Deadbat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2009
- Messages
- 6,463
- Reaction score
- 37,675
The Blades got back to winning ways as they saw off West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns in the lunchtime kick off at the Hawthorns. The new manager bounce did not happen for the Baggies as Carlos Corberan’s first game ended in defeat for the Baggies. It was a strange quirk that the last time West Brom appointed a new manager, Steve Bruce, they faced United and once again it did not have the instant desired affect the home side would have wanted. Goals from Ndiaye and McBurnie inside the opening 25 minutes saw a very different start to the game than that of the previous Saturday where United had trailed by two goals to nil. West Brom huffed and puffed but most of their opportunities came from long range and United defended well, despite more injuries and suspension further weakening the Blades for coming weeks. In the end United saw it out comfortably against a poor West Brom side with Ndiaye by far the best player on the pitch and a constant threat.
Heckingbottom made expected changes with McBurnie and Ndiaye coming in up top for Brewster and Sharp and Doyle also coming in for McAtee. Enda Stevens was back on the bench. New manager Corberan sprang a slight surprise starting ex Blade Matt Phillips and leaving one-time United target John Swift on the bench.
The game started with West Brom once again trying to utilise the long throw from Furlong but United were moving it about well and had a chance after near build up but Norwood fired a long way over the bar. At the other end the Baggies were trying to utilise the strength and pace of Phillips on Osborn and from such a position, West Brom should have made more of it but the cross was eventually cleared by Osborn after no one could get on the end of it.
On eleven minutes, United took the lead. It came from patient football and as it was moved across, the ball fell to Doyle who clipped a diagonal ball inside the full back Townsend and Baldock came onto it and played a dangerous ball across the box. McBurnie came in and completely missed his kick but it fell to NDIAYE who took a touch and steadied himself before curling expertly into the far corner. It was poor defending and simple goal in its creation and execution but showed the coolness of Ndiaye in front of goal.
The home fans enthusiasm for the new manager had not lasted long with noticeable audible groans when the ball was played out of play twice. The long throw from Furlong seemed to be their main tactic but the time he was taking to throw these in using the towel on the side-line was not helping any momentum build up. Ndiaye’s quick feet had continued to be a major threat and he was the architect for the second goal on 23 minutes. It started with another cheap give away from the home side but smart one touch football saw Fleck and Norwood play in Ndiaye who used his control and body strength to come away from two players and dart forward. As more defenders converged on him, he slipped it to the left and on to MCBURNIE whose first touch was perfect allowing him to come on and curl a beautiful finish into the far corner giving Palmer no chance.
For United it was the polar opposite of last week with the two players left out being involved in both goals and seeing the Blades two goals up after a similar passage of time that had elapsed last week then the Blades found themselves trailing by the same score.
West Brom had struggled to create much and much of their attacking play came from the long throws of Furlong although one caused confusion and Davies was not entirely convincing as the Blades bumbled it clear. The Blades continued to look threatening with their play on the attack and Ndiaye continued to cause all sorts of problems and West Brom struggled to hold his strong running and positive play. Ahmedhodzic was booked for bringing down Grant after he lost the initial battle before Davies finally made a save after the Blades could not clear and Phillips long ranger had to be pushed away.
United still looked very dangerous when they did attack and Ndiaye again broke and came inside and looked to curl another shot into the goal but West Brom made the last-ditch block to deflect it over for a corner. West Brom still were looking to set plays to cause problems and a ball from Diangana had to be cleared before McBurnie headed away three times after the home side won a succession of corners.
The second half saw United keep the ball well and seemed in control but a break down the left saw Diangana get away from Basham too easily and Grant rather botched the finish tamely toeing the ball at Davies. It was the first time the home side had really penetrated the Blades defence. Swift and Molumby came on for Livermore and Wallace for the home side who were looking for a way back into a game they had struggled to really cause any major problems.
Ndiaye still was proving to be the stand out player and his skills saw him come out out of a crowded area yet again before moving it across but Baldock and McBurnie could not fashion a chance. Ndiaye then set up a chance for Osborn whose shot was blocked. Soon after Doyle’s clever ball put Ndiaye in who took it round the keeper but the angle was too tight and he shot just wide. Doyle then had two efforts, wide and over, after United had kept the ball well high up the pitch.
