Post by deadbat on Jun 28, 2020 18:12:14 GMT
The Blades difficult start to the return of football continued when they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal. Its is now 3 defeats in a row for Wilder’s Blades who now find that they the hopes of European qualification in two competitions is now clinging by a thread. It was late heartbreak for United who got back into the game late on but then as they looked to winner, got done on the counter as Ceballos broke and fired in at Henderson’s near post. It was harsh on United who had done enough to extend the contest.
The first game back at the Lane saw McBurnie, Egan and Henderson back for Mousset, Jagielka and Moore. There was still no place for Jack O’Connell. Arsenal opted not to start Aubamayang with Laczaette getting the start. Youngster Willock also was in from the off with David Luiz back in a three-man defence. There was no place in the squad for Ozil.
After the final strains of the Greasy Chip Butty anthem, United began well and attacking the Bramall Lane End; McBurnie won a free kick which Norwood floated behind. It was a much better tempo from United with Norwood on the ball early and McBurnie a handful. Stevens fed McGoldrick whose cross dropped for Robinson but his shot deflected wide. The subsequent corner was cleared for another on the other side and Fleck’s delivery was headed back by McBurnie and nodded in by Lundstram at the back post. It was a similar goal to the one the Blades scored against the Gunners earlier in the season but this time VAR saved Arsenal as replays showed the United man was clearly offside.
Undeterred, United came again and a long throw was flicked on and McGoldrick just missed on the stretch. The first 10 minute had been much better from United as they forced the visitors back. Arsenal finally had an attack but Pepe got crowded out before he could get towards Dean Henderson’s goal. The United custodian had now disposed of his baseball cap he adorned to start the game as wind was the prevailing weather condition rather than sun. United tried to come again but good work from McBurnie fed McGoldrick but he dithered and the Arsenal defence cleared.
After the quarter hour mark, Arsenal started to come more and Basham had to clear as Pepe got away from Stevens. Arsenal then moved the ball around well and were easing back into the game. They had not really had any clear chances but took the lead on 22 minutes. McGoldrick gave it away too easily and it was moved up the other end and Arsenal played a ball into Lacazette who had his back to goal but Basham caught him on the angle. The reaction of the striker was theatrical (and he held his shin which was odd) but ref Tierney pointed straight to the spot. The VAR review saw the original decision upheld. Basham’s reaction said it all and as Wilder said after the game; it was ‘Rash from Bash.’
PEPE took the kick and converted easily into Henderson’s left-hand corner. It was a harsh score line after United had been the better side for the first part of the game.
After the drinks break Arsenal started to take some semblance of control and Robinson lost a header to Pepe and as the ball came back Laczaette had shot pushed away from Henderson. Arsenal had a half chance soon after but it drifted wide as United now were struggling for a period. Lundstram could not win the ball and in his attempt to recover things he fouled the Arsenal man but somehow injured himself, hurting his shoulder. As Arsenal broke, Fleck wildly lunged at his man and rightly got booked. Lundstram tried to carry on but he could not and was in some pain and he came off for Berge.
United tried to find a foothold back into the game but Norwood’s ball put Fleck in but he ran into his man before McBurnie and Willock smashed into each other after the ball ran loose. Not sure either player committed a foul but it was unfortunate as United were on the attack but the game had to stop for two head injuries. Both players were deemed fit enough to carry on.
Arsenal then got down the left again and Maitland Niles fired in a cross that Henderson had to get away and as the rebound fell it was fired wide by Tierney. Arsenal now were the better side but nice work from Berge led to a Norwood shot but it was comfortable but at least it was an effort on goal. Arsenal then had another chance when Pepe fired wide when well placed before Berge headed over right on 45 minutes. There was 7 minutes of stoppage time after the penalty substitution and a few stoppages but little happened of note.
United started the second half well and Stevens was well forward leading to a throw but the long one from Robinson was flicked on by McBurnie but straight at Martinez. Norwood then hit a cross that the keeper palmed away before Fleck pulled his shot badly wide.
United were driving forward well but it was a stop start game with several players going to ground. On 55 minutes, United thought they were level when Norwood’s delightful free kick was knocked forward by McGoldrick after Egan reacted to head home but the flag was up and VAR confirmed United had been rightly penalised again. It seemed like United would never score and this feeling increased when Robinson’s superb cross was met by Basham but he inexplicably headed wide with the goal at his mercy. His chance to make amends for his first half indiscretion had done awry.
Arsenal showed a threat on the break and Egan and Norwood had to be alert to stop them threatening whilst at the other end and Stevens ball to McBurnie’s was over weighted.
On the hour Kieran Freeman replaced Baldock who looked to be tiring and for the visitors they made a double change on 64 minutes, with Ceballos and Nketiah on for Lacazette and Willock.
Soon after, Berge got in and had his shot blocked. He played a nice ball soon after in a much-improved performance before Xhaka had a shot blocked at the other end. Robinson was booked for taking out his man as Arsenal tried to break.
The next spell saw a number of fouls as referee Tierney was determined everyone would notice him with much of the contact minimal for both teams. Sharp came on for Basham as United went to 4-4-2.
The game entered the final 15 and Robinson headed well over from a corner the game became scrappy for another spell. The final 5 minutes came McBurnie could not get it under control with a half chance before United forced a bit of pressure and another long throw the goal finally came.
Robinson’s long throw as not cleared and bounced off two Arsenal defender and fell nicely form MCGOLDRICK who hooked home. There was no way this one would be disallowed and he celebrated in front of an empty Kop!
United now scented blood as the game entered stoppage time and won a corner after half chance and then the ball dropped for Sharp after an earlier shot was blocked, the striker’s effort was hard and true but well saved by Martinez. The corner was cleared but United were still on the attack as the game entered the final few minutes but Fleck’s poor ball saw Arsenal break. It was suddenly two on two. Stevens held up the first effort but then he did not get across to CEBALLOS, and Norwood and several others stood and watched. Henderson made the decision to go out and this maybe was the wrong one and he compounded it by leaving his near post and the ball was cleverly drilled home by the substitute. It was tough on United and after another odd foul given against Fleck, when he was the man fouled, the final whistle went soon after.
United – It was better. Much better than it has been in the other three games. However, it’s another loss. Still it was more like a performance and that at least bodes well that we can stop this rot at some point. We at least got into the opponents, won some tackles, ran about and was more energy. We had some goal mouth action, some good play and caused problems. It was more back to basics stuff in terms of a lot of direct balls and set plays but it made us more effective.
Not sure I am getting as carried away as others are on twitter and on forums. We were nowhere near fantastic. It was an ok performance and much improved but only compared to what we have seen the previous three. We deserved extra time but for then we were at home against a team lacking confidence also. Arsenal actually left out some key players including their best player (ok by choice) but had a very young team. They were there for the taking today but we were not quite good enough despite a spirited and better display. We had some good individual performances and some were better than they have been but too many are still not quite at it.
