Post by deadbat on Jan 18, 2022 23:46:11 GMT
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Podcast link above and then report below….
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The Blades second away game in close succession should have seen a comfortable three points after goals from Bogle and Sharp saw them in complete control and facing ten men for over 50 minutes. Sadly, yet another pathetic second half fadeout with more lapses in concentration, professionalism and will to win, seeing two routine goals conceded against a Preston side that mustered far more efforts on goal than the Blades who got exactly what they deserved for their sloppiness. Another game goes by where United coughed up points, after doing the same in the reverse fixture with Riis scoring a late goal in that one too. The playoffs look a long way into the sunset and in truth the lack of belief in the group individually and collectively means thoughts of the clear out that should have happened last summer should hopefully come closer to happening come the end of this desperately disappointing season.
United made three changes from the side that lost at the weekend with Stevens, Hourihane and Brewster in for Norrington Davies, Berge and McGoldrick. Preston started with former Blade Ben Whiteman in midfield with Ched Evans on the bench.
The game began the same as the contest on Saturday with the first effort coming from Robinson’s long throw headed at goal from Egan but easy for Iversen. Preston then settled down and after Foderingham’s poor kick, Sinclair threatened to get in but United cleared. However, gaps appeared down the right as Barkhuizen switched the play with a lovely reverse pass and Hughes was well forward but his low shot was scooped up by Foderingham. Preston then had a good spell and two shots were blocked after Sinclair and then Johnson advanced.
United won a couple of corners in close succession and tried some inventive deliveries but Norwood’s shot was well blocked after Hourihane sent it to the edge of the box. From another corner, Preston then ended up breaking and Stevens somehow seemed to get underneath the ball and with the referee perhaps in his way, did not complete the clearance and suddenly Sinclair was away and streaking clear. United could not get back and he was one on one but Foderingham made the reflex save to deny the former Celtic man. United then broke and Ndiaye rode a tackle before sending a shot away that Iversen seemed to get a touch on or perhaps a deflection off a defender and a corner was given.
Preston had shaded the first 15 minutes with two chances but United did have a spell of possession but poor crosses from Ndiaye and Basham saw Preston untroubled but then on 16 minutes the Blades took the lead. It was from the 4th corner they won and Egan powerfully got up to head towards goal but Iversen made a good save. The ball was only cleared towards the edge of the box and BOGLE kept his head over the ball and hit a low, hard shot that went through a clutch of bodies and seemed to deceive Iversen and went under his body and into the net. It was not a moment the goalkeeper would want to see again but the wing back had done well to keep his effort on target and got his rewards.
The next 5 minutes saw United have a really good spell and Norwood and Hourihane were controlling things as they enjoyed lots of possession. Brewster turned inside and had a shot; his first moment of note after a quiet opening from him. Robinson’s twice nearly made mistakes that put Preston in but Foderingham came out quick to be alert back pass.
Ndiaye was starting to show some neat touches and trying to link with Basham and Bogle and was well forward. Preston had struggled to make much headway and United were largely dominating the ball but Stevens miscontrol saw Browne win a corner but the Blades cleared and then Basham kept the ball in the corner for a spell trying to work an opening.
A ball down the middle saw Brewster manage to power past Hughes and got there first before the challenge came in. The forward hit the deck and the referee adjudged there had been enough contact to give the spot kick. The red card that followed seemed a surprise as it seemed harsh that it had been deemed there was no opportunity to play the ball and it did not seem a cynical foul. The double jeopardy rule is not the clearest but I am not sure too many Blades players would have grumbled at a yellow as the penalty itself did not seem to be that straight forward. Hughes had to walk after a number of protests. SHARP sent the keeper the wrong way with an emphatic finish and United were in control with a two goal and one-man advantage with over 50 minutes left to play.
Sinclair came off for Cunningham as Preston reshaped their formation with the man disadvantage. Sinclair had been one of Preston’s best players so the Blades will have been pleased with this outcome.
The final minutes of the half saw United move it about and stretch Preston as they carried on controlling the game with some patient but intelligent passing in the middle of the field before half time.
Potts came off for Rafferty at half time in Preston’s second change but United began well, winning a corner that was then worked into the path of Ndiaye whose powerful shot was well saved by Iversen diving to his left.
Preston showed there was life in them after Brewster’s giveaway saw the ball come in from the right and Whiteman’s powerful header was saved excellently by Foderingham who tipped it over form right under his bar.
The end-to-end action then saw Sharp on the stretch but could not divert his header goalwards. Preston were having a real go this half and were trying to move it forward quicker. They won a number of tackles and were showing more determination than they had done in a subdued first half.
