Sheffield United vs Saints - League Cup QF Match Thread

City was fine because we were simply outclassed. Arsenal we didn't create a lot but we were unlucky to concede with one of our main defensive players off the pitch. United we completely bossed the game but didn't take our chances, United created very few but took theirs. Burnley we were awful. Sheffield United we were even worse. A gradual 5-match decline with no signs of upturn yet.

We will never have a better chance of a cup semi-final than that.

 

Ramirez was seen as a marque signing by Cortese. The real problem is not that we have had hit and miss transfers it's we haven't brought in enough.

 

And then get completely castigated by the fans Can't win.

 

Copy cat.

 

We've had a thin squad for ages - we only bought four players in the Summer before the Championship, there were so many teams with stronger squads than us in the Championship, but we were quite fortunate with injuries. If Fonte/Hooiveld got injured, we would have been screwed.

 

We seems to be replicating the League Cup performances of our weekend opponents Everton - who in recent years have gone out of this competition to lower league opposition. For the upper half of the Premiership it is important that Chelsea win this competition because then the 6th placed team qualify for Europe. Failing that then Spurs who on current form are likely to get into the Top 6 at some stage soon.

 

Sorry, yes, just saw that after replying! True though...

 

As I said before, in the FA Cup then yes but not the League Cup. I genuinely don't think most fans of most clubs care that much about the League Cup.

 

We cared an awful lot before this game...

 

Is Henry *sure* he wants to retire just yet...?

 

I bet BT hit back by signing Jimmy Bullard as a host/presenter.

 

Agreed, a lot of us thought this was a realistic route to Wembley with only one of the big boys left in the last 8 and so are deeply disappointed.

 

When you get within a game or two of the Final and are playing a League One side then people begin to care more because there's a possible day at Wembley not far away. If the manager puts out a weakened team in the first game and you lose then I don't think most fans are really that bothered.

 

And more to the point, we were promised a sacrifice tonight if the mighty Saints lost - I could not see this on my dodgy stream tonight!

 

To pick you up on this point Puck, perhaps it is time to reformulate the League Cup!! Maybe merge it with the Johnstone's Paint Trophy or whatever it is called these days minus teams that are in the European competitions. The winners get the glory of winning but minus the place in Europe as it should go to 6th place in EPL.

 

Whatever you think Beefy. Mane is about as good as Mayuka and at the end of the day we would have been better off with an ageing Guly than the pair of them.

And yes a lot of fans have been moaning about 'we should be taking the cups seriously' and I don't get that at all. Last year when we weren't going down nor getting europe yes, we should. Against Arsenal...the position we were in? against Stoke, the position we were in? In the league cup? When we know we have a small squad? We should have had the second string out against Arsenal's weakened team and if we had still won put the second string out to Stoke as well.

And yes I remember watching the Tranmere game and many many more disappointing nights in the cups (and leagues) but when we are in a good position as we were early on then this particular cup should've been sacrificed at that first game and if in a good position come the FA cup game that should've been sacrificed too instead of trying to win on all fronts with a small squad and then wonder why we are decimated and looking like we will struggle to get through January staying in the top 6.

 

Not only was this a great chance to get into the semis of a cup, but it was a good chance of ending this torrid run of form. Just struggling to see where the next point is coming from, as well as goal.

 

We will see, but saying we should have kept Guly instead of buying Mane is crazy. Mane is just raw, he needs coaching to carm himself down. He panics when ever he gets the ball and then tries to do too much because he panicked. Mayuka isn't even close to Mane, all Mayuka can do is run.

 

I have a feeling that going out tonight will get rid of "the monkey off the back" that may have impacted on the negativity of Saints recent performances - trying to stay as close as possible to the top 4 and progressing in the League Cup with such a small squad that may be lacking in quality. Surely now minds will be more focused on League performances without the added distractions of the League Cup.

 

Fair play to Alderweireld. Gone from Winning La Liga to losing to Sheffield United and he doesn't sulk off, he's the first to go to the fans and has to ask the team to come over. We don't even own him and he shows more passion than most of them. He's surprised me a lot.