Sheffield United (H) | Post-Match Thread

[OrigamiNinja]

Don't know. Don't care.

Must be a lot then.

 

[BuryBlue1977]

to all those asking for players to be rested, your answer was right there, you cant get away with it, that was far too close for comfort

I thought we won?

 

[Mancity1980]

View attachment 9283

Clever post, I like it.

 

[ctwrd]

Walker was at the heart of everything we did bad today.

He never tried to create anything on his side and jammed in Torres, with only Bernie trying any form of penetration.

He gave away a stupid free kick at the end and was also at fault for the McBernie chance.

It is becoming increasingly clear that we don't need to rely on Walker's recovery pace anymore because of Dias' arrival and outstanding positional leadership.

That only exposes Walker's limitations, he can only pass inside, doesn't join up the midfield and is impetuous in tackle.

Cancelo clearly takes his position and our set-up to the next level, all the same, Pep should still be able to expect a top performance from Kyle against this standard of opponent?

Pep is obviously trying to keep players fresh but surprised he didn't bring Mahrez or Sterling on for Torres and switch the focal point of attack.

Kudos to Fern, Zin and Bernie today, they were only ones at it with Dias.

The free kick you refer to was so annoying, he does that so often.

However, there is still room for him in the squad and is still a good player for us. He admits himself he doesn’t have great technical ability.

 

[ctwrd]

to all those asking for players to be rested, your answer was right there, you cant get away with it, that was far too close for comfort

One of the most comfortable 1-0s you will see. It was also near enough our strongest side right now.

the only chance they had to draw was the volley that would have been goal of the season contender.

 

[StillBluessinceHydeRoad]

I get that ! Perhaps its us City fans who dont like this parking the bus as we tend to watch it most games. That's why so many of us enjoyed the Cheltenham game.

Oh, come on, don't be ridiculous. W.B.A came in for a tidal wave of criticism for parking the bus at Anfield.

 

[herrock]

Played well within ourselves today, energy saved and move on to Burnley.

 

[HorlocksWalk]

Like the goal line clearance.

Fair point, well made

 

[aka blue jambo]

Just catching up here ... so is Walker the new Mahrez or the new Gundog??

 

[Rhapsody in Blue]

To win all games in January which is an even tougher month than December (+ the players have the December games in the recent mind and body) if you are in all competitions, is nothing short of amazing.

That we weren’t at our finest is one thing, but to score early, rest some of our most in-form players and beat a physically tough team when they’re on a high after beating scum, is fantastic.

To have the luxury to rest players once in a while and win 12 on the trot, 19 unbeaten, is a luxury not many teams can afford, and we are in a lovely position for the upcoming very tough fixtures. Win our next two games and it’s a two/three horse race at worst.

 

[Matt the Giant]

to all those asking for players to be rested, your answer was right there, you cant get away with it, that was far too close for comfort

But we did get away with it, quite comfortably as well. I mean:

Match Stats

Possession %
Home 74.9 Away 25.1
Total Shots
Home 10 Away 4
Passing %
Home 90.6 Away 75.4
Clear-Cut Chances
Home 2 Away 0
Corners
Home 10 Away 0

 

[CelesteItis]

Awesome!
I mean, the way Pep's has devised the positioning of our defence. Formally it's 4-3-3 but once the game is underway, it mutates to 3 at the back with Fernandinho in the vertice of the triangle. Zinchenko dwells inwards left to the middle as a false 5, 6 , 8?. Dias at the centre as a líbero, Laporte and Walker to the sides. Impermeable. Cue another clean sheet.

Buzzing. Top of the league.

 

[Chris in London]

Three excellent points today. More than that, another clean sheet, even with a changed back 4. And a lot of players rested who will start against Liverpool or Burnley - Sterling, Mahrez, Stones, Cancelo...

Onwards to Burnley, another game ticked off the list until KDB returns

 

[big gaz]

At least Sterling & Mahrez got a day off from abuse :)

Walker stepped up and took it like a good un ;-)

 

[ancoats]

Three excellent points today. More than that, another clean sheet, even with a changed back 4. And a lot of players rested who will start against Liverpool or Burnley - Sterling, Mahrez, Stones, Cancelo...

Onwards to Burnley, another game ticked off the list until KDB returns

the late chance they had had me touching cloth and not good for the blood pressure

 

[CBD]

Awesome!
I mean, the way Pep's has devised the positioning of our defence. Formally it's 4-3-3 but once the game is underway, it mutates to 3 at the back with Fernandinho in the vertice of the triangle. Zinchenko dwells inwards left to the middle as a false 5, 6 , 8?. Dias at the centre as a líbero, Laporte and Walker to the sides. Impermeable. Cue another clean sheet.

Buzzing. Top of the league.

I’m not sure if I understand fully but I like it

 

[ancoats]

Walker stepped up and took it like a good un ;-)

to be fair walker as lost his place to cancello because of injury or fitness ? he looked well off today
maybe needs a run of games or just needs a couple of happy balloons and he will be flying

 

[Chris in London]

the late chance they had had me touching cloth and not good for the blood pressure

Me too, and my piss warmed considerably when we were denied another stonewall pen that would have sealed it.

Still, three points it is.

 

[ancoats]

I’m not sure if I understand fully but I like it

even skysports commentators said the same thing ? what is the formation city are in right now

 

[Chippy_boy]

Not at our best - we missed Cancelo, Stones, who pushes the ball forward quickly, and for all the stick he gets I think we missed Sterling's smart movement - but once we went 1-0 up I'm not sure it was ever really in doubt. What I like about that team is they can grind out wins like this, while resting key players and playing in shit conditions, which never quite felt the case in the past few years, even with the treble winning side.

Good post IMO. That's exactly how I read it.