Post by deadbat on Dec 29, 2020 23:09:23 GMT
Pod and report – maybe just read/listen to the last one or don’t bother – you know what I/we will say!
soundcloud.com/tufty-club/tufty-club-reation-20-21-burnley-away
open.spotify.com/episode/7bFYZ0aEmYH4Scwzr4B2G4?si=NMYfeTbkSmSRFRzt8mC_wA
Not winning a game, hardly scoring any goals, rooted to the bottom and breaking records every week for incompetence; Sheffield United’s misadventure continued apace at Burnley on Tuesday tea time. It was certainly not Happy Place, Turf Moor for the Blades as they lost yet again for the 15th time in 16 season. The game went as predictably as anyone would have envisaged with a set play goal and a workmanlike Burnley performance seeing another 1-0 defeat for Wilder’s sorry bunch.
Prior to the game news of positive COVID-19 tests within the camp did not help preparations for an already injury ravaged squad. When the team came out, United were without the suspended John Lundstram and there were no places for Sharp, McBurnie, Jagielka in the squad although there was no confirmation who had been affected from the latest round of coronavirus tests. The Blades only names seven out of the permitted nine subs. In came Lys Mousset for Oliver Burke as United tried another attacking combination with Mousset and Brewster starting with McGoldrick behind them. Burnley had a physically imposing line up that you would have thought would cause the Blades concerns at set plays/aerially with Wood and Barnes up top and Mee and Tarkowski at the back.
As the hills around the ground still had snow on the ground, going to a Sean Dyche team who do not concede and are well organised/hard to beat was not exactly where United would have wanted to have gone in an attempt to end the wretched run.
The first minute and United were incredibly nearly behind as Basham lost a header as Wood towered above him and Barnes was in but Ramsdale made a great save at point blank range. Burnley dominated the open stages and a team that normally has little possession probably could not believe how much of the ball they had.
Burnley moved it about and got into good positions and were dominating but a rare break from Basham where he ran 50 yards saw them move up the pitch for the first time. A Taylor injury threatened to derail the good start and young Benson came on with Pieters moving to left back.
Burnley had a couple of free kicks and although United won the headers poor clearances by Osborn and Ampadu gave it straight back. Brewster then got down the wing but sent over an awful cross under no pressure and it was straight out of play.
Baldock got forward well from Egan’s ball but his lack of confidence was clear as he came back inside and Burnley got back. Osborn then cleared one out for a corner but Ramsdale did well to punch away. Burnley continued to have more of the ball and Osborn and Mousset gave it away cheaply in quick succession. Robinson lost two headers from set plays but the game as a bit more even now with Basham and McGoldrick the two players standing out for the visitors.
They won a corner and Brewster headed goalward but Brownhill cleared off the line and Mousset could not force home and it looped over. Appeals for a handball saw VAR have a look at it but rightly nothing was given as it hit his shoulder rather than arm.
After this let off Burnley then had a great spell and it ended with them taking the lead. Another great cross into the box saw Wood get in too easily with Robinson again ball watching and Ramsdale made a strong save with his right arm. Sadly, the save was for nothing as the corner came in and led to an easy finish. Ampadu and Basham were closest to the man but United’s lack of size and aggression on set plays was always going to be an issue. MEE got up highest and flicked home. Ampadu was not switched on to even put the man off as it was a relatively free header. It was another really poor goal to give away and relatively simple in it’s set up and finish. It was not a shock that the goal came from a set play.
United tried to respond with Brewster who had started to come into it, having a powerful shot that Pope got down to gather. Burnley won another free kick when Stevens clattered clumsily into Barnes but Brady floated it over the bar from a really good position for the left footed midfielder.
United tried to finish the half strongly but Mousset could not get his body in the right position to turn towards goal a decent Stevens cross. Mousset then won a foul getting away from Lowton and the former United man was booked. The half time whistle went not long after with Burnley good value for the lead having three chances including the goal to United’s one from Brewster and Ramsdale keeping the Blades in it. United had got into some decent areas with McGoldrick and Basham influential but were completely lacking any quality when they got to the final third and other than the set play chance had created very little again. Too often they gave the ball away in midfield and crucially lost key aerial balls when crosses came in. The narrative of the game had gone exactly to script.
United had more of the ball to start the game and some good patient football saw a decent ball down the channel saw McGoldrick on the angle and his shot hit Pope on the chest and went away. It was a decent effort and well hit.
At the other end Ampadu gave away a free kick and Mee was in and looped his header over with the marking poor again. Ramsdale then had to scurry across to parry the ball behind after a deflected effort.
Burnley set up with solid banks in defence and midfield and United were not only able to really penetrate but could not even keep the ball with Osborn giving it away again under no pressure. United moved the ball around but nobody took responsibility at all and seemed like they were scared to get into the last third and make things happen.
Fleck came on for Robinson and Stevens went to left centre back and Osborn to left wing back but despite having more of the ball, United never really threatened with more poor final balls or crossing a feature but often they came back rather than trying to get deep into Burnley territory.
Burke came on for Mousset but and United tried to use his pace but Burnley shepherded him out twice. Fleck gave away a free kick being harshly penalised as Burnley took the sting out of the game.
Norwood then came on for the disappointing Ampadu but his wretched form continued with a poor ball and then a bad corner in a rare opening. Stevens then chopped Barnes down and was booked after Norwood’s bad ball. Fleck twice gave it away under no pressure as well and looked like he had no drive or energy as he did this.
The game just became scrappy which was exactly what Burnley would want and for all the possession. A rare moment came when some decent play saw Baldock take a shot that deflected wide and then Egan had a decent effort over. The fact two long range shots from defenders was the sum of the efforts on goal since the McGoldrick chance summed up how desperate we were. Stephens came on for Barnes as Burnley looked to see things up but they were comfortable. Stevens for United gave it away under no pressure and then Fleck lost it again.
United did have a corner but McGoldrick flicked well over and then a half chance came from a free kick but Osborn’s header was poor and straight to Pope. The game entered the last 5 minutes saw United move it side to side but again no one took any risks at all. It was easy for Burnley to soak up. United did not even bother crossing it never mind trying to probe and rarely did the ball go into the box at all as the 4 minutes of stoppage time was played out with another laughable attempt from Fleck to salvage possession as he pulled his man back. The full-time whistle went and it was a routine 1-0 win for Burnley. They had more chances and decent efforts on goal and then defended what they had and deserved the victory against a desperate and wretched United side who simply have no belief or quality at all.
