Deadbat
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United put down a huge marker in the promotion race in League One as they deservedly saw off a poor Bolton side at Bramall Lane. Having been the subject of derogatory comments on social media, leading scorer Billy Sharp certainly did his talking on the pitch with a goal in each half. In truth, United were stronger in every department as they finally beat Bolton at the third attempt this season and the score line was a fair reflection of the game. United are now 8 points clear at the top of League One with Fleetwood appearing the main threat at the current time rather than perhaps the stuttering Wanderers or Scunthorpe.
Manager Chris Wilder named an unchanged side from the game against Scunthorpe with just one change on the bench with James Wilson coming in for the injured Joe Riley. In contrast Bolton were without a few key players notably Jay Spearing, Andrew Taylor and Gary Madine from recent line ups. The former Wednesday striker had to withdraw due to ‘illness’ according to Wanderers manager Phil Parkinson. They also did not have Pratley, Wilson, Davies and Buxton but some of these have been out for a while but still fielded an experienced line up with players with experience of much higher levels.
As they did last week United started on the front foot wit Basham and O’Connell winning early headers and Fleck and Coutts getting on the ball early. United pushed the visitors back and had an early chance when Coutts cross saw Howard struggling and as Hanson had his header blocked the ball fell invitingly to Wright but the defender blazed over when he ought to have scored.
On 12 minutes the opening goal came. Nice work from Duffy saw him play the ball inside to Fleck. His through ball seemed as if it would be cut out by Beevers but it found SHARP who took a touch and steadied himself and fired in off the far post. It was a well-constructed goal and clinically taken by the Blades leading scorer who was quick to put his finger to his mouth towards the visiting fans before celebrating with his team mates.
Bolton had offered little going the other way but a decent move down the right saw Moxey play a great ball across but nobody attacked it and it drifted wide. Coutts and Fleck then combined well before Sharp’s pull back just evaded Hanson.
Bolton’s main threat seemed to be from set plays and United gave away two daft free kicks on the half hour but Morais failed to get either anywhere near the target. Fleck was booked for a late tackle on Rotherham loanee Thorpe; who soon after had to go off injured replaced by Dervite.
United kept playing nice football and Freeman’s run and cross was cleared before Sharp and Hanson nearly combined. Bolton won a further series of free kicks but O’Connell was strong in the challenge and then good work from Basham stopped a possible Bolton attack.
The half time whistle came and there was warm applause from the home fans who recognised another strong performance from the Blades.
The second half began with United on the offensive again and after Hanson headed down Sharp shot wide from a decent chance. Sharp then unselfishly tried to square to Hanson but Dervite got a toe to the ball to avert the chance. Good work from Fleck saw him chip into the box for Sharp who headed it first time but Howard saved at point blank range. A yard either side and it would have been a goal.
Le Fondre has not really been in the game and was replaced by Long before Clayton came on for Wilkinson not long after. United made their first change with Carruthers coming on for Duffy. The midfielder was instantly involved combining well with Fleck to lead to corner. From the resultant kick, Coutts shot just wide.
United’s domination finally brought about the second goal. Carruthers combined with Sharp and as he ran onto the pass he skipped inside Wheater who appeared to clip him as he went to ground. Referee Mike Dean pointed straight to the spot. Despite a chequered penalty spot record, SHARP took the ball and sent his former teammate Mark Howard the wrong way before celebrating in front of the Kop.
United continued to control the game but Bolton had a brief spell of play but could not really test Moore who had barely had a save of note to make all game. Wright did well to block Clayton and Basham stepped out with the ball superbly as the Blades finished the stronger of the two sides. Carruthers went on a superb individual run where he skipped past two or three challenges and then just poked wide as he advanced into the box. Lavery came on for Hanson and won a corner by chasing the ball down. The referee signalled three minutes of stoppage time and Sharp was then given an ovation as Ebanks Landell replaced him just before the final whistle. Bolton’s players trooped off knowing that they had now dropped to fourth in the table and were United’s players celebrated together before receiving the plaudits from the appreciative home crowd who knew this win could be a pivotal moment in the seas
United – We followed up last week’s excellent performance with another really good display. We actually maybe did not quite the heights of last week but were still very good and miles better than Bolton. In consecutive weeks, we have outplayed our two main rivals (or they were before Fleetwood’s incredible run!) and taken 4 points. It should have been 6 points. It was one of the more comfortable victories of the season against a poor Bolton side who had no real answer and were never really in it. United made sure they were ‘at it’ again and did not let their standards drop. Big credit to Wilder for this who made sure went out and performed again.
