Blades v Dale

[Fedora Dale]

On previous results, this is a home win. After all, every previous Rochdale visit to Bramall Lane has ended in defeat. But we did get one monkey off our back by managing to beat them at Spotland last year...

Nevertheless, and despite a couple of disappointing results so far, Blades are going to be a very tough nut to crack for us. Quality players throughout the team, and they appear to be after the excellent Sam Morsy as well. They also have three Dale/loanee Dale old boys. Done, Basham and O'Connell all did well for us and are good lads who would be welcome back if they ever become available.

I've been pleasantly surprised by Dale's recruit from Sheffield this summer. Harrison McGahey has looked pretty solid so far - big unit, reasonable turn of pace and fairly comfortable on the ball. Also able to hit a decent long clearance out to the flanks.

As for the result? Blades will settle down sooner or later into a top six team this season. As they're still in the settling process, fingers crossed we can sneak it, maybe 2-1 or 3-2...

As for the team, Keith Hill will have his own ideas of course but I'd select the following 4-1-4-1 formation:

Lillis
Rafferty - McGahey - Canavan - McNulty
Allen
Cannon - McDermott - Henderson - Mendez-Laing
Andrew

Subs: Logan, Tanser, Camps, Morley, Thompson, Bunney, Odelusi

Probably about 750 away fans, assuming SUFC/South Yorks plod make it pay on the day, like they normally do against the smaller, less offensive visitors...

 

[Sheffsteel]

Played 2 matches so far.

Started brilliantly for the 1st 20 minutes away at Bolton. Could have been 3-0 up and only 1 team likely to win. Bolton score a spectacular long ranger out of the blue to go 1-0 then they defend deep in numbers really well, shut up shop and we struggle to create anything in the 2nd half.

Lost 1-0 but even Bolton fans said we deserved at least a draw.

Again started with a fast temp at home to Crewe, could have been 4-0 up at half time but we only lead 1-0 for most of the match then Crewe equalise in the last minute and go on to beat us 2-1 Extra time.

So the assessment so far is we're playing quite well. Start with a fast tempo and create loads of chances, defence and goalie still look a bit vulnerable as though we're gauranteed to concede at least 1 goal every match.

It's a pressure game because we MUST win, even a draw will see plenty of booing.

Although we've been unlucky in our 1st 2 games. The natives are correctly saying that it's the sign of a bad team when it plays well but has bad luck and loses.

It's funny how poor teams are often unlucky and good teams always seem to be lucky.

That's the worry.
We look a good team and create plenty of chances but we we fail to beat Rochdale the belief could start draining away and once you lose confidence performances struggle.

I fully expect Dale to score a goal
But I'm confident we'll score 2,3 or maybe 4 goals

Prediction Blades 3 Dale 1
Attendance 19,101

 

[UTS]

Rochdale won't take 750. 400 at best.

 

[Fedora Dale]

Rochdale won't take 750. 400 at best.

Took 572 last year; 791 the year before. And its our first and away trip of the season, to a reasonably nearby and salubrious destination. Suspect my guess will be nearer...

 

[UTS]

Took 572 last year; 791 the year before. And its our first and away trip of the season, to a reasonably nearby and salubrious destination. Suspect my guess will be nearer...

Fair enough can't see it myself though 791 was when it was your first trip to Brammall Lane. Dale are weird with away followings, never travel well to Bury generally or Oldham but brought a good amount to Wigan. Either way it doesn't matter your lot are more likely to win than we are at Gillingham.

 

[Bobbin']

Fair enough can't see it myself though 791 was when it was your first trip to Brammall Lane. Dale are weird with away followings, never travel well to Bury generally or Oldham but brought a good amount to Wigan. Either way it doesn't matter your lot are more likely to win than we are at Gillingham.

Pretty sure Dale were in this division with Sheff Utd in 11/12?

 

[Dale4ever]

Pretty sure Dale were in this division with Sheff Utd in 11/12?

Correct, can't imagine we brought many that season we were relegated and were absolutely dire.

 

[blade1889]

Love a good attendance discussion.

