Post by deadbat on Oct 15, 2022 19:12:13 GMT
Podcast to come later and then report below….
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Firstly, sorry for the lack of regular reports recently. The last home game was a night match so hard to get a report out on a work night and then life/work took over next few days and never penned anything other than the ratings. I did not report from the Stoke game as ashamedly I did not see it! I went to watch Hallam with a few mates and weirdly it was far less stressful not watching it on a stream or trying to keep up. I got a few score updates from mocking Wednesday fans who I was with (not sure why they do not go to their home games?) but it was a nice break from it. I did not fancy us much with all the injuries and sadly so it proved.
Anyway, hopefully normal service will be resumed for the next period although Coventry might be the day after again – due to work yet again.
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The Blades poor spell since the international break continued as they failed to win for the fourth consecutive game and were knocked off the top of the table, after a dramatic draw in a six-goal thriller with Blackpool at the Lane. The Tangerines had won in S2 last season and yet again threatened to take the spoils as United’s bright start to the campaign now seems a distant memory with no win in four since the return and the injuries threatening to derail what looked like a genuine automatic promotion challenge. However, the fact that the points were shared does not do justice to an absolutely remarkable game which saw four red cards (3 for the visitors) and 5 yellow (all for United), a missed penalty, disallowed goals and a dramatic 98th minute equaliser. Despite a less than convincing performance, the Blades looked like were on track to win as goals from McAtee and Ndiaye put them in control.
A Yates double strike suddenly saw the visitors level and then they incredibly took the lead after a John Egan mistake in the second half. United huffed and puffed and made changes but Ekpiteta and then Thompson both got second yellows. The Blades were left facing 9 men in the closing stages but several incredible misses, goalkeeping saves and a missed penalty meant it looked like Blackpool were going to take a win against all the odds. Norwood’s late strike left them heartbroken but that was not the end of the drama as ex Blade Hamilton nearly won it on the break and on full time Foderingham and Lavery, an outgoing substitute ended up brawling on the field and both were given their marching orders. A breathless afternoon that maybe lacked quality in terms of football but was not stop from start to finish for excitement and drama.
The Blades started with some surprises in their side as Osborn, Baldock and Sharp all started with Brewster, McBurnie and Ahmedhodzic left on the bench. Jack Robinson was also back amongst the substitutes. Blackpool included former Blade Gary Madine to lead their attack.
The game started with the Blades kicking towards the Kop and had clearly made this decision with the sun in Maxwell’s eyes. Blackpool thought were clearly wanting to attack and were not sitting back but got caught and the Blades had the ball in the net after McAtee found Sharp who squared to Doyle but the offside seemed fairly obvious with the original pass ill timed. Blackpool were continuing to attack and Lavery and Yates linked well but United were able to see it out. On 8 minutes the home side were ahead and it came from Doyle’s excellent ball which Sharp intelligently cushioned into the path of McATEE who calmly took a touch and poked home. It was the on-loan youngsters first goal for the club. It was perhaps slightly against the run of play and Blackpool almost fashioned an immediate response as Madine fired over as he was left unmarked.
The game did resemble a basketball game as both teams tried to attack at will and they were gaps in both defences. Basham made two mistakes and then Ndiaye almost got in at the other end as it became very open. The Blades never seemed to have total control but did get a second after a better spell. It came as the ball was played wide after a corner was cleared and Norwood cut in and drove a cross which Maxwell could only parry into the air. NDIAYE nodded into the net and United had a two-goal cushion which may be flattered them but they had improved in the build up to this goal.
Blackpool remained undeterred despite some atrocious defending they saw gaps they could exploit the other way and Osborn and Baldock both were giving their man too much time and Egan had to be alert to step in and clear. United had another half chance with McAtee continuing to look in the mood but Blackpool were soon back in the game. It came from poor play as United gave away a foolish free kick and then with no pressure on the ball Dougall sent over a cross and YATES easily held off a weak challenge from Osborn to send a header into the far corner. They were back in but deservedly so for their attacking thrust which was in stark contract to their poor defensive work.
