Balham
S24SU Seer
My first game at the Lane since the Harlepool horror show yesterday, I was joined by my some neutrals so have additional perspective.
The game:
Dire. Pedestrian. Woefully lacking in quality with the exception of a couple of moments of class from McDonald in the first half.
Carlisle:
To use the words of Warnock, they "did a job". It's obvious to everyone except our coaching staff that our chronic lack of pace means that if you stay solid at the back as a visiting side at Bramall Lane, it's unlikely that you'll concede. That said, their two centre halves were amongst the most physical I've seen at set pieces (more on that in a minute) and the time wasting was ridiculous. O'Hanlon should have seen a second yellow when he spent 3 minutes playing with his bootlaces so to see him disappear for an early bath for a soft foul was no surprise.
The ref:
Surprisingly good with the exception that he should have punished the staggering levels of shirtpulling and grappling which happened at every United set piece. Our first corner should have resulted in a penalty as their centre half (5) attempted to remove Maguire's shirt but the referee bottled it - setting the tone for every subsequent set piece.
Kudos too for refusing to let Robson take the corner at half time. Robson's faffing was unprofessional at best.
United:
Long 6 - one solid save in the first half but his kicking was poor throughout, as was his lack of command of his area. Seems to be suffering with real nerves playing at the Lane.
McMahon 2 - while the Carlisle left winger didn't get much of a look in, McMahon's game should have been about getting forward. He didn't. He only managed to get ahead of Robson once all game and most of the time chose to launch aimless diagonal crosses to the Carlisle centre halves. He would have got a 4 but lost 2 marks for a stupid booking.
Collins 5 - can someone please teach Collins how to direct his headers? I've lost count of how many times he gets decent distance but gives the ball straight to an opposition midfielder. Solid defensively but not great in possession.
Maguire 5 - see Collins.
Hill 4 - not the worst player in the back four but taken off at half time. I can only assume he got a knock.
Robson 3 - brought in to add nous and experience to United's midfield, all he seems to bring is a snail-like lack of pace; constantly cutting in from the right onto his left foot slows the game down every time. One shot in the first 45 on the half-volley from out wide summed up his open play contribution; the failure to take a corner through a lack of urgency at the end of the first half summed up his total contribution. I thought he'd be a good signing - he's not impressed me at all.
Doyle 4 - while I have a history of knocking Doyle I thought he had a decent Doyle performance today. However, we should only be using a spoiling midfielder in away games against better sides and there aren't any in League One. Doyle doesn't get forward enough and lacks the drive to properly influence games in a progressive manner. While he is in central midfield we'll be solid but it'll be more games like the last three at home. Hitting the roof of the Kop with a volleyed shot was impressive though.
McDonald 7 - the first half was the best I've seen from McDonald; from beating three men in the corner before crossing to actually breaking into the box and having a shot, he was head and shoulders above every other player on the pitch. Faded badly in the second half but I think that was a result of the general apathy shown by the rest of the United team.
Poleon 3 - just looks lost. Couldn't work out that the fact that the pitch was heavy would mean that passes wouldn't carry; couldn't stay onside, couldn't follow his man. Danny - Poleon is not a left midfielder.
Forte 3 - I think it's shorehamview who called it - Forte spent the whole game hiding behind a Carlisle defender, except for shinning a shot wide of an open goal after Ironside had rescued a chance. Possibly the worst centre-forward performance I can remember.
Kitson 4 - Mrs Balham summed up Kitson's performance in two phrases: "he looks like he doesn't care" and "he thinks he's better than he is". When he can be bothered he's unplayable - strong, good in the air, a decent first touch and a good footballing brain. When he can't he might as well not be on the pitch. I also wish Wilson would point out that he's not got the fitness to be playing the Messi role, dropping into midfield to pick up the ball and that he should be up front.
Subs:
Higginbotham 4 - see McMahon but without the ridiculous booking.
Murphy 6 - at least Murphy looked to commit Carlisle's defenders but he needs to work on his decision making.
Ironside 6 - puts himself about but there's a worrying lack of composure in front of goal. Should have been more confident when put through but was easily forced wide before setting up Forte for a sitter. We all know what happened next.
The manager:
Wilson 3 - that's three 0-0 draws in a row at home, where we've scored 27 goals in 19 games. That sounds OK until you take out the 9 goals we scored in two games against Bournemouth and Stevenage, leaving us with 18 in 17. A goal a game at home is not promotion form and the root cause is two-fold: our players do not move off the ball and there is no pace in the side. This is the side that Danny built and it's crap.
Fans
It's really worrying that the fans appear to be losing the passion. I can't remember the Lane being so quiet - it's up to the players to take the game to the opposition in the first 15 minutes to get the fans onside but it's just not happening.
