Report from the new den

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Rev

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I'm guessing Deadbat gave this one a miss but if I'm wrong I'd advise you ignore this and read his report!
My boys love an away game but as the youngest is only 7 we dont have the loyalty points for most PL games. Fortunately I love them so much I spoiled them with a trip to Millwall!

United brought about 1500 and were given the upper tier behind the goal. Wearing red and white we made 5 changes and lined up with hendo, o'Connell jags basham, Osborn at lwb, k freeman at rwb, besic, l freeman and norwood then sharp and robinson up front. Millwall started 433

The 1st 15mins:
An early mistake by besic gave millwall a half chance which came to nothing. Minutes later a good ball by osborn saw besic go close. Millwall should have scored on 12mins: jags was outsprinted by o'Brien who was through on goal but his soft shot was easy for henderson.

15-30mins:
not a lot happened. A nice move saw sharp miss a half chance. Osborn played a long pass to the corner flag

30-45mins:
A millwall attack was headed away by joc who blocked the next ball for a corner. Moments later a corner for the blades led to a failed penalty appeal when jags fell in the box (no var here)

It was a fairly dull 1st half and 0-0 was a fair reflection.

45-60mins
utd started the brighter. A good cross from k Freeman lead to a corner. It was a period of good pressure but still no shot on target so far.

60-75mins
The goal came though on 61mins: a nice ball forward by Robinson to sharp who laid the ball off to BESIC who hit a shot from the edge of the area straight into the top corner. Great goal.
Sub 67: clarke on for robinson.
United kept pushing forward with k freeman and basham involved. Millwall made 3 changes as United were definitely dominating.

75-90mins
joc headed the ball into the net from a set play on 76mins but clearly fouled his man to do so. On 80mins just after k freeman made an important clearance his namesake luke was replaced by J Robinson on debut.
The second goal came two minutes later: a good move started from sharp ended with sharp playing the ball to the on rushing NORWOOD who drove the ball in from 15yards.
Utd were still coming forward and besic played in clarke whose shot was well saved. It should have been 3-0 on 90 mins: a great ball from the outside of Clarke's right foot put sharp one on one with the keeper who parried it out for a corner. 3mins of added time saw the keeper save a soft shot from k freeman but by that time united were safely into round 5

A 2nd half we totally dominated

Henderson 8 solid with little to do after 15mins
K freeman 7 played well, wouldn't be too worried if Baldock misses a game or two
Osborn 4 if enda gets injured I will be worried though! Sliced a lot of clearances, dodgy in defence. Actually not too bad in the final third but definitely seems uncomfortable at lwb.
Jags 6 sharkey start but played better as game wore on
O Connell 7 solid as usual
Basham 8 solid and a real threat going forward 2nd half
Besic 7 made some good interceptions and was also a creative threat second half, oh and what a goal!
Norwood 8 motm, really drove us forward, took his goal well and it was a game when his passes really came off
L freeman 6 was one of only two that didnt really impress for me
Robinson 6 was the other one. One good ball forward to sharp just before he came off. Other than that I struggle to remember anything else he did.
Sharp 7. Ineffective first half but was central to all our good attacks second half. Was clearly disappointed not to get the goal he deserved at the end
Subs:
Clarke: played ok, great ball to Sharp at the end. Should have buried one himself just before
J Robinson: not sure he touched the ball.

Day out: not been to millwall for 20years and it's as grim as I remember. Got the train in cos there's no way I was parking round there. It's all fairly safe though as away fans have a separate police-lined walkway from the station to the ground. A fairly small crowd meant we got served at halftime and the view was excellent. A bit of mixing of fans afterwards on train back but the boys weren't too bothered. Onto round 5!
 



Rev said:
Osborn 4 if enda gets injured I will be worried though! Sliced a lot of clearances, dodgy in defence. Actually not too bad in the final third but definitely seems uncomfortable at lwb.
Click to expand...

Am I missing a joke here, or is this genuinely how you viewed his performance?

