Deadbat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2009
- Messages
- 5,932
- Reaction score
- 31,258
Sorry for delay....went for a few beers and a curry last night after the game. Needed it after that rubbish. Here goes anyway...........
----
After a week that saw many Blades fans frustrated and disgruntled at the lack of transfer activity for a side seemingly a long way from automatic promotion; the home side once again disappointed in a defeat to Wigan Athletic. The game was a cagey affair for much of the first half with both sides only creating half chances but after the break the visitors upped the tempo and played considerably higher up the pitch. This improvement saw them win a penalty after a daft challenge from Chris Basham and Will Grigg converted. Loanee Connor McAleny then scored from the edge of the box after neat build up. After this the game was effectively over and Athletic could have made it even more comfortable as another stupid challenge gave them another penalty but this time Long was able to save.
By the final whistle many in the ground had left Bramall Lane; those that remained gave out loud and lusty boos to voice their disapproval. With none of the ‘owners/chairman’ in the ground and manager Adkins cutting a forlorn figure, the apathy around the club is clear. United are now almost certainly not going to get automatic promotion and even a playoff place seems unlikely with such poor form and the side slipping down to tenth in the table.
Despite the talk of some boycotting the game and the ill mood displayed on social media in the week; the Lane still had over 20,000+ inside it once again helped by a healthy Wigan following. In weather reminiscent of that witnessed when the two sides last met when David Unsworth consigned the Blades to relegation; the rain lashed down on a surprisingly excellent surface. Still whilst the new pitch has done its job; the collection of players who had failed to deliver much of the season were entrusted with the job of trying to get the vital three points.
Basham came back into the side and Adkins had Campbell Ryce, Done and Adams as attacking options off the bench. The game began scrappily and few real moments of quality. United had a half chance when Sharp shot wide after Baxter and Coutts had worked an opening. Baxter then tried a cheeky chip that drifted just wide. These two moments were the only real notes of activity for United as an attacking force but Wigan created little the other way.
Wildschut did have a good chance but spooned over before Power shot wide after good work from Grigg but the game lacked quality and was mired in midfield with the rain lashing down.
The second half saw Sammon replaced at the break by Adams with Baxter going inside playing off Sharp and the latter had a good shot saved by Jaaskelainen as United finally had a shot at goal. Wigan also had their first shot at goal when Wildschut got in after a nice break but his powerful shot was tipped over by Long.
Wigan were playing with more purpose now and getting men forward. Wildschut raced forward and got away from two United players before Basham brought him down as he entered the box. The penalty kick was rightly awarded and GRIGG hammered it down the middle to give Athletic the lead.
Not long after it was 2-0. This time a sloppy throw saw Wildschut and Power moved it on and MCALENY took a touch before drilling a low and hard shot past Long. It had been a quick fire double and a disastrous spell for the home side.
United looked a dispirited bunch but they did have a chance when McEveley got in from a neat move and shot just wide on the overlap. However it should have been 3-0 when McCann was tripped again going nowhere; this time from Coutts but Grigg’s kick to Long’s left was well saved by the keeper.
Campbell Ryce and Done came on and the Jamaican winger had two good runs to bring some life to a poor home side. Other than an Adams shot wide and a scrambled effort when Sharp could not convert the verdict was never in doubt and drifted out to its inevitable conclusion as boos rained down on the home side as they left the field.
United – It was really poor again. First half neither side impressed and it was mired in midfield much of the game. WE had a few half chances but nothing clear with none of the midfield trying to get into the box, Sharp trying his best but Sammon a spectator. We limited them to many chances at the back though and at least the defence looked more solid. You wanted them to step up second half and up the tempo and get more men forward. Well when we did come out – Wigan been out ages warming up and zipping around – we laboured onto the pitch and looked cold from the start. The reality was it was Wigan that did that and we sat back and they scored two goals. Stupid penalty given away and then from our own throw managed to lose a second with nobody closing down the scorer. After this they nearly had a few more and we looked a sorry, beaten bunch.
One of the poorest (maybe the poorest) United sides I have ever seen. That is for ability, effort, heart and attitude. The latter two qualities should be a given but this side generally cannot be arsed. They don’t care. They may say they do but the reality is watching players run away from ours and them sometimes not even chase back says it all. We barely looked like scoring all game and there was nobody in the side galvanising them and trying to get them together or surge forward. When the goals went in it took an age for the ball to be respotted and the body language was of a side that looked like they wanted to be on the beach in the summer. That sounds ridiculous when we are only 5 points off the play offs but I have zero faith this side can go on a run and somehow get in the playoffs and then go up. They look a mid table side and many as individuals are playing out their final few months as an SUFC player. It has been a long time coming for many who are in affect stealing a wage and have been for some time.
Defensively we were better today but still gave away two goals (should have been 3) but the other way we were slow, lethargic and took way too long to decide what to do. Hammond and Basham offer nothing to the side at all. They are two big lumps who are not physical but not skilful. They are nothing players. The two lads at the side are not wingers but Baxter and Coutts as much as they may play odd decent ball are liabilities defensively and in terms of work rate and it is hardly like they do much the other way either to compensate. Collins and McEveley were two of our better players. I am being serious. Brayford has sunk to low standards of rest of them. We have three attacking outlets on the bench in Campbell Ryce, Adams and Done who may not be great but at least 2 of them have to play. They cannot do any worse than those playing. Today whilst game was even you felt there was an inevitability they would get one and once they did; we imploded soon after.
