Post by deadbat on Oct 23, 2022 10:45:00 GMT
Another bizarre and exciting afternoon at Bramall Lane – for the second consecutive Saturday. Once again it ended in honours even but this again did not do justice to another strange game that ebbed and flowed both ways. Both United and Norwich could make an argument they could have won it but the Blades will be the happier side, coming back from 0-2 down and seeing Norwich then miss a late penalty at 2-2. United again were a long way from the side we saw to start the season and look a long way from a side that is serious promotion contenders. A baffling team selection, defensive mistakes and a side that lacks fluidity and organisation on and off the ball, manager Heckingbottom is rightly having questions asked despite the Blades still being in a good position in the table. In the end some old-fashioned fight and intensity helped by the impressive substitute McBurnie saw United take something from a game that they looked out of after only a quarter of an hour.
The teams came in just after 2pm and most Blades fans would have been shocked to see Ndiaye dropped to the bench, along with McBurnie and Doyle. McAtee came in for Norrington Davies who seems set to face a long spell on the side-lines and Osborn started at left wing back. Buyabu was a surprise inclusion on the bench with the youngster impressing this season for the u21’s. Norwich had a number of familiar names as the two sides locked horns for the first time since the 19-20 Premier League season as both teams had been in different divisions for the last two seasons.
The game began in bright sunshine but it was a disastrous start for the home debutant goalkeeper after only three minutes. Egan’s back pass afforded Davies plenty of time to clear but he took way too long and PUKKI closed him down and charged his clearance into the empty net. United tried to respond but Osborn twice failed to get the ball over before Norwich broke again with Nunez out pacing Basham. The Blades were struggling to create and the visitors were winning the loose stuff and the ball over the top was causing issues for a hesitant backline. This was just the tactic they employed when they score their second on 16 minutes. It was a routine ball that Ahmedhodzic should have cleared but PUKKI outmuscled him and came out wit the ball before sliding the ball into the far corner. Davies again might have done better with the shot.
The crowd’s frustrations started to filter down to the pitch as more mistakes ensued with Basham and Egan struggling to cope with the running from deep that supported the impressive Pukki. United had a few moments but the Norwich centre halves were too strong for Brewster and Sharp. Indeed, Norwich could have sealed the game as Sargent was played in and Davies had to make the point blank save. Again, the ease in which United were cut through was worrying. McAtee had not been in the game and his wild finish over the bar summed up his lack of positive contribution. Norwich continued to look more dangerous and won two corners and another break which saw a shot go narrowly wide before United at least fashioned a chance with Osborn’s cross headed wide by Brewster. United finished the half with a better spell and Osborn and Norwood had efforts at Gunn which he saved before some fractious challenges saw Cantwell and Hayden booked.
It was no surprise when Ndiaye came on for McAtee. The only bigger shock was that more changes had not been made either before or at the break, especially with five substitutions now allowed. United at least tried to get Norwich defending and Ndiaye had two promising runs. United were at least showing some urgency and intensity but had not really worked Gunn yet in the second half despite forcing the Canaries back. Doyle came on for Fleck on the hour.
Hanley’s stupid kick out at Sharp was somehow not given leading to an understandable reaction from Sharp back to his opposition skipper. The referee started to lose control around this point but at least United found a way back into the game. The ball was played into the box and Sharp managed to hold it up from Baldock’s cross and help it on leading to OSBORN being able to clinically convert back into far post on the angle.
The crowd were now involved and Norwich’s poor tactics of feigning injury from little contact was helping stoke up the noise. Giannoulis’ pathetic attempt to get Sharp sent off did not help their cause in terms of getting the Blades players even more motivated. McBurnie came on for Brewster and was instantly involved, holding the ball up and chasing lost causes. He was causing problems although Norwich had an appeal for a penalty before Ndiaye went on his own slalom run before hitting the floor but again nothing was give.
On 72 minutes, the increasing pressure saw United level. Norwood’s cross was perfect for Egan to attack and his header across goal was right into the path of MCBURNIE who bundled it home via a pot – the ball may have bounced off him onto the post and back onto him before finding the net! United’s crowds were now fired up and with more Norwich players trying to influence the referee by trying to claim they were injured/fouled, the atmosphere was ramped up even more!
Sharp fired over after a good move and Baldock and Ahmedhodzic were well forward on the right with Osborn putting some good crosses in from the other side. Khadra came on for Sharp and went up top but the game was now more in the balance as Norwich had their own spell of attacks helped by their own subs Hernandez and Gibbs. The former ran through three challenges and set up Nunez who fired over before Sargent nearly got in. It looked like either side could win it and McBurnie and Ndiaye nearly combined soon after before McBurnie headed at Gunn after good work from Osborn. Baldock and Nunez clashed with the latter the latest trying to con the officials as he rolled around.
Disaster struck for the Blades though when at almost the same time and at the same end as last week, a penalty was given but this time against United. Ahmedhodzic’s wild tackle was right on the line and maybe just outside leading to the referee playing on but Gibbs then was baulked clumsily by Egan. The centre back may have toed the ball but he got a lot of the man too with his body and the decision although took a long time was the right one you sensed. After Sargent had the ball, it was given to Pukki to try and complete his hat trick and win the game but his effort was weak and Davies saved easily.
There were seven minutes of stoppage time and now United, after this let off, sensed they could maybe win it. They continued to probe and attack and from a move down the left Osborn’s cross was perfect for McBurnie who looked set to complete the turnaround but somehow hit the keepers’ legs when it seemed easier to score. Osborn took too long on the rebound when he had a chance to score also. Norwich ended up winning a corner at the other end as the topsy turvy game continued to show no let up. The game finally came to an end though with both sets of players and fans not knowing whether to go away content or disappointed in an enthralling contest that may not have been the best in terms of skill but had drama throughout.
United – Just another really weird game. In the end I had a different feeling to last week and felt this in the end was a point gained rather than two lost due to the way we came back and the penalty miss. Granted we had chances and the McBurnie one at the end he has to score and second half after we got level, you thought we might go and win it but they also had chances on the break. However, for all the discussion about the second half, Norwich should have been out of sight at half time and missed a few other good chances. We were wretched to start the game with mistakes all over the field, lack of energy and losing the ball constantly. We did not win the 50-50’s and they just knocked the ball around the corner and were in. They came through us time after time and even outside the sloppy goals, they looked like scoring more. We had one or two moves but nothing where we remotely looked like scoring and the main tactic seemed to be pass to Osborn to cross it over. The team selection of course was baffling – I get he has to rest players and rotate and worried about more injuries but we are on a terrible run and you have to play your betters players surely? Ndiaye, McBurnie and Doyle were maybe the three best players in the week! It was just bizarre. Brewster and Sharp does not work as a partnership and McAtee clearly struggled in the week so why he started was strange too. I just could not understand it.
