Post by deadbat on Oct 1, 2022 18:32:05 GMT
---
It was a frustrating afternoon at the Lane as a big, physical Birmingham side used a combination of organised defensive work mixed in with the dark arts to hold the Blades to a draw. United were far from their best in the least fluent home performance of the season and never really had control of a scrappy game. Credit to the visitors who did not sit back and in the end, they did deserve a draw with Deeney scoring to equalise after McBurnie’s hot streak had threatened to keep the home winning streak going. Too many key men were not really at it for United but they still had a golden chance at the end to win it but Sharp was denied by Ruddy.
With Ahmedhodzic confirmed as being out, Heckingbottom opted to start Khadra on the left but it remained to be seen if he would begin as a wing back or to the left of a 3 in a 4-3-3 formation. Doyle came in for Brewster in the only other chance. Davies and Bogle were on the bench and in a matchday squad00 for the first time this season. Birmingham had experienced duo Deeney and Hogan up front with Manchester United loanee Chong in midfield.
The game started and it seemed when the Blades were in possession, Khadra was more an orthodox wide man right up with McBurnie and Ndiaye but out of it he was more withdrawn but it did not seem quite like the normal 5-3-2/3-5-2 that has been the set up for the season. United had plenty of the ball early on but Birmingham were pressing and very competitive and it meant there was little space for creative talents like Berge and Ndiaye.
Baldock twice was caught out as Birmingham were not sitting back but the game was devoid of any clear chances so far. The tempo was quite slow with Blues happy to play on the break but a chance came when Khadra sent a dangerous cross which flicked off a defender and behind with Ruddy motionless.
At the other end Hogan looked to get on the shoulders but it was Chong who nearly got in before Norrington Davies got his foot in. Longelo was booked for chopping down Doyle who had started well before the same man hit a free kick that kissed the top of the bar as he looked to whip one in from the angle.
Berge had the best effort of the first half as he showed deft feet to come inside and his left footed effort was just the wrong side of the post. Ndiaye and McBurnie were struggling to get into it and Khadra’s selection had not really paid off. Neither keeper had a save to make so far and it was not a huge surprise when the half time came with no goals.
The second half came with a few skirmishes as Birmingham players going down at every opportunity and the physios being allowed on way too much. McBurnie and Bielik were booked for pushing each other before a decent ball from Baldock saw Ndiaye glance wide. United tried to increase the pace but there was never a really sustained period of pressure.
Hogan nearly got into Deeney’s flick as the game was certainly not all one-way traffic even if United were looking the more likely to create something. Bogle and Brewster came on for Khadra and Doyle and it was not long after the deadlock was broken.
A free kick came over from Norwood and the ball was not properly cleared and as it sad MCBURNIE turned and swivelled to hit a superb rising half volley right into the top corner giving Ruddy no chance. It continued the excellent run of form the striker as he broke the stalemate in a tight game. Mejbri came on for Bacuna as Birmingham tried to look to respond.
After a few more lusty challenges going in, Bond called both captains together before McBurnie was replaced by Sharp but soon after the visitors got level.
The ball bounced out and it seemed it came off a Birmingham player but the corner was given and it proved costly as after the resulting kick was not cleared it was played back in and a flicked header from Bielik saw DEENEY completely clear and beating the offside trap. United’s defence stood and watched as the experienced striker picked his spot to finish easily past Foderingham.
Norwood was booked for a foul on Chong and the physio came on three more times as Hall relaced Chong who had clearly been fine a few minutes before despite rolling around for some time before McAtee replaced Ndiaye. Referee Bond deemed there would be 7 minutes of stoppage time and inside this period Brewster had one effort over after good work from Bogle before an even better chance came soon after.
Berge had not been a factor but ran forward and slipped in Sharp but the striker maybe took too long and Ruddy came out and spread himself to make the save. There was still time and ended up being almost 100 minutes of play (due to the visitors attempts to take the sting out of the game) but United ran out of time and could not force a winner.
United – A draw was about right. We cannot win them all and it was unrealistic to expect us just to destroy everyone at home. We have had comfortable wins every home game with superb performances and goals. Today we met a physical, hard working and well organised Birmingham team. They were big and awkward and did time waste/milk injuries and went down and did that they had to not helped by a weak referee at times (he was ok in general play). However, they definitely deserved a draw. They did not just sit back and defend and had some chances on the break and got men forward when they could. United had the better of the opportunities with a few half chances and the Berge effort but 2nd half even though we improved, not sure we had any fluency and it was all a bit stop start. We did not get enough out of Ndiaye and Berge, the two men we expect to unlock teams as both flattered to deceive and looked leggy (maybe the travelling/games last few weeks took their toll?) and in the end when we scored, I was a bit surprised as not sure I felt it had been coming for either side.
