Post by deadbat on Sept 1, 2020 19:50:56 GMT
Have to be honest and say I did not watch this intently - I just got in from work and was trying to do more work (first proper day back - Schools - argh!) so forgive inaccuracies/skewed opinions but saw enough to form the below!
Teams
We had a load missing of course - Ramsdale, Egan, Stevens, Robinson (C), Fleck and Berge international duty - McGoldrick injury and O'Connell and Lundstram (still completing 14 day covid quarantine I assume?) so missing 8 starters at least.
Only Baldock, Basham and Norwood from that eleven I would expect to start v Wolves.
Foderingham was in goal. Norrington Davies played left wing back, Baldock at right and Jags with Jack Robinson and Bash in the middle. In midfield, Slater and Osborn flanked Norwood. Sharp and Mousset played up top although McBurnie replaced Mousse at half time. Brunt and Bryan came on with Bryan playing left wing back and Brunt midfield - Slater seemed to drop to right wing back.
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Derby were without Rooney, Waghorn and Lawrence (injured) and also Andre Wisdom and Krystian Bielik did not play. New first choice keeper David Marshall was away with Scotland.
They still had, Bogle, Shinnie, Duane Holmes, Jack Marriott, Forsyth and a few talented youngsters like Louie Sibley. Matt Clarke (centre back on loan from Brighton) and Curtis Davies came on also. You could argue they had a stronger team than us in terms of first teamers being used.
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Firstly, the kit looks nice (pink) BUT we cannot wear it v teams with a white kit such as Leeds, Fulham and Spurs and we won't wear red and white due to the amount of white on the home kit. So, we need a third kit if we did not already.
Weirdly, it may actually be ok v red teams actually as seemed lighter when watching on TV (mine and my son's version seem much pinker in real life which is weird - maybe it is the lighting on the feed?!)
The game itself, first half it was a scrappy start with both teams giving the ball away. They had a half chance which Foderingham kind of half saved and they had an overhead kick over (Marriott) but we slowly grew into the game with Norwood and Osborn dictating the tempo. Mousset and Sharp both seemed a bit off the pace - not sure that is a partnership that would really work long term and can see why CW had used that the least of the combos. Robinson got forward and had a cross cum shot wide and United started to control things.
Both keepers looked a bit dodgy with kicking and decisions. Forsyth and Roos got in a mess and the keeper had to kick behind. Sibley would have got sent off in a real game in a 5 minute spell. He cynically pulled Sharp back and then went in late on Baldock who was not happy and also was silly (shoving him several times). From this free kick we took the lead, Norwood's ball was not cleared and OSBORN drilled in right into the corner maybe deceiving the keeper as it went in near post as he took the shot but was a well hit shot through bodies.
Just before half time, the keeper uncertainty continued as Foderingham inexplicably just picked it up outside as his box as he came too far to collect. The free kick came to nothing.
Mousse was taken off for McBurnie and we instantly improved. Him and Sharp were better as a pair and the latter improved too. We completely dominated the second half after a more even first half. They did not get into our half barely and never had the ball much at all for the final 45 minutes. Norwood ran the game completely and Osborn was busy. Slater was ok too. McBurnie came deep and held it up really well and linked with others. We should have had several goals really. McBurnie headed one cross wide from Norwood and Jags did the same from a cross. Both should have scored.
Bryan came on and did well actually with a few decent touches and crosses - at first team level the best he has looked (since Hallam last year) when any other time he has looked jittery. He may have to be a possible option there as back up as we seem to be prioritising other positions although would feel Osborn would go there if Enda was injured; in the first instance (expect RND to go out on loan again). He was involved in one attack as the ball pinged about and then soon after Bryan put a fantastic cross over that was turned in smartly by SHARP - not an easy finish as it did sit up.
After this Billy broke the offside trap but took too long to execute the lob that was on and as it came back to him off the keeper, he screwed wide. It was all so comfortable though and Derby were chasing shadows. Yes, they had a lot of kids in but we were not exactly at our strongest either. It was good how easily we won the game. We looked a cut above and a few in particular stood out - namely Osborn, Basham and of course Norwood.
