FOllowing Tuesday night’s 4-0 home defeat to Scunthorpe United, Vital Sheff Utd editor Shepsblade, gives his take on the game.
The Good
It was clear once again that Gary Speed has a style of playing which differs greatly to the previous regime, and it`s fair to say in this encounter, it paid off better than it has since he began, with chances aplenty being created.
Once again the full-backs proved key, with Jean Calve particularly joining the attack on every occasion. Meanwhile, midfielder Leon Britton once again shone for an hour of the game, pulling the strings in midfield.
The Bad
Ahead of Leon Britton, the Blades have zero creativity. Jamie Ward continues to disappoint, despite a better start to the game today, Richard Cresswell for all his running showed little conviction in his finishing, and his touch rivals that of (insert name here, probably for the best I don`t).
At the side of these two sits Ched Evans, the Welsh international, and so called £3million signing (which it wasn`t) has been at the club over twelve months now, and continues to show little – no signs of become the talisman missing since the departure of James Beattie. When balls are tossed into the box, Evans is nowhere to be seen, often strolling around on the wings, or close to the centre circle.
The Ugly
Nick Montgomery and Nyron Nosworthy; but where do we start?
Monty – He has all the attributes of a top professional, except for one; any technical ability whatsoever. Nobody expects our stand-in captain to perform a couple of stopovers, a pele flick and a back-heel, but at any level of the game, you do expect them to be able to trap a straight pass, and return the ball, something that Montgomery continues to not quite be able to get a grip on. I`m not criticising Speed, but tonight proved that in a game where the Blades are the dominant force and chasing goals, this man should be snuggled up alongside the Blades number 13 and substitute striker.
Nyron – At Sunderland, they reworded Amy Winehouse`s track “rehab” to include the words, “You try to take the ball past Nyron and he says no no no.” Obviously Sunderland`s opposition never played a straight ball towards him, because watching Nyron see a ball come his way was is like Dracula facing up at the members end whilst Freddie Flintoff seam-bowls garlic at him. He ducks, dives, dodges, and eventually falls over. The cult status this man achieves is undeniable, and his ability to perform a perfectly executed Cruyff turn whilst facing his own goal takes guts, and often comes off, but until he learns the basics, will continue to cost the team points.
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