Deadbat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2009
- Messages
- 6,305
- Reaction score
- 35,472
Podcast to come tomorrow morning all being well. Report below….
---
The Blades chances of making the end of season playoffs took an upward move as they saw off fellow playoff contenders QPR at the Lane. After such a good home record that had seen them not lose since October, United would have banked on another strong performance to help make up for the poor away showings in recent times. So, it proved as United dominated the first half and scored after a clever set play saw Baldock step over a Fleck corner and Norwood fired home from the edge of the box for his first goal in over two years! United controlled much of the game but the longer the game went on, the more even it became but in truth QPR did not really create many chances at all despite United being less secure in possession in the second half. Neither keeper had a real save of note to make though and Gibbs White had the best efforts of the 2nd half but chipped over and fired wide. QPR did win a few late set plays and corners but Foderingham was untroubled. It was a crucial three points for the Blades and takes them back into the top 6.
Manager Heckingbottom was able to include Oli McBurnie in the starting line up and also opted to bring in Uremovic for his league debut. Stevens was the other change. Norrington Davies, Robinson and Jebbison dropped to the bench. QPR brought back Andre Gray and Jeff Hendrick to their starting line up in an attempt to hold a poor run of form which had seen them drop out of the top 6.
United started on the front foot and were pressing far more than they did in the disappointing defeat at Stoke. Fleck and Stevens were on the front foot and Norwood was involved in dictating the play. United won a free kick which saw Westwood claw away with Egan waiting at the far post. Gibbs White flicked a ball over the top that drew ooohs and ahhhs from the crowd but then he overdid it on the next moment. Berge was also struggling to make much headway and most of the good play came from Fleck and Norwood in the centre of the field. Rangers has offered nothing of note and it was perhaps not a surprise when the Blades took the lead after only nine minutes of play.
It came from a corner from Fleck and clearly one that had been worked on in training as Baldock intelligently stepped over the ball and NORWOOD hit it firmly and it went through the bodies in the box and Westwood saw it late and could not keep it out. It was the midfielders first goal for over 27 months since the penalty at home time Watford on Boxing Day 2020.
United were playing some nice football and some of the triangles and interplay was creating space on both sides of the field. McBurnie’s back heel saw Gibbs White get away and he was cynically baulked by Dickie who was booked.
Uremovic then stopped his man at the other end but Fleck was continuing to show real energy winning the ball back on more than one occasion. The Blades continued to move it around and at pace. They had not created too many chances but were getting into the final third with some intricate football. QPR in contrast were relying on the long punt and had not tried to play it through the thirds at all and it was very much percentage stuff relying on the physicality of Dykes. Gibbs White was starting to show some of his strong running and some lovely link up between him and Berge saw the Wolves’ loanee’s cross find McBurnie who could not get any power on his header which Westwood held comfortably. The striker was working really hard though and the crowd were perhaps more appreciative of his efforts than referee Bond who asked Egan to have a word with his striker for his critique of the referee’s performance so far.
United had been the much better side and continued to play all the football. Fleck again made a good interception and linked well with Norwood and then Gibbs White and United won another corner before Berge, who had been quiet, drove through unchallenged with a great run where he kept going and going but his shot was blocked at the last moment. He had another good run soon after that won another corner. Rangers had not really offered anything at all but did win a corner after a Gibbs White flick too many.
United got caught offside three times in succession and the visitors then did have a brief spell and one run from Chair saw the ball come in from the right but Hendrick could not angle his header on target. The half time whistle came after a spell of midfield play where neither side could work any balls into the front players. The Blades had been the far superior side though and well deserved their lead.
The second half saw United begin on top again. Berge’s lovely slipped ball to Gibbs White saw him send a cross over that did not quite sit and Rangers cleared at full stretch. Baldock then had a run but his step overs failed to out fox Barbet. The ball was sent back in though and Egan’s header was just away from Uremovic at the far post.
Rangers had not really offered anything but did have a moment of note when Chair showed quick feet to create space but his shot was well wide. It was the first effort of note they had really had all game. A few moments of indecision from the Blades saw Uremovic booked and then Davies got lucky as Field nearly got through but the ball was cleared with Fleck in the right place at the right time again.