Maxwell denied Sharp but then he made a decent save from Doyle’s effort after a decent move but the game was still way too open and United were struggling when Blackpool broke through the middle. Lavery got the better of Norrington Davies who took too many touches and once again a cross came in with nobody closing the Blackpool player down. Lavery picked YATES out and Basham lost his man again and the forward coolly cushioned home under no pressure. It was level and Blackpool’s bold approach was rewarded. After this the game became ragged and Blackpool sensed they could create more chances but United equally with Ndiaye lively, were finding space in the Tangerines box. The half finished with controversy as McAtee went down but David Webb looked at his assistant and between them they felt he had dived and booked him. It seemed like their could have been some contact but equally maybe the fall was theatrical. The Blades fans booed the officials off but the frustration was maybe as much at the throwaway of their side after being in a great position.
The 2nd half saw the turnaround complete as poor play saw United cough up possession twice before Egan then somehow managed to inadvertently turn the ball right into the path of DOUGAL who was completely in the clear and scored easily. The Blackpool coaching staff and fans went berserk and could barely believe it. 2-0 down at the leaders and now unbelievable they led!
United started to become frustrated on and off the pitch with Heckingbottom looking to the heavens after several poor passes and crosses. The visitors started to take their time but who could blame them and the referee started to give a series of baffling decisions both ways. At times he let clear pushes go and then gave innocuous fouls. The game became bitty and this suited Blackpool. United were not doing anywhere near enough with an Ndiaye run where Baldock had a shot at the end and an Osborn half chance, the sum of the efforts really. Ekpiteta and Baldock were both booked for poor challenges before Heckingbottom made a triple change with Ahmedhodzic, Brewster and McBurnie came on for Osborn, McAtee and Sharp. United were trying to force it but were still seeing the visitors cause issues on the break and both Norwood and Ahmedhodzic were cautioned in the same move as they tried cynically to stop a break out.
Doyle was then booked and the referee’s busy afternoon was just getting started as Ekpiteta took Brewster out with a really poor foul and deservedly got his second yellow card. United won a corner and then Ndiaye and McBurnie nearly linked but the visitors went down to 9 men with over 10 minutes to play as Thompson kicked the ball stupidly at Ahmedhodzic. Blackpool tried to bring on a sub for the man sent off before they had to withdraw another man. The formation seemed to be 5-2-1 with Blackpool now just kicking it out and hanging on. Egan hit the side netting from a good cross before Khadra twice ran it out. The game was ticking to the last minute when a cross from the right saw Yates pull at Ahmedhodzic and the penalty was given by Webb. It seemed a golden chance for United to not only level but if they scored, to go on and win with a significant number of additional minutes to be played. With Sharp off and Norwood’s poor recent record, Brewster took responsibility but his effort high to the right smashed the post and away and right out of play. The Blades fans were stunned and it seemed like they were set to lose to 9 men!
The board showed 8 minutes of stoppage time and it arguably could have been more as Blackpool fans (keeping the ball) and players were doing their best to stop the game restarting. Two Blackpool players went down injured and the home fans were furious at Webb’s lack of intervention but Maxwell then saved from a header from McBurnie and Brewster poked wide on the rebound. It seemed like the Blades were not going to score despite winning corner after corner. Ahmedhodzic had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for offside before Connolly committed a far more blatant foul then the penalty, punching the ball clear in another goalmouth scramble. The Blades won two more corners and from the second punched clear, NORWOOD kept his composure to drill into the net. Could United win it with less than a minute left? They nearly lost it as Blackpool broke and Hamilton was played in but his shot was blocked as the Kop held their breath. The final whistle went soon after with the referee strangely not adding on any more time for the incredible amount of time wasting in the additional 8 minutes. As the players grouped together, tempers were frayed and several flare ups seemed to occur but the most significant saw Foderingham and a substituted player Lavery throw punches at each other and end up in a head lock on the floor. Both players were unsurprisingly sent off and a tempestuous game ended with two more red cards.
A remarkable afternoon where United won it, lost it and then should in the end maybe have won it but had to settle for just a point.
