Post by deadbat on Feb 7, 2023 23:51:39 GMT
Not doing a full report as it is late and work in the morning but brief summary of the game and ratings below….
Well, we got through and we have been involved in two very exciting games. Credit Wrexham. Take away all the Hollywood stuff and maybe there was some arrogance and disrespect but they have taken us right to the wire in two games. They are National League and have gone toe to toe with us. We made heavy weather of both games and have been rattled at times. Tonight, we controlled the first half and had loads of balls – they barely had an attack and McAtee and Ahmedhodzic miss two big chances. We had other moments too and just could not quite make the killer pass. I thought Berge and Coulibaly played well but the front players did not really make it count or make the right decisions/ McAtee’s miss was really poor. We then score after the break and if Billy scores his chance, it probably is comfortable but then we have a mad period – a bit like the first game. It looked outside the box the Anel one but is so stupid but then Norwood is just as bad. The referee was appalling and was giving them nearly every 50-50 but you we still made stupid decisions on these two moments. He could not wait to give them though and then seemed to give us nothing. After they levelled you thought it could go either way and we started to see the balls and throws worry us. The save did galvanise us and then they were sort of playing for extra time. Mullin went off and that was a big moment/ We had a blatant penalty not given and then we break when they attacked and Billy took his goal well. The Berge one gave the scoreline more gloss and he deserved that for his performance.
Overall, just glad to get through. They did do welk Wrexham but the story was getting a bit nauseating. Parkinson’s antics on the side-line was borderline embarrassing and as good as Mullin played (far too good for that level) he is an snidey so and so. He goes in with elbows on high balls but the minute he gets brushed he falls down like he has been shot. For United we are still not quite at the level we have been but we did see flashes of better football and saw some good breaking and interchange at times, albeit against a National League side. The defensive ill discipline is worrying and the poor finishing is a concern. I thought a few like Bash, Osborn and Anel struggled again and Ndiaye had another quiet game – same as Saturday and McAtee had a bit of a horror show in terms of end product too. We saw positives in Robinson doing really well again and it may give Davies some confidence if we have to use him again. Thought Coulibaly had a really promising debut and Berge was much more like the player we would want him to be. In terms of how the team played we oddly looked better when we broke and showed more danger when Ndiaye/McAtee/Berge ran at them when we stole the ball from their attacks. When we tried to move it side to side and show patient football we did not create much – although the first was a good move. It certainly raises the question of how best we can break teams down. It might mean we are better away in some ways playing like that and using those players to create rather than the slow laborious build up? We often lament the style and predictability when we struggle to create chances but saw how quick we can break on teams tonight so is something we should not underestimate.
The game was entertaining and we did make heavy weather of it. For all the plaudits Wrexham will get, we take out chances and it is 3 or 4-0 before the penalty drama and then the late goals which make it look like we have almost stolen it. Overall, for possession, play and chances, United did deserve to win and we had 32 shots to 9 and had loads of the ball but we need to be much better in coming weeks against teams in our league. We will probably have a few back for Saturday you would think but we need a better, controlled and more convincing performance. Of course three points is still the most important thing but it is a concern we are sort of not quite finding consistency in terms of lots of players still not being standard we would expect/need. Despite that I enjoyed it tonight even though we made it harder than we should have and it was exciting. I was glad we did not have extra time for me or the team!
United –
Ratings:
Davies 7/10 – He had little to do in the first half but then second half we saw his limitations on a few moments and remained glued to his line. He just does not command and one weak punch and then her spilt another. He does of course earn some big kudos for the save which was a big moment and without it we may go out despite all the chances we had.
Basham 5/10 – Started poorly with some slices and mistakes and seemed slow and not really up with the pace but then he did improve. Thought he did decent things in the second half and helped us fashion some chances and was involved in the first goal.
Osborn 5/10 – Another game where you just think he is a long way from the standard we need? He did a couple of ok things and involved in the first goal but too often it slows down when it gets to him or he lacks the quality to make things happen. He moved it on a bit and was functional but often when pressed he loses it and struggles. Some ridiculous step overs that lead to nothing too. We really need to be not using him unless we have to in the run in.
Robinson 7/10 – Our best defender I thought and one of the few again who throughout really seemed up for it. Won a few tackles and really put himself about and made some good runs forward too when he had to. Not sure he used his long throw too much as often we had no one to hit really.
Ahmedhodzic 5.5/10 – He still is a long way from the standards of the start of the season even though, as with Saturday, we saw flashes of quality particularly going forward. He had a chance in the first half and maybe should have scored. Defensively still some real indecisions though with some giveaways or moments he gambled and we saw that on the penalty to some extent. It might not have been in the box initially but does grab him. He also got involved in some aggro at the end and saw the hot-headed side of him a little bit. Needs to show better discipline all round.
