Post by deadbat on Aug 18, 2022 9:23:58 GMT
Podcast to come some point today but report below…. sorry for delay and no report at the weekend but been on holiday so lack of sleep, flight delays caught up on me so could not get this done last night as went to bed as soon as I got in from the match.
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The Blades continued their improvements after the opening day defeat, making it two for two at Bramall Lane and now three unbeaten in the league. United had started slowly but a red card for Dan Neil followed quickly by Anel Ahmedhodzic’s first goal for the club completely changed the game. United then bossed it and scored a great team goal with Max Lowe delivering the final touch for his first goal for the club too. The visitors rallied and profited from a defensive error with Lynden Gooch scoring a sublime chip but un the end United saw it out. It was a plucky effort from the away side considering they had 10 men for an hour’s worth of football. They lost though for the second consecutive Wednesday night in the Steel City in their only defeats of the season and tonight their first league defeat for 179 days.
The first game of the season under the lights and a full away following meant it was a game that everyone would have been surely looking forward to with the Blades hoping to use a week with back-to-back league games to move up the league table even at this embryonic stage. Manager Heckingbottom had to make a change with Sharp out injured yet again sadly and Brewster back in to lead the line. The other change saw James McAtee come in for this league debut for John Fleck. United had Chris Basham back on a strong looking bench. Sunderland had made a good start to the season but would have been disappointed to have been pegged back at the weekend to QPR. They fielded in form Everton loanee Ellis Simms alongside last season’s leading scorer Ross Stewart. Experienced campaigners like Danny Batth and Alex Pritchard also started. New signing Daniel Ballard was out with injury which is expected to keep him out for an extended period.
The visitors backed as always by a vociferous away following started well and were front foot to start the game winning the loose stuff and moving it about well. Gooch had an early effort that looped up and was saved from Foderingham. Simms also looked dangerous running behind using his power and pace and put in an excellent cross that Foderingham had to clutch. United had been sloppy in possession and looked a yard off the pace with the ball not sticking up top or any sustained possession. Brewster did have an effort after being fed by Ndiaye but his effort was wild and over. Sunderland continued to look busy as sloppy touches from Lowe and then Norwood saw cheers from the visiting fans. However, a decent move saw Norwood have a shot blocked but then the game moved quickly to the other end and Stewart dragged his shot just wide.
Baldock got on the end of a diagonal ball from Norwood but went down maybe too theatrically under minimal contact from Batth as United sought to try and improve. A decent move saw the ball moved across to Brewster and his shot stung the hands of Patterson. Sunderland still looked lively and won a free kick and corner and were clearly in confident mood but the game swung on the half hour mark. Sunderland tried to play it out but Neil took an errant touch and in nipped McAtee, who had been quiet up this point, and as he looked to move towards goal the Sunderland man hauled him back. The red card was almost instantaneous from James Linington. The culprit’s reaction said it all as he trooped off with no protestation at all. The free kick was flicked behind for a corner and from this the opening goal came. Norwood sent it over and the keeper errored in opting to stay at home and AHMEDHODZIC came in and headed into the corner from just inside the six-yard box. His face showed his sheer joy as he wheeled away to celebrate in front of the South Stand. This two-minute period completely changed the game and after beginning well, the Black Cats now faced an uphill task, losing a man and a goal.
United now sensed their opportunity to seize complete control of the game and a corner was not properly cleared initially before being cleared to Baldock whose shot was well over as he leaned back. Ahmedhodzic nearly added a second with his cross almost inadvertently going in but Patterson had to help it behind. Berge and then Ndiaye had efforts blocked before right on half time good football led to Lowe having an effort also charged down. After beginning slowly, United had been much improved to end the first half.
The second half saw Berge influential with a driving run and then linking well with Ndiaye before the second goal was not long coming. Norwood started it before getting the ball back and rolling a ball that Berge intelligently stepped over it leading to the marauding Ahmedhodzic to receive the pass. The Bosnian sent over a perfectly placed pass into the box for LOWE to smartly convert underneath the keeper. United had a number of players in the box but showed their intentions with the left wing back scoring on the right-hand side of the six-yard box. It was a really well worked team goal and United now seemed in complete control.
