On this week’s show, Stuart Rayner and Leon Wobschall join host Mark Singleton to reflect on the recent Yorkshire derbies between Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City and where the results leave all four teams and their aims for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
The return of striker Patrick Bamford to the Leeds United is also discussed as is where next for Sheffield United as they have now gone four games without a win. Also, Stuart picks out his Team of the Week, while Leon reveals who his Player of the Week is.
The return of striker Patrick Bamford to the Leeds United is also discussed as is where next for Sheffield United as they have now gone four games without a win. Also, Stuart picks out his Team of the Week, while Leon reveals who his Player of the Week is.
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SportsTranscript
00:00 [Music]
00:11 Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Football Talk from the Yorkshire Post, where we will be discussing some of the latest talking points from the world of football with members of our football writing team.
00:19 On this week's episode we're joined by Chief Football Writer for the Yorkshire Post, Stuart Rayner, and Football Writer for the Yorkshire Post, Leon Walshall, to discuss all of the latest developments affecting our local clubs.
00:29 Don't forget you can keep up to date with all the football news across Yorkshire and beyond by logging onto our website at yp.sport@nationalworld.com, as well as checking out our various Twitter feeds, the main one being @ypsport.
00:42 If you search for Yorkshire Post Sport, Yorkshire Post Football, or even Sheffield Sport on Facebook, you can find us there as well.
00:48 And if you have any questions for our writers, you can get in touch using those various Twitter or Facebook pages, or email us directly with a subject matter as Football Talk podcast at yp.sport@nationalworld.com.
00:59 YorkshirePost.co.uk
01:01 As mentioned earlier in the intro, this week we're joined by Chief Football Writer for the Yorkshire Post, Stuart Rayner, and Football Writer for the Yorkshire Post, Leon Walshall. Good morning guys!
01:11 Morning!
01:12 So, this week we saw Bradford City share the points in their 0-0 draw with Sopport County, followed by a 1-0 defeat when they paid a visit to Kroobe Alexandra.
01:22 Barnsley recorded back-to-back draws in their games against Peterborough and Wigan Athletic.
01:28 Doncaster Rovers played out a 1-1 draw with Mansfield Town before claiming a blistering 3-0 victory over MK Dons.
01:38 It also saw Harrogate Town lose 2-0 against Tranmere Rovers before sharing the points in a 2-2 draw with Morecambe.
01:46 But first this week, we'll start with the clash between Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough, which ended in a 2-1 victory for Michael Carrick's men, which was then followed up by a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Coventry City.
02:01 Now, with Middlesbrough at 4 points off the playoff spots and the Terriers at 3 points clear of the drop zone, how significant could this result be for both teams, Leon?
02:11 Yeah, I mean, I think, first of all, you've got to say it was probably a sort of funny Christmas/New Year season for quite a few teams, and rarely does it go smoothly.
02:24 For every team at this time of year, you don't get many who win all the games. It was, you know, keeping in that theme, it was a strange game at Huddersfield, who played very well against Middlesbrough.
02:39 There's been a few sticks to be done with them, regarding team identity, personality, identity, all that sort of thing. We've seen them, obviously, have had a bit of a black beauty in our region, certainly Middlesbrough.
02:59 They've had some big injury issues to deal with, and the reproach has been dictated in that by some games, certainly away from home at the back of this year.
03:10 But, you know, they've set up the triangle straight and contain. The Huddersfield fans are wanting just that evidence of the side's evolution and growth under Moore. To be fair, they had a good start to the back-to-back home games by beating Blackburn.
03:30 I don't think Blackburn were great, but Huddersfield by all accounts were excellent. That was just the tonic, just what was needed. I'd say they played well against Middlesbrough, that identity I spoke about.
03:44 Josh Karoma, who seems to have a like playing against Middlesbrough, had another good game. Sauber-Thomas was the best player on the pitch, and he was so unlucky he ended up on the losing side.
03:58 I've been at a few Huddersfield home games this season, I know Stuart has as well. Once or twice you've seen the sort of anger afterwards, haven't you?
04:10 I did the Preston game relatively recently, things weren't hunky-dory. There's been one or two other games, a card game, sort of spinning to my head.
04:18 Even though Huddersfield lost, it was a bit of a bizarre finale. The sight of the supporters giving them a standing ovation at the end was heartening.
