I never disagreed with that view. This was the game we really had to win and we made very hard work of it. This season is probably going to be another nail biter. Everton being docked points in October will probably help.
Chicago: Living on the edge.
I think you're both overlooking the point of what he was likely asked to do. We set out in a 3-4-3 to really go at Sheffield United, and given the back three consisted of at most one player who is a likely starter given a full squad to choose from that midfield pair almost certainly had the mandate to break up the middle of the park, ensure that the back three weren't being pulled around, and cover for Neco getting stranded upfield. Danilo worked his arse off doing that, more so than Mangala who we know is better with the ball than off it, and whining about him not getting into the box or playing killer passes in for the forwards is missing the big picture I think. He did what he needed to do, and likely what he was asked to do. It was noticeable how he changed the way he played when we went to four at the back with Yates alongside him - he suddenly wasn't having to cover one side of the park and was able to be far more progressive with both his passes and his positioning.
Saw the exact same point made by a Sheffield United fan. We brought on two attacking players who cost 30M, they brought on youth team players.
If you look at our bench, there's probably only Horvath any maybe Toffolo who wouldn't have been in their starting lineup.
I am fully aware that Barry was probably asked to fulfill the Freuler Role. Based on that evidence Remo does it better. Danilo is not a DM or a holding midfielder. He is box to box. There were numerous times that he had plenty of time to turn and head up the field, (something if you watch later in the match MGW was frustrated about and had words with him), Girdles is a commentator. He was articulating to the masses that it was negative. What he probably saw which was apparent to most who had a heavy interest in the game that the game was slowing down and playing right into the hands of the opposition as the Blunts (either by team or coaching) realised that he wasn't pushing the tempo and attacking but just trying to keep possession. This possession was basically passing it to Mckenna who was having a stinker of a game. This allowed the Undead to push further on and up into more of a press because they originally were cautious of the Forest break at speed. Danilo was killing this part of our transition dead and for the end of the first half and the beginning of the second Sheffield were getting more possession and attacking because they could afford to take chances on the press. Forest looked flat and the introduction of Ryan and Anthony with the formation change solved this. Yes there was a Plan B and that was to scrap plan A with Danilo looking frankly lost. He is a young lad and will learn in the cauldron because he's super talented but I think that demonstrated right there why we are after a pure DM, Fofano or Sangare type.
Maybe it was also Cooper's little trick to show EM in the crowd that we better get a fucking hurry up too. I doubt Danilo will be playing that role against Manchester Utd.
So yeah, Danilo was poor in my view tonight because of the very reason I wrote above. He didn't do what he needed to do. (probably because he doesn't have that experience to do it). Mckenna and Joe were dreadful together and they certainly weren't helping either, but this was a mistake in the midfield that got the opposition back in the game. As I said, Ryan came in and muscled his way forward whilst also doing the tackling, niggly shit he is so good at. We got away with one tonight because we didn't press the advantage until we really had to go for it.
If we get the players we want then Stevie's plan will come to fruition. If we don't then I suspect we will go back to 4-5-1. or god forbid bring Remo back into the team. Tidy but meh.
Chicago: Seeing a completely different game.
343, especially at home against bottom half opposition, isn’t going to work when Worrall is the quickest and best ball player of the three. But Niakhate and Felipe change that, even if we don’t sign anyone new.
Also think it's generally a good time to play a newly-promoted team. Even though they lack quality and depth, they will probably grow into the season as they get used to the league. Ditto Luton.
Not to sure about Luton - I suspect they’ll surprise a couple of teams at home because of their physical intensity, but that wears off after a while if it is all you have (& I think it is, in their case).
We’ll see; I expect lots of people said much the same about us 12 months ago.
That Chris Wood header looks better every time you see it - superb cross with pace, but still plenty to do. That’s 3 points he has contributed so far, so maybe in due course the anti-Wood narrative will subside somewhat. Shelvey he ain’t.
As others have already said, almost the perfect outcome for SSC; 3 points but glaring examples of why imports like Harwood-Bellis, Fofana/Sangare or whoever are still required. To be fair to them, I don’t get the impression that the owner / club disagree with the manager about the need to get people in. 2 weeks to go.
Key thing with Wood, apart from his track record - which is of course important - is that he seems to be willing to fight for his place. If that remains the case, and we play to his strengths, he will undoubtedly be an asset.
There's definitely a counter-thought to that, i.e. sometimes promoted teams can still be on a high from the previous season and an unknown entity. I think playing them early is less preferably to a couple of months in when a few of the bigger sides have likely handed their arses to them.
Wood also got a vital point against Man City last year and he seems like a good bloke. Cooper talks about how he is part of the leadership group. Last night is a great thing for him to build on anyway and if we have both him and Awoniyi in form that could carry us a long way.
The ManU game should be interesting. We should try and absolutely kill the game piss them off wind them up and Yates them for 80 minutes, then Elanga them in the last [20]. They weren't great against Wolves.
I thought Wood also looked sharp when he came on against Eintracht Frankfurt in preseason. Taiwo’s on a roll and his style is more suited to the rapid counterattacking game we are good at. He’s also becoming a handful in the box as his confidence and experience grows. When we need to gain control and keep the ball, Wood is a good option.
Regarding transfers in… I think we are trying and I don’t think Marinakis is unwilling to spend but a combination of price expectation and the pull of bigger clubs makes it tricky. CDMs are in big demand this year and generating ridiculous transfer fees.
True. But you'd rather have played us early last season than post-Leicester, after which SSC decided to tighten things up. Heavy defeats can work both ways depending on the character of those involved.
I'm glad we played this lot at home early. Last night played at Bramall Lane might have been a different story.
Well, we played them last night and beat them. That's all that matters.
First game in a long time when we weren't the underdogs. I think that affected the team and the crowd. The win should give us confidence, though.
As I find myself increasingly attending games on my own and sober I seem to have a more positive outlook these days, but last night in particular. They were mostly shite, showcasing all our failings of 12 months ago (defensive sharpness, aimless punts, shit bench, over compensating with getintoum) and then some (knobhead manager, transfer policy inspired by Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard, knobhead fans harbouring a complete disregard for the strike ballot procedure of the NUM in the early 80s, the club being 8th month of the strike levels of skint). We on the other hand have clearly grown. We started to show an interest in having possession whilst looking to bring pace, control and flair to the game, MGW should absolutely keep showboating, it won't always come off but it's better to live one day as a lion then 6 decades as an unemployed miner with a Stones Bitter habit. When they managed to (credit where credit is due) dig their way back into the game and it wasn't quite running to plan for us SSC brings on 2 players better than anything they had on the pitch, the tempo changed and I didn't think the result was ever in doubt. Atmosphere builds, donkey jackets blown off, que IJCGE and a bit of a boogie. They may well be peak dross to visit the WFCG this season but that's still PL dross and I think we were a class above, which is a nice change.
Interestingly, I seem to have watched the same game as people on here (even when there is some dispute as to detail and conclusion, the descriptions are consistent). But listening to the Garibaldi podcast it's like they played it on Playstation and then decided that's what actually happened, regardless of performances.
Which particular points?
