Post by deadbat on Mar 9, 2019 16:57:54 GMT
The Blades made it 7 wins on the bounce at Bramall Lane and 6 straight clean sheets in the process as they temporarily went back up to 2nd place before Leeds won at Bristol City to regain this spot. It was a comfortable 2-0 win against local rivals Rotherham United with two very different but both classy goals from Jack O’Connell and Mark Duffy in each half. In truth, it could have been double figures as Marek Rodak made save after save to keep them in it. The Millers cause of course was not helped by a poor lunge from Will Vaulks which rightly saw the Rotherham man red carded just before the half hour mark.
United made four changes with McGoldrick, Hogan, Duffy and Baldock in for Sharp, Madine, Dowell and Freeman. Rotherham’s leading scorer Michael Smith started the game despite a broken toe. They also featured long throw expert and midfield talisman Will Vaulks.
The visitors kicked away from their away fans which packed the Bramall Lane lower tier but all the early pressure was right in front of them. A free kick from Norwood evaded everyone and Rodak pushed away and then from the next attack; Baldock had a shot blocked as United started at a very high tempo. The goal came after only 5 minutes. It was clearly a goal from the training ground as Norwood hit a low passed corner that saw O’CONNELL get across his man and he coolly turned it into the far corner giving the keeper no chance. It was a great goal and had been coming. Rotherham had been timewasting from the first minute and bizarrely this continued even after they conceded with them taking an age over throw ins and goal kicks.
United continued to dominate. Some lovely bits of skill from McGoldrick and then Basham saw them pen the Millers back and they were cutting Rotherham apart. Hogan nearly got in and then McGoldrick was in but pulled his shot just wide on the angle.
Rotherham did have a spell from the quarter of an hour mark and we saw the use of the long throw as United had to be alert to head away twice from these hurled efforts from Vaulks. Taylor then also nearly got in and the same man was causing a few problems down the right-hand side. It was more even now but then a moment of madness completely changed the course of the game. Baldock galloped down the wing and Vaults lunged in. It was high and late and also dangerous and the red card was instant. It was a really bad tackle and stupid when his side had started to get a foothold in the game after United had dominated the early exchanges.
After this United started to take control with Norwood’s ball retention and Fleck’s driving runs a feature of United’s play. Another neat move nearly saw Baldock in and then Basham showed good work on the overlap to win a corner. Fleck had a low shot well saved and another one was blocked soon after. Hogan thought he had scored but Baldock was adjudged to have taken the ball out before the ball was eventually put in the net. Norwood then hit a fierce shot that Rodak saved unconvincingly this time before the half drew to a close.
The second half continued as the first one ended with United dominating possession and pinning Rotherham further back. Many of the attacks came down the right and Basham was now proving a real threat linking with Baldock. McGoldrick continued to drift around the pitch and was proving a real class act in his link play. Fleck shot wide when well place and then McGoldrick had a snap shot on the angle that Rodak held well.
It should have been a second goal for United when Hogan was adjudged onside and played in McGoldrick but as he tried to go around the keeper it was blocked. United then passed it around as the goalie was chasing players well off his line and tried to walk it in but it ended up back in McGoldrick’s feet but his attempted chip he got all wrong and went well over the bar. Rotherham had one rare set play chance and half-hearted appeals for a penalty as it drifted out.
Basham who had played his first two games for a period this week was replaced by Maine as United opted to go for a flat back four as Rotherham were not even trying to attack at this stage and with Duffy advanced; United almost had four forward on the pitch and Stevens and Baldock as wingers. Rotherham had all 10 players in their own box as they looked to repel attack after attack. The Millers brought on Williams and Forde for Newell and Taylor but their approach did not change at all as they just sat back. The keeper was taking an age over everything he did. It was a bizarre approach.
Baldock then came inside and had a left footed effort from range parried and then Stevens shot from the other side was pushed away also. Then a Stevens header from a lovely cross from Duffy was saved superbly by Rodak.
United had completely controlled things but had not put the game to bed and at 1-0 Rotherham still had a chance but the game was effectively killed when a player who had not had his best game, Mark DUFFY scored a superb goal.
Fleck pushed it inside to him and the midfielder hit a rising right foot shot that seared into the top corner of the net. Rodak had been inspired second half but was grasping thin air. It was a superb strike.
United kept coming even at 2-0 as they could now relax and Norwood had another shot that was parried away and the resultant corner was another clever one but Fleck’s shot was blocked. Still Rodak timewasted as Rotherham seemed concerned about goal difference!
