Deadbat
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Not going to do a full report as only saw on the telly/computer tonight but below is my musings for what it is worth.
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I thought we might get something tonight; Fulham are on a great run and won 8 at home in a row but felt they were due a dip and we played well last week at Reading. He played the same team bar Donaldson for Clarke but Blackman was fit. Fulham’s side was packed with talent but I was quietly confident we might get something…
For the first 10 minutes we played well. Started game on the front foot and moved it about; they were slow to begin with and Basham had a cross shot and Sharp missed a really good chance. After this they came into it and from minute 10-15 till 95 they dominated most of the game. They had all the ball, created tons of chances and cut us open at will. It was men v boys. They had more pace, invention strength, quality and were just better individually and collectively. The lad Ojo skinned Stevens a few times and he finally got booked; we still gave Stevens no cover and eventually they got down that wing and scored with Mitrovic getting away from O’Connell I think it was in the box. They then had a few more chances and we started to really struggle for a period but had another few efforts.
Donaldson then had a decent chance and Fleck forced a save but then a decent chipped ball and Mitrovic converted very well again with no challenge. It was 2-0 and effectively game over. You could say they scored 2 chances and we missed 2 but, on the ball, there quality even at this point was miles better than ours. After this it seemed just about how many they might get. They pinged it about and the oles started. Maybe we did sit off but not sure we could get close to them. Players moved all over the field and no one was in a set position. We think Baldock and Stevens are quite mobile but Fredericks and Sessegnon are a different level and we have no one like Ojo at the club. The Mitrovic v Donaldson comparison shows the difference – a 15 million pound player (not good enough for the Prem so that shows the jump up) versus a Birmingham reserve signed for next to nothing. It is a different standard of player.
After the break they continued to dominate although Brooks did have one chance but they had a number and Blackman made some good saves. I felt they barely got out of first gear and the third made by the impressive Sessengon and finished by another superb player in Cairney was a great goal. It maybe was too easy but they made it like that all night. After this they kind of declared but still missed a number of other chances. Evans and Holmes came on but the game was up and our players looked a sorry mob by full time as they basically took the Michael for long stretches. I think many of the United players lacked any kind of belief tonight after they went behind. Worrying but when you know players are better what do you do? Maybe some should have booted a few earlier but Stroud was clearly going to keep booking ours so the go in hard approach would have just seen us with 8 or 9 men.
United – Discussed most of it above but now down to 9th and taken three pastings at Wolves, Cardiff and Fulham. We have not been close to these three in these games – granted we did well v Wolves at the Lane. We may still have a chance of the playoffs and Saturday is a big game but we are not putting a run together at all – it is win one, lose one, or win two, lose two and has been like that since Xmas really. We have lost 4 out of 7. We are putting in mid table type performances and getting mid table type results. Most of the top teams are winning and the top 4 have pulled away now.
There are 2 places to go at but when I see us get beat so easily tonight and our record versus the top 8 has been really poor. We have won a few but lost a lot more and not sure we quite believe we are good enough to be with these teams – even when we played well (Bristol and Villa at home – they had that extra quality to win). The reality is that we may not be quite good enough. We sure need more investment and it worries me that Wilder may just say sod it and leave if he does not get it or the boardroom wrangling is not sorted. I am not sure we can go much higher than this with the team we have.
Tonight, I cannot slam them too much. Sure, we gave them too much respect, missed a few chances and also gave away some sloppy goals but the wider picture is they are a better team with better players with a better pedigree. Too much will be made of personnel, formation and what they did versus what we did. They passed it quicker, kept it better and moved it around us very well. They looked like a team that knows everyone can be comfortable all over the field and everyone is forward thinking. They all showed that man for man they are just that much better than us. That is fact. No different starting eleven or tactical change would have made any real difference. They just passed it well, moved it well and looked superior.
