If you've questioned whether we have the players, the resources, the ambition & the following to keep our hard fought place in the Championship for another season...
...then as the young'uns are wont to say " Give your 'ead a wobble! "
THIS squad , THIS manager, THIS Board, THESE Fans are what we've awaited for so long.
The energy expended by our lads, the sheer bl**dy mindness attitude of getting in the face of the opposition, the fantastic team spirit & the passion ( who doesn't like a bit of that ? ) mirror our very special manager.
How can this be anything less than a recipe for success ?
Believe. Keep the faith. Be an integral part of this exciting chapter in the history of our great club.
I love this title of 'Game changer' so often referred to by Nathan.
Tanto spoke about it in his interview, 'the game changers to come on after 60 minutes'. I can just imagine players demanding to know why they're not starting, only to be told, 'Because you're the game changer'! What kudos that title holds ... especially when you go out and actually do it!
We used to have one game changer. Chuks bless him, would get eased out of his wheelchair on 60 minutes usually to see if he could help to salvage a point from a losing position. We now appear to have a bench full of "game changers".
Hate the term "game changers". If they can "change" a game for you from the bench why aren't they playing from the start....then you could win the game comfortably.
Imagine Jimmy Greaves, Glen Hoddle, Gazza, Maradona being sat on the bench for 80 mins & only getting a 10 min cameo because they are so good they can affect the game in such a small amount of time.
Say it as it is. They are players you throw on when you need a point (or 3) and the other 11 players haven't managed to do it for you in the first 80 mins. Desperation stakes is what I call it.
(Its ok, I'll get back into my box now)
Cheers mate do you want us to open the lid for you ?
Couple of observations this morning after digesting the season so far....
1) We have no team to be worried about this season 2) We will gain more confidence in our play now that we know this 3) We have a monster defence - likely in top 6 in league. If we can get the attack to raise their game by one notch, then i dont see why we cant get into top 6 by end of season.
I think the crunch will come when we face off against the likes of Coventry and Boro. I genuinely think we’ll be ok and avoid the drop but I also think that when up against the divisions top four or five teams we’ll notice a big difference.
Here are some of my opinions about the match and some of comments since, including the players marks.
I think it would be suicidal to play two up front. The opposition will always have more expensive, better paid, more skilful players than us. I think NJ’s strategy of clean sheets and win by the odd goal is sound idea and so far has been working.
Campbell is one of our best players. We moan about his delivery but if it was any better he would’ve been sold for £15m long ago. He will get better.
£3m for Kelman is peanuts for this league. I’ve seen people say for that price they expect him to be hitting the ground running. You’d need to spend £7m + for an average striker in the Championship, and they would be unlikely to want to come to a newly promoted side anyway.
There are plenty of calls for Leaburn to be the first choice striker but as I see it Jones is giving Kelman and Leaburn half a game each. I think it’s another tactic by NJ to disrupt the opposition defence, as they are very different type of players.
A percentage of our starters are not yet Championship quality but that’s all we can afford. NJ’s team game strategy means we can carry these players and they are young and will improve.
I think what we’ve seen for the last six games is NJ’s carefully constructed plan for survival, yes, he will have to adapt as the season progresses, but what people are calling problems (like not scoring enough) would be a problem for any promoted side (moneybags Wrexham and Birmingham excepted), and NJ has a plan to combat that, mainly by not letting any goals in. If we can’t afford the players to score them, don’t concede any.
Couple of observations this morning after digesting the season so far....
1) We have no team to be worried about this season 2) We will gain more confidence in our play now that we know this 3) We have a monster defence - likely in top 6 in league. If we can get the attack to raise their game by one notch, then i dont see why we cant get into top 6 by end of season.
I think the crunch will come when we face off against the likes of Coventry and Boro. I genuinely think we’ll be ok and avoid the drop but I also think that when up against the divisions top four or five teams we’ll notice a big difference.
Jones clearly likes to start the season with the players who know his system. Last year was the same and then he eventually switched to the starters that seemed to work best together (although it took him 3 months to do that.) I have a feeling in a month or so we will know who our consistent starting lineup will be.
I think the biggest questions will be which combination of forwards work best together and who will start on the right side of the defense - the experience of Bree/Burke or potential of Apter/Ramsey.
I think this was the right time to play Sheff U, I reckon if we finish above them we would be high in the league
Or it might have been the wrong time. New manager and they aren't as bad as they are doing (losing every game). This was probably the game that would be different, except it wasn't which we need to take credit for.
Couple of observations this morning after digesting the season so far....
1) We have no team to be worried about this season 2) We will gain more confidence in our play now that we know this 3) We have a monster defence - likely in top 6 in league. If we can get the attack to raise their game by one notch, then i dont see why we cant get into top 6 by end of season.
I think the crunch will come when we face off against the likes of Coventry and Boro. I genuinely think we’ll be ok and avoid the drop but I also think that when up against the divisions top four or five teams we’ll notice a big difference.
I think you'll find Bristol C,Sheff U were in top 6 last season and Leicester came from Prem.
Teams that lost their first six Championship games
Sheffield Wednesday — 2007–08 Lost their first six league matches; finished 16th (avoided relegation).
Peterborough United — 2012–13 Lost their opening six (and struggled all season); finished 22nd and were relegated.
Wycombe Wanderers — 2020–21 failed to register a point in the opening matches (they actually lost their first seven Championship games), but in any case they lost at least the first six; finished 22nd and were relegated.
