Post by deadbat on Jan 14, 2023 20:16:32 GMT
United continued their excellent recent run and made it 7 without a defeat and eight wins from the last 10 as they maintained a sizeable cushion in the promotion places in the Championship. As in the last game at QPR in the league, the Blades were far from their best but through Jayden Bogle and Iliman Ndiaye provided the big moments when it mattered and saw off a poor Stoke City side. United had been in cruise control with two goals but then a cross from Powell sailed past Foderingham right on half time and made it a contest. The second half saw Stoke give a better fist of things but only seriously troubled Foderingham once whilst Berge blazed over before Bogle sealed the deal in stoppage time. The final score line maybe gave it a slightly different feel to how the game had gone and Stoke actually had more possession, attempts (on and off) and corners but in truth the real quality in the boxes came from the high-flying Blades. Stoke huffed and puffed but lacked the quality to seriously worry United despite staying in the game right till the end.
Manager Heckingbottom had to change both wing backs with Baldock and Stevens out through injury with Bogle and Lowe coming in. McAtee also replaced Doyle. Robinson came in for Clark as expected in the other change after the Newcastle loanee’s injury sustained at QPR. There was still no place for McBurnie but Osborn was back on the bench. Stoke included long serving Blades legend Phil Jagielka at the back but were badly out of form and looking over their shoulder with new manager Alex Neil not having the impact the Potters board would have hoped when they named him in charge courting him from divisional rival Sunderland.
The game started with little in the way of goal mouth action although Baker had a weak effort that was easy for Foderingham. Ndiaye started to get on the ball and was linking well with McAtee as both players found those pockets behind the defence and looked to cause problems. One move down the right saw a cross just evade Sharp but it was not long before the opening goal came. It was patient football moved from right to left with Ndiaye involved in the initial build up and the ball was transferred to Lowe. The wing back picked out the waiting Senegalese international and NDIAYE swept the ball home with his left foot to find the net for the first time in 9 games.
Every time the ball went to the forward, the Stoke defence backed off worried about his dribbling and running with the ball and his play fed McAtee soon after whose flick found him space before he curled over. Stoke had offered little at all the other way although Powell had an effort straight at Foderingham.
United’s start had been solid but the next spell saw Stoke gradually force their way back into it although in truth the game became mired in a midfield battle with both teams giving it away. Stoke actually were on the attack when United picked them off and BOGLE was able to dart forward. With no challenge incoming, he kept going and hit a shot that clipped off ex Blade Jagielka and completely wrongfooted Bonham and nestled into the corner. For the second consecutive game, Bogle had found the net via a deflection but his enterprise and forceful running made the chance and showed his threat from an attacking sense. The home side were now well in control.
The next spell offered little from either side but as the half time whistle approached, twice United were guilty of losing the ball and it led the ball being moved to the left and POWELL hit a dangerous cross that evaded everyone and bounced up and into the far corner to give the away side a lifeline. They had not been in the game but now were very much in the contest in a game that the Blades had been in control without totally dominating.
The second half saw a number of fouls and challenges that were penalised and three bookings, Egan and Bogle for United and Laurent for Stoke saw yellow cards produced. Doyle came on for McAtee just before the hour as United were struggling to keep the ball. Fortunately for them, Stoke had offered little the other way and United had been able to ensure they reduced Stoke to the occasional cross or set play into the box. The Lane crowd were frustrated with some cheap give aways and Ndiaye then went down and had to come off – the injury did not seem significantly serious but certainly not worth risking the star man. However, with Sharp not a factor, it meant the veteran had to twin with the youngster Jebbison for the final 20 minutes.
The game was really scrappy and United were guilty of not keeping it or ensuring they turned Stoke around enough, particularly a slow and cumbersome backline. However, the other way all the Potters could do was force a couple of corners that came to nothing. Norwood for United and Brown for Stoke had free kicks but neither were remotely close with one over and Foderingham easily saving the response.
Clark and Campbell came on for Stoke for Wilmot and Thompson and Osborn replaced Sharp as United sought to see things out in a game they had lacked fluency and energy when the opponent seemed ripe to be put away.