Without that extra step, up in class we will always be a team of triers with some decent players (did not show it tonight) but a lot of club man type (Donaldson, Basham, Stearman) that are not really top 6 material. We have overachieved and the start was fantastic but the form since November has been mid table form and if we carry on we will finish about where we are. We do not play any more of the top 6 away but as I say need a run of say 3 or 4 wins on the bounce. That is not happening at the moment. It is too stop start in terms of performances and results.
Fulham – Really good side. They started season poorly but since then have been as good if not better than Wolves and may catch Cardiff. Not sure how they can fail to go up. They have talent all over the team and are light years ahead of many in this division. They must have had some shockers earlier in the season but now have found a settled team and with Mitrovic have a focal point too. He is a knob but a good player.
They played it to feet, moved it quickly and played one touch quick, flowing football. We were ponderous, slow, had little up front and careless what we did. However, I felt we simply could not get it off them. We sat off and they played through us easily. It was like a practice game but they made it that way and just looked so classy. A lot will be made of us and what we could have dome but we did try and press and close but often they just moved away from us. We picked up lots of bookings and most deserved (save Evans) they just outskilled us. They have quicker and more mobile players and the two lads in midfield Johannson and Cairney ran it. We think Duffy and Fleck are decent but they were made to look so ordinary tonight by these two who are just much better. Both have played higher level and it showed. Our lads sadly have not and that showed tonight. A few others showed what they are; Donaldson is a journeyman striker who is on his last legs, Evans in midfield is a tidy player bit does not penetrate with the ball in terms of passing or running and lacks mobility to chase runners defensively and the backline when ran at and teams go at them look slow and error prone.
Not sure they had a weak link. Even the keeper passed it better than many of ours and the two lads at the back are good footballers too. All athletic and all quick. We got taught a lesson tonight really. I don’t buy the ‘if we took our chances’ argument. We had 2 good ones and a few half chances. They had umpteen clear openings and to me looked like they could score every time they attacked. Even outside the chances they totally controlled the game.
Mitrovic was powerful and a real threat. He bullied us at times and even O’Connell could not hold him. The lad Johannson was different class and even better than Cairney who also was very good. McDonald was quiet but just quarter backed them from the back. The lad Ojo was so quick and direct and the two wing backs were a threat all night. Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up.
A few comments from Fulham fans (thanks Roygbiv) summed it up:
“in the last 20 minutes of the first half it was like a Prem team playing a lower league side.”
“We absolutely bossed them. The second half was embarrassing, genuinely felt sorry for the fans that travelled’’
Quick ratings -
Blackman 7/10 – No chance on any of the goals although nit picking seemed a bit flat footed on the 2nd but it was well taken. Made some decent saves and given no protection at all. No fault to him at all tonight.
Baldock 6/10 – One of our better players and steady enough but still not great. He did not quite get skinned as much as Stevens but he too struggled to stem the tide and I felt defensively was not tight enough and allowed runners space. He barely got over halfway tonight with the threat they had.
Stevens 4/10 – Really poor again. The lad Ojo was too quick and too skilled. Fouled him three times and then got booked. Then he lost him again and there was a switch and he made the first. Second half theme continued. Will have been glad to see back of Ojo when he went off.
Basham 5.5/10 – I actually thought he was the best of the three at the back and was taken off. Had a few early runs forward and kept his shape/discipline. Did lose his man a few times and will always be one taken off when we change it.
O’Connell 5/10 – Felt his battle with Mitrovic would be key and he lost it all night. He got in front of him and Stearman and held it up; brought runners into play and scored two goals. We got bullied on this area. A key battle and we lost it completely. Surprised he got outmuscled quite a bit.
Stearman 5/10 – Poorest he has been for a while. He made a few mistakes and did not impose himself. Struggled with runners but had no protection at all from the midfield who were ran at all game and they had men all over the place coming at them. He got frustrated a few times
Fleck 5/10 – At home to Fulham he was on par with their outstanding midfield. Tonight, he had a decent start but faded badly and never got close enough, never got on the ball and was outplayed. One of the rare times, I have to concede he faced opponents that were just too good for him. He got another booking for a stupid tackle.