04:30 But I suppose on the flipside, you've got to look at the position in the table. As well as they played in the two home games, they've won just one. They've only won one in eight.
04:43 There's teams below Huddersfield that were starting to make the move, more principally Sheffield Wednesday. As much as there were two good performances, there's that points aspect as well.
04:58 I felt for them in the respect of having a game to start the new year with at Leicester City, who already look to be championed to elect. Huddersfield got beaten in that, as most people would suspect.
05:10 But at least we are seeing this sort of identity personality, which you'd want from Darren Moore's side.
05:22 For quite a few teams in Yorkshire, it's going to be a big month, January. Huddersfield, it's all about for me, getting the recruitment right now this month.
05:32 And the owner, Kevin Nagle, staying true to his promises of bringing in some new players. It looks like they're going to make a start with a lad from Chelsea, which he'll have on the wing on loan.
05:42 That'll be a nice start, but I think we need a few more to come as well.
05:47 We know they've had injury problems, we know these things take time, but we know as well that there isn't much patience in Championship football, particularly when you're sat above the relegation zone with teams like Sheffield Wednesday and QPR breathing down your necks and starting to show some form.
06:06 Darren Moore's had 19 games now, and 19 games isn't much to get an imprint on a side, particularly when you've had a lot of key players.
06:16 But we've seen managers sat quicker than that. He's only won three of those games, so I think January really has to be an acceleration of those trends.
06:25 As Leon says, this identity is emerging, which is what we needed to see from them. But it's only the starting point of the process. They need some shrewd transfers now.
06:37 As Leon says, the chairman needs to do his side of the bargain because there really wasn't much financial backing at all for Neil Warnock in the summer because of the circumstances we've seen at Huddersfield the last few years.
06:55 You also can't ignore financial reality, but there really needs to be a kicking on now, bringing in some players who can really work within this framework that Darren Moore is creating.
07:10 It certainly will need more patience, but there obviously are limits to it when other teams below you are really starting to pick up form. We'll talk a bit about one of those later on.
07:26 It is looking ominous for Huddersfield, but they are still the right side of the dotted line. It's not like we're in absolute crisis territory. I think the fans just need to see more, need to be given more to believe in that this is a squad and a manager who can take them to where they should be.
07:51 In fairness to Moore as well, Stuart, you can't really judge a manager can you? Surely he's had a bit of a window to work with.
08:02 Absolutely.
08:03 He's had all manner of injury issues. Nakayama has obviously gone to the Asia Cup as well. Headley came off with an issue at Leicester.
08:18 Things have been unkind for Darren Moore. He's had some untimely blows, but I think there's an imperative of getting players in sooner rather than later. You look at the fixtures they've got as well this month in January.
08:33 They've got some huge games haven't they? They've got to play Plymouth at home. At the start of February they've got Sheffield Wednesday, which looks like a huge six-pointer. They've got to go to QPR as well.
08:47 They should really be trying to put out all the stops to get players in. I know it's not easy. There's mud in the waters. There's obviously the African Cup of Nations and the Asia Cup. That might be complicated things.
09:04 Some clubs letting players out, but they've just got to try and pull out all the stops to get players in nice and early and integrate. I know Darren Moore is the manager who likes that sort of thing.
09:15 He's been working at close quarters on the training ground. The fixtures dictate that Huddersfield have got to be brisk out of the blocks this month. You look at the fixtures a little bit further down the line, they look like they've got a tough February start to March.
09:34 They've played quite a few teams in the top six mix, as the Southampton lead. I think Moore can probably turn around and say, 'Look at the two home games, I'm creating a bit of an identity, a little bit of a spark. I need some help now.'
09:50 I think with Middlesbrough, they themselves, like Huddersfield, they'll be desperate to do some business in January. They've been massively hit on the injury front. The game against Coventry, they won dramatically at the end against Huddersfield.
10:13 The game at Coventry, on New Year's Day by contrast, looked a little bit of a game too far. Throughout the season, they've been strong in the second half of games and they've flipped around a little bit now.
10:25 They're looking a little bit jaded in some of the second-half performances. I think that was certainly the case at Huddersfield, even though they actually won. It was a bit of a bizarre cameo with Hauser missing the penalty and scoring from the resulting corner.
