Post by deadbat on Jun 21, 2020 16:56:16 GMT
The Blades had the opportunity to move up to 5th place but failed to take advantage as they crashed to defeat on Tyneside as Newcastle won their opening game since the break. United were once again second best for the second consecutive game since coming back. In truth, they were inferior with eleven v eleven. After John Egan was sent off though, United imploded conceding three goals without reply and in truth look a shadow of the side we have seen all season. It has to be a concern that two very winnable games against two poor sides has seen United not even have a shot on target. With Egan suspended and O’Connell injured, along with Dean Henderson ineligible, then United have to go to Old Trafford for a crunch game without the spine of the defence.
John Fleck was back but there was still no Jack O’Connell for United. Sander Berge was preferred ahead of John Lundstram in the starting eleven. There was no place for David McGoldrick in the match day squad after he appeared to pick up a knock at Villa in the week after coming on as sub.
Amidst lots of speculation over a takeover, Steve Bruce began with Joelinton starting up top with Saint Maximim and Almiron supplanting him. Shelvey, Hayden and Ritchie stated in midfield. Carroll, Gayle and Bentaleb were on the bench.
United began well and moved it about and worked it down the right-hand side with Baldock heavily involved winning an early free kick after combining with Berge. Norwood had a couple of free kicks and corners but these dangerous balls were cleared. United had seemed more assertive moving the ball quicker in the early stages and controlled the opening 10 minutes although they had not forced any chances at all with Sharp and McBurnie quiet. The Scottish striker did almost slip in Berge but he miscontrolled it and the ball drifted out.
Newcastle slowly started to force their way back into it with Saint-Maximin looking to get on it at every opportunity. A corner saw a mass scramble and somehow the Blades got it clear but the rest bite was not long. Soon after, Norwood gave the ball straight to an opponent and it was moved onto Ritchie who hit a powerful shot that saw Henderson spring to his left and make the first save of the game.
United tried to come out from an attack down the right fabulous work from Saint-Maximin saw him break the lines with a lovely pass and then the ball was through from Almiron for Joelinton to beat the offside trap. In on the angle, he cut in but seemed to kick the ball with his heel and it weakly trickled to Henderson at his near post when he surely had to try and go across the goalkeeper.
Egan and Joelinton were both booked for coming together after a free kick had been given to United. It may have been soft but no need for either player to get involved really.
Norwood continued his erratic performance and with Fleck quiet and Berge again looking very timid, the midfield battle was being won in terms of effective territory by the home team. United had not really done anything of note save for a few runs down the right by Baldock.
The home side were now the better side and were forcing United back. Almiron nearly got in as he outpaced Egan but the centre back got back to make the tackle. Then a shot was charged down by the same man with token appeals for handball from Shelvey who hit the shot.
United had not looked like scoring but the main threat Baldock got a cross over and Sharp volleyed well over falling back.
Robinson miskicked badly out for a corner which the Blades cleared. It had been sloppy from the visitors and whilst the home team were not much better, they edged things and looked the more dangerous with Saint Maximin the only player showing the only real attacking threat on the field.
United had a few decent moments with Basham twice running forward but making the wrong choice at the end. Another corner from Norwood was cleared after a ricochet but the front two were yet to really make any impact.
The final few minutes petered out with the concern for United the tempo of play and no sustained pressure or chances at all in the opposition half.
The second half saw Newcastle being stronger again and look more determined with Saint Maximin forcing the Blades back. However, the game turned on a refereeing decision on 50 minutes. A long punt that has been an issue for United saw Egan left one on one with Joelinton. The striker got the better of him and Egan pulled him back. He was the last man and no one was on the cover so there was concern his could have been a red alone but it did not matter as he had already picked up that first half yellow and off, he went.
United did not even have chance to regroup before another defensive howler cost them badly again. An innocuous through ball from Ritchie seemed easy for Stevens but his inability to use his right foot even in simple situations cost him as he tried to swing at it with his left and completely missed it. Saint Maximin was in on the angle and hit it low past Henderson who maybe did not cover his near post and opted to go with his feet. Undoubtedly the main error was Stevens. 1-0 and with ten men, it was an uphill task now.
However, on the hour mark, Sharp should have scored when Baldock put a cross in and Sharp headed wide. This was the best and maybe only clear chance for United in the games so far. At the other end though, Newcastle also should have scored. Stevens was skinned again and the ball came across Almiron had to score but his weak effort is saved easily from Henderson.
