Post by deadbat on Apr 3, 2021 19:12:42 GMT
Podcast here and report below:
soundcloud.com/tufty-club/tufty-club-reaction-20-21-leeds-away
open.spotify.com/episode/7vpIm7S49dHI8JUTHYo1w5?si=1HUDrd3yTjiKY9f3jNzZQQ&nd=1
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31 years ago, on Easter weekend, the Blades went to Elland Road in a crunch promotion contest and were absolutely battered 4-0 in a disastrous game where Leeds swarmed all over them and United fell apart.
Today, the Blades lost narrowly to an impressive Leeds side but in truth they were once again well beaten and actually the score line flattered the away side who were second best in every aspect of the game as their Yorkshire rivals sadly seem to be going in the opposite direction to the sorry looking Blades who are now edging ever so close to the inevitable relegation that has seemed likely since even before Xmas.
Caretaker manager Paul Heckingbottom, still looking for his first goal and point for the Blades, opted to keep faith with the same side that put in an improved showing at Chelsea last time out, in an attempt to find a result of some sort. So Baldock and Stevens remained as wide centre backs flanking Jagielka and McBurnie and McGoldrick continued up front. John Egan was a welcome recall to the bench after injury.
Marcelo Bielsa, the Leeds manager also kept faith with most of his charges with only one change and that was skipper Liam Cooper coming back in at the back for Struijk.
The game began with Leeds instantly on the attack. A ball forward and Baldock tripped Phillips just on the angle of the box. This gave Leeds a chance from a set play by Raphinha whipped it up and well over. The Blades tried to get up the other end but McBurnie dithered and Leeds broke. Lundstram picked up a booking for a cynical foul as he chopped down Roberts who was sprinting clear. Leeds were in the ascendancy but a rare attack saw a corner won but Norwood played it over everyone.
Leeds had the first effort on goal as a ball played by Jagielka to Lundstram saw the midfielder dithering and Phillips was able to rob him and his shot was saved by Ramsdale. The corner came over and was cleared initially but not very far and Dallas then teed up an effort as Baldock did not close him down and Ramsdale had to parry it away again. Appeals for a penalty came when the ball brushed Stevens on the hand but from point blank range was never going to be given.
On 12 minutes the opening goal came. McBurnie tried to foul his man unsuccessfully twice and then Stevens gave it away. This saw Leeds onto it and Dallas then fed Roberts who played in Raphinha who ran past Baldock easily and his low cross was tapped home by HARRISON at the far post. Lovely football and movement from the home side but static defending from the visitors.
The next phase saw Leeds dominate the ball and were on it when the Blades had it and quickly were able to win the ball and get all the loose stuff. They had overloads on both side and it seemed that Leeds were set to just overrun the away side. McGoldrick did have a chance and curled an effort not far wide in the first effort of the game for the Blades.
The flow of the game continued to be mostly one way. Alioski had a shot blocked by Baldock before Harrison then fed Alioski whose cross saw Raphinha gave an effort blocked. Leeds were rampant and United the other way could not get anything going.
On the half hour, it should have been another goal for Leeds as more swift movement saw Roberts thought and he wad caught extremely late by Baldock in a dangerous tackle. Harrison was in one on one but his effort lacked the necessary power or direction and Ramsdale did brilliantly to get a touch and send it wide. Baldock came off worse after the challenge and for a moment it seemed he would be the first Blades player to go off using the new concussion rule but the medical staff deemed him ok to come back on.
Phillips had blazed over from the resultant corner in between Baldock’s return before finally some relief for the Blades who won a corner but Fleck’s effort was the opposite of Norwood’s in wastefulness, this time not beating the first man. Although from the same move, United worked a decent spell and Stevens and McGoldrick combined but the latter’s cross was just away from McBurnie.
Leeds continued to dominate possession and Roberts then came inside Fleck easily and shot just wide before McGoldrick was the second Blade to be booked after inexplicably picking the ball up as he slipped to deny Leeds a chance to attack.
Baldock was still clearly struggling and he had to finally come off for Ampadu just before the 4 minutes of additional time to be played; mainly due to the two moments when Baldock went down. Inside the first minute, the Blades shocked the home side and were level.