United – Phew. What an afternoon that kind of summed up what it is like to be a Blade. It was just a weird and crazy game. Let us be honest, we did not play well at all and even at 2-0 where we that good? We scored after they started quite well and they did attack us but then we score again. I never thought we had control but did have chances, as did they and it seemed like both teams might create every time they attacked. We needed to get some control and take the sting out of it at 2-0 but we had so many gaps and it became end to end. We had not played well but took advantage of their poor defending and seemed like we could score more. To me we just needed a solid spell where we kept the ball but we were so sloppy. They realised if they went down the spine, we had no presence in midfield and the defence was slow and could get turned. When they got one back, I thought they would score another but we had chances to make it 3-1. Both goals were so sloppy. As well as Doyle and McAtee did at times attacking wise, they both struggle on the other end and we look so open as Norwood lacks pace. We need an enforced in there to help the defence. Basham struggles continued and RND had his poorest game for a while.
At half time I thought it could go either way but worried they had realised our weakness and came down the middle to score a ridiculous goal again. After this it all became a bit desperate and felt we looked a bit of a shambles with no shape or plan. We did not create much at all and for all the ire at the referee and timewasting, they had earned the right to do that turning round a two-goal deficit and working so hard. For the fourth successive game we lost too many 50-50’s in the middle of the park and looked like we could concede when teams went at us. Attacking wise we were ok with some good play but never looked secure all game. The subs improved us but then it just went mad. We picked up lots of yellows for poor fouls and then they got two sent off. I felt if we had scored before 90 minutes, we would have won but we did not create much until a flurry at the end. I thought the penalty looked soft actually but then we had an even bigger shout after for as blatant a hand ball as you could see! I never felt convinced Brewster would score. He scored last week but I did not have any confidence in him. After this we had a borderline goal disallowed and I had resigned myself to an embarrassing home loss. The goal shocked me when it came but we had so many corner and men in the box, you felt one might finally drop. After this we nearly chucked it away but we definitely should have had more time despite the long stoppage time. The referee kind of lost the plot although for his poor decisions (both ways) and inconsistent approach to the game not sure he can be blamed for players brawling at the end. Think United seemed frustrated with the officials and maybe their own performance and recent run but we have to be more professional. We had Baldock screaming in the fourth officials face, McBurnie getting involved in stuff again (after he got booked after FT the other week) and then Foderingham with a moronic act.
We now lose our goalkeeper for three games and will have to show better discipline and professionalism against sides who will come and frustrate and niggle. The truth is for all the drama, United were nowhere near their best again and it was a ragged performance where a struggling team had once again working harder than them and scored three goals (second consecutive game). Yes, we had chances to win of course but to me I am more concerned that we have gone from a solid side to one that looks so vulnerable when teams go at us. We have got more long-term injuries (Berge, Bogle and Jebbison – on crutches – how did that happen?) and Anel and Norwood are one more yellow from a ban too. We just have to hope we can stay around the top 6 for the next run and get everyone back after the World Cup but that is not great when we have played some distinctly average sides and for all the injuries, we need to be putting the likes of Brum, Stoke and Blackpool to the sword. We have enough experienced players in the likes of Baldock, Egan, Basham, Norwood and Sharp etc and we have to better and more disciplined. I am kind of sick of the injury excuse. It is not helping of course but it has been like this for over a year now so clearly there is some fault at the management of some of these injuries. We have had a good season so far but the players need to start working harder now and stop feeling sorry for themselves. They should be too strong with the players we had out to chuck away a two-goal lead to a poor Blackpool side. I am concerned we look a long way from the side that was reeling off win after win not so long ago. Maybe having some back may help – I actually think Fleck as inconsistent as he is will at least get his foot in and break up some things in the middle.
Robinson may come in left side and Anel for Bash with RND at left wing back perhaps but we face a big two games now where the players need to get back to basics. Namely running as much as opponents, winning balls and doing basic things like marking and finishing easy chances. To concede three in two consecutive games with a largely experienced defence is a major concern. Still, we did score three and could have had more. I just hope we can regain some control and shape to our play. Today was a bit of a ragged mess. A lot will be made of the officials and the red cards but I think we need to focus on what we can do much better. A good side who is serious about promotion goes on and wins that game without all the drama and incidents that eventually occurred. We made the game into that ridiculous spectacle with an absolute complete lack of control to our play on and off the ball. A few weeks ago, before the break you thought we look a good bet for automatic but all the teams are clustered together now and you sense if the form continues, we could easily be out of the top 6 in a few weeks. As I say Hecky needs to show what he is made of now and see if we can get back to the form and work ethic of earlier in the season.