We then need to just see it out and take the scruffy 1-0 but poor defending (was it a corner before?) saw us lose a header and some came out and some stayed back and the marking was terrible. It was a gift of a goal. After this I felt for a spell, they looked as likely as us even if there were not many chances but then Brewster and Sharp (with a very good one) had chances at the end. It would have flattered us as I thought Birmingham as horrible and niggly as they were, they were very competitive and got in our faces. However, for all that we had lots of the ball and did not move it quick enough and the tempo was way too slow.
Tactics wise, many seem convinced it was just Khadra in a wing back but not sure it was. Baldock was further back in the shape and Khadra was more pushed right up down the left. He seemed more of a winger in a 4-3-3 – certainly when we had the ball. Not sure he ever came back into our defensive half? Whatever the formation was intended – his selection did not work and he was extremely poor losing the ball and not really offering us anything. He looks woefully unfit to me and might be best as an impact sub.
All in all, I am not too down. We were not fantastic at Swansea and Preston either and could argue the points we took from there were maybe more than we deserved. Both games quite even on the whole. Today we did not create very much at all against a lowly side and too many were just not quite at it. We lacked zip and energy and the tempo was way too slow. Yes, the tactics of them to slow and spoil down was annoying but we need to be better – we need to move it quicker and get it into areas to hurt them. It was all a bit safe really.
Still, it’s not a disaster. We hopefully will come back with a bit more purpose and it might have given them a bit of a kick up the backside. I felt a few were a bit sluggish and just expected things to happen today and if teams come and compete at this level, then you will not just blow teams away. We will have more games like that at the Lane I am sure but we need the players to be better than they were if we expect to put sides like that away. We were not terrible by any means but it was a very average performance and not enough to win the game.
Ratings:
Foderingham 6/10 – Little to do. Took a few catches. Little chance on the goal as he got no protection. One poor kick out again.
Baldock 6/10 – Thought to begin he was really poor and gave away a few free kicks and got skinned but he got better and nearly set up Berge for a chance and got into good areas. Few ok crosses too – like the pone to Ndiaye. He was always in good areas but the quality sometimes still fell down.
Norrington Davies 7/10 – Another really solid game. Only one misplaced pass. Got stuck in, made interceptions and was able to get to the ball first. A few decent runs forward but mostly more withdrawn today.
Basham 7/10 – Thought that was the best Bash has played for ages and more like his old self. Won most of his challenges, used it well and supported the attack. Thought he was really solid today.
Egan 6/10 – Fine for the most part but a few times he let Hogan get the ball and run down the side and stood off when he should have cleared long before. No idea what happened on the goal as numerous defenders stood around. Back to his terrible attacking ways for us after his goals for Ireland and headed one miles over!
Khadra 4/10 – Really disappointing on the whole. One cross that drifted off a defender and wide early and then he lost the ball almost every time he had it. Seemed to lack desire in physical challenges but also, he did not really show any pace or running. He just flicked it to a defender or ran into trouble quickly. I am not even sure he knew where he should be playing – as I say I am not convinced he was an orthodox left wing back – seemed way too wide and high up? Second half same story and not surprised he came off. Needs to do much better if he wants more minutes.
Norwood 6.5/10 – He was ok with some neat passes and switches but some of his diagonals were floated or driven too far. Not everything came off but he kept looking for it and some ok balls mixed in. Daft yellow card again. Still at the heart of good things we did but lacked movement in a static frontline today.
Doyle 7.5/10 – Thought along with RND and Bash, he was out best player so surprised he was taken off? Maybe he was tiring but seemed fine to me and our best midfielder. Energetic, got into good areas and did a bit of everything. He is a busy and tidy player and I like what I see of him.
Berge 5.5/10 – Very quiet most of the game but did have one decent shot wide after neat footwork and nearly set up Sharp for the chance but overall, he drifted too much and looked too passive. He got shoved off it a few times and conceded the corner for the goal and then a daft free kick which could have cost us. Needs to be much more involved and purposeful. Just coasting today and sadly he has one of these games too often for me which may explain why he has not yet moved on. I would have taken him off actually – not Doyle.
