Post by deadbat on Oct 20, 2021 16:39:55 GMT
Podcast links and then report below….
soundcloud.com/tufty-club/tufty-club-reaction-21-22-millwall-home
open.spotify.com/episode/4cBxIH1uAf0TKJMWVLI8Yl
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/id1508158343?i=1000539109857
Sorry for the delay – late last night and then work today
---
United failed to build on Saturday’s win against Stoke City as their inconsistent season continued with another disappointing result, this time against similarly placed Millwall. It was a strange night at Bramall Lane as both teams could have won it in a game that the away side controlled for the opening 30 minutes but then the Blades got back into it and missed guilt edged chances to lead. The game turned further on Morgan Gibbs White second yellow card, with Jayden Bogle also going off injured in the same moment. This meant it was difficult for the home side to know what to do but credit to them as they tried to attack and had chances but so did Millwall in a game that resembled a basketball game for the final stages. In the end, as he has done at the Lane before, Jake Cooper scored a stoppage time goal to break United hearts and leave the Blades closer to the foot of the table than the top in another frustrating night in a stop start season.
Manager Jokanovic made two changes to his line up with Hourihane and McGoldrick in for Norwood and Ndiaye. Millwall named an experienced Championship line-up and featured ex Blade Ryan Leonard from the start.
Millwall were clearly smarting from their home defeat to Luton and started quick out of the blocks and were quicker to the ball than a dithering Blades side. Indeed, they had the ball in the net when Olsen made a mess of a cross shot but fortunately the flag went up. The home team had lots of possession but the slow build up from the keeper to the defence was easily pressed and smothered and resulted in easy turnovers. The away side were much more forceful in everything they did, and it was not a major surprise when they took the lead although how it occurred perhaps was somewhat of a freak moment.
The ball was played to the right and WALLACE drove a deep cross that arrowed past a static Olsen and into the far corner of the goal. It seemed unlikely the Millwall man had meant to shoot from such a position, but it was reward for a positive start from the Lions. They came again and Malone shot narrowly wide. United continued to cough up possession. Osborn and Fleck were both guilty on occasions of losing the ball, but it became a trend as McGoldrick also was sloppy in several passages.
United had barely put a pass together in the Millwall half and when they finally did this, Fleck dragged an effort well wide. Gibbs White started to show flashes and it was his superb ball that suddenly gave the home side some cheer but McGoldrick, in on goal, rather telegraphed his finish and Bialkowski made the save from the one on one pushing his effort round the post. It was a fantastic chance to level spurned.
United had also failed to make a tackle of note and when they did it was a poor one from Gibbs White who was cautioned and rightly so. The Blades poor start though was recognised from the side lines and a rare first half tactical substitution was made when Hourihane was replaced by Ndiaye. The youngster instantly gave some life to the home side with a few jinking runs as at last they showed some life.
The Blades were level when from a short corner, Fleck drove inside, and Malone made a clumsy tackle from behind and the penalty award seemed an obvious one. There were few complaints from the Millwall team. SHARP took it and sent the keeper the wrong way before celebrating in front of the Millwall fans.
The Blades finished the half in more determined mood with Gibbs White and Ndiaye linking, and this theme continued in the 2nd half with the home side now the dominant attacking force. Stevens had to have treatment for a period after a seemingly late tackle from Leonard that was not punished but the same man was instrumental in what should have been the 2nd goal for United. Ndiaye did well again winning the ball and coming inside and after Osborn fed Stevens, the cross was perfect for a Blades player to finish. McGoldrick and Bogle converged but somehow the former spooned it over the bar. It was an incredible miss and easier to score. How he missed only he will know?
The Blades then had a cross shot saved and could not get on the rebound and it seemed the game had swung around but suddenly two minutes later and it went back the other way. Bogle went down in a challenge but as the ball broke Gibbs White tried to go past his man but there seemed little to no contact and the Blades man went down rather theatrically. Once again the referee, who did not have a good night, was right to brandish the yellow card. The Wolves man’ remonstrations were not great to see as impressive as he has been since he joined the club. To add insult Bogle had to go off injured and Basham came on for the Blades. Bogle and Gibbs White had been United’s main attacking threats, so this was a double blow in a game they looked like turning around.
