Post by deadbat on Sept 2, 2018 9:11:44 GMT
The Blades great run of form continued as they made it four wins on the bounce after an absolutely superb performance at the Lane on Saturday afternoon saw them completely dismantle Aston Villa. It was one of the best performances for years by United and in particular the first half was simply sensational as the Villains were blown apart by pressurised, high intensity play but ultimately sublime football. 3-0 actually flattered Villa at half time. The second half saw the Blades get a fourth and you wondered how many the home side would get but United did run out of energy and Villa had a spell getting a goal back but the result was never in doubt.
Manager Wilder had new signing Connor Washington on the bench but fellow newcomers Marvin Johnson and Martin Cranie signed too late to be included. David McGoldrick started up front with Leon Clarke ruled out through injury. There was a big boost that the returning Paul Coutts was also a surprise inclusion on the bench. Villa had made signings recently in the form of Yannick Bolaise and Tammy Abraham but neither were deemed fit enough to start. Villa were also without Albert Adomah but other injury doubts John McGinn and Jack Grealish started for the unbeaten visitors.
The game started in bright sunshine and United were quickly out off the traps and Norwood and Fleck were prompting very early on. The Blades pinned Villa back with quick possession football that dissected them early and had a few enterprising moves. They won a free kick in the 6th minutes and this led to the opening goal. Freeman was pulled down by El Ghazi and Norwood took the free kick wide on the right. The delivery was perfect and Nyland stayed on his line; O’CONNELL powerfully headed home from point blank range. The marking was poor and the execution was simple. It was a long due goal for the popular centre back and the Lane was rocking with the hat song reverberating around the terraces.
United were back on the attack straight away and Villa had not started at all mainly due to not coping with the intensity of United’s play on and off the ball. Ridiculous defending where the Villa man tried to let the ball go out and it clearly was not going to go over the line. United robbed them and more purposeful football saw the ball pinged about again with Duffy, Freeman and Stevens involved; the ball came across and Norwood hit a low shot that deflected off a defender and hit the post. United recycled play and Sharp was denied by Nyland although he was offside.
The second goal was not long coming though. Henderson had started the attack kicking the ball out and Fleck found DUFFY who strode on holding off McGinn. From 25 yards he went for goal and hit a low shot that bounced just in front of the keeper and into the corner of the net. The goalkeeper will have been disappointed but it was another good goal from United’s point of view.
The Blades were simply buoyant and Villa could not get the ball off them. They kept coming and the Fleck, Norwood and Duffy combination was too much for them. The wing backs and overlapping centre backs kept coming and it was wave after wave. McGoldrick was relenting in his closing down and Villa looked stunned.
The third goal came when Basham was fouled on the right. NORWOOD spotted Nyland moving to his right and went for goal and his clever free kick completely deceiving the keeper and went low into the net. He clearly meant it as turned with his arms aloft to John Street almost before the ball hit the net. United had more half chances and continued to dominate and Villa would have been delighted that the half time whistle came after being destroyed.
The second half saw United on top again and no let up. McGoldrick’s hard work continued and he linked with Freeman for a half chance before the fourth goal came. The keepers’ throw out was intercepted by Norwood’s tackle and he fed Freeman. The wing back put over a cross into SHARP’s path who took a touch, swivelled and hit a high shot into the goal. The keeper got a hand on it but could not keep it out.
Nyland saved well from McGoldrick’s low shot as United broke again and were threatening to run riot. Fleck then fed Duffy for a half chance but it was blocked out.
Villa had barely been in the game but had a spell of the ball with Grealish involved and getting fouled or winning free kicks in a short period. It was the midfielder that set up a goal with their first real attack of the game of note. He played a through ball that dissected the two centre backs who appealed in vain for offside and EL GHAZI coolly rolled the ball home. It was a poor goal and not in keeping with the home performance.
