CheddarReds

I was at Bramall Lane as a neutral and it was great. I was impressed with both teams (for the most part) and to their credit they both set up to win the game rather than nervously settle for a point each. Burnley did a good job of making the pitch big in the first half. Benson Manuel was impressive, unsurprisingly for those who have kept up with Burnley's results this year. However, they were quite a small side compared to Sheff Utd and it showed. It felt like Sheffield United won a lot of 50/50 duels just where they were bigger and stronger. If anyone's seen the highlights, it's very noticeable for the goals - Burnley just couldn't cope with McBurnie (who was outstanding) in particular from set pieces**. Burnley's keeper, Muric, was massive but didn't seem comfortable from set pieces (perhaps due to a lack of help) but was also really keen to play long flat passes out to Cork in the middle third where possible which was quite interesting. I expect Burnley to get caught out doing it a couple times this season. Felt like Burnley missed Brownhill and Rodriguez. Ndiaye also showed glimpses of brilliance for Sheff Utd, as per. Not exactly a hot take but I'm sure both teams will be right up there this year. ** more proof that an aerially dominant centre half for a manager doesn't necessarily result in aerially dominant team!!!

Here's a link for those that want it: Nigel Pearson's astonishing bitter attack on Sheffield United's 'high maintenance' Reda Khadra - YorkshireLive (examinerlive.co.uk) Perhaps this is an example of a player Pearson wanted who fits the "maverick" description. Re his comments, probably just a mix of emotions after the result - he's only human

I enjoyed hearing Pearson's thoughts on VAR and officiating. I thought his criticism of PGMOL, VAR application from the VAR officials and refereeing standards generally was fair, and doing so while appreciating a few top referees and acknowledging that officials need further support meant his stand came across as fairly well balanced. After some of the poor refereeing and misfortune we've seen in recent seasons would we as fans be more onboard with the prospect of VAR in the championship? I think if this question was asked a couple seasons ago the answer would've been a resounding no from 95%+.

Feels like Carrick would be a decent manager - no justification really. Just vibes. Spoke to a Boro supporting friend who said this hasn't gone down well with some fans!

United are better without him in that starting 11 anyway

Glad you said that first sentence as I was thinking it while reading this thread. Your post is a fair summary. The comparison between Johnson and Pearson could start an interesting debate on team selection based on qualities vs management (ofc it isn't binary). I tend to like the idea of picking players and (sometimes) systems to react to oppositions strengths and weaknesses. Though Pearson's doing a great job of changing the mindset within the squad. One way he's done that is providing the challenge/ opportunity of if you play well you keep your shirt but if you step in then you have to take your opportunity.

Maybe I'm being a bit harsh on Massengo but I felt there were a few times tonight where his pass was too slow or wasn't the right weight. Those slowed us down and Scott gets those details right almost every time

It's just like watching Tommy Conway

Naismith is very calm on the ball playing in his role, which has resulted in a few mistakes but has also benefitted how we progress the ball. From what I've seen this season we're more frequently playing through teams and I think part of the reason is Naismith. Yes, in the sense he can play those passes but more so that because Naismith is patient the opposition sometimes push higher up the pitch leaving space in behind, or an individual switches off and we have taken advantage of it by playing forward. Obviously the frequency of the mistakes he's made leading to goals is a concern and if it continues at this rate I can understand why some might become more and more frustrated. However, his experience, leadership, communication and positive defensive contributions in that back 3 combined with the benefits that come with his playing out from the back make his position pretty safe if I were picking the team. It'll be interesting to see how quickly Kalas gets back into the side when he returns from injury, and how it changes our defensive positions/ shape.

The people who, when we have a manager like Johnson, will say 'we need an experienced manager like Pearson'. Then we get a manager like Pearson and they say 'he's a dinosaur and we need a up and coming manager with new ideas'. People who think they're better supporters than others because the make more noise at the game. But I'm sure all of us are guilty of some of the suggestions in this thread

Not sure I buy this whole argument of 'we only play well for spells so it's not good enough'. While I'm frustrated that we seem to disappear for spells in games, especially late on, and it's to our detriment, there are very few teams in world football that will control a game for 90 minutes. Watching the EFL highlights last night, every game the commentary was pretty much 'Team X started well and opened the scoring, but team Y got a footing in the game after HT to level it. Team X made a good sub and he scored the winner'. The momentum swings in games of football and if you're expecting us to look in control of the game for 60/ 70+ mins then you're expecting a promotion pushing side and I think that's unrealistic in our circumstances. I'd be interested to hear what posters calling for time on Pearson's reign expect from Norwich, Middlesbrough, Coventry, Luton and West Brom this season. Those 5 teams, along with us, make up the bottom 6 (yes, I'm aware 3 of those 6 have a game in hand). And I'm sure a lot of people on here will still look at those teams and expect them to move up table in time rather than over react to a few poor results. So why are we any different? While the goals we conceded against Sunderland gave me flashbacks to last season's defensive woes, we were just incredibly unfortunate against Hull. What can Pearson do about that penalty decision or the deflection? DaveFevs is right, the results will come. In short, let's not overreact. The trend since Pearson's appointment feels like an improvement, both on and off the pitch. After years of LJ/ MA doing a lot of talking but often not backing it up, Nige is straight talking, Gould is happy to do his work quietly and efficiently in the background and I have very little doubt in my mind between them they will leave the club in a much better way than they found it.

Some info on this here:

"Game-changing" Luke Ayling hailed after making Premier League history at Leeds Pride - Mirror Online Thought this was worth a share. Good stuff Mr Ayling.

Unreal. Amazing achievement and the impact will be felt in UK football, sport and society for years.

