Post by deadbat on Dec 10, 2022 21:44:17 GMT
The Blades resumed Championship play with a gritty win over bottom side Huddersfield at a bitterly cold Bramall Lane. After a four-week hiatus, the games got back underway and United will be just thankful for three points when they were not at their fluent best but came up against a very limited Huddersfield side. The home side controlled the first half and deservedly led thanks to Billy Sharp’s first goal of the season, a clever chip, after good work from Iliman Ndiaye. The second half was scrappy and United never really had the same level of control but despite the slender lead, did enough to eek out the win and that is all that matters.
Heckingbottom named a side that McAtee and Osborn in midfield with Norwood and Sharp up front with the returning Ndiaye who less than a week ago was playing against England at the World Cup. The bench looked much stronger than before the break with Basham, Berge, Khadra, Lowe, Bogle and Foderingham but needed points after a really poor campaign; a far cry from the outstanding season last season where they actually finished above the Blades.
With a World Cup quarter final being played at the same time as this and other games, it was a bizarre atmosphere as the sleet and rain lashed down. Ndiaye got a great round of applause as the teams were announced and he was involved early with a good weaving run before having a shot blocked. McAtee also was instrumental in some of the attacking promise and one run saw him go away from 3 players before also being blocked out. Norwood was at the heart of most good things and looked to play Baldock in on a few occasions. United were dominating the ball and Huddersfield were sitting with 10 behind the ball but on 15 minutes the opener came.
Ndiaye used his body and skill to manoeuvre past two opponents superbly and slipped a delightful ball into the path of SHARP who waited till Nicholls sat down and chipped over him coolly to give him his first goal of the season and United the lead.
United continued to dominate the ball and were moving it around with McAtee influential. Thomas was booked for bringing down Osborn and then McAtee had a curling effort just wide from the cross-cum-shot. Ahmedhodzic then had his own centre flicked away from Sharp. Baldock then fired well wide from outside the box just before the break but it had been a fairly dominant half from United who were in complete control.
The second half saw Hogg come on the for the visitors and Holmes had a shot at Foderingham before a decent ball saw Kesler Hayden shoot wide at the back post. It was a better response from the Terriers although Hogg’s enthusiasm to get them back in the game saw him cautioned for a bad foul on Norwood. A strange pitch invasion halted the game for a period before Clark twice stepped in to make vital interceptions.
Berge replaced McAtee who was tiring after a good first half but the game was more even this half and United were careless with the ball and not keeping it as well. Baldock was booked for a cynical foul before Ndiaye who had been bottled up well, got through a few tackles and fired at Nicholls. The game ticked into the final 10 minutes and Khadra and McBurnie replaced Ndiaye and Sharp as United won two corners. From a corner not long after there were strong appeals for a spot kick for a foul – this seemed more convincing than the appeals for a handball on Egan at the other end.
Egan headed over and then Berge fired wide but Huddersfield were at least looking more threatening/ Egan hit the top of the John Street stand showing safety first was the most important aspect of the game but Berge finding a blue and white shirt did not calm the nerves. A few more moments of indecision saw United hack the ball away as the game went into the final 5 minutes. One ball narrowly evaded Helik but United did enough to see the game out and claim a big victory.
United – It’s a win and that is the big things. The performance overall was not convincing at all and we ended a bit desperate even though the visitors did not have any really big chances all game. First half thought we were fine. Not amazing but we were in control and they barely had an attack. We had all the ball and any chances came from us. We scored a great goal – well made and taken. You felt if we scored another we could go on and win 3 or 4 but it never happened but we still went in deservedly ahead against a poor side. We were not creating too much but they were banked up with 10 behind the ball so it was hard. However, 1-0 up and in control and it seemed like it was a solid performance against a poor and negative opponent.
