Post by deadbat on Feb 24, 2022 0:47:29 GMT
Podcast to come tomorrow but report below….
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The Blades superb run continued as they somehow beat promotion contenders Blackburn Rovers at Bramall Lane on an action-packed night under the lights. United had been the far better side to begin the game but missed chances to take the lead and as the game went on Rovers started to become more of a force either side of half time. A reckless challenge from full debutant Goode saw him rightly sent off but, in a game, where the referee Donohue frustrated many with his officiating, he actually did get another big call right when Egan was rightly penalised for a handball. Wes Foderingham made a huge save from Khadra from the spot kick and after United worked hard to deny Rovers, they then went up the other end and won a late corner. The ball was headed back from Robinson and sub-Ben Davies who had only been on the field for a couple of minutes, steered it home to spark jubilant scenes at the Kop end.
In a night where many of the other playoff contenders scored late winners too, it was a vital moment for the home side and a real blow for a slumping Rovers side who failed to make a man advantage count. The Blades looked leggy at times in the 2nd half but were able to show great character and togetherness to nick the vital three points.
Manager Heckingbottom was missing Chris Basham as expected and brought in Charlie Goode in an otherwise unchanged side. Rovers were also without a key man in leading scorer Brereton Diaz and had been in poor form after an excellent season up to recent times.
The match started in swirling wind and rain but the home side came out the much stronger of the two sides and forced Rovers back. Berge was heavily influential to start the game and causing Pickering problems from the outset who had to foul him by illegal means. United won two corners and from one Norwood miskicked but as the ball came back Gibbs White then fed Baldock whose shot was saved from the legs of Kaminski. It was one way traffic and United were dominating the ball and moving it around making Rovers work. Berge continued to impress and another powerful run won another corner. Egan’s header was off target but Blackburn were struggling to hold the home side back with long throws from Robinson causing the keeper issues as the visitors could not get out.
A ball from Sharp put Berge in and he was in with a chance but it did not quite sit for him but still got his shot away that was parried by Kaminsky and Norrington Davies was in on the rebound to slide home from a tight angle but the assistant’s flag went up to cut short the celebrations for the wing back who thought he had scored his first goal for the club.
Blackburn had barely got into the Blades half but a rare break saw Rothwell shoot wide before United were back on the attack with Norrington Davies feeding Fleck who had an effort blocked. Robinson could not get enough purchase on the rebound. On 19 minutes, United had a superb opportunity. Once again, the architect was Berge with a strong run and pinpoint cross but Sharp headed down and wide. He knew he should have scored by his frustrating reaction when it went the wrong side of the post.
Sharp was involved in some tussles with Travis on two occasions in the middle of the pitch and the game started to become a bit stop start not helped by a fussy referee who many Blades will remember from his performance against Millwall at the Lane earlier in the season.
Buckley had an effort wide after Gallagher had done well to hold the ball up and Blackburn finally started to pick up some of the loose balls after not having any foothold in the game at all in the opening spell. Travis had a shot saved and the game was more even for a spell but Berge then broke out and drew a cynical trip from Rothwell leading to a yellow card.
The free kick was wasted with overplay outside the box and then Norrington Davies’ poor ball saw Egan bring his man down. Soon after Norwood was the next to commit a foul after a teammates mistake as Egan had lost the ball and he was fortunate not to be booked. Khadra took the free kick and his dipping effort was not far over in Rovers’ best effort. The winger had been a handful so far and twice United had to concede corners after his trickery forced them back.
United then had another opportunity as Berge again was proving irrepressible when he ran with the ball and his run saw the ball played back for Baldock whose shot was saved and then rebounded off a Blackburn defender and dropped nicely for the keeper to field.
The half ended with the visitors starting to find more of the ball in the midfield area but undoubtedly United had been the stronger side and created the far better chances. However, the trend of the game with Rovers improvements continued after the break and United were careless with the ball.
Khadra’s cross just evaded any Blackburn players at the far post and Rothwell and Travis now were starting to dictate in the same way that Norwood and Fleck had dominated the ball in the first part of the game. United had a chance when Berge was positive again and it led to a Fleck effort that Kaminsky parried and Gibbs White could not get sufficient power on the rebound. Gibbs White and Berge were both booked for seemingly quite soft fouls and the crowd began to get frustrated by referee Matthew Donohue’s performance. Gibbs white and Berge had efforts blocked but the next spell saw the away side force United back.