Rev said:
Norwood 8 motm, really drove us forward, took his goal well and it was a game when his passes really came off
Click to expand...

Ah, that answers it. You had me going for a minute there!
 
borg elite said:
I thought he was really good.
Click to expand...

Same. Anticipated and intercepted numerous stuff first half, was tidy, seemed to cope with the conditions better than others, and made a number of intelligent passes.

In contrast, Norwood had a terrible first half and struggled for a good deal of the game. But improved second half admittedly.
 
Any mark over 2 for Callum Robinson is daylight robbery.
 
brewdogblade said:
Wilder just praised Osborne and L Freeman?
Click to expand...
If I was the manager I'd be praising the non-regulars who came in and both did some good things. As I said, Osborne wasnt bad in the final third but throughout the game his passing out from defence was poor. He just looks more of a midfielder than a wingback
 
Jake Robinson did well in every involvement, looking aggressive, tenacious and not afraid to put his head in where it hurts. He also combined a couple of times with his old teammate Osborn, and was the one who gave the ball to Sharp before he assisted for Norwood's goal.

I think the reason he (and Rodwell?) didn't start was partly that Wilder was reluctant to upset the rhythm too much by making too many changes, but also after deciding to rest Egan, it would be a bit risky to lose Basham and JOC against the aerial threat of Smith and Cooper.

Good to see him come on though, and it was a good (if short) start for him.
 



How can you award a MOM to a player that watched most of game with his pipe ?

UTB
 
Henderson 8!!! Millwall's one shot on target must have been a bloody good un 😜
 
Bergen Blade said:
Jake Robinson did well in every involvement, looking aggressive, tenacious and not afraid to put his head in where it hurts. He also combined a couple of times with his old teammate Osborn, and was the one who gave the ball to Sharp before he assisted for Norwood's goal.

I think the reason he (and Rodwell?) didn't start was partly that Wilder was reluctant to upset the rhythm too much by making too many changes, but also after deciding to rest Egan, it would be a bit risky to lose Basham and JOC against the aerial threat of Smith and Cooper.

Good to see him come on though, and it was a good (if short) start for him.
Click to expand...

Rodwell is ill.
 
I also thought Osborn played well. Him and Luke Freeman were our best players in the first half. 4/10 suggests that you have an issue with him for whatever reason.
 
Roygbiv said:
Cheers for the report. Totally disagree with the Osborn mark. Thought he was really good. Bash Man Of The Match by miles and miles as Right Said Fred would say
Click to expand...
I was listening to 5 live extra
( it was bbc London really ) but every time Sargent Bash touched / ran / played the ball the commentators praised him to the hilt “ he’s a good player that lad “ they also said that about “ Ollie “ and mentioned his 3 promotions
They where really complimentary about us as well
 
For what it's worth, my thoughts-:

Henderson - 6. He had nothing to do in way of stopping shots. Kicking wasn't great.

K. Freeman - 7. I was actually pretty impressed with Freeman. I really like his attacking intent. He's a lot more decisive in the final third than Baldock. He makes his mind up on what he's going to do, before the ball gets to him, & then he goes for it - quickly. Remember the volley he blasted high & wide, I actually liked the ambition in that. This is what makes him effective in the final third.
Baldock has the greater potential & is rightly occupying the shirt, but he could learn a lot from Freeman going forward.

Basham - 8. I used to think Basham was one of those players with a certain set of attributes (his engine mostly) that would ensure he could be effective at any level - but at the same time struggle to stand out at any. It's clear now that he's added so much quality to his game that he's way above your average Championship player. When he came on against Fylde he was instantly the best player on the park. Today, same again. The deft little through ball he threaded through for Billy with his left Peg. Sublime. He looks so shit doing everything he does, but there's a lot of end product. He had a rare stinker midweek, but bounced back.

Jagielka - 6. Thought he looked very rusty first half & a little uncomfortable at times. He grew into the game & eventually regained composure. The legs are going though. We won't extend his stay in a playing capacity.

