Post by deadbat on Mar 21, 2021 17:56:49 GMT
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The Blades season is effectively over after they exited the FA Cup at the Quarter Final stage as they lost to Chelsea for the third time this season. After the turmoil of the last few weeks, no one really gave United much chance of executing an upset at Stamford Bridge but a much better showing meant ultimately United were unfortunate to lose after they played really well in the second half and missed chances to level before a late goal made the score line quite flattering for Chelsea after they had controlled the first half and led due to an own goal.
United caretaker manager Paul Heckingbottom sprung a few surprises in his team with 5 changes in a line up where the formation and positions seemed unclear from the team sheet announced. In came Bogle, Jagielka, Osborn, McBurnie and McGoldrick. Out went the ineligible Ampadu, Bryan, Burke, Basham and Sharp with the latter two not even on the bench that featured youngster Gordon, Brunt and Ndiaye. Sharp is expected to be out for a few weeks after picking up an injury in the week. Basham failed a late fitness test.
Chelsea brought in Arrizabalaga, Christensen, Chilwell, Hudson-Odoi, Gilmour, Emerson, Mount, Pulisic and Giroud – totalling nine changes from the win over Atletico Madrid but still had a very strong line up.
Despite the pre match graphic the official site put out, the Blades remained at 3-5-2 with Baldock and Stevens flanking Jagielka at the back and Osborn/Bogle as the wing backs and the usual three in midfield.
United started well and had a shot in the first minute with McGoldrick’s shot straight at Kepa. The Blades were pressing and harrying but Chelsea began to move it around well and dominate possession. The Blades won a corner after McGoldrick showed good desire but the flick from Stevens onto Jagielka saw the header loop up and be saved fairly easily.
Chelsea started to take control though and a series of niggle fouls saw the ball stay in the United territory for a period of time. Stevens made an error but Jagielka did well to recover the mistake.
They were a couple of half chances to get the ball into the danger area but the Blades remained compact until a mistake from Osborn saw Hudson-Odoi get in and cross and the ball bobbled off Ramsdale and then went out for a corner. From this the opening goal came. It was cleared to the edge of the box but no one got out to Chilwell who hit a low shot across goal. It was going wide until NORWOOD (OG) stuck his foot out and deflected it past his keeper into the net. It was the second consecutive week the Blades have conceded an own goal and only Arsenal (4 to 3) have scored more this season.
After this the home team pinged the ball about and United were not able to get a foothold in the game at all and the rare times, they had it, they gave it away. The football was patient though as they moved the Blades about ad Gilmour was key to most things they did. His pass nearly got in Hudson-Odoi with Osborn sleeping again.
United were not trying to attack at all despite being 1-0 down and continued to sit in in a very negative approach to the game. They were working hard to deny chances but ultimately had to try and score a goal and were not doing that. Another period of niggly fouls with Baldock and Stevens giving a few away.
Another error by Norwood who was continually trying to get on the ball, saw him give it straight to Pulisic who got in and was clear but Ramsdale made the excellent point blank save.
The Blades were still in the game but passed up several opportunities to cross the ball on both sides before McGoldrick tried a speculative shot again that was easy for Kepa to save.
The half time whistle was not long coming after this in a game where United had not disgraced themselves and had worked hard but lacked any real quality to hurt Chelsea. The home side had not really had many opportunities themselves and the goal was a mistake but they had controlled the game and the football.
The second half saw Pulisic just completely embarrass Fleck and Stevens as he ran through the pair of them to get in and Ramsdale made a great save with the rebound put over by the American. United tried to come out and Bogle had a good run but was stopped with a good tackle before the shape of the game reverted to before with Chelsea dominating the ball.
Pulisic caused more problems down the right and worked space for Hudson Odoi whose shot was ballooned over but it was another opening for Chelsea.
Baldock and Stevens both were guilty of poor fouls as Pulisic was causing problems again. United did have a half chance as the ball came over from the left and McBurnie went down under a challenge but as it came back Stevens and Lundstram dithered. Chelsea broke away and suddenly an error from Jagielka nearly saw second own goal as Ramsdale scrambled across as the ball went out for a corner.
Osborn was getting well forward and worked a few good openings but the ball did not quite fall before Chelsea made two changes with James and Azpilicueta came on for Giroud and Christensen. United were now having a lot more of the ball and forcing Chelsea back. A neat spell of possession saw Bogle find Lundstram and he put over a great cross which had to be converted by McGoldrick but somehow with the goal at his mercy he headed wide. It really did look easier to score. A dreadful miss and United would surely not have a better chance to get back into the game.
Soon after McBurnie did well to bring a ball out of the sky and he hit a powerful shot that Kepa pushed away. Suddenly it was all United and Chelsea had to make more changes with Havertz and Ziyech on for Gilmour and Hudson-Odoi. The home side had created little after those opening few minutes of the half.
United were attacking down the left with intent and Osborn then nearly got in again before Burke came on for McBurnie. McGoldrick then showed great skill to jink past his man tight by the touchline and skirted along the line coming towards goal before his cross was pushed away from Kepa as no Blades player could get a touch.
Brewster came on for Norwood as Stevens headed wide from a free kick as the Blades were now dominating a game that had completely turned around. Kante had to be used to help stem the tide with Pulisic being withdrawn. The game ticked to the last minute but a poor Baldock cross eased the pressure.
