Post by deadbat on Feb 9, 2020 21:35:01 GMT
Another week, another win as the Blades saw off Bournemouth to move up to 5th in the Premier League after United came from behind to beat the Cherries in a wet and windy Bramall Lane. United were not quite at their best but battled back from Callum Wilson’s goal to level via Billy Sharp and then after an improved second half, the Blades got the vital late goal when John Lundstram scored after a lovely team move in the build-up before the midfielder successfully converted past former United keeper Ramsdale.
It was a difficult afternoon for both teams in testing weather conditions but in the end the two sides managed to ensure there was a decent game of football played out. In the end, it was a vital three points for the home side who did just about enough to get the deserved three points.
United kept an unchanged team to start the game with Sander Berge making his home debut. Retsos was on the bench along with the returning McGoldrick. Bournemouth had two former Blades, with Aaron Ramsdale in goal and Simon Francis captaining the visitors.
The game began with both sides trying to adjust the difficult weather but United made inroads with a decent move which saw O’Connell find McBurnie whose pull back to Fleck saw his shot blocked by Francis. Fraser nearly got in at the other end but Baldock blocked his effort. Wilson then headed over from a decent chance. The same player screwed wide after a free kick effort came in as the visitors started to come into it. United had been sloppy on the ball and the away side had started to advance deep into the Blades territory. It was not a massive surprise when Bournemouth took the lead. Berge gave the ball away and Rico’s cross was stabbed goalwards by Wilson and the whilst the first effort was blocked CALLUM WILSON was first to the rebound to steer into the roof of the net.
Straight from the kick off Egan gave the ball away and the visitors were nearly in again as the home crowd began to voice their frustration but slowly the Blades started to come back and after Stevens got on the end of McBurnie’s ball, Sharp had a snap shot into the side netting. United started to finally find some life and some decent football led to a corner. Egan headed across but O’Connell nodded over. Soon after, a decent move saw Stevens and Sharp involved and it fell for McBurnie whose effort was saved by Ramsdale as it looped to the far post.
Stevens was booked for a fairly innocuous foul on Harry Wilson whose penchant for hitting the deck was frustrating the Blades fans. United had started the game slowly but were finishing the half strongly and a decent spell saw Norwood’s deflected effort deflected just went wide. McBurnie then had an effort saved from Ramsdale as the Blades really started to turn the screw and it was no surprise when United got level. From a corner, Berge kept it alive, Ramsdale’s punch did not get enough distance and Stevens drilled his cross over and McBurnie’s first effort was blocked. SHARP reacted first and slammed it home and United were level.
After this, the home side surged forward and appeals for a free kick on Baldock were waved away as United ended the half in the ascendancy before the half time whistle came.
United had ended the first half strong and continued in the same vein as the early pressure came from the Blades. McBurnie’s header saw Sharp onto the ball but his low shot was saved by Ramsdale for a corner. Basham and Baldock combined and McBurnie could not quite get on the ball across as the Blades really started to turn the screw. A flashpoint occurred when Egan and Gosling challenged and manager Wilder got involved in the ensuing fracas as he took umbridge to Surman’s theatrics in the melee. Both player and manager were booked.
Lundstram came on for Berge as the Norwegian departed to warm applause after his home debut.
Bournemouth had offered little but a rare chance saw Ake fire wide from a corner and then an even better chance came as Harry Wilson and Callum Wilson combined and Fraser hit a powerful effort which Henderson did brilliantly to beat away.
King came on for Harry Wilson before Sharp gave way to Mousset as the game entered the final 15 minutes. The sub almost had an instant impact when Baldock did well crossing over and both McBurnie’s effort was blocked and then Mousset reacted to the rebound but his shot was also blocked.
With six minutes remaining, the vital breakthrough came from the Blades. It came from a throw in from Stevens who returned passes with Fleck and then fed Mousset whose pass found LUNDSTRAM whose first touch with his right foot, switched it onto his left foot for the lovely side foot finish with his right foot past Ramsdale and into the corner of the net. The Kop went berserk behind the goal as United fans celebrated a huge goal in terms of point to maintain their place at the top level and the race for European places!
Stanislas was on for Fraser and Solanke for Surman as the visitors tried to salvage something from the game. Bournemouth won a free kick from a Mousset foul and yellow card. Henderson punched clear and then Mousset sliced over his own bar and Ake headed wide from the set play. The game entered a final four minutes stoppage time.