Lundstram came on for Berge but with 20 minutes left it was game over. Another poor pass saw the ball come off Mcburnie and Norwood did not react or run back. Baldock backpedalled and RITCHIE hit a fierce drive that went through Baldock and with Henderson’s positionally suspect, the ball arrowed into the net.
It was now damage limitation for a really poor United side who were slow, sluggish and sloppy in possession. Still they did have a chance as Sharp did well running down the line and pulling back but Stevens day was summed up as he lashed it high and wide.
Zivkovic and Freeman came on for Sharp and Fleck but the game was done really and to add insult to injury, JOELINTON got the third. Almiron got down the left and with no challenge ran all the way, squared across and nobody went with the striker who easily converted. He may have been derided but he had been more effective than any of the United frontmen forcing a red card and scoring a goal.
Freeman came on for McBurnie and United looked a disorganised mess as the game came to an end although more good work from Basham nearly fashioned a chance. The game ended with Newcastle on the attack once more in a thoroughly comprehensive win for the home side.
United – There will be a lot of different takes on this. Loads of fans will go over the top and slam the side. Some will criticise those saying it is one game and look at the bigger picture. In reality, both are right. We have had a fantastic season and surpassed expectations. These players don’t deserve to be thrown under the bus. We have not seen that hardly ever from them at all in 2 or 3 seasons. However, equally there is nothing wrong with criticising that performance. It was an appalling showing. Individually and collectively. There is also nothing wrong with saying that is a rarity (although I will caution, we were not great in the week either) and having some faith in Wilder and the team. This side have not done that very often and players who have been excellent have not performed like that at all. What is worrying is that so many have been off it these first two games. We have looked sloppy at the back, not kept it in midfield, not attacked with purpose and rarely looked like having a meaningful attack let alone attempt on goal. All those who said we would be bang at it and fitter/hungrier than the rest now look a bit daft. We have looked the most unfit and least prepared side (Norwich could contend) on the game so far. We have looked so far off the side we saw before the break and from a team that had all the momentum, we look a bit of a disorganised mess with no clear plan. Basic errors have not helped but we do look woefully unfit and those errors often come in when you have heavy legs or are not physically right. Newcastle and Villa are two really poor teams and have got through us quite easily really. That is a worry and also defensively they have coped with us quite easily.
A lot will criticise individuals and I will below as I mark players but it is the collective team ethos that has got us where we wanted to be. Today we had 3 departments and there was no team work or cohesion at all. No-one helped each other, we did not have players close to each other and we gave up all too easily. There was nobody rallying the team and we looked devoid of spirit. We know that is not the case of course as this team has all those qualities in abundance but today (and to some extent in the week) we look like a team lacking belief. It’s odd as they are not the sort of group who normally believe their own hype but a few players really need to realise what an opportunity they have. They have worked so hard to get here, so it would be a huge shame to chuck it all away in 2 or 3 weeks. We will see how they respond in the week but we face a pivotal week now. If we lose to Man Utd and Arsenal then the season is not over but it becomes a tough task to salvage anything and you worry it all might peter out. Typically, Wilder’s teams have responded so we will see what happens but we have quite a few players missing and no one outside of Bash has come back with any sort of form at all. It’s so quick the games, that they have to find something from somewhere or a fantastic season can suddenly just disappear. I really don’t want us to that team that did so well and then after the lockdown completely fell away and finished bottom half but if the performances carry on in the same vein as the first two that will happen. I fully trust Wilder to get a reaction over the final games and somehow galvanise the team.
Ratings:
Henderson 5/10 – Made one routine save early on which still needed saving. A few looped kick outs with his left foot and then a save – an easier one from the Joelinton miss. Fine first half. Second half like with the rest he could have done much better. The second he does not get across for me and then goes with his feet and was unbalanced when he should have had his body down. The second goal he was not far across and then barely moved. Poor keeping as the pundits said on Sky. No chance on the third. He was horrible exposed though today.
Baldock 6/10 – Our best player first half with some good runs and work and won a few free kicks. Looked a threat. 2nd half different story, other than one good cross for Sharp. Forced back and on the second did not engage his man. The third came down his side but at this stage they were all ragged. They exposed him defensively but having 10 did not help. Still one of few who did ok today.