On 90 minutes, Brewster then did well to hold it up and back heeled it to Osborn whose run and pull back fell for Brewster who hit a powerful shot but it flicked a defender on its way into the side netting. The corner was cleared and deep into stoppage time the game was put to bed. Stevens and Osborn made a mess of it down the left and from the throw, Jagielka’s header dropped and the ball was switched to the right where James put over a dinked cross and ZIYECH took a touch and drilled it superbly into the corner giving Ramsdale no chance. The tie was sealed and Chelsea were relieved they had breathing space as the Blades had pushed them right to the end.
United – It was miles better than last week. We had a go and had chances. We did not fold and competed. We had chances to level and should have taken it to extra time. The 2-0 flattered them in the end and does not tell the story. They controlled the first half after we began well but did not have tons of chances and the goal was sloppy again. They did have most of the ball and could have made it 2-0. Second half they could have put it away early and had more opportunities in the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half than the whole first half but then we slowly came into it. We had a real go and had a series of chances and one guilt edged chance which McGoldrick has to score. We had more moments and even right at the end Brewster nearly levels. The late goal was a sucker punch but we had to go for it at that stage.
First half we began ok but then sat back and invited pressure and started giving it away with several cynical and petty fouls but they were not creating lots. The goal was a bit fortunate for them but poor play from us. They then could have got a second and controlled things having all the ball. It was not too dissimilar to last week in that we stayed in the game but I did think we pressed and harried more and were a lot closer to them than we have been. I was concerned 2nd half as we started slowly and bad defending nearly saw them score a second to finish the game but after that around 55 minutes we started to get out.
I am not sure anyone individually was fantastic really and my match ratings will reflect that. It was odd in that no one really was taking the game or doing things that would make you think ‘he is playing’ really well but we just got on the ball more, pressed them more and had more men up the field to attack more. We missed the golden chance and had other openings and could easily have taken the game to extra time. Whether they would have stepped up again and just gone up a gear I do not know but they were struggling to get out. Not sure they were hanging on at the end but we certainly continued to have chances right till the end.
I came away from the game and thought at least we had a go. In simple terms we still cannot score and cannot keep teams out the other end but we had as many chances as them, we competed and 2nd half we got up the pitch and actually really forced them back. I just thought it was a better performance and other than the backs to the wall, gutsy effort v Villa, it was the best we have played for some time. Forgotten amongst all the talk about Wilder and the hammering last week is that we have been nearly as bad as last week in many other games, just teams have not taken chances or not needed to score more goals. Today even though it looked comfortable, we had a go and it was much more respectable.
Off the field, things have been really quiet at the club. Even the social media team have not come out and said much or put much out this week. A lot has been made of the lack of tribute to Wilder from the club and it is poor that the club have not made a proper acknowledgement but show how things really broke down at the end. However, moving forward I am more concerned we have heard nothing from the likes of Bettis, Abdullah or his family this week. Maybe there is nothing to say but even a cursory statement saying we are moving forward with a plan for the new management structure, what we are desperate for the club to make an appointment yet and think I would rather us take our time. Ideally if the new manager could come in for the final few games to assess real live game time but if we don’t and wait for the right man, that is fine. I am not sure we are going to be making a ton of signings this summer unless a number leave but the formation/style and the new man and his team getting a feel for things is probably needed rather than waiting till June/July time.
Rumours this weekend of the likes of Slavisa Jokanovic and Steve Cooper at Swansea were certainly a bit more positive and interesting than the names we had seen before. The fact that the likes of the Cowley brothers went to Pompey and some fans were interested showed that we are not going to be spoilt for choice really. We now have two weeks before the next league game. We have 9 largely pointless games to go but still feel some players are playing for their future but then when a new manager comes in then it is a clean sheet somewhat. That is why it is hard to expect the players to really be absolutely going for it. They know this manager is not here and know they are down. I do expect more games to be like last week than today. We had a chance in a different competition and did about as well as we could do but, in the league, there is literally nothing to play for. Quite sad that in mid-March and the next meaningful game will be August – 5 months away where we are really going to be that bothered about a result/game. Never has it ever been like this in my United supporting lifetime.
Ratings (weird they are so low but not sure anyone outside Ramsdale can say they played well -it was just more of a collective improvement 2nd half):
Ramsdale 7/10 – On the build up to the goal he maybe should have held the cross – bit sloppy as he pushed out the cross and it bounced out for a corner. No chance on the goal. He then made a great save from Pulisic point blank and another second half when he got in. Not that much to do after this and no chance on the 2nd. His kicking was not great today and he put at least two straight out under no pressure. Continues post Xmas to be one of, if not our best performer.
Bogle 5.5/10 – Couple of good defensive pieces of work but then gave away a silly foul and was a bit sloppy when he had the ball in possession. Not sure we saw much of him go forward after the first 5 minutes when he helped win a corner. Second half had one good run forward early on and was tackled in the box. He tried to get forward more but his final ball or choices he took too long or did not execute in time. Defensively he was ok but they did not really attack much down this side until the goal at the end where the whole team was caught out.
Osborn 6/10 – Really struggled first half and that is an understatement. They targeted him. Two or three balls behind and over him saw him cut out and caught out. Basic defending and he just did not do what he needed to do. The corner came from his error which saw him lost Hudson-Odoi. They then nearly got in soon after with the same ball. Just was not switched on at all. Second half they came down this side again early with chances but the final half hour he was much better. His touch was not great and at times not even sure he knew what he was doing as it bounced off him but really put a lot oof effort in and one or two crosses and moments came from his running. Set up the chance for Brewster at the end. A real whole hearted 2nd half performance bouncing back from his shocker in the first half.
