Post by deadbat on Dec 21, 2019 18:44:04 GMT
Report below….. no podcast – not there and watched on a stream but Andy (from occasionally Tufty Club podcasts) is there so he may record some thoughts later….
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Another week, another fantastic team performance and another win! The Blades juggernaut rolls on after their third successive victory. This time it was a strike from record signing Ollie McBurnie in the first half that was the difference. United had two goals ruled out for VAR decisions and David McGoldrick missed an absolute sitter and on chances the Blades should have made it even more comfortably than it was. In truth, Brighton rarely threatened with only a few regulation saves from Dean Henderson and the home side were well beaten despite having a lot more possession. Most of the work they did with the ball was ineffective and in front of the supremely organised Blades side. United move up to 5th place and are a point off champions league place and play bottom side Watford next at the Lane. It is now 11 months and 18 games the Blades are unbeaten away from home.
United made two changes. One was enforced with Freeman getting the nod instead of Besic in midfield, to replace the suspended Fleck. McBurnie started alongside McGoldrick with Mousset on the bench. There was a change of keeper in reserve with Michael Verrips chosen instead of Simon Moore. Brighton had former Blades’ targets Dan Burn and Neil Maupay in their line up.
The game began with United dominating possession and forcing the home side back which may have been a surprise after their performance at Selhurst Park on Monday. O’Connell and Basham were both well forward and two crosses came in from either side. Freeman then combined with Baldock and United won a corner on the 8th minute. The inswinger was horrible missed by keeper Ryan and Egan bundled home all alone. However, despite the Blades players celebrating – the VAR check showed it hit Egan’s chest and then his hand and was ruled out. This was the new handball rule in affect where it states if it hits an attackers hand it is ruled out no matter how intentional. Bizarre the rule has not been brought in from a defensive point.
Despite this disappointment, United still were dominating and Norwood was dictating play with the front two looking very lively. McGoldrick’s lovely dummy set United moving and then Lundstram hit the ball into the side netting. Brighton had not got going but had a chance to score with their first attack. A shot from Propper was palmed out to Montoya who crossed for Maupay to score but the flag had gone up against Montoya. A nervous wait for the Blades fans again but this time it went their way and was clearly offside.
Dunk fired a free kick well over the bar but United got back on the ball and were moving it about and deservedly took the lead on the 23rd minute. Henderson’s long ball was flicked on by MCBURNIE who turned and chased it and got in front of his man, before calmly talking his time and drilling in a precise finish in off the neat post. It had been coming.
The away side continued to look confident and the home fans began to get frustrated before manager Potter seemed to switch to a back three. They began to have a bit more possession but a lovely ball from McGoldrick nearly sent Lundstram clear but he fell to ground as he tried to go inside Webster who inadvertently got the block in.
Brighton’s best chance came when Henderson came charging out ill advisedly and took his own man out but fortunately Basham cleared at the same time on the edge of the box in the confusion. The game became a bit stop start with both Freeman and McBurnie going down. Brighton were having more of the ball but were doing little with it and a few overplayed passes brought more groans. Some nice one touch football saw United move it forward from the right-wing position and win territory up the field. They won a corner but O’Connell headed wide and was adjudged to have fouled his man.
There was one extra minute played but United saw out the half comfortably.
Murray and Connelly came on for the home side for Gross and Trossard and the home side clearly wanted to make big changes to the shape and urgency they showed. The match was now being played in driving rain but United held firm despite the home side having more possession this half.
United had a golden chance to double the advantage as McGoldrick robbed his man and was in on goal. He calmly took it round the keeper and seemed set to end his long goal drought but inexplicably in front of the travelling United fans, put it into the side netting with the goal gaping. It was an incredible miss and he looked to the ground as if it had taken a bobble. It had not.
Osborn came on for Freeman as United made their first change quite early. Soon after this, United had the ball in the net again. A free kick from Norwood was headed on by Egan and more poor keeping by Ryan saw the ball spill up and O’Connell bundled home. United’s players celebrated but there was definite uncertainty in how forward O’Connell had been on the original header and after the check it was rightly disallowed. Still to have two goals disallowed for VAR was a real hammer blow for United, especially after McGoldrick’s miss.
Bissouma came on for Montoya as Brighton made their final change with over half an hour left which showed how disappointing they had been. They should have been put out of the game but tried to find an opening buoyed from these let offs. Bissouma had a shot blocked and then Maupay was held up by O’Connell. United were funnelling Brighton wide and they were struggling to get the ball into dangerous areas.