Fleck had taken a knock and limped off to be replaced by Lundstram whose first act was to play a lovely ball across for McGoldrick but he was denied a 5th by a great save from the keeper. Sharp was then in but deemed offside as he rounded the keeper and scored after more great work by the hard working McGoldrick. Lafferty replaced Duffy before Washington came on for Sharp. Villa had most of the ball now but were not doing much with it and Grealish was tacked superbly by Lundstram setting United on the attack but McGoldrick could not quite get his shot away. United saw out time professionally and managed to slow things down with a few stoppages to break things up and Villa knew there was no way back as the game entered stoppage time. Washington ran a defender down and won a corner which won him applause from the home fans on his debut and soon after the final whistle came and United rightly took acclaim from all sides of the Lane for an absolute masterclass.
United –
Wow. Not sure what other word sums up that. The whole performance was almost perfect. The first half was unbelievable and we absolutely smashed a previously unbeaten Villa. A side that is on huge wages and still cost a hell of a lot more than our side. They have some really good players despite a few new ones not playing and them losing some in the summer; they are a side you expect to be around the top 6. We absolutely destroyed them. Make no mistake they were not great but we made them look so poor. It had everything you would want of a United team. Passion, energy, guts, tackling, pressurising and total effort. Then on the ball we were superb, moving it quickly at pace, combination play, clever football. The whole team were involved in most moves and there was not one weak link. It was 3-0 and could have been a lot more. It was simply scintillating stuff. On the rare occasions when they did have it; the home side swarmed all over them and got it back and it was soon in the last third of the visiting half again. Every single United player were bang at it and the possession one touch stuff was a joy to watch. It was all done at pace too.
My descriptions may seem hyperbole but I am not exaggerating and those that saw it will clearly agree. It was as good as anything I have seen down there for a long, long time. That is saying a lot with some great performances under Wilder’s tenure. Individually there were some great performances but this more about the team and the collective unit. We scored three good goals but the keeper made saves, we hit the post and it could have been more. The referee was pretty rubbish too and could have sent off a Villa defender for a blatant trip on McGoldrick. Villa barely got into our half and looked shell shocked.
The first half was so good, you expected a come down but we still played well second half but a different kind of performance. We scored and you sensed it may be a cricket score but then inevitably they would have spell and Grealish started to pull the strings a bit. A great player but very sulky and constantly looking for fouls. We eased off and were probably tired from all the effort in the first hour of the game and the game sort of petered out which helped us in the end. We dug in and stopped them coming back any further and saw out the game professionally. We committed quite a few fouls today which I liked. If they had a chance of getting anywhere the few times we did not tackle them; we shut them down other means and were not a soft touch at all. We were so hard to play against. Villa probably could not wait to get off the field.
We are now up to third and with Coutts on the way back, a few new signings; things are very much on the up/ Hopefully Fleck was not hurt too badly and also Clarke will be back. We have a few weeks to get them fit and time to get Coutts even closer. We have a few tough games coming up I feel but the start now has been excellent and mirrored last season when we lost a few early and then went on a run. Just before the international break; we did the same to Derby in a statement win and I felt today was very much the same. We have simply hammered two sides in consecutive weeks now. Norwood has made a huge difference, being man of the match in every game and the Evans-Norwood manoeuvre was a master stroke. Credit to Wilder in that he shuffled things around and also for admitting that the January signings did not work. He has not hung around and also made a profit. I felt Leonard had done ok this season but Wilder saw enough to suggest he would not feature much.
Villa – They were awful but we made them look so bad. I felt we never gave them a chance to get going. They are a team packed full of experience and lots of ex-Premier League players. Sure, they do not have Terry anymore and some of the new lads were not available or not fit but they still have lots of quality players and probably a wage bill way in excess of ours. They got absolutely destroyed and could not get the ball. They hardly had an attack. They simply could not cope with us. The defence was pulled about, the midfield did not get into the game at all and Kodjia was isolated. I cannot remember a team that has so many decent, experienced players get so embarrassed at the Lane – maybe Spurs 6-0 back in 1993 is the last time and the game reminded me of that and could have been a similar score line. They still will be up near the top and the pace they have in Adomah, Abraham and Bolaise will give them a real zip and glad they did not play today although doubt they would have got a kick but gives them an outlet. They kind of played one up top with the new lad El Ghazi and Grealish kind of supporting Kodjia but it did not work. A few players like Whelan and Hutton look on their last legs.
