I Hate To Say It, But We Have No Balls - Notes for Sheffield Wednesday Monday, 9th Feb 2015 12:00 by HarryFromBath HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Tuesday night’s game by delving into their forums. “We’re a fantastic cure for insomnia”, “We’re so great at being mediocre, it’s brilliant”, “We’re definitely not good enough for the play-offs”, “With our solid defensive shape in the back and centre, the rest of the players should have the freedom to attack, yet seem incapable of doing this.” The Owls arrive on Tuesday evening comfortably mid-table in 10th position but fans are unhappy with a team that has had two draws and two defeats in their last four games. They have scored just 22 goals in 29 league games and a paltry eight in 15 games at Hillsborough. Many fans are urging perspective in what has been a very good season thus far. “All season we have gone on mini-runs, good and bad. We’ll go unbeaten now and things will look good again”, “This is just a difficult phase of the season we have to get through, but get through it we will.” “Probably best to write off the rest of the season and bed in the new recruits. Get everyone fighting fit for a real push next season”, “The new owners have their work cut out with this lot. I suspect a busy summer for us if we’re going to be a legitimate threat in this league.” The Thai United Frozen Group“Morning everyone - great time to be a Wednesday fan”, “Bloody hell, we’ve actually been taken over.” The one bright note for Owls this year has been the announcement at the end of January of the takeover of the club by the company which is the world’s largest producer of canned tuna. “It’s a new era”, “Maybe, just maybe we’ll get to relive some of the glory days”, “This is the real deal. If we don’t hit the big time now, we never will.” Owls are pleased with the funding the takeover will bring to the club after Azerbaijan businessman Hafiz Mammadov’s bid failed in the summer. There is great affection for departing owner Milan Mandaric. “Milan arrived at our darkest hour and saved the club”, “What could have happened to our club without Milan doesn’t bear thinking about”, “Thank you Milan, you fulfilled your promise”, “Thank you, a seriously huge thank you.” The arrival of three new signings on last month’s transfer deadline day in the form of striker Sergiu Bus, right-back Marnick Vermijl and Felipe Melo [no, not the Brazil striker, but a Portuguese holding midfielder] and the return of Lewis McGugan on loan from Watford have fuelled fans’ optimism. Stuart Gray“Please just bloody go for it Stuart. We know we are a mid-table team and we will win a few then lose a few. It will make it a bit more entertaining from now on”, “His home record is nothing short of appalling”, “Recent results have not been great especially against bottom-half teams.”  The Wednesday boss has been criticised for his tactical cautiousness and not addressing problems quickly enough on the field during games. Gray is also blamed for failing to sign any natural wingers for the squad, but many fans are quick to recognise what he has achieved on a small budget. “Stu has over-performed this season when you consider our wage bill. He has got us as close to promotion this season as we have been since we were relegated from the top flight”, “He has worked wonders getting us into the top half of the table with the players available.” Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 1 Cardiff“We aren’t fighters. We’re starting to play tippy-tappy football that gets us nowhere. Teams with a bit of presence overpower us. I hate to say it but we have no balls”, “Cardiff might as well get their pipe and slippers out as we are causing them no problems whatsoever.” Saturday’s draw with the Bluebirds was a game of two halves. The Owls’ insipid first-half display was characteristic of many recent performances and they fell behind to a Kenwyne Jones header when left-back Joe Mattock was left isolated against the Trinidad and Tobago international. “It was the same old, same old I’m afraid.” WestwoodVermijlLees (c)DielnaMattockHelanMaguireHutchinsonLeeMayKeane
The team that started on Saturday struggled in the first half as it had in recent games. The central midfielders were unable to support the strikers, the widemen were not natural wingers and the two strikers were unable to handle the inevitable long clearances which resulted from the team’s set up. “Big second half coming up - we really need to put a big performance in”, “We need Semedo on to give us a foothold in the game in midfield”, “I expect to see McGugan and Bus come on. We need a spark badly”, “We went up a level when Jose came on, and up another when McGugan came on.” WestwoodLees (c)DielnaHelanSemedoHutchinsonMcGuganBusMayKeaneVermijl
