Deadbat
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Did not go this year - left it too long to sort tickets out and then ashamedly opted for the save money/watch on TV option from the warmth of my home - safe to say wish I had gone now!
I will not do a full report as most were either there or saw it and not going don't think you can call it same from watching on TV....However, I will give a brief summary and my player ratings.
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It was a big shock when they took the lead but was a really poor goal to give away. Basham errored by trying to steal the ball and then we were too slow to come across. The shot was a good one but Moore has to save it. After this we continued to look slow and ponderous and they looked up for it and seemed to let O'Shea come back into midfield meaning they had an extra man in here.
We seemed to be second to the ball for the first time in ages. Still we gradually got back into it and Lafferty should have scored after great work from Sharp. Done also missed a great chance when Freeman did well. A few corners and a few other half chances came with Ebanks Landell having two opportunities in the box.
We had a mixed bag in terms of performances with Sharp looking lively, Fleck getting on the ball but Coutts and Duffy quieter than normal. Basham was also struggling with Evans and Lafferty with Aribiyi with their pace and power causing problems. Evans did look a real threat and you feared the inevitable but you also felt there were chances coming for the Blades so did not worry too much. I just felt we were not winning the loose balls and individual battles like we had done.
United still had most of the ball but were not looking as assured as recent weeks and you felt they would have to up the tempo second half and then more chances would come. Just before the break though we had a let off as Evatt's headed onto the bar when Ebanks Landell lost his man,
After the break United seemed to play 5-10 yards further up the field and the two wing backs were playing much further forward. Chesterfield seemed to go further back and slowly likes of Coutts and Fleck started to get control. Duffy also saw more of the ball. Eventually the leveller came with a great cross from Fleck and header (although not cleanest of contacts off his head) from Freeman bulleted into the net.
After this you felt there would only be one winner and United came again but then suddenly a break saw Evans in and his shot was saved from Moore but span up and behind and seemed goal bound until Wright headed off the line. This was a big let off.
Untied came again and reasserted their dominance pushing Chesterfield further back. Done should have scored when he got into the near post but shot badly wide.
Clarke came on for Wright showing the intent as we went with a more orthodox formation with Sharp alongside Clarke and Done switching to the left. Clarke was involved instantly in some of our play and with Coutts/Fleck pulling the strings you sensed more chances. Chesterfield started to look a side bottom of the league.
The second Blades goal came when Fleck picked it up and drove forward with Clarke taking a defender away with an intelligent run. The shot from Fleck was excellent; low and crisp and even though the keeper was a bit slow down it was still a good goal. Within moments it was three. Lovely build up saw the ball switched out wide and Duffy put over a beautiful cross and Sharp headed in at the back post. It effectively sealed the game,
More lovely football saw a fourth as Duffy, Coutts, Fleck and then Clarke were involved and the big striker finished it with a lovely curled left foot finish using a defender as a screen. Question marks over the defending and keeping again but another well worked and taken goal.
Chesterfield looked a poor side and were well beaten being steam rolled by a dominant and confident Blades side. They had a late chance when O'Shea should have scored but he sliced off target. United then saw out the closing stages with some one touch football and confident stuff as the crowd's oles signalled another thumping win; their third in a week.
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United - Sluggish first half and slow to get going. We had a few players off the pace and as a team we were not working hard enough with and without the ball. Still for all this it took a great strike for them to score and we had three or four good chances and should have been level at the half. I still felt we would do more and just up the tempo and so it proved. After the break we were excellent. All the team improved individually and collectively.
We came onto the ball, pushed them further and further back and looked like chances and goals would come at will. They could not hold us back. Still we needed a vital save and block from Moore/Wright at 1-1. When Evans went off, you felt with him went that hope they had and we started to blow them away. It could have been even more by the end.
We played some lovely football and scored some well worked goals. We also worked hard again and the desire to chase/get tackles in meant we slowly wore the opposition down as we ended up having more of the ball.
There are still question marks and things we can improve on. Basham struggled with Evans (O'Connell harsh to not be starting) and I felt Duffy was wasteful much of the game until two assists late on. Done was poor and missed two excellent chances - he has to do more. I also felt first half a few were back to last seasons’ standard before stepping up. Coutts had an excellent second half and got stronger as the game went on - this is different to last season when he used to fade. Thought Sharp played well all game and linked with others but my man of the match was Fleck - thought he was superb. The defence was a bit slow at times and not quite as sound as it has been but when we are on the front foot it helps players all over the field. Clarke did really well when he came on linking up and showing his intelligence. Still think he can be a big asset.