I’d suggest that Sheff U have a much better chance of not replicating both Peterborough or Wycombe. They have some very decent players and I think Wilder is too Wiley to not get a tune out of them.
I would put Ramsey on the bench next week, Burke deserves to start again, Ramsey own fault for silly rash challenge
Other than the unnecessary last line from Ronnie, I agree. If Bree and/or Burke can’t keep their place after a clean sheet away win then what’s the point
Head and heart are aligned this week 0-1 Win, Kelman off the mark. Wilders return smacks of desperation, think we a gelling a bit. Hope to enjoy the game in the Sheffield sunshine and bring home the points.
I would put Ramsey on the bench next week, Burke deserves to start again, Ramsey own fault for silly rash challenge
Probably, but we have a game on Tuesday after Saturday, so I doubt Burke plays 2 x 90+ minutes within a few days.
Good timing for NJ in a way, as Burke can play on Saturday and get a rest Tuesday, and we don't completely drop Ramsay.
He can then pick the team for the following game based on performances and fitness.
I still believe Ramsay is our best player and a top Championship defender. These occasional errors if anything will help us keep him for longer, as it could put someone off paying a big fee, and I don't see us letting him go for only £2-3m. By the end of the season hopefully he'll have ironed them out and signed a new contract with us.
I would put Ramsey on the bench next week, Burke deserves to start again, Ramsey own fault for silly rash challenge
Probably, but we have a game on Tuesday, so I doubt Burke plays 2 x 90+ minutes within a few days.
Good timing for NJ in a way, as Burke can play on Saturday and get a rest Tuesday, and we don't completely drop Ramsay.
He can then pick the team for the following game based on performances and fitness.
I still believe Ramsay is our best player and a top Championship defender. These occasional errors if anything will help us keep him for longer, as it could put someone off paying a big fee, and I don't see us letting him go for only £2-3m. By the end of the season hopefully he'll have ironed them out and signed a new contract with us.
Next game is home to Blackburn next Saturday. Next midweek game is Tuesday week 30th
A proper football ground, big crowd, good pubs, torrential rain, tremendous away support, late winner, hugging strangers, no hassle, Greggs morning bacon roll had about 6 rashers of bacon, trains on time.
Absolutely perfect away day.
..... all the boys piling into Browns when you get back to London ......
I would put Ramsey on the bench next week, Burke deserves to start again, Ramsey own fault for silly rash challenge
Probably, but we have a game on Tuesday, so I doubt Burke plays 2 x 90+ minutes within a few days.
Good timing for NJ in a way, as Burke can play on Saturday and get a rest Tuesday, and we don't completely drop Ramsay.
He can then pick the team for the following game based on performances and fitness.
I still believe Ramsay is our best player and a top Championship defender. These occasional errors if anything will help us keep him for longer, as it could put someone off paying a big fee, and I don't see us letting him go for only £2-3m. By the end of the season hopefully he'll have ironed them out and signed a new contract with us.
Next game is home to Blackburn next Saturday. Next midweek game is Tuesday week 30th
Yeah that’s what I mean, Blackburn on the 27th and Derby on the 30th. I doubt Burke starts both games.
I would go Burke and Bree for Derby away, Apter and Ramsay for Blackburn at home, they'll be rested and we should be looking to be on the front foot at home.
I would put Ramsey on the bench next week, Burke deserves to start again, Ramsey own fault for silly rash challenge
Other than the unnecessary last line from Ronnie, I agree. If Bree and/or Burke can’t keep their place after a clean sheet away win then what’s the point
Absolutely, you lose your place for whatever reason then it's your replacements job to keep you out and your job to grab the chance when it comes.
Comments
Here are some of my opinions about the match and some of comments since, including the players marks.
I think what we’ve seen for the last six games is NJ’s carefully constructed plan for survival, yes, he will have to adapt as the season progresses, but what people are calling problems (like not scoring enough) would be a problem for any promoted side (moneybags Wrexham and Birmingham excepted), and NJ has a plan to combat that, mainly by not letting any goals in. If we can’t afford the players to score them, don’t concede any.
Teams that lost their first six Championship games
Lost their first six league matches; finished 16th (avoided relegation).
Lost their opening six (and struggled all season); finished 22nd and were relegated.
failed to register a point in the opening matches (they actually lost their first seven Championship games), but in any case they lost at least the first six; finished 22nd and were relegated.
I’d suggest that Sheff U have a much better chance of not replicating both Peterborough or Wycombe. They have some very decent players and I think Wilder is too Wiley to not get a tune out of them.
Wilders return smacks of desperation, think we a gelling a bit.
Hope to enjoy the game in the Sheffield sunshine and bring home the points.
Just got the scorer wrong!!, Great away day, absolutely soaked going home.
Good timing for NJ in a way, as Burke can play on Saturday and get a rest Tuesday, and we don't completely drop Ramsay.
He can then pick the team for the following game based on performances and fitness.
I still believe Ramsay is our best player and a top Championship defender. These occasional errors if anything will help us keep him for longer, as it could put someone off paying a big fee, and I don't see us letting him go for only £2-3m. By the end of the season hopefully he'll have ironed them out and signed a new contract with us.
https://www.threads.com/@secondtierpod/post/DO3U07UDeCu?xmt=AQF0wTMf-QdwQNQ3Gnt17QgG99YECkkmK40TZH2bafETlw&slof=1
Ramsay is back for next game right?