Egan 7/10 – Solid and won most headers in the first half from corners/throws and we did not look worried although had a lot of the ball so under little pressure. Then second half they started to cause us more problems as we gave more throws away and it ended up coming in more – reminiscent of the first tie. He is suspended is he not for the 5th round now? (that is why Bogle was out is it not – 2 yellows in the competition which I did not even know was a thing!) after another yellow card.
Coulibaly 7/10 – Impressive first 45 minutes where he used it well, was mobile and got around the pitch. Decent on the ball and has quick feet and made decisions quickly too. He also turned inside and got it on the turn too a few times. Quietly impressive. Daft booking when he grabbed his man and then I do think he faded second half. Looked annoyed to come off but he clearly lacks fitness levels at this stage so needs to work on that but overall, one of the plusses from the game tonight.
Berge 8/10 – Thought overall he was the best player on the field and all the big moments and real class came from him turning and running or clever passes. He began fairly quiet but grew into it and started to get stronger. I thought he played some really intelligent passes and we saw some of the old Sander where he turned and ran and left players for dead. He at times looked the unplayable Berge we saw last season but then had parts of the game where he was a bit sloppy too. Took this third goal really well.
McAtee 5/10 – Thought he had a bit of a nightmare at times even though cannot be accused of not being involved. He did set up the final goal but lots of other decisions he made were poor and he made a complete mess of the chances first half. He always was looking to get in areas but too many times he took a poor touch or his finish/ball was errant. He kept plugging away and did get in those pockets but he will be disappointed to waste a lot of great chances.
Ndiaye 6.5/10 – Odd one as for long spells he was not in the game or things did not come off. He gave it away a few times too but then 3 or 4 moments he showed real quality and led to chances or moments we got in. He maybe ran too far forward on the McAtee chance stopping him having the chance to pass as was offside. Had a few good runs second half and then helped set up the third but that was a poor pass after a good run. They often tried to foul him and he got no protection from an appalling referee. Also, did he go to the toilet during the game just after we scored the first?!
Sharp 6/10 – He gets a few extra marks for the late vital goal but I thought he struggled for much of the game and missed a few chances including a sitter at 1-0. He got caught up in a bit of a scrap and felt he struggled to make much impact but then he had one disallowed and another over the bar. He did take his goal at the end really well but not sure we can count on him to be a real nuisance in the way he used to be.
Subs –
Norwood – First impact was a stupid penalty give away and he did get caught in the general malaise as we had that sticky spell. Had the powerful shot that was a clear hand ball. He did set up the second even though of course it was more a mistake really.
Lowe – Not really involved that much – a few runs and bits of link play and had an appeal for handball (rightly not given)
Brooks – Came on right at the end when it was 3-1.
Manager: Heckingbottom 6/10 – It’s a win and first half we had decent control of the game and probably should have scored a few goals before we finally went ahead after the break. We did struggle for a period and seemed to get sucked into the battle somewhat and then the throws and balls into the box came in. We seemed to lose control but to be fair he put Norwood in to help regain that maybe and he does something stupid.
Opponent Man of the Match – Mullin was impressive but irritating. Dirty off the ball when the ref not watching but then went to the ground under little contact. Of course, will say he was clever to win the pens. He is a right handful and reminds me of Sharp a few years ago when he was in his pomp.
Opponent Weak link – I thought keeper made some good saves but also went to ground too early on all three. I thought he was a bit Mark Bunn on the Sharp one and did not use his feet. The young lad Cleworth made the big error on the goal of course.
Referee/Officials – Leigh Doughty. Not wasting my finger typing too much on him. An abysmal look at me performance where he did everything he could to help the Hollywood story. The first penalty is outside the box. The second is right but he missed the most blatant of the lot for us and in general play gave us nothing but could not wait to give them every little 50-50. He also kept getting in the way and his positioning was awful. Slicked back hair and seemed to strut around. Maybe Reynolds promised him a bit part in one of his films. Dead-crap ref does not have much of a ring for movie directors. Really did my nut in and seemed to not have a clue that he was missing blatant pushes and fouls. Never quite seen a ref favour a minnow away from home as much.
Matchday/Crowd/Coverage – Thought it was a cracking atmosphere and their fans made a lot of noise. They loved a flare – from chucking one at the start to several on the goals! They did ensure even our fans started to get into it and shows with a good away following up for it – this adds to games. There may have been more noise tonight than in games with a lot more fans. A lot struggled to get in due to excessive queues. I knew it would be bad as is always is with the two side stands full almost for cup games with many moving from the Kop. I also knew a lot would have QR codes. I got there at 7.15pm and got in 7.35pm. So can see why loads missed it. Seemed no organised queues and all the turnstiles were open. I do think a lot arrived very late though but the ground was not full so needed better stewarding. No one seemed to care and it was just a melee around the South Stand entrances with a lot just pushing in. I will ensure I leave the pub even earlier v Spurs!