The introduction of defensive midfielder Jose Semedo after the break freed up the midfield. Jeremy Helan was pushed back to left-back, where he was more of a threat coming from deep and Lewis McGugan was able to link play between the midfield and strikers with drive and energy. The four attacking players operated with greater fluidity and the equalising penalty, scored by Will Keane came as no surprise. Supporters struggled to understand why Gray didn’t go for the opposition from the beginning. “Gray’s ultra-defensive formation couldn’t break Cardiff down from the start.” “Cardiff’s squad is a shadow of that which got them promoted and they were there for the taking”, “There was no drive in midfield before the break”, “It’s hard to defend Gray’s tactics given the attacking talent brought into the squad”, “A much better second half but not good enough overall.” Reading 2 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday“Let’s be honest. We’ve looked poor for a few games now”, “We play too deep and lack an attacking threat”, “I don’t think the words ‘Let’s go for it’ exist in this current Wednesday side unfortunately”, “2-0 is a nightmare lead, except when you’re playing Wednesday.” “Reading are kicking our arses.” The Owls’ insipid defeat at the Madejski two weeks ago came as no surprise when they paired Lewis Baker in attack behind on-loan Manchester United striker Keane. The inexperienced duo did not carry a threat. “Two lads learning the ropes together are a gamble which has backfired.” “When the defence has an off day we get performances like today.” The Royals targeted the Owls’ left flank with left-back Joe Mattock regularly left isolated. “I think that this was possibly the worst performance of the season”, “Another clean sheet for our opponents.” Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 0 Birmingham“Is it over yet?”, “I have never witnessed any home team so inept at trying to break down an average opponent. I honestly cannot recall a shot on target. We don’t deserve the play-offs and haven’t a chance in hell until we change our home tactics.” This game followed the pattern of the first half against Cardiff, with strikers by and large relying on hit-and-hope knockdowns and the midfield ineffective both through the middle and out wide. “They’ll have an offer for the next home game. You can take someone you really hate for a tenner.” “I couldn’t believe the negativity of our players. Not one of them had a go or tried to do something. It was always sideways or backwards. If it played forward, it was just a hit and hope ball to Nuhiu”, “It was another team there for the taking that we didn’t capitalise on”, “Very dull once again.” Formation“We are defensively very organised and we are set up in such a way that player positions are fairly rigid. There is not much fluidity and we don’t score many as a result.” The personnel in the starting XIs against Birmingham and Cardiff were different, but the pattern of play was similar. WestwoodPalmerLeesLoovens (c)MattockMaguireBakerSemedoMahogmaNuhiuKeane
“What I don’t get is that we can pass it on the floor and look good when we do, so why hoof it in the air for strikers who often struggle to compete with 6ft-plus defenders?”, “If we played 10 yards higher up the pitch it would make us more cohesive”, “It’s the same pattern game after game.” “McGugan and Semedo complement each other very well.” Many Owls want to see these two operate together in the centre. Several have suggested playing a diamond to take advantage of both Helan’s pace from the back and to offer some support for the strike partnership from the middle. Defence“We have been bailed out by our back four this season”, “We have become over-reliant on our defence and our goalkeeper”, “When our back four is not at its best, we risk getting hammered because we can’t offer any kind of pressure at the other end.” While the back four has been the bedrock of the Owls successful season, opponents have sought to hurt them down the flanks and most recently their left flank has been targeted. “It sounds like our left hand side again”, “The opposition seem to target Palmer and Mattock.” Keiren Westwood“Westwood, I flipping love you”, “I have been watching Wednesday for 49 years and he is without doubt the best keeper I have seen at the club”, “He has kept us in so many games this season”, “Bailed out by Westy again”, “He is better than a brick wall”, “Come on Neuer, save it.”  The 30-year-old former Coventry keeper and Republic of Ireland international has been widely praised, but was uncharacteristically hesitant against Cardiff. “Could he have done better with their goal?”, “He wasn’t as assured as usual and had a few shaky moments.” With captain Glenn Loovens suspended, 27-year-old former Istres left-back Claude Dielna is expected to cover at centre-half as he did against Cardiff. “At centre-back he seems shaky”, “He seems quite erratic. You are never sure what you’re going to get, which isn’t ideal for a centre-back.” “Is Dielna capable of playing a five-yard pass?”, “His distribution fluctuates between diabolical and majestic”, “He plays like a nine-year-old. Every time he gets the ball he just swings his leg at it”, “He just volleys the ball every time he gets it”, “Dielna is a cabbage or caviar player.” Former Leeds centre-back Tom Lees “is one of our best players”. The 24-year-old “reads the game so well. He should carry the ball out instead of looking for diagonal balls to Nuhiu all the time.” He missed Loovens against Cardiff. “He was well below par and had a number of shaky moments.” Liam Palmer was dropped for the Cardiff game. The 23-year-old right-back and youth product “is solid defensively but utterly inept going forward”, “Once he crosses the halfway line, we may as well all go home”, “He