Fleck came inside and fed McGoldrick who played in McBurnie’s whose driven cross shot was blocked from the Leeds defender and fell for OSBORN who turned it goalward with his unfamiliar right foot. Ailing kicked away but it seemed to have gone over the line and sure enough referee Graham Scott pointed to half way and then his stop watch and parity was restored.
The final moment saw Roberts heading at Ramsdale after good work from Bamford getting away from Jagielka. Half time came soon after this and the Blades had scored their first goal for 4 games and were in the contest.
The Blades began the second half on the attack and McGoldrick tried another shot but this was wide again and never threatening Meslier
Raphinha embarrassed Osborn but as the ball was cleared, Dallas fired over. Soon after Leeds were in front, Harrison was in on the left and his cross was right into the danger zone and JAGIELKA (OG) turned it into his own net. It was a wicked cross but the defender could not sort his body and feet out and Ramsdale could not react despite getting a hand on it. It was the third straight game the Blades had put the ball into their own net.
Leeds were back on the attack and Dallas curled an effort onto the top of the bar as Leeds continued to just look fitter, quicker and more skilled in the middle of the field. Leeds kept coming forward and at times seemed to have extra men on the field.
Lundstram’s sloppy ball again was intercepted but Alioski fizzed it over. The Blades slack work on and off the ball was a feature of the game as Leeds penned them in. Another give away, this time from Fleck saw Bamford in but Ampadu did well to get a foot in when it would have been easy to give away a penalty.
Another Lundstram give away saw Leeds break again as the midfielder walked back to try and regain possession! Fleck and Norwood’s impact on the game continued to be almost nothing as Leeds just won every ball. The Blades were struggling to hold back the attacks. A diagonal ball from Ayling saw Bamford in with no defender going near him and Ramsdale made a brave block to deny the goal. The keeper injured himself in making the save but was able to continue as the Blades cleared the corner as the game went over the hour mark.
Lundstram remarkably continued to think United were playing in white and another ball saw Leeds intercept and swarm all over the Blades again. A rare opportunity saw the ball over the top find McGoldrick but Fleck’s cross was deflected behind. The corner was shocking yet again and Leeds were on the attack once again but Ampadu was able to make the block after his initial error on the chance.
Good work from Fleck saw Bogle work an opportunity but his effort was blocked. Once again, another awful corner from the Blades, this time Norwood saw Leeds away again! This was Norwood’s last action as Burke came on for him. Rodrigo replaced Bamford for Leeds at the same time.
Ampadu tried to get forward and his run despite being fouled saw the ball drop to McBurnie but his chipped effort was a waste. Bogle then took an elbow and had to hobble off and the Blades incredibly lost two players to the new concussion rule. Brewster came on and Burke went to right wing back but not for long as he went back up front as Egan replaced McBurnie. Ampadu went to right wing back in a series of positional changes in quick succession.
The game was quite open now and after another awful set play from Lundstram, Leeds were away again as they realised, they could outrun United whenever they wanted. Dallas was on the end of it and pulled his shot just wide. Klich came on for Roberts but despite the Blades remaining in the game, Lundstram’s horror show continued with another wretched corner and Leeds were off to the races again.
Rodrigo was booked for a pull back on Fleck but surprise, surprise, it was wasted again but this time only fell to Brewster whose fizzing effort was impressive and only just went wide. The Blades then had another chance as Burke hit a low effort narrowly wide. At least they were keeping in the contest and had a bit of a go towards the end as the game entered 5 minutes stoppage time. Dallas and Raphinha nearly linked up and then a cross had to be cleared from Jagielka for a corner. Klich came on for Dallas but Leeds saw the rest of the time out easily to complete a deserved win that on chances and possession probably flattered the away side who at least stayed competitive in terms of the score line. For the Blades, they are now only weeks away from relegation and indeed it could be all over in 2 or 3 games. 24 losses out of 30 now means the Blades have lost as many games as any other team in Premier League history.
