Deadbat
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The Blades saw off Ipswich Town at Bramall Lane thanks to Chris Basham’s powerful second half header from John Fleck’s cross. United were good value for the victory having large periods of control and possession throughout the game. Both teams hit the bar in quick succession but there were few genuine efforts on goal apart from these aforementioned chances. United had to work hard to capture another important win but will feel they did enough over the course of the contest.
The game was played in unseasonably bright sunshine and it was a warm October afternoon that accompanied the sides as they came out. Manager Wilder opted to bring skipper Sharp back to partner Clarke with Duffy just off them and Lundstram came in for the suspended Coutts. Freeman also came in for Baldock. James Hanson was a surprise returnee on the bench joining Northern Ireland squad member Daniel Lafferty and Welsh international protegee David Brooks.
South Yorkshire born and raised Mick McCarthy was without striker Joe Garner but David McGoldrick was fit to take his place for the visitors who themselves had started the season well.
Ipswich tried to match United up with formation; another side that switched their shape to contend with the Blades but as seems customary it did not stop a powerful start from the home side. O’Connell and Basham got forward well and Stevens also got into some good positions with a few neat and tidy moves just evading Clarke and Sharp.
Duffy was also very influential and neat work between him and Fleck nearly saw Clarke in before a Basham deflected shot just evaded O’Connell’s dive leading to a corner. Ipswich had struggled to get out and the home fans roared their approval as wave after wave of attack came and two more corners came from the pressure.
Bialkowski had not been tested though and despite Duffy’s quick feet and then Stevens cross Clarke could not get a shot away. Sharp then robbed the defender but his pass also just missed any United players.
McCarthy changed his formation as he tried to stem the tide and the visitors did actually have an effort as Waghorn had a half volley parried by Blackman and then Knudsen headed over when well-placed from the resultant corner. Clarke was booked harshly for a soft foul after a similar offence had been let go moments earlier.
United had dominated the first half hour in terms of possession but despite this, Ipswich then created another decent chance in this flurry of play from them. McGoldrick poked wide after Wright did not clear. In the melee that led to the opportunity Freeman fell seemingly under a challenge from his own player Carter Vickers and it did not look good as teammates frantically waved for attention. After a long period of treatment, he had to be stretchered off and the pain was evident in his face as he left the field getting an embrace from his manager en route. Wright came on for Freeman and Basham went to the right wing back position.
Duffy then floated a dangerous cross in the keeper punched clear before on the stroke of half time, Sharp put in a dangerous cross that seemed set for Clarke but Knudsen rather fortunately knocked it back to the keeper. Anywhere else and it would have been an own goal.
The second half began with United getting back on top and they won an early corner. Soon after the opening goal came. Good patient build up saw Clarke play the ball down the left, Fleck sent over a lovely cross and BASHAM met it on the run to power his header past Bialkowski into the net at the Kop end. It was a well-made and well taken goal and the popular utility man was mobbed in front of the United fans by his teammates.
Ipswich came back and nearly got level not long after. After Wright and Blackman had dithered leading to a corner being won, the ball was cleared but Waghorn drifted inside and hit a rising, curling shot that the bar with the keeper well beaten. It was a real let off for United. Soon after though they were hitting the woodwork. Basham knocked a clever ball forward and Clarke hit a half volley that thumped the crossbar.
Nydam was replaced by Downes as Ipswich seemingly changed shape again in an attempt to get more bodies forward. The game was more even now and Waghorn shot wide after good work from McGoldrick but then Stevens and Fleck linked well leading to a half chance for Clarke.
The crowd’s excitement level rose when Brooks came on for Sharp just before the 70th minute mark and the Tractor Boys made a double change when Sears and Celina came on for Kenlock and McGoldrick but United were defending well and Ipswich seemed to be lacking in ideas. Brooks was instantly chopped down as he looked to get in on goal leading to a booking for Knuden with some screaming for a red card.
The home crowds came to their feet as Brooks came inside and showed quick feet before scuffing wide and then the same man linked well with Duffy down the right to give United a good spell of possession. Clarke headed at the keeper from Duffy cross which he struggled to exert power on as the ball looper over. Duffy typified United’s work rate when he ran back to stop an Ipswich break and then O’Connell and Carter Vickers made timely interceptions. Carter Vickers was booked for a clumsy foul that led to a free kick chance on the angle but the cross was punched clear by Blackman.
The game entered three minutes of stoppage time but other than a few long throws that United headed away, Ipswich never really created anything of note and the game ended with Brooks winning a free kick as he shielded the ball. Soon after the final whistle went and signalled another victory for Wilder’s Blades and continued their mightily impressive return to the Championship.
United – Another home win and another good performance. We missed a massively important man in Coutts but brought a few more players back and then despite the Freeman injury, we kept our nerve scored a good goal and then did an excellent job of keeping the lead with good possession and solid, organised defending. We were joint top for a period and are now third but more importantly kept the momentum going and bounced back from the Forest defeat; a game we played well in but did not get our rewards. Today we did enough to win the game and had more possession and control of the game and I felt had more stand out individuals and played better collectively.