Derby looked very poor and will need to sign a number of players (yes, they have some coming back) to add to some talented youngsters but seem to be going through a transition from old, overpaid players (yes, I know they signed Rooney!) to younger players so will take time. Glad they did not get a points deduction though as think they will be nearer the bottom than the top!
Player ratings (go on I'll do some!)
Foderingham 5/10 - Few moments of indecision when he had little to do. He made a bit of a mess of a kick earlier on, slicing it out and then handballed it outside the box. He made one flick over but not sure he had much to do at all - no shots really of note to save.
Baldock 7/10 - Fine apart from trying to get into a fight! No matter what the game - he always brings that aggression which is his game. Got forward when he could but put a few crosses behind.
Norrington Davies 6/10 - Made an error early on when he gave it away and they broke and positionally he seemed a bit unsure when to go and stay - as a result did not see him go forward much. It's such a complex system to play though so hard to be too critical.
Jagielka 6.5/10 - Lack of pace shown a few times first half when he got caught too high but he got better as the game went on. Should have scored but played with a fag in his mouth second half so little they threatened.
Basham 7.5/10 - Very good. Slipped again a few times (could excuse that at Dundee United but maybe he needs to look at his studs!) but overall, he was solid. Ran forward, linked with others and usual all energiser bunny!
Robinson 7/10 - Sound - starting to really understand the position more and we are seeing him go forward more. Real steady eddy - bit Cranie like in that respect.
Slater 6.5/10 - Did ok. Not as involved as the other too but steady and did not give it away too much. Steady but nothing spectacular. Ended up at right wing back I believe when Baldock went off.
Osborn 8/10 - Excellent. Busy, involved and industrious. He was good on the ball and off it. He has been really good most games he has played and is determined to take his chances when they come. He was involved in breaking up things and attacking play and scored a great goal. Even when he gave it away, he raced back to get it or retrieve his error. Whisper this but he reminds me of a skilful Montgomery - maybe more like a Stephen Quinn - left sided?
Norwood 9/10 - Ran the game and as you say even for a friendly - easily a 9/10 - Superb and showed what a class act he was. Looked a league above players he is against - which he is.
Best player on the pitch by some way.
Mousset 4/10 - May seem harsh but he did not look arsed. Tried a few bits of skill that did not come off but looked well off the pace and not someone who was exactly busting a gut. I know that is not his style but he needs to work harder when he does not have the ball or at least do more when he does!
Sharp 7/10 - First half more like a 4 or 5 but much better after the break. Scored one and could have had another and worked hard, linking play.
Subs
McBurnie 7/10 - A lot is being made of him being picked or being involved. As a Sheffield United fan I will say he is our player and we pay his wages and if we want to bring him back to fitness then that is fine. I can see why Scotland fans would see it is a big two fingers though to them - especially after his caught on camera comments last year. Maybe the club/Scotland need to say that he was given time with us as he was easing back to fitness and not ready for international games - the cynical Scotland fan may say if he is fit then he should play for them or be available. If he is not fit, he should not play for anyone but this is a friendly and he is easing his way back. To be honest the fans don't rate him and don’t need much ammunition. I am not sure we should care what they think. If Clarke wants to pick him for Scotland so be it - there won’t be fans for a while so hardly like he'll get some stick. Just hope he does not make daft comments on social media. Wilder needs to tell him to not respond as loads surely will try and involve him shall we say!
As for his game today, he was really good - good quick feet, held it up but should have scored but we improved hugely after he came on at the top of the pitch.
Bryan 7/10 - I am not his biggest fan but he did well today and grew into the game. Defensively, under little pressure ok and got forward well. Had a chance of a shot which he decided against but then hit a superb cross that was begging to be finished and Billy did. He then ballooned a woeful effort over but he was well advanced again. An improvement on what I have seen before but needs more than 30 mins of this form versus a poor Derby side before I would count on him for any game time at Prem level.
Brunt - See Slater. Did ok. Overran one ball and then dived in after he got fouled and tried to get it back and was a bit high. He was ok when he had it and neat and tidy but did not have too long or much of the ball.
Shame we did not get to see Hackford as would have liked to see him have some time for say Sharp with 10 minutes to go.
