Sheffield United 0-1 Newcastle United - 02/11/09 - post match reaction from p22

[Guest firetotheworks]

Enrique must move on for his own best. He will easily challenge Capdevilla for that LB spot, in a better club.

 

He's a class defender, and he's getting better and better going forward, but at the moment he's only doing the last part in the Championship.  Also he passing can be quite poor at times.  If he improves his passing and keeps performing like he is now if/when we're back in the Premiership then he can think about moving on if necessary.  Right now he's getting games and improving so why does he need to go at his age?

 

...and should we get promoted, he's in the league he aspires to be in.

[Teasy]

bit dissapointed at the anti-shay stuff like. if the last 12 months have shown anything its that he was 100% right to leave our club and i dont hold it against him at all.

 

It was the way he did it and the timing of it that wasn't right.

[Village Idiot]

Terrible header from their guy tbf, straight at Harper.

 

Not really. Harper was diving towards the close post and had to raise his hand against his body motion to make the save. Top drawer stuff really.

 

This is the first time I see your lot play live. So. Butt/Smith midfield was pretty awful but you probably expected that. Very disappointed with Jonas, he spent the afternoon walking around and falling on his ass every time he seemed that he was close to doing something interesting. Enrique was good, Nolan had some good patches. Carroll gets stuck in but seems to me to be a very thick footballer.

 

Struck to me that your off-the-ball movement going forward is truely bad. Every time you went forward your attacking players ended surrounded by a cloud of Sheffield defenders, which means lots of space elsehwere in the pitch, but nobody was moving into it, or offering passing lines to relieve the pressure.

 

 

so was that like a top class chef watching how a hot dog is made? What with you being a Barca fan and all.

 

I found it at the same time unwatchable and oddly mesmerising.

[Greg]

Any word as to where Lovenkrands was tonight?

Family issues, his old man is very ill in hospital.

[ChezGiven]

Terrible header from their guy tbf, straight at Harper.

 

Not really. Harper was diving towards the close post and had to raise his hand against his body motion to make the save. Top drawer stuff really.

 

This is the first time I see your lot play live. So. Butt/Smith midfield was pretty awful but you probably expected that. Very disappointed with Jonas, he spent the afternoon walking around and falling on his ass every time he seemed that he was close to doing something interesting. Enrique was good, Nolan had some good patches. Carroll gets stuck in but seems to me to be a very thick footballer.

 

Struck to me that your off-the-ball movement going forward is truely bad. Every time you went forward your attacking players ended surrounded by a cloud of Sheffield defenders, which means lots of space elsehwere in the pitch, but nobody was moving into it, or offering passing lines to relieve the pressure.

 

 

so was that like a top class chef watching how a hot dog is made? What with you being a Barca fan and all.

 

I found it at the same time unwatchable and oddly mesmerising.

 

Should be The Championship's strap-line.

[Nordstrom]

Harper - 8 (Not much to save, but when it counted, it was superb)

Enrique - 9 (Commanded the left wing by himself with runs up to the front, pity no one was on the end the crosses)

Kadar - 7 (Good start for the 19 year old Hungarian, few vital clearances and solid play)

Coloccini - 7.5 (Definite improvement from earlier performances, risk-taking paid off; THAT RUN!)

Simpson - 6 (Poor game, silly calls for justifiable decisions, unnoticeable)

Gutierrez - 6.5 (Found it difficult to retain possession, left Enrique out in the cold, not effective)

Butt - 6.5 (Slight improvement on the theatrical passes of previous performances but not good enough to warrant taking Guthrie's spot)

Smith - 7 (Effective, solid passing, no ridiculous challenges)

Raylor - 7 (Confident, played fluidly after the OG, few decent set pieces)

Nolan - 6.5 (Unable to hold possession, silly passes, slow)

Carroll - 7 (Well played against Morgan, utilised his height on both sides of the pitch, pity about the yellow)

 

Ranger - 6.5 (At a physical disadvantage, as lost footing often for leverage, good run-out though; hopeful prospect)

Harewood - 4 (Had chances to make promising challenges with poor Sheffield defending but failed to deliver; lazy; pouting on the bench)

[Decky]

You have to laugh at Sky saying we scored against the run of play. Even though we very nearly scored twice with Carroll and Nolan right before it

[Pilko]