Second half though we a big disappointment. Our passing was poor and we did not move it quick enough or get it forward. We almost settled and were quite tentative. It was sloppy and we started to lose the midfield a bit too with gaps between the defence and midfield. Not sure Huddersfield did very much at all though with only one shot at Wes and the rest of the time we still saw them out so easily. We did not keep it though and I felt we just had not fluency and too many players came back rather than going forwards. We defended ok and it was only the last 5-10 minutes when we became really ragged and they had a few half chances with crosses coming in or balls going into the box. For all our poor play and nervy end, not sure they really hurt us or had a clear chance. In that sense 1-0 was about right. Their manager said they had us penned in which other than stoppage time, I am not sure they did. They had a bit of a go at the end but their efforts came from poor clearances or dithering from us. We did not keep the ball enough and became disjointed. Berge did not improve us as I hoped and although Khadra did well, I am not sure too many 2nd half were at their best. Clark did well and Norwood was steady but better teams would have hurt us more and punished our poor passing/touch and lack of assertiveness. Fortunately, Huddersfield were a poor side with little up top at all and they never really had any belief they could hurt us – as sloppy as we were first half.
It is not a game that will live long in the memory bank and we will have to play better individually and collectively (certainly 2nd half) to get promoted but the win was all important – especially as we start badly often after breaks. The three points is all important. We have some players coming back now and a nice 9-day break to get more back and then after Xmas hopefully we will be other than RND and Brewster – the rest should be fit and we have a strong squad. I’d like us to add another forward and maybe midfielder as promotion is right there if we want it. Would be negligible if we did not make these two additions we need as the prizes the Premier League brings would mean a 4-5 million investment in a few players would be pin money. Course it is a gamble but if we do not go up, Berge and Ndiaye move on – maybe McBurnie and others and we could be closer to where Huddersfield are. So, the club have to make these moves for me. 2 players and 3 or 4 others back from fitness and we have a real chance. Short term we have another struggling side Wigan and maybe away we can play slightly different and not have to attack as much and use Ndiaye and Berge if back to create those gaps with a team attacking us a bit more.
Ratings:
Foderingham 7/10 – Did not have anything to do first half. Few standard crosses he caught. Second half made one comfortable save straight at him but not sure he made any other saves. Neither keeper had much to do to be fair. His handling on high balls was excellent. Very secure as a keeper and I feel quite calm when balls go into the box.
Baldock 6/10 – Odd sort of game. He was committed and put his usual effort in and some lovely cushions of the Norwood passes and one or two ok crosses first half but then started coming back more and more second half. A few misplaced passes/touches and a bad tackle saw him booked.
Stevens 4/10 – I think he is done sadly. He looks so slow and his touch is often heavy. He seems to struggle to move up and down and looks like he cannot run very fast anymore. He started poorly with some bad decisions but then did one nice flick and pass. After this he struggled and played some stupid balls when we had good opportunities. Second half he continued to be rash with poor fouls or got beat too easily. I felt if they had scored it would come from a player running off or past him. Reckon Lowe will be back in soon.
Clark 7/10 – Thought he was maybe United’s best player and that is not saying much! His passing is not great but he was really solid today and won all his headers, tackles and blocks and reads the game well. He stepped in to see off danger a few times second half. He was very good after the break in a team full of players not quite at it. Might not be the cool pick but he was good today.
Ahmedhodzic 6/10 – He was ok. Some decent step outs of defence and one excellent cross first half that nearly dropped for us and he was trying to move it on. Second half he was not quite as good sand a few poor defensive headers and moments he tried to gamble and they nearly got in. Only one or two forward runs but not the same threat.
Egan 6/10 – We kept a clean sheet and he helped keep Ward quiet. Nothing astonishing but nothing that bad too. At the end he was guilty of heading it down or not far enough away and the last 10 minutes the whole defence got a bit edgy for no reason. Kicked it out a few times when he did not need to or could have played it down the line but one tremendous clearance where he hit the top of the John Street stand/boxes. Remarkable!
Norwood 6.5/10 – Thought he was our next best outfield player to Clark. Just kept it simple and some nice passes with a good range. He did give it away a few times and his corners not as good today – he let McAtee take a few too. Thought he was too slow to move it on after the break and we did not quite have the same level of control in this area.
McAtee 6.5/10 – Really good at times first half with some weaving runs where he was direct and went at them. Carried on his excellent performance at Cardiff after he came on and looked to get on it and turn them round. He had two or three good dribbles that nearly led to stuff. Faded after the break and we did not see much of him but much better the last few games that have bookended the World Cup break.
