Post by deadbat on Oct 30, 2021 19:07:44 GMT
Podcast links to come later (when we do it later tonight) and then report below….
---
United’s stuttering season continued with another home defeat (their 4th of the season) and lost for the 4th time in 6 games as visitors Blackpool moved into the playoff places with a victory at Bramall Lane. United continued to be a complete soft touch in every aspect of play and the home venue us now an easy place for mediocre sides to come and plunder three points. To be fair the Blades dominated the opening half and had chances after the break too but from well before the hour mark, they regressed badly not helped by ill thought changes that led to United losing any semblance of shape. Blackpool knocked one ball over the top and Anderson scored a well taken goal beating a static and slow defence. After this United offered nothing and the away side saw it out with relative ease with not a shot toward goal for the final 30 minutes from the Blades. The boos at the end were deserved for Jokanovic’s men who now face two away sides and he will know even at this early stage the pressure will be on if he fails to pick up some results in fast. In truth whilst the points difference may not be big, promotion looks absolutely miles off and the concern is a nice footballing side that is a complete soft touch may get embroiled in a struggle at the other end.
There was one change for the home side with Gibbs White in for McBurnie as we saw an attacking looking front trio with the Wolves loanee supplanted by Mousset and Ndiaye. Norrington Davies was on the bench for Robinson in the only other change in the match day squad. Fast improving Blackpool started with Gary Madine up front and had old timer Richard Keogh at the back for a team that was in great recent form. Stuart McCall was also part of the coaching staff for the Seasiders They were backed by a healthy away contingent that were loud and supportive before the kick off. Before the game started, we had the traditional bugler and tributes to those fallen as it was the closest game to Remembrance Sunday.
United started slowly as Blackpool began well with Madine winning the early physical duels to help them up the field and the Blades careless in possession with Norwood and Fleck giving it away. United finally settled and Ndiaye was the player who started to make things happen, getting on the ball and running at defenders. The first decent move saw Norwood fire over before United worked an opening from a short corner and Fleck whipped over a cross but as Ndiaye headed home the offside flag went up. It seemed it was the right decision judging by the lack of reaction from those in line on both side stands.
Blackpool had the next chance when the ball from the left came in way too easily from Husband and Yates could not quite react as the ball went dangerously across the box. Soon after Olsen made the first save of note from a free kick that saw him react late as no one got a touch and he had to help Bowler’s cross behind and nearly did not react in time.
After this the Blades started to play some good stuff and Ndiaye and Gibbs white started to link and Mousset started to get involved too as Blackpool were pushed back. Ndiaye was able to twice find space and on the second occasion his turn saw him pull the ball back but Mousset’s finish lacked power and was easily saved by Grimshaw.
United were now controlling possession and Blackpool were struggling to stem the tide although Osborn took too long to make a decision and the cross was cut out. Mousset was finally starting to get involved and Fleck was also having an influence. Too many times Baldock and Stevens took too long to make decisions. The bright enterprising one touch stuff from Ndiaye, Gibbs White and Mousset continued but they were struggling to create much until they did find a really good chance.
Gibbs White threaded a lovely ball thought that saw Ndiaye through but his finish was wide when he really ought to have scored and done justice to the pass. The Blades continued to press but had not really had any clear efforts on goal outside of the Mousset tame effort and had maybe overplayed at times or not played it quick enough, despite dominating the last half hour.
The second half saw United start with a flurry of chances. Firstly, decent stuff saw Stevens play the ball back and Gibbs White hit it but Grimshaw did well to get down and save. Again, the finish maybe lacked the power necessary and then the same player hit an effort at the near post the keeper beat out after more decent one touch interplay from the front trio. United then had another effort as the ball came back and Mousset hit it powerfully but it struck the bar and bounced away before Blackpool cleared. United really should have scored after opening up the Tangerines down both sides but missed some pretty clear chances.
After this the Blades failed to build on this dominant period and the game became scrappy for a while and Blackpool made changes with Carey and Mitchell coming on for Bowler and Yates as they started to get a foothold in midfield with an extra man in this area. Oddly even though he had not played well, manager Jokanovic opted to counter this change by putting on another striker, McGoldrick who went wide left but ended up with United seemingly unbalanced. Clearly as he said in the week, he wants to attack but the game had started to become more even and perhaps a more pragmatic approach retaining shape was required.
