Deadbat
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The superb recent home form came crashing to an unexpected end as the Blades lost to bottom half Oldham Athletic at Bramall Lane and with it brought a new twist to the Promotion race. In an incredible contest the Blades led 2-0 thanks to goals from Matthew Lowton and Ched Evans and looked completely comfortable but missed further chances to put the game away and were made to pay. An own goal and a red card for Matthew Lowton turned the game around. A well taken equaliser soon followed and the Blades were in disarray but then despite players in completely the wrong positions and at a man disadvantage, they seemed to have done enough to have got at least a point. Indeed they maybe still could have won with a late chance for Evans but unbelievably Harry Maguire brought down Reuben Reid and was given his marching orders to give Oldham a penalty in stoppage time. Former Owl Shefki Kuqi completed the remarkable turnaround and Oldham somehow left the Lane with all three points. It was a staggering defeat and seemed completely unfathomable at the hour mark.
The defeat brought an end to an 8 match winning run at Bramall Lane dating back to the draw with Exeter back on October 29h and was the first defeat since the game against Charlton on October 1st.
It as an utter disaster for the Blades who lost for the second time in a week and now could go into their next game with none of their back four that has played most of the season with a serious injury to Francois, Collins out injured and also Maguire and Lowton out through suspension. It really was a game that could completely change the season but is one that should have been a regulation victory.
Many United fans pointed to the referee who was woefully inconsistent but in truth the Blades could have little argument about the two red cards which were seemingly straight forward decisions with both players making poor decisions. Maybe Oldham could have also had a player sent off with Chris Taylor in particularly committing fouls persistently but United should now better and total indiscipline cost them. United lost their shape, composure and ultimately the game.
The game had begun with Neil Collins being ruled out thus meaning a return to the line up for Andy Taylor with Jean Francois switching to centre back. United were still without Kevin McDonald and Nick Montgomery. United restored Richard Cresswell and Stephen Quinn to the line up in place of Johannes Ertl and James Beattie after their impact s substitutes in the week.
The Blades began on top and won two early corners. Cresswell pulled a shot just wide and then Lowton’s header was touched round the post from Cisak. United then had a chance when Tayor came inside but with his unfamiliar right foot he shot wide. It had been a good return for the former Tranmere man thus far though.
M’Voto had been guilty of dithering in possession on a number of occasions and was robbed again by Evans who went down the by-line and cleverly pulled it back for
LOWTON who was still forward from an earlier run and the full back converted from close range.
Despite their domination United did have a let off when they gave Oldham a great opportunity. Simonsen’s throw was probably not the wisest but Francois should have cleared the ball but dallied in possession and Oldham nicked the ball away and were clear. Adeyemi advanced and shot goal wards but Simonsen made a great save palming it up and just past his left hand post. It was a let off for United who had been in control up to this point.
Soon after another break from the visitors in a poor spell for the home side saw Maguire make a timely tackles but in the clash that followed the tackles Francois seemed to get caught. He United man looked in some distress and after lengthy treatment he had to go off on a stretcher to be replaced by Ertl. It looked a really serious injury and after having a seemingly unchanged line up at the back for much of the season Untied now faced a period of uncertainty in this area.
The second goal was not long coming though despite this brief period where United’s attacks had alleviated and it came from their leading scorer. Oldham’s defence had been making routine errors and made another when Tarkowski gave the ball away to EVANS who drove inside and hit a fierce shot into the far corner. It was a superb finish and gave the keeper no chance.
Lowton’s surging run nearly led to another opening before Flynn brought down and volleyed over as United looked to score further goals just before the additional 5 minutes of time; mainly due to Francois’s serious injury.
Oldham made a change at the break in an effort to get back into the game as Marsh Brown came on for Winchester.
United continued to attack though as Evans has an effort saved at the near post and then squared across the box for Cresswell but his partner was caught on his heels and could not convert. It was United playing all the football and Oldham looked a side that was low in confidence and at times they were being passed around too easily. Ertl errored badly by taking too long to clear leaving a chance for Taylor to cross for Oldham but his namesake did well to head over at the far post under pressure from an attacker in a rare Latics break.
