Sheffield Utd Post Match

[Edmund]

Thoughts on the game from a Sheffield United fan :

http://www.sheff-utd.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=16422

My thoughts from the armchair....

Overall I felt Leicester deserved to win and 2-1 flattered us. Overall whilst we huffed and puffed and semi threatend a comeback we had in reality tossed the game away in the first half with more negativity and a general inability to keep the football.

I felt for much of the game we looked a really poor side and the endless times we just hoofed it up field or kicked the ball into nowhere into particularly was eye popping. Only when Camara came on did we start to play to feet and fed off his talent and pace. However, the whole game we only really put together 3 or 4 decent moves with most fo the time the big punt up to Creswell being our only real tactic.

Leicester were not amazing but at least at times they just passed the ball to a blue shirt and then moved into space. Simple. From this they drew opponents and created chances. They may be did this 5 or 6 times and nearly scored every time/ This is something we are unable to do. Maybe it is our players who are not good enough. Maybe it is our tactics. Whatever it is; we looked tonight a mid table side who will probably win enough games to stay away from the bottom but against the better sides (and they are quite a few better than Leicester) will not be good enough.

We actually started the game well and played well for 5 minutes but after that I felt Leicester were the better side, playing better football, creating more chances and having more efforts on goal. We had chances too but in reality they easily could have scored 6 or 7 to maybe 2 or 3 for us.

Leicester have some enterprising footballers with pace and ingenuity like Fryatt and Dyer and some clever brains in the middle of the park in Wellens. We have honest triers like Montgomery, Morgan and Quinn who are the sort of players that may stop us being in a relegation battle due to endeavours and efforts but just lack real football quality. Without this abillity/quality in the rest of the team this will also stop us being anywhere near the top. Last year with Naughton, Beattie, Halford etc we could get away with the above sort of player but this year other than the odd flurry from Ward or Camara we lack genuine quality all over the team. We look in short; a team of honest, triers who are just not that good a footballers and lack skill, pace and flair.

Our extremely negative tactics from the off cost us for me though despite the aformentioned complaints. We should have started with Camara or Evans or both. Sure we have been successful playing 4-5-1 but this was a game that with a win we would have got back in the top 6. We see Leicester play a really inexperienced backline so we go with one striker who is not really a striker (Cresswell has admitted this himself) and generally looked cluless when we entered the last third until Camara came on.

Up to their first goal though we had looked fairly untroubled but Bunn's erro and the lack of challenge on the scorer (Cresswell I think) saw the ball in our net. They had more chances after this and the challenge by Montgomery was stupid on Wellens. Leicester could have had more goals after this and Bunn made some good saves and they hit the bar.

Camara came on and of course changed the game although it was odd that

whilst Taylor had been poor, Walker was made to carry on even though clearly injured, a la Kilgallon at Barnsley. Walker than went off not long after effectively wasting a sub.

Yes, Camara made an impact but this also shows he should have been on at the start. Morgan had a great chance too level and Camara had a few other efforts too but they had even more chances than us and after we scored they actually had the better of the game and more of the play with only a nervy last 5 minutes from them but we did not really trouble them.

Blackwell basically made a mistake with the team selection and formation as the first half scoreline and performance showed and his subsequent changing to 4-4-2 when we were 2-0 down. Whilst he made chances at the break it was too late as we were then chasing the game. For once it would be good if we showed some positivity and tried to attack teams with sharp, passing football. Unfortunately we do not have the manager allied to poor players to be able to do this. Middle of the road manager and players will equal a middle of the road season. Am I being too negative? Maybe but it was shared by others watchign with me who just kept groaning every time we tossed the football away again.

What is even more worrying is our best two players by a country mile wont even be at the club next season or even in a few weeks, Kilgallon certain to go and there is a chance Spurs will recall Walker (have 2 centre backs injured) in January.

Maybe I am being too negative but that performance in terms of a football performance other than brief cameos from Ward (coupel of good runs), Harper (couple of good balls), Camara and a great performance from Kilgallon I felt was desperately poor.

Bunn 6.5/10 - A strange game as his error put us behind but then he kept us in the game too. Made some excellent saves and some standard ones. Had way too much to do. However, badly at fault for 1st goal and missed or did not claim quite a few other crosses.

Walker 6.5/10 - Did alright considering Howard had crocked him early on and should have been booked (did 4 or 5 other fouls after this too) but maybe should have gone off instead of hobbling around. Dyer stopped him getting forward.

Taylor 5/10 - Felt he was poor again and out of position a lot. His careless touch and lack of awareness saw Leicester have a few chances from down the right. He was one of 4 or 5 who could have been taken off at half time.

