Post by deadbat on Oct 19, 2022 21:50:31 GMT
The Blades poor run since the international break continued as they failed to win for the 5th straight game losing at bottom of the table side Coventry. United have now only picked up 2 points from 15 and are now looking a completely different side that accelerated to the top of the table after the first 10 games of the season. Injuries, suspensions and loss of form has meant the Blades now are struggling to know where they next win is coming from after a run that is more akin to a side trying to avoid relegation than one chasing a promotion place.
It is the worst run since Heckingbottom took over and questions over team selection, tactics and the overall shape/solidity of the Blades are being aimed in his direction with good reason after such a big decline in results and performances so quickly despite the injury issues. Tonight, the Blades probably were slightly the better of two really poor sides but other than a miscued free kick from Norwood that hit the bar and an excellent effort from McBurnie that came off the post, struggled to create much. Coventry created even less but a moment of madness from the experienced Basham saw the visitors concede a late penalty and Waghorn was clinical from the spot and this was enough to take the crucial three points.
Heckingbottom made three changes with Davies, Ahmedhodzic and McBurnie coming in for Foderingham, McAtee and Sharp. Osborn moved into the midfield area with the defence at least looking more settled. Coventry had played less games than anyone else due to issues with the pitch and needed confirmation they could even use the stadium after Wasps had been liquidated in the week. They made one change with Michael Rose in for Callum Doyle. Gustavo Hamer was back on the bench and City started with Godden and Gyokeres, the strike partnership that had ripped United to shreds last week at the CBS Arena.
The game began when United won a free kick down the right but it bounced out off a Blades man. The game struggled to get going and neither side could build any momentum in a contest that lacked intensity and courage from both sides. The safety-first nature was shown when the home side went backwards to their keeper and United did likewise. On 10 minutes a decent piece of work from Ndiaye saw him feed Norrington Davies but the United player pulled up and it seemed yet another non-contact injury. Whether it was hamstring or ligament was unclear but he had to be stretchered off-putting serious doubts about his availability short term but also crucially for him, the World Cup.
McAtee came on and Osborn went back to left wing back. Ahmedhodzic got away with a handball before Davies’ poor kick out soon after summed up the sloppy start from the Blades. The home side were not much better and Godden went down injured also but he was able to carry on. As has been the case in recent games, only Ndiaye looked like providing a spark and he tried to get on the ball and create but lacked help from his teammates and could not do it all himself.
Ahmedhodzic had to step in after Doyle’s give away before City had a spell of territory but the first effort on goal was woeful and a long way wide and over after Norwood got away with a foul in the build-up. McBurnie tried to play Ndiaye in but he was caught offside. The game was really poor and lacked skill and creativity with it being played at such a slow pace.
McAtee’s first real meaningful impact nearly saw him sent off and he was maybe fortunate to get away with a bad tackle where he dived in but after a long delay, referee Stroud deemed it to be a yellow card offence. Sheaf then brought down Ndiaye as he looked to break and he was booked drawing frustration from the home fans who felt the first offence was significantly more dangerous. Their mood was not helped when Dabo was then booked for an innocuous tackle on Basham and a series of decisions around this period went against the home side. Ndiaye was tripped out wide and the free kick then led to two corners but Doyle’s shot was a long way wide but at least an effort from United after they too, like the home side, had never looked remotely like scoring.
The end of the half saw both sides win corners and United at least had a spell of possession with Baldock, Ahmedhodzic and Norwood involved in the best spell of football the visitors had played but they could not fashion a decent opportunity. It had been a really poor game and the City fans felt the referee had not helped with his handling of such a tepid contest.
The second half saw United win an early corner but this was cleared before Coventry came and had a dangerous attack as a give away from Doyle nearly played them in but the shot was blocked before an offside flag went up. United then won a free kick after Dabo baulked Osborn, with the Coventry man having now to be very careful being already on a yellow card. Norwood’s free kick seemed to be overplayed but glanced off the top of the bar with Wilson looking concerned as he misjudged the flight. It may not have been intentional but was the closest either side had come to scoring.