Ahmedhodzic continued to impress and nearly made a chance for Berge before the Norwegian again showed his strength and skill as he saw off two challenges and nearly found an opening. United now were moving Sunderland about with Norwood and Berge conducting the wave after wave of attacks. United now seemingly scented blood and it looked like they would go on and finish off the game but
Bailey Wright, Matete and Hume on for Embleton, Simms and Pritchard with the latter noticeably not happy at being withdrawn. The changes worked though although it was an error from the Blades that saw them suddenly back in the game. United had been playing some good football but Egan overplayed and it saw Matete nip in ahead of McAtee and fed Stewart who played through the onrushing GOOCH. Foderingham came off his line but the chip was perfect and landed into the net to send the Sunderland fans wild. Indeed, their jubilation was such they threw a flare onto the pitch that led to a delay before the game could be restarted.
United had a sloppy spell after this with Egan making another mistake and the game that appeared comfortable now was back in the balance. A corner was headed across and off the bar from Stewart but the referee had whistled for an offence just before this. Matete had a shot blocked and the Blades struggled to have the same level of possession as the ten men were really having a go and deserved credit for their approach. Luke O’Nien did not deserve credit for a horrible scything tackle down the back of the leg of McAtee, but he fortunately only got a yellow card.
That was McAtee’s last contribution as he departed along with Brewster with Fleck and Khadra coming on.
Khadra’s touch and running was prominent early with one surging run getting the Kop to its collective feet.
Berge had been really impressive in the second half and was the ball was continuing to be magnetised to the big Norwegian. He nearly created a chance for Ndiaye but then Berge got into the box and hit a deflected effort that looped onto the far post and then bounced away. McBurnie came on after being readied earlier with Ndiaye giving way. He had an early shot saved after good football saw Fleck with the final pass for the effort at goal.
Berge had another effort blocked before he was involved in the move that saw Norwood hit a fizzing effort that dipped goal wards and Patterson had to rise up to tip away. Diamond and Alese came on for Batth and Clarke as the visitor kept plugging away but had not created anything that clear cut since they had scored. United kept the ball well and Sunderland were getting frustrated shown by them cynically chopping Khadra down. The new man continued to show his excellent close control and low centre of gravity, allied to his positivity in forward dribbling and the crowd again were enjoying his play.
The game entered seven additional minutes after a number of changes and the clear up of the flare added to a few injuries. In this time though it was United who looked the side most likely to score with McBurnie having a superb effort on the turn saved by Patterson at full stretch, in an excellent save. From the corner Egan headed cross and it was saved by the keeper. Matete and Wright for Sunderland and McBurnie all got bookings for hacking down men – or the goalkeeper in McBurnie’s case. Khadra was tripped and body checked again in the additional time added on. United were able to see out the game and celebrate another home win.
United – A pleasing night that saw a win and a good performance that did not look like happening after a sloppy and slow opening. Overall, we scored two and could have scored three or four more. The only criticism, aside from the sluggish start and maybe needing the red card to kick start us (and it did change the game but an error from them no matter what their fans/manager says so that is on them) was we did not go on and make it more comfortable and the goal we conceded was poor. After this it is always nervy when there is one goal in it and they had nothing to lose but we managed it fairly well and it was the Blades who looked like scoring far more than them.
We played some good fluent football and moved it around nicely and after the sending off we completely upped it and McAtee got more involved after a quiet start. Berge then started to dominate and second half he was outstanding and when Fleck came on, he moved further forward and they were terrified off him every time he got the ball.
The play up to the final moment was excellent but we just could not quite find that final part when we got into the box and with Berge, Ahmedhodzic and Norwood all prompting, we just needed a bit of quality with the finish to go on and make the game more comfortable. The changes actually worked and steadied us after a poor 5 minutes around the goal. Khadra and McBurnie both played well and contributed hugely with the former especially looking a real talent with close control, dribbling and direct play. I felt we would go on and score the third or fourth as their threat diminished but it did not quite happen and they always would have a chance with one goal in it but we managed it comfortably enough. In the end we won the game and deservedly so and there were a lot more positives than negatives. Brewster and Ndiaye were quiet, and McAtee struggled initially but grew into it and the left side improved after another dodgy start. Egan had a mad 5 minutes but outside of this we saw good displays and with Ahmedhodzic, Berge and Norwood the stand outs and really good cameos from Khadra and McBurnie, we have a lot to be positive about.
