Deadbat
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The Blades got back to winning ways and got their first away win in 2023 as they won a scrappy contest in Berkshire thanks to Iliman Ndiaye’s second half winner that was assisted by his striker partner Oli McBurnie.
The Blades made one change from the side that lost at Blackburn with McAtee in for Fleck. Jebbison replaced Osborn on the bench. Reading had former Premier League strikers Carroll and Long up front supported by the manager Paul Ince’s son, Tom. Keeper Lumley was back in the side replacing Bouzanis. Blades nemesis and ex Wednesday Lucas Joao was on the bench.
The game started with Reading clearly set up with a defensive line up and looking to play on the break. Yiadom got away from Berge and his cross was cleared before Ndiaye’s quick feet nearly got him away from a bevvy of defenders. Sarr and McBurnie tussled as the ball came forward as the match started in scrappy fashion. Ince had the first effort when his shot was pulled wide after no one closed him down.
Ndiaye and McBurnie linked well but Ndiaye’s final touch moved away from him after he did well initially. United moved it around well and created the first chance when Berge moved it on to Bogle who slipped Basham in and his cross was met by McBurnie but it was straight at Lumley.
McAtee then tried to break but Ndiaye again was crowded out before a ball came in after Bogle had foraged down the right but Lumley was unfortunate not to get a foul after McBurnie’s excessive physical contact. The ball was cleared despite the protests. United were controlling the ball and territory but the mass of Reading defenders meant it was hard to create anything.
Reading were playing on the break and knocked one ball down the side that saw a cross not properly cleared at first and then Holmes smashed an effort well over summing up the poor quality in the game.
At the other end Berge finally got on the ball and came inside and hit a shot on target which Lumley pushed away. Lowe tried his luck not long after but was well over after good patient football.
Reading broke when Long won the header and the ball came but Yiadom’s header went over. United continued to have a lot of the ball but then they got into the last third lacked any kind of penetration and the passing and decision making was too slow.
Egan did well to hold off Carroll who won the header but it went wide of the post. United were trying to fashion chances but Bogle’s shocking delivery over the bar ended a move prematurely. Yiadom was booked for pulling down Ndiaye on the break but United coughed it up soon after and then Reading twice got down United’s right as Bogle’s positioning was poor again. Ince then picked up the ball and had an effort that curled wide and he was continuing to look the most likely for the home side.
Foderingham was cynically tripped up by Ince as he tried to clear and this led to the keeper reacting to the forward who eventually was booked as Carroll and Robinson also exchanged pushes in the melee. This moment was not in keeping with a turgid game with barely a challenge, moment of skill or proper opportunity from neither side. United had most of the ball and elements of control but offered very little and seemed unable to know how to break down a banked up Reading side.
The second half started with Reading on the front foot and Carroll had a header wide before Robinson was a bit clumsy as he pushed Long but the contact was not enough for a penalty kick. Carroll then had a shot saved and United, like on Saturday, had not got going.
They broke out and McBurnie got down the side but his cross was fired away from everyone before Basham’s mistake led to a corner. The next spell saw nothing of note occur either way and became mired in midfield. The ball was knocked forward and Egan had to intercept but then out of nothing the Blades suddenly took the lead.
Bogle played a nice ball forward and McBurnie was in on the right-hand channel. He got down the line and his ball back was perfect for NDIAYE who anticipated and was able to guide it home from close range despite taking a knock from a defender.
Reading tried to respond when Yiadom had a header that drifted wide from Long’s cross before Bogle had a deflected effort go behind for a corner as the game threatened to open up more. Norwood, now wearing gloves, took the set play and McBurnie peeled off at the back post but his effort was over on the angle.
Good ball from Berge found Ndiaye but his pass was just away from McAtee. Ndiaye was struggling after the contact when he scored and twice went down before he finally had to come off holding his hip. He departed along with Bogle with Sharp and Baldock coming on.
Reading were trying to find a way back into the game but were reliant on long throws and Carroll’s height to try and find a chance and ball in from such a source dropped to Yiadom who fired wide with a decent effort that had Foderingham concerned.
McAtee was the next to pick up a knock, seemingly to his angle and Fleck came on. Joao then replaced Long for the home side. Reading finally forced Foderingham into his first serious save of the game when Guinness Walker’s cross was met by Carroll and the Blades keeper had to leap to flick it over the bar.
McBurnie then kicked his own man, Basham in the ensuing corner and the veteran defender needed treatment despite protestations from the home crowd failing to see it was a head injury. Azeez came on for Guinness Walker as the game entered the final 10 minutes.
The next chance came for United as they looked to kill the game. Robinson’s ball down the line found Lowe and his intelligent ball was steered goalwards by Sharp but Lumley tipped over. Norwood’s corner soon after was met by Egan but he steered his effort over, this time with his foot! Reading won a late corner but McBurnie did well, summing up his efforts in the second half.