Norwood’s silly foul saw Coventry finally win a free kick drawing cheers from the crowd but the sliced shot that ensued summed it up. Dabo came off for Hamer as Robins looked to maybe protect the defender after his challenge earlier in the half. Ahmedhodzic was caught leading to another yellow card before Ndiaye came inside and hit a cross shot that went out on the far side with Wilson maybe getting a touch.
McAtee had not been in the game but a nutmeg got him in a good position but his cross was deflected into the keeper before finally after an hour United got an effort on goal as McBurnie’s header was comfortable for the City keeper. Waghorn and Palmer came on for Allen and Godden as City tried to find a spark in the game. United had created little but they had created even less and the fans were starting to become frustrated.
Ndiaye’s skill and weaving runs were maybe the only thing of quality for both sides and he continued to try and find space but had little help from his teammates. Coventry finally fashioned a chance when Hamer got in after a penalty appeal was waved away for a tackle on Palmer and his fellow sub flashed a shot that Davies had to push behind.
Ndiaye run and shot saw him curl it not far wide in a decent effort before the same man was cynically brought down by McFadzean who was booked and United had a decent spell with the best effort of the game as after it was moved around, McBurnie hit a powerful shot that hit the post with Wilson beaten. The ball came back in and Ahmedhodzic’s header was at the goalkeeper. United had not been good and struggled to create any momentum but had bit the bar and post. Fleck came on for Doyle and United were looking more likely if anyone would nick it but with 5 minutes left a moment of madness cost them the game.
Gyokeres had been kept quiet but was allowed to turn and Basham let him run through before stupidly diving in and clearly took him down. The referee needed help off his assistant but it was as clear a penalty as you could wish to see and finally, they got the right decision. WAGHORN took it and converted confidently despite Davies going the right way.
Sharp came on for the despondent Basham and United won two late corners but could not really fashion a clear chance with a ball going over Sharp at the far post and McBurnie having an effort blocked. The referee played an extra two minutes on top of the additional time but the final whistle finally came and United were defeated again; their third defeat in four games and they have fallen off a cliff since the break. United sit bottom of the form table and in real danger of completely wasting an excellent start to the season with so many teams bunched so close together.
United – We look so flat and devoid of energy and confidence. The injuries are not helping and we got another big one it seems but I still expect more from some very experienced players who need to do much more. We have gone from a side who looked like scoring quite a few goals to one that is struggling to muster a chance at the moment. We need stop feeling sorry for ourselves and impose ourselves more. Tonight, we maybe shaded it and did hit the post but it was a stretch to even say we deserved to win it. If anyone did, it was perhaps us and 1-0 to us may have been more just but 0-0 was about what the game deserved. They had one shot saved and we had one off the post. Outside of that – nothing. It was a game mired in midfield and nothing happened really. We barely moved it forward and other than the odd scraps and bit of Ndiaye quality, did we do anything outside of the McBurnie effort. Not sure Norwood meant the one off the bar?
The worrying thing is Coventry were garbage. Absolute rubbish. They barely had an attack. Gave it away and were slow and clumsy. The front lad Gyokeres was never in it till the end and we should be putting away such an awful side 2 or 3-0. I am sick of the injury excuses too. We had 8 or 9 of our strongest side (Bogle and Berge maybe only two who would get in – Wes/Davies of course but keeper had nothing to do!). We have enough experienced players to beat the bottom of the league but again too many passengers, too many waiting for things to happen and too many sadly not good enough. That includes a number of pros who have been here a while. Doyle and McAtee look nice footballers but lack physicality and presence. The latter has been a major disappointment and is miles off senior men’s football at this level sadly. Osborn is just not good enough and Bash is making bad mistakes every week. Not sure the others like Norwood, Egan, Baldock, McBurnie are doing enough. Anel was ok and Ndiaye excellent but the rest were very average. They did not impose themselves. Too many are going through the motions and are almost feeling sorry for themselves. It’s odd. We had been in great form and yes have lost a few players but that does not mean the rest just stop running and competing and being brave in what they do. We have played safe attacking wise and made mistake after mistake the other way. We have gone from being an exciting and attacking side to a very average to poor one who barely looks like scoring but you know will toss goals away the other end. We look dull and boring now. This is remarkable after we looked so fresh and energetic only a month or so again.
