Post by deadbat on Sept 18, 2021 16:01:10 GMT
Pod links below and report underneath…
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United’s travelling 4,000+ support went away happy as United got their first away win of the season as they saw off Hull City at the MKM Stadium. The Blades took the lead thanks to a Billy Sharp header from Morgan Gibbs White superb cross and could have made it two nil but Matt Ingram denied Sharp from the spot after the skipper had been hauled down. After the break two John Egan headers from Conor Hourihane corners effectively sealed the three points. Lewis-Potter’s goal was a mere consolation for struggling City who in the end were well beaten.
The Blades starting line up had four changes as in came Conor Hourihane for his league debut and returning were Sander Berge, Ben Osborn and Ben Davies. Iliman Ndiaye was rested after playing twice in a week and was joined on the bench by Norwood but there was no place in the matchday squad for either Jack Robinson or Luke Freeman. However, a late change came when Rhian Brewster was brought in for Berge after the warm up.
Hull opted not to start former Blade academy product Tyler Smith who was on the bench. Northern Ireland international Josh Magennis led the line with talented youngster Keane Lewis Potter and Malik Wilks complimenting him.
The game started with both Osborn and Norrington Davies giving the ball away under no pressure and Hull won the first corner of the game but it came to nothing. Sharp failed to hold it up and Hull came forward forcing another chance after Baldock failed to score but Smith fired well over. Norrington Davies was well forward but could not deliver the cross before the first decent United move saw Brewster and Hourihane nearly link up.
Hull had a brief spell again further up the field and a cross came over but was cleared before good football saw Egan step out and find Gibbs White. His ball put Brewster in on the angle but Greaves got back to make the block.
Hull had half hearted appeals for a penalty on the angle of the box but Fleck clearly had got the ball before Gibbs White’s cross was overhit. However, on the next attack the Wolves loanee got the ball on the right and sent over a delightful cross that was meat and drink for SHARP who headed down and in.
Hourihane gave the ball away before Wilks got the better of Norrington Davies and sent over a great cross but Baldock did well to get his foot in and deny Lewis Potter.
Fleck’s excellent run saw him carry it through the thirds and he found Gibbs White whose powerful shot was pushed away by Ingram.
It was a strange game with little quality on show and it being of a very slow pace. Both teams were very sloppy in possession and one give away by Osborn saw Smallwood take a long ranger that Olsen palmed out unconvincingly before gathering.
United had not really built on the goal but Hull had offered minimal danger the other way before patient build up saw Brewster try a long range shot that Ingram held. At the other end a diagonal ball saw Elder in lots of space and Hourihane brought him down. A flurry of corners came for the home side and their best chance as Olsen stayed at home and Bernard nodded wide at the back post in a crowd of bodies.
Coyle then blazed horribly over after Hull had won a corner, they never should have been given with the ball going out clearly in the build-up.
On 42 minutes, United had a great chance to double their lead. The ball over the top sent Sharp clear with a man on the far side playing him on, albeit in a tight call. Greaves got back but was wrong side of the striker and his clumsy challenge saw him clearly get his man before any play on the ball and the penalty was an easy decision. The Hull man was booked in the double jeopardy rule even though he was the last man.
Sharp took it but it was not right in the corner and Ingram made a smart save down to his right. You felt this might be a pivotal moment in the game. From the corner Sharp got a bang on the head compounding a poor few minutes for the United captain. After treatment, the skipper was fit to carry on and little happened in the additional time added on.
The second half saw Honeyman and Cannon come on in a double change for Magennis and Smith but one incomer, Honeyman was booked for a late challenge on Fleck, maybe in retribution for a challenge not long before! The Blades managed to move it well down the right with Gibbs White involved and Ingram could not prevent the corner
United had not scored from a set play this season but after winning a corner, the ball came in from Hourihane and after Sharp blocked his man off ‘intelligently,’ EGAN headed span off and powered his head into the net, albeit with a slight flick off Greaves. Finally, the Blades score from a corner!
Norrington Davies was hardly booked and wrongly penalised for an alleged foul on Honeyman and this saw a free kick headed behind. The corner came out and the shot from range was straight at Olsen.
The game ticked over towards the hour mark and Brewster then was chopped down leading to a booking for Smallwood before Gibbs White jinked inside superbly but his shot was flicked over by Ingram. We then saw a series of set plays for the Blades. The feature of many of these seemed to be incessant tussling between both set of players with Sharp a feature again! From a corner from the same side as the second goal, Hourihane put it over and with Gibbs White thrown down and Sharp also going to the deck, EGAN managed to get across his man and nod home at the near post beyond Ingram and he had his second, and United’s third!