United were able to forge an opening as a Berge run after good work from Baldock, saw it played back to Gibbs White who tried the chip but it landed on top of the worried Westwood’s goal.
Soon after Gibbs White then ran down a ball and won a corner off Westwood tight to the touchline. The corner was cleared but Egan then came out of defence with a good run but ball just too far from Gibbs White who seemed to be constantly involved in the action even if everything was not coming off.
Some lovely football from United saw the ball moved from left to right but Baldock once again failed to deliver and hit the first man. Uremovic took a knock and like Goode before him, was another loan man picked up an injury early into his United career and he came off for Robinson.
Gibbs White and Berge worked space after more good work from Fleck but again there was no final ball. United had played the far better stuff but had not really produced any quality in the final moments despite still looking the more likely. QPR did have more of the ball this half but they had created even less and made a double change with Dozzell and Thomas for Hendrick and Gray.
Further changes followed not long after with the R’s final change seeing Sanderson come on for Barbet, which was maybe a surprise with Austin on the bench.
United changed their front line as Jebbison came on for the tiring McBurnie who had worked hard as the game entered the final 20 minutes.
Dykes got away from Egan in a rare break and the ref adjudged it was a corner as his cross shot whizzed over and for the first time in the game United started to become careless with the ball and the defence was starting to get too deep.
Still the visitors had offered nothing so this made it even more frustrating when Baldock gave away a stupid foul for no reason with Chair seemingly going nowhere. The same man took the effort from a dangerous position centrally and form 25 yards out but it hit a man in the wall. Osborn came on for Berge as the game entered final 8 minutes and United tried to find extra legs in the middle of the field.
Fleck who had been excellent took a good booking as QPR looked to break away. The game ticked into 88th minute. Jebbison found MGW whose low shot was easily saved in the first effort on target for either side of the 2nd half.
United then broke in the last minute and beat the offside trap. Fleck sent Gibbs White clear who cut in but shot was narrowly wide. It was a great chance to seal the game.
An additional 6 minutes were to be played and Osborn gave away another stupid foul. The free kick was driven in but United cleared. QPR won two late corners but the header went wide from Dickie. The final cross saw Foderingham fouled and United had done enough to win the vital three points.
United – Just really important we won tonight after the let down and non showing at Stoke. We wasted the good work of the Barnsley win but effectively not turning up at the 365 and losing to a poor side who seemed disinterested. We had to recover from that and put in a good performance and even more importantly get the win. We did that tonight. We played well and won. We deserved it too. We were not superb and did not create much despite some good football and much more commited play all around but we were very good off the ball and most of the team worked hard. I felt the desire and efforts came from the men in red and white. We dominated the first half and scored early with a corner move and rare goal from Norwood which was long overdue. When he strikes/passes a ball so well, you do wonder why he cannot do that more? It was well taken and credit to the coaching staff, even if QPR switched off. I thought Fleck and Norwood completely controlled midfield most of the game, certainly for the first hour.
We moved it around at a good tempo and McBurnie held it up and worked hard. Oddly Berge and MGW were maybe the two most frustrating for spells. They did some good things of course and neat touches and driving runs but also made some poor choices at time. Berge had one surging run and McBurnie had a header (tough chance) but for all the decent triangles and football we played (some good stuff) we did not create too much. Fortunately, they created absolutely nothing at all and barely had an attack first half with one Hendrick header the sum total of everything they did going forward.
Even after the break, we continued to play some nice one touch stuff and Berge and Gibbs White started to become more influential but we had a few efforts across the box and one Egan header followed by an MGW chip. We sort of stopped playing for a bit around the hour and started to become a bit careless. McBurnie tired and when he went off, we struggled with Jebbison as harsh as it sounds a complete non factor. We then started to just sit back a bit and gave away some daft fouls. It was not as if Rangers really were cutting through us. Chair had a few moments but it continued to be more of a concern they may score from a set play (free kick or corner). In the end they huffed and puffed but did not threaten and MGW could have sealed it. Still was nervy at the end when they had a few corners but we did enough and did not concede a late goal which we have done a few times against fellow play off teams at the Lane this season.