Crooks replaced Jones after a series of injuries and stoppages and United played keep ball for a period before with 5 minutes remaining; Cranie came on for McGoldrick who rightly was given a huge round of applause after an excellent performance. O’Connell went down in some pain but was able to continue as the game entered an additional 5 minutes of stoppage time. Rotherham were still defending for most of this; they won 3 more corners and had one shot blocked and then Norwood flashed one wide. More lovely one touch stuff saw Madine nut meg his man and O’Connell were eventually played in – the cross came over but Baldock could not turn it home on the angle as Rodak made another save on full stretch. The full-time whistle came straight after this as United celebrated another win at the Lane.
United – Really impressive and professional performance. We won and won well. It was the most comfortable 2-0 you could see and a perfect display really. We kept the ball, were patient and created chances. The only slight negatives were a poor spell from minute 15-30 where we sat back and invited a bit of pressure admittedly from simply long throws and crosses being sent in and the fact we did not score more. That is nit picking though. For the most part we were excellent. We scored a lovely well worked set play goal straight from the training ground. We could have been 3-0 up after 5 minutes and I am not exaggerating. They had that period but did not look like scoring really and Henderson had one weak effort to save and that was it all game.
After the red card; we took over again. I felt 2nd half it was one-way traffic. We were patient rather than slow and I felt we had maybe a dozen good chances and the keeper made some expected but also some very good saves. They had a bit of luck as a few pin ball moments or deflections went the right way but you felt we would get another and so it proved although this was a long-range cracker which was ironic after all the lovely football we played. We just kept moving it about and maybe some of the final bits could have been better but on another day, it is 5-0 win really. The most important thing is we won, we kept a clean sheet, we got no injuries, Norwood did not get booked and we move on to another game.
Wilder managed to change a few also and the players that came in did what they had to. I felt Hogan was lively, McGoldrick excellent and Baldock played very well too. Duff was off but scored a worldy! Some of the passing was great again. We did have a bit of a let down for a spell and maybe could have moved it a bit quicker and been a bit more decisive but hard when a team sits with 11/10 behind the ball. The weather also was really poor but we did play good stuff and mostly on the floor and saw of a tricky fixture well. I also thought that we kept our cool despite some poor tactics from the visitors who time wasted all game. It slowed the game down and meant it was hard for us to really keep it being constant pressure although in reality it was in terms of us having nearly the whole of the second half in the Rotherham half. Indeed, other than a 10-15-minute spell of long throws; they did not threaten at all. United just did what they had to do. We saved Billy for Tuesday also and now against a much better side; can hopefully get further confidence. Again, if you had offered me 4 pts from the two games this week I would have been delighted. With 10 to play; Leeds and Norwich both keep winning and it seems we will have to keep this level of form up to get 2nd place. I just hope that whatever happens next week we don’t get too up/down as it will not completely define what happens as there still would be 8 to play. We need to just stay in touch as believe there may be more twists and turns.
Rotherham – What a negative approach to a game of football. They timewasted after 30 seconds. 30 seconds. They then conceded and could have been behind even before we scored. After this they came back into it and had a few long throws. Vaulks and the Rotherham officials got into an argument over the towels being hidden (or thrown into the ground) and they seemed to lose their composure. Wilder was laughing his head off. It was a bit petty actually I felt being honest. They had been building up some headway then Vaulks commits the ridiculous foul. It killed them. Not only reduced them to 10 but he was their main threat in terms of the long throw and the crosses coming in. After this they had no idea whatsoever. They just defended and defended and timewasted and timewasted. Clearly, they had been told to sit in at 1-0; hope for the best and then maybe go for it but even when it was 2-0, they did not bother trying to get men forward and just sat back and seemed content to try and not concede again. They have some very limited players and skill wise it looked like more than 19 places between the two teams. They have a lot of League One players and sadly despite the great effort they have put in this season; the lack of quality (due to resources etc) they will probably go. They do not win at all away and barely draw and rely on the home form. Reading do not seem to be picking up and Millwall are slumping also and it is very tight for that one final spot – expect Bolton and Ipswich to go.