Stevens 3/10 – A horror show really. Not had the best of starts since we come back. Barely got forward at all and when he did blazed over or ran into trouble. He was struggling first half with Saint Maximin’s strength and pace. Second half he made an absolute howler that cost us the goal. It was Sunday league stuff. He will not use his right foot and I worry at his age he is never going to trust it or work on this side. If he wants to be an established top-level full back/wing back at this level he will have to. After this he went to pieces and made a number of mistakes and the lad caused him all sorts of problems.
Basham 7.5/10 – The one stand out of a bad bunch. I thought he looked good to begin with defensively and going forward and linked well with Baldock. He kept plugging away and was our main threat in everything we did. Made some good tackles and blocks, stuck to it and was having to do 4 or 5 men’s jobs at times. Only slight knock is an aimless punt on one of the goals and then not coming across to help Baldock. He continued to go forward and was our best attacker again. He was playing on his own today.
Robinson 5/10 – Steady-ish to begin but one wild slice and he seemed to lose confidence. He gave a few other balls away and I felt he did not get across to help Egan enough when the ball came over the top. We have seen the first few games Egan be horribly exposed and whether it is Norwood or him or Bash (seems to have been given more licence with Jack out to the regular rover)we can’t be left one on one as much as we are. He did keep going but we have not looked water tight at the back at all so far and clearly miss O’Connell. He did ok in the week but today he looked like he struggled with the pace of the attackers as Almiron etc got away from him too much.
Egan 3/10 – Showed pace wise he can be got at yet again as they nearly got away from him twice first half and seemed at full stretch. This has not happened much this season and some of it is down to the team as much as him, as you should not have your centre back one on one v the centre forward but this has what happened. The first two games are how many neutrals thought it would go with out system in terms of being exposed defensively but it’s odd as it’s not like we have been attacking loads but one big punt gets Egan going the other way and you can see his limitations. No need to get involved first half even though it was harsh and then got outmuscled and pulled his man back. Stupid and a game we were 2nd best in anyway became even harder. Within a few minutes we were losing. Once again misses the Man Utd game now.
Norwood 3/10 – Had a horrific start to the game giving it away 2 or 3 times and I thought he would improve but he did not at all and continued to give it away. He looked slow and sluggish and I felt also did not chase back when midfielders ran off him. Should have been brought off. We needed something different and to up the tempo. I have criticised Berge a lot but he at least kept it today. Not sure Norwood is even trying long balls as most of his giveaways have been short stuff. Like Stevens one of his worst showings in a red and white shirt. Not sure why he kept him right to the end.
Berge 5/10 – You know what? He wasn’t great and mis controlled it two or three times, kicked it out twice under little pressure but still was better than the other two who were non existent in the game. He was too safe and is weak (went down twice clutching his head after minimal contact) and we need more from him but he wasn’t the worst player by a long stretch. I do worry that he is so slow and takes so long to do things that it does slow us down. He is just too one paced and I need to see him carry the ball, try longer passes, try and work an opening for a shot, get wide, get crosses in. He was neat and tidy and ok (as I say long way off the worst player) and better than the week but still cant think of many things he did that a big positive impact on the game – it was all just a bit ‘I don’t want to take responsibility/let you have it.’ That is the one thing I will say about Norwood (who was crap today) – he will try things as does Fleck. I still think we need to see a lot more from him and I would go back to the normal three for the week.
Fleck 4/10 –Barely realised he was playing. That is how little of an impact he had on the game. He came off near the end and I though, ‘Oh is Fleck playing?’ He never ran at them, never got on the ball and just seemed to be off the pace. Always starts slowly but expected something from him either defensively or attacking but the game just passed him by.
McBurnie 3.5/10- Thought he was ineffective today and I did not think he was much better in the week. Not sure what he has been doing in the break but looks unfit, slow and ungainly. He is not offering anything as an outlet, an attacking threat or even a nuisance. Even Zivkovic did more when he came on. He has been a complete non entity since we came back and been a major disappointment. I know a lot are critical of him and I have been one of his defenders as he never gave centre backs a minute and worked really hard but today and Wednesday he has barely broke sweat. Sorry, if that sounds harsh but that’s how I see it. When he heads it, he somehow takes the power off the ball although he did two mis headers in the build up to two of their goals. Needs to be taken out for me – shame McGoldrick is not fit as he makes us a better team.