O'Connell - 7. Solid defensively & was able to get further up the pitch today, particularly in the 2nd half. Quite wasteful with the ball though, which has been a little bit of a theme recently. I've missed his forays forward the last half a dozen games or so. Understandable given the opposition we've faced, but I hope we see more of it again now because he can be very effective at the top of the pitch.

Osborn - 6. A real mixed bag. His better stuff came when he was in midfield & generally further up the field. He isn't a left wing back & isn't suited to defending in our own third. I'd like to see him be a little more adventurous in midfield though, at the moment he looks solid but not doing enough to challenge Fleck.

Besic - 6. Probably a 4 first half & a 7 in the 2nd half. He was a little anonymous, other than sloppy moments in possession in the first half. Then, 2nd half, he scores a lovely goal, shows some nice touches & is invovled in some of our better play.

Norwood - 7. Average first half, became more instrumental in the 2nd half & really got us going. Dictated the game from the quarter back role & scored a with a well drilled shot.
He's a great striker of the ball & I'd like to see him occasionally get up the pitch & have a go. We rarely score goals from range & he's one player I think could bring this.

L. Freeman - 5. I'm looking for so much more from him & I know he can do it because I've seen him do it. I didn't see him get on the ball & glide forward with it. I didn't see him looking to thread balls through, or take any shots at goal. He's a very good player, maybe the system just doesn't work for him. Sadly, although good, he isn't good enough to build a new system around. Looks to be lacking a bit of confidence at the moment. I wasn't surprised to hear Wilder talk him up post match to give him a little boost.

Robinson - 4. He got a bollocking when he came off from Knill & Wilder seemed to ignore him. Robinson didn't look happy about it & was pulling a confused face. I'm not sure if he was ignoring instructions or what, but he certainly didn't put a good shift in today. Has he ever played well in a game he's started?
He still looks weak, ineffective, slow. Wilder likes him, so I'll back his judgement - however, from what I've seen I personally would look to upgrade (Che Adams would be my call - if available - as people know).

Sharp - 8. So he's probably our best finisher & also now perhaps our best striker with his back to goal. His hold up play & movement was exceptional again today. 2 assists. Should have had a goal. He's needed for the run in. I know he has limitations & can't chase balls into channels, but there's enough there to suggest he can be an asset. I think he'll start a few more games before the season's end & add a few goals.

Subs.

Clarke - 6. Put a decent shift in, closing players down etc. Though I can't remember any attacking events he contributed to.
I hope he gets a good move. I think he'd do great in League 1 still.

J. Robinson - 7. I liked what I saw. He was very involved, tenacious. Maybe a little too eager at times, but you'd rather it that way. He also made a couple of off-the-ball arcing, inward runs into the box which helped create overloads. He's clearly studied our system, which I like. He looked more comfortable than Osborn at LWB. A good debut. He'll be OK I think. He genuinely seems chuffed to be here which is great to see. I like signings like that.
 
Last edited:
I think the problem for Osborn was that L Freeman, was not playing well and link up play was slow or moves broke down. He improved second half when Norwood took a bigger role, in the play down the left and also at the end when J Robinson came on. I would like to see what he is like alongside Fleck, but I guess there won't be many opportunities for that.
 
CaptainMorgans said:
For what it's worth, my thoughts-:

Henderson - 6. He had nothing to do in way of stopping shots. Kicking wasn't great.

K. Freeman - 7. I was actually pretty impressed with Freeman. I really like his attacking intent. He's a lot more decisive in the final third than Baldock. He makes his mind up on what he's going to do, before the ball gets to him, & then he goes for it - quickly. Remember the volley he blasted high & wide, I actually liked the ambition in that. This is what makes him effective in the final third.
Baldock has the greater potential & is rightly occupying the shirt, but he could learn a lot from Freeman going forward.