After this Blackpool started to grow and they had chances. Anderson hit a shot that was deflected and OIsen had to parry away before another effort was blocked. Olsen also tipped over a long-range effort for a corner as the away side now looked the more likely against a strangely weary Blades side who had all the ball but now were flagging with Gibbs White and Ndiaye having no influence at all on the game after looking so dangerous. The game became more open and United tried to respond and Keogh blocked a goal bound McGoldrick effort superbly as Blackpool continued to defend with their lives. This was something the Blades have failed to do all season and once again an incredibly soft goal came. After twice trying to play offside and succeeding, Egan and Davies came up again but this time ANDERSON broke from deep and seemed well onside as he ran through to the punt over the top. He took his time and came inside and curled a delightful effort past Olsen who had no chance. A great finish but once again too easy to construct. United had not been able to find a finish of such quality all game despite having chances and yet again were chasing a game at home going behind for the third successive home game.
Sharp and McBurnie came on but it was a disorganised mess and United seemed to lack any kind of shape or structure meaning Blackpool had so much space when they had the ball in the midfield. For the final period, the visitors-controlled things easily and Madine had a free kick blocked as they looked more likely to score again despite the additional stoppage time of 5 minutes. Norwood’s give away under no pressure and then Ndiaye’s errant pass summed up the final stages of the game. Fans were streaming out long before full time as Blackpool saw this out the game with ease to move into the playoff spots. United had played well for a spell in the game but failed to take chances and actually their keeper had the same number of significant saves to make as Olsen overall. In the end it was a simple goal as more pathetic and naive defending saw the player one on one and I am not sure United’s performance for the final 35 minutes merited them taking more than a point anyway. Blackpool defended well and worked hard and in the end the bit of quality that saw the decisive goal came from them. There was some nice football at times but it counted for nothing as this spinless side continues its descent down the league rather than up it. Manager Jokanovic now faces serious questions as the Blades go on the road for two games and needs to arrest this slide and quick.
United – It is another desperately depressing defeat as we find new ways to lose and now after looking like we had turned the home form around, have lost back-to-back home games (and 4 games at home – most teams going for promotion generally barely lose more than 1 or 2 at home all season). It was a different way to lose I suppose as today after another sluggish start we played pretty well for maybe an hour and had lots of chances with Ndiaye, Mousset and Gibbs white all missing chances – at least one of them needs to be taken but the keeper only made one really hard stop I felt – the one low down from MGW after half time. Still, they are chances we need to take. We played some neat one touch stuff and those three at times looked good but at times it is all a bit too much very Harlem Globetrotters. We need to be more ruthless and clinical. We did play some nice stuff but for all that you have to score and make it count.
For all the neat one touch stuff, the keeper made one good save and two other more routine ones. Olsen had as much to do weirdly with the save from the free kick and then the one low down and tipped over. Again, only one was maybe difficult but Blackpool in the end probably nearly had as many chances as us for all the play we had. It seems like we almost want to score the perfect goal.
I did feel long before this the game had started to get away from us. We had those three chances after the break but then after this we did nothing. From maybe 50 minutes, the game became scrappy and we stopped having chances. We did nothing from an attacking note save one McGoldrick shot blocked. They put on two in midfield and this area they had more men so what did we do? Take a midfielder off and put on McGoldrick a striker. I am not sure Osborn was very good but then we had no shape or structure and they started to find space, particularly down this side and I thought they then looked more likely. Not saying they cut us to pieces but the chances from this point onwards came from them and they had seen us off and as Ndiaye and Gibbs White tired and Mousset then came off again (so predictable) and our threat diminished to the point of them being comfortable.
At this stage I felt it was a sure as eggs 0-1 as always concede but thought Madine would get it. They showed it does not always have to be so precise and intricate with one ball over the top and our static defence was square and they score. We had tried this offside trap a few times and nearly come a cropper so it was no surprise as the big punt undid us again. The lad showed more composure than any of our strikers and took it really well. Fair play to them. They then kept a clean sheet easily and our team ended up a sorry mess. Players were arguing with themselves and we just tossed it away and they saw it out really easily. The end I had no idea of the formation and shape but sadly it had been like that from the hour mark regardless of the late McBurnie change. The game just petered out and there were loud boos.
