Post by deadbat on Oct 24, 2021 16:41:02 GMT
Podcast links and then report below….
soundcloud.com/tufty-club/tufty-club-reaction-21-22-barnsley-away
open.spotify.com/episode/13yjDuZihFtsXUQFQVd9Ks
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/id1508158343?i=1000539543531
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The South Yorkshire Derby saw the spoils go to the away side as the Blades up and down season continued. In a game between two sides on a bad run of poor, the first half was an atrocious advert for the league before it burst to life after the break with some awful defending, some good finishes and finally some excitement. United went into a three-goal lead but then barely hung on at the death against a dire Barnsley side leaving both teams coming off with more questions than answers. For the Blades it is a win but not sure they will leave the field entirely happy. It was very unconvincing when it should have been comfortable.
The Blades made 5 changes from the defeat at Millwall with Baldock back in for Bogle, Norwood for Hourihane, Ndiaye for the suspended Gibbs White, Mousset for McGoldrick and McBurnie for Sharp. Barnsley started the game having only scored 7 goals in 13 games so far and the frontline was headed up by skipper Cauley Woodrow.
The home side started the game winning an early corner that came to nothing before the Blades had an opportunity with a direct ball flicked on by McBurnie and Mousset in on the angle but pulled his shot wide. The Blades won a corner on 5 minutes but Egan’s header back was pouched by Collins.
Sibbick and Collins nearly made a mess of a back pass but the keeper just got back before the first moment of note came from the home side when Adebayejo got beyond Egan and sent a cross over but there was no one in the box and United cleared.
The game approached the quarter hour mark and Mousset and Ndiaye linked well with McBurnie but Mousset made a mess of the cross and hit it behind.
Both teams were clearly totally out of confidence and the next spell saw both teams consistently give the ball away, often under no pressure. Fleck found a red shirt twice and then Styles did likewise for the home team. It had been a really drab game with no quality on display.
Mousset looked the main threat for the away side with his pace but he was crowded out before Moon was brought down giving the Tykes a free kick chance but it was hit too long and drifted out.
Baldock was then caught out in the general malaise of the game but Barnsley could not take advantage before Mousset again got in down the sides but he, Osborn, Norwood and then Baldock overplayed and as the latter went down looking for a penalty, the home side cleared with the appeals being rightly waved away by referee Ward.
United tried to work an opening down the left but Stevens was given a pass that was too short from Osborn and Barnsley cleared and won a corner at the other end as the Blades left back was put under pressure.
The next phase saw another spell of constant giveaways from both sides in almost laughable fashion. There were rarely more than 2 or 3 passes played by either side to each other and nothing of note going forward.
However, in the final stages of the half we at least saw some chances with Ndiaye running down the right and crossing but Mousset on the stretch and falling back failed to register enough power and Collins saved easily. At the other end, Adebayejo did well again and got away from Baldock before standing up a cross that Moon send looping over with a header with Olsen scrambling back.
On 43 minutes, Barnsley moved it around and the ball came in and was flicked goalwards but Olsen made the save with this being the first effort on goal by the home side. Olsen then subsequently threw the ball out summing up the first half. The referee did not even bother playing any additional time – he had probably seen enough like the rest of us in an absolutely appalling game of football with no quality or clear chances for either side and only one routine save for each keeper.
The second half saw the first chance come to the home side as the ball down the right came in and Baldock made a mess of a header and Woodrow had a chance but his shot was straight at Olsen.
United had a spell of play when Osborn sent over a deep cross and it came back to Norwood who laid it off to Baldock but his deflected shot went just over. Norwood could not even keep the corner in play though!
The breakthrough came through a moment of individual brilliance as the ball was knocked over the top for MOUSSET who had one man to beat but chose to wait, drift inside and curl a superb effort into the far corner and away from Collins to give United the lead. He was booked for going into the crowd in his celebrations.
Two minutes later and he had a second. This time it was Osborn down the left and he sent over an inviting cross that MOUSSET was able to bury from close range and United were now in complete control with two goals in three minutes for the big Frenchmen!
Leya Oseko and Cole came on for Adeboyejo and Frieser as the home fans continued to show their frustrations at their team after the quick fire double had seen them chasing the game.
Barnsley tried to respond from a free kick after Stevens and Davies had combined to bring their man down but as the delivery was wasted, the home fans started to vehemently question the future of the manager with a number of chants asking for his removal.
