birchfest 401 Posted August 24 Back from the game and largely encouraged, Shef have looked strong already this season and historically we’ve had a hard time of it. For effectively game 3 of the new project to largely go toe to toe with them was encouraging. I know there is a clamour for the CDM but we know we aren’t in for one. I do however think in terms of unlocking that next level of chance creation depends on the Rowe replacement. The ability to stretch the game with a bit more pace and also have threats on both wings will make us a far more tricky side to pen in and will also likely open up the space that Sainz needs to thrive. I think the new lad did ok, but he’s going to want to be in the number 9 slot I’d imagine and pacy winger he’s is not. Im encouraged, little improvements and a young squad learning to play with each other each week that goes by. A lot more fun than knowing there was litterally no additional progress to be made with last years squad when they were playing to the best of their ability. With all the 18-21 year olds there is the potentially for them to get better, which hopefully week in week out will make it more and more fun going along to the games. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt. Pants 5,013 Posted August 24 Looking at our bench we definitely need another midfielder. Gibbs is OK for a deeper role when protecting a lead but today we needed quality in the final 3rd and needed an AM. Crnac isn't a replacement for Rowe so agree another pacey winger is needed. Like the way we dominated the last 10 mins or so but their keeper has a fairly quiet 2nd half, as did Gunn. We had 4 defenders and goalie on the bench, no strikers and no AM. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yellowrider120 917 Posted August 24 20 minutes ago, Capt. Pants said: Looking at our bench we definitely need another midfielder. Gibbs is OK for a deeper role when protecting a lead but today we needed quality in the final 3rd and needed an AM. Crnac isn't a replacement for Rowe so agree another pacey winger is needed. Like the way we dominated the last 10 mins or so but their keeper has a fairly quiet 2nd half, as did Gunn. We had 4 defenders and goalie on the bench, no strikers and no AM. Similar to last season. We are pitifully weak in that department. I can see us struggling to create and score sufficient goals this season. Even with Crnac, we need another striker / wide attacking player at a minimum. And NO, The Old Barn Door is very much not part of the solution! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Top corner 260 Posted August 24 Connor Southwell said in his post match vlog, that JHT indicated that they are looking at another 2/3 signings, specifically towards the top end of the pitch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daz Sparks 1,558 Posted August 25 12 hours ago, birchfest said: Back from the game and largely encouraged, Shef have looked strong already this season and historically we’ve had a hard time of it. For effectively game 3 of the new project to largely go toe to toe with them was encouraging. I know there is a clamour for the CDM but we know we aren’t in for one. I do however think in terms of unlocking that next level of chance creation depends on the Rowe replacement. The ability to stretch the game with a bit more pace and also have threats on both wings will make us a far more tricky side to pen in and will also likely open up the space that Sainz needs to thrive. I think the new lad did ok, but he’s going to want to be in the number 9 slot I’d imagine and pacy winger he’s is not. Im encouraged, little improvements and a young squad learning to play with each other each week that goes by. A lot more fun than knowing there was litterally no additional progress to be made with last years squad when they were playing to the best of their ability. With all the 18-21 year olds there is the potentially for them to get better, which hopefully week in week out will make it more and more fun going along to the games. Pretty much nailed it, birch. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 335 Posted August 25 Not sure we will seek wingers as we play much narrower (which suited rowe) than wagner did; but agree pacey strong attacker would be perfect which could be reiner and hopefully Oscar gives us a further midfield option with gibbs also having an improved sub appearance yest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canary Wundaboy 1,423 Posted August 25 We do need some steel in the centre of the park though, no matter how many players we sign in the top half, no matter how many goals we score we’re so easy to score against we could have Haaland partnering Josh up front and still lose! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Petriix 3,219 Posted August 25 We've clearly downgraded in the attacking midfield positions with Sara and Rowe leaving but the hope would be that the remaining players can step up with the new signings becoming competitive as they adapt to their surroundings. So far we look pretty short of quality in those areas and especially weak on the bench. Sainz had a bit of a mare yesterday: I'm not sure if maybe Sheffield Utd have particularly fast defenders but Sainz got into some great positions from which he should have been clean through on several occasions yet each time he was caught with ease and, ultimately, didn't even have a shot. Sadly there was no alternative to bring on to replace him. The more I see of Gibbs, the less I rate him. He looks like a 15 year old trying to play in the men's team but lacking the physique to perform at the required level. We need multiple players with pace and skill. The trouble is you can't buy them if they're already good enough because they would cost too much and would probably be looking for a club with better prospects. So we have to take a gamble on youth and/or obscure rejects and hope we can develop them. That's a slow process which involves 4 Plachetas for every Buendia. Are we fans patient enough for that? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete 371 Posted August 26 Blackburn was encouraging we went toe to toe with a team that had scored 10 in 2 games, and we almost got it over the line. Sheffield wasn't so special, we created just one scoring opportunity whilst Sheffield were wasteful with their changes. A fortuitous draw perhaps but not the defeat expected. Sainz was fed a number punts upfield to chase forlornly and is being thrashed currently, Thorup neede to be as dynamic with substitutions as Blackburn but failed to do so. Gibbs for the busy Forson was inexplicable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Google Bot 3,934 Posted August 26 (edited) 11 minutes ago, pete said: Gibbs for the busy Forson was inexplicable. The way the cards were coming Forson was likely to have seen a second yellow in that game, I see that as the explanation. Why we don't push Nunez further forwards and drop Gibbs back into his initial position is more bamboozling for myself. Edited August 26 by Google Bot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt. Pants 5,013 Posted August 26 9 minutes ago, pete said: Blackburn was encouraging we went toe to toe with a team that had scored 10 in 2 games, and we almost got it over the line. Sheffield wasn't so special, we created just one scoring opportunity whilst Sheffield were wasteful with their changes. A fortuitous draw perhaps but not the defeat expected. Sainz was fed a number punts upfield to chase forlornly and is being thrashed currently, Thorup neede to be as dynamic with substitutions as Blackburn but failed to do so. Gibbs for the busy Forson was inexplicable. I think that was to make sure we didn't lose the game from midfield. In the end we finished the stronger side but without creating too much. If anything Wilder's subs made them worse. Blades created very little really with O'Hare largely getting in the way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cowboy 240 Posted August 26 ♬♭♪♫♩In the jungle, the quiet jungle, the lion sleeps tonight ♬♭♪♫♩ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