United – It was déjà vu. Read my last match report – the one before that and the one before that – another 1-0. Should have had a large bet on it as it was the obvious score line. A set play header where we got outmuscled, we create sod all and Burnley just easily see out the game as we run out of ideas. It was exactly to the script. It was just as the game was expected to go. Burnley should have had a few goals as Ramsdale made two great saves but then scored a goal that was terribly defended but they could have scored just before it as men switched off on the other chances. We were just not ready or physically strong enough. It is a mental and physical thing. They talked about Burnley’s bigger biceps and I got that – physically they were stronger but sometimes the first bit is just reacting mentally. The chances they had our players did not close down and did not compete for the aerial stuff. You knew they just needed one moment and so it proved. They may as well have finished the game then.
In terms of the game, it was a bit s**t or bust in terms of us going for pace and runners and three attackers; two of which are not known for work rate exactly or hold up play. It also left us short aerially in terms of only having really Egan as a powerful header of the football. It was a brave move but with where United are; it was surely a gamble worth trying? It was almost like Wilder thought let’s not try and match them up and counter with more pace, trickery and movement. It never really worked. The strikers were poor to start and never got in but as others have said the midfield was a joke. We have no chance with essentially two players who are miles off the Premier League in this key area of the field. Brewster got a bit better and McGoldrick did his best but after they scored you knew that was it. It was painful to watch the last hour of the game. I almost was glad when he blew the full-time whistle.
We had one decent effort Brewster off the line and McGoldrick had another shot saved and a few went over/wide but they had the best 3 efforts of the game including the goal and after they scored it was easy. I wanted us to have a go 2nd half and penetrate and try and get wide, link up, overload, work openings. A lot will say we played into their hands but not even sure we put any crosses in – recall us scoring from one last year at Turf Moor. We did not even try and get them turned or under pressure. I though the 2nd half was pitiful in terms of us not really even having a proper go. They are not a great side for all the talk Wilder gives them about they have beaten much better teams. They are very limited but we did not even try and get behind them or turn the centre backs. Everything was in front. We moved it about and then just went backwards or sideways and then lost it. The last 10 minutes and stoppage time was painful to see as each player kept passing it to another and effectively passed responsibility. The players are so static. Nobody moves, no one twos. Nobody runs at anyone. No one tried to run down the sides. No one tries to drive or create. It is safe and pathetic and we create nothing as a result. It is almost as if they are more bothered about losing it or looking daft by trying to have a go - so just pass it off. We are spinless. We look like a team that none believes or wants to try and create a chance or make something happen. I was furious the last 10 minutes at the lack of urgency, pace we moved it or tried to commit men into the box. Even just put it in, play a ball behind the full back or centre back. Anything, it was like watching Weir’s side. It was that bad.
It was really sad. Players who have been such a key part of our journey such as Stevens, Fleck and Norwood look like they are now not even capable of doing the basic things and look totally shot. Fleck and Norwood’s careers as top level (top 2 divisions) may be suddenly evaporating in front of our eyes. Never have I seen such a decline in two players from being very good to literally abysmal in such a short space of time. Neither look like they should even be used from the bench they are that bad but we have no one else so will keep getting chances and their confidence will continue to drop. I worry that both are done in terms of their United careers and Stevens is another who looks hopeless. With Baldock dropping off badly too, I worry others may deteriorate as the ship continues to sink. At least Bash, Egan and Didzy had a go and Brewster at least showed a bit today but still looks way out of his depth.
It is depressing to watch. We have a real shot at being the worst English team ever (Loughborough Town and Doncaster Rovers on 8 pts) never mind the worst top flight team ever. I cannot see us winning a game all season or if we do it will be when the season is done and near the end of the season. I can just see more 1-0 defeats. People may say we are close every week but not sure we are as we keep conceding shit goals every week and don’t really look like scoring. 1-0 may as well be 5-0. It matters little. We do not look like winning games of football. Heck even drawing. We just need the season to end. It is beyond embarrassing. The players may care and run around and try but the fact of the matter none of them can impact things. They are not good enough. We have the aforementioned players who have fell off a cliff, some young and not ready (Ramsdale, Ampadu, Brewster) and debatable if any will ever be top tier players on the evidence we have seen – even though they are inexperienced – the evidence is not strong at all – none shown anything Premier League level yet. Then we have players who should not be near the league in Robinson, Burke and Osborn. Game triers but Championship squad players at best. I feel sorry for Bash, Egan and McGoldrick and to some extent Baldock although he has really lost his form too.
Not sure where we go from here? What does he say to them? We are down and now just playing to avoid humiliation in terms of records but not sure we can even avoid that. The players look mentally done. Sadly, listening to the manager so does he. I do worry for his own mental health how much he can go on? He must be destroyed inside. Yes, it is only a game but it is his career and his life. I still think he will walk away before the season ends even if the owner keeps faith with him. How does he keep coming out saying the same things in 6 or 7 games either to the players or the press? It will reach a point where he will just say enough is enough and say the players maybe need a new voice. I hope this does not happen and somehow, we get some results, some players and the manager find some confidence to start next season but I envisage no situation where we lost say 33-34 of 38 games and win maybe a game or less and he stays and much of the team stays. Something will have to give. We go to Palace and then play Newcastle – both will defend the box easily and a bit of quality from Zaha or Eze and then Maximin or Wilson will win the game 1 or 2-0. Most of the players now will probably look to the Bristol Rovers game as the one they may actually be able to score or win a game. If they lose that then it may finish some off for good.
I am not sure he has lost the dressing room. There may be a few bust ups or people annoyed not to play but they have all had a go this season and not sure if we changed the tactics it would change much myself. You cannot suddenly polish turds and these lot are not good enough save for 2 or 3. They are not quick enough, strong enough, skilful enough and sadly mentally strong enough at this level. They did great last year but clearly it was a massive over achievement. We levelled out after Xmas and although still won games, we were not brilliant really from that point. It maybe was coming after lockdown although no one foresaw this to happen. No one at all. I do think that he is running out of what to say/do and that is why I worry that something may happen soon. For his own professional pride and his own career, he may need to step away. Him staying for this to keep happening every week is not really doing anyone any good. The training and dressing room must be appalling? What do they say/do? We just keep on going. Even that is tiresome now. I hope he just gets some results somehow and we at least salvage some pride and hope for next season but I do not see this sadly happening and it may get worse before it gets better.