United came again and Evans had another effort saved after combining with Quinn before Lowton and Doyle both had efforts blocked as United looked to score further goals in a relatively one sided contest. Doyle curled a precise left footed effort that hit the base of Cisak’s post. If this had gone in then surely the game would have been over.
However, just after the hour out of the blue Oldham got back into the game in strange circumstances. From a Morais corner, CRESSWELL somehow stooped and managed to nod the ball down and into his own net. It was a daft goal to concede and gave the game new life completely. After the goal there was a skirmish between Lowton and Taylor as Oldham tried to retrieve the ball and both players were rightly booked as the United man threw the ball away as Taylor pushed at him.
This yellow card for the United full back was compounded not long after as he made an enterprising run forward and got into the box but after overrunning the ball his tackles was late on the defender. United probably feared the worst but it seemed after a long time of deliberation that United may get away with it. Sadly not as after the delay the referee Moss did give him a second yellow card. Lowton had picked up two yellow cards in two minutes. It was stupid from the young defender and had further turned the game on its head.
Soon after incredibly it was 2-2. The ball was not properly cleared and LEE took a touch and curled a wonderful effort with his left foot right into Simonsen’s top corner giving the keeper no chance. It had once again been sloppy defending but the game had suddenly turned on its head.
Oldham now were sending blood and for the next period of the game were the better side and looked like they were going to score again s United were all over the place with the fans frustrations aimed at the home side and the officials in equal measure. Oldham sent on another striker in Reid and were really going for it as United looked a shambles. However, they still had one or two opening to score themselves with the dangerous Evans still causing problems. From a rare opportunity, Evans rolled his man and his fierce shot but it unbelievably went straight down the keeper’s throat and he clutched the ball. A yard either side and it would have surely been a goal. Evans then was shown a red card for dissent but this was retracted as the referee Moss had brought out the wrong card. It summed up the game for the man in charge that most United fans were now fuming with.
Reid then headed wide and Oldham had another chance with Kuqi stopped at the death by Maguire but United were now really struggling to even get a point from this game that they had controlled for so long.
The tiring Taylor had been struggling with cramp and he had to come off with Hoskins coming on. Flynn went to left back and United now had 3 new players playing in unfamiliar positions in the back four. Beattie also came on for Quinn as no one was quite sure on the terraces who was playing where for United as the game entered an additional four minutes of stoppage time.
United seemed unsure whether to stick or bust but had one final chance when Evans was brought down by Brown. Unbelievably the referee decided this was not a yellow card which would have seen the Oldham man sent off for a second caution. It was totally inconsistent from what had gone before.
Williamson took the free kick short and cleverly rolled it back too Evans who blazed it over when a goal at this stage would surely have won it. Still there was to be a late twist as a long punt forward sent Reid clear and Maguire was horrible exposed for pace as the substitute went past him. As he went in the box Maguire brought him down and was rightly sent off for being the last man. It was turning into a horror show for United who were now finishing the game with nine men. After all the commotion had calmed; it seemed fate that ex Wednesday man KUQI would take the kick and he duly sent Simonsen the wrong way to cooly convert sending the travelling Oldham fans into raptures. They surely could not believe what they were seeing. Oldham actually nearly made it 4-2 as they attacked again and hit the post straight from the kick off. United were all over the place and the final whistle went not long after with most of Bramall Lane in utter disbelief.
United – In 33 years of watching the Blades, United have managed to throw away games, cock things up, choke, bottle it and generally let down their home fans on a regular basis. Today was the latest episode of this rather annoying habit. No matter who the players are, who the manager is, where we are in the football pyramid or how good/bad the opposition are, we seem to find new ways of chucking things away. Today was just eye popping and a new way of displaying total ineptitude.. We were 2-0 up and in complete control. We had played well and passed it about. We had chances and looked very good. We were much better than in the week. After the break we continued where we left of and had 3 or 4 other good chances and also hit the post. If a third had gone in the game would have finished.
