Post by deadbat on Jan 30, 2024 23:58:04 GMT
The Blades hopes of getting back into the fight to stay in the Premier League took a huge blow on Tuesday night in South East London as fellow struggles Crystal Palace got back to winning ways. The home side moved away from the relegation zone thanks to two superb individual goals from Eberechi Eze and a fine winner from Michael Olise. This was after Ben Brereton Diaz’s goal on 20 seconds and James McAtee had restored United’s lead. Palace were the better side with the two aforementioned players too much for the Blades on the night and despite improvements in the goal output, United’s porous defence continues to be a major issues as United remain on track to concede the most goals ever in a Premier League season. They at least were in the contest continuing the theme under Wilder but still look a long way short off the level required to properly compete and for long spells again tonight, an opponent looked quicker, fitter and technically superior despite the two goals and a late flurry where they hit the bar.
United have not won in 7 games now and only taken two points since they beat Brentford at the Lane in early December. Time is running out fast and the Blades know that if they cannot pick up points against fellow strugglers nor put any kind of run together, their chances are now rather forlorn. Furthermore, United’s away form is dreadful and they are still without a win on the road. The Eagles own struggles saw them only win 1 in 9 prior to today’s contest but now have a buffer away from the strugglers and have relieved some of the pressure on manager Roy Hodgson, at least temporarily.
The Blades changed almost half their side from the cup defeat at Palace with Robinson, Souza, McAtee, Slimane and McBurnie all starting. There was a first Premier League appearance for new goalkeeper Ivo Grbic, who would have been hoping to fare better after conceded 5 on his debut at the Lane on Saturday. Palace had a number of key men back from injury and both Eze and Olise started as did Jordan Ayew.
It was an incredible start for United as they took the kick off and moved it forward and Hamer fed BRERETON DIAZ. The forward came inside and curled a beautiful finish beyond Henderson and into the net. 20 seconds into the game and the Blades were ahead and Palace had not even touched the ball!
Matete tried to respond but the ball was cleared from Trusty and the same man did well to make a tackle after Ayew had pinched the ball from Souza who had dithered in midfield. Palace were moving it about well with Olise and Eze involved in most positive moments. Matete found Olise and his cross was headed down to Ayew but Grbic made the save.
Bogle’s throw into the centre of the field was ill advised and Slimane lost out before Hamer brought down Hughes. Olise then put a cross over that Grbic got a hand to as Matete looked to head home. Palace had completely dominated after the early shock goal and United had barely been out of their half so it was no surprise when the leveller came.
Olise made it with a run out wide and his cross was into a dangerous area but there was still a lot of work for EZE to do despite being completely unmarked. The Palace man somehow hooked it acrobatically into the net turning it the opposite way and giving Grbic no chance. Ahmedhodzic and Robinson stood motionless with neither marking or dealing with the cross but was a superb finish.
United had not been in the game at all after their early goal but incredibly with their next proper attack almost 20 minutes after they had last attacked, they scored again! McBurnie did well to hold the ball up and rolled it across to MCATEE who took a touch and hit a shot that flicked off Gueye and looped beyond Henderson, who was picking the ball out of his net again.
Palace could not believe they were trailing in a game they had been dominating and looked to respond yet again. Ayew fired over and then Matete nearly fed the same man as the game revered to type with United defending and struggling to hold the ball. Palace were looking to feed Eze and Olise at every opportunity and their movement and skill was continuing to cause problems for United.
On 27 minutes they were back in it again as the ball was played into Matete whose hold up and strength was too much for Ahmedhodzic again. He rolled it across to Olise who in turn played it across to EZE. He was 25 yards from goal but allowed to take a touch and come inside and Souza and Slimane did not engage at all. The shot when it came was superb and curled away from Grbic into the top corner giving him no chance again.
Palace came again when Ayew got away from Ahmedhodzic and Bogle and the home side won two corners in quick succession. Olise then bamboozled McAtee and the crowd rose to salute his skill before Eze then beat his man also as those two continued to look the two stand out players by some distance.
A ball over saw Olise return it across and Souza had to clear off the line. United had just sat back and defended and were not able to keep the ball making it hard for them to stop the attacks coming in. McBurnie did finally hold the ball up and then a few minutes later he turned Anderson and tried a shot from the angle but Henderson saved. It was his first save and touch of the game despite picking it out of his net twice.
Trusty and then Robinson were booked for cynical fouls on Olise and Eze respectively. Olise then had a shot deflected away and Ayew blasted over. Eze then juggled with the ball to tease Trusty and Palace won another corner as they looked to get a third goal. The half time whistle came after four minutes of stoppage time.
Brooks and Norrington Davies came on for Brereton Diaz and Slimane with the Chilean international picking up a knock.
The 2nd half began with Grbic coming out to get to the ball just before Mateta but the striker caught him on the face as he challenged and the Croatian went down. After a long delay involving the medics and Ahmedhodzic seemingly translating, the decision was made to take the new goalkeeper off. He was not happy with the decision but it seemed the sensible move and Foderingham was called to take his place in a ‘concussion’ substitution. Indeed both of Wilder’s January signings were on the treatment table – an all too familiar sight in the club sadly.
Olise’s cross just evaded any incoming Palace players and then the same man was in as the ball was played into his path and he cut in but Foderingham made the save. Replays showed it would have been offside if he had netted.