On 66 minutes, Goode, who had already committed a firm but fair challenge moments before, dived in recklessly on Khadra with two feet off the ground and caught the Rovers man on the ankle. The red card seemed an easy decision and the loan player did not finish his full debut. Travis was booked for his part in an altercation after. After this the referee seemed to lose control of the game and the crowd were becomingly extremely frustrated.
Foderingham made a good save pushing away Pickering’s fierce drive for a corner but on 72 minutes, Blackburn had a fantastic opportunity to take the lead against the 10 men. It was more good work from Khadra who jinked his way past two players and his cross was handled by John Egan. Once again despite Donohue’s frustrating way of officiating the game, this did seem the correct decision as his hand clearly moved to the ball. The Blades defender was probably fortunate not to get another yellow card.
Khadra took the kick but his effort, although powerful, was not right in the corner and Foderingham got a firm hand to leap to his right and push the ball away. United cleared the rebound as the crowd celebrated this huge save!
McBurnie came on for Sharp but at this stage Rovers were clearly looking the more likely and forcing a tired and ragged 10 men back who were doing their best to deny clear chances. Khadra was upended by Baldock and fired a free kick that was flicked goal wards and Foderingham made a great reaction save. Norwood cleared, after the ball struck his hand but this time accidentally as he fell. Soon after Khadra twisted and turned and hit a fierce shot that whizzed just past the post. The game ticked towards the end and Davies came on for Gibbs White as United at this stage would definitely have been content to take a point.
There was 5 minutes of stoppage time to be played but United broke out and won a corner with Berge again showing great work down the right. The ball came in from Fleck and as Kaminsky once again struggled with the high ball as McBurnie fairly challenged him, the ball was then headed back by Robinson and DAVIES turned it in with his left foot. The scenes in the corner showed what a big goal it was as even keeper Foderingham and sub Gibbs White (with a hobble) joined the melee with several fans also joining in!
After Blackburn kicked off, Egan had to head two long balls away and a late free kick after a Fleck foul was cleared leading to the final whistle and wild celebrations with the Quo emanating all around the ground as the players took the applause. It was a gusty effort from the Blades who even before the red card, had not been at their best 2nd half but showed the new resolve and spirit in the camp. United now are firmly in the promotion race for the top 6 with the only concern being the rapidly increasing number of players that are becoming unavailable in an already stretched squad.
United – Huge, huge win. A game that was bizarre and seemed to have so much to it that it is hard to really describe. It ebbed and flowed but I felt that United were by far the better side for the first half hour and Berge was superb (as he was all game). We missed chances through him, Baldock x 2 and a big one from Sharp and played well. We had a goal disallowed too after a Berge effort and RND was adjudged to be offside. The football was patient but we forced them back and you felt we needed to score when we were on top. Norwood and the rest of the midfield were controlling things and Blackburn had barely threatened at all. It looked like a confident side against one who had struggled recently. However, they slowly came back into it and had a few long-range shots and a few errant balls or where we almost tried to force it saw us give free kicks away and Khadra had one just over. They ended the half better than they started it but then Baldock had another chance after good work from Berge. We were the much better side first half but I felt we had gone sloppy before the break and this continued even if we had another half chance via Berge and then Gibbs White. I thought we had a big gap in our midfield and they started to have a lot more possession. We did not keep the ball for a spell and then the red card came. It was a stupid tackle and really idiotic especially when we need him with injuries in the side and he could have cost us the game as well as being out for 3 games now too.
They then had a real go and Foderingham made one save and the penalty came (again right). The ref was rubbish but he actually could have sent Egan off for a 2nd yellow and then Berge too soon after -although the first was a bit soft. Fodders makes the great save and you think I wonder? Reminded me of the Brentford game when another newcomer Madine did something stupid and we somehow won the game. However, after this Blackburn did look far more likely and the winger who missed the penalty, Khadra was a real threat all game and continued to give us problems. They had a few crosses just evade their players and then Foderingham made another reaction save. I was thinking a point was a great result despite me wanting all three before kick off but then Berge wins a corner and we go and win it with real determination from three players – McBurnie, Robinson and Davies to get the goal. Not a classic goal but who cares the noise was deafening and some brilliant celebrations from the team and coaching staff as well as all around the ground. We saw out the final minutes against a gutted Blackburn side whose bad run continues in a game they were 2nd best to start, grew into it and after the red should have gone and won it but then lost it right at the end.