However, we had still shown periods of sloppiness (they had a 5 minute spell and a few chances in the first half) and then we seemed to start overplaying and show boating somewhat in the second half.
Then for the remainder of the game everything that could go wrong did go wrong aided and abetted by some inconsistent refereeing.
Some sloppy passing led to a corner and the own goal that was just daft (not sure what he was doing). We then just went to pieces from the stupid yellow card for Lowton, to more shocking defending on the second goal, to another moment of madness from Lowton. It was 2-2 with us having a man less in a 5 minute spell. It was 5 minutes that could de rail our season. After this it was scrappy but we seemed to be caught between going for a winner or holding back for a point. We kind of did neither and they had chances and so did we right at the end but the third goal and the red card was a hammer blow. It is incredible how we lost the game, a game we dominated for an hour and then somehow lost 3 goals and 2 men. I really do believe today could be a huge turning point.
With the other dropping points we could have gone on and won 4 or 5 nil and been really clear but now we have lost further ground and more than this we have major question marks in the defence (and midfield). We could (and will in some cases) be without Collins, Francois, Lowton, Maguire, McDonald and Montgomery for the next 2 or 3 games. These are tough away games and could easily see us dropping points with the teams below us having very winnable home games. It would not surprise me that in 2 or 3 weeks we are back down to 4th and have blown a golden chance. Today was incredibly stupid not just the defeat but the players we lost. We have been lucky all season (and disciplined) not to have to change the back four (or team that much) but now we have to bring in others (not really got many options for right back nor centre back) and it I really fear the worst. Taylor did ok today but we know over the last few seasons how poor he has been and Ertl was terrible today. I can see us shipping a bucketful in weeks to come. Today was so frustrating as against a poor side we had the game won and chucked it away. We had played very well for an hour but a mad 5 minutes not only turned the game but could change the season. The sending off and goal at the end just topped off an awful final half hour.
Sadly, despite enjoying this season and seeing some good football at times and plenty of wins I fear the worst for the run in now. We are perennial bottlers and despite the good form recently and all the optimism I have never been totally confident we would see it through and this week’s results have proven we are in for very bumpy ride. My own honest opinion is that we will blow it but that is as much based on United in the past as present. Wilson need’s to galvanise the squad and somehow eek a few results out until we get the players above back but I really fear for us over the next few weeks.
The defeat brought an end to an 8 match winning run at Bramall Lane dating back to the draw with Exeter back on October 29h and was the first defeat since the game against Charlton on October 1st.
It as an utter disaster for the Blades who lost for the second time in a week and now could go into their next game with none of their back four that has played most of the season with a serious injury to Francois, Collins out injured and also Maguire and Lowton out through suspension. It really was a game that could completely change the season but is one that should have been a regulation victory.
Many United fans pointed to the referee who was woefully inconsistent but in truth the Blades could have little argument about the two red cards which were seemingly straight forward decisions with both players making poor decisions. Maybe Oldham could have also had a player sent off with Chris Taylor in particularly committing fouls persistently but United should now better and total indiscipline cost them. United lost their shape, composure and ultimately the game.
The game had begun with Neil Collins being ruled out thus meaning a return to the line up for Andy Taylor with Jean Francois switching to centre back. United were still without Kevin McDonald and Nick Montgomery. United restored Richard Cresswell and Stephen Quinn to the line up in place of Johannes Ertl and James Beattie after their impact s substitutes in the week.
The Blades began on top and won two early corners. Cresswell pulled a shot just wide and then Lowton’s header was touched round the post from Cisak. United then had a chance when Tayor came inside but with his unfamiliar right foot he shot wide. It had been a good return for the former Tranmere man thus far though.
M’Voto had been guilty of dithering in possession on a number of occasions and was robbed again by Evans who went down the by-line and cleverly pulled it back for
LOWTON who was still forward from an earlier run and the full back converted from close range.