Matete shot over as Eze played him in on the angle before Osula came on for McBurnie just after the hour. Ahmedhodzic’s poor decision making continued to be an issue as twice he was penalised for pulling the opponents shirts.
Palace had continued to look the more likely and took the lead on 66 minutes. Souza gave it away cheaply and the ball was moved into the United final third to OLISE who was not pressed at all and came inside but curled a wonderful finish beyond Foderingham and into the corner. The scorer went off not long after as he had picked up a knock but two assists and one goal meant it was a fantastic night’s work for the young midfielder. Schlupp took his place.
Palace continued to move through the midfield and despite United going to a 5 at the back, gaps continued to be exploited. Eze wran through and got away from Trusty but his shot was saved from Foderingham. Eze also had picked up an injury and had to come off for Ozoh and United would have been glad to have seen the back of him.
Larouci came on for Robinson and he was involved not long after as finally the Blades fashioned an opening after not threatening all half. The wing back came inside and hit a cross shot that Ahmedhodzic flicked with his head but it bounced off the bar and away. As the ball came back Brookes hit a shot on the turn but Henderson made the save. It was a flurry of chances and finally some hope United might get something from the game.
Archer came on for Hamer and Edouard replaced Matete as the game entered 11 minutes of stoppage time. Palace managed to see out much of this time without danger and got the ball into the corners and won free kicks and corners as United wasted opportunities to get it forward. They did win a late corner but Osula’s effort was well off target with Foderingham up in the box, and the final whistle came soon after signalling another defeat for United whose stay in the Premier League is looking almost certain to be a short one. It was a vital win for Palace with the brilliance of Eze and Olise crucial on the evening.
United – Another defeat and another deserved one even though we led early and then led again. It was an odd first half as we started brilliantly with a great individual goal and then after that I thought we were poor and never looked like keeping the lead and just sat back instantly. It was like the goal meant we almost felt like as we never lead away hardly, we had to hold what we had and stopped trying to pass it/keep it or trying to go forward. We sat so deep and then did not stop penetration at all and the goal was always going to come. Remarkably we scored another with our second attack pretty much but again then just sat back again and invited pressure. Both goals they scored were great individual goals to be fair but they did have lots of other times they got in or through us and I never felt we had any kind of structure to not concede possession or territory. We were way too open in the middle and at the back. You can argue we scored two goals but needed to tighten up and look after the ball too and we just tossed possession away time after time. It was like a hot potato and this meant we had to keep defending. The centre backs were dominated by Ayew and Matete up the top with the latter ragging the two centre backs apart and this seems to happen most weeks at the moment.
We got in 2-2 which I thought did seem fortunate for the possession, territory, and corners they had. It was quite one sided apart from the goals and I thought we seemed at full stretch often and always seemed to be getting last ditch tackles or interceptions in. Added that we do not mark or pick runners up and we are always going to concede sadly in games. The team look like they have no confidence they are not going to concede and you feel like the ball is constantly coming towards our goals and I feel sorry for the keeper/s we have had as so many shots/crosses are coming in with no pressure on them at all. It is annoying as we scored two decent goals and did get forward twice to get two goals again but once again the good work we did to score those, we just toss away by giving cheap possession away and not closing down or stopping men running at us.
Second half we had a blow with the keeper going off but Wilder had at least realised we were too open and getting run through as he went to a 5 and took off the ineffectual Slimane – realise Brereton Diaz had picked up a knock which was a blow as he had been a threat. However, we still sat back and continued to let their better players have too much time on it. They had a few half chances before they did score. Again a great goal but put under no pressure. You have to close them down and stop them having the chance to shoot. It was too easy and again it came in it’s source with us giving it away too cheaply again. After this Palace lost their best two players and the game became scrappy. They did not offer much more but we barely got into their final third until that Ahmedhodzic header and the Brookes shot which of course could have seen us salvage an unlikely draw. After this moment around 83 minutes, there was another 18 minutes left with stoppage time but until the last second corner not sure we even had another attack and Palace saw it out quite easily in the end – a team that has been short of confidence and really struggling and we did not even get in their last third for the final part of the game which shows how little belief we have. We go behind in games these days and we rarely come back to get anything at all (the West Ham game the one exception).
We have improved under Wilder in that we are scoring some goals and not getting hammered results wise but the last two games I feel Brighton were far superior (worrying they got hammered by Luton in comparison tonight) and Palace were much better. The score makes it seem tight but the possession, chances, corners and overall play in the game it was mostly Palace. We did have good bits in the game but first half apart from the two goals I am not sure we had another attack (McBurnie effort maybe?) and then second half it was the same until that double chance as Palace did not dominate quite as much but still had most of the ball and the key moments/efforts on goal. Not sure Henderson had a save to make of note all game? 3-2 on the surface seems a decent effort and I suppose if Anel’s header goes in we get a draw but the overall feel of the game I just thought we looked overmatched again despite it seeming close.
I am sure some will say I have been too critical again in a game we lost out by 5 goals but I just felt that we wasted two goals by defending so deep and inviting pressure. We seem to have no concept of how not concede goals and cannot keep possession. We just give it away so cheaply meaning the ball is always coming back at us and then when good players get it, we sit off. We do not have enough of the ball and are chasing and then as games go on, we get fatigued and seem to lack much belief to get back in games when we go behind. We sort of just accept our fate. It has been better under Wilder in that we are scoring but we are still losing most weeks and still don’t look like we belong at this level as hard as that is to type. We are now far too open – but we still sit back deep too and means there are big gaps all over. I felt the midfield got overrun again and then the defence does not impose themselves. We lose our individual battles and that means it feels like the opponent will create a decent chance every time they attack. It feels like it takes us an age to even get up the pitch but opponents do it so much easier.