10:43 There was a bit of fortune in the finish as well, but they looked a bit jaded and leggy against the good Coventry side. They'll switch attentions to the Cup now. They'll be desperate to get a few players back and also replenish the squad as well.
11:01 Their form has been a little bit patchy over the last month or so. They're still in with a play-off sniff, but they certainly look a little bit light in terms of the forwards.
11:14 They'll be looking to address one or two areas and hopefully bring back some encouraging noises with the likes of Hackney, Crooks and Latit Lapp. Hopefully, they'll be back in training and back in contention soon.
11:29 A big month for Middlesbrough as it is for Huddersfield. We'll see whether two other teams will talk about it.
11:36 It's all got the feel at the moment this season that it's drifting a bit for Middlesbrough. The reality of the Championship is that they might be in 12th place. Their form might have been patchy, but they're only four points outside the play-offs.
11:51 It's always salvageable for a club in that position with a good January. We've seen with Middlesbrough and Huddersfield, they've both made good use of the loan market in recent years.
12:05 Huddersfield have built this relationship with Chelsea over the years where they've been able to tap into some really good youngsters there.
12:13 Darren Moore himself has got a reputation as a player who works well with loan players. One would hope that they're quite persuasive when it comes to getting top young players in.
12:27 Likewise, the work that Michael Carrick did last season, particularly with Aston Villa's youngsters, there's a link on the coaching staff there.
12:36 The work he did developing the likes of Archer and Ramsey last season. One would hope both of those clubs will have access to some really top young players who can boost their squads.
12:51 We've touched on it already, both of these clubs have had significant injury problems this season. I think sometimes that can be overlooked and people can just make hasty judgments to change their managers.
13:11 There's two good managers there who've had lots of injury problems and I accept that other teams in the Championship have had lots of injury problems too. Nevertheless, there's reasons why these clubs have stalled.
13:26 If you were to jump into a decision, and I don't think one's close on either of them at the moment in that regard, but if you were to push into that decision it could be something you regret.
13:40 I think both of these managers have shown in the past that they're worth persevering with and showing some faith in. That faith first and foremost needs to come from the chairman finding some funds for them in January.
13:53 There is the potential for both of those clubs to pick up quite significantly. Even Huddersfield, we talk about the teams creeping up on them, but there is a clump of teams just above Huddersfield where if they could string together a few back-to-back wins, which is something they really struggle with,
14:14 but if they could crack that they could quite quickly move up the table. If they go the other way they could quite quickly drop. That's why Leon's right to say January is so important.
14:26 I think the fact as well, quickly, that they both haven't moaned about it. Some managers in the particular situation would really be moaning a lot, but fair play to Darren Moore and Michael Carrick, they've just cracked on haven't they really?
14:41 Middlesbrough as well have had the Cup success as well. They've played five games in basically a fortnight, which when you've got an injury into double figures it's a brutal schedule isn't it?
14:58 He had to feel for Moore as well, going quickly back to the Middlesbrough game. He had four lads on the bench who'd never played for the club. I think he only had seven players on the bench in any case.
15:12 That's a graphic illustration of what he hasn't got to work with as such. Anyone who knows football and really any Huddersfield fan deep down will appreciate that he just needs help doesn't he? That's the bottom line.
15:35 Absolutely.
15:37 Next we turn to Hull City who claimed a 3-2 victory over Blackburn Rovers before falling to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday. Now with these two results, how will Liam Rossinia be feeling about his team's performances?
15:52 And then turning to Danny Rowe's Sheffield Wednesday side, they're just three points from safety and considering where they were prior to this, can they look on the game against Hull City with some pride Stuart?
16:05 They absolutely can. They were excellent that day and they are really getting ahead of steam. With regards to Huddersfield, there is a coach who has been given a little bit of time, let's not overplay it, but a bit of time to find his feet and has really got things coming together at that football club.
16:27 Back-to-back wins over Preston and Hull have really put optimism into Sheffield Wednesday. If I was not just manager of Huddersfield but if I was caretaker manager of Birmingham or Stoke or Plymouth or even clubs like Swansea and Millwall, I'd be worried about the form Sheffield Wednesday are showing right now.
16:56 They look like a really good, vibrant outfit. Again, hopefully it applies to any club that's changed manager during the season. They'll want to get players in in January who are more suited to their way of playing and move on those that aren't.