Today was exciting but performances of that ilk and we will be nowhere near at the end of the season. Yes, everyone got their money’s worth but in a boring way would have liked us to just seen out the game. It was incredible the gaps we were leaving at 2-0. Tactically I was gobsmacked by how we played. The end bit was all a bit mad but the game at 11 v 11, I actually thought Blackpool were better. It is a big game on Tuesday now against the bottom of the league. United have not won in four and need a big performance and result to end this run. Let us stop making excuses for who is not there and realise we still have 7-9 players who would start in our strongest side. We are not helping this ourselves by the ill discipline from some experienced players. Still, it’s never dull at the Lane! I actually was convinced we would have lost after the penalty miss and then the chance they had at the end – that would have been so United so at least we got something to arrest the poor run.
United –
Ratings:
Foderingham 3/10 – In terms of the goals, he had little chance on all three. They did have other chances but not sure he had many other saves to make (their keeper only made a few till the drama at the end when he turned into prime Gordon Banks!). However, ridiculous he got involved at the end and now he is out for three games. Unless there are circumstances, we are not aware of (player said something? I am guessing as seemed out of character) then he needs to get the maximum fine in terms of wages. We cannot lose more players. The game was over. Just walk off.
Baldock 5.5/10 – Real mixed bag. Did some ok stuff but some frustrating things. Came in for some hammer early on and had a few kicks to the head/shin but he got forward well and had a few good chances but crossing let him down again. He was not marking or tight enough to his man the other way though and him and Bash had a big gap between them exploited. They had chances from this side constantly. Got booked for a bad tackle and then had a shot blocked and wasted more crosses. When he went off, he got involved with the fourth official. More poor ill discipline.
Osborn 3/10 – Really difficult game. He looked slow and off the pace. They exploited him a few times and he was badly exposed on the goal. He will always be an issue at left wing back aerially and we have seen teams exploit this a few times. Saw a few saying he should be given a run there with Lowe, Clark and Robinson out but today maybe ended that argument. He looked out of his depth and to me should not be a starter. Nice lad but only time he should be used now is a run around player for 5 minutes a the end when we are maybe just seeing a game out.
Norrington Davies 5.5/10 – Poorest he has been for a while. Some ok things but gave it away quite a bit and then on the second he lost the ball and they broke and scored. His crossing saw a few decent ones but a number put behind the goal too. He has had a good season but today well off it. Will need moving back to left wing back if Robinson comes back in at centre back.
Basham 4/10 – A really difficult first half where every time he played it, it seemed to go to them. Some awful passes and touches and some odd short throws that put us under pressure at times. He did not do much right and is nowhere near on the second goal with his man unmarked. He is nowhere to be seen on the third and although it broke a bit lucky why was he so free in his area? Got better after this and ended up on left side as we did not have to defend as much. Had a poor spell recently and expect him to come out of the side now Anel is back.
Egan 5/10 – He was all over the place at times but not given any protection from the midfield as Blackpool ran through us too often. He of course made the error on the third but not sure he knew too much about it? He and Basham can be got at in terms of movement and pace and we have shipped lots of goals since they were paired together.
Norwood 6.5/10 – He did do some good things with a few good balls and set up the second and also scored he third but he also was part of a midfield three they just got through too easy. Maybe that is not all his fault and the young lads lacked shape and know how to help him when they broke. He did play some good passes and as I say scored a good goal to salvage a draw but remained obsessed with the diagonal high ball even v 9 men. We needed to move it quicker on the floor. One of our better players but defensively still showed major weaknesses and committed another cynical booking and is close to being suspended.
