“This is our “game in hand” following the postponement caused by international call-ups and we meet a Sheffield United side confidently chasing an automatic promotion spot, sitting 3rd in the table and only 2 points behind Bolton Wanderers. How different it might have been if this game had been scheduled for the start of the season – United lost three of their first four games and were firmly rooted to the foot of the table, but since then Chris Wilder seems to have found the magic touch and his Blades are currently undefeated in their last 15 League One games. The main unofficial website S24SU forum is already on page 2 for this game and the contributors are understandably very confident, but of course undefeated runs are there to be broken, aren’t they? …. current form:
22 Oct Bradford City (A) Drew 3-3
29 Oct M K Dons (H) Won 2-1
13 Nov Chesterfield (A) Won 1-4
19 Nov Shrewsbury Town (H) Won 2-1
22 Nov Bury (H) Won 1-0
26 Nov Charlton Athletic (A) Drew 1-1
It should also be mentioned that United are almost scoring for fun these days – in fact since their awful start in August they’ve scored in every League One game, with captain Billy Sharp currently top scorer with 12 goals to his name. He was rested for the FA Cup game against Leyton Orient, and United still managed to win 6-0 !!! Additional motivation (if it were needed) for United would be for them to show us what they can really do after we put them out of the Checkatrade Trophy.
So, will it be “more of the same” from Jon Whitney? He is surely finding out what does, and does not, “gel” in his squad by now – and in this game more than most he is going to have to be extremely well prepared in terms of selection and tactics. Anything less could see a repeat of the Rochdale result because Sheffield United are no mugs (not at the moment, anyway, on a 15 game unbeaten run). We have scored 3 goals in our last 5 League One games and although it’s easy enough to say “play 2 up front” to increase the chances of scoring, would that result in a weakening of our defensive capabilities specially against the free-scoring opposition at Bramall Lane? Bakayoko surely deserves a chance at 90 minutes – after all, he knows where the net is on this ground, and perhaps with a partnership of Jackson or Makris (fed by Turkish Messi) we might have a look-in….. ““Well we smashed them 2-1 in the Waste-of-Time Trophy. Let’s try that again!”
“We are down unless we sack our physio before it’s too late. Let him take a few of the crocks he signed with him.”
“We’re not even into December yet and Oztumer has already scored 8 league goals.
He could easily score 15 goals this season. If he does I’d imagine he’d be in the top 3 attacking midfielders at the end of the season in these PFA awards.
Just think where Walsall would be without his goals”“we are a footballing side and not a hoof ball side, this justifies the selection of 4-5-1 every week. The issue we are facing is the hoof ball game is being played, now in my mind this is probably because of lack of experience at the back and the worry that if the pass it out and a midfielder loses it they will be straight back under pressure and potentially a costly mistake on the cards.”
“We see so many long balls because our midfield is non existent. No one from the midfield wants to pick the ball up from the defence and take it forward.”
“I think Whitney is being a little naive by having a pop at the fans who have been more than patient. Beyond the text book David Brent drivel he constantly comes out with I don’t think he is very bright.
If he wants to talk about negativity then how negative is it to bring off your leading scorer and best player when you have only scored 3 goals in 6 games and you need a goal to win. Again poor management”“We are so bad currently.”
“pleased about the clean sheet on Saturday to be honest after shipping goals for fun lately”
“I wasn’t at Spotland last Tuesday but after seeing us cave in at the dons and scrape a point Saturday – sandwiched between 2 awful defeats and particularly in a season where frankly we have been 2nd best in most games then I’m personally not convinced JW has what it takes..”
“Next 3 games Sheffield (A)
Fletwood (A)
Bradford (H)
Can only see 1 point from that lot. Mind you this is Walsall so probably 7 as it’s usual against the better teams in this league.”“Sheffs on Tuesday To meet old and future acquaintances !!!”
“genuinely feel sorry for Flo Cuvelier but it’s past a joke now.
After weeks out again he returns to the squad at Rochdale and makes another cameo appearance before not making the squad again yesterday.
What is going on Wfc?”“Sadly we should get rid, great player when fit and played in the right position but we cannot afford to carry someone who will only play 10 games a season.”