Bradshaw had an effort saved from Olsen before Sharp pulled one wide after good work down the left and the game became rather scrappy. Norwood came on for McGoldrick but there was another big moment with just under 20 minutes to go. Saville who had been booked earlier tripped Fleck rather cynically but the referee opted not to brandish an obvious second yellow card. This drew further frustration from the crowd who were then to witness several baffling decisions by Mr Donohue. Millwall threw on Afobe and Smith and it really was land of the giants but actually despite the man advantage, the game had been fairly even. Indeed, the final 10 minutes saw it become more frenetic and resemble a basketball game with both teams attacking and gaps appearing all over. United had clearly not opted to settle for a draw but this made it finally a game that came to life after it had lacked real quality throughout.
Ndiaye weaved through after Osborn’s ball had not been cleared but Bialkowski made a great save to flick over whilst at the other end a few headers went just wide before after Olsen saved from Wallace, Bennett somehow stabbed wide. Stevens then had to make a vital block to deny Malone. At this stage it seemed either side could win it but Millwall now were creating more clear chances with Afobe shooting just wide. The referee’s difficult night continued when he let a blatant shove on Ndiaye go and Millwall broke. Stevens was booked in the aftermath for felling his man. The crowd at this point were incensed at the total lack of consistency and control and for a moment the referee had to call both captains together to talk to them. The reality was that the game had become so feisty due to his own inability to referee and make the right calls.
Millwall continued to push United back as the game went into 6 minutes of stoppage time and in the 2nd additional minute, the winner came. The ball was moved across patiently and the set up was made for COOPER and he hit a ferocious left footer that beat Olsen all ends up. It was a fantastic shot and left the Millwall players exuberant in front of their small band of fans.
The Blades failed to muster anything in response and only a Norwood booking was left to add before the final whistle came.
United – A desperately frustrating night to be honest. A lot will be made of the referee and rightly so. He was terrible. He got the penalty right and also the two yellow cards for MGW who was stupid – I hate to see diving also and Bogle tried it too. However, from this point he went to pieces and had to send off Saville. He then started to give some incredible decisions and the game became a bit of a farce. Still for all the talk of the referee, United must look at themselves. We were shocking for 30-35 minutes and never started. We did not make a tackle, did not press, and looked slow and ponderous on the ball. Millwall pressed us and just won it back easily. They were miles better and we were half asleep. To start a game like that is inexcusable. The goal was a bit of a freak but another keeping error from Olsen who looks far from convincing. After this we just did not seem to have a clue how to get it up the pitch and carried on the same laborious, predictable way and just lost it as we do not have the pace and power to play this sort of game and have small, weak players who lack running ability outside of Gibbs White (and Ndiaye when he came on). The sub had to be made as Hourihane was abysmal and anonymous but so were many more who could have gone.
As bad as the start was we then miss two glaring chances either side of the penalty. McGoldrick got all the praise Saturday but tonight he had a nightmare. They are awful misses and no excuse. The 2nd in particular is just shocking. He scored one or both and it is a different game altogether. Still even that saying, at 1-1, we looked the more likely and you felt the game had turned but then we lose two players in the same moment. You could not make it up really! Bogle had been one of our main threats and Gibbs White had looked good again but both go off in different circumstances. I have to say it looked a dive and it was poor by MGW. People will call the ref but not sure what option he had on both of those bookings? He just threw himself to the ground. As soon as he did it, I turned to my son and said he could be off here. It was not just falling under a challenge but he was looking for it and I do not like to see that.
After that it was scrappy and they struggled to create much despite having an extra men. Their fans were as frustrated as anyone calling for subs. The game should have been 10 v 10 when Saville has to go off. United did take the free kick quickly which was naïve really but then the ref needs to recognise that and stop it and make the call. He seemed happy we had taken it quickly. After this the crowd really started to get frustrated (not heard any noise before this in a very quiet Lane) and decisions started to become perplexing.
Maybe United were right to try and attack as they had several big players and if we had sat back and invited pressure then that may not have worked with us struggling with crosses and set plays but then I also felt it was disorganised and we had no structure at all. It became a bit basketball-y. It seemed either side could win it and we had chances but then they started to look more likely and you always felt they might nick it (well I did but I am negative) and so it proved. The lad Cooper always scores against us but it was a great strike.
