Deadbat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2009
- Messages
- 5,915
- Reaction score
- 31,106
After saying how much I cannot stand preseason games; I somehow ended up going to the Lane tonight. Lad was banging on about going and wanted new shirt so it was not a cheap night.
As for the game itself, it was odd being back on the Kop. The pitch has been narrowed considerably. It is maybe 5 or 6 yards narrower in width. The playing surface looked immaculate, maybe a bit long and they were watering it constantly but sure will be trimmed down before season proper started
Derby brought a strong side. Carson was in goal. They had Keogh/Shackell at back with Christie/Olsson as full backs. Hughes, Butterfield and Johnson in midfield and Ince, Blackman and Martin were up top. It shows the strength they had though as they had played at Chesterfield the night before so a few did not play such as Darren Bent, Johnny Russell, Hendrick, Bryson, Baird, Weimann, Pearce. All would walk in our side. They really do have a big squad and now have a good manager in Pearson who will fancy his chances of taking them up albeit with some strong sides /clubs down there such as Newcastle and Villa etc.
They also brought a good following over a 1,053 in a 6,153 crowd.
As for United they played a side that seemed to have a formation with Sharp up top, McNulty wide left but often switching with Done as they both came back just behind Sharp trying to counteract a 3 in midfield Derby had. Duffy was wide right and then Fleck and Basham in the centre. The new lads at the back saw O'Connell left of Wilson on the right and Hussey and Brayford full backs with Long in goal.
There were subs aplenty with a number coming on towards the end of the game including transfer listed Coutts, Wallace etc (no sign of Woolford - Freeman was on bench but did not come on). Calvert Lewin did not play tonight at all. Clarke was a sub and came on and a real handful, putting himself about. Adams came on and dived for a free kick but did little - it seems from Wilder's words he may be on his way. I feel now Clarke is here, things may move on quicker now and be surprised if he is here by the start of the season. Reed and Scougall came on and we ended up with a tiny midfield.
Match report:
As for the game like many friendlies it was a bit of a nothing game. There were not many chances really. Derby had most of them and controlled large periods and deserved to win. United for me did well in patches but mostly I did not feel we were that convincing. I saw bits and pieces of the pressing game we expect to see but then at times we sat off albeit more skilled players.
They had a few early chances but ball was blocked a couple of times. Sharp and McNulty tried to link up and both had half chances but neither got efforts away. Duffy was looking lively and Fleck put in a few tackles too and had a shot wide. Martin fed Blackman who nearly got past Wilson but there were not many clear chances. Hussey made a good block when Ince seemed well placed and the Blackman blocked his own player's shot. Derby had men over on another attack but played a poor final ball.
However, Derby got ahead when a cross from the right hit a United player. It maybe did catch them on the arm but was struck very hard. It seemed very harsh. The hand was by the side and it seemed like Mr Deadman just wanted to inject some life into the game! Blackman took it and stuttered as he always did at SUFC and sent Long the wrong way. Soon after Ince I think tried to lob Long as they beat the offside trap but the keeper clawed away.
Second half saw United fashion a chance when Hussey crossed and Sharp poked towards McNulty via Derby player's hand (seemed more of a handball than the one in the first half) and McNulty hit it well over. He should have done better. Clarke came on for the Scottish striker and clattered a Derby man straight away! The game petered out a bit with so many changes and a lot of Derby players going to the floor. Some seemed genuine, some seemed a little theatrical. Derby had a long range effort Long pushed away just before full time as the ref decided not to play any stoppage time!
Overall - It was a decent work out against a side that will be near the top of the Championship. Derby seemed physically much bigger all over the side and outside of the defence we look lightweight and still lack pace. Pace and power at the higher level was shown tonight where Derby moved ball quicker and often brushed off United's players. I liked some things from United but sadly still a lot to work on. We did not create much and I felt looked a bit ponderous in possession taking too long to move it on. I felt we had a few players (Done and McNulty) in odd positions and a few of the new lads I need to see more of. I still feel we lack some presence in the midfield and maybe at the back too but liked look of O'Connell. Clarke will give us some physicality up top. I think United will have to improve in a lot of areas but it will take time. I did not see much difference from the side from last year to this year in one game as we lacked the pace, aggression and final ball threat but we did press a bit more and had more mobility at the back. Guess it is a case of wait and see. You cannot glean too much from a friendly really.
