Post by deadbat on Nov 28, 2021 18:17:05 GMT
Podcast links to come late. Report below…
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After another tumultuous week in the fortunes of Sheffield United, matters on the pitch were once again back in the foremost of fans thoughts as Paul Heckingbottom managed his first (permanent) game as Blades manager. Former Wednesday skipper Nigel Pearson brought Bristol City to the Lane, a team that has traditionally done well in Sheffield in recent years and were fresh off a good win in in the week at home to Stoke City. In a contest that saw snow fall for much of it, the home side were worthy winners largely controlling the game and created a plethora of good opportunities outside of the goals they scored. After several near misses from the Blades, City had the best chance of the first half but Foderingham saved well from Martin and then Brewster was able to smartly turn and score for his first league goal at the Lane. The second half saw City have a spell of play and they threw on extra strikers but, in a game, marred by another serious looking injury, this time to City’s Nathan Baker, the Blades sealed things late on. It was the old one two combination of McGoldrick and Sharp that combined for the second goal and a winning start for messrs Heckingbottom, McCall and Lester.
Heckingbottom’s first line up saw just one change as Conor Hourihane came in for John Fleck after the midfielder went off after the scary incident in the week. The Scotsman was warmly applauded as he took his seat in the South Stand before kick-off. Iliman Ndiaye was back on the bench where the substitute goalkeeper was Jake Eastwood. There was still no place in the match day squad for Baldock or McBurnie.
City started with Chris Martin and Blades nemesis Andreas Weimann leading the line with Nakhi Well on the bench. The early Sunday kick off and tricky weather meant the crowd was down somewhat from the normal numbers that sees the Lane attract by far the biggest gates at this level. Bristol City only brought maybe 500-600 fans as they huddled together in the Bramall Lane end hoping to be rewarded for an early start.
After a day where snow, sleet, rain and wind had engulfed the Steel City, it was a credit that the pitch looked in fantastic condition as the game began albeit it was still bitterly cold in S2.
The early tempo was good from the home team who instantly got it down wide and the mantra we heard pre game of winning it back and getting in crosses was to the fore. Lovely skill from Gibbs White saw him drift down the right and his cross seemed perfect for Brewster but somehow, he could not get a touch and it was cleared behind.
The early corner led to a half chance for Egan who could not turn it goalward and then Basham’s effort was off target. It was all United who continued to get the ball into the box quicker with McGoldrick, Stevens and Gibbs White all involved heavily in the play.
Stevens took too long to make his decision when well found by Davies down the left before another move down this side saw McGoldrick thread it through to Stevens who stood up a delightful cross that Bogle headed wide. Hourihane was also getting on the ball and himself and Norwood had dominated this area of the game as the Blades were camped in the Bristol City half for the opening 20-25 minutes.
City had not been in the game at all but broke out and had a better period with Basham having to recover his earlier error to get back and City won two corners and also tried to utilise Kalas’ long throw. From a corner from the right-hand side, United’s marking was poor and Martin was free to power a header in but Foderingham sprung to his right to firmly push the ball away. United had been the much better side but this was the first save from either keeper.
Referee Eltringham was making some strange decisions but clearly was ‘hot’ on players kicking the ball away and he cautioned both players. Gibbs White then showed lovely skill to drift away from two men but his ball was overplayed to Brewster and in his frustration to get back he ended up pulling his man back and was booked. Hourihane had a weak shot saved before McGoldrick had an effort blocked after United had started to take control again.
Cheers from the crowd came as the snow started to fall more heavily as the white ball was exchanged for a fluorescent yellow one. United managed to cross this one out soon after proving the poor final product was not down to the equipment they were using! Martin was then next to be booked for kicking it away as the referee had maybe made a rod for his own back at this point drawing laughter from the Bramall Lane crowd who were perhaps asking for more yellow cards more in jest than genuine demand for action! Elteringham who was becoming a bit of a comedy performer in some of his decision obliged!
United had definitely been much the better side and got the goal their efforts deserved on 40 minutes when McGoldrick beat the offside trap and then with the City defence nowhere, Hourihane played in Stevens who in turn walked across picking out BREWSTER who calmly turned and fired a driven shot that gave Bentley little chance. He was clearly delighted to follow his effort up at Blackburn earlier this month, with another Blades goal.