Baldock 5.5/10 – Began well and came onto the ball and was first to it but then started to give away a series of clumsy fouls. He was not tight when he needed to and then sat off when he needed to press. He then gave away another free kick to start the 2nd half on Pulisic. This carried on with a series of fouls (and an elbow). How he did not get booked I do not know? He tried to get amongst them but just looked dirty. Defensively he did ok I suppose and not sure they had many clear chances due to his poor defending but I just felt that he has to do more than just constantly kick his man.
Stevens 5.5/10 – Started ok and set up the chance for Jagielka on the corner with a flick but then made a mistake they nearly profited from and started to get deeper and was less secure in his defensive work. Second half Pulisic just ran past him unopposed as him and Fleck just stood there. He was fine in his defending after that but when he had the ball, he constantly made poor decisions or passed it straight to them or ran into them. Makes poor choices on and off the ball all the time at the moment and more of a surprise when he does something right. The second goal came when he kicked it out and he had done this a few times. Looks miles off the player he was 18 months ago. Do not know why he keeps getting picked when he is constantly off the pace?
Jagielka 7/10 – Amazed he plays but of course grief hits you in different ways and it was said he wanted to be around his pals and have normality. Must have been an incredibly tough week. I used to see his family up at Abbeydale when I watched the youth team and they seemed incredibly close – recall he had a sister too – so cannot imagine what they are going through. Huge credit for coming out and playing especially as he will know defensively, we were down to the bare bones. He did lots of good things with blocks and cover and maybe our best defender. He came out a few times with the ball too. He did nearly concede an own goal when he made a mess of things second half and then his header was poor in the build up to the second goal but overall, he was fine today and was steady enough.
Norwood 4/10 – He had a lot of the ball and he was seen as the man to try and bring us out but sadly Chelsea knew that and if they pressed him and got on him, he would struggle. He conceded the own goal. Some may say it was unlucky but it was just lazy and crap. I never get when people say own goals are unlucky when they occur like this? Surely kicking it in your own net is one off the worst things you can do – it did not just hit him either. Move your body quicker and don’t just lunge. He then gave it away when it was nearly 2-0 – another error like many he has given away this season. He gave away a stupid foul not long after and started to get a bit desperate. Second half put another bad corner in and continued to try the pinged ball when a straight and shorter pass forwards rather than sideways would get us up the field quicker. Came off with 10 minutes to play as we sought the leveller.
Lundstram 5.5/10 – Did not notice him at all until 20 minutes when he gave a foul away. He just looked very leggy and slow. Not sure he got on the ball much at all. There was a moment when he had it around 35 mins and just ran into his man. He was just not in the game but second half was a different player and was involved, busy and got up and down. He was able to influence the game down the right and involved in some of our better moves with switching play and interchanges. Set up the big chance with a great cross. Our best midfielder just by virtue of his decent 2nd half showing.
Fleck 4.5/10 – Looked slow and ponderous as the midfield got completely overrun at times. Early on he had it a bit but then started to foul or struggle to keep up with better athletes and quicker players. They go past him so easily –like the chance 2nd half when he was motionless as Pulisic ran through. He continued to try and walk it through men but lacks the pace and physicality to do this. Had one decent jinking run but not sure he really affected the game that much at all. After a good run Jan-Feb, I feel the last few games he has looked painfully slow and unfit and does not influence games. Defensively our midfield is a joke as it just gets run through. Today we did a bit better job but mainly due to fouling and grabbing than actually good positional play. Needs a big summer to get slimmer and more match fit. At the moment miles off a first teamer even at Champ level for me.
McGoldrick 5/10 – His overall game may have been a 6-6.5 as he was at least involved with a few moments of link play or battling. Had a shot early on and won a corner with good pestering but then he struggled with poor touch/control and was not in the game as we got deeper and deeper. Had another shot but again straight at the keeper but at least had a shot. Second half he made poor decisions a few times and then missed the absolute sitter. How he missed I do not know. It was horrific and not even that close in the end. He does so many good things but cannot finish chances (he has missed a lot again this year even though he is our leading scorer and has played more than the rest). He then had that jinking, slalom run on the touchlines with fantastic individual skill but then did not pick anyone out and lacked the composure again. A lovely footballer but he has to score that chance today and why he will probably never play at this level again or has never played here before (the former now down his age of course).
McBurnie 4/10 – Another largely anonymous performance. He fouled his man, fell over with no one near him, ran like he has weights around his ankles and generally just looked slow and disinterested. He did not press, did not hold it and won nothing in terms of hold-up/headers. He fouled a few times unnecessarily but then went over in the box looking for a penalty again when there was no foul. Pathetically weak. The one thing he did all game was the control and shot which was decent but never close to scoring really but at least an effort. The rest of the game thought he looked the same ineffective player he has all season. A lot of talk focuses on Brewster for 0 goals and his lack of impact but McBurnie has had a dreadful season – he is never fit and has had about 2 good games all season. Even Burke as bad as he has been has looked more of a threat and scored more. He is another that has a big summer of getting stronger and sharper. At the moment he trudges around and offers nothing to the side. I would not be made if we could move him on but sadly not sure we would even get half our money back.
