Post by deadbat on Feb 26, 2022 17:56:57 GMT
Podcast links to come later and then report below….
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The Blades recent excellent run came to an end in South London as Millwall completed the league double over United and maintained their own superb form of late. Jake Cooper was once again the nemesis for the Blades, scoring the winner again as he did at the Lane. United never got going at all and were desperately flat barely creating a chance of note all game where the rotation today of players did not work.
United had to make one enforced change with Goode suspended and in came teenager Kyron Gordon for his league debut. There were also three other changes with recalls for McBurnie, Ndiaye and Hourihane with Fleck, Gibbs White and Berge being rested with the sheer number of games seeing the squad rotation continue.
Millwall in contract selected the same starting line up as the one that beat Derby in the week with pace down the side in Burey and Bennett and experience in the middle of the park with Saville and Wallace.
United started the game with a move that led to the ball bouncing through and McBurnie hit it but it was way off target with his body shape all wrong. United knocked it about well and were more of the aggressor but then Millwall sent over a cross that saw Foderingham take the ball and Cooper and Robinson tussled with the home defender trying to take the United’s shirt off his back.
Ndiaye had a couple of good runs before a long punt from Millwall saw the offside flag go up. Burey then tried to go past Egan on the touchline but his dive was theatrical. Gordon had started solidly and sent a good ball over the top for Sharp but the skipper could not get it out of his feet.
Bennett took a knock and had to go off for Evans as Millwall went with a more cautious formation seemingly with no out and out striker outside of Burey.
United had a good spell and were looking to knock it about more than home side whose tactics seemed to be the long ball down the sides to chase and pick up the pieces.
It was a scrappy game though and lacked quality. Indeed, the most likely either side looked like getting a chance or into the box was from a few Millwall free kicks and Robinson’s long throws for the Blades. The game was stop start with free kicks conceded as much as possession.
Burey threw himself to the ground again before at the other end, Gordon linked well with Baldock, with the wing back showing some good skills to get in and centre but it was cleared.
A few unnecessary free kicks were given away from the Blades but the free kick did not give any chances with Wallace’s free kick just over hit. Baldock seemed to pull up and there was real concerns with the recent spate of right sided injuries/suspensions but after treatment was able to carry on the relief of the Blades coaching staff.
United had a spell down the left side and Norrington Davies won a throw and after two attempts to land it into the danger area, the ball fell to Hourihane and his cross was a good one but Egan headed straight at Bialkowski. It was the best, and only chance all game for either side but even this was routine.
Both teams continued to give it away cheaply and Norwood and Ndiaye followed up Evans and Malone in errant passes. Millwall did win a corner, the first of the game, on 37 minutes but Foderingham caught it well. Millwall then put a good cross in but it did not sit and United could clear.
Baldock was then felled after a ball from Gordon sold him a bit short and Ndiaye stupidly got involved with more ill discipline from a United man and after his push into the players face, he got rightly booked.
Hourihane’s delivery outside of the one cross to Egan, had not been great and this continued as he sent it over the bar. Millwall then won a free kick after a Gordon foul but Murray Wallace’s looped header from Jed Wallace’s delivery flicked well over in maybe the only real effort they mustered of note. The half time whistle went after three minutes of stoppage time and a desperately disappointing contest which United shaded but neither keeper had made a save and barely a chance of note created.
The second half saw a continuation of the poor passing and play from both teams with the ball constantly switching possession. United actually had an effort on goal when Robinson’s cross ended up on target and Bialkowski had to tip the ball over.
Ndiaye twice gave the ball away and Baldock blocked his man off as Evans looked to break. The home team then had a good spell and Wallace’s free kick was cleared by Norwood for a corner. United could not clear and McNamara advanced with no challenge before his driven shot flicked off a Blades player and Foderingham made a mess of it and spilt it. Saville returned it across but United cleared it away for another corner.
The Lions were camped into the Blades half for the first time in the game and Ndiaye’s poor day saw him replaced by Gibbs White. United had not really got going at all and Millwall were the better side now. Sharp won a free kick but Norwood’s driven effort failed to cause any issues and was cleared.