United then broke through Baldock but his ball lacked power and the chance seemed to be missed, although it came back to Mousset who should have been played in originally but this time he blazed over from the edge of the box.
Baldock then showed good skill to run down the outside of his man and as the cross came in, Mousset, Fleck and Osborn tried to fashion a chance but somehow the desperate Barnsley defence survived. McBurnie then sent over a cross that just evaded Mousset, who seemed to be feeling his hamstrings again and sure enough he had to depart on the hour mark replaced by Sharp. It was disappointing not to see him finish a contest again but at least this time he had made a significant contribution.
Woodrow’s free kick was not far over from 30 yards before Barnsley had a chance to come back as the ball was fed back from Cole but Moon’s effort hit the post and bounced out. At the other end McGoldrick who had come on from Ndiaye, headed across and somehow Fleck could not touch it over the line.
The game was incredibly open and the home team were also now creating chances as good as the Blades and missed a sitter as the ball came over and Cole somehow turned it wide with the goal at his mercy. It was more poor defending from the visitors who should have been in control but surely were when Baldock got down the right and pulled back a cross that OSBORN got on the end of. He took a touch and fired home with his unfamiliar right foot and it was 0-3 and surely game over?
Barnsley made another change when Hondermarck came on for Kitching and the home side had appeals for a penalty when Egan just got enough on the ball before the Blades broke with Osborn and McGoldrick but could not make the final pass work.
Barnsley had created chances and deserved the goal they finally got when after the ball came down the left, the ball was played in and COLE smashed the ball high into the net and they had a goal back.
The home side sensed some hope against a fragile United defence and Style had a chance but overhit his cross before on 83 minutes they had a second and a game that seemed over was back alive.
LEYA ISEKA got on the ball after the Blades had failed to clear through Egan and danced past Baldock and Fleck way too easily before smashing into the near post beyond the hapless Olsen.
Basham came on for McBurnie and the Blades now were hanging onto a game they had seemingly been coasting in. Barnsley were putting the ball forward and United could not hang onto it as the game entered six minutes of stoppage time. McGoldrick carelessly gave it away twice leading to the ball coming back and the home side forced a late corner with Collins up from the back but the ball squirmed wide from the knock down. Sharp had a late chance but Collings got to it first but there was not time for Barnsley to force a final attack and the Blades had done just about enough to hang on.
United – It’s a win but it was far from convincing. It should have been regulation but ended up nervy and ragged once again. The first half was a non event with both teams looking pretty abject in all aspects of play giving it away constantly and struggling to create anything. Mousset looked dangerous but we had no fluidity and actually looked better when we went long. We began with a more orthodox 4-4-2 and had a lot of the ball but did little with it really. We did not penetrate and had few passages of play in their last third. They looked even worse and until the final few minutes of the half barely had an attack. The half saw a few half chances but in reality, it was a slow and sloppy first half with no quality on show from either side. Both teams just kept giving it back to each other and it looked like neither side even wanted the ball.
Second half sees 5 goals and tons of chances both ways. Was it because both teams improved? Maybe but it also was because more gaps appeared and the game just became open. To be fair to United for the opening of the second half for 15 minutes we looked good with Mousset at the fore. We actually looked like scoring every time we attacked and Mousse scored two good goals, the first an individual effort and the second ably assisted by Osborn who improved immeasurably after a quiet first half. We had other chances and Mousset was really running them ragged. They looked all over the place and we really could have scored a few more. Still, they came forward too and it became a bit disorganised from us when we should have been in complete control. They hit the post and missed a sitter which were as good as any chances we had despite us opening them up more. I felt we needed to just get on the ball for a spell but it was a bit too open. Mousset going off did not help as he had been the main outlet and we did not have the pace and ball over the top as much. Still, we did have moments and then got the third and that should have been it.
Sadly, we fell asleep again and they waltzed through us to score two soft goals and all of a sudden, we are all over the place. We start kicking it away and no one gets on the ball. We at this point look a side that knows we may concede again and as stoppage time comes, you would not be shocked if they got another. It was really ragged and we looked so flaky at the back but also in midfield, giving the ball away and not having the confidence to try and keep it.