Subs –
Burke – Came on and tried to get on it but was not the sort of game where we were playing against a high line as oddly, they were quite deep. Not sure he did much of note in the time he was on as the ball did not seem to go that near him.
Brewster – Made an impact in that he chased around, looked up for it and then right at the end battled for it, decent skill and got on the end of the cross and shot just wide. Maybe he should have done a bit better. He always tried to smash it and lacks composure for a striker. He was also caught offside which is poor when he just came on but at least looked more interested today.
Mousset – Not sure he even touched the ball after he came on and on the final goal he was right back in defence as we chased back. I think he was just thrown on as an extra body as we tried to snatch something.
Manager Heckingbottom 7/10 – Thought he spoke well on the pre match presser and was considered and honest over where we are and going. He has had more time to settle into his role, albeit temporary rather than the whirlwind of last weekend when even though the performance was appalling, the preparation was horrific.
Today was much better. We kept in the game and even though first half we did not have a lot of it, we restricted them and it was an own goal we conceded. They only had one other chance. 2nd half we had much more of a go and on another day, we at least force extra time. The tempo was good and we showed urgency and got players into the Chelsea half and did not sit back. It felt like we wanted to try and have a go and as I say were unfortunate not to score and take the game on. At the end the late goal makes it look easy when it was not. He at least got the group to recover from last week and put in a much more professional and determined performance. Granted we conceded goals again and did not score (1 in 7 now) but the effort was better as was the shape of the team.
I am still unsure if Knill (and Prestridge) are still here/employed? The Star said they were not there today which would suggest they may not be for much longer but they then went onto say they had been offered a contract to stay? Surely they are still under contract so why would they need to be offered a new one. With Tindall coming in – and being mentioned a lot by Heckingbottom, I am not sure what the roles of the previous staff are. I think they will be moved on before the season ends or even this week. Can only assume they are waiting either till Wilder gets another job or they are trying to secure a financial release – they won’t walk away when under contract of course. It was interesting the club put out a twitter release that said Matt Duke and Tindall were supporting Heckingbottom. I would assume Darren Ward may have left then?
Chelsea – I was not surprised they got rid of Lampard as that is how Chelsea and Abramovich works. They demand success and trophies such is the money he pumped in. Oddly I did feel a little sorry for him as he laid the groundwork for some of the young players doing so well (suppose he had no choice with the transfer fan) and although spent a fortune targeted young players (bit like us but at a different scale entirely) and knew some of these would take time. Chelsea have invested a lot in them. They will not all come off but maybe have to learn the lessons from the likes of Lukaku, De Bruyne and Salah from the past who never really made it there but were maybe not given enough chances.
Tuchel has made a superb start with them unbeaten in 13 and has had the best ever start of any Chelsea manager in history. They are in the quarter finals of the Champions League with a winnable tie, the semis of the FA Cup and right in the top 4 mix and could easily push up to 3rd or 2nd. He has tightened them up at the back and some of the players who had been inconsistent seem to have found form and he has got old guards like Kante back to their best.
After they beat Atletico Madrid and deservedly you knew they would be flying with confidence and I felt no matter how they fielded they would be too strong for us. Less than a year ago we beat them 3-0 at the Lane and of course earlier in that season drew at the Bridge too. It now seems we are now miles apart from them in terms of quality and direction.
In terms of today’s contest, they changed a load round but have 20-25 players all that would walk into our team and be arguably our best player. It is frightening the difference between the two squads but of course we did compete with them last season! Today they were not great and as Tuchel said it is as poor as they have played but said they were quite tired even with changing some of the group. It is true they have played a lot of games (a lot more than us for instance) with all the competitions but they still did what they had to. They were pushed back quite a bit though and I felt after largely being in control first half without creating, they were not great second half and a better team with better forwards could have scored a few goals.
Opponent Man of the Match – Pulisic was a constant threat with his running, quick feet and creativity. We just kept fouling him and he will probably have been glad to depart in the end. Hudson-Odoi showed a few flashes. They kept raving about Gilmour but not sure he did anything that special – just simple passes to good players? Mount is a good player but was quiet today as were quite a few more. The talent they brought on was superb.
Opponent Weak link – I really like Giroud as a player but today he was not really involved much at all and I thought had a largely ineffective game. I also though the back lads Emerson, Zouma and Christensen were not always secure in their defending. Overall a lot of ordinary performances but they did not need to really be at their best as knew that when it mattered, they would produce just enough to win.
Referee/Officials – Andrew Madley. Fairly easy game to ref you would think but he still was not great – how he did not book any of our players I do not know? I like refs to avoid booking all and sundry but Baldock should have been booked 3 or 4 times. He committed at least 6 fouls and most of them cynical! We put a few other late ones in too, Fleck, Stevens, Norwood and McBurnie. Maybe he just felt sorry for us. They committed a foul on McGoldrick and then he blew up when we had the advantage – not that we would have done anything with it!
Coverage – They were fair enough. Amongst the trotted-out clichés of us being so bad at scoring, defending and erm…playing football, felt they were ok. The commentator, Steve Wilson even mentioned that we should have had a replay at Bramall Lane instead of Highbury for the Kanu-Overmars cheating incident! Keown is normally a bit condescending but he was actually ok today. Also got a comment about Burke being Swift which was a nice nod to Irish literature- if he meant it! The studio had a Blades influence in Michael Brown (decent pundit actually) so at least they did not just talk about Chelsea.
