Deadbat
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Don't normally do friendlies but chance to meet a good work pal who is a 'Town' fan meant me and the lad went down the road.
A lovely hour or so in the Neptune Beer Emporium pre game with my mate and his Chezzy fans (a lovely, friendly bunch) and the game was sandwiched with similiar in the Batch House - opposite the game which is a bit of a mini cutlery works in Kelham Island (did see a pathetic fight outside here which is odd as Chezzy and Blades generally seem to get on!). Had some lovely real ales with a few Thornbridge. Got me back in the routine for the real thing...
As for the game, Blades had two sides of the ground and took 4,500 there or thereabouts and the game was actually delayed due to people coming in late and was a sell out for all fans.
The weather was not great both before, during and after and wildly fluctuated from warm sunshine to wind and rain and thunder. The game saw two or three periods of the latter which did not help things but the National League side opted not to put their lights on!
United fielded a much stronger team in the 2nd half than 1st half with only maybe Wes, Norwood and Egan being starter type players (maybe Lowe at a push with RND nowhere to be seen - Brewster too not ready). 2nd half we had Anel, Robinson, Berge, McBurnie and Ndiaye so almost half a team out that may start v Palace.7
The result mattered little really and we have seen last year and seasons past we have lost friendlies and gone on and done well so not sure it matters. Many of our players were only back this week (certainly the internationals) where as Chesterfield have already played 3 games - including against our city rivas - we were infinitely better according to the Chezzy lot btw.
First half was quite even and Chezzy started better and exploited our inexperienced right side but only really had one cross shot flash across the box. Bash had to cover a lot of Seriki and Brooks and the new lad Francis was ok without looking amazing. The midfield Norwood and Fleck looked way off the pace and Marsh was not really in it. His partner Osula than had three really good chances but hit the keeper with two and then put one wide. He did well in the build up to two to set up the chance and has pace and can run down the channels but his finishing/composure needs a lot of work. We looked sloppy first half but still had chances to lead.
Second half we changed the entire team (they only made a few changes I think and made a lot of theirs on the hour - 65 mark) and instantly improved with the tempo and control of the ball. Berge got on it, Neal was competent and Osborn got in good positons down the left. Chesterfield seemed unable to known whether to come out or stay in in terms of the offside trap and we had threatened to get in before we did and Ndiaye showed lovely composure to sit the keeper down and roll in. He got a great reception from the United fans from the minute he warmed up to when he came on and then scored. McBurnie in a slow game that maybe suited him but showed his technical ability and he and Ndiaye linked really well. Berge also probed well and this led to the second with McBurnie getting through and beating the offside trap and unselfishly rolled in Osborn to score. After his McBurnie missed 2 or 3 good chances - having a header saved, the keeper saving another and then a weak shot but he did look a threat. Sachdev had a chance but blazed across and we could have had more. Chesterfield had a few half chances last 10 minutes but one shot drifted wide and Davies made one save with his legs.
Overall we eased to a win and was of course more about fitness than necessasrily patterns or tactics. We had a number of youngsters playing that probably will not be close the first team squad and may even go on loan but had a smattering of experience and it showed at times. 2nd half we upped it and the control, poise, passing and decision making showed the leagues apart. Chesterfield had a go but struggled to hold up the movement and pace after the break.
The new kit looked nicer in person than the pictures - the red is really bright but looks very close to the 98 kit with Wards on it. It looked good and even the white keeper kit looked better in person.
Overall, a nice warm up for the team (and fans!) and an enjoyable day despite the changeable weather.
Not doing ratings as not really a game to slate/praise but the experienced senior lads did what they had to where as the youngsters maybe did not quite impress as much as they would have liked (Neal, trialist were ok) and we improved down both full back areas 2nd half too.
Think I am away for Rotherham but hopefully will see Stuttgart at the Lane.
A lovely hour or so in the Neptune Beer Emporium pre game with my mate and his Chezzy fans (a lovely, friendly bunch) and the game was sandwiched with similiar in the Batch House - opposite the game which is a bit of a mini cutlery works in Kelham Island (did see a pathetic fight outside here which is odd as Chezzy and Blades generally seem to get on!). Had some lovely real ales with a few Thornbridge. Got me back in the routine for the real thing...
As for the game, Blades had two sides of the ground and took 4,500 there or thereabouts and the game was actually delayed due to people coming in late and was a sell out for all fans.
The weather was not great both before, during and after and wildly fluctuated from warm sunshine to wind and rain and thunder. The game saw two or three periods of the latter which did not help things but the National League side opted not to put their lights on!
United fielded a much stronger team in the 2nd half than 1st half with only maybe Wes, Norwood and Egan being starter type players (maybe Lowe at a push with RND nowhere to be seen - Brewster too not ready). 2nd half we had Anel, Robinson, Berge, McBurnie and Ndiaye so almost half a team out that may start v Palace.7
The result mattered little really and we have seen last year and seasons past we have lost friendlies and gone on and done well so not sure it matters. Many of our players were only back this week (certainly the internationals) where as Chesterfield have already played 3 games - including against our city rivas - we were infinitely better according to the Chezzy lot btw.
First half was quite even and Chezzy started better and exploited our inexperienced right side but only really had one cross shot flash across the box. Bash had to cover a lot of Seriki and Brooks and the new lad Francis was ok without looking amazing. The midfield Norwood and Fleck looked way off the pace and Marsh was not really in it. His partner Osula than had three really good chances but hit the keeper with two and then put one wide. He did well in the build up to two to set up the chance and has pace and can run down the channels but his finishing/composure needs a lot of work. We looked sloppy first half but still had chances to lead.
Second half we changed the entire team (they only made a few changes I think and made a lot of theirs on the hour - 65 mark) and instantly improved with the tempo and control of the ball. Berge got on it, Neal was competent and Osborn got in good positons down the left. Chesterfield seemed unable to known whether to come out or stay in in terms of the offside trap and we had threatened to get in before we did and Ndiaye showed lovely composure to sit the keeper down and roll in. He got a great reception from the United fans from the minute he warmed up to when he came on and then scored. McBurnie in a slow game that maybe suited him but showed his technical ability and he and Ndiaye linked really well. Berge also probed well and this led to the second with McBurnie getting through and beating the offside trap and unselfishly rolled in Osborn to score. After his McBurnie missed 2 or 3 good chances - having a header saved, the keeper saving another and then a weak shot but he did look a threat. Sachdev had a chance but blazed across and we could have had more. Chesterfield had a few half chances last 10 minutes but one shot drifted wide and Davies made one save with his legs.
Overall we eased to a win and was of course more about fitness than necessasrily patterns or tactics. We had a number of youngsters playing that probably will not be close the first team squad and may even go on loan but had a smattering of experience and it showed at times. 2nd half we upped it and the control, poise, passing and decision making showed the leagues apart. Chesterfield had a go but struggled to hold up the movement and pace after the break.
The new kit looked nicer in person than the pictures - the red is really bright but looks very close to the 98 kit with Wards on it. It looked good and even the white keeper kit looked better in person.
Overall, a nice warm up for the team (and fans!) and an enjoyable day despite the changeable weather.
Not doing ratings as not really a game to slate/praise but the experienced senior lads did what they had to where as the youngsters maybe did not quite impress as much as they would have liked (Neal, trialist were ok) and we improved down both full back areas 2nd half too.
Think I am away for Rotherham but hopefully will see Stuttgart at the Lane.