We were 2-0 down and on several attacks we did not have more than Sharp in the box. Nobody even wanted to try and score a goal or have a shot. Cries of ‘Attack, attack, attack!’ did not change anything and even though subs came on, the game just drifted to a comfortable away win.
We are not going to go up and I don’t think we have any chance of the playoff places. I think in a few weeks we will see that and just have to make sure we don’t get sucked into the other end of things – even I cannot see that happening. After this point where we are stuck, we need to not play any of the players going to be released or the loan players and play the likes of Wallace, Adams, Done, Brayford, Sharp, Coutts – ones that will be here next season probably and give some of younger players a chance like Calvert Lewin, even Reed (don’t think he will make it but he is under contract so may aswell give him a run) and Wright. At least crowd might get behind them.
There has been a lot of talk over the inactivity in the window. This to me is not about this window but years and years of gross mismanagement of the club at boardroom level. If this was any other business, the CEO, chairman, whatever they are called would have been dismissed a long time ago. Dreadful managerial appointments season after season, selling best players season after season, terrible planning with no clear strategy, an appalling scouting network and complete inability to even complete a routine signing of a player. They have failed miserably. They could not have done much worse if they tried.
Adkins is not blameless (as so many of the last managers weren’t). His tactics, organisation, shape, fitness and the overall performances he is overseeing have been mostly unacceptable. Whilst I was one of those who advocated the removal of Clough and the hiring of Adkins; it has not worked. Another move that has failed. Easy to say in hindsight and most fans thought it was a good appointment but it is another one the board has got wrong. The side now and the state of the club is worse than it was when Clough was here. The performances are worse and I never thought I would say it but Adkins is worse than Clough on the evidence so far. I say so far, as of course I think most will probably say that Adkins will remain and given the summer too rebuild and hope he can make better signings than the ones he has so far. However, he is under pressure sadly and whilst it would be inconceivable to think we may change our manager again; the reality is if he got off to a poor start after given resources to bring new players in (we do not even know if that will happen) then he too will be gone.
Yes, he has been left a lot of crap and yes he has been let down badly if he was promised signings and none have come on – I for one don’t believe for one minute that we did not sign anyone as there was no one better out there to improve the team. Even Adkins seems to be saying this less now. I think he identified targets and they decided not to sign anyone. They shut up shop. This is after saying for months that the next window was key and we needed to do business. So they are not only incompetent but they are liars. Phipps may come on the radio and ‘man up’ but I would have more respect if he said less and took more action. None of them are ever here, there is no evidence of what we are doing to try and get out of this division and his words are just empty rubbish I am afraid. Even he sounded a beaten man the other night. I do think him and the rest of the Saudi lot will move on soon. Just a gut feeling. I have said it for a few months but I get a feeling end of season will see them pull out. Then McCabe will have no choice but to put the club up for sale and I fear things may get worse before they get better.
The biggest thing I took from the game was the complete apathy. It was another defeat, another limp performance and another boring afternoon. However what stood out to me most was in years past when we have reached a low point (we might be at one of lowest we ever have been considering what it means in terms of staying in the division for 5 years) there has been protests (red card/black card/car park, shoes etc), chants, committees set up (BIFA) and calls for arms. This time there was nothing. Many slinked out of the ground long before the end and you could not blame them. I stayed to the end and there were loud boos but never heard a negative chant or anything aimed at the board (key people were not there of course). It was complete and utter apathy. Even the fans don’t seem to care anymore – don’t mean that in a critical way. We all care but I think even as a fan base we are beaten in terms of what we can do. Not sure match boycotts are something I would ever think as a good think even though it drums up publicity and might make board sit up to some degree. The traditional car park killing grounds for manager and some boards does have some effect but not sure that would serve anything when none of them seem to bother coming – thought it was gutless that none showed up today and sums it up. So what do we do? What can wo do? That is something that will be debated on forums but as the season seems to be petering out to nothing then the club is perhaps at its lowest ebb in my lifetime. We as fans seem too have no alternative but to keep turning up and in short watching rubbish every week – although of course many at the end of the season may make a different choice.
Wigan – Perfect away performance. Restricted us to maybe one or two shots on target all game of note and were never really threatened much. Other than Sharp having a shot wide and one saved and the Baxter chip, they were comfortable. They did not threaten too much themselves other than one sliced chance first half and it was an even game but as an away side they would have been content.
Second half they came out and noticeable they played each compartment further up the pitch. They pressed us and turned the ball over quicker from United. After this they went forward with more pace and got midfielders in the box to support Grigg. They had a few darting runs that led to penalties and had far more penetration than us.
They were not marvellous and did not blow United away but got the two goals and that was it. They saw the game out at a canter and could have had more. They have a few good young players and seem to have bought some players from League One and Two that improve them. The likes of Colclough and Davies would walk into our team. Two steady centre backs in Morgan and Pearce and then a lot of mobile midfielders that get up and down and cover full backs and defence as well as support the attack. Think they will catch Burton and win the league. Many said that would not happen but I will be surprised if they do not go up at least. Frustrating as they were not marvellous but did not have to be any more than solid and just have the spell they had to win the game.
Opponent man of the match : A few stood out as good if not outstanding. Grigg showed Sammon how you can hold the ball up and work the channels, the new lad Morsy was busy and kept it simple but the loan lad Wildschut was the threat. He was in and around the penalty box and had a few good runs first half but then second half had a shot saved and won a penalty. He always looked a threat and one that looked to get on the ball and make things happen.