United had a chance on the break when Stevens played in Brewster but he snatched at his chance and blazed it over on the angle. Robinson was then well forward and it looked a corner after his cross shot was blocked after good work down the left from the Blades.
The game was coming up to the hour mark and after good work from the back where United beautifully played it out with one touch football and suddenly Ndiaye was in and drew two men before feeding Sharp who found Brewster but with Bogle over, the striker opted to take a shot but curled a woeful effort miles over.
Preston won a free kick after a poor tackle from Hourihane saw the Irish midfielder booked but the free kick was cleared and then a dreadful effort a long way over the bar did not come close.
The next spell saw little of note happen but then a clipped ball from Bogle after Basham did well to get forward, saw Brewster get in on the angle but his finish was once again poor and the wrong side of the post.
Preston made their final change when Evans came on for Barkhuizen as the home side looked for a lift from somewhere. Johnson was constantly complaining and lucky not to get booked after Evans was penalised on half way after a series of physical challenges both ways.
Preston had two opportunities when Evans shot was saved and then Riis had a better effort which Foderingham palmed out. Preston were enjoying a better spell.
Brewster came off for McGoldrick with 20 minutes to play. The young striker will have been disappointed not to score but was involved in the first goal.
Preston scored almost immediately after this change with some dreadful defending on show yet again. The ball came down the left was not dealt with and as it came in from Johnson, BROWNE had acres of space to steer it into the net with ease.
United tried to steady things down and won a corner but this came to nothing before Evans then put in a crude challenge on Bogle that led to a free kick which Hourihane fired in but it was blocked. The game was fairly even despite the Blades having an extra man and it seemed the next goal could go either way as United did not have the control they maybe had when it was eleven v eleven.
The final 10 minutes of play saw Bogle booked for tangling with Cunningham, perhaps a touch of dissent too. Stevens and Ndiaye came off for Norrington Davies and Berge as United tried to get some level of control but had never really had this in the 2nd half despite a man advantage. Sharp was caught offside and then Preston got down the side and had a cross shot that Foderingham clawed the ball away as United now seemed to be a bit desperate.
On 89 minutes, Preston got the leveller. McGoldrick gave it away and Preston broke down the left and the cross came in with no pressure, Riis was able to convert at the back post with nobody marking him at all. The ease with which ten men broke through to score was frightening and summed up how mentally weak this Blades side are.
United won a corner in the 5 minutes of additional time and Hourihane had one effort blocked but the game ended with Preston winning a corner of their own and ended up on the attack. The game was brought to an end with a point for either side in a desperately disappointing 2nd half fade out from United again whose fitness and mentality has to be questioned. The side seems unable to show the ruthlessness and professionalism to finish games off and now sit mired beneath mid table with a playoff push some distance from materialising seemingly.
United – It did not surprise me we threw it away. That is how it is with United and this group. We have seen them throw things away and fade away time and time again. However, even I thought at 2-0 and v 10 men, we would see it out. We had chances to make it 3-0 and even 4-0 but missed them and then they had a go at us and we folded. They had chances before they scored but as soon as they scored, you knew what would happen. Another 5 minutes and I think we would have lost. This group is so weak mentally and maybe physically. Against 10 men, you move the ball about, make the other team work and keep possession. You use that man to your advantage. Preston worked their socks off, competed and had men over at times (v 10 men!). They came through us and could have scored more than they did actually with Foderingham making several saves. When the first goes in after a poor sub, we then make two more bad subs and we end up constantly giving it away and then fail to stop crosses or mark men. Lack of desire, lack of intelligence and will to win.
Preston deserved a draw, like Derby deserved the three points Saturday as these teams are working hard and showing that they can go to the end. Our fitness and ability to win races/tackles when it matters is badly lacking. Tonight, showed for me why if we could you would move on the bulk of this squad. They are losers and that is sad to say after a great run where they were previously winners. I am not throwing them under the bus after one bad 2nd half but more 2 seasons of this (yes, I know we picked up recently). Tonight, symbolically for me, if of course not statistically puts paid to any chances of us getting the top 6 – we have proven we are a long way short of that and to think two very ordinary to poor sides have run us off the pitch – one with ten men sums up how little these players want or believe they can win games or anywhere near enough to move up the league and seriously compete.