The positives are we have scored goals and Brereton Diaz has looked an excellent signing. Some such as Souza and Bogle have improved and there is more fight in the group in certain aspects but I feel the heads still go down too easily when we concede and I do not get the sense the team believes they can win games at this level. Villa to come in the next game and they will want to fight back but with Luton winning tonight, any remote chances of staying up (if we had any!) have surely gone and it is about pride now, getting past Derby’s record and seeing if we can match the total last season we were relegated – which I think will be a push – 23 points (need another 13 – that will be hard) and ending with some pride. We have to be thinking about the planning for next season now and thinking about a side that can try and be near the top of the Championship – probably without 3 of the main attackers we have now – Archer, Brereton Diaz and McAtee.
Ratings:
Grbic 5.5/10 – Not loads to do again but two goals go past him – again not sure he had much chance with either as the first is hooked past him and the second a curling effort into the corner. He sort of half punched one away and made one other easy save and took a cross. His kicking was ok when he had to use his feet. He then comes out and gets smashed and has to go off. Clearly wanted to stay on which was good as he wanted to play and help the team and looked angry at the decision but was the right one if any risk. It had not been the happiest of starts for Grbic conceding 7 goals and now having to leave the pitch due to concussion. Still not made a proper save of note!
Bogle 5/10 – Another mixed bag really. He did get forward a bit and try and get into areas but overplayed or lost it. Defensively some ok interceptions but too often was way off his man and also gave away some cheap fouls again. They got into the dangerous areas without us stopping crosses/balls in too easily.
Trusty 4.5/10 –Started well with two tackles and a block but then regressed badly. He lost his battle a few times and then got a yellow card. Ended up more centrally second half but thought he got bullied a fair bit as they bounced off him or came away from him deceiving him with skill. He looks bang average at best and yet to see what the qualities he offers?
Ahmedhodzic 4/10 – Another desperately poor performance. The lad Matete completely outmuscled him and held him off all game and he just resorted to grappling and grabbing. He just resorts to cheap fouls and seems weak and slow. Did hit the bar with a decent flicked effort which he would not have had long to react to. Then he loses his cool and picks up another stupid booking showing his lack of discipline. I think if we can get a decent fee, I’d move him on. Not sure his head is right in terms of how he is playing. He seems to blame lots of things other than himself and needs to knuckle down and stop attackers dominating us. He gave the ball away a fair bit and did not close down when he needed to.
Robinson 5/10 – Thought he was another defender who let Palace impose themselves on him. The 1st goal, him and Anel just stand there ball watching and this happened a few times. Just kicked it out aimlessly a few times rather than trying to keep the ball. Crude foul for a yellow card. Thought he was a bit better after the break in a 5 but they still had chances where they got through too easily.
Souza 6/10 – Thought he tried really hard and one of the few who got his foot in and won tackles and actually competed. His mark would be higher but on the first goal he was too slow to get out to his man and then on the second he gave it away cheaply. It’s hard to mark him much higher as these were mistakes that were crucial but he did lots of good things and I felt had to cover for the lazy Hamer who does not want to track back and Souza was clearly frustrated with him. He is putting a real shift in. He lacks quality on the ball but one of the few who shows determination not to let players go past him easily.
Hamer 4.5/10 – He did assist on the first goal with a decent ball and played one other good pass second half but outside of this he was largely anonymous again and felt Souza was having to do his work as he was not getting back or tracking runners. He gave it away several times in poor areas leading to chances for them. A player I expected a lot more of but I have been quite disappointed with him overall this season as other than the odd flashes games just pass him by. He was signed to be one of our creative players and one who could keep the ball or get us up the field but not sure that has happened.
McAtee 7/10 – Along with Souza and Brereton Diaz our stand out players. He did not always see his tricks and runs pay off but the only player who consistently would allow us to try and get up the field. Dribbled when he could and at least kept it for a period. Scored a goal, albeit via a deflection. Looks the only real quality player in our side sadly.
Slimane 2/10 – Completely anonymous. Did he even touch the ball? Sure, he did but I cannot remember him and not even sure where he was playing? Our midfield got overrun and he was meant to be part of that. Hooked at half time which was not a surprise. Another like Traore and Larouci who looks like a punt that is just well off this level. Had a decent cameo against Brentford but every time seen him since then he has looked really poor. Not sure why Wilder picked him really?
Brereton Diaz 6.5/10 – Scored a great individual goal early on and also when we did move it forward (we did not do it much) he was one of the few who kept it or tried to be positive. Shame he went off as he has been a good signing so far and hope he is not out for any extended period.
McBurnie 5/10 – Quitet-ish game but not helped by the fact we barely got in their half and were just defending. He did assist on the second and then had one turn and shot. Struggled after the break as his fitness continues to be an issue but we barely get the ball to him and when we do he has not support.
Subs –
Norrington Davies 5.5/10 – Some ok things with the ball and tried to use it intelligently but also got caught with the ball inside once leading to the Wes save and then a silly booking too. Still being eased back in I think but showing some decent signs at least.