A sickening defeat where not a lot went for us. As I say much will be made of the ref but we do have to look at a shocking first 30-35 minutes, some awful misses from Didzy and then indiscipline from MGW. These are all things we need to better at. The style of play continues to frustrate and I am not sure it is ever going to lead to a sustained period of wins/surge up the table with his current set up. I said before it seems to be a win one, lose one type of team but we are not even doing that at the moment and have failed to win 9 times out of 13 at Championship level. That is not good enough however you look at it and discuss pre-season prep (or lack of it), team imbalance and transition to a new style. I think there has to be some questions asked about the manager who we cannot keep saying it’s not his fault. I like him and think it could work but it’s going to take a long time to completely change the team/squad and worry we might be nearer the bottom than top whilst he is doing it. Will he want to stay and be part of a project moving forward for 2-3 years? Will the board have funds that can allow him to do this when we are riddled with so many big contracts and will probably need to make cut backs rather than be able to invest.
It all still seems a bit of a mess. Yes things went against us last night but it seems to be a different reason why we are not moving up the league. The players still seem to be feeling sorry for themselves somewhat but actually last night they did put a fair bit of effort in when we had 10 men. When we had 11 v 11, we actually looked worse save for a spell either side of half time.
Tonight I felt was important to get back to back home wins after the two losses but now it’s 3 losses in 4 after a decent run before that and we are trending in the wrong direction. Barnsley at the weekend will be another physical and direct side. We are missing our best player too. It’s been a really disappointing start to the season and it seems the top 6 ambitions are miles off.
Ratings:
Olsen 4/10 – Not convincing in any way. He made a mess of the first goal as did not seem to be set let alone actually get up and use his arms to make the save. He has to do much better even if it was a fortunate goal. After this he continued to look less than convincing and a few other spilt shots or moments where he did not gather. No chance on the 2nd goal but he is not someone who has had anywhere near the impact in improving our defence as I would have hoped.
Bogle 6.5/10 – Thought he, along with Gibbs White was our best player in a sorry bunch first half and actually at least tried to get on it and run with it – he did get down the line a few times and put a few crosses over. Linked with a few in the better spell either side of first half. He did try and cheat I felt and dive which I did not like (same as MGW). With him going off we lost any kind of threat down that side but it was the same time as the sending off.
Stevens 5/10 – Odd game. Started really poorly and they had quite a few attacks down that side. He could not make simple passes and it bounced off him. Got better for a spell and of course assisted to McGoldrick when we should have scored but then took a whack and seemed to be struggling and arguing the rest of the game and he was as guilty of anyone of poor passing and giveaways.
Davies 6/10 – Him and Egan were ok actually and it was only at the end we started to lose headers and more chances came. Defensively they did not make major errors and he is composed and neat and tidy but he also takes way too long to move it or make a simple pass (as does Egan) and we slow things down almost to a walking pace.
Egan 5.5/10 – As above. He was ok and won a few headers but then as the game went on it became more of a struggle and gaps started to open up but that was as much due to our kamikaze style. This gave the defence no protection. I still worry we lack leadership and resolve when it matters and continue to ship late goals at the death – the defence need to be more organised and even on the goal no one closes him down at all. A few times they just ran past him showing his lack of pace but more worryingly his lack of physical presence as Afobe bounced off him. Not sure he has had a great season and even at Championship level is he any better now than most of the other bog standard centre backs for most clubs when he was seen as a real asset (either for us or for sales – not sure now we would get more than what we paid for him – probably less). Another, like Baldock, who has quietly regressed, even if Fleck, Stevens, Norwood’s decline has been of course more noticeable.
Hourihane 1.5/10 – Awful. Not in the game at all. Barely saw him touch it as they kind of walked through us and we had no tackling, no pressing and nothing to stop them moving it around. On the ball he hid and was never an outlet – he did not eve come square. Did not even get his shirt dirty and rightly subbed. A number could have come off though I felt – so was not just him. An odd signing and not sure what he offers us really in that area? He is like a poorer version of Norwood. He is not mobile and cannot offer any physicality or ball carrying. Just seems good on set plays.
