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We Really Have Nothing to Fear in This League — Notes for Sheffield United
Friday, 13th Oct 2017 11:00 by HarryFromBath

HarryFromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game at Bramall Lane by delving into their forums.

“It has been a great start to life in the Championship”, “We are third in the table and we seem to be stringing wins together and not losses. We’re flying”, “We look very comfortable at this level and the ease with which we have done this is so encouraging”, “Watching games at present is a pure joy.”

“Savour the moments lads, these are what we are in it for.” Blades have been delighted with a start to the league campaign which has seen their side win seven of their first 11 fixtures, including a 4-2 triumph at Hillsborough. “We have been awesome over the last two months. Well done Blades.”

“I am seriously starting to think we have the capability to achieve another promotion”, “We are a team in the making. We are not there yet but we have come a long way this season with more to come”, “We are on the brink of a golden era if we can maintain the esprit de corps we have now.”

“There are exciting times. We have a team with skill, passion and belief coupled with a management team among the smartest in the league.” Fans sense that there is more to come from a side which stormed to last season’s League One title but the majority are taking nothing for granted.

“I have given up trying to predict what this team can do. A year on from when it started we are still rolling like a bloody Panzer. They seem capable of anything”, “I don’t think we have the squad depth to properly challenge for promotion, although our strongest XI will be hard for anyone to live with.”

Chris Wilder

“A lot of managers talk about playing without fear. This United team under Wilder is the first I have seen do it”, “The last time I saw this impact from a UK manager was David Moyes at Preston or Eddie Howe at Bournemouth. He’s not a miracle worker but he has an X-factor managing football teams.”

Chris Wilder imageSheffield United manager Chris Wilder

The 50-year-old one-time defender had two spells playing for United before entering the world of management. He steered Oxford United back into the Football League in 2010 and won the League Two title with Northampton in 2016, before leaving to guide the Blades to last season’s League One title.

“A lot of his success comes from working his way up through non-league football. He has learned his trade and how to get the best out of underperforming or limited players. He treats the club’s money like his own, and the diligence we do on signing is above and beyond anything we have seen before.”

“Wilder has got so many things spot on.” He been praised for moulding a side playing stylish passing football on a budget while at the same time developing the players he has inherited. He is also seen as an astute tactician, “carefully researching opponents and not fitting square pegs in round holes”.

“Never write a player off signed by Wilder. Give them time and support, and encourage them, It’s the future”, “He gives out clear instructions and works to his players strengths”, “I have no doubt that Chris will take us all the way, and this will happen a lot faster than we all thought possible.”

Formation

“I won’t criticise a team that turns up and plays good entertaining football”, “I am so impressed with the sheer quality of the football played”, “We are a good side with nothing to fear. I have been going since the late 1950s and this is the most consistently entertaining United team I have ever seen.”

“It’s fantastic stuff”, “The balance of the team is spot on. We can move in any direction, forward on either flank and we defend as a unit. The passing from all is crisp and sharp and is always for the full 90 minutes. We dominate play for at least an hour of the game and always look alert and efficient.”

“Our pass completion ratio is the best in the league. Our passing game stretches teams and enables us to get in around the back”, “Some of our interchanges under pressure are world class, every one playing intricate triangles, and having the confidence to try tricks and flicks flows through the team.”

“This side may lack individual brilliance but the great thing is that the total sum is greater than that of its parts”, “We don’t rely on individuals, we really are a team. They must do loads of work on the training ground because they all know their jobs and what their team-mates are expected to do.”

BlackmanCarter-VickersWrightO'ConnellBaldockCouttsFleckBashamStevensBrooksClarke

The starting XI (above) for the recent wins at home to Wolves and at Hillsborough is widely expected to closely resemble United’s line-up on Saturday. Two Blades who won’t feature from this side are right wing-back George Baldock, out with a calf injury, and suspended central midfielder Paul Coutts.

“This is the best United midfield in years”, “We are far from being a tippy-tappy outfit.” The style of play is based on passing and moving the ball to build tempo and pull opponents out of position. This is combined with an energetic pressing game out of possession sustained for the full 90 minutes.

