Post by deadbat on Nov 1, 2022 23:13:42 GMT
The Blades were able build on the win at the weekend as another weakened side due to suspensions/injuries won an ugly contest at Ashton Gate thanks to another Iliman Ndiaye goal. United were second best throughout and City hit the bar and the post as United withstood a series of chances but were able to see it out despite more injuries suffered and some hefty challenges both ways. City were reduced to ten men for a poor tackle from Tanner but the home side will feel Norwood should have walked earlier in the game for his challenge. United rode their luck on this incident and with the way the game went but in the end all they will care about is the three points.
With no Doyle due to a thigh injury and Ahmedhodzic out due to suspension, United were forced into changes yet again but McBurnie was also not risked due to his hernia issues and was on the bench. In came Robinson, Sharp and Khadra with Ndiaye dropping back into an attacking midfield role. Foderingham was brought straight back in for Adam Davies in goal. So, 4 changes to the starting line up and with no Brewster on the bench, youngsters Sachdev and Brooks featured along with the returning Ciaran Clark and Enda Stevens.
City had some familiar faces in Blades nemesis Andreas Weimann and Nakhi Wells starting but it was a mostly young side showing how manager Nigel Pearson is trying to evolve the City direction moving forward. Veterans Andy King and Chris Martin joined the dangerous Antoine Semenyo on the Robins bench.
The first few minutes the Blades moved it around well but could not penetrate and ended up going long without anyone to hit up top. Egan’s misjudgement saw Wells get there before Foderingham who just pulled out at the right moment and the City man went too wide. The home side were gradually getting on top and Sykes ball was poked wide by Conway.
Basham had to be alert then to avert more danger before Da Silva screwed wide. The home side were in complete control and dominating possession and getting way too much space all over the field. They had not created much though and ironically United’s first proper attack on 15 minutes saw Ndiaye’s cross headed back from Sharp but it lacked power and was an easy save from O’Leary.
City won two corners in quick succession and after this Osborn and Baldock both were slow to react to the danger coming across and Basham then had to clear. United were not in the game with nothing up front but fortunately the final ball from the home side was not accurate or leading to clear chances.
After only just half an hour of the game, Khadra was withdrawn for tactical reason and McAtee came on. The German was clearly not happy but United had no control and were getting over stretched in the midfield. McAtee was involved in the best move United put in but his first touch was too heavy and Pring got a vital tackle. Scott was then booked for bringing down Ndiaye and Norwood’s free kick was dangerous but the keeper made the grab with no one able to get a touch,
City had been the better side but had not really tested United but in the closing stages they finally started to create opportunities. A straight ball in saw Basham and Baldock dissected and Weimann was clear but his shot although beat the United keeper clipped the top of the bar.
After this let off, United should have reacted but more giveaways saw City on the attack again and Osborn’s poor night saw them come down the right side at will. A move through the middle though saw Scott weave his magic and get away from two defenders but went for goal but Foderingham pushed behind as he tried to beat him at his near post with attackers better placed in the middle. The half time whistle came soon after and the home side will have been disappointed not to lead after having complete control but maybe not being clinical enough with the final pieces of play. United had not really been in the game at all and were sluggish on and off the ball.
The second half began and inside 3 minutes, the Blades were ahead. It came from a cross from McAtee and with Sharp maybe in an offside position, Tanner and Vyner still should have dealt with it and flicked off Vyner and NDIAYE nipped in to bravely nod home past the advancing O’Leary. It showed the young forward’s instincts and what a threat he can still be despite having a quiet game. It put him out as United’s leading scorer on 8 goals.
James was booked for a late foul on Norwood soon after and United had a better spell of play finally keeping the ball and Ndiaye had a run and shot at the keeper after coming inside into a dangerous area.
However, City had a good chance when the ball down the left saw Sykes put a really good cross in that Wells could not quite convert and Basham did enough to poke it away. Scott was a constant threat and twice he got away from Osborn with Norwood putting a good tackle in and then he was able on his second run curl a shot wide of the post. Sykes came off for Semeydo as City tried to find a way back in but Sharp nearly got in but could not bring it down.
Wells at the other end was trying to find an opening but Baldock’s challenges was forceful but fair and any penalty appeal was waved away. City were continuing to probe and had a great chance as Egan’s poor clearance was seized on by Semeydo whose shot was only just wide.