McBurnie was replaced by Mousset and the striker nearly got in straight away but Brighton were now having most of the ball but were doing little with it. A corner was headed over by Dunk and then finally a chance came when Connolly worked a yard of space and hit a shot but Henderson flicked over with the shot straight at him.
Stevens booking was deserved for a cynical trip on Propper and United now were setting a solid defensive base. The visitors had not really attacked much but Mousset showed a defender a clean pair of heels before firing over after a great individual run.
Besic came on for Norwood with the whole ground giving him a round of applause remembering his efforts when he played for the home side in a promotion season.
Basham was given a yellow card for bringing down Connolly but Egan headed away as the game entered the final five minutes. United broke away and Osborn put a ball over the top and McGoldrick on the angle went for the lob but it landed on top of the net. It was a trickier effort but he will have been disappointed not to hit the target once again. The striker then got booked as he hacked his man down in frustration as he chased back.
Brighton had appeals for a penalty when Bissouma went down but the referee instantly saw it as a dive and he was then booked. VAR replays confirmed that Basham had never touched him.
Brighton were huffing and puffing but United got tackles in or slowed things down and some inside the Amex had seen enough and started to leave.
There was an additional five minutes of stoppage time accrued to be played and United kept it well although the home side won a corner which Webster headed well wide from a long way out. Brighton’s final chance came with a long kick from Ryan bounced around but the shot was blocked and the final whistle came soon after. United’s players and fans celebrated another huge victory and the incredible season and away record goes on!
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United – Deserved win where we started really well, took the game to them and after the disappointment of the VAR goal, we just kept playing our football and came again and then a really good goal from McBurnie. After this Brighton never really threatened, they had the one offside moment when it went in long after but we were deservedly in the lead and had controlled the game. 2nd half they had more of it and had a lot of ball but never really hurt us. We had the McGoldrick sitter and then the blow of the O’Connell one being again rightly chalked off but could have had an affect on us. Not this group of players. What a phenomenal group they are. They just kept going and defended solidly, broke when we could and saw it out with no fuss.
Out of possession we were outstanding. We were so organised. Disciplined, we shuffled across, closed the gaps, got tackles and interceptions in and just were superb. As Wilder said, we were a bit sloppy at times with it and with better passing and more composure we could have had more goals really. We certainly had the clear chances with another for McGoldrick and Mousset over. The two VAR goals also and other than the one shot the lad Connolly hit which was straight at Henderson, I cannot think of any moments they had in terms of clear chances or good attempts on goal. You are always nervous at 1-0 but we actually saw it out really well.
I don’t think any individuals were out of this world. It was a just a solid, organised team performance. McGoldrick was superb with everything he did apart from the miss/misses and led the line well. McBurnie was also good too and took his goal expertly. The midfield worked hard with Lundstram and Norwood just doing the right things. I was a bit disappointed with Freeman/Osborn and you see a drop off when the likes of those players come in and you saw it a bit with Besic too but at that stage we were just trying to get fresh legs on and see things out really. Which we did really and so it was job well done. I was gutted for McGoldrick but the crowd need to really keep with him more than ever and that seems to be the case from the chants again. The United fans know how important he is to us despite the nightmare spell in front of goal.
I wanted us to see if we could get a win, maybe a draw from three games on paper where there were points to be had and they have only gone all three. Incredible. We have a few suspensions looking with Norwood, Lunny, Baldock and Basham on 4 but Fleck is now back and its not the worst thing if we lose a few for the bonus type games. Although saying that, playing as we are, does anybody not think we will surprise one of City or Liverpool playing like this? Ideally, you would get a few of them doing a Michael Brown (Stoke was it?) when he kicked the ball away to see him out for an unimportant game in the season of the cup run. They could all miss the Fylde game then! Be hard to keep them all out of trouble for 2 more games but you never know.
I keep looking at the table and to hear Paul Merson and Jeff Stelling raving about us and what we are doing fills me and all us with such pride. It is the best time I have ever had watching Sheffield United. It might not last. Maybe it will. I am just going to enjoy every minute of it.
Ratings:
Henderson 7/10 – Very little to do. He did push one out into the path of a player which he had to save but maybe could have pushed out wider. He also made one decent but expected save from the sub but other than a rush of blood when he came out and we cleared, not sure he had much more to do and the defence once again protected him brilliantly.