For all that you cannot legislate for your keeper doing that early on and this set the tone for such a jittery opening. I felt we may concede every time they attacked. Pukki and Sargent were threats all first half and they kept coming through us. We just could not get into it and the crowd got frustrated. We lacked energy all over the field and players seemed to go in their shell a bit as once again some of the experienced lads (Bash, Egan, Sharp) let us down as much as some of the younger ones. It was all a bit of a mess. We could have gone in at least another behind. Second half Ndiaye gave us a lift and we did improve but even an hour in, not sure we had many chances even though there was more intensity and urgency. It was odd but Sharp kicking off after the incident in the corner seemed to spark us and the crowd. Soon after we score, McBurnie comes on and he gets involved in the battle (in a good way) and suddenly their defence is worried as we start to cause them problems. Not sure we played brilliant football. It was more just chaos and scrambled stuff. We just got it forward quicker, varied the approach a bit more and got men in the box. They then started to look poor and defensively like us and made mistakes. We got level and after this you think we can go on and win it but then it was more even and they had chances too. I was kind of, ‘Just take the point and stop the rot.’ I sensed the way things have gone, we may throw it away and we nearly did and there had been some awful decisions defensively we got away with on a few other moments before the double foul for the penalty. Really stupid to dive in (twice). I saw Hecky say he got the ball but it was so clumsy and I would have given it as a referee, as bad as he was. We save it and you think maybe we might go down and score and nearly did.
In the end, a draw was maybe about right but if anyone was making an argument, they should have won it- then it was Norwich this week rather than is making that argument maybe last week. They, like us last week, threw away a two-goal lead but then they missed the penalty too. I thought as a game oddly despite the excitement and pockets of good play, it was mostly an awful standard and quite scrappy. A lot of chances came from mistakes or percentage stuff rather than brilliant football – both ways. On that evidence from a defensive and solidity perspective, neither side is going to be close to automatic promotion. It looked like two sides who are bereft of confidence in the defensive side but Norwich actually came and started really well having a go at us and taking the game to United. However, you saw their vulnerabilities too later on. It was strange as both teams were having attacks and there was no real element where you thought this side has total control (even could say that for them really at 0-2). It was all very strange but United as a home side cannot be so open and chucking away chances and goals. We have conceded 5 in two home games and easily could have been a lot more than that. Conversely, we could have scored more than the 5 we did! However, the shape, pattern and control we had of games has completely gone. Teams are going through us easily and the attacking side chances are coming more from just getting it in areas, rather than great football that we saw in some of the spankings.
The injuries are not helping at all but the team selection (subs in other games – today they helped of course!), tactics and way we are playing/competing in games means at the moment it is hard to see us getting many wins unless we improve. I can see more draws/defeats in a tough run coming up unless we became more solid at the back, start winning the battles and closing players down and in simple terms show more energy. The second half players started competing and running around – not backing down from the physical stuff. Why did it take till we were nearly out of the game? Granted poor officiating is not helping but the referees are not responsible for some of the pitiful play of our players/team each week at the moment. A lot of the frustrations from decisions and the play acting/cheating is long after we have thrown goals away and almost the game.
United (manager/coaches/players) need to wake up as many other teams are now outworking us, found our weaknesses and are causing us problems. We are shipping goals and if we keep doing that, we are not going to be anywhere near the promotion mix. Too many players are not performing at the moment and we are relying on Ndiaye’s brilliance (today McBurnie actually was the catalyst) and not enough are taking responsibility defensively or attacking wise. We need to see some big improvements as the current performances mean we will not be in the promotion places in a few weeks as it is so tight. We need players to come out and start the game next week well and start doing the basics right. The manager needs to ensure the side has control of games as at the moment we are not doing this and getting exposed badly with all our limitations/weaknesses showing up.
Ratings:
Davies 4/10 – What a catastrophic start to his home debut. When the ball went back to him, I thought he is taking too long here and he needs to kick it quick! Too late! You could see it happening. It was good striking play and he got a bit of luck where it ended up but the keeper has to wake up here. Not even sure the argument about it being on his right foot is valid as he still had time to kick it with his right foot. After this I also thought he was very slow down on the 2nd – not saying it was his fault but was hardly powerful. He made one save which kept it at 0-2 and then second half he settled down a bit more with less to do and us attacking more. However, a few shots he did seem very slow to get down and had me having flashbacks of Mark Bunn! He then made the penalty save which of course is a big moment of redemption for him. It was a poor penalty (he maybe should have held it!) but had to be saved. Hopefully this will give him a bit more confidence after such a disastrous start.
Baldock 6/10 – On the ball and his final contribution in an attacking sense again was quite woeful as he hit the first man or came back inside but like Osborn, he never hid and was always getting up and down. He and Sharp’s aggressiveness as both of them seemed they literally wanted to have a fight; meant they really were instrumental in getting the crowd going as the frustrations with the ref grew. He won’t back down from anything and sometimes gets too pumped up but we needed it today. A few times he just lost his head though and missed a tackle of got out of position so needs to be careful.
Osborn 6/10 – First half he was wretched and maybe more a 3/10. He did see lots of the ball and put one good cross in for Brewster actually but outside of this the mis controlled it, passed it to them and turned into trouble. He had a bit of a nightmare and I thought we should have taken him off – along with 3 or 4 others! However, to his credit second half he improved hugely and scored a well taken goal and put in some other good crosses too and was a threat down that side and one of our main outlets. Maybe should have took the shot on earlier when the McBurnie header dropped to him on the rebound. Another who should not be near the starting line up but having to play due to injuries. Nice lad but not good enough for a side serious about promotion but the news RND is going to be out and Lowe also being unavailable then he may have to continue to play there sadly unless Robinson goes there?
Ahmedhodzic 6/10 – Made some mistakes in the week and this carried on today. He was better than Bash and Egan but that was not hard. He made the mistake on the second goal as he lost the battle and let Pukki get goal side. A few other times he was slow to react to things. On the ball he was ok and second half he was able to step forward and was able to help us keep the ball higher up the field. I was still concerned how easily they got in though even though we did improve second half and we looked so susceptible to the ball over the top. Still a stupid challenge at the death too which was nearly a penalty (before they got it). Last few been a bit of a reality check for us and maybe him that he is not perhaps this incredible player who we all wondered how Premier League clubs missed but do believe the rest of the defence and midfield not helping so leading to mistakes all over.