United looked in cruise control and opted to take Hourihane off and put on Guedioura. His first contribution was to scythe down his man but the referee played advantage and a neat move saw the ball come across from the right and was cushioned back for a clear chance but Davies made a smart block to loop it into the grateful hands of Olsen. Guedioura was booked after play stopped right down at the other end.
There was a series of niggle fouls after this before Smith came on for Moncur. Appeals for a Hull penalty were waved away as Norrington Davies got enough of the ball to recover his earlier error. Brewster took another pot shot but this was miles over.
Hull did finally get a goal after 6 without one when Davies’ sloppy clearance was loose and former Blade Smith put over a great cross and with Baldock sleeping, LEWIS POTTER was able to react quicker to side foot home.
Sharp came off for McBurnie but not before another tussle with a Hull player as he left the field! Smith had the ball in the net for Hull but the tight offside went for United this time.
Osborn had a break and put over a cross but Brewster could not quite get there first before McBurnie linked well with Osborn but the ball was just beyond Gibbs White.
Davies came on for Basham before Brewster had another shot that was straight at Ingram again before Coyle had a run at the other end but his effort was well over the bar.
The game entered 5 minutes stoppage time and United looked as likely to score again as Gibbs White was again involved and lovely switch of play saw McBurnie in on the angle and his shot was tipped wide by Ingram but oddly a goal kick was given as the officials missed the touch.
Honeyman bought another foul after he kicked through Fleck but the free kick was cleared by Basham and the game petered out with the Blades in possession as the full-time whistle went. United had picked up 7 points out of 9 and moving in the right direction.
United – Another three points and maybe a different kind of performance to last week but a much-deserved victory in the end. We showed some of the football we saw last week but it was more patchy but we still tried to play it out from the back and to create when we could. I think at times our touches were a bit off and we were not as sure in possession but it was still enough to create chances and see of a really poor Hull side. After we scored, I never really thought we were in any trouble at all. The game began fairly even and we were a bit loose in possession but so were they and neither side looked like they were going to create much.
Gibbs White started to get on the ball and of course his excellent assist made the goal that Sharp in typical poacher’s fashion converted. They had a bit of a flurry but nothing really clear cut and only one header at the back post as a real chance. Indeed, first half and for much of the game, Olsen only really made a few easy saves and their keeper was much busier. We should have put the game away when Sharp used his experience to bear the offside trap and draw the foul but missed the penalty. You wondered if this would be the turning point but in the end it wasn’t.
After the break they made changes but we finally score two headed goals from corners. There was a lot of grappling that you might not get away with at the top level but you tend to be able to do more here. Sharp was maybe a touch fortunate not to be penalised but they were grabbing us too in many of the set plays! We for once were the stronger to get in and score the goals and not be the soft touch we have accused us of being much of this season. After this Gibbs white continued to impress and could have scored another in between the two Egan goals and their goal was more annoying than significantly altering the course of the verdict. Davies and Baldock may have done better really in how it resulted but, in the end, we saw out the game with game time of the new lad Guedioura getting some action. Smith actually was close to getting another back but after this they kind of lost heart and it was a comfortable end to the game.
I do think Peterborough and Hull will both be in a relegation fight and I also think that they will be the sort of soft touch teams many will see off. They lacked physicality, quality and goal threats really. Still, it has been a much better week. We may be conceding but we are scoring and it has become far mor entertaining. Gibbs White (and Ndiaye in the game last week) have made a difference but Fleck, Egan and Sharp to name three have improved as a result of this youthful and attacking threat we had not seen before.
Possession wise we are still dominating teams (61% today) but are now having lots more attempts and effort on goal too (15-10 and 8-5) than the other team so making the possession lead to clear chances and ultimately goals.
We have a cup game in the week but you would hope we can go on and beat Derby next week (nothing is easy but they are in a bit of turmoil and facing the 12-point penalty) and then go to Neil Warnock’s Boro and face a more physical approach but I hope now we are on a bit of a run – won 2, drew 2 and moving in the right way. It seems now the thoughts of us ‘doing a Sunderland’ seems to be forgotten somewhat and we really should be confident with the squad depth and quality we have, that we are pushing up to the top 6. The defensive issues still remain (physical strength and ability to deal with the basic high ball) but we look like we can almost outscore quite a few teams at this level. It is nice that we have scored 11 in a week, put some good corners in, scored from set plays and have some attacking flair/threat finally. It is nice to see the manager and some of the player smiling now after a really bad start. I expect we will rotate a lot of the players around in the week as will Southampton (still should be too strong for us) and try some things before the bread and butter of the league next week. Hopefully Berge is not too bad and was just precautionary and we can get Stevens and Mousset back too, to make competition really fierce.