We will play far better teams than Orient and Chesterfield in weeks to come and Shrewsbury are on a good run now having won three straight in all competitions so next week won’t be easy but with 6/8 games at home up to the turn of the year we have a great chance to solidify ourselves at the top. Still games are not played on paper and we have to make sure we go and get as many points as we can. It is inevitable we will have a drop off and run will come to an end, but then it is important how we react from this.
Chesterfield – They began well and worked hard and chased/harried and got the early goal. Evans was their talisman and seemed to be giving them hope by chasing lost causes. This seemed infectious and they suddenly had some confidence from their first goal in 6 games. Even at the break they will have sensed a chance for a result but after we scored they kind of fell apart. They kept getting deeper and deeper and gave the ball away a lot. The centre backs looked clumsy and slow and we were getting down the sides. They lost all control of the midfield and seemed to be hanging on but then suddenly two quick goals and it was game over. Poor play from them saw them not press the ball and they then did not rotate to get men around and it saw chances for easy crosses and opportunities in the box. The keeper did not show much confidence at all and I felt that more goals may come.
Opponent man of the match: Evans was the stand out man for them and a focal point. Strong and deceptively quick, he caused Basham all sorts of problems early on with his hold up and running. He nearly scored and made a goal. Of course he has been out for so long so inevitable he is picking up lots of niggles and the injury again today means he may be out for a few more weeks. He does look too good for them and would not be surprised if next summer he moves onto a better side. The lad Aribiyi is all tricks and has pace. Can see why teams have looked at him but his end product could have been better. Nolan scored a good goal and was busy early and O’Shea always works hard (a bit of a Done type).
Opposition weak link/s: I think the keeper was poor and made a mess of two of the goals. He was a big lad but did not show any command at all. However, the weak links were the three clumsy, immobile centre backs. Take your pick from Evatt, Liddle and Anderson. I thought the latter Sharp caused him all sorts of problems. Liddle is normally a midfielder and I felt he looked a bit all over in this position. As for the other ex Blade, Dimaio, I thought the game largely passed him by. This was the same when we went there in April. Not changed my thoughts that we were right to release him.
Ratings:
Moore 6.5/10 - Loses a mark for the goal. I thought he should have saved it. Was take early and hit powerfully but seemed to go through him. After this he was fine. Made a good save to deny Evans and caught a few routine shots and took a few high balls. Also saved a low Evans shot.
Freeman 7.5/10 – First half got caught up in the malaise of the first half of the rest but slowly came on and started to get further forward. One good cross to Done and a few other decent crosses. Got in the box and scored (now got 3 this season is it?).
Lafferty 7/10- Thought he was sloppy at times. Should have scored early and hit another shot over the bar. Headed wide also when well placed. His passing ad touch was off a lot of the game but then as we got better so did he and moved into different positons down the left hand side.
Basham 6/10 – First half thought Evans caused him all sort of problems and he was struggling to hold him up. He tried to gamble on the goal and it hurt us as he tried to snatch the ball and left us exposed. One moment when he just collapsed when Evans leant into him summed it up how he was getting overpowered. Improved after the break and of course Evans then went off.
Ebanks Landell 7/10 – He made a few mistakes today (lost Evatt for the one that hit the bar and and his error led to the Evans chance I think second half) but he is a bit like that (s**t or bust). He made a number of other good headers/blocks and used ball well for the most part when he had it. He also had a few chances at the other end. Gradually helped us move further up the field.
Wright 7/10 – Got done a few times for pace with Aribiyi causing problems down that side but he kept at it and was steady for the most part. Made a great line saving header and a few other good tackles (one excellent on Evans first half). Sacrificed when we went with more striking options when Clarke came on.
Coutts 8/10 – First half he was not as involved as he has been and I felt they had more of the ball than we would have liked. Slowly he got more into the game and in the second half he was excellent and maybe alongside Fleck, the best player on the field. He started to knock the ball around and use it well. He began to quarter back our play and many of our attacks came from his promptings.