In the end 1-0 was about right. Neither side created much at all and cannot recall a proper save from either keeper. They had no real clear chances at all – a Chait shot wide and a late header flicked a long way wide and MGW still had the better chances 2nd half and should/could have sealed it. We looked a bit tired/leggy as the game went on and just seemed to want to see it out rather than keep playing the good football that had moved them about and made them chase us. Maybe we just did not have the energy to keep doing that and just had to grit it out. In the end we deserved the win. We will need to create more and be better in the final third but we defended pretty well today and the midfield controlled a big part of the game. Fleck and Norwood were the best two players on the field I thought. Stevens had a decent return and McBurnie worked hard. MGW and Berge were in and out with some good bits and some frustrating. I thought the new lad Uremovic struggled with the pace and physicality of the game and will need to get up to speed quickly. I expect Robinson to be back in Saturday.
In the end it was a crucial win. You look at the fixtures of the likes of Boro (after Fulham tomorrow) and Forest (two very winnable home games this week) and Blackburn (Blackpool home) and we have the hardest fixture of the weekend. Granted Luton play Huddersfield on Monday. Today was a really important victory. I said we needed to target 4 points from the next two. Oddly after Bournemouth, we face teams in Reading (safe now?), Bristol City, Cardiff, QPR (will be out of it possibly by then) and Fulham (already be Champions) who could have nothing to play for. It will be 5 games you probably might handpick albeit a relaxed Fulham still would be very dangerous with the attackers they have.
We need a huge effort Saturday. Hopefully Billy may be able to give us some minutes and then after the Easter weekend, we may get Basham back for the last 3 games? It will be tight and I still feel we need to be far more consistent but today showed that we can play good stuff and if we defend right, then we have the quality in some of the front players to create goals out of nothing. Tonight, we did not really create much so we need to be more sure in the final third otherwise it will be a lot of 0-1/1-0’s to end the season as we have seen from tonight and Saturday.
---
The Blades chances of making the end of season playoffs took an upward move as they saw off fellow playoff contenders QPR at the Lane. After such a good home record that had seen them not lose since October, United would have banked on another strong performance to help make up for the poor away showings in recent times. So, it proved as United dominated the first half and scored after a clever set play saw Baldock step over a Fleck corner and Norwood fired home from the edge of the box for his first goal in over two years! United controlled much of the game but the longer the game went on, the more even it became but in truth QPR did not really create many chances at all despite United being less secure in possession in the second half. Neither keeper had a real save of note to make though and Gibbs White had the best efforts of the 2nd half but chipped over and fired wide. QPR did win a few late set plays and corners but Foderingham was untroubled. It was a crucial three points for the Blades and takes them back into the top 6.
Manager Heckingbottom was able to include Oli McBurnie in the starting line up and also opted to bring in Uremovic for his league debut. Stevens was the other change. Norrington Davies, Robinson and Jebbison dropped to the bench. QPR brought back Andre Gray and Jeff Hendrick to their starting line up in an attempt to hold a poor run of form which had seen them drop out of the top 6.
United started on the front foot and were pressing far more than they did in the disappointing defeat at Stoke. Fleck and Stevens were on the front foot and Norwood was involved in dictating the play. United won a free kick which saw Westwood claw away with Egan waiting at the far post. Gibbs White flicked a ball over the top that drew ooohs and ahhhs from the crowd but then he overdid it on the next moment. Berge was also struggling to make much headway and most of the good play came from Fleck and Norwood in the centre of the field. Rangers has offered nothing of note and it was perhaps not a surprise when the Blades took the lead after only nine minutes of play.
It came from a corner from Fleck and clearly one that had been worked on in training as Baldock intelligently stepped over the ball and NORWOOD hit it firmly and it went through the bodies in the box and Westwood saw it late and could not keep it out. It was the midfielders first goal for over 27 months since the penalty at home time Watford on Boxing Day 2020.
