Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
Reports and reaction from the 2017-2018 season as Walsall finished 19th in League 1
- Welsh_Saddler
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Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
We embark on the latest re-incarnation of the English Football League Cup with a trip to Bramall Lane to face last season's runaway winners of League One. Recent performance would suggest that we should have a guaranteed place in the second round - after all, United only lost 6 games in the entire 2016/17 season, and 2 of the league defeats were against us. To add insult to injury we also knocked them out of the Football League Trophy competition, with Amadou Bakayoko scoring one of our goals.
Incidentally, Carabao (if you weren't aware) is an "energy drink" from Thailand - and the manufacturer is putting in £18 million to secure a 3-year deal to sponsor this competition. The draw for this 1st round actually took place in Thailand, and in the best traditions of modern technology it was broadcast "live" from Bangkok ... and in the best traditions of human participation the whole thing descended into farce when the video feed displayed Charlton Athletic as having two separate fixtures, and also showed two other "impossible" fixtures where unseeded clubs were depicted as playing each other. The Football League were, of course, at pains to point out that the actual draw had proceeded with complete accuracy, and it was just the "human factor" that screwed things up.
Mentioning the "human factor that screws things up" leads us nicely to JW's selection policy for this game. He is on record as having said that he looks forward to having a "selection headache" in choosing his team, but that phrase is normally reserved for difficult decisions when trying to separate players of equal ability and qualification. The current situation is very different, because the only real headache JW has is that of wondering who on earth can be selected who is likely to score - it's one thing to bag a few goals against the likes of Solihull Moors or Rushall Olympic, but as we found at Bury on Saturday League One defences are a bit of a different breed. So ..... is this competition to be taken seriously, or perhaps used as a final "Pre-Season" exercise? The defence at Gigg Lane looked reasonably sound apart from the unfortunate deflection that led to their goal from the set piece, and we do have Nicky Devlin available, having served his one match suspension. It's the striking department that isn't just stuttering at present - it's just not there, as displayed at Bury where we had a grand total of 2 shots on target in the entire game, and you can't expect to come away with 3 points with that kind of strike rate. Having said that, Sheffield United had those statistics on Saturday - 2 shots on target against Brentford, and a 1-0 home win ... so it's not just the quantity of shooting, it's the quality, and again we are far from the finished article!
On another thread it was commented that Wayne Rooney made his debut at the tender age of 16 years, and we also have a 16-year old striker who has been pulling up trees on the fringe of our first team - is it worth giving Mitch Candlin more than the few minutes he got as a late substitute against Bury? It would seem that he couldn't do any worse than our current "first choice" strikers........
Liam Roberts may get a run-out as an alternative goalkeeper in this competition, but with 2 penalties saved at Bury it looks as though Gillespie has done enough to confirm his place as first choice.
Prediction? Sorry, but this competition to me is only one step up from the Mickey Mouse Cup, and I'm not really bothered about the result - I would rather let JW use this game as an exercise in finalising tactics that should bring us 3 points next Saturday at home to Oldham Athletic. For the sake of argument I'll go for a 1-2 away win, with Candlin and Oztumer on target. :D
Incidentally, Carabao (if you weren't aware) is an "energy drink" from Thailand - and the manufacturer is putting in £18 million to secure a 3-year deal to sponsor this competition. The draw for this 1st round actually took place in Thailand, and in the best traditions of modern technology it was broadcast "live" from Bangkok ... and in the best traditions of human participation the whole thing descended into farce when the video feed displayed Charlton Athletic as having two separate fixtures, and also showed two other "impossible" fixtures where unseeded clubs were depicted as playing each other. The Football League were, of course, at pains to point out that the actual draw had proceeded with complete accuracy, and it was just the "human factor" that screwed things up.
Mentioning the "human factor that screws things up" leads us nicely to JW's selection policy for this game. He is on record as having said that he looks forward to having a "selection headache" in choosing his team, but that phrase is normally reserved for difficult decisions when trying to separate players of equal ability and qualification. The current situation is very different, because the only real headache JW has is that of wondering who on earth can be selected who is likely to score - it's one thing to bag a few goals against the likes of Solihull Moors or Rushall Olympic, but as we found at Bury on Saturday League One defences are a bit of a different breed. So ..... is this competition to be taken seriously, or perhaps used as a final "Pre-Season" exercise? The defence at Gigg Lane looked reasonably sound apart from the unfortunate deflection that led to their goal from the set piece, and we do have Nicky Devlin available, having served his one match suspension. It's the striking department that isn't just stuttering at present - it's just not there, as displayed at Bury where we had a grand total of 2 shots on target in the entire game, and you can't expect to come away with 3 points with that kind of strike rate. Having said that, Sheffield United had those statistics on Saturday - 2 shots on target against Brentford, and a 1-0 home win ... so it's not just the quantity of shooting, it's the quality, and again we are far from the finished article!