United – Once again well beaten by a better, fitter, quicker and more skilled team. Leeds are everything we are not. They can out run us, they work harder, they press and are full of athletes and some skilled players too. They have goals in them all over the team. They do not look great at the back and give chances up and did today but easily could have had 5 or 6 goals today and we were lucky to get away with 2-1. We stayed in the game and on reflection it looked close but it wasn’t in reality. Most of our inept performers continued to look inept. They look tired, completely drained of confidence and ability wise we are over matched every week. They are a bunch of Championship players and it seems more than ever the half a season to two third we saw last season was just a bunch of players who hit great from at this level. We look so bad it is untrue. We give it away all over the field and when the opposition have it, they run through us and pick us off all the time. It is a hard watch as we look so sluggish really. Teams open us up all over the field and we cannot live with the power, athleticism and running. We show glimpses here and there, mostly through McGoldrick. Osborn worked hard and Ampadu did ok when he came on but overall, we just look a side that feels it cannot compete at this level and sadly it cannot as the evidence shows.
Every week teams are having more possession by some margin, having far more efforts on and off goal. We are just resorting to fouling and grabbing when teams run past us. It is sad to watch the decline of this side. I felt we had a few spells in the game and showed some bits but overall, we maybe had 4 or 5 decent attacks to about 20 they had and similar with chances really. It was very one side and seemed like Leeds had more men most of the time. It is sad that 2 years ago we overtook this side and beat them to promotion but now they are miles off us in terms of where the clubs are going on and off the pitch. We have not built on beating them to promotion at all and off the pitch they have a better training ground, academy and infrastructure of scouting. It is worryingly how little we have done in any of these areas in 2 years. We still don’t have the pre fab building in place (why not – Wilder is right on this one) that should have been in place by now and still get changed out of a hut. That is one thing that has to be sorted and fast.
Mercifully we will finally be down and it could be as soon as a few games. I did not realise how soon it could be but if Newcastle win one and we lose one than that is nearly it. The most we can get is 38 I think and so a few results going the way of those 4th/5th bottom and it is done. I do not see us getting another point this season. I really don’t. We are just losing every week. It is quite painful now. Maybe Burnley at home or Brighton we might nick something but the players just look a bit disinterested. Heckingbottom says he cannot fault the effort but in the last two league games the opponents have ran more, competed more and looked hungrier from start to finish so it is more than ability- even though that is the biggest factor. Even when we got level, I just thought it delayed the inevitable and sure enough we were behind within 5 minutes of the restart.
We have had the talk around Blessing and maybe there is something in it. Seen the natural reaction from some saying ‘cheap unknown’ etc. Also seen some think it could be innovative. We do not know. Our rivals across the City made a few choices from the foreign market and one worker (Carvahal) and another was a disaster (Luhukay) and Barnsley have made some good choices. I probably would rather us take a punt on some young and innovative up and comer than some Champ re-tread. Those saying we need Champ experience need to remember Wilder had not had any and indeed had no League One experience too! Whoever takes over from Wilder needs to be given a chance but have a feeling he is on a hiding to nothing from some being the next man up from him and being the Prince’s choice. Seen lots on twitter still having Wilder avatars and campaigns against the Prince. Not sure this really helps now? Surely, we need to applaud Wilder and praise him for an amazing time but he has chosen to move on and not be part of us. We need to get behind the chairman and the next manager now. The season cannot end quick enough of course now and hopefully we can see some fans back in August and we can inject some life into things. It is sad that
Ratings:
Ramsdale 8/10 – Made a few good saves first half from long rangers you would expect and then no chance on the goal before he made a superb save from Harrison. He was constantly busy and left exposed again. The own goal came at him quick and he had little time to react. Then made a few more saves including a superb stop from Bamford. He is ridiculously busy every week. Close range, long range, set plays – he has to bail us out time after time. Gone from being one of the weak links early season to our best player since Xmas and now one of the few who comes out of this car crash of a season with any credit. He is given no protection at all and if it was not for him, we would have lost 4 or 5 again today and would most weeks.