Baldock 7/10 – Another solid game defensively. We did not see as much of him and Stevens going forward today especially in the second half but do recall one moment, he was on the right wing first half and thought what is he doing there? He was involved in some neat and tidy stuff first half when we kept it well
Stevens 7/10 – Started the game getting forward well with some crosses and moves but then after we scored was not attacking as much as we kept it sensible. On the ball fine with some good passes and interceptions for the most part. Did have a dodgy spell second half where he chopped someone down and then soon after was ball watching and the winger got in and crossed and we got a bit lucky as it rebounded wide. Overall, though part of another solid defensive display.
Basham 7.5/10 – The three centre backs were excellent. His only blot was a silly foul where he was late on his man but he defended really well, covering round, getting blocks and making tackles. He was just really sound and nothing fancy.
O’Connell 7.5/10 – As above. He won headers against some big lads coming forward from the back and even when they pumped it into the box, he stood firm. Showed he can move across the deck as he got across to deny some of the nimble forwards just with good reading of the game. Nearly got his first goal in the top flight but he was offside. Cannot be far off getting England recognition.
Egan 7.5/10 – Another rock-solid performance. He was unlucky not to get a goal (technically correct) and as I said last week loves a hand ball! This one was a bit more unlucky though as he knew little about it really! Thought that he won so many headers especially at the end when they started to go longer. However, he dealt with some really skilful forwards really well – all have a low centre of gravity but he did not dive it and just made sure he got the blocks he needed.
Norwood 7/10 – Thought he was vital in the good things we did, helping move the ball on and shielding the front of the defence. A few misplaced passes or little give aways but thought he did a lot of good defensive work. He got in the right area to stop some dangerous midfielders coming through the middle and forcing them to go wide. He sat in and did a really disciplined job and I felt we were nice and compact and they never really threatened to get through us – something Potter’s Swansea did quite a bit last time.
Lundstram 7/10 – Decent workmanlike performance. First half he was our most involved midfielder and got on it and moved it around nicely. Also, two or three times got ahead of the striker/s and got in good areas and nearly got a chance of a shot from Didzy ball. Moved it off quickly and with accuracy when he was passing it and worked hard to tackle and press also to help them give it away. Second half more of a defensive role really but he did this well and limited much penetration from the middle of the park. Also did not get booked – one foul first half and I was worried but was quite early and they had done one that had not been a yellow so got away with it.
Freeman 6.5/10 – Worked hard for the team and neat and tidy when he did have it but did not get involved enough for me. He did put a good corner in for the Egan ‘no goal.’ He was ok to start the game but we did not see anything in terms of penetration or creativity and maybe was a bit safe but we controlled the first half so maybe that is a bit harsh and he did more of a flat midfield job. I just wanted to see a bit more of him on the ball. He looked frustrated to come off but I saw probably the same as Wilder in them starting to dominate the ball in that area and go through us a bit more.
McGoldrick 7.5/10 – His overall performance was more like an 8 or 8.5. Might have been the man of the match despite the miss! Superb on the ball, linked play, some exquisite balls and a joy to watch. He worked hard and got back and won challenges (one he got wrong and got booked) and was once again instrumental to all our good play. One ball to Lundstram was a delight and should have been a good chance. However, he missed two big chances again. The second was on the angle but he did not hit the target and never looked confident as he lobbed it over. The first one was a sitter. He did the hard work, winning the ball and rounded the keeper and you thought goal but then he somehow puts it wide. It was incredible. It was far easier to score. He has a real mental block in front of goal. You just hope Boxing Day the moment comes for him. I could have cried when he missed but luckily it did not come back to haunt us. Love the guy to bits and hope he gets the goal at some point but he won’t get a better chance than that.
McBurnie 7.5/10 – The matchwinner. He looked lively early on, holding it up and linking well. He then got in and took his goal superbly. He showed real composure, taking his time and waiting before clipping in off the near post. Expertly taken with no rush and just calm and clinical. After this he linked well and worked hard and was neat and tidy. He tired a bit second half and we went for the extra pace up top and this did help us a bit with Mousse getting on some balls and getting us up the field. McBurnie has played really well the last 3 games either as sub or starting and seems to be settling into what we want of him. We will no doubt rotate him and Mousse for the next few.
Subs –
Osborn 6.5/10 – Brought on quite early for Freeman and clearly needed to give us more running and legs in this area. He did an ok job for the team but the lad who came on for them bounced off him a few times and he seemed a bit full stretch. Put one nice ball in for Didzy over the top for the second chance and was neater and more composed at the end when we were seeing it out.
