Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Post Match Thread

[Nod.E]

9 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Outstanding first half with a crowd backing it. 
 

Wednesday made a clever tactical change by going five at the back and dropping a cb into midfield when in possession. Our press struggled a bit as a result until Enzo told Praet to effectively play as a striker. Bannan deserved applauds for somehow keeping Wednesday together. 

And you deserve plaudits and applause for creating a new, altogether more pleasing word than when using both in the conventional way.

[South Shire Fox]

Class first half, they were absolutley honking. Felt second half we were playing like the game was already over. Its never over at 2-0, if Wednesday had abit more quality then they could of punished our sloppyness tonight. Make it 3-0 then you can prat about with it

[Foxontherocks]

Fantastic first half, some lovely play of inviting the pressure, passing through the high press and crucially; quickly then either running or playing forward where huge gaps were available. The space afforded to our wingers was naive at best.

 

Second half the changes they made closed up much of that space and so made us look a little more stilted. Still in control and thought our changes came at a reasonable time to prevent any momentum swinging their way.

 

Praet I thought was very good first half and as others have said maybe lacking some fitness. 

[Lionator]

Vaulks (no.4) must’ve broke the record for the highest x.YC without actually getting a yellow card 

[SixtiesFox]

Mavididi tore them to shreds first half often taking on and beating two defenders. Fatawu, on the other hand, never took his man on. Always cut inside or crossed to the far post. Clearly playing to orders. Not sure what Enzo's thinking was.

[iancognito]

21 minutes ago, BoyJones said:

I like him too, but whilst he linked up well first half, he fell away badly as second half wore on. Three mistakes in quick succession; thought he got tired. Not fully match fit? Obvious substitution. 

The system suits him more than anything Rodgers tried to get him to play. Gets to be mobile like KDH without needing to spray the ball around like Winks.

 

It's clear he'll need a run of games to prove - to himself as much as anyone - that he can stay fit and trust his body not to pick up some other strain or pull. Expect to see his run of not completing most games continue til he gets game fitness back.

[Dan]

First half probably the best we've played at home all season. Second half was a shame that we didn't really go for the throat. Another win though and probably even more importantly a Southampton loss, as you'd have probably had the top three down as all winning again tonight.

 

I think the points record has to be the aim. 29 points from 14 games needed. I think that's well attainable.

[DesertFox]

Well, I ****ing loved it! My first live game in years, and my main wish was granted - I got to see Jamie Vardy score a goal!

 

Moments later, I think I got a bit of rain in my eyes, or something... 😃😭

[Leicesterpool]

First half an hour we totally dominated deserved our two goals, second half was more of a "professional performance" see the game out and keep a clean sheet. Wednesday looked better in the second and created some decent chances in the second half, we had a fair few chances in the second period but not quite so domineering. Seems like with the wet conditions Enzo wanted not to risk it too much and asked the players to just see the result out, which they did to be fair.

[wokinghamfox]

2 hours ago, trabuch said:

We are miles ahead of most sides in this league (and 12 points ahead of the best of the rest). Why on earth should we bust our nuts thrashing teams when we can win the match in the 1st half? Brilliant performance and game management.

Fair point

[dannythefox]

1 hour ago, SixtiesFox said:

Mavididi tore them to shreds first half often taking on and beating two defenders. Fatawu, on the other hand, never took his man on. Always cut inside or crossed to the far post. Clearly playing to orders. Not sure what Enzo's thinking was.

Mavididi is one of the most ball greedy players I’ve ever seen, if he’s not careful prem players will just take the ball off him every week. Needs to learn fast. 

[Lesterlad]

We controlled  the tempo of the game. We took foot off the gas in second half mainly conserving energy for Saturday. Never felt like they would score. Praet was superb today as he was at Watford 

[South Shire Fox]

4 hours ago, Torten said:

I don't think I've seen an opposition team who have one player just head and shoulders above the rest. Insane that Bannan was playing in League One recently - looks like he could do a job for us!

Thought he was shite personally. Didnt rate any of their players

[Koke]

Barry Bannan still plays for Sheffield Wednesday. Why are they still hanging on this guy? 

[foxfanazer]

5 hours ago, DesertFox said:

Well, I ****ing loved it! My first live game in years, and my main wish was granted - I got to see Jamie Vardy score a goal!

 

Moments later, I think I got a bit of rain in my eyes, or something... 😃😭

Amongst all the whining posts that's really nice to hear. Glad you got to see the goat score

[AyewJoking]

Hey Enzo, is that paint dry yet!?