Ratings:
Olsen 6.5/10 – Bit dubious on one shot that he sort of gathered at the 2nd attempt and then a cross he stayed on his line with the header wide. Did not look totally convincing with little to do. Made an easy save start of the 2nd half and then had little to do really. Does like to play it out of the back though and did better in this regard than in the week with his passing out. No chance on the goal as it came across the box. Shame he/we could not keep a clean sheet.
Baldock 6.5/10 – Started by slicing a clearance when they had a shot soon after but then made a great block when another cross came in just getting there first to deny Lewis Potter. Involved in our opening goal with nice build up and was neat and tidy when he had the ball. Second half did not see much of him attacking wise and fine defensively until the goal when he was sleeping somewhat and the player got ahead of him.
Norrington Davies 4.5/10 – Thought he carried on from the week with a sloppy start with two or three errant touches and passes. His giveaways put them on the attack twice early on. Going forward he failed to get it over despite being in good positions and hit his man a few times. Got beat for skill by Wilks too down when they had a decent cross come in after. 2nd half I thought he was a bit better with his passing but he was harshly booked for a foul on Honeyman which was never even a free kick. The goal came down his side but it was Davies error and not really a positional error. I am not totally convinced by him so far. Thought he was our weakest player.
Davies 6.5/10 – Solid enough first half and stepped out a few times showing his ability on the ball. Still worry he can get shrugged off a little bit and needs to stand his ground but he was fine defensively to start with. He carried on being calm and composed and made a few good interceptions and one fantastic block on one that nearly was a clear chance. However, he did make an error on the goal with a loose touch that led to them breaking and eventually scoring. A vast improvement on Robinson but will have tougher and more physical threats I am sure to face in the coming weeks.
Egan 8/10 – Dealt with Magennis quite well and also, he too stepped out and played some forward passes with pace that helped us break the lines. Finally got a headed goal after what seemed like an age since we got one from a corner! Then another came with a great run across the near post and flicked header. As good as his goals were I thought his all-around play was excellent, coming onto the ball first and as I say stepping forward and passing it forward crisply to get us on the front foot.
Hourihane 6.5/10 –Thought he was sloppy at times with a few giveaways and touches that went off him and he also took a bad corner that went straight to his man first half. He did a few neat bits such as being involved in one move that nearly led to a chance to Brewster. Second half he took two great corners though and this raises his mark. Both were different types but both hit low (more driven than Norwood’s) and meant that there was more power on them and less for the incoming player to do. He came off on 65 minutes as he has probably not played that many games. Not sure he did loads in normal play but his corners made a big difference!
Fleck 7.5/10 – First half he good with some decent touches and also broke and drove through really well with a few good runs. He was dropping the shoulder and going and committing men and creating space and gaps as others had to come to him. One great run led to a chance for Gibbs White. Better defensively too, nicking a few loose balls and making those interceptions. Carried on second half with driving forward when he could and at 2 and then 3, just kept it simple. Really good week for him. Needs to keep it going.
Osborn 6/10 – Like Norrington Davies, his touch and passing was not good early on. He started by giving it away straight away and sort of carried on with that sloppiness but then did a few ok things as we kept it a bit better. Second half he was much surer footed and just kept it simple. Few decent passes in some of our controlled possession stuff.
Brewster 5/10 – Goodman raved about him to start but he was only average really even in that opening. A few neat touches and nearly got in but was too slow and Greaves got back. One shot at the keeper apart, I felt he was quiet after this brief promising opening. He did have lots of shots second half actually but were at the keeper or well over. He did ok on a few moves and drove at a man that drew a booking for the defender but overall, he does not always go in the right areas and I am not convinced when he has it that it will always result in positive things. He was ok and completed 90 minutes but not involved enough or dangerous enough in an attacking sense. I am not convinced he will set up or score goals or even really look like doing either of these key things for a forward. Tried hard and never hid but it’s not really happening for him.
Gibbs White 8/10 – Excellent in the first half when on the ball. One poor cross but he always looked to get on it and make things happen. He was always moving around and never set in one position. He has lovely body control and makes things happen. His cross for the goal was excellent and put it right on a plate. Had a decent shot soon after too. He was constantly wanting to get on the ball and second half had another lovely check back and shot tipped over and involved in most good things we did linking with little flicks and one twos. Looks too good for this level! As Goodman said the best player on the pitch and maybe on his day the best player in the Championship as grand as that sounds of a statement that Goodman made.
Sharp 7/10 – Always tussling and harrying. Sometimes it worked and others it did not. He was a constant threat and of course scored the textbook header. Made and won a penalty with a clever run and used his experience/body but of course missed it after a run of scoring penalties. Got a whack soon after and continued tussling and almost fighting with his men! Love his fight and determination. He was clever on the 2nd but may have got away with it a bit and then continued to draw attention for the third goal. He really looked up for the scrap and was the talisman for us even if Gibbs White and Egan may get the plaudits.
