Post by deadbat on Apr 9, 2022 17:53:42 GMT
Podcast links and then report below….
---
For the second time this season, United were ruing poor officiating that cost them the chance to beat Bournemouth in an excellent contest at Bramall Lane. After a poor decision turned the game at the Vitality Stadium earlier in the season, a clear penalty on Morgan Gibbs White was somehow missed by all the officials today. United still should have won the game regardless with the Wolves loanee missing two one on ones with the keeper and the home side’s man of the match Uremovic missing with a great chance right at the death. The visitors had a lot of possession but did very little with it and were fortunate in the end to escape with a point as United piled on the pressure towards the end.
The lunchtime kick off meant it was a chance for both teams to lay down a marker ahead of the rest of the division’s games. United kept an unchanged side with none of the injured players available yet. Bourmemouth tweaked their starting ling up with Dembele getting a start. The visitors’ strength in depth was shown on the bench with the likes of Cantwell, Pearson, Lowe and Brady in reserve.
The game began in bright sunshine and the visitors tried to move it around the park and showed they were not going to sit back and were clearly intent on getting back to winning ways. Christie showed good footwork but his cross was cleared by Uremovic. McBurnie was penalised twice for going in late on his man and United struggled to get on the ball and seemed to have to concede possession as the visitors made the early running without creating much. Solanake did roll Egan too easily on the touchline but was then blocked off as he sought to drive to goal before at the other end Stevens cross was away from McBurnie who could not quite direct his header goalward on the stretch.
Uremovic and Stevens gave away free kicks that were fouls but a number of decisions went against the home side as seemingly every time Bournemouth went down, often under minimal contact, referee Whitestone below his whistle. Smith was the chief culprit with one pathetic dive earning jeers from the crowd. United tried to fashion another set play routine from a corner as Fleck chipped to Norwood but this time he volleyed over before Foderingham’s quick kick out set Stevens through and his cross was dangerous looking for Gibbs White and the defender sliced over. From the corner that came in it was nearly another own goal as Kelly hit his own bar after Uremovic flicked on. It was an odd piece of defensive work and the defender was very fortunate not to concede a spectacular goal into his own net.
United had improved and grown into the game but Stevens pulled back Dembele for the game’s first booking. Bournemouth had played some nice intricate football at times and showed they were full of technically sound player but had not really got behind United. Indeed, the two efforts they had were from range with Christie firing straight at Foderingham and then blazing over. McBurnie had a chance but took too long to get his shot away after the ball came in from Fleck. The corner was cleared and then Fleck caught Smith but enough for another theatrical fall which saw him get the United player booked. Then referee continued to fall for most things with minimal contact and it made it stop start for a while.
Baldock switched off as the ball to the back post came in but Uremovic made a good block and Foderingham gathered the deflected effort before United went on the attack and a nice move saw Gibbs White and McBurnie exchange passes but the Wolves loanees effort although hit firmly was straight at Travers who made a reaction save to push over. This was the best chance of a relatively even first half and with this save and the one that hit the woodwork, the home side will feel they maybe could have led despite the away side having a lot of the ball.
The second half saw United start well and they won a corner which they worked well to create a cross and when it came in Davies took off too soon and was on the way down as he headed over. It was a decent chance. After a fairly fluid first half the next spell saw both sides give the ball away as the rain now came lashing down in a very changeable afternoon in terms of the weather conditions that was matched by the drop off in play in the game.
Both sides now were struggling to find any real ascendancy. Bournemouth at times moves it around nicely but there was no end product or real threat although Egan pulled down Solanke for United’s third yellow of the game. Berge and Gibbs White were trying to get in the game and McBurnie was working hard but it was Gibbs White who still looked the most likely with his one touch stuff and strong running. Indeed, he had a great chance after McBurnie flicked a long ball round the corner and it came off Kelly and led to Gibbs White racing onto it. He beat the offside trap but Travers raced out to make the block at point blank range. It was the second time the keeper had denied him as he bore down on goal.
Fleck was replaced by Osborn and United started to see more of the ball and force the visitors back. Gibbs White continued to be a threat and some decent stuff led to United moving up the field and having a good spell in the visitors final third. Berge and Gibbs White linked well and then Norwood almost found McBurnie. Billing was booked for a poor foul on Norwood soon after.
Bournemouth had still not threatened in the second half but from a set play, the header back saw Phillips head back and Kelly poked over the bar. It was a half chance but was as good as anything they had mustered all game. Uremovic was firm in the tackle and continued to impress. Indeed, Billing was lucky to stay on after catching him very late but somehow escaped a second yellow card.
