Post by deadbat on Jan 29, 2022 21:28:09 GMT
Podcast links and then report below….
soundcloud.com/tufty-club/tufty-club-reaction-21-22-peterborough-away
open.spotify.com/episode/1KGaW0JY6J1AerezhssHjP
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/tufty-club-reaction-21-22-peterborough-away/id1508158343?i=1000549389152
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The Blades made it back-to-back wins after they professionally saw off struggling Peterborough at London Road in the Saturday night TV game in the Championship. United move up to 11th and with games in hand will still feel they have a chance of moving into the playoff places if they can continue their form under Paul Heckingbottom. Tonight, they dominated the game from almost start to finish and finally got the goals their domination and pressure deserved through Sharp and a Morton own goal. 2-0 probably flattered Peterborough although they did have a great chance in the first half when Foderingham saved from Johnson Clarke Harris in a rare break after United had controlled the first half. In the second half the home side barely mounted an attack let alone an effort on goal
Manager Heckingbottom opted to start an unchanged side from the win last week and certainly this consistency of selection has been a rarity this season for United. New keeper signing Adam Davies replaced Jake Eastwood on the bench. Peterborough made four changes after they had squandered a two-goal lead in the week at St Andrews. Jeando Fuchs made his debut after signing from Dundee United whilst Marriott and Clarke Harris led the line for the home team who could escape the bottom three with a victory.
The game started with the Blades instantly on the attack and won two corners inside the first minute and two excellent deliveries from Norwood and Hourihane caused all sort of problems. The second saw Robinson head back but Egan could not divert goalward.
Poko’s cross was held by Foderingham in the home side’s first attack but Brewster’s pace was evident from the off as got away from his man with quick feet that followed the burst but Sharp could not get on the cross and Ndiaye was blocked by Benda at close range.
United dominated the ball and a good move saw Sharp well placed but went the wrong way and the attack seemed to have lost momentum before Norwood flashed another super ball that just evaded the Blades skipper.
The Blades were in complete control of the game and dictating things and some incisive stuff from them saw them almost camped in the Posh half. Brewster was looking a real threat but Peterborough made two good blocks to deny him and Sharp.
Basham’s miscontrol gave United warning they may not have it all their own way but Norwood cleared up but the next passage was all Blades and Brewster then got down the right and put a dangerous ball in but Sharp was not able to react. Sadly, in the build-up Brewster seemed to pull up and it was a concern after his recent hamstring issues to see him holding the back of his leg. He could not continue and this was a real blow after his energetic start.
McGoldrick came on and his first piece of the action saw him come inside with nice skill but his attempted bender bent too far away from Benda in the Posh goal. United had been dominating but failed to get any effort son target until the 25th minute when Bogle was adjudged to have beaten the offside trap and with little support blasted a shot across goal which Benda did well to push away with strong palms.
After this United had another effort when Hourihane flashed a shot that deflected wide for a corner and McGoldrick could only head down into the ground.
Fuchs effort was a rare moment from the home side but Foderingham held it comfortably before Norwood blasted well over learning back.
Bogle had started to become more involved and a flurry of chances came United’s way and all came from the right wing back. He got down the right onto Sharp’s ball and had a shot blocked from Knight and the corner was headed wide from Egan.
Bogle then showed superb trickery to beat his defender and his left foot shot was spilt by Benda but Ndiaye could not make his mind up quick enough and the chance went. Bogle though was back in the action and he split two defenders on the next attack but drove his shot across wide.
United had to make their domination pay but continued to lack ruthlessness in key moments. Another great corner, this time from Norwood saw Egan completely unmarked but again got way too much on his header and it was a golden chance missed. United were nearly made to pay when the excellent Norwood lost his challenge this time and the delightful ball inside Basham saw Clarke Harris onside but as he tried to dink it past Fotheringham, the stopper put out an instinctive hand and it was a superb save. For all the Blades domination, possession and good moments, this was undoubtedly the best chance of the game for either side.
Basham was well forward on the next attack but after Hourihane lobbed it up for himself, his effort was a long way off target. This was the final effort of the first half came in a game that United had controlled but not had the moments of quality needed in the final third and indeed Posh had ended the half with the best chance of the game.