Sharp was on crutches in the South Stand and with him, Clark, Robinson, Stevens and Bogle out, we still have a few key men we need to hope we can get fully fit but the bench depth even tonight looked as strong as it has been for a while and with the extra players coming back, then there is going to be some disappointed players soon. We still have the concern over Berge going and I still worry about the top of the pitch but as I say below maybe we don’t always have to play an out and out striker at the top of the pitch? We have lots of options in how we can play.
Blackburn on Saturday and whilst they are still top, they have just got thumped and will be smarting a bit. We need to start better and I wonder if he may rotate a bit with McBurnie and Khadra (against his former club) for Brewster and McAtee? Still if we win this we are then talking about an excellent start and recovery after that poor showing at Watford. Last night was enjoyable though with two teams going at it and we played some good stuff with chances created and three good goals (if you count theirs). Overall, you cannot ask for much more.
Ratings:
Foderingham 6.5/10 – His mark may seem low but I actually thought he made a few poor mistakes with his kick outs tonight and also on the goal he surged out a bit much and made himself open for the chip/lob. It was a great goal but looking at it he made the decision for the player. Maybe that is harsh and all the credit needs to go to Gooch. After this he caught a few crosses and they did not really threaten us.
Baldock 7/10 – Usual George. Energy and aggression and he got forward well and was involved in a lot of our forward play, mostly second half where he was very advanced. He still came inside or stopped too much rather than crossing or playing it quicker and allowing them to get back. Defensively he did ok against a few tricky wingers. Some of his touches and pieces of control to get on Norwood’s passes was excellent as he killed things instantly but it was just the next part that was not quite as dangerous. He was always involved and thought his energy levels were superb.
Lowe 7/10 – Did not see the game at the weekend when he was apparently poor first half and improved second half. Tonight, was similar although it was maybe only the first 20 minutes, he looked a bit errant in his play with a few touches off or moments when they got down this side and he left too much space. He did improve before the break and then second half thought he was good and defended sensibly but also got forward and into some good areas with link up play. The goal I was shocked he was that far forward (I was convinced it was Ndiaye who scored but got the coloured boots mixed up!) but fair play to him. This seemed to give him confidence and he improved and finished the game really well.
Ahmedhodzic 9/10 – Was very good against Millwall and then he upped it even more tonight! Sensational is not an understatement. Think he made one barged foul in a silly position, one other errant pass first half and overrun one good run but struggling to think of anything else he did wrong. So many positive things. Defensively he was all over the place getting tackles in, covering ground, winning headers and using his long legs to make those interceptions. He is strong as well and no one can hold him off. He looks no nonsense when he needs to be but also is very technical. On the ball he is so comfortable and came out a number of times first half and had a few moments where he nearly assisted. The goal he took well with a powerful header (showing Egan and the other centre backs how to score) and after nearly had another with a cross that almost drifted in. 2nd half with the extra man he burst forward whenever he could and was central to many attacks with his quick feet and running power. The 2nd goal he got inside the channel and was intelligent enough to pick his man out. He had more opening and bit of link and him and Berge started to form an understanding.
Norrington Davies 7/10 – Started off looking like it may be a struggle with Simms pace and power as they looked to exploit our lack of physicality down the left side but he stuck to his task and like Lowe got better as the game went on. I am not sure that is his position at all though and he will move back to left wing back you would think when Clark/Robinson are back to fitness. Second half he got his foot in when he could. Going forward he showed a few glimpses but obviously with Anel bombing on the right-hand side, he had to be more withdrawn and hang back a bit. Did have a few runs though and maybe did not receive the ball when well placed.
Egan 6.5/10 – First half he was too slow to move it on and we were ponderous to begin the game with our possession play being off somewhat. He improved as we did and started to get on top of Stewart who looked lively to begin. However, second half he makes the error with the poor pass that led to them scoring and then he had a bad spell with a kick out and then conceded a foul. He got his head together and other than a few soft free kicks, he ended the game better and almost scored at the end with the one off the line.