Opponent man of the match – Not sure there was any. The keeper made some saves but made some howlers. Individually and collectively they were appalling. Kodjia worked hard when he could and I suppose as annoying as he is; Grealish at least got on the ball (when the game was over at 4-0 – where was he then?) and made some things happen. He is a good player but looks for the free kicks way too much. We did kick him a bit but also, we tackled him fairly a lot and he constantly was on the ground and then suddenly jumped up. Surprised he has stayed there and looked frustrated with his teammates.
Weak link – Could be anybody. The goalie made a few poor mistakes and the third goal was really poor and the defence had no confidence in him at all but they were shocking too. The centre halves were poor and Jedinak was all over the place. The full backs could not stem the tide and I barely noticed Whelan and the highly rated McGinn. Their whole team was the weak link today!
Henderson 7.5/10 – Played really well although had little to do but everything he did he did commendably. He caught all the high balls; his handling was sound and he helped kick start a few attacks (a few poor kicks out also!). He had no chance on the goal. Seems to love being part of the team and a character to boot.
Freeman 8/10 – Another energetic performance where he got up and down and was involved in so many good attacks. He assisted in the first by winning a free kick and then made the fourth also. He set up another few good chances and showed real fitness. He defended well when he had to and made some good interceptions. A really good footballer who has made a difference to what we do going forward since he got back in and that is no offence to Baldock who is very good also.
Stevens 8/10 – Another good performance and like last few games; seems to have got back to the standards of last season. He also got up and down and first half was just like a left winger really as he was playing so far forward. Helped set up a number of attacks and his crossing seems to have improved also recently. Now got more competition so will have to maintain his standards.
Egan 8/10 – Seems to be getting better and better. He was commanding winning headers, making blocks and doing the basics but also improved in his possession play and has been more careful. Has come out of the defence a few times also when he has had space. The only negative is he and O’Connell got dissected on the goal.
O’Connell 8.5/10 – Thought he was excellent today and was bang at it. He was onto the ball first, winning headers and blocks and some crunching tackles too. His goal summed it up. He wanted to be first and made it his. He was right back to the O’Connell we have seen after as shaky few games and like Egan; the last few games; the defenders have all been on the front foot in winning the ball and helping us get back up the field quicker. Also used the ball well and involved in that superb first half attacking show.
Basham 8/10 – Solid again and also seemed to be everywhere at times. He covered so much ground yet again and was involved at both ends. He used the ball well but like the others was always first to it. He kept surging forward. Got a booking for a poor challenge on Grealish but you kind of glad someone put a tackle in like that on him to show him what we were about. We were certainly not a soft touch today and he embodied that although a touch lucky not to get a second yellow but there were a few tackles like that escaped censure but I would not have been surprised if had got a booking; so it was a relief. After that he played sensibly – I was calling for him to come off.
Fleck 8.5/10 – Another great performance where he swarmed all over Villa and was great on and off the ball. He was probing, running and creating but won lots of tackles. A joy to watch as he was too quick, clever and determined for his opponents. Playing against a highly rated midfield with a lot of experience; Fleck and Norwood were brilliant in the centre of the park.
Norwood 9/10 – Once again brilliant and at the heart of everything we did. Dictated play throughout. Came short to get it from defence and then got us moving. His use of the ball is sensational. He does not give it away. He can go short and long and is able to move it so quickly. He plays some outrageous balls with the outside of his foot. He is very mobile and gets about too to get his foot in and disrupt play. He is such an upgrade on Evans, Lundstram and others that started the season. His set plays are brilliant too and he mixes them up with some driven but others played to an intentional target and sent to different areas. The midfield now has energy, passing, drive and control of the games. We are dictating things by the play in this area. A superb signing and when Coutts come back; those two playing together with maybe Fleck and Duffy in front; is frighteningly good prospect. The different combinations are worth salivating over but means we can take our time with Coutts coming back!