Brewster came on for Fleck for United but West Brom finally had some opportunities as one of their changes Molumby fired wide before Grant could not get on the end of a ball from Phillips. Brewster seemed to be the latest United player to pull up holding his hamstring as West Brom broke but Swift curled off target. The fears of another injury were confirmed as Brewster hobbled off to be replaced by Sharp. Baldock came off for Robinson not long after that before Davies had to beat away a powerful shot from Molumby that was straight at him but needed dealing with.
Reach came on for Townsend and Thomas Asante for Gardner Hickman before Stevens came on for Basham as another United player seemed to have picked up a knock.
The game entered the final few minutes and the Blades were doing enough to stop any clear chances although a ball over saw Thomas Asante somehow fail to convert and Ahmedhodzic made the block before the ball squirmed away.
The additional four minutes of stoppage time saw the Blades not really put under any pressure and in the end the final pass or ball from West Brom continued to be poor and United saw it out easily to get that vital win after such a long period without success. For West Brom the new manager Corberan realises what a task he has with a side low in confidence, conceding goals and struggling to fashion many opportunities the other way.
United – We needed a win and we got it. A deserved victory and one that in the end was relatively comfortable. We played our better players and looked dangerous from the off and West Brom, like us last week, struggled when we attacked and ran at them. We scored two good goals and looked a threat when we kept it down and got our front two into the game. West Brom struggled really badly with Ndiaye in particular and did not know what to do with him. For us the other way, they had a few long throws and did improve after 25-30 minutes but other than a few moments where Davies dithered or the ball bounced around, I only recall one comfortable shot from range.
This continued second half where other than a Grant chance where they got through a bit easily, they had most of their efforts from range and in general play they struggled to break us down. Indeed, we still had a few other good chances from Ndiaye when he went round the keeper and Doyle with a couple that was even better than anything they created. There was always the concern if we conceded one, after our brittle defensive performances we may panic but we did ok and defended well as a team. It helped West Brom were so poor and looked clueless relying on the long throw or set play to create much (saw a stat that said they have had the most crosses in the league but scored the least from them which is unbelievable). They were clearly lacking in confidence and they knocked the ball our or overplayed it quite often and you sensed they lacked the belief to get back into the game.
United were not amazing but it was not much different to us as Preston or Hull really. We got the goals and did what we had to and kept a clean sheet which is what we needed after a spell of conceding so many goals. I thought no one played badly and all the defence and midfield were solid but the front two were a constant threat and the best two players on the pitch. Ndiaye in particular was superb to watch and deserved to win the man of the match. He at times almost looks unplayable with his dribbling, strength and pace. His ability to come out of tight areas and run at defences is superb to watch. A superb player that we need to enjoy watching as you worry how long we will have a talent like him!
In the end the only real concern was the booking to Ahmedhodzic, which leads to a suspension and then more injuries with Brewster probably out till after the World Cup with yet another hamstring injury and then Basham and Baldock possibly picking up knocks too. At least Stevens (and Clark) are back but the injuries show no sign of abating. We have four more games and you hope we can just stay around the top 6 and in touch and get the likes of Lowe, Berge, Bogle, Brewster and maybe even Norrington Davies back although the latter two may be longer.
Today was so important that we stopped the rot and got a win. We got back to basics of winning some of the 50-50 stuff, cutting out the errors and making sure we just did enough to block/head/clear the ball when we had to. I do think West Brom were a poor side but so were Coventry and a few others we have struggled with recently. Overall, I liked the fact that we did try and play a slightly different way in that we attacked through the middle as well as wide and West Brom struggled when we got it down and played through the front two.
There were still some concerns outside of the injuries (Bash still struggled at times and Davies less than convincing) but overall, it is a 2-0 away win with a solid performance where we looked dangerous, scored two good goals and maybe could have had more. It was a deserved win. Yes, better teams could have exploited some of the sloppiness we showed at times but then we have had games as Hecky had said, where other teams have exploited our mistakes. Today we did what we needed to do.