Ndiaye 5/10 – As above. Him and Berge are our best attacking players but he was never in the game save maybe one run in the first half and shot badly off target and another second half where he ran out of space. Too poor headers at goal too. A few neat touches but for long periods I forgot he was playing. Poorest he has been this season.
McBurnie 6/10 – Not sure he had his best game and back to trying to fight and push players, often for no reason. He did not quite seem to be closing and chasing as much as other games and before he scored, I was thinking we may take him off. Great finish though from barely a half chance and hammered it home – after we have all been critical of his weak kicking/shooting! I perhaps would have left him on as after that we did not carry a threat when they scored. It was maybe too hasty.
Subs –
Brewster 5/10 – He runs around but lacks quality and not sure he quite gets where to run. He never really ever looks like scoring for United which is a worry for a striker who is meant to be a natural finisher. He blazed one over when well placed after good work from Bogle.
Bogle 6/10 – Bit mixed. One good run and a few neat dribbles but also lost it a few times or ran the wrong way. Not sure why he went left wing back. I would have got him down the right somehow where he can be such a threat.
Sharp 5/10 – Few bits and pieces of hold up but the one big chance and he has to score really. It was on his wrong foot but took too long and the keeper got to him. I would have backed him to score when it landed at his feet.
McAtee – Not long enough to make an impact.
Manager: Heckingbottom 6/10 – Team did not work. At the selection a few of us in the pub were pleased with the attacking players being played and maybe having less defenders and getting more of our better offensive threats in. We felt Brum would sit deep but, in the end, they made it a bit of a battle and we did not really get behind them. Khadra lacks the stamina to get up and down and he was a passenger. The strikers were too isolated also and it became a bit fragmented. Even though we scored, I felt the changes saw players being put in wrong areas/positions and it was all a bit ragged. We never had proper control of the game (neither did they) and for the home side did not create much at all. The players just lacked energy and leggy and maybe that is not down to him but he took off the best player Doyle which was odd. Not sure Bogle down that side worked either really. After we had made the changes and they then scored, we had to change shape again for me. He is hamstring with the injuries and easy to say in retrospect that he should not have done what he did but if the players are just not quite at it, then maybe it is not always down to him but the tempo needed to be much quicker.
Birmingham – Deserved draw. Horrible and cynical with some ridiculous time wasting but they did not sit back and had threats with Hogan and Deeney on the break. They were a big and tall side that got stuck in and were pressing us all over. We struggled to break them down and they were quite organised. Still Doyle/Berge had chances and then we scored but they did keep going and got a leveller. After that it was still quite even and you did not think we were any more likely to win it than them.
Not the best to watch in terms of a football side and quite direct and basic. The spoiling tactics and players going down was allowed to happen so they did what they had to. Weird they resorted to this as when they got it down and played a bit or tried to attack, they looked dangerous so was strange way to try and play. I had them to go down but I am not sure after that. They will make games scrappy and have goal threats to get enough to maybe get away from trouble.
Opponent Man of the Match – Hogan was actually livelier than he was anytime at the Lane and got into some good areas. The lad in midfield, Bielik was dirty but effective too. Chong was lively if guilty of cheating at the end. However, the defence was very good and Trusty and Sanderson both jointly did a good job on our attacking players.
Opponent Weak link – Bacuna had one run at the start but then faded badly and was withdrawn. Not sure Deeney did much at all but then of course he scored (same as McBurnie).
Referee/Officials – Darren Bond. Return of the ‘alice band’ we thought after we only saw him a few weeks ago in the win at Swansea! However, he has had a haircut and there was no accessory. He has been quite good for us with wins against Norwich in the Promotion season and the big win v Hull the previous season. He also reffed us in the win against Middlesbrough when Evans scored that volley but sent off Simon Moore at Wolves too.
Today in general terms he was ok not helped by two abysmal assistants, particularly the one on the South Stand side who seemed like they never wanted to make a decision. I was annoyed with the players going down but he did add almost 10 minutes on. If the player refuses to get up, then can the ref just wave the physio away and allow the game to go on? Be interesting as sure they may get up then! I thought for a spell after the break when pushing and shoving broke out, he lost control a bit but actually not sure he was that bad in general decisions. Would need to see the corner again to see if it went out off our man or a Birmingham one – looked a goal kick to me but I am a fair way from it.
Matchday/Crowd/Coverage – Crowd was really quiet and it was quite subdued actually. I think the Lane fans have to do much better for me. We are top and have been playing great and it seemed so subdued again.
