Post by deadbat on Mar 12, 2022 19:18:57 GMT
Podcast links and then report below….
soundcloud.com/tufty-club/tufty-club-reaction-21-22-coventry-away
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United were brought back to earth after the fantastic win in the week as they went down to a heavy defeat at Coventry. In a game reminiscent of the recent Millwall defeat, the Blades had to make further changes to the side and today was a stark contract from the week when the side played with purpose, passion and no little skill. Today they served up their second consecutive flat display on the road and lost their place in the top 6 as a result. United will have to find some consistency in the levels of performances if they want to stay in the shake up at the end of the season and cannot afford to have such let downs.
Today Heckingbottom was without Fleck and Davies with both not in the squad. In came Gordon and Houirhane with the bench full of academy developed players alongside McBurnie and Adam Davies. Ndiaye, Seriki and Jebbison were joined by Lopata and Arblaster, the former recalled from his loan at Southend and the latter in the match day squad for the first time at only 17 years of age.
United kicked towards their huge army of 4,500 fans in the first half but began slowly with Gibbs White and Sharp losing battles and Godden was caught offside. The midfield area seemed really open and both teams were trying to attack. Gibbs White had a shot deflected over but Hourihane overhit his corner. Coventry won a corner at the other end and the ball was moving from one side to the other quickly. Moore made a mess of a back pass and sliced out before Sharp got down the side and his cross was cleared by Clarke Salter. Egan then had a header wide but Coventry were dangerous with the long ball.
Robinson used his large black towel, that matched his kit, to hurl a long throw in and Sharp drove a dangerous cross in that somehow missed everyone but Hourihane who had been disappointing so far, sent over a lovely chipped cross and BERGE, not known for his heading, cushioned it past the despairing dive of Moore.
The lead did not last long and the punt over the top saw Robinson mis time his jump and GYOKERES was in with Egan not getting across and the striker rolled it past Foderingham.
Coventry were in the ascendancy for a spell with Gyokeres and Godden causing all sorts of problems. However, the Blades had a chance when Berge and Osborn linked and the cross was then played back in for Hourihane to hit and his effort was narrowly wide.
Foderingham just got there to deny another long ball forward and Gyokeres got the better of Egan again and cut in and his low shot was turned away from Foderingham for a corner. Coventry’s forwards were certainly looking more dangerous than the United equivalent. However, despite the lack of fluency they got a fortunate decision when the referee opted that the ball back was a back pass which seemed incredibly harsh although Moore maybe should not have taken the chance. After the appeals, Hourihane hit it and it was blocked by Rose bravely who certainly felt it in a delicate area.
After this Coventry broke and were three on one and Allen just went past Norwood easily and another defender before switching play and Hamer was in on goal with United’s defence nowhere. The midfielder took too long and his finish was weak and Foderingham made the save and able to gather on the rebound. This was a fantastic chance for the home side to lead.
Dabo showed Norrington Davies a clean pair of heels and this led to a corner. The delivery saw appeals for a spot kick in the scramble that ensued and somehow the ball went wide. O’Hara then hit a dipping volley after the next corner was not properly cleared that Foderingham was left to watch as it went onto the top of his net. The Blades were glad of the half time whistle.
United had chances via Hourihane but had not really got going and were second best despite the early lead and the long ball and the physicality and running of the City defenders had caused United all sorts of issues. It had definitely been a long way off the standards of Tuesday night in the way we lost battles, struggled defensively and had not really created much in open play at all.
United began the second half with a few decent moments but Berge’s cross was poor and then Sharp and Gibbs White could not link up. Berge then had a long-range shot saved but the bright start did not continue and Coventry then had a fantastic spell after this and completely took the game away from United. O’Hare broke and shot over before Gyokres got in after Gordon’s mistake but Osborn got back. It was one way traffic and Coventry were just running through the Blades. On 52 minutes they took the lead and it had been coming. Egan made a mess of a long ball and Godden was able to outmuscle him and hit his shot which Foderingham did well to tip onto the post. He reacted to the loose ball but the ball squirmed out of his grasp and O’HARE bundled home as Gordon could not react. It was another messy goal given away but a simple ball over the top.
Soon after they won a corner and Rose headed against the post from point blank range. United were miles of it and Hourihane’s effort well over the bar was a rare attack before the Sky Blues were surging all over the visitors again. Gykores got the better of Egan yet again and he came inside and played a ball to O’HARE and he simply passed it into the corner as Gordon stood off him. A well worked and taken goal as United were cut to pieces.
