Deadbat
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The Blades FA Cup journey ended on Saturday afternoon as an excellent Brighton side scored 5 goals on the road to move into the 5th round. After trailing by two goals, United fought back to level at the half but the Seagulls took control second half with the excellent Joao Pedro scoring a hat trick. It was a difficult afternoon for new goalkeeper Ivo Grbic but he was given little protection as a porous defence once again shipped a hatful. United did have chances the other way and there was a conscious effort to get men forward and try and have a go but the away side were simply too good with intricate, quick passing, fast and strong players on a different level.
Chris Wilder has improved the United side and they are at least ‘in games’ for periods but the reality is that individually and collectively they are just completely overmatched at this level against players who are quicker in thought and execution. In key areas, the Blades make poor decisions and opponents are more ruthless and clinical.
Wilder opted to give new keeper Grbic his debut only days after arriving into the county and brought back veterans Osborn and Norwood into midfield. Cameron Archer also returned and Norrington Davies started at left back as he continued his return from injury. Slimane and Larouci were back from disappointing African Nations Cup campaigns as their countries had exited with neither player making much impact. United lined up with what appeared to be a 4-3-3 with Osula started wide on the left and Archer down the middle.
Brighton started with Pedro and Evan Ferguson at the top of the field and their bench strength was evident with veterans Dunk, Milner, Lallana and Welbeck all waiting in reserve if needed.
Bramall Lane only seemed just over half full as Brighton kicked away from their sold out away but it was the home team who started well and twice nearly profited from the visitors overplaying as they tried to play it out from the back. United won an early corner and Brereton Diaz looked to make inroads down the left. However, despite an encouraging start, Brighton were soon able to beat the press and get into good areas. They thought they had taken the lead when Hinshelwood was given too much space to centre and Ferguson powered his header home but the offside flag was put up after the frustrating delay – for the original ball out wide. Norwood picked up a booking for an early foul as referee Gill wanted to make his presence felt.
Brighton had started to control the game and United were struggling to deal with the sharp passing and movement as they found gaps and from one such move, they took the lead. However, this was due to some brilliant individual play. BUONANOTTE received the ball and went past both Osborn and Norwood too easily before unleashing a superb striker that flew into the goal. New keeper Grbic got fingers on it but the power was too much and within a quarter of an hour he was already retrieving the ball from his own net.
United had a chance to level not long after as Osborn’s ball was perfectly weighted for Osula but the young striker could not sort his feet out and the chance went before Hamer’s shot was blocked in the ensuant phase of play. United did get into some good areas but were often not able to make the right choices or mis controlled at key moments whilst at the other end, the touch was more assured and careful leading to clearer opportunities. Further frustrations were arising from the crowd as Buonanotte and Gilmour both were given free kicks for minimal contract. The second goal came with some more incisive football and as the ball was played into PEDRO, he flicked it round the corner deceiving Ahmedhodzic and Bogle and the latter clipped his heels. The striker went down and it may have seemed soft but was a clear penalty and the referee sure enough pointed to the spot. The Brazilian took it and rolled it home sending Grbic the wrong way and doubled the Albion lead.
The next spell saw Brighton play keep ball for a period and despite Osula trying to work hard at the top of the field, the Blades were relying on the direct ball for any chance to get up the field. Brighton often played the ball out from the back but two or three quick passes down the middle that beat the press saw them in the United third. It was much harder for the Blades to get up the pitch but the direct route paid dividends when Bogle’s through ball had Osula away as the flag stayed down. The young striker sprinted down the right and his cross was intended for Brereton Diaz but keeper Verbruggen got a hand to it but only pushed it to HAMER and the midfielder smashed home. There was a long check from VAR for offside but eventually after what seemed an eternity the goal was allowed to stand.
There was to be an additional 8 minutes, much of it due to this delay on the goal and United used this extra time to complete the turnaround. It was the best football the Blades played of the half as they moved it around patiently with Archer, Hamer and then Bogle involved and the latter sent over an inviting cross which OSULA nodded home. Once again there was a long check for offside before the confirmation of the goal which continued an excellent FA Cup run for the Danish striker. It completed a remarkable turnaround in which after starting well, United had struggled for much of the half with the quality of Brighton but now were level going into the break.
The hard work to get back into the game was undone early into the second half as Brighton were able to work the ball around and after Hamer failed to clear, the error was compounded when United failed to make a tackle. The ball was sent over and Bogle inexplicable jumped with his hand aloft and the ball clearly struck it and once again seemed an easy decision. Bogle had enjoyed some good moments but had given away two penalties! PEDRO scored with aplomb again as Grbic was sent the wrong way, again.