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The Blades season is effectively over after they exited the FA Cup at the Quarter Final stage as they lost to Chelsea for the third time this season. After the turmoil of the last few weeks, no one really gave United much chance of executing an upset at Stamford Bridge but a much better showing meant ultimately United were unfortunate to lose after they played really well in the second half and missed chances to level before a late goal made the score line quite flattering for Chelsea after they had controlled the first half and led due to an own goal.
United caretaker manager Paul Heckingbottom sprung a few surprises in his team with 5 changes in a line up where the formation and positions seemed unclear from the team sheet announced. In came Bogle, Jagielka, Osborn, McBurnie and McGoldrick. Out went the ineligible Ampadu, Bryan, Burke, Basham and Sharp with the latter two not even on the bench that featured youngster Gordon, Brunt and Ndiaye. Sharp is expected to be out for a few weeks after picking up an injury in the week. Basham failed a late fitness test.
Chelsea brought in Arrizabalaga, Christensen, Chilwell, Hudson-Odoi, Gilmour, Emerson, Mount, Pulisic and Giroud – totalling nine changes from the win over Atletico Madrid but still had a very strong line up.
Despite the pre match graphic the official site put out, the Blades remained at 3-5-2 with Baldock and Stevens flanking Jagielka at the back and Osborn/Bogle as the wing backs and the usual three in midfield.
United started well and had a shot in the first minute with McGoldrick’s shot straight at Kepa. The Blades were pressing and harrying but Chelsea began to move it around well and dominate possession. The Blades won a corner after McGoldrick showed good desire but the flick from Stevens onto Jagielka saw the header loop up and be saved fairly easily.
Chelsea started to take control though and a series of niggle fouls saw the ball stay in the United territory for a period of time. Stevens made an error but Jagielka did well to recover the mistake.
They were a couple of half chances to get the ball into the danger area but the Blades remained compact until a mistake from Osborn saw Hudson-Odoi get in and cross and the ball bobbled off Ramsdale and then went out for a corner. From this the opening goal came. It was cleared to the edge of the box but no one got out to Chilwell who hit a low shot across goal. It was going wide until NORWOOD (OG) stuck his foot out and deflected it past his keeper into the net. It was the second consecutive week the Blades have conceded an own goal and only Arsenal (4 to 3) have scored more this season.
After this the home team pinged the ball about and United were not able to get a foothold in the game at all and the rare times, they had it, they gave it away. The football was patient though as they moved the Blades about ad Gilmour was key to most things they did. His pass nearly got in Hudson-Odoi with Osborn sleeping again.
United were not trying to attack at all despite being 1-0 down and continued to sit in in a very negative approach to the game. They were working hard to deny chances but ultimately had to try and score a goal and were not doing that. Another period of niggly fouls with Baldock and Stevens giving a few away.
Another error by Norwood who was continually trying to get on the ball, saw him give it straight to Pulisic who got in and was clear but Ramsdale made the excellent point blank save.
The Blades were still in the game but passed up several opportunities to cross the ball on both sides before McGoldrick tried a speculative shot again that was easy for Kepa to save.
The half time whistle was not long coming after this in a game where United had not disgraced themselves and had worked hard but lacked any real quality to hurt Chelsea. The home side had not really had many opportunities themselves and the goal was a mistake but they had controlled the game and the football.
The second half saw Pulisic just completely embarrass Fleck and Stevens as he ran through the pair of them to get in and Ramsdale made a great save with the rebound put over by the American. United tried to come out and Bogle had a good run but was stopped with a good tackle before the shape of the game reverted to before with Chelsea dominating the ball.
Pulisic caused more problems down the right and worked space for Hudson Odoi whose shot was ballooned over but it was another opening for Chelsea.
Baldock and Stevens both were guilty of poor fouls as Pulisic was causing problems again. United did have a half chance as the ball came over from the left and McBurnie went down under a challenge but as it came back Stevens and Lundstram dithered. Chelsea broke away and suddenly an error from Jagielka nearly saw second own goal as Ramsdale scrambled across as the ball went out for a corner.
Osborn was getting well forward and worked a few good openings but the ball did not quite fall before Chelsea made two changes with James and Azpilicueta came on for Giroud and Christensen. United were now having a lot more of the ball and forcing Chelsea back. A neat spell of possession saw Bogle find Lundstram and he put over a great cross which had to be converted by McGoldrick but somehow with the goal at his mercy he headed wide. It really did look easier to score. A dreadful miss and United would surely not have a better chance to get back into the game.
Soon after McBurnie did well to bring a ball out of the sky and he hit a powerful shot that Kepa pushed away. Suddenly it was all United and Chelsea had to make more changes with Havertz and Ziyech on for Gilmour and Hudson-Odoi. The home side had created little after those opening few minutes of the half.
United were attacking down the left with intent and Osborn then nearly got in again before Burke came on for McBurnie. McGoldrick then showed great skill to jink past his man tight by the touchline and skirted along the line coming towards goal before his cross was pushed away from Kepa as no Blades player could get a touch.
Brewster came on for Norwood as Stevens headed wide from a free kick as the Blades were now dominating a game that had completely turned around. Kante had to be used to help stem the tide with Pulisic being withdrawn. The game ticked to the last minute but a poor Baldock cross eased the pressure.