United saw time out well and McBurnie’s lung bursting run saw Francis scythe him down to kill more time. Soon after the final whistle went and the Blades players and fans alike celebrated another huge three points as the incredible season carried on with no end in sight for this remarkable journey.
United – Much like last week at Palace, it was not a vintage performance. In difficult conditions, we gutted another one out. First half we actually started slowly and they were the better side. They had more of the ball and our midfield sat off. We did not keep the ball well and they had more of it and started to have some half chances. We had a few let offs and they had some opportunities but we also had some chances too with a few blocked efforts. Not sure our midfield got on the ball or pressed them enough and they really did press us right from the front to the top. They got amongst us and made It difficult for us. We never got our passing game going and they were right in it. It was not a surprise when they scored as they had a few efforts. Berge errored in the build up but Egan and O’Connell had been similarly slack the first half hour as they played a lot of balls down the channels and cut out the area between the full back and centre back area. The goal saw a chance blocked but the rebound was swallowed up and finished well as only a half chance. After the kick off they nearly had another chance as our sloppy play continued.
After we broke out of our sloppy, slow play we suddenly started to find a foothold. We had a really good spell up to half time and after a few efforts on goal, finally a sustained spell saw us win a few corners and the ball was transferred back in and after the first shot was blocked, Billy was on the spot to convert. Weird how his two goals at this level were both against Bournemouth and really similar how they were converted. We ended the half really well and another 5 minutes and we might have led.
We continued where we left off after half time and started to pin them back and we had all the play with Basham, Baldock and Stevens surging forward more. Bournemouth were now struggling to hold back the wave of pressure. Norwood and Fleck started to get more involved and the Blades looked more likely with a few chances blocked from sub Mousse and McBurnie. Still for all the decent and improved play, Ake hooked wide and then Henderson made a really good save from Fraser with a rare break. United still for me looked the more likely side and after slowly but surely, the Blades started to push the Cherries back and the goal when it came was a lovely move. From a throw, some decent interchange saw Stevens and then Mousset involved and the finish from Lunny was superb. Such quick feet and calmness when it mattered. The last two games he has made a big impact and the Berge signing has seen him up his game so show the effect of competition.
We saw out the final spell well with MacBurnie superb in his work ethic and football intelligence running things down more than once. The ovation at full time was superb and the togetherness from on and off the field was clearly apparent on full time. The Kop sang half in seriousness and half in jest, ‘The Blades are staying up and now you’re going to believe us!’ With 39 points it seems quite certain United will be playing another season at this level next year and now they can focus on other targets. A top half finish, Europa League or even Champions League places. The journey is incredible and you just keep pinching yourself. The last few games we have not quite seen the free-flowing football of earlier in the season but we have done enough to win games and we keep showing incredible belief and will to win. Other teams don’t have this extra bit we have. We seem to just have the togetherness when it matters in all areas of the field. The winner today was a lovely goal but equally important was the desire of defenders to head it clear or McBurrnie’s desire to chase balls down.
Lots of players could do better with and without the ball today and not sure we were totally convincing but we did enough and once again we showed that desire and belief many other teams don’t have. It’s a privilege to watch this team, this group, this manager. Just soak it in Blades. Who knows where it may end up? Just enjoy it. Two more home games to come and then Newcastle away. Keep these levels of effort and application up and you never know. The unthinkable may come reality.
Ratings:
Henderson 7/10 – Odd game really. Little chance on the goal as it came back and was slammed in. After this he made a superb save from Fraser but also punched it out a lot and some he really should have caught. However, Ramsdale also did the same and on one cost them a goal. His kicking was poor although he got put under pressure a few times also but he either struggled to hit half way or hit out out. That is the one part of the game where he needs to improve.
Baldock 7.5/10 – Started the game defending more than normal and was pushed back as they had the best of the first half hour. Slowly he started to come into the game and second half he was attacking a lot more and put in some great crosses which nearly led to good chances – one where McBurnie and Mousset were blocked. Some good defensive interceptions at the end and real calmness when he headed back to Henderson. Been a revelation this season. If England did not have Trent Alexander Arnold, Trippier and Walker; he would be in the squad for me.