17:17 We've already seen John Buckley's loan cancelled to free up a bit of space. Things are very positive for Sheffield Wednesday. You've got to throw that perspective in when you look at Hull City. I was going to say Liam Rossini will be, but Liam Rossini is frustrated.
17:39 That's five defeats in eight games now for Hull and Rossini will bang the drum about how they should have more than nine points from those eight games. They've played well in game X, they've played well in game Y, but they are just letting themselves down at key moments either by not putting teams away with finishing or with sloppy mistakes.
18:01 In the Sheffield Wednesday game, Leon talked about it being a game too many for Middlesbrough. That was a game where Hull just didn't turn up. That was the more worrying part of the equation for them. They're going to be without Jean-Michel Sarri now. Everything goes through in that team. He's going to be away for the African Nations for a month.
18:23 One thing you do know with Hull City, we've mentioned it a couple of times with clubs, will the chairman back the manager in the January transfer market? It's not a question at Hull City. He will. They've already brought in Billy Sharp, there's already work underway to bring in other players. He will get backed.
18:45 For all that, as I say, it's five defeats in eight, they're one point outside the playoffs. This is a wobble. You can't ignore wobbles, but you can make them a lot worse if you get them out of proportion and panic about them.
19:04 This is a good squad with a good manager who I'm pretty certain will get things right. Well, very confident will get things right if people just hold their nerve. I think there's a lot of goodwill towards Liam Rossini from the Hull terraces. That will certainly work in his favour.
19:26 There's a chairman who believes in him. It's a concerning time for Hull City, but no more than that. It's a very good time for Sheffield Wednesday at the moment.
19:36 I'd agree with all that. There needs to be some perspective in terms of where Hull have come from. This time last year they were just showing signs of turning it around a little bit after being in the relegation niche for most of the first half of last season.
19:54 The direction of travel is an upward one. Look at the points, 39 from 25-26. They're on course to be around that early to mid-70s haul of points which gets you into playoff consideration at the end of the season.
20:15 The one of a clutch of teams, we've mentioned Middlesbrough, it looks to be looking at the table, the top four seem to be away. It could be just two spots, fifth and sixth for a string of teams.
20:30 It could revolve around who amongst that clutch of teams finishes the strongest, who has the best January. Stuart rightly said it's about part of the package is holding you nervous, whether that's games in the market.
20:46 Hull mentioned about Middlesbrough as well. They should be attractive clubs to join along with some of the others to be fair, like the Coventry's of this world. They're having a little bit of a bump, five defeats in eight.
21:02 Being a defender, the concern for the senior would be some of the goals they've conceded away from home. They've had a few twos and threes, three at Sheffield Wednesday, a couple at QPR. They're struggling for a bit of defensive solidity away from home.
21:24 As you get here this time of year, one or two other facts as well. There's players going off to the African Cup of Nations, one or two injuries, a big one for Hull. Stuart's right to say there's no need to panic there in the wider context of the season.
21:43 Having to be in the play-off mix is a tribute to what the seniors have done. They're still on message for me. Just quickly on Sheffield Wednesday, what a remarkable story that's brewing there.
21:59 One of the EFL tales of the season under Danny Roll. It was just a perfect storm in the first quarter of the season. On and off the pitch there was all manner of acrimony in the stands.
22:16 There's still the ongoing issues with the ownership of Chance area, but against that backdrop, and his first job in senior management as well, he's been a number two for some very high-profile names.
22:33 What a story that Danny Roll's carved out. He's plunged into a championship season, one of the toughest divisions in Europe. He's got a side-ship shape in double quick-time.
22:49 A team that took three points from the first 11 games, it wasn't just bad, it was embarrassing. I think his coaching staff as well deserve a big pat on the back.
23:05 They've obviously got everybody together on a daily basis at Middlewood. Totally changed the vibe as well as changing the tactical outlook of the team.
23:17 They've had some big wins over December and to start the new year. It's almost at the minute, they've got huge momentum there.
23:35 It's almost as if it's destined to be. I suppose the one thing they'll have to stop getting, or just a bit of a warning not to get too ahead of themselves.
23:47 It is the sort of season where all teams at the bottom do get setbacks. They're doing tremendously well at the minute, but they've just got to remain focused and on course.