After the disastrous season, the news of positive COVID-19 tests was just another twist of the knife but a number of other teams have been affected too I suppose. Whilst others such as Newcastle and Man City have postponed fixtures, United’s went ahead although no one seems to know the rules or circumstances that can lead to some games going ahead and others being pulled. The talk of 14 players from a first team pool being healthy and free from Corona has been discussed as a pre requisite for a game going ahead but clearly that has not been the case for some clubs. Others further down the league have had to play despite struggling to come close to filling benches. It does seem a little bit foggy the rules. If United had said we have 2/3 players with it and some staff and it is rife in the camp and asked for a postponement, then not sure what Burnley or the Premier League would have been able to do? I know Everton are asking questions but nothing will come of it. Seems Fulham may be postponing the game with Spurs due to a number being positive in the club? It is odd the inconsistency. To be honest postponing it would have just delayed the inevitable defeat. The quicker we get the season done the better. If we could play all the game in the next 2 or 3 weeks I would!
Ratings:
Ramsdale 7.5/10 – Made two wonderful saves first half. These weren’t saves you would expect a keeper necessarily but fantastic strong hands and anticipation. The goal he had no chance. He made one good punch and was fine first half – just badly exposed but rubbish defending from likes of Basham, Robinson and Ampadu. Second half not sure he has much to do really but it mattered little.
Baldock 5/10 – Looks like his confidence has dropped off quite a bit. He stops when he goes forward now and looks unable or unwilling to drive at men. His crossing has continued to be pathetic as he wastes things time after time with timid crosses that hit the first man. Second half his head dropped after he got crowded out a few times and his belief seem to have completely gone. Did not even try and drive forward or cross it, just meekly gave a simple pass or moved it on. I worry that he is player that is steadily coming down the bad standards of many of the rest.
Stevens 4/10 – Thought he was more involved attacking wise with some moves forward and a few moments he linked up and a few decent crosses too. However, defensively he was not switched on a few times and they got space down there. He also gave away a few sloppy fouls. Second half he was dreadful with several bad passes to them, some shocking crosses and slow to react to things. Gave away another stupid foul as they broke and was booked. He has been a bit better recently but today I thought after an ok start he regressed badly and second half he seemed bereft of any confidence and could not even do the basics.
Basham 6.5/10 – He lost a key header early on when they had the chance (Wood outjumped him) and then he started to play well – he had 2 or 3 great runs and carried it a long way up the field. No real end product as he often runs too quick for the rest or comes back but at least showed some fight. He was one of few committed and on the ball really good. Did lose another header on a set play (not great in the air in these key situations – saw it in a few games). He kept trying to drive forward and at least make things happen but this became less of a threat as they sat back and cut off any gaps. He looked as fed up with the rest at the lack of movement. We keep saying the strikers have no service but outside of McGoldrick the movement is non-existent.
Robinson 3/10 – Think he continued to look really abject and way out of his depth – he lost several headers and too slow to react. It’s like the game at this level it too quick and athletic for him. He lost his man on the chance they had that led to the corner. So weak for a guy who is not that small really. Second half he was a bit better but that is because they did not attack at all! On the ball he just kicked it to no one or played it off. Went long and aimless quite a bit. Wretched defensively and appalling technically on the ball. Bryan is better than him. That is how bad he is.
Egan 7/10 – Along with Basham, McGoldrick and Ramsdale the only ones to emerge with much credit really – maybe Brewster for bits. He is now the one who drives us out of defence and like the other day had one of our best efforts with a long-range shot. Won of few who actually wins his battles and comes onto the ball – he at least wins tackles and looks committed. Last year, technique wise he was one of the weaker players (still ok) but this season he is maybe one of our best. Do wonder if he and his agent will try and get feelers in January. I would not be too critical if he tried to move on as he will want to stay at the top level and has shown he can play here. He won’t want to go back to the Championship when he needs to be at the top level for his future and international career.
Ampadu 2/10 – Had a rotten start to the game – gave it away and a shocking corner. He never got in the game or broke things up and they controlled midfield. He did one little jink back onto his other foot and played a sideways pass – that was it all game really. He does not affect things at all and not sure what he is? Not fast or that mobile despite everyone saying he is – he is weak as shown on the goal and not technically great. Does not even get on it to keep it nice and simple. He is a bit of a nothing player. Another who if we had better players you would send back but we do not. He may be young but I do not see a top-level player in him at all. He lacks the drive and class to make it. He is ok but a bit meh and see him as a Championship player at best.
Osborn 2/10 – As above. Looked woeful to being. He just kept giving it away time after time and mostly under no pressure at all. He looked like he was struggling with the shirt being a bit similar! He ran around but looked a headless chicken and quality wise he was really poor. He seemed to just keep losing it. Had the awful header when we had the half chance. A little better at left wing back but not much. Looks so weak and like everyone else is quicker and stronger/better. Almost like a lad playing in u16’s Sunday League but he is u12. Sorry to be so brutal but he is miles off what is needed at this level. Maybe a nice lad but not good enough and like Robinson pointless signings as cannot compete with the opponents at this level.
McGoldrick 6/10 – Our best attacker in that he got on it and tried to at least go forward or play football. Most good things we did came from him and even though not everything came off at least he was never hiding and tried to move it on and link. He made a few poor decisions or slowed it down but he still was our best option to get something early on. Had a good shot early second half well saved. He kept going but even second half he started to fade and some of his passes were languid and he started to get frustrated.
Moussett 3/10 – Not in the game to begin with and seemed completely off the pace. He was offside a few times or not able to impact the game at all. He looked like he was struggling and went down injured again! He did at least show a bit of a life in a poor half with a few runs near the end of the half but overall did not influence or affect the game much at all. Hooked off as he had stopped running. Least he lasted an hour!
Brewster 5.5/10 – Started the game badly with the ball bouncing off him and two poor crosses where he kicked it out under no pressure. It bobbled off him and he looked really poor but did improve around half way through the half and started to put himself about more. He at least had a few efforts, the header off the line that was an ok effort and a driven shot and started to liven up a bit. Second half he did run around a bit but again nothing really came off and not sure he got involved enough. He let thoroughly cheesed off by the end. He was better than he had been but still did not hold the ball up or really look threatening enough – Wood and Barnes both did far more than our strikers and they had little of the ball too.