Stevens 7/10 – First half defending more and a few times he got caught with that ball between the centre backs and wing back and they had a few half chances in this area. However, came out more near the end of the half and he put in a driven cross which led to the goal after the first shot was blocked. Second half definitely came forward more as Fleck got more into the game and we attacked down both flanks with more gusto.
Basham 8/10 – Sharp got man of the match but Bash took it for me. Another superb performance. As a few did not quite hit the heights round him, he maintained his supreme standards all game. After they scored, he started to drive us forward. So many attacks came from his runs and ability to run at the defence. He really started to cause them problems and allow us to get more men forward and we suddenly penned them back. At the end showed tenacity and ability to see off a few attacks with his reading of the game. For me, his is the player of the season. Took his game up a level and another level and another. Playing out of his skin. Tremendous.
O’Connell 6/10 – A rare off day. He never as quite at it today. They played a lot of balls down that channel area. They had a few chances from this. Thought he was quite sloppy with the ball and not tight enough. He did have a few runs and crosses attacking wise but I just thought he was not coming onto the ball like he normally does. Even second half, he was a bit careless at times and they had half chances from our players not being as sure as they normally are. Towards the end got a few blocks/clearances in.
Egan 6/10 – Like O’Connell, felt he was slow to react to the ball inside or down the channel and they had a few chances from this. The goal came as we did not react on both the first or the second chance. He was given a lot of the ball but was quite languid with it and too slow to move it or sloppy in what he did, playing it behind or sideways lacking pace. His weakness with the ball was sadly apparent at times. He did improve second half with more desire to get to the ball.
Norwood 6.5/10 – Another one who was not quite at his best. He put in a few decent balls and driven set plays (no one got on the end of) but he was equally a bit wasteful. I felt first half they controlled midfield and we sat off and did not win the bits and pieces or have enough possession. Second half he played higher up the field and saw more of it but not sure he was as secure with the ball as he normally is.
Fleck 6/10 –As with Norwood, not sure he was really at it first half and felt he gave it away a lot or players ran past him too much. He was not really influencing things attacking wise and defensively the likes of Billing, Surman and Gosling had too much unopposed ball. Second half he did improve and we saw more driving runs and use of the ball but he still was sloppy in what he did (twice tossed it away after we led with nothing balls). He can play much better than that.
Berge 6/10 – Probably get hammered for this but thought he was our worst player in the first half in the sense he gave it away a lot and struggled to keep with the pace. He looks a quality player in his touch and awareness but the game looks a bit quick for him at the moment. He does not do enough defensively and the goal was down to him in some ways as he gave it away sloppily. He is a really good footballer and has a lovely touch and use of his body but not sure he is ready for the break neck speed of this league. He will get there I am sure but at the moment it is right to drip feed him in and the affect it has on Lundstram has been significant.
McBurnie 7.5/10 – Phenomenal work ethic all game. He really gave it his all. Had little service earlier in the game and fed on scraps but never stopped running. He really gave an incredible amount of effort. Had a few half chances and a header saved and another blocked but he never stopped running. Second half he continued his desire and hold up. A really good footballer and chased so many lost causes. Nearly scored with a blocked effort and then at the end the run where he bought a free kick summed up his desire. His reaction at the end showed how much he has bought into things. Improving every game and another who sums up our desire and underrated ability.
Sharp 7/10 – Worked hard as we struggled to get a foothold early on but slowly started to win a few balls and free kicks and then of course was on the spot to score. He had another decent effort saved and kept working hard. Looked disappointed to come off and was not down to him playing badly but we needed some more pace to stretch them and it worked. Great to see him a major contributor and back in the goals.
Subs –
Lundstram 7.5/10 – Like last week, he came on and made an impact. His first touch saw him clumsily flick it out of play but he started to get into the game and was involved in a few attacks and then of course the goal, a great run, first touch and then instant second to finish. Showed his ability to use both feet. Had a spell out of the team and really upped his game since he was benched and Berge came in. Might get the start v Brighton now.
Mousset – As always came on and gave us life running between the lines and helping us push a team up the pitch. Nearly scored with a blocked effort and showed decent hold up and then a lovely cushioned pass for the goal. Gave away a daft yellow and foul and the skewed over his own bar in an odd spell but in the end helped us get the win and looked delighted to put one over his old team who are going very definitely in a different direction to us.