The result is a run of awful performances and points total and you worry how we can get going again? Big test for Hecky now to actually see if he can adapt and change things both personnel, tactics and approach. We seem to be lacking in motivation and too many need to wake up. He leads this so he has to take responsibility. His selections and subs are a major worry but the lack of a clear plan of how we break bad teams down is a major concern. We have now struggled hugely against some dire sides and yet they get through us easily. Tonight, they only needed to do it once and we again make an appalling error.
Even though we are 4th, we know we lose a few more and we are mid table and promotion seems a long way off. We are now playing a tough run of games too – this last lot was the easier section – which is a real concern. Norwich are off form too but their attackers will worry us more than ours with them you would think. Then Burnley and a few others who are better than whom we have played you would sense. I thought we may drop some points and with the changes every week in personnel (Some our own fault – McBurnie and Wes and you could argue the number of pulls/hamstrings that we have a big internal issue at the club?).
It's a big game Saturday but we said that tonight and last week and the players and manager have failed to respond. He keeps going on about injuries etc but he needs to look within at these and also realise he and the players need to sharpen up or they will achieve nothing this season. It may seem a harsh assessment but I have been shocked how timid and slow we have been in everything we have done since the break. We look like we are waiting for things to happen. Take Ndiaye out and I am not sure we have anyone who can actually get us up the field. We are packed full of slow, weak and/or little players. Saying that we still have a spine that should mean we need to be doing much better than we have seen in the recent run of games. He needs to give the likes of Brewster and Khadra games now. We may be exposed at the back but McAtee and Osborn are a waste of time. They do nothing to affect games really.
Ratings:
Davies 6/10 – Couple of dodgy kick outs but did not have anything to do first half at all. Second half made one save he pushed out and then the penalty which he had no chance with.
Baldock 6/10 – Steady and at least he tried to get on the ball and link. Usual lack of final ball but I felt he showed more energy than most first half. Second half not sure he got forward as much but wasted any chances he had to cross.
Norrington Davies – One run down the left and bang down he goes. Like Lowe, Berge, Clark and Robinson, another hamstring/muscle injury. Clearly there is major issues with the conditioning/fitness side as we are picking up the same sort of injury constantly. Shame as before his poor game Saturday he has been one of our best players but looks the sort of injury that could see him out for a few months and maybe the World Cup. Sad for him and now we have three left wing backs (four if you count Bogle out). Osborn cannot play there so he will have to play Robinson in this position you would think. Given up on Stevens and Clark – not sure we will see either of them for a long time, if at all.
Ahmedhodzic 6.5/10 – Handball early but he looked one of our better players first half. Got on it and tried to link/run forward and made a few interceptions where he used his body/strength. Had a few forward runs too at the end of the half. Second half he had one header and he at least tried to step out to put us on the attack.
Basham 3/10 – Steady to begin if a little rushed when he had the ball but defensively not sure there were big errors to start with. He was ok and I felt had his best game for a while and stopped some dangerous forwards but then he ruins it all with an absolutely stupid moment. He let his man get across him and then let him run and then compounded it by chopping him down. Obvious penalty. Was hooked soon after. He has been really poor this season and I hate to say it but the two-year contract might be a mistake on his performances now. Love the guy but likes of him, Sharp, Stevens and Fleck’s best days are long gone.
Egan 6.5/10 – Not sure I noticed him first half as they, like us, barely had an attack. It was mired in midfield with nobody running ahead of the strikers. He had a few headers off target again but he did ok when he had the ball and not sure they got many chances from him.
Norwood 5/10 – Not his best game – not sure he had control of the game or impacted it that much. Few silly fouls and lucky not to get booked first half and his passing was a bit mixed and seemed to take an age to do things. Not sure he got on the ball and when he did it was all a bit safe and in front. He was ok but did he do enough to affect games.
Doyle 5.5/10 – He was one of our more involved players but he gave it away or did not make the right choices and at times the midfield was so far off the defence and the attack. One effort a long way off target but a few dangerous corners which are one of his big attributes. He does fade in games and he too gave it away a bit to set them on the attack. However his corners were a threat so would have left him on.