Subs –
Burke 3.5/10 – Ran down the line a few times but not sure he did much of anything and even the one ball played into him he did not get on it and looked not ready to react. He runs around and is all effort but no quality and rarely gets on the ball at all. Might have done a bit more than Mousset just for effort but that was it!
Fleck 1/10 – Not even sure why I am giving him 1/10. Maybe he touched it on a few times and was unlucky to lose a foul but overall, he was appalling. He is getting worse. He looks so slow and sluggish. His touch is terrible and looks like someone who has literally forgot to play football. Twice he tried to run with it but was like he was wearing an old diving suit or heavy armour as the player just ran past him and took it off him. He just fell on the floor or fouled his man. Mentally he looks finished. I cannot believe a year ago he was one of the best players in a team going for Europe and worth 20 million+ arguably and with some justification. Now we’d be lucky to give him away. He actually looks done. 30 next year, he might never recover from this and I would not be shocked if we moved him on in the summer but his contract like with others may see him just sit here for another 2 years (contract till 2023). Maybe we need to send him out on loan till the end of the season? Him staying here is doing the club no good and him no good. I would not have an issue if they listened to offers for him and Norwood. Cannot believe I am saying that but at the moment they are terrible.
Norwood 1.5/10 – As above. He came on, gave the ball away twice and set them on the attack (Stevens took the booking) and then took a bad corner. He did take one better one to Didzy but then fouled his man again – too slow and immobile to run back. He did not even get on it much but maybe more than Fleck but whilst Fleck just ran into trouble, Norwood just tried aimless diagonal balls to no one or played it back. Like with Fleck just looks done. A complete shell of the player he was. Incredible decline for those two.
Manager Wilder 2/10 – Gets a few marks for us having a different attack and the semblance of an attacking formation to begin with even if we ended up defending and had an abysmal midfield and none of the ball so mattered little! I will defend him a bit in that Ampadu, Osborn, Fleck and Norwood could not offer as little if they tried to play as bad! The midfield we had was atrocious. Not sure Mousset or Brewster did much although the latter improved a bit. Formation wise it made no difference as Burnley had more of the ball to start, got the goal and then 2nd half even when we had the ball, he did not really change the shape or way we played. He did not go to 4 at the back, did not try and play wider or try anything. He made 3 subs but it was chucking crap on for crap and the same pattern of play ensued. It was like walking football! We play it so slow and no one beats a man. Like ever. Also, with our lightweight midfield cannot turnover possession when others teams have it. We could play for days and would not score. It is depressing and he seems powerless to change anything.
His interview post match smacked of someone who has no idea what to say or do and I worry about him a bit mentally now. He has blamed the players, blamed the small margins, said the effort is there but now is effectively saying the players are not good enough quality wise. He signed these players and he picks them. He has no one in reserve and has said we are only signing a few loan players. Well unless we signed 5 or 6 nothing will change. For what it’s worth I would not bother. It is a waste of funds and we may as well wait for the summer now. I am probably more concerned at the dreadful scouting/structure of the transfer/recruitment side we clearly have. We are signing players that do not fit the club, rarely go South of Dover and seem to have nothing other than togetherness and team work/work ethic. Not sure of the plan moving forward – we have no youth set up and seem to have a mixed bag of ageing players who are about done with young players who look miles off? I feel for the lads like Baldock, Basham and Egan.
I would maybe try and play a few others – people may say Rodwell, Bogle etc are not good enough but not sure this even works but maybe finding or playing some players whose confidence has not been as hit as much? Sadly, most of the squad have had a go and non seem good enough or capable of changing it. We just have to sit and watch this every week until the end of the season and hope a lower league can see these players do better – it’s that depressing but I worry psychologically what will happen to the manger and many of these if this goes on for another 4 or 5 months. It could finish many including the manager (include some of the young players) off and many may struggle to recover. That may seem daft but I am not sure you suddenly just shake off the worst season a club has ever had in history and suddenly get back to winning or resembling good players again. This team, manager and club is now a set of losers and spectacularly so. It takes a lot to turn that round as we saw when it went the other way positively.
Burnley – Huge credit to Dyche for what he does every year. Having little money in comparison to nearly everyone else at this level, he gets them competitive, keeps them up and by hook or crook does what it takes. It makes our struggles this year after one good season, show how well he has done. Yes, the football may be dour and direct but so what? They are effective and keep clean sheets, are organised and produce enough results.
Today they did exactly that. Not sure they are much better than us a team individually or collectively. Tarkowski and Mee are not much better than Basham or Egan but then they have more of a threat at the top of the field and midfielders who do the basis and get around the pitch and put good balls in. You knew as soon as they got the inevitable set play goal, they would win 1-0.
I think they will stay up and seem to have new owners (the American group that were allegedly going to buy us if McCabe won the court case) and maybe he will get some funds to help them. Fair play to them. They have spent much less than us and resources wise even we should be able to outdo them but are miles ahead of us in showing how to be an established Premier League club. Granted they may be shit to watch but they get results and that is what it is all about.
Opponent Man of the Match – Mee scored the goal and coped with our strikers easily. His partner was just as effective in an easy game. The other lads did their jobs. Workmanlike but not brilliant. Wood and Barnes caused a few problems and both came closer to scoring than our lads. The rest were just steady 6-7/10’s. Taylor is one of their best players and he went off and McNeil the most creative player they had did not play. Like with Everton, even when teams do not have the better players they possess, they still win!
Opponent Weak link – Think Lowton was poor and he got booked for a poor tackle after the ball. Not sure anyone was fantastic as I say but no one was awful. Even the lad Benson had a comfortable night with our horrible midfield.
Referee/Officials/VAR – No issues really. The penalty appeal not sure it was – hit his shoulder and not his arm for me and I had no problem this not being given. Outside of this, Stevens, Burke and Lowton were all rightly booked for poor fouls chopping men down. Not sure anything else happened that was controversial. On the pod, my colleague said it was maybe a corner after the Brewster effort and they went down and scored but that is maybe a bit desperate – the fact I am not sure I remember it being a clear error and a lot happened after this, shows we are maybe clutching at straws!