Brooks 5/10 – Struggled to get into the game. Think he should have started. Kept it simple a few times but not sure we saw much of him until that shot on the swivel. Annoyed me at the end when he took two quick free kicks when we needed to get it into the box.
Foderingham 6/10 – Made two saves – both saves you would expect but he made them I suppose. No chance on the goal as it went right into the corner. After this his kicking was ok actually as I was concerned when it went back to him. Got a chance back in the team sooner than we would have thought and might play Saturday depending on the concussion for Grbic.
Osula 5/10 – Had one shot at the end but did not see too much of him really outside of this as we only really had one attack (the double chance) after he came on. Felt after we had been careless and gone too long first half, we needed to do that more in the final stages to get up the field and try and create a chance but were too slow to get it forward so he had no service.
Larouci – Thought as he often does he gave us some energy when he came on and his cross shot nearly got us an equaliser. He did pass it three times straight to them though after this. An odd player who seems to not know where to run to or what he is going to do next! He cannot take throw ins either – they are always foul throws but not given!
Archer – Not given a great deal of time but as with above we gave him no service. He did seem off the pace when the ball went near him. Wilder does not seem to see him as part of things which I can understand when he will not be here and we are going down and need to plan for next season. Not sure despite the calls for him to start that we have enough of the ball up the field (he is a poacher and we do not create chances hardly – we need to keep the ball really and hold it up – which is not his game).
*Note - is it the first time United have made 6 subs in a game (concussion sub of course)
Manager: Wilder 5/10 – I thought we had the perfect start and we should have built on that but we sat back and the team lacked shape and this saw us get dominated. There were big gaps all over the place and they picked us off. We did attack well the few times when we did score but outside of this we did not keep it and sat back. The Slimane start was a mistake. He did change it half time in terms of the shape but they still got through us a fair bit – maybe not as much and also saw us not able to threaten at all the other way. It’s hard as he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. We play 4 and we are open and we saw what happens. We play 5 and try and be more solid and have little threat the other way. Not sure the subs made much difference. I think I would have put Archer and Osula up front together and gone to two strikers as we lacked any real threat up the top of the pitch. He has improved things but he is realising that the players are just nowhere near the level required no matter what tweaks or changes he makes to the line up or formation. It will be interesting to see if his initial enthusiasm and buoyancy as he came in will remain if we keep losing or if he will become tetchy and critical of players (and the board) if as I expect we keep losing every week. He knows he cannot pack up again though – as if he does that is the end of his career at any kind of decent level so he has to carry himself differently and bite his lip more this time and realise it’s about next season as much as now for him and the club.
Palace – Been really struggling and all of a sudden pressure has been amped up on Hodgson. They got thumped last time out and according to their fans they have been really poor and there is genuine discussion on replacing Hodgson – which seems harsh considering the job he has done there over different spells. He always seems to do a steady job and they have had injuries. Eze and Olise are really talented players but both have had injuries and their whole squad has been beset by injuries too – much like us. I never thought they would get sucked into a relegation battle and still don’t. They have enough with the players they have and the manager to not be concerned with that. With the three promoted teams being so poor (granted Luton shown some fight) they will be nowhere near the bottom three I feel.
They will have been delighted after struggles recently and needed three points to see us coming to town. A team that has not won away from home and rarely looks like causing problems in most away games (granted the Villa result was a good one) and could even go the whole season without winning away which is dreadful. They would have known today was a fantastic opportunity and almost a gimmie to get back on track and so it proved. After conceding so early, we had a chance to really get the crowd on their back but instantly sat back and invited pressure and they got level twice, not long after we led. They just upped it and did what they had to and of course had the two outstanding talents on the pitch.
Granted Eze and Olise are something else (Palace have struggled without them of course) and we could not handle them at all but I thought other players caused problems too – the big lad up top was a constant threat. Palace have been in poor form and lacking confidence but they seemed a fair bit better than us I thought. As I say some will say take those two players out and they would not be but you could say that about a few teams with their better players – we of course sold ours! They did make mistakes at the back and we showed we could cause them problems but then only attacked twice so they would have been happy we stopped even trying to get it forward and have a go and then the final 20 minutes (including stoppage time) they were not pressured at all after the one that hit the bar. I do not think there are a great side at all and we will see them struggle, as they have, versus other teams but today they did what they had to and were worthy winners.
Opponent Man of the Match – Eze scored two great goals and Olise scored the winner and got two assists. Hard to split the pair. The latter may end up going on and being the better of the two I feel. Silky player who reminds me a bit of Ndiaye as he just looks total class as he controls it effortlessly, runs away from defenders but is strong and can dribble. Can do a bit of everything. Matete may not get the headlines but he worked hard and gave a lesson to our centre forwards how to win battles and impose yourself on the defence.
Opponent Weak link – Thought the back line were not pressured enough as they looked poor when we did go at them but hardly did this. Anderson was slow to react to things but thought Richards, the American was poor and we did not play on him enough after a ropey start. Henderson kicking was poor as it often was and did not have much to do in general play despite picking it out of his net twice.