Morgan 4/10 - Thought he looked an ordinary centre back today. Made to look a mug by Fryatt most of the game who was too wily and skilful. Even in the aerial stuff against Howard he struggled today.

Kilgallon 8/10 - Class act. Read game well. Made 2 or 3 blocks and without him it could have been much worse. One shining light at the back and be sorely missed when he does go in a few weeks.

Montgomery 3/10 - Really poor tonight. Felt his touch and passing was worse then ever if that is possible. He ran around a lot and covered ground but generally was ineffectual. His stupid tackle effectively sealed the game too.

Quinn 4/10 - As poor as he has been much of the season (alebir had brief rally in last few weeks). Got rid of ball as soon as he had it, did not want o use right foot and generally looked poor with most of rest of team.

Harper 6.5/10 - Defensively he was very poor and so slow to track his runner. At times he was not in the game and lost his man; King countless times who had numerous efforts on goal. However, going forward particularly second half he put out 4 or 5 super balls to feet and showed technically he is quite good. I am not sure his decent passing at times can cover for his defensive liabilities especially with Montgomery and Quinn so poor around him. Maybe with Williamson he would be better as evidenced against Palace.

Stewart 3/10 - Really poor player. Had a great first 2 minutes and then an appalling 88! He is bad at left wing, right wing and left back! I am not sure where his worst posiiton is! I can see why teams have signed him as he is fast, athletic and not bad in the air but when he actually goes near the ball. Oh dear. Can only think we had to sign him to get Hendrie's wages off our books as it is a a really poor signing. Mind you with Reid, France, Evans, Little; he had got plenty of company in that department.

Ward 6.5/10 - Did some good things and looked our main creative threat for much of the game. Got in 2 or 3 good crosses and attacked his man second half but often drifted out of the game and did not get much service.

Creswell 5/10 - Never in the game at all. Do not think he is a centre forward and it is a bizarre signing for me with his age. I do not rate Evans but think he would do no worse and may actually improve with a run of games. Evans could get better. Cresswell is the wrong side of 30+ and the signing of this honest but lacking in any kind of quality; journeyman sums up Blackwell really.

Subs -

Camara 7.5/10 - Excellent even if the fact he just looked a threat. Sure he was selfish and sure he never got his head up but he scored and had other decent efforts on goal. Must start as he worries defenders. He may be frustrating at times but if you were a defender and you saw his name on the teamsheet or Cresswell's; who do you think they will be more worried to play against?

Geary 5/10 - Really does not look anywhere near match fit and struggled badly against Dyer. Always looked at full stretch to me. Done tremendously well to come back and even play again but do not see a future from him at United with his contract up in the summer and his inabillity to probably play a series of full games.

Evans - Not in the game that much when he came on. Had one weak shot and then moaned when the ball was not played to his feet just after he had miscontrolled the ball twice.

[Guest Bilo]

Marbella Dave has a twin. And he's a Blade.

[Edmund]

Marbella Dave has a twin. And he's a Blade.

Every football board has their own Thracian/marbella Dave

[Guest Bilo]

Every football board has their own Thracian/marbella Dave

Their assessment of us is fairly accurate I will admit though. Solid with some quality players who can play the ball well but they're a bit harsh on their own lot, I felt less secure in the knowledge that they wouldn't find an equaliser than Marbella Blade did.

[Guest Mee-9]

Yeah , screaming abuse at ball boys also , absolute willy puller

Yeah i saw that. Personally, I would of booted the ball into the kop.

[DanTheFox07]

Delighted with last night's performance, everyone in the team did their job very well, or as well as could be hoped for in difficult circumstances (the back line).

We do seem to be running out of defenders, so hopefully the rumours about Kerrea Gilbert in the January window turn out to be true. In fact, since the January sales always start on Boxing Day, couldn't we have him now? Luke O'Neill did his best, but he got pulled out of position a lot, and the step up in pace from his more usual appearances in the Academy / reserves was clearly (and understandably) a bit of a shock for him.

Dyer was, as everyone has said, immense. Fast and dangerous. Clearly no Christmas hangover there. Howard also - fewer offsides than usual, and some great lay-offs to Fryatt which could easily have led to goals if not for good goalkeeping from Mark Bunn, who I am rapidly coming to hate. Why should someone who did a good brief job for us last year behave like a complete tool in games against us? I just don't get it. The fist pumping directed at the City fans behind his goal when United equalised in the away tie early in the season was bad enough, but last night, in front of the kop in the second half he had a right go at both one of our ballboys and then later one of the stewards for not returning the ball quickly enough for his liking when he was to take goal kicks. willy puller!

