Deadbat
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Another game and another win for the newly crowned League One Champions as they saw off promotion chasing Bradford at a jubilant Bramall Lane. In form Leon Clarke scored again (a brace) and Billy Sharp was back amongst the goals. United’s first half performance was superb as they proved yet again the are streets ahead of the rest of the competition at this level. United’s wonderful pass and move football was seen in all its glory again as they completely dissected Bradford time and time again. There was no answer for United. Second half they eased off to a degree but comfortably saw the game out and got a comfortable three points against a well beaten City side who now must focus on the playoffs.
Manager Wilder changed things round again despite the unrelenting form and results. Ebanks Landell, Done and O’Shea were put back on the bench and in came Duffy, Freeman and Lafferty as United had a more familiar looking starting line up. Former City striker James Hanson missed out as he had not recovered from his calm injury. Marc McNulty was on the bench for United.
Bantams manager and former Blade McCall started with free scoring Charlie Wyke and former United men Tony McMahon and Nicky Law. Another ex-Blade, Billy Clarke (once on loan) was on the bench.
City magnanimously welcomed the Blades onto the field with a guard of honour which was a nice touch before they shook hands and lined up with United kicking towards the Bramall Lane end.
City seemed to start the game with a 3-5-2 formation in an attempt to counter act United’s formation and style of play but they struggled early to get a foothold in the game as Fleck and Coutts began to impose themselves. United slowly forced City back and neat work from Sharp and Clarke led to a half chance but McMahon cleared. United came again with Lafferty involved and Duffy got in a decent area but the City defence made a vital block. The first effort came when Fleck drove down the left and hit a powerful shot that nearly caught Doyle out at his near post but he pushed behind for a corner.
The opening goal came soon after. It came when after neat work down the left O’Connell drove forward and exchanged passed before running into the box and laying off for CLARKE. The big man stroked a first timer coolly into the far corner giving Doyle no chance. It was a lovely goal and showed the confidence of the home side.
United came again with Duffy and Fleck linking but Freeman was unable to get his cross over before Clarke then linked up well holding the ball up but Coutts could not get his shot off. It was superb stuff from the Blades and another great move led to the second goal on 20 minutes. This time Fleck was the architect after Lafferty made the running initially. Fleck drew his man and slipped inside to SHARP who beat the offside trap. As Doyle came out the United talisman clipped the ball past him into the far corner and it was 2-0. Another simple but oh so effective goal.
Manager McCall had seen enough already and his team were now in damage limitation mode seemingly. Dieng was sacrificed for Jones and he went to a more familiar formation in an attempt to carry some sort of threat to United in a game they simply that they were getting dominated.
Fleck was booked for a poor late tackle such was his enthusiasm to keep the fight going but soon after a different kind of interception, this time from O’Connell fairly stopped City in their tracks. They had a brief flurry with Marshall causing some problems and from a cross Wyke should have done better but headed wide.
Wright was then booked for a foul on Marshall and the game settled down after United’s early blitz. Still they kept playing some impressive one touch stuff with the Coutts-Fleck-Duffy axis too much and Basham and O’Connell first to the key balls behind them. Clarke and Sharp were also proving a handful up top.
City tried to get more men forward but this may have been their undoing as they got caught on the counter just before the break. United broke up an attack and were away with Fleck finding Duffy and the midfielder springing clear. The home side were three on three and Fleck played in Sharp who was in on goal on the angle but unselfishly squared it for CLARKE who clinically swept home to lift the roof off Bramall Lane again. It was more superb football and brilliant counter attacking play.
The half time whistle saw the Blades given a standing ovation for a scintillating first half performance as the Champions had completely outplayed a good Bradford side.
The second half saw City begin with more purpose and McMahon hit a dipping shot that Moore wisely pushed away rather than caught as it bounced in front of him. Coutts was booked for a challenge as City tried to break away and the game became a bit scrappy now with two stoppages for head injuries for either side. City had a few corners but did not have any clear chances although one cross fizzed across Moore’s goal. Sharp had a decent chance but his effort was blocked after good work from Freeman and City eventually scrambled clear.