24:01 They've got every chance, but to be three points, just at this stage of the season, given where they were in mid-autumn, is incredible.
24:13 As Stuart said, there'll be a number of clubs looking to recruit and add to what they've got in January. I think that comes at a good time.
24:23 It's amazing what Rom's done there. Hats off to him, especially given the fact it's his first season on his own in English football.
24:33 A word for the fans as well, because Rom lost five of his first six games. The fans looked beyond that and could actually see what was developing.
24:47 Sometimes people talk patronisingly about how they're an intelligent fan base. Sheffield Wednesday fans showed there and then that they looked beyond the results.
24:55 They could see what was developing. They're obviously in a difficult time at the moment, because as Leon's alluded to, they want rid of the chairman.
25:03 They're trying to voice their protest in a way that doesn't impact on the team as well.
25:10 I think you can see by Sheffield Wednesday's home form and the way they've got behind them, they've struck the right balance,
25:18 certainly from a footballing perspective, in terms of supporting the team, getting behind them when they really need it.
25:25 At the moment, they're getting their rewards. There's still some way to go, because they gave everyone such a big head start.
25:32 You would just feel very confident about life if you were a Sheffield Wednesday fan or a player at the moment.
25:40 That confidence is actually really important, because it does have an impact. It can snowball and create an atmosphere at Hillsborough in particular,
25:50 but away games as well, which is very difficult to play against.
25:54 I think you spot on there, Stuart. That is part of it. Any team that has a successful survival battle, everybody's in it, aren't they?
26:01 It sounds a bit of a cliche about a 12-man, but it is true, isn't it? He came in at Wednesday and, to be fair,
26:08 it was getting worse before it got better almost at the start, wasn't it? They had a few defeats.
26:16 I remember watching the game against Plymouth on iFollow and Wednesday lost 3-0.
26:23 To be fair, it was a little bit flattering on Plymouth, but it was a pretty full away and midweek game deep into autumn.
26:35 The Sheffield Wednesday support was outstanding that day. It just seems to be that there's been a realisation in terms of what Royal has done,
26:45 even though there were some early defeats. They had something to buy into. They're supporters and they've been patient.
26:54 Fair play to them and they get through it well.
26:57 It's not just about numbers turning up. Sheffield Wednesday always get that. Quite a few of our clubs always get big numbers.
27:03 Sometimes you get the sense that people are turning up just out of a sense of duty and not believing.
27:09 This time, as you say, they've seen something to really believe in. You talked about identity with Huddersfield.
27:15 That identity came really quickly at Sheffield Wednesday. Supporters have fed off that.
27:24 I can only hope that it gets its full reward because they certainly deserve everything the Sheffield Wednesday supporters have gone through.
27:34 They really have played their part this season.
27:36 Our attention now turns to Leeds United who bounced back from consecutive away defeats with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Birmingham City.
27:44 With goals from Patrick Bamford who claimed his first start since May, Dan James and Crescentio Somerville which brings them to within seven points of the top two.
27:53 How valuable could this be for Daniel Farke's side to start the new year with a win like this, Leon?
28:00 I think it was a nice settlement. With respect to Birmingham, if you were going to choose a game on New Year's Day, given their struggles and obviously Wayne Rooney's paid the price for that 2-2 win in 2015.
28:18 A home game against Birmingham wouldn't have been too far away from being top of the list. After a mixed Christmas it looked decent on paper for Leeds and so it proved.
28:30 It was pretty comfortable all things considered. The constant this season has been that home for them.
28:40 It's been one or two draws but the fact that they're the only unbeaten side at home in the championship this season should carry weight.
28:51 It seems to be butchering what Leeds are doing. It was a comfortable win. I had a big call for Farke to bring in Patrick Bamford.
29:02 It was strange. I know one or two Leeds supporters and I was messaging them over the weekend and I said to one that I wouldn't be too surprised if he actually gives Bamford the nod.
29:19 It could be the right sort of game to start him. He'd had 15 or 16 substitute appearances. I just thought it's not been quite running for Joe Perrault at the minute.
29:29 The amount of games you play over the festive season, four games in ten days, it looked like the perfect time to have a look at Bamford.
29:41 It justified that. He's had the call and he's got his first goal since April. It would be a big boost for his confidence.