Subs –
Guedioura 6.5/10 – Came on and booted someone. Then did it again and got booked. Within 2 minutes. A little bit Besic in that sense! However, we have not had a player like him since he left. We need some bite and tenacity in this area. His touch was solid after this and he was nice and sensible. In limited evidence looked comfortable and composed as we kept it well down the stretch.
McBurnie – Got shrugged off and fell over and I was ranting but after this on the ball he linked well in some moves down the stretch and nearly scored with a decent effort that the keeper touched round the post. Still want him to be stronger and more decisive in his hold up. Billy shows more strength and desire than him and he is much smaller (height wise at least!).
Basham – Came on for Davies who maybe was feeling it a bit after an injury. Headed it away a few times and came out with it once. Just helped us see it out.
Jokanovic 7.5/10 – A win and another sign of what he is trying to do as we played pockets of good stuff again. It was not fluent all game but we now look like scoring more and creating more. It is quicker at times and we are playing through the middle rather than always going down the sides. It is more unpredictable; in a good way as we mix it up and Gibbs White has made a big difference. We will concede definitely at this level and are quite open but he almost has the approach of we will score more goals than the other side (Vindaloo football to quote my esteemed podcast colleague @webding). Will feel he can see signs that the players are starting to get it but will know we have some tougher tests too. He has been able to impose his style in both other clubs he had at this level and they ended up playing fantastic football. We are not quite there yet but we do look more like a side than we did over a week ago and have points/results to back this up.
Hull – I was surprised they came bouncing straight back and won the league. I felt after they went down, they might struggle but McCann did really well to galvanise them whilst also blooding youngsters along the way and they got on a great run. I was concerned in the same way as Rotherham have found the last few years that they might still struggle at the league above lacking goals, experience and overall quality. They have a few experienced players but it is a fairly young spine although likes of Magennis and now the returning Huddlestone give them some strength and know how. They started the season ok but had dropped off and had just stopped scoring too. However, they were not conceding and were in many ways the opposite to us in recent games with goals at either end. They have struggled to properly get the big crowds back after the continued ownership issues but promotion of course helps. I get the sense that the fans despite promotion are not exactly enamoured by McCann still and with the struggles still not over off the field, I am not sure they are in the right place yet to build and become an established Championship club. I think they will be near the bottom and in a relegation scrap.
Today they were in the game first half and it was a poor contest with little quality but as soon as we scored their heads went down a bit. It was a simple goal and bad defending from the full back and centre back. They should have been two down as they were caught square (like we have been done a lot this season) and the keeper kept them in it with two good saves from the penalty and Gibbs White. Hull only had one header really even though it was quite even – United always looked the more likely and with the quality.
Second half they made changes but bad defending on two corners where they lacked the desire and physicality to stop the goals meant the game was done. Smith made a bit of a difference and they got a goal back but 1-3 was about right. They did score for the first time for 6 games but never looked like getting anything from the game. They look badly out of form and confidence and I can see them being stuck in the bottom places all season on the evidence of today. They looked a soft touch and lack quality to really hurt teams the other way.
Opponent Man of the Match – Ingram. Not even close. He made 2 or 3 good saves in addition to the penalty. The rest of the team did very little at all. Lewis Potter scored and looked a threat at times. Honeyman was a dirty so and so but at least gave them a spark at times 2nd half with some fight. Smith also did well when he came on and pressed his manager for a start.
Opponent Weak link – I thought they had a number of poor players. Magennis was hooked at half time as was the other Smith but the defence struggled with Sharp and Gibbs White all game. Greaves in particular looked a big crud who was slow and immobile. He struggled with the movement and nous of the above United players and just looked a bit much for him.
Referee/Officials – Dean Whitestone. Hull might feel they had the rough end of two offside decisions. The one on Sharp looked just on but the 2nd half one on Smith was closer. Suppose they both went just for us but actually they may have done a great job to get them both right looking at the replays as much as Hull may complain. The rest of the game I am not sure the officials were too good. They needed to cut down on the grappling on corners long before it happened in key moments (both teams and both ways were at it) and Sharp does probably get away with it a bit of course. The bookings were mixed. Norrington Davies was harsh and Honeyman had got fouled before he kicked Fleck (after this Honeyman was lucky to stay on the pitch with some niggle stuff all half). Guedioura, Smallwood and Greaves were all standard bookings really. The rest of the game I felt he got in the way a fair bit and was a bit inconsistent (both ways). They failed to spot obvious things, like the ball going out or corners/goal kicks – that were given the wrong way. The penalty he got right as he got the ball but took Sharp out and he was right to wave others away for Hull where we nicked the ball or the Hull players went down too easily. Got a bit niggly at times on the corners and maybe he needed to clamp things out a lot quicker.