Bogle 5/10 – Seems more interested attacking wise than when he is defending. Going forward he won a corner first half and then second half had another attack and shot blocked but defensively he is quite suspect. He does not react quick enough and players get in front of him or react to crosses. He is not actually that physical for a big bloke and gets overpowered quite a bit although weirdly did try and ‘ride’ a Leeds player in the first half to the hilarity of McCoist. Went off with concussion when he took an errant elbow. Another that did well when he came in but has dropped off a bit in recent weeks.
Osborn 7/10 – Along with McGoldrick, Ampadu and Ramsdale the only ones who can take much credit really. He worked hard and although his touch is poor at times (he seems to knock it one way and his body runs the other!) and physically he gets outmatched, he does keep running and puts more effort in than most. Pleased he got his goal and took his chance well. Defensively struggled at times as they had overloads but this was maybe more about those in front of him or around him than his poor play.
Baldock 3.5/10 – Not the best day. Started with a bad foul and then sat off quite a bit when they had shots. He was beaten easily on the build up for the goal and then lucky for me not to be sent off (at least booked). He got concussed (his own fault for the clumsy foul) and then struggled onwards but then had to go off. Not sure he is ever going to be a centre back – he lacks the physicality and not sure he is switched on enough for movement.
Stevens 4/10 – Another wretched error that led to a goal. Sums up his last 12 months really. He just will not use his right foot and his hesitancy to do this saw him lose it and they were away. He did some ok things 30-45 with a few decent link ups and runs forward and involved in a few of the rare attacks we had. Second half again he made poor touches or decisions which led to them getting the ball or creating overloads down that side. He is not really a centre back but form wise not sure what he is. One that had a huge question mark over him and you would think Norrington Davies had a big opportunity to get that shirt come August time. A big summer for him fitness and mentality wise.
Jagielka 5/10 – Did ok first half but we were always at full stretch and at times Bamford’s movement caused us problems as he came short. The whole defence was just pulled apart and gaps were opening up everywhere really. He tried to keep going but it was hard with them running at us and having so many men extra. Then scored an own goal (we seem to have scored a lot this season and that is three straight!). They said he had little choice but surely you always have a choice? You have an option not to kick it into your own net. Surely you can sort your feet and body out quicker. Maybe I am being harsh but it does annoy me when a player scores an own goal and they trot that lazy phrase out about them not having an option! A player that is doing his best but sadly quite out of his depth against quicker and more agile players.
Norwood 2.5/10 – Another non-descript performance. Loads will go in on Lundstram and I will to but at least he got involved (not in a good way I hasten to add!). Norwood’s sole contribution today seemed to be chipped balls to no one in particular (did a few of these) and awful set plays, one overhit, one to the keeper and one to the near post. He was subbed after this and shook his head. Not sure why as our midfield had been overrun as they are every week, out muscled and out skilled. We never had the ball in this area. Maybe his only frustration is that Lundstram did not go first! It could have been anyone of 7 or 8 to come off though.
Lundstram 1/10 – I give him 1 for a few runs forward and a couple of surges second half where he got a few free kicks. That is it. The rest of his game was a masterclass in adjectivity. He got booked early for a clumsy foul where he lost his man and could not be bothered to run back. He then continued to lose his runners and amble around as they overrun us. Several times they broke and he did not even bother trying to get back. Second half he had a highlight reel that will take some topping. He gave it away three times in about three minutes leading to clear chances for them. He hit several awful set plays that did not even beat the first man (barely got to his knee let alone head of the defender). He wafted his leg at several high balls and then tried a stupid back heel. His reaction to all of these errors was to either stand there or just amble back as several Leeds player haired past him. He could not have looked more disinterested. Weirdly he had one or two sprints forward amongst this – maybe to get his stats up as we said on the pod! What we are gaining by playing him I do not know. If fans were there he would not be playing as the reaction would be horrific. I still fail to see what the point of him being involved is. Play Ndiaye. Play Ampadu (and he won’t be here either so that is probably as bad!). Anything but him. At times today I thought he was doing things badly on purpose – I thought surely he cannot be that bad? One of the worst displays from a Blade this season and there has been some shockers.
