Deadbat
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The Blades made it eleven games unbeaten as they saw off MK Dons in front of over 20,000 fans thanks to a Billy Sharp winner in the second half after Darren Potter had equalised Stefan Scougall’s first half strike. United did just about enough to win the game in a relatively even contest but the fighting spirit from Chris Wilder’s side was all too evident again as they managed to take all three points in a battling performance. The new-found resilience was in affect for much of the game as the Blades fought for loose balls, made sure they got bodies in the way and did enough to ensure they won the game.
Manager Chris Wilder had to make a change as striker as Matty Done had fractured his jaw in training and was thus sidelined. Stefan Scougall came in to play just behind Billy Sharp in preference to Caolan Lavery. Chris Basham kept his place in the side ahead of Jack O’Connell. Managerless Dons had of course been struggling but boasted a squad of quality and experience to the extent that they were able to call on Kieran Agard and Nicky Maynard off the bench. They had former Owl and local lad Richie Barker in charge temporarily as they waited to name their new manager.
United had to kick towards the Kop in the first half and began well with Sharp winning a corner early on after threatening to turn his man and then Coutts and Fleck linked up that led to a mistake from Hendry but the Blades could not quite fashion a chance. At the other end, Fleck lost the ball and Reeves was played in but his shot was well saved at his near post from Moore who palmed behind for a corner.
Fleck then was involved at the other end as he linked well with Sharp before the ball was cleared but soon after United had the lead. Fleck was involved in returning the ball and after Sharp was blocked out, the ball fell to SCOUGALL whose shot lacked power but had accuracy and nestled inside the post to give the Blades the lead.
United continued to dominate the early proceedings with good interchange seeing a half chance for Sharp and then soon after the lively Duffy nearly played in a chance. Freeman’s deep cross was headed into the side netting from Lafferty before Sharp’s turn and shot was wide.
The home side had enjoyed the majority of the play so far but MK Dons started to come back into the game and it was around this time that Basham was moved further forward as United had more of a 4-2-2-1-1 formation with Basham in midfield now supporting the midfield 4 and Scougall just behind Sharp but just ahead of Duffy. Carruthers took a knock and was replaced by Agard before half an hour had been played.
MK had more of the ball now and were starting to peg united back but they had not created too much despite a lot more possession. Indeed the home side had the next chance with Fleck firing wide form long range. The first half came to an end with Lafferty wasting a decent crossing opportunity just before the break.
After the break, MK settled better and it was not long before they were level. A few united players maybe could have tracked their runners and were slow to react but it was good play with Lewington and Bowditch playing neat balls and the cross was transferred into the path of POTTER who firmly knocked a low shot past Moore to restore parity.
The next stage of the game was even with United struggling to make the same headway they had in the first half and it became more of a midfield battle. United’s lack of pace and height up front meant they had to play the ball into feet and this was meaning chances were restricted. However, Sharp won a corner on the hour before Duffy had an effort deflected wide. Maynard came on for Colclough a MK now had more striking options on the field.
Just after the hour United went back in front. Coutts diagonal ball looked to have been cut out but as the ball seemingly drifted out Scougall stayed with it and did excellently to not only keep it in but to hook it back into the danger area. SHARP needed time to wrestle it under control but once he did, he managed to drill it home to restore the Blades lead. It was a goal out of nothing but was thanks to the hard work of Scougall and the opportunistic finishing of their leading scorer Sharp who moved onto 10 goals for the season.
MK tried to respond but a miskick from Bowditch followed by a shot over from the same man meant United were not troubled too much.
Scougall got a standing ovation as he was replaced by Lavery with just over 15 minutes to play.
Powell came on for Bowditch as MK now were throwing extra striker forward in an attempt to get a point but the game had now become rather scrappy much to the liking of the home team. Potter was very lucky not to get another yellow when he felled Sharp and the referee was very lenient to just have a word after a clear foul.
Sharp’s link up saw a chance for Lavery but his shot went wide as the game soon after entered five minutes stoppage time.
O’Connell came on for Duffy as United sought to see out the game. For the final moments of the game United were able to keep the ball in the final third of the MK Dons half and won a series of corners and throw ins. Indeed, MK could not even get the ball in the final third and when they finally did, it was cleared and the referee’s whistle for full time came soon after.