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United’s travelling 4,000+ support went away happy as United got their first away win of the season as they saw off Hull City at the MKM Stadium. The Blades took the lead thanks to a Billy Sharp header from Morgan Gibbs White superb cross and could have made it two nil but Matt Ingram denied Sharp from the spot after the skipper had been hauled down. After the break two John Egan headers from Conor Hourihane corners effectively sealed the three points. Lewis-Potter’s goal was a mere consolation for struggling City who in the end were well beaten.
The Blades starting line up had four changes as in came Conor Hourihane for his league debut and returning were Sander Berge, Ben Osborn and Ben Davies. Iliman Ndiaye was rested after playing twice in a week and was joined on the bench by Norwood but there was no place in the matchday squad for either Jack Robinson or Luke Freeman. However, a late change came when Rhian Brewster was brought in for Berge after the warm up.
Hull opted not to start former Blade academy product Tyler Smith who was on the bench. Northern Ireland international Josh Magennis led the line with talented youngster Keane Lewis Potter and Malik Wilks complimenting him.
The game started with both Osborn and Norrington Davies giving the ball away under no pressure and Hull won the first corner of the game but it came to nothing. Sharp failed to hold it up and Hull came forward forcing another chance after Baldock failed to score but Smith fired well over. Norrington Davies was well forward but could not deliver the cross before the first decent United move saw Brewster and Hourihane nearly link up.
Hull had a brief spell again further up the field and a cross came over but was cleared before good football saw Egan step out and find Gibbs White. His ball put Brewster in on the angle but Greaves got back to make the block.
Hull had half hearted appeals for a penalty on the angle of the box but Fleck clearly had got the ball before Gibbs White’s cross was overhit. However, on the next attack the Wolves loanee got the ball on the right and sent over a delightful cross that was meat and drink for SHARP who headed down and in.
Hourihane gave the ball away before Wilks got the better of Norrington Davies and sent over a great cross but Baldock did well to get his foot in and deny Lewis Potter.
Fleck’s excellent run saw him carry it through the thirds and he found Gibbs White whose powerful shot was pushed away by Ingram.
It was a strange game with little quality on show and it being of a very slow pace. Both teams were very sloppy in possession and one give away by Osborn saw Smallwood take a long ranger that Olsen palmed out unconvincingly before gathering.
United had not really built on the goal but Hull had offered minimal danger the other way before patient build up saw Brewster try a long range shot that Ingram held. At the other end a diagonal ball saw Elder in lots of space and Hourihane brought him down. A flurry of corners came for the home side and their best chance as Olsen stayed at home and Bernard nodded wide at the back post in a crowd of bodies.
Coyle then blazed horribly over after Hull had won a corner, they never should have been given with the ball going out clearly in the build-up.
On 42 minutes, United had a great chance to double their lead. The ball over the top sent Sharp clear with a man on the far side playing him on, albeit in a tight call. Greaves got back but was wrong side of the striker and his clumsy challenge saw him clearly get his man before any play on the ball and the penalty was an easy decision. The Hull man was booked in the double jeopardy rule even though he was the last man.
Sharp took it but it was not right in the corner and Ingram made a smart save down to his right. You felt this might be a pivotal moment in the game. From the corner Sharp got a bang on the head compounding a poor few minutes for the United captain. After treatment, the skipper was fit to carry on and little happened in the additional time added on.
The second half saw Honeyman and Cannon come on in a double change for Magennis and Smith but one incomer, Honeyman was booked for a late challenge on Fleck, maybe in retribution for a challenge not long before! The Blades managed to move it well down the right with Gibbs White involved and Ingram could not prevent the corner
United had not scored from a set play this season but after winning a corner, the ball came in from Hourihane and after Sharp blocked his man off ‘intelligently,’ EGAN headed span off and powered his head into the net, albeit with a slight flick off Greaves. Finally, the Blades score from a corner!
Norrington Davies was hardly booked and wrongly penalised for an alleged foul on Honeyman and this saw a free kick headed behind. The corner came out and the shot from range was straight at Olsen.
The game ticked over towards the hour mark and Brewster then was chopped down leading to a booking for Smallwood before Gibbs White jinked inside superbly but his shot was flicked over by Ingram. We then saw a series of set plays for the Blades. The feature of many of these seemed to be incessant tussling between both set of players with Sharp a feature again! From a corner from the same side as the second goal, Hourihane put it over and with Gibbs White thrown down and Sharp also going to the deck, EGAN managed to get across his man and nod home at the near post beyond Ingram and he had his second, and United’s third!