Fleck 4/10 – Not sure he was much better than the other two as the theme of our horrific midfield displays both individually and collectively continued. How unfit and unathletic they are is incredible? It’s like they are doing nothing in the week. Other teams just run away from them and are stronger too. That is before you get onto the skill levels where others can actually dribble, pass, shoot and get forward as well as protecting the defence. Our three do nothing most games but stand there. Fleck to be fair did set up the goal (assist to an assist to an assist!) in some way and had a few other ok runs but most of the time it was hot potato stuff. His set plays were crap too expect one decent one headed away. He is the one of the three I hold some hope can come good but the body of work over the last 12 months is not a good sign with around half a dozen decent to good games and maybe 30 poor to average ones. He needs to get fit and come back with a better attitude. He is another that just looks not arsed at all. I used to love him as a player but now he does not run with the ball, does not get away from people (just gets brushed off) and defensively he is a liability who just fouls when they run past him. He is another where there is a big question mark over his Blades career sadly as there is with Norwood, Stevens and a few others. Many thinking automatically he will come good as we drop a level, I am not so sure. The trajectory of these players is showing downward the same way it pointed so upward for a few years. All are 30ish too so not sure they will have the potential to hugely improve. He has a big summer too if he wants to be a regular in hopefully a side pushing top 6 or go the same way as the likes of Duffy and Coutts with the former mostly a sub at Fleetwood and the latter now at mid table League 2 Salford. Those two showed (albeit the latter with an injury) how quickly you can drop off. Hope he can find a new resurgence but has a huge few months in terms of fitness. Does he want to get serious about his career again? We will see.
McGoldrick 6.5/10 – Once again a contender for our best outfield player. He got on it early and had a shot wide and the only player looking to create and come off to make things happen. Linked with Stevens for the McBurnie half chance and then involved in the goal. Had another shot second half and was trying to find space. As the game went on his threat and contribution somewhat disappeared as the game became scrappy and stretched and we threw other strikers up top and he had to drop more and the game did not really operate much in midfield. Although a comment on him just picking the ball up when he fell over? What was he doing?!
McBurnie 2/10 – Strong contender with Lundstram for our worst player. I am sure we will hear the usual guff of he had no service or we do not play to his strengths. I think those same people need to actually state what he does offer? He is so slow it is untrue. He has no mobility at all and his touch is quite poor (comes off him a lot and after some promise in this regard he has got far worse). The ball never sticks and his passing is poor. He cannot run and does not get behind. He actually not that great in the air and never wins the important one or get on anything in the oppositions box. He fouls a lot and is clumsy and dirty to the point of being cynical. He tried to kick two players in the lead up to the goal but was not quick enough to even get near the Leeds players. He had made a few unnecessary and pathetic fouls before this too. He did have a hand in the goal with a shot I suppose but failed to get on the end of a good McGoldrick cross and then tried a ridiculous chip 2nd half. Came off finally and we then started to have a few efforts at least. He has not improved since we signed him at all and despite 6 goals last season; I do not see a player in there at all. Those thinking he will come good are basing it on form 3 seasons ago for a different team. He is a player that if spent as much time in the gym or training ground as he did on twitter or watching MMA maybe might improve. Was a bit of a cult figure around Xmas time. Now you replace a letter in that word maybe! Harsh but he really is not contributing anything. We spent 17 million pounds on him. That is eye popping. If someone offered me a million now, I’d snatch their hands off. We need pace, movements, skill, goal threat, link play, work ethic. It is honestly like playing with a man less when he starts. That again may be seem like I am going in on him but another like Fleck, Stevens, Norwood that has played maybe 2 or 3 good games from 30 off this season. That is not good enough. If we performed like these did with the lack of application and lack of contribution we would be sacked in our jobs.
Subs –
Ampadu 7/10 – Thought he did ok actually and maybe our best defender and only played 45 minutes or so. Looked a cut above much of the rest. He made a few good blocks (one he made the initial error but recovered) and then he also got up the field well too and was able to go on some runs. He like Ramsdale has improved since Xmas (still made tons of mistakes that have directly led to goals) but has been alright I suppose and one of the better outfield players recent games – not saying much. Least he has some pace and can run which most of the other dead weights can’t. Probably counting down the days till he can get back to a proper training ground and be with better player – of course he will sent on loan to another club – maybe the Championship next season but not sure I have seen enough to want him back. He would probably do ok at the lower level but think he has had his chance here and even with his improvements not sure he has done enough to warrant a return.