Taking away all the criticism of the way they went about things today; Paul Warne seems a really nice guy and they are punching massively above their weight. Tony Stewart has done a superb job in terms of the new stadium and also the way they have gradually moved up the leagues. For Rotherham to be a yo-yo team between the Championship and League One is actually as good as they will get and is fine. They must be annoyed that it does come down to resources. I think moving forward the approach may need to be refined regardless of the resources issue. Playing very direct and long can get success in the division below but will not work at this level as Millwall are finding out this season also. They need to mix it up a bit. They literally had no plan B today. The lad Vaulks will probably move on in the summer also.
Opponent man of the match – Odd to say but the keeper was dodgy throughout even though he made a number of great saves. He looked very uncertain with his feet and often touched it away from himself and did not catch it; parrying shots away all day. To his credit though he made a few great saves and a few – the one from Fleck, another at the end from Baldock were top drawer so he has to be their man of the match even though his tactics of timewasting were just bizarre. He had clearly been told to do it though but it seemed a pathetic way to go about things. At times he would keep it for 30 seconds and dribble it round his box and then his kicking was awful too! The only other player of note who did anything was the lad Taylor who got wide and put over some decent crosses but he faded.
Weak link – You could make a case for a number of players. Vaulks was a threat from the throws and decent on the ball too and is clearly their main man but what a moment of stupidity. Seen him apologise on twitter but it ended any chance they had of getting anything. Outside of him, the big centre forward was just grabbing players and pretty hopeless, the defence was slow and clumsy across the back line. Ihiekwe was dreadful and had no idea where our players were and just kept shinning it out. Technically inept. However, for all the criticism of a few of their players, the lad in midfield takes the prize just as he played more than Vaulks. Ajayi has been moved into midfield and is a giant and has scored a few goals. He is a truly, dreadful footballer. He kicked it out under no real pressure three times in the second half. He could not control it; Fleck and Norwood just ran around him and he just looked hugely out of his depth in this area.
Henderson 7/10 – Nothing to do all game. Saved one low shot first half but most of his play was fielding the ball back and recycling possession. Had to be alert to a few of the early long throws but nothing of note at all 2nd half once this threat went and had an easy final 45 minutes.
Baldock 7.5/10 – Good to see him back and played well. Got caught with the awful tackle but fortunately he was ok. He was constantly in motion and a real threat on the overlap. Had a few efforts at goal too including one that was saved well by the keeper with his wrong foot and then the one right at the end when he came in on the angle. Played the second half almost as a right winger. Showed some nice skill at times and a few great link ups with Bash and Duffy down that side second half. Very good athlete that pops up all over.
Stevens 6.5/10 – Thought he was our weakest link defensively but still was ok but the lad Taylor got down and away from him a few times today in the first half and with a better final ball we may have been in trouble. First half involved in some decent moves down the left but had to be wary with Taylor’s pace to not go too far. He was ok in general play and improved second half but we did seem to attack more down the right 2nd half but had a header we nearly scored with.
Egan 7/10 – Steady game. He ended up grappling with the lad Smith a lot but stuck to it and in the end, he sorts of gave up as he had no support around him. Used the ball well when he had it and showed some lovely control when he brought the ball out of the sky in tough conditions.
O’Connell 8/10 – Played really well today. A few slices apart; he was bang at it defensively and attacking wise he set the tone with the goal. Such a cool finish when he could have panicked and read the run perfectly. He came onto the ball and attacked it but also when in tight spaces he used his class to keep the ball in a composed manner. Worried when he went down near the end and seemed to yelp but after treatment, he was fine to carry on. Maybe he just rolled his ankle.
Basham 7/10 – Committed and energetic as well. Started game with a few of his slalom runs and even lobbed it over a player once and ran on to it. As usual his final ball was not always great but then second half from one run where he linked with Baldock he pulled back a lovely ball but everyone had gone near post.
Fleck 8/10 – He really has been back to his best since that Reading game and has put together four really impressive games. He was all over the field today. Making those interceptions, little link passes, surging runs and just bags of energy. Looked class at times and felt we completely bossed midfield. Unlucky not to score with a few efforts including a shot that was saved and a few shots blocked. Great to watch today.
Norwood 8/10 – 109 completed passes out of 118 passes and 38 out of 42 completed in the final third. That says it all. He probably touched the ball more than any other played and dictated play in a dominant SUFC performance. He received it from the defence and just kept moving it on and helped us really control things. He was able to play a range of passes and crosses. Some delightful corners too that showed real variety. One that we scored from numerous other close misses. A joy to watch. Did not get booked either. One more game to avoid a yellow I believe and should be ok till the end of the season.