defends well but is poor going forward and his crosses are woeful.” “Palmer had a typical static display against Birmingham”, “It took him 70 minutes to get involved in the game.” His supporters praise his defending. “Palmer had Demarai Gray in his back pocket all evening. This is the usual scapegoating.” “After about half-an-hour the kid in front of me turned around and said ‘At last we have somebody who can play right-back’. He looked far more competent than Palmer” New signing Marnick Vermijl “played a tentative game but wasn’t ever out of his depth against Cardiff. He needs time to settle”. The 23-year-old Belgian arrived from Manchester United and made his debut on Saturday. “He did alright. He made a few crosses into the penalty area”, “Vermijl was nothing spectacular but I was impressed that he came in and looked the part despite having no first-team game time this season.” “Joe Mattock gets forward a lot”, “I look forward to seeing him do this at some point.” The 24-year-old former West Brom left-back “is the best defensive left-back, but hasn’t got the recovery pace to get back if we are hit on the counter.” “Mattock seems to cost us goals every time he plays”, “He was beaten to the header for the Cardiff goal.” Some Owls believe that he has not been protected by Mahogma when he has played in front of him. “He won’t get back to protect Mattock if we are hit on the counter.” Jeremy Helan
“Our defence is better with Helan playing. He gives us more attacking options as we haven’t got the pace to counter-attack without him”, “He’s a key part of our defensive strength”, “He’s not good enough on the ball to be the answer in wide areas”, “His final ball leaves a lot to be desired”, “Helan is a donkey, all pace and no ability”, “It’s the kind of threat you get when a really paralytic drunk starts on you on a night out. He promises a lot but he just staggers around, limbs flailing everywhere without doing any damage. He falls over himself and everybody goes home.” Central Midfield“Our attacking and creative options are non-existent”, “We have nothing in the middle of the park”, “We have no drive in the middle”, “Our central midfield is still a real concern for us. It is unbalanced and full of converted defenders,” “Our midfield can stop teams but it offers zero creativity.” “Seeing Sam Hutchinson start makes me nervous”, “Let’s have a bet on how long before he gets booked. I’m going for 23 minutes”, “Booked, seven minutes, injured, 24 minutes, sent off, 24.5 minutes”, “As good as Hutchinson is, he’s a liability with suspensions and injuries.” The 25-year-old former Chelsea holding player “was used to double up on Kenwyne Jones which left holes in other areas”, “He showed that he was a good player last season, but hasn’t got going this season”, “I notice how he gets drawn into silly arguments with opponents. He needs to grow up.” “Kieran Lee is steady and solid.” The 26-year-old ex-Oldham man “isn’t afraid of carrying the ball forward and will always show for the ball”, “He has the best first touch of any of our midfielders. He runs for the full 90 minutes and tackles people without smashing into them like Hutch or Semedo.” “Lee is very tidy on the ball but lacks penetration”, “He can’t play that killer ball and is best suited to a team of players who can play that pass in the final third”, “He gets bullied in the centre”, “Kieran is too lightweight for central midfield, but might be started on the right against Ipswich on Tuesday.” “Lewis Baker is still learning the Championship game.” The 19-year-old Chelsea loan signing was dropped after the Reading defeat. “He’s making his way and the Championship is an unforgiving place”, “He hasn’t been taught to play with the ball flying over his head most of the time.” “I can see Felipe Melo making the bench against Ipswich.” Owls have only had an opportunity to study clips of the 25-year-old former Moreirense man. “His passing looks impressive”, “He looks like he can be a bit more forward thinking than our defensive midfielders.” Lewis McGugan“McGugan wasn’t match-fit when he came on against Cardiff but oozed class. I haven’t seen us look as dangerous going forward all season.” The 26-year-old former Forest player has returned to the Owls on loan from Watford and is building fitness after a hamstring injury.  “He has a great eye for a pass, sprays the ball around well, his corners were quality and he can turn and go forward to open play up”, “McGugan has an attacking threat we so badly need”, “We had a quality midfielder who picked out players all over, drove the team forward and was willing to shoot.” Jose Semedo“Semedo changed them game against Cardiff. He bossed the midfield and battled for everything”, “He didn’t start as he was coming back from a toe injury”, “He has bundles of energy and nothing fancy but he’s like Ronseal. He gets the job done.”  