Burke – Came on up top and then went to right wing back and then back up front. Did more than McBurnie in the time he was on in that at least he won a few headers, flicks and had one shot not far wide. Not sure he is the answer and those who defended Robinson will point to the two goals he scored today (don’t have an issue with the trade off as not sure Robinson will ever be more than a mid table Champ player) will argue we came off worse. I am not sure about that. I just don’t think either are good enough. I expect Burke to be a sub next season and come on when we are seeing games out or playing on the break or to try and get behind but not sure he will be involved that much. Another I would be glad if another club would take him. The fact he seemingly has a new club every season sums up how bad he is.
Brewster – Gave it away down the left and they nearly broke but then some neat touches and had the great shot that was just wide. Really not sure why he is not playing. I have seen McBurnie for nigh on two years and I know he is not good enough at this level. This lad may not be either but give him a run of games and try and get his confidence up for next season at least. I see no reason whatsoever why he is not playing. I thought Heckingbottom would come in and play him and drop likes of Lundstram but is doing exactly the same as Wilder. Odd.
Egan – Good to see him back. Instantly at full stretch as they nearly broke and got in. Had a few clearances and headers but only played limited minutes. Hopefully will start and we may be a bit more solid defensively. Mind you we were no better when he did play but he does improve us! Next game we may have him, Basham and Berge all back possibly?
Manager Heckingbottom 4/10 – He has spoken well in press conferences and there has been no bluster. He has been quite forthright and honest with questions asked. Today we set up the same and he will not try and change the tactics which is odd. Why he keeps starting out of form players like Stevens, Lundstram and McBurnie I am not sure? Brewster and Lowe at least surely deserve a chance? Lundstram I have no idea why he is playing. None whatsoever. It makes no sense. Rather the young lad have a go. We have nothing to lose surely? We are down and getting mullered most weeks (if not score line) so give him/them a chance. Today we started slowly (after 2 weeks off) and they swarmed all over us. They should have been 3 or 4 up at half time and we were lucky to be level. Second half they scored again and could have had a lot more. We had a few late chances but overall, we were well beaten and out run and out skilled all game. They were better than us tactically and simply picked us off and ran through. They knew they could overpower us and so it proved. Only a poor final ball, finishing and Ramsdale stopped this being like Leicester really but at least we did have a few late efforts in this one. A draw would have been daylight robbery though. He has played three and lost three and save for a decent 2nd half at Chelsea, we have looked exactly the same side lacking confidence, ability, goals and cohesion. We don’t look a team in any shape, way or form. If they were not listening to Wilder then they are equally not listening to this guy but then that is too simplistic and probably wrong. These players are simply not good enough and not formation change, tweaks to personnel would make any difference really. Sure, the likes of Lundstram and McBurnie are rubbish but would incoming players change things in terms of results. I am not sure they would – just be nice to see something different and build for next season. I am not sure he is making a strong case for the job though!
Of course, it would be remiss of me not to praise Prestridge, Ward and Allen, the outgoing three for the work they did. It seems a matter of time before Knill departs to me reading between the lines and it is just a case of sorting out the severance really. I do not envisage any situation where a new manager would not bring in his own staff so it maybe that Heckingbottom goes back to the u23’s at the end of the season. Maybe Tindall stays for a period though – I am not sure?
He will have seen the speculation surrounding Blessin this week and it may be the club will try and get someone in to give the new manager some games to see the team and players in action before the summer and next season.
Leeds – I have to grudgingly give Leeds credit. They will end up finishing half way and have surprised many teams this year. Much like we did a season ago their energy, attacking and no fear football has drawn rave reviews. Sometimes I feel they have maybe had even more credit than us – maybe because of the size of Leeds and Bielsa’s reputation but even when they have got battered, they do seem to have had plaudits?! To be fair I quite like Biela. I think he is a good guy and actually find it very hard to dislike him – even if he has not learnt the language after 3 years or pretends, he has not! Still, they have done well and some of the players I was not sure would be able to cope at this level who seemed a bit journeyman, namely Bamford, Cooper, Ayling, Dallas etc have done really well and a bit like some of our lads the first season have complimented the other quality they have. I think they have some real pace and energy and I like Harrison in particular. Some of the new signings have also given them goals and creativity too.