Duffy 5.5/10 – Thought he was really poor today and scored a wonder goal! He did a few nice bits and linked things but mostly he was too predictable jinking onto his right, took too long to do things and gave it away constantly and set them on the attack a few times – he was lucky not to be booked for a cynical pull back after one giveaway. Many round us were calling for him to go off and then bang – he scored a superb goal with his wring foot from 25 yards right into the top corner. After this he suddenly became inspired and started to play well but for the most part, I thought he was one of the few slightly negative aspects of our performance.
Hogan 7/10 – Worked hard and linked well when he could. Only had a few chances. One first half saved and then a few other half chances 2nd half. Had one ruled out for offside and some others did not quite sit right. Felt he faded as the game went on and was surprised as he stayed on but he does move off the ball well and pull people apart – he is not static and quite mobile and always looking to get on the shoulder. A really useful lad to have for the final 10 games. Not sure he will start many of them but will be used I am sure.
McGoldrick 8/10 – Thought he was our best player just edging out Fleck and Norwood. Everything good we did was through on him. It is ironic looking back but if he played on Monday, I think we would have won. He plays everything at his own pace. He slows it down and as everyone buzzes round, he shows such composure and real class. Some of his flicks and passes are superb. He oozes class. He ended up playing at centre back for one spell, then midfield and then left wing, then right wing. Just superb to watch. Did miss a chance when through and put it wide but was a tough chance and had a few other moments and his attempted chip he maybe should have done better. Such a key link player and the Rotherham players did not know what to do to contain him.
Subs –
Madine – Got involved in a lot of tussles with fouls going both ways but he did show some nice bits of hold up and link play and nutmegged someone near the end also. Think he will be on the bench for the next two against two footballing sides and then may be used in some of our other away games coming up also.
Cranie – Came on for the final few moments as we went back to a 5 just to see things out as it became a bitty end with lots of stoppages.
Wilder 8/10 – Changed the team and freshened it up with four new players in and got minutes for the two strikers and also Duffy as well as Baldock coming back. This was important after a tough game not too long ago. We managed to keep Sharp and Dowell fresh for Tuesday when I expect them to come back possibly. We started at a high tempo, scored and then after they had a spell kept our nerve and then took over again after the red card. Glad we kept out composure despite some poor tackles from them and very negative tactics and did not dive in. It was a very professional performance. Also liked the way we sent Madine on for a defender so ensure we looked for the 2nd and went to a four for a period as Rotherham were barely trying to attack. The home form is going to be key. If we can run the table at home, we are going to be very close.
Referee – The big moment was the red card. Thought it was a red at the time and seen it back and think it was even more of a red now! He lunges. He jumps off the floor. He is high. He has both feet off. How anyone can think it is a yellow is beyond me? It was a ridiculous foul. Both the linesman and referee seemed to see it as red judging by the reaction from both officials and the speed the card came out but it seemed an easy decision. Poor for the manager and player to both say it was a yellow. It was not. The rest of the game he was fine. Rotherham committed 6 or 7 poor fouls early on and lucky not to get a card for any of them really. A few were very late like Taylor’s on Fleck. They were quite dirty. United kept their composure and shape. They asked for a penalty second half on a free kick on Madine but the lad who tussled with him did not even appeal. Also, Warne wanted a foul on Egan after he grappled with Smith but again the telling sign was the striker did not even appeal and recognised it was 50/50. What was bizarre was the red card was the only card of the game! After this he gave them a few that were probably not fouls to them I thought but second half they barely tackled as they were sat so deep and just hanging on so no real controversial fouls. He could have played 10 minutes stoppage time due to the ridiculous time wasting; mainly from the doddering keeper the whole game and 3 or 4 stoppages from their man being ‘injured’ and also O’Connell’s injury. I think he took pity on Rotherham as they had been well beaten a long time before.
Crowd – 27,402. I felt that it was quiet for the most part but not sure the rain/wind and the ease we bossed the game helped. It was almost practice game for stages but did expect a bit more from the United fans – hopefully we are saving ourselves for bigger tests. Fair play to the Rotherham fans who got behind their team really well from start to finish. I get all the resources and income argument and how well they are doing but if I had paid to watch such a desperately negative approach, I would be very cross. Have a go for goodness sake?! What is the worst that would happen? They may lose 4-0 instead of 2-0. After the lad went off for the red; they had no plan whatsoever other than time waste and hope for a lucky break or set play. I felt sorry for the fans a bit. Good to see the standing ovation from all four sides of Bramall Lane as a tribute to Tony Stewart’s wife who dies this week. There seems no animosity between United and Rotherham at all and almost a bit of mutual respect and shared hatred of Wednesday. The weather was awful today so a good crowd all things considering. Hopefully for the final 5 home games we can get similar or even higher numbers.