United looked in cruise control and opted to take Hourihane off and put on Guedioura. His first contribution was to scythe down his man but the referee played advantage and a neat move saw the ball come across from the right and was cushioned back for a clear chance but Davies made a smart block to loop it into the grateful hands of Olsen. Guedioura was booked after play stopped right down at the other end.
There was a series of niggle fouls after this before Smith came on for Moncur. Appeals for a Hull penalty were waved away as Norrington Davies got enough of the ball to recover his earlier error. Brewster took another pot shot but this was miles over.
Hull did finally get a goal after 6 without one when Davies’ sloppy clearance was loose and former Blade Smith put over a great cross and with Baldock sleeping, LEWIS POTTER was able to react quicker to side foot home.
Sharp came off for McBurnie but not before another tussle with a Hull player as he left the field! Smith had the ball in the net for Hull but the tight offside went for United this time.
Osborn had a break and put over a cross but Brewster could not quite get there first before McBurnie linked well with Osborn but the ball was just beyond Gibbs White.
Davies came on for Basham before Brewster had another shot that was straight at Ingram again before Coyle had a run at the other end but his effort was well over the bar.
The game entered 5 minutes stoppage time and United looked as likely to score again as Gibbs White was again involved and lovely switch of play saw McBurnie in on the angle and his shot was tipped wide by Ingram but oddly a goal kick was given as the officials missed the touch.
Honeyman bought another foul after he kicked through Fleck but the free kick was cleared by Basham and the game petered out with the Blades in possession as the full-time whistle went. United had picked up 7 points out of 9 and moving in the right direction.
United – Another three points and maybe a different kind of performance to last week but a much-deserved victory in the end. We showed some of the football we saw last week but it was more patchy but we still tried to play it out from the back and to create when we could. I think at times our touches were a bit off and we were not as sure in possession but it was still enough to create chances and see of a really poor Hull side. After we scored, I never really thought we were in any trouble at all. The game began fairly even and we were a bit loose in possession but so were they and neither side looked like they were going to create much.
Gibbs White started to get on the ball and of course his excellent assist made the goal that Sharp in typical poacher’s fashion converted. They had a bit of a flurry but nothing really clear cut and only one header at the back post as a real chance. Indeed, first half and for much of the game, Olsen only really made a few easy saves and their keeper was much busier. We should have put the game away when Sharp used his experience to bear the offside trap and draw the foul but missed the penalty. You wondered if this would be the turning point but in the end it wasn’t.
After the break they made changes but we finally score two headed goals from corners. There was a lot of grappling that you might not get away with at the top level but you tend to be able to do more here. Sharp was maybe a touch fortunate not to be penalised but they were grabbing us too in many of the set plays! We for once were the stronger to get in and score the goals and not be the soft touch we have accused us of being much of this season. After this Gibbs white continued to impress and could have scored another in between the two Egan goals and their goal was more annoying than significantly altering the course of the verdict. Davies and Baldock may have done better really in how it resulted but, in the end, we saw out the game with game time of the new lad Guedioura getting some action. Smith actually was close to getting another back but after this they kind of lost heart and it was a comfortable end to the game.
I do think Peterborough and Hull will both be in a relegation fight and I also think that they will be the sort of soft touch teams many will see off. They lacked physicality, quality and goal threats really. Still, it has been a much better week. We may be conceding but we are scoring and it has become far mor entertaining. Gibbs White (and Ndiaye in the game last week) have made a difference but Fleck, Egan and Sharp to name three have improved as a result of this youthful and attacking threat we had not seen before.
Possession wise we are still dominating teams (61% today) but are now having lots more attempts and effort on goal too (15-10 and 8-5) than the other team so making the possession lead to clear chances and ultimately goals.
We have a cup game in the week but you would hope we can go on and beat Derby next week (nothing is easy but they are in a bit of turmoil and facing the 12-point penalty) and then go to Neil Warnock’s Boro and face a more physical approach but I hope now we are on a bit of a run – won 2, drew 2 and moving in the right way. It seems now the thoughts of us ‘doing a Sunderland’ seems to be forgotten somewhat and we really should be confident with the squad depth and quality we have, that we are pushing up to the top 6. The defensive issues still remain (physical strength and ability to deal with the basic high ball) but we look like we can almost outscore quite a few teams at this level. It is nice that we have scored 11 in a week, put some good corners in, scored from set plays and have some attacking flair/threat finally. It is nice to see the manager and some of the player smiling now after a really bad start. I expect we will rotate a lot of the players around in the week as will Southampton (still should be too strong for us) and try some things before the bread and butter of the league next week. Hopefully Berge is not too bad and was just precautionary and we can get Stevens and Mousset back too, to make competition really fierce.