United were playing some nice football and some of the triangles and interplay was creating space on both sides of the field. McBurnie’s back heel saw Gibbs White get away and he was cynically baulked by Dickie who was booked.
Uremovic then stopped his man at the other end but Fleck was continuing to show real energy winning the ball back on more than one occasion. The Blades continued to move it around and at pace. They had not created too many chances but were getting into the final third with some intricate football. QPR in contrast were relying on the long punt and had not tried to play it through the thirds at all and it was very much percentage stuff relying on the physicality of Dykes. Gibbs White was starting to show some of his strong running and some lovely link up between him and Berge saw the Wolves’ loanee’s cross find McBurnie who could not get any power on his header which Westwood held comfortably. The striker was working really hard though and the crowd were perhaps more appreciative of his efforts than referee Bond who asked Egan to have a word with his striker for his critique of the referee’s performance so far.
United had been the much better side and continued to play all the football. Fleck again made a good interception and linked well with Norwood and then Gibbs White and United won another corner before Berge, who had been quiet, drove through unchallenged with a great run where he kept going and going but his shot was blocked at the last moment. He had another good run soon after that won another corner. Rangers had not really offered anything at all but did win a corner after a Gibbs White flick too many.
United got caught offside three times in succession and the visitors then did have a brief spell and one run from Chair saw the ball come in from the right but Hendrick could not angle his header on target. The half time whistle came after a spell of midfield play where neither side could work any balls into the front players. The Blades had been the far superior side though and well deserved their lead.
The second half saw United begin on top again. Berge’s lovely slipped ball to Gibbs White saw him send a cross over that did not quite sit and Rangers cleared at full stretch. Baldock then had a run but his step overs failed to out fox Barbet. The ball was sent back in though and Egan’s header was just away from Uremovic at the far post.
Rangers had not really offered anything but did have a moment of note when Chair showed quick feet to create space but his shot was well wide. It was the first effort of note they had really had all game. A few moments of indecision from the Blades saw Uremovic booked and then Davies got lucky as Field nearly got through but the ball was cleared with Fleck in the right place at the right time again.
United were able to forge an opening as a Berge run after good work from Baldock, saw it played back to Gibbs White who tried the chip but it landed on top of the worried Westwood’s goal.
Soon after Gibbs White then ran down a ball and won a corner off Westwood tight to the touchline. The corner was cleared but Egan then came out of defence with a good run but ball just too far from Gibbs White who seemed to be constantly involved in the action even if everything was not coming off.
Some lovely football from United saw the ball moved from left to right but Baldock once again failed to deliver and hit the first man. Uremovic took a knock and like Goode before him, was another loan man picked up an injury early into his United career and he came off for Robinson.
Gibbs White and Berge worked space after more good work from Fleck but again there was no final ball. United had played the far better stuff but had not really produced any quality in the final moments despite still looking the more likely. QPR did have more of the ball this half but they had created even less and made a double change with Dozzell and Thomas for Hendrick and Gray.
Further changes followed not long after with the R’s final change seeing Sanderson come on for Barbet, which was maybe a surprise with Austin on the bench.
United changed their front line as Jebbison came on for the tiring McBurnie who had worked hard as the game entered the final 20 minutes.
Dykes got away from Egan in a rare break and the ref adjudged it was a corner as his cross shot whizzed over and for the first time in the game United started to become careless with the ball and the defence was starting to get too deep.
Still the visitors had offered nothing so this made it even more frustrating when Baldock gave away a stupid foul for no reason with Chair seemingly going nowhere. The same man took the effort from a dangerous position centrally and form 25 yards out but it hit a man in the wall. Osborn came on for Berge as the game entered final 8 minutes and United tried to find extra legs in the middle of the field.
Fleck who had been excellent took a good booking as QPR looked to break away. The game ticked into 88th minute. Jebbison found MGW whose low shot was easily saved in the first effort on target for either side of the 2nd half.
United then broke in the last minute and beat the offside trap. Fleck sent Gibbs White clear who cut in but shot was narrowly wide. It was a great chance to seal the game.