Fleck 4.5/10 – Like Stevens, an odd game. Some good things and some awful. He did win the pen and make some good runs but he also gave it away a lot and kept turning into trouble. His awareness of what is behind him seems nil. He did this so many times and we got away with it. Then he would do something decent and burst forward. To defend him, he was often on his own in midfield with no other players there in a bizarrely unbalanced formation. We saw the best and worst of Fleck tonight I felt.
Osborn 3.5/10 – Thought first half he was more like a 1 or 2. Dreadful. Nothing came off at all. He just ran into blind alleys, mis controlled it, gave it away and came backwards. He knew. His body language was of someone that could not do anything right. To be fair 2nd half he did improve and was involved in some better things but still failed to beat a man or deliver any decent balls. He is a nice lad who works hard but should be nowhere near a side thinking about promotion. Sadly the fact he is one of our better players, just through effort if not any quality, sums up our season.
Gibbs White 4/10 – Would be 7 if it was not for the red card. He was one of our stand outs first half and got on it when he could but then we never even got it up the field first half and it became such a slow pace. Finally he got on the ball and played the pass of the match but we missed. He was booked for a stupid lunge but then he had a good spell and lots of good things came through him. We finally looked like causing problems and him and Ndiaye were the main threats. Then he throws himself to the floor. There seemed little contact and even if there was, the exaggerated swan dive was awful to see. We have been critical of the likes of Grealish for this so cannot be hypocritical as it was not good. Did not like his petty reaction to it either. Not good.
McGoldrick 2/10 – I give him 2 for some effort and getting in the right areas but most other things he did stupid flicks, it came off him and he never kept the ball. He was infuriating tonight and other than one piece of chest control and run, most things he just lost. The two finishes were shambolic. The first he simply telegraphed and easy to read. The second is laughable but he has done this before so maybe not a surprise. How such a cultured player can be so bad in simple finishes is beyond me. All those asking him to start were shown why he has not been a regular this season tonight (granted he has had injuries). Maybe he is better as an impact type sub moving forward?
Sharp 3.5/10 –Not in the game at all. He seemed tired and not even sure he worked that hard as they got to the ball before him countless times. Not given any service but also we had little movement up there and he got crowded out amongst physical players. Took his penalty well but outside of that, one dragged shot wide and a bobbled finish, not sure he offered much at all really and another who was badly off his game.
Subs –
Ndiaye 7/10 – Instantly made a difference and got on it, ran at them and tried to get them running towards their own goal. He is positive and offers something different. Sure not everything comes off and at times he loses it or takes too many touches or does not release at the right time. However, good things happen more often than not and he was involved in the McGoldrick chance and the chance he had at the end. One of thew few (only?) bright spots in a bad night individually and collectively.
Basham 4/10 – Seemed a bit lumbering and kamikaze. Defensively he had to almost pick up 2 or 3 men but often did not pick up any. Positionally he was all over the place but did make one or two blocks. Also got beat a few times. Got forward but no end product when he did but was caught whether to go or stay.
Norwood – He came on and coughed it up a few times and tried some daft balls. Goes to ground too. He at least showed for it which is more than Hourihane did but not sure he helped us have any more control of the ball when he came on.
Manager :
Jokanovic 4/10 – the way we started was inexcusable. Slow, timid, and seemingly not ready for a game of tier two football. We were almost so sluggish it was untrue. Looked like we had played a game 24 hours previous or something or been on the sauce! The manager has to take some blame for that as we were not set up or ready to take on a physical and committed side. We did not change our approach either and the same playing out from the back continued. He is not going to change this way but will mean we continue to get sporadic results all season unless the personnel changes hugely. The sub at least was brave, but he could have took half a dozen off, maybe more. We did better after this but not particularly clear on the shape and we had little in the middle of the field and the defence had no protection. This got worse after the goal, but we seemed to just go for it with no consequence of the defensive side. I like the guy and his comments (in print) make sense. He did not just blame the ref but his team selections and set up is not leading to sustained improvements and I am worried we might get sucked into a relegation fight unless he is a bit more pragmatic with how we play. Currently these players cannot play the type of style he wants, and teams will scout us and be able to nullify us and indeed cause issues easily. I hope he is given time and he wants to stay for a long period but there needs to be some reflection from him on how he is going about things mixed with some more signings. I am worried 2/4 loan signings have been really poor and whilst Davies has done ok, the defence is not much better as a unit. Gibbs White is the only real hope, but he is short term. I see no idea of a plan to build this side with the current players and he cannot expect 4 or 5 will come through the door in January. I am concerned he thinks these players will just get it and do the things he wants but not sure they can – they lack the physical and technical abilities to play it out and break through teams with this style.