Evans 4/10 – Barely noticed him all game apart from when he passed it backwards and sideways. Did not carry the ball or try many forward passes. Off the ball the Fulham lads were too mobile and too good for him. He is another that is very inconsistent and sadly when he has played some of the better teams/players struggles. Bit of a flat track bully sadly and not consistent enough. His performances in key games at Wolves and tonight were really poor.
Duffy 5/10 – He started game ok and when he had the ball first 20 mins you felt he could do something and put in one great cross for Sharp but then not in it and looked totally disinterested by the end waving his arms at Holmes and Brooks. He gave us very little. He did not get on the ball but off it he did not close or press and I felt was not disciplined tonight. They overran us in midfield and he have to take as much blame as the other two. Needed to sit in more and just dig in but he went wandering and we had no kind of shape for long spells. Wasted numerous corners/free kicks too.
Sharp 5/10 – Missed a good chance and then barely kicked the ball. No service and never really in the game. Had one half chance early 2nd half but after the one he missed; he was on scraps. No help from his partner.
Donaldson 3/10 – Really poor. He missed a good chance and then took forever over everything he did and allowed opponents to get back. Very languid and I felt quite lazy too. He is not the answer for me. He gave us a nice cameo mid-season after he started well at Sunderland but had more poor games than good ones. Surprised he lasted as long as he did.
Subs:
Brooks 5.5/10 – Came on and had a few runs with the ball but also gave it away quite a bit but was at least trying things when he got it. His giveaway I think led to the 3rd goal. He gave it away a few times after. He needs to start games now. We may not have him for long and is wasted on the bench. He is going to give us far more than Donaldson or Wilson as a 2nd striker and if Clarke is not fit Saturday then he should play off Billy.
Holmes – Gave it away cheaply a few times and then had one run where he ran down the wing but nothing came of it. His United career has not really started yet and not sure where he fits in? Seems an odd signing at the moment as Brooks and Duffy will be ahead of him.
Evans – Missed a header and another couple bounced off him. Tried and ran around but not sure he has the quality but hard for him today when the game has lost. I actually would rather him have a game than Donaldson at the moment but not sure either are anywhere near good enough for a side challenging for the playoffs.
Manager: Wilder 6/10 – Can you really have a go at him? His team were beaten by a better team. He tried to change things but it was too late. We needed to get to half time at 1-0 but did not and then the game was over. He is doing his best but cannot get anymore out of this group for me. He could tweak things a little or change a few players here and there but ultimately Wolves and Fulham are superior individually and collectively and not sure any coaching or plan B, C or D would change that really. He must be frustrated looking at a side that gets 18,000 tops be able to sign players like Mitrovic in January and we sign Wilson. That is the difference in ambition between the two sets of boards. They will get their rewards at the end of the season. The likelihood of us going for a player like him or his ilk is probably not going to happen for a long time. Sadly, means we have to overachieve with what we have but Wilder will only put up with it for so long. He is ambitious and the board have to match this. They must see the results and contrast between us and Wolves/Fulham and see how far off we are. They either accept it and accept a mid-table type culture for a few years or show some drive and forward thinking. It seems at the moment they will be more concerned with who is going to get full control than what actually matters; the product on the pitch.
Officials – Keith Stroud. Not great but no real effect on the final verdict sadly. Booked 4 of ours and loves to get his card out. The Evans one was ridiculous. Stevens, Fleck and O’Connell could have no complaints – latter for cynical fouls; former for 3 fouls in the first 20 minutes. He is still a poor ref who I have seen a few times. Wants to be the start of the show. To be fair it was an easy game to ref as it became like a practice game for the home side.
Crowd – Stupid clappers v loud and passionate fans who saw their team getting a right dicking but kept singing. United fans were incredibly loyal throughout watching a game that was over at half time in many ways but kept with the team.