An additional 6 minutes were to be played and Osborn gave away another stupid foul. The free kick was driven in but United cleared. QPR won two late corners but the header went wide from Dickie. The final cross saw Foderingham fouled and United had done enough to win the vital three points.
United – Just really important we won tonight after the let down and non showing at Stoke. We wasted the good work of the Barnsley win but effectively not turning up at the 365 and losing to a poor side who seemed disinterested. We had to recover from that and put in a good performance and even more importantly get the win. We did that tonight. We played well and won. We deserved it too. We were not superb and did not create much despite some good football and much more commited play all around but we were very good off the ball and most of the team worked hard. I felt the desire and efforts came from the men in red and white. We dominated the first half and scored early with a corner move and rare goal from Norwood which was long overdue. When he strikes/passes a ball so well, you do wonder why he cannot do that more? It was well taken and credit to the coaching staff, even if QPR switched off. I thought Fleck and Norwood completely controlled midfield most of the game, certainly for the first hour.
We moved it around at a good tempo and McBurnie held it up and worked hard. Oddly Berge and MGW were maybe the two most frustrating for spells. They did some good things of course and neat touches and driving runs but also made some poor choices at time. Berge had one surging run and McBurnie had a header (tough chance) but for all the decent triangles and football we played (some good stuff) we did not create too much. Fortunately, they created absolutely nothing at all and barely had an attack first half with one Hendrick header the sum total of everything they did going forward.
Even after the break, we continued to play some nice one touch stuff and Berge and Gibbs White started to become more influential but we had a few efforts across the box and one Egan header followed by an MGW chip. We sort of stopped playing for a bit around the hour and started to become a bit careless. McBurnie tired and when he went off, we struggled with Jebbison as harsh as it sounds a complete non factor. We then started to just sit back a bit and gave away some daft fouls. It was not as if Rangers really were cutting through us. Chair had a few moments but it continued to be more of a concern they may score from a set play (free kick or corner). In the end they huffed and puffed but did not threaten and MGW could have sealed it. Still was nervy at the end when they had a few corners but we did enough and did not concede a late goal which we have done a few times against fellow play off teams at the Lane this season.
In the end 1-0 was about right. Neither side created much at all and cannot recall a proper save from either keeper. They had no real clear chances at all – a Chait shot wide and a late header flicked a long way wide and MGW still had the better chances 2nd half and should/could have sealed it. We looked a bit tired/leggy as the game went on and just seemed to want to see it out rather than keep playing the good football that had moved them about and made them chase us. Maybe we just did not have the energy to keep doing that and just had to grit it out. In the end we deserved the win. We will need to create more and be better in the final third but we defended pretty well today and the midfield controlled a big part of the game. Fleck and Norwood were the best two players on the field I thought. Stevens had a decent return and McBurnie worked hard. MGW and Berge were in and out with some good bits and some frustrating. I thought the new lad Uremovic struggled with the pace and physicality of the game and will need to get up to speed quickly. I expect Robinson to be back in Saturday.
In the end it was a crucial win. You look at the fixtures of the likes of Boro (after Fulham tomorrow) and Forest (two very winnable home games this week) and Blackburn (Blackpool home) and we have the hardest fixture of the weekend. Granted Luton play Huddersfield on Monday. Today was a really important victory. I said we needed to target 4 points from the next two. Oddly after Bournemouth, we face teams in Reading (safe now?), Bristol City, Cardiff, QPR (will be out of it possibly by then) and Fulham (already be Champions) who could have nothing to play for. It will be 5 games you probably might handpick albeit a relaxed Fulham still would be very dangerous with the attackers they have.
We need a huge effort Saturday. Hopefully Billy may be able to give us some minutes and then after the Easter weekend, we may get Basham back for the last 3 games? It will be tight and I still feel we need to be far more consistent but today showed that we can play good stuff and if we defend right, then we have the quality in some of the front players to create goals out of nothing. Tonight, we did not really create much so we need to be more sure in the final third otherwise it will be a lot of 0-1/1-0’s to end the season as we have seen from tonight and Saturday.