Manager Wilder 7.5/10 – Debated with others how much he had in deciding the game went ahead. I thought that as City had postponed, we easily could have done and surely club officials could have cited health and safety long before any referee got involved who would have deemed the pitch fine anyway. The fact he probably wanted it to go ahead summed up his gritty, winning mentality. He did not even want a winter break. Proper old school. Although after half an hour maybe he may have thought differently but slowly we chipped away and got back into it and I thought second half we looked the more likely for most of it and got a lovely winner. Another huge three points. The subs were perfect again and helped us go on and win with both being involved in the vital goal. 39 points and now surely safe, we can look at next targets. The job he has done has been incredible. Simply sensational. The last few weeks, the football has not been quite the level it had been but we have shown resolve and desire and showed the quality we need at vital moments to get the goals/points. We now have a well-deserved rest and some more time for the new recruits to settle into the group and then two more home games which are very much winnable. I cannot say enough about our manager. He had led this group to something I did not think was possible. All I can say is, ‘Thank you!’
Bournemouth – First half actually for 30 minutes they pressed, competed and battled. They were the better side and had a few chances and restricted us to little. The midfield won things and they pressed us high up. Both Wilson’s and Fraser caused problems with that ball down the channel between the centre backs and wing backs. It was not a massive shock when they scored converting from an initial shot blocked. They nearly scored again and you could see the confidence rising. However, United came back and had a really good end to the half with numerous chances and Sharp scored and suddenly the game changed.
Second half the confidence that they have struggled with started to erode and you felt them thinking almost let’s get a point. They sat back and United had more of the play and you felt if anyone would score it would be us but then suddenly out of nothing, they had a great chance and Henderson made the save. After this though, United started to come again and you always felt we might nick the winner and so it proved. Once the Lundstram goal went in, Bournemouth did not really have any clear chances, maybe an Ake header wide but they never got up any real headway as they only had 10 minutes to salvage anything. They have had two recent wins but you sensed second half the fragility emerges after they had been decent for 30 minutes. They looked very tired second half as we attacked with numbers and looked full stretch to hold us back but could not hold on.
Wilson up top is a threat and his namesake is a decent player but he goes to deck too much, as does Fraser. They have some decent players and probably are better as a squad (injuries not helped) than 5th from bottom but that is where they are at. They give sloppy goals away at the back and don’t score enough the other way. They are in a dog fight and have a horrible run in if you look at their fixtures. They may struggle to stay out of it. Villa and West Ham have a few more flair players that may see them sneak the odd win here and there. I would not be shocked to see them go down.
Opponent Man of the Match – Callum Wilson scored a decent finish showing good instincts and Harry was decent at times despite looking for fouls too much. Fraser was being talked about a move to the top teams last season but has regressed this year and he too was constantly on the floor instead of getting on with the game. Surman and Gosling played well first half snapping away but faded away. Solanke and King came on and one of them has to help Wilson with some goals. I actually thought their best player was Billing. Strong, decent on the ball and got about the field.
Opponent Weak link – At the back they look like conceding a lot and Smith and Rico were struggling second half. Ramsdale has done really well this season but was poor on the first goal with a weak punch. Maybe their poorest player was former Blade Francis. He is not a centre back for me and I felt Sharp and then Mousset caused him real problems. He looked slow and ponderous and made mistakes.
Referee/Officials/VAR – Jon Moss is so slow and unfit. He is always behind the play and simply cannot keep up. He was miles behind and ended up guessing decisions a lot. There were five bookings and not really sure there was a bad foul all game. They chucked themselves to the floor a lot. Wilson (H) and Fraser were particularly pathetic as they looked for free kicks from little contact. He was so far behind that he could not have any idea which was a foul and which was not. All the officials kept letting throws be taken from the wrong spot and free kicks were constantly taken from too far forward.
Also, the way Callum Wilson kept standing in front of Henderson as he kicked it was never penalised all game. That is a clear offence but Moss just gave nothing. I am not a fan of Moss and never have been. He always seems like a referee who is just not quite up with the energy/pace of games at this level. Maybe he got nothing badly wrong in the context of the game that affected the result but he is not a ref I rate.