Opponent Weak link : Daniels. I felt the full back looks clumsy and someone we could get at but only did this later on in the game. Most of the Wigan players were steady enough really and it was a workmanlike away performance that saw them deserve the three points.
SUFC Player Ratings –
Long 7/10 – Fine really. He saved a penalty and also made another tipped save when it was 0-0 that was a really good stop. Outside of that he did not have much to do and had little chance on the two goals. To give him man of the match is a stretch but outside of maybe Sharp then you are struggling to name anyone that was even just average-decent for United.
Brayford 4/10 – One of his poorest games for the club. He had a bit of a shocker. Quite a few times he got beat or misplaced his passes and offered little going forward. The second goal came about after his poor throw and then his subsequent failure to pick up his man. He had a few other really sloppy defensive moments and looked slow and sluggish today. Seemed to have dropped to same poor play you see in League One and at the Lane most weeks which is sad.
I do feel he is a good player and had been playing high Championship with Cardiff and Derby at the very least so he clearly has talent but he seems to have really let his standards slip recently. On a lot of money and one that might have to be sacrificed in the summer. Despite today one of few you would hope we can build around in the summer.
McEveley 7/10 – He made a few slices and poor passes but again today he was not the worst player and hasn’t been for some time. Made tackles and clearances and felt he was alright. Cannot recall any really bad howlers and he was much better than the lauded Brayford on the other side.
At times gave his winger acres of space (not on the ball) and seemed unaware where he was. Fortunately they did not always get the ball. Had a good run and shot in the second half that went just wide.
He is one that I fear Adkins will give another year to in the summer. He is his captain and his recent improvements whilst good to see, also worry me. It would be a ridiculous decision to keep him again after we made such an error last summer. As soon as we are safe/or playoffs out of question, we should be playing Wallace and see what he can do for a spell.
Edgar 6.5/10 – Still not sure over him yet. I think he could be ok with better players around him. However he is quite slow and not sure he dominates like I would want my centre back to do. Today was a casing point; he was steady but the ball still spent too much time in the last third and considering they only had one up top I cannot recall many powerful headers thumped away or blocks/tackles. It was too easy for players to run in and behind.
At the moment gut feeling is we could and should do better in the summer and like Sammon and Hammond, is not a player I would be particularly pursuing with much vigour. We need two centre backs as a priority.
Collins 6.5/10 - A much maligned player and one that mercifully will leave the Lane finally in the summer. He is a really poor player and his random clearances that ended up all over the field but at a white and red shirt summed him up. Still for all the criticism, he actually was one of our more steady players. Did not make many huge errors and overall he at least kept plugging away and him and Edgar kept their shape and did not allow too many clear chances to the strikers. Still the fact he was just adequate and one of our better players today said it all.
Basham 5/10 – Mediocre at best. Noted on the official report he is dubbed fans favourite. Not sure why? I don’t dislike the guy and he gives his all but he is just not very good. At all. I would play him centre back (not convinced by him there either – we still shipped a lot of goals with him in this position) or not at all. He has a dreadful touch and often it comes off him. He is incapable of playing splitting passes, not quick enough to carry the ball and not sure he is even physical enough. The two lads for Wigan eventually realised how immobile and easy it was to run past the United midfield and second half they did this and got quite a few chances and won penalties and the goals. The way players just jogged through with no challenge until the stupid tackles summed it up.
A player who had another year on his contract but I would at best have him as a utility man off the bench but again with so many glaring holes all over the side; then he may remain a first team regular. Sure some will defend him and say he works hard and puts effort in; but I repeat what does this effort actually contribute; we still concede a lot of goals (so not protecting the defence) and he rarely contributes to goals the other way. Just a bit of a headless chicken sort for me and another one who is technically inept.
Hammond 4/10 – A poor signing and unnecessary waste of resources. We are trying to jettison players and contracts so why bring in another player that is just as bad!
He is dirty and cynical without being hard and effective. We are crying out for a proper hard man that can win the ball and intimidate and control the middle of the park. He is dirty but often it is because he is late and slow. He committed a series of bad fouls in the second half and got booked. He then gave another foul away and was close to being sent off. I watched him and Basham and struggle to recall many good things they did.
First half they were alright with a few passes sideways but most of the time they did not offer anything going forward and similarly barely protected us at the back as shown on the second when a midfielder ran through and scored. They nearly did it again a few times after. Be very angry if we sign him long term in the summer but I think we all know that Adkins will probably sign him if he is still the manager. Noone else above League One will sign him. Another player that’s legs seem to have gone and on the way down. We should not touch him with a bargepole and is exactly sort of player we need to avoid. Lads like Morsy were there for the taking but we chose not to bother. Today we saw who is better option both short and long term.
Coutts 4/10 – He is one of the decent footballers we have and again today showed glimpses of that but even he had an off day. He tried to get on the ball and one of few who also can control a ball and has a decent touch. His passing is ok and he does try and find a shirt but he often does not go very adventurous and his lack of pace was evident today in a few incidents, such as the one where he gave the daft penalty away for no reason. His overall performance today was very poor.
There was a moment in the second half where a player ran away from him and he just gave up and stood holding his waist. It was embarrassing. He quit. He is a player that has done well in recent times but even for al that he rarely scores, rarely sets goals up and rarely goes on runs where he carries the ball and leads to clear chances. He is neat and tidy sort of player with such slow, stationary players around him, not sure how effective he can be. Maybe with better players next season he could be still one that could be alright but I am not even sure of that. Can a side carry a player that basically is shattered after 60 minutes of every game (yes I know we are carrying 8 or 9 others!)