Was it an awful performance? Not really but not sure we did enough to win. We did not play for the first 10 minutes and then did nothing for the final 40 minutes. Yes, were actually good for the other 40 minutes or so but that is not enough and we did not take the chances when we did play some nice stuff. You knew if anyone would snatch it, then it would be then. I am not sure you can even say we were pushing for a winner and they caught us on the break as from 50 minute-ish after all the subs, the game was even and they had the better chances from this point. Seen the words sucker punch and smash and grab, but was it? They had looked more dangerous after that flurry of chances which came 45-50 minutes from us. After this the game was more even and they maybe shaded it. The final 12 minutes and 5 minutes of stoppage time they much better, played better football and had a cohesion and discipline we lacked. We were all over the place with senior players making stupid decisions and no one taking responsibility. I felt no one had any real urgency or felt they could do something to get us a goal. The players heads dropped and they looked a beaten side when it went 0-1. Worrying that there was no response or fight after the goal.
After such a poor start there does have to be questions levelled at the manager now, I am afraid. I am not for one minute calling for his head but the squad he has even for the drop offs of so many over the last 18 months (Egan, Norwood, Baldock, Stevens and Fleck simply look a mile off the players they were and even Egan and Baldock now have to be questioned in terms of their places in the side so poor the levels of performance they are offering up). We lack any kind of control of games and have never had any all season (save Peterborough). It’s odd as we regularly dominate the ball but do not control games or the shape of games. It is so strange really and teams simply sit back, defend deep and pick us off and break. I thought Blackpool were no great shakes at all – they began well but United then actually played well but we have to score when we are on top and for all the play, we only had maybe one really good chance – Ndiaye first half – Mousset maybe had a decent one. They had as many dangerous attacks even though we dominated and the closest might have been the free kick Olsen nearly made a mess of. Second half we started really well but did not score and that last half hour was a mess. Same as last week really and many other games this season. We start games badly and end them badly. Not a great recipe for success. I also think for an experienced manager he makes some odd subs. Osborn was not great but surely, he could see we started to lose some of the midfield after they put extra bodies in there? Him just chucking strikers on may seem positive but it also seemed a bit bonkers and the final stages we looked all over the place. We seemed to be playing almost 3-1-6. Maybe that is fine for the final minute if you are desperate but you need to have a structure to keep the ball and have control of the game/midfield. It was a real mess. I worry that his we will keep attacking and trying to score more than others mantra is not going to change. Clearly this will only work against the crap teams. Even mid table mediocrity like Huddersfield, Millwall, Preston and now today have worked us out.
Sit back, pick off the little tricks and flicks and then one ball and our sorry, soft defence will fold. Teams now they only need one or two chances as we cannot defend. It keeps happening and will keep happening unless we have a structure to our play and sort out or soft centre both defence and midfield. I liked watching the front three at times but they still failed to score and our play was woefully slow in general play. It seems hard work to create things and yet the other way, easy for teams to create and ultimately score. It is about individuals somewhat but feel this system and shape is no more effective than the bust Wilder approach that teams worked out. We have loads of ball but concede as many chances as we create and lose to late goals regularly. The spine is soft and we do not have leaders that should have seen us finish a game today 1 or 2-0.
We now face two away games but I am not convinced we will get anything at either side who both have picked up. It is going to be a big week for him and the players. I worry this time next week we may be nearer the bottom 3 and that he will have serious questions asked about him. The team are trending down in performances and results and as I say even ordinary teams roll up and win down at the Lane. I think it is going to take a long time for his approach to work but without a major overhaul of personnel (and will the board allow him the funds and time to do this?) this squad cannot execute how he wants (again not even sure what that is – seems to be pass it out and try pretty one touch football but it is hardly like we are carving teams open – we simply rely on a bit of magic from MGW, Mousset or Ndiaye -there is not real plan to consistently break teams down. Worrying times.