United – It was not scintillating, not superb football but we scrapped, fight, played decent in spells and showed a spirt and resolve I have not seen in years past. We did enough to win the game. We had the better of the first part of the game and scored; they then came and had a spell before we regrouped but they scored with one of the first attacks of the second half. After this I was unsure what would happen and it became a game that you felt the next goal would seal it. So it proved as a moment of real tenacity from Scougall saw us recycle the ball and Sharp did what he does best and buried it. After this we did enough to see out the game with some hard work, decent link up and solid no nonsense defending.
They had one chance in the first few minutes and then scored but had few chances outside of this. We did not have too many chances but got into the last third more than them and at least had some chances, even if they were mostly half chances. We still had a lot of the ball and I felt if anyone deserved to win it was us. We scored two scrappy-ish goals and to be fair to them, they scored the best goal of the game with a decent well worked (albeit avoidable) goal. After this you felt it could go either way but we came again and got the crucial third goal in the game. After this United had something to hold onto again and saw out the game very professionally.
Cannot say we had too many outstanding performances but a lot of solid, workmanlike ones and I felt there was a determination to carry on the run. Tactically and formation wise we changed things a few times during one game (as did they) but managed to always keep enough control of the game to win it.
The defence was mostly solid, the midfield worked hard and the players nearer the top in Duffy, Scougall and Sharp were busy all game. MK have some decent players and I felt played some decent stuff too but we showed a real spirit and won the key battle when we needed to.
Going forward it was tough with only Sharp as an out and out striker and then players coming off him and it meant we could not play the high ball or even ball to run onto due to lack of pace/height but we did managed to play some neat and tidy stuff even with just one up. I felt the likes of Coutts, Fleck and Basham won a lot of loose ball and at least tried to find Sharp or one of the more advanced players but it was hard to get men amongst him. With Done out for a few more weeks and Done also injured we may have to see a lot off this type of formation/strategy and whilst many may have criticised Wilder for playing Scougall; he did well and was involved in both goals and worked incredibly hard. It meant we had most of the midfield all game even if it meant we did not have too many chances or clear link up in the forward positions. Defensively we headed and kicked it away and got the blocks in when needed to ensure we won the game. The goal was poor as runners did not go but like the third at Bradford was still well made and finished. Sometimes you have to hold your hand up.
Scunny, Bolton and Bradford all won of course but United just have to keep going. Eleven games unbeaten is a great run and means we are right around the top. We just have to keep the run going. I felt Bradford and MK Dons would be two of the tougher games and now we have a series of home games to home sandwiched between a game at local rival Chesterfield. The aim has to be to pick up points from games v Bury, Shrewsbury, Walsall and Swindon (a trip to Charlton amongst that batch) and see where we are at Christmas. There is a real spirit and togetherness there and some spells of decent football too (albeit we can do better in this regard) that means we can feel positive about the side at the moment.
MK Dons – I was really surprised that they have struggled so much this season. I felt they were shoe in for the top 6 and actually still do despite the struggle and the relegation type struggle they seem to be amongst at the moment. Karl Robinson paid the price and on reflection may have wished he had gone in the summer as he stayed and things seemed rather stale. They still have a lot of decent players and some experience all over the field. They will of course name a new manager in the next week or so and I still feel they will be around the top places at the end. Automatic may be beyond them but a top 6 place I would still not rule out with the squad that they have. They have players up the top end in Maynard, Agard, Powell, Bowditch at this level that should get them amongst the goals and in the other parts of the side Reeves, Upson, Potter and Carruthers all possess decent quality. At the back they have struggled and newcomer Downing had already been dropped. They did look poor there today and need to improve in this area to move up the league.
Today they maybe could have argued they did enough to earn a draw but only had 2 shots on goal and conceded a lot of possession and play. They showed some decent passing and movement but looked a bit powder puff in the final third. At the back the two full backs were erratic and I felt the centre backs also struggled with Walsh never getting to grips with Sharp all game.
They scored a lovely well worked goal but gave away two sloppy ones and after it went 2-1 you could see the lack of confidence as they never really convinced that they may come back again.
Be interesting to see what direction Winkelman goes in. Heavy rumours around data guy Mitchell who worked at Spurs and others getting the gig but there is also Adkins stories! I think whoever gets the job should take them up the league and at least threaten the playoff places. I would certainly be surprised if they finished in the bottom half of the table.
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Opponent man of the match : Thought Carruthers played well and looked a threat before he went off. Agard did not do much and the other strikers who came on Powell and Maynard never really got into it (thanks to our defence) but Potter had a decent game capped with his goal. The player that looked the most threatening was Reeves who was able to get into little pockets, thread through a few balls and also look a goal threat with some shots towards goal.