Barnsley were gone, well beaten and there was unrest in the crowd asking for the manager to go and we just had to see it out or go on and make it 4 or 5 but no we are not capable and too fragile to do that. We end up being the side that ends up second best for the final period and in the end are maybe a bit lucky that times runs out for them. It was a game that should have been comfortable and ended up being anything but. I am still not convinced what the plan is (we changed the formation today – just because one player was out is worrying if he is so convinced by it?) and actually went longer today – times it worked better with the goal we scored coming from balls over the top or down the sides. At the back we have no solidity and in midfield teams still walk through us. It was a game a good side, even after a poor half, gets in front and puts them away or sees it out. We ended up scraping a win against the worst side in the division. I am not exactly coming away from watching that and thinking we have turned a corner really despite the win. I see the same disorganised mess really that albeit scored some good goals and looked good for a 20-minute spell but also looked like conceding every time the opponents attacked in the final spell too. It is not a side that looks close to going on a run or who can beat some of the better sides and today we would have come unstuck versus most at this level. There is still a lot of work to do from the manager and the players and sense it will be a one step forward, two backwards type of season sadly. Hope I am wrong. Maybe I should be pleased with the attacking elements and of course Mousse did well (but is he now injured again?) but most of what I saw today still concerns me really.
I just feel we are a side that can score goals now and have bursts but it is that only, spurts of good play relying on individuals like MGW, Ndiaye or today Mousset. I am not sure we are seeing cohesion and lots of great team play (the goal v Stoke apart) and it is still very patchy in overall play. Defensively we still look horrific – we cannot stop basic goals and teams can put us under pressure so easily not helped by the timid and weak midfield in front.
I suppose I should be happy with a win but I still think it masks a lot of issues. People can argue and say at 3-0 it was easy and coasting but the fact we ended up hanging on tells the story really and the issues in the side and the set up. I am not sure the side knows how to go about and win games convincingly. Other than Stoke, who are now back to mid-table themselves, we have only beaten 4 of the bottom 5 in our other wins. It will be interesting to see what happens against two other mid table sides in Blackpool and Forest. My hunch does not convince me we will win both of these and we will see more stop start performances and results. I am not sure the manager is any closer to getting this side playing with confidence and swagger and having the belief they can control games and win games well. We need to have a level of control of games and at the moment that is not happening. Today was far harder than it should have been against a truly dire side but then that says where we are also sadly.
Ratings:
Olsen 6/10 – Had little to do to start the game, the same as the Barnsley keeper really as neither side got close to the goal. Saw one header loop over and then made a routine save before chucking it out! A few of his throws first half were overthrown actually. Saved a weak effort from Woodrow early in the 2nd half. Made a routine save from Woodrow and then saw one off the post and one just wide. No chance on the first one but the second as hard as it was hit, seems to go in at the near post.
Baldock 6/10 – Did not start well as he was too far off his man and seemed to be daydreaming a few times. Once got caught as they attacked down this side and just not quick enough to do either the defensive stuff or attacking things. Takes way too long to do stuff. Awful header to give Woodrow a chance 2nd half early on. Second half he did better for a spell getting well forward and set up a few chances including the Osborn goal. He actually put some decent crosses in and tried to pick men out but he did under hit a ball to Mousset once when we broke. I also thought he needed to do better on the 2nd goal as they walked through us easily.
Stevens 4/10 – Had an awful first half. Gave them 2 corners when he dithered or did not deal with things, sloppy on the ball and just punted it forward or out of play. When he got forward, he overplayed it or did not create anything at all. Every first touch led to a tackle and when he did pass it, it went to a red shirt. He did a bit better 2nd half but again I just thought his passing ended up being a whack to no one and defensively not sure he was sound enough all game.
Davies 6/10 – A few steady bits of play but also put it into some bad areas too and gave it away the same as the rest of them. Not put under much pressure to begin with at all but too slow to come out with it as the whole team took forever to move it up the field. Second half of course we raced into a three-goal lead but they still had chances and then ended up getting through us way too easily with too many clear chances in the middle of the goal. Often no one was close to Cole in the final spell and on another day, they could have had 2 or 3 more goals themselves.
Egan 5/10 – Got skinned early on down the side as he does quite often showing his lack of pace but then they had little in the way of chances. On the ball he took too long to do things and contributed to us slowing things down (they were all at it). He along with Davies did not look exactly rock solid as the game went on when we really should have been comfortable and time and time again the ball came through and they were first to it. On the 2nd he is culpable along with many others for the lack of a challenge. We are so soft in defence and sadly he has to take some responsibility. He is quite weak for a biggish bloke.
