Post by deadbat on Jan 12, 2019 19:56:15 GMT
It’s four wins on the bounce for the Blades and a third clean sheet on the bounce as United beat QPR and did the double over the West London side thanks to David McGoldrick’s first half header. It was not the best of games but United were the better side throughout and deserved the victory. Granted there was not many chances but all the good play came from the home side as a negative opponent rarely threatened.
Manager Wilder went back to his ‘normal’ league side with new loan signings Kieran Dowell and Gary Madine on the bench. The latter got a large round of applause from four sides of Bramall Lane and no boos were heard at all when he was announced.
Rangers played in a natty pink away strip but made their intentions clear from the off with a very negative approach which saw them get all eleven players behind the ball. They also were timewasting from the very first minute and several goal kicks and throws saw them take an age to take. United had a good chance early on. Baldock’s diagonal ball found Sharp who cleverly pulled it back but McGoldrick’s first time side footed finish was wide. Soon after an early booking came when Fleck was caught high and late from Cousins giving the referee little other option.
United continued to force the issue with Norwood’s passing a real feature early on as Rangers sat back and showed little attacking intent. Duffy tried to work an opening but Sharp was crowded out and then Fleck was held up after some patient play.
The R’s were now also going to the floor asking for treatment and three times the physio had to come on but the players made very quick recoveries after these stoppages.
United remained patient and made the breakthrough on 37 minutes. McGoldrick started the move and found Baldock and then Norwood took over. His cross was superb, whipped in with pace and MCGOLDRICK got across his man to flick home with his head. United had been the aggressor of the two side and deserved to go in front even though the game had seen few chances and neither keeper tested at all.
Little else happened in the remainder of the half with Duffy showing some nice skill to beat his man but Baldock and Basham could not quite find the telling final ball.
The second half saw Fleck penalised and booked for a pull back on Eze but Rangers were not creating much at all despite seeing a bit more of the ball. United still were playing the better football and Stevens had one run and cross blocked out. Baldock then also got in but his excellent cross was just ahead of Sharp after neat build up.
Dowell was brought on for Duffy for his league home debut as United tried to find some fresh legs behind the strikers. The wind was causing problems with the ball swirling around and it made it hard for much good football to be played.
QPR finally had an effort but Freeman’s low shot was saved easily from Henderson before Dowell was booked for a foul not long after he had played a clever ball to Baldock. Stevens and then O’Connell made good interceptions as Rangers had a rare break in a scrappy game.
Osayi-Samuel and then Smith came on as Rangers looked for some kind of attacking threat and continued to play the long diagonal ball. United had three corners in succession but both Egan and Basham’s headers were off target as the Blades sought to put the game to bed.
Clarke was preferred to Madine as the option off the bench with Sharp coming off to a good hand for his efforts. Stevens had a chance as he found himself a long way forward but his shot was pulled just wide before Freeman had a long range shot for QPR that was still a fair way wide. United were keeping the ball well and the defence was having another excellent game and winning the key battles.
Stearman came on for McGoldrick at the end as United tried to ensure they had extra height for the high pumped ball as the game entered three minutes of stoppage time. In this time a long range shot from Wells that was a long way over was the best the visitors could muster. After this United saw out things comfortably and the fans saluted the team on full time as they recognised the Blades had moved into the automatic promotion places.
United – A deserved win. It was not a classic by any stretch and lacked the spice, incident or atmosphere of the Xmas games down at the Lane. The wind did not help which made it hard to paly fluent football but the negative opposition ensured it was such a poor game. They sat in, time wasted and made it hard to break them down. We remained patient and even though did not create loads, we had nearly all the clear chances- McGoldrick chance from Sharp pull back; then the goal and then an Egan header, Stevens shot off the top of my head. Neither keeper made a save of note all game but we had nearly all the play, possession and territory. They just put men behind the ball and tried to limit space. We moved it around really well and showed patience for a lot of the time. The final ball was a bit up and down. We took a bit too long to do things also but the goal was actually the opposite- we waited and waited and there was a superb ball from Norwood and a clever flicked finish. We had all the stand out players and individually and collectively we were worthy winners. Norwood and McGoldrick were excellent and so were Bash and Egan. The rest of the team were workmanlike and I just felt that even though the game was a bit flat, it was a professional performance and one that was needed with some tough away games coming up.