After this United had another opportunity, when more good work from Gibbs White after the initial burst from Bogle, saw the ball pulled back to Hourihane whose shot was blocked at point blank range. The half time whistle came not long after this.
The second half started with the weather deteriorating and the snow flurries increasing making it difficult for much fluidity for either side. Gibbs White overplayed it when well-placed and then Vyner had a shot blocked before a serious looking injury occurred. Basham won the header and Baker was in some distress but any contact with the United man seemed innocuous. However, as in the week, the medics were very quick to come on. The City man was down for over 10 minutes before he was stretchered away and clearly had needed oxygen and to be treated immediately on the pitch. All four sides of the Lane gave him an ovation as he departed with Rob Atkinson coming on in his place.
Gibbs White was enjoying a lot of time down the right and his cross narrowly evaded Brewster before Bogle and Basham nearly linked well for another opportunity. Wells came on for Benarous as City tried to find more attacking intent.
The stop start nature of the 2nd half continued when Brewster went to ground after an earlier tackle had gone unpunished. Sharp came on in his place.
City had a few moments with a cross bouncing around and then Bakinson had an effort saved from Foderingham as the game became really open. Gibbs White drifted inside after neat football but Bentley pushed his shot away before Semenyo came on for Bakinson and City now had a very attacking line up out as they tried to make their way up the field. Sharp was booked for kicking the ball away as the referee tried to show some consistency which was odd as he had let Bogle kick it away earlier with no card! Weimann was then booked for kicking Egan well after the ball had gone.
United were having lots of space down the right-hand side and Bogle, Gibbs White and then Sharp all linked but the final ball was cleared before Egan had two headed chances from Hourihane’s corners that both went wide. Sharp also had an effort from a Norwood cross as his scissor kick was tipped over from Bentley. United seemed intent on scoring a second and got it on 89 minutes. Norwood’s slide rule ball down the side put McGoldrick in and his cross was perfect for master marksman, SHARP to turn into the net past Bentley. The old strike combo embraced in front of the Kop and the management team punched the air as they knew this may have effectively sealed the game.
There was to be 13 minutes of additional time to be played after the earlier injury for the second consecutive game. Berge replaced Norwood after the goal and Bentley was able to play on after getting injured in the melee for the goal. Gibbs White fired wide after being played in and then tried to play it back to Bogle when he ought to have gone himself as United looked for more goals on the break. City won a few corners and Martin flicked one effort wide before Davies was booked after turning into trouble and Wells got away. A final effort from Wells was wide and United ended up back on the attack as time ticked down in the snow and a winning start for Heckingbottom.
United – What a week. However, in my history of watching the Blades, the fact I barely registered a shrug to the weeks shock events, sums up what it is like to be a United fan. You never know what changes will happen and often with no sense or seemingly with a plan behind them. We covered the events of the week below (with some dreadful accents and gags) below so if you really want to put yourself through our ‘take’ in detail then listen to below – podcast links below.
soundcloud.com/tufty-club/slav-out-up-the-bottom
open.spotify.com/episode/6iQhMMz7Z34zdyLIqQ3UJ3
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/id1508158343?i=1000543089417
In terms of a summary of what has happened – I still have no idea what we are doing as it seems most of the football world do not. On the surface it seems we saw the opportunity to appoint Jokanovic who of course is a more proven manager and more of a name than Heckingbottom and no one really disagreed with it in the summer. It seemed the right move but then we did not have any money or were not willing to give him any money to properly back him. I think the board felt the current squad would no much better as did Slav from his comments, but he clearly needed more new players and more investment. I am not many thought we would struggle like we did though and thought we may get a tune out of some of the players who had done well at this level. His style has not worked really but then let’s not forget the old style was not working (would it have worked at this lower level – last few results suggested maybe better than his approach/formation). We struggled and I was very disappointed in his weird rotation system and he did not seem to have a clear preferred eleven or even close to it. New signings (not sure he made most of them) did not really work apart from MGW and there were some really poor performances culminating in the debacle at Ewood Park. However, the fact we did not sack him then if we were considering it and then did a few weeks later is bizarre especially considering it was not like we were waiting to sort out terms with someone out of the club or already employed? If we had sacked him then why not do it then and also if he had been moved out as the results/performances had not been good enough then bring someone in different from the outside who has a pedigree or can really stamp their mark. Sometimes things do not work with new manager but then to go back to Heckingbottom is just bizarre. Personally, I would have seen out the ‘plan’ from the summer and at least seen what he could do with another two windows and if he could put his mark on the side with more new players to properly play his style. However, the counter argument is that if we have not got any money which it seems is the case, then it was never going to work anyway so why appoint him in the first place? Why spend the limited money we have on a manager who needs new players and investment to change it round? It is just bizarre.
