Tonight then, out of ten

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pommpey

THE FUTURE ... AS IT USED TO BE
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Excellent performance from the Blades. Fully expected it to be tough going but those three points have made such an impact upon our chances of remaining in the fight rather than slipping into the playoffs. I was a bit concerned with the absence of O'Connell and Basham in our usual back three and Stevens remaining at LCB, but Wilder once again proved what he is - a bloody good manager.

Henderson 8/10: Much more assured and with it. The save at the death was class.
Stevens 9/10: Ran his fucking socks off. Got the right side of their front pairing on most occasions and opened up the opportunities with his industry
Egan 8/10: Big performance from him. Some crucial blocks and interventions. Hope his tight calf isn't any of further concern
Crainie 8/10: Another great performance. His run and cross, whilst opportunistic, was perfect
Freeman 7.5/10: Good performance from him although he always looks like he's played a game before the one he's playing in. Horrid tackle on him by Pob
Johnson 5/10: The weak link. So many passes mistimed and misplaced. Not sure why Wilder insists on playing him TBH
Fleck 8.5/10: Apart from a few rare misplaced passes, he was bloody solid in the centre and made some key links with front and back
Norwood 7/10: I know I'll get pelters for this, but again, he doesn't half waste a lot of key balls in advantageous positions
Dowell 8.5/10: A far better performance as he now seems to be growing into our system and style of play. Deft touches but I still have yet to see this pace he is meant to have. Took his header superbly
McGoldrick 6.5/10: A bit languid tonight and fucked up two very important opportunities to put WBA to bed completely
Sharp 7/10: Again, this is pure effort and 'Billy Sharp Factor'. Had he steered Norwood's cross in or Goldy had found him, it would possibly be more

Stearman 8/10: Commanding turnout and it now shows we have a glut of capability at CB. When was the last time we were so blessed?
Basham 8/10: It always turns when he is involved. I love his unnerving sense of confidence and skill, whilst he looks so ungainly and unconventional
Madine 7/10: Was so disappointed when he tamely fired his shot at Johnson. He had two outlets and much of the goal to aim at, yet it goes down the middle. He scores that and WBA are buried

Still, very impressed with our performance and determination to make WBA look impotent and dull, despite some big money players, and the fact that they looked far more dangerous and clinical at BDTBL. Think we need to address the Johnson situation and bring Duffs and Coutts into the game more. That gap is opening up now. If we win the next two, we will be so much of a contender that I reckon we might just ace it.

pommpey
 
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Just my opinion, but I think that is harsh on Johnson. I thought he looked quality at times and caused carnage early on down their left flank, and even when he cut inside which is something Enda can't do. I also thought Enda misplaced just as many passes.

Granted I haven't watched it all back yet though.

Wouldn't argue with any of the other scores.

Fantastic performance!
 
Stevens was my MOTM. Honourable mentions to Cranie for keeping that terrible pass from Freeman alive, Dowell for a fantastic header, Sharp for being a royal pain in the arse for the WBA centre halves and Henderson for making the decent look routine.

Henderson 8.5
Stevens 9
Egan 8
Cranie 8.5
Freeman 7.5
Norwood 6.5
Fleck 7.5
Johnson 7
Dowell 8
Sharp 8
McGoldrick 7

Subs
Stearman 7.5
Madine 7.5
Basham 7

Wilder 7.5
 
These were the marks as awarded by Sky:
Sheffield United: Henderson (7), Cranie (7), Egan (7), Stevens (7), Freeman (6), Norwood (7), Fleck (6), Johnson (6), Dowell (8), Sharp (6), McGoldrick (6)
Subs: Stearman (5), Madine (5)

If Freeman and Fleck deserved '6's, then I really don't know anything about football.
I know we are, shall we say...'a little bias', but those marks are shit.

UTB
 
These were the marks as awarded by Sky:
Sheffield United: Henderson (7), Cranie (7), Egan (7), Stevens (7), Freeman (6), Norwood (7), Fleck (6), Johnson (6), Dowell (8), Sharp (6), McGoldrick (6)
Subs: Stearman (5), Madine (5)

If Freeman and Fleck deserved '6's, then I really don't know anything about football.
I know we are, shall we say...'a little bias', but those marks are shit.