Duffy was tiring and came off for Carruthers on 66 minutes. Vincelot was the first City man in the book for a lunge on Coutts but the game really did become stop start now which maybe suited both sides. United wanted to see out the job and City maybe were more conscious of not getting a real mauling! City had a few more crosses come in but O’Connell made some good blocks and then as the game entered the final 15 minutes, the Blades came out and could have scored more goals.
Firstly, Sharp had a header saved after a good cross came in from Carruthers before Sharp had a chance blocked and Basham then missed twice with a difficult reaction shot and then a header. United were now passing the ball around and it had entered exhibition stage with the fans loving every minute. Three minutes of stoppage time mattered little as this game has been won a long time ago and even though City won a late corner, the referee did not even allow them to take it as he below the full-time whistle. The dream for 100 points continues with now just two games between Wilder and this target.
Some fans came on the pitch in the euphoria before eventually the Blades team could return and give a proper thanks to the supporters and get the much-deserved recognition from the fans.
United – Another thoroughly enjoyable afternoon at the Lane. We won and won well. It was great football and first half we were absolutely superb. We passed the ball well, cut them open and scored three brilliant goals. We could have had more and it was men against boys. Despite them being 4th in the league we looked streets ahead of them. It was champagne football and we really took them to the cleaners. A quick read on the Bradford forum shows how good we were (might have already been posted by Roygbiv so sorry for repeating some things but worth reading again!)
‘Today wasn't about us. It was about Sheff united. They humbled us and showed us how far behind the top level of this division we are. ‘
Sheffield are on another level. Crisp fast passing, constant movement.
Well, any of the delusions chucked around on here about how there is 'no better side than us in this league' was truly put to bed. The fitness, intensity and ability to trap the ball dead was on another level from city. Every Sheff united attack that streamed forward was underpinned by each man knowing where his teammate would be to the inch, and also anticipating what pass would come next.
‘We made them look like Barcelona at times ‘
‘Simple fact is Sheffield Utd are way better than everyone else in this very average division, as their points total shows.’
Second half we did not quite overpower them in the same way but still created a few chances and Sharp and Basham both had chances and could have scored. Bradford improved but they could not get much worse but have to say it was more about United. We were just too good.
I think if we had wanted more goals both today and at Port Vale, we could have got them. We won both games 3-0 and with loads to spare. It showed that the players were almost playing within themselves and that they won both at a canter.
We really were superb and I see no reason why we cannot get 100 points. It is at the point where we are so oozing confidence and for the players it seems like games cannot come quick enough. It is so enjoyable to watch and for one cannot wait for MK next week. For the party atmosphere and number of Blades travelling of course, but also to watch more of this great football and three more points that I expect we will get.
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Bradford – They got completely blown away first half. You would think they would be the ones who had so much riding on the game but United roared into tackles, won the 50-50’s and passed them to death. They could not handle us and other than a few breaks and decent crosses, offered little going the other way. It showed how good other teams think we are and how worried they are about us when they change formations even after decent runs. City have been on a good run and won most of their games recently but seemed to begin with a 3-5-2 with Marshall just off Wyke and Vincelot at the back with McArdle and Knight Percival. It was a bit of a disaster as our players, tried and tested at playing this formation completely controlled midfield and swamped them all over the field. It was 2-0 and McCall changed it putting on Jones up top and going back to a 4-4-2. This put Marshall back wide and they started to improve. They at least had a few decent attacks and got some sort of foothold into the game but the third killed it.
After the break, they were playing for pride. They had one shot from McMahon and a few crosses that fizzed in but cannot recall too many clear chances. Indeed, United had 3 or 4 more good chances to add to the score and continued to keep the ball better, look more determined and still were the better side. They sort of just gave up and were caught between trying to get one back and damage limitation and ended up doing neither but we could not really profit and missed a few chances to make it 4 or 5. It would not have flattered us really. Surprised they did not make another couple of changes but they just left it with both sides only making one sub in the end which is rare these days.
I expected much better from them today. They had a real chance of 2nd with Bolton wobbling but have chucked that away but sometimes you have to just give credit to the opposition and that is us. We were too good for them.