You have to laugh at Sky saying we scored against the run of play. Even though we very nearly scored twice with Carroll and Nolan right before it

 

61 minutes, Nolan shot diverted behind by keeper

62 minutes, Carroll hits the post

63 minutes, goal

 

"against the run of play"

[Guest firetotheworks]

You have to laugh at Sky saying we scored against the run of play. Even though we very nearly scored twice with Carroll and Nolan right before it

 

61 minutes, Nolan shot diverted behind by keeper

62 minutes, Carroll hits the post

63 minutes, goal

 

"against the run of play"

 

I would say that the goal wasnt against the run of play, but that spell was probably against the run of play, we really turned it on then, but faded after the goal a bit.

[Ronaldo]

Nolan is such a useless footballer, he reminds me of Inzaghi with his ability to be in the right place though.

[Guest firetotheworks]

Nolan is such a useless footballer, he reminds me of Inzaghi with his ability to be in the right place though.

 

Why say that after he's had a decent game?

[matta]

 

Harper - 9: Match winning saves. MOTM

Simpson - 5: OK. abit shakey.

Colo - 7: Tought he was good today. However the one header he missed in the first half could've been costly.

Kadar - 7: Good effort.

Enrique - 9: Good Defending, good going forward. Brilliant. would have been my MOTM had it not been for Harpers late saves.

Jonas - 4first half/7second half. Two halves really. Piss poor in the first, but had an allright second half.

Butt - 6: Good effort, good defending, but thats about it. 

Smith - 6: Good effort, allright passing, but not his best game.

Taylor - 7: Payed off for trying, good effort, and some good linkup with enrique. good game

Nolan - 7: Works alot, holds the ball well, and nice tackle for the goal.

Carroll - 8: Good game, really a handful for the defence, and unlucky not to get a goal. Very good in defence aswell.

 

Ranger- 6: Good game the little time he got. Linked up with Carroll impressingly well at times. Good effort.

Harewood - 3: did nothing. looked uninterested.

 

[Ronaldo]

Nolan is such a useless footballer, he reminds me of Inzaghi with his ability to be in the right place though.

 

Why say that after he's had a decent game?

 

He battled well but was pretty poor imo.

[Mick]

We were very lucky to get 3 points tonight.

 

Our first half performance was terrible and typical of what should be expected playing 5 in the middle and 1 up front on his own.  We were a bit better in the second half but had no pace or creativity.  We fluked a goal and we would have came away with one point if it wasn't for a brilliant save from Harper who had no right to save that shot.  He was diving to his right and somehow managed to get his left hand behind him quick and hard enough to protect his goal.

 

Enrique was by far the best outfield player but I'd give Harper MOTM for being the difference between 1 and 3 points.  Simpson didn't impress tonight and I would rather play Taylor in his position and a proper winger on the right but Hughton is far too negative with his team selection and we gave away 2/3 of the pitch for far too long with our 5 man midfield.

 

Kadar had quite a good game and Coloccini didn't do anything spectacular but he reads the game well at this level and always tries to play the ball out of defence.  It's just a pity that we have no vision or pace in midfield to make the most of what he does.

 

Our midfield is the most static I've seen at this club since before Keegan arrived for his first go at managing the club.  Nicky Butt isn’t even good enough for this level yet Hughton still picks him for some reason.  Jonas did nothing but he was typical of those around him tonight.  Smith is slightly better than Butt because he’s more mobile and that goes a long way in a league where quality is so rare and graft is enough to get you through.  Nolan has scored loads of goals for a midfielder but he offers very little when he’s not scoring although I can’t fault his drive and willingness to push his team mates forwards, he never gives up.

 

Carroll played up on his own and wasn’t too bad but I think Ranger brings more to the team than him.  The ball seems to stick to him and he takes pressure off us by retaining possession like no other forward at the club.

 

I can’t work out the thinking of Hughton to start with one up front and finish with 3 up front when the game was to tight, having said that, we didn’t pay for it.

 

 

 

[Ronaldo]

We were very lucky to get 3 points tonight.

 

Our first half performance was terrible and typical of what should be expected playing 5 in the middle and 1 up front on his own.  We were a bit better in the second half but had no pace or creativity.  We fluked a goal and we would have came away with one point if it wasn't for a brilliant save from Harper who had no right to save that shot.  He was diving to his right and somehow managed to get his left hand behind him quick and hard enough to protect his goal.