Duffy 8/10 – First half he was superb and lots went through him. He got on the ball, was constantly in motion and they struggled to pick him up. He was brilliant in that he was left, then right and then in the centre and they had no one deployed to be on him. He scored another goal – the one thing missing has been goals for a man of his talent and was part of most of the great things we did. He set up other chances for us too and he is such an underrated player when he is like that. Second half inevitably he tired as a few of our players did but kept going and with Fleck getting a knock he had to carry on a bit longer before being taken off.
Sharp 8/10 – Worked really hard for the team. Things did not quite click in terms of the ball dropping in front of goal but he held it up and linked well and was a pest. He had a few chances and one ruled out for offside but won a lot of free kicks with his hold up play also. He was penalised for handball on one moment which was incredible as he was bundled over. He was able to get his goal with a smart move and turn and continues to always look a goal threat. He linked well with McGoldrick and they caused problems with their running and hard work.
McGoldrick 8.5/10 – A superb performance where he led the line, linked with others, chased, harried and showed some lovely touches and combination play. Never stopped from start to finish. Looked absolutely knackered at the end and with good reason! He kept closing down defenders and was everywhere in terms of pressing or getting to the ball first and then bringing others into play. Showed some intelligent play also in terms of what he did to play others in. Deserved a goal and nearly got one when the keeper pulled off a stunning save from point blank range.
Subs –
Lundstram – Did well when he came on. Nearly assisted for a goal for McGoldrick and then put in a crunching tackle on Grealish which was great when he got the ball but put him on the deck too. He did alright today and it was a good cameo. Helped us to just do the nitty gritty in terms of covering space and men.
Lafferty – Played midfield to try and stop them having as much of the ball when they had that little spell and like Lundstram helped us just see things out. Not sure he will feature much moving forward with Johnson here and others coming in and would not be surprised if he moves on in January possibly.
Washington – Brought on for Sharp as some of our players tired and he was able to chase and run things down. Looks quick and won a corner by chasing the defender down in the corner. A player that has a lot to prove and like with many; I expect Wilder to get the best out of him.
Wilder 9.5/10 – Brilliant performance from the team. His selection worked, the shape of the side was superb, the tactics were spot on. The only things that stops 10 is that little spell second half but that is nit picking. Against a vastly experienced and very successful manager at this level; he masterminded a complete annihilation. He needs to keep the players feet on the ground as he said at the end and the break may have come at the wrong time! However, I am confident I have seen enough of this group that we will be able to mount another decent challenge for the playoffs. We have a good group of players and the defence has tightened up. The midfield is playing out of his skin and the strikers are working hard. The only knock is we did not get that ‘big’ striker signing we wanted but maybe in January we can revisit that.
Referee – We won 4-1 but felt he favoured them and was booed off! He was poor and gave some bizarre decisions. He fell for some of their play acting at times and I felt gave Grealish a lot but then realised at the end that he went down often under little pressure at all. Odd decision when Sharp was fouled and he penalised our man. He also missed a trip on McGoldrick although the assistant was maybe closer to him. He missed a number of things and often not up with play. He booked Grealish and Basham for poor tackles but missed a number of other equally bad fouls and did not card anyone. His assistants were not great either missing the ball going out a few times and then a blatant foul throw in the build up to the goal.
Fans / Crowd – Had that big game feel and Villa packed out the lower tier selling out their allocation. Noisy inside and the performance obviously helped the stadium get even louder. The crowd were purring first half and the standing ovation at half time was good as any I have seen and rightly deserved. The fans kept encouraging second half and helped us see the game out. A great atmosphere and one that all the home fans will have enjoyed and remember for a long time. Villa fans were clearly frustrated with players and the manager and some were even fighting amongst themselves. They directed a few chants at Bruce and sarcastic cheers when the goalie did something or when they won a corner. Final word on the Gary Sinclair comment; thought it was a bit daft. Nothing malicious but his job is to call the teams, goalscorers and do announcements. At times he gets a bit carried away being a fan so I can understand why Wilder might be annoyed. It’s not a big thing but understand why the manager does not want that sort of arrogance creeping in.