Crowd/Atmosphere etc – 30,361 which was superb considering the weather. Bournemouth only brought only around 400 fans tops. It was the smallest away following of the season. United fans took a while to get going and the bad weather maybe did not help bit slowly after the Sharp goal, we started to find new life on and off the field. You felt the fans lift us and the team responded and you always sensed a second goal coming. The roof almost came off when we scored and then the fans willed us onto the win and a great noise on the final whistle.
It was a difficult afternoon for both teams in testing weather conditions but in the end the two sides managed to ensure there was a decent game of football played out. In the end, it was a vital three points for the home side who did just about enough to get the deserved three points.
United kept an unchanged team to start the game with Sander Berge making his home debut. Retsos was on the bench along with the returning McGoldrick. Bournemouth had two former Blades, with Aaron Ramsdale in goal and Simon Francis captaining the visitors.
The game began with both sides trying to adjust the difficult weather but United made inroads with a decent move which saw O’Connell find McBurnie whose pull back to Fleck saw his shot blocked by Francis. Fraser nearly got in at the other end but Baldock blocked his effort. Wilson then headed over from a decent chance. The same player screwed wide after a free kick effort came in as the visitors started to come into it. United had been sloppy on the ball and the away side had started to advance deep into the Blades territory. It was not a massive surprise when Bournemouth took the lead. Berge gave the ball away and Rico’s cross was stabbed goalwards by Wilson and the whilst the first effort was blocked CALLUM WILSON was first to the rebound to steer into the roof of the net.
Straight from the kick off Egan gave the ball away and the visitors were nearly in again as the home crowd began to voice their frustration but slowly the Blades started to come back and after Stevens got on the end of McBurnie’s ball, Sharp had a snap shot into the side netting. United started to finally find some life and some decent football led to a corner. Egan headed across but O’Connell nodded over. Soon after, a decent move saw Stevens and Sharp involved and it fell for McBurnie whose effort was saved by Ramsdale as it looped to the far post.
Stevens was booked for a fairly innocuous foul on Harry Wilson whose penchant for hitting the deck was frustrating the Blades fans. United had started the game slowly but were finishing the half strongly and a decent spell saw Norwood’s deflected effort deflected just went wide. McBurnie then had an effort saved from Ramsdale as the Blades really started to turn the screw and it was no surprise when United got level. From a corner, Berge kept it alive, Ramsdale’s punch did not get enough distance and Stevens drilled his cross over and McBurnie’s first effort was blocked. SHARP reacted first and slammed it home and United were level.
After this, the home side surged forward and appeals for a free kick on Baldock were waved away as United ended the half in the ascendancy before the half time whistle came.
United had ended the first half strong and continued in the same vein as the early pressure came from the Blades. McBurnie’s header saw Sharp onto the ball but his low shot was saved by Ramsdale for a corner. Basham and Baldock combined and McBurnie could not quite get on the ball across as the Blades really started to turn the screw. A flashpoint occurred when Egan and Gosling challenged and manager Wilder got involved in the ensuing fracas as he took umbridge to Surman’s theatrics in the melee. Both player and manager were booked.
Lundstram came on for Berge as the Norwegian departed to warm applause after his home debut.
Bournemouth had offered little but a rare chance saw Ake fire wide from a corner and then an even better chance came as Harry Wilson and Callum Wilson combined and Fraser hit a powerful effort which Henderson did brilliantly to beat away.
King came on for Harry Wilson before Sharp gave way to Mousset as the game entered the final 15 minutes. The sub almost had an instant impact when Baldock did well crossing over and both McBurnie’s effort was blocked and then Mousset reacted to the rebound but his shot was also blocked.
With six minutes remaining, the vital breakthrough came from the Blades. It came from a throw in from Stevens who returned passes with Fleck and then fed Mousset whose pass found LUNDSTRAM whose first touch with his right foot, switched it onto his left foot for the lovely side foot finish with his right foot past Ramsdale and into the corner of the net. The Kop went berserk behind the goal as United fans celebrated a huge goal in terms of point to maintain their place at the top level and the race for European places!
Stanislas was on for Fraser and Solanke for Surman as the visitors tried to salvage something from the game. Bournemouth won a free kick from a Mousset foul and yellow card. Henderson punched clear and then Mousset sliced over his own bar and Ake headed wide from the set play. The game entered a final four minutes stoppage time.
United saw time out well and McBurnie’s lung bursting run saw Francis scythe him down to kill more time. Soon after the final whistle went and the Blades players and fans alike celebrated another huge three points as the incredible season carried on with no end in sight for this remarkable journey.
