MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (a) sponsored by Nicky Forster

[Steve_Upper_West]

I have suggested this before.... why not try Blackett in front of the back four ?

[Denver Royal]

Not sure what the terms are for the loan agreement but if Rinomhota is still out we are going to be very short of options. Quite astonishing when you consider how overloaded we were in this area six weeks ago.

Sod's law isn't it? Perhaps an option might be to play an old fashioned sweeper or use one of the centre backs as a midfielder.

For the record Martinez sounds as if he pulled a few useful saves out despite his utter ricket and I don't think the defence can actually be blamed too much given the soft midfield stuck in front of them which, in itself, was largely forced on them.

We needed to shift Edwards and Meyler who just weren't up to it or playing, money too good for an extremely hit and miss Bacuna... but very shortsighted to choose to bring in two soft attacking midfielders and no defensive midfielder when you know you're one injury away from having no one capable of making a tackle across the entire middle of the pitch.

Agree, and we really missed Blackett's physical presence today. (Can't believe he nearly went to Wigan{?))

[Hound]

Pleased I was otherwise engaged and missed the fun and games today

Not in the least bit surprised tbh. Midfield is powderpuff as ever without Rino or Eza. Signs were certainly there vs Blackburn

Thankfully not too much damage done with Rotherham drawing a very winnable game, and Bolton and Ipswich failing to win

Vast improvement needed for next week, certainly a wake up call if one was needed

[Victor Meldrew]

It's also worth noting that Sheffield United are resting the two players that have scored 17 of their last 20 goals!

Has there been a bit of bribery here-Blackburn did the same on Wednesday night- or are these teams now starting to feel sorry for us?

[Victor Meldrew]

I have suggested this before.... why not try Blackett in front of the back four ?

NO,no,no-he is not mobile , flexible enough or spacially aware.

[windermereROYAL]

Been said on here already , but desperately need some back bone in the middle of the park. eza and Rino badly missed, if we don`t get it sorted by next week we could be a deep shit, Rotherham will be no push overs.

[The Enfield Royal71]

I have suggested this before.... why not try Blackett in front of the back four ?

I don't even think Maldini, Beckenbauer, Viera and Kante infront of our current back 6 would help much.

[Muskrat]

Even more evidence if any were needed, of the sheer folly of sacking Clement just when things seemed to picking up a bit. Gomes seems to have zero appreciation of how to set up his team in the light of the scouting intelligence that he would have received. Not saying that we could have won today but next week he's going to be really under the microscope. Just listened to him on the radio and sounds utterly lost.

[Eaststandman]

Even more evidence if any were needed, of the sheer folly of sacking Clement just when things seemed to picking up a bit. Gomes seems to have zero appreciation of how to set up his team in the light of the scouting intelligence that he would have received. Not saying that we could have won today but next week he's going to be really under the microscope. Just listened to him on the radio and sounds utterly lost.

Agreed, wrong appointment given the circumstances IMHO but he's done better than l expected, to be fair. Looks like the honeymoon is over as the reality bites!

[windermereROYAL]

Rino will not be ready next week, happy days.

[Denver Royal]

Even more evidence if any were needed, of the sheer folly of sacking Clement just when things seemed to picking up a bit. Gomes seems to have zero appreciation of how to set up his team in the light of the scouting intelligence that he would have received. Not saying that we could have won today but next week he's going to be really under the microscope. Just listened to him on the radio and sounds utterly lost.

Agreed, wrong appointment given the circumstances IMHO

Agree, and its all been said. But club made the decision, and what's done is done, so no point me harking on about it. We are where we are, hoping for the best, hope we get things sorted over the Summer.

[sandman]

You have to play a defensive midfielder. Doesn't matter who you are whether you are the best teams in the world, Madrid are better with Casemiro, Barcelona with Busquets, City with Fernandinho, etc.

If we don't have a defensive midfielder available then put a defender in there as a stop gap. Whatever you do don't play three lightweight midfielders who can't break up play or put a tackle in.

[Denver Royal]

You have to play a defensive midfielder. Doesn't matter who you are whether you are the best teams in the world, Madrid are better with Casemiro, Barcelona with Busquets, City with Fernandinho, etc.

If we don't have a defensive midfielder available then put a defender in there as a stop gap. Whatever you do don't play three lightweight midfielders who can't break up play or put a tackle in.

This.
Gomes hinted he may bring someone up from U23's.

(Edit: Quite why our squad are so fragile and injury prone - under various managers - is another topic, prolly for the Summer. As such, I'm not totally against rotation, as I couldn't see any of our lot playing 46 league games anyway).

[Hound]

Im not really sure there is someone who fits the role in the U23.

Tough one - it’s a real problem position with Rino and Eza out. No easy answer

[Snowflake Royal]

Im not really sure there is someone who fits the role in the U23.

Tough one - it’s a real problem position with Rino and Eza out. No easy answer

Which makes a mockery of the jubilation at Gomes' great January window.

Under his watch we sold one of our two fit players capable of playing the physical game in midfield and replaced him with two midfielders who can't. Given our injury record that's playing with fire. And it's gone very wrong. And now we're paying the price.

[Longhorn1970]

Even more evidence if any were needed, of the sheer folly of sacking Clement just when things seemed to picking up a bit. Gomes seems to have zero appreciation of how to set up his team in the light of the scouting intelligence that he would have received. Not saying that we could have won today but next week he's going to be really under the microscope. Just listened to him on the radio and sounds utterly lost.

And that surprises you ?

[Lower West]

Selling Evans in the summer was a folly as well.

Relying on elevating U23's into the 1st team against a physical aggressive side is suicide.

[Lower West]

Even more evidence if any were needed, of the sheer folly of sacking Clement just when things seemed to picking up a bit. Gomes seems to have zero appreciation of how to set up his team in the light of the scouting intelligence that he would have received. Not saying that we could have won today but next week he's going to be really under the microscope. Just listened to him on the radio and sounds utterly lost.

And that surprises you ?

Seems as if sorting out the finances are the priority of the owners and board. Where the team ends up at the end of the season is secondary.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

It's also worth noting that Sheffield United are resting the two players that have scored 17 of their last 20 goals!

They also completely changed around their defense.

We really are that bad

[Denver Royal]

It's also worth noting that Sheffield United are resting the two players that have scored 17 of their last 20 goals!

They also completely changed around their defense.

We really are that bad

Hmmm, a manager rotating his starters the Sat after a Wed nite game.

Selling Evans in the summer was a folly as well.

Agree, yet even within our own ranks, opinion on that was very mixed/extreme. Just goes to show, its no easy task and you won't please everyone.