The second half started with United winning an early corner as they did to begin the game but it was cleared before Norwood was maybe fortunate not to be booked after the second of two fouls. The game had begun more even but on 54 minutes, United took the lead. It was played down the left and Hourihane clipped it to Norwood whose ball was not the best but Thompson made a mess of his touch and SHARP steered it into the corner expertly giving Benda no chance as it went right into the corner. In scoring he became the most prolific scorer in the Championship. A flare was cleared off the field as the Blades fans celebrated.
The game ticked over the hour mark and the Blades had dominated possession with 75% of the ball. From a Robinson corner, the ball was sandwiched between Ndiaye and a defender and as it fell for Norwood, the ferocious drive was flicked wide from Kent and behind for a corner as the home fans held their breath. The corner saw Marriot break but Ndiaye got back well to hold it up.
Thompson’s run forward was held up by Hourihane who was booked for his cynical foul but the free kick came to nothing as the home side struggled to build any kind of momentum. Morton and Ward came on for Marriot and Tomlinson.
Ndiaye seemed to overstretch on a run forward and he could not continue, being the second player to go off with a muscle injury seemingly. Fleck came on for him on 70 minutes.
McGoldrick’s nice touch saw him set himself up for a chance but his shot lacked power as the game seemed to be drifting away from Posh who had created nothing of note in the second half. United had a chance to seal it on 77 minutes as Norwood’s impressive game saw him press and win a tackle and play in Sharp but one on one, the striker took too long and his effort was too close to Benda who saved. McGoldrick’s follow up was tame as he gifted it straight to the keeper.
McBurnie came on for Sharp who gave the Peterborough fans a send off as he left the field and Randall came on for Grant in the final change for the Posh. On 80 minutes, the game was effectively sealed and it came form another superb Norwood corner. Basham met it at the back stick and his header came off the sub MORTON (OG) and deflected past the motionless Benda. Basham celebrated with Robinson, the nearest man to the scorer but it was clearly an own goal.
Robinson’s crunching tackle summed up United’s domination on and off the ball as Peterborough looked a well beaten side and could not mount even an attack of note. McGoldrick then got in a good position but could not find McBurnie on the break. The game tipped over 90 minutes and Norwood and Hourihane continued to play keep ball as the Blades did not come close to giving this away game away. It ended with McGoldrick on the attack but he opted to keep it before referee Whitestone blew for full time and ended a comfortable win for the celebrating 3,000 Blades fans in attendance behind Wes Foderingham’s goal.
United – A game that on paper we should and probably had to win if we had serious hopes of making or getting close to the playoffs. The stop start, win, draw and lost form needs to change and for us to win a lot more than we lose. I saw we started this game down in 14th and it felt a game we simply had to get three points or you could feel it start to become too much of a gap in places and points regardless of the games in hand we have.
We started superbly winning early corner and looking dangerous and completely dominated. We did not create tons but eventually had chances and moments with Brewster to start and then Bogle to end the half. We got in lots of good areas down the right and they were stretched and pinned back almost from the off. It was a good tempo and players were coming onto the ball from the back and midfield meaning we kept getting it back. We looked hungry all over the field and moved it at a decent pace. The only issue was the final bits where the ball was either overplayed or we made the wrong choice. Even when the balls were decent, we did not quite anticipate or took too long. Egan missed one excellent header and Bogle had two efforts but then on the break they had the best chance and Wes made a very good save that was crucial. Brewster going off was a blow as he looked really up for it but Didzy did ok with some good moments mixed with some poor ones.
Second half we scored quite early and managed the game really well and did everything we did not do at Preston in terms of keep the ball, not sitting back too deep and winning the loose things. We kept it nice and simple and did not give it away. We had a double chance to make it safe and then scored from another very well taken corner. Norwood was superb and Hourihane also played quite well alongside him. Bogle was a real threat, especially first half and Sharp as poor as he was a lot of the game took the chance when it came (well the first). I thought Bash and Robinson were very good too and loved the way they got in front of their men to steal the ball and set us on our way.
In the end, it was a relatively easy win and I felt we eased to the win without really getting out of second gear. Peterborough were terrible but we have to take some credit for doing the stuff off the ball as well as controlling possession. Still at times we make the wrong choices when well-placed or in the final third but I do think we completely controlled the game and looked miles better than Posh. We had 20 shots to 3 but only 3 on target but did have 9 corners to 0. Two wins in a row now albeit versus two very bad teams – still yet to see a good side (even Fulham were not great against us) at all in a very average division where any team can go on a run. We have to make sure that team is now us.