We played some lovely football again and it was pass and move stuff all game. The midfield three were too good passing around a static Wanderers side. Their front two never had a sniff as the centre backs played really well (done this for a number of weeks now) and the wing backs were busy all game getting up and down. The Bolton defence struggled to cope with the presence of Hanson and of course Sharp.
United also seemed to be so much more determined all over the field and wanted it more in the individual battles but also collectively we had more belief. We looked better footballers than them and made sure we proved it on the pitch.
United were good off the ball as on it, pressing, harrying and making them give the ball away. We scored early on which helped settle us and this was of course a big difference from last week. After this you felt we had more goals in us and although again the final ball was still a disappointment we won with quite a bit to spare. The main threat was us conceding silly free kicks and you felt they may get something from one of them but they did not. We also brought on young, hungry players like Carruthers and Lavery who showed our bench strength. Bolton in comparison had a few players out but do not seem to have the resources we have in terms of players that can come in.
The only fear is over confidence. It was a big win and we have a nice cushion but there are still two teams not that far away from us and Fleetwood are on an incredible run. We face a trio of tricky away games now with Rochdale a side that will want to bounce back from losing at Peterborough but have two men suspended. Swindon have a few decent strikers and are fighting for their life and Oxford are bang in form. None of these will be easy but if we can take a decent haul from these three we have a great chance to finish the job. I think main thing is Wilder has to keep them grounded as still got 12 games to go and need to ensure we treat them all as cup finals. The last 3 or 4 may not matter if we do a job in the next 8 or 9 and Wilder has to ensure we do not let up now. The team is full of confidence but has to continue to do the messy things. Behind us it seems Fleetwood might be the main threat but they have to play Bolton and Scunthorpe and those two play each other also.
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Bolton – They did have a few missing (so have we in our losses to them and today was first time we have had our ‘strongest’ team out against them) and key men. Madine as much of an idiot he can be off the pitch; is a handful at this level and they were rather powder puff up top. Spearing also is a decent midfielder. I was pleased Howard was brought back as feel he is a keeper that can make mistakes – today he made a few small ones but nothing major – sliced one out and failed to take one cross. I thought generally they were very poor and seemed clueless how to break us down. Indeed, they barely had any concerted spells of possession or really push us back. They had a few set plays and a couple of moments where they got into our box but it was all huffing and puffing with limited quality really. They never really got behind us apart from one cross in the first half and everything seemed a bit aimless. They played a lot of direct stuff and rarely did they get it down and actually try and play much football. They were quite direct in their approach although despite some big lads never really threatened from a fair few set plays they had.
I kept thinking they may have a concerted spell or get back into the game at some stage; at least in terms of territory but it never happened. After the second went in their heads dropped and if anyone was going to score again it was going to be us. Bolton looked well beaten by full time. Manager Parkinson’s words smacked of sour grapes talking about a red card from a challenge I can barely remember and a dive that not many others saw. Surely in reality he will know his side were well beaten in every aspect of the game and that they face a real fight now to get back into the automatic places. On that evidence, they may have to do it through the playoffs. They have to go to Southend, Fleetwood and Scunthorpe in the run in which will be tough especially when recently they have been up and down at home.
I thought they would be really up for it and crunching into tackles and in our faces. Manager Parkinson marked the poor start they had last week and said they would start better but they failed to do this and went behind and were second best all game. They failed to get amongst our midfield and even though there were a few fouls and niggly things, I felt they were quite underwhelming. They were dirty at times but more clumsy than really overly physical. They looked a soft touch and the decent footballers they have in Henry, Morais and main man Vela were a long way off standards of our midfield. They have two solid centre backs in Wheater and Beevers but they struggled today. Hanson pulled them about and won quite a few headers and Sharp was always a threat.
I was surprised how poor Bolton was. Scunny were not great last week but were much better than Bolton in comparison. However, United have made two (at least in terms of the table) good sides look very poor and on the evidence of the last few weeks United have nothing to fear.
Opponent man of the match : Tricky one as I cannot remember too many players who can say they won their battle. The lad Henry showed a few glimpses when he got on the ball but struggling to think of one I was impressed with in anyway.