On another thread it was commented that Wayne Rooney made his debut at the tender age of 16 years, and we also have a 16-year old striker who has been pulling up trees on the fringe of our first team - is it worth giving Mitch Candlin more than the few minutes he got as a late substitute against Bury? It would seem that he couldn't do any worse than our current "first choice" strikers........
Liam Roberts may get a run-out as an alternative goalkeeper in this competition, but with 2 penalties saved at Bury it looks as though Gillespie has done enough to confirm his place as first choice.
Prediction? Sorry, but this competition to me is only one step up from the Mickey Mouse Cup, and I'm not really bothered about the result - I would rather let JW use this game as an exercise in finalising tactics that should bring us 3 points next Saturday at home to Oldham Athletic. For the sake of argument I'll go for a 1-2 away win, with Candlin and Oztumer on target. :D
- El_Nombre
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
These write ups really are brilliant. It's easily the best prematch round up on Walsall, far better than what the club themselves or Sky can muster up :D :D :D
I'd like to see:
Roberts
Kinsella
Cockerill-Mollett
JOC (as I assume Wilson can't play?)
Guthrie
Kouyar
Edwards
Cuvelier
Flanagan (purely to save Chambers legs)
Oztumer
Bakayoko
I think that is a fair mix of fringe youth players and fit first teamers, gives a few a chance. I wouldn't expect it to win, far from it. But Oldham has to be the priority which questions the need for this waste of time cup.
4-0 Sheffield United.
I'd like to see:
Roberts
Kinsella
Cockerill-Mollett
JOC (as I assume Wilson can't play?)
Guthrie
Kouyar
Edwards
Cuvelier
Flanagan (purely to save Chambers legs)
Oztumer
Bakayoko
I think that is a fair mix of fringe youth players and fit first teamers, gives a few a chance. I wouldn't expect it to win, far from it. But Oldham has to be the priority which questions the need for this waste of time cup.
4-0 Sheffield United.
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SaigonSaddler - Site Addict
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
Blades to progress, the scoreline doesn't really matter.
Whitney to get the blame for everything.
The chairman to leaf through yacht magazines with a satisfied smirk and look for the result the next day in a Cypriot mansion over waffles and maple syrup.
And why shouldn't he?
Whitney to get the blame for everything.
The chairman to leaf through yacht magazines with a satisfied smirk and look for the result the next day in a Cypriot mansion over waffles and maple syrup.
And why shouldn't he?
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saddla - Site Addict
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
SaigonSaddler wrote:Blades to progress, the scoreline doesn't really matter.
Whitney to get the blame for everything.
The chairman to leaf through yacht magazines with a satisfied smirk and look for the result the next day in a Cypriot mansion over waffles and maple syrup.
And why shouldn't he?
You really think he cares what is said on a fans website?
When all the protests a couple of years ago made the atmosphere toxic at the games he just stopped coming. He doesn't care about what the fans think or do.
The loyal 3000 will always turn up no matter what. The Sunday market and the Wedding and Entertainment venues will pay the rent.
He will not sell his shares in the club or the freehold. He is made for life and that probably means the next 15 to 20 years. He will not care as long as we don't get relegated out of the FL. and he will make sure that doesn't happen.
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SaigonSaddler - Site Addict
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
saddla wrote:SaigonSaddler wrote:Blades to progress, the scoreline doesn't really matter.
Whitney to get the blame for everything.
The chairman to leaf through yacht magazines with a satisfied smirk and look for the result the next day in a Cypriot mansion over waffles and maple syrup.
And why shouldn't he?
You really think he cares what is said on a fans website?
When all the protests a couple of years ago made the atmosphere toxic at the games he just stopped coming. He doesn't care about what the fans think or do.
The loyal 3000 will always turn up no matter what. The Sunday market and the Wedding and Entertainment venues will pay the rent.
He will not sell his shares in the club or the freehold. He is made for life and that probably means the next 15 to 20 years. He will not care as long as we don't get relegated out of the FL. and he will make sure that doesn't happen.
No, of course he doesn't.