United – Much like last week at Palace, it was not a vintage performance. In difficult conditions, we gutted another one out. First half we actually started slowly and they were the better side. They had more of the ball and our midfield sat off. We did not keep the ball well and they had more of it and started to have some half chances. We had a few let offs and they had some opportunities but we also had some chances too with a few blocked efforts. Not sure our midfield got on the ball or pressed them enough and they really did press us right from the front to the top. They got amongst us and made It difficult for us. We never got our passing game going and they were right in it. It was not a surprise when they scored as they had a few efforts. Berge errored in the build up but Egan and O’Connell had been similarly slack the first half hour as they played a lot of balls down the channels and cut out the area between the full back and centre back area. The goal saw a chance blocked but the rebound was swallowed up and finished well as only a half chance. After the kick off they nearly had another chance as our sloppy play continued.
After we broke out of our sloppy, slow play we suddenly started to find a foothold. We had a really good spell up to half time and after a few efforts on goal, finally a sustained spell saw us win a few corners and the ball was transferred back in and after the first shot was blocked, Billy was on the spot to convert. Weird how his two goals at this level were both against Bournemouth and really similar how they were converted. We ended the half really well and another 5 minutes and we might have led.
We continued where we left off after half time and started to pin them back and we had all the play with Basham, Baldock and Stevens surging forward more. Bournemouth were now struggling to hold back the wave of pressure. Norwood and Fleck started to get more involved and the Blades looked more likely with a few chances blocked from sub Mousse and McBurnie. Still for all the decent and improved play, Ake hooked wide and then Henderson made a really good save from Fraser with a rare break. United still for me looked the more likely side and after slowly but surely, the Blades started to push the Cherries back and the goal when it came was a lovely move. From a throw, some decent interchange saw Stevens and then Mousset involved and the finish from Lunny was superb. Such quick feet and calmness when it mattered. The last two games he has made a big impact and the Berge signing has seen him up his game so show the effect of competition.
We saw out the final spell well with MacBurnie superb in his work ethic and football intelligence running things down more than once. The ovation at full time was superb and the togetherness from on and off the field was clearly apparent on full time. The Kop sang half in seriousness and half in jest, ‘The Blades are staying up and now you’re going to believe us!’ With 39 points it seems quite certain United will be playing another season at this level next year and now they can focus on other targets. A top half finish, Europa League or even Champions League places. The journey is incredible and you just keep pinching yourself. The last few games we have not quite seen the free-flowing football of earlier in the season but we have done enough to win games and we keep showing incredible belief and will to win. Other teams don’t have this extra bit we have. We seem to just have the togetherness when it matters in all areas of the field. The winner today was a lovely goal but equally important was the desire of defenders to head it clear or McBurrnie’s desire to chase balls down.
Lots of players could do better with and without the ball today and not sure we were totally convincing but we did enough and once again we showed that desire and belief many other teams don’t have. It’s a privilege to watch this team, this group, this manager. Just soak it in Blades. Who knows where it may end up? Just enjoy it. Two more home games to come and then Newcastle away. Keep these levels of effort and application up and you never know. The unthinkable may come reality.
Ratings:
Henderson 7/10 – Odd game really. Little chance on the goal as it came back and was slammed in. After this he made a superb save from Fraser but also punched it out a lot and some he really should have caught. However, Ramsdale also did the same and on one cost them a goal. His kicking was poor although he got put under pressure a few times also but he either struggled to hit half way or hit out out. That is the one part of the game where he needs to improve.
Baldock 7.5/10 – Started the game defending more than normal and was pushed back as they had the best of the first half hour. Slowly he started to come into the game and second half he was attacking a lot more and put in some great crosses which nearly led to good chances – one where McBurnie and Mousset were blocked. Some good defensive interceptions at the end and real calmness when he headed back to Henderson. Been a revelation this season. If England did not have Trent Alexander Arnold, Trippier and Walker; he would be in the squad for me.
Stevens 7/10 – First half defending more and a few times he got caught with that ball between the centre backs and wing back and they had a few half chances in this area. However, came out more near the end of the half and he put in a driven cross which led to the goal after the first shot was blocked. Second half definitely came forward more as Fleck got more into the game and we attacked down both flanks with more gusto.
