I will start by admitting my bias, i love to watch players like Sadlier play football, I envy their ability, skill, vision and passion for the game, they exist at all levels and i will not compare him to the creative players at the top end of football we all know who those players are and how in England we have always struggled to find a place in the team for such players, but when you do and they have a good day that is when being a football fan is worth all the heartache we have to suffer. The England team has constantly failed to put them at the heart of the team and build around them, we saw it again this summer the ones people remember are the Stan Bowles the Alan Hudsons etc. Now our boy is not in the same league as those style of players, but he is ours and he has some talent and he can use both feet (yes, mattock the other foot is not just for standing on). Now, I genuinely think at Rotherham we have got so used to having to see players, run around aimlessly, run very fast or be big and strong we have forgotten how to appreciate that bit of something different, a player that sees space ahead and can put the ball there, but it looks a bad pass because nobody runs into the space, Barlasar also suffers from this a little. Sadlier, came to us last a season a year we all knew we would struggle, like a lot of new players he started slowly but there were real glimmers of ability in the Birmingham game away and if it wasn't for Jones lack of brains he would have given us the 3 points that day, he then got an injury that ruled him out for most of the season, when he returned he got limited chance in a team that was used to losing, struggling to keep the ball more than 2 seconds and running and closing down were the main desires of the bench, he had also had to step up a division so I think it is fair to say it would be very harsh to judge him on last season, in fact I would say it would be criminal to do so. So what about last night, well he was played as a wing back for 45 minutes in that time he had the only two shots on target we had, both created by his own ability to find a bit of space, he covered and closed down well, twice covering for Green after he lost his man, once with excellent vision to anticipate the run of their midfielder and cut out the cross, he worked hard when he lost it he fought to get it back, not bad for a player out of position. Second half he was put in the middle given more freedom to move around and it is no coincidence how much better we played with that change (credit to the bench for that change), his movement was excellent he was always in space ready to receive the ball, his link up play was ok (a few stray passes) but when he lost it he went after it and he was always asking for the ball, a Rotherham player that actually wants the ball and isn't scared of making a mistake!! He works harder than Barlasar, he has a goal in him, he delivered good crosses, one that was excellent to the near post with great pace, unfortunately attacking the near post for our strikers is not something they do very well. His goal was first rate, he learned from his previous free kick and adapted his angles and approach and he still had two other shots on goal that were both blocked. This lad deserves a run in the team in that position, yes he needs to work for the team (he did last night), yes he needs to do it week in week out but can a team of sprinters and long ball merchants really afford to not have one of the most skilfull players on the pitch to give us something different, he has done it at this level before. We as fans should want to see players like sadlier on the pitch, should accept that a pass into space that looks poor might be the lack of quality from the forwards in running into space, we should want to encourage such talent and creativity and accept it won't always be perfect. Ogbene gets cheered when he gets the ball hits it around someone and runs very fast to beat them, 3 times out of 5 of those his crosses are blocked or useless, running fast is not football let us give talent a go let us pass the ball through midfield and create opportunities, alongside Rathbone and Lyndsay as well as the other midfielders we should be able to do that, please give him your support and enjoy seeing a footballer on the pitch and not just an athlete.
-- Edited by derbymiller on Wednesday 11th of August 2021 11:50:27 AM
-- Edited by derbymiller on Wednesday 11th of August 2021 12:51:32 PM
I think that’s a great post Derby and what you say is true we’re going to have to find someone to replace Crooks goals if nothing else and I think Sadlier could be that man he got double figures with Donny at this level and I think they gave him that freedom to do so
I don’t know whether Warne will give him a good run of games there but he should do also how we shoe horn Barlaser into the same side I don’t know
I know it was disappointing last night but I really think we should give this side a bit of time to “gel” as they call it a counter argument would be they should have gelled in pre season and rightly so but for whatever reason the signings didn’t come till the first game so we find ourselves with some of them playing catch up we should remember that most of them plus the likes of JJ and a lot of the core of the team Wiles Lindsay are still quite young and a bit of patience (not the fans greatest virtue) is needed
Agree, he deserves a start. He has waited long enough and many, many times the gaffer has said he just missed out. Time to give him a chance otherwise its impossible to say if he's better than or worse than.
I also like to see footballers with real talent. I would say that physical attributes like strength and speed are also part and parcel of the game and shouldn't be dismissed lightly. Defenders hate playing against forwards with lightning pace because it is so difficult to play against. I was excited by the Sadlier signing. I want him to do well and I hope he does. Last night Rathbone made his first start for us and I saw someone who was trying to make an impression - wanting and almost demanding the ball even in tight areas and trying to make things happen. Sadlier hasnt got any real pace and he isnt a ball winner, so to impact a game he has to get on the ball and pull some strings. I havent seen that from him yet. I have seen him hit the first man a lot from set pieces and give the ball away cheaply a lot. He was (in my opinion) anonymous against Boro when given a start in the number ten role and (again in my opinion) I thought his goal aside he was poor again last night in both positions he played. I dont buy the argument that he should get a run of games so that we the fans can see what he can do. The staff work with him day in day out. He has to earn a start by training well and seizing his chance when it comes along. Like Rathbone did last night. We have six good midfielders now vying for three spots. Wiles and Rathbone would be other natural contenders for the spot behind the two strikers. They all have to compete for the starts. To reiterate, I like Sadlier and want him to do well but really it is up to him to do it. Hopefully the goal last night (which was tremendous) will give him a lift and we will start to see the best of him, because he clearly has some ability. In truth he divided opinion at Doncaster and was far from being a regular starter in his two seasons there. As I say, it is up to him to make his mark.