Osborn 2/10 – Terrible. He started left midfield and gave it away constantly or kept coming back. He looked so slow and weak. Went to left wing back and did not get much better really and Dabo got past him twice. He cannot use his right foot, looks so pedestrian and technically inept. Miles off the standard needed for a promotion side. Looks a League One squad player at best sadly. Nice lad but contributes next to nothing wherever he plays. He looks stuck in mud as players just run past him or overpower him. I would not even have him on the bench personally. Rather see a youngster like Arblaster personally. Not good enough but now may have to play as we have 4 left sided defenders crocked. You’d argue you could play Robinson here but then who plays centre back – as Bash is performing so badly too.
Ndiaye 8/10 – Our best player by a long stretch. Only one who wanted to get on the ball and at least shielded it and ran with it. He tried to find others or link but no one was close to him. He showed lovely control and ability to come away from opponents but he needs runners or people to get close to him. Felty sorry for him as he made run after run and tried to keep the ball moving or find space but no one helped him at all.
McBurnie 5/10 – Not been really at it last few weeks after that purple patch. He looks leggy and ineffective again and not even a nuisance factor after he had been really effective for a spell, scoring and working hard. Did have our best effort with the shot off the post but outside of this just seemed to be lumbering around without achieving anything. He had no real service though at all.
Subs –
McAtee 3/10 – He did score Saturday but most games he plays, he is non existent and looks lost. He does not know where to move to the ball, he struggles with the physical stuff and when he gets it there is no end product or he just gets rid of it quickly. He is not ready at all for this type of football.
Fleck – Weird change. Doyle’s set plays was one of our main dangers. Came on and ran into his own man and then put a few crosses in but now with McAtee not offering much, he may have to start.
Sharp – Pointless sub. We needed some pace to stretch them. He had one volley over. I am not Brewster’s biggest fan but he at least can offer something different in terms of running. Sharp is not an impact player.
Manager: Heckingbottom 2/10 – Poor team selection again (Osborn – really?) and his subs were too late and pointless in terms of the impact they would have. Khadra and Brewster have not been great but both offer something different. Tactically we look so clueless how to break bad teams down and the main tactic seems to be give it to Ndiaye and hope something happens. We lack fluency and idea really and then defensively we keep making mistakes. At the moment the side is lacking hunger and energy and he needs to somehow get these players back to what they were. Even with the injuries we need to show more about us in terms of forward play and being more purposeful. We look like we are just turning up and hoping at the moment. The questions asked from him at Leeds and Hibs will be asked of him here if the form and performances continue as sadly his coaching deficiencies seem to be coming to the fore now. It is first big test so we will see how we respond but current form and results suggest it is hard to see where the next win is coming from and it may get worse before it gets better.
Coventry – Awful. Might have been the worst side we have played. Had one shot (Hamer) and the rest of the game they gave it away, fouled and moaned. They did not keep it and looked a side that was lacking confidence. A good side would have beat them easily. One run and stupid tackle and they win it. Ridiculous they won for how bad they were but not sure we were much better? They have some quite agricultural players but they were barely tested at all. Maybe the win will kick start them but take out Gyokeres (same with us with Ndiaye) and they look a poor side and you can see why they have struggled albeit played less games.
Opponent Man of the Match – Not sure anyone was great – maybe Gyokeres just for the forward run and drawing the penalty. The two centre halves headed it and kicked it away but not sure they were great.
Opponent Weak link – Maybe the ref! He did his best at times in general play for us. Dabo could and maybe should have walked for a clumsy foul after a yellow. I think McFadzean the centre back and ex Blade is a poor player and we did not exploit him at all.
Referee/Officials – Keith Stroud. Did 4 games last season but not sure he was that controversial but do recall him having a few ‘poor’ ones mixed with some ‘ok’ games in taking United. Tonight, he could have sent McAtee off (looked a bad one and think we would have been crying out for a red) and then could have sent Dabo off (bottled it after not sending ours off and the crowd getting on his back). He gave some odd fouls and then started booking loads of their players – some deserved and some not. Thought we got more than our fair share of the 50-50’s and as Saturday we cannot blame the ref. He did seem to miss the spot kick but the assistant gave it. Rightly so. It was a stonewall.