Norrington Davies then conceded an unnecessary free kick on the right and this led to the opening goal and from a predictable source. Wallace hit the free kick and as Egan tried to challenge, Hutchinson got a clever block on and this meant not Blades could get out to the dangerman COOPER but he was left completely unmarked and headed in easily. He scores every game against United and so it was always going to be him that scored.
United won a corner at the other end after Norrington Davies grappled with Cooper, the scorer and from it, the ball fell for Norwood who tried a deft lob but it was well over the bar. United at least had a spell and Gordon’s cross fell for Sharp but the striker smashed it miles over into the upper tier with the Blades fans.
Norrington Davies was over zealous again and conceded another foul before Berge came on for Gordon. Cooper won another high ball at the attacking end but this one looped over. United could not get going. Baldock did put over a good cross but Sharp was on his heels and the ball was cleared. The visitors were at least getting it forward but two poor crosses ensued from both wing backs and Millwall took the sting out of the game for a spell.
United had their best chance to get back into the game when Berge played a clever ball through to Gibbs White but he could not quite there and his toed finish on the stretch was saved by Bialkowski quite easily.
The same man then tried to win a free kick but went down theatrically before Fleck came on for Hourihane. The game entered 4 minutes of stoppage time but United never looked like scoring at all and could not even get any dangerous balls into the box despite Egan joining the fray. It had been a desperately disappointing performance from the Blades after a great recent run and the home side did just about enough to merit the victory.
United – Well that was fairly dreadful. A nothing game but we have to do much better than that with the caveat we have had a brilliant run and games like that may always happen. Millwall just took the sting out of things and stopped us overloading down the sides and we had nothing up top. We literally created nothing other than one Egan header and then Gibbs White chance -Robinson’s effort was a bad cross. Millwall did not do much more but had a 10–15-minute spell where they won several corners and had a few chances and that was enough to get the goal. We always fail to mark Cooper and so it proved as we got blocked off in a clever set play (Sharp does this a lot for us). It’s not a foul and our players have to react. To leave their most dangerous player was poor. We have to be touch tight to stop that happening. After they scored, they saw it out so comfortably really. They are a bit of a percentage team and played a lot of balls down the side and relied on set plays but did we really do anything at all in general play or play football to hurt them? Individually and collectively, we were miles off it today. As I say the opponent were not much better and that is why it was frustrating. They just worked hard and denied us space.
I am sure the narrative will be criticism of McBurnie again who did nothing and offers us no threat at all in general play or set play but Sharp was as bad really. The midfield were sloppy on the ball. We had no penetration with Ndiaye once again desperately disappointing and was never able to keep the ball or run with it. We only improved when Gibbs White and Berge game on but by this stage they just flooded the defence and double up on those two knowing we had no pace or any other players who would try and penetrate. Too many players did not take responsibility and everyone left it to each other and it meant we could not create any space. The crossing and final ball (not sure we even got to a final ball was not good enough).
Interesting Millwall made no chances. Maybe they have less squad depth and had a fair few youngsters but changing it for us, although you can see the sense, did not work and we have effectively lost a game by leaving our best two players out. You can argue maybe rotating one but both seemed a gamble. It failed badly sadly. I also am not sure why he would not change Jebbison or something else up top when the front two cannot play together at all – both slow and both cannot run behind. The other issue today was as bad as we were offensively, the issue was needed to just keep it tight and maybe get a 0-0 and get a point but we were constantly giving away stupid and unnecessary free kicks. Norrington Davies the worst but loads were at it. They have real quality from Wallace so why we need to keep giving them countless chances for him to show us, I do not know.
Less said about the performance the better. Robinson and Gordon did ok I suppose and the subs at least improved us but not sure anyone had a good game at all. We just looked a tired side who looked a bit clueless today after creating ton of chances in games before today. We can blame injuries but Millwall had more out than us and had a totally skeleton forward line.
We are now out of the playoffs and games in hand wise we don’t actually have as many to catch up as I thought – granted Huddersfield but they are flying. If we are to nick 5th or 6th then we have to two big games now coming up and need to be much better than today and even though I will get criticised for this, but Blackburn as we were poor with the ball after the first 20 minutes in that one. Forest will be a good atmosphere but they know if they beat us then they go above us. Today though we looked like the side under Slav rather than Heckingbottom but it is one game in a recent excellent run so am not going to get carried away in a negative sense.