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I thought we might get something tonight; Fulham are on a great run and won 8 at home in a row but felt they were due a dip and we played well last week at Reading. He played the same team bar Donaldson for Clarke but Blackman was fit. Fulham’s side was packed with talent but I was quietly confident we might get something…
For the first 10 minutes we played well. Started game on the front foot and moved it about; they were slow to begin with and Basham had a cross shot and Sharp missed a really good chance. After this they came into it and from minute 10-15 till 95 they dominated most of the game. They had all the ball, created tons of chances and cut us open at will. It was men v boys. They had more pace, invention strength, quality and were just better individually and collectively. The lad Ojo skinned Stevens a few times and he finally got booked; we still gave Stevens no cover and eventually they got down that wing and scored with Mitrovic getting away from O’Connell I think it was in the box. They then had a few more chances and we started to really struggle for a period but had another few efforts.
Donaldson then had a decent chance and Fleck forced a save but then a decent chipped ball and Mitrovic converted very well again with no challenge. It was 2-0 and effectively game over. You could say they scored 2 chances and we missed 2 but, on the ball, there quality even at this point was miles better than ours. After this it seemed just about how many they might get. They pinged it about and the oles started. Maybe we did sit off but not sure we could get close to them. Players moved all over the field and no one was in a set position. We think Baldock and Stevens are quite mobile but Fredericks and Sessegnon are a different level and we have no one like Ojo at the club. The Mitrovic v Donaldson comparison shows the difference – a 15 million pound player (not good enough for the Prem so that shows the jump up) versus a Birmingham reserve signed for next to nothing. It is a different standard of player.
After the break they continued to dominate although Brooks did have one chance but they had a number and Blackman made some good saves. I felt they barely got out of first gear and the third made by the impressive Sessengon and finished by another superb player in Cairney was a great goal. It maybe was too easy but they made it like that all night. After this they kind of declared but still missed a number of other chances. Evans and Holmes came on but the game was up and our players looked a sorry mob by full time as they basically took the Michael for long stretches. I think many of the United players lacked any kind of belief tonight after they went behind. Worrying but when you know players are better what do you do? Maybe some should have booted a few earlier but Stroud was clearly going to keep booking ours so the go in hard approach would have just seen us with 8 or 9 men.
United – Discussed most of it above but now down to 9th and taken three pastings at Wolves, Cardiff and Fulham. We have not been close to these three in these games – granted we did well v Wolves at the Lane. We may still have a chance of the playoffs and Saturday is a big game but we are not putting a run together at all – it is win one, lose one, or win two, lose two and has been like that since Xmas really. We have lost 4 out of 7. We are putting in mid table type performances and getting mid table type results. Most of the top teams are winning and the top 4 have pulled away now.
There are 2 places to go at but when I see us get beat so easily tonight and our record versus the top 8 has been really poor. We have won a few but lost a lot more and not sure we quite believe we are good enough to be with these teams – even when we played well (Bristol and Villa at home – they had that extra quality to win). The reality is that we may not be quite good enough. We sure need more investment and it worries me that Wilder may just say sod it and leave if he does not get it or the boardroom wrangling is not sorted. I am not sure we can go much higher than this with the team we have.
Tonight, I cannot slam them too much. Sure, we gave them too much respect, missed a few chances and also gave away some sloppy goals but the wider picture is they are a better team with better players with a better pedigree. Too much will be made of personnel, formation and what they did versus what we did. They passed it quicker, kept it better and moved it around us very well. They looked like a team that knows everyone can be comfortable all over the field and everyone is forward thinking. They all showed that man for man they are just that much better than us. That is fact. No different starting eleven or tactical change would have made any real difference. They just passed it well, moved it well and looked superior.