It is the worst run since Heckingbottom took over and questions over team selection, tactics and the overall shape/solidity of the Blades are being aimed in his direction with good reason after such a big decline in results and performances so quickly despite the injury issues. Tonight, the Blades probably were slightly the better of two really poor sides but other than a miscued free kick from Norwood that hit the bar and an excellent effort from McBurnie that came off the post, struggled to create much. Coventry created even less but a moment of madness from the experienced Basham saw the visitors concede a late penalty and Waghorn was clinical from the spot and this was enough to take the crucial three points.
Heckingbottom made three changes with Davies, Ahmedhodzic and McBurnie coming in for Foderingham, McAtee and Sharp. Osborn moved into the midfield area with the defence at least looking more settled. Coventry had played less games than anyone else due to issues with the pitch and needed confirmation they could even use the stadium after Wasps had been liquidated in the week. They made one change with Michael Rose in for Callum Doyle. Gustavo Hamer was back on the bench and City started with Godden and Gyokeres, the strike partnership that had ripped United to shreds last week at the CBS Arena.
The game began when United won a free kick down the right but it bounced out off a Blades man. The game struggled to get going and neither side could build any momentum in a contest that lacked intensity and courage from both sides. The safety-first nature was shown when the home side went backwards to their keeper and United did likewise. On 10 minutes a decent piece of work from Ndiaye saw him feed Norrington Davies but the United player pulled up and it seemed yet another non-contact injury. Whether it was hamstring or ligament was unclear but he had to be stretchered off-putting serious doubts about his availability short term but also crucially for him, the World Cup.
McAtee came on and Osborn went back to left wing back. Ahmedhodzic got away with a handball before Davies’ poor kick out soon after summed up the sloppy start from the Blades. The home side were not much better and Godden went down injured also but he was able to carry on. As has been the case in recent games, only Ndiaye looked like providing a spark and he tried to get on the ball and create but lacked help from his teammates and could not do it all himself.
Ahmedhodzic had to step in after Doyle’s give away before City had a spell of territory but the first effort on goal was woeful and a long way wide and over after Norwood got away with a foul in the build-up. McBurnie tried to play Ndiaye in but he was caught offside. The game was really poor and lacked skill and creativity with it being played at such a slow pace.
McAtee’s first real meaningful impact nearly saw him sent off and he was maybe fortunate to get away with a bad tackle where he dived in but after a long delay, referee Stroud deemed it to be a yellow card offence. Sheaf then brought down Ndiaye as he looked to break and he was booked drawing frustration from the home fans who felt the first offence was significantly more dangerous. Their mood was not helped when Dabo was then booked for an innocuous tackle on Basham and a series of decisions around this period went against the home side. Ndiaye was tripped out wide and the free kick then led to two corners but Doyle’s shot was a long way wide but at least an effort from United after they too, like the home side, had never looked remotely like scoring.
The end of the half saw both sides win corners and United at least had a spell of possession with Baldock, Ahmedhodzic and Norwood involved in the best spell of football the visitors had played but they could not fashion a decent opportunity. It had been a really poor game and the City fans felt the referee had not helped with his handling of such a tepid contest.
The second half saw United win an early corner but this was cleared before Coventry came and had a dangerous attack as a give away from Doyle nearly played them in but the shot was blocked before an offside flag went up. United then won a free kick after Dabo baulked Osborn, with the Coventry man having now to be very careful being already on a yellow card. Norwood’s free kick seemed to be overplayed but glanced off the top of the bar with Wilson looking concerned as he misjudged the flight. It may not have been intentional but was the closest either side had come to scoring.
Norwood’s silly foul saw Coventry finally win a free kick drawing cheers from the crowd but the sliced shot that ensued summed it up. Dabo came off for Hamer as Robins looked to maybe protect the defender after his challenge earlier in the half. Ahmedhodzic was caught leading to another yellow card before Ndiaye came inside and hit a cross shot that went out on the far side with Wilson maybe getting a touch.
