Pragmatic Blade
Member
Whilst I am not Deadbat, hopefully this is of interest? 
The Blades came away with a point against in form Colchester United at the Weston Homes Stadium on a chilly night in Essex. We could look back at this match as a point gained come the end of the season given the mad 10 minute spell we had in the 2nd half which nearly undid all the hard work we had put in during the 1st half.
Blades were unchanged and despite being on the back foot for the opening exchanges gradually exerted influence on the proceedings with Williamson and Doyle closing down space and setting the Blades on their way to controlling the battle in midfield. Quinn and Hoskins both operated effectively down the flanks and the full backs looked to attack. Williams was booked mid way through the first half for a clumsy challenge as Colchester's only threat came down the right hand side.
Despite having seemingly more possession, the Blades hadn't created much of note until Hoskins capped a fine move with a clipped finish over the advancing keeper following Evans' deflected pass. It was completely deserved for the possession and control United showed and gradually the home side's fans became disgruntled as the Blades looked in complete authority at half time.
The second half started much the same way the 1st had ended, but after 56 minutes, the home side were level when Hill's poor header was intercepted in midfield where it was squared to the onrushing Gillespie who hit a sublime finish off the underside of the crossbar giving Simonsen no chance. It could have been worse for United when moments later Lowton, Hill and Williamson contrived to let in Gillespie again whose shot flashed just wide. The Blades were suddenly, from nowhere, under the cosh and arguing amongst themselves. It was quite ugly as Maguire and Hill had to separate Williamson and Lowton from fighting. At least it showed some passion!
Colchester seized the initiative and United were up against it for a ten minute spell until they regained composure. Evans cut inside and had a good chance well saved by Williams as United pressed for a winner. Cresswell replaced Hoskins with Quinn switching to the right. Another ball flashed across the six yard area as the Blades got men forward but that was the last real chance, despite Beattie coming on for Porter near the end.
In the end, it was probably a fair result and for all United's possession and control, they did not create that many chances of note. We often rely heavily on feeding the ball into Evans and hoping he will formulate a chance from his ability to beat his man. We often look very narrow and do not get the ball down the flanks as much as we did a few weeks ago when Williamson/Flynn/Quinn were doing. I guess we miss McDonald's guile in the middle, but all too often our play is a bit predictable. That said, Col U defended well and dealt admirably with our efforts. The big Colchester centre half Magnus Okanghue (sorry about the spelling) was named man of the match by them - which says it all. The game became a bit scrappy towards the last 15 minutes as quality gave way to trying to get the ball forward. That said, United's pattern of play was pleasing on the eye if not quite as effective as we would like. One other point - credit to Colchester for getting back into the game - they played a higher line in the 2nd half which made it more difficult for United to get beyond them, especially as we do lack a bit of pace up front. They showed why they have beaten sides in this league and maybe we shouldn't just expect to roll sides over.
Marks:
Simonsen - 6 - Didn't have much to do in all honesty - made a weak punch from a corner which could've caused more of a problem and seemed a bit rooted to his line. His communication was ok and distribution (apart from a couple of dodgy kicks) wasn't too bad.
Lowton - 6 - Did well in the first half but seemed to get dragged back in the 2nd. Does need support from the RM position - maybe Williamson plays better down that line with him and Hoskins isn't the most defensively minded.
Williams - 5 - Lacks the quality in my opinion and always looked hurried in possession. His passing isn't as good as the other defenders in our team and in my view should be benched when Collins comes back to the middle to allow Hill to go to left back.
Hill - 6 - maybe 5 for the second half. Did well in parts but in the second he and Maguire saw Odejayi and Gillespie swap sides which meant Hill was often up against Odejayi in the air which made for an uncomfortable 15 minutes. His passing and ability on the ball is assured, but he isn't really a centre half. Seems a good team player though.
Maguire - 7 - thought he had a good game, read it well and reminds me a bit of Tony Adams. His lack of pace is a concern but at this level his skill and ability get him through. Misses Collins to organise him better though.
