Never seen a game like it.....never will again

[SteelCity Blade]

I went home last night feeling like I had been a part of some paranormal event that I couldn't explain

I have never seen a side dominate proceedings and comprehensively look better on the night by a country mile and lose 4-0. But that's what I saw last night. Football admittedly has a strange way of making the weird and wonderful happen but last night was probably the most bizarre thing I will ever see.

The football at times in the first half was superb and reminiscent of better days. I was in fact keeping members of my family (who couldnt make it) informed of what was going on, whilst describing a side unrecognisable from Blackwell's team and one that even after just 10 minutes was playing football I hadn't seen at the lane in years!

There is no doubt about it. United were by far the better side for much of the game and anyone who tries to suggest otherwise either wasnt there or is talking complete bollocks. Aside from that, I have been involved in the game long enough to know that if you dont take your chances and the opposition does, then it doesnt matter one jot how well you've played.....

Unfortunately a mixture of poor finishing and incredible bad luck meant that we couldn't stick one of our countless chances away. Whereas Scunthorpe had a few half chances and stuck every one of them away. Football can just be like that sometimes but despite our lack of professionalism in front of goal.....lady luck was undoubtedly cruel to United last night and played her part in a freak result that I will scratch my head bald over for years.

The one other thing that United could be accused of last night was playing in their own half too much during the second half when more urgency was required. Most people in the ground could see that we were trying to do things the right way (the way fans had been asking for) but we seemed to stick to our guns when we needed to show more urgency and move the ball further and quicker. That said....I still maintain that a Scunthorpe win flattered them! Never mind 4-0!

The officials were a joke.....I'm not going any further into that subject.

How Ched didn't score in the first half I haven't a clue. He was our main goal threat but after hitting the post, frustration seemed to get the better of him and he lost all composure in front of goal from then on. I feel desperately sorry for him because lady luck doesn't seem to smile on him either. Before anyone says "you make your own luck" save it because that cliche is bollocks and ive never believed in it. Luck is luck, you dont make it yourself.

The one thing that brought a sigh (but almost a humorous smile to my face) when I left the ground was knowing all the knockers would be out in force this morning calling for McCabe's head and saying Speed is no good etc etc etc. When anyone with a pair of eyes could see that it wasnt our night, in every way shape and form. United will play infinately worse than that and pan someone by the same scoreline.....

Like I said, never seen a game like it.....never will again

 

[Northyorksblade]

Agree 100%

 

[Paddys Cough]

Third that!

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

You only have to look at Norwich and their 1st game last season to see that these things happen and don't have to be a marker of what's to come. Most people can see that last night was a freak result and the fact we were applauded off the pitch by many says more than plenty of comments on here today.

People say promotion is the target this season and it still is, but I for one would settle for mid table if the improvement in play continues as it has since Speed took over. It's not rose-tinted nor pure clappism to say that with a bit of luck we could have easily won the last 2 games by 3 or 4 goals but the overriding factor has to be the way we are blatantly changing the style of play and are creating chances, something we've all been crying out for for years.

 

[Notts Blade]

And a fourth

 

[FleaPitBlade]

I like the system, I like the way were playing, but we are in need of maybe one or two more players to really make it work.

We are in need of a midfielder who will get into the box to help out. That may be Britton, he plays some fantastic football, but its invariably too deep. He has Monty and Ertl beside him which should give him no worries about getting forward and beyond the strikers in a Gerrard/Lampard type role.

Ward and Creswell are our most clinical forward and do play well out wide but given Ched’s firing blanks, one of them needs to play centrally. Ward can’t do this on his own.

Michael Tonge isn’t a signing that is beyond the realms of possibility and he would thrive on the left of this midfield – getting the ball into feet to cut inside was the basis of his success at the lane in the early days, this would free up Creswell to play through the middle.

Its getting there, but its still very much a work in progress. Some of the football was breathtaking at times – and but for an extra body in there and/or a more clinical striker we’d have been home a dry before they even had a sniff at goal.

