Post by deadbat on Jul 26, 2020 20:03:36 GMT
Pod and final match report below
soundcloud.com/tufty-club/tufty-club-reaction-southampton-away
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United’s excellent first season ended with three straight defeats and a rather disappointing end as they Blades ended up bang in 9th place. When the restart began fans dreamed of a top 5 finish but despite a trio of great wins, the bookends of this truncated mini season has seen United put in some poor performances and in the end lost 5 games (they had only lost 7 before the break – 4 to Liverpool and City) to end up some way from the final place we had hoped for prior to football coming back. Still despite the fade out, it has been a tremendous season for the red and white wizards and one where they have not come close to being relegated, flirting with the top places for most of the season.
Manager Wilder made four changes with many enforced due to knocks/injuries. In came Robinson, Lundstram, Fleck and Sharp for O’Connell, Norwood, Osborn and McGoldrick. On the bench possibly for the final time was Freeman, Clarke and Jagielka. Southampton started with former Blade Che Adams back in the starting line up alongside the free scoring Danny Ings who still had a chance of the golden boot.
United were wearing their lime third kit, maybe for the final time whilst Southampton were wearing their new red strip with diagonal white stripe.
The early going saw McBurnie commit an early foul and then Henderson had to sweep up before neat football from Sharp and Fleck combined but Fleck’s cross went over. Berge pulled down his man but made amends when he strongly swept up after the free kick was cleared.
The first real chance came when a ball from Basham came in and the ball was deflected from McBurnie’s shot but fell comfortably for McCarthy. After a quiet start the chances started to come with Ings going in on goal and falling outside the box quite theatrically and United broke away with no foul given. Lundstram’s long ball curled around his man and Sharp held off his defender really well but as he went on the angle and with McBurnie square, he probably rightly went for goal with a free run but one on one, his shot hit McCarthy’s legs and rebounded back onto Sharp and out for a goal kick. It was a really good chance and one he would expect to score.
At the other end, Redmond had a curled shot that was grasped by Henderson before Armstrong went down signalling a slightly early drinks break. After this United took the lead on 25 minutes. Stevens cross deflected off Vestergaard with Sharp occupying the centre back and fell perfectly for LUNDSTRAM. The midfielder hit the ball firmly and it went in off McCarthy’s legs to give United the lead.
Smallbone came on for Armstrong who could not continue. Egan took charge twice with balls over the top before at the other end United could have made it 2-0. A poor mistake saw McBurnie take advantage and feed Sharp down the left who cut in and dinked over a cross over his striker partner but in the path of Lundstram. The midfielder probably hit this effort better than his first but McCarthy made a superb save to beat the ball away.
It was not end to end and Ings had an effort deflected wide from Robinson before soon after Adams sent Basham for a McDonalds as he completely out foxed his former teammate and was away before his cross was cleared. Soon after Redmond then powered past Lundstram and Basham and his cross ricocheted around before United hacked clear. Adams was proving a real danger man and he rolled Adams again before Fleck blocked a shot from the edge of the box with great bravery.
Three minutes stoppage time saw United had to defend a final corner but it had been a solid first half and the away side, whilst not having anywhere near as much possession, created by far the best chances and scored from one of the three clear ones they made.
The second half saw Southampton come out and were clearly more determined to make a mark as they came at the Blades. They had two players grounded looking for penalties but Berge and Robinson were rightly not penalised.
At the other end great skill from Fleck set up Stevens whose shot was block but this was a rare attack in one-way traffic. Basham lost the ball and then Berge could not get it back and it was played through for ADAMS who beat Henderson at his near post..
Redmond then had a shot blocked for a corner as Zivkovic came on for McBurnie. Smallbone then shot over as United could not get out at all. However, they had a great chance to retake the lead when Sharp got in after a McCarthy error but he tried to dribble it round the keeper and Romeu got back to make the tackle.
McCarthy took the ball just inside his box with appeals for a handball but the VAR waved it away – at the other end – Adams looked set to score after Ings ‘over’ from the Ward Prowse cross but Robinson made a goal saving block.