Friday is big as we need to go to a ground we never seem to win at (at least in recent times) and deliver another solid performance. A win there and we are up to 9th before Saturday’s game and only three points off the playoffs with West Brom/Huddersfield to come next and games in hands. I really do feel the next four games with Swansea at home to come after that is a chance to really go on and try and get a lot of points and put us right in the mix. We will miss Brewster and of course with Burke and Mousset not being around, you wonder if he may bring Jebbison back now (I would have left him at Burton but his hand may be forced now) with only McBurnie as a back up at the top of the field. Also, there is still some uncertainty over Gibbs White with Wolves letting Traore go.
Ratings:
Foderingham 7/10 – First half one regulation save and then one superb save where he showed on one on one’s (saved a few like this recently – recall one from Sinclair at Preston) and it was even better save when you watch the replay as the ball was almost past him. Really big hand. After this not sure he had anything to do and was a virtual spectator as we controlled the game.
Bogle 8/10 – Started slowly and not really in it and then after 20 minutes came to lift as we attacked at will down this side. One shot at the keeper and then two or three other great bits of skill. He was our main threat and I felt something may happen every time he got it. Had another shot driven wide and everything good first half came from him. Some superb close control and tricks/flicks that give him chances to get behind teams. Second half he was not as involved in the game and maybe we attacked more down the middle and even the left a bit more but he was solid enough and still gave us an outlet.
Norrington Davies 5/10 – To say I am not convinced by him is an understatement. He lacks pace and strength and lacks confidence he can beat a man or create half a yard for a cross. Technically just looks lacking at this level and it comes to something I would rather have Stevens (who has been really poor for some time) or Osborn (may have to be there by default). The difference between him and Bogle is startling. I can cope with that if he is ok defensively position wise or does the basics in control and passing but does not even do that. Like last week he did get better second half but every cross seemed to be just hit in hope or hit the first man. He did at least get involved and I think had a bit of a part in the build up to the goal. He did better defensively and kept to his area more. Felt our weakest player though all game along with Sharp – who at least then scored!
Basham 7.5/10 – Started with a mistake that nearly led them in after we had dominated the first 10 minutes but then as the half went on started to win his battles and come the other way and a threat down the right with some good runs and links with Bogle. Continued to drive forward and make things happen. He was full of energy and even when he lost it, normally it was when he tried to dive in to get it first. He was also involved in the second with the header back.
Robinson 7.5/10 – Steady to start the game. Not sure he did much wrong defensively and one header early on back across goal saw a chance for Egan in the first minute. He was nothing flash and just kept it simple really. I thought he got stronger as the game went on and was nice and composed. He put pressure on the man for the second and then made a crunching tackle. Not the long-term answer but played well last two weeks.
Egan 6.5/10 – Defensively ok to begin with, first to the ball and came onto it well. He missed two terrible headers when he was almost unmarked – both times putting way too much on the ball. The second was a really bad miss. After this he had an easy game from a defensive point of view and was solid. Rarely had to even make a tackle or cover as they barely got it into the last third after the break. Too many times he just kicks it though rather than finding a man.
Norwood 8.5/10 – Outstanding and easily the best player on the field. He ran the game. Great on the ball and worked hard too, winning tackles. He looked a class act. Thought first half he was very good and took some great corners and out some lovely crosses in. He was the heart of all the good things we did. He played it short and long and some lovely passes across the field set us in motion. Continued second half, completely keeping control of the tempo and set up the first inadvertently and then nearly assisted for the Sharp chance. His corner did lead to the second too. His set plays were a danger all game but just an excellent performance. Only black mark was he should/could have been booked for two poor tackles and lost a tackle for the chance they had.
Hourihane 7.5/10 – Like at Preston started the game well and his corners were a real threat. He was decent on the ball and actually pressed and made some tackles too. Thought the midfield completely dominated early on and even though we had a bad spell for 10 minutes maybe around their chance, we regained control after the break. Kept it nice and simple and he also broke thing up although got booked for a cynical foul. Actually, got stronger as the game went on which he has not done and has faded in other games. They looked a class above their midfield with touch, passing and intelligence.