Ratings:
Olsen 6.5/10 – Made two standard saves you would expect second half but at least he got to them as some of these being going past him! However still not convincing. The ball across the box early on he took too long to react to and then the free kick almost beat him. A few times he was slow off his line too. No chance with the goal as again left badly exposed. Suppose no obvious errors today but not sure he has had the impact we hoped or even close to it.
Baldock 3/10 – Had an absolute nightmare of a game. Not sure he did much right from start to finish. Ran it out twice early on and then lost his man defensively a few times. Mis controlled a few that led to them getting down that side. When he got forward, he dithered or failed to provide the cross save one decent one. Second half carried on his abject play with bad touches, ran into men or gave it away. Thought he was our poorest player today and maybe the worst he has played for us. Seems badly out of sort. Bogle may need a run in the side as we cannot keep picking players who are not performing.
Stevens 5.5/10 – He was better than Baldock at least from an attacking sense. Not sure he started the game that well and took too many touches to do things and defensively a bit slow to react. He did have a better 2nd half attacking wise and put in 2 or 3 great crosses down that side when he got well forward but then after Osborn went off felt they caused us problems down that side and Anderson his man started to come inside and cause us some real issues with his running. Another that is maddeningly inconsistent. Does some good stuff and then awful stuff in quick succession.
Davies 6/10 – Summed up what kind of player he is. Some lovely chest controls and class body swerves away from his man to defend with calmness and composure. He used the ball ok at times too but takes forever to do basic things and needs to be quicker. I felt him and Egan barely won a ball or header against Egan though when it was directly played up to him rather than loose stuff to defend and too often, he lost that physical stuff. Both him and Egan had taken chances on offside before the goal and it proved our undoing as they stood with their hands up as the lad ran through to score – maybe it was a midfielder’s man or Stevens but the line was ridiculous really from open play when they both lack pace. Clumsy foul for a yellow card when he hacked his man down leading to a dangerous free kick.
Egan 5/10 – Another who seems to be regressing, much like Baldock. He struggled with the physicality of Madine both in general play and the ball in the air and got muscled off it a few times -as did Davies. Still, they only had one chance of note from the free kick and we were relatively comfortable defensively first half but they both took too long to move it on and played some daft balls to both full backs or Norwood putting them under pressure. As the game went on, they started to make mistakes and he was guilty of some poor passes and then trying to step up and play offside. This mistake led to them scoring the winner. For the first time maybe since he came to United his place needs to be questioned for me – people may scoff but we are conceding every week and it is not always down to protection in front. Sadly, we have no one else other than young lads. For me the priority in January is a big, imposing centre back and a no-nonsense midfielder (especially if Guedioura is not going to be used) never mind wingers as everyone seems to suggest.
Norwood 5/10 – His mark may seem low but he did so much wrong today amongst some good things. Yes, we had a few lovely controlled switches of play and he showed some quick feet to move a few one. He also put one great ball to Stevens 2nd half. However, he also tossed it away a lot right from the start where the first 3 things were all to them. He kept fouling and stopping any momentum we had (how he did not get booked I do not know until right at the end) and then as the game went on, he slowed it down almost to a walking pace as he will never carry the ball and teams will just leave him knowing he has one tactic. We need to try something else in this area but Hourihane looks miles off the answer and as I say Guedioura not being used so no idea what he does? Currently him and Fleck do not do enough either way – they never score, never assist (or rarely) and do no protect the defence. Hard to keep defending them now.
Fleck 5/10 –Another frustrating game where he did some good stuff and then anonymous for long spells. A few sloppy early touches, he got on it and tried to dribble forward a few times but again this was only in flashes and not sure anything came from these runs. He was less guilty than Norwood of giving it away but as the game went on we started to become poor and slow to move it- after he and the team finished the half/started the second with decent moves he was involved in. Then started to hide as did Norwood and the game started to get away from us. Sacrificed for McBurnie after they scored and then we ended up with no real midfield at all.