We now start thinking about the break and somehow getting there without more serious injuries (but is happening most weeks) and hopefully getting some of those I mentioned back but I also think we need to ensure we get some results and can put a few more wins on the board. Bristol City and Cardiff are no shakes and Rotherham should give us a good opportunity too to get some wins. Burnley will be tough next week of course but we are due a win at the Lane too. Suddenly we do feel better after a good win at a side that should be doing much better so for now just glad to get three points again.
Heckingbottom made expected changes with McBurnie and Ndiaye coming in up top for Brewster and Sharp and Doyle also coming in for McAtee. Enda Stevens was back on the bench. New manager Corberan sprang a slight surprise starting ex Blade Matt Phillips and leaving one-time United target John Swift on the bench.
The game started with West Brom once again trying to utilise the long throw from Furlong but United were moving it about well and had a chance after near build up but Norwood fired a long way over the bar. At the other end the Baggies were trying to utilise the strength and pace of Phillips on Osborn and from such a position, West Brom should have made more of it but the cross was eventually cleared by Osborn after no one could get on the end of it.
On eleven minutes, United took the lead. It came from patient football and as it was moved across, the ball fell to Doyle who clipped a diagonal ball inside the full back Townsend and Baldock came onto it and played a dangerous ball across the box. McBurnie came in and completely missed his kick but it fell to NDIAYE who took a touch and steadied himself before curling expertly into the far corner. It was poor defending and simple goal in its creation and execution but showed the coolness of Ndiaye in front of goal.
The home fans enthusiasm for the new manager had not lasted long with noticeable audible groans when the ball was played out of play twice. The long throw from Furlong seemed to be their main tactic but the time he was taking to throw these in using the towel on the side-line was not helping any momentum build up. Ndiaye’s quick feet had continued to be a major threat and he was the architect for the second goal on 23 minutes. It started with another cheap give away from the home side but smart one touch football saw Fleck and Norwood play in Ndiaye who used his control and body strength to come away from two players and dart forward. As more defenders converged on him, he slipped it to the left and on to MCBURNIE whose first touch was perfect allowing him to come on and curl a beautiful finish into the far corner giving Palmer no chance.
For United it was the polar opposite of last week with the two players left out being involved in both goals and seeing the Blades two goals up after a similar passage of time that had elapsed last week then the Blades found themselves trailing by the same score.
West Brom had struggled to create much and much of their attacking play came from the long throws of Furlong although one caused confusion and Davies was not entirely convincing as the Blades bumbled it clear. The Blades continued to look threatening with their play on the attack and Ndiaye continued to cause all sorts of problems and West Brom struggled to hold his strong running and positive play. Ahmedhodzic was booked for bringing down Grant after he lost the initial battle before Davies finally made a save after the Blades could not clear and Phillips long ranger had to be pushed away.
United still looked very dangerous when they did attack and Ndiaye again broke and came inside and looked to curl another shot into the goal but West Brom made the last-ditch block to deflect it over for a corner. West Brom still were looking to set plays to cause problems and a ball from Diangana had to be cleared before McBurnie headed away three times after the home side won a succession of corners.
The second half saw United keep the ball well and seemed in control but a break down the left saw Diangana get away from Basham too easily and Grant rather botched the finish tamely toeing the ball at Davies. It was the first time the home side had really penetrated the Blades defence. Swift and Molumby came on for Livermore and Wallace for the home side who were looking for a way back into a game they had struggled to really cause any major problems.
Ndiaye still was proving to be the stand out player and his skills saw him come out out of a crowded area yet again before moving it across but Baldock and McBurnie could not fashion a chance. Ndiaye then set up a chance for Osborn whose shot was blocked. Soon after Doyle’s clever ball put Ndiaye in who took it round the keeper but the angle was too tight and he shot just wide. Doyle then had two efforts, wide and over, after United had kept the ball well high up the pitch.
Brewster came on for Fleck for United but West Brom finally had some opportunities as one of their changes Molumby fired wide before Grant could not get on the end of a ball from Phillips. Brewster seemed to be the latest United player to pull up holding his hamstring as West Brom broke but Swift curled off target. The fears of another injury were confirmed as Brewster hobbled off to be replaced by Sharp. Baldock came off for Robinson not long after that before Davies had to beat away a powerful shot from Molumby that was straight at him but needed dealing with.