Coverage – Quite like Amazon Prime. They are a bit different in at least some different voices and some more honest. The co-commentor Lucy Ward was good. She said it how it was and did not sugar coat the bad things we were doing. Least next year we will have 3pm kick offs or 7.45pm Tuesday night and not have to worry about what channel. Many of us can just pay for one way of watching too either by legal or other means!
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Not winning a game, hardly scoring any goals, rooted to the bottom and breaking records every week for incompetence; Sheffield United’s misadventure continued apace at Burnley on Tuesday tea time. It was certainly not Happy Place, Turf Moor for the Blades as they lost yet again for the 15th time in 16 season. The game went as predictably as anyone would have envisaged with a set play goal and a workmanlike Burnley performance seeing another 1-0 defeat for Wilder’s sorry bunch.
Prior to the game news of positive COVID-19 tests within the camp did not help preparations for an already injury ravaged squad. When the team came out, United were without the suspended John Lundstram and there were no places for Sharp, McBurnie, Jagielka in the squad although there was no confirmation who had been affected from the latest round of coronavirus tests. The Blades only names seven out of the permitted nine subs. In came Lys Mousset for Oliver Burke as United tried another attacking combination with Mousset and Brewster starting with McGoldrick behind them. Burnley had a physically imposing line up that you would have thought would cause the Blades concerns at set plays/aerially with Wood and Barnes up top and Mee and Tarkowski at the back.
As the hills around the ground still had snow on the ground, going to a Sean Dyche team who do not concede and are well organised/hard to beat was not exactly where United would have wanted to have gone in an attempt to end the wretched run.
The first minute and United were incredibly nearly behind as Basham lost a header as Wood towered above him and Barnes was in but Ramsdale made a great save at point blank range. Burnley dominated the open stages and a team that normally has little possession probably could not believe how much of the ball they had.
Burnley moved it about and got into good positions and were dominating but a rare break from Basham where he ran 50 yards saw them move up the pitch for the first time. A Taylor injury threatened to derail the good start and young Benson came on with Pieters moving to left back.
Burnley had a couple of free kicks and although United won the headers poor clearances by Osborn and Ampadu gave it straight back. Brewster then got down the wing but sent over an awful cross under no pressure and it was straight out of play.
Baldock got forward well from Egan’s ball but his lack of confidence was clear as he came back inside and Burnley got back. Osborn then cleared one out for a corner but Ramsdale did well to punch away. Burnley continued to have more of the ball and Osborn and Mousset gave it away cheaply in quick succession. Robinson lost two headers from set plays but the game as a bit more even now with Basham and McGoldrick the two players standing out for the visitors.
They won a corner and Brewster headed goalward but Brownhill cleared off the line and Mousset could not force home and it looped over. Appeals for a handball saw VAR have a look at it but rightly nothing was given as it hit his shoulder rather than arm.
After this let off Burnley then had a great spell and it ended with them taking the lead. Another great cross into the box saw Wood get in too easily with Robinson again ball watching and Ramsdale made a strong save with his right arm. Sadly, the save was for nothing as the corner came in and led to an easy finish. Ampadu and Basham were closest to the man but United’s lack of size and aggression on set plays was always going to be an issue. MEE got up highest and flicked home. Ampadu was not switched on to even put the man off as it was a relatively free header. It was another really poor goal to give away and relatively simple in it’s set up and finish. It was not a shock that the goal came from a set play.
United tried to respond with Brewster who had started to come into it, having a powerful shot that Pope got down to gather. Burnley won another free kick when Stevens clattered clumsily into Barnes but Brady floated it over the bar from a really good position for the left footed midfielder.
United tried to finish the half strongly but Mousset could not get his body in the right position to turn towards goal a decent Stevens cross. Mousset then won a foul getting away from Lowton and the former United man was booked. The half time whistle went not long after with Burnley good value for the lead having three chances including the goal to United’s one from Brewster and Ramsdale keeping the Blades in it. United had got into some decent areas with McGoldrick and Basham influential but were completely lacking any quality when they got to the final third and other than the set play chance had created very little again. Too often they gave the ball away in midfield and crucially lost key aerial balls when crosses came in. The narrative of the game had gone exactly to script.
United had more of the ball to start the game and some good patient football saw a decent ball down the channel saw McGoldrick on the angle and his shot hit Pope on the chest and went away. It was a decent effort and well hit.
At the other end Ampadu gave away a free kick and Mee was in and looped his header over with the marking poor again. Ramsdale then had to scurry across to parry the ball behind after a deflected effort.
Burnley set up with solid banks in defence and midfield and United were not only able to really penetrate but could not even keep the ball with Osborn giving it away again under no pressure. United moved the ball around but nobody took responsibility at all and seemed like they were scared to get into the last third and make things happen.
Fleck came on for Robinson and Stevens went to left centre back and Osborn to left wing back but despite having more of the ball, United never really threatened with more poor final balls or crossing a feature but often they came back rather than trying to get deep into Burnley territory.
Burke came on for Mousset but and United tried to use his pace but Burnley shepherded him out twice. Fleck gave away a free kick being harshly penalised as Burnley took the sting out of the game.
Norwood then came on for the disappointing Ampadu but his wretched form continued with a poor ball and then a bad corner in a rare opening. Stevens then chopped Barnes down and was booked after Norwood’s bad ball. Fleck twice gave it away under no pressure as well and looked like he had no drive or energy as he did this.
The game just became scrappy which was exactly what Burnley would want and for all the possession. A rare moment came when some decent play saw Baldock take a shot that deflected wide and then Egan had a decent effort over. The fact two long range shots from defenders was the sum of the efforts on goal since the McGoldrick chance summed up how desperate we were. Stephens came on for Barnes as Burnley looked to see things up but they were comfortable. Stevens for United gave it away under no pressure and then Fleck lost it again.
United did have a corner but McGoldrick flicked well over and then a half chance came from a free kick but Osborn’s header was poor and straight to Pope. The game entered the last 5 minutes saw United move it side to side but again no one took any risks at all. It was easy for Burnley to soak up. United did not even bother crossing it never mind trying to probe and rarely did the ball go into the box at all as the 4 minutes of stoppage time was played out with another laughable attempt from Fleck to salvage possession as he pulled his man back. The full-time whistle went and it was a routine 1-0 win for Burnley. They had more chances and decent efforts on goal and then defended what they had and deserved the victory against a desperate and wretched United side who simply have no belief or quality at all.