“Paul Coutts and John Fleck are definitely the best midfield I have seen in my lifetime.” Coutts will be missed on Saturday as his accurate passing is seen as pivotal to United’s style of play. Blades have also noted that wide centre-backs get forward to support the wing-backs when constructing attacks.

Kieron Freeman has returned from injury and is expected to replace Baldock on the right, while Enda Stevens, who played against Town for Portsmouth in the FA Cup in 2016, is seen as a pacy threat on the left. Mark Duffy regularly plays at the front of the central midfield trio linking with the strikers.

BlackmanCarter-VickersBaldockO'ConnellBashamLundstramCouttsFleckStevensDuffyDonaldson

Wilder rotated the side (above) for their most recent fixture, a weary 2-1 loss away to Forest, but he kept the wing-back system which has served the team faithfully this season. The loss of Jake Wright from the heart of the defence unbalanced the backline as they missed his leadership and direction.

David Brooks is seen as a creative and technically-gifted midfielder, but he played as a striker in behind the strong Leon Clarke to good effect in the recent Wolves and Owls victories. Billy Sharp and Clayton Donaldson add experience and goals though neither have regularly played a full game lately.

Nottingham Forest 2 — 1 Sheffield United

“Just one of those days today, tired legs and not quite at our best. Forest were excellent, defending well, good in possession and taking their chances”, “We had more of the ball but nowhere near the quality we usually have around the box. There was not as much movement to overload defenders.”

John Lundstram shot the Blades into the lead after just three minutes but Jason Cummings levelled for the hosts six minutes later and Kieran Dowell scored the match-winner on 27 minutes. Visiting fans felt that it was a fair result with their fatigued team having played three games in six days.

“There were plenty of uncharacteristic errors. We were sloppy in possession, too tippy-tappy and lacking penetration, and we were defensively as poor as I have seen in a while”, “Credit to Forest, they hustled us and made the most of the space behind our wing-backs, hitting us on the break.”

Sheffield United 2 — 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

“A very cultured, classy performance and again surprisingly comfortable”, “We didn’t panic when Wolves went down to 10 men, we just made them work. It was intelligently done”, “This feels like last season. The games couldn’t come quickly enough so you could feel the elation all over again.”

Leon Clarke had a memorable night against his former club. Wolves defender and former Blades loan signing Conor Coady was sent off on 15 minutes for pulling Clarke back as he chased a through ball, and Clarke’s brace of goals on 39 and 58 sealed a routine win with Wolves also missing a penalty.

“We have been excellent. Wolves struggled even before the sending off, our movement was pulling them apart”, “The Coady dismissal was very funny. I can’t remember an occasion before when an opposing player had been red-carded and leaves the field to a standing ovation from Blades fans.”

Sheffield Wednesday 2 — 4 Sheffield United


“An awesome performance, this team never ceases to amaze me, “That was absolutely fantastic. Quality and desire, they all played well”, “Wednesday were outfought, outthought and outplayed. I love this team and this manager”, “Everyone associated with this club should be very proud.”

“When you are feeling down or feeling that things are not going your way, watching these highlights makes you feel so much better”, “I’m in dreamland, the hard times were all worth it for that”, “I feel sheer pride right now”, “Look at how many empty seats there are in the dying seconds, lovely stuff.”

The Blades made a terrific start, racing into a two-goal lead from a Fleck freekick after three minutes and a Clarke finish on 15. Gary Hooper pulled a goal back for the Owls just before the interval and substitute Lucas Joao then drew the hosts level, rifling home a composed shot on 65 minutes.

Mark Duffy blasted home two minutes later to restore United’s lead and Clarke added a second on 77 minutes to seal a famous win. “The fact that Wednesday got back to 2-2 and started jumping up and down thinking they had us on the run, only for us to smash them makes it so much sweeter.”

BlackmanCarter-VickersBrooksO'ConnellBashamCouttsBaldockFleckStevensDuffyClarke

“We managed to control the game with the 4-3-3.” Wilder was praised by Blades for changing shape midway through the second half (above) and bringing on goal scorer Duffy, naturally a winger, for centre-half Jake Wright. “That was a tactical masterclass by Wilder, perfectly executed by the team.”