I am a bit shocked people have said we played really well. We played ok and it was a committed showing and improved than it has been. It was better but nothing more, nothing less. It was a really poor game with little good play from either side. I am not sure I recall many moments of brilliance from either team all game and it was so stop start. In isolation people would say it was ok but we lost a tight game. Suddenly, a lot think we were really good – which I did not see.
We did not show much quality at all in the final third (not sure they did but still showed more than us in the final third) and still gave away cheap goals. We also did not make the opposition keeper work much. I did like the intensity and effort we put in even if the quality was lacking and from this sense it was much more ‘us’ in terms of application. We forced some errors and played higher up the field. We looked more like us and in that sense, it was better to watch rather than the static, lifeless showings we had seen.
We certainly had a good 15 minutes to star the game and the tempo was good and had a few chances to score and one rightly disallowed but did not score when on top and not sure we tested the keeper or had any actual attempts outside the one VAR got involved in. After this Arsenal slowly pushed us back and got the penalty (which was a penalty despite many seeing things through red and white spectacles – even Wilder said it was silly by Basham). After this they controlled things and could have got a few more with Henderson making a good save and a few other going wide. We looked a bit full stretch and then Lundstram went off and we got a bit ill disciplined with some bad fouls. We had one shot from Norwood but that was the sum of our first half efforts on goal despite a better display and Arsenal played the better football of two poor teams. I was pleased we had competed and showed more but not sure it was fantastic; just better than it had been and I was relieved we saw some fight too.
2nd half we did play well for the first 15 minutes and had another disallowed, Bash missed one chance also but again did not work the keeper – that is a big worry that teams are working our goalie’s way too much. We did move it around a bit in this spell with Berge good and others also finding a bit of form for this 45-60-minute spell. This was the best bit of football we played as the rest of the game we did well from the direct stuff more than great football. Sadly, we could not get level and then the game became bitty. The ref was poor (both ways – more later) and he kept stopping the game. Berge and McBurnie played well but we got little from our wing backs/centre backs going forward and most of our chances came from Norwood’s set plays and Robinson’s long throws. Other than the one move when Robinson crossed for Basham not sure we showed much quality in general play that led to out and out chances. Granted there were a few decent pockets down the right and Berge was good for a spell but the chances only came when we went into McBurnie’s head. Nothing wrong with that and it was as Wilder said back to basics and maybe we have to do that more.
I thought the game might be drifting away but we got a chance and I felt over the course of the game deserved something. After this you sensed we could win it and had a few corners and the Sharp chance but with three strikers on (albeit McGoldrick deep) and not having the defensive solidity we had before; we were always susceptible on the break but it was not a superb goal – well finished maybe but so avoidable. Fleck’s awful ball, Norwood going to floor, Stevens twice making poor decisions, no one going to the man and the Henderson making himself too easy to beat. A really crap goal but a bit of quality and composure that as Wilder said, for all our better play today, we could not show.
I was pleased in the sense that we showed a better performance and if it had gone extra time maybe we may have nicked it. Arsenal stole it at the death of course but they will say they had control of the game (score line was) for a long spell. I think they were a touch lucky to win but they put the ball in the net and showed a bit of class that we could not do. We huffed and puffed and the effort was good but that we need to show more on the ball and make better decisions on/off the ball. I am gutted we are out of the Cup as we had a great chance today. Maybe the three teams who will be left in the draw would all be much stronger but that is what we aspire to, getting to games like this regardless of whether fans are there are not. Seen a lot saying glad we lost as it would have been awful not going to Wembley. Do fans really think so negatively like that? Maybe we should hope we lose games so we can’t sneak into Europa League qualification too? It’s an odd attitude but seen a few saying it?
We now have some more tough games to come and Spurs/Chelsea to come to the Lane. A top 8 finish is going to be really tough and I would be delighted now if we can just finish top half. What looked like being an unbelievable season is now seeing us fade away badly which is disappointing. Our players have not quite reacted like other clubs. The lack of crowds does seem to be hurting us but too many key players are either unfit, not ready or just having a terrible run of form (maybe all three). Today gives me confidence we maybe able to get a few results as it was better but we are tossing away 2’s and 3’s every week in terms of goals and only creating odd chances (and mainly from set plays).
I am pleased we at least sort some kind of performance and on another day we may have nicked it rather than Arsenal but it is another defeat and if we had gone back 2 weeks and you would say we would have lost 3 and drawn 1 and been out of the Cup you would be gutted and surprised. Conversely, if we had a bad spell in Feb or March and then done well here, we would feel better so you have to look at the bigger picture. It has still been a fantastic season of course. We can say that and say we are concerned about the recent performances and results. You can say both things! At the moment though it hurts we were lauded as the surprise team and full of innovative football and great results and now we seem to be just seen as that team that has not turned up since the restart and even today it was just a plucky showing rather than the good football we have seen.
Ratings:
Henderson 6/10 – Made a few standard/decent-ish saves but did not have too much to do really. They had a few go wide or miss the target. His kicking was night and day first half to second but that was the wind of course as he barely got to half way on some to start and then nearly scored in the 2nd half! The penalty he seemed to not know which way to go and seemed to have an argument with Darren Ward after this over which way he needed to go but he would not have got it anyway. In the second half he maybe had one save to make but we were more dangerous but then at the end, his decision making and positioning was really poor. To me even though Stevens did not go out, there is less chance of him scoring if he stays in his goal and can cover more of the goal that way with how far out he was but then he goes and leaves us all his near post and it was an easy finish. That is twice he has got done on his near post. To me Ceballos would not even attempt a shot if he stays at home and would cross it. Lots of errors before this of course.
Baldock 5/10 – I think he was been one of the better players since football returned but he was not at it today both going forward or defensively. I felt Tierney got at him quite a bit both first and second half and he looked tired. Did not much of him going forward, maybe as he was worried about Tierney the other way – he looked very tired and Wilder saw this and put Freeman on.
Stevens 5/10 – He had a better performance today but still nowhere near his best. At least did some of the basics right but his final ball was poor or he ran into trouble. At least he got forward more but his crosses were blocked or telegraphed. He did defend better but still was too far off his man and Pepe got down and through him a few times first half. Indeed, they had a lot of attacks down that left-hand side first half. At the end; his decision making was awful as he got turned but then they went back and he should have gone to the ball but just decided to leave it when he was the closes to it. He is making some baffling decisions at the moment. Not at it by a long shot.