Despite their domination United did have a let off when they gave Oldham a great opportunity. Simonsen’s throw was probably not the wisest but Francois should have cleared the ball but dallied in possession and Oldham nicked the ball away and were clear. Adeyemi advanced and shot goal wards but Simonsen made a great save palming it up and just past his left hand post. It was a let off for United who had been in control up to this point.
Soon after another break from the visitors in a poor spell for the home side saw Maguire make a timely tackles but in the clash that followed the tackles Francois seemed to get caught. He United man looked in some distress and after lengthy treatment he had to go off on a stretcher to be replaced by Ertl. It looked a really serious injury and after having a seemingly unchanged line up at the back for much of the season Untied now faced a period of uncertainty in this area.
The second goal was not long coming though despite this brief period where United’s attacks had alleviated and it came from their leading scorer. Oldham’s defence had been making routine errors and made another when Tarkowski gave the ball away to EVANS who drove inside and hit a fierce shot into the far corner. It was a superb finish and gave the keeper no chance.
Lowton’s surging run nearly led to another opening before Flynn brought down and volleyed over as United looked to score further goals just before the additional 5 minutes of time; mainly due to Francois’s serious injury.
Oldham made a change at the break in an effort to get back into the game as Marsh Brown came on for Winchester.
United continued to attack though as Evans has an effort saved at the near post and then squared across the box for Cresswell but his partner was caught on his heels and could not convert. It was United playing all the football and Oldham looked a side that was low in confidence and at times they were being passed around too easily. Ertl errored badly by taking too long to clear leaving a chance for Taylor to cross for Oldham but his namesake did well to head over at the far post under pressure from an attacker in a rare Latics break.
United came again and Evans had another effort saved after combining with Quinn before Lowton and Doyle both had efforts blocked as United looked to score further goals in a relatively one sided contest. Doyle curled a precise left footed effort that hit the base of Cisak’s post. If this had gone in then surely the game would have been over.
However, just after the hour out of the blue Oldham got back into the game in strange circumstances. From a Morais corner, CRESSWELL somehow stooped and managed to nod the ball down and into his own net. It was a daft goal to concede and gave the game new life completely. After the goal there was a skirmish between Lowton and Taylor as Oldham tried to retrieve the ball and both players were rightly booked as the United man threw the ball away as Taylor pushed at him.
This yellow card for the United full back was compounded not long after as he made an enterprising run forward and got into the box but after overrunning the ball his tackles was late on the defender. United probably feared the worst but it seemed after a long time of deliberation that United may get away with it. Sadly not as after the delay the referee Moss did give him a second yellow card. Lowton had picked up two yellow cards in two minutes. It was stupid from the young defender and had further turned the game on its head.
Soon after incredibly it was 2-2. The ball was not properly cleared and LEE took a touch and curled a wonderful effort with his left foot right into Simonsen’s top corner giving the keeper no chance. It had once again been sloppy defending but the game had suddenly turned on its head.
Oldham now were sending blood and for the next period of the game were the better side and looked like they were going to score again s United were all over the place with the fans frustrations aimed at the home side and the officials in equal measure. Oldham sent on another striker in Reid and were really going for it as United looked a shambles. However, they still had one or two opening to score themselves with the dangerous Evans still causing problems. From a rare opportunity, Evans rolled his man and his fierce shot but it unbelievably went straight down the keeper’s throat and he clutched the ball. A yard either side and it would have surely been a goal. Evans then was shown a red card for dissent but this was retracted as the referee Moss had brought out the wrong card. It summed up the game for the man in charge that most United fans were now fuming with.
Reid then headed wide and Oldham had another chance with Kuqi stopped at the death by Maguire but United were now really struggling to even get a point from this game that they had controlled for so long.
The tiring Taylor had been struggling with cramp and he had to come off with Hoskins coming on. Flynn went to left back and United now had 3 new players playing in unfamiliar positions in the back four. Beattie also came on for Quinn as no one was quite sure on the terraces who was playing where for United as the game entered an additional four minutes of stoppage time.