Baxter 6/10 – Sure he will get criticised a lot and some of it very deserved as he strolled around and gave a lacklustre display overall. He offers no work rate, leaves runners and takes little responsibility for the team. However, for all that some of our best bits of play came from him again first half with the lovely chip that nearly went in and also involved in the move to set up Sharp. The argument over where he should play is redundant for me.
He is lazy and frustrating wherever he plays but still does odd good thing wherever he plays. It is also nearly redundant as at the end of the season his contract is up and his ineffective play and attitude coupled with his off the field indiscretions will see him leaving and probably end up somewhere in League Two like Morecambe.
Sharp 6.5/10 – Thought he was once again one of the shining lights. He was not brilliant but there was effort and at least he looked a threat at times. Had one shot wide and was involved in some of our better attacks. Spent last part of game looking like he wanted a fight and stupidly got booked.
Sammon 2/10 – Abysmal. One of the worst centre forwards I have ever seen down at the Lane and that is saying something. I would put him in same category as Paul Williams, Craig Beattie, Lauren Ten Heuvel, Richard Cadette and sure a few more I have thankfully forgot. He cannot control the ball, he is slow, he is terrible in the air and is so weak for a big guy it is untrue. Earlier in the season he still had those limitations but might nick odd goal or actually put a lot of effort in.
Today the ball pinged off him, he strolled around and has no awareness of where to run or how to play the role of centre forward. It is like he has just woke up and found himself on a football pitch. Came off at half time. Did well to last that long. Might be seen as the scapegoat but I would argue what has he done to escape the ire of fans? Be on decent wages too.
If we cannot terminate the loan then in effect we are stuck with him. We cannot terminate his registration I guess so I would simply not play him. I would not even have him on the bench – I would rather the lads Calvert Lewin or Jake Wright be given a go.
Subs
Adams 6/10 – Did at least try and get on the ball but playing wide means he has to go looking for the ball rather than it coming to him in a more central position. He had a few runs but did not agree with Adkins in that he made that much of an impact. He tried to win a free kick with another dive and then got crowded out on a few other occasions. Had one shot that was saved. As with the case with the other subs I would be playing him as he offer more than many of those that are being given more game time. He is raw but does make things happen I feel. His own fault he lost his place due to the red card but he was excellent at the start of the season and needs games if he can get back to that form.
Done – Came on but the game was almost done by then. He tried to get into the game and ran around but did not offer much. Should have anticipated a good cross from the right from Sharp I think it was. A player that seems in and out due to injuries or Adkins ridiculous faith in Sammon. Once again with the squad we have he still needs to start. At least him and Sharp did get a few goals in that spell. They may be similar type players but who cares. Not sure long term Adkins fancies him long term – if he did surely he would be playing more.
Campbell Ryce – Did more in his spell on the pitch than probably else. He beat his man two or three times, and managed to put in a couple of decent-ish crosses. He is not the long term answer but at the moment it is ridiculous that he is not starting. He is one of the few players in the squad that can actually make things happen and get into the box and cause problems. His crossing can be poor at times and his end product very mixed but there is one occasionally. That is more than most others. Needs to start for me now.
Manager –
Adkins /10 – See above for more general thoughts on situation. His solid team selection and trying to get back to basics allegedly making us hard to beat, worked for a few games but we have won now 1 in 6 is it and we seem to be no closer to getting it right. He had tried to make it narrow and make us hard to beat but the likes of Coutts and Baxter are so slow, players just run by them. The two big lads in midfield are really poor to me. The defence still ships goals and as hard as Sharp tries, he has no help really.
He keeps saying the spirit and together is good but I saw a different side today as the team had heads down and nobody was communicating with each other. There was little resilience or heart he keeps describing. He says we are all giving it a good go but I cannot see that. We barely get any players forward and the play and tempo is so slow. We are so easy to play against.
He has been really poor this season and a major disappointment. We know the mistakes the board have made/are making but I really thought even they had to it right but sadly he seems to not be the same manager he was at Scunthorpe and Southampton and his spell at Reading maybe should have made us more wary.
His interviews post game are the same every week. He seems clueless and it also seems there may have been some fall out. His comment when asked about if the communication between owners/board and manager is good was to say ‘we need to get to that’; summed up that things are not quite right. It was a diplomatic answer but said enough to suggest there are problems behind the scene.
I thought that the board will keep him and he will be given time next season to get his own players in but I also have a slight feeling he might pack up at the end of the season. Does not strike me as a quitter but nothing that happens at this football club would surprise me.
Ref – Stephen Martin. Fine. Had a good game. He kept his book in his pocket most of the game. Hammond and Sharp’s were easy bookings and stupid. The two penalties were similarly easy calls but he got them right. Basham appealed it was outside the box but it was inside looking at the replay. Coutts was another daft trip. I cannot recall much else he got wrong. He let the game flow and was not picky like some refs are.
Crowd – Expected a more toxic atmosphere. Instead as noted above; it was just dead. No singing, no noise, nothing. Just a deflated set of fans who seem stunned by the further demise of the club. 20,000 in the Lane again was incredible and showed the level of support we continue to get. There were boos at the end but it was not the same damnation I have heard after other games in years gone (even this season). The performance was not awful but was poor and we were deservedly beat. I just thought there would be more in the way of anti board chants or something from the terraces but even the fans seem a beaten bunch. Sad.