[Raj]

8 hours ago, Daggers said:

@Raj - 1/10

Actually I said to my imaginary  mates the first half was the best football I ve seen for years.

Should have had 5!

Absolutely  fantastic🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹👍🏾

[Claudio Fannieri]

1st half was some of the most scintillating football I have seen for a long time, Wednesday were poor because we made them look poor, some of our movement, patterns of play and the way we won the ball back was obscene. Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining to watch. 
 

2nd half without really getting out of 2nd gear we could and probably should have scored 5, we rightly took the foot of the gas and conserved energy, which meant the 2nd half was a bit flat but thoroughly professional result and performance, which hopefully leaves lots in the tank for Boro and Leeds. 
 

I thought Praet was excellent, kept possession ticking over, never flustered and brings a lot more composure and continuity in possession than Ndidi or Casadei, however you can see he is rusty and still getting up to speed both fitness and with the patterns of play in a real game scenario, unfortunate not to get a couple of assists. If we can keep him fit for the remainder of the season he will be a very good option as rotation with Wilf for the no 8 role. 
 

Also did anyone else notice Enzo going mental on the touchline at McAteer on a couple of occasions for going back rather than being positive and aggressive? I know Enzo comes in for a lot of criticism about sideways and backwards passing, but if you listen to what he has said about Nelson needing to be more aggressive and positive with the ball and then last night with McAteer shows that he wants the players to be brave and to try and play forwards whenever possible, the time to play back and sideways is when the passing lines are closed and the defensive set up is very much set, at that stage the plan is to recycle and maintain possession whilst trying to pull the opposition out of their shape and create opportunities to progress. It was good to see Enzo challenging McAteer to be more positive. 

 

[SemperEadem]

It was well wet.

[ROB-THE-BLUE]

2 hours ago, Koke said:

Barry Bannan still plays for Sheffield Wednesday. Why are they still hanging on this guy? 

Really? I actually thought he still looked a pretty tidy player personally 

[leicesterlad1989]

2 hours ago, Koke said:

Barry Bannan still plays for Sheffield Wednesday. Why are they still hanging on this guy? 

Their best player.

[Ric Flair]

7 hours ago, SixtiesFox said:

Mavididi tore them to shreds first half often taking on and beating two defenders. Fatawu, on the other hand, never took his man on. Always cut inside or crossed to the far post. Clearly playing to orders. Not sure what Enzo's thinking was.

Fatawu's performance last night was a real mixed bag. There were some excellent phases of play inside but at other times his passing and ball retention were horrendous. Infuriating at times but hopefully all part of his learning.

 

The run just before he was subbed typified it, there's a long way to go for him.

[Mike Oxlong]

6 hours ago, dannythefox said:

Mavididi is one of the most ball greedy players I’ve ever seen, if he’s not careful prem players will just take the ball off him every week. Needs to learn fast. 

We’ve been crying out for one, never mind two exciting wingers, for years. If you can’t enjoy the ride now you’re never going to enjoy it 

[LCFCJohn]

First half as everyone has said was so enjoyable. I don’t think the stats did us justice as the number of fractional offside from Vardy and the couple where the ref pulled it back when we were through would have resulted in more efforts on goal and likely a bigger lead.

 

Second half I think is being overanalysed. The point of energy conservation is correct and sensible but I don’t think it was a conscious plan by Enzo as we lost a lot of control and it looked to me anyway, like we probably used more energy than just toying with them in the first half. I think it was as simple as Wednesday coming out stronger and us not needing to find a way to counter that with our own changes and ‘go again’ as we already had the game won and for their improvement after half time, they never looked particularly threatening. It was just a drop off in the performance we had set first half and doesn’t need to be really criticised or justified.

 

Pleased for Fatawu to add to his goals as for all the assists, he hasn’t scored many. KDH, what can you say! 22 contributions now.

 

Importantly another 3 points and a game ticked off with Leeds gaining nothing and 3 points further from Southampton!

 

On the energy saving point, I get the feeling with this side that once the job is done, in the final games of the season, we could see some big score lines rather than into beach mode.

Edited 14 February 2024 by LCFCJohn

[RowlattsFox]

Wasn't able to watch any of the game last night but good to see us effectively win the game in the first half for a change. And rest Daka for the 90 as well. 

 

Don't get me wrong, I've been guilty of it at times, but we must be the most negative league leaders ever. (Fans I mean, not style of play) you'd think we lost going off comments.