Goalkeepers and Central Defenders

“Jamal Blackman plucks everything out of the air, it’s a relief having a 6ft 5in keeper to thwart aerial bombardments.” The 23-year-old Chelsea loan signing “is not a textbook keeper but he’s effective”, “His kicking has been awful and his general demeanour exudes uncertainty and he’s also very quiet.”

Sheffield United keeper Jamal BlackmanSheffield United keeper Jamal Blackman

“Blackman has done okay and his confidence has grown”, “He is easily beaten by low shots, he goes down like a wounded buffalo”, “He’s pretty dilatory all round. Some call it laid-back, I call it ‘almost comatose’. It’s only a matter of time before his ultra-casual dawdling about gets us into trouble.”

“It’s crazy when you look at Cameron Carter-Vickers and realise he’s only 19, he’s a unit.” The man known as CCV is on a season-long loan from Spurs. “He’s a bit of a brute and he doesn’t get outmuscled or tricked by experienced spoilers. He has made a decent start to his Blades’ career”, “We need his ‘presence’.”

“CCV gets conned and gives away cheap freekicks, but he gives a lot out which goes unnoticed. He’s one of a few centre-backs we have who can dish it out”, “He has amazing pace and athleticism and he has a real eye for goal”, “Look at the aggression in his face when he challenges, he’s a Blade.”

“Jack O’Connell doesn’t ever seem to have a bad game, a brilliant signing.” The 23-year-old former Brentford man “is one of our most consistent players”, “He was always solidly built but looks more athletic and is an absolute machine. He has maintained his strength but is more agile and mobile.”

“In O’Connell we have a centre-half who overlaps, beats his man and whips quality balls into the box. If that doesn’t sum up our current team I don’t know what does”, “He does play a centre-back-cum-left-wing role”, “He is so, so good. I have never seen any opponent skin him, not once.”

“Richard Stearman will have to wait. The defence is working very well as it is.” The 30-year-old one-time Town loan signing has been sidelined lately with a hamstring injury. “He has looked our least convincing centre-half. It’s not that he’s poor, it’s just that the other four have been top quality.”

Former Ipswich player Richard StearmanRichard Stearman

“If anyone sums up our turnaround under Wilder it’s Chris Basham.” The 29-year-old ex-Blackpool man “has been excellent whether as a centre-half or defensive midfielder. He puts so much effort in week in, week out”, “He had a stormer against the Owls, you could see how much it meant to him.”

“Basham will not let you down, he epitomises the spirit of the side today”, “His attitude makes up for the fact that he’s not as natural a footballer as the rest of the lads”, “My only criticism of him is his ball distribution. He is good at winning the ball, tackling and breaking-up play but less so at passing.”

Jake Wright

“The worrying thing for me is that when Wright is rested, the defence is all over the shop.” The 31-year-old ex-Oxford man “is the glue which binds the defence together, without him we always look a bit fragmented”, “He has to start every game, we just seem more organised with him in the middle.”

Chris Basham and Jake Wright for Sheffield UnitedChris Basham and Jake Wright

“When Wright is on the pitch we concede every 113 minutes. Without him it’s every 78 minutes. We average 2.5 points per game when he starts but only 0.75 per game when he doesn’t”, “The man is an unsung hero and his rock-steady, if not fancy presence at the back should not be underestimated.”

Wing Backs

“George Baldock’s lightning acceleration will be a huge loss against Ipswich.” The 24-year-old right wing-back injured his calf against Forest and is out of Saturday’s fixture. “The biggest difference between him and Freeman is that Baldock has the natural pace to get back and make a challenge.”

George Baldock - MK DonsGeorge Baldock playing for former club MK Dons

“It’s great news that Kieron Freeman is back. He will be champing at the bit to get his place back from Baldock as the first-choice right wing-back”, “How do you recover from broken ribs so quickly?” The 25-year-old former Ram is available after being injured in the recent home defeat to Norwich.

