Great win for us. Another three points and a result which should have been written all over the game from start to finish but at times wasn't. In fact there were brief moments when we looked like we didn't even deserve to win. It actually illustrates that although we are where we are and looking at promotion, we are so far short of having a PL prepared team that unless we fuck a few players off and buy better, next season aint gonna be much fun again.
Usual United start for us, first ten look in control and likely to make some mark but then fade badly and allow the opposition, in this case Cardiff who are really bobbary-ploppar to get back at us. After ten they made some nice ventures up the pitch and made us work hard and eventually won a corner. This was odd as Cardiff played so deep and just mopped us up. Suddenly they have a penalty courtesy of Lowe's high kick (and it was a penalty, you can't expect to get away with that) and we are 0-1 down. I'm grateful we went back at them and within minutes McAtee breaks through and equalises but all over the pitch today we looked either fragile in defence (both wingbacks) uncomposed in midfield (Berge especially) and starved of opportunity particularly in the first half. There were periods also when one felt Cardiff could do what so many teams have done in the past and nick all three points by managing an undeserved lead. But, thanks to a simply epic cross and bravery by Jackie Boy, some sublime wonder from NDaiye and a tap in from the returning Clark we got the scoreline we should have really looked like having.
Part of our problem is the thinness and lack of competition by either injury hit positions. LWB has just a tremendously poor Lowe vying for the billet, when one CB drops out we have to resort to the utility player Baldock filling in and free rein to another underperformer in Bogle. I get Hecky's idea of 3-4-2-1 today but with the players we had it clearly wasn't making much impact and Cardiff really had a particularly easy time until we realigned to a mor familiar 5-3-2 with Baldock back in his RWB role did we look better and furthered our lead.
That said, Cardiff did play with the ref on their side - another disturbingly appalling performance from and official - and Sky Sports Football literally blowing hot wind into Boro and Luton's sails throughout the match and right now in Gillette Soccer Satdi. I don't wish ill on anyone but a lump in the teste-bag of Andy Hinchcliffe wouldn't have me too sorrowful because of his fucking abject loathing of Sheffield United and reluctance to complement us until we were 4-1 up and home and hosed. Utter fucking piggy cunt wanker.
Fuck them all.
Davies 6.5/10: Not a bad game for him. Gathers and catches but one or two dangerous parries and punches. No chance with the penalty
Bogle 1/10: Low score because there wasn't much he did right today and his fucking stupid fuck up in the first half almost had us 1-2 down. Unless we see some sot of epiphany and a change in fortunes, he can fuck off at the end of the season and miss the chance to be referred to as a 'Premiership Player' because he is a long, long way from being one
Baldock 6/10: Did what he could in an unfamiliar role against a front pairing of tall, imposing front line. Not a great game because he was placed thus and really should have started in RWB with Clark in as RCB
Egan 6/10: Fairly solid with his usual array of headed clearances, some which weren't very impressive. Backheaded a chance late on into the kop
JLT 7.5/10: Robust and solid. A well taken goal too. Good comeback since the fuckup at Turf Moor
Lowe 2/10: Another weak underperformance and indicative of him having zero competition at LWB. Poor going forward and poor defending.
Berge 4/10: Business as usual for much of the game with rare flashes of vague capability
Doyle 8/10: Really like this bloke. Dug out blind and didn't give up. Get's a ful point also for a fucking sublime cross for Jackie's goal after a shit corner
McAtee 7/10: Good graft from him and put the fear of shit into the Cardiff defence. Leant on somewhat and booted about but a cracking individual goal
NDaiye 8/10: What a fucking player. Just sublime and never lets the opposition off the hook. Go back and look at his goal. He knew McGuiness would fuck up, chased the ball, sold the keeper with unbelievable deftness, rounded him and with a flicker of a grin, booted the ball into the empty Shoreham End net. The best player in red and white I have ever seen. There. I have said it. Better than Woodward and Currie. Better than Edwards and Bobby Ford.
McBurnie 6/10: Did his best to get stuck in but is at his best in our box as a Centre Back to be honest
Fleck 6.5/10: Back to get minutes before next week. Didn't do too badly and was odds on at one point to score if found with a pass
Clark 6/10: Brought more stability to the back three and allowed George back into his normal role. Good goal from distance (25mm)!
Norwood 5/10: Not much to report
Sharp 6/10: Caused them problems with his industry and fight and unlucky with a late chance
Jebbison 5/10: Not really in the game
HJ&SMcC 8/10: They can only do what they can do with what they have and let's face it, much of it is still Wilder's legacy. Still, three points and well earned in the end after some frosty moments and going a goal behind too.
pommpey
