United 2 Chelsea 2 - report

[United Aren't Back.]

Yes, I think he is getting less articulate as he gets older. I think he knows what he wants to say but struggles as his sentences progress then starts to wander. Like an Apprentice contestant pitching some awful product they have literally just invented to the head of Waitrose, and realising all they know about the environment is that electric cars are better than petrol.

However, in 2019 20, Danny Murphy almost professed his crush on our Chris, the tactical genius. Which shows these ' experts' are only human , or at least were in 2020. Maybe such fallible foibles are banned now..?..

 

[bakeblade]

United – Another encouraging performance in terms of commitment, togetherness and attitude. It was definitely a deserved point and for long spells we were as good, if not better, than an albeit poor Chelsea side whose attitude was questionable to say the least. They clearly have some talent and individual players who can do things to create moments, chances and goals but they seemed to think they could just coast to the win but in the end United worked harder than Chelsea and definitely merited a share of the spoils, as Pochettino admitted at the end.



I thought we competed all game and despite two poor goals, we did not get torn apart and as with Liverpool in the week, we stayed mostly compact and solid defensively and found some openings the other way when we can. We still conceded two awful goals as I say, but we continued to look a threat the other way and have suddenly started to score goals and make chances after a season where we have struggled in this regard. Having two out and out strikers have helped but today we had a midfield with mobility with the hard working Osborn, the creativity of Hamer and the all around excellent play of Arblaster. It is the best our midfield has been, on and off the ball and we finally kept the ball better and played some decent stuff.



We were second best in possession, par the course these days, but I felt we did much better with the ball but also closed down space and worked harder to get it back when we did lost it. It was not a scintillating performance and Chelsea gave a lackadaisical performance but credit to United for closing, getting in their faces and trying to play when they could and not always settle for the sideways/backwards pass.



We started quite slowly and in the end paid for it, with a really sloppy goal we conceded. We just seemed to sit off for that first part but the goal sort of woke us up and we had some encouraging pockets of play with Hamer central to this. We found our way back into it and then got the goal after a decent move.



After the break, I thought we played really well and looked the more likely and actually did not sit back and tried to get on the ball and force a team back. With better decisions and the ball falling, we might have led. We then sort of lost our way around the hour mark and they got on the ball and had midfield for a period. They moved us about and we became a bit sloppy. They got the goal and this was really frustrating as did not think they had really over stretched us at all. After this this sort of took the sting out of the crowd and any momentum we had. Chelsea without being outstanding kind of strolled the next period. We finally started to have a bit of a go and won a few set plays and as the game went on, Chelsea sat back and in the end we got a deserved leveller for our overall performance. I actually felt we could go and win and we finished the stronger – never normally said that due to out fitness/mentality and the lack of belief but today I believe if the game had gone on much longer, we would have gone on and won.



The results over this week has seen us fall even further behind but I think we all know (including the manager/team) that we are down and now it is about pride and putting together some encouraging sides for next season. We showed that and more today. The narrative as Wilder often says, is we are as good as gone and that may be the case but at least in the last week we have scored some goals and showed some fight and not been the soft touch we were before. It is too little, too late but it is just nice to come out of the Lane and be smiling in that we have not either been hammered or/and done by a late goal!



Brentford next week is not a game we need to be scared of. They have some talent in the forward positions but also are not totally out of it so will have to be positive and could leave gaps at the back too. We have Burnley the week after so there is a chance to get more points, even if it not going to matter in terms of any serious attempt to stay up.



Ratings:



Grbic 4/10 – Had no real chance with the first goal as the defence switched off and had little else to do in terms of saves. One tip over either side of the half which were routine. Still extremely hesitant on crosses and when coming off his line. The second goal I have no idea what he is doing? It seems to just go in the centre of the goal and not even that high up. It looks really poor and just a basic save to make? A few others times with his feet, he just panicked and kicked it out. Looks a really poor signing and even worse than Foderingham (who admittedly had been in poor form). We still need to upgrade here in the summer and looks a waste of money so far. Looks like someone who just makes poor decisions and is very slow to react to anything.



Bogle 7/10 – Defensively he stuck to his task but again gave his man too much space at times but thought as the game went on, he got better and then gave us an attacking threat and had a few decent moments before his goal which seemed to be more of a cross to me? After the break he continued to try and support going the other way and most of their better attacks came down the other side when he defended.