I thought at the start of the season they may struggle with Parkinson going (City fans are quite critical of the mess he left them in and style of football they played even though he got them up a few years ago and also took them on the cup runs etc). They had lost a few players and the players they brought in were a bit of a mixed bag really. They had some experience but lacked quality I felt to make the top 6 so McCall has done well and of course if they had not drawn as many games; could have been a real threat for second. McCall by all accounts has got them playing more of a football orientated type game and they have started to lower age of side (Hanson for Wyke is indicative of that) as they try and evolve from the side that did well but was probably not sustainable under Parkinson.
They do have some decent players in likes of Marshall, Cullen and Wyke but not sure they have enough power and nous to go up. They were in the playoffs last year but lost out to Millwall. I feel they may suffer a similar fate this year but maybe at Wembley. Just a hunch. Could be completely wrong.
Opponent man of the match : Mark Marshall was the main threat for me. He drifted around the field; got into little pockets in the same way as Duffy does for us and looked really lively. Decent on both feet and able to jink in and out; he looks a player that could have done a lot better than the journeyman who has been around the lower leagues/non-league most of his career.
Up top; the lad Wyke was lively-ish but he missed a few half chances failing to properly connect. Not sure he is quick enough to play much higher up really. Many City fans may feel they have got the better players and one for the future over Hanson but United needed Hanson to help them get over the line. They needed a player for now after 6 years here. We have not lost a game since Hanson signed. Next season is for another day. Like of Hanson and Clarke will not be regulars I do not think but will give us real threats from the bench and squad depth.
Opponent Weak link : Take your pick. The two centre halves were pulled about all game and rally struggled to handle the movement and work rate of Sharp and Clarke. Knight Percival was given a torrid time all game and Clarke ragged him about all game. He really did struggle and looked like he could not wait for full time. Probably the worst player was the lad Dieng. He looked like startled deer in headlights as our quick, incisive football intersected their side and he was chasing shadows. Lost his man twice on attacks in the lead up to goals. Came off after 20 minutes as McCall hooked him. He was not injured either.
The two former Blades were not great. Tony McMahon had 2 or 3 long range shots including only real save Moore had to make but he left big gaps down his side as we attacked at will first half. Nicky Law was poor and other than a few neat touches were outclassed by Fleck, Coutts and Duffy.
Manager Wilder changed things round again despite the unrelenting form and results. Ebanks Landell, Done and O’Shea were put back on the bench and in came Duffy, Freeman and Lafferty as United had a more familiar looking starting line up. Former City striker James Hanson missed out as he had not recovered from his calm injury. Marc McNulty was on the bench for United.
Bantams manager and former Blade McCall started with free scoring Charlie Wyke and former United men Tony McMahon and Nicky Law. Another ex-Blade, Billy Clarke (once on loan) was on the bench.
City magnanimously welcomed the Blades onto the field with a guard of honour which was a nice touch before they shook hands and lined up with United kicking towards the Bramall Lane end.
City seemed to start the game with a 3-5-2 formation in an attempt to counter act United’s formation and style of play but they struggled early to get a foothold in the game as Fleck and Coutts began to impose themselves. United slowly forced City back and neat work from Sharp and Clarke led to a half chance but McMahon cleared. United came again with Lafferty involved and Duffy got in a decent area but the City defence made a vital block. The first effort came when Fleck drove down the left and hit a powerful shot that nearly caught Doyle out at his near post but he pushed behind for a corner.
The opening goal came soon after. It came when after neat work down the left O’Connell drove forward and exchanged passed before running into the box and laying off for CLARKE. The big man stroked a first timer coolly into the far corner giving Doyle no chance. It was a lovely goal and showed the confidence of the home side.
United came again with Duffy and Fleck linking but Freeman was unable to get his cross over before Clarke then linked up well holding the ball up but Coutts could not get his shot off. It was superb stuff from the Blades and another great move led to the second goal on 20 minutes. This time Fleck was the architect after Lafferty made the running initially. Fleck drew his man and slipped inside to SHARP who beat the offside trap. As Doyle came out the United talisman clipped the ball past him into the far corner and it was 2-0. Another simple but oh so effective goal.