Millwall – I tipped them to do well this season and think I even though they may get in the playoffs or be right around that area. They seemed to have steadily improved under Rowett and made a few additions in the summer with Saville coming back from Middlesbrough and Afobe also I thought would be a good addition despite a few poor years at Stoke and on loan. I think they are always strong at home, and I just felt in a weaker league, they may push on. It has not happened so far and they have been up and down (a bit like us). They have drawn a lot of games (fans call him Gary Drawitt!) but then beat Bristol City and Barnsley and seemed to have turned the corner but then lost at home to Luton.
It is a cliché, but they do have strong and physical players. They have bustling, all action midfielders who are technically decent like Saville and Walsh but have defenders like Cooper and Wallace who are known for their prowess in the air. Smith is a handy lad also to come in and cause problems, often off the bench but always scores goals or is a handful at this level.
Rowett is an odd one though. He did well at Burton and then actually steadied the ship at Birmingham but mixed performances at Derby and Stoke followed. He seems to keep getting jobs though and much like Gary Monk (there are other examples) seems to be able to say the right things at interviews possibly or complete a good PowerPoint? Not sure he is that impressive and he is one that will bounce around.
Tonight, they competed well and from the start were at us, closing us down. They scored a lucky goal but deserved to be ahead and were much better first half and unlucky to go in level. After this we took over and they seemed to bee struggling but then sending off gives them a massive help. They were helped by the ref on the Saville booking not given and weirdly they did not go for it as much as you thought they might and seemed like us, caught between attacking and defending and got neither right but had more chances at the death and won it with a great shot. They did not deserve to win and a draw would have been fair and things kind of went for them. On another day McGoldrick buries those chances, the game is 10 v 10 and we go on and win 3-1 or so but of course that did not happen.
Opponent Man of the Match – Both scorers I like. Wallace is a good ball player who works hard. Not sure he meant the goal but will say he hit it hard! Showed some decent bits of play. Cooper is someone I would have signed instead of Davies – the loan fee alone was substantial and surely, we need to be finding players who will be with us longer term. He is left footed and more physically imposing and I have always quite liked him – maybe it is just because he always scores against us. The rest of the team were up and down. The lad Ibe was poor but not sure Smith and Afobe did much other than be battering rams.
Opponent Weak link – Not sure ex Blade Leonard did much other than kick a few but the full back Malone was poor. He made a few mistakes before the penalty give away and missed a good chance at the end too. Took too long to do things when he had loads of space. Bradshaw was ineffective up top and Saville was lucky to stay on. Not sure their keeper was totally convincing, but we did not test him.
Referee/Officials – Matthew Donohue. A shocker. Horrific. Not going to waste my time on him too much. He got the penalty right and the two yellows were probably right but from around the hour mark, an inconsistent display in general decisions started to go horribly wrong. He was giving some mystifying decisions all night, but they got gradually worse. He must send Saville off and his job is to stop the game regardless of United taking it quick – he knew then the decision had been taken out of his hands. Should have just said wait, that is a clear booking a second yellow. After this he was miles behind play and just guessing. Players were getting frustrated on both sides, but he seemed to become picky on some things and let wild hacks go. He called both captains together as both teams were getting frustrated, but it was at him more than each other! There was a poor foul on Stevens he missed (over the top?) and then the blatant shove on Ndiaye and he played on. There were too many to mention. An absolute mess of a performance.
Matchday/Crowd – Really quiet and seemed so flat in bad conditions but the crowd seemed as slow to react as the team. I could hear players shouting all first half that is how quiet it was. We scored and then it pepped up but then the noise came from the referee’s performance and the frustration with that getting louder and louder.