Southampton were dominating possession and United had really struggled this half. Clarke came on for Sharp but it was not long after Southampton deservedly took the lead. It was a run inside from Walker Peters away from Stevens and his shot was blocked by Basham but fell perfectly for ADAMS who smashed home with United’s defence ball watching.
This half had been reminiscent of the Leicester/Everton games and it was easy for the Saints to knock the ball about. United had barely kept the ball at all this half and other than the one Sharp chance had not looked an attacking threat as Redmond and Adams continued to cause problems but the main issue seemed to be midfield where Berge, Fleck and Lundstram were not in the game and Ward Prowse and Romeu dominating the ball.
Basham came off for Norwood with 10 minutes to play but his first act was a disaster as he chopped down his man and despite Henderson saving the shot – the referee went back and rightly gave the award. INGS easily scored and now was within one goal of the golden boot.
The final 10 minutes saw it resemble a practice game and Southampton moved the ball about and looked more like scoring again winning a few more corners but United looked a tired team as Redmond, Waller Peters and others ran off them and just looked quicker and with more energy in their legs. There was 4 minutes of stoppage time but it was played out in with the home side having the ball and the final whistle came with United ending a fantastic season with three straight defeats.
United – Poor overall but definitely a game of two halves. First half we did ok and maybe should have had 3 goals in an open game but after missing some good chances; it was not to be. You worried they would come out strong second half and so it proved and it was very one sided second half other than the one Sharp chance– we kind of fell apart second half and 3-1 actually flattered us really after the first half we deserved to lead. First game we have led a game at home and lost for a long, long time.
It was a weird game in this sense. We maybe shaded the first half; not possession but big chances but then second half they dominated and ran out easy winners. Be interesting if Lundstram or Sharp x 2 took their chances but in terms of overall play, passing and quality they were much better 2nd half. Essentially, they took their chances and we did not – we probably had better chances. However, the last half an hour they just ran away from us and we looked a really tired group and could not even run/chase for the final half hour. It was sad to watch players who have had a fantastic season just look done for. They had 73% possession and had loads more efforts on goal, corners etc but we had the big chances and you have to take them when they come.
The penalty summed it up as even as Ings scored none of our players even bothered following in which suggested the body language was not what it has been for much of the season. It was poor end the season like we did but we still finished 9th and equalled the best ever finish my lifetime – this is a much better team than the Bassett one too and play better football. Overall, it has been a fantastic season and one we can be so proud of. We need to keep improving at definitely at the top of the field where we lack quality/goals and pace. Today and the last few weeks was a reminder that the players cannot be complacent and we have to be bang at the first few weeks of the new season.
We have an excellent base and some really good players to build on but we have to improve and cannot stand still. Feels a bit flat tonight but we will reflect in a day or so and realise what we have achieved.
Ratings:
Henderson 6/10 – Another goal that went in at the near post. He was left badly exposed though all second half and the penalty incident summed it up as he had to make the save when they had men over. This was the case much of the second half as they swarmed all over us. His kicking was poor again and he nearly led to a chance as he kicked straight to Ings. Did throw a good one to Zivkovic who was half asleep.
Baldock 5/10 – Bit out of position at times first half and they got lots of joy down the right where Basham had to come over. Redmond caused us all sorts of problems coming inside and I felt we were got at in wide areas and down the side. Punted it out under no pressure a few times too. Just looked very tired. We rely on the energy of our wing backs but today they had nothing both ways.
Stevens 5/10 – Steady enough to begin and put in the cross for the goal and had one run forward second half with a shot with his right foot but like Baldock not tight enough to his man all game and the lad Walker Peters ran off him a few times – the second goal summed that up as he ambled across as he ran off him.
Basham 4/10 – Had a bad first half. Got done three times for skill; twice by Adams and went to ground too often. He hacked at things and just looked generally out of sorts. He was not able to get forward much at all either. On the second goal he made the initial error (Berge the next). Then got hit in the face on the third which summed up his day. A great season but ended it looking tired today.