Manager McCall had seen enough already and his team were now in damage limitation mode seemingly. Dieng was sacrificed for Jones and he went to a more familiar formation in an attempt to carry some sort of threat to United in a game they simply that they were getting dominated.
Fleck was booked for a poor late tackle such was his enthusiasm to keep the fight going but soon after a different kind of interception, this time from O’Connell fairly stopped City in their tracks. They had a brief flurry with Marshall causing some problems and from a cross Wyke should have done better but headed wide.
Wright was then booked for a foul on Marshall and the game settled down after United’s early blitz. Still they kept playing some impressive one touch stuff with the Coutts-Fleck-Duffy axis too much and Basham and O’Connell first to the key balls behind them. Clarke and Sharp were also proving a handful up top.
City tried to get more men forward but this may have been their undoing as they got caught on the counter just before the break. United broke up an attack and were away with Fleck finding Duffy and the midfielder springing clear. The home side were three on three and Fleck played in Sharp who was in on goal on the angle but unselfishly squared it for CLARKE who clinically swept home to lift the roof off Bramall Lane again. It was more superb football and brilliant counter attacking play.
The half time whistle saw the Blades given a standing ovation for a scintillating first half performance as the Champions had completely outplayed a good Bradford side.
The second half saw City begin with more purpose and McMahon hit a dipping shot that Moore wisely pushed away rather than caught as it bounced in front of him. Coutts was booked for a challenge as City tried to break away and the game became a bit scrappy now with two stoppages for head injuries for either side. City had a few corners but did not have any clear chances although one cross fizzed across Moore’s goal. Sharp had a decent chance but his effort was blocked after good work from Freeman and City eventually scrambled clear.
Duffy was tiring and came off for Carruthers on 66 minutes. Vincelot was the first City man in the book for a lunge on Coutts but the game really did become stop start now which maybe suited both sides. United wanted to see out the job and City maybe were more conscious of not getting a real mauling! City had a few more crosses come in but O’Connell made some good blocks and then as the game entered the final 15 minutes, the Blades came out and could have scored more goals.
Firstly, Sharp had a header saved after a good cross came in from Carruthers before Sharp had a chance blocked and Basham then missed twice with a difficult reaction shot and then a header. United were now passing the ball around and it had entered exhibition stage with the fans loving every minute. Three minutes of stoppage time mattered little as this game has been won a long time ago and even though City won a late corner, the referee did not even allow them to take it as he below the full-time whistle. The dream for 100 points continues with now just two games between Wilder and this target.
Some fans came on the pitch in the euphoria before eventually the Blades team could return and give a proper thanks to the supporters and get the much-deserved recognition from the fans.
United – Another thoroughly enjoyable afternoon at the Lane. We won and won well. It was great football and first half we were absolutely superb. We passed the ball well, cut them open and scored three brilliant goals. We could have had more and it was men against boys. Despite them being 4th in the league we looked streets ahead of them. It was champagne football and we really took them to the cleaners. A quick read on the Bradford forum shows how good we were (might have already been posted by Roygbiv so sorry for repeating some things but worth reading again!)
‘Today wasn't about us. It was about Sheff united. They humbled us and showed us how far behind the top level of this division we are. ‘
Sheffield are on another level. Crisp fast passing, constant movement.
Well, any of the delusions chucked around on here about how there is 'no better side than us in this league' was truly put to bed. The fitness, intensity and ability to trap the ball dead was on another level from city. Every Sheff united attack that streamed forward was underpinned by each man knowing where his teammate would be to the inch, and also anticipating what pass would come next.
‘We made them look like Barcelona at times ‘
‘Simple fact is Sheffield Utd are way better than everyone else in this very average division, as their points total shows.’
Second half we did not quite overpower them in the same way but still created a few chances and Sharp and Basham both had chances and could have scored. Bradford improved but they could not get much worse but have to say it was more about United. We were just too good.
I think if we had wanted more goals both today and at Port Vale, we could have got them. We won both games 3-0 and with loads to spare. It showed that the players were almost playing within themselves and that they won both at a canter.