United had a superb chance to level, in a really open game as Archer broke and moved it onto Brereton Diaz whose clever ball found the onrushing Bogle but he could not make amends for his mistakes and his shot deflected wide. The Blades continued to battle hard but the way Brighton moved out of tight areas to get up the field at pace was impressive.
Larouci came on for Norrington Davies before a triple sub saw Brooks, McAtee and McBurnie come on for Osborn, Brereton Diaz and Osula. Brighton also made changes with Welbeck replacing Ferguson and Dunk for dos Santos.
The game was effectively ended as a contest when more neat football saw the ball played inside for PEDRO and as Norwood and Ahmedhodzic stood off, he moved forward and drilled a shot past Grbic who was beaten again from range. It was a hat trick for the Brazilian striker who had been the best player on the field by some distance.
Lamptey and Lallana entered in a double change for the away side for Hinshelwood and Buonanotte before Souza came on for Hamer in United’s final change. Trusty headed wide from a Norwood corner and United tried to at least find a final flurry but Brighton continued to look dangerous when they broke. This was shown in stoppage time as Brooks header flicked into the path of WELBECK who got away from Larouci too easily and hit a shot from the angle that Grbic somehow could not keep out and it squirted into the corner. It ended a miserable afternoon for the home side who were denied a consolation when McAtee’s excellent long-range shot hit the underside of the bar.
United – Today really saw the reality of where we are at against sides at this level. I thought we did quite well in some aspects of the game, attacking wise at least and did have a go and did not sit back and just wait to get beat. We had a fair few chances, corners and moments and did score two goals and had other chances. Weirdly we had as many chances, more corners and did have some moments where we caused them problems. However, in vital moments and key areas of the pitch we proved our limitations and actually in general play for much of the contest they looked superior. The technique, touch and passing they showed was on a different level to us. We simply could not live with the sharp movement and clever interplay. They get it in their last third and after a sloppy start, they were so confident they could get out and do it to ensure they had men over once they beat the press. All their players pretty much seemed so much better on the ball, even defenders and the keeper! That is the difference. It takes us an eternity to get up the field or we have to go long and feed off scraps. Brighton moved it with three or four crisps passes, picked us off and were suddenly in the final third. They were on a different level and the speed of thought (like a snooker playing thinking of the next shot 3 or 4 down the line, they did this with the passing and how they got to certain areas).
As I say I think United did about as well as they could do in certain aspects. We worked hard in areas of the field and tried to support when we got up the field but we let ourselves down by poor touches/decisions and then ultimately lack the quality at both areas of the pitch. The midfield of Norwood and Osborn is nowhere near good enough and this was in evidence much of the game. They created little (other than the one Osborn ball) and offered no protection for a hapless defence and goalkeeper on debut- even if some of the goals gave him no chance – he did not save anything! We struggle with the movement and passing as teams go down the middle and find gaps (the midfield and defence cannot cope with this passing and interplay). In contrast we seem obsessed with going down the wings and seem almost allergic to trying to take it on the turn in the middle and go down the centre where you often have as much space and of course are then closer to the goal being in the central areas. It is like we are conditioned to go wide.
We started the game quite well and were energetic and caused some errors from the Brighton defence. However, after the first 5 minutes, they started to take over and their good football was clear as we started to chase shadows. The first goal is superb but nobody closed him down at all. The second is great skill as we are completely static and like last week, another stupid challenge. You sensed that was it but credit to United and the mentality. I am not sure a few months ago under Heckingbottom we would have fought back and may have gone under but scored two goals – the second was a good one and well made. I felt Osula worked hard and Brereton Diaz did ok again with Hamer showing bits and pieces too.
All the good work was thrown away by poor defending – could have cleared several times before the Bogle error (he does some stupid things and does not seem the cleverest of footballers) and they have the lead again. After this we did have another good chance but Bogle missed and then I am not sure we had many real chances till after the next Pedro goal where once again we stood off. We looked tired by the end and they could have had even more really if they had been more clinical when in good areas but looked a cut above us. They finished it with a 5th goal and that might have flattered them a touch but they were far better than us most of the game despite us having moments.
It is concerning that as good as Brighton were, they probably were not even in top gear and were missing a few quality players too. In contract, United did about as well as they could do and still got hammered. That shows where we are at and as much as Wilder has improved us and we saw flashes today we still got another going over and conceded 5 goals yet again (fourth time this season) and continue to ship goals and chances too easily. We are crying out for some leadership -granted no Robinson but not sure he offers the domination aerially and presence wise we need. We seem to need a big, imposing centre back as when the balls come in or forward teams win crosses or first balls too easily. That coupled with awful marking and lack of concentration sees teams score goals too easily. I thought the two centre backs struggled massively with the movement and skill of the Brighton players although the lack of protection from the midfield who were exposed badly was to the fore again.