United improved in the second half (they couldn't really have done anything else) and our shuffle at the back obviously left us rather exposed. They hammered the right flank for the 44 minutes following their goal, which was inevitable, but unnerving. But we stood strong, and, for the first time this season, I completely disagree with something Steve Claridge said on the FL show last night: no way did United deserve anything from a game they could have been four down in by half time.

Got A lot of respect for claridge for what he did at city, but met the guy and have to say he is a willy puller to put it bluntly ! god only know`s how he is a pundit I can`t stand the bloke and never really has anything good to say about us, even savage said a few weeks ago that he thought derby should have beaten us. Who cares they will have to sit up and take notice soon or later because we are in the play-offs to stay at least.

[marbelladave]

Their assessment of us is fairly accurate I will admit though. Solid with some quality players who can play the ball well but they're a bit harsh on their own lot, I felt less secure in the knowledge that they wouldn't find an equaliser than Marbella Blade did.

Que?

marbellablade...... :cool:

Been away at the family home in the country, no internet, no Sky, not even digital tv/radio. Dark ages really!

So for once I am completely unable to comment on the game, some of you will be very pleased about that no doubt.

Pleased as hell with the result and very pleased with the praise for Morrison, I've been advocating him replacing Brown for a while and pleased it went well.

Otherwise remarkably little to say other than getting home about an hour ago and finding my name taken in vain is a little disturbing....

[Guest Mee-9]

Got A lot of respect for claridge for what he did at city, but met the guy and have to say he is a willy puller to put it bluntly ! god only know`s how he is a pundit I can`t stand the bloke and never really has anything good to say about us, even savage said a few weeks ago that he thought derby should have beaten us. Who cares they will have to sit up and take notice soon or later because we are in the play-offs to stay at least.

To be honest mate, I'd rather be sneeking up the table, with as minimum fuss as possible.

In regards to Fryatts penalty, I thought the ref was obliged to give it, as he missed a stonewall handball about 10 mins before

[Guest Bilo]

Que?

marbellablade...... :cool:

Been away at the family home in the country, no internet, no Sky, not even digital tv/radio. Dark ages really!

So for once I am completely unable to comment on the game, some of you will be very pleased about that no doubt.

Pleased as hell with the result and very pleased with the praise for Morrison, I've been advocating him replacing Brown for a while and pleased it went well.

Otherwise remarkably little to say other than getting home about an hour ago and finding my name taken in vain is a little disturbing....

It's all in good spirit honest.

[Guest Mee-9]

That ballboy Bunn was gobbing off to should of smashed the ball into the kop.

[davieG]

That ballboy Bunn was gobbing off to should of smashed the ball into the kop.

What for - to then get banned.

[lcfc_jme]

Very disappointed with us first 10, we just weren't at the races, but settled superbly well and they looked unable to cope with us. Going in just 2-0 up at half-time was probably slightly harsh on us, and I did say that I wasn't feeling comfortable with it.

Still, first 10 after half time you expect it to be kept tight and to consolidate on your position. Such a poor and sloppy goal to concede, especially 63 seconds into the 2nd half.

Thought we could and probably should have added a further goal or two, disappointed with our lack of a clinical edge; on the flipside though, it was good to see us playing fluent, attacking football and creating space and chances with relative ease. Was very nervous when they delivered crosses 'cos I know they're a good aerial side and we looked extremely shaky with high balls - Weale for once did not help that.

Deserved the win overall, good battling performance, hopefully a welcome confidence boost going into our first away game since that one early December.

[Guest Mee-9]

What for - to then get banned.

Would of been a laugh. I was joking anyway, so yeahh.

[Bluefoxtim]

Well most of the stick for Bunn was probably from those who were at the away fixture earlier in the season.

We all gave him a cheer and a clap to acknowledge his help during our promotion, but for no reason when they scored he turned round and started rubbing our noses in it. Cvnt.

[C.J]

Mark who? , forgive me but we did have 76195769 other keepers last year

I was dissapointed with the lack of morgan booing

My final point, I was quite impressed with the 'are you wednesday in disguise' chant, pretty creative that by our fans. Must of been the first new chat ive heard by us since, oohhhhh 1998?

O, who did sky give the motm to?

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Thoroughly enjoyed the game, but was very concerned with McGivern at central defence but in the end he was ok.

Dyer was good, despite not even touching the ball in the first ten mins! Everyone had a good game including Neilson.

[Shrenchel]

Mark who? , forgive me but we did have 76195769 other keepers last year

I was dissapointed with the lack of morgan booing

My final point, I was quite impressed with the 'are you wednesday in disguise' chant, pretty creative that by our fans. Must of been the first new chat ive heard by us since, oohhhhh 1998?

O, who did sky give the motm to?

