Well here we go then. The start of the real stuff. Our Football League campaign kicks off with a trip to Brammall lane to face a side who, like Leeds, were in the Premiership not long ago. In fact, they were in the top flight much more recently than Leeds - just five years since they dropped down from the big time. Recent years have been pretty average for Sheffield though, as little over a year ago they endured their second relegation in three summers, dropping into the third tier. They almost went up at the first time of asking, but Danny Wilson's men were pipped at the post when they lost on penalties to Simon Grayson's Huddersfield in one of the more remarkable shoot outs of recent times. After their failure to go up, the Blades have had to work on a smaller budget. They've managed to keep hold of wonderkid Harry Maguire (remember the name, future Premiership and possibly even England player there) and have assembled a mean squad - one which is amongst the favourites for the title this season. However, there are a few holes. They, like Town, went out of the Capital One cup in its first round. Unlike Town, they lost to a side a division below them, bowing out on penalties to Burton Albion after a 2-2 draw. Burton appear to have been second best in most regards overall, but controlled possession. This was the Blades' first team and appeared to have been Danny Wilson's favoured 11, so there is definitely encouragement to be had. I will start adding a slightly mores statistical element to my previews as the season gets older and statistics become more valid, but for this week I will include just the two facts. Did you know? Sheffield United and Shrewsbury have played 8 times in League Football - Sheffield are still waiting for their first win. Lenny's GRANDISON fact: Jermaine Grandison doesn't call the wrong number. You answer the wrong phone. Lenny's prediction: Sheffield United 3-1 Shrewsbury (Richards), Attendance 12,497
another excellent thread lenny, thanks. on matsters spin a wheel competition i have predicted shrews to lose by 2-0 which i will stick to. however on this thread i can let my wind go free! coin a phrase. now if el tel and our marv took their chances and received some pinpoint passes i can see shrews coming away with a point. my wind predicts unofficially blades 2 shrews 2 el tel and our marv
apparently despite conceding an early goal, town managed at least 9 shots and were fair competion for utd. those who went may have stories to tell about why shrews again failed to score. gornell was described on other boards as a statue. we cannot afford passengers or lemons up front if we are to make our mark on this league. 2 new strikers needed soon? or now!
Went to the match...... Friendly locals but the worst pint in ages!!! Let's get gripe out of the way first......refs are no better than before, as are linesmen! Morgan was always spotted tugging, pushing or something AFTER the other bloke started it! Usually their '5'. Poor Morgan he gets pushed around too easily. Summary: Goalie: competent but in all honesty nothing difficult to do Back four.....cope well in a crisis. The loanee looks good but so do the others. Again, Grandison looks better a bit further forward. Midfield.....good for most of the match but the 'bite' seems to come in 'stits and farts' but again promise. Wide boys.... better on right than left but that may have been cos Sheffield were weaker there (?) Up front.....Gornell tried the hands on hips "why didn't you pass to me?" a couple of times and looked balanced if not dangerous. MMM looks better as an old inside forward but still look lightweight. Bradders played a few really good balls and worked for others (pair him with Gornell?) BUT need occasionally to be selfish! Guess it's a matter of balance; think he has improved tho'. We always looked best when behind their back 4 (or five!). Why is there no one on the near post at corners, surely GT remembers this from his playing days? Our new captain, bless his cotton socks, should pass instead of shooting (seems a bit weak on one foot?) 'cos even in the warm up he wasn't relaxed or powerful.....but think he did well as captain, watched him talking to people at the right times. There was some nice touches of togetherness at times Conclusion: Good first effort, 7.6 out of 10, and think we don't have a bad little team forming.
excellent report metashrew, thanks, it sounds as though utd were not the bogey team we thought they might be, or shrews defence and midfield were better than thought. it appears el tel and our marv, may be very much on trial on tuesday night. very pleased that youn toms cameo performance went well, either he starts with gornell or gt brings him on sooner if lemons up front go pearshaped. from reports, town had chances to draw saturdays game. if town want to progress they can ill afford 2 play acting stooges up front pretending to be what they are not. time for some youngsters up front. perhaps this is a wake up call for our marv and el tel, otherwise directing the traffic in the car park beckons, or a pile of programs, are there to sell. wake up!
I did not go but it seems to me it is early days yet and far too soon to write off our forwards. From the reports it does not look like we were outplayed and remember we were away to the team that must be one of the favourites for promotion. Our home form will be crucial if we are going to establish ourselves in this league so lets all get behind the manager and team on Tuesday and Saturday.
agree it is too early to write off el tel and our marv, though from memory they were no great shakes last year. anyway i have posted one way of retiring them on the loggerheads thread. and matster may be right with his extra training and shooting practice, although it ain't worked yet. until they can score, give the youngsters a go anyway good luck to all the squad on tuesday, and let us hope our fortress greenhous works. coys bots, fs, aab.
I agree with some of what Metashrew says. Gornell was poor but Marvin was a constant threat. Bradshaw made no difference later on and still needs to learn how to head a ball. The defence proved more than capable. Jones is a no nonsense defender and cleared his lines admirably and Hector arrowed some spectacular crossfield passes to Parry (MOM- everything good came via him). Purdie was caught napping for their goal. The centre midfield was neat and tidy even with the subs. As for near post corners, I counted at least 2 in the second half or was I dreaming. Speaking to a couple of Blades supporters afterwards and they seemed to think that we would be OK this season.
KDS.......agree about MMM but he got no help from the ref.....there is no point in being a threat if some prat in black blunts you! So a bit more oomph and weight would help. Bradshaw will never be a header, he's too short, he will always be best on the ground. Agree about Parry too, they could not contain him. Yes, there were near post corners but first one was too low and don't remember them having any problem with second one. I can always remember the "son of former manager" having problems clearing the defenders and Exeter have had similar problems. Thanks for comments KDS, appreciate another view, bloke sat (stood) next to me was very quiet! Will get to Scunthorpe and Notts County plus a few at the Meadow so please keep me informed.
What great software at not606.......see what they do to Scunthorpe!!! Can any of you remember on cold, wet days at the old Meadow....."Typhoo put the tea in Britain but who put the $$$$ in Scunthope?" Makes one feel older than usual!!!
i agree i thought our defense was very capable and Parry was man of the match by a mile, but where ive got to disagree was the failure of our Marvin to score again, Parry put some fantastic crosses in but yet again nobody to get on the end of them,we need a striker badly because with a capable front man we could have won this fixture easily, they didn't cause us to many problems all afternoon, and our midfield is knocking the ball around quite well, we just need a bit more fire power up front, but 1-0 ill take that after our pre-season