Mousset – Came on and ran around for a bit and had one great run where he slalomed past a couple but fired just over. After this he was just chasing things and we defended more. A few times I wanted him to put a bit more in but he also helped get us up the field a bit more with his running and direct pace behind.
Besic – Brought on to help see things out and got a few blocks in or helped us keep it.
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Manager Wilder 8/10 – Tactically you could argue he has lost his battles against Potter and he would have remembered the league double last season and wanted to get it right. Today, he won the battle in this regard. Brighton changed their formation to a three early on after we had controlled things and then changed again…and again with subs used very early and they went gung-ho with three up top and it became a bit ragged and desperate for Brighton. We take our chances and it is game over. They were always in it at 1-0 but in truth the subs were the right time (even if you see a drop off). He went for Freeman for Fleck and not sure him or Osborn were great on it but did ok off the ball. Another fantastic classic away performance where he will be so proud of the shape of the team.
Brighton – Watched them in the week and they were great. Today, they looked a different side. Another team that has an off day against us?! They barely kept the ball for more than 3 or 4 passes, barely penetrated and never really looked like creating much. We dominated early on, got the goal and then kept a solid, organised shape. We had chances to make it 2-0 second half early on and then they had a lot of the ball and threw men forward but never put anything consistent together in terms of intricate play or got through us. They just ran out of ideas and ended up hitting high balls up and chucking some of the big lads forward from the back which you expect. I have seen a slick, high energy, pressing side this season with good ball playing defenders who come out from the back and creative lads in midfield and a goal scorer up top in Maupay.
Today, they looked nowhere near that side as they could not find a way through a side that looked probably like them but better at it. Potter has done a good job there and don’t expect them to be anywhere near the bottom and to his credit has got them playing a totally different and more attractive way than Hughton, in a fairly limited time too. He has had money and another squad with more depth and expenditure invested into it.
These sort of games are the big ones for both teams so for United to beat the likes of Brighton, Villa and Norwich is really important. Brighton now go to Spurs so it’s the sort of week where they could be looking over their shoulders suddenly but like us have some underrated players, solid pros, play good football (not today) and a good manager. They will be fine I think and may finish anything from half way to 15th/16th.
Opponent Man of the Match – I am not sure anyone was that great. I was glad Bissouma was left out as liked the look of him in the week and he looked a threat when he came on (cheating aside). I felt he would have caused us more issues than the workmanlike Stephens. The lad Connolly at least had a shot on goal and looked a bit of a threat but only bit. The best player by a mile was
Opponent Weak link – The defence looked really slow and quite immobile. The goal came from poor defending and then another chance came when McGoldrick dithered. Dunk and Webster are solid defenders and like ours, they are underrated but today our defence was far superior and did not make the mistakes they did. Maupay was really quite today and Ironic all the talk about the bigger impact Maupay has allegedly had (in goals he has scored at least) and then McBurnie outshines him today. The main weak link might be the keeper. Ryan is normally quite solid but he basically gave us two goals that fortunately for him were chalked off. Not sure he had much chance on the goal though as it went in right off the post. Gross and Trossard are really good players and the former makes them tick but today he was not at it. Trossard also was marshalled well and went off.
Referee/Officials/VAR – Both VAR decisions were correct according to the rules. Like Merson said on Sky not sure I like the new handball rule as it means that any contact is handball but not sure why it seems different to the attacking team to the defensive team (Ward Prowse against us and a few others in other games not been given). It seems quite inconsistent in terms of the rules. I am not sure Egan could do much about it but the rules say it is an offence. The second was well offside sadly but again took too long to decide. Think they were checking if the flick had come off a Brighton player instead of Egan. Disappointing both centre backs thought they had scored but the second one I did not really celebrate at all and kind of knew. The first felt a bit different. It does seem like the VAR are going against us but technically both are correct. Other than the Basham red car overturn and the McBurnie one at Man Utd one we are about 6 or 7 down I think and seem to be one of the most affected adversely.
I felt the ref, Robert Jones, was ok for most part. The bookings for us and them were right. He got the dive spot on when their lad tried to cheat. Most of the other decisions were ok. Felt a few soft ones were given for Maupay and remember him being the same for Brentford in terms of hitting the deck. As Wilder said in the week, there is a lot of gamesmanship that other teams are doing and ours are not. McGoldrick gets elbowed into the chest near the end and nothing was given. Also saw several foul throws. One Mooy did was incredible. So overall, they had maybe the lions share of decisions but the referee overall was quite good and I am nit-picking really. It was his first game and the assessors will be quite impressed.
