Steffan v Sheff U

I've seen enough to see that he's a massive improvement over what we had last year. He's probably a little rusty too, so should get better and I'd probably be interested in signing him as Man City might let him go quite cheaply.

I especially liked how he won the ball when their player got through and tried to round him. The player got lucky and retained the ball (albeit much wider, on a tighter angle), but it also gave the defenders time to get back, so Jones could clear the ball easily.

He got a hand/ punch on some crosses which I wouldn't expect any keeper to get, this can save so much trouble in the box, and is often underappreciated.

The save from the header was unreal, very hard to do that when the ball is going back in the opposite direction to which he and the striker were moving, was a perfect header too.

His distribution is great and I love that he doesn't just belt it up the pitch for their centre-backs to mop up.

It's good that I don't crap myself when they play a through ball, or when he has the ball at his feet, the defenders and wide lads just need to be a bit more receptive to passes and know where the pass is going next after they get it, so we can play out easier, without risking losing the ball by punting it up the field.

There wasn't much he could do about the opening goal, was a good strike through the defender's legs, and he did very well getting it that far over to the corner from that angle, 90% of the time the shot is going near post in that instance.
 
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I thought he was great yesterday, the only moment that looked a bit dodgy was the disallowed goal, seemed to get across slowly.

Ridiculous to blame him for the first goal. @Andy_W pretty much covers all my other opinions from the game, he does so much that you probably take for granted like coming for crosses and getting to balls in behind the defence.
 
Way_Out_West said:
From BBC match report:
"Home goalkeeper Steffen will perhaps think he should have done better with Berge's opening goal for the Blades, as his low shot seemed to go through the USA international."

That's a bit harsh, it's like some media outfits are just waiting to pounce on any Steffan mistake however slight, willing him to fail.
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There was a commentator criticising a player at the weekend for not having scored since April. They're f@cking idiots.
 
I'm still not sure whether it's his distribution that isn't great - or we're trying to be too clever for the ability of our players. Either way I feel like it's getting us in trouble at times.

Not 100% convinced in him yet, but absolutely an upgrade and considerably so (y)
 
Matt said:
I'm still not sure whether it's his distribution that isn't great - or we're trying to be too clever for the ability of our players. Either way I feel like it's getting us in trouble at times.

Not 100% convinced in him yet, but absolutely an upgrade and considerably so (y)
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On Sunday he had the highest pass completion rate of any of our players, that's some going for a keeper, even if they play a lot of short passes.
 
Matt said:
I'm still not sure whether it's his distribution that isn't great - or we're trying to be too clever for the ability of our players. Either way I feel like it's getting us in trouble at times.

Not 100% convinced in him yet, but absolutely an upgrade and considerably so (y)
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I don't recall him misplacing a pass
 
Nero said:
I'm not sure he can be blamed for their first goal. Berge shot through a defender and the angle was right in the corner. Good luck being able to save that with the line of sight slightly blocked and the ball angled the way it was.
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agreed, somtimes you have to hold your hand up and say that was a cracking finish. We should have closed him down better mind, but that's not Steffen's fault
 
wilkos_perm said:
I don't recall him misplacing a pass
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But there have been times when he plays the ball out high and wide which does go to the wingback or midfielder, but they're under pressure and we lose the ball. Like I say I'm not sure if it's because we aren't good enough to play like that or whether his passes are the wrong passes at the wrong time/not quite good enough to play like that so we end up under pressure

Definitely a fan overall tho
 
Matt said:
I'm still not sure whether it's his distribution that isn't great - or we're trying to be too clever for the ability of our players. Either way I feel like it's getting us in trouble at times.
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Steffen 73.4% passing at 32 passes a game this season.

Last season:
Lumley 30 passes at 54%
Daniels 30 at 46%


We've improved our passing from the back, yes it will invite the high press from the opposition and yes we have to learn to improve on the ball to play around the high press, it'll take time and there may be some casualties to this change in our style of play, but it's for the better in the long run
 
Matt said:
But there have been times when he plays the ball out high and wide which does go to the wingback or midfielder, but they're under pressure and we lose the ball. Like I say I'm not sure if it's because we aren't good enough to play like that or whether his passes are the wrong passes at the wrong time/not quite good enough to play like that so we end up under pressure

Definitely a fan overall tho
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They have to get better at retaining the ball, and the other players need to be giving them options (to those who are receiving the ball). It's the only way to play possession-based football.

We will still lose the ball a few times, it's inevitable, but when we don't we're in possession in a dangerous attacking area of the pitch.

Better than hoofing it forward to no-one, or hoofing it forward to a 5'10" striker (who can't head), against two 6'2" centre-backs.
 
Thought he was unconvincing first 2 games, at times a bit casual, at other times possibly nervy. But yesterday I thought he did well and looked solid and saved us on 2 or 3 occasions. Certainly couldn't be blamed for their first goal.
 
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