McBurnie came on for Norwood but the errors kept coming and Robinson was the latest of the backline to make a howler and let in Gyokeres after dallying on the ball but the strikers shot was saved by Foderingham who had been awfully exposed all game.
The fourth goal seemed inevitable and it came as this time Maatsen was given too much time and space and was able to play in Gyokeres who then fed GODDEN who tapped it home. A simple goal and well taken as United’s horror show continued.
The next spell saw City cut through again and again and Foderingham made saves from O’Hare and Gyokeres again as Egan and Gordon both made calamitous mistakes. Ndiaye was on for Osborn but at this point United were hanging on in to ensure it was not going to 6 or 7 goals. Gibbs White shot over and Sharp stung Moore’s hands in a rare spell for United before Berge had an effort blocked from a corner. However, in the final 7 minutes of stoppage time, Foderingham got United out of the cart with two more saves as O’Hare continued to dazzle. Waghorn then hit the post on the angle after running in before O’Hare shot over. United players were looking desperately at the referee like a punch-drunk fighter on the ropes and finally the stoppage came – with the Blades turning in their worst performance of the season a few days after serving up their best. A day to forget.
United – Sorry to not write much here but it was atrocious and it is hard to really say much more. We had no energy, looked slow and were ran through all game. We never got hold of the ball, created little until the game was gone and lost every battle in the field. They wanted it far more than us and was the complete opposite to Middlesbrough. Yes, we had another changed defence and yes it is taking its toil on us injuries but the performance levels were as bad today as they were good in the week. Heckingbottom did not react to the bad first half where we should have trailed and did not change the shape or the way we set up. They beat us so easily and had players who looked really up for it and we did not match their intensity but the level of defending from front to back was inexcusable. The forward never kept it, the midfield did not get close to them and there were big gaps all over the field. It seemed like the pitch was massive as they had so much space. First half they just punted it forward and we could not handle. We seemed ridiculously high up but then due to the midfield running through maybe the defence had to move up? They really should have been winning at half time and we led against the run of play early but even after the Robinson mistake (Egan not great to not react) for the goal, we did have the indirect free kick and another Hourihane effort but we were hanging on at half time and they missed two or three better chances than we had. We needed to get in and somehow up things in terms of winning loose balls and keeping it more. We needed to ensure we took some pressure off the defence.
Everyone will go in on the defence and they were awful and lost every battle, but in front the Cov lads just ran through us too. O’Hara and Allen were too quick and skilled and just dribbled through. The way we were so open and carved apart was startling and we looked like a side nearer the bottom than top as the confidence drained. Maybe it was just energy levels but it worrying we go from so good to bad in a week and was kind of typical of United in most of our supporting lifetimes. We saw why the team has struggled when teams press and harry us and simply go at us. We cannot cope. The goals we conceded were atrocious but they could have had 8 or 9. It was so one sides and our late efforts from Sharp and Gibbs White were when the game was done. Even in stoppage time they missed 3 more chances! The only thing they did badly was finish but if they had, it would have been totally embarrassing. Our players body language was really poor all game I felt. You just sensed from the off, they were not up for it – maybe it is games but if so, why do others look fresher at the moment – only Tuesday we have been physically stronger than the opponent in the last period of games. Is there an issue with fitness and conditioning – also the number of injuries we pick up (Davies and Fleck now added to the others) is a major issues and needs looking at. Goode also gets injured when not even playing (yes, I know they train). Interesting Hecky alludes to the training ground being awful (the pitch) which is the first time he has issues a thinly veiled criticism at the board – so maybe not such a yes man!
Overall, today, a match to forget and at least now puts to bed this daft talk of 2nd some were discussing. I would be delighted with 6th place and matters little whether you are 3rd or 6th but the hope is we can try and get a win or 4 points from the next two, get some players back and have a break before the final run in. We did not drop (we will tomorrow) and results were not that bad outside of Forest but we cannot have many days like we had today if we want to get in the mix. Coventry will have been wondering how the hell we are even up there on that showing? A lot will say it is a one off but we were dire against Millwall and Forest. That is 3 out o the last 4 games we have been second best and should have lost against Forest. We need to respond in the week in another tough away game. I actually would probably rotate a few for that as the players just looked so leggy but the problem is McBurnie, Jebbsion and Ndiaye have been totally unimpressive when they have played so you are counting on the front three, we have. Also, with Fleck out, we have no choice in midfield really. Ditto in defence. We are kind of limping through.