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Another week, another fantastic team performance and another win! The Blades juggernaut rolls on after their third successive victory. This time it was a strike from record signing Ollie McBurnie in the first half that was the difference. United had two goals ruled out for VAR decisions and David McGoldrick missed an absolute sitter and on chances the Blades should have made it even more comfortably than it was. In truth, Brighton rarely threatened with only a few regulation saves from Dean Henderson and the home side were well beaten despite having a lot more possession. Most of the work they did with the ball was ineffective and in front of the supremely organised Blades side. United move up to 5th place and are a point off champions league place and play bottom side Watford next at the Lane. It is now 11 months and 18 games the Blades are unbeaten away from home.
United made two changes. One was enforced with Freeman getting the nod instead of Besic in midfield, to replace the suspended Fleck. McBurnie started alongside McGoldrick with Mousset on the bench. There was a change of keeper in reserve with Michael Verrips chosen instead of Simon Moore. Brighton had former Blades’ targets Dan Burn and Neil Maupay in their line up.
The game began with United dominating possession and forcing the home side back which may have been a surprise after their performance at Selhurst Park on Monday. O’Connell and Basham were both well forward and two crosses came in from either side. Freeman then combined with Baldock and United won a corner on the 8th minute. The inswinger was horrible missed by keeper Ryan and Egan bundled home all alone. However, despite the Blades players celebrating – the VAR check showed it hit Egan’s chest and then his hand and was ruled out. This was the new handball rule in affect where it states if it hits an attackers hand it is ruled out no matter how intentional. Bizarre the rule has not been brought in from a defensive point.
Despite this disappointment, United still were dominating and Norwood was dictating play with the front two looking very lively. McGoldrick’s lovely dummy set United moving and then Lundstram hit the ball into the side netting. Brighton had not got going but had a chance to score with their first attack. A shot from Propper was palmed out to Montoya who crossed for Maupay to score but the flag had gone up against Montoya. A nervous wait for the Blades fans again but this time it went their way and was clearly offside.
Dunk fired a free kick well over the bar but United got back on the ball and were moving it about and deservedly took the lead on the 23rd minute. Henderson’s long ball was flicked on by MCBURNIE who turned and chased it and got in front of his man, before calmly talking his time and drilling in a precise finish in off the neat post. It had been coming.
The away side continued to look confident and the home fans began to get frustrated before manager Potter seemed to switch to a back three. They began to have a bit more possession but a lovely ball from McGoldrick nearly sent Lundstram clear but he fell to ground as he tried to go inside Webster who inadvertently got the block in.
Brighton’s best chance came when Henderson came charging out ill advisedly and took his own man out but fortunately Basham cleared at the same time on the edge of the box in the confusion. The game became a bit stop start with both Freeman and McBurnie going down. Brighton were having more of the ball but were doing little with it and a few overplayed passes brought more groans. Some nice one touch football saw United move it forward from the right-wing position and win territory up the field. They won a corner but O’Connell headed wide and was adjudged to have fouled his man.
There was one extra minute played but United saw out the half comfortably.
Murray and Connelly came on for the home side for Gross and Trossard and the home side clearly wanted to make big changes to the shape and urgency they showed. The match was now being played in driving rain but United held firm despite the home side having more possession this half.
United had a golden chance to double the advantage as McGoldrick robbed his man and was in on goal. He calmly took it round the keeper and seemed set to end his long goal drought but inexplicably in front of the travelling United fans, put it into the side netting with the goal gaping. It was an incredible miss and he looked to the ground as if it had taken a bobble. It had not.
Osborn came on for Freeman as United made their first change quite early. Soon after this, United had the ball in the net again. A free kick from Norwood was headed on by Egan and more poor keeping by Ryan saw the ball spill up and O’Connell bundled home. United’s players celebrated but there was definite uncertainty in how forward O’Connell had been on the original header and after the check it was rightly disallowed. Still to have two goals disallowed for VAR was a real hammer blow for United, especially after McGoldrick’s miss.
Bissouma came on for Montoya as Brighton made their final change with over half an hour left which showed how disappointing they had been. They should have been put out of the game but tried to find an opening buoyed from these let offs. Bissouma had a shot blocked and then Maupay was held up by O’Connell. United were funnelling Brighton wide and they were struggling to get the ball into dangerous areas.