Basham 4/10 – Like with Sharp it was sad to watch first half as he made mistake after mistake and the ball kept coming down that side and he struggled to keep up with quicker and more mobile players. I never felt he was slow at all (not quick but was so fit he could make those lung bursting recovery runs) but this season he has looked stuck in mud and players just go around him easily. I love the guy but watching him make mistakes on and off the ball was not an easy watch at all. He kept slicing it in the air or just giving it straight to them or out of play. He did get better second half in the sense there were less errors and he did run forward a bit and get into some better areas in their half but overall, you sense he should not be starting at the moment as he is a bit of a liability.
Egan 4.5/10 – Been a really bad spell for him and the defence overall. He is at the heart of a back three coughing up chances and goals regularly at the moment. Today the ball over the top continued to be a major issue for the whole defence. We almost seemed too high up – a criticism I do not always make – as like the defence to push up normally but the pace and running meant we were badly exposed. Seen some blame him a bit for the back pass not putting it on Davies’ right foot but the pass was fine. It's all on the keeper for me that one. However, he was routinely getting run past in the rest of the game and some terrible clearances too (like the one he just smashed into the air). He then gave away a stupid penalty – it looked obvious to me and completely unnecessary and like Bash in the week should have cost us the game. He did set up the second with a really good header which gets him some credit.
Norwood 6/10 – One of our better players and he was only ordinary. Some decent passes mixed in with some overplayed (particularly at the end when a few better balls and we may have got in). I was concerned that we lost the ball in the first half in bad areas and this led to them breaking. When he had it not sure he had the movement or options with McAtee, Sharp and Brewster offering little. Osborn to the left weirdly was our best option often and only one free or who made space as poor as he was (did get better as above). He still is one of our main players who can make the pass or get on it and stretch them but I just wish he and the team would try and go down the middle sometimes – the obsession with going wide and down the flanks is so predictable. He should be looking for Ndiaye a lot more and getting the ball to him.
Fleck 5/10 – I was surprised he started as only just come back from a serious injury and you worried, we may have the same situation as we had with Bogle. He was ok and not sure he was one of our worst performers and at least tried to get on it attacking wise and link down the left and he found Osborn a number of times. Defensively I thought the whole three in there were poor and as in the week, did not offer the defence any protection at all really as they ran through us. He was neat and tidy and was involved but again as with the other subs we did get better when his replacement came on.
McAtee 3/10 – Dreadful. Gave it away when he had it and other than one shot over the bar, not sure I saw him at all first half. He just looks completely anonymous. Ben Woodburn mark two sadly. He is so small/weak and that means when the ball comes to him then technically, he has to be really good to compensate for these weaknesses but he is not. I expected a skilful ball player who carried it, could make space, set others up and be a goal threat. He has not really shown any of those things. Just not ready at this level and needs to wake up fast as if he wants to make it, then he will need to impose himself more on games. I know he is young and he may of course go on and have a good career but seen nothing to suggest at this moment he should even be close to starting games for us or anyone at this level. He probably needs a loan even further down the pyramid as not at the standard required for the Championship.
Brewster 5/10 – I am sure this mark may court controversy but I am still not convinced by him at all. I have said it before but 50+ games and he has had runs/starts despite this notion he does not get playing time. He ran around at times and looked to get beyond and had one header but does he really look like scoring, does he hold it up and bring others in, does he get behind and really threaten? There were a few bits and pieces but overall, not sure he does anywhere near enough. He does not anticipate at all and he does not link with other strikers he plays with. I think the effort is there but I remain to be convinced he is going to be a regular goal scorer or a consistent player we need at this level. The fact we improved hugely when he went off and the presence McBurnie gave us, was telling. Before this the centre backs had an easy ride.
Sharp 5.5/10 – His mark may seem a little high in comparison to Brewster but I will try and qualify it by saying in general play – particularly first half – he was not in it, slow and I wanted him hooked at half time. He never got to the ball first, he gave it away or just got brushed off. He was really poor and looked a player that should not be starting at this level anymore which is sad but being truthful. Second half he got fouled and then kicked by Hanley and this sparked him and maybe United actually. He went back at Hanley and this got the crowd going and other players responded too. He then started doing better and had some good moments and set up the first goal with his hold up. Just his fight and scrap alone were a marked improvement from his first half. Worried the useless ref may send him off after that player went down but clearly, he was trying to con him. Still maintain he should not be really playing much now though and looks someone who you feel may be his last season at this level. I know we have said it before but time has now caught up with him.
Subs –
Ndiaye 7.5/10 – Instantly got on the ball showing his lovely first touch, deft control and ability to move away from players. One or two good runs and pieces of link play including one where he threatened to run through the whole team. A joy to watch with his ability to come out of tight areas and teams are clearly terrified of him. The idea he needed resting is odd as we do not have a game this mid-week. Surely, we need to play our best player and the only one who looks like creating anything? Strange move.
McBurnie 8/10 – Excellent. After a few subpar games he got back to the standard he showed in the run before the break. He was a constant menace, winning headers, holding it up and looking a threat when the ball came in. He played others in and came deep but also was right in the box. Had a number of headers/efforts and should have scored with the one in stoppage time. He did bundle his goal in. He gave us a real spark and aggression we had not had and helped us keep the ball in their last third as it had just come back.
Doyle 6.5/10 – I am not sure Fleck was awful but Doyle was harshly dropped (rotated?) for me and felt he, like the other subs, improved matters when he came on. His set pieces are dangerous and unlike McAtee he does get involved and gets about the pitch. He is a neat and tidy player who is not exceptional at anything but just a very useful player. Expect he will be back starting next week. Does need to add assists/goals though as not sure we have had any of either despite the dangerous corners etc?
Khadra – Had one weak effort saved and looked to get involved but did not quite come off for him. Had a chance at the end where the ball was cleared but could not control it. Do think he is better as a striker or down the middle in terms of the danger he could offer for us as teams will be scared of his pace.