We may as well have just appointed Heckingbottom in the summer and gone with this new develop the youth, cost effective approach that seems imminent. Fans would have moaned but at least we had not wasted 6 months and more money we did not have. The notion that the plan was not ready but is now, is absolute nonsense. I see no reason why they could have not done what they did in the summer. I would have more respect if they had not given us all this business nonsense in the car crash of a press conference and said: ‘We appointed Slav, it did not work for him, he said he needed more to change it around but he also had said it was the best squad he had ever had (turn it back around on him as he did say that) and sadly it did not work. We on reflection should have gone down this route in the summer but we made a mistake.’ Course business think they can spin a load of words and corporate phrases but we all saw through it. It seems the road ahead will be bumpy. We are back to the cheap appointment who is inevitably a yes man and will not complain like Slav has now done. He won’t rock the boat and will do what he is told. I am not sure he is that good a manager and he himself admitted he was more of a coach and working with the youngsters, so from his point of view seems an about turn also. However, the chance to be manager and improve his salary he is not going to turn it down.
I am not particularly enthused with the future at all despite today being a better start and us looking in a more stable position league wise after three good results. We will sell the few assets we have left. The Prince and his team clearly are disinterested from their comments and will not be here. I believe they will be already looking for someone to take over. They know now it will get worse and money will seep out of the club for the next period and will need to recoup what they can now or will end up far worse off than they started with the Premier League money a distant memory. I certainly see a downward trajectory rather than upward from the words and actions this week. I think the Premier League is a long time ago and the usual 10 year or so wait will probably happen again without something dramatic happening off and on the pitch. Sad times but hard to be that enthusiastic about what the plan is or how we can be close to achieving getting this moving back in one direction. It seemed for all the criticism of Wilder, the success was based on one man and his inspirational work. Granted he then was a primary architect of the downfall of course but now we seem completely rudderless both on and off the field.
Maybe today was the start of something more back to the basics fans expect. We were clearly expecting a better tempo and less tippy tappy stuff. More emphasis on winning the ball back and crossing it. We saw all this in abundance in the first 20 minutes or so. Lots of balls forward, lots of crosses and on another day if Brewster scored early or we are a bit surer on a few moments I reckon we could have been two up. I felt Norwood and Hourihane controlled the game actually on and off the ball and both worked harder than they have done for some time. Still for all the better play and seeing players high up the field, we did not force a save and at times the final cross was still lacking or we did not have enough men wanting to apply the final touch. They came back into it a bit and you worried from long throws and corners and bad marking and they had a great chance but Foderingham made a great reflex save from Martin. After this we took over again and got the goal. The defending was bad as they seemed to have no one back weirdly and we had men well forward with Stevens setting it up but he did take it well. I was not convinced with his overall performance (not so much effort but where he runs/quality) but he took it really well and hit it hard and true. We had deserved to lead.
The 2nd half was scrappy but they had a few moments down the left and we had the same down the right with a few blocks etc and then the stoppage of course meant the game did not restart for a long time. After this I thought both teams were sloppy in decision making and basic passing and there were gaps appearing all over the field. Fortunately for us, in McGoldrick and Gibbs White we had two players who I felt would make things happen and those two were easily the best attacking and most skilful players on the field. Sharp did well and was busy when he came in but you always worried, they might snatch an undeserved leveller but to be fair rather than sit back, United did look for a second and got it with a well-made and finished goal. It was like the old days with Norwood, McGoldrick and then Sharp applying the final touch. We had 13 more minutes but felt we looked more likely to score than them and they were well beaten in the end.