It will be interesting to see where they go next and if the board will give him more money he needs as I think they may struggle more next season if they do not improve. The energy and enthusiasm is commendable but hard to keep going forever at the higher level as we found. I do not see anything like a drop off we had but they may be nearer the relegation spots than some of their fans might think if they do not invest more. I do admire their ability to press and run all day long. The intensity is something else and that comes from him of course. I expect they will and if they do add quality then I can see him being established here for a while. Interesting to see how long Biela stays around as he does not normally remain as long as he has done. Indeed, apart from Argentina and Chile (longer spells) he has never stayed with another club longer than 2 years and has been at Leeds for 3 seasons now.
A lot of Blades feel they get a lot more credit than we did and maybe that is right. They are a bigger club with a higher profile and richer history so maybe that is it. However, I would counter and say the way they attack and go for things and have all season is something we did not do (other than say a 2-month period mid Oct-mid Dec) last year. We were better defensively by a long way and they are weak here still. However, their fitness and energy and way they run through teams and better teams than us is to be applauded. Sure, this will leave them open but it is good to watch as much as Blades get irked by it. They have better technical players than we had/have too and you saw that today. Position wise not sure they will end up much higher but I would wager they will be around mid-table again at least next season if they make those improvements/adjustments.
Today we saw some of the defensive weaknesses they clearly exhibit but they also had lots of the ball, lots of chances and the way they broke often from our set plays and just ended up 5 v 3 or 4 v 2 was impressive. They get from one end to the other in ultra-quick speed and can break on teams due to the fitness. They also press well and harry to get the ball back. Not sure the football they play is scintillating but they do play some nice stuff. They should have won the game by a lot more than 2-1 today and ended up being a bit nervous at the end with the two late shots just wide that could have easily gone in. However, at the other end they really could have scored 7 or 8 goals really. They got through us at will.
Opponent Man of the Match – Dallas got it on Amazon but individually they won most battle outfield. The lad Raphinha was a threat all game. Phillips is everything our midfielders are not – mobile, can tackle and fit. I really like Harrison though and felt most good things came from him. Be interested to see if City take him back next season and give him some game time.
Opponent Weak link – I am not sure that Cooper, Ayling and Alioski long term are top level defenders. The first two have done well but longer term Bielsa will look to replace them I reckon and Alioski is not really a defender for me. We did not test them enough – other teams have made them pay. Ayling was probably the poorest player in that we got a few chances down this side. He was not awful but if I had to pick one it would be him. Bamford was quiet today but still looked miles more effective than McBurnie in comparison and at least his runs created space for others.
Referee/Officials – Graham Scott. Last time he reffed us he sent Egan off at Villa, I think? Today he was ok. The bookings for us were fair enough. I thought he should have booked Baldock and maybe on another day sent him off. Surprised VAR did not look at that? If he had been red carded not sure they would have overturned it. Was late, high and both feet off the ground. Amapdu got caught late too and no card and then a soft-ish one on Rodrigo for a pull back. Not really any major calls though – he rightly did not give pens for handball on Stevens or Ampadu’s tackle. The rest of the game they just were quicker and tackled harder and fairer. We often were cynical when they ran away and were rightly pulled up.
Coverage – I do like Amazon. Sometimes you are a bit behind depending on your platform/how you watch but I do love Jon Champion and McCoist in particular. Great chemistry and McCoist is light hearted but knows the game well. Both are fair and not full of cliches and are quite interesting. They make me laugh too from McCoist saying that used to be illegal when describing Bogle riding a man to Champion calling McGoldrick’s goals posh (against good teams) to listing railway stations on the Leeds to Sheffield line! They have good presenters and analysts too. They have covered it really well actually and deserve some credit.