McBurnie was replaced by Mousset and the striker nearly got in straight away but Brighton were now having most of the ball but were doing little with it. A corner was headed over by Dunk and then finally a chance came when Connolly worked a yard of space and hit a shot but Henderson flicked over with the shot straight at him.
Stevens booking was deserved for a cynical trip on Propper and United now were setting a solid defensive base. The visitors had not really attacked much but Mousset showed a defender a clean pair of heels before firing over after a great individual run.
Besic came on for Norwood with the whole ground giving him a round of applause remembering his efforts when he played for the home side in a promotion season.
Basham was given a yellow card for bringing down Connolly but Egan headed away as the game entered the final five minutes. United broke away and Osborn put a ball over the top and McGoldrick on the angle went for the lob but it landed on top of the net. It was a trickier effort but he will have been disappointed not to hit the target once again. The striker then got booked as he hacked his man down in frustration as he chased back.
Brighton had appeals for a penalty when Bissouma went down but the referee instantly saw it as a dive and he was then booked. VAR replays confirmed that Basham had never touched him.
Brighton were huffing and puffing but United got tackles in or slowed things down and some inside the Amex had seen enough and started to leave.
There was an additional five minutes of stoppage time accrued to be played and United kept it well although the home side won a corner which Webster headed well wide from a long way out. Brighton’s final chance came with a long kick from Ryan bounced around but the shot was blocked and the final whistle came soon after. United’s players and fans celebrated another huge victory and the incredible season and away record goes on!
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United – Deserved win where we started really well, took the game to them and after the disappointment of the VAR goal, we just kept playing our football and came again and then a really good goal from McBurnie. After this Brighton never really threatened, they had the one offside moment when it went in long after but we were deservedly in the lead and had controlled the game. 2nd half they had more of it and had a lot of ball but never really hurt us. We had the McGoldrick sitter and then the blow of the O’Connell one being again rightly chalked off but could have had an affect on us. Not this group of players. What a phenomenal group they are. They just kept going and defended solidly, broke when we could and saw it out with no fuss.
Out of possession we were outstanding. We were so organised. Disciplined, we shuffled across, closed the gaps, got tackles and interceptions in and just were superb. As Wilder said, we were a bit sloppy at times with it and with better passing and more composure we could have had more goals really. We certainly had the clear chances with another for McGoldrick and Mousset over. The two VAR goals also and other than the one shot the lad Connolly hit which was straight at Henderson, I cannot think of any moments they had in terms of clear chances or good attempts on goal. You are always nervous at 1-0 but we actually saw it out really well.
I don’t think any individuals were out of this world. It was a just a solid, organised team performance. McGoldrick was superb with everything he did apart from the miss/misses and led the line well. McBurnie was also good too and took his goal expertly. The midfield worked hard with Lundstram and Norwood just doing the right things. I was a bit disappointed with Freeman/Osborn and you see a drop off when the likes of those players come in and you saw it a bit with Besic too but at that stage we were just trying to get fresh legs on and see things out really. Which we did really and so it was job well done. I was gutted for McGoldrick but the crowd need to really keep with him more than ever and that seems to be the case from the chants again. The United fans know how important he is to us despite the nightmare spell in front of goal.
I wanted us to see if we could get a win, maybe a draw from three games on paper where there were points to be had and they have only gone all three. Incredible. We have a few suspensions looking with Norwood, Lunny, Baldock and Basham on 4 but Fleck is now back and its not the worst thing if we lose a few for the bonus type games. Although saying that, playing as we are, does anybody not think we will surprise one of City or Liverpool playing like this? Ideally, you would get a few of them doing a Michael Brown (Stoke was it?) when he kicked the ball away to see him out for an unimportant game in the season of the cup run. They could all miss the Fylde game then! Be hard to keep them all out of trouble for 2 more games but you never know.
I keep looking at the table and to hear Paul Merson and Jeff Stelling raving about us and what we are doing fills me and all us with such pride. It is the best time I have ever had watching Sheffield United. It might not last. Maybe it will. I am just going to enjoy every minute of it.
Ratings:
Henderson 7/10 – Very little to do. He did push one out into the path of a player which he had to save but maybe could have pushed out wider. He also made one decent but expected save from the sub but other than a rush of blood when he came out and we cleared, not sure he had much more to do and the defence once again protected him brilliantly.