United made four changes with McGoldrick, Hogan, Duffy and Baldock in for Sharp, Madine, Dowell and Freeman. Rotherham’s leading scorer Michael Smith started the game despite a broken toe. They also featured long throw expert and midfield talisman Will Vaulks.
The visitors kicked away from their away fans which packed the Bramall Lane lower tier but all the early pressure was right in front of them. A free kick from Norwood evaded everyone and Rodak pushed away and then from the next attack; Baldock had a shot blocked as United started at a very high tempo. The goal came after only 5 minutes. It was clearly a goal from the training ground as Norwood hit a low passed corner that saw O’CONNELL get across his man and he coolly turned it into the far corner giving the keeper no chance. It was a great goal and had been coming. Rotherham had been timewasting from the first minute and bizarrely this continued even after they conceded with them taking an age over throw ins and goal kicks.
United continued to dominate. Some lovely bits of skill from McGoldrick and then Basham saw them pen the Millers back and they were cutting Rotherham apart. Hogan nearly got in and then McGoldrick was in but pulled his shot just wide on the angle.
Rotherham did have a spell from the quarter of an hour mark and we saw the use of the long throw as United had to be alert to head away twice from these hurled efforts from Vaulks. Taylor then also nearly got in and the same man was causing a few problems down the right-hand side. It was more even now but then a moment of madness completely changed the course of the game. Baldock galloped down the wing and Vaults lunged in. It was high and late and also dangerous and the red card was instant. It was a really bad tackle and stupid when his side had started to get a foothold in the game after United had dominated the early exchanges.
After this United started to take control with Norwood’s ball retention and Fleck’s driving runs a feature of United’s play. Another neat move nearly saw Baldock in and then Basham showed good work on the overlap to win a corner. Fleck had a low shot well saved and another one was blocked soon after. Hogan thought he had scored but Baldock was adjudged to have taken the ball out before the ball was eventually put in the net. Norwood then hit a fierce shot that Rodak saved unconvincingly this time before the half drew to a close.
The second half continued as the first one ended with United dominating possession and pinning Rotherham further back. Many of the attacks came down the right and Basham was now proving a real threat linking with Baldock. McGoldrick continued to drift around the pitch and was proving a real class act in his link play. Fleck shot wide when well place and then McGoldrick had a snap shot on the angle that Rodak held well.
It should have been a second goal for United when Hogan was adjudged onside and played in McGoldrick but as he tried to go around the keeper it was blocked. United then passed it around as the goalie was chasing players well off his line and tried to walk it in but it ended up back in McGoldrick’s feet but his attempted chip he got all wrong and went well over the bar. Rotherham had one rare set play chance and half-hearted appeals for a penalty as it drifted out.
Basham who had played his first two games for a period this week was replaced by Maine as United opted to go for a flat back four as Rotherham were not even trying to attack at this stage and with Duffy advanced; United almost had four forward on the pitch and Stevens and Baldock as wingers. Rotherham had all 10 players in their own box as they looked to repel attack after attack. The Millers brought on Williams and Forde for Newell and Taylor but their approach did not change at all as they just sat back. The keeper was taking an age over everything he did. It was a bizarre approach.
Baldock then came inside and had a left footed effort from range parried and then Stevens shot from the other side was pushed away also. Then a Stevens header from a lovely cross from Duffy was saved superbly by Rodak.
United had completely controlled things but had not put the game to bed and at 1-0 Rotherham still had a chance but the game was effectively killed when a player who had not had his best game, Mark DUFFY scored a superb goal.
Fleck pushed it inside to him and the midfielder hit a rising right foot shot that seared into the top corner of the net. Rodak had been inspired second half but was grasping thin air. It was a superb strike.
United kept coming even at 2-0 as they could now relax and Norwood had another shot that was parried away and the resultant corner was another clever one but Fleck’s shot was blocked. Still Rodak timewasted as Rotherham seemed concerned about goal difference!