Osborn 5/10 – He runs around and got his foot in a few times but his overall quality is sadly lacking and he does not offer much at all attacking wise. His effort is good but lacks physicality, pace and quality. Think he is not even in the match day squad when Doyle and Fleck are fit. Nice lad but he is very ordinary and think even a poor side like Huddersfield had midfielders that offered more. He did get a few interceptions in towards the end.
Ndiaye 6.5/10 – A few great runs and he made the goal. Lovely ball control and dribbling and a joy when he is in full flight but outside of those runs, he was quiet-ish and flitted in and out of the game. The one moment of quality helped seal the game. Surprised he started but with McBurnie not fit and us having 9 days till the next game, Hecky thought it was worth it and so it proved.
Sharp 6/10 – Mark may seem low but outside of the goal not sure he was very good at all but a great finish and glad to see him score as for him going into nearly Xmas without a goal would have hurt him. It was a great chip and very cool. Not sure why he gets into it with oppo fans like that though – bit much that as not sure they had even given him that much stick had they? Outside of this he looked slow, made poor decisions and lost it too much. He did a few ok bits but looked tired and should have come off long before he did really.
Subs –
Berge 4/10 – Good to see him back and he played half an hour but had a bit of a mare really. He had a couple of runs but lost it meekly in possession, passed straight to them (think he thought one of their players was our man near the end when he crossed it over the other side to John Street straight to them!). Looked way off the pace and he did not really improve us which I thought he would. McAtee was much more of a threat.
Khadra – Good cameo. He looked like the player we saw when he came on for those opening games, running at defenders and looking a threat. A dull game and he excited the fans with those bits and pieces.
McBurnie – Not sure he had many touches at all! We were defending more and we did not really use him when we did attack.
Manager: Heckingbottom 6/10 – Solid first half where we led and controlled but not happy with the second half. Felt we were passive and did not attack enough and it was too safe. We never turned them round or got into their last third and seemed to settle. Did not like that approach and could have cost us. His subs seemed fine but Berge did not work and thought Sharp maybe should have come off earlier.
Huddersfield – We were a long way off our best and still deservedly won in terms of possession and chances. They looked a poor side. The manager said they had us penned in and looked fitter and stronger at the end – that is nonsense. They did have a bit of a go but not sure they had any really clear chances – one shot straight at Foderingham and a cross that just missed the centre back. They only had a few moments as we were so sloppy. He seems a bit deluded saying they were much better when other than the last 10 minutes when they chucked some balls forward – they created nothing. We did not create much but had much more shots/possession and still won and at the end it was without too many scares.
Alarming how they have fallen from last season. Shows you lose a manager, a few key men and all of a sudden it becomes a struggle and you are going the other way. Hope it is not a pre cursor for us if we do not go up. They did have a few solid players that went to Forest and then the manager quits and you start badly and they never recovered and had to change manager again. They look like they may go down. I thought against an out of sorts United (certainly 2nd half) they huffed and puffed but lacked quality and not sure where the goals are coming from. Think they will be in a relegation scrap all season. They have one or two experienced players in Lees, Hogg, Rhodes etc and some talent in likes of Thomas so surprised how badly they are doing. Thought they may drop off and be mid table (them and Luton who over reached last season) but really fallen off a cliff.
Opponent Man of the Match – Thought the big ugly lad Boyle played well at the back actually! He looks about 50 and he is 27 I think! He did well though and Ndiaye only got away from him once.
Opponent Weak link – Thomas is normally a threat but got booked and tried to dive a few times and might have been sent off. The centre halves are slow and cumbersome but were not tested much today. We got through them easily on the goal. Ward was quiet today up top and had little service. Kasumu struggled and was rightly hooked – they improved when Hogg came on who gave them some bite – they were more on the ball.
Referee/Officials – Thought that Bond (who we seem to get often!) was a bit of a homer and gave us a fair few 50-50 decisions. They were getting frustrated as a few fouls he gave advantage but then did not go back. A few half-hearted appeals for penalties (one dive and then the Egan handball – neither were penalties) but I did think the decisions in general play went more for us but not sure anything big affected things really. The Thomas booking seemed a bit harsh but then he could have gone for diving after! Hogg’s was a poor tackle and so was Baldock. Think Anel was booked for Baldock mucking about and delaying him taking a throw so was booked for time wasting.