United – It was déjà vu. Read my last match report – the one before that and the one before that – another 1-0. Should have had a large bet on it as it was the obvious score line. A set play header where we got outmuscled, we create sod all and Burnley just easily see out the game as we run out of ideas. It was exactly to the script. It was just as the game was expected to go. Burnley should have had a few goals as Ramsdale made two great saves but then scored a goal that was terribly defended but they could have scored just before it as men switched off on the other chances. We were just not ready or physically strong enough. It is a mental and physical thing. They talked about Burnley’s bigger biceps and I got that – physically they were stronger but sometimes the first bit is just reacting mentally. The chances they had our players did not close down and did not compete for the aerial stuff. You knew they just needed one moment and so it proved. They may as well have finished the game then.
In terms of the game, it was a bit s**t or bust in terms of us going for pace and runners and three attackers; two of which are not known for work rate exactly or hold up play. It also left us short aerially in terms of only having really Egan as a powerful header of the football. It was a brave move but with where United are; it was surely a gamble worth trying? It was almost like Wilder thought let’s not try and match them up and counter with more pace, trickery and movement. It never really worked. The strikers were poor to start and never got in but as others have said the midfield was a joke. We have no chance with essentially two players who are miles off the Premier League in this key area of the field. Brewster got a bit better and McGoldrick did his best but after they scored you knew that was it. It was painful to watch the last hour of the game. I almost was glad when he blew the full-time whistle.
We had one decent effort Brewster off the line and McGoldrick had another shot saved and a few went over/wide but they had the best 3 efforts of the game including the goal and after they scored it was easy. I wanted us to have a go 2nd half and penetrate and try and get wide, link up, overload, work openings. A lot will say we played into their hands but not even sure we put any crosses in – recall us scoring from one last year at Turf Moor. We did not even try and get them turned or under pressure. I though the 2nd half was pitiful in terms of us not really even having a proper go. They are not a great side for all the talk Wilder gives them about they have beaten much better teams. They are very limited but we did not even try and get behind them or turn the centre backs. Everything was in front. We moved it about and then just went backwards or sideways and then lost it. The last 10 minutes and stoppage time was painful to see as each player kept passing it to another and effectively passed responsibility. The players are so static. Nobody moves, no one twos. Nobody runs at anyone. No one tried to run down the sides. No one tries to drive or create. It is safe and pathetic and we create nothing as a result. It is almost as if they are more bothered about losing it or looking daft by trying to have a go - so just pass it off. We are spinless. We look like a team that none believes or wants to try and create a chance or make something happen. I was furious the last 10 minutes at the lack of urgency, pace we moved it or tried to commit men into the box. Even just put it in, play a ball behind the full back or centre back. Anything, it was like watching Weir’s side. It was that bad.
It was really sad. Players who have been such a key part of our journey such as Stevens, Fleck and Norwood look like they are now not even capable of doing the basic things and look totally shot. Fleck and Norwood’s careers as top level (top 2 divisions) may be suddenly evaporating in front of our eyes. Never have I seen such a decline in two players from being very good to literally abysmal in such a short space of time. Neither look like they should even be used from the bench they are that bad but we have no one else so will keep getting chances and their confidence will continue to drop. I worry that both are done in terms of their United careers and Stevens is another who looks hopeless. With Baldock dropping off badly too, I worry others may deteriorate as the ship continues to sink. At least Bash, Egan and Didzy had a go and Brewster at least showed a bit today but still looks way out of his depth.
It is depressing to watch. We have a real shot at being the worst English team ever (Loughborough Town and Doncaster Rovers on 8 pts) never mind the worst top flight team ever. I cannot see us winning a game all season or if we do it will be when the season is done and near the end of the season. I can just see more 1-0 defeats. People may say we are close every week but not sure we are as we keep conceding shit goals every week and don’t really look like scoring. 1-0 may as well be 5-0. It matters little. We do not look like winning games of football. Heck even drawing. We just need the season to end. It is beyond embarrassing. The players may care and run around and try but the fact of the matter none of them can impact things. They are not good enough. We have the aforementioned players who have fell off a cliff, some young and not ready (Ramsdale, Ampadu, Brewster) and debatable if any will ever be top tier players on the evidence we have seen – even though they are inexperienced – the evidence is not strong at all – none shown anything Premier League level yet. Then we have players who should not be near the league in Robinson, Burke and Osborn. Game triers but Championship squad players at best. I feel sorry for Bash, Egan and McGoldrick and to some extent Baldock although he has really lost his form too.
Not sure where we go from here? What does he say to them? We are down and now just playing to avoid humiliation in terms of records but not sure we can even avoid that. The players look mentally done. Sadly, listening to the manager so does he. I do worry for his own mental health how much he can go on? He must be destroyed inside. Yes, it is only a game but it is his career and his life. I still think he will walk away before the season ends even if the owner keeps faith with him. How does he keep coming out saying the same things in 6 or 7 games either to the players or the press? It will reach a point where he will just say enough is enough and say the players maybe need a new voice. I hope this does not happen and somehow, we get some results, some players and the manager find some confidence to start next season but I envisage no situation where we lost say 33-34 of 38 games and win maybe a game or less and he stays and much of the team stays. Something will have to give. We go to Palace and then play Newcastle – both will defend the box easily and a bit of quality from Zaha or Eze and then Maximin or Wilson will win the game 1 or 2-0. Most of the players now will probably look to the Bristol Rovers game as the one they may actually be able to score or win a game. If they lose that then it may finish some off for good.
I am not sure he has lost the dressing room. There may be a few bust ups or people annoyed not to play but they have all had a go this season and not sure if we changed the tactics it would change much myself. You cannot suddenly polish turds and these lot are not good enough save for 2 or 3. They are not quick enough, strong enough, skilful enough and sadly mentally strong enough at this level. They did great last year but clearly it was a massive over achievement. We levelled out after Xmas and although still won games, we were not brilliant really from that point. It maybe was coming after lockdown although no one foresaw this to happen. No one at all. I do think that he is running out of what to say/do and that is why I worry that something may happen soon. For his own professional pride and his own career, he may need to step away. Him staying for this to keep happening every week is not really doing anyone any good. The training and dressing room must be appalling? What do they say/do? We just keep on going. Even that is tiresome now. I hope he just gets some results somehow and we at least salvage some pride and hope for next season but I do not see this sadly happening and it may get worse before it gets better.