 

[davidpinder]

Like I said, never seen a game like it.....never will again

i wouldn't be so sure, if we turn up saturday with the same strike force then don't be surprised if we have another dominating display but lose. Kitson and Nugent can finish.

 

[Wards]

Ridiculous game that ended with a frankly ridiculous scoreline.

I've never seen us dominate a team so much in the 1st half for ages. Stick away one of those chances within the first 20 mins and we'd be looking at the scoreline in reverse.

Can't believe I'm saying this but full marks to Speed last night, I genuinly haven't enjoyed a game like the 1st half last night since 02/03.

20 odd passes in a row resulting in a one on one for Cresswell - I wouldn't have thought we'd be seeing that at the Lane.

Just an odd, odd match.

 

[sheffielder]

I think Speed will have learn't quite a bit about a few of his players last night. We so missed Morgan's leadership at the back. Nosworthy should have tried kicking Forte into row Z for a start. Ward started well but tired and Evans really is just having bad luck. Unfortunately also has to learn that when playing the loan man upfront he needs to stay central.

On Saturday I hope Speed gives Quinn a go in the central 3, Morgan comes back to partner Morgan and maybe Bog comes in for Evans or comes in for ward and evans moves to the right of the 3.

Oh and can we resign forte to play the left handside of the 3!

 

[davidpinder]

I think Speed will have learn't quite a bit about a few of his players last night. We so missed Morgan's leadership at the back. Nosworthy should have tried kicking Forte into row Z for a start. Ward started well but tired and Evans really is just having bad luck. Unfortunately also has to learn that when playing the loan man upfront he needs to stay central.

On Saturday I hope Speed gives Quinn a go in the central 3, Morgan comes back to partner Morgan and maybe Bog comes in for Evans or comes in for ward and evans moves to the right of the 3.

Oh and can we resign forte to play the left handside of the 3!

Who do you want to see morgan partnering?

 

[boo radley]

The one thing that brought a sigh (but almost a humorous smile to my face) when I left the ground was knowing all the knockers would be out in force this morning calling for McCabe's head and saying Speed is no good etc etc etc. When anyone with a pair of eyes could see that it wasnt our night, in every way shape and form. United will play infinately worse than that and pan someone by the same scoreline.....

Like I said, never seen a game like it.....never will again

Good Thread.

The knockers are the ones without a pair of eyes. How many of them went to the game last night? Ohh now there's a challenge.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

i wouldn't be so sure, if we turn up saturday with the same strike force then don't be surprised if we have another dominating display but lose. Kitson and Nugent can finish.

Nugent and Kitson have managed about 20 goals between them in the last 3 seasons but hey, let's not let facts spoil a good put down.

 

[Bayingblade]

Spot on SteelCityBlade, THE most bizarre game I have ever seen at Bramall Lane (and I've seen a few!!)

Summed up in the fact that I saw my team lose 4 nil, clapped them off and walked away from the ground with a sense of optimism!!??

Strange, very strange???

 

[moDtheGod]

Who do you want to see morgan partnering?

Anyone but Nosliability. Bartley, I suppose.

 

[davidpinder]

Nugent and Kitson have managed about 20 goals between them in the last 3 seasons but hey, let's not let facts spoil a good put down.

I would take either at the lane right now Jim. They are both championship standard players who will score goals. soif were talking facts Kitson scored 3 goals in 6 games for Middlesborough and 2 in 10 for reading in the championship that beats cheds record of 5 in 38 as for Nugent his latest record isn't so great but 33 in 94 for Preston is pretty good. Also some more facts according to the bbc stats we had 53% possession and 9 shots on target to scunnys 10.

 

[Wards]

You're forgetting that Scunny had at least 3 or 4 weak attempts that trickled into Simmo's arms from about 20 yards...

 

[davidpinder]

You're forgetting that Scunny had at least 3 or 4 weak attempts that trickled into Simmo's arms from about 20 yards...

I know it was a tongue in cheek comment about facts really, we dominate but they got 4 goals which are the only facts that matter about last night.

 

[Guesty]

I know what your saying, but I don't fully buy into all this stuff. Football boils down to two things: Scoring goals, and stopping the opposition doing likewise. We were abysmal at both last night and thus deserved that hammering.