Quinn - 5 - he was good in the first half, but in the 2nd he gave the ball away on a number of occasions which set the home side on the attack. Looked to 'over-play' at times and seemed to give up when he lost the ball. Admittedly he was out of position on the RW, but he is still capable of better.
Williamson - 7 - thought he played well tonight - looked lively and wanted the ball. He does lose his head a bit at times (see the spat with Lowton), but overall I felt his contribution was good.
Doyle - 7 - had a solid game breaking up play and hustling the opposition well. A couple of Colchester fans I know were also impressed with his harrying. Lost his way a bit in the second half as he dropped deeper to help out the defence thus leaving a hole which they exploited. Thought his passing was better tonight though.
Hoskins - 6.5 - took his goal well and defended much better than Saturday. Disappointed he was subbed when he was because I felt he had more to offer and he also has a bit more pace than either Evans or Porter. Would like to see him play in the hole behind the front two in a diamond with Williamson and Quinn right and left with Doyle in front of the back four - especially as we don't seem to want to go too wide with McDonald injured.
Porter - 7 - thought he had another good game. Won his fair share of headers and showed some neat play with Evans and Hoskins as well. Hasn't been caught as offside as much lately and is clearly playing for his future - which is good to see.
Evans - 6 - showed industry throughout and is brimming with confidence. He sometimes snatches at shots but is high on confidence and long may it continue. Didn't think he was quite as effective tonight but was up against a better centre half with the home side's big Nigerian having a solid game against him.
Subs:
Cresswell - 5 - why managers seem to think he can do a job on the left wing is beyond me. Fish out of water - clearly a good pro who would play any position for the boss when asked to, but this was a waste of time. All it did was put Quinn out of position and reduce our attacking threat. Bizarre.
Beattie - not on long enough to form an opinion but cut a frustrated figure as he tries to get his career back on track.
Ref - Kettle - thought he had a good game to be fair - didn't get much wrong and tried to let it flow.
Crowd - Blades fans were magnificent tonight. I was in the Col U end (on the side) with a friend but it was great to hear United fans in full voice.
Onwards and upwards now - think we would have settled for 2nd, 2 points ahead of 3rd with ten games to go. UTB
The Blades came away with a point against in form Colchester United at the Weston Homes Stadium on a chilly night in Essex. We could look back at this match as a point gained come the end of the season given the mad 10 minute spell we had in the 2nd half which nearly undid all the hard work we had put in during the 1st half.
Blades were unchanged and despite being on the back foot for the opening exchanges gradually exerted influence on the proceedings with Williamson and Doyle closing down space and setting the Blades on their way to controlling the battle in midfield. Quinn and Hoskins both operated effectively down the flanks and the full backs looked to attack. Williams was booked mid way through the first half for a clumsy challenge as Colchester's only threat came down the right hand side.
Despite having seemingly more possession, the Blades hadn't created much of note until Hoskins capped a fine move with a clipped finish over the advancing keeper following Evans' deflected pass. It was completely deserved for the possession and control United showed and gradually the home side's fans became disgruntled as the Blades looked in complete authority at half time.
The second half started much the same way the 1st had ended, but after 56 minutes, the home side were level when Hill's poor header was intercepted in midfield where it was squared to the onrushing Gillespie who hit a sublime finish off the underside of the crossbar giving Simonsen no chance. It could have been worse for United when moments later Lowton, Hill and Williamson contrived to let in Gillespie again whose shot flashed just wide. The Blades were suddenly, from nowhere, under the cosh and arguing amongst themselves. It was quite ugly as Maguire and Hill had to separate Williamson and Lowton from fighting. At least it showed some passion!
Colchester seized the initiative and United were up against it for a ten minute spell until they regained composure. Evans cut inside and had a good chance well saved by Williams as United pressed for a winner. Cresswell replaced Hoskins with Quinn switching to the right. Another ball flashed across the six yard area as the Blades got men forward but that was the last real chance, despite Beattie coming on for Porter near the end.