Doyle 6/10 – Hard to assess the midfield as attacking wise they did some good things and he set up the first and had a few other good moments and one effort saves but I felt we offered no protection defensively and left the middle of the defence exposed. Thought that he faded again at times and needs to get on the ball more when the chips are down. He has talent but he is flitting in and out of games.
McAtee 5.5/10 – Began really well and scored a well taken goal and had a few other good moments down the left with some good crosses and touches. He was busy and looked to get on it but then they started to attack we saw he could not come back much and they had men over constantly. After the break he was not really in it and withdrawn.
Ndiaye 7/10 – Some lovely bits of control and touches and looked our most dangerous player but maybe overplayed too much. However nearly all the good stuff came from his runs and intelligent hold up. I always thought he might make something happen and he scored a goal and contributed to a few other chances. Strangely as he played in more of a 10 role, he had less of an influence, even against 9 men and not sure I saw too much of him. That is where he needs to let his quality take control. He is a lovely footballer to watch but outside of the goal not much end product today despite his clever runs and use of his body to get away from men.
Sharp 5/10 – Set up the first goal and was lively down the channels but only had one half chance himself and after the break when we trailed, he was not really in it after that and rightly taken off. Not sure him and Ndiaye works as a pair really.
Subs –
Ahmedhodzic 7/10 – He made a big difference as an attacker mainly as he played high up the field and linked several times and got right into the box having one disallowed and winning the penalty. Did pick up a bad yellow but maybe had no choice as they broke and Norwood could not fully pull his man down! He does make a big difference clearly.
McBurnie 6/10 – Won a few headers and did link up but missed one header (harder looping one) and one chance he needs to bury when Brewster missed the rebound. He also seemed to want to get unnecessarily involved in stuff again pushing and shoving. Just get on with the game. Even at the end he got involved in the flare up.
Brewster 4/10 – His run won the 2nd yellow for the red card but his overall contribution was not enough again. Some may say it was harsh he was dropped after scoring but he had 35 minutes almost today and he seemed motionless when we cross the ball and does not react (he does not have or miss many chances as never in the right area). I did not think he would score the penalty and he now has only scored 4 goals in 54 games for us. He missed another big chance. The excuses for me are running out. In 2 years, I am not even sure he has improved that much. He had a run of 4-5 decent-good games last season but this is not enough. Needs to start producing but not convinced what he offers? Even as a sub other than the run for the foul, he seems completely motionless. He needs to offer himself and get into better areas. Not convinced he will ever score many goals for us. We are playing some dreadful defences and he still rarely looks like being dangerous. Maybe I am being too harsh but he has had runs of games but never does enough to suggest he should be starting.
Khadra – Thought he was shocking in limited minutes. Kicked two out, made poor choices and looked like he could not get past his man. We needed him to run at his man and stretch them with less players. He did get back and helped us block the late chance (off his big behind!). I am not totally convinced by him.
Manager: Heckingbottom 3/10 – Mark may seem ridiculous but we looked a ragged mess that lacked shape, cohesiveness and professionalism. Tactically there are big concerns with how we present and set up. He gets a few marks for making the changes but we probably only got a point due to their ill discipline at the end. 11 v 11, they worked out our weaknesses to play down the middle and go at us and looked dangerous. I am also concerned how many yellows/reds we are picking up and this on top of all the injuries threatens to derail the season. I thought tactically after going two goals up our approach was incredible to be so open. Yes, we had chances and should have won in the end but that was all desperate stuff really. For 80 minutes, even when we led, a very ordinary Blackpool side were as good, if not better really. We still have not addressed the lack of protection for the defence and still remain a soft touch down the middle. Today reminded me of Slav’s days and back to the final Premier league season in terms of how teams just went through us at will. Granted we looked good when we attacked but there is now way, we should be chucking away a lead and looking so stretched and all over the place against a poor side like Blackpool. I have not impressed by how we have played (injuries or no injuries we still have enough) since the break and we seem to have almost believed our own hype. We need to be harder to score against and work harder.