Fleck 8.5/10 – Our best player for me. He was excellent. He tackles, tracked back and won the ball and then when he had it, he carried it on and showed drive and purpose. Most of our good play first half came from him and he carried it on second half. Scored a brilliant goal and was able to show his range of passing and crossing. Made the first goal also. Looks a brilliant signing and with him and Coutts on form in midfield, we will be a touch side to stop.
Duffy 6/10 – I might be a 4 or 5 if not for the two assists second half and a better last 20 minutes. For the first 70 minutes he was dreadful. He overplayed it and his crosses were poor and he constantly wasted the ball. He seemed set to come off and I felt he had just had one of those days but then he made two goals and was involved in some of our better play. One thing I will say is he never hides. He always wants to get on the ball even if it means he has given it away the previous occasion. He is decent on the ball but needs to ensure his final pass is better. The cross for Sharp’s header was so precise.
Done 5/10 – He was our weak link today I felt going forward. Sure he tried hard and ran around and did the usual pressing but missed two guilt edged chances. His touch also was not great and did not stick in the same way it did with Sharp. He was fortunate to stay on as long as he did but was put out wide left. Not sure he will start next game. I think Scougall may come back in and eventually Clarke – people may saw him and Sharp cannot play together but we did not have this formation or confidence earlier in the season.
Sharp 8/10 – Our main threat first half with a few turn and shots which were blocked or deflected. Led line well, holding the ball up and playing others in. He worked very hard all game and was a good outlet against a static defence. Had a few chances and also looked like he may score and so it proved with a far post header. Captaining the side well. Nice touch at the end to mention the young lad that is poorly and also saw his celebration was a tribute to him.
Subs
Clarke – Did really well when he came on, linking with others, made a run for the second goal taking a defender away. Scored a nice third goal too. Great option off the bench at the moment until he is fully fit again.
O’Connell – Brought on to help ensure we had a solidity at the back for the final stages. Nothing fancy and won a few headers. Harsh not to be playing at the moment but we are winning of course.
Lavery – Only came on right at the end for Sharp. Nearly got in once as the centre backs continued to make mistakes.
Officials – They gave some odd things both ways early on but settled down. Freeman was the only booking (for celebrating in the crowd). Evans should have been booked for two bad fouls (on Fleck and then Moore) but other than that cannot recall many bad fouls at all really. It was an easy game to referee. I felt Evans was slightly offside on the chance he had though when Moore saved.
I will not do a full report as most were either there or saw it and not going don't think you can call it same from watching on TV....However, I will give a brief summary and my player ratings.
----
It was a big shock when they took the lead but was a really poor goal to give away. Basham errored by trying to steal the ball and then we were too slow to come across. The shot was a good one but Moore has to save it. After this we continued to look slow and ponderous and they looked up for it and seemed to let O'Shea come back into midfield meaning they had an extra man in here.
We seemed to be second to the ball for the first time in ages. Still we gradually got back into it and Lafferty should have scored after great work from Sharp. Done also missed a great chance when Freeman did well. A few corners and a few other half chances came with Ebanks Landell having two opportunities in the box.
We had a mixed bag in terms of performances with Sharp looking lively, Fleck getting on the ball but Coutts and Duffy quieter than normal. Basham was also struggling with Evans and Lafferty with Aribiyi with their pace and power causing problems. Evans did look a real threat and you feared the inevitable but you also felt there were chances coming for the Blades so did not worry too much. I just felt we were not winning the loose balls and individual battles like we had done.
United still had most of the ball but were not looking as assured as recent weeks and you felt they would have to up the tempo second half and then more chances would come. Just before the break though we had a let off as Evatt's headed onto the bar when Ebanks Landell lost his man,
After the break United seemed to play 5-10 yards further up the field and the two wing backs were playing much further forward. Chesterfield seemed to go further back and slowly likes of Coutts and Fleck started to get control. Duffy also saw more of the ball. Eventually the leveller came with a great cross from Fleck and header (although not cleanest of contacts off his head) from Freeman bulleted into the net.
After this you felt there would only be one winner and United came again but then suddenly a break saw Evans in and his shot was saved from Moore but span up and behind and seemed goal bound until Wright headed off the line. This was a big let off.
Untied came again and reasserted their dominance pushing Chesterfield further back. Done should have scored when he got into the near post but shot badly wide.
Clarke came on for Wright showing the intent as we went with a more orthodox formation with Sharp alongside Clarke and Done switching to the left. Clarke was involved instantly in some of our play and with Coutts/Fleck pulling the strings you sensed more chances. Chesterfield started to look a side bottom of the league.