Trusty 6.5/10 – Did ok in the general play and again despite being in a position I am not sure is his natural sort of area, he stuck to doing the basics. They had a few runs down this side and he lost Madueke a few times – quick feet and pace. However, I thought he did what he had to for the most part but then the goal he gets run through too easily in the lead up. Went to centre back after Robinson went off.



Robinson 6/10 – Been our best defender and often best player much of the season but thought he was not that today. He slashed at a few things and an awful tackle where on another day he could have got sent off. He did his usual tackles and headers/committed play but I thought he was a bit clumsy at times and that tackle as I say was really poor. He then took a whack and had to go off. It must be serious as he rarely goes off and you wonder if he might be out for a while?



Holgate 6.5/10 – Ok again. Nothing amazing but nothing terrible. Kept his shape and read the game quite well with a few tackles and clearances. A couple of times they found space down his side but not sure they cut through us that much? After a really poor start, he has been quite steady actually.



Ahmedhodzic 7/10 – Continued his improved form. A few times he switched off but he again got in better positions and made some good tackles and stretches. Tried to grab opponents too much at times and surprised he does not get penalised for shirt pulling. However, overall he has been much better in terms of less mistakes and keeping his discipline better.



Osborn 7.5/10 – Another really good performance where he just kept is simple and moved it to a red and white shirt but tried to pass forward when he could. Defensively, he did what he had to in order to see out danger and stop them finding too much space. Just a steady, hard working performance. He is an intelligent player who just keeps it simple. Lacks pace and ability but counteracts this by keeping the ball and not panicking when he has it.



Hamer 8/10 – One of our, if not the, stand out player. He always wanted to be positive in what he did and so much of our better moments came from his positive passes/runs forward. Played an excellent pass for the first half and also seemed to move up and down the field more than he has. That is the most involved he has been in a game for a long time and felt he put a lot in. He got forward but also got back but his work on the ball was excellent and when he had it, we seemed to always create half a chance or something might happen. Needs to keep to these high standards. Him and Arblaster were excellent in midfield.



Arblaster 8/10 – Excellent performance where against players who cost millions (some 50-70 million) he more than held his own. Worked hard, won tackles, picked up loose stuff and used it well when he had it. Seemed to get better and better as the game went on and started to realise he was as good as so called more illustrious opponents. Involved in some of our better moves and like the way he always tries to be positive. Slows it down in a good way when he gets in and just looks a very good, all-round footballer who is always looking to be progressive. Will get great confidence from a game like that where he showed he more than belonged. Really exciting to see a Sheffield lad and Blade to boot, look one of the best players on the park v Chelsea.



Brereton Diaz 6/10 – Thought that was one of his poorer games for us. Did not quite happen for him and felt the ball did not stick like it had done in previous games. Just did not quite link as well and also thought he was too slow to make decisions. Got a booking. Thought he may have come off actually today.



McBurnie 7/10 – Worked hard all game and tried to hold it up and bring others in. First half felt when it came to him he at least tried to keep it and felt some of the better stuff came from him. Second half kept plugging away and lasted a full game and got his reward with a cool finish at the end. Scored a fair few goals and our leading scorer by a way now if only he could stay fit. Won a number of defensive headers when he came back but the goal we totally switched off but hard to see whose man it was?



Subs:



McAtee 5.5/10 – Tried to get on the ball and a few ok moments but often he held onto it too long and got muscled out of it. Had a chance at 2-2 and took too long to get it out of his feet and make a decision.



Archer – Had a hand in the leveller helping the ball on. Would have liked to have seen him come on earlier as felt BBD had struggled today and also Chelsea’s defence looked like they could be got at.



Souza – Came on right at the end and was centre back but at this stage we were the side going for a goal and he did help us keep the ball alive at the end for the goal I think?