Overall, the attitude, work ethic and organisation were excellent. We kept a good shape and discipline and ensured even though we did not create loads, we got the goal and then just did what we had to do. Would have been nice to get a second goal but they were so negative it was hard to get through. Even at 1-0 they had 11 behind the ball when we had it. We just made sure we made no silly mistakes, kept it well and saw it out. It was a solid performance and a crucial three points. We did all the little things and I felt second half made some big tackles and interceptions that stopped them even getting anywhere near our goal and that we protected Henderson really well. At 1-0 you always wonder if a team can nick something and they put the big lad Smith on and kept playing the big boot and used a long throw but we restricted them completely to long range shots – a theme in our recent wins and another clean sheet and 4th win on the bounce.
We now have a tough game at Swansea (with Norwich looming too) but are up to 2nd and are right in there. After the West Brom defeat; I felt we may fade away like last year so to win 4 and draw 1 since is simply brilliant. Others have been up and down and we have actually been the most consistent team since that defeat. We now have to go to go and get a few results away – Norwich have two home games but with 19 to go we are now safe! Certainly, the playoffs look more than a possibility now and whilst I am still unsure if we will have enough consistency to get the top two (my negative persona!) none of the others are exactly convincing too. We are right in there and our form is very good. We need to just give it a go and not be conservative at all – we will lose some but we need to ensure that we keep this level of consistency in performance. If we do, we really have a chance and it could be 1990 all over again (Leeds and us went up).
QPR – Poor side on today’s evidence but poorer approach. They have some decent players and have really picked up since they started the season dreadfully but today, I would have been angry if I had travelled all the way from London to see them set up to play like they did. They time wasted from start to finish and never really had a go at all. They were going down pretending they were injured and slowly things down completely. The keeper took forever to do things. It was really poor for a team middle of the league who have some decent players. I expected better but they just sat in and never really attacked at all first half. Kept going down and feigning injury and several players went to ground but then got up after having treatment and were sprightly and full of life immediately after. It was not great to see. We scored and then they had to come out more but did not really change too much!
They had a few long shots and more of the ball but did not commit too many forwards at all. McClaren said our goal was only effort on target but in truth we did what we had to do. We still had lots more clear chances than them (McGoldrick, Egan, Stevens) and at least had opportunities in the box. He says it was a close game but in terms of the play, control of the ball and quality; we showed nearly all of that and it was as easy a 1-0 as you would see really.
I felt for the lad Eze who is a decent player but was not given much chance by their approach. They played the diagonal high ball a lot which was odd and I know they tried to push our wing backs into our own half by doing this but they did not play down the middle at all. Freeman had one run and shot but was starved of the ball. Ditto for Wells. We limited their attacking players but we had so much of the ball as they just sat it. It was a startling approach where they played for a point from the start but deserved nothing for going about things the way they did. Second half they put Smith on and had a few long rangers but Henderson only had one weak shot to save and everything they attempted was from distance. I cannot remember them getting behind us or having any clear chances in our box. Even as time ebbed away; they did not really throw caution to the wind (literally) and we saw things out quite easily. It was a fairly comfortable 1-0 win. Strange as at Villa they had a go and have been scoring goals in some games but it was a very poor approach. Shows the respect we are starting to get as a team.
As for McClaren’s mob – I had them down to finish nearer the bottom than top and be around the relegation places but maybe just do enough to stay up. They have had a really good run so credit to him as player wise; there are many better teams on paper a lot lower down. However, I do not see them threatening the top 6 and feel the lack of squad depth might hurt them and still see them as bottom half but may finish just a bit higher than I expected and after a wretched few years for both QPR and McClaren will see that as upward trend.
Opponent man of the match – Not sure anyone was great. Eze maybe at least showed some bits and pieces and is a decent technical player. He is quite quick and strong and a bit like McGoldrick drifts around although he was forced to go deep to see any of the ball so poor was QPR’s passing and approach sitting so deep. Freeman played one or two nice balls but he did not have his best game and wasted two efforts from long range – I suppose it was QPR’s best efforts though.