Basham 5/10 – His overall play was ok but two big moments cost us badly. Conceding the penalty and missing a big chance. On the spot kick, loads are saying it was soft but no need to go in. He is facing the other way and there is no real danger. He gave him an easy decision and of course he will go down. They will never overturn it if there is contact and so it proved. He did this v Man City too at home. Silly decision. He nearly redeemed himself when he got forward but missed a header when really well placed. He has to finish that. There is so much pressure on our strikers as we are not getting goals from other areas – (albeit Fleck and Lundstram done well in spells). Our central defenders have not scored a goal all season. They trot up but very rarely look dangerous or head it over a lot when they get there. Had a fantastic season but not his best week in the last two games.
Robinson 7/10 – Had a decent game. Sure, he made a few ricks and actually lost a few headers early on to smaller players who got the run on him but he got better as the game went on and put in a few great balls (the Basham chance) and his throws were maybe our best attacking threat all game. He was steady and one of our better players. Defensively he did ok too although maybe a bit far up field on the goal as we had gone to a four?
Egan 7/10 – Much better than a week ago. Seemed less at full stretch than he has in other games and at least was more solid and composed with the ball and in his marking/defensive play. Not sure he really let Lacazette have many clear chances and the defence generally looked more solid and less ‘got at’ than it has in the other games. Sadly, poor errors at the end led to it all being for nothing.
Norwood 6.5/10 – Better game than he has had in at least he found a red and white shirt more and at least kept it better. Got stuck in more and the effort was better for me. His set plays were dangerous and he put in the ball of the match when we had the one disallowed. Sadly, he did fall to ground on the winner and took him self out of the play and then when he got back stood and watched when it was his man who scored.
Lundstram 6/10 – Started ok-ish and had a goal disallowed and was getting on the ball and helping us be more compact and for the first 15 minutes we completely controlled midfield. He then tried to foul his man and as he did, he got involved in a tussle and seemed to hurt his shoulder – not sure if it popped out or what? He tried to play on but could not carry on.
Fleck 4/10 – Not sure what is wrong with him at the moment. We saw few flashes of better play first half and he at least got involved but hid decision making on the ball today was awful throughout. He either ran into trouble, hit aimless crosses or was too slow to do things. He picked up a stupid booking first half for no reason. 2nd half got on the ball a bit more but can’t remember him influencing things in general play too much and Berge (in play) and Norwood (set play) were much better. On the winning goal he had given it away with aimless passes twice in the final 15 minutes but would not get away with it again. It was so lazy and they broke and of course lots of poor decisions after that led to the winner. Just no need to play the ball he did.
McBurnie 8/10 – His best game for some time. I have criticised him but he was excellent today and our best player. Led the line superbly, winning headers, holding it up and a real threat. They struggled to handle him. Sadly, we did not always have players around him. He was a different player from the timid, slow and weak player we saw the first few games. Today, he was a really threat and never gave them a moment. He showed good link play too. Had a few chances from throw ins etc but he had to battle for those and had nothing clear. Thought he was excellent and shoved some of the words of the critics (me!) right down our throats!
McGoldrick 6/10 – I argued on the pod with my colleagues who said he was poor 1st half and good 2nd half. I thought he got better as the game went on but overall did not think he was quite at it throughout the game and felt it came off him too much, he gave it away and was too slow to do things. Twice he had good chances but took forever or delayed early on. He made a lovely drag back and scored and maybe got involved more but I thought he was poor today and McBurnie had to do a lot of the work for him. He was partly at fault for the opener when he lost the ball with a bad touch and it kept bouncing off him. He had to scored with the chance in the first half. To be fair kept plugging away and better in a deeper role when Sharp came on. Got his goal and at least kept his composure but it was not his best day for me.
Subs –
Berge 8/10 – Finally! After several games we saw something. He got stuck in, he carried the ball more, showed some lovely touches and was our best midfielder. He was really good today and showed some neat skill, some clever pieces of link play and industry. He looked determined to make an impact and really put a lot of effort in. The most encouraging sign of today was his performance and if Lundstram is out I am hoping he can carry on this into the next few games as he looked a good player today.
Freeman 6/10 – Did better than Baldock but that was not hard. He had to push up as we sought a leveller and a few times it bounced off him or he took too long but at least he pushed them back more than Baldock did. Odd to see him playing in the FA Cup Quarter Final when you think he will not have a future here at all beyond the next few weeks but with the number of games he may get quite a few chances in the run in.
Sharp – Put himself about and was involved in the late flurry and almost scored with a low shot. Ultimately this could have gone in as we a similar type of effort to the Ceballlos one but their keeper reacted and covered his near post. Ours did not.
Manager Wilder 7/10 – A better performance. We played in first and spurts again. Decent for 15 minutes in the first half and 15 minutes to start the second half. A bit meh in between but then had a late go and were really unlucky to lose. We had two goals disallowed and missed a few chances too but ultimately it was not good enough. Heard him criticising the dark arts of the Arsenal players and he has a point but I do not want him going down the ‘Warnock route.’ He is better than that. He might be right but it isn’t going to change. Refs will give things if players go down to the ground and maybe they are conned to easily. Does not make it right but not sure it will ever be different any time soon. I am not sure I would want our players to be like that. Basham and Egan did it twice today and I did not like it.
He played the side everyone expected and then his subs helped with Berge doing well and Sharp helping the push to get level. He went for it and we did look better at the end with a 4-4-2. Maybe the problem is he can’t switch back or should switch back but t me the best chance of winning the game was then for me. I think we had the opportunity to finish it there and then but they caught us on the sucker punch. Maybe it was naïve of us but if we score then it’s great tactics. It maybe was a bit gung-ho with the pace they have on the break. He will be pleased we saw more like a performance. As he said it was more direct and back to basic than the decent, enterprising football we played and our main threat came from set plays but at least we did threaten today, after not looking like scoring in the other games. Will have to pick them up off the floor but will definitely say he saw some improvements. With the next two against Spurs and Chelsea it does not get any easy and three straight defeats (4 without a win) means his reputation is hitting a hit (not by us) after getting all the national acclaim where pundits will say we have fell off a cliff completely.
Arsenal – They rested or rotated a few and have not been in great form. I saw the team and thought we had a real chance an as the game panned out, we looked the better side for the first part but they settled down and played some decent stuff. They scored and then were the better side. The second half we had a spell and they were fortunate rather than skilled that another offside saved them before they started to settle and take the sting out of the game. They looked like they had done enough but then shambolic defending and it was level. They were on the back foot and you feared for them but they broke out and showed some individual quality to win it. Fortunate to win the game really as the momentum was with us but then would argue conversely that they led for a long spell. I am not sure they were any better than against us in the two previous games and actually for me were there for the taking. A more confident and assured side would have beat them today. We caused them problems with long balls/throws and set plays but did not hurt them much in normal play. They will be pleased that the keeper did not have many saves to make but of course had a few let offs with the two offside goals and the Basham chance. They had freshened things up with a few changes but we looked stronger towards the game (they played a day after us). Be interesting how extra time would have gone as they would have brought Aubameyang on etc but we looked more likely at this stage and they seemed a bit all over the place. Maybe they would have upped it and won but you never know. They nicked the win but if they play like that against any of the teams left in it, they will go out at the next round.