But if the argument is 'why bother highlighting the issue because nothing will get done anyway' then I would disagree. It needs shouting from the rooftops and this site is a start.
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Super Gabor - UTS Legend
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
Worth checking out the ingredients of this "energy" drink and the possible side effects. Makes you yearn for the wholesome Milk Cup.
As for the game - a Walsall win guaranteed. :D
As for the game - a Walsall win guaranteed. :D
- leics_saddler
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
Both sets of fans to join together in the car park to burn an effigy of Darryl Westlake.
Walsall fans dedicate it as a sacrifice to Matt Done.
Unfortunately, they burn the real Darryl Westlake by mistake.
S Yorks Police to be distracted from their investigations by contemplating the intricacies of a beautiful flower.
Meanwhile Bakayoko scores at the match.
The Blunts finally convert their 18th penalty award late in the match to equalise.
The match goes to penalties and Ginaluca Buffoon saves them all, while two schoolboys are allowed to stay up late and score for us.
Buffoon attempts to claim the match ball and misses, like a farmer trying to catch a greasy pig,
Sheffield United then offer a mammoth £250,000 for Bakayoko, as he is always so deadly against them.
We play hardball and insist on a sell on clause and as many sweeties as Candlin can eat in one sitting.
This delays negotiations by 30 seconds.
Walsall fans dedicate it as a sacrifice to Matt Done.
Unfortunately, they burn the real Darryl Westlake by mistake.
S Yorks Police to be distracted from their investigations by contemplating the intricacies of a beautiful flower.
Meanwhile Bakayoko scores at the match.
The Blunts finally convert their 18th penalty award late in the match to equalise.
The match goes to penalties and Ginaluca Buffoon saves them all, while two schoolboys are allowed to stay up late and score for us.
Buffoon attempts to claim the match ball and misses, like a farmer trying to catch a greasy pig,
Sheffield United then offer a mammoth £250,000 for Bakayoko, as he is always so deadly against them.
We play hardball and insist on a sell on clause and as many sweeties as Candlin can eat in one sitting.
This delays negotiations by 30 seconds.
- Walsallone
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
Great piece WELSH....you get better with age!!! As for the match like most I don't really care but would expect Chambers to be rested and Bakayoko to play instead of Jackson. Candlin might come on a substitute and score the winner :D
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Soton Saddler - UTS Veteran
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
leics_saddler wrote:Both sets of fans to join together in the car park to burn an effigy of Darryl Westlake.
Walsall fans dedicate it as a sacrifice to Matt Done.
Unfortunately, they burn the real Darryl Westlake by mistake.
S Yorks Police to be distracted from their investigations by contemplating the intricacies of a beautiful flower.
Meanwhile Bakayoko scores at the match.
The Blunts finally convert their 18th penalty award late in the match to equalise.
The match goes to penalties and Ginaluca Buffoon saves them all, while two schoolboys are allowed to stay up late and score for us.
Buffoon attempts to claim the match ball and misses, like a farmer trying to catch a greasy pig,
Sheffield United then offer a mammoth £250,000 for Bakayoko, as he is always so deadly against them.
We play hardball and insist on a sell on clause and as many sweeties as Candlin can eat in one sitting.
This delays negotiations by 30 seconds.
As much as I enjoyed Welsh Saddler's preview - this tops it. Well done that (wo?)man.
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IHTC. - Site Addict
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
my prediction depends on how strong Sheff United's line up will be, a weak United side will see us lose 2-0 and a strong united side will see us lose 5-0, either way we ain't going to score.
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chunkster - Site Addict
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
even if they put their kids out their strikeforce will be better than ours, we will have to put our very best first team out and hope they don't to get any sort of a chance to progress. our first loss in quite a while to the blades whatever the teams :|
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SaigonSaddler - Site Addict
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
chunkster wrote:even if they put their kids out their strikeforce will be better than ours, we will have to put our very best first team out and hope they don't to get any sort of a chance to progress. our first loss in quite a while to the blades whatever the teams :|
Forest in the next round then? :D :wink:
Yeah, I know ... some chance. :|
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
We'm gonna get a hommering.
:?
It'll be like a revenge mission on steroids. With fricking sharks with lasers.
:?
It'll be like a revenge mission on steroids. With fricking sharks with lasers.
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
Totally agree with everyone's predictions, some of our victories against them last year were a bit on the 'lucky' side, and feel past history has no bearing whatsoever on the ommerin we will get tonight. Whitter's will put his strongest team out, the Blades will send out the ladies under 14's team, and we will still fail to score, cus there is no one in our team capable of this function. 4-0 defeat at best.