Referee/Officials – Tony Harrington. Did fall for some of the theatrics at times but United also committed some cynical fouls and Trusty/Robinson were booked in quick succession. Norrington Davies got one for a pull back and then Ahmedhodzic got involved in a melee at the end continuing his frustrations with his poor form/season. They only had one booked – Lerma for the same tussle. I thought Hughes should have had a yellow for a few cynical ones on McAtee. Overall, not sure there were many things he got wrong. We did look dirty at times and the shirt pulling/grabbing from our defenders is a bit embarrassing. It’s like we are not strong enough or skilled enough to hold players up by fair means. The challenge on Grbic, the striker had to go for but still caught him and maybe should have had a card? The lad did apologise and also found the keeper after the game to do the same again which was good to see but damage been done by then.
United have not won in 7 games now and only taken two points since they beat Brentford at the Lane in early December. Time is running out fast and the Blades know that if they cannot pick up points against fellow strugglers nor put any kind of run together, their chances are now rather forlorn. Furthermore, United’s away form is dreadful and they are still without a win on the road. The Eagles own struggles saw them only win 1 in 9 prior to today’s contest but now have a buffer away from the strugglers and have relieved some of the pressure on manager Roy Hodgson, at least temporarily.
The Blades changed almost half their side from the cup defeat at Palace with Robinson, Souza, McAtee, Slimane and McBurnie all starting. There was a first Premier League appearance for new goalkeeper Ivo Grbic, who would have been hoping to fare better after conceded 5 on his debut at the Lane on Saturday. Palace had a number of key men back from injury and both Eze and Olise started as did Jordan Ayew.
It was an incredible start for United as they took the kick off and moved it forward and Hamer fed BRERETON DIAZ. The forward came inside and curled a beautiful finish beyond Henderson and into the net. 20 seconds into the game and the Blades were ahead and Palace had not even touched the ball!
Matete tried to respond but the ball was cleared from Trusty and the same man did well to make a tackle after Ayew had pinched the ball from Souza who had dithered in midfield. Palace were moving it about well with Olise and Eze involved in most positive moments. Matete found Olise and his cross was headed down to Ayew but Grbic made the save.
Bogle’s throw into the centre of the field was ill advised and Slimane lost out before Hamer brought down Hughes. Olise then put a cross over that Grbic got a hand to as Matete looked to head home. Palace had completely dominated after the early shock goal and United had barely been out of their half so it was no surprise when the leveller came.
Olise made it with a run out wide and his cross was into a dangerous area but there was still a lot of work for EZE to do despite being completely unmarked. The Palace man somehow hooked it acrobatically into the net turning it the opposite way and giving Grbic no chance. Ahmedhodzic and Robinson stood motionless with neither marking or dealing with the cross but was a superb finish.
United had not been in the game at all after their early goal but incredibly with their next proper attack almost 20 minutes after they had last attacked, they scored again! McBurnie did well to hold the ball up and rolled it across to MCATEE who took a touch and hit a shot that flicked off Gueye and looped beyond Henderson, who was picking the ball out of his net again.
Palace could not believe they were trailing in a game they had been dominating and looked to respond yet again. Ayew fired over and then Matete nearly fed the same man as the game revered to type with United defending and struggling to hold the ball. Palace were looking to feed Eze and Olise at every opportunity and their movement and skill was continuing to cause problems for United.
On 27 minutes they were back in it again as the ball was played into Matete whose hold up and strength was too much for Ahmedhodzic again. He rolled it across to Olise who in turn played it across to EZE. He was 25 yards from goal but allowed to take a touch and come inside and Souza and Slimane did not engage at all. The shot when it came was superb and curled away from Grbic into the top corner giving him no chance again.
Palace came again when Ayew got away from Ahmedhodzic and Bogle and the home side won two corners in quick succession. Olise then bamboozled McAtee and the crowd rose to salute his skill before Eze then beat his man also as those two continued to look the two stand out players by some distance.
A ball over saw Olise return it across and Souza had to clear off the line. United had just sat back and defended and were not able to keep the ball making it hard for them to stop the attacks coming in. McBurnie did finally hold the ball up and then a few minutes later he turned Anderson and tried a shot from the angle but Henderson saved. It was his first save and touch of the game despite picking it out of his net twice.
Trusty and then Robinson were booked for cynical fouls on Olise and Eze respectively. Olise then had a shot deflected away and Ayew blasted over. Eze then juggled with the ball to tease Trusty and Palace won another corner as they looked to get a third goal. The half time whistle came after four minutes of stoppage time.
Brooks and Norrington Davies came on for Brereton Diaz and Slimane with the Chilean international picking up a knock.
The 2nd half began with Grbic coming out to get to the ball just before Mateta but the striker caught him on the face as he challenged and the Croatian went down. After a long delay involving the medics and Ahmedhodzic seemingly translating, the decision was made to take the new goalkeeper off. He was not happy with the decision but it seemed the sensible move and Foderingham was called to take his place in a ‘concussion’ substitution. Indeed both of Wilder’s January signings were on the treatment table – an all too familiar sight in the club sadly.
Olise’s cross just evaded any incoming Palace players and then the same man was in as the ball was played into his path and he cut in but Foderingham made the save. Replays showed it would have been offside if he had netted.
Matete shot over as Eze played him in on the angle before Osula came on for McBurnie just after the hour. Ahmedhodzic’s poor decision making continued to be an issue as twice he was penalised for pulling the opponents shirts.
Palace had continued to look the more likely and took the lead on 66 minutes. Souza gave it away cheaply and the ball was moved into the United final third to OLISE who was not pressed at all and came inside but curled a wonderful finish beyond Foderingham and into the corner. The scorer went off not long after as he had picked up a knock but two assists and one goal meant it was a fantastic night’s work for the young midfielder. Schlupp took his place.