Without that extra step, up in class we will always be a team of triers with some decent players (did not show it tonight) but a lot of club man type (Donaldson, Basham, Stearman) that are not really top 6 material. We have overachieved and the start was fantastic but the form since November has been mid table form and if we carry on we will finish about where we are. We do not play any more of the top 6 away but as I say need a run of say 3 or 4 wins on the bounce. That is not happening at the moment. It is too stop start in terms of performances and results.
Fulham – Really good side. They started season poorly but since then have been as good if not better than Wolves and may catch Cardiff. Not sure how they can fail to go up. They have talent all over the team and are light years ahead of many in this division. They must have had some shockers earlier in the season but now have found a settled team and with Mitrovic have a focal point too. He is a knob but a good player.
They played it to feet, moved it quickly and played one touch quick, flowing football. We were ponderous, slow, had little up front and careless what we did. However, I felt we simply could not get it off them. We sat off and they played through us easily. It was like a practice game but they made it that way and just looked so classy. A lot will be made of us and what we could have dome but we did try and press and close but often they just moved away from us. We picked up lots of bookings and most deserved (save Evans) they just outskilled us. They have quicker and more mobile players and the two lads in midfield Johannson and Cairney ran it. We think Duffy and Fleck are decent but they were made to look so ordinary tonight by these two who are just much better. Both have played higher level and it showed. Our lads sadly have not and that showed tonight. A few others showed what they are; Donaldson is a journeyman striker who is on his last legs, Evans in midfield is a tidy player bit does not penetrate with the ball in terms of passing or running and lacks mobility to chase runners defensively and the backline when ran at and teams go at them look slow and error prone.
Not sure they had a weak link. Even the keeper passed it better than many of ours and the two lads at the back are good footballers too. All athletic and all quick. We got taught a lesson tonight really. I don’t buy the ‘if we took our chances’ argument. We had 2 good ones and a few half chances. They had umpteen clear openings and to me looked like they could score every time they attacked. Even outside the chances they totally controlled the game.
Mitrovic was powerful and a real threat. He bullied us at times and even O’Connell could not hold him. The lad Johannson was different class and even better than Cairney who also was very good. McDonald was quiet but just quarter backed them from the back. The lad Ojo was so quick and direct and the two wing backs were a threat all night. Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up.
A few comments from Fulham fans (thanks Roygbiv) summed it up:
“in the last 20 minutes of the first half it was like a Prem team playing a lower league side.”
“We absolutely bossed them. The second half was embarrassing, genuinely felt sorry for the fans that travelled’’
Quick ratings -
Blackman 7/10 – No chance on any of the goals although nit picking seemed a bit flat footed on the 2nd but it was well taken. Made some decent saves and given no protection at all. No fault to him at all tonight.
Baldock 6/10 – One of our better players and steady enough but still not great. He did not quite get skinned as much as Stevens but he too struggled to stem the tide and I felt defensively was not tight enough and allowed runners space. He barely got over halfway tonight with the threat they had.
Stevens 4/10 – Really poor again. The lad Ojo was too quick and too skilled. Fouled him three times and then got booked. Then he lost him again and there was a switch and he made the first. Second half theme continued. Will have been glad to see back of Ojo when he went off.
Basham 5.5/10 – I actually thought he was the best of the three at the back and was taken off. Had a few early runs forward and kept his shape/discipline. Did lose his man a few times and will always be one taken off when we change it.
O’Connell 5/10 – Felt his battle with Mitrovic would be key and he lost it all night. He got in front of him and Stearman and held it up; brought runners into play and scored two goals. We got bullied on this area. A key battle and we lost it completely. Surprised he got outmuscled quite a bit.
Stearman 5/10 – Poorest he has been for a while. He made a few mistakes and did not impose himself. Struggled with runners but had no protection at all from the midfield who were ran at all game and they had men all over the place coming at them. He got frustrated a few times
Fleck 5/10 – At home to Fulham he was on par with their outstanding midfield. Tonight, he had a decent start but faded badly and never got close enough, never got on the ball and was outplayed. One of the rare times, I have to concede he faced opponents that were just too good for him. He got another booking for a stupid tackle.