Crooks replaced Jones after a series of injuries and stoppages and United played keep ball for a period before with 5 minutes remaining; Cranie came on for McGoldrick who rightly was given a huge round of applause after an excellent performance. O’Connell went down in some pain but was able to continue as the game entered an additional 5 minutes of stoppage time. Rotherham were still defending for most of this; they won 3 more corners and had one shot blocked and then Norwood flashed one wide. More lovely one touch stuff saw Madine nut meg his man and O’Connell were eventually played in – the cross came over but Baldock could not turn it home on the angle as Rodak made another save on full stretch. The full-time whistle came straight after this as United celebrated another win at the Lane.
United – Really impressive and professional performance. We won and won well. It was the most comfortable 2-0 you could see and a perfect display really. We kept the ball, were patient and created chances. The only slight negatives were a poor spell from minute 15-30 where we sat back and invited a bit of pressure admittedly from simply long throws and crosses being sent in and the fact we did not score more. That is nit picking though. For the most part we were excellent. We scored a lovely well worked set play goal straight from the training ground. We could have been 3-0 up after 5 minutes and I am not exaggerating. They had that period but did not look like scoring really and Henderson had one weak effort to save and that was it all game.
After the red card; we took over again. I felt 2nd half it was one-way traffic. We were patient rather than slow and I felt we had maybe a dozen good chances and the keeper made some expected but also some very good saves. They had a bit of luck as a few pin ball moments or deflections went the right way but you felt we would get another and so it proved although this was a long-range cracker which was ironic after all the lovely football we played. We just kept moving it about and maybe some of the final bits could have been better but on another day, it is 5-0 win really. The most important thing is we won, we kept a clean sheet, we got no injuries, Norwood did not get booked and we move on to another game.
Wilder managed to change a few also and the players that came in did what they had to. I felt Hogan was lively, McGoldrick excellent and Baldock played very well too. Duff was off but scored a worldy! Some of the passing was great again. We did have a bit of a let down for a spell and maybe could have moved it a bit quicker and been a bit more decisive but hard when a team sits with 11/10 behind the ball. The weather also was really poor but we did play good stuff and mostly on the floor and saw of a tricky fixture well. I also thought that we kept our cool despite some poor tactics from the visitors who time wasted all game. It slowed the game down and meant it was hard for us to really keep it being constant pressure although in reality it was in terms of us having nearly the whole of the second half in the Rotherham half. Indeed, other than a 10-15-minute spell of long throws; they did not threaten at all. United just did what they had to do. We saved Billy for Tuesday also and now against a much better side; can hopefully get further confidence. Again, if you had offered me 4 pts from the two games this week I would have been delighted. With 10 to play; Leeds and Norwich both keep winning and it seems we will have to keep this level of form up to get 2nd place. I just hope that whatever happens next week we don’t get too up/down as it will not completely define what happens as there still would be 8 to play. We need to just stay in touch as believe there may be more twists and turns.
Rotherham – What a negative approach to a game of football. They timewasted after 30 seconds. 30 seconds. They then conceded and could have been behind even before we scored. After this they came back into it and had a few long throws. Vaulks and the Rotherham officials got into an argument over the towels being hidden (or thrown into the ground) and they seemed to lose their composure. Wilder was laughing his head off. It was a bit petty actually I felt being honest. They had been building up some headway then Vaulks commits the ridiculous foul. It killed them. Not only reduced them to 10 but he was their main threat in terms of the long throw and the crosses coming in. After this they had no idea whatsoever. They just defended and defended and timewasted and timewasted. Clearly, they had been told to sit in at 1-0; hope for the best and then maybe go for it but even when it was 2-0, they did not bother trying to get men forward and just sat back and seemed content to try and not concede again. They have some very limited players and skill wise it looked like more than 19 places between the two teams. They have a lot of League One players and sadly despite the great effort they have put in this season; the lack of quality (due to resources etc) they will probably go. They do not win at all away and barely draw and rely on the home form. Reading do not seem to be picking up and Millwall are slumping also and it is very tight for that one final spot – expect Bolton and Ipswich to go.
Taking away all the criticism of the way they went about things today; Paul Warne seems a really nice guy and they are punching massively above their weight. Tony Stewart has done a superb job in terms of the new stadium and also the way they have gradually moved up the leagues. For Rotherham to be a yo-yo team between the Championship and League One is actually as good as they will get and is fine. They must be annoyed that it does come down to resources. I think moving forward the approach may need to be refined regardless of the resources issue. Playing very direct and long can get success in the division below but will not work at this level as Millwall are finding out this season also. They need to mix it up a bit. They literally had no plan B today. The lad Vaulks will probably move on in the summer also.