Chris Wilder has improved the United side and they are at least ‘in games’ for periods but the reality is that individually and collectively they are just completely overmatched at this level against players who are quicker in thought and execution. In key areas, the Blades make poor decisions and opponents are more ruthless and clinical.
Wilder opted to give new keeper Grbic his debut only days after arriving into the county and brought back veterans Osborn and Norwood into midfield. Cameron Archer also returned and Norrington Davies started at left back as he continued his return from injury. Slimane and Larouci were back from disappointing African Nations Cup campaigns as their countries had exited with neither player making much impact. United lined up with what appeared to be a 4-3-3 with Osula started wide on the left and Archer down the middle.
Brighton started with Pedro and Evan Ferguson at the top of the field and their bench strength was evident with veterans Dunk, Milner, Lallana and Welbeck all waiting in reserve if needed.
Bramall Lane only seemed just over half full as Brighton kicked away from their sold out away but it was the home team who started well and twice nearly profited from the visitors overplaying as they tried to play it out from the back. United won an early corner and Brereton Diaz looked to make inroads down the left. However, despite an encouraging start, Brighton were soon able to beat the press and get into good areas. They thought they had taken the lead when Hinshelwood was given too much space to centre and Ferguson powered his header home but the offside flag was put up after the frustrating delay – for the original ball out wide. Norwood picked up a booking for an early foul as referee Gill wanted to make his presence felt.
Brighton had started to control the game and United were struggling to deal with the sharp passing and movement as they found gaps and from one such move, they took the lead. However, this was due to some brilliant individual play. BUONANOTTE received the ball and went past both Osborn and Norwood too easily before unleashing a superb striker that flew into the goal. New keeper Grbic got fingers on it but the power was too much and within a quarter of an hour he was already retrieving the ball from his own net.
United had a chance to level not long after as Osborn’s ball was perfectly weighted for Osula but the young striker could not sort his feet out and the chance went before Hamer’s shot was blocked in the ensuant phase of play. United did get into some good areas but were often not able to make the right choices or mis controlled at key moments whilst at the other end, the touch was more assured and careful leading to clearer opportunities. Further frustrations were arising from the crowd as Buonanotte and Gilmour both were given free kicks for minimal contract. The second goal came with some more incisive football and as the ball was played into PEDRO, he flicked it round the corner deceiving Ahmedhodzic and Bogle and the latter clipped his heels. The striker went down and it may have seemed soft but was a clear penalty and the referee sure enough pointed to the spot. The Brazilian took it and rolled it home sending Grbic the wrong way and doubled the Albion lead.
The next spell saw Brighton play keep ball for a period and despite Osula trying to work hard at the top of the field, the Blades were relying on the direct ball for any chance to get up the field. Brighton often played the ball out from the back but two or three quick passes down the middle that beat the press saw them in the United third. It was much harder for the Blades to get up the pitch but the direct route paid dividends when Bogle’s through ball had Osula away as the flag stayed down. The young striker sprinted down the right and his cross was intended for Brereton Diaz but keeper Verbruggen got a hand to it but only pushed it to HAMER and the midfielder smashed home. There was a long check from VAR for offside but eventually after what seemed an eternity the goal was allowed to stand.
There was to be an additional 8 minutes, much of it due to this delay on the goal and United used this extra time to complete the turnaround. It was the best football the Blades played of the half as they moved it around patiently with Archer, Hamer and then Bogle involved and the latter sent over an inviting cross which OSULA nodded home. Once again there was a long check for offside before the confirmation of the goal which continued an excellent FA Cup run for the Danish striker. It completed a remarkable turnaround in which after starting well, United had struggled for much of the half with the quality of Brighton but now were level going into the break.
The hard work to get back into the game was undone early into the second half as Brighton were able to work the ball around and after Hamer failed to clear, the error was compounded when United failed to make a tackle. The ball was sent over and Bogle inexplicable jumped with his hand aloft and the ball clearly struck it and once again seemed an easy decision. Bogle had enjoyed some good moments but had given away two penalties! PEDRO scored with aplomb again as Grbic was sent the wrong way, again.
United had a superb chance to level, in a really open game as Archer broke and moved it onto Brereton Diaz whose clever ball found the onrushing Bogle but he could not make amends for his mistakes and his shot deflected wide. The Blades continued to battle hard but the way Brighton moved out of tight areas to get up the field at pace was impressive.