United should have sealed things when lovely football down the right saw Bogle play in Jebbison who backheeled to Berge but with the goal at his mercy he blazed over. Stoke nearly made United pay when good work down the left from the sub-Campbell saw his cross find Brown but his header was saved from Foderingham. This had been the only meaningful effort on goal from either side in the second half which desperately lacked quality from both sides with United seemingly content to see things out and Stoke unable to make many proper inroads into the home back line.
The game ticked towards the close but United sealed matters when Doyle showed some energy to win the ball and then got a fortuitous deflection back into his path before sending over a cross. With Stoke committing men forward, United had men forward and it was BOGLE again who applied the finish to get his second goal and his third in two games. This meant the three points stayed in S2 and United were home and dry.
There was five minutes of stoppage time to be played, signalled right after the third goal. Foderingham punched away a dangerous cross and then Souttar was lucky not leave the field slightly earlier than the rest of his teammates as he brought down Jebbison who was away. It seemed a very lenient decision not to give him a red card as he was clearly the last man and the Blades sub would have been in on goal. In the end it did not matter as United got back to winning ways and continued to look in a great position for a return to the Premier League.
United – I have said it for the last month or so; just before Xmas and now after – not sure we have been brilliant or playing superbly but we keep winning. We are certainly not blowing teams away but we are doing what we have to and beating the teams in front of us. Stoke were really poor and if it was not for the lifeline they got on half time, surely, we would have gone away and won easily 4 or 5. They did not really do much at all first half and any quality came from Ndiaye, McAtee and Bogle. WE scored a really good team goal and then a good individual run with a bit of luck again saw us get a second. Once again not sure we were superb and at times it seemed like we were a bit slow to do stuff but we just upped it for key moments and it led to chances, spells of possession deep in their half and ultimately two goals. They did not offer much in response and the goal came out of nothing and was clearly a cross but gave them a way back.
I though we were really poor second half. Not even sure Stoke were that great themselves and did they really hurt us? They had one header and a few long-range efforts but seemed to be relying on a set play or an error and not sure they got behind us. It was odd as felt no one really played well second half for us with lot of giveaways and no one really got proper control of the game (for them either!). The game sort of limped by with both teams giving it away. I thought we had little threat second half ourselves and Sharp was really struggling but then when Ndiaye went off, it meant Jebbison came on and we had the two extremes up front. I felt Jebbison and Doyle should have come on earlier for Sharp and Berge – who both offered little. We did improve with the changes and at least had some energy in the middle and up front and an outlet. Still at 2-1, you always worry but Berge actually had the best chance before they had a header but you obviously get concerned with the height they offer and it only being a slender margin, they may nick a point. In the end we get the third on the break which made sure stoppage time was comfortable. 3-1 maybe flattered us but despite all the stats, I still felt we always seemed like we were the better side of two poor ones (on today) and did what we had to in order to win.
Concerning is the Ndiaye injury but he was walking around at the end and hopefully it was more a precaution. If there is any risk though you need to not gamble on Friday with three weeks till the next league game (between today and Rotherham) especially with McBurnie still injured. Jebbison did ok again but I still feel we need another option up there. Bogle showed what he can offer in terms of his attacking threat and two goals! The rest of the side were all a bit meh. Robinson defended well I thought but a number of others were not quite at their best such as Norwood and even McAtee who did a few bits and pieces but faded badly after the first half hour. I thought Sharp offered very little, failing to hold it up and Berge was not even frustrating – he was just completely ineffective and largely anonymous. He needs to wake up and fast as he is just jogging around and letting games go by. We need more from him. Hopefully we can see Clark and Fleck back soon but McBurnie is the big miss and if he is going to be out any longer, we need to act up the top of the field as even with Jebbison we have essentially three strikers – so if one is injured, we do not have back up as Osula is suspended and assume he will go back out on loan. We need a striker or even a midfielder that can help us manage games or moments. We go too sloppy and are too open at times. We need to ensure we are a bit more workmanlike/ugly when we get in the lead and another player would help this I feel.
It's odd as we keep getting result and winning most weeks, but we are a long way from the side we saw at the start of the season. Maybe as the weather warms up and we have less games packed in, we can start relaxing and showing some of the football and performances that put sides aside but at the moment we are kind of gutting things out. Hull, I expect will be the same Friday. Most of these sides are poor and if we upped it by 10-20%, I believe we would hammer most of them but we are doing what we have to do.