Basham - 8. I used to think Basham was one of those players with a certain set of attributes (his engine mostly) that would ensure he could be effective at any level - but at the same time struggle to stand out at any. It's clear now that he's added so much quality to his game that he's way above your average Championship player. When he came on against Fylde he was instantly the best player on the park. Today, same again. The deft little through ball he threaded through for Billy with his left Peg. Sublime. He looks so shit doing everything he does, but there's a lot of end product. He had a rare stinker midweek, but bounced back.

Jagielka - 6. Thought he looked very rusty first half & a little uncomfortable at times. He grew into the game & eventually regained composure. The legs are going though. We won't extend his stay in a playing capacity.

O'Connell - 7. Solid defensively & was able to get further up the pitch today, particularly in the 2nd half. Quite wasteful with the ball though, which has been a little bit of a theme recently. I've missed his forays forward the last half a dozen games or so. Understandable given the opposition we've faced, but I hope we see more of it again now because he can be very effective at the top of the pitch.

Osborn - 6. A real mixed bag. His better stuff came when he was in midfield & generally further up the field. He isn't a left wing back & isn't suited to defending in our own third. I'd like to see him be a little more adventurous in midfield though, at the moment he looks solid but not doing enough to challenge Fleck.

Besic - 6. Probably a 4 first half & a 7 in the 2nd half. He was a little anonymous, other than sloppy moments in possession in the first half. Then, 2nd half, he scores a lovely goal, shows some nice touches & is invovled in some of our better play.

Norwood - 7. Average first half, became more instrumental in the 2nd half & really got us going. Dictated the game from the quarter back role & scored a with a well drilled shot.
He's a great striker of the ball & I'd like to see him occasionally get up the pitch & have a go. We rarely score goals from range & he's one player I think could bring this.

L. Freeman - 5. I'm looking for so much more from him & I know he can do it because I've seen him do it. I didn't see him get on the ball & glide forward with it. I didn't see him looking to thread balls through, or take any shots at goal. He's a very good player, maybe the system just doesn't work for him. Sadly, although good, he isn't good enough to build a new system around. Looks to be lacking a bit of confidence at the moment. I wasn't surprised to hear Wilder talk him up post match to give him a little boost.

Robinson - 4. He got a bollocking when he came off from Knill & Wilder seemed to ignore him. Robinson didn't look happy about it & was pulling a confused face. I'm not sure if he was ignoring instructions or what, but he certainly didn't put a good shift in today. Has he ever played well in a game he's started?
He still looks weak, ineffective, slow. Wilder likes him, so I'll back his judgement - however, from what I've seen I personally would look to upgrade (Che Adams would be my call - if available - as people know).

Sharp - 8. So he's probably our best finisher & also now perhaps our best striker with his back to goal. His hold up play & movement was exceptional again today. 2 assists. Should have had a goal. He's needed for the run in. I know he has limitations & can't chase balls into channels, but there's enough there to suggest he can be an asset. I think he'll start a few more games before the season's end & add a few goals.

Subs.

Clarke - 6. Put a decent shift in, closing players down etc. Though I can't remember any attacking events he contributed to.
I hope he gets a good move. I think he'd do great in League 1 still.

J. Robinson - 7. I liked what I saw. He was very involved, tenacious. Maybe a little too eager at times, but you'd rather it that way. He also made a couple of off-the-ball arcing, inward runs into the box which helped create overloads. He's clearly studied our system, which I like. He looked more comfortable than Osborn at LWB. A good debut. He'll be OK I think. He genuinely seems chuffed to be here which is great to see. I like signings like that.
Click to expand...
The thing with Callum Robinson would appear to me to be he was a big fish doing great stuff in a small(er) pond..... you know the rest.

In our team/squad where they all know their position he looks a bit lost . Clearly a very good player, tore it up at PNE, over to CWAK.
 
CaptainMorgans said:
Clarke - 6. Put a decent shift in, closing players down etc. Though I can't remember any attacking events he contributed to.
I hope he gets a good move. I think he'd do great in League 1 still.
Click to expand...

Apologies, got this one wrong. Lovely flick through for Sharp's one-on-one at the end, deserved an assist.
 
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