Manager: Wilder 7/10 – A good point in the end and the overall performance was ok. We started quite slow and it was a poor game with neither side doing much but then we went behind and seemed to be passive in and out of possession. As the half went on, we started to become more committed, Hamer got on the ball and then we had chances and Bogle got us level. Second half felt we came out better and looked the better side but then we switched off for 10 minutes and allowed them to get back on top although the goal we conceded was poor. I felt he could have made changes long before he did but ultimately Archer got an assist and we got the leveller in the end. Overall, against a big money side, we were well in the game and at times I thought looked the better side. If we had lost, it would have been very harsh. Wilder did lose his cool and got booked and then at the end was scathing with the officials. I do think they were poor but he needs to keep his cool better and to see him stomping around and swearing at the 4th assistant was not great, even though we all felt it, he needs to be a bit more disciplined in my opinion. Still, we have put in two solid games against Liverpool and Chelsea and actually scored 8 goals in the last games and only lost once.





Chelsea – I have to say they may have drawn the game and led twice but thought they were one of the poorer sides to come down here. They looked disinterested for long spells and I thought United on another day actually could have won. They got in front but then switched off a few times and were pegged back. Second half they never started and we had chances to go in front and felt we were on top. They did wake up from this slumber and got a goal and despite never been totally convincing, they looked like they had done enough to win, albeit fortuitously but in the end their sloppy display got what it deserved and we got the late goal.



The amount of money they have spent on players who looked remarkably ordinary is frightening. They have a number who think they are better than what they are and United worked harder for spells. It was the first time, that despite the athleticism and power they have, they sort of ambled through the game and sort of hoped that they would just do enough to win but poor defending and discipline cost them. After we scored, I felt we could even go on and win the game as they seemed totally gone.



At the end, only maybe two or three Chelsea players went to their fans. The rest skulked down the tunnel which was disgusting really. They seem like a set of collection of individuals



Opponent Man of the Match – Madueke showed some nice bits of skill and scored a decent goal. Palmer was not as good as he has been but involved in the second and when he got it, clearly showed his dribbling and technical ability. Silva was solid and scored a decent goal. The keeper made a few saves too but not sure anyone was outstanding?



Opponent Weak link – Thought we had the better midfielders on the park. Palmer, Caicedo, Fernandez cost 280 million. TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY MILLION. Palmer was ok but Caicedo was hopeless and not sure I even noticed Fernandez. I quite like Gallagher but was not really in the game and made some baffling decisions. Jackson up front main contribution was his blue hair tints.



Referee/Officials – Robert Jones. Thought first half he was ok but gradually started to lose control and want to get too involved. Booked 6 players (4 for us and 2 for them) and maybe a few were fair enough but seemed to want to get to blow his whistle too much in the game and felt he favoured them. A number of 50-50 decisions went their way and I just thought he was too desperate to make his mark on the game. A number of things he gave were just inexplicable. The one near the end where two players came together and he gave it to them was just baffling. A few seemed to go that way and can kind of see why Wilder was getting so annoyed. At least we were spared any VAR involvement – till right at the end but the check this time was relatively quick at least! We only had 5 minutes of stoppage time this week – course we were losing - but it ended up being 8 in the end!



Crowd/Atmosphere – 28 and a half thousand but looked similar to the numbers who went against Fulham but was announced as much more? The Bramall Lane upper tier did have big gaps and there were gaps on the side of the Kop – maybe the kick off time and day did not help. Chelsea filled the away end (Fulham were not even close a week ago) but they seemed frustrated by their performance and despite them leading twice were not happy. Saw a spot of bother near G/H block – someone said some Chelsea fans were in the home end? Saw someone being ejected but not sure if it was a Blade or Chelsea fan? Definitely a bit of a fracas anyway.



United fans kept behind the side and have continued to be mostly appreciative despite so many defeats at home. Nice to see us cheering at the end and getting a positive conclusion for once! If the team puts in that level of commitment and have a go, fans will stick with them and that was the case today. It was entertaining and we got a result. That is all we can ask for at this stage.

At the end, only maybe two or three Chelsea players went to their fans. The rest skulked down the tunnel which was disgusting really. They seem like a set of collection of individuals
Yeah I noticed that, also the majority made no attempt to shake our lads hands. Disgusting behaviour from overpriveliged cunts.

 

[bakeblade]

Yes, Trusty is difficult to score Deadbat. He simply isn’t a wing back or a full back, yet is being required to play that position due to lack of trustworthy and capable resources. Get a speedy winger against him and he’s toast and looks bad. I keep having to stop myself slagging him off because he shouldn’t be there.

Exactly, he's being asked to play out of position against some world class wingers.
Saka would have most top class LBs on toast.