Overall, a pleasing performance with more plusses than minuses - some worries in terms of what we saw - Foderingham and Mousset albeit with limited touches/action but also some excellent performances from some of our counted-on players.
Teams
We had a load missing of course - Ramsdale, Egan, Stevens, Robinson (C), Fleck and Berge international duty - McGoldrick injury and O'Connell and Lundstram (still completing 14 day covid quarantine I assume?) so missing 8 starters at least.
Only Baldock, Basham and Norwood from that eleven I would expect to start v Wolves.
Foderingham was in goal. Norrington Davies played left wing back, Baldock at right and Jags with Jack Robinson and Bash in the middle. In midfield, Slater and Osborn flanked Norwood. Sharp and Mousset played up top although McBurnie replaced Mousse at half time. Brunt and Bryan came on with Bryan playing left wing back and Brunt midfield - Slater seemed to drop to right wing back.
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Derby were without Rooney, Waghorn and Lawrence (injured) and also Andre Wisdom and Krystian Bielik did not play. New first choice keeper David Marshall was away with Scotland.
They still had, Bogle, Shinnie, Duane Holmes, Jack Marriott, Forsyth and a few talented youngsters like Louie Sibley. Matt Clarke (centre back on loan from Brighton) and Curtis Davies came on also. You could argue they had a stronger team than us in terms of first teamers being used.
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Firstly, the kit looks nice (pink) BUT we cannot wear it v teams with a white kit such as Leeds, Fulham and Spurs and we won't wear red and white due to the amount of white on the home kit. So, we need a third kit if we did not already.
Weirdly, it may actually be ok v red teams actually as seemed lighter when watching on TV (mine and my son's version seem much pinker in real life which is weird - maybe it is the lighting on the feed?!)
The game itself, first half it was a scrappy start with both teams giving the ball away. They had a half chance which Foderingham kind of half saved and they had an overhead kick over (Marriott) but we slowly grew into the game with Norwood and Osborn dictating the tempo. Mousset and Sharp both seemed a bit off the pace - not sure that is a partnership that would really work long term and can see why CW had used that the least of the combos. Robinson got forward and had a cross cum shot wide and United started to control things.
Both keepers looked a bit dodgy with kicking and decisions. Forsyth and Roos got in a mess and the keeper had to kick behind. Sibley would have got sent off in a real game in a 5 minute spell. He cynically pulled Sharp back and then went in late on Baldock who was not happy and also was silly (shoving him several times). From this free kick we took the lead, Norwood's ball was not cleared and OSBORN drilled in right into the corner maybe deceiving the keeper as it went in near post as he took the shot but was a well hit shot through bodies.
Just before half time, the keeper uncertainty continued as Foderingham inexplicably just picked it up outside as his box as he came too far to collect. The free kick came to nothing.
Mousse was taken off for McBurnie and we instantly improved. Him and Sharp were better as a pair and the latter improved too. We completely dominated the second half after a more even first half. They did not get into our half barely and never had the ball much at all for the final 45 minutes. Norwood ran the game completely and Osborn was busy. Slater was ok too. McBurnie came deep and held it up really well and linked with others. We should have had several goals really. McBurnie headed one cross wide from Norwood and Jags did the same from a cross. Both should have scored.
Bryan came on and did well actually with a few decent touches and crosses - at first team level the best he has looked (since Hallam last year) when any other time he has looked jittery. He may have to be a possible option there as back up as we seem to be prioritising other positions although would feel Osborn would go there if Enda was injured; in the first instance (expect RND to go out on loan again). He was involved in one attack as the ball pinged about and then soon after Bryan put a fantastic cross over that was turned in smartly by SHARP - not an easy finish as it did sit up.
After this Billy broke the offside trap but took too long to execute the lob that was on and as it came back to him off the keeper, he screwed wide. It was all so comfortable though and Derby were chasing shadows. Yes, they had a lot of kids in but we were not exactly at our strongest either. It was good how easily we won the game. We looked a cut above and a few in particular stood out - namely Osborn, Basham and of course Norwood.
Derby looked very poor and will need to sign a number of players (yes, they have some coming back) to add to some talented youngsters but seem to be going through a transition from old, overpaid players (yes, I know they signed Rooney!) to younger players so will take time. Glad they did not get a points deduction though as think they will be nearer the bottom than the top!