Palace continued to move through the midfield and despite United going to a 5 at the back, gaps continued to be exploited. Eze wran through and got away from Trusty but his shot was saved from Foderingham. Eze also had picked up an injury and had to come off for Ozoh and United would have been glad to have seen the back of him.
Larouci came on for Robinson and he was involved not long after as finally the Blades fashioned an opening after not threatening all half. The wing back came inside and hit a cross shot that Ahmedhodzic flicked with his head but it bounced off the bar and away. As the ball came back Brookes hit a shot on the turn but Henderson made the save. It was a flurry of chances and finally some hope United might get something from the game.
Archer came on for Hamer and Edouard replaced Matete as the game entered 11 minutes of stoppage time. Palace managed to see out much of this time without danger and got the ball into the corners and won free kicks and corners as United wasted opportunities to get it forward. They did win a late corner but Osula’s effort was well off target with Foderingham up in the box, and the final whistle came soon after signalling another defeat for United whose stay in the Premier League is looking almost certain to be a short one. It was a vital win for Palace with the brilliance of Eze and Olise crucial on the evening.
United – Another defeat and another deserved one even though we led early and then led again. It was an odd first half as we started brilliantly with a great individual goal and then after that I thought we were poor and never looked like keeping the lead and just sat back instantly. It was like the goal meant we almost felt like as we never lead away hardly, we had to hold what we had and stopped trying to pass it/keep it or trying to go forward. We sat so deep and then did not stop penetration at all and the goal was always going to come. Remarkably we scored another with our second attack pretty much but again then just sat back again and invited pressure. Both goals they scored were great individual goals to be fair but they did have lots of other times they got in or through us and I never felt we had any kind of structure to not concede possession or territory. We were way too open in the middle and at the back. You can argue we scored two goals but needed to tighten up and look after the ball too and we just tossed possession away time after time. It was like a hot potato and this meant we had to keep defending. The centre backs were dominated by Ayew and Matete up the top with the latter ragging the two centre backs apart and this seems to happen most weeks at the moment.
We got in 2-2 which I thought did seem fortunate for the possession, territory, and corners they had. It was quite one sided apart from the goals and I thought we seemed at full stretch often and always seemed to be getting last ditch tackles or interceptions in. Added that we do not mark or pick runners up and we are always going to concede sadly in games. The team look like they have no confidence they are not going to concede and you feel like the ball is constantly coming towards our goals and I feel sorry for the keeper/s we have had as so many shots/crosses are coming in with no pressure on them at all. It is annoying as we scored two decent goals and did get forward twice to get two goals again but once again the good work we did to score those, we just toss away by giving cheap possession away and not closing down or stopping men running at us.
Second half we had a blow with the keeper going off but Wilder had at least realised we were too open and getting run through as he went to a 5 and took off the ineffectual Slimane – realise Brereton Diaz had picked up a knock which was a blow as he had been a threat. However, we still sat back and continued to let their better players have too much time on it. They had a few half chances before they did score. Again a great goal but put under no pressure. You have to close them down and stop them having the chance to shoot. It was too easy and again it came in it’s source with us giving it away too cheaply again. After this Palace lost their best two players and the game became scrappy. They did not offer much more but we barely got into their final third until that Ahmedhodzic header and the Brookes shot which of course could have seen us salvage an unlikely draw. After this moment around 83 minutes, there was another 18 minutes left with stoppage time but until the last second corner not sure we even had another attack and Palace saw it out quite easily in the end – a team that has been short of confidence and really struggling and we did not even get in their last third for the final part of the game which shows how little belief we have. We go behind in games these days and we rarely come back to get anything at all (the West Ham game the one exception).
We have improved under Wilder in that we are scoring some goals and not getting hammered results wise but the last two games I feel Brighton were far superior (worrying they got hammered by Luton in comparison tonight) and Palace were much better. The score makes it seem tight but the possession, chances, corners and overall play in the game it was mostly Palace. We did have good bits in the game but first half apart from the two goals I am not sure we had another attack (McBurnie effort maybe?) and then second half it was the same until that double chance as Palace did not dominate quite as much but still had most of the ball and the key moments/efforts on goal. Not sure Henderson had a save to make of note all game? 3-2 on the surface seems a decent effort and I suppose if Anel’s header goes in we get a draw but the overall feel of the game I just thought we looked overmatched again despite it seeming close.
I am sure some will say I have been too critical again in a game we lost out by 5 goals but I just felt that we wasted two goals by defending so deep and inviting pressure. We seem to have no concept of how not concede goals and cannot keep possession. We just give it away so cheaply meaning the ball is always coming back at us and then when good players get it, we sit off. We do not have enough of the ball and are chasing and then as games go on, we get fatigued and seem to lack much belief to get back in games when we go behind. We sort of just accept our fate. It has been better under Wilder in that we are scoring but we are still losing most weeks and still don’t look like we belong at this level as hard as that is to type. We are now far too open – but we still sit back deep too and means there are big gaps all over. I felt the midfield got overrun again and then the defence does not impose themselves. We lose our individual battles and that means it feels like the opponent will create a decent chance every time they attack. It feels like it takes us an age to even get up the pitch but opponents do it so much easier.