Basham 8/10 – Sharp got man of the match but Bash took it for me. Another superb performance. As a few did not quite hit the heights round him, he maintained his supreme standards all game. After they scored, he started to drive us forward. So many attacks came from his runs and ability to run at the defence. He really started to cause them problems and allow us to get more men forward and we suddenly penned them back. At the end showed tenacity and ability to see off a few attacks with his reading of the game. For me, his is the player of the season. Took his game up a level and another level and another. Playing out of his skin. Tremendous.
O’Connell 6/10 – A rare off day. He never as quite at it today. They played a lot of balls down that channel area. They had a few chances from this. Thought he was quite sloppy with the ball and not tight enough. He did have a few runs and crosses attacking wise but I just thought he was not coming onto the ball like he normally does. Even second half, he was a bit careless at times and they had half chances from our players not being as sure as they normally are. Towards the end got a few blocks/clearances in.
Egan 6/10 – Like O’Connell, felt he was slow to react to the ball inside or down the channel and they had a few chances from this. The goal came as we did not react on both the first or the second chance. He was given a lot of the ball but was quite languid with it and too slow to move it or sloppy in what he did, playing it behind or sideways lacking pace. His weakness with the ball was sadly apparent at times. He did improve second half with more desire to get to the ball.
Norwood 6.5/10 – Another one who was not quite at his best. He put in a few decent balls and driven set plays (no one got on the end of) but he was equally a bit wasteful. I felt first half they controlled midfield and we sat off and did not win the bits and pieces or have enough possession. Second half he played higher up the field and saw more of it but not sure he was as secure with the ball as he normally is.
Fleck 6/10 –As with Norwood, not sure he was really at it first half and felt he gave it away a lot or players ran past him too much. He was not really influencing things attacking wise and defensively the likes of Billing, Surman and Gosling had too much unopposed ball. Second half he did improve and we saw more driving runs and use of the ball but he still was sloppy in what he did (twice tossed it away after we led with nothing balls). He can play much better than that.
Berge 6/10 – Probably get hammered for this but thought he was our worst player in the first half in the sense he gave it away a lot and struggled to keep with the pace. He looks a quality player in his touch and awareness but the game looks a bit quick for him at the moment. He does not do enough defensively and the goal was down to him in some ways as he gave it away sloppily. He is a really good footballer and has a lovely touch and use of his body but not sure he is ready for the break neck speed of this league. He will get there I am sure but at the moment it is right to drip feed him in and the affect it has on Lundstram has been significant.
McBurnie 7.5/10 – Phenomenal work ethic all game. He really gave it his all. Had little service earlier in the game and fed on scraps but never stopped running. He really gave an incredible amount of effort. Had a few half chances and a header saved and another blocked but he never stopped running. Second half he continued his desire and hold up. A really good footballer and chased so many lost causes. Nearly scored with a blocked effort and then at the end the run where he bought a free kick summed up his desire. His reaction at the end showed how much he has bought into things. Improving every game and another who sums up our desire and underrated ability.
Sharp 7/10 – Worked hard as we struggled to get a foothold early on but slowly started to win a few balls and free kicks and then of course was on the spot to score. He had another decent effort saved and kept working hard. Looked disappointed to come off and was not down to him playing badly but we needed some more pace to stretch them and it worked. Great to see him a major contributor and back in the goals.
Subs –
Lundstram 7.5/10 – Like last week, he came on and made an impact. His first touch saw him clumsily flick it out of play but he started to get into the game and was involved in a few attacks and then of course the goal, a great run, first touch and then instant second to finish. Showed his ability to use both feet. Had a spell out of the team and really upped his game since he was benched and Berge came in. Might get the start v Brighton now.
Mousset – As always came on and gave us life running between the lines and helping us push a team up the pitch. Nearly scored with a blocked effort and showed decent hold up and then a lovely cushioned pass for the goal. Gave away a daft yellow and foul and the skewed over his own bar in an odd spell but in the end helped us get the win and looked delighted to put one over his old team who are going very definitely in a different direction to us.