Manager: Heckingbottom 3/10 – No idea what he was thinking with the team at all. Yes, the subs helped change it but then they should be playing and we are not chasing it. At 0-2, there were genuine conversations around us about Hecky and his future which shows the fickle nature of football fans (with us in the top 6 and after what he did last year) but you kind of understand it. The dreadful injury record (it is not bad luck) and conditioning/management of our players fitness is a big factor of course and he oversees that. However more than that, the team selections/subs and how we are playing (obsession with going wide) and the lack of energy/zip in the side is that worries me. The team look so flat most weeks. I am not advocating his removal as that would be ridiculous but there has to be questions asked around some of the above and that is fair. One of my mates said we should get rid now as it will be too late and we will be middle of the division or lower by the World Cup. So, some are saying it but I think any talk of a change is ridiculous and he has earned the right for what he did last season to try and get us going again. I do not want this, ‘let us just get to the World Cup and then go again!’ There is no evidence the injuries or form will turn around. We need to wake up now – the management team and players. Today we got away with it really and probably should have lost again despite the bottle we showed to come back which at least was something we had not seen recently. However, we look a bit of a unstructured mess at the moment and now it’s 6 games without a win (it’s a fairly sizeable chunk nearly as big as the 9 we had without a loss). At the moment we look a side that is going to slide down the league unless things change.
Norwich – A team out of form who came here against another side out of form. They looked like (along with us) they would be running away with the league earlier in the season as we both threatened to do a Fulham/Bournemouth. Both have dropped off and started conceding goals and losing at home. Now there are around 8 or 9 teams within the same small spread of points. Heard a lot more criticism of Dean Smith than Hecky with a number quite vocal about wanting a change. Suppose they came down last year and he did not really change things and does not have credit of our manager. I did think after their start they would just come up again but have started to look vulnerable and do not have some of the creative talents they have had in previous promotion campaigns.
They started today well and as Smith said, beat our press by simply going over the top and stretching a defence badly out of form. Pukki was a handful – a player I always have liked – maybe not quite good enough at top level but he did ok. There is an argument he would have been a better and cheaper signing than Brewster (after they had gone down) but easy to say in hindsight. He always looks a threat and he closed down to get the goal and then took his second really well. He was always looking to run behind and they picked us off and had a number of good chances and could have had more goals. They were getting stuck in, winning the 50-50’s and seemed really up for it and determined to arrest the slide – unlike us. They had a few indecisive moments at the back which was a sign of things to come second half and after we made changes, they started to struggle to hold us back. It is odd as they then started to niggle and cheat/feign injury. If they had kept attacking and going at us, they would have gone on and won but started to try and slow it down and some of the play was disgraceful. Hanley’s lashing out at Sharp, Cantwell diving, Aarons pretending to hold his head and the left back Giannoulis going down holding his head after the Sharp clash was disgraceful. A few others hit the deck or claimed they were badly injured after no contact at all in most cases. Really sad to see as they had been easily the better side for the first half. This meant United fans got involved and a few of our players found some fire in their belly (Baldock, Sharp, McBurnie etc) and we came back.
They did at least respond at 2-2 and had breaks of their own and you felt either side could win it. Hernandez and Gibbs made a difference from an attacking sense and they won a penalty which you thought Sargent was going to take – but apparently, he was always giving it to Pukki – not sure I saw it that way but if Smith is going with that then that is fine! After this McBurnie misses a chance as good as the penalty weirdly but they then get a corner so will feel odd but I think most fans will feel they should have won. They had enough chances and led 2-0 and could have been out of sight but the way they fell apart second half and we got through them was as worrying for their fans as it was for ours in the first half!
They have some good players and still should be around the top 6. Be very surprised if they are not. Do not rate Dean Smith at all though and not sure he will ever go on and do much as a manager. Think he got lucky quite a bit at Villa and has shown here that he is not totally convincing. They still like us have some good players who will always have them the top end of this league due to their experience and know how to get promoted. Even Cantwell although overrated and not quite gone on to do what many thought he might – can show some good skills at times but why they have to try and cheat is odd. A few went down and then just got up and ran normally (Cantwell, Hayden) immediately after. Just play that game normally and they win after a good start.
Opponent Man of the Match – Pukki was excellent first half and a real threat. Never let our defence settle and scored two. He missed the penalty. Oddly though, I am giving my opponent man of the match to the red-haired American lad, Sargent. Thought he was excellent. Strong, quick and could carry the ball. He really caused us lots of problems and looked a clever player who is quite strong too adding to his technical play.
Opponent Weak link – Cantwell was annoying. Giannolius was basically a cheating knob. That is being kind. However, I felt the two centre backs, like ours were woeful 2nd half and so slow and leaden footed. We just needed to put them under pressure and they would make mistakes. As good as they can be in the air, McBurnie won everything in this regard too. Hanley takes it over Gibson for his poor defending and his snidey kicks at Sharp and constant fouling.
Referee/Officials – Josh Smith. Another rabbit in headlights performance. Think he is only 20 which is quite young for a referee and today it was a struggle. First half he began ok – like many do but then a few off calls where he let pushes go but then gave them the other way and started making some odd calls and got ‘You’re not fit to referee!’ from the Blades fans before half time. Not sure there was any major bad decisions but just was calling the game really inconsistently and never seemed to be clear what physical contact he would accept. His second half was a bit of a disaster as this carried on but even more and he failed to spot some of the most blatant cheating I have ever seen. We had Norwich down here timewasting and feigning injury 5 years ago and this was the same again but more the latter.
Two- or three-times players went down under no contact (McBurnie near the dug outs was comical when he gave the foul) and the Sharp one where the player went down and tried to get him sent off after minimal contact (none) was preposterous and he held his head. Genuinely I would have sent the Norwich player off (Gianolluis) for cheating -why did Sharp get booked? He was being treated for his head?! Absolutely bizarre. Indeed, there were a number who just went down holding their leg or head (this seems to be the new one creeping in even more now than ever, where a player now just pretends he has a head injury and goes down knowing the game has to stop).
Earlier, Hanley had just booted Sharp in contrast (had kicked him before that too) and the officials did not even give a foul. Cantwell’s dive was hilarious but the number of players who just fell over was laughable. I would be embarrassed if I was Dean Smith. Still the officials have to do their job and he failed in every regard. The Norwich players just fell over and he have a free kick or waved the physio on. The penalty I will defend him – in real time it looked like the first one was just outside the box and then it is a clumsy challenge from Egan. He may nick the ball but his body gets the man at the same time. Thought it was correct sadly. There were a few other appeals (a few for each team) he was right not to give. However, overall, he just lost control of the game and in the end, it seemed like no one had any idea what decision he would give and Norwich players quickly realised and hit the deck whenever they could.