United seemed unsure whether to stick or bust but had one final chance when Evans was brought down by Brown. Unbelievably the referee decided this was not a yellow card which would have seen the Oldham man sent off for a second caution. It was totally inconsistent from what had gone before.
Williamson took the free kick short and cleverly rolled it back too Evans who blazed it over when a goal at this stage would surely have won it. Still there was to be a late twist as a long punt forward sent Reid clear and Maguire was horrible exposed for pace as the substitute went past him. As he went in the box Maguire brought him down and was rightly sent off for being the last man. It was turning into a horror show for United who were now finishing the game with nine men. After all the commotion had calmed; it seemed fate that ex Wednesday man KUQI would take the kick and he duly sent Simonsen the wrong way to cooly convert sending the travelling Oldham fans into raptures. They surely could not believe what they were seeing. Oldham actually nearly made it 4-2 as they attacked again and hit the post straight from the kick off. United were all over the place and the final whistle went not long after with most of Bramall Lane in utter disbelief.
United – In 33 years of watching the Blades, United have managed to throw away games, cock things up, choke, bottle it and generally let down their home fans on a regular basis. Today was the latest episode of this rather annoying habit. No matter who the players are, who the manager is, where we are in the football pyramid or how good/bad the opposition are, we seem to find new ways of chucking things away. Today was just eye popping and a new way of displaying total ineptitude.. We were 2-0 up and in complete control. We had played well and passed it about. We had chances and looked very good. We were much better than in the week. After the break we continued where we left of and had 3 or 4 other good chances and also hit the post. If a third had gone in the game would have finished.
However, we had still shown periods of sloppiness (they had a 5 minute spell and a few chances in the first half) and then we seemed to start overplaying and show boating somewhat in the second half.
Then for the remainder of the game everything that could go wrong did go wrong aided and abetted by some inconsistent refereeing.
Some sloppy passing led to a corner and the own goal that was just daft (not sure what he was doing). We then just went to pieces from the stupid yellow card for Lowton, to more shocking defending on the second goal, to another moment of madness from Lowton. It was 2-2 with us having a man less in a 5 minute spell. It was 5 minutes that could de rail our season. After this it was scrappy but we seemed to be caught between going for a winner or holding back for a point. We kind of did neither and they had chances and so did we right at the end but the third goal and the red card was a hammer blow. It is incredible how we lost the game, a game we dominated for an hour and then somehow lost 3 goals and 2 men. I really do believe today could be a huge turning point.
With the other dropping points we could have gone on and won 4 or 5 nil and been really clear but now we have lost further ground and more than this we have major question marks in the defence (and midfield). We could (and will in some cases) be without Collins, Francois, Lowton, Maguire, McDonald and Montgomery for the next 2 or 3 games. These are tough away games and could easily see us dropping points with the teams below us having very winnable home games. It would not surprise me that in 2 or 3 weeks we are back down to 4th and have blown a golden chance. Today was incredibly stupid not just the defeat but the players we lost. We have been lucky all season (and disciplined) not to have to change the back four (or team that much) but now we have to bring in others (not really got many options for right back nor centre back) and it I really fear the worst. Taylor did ok today but we know over the last few seasons how poor he has been and Ertl was terrible today. I can see us shipping a bucketful in weeks to come. Today was so frustrating as against a poor side we had the game won and chucked it away. We had played very well for an hour but a mad 5 minutes not only turned the game but could change the season. The sending off and goal at the end just topped off an awful final half hour.
Sadly, despite enjoying this season and seeing some good football at times and plenty of wins I fear the worst for the run in now. We are perennial bottlers and despite the good form recently and all the optimism I have never been totally confident we would see it through and this week’s results have proven we are in for very bumpy ride. My own honest opinion is that we will blow it but that is as much based on United in the past as present. Wilson need’s to galvanise the squad and somehow eek a few results out until we get the players above back but I really fear for us over the next few weeks.