The second Blades goal came when Fleck picked it up and drove forward with Clarke taking a defender away with an intelligent run. The shot from Fleck was excellent; low and crisp and even though the keeper was a bit slow down it was still a good goal. Within moments it was three. Lovely build up saw the ball switched out wide and Duffy put over a beautiful cross and Sharp headed in at the back post. It effectively sealed the game,
More lovely football saw a fourth as Duffy, Coutts, Fleck and then Clarke were involved and the big striker finished it with a lovely curled left foot finish using a defender as a screen. Question marks over the defending and keeping again but another well worked and taken goal.
Chesterfield looked a poor side and were well beaten being steam rolled by a dominant and confident Blades side. They had a late chance when O'Shea should have scored but he sliced off target. United then saw out the closing stages with some one touch football and confident stuff as the crowd's oles signalled another thumping win; their third in a week.
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United - Sluggish first half and slow to get going. We had a few players off the pace and as a team we were not working hard enough with and without the ball. Still for all this it took a great strike for them to score and we had three or four good chances and should have been level at the half. I still felt we would do more and just up the tempo and so it proved. After the break we were excellent. All the team improved individually and collectively.
We came onto the ball, pushed them further and further back and looked like chances and goals would come at will. They could not hold us back. Still we needed a vital save and block from Moore/Wright at 1-1. When Evans went off, you felt with him went that hope they had and we started to blow them away. It could have been even more by the end.
We played some lovely football and scored some well worked goals. We also worked hard again and the desire to chase/get tackles in meant we slowly wore the opposition down as we ended up having more of the ball.
There are still question marks and things we can improve on. Basham struggled with Evans (O'Connell harsh to not be starting) and I felt Duffy was wasteful much of the game until two assists late on. Done was poor and missed two excellent chances - he has to do more. I also felt first half a few were back to last seasons’ standard before stepping up. Coutts had an excellent second half and got stronger as the game went on - this is different to last season when he used to fade. Thought Sharp played well all game and linked with others but my man of the match was Fleck - thought he was superb. The defence was a bit slow at times and not quite as sound as it has been but when we are on the front foot it helps players all over the field. Clarke did really well when he came on linking up and showing his intelligence. Still think he can be a big asset.
We will play far better teams than Orient and Chesterfield in weeks to come and Shrewsbury are on a good run now having won three straight in all competitions so next week won’t be easy but with 6/8 games at home up to the turn of the year we have a great chance to solidify ourselves at the top. Still games are not played on paper and we have to make sure we go and get as many points as we can. It is inevitable we will have a drop off and run will come to an end, but then it is important how we react from this.
Chesterfield – They began well and worked hard and chased/harried and got the early goal. Evans was their talisman and seemed to be giving them hope by chasing lost causes. This seemed infectious and they suddenly had some confidence from their first goal in 6 games. Even at the break they will have sensed a chance for a result but after we scored they kind of fell apart. They kept getting deeper and deeper and gave the ball away a lot. The centre backs looked clumsy and slow and we were getting down the sides. They lost all control of the midfield and seemed to be hanging on but then suddenly two quick goals and it was game over. Poor play from them saw them not press the ball and they then did not rotate to get men around and it saw chances for easy crosses and opportunities in the box. The keeper did not show much confidence at all and I felt that more goals may come.
Opponent man of the match: Evans was the stand out man for them and a focal point. Strong and deceptively quick, he caused Basham all sorts of problems early on with his hold up and running. He nearly scored and made a goal. Of course he has been out for so long so inevitable he is picking up lots of niggles and the injury again today means he may be out for a few more weeks. He does look too good for them and would not be surprised if next summer he moves onto a better side. The lad Aribiyi is all tricks and has pace. Can see why teams have looked at him but his end product could have been better. Nolan scored a good goal and was busy early and O’Shea always works hard (a bit of a Done type).
Opposition weak link/s: I think the keeper was poor and made a mess of two of the goals. He was a big lad but did not show any command at all. However, the weak links were the three clumsy, immobile centre backs. Take your pick from Evatt, Liddle and Anderson. I thought the latter Sharp caused him all sorts of problems. Liddle is normally a midfielder and I felt he looked a bit all over in this position. As for the other ex Blade, Dimaio, I thought the game largely passed him by. This was the same when we went there in April. Not changed my thoughts that we were right to release him.