Of course, the chasing pack (yes, they are a long way behind) mostly won as I do not see Blackburn as a threat at all but they have to keep winning and you expect and hope the likes of Watford, WBA and Boro won’t be able to keep the same level of form as us. Even if they do that is not enough. I said we needed to win half our games left to go up (with the odd draw sprinkled in) and today we won so I believe 9 more needed. I do hope we can find some better form to go with the wins but if we beat say Hull and Rotherham the gap will probably be 14-15 points and we then in a great position. Friday is massive for me. If we can get two home wins in a week then we really put pressure on the teams the next day. Think they will offer more than Stoke but believe we can play better too. Hopefully we will soon have almost a fully fit squad but then that has never happened although news we have finally turned on the undersoil heating at Shirecliffe has to be good news doesn’t it?!
Ratings:
Foderingham 7/10 – Not sure he had much to do (you could say the same about their keeper) in a game of few chances/decent efforts at goal. He saved a few routine ones and then on the goal, it’s one of them where the cross sort of drifts in. Maybe he could have reacted a bit better but it would have been a hell of a save. Second half he saved one header well and then punched one away but not many other moments of worry as was well protected.
Bogle 8/10 – Scored two goals and was lively throughout. He had a few moments defensively where he was out of position, if I was nit picking and the goal came from his side but attacking wise a real threat. His first he just kept on running and always wants to shoot. It may be lucky but he made it happen. Second half most of the rare attacks and good play came down that side and nearly helped make one for Berge before being well forward to coolly finish. Incredible finisher for a defender and he just pops up all over the place. Be a real interesting dilemma who Hecke prefers in the run in and I expect he may rotate them round. I would not be averse to seeing Bogle wide right in midfield in some games, especially at home if Berge does not wake up.
Lowe 7/10 – Steady enough and he set up the first with a good run and picked out cross. Like the way when he crosses, he does try to pick men out rather than hit and hope. He was able to link a few times first half with some good play and interchange. After the break did not see as much of him going forward and got beat once when the sub skinned him down the left but overall, he kept his position.
Robinson 6.5/10 – Thought he was the best of the three centre backs in terms of heading, kicking and reading it and made some good tackles when he had to. Not really troubled too much.
Ahmedhodzic 6.5/10 – Not sure he was quite at his best today and even though he made a few good tackles, his use of the ball was poor and he played some odd passes/crosses when under little pressure. He also did not get tight enough a few times second half. Lost Brown on the headed chance.
Egan 6/10 – Not really playing a target man or striker so should have been easy and for the most part it was but too many times he tried to gamble second half allowing them to have an extra man behind with him out of position. Another silly booking too. Not awful but playing little, I thought we needed to impose ourselves a bit more second half.
Norwood 6/10 – One of his poorer games in an excellent season. He got his foot in a few times and some ok passes/switches but too many misplaced or aimless balls. His free kicks, crosses and corners were not very good today and I just felt he was not quite as secure with his passing but his standards are high. Kept his shape defensively though so they could not run through.
McAtee 6/10 – He did some good things first half an hour and showed a few runs and lovely touches and flicks. Ran from deep and involved in the first goal and then had a turn and shot. Got into some good areas. He did give away a ball in the lead up their goal and then did not get on it at all second half and not surprised he came off but it was a toss up between him and Berge.
Berge 4/10 – I am getting quite irritated by his lack of impact. I get he is a player who can provide moments of brilliance but then drift for long spells. However, he had drifted almost every games since he came back from his injury. Today I am not sure he did much at all. A few bits and pieces but never really surged forward, got on the ball and his heading is laughable. I keep expecting him to just take over against such poor opposition but today he was never in it and just jogging around. He has to wake up.
Ndiaye 7.5/10 – The best player on the field first half with some superb flicks and tricks and a number of runs again. Often looks like he has lost the ball but regains it with his work rate. Some superb pieces of control even from balls from the keeper/defence where he killed it and then came left or right and dictated the play. They were clearly terrified of him and then sat off after trying to get tight. Glad he scored after a fairly long run without one. He always looked like making things happen. Second half not in it as much as all the United attacking threats did not really offer much and hope/think the knock was nothing major.