A really up and down night. We saw lots of good things (first 30 minutes) but lots of poor things as we became ragged and for the first time for a while, looked really leggy and weary and Blackburn were controlling the game. The red card of course made this even worse and then for 15-20 minutes we could not get the ball. The crowd roared at the ref who seemed to give a lot of 50-50’s to them but also got the big decisions right even if they went against us. On another day he could have sent 2 more of our players off. Blackburn will feel as aggrieved as we were at things not going for them.
I thought 2nd half before and after the red card, we stopped passing the ball and became disorganised in how we played (shape and set up) and they could have really scored a few times with better decisions but the defence did keep mostly firm and it just seemed a good point but then to break out and win it was sensational. It was a huge moment as you could tell by the reaction from both sets of players/management on the goal and on full time.
I am concerned at the number of players we now have out and it is several key men and cover players missing now – we will have to play Robinson or Davies on the right now and it just seems we are starting to plug gaps a fair bit. Gibbs White was also hobbling at the end when he ran to celebrate. I worry if Basham is out for a fair period and with Goode out for three games, the defence is badly stretched. Still for now let’s celebrate the big win and enjoy it and praise the team for the spirit and togetherness even if the fluency of football and the legs maybe did not have the drive and energy we have had in recent weeks.
We go to Millwall on Saturday who are on great form too winning three in a row and always a tough place to go but hopefully we can keep up our own even longer great run and then it sets up nicely for Forest coming to the Lane a week on Friday.
Ratings:
Foderingham 8.5/10 – First half had little to do – fielded a few long-range shots and one went over his bar from a free kick but then 2nd half was outstanding. Pushed one long range shot away and then he makes the brilliant penalty save -it was a decent height but hit hard and a really strong hand. He then makes another great reaction save from the flick from the free kick. Three huge saves and along with Berge our outstanding player.
Baldock 6/10 – After the euphoria of the goal and his performance on Saturday, it was back down to earth. He actually began well with a few good runs and had two shots saved first half. Real threat and linked well with Berge. The second half he had a bit of a nightmare though. Started with a poor cross and then he was beaten time and time again by a really good player in Khadra who led him a bit of a merry dance 2nd half. I thought he was really struggling with him. Always keeps going and plugging away to be fair.
Norrington Davies 7.5/10 – Thought he had another really steady to good game. First half he was neat and tidy and did what he had to and got forward well when he could too. Looked more confident and composed after some better games. Gave it away once and this led to the Egan booking. Second half he continued to do ok although could not get forward much after the red card but they definitely looked more of a threat down our right side.
Goode 3/10 – Started the game well with some crisp passing and interceptions and decent link play. Not really put under any pressure and a comfortable half defensively and tried to come out when he good. 2nd half along with the rest of the side he was on the back foot more. Did one crunching tackle which I thought, ‘Glad he has not got the man there!’ Then a few minutes later after the crowd cheers for his commitment, maybe he got carried away and was trying too hard to impress but he has gone in wildly with force and two feet. It was ridiculous and was an easy red card. Really ill disciplined and not a great start to his United career at all after a decent cameo at the weekend. Has to be more professional and calmer in his approach.
Robinson 7.5/10 – Thought he had another good night and was our best defender again. He got beat once by the touchline for skill first half but overall, he was solid, winning headers/tackles and just being nice and solid in everything he did. Had an excellent few weeks of consistent games with no major huge errors. Capped it at the end with the header back on the goal. Fair play to him and with injuries and suspensions, he is going to have to play a fair bit maybe even in different positions.
Egan 6.5/10 – Was fine to begin and even came out a bit but then got the yellow when he maybe felt he had to foul his man after they broke and then started to make mistakes such as when he lost it by a poor touch when he strode out and Norwood then committed a foul. He did do better at times second half with some good defensive headers but then as he often seems to, finds it hard to get his hand out of the way (that is at least 3 or 4 penalties he has conceded by handball for us?). He could have even got a 2nd yellow maybe? Still to be fair after this moment him and the rest of the defence limited them to only maybe a few other chances and even though Blackburn were pressing and looking more likely, it was not like they looked like getting behind us all the time.