After a bad start and we could have been behind with the Sinclair chance we improved and scored and then controlled things most of the first half with the midfield playing well and then got a second (felt ref was a bit harsh with the red on their lad so we even had the decisions) but then 2nd half after a few chances which Brewster should have taken, we regressed, sat back and were sloppy on and off the ball. They started to come through us and you had no idea who had the man advantage. They ended up just coming at us and Foderingham made some saves and then when they scored, we sat back further and further. We took off Ndiaye who at least would get us up the pitch and had slow players in midfield and attack and give away after give away saw a final one punished as Evans got down the side and crosses and we did not mark again. We seem unable to stop basic goals and have done all season. It was shambolic play all around. The players may hit the deck and hold their heads on full time but it is too late. You need to do the little things and be professional to see out a comfortable three points. The fact we failed to do that and let in another late goal just shows why the club should be planning without most of these serial bottlers but sadly the lack of infrastructure behind the scenes and no evidence of any plan means we seem to be just limping along and reacting and making short term decisions or moves with no clear strategy at all. I worry the main concern will be losing funds with high earners we cannot shift and sadly the ones you may keep for a year (Sharp, McGoldrick, Basham) you may have to sacrifice in favour of Burke, Brewster, McBurnie, Stevens, Baldock, Egan etc.
Ratings:
Foderingham 7.5/10 – Started game with one dodgy kick out but then made a smart save at his near post and one vital one on one as Sinclair ran forward. This was a vital moment. After this he came off his line when Robinson nearly made a mess of things. Made a great save from the Whiteman header second half but then a moment where he overplayed on a back pass on the hour. However, he made two other smart low saves and then had little chance on the goals with no protection at all.
Bogle 5.5/10 – Started game well forward and had a few runs down that side but then showed his defensive weakness as he let in his man for that early chance. He then sliced one out but he was always in the action and the goal he did really well to keep it down – hitting it hard and low. He is a decent finisher for a defender. After this seemed to join in a lot with Basham and we exploited gaps down this side. The goal they scored came down that side and he was nowhere to be seen as the ball came in. He does not go with runners or stop the cross so the good stuff he does the other way is almost negated.
Stevens 4/10 – Just looks still really out of sorts. Not sure Norrington Davies has done enough really but then whenever Stevens comes back, you start thinking should we play him again and vice versa! Sums it up! Slow and jittery and like his legs won’t move at times quick enough to do things. He let Sinclair in with a bad touch and they nearly scored and then twice they got down this side near half time. He had a few better moments second half with some neat balls in attacks but then started giving it away or making poor decisions again. He came off injured near the end.
Basham 5.5/10 – Very well forward and looked a constant threat linking up even if his final bit was never really there or he came back but always carrying the right. Some odd moments too where he went round in circles or overplayed but he never hides and is always an outlet. I felt he lost his position a few times too. Second half I was not sure if he knew whether he should go forward or defend and ended up caught doing neither. How we ended up 3 v 3 at times I do not know?
Robinson 4/10 – A few long throws early but then he started to have a few dodgy touches/moments that nearly let them in. He never looks confident and one back pass was particularly poor. He did then have some more sensible pieces of play and was well forward for a chance 2nd half with a cross/shot. Then he started to just become sloppy 2nd half and go chasing the ball and defensively we lacked shape and nobody was closing the ball down or going with runners from deep. He is one that needs moving out of the side. He was not appalling but erratic in most things he does even when a simple pass seems easy to execute.
Egan 5.5/10 – One header at the keeper but then after a few moments where they seemed to go right through the middle, he was involved in the opening goal with a strong and powerful header. After this he and the defence settled down the rest of the half and were solid enough. Second half they did start to have chances to say they had 10 men and Foderingham had to make a few saves from a header/shot and the goal we literally were not marking, although a midfielder who scored. I felt as the game went on, they got pulled apart and Riis he surely should be much tighter to when he scored. He and 4 or 5 others were stood marking space.
Norwood 6/10 – Thought he was very good for long spells as we controlled the game. Some clever moments from corners involving him and Hourihane. Granted not every pass came off but for a long time the midfield got on it and just moved it about, nice and sensibly. I felt after the first 10 minutes we seemed to dominate in here for much of the game. He was more a 7.5 for long spells but then as the game went on, we started to have little control and it became a bit of a basketball game. There are no way teams should run through so easily especially with a man less. Towards the end he looked weary and we lacked any kind of protection for the defence.
Hourihane 6/10 – As above. Some nice range and type of passing. We got it and moved it on and it was not always backways, sideways but often even if he did go those ways, he did it quicker. He played an intelligent game and took some novel corners and some worked. I thought him and Norwood were good for the first half but the longer the game went on, the more fatigued they both looked and we had less and less control and it all became a bit snatchy. He was nowhere to be seen as Johnson and Browne started to make runs into the box and then at the end another giveaway but at least he got back to make the tackle.