McAtee had not been in the game but a nutmeg got him in a good position but his cross was deflected into the keeper before finally after an hour United got an effort on goal as McBurnie’s header was comfortable for the City keeper. Waghorn and Palmer came on for Allen and Godden as City tried to find a spark in the game. United had created little but they had created even less and the fans were starting to become frustrated.
Ndiaye’s skill and weaving runs were maybe the only thing of quality for both sides and he continued to try and find space but had little help from his teammates. Coventry finally fashioned a chance when Hamer got in after a penalty appeal was waved away for a tackle on Palmer and his fellow sub flashed a shot that Davies had to push behind.
Ndiaye run and shot saw him curl it not far wide in a decent effort before the same man was cynically brought down by McFadzean who was booked and United had a decent spell with the best effort of the game as after it was moved around, McBurnie hit a powerful shot that hit the post with Wilson beaten. The ball came back in and Ahmedhodzic’s header was at the goalkeeper. United had not been good and struggled to create any momentum but had bit the bar and post. Fleck came on for Doyle and United were looking more likely if anyone would nick it but with 5 minutes left a moment of madness cost them the game.
Gyokeres had been kept quiet but was allowed to turn and Basham let him run through before stupidly diving in and clearly took him down. The referee needed help off his assistant but it was as clear a penalty as you could wish to see and finally, they got the right decision. WAGHORN took it and converted confidently despite Davies going the right way.
Sharp came on for the despondent Basham and United won two late corners but could not really fashion a clear chance with a ball going over Sharp at the far post and McBurnie having an effort blocked. The referee played an extra two minutes on top of the additional time but the final whistle finally came and United were defeated again; their third defeat in four games and they have fallen off a cliff since the break. United sit bottom of the form table and in real danger of completely wasting an excellent start to the season with so many teams bunched so close together.
United – We look so flat and devoid of energy and confidence. The injuries are not helping and we got another big one it seems but I still expect more from some very experienced players who need to do much more. We have gone from a side who looked like scoring quite a few goals to one that is struggling to muster a chance at the moment. We need stop feeling sorry for ourselves and impose ourselves more. Tonight, we maybe shaded it and did hit the post but it was a stretch to even say we deserved to win it. If anyone did, it was perhaps us and 1-0 to us may have been more just but 0-0 was about what the game deserved. They had one shot saved and we had one off the post. Outside of that – nothing. It was a game mired in midfield and nothing happened really. We barely moved it forward and other than the odd scraps and bit of Ndiaye quality, did we do anything outside of the McBurnie effort. Not sure Norwood meant the one off the bar?
The worrying thing is Coventry were garbage. Absolute rubbish. They barely had an attack. Gave it away and were slow and clumsy. The front lad Gyokeres was never in it till the end and we should be putting away such an awful side 2 or 3-0. I am sick of the injury excuses too. We had 8 or 9 of our strongest side (Bogle and Berge maybe only two who would get in – Wes/Davies of course but keeper had nothing to do!). We have enough experienced players to beat the bottom of the league but again too many passengers, too many waiting for things to happen and too many sadly not good enough. That includes a number of pros who have been here a while. Doyle and McAtee look nice footballers but lack physicality and presence. The latter has been a major disappointment and is miles off senior men’s football at this level sadly. Osborn is just not good enough and Bash is making bad mistakes every week. Not sure the others like Norwood, Egan, Baldock, McBurnie are doing enough. Anel was ok and Ndiaye excellent but the rest were very average. They did not impose themselves. Too many are going through the motions and are almost feeling sorry for themselves. It’s odd. We had been in great form and yes have lost a few players but that does not mean the rest just stop running and competing and being brave in what they do. We have played safe attacking wise and made mistake after mistake the other way. We have gone from being an exciting and attacking side to a very average to poor one who barely looks like scoring but you know will toss goals away the other end. We look dull and boring now. This is remarkable after we looked so fresh and energetic only a month or so again.
