Post by deadbat on Jan 22, 2022 22:26:22 GMT
Podcast links and then report below….
soundcloud.com/tufty-club/tufty-club-reaction-21-22-luton-home
open.spotify.com/episode/2tdySfNkq89lRmfsXRGj2M
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/id1508158343?i=1000548687010
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United got back to winning ways after a resounding and commanding 2nd half saw goals from Brewster and Robinson see off Luton 2-0. After a quiet first half, United stepped on the gas and in the end, could have won by a lot more than they did. In the end, unlike Tuesday, the Blades negotiated a two-goal lead and yet again a man advantage, after Reece Burke was sent off, relatively easily.
After the disappointment of the throwaway at Deepdale, United made one change as Rhys Norrington Davies replaced the injured Enda Stevens. There were a few returning faces in the bench with Baldock, Fleck and McBurnie appearing alongside McGoldrick and Berge, in a stronger set of alternatives seemingly.
The game started with Luton in a natty deckchair style shirt attacking the Kop and they utilised their own long throw experience with Kioso hurling a few into Foderingham's box.
United were slow to get going but did come out with the ball after Norwood tackle. On the 7th minute, the first effort for either side came when the Blades moved it down the right and Bogle angled a ball in but it was not really a shot or a cross and comfortable for Shea. Robinson showed his long throw off early too but two attempts were cleared.
United then had a chance on the left side in open play to get a ball in but Norrington Davies hit the first man. United's front two were slow to react and seeing little of the ball.
Brewster was behind his man twice but did then get on it after the best bit of football United had produced but his shot was weak and straight at the Luton goalkeeper. However, on 17 minutes he had a enter effort as he turned sharply and hit a fierce shot that flashed just wide with the keeper more concerned this time.
Ndiaye was often the outlet in a game that had lacked cohesion or fluidity and he had a few moments where he carried the ball including one that saw him try and find Sharp but the skipper could not control it.
There had been a number of times where after free kicks won for United, Luton were kicking the ball away constantly but were not penalised. The game became stop start due to this and the fact both teams were giving the ball away under little pressure constantly.
Norwood had been good on and off the ball, getting stuck in to win loose stuff and trying to move it forward when he could but his lack of pace was evidenced on run.
Hourihane by contrast saw his passing being over hit constantly from set and open play.
The next passage saw a really poor spell of play from both teams with little occurring of note between the 20–30-minute mark and both teams continued to be careless with the ball.
Norrington Davies shoved his man over the hoardings petulantly as the ball was eased out as Luton started to come into things after United had shaded a game of few chances.
Hourihane ‘noshed’ a challenge and lost the ball and this led to the first chance for Luton on the half hour. A cross came in from right and Jerome guided it towards the near post but Foderingham made a low save. It was the most dangerous effort on target all game bit still a routine save.
The Blades strikers were day dreaming on half way and this saw Luton steal in. Robinson similarly was slow to react and this led to a corner. United cleared it and broke with pace finally.
Good work from Basham and Ndiaye led to a chance but Norrington Davies' cross hit the first man again. Egan then just booted it out under no pressure and the crowd started to get a bit frustrated.
Hourihane lost the ball again leading to a silly free kick being given away 30byards from goal and as the dangerous delivery was whipped in, it was headed home unchallenged from Bradley with Foderingham rooted to the spot but the offside flag spared United blushes.
United had been quiet as an attacking force but Sharp did well initially down the right but took too many touches and his cross was poor, leading to a corner. After the corner dropped to the edge of the box, Bogle's effort was a wild miskick but Ndiaye worked space and had a shot blocked for a corner as United had a spell of pressure but Brewster could not get any power on a header as the ball looped around.
The final few minutes of the half saw United struggle to get any momentum but Luton were equally lacking in ideas as the half came to an end.
It was not long after half time, that the deadlock was broken. The cross came in but Bogle hit an angled shot that he might but it fell for BREWSTER who controlled and smashed it home under Shea with the power too much for the keeper to react. It was his first goal at the Kop end.