Wigan brought a couple of thousand and they were noisy and got behind their team. They could not have imagined how easy it would be.
----
After a week that saw many Blades fans frustrated and disgruntled at the lack of transfer activity for a side seemingly a long way from automatic promotion; the home side once again disappointed in a defeat to Wigan Athletic. The game was a cagey affair for much of the first half with both sides only creating half chances but after the break the visitors upped the tempo and played considerably higher up the pitch. This improvement saw them win a penalty after a daft challenge from Chris Basham and Will Grigg converted. Loanee Connor McAleny then scored from the edge of the box after neat build up. After this the game was effectively over and Athletic could have made it even more comfortable as another stupid challenge gave them another penalty but this time Long was able to save.
By the final whistle many in the ground had left Bramall Lane; those that remained gave out loud and lusty boos to voice their disapproval. With none of the ‘owners/chairman’ in the ground and manager Adkins cutting a forlorn figure, the apathy around the club is clear. United are now almost certainly not going to get automatic promotion and even a playoff place seems unlikely with such poor form and the side slipping down to tenth in the table.
Despite the talk of some boycotting the game and the ill mood displayed on social media in the week; the Lane still had over 20,000+ inside it once again helped by a healthy Wigan following. In weather reminiscent of that witnessed when the two sides last met when David Unsworth consigned the Blades to relegation; the rain lashed down on a surprisingly excellent surface. Still whilst the new pitch has done its job; the collection of players who had failed to deliver much of the season were entrusted with the job of trying to get the vital three points.
Basham came back into the side and Adkins had Campbell Ryce, Done and Adams as attacking options off the bench. The game began scrappily and few real moments of quality. United had a half chance when Sharp shot wide after Baxter and Coutts had worked an opening. Baxter then tried a cheeky chip that drifted just wide. These two moments were the only real notes of activity for United as an attacking force but Wigan created little the other way.
Wildschut did have a good chance but spooned over before Power shot wide after good work from Grigg but the game lacked quality and was mired in midfield with the rain lashing down.
The second half saw Sammon replaced at the break by Adams with Baxter going inside playing off Sharp and the latter had a good shot saved by Jaaskelainen as United finally had a shot at goal. Wigan also had their first shot at goal when Wildschut got in after a nice break but his powerful shot was tipped over by Long.
Wigan were playing with more purpose now and getting men forward. Wildschut raced forward and got away from two United players before Basham brought him down as he entered the box. The penalty kick was rightly awarded and GRIGG hammered it down the middle to give Athletic the lead.
Not long after it was 2-0. This time a sloppy throw saw Wildschut and Power moved it on and MCALENY took a touch before drilling a low and hard shot past Long. It had been a quick fire double and a disastrous spell for the home side.
United looked a dispirited bunch but they did have a chance when McEveley got in from a neat move and shot just wide on the overlap. However it should have been 3-0 when McCann was tripped again going nowhere; this time from Coutts but Grigg’s kick to Long’s left was well saved by the keeper.
Campbell Ryce and Done came on and the Jamaican winger had two good runs to bring some life to a poor home side. Other than an Adams shot wide and a scrambled effort when Sharp could not convert the verdict was never in doubt and drifted out to its inevitable conclusion as boos rained down on the home side as they left the field.
United – It was really poor again. First half neither side impressed and it was mired in midfield much of the game. WE had a few half chances but nothing clear with none of the midfield trying to get into the box, Sharp trying his best but Sammon a spectator. We limited them to many chances at the back though and at least the defence looked more solid. You wanted them to step up second half and up the tempo and get more men forward. Well when we did come out – Wigan been out ages warming up and zipping around – we laboured onto the pitch and looked cold from the start. The reality was it was Wigan that did that and we sat back and they scored two goals. Stupid penalty given away and then from our own throw managed to lose a second with nobody closing down the scorer. After this they nearly had a few more and we looked a sorry, beaten bunch.
One of the poorest (maybe the poorest) United sides I have ever seen. That is for ability, effort, heart and attitude. The latter two qualities should be a given but this side generally cannot be arsed. They don’t care. They may say they do but the reality is watching players run away from ours and them sometimes not even chase back says it all. We barely looked like scoring all game and there was nobody in the side galvanising them and trying to get them together or surge forward. When the goals went in it took an age for the ball to be respotted and the body language was of a side that looked like they wanted to be on the beach in the summer. That sounds ridiculous when we are only 5 points off the play offs but I have zero faith this side can go on a run and somehow get in the playoffs and then go up. They look a mid table side and many as individuals are playing out their final few months as an SUFC player. It has been a long time coming for many who are in affect stealing a wage and have been for some time.
Defensively we were better today but still gave away two goals (should have been 3) but the other way we were slow, lethargic and took way too long to decide what to do. Hammond and Basham offer nothing to the side at all. They are two big lumps who are not physical but not skilful. They are nothing players. The two lads at the side are not wingers but Baxter and Coutts as much as they may play odd decent ball are liabilities defensively and in terms of work rate and it is hardly like they do much the other way either to compensate. Collins and McEveley were two of our better players. I am being serious. Brayford has sunk to low standards of rest of them. We have three attacking outlets on the bench in Campbell Ryce, Adams and Done who may not be great but at least 2 of them have to play. They cannot do any worse than those playing. Today whilst game was even you felt there was an inevitability they would get one and once they did; we imploded soon after.