We started well and first 35 minutes it was all United as we had more of the ball, dictated play and really imposed ourselves on them. The final ball did not quite come off or we were not quite decisive enough in the final third but it was all United really. We really were well on top. They had a flurry of half chances at the end of the half and the injury disrupted us. We seem to win our individual battles and really press teams early and this sets the trend. We also stuck to the principles and even though we were excellent, you felt that a goal may come as we had so much of the ball and even though the last third it did not quite sit, you thought we would get chances and it proved.
Chances wise they had a few and we had a few and a lot of balls came across both boxed, theirs in particular but after we scored other than the great effort that hit the bar, they did not really threaten us that much and we saw it out professionally.
We are now averaging two points a game which is superb and I do not think we need to fear anyone in the run of games coming up. We need to just keep positive and keep the same level of intensity and performance going. He has good options on the bench and although losing Freeman is a blow, we have Donaldson back, have Coutts coming back and nice to see Hanson as a different type of option on the bench too also.
Next week we play Reading who will be confident after a surprise win at Leeds but I am of the opinion I am glad they got an away win out of the way before they play us. We need to come out and repeat same level of effort and performance, maybe a bit more sure in the final third and perhaps need to shoot more also but the defending and work rate remains excellent. We had to work hard to get the three points but every player put in a shift and as I say a deserved three points. We did not dominate but controlled enough of the game to merit the victory.
Ipswich – Had a decent start to the season and like us maybe surprised a few. I had them down for a relegation scrap looking at how they have done the last few years and the lack of decent additions/squad size. Shows what I know! You look at the side and you are not sure how they have done so well but many may say the same about us. They work hard and are a compact, organised side. They have some decent players up top in McGoldrick, Ward, Waghorn, Garner (not fit today), Sears etc and a few good young players who are decent athletes.
Always liked Mick McCarthy. He is honest and says it how it is. Sometimes he says things that make me laugh. He is a bit of a character but like Warnock has done well wherever he has gone at this level. I am not sure they can maintain a top half place and feel they may be nearer the bottom than top but don’t see a relegation scrap now after the start they have had. Today they were in the game throughout but did not have enough of the ball, gave away a poor goal and after they hit the bar, never really forced us back that much and you cannot recall too many clear chances and whilst they huffed and puffed, they could not say they did enough to take anything away from the game.
Opposition Man of the Match: Waghorn was lively and had a great effort that hit the bar but I felt McGoldrick was always the main threat and showed some nice touches and got into the channels and seemed the one that might make something happen. Was pleased when he came off.
Opposition Weak link: The two back lads struggled at times and often seemed at full stretch. Webster nearly scored an own goal and then a few other poor clearances nearly led to chances as Duffy or Clarke picked their pocket. The young lad Kenlock was as guilty as anyone and then he got completely outjumped for the goal from Basham.
The game was played in unseasonably bright sunshine and it was a warm October afternoon that accompanied the sides as they came out. Manager Wilder opted to bring skipper Sharp back to partner Clarke with Duffy just off them and Lundstram came in for the suspended Coutts. Freeman also came in for Baldock. James Hanson was a surprise returnee on the bench joining Northern Ireland squad member Daniel Lafferty and Welsh international protegee David Brooks.
South Yorkshire born and raised Mick McCarthy was without striker Joe Garner but David McGoldrick was fit to take his place for the visitors who themselves had started the season well.
Ipswich tried to match United up with formation; another side that switched their shape to contend with the Blades but as seems customary it did not stop a powerful start from the home side. O’Connell and Basham got forward well and Stevens also got into some good positions with a few neat and tidy moves just evading Clarke and Sharp.
Duffy was also very influential and neat work between him and Fleck nearly saw Clarke in before a Basham deflected shot just evaded O’Connell’s dive leading to a corner. Ipswich had struggled to get out and the home fans roared their approval as wave after wave of attack came and two more corners came from the pressure.
Bialkowski had not been tested though and despite Duffy’s quick feet and then Stevens cross Clarke could not get a shot away. Sharp then robbed the defender but his pass also just missed any United players.
McCarthy changed his formation as he tried to stem the tide and the visitors did actually have an effort as Waghorn had a half volley parried by Blackman and then Knudsen headed over when well-placed from the resultant corner. Clarke was booked harshly for a soft foul after a similar offence had been let go moments earlier.
United had dominated the first half hour in terms of possession but despite this, Ipswich then created another decent chance in this flurry of play from them. McGoldrick poked wide after Wright did not clear. In the melee that led to the opportunity Freeman fell seemingly under a challenge from his own player Carter Vickers and it did not look good as teammates frantically waved for attention. After a long period of treatment, he had to be stretchered off and the pain was evident in his face as he left the field getting an embrace from his manager en route. Wright came on for Freeman and Basham went to the right wing back position.
Duffy then floated a dangerous cross in the keeper punched clear before on the stroke of half time, Sharp put in a dangerous cross that seemed set for Clarke but Knudsen rather fortunately knocked it back to the keeper. Anywhere else and it would have been an own goal.