The result is a run of awful performances and points total and you worry how we can get going again? Big test for Hecky now to actually see if he can adapt and change things both personnel, tactics and approach. We seem to be lacking in motivation and too many need to wake up. He leads this so he has to take responsibility. His selections and subs are a major worry but the lack of a clear plan of how we break bad teams down is a major concern. We have now struggled hugely against some dire sides and yet they get through us easily. Tonight, they only needed to do it once and we again make an appalling error.
Even though we are 4th, we know we lose a few more and we are mid table and promotion seems a long way off. We are now playing a tough run of games too – this last lot was the easier section – which is a real concern. Norwich are off form too but their attackers will worry us more than ours with them you would think. Then Burnley and a few others who are better than whom we have played you would sense. I thought we may drop some points and with the changes every week in personnel (Some our own fault – McBurnie and Wes and you could argue the number of pulls/hamstrings that we have a big internal issue at the club?).
It's a big game Saturday but we said that tonight and last week and the players and manager have failed to respond. He keeps going on about injuries etc but he needs to look within at these and also realise he and the players need to sharpen up or they will achieve nothing this season. It may seem a harsh assessment but I have been shocked how timid and slow we have been in everything we have done since the break. We look like we are waiting for things to happen. Take Ndiaye out and I am not sure we have anyone who can actually get us up the field. We are packed full of slow, weak and/or little players. Saying that we still have a spine that should mean we need to be doing much better than we have seen in the recent run of games. He needs to give the likes of Brewster and Khadra games now. We may be exposed at the back but McAtee and Osborn are a waste of time. They do nothing to affect games really.
Ratings:
Davies 6/10 – Couple of dodgy kick outs but did not have anything to do first half at all. Second half made one save he pushed out and then the penalty which he had no chance with.
Baldock 6/10 – Steady and at least he tried to get on the ball and link. Usual lack of final ball but I felt he showed more energy than most first half. Second half not sure he got forward as much but wasted any chances he had to cross.
Norrington Davies – One run down the left and bang down he goes. Like Lowe, Berge, Clark and Robinson, another hamstring/muscle injury. Clearly there is major issues with the conditioning/fitness side as we are picking up the same sort of injury constantly. Shame as before his poor game Saturday he has been one of our best players but looks the sort of injury that could see him out for a few months and maybe the World Cup. Sad for him and now we have three left wing backs (four if you count Bogle out). Osborn cannot play there so he will have to play Robinson in this position you would think. Given up on Stevens and Clark – not sure we will see either of them for a long time, if at all.
Ahmedhodzic 6.5/10 – Handball early but he looked one of our better players first half. Got on it and tried to link/run forward and made a few interceptions where he used his body/strength. Had a few forward runs too at the end of the half. Second half he had one header and he at least tried to step out to put us on the attack.
Basham 3/10 – Steady to begin if a little rushed when he had the ball but defensively not sure there were big errors to start with. He was ok and I felt had his best game for a while and stopped some dangerous forwards but then he ruins it all with an absolutely stupid moment. He let his man get across him and then let him run and then compounded it by chopping him down. Obvious penalty. Was hooked soon after. He has been really poor this season and I hate to say it but the two-year contract might be a mistake on his performances now. Love the guy but likes of him, Sharp, Stevens and Fleck’s best days are long gone.
Egan 6.5/10 – Not sure I noticed him first half as they, like us, barely had an attack. It was mired in midfield with nobody running ahead of the strikers. He had a few headers off target again but he did ok when he had the ball and not sure they got many chances from him.
Norwood 5/10 – Not his best game – not sure he had control of the game or impacted it that much. Few silly fouls and lucky not to get booked first half and his passing was a bit mixed and seemed to take an age to do things. Not sure he got on the ball and when he did it was all a bit safe and in front. He was ok but did he do enough to affect games.
Doyle 5.5/10 – He was one of our more involved players but he gave it away or did not make the right choices and at times the midfield was so far off the defence and the attack. One effort a long way off target but a few dangerous corners which are one of his big attributes. He does fade in games and he too gave it away a bit to set them on the attack. However his corners were a threat so would have left him on.