Opponent Weak link : Walsh or Lewington. Baldock and Hendry had their moments but the other two were poor. Lewington has been at the club forever dating back to the Wimbledon days but he looked slow and sluggish today. The lad Walsh got booked and could have been sent off. Looked very slow and seemed slow to react to things.
Manager Chris Wilder had to make a change as striker as Matty Done had fractured his jaw in training and was thus sidelined. Stefan Scougall came in to play just behind Billy Sharp in preference to Caolan Lavery. Chris Basham kept his place in the side ahead of Jack O’Connell. Managerless Dons had of course been struggling but boasted a squad of quality and experience to the extent that they were able to call on Kieran Agard and Nicky Maynard off the bench. They had former Owl and local lad Richie Barker in charge temporarily as they waited to name their new manager.
United had to kick towards the Kop in the first half and began well with Sharp winning a corner early on after threatening to turn his man and then Coutts and Fleck linked up that led to a mistake from Hendry but the Blades could not quite fashion a chance. At the other end, Fleck lost the ball and Reeves was played in but his shot was well saved at his near post from Moore who palmed behind for a corner.
Fleck then was involved at the other end as he linked well with Sharp before the ball was cleared but soon after United had the lead. Fleck was involved in returning the ball and after Sharp was blocked out, the ball fell to SCOUGALL whose shot lacked power but had accuracy and nestled inside the post to give the Blades the lead.
United continued to dominate the early proceedings with good interchange seeing a half chance for Sharp and then soon after the lively Duffy nearly played in a chance. Freeman’s deep cross was headed into the side netting from Lafferty before Sharp’s turn and shot was wide.
The home side had enjoyed the majority of the play so far but MK Dons started to come back into the game and it was around this time that Basham was moved further forward as United had more of a 4-2-2-1-1 formation with Basham in midfield now supporting the midfield 4 and Scougall just behind Sharp but just ahead of Duffy. Carruthers took a knock and was replaced by Agard before half an hour had been played.
MK had more of the ball now and were starting to peg united back but they had not created too much despite a lot more possession. Indeed the home side had the next chance with Fleck firing wide form long range. The first half came to an end with Lafferty wasting a decent crossing opportunity just before the break.
After the break, MK settled better and it was not long before they were level. A few united players maybe could have tracked their runners and were slow to react but it was good play with Lewington and Bowditch playing neat balls and the cross was transferred into the path of POTTER who firmly knocked a low shot past Moore to restore parity.
The next stage of the game was even with United struggling to make the same headway they had in the first half and it became more of a midfield battle. United’s lack of pace and height up front meant they had to play the ball into feet and this was meaning chances were restricted. However, Sharp won a corner on the hour before Duffy had an effort deflected wide. Maynard came on for Colclough a MK now had more striking options on the field.
Just after the hour United went back in front. Coutts diagonal ball looked to have been cut out but as the ball seemingly drifted out Scougall stayed with it and did excellently to not only keep it in but to hook it back into the danger area. SHARP needed time to wrestle it under control but once he did, he managed to drill it home to restore the Blades lead. It was a goal out of nothing but was thanks to the hard work of Scougall and the opportunistic finishing of their leading scorer Sharp who moved onto 10 goals for the season.
MK tried to respond but a miskick from Bowditch followed by a shot over from the same man meant United were not troubled too much.
Scougall got a standing ovation as he was replaced by Lavery with just over 15 minutes to play.
Powell came on for Bowditch as MK now were throwing extra striker forward in an attempt to get a point but the game had now become rather scrappy much to the liking of the home team. Potter was very lucky not to get another yellow when he felled Sharp and the referee was very lenient to just have a word after a clear foul.
Sharp’s link up saw a chance for Lavery but his shot went wide as the game soon after entered five minutes stoppage time.
O’Connell came on for Duffy as United sought to see out the game. For the final moments of the game United were able to keep the ball in the final third of the MK Dons half and won a series of corners and throw ins. Indeed, MK could not even get the ball in the final third and when they finally did, it was cleared and the referee’s whistle for full time came soon after.
United – It was not scintillating, not superb football but we scrapped, fight, played decent in spells and showed a spirt and resolve I have not seen in years past. We did enough to win the game. We had the better of the first part of the game and scored; they then came and had a spell before we regrouped but they scored with one of the first attacks of the second half. After this I was unsure what would happen and it became a game that you felt the next goal would seal it. So it proved as a moment of real tenacity from Scougall saw us recycle the ball and Sharp did what he does best and buried it. After this we did enough to see out the game with some hard work, decent link up and solid no nonsense defending.