Robinson 6.5/10 – Maybe our best defender and at least kept to his game and made a tremendous tackle and another good block. We do look worse collectively when O’Connell does not play bit strangely individually he has done ok. Decent lad to have around as cover next season.
Egan 6.5/10 – Won a lot of headers and blocks early on and I felt was our best defender to begin with. He made a few clearances where he was at full stretch. Second half felt the whole defence got stretched quite badly and felt sorry for the centre backs who had no protection. Be easy to blame the defence but we did not tackle and stop the ball coming into the front men all game.
Berge 5/10 – Probably a 7/10 first half and a 3/10 second half. Had a good first half but non existent second half. Gave away a cheap free kick early but then showed his strength to come away with the ball a few times. Nice and composed first half as they sat off and midfield was fine. He was good and felt he showed his qualities when he got on the ball. 2nd half different story – he was not in the game and when he had it got caught out as he dithered. More than anything he was the defensive midfielder and they ran straight through us. Worrying that he looked so unable to control anything in this area. Partly at fault for the second (more Bash) and never got hold of the ball all 2nd half. I am still to be convinced fully by him. I keep listening to everyone saying what a great player he will become but so far he has played about 3 or 4 good games out of 15 and in a lot has gone missing. He may have some attributes but has to affect games much more. Today we took a good look at him in that central defensive role and not sure I was anymore convinced by him in that position than the other area he played. I want to a complete performance (Spurs he gave one) and not bits and pieces where she shows some promise or does a few decent things. He needs affect games more from start to finish.
Fleck 5/10 – Some bits and pieces but again like above not sure he affected the game enough and there lads Romeu and Ward Prowse controlled things in this area. They like Leicester only had two in this area so not sure how they had so much of the ball. I recall one jinking run and one great block but outside of this not sure he really got on the ball or got close enough to there men. Not had a great post lockdown with poor form and injuries and just never really got going at all.
Lundstram 5/10 – Real mixed bag. Wonderful pass (like the one at Everton for Mousset’s goal) to Sharp and took his goal well. Well-placed and nearly got another and kept popping up unmarked and got in some great positions. He did make some poor passes too though and 2nd half I barely noticed him at all as he looked tired out and they just ran through us and down the sides. He did not help Baldock at all who was left one on one with Redmond and then just sort of ambled about – shame after a much improved first half.
McBurnie 4/10 – First half other than one pass to Sharp for the Lunny chance; I felt he was slow and behind the play and not really at it. Too weak and gave it away too easy. Sharp missed chances but at least he got in good areas. He has been awful the last three games and looked completely out of gas which is odd as it is not as if he has played every game this season – needs to get much fitter and stronger. He looked annoyed when he got took off but was not affecting the game at all. I keep saying that we need 2 main strikers next year - think Didz and McBurnie will play games – and nothing I have seen recently has changed that.
Sharp 4/10 – Great chance where he did all the good work; strong physical play and run but missed when you would expect him to score. Then got away again but took a bit long to pass and chipped it a bit behind Lundstram but at least got to him. Ball came off him a few times but he was really busy and I thought lively to begin the game but he cannot miss chances like that. That is why he is in the team – look at Adams – he buried two that were lesser chances. I am not sure he is mobile or offers enough at this level to play much but that does not take away what a fantastic career he has and is a Blades legend. We have to do much better than him as a starter though next season putting all sentiment aside as he lacks the pace/quality needed to contribute effectively every week. All our strikers have had good games and runs but none are consistent enough and it is the weakest area of our team. I keep hearing we don’t create chances but today we created quite a few and missed them.
Subs –
Zivkovic 4/10 – Looked what he has in most games (apart from doing ok v Wolves); a headless chicken. He barely touched it but then we were defending and he got little service but when it did go up there he was wrong side of the man. I have not seen enough in limited minutes to suggest he can cut it at this level but that may seem harsh on a small sample size.