We were 2-0 down and on several attacks we did not have more than Sharp in the box. Nobody even wanted to try and score a goal or have a shot. Cries of ‘Attack, attack, attack!’ did not change anything and even though subs came on, the game just drifted to a comfortable away win.
We are not going to go up and I don’t think we have any chance of the playoff places. I think in a few weeks we will see that and just have to make sure we don’t get sucked into the other end of things – even I cannot see that happening. After this point where we are stuck, we need to not play any of the players going to be released or the loan players and play the likes of Wallace, Adams, Done, Brayford, Sharp, Coutts – ones that will be here next season probably and give some of younger players a chance like Calvert Lewin, even Reed (don’t think he will make it but he is under contract so may aswell give him a run) and Wright. At least crowd might get behind them.
There has been a lot of talk over the inactivity in the window. This to me is not about this window but years and years of gross mismanagement of the club at boardroom level. If this was any other business, the CEO, chairman, whatever they are called would have been dismissed a long time ago. Dreadful managerial appointments season after season, selling best players season after season, terrible planning with no clear strategy, an appalling scouting network and complete inability to even complete a routine signing of a player. They have failed miserably. They could not have done much worse if they tried.
Adkins is not blameless (as so many of the last managers weren’t). His tactics, organisation, shape, fitness and the overall performances he is overseeing have been mostly unacceptable. Whilst I was one of those who advocated the removal of Clough and the hiring of Adkins; it has not worked. Another move that has failed. Easy to say in hindsight and most fans thought it was a good appointment but it is another one the board has got wrong. The side now and the state of the club is worse than it was when Clough was here. The performances are worse and I never thought I would say it but Adkins is worse than Clough on the evidence so far. I say so far, as of course I think most will probably say that Adkins will remain and given the summer too rebuild and hope he can make better signings than the ones he has so far. However, he is under pressure sadly and whilst it would be inconceivable to think we may change our manager again; the reality is if he got off to a poor start after given resources to bring new players in (we do not even know if that will happen) then he too will be gone.
Yes, he has been left a lot of crap and yes he has been let down badly if he was promised signings and none have come on – I for one don’t believe for one minute that we did not sign anyone as there was no one better out there to improve the team. Even Adkins seems to be saying this less now. I think he identified targets and they decided not to sign anyone. They shut up shop. This is after saying for months that the next window was key and we needed to do business. So they are not only incompetent but they are liars. Phipps may come on the radio and ‘man up’ but I would have more respect if he said less and took more action. None of them are ever here, there is no evidence of what we are doing to try and get out of this division and his words are just empty rubbish I am afraid. Even he sounded a beaten man the other night. I do think him and the rest of the Saudi lot will move on soon. Just a gut feeling. I have said it for a few months but I get a feeling end of season will see them pull out. Then McCabe will have no choice but to put the club up for sale and I fear things may get worse before they get better.
The biggest thing I took from the game was the complete apathy. It was another defeat, another limp performance and another boring afternoon. However what stood out to me most was in years past when we have reached a low point (we might be at one of lowest we ever have been considering what it means in terms of staying in the division for 5 years) there has been protests (red card/black card/car park, shoes etc), chants, committees set up (BIFA) and calls for arms. This time there was nothing. Many slinked out of the ground long before the end and you could not blame them. I stayed to the end and there were loud boos but never heard a negative chant or anything aimed at the board (key people were not there of course). It was complete and utter apathy. Even the fans don’t seem to care anymore – don’t mean that in a critical way. We all care but I think even as a fan base we are beaten in terms of what we can do. Not sure match boycotts are something I would ever think as a good think even though it drums up publicity and might make board sit up to some degree. The traditional car park killing grounds for manager and some boards does have some effect but not sure that would serve anything when none of them seem to bother coming – thought it was gutless that none showed up today and sums it up. So what do we do? What can wo do? That is something that will be debated on forums but as the season seems to be petering out to nothing then the club is perhaps at its lowest ebb in my lifetime. We as fans seem too have no alternative but to keep turning up and in short watching rubbish every week – although of course many at the end of the season may make a different choice.
Wigan – Perfect away performance. Restricted us to maybe one or two shots on target all game of note and were never really threatened much. Other than Sharp having a shot wide and one saved and the Baxter chip, they were comfortable. They did not threaten too much themselves other than one sliced chance first half and it was an even game but as an away side they would have been content.
Second half they came out and noticeable they played each compartment further up the pitch. They pressed us and turned the ball over quicker from United. After this they went forward with more pace and got midfielders in the box to support Grigg. They had a few darting runs that led to penalties and had far more penetration than us.
They were not marvellous and did not blow United away but got the two goals and that was it. They saw the game out at a canter and could have had more. They have a few good young players and seem to have bought some players from League One and Two that improve them. The likes of Colclough and Davies would walk into our team. Two steady centre backs in Morgan and Pearce and then a lot of mobile midfielders that get up and down and cover full backs and defence as well as support the attack. Think they will catch Burton and win the league. Many said that would not happen but I will be surprised if they do not go up at least. Frustrating as they were not marvellous but did not have to be any more than solid and just have the spell they had to win the game.
Opponent man of the match : A few stood out as good if not outstanding. Grigg showed Sammon how you can hold the ball up and work the channels, the new lad Morsy was busy and kept it simple but the loan lad Wildschut was the threat. He was in and around the penalty box and had a few good runs first half but then second half had a shot saved and won a penalty. He always looked a threat and one that looked to get on the ball and make things happen.