Ndiaye 6.5/10 – He flitted in and out of things. Some good moments where he showed his strength and running power but sometimes, he lost it in tight areas and other times did well. Some decent runs though and had one effort when he ran through after he was fouled. Second half then had a decent shot too. I do feel when he gets it, he carries it on and makes things happen and gets us up the field. Yes, it does not always work but shows lovely control and can dribble. When he went off, we had no outlet at all and we had no pace/mobility.
Sharp 5/10 – Felt he was not in the game much at all and outside his penalty, he did very little and Brewster’s movement and contribution was better even if he missed chances. Caught offside and often he just went down blind alleys. Should have come off for me instead of Brewster who had missed chances but at least was pulling the defenders about. Had two really underwhelming games.
Brewster 6/10 – He did win the penalty and was a good run and to be fair he was involved a lot in things but debatable how many things came off or worked outside of this big moment. Certainly, did not hide at all but a lot of other things did not come off but he did get into some good positions and some nice interchange at times. He seemed to fall over a lot and some awful finishes despite him getting in good positions – one miles over and one pulled wide when he should have scored. He gave it away a fair bit too when he had the ball though but at least came looking for it..
Subs –
McGoldrick – Awful. Ball came off him or he was too slow to react. Constantly giving it away or taking too long to do things. Other than winning one free kick not sure he did much right and then on the leveller he gave it away needlessly.
Berge – Played 10 minutes and barely broke out of a jog. Their eyes lit up as they knew they had another player who was not going to tackle or press and everything we did not need. He did not keep it when he had it and other than one run, he had down the left, just looked like he was going through the motions.
Norrington Davies – One job to keep tight to his man and stop the cross. Twice he failed to do that and on the second a combination of him and Robinson got ran past and the ball came in easy for the goal. He would play if he was any good as Stevens is playing terrible, still, but this lad looks no better. Sad state of affairs.
Manager : Heckingbottom 4/10 – First half did ok after a sloppy start and controlled things. Half time not sure what he said Saturday via McCall and Lester or today but we have got worse each game and as the game goes on look tired, sloppy and almost waiting for the inevitable. Lack ruthlessness and the ability to go on and see teams off. His subs have been poor and really not helped. All 3 today seemed to make us weaker in terms of not keeping the ball and getting up the field – McGoldrick and Berge are too slow and unathletic so teams can pick them off and run off them. His post match he seemed very angry but it’s too late now. He had half time surely to get them to move the ball around and move them around/tiring them out. We just gave it away and no idea what the plan was but it was a mess.
Preston – Before today they were right where we were. Like us had a stuttering season and of course changed their manager recently bringing in Ryan Lowe. They had picked up after a poor start but albeit safe from relegation, like us they look a fair way from a top 6 side even with games in hand. Have a much smaller squad than us but some talent in the likes of Browne and Johnson in midfield but lack quality although the lad Riis has done well as he has shown against us. They have two former Blades in Evans who rarely scores but seems to work hard judging by the fans opinion and Whiteman who seems one of their better players and has done well since he left the Lane.
I am not sure I see them doing much more than where they are. I feel we could have a better claim on moving up and a playoff place but then it’s such an odd division where everyone is much of a muchness really. They are a club that without investment will struggle to be much more than a fringe playoff contender at best and with the crowds/infrastructure, it will always be that way sadly for their fans. They seem well run but also always have to sell a player every few years to keep the finances ticking over. They have changed managers a few times but this probably proves each person in charge has probably got the best he can out of this group really.
Today they began ok but then we dominated for a long spell. The red card of course hindered them numerically but they almost seemed energised by this and had a right go and our set of spineless losers just finally caved in. To be fair they made our keeper have a lot more to do than their 2nd half and, in the end, got a late point. They should never have been close to us but as they saw at the Lane, put the ball in our box and we will not defend properly and they can always get chances.
Opponent Man of the Match – Riis has done well twice against us and is a powerful player. I thought Sinclair was good despite the miss with his running and I always like Johnson. Browne is another energetic player who gets stuck in. We did control midfield ironically until their lads came on strong the last half hour. Evans did well to offer some aggression and set up the goal.
Opponent Weak link – Hughes. Seems obvious but a pull back and red card makes this award easy although Iversen did not look convincing in goal.
Referee/Officials – David Webb. I was not sure on the penalty at the time as we had no replays but apparently, he was pulled back and if that is the case then technically the red card is right. It did seem a bit soft to me and I think a yellow would not have been argued. The official FA rules state: 'Where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offending player is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball; in all other circumstances (e.g., holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc.) the offending player must be sent off.' The rest of the game not much really of note. A poor tackle from Hourihane for a yellow and then one for each side, Bogle and Cunningham for dissent.