Matchday/Crowd/Coverage – Quiet flat as people were cold and not been for a while. The old school ‘Sheffield United, Sheffield United’ chant got an airing and people tried to get things going but it was all a bit subdued with the weather maybe not helping. Really small following from Huddersfield (maybe no more than 1,500) but just before Xmas and the fact they are struggling not helped but smallest number I have seen come down here – they normally sell out, don’t they?
Heckingbottom named a side that McAtee and Osborn in midfield with Norwood and Sharp up front with the returning Ndiaye who less than a week ago was playing against England at the World Cup. The bench looked much stronger than before the break with Basham, Berge, Khadra, Lowe, Bogle and Foderingham but needed points after a really poor campaign; a far cry from the outstanding season last season where they actually finished above the Blades.
With a World Cup quarter final being played at the same time as this and other games, it was a bizarre atmosphere as the sleet and rain lashed down. Ndiaye got a great round of applause as the teams were announced and he was involved early with a good weaving run before having a shot blocked. McAtee also was instrumental in some of the attacking promise and one run saw him go away from 3 players before also being blocked out. Norwood was at the heart of most good things and looked to play Baldock in on a few occasions. United were dominating the ball and Huddersfield were sitting with 10 behind the ball but on 15 minutes the opener came.
Ndiaye used his body and skill to manoeuvre past two opponents superbly and slipped a delightful ball into the path of SHARP who waited till Nicholls sat down and chipped over him coolly to give him his first goal of the season and United the lead.
United continued to dominate the ball and were moving it around with McAtee influential. Thomas was booked for bringing down Osborn and then McAtee had a curling effort just wide from the cross-cum-shot. Ahmedhodzic then had his own centre flicked away from Sharp. Baldock then fired well wide from outside the box just before the break but it had been a fairly dominant half from United who were in complete control.
The second half saw Hogg come on the for the visitors and Holmes had a shot at Foderingham before a decent ball saw Kesler Hayden shoot wide at the back post. It was a better response from the Terriers although Hogg’s enthusiasm to get them back in the game saw him cautioned for a bad foul on Norwood. A strange pitch invasion halted the game for a period before Clark twice stepped in to make vital interceptions.
Berge replaced McAtee who was tiring after a good first half but the game was more even this half and United were careless with the ball and not keeping it as well. Baldock was booked for a cynical foul before Ndiaye who had been bottled up well, got through a few tackles and fired at Nicholls. The game ticked into the final 10 minutes and Khadra and McBurnie replaced Ndiaye and Sharp as United won two corners. From a corner not long after there were strong appeals for a spot kick for a foul – this seemed more convincing than the appeals for a handball on Egan at the other end.
Egan headed over and then Berge fired wide but Huddersfield were at least looking more threatening/ Egan hit the top of the John Street stand showing safety first was the most important aspect of the game but Berge finding a blue and white shirt did not calm the nerves. A few more moments of indecision saw United hack the ball away as the game went into the final 5 minutes. One ball narrowly evaded Helik but United did enough to see the game out and claim a big victory.
United – It’s a win and that is the big things. The performance overall was not convincing at all and we ended a bit desperate even though the visitors did not have any really big chances all game. First half thought we were fine. Not amazing but we were in control and they barely had an attack. We had all the ball and any chances came from us. We scored a great goal – well made and taken. You felt if we scored another we could go on and win 3 or 4 but it never happened but we still went in deservedly ahead against a poor side. We were not creating too much but they were banked up with 10 behind the ball so it was hard. However, 1-0 up and in control and it seemed like it was a solid performance against a poor and negative opponent.
Second half though we a big disappointment. Our passing was poor and we did not move it quick enough or get it forward. We almost settled and were quite tentative. It was sloppy and we started to lose the midfield a bit too with gaps between the defence and midfield. Not sure Huddersfield did very much at all though with only one shot at Wes and the rest of the time we still saw them out so easily. We did not keep it though and I felt we just had not fluency and too many players came back rather than going forwards. We defended ok and it was only the last 5-10 minutes when we became really ragged and they had a few half chances with crosses coming in or balls going into the box. For all our poor play and nervy end, not sure they really hurt us or had a clear chance. In that sense 1-0 was about right. Their manager said they had us penned in which other than stoppage time, I am not sure they did. They had a bit of a go at the end but their efforts came from poor clearances or dithering from us. We did not keep the ball enough and became disjointed. Berge did not improve us as I hoped and although Khadra did well, I am not sure too many 2nd half were at their best. Clark did well and Norwood was steady but better teams would have hurt us more and punished our poor passing/touch and lack of assertiveness. Fortunately, Huddersfield were a poor side with little up top at all and they never really had any belief they could hurt us – as sloppy as we were first half.