Matchday/Crowd/Coverage – Quiet again but not helped by the dreadful start. I do think they could have got on the crowds backs more but that did not happen. There was only a smattering of boos at half time and the frustration quickly turned on the ref and the Norwich players. I thought the noise levels did go up 2nd half after the first goal and then the Kop/Blades fans can be the 12th man we need. I thought they were struggling and you sensed we could go and win but in the end the game went end to end again and more refereeing incompetence was the thing that sparked the most noise. Big crowd today with over 30,000 in the Lane. Norwich filled the away end completely so fair play to them for that. They actually always travel well and were quite vocal too but probably feel silly for cheering for Pukki when he got the ball to take the penalty and get his hat trick.
The teams came in just after 2pm and most Blades fans would have been shocked to see Ndiaye dropped to the bench, along with McBurnie and Doyle. McAtee came in for Norrington Davies who seems set to face a long spell on the side-lines and Osborn started at left wing back. Buyabu was a surprise inclusion on the bench with the youngster impressing this season for the u21’s. Norwich had a number of familiar names as the two sides locked horns for the first time since the 19-20 Premier League season as both teams had been in different divisions for the last two seasons.
The game began in bright sunshine but it was a disastrous start for the home debutant goalkeeper after only three minutes. Egan’s back pass afforded Davies plenty of time to clear but he took way too long and PUKKI closed him down and charged his clearance into the empty net. United tried to respond but Osborn twice failed to get the ball over before Norwich broke again with Nunez out pacing Basham. The Blades were struggling to create and the visitors were winning the loose stuff and the ball over the top was causing issues for a hesitant backline. This was just the tactic they employed when they score their second on 16 minutes. It was a routine ball that Ahmedhodzic should have cleared but PUKKI outmuscled him and came out wit the ball before sliding the ball into the far corner. Davies again might have done better with the shot.
The crowd’s frustrations started to filter down to the pitch as more mistakes ensued with Basham and Egan struggling to cope with the running from deep that supported the impressive Pukki. United had a few moments but the Norwich centre halves were too strong for Brewster and Sharp. Indeed, Norwich could have sealed the game as Sargent was played in and Davies had to make the point blank save. Again, the ease in which United were cut through was worrying. McAtee had not been in the game and his wild finish over the bar summed up his lack of positive contribution. Norwich continued to look more dangerous and won two corners and another break which saw a shot go narrowly wide before United at least fashioned a chance with Osborn’s cross headed wide by Brewster. United finished the half with a better spell and Osborn and Norwood had efforts at Gunn which he saved before some fractious challenges saw Cantwell and Hayden booked.
It was no surprise when Ndiaye came on for McAtee. The only bigger shock was that more changes had not been made either before or at the break, especially with five substitutions now allowed. United at least tried to get Norwich defending and Ndiaye had two promising runs. United were at least showing some urgency and intensity but had not really worked Gunn yet in the second half despite forcing the Canaries back. Doyle came on for Fleck on the hour.
Hanley’s stupid kick out at Sharp was somehow not given leading to an understandable reaction from Sharp back to his opposition skipper. The referee started to lose control around this point but at least United found a way back into the game. The ball was played into the box and Sharp managed to hold it up from Baldock’s cross and help it on leading to OSBORN being able to clinically convert back into far post on the angle.
The crowd were now involved and Norwich’s poor tactics of feigning injury from little contact was helping stoke up the noise. Giannoulis’ pathetic attempt to get Sharp sent off did not help their cause in terms of getting the Blades players even more motivated. McBurnie came on for Brewster and was instantly involved, holding the ball up and chasing lost causes. He was causing problems although Norwich had an appeal for a penalty before Ndiaye went on his own slalom run before hitting the floor but again nothing was give.
On 72 minutes, the increasing pressure saw United level. Norwood’s cross was perfect for Egan to attack and his header across goal was right into the path of MCBURNIE who bundled it home via a pot – the ball may have bounced off him onto the post and back onto him before finding the net! United’s crowds were now fired up and with more Norwich players trying to influence the referee by trying to claim they were injured/fouled, the atmosphere was ramped up even more!
Sharp fired over after a good move and Baldock and Ahmedhodzic were well forward on the right with Osborn putting some good crosses in from the other side. Khadra came on for Sharp and went up top but the game was now more in the balance as Norwich had their own spell of attacks helped by their own subs Hernandez and Gibbs. The former ran through three challenges and set up Nunez who fired over before Sargent nearly got in. It looked like either side could win it and McBurnie and Ndiaye nearly combined soon after before McBurnie headed at Gunn after good work from Osborn. Baldock and Nunez clashed with the latter the latest trying to con the officials as he rolled around.
Disaster struck for the Blades though when at almost the same time and at the same end as last week, a penalty was given but this time against United. Ahmedhodzic’s wild tackle was right on the line and maybe just outside leading to the referee playing on but Gibbs then was baulked clumsily by Egan. The centre back may have toed the ball but he got a lot of the man too with his body and the decision although took a long time was the right one you sensed. After Sargent had the ball, it was given to Pukki to try and complete his hat trick and win the game but his effort was weak and Davies saved easily.
There were seven minutes of stoppage time and now United, after this let off, sensed they could maybe win it. They continued to probe and attack and from a move down the left Osborn’s cross was perfect for McBurnie who looked set to complete the turnaround but somehow hit the keepers’ legs when it seemed easier to score. Osborn took too long on the rebound when he had a chance to score also. Norwich ended up winning a corner at the other end as the topsy turvy game continued to show no let up. The game finally came to an end though with both sets of players and fans not knowing whether to go away content or disappointed in an enthralling contest that may not have been the best in terms of skill but had drama throughout.
United – Just another really weird game. In the end I had a different feeling to last week and felt this in the end was a point gained rather than two lost due to the way we came back and the penalty miss. Granted we had chances and the McBurnie one at the end he has to score and second half after we got level, you thought we might go and win it but they also had chances on the break. However, for all the discussion about the second half, Norwich should have been out of sight at half time and missed a few other good chances. We were wretched to start the game with mistakes all over the field, lack of energy and losing the ball constantly. We did not win the 50-50’s and they just knocked the ball around the corner and were in. They came through us time after time and even outside the sloppy goals, they looked like scoring more. We had one or two moves but nothing where we remotely looked like scoring and the main tactic seemed to be pass to Osborn to cross it over. The team selection of course was baffling – I get he has to rest players and rotate and worried about more injuries but we are on a terrible run and you have to play your betters players surely? Ndiaye, McBurnie and Doyle were maybe the three best players in the week! It was just bizarre. Brewster and Sharp does not work as a partnership and McAtee clearly struggled in the week so why he started was strange too. I just could not understand it.