Yeah, Morgan got off disappointingly lightly compared to shit he got at Bramall Lane. Think most people just didn't know who he was, the woman in front looked at me like I'd just slyly slipped it in her when I called him a ****. Then again, I think a lot of the crisp bowl crowd havent got the will to give anyone a real bit of abuse. Mattock's 'heated reception' was as weak as a nun's piss. Rose West would probably get a nice polite round of applause if she did a lap of the pitch before kick-off.

Thoroughly enjoyed the game, but was very concerned with McGivern at central defence but in the end he was ok.

Dyer was good, despite not even touching the ball in the first ten mins! Everyone had a good game including Neilson.

Yeah I thought Neilson was spot on.

[lou]

Yeah, Morgan got off disappointingly lightly compared to shit he got at Bramall Lane. Think most people just didn't know who he was, the woman in front looked at me like I'd just slyly slipped it in her when I called him a ****. Then again, I think a lot of the crisp bowl crowd havent got the will to give anyone a real bit of abuse. Mattock's 'heated reception' was as weak as a nun's piss. Rose West would probably get a nice polite round of applause if she did a lap of the pitch before kick-off.

Yeah I thought Neilson was spot on.

I truely wish I sat next to you at the WS!

[Koke]

At one point McGivern nearly gave me a heart attack when he turned inside our own box. But for once he actually looked like a competent defender when he was moved to centre back. At left back he was often in sixes and sevens and was a complete liability.

Considering we have run out of defenders, we may see the same centre back pair at Doncaster tomorrow.

[Scow]

Considering the defensive changes we had to make, I thought we did terrifically well to see the game through - even more impressive given the early goal conceded in the second half. I did fear the worst at that point, but we responded in positive fashion and looked more likely to add a third than conceding another.

A special mention for Oakley, who I felt played excellently yesterday; a definite improvement and probably one of his best performances of the season. He was very much involved in the game and played a big part both offensively and defensively. The rest of the midfield was excellent. The prompting of Wellens, the defensive contribution of King, and the pace of Dyer was key to our victory.

Morrison was superb too - led the defence with authority and this seemed to rub off on McGivern and Neilson. It's harsh to criticise O'Neill owing to his last minute inclusion, and being played out of position against a tough Championship side, but he was exposed on a number of occasions and I'm relieved Sheffield United couldn't take advantage of it.

Howard was integral to our play again. Dominated in the air and linked up the play well. A lot of supporters don't like him for one reason or another, whether it'll be his lack of pace, mobility or flair. However, as Daggers has mentioned, his game isn't about those things; he's the focal point of our attacking play and allows Fryatt and supporting players to feed off him in order to get into promising attacking positions.

[davieG]

Considering the defensive changes we had to make, I thought we did terrifically well to see the game through - even more impressive given the early goal conceded in the second half. I did fear the worst at that point, but we responded in positive fashion and looked more likely to add a third than conceding another.

A special mention for Oakley, who I felt played excellently yesterday; a definite improvement and probably one of his best performances of the season. He was very much involved in the game and played a big part both offensively and defensively. The rest of the midfield was excellent. The prompting of Wellens, the defensive contribution of King, and the pace of Dyer was key to our victory.

Morrison was superb too - led the defence with authority and this seemed to rub off on McGivern and Neilson. It's harsh to criticise O'Neill owing to his last minute inclusion, and being played out of position against a tough Championship side, but he was exposed on a number of occasions and I'm relieved Sheffield United couldn't take advantage of it.

Howard was integral to our play again. Dominated in the air and linked up the play well. A lot of supporters don't like him for one reason or another, whether it'll be his lack of pace, mobility or flair. However, as Daggers has mentioned, his game isn't about those things; he's the focal point of our attacking play and allows Fryatt and supporting players to feed off him in order to get into promising attacking positions.

Having watched the game live and on the TV I thought from a 'live' perspective particularly in the 2nd half viewing from C block Howard had a pretty decent game. However I can see why those who watched it on TV, mostly I guess from an East Stand perspective thought differently. I got a completely different impression of his contribution from the TV.

Howard that is.

[Radovan's Caravan]

Fryatt - Ave il magnifico!

The fates are with 'e Leicester!

And a special message to the half time soprano - your exquisite rendition of 'Oh Holy Night' almost turned me Christian (shame it's a load of old rot!)

Lovely to see the Walkers on the internet after all these years...

And this one made me a card carrying member of the God Squad:

I always had your Charlotte down as an overhyped commercial mezzo till I heard this. Unusually expressive delivery (the quivering lower jaw when she's in the upper register) Those of you who are not tone deaf might become addicted to this.

Nothing to do of course with that orgasmic sensation when she climaxes on the top G (spot)!