You can see why they have struggled. They have a lot of ordinary players mixed in with some real skill, pace and power. At times on the break with Saka, Pepe etc they look dynamic but then static defending or lazy play off the ball means they lose chances and goals too easily. Both goals they let in today were not really them playing offside and they got away with it through more luck than judgement. Another day our players hold their line and it is two good goal. Today were fine margins. Sharp’s shot v Ceballos shot effectively decides the game.
They need to make several changes to be near the top 4 next season. I am not sure they are any better than Wolves, Man Utd, Spurs, Chelsea, Leicester, City, Liverpool etc. All 7 are quite a bit stronger. They need to keep faith with Arteta and the young players and bring in a bit more quality in terms of experience at the back and in midfield but I do not see a finish of anywhere much higher than 6th-8th for the next few years without major investment as they are still a bit of a soft touch. If this game had been played a few months ago at a full Bramall Lane, I would have been confident we would have won but the empty ground and hitting us in such bad form saw it different but still not sure they did enough to win the game. Still they have won two games back to back which is two more than we have done but I think United missed a big chance today as it was a young and much changed side so Arsenal will feel they rotated well and still won.
Opponent Man of the Match – Thought that Tierney down the left was excellent and a threat throughout and caused us problems and stopped Baldock going forward too. I also thought Pepe in the first half caused us some problems. Lacazette showed a few bits but it not a regular anymore.
Opponent Weak link – Any of the middle three defenders. McBurnie caused them problems. They ball watched a lot from throws/corners. Kolasanic and Mustafi are really poor players. I am not even sure they would get in our side.
Referee/Officials/VAR – Paul Tierney was the VAR ref who sat on his hands when we had the incident v Villa the other week I believe? He was awful today. I have seen loads saying he massively favoured Arsenal but he was bad both ways. The penalty was right – we cannot grumble at that. It might have looked soft and he went down theatrically but don’t kick him and give him chance. Bash knew.
Aside from this the two goals were offside of course but his general officiating was fussy and a look at me approach. Both ways for me. He kept stopping the game all the time and was giving so many little fouls for nothing. Many will point to Arsenal players going to ground and they did and too often. He fell for it time after time but then did not give obvious fouls (Fleck fouled at the end for us and he gave it to them, McBurnie one for instance for us when he knocked the player out near the touchline and he gave nothing for Arsenal this time). We saw several Arsenal players just go down with no contact – the Tierney one was awful and then we started doing it- Baldock and Egan went down under no contact (ironically we scored from the attack after the soft Egan foul – but no one will remember that when criticising his biased performance!). It was just bad performance – it was not about the penalty or the VAR goals which may be frustrating but were correct; it was his general picky refereeing where the game could never get going. I do feel they had the edge on decisions but that there were also a few we got we should not have. He was shocking both ways maybe just gave a few more bad ones against us!
The two bookings were correct with cynical fouls from Fleck and Robinson though so he got these right.
On a wider thing, I do not like or agree with this everyone is against us perception. It may feel like that but do people genuinely think everyone in the VAR studios or referees think it’s Sheffield United, give them nothing? I am not sure we are that significant really in the grand scheme of things. I cannot stand this mentality either; it smacks of the Tevez thing again and really thought we had moved on. I am being hypocritical as I wrote a letter to Hawkeye over the one outrageous decision but it’s done now. We are not going to change it. It was not right. There are some tweeting them every day which after we have lost the last three is a bit embarrassing. They are not going to reply to me/you sadly.
On the wider scheme we have had rotten bad luck, with the Villa one and also the Fleck one at Man City and it is hard to take a lot of VAR have gone against us but actually a lot of the VAR decisions have been right actually even though we just have had a lot of overturns. A controversial angle is the refs have favoured us with some bad decisions going for us (like today the opening goal not giving it) but then VAR have overturned them getting a lot of them, right? That may seem daft but if everyone was out to get us would they not be giving these decisions originally anyway?!
Both today, v Southampton home goal, v Villa home penalty, both v Brighton away, v Man City away and even the Newcastle goal etc have been correct. Some have gone against us such as the Southampton handball, Spurs away of course that were clearly wrong in my opinion although some may technically these were right too and others have had similarly bad calls – can think of Burnley, Norwich, Spurs and Liverpool all having goals similar to McGoldrick’s ruled out.
We have had some go for us (Basham red card v Norwich, McBurnie v Man Utd, Rice handball) so it is not as simple as say we are minus whatever in VAR. I hate VAR by the way but its not like we have had 14 Lundstram type incidents go against us! I agree we have had some bad luck but please don’t turn us into those fans who blame everyone else when things go wrong – we need to better that that. I will get slammed for that but as bad as Tierney was today, he did not decide the game. He was crap but not sure he gave any huge decision that was wrong – just lots of bitty ones. Maybe we might have got something out of it and had a few more chances if he had not kept stopping it but the keeper did not have a save to make outside of the goal in the whole game. I would rather focus on that and what we can control than always look at the ref. He was crap and frustrating though.
I will probably get slammed for saying above but hate it when we look for others to be at fault – the Villa game was a big difference of course but overall; this all the refs/VAR are out to get us I do not really buy.
Lockdown/Atmosphere etc – Our first game at Bramall Lane in these strange conditions. I have looked at what other clubs have done and at first, I mocked the crowdies (cardboard cuts outs) but when done well and filling a lot of the ground (Leeds and Man Utd) it looks better than empty seats. Also liked the flags Liverpool did covering the Kop. We made an appeal for flags off fans and had a few but not many. We had a few sponsors logos etc but maybe we could have done more. It was odd knowing there was a game down the road from me and I was not there. I opened the window and think I heard the Greasy Chip Butty song as the wind carried it but maybe that was in my head and wishful thinking!
Just a quick word on Steve McManaman and BT. Some of the most biased coverage I have ever heard. It was not a great game and yes some of the points about both players going to ground was correct but he moaned and groaned all day. It was like it was a chore for him to be there. He berated us all game for whatever we did and just generally criticised everything and anything. He was right on elements of the ref’s performance. He then spent about 10 minutes of the second half giggling and laughing about if Aubameyang wanted to come on or not or whether he would. It went on and on. At the end inevitable the talk would be about the winning team but it was like an Arsenal TV station. They had Van Persie in a live link to do analysis pre/half time and post game. Where was our representation? After Neville in the week, I have had my fill of the completely biased coverage. At times I really miss the Championship coverage where things are more rounded and less about the top teams. I would not mind but Arsenal have been no better than us this year. literally barely mentioned us; in a relatively even game. It was like when an English team plays a European team in the Champions League and all the focus us on the domestic team. It was nauseating. McManaman really was awful but Darren Fletcher not better laughing along at his awful jokes or criticism. Really poor one-eyed coverage.