The game:
Dire. Pedestrian. Woefully lacking in quality with the exception of a couple of moments of class from McDonald in the first half.
Carlisle:
To use the words of Warnock, they "did a job". It's obvious to everyone except our coaching staff that our chronic lack of pace means that if you stay solid at the back as a visiting side at Bramall Lane, it's unlikely that you'll concede. That said, their two centre halves were amongst the most physical I've seen at set pieces (more on that in a minute) and the time wasting was ridiculous. O'Hanlon should have seen a second yellow when he spent 3 minutes playing with his bootlaces so to see him disappear for an early bath for a soft foul was no surprise.
The ref:
Surprisingly good with the exception that he should have punished the staggering levels of shirtpulling and grappling which happened at every United set piece. Our first corner should have resulted in a penalty as their centre half (5) attempted to remove Maguire's shirt but the referee bottled it - setting the tone for every subsequent set piece.
Kudos too for refusing to let Robson take the corner at half time. Robson's faffing was unprofessional at best.
United:
Long 6 - one solid save in the first half but his kicking was poor throughout, as was his lack of command of his area. Seems to be suffering with real nerves playing at the Lane.
McMahon 2 - while the Carlisle left winger didn't get much of a look in, McMahon's game should have been about getting forward. He didn't. He only managed to get ahead of Robson once all game and most of the time chose to launch aimless diagonal crosses to the Carlisle centre halves. He would have got a 4 but lost 2 marks for a stupid booking.
Collins 5 - can someone please teach Collins how to direct his headers? I've lost count of how many times he gets decent distance but gives the ball straight to an opposition midfielder. Solid defensively but not great in possession.
Maguire 5 - see Collins.
Hill 4 - not the worst player in the back four but taken off at half time. I can only assume he got a knock.
Robson 3 - brought in to add nous and experience to United's midfield, all he seems to bring is a snail-like lack of pace; constantly cutting in from the right onto his left foot slows the game down every time. One shot in the first 45 on the half-volley from out wide summed up his open play contribution; the failure to take a corner through a lack of urgency at the end of the first half summed up his total contribution. I thought he'd be a good signing - he's not impressed me at all.
Doyle 4 - while I have a history of knocking Doyle I thought he had a decent Doyle performance today. However, we should only be using a spoiling midfielder in away games against better sides and there aren't any in League One. Doyle doesn't get forward enough and lacks the drive to properly influence games in a progressive manner. While he is in central midfield we'll be solid but it'll be more games like the last three at home. Hitting the roof of the Kop with a volleyed shot was impressive though.
McDonald 7 - the first half was the best I've seen from McDonald; from beating three men in the corner before crossing to actually breaking into the box and having a shot, he was head and shoulders above every other player on the pitch. Faded badly in the second half but I think that was a result of the general apathy shown by the rest of the United team.
Poleon 3 - just looks lost. Couldn't work out that the fact that the pitch was heavy would mean that passes wouldn't carry; couldn't stay onside, couldn't follow his man. Danny - Poleon is not a left midfielder.
Forte 3 - I think it's shorehamview who called it - Forte spent the whole game hiding behind a Carlisle defender, except for shinning a shot wide of an open goal after Ironside had rescued a chance. Possibly the worst centre-forward performance I can remember.
Kitson 4 - Mrs Balham summed up Kitson's performance in two phrases: "he looks like he doesn't care" and "he thinks he's better than he is". When he can be bothered he's unplayable - strong, good in the air, a decent first touch and a good footballing brain. When he can't he might as well not be on the pitch. I also wish Wilson would point out that he's not got the fitness to be playing the Messi role, dropping into midfield to pick up the ball and that he should be up front.
Subs:
Higginbotham 4 - see McMahon but without the ridiculous booking.
Murphy 6 - at least Murphy looked to commit Carlisle's defenders but he needs to work on his decision making.
Ironside 6 - puts himself about but there's a worrying lack of composure in front of goal. Should have been more confident when put through but was easily forced wide before setting up Forte for a sitter. We all know what happened next.
The manager:
Wilson 3 - that's three 0-0 draws in a row at home, where we've scored 27 goals in 19 games. That sounds OK until you take out the 9 goals we scored in two games against Bournemouth and Stevenage, leaving us with 18 in 17. A goal a game at home is not promotion form and the root cause is two-fold: our players do not move off the ball and there is no pace in the side. This is the side that Danny built and it's crap.
Fans
It's really worrying that the fans appear to be losing the passion. I can't remember the Lane being so quiet - it's up to the players to take the game to the opposition in the first 15 minutes to get the fans onside but it's just not happening.