Norwood 7.5/10 – I thought he was at the heart of most things and that was both good (and a few times bad!) He played some great long-range passes and some over hit ones but most things went through him and he had a lot more space of course when we had the man advantage. Good corner for the goal and a few other decent assists (one to Baldock) and of course assist to the assist for the goal. He helped take the sting out of things moving it side to side after we had conceded. He can frustrate but overall, he played well tonight and almost scored too with a good shot that the keeper tipped over.
McAtee 6/10 – Started the game and looked lost in terms of what position he was meant to be and the pace and physicality of the game. Hecky kept giving him instructions but he still struggled and got shrugged off the ball the few times he had it. The red card which he deserves a lot of credit for reading the mistake and being high on the press, saw him improve and he started to pass it forward and try things more, which he admitted himself. He ended the first half well and some good balls and touches with one good run down the left. 2nd half he was involved in the goal we conceded but was more on Egan. He continued to look like he wanted the ball more though and got took out with a really bad tackle that should have been a red card and went off. A good hour+ for him though and he will now have an idea of the pace/physical side of this league. Got smashed a few times but kept coming for more so fair play.
Berge 8/10 – Started the game in a central role and cannot affect the game as much from him and he had a few touches where he got robbed and not quick enough to move it on. He did get better and have some neater passes and switches of play but was maybe only a 6/10 first half but then second half he massively improved. The man advantage meant they could not double up on him and after Fleck came on for McAtee, he was moved further forward and started to have huge impact. He was constantly on the ball and darting inside or talking men out with his slalom type runs. He dummied for the goal cleverly and then had a number of other runs or moments where he got in. Had one effort off the post. Only slight knock is the final bit was not quite there and maybe needed to be quicker to get the pass/shot in. However, he looked an absolute Rolls Royce using a term many have before just looking so hard to get off the ball as he cruised around the middle/final third and taking the ball into good areas and taking men with him. I have a feeling it may be hard to keep him. Hecky alluded to this buy out clause (heard 35 million – not sure whether a team will give is that?)
Ndiaye 6/10 – Started the game well and looked one of our main threats getting the ball down and trying to link but no clear chances resulted and he became somewhat quieter as the game moved on. He did link with some of the moves we made and never hides and tries to find space and get on that half turn but things did not always come off for him. Took a knock and then he went off with 15 minutes to go. One of his quieter games for him but his position seemed to isolate him in terms of being too far off the midfield – almost too far off the striking position.
Brewster 6/10 – I thought he did well against Millwall and linked play and got down the sides involved quite a bit first half but tonight not sure we saw too much of him. Like with Ndiaye he did try hard and got some hammer with them going through him a fair bit. Had one wild shot over the bar and then another that the keeper saved. Not sure he looks like scoring too much at the moment though and even his efforts have not been that close. I also think with him playing that lone striker he may struggle as he does not have the physicality. There is an argument we throw Khadra, Ndiaye and Berge as a front three with McAtee in front of maybe Fleck and Norwood? Harsh on McBurnie and Brewster as they are strikers but you want your best players on the field.
Subs –
Fleck 6.5/10 – Steady enough. He set up a few chances with an extra couple of passes and maybe could have had a shot on one. He did get his foot in though and help us get control back in this area. A few times he could have played it quicker when we broke.
Khadra 8.5/10 - The crowd instantly took to him and he already seems a favourite after 20 minutes of play at the Lane! We have not had a player like him for a while. He will frustrate but he will also get the crowd off their feet. His control from one kick from Wes was amazing and his low centre of gravity and ability to keep the ball at his feet reminded me a bit of Kinkladze. He had three or four great runs where he carried it and created or got chopped down. Really impressive and exciting home debut!
McBurnie – Not rated him due to time on the pitch (normally do 70 or less) but he would have been an 8/10 – there I have rated him! Instantly got involved winning a throw, getting his body in there and chasing. Had an effort saved down low after Fleck fed him and then linked with a few others with good hold up and passing. Towards the end he had two more efforts and one was very close to scoring with quite a powerful shot for him that the keeper made a fantastic save. I had no issues with his booking either as he took the keeper out to stop the break. Really useful cameo and he may even get a start Saturday after that and Brewster being quiet?