Osborn 4.5/10 – He did not have a great game at all and his touch and decisions were poor. Two or three times he was put in good areas but took too many touches or dithered and the chance went. Stood out as the one of the front 4, if you call them that, who looked technically the weakest. He tries hard and did play well 2nd half last week but he has been really poor in recent home games and today that carried on. Weirdly though taking him off did not help as we lost any kind balance. Maybe he needed to bring on Norrington Davies in front of Stevens or even Hourihane (as had as he has been) but the change meant we lost any kind of structure – maybe we had started to lose it anyway but the change did not help?
Gibbs White 6/10 – Some good things and some frustrating but not sure it was his best game and after Millwall felt he owed us a game but not sure we saw a consistent display or the end product when he got into good areas. Started slowly but grew into it and started linking with Ndiaye and Mousset and we had our best spell from 20-25 minutes to 50 minutes and he was always involved – one lovely ball to Ndiaye – best ball of the game that could and should have been a goal. He then had two chances that he maybe needed to do better with and snatched at both although the first a good save. Some nice flicks and runs but also some giveaways and some petulant moments too where he moans at the ref or chucks the ball at the Blackpool player. Seemed to get frustrated as the game went on but he also needs to better and too many errant balls/touches the final half hour.
Ndiaye 7/10 – Game of two halves. Our best player by a country mile first half where he was the one player who got on it and looked to make things happen. He had two or three great runs and showed some lovely body control as he came out of tight positions. Nice turn and cross to Mousset and of course had the goal disallowed when he maybe went a bit soon. After this he then had the great chance but shot wide- that was a bad miss. Maybe a 7-7.5 first half but then second half he had a decent spell with the other forwards linking well with some nice touches but not sure he had any efforts or directly assisted any chances and as the game went on, he faded badly and was completely ineffectual. He was spent force long before full time. I get him leaving forwards on but he should have left midfielders on and took off him for McBurnie.
Mousset 5.5/10 – Strange game as he started barely touching the ball and not in it and then started to link with others and showed some good runs and movement. Should have scored with a good chance before half time or at least got more on it and then after half time he got way too much on it and clubbed it onto the bar! He did show some decent moments and was a threat but then you knew he would not complete the game. It is a bit embarrassing and not sure I can give him more than a 5/10 when he basically downs tools after an hour every game. It’s like us going to work at 8 or 9am and then at 1 or 1.30pm just falling over and someone coming and taking us home. Imagine us doing that every day! We would get sacked. He needs to sort it out but not sure he ever will. Not even sure he was injured – just looked like he was tired and had enough! Sadly, a half fit and overweight Mousset is more dangerous than our OAPS in reserve and the pathetic McBurnie and Brewster.
Subs –
McGoldrick 4/10 – After his impact sub performance v Stoke, it seemed Slav now thinks he can be that sort of player. Today he came on and maybe not all his fault but it completely eroded any kind of shape and we ended up with no midfield and no protection for Stevens or Fleck and Norwood. There were suddenly big gaps when they attacked but also when he had it was too slow to move it on. He ended up as a left winger which was ridiculous. He looks a long way from the player he was for me and will continue to be a bit part player but also, he ends up playing in the wrong positions which does not help. Play him just off Mousset for me and see what he can do, or not at all.
Sharp – Not sure he did much at all. I thought he might ruffle Keogh and put them under pressure but to be fair we had gone into a complete mess at this stage and he had no balls to his feet or played into the box. Not sure we put one ball into the box the last 20 minutes. It was all too easy.
McBurnie – Came on and flicked a header to no one and then mistimed two jumps and looked soft as they cleared two balls easily that were sent forward. I thought he was ineffectual last week despite praise some gave him and today albeit late offered nothing again with no service I suppose but put yourself about man! Madine puts him to shame with his effort – a journeyman striker but he would offer much more of a threat at this level than McBurnie has this season.