Norwood 6.5/10 – He was very good to start, prompting and probing and vital in us switching play and keeping them penned in. He was orchestrating a lot of the good things we did but then he committed a foul and along with the rest of the team we sort of lost control either side of half time. I thought their midfield were better even before the red and then after this we barely saw the ball and were tossing it away and it became very disjointed. We seemed to have a big gap in the central area and the shape was not working. Still, he did break up a few attacks/moments for them.
Fleck 6/10 – Mixed night. Not sure we saw enough of him tonight and how he did not get booked I do not know. He committed several fouls and was chopping/hacking away at them all night. He was decent to begin and linked well down the left and played some decent balls but also a bit slow to react/do things. As the game went on, we saw less and less of him and I wanted much more defensively and attacking wide in the 2nd half. Too many times they just found little pockets and gaps and broke through -granted we had a man less. Did take the corner in the lead up to the goal of course though.
Berge 8.5/10 – Excellent and the last few games we have seen the Berge we want to see. He was a massive threat all game and they struggled to hold him up and number 3 looked clueless how to stop him. He beat him (and others) several times with some great runs and involved in most good things we did. He was superb at times with dribbling, passing and running at them. He set up our best chances first half for Baldock and Sharp (and had a chance himself he maybe should have done better). Second half he created our main moments early on too but then he got booked (harshly) and actually committed a bit of a daft challenge and could have gone off. Still even though we had to defend (and maybe he left Baldock a bit exposed at times?) he went on another great run that led to the corner for the goal. Playing him in this position and telling him to run at people and get them turned causes opponents all sort of problems. Needs to maintain this level of form as when he plays like that with great runs and delivery too (superb cross to Sharp) and the end product, he is a cut above at this level. Credit to him for his performances recently and giving us what we have been crying out for.
Gibbs White 7/10 – Some decent things with flicks and tricks again and he dummied a few through and/or was involved in some clever interplay but not everything came off for him either. However a lot of good things come from his play and skills. He is a threat when he gets it and him and Berge were the main outlets first half. I do feel we could have got him on the ball more and especially 2nd half when we needed more of an outlet and could only rely on Berge, he did not get as involved as he needed to and his touch came off him a bit. Tired near the end as we were not really attacking much. Just hope after he went off, he did not pick up too much of an injury – he was limping as he ran after the team to celebrate the goal which although shows his commitment to the cause maybe was not the best idea?!
Sharp 6.5/10 – Not his night on the ball or for chances but did work hard. First half he got involved in some silly squabble and tussles with Travis and Lenighan and the ball did not stick to him. He just could not hold it up and the ball never really found him. He then missed the great headed chance. Credit to him 2nd half as he did much better and ironically with ten men, he worked hard. Made one chance with a run into the box after a lovely jinking turn and then also had an appeal for a penalty. He did put a shift in until he went off and his work rate was better after an indifferent first half.
Subs –
McBurnie – Played the final 10 minutes or so. A stupid foul early on apart, he did put himself about and at least made them fight for every ball. Did well to challenge the keeper on the winner too.
Davies – Not on long and not sure he even touched the ball before or after his late winner. Took it well as could have panicked but just kept his eye on it and got over the ball. Great moment for him and with injuries/suspensions will be needed now.
Manager: Heckingbottom 7.5/10 – A win and that is the main things. The performance was not what it has been as after a great start to the game where we should have led, we became poor on and off the ball and looked weary I thought. He maybe could have made changes even before the red card. He sounds not happy with Goode hearing his post match interview as it put us in a right hole but he did make changes with McBurnie and Davies being involved in the winner. I thought he would have made changes (and used all three) a lot sooner but shows what I know as they both obviously contributed at the death! Doing a superb job and to see him, McCall (went mad!) and Lester on the goal and then full time was brilliant to see their passing and how much it means to them!
Blackburn – They impressed me at their place, albeit versus a poor Blades team having to play the ingrained Slav way which was not working. They were worthy winners and with Brereton Diaz and others on great form beat us 3-1 and it could have been a lot more I thought. They looked a hungry, confident and energetic side. They had just got hammered to Fulham I recall but went on a great run around Nov-Dec and were right up in 2nd/3rd/4th for a fair period and have stayed there. Credit to Mowbray as whilst they have some decent players, I for one did not think they would be anywhere near the top 6 but they have done really well and kept it up most of the season and right there in the hunt for automatic seemingly. Of course, they have dropped off a bit and now they are in a dogfight with maybe around 10 sides for 4 places in the playoffs – I still think Fulham and Bournemouth will move clear at the top by some way. Still, they have done great and when Brereton Diaz is back, they will hope to pick up again. They have struggled for goals recently and when he does not score/play it becomes more of an issue.