Only 3 minutes later and the lead was doubled. Norwood whipped over a free kick and ROBINSON unmarked headed home for his first United goal. Luton were stunned after coping relatively easily with United in the first half.
Luton were getting frustrated and after not being awarded a free kick on halfway surrounded the referee. Adebayo came on for Jerome but United continued to attack and from a corner Ndiaye's quick feet led to a chance on the angle for Brewster who hit a volley at Shea. Brewster then went down in the box but the referee pointed for a goal kick rather than a penalty.
Bogle won a corner after United broke when Luton played on with their own man down but coughed up possession. The ball was cleared but Ndiaye's shot was blocked but sat up for Brewster whose skewed volley went over the angle of bar and post with Luton looking desperately at the assistant for a flag that did not come.
Bell was replaced by Clarke on the hour as the Hatters made their second change.
The ball over the top from Norwood saw Brewster through and as in the week, the defender Burke got wrong side and hauled him down with a cynical foul. It was an easy decision to give the foul and the red card with Brewster showing his movement and pace that can get defenders running towards their own goal.
Osho came on for Muskwe as the visitors had to make their final change in reshaping with ten men.
United were faced with the prospect of facing ten men again and leading 2-0 again and will hope this contest finished with a more favourable outcome. The Blades won another corner but as it dropped on the edge of the box, Norrington Davies blazed over with his unfamiliar right foot. Hourihane then smashed over as the shots continued to reign in on the Luton goal.
Bogle got down the right but his pull back was cleared before Brewster gave way to a mixture of cheers and boos for his contribution and the change which seemed odd on the surface unless his minutes are being managed after his hamstring injury. Berge came on with Ndiaye going further forward.
Bogle was well forward again and after his looping cross Norrington Davies tried an outrageous flick but it did not replicate Joshua Sargent's goal for Norwich last night.
The game tucked into the final 20 minutes and United seemed in complete control of the game and the possession, a far cry from the panic-stricken efforts of Tuesday evening.
However, a Norwood foul saw Lansbury knock a free kick in but it wasteful and straight down the throat of Foderingham. He then had to field an ambitious chipped effort but United were still looking the more likely to score again.
Ndiaye's clever step over worked space but his shot lacked power and was comfortable for Shea.
Some fans in the 27,780 opted to put on phone torches leading to a chant of 'That is embarrassing!' from the Luton fans.
The game entered the final 10 minutes and Ndiaye's strength and skill was shown again. Basham's cross was not cleared properly and Norrington Davies hit a shot that deflected over before the same man snuffed out a break at the other end leading to a chance for Sharp but he pulled his shot into the side netting.
Ndiaye's industrious game came to an end when he was replaced by McGoldrick. Berge got in a good area but Norrington Davies made a complete hash of his effort slicing over.
The Luton keeper had struggled all game with his kicking and yet another appalling kick out gave United the ball back. McBurnie then replaced Sharp with 5 minutes to play as Luton's ten men looked a dispirited bunch.
McBurnie's mis kick from a cross from the left was the next effort wasted in a game with better care could have won by considerably more. Berge and then Bogle nearly forced another chance as the ball got stuck in a melee before a corner saw Robinson head back across but it did not fall. It was wave after wave of attack but the next chance saw Berge get in but the ball was hacked clear.
There was three minutes of stoppage time to be played but Luton had been well beaten long before this. Bogle's neat skill saw him produce a cross that had too much on it. The final whistle came soon after in what after a drab first half had ended up being a comfortable win after a powerful second half where every player stepped up considerably.
United – As comfortable a win as will have all season. After a nothing first half we were excellent second half, scored two goals, reduced them to ten men through good play and then really could have scored 6 or 7 goals. 2-0 flattered them hugely really and the game was done pretty much after the red card really but even before that we had been in complete control to begin the second half. After a drab first half where only really Ndiaye, Norwood and Bogle for flashes looked like creating, I was concerned we just looked lacking in energy and out of idea. It was too slow and safe. We got it wide but the final ball was poor and the strikers not moving enough. They did little to threaten us apart from the offside goal and Jerome’s shot at the near post but we had offered just as little save a Bogle shot and then maybe the Brewster driven shots at the keeper and then a better one just wide. We needed a spark but we got it second half early and the goal settled us down. Make no mistake we dominated long before the red card.