Sharp 5/10 – He won a few free kicks and at least held it up a bit but missed a volleyed chance (hard one) and then a real sitter. He did get down the channel a few times. Him and McBurnie are miles apart and don’t look like a combination at all. We have looked devoid of attacking threat and the service has been abysmal but sometimes strikers have to do more. I think he has at least been a bit of a nuisance but if he is not scoring and we are not getting the ball in the box, he does not really play well as he is not a player that does his best work out of the box.
Subs –
Lundstram – He was neat and tidy but not sure he did much of note but at this stage we were chasing the game.
Freeman L– As above. Lacks pace to hurt teams so needs it to feet and it was hard when we had 10 men for him to create much.
Zivkovic – Saw one burst of pace and then he gave it straight to them. Worrying for Mousset that he was not given the chance when this lad by all accounts is not going to be here moving forward. Incidentally, it seems that it may be Retsos then that may have gone back judging by Wilder saying Besic and one other won’t be staying here?
Freeman K – Premier League debut – which shows the lack of options we have and why Wilder would not have wanted 5 subs. He ended up playing in an odd hybrid midfield-attacking role to end the game.
Manager Wilder 4/10 – We started ok actually but did not keep the momentum up at all. He started with the same front two who were poor against Villa and kept with the same midfield combination save for Fleck coming in but that did not work today but even he can’t legislate for defensive mistakes. I will say the shape of our team looks all wrong. We can’t get forward and create overloads and rarely look like scoring with the tempo of our passing so slow and predictable with no pace/movement. We are not getting men forward at all so the front two are starved of help even though they need to do more. In midfield the play is so slow and pedestrian and at the back we only saw Baldock/Basham have a few runs forward from the wing backs/centre backs. Teams are hitting that big punted ball and getting Egan one on one sensing his lack of pace. Normally we can cover or don’t have these situations but has happened time and time again these first few games. He has some big questions to answer now as a group. He has to change at least 2 players for the week but I would change a lot more. He needs to freshen it up. For whatever reason too many look leaden footed and not ready. I think he will have been shocked how bad we have been. The worst two performances of the season have been since the break – we at least showed more against Southampton and Newcastle at home and had chances. These two games we have not even looked like scoring. It is almost like we were playing for0-0 draws so unadventurous we have been. In the end our poor passing, lack of tempo and ability to go forward invites pressure and it was inevitable goals would come as in both games the opponents have been the only ones looking like scoring. Wilder normally has us super organised, fit and tactically right at it but we have not seen any of that and shocking individual performances means we have looked a sorry state these two games.
Newcastle – They have beaten us twice and Bruce carries on having our number. They have beat us 5-0 on aggregate this season which is incredible when you look at how both teams have performed. They were quite defensive at the Lane but today they attacked more than us and were far more dangerous. They did knock the ball over the top and down the sides a lot and it seems this tactic is causing us problems. They seem to have us one v one a lot before we were set. The lad Saint Maximin has ripped us apart in both games and we have had no answer for him but even players like Almiron and Joelinton (not great players) have caused us problems which is a worry. They did not have as much of the ball as us but when they did they stretched us although the first goal was shambolic. They were better than us eleven v eleven so in the end 3-0 was about right. Bruce actually has made them quite hard to beat and if they can get more goals, they will probably move up the league but they won’t have an easier win that today. They will not have believed how easy it was.
Opponent Man of the Match – Saint Maximin was excellent. Miles better than anyone else on the pitch. Stevens will be having nightmares about him. Ritchie made one and scored one and even the big lad caused a few problems. At least he was a threat unlike out front two. I am not sure they are great overall and have some quite ordinary players but a number of functional ones.
Opponent Weak link – They were poking fun at the striker but he scored and got a man sent off. The rest of the team were not really tested. I am not sure anyone was great outside of the winger but all the rest did their jobs. They managed to keep it better than us and got the ball in the right areas and looked like a goal threat without conceding many chances (2?) at the other end.
Referee/Officials/VAR – A lot will criticise Coote for the two yellows but Egan knew he had been booked and should not have grabbed the lad for the 2nd yellow. He got in a bad position and it was an easy yellow. It was close to a red as no one got across. So, in the end the red card was deserved by virtue of the 2nd being close to a red anyway. The rest of the game not sure we put a tackle in all game, same as Villa. Lascelles was booked for a foul on Sharp rightly but outside of these 3 cards that was it. A fairly easy game to ref as we never laid a glove on the home team who romped to the win.