29:50 It's not gone for him this season so far. He's had one or two frustrating injury issues. The start of a new year is psychologically for a player.
30:02 He started it with a goal and a start. That would be a big fillip for his confidence. Fair play to Daniel Farke. What I do like about him is he's just not prone to panic, is he?
30:20 There's a calmness and a quiet authority there. He's been around the block and he's seen it and done it. He's not only got promoted, he's won the league twice.
30:32 He's earned the right to be trusted. It's been a funny one in the respect of mixed results for Leeds. He lost the back-to-back away games at Preston with the Mesleya dismissal.
30:51 Things went against him a little bit at West Bromley. There were certainly a couple of penalty calls. One looked a stonewall penalty.
31:04 He's not been playing too badly. Farke was right. He said he needs to find a way of grinding out things a little bit more. Away from home maybe.
31:17 I don't think there's a lot fundamentally wrong to be quite honest. We speak about this time of year. Nothing going smoothly for most teams. Case in point, Ipswich 10.
31:32 They've had a remarkable 2023 and they deserve all the credit that's been given them. A little chink of life for Leeds and Southampton who are in very good form.
31:46 Ipswich have had a few draws in there. They've got one or two injury and suspension issues. George Hurston I think is a big player for them.
31:58 The gap now between them and Leeds is down to seven points and that's doable. Lots of ups and downs to come. Leeds can spy second place against Shelby.
32:21 They've actually got a little bit closer to Ipswich over Christmas despite it not being perfect.
32:26 Without wanting to pour cold water over it, I don't think the Birmingham game is ever going to be the test. We know how good Leeds are at home.
32:36 They've got Peterborough away in the cup next and Cardiff away. Both the FA Cup and Cardiff are two things that don't mix very well with Leeds United over the last few years.
32:48 That will be the bigger test. I'm with Leon. Why would you not trust Daniel Farke to get it right with Daniel Farke's record?
32:59 It's as simple as that for me. They probably do need to adjust things ever so slightly away from home.
33:07 Maybe a slightly different balance between defence and attack. That guy knows what he's doing. I'm sure he'll get to the root of it.
33:18 As Leon says, you've got to look at the bigger picture. They're actually closer to Ipswich than they were four games ago.
33:27 Southampton have got their foot on the pedal but for Leeds to be so close to both of those teams when they're in a slightly ropey spell themselves, you take that all day long.
33:38 You've just got to be realistic about this. I do think that they will get things right. They've got an excellent squad.
33:50 They've got an excellent manager. I think Bamford's goal could be really significant.
33:57 I don't think you can underestimate what it does for the confidence, even of a player who's been around the block as many times as Patrick Bamford.
34:05 To just get that off your back and suddenly it makes Leeds' forward options, which were already very good in terms of the wide positions, but down the middle even more formidable.
34:19 We've been saying it a lot about Leeds on this podcast the last few weeks and you can become a bit of a broken record.
34:28 But in keeping with what we've said about some of the other clubs today, I think they are another that just needs to hold their nerve.
34:36 Some of the people on social media and things like that that you shouldn't really pay much attention to who've been getting over-excited and calling for Farker to leave.
34:47 They really need to give their heads a wobble. You can be distracted by the fact that Leicester and Southampton have had good seasons as well.
34:57 But to shake off that hangover of relegation is no mean feat in itself. Leeds go into start 2024 in a pretty healthy position all things considered.
35:12 Very good management wasn't it from Farker bringing in Bamford as well. He just knew the right time and it's paid a dividend.
35:22 It couldn't be more what you've said there Stuart. Anyone making noises about Daniel Farker really needs to give their head a shake.
35:31 Now we look to the Premier League and Sheffield United who showed a spirited performance in their 2-0 defeat away at Manchester City.
35:40 This now means that Chris Wilderside have gone four games without a win and with a visit from West Ham next on the horizon for the Blades.
35:47 What do they need to do to try and improve their situation Stuart?
35:51 They've just got to keep grinding away Mark. The fact of the matter is they are struggling in this division because they haven't got the greatest squad.
36:05 They haven't got masses of money to change things in January. I think Chris Wilder will try to shuffle the pack.
36:12 If we think back to what we were saying a month ago, I think the brutal reality of it is that Sheffield United just needed to get to a point first and foremost where they were losing better.