Sharp and Fleck came off for Stevens and McBurnie as United tried to find fresh legs and hold onto their lead. City were close again when Tanner hit a long range shot that beat Foderingham but bounced off the post. The rain teemed down making conditions difficult but Basham made two good interceptions as City tried to find an opening.
Ndiaye was booked for pulling back James but soon after the Blades talisman got away from his man and was probably caught twice before he ran out of momentum and the referee did not bring play back. Egan was booked for a clumsy tackle but in the build up to this, Norwood was very fortunate not to get any card and maybe even a red after a bad tackle where he caught his man high up. Fortunately for the Blades man, the referee did not see this indiscretion.
Clark came on for Basham as the Blades defender who had his best performance for some time, had to go up feeling the injury he sustained at the weekend and has probably been playing with. Foderingham then went down as United looked like they were struggling to get through without even more injuries.
The Blades midfielder Norwood ran through and with Ndiaye pulling up with cramp had to go alone but pulled his shot wide. Ndiaye was clearly struggling and was hobbling around as United were now just trying to ensure they saw it out but Scott’s cross led to Foderingham making the save as the shot went straight at him.
Clark was the next to be booked as he pulled his man back and a series of silly fouls gave City the opportunity to launch the ball forward. 8 minutes stoppage time were to be played after a number of breaks in play and substitutions. Martin’s shot was easy for Foderingham after the ball dropped.
Ndiaye was a virtual passenger but the game threatened to boil over when Tanner absolutely scythed McAtee down with a horrific challenge that left he young Blades player in a heap and in some pain. The red card seemed easy and was brandished almost immediately as several players clashed in the ensuing reaction with Baldock and Williams booked for their part in the melee.
There was still a few more minutes of time to be played but United were able to see out the time and pick up a vital three points. They had been far from their best and the home side will wonder how they took nothing from the game but after some games where the Blades could have picked up more points, it was nice to win ugly.
United – Well we were not great at all individually or collectively and somehow won the game! We have played better and got nothing than tonight. As poor as we were at Coventry, we still did more in that game but tonight we nicked a goal and managed to see it out. We had no real cohesion or attacking threat and Hecky admitted he picked the wrong team which was fair enough of him. They had so much space in the middle of the field and we did not get tight to them and gave them too much ball in wide and central areas. I felt we were second to the ball and when we had it, we just kicked it to no one in particular. It was hard to watch but actually other than the Weimann effort and a shot from Scott, not sure they created too much and looked a bit ponderous and lacking in the final third. They had loads of ball and were better than us but were not penetrating much.
After the break we had a good 5 minutes and nicked the goal (that was offside probably but who cares?!) and then Ndiaye had a bit of a spell and you thought we could push on but they came back into it and then had more chances in the final half hour. Semeydo shot narrowly wide, Scott was a threat and did likewise and then they hit the post with a great effort. I thought they would get one as we were giving fouls away and not keeping the ball.
Norwood was very lucky not to see red for an awful tackle and we had a few daft fouls and booking around this spell. We made changes and McBurnie and Stevens did ok but with Bash/Ndiaye and later on McAtee hobbling, it was really just a case of getting out of there with the win. Weirdly they did not create too much clear stuff near the end. Scott and Martin had two shots at Wes but they sort of petered out but when the board goes up for 8 minutes (Pearson seemed to want more judging by his bitter interview at the end!) you think can we hang on but, in the end, they then started to lose their rag a bit and the tackle by Tanner was terrible and could have really badly injured McAtee.
So, we win and go up to 3rd for now – but at what cost? We may struggle to put a team out Saturday at this rate although Anel is back and Ndiaye might be just cramp but you worry if Bash and McAtee will be available. Fleck seemed to struggle again too and is not fully fit. Hope Doyle’s is not too bad and he can be available. For me as Hecky says it’s about hopefully eking out another win or two if we can in the final three and getting to that break, having the four week break and seeing if we can get everyone fit near enough. We look a team that is kind of gassed at the moment and as poor as we were with little fluency, football or pressing off the ball with lots of tired challenges/fouls – some of it might be to players that are playing coming back too soon thought needs must or playing too many games. We are not helping matters by some poor fouls, bookings and ill-discipline. We need to cut out the number of yellow cards – many avoidable by not diving in (Egan/Clark/Ndiaye) or getting involved in stupid incidents (Baldock).
