Post by deadbat on Apr 18, 2022 20:44:14 GMT
Podcast links and then report below….
soundcloud.com/tufty-club/tufty-club-reaction-21-22-bristol-city-away
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It was a point for the Blades as they failed to build on an improved first half performance and had to recover from a sloppy goal from the home side just after half time. The impressive Gibbs White scored the equaliser but despite huffing and puffing, the home side looked as likely to win the game. The Blades had lots of possession and missed key chances in the first half but in the end they could only take a point in another round of fixtures where a number of teams could not take advantage of others dropping points. With Huddersfield, Forest and Luton all winning, the gap opened up means that it seems that there are 6 teams probably playing for the final play off spot. United at the moment are lacking the performances and results but remain the occupant of the position for now but know they need to improve for the final three games.
Manager Heckingbottom made 5 changes with Robinson, Basham, Fleck, Berge and Ndiaye all starting with McBurnie the next striker unavailable due to injury and United started effectively without a recognised centre forward.
Massengo was in for Bristol City who looked to build on the win at Stoke and had more experienced options up the top than the Blades.
City began well after some careless touches from United but gradually United started to get on the ball and on 6 minutes Norwood dragged his shot wide. Berge then played in Gibbs White but his first touch was poor. United continued to dictate and on 9 minutes had a great chance as lovely play from Ndiaye to Fleck, with Gibbs White stepping over the ball, the return came back to him and he was in but could only hit the legs of Bentley as he advanced one on one. The cross came in from Basham and was blocked as United already had shown more intent than Friday.
The home side won a corner but it was cleared before Ndiaye nicked the ball away from Scott. Berge drifted across the centre of the field and hit a shot that drifted wide but United had been in the ascendancy. Gibbs White then lost the ball and Basham pulled his man down for a yellow card. This led to a corner for the home side but Martin looped over with their first real effort.
United were having lots of ball with Ndiaye and Gibbs White bright, albeit well away from goal and then when we did get in an advanced area Fleck came back killing all the momentum. More patient build up came after this but Berge’s cross was wayward with no one in the box. Gibbs White was whacked by Klose and took the free kick but as it looped off the wall, Bentley raced out to prevent the corner but made a mess of it but Norwood took too long and the ball was eventually cleared.
Ndiaye and Gibbs White linked well with some neat stuff and then Norwood lofted a lovely ball over the top and Baldock got there before the hesitant keeper and his lob looped up but was cleared.
More decent stuff saw Baldock’s flick and they had men in the box for once but it was away from Basham. Gibbs White was at the heart of everything United did and his flick nearly got the Blades in again.
Egan was booked for a cynical late foul on Semenyo as he was beaten to the ball but United ended the half well with a ball over the top saw Berge get in as Bentley raced off his line again and the Norwegian got to it and rounded him but opted to lob a cross over rather than go for goal. The ball was recycled and after Stevens cleverly played in Ndiaye, the youngster beat the offside trap and was clear but blazed over in a finish completely unlike the one he took with aplomb on Friday. It was the best chance of the half and a terrible miss, especially not to work the keeper. He was still holding his head a few moments later as the half time whistle went but this was after another chance when Fleck played in Stevens who dragged his shot wide.
United had been much better than the previous game and dictated the game but missed two good chances and for all the possession had only worked an erratic Bentley once from 8 efforts at goal. The home side had offered little but it was concerning with their more recognised strikers that this may change after the break.
The second half saw Da Silva picked up an early knock and had to go off replaced by Benarous. United created a chance when Stevens sent over a deep cross that Robinson met but headed straight at Bentley. The keeper threw it out and United were all over the place and City had 3 on 3. Basham was beaten to the ball by Semenyo and he was in on the angle and it was a simple ball rolled across for MARTIN to convert with their first effort on goal. It was a cruel blow for the visitors who had dominated but poor finishing was now compounded by horrific defending.
Stevens sent over a cross that Berge could not get there as United tried to respond but City should have put the game away as Egan went too far forward and the ball over the top found Weimann whose cross was put over the bar from Semeydo. Soon after City were in again but Martin hit the keeper when the home team had men well over. United’s organisation and shape had completely gone to pieces. It now seemed like the home side were the side who scented blood with the United defence not keeping any kind of line.