Opponent man of the match – Odd to say but the keeper was dodgy throughout even though he made a number of great saves. He looked very uncertain with his feet and often touched it away from himself and did not catch it; parrying shots away all day. To his credit though he made a few great saves and a few – the one from Fleck, another at the end from Baldock were top drawer so he has to be their man of the match even though his tactics of timewasting were just bizarre. He had clearly been told to do it though but it seemed a pathetic way to go about things. At times he would keep it for 30 seconds and dribble it round his box and then his kicking was awful too! The only other player of note who did anything was the lad Taylor who got wide and put over some decent crosses but he faded.
Weak link – You could make a case for a number of players. Vaulks was a threat from the throws and decent on the ball too and is clearly their main man but what a moment of stupidity. Seen him apologise on twitter but it ended any chance they had of getting anything. Outside of him, the big centre forward was just grabbing players and pretty hopeless, the defence was slow and clumsy across the back line. Ihiekwe was dreadful and had no idea where our players were and just kept shinning it out. Technically inept. However, for all the criticism of a few of their players, the lad in midfield takes the prize just as he played more than Vaulks. Ajayi has been moved into midfield and is a giant and has scored a few goals. He is a truly, dreadful footballer. He kicked it out under no real pressure three times in the second half. He could not control it; Fleck and Norwood just ran around him and he just looked hugely out of his depth in this area.
Henderson 7/10 – Nothing to do all game. Saved one low shot first half but most of his play was fielding the ball back and recycling possession. Had to be alert to a few of the early long throws but nothing of note at all 2nd half once this threat went and had an easy final 45 minutes.
Baldock 7.5/10 – Good to see him back and played well. Got caught with the awful tackle but fortunately he was ok. He was constantly in motion and a real threat on the overlap. Had a few efforts at goal too including one that was saved well by the keeper with his wrong foot and then the one right at the end when he came in on the angle. Played the second half almost as a right winger. Showed some nice skill at times and a few great link ups with Bash and Duffy down that side second half. Very good athlete that pops up all over.
Stevens 6.5/10 – Thought he was our weakest link defensively but still was ok but the lad Taylor got down and away from him a few times today in the first half and with a better final ball we may have been in trouble. First half involved in some decent moves down the left but had to be wary with Taylor’s pace to not go too far. He was ok in general play and improved second half but we did seem to attack more down the right 2nd half but had a header we nearly scored with.
Egan 7/10 – Steady game. He ended up grappling with the lad Smith a lot but stuck to it and in the end, he sorts of gave up as he had no support around him. Used the ball well when he had it and showed some lovely control when he brought the ball out of the sky in tough conditions.
O’Connell 8/10 – Played really well today. A few slices apart; he was bang at it defensively and attacking wise he set the tone with the goal. Such a cool finish when he could have panicked and read the run perfectly. He came onto the ball and attacked it but also when in tight spaces he used his class to keep the ball in a composed manner. Worried when he went down near the end and seemed to yelp but after treatment, he was fine to carry on. Maybe he just rolled his ankle.
Basham 7/10 – Committed and energetic as well. Started game with a few of his slalom runs and even lobbed it over a player once and ran on to it. As usual his final ball was not always great but then second half from one run where he linked with Baldock he pulled back a lovely ball but everyone had gone near post.
Fleck 8/10 – He really has been back to his best since that Reading game and has put together four really impressive games. He was all over the field today. Making those interceptions, little link passes, surging runs and just bags of energy. Looked class at times and felt we completely bossed midfield. Unlucky not to score with a few efforts including a shot that was saved and a few shots blocked. Great to watch today.
Norwood 8/10 – 109 completed passes out of 118 passes and 38 out of 42 completed in the final third. That says it all. He probably touched the ball more than any other played and dictated play in a dominant SUFC performance. He received it from the defence and just kept moving it on and helped us really control things. He was able to play a range of passes and crosses. Some delightful corners too that showed real variety. One that we scored from numerous other close misses. A joy to watch. Did not get booked either. One more game to avoid a yellow I believe and should be ok till the end of the season.
Duffy 5.5/10 – Thought he was really poor today and scored a wonder goal! He did a few nice bits and linked things but mostly he was too predictable jinking onto his right, took too long to do things and gave it away constantly and set them on the attack a few times – he was lucky not to be booked for a cynical pull back after one giveaway. Many round us were calling for him to go off and then bang – he scored a superb goal with his wring foot from 25 yards right into the top corner. After this he suddenly became inspired and started to play well but for the most part, I thought he was one of the few slightly negative aspects of our performance.