UTB

Sky - Goodman especially - were all about the 'if WBA can get an equaliser' all fucking evening.

Just tell it like it is. You don't like Sheffield United.

pommpey
 
Very harsh on Johnson in my opinion, no one was less than a 7 tonight but although a couple of misplaced passes he didn't let, as Sky Sports described him "the best player in the league" have much of a sniff, was decent going forward and made a couple of great blocks/challenges when we looked vulnerable on the counter
 
Pretty much agree, although felt Johnson had a decent-ish first half. Not as savvy from a defensive point, though, and as you said gave it away a few times when helpful.

Thank God Hendo made the save at the end from Enda’s flick on. He did misplace a few passes, but he seemed to win everything, and he must have been top for interceptions. I proper love him; a real pro.

The four who played in the back three deserve men of the match. Can’t fault any of them. Great seeing Fleck being proper Fleck again the last few games.

I think Sharp deserves a much higher mark than Madine, who disappointed me a tiny bit tonight. He may have had different instructions, but he just looked a little bit lazy, or maybe casual is a better word, after he came on. I hoped he would start, but can understand why McG would be on. Saying that, I hope Madine starts the next two.

Dowell was impressive, and carries the ball really well.
 
These were the marks as awarded by Sky:
Sheffield United: Henderson (7), Cranie (7), Egan (7), Stevens (7), Freeman (6), Norwood (7), Fleck (6), Johnson (6), Dowell (8), Sharp (6), McGoldrick (6)
Subs: Stearman (5), Madine (5)

If Freeman and Fleck deserved '6's, then I really don't know anything about football.
I know we are, shall we say...'a little bias', but those marks are shit.

UTB
So wtf were the West Brom ratings ? Phuck me those ratings are very harsh
 
Our least dominant display for ages, even Wilder admitted we weren’t great.

First 20 mins were were easily the better team, played like we usually do
But as the game went on we sat back on the lead and were very cautious defending the lead.
We showed massive determination, defended really well stopping West Brom from creating many chances.
Not a technically impressive display but a brilliant battling display.
 
Billy getting a '6' is the biggest travesty in my opinion.
His hold up play and the way he constantly out-battled WBA defenders to win throws and gain territory took so much pressure off the team it was unbelievable. A true 'master' in his all-round role.

I suspect the players are sensing this 'Sky expert/pundit writing us off' spiel, too. Olly made reference to it in his post-match interview.

UTB
 



Henderson - 8
Cranie - 8
Egan - 8
Stevens - 9
Freeman - 7
Norwood - 7
Fleck - 8
Dowell - 9
Johnson - 6
McGoldrick - 7
Sharp - 8

Stearman - 8
Madine - 7
Basham - 7
 
These were the marks as awarded by Sky:
Sheffield United: Henderson (7), Cranie (7), Egan (7), Stevens (7), Freeman (6), Norwood (7), Fleck (6), Johnson (6), Dowell (8), Sharp (6), McGoldrick (6)
Subs: Stearman (5), Madine (5)

If Freeman and Fleck deserved '6's, then I really don't know anything about football.
I know we are, shall we say...'a little bias', but those marks are shit.

UTB
Sky TV is fucking shit.......there could be a song in this:)
 
Sky - Goodman especially - were all about the 'if WBA can get an equaliser' all fucking evening.

Just tell it like it is. You don't like Sheffield United.

pommpey

Goodman's from their part of the world and played for WBA, although he went onto Wolves, maybe he couldn't hide that bias. To be fair to him, I've heard him be very positive on us this season.
 
probably didn't see it on the telly ,but Dawson was jelly legged fuckbait at the end ,Billy raped him like a Worksop grandma. Sharp 10/10

Btw you cant give Ollie more than Johnson ,Norwood is a far better player but not today.
 
Stevens looks better in JOC's position than he does his own.

Fleck excellent imho.

That's just picking two out without acknowledging everyone. Big 3 points and a solid defensive display when needed.

May watch it back on tv as you get a different perspective sometimes compared to being at the game. I didn't know it was Dowell who scored for instance.
 