The second half began with United getting back on top and they won an early corner. Soon after the opening goal came. Good patient build up saw Clarke play the ball down the left, Fleck sent over a lovely cross and BASHAM met it on the run to power his header past Bialkowski into the net at the Kop end. It was a well-made and well taken goal and the popular utility man was mobbed in front of the United fans by his teammates.
Ipswich came back and nearly got level not long after. After Wright and Blackman had dithered leading to a corner being won, the ball was cleared but Waghorn drifted inside and hit a rising, curling shot that the bar with the keeper well beaten. It was a real let off for United. Soon after though they were hitting the woodwork. Basham knocked a clever ball forward and Clarke hit a half volley that thumped the crossbar.
Nydam was replaced by Downes as Ipswich seemingly changed shape again in an attempt to get more bodies forward. The game was more even now and Waghorn shot wide after good work from McGoldrick but then Stevens and Fleck linked well leading to a half chance for Clarke.
The crowd’s excitement level rose when Brooks came on for Sharp just before the 70th minute mark and the Tractor Boys made a double change when Sears and Celina came on for Kenlock and McGoldrick but United were defending well and Ipswich seemed to be lacking in ideas. Brooks was instantly chopped down as he looked to get in on goal leading to a booking for Knuden with some screaming for a red card.
The home crowds came to their feet as Brooks came inside and showed quick feet before scuffing wide and then the same man linked well with Duffy down the right to give United a good spell of possession. Clarke headed at the keeper from Duffy cross which he struggled to exert power on as the ball looper over. Duffy typified United’s work rate when he ran back to stop an Ipswich break and then O’Connell and Carter Vickers made timely interceptions. Carter Vickers was booked for a clumsy foul that led to a free kick chance on the angle but the cross was punched clear by Blackman.
The game entered three minutes of stoppage time but other than a few long throws that United headed away, Ipswich never really created anything of note and the game ended with Brooks winning a free kick as he shielded the ball. Soon after the final whistle went and signalled another victory for Wilder’s Blades and continued their mightily impressive return to the Championship.
United – Another home win and another good performance. We missed a massively important man in Coutts but brought a few more players back and then despite the Freeman injury, we kept our nerve scored a good goal and then did an excellent job of keeping the lead with good possession and solid, organised defending. We were joint top for a period and are now third but more importantly kept the momentum going and bounced back from the Forest defeat; a game we played well in but did not get our rewards. Today we did enough to win the game and had more possession and control of the game and I felt had more stand out individuals and played better collectively.
We started well and first 35 minutes it was all United as we had more of the ball, dictated play and really imposed ourselves on them. The final ball did not quite come off or we were not quite decisive enough in the final third but it was all United really. We really were well on top. They had a flurry of half chances at the end of the half and the injury disrupted us. We seem to win our individual battles and really press teams early and this sets the trend. We also stuck to the principles and even though we were excellent, you felt that a goal may come as we had so much of the ball and even though the last third it did not quite sit, you thought we would get chances and it proved.
Chances wise they had a few and we had a few and a lot of balls came across both boxed, theirs in particular but after we scored other than the great effort that hit the bar, they did not really threaten us that much and we saw it out professionally.
We are now averaging two points a game which is superb and I do not think we need to fear anyone in the run of games coming up. We need to just keep positive and keep the same level of intensity and performance going. He has good options on the bench and although losing Freeman is a blow, we have Donaldson back, have Coutts coming back and nice to see Hanson as a different type of option on the bench too also.
Next week we play Reading who will be confident after a surprise win at Leeds but I am of the opinion I am glad they got an away win out of the way before they play us. We need to come out and repeat same level of effort and performance, maybe a bit more sure in the final third and perhaps need to shoot more also but the defending and work rate remains excellent. We had to work hard to get the three points but every player put in a shift and as I say a deserved three points. We did not dominate but controlled enough of the game to merit the victory.
Ipswich – Had a decent start to the season and like us maybe surprised a few. I had them down for a relegation scrap looking at how they have done the last few years and the lack of decent additions/squad size. Shows what I know! You look at the side and you are not sure how they have done so well but many may say the same about us. They work hard and are a compact, organised side. They have some decent players up top in McGoldrick, Ward, Waghorn, Garner (not fit today), Sears etc and a few good young players who are decent athletes.
Always liked Mick McCarthy. He is honest and says it how it is. Sometimes he says things that make me laugh. He is a bit of a character but like Warnock has done well wherever he has gone at this level. I am not sure they can maintain a top half place and feel they may be nearer the bottom than top but don’t see a relegation scrap now after the start they have had. Today they were in the game throughout but did not have enough of the ball, gave away a poor goal and after they hit the bar, never really forced us back that much and you cannot recall too many clear chances and whilst they huffed and puffed, they could not say they did enough to take anything away from the game.
Opposition Man of the Match: Waghorn was lively and had a great effort that hit the bar but I felt McGoldrick was always the main threat and showed some nice touches and got into the channels and seemed the one that might make something happen. Was pleased when he came off.
Opposition Weak link: The two back lads struggled at times and often seemed at full stretch. Webster nearly scored an own goal and then a few other poor clearances nearly led to chances as Duffy or Clarke picked their pocket. The young lad Kenlock was as guilty as anyone and then he got completely outjumped for the goal from Basham.