Overall, we were deserved winners. I thought Bristol City were really poor in all aspects of the game and looked a side that you can see why are beneath us. United had more of the ball and many more chances. Granted not sure either keeper had loads to do an you could argue that Foderingham made the best save of the first half but I always thought we looked more likely throughout and in the end 2-0 was about right. In terms of difference between the Jokanovic side and Heckingbottom’s just looking at one game (albeit we saw him manage last season) we did not play it out as deliberately from the back and goal kicks were knocked forward (we kept defenders near him almost to bring the forwards in though) and we definitely moved it forward at a quicker tempo. There was an emphasis on ball recovery and we did that better at times today and we did look to get many more crosses in. At times I felt we took too many touches and passes still but then they have to change approach again after almost trying to play a certain way for a period so this is more like back to the old way if not quite the style we had under Wilder. Overall we certainly saw a bit more up and at ‘em and passion. I do think that was inevitable when there is a change in manager but then that did not happen under Jokanovic or even Heckingbottom last time, so does not always happen.
The formation seemed to move between 5-2-3 to 3-4-2-1 and at times even 3-4-3. It was not as fixed as it was under Wilder/Heckingbottom first time around. Overall, it was just nice to see a home win (seems to have been a while) and two good goals and another clean sheets. Lost in all the talk of the changes is we have now won 2 and drew 1 in a week and had 3 clean sheets and move up to mid-table. A good couple of results v Cardiff/QPR and we could be right near the top 6 – that is how mad this division is – after if we had lost a few this week, we would be right near the bottom 3.
Ratings:
Foderingham 7.5/10 – Did not have much to do but again dealt with what he had to well. A great reaction save first half to push away the header and then a more routine save from a low shot second half. He saw a few crosses/efforts fizz across but overall, he was quite well protected. One bad kick on his foot apart, he did his job again and now has three shutouts meaning his new nickname of Clean Sheet Wes instead of League One Wes, may stick!
Bogle 7/10 – Strange game to assess as he got into some great positions again but often the final bit was lacking. One or two decent balls and moments but often the last bit was lacking. One header wide when he really should have scored and then another moment where he got down the side and his cross hit the first man. Second half he was heavily involved down that side and always looking to get in and work space but not sure we quite saw the final cross apart from one decent one Bentley flapped at. Defensively he was ok but a few times he lost his man and gave up space. Cannot accuse him of not getting involved in the game though in all aspects!
Stevens 6.5/10 – Some better things today. Started the game well forward and was involved in a lot of the attacks but hit the first man twice and then dithered when he could have maybe shot or took another touch and his cross for Brewster was poor. Then stood up a super cross for Bogle. A few times the ball came off him and out again in both the first and second half. He did get into some more good areas down the left-hand side but again the final bits were not quite sure enough and too many final crosses did not get close to a red and white shirt other than one really good driven one that no one attacked. He set up the goal being well forward and at times we saw him well advanced in the box, like the Stevens of old. A better game actually considering how he has played.
Basham 7.5/10 – Started off with some unconvincing moments where he took a touch too many but often it was him who would get back and defend and recover his error. After this he seemed to be everywhere, making challenges, tackles and running forward with it. Constantly in motion and always trying to get forward but he also had to get back down his side a few times. Second half he was an outlet on a number of occasions but then he stopped when he had it in good positions but always trying to make things happen. Him and McGoldrick may be getting on and might not be here next season but for now they are two players that I look at them and at this level I am glad they are on our team rather than the opponents due to their work ethic and ability to make positive things happen.
Davies 6.5/10 – Steady game and for the most part he was sensible (still a bit slow at times with it) with the ball and defended well, intercepting things and reading balls through. Once he played a lovely ball down the side to Stevens and he was able to advance with it forward a bit more. They had a spell where they won a few flicks and then second half we had a bit of a disorganised start when they had a few crosses bouncing around. After this settled down and was fine and was neat and tidy with it but then one moment at the end where he was robbed and hauled his man down was his only real blot on a solid game.
Egan 6.5/10 – As above, he did better than he has in recent games defensively with a more solid and assured presence. A few times though he made errors with looped headers/clearances central straight to them and then on the chance, it seemed Martin was his man and he completely lost him. A lucky let off. I thought 2nd half they had a few moments where we did not clear but then actually, he started to win the ball more and came onto it more. As the game went on, they had less and less of a threat and it was only through set plays I was concerned really rather than general play.