Attempting to get my hands on the trophy again!

I think it's great to see Foster work with other You Tubers to create content, as well as the more specific insight into elite level football you mentioned. He's bonkers but seems really likeable. Re the bottom question, I think people criticising Foster for any vlogging after a defeat need to remember footballers are human. If you or I had a tough day at work making time for a hobby in the evening could make the prospect of the next day's work a lot brighter. I'm sure footballer's are no different and Foster filming behind the scenes stuff and his own hobbies (regardless of result) in itself helps reiterate footballers are as human as the rest of us. Edit - I've seen some of Foster's You Tube videos but not listened to his podcast. Any good?

The phone line broke up a couple times so I might have missed something but here's the bulk of what Nige said: - says Mark Sykes has the qualities he wanted. That is that Sykes has something to prove and is ambitious. - 4 players have been told they aren't in the plans here. Nige said these players need to make a career choice to stay and pick up a wage without game time or go and play. Says the club don't encourage them sitting and picking up a wage. Wells isn't one of them. - says he's slightly behind where he hoped on the 3 year curve. NP said it's been a tough year but that the work that's happened this year will pay dividends. - Said if we are serious about making a cultural change it has to have a lasting effect. Thus, what's important for his role is that we move in the right direction rather than the prem in three years. - he is delighted with how we've developed as an attacking team, but not the defensive side as a team! He doesn't want pats on the back for the progress so far, rather he acknowledges the progress and work left to do. - Nige says it's been satisfying and rewarding for the coaching staff to see the availability of Martin and Weimann this season - Injury length has reduced, availability up. Says Joe Williams has been available for 70% of the year, and that we're much more likely to win or draw with him in the side. Said Joe is a good player and a nutcase who has worked hard to get back to where he is. - Says Semenyo is self-aware, is ambitious, a good listener who is receptive, studies his own game, doesn't waste time and energy when injured and this is why his development has blossomed over the season. Says he has the natural tools, but his finishing is improving and he practices in a professional way. He says he'd be disappointed if we weren't worried about losing him and in time we'll have decisions to make about him. However, it'd have to be the right deal for us and he hopes Semenyo will be here next season. - Nige says an aggressive and tight culture at Luton is a reason for their success. He says this will be achieved when we hit targets of wage bill and people know what their job is and where they sit. Says Luton might drop next year as the players and agents will cash in on a good season and this is the reality of it, so it might not last. However he focuses on us rather than focusing on Luton or anyone else. - Nige bans Sky Sports in his house so he can relax! - he says our identity is being formed now and next year we will be competitive and better than we were this year just gone. - to our fans he says: he will try and keep fans updated in a realistic way but this won't be with speculation and there's a lot of fake news in football. Overall it was nice to hear a manager who's down to earth and direct. If he doesn't want to answer, he is comfortable to say that and explain why, or Re O'Dowda he simply said we thank CO'D but it's time for change. So refreshing to hear that interview following plenty of buzz phrases from Ashton and a lesser extent Johnson.

That's unbelievable. Wow.

Fair play Rangers. I watched the Roma vs Leicester game, Tammy did well which was nice to see.

It's the best performance n a City shirt I can remember from Williams. He looked like the player I thought we were signing. Lots of energy and talking, good range of passing, well anticipated pressing, doesn't shirk a 50/50. Great to see. Well done Joe.

Every week we turned up expecting to comfortably win the game in style. What a great season.

Huddersfield - have been in the play off places throughout the season. Potentially an advantage they've played more than other sides. I tend to prefer having points on the board than games in hand. Could mean their squad are less burnt out come play off time. Luton - have had a couple spells of strong form. Do they have enough to stay there until the end of the season or have they peaked too soon? Forest - hard to ignore with their games in hand and recent form. A comprehensive win away at Blackpool in today's early kick off. One of my favourites (yes I would have said that before today!) Sheff Utd - despite some injuries to important players still a really strong squad. M'Boro - a game in hand, Wilder and Knill doing their stuff but a Boro supporting friend remains unconvinced by Balogun and Connolly . Blackburn - fallen out the pack after a poor 2022 thus far. Any possibility of a resurgance? Still enough games for other teams to get back amongst it. West Brom's form has turned and they've got a lot of quality. Haven't put a lot of thought into it really but what are your thoughts? Who do we fancy to make the play offs (and go up)? Always a great time of the year when the weather turns and you get the fight for the play off spots.

Hopefully the issues with WorldPay are sorted by the day season tickets go on sale so we can actually buy them!!

Weimann - POTY Scott - YPOTY Weimann's volley to win it at Cardiff away - Champagne moment

In general I think the idea that an employee doesn't need motivating from time to time by their employers is barmy, and why should footballers be any different? They're still susceptible to similar feelings towards work and life as any of us would be.... Having said that, it's very rare you'll get players who reach Championship standard of football without having a lot of commitment and determination. Many of us would argue that their wages and the opportunity to do what most of them love for their employment should be enough on it's own too. So, as usual, the truth is somewhere in the middle. You can't expect a footballer to have tunnel vision and be 100% motivated all the time, they're human beings not robots. Cristiano Ronaldo is an exception to the norm... but if they always need extra motivation because they consistently lack desire and heart to do the basics for the side that's also a problem. I think NP thinks we've got a couple in the squad that are the latter and this is where it's hard to justify having those types in the squad. He's been patient and protected them over the last few weeks when we're giving away cheap goals. Maybe this is simply a different form of motivation which might kick a couple of the squad into action. Nige has a difficult job to do but progress is being made. Let's stay patient and acknowledge the bigger picture rather than be so reactive after each game.