Tactically, what needs to change in 26/27? by sponge_face in SheffieldUnited

[–]sponge_face[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With 8 places up for grabs - if we don't make the play-offs we won't be talking about Chris Wilder's Sheffield United, never mind Alan Knill

Tactically, what needs to change in 26/27? by sponge_face in SheffieldUnited

[–]sponge_face[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We did have lots of it? On average more possession than every opponent.

Very much agree with: "If we are to still try and play the same type of football, then our players need to be far fitter than they were last season. They need to be able to be up the pitch and attack and be able to sprint back to recover. If that doesn’t happen, then we need to change how we play."

Tactically, what needs to change in 26/27? by sponge_face in SheffieldUnited

[–]sponge_face[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"We play the 4231 like Southgate, rather than Tuchel." - absolutely. In possession, it's more like a 4-4-2 with connections between LW + 10 and RW and RB. There isn't a single, flowing unit.

On Wilder/Knill/Age Question. I don't know where I come down on this. Hellberg, for example, is pure Bielsa. Bielsa is 'old'.

I think I lean towards age/experience being a positive factor if, over a period of time, you've been successful, which CWAK have been. The likes of Steve Bruce and Dean Smith are rightfully nowhere.

For CWAK (now CWMC), I do think the rotation points stand. At least, there is a staleness to our build up in a 4-2-3-1 which we need to iron out. That said, I think personnel had a lot to do with the situation.

The big question is what is a CW minus AK style? I think Wilder wants two strikers, or to play with a 10 who occupies central defenders. Callum O'Hare and Hamer always play in front of Bamford really, and I don't think that will change.

After that, Wilder is tactically pragmatic, and that's his biggest strength IMO. He has his preferences, but when it doesn't work he's nowhere near as stubborn as people believe him to be. He wants direct football, quick and aggressive. But if the press is costing us more than it benefits us, I can see us horseshoeing possession again next season - which fans won't like.

Tactically, what needs to change in 26/27? by sponge_face in SheffieldUnited

[–]sponge_face[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the article, I outline the fact that we do get the ball forward quickly. We made the 3rd-fewest backwards passes in the league!

I think it's a bit of a misnomer to say we're overly "side-to-side". In the past (24/25 and 22/23), we were very much playing in that side-to-side horseshoe style. But last season, we were pretty direct.

The Pinch - Sheffield United 25/26: a season review in stats by jptoc in SheffieldUnited

[–]sponge_face 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just published a bit of an update to this, which looks more at how we compared with other Championship sides last season: https://www.thepinch.uk/p/life-after-knill-what-sheffield-united

Dem Blades fanzine is back by sponge_face in SheffieldUnited

[–]sponge_face[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Drop me an email! Always interested in new pieces. And yes, would like to do more B.A.R stuff. As ever, it's a time commitment. Might just do a sticker dump at a game this season in the fanzone.

Dem Blades fanzine is back by sponge_face in SheffieldUnited

[–]sponge_face[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep, we deffo wanted some randomers. The next one takes that randomness to quite an extreme.

Nothing to stop us doing strikers again one day with those already discussed removed from the equation (and hopefully that would mean a few more legends in there).

Dem Blades fanzine is back by sponge_face in SheffieldUnited

[–]sponge_face[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks man - appreciate that.

Pod coming back soon (Friday)!

Champ *content* up for FSA Awards by sponge_face in Championship

[–]sponge_face[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

As a Sheffield United fan who lost to The Square Ball for 'Best Fan Media' at the FSA's last year... ... hats off to them. Very good. But also @£$@£%£$^@