Ratings:
Olsen 6.5/10 – Bit dubious on one shot that he sort of gathered at the 2nd attempt and then a cross he stayed on his line with the header wide. Did not look totally convincing with little to do. Made an easy save start of the 2nd half and then had little to do really. Does like to play it out of the back though and did better in this regard than in the week with his passing out. No chance on the goal as it came across the box. Shame he/we could not keep a clean sheet.
Baldock 6.5/10 – Started by slicing a clearance when they had a shot soon after but then made a great block when another cross came in just getting there first to deny Lewis Potter. Involved in our opening goal with nice build up and was neat and tidy when he had the ball. Second half did not see much of him attacking wise and fine defensively until the goal when he was sleeping somewhat and the player got ahead of him.
Norrington Davies 4.5/10 – Thought he carried on from the week with a sloppy start with two or three errant touches and passes. His giveaways put them on the attack twice early on. Going forward he failed to get it over despite being in good positions and hit his man a few times. Got beat for skill by Wilks too down when they had a decent cross come in after. 2nd half I thought he was a bit better with his passing but he was harshly booked for a foul on Honeyman which was never even a free kick. The goal came down his side but it was Davies error and not really a positional error. I am not totally convinced by him so far. Thought he was our weakest player.
Davies 6.5/10 – Solid enough first half and stepped out a few times showing his ability on the ball. Still worry he can get shrugged off a little bit and needs to stand his ground but he was fine defensively to start with. He carried on being calm and composed and made a few good interceptions and one fantastic block on one that nearly was a clear chance. However, he did make an error on the goal with a loose touch that led to them breaking and eventually scoring. A vast improvement on Robinson but will have tougher and more physical threats I am sure to face in the coming weeks.
Egan 8/10 – Dealt with Magennis quite well and also, he too stepped out and played some forward passes with pace that helped us break the lines. Finally got a headed goal after what seemed like an age since we got one from a corner! Then another came with a great run across the near post and flicked header. As good as his goals were I thought his all-around play was excellent, coming onto the ball first and as I say stepping forward and passing it forward crisply to get us on the front foot.
Hourihane 6.5/10 –Thought he was sloppy at times with a few giveaways and touches that went off him and he also took a bad corner that went straight to his man first half. He did a few neat bits such as being involved in one move that nearly led to a chance to Brewster. Second half he took two great corners though and this raises his mark. Both were different types but both hit low (more driven than Norwood’s) and meant that there was more power on them and less for the incoming player to do. He came off on 65 minutes as he has probably not played that many games. Not sure he did loads in normal play but his corners made a big difference!
Fleck 7.5/10 – First half he good with some decent touches and also broke and drove through really well with a few good runs. He was dropping the shoulder and going and committing men and creating space and gaps as others had to come to him. One great run led to a chance for Gibbs White. Better defensively too, nicking a few loose balls and making those interceptions. Carried on second half with driving forward when he could and at 2 and then 3, just kept it simple. Really good week for him. Needs to keep it going.
Osborn 6/10 – Like Norrington Davies, his touch and passing was not good early on. He started by giving it away straight away and sort of carried on with that sloppiness but then did a few ok things as we kept it a bit better. Second half he was much surer footed and just kept it simple. Few decent passes in some of our controlled possession stuff.
Brewster 5/10 – Goodman raved about him to start but he was only average really even in that opening. A few neat touches and nearly got in but was too slow and Greaves got back. One shot at the keeper apart, I felt he was quiet after this brief promising opening. He did have lots of shots second half actually but were at the keeper or well over. He did ok on a few moves and drove at a man that drew a booking for the defender but overall, he does not always go in the right areas and I am not convinced when he has it that it will always result in positive things. He was ok and completed 90 minutes but not involved enough or dangerous enough in an attacking sense. I am not convinced he will set up or score goals or even really look like doing either of these key things for a forward. Tried hard and never hid but it’s not really happening for him.
Gibbs White 8/10 – Excellent in the first half when on the ball. One poor cross but he always looked to get on it and make things happen. He was always moving around and never set in one position. He has lovely body control and makes things happen. His cross for the goal was excellent and put it right on a plate. Had a decent shot soon after too. He was constantly wanting to get on the ball and second half had another lovely check back and shot tipped over and involved in most good things we did linking with little flicks and one twos. Looks too good for this level! As Goodman said the best player on the pitch and maybe on his day the best player in the Championship as grand as that sounds of a statement that Goodman made.
Sharp 7/10 – Always tussling and harrying. Sometimes it worked and others it did not. He was a constant threat and of course scored the textbook header. Made and won a penalty with a clever run and used his experience/body but of course missed it after a run of scoring penalties. Got a whack soon after and continued tussling and almost fighting with his men! Love his fight and determination. He was clever on the 2nd but may have got away with it a bit and then continued to draw attention for the third goal. He really looked up for the scrap and was the talisman for us even if Gibbs White and Egan may get the plaudits.