Hourihane replaced Berge and United came again and continued to look the more likely as the game went on. On 86 minutes after McBurnie knocked down, Phillips seemed to clatter him as he flicked on but incredibly after giving so many decisions for such innocuous contact, he waved play on leading to howls of despair inside the Lane.
Zemura appeared to pull his hamstring as he conceded a corner and had to go off. After this was cleared, the game went into four minutes of stoppage time. Gibbs White was cynically chopped down by Kelly and the Blades had a final chance. Hourihane found Davies at the back post who headed down and Uremovic with the goal at his mercy blazed over. He seemed to be struggling after an earlier challenge had caught him in the face but despite his excellent display knows it was a really poor effort. The full-time whistle came not long after and the way the United players reacted compared to their counterparts from Bournemouth, suggested the latter were much happier with a point. Certainly, all the clear chances and efforts, combined with the penalty appeal were for the home side who finished very strongly and were unfortunate not to nick it.
United – A 0-0 draw but a fairly entertaining one and a much better game than maybe both of the last two games. It was a strange one as Bournemouth did have lots of the ball for spells and moved it around but created nothing at all. We played more like an away side in terms of how we broke, for periods, but had all the chances. The first half they seemed to have a lot of it and just move it side to side with no penetration. We actually got it forward quicker and had chances with a few blocked, the one off the bar and then the chance for MGW just before half time.
The second half became really scrappy and neither side were great for a fair chunk. The referee continued to frustrate with some awful decisions and he seemed to blow up every time a player went down (mostly them sadly). However, they did not really worry us too much and as the game went on, we seemed to get stronger. MGW missed the big chance when he was through again and then of course he should have had a penalty. Then right at the death Uremovic blazes over. Would have capped a really good display by him but he made a bit of a mess of it. Feel things did not quite go for us today. We did enough to win with the three big chances and the penalty but as much as we can rightly blame the referee (who was awful), we have to score when we are one on one and you might miss one or two but three is inexcusable really. I came away relatively pleased with how we played. We grew into the game and eventually started to win our battles. We limited them to nothing and at the other end had chances. It is quite irritating we did not win the game in that sense even though the performance was good and not sure anyone was awful. We were competitive and played some ok stuff even if it was maybe a little conservative for a while (more on the break due to the players we and they had) but then the brakes came off at the end and we had a real go and should have got the winner we deserved. They were certainly happier with the draw at the end.
The results today actually went ok with Forest and Millwall winning but Boro losing a game you would have them nailed on to win and have lost two straight at home. Blackburn drew and WBA/QPR lost. So overall it was an ok day – and we have not lost much ground really. We could do with Luton and Huddersfield drawing.
The pressure is on all the sides really but for us you would say we need a minimum of 4 points against two poor sides. Hopefully Sharp will be back as well as McBurnie has done the last two games for the team, he never looks like scoring and never gets into the box. I was really impressed with Uremovic today and thought he was much improved from the week and really wanted him to score at the end. The midfield slowly started to see more ball and the defence was quite solid throughout. I thought the wing backs were a bit wasteful and sloppy but the concern was the lack of forward options. McBurnie was knackered but due to the height they had, he needed to stay on for defensive set plays. We did not have any real options though up there and it means you worry outside of MGW (and Sharp when he plays) where the goals are coming from?
Ratings:
Foderingham 6.5/10 – Very little to do. Not sure he had anything to do first half at all other than one tame shot. Kicked one great ball out to Stevens. 2nd half again did he have to save a to make? He did have one moment where he stayed on his line for some reason when it was clearly his ball.
Baldock 5.5/10 – Thought he was one of our poorer players today. Often at full stretch and Dembele caused him quite a few problems. He is always competitive but at times he went looking for the ball rather than keeping his position. He got beat a few times when he over committed or was too far forward. His touch and passing in the final third continued to frustrate. Good effort as always but lacking quality.
Stevens 6/10 – Like Baldock, not sure we saw much from him attacking wide and the balls coming in from wide were poor. One decent one led to the slice wide for the corner in the first half and a few other neat moments. Defensively he was ok and did what he had to but a silly booking where he pulled his man back was one black mark. He still makes some off decisions and kicks the ball straight to an opponent when under no pressure. He has been ok though and an improvement on RND the last two.