Manager: Jokanovic 4/10 – Another late home defeat where we concede a soft goal. Maybe not his fault we miss chances and we played some good stuff for the middle part of the game but we start games very slowly and the way we finish them is the hallmark of a team of losers and he is sadly leading them. The subs he makes are baffling and means we end up like an under 10’s team. I am all for attacking football but it has to be done with an idea. It just seems he chucks strikers on and thinks that will lead to chances or changes. Blackpool made two changes to get control and we countered with baffling moves. For a manager has done well at this level, he is getting out coaches and out thought pretty regularly by less successful coaches. That seems harsh but he is very naïve in his set up and the late meltdowns in games particularly at home, he has to take some responsibility. Some tonight will say we played ok and we score some of the chances and we win but we did not and ultimately play well for say 30-35 minutes is not enough. It should have been a routine 2-0 win against a side that were workmanlike but no great shakes and there for the beating but we could not break them down and/or finish and then lose another stupid goal. It is happening every week and yet he fails to change the defence or midfield at all and keeps picking the same players. Granted he may need to bring more but he may not get another window at this rate – I would like him to be given time but the results and performances have been really poor this season. I am not sure the board allow him to sign 4 or 5 permanent signings January or next Summer that we need so will be stuck with many of these losers (they are) for a year or so yet due to the contract situation. We cannot play 10 or 11 loan players and outside of Ndiaye and Gibbs White – I am not sure what positives I can take from the side individually or collectively. I think it is perfectly reasonable to question him now – not asking for him to go – but he has to address the same failings we are having week in, week out or we will lose more than we win (as the table currently proves).
Blackpool- Neil Critchley has done a fantastic job there. He got them up and has steadily made them a decent side even this early at the higher level. They do not have a side full of stars but the likes of Lavery and Yates seem to be doing very well and the way they have put together a squad of workmanlike performers but clearly enough ability to score and upset some established sides at this level. They have had some impressive results recently and one of the in-form teams at this level currently. They seem to be going away and having a real go at teams and have been strong at home. They may not have lots of fantastic individuals but all know their job and Critchley – assisted by McCall – has done a great job.
Today they began ok but then United got on top and could/should have been behind at half time. They did defend well but also, we needed to take some of the chances. After this they sensed the frustrations and started to play better, helped by changes and finished the game well with a good goal and saw it out. Not sure they deserved to win and maybe a draw may have been fairer – for the way they defended and applied themselves (and for all the talk of us dominating -they were better first 10 and last 30 I felt) with an organised and determined approach. The goal was brilliantly taken as our defence just were caught sleeping. After this they had little danger and won loose balls and kept it nice and sensibly to run down time. Not sure they will end up in the top 6 but have done well and won’t be close to going down. Fair play to them.
Opponent Man of the Match – I thought Madine was very good and does what he does well. He never gave out defenders a moment and won most high balls and held it up. Anderson took his goal really well of course and was a threat in the closing stages and had another effort. I actually thought Keogh was fantastic and made so many blocks and got in good positions. He may be someone who has struggled at the Lane but today he was probably the man of the match. The lad Ekpiteta was good too alongside him. They had a lot of players who were unknowns but all worked hard and by the end looked the stronger and fitter side which is damning for United’s players who will all be on much more money. They seemed hungrier to get the result as the game went on.
Opponent Weak link – I actually thought Yates, the striker had a quiet game and the lad Bowler on the right made some poor decisions, outside of his almost freak free kick goal. Not sure anyone was awful. The two midfield lads did not have as much of the ball but kept their shape well.
Referee/Officials – Tony Harrington. Easy game to ref really as not many bad fouls. Madine and Norwood both were giving several cheap ones away and the latter then made several more and how he did not get booked till right at the end, I do not know! Bowler was booked for a pull back and Davies was also booked for chopping a man down as he went through. Rest of the game he was fine – although they stopped the game for an offside when they did not have to. The goal we had chalked off did look off. The one they scored seemed easily on and not hard to get right – reminded me of the Newcastle goal a few seasons ago to some extent as nobody seems to know the rules in our defence.
Crowd – 28,000+ which keeps us at the top of the attendance figures by some way. For noise we must be near the bottom. The support at home is atrocious in volume and it is silent. The team are not great and are struggling but it seems so poor an atmosphere at home. Blackpool fans were superb. Great numbers – close to 3,000 was there it seemed – and the noise from start to finish vociferous. One of the best away supports for noise for some time and they celebrated their winner wildly – credit to them after some rough times with the ownership issues for a sustained period. They were excellent today. Seems teams and fans are coming here and taking the p*ss. The passionate, rabid atmosphere of 2 or 3 years ago seems a long time ago.