Ratings:
Foderingham 6/10 – Not a lot to do and first half did not have a touch barely other than a few kick outs. He did have one shot he made a bit of a mess with, albeit via a deflection and then the goal he had no chance and his long run without conceding is over.
Baldock 6/10 – Thought over the game he was one of our better attacking threats with a few runs down the side and crosses mixed with some bad ones. He took a knock and carried on but did commit a cynical foul and got booked for it. Then caught his man high late on and I thought oh dear but the game went on.
Norrington Davies 4/10 – Played well recently but all over the place today I thought. He was sloppy with the ball running it out twice, never got any good crosses in all game and often went backwards. The most annoying thing was him completely putting us under pressure by giving away free kicks – several he conceded in stupid areas and finally one cost us. Then continued to jump into his man stupidly. Seemed to lose his head a bit.
Gordon 6.5/10 – Steady game and one of our better players actually. He did get away with a handball when they broke and it was offside but settled down and made a few interceptions and then put a couple of good balls down the line including one for Sharp. Made a few blocks and actually came onto the ball. The goal he seemed to get sandwiched a bit but Cooper was Egan’s man. Came off as we looked to get more men forward but did ok and showed he could be a useful player in the run in and maybe moving forward.
Robinson 7/10 – Thought once again he was our best player which has been a theme recently and he won his battles, tackles and was our main threat with his long throw. He was fine again and not sure the defeat could be put on him at all. Had our best effort at goal too.
Egan 6/10 – Cooper seems to be completely in his head and for a centre half to score against him so much he has to take a big responsibility as our main attacking centre half in terms of set plays. The goal he maybe gets blocked but has to shove his way through – in the same way they did not give a free kick the other way – they would not have given it if he had barged past to get to him. Has to be stronger. Had one header straight at the keeper as he continues to be wasteful in an attacking sense.
Hourihane 4/10 – A nothing game where his set plays were poor, he gave the ball away constantly and never took any responsibility just moving it back and sideways – if he was not giving it away. Had improved in our run but he was non existent today and not able to contribute anything to us creating or blocking off runners. They had a spell either side of the half time where they just ran through the middle and he is meant to protect us there.
Norwood 5/10 – Started well getting on it and moving it about and he played a few decent switched balls and one or two ok crosses but regressed as the game went on and I felt the midfield never got hold of it and made us play at all and it became so scrappy. Put aimless balls in or the crosses hit the first man. Some poor fouls too as they broke.
Ndiaye 4/10 – I think he could be a great talent but he has not been in games the last few he has started and is careless with the ball and not doing the things we need – carrying it into areas and getting us up the pitch. He is also not chasing back and doing the defensive stuff either. He has been miles off it for me recently and not surprised he keeps getting hooked. Also stupidly shoved another player in the face and on another day would have been sent off. More indiscipline after Goode in the week. I would not start him on recent form but we have to rotate and rest. I wonder about Berge in that role sometimes if we have to rotate him and Gibbs White- granted done great down the right.
Sharp 4/10 – Sure everyone will go in on McBurnie but Sharp was as bad if not worse today. Nothing stuck, he ran it out or lost it trying to win soft free kicks. He looked very tired and never a threat at all. He had three half chances but lost it on the Gordon ball, then smashed over and then was on his heels on a Baldock cross. When he just kicked one out near the end rather than try and keep it in summed up his day. Should have come off for me. Needs a rest but then with the others not doing it or limited options it is hard.
McBurnie 4/10 – He did a few neat bits and pieces but it’s all miles from goal and even then, it’s a 5-yard pass or a little square ball. He is not a threat to teams at all. He never looks like scoring. Had one shot miles over early on and after this never saw him get close to any cross, ball or moment – even if the service is poor. There is this notion he works hard even though he does not score or have/create chances – I am not sure he does. He was behind his man a lot; he never presses and just sort of ambles around giving the impression of effort. What an expensive mistake he looks and a player who ultimately had one good season at Swansea and now is struggling to even be a half decent Championship player. I don’t want to throw him under the bus but the excuses are finished for me now. He has had a run of games now ands still offers nothing. Looks a lower league player at best. He is not strong, quick, a handful or even a nuisance to other teams. Sharp had an off say but McBurnie plays like he did today every week. Surely Jebbison cannot do any worse?