However out of nothing United were level. The ball came across and as the ball was half cleared, Stevens hit a shot that was angled at Bentley who pushed it out but GIBBS WHITE acrobatically hooked home and United were level after a messy start to the half.
United then had a run of chances as City started to panic. The ball came across from Stevens and Berge could not quite divert it goalward. The ball pinballed across but would not quite sit. Norwood seemed to win the ball but was penalised as City looked to break after they had been holding on for that last period.
Baldock was booked for kicking the ball out of Bentley’s hands – another avoidable yellow card.
The game was even at this stage but probably too open for United with the City pace up front with Semenyo and Weimann. United needed to get some control of midfield and settle down.
Semenyo pulled up and had to come off for Wells but Stevens gave away another ridiculous free kick and Foderingham had to save Martin’s header as he beat Robinson to it. United continued to give away free kicks with cynical pull backs or tackles rightly penalised. The Blades did have a chance when neat play almost saw Stevens in but Atkinson made a good tackle.
Osula came on for Ndiaye with 15 minutes to go. Baldock then seemed to pull up and Osborn went in at right back as the injuries continued to mount for the Blades. The next spell saw the game quite scrappy as United could not get hold of the ball and the long ball up continued to cause the visitors problems. Fleck brought his man down as Norwood made the mistake and was booked after Wells has been allowed to take the advantage on but shot wide with a good chance.
Stevens could only knock it out another long ball forward and then Berge’s foul saw the ball come in but as United failed to deal with the high ball, Atkinson fired over. Whilst City tried to go down the side and over the top, United tried to move it around still and Gibbs White played in Osula who tried to find Osborn but it was just cleared as the game entered 6 minutes additional time.
This time saw both teams trying to go for it and United seemed leggy in midfield but also still tried to keep playing the ball forward and Osula was looking lively. He turned inside and had a shot at the keeper before United won a late free kick but Stevens ball was eventually cleared. Hourihane came on at the death and he too had a chance to cross but the ball once again was rather telegraphed and the full-time whistle came soon after. For United, a good first half was not followed up and, in the end, they probably would be happy to take a point despite the possession they had and the first half opportunities, City actually could have finished the game off after they scored.
Ratings:
Foderingham 6/10 – Nothing to do first half. One kick out after a poor back pass put him under unnecessary pressure but no saves to make at all. then second half badly exposed with the goal and 2 or 3 other chances. Saved one header routinely. Not really made a proper save.
Baldock 5.5/10 – Thought first half he was better than Friday in terms of his touch, passing and defensive side. He was well forward and played some ok flicks and balls but mostly it was same story of no end product, although he nearly got in from Norwood’s pass. Too far forward for me on the goal and meant we were overmatched. Ridiculous booking – does he not know the rules? Then boots a man and is under pressure. Came off with an injury pulling up and you worry if that might be it for the season.
Stevens 6/10 – Slow to move it forward. Almost seems stuck in quicksand at times. Not sure he really offered much going forward other than the late shot dragged wide but untroubled first half defensively. One decent ball led to the Ndiaye chance too. Second half much further forward and had the shot in the build up to the goal. He then had a few other crosses in a better spell. He at least got into dangerous areas and put some crosses in. He was clumsy with a few fouls and then some ridiculous touches which gave the ball away. So slow and the snidey kick at the end when Osula made the foul after was lazy and showed his lack of pace/fitness.
Robinson 7/10 – Our best defender in the first 45 minutes. Won the ball and made some headers when he needed to. One hack away apart he got away with, he was decent. Decent headed effort but straight at the keeper – they then broke and scored. He continued to do ok and made some decent blocks but often he was left exposed as others were badly out of position.
Basham 3/10 – Looked all over the place and our poorest player to begin with. Looked very rusty. Stupid booking early on and then he was careless with the ball on a number of occasions. Just seemed a off in everything he did. This then carried on with an absolute howler that saw him robbed and they scored. He carried on dithering or making the wrong decisions even after that. Just not at it at all today.