The whole team, collectively and individually stepped up massively. We had so many attacks and the stats say it all, 65% possession advantage and 25 shots to 4 (although not many of our 25 were on target – 7!) and 8 corners to 1. We completely dominated and the second half both 11 v 11 and 11 v 10, it was one way stuff with United camped in their half and only bad finishing or lack of clinical play in the final pass or moment stopping it being a 5 or 6-0 it really should have been. Our build up was excellent but our lack of composure was not and we barely tested the keeper despite getting deep into their box both centrally and out wide so much. Still, we scored two quick fire goals, had other chances and then got them down to 10 men. After this we cantered to the win. We moved it around and did everything we did not in the week and the result was never in doubt.
So many players really stepped up after the break and good to see better options off the bench too. It was a good afternoon’s work after two bad games on the road that left fans wondering if our season might peter out. We are still a long way off the top 6 but also, we do have games in hand. We need to make sure we get on a good run and keep slowly moving up. I’d like another midfielder (dirty so and so) and also a solid and commanding centre back if we could, as well as a back up keeper of course but whether the board give us funds or it more around getting players out (seen a few depart including Slater today too).
Ratings:
Foderingham 6.5/10 – Relatively quiet game. Did not have much to do at all. Used his feet and came away from a few strikers to create an angle for a pass. One expected save from Jerome and then he had nothing to do. Took some through balls and one cross and dealt with a chip but by and large a virtual spectator second half. Might have been his least busy game of the season.
Bogle 8/10 – Had our first attacking effort early on as he was well advanced although his cross shot lacked power. Always looking to get down that side and one of our better attacking threats in a game that lacked quality or moments of excitement. He gave away a daft foul that could have seen us trail (offside) but defensively not tested as much. Second half he was fantastic and like an extra forward. He was deep in the Luton half throughout and was always on the ball and working chances or running at defenders. Some tricks and flicks and lovely control where he came out of some almost impossibly tight situations. Lots of chances came from his running/dribbling and link up. The main knock is his final part where he got crowded out or the shot/cross did not quite have the desired affect but he was a real nuisance all second half and some exciting moments no doubt.
Norrington Davies 6.5/10 – First half he was not great. He did get involved and was well forward but his final ball was lacking or he got crowded out. Needed to show much more quality and also going the other way he lost his man or was not in the right position being either too high up or too far across. He looked frustrated as the Luton fans gave him the bird for his choice to leave them mid loan for Stoke last season. Second half a different story. Almost playing as a left winger – he was so far forward and got into some great areas. His link up was more secure and he put some decent passes/balls in. He did snatch and panic at 2 or 3 great chances and ended up using his right foot on a couple and the efforts were pretty woeful. A better 2nd half showing though definitely after his first half was sub-standard.
Basham 7/10 – Thought he got well forward all game and was always looking to link and get into good areas. A few good balls out too. He did not always pick the right option when he had it, which is often the issue as he does not carry on the run and kind of stops but his energy is to be applauded. Love his attitude to the game and we are so much better now he is back playing. Second half he was well forward again and linked with the likes of Bogle and Ndiaye and latterly Berge. Not troubled defensively at all.
Robinson 7.5/10 – Thought it was one his best performances for the club. To be fair to him he alluded to his recent mistakes and poor individual displays and knew he had to do better. Today he did. A few errant touches early on he got better and better. He moved it on when he could and was first to the balls forward. Second half he then became a real threat going forward in open play and set plays. Scored a well taken header and nearly had another later on. Credit to him as be easy to go under but did play well today. He is not the answer short or long term but he at least put in a showing today and gave us another source of goals after we relied on strikers’ way too much.
Egan 6.5/10 – Solid enough performance but one of the easier games he will have this season. The headed offside goal was poor in that no one attacked it in the centre but not sure they had many other attacks of note. He maybe was not close enough to Jerome on the first half chance. Also took too long to move it on and a few aimless punts. Better second half but not sure they troubled us much and was a solid defensive performance for the Blades.