 

Enrique was by far the best outfield player but I'd give Harper MOTM for being the difference between 1 and 3 points.  Simpson didn't impress tonight and I would rather play Taylor in his position and a proper winger on the right but Hughton is far too negative with his team selection and we gave away 2/3 of the pitch for far too long with our 5 man midfield.

 

Kadar had quite a good game and Coloccini didn't do anything spectacular but he reads the game well at this level and always tries to play the ball out of defence.  It's just a pity that we have no vision or pace in midfield to make the most of what he does.

 

Our midfield is the most static I've seen at this club since before Keegan arrived for his first go at managing the club.  Nicky Butt isn’t even good enough for this level yet Hughton still picks him for some reason.  Jonas did nothing but he was typical of those around him tonight.  Smith is slightly better than Butt because he’s more mobile and that goes a long way in a league where quality is so rare and graft is enough to get you through.  Nolan has scored loads of goals for a midfielder but he offers very little when he’s not scoring although I can’t fault his drive and willingness to push his team mates forwards, he never gives up.

 

Carroll played up on his own and wasn’t too bad but I think Ranger brings more to the team than him.  The ball seems to stick to him and he takes pressure off us by retaining possession like no other forward at the club.

 

I can’t work out the thinking of Hughton to start with one up front and finish with 3 up front when the game was to tight, having said that, we didn’t pay for it.

 

 

 

 

This is something that we've missed badly in the last few games. He has a very good eye for the right pass.

[Pilko]

We were very lucky to get 3 points tonight.

 

Our first half performance was terrible and typical of what should be expected playing 5 in the middle and 1 up front on his own.  We were a bit better in the second half but had no pace or creativity.  We fluked a goal and we would have came away with one point if it wasn't for a brilliant save from Harper who had no right to save that shot.  He was diving to his right and somehow managed to get his left hand behind him quick and hard enough to protect his goal.

 

Enrique was by far the best outfield player but I'd give Harper MOTM for being the difference between 1 and 3 points.  Simpson didn't impress tonight and I would rather play Taylor in his position and a proper winger on the right but Hughton is far too negative with his team selection and we gave away 2/3 of the pitch for far too long with our 5 man midfield.

 

Kadar had quite a good game and Coloccini didn't do anything spectacular but he reads the game well at this level and always tries to play the ball out of defence.  It's just a pity that we have no vision or pace in midfield to make the most of what he does.

 

Our midfield is the most static I've seen at this club since before Keegan arrived for his first go at managing the club.  Nicky Butt isnt even good enough for this level yet Hughton still picks him for some reason.  Jonas did nothing but he was typical of those around him tonight.  Smith is slightly better than Butt because hes more mobile and that goes a long way in a league where quality is so rare and graft is enough to get you through.  Nolan has scored loads of goals for a midfielder but he offers very little when hes not scoring although I cant fault his drive and willingness to push his team mates forwards, he never gives up.

 

Carroll played up on his own and wasnt too bad but I think Ranger brings more to the team than him.  The ball seems to stick to him and he takes pressure off us by retaining possession like no other forward at the club.

 

I cant work out the thinking of Hughton to start with one up front and finish with 3 up front when the game was to tight, having said that, we didn't pay for it.

 

 

 

 

[LesPaul]

 

 

Carroll played up on his own and wasn’t too bad but I think Ranger brings more to the team than him.

 

 

Except Carroll scrores every once and a while which is kinda what a striker does

[Darth Crooks]

 

 

Carroll played up on his own and wasn’t too bad but I think Ranger brings more to the team than him.

 

 

Except Carroll scrores every once and a while which is kinda what a striker does

 

Carroll has had the same relative success given his exposure to be fair. Carroll seems much more in favour

[Mick]

 

Except Carroll scrores every once and a while which is kinda what a striker does

 

I agree.

[TaylorJ_01]

I understand people think Nolan is pretty useless as a footballer but it would be totally unjustifiable if he was dropped.

[Ronaldo]

I agree.

[LesPaul]

I understand people think Nolan is pretty useless as a footballer but it would be totally unjustifiable if he was dropped.

Shouldn't be dropped. Get Guthrie in the team and drop Butt of at a retirement home.

[Cronky]

We were very lucky to get 3 points tonight.