Hogan 7/10 – Worked hard and linked well when he could. Only had a few chances. One first half saved and then a few other half chances 2nd half. Had one ruled out for offside and some others did not quite sit right. Felt he faded as the game went on and was surprised as he stayed on but he does move off the ball well and pull people apart – he is not static and quite mobile and always looking to get on the shoulder. A really useful lad to have for the final 10 games. Not sure he will start many of them but will be used I am sure.
McGoldrick 8/10 – Thought he was our best player just edging out Fleck and Norwood. Everything good we did was through on him. It is ironic looking back but if he played on Monday, I think we would have won. He plays everything at his own pace. He slows it down and as everyone buzzes round, he shows such composure and real class. Some of his flicks and passes are superb. He oozes class. He ended up playing at centre back for one spell, then midfield and then left wing, then right wing. Just superb to watch. Did miss a chance when through and put it wide but was a tough chance and had a few other moments and his attempted chip he maybe should have done better. Such a key link player and the Rotherham players did not know what to do to contain him.
Subs –
Madine – Got involved in a lot of tussles with fouls going both ways but he did show some nice bits of hold up and link play and nutmegged someone near the end also. Think he will be on the bench for the next two against two footballing sides and then may be used in some of our other away games coming up also.
Cranie – Came on for the final few moments as we went back to a 5 just to see things out as it became a bitty end with lots of stoppages.
Wilder 8/10 – Changed the team and freshened it up with four new players in and got minutes for the two strikers and also Duffy as well as Baldock coming back. This was important after a tough game not too long ago. We managed to keep Sharp and Dowell fresh for Tuesday when I expect them to come back possibly. We started at a high tempo, scored and then after they had a spell kept our nerve and then took over again after the red card. Glad we kept out composure despite some poor tackles from them and very negative tactics and did not dive in. It was a very professional performance. Also liked the way we sent Madine on for a defender so ensure we looked for the 2nd and went to a four for a period as Rotherham were barely trying to attack. The home form is going to be key. If we can run the table at home, we are going to be very close.
Referee – The big moment was the red card. Thought it was a red at the time and seen it back and think it was even more of a red now! He lunges. He jumps off the floor. He is high. He has both feet off. How anyone can think it is a yellow is beyond me? It was a ridiculous foul. Both the linesman and referee seemed to see it as red judging by the reaction from both officials and the speed the card came out but it seemed an easy decision. Poor for the manager and player to both say it was a yellow. It was not. The rest of the game he was fine. Rotherham committed 6 or 7 poor fouls early on and lucky not to get a card for any of them really. A few were very late like Taylor’s on Fleck. They were quite dirty. United kept their composure and shape. They asked for a penalty second half on a free kick on Madine but the lad who tussled with him did not even appeal. Also, Warne wanted a foul on Egan after he grappled with Smith but again the telling sign was the striker did not even appeal and recognised it was 50/50. What was bizarre was the red card was the only card of the game! After this he gave them a few that were probably not fouls to them I thought but second half they barely tackled as they were sat so deep and just hanging on so no real controversial fouls. He could have played 10 minutes stoppage time due to the ridiculous time wasting; mainly from the doddering keeper the whole game and 3 or 4 stoppages from their man being ‘injured’ and also O’Connell’s injury. I think he took pity on Rotherham as they had been well beaten a long time before.
Crowd – 27,402. I felt that it was quiet for the most part but not sure the rain/wind and the ease we bossed the game helped. It was almost practice game for stages but did expect a bit more from the United fans – hopefully we are saving ourselves for bigger tests. Fair play to the Rotherham fans who got behind their team really well from start to finish. I get all the resources and income argument and how well they are doing but if I had paid to watch such a desperately negative approach, I would be very cross. Have a go for goodness sake?! What is the worst that would happen? They may lose 4-0 instead of 2-0. After the lad went off for the red; they had no plan whatsoever other than time waste and hope for a lucky break or set play. I felt sorry for the fans a bit. Good to see the standing ovation from all four sides of Bramall Lane as a tribute to Tony Stewart’s wife who dies this week. There seems no animosity between United and Rotherham at all and almost a bit of mutual respect and shared hatred of Wednesday. The weather was awful today so a good crowd all things considering. Hopefully for the final 5 home games we can get similar or even higher numbers.