Manager Wilder had new signing Connor Washington on the bench but fellow newcomers Marvin Johnson and Martin Cranie signed too late to be included. David McGoldrick started up front with Leon Clarke ruled out through injury. There was a big boost that the returning Paul Coutts was also a surprise inclusion on the bench. Villa had made signings recently in the form of Yannick Bolaise and Tammy Abraham but neither were deemed fit enough to start. Villa were also without Albert Adomah but other injury doubts John McGinn and Jack Grealish started for the unbeaten visitors.
The game started in bright sunshine and United were quickly out off the traps and Norwood and Fleck were prompting very early on. The Blades pinned Villa back with quick possession football that dissected them early and had a few enterprising moves. They won a free kick in the 6th minutes and this led to the opening goal. Freeman was pulled down by El Ghazi and Norwood took the free kick wide on the right. The delivery was perfect and Nyland stayed on his line; O’CONNELL powerfully headed home from point blank range. The marking was poor and the execution was simple. It was a long due goal for the popular centre back and the Lane was rocking with the hat song reverberating around the terraces.
United were back on the attack straight away and Villa had not started at all mainly due to not coping with the intensity of United’s play on and off the ball. Ridiculous defending where the Villa man tried to let the ball go out and it clearly was not going to go over the line. United robbed them and more purposeful football saw the ball pinged about again with Duffy, Freeman and Stevens involved; the ball came across and Norwood hit a low shot that deflected off a defender and hit the post. United recycled play and Sharp was denied by Nyland although he was offside.
The second goal was not long coming though. Henderson had started the attack kicking the ball out and Fleck found DUFFY who strode on holding off McGinn. From 25 yards he went for goal and hit a low shot that bounced just in front of the keeper and into the corner of the net. The goalkeeper will have been disappointed but it was another good goal from United’s point of view.
The Blades were simply buoyant and Villa could not get the ball off them. They kept coming and the Fleck, Norwood and Duffy combination was too much for them. The wing backs and overlapping centre backs kept coming and it was wave after wave. McGoldrick was relenting in his closing down and Villa looked stunned.
The third goal came when Basham was fouled on the right. NORWOOD spotted Nyland moving to his right and went for goal and his clever free kick completely deceiving the keeper and went low into the net. He clearly meant it as turned with his arms aloft to John Street almost before the ball hit the net. United had more half chances and continued to dominate and Villa would have been delighted that the half time whistle came after being destroyed.
The second half saw United on top again and no let up. McGoldrick’s hard work continued and he linked with Freeman for a half chance before the fourth goal came. The keepers’ throw out was intercepted by Norwood’s tackle and he fed Freeman. The wing back put over a cross into SHARP’s path who took a touch, swivelled and hit a high shot into the goal. The keeper got a hand on it but could not keep it out.
Nyland saved well from McGoldrick’s low shot as United broke again and were threatening to run riot. Fleck then fed Duffy for a half chance but it was blocked out.
Villa had barely been in the game but had a spell of the ball with Grealish involved and getting fouled or winning free kicks in a short period. It was the midfielder that set up a goal with their first real attack of the game of note. He played a through ball that dissected the two centre backs who appealed in vain for offside and EL GHAZI coolly rolled the ball home. It was a poor goal and not in keeping with the home performance.
Fleck had taken a knock and limped off to be replaced by Lundstram whose first act was to play a lovely ball across for McGoldrick but he was denied a 5th by a great save from the keeper. Sharp was then in but deemed offside as he rounded the keeper and scored after more great work by the hard working McGoldrick. Lafferty replaced Duffy before Washington came on for Sharp. Villa had most of the ball now but were not doing much with it and Grealish was tacked superbly by Lundstram setting United on the attack but McGoldrick could not quite get his shot away. United saw out time professionally and managed to slow things down with a few stoppages to break things up and Villa knew there was no way back as the game entered stoppage time. Washington ran a defender down and won a corner which won him applause from the home fans on his debut and soon after the final whistle came and United rightly took acclaim from all sides of the Lane for an absolute masterclass.