Baldock 7/10 – Another solid game defensively. We did not see as much of him and Stevens going forward today especially in the second half but do recall one moment, he was on the right wing first half and thought what is he doing there? He was involved in some neat and tidy stuff first half when we kept it well
Stevens 7/10 – Started the game getting forward well with some crosses and moves but then after we scored was not attacking as much as we kept it sensible. On the ball fine with some good passes and interceptions for the most part. Did have a dodgy spell second half where he chopped someone down and then soon after was ball watching and the winger got in and crossed and we got a bit lucky as it rebounded wide. Overall, though part of another solid defensive display.
Basham 7.5/10 – The three centre backs were excellent. His only blot was a silly foul where he was late on his man but he defended really well, covering round, getting blocks and making tackles. He was just really sound and nothing fancy.
O’Connell 7.5/10 – As above. He won headers against some big lads coming forward from the back and even when they pumped it into the box, he stood firm. Showed he can move across the deck as he got across to deny some of the nimble forwards just with good reading of the game. Nearly got his first goal in the top flight but he was offside. Cannot be far off getting England recognition.
Egan 7.5/10 – Another rock-solid performance. He was unlucky not to get a goal (technically correct) and as I said last week loves a hand ball! This one was a bit more unlucky though as he knew little about it really! Thought that he won so many headers especially at the end when they started to go longer. However, he dealt with some really skilful forwards really well – all have a low centre of gravity but he did not dive it and just made sure he got the blocks he needed.
Norwood 7/10 – Thought he was vital in the good things we did, helping move the ball on and shielding the front of the defence. A few misplaced passes or little give aways but thought he did a lot of good defensive work. He got in the right area to stop some dangerous midfielders coming through the middle and forcing them to go wide. He sat in and did a really disciplined job and I felt we were nice and compact and they never really threatened to get through us – something Potter’s Swansea did quite a bit last time.
Lundstram 7/10 – Decent workmanlike performance. First half he was our most involved midfielder and got on it and moved it around nicely. Also, two or three times got ahead of the striker/s and got in good areas and nearly got a chance of a shot from Didzy ball. Moved it off quickly and with accuracy when he was passing it and worked hard to tackle and press also to help them give it away. Second half more of a defensive role really but he did this well and limited much penetration from the middle of the park. Also did not get booked – one foul first half and I was worried but was quite early and they had done one that had not been a yellow so got away with it.
Freeman 6.5/10 – Worked hard for the team and neat and tidy when he did have it but did not get involved enough for me. He did put a good corner in for the Egan ‘no goal.’ He was ok to start the game but we did not see anything in terms of penetration or creativity and maybe was a bit safe but we controlled the first half so maybe that is a bit harsh and he did more of a flat midfield job. I just wanted to see a bit more of him on the ball. He looked frustrated to come off but I saw probably the same as Wilder in them starting to dominate the ball in that area and go through us a bit more.
McGoldrick 7.5/10 – His overall performance was more like an 8 or 8.5. Might have been the man of the match despite the miss! Superb on the ball, linked play, some exquisite balls and a joy to watch. He worked hard and got back and won challenges (one he got wrong and got booked) and was once again instrumental to all our good play. One ball to Lundstram was a delight and should have been a good chance. However, he missed two big chances again. The second was on the angle but he did not hit the target and never looked confident as he lobbed it over. The first one was a sitter. He did the hard work, winning the ball and rounded the keeper and you thought goal but then he somehow puts it wide. It was incredible. It was far easier to score. He has a real mental block in front of goal. You just hope Boxing Day the moment comes for him. I could have cried when he missed but luckily it did not come back to haunt us. Love the guy to bits and hope he gets the goal at some point but he won’t get a better chance than that.
McBurnie 7.5/10 – The matchwinner. He looked lively early on, holding it up and linking well. He then got in and took his goal superbly. He showed real composure, taking his time and waiting before clipping in off the near post. Expertly taken with no rush and just calm and clinical. After this he linked well and worked hard and was neat and tidy. He tired a bit second half and we went for the extra pace up top and this did help us a bit with Mousse getting on some balls and getting us up the field. McBurnie has played really well the last 3 games either as sub or starting and seems to be settling into what we want of him. We will no doubt rotate him and Mousse for the next few.
Subs –
Osborn 6.5/10 – Brought on quite early for Freeman and clearly needed to give us more running and legs in this area. He did an ok job for the team but the lad who came on for them bounced off him a few times and he seemed a bit full stretch. Put one nice ball in for Didzy over the top for the second chance and was neater and more composed at the end when we were seeing it out.