Comments on lockdown coverage/atmosphere etc – We are struggling without the crowds. Maybe, thrive off adrenalin and those atmospheres but we look so flat. It is the same for all teams though. Wilder and the club seemed desperate to restart but these odd atmospheres seem to have hit us harder than most. We have to find some energy from somewhere. Maybe when we get back to the Lane it might be easier but results so far suggest there has been more away wins in various leagues than normal but we are yet to even score/have a shot let alone win!
John Fleck was back but there was still no Jack O’Connell for United. Sander Berge was preferred ahead of John Lundstram in the starting eleven. There was no place for David McGoldrick in the match day squad after he appeared to pick up a knock at Villa in the week after coming on as sub.
Amidst lots of speculation over a takeover, Steve Bruce began with Joelinton starting up top with Saint Maximim and Almiron supplanting him. Shelvey, Hayden and Ritchie stated in midfield. Carroll, Gayle and Bentaleb were on the bench.
United began well and moved it about and worked it down the right-hand side with Baldock heavily involved winning an early free kick after combining with Berge. Norwood had a couple of free kicks and corners but these dangerous balls were cleared. United had seemed more assertive moving the ball quicker in the early stages and controlled the opening 10 minutes although they had not forced any chances at all with Sharp and McBurnie quiet. The Scottish striker did almost slip in Berge but he miscontrolled it and the ball drifted out.
Newcastle slowly started to force their way back into it with Saint-Maximin looking to get on it at every opportunity. A corner saw a mass scramble and somehow the Blades got it clear but the rest bite was not long. Soon after, Norwood gave the ball straight to an opponent and it was moved onto Ritchie who hit a powerful shot that saw Henderson spring to his left and make the first save of the game.
United tried to come out from an attack down the right fabulous work from Saint-Maximin saw him break the lines with a lovely pass and then the ball was through from Almiron for Joelinton to beat the offside trap. In on the angle, he cut in but seemed to kick the ball with his heel and it weakly trickled to Henderson at his near post when he surely had to try and go across the goalkeeper.
Egan and Joelinton were both booked for coming together after a free kick had been given to United. It may have been soft but no need for either player to get involved really.
Norwood continued his erratic performance and with Fleck quiet and Berge again looking very timid, the midfield battle was being won in terms of effective territory by the home team. United had not really done anything of note save for a few runs down the right by Baldock.
The home side were now the better side and were forcing United back. Almiron nearly got in as he outpaced Egan but the centre back got back to make the tackle. Then a shot was charged down by the same man with token appeals for handball from Shelvey who hit the shot.
United had not looked like scoring but the main threat Baldock got a cross over and Sharp volleyed well over falling back.
Robinson miskicked badly out for a corner which the Blades cleared. It had been sloppy from the visitors and whilst the home team were not much better, they edged things and looked the more dangerous with Saint Maximin the only player showing the only real attacking threat on the field.
United had a few decent moments with Basham twice running forward but making the wrong choice at the end. Another corner from Norwood was cleared after a ricochet but the front two were yet to really make any impact.
The final few minutes petered out with the concern for United the tempo of play and no sustained pressure or chances at all in the opposition half.
The second half saw Newcastle being stronger again and look more determined with Saint Maximin forcing the Blades back. However, the game turned on a refereeing decision on 50 minutes. A long punt that has been an issue for United saw Egan left one on one with Joelinton. The striker got the better of him and Egan pulled him back. He was the last man and no one was on the cover so there was concern his could have been a red alone but it did not matter as he had already picked up that first half yellow and off, he went.
United did not even have chance to regroup before another defensive howler cost them badly again. An innocuous through ball from Ritchie seemed easy for Stevens but his inability to use his right foot even in simple situations cost him as he tried to swing at it with his left and completely missed it. Saint Maximin was in on the angle and hit it low past Henderson who maybe did not cover his near post and opted to go with his feet. Undoubtedly the main error was Stevens. 1-0 and with ten men, it was an uphill task now.
However, on the hour mark, Sharp should have scored when Baldock put a cross in and Sharp headed wide. This was the best and maybe only clear chance for United in the games so far. At the other end though, Newcastle also should have scored. Stevens was skinned again and the ball came across Almiron had to score but his weak effort is saved easily from Henderson.
Lundstram came on for Berge but with 20 minutes left it was game over. Another poor pass saw the ball come off Mcburnie and Norwood did not react or run back. Baldock backpedalled and RITCHIE hit a fierce drive that went through Baldock and with Henderson’s positionally suspect, the ball arrowed into the net.