Norwood – Came on and I said none of our midfield had made a tackle and he came on and made one and gave away a penalty! He then gave it away again soon after. Still I felt he should have come on earlier as we had no control of midfield. -
Clarke – Came on without gloves and a short-sleeved shirt for his farewell! Had one touch I think – a defensive header away from a corner. Been a great servant for us.
Manager Wilder 5/10 – First half fine and we showed more energy and the changes seemed to give us a bit more life but second half they pressed us, played higher up the field and we had no answer. Took too long to make changes and the formation should have been altered to give us some chance of getting back in the game as we had no ball. The last few games he has not done great really as we have had tired teams and he has not used all his subs or changed the formation soon enough. We have now lost 6 away games on the bounce since lockdown which is the biggest run of defeats under Wilder. We have looked a sorry, well beaten side in the last three and that is not us but most of it is fatigue I believe. Love his interview at the end where he said we have left the season on a losing streak and how need to improve and the drive he shows to the players and the fans. Be a big challenge to keep improving if he does not get the funds, he needs to improve us top of the field.
Southampton – Finished the season really well and on the up with some great results to end things. Had a feeling they might be more up for it due to the form and being at home with maybe a bit more energy in the tank judging from recent games I have seen of both respective side. So, it proved as they just looked hungrier and more had more running/endeavour and desire than us. First half they made errors though and if we took chances, they may have lost but after the let offs came out and played with more intensity and were at it and all over us really. Still if Sharp scores at 1-1 then it is a different game.
They looked a sorry state earlier in the season when they were hammered at home and seemed like it would almost certainly be a relegation battle. Hasenhutl could easily have been dispensed with despite keeping them up last year and you look at the changes a team like Watford made and you have to credit the board for keeping faith. They slowly pulled away and got tighter at the back. Ings goals have helped but they have some really good players and the likes of Ward Prowse Redmond, Betrand, Hojberg are solid players week in, week out. Adams has stated to score and they have some pace and threats like Djenpo and even workers like Long who will run all day.
I would take any of their three front men over ours. They are better quality and score more goals with pace and running. The rest of the team outside of maybe Romeu/Ward Prowse not so much and feel we have a better defence although the wing backs played better today.
I have watched them play teams like City recently and they have been excellent and reminded me of us as they have looked well organised, hard to break down and fight like mad. They have finished the season really well and not finished far behind us and comfortable in mid table in the end.
Hasenhutl will have to ensure he gets the maximum out of them next season and it looks like Hojberg may be on his way but they have a decent enough squad with additions (always seem to have young talent coming through – Smallbone and Sims been involved quite a bit this season too) that makes you think, a bit like us that they should have too much in work ethic and drive from their manager to go down next year. You don’t know though as you could have said the same about Watford and Bournemouth the year before this one so the likes of them and us have to be not too complacent.
Opponent Man of the Match – Adams and Redmond both excellent. The former scored two and the latter a threat but felt Ward Prowse and Romeu (save one error) completely ran midfield. These 4 were the best players on the pitch. Ings was quiet but still got a goal.
Opponent Weak link – Vestergaard and Stephens made errors but we did not take advantage. Think there are goals and mistakes in those two and the defence as a whole but we missed two one on one chances.
Referee/Officials/VAR – Peter Bankes. Fine. Did not fall from Ings going down constantly. Let the game flow and did not give picky fouls. Only one booking – Stevens and he had no choice; think he wanted to not book anyone all game
As is…erm…tradition, my end of season School Report will be out this week – I will submit a section each day for a week a shown below
Monday – Season review/reflections month by month stats
Tuesday – Board / Manager / Coaches / Academy
Wednesday – Goalkeepers
Thursday – Defence
Friday – Midfield
Saturday – Attack
Sunday – Final awards / Conclusions
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84 pages and 47,000 words! It should help any insomniacs! If anyone wants a full copy in advance then DM me on twitter (Deadbat_DB) or on here