Mousset – Came on and ran around for a bit and had one great run where he slalomed past a couple but fired just over. After this he was just chasing things and we defended more. A few times I wanted him to put a bit more in but he also helped get us up the field a bit more with his running and direct pace behind.
Besic – Brought on to help see things out and got a few blocks in or helped us keep it.
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Manager Wilder 8/10 – Tactically you could argue he has lost his battles against Potter and he would have remembered the league double last season and wanted to get it right. Today, he won the battle in this regard. Brighton changed their formation to a three early on after we had controlled things and then changed again…and again with subs used very early and they went gung-ho with three up top and it became a bit ragged and desperate for Brighton. We take our chances and it is game over. They were always in it at 1-0 but in truth the subs were the right time (even if you see a drop off). He went for Freeman for Fleck and not sure him or Osborn were great on it but did ok off the ball. Another fantastic classic away performance where he will be so proud of the shape of the team.
Brighton – Watched them in the week and they were great. Today, they looked a different side. Another team that has an off day against us?! They barely kept the ball for more than 3 or 4 passes, barely penetrated and never really looked like creating much. We dominated early on, got the goal and then kept a solid, organised shape. We had chances to make it 2-0 second half early on and then they had a lot of the ball and threw men forward but never put anything consistent together in terms of intricate play or got through us. They just ran out of ideas and ended up hitting high balls up and chucking some of the big lads forward from the back which you expect. I have seen a slick, high energy, pressing side this season with good ball playing defenders who come out from the back and creative lads in midfield and a goal scorer up top in Maupay.
Today, they looked nowhere near that side as they could not find a way through a side that looked probably like them but better at it. Potter has done a good job there and don’t expect them to be anywhere near the bottom and to his credit has got them playing a totally different and more attractive way than Hughton, in a fairly limited time too. He has had money and another squad with more depth and expenditure invested into it.
These sort of games are the big ones for both teams so for United to beat the likes of Brighton, Villa and Norwich is really important. Brighton now go to Spurs so it’s the sort of week where they could be looking over their shoulders suddenly but like us have some underrated players, solid pros, play good football (not today) and a good manager. They will be fine I think and may finish anything from half way to 15th/16th.
Opponent Man of the Match – I am not sure anyone was that great. I was glad Bissouma was left out as liked the look of him in the week and he looked a threat when he came on (cheating aside). I felt he would have caused us more issues than the workmanlike Stephens. The lad Connolly at least had a shot on goal and looked a bit of a threat but only bit. The best player by a mile was
Opponent Weak link – The defence looked really slow and quite immobile. The goal came from poor defending and then another chance came when McGoldrick dithered. Dunk and Webster are solid defenders and like ours, they are underrated but today our defence was far superior and did not make the mistakes they did. Maupay was really quite today and Ironic all the talk about the bigger impact Maupay has allegedly had (in goals he has scored at least) and then McBurnie outshines him today. The main weak link might be the keeper. Ryan is normally quite solid but he basically gave us two goals that fortunately for him were chalked off. Not sure he had much chance on the goal though as it went in right off the post. Gross and Trossard are really good players and the former makes them tick but today he was not at it. Trossard also was marshalled well and went off.
Referee/Officials/VAR – Both VAR decisions were correct according to the rules. Like Merson said on Sky not sure I like the new handball rule as it means that any contact is handball but not sure why it seems different to the attacking team to the defensive team (Ward Prowse against us and a few others in other games not been given). It seems quite inconsistent in terms of the rules. I am not sure Egan could do much about it but the rules say it is an offence. The second was well offside sadly but again took too long to decide. Think they were checking if the flick had come off a Brighton player instead of Egan. Disappointing both centre backs thought they had scored but the second one I did not really celebrate at all and kind of knew. The first felt a bit different. It does seem like the VAR are going against us but technically both are correct. Other than the Basham red car overturn and the McBurnie one at Man Utd one we are about 6 or 7 down I think and seem to be one of the most affected adversely.
I felt the ref, Robert Jones, was ok for most part. The bookings for us and them were right. He got the dive spot on when their lad tried to cheat. Most of the other decisions were ok. Felt a few soft ones were given for Maupay and remember him being the same for Brentford in terms of hitting the deck. As Wilder said in the week, there is a lot of gamesmanship that other teams are doing and ours are not. McGoldrick gets elbowed into the chest near the end and nothing was given. Also saw several foul throws. One Mooy did was incredible. So overall, they had maybe the lions share of decisions but the referee overall was quite good and I am nit-picking really. It was his first game and the assessors will be quite impressed.