Blackpool – Had a really solid season last year and were tough to beat and never in danger of relegation and finished comfortably. They lost Critchley to Villa who went back to work with Gerrard and brought back Michael Appleton ho had been at Bloomfield Road before. The start has been patchy with some impressive wins (like the win against Watford) mixed in with some poor results. They started today 6th bottom and despite having some threats like Madine and Yates, lost star man Bowler to Olympiakos/Forest. I did think they would be nearer the bottom last season as the surprise element and the ability to outwork sometimes can not always continue for year on year. At the end of the day quality/experience normally wins out and thought it might be a season where they looked over their shoulders but I did not and do not think they will go down. Now and again, they get some great results and they are tough to beat at home.
I thought we would have too much for them today as they do not seem to travel as well but they came and had a go and even at 2-0 they would have felt hard done by really. I thought they really were brave (maybe stupid as they also could have let more goals in) but I loved that they did not sit back and realised they could exploit us. They turned it around with three well taken goals and hen started to time waste, feign injury and do what you expect. You know what? They earned the right to do that and the ref did add loads of time on. We should not have given them chance to even do that. Will have been heartbroken to concede but the two second yellows were stupid really and made it so hard undoing all the good work, particularly the one where the defender booted it at Anel. Moronic really. I would not have been shocked if they won it at the end. In terms of budget, resources and squad, they are a million miles off us, so all those going on about our injuries, we still probably have a wage bill of starters/subs today way above what they can put out. They did work hard and pressed and harried. At times the defence made mistakes and could be got at but they have real threat in Lavery and Yates supplanting Madine who is a real handful still at this level (he got a good hand which he reciprocated as he came off).
In the end they will take a point as hard as it was for them to concede late on and deserved at least that for their approach before the reds. Of course, they were annoying after that but any team would be the same. It’s up the ref to get more control. The fight and work ethic they showed was admirable but showed if teams come here and go at our defence, they will cause us problems. Worrying to see really. They showed the blueprint to how to get results at the Lane.
Opponent Man of the Match – Yates takes if for two goals but all the front three were a threat – Lavery even more so on full time maybe when he started scrapping! I thought they all worked hard and all covered. The keeper made some incredible saves at the end but errored on the second I thought and maybe should do better on the third even if it went through bodies.
Opponent Weak link – Either of the red cards really but Thompson’s was stupid. Why did he do that? Meant it was so hard for them to hold on but they nearly did.
Referee/Officials – David Webb. Did the WBA defeat but also sent off a player each for Derby and Preston in games last season - both deserved. Not sure I recall him being particularly bad which is a good sign! However today he was ok to begin with then we had the penalty appeal which saw McAtee booked. I was not sure about this and still am not till I see it back but maybe the assistant made this call as was nearer? I did think he started to be a bit inconsistent with some of his decisions and after letting a lot go, started to give soft fouls and then reverted to letting both teams push players over. It was odd and you never seemed to know what he would deem excessive. They then started time wasting and he was quite weak although weirdly let us play on when one defender went down with a ‘head’ injury. He started to frustrate both teams but the two reds seemed obvious. I felt the penalty we got was a bit soft but then goal for offside seemed very close. After this he seemed to lose control and they time wasted and slowed it down and he needed to be stronger. He did add time on but should have been more even after we scored (they wasted 2 or 3 more minutes in the 8 minutes). I think we may have won it if he had played the right amount of time. The melee at the end where numerous players clashed (not just the two who ended up fighting) summed it all up and he had just lost control and looked like a startled deer in headlights. Maybe with a referee’s head on, you could say the players have to be better and many of the bookings/reds were nailed on. However, I just felt he did not call the game consistently and this frustrated both sides and sets of fans. Will be glad to go home I am sure but got a lot of writing to do in his match report!
Matchday/Crowd/Coverage – So quiet again and even when we led, I felt it was flat. It was odd though that Egan and Norwood were trying to get the crowd going after they had contributed to chucking it away. The fans can be louder but a hum drum opponent means it will be hard for it to be an intimidating crowd. After all the incidents, it got louder and you felt the frustration but, in the end, we got something. It is awfully quiet though and even just over a 1,000 Blackpool fans (why were they all herded into two turnstiles by the way) were louder than 27,000 Blades. Maybe the fans have got as complacent as the team!