Sorry derby but i think he offers nothing . It's all about opinions but i don't think he is worth a run in the team and expect him to be moved out if anyone shows any interest.
I think Smiler has been harsh in his assessment of Sadlier's time at Donny. He was signed on an eighteen month contract in Jan 2019 and didn't come on for his league debut until February as a sub in 2019. He played 11 times in that first season. In his first full season 19/20 he made 33 starts scoring 11 times (Donnys leading scorer). I only know one Donny fan and he thought Sadlier was their best player. i have seen him on a couple of occasions and was impressed. I also saw him in a cup game at New York and thought he was the most skillful player on the pitch by a long way. When he got the ball there was a hum of expectation from the Donny fans when i watched him. Usually a sign of a fans favourite.
I have been a major cheerleader for Warne and his coaching team (still am). I felt last season they made a great fist of it in difficult cir***stances with a limited squad playing in the main against better players. I think we possibly over achieved. This season is different and it is my belief we cannot play the same style as we did in the Championship. You get sides pressing high, with many sides having a big physical presence. I now believe we have the players who can compete in this division and also we are a youngish side with many approaching their peak. We have to stop this hoof ball from the keeper, we need players to be comfortable coming out with the ball, players who want the ball, find space, comfortable in tight situations, play those triangles which better sides play and stop using Smith as the only method of getting the ball forward. In the first half against Accrington we looked an agricultural side. The hoof ball style will never suit Barlaser,Rathbone, Sadlier, Wiles and many others. I do think it is time to play Sadlier as he is proven in this league and if we can get the style and combination correct then i think we have a chance of getting in the top six. If we continue with the 3:5:2 route one we will not get in the top six imo. It is too predictable and sides can set up to stop you. We have to play through midfield not bypass it. I think the midfield is our strongest area so why bypass it. It is about getting young skillful players in our team and letting them express themselves. We know if we do go up and play the same style as last two visits we will be back in division one the following year. Time for a change of style P.W. i think you might have the ammo if you can find another striker, which is hard i know.
I do not support this view that a player should purely be judged by what happens in training, Vassell was supposedly the best player in training, when he got on the pitch he failed time and time again. The training pitch is only part of the story what would you choose if you had to, a player that impressed in training but rarely delivered or a player than coasted through training but scored 10 goals a season and made 10 goals?
Splinter it is about opinions and it is great we can debate such matters :) I think it is very Harsh to suggest we move a player on that hasn't had game time, (that we spent good money for), rather than work with him and coach him to get the best out of him, we are not man utd every £ TS invests should be treated by the coaches as if it was their own and it isn't unreasonable of the owner to expect their coaching staff to do the job of player development and management, they can do that they have done some great coaching (still think fresh blood is needed to help them), we cannot dump every player that is hard to manage and keeping players like Mattock who is now way past his best because he is easier to manage.
I like Wiles, he is two footed and can play in most positions, he came on the other night and did nothing, yet we criticise the player that had more shots on target and scored our goal, let us not make Sadlier another good player we hound out like we have done in the past like Watson.
i do agree it is up to the player, it is always up to the player to put in the effort and work hard, to earn the opportunity, this lad has talent and played in the correct position I believe he will deliver, but you can't get on their back for every loose pass when they are trying to open up space for other players, otherwise no wonder the players don't have the confidence to play football if they think the fans will get at them for every mistake. I never mind a midfielder losing the ball if they give everything to get it back, and as Smiler said Rathbone did that but so did sadlier. My last point for now, is about how a players movement creates space and opportunity for others to be able to carry the ball or have time on the ball, it is no coincidence that Rathbone had more time in the second half, Sadlier was constantly moving dragging their players around creating space, only Smith in our front players uses his time without the ball to do this that is why we get stuck so often because the off ball movement is poor.
I do not support this view that a player should purely be judged by what happens in training, Vassell was supposedly the best player in training, when he got on the pitch he failed time and time again. The training pitch is only part of the story what would you choose if you had to, a player that impressed in training but rarely delivered or a player than coasted through training but scored 10 goals a season and made 10 goals? Splinter it is about opinions and it is great we can debate such matters :) I think it is very Harsh to suggest we move a player on that hasn't had game time, (that we spent good money for), rather than work with him and coach him to get the best out of him, we are not man utd every £ TS invests should be treated by the coaches as if it was their own and it isn't unreasonable of the owner to expect their coaching staff to do the job of player development and management, they can do that they have done some great coaching (still think fresh blood is needed to help them), we cannot dump every player that is hard to manage and keeping players like Mattock who is now way past his best because he is easier to manage. I like Wiles, he is two footed and can play in most positions, he came on the other night and did nothing, yet we criticise the player that had more shots on target and scored our goal, let us not make Sadlier another good player we hound out like we have done in the past like Watson. i do agree it is up to the player, it is always up to the player to put in the effort and work hard, to earn the opportunity, this lad has talent and played in the correct position I believe he will deliver, but you can't get on their back for every loose pass when they are trying to open up space for other players, otherwise no wonder the players don't have the confidence to play football if they think the fans will get at them for every mistake. I never mind a midfielder losing the ball if they give everything to get it back, and as Smiler said Rathbone did that but so did sadlier. My last point for now, is about how a players movement creates space and opportunity for others to be able to carry the ball or have time on the ball, it is no coincidence that Rathbone had more time in the second half, Sadlier was constantly moving dragging their players around creating space, only Smith in our front players uses his time without the ball to do this that is why we get stuck so often because the off ball movement is poor.
Fair enough opinions Derby, but our conclusions seem to be different fundamentally because we seem to have seen very different things happening on the pitch on Tuesday. You thought Sadlier had a good game. I didn't. That's football for you.