Subs –
Guedioura 6.5/10 – Came on and booted someone. Then did it again and got booked. Within 2 minutes. A little bit Besic in that sense! However, we have not had a player like him since he left. We need some bite and tenacity in this area. His touch was solid after this and he was nice and sensible. In limited evidence looked comfortable and composed as we kept it well down the stretch.
McBurnie – Got shrugged off and fell over and I was ranting but after this on the ball he linked well in some moves down the stretch and nearly scored with a decent effort that the keeper touched round the post. Still want him to be stronger and more decisive in his hold up. Billy shows more strength and desire than him and he is much smaller (height wise at least!).
Basham – Came on for Davies who maybe was feeling it a bit after an injury. Headed it away a few times and came out with it once. Just helped us see it out.
Jokanovic 7.5/10 – A win and another sign of what he is trying to do as we played pockets of good stuff again. It was not fluent all game but we now look like scoring more and creating more. It is quicker at times and we are playing through the middle rather than always going down the sides. It is more unpredictable; in a good way as we mix it up and Gibbs White has made a big difference. We will concede definitely at this level and are quite open but he almost has the approach of we will score more goals than the other side (Vindaloo football to quote my esteemed podcast colleague @webding). Will feel he can see signs that the players are starting to get it but will know we have some tougher tests too. He has been able to impose his style in both other clubs he had at this level and they ended up playing fantastic football. We are not quite there yet but we do look more like a side than we did over a week ago and have points/results to back this up.
Hull – I was surprised they came bouncing straight back and won the league. I felt after they went down, they might struggle but McCann did really well to galvanise them whilst also blooding youngsters along the way and they got on a great run. I was concerned in the same way as Rotherham have found the last few years that they might still struggle at the league above lacking goals, experience and overall quality. They have a few experienced players but it is a fairly young spine although likes of Magennis and now the returning Huddlestone give them some strength and know how. They started the season ok but had dropped off and had just stopped scoring too. However, they were not conceding and were in many ways the opposite to us in recent games with goals at either end. They have struggled to properly get the big crowds back after the continued ownership issues but promotion of course helps. I get the sense that the fans despite promotion are not exactly enamoured by McCann still and with the struggles still not over off the field, I am not sure they are in the right place yet to build and become an established Championship club. I think they will be near the bottom and in a relegation scrap.
Today they were in the game first half and it was a poor contest with little quality but as soon as we scored their heads went down a bit. It was a simple goal and bad defending from the full back and centre back. They should have been two down as they were caught square (like we have been done a lot this season) and the keeper kept them in it with two good saves from the penalty and Gibbs White. Hull only had one header really even though it was quite even – United always looked the more likely and with the quality.
Second half they made changes but bad defending on two corners where they lacked the desire and physicality to stop the goals meant the game was done. Smith made a bit of a difference and they got a goal back but 1-3 was about right. They did score for the first time for 6 games but never looked like getting anything from the game. They look badly out of form and confidence and I can see them being stuck in the bottom places all season on the evidence of today. They looked a soft touch and lack quality to really hurt teams the other way.
Opponent Man of the Match – Ingram. Not even close. He made 2 or 3 good saves in addition to the penalty. The rest of the team did very little at all. Lewis Potter scored and looked a threat at times. Honeyman was a dirty so and so but at least gave them a spark at times 2nd half with some fight. Smith also did well when he came on and pressed his manager for a start.
Opponent Weak link – I thought they had a number of poor players. Magennis was hooked at half time as was the other Smith but the defence struggled with Sharp and Gibbs White all game. Greaves in particular looked a big crud who was slow and immobile. He struggled with the movement and nous of the above United players and just looked a bit much for him.
Referee/Officials – Dean Whitestone. Hull might feel they had the rough end of two offside decisions. The one on Sharp looked just on but the 2nd half one on Smith was closer. Suppose they both went just for us but actually they may have done a great job to get them both right looking at the replays as much as Hull may complain. The rest of the game I am not sure the officials were too good. They needed to cut down on the grappling on corners long before it happened in key moments (both teams and both ways were at it) and Sharp does probably get away with it a bit of course. The bookings were mixed. Norrington Davies was harsh and Honeyman had got fouled before he kicked Fleck (after this Honeyman was lucky to stay on the pitch with some niggle stuff all half). Guedioura, Smallwood and Greaves were all standard bookings really. The rest of the game I felt he got in the way a fair bit and was a bit inconsistent (both ways). They failed to spot obvious things, like the ball going out or corners/goal kicks – that were given the wrong way. The penalty he got right as he got the ball but took Sharp out and he was right to wave others away for Hull where we nicked the ball or the Hull players went down too easily. Got a bit niggly at times on the corners and maybe he needed to clamp things out a lot quicker.