Opponent Weak link : They had a number of players who were poor. The centre backs are very good at this level but made mistakes today (Beevers on the first goal) and struggled. I felt the midfield conceded possession too easy and were chasing shadows much of the game. However, they got nothing from either striker up top. LeFondre was never in the game but the lad alongside him Wilkinson was appalling. He was languid, slow and clumsy and amazed he lasted as long as he did before he was taken off.
Manager Chris Wilder named an unchanged side from the game against Scunthorpe with just one change on the bench with James Wilson coming in for the injured Joe Riley. In contrast Bolton were without a few key players notably Jay Spearing, Andrew Taylor and Gary Madine from recent line ups. The former Wednesday striker had to withdraw due to ‘illness’ according to Wanderers manager Phil Parkinson. They also did not have Pratley, Wilson, Davies and Buxton but some of these have been out for a while but still fielded an experienced line up with players with experience of much higher levels.
As they did last week United started on the front foot wit Basham and O’Connell winning early headers and Fleck and Coutts getting on the ball early. United pushed the visitors back and had an early chance when Coutts cross saw Howard struggling and as Hanson had his header blocked the ball fell invitingly to Wright but the defender blazed over when he ought to have scored.
On 12 minutes the opening goal came. Nice work from Duffy saw him play the ball inside to Fleck. His through ball seemed as if it would be cut out by Beevers but it found SHARP who took a touch and steadied himself and fired in off the far post. It was a well-constructed goal and clinically taken by the Blades leading scorer who was quick to put his finger to his mouth towards the visiting fans before celebrating with his team mates.
Bolton had offered little going the other way but a decent move down the right saw Moxey play a great ball across but nobody attacked it and it drifted wide. Coutts and Fleck then combined well before Sharp’s pull back just evaded Hanson.
Bolton’s main threat seemed to be from set plays and United gave away two daft free kicks on the half hour but Morais failed to get either anywhere near the target. Fleck was booked for a late tackle on Rotherham loanee Thorpe; who soon after had to go off injured replaced by Dervite.
United kept playing nice football and Freeman’s run and cross was cleared before Sharp and Hanson nearly combined. Bolton won a further series of free kicks but O’Connell was strong in the challenge and then good work from Basham stopped a possible Bolton attack.
The half time whistle came and there was warm applause from the home fans who recognised another strong performance from the Blades.
The second half began with United on the offensive again and after Hanson headed down Sharp shot wide from a decent chance. Sharp then unselfishly tried to square to Hanson but Dervite got a toe to the ball to avert the chance. Good work from Fleck saw him chip into the box for Sharp who headed it first time but Howard saved at point blank range. A yard either side and it would have been a goal.
Le Fondre has not really been in the game and was replaced by Long before Clayton came on for Wilkinson not long after. United made their first change with Carruthers coming on for Duffy. The midfielder was instantly involved combining well with Fleck to lead to corner. From the resultant kick, Coutts shot just wide.
United’s domination finally brought about the second goal. Carruthers combined with Sharp and as he ran onto the pass he skipped inside Wheater who appeared to clip him as he went to ground. Referee Mike Dean pointed straight to the spot. Despite a chequered penalty spot record, SHARP took the ball and sent his former teammate Mark Howard the wrong way before celebrating in front of the Kop.
United continued to control the game but Bolton had a brief spell of play but could not really test Moore who had barely had a save of note to make all game. Wright did well to block Clayton and Basham stepped out with the ball superbly as the Blades finished the stronger of the two sides. Carruthers went on a superb individual run where he skipped past two or three challenges and then just poked wide as he advanced into the box. Lavery came on for Hanson and won a corner by chasing the ball down. The referee signalled three minutes of stoppage time and Sharp was then given an ovation as Ebanks Landell replaced him just before the final whistle. Bolton’s players trooped off knowing that they had now dropped to fourth in the table and were United’s players celebrated together before receiving the plaudits from the appreciative home crowd who knew this win could be a pivotal moment in the seas
United – We followed up last week’s excellent performance with another really good display. We actually maybe did not quite the heights of last week but were still very good and miles better than Bolton. In consecutive weeks, we have outplayed our two main rivals (or they were before Fleetwood’s incredible run!) and taken 4 points. It should have been 6 points. It was one of the more comfortable victories of the season against a poor Bolton side who had no real answer and were never really in it. United made sure they were ‘at it’ again and did not let their standards drop. Big credit to Wilder for this who made sure went out and performed again.