They had one chance in the first few minutes and then scored but had few chances outside of this. We did not have too many chances but got into the last third more than them and at least had some chances, even if they were mostly half chances. We still had a lot of the ball and I felt if anyone deserved to win it was us. We scored two scrappy-ish goals and to be fair to them, they scored the best goal of the game with a decent well worked (albeit avoidable) goal. After this you felt it could go either way but we came again and got the crucial third goal in the game. After this United had something to hold onto again and saw out the game very professionally.
Cannot say we had too many outstanding performances but a lot of solid, workmanlike ones and I felt there was a determination to carry on the run. Tactically and formation wise we changed things a few times during one game (as did they) but managed to always keep enough control of the game to win it.
The defence was mostly solid, the midfield worked hard and the players nearer the top in Duffy, Scougall and Sharp were busy all game. MK have some decent players and I felt played some decent stuff too but we showed a real spirit and won the key battle when we needed to.
Going forward it was tough with only Sharp as an out and out striker and then players coming off him and it meant we could not play the high ball or even ball to run onto due to lack of pace/height but we did managed to play some neat and tidy stuff even with just one up. I felt the likes of Coutts, Fleck and Basham won a lot of loose ball and at least tried to find Sharp or one of the more advanced players but it was hard to get men amongst him. With Done out for a few more weeks and Done also injured we may have to see a lot off this type of formation/strategy and whilst many may have criticised Wilder for playing Scougall; he did well and was involved in both goals and worked incredibly hard. It meant we had most of the midfield all game even if it meant we did not have too many chances or clear link up in the forward positions. Defensively we headed and kicked it away and got the blocks in when needed to ensure we won the game. The goal was poor as runners did not go but like the third at Bradford was still well made and finished. Sometimes you have to hold your hand up.
Scunny, Bolton and Bradford all won of course but United just have to keep going. Eleven games unbeaten is a great run and means we are right around the top. We just have to keep the run going. I felt Bradford and MK Dons would be two of the tougher games and now we have a series of home games to home sandwiched between a game at local rival Chesterfield. The aim has to be to pick up points from games v Bury, Shrewsbury, Walsall and Swindon (a trip to Charlton amongst that batch) and see where we are at Christmas. There is a real spirit and togetherness there and some spells of decent football too (albeit we can do better in this regard) that means we can feel positive about the side at the moment.
MK Dons – I was really surprised that they have struggled so much this season. I felt they were shoe in for the top 6 and actually still do despite the struggle and the relegation type struggle they seem to be amongst at the moment. Karl Robinson paid the price and on reflection may have wished he had gone in the summer as he stayed and things seemed rather stale. They still have a lot of decent players and some experience all over the field. They will of course name a new manager in the next week or so and I still feel they will be around the top places at the end. Automatic may be beyond them but a top 6 place I would still not rule out with the squad that they have. They have players up the top end in Maynard, Agard, Powell, Bowditch at this level that should get them amongst the goals and in the other parts of the side Reeves, Upson, Potter and Carruthers all possess decent quality. At the back they have struggled and newcomer Downing had already been dropped. They did look poor there today and need to improve in this area to move up the league.
Today they maybe could have argued they did enough to earn a draw but only had 2 shots on goal and conceded a lot of possession and play. They showed some decent passing and movement but looked a bit powder puff in the final third. At the back the two full backs were erratic and I felt the centre backs also struggled with Walsh never getting to grips with Sharp all game.
They scored a lovely well worked goal but gave away two sloppy ones and after it went 2-1 you could see the lack of confidence as they never really convinced that they may come back again.
Be interesting to see what direction Winkelman goes in. Heavy rumours around data guy Mitchell who worked at Spurs and others getting the gig but there is also Adkins stories! I think whoever gets the job should take them up the league and at least threaten the playoff places. I would certainly be surprised if they finished in the bottom half of the table.
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Opponent man of the match : Thought Carruthers played well and looked a threat before he went off. Agard did not do much and the other strikers who came on Powell and Maynard never really got into it (thanks to our defence) but Potter had a decent game capped with his goal. The player that looked the most threatening was Reeves who was able to get into little pockets, thread through a few balls and also look a goal threat with some shots towards goal.
Opponent Weak link : Walsh or Lewington. Baldock and Hendry had their moments but the other two were poor. Lewington has been at the club forever dating back to the Wimbledon days but he looked slow and sluggish today. The lad Walsh got booked and could have been sent off. Looked very slow and seemed slow to react to things.