Osborn 2/10 – Terrible. He started left midfield and gave it away constantly or kept coming back. He looked so slow and weak. Went to left wing back and did not get much better really and Dabo got past him twice. He cannot use his right foot, looks so pedestrian and technically inept. Miles off the standard needed for a promotion side. Looks a League One squad player at best sadly. Nice lad but contributes next to nothing wherever he plays. He looks stuck in mud as players just run past him or overpower him. I would not even have him on the bench personally. Rather see a youngster like Arblaster personally. Not good enough but now may have to play as we have 4 left sided defenders crocked. You’d argue you could play Robinson here but then who plays centre back – as Bash is performing so badly too.
Ndiaye 8/10 – Our best player by a long stretch. Only one who wanted to get on the ball and at least shielded it and ran with it. He tried to find others or link but no one was close to him. He showed lovely control and ability to come away from opponents but he needs runners or people to get close to him. Felty sorry for him as he made run after run and tried to keep the ball moving or find space but no one helped him at all.
McBurnie 5/10 – Not been really at it last few weeks after that purple patch. He looks leggy and ineffective again and not even a nuisance factor after he had been really effective for a spell, scoring and working hard. Did have our best effort with the shot off the post but outside of this just seemed to be lumbering around without achieving anything. He had no real service though at all.
Subs –
McAtee 3/10 – He did score Saturday but most games he plays, he is non existent and looks lost. He does not know where to move to the ball, he struggles with the physical stuff and when he gets it there is no end product or he just gets rid of it quickly. He is not ready at all for this type of football.
Fleck – Weird change. Doyle’s set plays was one of our main dangers. Came on and ran into his own man and then put a few crosses in but now with McAtee not offering much, he may have to start.
Sharp – Pointless sub. We needed some pace to stretch them. He had one volley over. I am not Brewster’s biggest fan but he at least can offer something different in terms of running. Sharp is not an impact player.
Manager: Heckingbottom 2/10 – Poor team selection again (Osborn – really?) and his subs were too late and pointless in terms of the impact they would have. Khadra and Brewster have not been great but both offer something different. Tactically we look so clueless how to break bad teams down and the main tactic seems to be give it to Ndiaye and hope something happens. We lack fluency and idea really and then defensively we keep making mistakes. At the moment the side is lacking hunger and energy and he needs to somehow get these players back to what they were. Even with the injuries we need to show more about us in terms of forward play and being more purposeful. We look like we are just turning up and hoping at the moment. The questions asked from him at Leeds and Hibs will be asked of him here if the form and performances continue as sadly his coaching deficiencies seem to be coming to the fore now. It is first big test so we will see how we respond but current form and results suggest it is hard to see where the next win is coming from and it may get worse before it gets better.
Coventry – Awful. Might have been the worst side we have played. Had one shot (Hamer) and the rest of the game they gave it away, fouled and moaned. They did not keep it and looked a side that was lacking confidence. A good side would have beat them easily. One run and stupid tackle and they win it. Ridiculous they won for how bad they were but not sure we were much better? They have some quite agricultural players but they were barely tested at all. Maybe the win will kick start them but take out Gyokeres (same with us with Ndiaye) and they look a poor side and you can see why they have struggled albeit played less games.
Opponent Man of the Match – Not sure anyone was great – maybe Gyokeres just for the forward run and drawing the penalty. The two centre halves headed it and kicked it away but not sure they were great.
Opponent Weak link – Maybe the ref! He did his best at times in general play for us. Dabo could and maybe should have walked for a clumsy foul after a yellow. I think McFadzean the centre back and ex Blade is a poor player and we did not exploit him at all.
Referee/Officials – Keith Stroud. Did 4 games last season but not sure he was that controversial but do recall him having a few ‘poor’ ones mixed with some ‘ok’ games in taking United. Tonight, he could have sent McAtee off (looked a bad one and think we would have been crying out for a red) and then could have sent Dabo off (bottled it after not sending ours off and the crowd getting on his back). He gave some odd fouls and then started booking loads of their players – some deserved and some not. Thought we got more than our fair share of the 50-50’s and as Saturday we cannot blame the ref. He did seem to miss the spot kick but the assistant gave it. Rightly so. It was a stonewall.
