The Bohemian
Member
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2012
- Messages
- 525
- Reaction score
- 2,522
Unlike many an early round League Cup game down the years this one was played at a good tempo with both teams going hammer and tongs. Irrespective of some daft comments from Hull fans, The Blades were comfortably the better team and would not have been embarrassed by a 3 goal margin. Here's what I took from the game:
Oliver Norwood: immense debut, sprayed the ball around with consummate ease and made a real difference to our attacking threat, especially getting Stevens in behind Hull's right back. He wants the ball, has a good engine and isn't afraid to tackle. He actually made us look threatening from corners - in fact we almost scored from a couple! He is a big improvement on Evans, that's for sure. Excellent singing, just a shame Billy didn't take the first penalty.
Leon: worked tirelessly, linked play well and was positionally strong. So much about his all round play is positive but his big problem is his poor conversion rate of chances. One slide rule through ball from Duffy put him in between their centre backs, his first touch was good but then he lacked the pace to leave the defender behind. He then shot when he should have crossed and later crossed when he should have shot. He's difficult to replace but we might have to because a familiar pattern from last season is emerging, where we are creating good chances but not scoring enough of them.
Ends Stevens: Not sure if Wilder served it up to him at half time at QPR but he improved significantly in the second half and continued in the same vein last night. His final ball, which had been a real weakness in the first few games was first class last night. Several whipped across the six yard box just missing a final touch. He was the main beneficiary of Norwood's presence.
Bash: Never thought he'd develop as an impact player but he really helped us pile on the pressure with his positive forward runs last night. He's been struggling defensively against higher quality Championship players because of his tendency to over commit, miss a tackle and then leave us exposed behind. I suspect Wilder is moving towards Jack, Egan and Stears as his first choice back three. With Norwood's arrival and Coutts nearly ready it's hard to see him starting in the middle so, much as it pains me to say it, Bash may be collecting a few splinters in the months to come.
Moore: Did himself no favours last night. Flapped at a cross, which nearly cost us and never looked close to saving a penalty. A shame because I still rate him as decent but surely now relegated to cover keeper only.
Egan: Looked assured again last night, as he did on Saturday. Aside from being comfortable on the ball he's strong and won't be bullied in aerial battles (last season we struggled to get the ball back upfield against the more direct, physical teams such as Bolton). "Record signing" is always a cross to bear but I'm confident he will do well for us.
Billy: so up for it at present! His goal was sublime and, along with Fleck and Bash, made a big difference to our attacking menace when he came on at half time. He can't do as much as we need outside the box but he is still one of the best finishers in the land. Goal of the season contender, if you haven't seen it yet.
Ben Woodburn: kept losing the ball in the first half and really needed to up his game after the interval. Thankfully, he did and showed great awareness in his movement and passing. Wilder's dilemma here is in whether to give him the run of games he needs to develop, whilst accepting he may cost us points in doing so.
Fleck: To my eyes he had one of his worst games in a Blades shirt at QPR but delivered a superb cameo last night, charging forward with intent from his first touch. Hs ball to Billy to set up his volley was absolutely top drawer. He is 25% more effective with Coutts beside him and will certainly benefit from Norwood's presence.
In summary, our new signings are stepping up, Norwood will delight the purists and shouldn't disappoint anyone and, if we can bring in a striker of similar quality, there is no reason why we can't improve on last season.
UTMB!
Oliver Norwood: immense debut, sprayed the ball around with consummate ease and made a real difference to our attacking threat, especially getting Stevens in behind Hull's right back. He wants the ball, has a good engine and isn't afraid to tackle. He actually made us look threatening from corners - in fact we almost scored from a couple! He is a big improvement on Evans, that's for sure. Excellent singing, just a shame Billy didn't take the first penalty.
Leon: worked tirelessly, linked play well and was positionally strong. So much about his all round play is positive but his big problem is his poor conversion rate of chances. One slide rule through ball from Duffy put him in between their centre backs, his first touch was good but then he lacked the pace to leave the defender behind. He then shot when he should have crossed and later crossed when he should have shot. He's difficult to replace but we might have to because a familiar pattern from last season is emerging, where we are creating good chances but not scoring enough of them.
Ends Stevens: Not sure if Wilder served it up to him at half time at QPR but he improved significantly in the second half and continued in the same vein last night. His final ball, which had been a real weakness in the first few games was first class last night. Several whipped across the six yard box just missing a final touch. He was the main beneficiary of Norwood's presence.
Bash: Never thought he'd develop as an impact player but he really helped us pile on the pressure with his positive forward runs last night. He's been struggling defensively against higher quality Championship players because of his tendency to over commit, miss a tackle and then leave us exposed behind. I suspect Wilder is moving towards Jack, Egan and Stears as his first choice back three. With Norwood's arrival and Coutts nearly ready it's hard to see him starting in the middle so, much as it pains me to say it, Bash may be collecting a few splinters in the months to come.
Moore: Did himself no favours last night. Flapped at a cross, which nearly cost us and never looked close to saving a penalty. A shame because I still rate him as decent but surely now relegated to cover keeper only.
Egan: Looked assured again last night, as he did on Saturday. Aside from being comfortable on the ball he's strong and won't be bullied in aerial battles (last season we struggled to get the ball back upfield against the more direct, physical teams such as Bolton). "Record signing" is always a cross to bear but I'm confident he will do well for us.
Billy: so up for it at present! His goal was sublime and, along with Fleck and Bash, made a big difference to our attacking menace when he came on at half time. He can't do as much as we need outside the box but he is still one of the best finishers in the land. Goal of the season contender, if you haven't seen it yet.
Ben Woodburn: kept losing the ball in the first half and really needed to up his game after the interval. Thankfully, he did and showed great awareness in his movement and passing. Wilder's dilemma here is in whether to give him the run of games he needs to develop, whilst accepting he may cost us points in doing so.
Fleck: To my eyes he had one of his worst games in a Blades shirt at QPR but delivered a superb cameo last night, charging forward with intent from his first touch. Hs ball to Billy to set up his volley was absolutely top drawer. He is 25% more effective with Coutts beside him and will certainly benefit from Norwood's presence.
In summary, our new signings are stepping up, Norwood will delight the purists and shouldn't disappoint anyone and, if we can bring in a striker of similar quality, there is no reason why we can't improve on last season.
UTMB!