Weak link – Lynch and Lieistner looked very clumsy to me and I felt McGoldrick made them look daft with his play and link up. They made a number of poor clearances and struggled with his movement. Leistner lost McGoldrick on the goal (did this twice for Abraham last time out) and seemed to be error strewn. Smith came on and was given punts too try and flick but was given nothing really in the box to compete for. The midfield never had control of the game and Cousins, Scowen and even Freeman were not in the game much at all and just chasing us about. Wszolek and Furlong were given high diagonal balls to compete aerially for rather than anything to feet which must have been annoying to them. The keeper was hopeless too. Apart from his timewasting. I think Joanna Lumley would move faster – even now at 72! He could not keep the ball in play kicking it out continuously and then also did not understand the rules when kicking it from dead; twice kicking it when it was moving and another time kicking it to a defender stood inside the box. A long way from being absolutely fabulous.
Henderson 7/10 – Had nothing to do other than one weak Freeman shot straight at him and watching another shot from the same player go wide. Other than that, he just watched long range shots fly well wide/over. His kicking; like the QPR keeper was not the best but maybe the wind did not help as he kept finding touch. Seemed to have a bit of dialogue with the away fans as he reacted with a fisted celebration to them at full time which clearly irked them. Loved the way when he did kick one out of play, he picked up a bit of grass and threw it in the air as if he was checking the wind and turned and laughed at the Kop! Short hair cut too – seems he popped to a barbers on the wicker!
Baldock 7/10 – Decent enough performance. He was involved in the goal and some of our better attacking play and was neat and tidy in possession. He was given a tougher time in terms of the way they played. It was not as if they had lots of attacks but kept pumping high diagonal balls from the keeper or defence into the wing back areas in an attempt to pin us back. Baldock did ok defensively and when he got forward, he had some decent runs. He actually put in one superb cross second half which evaded everyone but was an excellent ball – that is not always his strong point. He also worked really hard today and just did what he had to do to defend and keep the ball.
Stevens 7/10 – Thought first half; like Jack he was a bit off the pace and a few times he mis controlled or made poor choices and his touch was a bit off but as the game went on, he got better and better. Made one superb tackle to stop an attack as they broke and more of an attacking threat with some surging runs down the left and linked well with teammates. They played a lot of diagonal high balls which forced them to be back defensively more and I felt their man kept jumping into him but he stuck to his task. Nearly got a second goal for us with a low shot he just dragged wide near the end.
Egan 8/10 – Our best defender. He was excellent today and used the ball well, kept his composure and read the game too. Don’t recall Wells having many effective touches and when Smith came on, he kept him quiet too. He won most headers, was dominant when it mattered and when they had a spell of play (nothing major) made some key interceptions. Read the game really well too. Very consistent currently and a lynchpin at the back.
O’Connell 7/10 – First half he would have been more like a 4 or 5…he had one. From poor touches, passes and sloppy bits of defending to catching the ball before the ball had gone out. He just looked totally out of sorts. Second half he was a different player – he won tackles, headed it, was on the front foot and had several lung busting runs forward. One where he just barrelled over and the player took him out summed up his change. Also made one vital tackle when they broke where he just took the lot out. Huge improvement in the 2nd half.
Basham 8/10 – Typical Bash performance. He was always onto the first ball, beat his man to nearly every 50/50 challenge and got forward too. He was all over the place at times and showed incredible energy. His commitment is second to none and the amount of yards he covered is something else. He was very consistent today and just did all the little things both in a defending and attacking mode.
Fleck 6.5/10 – He was a bit up and down today for me again. He showed some decent pieces of play with some calm touches and a few jinking runs but he also sold himself a few times when they attacked and got booked for a poor foul. He needs to keep his shape at times and not dive in as they give teams the chance to breakaway especially if Norwood is committed further forward. Still not sure he has been that consistent this season and we are 2nd!