Subs –
Gibbs White 7/10 – Played half an hour and along with Robinson and Gordon, the only two who comes out with much credit. He at least got at them and tried to run at them. Granted he could not quite get to the Berge ball and then dived which I hate. However, he was the only man who worried them with his pace and ability to get into areas with his creativity. Has to start as we cannot afford to leave him out. What are we resting him for – he won’t be our player in 2 months – that may seem selfish but he needs to be playing every game from now on.
Berge – He did quite well in terms of getting involved but they pressed him and got two over knowing that he can cause problems and had done their homework clearly. He did get a few balls in but space was so limited he could not get behind.
Fleck – Came on and a few short passes/passing the buck balls instead of driving or crossing the ball.
Manager : Heckingbottom 5/10 – Bad performance where we were flat. You can understand the changes to rotate but they did not work and you are judged on that. The three midfield/attacking players that came in did not take their chance and were three of our poorest players, albeit it with a lot of contenders. He made changes but the front two were not working and not sure what giving Jebbison a go at this stage when they were dealing with two completely immobile and slow strikers so easily.
Millwall – Been on a really good decent run and a side that always seem to cause us problems. I did tip them to be in and around the playoffs and felt in a weak division with the signings they made to add to a solid mid table Championship team managed by a bit of a recycled manager but one who knows this level. They started a bit slowly but then have had decent spells followed by poor ones. They always seem strong at home even though it is a cliché.
In terms of players, they have some big lads who can put themselves about but also in the likes of Wallace and Savile some decent technical players. Of course, they signed Burke and Freeman which seemed odd signings but the former had apparently done ok before his injury. Hoping Burke does well even though they are a playoff rival as still under contract so we either get him back and he maybe gets some confidence and a run of games or his value may go up from him not being worth much at all before! Freeman barely played and was done for the season and probably an expensive loan that has been a disaster for them. Cooper at the back always impresses me and has scored against us more than any other player at this level (now 5 times) and is a bit of a Snodgrass in those certain players like playing other teams. The Millwall fans probably do not rate him as much as we do oddly! I reckon we could have signed him for around a million – maybe we should just to stop him scoring against us. Afobe is a player who lost his way but was very dangerous and powerful at this level before but the lad they got from Wimbledon, Burey seems to be the one playing.
They have a squad full of solid Championship savvy players but maybe lack top, top quality to seriously contend for top 2. Not sure whether they will quite have enough for top 6 with the number of teams around but to be honest anyone can get in and they are on a really good run. We seem to just really struggle with their style – they do work hard and press and close and they did that today. They were not much better than us but 2nd half were the better team, got the lead and then saw us off easily really. It was a regulation 1-0 win with a set play goal – they almost play for them but we kept stupidly giving them the chance to get Wallace on the dead balls. Annoying to say the least.
Opponent Man of the Match –Cooper. Scored the winner in both games and defended easily against our slow and statuesque strikers. Wallace ran him second with his expert dead ball play – far better than Norwood and Hourihane in comparison.
Opponent Weak link – They had little up top and Burey was poor often diving and trying to con the ref. The rest of the side were as average as us and they gave it away a lot but defended well and worked hard to ensure we had little space.
Referee/Officials – Michael Salisbury. We had him for Huddersfield and Coventry and not sure I recall him being that bad or good? Recall him not penalising a lot of timewasting maybe form both these sides? Today we gave him the opportunity to keep giving them set plays by stupid free kicks. I felt again we were slow and dirty – we keep blaming refs but we are routinely getting more bookings than other teams and most of them are cynical and deserved. Norrington Davies, Baldock, Norwood and Hourihane all guilty of this. Ndiaye on another day could have walked for a stupid moment. They did slow it down at the end but he played 5 minutes and to be honest he could have played 5 hours and we would not have scored today.