There was 6 minutes of stoppage time but McBurnie and Sharp both drew free kicks in this period and United in the end saw out a final throw heading clear before the full time whistle to ensure they earned the vital three points.
United – Just a vital win. Three points is crucial and makes sure this much talked about game in hand was used to our advantage. We now have the 7-point gap again and a bit of relief. It was all about getting a win and being more solid. I was not too concerned about fluent football and it was very much about doing the basics. The performance was not great and even though we had a lot of the ball we did not create much at all. However, Reading were appalling and did very little other than long balls up to Carroll. Ince had a few shots wide first half. I felt we had control of the game without having control of it in terms of actual attacks. They were quite negative and banked up on us and played on the break – I get that for a side that has been hammered in the last game and their home form has been good so clearly the style has worked. I did feel they were there for the taking but we really struggled to break them down. We got in the final third and seemed clueless. We just seemed to hope Ndiaye would create a bit of magic. I am not sure anyone was awful forward/midfield wise but not sure anyone was fantastic either. A lot of very ordinary performances, maybe those with a more positive bent might say workmanlike! I still through a few were a long way off their best and our fluency was not there. We seemed unsure how to actually create or move through them. We had it in midfield and then it seemed we got to the final third and had no idea how to create?
Ndiaye showed flashes first half and McBurnie did play well second half and of course Ndiaye took his goal well. Thought McAtee was quiet. Berge still not great but maybe the best of the three – Norwood was really poor all game. The defence did what they had to but concerns remain about the wing backs in their shape. I thought Lowe was better than Bogle tonight who made some puzzling decisions on and off the ball but did have the hockey assist on the goal.
Still some concerns how open they were and I feel again better sides would have caused us more issues. It was a scrappy 1-0 and one you just get the victory and get out. Maybe it gives us some confidence and we can find some level of form now and the performances individually and collectively may improve? I am pleased we won and on the face of it we have that cushion again but I am still concerned we look a long, long way from our best and what we showed earlier in the season. Even in some of the wins around Xmas, we still were creating more and looking more solid. The performances will have to improve to ensure we get the wins we need. However, tonight we did what we had to. We got the goal in a close game and managed it out fairly well. The subs did not help us as we lost two players who helped us keep the ball and could create and then had two players who lack mobility and saw us move back and defend more but Reading had even less idea than us really. We will not play many worse sides than that in the run in so most certainly have to up our game.
For now, we take the win. Hopefully the injuries are not too bad – my feeling is both will be ok – just a whack and cramp. Luton is another big game and we need to get back into a run of wins now before the break.
The Blades made one change from the side that lost at Blackburn with McAtee in for Fleck. Jebbison replaced Osborn on the bench. Reading had former Premier League strikers Carroll and Long up front supported by the manager Paul Ince’s son, Tom. Keeper Lumley was back in the side replacing Bouzanis. Blades nemesis and ex Wednesday Lucas Joao was on the bench.
The game started with Reading clearly set up with a defensive line up and looking to play on the break. Yiadom got away from Berge and his cross was cleared before Ndiaye’s quick feet nearly got him away from a bevvy of defenders. Sarr and McBurnie tussled as the ball came forward as the match started in scrappy fashion. Ince had the first effort when his shot was pulled wide after no one closed him down.
Ndiaye and McBurnie linked well but Ndiaye’s final touch moved away from him after he did well initially. United moved it around well and created the first chance when Berge moved it on to Bogle who slipped Basham in and his cross was met by McBurnie but it was straight at Lumley.
McAtee then tried to break but Ndiaye again was crowded out before a ball came in after Bogle had foraged down the right but Lumley was unfortunate not to get a foul after McBurnie’s excessive physical contact. The ball was cleared despite the protests. United were controlling the ball and territory but the mass of Reading defenders meant it was hard to create anything.
Reading were playing on the break and knocked one ball down the side that saw a cross not properly cleared at first and then Holmes smashed an effort well over summing up the poor quality in the game.
At the other end Berge finally got on the ball and came inside and hit a shot on target which Lumley pushed away. Lowe tried his luck not long after but was well over after good patient football.
Reading broke when Long won the header and the ball came but Yiadom’s header went over. United continued to have a lot of the ball but then they got into the last third lacked any kind of penetration and the passing and decision making was too slow.
Egan did well to hold off Carroll who won the header but it went wide of the post. United were trying to fashion chances but Bogle’s shocking delivery over the bar ended a move prematurely. Yiadom was booked for pulling down Ndiaye on the break but United coughed it up soon after and then Reading twice got down United’s right as Bogle’s positioning was poor again. Ince then picked up the ball and had an effort that curled wide and he was continuing to look the most likely for the home side.
Foderingham was cynically tripped up by Ince as he tried to clear and this led to the keeper reacting to the forward who eventually was booked as Carroll and Robinson also exchanged pushes in the melee. This moment was not in keeping with a turgid game with barely a challenge, moment of skill or proper opportunity from neither side. United had most of the ball and elements of control but offered very little and seemed unable to know how to break down a banked up Reading side.