It was now damage limitation for a really poor United side who were slow, sluggish and sloppy in possession. Still they did have a chance as Sharp did well running down the line and pulling back but Stevens day was summed up as he lashed it high and wide.
Zivkovic and Freeman came on for Sharp and Fleck but the game was done really and to add insult to injury, JOELINTON got the third. Almiron got down the left and with no challenge ran all the way, squared across and nobody went with the striker who easily converted. He may have been derided but he had been more effective than any of the United frontmen forcing a red card and scoring a goal.
Freeman came on for McBurnie and United looked a disorganised mess as the game came to an end although more good work from Basham nearly fashioned a chance. The game ended with Newcastle on the attack once more in a thoroughly comprehensive win for the home side.
United – There will be a lot of different takes on this. Loads of fans will go over the top and slam the side. Some will criticise those saying it is one game and look at the bigger picture. In reality, both are right. We have had a fantastic season and surpassed expectations. These players don’t deserve to be thrown under the bus. We have not seen that hardly ever from them at all in 2 or 3 seasons. However, equally there is nothing wrong with criticising that performance. It was an appalling showing. Individually and collectively. There is also nothing wrong with saying that is a rarity (although I will caution, we were not great in the week either) and having some faith in Wilder and the team. This side have not done that very often and players who have been excellent have not performed like that at all. What is worrying is that so many have been off it these first two games. We have looked sloppy at the back, not kept it in midfield, not attacked with purpose and rarely looked like having a meaningful attack let alone attempt on goal. All those who said we would be bang at it and fitter/hungrier than the rest now look a bit daft. We have looked the most unfit and least prepared side (Norwich could contend) on the game so far. We have looked so far off the side we saw before the break and from a team that had all the momentum, we look a bit of a disorganised mess with no clear plan. Basic errors have not helped but we do look woefully unfit and those errors often come in when you have heavy legs or are not physically right. Newcastle and Villa are two really poor teams and have got through us quite easily really. That is a worry and also defensively they have coped with us quite easily.
A lot will criticise individuals and I will below as I mark players but it is the collective team ethos that has got us where we wanted to be. Today we had 3 departments and there was no team work or cohesion at all. No-one helped each other, we did not have players close to each other and we gave up all too easily. There was nobody rallying the team and we looked devoid of spirit. We know that is not the case of course as this team has all those qualities in abundance but today (and to some extent in the week) we look like a team lacking belief. It’s odd as they are not the sort of group who normally believe their own hype but a few players really need to realise what an opportunity they have. They have worked so hard to get here, so it would be a huge shame to chuck it all away in 2 or 3 weeks. We will see how they respond in the week but we face a pivotal week now. If we lose to Man Utd and Arsenal then the season is not over but it becomes a tough task to salvage anything and you worry it all might peter out. Typically, Wilder’s teams have responded so we will see what happens but we have quite a few players missing and no one outside of Bash has come back with any sort of form at all. It’s so quick the games, that they have to find something from somewhere or a fantastic season can suddenly just disappear. I really don’t want us to that team that did so well and then after the lockdown completely fell away and finished bottom half but if the performances carry on in the same vein as the first two that will happen. I fully trust Wilder to get a reaction over the final games and somehow galvanise the team.
Ratings:
Henderson 5/10 – Made one routine save early on which still needed saving. A few looped kick outs with his left foot and then a save – an easier one from the Joelinton miss. Fine first half. Second half like with the rest he could have done much better. The second he does not get across for me and then goes with his feet and was unbalanced when he should have had his body down. The second goal he was not far across and then barely moved. Poor keeping as the pundits said on Sky. No chance on the third. He was horrible exposed though today.
Baldock 6/10 – Our best player first half with some good runs and work and won a few free kicks. Looked a threat. 2nd half different story, other than one good cross for Sharp. Forced back and on the second did not engage his man. The third came down his side but at this stage they were all ragged. They exposed him defensively but having 10 did not help. Still one of few who did ok today.
Stevens 3/10 – A horror show really. Not had the best of starts since we come back. Barely got forward at all and when he did blazed over or ran into trouble. He was struggling first half with Saint Maximin’s strength and pace. Second half he made an absolute howler that cost us the goal. It was Sunday league stuff. He will not use his right foot and I worry at his age he is never going to trust it or work on this side. If he wants to be an established top-level full back/wing back at this level he will have to. After this he went to pieces and made a number of mistakes and the lad caused him all sorts of problems.