The first game back at the Lane saw McBurnie, Egan and Henderson back for Mousset, Jagielka and Moore. There was still no place for Jack O’Connell. Arsenal opted not to start Aubamayang with Laczaette getting the start. Youngster Willock also was in from the off with David Luiz back in a three-man defence. There was no place in the squad for Ozil.
After the final strains of the Greasy Chip Butty anthem, United began well and attacking the Bramall Lane End; McBurnie won a free kick which Norwood floated behind. It was a much better tempo from United with Norwood on the ball early and McBurnie a handful. Stevens fed McGoldrick whose cross dropped for Robinson but his shot deflected wide. The subsequent corner was cleared for another on the other side and Fleck’s delivery was headed back by McBurnie and nodded in by Lundstram at the back post. It was a similar goal to the one the Blades scored against the Gunners earlier in the season but this time VAR saved Arsenal as replays showed the United man was clearly offside.
Undeterred, United came again and a long throw was flicked on and McGoldrick just missed on the stretch. The first 10 minute had been much better from United as they forced the visitors back. Arsenal finally had an attack but Pepe got crowded out before he could get towards Dean Henderson’s goal. The United custodian had now disposed of his baseball cap he adorned to start the game as wind was the prevailing weather condition rather than sun. United tried to come again but good work from McBurnie fed McGoldrick but he dithered and the Arsenal defence cleared.
After the quarter hour mark, Arsenal started to come more and Basham had to clear as Pepe got away from Stevens. Arsenal then moved the ball around well and were easing back into the game. They had not really had any clear chances but took the lead on 22 minutes. McGoldrick gave it away too easily and it was moved up the other end and Arsenal played a ball into Lacazette who had his back to goal but Basham caught him on the angle. The reaction of the striker was theatrical (and he held his shin which was odd) but ref Tierney pointed straight to the spot. The VAR review saw the original decision upheld. Basham’s reaction said it all and as Wilder said after the game; it was ‘Rash from Bash.’
PEPE took the kick and converted easily into Henderson’s left-hand corner. It was a harsh score line after United had been the better side for the first part of the game.
After the drinks break Arsenal started to take some semblance of control and Robinson lost a header to Pepe and as the ball came back Laczaette had shot pushed away from Henderson. Arsenal had a half chance soon after but it drifted wide as United now were struggling for a period. Lundstram could not win the ball and in his attempt to recover things he fouled the Arsenal man but somehow injured himself, hurting his shoulder. As Arsenal broke, Fleck wildly lunged at his man and rightly got booked. Lundstram tried to carry on but he could not and was in some pain and he came off for Berge.
United tried to find a foothold back into the game but Norwood’s ball put Fleck in but he ran into his man before McBurnie and Willock smashed into each other after the ball ran loose. Not sure either player committed a foul but it was unfortunate as United were on the attack but the game had to stop for two head injuries. Both players were deemed fit enough to carry on.
Arsenal then got down the left again and Maitland Niles fired in a cross that Henderson had to get away and as the rebound fell it was fired wide by Tierney. Arsenal now were the better side but nice work from Berge led to a Norwood shot but it was comfortable but at least it was an effort on goal. Arsenal then had another chance when Pepe fired wide when well placed before Berge headed over right on 45 minutes. There was 7 minutes of stoppage time after the penalty substitution and a few stoppages but little happened of note.
United started the second half well and Stevens was well forward leading to a throw but the long one from Robinson was flicked on by McBurnie but straight at Martinez. Norwood then hit a cross that the keeper palmed away before Fleck pulled his shot badly wide.
United were driving forward well but it was a stop start game with several players going to ground. On 55 minutes, United thought they were level when Norwood’s delightful free kick was knocked forward by McGoldrick after Egan reacted to head home but the flag was up and VAR confirmed United had been rightly penalised again. It seemed like United would never score and this feeling increased when Robinson’s superb cross was met by Basham but he inexplicably headed wide with the goal at his mercy. His chance to make amends for his first half indiscretion had done awry.
Arsenal showed a threat on the break and Egan and Norwood had to be alert to stop them threatening whilst at the other end and Stevens ball to McBurnie’s was over weighted.
On the hour Kieran Freeman replaced Baldock who looked to be tiring and for the visitors they made a double change on 64 minutes, with Ceballos and Nketiah on for Lacazette and Willock.
Soon after, Berge got in and had his shot blocked. He played a nice ball soon after in a much-improved performance before Xhaka had a shot blocked at the other end. Robinson was booked for taking out his man as Arsenal tried to break.
The next spell saw a number of fouls as referee Tierney was determined everyone would notice him with much of the contact minimal for both teams. Sharp came on for Basham as United went to 4-4-2.
The game entered the final 15 and Robinson headed well over from a corner the game became scrappy for another spell. The final 5 minutes came McBurnie could not get it under control with a half chance before United forced a bit of pressure and another long throw the goal finally came.
Robinson’s long throw as not cleared and bounced off two Arsenal defender and fell nicely form MCGOLDRICK who hooked home. There was no way this one would be disallowed and he celebrated in front of an empty Kop!
United now scented blood as the game entered stoppage time and won a corner after half chance and then the ball dropped for Sharp after an earlier shot was blocked, the striker’s effort was hard and true but well saved by Martinez. The corner was cleared but United were still on the attack as the game entered the final few minutes but Fleck’s poor ball saw Arsenal break. It was suddenly two on two. Stevens held up the first effort but then he did not get across to CEBALLOS, and Norwood and several others stood and watched. Henderson made the decision to go out and this maybe was the wrong one and he compounded it by leaving his near post and the ball was cleverly drilled home by the substitute. It was tough on United and after another odd foul given against Fleck, when he was the man fouled, the final whistle went soon after.
United – It was better. Much better than it has been in the other three games. However, it’s another loss. Still it was more like a performance and that at least bodes well that we can stop this rot at some point. We at least got into the opponents, won some tackles, ran about and was more energy. We had some goal mouth action, some good play and caused problems. It was more back to basics stuff in terms of a lot of direct balls and set plays but it made us more effective.
Not sure I am getting as carried away as others are on twitter and on forums. We were nowhere near fantastic. It was an ok performance and much improved but only compared to what we have seen the previous three. We deserved extra time but for then we were at home against a team lacking confidence also. Arsenal actually left out some key players including their best player (ok by choice) but had a very young team. They were there for the taking today but we were not quite good enough despite a spirited and better display. We had some good individual performances and some were better than they have been but too many are still not quite at it.