The second half started with Reading on the front foot and Carroll had a header wide before Robinson was a bit clumsy as he pushed Long but the contact was not enough for a penalty kick. Carroll then had a shot saved and United, like on Saturday, had not got going.
They broke out and McBurnie got down the side but his cross was fired away from everyone before Basham’s mistake led to a corner. The next spell saw nothing of note occur either way and became mired in midfield. The ball was knocked forward and Egan had to intercept but then out of nothing the Blades suddenly took the lead.
Bogle played a nice ball forward and McBurnie was in on the right-hand channel. He got down the line and his ball back was perfect for NDIAYE who anticipated and was able to guide it home from close range despite taking a knock from a defender.
Reading tried to respond when Yiadom had a header that drifted wide from Long’s cross before Bogle had a deflected effort go behind for a corner as the game threatened to open up more. Norwood, now wearing gloves, took the set play and McBurnie peeled off at the back post but his effort was over on the angle.
Good ball from Berge found Ndiaye but his pass was just away from McAtee. Ndiaye was struggling after the contact when he scored and twice went down before he finally had to come off holding his hip. He departed along with Bogle with Sharp and Baldock coming on.
Reading were trying to find a way back into the game but were reliant on long throws and Carroll’s height to try and find a chance and ball in from such a source dropped to Yiadom who fired wide with a decent effort that had Foderingham concerned.
McAtee was the next to pick up a knock, seemingly to his angle and Fleck came on. Joao then replaced Long for the home side. Reading finally forced Foderingham into his first serious save of the game when Guinness Walker’s cross was met by Carroll and the Blades keeper had to leap to flick it over the bar.
McBurnie then kicked his own man, Basham in the ensuing corner and the veteran defender needed treatment despite protestations from the home crowd failing to see it was a head injury. Azeez came on for Guinness Walker as the game entered the final 10 minutes.
The next chance came for United as they looked to kill the game. Robinson’s ball down the line found Lowe and his intelligent ball was steered goalwards by Sharp but Lumley tipped over. Norwood’s corner soon after was met by Egan but he steered his effort over, this time with his foot! Reading won a late corner but McBurnie did well, summing up his efforts in the second half.
There was 6 minutes of stoppage time but McBurnie and Sharp both drew free kicks in this period and United in the end saw out a final throw heading clear before the full time whistle to ensure they earned the vital three points.
United – Just a vital win. Three points is crucial and makes sure this much talked about game in hand was used to our advantage. We now have the 7-point gap again and a bit of relief. It was all about getting a win and being more solid. I was not too concerned about fluent football and it was very much about doing the basics. The performance was not great and even though we had a lot of the ball we did not create much at all. However, Reading were appalling and did very little other than long balls up to Carroll. Ince had a few shots wide first half. I felt we had control of the game without having control of it in terms of actual attacks. They were quite negative and banked up on us and played on the break – I get that for a side that has been hammered in the last game and their home form has been good so clearly the style has worked. I did feel they were there for the taking but we really struggled to break them down. We got in the final third and seemed clueless. We just seemed to hope Ndiaye would create a bit of magic. I am not sure anyone was awful forward/midfield wise but not sure anyone was fantastic either. A lot of very ordinary performances, maybe those with a more positive bent might say workmanlike! I still through a few were a long way off their best and our fluency was not there. We seemed unsure how to actually create or move through them. We had it in midfield and then it seemed we got to the final third and had no idea how to create?
Ndiaye showed flashes first half and McBurnie did play well second half and of course Ndiaye took his goal well. Thought McAtee was quiet. Berge still not great but maybe the best of the three – Norwood was really poor all game. The defence did what they had to but concerns remain about the wing backs in their shape. I thought Lowe was better than Bogle tonight who made some puzzling decisions on and off the ball but did have the hockey assist on the goal.
Still some concerns how open they were and I feel again better sides would have caused us more issues. It was a scrappy 1-0 and one you just get the victory and get out. Maybe it gives us some confidence and we can find some level of form now and the performances individually and collectively may improve? I am pleased we won and on the face of it we have that cushion again but I am still concerned we look a long, long way from our best and what we showed earlier in the season. Even in some of the wins around Xmas, we still were creating more and looking more solid. The performances will have to improve to ensure we get the wins we need. However, tonight we did what we had to. We got the goal in a close game and managed it out fairly well. The subs did not help us as we lost two players who helped us keep the ball and could create and then had two players who lack mobility and saw us move back and defend more but Reading had even less idea than us really. We will not play many worse sides than that in the run in so most certainly have to up our game.
For now, we take the win. Hopefully the injuries are not too bad – my feeling is both will be ok – just a whack and cramp. Luton is another big game and we need to get back into a run of wins now before the break.