After the disastrous season, the news of positive COVID-19 tests was just another twist of the knife but a number of other teams have been affected too I suppose. Whilst others such as Newcastle and Man City have postponed fixtures, United’s went ahead although no one seems to know the rules or circumstances that can lead to some games going ahead and others being pulled. The talk of 14 players from a first team pool being healthy and free from Corona has been discussed as a pre requisite for a game going ahead but clearly that has not been the case for some clubs. Others further down the league have had to play despite struggling to come close to filling benches. It does seem a little bit foggy the rules. If United had said we have 2/3 players with it and some staff and it is rife in the camp and asked for a postponement, then not sure what Burnley or the Premier League would have been able to do? I know Everton are asking questions but nothing will come of it. Seems Fulham may be postponing the game with Spurs due to a number being positive in the club? It is odd the inconsistency. To be honest postponing it would have just delayed the inevitable defeat. The quicker we get the season done the better. If we could play all the game in the next 2 or 3 weeks I would!
Ratings:
Ramsdale 7.5/10 – Made two wonderful saves first half. These weren’t saves you would expect a keeper necessarily but fantastic strong hands and anticipation. The goal he had no chance. He made one good punch and was fine first half – just badly exposed but rubbish defending from likes of Basham, Robinson and Ampadu. Second half not sure he has much to do really but it mattered little.
Baldock 5/10 – Looks like his confidence has dropped off quite a bit. He stops when he goes forward now and looks unable or unwilling to drive at men. His crossing has continued to be pathetic as he wastes things time after time with timid crosses that hit the first man. Second half his head dropped after he got crowded out a few times and his belief seem to have completely gone. Did not even try and drive forward or cross it, just meekly gave a simple pass or moved it on. I worry that he is player that is steadily coming down the bad standards of many of the rest.
Stevens 4/10 – Thought he was more involved attacking wise with some moves forward and a few moments he linked up and a few decent crosses too. However, defensively he was not switched on a few times and they got space down there. He also gave away a few sloppy fouls. Second half he was dreadful with several bad passes to them, some shocking crosses and slow to react to things. Gave away another stupid foul as they broke and was booked. He has been a bit better recently but today I thought after an ok start he regressed badly and second half he seemed bereft of any confidence and could not even do the basics.
Basham 6.5/10 – He lost a key header early on when they had the chance (Wood outjumped him) and then he started to play well – he had 2 or 3 great runs and carried it a long way up the field. No real end product as he often runs too quick for the rest or comes back but at least showed some fight. He was one of few committed and on the ball really good. Did lose another header on a set play (not great in the air in these key situations – saw it in a few games). He kept trying to drive forward and at least make things happen but this became less of a threat as they sat back and cut off any gaps. He looked as fed up with the rest at the lack of movement. We keep saying the strikers have no service but outside of McGoldrick the movement is non-existent.
Robinson 3/10 – Think he continued to look really abject and way out of his depth – he lost several headers and too slow to react. It’s like the game at this level it too quick and athletic for him. He lost his man on the chance they had that led to the corner. So weak for a guy who is not that small really. Second half he was a bit better but that is because they did not attack at all! On the ball he just kicked it to no one or played it off. Went long and aimless quite a bit. Wretched defensively and appalling technically on the ball. Bryan is better than him. That is how bad he is.
Egan 7/10 – Along with Basham, McGoldrick and Ramsdale the only ones to emerge with much credit really – maybe Brewster for bits. He is now the one who drives us out of defence and like the other day had one of our best efforts with a long-range shot. Won of few who actually wins his battles and comes onto the ball – he at least wins tackles and looks committed. Last year, technique wise he was one of the weaker players (still ok) but this season he is maybe one of our best. Do wonder if he and his agent will try and get feelers in January. I would not be too critical if he tried to move on as he will want to stay at the top level and has shown he can play here. He won’t want to go back to the Championship when he needs to be at the top level for his future and international career.
Ampadu 2/10 – Had a rotten start to the game – gave it away and a shocking corner. He never got in the game or broke things up and they controlled midfield. He did one little jink back onto his other foot and played a sideways pass – that was it all game really. He does not affect things at all and not sure what he is? Not fast or that mobile despite everyone saying he is – he is weak as shown on the goal and not technically great. Does not even get on it to keep it nice and simple. He is a bit of a nothing player. Another who if we had better players you would send back but we do not. He may be young but I do not see a top-level player in him at all. He lacks the drive and class to make it. He is ok but a bit meh and see him as a Championship player at best.
Osborn 2/10 – As above. Looked woeful to being. He just kept giving it away time after time and mostly under no pressure at all. He looked like he was struggling with the shirt being a bit similar! He ran around but looked a headless chicken and quality wise he was really poor. He seemed to just keep losing it. Had the awful header when we had the half chance. A little better at left wing back but not much. Looks so weak and like everyone else is quicker and stronger/better. Almost like a lad playing in u16’s Sunday League but he is u12. Sorry to be so brutal but he is miles off what is needed at this level. Maybe a nice lad but not good enough and like Robinson pointless signings as cannot compete with the opponents at this level.
McGoldrick 6/10 – Our best attacker in that he got on it and tried to at least go forward or play football. Most good things we did came from him and even though not everything came off at least he was never hiding and tried to move it on and link. He made a few poor decisions or slowed it down but he still was our best option to get something early on. Had a good shot early second half well saved. He kept going but even second half he started to fade and some of his passes were languid and he started to get frustrated.
Moussett 3/10 – Not in the game to begin with and seemed completely off the pace. He was offside a few times or not able to impact the game at all. He looked like he was struggling and went down injured again! He did at least show a bit of a life in a poor half with a few runs near the end of the half but overall did not influence or affect the game much at all. Hooked off as he had stopped running. Least he lasted an hour!
Brewster 5.5/10 – Started the game badly with the ball bouncing off him and two poor crosses where he kicked it out under no pressure. It bobbled off him and he looked really poor but did improve around half way through the half and started to put himself about more. He at least had a few efforts, the header off the line that was an ok effort and a driven shot and started to liven up a bit. Second half he did run around a bit but again nothing really came off and not sure he got involved enough. He let thoroughly cheesed off by the end. He was better than he had been but still did not hold the ball up or really look threatening enough – Wood and Barnes both did far more than our strikers and they had little of the ball too.
