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Sheffield United 1 v Hull City 1
Pre-Season Friendly

Sunday 2 August 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

So, that's the first teams official pre-season programme over. Unbeaten they're shouting from the rafters. There is still an Under 21 game at Buxton in the week. Maybe some fringe players or people needing game time will feature in that.

To me, it seems like they've taken a good hard look at things. Assess. We've got an enormous squad. Here's my wishlist.

1. We only sign players who are better than what we've got. "Everyone knows we need a centre half" does not a centre half make. If the dressing room needs freshening up, get a painter & decorator in.

2. The Manager stays honest and positive in interviews. "That's a good result in the circumstances", after losing to a team at the bottom, did not work for the outgoing management. Won't work now either.

3. The Board & hangers on concentrate on running the ship BEHIND the scenes. Put the players centre stage. I don't want to hear a peep out of you. I think you're actually running quite a good ship. Just all the chatter gets in the way. While we're at it I support Sheffield United, not Fenerbahce.

4. Have some continuity in team selection & systems. Less chopping & changing.

5. Play players in their best position. Do not get sucked into playing them in a makeshift role just because they are "good footballers". Shifting Basham to centre back because we don't have a centre back just means we don't have a centre midfielder.

6. Which leads me on to Terry Kennedy. Naturally, my wish is that the fella stays well & plays the majority of games. But, we can't go on like this. They have to find a surgical or conditioning solution. Get him on his feet. Stick him in. But, if he can't keep out there. Sorry. Move on.

I haven't got a starting XI. I've got a starting 2. Basham in centre midfield. Murphy wide. Therein lies the problem facing Adkins.

I'd like to see Long, Baxter, Reed & Adams feature long & hard through the season. Kennedy I've covered. I like Matt Done for his energy & work rate.

James Wallace may prove to be strong in that centre midfield role.  At the back, you tell me. Until signings & injury recovery progress, I feel Collins must start.

United were bright, sharp & inventive in the first half. They went close a number of times. They were MUCH less of an attacking threat second half. And even less so once he did his game time chopping & changing substitutions.

Maybe that's what is down for us. Again. Lots of ball & chances. Not putting them away. Conceding annoying goals.

I heeded my own advice on continuity  BrewDog for the second Sunday running. Mad Hatter, Hare Of Darkness on keg at a whopping 7.4%. A nice refreshing black IPA. Tasted rich. Some red fruit in there as the sweetness. Not a big hop hit. But, nice bitterness in the balance. Great beer.

180/376