Manager: Heckingbottom 8/10 – Credit to him. After a sluggish start and the formation to begin did not really work and it ended up with McAtee, Berge, Ndiaye and even Norwood were not in the right areas – he wanted McAtee in but this meant others were moved around from where they could be effective. We improved after the red card and this meant we could get McAtee and Berge more on the ball with changes to the formation and the subs also after we conceded allowed us not to sit so deep on the ball. This also saw us start to control the game after a poor spell when we did let the goal in. He has maybe struggled a bit with the subs but he used them well and hopefully getting the hang of it a bit more now! Think we will see likes of McAtee, Doyle and even Khadra rotated quite a bit in the positions of central and attacking midfield. That is fine as we need to utilise the new sub system and did that well today. After a poor opening day, we have served up three better performances and picked up 7/9 points and could have been 9. Win on Saturday and we suddenly are probably top two and it has been a very good start. We need to keep Berge as that could be pivotal and his comments without being controversial were at least a marker to the board how important he is. He did not get booked tonight too with Neil being the one in the assistant’s ear all night!
Sunderland – Quite impressed with them in terms of them coming and having a go and not sitting back and even after the red card did not sit back and kept the two strikers up. They moved it around well and started on the front foot and were able to get behind us a few times. Definitely for an away side they came and had a go. The first 30 minutes they were the better side but only had one shot looped up and one cross – we had a few more chances weirdly via Brewster than they did, despite them being quicker and sharper to the first and second balls.
Thought Simms and Stewart looked a handful and Gooch was prompting. They got on Norwood and Berge but we were also poor when not pressed – after the red card the game changed. It does annoy me when fans/manager say that changed the game and their side were better but they seem to forget that they made the error and it is their fault! An easy red card really and he knew it by his reaction as he trooped off. Just took a bad touch and compounded it by pulling McAtee down. After this they then failed to defend a corner – keeper stayed at home and no one challenged. They then struggled and for either side of half time did well to even keep it to 2-0 as we moved them around and they started to struggle. We were well on top and it could have been 3 or 4 but then they got a goal – brilliantly taken and had a spell but then we settled it down and actually they did not really hurt us or look like scoring towards the end and we were the team more likely. However, with ten men they did have a go and will say they put in a decent effort but in the end the verdict was right looking at how much their keeper had to do compared to ours who had little to do.
Their supporters were excellent and vocal all game but their take on the referee was odd as the red card was easy and they should have been reduced to ten men for a horrible tackle by O’Nien who has form for this from watching him before. They were dirty as I allude to on the referee’s report but actually showed they would not roll over. The two lads at the top are big and mobile and will get chances/goals. They have some competitive midfielders in there who can do a job and even though they may lack depth and quality they will be fine. I expect them to be around the middle of the league and if they keep having a go at teams away on top of their big home crowds, will do ok. Neil is an experienced manager and knows this division well.
Opponent Man of the Match – Patterson, the keeper made some superb saves with the McBurnie one such a difficult one to stop. He actually stayed on his line for the goal though but he did keep the score down and made another good one from Norwood. Gooch scored a lovely goal and had an effort first half and he was their best midfield player and I was glad Simms went off who looked a threat.
Opponent Weak link – Easy one for this with the lad sent off Neil taking it for the mistake and red card. O’Nien put an awful tackle in that should have led to a red card.
Referee/Officials – James Linginton. Thought he was fine even though Sunderland fans may disagree. He got the red card right and it was an easy decision to make and he did not hang around! No other huge decisions affected the game. Had to also do the job of two assistant referee’s who were not wanting to make any decisions on throw ins at all. The Sunderland fans can point to the booking (4 and one red to our one) count but they were all deserved! They were cynical (dirty) with a number of other poor tackles/body charges and cynical fouls that were rightly bookings. There was one moment where we shoved one and they shoved us and he gave us a free kick (2nd half) and I felt that was fortunate for us but actually I cannot remember many decisions where I thought we got one there. Neil was doing my head in complaining but needed to look at his own players. As I say they played quite well and had a go and it was nice to see a team do that down here but they were dirty and committed poor fouls. He was complaining about the most obvious free kicks that were easy awards.
Matchday/Crowd/Coverage – Thought United fans were quiet and Sunderland fans were right that we did not make noise, at least till we scored and then they were some volume upped from the Kop. Credit to the Mackems who sang all night and always fill the away end when they come here (and go everywhere to be honest!). The protestations at the ref were odd though and should have looked at their own player’s ill-discipline.