The 30-year-old former Charlton man “is a rock solid anchor, but that’s not enough in a two-man central midfield. His first instinct is to pass sideways and all momentum is lost when he gets on the ball. He’s a fantastic midfielder to play on the road, but we need more attacking instinct at home.” The Owls have not conceded in each of the last four league games he has started. “He’s brilliant at winning the ball and giving it simple to someone who can create”, “He was winning possession in the opponents half against Cardiff and he did more to set up attacks when deployed further forward.” Wide Midfield“We desperately lack a winger who can carry the ball and put a decent cross in”, “If the new owners are serious, we have to sign some quality for the wide areas next season. We are so poor in that position.” With Chris Maguire suspended, the Owls have one natural winger for Tuesday’s game. “I don’t make a habit of slagging players off but for Mahogma I’ll make an exception. I hate seeing his name on the team sheet. He offers nothing and leaves whoever is playing at left-back totally exposed.” The 27-year-old former Burton man “is a lazy footballer not fit to wear the shirt”. “How does Jacques Mahogma get picked week-in week-out?”, “Technically he’s very good but he’s far too casual”, “Get him out and get in a proper left-winger”, “With the ball he is okay, but without it is appalling. He never comes short or shows for it. The drifts in to centrally and leaves no width.” Strikers“Who seriously thought that a team which can’t score goals could get in the play-offs?”, “We seem to run out of ideas in the final third”, “Just score a flipping goal someone”, “Goals please, last seen in 1997. Please report if found”, “No striker on earth would score regularly with our current side.” One player who won’t feature on Tuesday is former Blue Caolan Lavery, who is out on loan at Chesterfield. “He won the game for them at the weekend. I’m not surprised as he is good enough to be playing for us”, “We could have found room for him. He’s the best natural striker at the club.” “Cometh the hour, cometh the Bus”, “Sergiu Bus holds the ball up well and makes good runs”, “He looks lively and puts himself about. He looks a little clumsy but time will tell”, “He has some right energy about him”, “He just needs to get used to the pace of the Championship.” “He was knocking defenders off the ball.” Owls were impressed by the 30-minute debut from the ex-CSKA Sofia man against Cardiff. “He looks faster, stronger and more determined than Stevie May”, “He dropped deep to get the ball and didn’t just hang right up top waiting for someone to find him.” “I love Atdhe Nuhiu but he is poor in front of goal”, “It’s the same old, same old from the lump. The number of chances he misses is inexcusable.” The 25-year-old ex-Rapid Vienna man has “great hold-up play, but you can’t miss the number of blatant sitters he does and call yourself a striker”. “Nuhiu needs to bring more to the table than hold up play. He is regularly out-jumped by defenders who are nearly a foot shorter than him and he has no sense of direction around the net”, “We become static and predictable with Nuhiu as his movement is poor and we loft the ball up to him.” Stevie May“Stevie May hits the post. Arse, banjo and cow spring to mind.” The 22-year-old ex-St Johnstone striker missed a one-on-one chance on Saturday. “Stevie May is brilliant at hitting the woodwork”, “He looks like Jesus as well”, “I like him but am losing patience with him.”  “May needs to compensate for his lack of physicality with finishing, but that isn’t happening”, “His main strength is his excellent footballing brain. He knows where he needs to be”, “He’s low on confidence and desperate to score. He’s snatching at chances he’d usually bury.” Some Owls believe he will hit form with support from the new arrivals. “Our midfielders don’t see his runs half the time”, “He’s a very busy player and not easy to play against”, “He’s the best forward he have when the ball is at his feet”, “Why doesn’t Gray get the ball played to him on the ground?” Will Keane“We need either a quick finisher or someone who leads the line aggressively. Keane doesn’t really tick either box.” The 22-year-old has started each of the last three games having arrived on loan from Manchester United last month. “He’s an intelligent player with a good touch.”  “Keane is a good link player with a good touch and he brings people into the game. If he puts on a stone of muscle he would make a very good Championship player”, “I like his balance and his ability with both feet”, “He needs more of a striker’s instinct to attack crosses in front of defenders.” Owls were baffled when he was played as a lone striker at Reading. “Throwing a new, unproven young lad on his own up front with a non-existent scoring record is suicidal”, “Putting him on his own up front when Nuhiu has been doing the hold-up role perfectly well doesn’t make sense.” Owls’ Views on ITFC and the Game“Spoke to quite a few Ipswich fans when changing trains at Leicester. They are not confident at all.” There has been very little comment yet on Tuesday’s game, but this will change once the weekend is over. I will update the forum on Tuesday lunchtime and link the thread to my twitter feed. WebsitesThe busiest Owls message board is the polite and very knowledgeable Owlstalk .
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“Can people stop pretending that Helan is doing well? Running quickly before turning back, losing control and falling over your own feet does not count as doing well.” The 22-year-old former Manchester City youth player was switched to left-back from a left-midfield role on Saturday.