Norwood 8/10 – Thought he shaded it for Man of the Match. Close between him and McGoldrick with Basham and Egan not far off. Just felt Norwood controlled the game. Of course, not every pass comes off and some he overplayed or gave away but he is always trying things and love the fact he keeps trying forward passes too. Some of his balls were superb with both short, medium and long stuff. He kept pinging the ball to different areas. Keep picking up the ball and always a willing recipient. He made us tick today when the other two midfielders; on the ball at least; did not quite offer the same threat. Made the goal with a superb angled cross that was begging to be converted.
Duffy 6/10 – Over the last three home games he has not really been at his best and we have won all three. However, he is always showing for the ball and always getting into areas. He took way too long to do things today and often allowed them to get men behind the ball. I get his style is a bit ponderous as he is sure in what he does and this often means him coming back inside and finding space but this allowed them back too much. He had a good spell after we scored with one brilliant piece of skill when he beat his man after bringing it down. He also played a few other neat balls but his overall performance he could show more in terms of end product. 2nd half, Sharp played him in and he took way too long to make a decision and they again got back. He did tire a bit today again also. Now has some competition of course.
Sharp 7/10 – He did a job for the team but he did not have many chances. He did show some decent play in build-up – such as the pull back to McGoldrick for the chance first half and the lovely flick to Duff second half. Chance wise he did not have anything at all really but they had so many behind the ball but he competed well with the two big clumsy centre backs and held it up quite a bit and won free kicks.
McGoldrick 8/10 – Another excellent performance. At the game he was given man of the match and I could not argue too much – I just gave it Norwood but could have been either player. He showed some lovely touches and the way he brings it down, uses his strength and glides away from players and then finds a shirt; even when fouled or shoved about. Links play and gets into positions all over the field. A real team player who does not play in any fixed position. He is just a class footballer and his touch and passing was superb. He is so aware where everyone else is and made us even better with the patient, clever play we show. Started the winner with a lovely ball and then after further passes got on the end to flick his header home. Up to 10 goals and been a hugely important signing and a real pleasant surprise.
Subs –
Dowell – A few neat balls including one reverse pass into Baldock and another that Sharp nearly got onto but he also played a few hospital balls and was very slow to react to things especially when the corners came out to him. Needs to get up with the pace of the game and be a bit more alert. When he was on the ball, he did some bits and pieces that were ok and helped win a corner right at the death.
Clarke – Came on and was caught offside straight away and did not exactly bust a gut to close them down initially but then to be fair he did show some decent work ethic and help press and close them down. He gave away a daft free kick at the death but fortunately we won the header to clear from it.
Stearman – Brought on right as stoppage time started. Not sure he kicked/headed it as we saw out time excellent with most of the play down their end save one wild shot miles over.
Wilder 7.5/10 – Went back to the tried and trusted side that had won three on the bounce and saw a committed and decent to good performance that ensured we won all three points deservedly. We were not scintillating and it was not quite like the Xmas games but we still deserved to win. We had all the play, nearly all the chances and in the end, it was the right verdict. His subs were fine and helped us see things out. Be pleased that the level of commitment to the running, tackling and pressing was good all game from all the team. All the decent football also came from us. Another clean sheet and a good solid performance.
Referee – Andy Woolmer. He was better than the two last clowns we had down at the Lane but was still not great. Another who stopped the game too much. The bookings were fine with a poor one on Fleck from Cousins; Fleck then pulling someone back after McGoldrick’s run saw him crowded out and they broke. The Dowell one also was a clear pull back. In general play there was some off decisions (like when Sharp was pulled back and he gave them the free kick) and seemed to not penalise both teams gaining ground with free kicks/throws. It was not a great game but he did give some odd decisions I felt and once again not helped at all by two assistants that did not seem to know what day it was let alone whose throw it was!
Crowd/Atmosphere – After two buoyant games at the Lane; it was a bit flat today. Still 25,501 inside the ground which was impressive just after Xmas but as the game never totally got going; the home fans in truth were quiet. I was a bit disappointed that the volume was down again after two stirring games but I suppose a team that is not exactly inspiring and did not bring many fans (maybe 500 tops) it was always going to be a bit of a come down. To be fair towards the end the noise went up a bit as the home fans helped see the team through and understood that the team had done enough and could not go hell for leather and had to play it safe.