 

[sheffielder]

Who do you want to see morgan partnering?

Bartley. I have to close my eyes when Nosworthy has the ball at his feet.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

I know what your saying, but I don't fully buy into all this stuff. Football boils down to two things: Scoring goals, and stopping the opposition doing likewise. We were abysmal at both last night and thus deserved that hammering.

Indeed it does Guesty and I wouldn't argue those two points with you. But games of football are all about timing and turning points as well. Our finishing was definately poor at times, no denying that. A couple of the shots were unlucky as well though.

As for Scunthorpe, they scored against the run of play for the first and another one of them had some good fortune involved as well. It simply wasn't United's night and you only need a couple of things to go wrong for the game to spiral out of control.

It was simply a freak game and everything was on Scunthorpe's side.....luck, referee, linesmen.....

I didnt feel United's defending was the main problem. For me the reason we conceded when we did, in the manner that we did was because we were chasing the game but playing too much football in our own half instead of theirs.....and trying to build from deep. It has worked in recent games but because Scunthorpe were defending in numbers and playing on the break, it invited them onto us at key moments.

United should have won the game comfortably and on any other night they would have. But Scunny used their abundance of fortune to good effect and took their chances. Cant take that away from them but it still doesnt get away from the fact that that type of game will happen 1 in 5,000,000 times.

 

[Micalijo]

Ridiculous game that ended with a frankly ridiculous scoreline.

I've never seen us dominate a team so much in the 1st half for ages. Stick away one of those chances within the first 20 mins and we'd be looking at the scoreline in reverse.

Can't believe I'm saying this but full marks to Speed last night, I genuinly haven't enjoyed a game like the 1st half last night since 02/03.

20 odd passes in a row resulting in a one on one for Cresswell - I wouldn't have thought we'd be seeing that at the Lane.

Just an odd, odd match.

Mentioning the legends of 02/03 in the same breath as those who contributed to the shambolic ineptitude on show at both ends of the pitch last night is a grave insult.

Scunthorpe were excellent in second half for me considering how weak they are and with such a lack of resources, Forte best player on the pitch and it is all very worrying.

I agree we were very, very unlucky/poor finishing not to score and would have won had we scored first but we didn't and there are no excuses for 4-0 home defeats to Scunthorpe.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Can someone please highlight these chances Ched missed in the first half because I seemed to have missed them.

I remember the chance that hit the post from the edge of the box, and the volley at the back post which went wide but came off the defender and the effort from just inside the box which was blocked by the defender.

What about Cresswell being clean through - not a mention. Same goes for Wardy and both of them spent more time in the middle that Ched did all night. He played most of the match out wide.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Can someone please highlight these chances Ched missed in the first half because I seemed to have missed them.

I remember the chance that hit the post from the edge of the box, and the volley at the back post which went wide but came off the defender and the effort from just inside the box which was blocked by the defender.

What about Cresswell being clean through - not a mention. Same goes for Wardy and both of them spent more time in the middle that Ched did all night. He played most of the match out wide.

You've mentioned them all Bob. I just felt Ched was unlucky last night, should have scored on two occasions and I'm convinced he smashed a mirror at some point because he cant seem to get the rub of the green at all. I thought he looked really dangerous in the first half and was our main goal threat.

After that though I sensed he had become frustrated and lost a bit of composure when receiving the ball into feet. Which is probably why they took him off for Boggy. I'm convincd that if Ched keeps working hard the goals will come. His luck will turn.

 

[covblade]

I fully agree with you steel city,and to make my evening all the better the train taking me back to Birmingham had a 40 minute delay just outside Chesterfield so this made me miss my connection to Coventry so when I got home at 1am I was still wondering how we lost the game.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

I fully agree with you steel city,and to make my evening all the better the train taking me back to Birmingham had a 40 minute delay just outside Chesterfield so this made me miss my connection to Coventry so when I got home at 1am I was still wondering how we lost the game.

Don't even mention trains to me bud, they've been a menace to me this week. I too was still wondering how we lost it when I was laying in bed staring at the ceiling last night!