I am a bit shocked people have said we played really well. We played ok and it was a committed showing and improved than it has been. It was better but nothing more, nothing less. It was a really poor game with little good play from either side. I am not sure I recall many moments of brilliance from either team all game and it was so stop start. In isolation people would say it was ok but we lost a tight game. Suddenly, a lot think we were really good – which I did not see.
We did not show much quality at all in the final third (not sure they did but still showed more than us in the final third) and still gave away cheap goals. We also did not make the opposition keeper work much. I did like the intensity and effort we put in even if the quality was lacking and from this sense it was much more ‘us’ in terms of application. We forced some errors and played higher up the field. We looked more like us and in that sense, it was better to watch rather than the static, lifeless showings we had seen.
We certainly had a good 15 minutes to star the game and the tempo was good and had a few chances to score and one rightly disallowed but did not score when on top and not sure we tested the keeper or had any actual attempts outside the one VAR got involved in. After this Arsenal slowly pushed us back and got the penalty (which was a penalty despite many seeing things through red and white spectacles – even Wilder said it was silly by Basham). After this they controlled things and could have got a few more with Henderson making a good save and a few other going wide. We looked a bit full stretch and then Lundstram went off and we got a bit ill disciplined with some bad fouls. We had one shot from Norwood but that was the sum of our first half efforts on goal despite a better display and Arsenal played the better football of two poor teams. I was pleased we had competed and showed more but not sure it was fantastic; just better than it had been and I was relieved we saw some fight too.
2nd half we did play well for the first 15 minutes and had another disallowed, Bash missed one chance also but again did not work the keeper – that is a big worry that teams are working our goalie’s way too much. We did move it around a bit in this spell with Berge good and others also finding a bit of form for this 45-60-minute spell. This was the best bit of football we played as the rest of the game we did well from the direct stuff more than great football. Sadly, we could not get level and then the game became bitty. The ref was poor (both ways – more later) and he kept stopping the game. Berge and McBurnie played well but we got little from our wing backs/centre backs going forward and most of our chances came from Norwood’s set plays and Robinson’s long throws. Other than the one move when Robinson crossed for Basham not sure we showed much quality in general play that led to out and out chances. Granted there were a few decent pockets down the right and Berge was good for a spell but the chances only came when we went into McBurnie’s head. Nothing wrong with that and it was as Wilder said back to basics and maybe we have to do that more.
I thought the game might be drifting away but we got a chance and I felt over the course of the game deserved something. After this you sensed we could win it and had a few corners and the Sharp chance but with three strikers on (albeit McGoldrick deep) and not having the defensive solidity we had before; we were always susceptible on the break but it was not a superb goal – well finished maybe but so avoidable. Fleck’s awful ball, Norwood going to floor, Stevens twice making poor decisions, no one going to the man and the Henderson making himself too easy to beat. A really crap goal but a bit of quality and composure that as Wilder said, for all our better play today, we could not show.
I was pleased in the sense that we showed a better performance and if it had gone extra time maybe we may have nicked it. Arsenal stole it at the death of course but they will say they had control of the game (score line was) for a long spell. I think they were a touch lucky to win but they put the ball in the net and showed a bit of class that we could not do. We huffed and puffed and the effort was good but that we need to show more on the ball and make better decisions on/off the ball. I am gutted we are out of the Cup as we had a great chance today. Maybe the three teams who will be left in the draw would all be much stronger but that is what we aspire to, getting to games like this regardless of whether fans are there are not. Seen a lot saying glad we lost as it would have been awful not going to Wembley. Do fans really think so negatively like that? Maybe we should hope we lose games so we can’t sneak into Europa League qualification too? It’s an odd attitude but seen a few saying it?
We now have some more tough games to come and Spurs/Chelsea to come to the Lane. A top 8 finish is going to be really tough and I would be delighted now if we can just finish top half. What looked like being an unbelievable season is now seeing us fade away badly which is disappointing. Our players have not quite reacted like other clubs. The lack of crowds does seem to be hurting us but too many key players are either unfit, not ready or just having a terrible run of form (maybe all three). Today gives me confidence we maybe able to get a few results as it was better but we are tossing away 2’s and 3’s every week in terms of goals and only creating odd chances (and mainly from set plays).
I am pleased we at least sort some kind of performance and on another day we may have nicked it rather than Arsenal but it is another defeat and if we had gone back 2 weeks and you would say we would have lost 3 and drawn 1 and been out of the Cup you would be gutted and surprised. Conversely, if we had a bad spell in Feb or March and then done well here, we would feel better so you have to look at the bigger picture. It has still been a fantastic season of course. We can say that and say we are concerned about the recent performances and results. You can say both things! At the moment though it hurts we were lauded as the surprise team and full of innovative football and great results and now we seem to be just seen as that team that has not turned up since the restart and even today it was just a plucky showing rather than the good football we have seen.
Ratings:
Henderson 6/10 – Made a few standard/decent-ish saves but did not have too much to do really. They had a few go wide or miss the target. His kicking was night and day first half to second but that was the wind of course as he barely got to half way on some to start and then nearly scored in the 2nd half! The penalty he seemed to not know which way to go and seemed to have an argument with Darren Ward after this over which way he needed to go but he would not have got it anyway. In the second half he maybe had one save to make but we were more dangerous but then at the end, his decision making and positioning was really poor. To me even though Stevens did not go out, there is less chance of him scoring if he stays in his goal and can cover more of the goal that way with how far out he was but then he goes and leaves us all his near post and it was an easy finish. That is twice he has got done on his near post. To me Ceballos would not even attempt a shot if he stays at home and would cross it. Lots of errors before this of course.
Baldock 5/10 – I think he was been one of the better players since football returned but he was not at it today both going forward or defensively. I felt Tierney got at him quite a bit both first and second half and he looked tired. Did not much of him going forward, maybe as he was worried about Tierney the other way – he looked very tired and Wilder saw this and put Freeman on.
Stevens 5/10 – He had a better performance today but still nowhere near his best. At least did some of the basics right but his final ball was poor or he ran into trouble. At least he got forward more but his crosses were blocked or telegraphed. He did defend better but still was too far off his man and Pepe got down and through him a few times first half. Indeed, they had a lot of attacks down that left-hand side first half. At the end; his decision making was awful as he got turned but then they went back and he should have gone to the ball but just decided to leave it when he was the closes to it. He is making some baffling decisions at the moment. Not at it by a long shot.
Basham 5/10 – His overall play was ok but two big moments cost us badly. Conceding the penalty and missing a big chance. On the spot kick, loads are saying it was soft but no need to go in. He is facing the other way and there is no real danger. He gave him an easy decision and of course he will go down. They will never overturn it if there is contact and so it proved. He did this v Man City too at home. Silly decision. He nearly redeemed himself when he got forward but missed a header when really well placed. He has to finish that. There is so much pressure on our strikers as we are not getting goals from other areas – (albeit Fleck and Lundstram done well in spells). Our central defenders have not scored a goal all season. They trot up but very rarely look dangerous or head it over a lot when they get there. Had a fantastic season but not his best week in the last two games.