Ratings:
Foderingham 8.5/10 – Our only player who can take any credit from the game. He kept the score down with a number of saves and if he had not played well, we would have had an absolute drubbing -even more than 4. First half, the goal left him really exposed although maybe the pace of it meant on the form, he was in he could have got something on it. However, it was a one on one and then he made a great save from an effort from a 3 on 1! He made another save from Gyokeres in between. Came out and got one long ball. Left badly exposed with the ball over the top all first half. Second half they had shot after shot reigning in and scored 3 but could have had at least double that. He made a number of great saves and was a bit unlucky on the 2nd goal. After this no chance on the others and as I say he was the only one who played well.
Osborn 4.5/10 – Not the worst player but he was not good and struggled with their pace and running. He barely got in their half and also was run past on a few occasions. He just seemed slower and less physical than some powerful runners.
Norrington Davies 4/10 – Back to poor standards. He is very inconsistent. He plays one decent to good game and then has a really poor one. Today he was not able to get close to them, positionally he was horrific as he was never in line with the defence and often caught too far forward and they had lots of chances down his side. On the ball he was woeful at passing and crossing too.
Gordon 3/10 – A real struggle. First half he was ok but a few loose touches and his use of the ball/overall quality seems lacking. He does not seem composed and panics when he gets it. Second half he was out of his depth and made a number of errors with the ball or got beat by his man. He did not tackle or press and stood off on two of the goals. Like Seriki, looks a long way from this level at this stage and needs a season at a League 2/1 club really. Sadly, has to play due to injuries. I know it is hard when young players come in but many of the really good kids we have had over the years (Maguire, Walker, Naughton, Woodhouse, Morris etc) look like they have the quality and poise almost instantly. Not sure I see that in Gordon or Seriki as harsh as that sounds. They both look quite jittery and not comfortable on the ball. Hopefully they may settle down but we need experienced players back as they cannot be counted on sadly yet.
Robinson 3/10 – First big mistake for ages but showed again that he can and will make mistakes sadly. He then sort of went to pieces and a few others balls over the top saw them get in and nearly score and he was then giving it away or leaving gaps as him and RND did not really cover this side at all. Second half was a disaster as it was for all the defence. He lost the ball to let them in, misplaced passes but most of all got ran through/off and outmuscles as they came through us. Been excellent recently but today was the Robinson of old.
Egan 2/10 – Had a nightmare. Our worst player, even more so than the two above and that is saying something. Maybe his worst ever for us. The Swedish striker absolutely outplayed him from start to finish. Stronger, faster and more skilled. He bullied him which is odd as Egan is as big if not bigger. He made so many mistakes in terms of not getting there, losing physical duels and then on the ball he was hopeless too. The best player on the pitch by some way, he was marking. That sums him up. Gage said he did not have a terrible game! He did Kev.
Norwood 3/10 – The defence will get thrown under the bus but the midfield were equally hopeless for me. They did not protect, did not win tackles and did not pass it forward or accurately. We lost all the loose balls and then never stopped them coming through. To watch Allen and O’Hare just running past them time after time and they never got back or stopped this. 2nd half he was completely anonymous but came off too late – trouble is a number could have come off.
Hourihane 3.5/10 – He was better than Norwood but only as he put the cross in for the goal, had a decent shot wide and then the effort on the free kick (least an effort!). Outside of this he did not protect the defence, went too wide (why was he so far on the left) and we had a big hole in the middle of the field. They seemed to have 3 on 1 (and that was Norwood!). I blame Hecky for not asking him and Norwood to just sit in front of the midfield and stop the balls and runners but it just carried on. His corners were terrible too, floated straight to his man.
Berge 4.5/10 – Started slowly but scored a header (which I was shocked about) but he could not miss but was well placed. After this he drifted out of the game and barely saw him. He had one of those games which he sadly has a fair bit where he does not get involved, he does not force them back and tried the simple option (gave it away a fair bit). Bit better in the middle when he moved inside but they still came through us too much.