Reach came on for Townsend and Thomas Asante for Gardner Hickman before Stevens came on for Basham as another United player seemed to have picked up a knock.
The game entered the final few minutes and the Blades were doing enough to stop any clear chances although a ball over saw Thomas Asante somehow fail to convert and Ahmedhodzic made the block before the ball squirmed away.
The additional four minutes of stoppage time saw the Blades not really put under any pressure and in the end the final pass or ball from West Brom continued to be poor and United saw it out easily to get that vital win after such a long period without success. For West Brom the new manager Corberan realises what a task he has with a side low in confidence, conceding goals and struggling to fashion many opportunities the other way.
United – We needed a win and we got it. A deserved victory and one that in the end was relatively comfortable. We played our better players and looked dangerous from the off and West Brom, like us last week, struggled when we attacked and ran at them. We scored two good goals and looked a threat when we kept it down and got our front two into the game. West Brom struggled really badly with Ndiaye in particular and did not know what to do with him. For us the other way, they had a few long throws and did improve after 25-30 minutes but other than a few moments where Davies dithered or the ball bounced around, I only recall one comfortable shot from range.
This continued second half where other than a Grant chance where they got through a bit easily, they had most of their efforts from range and in general play they struggled to break us down. Indeed, we still had a few other good chances from Ndiaye when he went round the keeper and Doyle with a couple that was even better than anything they created. There was always the concern if we conceded one, after our brittle defensive performances we may panic but we did ok and defended well as a team. It helped West Brom were so poor and looked clueless relying on the long throw or set play to create much (saw a stat that said they have had the most crosses in the league but scored the least from them which is unbelievable). They were clearly lacking in confidence and they knocked the ball our or overplayed it quite often and you sensed they lacked the belief to get back into the game.
United were not amazing but it was not much different to us as Preston or Hull really. We got the goals and did what we had to and kept a clean sheet which is what we needed after a spell of conceding so many goals. I thought no one played badly and all the defence and midfield were solid but the front two were a constant threat and the best two players on the pitch. Ndiaye in particular was superb to watch and deserved to win the man of the match. He at times almost looks unplayable with his dribbling, strength and pace. His ability to come out of tight areas and run at defences is superb to watch. A superb player that we need to enjoy watching as you worry how long we will have a talent like him!
In the end the only real concern was the booking to Ahmedhodzic, which leads to a suspension and then more injuries with Brewster probably out till after the World Cup with yet another hamstring injury and then Basham and Baldock possibly picking up knocks too. At least Stevens (and Clark) are back but the injuries show no sign of abating. We have four more games and you hope we can just stay around the top 6 and in touch and get the likes of Lowe, Berge, Bogle, Brewster and maybe even Norrington Davies back although the latter two may be longer.
Today was so important that we stopped the rot and got a win. We got back to basics of winning some of the 50-50 stuff, cutting out the errors and making sure we just did enough to block/head/clear the ball when we had to. I do think West Brom were a poor side but so were Coventry and a few others we have struggled with recently. Overall, I liked the fact that we did try and play a slightly different way in that we attacked through the middle as well as wide and West Brom struggled when we got it down and played through the front two.
There were still some concerns outside of the injuries (Bash still struggled at times and Davies less than convincing) but overall, it is a 2-0 away win with a solid performance where we looked dangerous, scored two good goals and maybe could have had more. It was a deserved win. Yes, better teams could have exploited some of the sloppiness we showed at times but then we have had games as Hecky had said, where other teams have exploited our mistakes. Today we did what we needed to do.
We now start thinking about the break and somehow getting there without more serious injuries (but is happening most weeks) and hopefully getting some of those I mentioned back but I also think we need to ensure we get some results and can put a few more wins on the board. Bristol City and Cardiff are no shakes and Rotherham should give us a good opportunity too to get some wins. Burnley will be tough next week of course but we are due a win at the Lane too. Suddenly we do feel better after a good win at a side that should be doing much better so for now just glad to get three points again.