Sharp 5/10 – A real struggle for him. Like with Berge, I thought he was never in it and he should have come off long before he did. In the end Ndiaye going off meant he had to play for a further period but was clearly out on his feet. Caught offside too much or behind the play – he was not really a nuisance factor and looked better when Jebbison was on in terms of being able to stretch them. We are flogging Sharp to death almost at the moment and if McBurnie is out for more than another week, it would be negligible not to bring another striker in. May cost a million maybe in wages or a loan fee but if go up this will be small fry really.
Subs –
Doyle 6.5/10 – Actually showed some good energy when he came on and got his foot in but a few aimless balls too! He did of course win the ball and kind of got it back to lead to the cross for the sealing goal.
Jebbison 6.5/10 – Thought he was lively and put himself about. Nearly set one up for Berge and then did chase and at least stretch the play out. He ran through right at the death and it should have been a red card. Looked good the last few games.
Osborn – Not quite sure where he was playing but clearly brought on to just help us have another man in midfield to harry and disrupt. Made a few interceptions.
Manager: Heckingbottom 7/10 – It is a win but not sure we really got going although even with that – we are 2 up and cruising before the cross lands in. Then the second half more worryingly we never get proper control and it became scrappy. He left his changes too late again – that sounds odd but to me Sharp and Berge needed to come off. Doyle and Jebbison did ok when they came on – he needs to realise he can bring 5 players on!
Stoke – The Neil appointment was odd as whilst he took Sunderland up, he has a mixed record at this level and was jettisoned by both Norwich and Preston after doing well at both initially. The chase for him seemed bizarre. They are probably paying him a fortune too on a good contract or he would not have left the North East. They struggled under O’Neill and have continued to not really make an impact with a mish mash of young, experienced and subpar players. They lack goals and star quality and concede way too easily. They seem to lack an identity where they are going or how they are trying to do things – at least to an onlooker? They now are in a bit of a scrap but will probably do enough to survive as there are so many other poor sides.
Today they were not awful but not great and looked very ordinary. Fortunately, we were off it too. Not sure it was anything they did to frustrate us either? Both teams lacked quality but the moments that mattered came from Ndiaye and Bogle. Two really bad goals to concede but they got back in it, through their best player Powell. Second half they did have a bit of a go but not many efforts really and struggled to break us down, even though we sat back and did not have he control you would want us to have. He said they looked like scoring the next goal but with no real chances, Berge had the best one although they did have the header. They pushed forward but seemed to lack proper belief they may get a leveller and then they never really fully committed but still got caught at the end. They are quite a dull side and lack pace/creativity. I felt we could have turned a slow back line more. In the end we played pretty subpar and still won 3-1 which says as much about Stoke than us.
Opponent Man of the Match – Powell scored the goal, albeit a bit lucky (Bogle’s was too I suppose) and the few decent balls/moments came from him. Brown was lively but they had little up top at all and did not really play with a striker in a negative approach.
Opponent Weak link – Jags was ok but he is not someone I would want in my backline with pace running at him but the lad alongside him Souttar, who played at the World Cup looked very slow and struggled on the turn. Should have been sent off too.
Referee/Officials – Two a piece with Bogle and Egan stopping players who tried to break and then Laurent doing the same with Ndiaye. The rest of the game not sure there too many bad decisions but he got no help from his assistants who again seemed not to want to get involved and Michael Salisbury had to spot foul throws or fouls when they were nearer the game. At the end though it seemed a clear-cut red card, Jebbo had beat him and gone and no one is getting across. Maybe it is a long way from goal but it seemed more red than yellow to me. Maybe as the game was done, he was lenient but surely it matters little the point of the game?
Matchday/Crowd/Coverage – Stoke brought a really big following but as me and Roy discussed, when we saw the fans arrive on the buses as we looked on from the pub, they looked so depressed. As if they were coming more out of obligation! Still to fill the away end when the season has not being going great is impressive. They seemed as frustrated with their team as maybe our fans did. It was nearly 30,000 but very quiet again. The fans do need to do more as we are winning and in a great chance of promotion.