“Every time Freeman crashed into the box last season you knew he was going for goal, often sending the ball into the roof of the net and leaving the keeper with no chance”, “I hope his scoring boots are working, he bagged 11 last term”, “Baldock has extra pace but Freeman has more of a goal threat.”

Enda Stevens

“Stevens is a brilliant attacking wing-back.” The 27-year-old ex-Pompey man “does so much damage down that left flank with his excellent runs and brilliant crosses into the box”, “He looks like the full package. He has good height and strength, he’s quite quick and tidy and he is good going forward.”

Enda Stevens - PortsmouthEnda Stevens - Portsmouth

“Very quick and skilful”, “Stevens has been too good to move out of position at left wing-back”, “He whips in some good crosses but needs to take an extra touch before delivering the ball”, “Some of his challenges when defending at Forest looked tired and I remember him getting beaten a few times.”

Central Midfielders

“Paul Coutts keeps the midfield ticking over and instigating attacks. He’s not particularly good when defending, hence the bookings.” The 29-year-old ex-Derby man picked up his fifth yellow card in the Forest defeat and is suspended for Saturday’s game. “So often he plays the pass before the assist.”

“John Lundstram will come in for Coutts.” The 23-year-old ex-Oxford midfielder, an Everton academy product, “loves a tackle and doesn’t duck out of them. It it’s a 50/50, you can guarantee he comes out of it with no injury”, “The lad has a solid, steady physique. When we need some muscle in the engine-room, he fits the bill.”

“Lundstram is tall, rangy and has a long stride and good agility. That helps him to be quick over the first few yards”, “He needs to learn from Coutts and tone down the Hollywood passes, keep it simple and keep the ball”, “He overhits a few long passes but plays some tidy stuff and puts himself about.”

“The side looks better balanced with Mark Duffy playing.” The 31-year-old ex-Birmingham City right winger “is more effective centrally. We are lucky to have him, but he is not fit enough to play the wing-back role for 90 minutes”, “He is our most effective link between the midfield and the strikers.”

“I hope we get back to Duffy playing behind a front two against Ipswich because it allows us to get higher up the pitch”, “I wish he would pull the trigger more often. He finds himself in good positions so many times but chooses to give it to someone else rather than simply just having a pop himself.”

John Fleck

“How can you not like John Fleck? He’s very brave for a small player. He goes into every tackle and never refuses a challenge. It’s admirable and his tackling is also very good.” The 26-year-old former Coventry man, the nephew of former Norwich striker Robert, “has ability and tenacity in equal measure, he’s a proper soldier in Wilder’s army”.

“If the centre-back wants an outlet, Fleck is there. If the ball lands with one of our forwards, Fleck is there. He’s a superb footballer and allows his fellow midfielders to play so well”, “He has a proper footballing brain, always knowing how to get around players and find pockets of space to work in.”

Strikers

“David Brooks is only 20 and is making seasoned pros look like idiots with his pace and increasing strength. What is he going to be like when he fills out a bit?” The youth product “can unlock teams”, “He is so technically and mentally good that he has managed to slip seamlessly into his current role.”

“Brooks is a pure attacking player. He’s a dribbler, a flair player, someone to unleash in the last third and not someone to play deeper in a more disciplined role”, “He drags defenders with him leaving space for others”, “Our strikers will score a hatful once he starts delivering a final pass consistently.”

“As debuts go Clayton Donaldson’s has to be right up there.” The 33-year-old August deadline day arrival from Birmingham scored a brace at Sunderland. “It was faultless and he looked the perfect fit in our system”, “He runs in behind stretching the game and giving the midfield space and options.”

Adam Webster and Clayton DonaldsonAdam Webster and Birmingham's Clayton Donaldson

“Donaldson is a tall, rangy striker that can actually control a football”, “He’s big, strong, fast and has an eye for goal. He gives defenders a rough ride and beats them for pace when needed”, “He didn’t look fit and lacked match sharpness against Forest”, “He could turn into a bit of a cult hero for us.”