United –
Wow. Not sure what other word sums up that. The whole performance was almost perfect. The first half was unbelievable and we absolutely smashed a previously unbeaten Villa. A side that is on huge wages and still cost a hell of a lot more than our side. They have some really good players despite a few new ones not playing and them losing some in the summer; they are a side you expect to be around the top 6. We absolutely destroyed them. Make no mistake they were not great but we made them look so poor. It had everything you would want of a United team. Passion, energy, guts, tackling, pressurising and total effort. Then on the ball we were superb, moving it quickly at pace, combination play, clever football. The whole team were involved in most moves and there was not one weak link. It was 3-0 and could have been a lot more. It was simply scintillating stuff. On the rare occasions when they did have it; the home side swarmed all over them and got it back and it was soon in the last third of the visiting half again. Every single United player were bang at it and the possession one touch stuff was a joy to watch. It was all done at pace too.
My descriptions may seem hyperbole but I am not exaggerating and those that saw it will clearly agree. It was as good as anything I have seen down there for a long, long time. That is saying a lot with some great performances under Wilder’s tenure. Individually there were some great performances but this more about the team and the collective unit. We scored three good goals but the keeper made saves, we hit the post and it could have been more. The referee was pretty rubbish too and could have sent off a Villa defender for a blatant trip on McGoldrick. Villa barely got into our half and looked shell shocked.
The first half was so good, you expected a come down but we still played well second half but a different kind of performance. We scored and you sensed it may be a cricket score but then inevitably they would have spell and Grealish started to pull the strings a bit. A great player but very sulky and constantly looking for fouls. We eased off and were probably tired from all the effort in the first hour of the game and the game sort of petered out which helped us in the end. We dug in and stopped them coming back any further and saw out the game professionally. We committed quite a few fouls today which I liked. If they had a chance of getting anywhere the few times we did not tackle them; we shut them down other means and were not a soft touch at all. We were so hard to play against. Villa probably could not wait to get off the field.
We are now up to third and with Coutts on the way back, a few new signings; things are very much on the up/ Hopefully Fleck was not hurt too badly and also Clarke will be back. We have a few weeks to get them fit and time to get Coutts even closer. We have a few tough games coming up I feel but the start now has been excellent and mirrored last season when we lost a few early and then went on a run. Just before the international break; we did the same to Derby in a statement win and I felt today was very much the same. We have simply hammered two sides in consecutive weeks now. Norwood has made a huge difference, being man of the match in every game and the Evans-Norwood manoeuvre was a master stroke. Credit to Wilder in that he shuffled things around and also for admitting that the January signings did not work. He has not hung around and also made a profit. I felt Leonard had done ok this season but Wilder saw enough to suggest he would not feature much.
Villa – They were awful but we made them look so bad. I felt we never gave them a chance to get going. They are a team packed full of experience and lots of ex-Premier League players. Sure, they do not have Terry anymore and some of the new lads were not available or not fit but they still have lots of quality players and probably a wage bill way in excess of ours. They got absolutely destroyed and could not get the ball. They hardly had an attack. They simply could not cope with us. The defence was pulled about, the midfield did not get into the game at all and Kodjia was isolated. I cannot remember a team that has so many decent, experienced players get so embarrassed at the Lane – maybe Spurs 6-0 back in 1993 is the last time and the game reminded me of that and could have been a similar score line. They still will be up near the top and the pace they have in Adomah, Abraham and Bolaise will give them a real zip and glad they did not play today although doubt they would have got a kick but gives them an outlet. They kind of played one up top with the new lad El Ghazi and Grealish kind of supporting Kodjia but it did not work. A few players like Whelan and Hutton look on their last legs.