Uremovic 7.5/10 – Would have been a bit higher if he had scored the winner of course! He was really good today. Grew into the game and got better and better as it went on. Came onto it and was more with the pace today than Tuesday night. He was very competitive, winning tackles and headers. Used it sensibly too. Got stuck in quite a bit second half with one great tackle as they broke and then got fouled quite a bit aerially and, on the floor, as he was first to everything. Love his spirit and attitude he showed. Shame at the end as it was set up for him but made a right hash of it. Seemed to suggest he was still struggling after the knock he took the face earlier (blood in his eyes?). Really promising signs today. My man of the match.
Davies 6.5/10 – Did ok in terms of the defensive side with only a few headers down that were not out and away but read it well and stepped in to make some interceptions. Still too slow to move it on though at times. He had a good headed chance when he jumped too soon but then did well at the end to head back for the late chance.
Egan 6.5/10 – Thought he did ok. He got skinned twice by Solanke (once first half tight by the touchline) and then again second half when he brought him down. Outside of this he limited one of the better forwards at this level to small change. He won his headers, attacked the ball and did what he had to.
Norwood 6.5/10 – Started a bit slow as we sat off and allowed them onto the ball but then he did grow into it and moved it quicker and saw more of it. A few decent interceptions but then a few sloppy balls too. One shot over from a corner and another few floated crosses that caused some issues actually second half. The midfield ended on top after conceding a lot of ball at stages.
Fleck 7/10 – I thought he was playing pretty well again and whilst not quite at the standards of the other night, he still was busy and got on the ball. He was one of the few linking and trying to make things happen first half as we did not see much of it in terms of going forward. Then he was linking well down the left and made some decent interceptions and runs. I was surprised when he went off as he seemed to have mor energy than Berge at this stage?
Berge 5.5/10 – I thought he was our most ineffectual player attacking wise of the midfield and forwards. Yes, we saw bits and pieces but often very slow to do things and got harried out of it. When he got it, he looked decent with a few nice balls but again it was all a bit safe. As with the last two games, you are wanting him to get on it and drive or play a forward pass but was not really penetrating at all. He did have a decent spell after half time and won a corner/free kick but do not recall him getting in the box or getting them facing the other way. Still struggling to finish 90 minutes or at a decent level – even 2 years after signing. He was blowing again – as he was Tuesday – and with him not being able to run we had to put fresh legs on. We need much more from him.
Gibbs White 7/10 – Along with Uremovic our best outfield player but he did miss two good chances that takes his mark down. He was involved in most good things we did attacking wide and he works so hard for the side. I love his attitude and even if he frustrates with too many flicks, his one touch stuff you have to agree often gets us into good positions before the defenders are set. Always looking to carry the ball and link with others. Him and McBurnie combined well today. Will be disappointed with the misses – the first he just hit but the second he has to lift it. Also, should have had a penalty. Still our most effective and dangerous player and very good to watch as he glides around the field.
McBurnie 6.5/10 – Worked hard all game and like Tuesday cannot criticise his effort or indeed his overall play when he had it. Ran it out once and also committed a few silly fouls and continued to argue with the ref. I know the officials were poor but he needs to just get on with the game and stop trying to be the tough guy he clearly is not. However, he linked well with MGW and nearly set him for a goal on half time. He did take too long to get a shot away just before this. 2nd half continued to win his header and hold it when he could and also did really well defensively winning quite a few clearances deep in his own box. The biggest issue is he is never in the box or does not read things. I keep hearing the goals will come if he plays more but not sure they will unless he anticipates or gets deeper into the area near the goal. First half he was slow to react to Stevens cross and the same with a Hourihane one near the end. He needs to get into better areas but most of his play (which was decent) seems to be outside the box. It meant we effectively played with two number 10’s and did not have a striker today.
Subs –
Hourihane – Did not see lots of the ball in open play but a few set plays were dangerous including the one at the death that led to the Uremovic chance.
Osborn – Busy after he came on. Made a few defensive clearances and moved it on and kept it when we could. Did give us more energy as Berge was knackered.
Manager: Heckingbottom 7/10 – A really solid performance where we were quite disciplined, limited them to few chances and I thought we had the best opportunities. On another day we take one and win. Tactically I thought we played it right as they of course have lots of good ball players so we made the choice not to press as we did in the week when it was proved right. They did have a lot of the ball but not sure they did much. We are clearly limited with options up top and meant we are relying almost exclusively on MGW to create something. I thought what was reassuring it we got stronger as the game went on and finished well at the end of the game. I was not sure about the Fleck change but we did get stronger and maybe it was right? Osborn also gave us some legs we needed. We have bounced back well in the last two home games.