Larouci came on for Norrington Davies before a triple sub saw Brooks, McAtee and McBurnie come on for Osborn, Brereton Diaz and Osula. Brighton also made changes with Welbeck replacing Ferguson and Dunk for dos Santos.
The game was effectively ended as a contest when more neat football saw the ball played inside for PEDRO and as Norwood and Ahmedhodzic stood off, he moved forward and drilled a shot past Grbic who was beaten again from range. It was a hat trick for the Brazilian striker who had been the best player on the field by some distance.
Lamptey and Lallana entered in a double change for the away side for Hinshelwood and Buonanotte before Souza came on for Hamer in United’s final change. Trusty headed wide from a Norwood corner and United tried to at least find a final flurry but Brighton continued to look dangerous when they broke. This was shown in stoppage time as Brooks header flicked into the path of WELBECK who got away from Larouci too easily and hit a shot from the angle that Grbic somehow could not keep out and it squirted into the corner. It ended a miserable afternoon for the home side who were denied a consolation when McAtee’s excellent long-range shot hit the underside of the bar.
United – Today really saw the reality of where we are at against sides at this level. I thought we did quite well in some aspects of the game, attacking wise at least and did have a go and did not sit back and just wait to get beat. We had a fair few chances, corners and moments and did score two goals and had other chances. Weirdly we had as many chances, more corners and did have some moments where we caused them problems. However, in vital moments and key areas of the pitch we proved our limitations and actually in general play for much of the contest they looked superior. The technique, touch and passing they showed was on a different level to us. We simply could not live with the sharp movement and clever interplay. They get it in their last third and after a sloppy start, they were so confident they could get out and do it to ensure they had men over once they beat the press. All their players pretty much seemed so much better on the ball, even defenders and the keeper! That is the difference. It takes us an eternity to get up the field or we have to go long and feed off scraps. Brighton moved it with three or four crisps passes, picked us off and were suddenly in the final third. They were on a different level and the speed of thought (like a snooker playing thinking of the next shot 3 or 4 down the line, they did this with the passing and how they got to certain areas).
As I say I think United did about as well as they could do in certain aspects. We worked hard in areas of the field and tried to support when we got up the field but we let ourselves down by poor touches/decisions and then ultimately lack the quality at both areas of the pitch. The midfield of Norwood and Osborn is nowhere near good enough and this was in evidence much of the game. They created little (other than the one Osborn ball) and offered no protection for a hapless defence and goalkeeper on debut- even if some of the goals gave him no chance – he did not save anything! We struggle with the movement and passing as teams go down the middle and find gaps (the midfield and defence cannot cope with this passing and interplay). In contrast we seem obsessed with going down the wings and seem almost allergic to trying to take it on the turn in the middle and go down the centre where you often have as much space and of course are then closer to the goal being in the central areas. It is like we are conditioned to go wide.
We started the game quite well and were energetic and caused some errors from the Brighton defence. However, after the first 5 minutes, they started to take over and their good football was clear as we started to chase shadows. The first goal is superb but nobody closed him down at all. The second is great skill as we are completely static and like last week, another stupid challenge. You sensed that was it but credit to United and the mentality. I am not sure a few months ago under Heckingbottom we would have fought back and may have gone under but scored two goals – the second was a good one and well made. I felt Osula worked hard and Brereton Diaz did ok again with Hamer showing bits and pieces too.
All the good work was thrown away by poor defending – could have cleared several times before the Bogle error (he does some stupid things and does not seem the cleverest of footballers) and they have the lead again. After this we did have another good chance but Bogle missed and then I am not sure we had many real chances till after the next Pedro goal where once again we stood off. We looked tired by the end and they could have had even more really if they had been more clinical when in good areas but looked a cut above us. They finished it with a 5th goal and that might have flattered them a touch but they were far better than us most of the game despite us having moments.
It is concerning that as good as Brighton were, they probably were not even in top gear and were missing a few quality players too. In contract, United did about as well as they could do and still got hammered. That shows where we are at and as much as Wilder has improved us and we saw flashes today we still got another going over and conceded 5 goals yet again (fourth time this season) and continue to ship goals and chances too easily. We are crying out for some leadership -granted no Robinson but not sure he offers the domination aerially and presence wise we need. We seem to need a big, imposing centre back as when the balls come in or forward teams win crosses or first balls too easily. That coupled with awful marking and lack of concentration sees teams score goals too easily. I thought the two centre backs struggled massively with the movement and skill of the Brighton players although the lack of protection from the midfield who were exposed badly was to the fore again.
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