We will have to do better in this regard and play much better if we are serious about promotion as tonight is one of the poorest, we have played but the win was more important than anything. However, since the break we have not really looked close to the side that went on that long run, whether it is injuries, changes or just lack of confidence. We need to stop just whacking it and get it down and pass the ball. It was criminal how often we just tossed it away and when we do not keep tight on teams coming through us, we ended up fortunate not to concede and lost tonight. A better and more ruthless side would have put us to the sword. However Coventry kind of did to us what we did to Bristol in a way so it’s swings and roundabouts.
Burnley will be tough but might be more of a football game than the battle tonight and hopefully we can just get back to playing some decent football and can impose ourselves better, being at home but it will be hard. Winning tonight means even if we draw Saturday, that is not a bad result. We just need to keep a run going in the final 3 games.
Ratings:
Foderingham 7/10 – First half had little to do. Few poor kick outs and then wisely did not commit to the challenge with Wells early – imagine if he had got another 3-match ban straight after coming back – got himself into a bad area initially! He watched one onto his bar and then made a low but expected save from Scott. After the break he saw another whizz past his post and one strike it where he almost ducked as it hit the woodwork! His handling on a few others shots and efforts was really good and he took a few crosses too. Feel a lot more secure when he is playing and he was solid tonight.
Baldock 5/10 – Thought both wing backs were off the pace and lost challenges, were off their men and did not offer any threat going forward to start with. He seemed slow to react to things and then they kept getting in between those gaps which teams often exploit. He got better second half in that he got closer to his man and won some tackles but we never saw him going forward and at times he still switched off. Another stupid booking.
Osborn 4/10 – Dreadful tonight for the most part but did keep plugging away as poor as he was. His touch and passing was poor but he was all over the place positionally and they kept coming at him knowing he lacked pace and defensive awareness. He looked all over the place and I was crying out for us to take him off or get him away from the defensive side as Scott kept coming at him time after time. He was better in midfield for that final period and at least got his foot in and gave us some legs in there.
Robinson 6/10 – Looked rusty to begin with a few mistimed passes and touches. They got in down that left side a few times and just had so much space. He was able to improve after the break and made some good headers and clearances but they did have too much time when the ball came forward and we did not impose ourselves enough. Good for him to get 90 minutes in.
Basham 6.5/10 – Started with a few aimless punt outs but did some good things defensively and made some blocks and tackles. He got better after that and seemed more like the Bash of old with some well-timed interceptions and he got a crucial toe on that cross that nearly found Wells. A few other good moments where he came across and thought he was one of our better players in that he battled and gritted it out. Sky game him man of the match and whilst they had better performers, he might have been United’s stand out but was only ‘ok.’
Egan 5.5/10 – He mis controlled a ball and kicked one out and then he switched off a few times. The communication between him and experienced partners at the back is worrying when they get into those little gaps – not helped by no protection in front. He gave another stupid yellow card away too when he just commits stupid fouls and also passed it straight to Semeydo who nearly scored. He did win some headers near the end as we stopped them having too many clear chances in the final stages.
Norwood 6.5/10 – One of our better players first half in that he tried to get on it and pass and occasionally go forward but he was not given much help. He made some good interceptions including the tackle on Scott, in the second half but then very lucky not to be sent off after that tackle which was not nice at all. Can they do retrospective in the Championship? Not sure they can as he could easily have got a 3-match ban for that. He did some really good things and with Bash, Ndiaye our best players.
Fleck 4/10 – Not in the game. He simply cannot run anymore and teams just go past him and Norwood. We missed the legs of Doyle to help them both. He just lets go by and does not get involved like he used to whether it is fitness/legs or just he is regressing. He did ok Saturday but expect much more from an experienced player. He came off after offering very little in the defensive or attacking side.
Ndiaye 6.5/10 – Nowhere near his best but had a good 5 minutes and we won the game! Not as effective when in midfield and seems to get lost. He is more effective when he is hight up the field and can run at teams but he got crowded out a fair bit. One good cross to Sharp and then his touch was not as secure for a spell but one run where he got Scott booked, I felt that he did not have much influence. Second half he was alive and then heads in from a half chance. He then had a run and shot and another run where they brought him down but no foul was given. He then cramped up but gamely carried on – he still had enough energy to punch the air on full time when the final whistle went!