Basham 7.5/10 – The one stand out of a bad bunch. I thought he looked good to begin with defensively and going forward and linked well with Baldock. He kept plugging away and was our main threat in everything we did. Made some good tackles and blocks, stuck to it and was having to do 4 or 5 men’s jobs at times. Only slight knock is an aimless punt on one of the goals and then not coming across to help Baldock. He continued to go forward and was our best attacker again. He was playing on his own today.
Robinson 5/10 – Steady-ish to begin but one wild slice and he seemed to lose confidence. He gave a few other balls away and I felt he did not get across to help Egan enough when the ball came over the top. We have seen the first few games Egan be horribly exposed and whether it is Norwood or him or Bash (seems to have been given more licence with Jack out to the regular rover)we can’t be left one on one as much as we are. He did keep going but we have not looked water tight at the back at all so far and clearly miss O’Connell. He did ok in the week but today he looked like he struggled with the pace of the attackers as Almiron etc got away from him too much.
Egan 3/10 – Showed pace wise he can be got at yet again as they nearly got away from him twice first half and seemed at full stretch. This has not happened much this season and some of it is down to the team as much as him, as you should not have your centre back one on one v the centre forward but this has what happened. The first two games are how many neutrals thought it would go with out system in terms of being exposed defensively but it’s odd as it’s not like we have been attacking loads but one big punt gets Egan going the other way and you can see his limitations. No need to get involved first half even though it was harsh and then got outmuscled and pulled his man back. Stupid and a game we were 2nd best in anyway became even harder. Within a few minutes we were losing. Once again misses the Man Utd game now.
Norwood 3/10 – Had a horrific start to the game giving it away 2 or 3 times and I thought he would improve but he did not at all and continued to give it away. He looked slow and sluggish and I felt also did not chase back when midfielders ran off him. Should have been brought off. We needed something different and to up the tempo. I have criticised Berge a lot but he at least kept it today. Not sure Norwood is even trying long balls as most of his giveaways have been short stuff. Like Stevens one of his worst showings in a red and white shirt. Not sure why he kept him right to the end.
Berge 5/10 – You know what? He wasn’t great and mis controlled it two or three times, kicked it out twice under little pressure but still was better than the other two who were non existent in the game. He was too safe and is weak (went down twice clutching his head after minimal contact) and we need more from him but he wasn’t the worst player by a long stretch. I do worry that he is so slow and takes so long to do things that it does slow us down. He is just too one paced and I need to see him carry the ball, try longer passes, try and work an opening for a shot, get wide, get crosses in. He was neat and tidy and ok (as I say long way off the worst player) and better than the week but still cant think of many things he did that a big positive impact on the game – it was all just a bit ‘I don’t want to take responsibility/let you have it.’ That is the one thing I will say about Norwood (who was crap today) – he will try things as does Fleck. I still think we need to see a lot more from him and I would go back to the normal three for the week.
Fleck 4/10 –Barely realised he was playing. That is how little of an impact he had on the game. He came off near the end and I though, ‘Oh is Fleck playing?’ He never ran at them, never got on the ball and just seemed to be off the pace. Always starts slowly but expected something from him either defensively or attacking but the game just passed him by.
McBurnie 3.5/10- Thought he was ineffective today and I did not think he was much better in the week. Not sure what he has been doing in the break but looks unfit, slow and ungainly. He is not offering anything as an outlet, an attacking threat or even a nuisance. Even Zivkovic did more when he came on. He has been a complete non entity since we came back and been a major disappointment. I know a lot are critical of him and I have been one of his defenders as he never gave centre backs a minute and worked really hard but today and Wednesday he has barely broke sweat. Sorry, if that sounds harsh but that’s how I see it. When he heads it, he somehow takes the power off the ball although he did two mis headers in the build up to two of their goals. Needs to be taken out for me – shame McGoldrick is not fit as he makes us a better team.
Sharp 5/10 – He won a few free kicks and at least held it up a bit but missed a volleyed chance (hard one) and then a real sitter. He did get down the channel a few times. Him and McBurnie are miles apart and don’t look like a combination at all. We have looked devoid of attacking threat and the service has been abysmal but sometimes strikers have to do more. I think he has at least been a bit of a nuisance but if he is not scoring and we are not getting the ball in the box, he does not really play well as he is not a player that does his best work out of the box.
Subs –
Lundstram – He was neat and tidy but not sure he did much of note but at this stage we were chasing the game.