On 90 minutes, Brewster then did well to hold it up and back heeled it to Osborn whose run and pull back fell for Brewster who hit a powerful shot but it flicked a defender on its way into the side netting. The corner was cleared and deep into stoppage time the game was put to bed. Stevens and Osborn made a mess of it down the left and from the throw, Jagielka’s header dropped and the ball was switched to the right where James put over a dinked cross and ZIYECH took a touch and drilled it superbly into the corner giving Ramsdale no chance. The tie was sealed and Chelsea were relieved they had breathing space as the Blades had pushed them right to the end.
United – It was miles better than last week. We had a go and had chances. We did not fold and competed. We had chances to level and should have taken it to extra time. The 2-0 flattered them in the end and does not tell the story. They controlled the first half after we began well but did not have tons of chances and the goal was sloppy again. They did have most of the ball and could have made it 2-0. Second half they could have put it away early and had more opportunities in the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half than the whole first half but then we slowly came into it. We had a real go and had a series of chances and one guilt edged chance which McGoldrick has to score. We had more moments and even right at the end Brewster nearly levels. The late goal was a sucker punch but we had to go for it at that stage.
First half we began ok but then sat back and invited pressure and started giving it away with several cynical and petty fouls but they were not creating lots. The goal was a bit fortunate for them but poor play from us. They then could have got a second and controlled things having all the ball. It was not too dissimilar to last week in that we stayed in the game but I did think we pressed and harried more and were a lot closer to them than we have been. I was concerned 2nd half as we started slowly and bad defending nearly saw them score a second to finish the game but after that around 55 minutes we started to get out.
I am not sure anyone individually was fantastic really and my match ratings will reflect that. It was odd in that no one really was taking the game or doing things that would make you think ‘he is playing’ really well but we just got on the ball more, pressed them more and had more men up the field to attack more. We missed the golden chance and had other openings and could easily have taken the game to extra time. Whether they would have stepped up again and just gone up a gear I do not know but they were struggling to get out. Not sure they were hanging on at the end but we certainly continued to have chances right till the end.
I came away from the game and thought at least we had a go. In simple terms we still cannot score and cannot keep teams out the other end but we had as many chances as them, we competed and 2nd half we got up the pitch and actually really forced them back. I just thought it was a better performance and other than the backs to the wall, gutsy effort v Villa, it was the best we have played for some time. Forgotten amongst all the talk about Wilder and the hammering last week is that we have been nearly as bad as last week in many other games, just teams have not taken chances or not needed to score more goals. Today even though it looked comfortable, we had a go and it was much more respectable.
Off the field, things have been really quiet at the club. Even the social media team have not come out and said much or put much out this week. A lot has been made of the lack of tribute to Wilder from the club and it is poor that the club have not made a proper acknowledgement but show how things really broke down at the end. However, moving forward I am more concerned we have heard nothing from the likes of Bettis, Abdullah or his family this week. Maybe there is nothing to say but even a cursory statement saying we are moving forward with a plan for the new management structure, what we are desperate for the club to make an appointment yet and think I would rather us take our time. Ideally if the new manager could come in for the final few games to assess real live game time but if we don’t and wait for the right man, that is fine. I am not sure we are going to be making a ton of signings this summer unless a number leave but the formation/style and the new man and his team getting a feel for things is probably needed rather than waiting till June/July time.
Rumours this weekend of the likes of Slavisa Jokanovic and Steve Cooper at Swansea were certainly a bit more positive and interesting than the names we had seen before. The fact that the likes of the Cowley brothers went to Pompey and some fans were interested showed that we are not going to be spoilt for choice really. We now have two weeks before the next league game. We have 9 largely pointless games to go but still feel some players are playing for their future but then when a new manager comes in then it is a clean sheet somewhat. That is why it is hard to expect the players to really be absolutely going for it. They know this manager is not here and know they are down. I do expect more games to be like last week than today. We had a chance in a different competition and did about as well as we could do but, in the league, there is literally nothing to play for. Quite sad that in mid-March and the next meaningful game will be August – 5 months away where we are really going to be that bothered about a result/game. Never has it ever been like this in my United supporting lifetime.
Ratings (weird they are so low but not sure anyone outside Ramsdale can say they played well -it was just more of a collective improvement 2nd half):
Ramsdale 7/10 – On the build up to the goal he maybe should have held the cross – bit sloppy as he pushed out the cross and it bounced out for a corner. No chance on the goal. He then made a great save from Pulisic point blank and another second half when he got in. Not that much to do after this and no chance on the 2nd. His kicking was not great today and he put at least two straight out under no pressure. Continues post Xmas to be one of, if not our best performer.
Bogle 5.5/10 – Couple of good defensive pieces of work but then gave away a silly foul and was a bit sloppy when he had the ball in possession. Not sure we saw much of him go forward after the first 5 minutes when he helped win a corner. Second half had one good run forward early on and was tackled in the box. He tried to get forward more but his final ball or choices he took too long or did not execute in time. Defensively he was ok but they did not really attack much down this side until the goal at the end where the whole team was caught out.
Osborn 6/10 – Really struggled first half and that is an understatement. They targeted him. Two or three balls behind and over him saw him cut out and caught out. Basic defending and he just did not do what he needed to do. The corner came from his error which saw him lost Hudson-Odoi. They then nearly got in soon after with the same ball. Just was not switched on at all. Second half they came down this side again early with chances but the final half hour he was much better. His touch was not great and at times not even sure he knew what he was doing as it bounced off him but really put a lot oof effort in and one or two crosses and moments came from his running. Set up the chance for Brewster at the end. A real whole hearted 2nd half performance bouncing back from his shocker in the first half.