Ndiaye 5/10 – Thought we saw the odd moment but felt the game kind of passed him by and I am not sure he influenced things enough. He tried to come onto it and make things happen but not really his night I felt. Does not hide and also got back to defend a few times. Is worrying he pulls up a fair bit and another who seems like he cannot lack the pace due to conditioning.
Sharp 6/10 – Not in the game first half at all. It kept bouncing off him or he gave it away. Needs to do much more and looked very tired and almost off the pace. Nothing stuck and he was not a factor. Two or three balls he did not anticipate from decent crosses I thought. Then second half came alive and scores a poacher’s goal. After this he had a chance and missed it and went off swearing at their fans as he left! Not sure he did much right apart from the goal but a big moment and a great finish so goes from maybe a 4 to a 6 as it was so vital!
Brewster – Played well and a few pacy runs and bits of skill. Looked up for it and showed good control and was everything Sharp was not in terms of showing for the ball, holding it up and getting in good areas. Two good runs led to half chances. Real shame he went off but best not to take any chances. Just hope it’s not another 4-6 weeks which a hamstring often is and was more precaution before he fully pulled it.
Subs –
McGoldrick 6/10 – Hard to describe his performance really! Bit odd as some lovely bits of control – like when he first came on and then some wayward finishes like that bending finish, the downward header, the fluffed chance after the Sharp chance and then then scuffed shot after great skill. Did hold it up and link at times but also a bit sloppy at others but shows class too to help us get up the field and bring others into play.
Fleck - Steady enough. Not really much on the ball but just bits and pieces really as we had control and saw things out.
McBurnie – Did ok and was a bit of a nuisance on corners and a few bits of hold up and play with Didzy. Think he will play a fair bit now with Sharp not able to play twice a week all the time and Brewster out and maybe Mousset off too.
Manager :
Heckingbottom 7.5/10 – Solid night and a professional performance. We scored two goals, kept a clean sheet and looked in control. We also did not make mistakes like we did at Preston and ended up managing the game after leading very well.
Peterborough –A lot is made of the likes of Fulham and Norwich being too good for the Championship and not good enough for the Premier League. Well, in Posh, Rotherham and maybe Barnsley (although bucked that trend last year) there are three teams that seem to be yo-yoing between tier two and three a fair bit in the last 10-15 years. It figures as they are not huge clubs and do not have owners who can bankroll them to compete with those coming down with parachute payments. Factor in crowds and just overall resources top to bottom and staying up is seen as a success.
I actually felt Posh, back under the command of Darren Ferguson (who does well here but struggles elsewhere) they may buck that trend this year and though the way they attacked teams would leave them short but also yield enough wins. I thought they may stay up but despite some good wins and surprise results, generally it has been a bit of a struggle with a leaky defence and away form in particular a major concern. They looked like they had won in the week and then threw it away – this would have been a huge three points. They are not totally adrift and still have time but you wonder if they have the quality to go on a run, especially as they cannot stop conceding.
They need Dembele and Norburn back and both have been linked with moves away with their contract situation. Tonight, I thought they were awful almost from start to finish. They did not press, tackle or compete and stood off. It was like they were playing for a 0-0 and sat back from the off. You thought needing to win they would have had a go but other than the one chance, they offered nothing. I suppose you could say if that goes in, it is a different game but of course it did not and then 2nd half they were dreadful not even mustering an attack. The two goals were avoidable with poor defending on each. The game felt done long before the 2nd even though with United you worry after recent games and events this season when we have thrown games away.
Opponent Man of the Match – Hard to pinpoint anyone who played well. The lad Fuchs made some good runs and Kent made some blocks. Marriot was lively and worked hard but go no service.
Opponent Weak link – Take your pick. The midfield never got on the ball and the strikers did little and missed the one big chance they had. Thompson errored on the first and then Morton the second. I thought Knight and Tomlinson down the left really struggled with Bogle, Brewster and Basham running at them though. It was not really one individual but a number who were outmatched and outplayed.
Referee/Officials – Dean Whitestone. Not someone we have come across much. He was the ref in the 3-1 win at Hull giving us a penalty but not sure he has ‘done us much’ outside of this, at least recently. It was an easy game to ref really with barely a bad tackle all game. Hourihane was righty booked and maybe Norwood should have got one for two fouls actually. Outside of this not sure they made a tackle all night so they could not really get any bookings! It was not a particularly dirty or physical game but he did let it flow and I barely noticed him at all.