Norwood 7/10 – Solid game. He started further up the field and I also thought when we lost it, him and Hourihane got back and won more loose stuff, second balls and the bits and pieces. We moved it quicker and got more crosses/diagonal stuff into the box. The first instinct seemed to be to go forward rather than back and some nice slipped in balls to MGW and McGoldrick led to some decent moments. We lost a bit of that control for a period but to be fair the game went scrappy both ways. Second half I thought Hourihane was more involved but he still was ok and no stupid giveaways like we have seen. He then of course set up the 2nd goal with a lovely ball. He had done a few of these behind the full backs before this.
Hourihane 7/10 – Might have been his best game for us in terms of overall play. Not everything he did was fantastic and a few times second half he telegraphed a few too but overall, I thought he was busy and got on the ball. He did not hide like he has been doing and I felt came off square or was actually always showing. He moved it around well and was also quite attacking in what he did – it was not always safe. He moved around the pitch better than he has done and I thought did some really good things. His set plays (one bad free kick that hit the wall) caused some problems and we had some half chances and then some clear ones (Egan). He was not amazing but solid and played a mature and controlled game.
Gibbs White 7.5/10 – At times he looks fantastic as he slaloms through players and his flicks, tricks and body control means he can get out of tight spots and beat men – something we have not had for a long time at the Lane. Loves a nutmeg or a flick that can create him some space and I thought the first 20-25 minutes, he looked the main threat of creating anything for either side. His ball to Brewster, another down the side for Bogle and he had an effort over after making a chance for himself. He did get booked for a pull back and on another day could have been sent off again (late foul that could easily have been a second yellow – the advantage might have helped him). Second half he was heavily involved again but I felt his end product was not there and at times he overplayed or tried to do too much. He worked some great moments of space down that side and so many times he got in but not always taking advantage of the good work in the build-up. Had one shot saved when he might have done better and then at the end he had two chances, one just wide and another he tried to play in Bogle. He does make things happen and a talented footballer. I do wish he would do the basics a bit more to compliment the flicks and tricks but maybe that is who he is? Sometimes the giveaways sent them on the attack.
Brewster 6.5/10 – I will probably get panned for this mark but outside of his goal I thought he one of more ineffective players. His effort was there and he kept fouling and was lucky not to get booked after early 3 or 4 fouls. He also has to finish the chance early on when MGW put it on a plate. After this he kind of hid behind his man when we broke down both sides (Bogle and Stevens with crossing chances) and not sure he makes the right runs. He kept trying and then the ball dropped to him and he scored a great goal, turning and lashing it home, showing his power at shooting. After this he had another effort second half but could not quite get there and he then got injured and went off. Glad to score again and I suppose even if he is ineffective in general play you can live with that if he registers.
McGoldrick 7.5/10 – Thought he was involved throughout the game. He came off and linked well and at times seemed to be everywhere, initiating many of our attacks. Some nice control and hold up and a lot of what we did seemed to have him probing. Few balls down the left led to chances and he had an effort blocked too. I always sensed if we created things it would come from him or MGW. The first goal he was involved with his play that fed Stevens and then 2nd half he made the second goal with a great cross. He had continued to move across the front line, to work hard and do what he had to for the team both defensively and attacking wise. Might have shaded it for my man of the match.
Subs –
Sharp 7.5/10 – Thought he was excellent when he came on. He held it up, linked well and played on the shoulders. He had one scissor kick effort, linked well with Gibbs white and then scored the vital second with a typical Sharp type finish getting ahead of his man to convert bravely. He ran the channels and was a nuisance and they struggled to hold him up with his interchange and willing running.
Berge – Came on after the second and kept it nice and simple, showing his composure on the ball when we were just wisely trying to wind the lock down. Do hope he gets a spell back in the side soon but unsure where. I still would like an unconventional Berge-McGoldrick-Gibbs White front trio where they can all pop up and interchange which may seem bizarre but think it would cause teams all sort of issues.
Osborn – Brought on for some fresh legs in stoppage time. Not sure he kicked it much.