We really were superb and I see no reason why we cannot get 100 points. It is at the point where we are so oozing confidence and for the players it seems like games cannot come quick enough. It is so enjoyable to watch and for one cannot wait for MK next week. For the party atmosphere and number of Blades travelling of course, but also to watch more of this great football and three more points that I expect we will get.
---
Bradford – They got completely blown away first half. You would think they would be the ones who had so much riding on the game but United roared into tackles, won the 50-50’s and passed them to death. They could not handle us and other than a few breaks and decent crosses, offered little going the other way. It showed how good other teams think we are and how worried they are about us when they change formations even after decent runs. City have been on a good run and won most of their games recently but seemed to begin with a 3-5-2 with Marshall just off Wyke and Vincelot at the back with McArdle and Knight Percival. It was a bit of a disaster as our players, tried and tested at playing this formation completely controlled midfield and swamped them all over the field. It was 2-0 and McCall changed it putting on Jones up top and going back to a 4-4-2. This put Marshall back wide and they started to improve. They at least had a few decent attacks and got some sort of foothold into the game but the third killed it.
After the break, they were playing for pride. They had one shot from McMahon and a few crosses that fizzed in but cannot recall too many clear chances. Indeed, United had 3 or 4 more good chances to add to the score and continued to keep the ball better, look more determined and still were the better side. They sort of just gave up and were caught between trying to get one back and damage limitation and ended up doing neither but we could not really profit and missed a few chances to make it 4 or 5. It would not have flattered us really. Surprised they did not make another couple of changes but they just left it with both sides only making one sub in the end which is rare these days.
I expected much better from them today. They had a real chance of 2nd with Bolton wobbling but have chucked that away but sometimes you have to just give credit to the opposition and that is us. We were too good for them.
I thought at the start of the season they may struggle with Parkinson going (City fans are quite critical of the mess he left them in and style of football they played even though he got them up a few years ago and also took them on the cup runs etc). They had lost a few players and the players they brought in were a bit of a mixed bag really. They had some experience but lacked quality I felt to make the top 6 so McCall has done well and of course if they had not drawn as many games; could have been a real threat for second. McCall by all accounts has got them playing more of a football orientated type game and they have started to lower age of side (Hanson for Wyke is indicative of that) as they try and evolve from the side that did well but was probably not sustainable under Parkinson.
They do have some decent players in likes of Marshall, Cullen and Wyke but not sure they have enough power and nous to go up. They were in the playoffs last year but lost out to Millwall. I feel they may suffer a similar fate this year but maybe at Wembley. Just a hunch. Could be completely wrong.
Opponent man of the match : Mark Marshall was the main threat for me. He drifted around the field; got into little pockets in the same way as Duffy does for us and looked really lively. Decent on both feet and able to jink in and out; he looks a player that could have done a lot better than the journeyman who has been around the lower leagues/non-league most of his career.
Up top; the lad Wyke was lively-ish but he missed a few half chances failing to properly connect. Not sure he is quick enough to play much higher up really. Many City fans may feel they have got the better players and one for the future over Hanson but United needed Hanson to help them get over the line. They needed a player for now after 6 years here. We have not lost a game since Hanson signed. Next season is for another day. Like of Hanson and Clarke will not be regulars I do not think but will give us real threats from the bench and squad depth.
Opponent Weak link : Take your pick. The two centre halves were pulled about all game and rally struggled to handle the movement and work rate of Sharp and Clarke. Knight Percival was given a torrid time all game and Clarke ragged him about all game. He really did struggle and looked like he could not wait for full time. Probably the worst player was the lad Dieng. He looked like startled deer in headlights as our quick, incisive football intersected their side and he was chasing shadows. Lost his man twice on attacks in the lead up to goals. Came off after 20 minutes as McCall hooked him. He was not injured either.
The two former Blades were not great. Tony McMahon had 2 or 3 long range shots including only real save Moore had to make but he left big gaps down his side as we attacked at will first half. Nicky Law was poor and other than a few neat touches were outclassed by Fleck, Coutts and Duffy.