Khadra 3/10 -Played 30 minutes and then hooked. Not sure he was any worse than Sharp but he was starved of the ball but when he had it, he kind of ran into alleys and lost it. Not sure it has worked out as a signing at all and would not be surprised if it ended in January. Certainly, we won’t be taking up the option to buy I do not think on current form! Looks unfit and struggling to fit in. Had some sympathy for him today but then he was given a chance and again hardly took it.
Sharp 4/10 – Had one header which was a hard one but maybe needs to go to the near post. Outside of that not sure he was in the game and easily could have been subbed. Not sure saw much of him at all. He had no service whatsoever but then did have some part in the goal. A chance too when the ball came to him second half and he waved his foot at it and needed to do better. Came off which was not a surprise as was not offering much at all. Not sure how many touches he had but it cannot have been many.
Subs –
McAtee 5.5/10 – Some flashes of ok play and nearly got in at the end of a good move but his touch took it away. Had a few other ok moments but the game kind of passed him by. He did get back and make a few challenges defensively including getting in as Scott cut in and shot wide.
McBurnie 6/10 –Thought he put himself about. He gave some fouls away but also meant it was not an easy out for them and he also did well with some hold up and play in the corner which wasted a fair bit of time.
Stevens 6/10 – Put a good tackle in and actually was steady and solidified that left side when he came on.
Clark – Stupid booking but headed and kicked a few away.
Manager: Heckingbottom /10 –
Bristol City – I thought Pearson would get more out of them then has he but they were much nearer the bottom than top last season and have struggled for the most part this year with one or two decent results but mostly they have not convinced. Got an odd mix of young players and a number that seem like they are not quite good enough or maybe towards the end of their career. There is some experience sprinkled in but I do not like at their side and think that is a team capable of making the playoffs. I would be less surprised if they get drawn into a relegation scrap to be honest. Pearson has tried to evolve things and does tend to be using younger players more and maybe the owner is not willing to put loads more in after the investment in the stadium and them coming up a few years ago. Weirdly I feared them more under the likes of Lee Johnson who seemed to have them playing a certain way even if it went awry at the end. I am not even sure what the style is under Pearson?
Tonight, they played well actually in general play and had some good young players who carried and moved the ball well but were not that ruthless of dangerous in the final third. Sure, they hit the bar and post but these were long range efforts – other than the Semeydo and Scott efforts wide, not sure Wes had a really difficult save to make for all their play and openings. He made a few easy ones and of course the shots that hit the woodwork could go in but for all their possession and domination, they did not really have effort after effort. They looked a bit clueless at times and it was a lot of football (bit like us under Slav) with no real idea of how to score or create clear chances. They gave a stupid goal away – yes may have been offside originally but they then do not react and got to the same ball. This in the end cost them and they ended up chasing the game. They definitely deserved something and probably all three points on possession and chances but in the end, as a former manager said, it’s about sticking it in one end and keeping it out the other. They failed to do this as simple and as patronising as this may sound. They will point to the Norwood red card but in real time did anyone actually see it – granted Ref’s jobs to see it I know – so was not as easy to spot. The red they committed was horrific and the young lad completely lost his cool and could have seriously injured McAtee. In the end Pearson said how good they were and how they were not tested but they look punch less at the top of the field and make errors at the other – so good performances matter little if you don’t look after those small margins.
Opponent Man of the Match – Scott was excellent and looks a really good, young player who with better players around him would shine even more.
Opponent Weak link – Weimann was fairly quiet actually but the lad Tanner despite hitting the post then went for the same ball as his teammate on the goal and then an awful tackle so he takes this award.
Referee/Officials – Steve Martin. We have done ok when he has reffed us before actually in terms of wins and that carried on. The officials did help us tonight – saw some say they gave everything to them but most of the fouls were fouls and bookings and the two big moments went for us. Norwood should have gone and there was offside in the build up on Sharp to the goal. The red at the end was straight forward and he at least did it instantly as it threatened to boil over – indeed he had to book a few for clashing. I thought 8 minutes was about right despite Pearson moaning about their dishonesty on this? I suppose we have seen it the other way with timewasting and whilst Ndiaye’s and Basham’s may have been genuine – we had others go down like Wes too. I think if we had been Bristol City fans, we would have been irked but we have had it the other way too. He played a fair amount and not sure they did much other than try and cripple one of ours in this additional time so seemed a bit sour grapes from Pearson.
, er, no not really... they were average and toothless, they may have bossed possession which mainly was characterised by useless hopeful crosses not sure they deserved a win, not sure we did either but about time we won a really scruffy game.