For all that you cannot legislate for your keeper doing that early on and this set the tone for such a jittery opening. I felt we may concede every time they attacked. Pukki and Sargent were threats all first half and they kept coming through us. We just could not get into it and the crowd got frustrated. We lacked energy all over the field and players seemed to go in their shell a bit as once again some of the experienced lads (Bash, Egan, Sharp) let us down as much as some of the younger ones. It was all a bit of a mess. We could have gone in at least another behind. Second half Ndiaye gave us a lift and we did improve but even an hour in, not sure we had many chances even though there was more intensity and urgency. It was odd but Sharp kicking off after the incident in the corner seemed to spark us and the crowd. Soon after we score, McBurnie comes on and he gets involved in the battle (in a good way) and suddenly their defence is worried as we start to cause them problems. Not sure we played brilliant football. It was more just chaos and scrambled stuff. We just got it forward quicker, varied the approach a bit more and got men in the box. They then started to look poor and defensively like us and made mistakes. We got level and after this you think we can go on and win it but then it was more even and they had chances too. I was kind of, ‘Just take the point and stop the rot.’ I sensed the way things have gone, we may throw it away and we nearly did and there had been some awful decisions defensively we got away with on a few other moments before the double foul for the penalty. Really stupid to dive in (twice). I saw Hecky say he got the ball but it was so clumsy and I would have given it as a referee, as bad as he was. We save it and you think maybe we might go down and score and nearly did.
In the end, a draw was maybe about right but if anyone was making an argument, they should have won it- then it was Norwich this week rather than is making that argument maybe last week. They, like us last week, threw away a two-goal lead but then they missed the penalty too. I thought as a game oddly despite the excitement and pockets of good play, it was mostly an awful standard and quite scrappy. A lot of chances came from mistakes or percentage stuff rather than brilliant football – both ways. On that evidence from a defensive and solidity perspective, neither side is going to be close to automatic promotion. It looked like two sides who are bereft of confidence in the defensive side but Norwich actually came and started really well having a go at us and taking the game to United. However, you saw their vulnerabilities too later on. It was strange as both teams were having attacks and there was no real element where you thought this side has total control (even could say that for them really at 0-2). It was all very strange but United as a home side cannot be so open and chucking away chances and goals. We have conceded 5 in two home games and easily could have been a lot more than that. Conversely, we could have scored more than the 5 we did! However, the shape, pattern and control we had of games has completely gone. Teams are going through us easily and the attacking side chances are coming more from just getting it in areas, rather than great football that we saw in some of the spankings.
The injuries are not helping at all but the team selection (subs in other games – today they helped of course!), tactics and way we are playing/competing in games means at the moment it is hard to see us getting many wins unless we improve. I can see more draws/defeats in a tough run coming up unless we became more solid at the back, start winning the battles and closing players down and in simple terms show more energy. The second half players started competing and running around – not backing down from the physical stuff. Why did it take till we were nearly out of the game? Granted poor officiating is not helping but the referees are not responsible for some of the pitiful play of our players/team each week at the moment. A lot of the frustrations from decisions and the play acting/cheating is long after we have thrown goals away and almost the game.
United (manager/coaches/players) need to wake up as many other teams are now outworking us, found our weaknesses and are causing us problems. We are shipping goals and if we keep doing that, we are not going to be anywhere near the promotion mix. Too many players are not performing at the moment and we are relying on Ndiaye’s brilliance (today McBurnie actually was the catalyst) and not enough are taking responsibility defensively or attacking wise. We need to see some big improvements as the current performances mean we will not be in the promotion places in a few weeks as it is so tight. We need players to come out and start the game next week well and start doing the basics right. The manager needs to ensure the side has control of games as at the moment we are not doing this and getting exposed badly with all our limitations/weaknesses showing up.
Ratings:
Davies 4/10 – What a catastrophic start to his home debut. When the ball went back to him, I thought he is taking too long here and he needs to kick it quick! Too late! You could see it happening. It was good striking play and he got a bit of luck where it ended up but the keeper has to wake up here. Not even sure the argument about it being on his right foot is valid as he still had time to kick it with his right foot. After this I also thought he was very slow down on the 2nd – not saying it was his fault but was hardly powerful. He made one save which kept it at 0-2 and then second half he settled down a bit more with less to do and us attacking more. However, a few shots he did seem very slow to get down and had me having flashbacks of Mark Bunn! He then made the penalty save which of course is a big moment of redemption for him. It was a poor penalty (he maybe should have held it!) but had to be saved. Hopefully this will give him a bit more confidence after such a disastrous start.
Baldock 6/10 – On the ball and his final contribution in an attacking sense again was quite woeful as he hit the first man or came back inside but like Osborn, he never hid and was always getting up and down. He and Sharp’s aggressiveness as both of them seemed they literally wanted to have a fight; meant they really were instrumental in getting the crowd going as the frustrations with the ref grew. He won’t back down from anything and sometimes gets too pumped up but we needed it today. A few times he just lost his head though and missed a tackle of got out of position so needs to be careful.
Osborn 6/10 – First half he was wretched and maybe more a 3/10. He did see lots of the ball and put one good cross in for Brewster actually but outside of this the mis controlled it, passed it to them and turned into trouble. He had a bit of a nightmare and I thought we should have taken him off – along with 3 or 4 others! However, to his credit second half he improved hugely and scored a well taken goal and put in some other good crosses too and was a threat down that side and one of our main outlets. Maybe should have took the shot on earlier when the McBurnie header dropped to him on the rebound. Another who should not be near the starting line up but having to play due to injuries. Nice lad but not good enough for a side serious about promotion but the news RND is going to be out and Lowe also being unavailable then he may have to continue to play there sadly unless Robinson goes there?
Ahmedhodzic 6/10 – Made some mistakes in the week and this carried on today. He was better than Bash and Egan but that was not hard. He made the mistake on the second goal as he lost the battle and let Pukki get goal side. A few other times he was slow to react to things. On the ball he was ok and second half he was able to step forward and was able to help us keep the ball higher up the field. I was still concerned how easily they got in though even though we did improve second half and we looked so susceptible to the ball over the top. Still a stupid challenge at the death too which was nearly a penalty (before they got it). Last few been a bit of a reality check for us and maybe him that he is not perhaps this incredible player who we all wondered how Premier League clubs missed but do believe the rest of the defence and midfield not helping so leading to mistakes all over.