Egan 6/10 – Thought he won a few headers and was ok but then seemed to get a bit tight and then clouted his man for a booking that he deserved. Limited Martin to one header first half. He lost his head for a spell after they scored and ended up miles up the field. What was he doing? This continued and it meant we almost had a big gap every time they went forward. Complete lack of discipline. Agree midfield did not help. Martin imposed himself on him 2nd half and he struggled with the balls coming in and over the top.
Fleck 7/10 – Some good things to start with as he got on it and found pockets and some decent little balls but all too often his natural instinct was to go back or hold it. Killed so many attacks/momentum with too many touches or not driving on. However, he was the one in midfield who still threaded a few decent balls through and one good ball nearly set up a chance for Stevens. It said he set up lots of chances on the stats but I must admit I cannot recall that many? He was our busiest and best midfielder. He did keep going but then the last period ran out of steam, gave it away and resorted to pulling his man back as he is not fit/quick enough.
Norwood 5.5/10 – Saw a lot of the ball and moved it around well if a bit slowly. It was all a bit deliberate. He played one or two good ones (the one to Baldock) but he also took some poor decisions to try long range shots. He was neat and tidy but in areas that did not hurt Bristol City. Unfortunate with the tackle when he won the ball as they broke. Thought we lost all our midfield shape and possession for a spell – we seem to not have control. He gave it away a fair bit and then was at full stretch for a period. Not sure he kept it and always seemed to be a full stretch trying to recover a poor touch.
Berge 5.5/10 – Started with two giveaways but then grew into it. Had a shot go wide and started to become more influential. He at least got on it and tried to link with others. Still too passive and often when in good areas took wrong decisions. Had a few moments second half when we responded with that flurry but then he looked shot and was knackered and he too started foul as well. Needed him to show quality and make something happen but it was just bits and pieces again I felt.
Ndiaye 5.5/10 – Like the way he tries to always go forward. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it does not but, he is positive. He linked well with MGW at times and showed some of that early season promise but sometimes he got crowded out. Linked well for the early MGW chance and then had some neat touches but a terrible miss. Really has to score that. Completely panicked – which he did not do Friday with a harder chance! Second half not really in it and the ball did not stick with us really other than maybe one move.
Gibbs White 7.5/10 – Once again looked our main threat. Yes, I know he can frustrate and at times I just want him to get the ball down and keep it simple to alternate the flicks, step overs and tricks he shows but that is how he plays. A number of times first half it worked and the move where he missed was made by his ‘over.’ He continued to be the main man in terms of looking most likely to create anything even if he did not really lead to a chance or effort after that. Took his goal really well as could have panicked. He continued to be the main threat and even though he is annoying, his runs and touches are still our likeliest way of scoring a goal. Only person who would score was him.
Subs –
Osula – Lively and maybe looked more threatening than Jebbison has done in his sub appearances. He had a few decent hold ups and one shot. He got frustrated and got booked at the end but he did ok and showed some promise there.
Osborn – Did ok in the right back position. Won a few tackles and no major problems defensively. Almost got in once too.
Hourihane – Right on at the end but one poor cross was all he did. Odd sub. Do we need to play him a certain number of games?
Manager: Heckingbottom 6/10 – We were much better than Friday and we did have some control of the game for long periods. We won the midfield to start with and if we go 1 or 2 up, then we can probably start to use the quick players on the break but we did not and it was inevitable they would have a chance and with recognised strikers playing, probably take it. The goal was an error but we kind of lost our shape even as they scored -it was not from set play. We then went desperate and I think he needed to get hold of the team and get us back to some sort of organisation. If they take one of the chances, the game is done. We get level but then I think after Friday he is kind of stuck between going for it and taking a point. We did not really do either and could have lost it more than won it – they had the last two chances. The team looked very tired and a bit desperate at the end. The quality we showed first half kind of disappeared after the break.