Baldock 5.5/10 – Began well and came onto the ball and was first to it but then started to give away a series of clumsy fouls. He was not tight when he needed to and then sat off when he needed to press. He then gave away another free kick to start the 2nd half on Pulisic. This carried on with a series of fouls (and an elbow). How he did not get booked I do not know? He tried to get amongst them but just looked dirty. Defensively he did ok I suppose and not sure they had many clear chances due to his poor defending but I just felt that he has to do more than just constantly kick his man.
Stevens 5.5/10 – Started ok and set up the chance for Jagielka on the corner with a flick but then made a mistake they nearly profited from and started to get deeper and was less secure in his defensive work. Second half Pulisic just ran past him unopposed as him and Fleck just stood there. He was fine in his defending after that but when he had the ball, he constantly made poor decisions or passed it straight to them or ran into them. Makes poor choices on and off the ball all the time at the moment and more of a surprise when he does something right. The second goal came when he kicked it out and he had done this a few times. Looks miles off the player he was 18 months ago. Do not know why he keeps getting picked when he is constantly off the pace?
Jagielka 7/10 – Amazed he plays but of course grief hits you in different ways and it was said he wanted to be around his pals and have normality. Must have been an incredibly tough week. I used to see his family up at Abbeydale when I watched the youth team and they seemed incredibly close – recall he had a sister too – so cannot imagine what they are going through. Huge credit for coming out and playing especially as he will know defensively, we were down to the bare bones. He did lots of good things with blocks and cover and maybe our best defender. He came out a few times with the ball too. He did nearly concede an own goal when he made a mess of things second half and then his header was poor in the build up to the second goal but overall, he was fine today and was steady enough.
Norwood 4/10 – He had a lot of the ball and he was seen as the man to try and bring us out but sadly Chelsea knew that and if they pressed him and got on him, he would struggle. He conceded the own goal. Some may say it was unlucky but it was just lazy and crap. I never get when people say own goals are unlucky when they occur like this? Surely kicking it in your own net is one off the worst things you can do – it did not just hit him either. Move your body quicker and don’t just lunge. He then gave it away when it was nearly 2-0 – another error like many he has given away this season. He gave away a stupid foul not long after and started to get a bit desperate. Second half put another bad corner in and continued to try the pinged ball when a straight and shorter pass forwards rather than sideways would get us up the field quicker. Came off with 10 minutes to play as we sought the leveller.
Lundstram 5.5/10 – Did not notice him at all until 20 minutes when he gave a foul away. He just looked very leggy and slow. Not sure he got on the ball much at all. There was a moment when he had it around 35 mins and just ran into his man. He was just not in the game but second half was a different player and was involved, busy and got up and down. He was able to influence the game down the right and involved in some of our better moves with switching play and interchanges. Set up the big chance with a great cross. Our best midfielder just by virtue of his decent 2nd half showing.
Fleck 4.5/10 – Looked slow and ponderous as the midfield got completely overrun at times. Early on he had it a bit but then started to foul or struggle to keep up with better athletes and quicker players. They go past him so easily –like the chance 2nd half when he was motionless as Pulisic ran through. He continued to try and walk it through men but lacks the pace and physicality to do this. Had one decent jinking run but not sure he really affected the game that much at all. After a good run Jan-Feb, I feel the last few games he has looked painfully slow and unfit and does not influence games. Defensively our midfield is a joke as it just gets run through. Today we did a bit better job but mainly due to fouling and grabbing than actually good positional play. Needs a big summer to get slimmer and more match fit. At the moment miles off a first teamer even at Champ level for me.
McGoldrick 5/10 – His overall game may have been a 6-6.5 as he was at least involved with a few moments of link play or battling. Had a shot early on and won a corner with good pestering but then he struggled with poor touch/control and was not in the game as we got deeper and deeper. Had another shot but again straight at the keeper but at least had a shot. Second half he made poor decisions a few times and then missed the absolute sitter. How he missed I do not know. It was horrific and not even that close in the end. He does so many good things but cannot finish chances (he has missed a lot again this year even though he is our leading scorer and has played more than the rest). He then had that jinking, slalom run on the touchlines with fantastic individual skill but then did not pick anyone out and lacked the composure again. A lovely footballer but he has to score that chance today and why he will probably never play at this level again or has never played here before (the former now down his age of course).
McBurnie 4/10 – Another largely anonymous performance. He fouled his man, fell over with no one near him, ran like he has weights around his ankles and generally just looked slow and disinterested. He did not press, did not hold it and won nothing in terms of hold-up/headers. He fouled a few times unnecessarily but then went over in the box looking for a penalty again when there was no foul. Pathetically weak. The one thing he did all game was the control and shot which was decent but never close to scoring really but at least an effort. The rest of the game thought he looked the same ineffective player he has all season. A lot of talk focuses on Brewster for 0 goals and his lack of impact but McBurnie has had a dreadful season – he is never fit and has had about 2 good games all season. Even Burke as bad as he has been has looked more of a threat and scored more. He is another that has a big summer of getting stronger and sharper. At the moment he trudges around and offers nothing to the side. I would not be made if we could move him on but sadly not sure we would even get half our money back.