Gibbs White 4/10 – Had a bit of a shocker but marked him up a mark because at least he never hid and put the effort in. He was trying things but they just did not come off. He needed to just get hold of it and keep it as we needed to protect the defence but a few times his tricks set them on the attack. He looked really frustrated and as the game went on he just seemed to lose heart a bit. Had a brief flurry near the end when Ndiaye came on. Probably showed today why he is not a regular at Wolves as lacks the consistency. When things do not come off then he needs to revert to the basic of keeping the ball, maybe running with it and getting us up the field.
Sharp 4/10 – Like Gibbs White, he tried hard but nothing worked. It started early as the ball came off him a few times and they were too physical. He needs to do better on that cross to Gibbs White but then did send a cross in that led to the goal. After they levelled, we did very little in general play and he was not in the game as they whole 2nd half until the closing stages was played in our half.
Subs –
McBurnie – Came on, barely kicked the ball, went off. Injured or just replaced? No idea. Another striker Gyokeres showed what a striker needs to do, like Davis the other week. Just be glad when his contract is up next summer. We will need to loan him out I feel when this season is done. The game and defeat were nothing to do with him but his lack of contribution when some of the front lads need a rest or to be rotated is frankly pathetic.
Ndiaye – Got on the ball a few times but often ran into players and continued his lack of impact when he has featured. Thought he was going to be a key man in the run in but not taken his chance when used. Loses the ball way too much at the moment.
Jebbison – Should have been given a chance long before he came on but then in the brief time, he was on lost it a few times. He looks very raw in the bits I have seen and not a viable option as a starter despite people clamouring for him to play.
Manager :
Heckingbottom 3/10 – Probably had little choice with the team but then he has to change the formation or shape or personnel (yes, I know we did not have many options) but left it and then it was way too late. Even at 3 and then 4-1, the system was the same really but by this point when he did change it and go more of a 4- the game was done. Got a lot of praise for having them bang at it and out coaching Warnock. Today against the 3rd choice manager really (as Robins and Viveash had Covid) he was outcoached as they swarmed midfield. Still, suppose he cannot legislate for bad individual performances but still needed to change it earlier but kind of left it after half time when you saw what was going to happen if we carried on?
Coventry – Robins has done a great job there. They were right up near the top earlier in the season and even though they fell away a bit, he still gets the absolutely maximum out of a squad that will all due respect seems to lack experience at this level possibly and also out and out quality but then today maybe showed I am wrong with a few great showings with skill, technical ability and power. They score a lot of late goals, are hard working and organised. Think after a few jobs he really has honed his skills at motivating a side and tactically outdoing better sides. City have had some great results this season mixed in with some odd ones. They are a hard side to predict but have been very tough to beat at home.
Gyokeres has scored 13 goals but I thought it was more as he always seems to be scoring late on! They have some combative players in Hamer and McFadden and certainly are not a team I see as a soft touch but just at times maybe lack consistency and hard to keep working so hard every week. Today though they were excellent against a wretched United but have to give them credit, like we did for the Blades v Boro. They pressed and harried us and saw the ball over the top would cause issues first half with the wind and got through us time after time with this simple tactic. Second half they changed it a bit and although they got through us the same way to a fair degree, they also went through midfield a fair bit and the runners caused us issues.
I was impressed with how they played as a team and literally carved us open with some good play and lovely goals. They destroyed us and, on that evidence, will be in with a shout of the top 6 if they can replicate that. Like us in the week though, as we showed today, they probably will not play like that every week. They were good and caught us on a bad day but equally made us look bad.
Opponent Man of the Match – Gyokeres just ahead of O’Hare. Both players were superb but so were Allen, Godden and many more. Won every battle. O’Hare showed some great skill, footwork and running from deep but Gyokeres was so powerful, quick and technically good too. Like with Davis, completely bullied our defence all game but had an end product too – although maybe could have scored more.
Opponent Weak link – Moore kicked one out and struggled with back passes to feet to the extent he picked one up (albeit harsh). Not sure anyone else was poor and they all played well.
Referee/Officials – Jeremy Simpson. Not someone we have seen this season. Last time we saw him were defeats v Swansea and West Brom (1-2) in the Championship last time out. 111 yellow cards (and 5 red) seems a lot and averages around 5-6 a game of bookings this campaign. He gave us a fair bit of decisions (few fouls he should have given to them) and the back pass was not the correct call. Maybe our 2nd best player after Wes!
Matchday/Crowd -