Player ratings (go on I'll do some!)
Foderingham 5/10 - Few moments of indecision when he had little to do. He made a bit of a mess of a kick earlier on, slicing it out and then handballed it outside the box. He made one flick over but not sure he had much to do at all - no shots really of note to save.
Baldock 7/10 - Fine apart from trying to get into a fight! No matter what the game - he always brings that aggression which is his game. Got forward when he could but put a few crosses behind.
Norrington Davies 6/10 - Made an error early on when he gave it away and they broke and positionally he seemed a bit unsure when to go and stay - as a result did not see him go forward much. It's such a complex system to play though so hard to be too critical.
Jagielka 6.5/10 - Lack of pace shown a few times first half when he got caught too high but he got better as the game went on. Should have scored but played with a fag in his mouth second half so little they threatened.
Basham 7.5/10 - Very good. Slipped again a few times (could excuse that at Dundee United but maybe he needs to look at his studs!) but overall, he was solid. Ran forward, linked with others and usual all energiser bunny!
Robinson 7/10 - Sound - starting to really understand the position more and we are seeing him go forward more. Real steady eddy - bit Cranie like in that respect.
Slater 6.5/10 - Did ok. Not as involved as the other too but steady and did not give it away too much. Steady but nothing spectacular. Ended up at right wing back I believe when Baldock went off.
Osborn 8/10 - Excellent. Busy, involved and industrious. He was good on the ball and off it. He has been really good most games he has played and is determined to take his chances when they come. He was involved in breaking up things and attacking play and scored a great goal. Even when he gave it away, he raced back to get it or retrieve his error. Whisper this but he reminds me of a skilful Montgomery - maybe more like a Stephen Quinn - left sided?
Norwood 9/10 - Ran the game and as you say even for a friendly - easily a 9/10 - Superb and showed what a class act he was. Looked a league above players he is against - which he is.
Best player on the pitch by some way.
Mousset 4/10 - May seem harsh but he did not look arsed. Tried a few bits of skill that did not come off but looked well off the pace and not someone who was exactly busting a gut. I know that is not his style but he needs to work harder when he does not have the ball or at least do more when he does!
Sharp 7/10 - First half more like a 4 or 5 but much better after the break. Scored one and could have had another and worked hard, linking play.
Subs
McBurnie 7/10 - A lot is being made of him being picked or being involved. As a Sheffield United fan I will say he is our player and we pay his wages and if we want to bring him back to fitness then that is fine. I can see why Scotland fans would see it is a big two fingers though to them - especially after his caught on camera comments last year. Maybe the club/Scotland need to say that he was given time with us as he was easing back to fitness and not ready for international games - the cynical Scotland fan may say if he is fit then he should play for them or be available. If he is not fit, he should not play for anyone but this is a friendly and he is easing his way back. To be honest the fans don't rate him and don’t need much ammunition. I am not sure we should care what they think. If Clarke wants to pick him for Scotland so be it - there won’t be fans for a while so hardly like he'll get some stick. Just hope he does not make daft comments on social media. Wilder needs to tell him to not respond as loads surely will try and involve him shall we say!
As for his game today, he was really good - good quick feet, held it up but should have scored but we improved hugely after he came on at the top of the pitch.
Bryan 7/10 - I am not his biggest fan but he did well today and grew into the game. Defensively, under little pressure ok and got forward well. Had a chance of a shot which he decided against but then hit a superb cross that was begging to be finished and Billy did. He then ballooned a woeful effort over but he was well advanced again. An improvement on what I have seen before but needs more than 30 mins of this form versus a poor Derby side before I would count on him for any game time at Prem level.
Brunt - See Slater. Did ok. Overran one ball and then dived in after he got fouled and tried to get it back and was a bit high. He was ok when he had it and neat and tidy but did not have too long or much of the ball.
Shame we did not get to see Hackford as would have liked to see him have some time for say Sharp with 10 minutes to go.
Overall, a pleasing performance with more plusses than minuses - some worries in terms of what we saw - Foderingham and Mousset albeit with limited touches/action but also some excellent performances from some of our counted-on players.