It was a frustrating afternoon at the Lane as a big, physical Birmingham side used a combination of organised defensive work mixed in with the dark arts to hold the Blades to a draw. United were far from their best in the least fluent home performance of the season and never really had control of a scrappy game. Credit to the visitors who did not sit back and in the end, they did deserve a draw with Deeney scoring to equalise after McBurnie’s hot streak had threatened to keep the home winning streak going. Too many key men were not really at it for United but they still had a golden chance at the end to win it but Sharp was denied by Ruddy.
With Ahmedhodzic confirmed as being out, Heckingbottom opted to start Khadra on the left but it remained to be seen if he would begin as a wing back or to the left of a 3 in a 4-3-3 formation. Doyle came in for Brewster in the only other chance. Davies and Bogle were on the bench and in a matchday squad00 for the first time this season. Birmingham had experienced duo Deeney and Hogan up front with Manchester United loanee Chong in midfield.
The game started and it seemed when the Blades were in possession, Khadra was more an orthodox wide man right up with McBurnie and Ndiaye but out of it he was more withdrawn but it did not seem quite like the normal 5-3-2/3-5-2 that has been the set up for the season. United had plenty of the ball early on but Birmingham were pressing and very competitive and it meant there was little space for creative talents like Berge and Ndiaye.
Baldock twice was caught out as Birmingham were not sitting back but the game was devoid of any clear chances so far. The tempo was quite slow with Blues happy to play on the break but a chance came when Khadra sent a dangerous cross which flicked off a defender and behind with Ruddy motionless.
At the other end Hogan looked to get on the shoulders but it was Chong who nearly got in before Norrington Davies got his foot in. Longelo was booked for chopping down Doyle who had started well before the same man hit a free kick that kissed the top of the bar as he looked to whip one in from the angle.
Berge had the best effort of the first half as he showed deft feet to come inside and his left footed effort was just the wrong side of the post. Ndiaye and McBurnie were struggling to get into it and Khadra’s selection had not really paid off. Neither keeper had a save to make so far and it was not a huge surprise when the half time came with no goals.
The second half came with a few skirmishes as Birmingham players going down at every opportunity and the physios being allowed on way too much. McBurnie and Bielik were booked for pushing each other before a decent ball from Baldock saw Ndiaye glance wide. United tried to increase the pace but there was never a really sustained period of pressure.
Hogan nearly got into Deeney’s flick as the game was certainly not all one-way traffic even if United were looking the more likely to create something. Bogle and Brewster came on for Khadra and Doyle and it was not long after the deadlock was broken.
A free kick came over from Norwood and the ball was not properly cleared and as it sad MCBURNIE turned and swivelled to hit a superb rising half volley right into the top corner giving Ruddy no chance. It continued the excellent run of form the striker as he broke the stalemate in a tight game. Mejbri came on for Bacuna as Birmingham tried to look to respond.
After a few more lusty challenges going in, Bond called both captains together before McBurnie was replaced by Sharp but soon after the visitors got level.
The ball bounced out and it seemed it came off a Birmingham player but the corner was given and it proved costly as after the resulting kick was not cleared it was played back in and a flicked header from Bielik saw DEENEY completely clear and beating the offside trap. United’s defence stood and watched as the experienced striker picked his spot to finish easily past Foderingham.
Norwood was booked for a foul on Chong and the physio came on three more times as Hall relaced Chong who had clearly been fine a few minutes before despite rolling around for some time before McAtee replaced Ndiaye. Referee Bond deemed there would be 7 minutes of stoppage time and inside this period Brewster had one effort over after good work from Bogle before an even better chance came soon after.
Berge had not been a factor but ran forward and slipped in Sharp but the striker maybe took too long and Ruddy came out and spread himself to make the save. There was still time and ended up being almost 100 minutes of play (due to the visitors attempts to take the sting out of the game) but United ran out of time and could not force a winner.
United – A draw was about right. We cannot win them all and it was unrealistic to expect us just to destroy everyone at home. We have had comfortable wins every home game with superb performances and goals. Today we met a physical, hard working and well organised Birmingham team. They were big and awkward and did time waste/milk injuries and went down and did that they had to not helped by a weak referee at times (he was ok in general play). However, they definitely deserved a draw. They did not just sit back and defend and had some chances on the break and got men forward when they could. United had the better of the opportunities with a few half chances and the Berge effort but 2nd half even though we improved, not sure we had any fluency and it was all a bit stop start. We did not get enough out of Ndiaye and Berge, the two men we expect to unlock teams as both flattered to deceive and looked leggy (maybe the travelling/games last few weeks took their toll?) and in the end when we scored, I was a bit surprised as not sure I felt it had been coming for either side.