Subs –
Burke 3.5/10 – Ran down the line a few times but not sure he did much of anything and even the one ball played into him he did not get on it and looked not ready to react. He runs around and is all effort but no quality and rarely gets on the ball at all. Might have done a bit more than Mousset just for effort but that was it!
Fleck 1/10 – Not even sure why I am giving him 1/10. Maybe he touched it on a few times and was unlucky to lose a foul but overall, he was appalling. He is getting worse. He looks so slow and sluggish. His touch is terrible and looks like someone who has literally forgot to play football. Twice he tried to run with it but was like he was wearing an old diving suit or heavy armour as the player just ran past him and took it off him. He just fell on the floor or fouled his man. Mentally he looks finished. I cannot believe a year ago he was one of the best players in a team going for Europe and worth 20 million+ arguably and with some justification. Now we’d be lucky to give him away. He actually looks done. 30 next year, he might never recover from this and I would not be shocked if we moved him on in the summer but his contract like with others may see him just sit here for another 2 years (contract till 2023). Maybe we need to send him out on loan till the end of the season? Him staying here is doing the club no good and him no good. I would not have an issue if they listened to offers for him and Norwood. Cannot believe I am saying that but at the moment they are terrible.
Norwood 1.5/10 – As above. He came on, gave the ball away twice and set them on the attack (Stevens took the booking) and then took a bad corner. He did take one better one to Didzy but then fouled his man again – too slow and immobile to run back. He did not even get on it much but maybe more than Fleck but whilst Fleck just ran into trouble, Norwood just tried aimless diagonal balls to no one or played it back. Like with Fleck just looks done. A complete shell of the player he was. Incredible decline for those two.
Manager Wilder 2/10 – Gets a few marks for us having a different attack and the semblance of an attacking formation to begin with even if we ended up defending and had an abysmal midfield and none of the ball so mattered little! I will defend him a bit in that Ampadu, Osborn, Fleck and Norwood could not offer as little if they tried to play as bad! The midfield we had was atrocious. Not sure Mousset or Brewster did much although the latter improved a bit. Formation wise it made no difference as Burnley had more of the ball to start, got the goal and then 2nd half even when we had the ball, he did not really change the shape or way we played. He did not go to 4 at the back, did not try and play wider or try anything. He made 3 subs but it was chucking crap on for crap and the same pattern of play ensued. It was like walking football! We play it so slow and no one beats a man. Like ever. Also, with our lightweight midfield cannot turnover possession when others teams have it. We could play for days and would not score. It is depressing and he seems powerless to change anything.
His interview post match smacked of someone who has no idea what to say or do and I worry about him a bit mentally now. He has blamed the players, blamed the small margins, said the effort is there but now is effectively saying the players are not good enough quality wise. He signed these players and he picks them. He has no one in reserve and has said we are only signing a few loan players. Well unless we signed 5 or 6 nothing will change. For what it’s worth I would not bother. It is a waste of funds and we may as well wait for the summer now. I am probably more concerned at the dreadful scouting/structure of the transfer/recruitment side we clearly have. We are signing players that do not fit the club, rarely go South of Dover and seem to have nothing other than togetherness and team work/work ethic. Not sure of the plan moving forward – we have no youth set up and seem to have a mixed bag of ageing players who are about done with young players who look miles off? I feel for the lads like Baldock, Basham and Egan.
I would maybe try and play a few others – people may say Rodwell, Bogle etc are not good enough but not sure this even works but maybe finding or playing some players whose confidence has not been as hit as much? Sadly, most of the squad have had a go and non seem good enough or capable of changing it. We just have to sit and watch this every week until the end of the season and hope a lower league can see these players do better – it’s that depressing but I worry psychologically what will happen to the manger and many of these if this goes on for another 4 or 5 months. It could finish many including the manager (include some of the young players) off and many may struggle to recover. That may seem daft but I am not sure you suddenly just shake off the worst season a club has ever had in history and suddenly get back to winning or resembling good players again. This team, manager and club is now a set of losers and spectacularly so. It takes a lot to turn that round as we saw when it went the other way positively.
Burnley – Huge credit to Dyche for what he does every year. Having little money in comparison to nearly everyone else at this level, he gets them competitive, keeps them up and by hook or crook does what it takes. It makes our struggles this year after one good season, show how well he has done. Yes, the football may be dour and direct but so what? They are effective and keep clean sheets, are organised and produce enough results.
Today they did exactly that. Not sure they are much better than us a team individually or collectively. Tarkowski and Mee are not much better than Basham or Egan but then they have more of a threat at the top of the field and midfielders who do the basis and get around the pitch and put good balls in. You knew as soon as they got the inevitable set play goal, they would win 1-0.
I think they will stay up and seem to have new owners (the American group that were allegedly going to buy us if McCabe won the court case) and maybe he will get some funds to help them. Fair play to them. They have spent much less than us and resources wise even we should be able to outdo them but are miles ahead of us in showing how to be an established Premier League club. Granted they may be shit to watch but they get results and that is what it is all about.
Opponent Man of the Match – Mee scored the goal and coped with our strikers easily. His partner was just as effective in an easy game. The other lads did their jobs. Workmanlike but not brilliant. Wood and Barnes caused a few problems and both came closer to scoring than our lads. The rest were just steady 6-7/10’s. Taylor is one of their best players and he went off and McNeil the most creative player they had did not play. Like with Everton, even when teams do not have the better players they possess, they still win!
Opponent Weak link – Think Lowton was poor and he got booked for a poor tackle after the ball. Not sure anyone was fantastic as I say but no one was awful. Even the lad Benson had a comfortable night with our horrible midfield.
Referee/Officials/VAR – No issues really. The penalty appeal not sure it was – hit his shoulder and not his arm for me and I had no problem this not being given. Outside of this, Stevens, Burke and Lowton were all rightly booked for poor fouls chopping men down. Not sure anything else happened that was controversial. On the pod, my colleague said it was maybe a corner after the Brewster effort and they went down and scored but that is maybe a bit desperate – the fact I am not sure I remember it being a clear error and a lot happened after this, shows we are maybe clutching at straws!
Coverage – Quite like Amazon Prime. They are a bit different in at least some different voices and some more honest. The co-commentor Lucy Ward was good. She said it how it was and did not sugar coat the bad things we were doing. Least next year we will have 3pm kick offs or 7.45pm Tuesday night and not have to worry about what channel. Many of us can just pay for one way of watching too either by legal or other means!