I also fear that our 1-1 draw on Saturday will not assist to strengthen his limited tenure in charge!
I also fear that our 1-1 draw on Saturday will not assist to strengthen his limited tenure in charge!
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saddla - Site Addict
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
I just decided to go. So we'll hammer 'um.
Come on me babbies!
ps No point in going if you don't believe we're gonna win. I've never been to a match in my life thinking we're gonna get beat. Even if we go a couple of goals down I still believe we can come back to win it. Hence I've never left a game before the final whistle.
Research has shown that optimistic people live much happier lives and suffer from less stress. :D
and there's a great chippie :mrgreen:
Come on me babbies!
ps No point in going if you don't believe we're gonna win. I've never been to a match in my life thinking we're gonna get beat. Even if we go a couple of goals down I still believe we can come back to win it. Hence I've never left a game before the final whistle.
Research has shown that optimistic people live much happier lives and suffer from less stress. :D
and there's a great chippie :mrgreen:
- Walsallone
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
Good on yer SADDLA....hope you are write. Spot on about optimists....just look at the difference between us and AM :D
- Walsallone
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
Blimey I must be going mad...for "write" read "right" :D
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wednesburysaddler - Glitterati
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
well thanks to whitney and bonser this predicting game just gets easier
sheff utd as many as they like Walsall 0
sheff utd as many as they like Walsall 0
- SoccerHQ
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
saddla wrote:I just decided to go. So we'll hammer 'um.
Come on me babbies!
ps No point in going if you don't believe we're gonna win. I've never been to a match in my life thinking we're gonna get beat. Even if we go a couple of goals down I still believe we can come back to win it. Hence I've never left a game before the final whistle.
Research has shown that optimistic people live much happier lives and suffer from less stress. :D
and there's a great chippie :mrgreen:
Reading cup game?
- Walsallone
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
3-5-1 for us tonight according to WM.
Gillespie, Devlin,Roberts,Guthrie; Kinsella,Chambers, Morris,Edwards,Leahy; Oztumer; Bakayoko.
Subs...youngsters plus jackson
Sheffield Utd make 11 changes from Saturday!!!
UTS
Gillespie, Devlin,Roberts,Guthrie; Kinsella,Chambers, Morris,Edwards,Leahy; Oztumer; Bakayoko.
Subs...youngsters plus jackson
Sheffield Utd make 11 changes from Saturday!!!
UTS
- Walsallone
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
On Bescot Banter it is 4-2-3-1.....lets hope the players know the system :D
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
What ever happened to 442! Houghton and Marshy on the wings, Wilson and Lightbourne up front! Simpler times!
- Welsh_Saddler
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
SUPER SADDLERS!!!!!!!!!!
12 minutes .... Blades 0 Saddlers 1 :D :D :D (Bakayoko - he loves playing against Sheffield Utd :wink: )
(Messi with the assist)
12 minutes .... Blades 0 Saddlers 1 :D :D :D (Bakayoko - he loves playing against Sheffield Utd :wink: )
(Messi with the assist)
- Welsh_Saddler
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
Half-time, and we've held on to the 0-1 scoreline. Just watch as JW makes sweeping changes for the second half - there's still plenty of time to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.........
- BarnsleySaddler
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
Good first half for Walsall keeping SUFC at bay and their supporters muted. Hope it can continue. :) :)
- Walsallone
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
1-0 to the Saddlers at HT....deserved lead according to Regan....back 3 doing well especially Guthrie. Lets hope they keep it going. UTS
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
Sheffield have changed the entire team ! All 11 and have 2 guys making debuts that played non league last season.
Sounded like we could have scored more if Baka had squared it to Ozzy or Jumped !
No Preston in the squad
Sounds like we were decent value for the HT being ahead
Sounded like we could have scored more if Baka had squared it to Ozzy or Jumped !
No Preston in the squad
Sounds like we were decent value for the HT being ahead
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Soton Saddler - UTS Veteran
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
Welsh_Saddler wrote:Half-time, and we've held on to the 0-1 scoreline. Just watch as JW makes sweeping changes for the second half - there's still plenty of time to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.........
Bit harsh.... playing well, winning at half time, you give grief. What's the point?
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Re: Sheffield Utd (A) Carabao Cup, Wed 9 Aug, 7.45pm
wednesburysaddler wrote:well thanks to whitney and bonser this predicting game just gets easier
sheff utd as many as they like Walsall 0
Shows what you know
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