In the end, it was probably a fair result and for all United's possession and control, they did not create that many chances of note. We often rely heavily on feeding the ball into Evans and hoping he will formulate a chance from his ability to beat his man. We often look very narrow and do not get the ball down the flanks as much as we did a few weeks ago when Williamson/Flynn/Quinn were doing. I guess we miss McDonald's guile in the middle, but all too often our play is a bit predictable. That said, Col U defended well and dealt admirably with our efforts. The big Colchester centre half Magnus Okanghue (sorry about the spelling) was named man of the match by them - which says it all. The game became a bit scrappy towards the last 15 minutes as quality gave way to trying to get the ball forward. That said, United's pattern of play was pleasing on the eye if not quite as effective as we would like. One other point - credit to Colchester for getting back into the game - they played a higher line in the 2nd half which made it more difficult for United to get beyond them, especially as we do lack a bit of pace up front. They showed why they have beaten sides in this league and maybe we shouldn't just expect to roll sides over.
Marks:
Simonsen - 6 - Didn't have much to do in all honesty - made a weak punch from a corner which could've caused more of a problem and seemed a bit rooted to his line. His communication was ok and distribution (apart from a couple of dodgy kicks) wasn't too bad.
Lowton - 6 - Did well in the first half but seemed to get dragged back in the 2nd. Does need support from the RM position - maybe Williamson plays better down that line with him and Hoskins isn't the most defensively minded.
Williams - 5 - Lacks the quality in my opinion and always looked hurried in possession. His passing isn't as good as the other defenders in our team and in my view should be benched when Collins comes back to the middle to allow Hill to go to left back.
Hill - 6 - maybe 5 for the second half. Did well in parts but in the second he and Maguire saw Odejayi and Gillespie swap sides which meant Hill was often up against Odejayi in the air which made for an uncomfortable 15 minutes. His passing and ability on the ball is assured, but he isn't really a centre half. Seems a good team player though.
Maguire - 7 - thought he had a good game, read it well and reminds me a bit of Tony Adams. His lack of pace is a concern but at this level his skill and ability get him through. Misses Collins to organise him better though.
Quinn - 5 - he was good in the first half, but in the 2nd he gave the ball away on a number of occasions which set the home side on the attack. Looked to 'over-play' at times and seemed to give up when he lost the ball. Admittedly he was out of position on the RW, but he is still capable of better.
Williamson - 7 - thought he played well tonight - looked lively and wanted the ball. He does lose his head a bit at times (see the spat with Lowton), but overall I felt his contribution was good.
Doyle - 7 - had a solid game breaking up play and hustling the opposition well. A couple of Colchester fans I know were also impressed with his harrying. Lost his way a bit in the second half as he dropped deeper to help out the defence thus leaving a hole which they exploited. Thought his passing was better tonight though.
Hoskins - 6.5 - took his goal well and defended much better than Saturday. Disappointed he was subbed when he was because I felt he had more to offer and he also has a bit more pace than either Evans or Porter. Would like to see him play in the hole behind the front two in a diamond with Williamson and Quinn right and left with Doyle in front of the back four - especially as we don't seem to want to go too wide with McDonald injured.
Porter - 7 - thought he had another good game. Won his fair share of headers and showed some neat play with Evans and Hoskins as well. Hasn't been caught as offside as much lately and is clearly playing for his future - which is good to see.
Evans - 6 - showed industry throughout and is brimming with confidence. He sometimes snatches at shots but is high on confidence and long may it continue. Didn't think he was quite as effective tonight but was up against a better centre half with the home side's big Nigerian having a solid game against him.
Subs:
Cresswell - 5 - why managers seem to think he can do a job on the left wing is beyond me. Fish out of water - clearly a good pro who would play any position for the boss when asked to, but this was a waste of time. All it did was put Quinn out of position and reduce our attacking threat. Bizarre.
Beattie - not on long enough to form an opinion but cut a frustrated figure as he tries to get his career back on track.
Ref - Kettle - thought he had a good game to be fair - didn't get much wrong and tried to let it flow.
Crowd - Blades fans were magnificent tonight. I was in the Col U end (on the side) with a friend but it was great to hear United fans in full voice.
Onwards and upwards now - think we would have settled for 2nd, 2 points ahead of 3rd with ten games to go. UTB