It's the first time Johnson has actually looked like he belonged on a football pitch. He had pace going forward and backwards. He was knackered towards the end but was still making the runs and helping out in the corner.

I assumed he was terrible after his first few cameos (and Barnet) and he's no Enda Stevens but he's a decent player when he puts his mind to it. The sloppy passes will go away with games as well and he had the pace to recover when he did make one.
 
People aren't really getting chips on their shoulders about Sky now are they? They've been more complimentary about us than any other team I've seen this season. To the point that it winds up other club supporters no end.
 
People aren't really getting chips on their shoulders about Sky now are they? They've been more complimentary about us than any other team I've seen this season. To the point that it winds up other club supporters no end.

Goodman, Andrews and Michael Brown all knock one out about overlapping centre halves every time we're on. Even Prutton and Hinchcliffe wax lyrical about us and given their porky past you'd not expect it.

The whole 'Sky hates us' theory is nonsense.
 
For me it's the resurgence of Fleck and Freeman (or return in his case) and their return to form, along with the addition of some good players to the squad like Madine (fuck, I never thought I'd ever say that!!!!) and the fact that they fringe players coming in to the team now actually fit in and can play the system!
UTB
 
When Dowell traverses the area between boxes in about three seconds do you think you're sky signal has jumped ?

Also you shouldn't judge mcgoldrick on end product alone ,the guy had a great game and made two poor decisions .goes back too early season when he missed a few chances and the pitch forks were out
 
Think people's judgement of Johnson has been clouded by his performances earlier in the season.

He was a little out of his depth at the start of the season but he's been more than fine in our last 2 games, as evidenced by 2 wins and 2 clean sheets
 
Not that statistics trump anyone's opinions, especially those lucky enough to attend the match, it's interesting to see how they relate to what people are saying about last night.

Defensively, Stevens made a whopping 9 clearances with Egan next on the list with 4 (albeit in half a game). He also made the most tackles (3).

People criticising Johnson seem to be justified - 1 tackle, 1 blocked shot and no clearances or blocked shot. Compared to Freeman, for example, with 2 tackles, 1 block and 2 clearances, it looks like he was involved less.

Going forward though, his passing accuracy was slightly better than Stevens' (63/58%) - both gave the ball away a lot. Egan, Stearman and Basham were all way above 70%, to compare similar positions. I think this is important because, like Wilder said, we conceded possession far too easily, especially in the second half.

Freeman, Fleck and Dowell were all in the 80s for passing accuracy, illustrating their good performances. Norwood did give the ball away more but he also made 4/7 long balls. Only Fleck with 3/6 came close. It might not have been his best night but Norwood still offers something important to the team.

Not everything came off for Billy but he still had 87% pass accuracy, our highest number. McGoldrick, by comparison was down with 60%. Added to that, Billy worked his bollocks off, not so easy to quantify.
 



Not that statistics trump anyone's opinions, especially those lucky enough to attend the match, it's interesting to see how they relate to what people are saying about last night.

Defensively, Stevens made a whopping 9 clearances with Egan next on the list with 4 (albeit in half a game). He also made the most tackles (3).

People criticising Johnson seem to be justified - 1 tackle, 1 blocked shot and no clearances or blocked shot. Compared to Freeman, for example, with 2 tackles, 1 block and 2 clearances, it looks like he was involved less.

Going forward though, his passing accuracy was slightly better than Stevens' (63/58%) - both gave the ball away a lot. Egan, Stearman and Basham were all way above 70%, to compare similar positions. I think this is important because, like Wilder said, we conceded possession far too easily, especially in the second half.

Freeman, Fleck and Dowell were all in the 80s for passing accuracy, illustrating their good performances. Norwood did give the ball away more but he also made 4/7 long balls. Only Fleck with 3/6 came close. It might not have been his best night but Norwood still offers something important to the team.

Not everything came off for Billy but he still had 87% pass accuracy, our highest number. McGoldrick, by comparison was down with 60%. Added to that, Billy worked his bollocks off, not so easy to quantify.

The stats don't tell the whole story: what if West Brom attacked the right more commonly than the left?
 

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