 

Our first half performance was terrible and typical of what should be expected playing 5 in the middle and 1 up front on his own.  We were a bit better in the second half but had no pace or creativity.  We fluked a goal and we would have came away with one point if it wasn't for a brilliant save from Harper who had no right to save that shot.  He was diving to his right and somehow managed to get his left hand behind him quick and hard enough to protect his goal.

 

Enrique was by far the best outfield player but I'd give Harper MOTM for being the difference between 1 and 3 points.  Simpson didn't impress tonight and I would rather play Taylor in his position and a proper winger on the right but Hughton is far too negative with his team selection and we gave away 2/3 of the pitch for far too long with our 5 man midfield.

 

Kadar had quite a good game and Coloccini didn't do anything spectacular but he reads the game well at this level and always tries to play the ball out of defence.  It's just a pity that we have no vision or pace in midfield to make the most of what he does.

 

Our midfield is the most static I've seen at this club since before Keegan arrived for his first go at managing the club.  Nicky Butt isnt even good enough for this level yet Hughton still picks him for some reason.  Jonas did nothing but he was typical of those around him tonight.  Smith is slightly better than Butt because hes more mobile and that goes a long way in a league where quality is so rare and graft is enough to get you through.  Nolan has scored loads of goals for a midfielder but he offers very little when hes not scoring although I cant fault his drive and willingness to push his team mates forwards, he never gives up.

 

Carroll played up on his own and wasnt too bad but I think Ranger brings more to the team than him.  The ball seems to stick to him and he takes pressure off us by retaining possession like no other forward at the club.

 

I cant work out the thinking of Hughton to start with one up front and finish with 3 up front when the game was to tight, having said that, we didn't pay for it.

 

 

 

 

 

I'd say we started with two up front, and finished with one. Just because Nolan is normally a midfield player, and Harewood and Ranger strikers, doesn't mean those are the jobs that they are actually doing.

 

We won because in the 10 minutes when we were on top, we showed that bit more class than them. We did actually look like scoring, and kept up the pressure until we did. However, Hughton has to address the fact that for most of the game, we were dominated physically and also mentally, in a sense.

 

 

[TaylorJ_01]

I understand people think Nolan is pretty useless as a footballer but it would be totally unjustifiable if he was dropped.

Shouldn't be dropped. Get Guthrie in the team and drop Butt of at a retirement home.

 

As much as I want to like Guthrie he was very poor in some of his recent games. Would be good to see him play when the team is playing with confidence though because he has the quality.

[TRon]

We were very lucky to get 3 points tonight.

 

Our first half performance was terrible and typical of what should be expected playing 5 in the middle and 1 up front on his own.  We were a bit better in the second half but had no pace or creativity.  We fluked a goal and we would have came away with one point if it wasn't for a brilliant save from Harper who had no right to save that shot.  He was diving to his right and somehow managed to get his left hand behind him quick and hard enough to protect his goal.

 

Enrique was by far the best outfield player but I'd give Harper MOTM for being the difference between 1 and 3 points.  Simpson didn't impress tonight and I would rather play Taylor in his position and a proper winger on the right but Hughton is far too negative with his team selection and we gave away 2/3 of the pitch for far too long with our 5 man midfield.

 

Kadar had quite a good game and Coloccini didn't do anything spectacular but he reads the game well at this level and always tries to play the ball out of defence.  It's just a pity that we have no vision or pace in midfield to make the most of what he does.

 

Our midfield is the most static I've seen at this club since before Keegan arrived for his first go at managing the club.  Nicky Butt isnt even good enough for this level yet Hughton still picks him for some reason.  Jonas did nothing but he was typical of those around him tonight.  Smith is slightly better than Butt because hes more mobile and that goes a long way in a league where quality is so rare and graft is enough to get you through.  Nolan has scored loads of goals for a midfielder but he offers very little when hes not scoring although I cant fault his drive and willingness to push his team mates forwards, he never gives up.

 

Carroll played up on his own and wasnt too bad but I think Ranger brings more to the team than him.  The ball seems to stick to him and he takes pressure off us by retaining possession like no other forward at the club.

 

I cant work out the thinking of Hughton to start with one up front and finish with 3 up front when the game was to tight, having said that, we didnt pay for it.

 

 

 

 

Best post of the night Mick. Welcome back.