It is not a game that will live long in the memory bank and we will have to play better individually and collectively (certainly 2nd half) to get promoted but the win was all important – especially as we start badly often after breaks. The three points is all important. We have some players coming back now and a nice 9-day break to get more back and then after Xmas hopefully we will be other than RND and Brewster – the rest should be fit and we have a strong squad. I’d like us to add another forward and maybe midfielder as promotion is right there if we want it. Would be negligible if we did not make these two additions we need as the prizes the Premier League brings would mean a 4-5 million investment in a few players would be pin money. Course it is a gamble but if we do not go up, Berge and Ndiaye move on – maybe McBurnie and others and we could be closer to where Huddersfield are. So, the club have to make these moves for me. 2 players and 3 or 4 others back from fitness and we have a real chance. Short term we have another struggling side Wigan and maybe away we can play slightly different and not have to attack as much and use Ndiaye and Berge if back to create those gaps with a team attacking us a bit more.
Ratings:
Foderingham 7/10 – Did not have anything to do first half. Few standard crosses he caught. Second half made one comfortable save straight at him but not sure he made any other saves. Neither keeper had much to do to be fair. His handling on high balls was excellent. Very secure as a keeper and I feel quite calm when balls go into the box.
Baldock 6/10 – Odd sort of game. He was committed and put his usual effort in and some lovely cushions of the Norwood passes and one or two ok crosses first half but then started coming back more and more second half. A few misplaced passes/touches and a bad tackle saw him booked.
Stevens 4/10 – I think he is done sadly. He looks so slow and his touch is often heavy. He seems to struggle to move up and down and looks like he cannot run very fast anymore. He started poorly with some bad decisions but then did one nice flick and pass. After this he struggled and played some stupid balls when we had good opportunities. Second half he continued to be rash with poor fouls or got beat too easily. I felt if they had scored it would come from a player running off or past him. Reckon Lowe will be back in soon.
Clark 7/10 – Thought he was maybe United’s best player and that is not saying much! His passing is not great but he was really solid today and won all his headers, tackles and blocks and reads the game well. He stepped in to see off danger a few times second half. He was very good after the break in a team full of players not quite at it. Might not be the cool pick but he was good today.
Ahmedhodzic 6/10 – He was ok. Some decent step outs of defence and one excellent cross first half that nearly dropped for us and he was trying to move it on. Second half he was not quite as good sand a few poor defensive headers and moments he tried to gamble and they nearly got in. Only one or two forward runs but not the same threat.
Egan 6/10 – We kept a clean sheet and he helped keep Ward quiet. Nothing astonishing but nothing that bad too. At the end he was guilty of heading it down or not far enough away and the last 10 minutes the whole defence got a bit edgy for no reason. Kicked it out a few times when he did not need to or could have played it down the line but one tremendous clearance where he hit the top of the John Street stand/boxes. Remarkable!
Norwood 6.5/10 – Thought he was our next best outfield player to Clark. Just kept it simple and some nice passes with a good range. He did give it away a few times and his corners not as good today – he let McAtee take a few too. Thought he was too slow to move it on after the break and we did not quite have the same level of control in this area.
McAtee 6.5/10 – Really good at times first half with some weaving runs where he was direct and went at them. Carried on his excellent performance at Cardiff after he came on and looked to get on it and turn them round. He had two or three good dribbles that nearly led to stuff. Faded after the break and we did not see much of him but much better the last few games that have bookended the World Cup break.
Osborn 5/10 – He runs around and got his foot in a few times but his overall quality is sadly lacking and he does not offer much at all attacking wise. His effort is good but lacks physicality, pace and quality. Think he is not even in the match day squad when Doyle and Fleck are fit. Nice lad but he is very ordinary and think even a poor side like Huddersfield had midfielders that offered more. He did get a few interceptions in towards the end.