We played some lovely football again and it was pass and move stuff all game. The midfield three were too good passing around a static Wanderers side. Their front two never had a sniff as the centre backs played really well (done this for a number of weeks now) and the wing backs were busy all game getting up and down. The Bolton defence struggled to cope with the presence of Hanson and of course Sharp.
United also seemed to be so much more determined all over the field and wanted it more in the individual battles but also collectively we had more belief. We looked better footballers than them and made sure we proved it on the pitch.
United were good off the ball as on it, pressing, harrying and making them give the ball away. We scored early on which helped settle us and this was of course a big difference from last week. After this you felt we had more goals in us and although again the final ball was still a disappointment we won with quite a bit to spare. The main threat was us conceding silly free kicks and you felt they may get something from one of them but they did not. We also brought on young, hungry players like Carruthers and Lavery who showed our bench strength. Bolton in comparison had a few players out but do not seem to have the resources we have in terms of players that can come in.
The only fear is over confidence. It was a big win and we have a nice cushion but there are still two teams not that far away from us and Fleetwood are on an incredible run. We face a trio of tricky away games now with Rochdale a side that will want to bounce back from losing at Peterborough but have two men suspended. Swindon have a few decent strikers and are fighting for their life and Oxford are bang in form. None of these will be easy but if we can take a decent haul from these three we have a great chance to finish the job. I think main thing is Wilder has to keep them grounded as still got 12 games to go and need to ensure we treat them all as cup finals. The last 3 or 4 may not matter if we do a job in the next 8 or 9 and Wilder has to ensure we do not let up now. The team is full of confidence but has to continue to do the messy things. Behind us it seems Fleetwood might be the main threat but they have to play Bolton and Scunthorpe and those two play each other also.
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Bolton – They did have a few missing (so have we in our losses to them and today was first time we have had our ‘strongest’ team out against them) and key men. Madine as much of an idiot he can be off the pitch; is a handful at this level and they were rather powder puff up top. Spearing also is a decent midfielder. I was pleased Howard was brought back as feel he is a keeper that can make mistakes – today he made a few small ones but nothing major – sliced one out and failed to take one cross. I thought generally they were very poor and seemed clueless how to break us down. Indeed, they barely had any concerted spells of possession or really push us back. They had a few set plays and a couple of moments where they got into our box but it was all huffing and puffing with limited quality really. They never really got behind us apart from one cross in the first half and everything seemed a bit aimless. They played a lot of direct stuff and rarely did they get it down and actually try and play much football. They were quite direct in their approach although despite some big lads never really threatened from a fair few set plays they had.
I kept thinking they may have a concerted spell or get back into the game at some stage; at least in terms of territory but it never happened. After the second went in their heads dropped and if anyone was going to score again it was going to be us. Bolton looked well beaten by full time. Manager Parkinson’s words smacked of sour grapes talking about a red card from a challenge I can barely remember and a dive that not many others saw. Surely in reality he will know his side were well beaten in every aspect of the game and that they face a real fight now to get back into the automatic places. On that evidence, they may have to do it through the playoffs. They have to go to Southend, Fleetwood and Scunthorpe in the run in which will be tough especially when recently they have been up and down at home.
I thought they would be really up for it and crunching into tackles and in our faces. Manager Parkinson marked the poor start they had last week and said they would start better but they failed to do this and went behind and were second best all game. They failed to get amongst our midfield and even though there were a few fouls and niggly things, I felt they were quite underwhelming. They were dirty at times but more clumsy than really overly physical. They looked a soft touch and the decent footballers they have in Henry, Morais and main man Vela were a long way off standards of our midfield. They have two solid centre backs in Wheater and Beevers but they struggled today. Hanson pulled them about and won quite a few headers and Sharp was always a threat.
I was surprised how poor Bolton was. Scunny were not great last week but were much better than Bolton in comparison. However, United have made two (at least in terms of the table) good sides look very poor and on the evidence of the last few weeks United have nothing to fear.
Opponent man of the match : Tricky one as I cannot remember too many players who can say they won their battle. The lad Henry showed a few glimpses when he got on the ball but struggling to think of one I was impressed with in anyway.
Opponent Weak link : They had a number of players who were poor. The centre backs are very good at this level but made mistakes today (Beevers on the first goal) and struggled. I felt the midfield conceded possession too easy and were chasing shadows much of the game. However, they got nothing from either striker up top. LeFondre was never in the game but the lad alongside him Wilkinson was appalling. He was languid, slow and clumsy and amazed he lasted as long as he did before he was taken off.