Ratings:
Moore 6.5/10 - Loses a mark for the goal. I thought he should have saved it. Was take early and hit powerfully but seemed to go through him. After this he was fine. Made a good save to deny Evans and caught a few routine shots and took a few high balls. Also saved a low Evans shot.
Freeman 7.5/10 – First half got caught up in the malaise of the first half of the rest but slowly came on and started to get further forward. One good cross to Done and a few other decent crosses. Got in the box and scored (now got 3 this season is it?).
Lafferty 7/10- Thought he was sloppy at times. Should have scored early and hit another shot over the bar. Headed wide also when well placed. His passing ad touch was off a lot of the game but then as we got better so did he and moved into different positons down the left hand side.
Basham 6/10 – First half thought Evans caused him all sort of problems and he was struggling to hold him up. He tried to gamble on the goal and it hurt us as he tried to snatch the ball and left us exposed. One moment when he just collapsed when Evans leant into him summed it up how he was getting overpowered. Improved after the break and of course Evans then went off.
Ebanks Landell 7/10 – He made a few mistakes today (lost Evatt for the one that hit the bar and and his error led to the Evans chance I think second half) but he is a bit like that (s**t or bust). He made a number of other good headers/blocks and used ball well for the most part when he had it. He also had a few chances at the other end. Gradually helped us move further up the field.
Wright 7/10 – Got done a few times for pace with Aribiyi causing problems down that side but he kept at it and was steady for the most part. Made a great line saving header and a few other good tackles (one excellent on Evans first half). Sacrificed when we went with more striking options when Clarke came on.
Coutts 8/10 – First half he was not as involved as he has been and I felt they had more of the ball than we would have liked. Slowly he got more into the game and in the second half he was excellent and maybe alongside Fleck, the best player on the field. He started to knock the ball around and use it well. He began to quarter back our play and many of our attacks came from his promptings.
Fleck 8.5/10 – Our best player for me. He was excellent. He tackles, tracked back and won the ball and then when he had it, he carried it on and showed drive and purpose. Most of our good play first half came from him and he carried it on second half. Scored a brilliant goal and was able to show his range of passing and crossing. Made the first goal also. Looks a brilliant signing and with him and Coutts on form in midfield, we will be a touch side to stop.
Duffy 6/10 – I might be a 4 or 5 if not for the two assists second half and a better last 20 minutes. For the first 70 minutes he was dreadful. He overplayed it and his crosses were poor and he constantly wasted the ball. He seemed set to come off and I felt he had just had one of those days but then he made two goals and was involved in some of our better play. One thing I will say is he never hides. He always wants to get on the ball even if it means he has given it away the previous occasion. He is decent on the ball but needs to ensure his final pass is better. The cross for Sharp’s header was so precise.
Done 5/10 – He was our weak link today I felt going forward. Sure he tried hard and ran around and did the usual pressing but missed two guilt edged chances. His touch also was not great and did not stick in the same way it did with Sharp. He was fortunate to stay on as long as he did but was put out wide left. Not sure he will start next game. I think Scougall may come back in and eventually Clarke – people may saw him and Sharp cannot play together but we did not have this formation or confidence earlier in the season.
Sharp 8/10 – Our main threat first half with a few turn and shots which were blocked or deflected. Led line well, holding the ball up and playing others in. He worked very hard all game and was a good outlet against a static defence. Had a few chances and also looked like he may score and so it proved with a far post header. Captaining the side well. Nice touch at the end to mention the young lad that is poorly and also saw his celebration was a tribute to him.
Subs
Clarke – Did really well when he came on, linking with others, made a run for the second goal taking a defender away. Scored a nice third goal too. Great option off the bench at the moment until he is fully fit again.
O’Connell – Brought on to help ensure we had a solidity at the back for the final stages. Nothing fancy and won a few headers. Harsh not to be playing at the moment but we are winning of course.
Lavery – Only came on right at the end for Sharp. Nearly got in once as the centre backs continued to make mistakes.
Officials – They gave some odd things both ways early on but settled down. Freeman was the only booking (for celebrating in the crowd). Evans should have been booked for two bad fouls (on Fleck and then Moore) but other than that cannot recall many bad fouls at all really. It was an easy game to referee. I felt Evans was slightly offside on the chance he had though when Moore saved.