Norwood 7.5/10 – Had a really good game today and carried on his better performances in the recent spell – granted he faded in the week. He was our most progressive passer all game and also got stuck in more than he normally does. Not everything worked but he also put some good balls in and of course the free kick for the second goal and the ball for the Brewster run and subsequent red card. He was pretty decent to good today and helped us completely control possession most of the game and even before the red card we had been dominating 2nd half. ‘’
Hourihane 6/10 – One of our weaker players throughout even if he did improve after the break. First half felt his passing was poor often short or overhit and he also ‘neshed’ or did not win 50-50 challenges, which sadly we saw in the week too and at Derby. He is frustrating as kind of jogs about and I feel does not always do enough. He did put a few decent passes in and 2nd half was better and more accurate with everything he did and took some much better corners but I felt Norwood was the far more influential player. We do seem to do better with these two than we do with Berge in the middle though.
Ndiaye 7.5/10 – Really enjoy watching him play. A lovely footballer who is strong for his size, fleet footed, skilled and has great control. Also, he works hard for the team too. He does not always make right decisions but that will come and love his positivity.
I thought first half he was the best forward and one most likely to make things happen. He kept trying to work space for a shot or a pass. 2nd half others took more responsibility but he still had good moments with some nice runs and bits of combination play. One step over and shot and a few others blocked or just did not fall. Went up top for a bit and then came off for McGoldrick. Another really promising performance that has you both excited and worried – as he looks like a player that can be a very good player at this level or higher but the rub being that it may not be with us if he carries on the journey we have seen so far, in a short professional career so far.
Brewster 8/10 – First half I was disappointed with both strikers as we did not have an outlet and they did not get in front of their men to hold it up. Just felt we did have an option to hit or play crosses into but he did then have one weak shot and one excellent effort which flashed just wide. I just thought he could do more and 2nd half he completely upped his game. Scored a poachers finish similar to the one v Bristol City and then he seemed to suddenly come alive. Made some great runs, linked well and always looked a threat. He seemed to gain pace too oddly. First half he got out run by one of the big centre backs but then he was accelerating away from a number of defenders. The red card he powered through and was an easy decision. He started to get in good positions and was always around the action. Some fans booed but he came off surely as they want to play it safe due to his hamstring issues fairly recently? Last period of games prior and post Xmas in between his injury we have started to see flashes of what we had hoped we had fought. Still a way to go but a much more positive feeling about him.
Sharp 6.5/10 – He worked hard for the team but general play felt things did not really come off although he kept plugging away. First half felt him and Brewster hid a bit and we did not have an option and twice he mis-controlled balls through but then wriggled through down the side but his cross was poor. He did keep going and ran the channels and won us some loose balls but cannot recall many chances falling for him with only one shot into the side netting which he should have done better with.
Subs –
Berge – Better than the last two performances in that he kept it better and also was involved in some attacking moments with a few crosses or runs into the box. Still wanted him to drive more and get them turned and it was all quite conservative but I suppose at 2-0 it was about managing the game and he helped us do this.
McGoldrick – Not that involved after he came on. A few passes/link up but he was relatively quiet with the game up.
McBurnie – Actually more involved than the above in less time. He was able to get stuck in and put himself about but did slice one shot before having another blocked. Needs to be available/fit and around now, with no excuses so he gives us another option as Sharp/McGoldrick cannot be expected to play Sat-Tues every week.
Manager: Heckingbottom 7.5/10 – After a quiet-ish first half where we shaded things but created little and were a bit flat, his team talk had the desired affect today after having the opposite affect on Tuesday. We came out fired up and got into the, swarming all over Luton and it was wave after wave after attack and relentless. The whole side looked more determined and suggested he had maybe said a few words of erm…. encouragement. The subs were ok today even though 2/3 players were the ones that unsettled us in the week, as I felt the game was in complete control. I think he needed to ensure he protected Brewster a bit after his recent injury. Bit surprised some fans booed and felt they would have understood more why he managed him carefully. Wonder what was on the note that Hecky to McCall to Bogle and then onto Norrington Davies? Seemed a good read as he stuffed it down his sock for later!