Robinson 7/10 – Had a decent game. Sure, he made a few ricks and actually lost a few headers early on to smaller players who got the run on him but he got better as the game went on and put in a few great balls (the Basham chance) and his throws were maybe our best attacking threat all game. He was steady and one of our better players. Defensively he did ok too although maybe a bit far up field on the goal as we had gone to a four?
Egan 7/10 – Much better than a week ago. Seemed less at full stretch than he has in other games and at least was more solid and composed with the ball and in his marking/defensive play. Not sure he really let Lacazette have many clear chances and the defence generally looked more solid and less ‘got at’ than it has in the other games. Sadly, poor errors at the end led to it all being for nothing.
Norwood 6.5/10 – Better game than he has had in at least he found a red and white shirt more and at least kept it better. Got stuck in more and the effort was better for me. His set plays were dangerous and he put in the ball of the match when we had the one disallowed. Sadly, he did fall to ground on the winner and took him self out of the play and then when he got back stood and watched when it was his man who scored.
Lundstram 6/10 – Started ok-ish and had a goal disallowed and was getting on the ball and helping us be more compact and for the first 15 minutes we completely controlled midfield. He then tried to foul his man and as he did, he got involved in a tussle and seemed to hurt his shoulder – not sure if it popped out or what? He tried to play on but could not carry on.
Fleck 4/10 – Not sure what is wrong with him at the moment. We saw few flashes of better play first half and he at least got involved but hid decision making on the ball today was awful throughout. He either ran into trouble, hit aimless crosses or was too slow to do things. He picked up a stupid booking first half for no reason. 2nd half got on the ball a bit more but can’t remember him influencing things in general play too much and Berge (in play) and Norwood (set play) were much better. On the winning goal he had given it away with aimless passes twice in the final 15 minutes but would not get away with it again. It was so lazy and they broke and of course lots of poor decisions after that led to the winner. Just no need to play the ball he did.
McBurnie 8/10 – His best game for some time. I have criticised him but he was excellent today and our best player. Led the line superbly, winning headers, holding it up and a real threat. They struggled to handle him. Sadly, we did not always have players around him. He was a different player from the timid, slow and weak player we saw the first few games. Today, he was a really threat and never gave them a moment. He showed good link play too. Had a few chances from throw ins etc but he had to battle for those and had nothing clear. Thought he was excellent and shoved some of the words of the critics (me!) right down our throats!
McGoldrick 6/10 – I argued on the pod with my colleagues who said he was poor 1st half and good 2nd half. I thought he got better as the game went on but overall did not think he was quite at it throughout the game and felt it came off him too much, he gave it away and was too slow to do things. Twice he had good chances but took forever or delayed early on. He made a lovely drag back and scored and maybe got involved more but I thought he was poor today and McBurnie had to do a lot of the work for him. He was partly at fault for the opener when he lost the ball with a bad touch and it kept bouncing off him. He had to scored with the chance in the first half. To be fair kept plugging away and better in a deeper role when Sharp came on. Got his goal and at least kept his composure but it was not his best day for me.
Subs –
Berge 8/10 – Finally! After several games we saw something. He got stuck in, he carried the ball more, showed some lovely touches and was our best midfielder. He was really good today and showed some neat skill, some clever pieces of link play and industry. He looked determined to make an impact and really put a lot of effort in. The most encouraging sign of today was his performance and if Lundstram is out I am hoping he can carry on this into the next few games as he looked a good player today.
Freeman 6/10 – Did better than Baldock but that was not hard. He had to push up as we sought a leveller and a few times it bounced off him or he took too long but at least he pushed them back more than Baldock did. Odd to see him playing in the FA Cup Quarter Final when you think he will not have a future here at all beyond the next few weeks but with the number of games he may get quite a few chances in the run in.
Sharp – Put himself about and was involved in the late flurry and almost scored with a low shot. Ultimately this could have gone in as we a similar type of effort to the Ceballlos one but their keeper reacted and covered his near post. Ours did not.
Manager Wilder 7/10 – A better performance. We played in first and spurts again. Decent for 15 minutes in the first half and 15 minutes to start the second half. A bit meh in between but then had a late go and were really unlucky to lose. We had two goals disallowed and missed a few chances too but ultimately it was not good enough. Heard him criticising the dark arts of the Arsenal players and he has a point but I do not want him going down the ‘Warnock route.’ He is better than that. He might be right but it isn’t going to change. Refs will give things if players go down to the ground and maybe they are conned to easily. Does not make it right but not sure it will ever be different any time soon. I am not sure I would want our players to be like that. Basham and Egan did it twice today and I did not like it.
He played the side everyone expected and then his subs helped with Berge doing well and Sharp helping the push to get level. He went for it and we did look better at the end with a 4-4-2. Maybe the problem is he can’t switch back or should switch back but t me the best chance of winning the game was then for me. I think we had the opportunity to finish it there and then but they caught us on the sucker punch. Maybe it was naïve of us but if we score then it’s great tactics. It maybe was a bit gung-ho with the pace they have on the break. He will be pleased we saw more like a performance. As he said it was more direct and back to basic than the decent, enterprising football we played and our main threat came from set plays but at least we did threaten today, after not looking like scoring in the other games. Will have to pick them up off the floor but will definitely say he saw some improvements. With the next two against Spurs and Chelsea it does not get any easy and three straight defeats (4 without a win) means his reputation is hitting a hit (not by us) after getting all the national acclaim where pundits will say we have fell off a cliff completely.
Arsenal – They rested or rotated a few and have not been in great form. I saw the team and thought we had a real chance an as the game panned out, we looked the better side for the first part but they settled down and played some decent stuff. They scored and then were the better side. The second half we had a spell and they were fortunate rather than skilled that another offside saved them before they started to settle and take the sting out of the game. They looked like they had done enough but then shambolic defending and it was level. They were on the back foot and you feared for them but they broke out and showed some individual quality to win it. Fortunate to win the game really as the momentum was with us but then would argue conversely that they led for a long spell. I am not sure they were any better than against us in the two previous games and actually for me were there for the taking. A more confident and assured side would have beat them today. We caused them problems with long balls/throws and set plays but did not hurt them much in normal play. They will be pleased that the keeper did not have many saves to make but of course had a few let offs with the two offside goals and the Basham chance. They had freshened things up with a few changes but we looked stronger towards the game (they played a day after us). Be interesting how extra time would have gone as they would have brought Aubameyang on etc but we looked more likely at this stage and they seemed a bit all over the place. Maybe they would have upped it and won but you never know. They nicked the win but if they play like that against any of the teams left in it, they will go out at the next round.