“Billy Sharp follows the ball.” The 31-year-old former Doncaster and Leeds striker “is a goal poacher who is usually there for the rebound or the ball across the box”, “He will always score when it gets chaotic in the box and the ball is pinging around”, “He will start if the Ipswich defence sits deep.”

former Leeds' striker Billy SharpeFormer Leeds' striker Billy Sharpe

“Nothing made me happier than seeing Billy Sharp lead the team to glory last season”, “He lacks height and pace but is an instinctive finisher”, “It’s not just the 50-plus goals he has scored for us, it’s the attention defences have to pay him because they know that he will score if he gets a chance.”

Leon Clarke

“Leon Clarke has found his perfect home.” The 32-year-old former Sky Blue “is powerful and has the ability to bully defenders”, “He is strong, links up well, is a decent finisher and works hard”, “A clever footballer who does a lot of the nasty cynical things with defenders that we have lacked.”

former Wolves' striker Leon ClarkeFormer Wolves' striker Leon Clarke

“One thing I like about Leon is that he comes across as one of the grumpiest footballers I have ever seen. I never liked him when he played against us”, “He won a lot against the Owls and pulled their centre-backs all over the place”, “He seems to excel in this formation with Brooks supporting him.”

Blades’ Views on ITFC and the Game

“I love playing Ipswich and have a lot of respect for them. I always thought they were our level and should be enjoyed to the utmost”, “Let's have a love-in with them and join in slagging Norwich off”, “Let’s not. Far more animosity towards Ipswich even allowing for the recent frustration v Norwich.”

“If you actually look at Ipswich's record so far they have only beaten teams out of form or dare I say at this stage of the season lower Championship teams. Away from home against the more fancied Championship teams they have had poor results. Thus, we could be in for a big win.”

“We will be too strong for them at home so going 2-0 Blades.” With 79 per cent predicting a home win and seven per cent an Ipswich victory, the South Yorkshiremen are heading into the game with high hopes. The most popular forecast scores by far are 2-1 and 2-0 wins for the Blades.

“Ipswich fans seem to be hoping for the best, but fearing the worst. They are talking of a seven-man defence and McCarthy already getting excuses lined-up at this afternoon's press conference. They are also debating if McGoldrick should start up top as he's now apparently fit after injury.”

“They seem to be very pleased Sharp hasn't been playing but don't seem to realise the potential impact Coutts's absence might have on our midfield”, “Will Ipswich dive and roll around like their Norfolk brethren did last month?”, “With McCarthy in charge, nope, never.”

“I have some insider knowledge of Ipswich. We can expect a high tempo game. They will have two up top (4-4-2 or even 5-3-2). Plenty of long and high balls and lots of overload down the flanks. They will sit back and hit us on the break. We know that defending this is something of a weakness for us.

“If Ipswich manage to go one up they will make Norwich [who ground out a negative 1-0 away win last month] look like they played with 10 men up top. They won't park the bus, they will stick the Orwell Bridge across the front of their goal on its side. Garner always seems to score against us.

“It's going to be a tough game and if we're not on top of our game they will score and kill the game. If we can find some space and move the ball quickly and on the ground, we'll absolutely muller them”, “Ipswich mirror their manager - dour, unadventurous and worthy of little comment.”

“After we knocked them out in the [1997] play-offs with 10 men they took on an irrational hatred of us as they had been on a great run and felt they would win easily. After that they called us ‘Norwich of the North’. I am mates with an Ipswich fan and he confirms that this continues with lots of them.”

Blades’ Views on Mauricio Taricco

“The only other thing of note that I remember about Ipswich is a dirty ****er of a player they had called Mauricio Taricco. This Argie played for Ipswich between 1994 and 1999 and we played them at home four times. In one of these home games he did an unforgivable foul on one of our players.”

Mauricio TariccoMauricio Taricco

“The repeated crimes against football instigated by Mauricio Taricco are ones that I neither forgive nor forget”, “He was was a cynical dirty, spitting, injury feigning cheating **** who seemed more bothered about getting opposition players sent off than playing football.”

“I’m pretty sure Taricco single-handedly connived to get Dane Whitehouse sent off in one home game around this period and on separate occasions I think he may have been involved where other United players got reds. Anyway, he’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Ipswich.”