Subs –
Burke – Came on and tried to get on it but was not the sort of game where we were playing against a high line as oddly, they were quite deep. Not sure he did much of note in the time he was on as the ball did not seem to go that near him.
Brewster – Made an impact in that he chased around, looked up for it and then right at the end battled for it, decent skill and got on the end of the cross and shot just wide. Maybe he should have done a bit better. He always tried to smash it and lacks composure for a striker. He was also caught offside which is poor when he just came on but at least looked more interested today.
Mousset – Not sure he even touched the ball after he came on and on the final goal he was right back in defence as we chased back. I think he was just thrown on as an extra body as we tried to snatch something.
Manager Heckingbottom 7/10 – Thought he spoke well on the pre match presser and was considered and honest over where we are and going. He has had more time to settle into his role, albeit temporary rather than the whirlwind of last weekend when even though the performance was appalling, the preparation was horrific.
Today was much better. We kept in the game and even though first half we did not have a lot of it, we restricted them and it was an own goal we conceded. They only had one other chance. 2nd half we had much more of a go and on another day, we at least force extra time. The tempo was good and we showed urgency and got players into the Chelsea half and did not sit back. It felt like we wanted to try and have a go and as I say were unfortunate not to score and take the game on. At the end the late goal makes it look easy when it was not. He at least got the group to recover from last week and put in a much more professional and determined performance. Granted we conceded goals again and did not score (1 in 7 now) but the effort was better as was the shape of the team.
I am still unsure if Knill (and Prestridge) are still here/employed? The Star said they were not there today which would suggest they may not be for much longer but they then went onto say they had been offered a contract to stay? Surely they are still under contract so why would they need to be offered a new one. With Tindall coming in – and being mentioned a lot by Heckingbottom, I am not sure what the roles of the previous staff are. I think they will be moved on before the season ends or even this week. Can only assume they are waiting either till Wilder gets another job or they are trying to secure a financial release – they won’t walk away when under contract of course. It was interesting the club put out a twitter release that said Matt Duke and Tindall were supporting Heckingbottom. I would assume Darren Ward may have left then?
Chelsea – I was not surprised they got rid of Lampard as that is how Chelsea and Abramovich works. They demand success and trophies such is the money he pumped in. Oddly I did feel a little sorry for him as he laid the groundwork for some of the young players doing so well (suppose he had no choice with the transfer fan) and although spent a fortune targeted young players (bit like us but at a different scale entirely) and knew some of these would take time. Chelsea have invested a lot in them. They will not all come off but maybe have to learn the lessons from the likes of Lukaku, De Bruyne and Salah from the past who never really made it there but were maybe not given enough chances.
Tuchel has made a superb start with them unbeaten in 13 and has had the best ever start of any Chelsea manager in history. They are in the quarter finals of the Champions League with a winnable tie, the semis of the FA Cup and right in the top 4 mix and could easily push up to 3rd or 2nd. He has tightened them up at the back and some of the players who had been inconsistent seem to have found form and he has got old guards like Kante back to their best.
After they beat Atletico Madrid and deservedly you knew they would be flying with confidence and I felt no matter how they fielded they would be too strong for us. Less than a year ago we beat them 3-0 at the Lane and of course earlier in that season drew at the Bridge too. It now seems we are now miles apart from them in terms of quality and direction.
In terms of today’s contest, they changed a load round but have 20-25 players all that would walk into our team and be arguably our best player. It is frightening the difference between the two squads but of course we did compete with them last season! Today they were not great and as Tuchel said it is as poor as they have played but said they were quite tired even with changing some of the group. It is true they have played a lot of games (a lot more than us for instance) with all the competitions but they still did what they had to. They were pushed back quite a bit though and I felt after largely being in control first half without creating, they were not great second half and a better team with better forwards could have scored a few goals.
Opponent Man of the Match – Pulisic was a constant threat with his running, quick feet and creativity. We just kept fouling him and he will probably have been glad to depart in the end. Hudson-Odoi showed a few flashes. They kept raving about Gilmour but not sure he did anything that special – just simple passes to good players? Mount is a good player but was quiet today as were quite a few more. The talent they brought on was superb.
Opponent Weak link – I really like Giroud as a player but today he was not really involved much at all and I thought had a largely ineffective game. I also though the back lads Emerson, Zouma and Christensen were not always secure in their defending. Overall a lot of ordinary performances but they did not need to really be at their best as knew that when it mattered, they would produce just enough to win.
Referee/Officials – Andrew Madley. Fairly easy game to ref you would think but he still was not great – how he did not book any of our players I do not know? I like refs to avoid booking all and sundry but Baldock should have been booked 3 or 4 times. He committed at least 6 fouls and most of them cynical! We put a few other late ones in too, Fleck, Stevens, Norwood and McBurnie. Maybe he just felt sorry for us. They committed a foul on McGoldrick and then he blew up when we had the advantage – not that we would have done anything with it!
Coverage – They were fair enough. Amongst the trotted-out clichés of us being so bad at scoring, defending and erm…playing football, felt they were ok. The commentator, Steve Wilson even mentioned that we should have had a replay at Bramall Lane instead of Highbury for the Kanu-Overmars cheating incident! Keown is normally a bit condescending but he was actually ok today. Also got a comment about Burke being Swift which was a nice nod to Irish literature- if he meant it! The studio had a Blades influence in Michael Brown (decent pundit actually) so at least they did not just talk about Chelsea.