You can see why they have struggled. They have a lot of ordinary players mixed in with some real skill, pace and power. At times on the break with Saka, Pepe etc they look dynamic but then static defending or lazy play off the ball means they lose chances and goals too easily. Both goals they let in today were not really them playing offside and they got away with it through more luck than judgement. Another day our players hold their line and it is two good goal. Today were fine margins. Sharp’s shot v Ceballos shot effectively decides the game.
They need to make several changes to be near the top 4 next season. I am not sure they are any better than Wolves, Man Utd, Spurs, Chelsea, Leicester, City, Liverpool etc. All 7 are quite a bit stronger. They need to keep faith with Arteta and the young players and bring in a bit more quality in terms of experience at the back and in midfield but I do not see a finish of anywhere much higher than 6th-8th for the next few years without major investment as they are still a bit of a soft touch. If this game had been played a few months ago at a full Bramall Lane, I would have been confident we would have won but the empty ground and hitting us in such bad form saw it different but still not sure they did enough to win the game. Still they have won two games back to back which is two more than we have done but I think United missed a big chance today as it was a young and much changed side so Arsenal will feel they rotated well and still won.
Opponent Man of the Match – Thought that Tierney down the left was excellent and a threat throughout and caused us problems and stopped Baldock going forward too. I also thought Pepe in the first half caused us some problems. Lacazette showed a few bits but it not a regular anymore.
Opponent Weak link – Any of the middle three defenders. McBurnie caused them problems. They ball watched a lot from throws/corners. Kolasanic and Mustafi are really poor players. I am not even sure they would get in our side.
Referee/Officials/VAR – Paul Tierney was the VAR ref who sat on his hands when we had the incident v Villa the other week I believe? He was awful today. I have seen loads saying he massively favoured Arsenal but he was bad both ways. The penalty was right – we cannot grumble at that. It might have looked soft and he went down theatrically but don’t kick him and give him chance. Bash knew.
Aside from this the two goals were offside of course but his general officiating was fussy and a look at me approach. Both ways for me. He kept stopping the game all the time and was giving so many little fouls for nothing. Many will point to Arsenal players going to ground and they did and too often. He fell for it time after time but then did not give obvious fouls (Fleck fouled at the end for us and he gave it to them, McBurnie one for instance for us when he knocked the player out near the touchline and he gave nothing for Arsenal this time). We saw several Arsenal players just go down with no contact – the Tierney one was awful and then we started doing it- Baldock and Egan went down under no contact (ironically we scored from the attack after the soft Egan foul – but no one will remember that when criticising his biased performance!). It was just bad performance – it was not about the penalty or the VAR goals which may be frustrating but were correct; it was his general picky refereeing where the game could never get going. I do feel they had the edge on decisions but that there were also a few we got we should not have. He was shocking both ways maybe just gave a few more bad ones against us!
The two bookings were correct with cynical fouls from Fleck and Robinson though so he got these right.
On a wider thing, I do not like or agree with this everyone is against us perception. It may feel like that but do people genuinely think everyone in the VAR studios or referees think it’s Sheffield United, give them nothing? I am not sure we are that significant really in the grand scheme of things. I cannot stand this mentality either; it smacks of the Tevez thing again and really thought we had moved on. I am being hypocritical as I wrote a letter to Hawkeye over the one outrageous decision but it’s done now. We are not going to change it. It was not right. There are some tweeting them every day which after we have lost the last three is a bit embarrassing. They are not going to reply to me/you sadly.
On the wider scheme we have had rotten bad luck, with the Villa one and also the Fleck one at Man City and it is hard to take a lot of VAR have gone against us but actually a lot of the VAR decisions have been right actually even though we just have had a lot of overturns. A controversial angle is the refs have favoured us with some bad decisions going for us (like today the opening goal not giving it) but then VAR have overturned them getting a lot of them, right? That may seem daft but if everyone was out to get us would they not be giving these decisions originally anyway?!
Both today, v Southampton home goal, v Villa home penalty, both v Brighton away, v Man City away and even the Newcastle goal etc have been correct. Some have gone against us such as the Southampton handball, Spurs away of course that were clearly wrong in my opinion although some may technically these were right too and others have had similarly bad calls – can think of Burnley, Norwich, Spurs and Liverpool all having goals similar to McGoldrick’s ruled out.
We have had some go for us (Basham red card v Norwich, McBurnie v Man Utd, Rice handball) so it is not as simple as say we are minus whatever in VAR. I hate VAR by the way but its not like we have had 14 Lundstram type incidents go against us! I agree we have had some bad luck but please don’t turn us into those fans who blame everyone else when things go wrong – we need to better that that. I will get slammed for that but as bad as Tierney was today, he did not decide the game. He was crap but not sure he gave any huge decision that was wrong – just lots of bitty ones. Maybe we might have got something out of it and had a few more chances if he had not kept stopping it but the keeper did not have a save to make outside of the goal in the whole game. I would rather focus on that and what we can control than always look at the ref. He was crap and frustrating though.
I will probably get slammed for saying above but hate it when we look for others to be at fault – the Villa game was a big difference of course but overall; this all the refs/VAR are out to get us I do not really buy.
Lockdown/Atmosphere etc – Our first game at Bramall Lane in these strange conditions. I have looked at what other clubs have done and at first, I mocked the crowdies (cardboard cuts outs) but when done well and filling a lot of the ground (Leeds and Man Utd) it looks better than empty seats. Also liked the flags Liverpool did covering the Kop. We made an appeal for flags off fans and had a few but not many. We had a few sponsors logos etc but maybe we could have done more. It was odd knowing there was a game down the road from me and I was not there. I opened the window and think I heard the Greasy Chip Butty song as the wind carried it but maybe that was in my head and wishful thinking!
Just a quick word on Steve McManaman and BT. Some of the most biased coverage I have ever heard. It was not a great game and yes some of the points about both players going to ground was correct but he moaned and groaned all day. It was like it was a chore for him to be there. He berated us all game for whatever we did and just generally criticised everything and anything. He was right on elements of the ref’s performance. He then spent about 10 minutes of the second half giggling and laughing about if Aubameyang wanted to come on or not or whether he would. It went on and on. At the end inevitable the talk would be about the winning team but it was like an Arsenal TV station. They had Van Persie in a live link to do analysis pre/half time and post game. Where was our representation? After Neville in the week, I have had my fill of the completely biased coverage. At times I really miss the Championship coverage where things are more rounded and less about the top teams. I would not mind but Arsenal have been no better than us this year. literally barely mentioned us; in a relatively even game. It was like when an English team plays a European team in the Champions League and all the focus us on the domestic team. It was nauseating. McManaman really was awful but Darren Fletcher not better laughing along at his awful jokes or criticism. Really poor one-eyed coverage.