Opponent Weak link : Daniels. I felt the full back looks clumsy and someone we could get at but only did this later on in the game. Most of the Wigan players were steady enough really and it was a workmanlike away performance that saw them deserve the three points.
SUFC Player Ratings –
Long 7/10 – Fine really. He saved a penalty and also made another tipped save when it was 0-0 that was a really good stop. Outside of that he did not have much to do and had little chance on the two goals. To give him man of the match is a stretch but outside of maybe Sharp then you are struggling to name anyone that was even just average-decent for United.
Brayford 4/10 – One of his poorest games for the club. He had a bit of a shocker. Quite a few times he got beat or misplaced his passes and offered little going forward. The second goal came about after his poor throw and then his subsequent failure to pick up his man. He had a few other really sloppy defensive moments and looked slow and sluggish today. Seemed to have dropped to same poor play you see in League One and at the Lane most weeks which is sad.
I do feel he is a good player and had been playing high Championship with Cardiff and Derby at the very least so he clearly has talent but he seems to have really let his standards slip recently. On a lot of money and one that might have to be sacrificed in the summer. Despite today one of few you would hope we can build around in the summer.
McEveley 7/10 – He made a few slices and poor passes but again today he was not the worst player and hasn’t been for some time. Made tackles and clearances and felt he was alright. Cannot recall any really bad howlers and he was much better than the lauded Brayford on the other side.
At times gave his winger acres of space (not on the ball) and seemed unaware where he was. Fortunately they did not always get the ball. Had a good run and shot in the second half that went just wide.
He is one that I fear Adkins will give another year to in the summer. He is his captain and his recent improvements whilst good to see, also worry me. It would be a ridiculous decision to keep him again after we made such an error last summer. As soon as we are safe/or playoffs out of question, we should be playing Wallace and see what he can do for a spell.
Edgar 6.5/10 – Still not sure over him yet. I think he could be ok with better players around him. However he is quite slow and not sure he dominates like I would want my centre back to do. Today was a casing point; he was steady but the ball still spent too much time in the last third and considering they only had one up top I cannot recall many powerful headers thumped away or blocks/tackles. It was too easy for players to run in and behind.
At the moment gut feeling is we could and should do better in the summer and like Sammon and Hammond, is not a player I would be particularly pursuing with much vigour. We need two centre backs as a priority.
Collins 6.5/10 - A much maligned player and one that mercifully will leave the Lane finally in the summer. He is a really poor player and his random clearances that ended up all over the field but at a white and red shirt summed him up. Still for all the criticism, he actually was one of our more steady players. Did not make many huge errors and overall he at least kept plugging away and him and Edgar kept their shape and did not allow too many clear chances to the strikers. Still the fact he was just adequate and one of our better players today said it all.
Basham 5/10 – Mediocre at best. Noted on the official report he is dubbed fans favourite. Not sure why? I don’t dislike the guy and he gives his all but he is just not very good. At all. I would play him centre back (not convinced by him there either – we still shipped a lot of goals with him in this position) or not at all. He has a dreadful touch and often it comes off him. He is incapable of playing splitting passes, not quick enough to carry the ball and not sure he is even physical enough. The two lads for Wigan eventually realised how immobile and easy it was to run past the United midfield and second half they did this and got quite a few chances and won penalties and the goals. The way players just jogged through with no challenge until the stupid tackles summed it up.
A player who had another year on his contract but I would at best have him as a utility man off the bench but again with so many glaring holes all over the side; then he may remain a first team regular. Sure some will defend him and say he works hard and puts effort in; but I repeat what does this effort actually contribute; we still concede a lot of goals (so not protecting the defence) and he rarely contributes to goals the other way. Just a bit of a headless chicken sort for me and another one who is technically inept.
Hammond 4/10 – A poor signing and unnecessary waste of resources. We are trying to jettison players and contracts so why bring in another player that is just as bad!
He is dirty and cynical without being hard and effective. We are crying out for a proper hard man that can win the ball and intimidate and control the middle of the park. He is dirty but often it is because he is late and slow. He committed a series of bad fouls in the second half and got booked. He then gave another foul away and was close to being sent off. I watched him and Basham and struggle to recall many good things they did.
First half they were alright with a few passes sideways but most of the time they did not offer anything going forward and similarly barely protected us at the back as shown on the second when a midfielder ran through and scored. They nearly did it again a few times after. Be very angry if we sign him long term in the summer but I think we all know that Adkins will probably sign him if he is still the manager. Noone else above League One will sign him. Another player that’s legs seem to have gone and on the way down. We should not touch him with a bargepole and is exactly sort of player we need to avoid. Lads like Morsy were there for the taking but we chose not to bother. Today we saw who is better option both short and long term.
Coutts 4/10 – He is one of the decent footballers we have and again today showed glimpses of that but even he had an off day. He tried to get on the ball and one of few who also can control a ball and has a decent touch. His passing is ok and he does try and find a shirt but he often does not go very adventurous and his lack of pace was evident today in a few incidents, such as the one where he gave the daft penalty away for no reason. His overall performance today was very poor.
There was a moment in the second half where a player ran away from him and he just gave up and stood holding his waist. It was embarrassing. He quit. He is a player that has done well in recent times but even for al that he rarely scores, rarely sets goals up and rarely goes on runs where he carries the ball and leads to clear chances. He is neat and tidy sort of player with such slow, stationary players around him, not sure how effective he can be. Maybe with better players next season he could be still one that could be alright but I am not even sure of that. Can a side carry a player that basically is shattered after 60 minutes of every game (yes I know we are carrying 8 or 9 others!)