Norwood 5/10 – Began the game with a few floated balls but often this just slowed it down and I felt we never had any dynamism or tried to attack through the middle other than the first long ball to Mousset. He then started giving it away, kicking it out or giving away cheap fouls. He improved for a spell after he kicked a corner out and at least started to move it quicker and forward and involved in some of that spell when we got into good areas and he set up a chance for Baldock and another for Mousset. Then at 0-3, he along with the rest of the side went to pieces and as soon as it became 1-3, he started going long, giving it away and getting run through or giving more cheap fouls away. We needed him to get on it and help take the sting out of it.
Fleck 4/10 – He did his usual of just giving it away under no pressure at all – did it twice in quick succession and then when he had it rarely drove or dribbled with it and often went backwards. Thought in the first half we had lots of ball but just tossed it away or went sideways and backwards. No one took responsibility and it was depressing to watch the lack of creativity or even attempt to go forward. He did have a better spell when we started the 2nd half at a better pace but it was more balls over the top than anything through the middle. I thought him and Norwood had a lot of the ball but not sure they did much with it. After we started to go ragged, he and Norwood were nowhere to be seen and the midfield were anonymous. I remain unconvinced we can move up this league with such a weak, slow and ponderous midfield combination.
Osborn 7/10 – First half he was non-existent really. Tried hard but sadly no quality and the ball shot off him or he came backwards. Has no pace or strength at all and often he has to come back as knows he cannot run at people or get them turned. He was not given much help from Stevens down that side where we looked abject (not much better on the other side) first half. Second half he improved immeasurably and after Mousset our next best player with some good runs and always available. He got on it and was probing down that side. Saw loads of the ball but came inside and was able to link with others. He put in a great ball for the 2nd goal and had a few other decent crosses going in. He just became a bit of focal point for out attacks, along with Mousse of course. Always ready for that ball down that side. After they came back he got ragged and along with others lost it and did not win his tackles. He summed it up saying that we went to pieces.
Mousset 7.5/10 – The best player on the pitch and only played an hour! Worryingly he seemed to feeling his hamstring again and that is the major concern that he cannot last games or stay fit. His conditioning is such that when he has a burst of play/running, it almost knackers him up for the rest of the game and maybe games to come with a prolonged absence. Today though taking that negative overview aside, he was a threat all game (well 60 minutes!). First half thought he was the most dangerous player on the pitch and was always playing on the shoulder. Had one shot dragged wide and another poor cross but always looking to get in and showed pace and running. After the break he scores a fabulous individual goal, where he comes inside and looks like Thierry Henry in his pomp and then a poacher’s goal. He nearly got a few more and linked well with others in this rampant attacking spell. When he went off, we had some chances but in overall play lost that threat of him running behind. Best he has played for us for a long time and he looked really hungry all game. Just hope he is back next Saturday and able to play two games in a row. Like to see him, Ndiaye and Gibbs White as a three personally as think we would be exciting to watch with the pace and trickery.
Ndiaye 5/10 – Played more as an orthodox right winger and started with a few neat bits of play but then he got crowded out or gave it away/turning into trouble. At least he did try things and one assist led to a chance. Does not hide and I think something might happen when he has it. Worrying that a kid who has barely played for us is seen as our main outlet to create though. After this decent spell I felt he faded a bit though and we did not see as much of him. He did get involved in a few of the breaks early second half but felt most of the chances came from Mousset, Osborn and others rather than him.
McBurnie 5/10 – Won a flicked header to set up a chance for Mousset but after that the first half seemed to pass him by. A few looped headers to no one and maybe one bit of link play, I just felt he was not in the game. Did not impose himself enough or move enough. Needs to show for it more and show some aggression and desire. Suppose there were some ok link ups at times and he did have one good cross to Mousset 2nd half but not sure he was that influential even when we looked dangerous. Worry where his future is heading. Given a chance and did not take it really as harsh as that may sound.
Subs –
McGoldrick – Maddening cameo where he kept giving it away or having stupid flicks when we needed to keep it. He had one headed effort across goal actually as soon as he came on but then we were regressing and felt him and Sharp made us look less effective and dangerous as we had no outlet.
Sharp 4/10 – As above. Thought we lacked pace and running with the players they replaced and that it became harder for us to keep it or get behind them. We looked less of a threat after the changes I thought.