No ratings but more thoughts.....
Long - Made one good save, caught one cross, punched one for no reason. His kicking was awful. He kicked 2 or 3 straight out under no pressure.
Brayford - Bombed up and down and looked more like the old Brayford. Really got forward. His crossing though was dreadful. He did not get one over either hitting first man or overplaying.
Hussey - Good left foot. Put some decent crosses in. Defensively not sure, he gave winger too much room. Need to see more of him.
O'Connell - Liked him. Big, strong and committed. Not quickest but he likes a tackle and a decent size.
Wilson - Not as big as above. His distribution was not great. Got turned twice. Not sure. Still think we need another centre back.
Fleck - Combative. Likes to get stuck on and quite mobile. He began game well but faded second half. Had a few long range shots.
Basham - Anonymous sadly. Not sure he is good enough really. His touch and passing was poor. He gets beat for pace and for his size is quite soft really. A player and position we need to upgrade on.
Duffy - Not his best game but he still looked main threat. He tried to take his man on and showed some trickery. Final ball lacking but was busy.
McNulty - Flitted between centre forward, just behind Sharp and left side. Began well but then he blazed over. Tried to link with others. Felt at times he looked a bit languid which is poor when there is competition for places. He is carrying too much weight.
Done - Ran around a lot but not much end product. Ended up wide left and did usual of chasing players down but when on the ball did not really offer much.
Sharp - Busy early on but against two centre backs only had scraps. He linked well a few times but got crowded out.
Subs :
Wallace - Came on and got down left well but also got caught out once defensively.
Clarke - Put himself about. Got cheers (did not hear boos) when he came on. Gave us that physical threat that we need. Loved way he put centre backs on their back side. Three years seems too long but if we did get up I am sure he would move on (again!). He will be an improvement on Sammon I am sure.
Adams - Did not do much but had a few runs with the ball. He dived again and ref did not fall for it. I think he may move on but unsure he will be near a starter even at Championship level.
Scougall - Ran around a lot but again not much end product.
Coutts and Reed - Came on right near the end.
As for the game itself, it was odd being back on the Kop. The pitch has been narrowed considerably. It is maybe 5 or 6 yards narrower in width. The playing surface looked immaculate, maybe a bit long and they were watering it constantly but sure will be trimmed down before season proper started
Derby brought a strong side. Carson was in goal. They had Keogh/Shackell at back with Christie/Olsson as full backs. Hughes, Butterfield and Johnson in midfield and Ince, Blackman and Martin were up top. It shows the strength they had though as they had played at Chesterfield the night before so a few did not play such as Darren Bent, Johnny Russell, Hendrick, Bryson, Baird, Weimann, Pearce. All would walk in our side. They really do have a big squad and now have a good manager in Pearson who will fancy his chances of taking them up albeit with some strong sides /clubs down there such as Newcastle and Villa etc.
They also brought a good following over a 1,053 in a 6,153 crowd.
As for United they played a side that seemed to have a formation with Sharp up top, McNulty wide left but often switching with Done as they both came back just behind Sharp trying to counteract a 3 in midfield Derby had. Duffy was wide right and then Fleck and Basham in the centre. The new lads at the back saw O'Connell left of Wilson on the right and Hussey and Brayford full backs with Long in goal.
There were subs aplenty with a number coming on towards the end of the game including transfer listed Coutts, Wallace etc (no sign of Woolford - Freeman was on bench but did not come on). Calvert Lewin did not play tonight at all. Clarke was a sub and came on and a real handful, putting himself about. Adams came on and dived for a free kick but did little - it seems from Wilder's words he may be on his way. I feel now Clarke is here, things may move on quicker now and be surprised if he is here by the start of the season. Reed and Scougall came on and we ended up with a tiny midfield.
Match report:
As for the game like many friendlies it was a bit of a nothing game. There were not many chances really. Derby had most of them and controlled large periods and deserved to win. United for me did well in patches but mostly I did not feel we were that convincing. I saw bits and pieces of the pressing game we expect to see but then at times we sat off albeit more skilled players.