But dont despair. Jansky's comments in the other thread but things into perspective quite well. United played some really fluent stuff in the first half and started to entertain the crowd which was really pleasing to see. If we just give Speed a bit of patience (and the board can give him some feckin funds!) we will see some long term benefits.

A 4-0 defeat at home is very disappointing, but the manner in which we played wasn't. Sadly every little mistake we made (and I mean little) was punished by a side who couldnt do anything wrong on the night. What happened last night wont happen again for a long time.....certainly not in that fashion anyway.

I expect United to play in a similar way at the weekend and beat Portsmouth without much of a problem.

UTB :thumbup:

 

[Cool Clint]

I know it was a tongue in cheek comment about facts really, we dominate but they got 4 goals which are the only facts that matter about last night.

BayingBlade:Summed up in the fact that I saw my team lose 4 nil, clapped them off and walked away from the ground with a sense of optimism!!??

Strange, very strange???

And that would be most of the crowd. Fact.

 

[Guesty]

Dominating a game and still getting humiliatingly thrashed doesn't fill me with a sense of optimism I must admit. What is it they always say is the hallmark of champions? Ah yes, playing badly and winning. So by that token play 'well' and getting mullered must mean we're bound for the drop.

 

[Bladesman]

Anyone but Nosliability. Bartley, I suppose.

Nossy was the reason Scunny beat us last season.

Sounded like we were by far the better team but just not clinical enough infront of goal.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Dominating a game and still getting humiliatingly thrashed doesn't fill me with a sense of optimism I must admit. What is it they always say is the hallmark of champions? Ah yes, playing badly and winning. So by that token play 'well' and getting mullered must mean we're bound for the drop.

Cast your mind back to when O'Driscoll took over at Donny, they showed signs of improvement, were knocking it around but it took them until Xmas before they started winning games. Have faith

 

[mattbianco1]

Agree with the bizarre game that was witnessed.

I watched the first half with amazment that somehow, Speed had got the same 11 players (Calve & Jordan exempt) that Blackwell was fielding to actually play football on the deck and look dangerous.

Evans - Has his knockers throughout the fans for one thing or another, mainly his price tag but, I thought he looked better last night. Got into some good positions was very unlucky not to score what would've been a very good finish.

Ward - We know what he's capable of but seemed a bit wayward at times. Still, when he's on the ball you feel he can offer a key to unlock the defence. Again, unlucky not to score.

Cresswell - I don't like him on the flank. I'd prefer him in the CF role with "someone" alongside him but with the 4-3-3 that looks like being deployed from now on it's pretty much a non-debate as to where he will play. He can play there but would cause more damage inside.

Britton - Very good player. Like him a lot.

Johnny Turtle - Not bad to be honest. But, do we need him and Monty in the team together?

Monty - See Ertl.

Defence - Liking Bartley. Thought he was lightweight and useless last season but now I think he's the quality that we need at the back. FBacks are both fine for me. Like the look of both. Nosworthy for me gets some stick, probably because he makes 19k fans' heart skip a beat simultaneously. Decent player but if somebody needs to drop out in order to get Morgan back in I think it has to be him.

Overall last night was a good performance other than midway through the 2nd half when it went a bit stale.

If we're sticking with 4-3-3 then I think ertl or Monty need to be dropped and Quinn to be brought in. The new style of play will suit quinn a lot more. He likes to get the ball down and play football.
If we change back to 4-4-2 then get Creswell CF with Evans or Bogdanovic and put Ward back out right. God knows who plays left though as I don't like Yeates and Quinn is more of a CM.

Overall it was a opportunity missed. We could've and should've made it 3 wins from 3 going into Saturday against bottom of the league. They'll be nervous on Saturday now and that could hurt us. I said last week Pompey would beat us (just because they haven't won, not because they're better) but we NEED to win Saturday now or the optimism of the performances will turn into Speed/McCabe out chants.
Can't believe i'm saying this after a 4-0 home defeat but I was impressed with the performance and the likes of Evans & Ward if they keep on plugging away then they'll both grab 10+ goals while ever we're creating that many chances.