Basham – Came on at the end and at least we did not concede any more clear chances as we were hanging on.
Manager :
Jokanovic 6/10 – He made 5 changes and Mousset one of those did well and was man of the match. He at least showed he would shake things up. We changed the formation and did seem to be more direct but not sure first half it led to many more chances. 2nd half the ball over the top did lead to chances and goals and for all his approach of being it out from the back and play through a press, we looked far better just turning a defence round with a ball down the sides or over the top. The fact he is changing personnel and formation suggests he is still not convinced that these players can play the way he wants? He keeps chopping and changing but we are still not looking that assured. Take Mousse’s burst and some decent play for a 15-minute spell, I am not convinced it was a display that made me think we are ‘getting it’ in terms of what he wants. We have to remember Barnsley are the worst side in the league. I think he will continue trying different things with selection and tactics but not sure we are anywhere close to a side that can make the top 6 and the likes of West Brom, Bournemouth and Fulham seem streets ahead in both points and performances.
Barnsley – After a fantastic season last campaign where they made the playoffs, I felt it would always be tough to keep the momentum going anyway but they lost their manager and captain and I thought at the very best it would be around mid-table or just below. The American striker who scored all the goals also did not return after his loan ended and you sensed this would affect them too.
I would not have been shocked to see them in a relegation scrap as that is what had been predicted last season so not surprised to see the struggles. Under Ismael they had a certain way of playing and was based on pressing and in your face football. The new manager Schlopp has struggled to really find an identity. Before today they had lost 5 straight, not scored for 3 and a half games and only won 1 all season. They were the lowest scorers in the division and the fans do not seem happy. The squad on paper does lack quality but then a fan I know says that they have kept many of the same players and squad from last season so feels they should be doing much better. You can down the squad and starters and it is desperately lacking quality at this level and shows how amazing they did at this level last season. This season is kind of more like you felt they may go last time out. I do expect them to continue to be near the bottom but will probably make a managerial change to try and arrest the slide. They have mostly done well with continental managers with only a few not paying off and have also made some astute signings – they seem a bit mini-Brentford in this approach but have also picked up some gems like the Bees.
I was concerned that they had done so badly as felt they may stop the run at some point and always like a team to get that long overdue win before they play us! However, they showed first half how bad they were – only we were not much better. They kept giving it away and never looked that threatening but at least went in level. They sort of collapsed after the break and all of a sudden it looked like they might get a right hammering but they kept going despite the ire of the crowd and the manager looked like he was finished. They get a goal but even before this they had chances. Of course, it could have gone 4 or 5 before they came back but after the first one back- they sensed our brittle defence and get a second goal too. It seemed that they may go on and salvage something in a bizarre game but it was too little, too late although another 5 minutes they may have got a draw.
Overall, they looked a poor side. They struggled to pass it forward or create much until the final half hour and at the back looked square and static. We took advantage and they looked like conceding every time we attacked for this 15–20-minute spell. However, they weirdly showed some good play going forward and had some decent attacks/efforts. They scored two very good goals through really good individual play.
I still think the manager may go and they do not look a good side. They made United look really good for a spell 2nd half but they looked so easy to get through. The late flurry apart I saw nothing in them in overall play, shape or spirit to suggest they can fight their way out of this. Barnsley, Hull and Derby seem like they will be really stuck down there to me on what I have seen. Maybe a new manager comes in and galvanises them but without some experience and players at both the back and top of the pitch that give them the ability to defend better and score more, they will be in a real dog fight.
Opponent Man of the Match – Thought Adebayo was the main threat of very little first half and had a few good runs but he went off. The two subs scored but Moon was maybe their best player, getting up and down, hitting the post and having a header just over. He seemed the most energetic and involved of all the Barnsley players.
Opponent Weak link – Any of the defence who looked so static and did not react to the simple ball down the side or over the top. Thought Helick who did well last season really struggled and Mousset caused problems all game. I liked Styles when I saw him last season but he was disappointing today. I also thought Woodrow other than one free kick, offered little all game and the two incomers looked much more threatening.
Referee/Officials – Gavin Ward. A nothing game really and the fact he only booked Mousset for going in the crowd to celebrate and Stevens for an innocuous foul for either side, summed it up. Not sure there was a bad tackle (barely a tackle really) all game. After a run of bad refs, he had a decent game. He was maybe better than most of the actual players!