Basham 4/10 – Like with Sharp it was sad to watch first half as he made mistake after mistake and the ball kept coming down that side and he struggled to keep up with quicker and more mobile players. I never felt he was slow at all (not quick but was so fit he could make those lung bursting recovery runs) but this season he has looked stuck in mud and players just go around him easily. I love the guy but watching him make mistakes on and off the ball was not an easy watch at all. He kept slicing it in the air or just giving it straight to them or out of play. He did get better second half in the sense there were less errors and he did run forward a bit and get into some better areas in their half but overall, you sense he should not be starting at the moment as he is a bit of a liability.
Egan 4.5/10 – Been a really bad spell for him and the defence overall. He is at the heart of a back three coughing up chances and goals regularly at the moment. Today the ball over the top continued to be a major issue for the whole defence. We almost seemed too high up – a criticism I do not always make – as like the defence to push up normally but the pace and running meant we were badly exposed. Seen some blame him a bit for the back pass not putting it on Davies’ right foot but the pass was fine. It's all on the keeper for me that one. However, he was routinely getting run past in the rest of the game and some terrible clearances too (like the one he just smashed into the air). He then gave away a stupid penalty – it looked obvious to me and completely unnecessary and like Bash in the week should have cost us the game. He did set up the second with a really good header which gets him some credit.
Norwood 6/10 – One of our better players and he was only ordinary. Some decent passes mixed in with some overplayed (particularly at the end when a few better balls and we may have got in). I was concerned that we lost the ball in the first half in bad areas and this led to them breaking. When he had it not sure he had the movement or options with McAtee, Sharp and Brewster offering little. Osborn to the left weirdly was our best option often and only one free or who made space as poor as he was (did get better as above). He still is one of our main players who can make the pass or get on it and stretch them but I just wish he and the team would try and go down the middle sometimes – the obsession with going wide and down the flanks is so predictable. He should be looking for Ndiaye a lot more and getting the ball to him.
Fleck 5/10 – I was surprised he started as only just come back from a serious injury and you worried, we may have the same situation as we had with Bogle. He was ok and not sure he was one of our worst performers and at least tried to get on it attacking wise and link down the left and he found Osborn a number of times. Defensively I thought the whole three in there were poor and as in the week, did not offer the defence any protection at all really as they ran through us. He was neat and tidy and was involved but again as with the other subs we did get better when his replacement came on.
McAtee 3/10 – Dreadful. Gave it away when he had it and other than one shot over the bar, not sure I saw him at all first half. He just looks completely anonymous. Ben Woodburn mark two sadly. He is so small/weak and that means when the ball comes to him then technically, he has to be really good to compensate for these weaknesses but he is not. I expected a skilful ball player who carried it, could make space, set others up and be a goal threat. He has not really shown any of those things. Just not ready at this level and needs to wake up fast as if he wants to make it, then he will need to impose himself more on games. I know he is young and he may of course go on and have a good career but seen nothing to suggest at this moment he should even be close to starting games for us or anyone at this level. He probably needs a loan even further down the pyramid as not at the standard required for the Championship.
Brewster 5/10 – I am sure this mark may court controversy but I am still not convinced by him at all. I have said it before but 50+ games and he has had runs/starts despite this notion he does not get playing time. He ran around at times and looked to get beyond and had one header but does he really look like scoring, does he hold it up and bring others in, does he get behind and really threaten? There were a few bits and pieces but overall, not sure he does anywhere near enough. He does not anticipate at all and he does not link with other strikers he plays with. I think the effort is there but I remain to be convinced he is going to be a regular goal scorer or a consistent player we need at this level. The fact we improved hugely when he went off and the presence McBurnie gave us, was telling. Before this the centre backs had an easy ride.
Sharp 5.5/10 – His mark may seem a little high in comparison to Brewster but I will try and qualify it by saying in general play – particularly first half – he was not in it, slow and I wanted him hooked at half time. He never got to the ball first, he gave it away or just got brushed off. He was really poor and looked a player that should not be starting at this level anymore which is sad but being truthful. Second half he got fouled and then kicked by Hanley and this sparked him and maybe United actually. He went back at Hanley and this got the crowd going and other players responded too. He then started doing better and had some good moments and set up the first goal with his hold up. Just his fight and scrap alone were a marked improvement from his first half. Worried the useless ref may send him off after that player went down but clearly, he was trying to con him. Still maintain he should not be really playing much now though and looks someone who you feel may be his last season at this level. I know we have said it before but time has now caught up with him.
Subs –
Ndiaye 7.5/10 – Instantly got on the ball showing his lovely first touch, deft control and ability to move away from players. One or two good runs and pieces of link play including one where he threatened to run through the whole team. A joy to watch with his ability to come out of tight areas and teams are clearly terrified of him. The idea he needed resting is odd as we do not have a game this mid-week. Surely, we need to play our best player and the only one who looks like creating anything? Strange move.
McBurnie 8/10 – Excellent. After a few subpar games he got back to the standard he showed in the run before the break. He was a constant menace, winning headers, holding it up and looking a threat when the ball came in. He played others in and came deep but also was right in the box. Had a number of headers/efforts and should have scored with the one in stoppage time. He did bundle his goal in. He gave us a real spark and aggression we had not had and helped us keep the ball in their last third as it had just come back.
Doyle 6.5/10 – I am not sure Fleck was awful but Doyle was harshly dropped (rotated?) for me and felt he, like the other subs, improved matters when he came on. His set pieces are dangerous and unlike McAtee he does get involved and gets about the pitch. He is a neat and tidy player who is not exceptional at anything but just a very useful player. Expect he will be back starting next week. Does need to add assists/goals though as not sure we have had any of either despite the dangerous corners etc?
Khadra – Had one weak effort saved and looked to get involved but did not quite come off for him. Had a chance at the end where the ball was cleared but could not control it. Do think he is better as a striker or down the middle in terms of the danger he could offer for us as teams will be scared of his pace.
Manager: Heckingbottom 3/10 – No idea what he was thinking with the team at all. Yes, the subs helped change it but then they should be playing and we are not chasing it. At 0-2, there were genuine conversations around us about Hecky and his future which shows the fickle nature of football fans (with us in the top 6 and after what he did last year) but you kind of understand it. The dreadful injury record (it is not bad luck) and conditioning/management of our players fitness is a big factor of course and he oversees that. However more than that, the team selections/subs and how we are playing (obsession with going wide) and the lack of energy/zip in the side is that worries me. The team look so flat most weeks. I am not advocating his removal as that would be ridiculous but there has to be questions asked around some of the above and that is fair. One of my mates said we should get rid now as it will be too late and we will be middle of the division or lower by the World Cup. So, some are saying it but I think any talk of a change is ridiculous and he has earned the right for what he did last season to try and get us going again. I do not want this, ‘let us just get to the World Cup and then go again!’ There is no evidence the injuries or form will turn around. We need to wake up now – the management team and players. Today we got away with it really and probably should have lost again despite the bottle we showed to come back which at least was something we had not seen recently. However, we look a bit of a unstructured mess at the moment and now it’s 6 games without a win (it’s a fairly sizeable chunk nearly as big as the 9 we had without a loss). At the moment we look a side that is going to slide down the league unless things change.