We then need to just see it out and take the scruffy 1-0 but poor defending (was it a corner before?) saw us lose a header and some came out and some stayed back and the marking was terrible. It was a gift of a goal. After this I felt for a spell, they looked as likely as us even if there were not many chances but then Brewster and Sharp (with a very good one) had chances at the end. It would have flattered us as I thought Birmingham as horrible and niggly as they were, they were very competitive and got in our faces. However, for all that we had lots of the ball and did not move it quick enough and the tempo was way too slow.
Tactics wise, many seem convinced it was just Khadra in a wing back but not sure it was. Baldock was further back in the shape and Khadra was more pushed right up down the left. He seemed more of a winger in a 4-3-3 – certainly when we had the ball. Not sure he ever came back into our defensive half? Whatever the formation was intended – his selection did not work and he was extremely poor losing the ball and not really offering us anything. He looks woefully unfit to me and might be best as an impact sub.
All in all, I am not too down. We were not fantastic at Swansea and Preston either and could argue the points we took from there were maybe more than we deserved. Both games quite even on the whole. Today we did not create very much at all against a lowly side and too many were just not quite at it. We lacked zip and energy and the tempo was way too slow. Yes, the tactics of them to slow and spoil down was annoying but we need to be better – we need to move it quicker and get it into areas to hurt them. It was all a bit safe really.
Still, it’s not a disaster. We hopefully will come back with a bit more purpose and it might have given them a bit of a kick up the backside. I felt a few were a bit sluggish and just expected things to happen today and if teams come and compete at this level, then you will not just blow teams away. We will have more games like that at the Lane I am sure but we need the players to be better than they were if we expect to put sides like that away. We were not terrible by any means but it was a very average performance and not enough to win the game.
Ratings:
Foderingham 6/10 – Little to do. Took a few catches. Little chance on the goal as he got no protection. One poor kick out again.
Baldock 6/10 – Thought to begin he was really poor and gave away a few free kicks and got skinned but he got better and nearly set up Berge for a chance and got into good areas. Few ok crosses too – like the pone to Ndiaye. He was always in good areas but the quality sometimes still fell down.
Norrington Davies 7/10 – Another really solid game. Only one misplaced pass. Got stuck in, made interceptions and was able to get to the ball first. A few decent runs forward but mostly more withdrawn today.
Basham 7/10 – Thought that was the best Bash has played for ages and more like his old self. Won most of his challenges, used it well and supported the attack. Thought he was really solid today.
Egan 6/10 – Fine for the most part but a few times he let Hogan get the ball and run down the side and stood off when he should have cleared long before. No idea what happened on the goal as numerous defenders stood around. Back to his terrible attacking ways for us after his goals for Ireland and headed one miles over!
Khadra 4/10 – Really disappointing on the whole. One cross that drifted off a defender and wide early and then he lost the ball almost every time he had it. Seemed to lack desire in physical challenges but also, he did not really show any pace or running. He just flicked it to a defender or ran into trouble quickly. I am not even sure he knew where he should be playing – as I say I am not convinced he was an orthodox left wing back – seemed way too wide and high up? Second half same story and not surprised he came off. Needs to do much better if he wants more minutes.
Norwood 6.5/10 – He was ok with some neat passes and switches but some of his diagonals were floated or driven too far. Not everything came off but he kept looking for it and some ok balls mixed in. Daft yellow card again. Still at the heart of good things we did but lacked movement in a static frontline today.
Doyle 7.5/10 – Thought along with RND and Bash, he was out best player so surprised he was taken off? Maybe he was tiring but seemed fine to me and our best midfielder. Energetic, got into good areas and did a bit of everything. He is a busy and tidy player and I like what I see of him.
Berge 5.5/10 – Very quiet most of the game but did have one decent shot wide after neat footwork and nearly set up Sharp for the chance but overall, he drifted too much and looked too passive. He got shoved off it a few times and conceded the corner for the goal and then a daft free kick which could have cost us. Needs to be much more involved and purposeful. Just coasting today and sadly he has one of these games too often for me which may explain why he has not yet moved on. I would have taken him off actually – not Doyle.