Well, we got through and we have been involved in two very exciting games. Credit Wrexham. Take away all the Hollywood stuff and maybe there was some arrogance and disrespect but they have taken us right to the wire in two games. They are National League and have gone toe to toe with us. We made heavy weather of both games and have been rattled at times. Tonight, we controlled the first half and had loads of balls – they barely had an attack and McAtee and Ahmedhodzic miss two big chances. We had other moments too and just could not quite make the killer pass. I thought Berge and Coulibaly played well but the front players did not really make it count or make the right decisions/ McAtee’s miss was really poor. We then score after the break and if Billy scores his chance, it probably is comfortable but then we have a mad period – a bit like the first game. It looked outside the box the Anel one but is so stupid but then Norwood is just as bad. The referee was appalling and was giving them nearly every 50-50 but you we still made stupid decisions on these two moments. He could not wait to give them though and then seemed to give us nothing. After they levelled you thought it could go either way and we started to see the balls and throws worry us. The save did galvanise us and then they were sort of playing for extra time. Mullin went off and that was a big moment/ We had a blatant penalty not given and then we break when they attacked and Billy took his goal well. The Berge one gave the scoreline more gloss and he deserved that for his performance.
Overall, just glad to get through. They did do welk Wrexham but the story was getting a bit nauseating. Parkinson’s antics on the side-line was borderline embarrassing and as good as Mullin played (far too good for that level) he is an snidey so and so. He goes in with elbows on high balls but the minute he gets brushed he falls down like he has been shot. For United we are still not quite at the level we have been but we did see flashes of better football and saw some good breaking and interchange at times, albeit against a National League side. The defensive ill discipline is worrying and the poor finishing is a concern. I thought a few like Bash, Osborn and Anel struggled again and Ndiaye had another quiet game – same as Saturday and McAtee had a bit of a horror show in terms of end product too. We saw positives in Robinson doing really well again and it may give Davies some confidence if we have to use him again. Thought Coulibaly had a really promising debut and Berge was much more like the player we would want him to be. In terms of how the team played we oddly looked better when we broke and showed more danger when Ndiaye/McAtee/Berge ran at them when we stole the ball from their attacks. When we tried to move it side to side and show patient football we did not create much – although the first was a good move. It certainly raises the question of how best we can break teams down. It might mean we are better away in some ways playing like that and using those players to create rather than the slow laborious build up? We often lament the style and predictability when we struggle to create chances but saw how quick we can break on teams tonight so is something we should not underestimate.
The game was entertaining and we did make heavy weather of it. For all the plaudits Wrexham will get, we take out chances and it is 3 or 4-0 before the penalty drama and then the late goals which make it look like we have almost stolen it. Overall, for possession, play and chances, United did deserve to win and we had 32 shots to 9 and had loads of the ball but we need to be much better in coming weeks against teams in our league. We will probably have a few back for Saturday you would think but we need a better, controlled and more convincing performance. Of course three points is still the most important thing but it is a concern we are sort of not quite finding consistency in terms of lots of players still not being standard we would expect/need. Despite that I enjoyed it tonight even though we made it harder than we should have and it was exciting. I was glad we did not have extra time for me or the team!
United –
Ratings:
Davies 7/10 – He had little to do in the first half but then second half we saw his limitations on a few moments and remained glued to his line. He just does not command and one weak punch and then her spilt another. He does of course earn some big kudos for the save which was a big moment and without it we may go out despite all the chances we had.
Basham 5/10 – Started poorly with some slices and mistakes and seemed slow and not really up with the pace but then he did improve. Thought he did decent things in the second half and helped us fashion some chances and was involved in the first goal.
Osborn 5/10 – Another game where you just think he is a long way from the standard we need? He did a couple of ok things and involved in the first goal but too often it slows down when it gets to him or he lacks the quality to make things happen. He moved it on a bit and was functional but often when pressed he loses it and struggles. Some ridiculous step overs that lead to nothing too. We really need to be not using him unless we have to in the run in.
Robinson 7/10 – Our best defender I thought and one of the few again who throughout really seemed up for it. Won a few tackles and really put himself about and made some good runs forward too when he had to. Not sure he used his long throw too much as often we had no one to hit really.
Ahmedhodzic 5.5/10 – He still is a long way from the standards of the start of the season even though, as with Saturday, we saw flashes of quality particularly going forward. He had a chance in the first half and maybe should have scored. Defensively still some real indecisions though with some giveaways or moments he gambled and we saw that on the penalty to some extent. It might not have been in the box initially but does grab him. He also got involved in some aggro at the end and saw the hot-headed side of him a little bit. Needs to show better discipline all round.