Bournemouth – At the start of the season I though they would be up easily and I think that will still be the case. They had a talented squad last season but it never worked out with Tindall and then Woodgate and they lost a few players and had a few injuries. They recruited well and did not scale back the spending. They have been around the top all season and were top for a while until Fulham pulled away. Not sure it’s about Parker (as not sure Fulham was) and like to see him with a smaller budget. In January they added to an already talented squad with a number of signings like Pearson, Dembele, Cantwell and Moore. Their bench would walk into nearly every other team in the Championship except maybe Fulham. You certainly could argue nearly every one makes out team and that’s not a direct criticism of our team as it is now with a few out but just showing their squad strength. They are backed still by a big money owner but know if they had not gone up this season, they would have faced the dangerous season where you are caught between trying to go up on the final season of the parachute payments to suddenly scaling back but maybe due to having a wealthy man in charge, they did not need to consider that yet and have continued to spend despite small crowds/stadium even at this level.
The squad is packed full of experience, good young players and also have goals in Solanke. The midfield lads Billing and Zerma are the sort of athletes I’d crave alongside Norwood in midfield as they are physical, can run, tackle and pop up with goals. They are good players at this level. They have a number of tricky, creative players too. They have ended up with lots of games in hand but it still should not matter and only maybe need 3 or 4 wins to go up now – maybe less. Next season, like Fulham, they have the basis of the squad that came down last season and you sense, again like Norwich, that it may be a struggle again but maybe they will invest again.
After a defeat in the week, I worried we may get a reaction (I know I always think like that and maybe a team hitting bad form is a good thing too sometimes but worry when a good side loses just before they play us) but tempered that with the day extra rest we had and the fact they had to travel a fair bit too.
Today they were fortunate to escape with a draw. I heard Parker say they were the better side for spells or controlled it but they had the ball without doing anything with it at all. First half they had two long range shots and that was it? Second half this continued really and they had lots of ball left to right and you felt they may start creating things but it never happened and they ran out of steam and we got stronger and stronger. We had the best 3 chances of the game and hit the bar so they were fortunate to get anything in that respect. The 2nd half thought they became scrappy and a bit desperate and started fouling when we broke. We certainly always looked more like winning the game. Still expect them to go up but today showed how little there is in the division and again made us reflect on what a poor start we had.
Opponent Man of the Match – Travers takes it for the two saves. Different type of saves but one was instinctive and another he raced out and narrowed the angles well. Outside of this, not sure any were outstanding. They have some good technical players with Lerma decent in the middle. Billing as inconsistent and like Berge must frustrate them when he shows great bits of strength and skill and then coasts for spells or chops men down. Dembele was maybe the main outfield threat with some good runs and nice footwork.
Opponent Weak link – Smith was embarrassing for his theatrics but I thought Kelly was a bit wayward and dirty and could have scored an own goal and got booked. Gibbs White caused him all sorts of problems running at him. Solanke had two decent runs but not in the game outside of this which was credit to our defence.
Referee/Officials – Dean Whitestone. Has reffed us for wins at Hull and Peterborough. 29 bookings in 85 which is less than 3 a game which seems a small number and that always has me nodding thinking he will be ok! Also only one red but 10 penalties maybe seems a lot? Maybe he needed to bring this down. Today he frustrated all game. The Stevens booking was fine (had warned him once) but the Fleck one saw Smith dive (he had twice already) and he seemed to give fouls every time they hit the floor. I joked he should have put a green shirt on but he already had one on (albeit a different shade). He did not seem to let the game flow and it was constantly stopping. He certainly was not a homer in terms of his performance and capped it off when he failed to give a blatant penalty. When decisions like that are made – the referee should have to come out and explain himself? Why and how can he not give that? He also could and should have sent Billing off for a second yellow for a really poor foul. So many bad decisions all game (both ways actually as he evened it out more 2nd half despite the penalty one). Not helped by two dithering linesman who seemed to not know the offside rule. I did feel (tin hat) that the Baldock one where Dembele ran past him and everyone thought it had gone out – that it did not go out (full ball). Ditto with a Stevens one. Still even if they got this right, they failed to help an already incompetent referee and often seemed reluctant to give anything. Maybe Mr Whitestone needed to be the star of the show. Another stinker but we have seen so many this season, it is more of a surprise when you do not see a good one!
Matchday/Crowd – Lunchtime kick off never help but it was quiet again and of course they did not bring many (understandably). The noise raised due to the incompetent referee and I felt they did appreciate and back the side as the game drew to a close and in the end did their best to help us