The positives are we have scored goals and Brereton Diaz has looked an excellent signing. Some such as Souza and Bogle have improved and there is more fight in the group in certain aspects but I feel the heads still go down too easily when we concede and I do not get the sense the team believes they can win games at this level. Villa to come in the next game and they will want to fight back but with Luton winning tonight, any remote chances of staying up (if we had any!) have surely gone and it is about pride now, getting past Derby’s record and seeing if we can match the total last season we were relegated – which I think will be a push – 23 points (need another 13 – that will be hard) and ending with some pride. We have to be thinking about the planning for next season now and thinking about a side that can try and be near the top of the Championship – probably without 3 of the main attackers we have now – Archer, Brereton Diaz and McAtee.
Ratings:
Grbic 5.5/10 – Not loads to do again but two goals go past him – again not sure he had much chance with either as the first is hooked past him and the second a curling effort into the corner. He sort of half punched one away and made one other easy save and took a cross. His kicking was ok when he had to use his feet. He then comes out and gets smashed and has to go off. Clearly wanted to stay on which was good as he wanted to play and help the team and looked angry at the decision but was the right one if any risk. It had not been the happiest of starts for Grbic conceding 7 goals and now having to leave the pitch due to concussion. Still not made a proper save of note!
Bogle 5/10 – Another mixed bag really. He did get forward a bit and try and get into areas but overplayed or lost it. Defensively some ok interceptions but too often was way off his man and also gave away some cheap fouls again. They got into the dangerous areas without us stopping crosses/balls in too easily.
Trusty 4.5/10 –Started well with two tackles and a block but then regressed badly. He lost his battle a few times and then got a yellow card. Ended up more centrally second half but thought he got bullied a fair bit as they bounced off him or came away from him deceiving him with skill. He looks bang average at best and yet to see what the qualities he offers?
Ahmedhodzic 4/10 – Another desperately poor performance. The lad Matete completely outmuscled him and held him off all game and he just resorted to grappling and grabbing. He just resorts to cheap fouls and seems weak and slow. Did hit the bar with a decent flicked effort which he would not have had long to react to. Then he loses his cool and picks up another stupid booking showing his lack of discipline. I think if we can get a decent fee, I’d move him on. Not sure his head is right in terms of how he is playing. He seems to blame lots of things other than himself and needs to knuckle down and stop attackers dominating us. He gave the ball away a fair bit and did not close down when he needed to.
Robinson 5/10 – Thought he was another defender who let Palace impose themselves on him. The 1st goal, him and Anel just stand there ball watching and this happened a few times. Just kicked it out aimlessly a few times rather than trying to keep the ball. Crude foul for a yellow card. Thought he was a bit better after the break in a 5 but they still had chances where they got through too easily.
Souza 6/10 – Thought he tried really hard and one of the few who got his foot in and won tackles and actually competed. His mark would be higher but on the first goal he was too slow to get out to his man and then on the second he gave it away cheaply. It’s hard to mark him much higher as these were mistakes that were crucial but he did lots of good things and I felt had to cover for the lazy Hamer who does not want to track back and Souza was clearly frustrated with him. He is putting a real shift in. He lacks quality on the ball but one of the few who shows determination not to let players go past him easily.
Hamer 4.5/10 – He did assist on the first goal with a decent ball and played one other good pass second half but outside of this he was largely anonymous again and felt Souza was having to do his work as he was not getting back or tracking runners. He gave it away several times in poor areas leading to chances for them. A player I expected a lot more of but I have been quite disappointed with him overall this season as other than the odd flashes games just pass him by. He was signed to be one of our creative players and one who could keep the ball or get us up the field but not sure that has happened.
McAtee 7/10 – Along with Souza and Brereton Diaz our stand out players. He did not always see his tricks and runs pay off but the only player who consistently would allow us to try and get up the field. Dribbled when he could and at least kept it for a period. Scored a goal, albeit via a deflection. Looks the only real quality player in our side sadly.
Slimane 2/10 – Completely anonymous. Did he even touch the ball? Sure, he did but I cannot remember him and not even sure where he was playing? Our midfield got overrun and he was meant to be part of that. Hooked at half time which was not a surprise. Another like Traore and Larouci who looks like a punt that is just well off this level. Had a decent cameo against Brentford but every time seen him since then he has looked really poor. Not sure why Wilder picked him really?
Brereton Diaz 6.5/10 – Scored a great individual goal early on and also when we did move it forward (we did not do it much) he was one of the few who kept it or tried to be positive. Shame he went off as he has been a good signing so far and hope he is not out for any extended period.
McBurnie 5/10 – Quitet-ish game but not helped by the fact we barely got in their half and were just defending. He did assist on the second and then had one turn and shot. Struggled after the break as his fitness continues to be an issue but we barely get the ball to him and when we do he has not support.
Subs –
Norrington Davies 5.5/10 – Some ok things with the ball and tried to use it intelligently but also got caught with the ball inside once leading to the Wes save and then a silly booking too. Still being eased back in I think but showing some decent signs at least.
Brooks 5/10 – Struggled to get into the game. Think he should have started. Kept it simple a few times but not sure we saw much of him until that shot on the swivel. Annoyed me at the end when he took two quick free kicks when we needed to get it into the box.
Foderingham 6/10 – Made two saves – both saves you would expect but he made them I suppose. No chance on the goal as it went right into the corner. After this his kicking was ok actually as I was concerned when it went back to him. Got a chance back in the team sooner than we would have thought and might play Saturday depending on the concussion for Grbic.