Manager Wilder went back to his ‘normal’ league side with new loan signings Kieran Dowell and Gary Madine on the bench. The latter got a large round of applause from four sides of Bramall Lane and no boos were heard at all when he was announced.
Rangers played in a natty pink away strip but made their intentions clear from the off with a very negative approach which saw them get all eleven players behind the ball. They also were timewasting from the very first minute and several goal kicks and throws saw them take an age to take. United had a good chance early on. Baldock’s diagonal ball found Sharp who cleverly pulled it back but McGoldrick’s first time side footed finish was wide. Soon after an early booking came when Fleck was caught high and late from Cousins giving the referee little other option.
United continued to force the issue with Norwood’s passing a real feature early on as Rangers sat back and showed little attacking intent. Duffy tried to work an opening but Sharp was crowded out and then Fleck was held up after some patient play.
The R’s were now also going to the floor asking for treatment and three times the physio had to come on but the players made very quick recoveries after these stoppages.
United remained patient and made the breakthrough on 37 minutes. McGoldrick started the move and found Baldock and then Norwood took over. His cross was superb, whipped in with pace and MCGOLDRICK got across his man to flick home with his head. United had been the aggressor of the two side and deserved to go in front even though the game had seen few chances and neither keeper tested at all.
Little else happened in the remainder of the half with Duffy showing some nice skill to beat his man but Baldock and Basham could not quite find the telling final ball.
The second half saw Fleck penalised and booked for a pull back on Eze but Rangers were not creating much at all despite seeing a bit more of the ball. United still were playing the better football and Stevens had one run and cross blocked out. Baldock then also got in but his excellent cross was just ahead of Sharp after neat build up.
Dowell was brought on for Duffy for his league home debut as United tried to find some fresh legs behind the strikers. The wind was causing problems with the ball swirling around and it made it hard for much good football to be played.
QPR finally had an effort but Freeman’s low shot was saved easily from Henderson before Dowell was booked for a foul not long after he had played a clever ball to Baldock. Stevens and then O’Connell made good interceptions as Rangers had a rare break in a scrappy game.
Osayi-Samuel and then Smith came on as Rangers looked for some kind of attacking threat and continued to play the long diagonal ball. United had three corners in succession but both Egan and Basham’s headers were off target as the Blades sought to put the game to bed.
Clarke was preferred to Madine as the option off the bench with Sharp coming off to a good hand for his efforts. Stevens had a chance as he found himself a long way forward but his shot was pulled just wide before Freeman had a long range shot for QPR that was still a fair way wide. United were keeping the ball well and the defence was having another excellent game and winning the key battles.
Stearman came on for McGoldrick at the end as United tried to ensure they had extra height for the high pumped ball as the game entered three minutes of stoppage time. In this time a long range shot from Wells that was a long way over was the best the visitors could muster. After this United saw out things comfortably and the fans saluted the team on full time as they recognised the Blades had moved into the automatic promotion places.
United – A deserved win. It was not a classic by any stretch and lacked the spice, incident or atmosphere of the Xmas games down at the Lane. The wind did not help which made it hard to paly fluent football but the negative opposition ensured it was such a poor game. They sat in, time wasted and made it hard to break them down. We remained patient and even though did not create loads, we had nearly all the clear chances- McGoldrick chance from Sharp pull back; then the goal and then an Egan header, Stevens shot off the top of my head. Neither keeper made a save of note all game but we had nearly all the play, possession and territory. They just put men behind the ball and tried to limit space. We moved it around really well and showed patience for a lot of the time. The final ball was a bit up and down. We took a bit too long to do things also but the goal was actually the opposite- we waited and waited and there was a superb ball from Norwood and a clever flicked finish. We had all the stand out players and individually and collectively we were worthy winners. Norwood and McGoldrick were excellent and so were Bash and Egan. The rest of the team were workmanlike and I just felt that even though the game was a bit flat, it was a professional performance and one that was needed with some tough away games coming up.