Tonight, they were 2nd best for much of the first half and should have been behind but stayed in the game and improved gradually and the likes of Rothwell and Buckley got on the ball and Khadra was a constant threat. I felt 2nd half they started better despite us having the Berge and MGW double chance and actually were controlling midfield. The red card of course gave them an even bigger chance to take hold of things and as we were the better side first half, they were then in the second half of course. They had chances with a few whizzing across the goal but until the penalty, Foderingham had only made one push out from a long-range decent shot compared to 3 or 4 saves from Kaminsky at the other end. The penalty was a big moment of course. After this they still looked more likely but seemed to lose impetus and confidence they would definitely win. They had one cross shot but and a few others going in – Khadra with a curler wide but overall, it looked like they would not quite do enough to win it despite being good in the 2nd half albeit helped by our own Goode! To lose it must have been devastating but the play was poor to allow Berge to run through again and then Kaminsky flapped at a set play again and they did not react twice. With others all winning, they need a result now to get going again. Tonight, I thought they showed they were a decent side and as they had at Ewood, one of the better ones we have seen in a poor division. Granted they would have been much fresher as the Blades have had so many games recently and struggling with injuries ourselves but they knocked it about well 2nd half, albeit like us first half, could not make the killer ball or finish. I am not sure whether they may last the pace and feel us, Forest, Boro may move above them as the season goes on. I might be wrong of course but I think out of those up there they seem the team going in the wrong direction. Still, whatever happens they have done brilliantly this season and their wage bill/resources compared to many others, they are definitely punching above their weight so fair play to Mowbray and the players.
Opponent Man of the Match – Not close for me and even though he missed the penalty, Khadra was outstanding and rivalled Berge for outfield player of the match. Buckley did some bits and pieces and I do like Rothwell, who had an excellent second half. Gallagher was a handful in the first half but less of a threat weirdly even though they had a fair bit more of the ball and opportunities.
Opponent Weak link – A few maybe did not shine as much as those above. The keeper made some saves but never looked secure on crosses for me and so it proved. The left back though Pickering struggled with Berge all night and it was a bit of a rough night trying to stop Ya Ya Norway. One word about the number 27, Travis. What an irritating prat. Rolling around, trying to get players booked and constantly on the wind up.
Referee/Officials – Matt Donohue. He was appalling in the game against Millwall and I worried about him tonight with the number of cards he likes to produce. The game began and he was ok and I thought maybe he just had a bad night earlier in the season but then once again it started to unravel. His fussy, stop start officiating was mixed with letting some bad stuff go. He should have booked Norrington Davies for shoving Nyambe into the boards, he should have booked Norwood and Fleck and could have sent Berge and Egan off (although Berge’s first was soft). I thought Gibbs White yellow was soft too. So, he did give us some decisions and of course the red card and penalty were both 100% correct. However, there were so many other decisions that were baffling and he seemed to give us very little all evening in general play. He seemed to revel in annoying the supporters on both teams. Ultimately you notice him way too much for the man who needs to be the last person you need to be talking about. Away from the bigger awards (got most right) his general command of games seemed officious and a ‘look at me!’ attitude. As he walked off, he had that demeanour and almost seems to enjoy being the pantomime villain. United were a bit ill disciplined at times but you get the sense (as with the Millwall game) players just became frustrated as if you miss things or are giving such soft decisions, players start to lose their cool (not defending Goode’s horror tackle).
Matchday/Crowd – A better atmosphere helped by the nature of the game. Was louder even in the first half but like wit Brentford in 2019, it became a bit siege mentality as the referee and decisions were not going for us but after the penalty save, the fans raised it even more and then the late goal saw an almighty roar and great scenes. The singing at the end as the team came round to the new Hecky and Stuart McCall Status Quo song was really loud with most still in the ground. It was a really good night and whilst the performances overall we were not our best and maybe a draw was a fair result, seeing a late winner at the Kop End is always special in any game/division. Blackburn did not bring many fans (maybe 1,000 at a push) and they made a bit of noise but it was a quieter set of away fans than maybe Hull/Swansea who enjoyed poorer results!