Freeman L– As above. Lacks pace to hurt teams so needs it to feet and it was hard when we had 10 men for him to create much.
Zivkovic – Saw one burst of pace and then he gave it straight to them. Worrying for Mousset that he was not given the chance when this lad by all accounts is not going to be here moving forward. Incidentally, it seems that it may be Retsos then that may have gone back judging by Wilder saying Besic and one other won’t be staying here?
Freeman K – Premier League debut – which shows the lack of options we have and why Wilder would not have wanted 5 subs. He ended up playing in an odd hybrid midfield-attacking role to end the game.
Manager Wilder 4/10 – We started ok actually but did not keep the momentum up at all. He started with the same front two who were poor against Villa and kept with the same midfield combination save for Fleck coming in but that did not work today but even he can’t legislate for defensive mistakes. I will say the shape of our team looks all wrong. We can’t get forward and create overloads and rarely look like scoring with the tempo of our passing so slow and predictable with no pace/movement. We are not getting men forward at all so the front two are starved of help even though they need to do more. In midfield the play is so slow and pedestrian and at the back we only saw Baldock/Basham have a few runs forward from the wing backs/centre backs. Teams are hitting that big punted ball and getting Egan one on one sensing his lack of pace. Normally we can cover or don’t have these situations but has happened time and time again these first few games. He has some big questions to answer now as a group. He has to change at least 2 players for the week but I would change a lot more. He needs to freshen it up. For whatever reason too many look leaden footed and not ready. I think he will have been shocked how bad we have been. The worst two performances of the season have been since the break – we at least showed more against Southampton and Newcastle at home and had chances. These two games we have not even looked like scoring. It is almost like we were playing for0-0 draws so unadventurous we have been. In the end our poor passing, lack of tempo and ability to go forward invites pressure and it was inevitable goals would come as in both games the opponents have been the only ones looking like scoring. Wilder normally has us super organised, fit and tactically right at it but we have not seen any of that and shocking individual performances means we have looked a sorry state these two games.
Newcastle – They have beaten us twice and Bruce carries on having our number. They have beat us 5-0 on aggregate this season which is incredible when you look at how both teams have performed. They were quite defensive at the Lane but today they attacked more than us and were far more dangerous. They did knock the ball over the top and down the sides a lot and it seems this tactic is causing us problems. They seem to have us one v one a lot before we were set. The lad Saint Maximin has ripped us apart in both games and we have had no answer for him but even players like Almiron and Joelinton (not great players) have caused us problems which is a worry. They did not have as much of the ball as us but when they did they stretched us although the first goal was shambolic. They were better than us eleven v eleven so in the end 3-0 was about right. Bruce actually has made them quite hard to beat and if they can get more goals, they will probably move up the league but they won’t have an easier win that today. They will not have believed how easy it was.
Opponent Man of the Match – Saint Maximin was excellent. Miles better than anyone else on the pitch. Stevens will be having nightmares about him. Ritchie made one and scored one and even the big lad caused a few problems. At least he was a threat unlike out front two. I am not sure they are great overall and have some quite ordinary players but a number of functional ones.
Opponent Weak link – They were poking fun at the striker but he scored and got a man sent off. The rest of the team were not really tested. I am not sure anyone was great outside of the winger but all the rest did their jobs. They managed to keep it better than us and got the ball in the right areas and looked like a goal threat without conceding many chances (2?) at the other end.
Referee/Officials/VAR – A lot will criticise Coote for the two yellows but Egan knew he had been booked and should not have grabbed the lad for the 2nd yellow. He got in a bad position and it was an easy yellow. It was close to a red as no one got across. So, in the end the red card was deserved by virtue of the 2nd being close to a red anyway. The rest of the game not sure we put a tackle in all game, same as Villa. Lascelles was booked for a foul on Sharp rightly but outside of these 3 cards that was it. A fairly easy game to ref as we never laid a glove on the home team who romped to the win.
Comments on lockdown coverage/atmosphere etc – We are struggling without the crowds. Maybe, thrive off adrenalin and those atmospheres but we look so flat. It is the same for all teams though. Wilder and the club seemed desperate to restart but these odd atmospheres seem to have hit us harder than most. We have to find some energy from somewhere. Maybe when we get back to the Lane it might be easier but results so far suggest there has been more away wins in various leagues than normal but we are yet to even score/have a shot let alone win!