Overall, the attitude, work ethic and organisation were excellent. We kept a good shape and discipline and ensured even though we did not create loads, we got the goal and then just did what we had to do. Would have been nice to get a second goal but they were so negative it was hard to get through. Even at 1-0 they had 11 behind the ball when we had it. We just made sure we made no silly mistakes, kept it well and saw it out. It was a solid performance and a crucial three points. We did all the little things and I felt second half made some big tackles and interceptions that stopped them even getting anywhere near our goal and that we protected Henderson really well. At 1-0 you always wonder if a team can nick something and they put the big lad Smith on and kept playing the big boot and used a long throw but we restricted them completely to long range shots – a theme in our recent wins and another clean sheet and 4th win on the bounce.
We now have a tough game at Swansea (with Norwich looming too) but are up to 2nd and are right in there. After the West Brom defeat; I felt we may fade away like last year so to win 4 and draw 1 since is simply brilliant. Others have been up and down and we have actually been the most consistent team since that defeat. We now have to go to go and get a few results away – Norwich have two home games but with 19 to go we are now safe! Certainly, the playoffs look more than a possibility now and whilst I am still unsure if we will have enough consistency to get the top two (my negative persona!) none of the others are exactly convincing too. We are right in there and our form is very good. We need to just give it a go and not be conservative at all – we will lose some but we need to ensure that we keep this level of consistency in performance. If we do, we really have a chance and it could be 1990 all over again (Leeds and us went up).
QPR – Poor side on today’s evidence but poorer approach. They have some decent players and have really picked up since they started the season dreadfully but today, I would have been angry if I had travelled all the way from London to see them set up to play like they did. They time wasted from start to finish and never really had a go at all. They were going down pretending they were injured and slowly things down completely. The keeper took forever to do things. It was really poor for a team middle of the league who have some decent players. I expected better but they just sat in and never really attacked at all first half. Kept going down and feigning injury and several players went to ground but then got up after having treatment and were sprightly and full of life immediately after. It was not great to see. We scored and then they had to come out more but did not really change too much!
They had a few long shots and more of the ball but did not commit too many forwards at all. McClaren said our goal was only effort on target but in truth we did what we had to do. We still had lots more clear chances than them (McGoldrick, Egan, Stevens) and at least had opportunities in the box. He says it was a close game but in terms of the play, control of the ball and quality; we showed nearly all of that and it was as easy a 1-0 as you would see really.
I felt for the lad Eze who is a decent player but was not given much chance by their approach. They played the diagonal high ball a lot which was odd and I know they tried to push our wing backs into our own half by doing this but they did not play down the middle at all. Freeman had one run and shot but was starved of the ball. Ditto for Wells. We limited their attacking players but we had so much of the ball as they just sat it. It was a startling approach where they played for a point from the start but deserved nothing for going about things the way they did. Second half they put Smith on and had a few long rangers but Henderson only had one weak shot to save and everything they attempted was from distance. I cannot remember them getting behind us or having any clear chances in our box. Even as time ebbed away; they did not really throw caution to the wind (literally) and we saw things out quite easily. It was a fairly comfortable 1-0 win. Strange as at Villa they had a go and have been scoring goals in some games but it was a very poor approach. Shows the respect we are starting to get as a team.
As for McClaren’s mob – I had them down to finish nearer the bottom than top and be around the relegation places but maybe just do enough to stay up. They have had a really good run so credit to him as player wise; there are many better teams on paper a lot lower down. However, I do not see them threatening the top 6 and feel the lack of squad depth might hurt them and still see them as bottom half but may finish just a bit higher than I expected and after a wretched few years for both QPR and McClaren will see that as upward trend.
Opponent man of the match – Not sure anyone was great. Eze maybe at least showed some bits and pieces and is a decent technical player. He is quite quick and strong and a bit like McGoldrick drifts around although he was forced to go deep to see any of the ball so poor was QPR’s passing and approach sitting so deep. Freeman played one or two nice balls but he did not have his best game and wasted two efforts from long range – I suppose it was QPR’s best efforts though.