Evans 4/10 – Barely noticed him all game apart from when he passed it backwards and sideways. Did not carry the ball or try many forward passes. Off the ball the Fulham lads were too mobile and too good for him. He is another that is very inconsistent and sadly when he has played some of the better teams/players struggles. Bit of a flat track bully sadly and not consistent enough. His performances in key games at Wolves and tonight were really poor.
Duffy 5/10 – He started game ok and when he had the ball first 20 mins you felt he could do something and put in one great cross for Sharp but then not in it and looked totally disinterested by the end waving his arms at Holmes and Brooks. He gave us very little. He did not get on the ball but off it he did not close or press and I felt was not disciplined tonight. They overran us in midfield and he have to take as much blame as the other two. Needed to sit in more and just dig in but he went wandering and we had no kind of shape for long spells. Wasted numerous corners/free kicks too.
Sharp 5/10 – Missed a good chance and then barely kicked the ball. No service and never really in the game. Had one half chance early 2nd half but after the one he missed; he was on scraps. No help from his partner.
Donaldson 3/10 – Really poor. He missed a good chance and then took forever over everything he did and allowed opponents to get back. Very languid and I felt quite lazy too. He is not the answer for me. He gave us a nice cameo mid-season after he started well at Sunderland but had more poor games than good ones. Surprised he lasted as long as he did.
Subs:
Brooks 5.5/10 – Came on and had a few runs with the ball but also gave it away quite a bit but was at least trying things when he got it. His giveaway I think led to the 3rd goal. He gave it away a few times after. He needs to start games now. We may not have him for long and is wasted on the bench. He is going to give us far more than Donaldson or Wilson as a 2nd striker and if Clarke is not fit Saturday then he should play off Billy.
Holmes – Gave it away cheaply a few times and then had one run where he ran down the wing but nothing came of it. His United career has not really started yet and not sure where he fits in? Seems an odd signing at the moment as Brooks and Duffy will be ahead of him.
Evans – Missed a header and another couple bounced off him. Tried and ran around but not sure he has the quality but hard for him today when the game has lost. I actually would rather him have a game than Donaldson at the moment but not sure either are anywhere near good enough for a side challenging for the playoffs.
Manager: Wilder 6/10 – Can you really have a go at him? His team were beaten by a better team. He tried to change things but it was too late. We needed to get to half time at 1-0 but did not and then the game was over. He is doing his best but cannot get anymore out of this group for me. He could tweak things a little or change a few players here and there but ultimately Wolves and Fulham are superior individually and collectively and not sure any coaching or plan B, C or D would change that really. He must be frustrated looking at a side that gets 18,000 tops be able to sign players like Mitrovic in January and we sign Wilson. That is the difference in ambition between the two sets of boards. They will get their rewards at the end of the season. The likelihood of us going for a player like him or his ilk is probably not going to happen for a long time. Sadly, means we have to overachieve with what we have but Wilder will only put up with it for so long. He is ambitious and the board have to match this. They must see the results and contrast between us and Wolves/Fulham and see how far off we are. They either accept it and accept a mid-table type culture for a few years or show some drive and forward thinking. It seems at the moment they will be more concerned with who is going to get full control than what actually matters; the product on the pitch.
Officials – Keith Stroud. Not great but no real effect on the final verdict sadly. Booked 4 of ours and loves to get his card out. The Evans one was ridiculous. Stevens, Fleck and O’Connell could have no complaints – latter for cynical fouls; former for 3 fouls in the first 20 minutes. He is still a poor ref who I have seen a few times. Wants to be the start of the show. To be fair it was an easy game to ref as it became like a practice game for the home side.
Crowd – Stupid clappers v loud and passionate fans who saw their team getting a right dicking but kept singing. United fans were incredibly loyal throughout watching a game that was over at half time in many ways but kept with the team.