Manager Wilder 7.5/10 – Debated with others how much he had in deciding the game went ahead. I thought that as City had postponed, we easily could have done and surely club officials could have cited health and safety long before any referee got involved who would have deemed the pitch fine anyway. The fact he probably wanted it to go ahead summed up his gritty, winning mentality. He did not even want a winter break. Proper old school. Although after half an hour maybe he may have thought differently but slowly we chipped away and got back into it and I thought second half we looked the more likely for most of it and got a lovely winner. Another huge three points. The subs were perfect again and helped us go on and win with both being involved in the vital goal. 39 points and now surely safe, we can look at next targets. The job he has done has been incredible. Simply sensational. The last few weeks, the football has not been quite the level it had been but we have shown resolve and desire and showed the quality we need at vital moments to get the goals/points. We now have a well-deserved rest and some more time for the new recruits to settle into the group and then two more home games which are very much winnable. I cannot say enough about our manager. He had led this group to something I did not think was possible. All I can say is, ‘Thank you!’
Bournemouth – First half actually for 30 minutes they pressed, competed and battled. They were the better side and had a few chances and restricted us to little. The midfield won things and they pressed us high up. Both Wilson’s and Fraser caused problems with that ball down the channel between the centre backs and wing backs. It was not a massive shock when they scored converting from an initial shot blocked. They nearly scored again and you could see the confidence rising. However, United came back and had a really good end to the half with numerous chances and Sharp scored and suddenly the game changed.
Second half the confidence that they have struggled with started to erode and you felt them thinking almost let’s get a point. They sat back and United had more of the play and you felt if anyone would score it would be us but then suddenly out of nothing, they had a great chance and Henderson made the save. After this though, United started to come again and you always felt we might nick the winner and so it proved. Once the Lundstram goal went in, Bournemouth did not really have any clear chances, maybe an Ake header wide but they never got up any real headway as they only had 10 minutes to salvage anything. They have had two recent wins but you sensed second half the fragility emerges after they had been decent for 30 minutes. They looked very tired second half as we attacked with numbers and looked full stretch to hold us back but could not hold on.
Wilson up top is a threat and his namesake is a decent player but he goes to deck too much, as does Fraser. They have some decent players and probably are better as a squad (injuries not helped) than 5th from bottom but that is where they are at. They give sloppy goals away at the back and don’t score enough the other way. They are in a dog fight and have a horrible run in if you look at their fixtures. They may struggle to stay out of it. Villa and West Ham have a few more flair players that may see them sneak the odd win here and there. I would not be shocked to see them go down.
Opponent Man of the Match – Callum Wilson scored a decent finish showing good instincts and Harry was decent at times despite looking for fouls too much. Fraser was being talked about a move to the top teams last season but has regressed this year and he too was constantly on the floor instead of getting on with the game. Surman and Gosling played well first half snapping away but faded away. Solanke and King came on and one of them has to help Wilson with some goals. I actually thought their best player was Billing. Strong, decent on the ball and got about the field.
Opponent Weak link – At the back they look like conceding a lot and Smith and Rico were struggling second half. Ramsdale has done really well this season but was poor on the first goal with a weak punch. Maybe their poorest player was former Blade Francis. He is not a centre back for me and I felt Sharp and then Mousset caused him real problems. He looked slow and ponderous and made mistakes.
Referee/Officials/VAR – Jon Moss is so slow and unfit. He is always behind the play and simply cannot keep up. He was miles behind and ended up guessing decisions a lot. There were five bookings and not really sure there was a bad foul all game. They chucked themselves to the floor a lot. Wilson (H) and Fraser were particularly pathetic as they looked for free kicks from little contact. He was so far behind that he could not have any idea which was a foul and which was not. All the officials kept letting throws be taken from the wrong spot and free kicks were constantly taken from too far forward.
Also, the way Callum Wilson kept standing in front of Henderson as he kicked it was never penalised all game. That is a clear offence but Moss just gave nothing. I am not a fan of Moss and never have been. He always seems like a referee who is just not quite up with the energy/pace of games at this level. Maybe he got nothing badly wrong in the context of the game that affected the result but he is not a ref I rate.
Crowd/Atmosphere etc – 30,361 which was superb considering the weather. Bournemouth only brought only around 400 fans tops. It was the smallest away following of the season. United fans took a while to get going and the bad weather maybe did not help bit slowly after the Sharp goal, we started to find new life on and off the field. You felt the fans lift us and the team responded and you always sensed a second goal coming. The roof almost came off when we scored and then the fans willed us onto the win and a great noise on the final whistle.