Weak link – Lynch and Lieistner looked very clumsy to me and I felt McGoldrick made them look daft with his play and link up. They made a number of poor clearances and struggled with his movement. Leistner lost McGoldrick on the goal (did this twice for Abraham last time out) and seemed to be error strewn. Smith came on and was given punts too try and flick but was given nothing really in the box to compete for. The midfield never had control of the game and Cousins, Scowen and even Freeman were not in the game much at all and just chasing us about. Wszolek and Furlong were given high diagonal balls to compete aerially for rather than anything to feet which must have been annoying to them. The keeper was hopeless too. Apart from his timewasting. I think Joanna Lumley would move faster – even now at 72! He could not keep the ball in play kicking it out continuously and then also did not understand the rules when kicking it from dead; twice kicking it when it was moving and another time kicking it to a defender stood inside the box. A long way from being absolutely fabulous.
Henderson 7/10 – Had nothing to do other than one weak Freeman shot straight at him and watching another shot from the same player go wide. Other than that, he just watched long range shots fly well wide/over. His kicking; like the QPR keeper was not the best but maybe the wind did not help as he kept finding touch. Seemed to have a bit of dialogue with the away fans as he reacted with a fisted celebration to them at full time which clearly irked them. Loved the way when he did kick one out of play, he picked up a bit of grass and threw it in the air as if he was checking the wind and turned and laughed at the Kop! Short hair cut too – seems he popped to a barbers on the wicker!
Baldock 7/10 – Decent enough performance. He was involved in the goal and some of our better attacking play and was neat and tidy in possession. He was given a tougher time in terms of the way they played. It was not as if they had lots of attacks but kept pumping high diagonal balls from the keeper or defence into the wing back areas in an attempt to pin us back. Baldock did ok defensively and when he got forward, he had some decent runs. He actually put in one superb cross second half which evaded everyone but was an excellent ball – that is not always his strong point. He also worked really hard today and just did what he had to do to defend and keep the ball.
Stevens 7/10 – Thought first half; like Jack he was a bit off the pace and a few times he mis controlled or made poor choices and his touch was a bit off but as the game went on, he got better and better. Made one superb tackle to stop an attack as they broke and more of an attacking threat with some surging runs down the left and linked well with teammates. They played a lot of diagonal high balls which forced them to be back defensively more and I felt their man kept jumping into him but he stuck to his task. Nearly got a second goal for us with a low shot he just dragged wide near the end.
Egan 8/10 – Our best defender. He was excellent today and used the ball well, kept his composure and read the game too. Don’t recall Wells having many effective touches and when Smith came on, he kept him quiet too. He won most headers, was dominant when it mattered and when they had a spell of play (nothing major) made some key interceptions. Read the game really well too. Very consistent currently and a lynchpin at the back.
O’Connell 7/10 – First half he would have been more like a 4 or 5…he had one. From poor touches, passes and sloppy bits of defending to catching the ball before the ball had gone out. He just looked totally out of sorts. Second half he was a different player – he won tackles, headed it, was on the front foot and had several lung busting runs forward. One where he just barrelled over and the player took him out summed up his change. Also made one vital tackle when they broke where he just took the lot out. Huge improvement in the 2nd half.
Basham 8/10 – Typical Bash performance. He was always onto the first ball, beat his man to nearly every 50/50 challenge and got forward too. He was all over the place at times and showed incredible energy. His commitment is second to none and the amount of yards he covered is something else. He was very consistent today and just did all the little things both in a defending and attacking mode.
Fleck 6.5/10 – He was a bit up and down today for me again. He showed some decent pieces of play with some calm touches and a few jinking runs but he also sold himself a few times when they attacked and got booked for a poor foul. He needs to keep his shape at times and not dive in as they give teams the chance to breakaway especially if Norwood is committed further forward. Still not sure he has been that consistent this season and we are 2nd!