Norwich – A team out of form who came here against another side out of form. They looked like (along with us) they would be running away with the league earlier in the season as we both threatened to do a Fulham/Bournemouth. Both have dropped off and started conceding goals and losing at home. Now there are around 8 or 9 teams within the same small spread of points. Heard a lot more criticism of Dean Smith than Hecky with a number quite vocal about wanting a change. Suppose they came down last year and he did not really change things and does not have credit of our manager. I did think after their start they would just come up again but have started to look vulnerable and do not have some of the creative talents they have had in previous promotion campaigns.
They started today well and as Smith said, beat our press by simply going over the top and stretching a defence badly out of form. Pukki was a handful – a player I always have liked – maybe not quite good enough at top level but he did ok. There is an argument he would have been a better and cheaper signing than Brewster (after they had gone down) but easy to say in hindsight. He always looks a threat and he closed down to get the goal and then took his second really well. He was always looking to run behind and they picked us off and had a number of good chances and could have had more goals. They were getting stuck in, winning the 50-50’s and seemed really up for it and determined to arrest the slide – unlike us. They had a few indecisive moments at the back which was a sign of things to come second half and after we made changes, they started to struggle to hold us back. It is odd as they then started to niggle and cheat/feign injury. If they had kept attacking and going at us, they would have gone on and won but started to try and slow it down and some of the play was disgraceful. Hanley’s lashing out at Sharp, Cantwell diving, Aarons pretending to hold his head and the left back Giannoulis going down holding his head after the Sharp clash was disgraceful. A few others hit the deck or claimed they were badly injured after no contact at all in most cases. Really sad to see as they had been easily the better side for the first half. This meant United fans got involved and a few of our players found some fire in their belly (Baldock, Sharp, McBurnie etc) and we came back.
They did at least respond at 2-2 and had breaks of their own and you felt either side could win it. Hernandez and Gibbs made a difference from an attacking sense and they won a penalty which you thought Sargent was going to take – but apparently, he was always giving it to Pukki – not sure I saw it that way but if Smith is going with that then that is fine! After this McBurnie misses a chance as good as the penalty weirdly but they then get a corner so will feel odd but I think most fans will feel they should have won. They had enough chances and led 2-0 and could have been out of sight but the way they fell apart second half and we got through them was as worrying for their fans as it was for ours in the first half!
They have some good players and still should be around the top 6. Be very surprised if they are not. Do not rate Dean Smith at all though and not sure he will ever go on and do much as a manager. Think he got lucky quite a bit at Villa and has shown here that he is not totally convincing. They still like us have some good players who will always have them the top end of this league due to their experience and know how to get promoted. Even Cantwell although overrated and not quite gone on to do what many thought he might – can show some good skills at times but why they have to try and cheat is odd. A few went down and then just got up and ran normally (Cantwell, Hayden) immediately after. Just play that game normally and they win after a good start.
Opponent Man of the Match – Pukki was excellent first half and a real threat. Never let our defence settle and scored two. He missed the penalty. Oddly though, I am giving my opponent man of the match to the red-haired American lad, Sargent. Thought he was excellent. Strong, quick and could carry the ball. He really caused us lots of problems and looked a clever player who is quite strong too adding to his technical play.
Opponent Weak link – Cantwell was annoying. Giannolius was basically a cheating knob. That is being kind. However, I felt the two centre backs, like ours were woeful 2nd half and so slow and leaden footed. We just needed to put them under pressure and they would make mistakes. As good as they can be in the air, McBurnie won everything in this regard too. Hanley takes it over Gibson for his poor defending and his snidey kicks at Sharp and constant fouling.
Referee/Officials – Josh Smith. Another rabbit in headlights performance. Think he is only 20 which is quite young for a referee and today it was a struggle. First half he began ok – like many do but then a few off calls where he let pushes go but then gave them the other way and started making some odd calls and got ‘You’re not fit to referee!’ from the Blades fans before half time. Not sure there was any major bad decisions but just was calling the game really inconsistently and never seemed to be clear what physical contact he would accept. His second half was a bit of a disaster as this carried on but even more and he failed to spot some of the most blatant cheating I have ever seen. We had Norwich down here timewasting and feigning injury 5 years ago and this was the same again but more the latter.
Two- or three-times players went down under no contact (McBurnie near the dug outs was comical when he gave the foul) and the Sharp one where the player went down and tried to get him sent off after minimal contact (none) was preposterous and he held his head. Genuinely I would have sent the Norwich player off (Gianolluis) for cheating -why did Sharp get booked? He was being treated for his head?! Absolutely bizarre. Indeed, there were a number who just went down holding their leg or head (this seems to be the new one creeping in even more now than ever, where a player now just pretends he has a head injury and goes down knowing the game has to stop).
Earlier, Hanley had just booted Sharp in contrast (had kicked him before that too) and the officials did not even give a foul. Cantwell’s dive was hilarious but the number of players who just fell over was laughable. I would be embarrassed if I was Dean Smith. Still the officials have to do their job and he failed in every regard. The Norwich players just fell over and he have a free kick or waved the physio on. The penalty I will defend him – in real time it looked like the first one was just outside the box and then it is a clumsy challenge from Egan. He may nick the ball but his body gets the man at the same time. Thought it was correct sadly. There were a few other appeals (a few for each team) he was right not to give. However, overall, he just lost control of the game and in the end, it seemed like no one had any idea what decision he would give and Norwich players quickly realised and hit the deck whenever they could.
Matchday/Crowd/Coverage – Quiet again but not helped by the dreadful start. I do think they could have got on the crowds backs more but that did not happen. There was only a smattering of boos at half time and the frustration quickly turned on the ref and the Norwich players. I thought the noise levels did go up 2nd half after the first goal and then the Kop/Blades fans can be the 12th man we need. I thought they were struggling and you sensed we could go and win but in the end the game went end to end again and more refereeing incompetence was the thing that sparked the most noise. Big crowd today with over 30,000 in the Lane. Norwich filled the away end completely so fair play to them for that. They actually always travel well and were quite vocal too but probably feel silly for cheering for Pukki when he got the ball to take the penalty and get his hat trick.