Baxter 6/10 – Sure he will get criticised a lot and some of it very deserved as he strolled around and gave a lacklustre display overall. He offers no work rate, leaves runners and takes little responsibility for the team. However, for all that some of our best bits of play came from him again first half with the lovely chip that nearly went in and also involved in the move to set up Sharp. The argument over where he should play is redundant for me.
He is lazy and frustrating wherever he plays but still does odd good thing wherever he plays. It is also nearly redundant as at the end of the season his contract is up and his ineffective play and attitude coupled with his off the field indiscretions will see him leaving and probably end up somewhere in League Two like Morecambe.
Sharp 6.5/10 – Thought he was once again one of the shining lights. He was not brilliant but there was effort and at least he looked a threat at times. Had one shot wide and was involved in some of our better attacks. Spent last part of game looking like he wanted a fight and stupidly got booked.
Sammon 2/10 – Abysmal. One of the worst centre forwards I have ever seen down at the Lane and that is saying something. I would put him in same category as Paul Williams, Craig Beattie, Lauren Ten Heuvel, Richard Cadette and sure a few more I have thankfully forgot. He cannot control the ball, he is slow, he is terrible in the air and is so weak for a big guy it is untrue. Earlier in the season he still had those limitations but might nick odd goal or actually put a lot of effort in.
Today the ball pinged off him, he strolled around and has no awareness of where to run or how to play the role of centre forward. It is like he has just woke up and found himself on a football pitch. Came off at half time. Did well to last that long. Might be seen as the scapegoat but I would argue what has he done to escape the ire of fans? Be on decent wages too.
If we cannot terminate the loan then in effect we are stuck with him. We cannot terminate his registration I guess so I would simply not play him. I would not even have him on the bench – I would rather the lads Calvert Lewin or Jake Wright be given a go.
Subs
Adams 6/10 – Did at least try and get on the ball but playing wide means he has to go looking for the ball rather than it coming to him in a more central position. He had a few runs but did not agree with Adkins in that he made that much of an impact. He tried to win a free kick with another dive and then got crowded out on a few other occasions. Had one shot that was saved. As with the case with the other subs I would be playing him as he offer more than many of those that are being given more game time. He is raw but does make things happen I feel. His own fault he lost his place due to the red card but he was excellent at the start of the season and needs games if he can get back to that form.
Done – Came on but the game was almost done by then. He tried to get into the game and ran around but did not offer much. Should have anticipated a good cross from the right from Sharp I think it was. A player that seems in and out due to injuries or Adkins ridiculous faith in Sammon. Once again with the squad we have he still needs to start. At least him and Sharp did get a few goals in that spell. They may be similar type players but who cares. Not sure long term Adkins fancies him long term – if he did surely he would be playing more.
Campbell Ryce – Did more in his spell on the pitch than probably else. He beat his man two or three times, and managed to put in a couple of decent-ish crosses. He is not the long term answer but at the moment it is ridiculous that he is not starting. He is one of the few players in the squad that can actually make things happen and get into the box and cause problems. His crossing can be poor at times and his end product very mixed but there is one occasionally. That is more than most others. Needs to start for me now.
Manager –
Adkins /10 – See above for more general thoughts on situation. His solid team selection and trying to get back to basics allegedly making us hard to beat, worked for a few games but we have won now 1 in 6 is it and we seem to be no closer to getting it right. He had tried to make it narrow and make us hard to beat but the likes of Coutts and Baxter are so slow, players just run by them. The two big lads in midfield are really poor to me. The defence still ships goals and as hard as Sharp tries, he has no help really.
He keeps saying the spirit and together is good but I saw a different side today as the team had heads down and nobody was communicating with each other. There was little resilience or heart he keeps describing. He says we are all giving it a good go but I cannot see that. We barely get any players forward and the play and tempo is so slow. We are so easy to play against.
He has been really poor this season and a major disappointment. We know the mistakes the board have made/are making but I really thought even they had to it right but sadly he seems to not be the same manager he was at Scunthorpe and Southampton and his spell at Reading maybe should have made us more wary.
His interviews post game are the same every week. He seems clueless and it also seems there may have been some fall out. His comment when asked about if the communication between owners/board and manager is good was to say ‘we need to get to that’; summed up that things are not quite right. It was a diplomatic answer but said enough to suggest there are problems behind the scene.
I thought that the board will keep him and he will be given time next season to get his own players in but I also have a slight feeling he might pack up at the end of the season. Does not strike me as a quitter but nothing that happens at this football club would surprise me.
Ref – Stephen Martin. Fine. Had a good game. He kept his book in his pocket most of the game. Hammond and Sharp’s were easy bookings and stupid. The two penalties were similarly easy calls but he got them right. Basham appealed it was outside the box but it was inside looking at the replay. Coutts was another daft trip. I cannot recall much else he got wrong. He let the game flow and was not picky like some refs are.
Crowd – Expected a more toxic atmosphere. Instead as noted above; it was just dead. No singing, no noise, nothing. Just a deflated set of fans who seem stunned by the further demise of the club. 20,000 in the Lane again was incredible and showed the level of support we continue to get. There were boos at the end but it was not the same damnation I have heard after other games in years gone (even this season). The performance was not awful but was poor and we were deservedly beat. I just thought there would be more in the way of anti board chants or something from the terraces but even the fans seem a beaten bunch. Sad.
Wigan brought a couple of thousand and they were noisy and got behind their team. They could not have imagined how easy it would be.