Osula 5/10 – Had one shot at the end but did not see too much of him really outside of this as we only really had one attack (the double chance) after he came on. Felt after we had been careless and gone too long first half, we needed to do that more in the final stages to get up the field and try and create a chance but were too slow to get it forward so he had no service.
Larouci – Thought as he often does he gave us some energy when he came on and his cross shot nearly got us an equaliser. He did pass it three times straight to them though after this. An odd player who seems to not know where to run to or what he is going to do next! He cannot take throw ins either – they are always foul throws but not given!
Archer – Not given a great deal of time but as with above we gave him no service. He did seem off the pace when the ball went near him. Wilder does not seem to see him as part of things which I can understand when he will not be here and we are going down and need to plan for next season. Not sure despite the calls for him to start that we have enough of the ball up the field (he is a poacher and we do not create chances hardly – we need to keep the ball really and hold it up – which is not his game).
*Note - is it the first time United have made 6 subs in a game (concussion sub of course)
Manager: Wilder 5/10 – I thought we had the perfect start and we should have built on that but we sat back and the team lacked shape and this saw us get dominated. There were big gaps all over the place and they picked us off. We did attack well the few times when we did score but outside of this we did not keep it and sat back. The Slimane start was a mistake. He did change it half time in terms of the shape but they still got through us a fair bit – maybe not as much and also saw us not able to threaten at all the other way. It’s hard as he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. We play 4 and we are open and we saw what happens. We play 5 and try and be more solid and have little threat the other way. Not sure the subs made much difference. I think I would have put Archer and Osula up front together and gone to two strikers as we lacked any real threat up the top of the pitch. He has improved things but he is realising that the players are just nowhere near the level required no matter what tweaks or changes he makes to the line up or formation. It will be interesting to see if his initial enthusiasm and buoyancy as he came in will remain if we keep losing or if he will become tetchy and critical of players (and the board) if as I expect we keep losing every week. He knows he cannot pack up again though – as if he does that is the end of his career at any kind of decent level so he has to carry himself differently and bite his lip more this time and realise it’s about next season as much as now for him and the club.
Palace – Been really struggling and all of a sudden pressure has been amped up on Hodgson. They got thumped last time out and according to their fans they have been really poor and there is genuine discussion on replacing Hodgson – which seems harsh considering the job he has done there over different spells. He always seems to do a steady job and they have had injuries. Eze and Olise are really talented players but both have had injuries and their whole squad has been beset by injuries too – much like us. I never thought they would get sucked into a relegation battle and still don’t. They have enough with the players they have and the manager to not be concerned with that. With the three promoted teams being so poor (granted Luton shown some fight) they will be nowhere near the bottom three I feel.
They will have been delighted after struggles recently and needed three points to see us coming to town. A team that has not won away from home and rarely looks like causing problems in most away games (granted the Villa result was a good one) and could even go the whole season without winning away which is dreadful. They would have known today was a fantastic opportunity and almost a gimmie to get back on track and so it proved. After conceding so early, we had a chance to really get the crowd on their back but instantly sat back and invited pressure and they got level twice, not long after we led. They just upped it and did what they had to and of course had the two outstanding talents on the pitch.
Granted Eze and Olise are something else (Palace have struggled without them of course) and we could not handle them at all but I thought other players caused problems too – the big lad up top was a constant threat. Palace have been in poor form and lacking confidence but they seemed a fair bit better than us I thought. As I say some will say take those two players out and they would not be but you could say that about a few teams with their better players – we of course sold ours! They did make mistakes at the back and we showed we could cause them problems but then only attacked twice so they would have been happy we stopped even trying to get it forward and have a go and then the final 20 minutes (including stoppage time) they were not pressured at all after the one that hit the bar. I do not think there are a great side at all and we will see them struggle, as they have, versus other teams but today they did what they had to and were worthy winners.
Opponent Man of the Match – Eze scored two great goals and Olise scored the winner and got two assists. Hard to split the pair. The latter may end up going on and being the better of the two I feel. Silky player who reminds me a bit of Ndiaye as he just looks total class as he controls it effortlessly, runs away from defenders but is strong and can dribble. Can do a bit of everything. Matete may not get the headlines but he worked hard and gave a lesson to our centre forwards how to win battles and impose yourself on the defence.
Opponent Weak link – Thought the back line were not pressured enough as they looked poor when we did go at them but hardly did this. Anderson was slow to react to things but thought Richards, the American was poor and we did not play on him enough after a ropey start. Henderson kicking was poor as it often was and did not have much to do in general play despite picking it out of his net twice.
Referee/Officials – Tony Harrington. Did fall for some of the theatrics at times but United also committed some cynical fouls and Trusty/Robinson were booked in quick succession. Norrington Davies got one for a pull back and then Ahmedhodzic got involved in a melee at the end continuing his frustrations with his poor form/season. They only had one booked – Lerma for the same tussle. I thought Hughes should have had a yellow for a few cynical ones on McAtee. Overall, not sure there were many things he got wrong. We did look dirty at times and the shirt pulling/grabbing from our defenders is a bit embarrassing. It’s like we are not strong enough or skilled enough to hold players up by fair means. The challenge on Grbic, the striker had to go for but still caught him and maybe should have had a card? The lad did apologise and also found the keeper after the game to do the same again which was good to see but damage been done by then.