36:24 If that doesn't sound too defeatist. This is a team that Leon saw concede 8 to Newcastle United.
36:32 This is a team that I saw absolutely collapse and concede 5 at Burnley. A Burnley team who hadn't won at home all season.
36:40 This is a team that lost 5-0 at Arsenal. Manchester City, as you would totally expect, utterly dominated the possession against Sheffield United.
36:50 I think they had 82%. I think they made over 1,000 passes.
36:56 But Sheffield United really defended with great spirit and great skill and limited them to just four shots on target.
37:04 It's depressing in this league where supposedly everyone can beat everybody that you can even take moral victories from the fact that you're limited to Manchester City.
37:14 It's only four shots on target and only two goals. But that is the reality of where both those two clubs are.
37:22 Sheffield United just had to show more fight, more organisation, more determination than they did at the very end of Paul Heckingbottom's reign.
37:32 I think morale had just been worn down to such an extent that that element collapsed.
37:40 Then they've got to build from there. They've got to try and find results here and there.
37:48 West Ham, it's not the best time for them at the moment with Paquette out injured, for example.
37:54 Crystal Palace, Roy Hodgson seems to be under a lot of pressure. They've got to exploit one of these to pull out an unexpected result.
38:05 But I think the main thing is they've just got to give Sheffield United supporters a team they can have a bit of pride in.
38:14 If you were there at Turf Moor four weeks ago, if you were there for that 3-1 defeat against Bournemouth,
38:25 those were games to make you embarrassed as a Sheffield United fan. At least under Chris Wildey you can take a bit more pride.
38:33 It only takes you so far, but it's a step forward from where they were.
38:37 I think they've got the perfect manager in that regard, Stuart. Chris Wildey knows Sheffield United's DNA.
38:46 He knows what will resonate with supporters. He knows what they'll tolerate and what they won't tolerate.
38:52 When it boils down, he's a Sheffield United fan as well. The players are representing his club.
39:00 He's a savvy manager and I think he'll smell out a thousand paces.
39:07 Anyone whose attitude and levels of intensity aren't spot on, it's just something he won't tolerate.
39:16 They're in the best hands in that regard. They've just got to somehow make a fight of it.
39:23 They'll obviously switch focus initially to the FA Cup at Gilligan.
39:30 It's pretty low down the list of priorities for Sheffield United, but it won't be tied to any player who doesn't show the right attitude for that one.
39:39 You can be absolutely nailed on that Chris Wildey will be watching.
39:46 It sounds like he's hopefully going to do a couple of pieces of business this month.
39:54 It sounds like they've lined up Brayton Diaz alone. I think he's got the makings of a useful signing.
40:03 First and foremost, players that are there have just got to show some pride in the jersey and give something back.
40:10 They've had some bruising episodes so far this season. Stuart's mentioned the Burnleys in Newcastle 1, which was the talk of football wasn't it?
40:23 The home game with Bournemouth. They owe it to the supporters themselves and the manager to put it all on the line in the weeks ahead.
40:36 If you're going to go down, go down fighting.
40:40 Exactly. Whether they go down or not isn't entirely in their hands. Whether they go down with a whimper is.
40:46 Even the last time they went down, it was a low points total, quite a depressing season.
40:54 But at least they finished strongly under Paul Heckingbottom. That gave them something to go into next season with.
40:59 They have to do that again. If everything falls into place and they stay up, well obviously happy days.
41:06 But even if they don't, they've got to be wary of next season. This period is going to be really important for them.
41:13 It's almost sneaked up secretly, but there's actually a winter break coming up for Sheffield United.
41:21 They've got three weeks without a Premier League game. We've obviously got that gilling in the FA Cup time.
41:26 Three weeks without a Premier League game, almost for Chris Wilder to have his pre-season with them.
41:32 It's been quite unusual his timing. They've been playing twice a week, whereas by and large,
41:38 clubs at that end of the table in the Premier League only tend to play once a week.
41:42 There's not been much training ground time. Now he's really got time to impress his methods.
41:48 You can bet your life, as Leon says, he'll be doing that.
41:52 Just think quickly, even further down the line, he'll be looking at next season in terms of whatever division they're going to be in.