“It was a 2-2 draw that he got Whitehouse sent off in. He dived and when he got up he went right in Whitehouse's face. Whitehouse shoved him over and Taricco was rolling around like he'd been shot and got him sent off”, “He got absolute pelters every time he came back and deservedly so.”

“Shefki Kuqi also played for Ipswich. I'm sure I remember him getting a late goal for them at Bramall Lane. Like Taricco, we hated him as well!”

Websites

The busiest Blades’ forum is the friendly and knowledgeable S24SU.com.

One thread worth highlighting contains some of their memories of games between the two sides over the last five decades.



Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



TR11BLU added 11:17 - Oct 13
Great notes as ever Harry.

A lot of hate for us it seems....so lets make it more so!

All logic points to a home win but how many times have we dug one out when seemingly least likely?
1 - 2 I reckon :-)
4

Steve_M added 11:29 - Oct 13
A confident side, playing well at home. This is one where the confidence of the home fans seems justified. However, we know we have goals in us this season so we might just see a good game.

Allardyceesque blubbing about Taricco 20 years on though. Especially given the cloggers they had at the time and that tw@t Fjortoft.
2

Warkys_Tash added 11:37 - Oct 13
Great reviews as always - Thanks Harry.

They certainly are the Norwich of The North - No love lost between us for sure.
3

ericclacton added 11:53 - Oct 13
Hello Harry, The Blades featuring Mr Basham, I can't see us getting anything up there, from what I've seen this term at home our defence is feeble and nervous and MM must sort that out now. still we live in hope, he's also got to play Waghorn up front it's crazy playing him wide, he's got a brain and reads the game well. 3-0. good read Harry upthetowen.
3

Bluebell added 12:12 - Oct 13
Thanks Harry as always. Are you going to this one?

Let's hope we can take the smile off their faces. Chris Wilder is a great manager though. I have followed him with Oxford United and then Northampton. I would have to say I will be happy with a draw there.

I'm looking forward to going to Bramall Lane again.
3

LankHenners added 12:13 - Oct 13
Thanks Harry, could be a good game and hopefully we'll have a more solid, balanced side out tomorrow - need to work on the basis of step 1 stop them step 2 grab a goal as we've been undone by better sides this season when we haven't really settled into the game.

They seem pretty confident in their attacking ability so will need to cut out the silly errors at the back - if we do that then we could have another Leeds performance with a good chance of a better result.
4

JohnStirk added 13:26 - Oct 13
'“Will Ipswich dive and roll around like their Norfolk brethren did last month?”, “With McCarthy in charge, nope, never.”'...well Garner certainly will - all set to be their new Taricco...
1

NITFC added 13:28 - Oct 13
Interesting comments about the scum's tactics.

As for the Taricco comments, they are all true.......I loved him !!
2

runningout added 14:24 - Oct 13
I don't dislike them. Can't see the point in it. Easy win for us hehe!
2

flimflam added 16:24 - Oct 13
Cant bring myself to dislike them even though they have a grudge against us. Proper football club who are flying high after years of struggle.
2

jas0999 added 17:09 - Oct 13
Good stuff Harry. Draw written all over this or a negative 1-0 smash and grab from us.
3

dud5ers added 17:15 - Oct 13
Why would anyone dislike Shefki? He's a teddy bear
2

SheptonMalletBlue added 19:13 - Oct 13
“Ipswich mirror their manager - dour, unadventurous and worthy of little comment.”
Says it all really!
-1

LegendofthePhoenix added 19:54 - Oct 13
Great article Harry.
I've always wanted to stick it to them ever since I went to Bramhall Lane and had to endure a 7-0 drubbing. Then got stuck in fog over the pennines. But the 3-2 comeback at PR a few years back went some way to making amends.
2

Ryorry added 19:55 - Oct 13
Wow - a lot of homework gone into that Harry, very impressive blog indeed - many thanks, really appreciate your work.
3

KiwiTractor added 11:10 - Oct 14
The 3-2 comeback win at PR a few years back is one of the best matches I've been to. A 3-2 win tomorrow would be nice......
2


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