brereton...5 better on the night than DG but I'm sorry I know it's early days but as yet I can't see 8m or whatever it is that we paid in this lad.
Rothwell... 6 Did certainly try to make things happen and did trouble the opposition.
Mowbray.... 4 Plans laid waste by the strength and tactics of the opposition.
Referee Robert Jones (Liverpool). I think I preferred the referee on Saturday! This chap seemed more than a little partisan toward the away team on more than one occasion.
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A
ABBEY
Guest
Too much hoofing ? Thought was your favoured way .
Only thing I will disagree is reed ..I thought he was good for 90 . Id be tempted to play him or rothwell instead of the king .
Only thing I will disagree is reed ..I thought he was good for 90 . Id be tempted to play him or rothwell instead of the king .
patient sigh.............. I've explained this to you many times. There are no hoof balls / long balls (no matter how much you want there to be), there are no short balls either for that matter. What there are are good and bad passes.
Is this what you describe as hoofball?
Get your head around that simple fact Abbey and you're well on your way to passing Part 1 of your induction course in football appreciation. Parts 2, 3 and 4 you'll have to leave the ends and sit down the sides I'm afraid.
Is this what you describe as hoofball?
Get your head around that simple fact Abbey and you're well on your way to passing Part 1 of your induction course in football appreciation. Parts 2, 3 and 4 you'll have to leave the ends and sit down the sides I'm afraid.
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blueandwhitehalves
Senior Member
At the start of the season we seemed to have the full range of expectation levels. From little investment and a relegation battle (I was in that camp) to Venkys finally opening the cheque book big style and a realistic play-off chance.
The major player investment hasn't come and as a result we should be expecting to be thouroughly outclassed by some sides in the division. Venkys may not be poor owners but effectively we're a poor club for this division. Mid-table is a good start but we'll need to get used to accepting in some games we'll be considerably 2nd best.
The major player investment hasn't come and as a result we should be expecting to be thouroughly outclassed by some sides in the division. Venkys may not be poor owners but effectively we're a poor club for this division. Mid-table is a good start but we'll need to get used to accepting in some games we'll be considerably 2nd best.
blueandwhitehalves
Senior Member
My guess at that one: some moaner soiling himself with glee at the first chance to go full blown abuse in a year. "Bloody shite Smallwood!", "Get off Williams you donkey!", "Sort it out Mowbray!", plus angry groans at every misplaced pass and frequent swearing outbursts.
It's obvious this type of "fan" is oblivious or uncaring as to how much they're disliked by some around them for ruining the experience. Sometimes that annoyance is expressed to them verbally, they start the whole "I pay my money I can say what I want" and it can escalate in seconds from there.
A
ABBEY
Guest
Apparently it was a dad and lad leaving early for work and they got abuse and the abuser took a swing and they swung back .
In all fairness I think the money was there. We've spent goodness knows how much on Brereton but a 4m bid for Freeman from QPR was rejected, as too was a 1m bid for midfielder Will Trap plus a 2m bid for Charlton's CH Patrick Bauer was also knocked back (btw that's bit em on the arse as he's out for quite a long time with a ruptured knee ligament.)
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ABBEY
Guest
with all the players they've sold , work out and profit and loss to see if money should be there .
Sounds like you already have Abbey. What figures did you come up with?
Vinjay winning the lottery............ 10 times!