They had a few early chances but ball was blocked a couple of times. Sharp and McNulty tried to link up and both had half chances but neither got efforts away. Duffy was looking lively and Fleck put in a few tackles too and had a shot wide. Martin fed Blackman who nearly got past Wilson but there were not many clear chances. Hussey made a good block when Ince seemed well placed and the Blackman blocked his own player's shot. Derby had men over on another attack but played a poor final ball.
However, Derby got ahead when a cross from the right hit a United player. It maybe did catch them on the arm but was struck very hard. It seemed very harsh. The hand was by the side and it seemed like Mr Deadman just wanted to inject some life into the game! Blackman took it and stuttered as he always did at SUFC and sent Long the wrong way. Soon after Ince I think tried to lob Long as they beat the offside trap but the keeper clawed away.
Second half saw United fashion a chance when Hussey crossed and Sharp poked towards McNulty via Derby player's hand (seemed more of a handball than the one in the first half) and McNulty hit it well over. He should have done better. Clarke came on for the Scottish striker and clattered a Derby man straight away! The game petered out a bit with so many changes and a lot of Derby players going to the floor. Some seemed genuine, some seemed a little theatrical. Derby had a long range effort Long pushed away just before full time as the ref decided not to play any stoppage time!
Overall - It was a decent work out against a side that will be near the top of the Championship. Derby seemed physically much bigger all over the side and outside of the defence we look lightweight and still lack pace. Pace and power at the higher level was shown tonight where Derby moved ball quicker and often brushed off United's players. I liked some things from United but sadly still a lot to work on. We did not create much and I felt looked a bit ponderous in possession taking too long to move it on. I felt we had a few players (Done and McNulty) in odd positions and a few of the new lads I need to see more of. I still feel we lack some presence in the midfield and maybe at the back too but liked look of O'Connell. Clarke will give us some physicality up top. I think United will have to improve in a lot of areas but it will take time. I did not see much difference from the side from last year to this year in one game as we lacked the pace, aggression and final ball threat but we did press a bit more and had more mobility at the back. Guess it is a case of wait and see. You cannot glean too much from a friendly really.
No ratings but more thoughts.....
Long - Made one good save, caught one cross, punched one for no reason. His kicking was awful. He kicked 2 or 3 straight out under no pressure.
Brayford - Bombed up and down and looked more like the old Brayford. Really got forward. His crossing though was dreadful. He did not get one over either hitting first man or overplaying.
Hussey - Good left foot. Put some decent crosses in. Defensively not sure, he gave winger too much room. Need to see more of him.
O'Connell - Liked him. Big, strong and committed. Not quickest but he likes a tackle and a decent size.
Wilson - Not as big as above. His distribution was not great. Got turned twice. Not sure. Still think we need another centre back.
Fleck - Combative. Likes to get stuck on and quite mobile. He began game well but faded second half. Had a few long range shots.
Basham - Anonymous sadly. Not sure he is good enough really. His touch and passing was poor. He gets beat for pace and for his size is quite soft really. A player and position we need to upgrade on.
Duffy - Not his best game but he still looked main threat. He tried to take his man on and showed some trickery. Final ball lacking but was busy.
McNulty - Flitted between centre forward, just behind Sharp and left side. Began well but then he blazed over. Tried to link with others. Felt at times he looked a bit languid which is poor when there is competition for places. He is carrying too much weight.
Done - Ran around a lot but not much end product. Ended up wide left and did usual of chasing players down but when on the ball did not really offer much.
Sharp - Busy early on but against two centre backs only had scraps. He linked well a few times but got crowded out.
Subs :
Wallace - Came on and got down left well but also got caught out once defensively.
Clarke - Put himself about. Got cheers (did not hear boos) when he came on. Gave us that physical threat that we need. Loved way he put centre backs on their back side. Three years seems too long but if we did get up I am sure he would move on (again!). He will be an improvement on Sammon I am sure.
Adams - Did not do much but had a few runs with the ball. He dived again and ref did not fall for it. I think he may move on but unsure he will be near a starter even at Championship level.
Scougall - Ran around a lot but again not much end product.
Coutts and Reed - Came on right near the end.