Ndiaye 5/10 – As above. Him and Berge are our best attacking players but he was never in the game save maybe one run in the first half and shot badly off target and another second half where he ran out of space. Too poor headers at goal too. A few neat touches but for long periods I forgot he was playing. Poorest he has been this season.
McBurnie 6/10 – Not sure he had his best game and back to trying to fight and push players, often for no reason. He did not quite seem to be closing and chasing as much as other games and before he scored, I was thinking we may take him off. Great finish though from barely a half chance and hammered it home – after we have all been critical of his weak kicking/shooting! I perhaps would have left him on as after that we did not carry a threat when they scored. It was maybe too hasty.
Subs –
Brewster 5/10 – He runs around but lacks quality and not sure he quite gets where to run. He never really ever looks like scoring for United which is a worry for a striker who is meant to be a natural finisher. He blazed one over when well placed after good work from Bogle.
Bogle 6/10 – Bit mixed. One good run and a few neat dribbles but also lost it a few times or ran the wrong way. Not sure why he went left wing back. I would have got him down the right somehow where he can be such a threat.
Sharp 5/10 – Few bits and pieces of hold up but the one big chance and he has to score really. It was on his wrong foot but took too long and the keeper got to him. I would have backed him to score when it landed at his feet.
McAtee – Not long enough to make an impact.
Manager: Heckingbottom 6/10 – Team did not work. At the selection a few of us in the pub were pleased with the attacking players being played and maybe having less defenders and getting more of our better offensive threats in. We felt Brum would sit deep but, in the end, they made it a bit of a battle and we did not really get behind them. Khadra lacks the stamina to get up and down and he was a passenger. The strikers were too isolated also and it became a bit fragmented. Even though we scored, I felt the changes saw players being put in wrong areas/positions and it was all a bit ragged. We never had proper control of the game (neither did they) and for the home side did not create much at all. The players just lacked energy and leggy and maybe that is not down to him but he took off the best player Doyle which was odd. Not sure Bogle down that side worked either really. After we had made the changes and they then scored, we had to change shape again for me. He is hamstring with the injuries and easy to say in retrospect that he should not have done what he did but if the players are just not quite at it, then maybe it is not always down to him but the tempo needed to be much quicker.
Birmingham – Deserved draw. Horrible and cynical with some ridiculous time wasting but they did not sit back and had threats with Hogan and Deeney on the break. They were a big and tall side that got stuck in and were pressing us all over. We struggled to break them down and they were quite organised. Still Doyle/Berge had chances and then we scored but they did keep going and got a leveller. After that it was still quite even and you did not think we were any more likely to win it than them.
Not the best to watch in terms of a football side and quite direct and basic. The spoiling tactics and players going down was allowed to happen so they did what they had to. Weird they resorted to this as when they got it down and played a bit or tried to attack, they looked dangerous so was strange way to try and play. I had them to go down but I am not sure after that. They will make games scrappy and have goal threats to get enough to maybe get away from trouble.
Opponent Man of the Match – Hogan was actually livelier than he was anytime at the Lane and got into some good areas. The lad in midfield, Bielik was dirty but effective too. Chong was lively if guilty of cheating at the end. However, the defence was very good and Trusty and Sanderson both jointly did a good job on our attacking players.
Opponent Weak link – Bacuna had one run at the start but then faded badly and was withdrawn. Not sure Deeney did much at all but then of course he scored (same as McBurnie).
Referee/Officials – Darren Bond. Return of the ‘alice band’ we thought after we only saw him a few weeks ago in the win at Swansea! However, he has had a haircut and there was no accessory. He has been quite good for us with wins against Norwich in the Promotion season and the big win v Hull the previous season. He also reffed us in the win against Middlesbrough when Evans scored that volley but sent off Simon Moore at Wolves too.
Today in general terms he was ok not helped by two abysmal assistants, particularly the one on the South Stand side who seemed like they never wanted to make a decision. I was annoyed with the players going down but he did add almost 10 minutes on. If the player refuses to get up, then can the ref just wave the physio away and allow the game to go on? Be interesting as sure they may get up then! I thought for a spell after the break when pushing and shoving broke out, he lost control a bit but actually not sure he was that bad in general decisions. Would need to see the corner again to see if it went out off our man or a Birmingham one – looked a goal kick to me but I am a fair way from it.
Matchday/Crowd/Coverage – Crowd was really quiet and it was quite subdued actually. I think the Lane fans have to do much better for me. We are top and have been playing great and it seemed so subdued again.