Opponent man of the match – Not sure there was any. The keeper made some saves but made some howlers. Individually and collectively they were appalling. Kodjia worked hard when he could and I suppose as annoying as he is; Grealish at least got on the ball (when the game was over at 4-0 – where was he then?) and made some things happen. He is a good player but looks for the free kicks way too much. We did kick him a bit but also, we tackled him fairly a lot and he constantly was on the ground and then suddenly jumped up. Surprised he has stayed there and looked frustrated with his teammates.
Weak link – Could be anybody. The goalie made a few poor mistakes and the third goal was really poor and the defence had no confidence in him at all but they were shocking too. The centre halves were poor and Jedinak was all over the place. The full backs could not stem the tide and I barely noticed Whelan and the highly rated McGinn. Their whole team was the weak link today!
Henderson 7.5/10 – Played really well although had little to do but everything he did he did commendably. He caught all the high balls; his handling was sound and he helped kick start a few attacks (a few poor kicks out also!). He had no chance on the goal. Seems to love being part of the team and a character to boot.
Freeman 8/10 – Another energetic performance where he got up and down and was involved in so many good attacks. He assisted in the first by winning a free kick and then made the fourth also. He set up another few good chances and showed real fitness. He defended well when he had to and made some good interceptions. A really good footballer who has made a difference to what we do going forward since he got back in and that is no offence to Baldock who is very good also.
Stevens 8/10 – Another good performance and like last few games; seems to have got back to the standards of last season. He also got up and down and first half was just like a left winger really as he was playing so far forward. Helped set up a number of attacks and his crossing seems to have improved also recently. Now got more competition so will have to maintain his standards.
Egan 8/10 – Seems to be getting better and better. He was commanding winning headers, making blocks and doing the basics but also improved in his possession play and has been more careful. Has come out of the defence a few times also when he has had space. The only negative is he and O’Connell got dissected on the goal.
O’Connell 8.5/10 – Thought he was excellent today and was bang at it. He was onto the ball first, winning headers and blocks and some crunching tackles too. His goal summed it up. He wanted to be first and made it his. He was right back to the O’Connell we have seen after as shaky few games and like Egan; the last few games; the defenders have all been on the front foot in winning the ball and helping us get back up the field quicker. Also used the ball well and involved in that superb first half attacking show.
Basham 8/10 – Solid again and also seemed to be everywhere at times. He covered so much ground yet again and was involved at both ends. He used the ball well but like the others was always first to it. He kept surging forward. Got a booking for a poor challenge on Grealish but you kind of glad someone put a tackle in like that on him to show him what we were about. We were certainly not a soft touch today and he embodied that although a touch lucky not to get a second yellow but there were a few tackles like that escaped censure but I would not have been surprised if had got a booking; so it was a relief. After that he played sensibly – I was calling for him to come off.
Fleck 8.5/10 – Another great performance where he swarmed all over Villa and was great on and off the ball. He was probing, running and creating but won lots of tackles. A joy to watch as he was too quick, clever and determined for his opponents. Playing against a highly rated midfield with a lot of experience; Fleck and Norwood were brilliant in the centre of the park.
Norwood 9/10 – Once again brilliant and at the heart of everything we did. Dictated play throughout. Came short to get it from defence and then got us moving. His use of the ball is sensational. He does not give it away. He can go short and long and is able to move it so quickly. He plays some outrageous balls with the outside of his foot. He is very mobile and gets about too to get his foot in and disrupt play. He is such an upgrade on Evans, Lundstram and others that started the season. His set plays are brilliant too and he mixes them up with some driven but others played to an intentional target and sent to different areas. The midfield now has energy, passing, drive and control of the games. We are dictating things by the play in this area. A superb signing and when Coutts come back; those two playing together with maybe Fleck and Duffy in front; is frighteningly good prospect. The different combinations are worth salivating over but means we can take our time with Coutts coming back!