Reckon we'll get our first win under Wilder today. 3-1 Clarke x2, Duffy.

 

[Bobbin']

Correct, can't imagine we brought many that season we were relegated and were absolutely dire.

Remember going in to my local on a Friday night that season and there was a Rochdale fan in there staying nearby, chatted for a few hours. Remember feeling sorry for him as the game was postponed the next day after loads of rain.

Sorry, back to the topic ......

 

[Dayul]

Fair enough can't see it myself though 791 was when it was your first trip to Brammall Lane. Dale are weird with away followings, never travel well to Bury generally or Oldham but brought a good amount to Wigan. Either way it doesn't matter your lot are more likely to win than we are at Gillingham.

Was there a 1FF league one away thread in 1982?

 

[Dayul]

We'll score. Blades will score more than us. All of their goals thanks to weaknesses at our LB position. 4-2.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I'm really looking forward to this match, already bought my tickets for this one and the Tuesday night game against Southend.

It will be my first visit of the season to see the new team. Didn't bother with the cup match in midweek.

At the start of a new season, it's a clean slate, the negativity of previous seasons has gone, it's a fresh start and yet again I'm thinking "this could be a special season".

I'm sure my enthusiasm this season is higher than previous seasons or maybe my memory is playing tricks again ha.

Anyway I'll do a post match report, trying to be unbiased and not over reactive.

These early results are so important to United because having a big passionate fanbase is a double edged sword. Our fans always tend to over react. If we start well the team could be carried along on a wave of confidence and positivity from the crowd. Fail to win our early matches and we'll have fans saying "we're doomed" "we're cursed". In this city there's added pressure this season because Wednesday are starting to get their act together and threatening to get promotion themselves.

 

[Loyal Dale]

Very tricky first away game for Dale. We've played two home games and done OK but looked weak down the left side especially against any sort of pace. Big Jim ain't a left back.

Hope I'm wrong, but fancy Sheff Utd to beat us today. All depends on how we set up...if we try to defend; we'll lose. Go at them, and we stand a decent chance.

Perhaps 450-500 from Dale which is just under 50% of the home fans from Tuesday!!!

 

[blademan89]

Correct, can't imagine we brought many that season we were relegated and were absolutely dire.

You brought over 1k that year.

 

[blademan89]

Still no shot on target this season jesus Christ

 

[blademan89]

Yesssssssssss 1st shot on target this season

 

[Dale4ever]

Probably deserved to win. Silly free kick given away by Canavan from which Sheff Utd scored but it's a decent draw on paper against a side we've never even managed a draw against at Bramall lane before. Plenty of booing from the home ranks... It's the second league game of the season!

 

[blademan89]

Probably deserved to win. Silly free kick given away by Canavan from which Sheff Utd scored but it's a decent draw on paper against a side we've never even managed a draw against at Bramall lane before. Plenty of booing from the home ranks... It's the second league game of the season!

Our fans are as shit as our players. Turn out in good numbers but don't support the side whatsoever however I don't blame them I hate footballers and they deserve every bit of abuse the overpaid wankers get

 

[Dayul]

Draw a fair result for me. At 1-0 and keeping possession we passed back to the keeper far too much and it was just a matter of time before blades equalised. Game had a fair bit of long ball from both sides, not the best.

 

[eric read]

Wilder Out!

 

[Sheffsteel]

Blades 1 Dale 1
Not many chances from either team. Rochdale played some neat and tidy approach football, liked a better team than us but no penetration.

We were more direct, not as much side ways passing compared to previous years and the irony was the aimless boot towards the corner flag was 1 of our most dangerous tactics. We were so poor at times I was actually laughing to myself.

The Rochdale goal was a poor goalkeeping mistake, a tame shot that was spilt with their player given a gift hitting the rebound into a empty net.

Rochdale looked content to coast to a 1-0 win then out of the blue Billy Sharp scored a difficult volley.

Also thought our fans were decent. A bit quiet because the game was flat but we had spells making some noise and the booing was saved for the final whistle.

It was warranted as the game was pretty depressing. We are a long way from promotion based on today.