41:59 Whether it's the summer, I do, with all the sales I have a trouble, or in the Championship.
42:03 He's a manager who's always watching and misses nothing.
42:07 Along with the short to medium term of this season, it's about the longer term of next season and who's going to be.
42:15 He's got his plans for that.
42:17 If you think back to the summer of 2019 when they came up to the Premier League, all the signings he made then,
42:22 he said afterwards, were made with half a mind of 'will these players do it for me in the Championship if we were to go down to the finish line?'
42:30 It'll be the same mindset I think the players brought in.
42:35 Finally for this week, we turn to Stuart for his team of the week, before looking to Leon for the player that stood out most for him this past week.
42:43 Stuart, which team has caught your eye this week?
42:46 I've asked Lirical already about them so I won't bang on too much about Sheffield Wednesday.
42:51 I just don't think you can underestimate the importance of those back-to-back wins.
42:57 They've got a really useful front three, Gassama, Massaba and Kadamatri.
43:02 The two wide lads in particular had a slow start to the season, which is not surprising when you consider that
43:10 A) they were young lads and B) they never played in England.
43:13 But they're really starting to come to the fore. Kadamatri is obviously a big talent.
43:17 There's so much energy in that team. There's a clear idea of what they're doing.
43:22 I think they've had a really good week. They've got a really good coach.
43:26 They're in a good place right now. They're my team of the week.
43:30 Leon, who has stood out for you this week?
43:34 I'm going to go a little bit left field. I think it's worth mentioning what's happening at Sheffield Wednesday.
43:41 Stuart's mentioned Gassama. He's one of the players.
43:44 I think the good thing about Sheffield Wednesday is the amount of contributions that are coming from across the squad.
43:51 You've got your Marvin Johnson, I know Wilf Box missed the game against Hull.
43:57 But he's another player who's been putting his hand up. That's been the impressive thing for me.
44:02 I think a word again for Victor Johansson. I know I mentioned him last week.
44:06 What a huge player he is for Rotherham United.
44:11 He's in a really rich vein of form.
44:15 You just hope for Rotherham's sake that they can keep hold of him this month.
44:19 Because he's nailed on. He's going to have interest in him.
44:23 He's obviously a Sweden international now as well.
44:26 I'm going to go a little bit left field. I'm going to go for Joe Ironside at Doncaster.
44:31 It's been a pretty rough season for Rovers.
44:36 I'd probably give them the kiss of their death at the start of the season.
44:39 Tipping them to being the top three shape.
44:44 That's not going to happen now.
44:47 I just think he scored three goals over the Christmas and New Year period.
44:52 It's not yielded three wins out of three or anything like that.
45:03 I just think for a side who have really struggled all season for different reasons.
45:09 They've had common theme availability problems with injuries.
45:14 Stuart was right to point to a bit of a culture thing last week as well.
45:19 I think the fact he's scored 15 goals this season so far is pretty outstanding.
45:28 Fair play to him. He got a goal. He got a good surprise point at Mansfield.
45:37 They were really going strong towards the top of League 2.
45:43 He scored against MK Dons as well.
45:46 We've not given too many accolades to Doncaster this season.
45:52 I think he's been the one reassuring constant for them.
45:59 They're certainly going to need him in the new year.
46:01 I think he only got six goals last season in a struggling Cambridge side.
46:06 To come into a struggling Doncaster side and show that sort of form,
46:11 real big in the character box as well as his skill, I think that's an excellent choice.
46:15 YorkshirePost.co.uk
46:19 Yorkshire Post Sports
46:24 Yorkshire Post Sports
46:27 Many thanks to Stuart Rayner and Leon Wobtrell who will doubtless join us again soon
46:30 for more discussions on the Yorkshire football scene.
46:32 But don't forget you can keep up to date with all the football news across Yorkshire and beyond
46:36 by logging on to our website at yp.sport@nationalworld.com
46:40 or if you search for Yorkshire Post Sport, Yorkshire Post Football or even Sheffield Sport on Facebook
46:44 you can find us there as well.
46:46 If you have any questions for our writers you can get in touch using those various Twitter or Facebook pages
46:51 or email us directly with a subject matter as football talk podcast at yp.sport@nationalworld.com
46:57 As ever, many thanks for listening, look after yourselves and bye for now.
47:01 [Music]