Egan 7/10 – Solid and won most headers in the first half from corners/throws and we did not look worried although had a lot of the ball so under little pressure. Then second half they started to cause us more problems as we gave more throws away and it ended up coming in more – reminiscent of the first tie. He is suspended is he not for the 5th round now? (that is why Bogle was out is it not – 2 yellows in the competition which I did not even know was a thing!) after another yellow card.
Coulibaly 7/10 – Impressive first 45 minutes where he used it well, was mobile and got around the pitch. Decent on the ball and has quick feet and made decisions quickly too. He also turned inside and got it on the turn too a few times. Quietly impressive. Daft booking when he grabbed his man and then I do think he faded second half. Looked annoyed to come off but he clearly lacks fitness levels at this stage so needs to work on that but overall, one of the plusses from the game tonight.
Berge 8/10 – Thought overall he was the best player on the field and all the big moments and real class came from him turning and running or clever passes. He began fairly quiet but grew into it and started to get stronger. I thought he played some really intelligent passes and we saw some of the old Sander where he turned and ran and left players for dead. He at times looked the unplayable Berge we saw last season but then had parts of the game where he was a bit sloppy too. Took this third goal really well.
McAtee 5/10 – Thought he had a bit of a nightmare at times even though cannot be accused of not being involved. He did set up the final goal but lots of other decisions he made were poor and he made a complete mess of the chances first half. He always was looking to get in areas but too many times he took a poor touch or his finish/ball was errant. He kept plugging away and did get in those pockets but he will be disappointed to waste a lot of great chances.
Ndiaye 6.5/10 – Odd one as for long spells he was not in the game or things did not come off. He gave it away a few times too but then 3 or 4 moments he showed real quality and led to chances or moments we got in. He maybe ran too far forward on the McAtee chance stopping him having the chance to pass as was offside. Had a few good runs second half and then helped set up the third but that was a poor pass after a good run. They often tried to foul him and he got no protection from an appalling referee. Also, did he go to the toilet during the game just after we scored the first?!
Sharp 6/10 – He gets a few extra marks for the late vital goal but I thought he struggled for much of the game and missed a few chances including a sitter at 1-0. He got caught up in a bit of a scrap and felt he struggled to make much impact but then he had one disallowed and another over the bar. He did take his goal at the end really well but not sure we can count on him to be a real nuisance in the way he used to be.
Subs –
Norwood – First impact was a stupid penalty give away and he did get caught in the general malaise as we had that sticky spell. Had the powerful shot that was a clear hand ball. He did set up the second even though of course it was more a mistake really.
Lowe – Not really involved that much – a few runs and bits of link play and had an appeal for handball (rightly not given)
Brooks – Came on right at the end when it was 3-1.
Manager: Heckingbottom 6/10 – It’s a win and first half we had decent control of the game and probably should have scored a few goals before we finally went ahead after the break. We did struggle for a period and seemed to get sucked into the battle somewhat and then the throws and balls into the box came in. We seemed to lose control but to be fair he put Norwood in to help regain that maybe and he does something stupid.
Opponent Man of the Match – Mullin was impressive but irritating. Dirty off the ball when the ref not watching but then went to the ground under little contact. Of course, will say he was clever to win the pens. He is a right handful and reminds me of Sharp a few years ago when he was in his pomp.
Opponent Weak link – I thought keeper made some good saves but also went to ground too early on all three. I thought he was a bit Mark Bunn on the Sharp one and did not use his feet. The young lad Cleworth made the big error on the goal of course.
Referee/Officials – Leigh Doughty. Not wasting my finger typing too much on him. An abysmal look at me performance where he did everything he could to help the Hollywood story. The first penalty is outside the box. The second is right but he missed the most blatant of the lot for us and in general play gave us nothing but could not wait to give them every little 50-50. He also kept getting in the way and his positioning was awful. Slicked back hair and seemed to strut around. Maybe Reynolds promised him a bit part in one of his films. Dead-crap ref does not have much of a ring for movie directors. Really did my nut in and seemed to not have a clue that he was missing blatant pushes and fouls. Never quite seen a ref favour a minnow away from home as much.
Matchday/Crowd/Coverage – Thought it was a cracking atmosphere and their fans made a lot of noise. They loved a flare – from chucking one at the start to several on the goals! They did ensure even our fans started to get into it and shows with a good away following up for it – this adds to games. There may have been more noise tonight than in games with a lot more fans. A lot struggled to get in due to excessive queues. I knew it would be bad as is always is with the two side stands full almost for cup games with many moving from the Kop. I also knew a lot would have QR codes. I got there at 7.15pm and got in 7.35pm. So can see why loads missed it. Seemed no organised queues and all the turnstiles were open. I do think a lot arrived very late though but the ground was not full so needed better stewarding. No one seemed to care and it was just a melee around the South Stand entrances with a lot just pushing in. I will ensure I leave the pub even earlier v Spurs!