Ndiaye 6.5/10 – A few great runs and he made the goal. Lovely ball control and dribbling and a joy when he is in full flight but outside of those runs, he was quiet-ish and flitted in and out of the game. The one moment of quality helped seal the game. Surprised he started but with McBurnie not fit and us having 9 days till the next game, Hecky thought it was worth it and so it proved.
Sharp 6/10 – Mark may seem low but outside of the goal not sure he was very good at all but a great finish and glad to see him score as for him going into nearly Xmas without a goal would have hurt him. It was a great chip and very cool. Not sure why he gets into it with oppo fans like that though – bit much that as not sure they had even given him that much stick had they? Outside of this he looked slow, made poor decisions and lost it too much. He did a few ok bits but looked tired and should have come off long before he did really.
Subs –
Berge 4/10 – Good to see him back and he played half an hour but had a bit of a mare really. He had a couple of runs but lost it meekly in possession, passed straight to them (think he thought one of their players was our man near the end when he crossed it over the other side to John Street straight to them!). Looked way off the pace and he did not really improve us which I thought he would. McAtee was much more of a threat.
Khadra – Good cameo. He looked like the player we saw when he came on for those opening games, running at defenders and looking a threat. A dull game and he excited the fans with those bits and pieces.
McBurnie – Not sure he had many touches at all! We were defending more and we did not really use him when we did attack.
Manager: Heckingbottom 6/10 – Solid first half where we led and controlled but not happy with the second half. Felt we were passive and did not attack enough and it was too safe. We never turned them round or got into their last third and seemed to settle. Did not like that approach and could have cost us. His subs seemed fine but Berge did not work and thought Sharp maybe should have come off earlier.
Huddersfield – We were a long way off our best and still deservedly won in terms of possession and chances. They looked a poor side. The manager said they had us penned in and looked fitter and stronger at the end – that is nonsense. They did have a bit of a go but not sure they had any really clear chances – one shot straight at Foderingham and a cross that just missed the centre back. They only had a few moments as we were so sloppy. He seems a bit deluded saying they were much better when other than the last 10 minutes when they chucked some balls forward – they created nothing. We did not create much but had much more shots/possession and still won and at the end it was without too many scares.
Alarming how they have fallen from last season. Shows you lose a manager, a few key men and all of a sudden it becomes a struggle and you are going the other way. Hope it is not a pre cursor for us if we do not go up. They did have a few solid players that went to Forest and then the manager quits and you start badly and they never recovered and had to change manager again. They look like they may go down. I thought against an out of sorts United (certainly 2nd half) they huffed and puffed but lacked quality and not sure where the goals are coming from. Think they will be in a relegation scrap all season. They have one or two experienced players in Lees, Hogg, Rhodes etc and some talent in likes of Thomas so surprised how badly they are doing. Thought they may drop off and be mid table (them and Luton who over reached last season) but really fallen off a cliff.
Opponent Man of the Match – Thought the big ugly lad Boyle played well at the back actually! He looks about 50 and he is 27 I think! He did well though and Ndiaye only got away from him once.
Opponent Weak link – Thomas is normally a threat but got booked and tried to dive a few times and might have been sent off. The centre halves are slow and cumbersome but were not tested much today. We got through them easily on the goal. Ward was quiet today up top and had little service. Kasumu struggled and was rightly hooked – they improved when Hogg came on who gave them some bite – they were more on the ball.
Referee/Officials – Thought that Bond (who we seem to get often!) was a bit of a homer and gave us a fair few 50-50 decisions. They were getting frustrated as a few fouls he gave advantage but then did not go back. A few half-hearted appeals for penalties (one dive and then the Egan handball – neither were penalties) but I did think the decisions in general play went more for us but not sure anything big affected things really. The Thomas booking seemed a bit harsh but then he could have gone for diving after! Hogg’s was a poor tackle and so was Baldock. Think Anel was booked for Baldock mucking about and delaying him taking a throw so was booked for time wasting.
Matchday/Crowd/Coverage – Quiet flat as people were cold and not been for a while. The old school ‘Sheffield United, Sheffield United’ chant got an airing and people tried to get things going but it was all a bit subdued with the weather maybe not helping. Really small following from Huddersfield (maybe no more than 1,500) but just before Xmas and the fact they are struggling not helped but smallest number I have seen come down here – they normally sell out, don’t they?