Norwood 8/10 – Thought he shaded it for Man of the Match. Close between him and McGoldrick with Basham and Egan not far off. Just felt Norwood controlled the game. Of course, not every pass comes off and some he overplayed or gave away but he is always trying things and love the fact he keeps trying forward passes too. Some of his balls were superb with both short, medium and long stuff. He kept pinging the ball to different areas. Keep picking up the ball and always a willing recipient. He made us tick today when the other two midfielders; on the ball at least; did not quite offer the same threat. Made the goal with a superb angled cross that was begging to be converted.
Duffy 6/10 – Over the last three home games he has not really been at his best and we have won all three. However, he is always showing for the ball and always getting into areas. He took way too long to do things today and often allowed them to get men behind the ball. I get his style is a bit ponderous as he is sure in what he does and this often means him coming back inside and finding space but this allowed them back too much. He had a good spell after we scored with one brilliant piece of skill when he beat his man after bringing it down. He also played a few other neat balls but his overall performance he could show more in terms of end product. 2nd half, Sharp played him in and he took way too long to make a decision and they again got back. He did tire a bit today again also. Now has some competition of course.
Sharp 7/10 – He did a job for the team but he did not have many chances. He did show some decent play in build-up – such as the pull back to McGoldrick for the chance first half and the lovely flick to Duff second half. Chance wise he did not have anything at all really but they had so many behind the ball but he competed well with the two big clumsy centre backs and held it up quite a bit and won free kicks.
McGoldrick 8/10 – Another excellent performance. At the game he was given man of the match and I could not argue too much – I just gave it Norwood but could have been either player. He showed some lovely touches and the way he brings it down, uses his strength and glides away from players and then finds a shirt; even when fouled or shoved about. Links play and gets into positions all over the field. A real team player who does not play in any fixed position. He is just a class footballer and his touch and passing was superb. He is so aware where everyone else is and made us even better with the patient, clever play we show. Started the winner with a lovely ball and then after further passes got on the end to flick his header home. Up to 10 goals and been a hugely important signing and a real pleasant surprise.
Subs –
Dowell – A few neat balls including one reverse pass into Baldock and another that Sharp nearly got onto but he also played a few hospital balls and was very slow to react to things especially when the corners came out to him. Needs to get up with the pace of the game and be a bit more alert. When he was on the ball, he did some bits and pieces that were ok and helped win a corner right at the death.
Clarke – Came on and was caught offside straight away and did not exactly bust a gut to close them down initially but then to be fair he did show some decent work ethic and help press and close them down. He gave away a daft free kick at the death but fortunately we won the header to clear from it.
Stearman – Brought on right as stoppage time started. Not sure he kicked/headed it as we saw out time excellent with most of the play down their end save one wild shot miles over.
Wilder 7.5/10 – Went back to the tried and trusted side that had won three on the bounce and saw a committed and decent to good performance that ensured we won all three points deservedly. We were not scintillating and it was not quite like the Xmas games but we still deserved to win. We had all the play, nearly all the chances and in the end, it was the right verdict. His subs were fine and helped us see things out. Be pleased that the level of commitment to the running, tackling and pressing was good all game from all the team. All the decent football also came from us. Another clean sheet and a good solid performance.
Referee – Andy Woolmer. He was better than the two last clowns we had down at the Lane but was still not great. Another who stopped the game too much. The bookings were fine with a poor one on Fleck from Cousins; Fleck then pulling someone back after McGoldrick’s run saw him crowded out and they broke. The Dowell one also was a clear pull back. In general play there was some off decisions (like when Sharp was pulled back and he gave them the free kick) and seemed to not penalise both teams gaining ground with free kicks/throws. It was not a great game but he did give some odd decisions I felt and once again not helped at all by two assistants that did not seem to know what day it was let alone whose throw it was!
Crowd/Atmosphere – After two buoyant games at the Lane; it was a bit flat today. Still 25,501 inside the ground which was impressive just after Xmas but as the game never totally got going; the home fans in truth were quiet. I was a bit disappointed that the volume was down again after two stirring games but I suppose a team that is not exactly inspiring and did not bring many fans (maybe 500 tops) it was always going to be a bit of a come down. To be fair towards the end the noise went up a bit as the home fans helped see the team through and understood that the team had done enough and could not go hell for leather and had to play it safe.