Overall though it was a really good 2nd half performance and we also have a stronger bench now and can try and hopefully get on a run.
Luton – Dreadful and one of the worst sides to come down here. Not sure I have seen a good team at the Lane but then that includes us in a poor division full of parity. They have been on a great run and won a number of games against some good sides recently but maybe with a small squad and more games than us being played, today was one game too many and we maybe caught them at a good time. They seemed quite timid even first half which was odd after the let down from us in the week and their recent excellent run which has seen them rise up the league. If they had scored first then the crowd would have become a bit poisonous maybe? They missed a trick by sitting back and not really engaging. I thought they did little of note attacking wise first half and maybe even less second half but will say they also restricted us to little and maybe if the header is not offside, they go on and might even win?
They never got going 2nd half and got blitzed with two quick goals and then they could not hold us back and we could have scored more before and after the red card. They were struggling with our formation and overloads and as I say 11 v 11 was as bad! It seems for the first time for a long time, a side could not cope with how we played and like the old days – which is odd when the chap Blades Analytic works for them and would know exactly how we play! If United had been more clinical it could have been a hammering. They offered nothing and were sloppy all game with passing and created zilch at the top of the field and were constantly tossing away possession. Maybe just one of those days but credit to United too. By the end they were well beaten and looked like they wanted the final whistle long before it came.
Nathan Jones does a good job there and credit to them as if you look at their budget, resources and infrastructure they are miles behind the likes of us and most other sides. They need the move to the ground to help them in many ways off the field even though Kenilworth Road gives them a unique home advantage on the pitch. They will be miles off being a dog fight but the same at the other end I feel. They will surprise a few and Jones gets the best out of what he has, which is some good young players, developed lower league talents and a few experienced lads like Lansbury and Jerome too.
Opponent Man of the Match – Not sure anyone really shined at all. Even Naismith who has been shining struggled. The lad Kioso who took the long throws at least showed some drive on a few runs down that side.
Opponent Weak link – The whole team! Easy to say Burke for the red card but the keeper looked dodgy too and his kick outs were awful – he could not stand up! No-one had a particularly great game. I think the midfield got completely overrun.
Referee/Officials – Steve Martin. Not the 80’s film star! An odd quirk in that he did not book a single player but sent one off. An easy a red card decision to make as you will see really. A classic last man professional foul. The rest of the game Luton got a bit annoyed with a few decisions but really the ref did not affect the game at all and he was fine. Wish he had clamped down on both teams kicking the ball away early on which made a poor game even worse – it did improve of course. The assistant on the South Stand was another who seemingly did not want to make a decision. We have had a few of these!
Matchday/Crowd – Luton fans mocked the Blades for no noise and it was deathly quiet. Maybe it was the long break and we were out of practice or it is hard to get up for Luton but it has been like that a lot this season. We almost need an incident or a moment to get the fans going. I did think the smattering of boos at half time were a bit harsh even though it was flat. Second half of course the decibel level went up and the crowd were much more engaged and appreciative of the flurries of attacks and industry United showed and have a good hand to lads going off both to be subbed and the whole side at the end recognising a much better effort after the break.
Nearly 28,000 is an excellent crowd and Luton brought maybe 1,500 and were very supportive, singing a lot although the chants were just aimed at United seemingly and the usual dull repetitive rubbish about libraries. Fair play to them for the one about the phone lights, ‘That is embarrassing!’ I agreed and unless there is a reason (charity or a tribute – apologise if that was the case) then I hate that nonsense. Leave it for that lot across the city.
We had the one and only time we may have to show a covid case (unless things change dramatically) and the young female steward seemed disinterested as I actively sought her out to show my proof on my phone. She seemed to enjoy seeing my picture of Reggie (my dog) as I realised, I had not scrolled to the right screenshot. When I went in at 2.20pm, no one seemed to be bothered and the checks were not thorough but can understand it, if this is being scrapped in a week or so.