Duffy 8/10 – First half he was superb and lots went through him. He got on the ball, was constantly in motion and they struggled to pick him up. He was brilliant in that he was left, then right and then in the centre and they had no one deployed to be on him. He scored another goal – the one thing missing has been goals for a man of his talent and was part of most of the great things we did. He set up other chances for us too and he is such an underrated player when he is like that. Second half inevitably he tired as a few of our players did but kept going and with Fleck getting a knock he had to carry on a bit longer before being taken off.
Sharp 8/10 – Worked really hard for the team. Things did not quite click in terms of the ball dropping in front of goal but he held it up and linked well and was a pest. He had a few chances and one ruled out for offside but won a lot of free kicks with his hold up play also. He was penalised for handball on one moment which was incredible as he was bundled over. He was able to get his goal with a smart move and turn and continues to always look a goal threat. He linked well with McGoldrick and they caused problems with their running and hard work.
McGoldrick 8.5/10 – A superb performance where he led the line, linked with others, chased, harried and showed some lovely touches and combination play. Never stopped from start to finish. Looked absolutely knackered at the end and with good reason! He kept closing down defenders and was everywhere in terms of pressing or getting to the ball first and then bringing others into play. Showed some intelligent play also in terms of what he did to play others in. Deserved a goal and nearly got one when the keeper pulled off a stunning save from point blank range.
Subs –
Lundstram – Did well when he came on. Nearly assisted for a goal for McGoldrick and then put in a crunching tackle on Grealish which was great when he got the ball but put him on the deck too. He did alright today and it was a good cameo. Helped us to just do the nitty gritty in terms of covering space and men.
Lafferty – Played midfield to try and stop them having as much of the ball when they had that little spell and like Lundstram helped us just see things out. Not sure he will feature much moving forward with Johnson here and others coming in and would not be surprised if he moves on in January possibly.
Washington – Brought on for Sharp as some of our players tired and he was able to chase and run things down. Looks quick and won a corner by chasing the defender down in the corner. A player that has a lot to prove and like with many; I expect Wilder to get the best out of him.
Wilder 9.5/10 – Brilliant performance from the team. His selection worked, the shape of the side was superb, the tactics were spot on. The only things that stops 10 is that little spell second half but that is nit picking. Against a vastly experienced and very successful manager at this level; he masterminded a complete annihilation. He needs to keep the players feet on the ground as he said at the end and the break may have come at the wrong time! However, I am confident I have seen enough of this group that we will be able to mount another decent challenge for the playoffs. We have a good group of players and the defence has tightened up. The midfield is playing out of his skin and the strikers are working hard. The only knock is we did not get that ‘big’ striker signing we wanted but maybe in January we can revisit that.
Referee – We won 4-1 but felt he favoured them and was booed off! He was poor and gave some bizarre decisions. He fell for some of their play acting at times and I felt gave Grealish a lot but then realised at the end that he went down often under little pressure at all. Odd decision when Sharp was fouled and he penalised our man. He also missed a trip on McGoldrick although the assistant was maybe closer to him. He missed a number of things and often not up with play. He booked Grealish and Basham for poor tackles but missed a number of other equally bad fouls and did not card anyone. His assistants were not great either missing the ball going out a few times and then a blatant foul throw in the build up to the goal.
Fans / Crowd – Had that big game feel and Villa packed out the lower tier selling out their allocation. Noisy inside and the performance obviously helped the stadium get even louder. The crowd were purring first half and the standing ovation at half time was good as any I have seen and rightly deserved. The fans kept encouraging second half and helped us see the game out. A great atmosphere and one that all the home fans will have enjoyed and remember for a long time. Villa fans were clearly frustrated with players and the manager and some were even fighting amongst themselves. They directed a few chants at Bruce and sarcastic cheers when the goalie did something or when they won a corner. Final word on the Gary Sinclair comment; thought it was a bit daft. Nothing malicious but his job is to call the teams, goalscorers and do announcements. At times he gets a bit carried away being a fan so I can understand why Wilder might be annoyed. It’s not a big thing but understand why the manager does not want that sort of arrogance creeping in.