Manager: Heckingbottom 7.5/10 – Not sure anyone really feels any ill will against him. It is not his fault we have no idea what we are doing. Heard some say he did really well last season – he did not. He was marginally better than Wilder in results and we had a few determined performances but mostly it was the same that had gone before. His record is a manager is largely poor and at best seems a lower league manager or a youth/development coach. I will be amazed if he is still here in 2027 – the contract is daft. Why not give him till the end of the season and see how it goes? Yes it is short term but then it motivates him etc too. Now he knows unless things are a disaster, he stays no matter what as no one else will come in and be told what to do. He is the patsy for the board it seems.
In terms of today though we did see a positive uplift to begin his second reign.
Bristol City – When they appointed Pearson, I thought he would get them organised, hard to beat and they would be nearer the top than bottom. He did steady things a bit but this season they have not really had the start they would have wanted and even though they have picked up a bit recently, they have been poor for the most part and were above us before this game. A bit like us they have a mix of experienced players with young players but lack real out and out quality to make a proper play off push. They have some strikers who have done it at this level (like us) in Martin, Wells, Weimann and then some ex-Leicester lads in King, James and Simpson too, whom Pearson will know. They signed Atkinson from Oxford and have the youngster Scott coming through but I do not look at the side and see real out and out leaders or quality that will consistently make or take goals. They seem very mid table to me – again a bit like us but will be nearer the bottom than the top on today’s evidence. It is hard to see their plan as they do not seem to have gone down any route. They too named a coach last time out but then sacked him and went with Pearson but have not really backed him either (Slav) so unsure what they expect other than just to tread water, especially when there will always be teams that come down with parachute payments.
They have been a bit of a bogey side for us at the Lane (more so than their place really) but today they never really looked like continuing this record. They never got going and were second best from the start and could have been well behind before Martin had their big chance. If that goes in, then of course it is different but after this we regained control. The first goal they seemed to have no one defending. It was odd as we had loads of men over. Maybe they were playing for offside originally but seemed strange we had men queueing up to score. They had a bit of a spell 2nd half but nothing really that clear cut -one cross blocked and another shot saved but United actually looked more like scoring I felt even though they were behind. The injury cannot have helped them and I felt the ref gave us more of the decisions today and favoured us (rare I say that) but regardless of that not sure they did not enough to get back in the game at all. In the end the second goal made it a more realistic score line.
I thought that overall City were poor. They offered little going forward, never controlled midfield and were careless in possession (both teams were but they were far worse) and at the back they offered up way too much space. If the Blades had been more ruthless then the game would have been over long before Sharp did settle it. Glad to hear Baker was discharged from hospital and was ok.
Opponent Man of the Match – Not sure anyone was impressive particularly. O’Dowda had a few moments where got down the side and Benarous showed a few neat touches in the middle but I felt even though Martin tried hard, they had little up top at all.
Opponent Weak link – Weimann is normally a real threat for us but today he was quiet and not in the game. The young lad Scott was not in the game at all. I thought Kalas and Vyner struggled with the movement and skill of Gibbs White and McGoldrick at times and that defensively they gave up way too much space and chances in the box.
Referee/Officials – Geoff Eltringham. I thought he was really poor. I felt he started off really fussy. In a weird way he did not punish Bristol City for timewasting on throws and gaining yards or the keeper taking ages. Then he suddenly started to book them for knocking the ball away and did this three times. Brewster had committed 3 or 4 fouls before this and not got a card! A few of them seemed a bit soft but he almost by booking one, meant he had to book others. He then though did not penalise a couple of ours for doing the game, until Sharp was booked. He ended up booking 7 players but not sure it was that sort of game really at all. I felt Gibbs White was silly going in after he had been booked earlier and, on another day, he gets sent off when the ref played on but went back and had a word. The ref was not helped by two useless assistants again who seemed to just guess throw ins and decisions most of the game. Neither seemed like they wanted to make any decisions so left it to the referee who was not having the best game himself. The change of the ball seemed off as not sure there was any snow on the pitch until the last 10-15 minutes really when it became a bit more covered. Seemed to be one of those refs who wanted it all about him.
Matchday/Crowd – Noticeably down in numbers as some probably stayed away due to the weather/kick off time/day and it being on TV. Bristol City did not bring many either but cannot blame them as the timing is not kind at all on them. It started with some good volume but once again was quiet for large spells but not sure the freezing weather helped at all but then as the game went on there were some bursts to drive the team on. Great reception for the side and Heckingbottom at full time too.