United – It was an improved performance no doubt and we had chances to maybe put the game away first half but did not take them. I also felt for all the control we had, we were too slow to get it into good areas and the final bits were poor. Still for all that we have two one on ones. The midfield moved it around ok and the defence was fine save for two daft bookings. Ndiaye and Gibbs White linked well but we did not have anyone in front and no midfield got forward ahead of them so they kind of had to set up chances for themselves.
After the break we had a chance and then an awful goal to give away. Basham is badly at fault but it was alarming how open we were? All the tip tap football we do and they hit one ball and they are in. Teams know we struggle with the ball over the top and then they could have scored a few more goals. They really as inferior as they were should have finished the game off. We then level kind of out of nothing and have a spell but the last 20-25 minutes was a mess (both teams) and they had the better chances (Wells/Atkinson). We once again got into some good areas but no quality at all and nothing to hit although Osula did ok. I thought as well we looked dead on our feet and resorted to cynical fouls when they broke. All three of the midfield could not run back and the conditioning of the whole team was apparent again as we looked absolutely knackered and no one could run. The game was open and better teams may have picked us off and finished the game. We still had a bit of play at the end but again we had to work so much harder to create chances than the opponent. That is the thing – we have to play intricate football as we cannot score from set plays, do not have players who run behind and lack movement aside from Gibbs White.
Overall, a point from the two games against two poor sides was about right and that shows where we are currently. We are sort of struggling to even pick up draws against the strugglers now when a few months ago we were putting these teams away. Granted injuries have cost us of course but we will should have enough to be able to beat these teams but have not done that. Now with Forest, Huddersfield and Luton pulling away, it seems it will be about 6 teams going for 1 spot (us, Millwall, Boro, Blackburn, Coventry and QPR). At the moment no one seems to be taking the initiative but us Boro and Blackburn are terribly out of form and the other teams seem more in the ascendancy although Coventry got a hammering today. Millwall with their next two games could/should get 6 points actually but it has not been that straight forward really so maybe they will not? I am not sure we are good enough and a look a team that does not have the energy and belief that it can go on and dominate teams and win 2 or 3 on the bounce anymore? That confidence we had when Hecky first came in seems to have gone and it is all a bit of a struggle now to even muster the odd point here and there. I expect we will miss out but hope we can find a performance and win next week that would at least then probably mean it goes to the last day no matter what happens at QPR.
Bristol City – Not been a great season and nowhere near the playoffs but done enough to just about stay away from trouble. They have some talent but seem to lack leaders or game changers. They are incredibly inconsistent one week to next.
Pearson was a very good manager wherever he has been and did superbly at some clubs getting them organised, hard to beat and managed at a good level. I thought when he went there, he would turn them round but not really happened and they have been poor with only a few good results really in the last 12 months.
Pearson publicly called into question the players, the character of them and the clubs philosophy. It seemed a call for big changes and very much a back me or sack me and indicated there was a bit of a toxic, losing attitude in the club. Do wonder whether his best days are gone and some managers (Allardyce, Pulis) just kind of get dated?
They did win at the weekend and do have some decent players – Weimann always scores against us and they have some experience but they look a long way short of contenders – but have enough talent to stay away from trouble and I expect that to continue for the next few years. They looked destined to be an average Championship team for a while to come – sadly something we may have to become used to.
Today they were second best first half and other than the odd run from Semenyo did not really threaten much and were lucky to go in level but then broke well to score and used their pace and superior forwards (who are average) and should have doubled the lead. They concede a sloppy goal and then either side could have won it but, in the end, it drifted to a draw.
Opponent Man of the Match – Semenyo was dangerous throughout and set up the goal. He could have scored another. The main threat for them.
Opponent Weak link – Bentley set up their goal but kind of set up ours and made so many poor decisions and kept racing out for no reason!
Referee/Officials – Keith Stroud. Not one of my favourite refs at all. Fussy and seems to want to be the star from previous games we have had him. I recall him having a stinker at QPR when we lost 1-0 a few years ago (Blackman got injured). He did better in games with us this season though – Swansea, Stoke and Birmingham and we had been unbeaten! Today he was ok and rightly booked lots of ours for stupid and cynical fouls. He could have booked more. Only the tackle on Norwood he got wrong really. He didn’t have too bad of a game actually overall.
