The Blades excellent start to the season continued with another solid performance and victory, this time over fellow relegated side Luton Town at Bramall Lane. United were in control from start to finish as Jesurun Rak Sayki scored two goals on his birthday to see off the Hatters in another dominant display where the result was never really in doubt.
United continued to tinker with their personnel and made six changes with Arblaster back in as captain and a number of other players returning or getting a start – with McCallum for Burrows the stand out change. Moore, Gilchrist and Rak Sakyi were all back in the side. Brewster also got a rare start. Robinson was also back in the match day squad. Luton had not started the season well and were nearer the bottom of the side than the top, despite being fancies to be a challenger to return to the top flight before the season started.
The game began with United looking to attack more than they did to begin the game in the midweek and Rak Sayki was involved with Souza also controlling the middle of the field. Moore looked to get beyond the Luton defence and the pace of the play was much quicker than the midweek. The home side had a few opportunities to move into the Luton box and it was mostly one way traffic, so no surprise when the opening goal came. Souza and Ahmedhodzic were involved in keeping the ball alive, and as the ball dropped RAK SAYKI reacted, took a touch which looped the ball up in the air before finishing superbly right into the corner of the goal with a precise finish.
United continued to look the better side as they moved the ball around and force the pace but a series of bookings resulted soon after with Ahmedhodzic rightly booked after he turned into trouble. The cards to Walter and Arblaster, for both sides, seemed harsher in comparison. Moore nearly got a second as he was fed down the side but his shot was saved by the legs of Kaminski and then the keeper pushed away an effort from Souza soon after, as United looked to turn the screw. Rak Sayki then cut in but the save this time was more comfortable. The home side had been totally dominant with Souza and Arblaster controlling midfield and Rak Sayki a constant threat but right on the half time, a warning shot came when Luton got down the left but a low shot went into the side netting.
The second half saw the Blades continue to dominate the Hatters and force the Luton defence back with RAK SAYKI continuing to cause a whole manner of problems. Indeed, one run saw him blocked but soon after he chopped inside his defender after good work from Arblaster in the build up and the winger beat Walters before firing into the net.
Brewster nearly made it three with a quickfire shot that was saved by Kaminski as United continued to completely dominate. Moore’s hard work saw him play O’Hare in and Rak Sayki nearly got on the end of it as he scented a hat trick. Luton had offered nothing in response in a really poor performance as Brown and Woodrow came on for Nakamba and Adebayo. United also made changes as Rak Sayki, Brewster and then McCallum departed with Hamer, Brooks and Norrington Davies entered the fray.
United continued to dictate the play and Moore nearly got in as the contest continued to be relatively one sided. Kraus and Walters were sacrificed as Baptise and Taylor came on for a lethargic Hatters side.
Moore and Gilchrist departed for Campbell and Shackleton with 15 minutes left to play. Souza nearly made it three as he robbed a defender and strode inside but his toed finish bounced off the inside of the post, as the woodwork denied the Blades for the third time in a week.
United were never really threatened although Cooper had to be alert to get down to his left to make a smart save as the game ticked down towards 90 minutes. There was to be four minutes of stoppage time but the Blades saw this out with no real worries at all and coasted to another three points and yet another clean sheet.
United – It was another solid performance from the Blades where we really never seriously threatened but this time looked more of a threat going forward and I felt 2-0 actually flattered Luton. The away side never really hurt us and looked a long way from the side we saw a few years ago at this level, that were physical, direct, and caused teams a whole manner of problems. The Blades controlled the game from start to finish, scored two and could have had more. I am not sure anyone played badly and a number totally won their battles – Rak Sayki especially – as the Blades scored a goal in either half and in the end could have had even more.
I thought Luton, despite a poor start, may give us a tough test and I was concerned about the physicality and direct approach that has caused us (and others) issues before but they looked timid and Cooper once again, was not really tested.
Rak Sayki will rightly take the plaudits, for two excellent goals and being a constant threat but the defence was really solid again and the midfield, with Arblaster back, complimenting Souza, had control of the game and the middle of the park, from start to finish. Moore had a workmanlike performance where he led the line and took opponents with him, leaving gaps for others.
United moved the ball with more purpose today and I felt got up the field quicker and looked a threat throughout. Luton struggled with our movement and we were well on top. The visitors had a chance at the end of the first half and ditto, at the end of the half but outside of this did nothing really. United in contract were sharp and incisive and moved through Luton on a number of occasions. I thought we always looked like we may create chance or cause problems and so it proved. We had a number of other half, to decent chances, outside the goal and we imposed ourselves on Luton and never gave the time to settle or have a proper spell.
I thought it was the most complete and controlled game of the season and one which we controlled and dominated and was an easy win. I thought Luton may give us a much tougher test, despite their surprisingly poor start, but they were never really in the game and it was a fairly routine win and one that came easier than I thought.
The defence continues to look really solid but today we showed more from an attacking perspective and was a more entertaining game than the week. We have tougher games to come but for now we can relax for a few weeks as we sit right near the top of the league. I still think there is more to come from us attacking wise but we have had an excellent start. We have lowered the age considerably, solidified the defence and just look a solid side that will not get bullied, at this level at least.
I have said it before, but it is just nice to win again and see us near the top of the league. After such a bad season, it is just nice to see the team winning games and being competitive. Leeds and Middlesbrough present two really tough tests, where the defence and Cooper will get tested much more but we rightly can do these venues with some real confidence.
Ratings:
Cooper 6.5/10 – Another solid game and another clean sheet. Not really troubled first half but had a few things to do second half with a catch caught and then two routine-ish saves – one pushed away and then the take at his near post. Had to deal with both half chance but kept his concentration – this has been a feature in games, as of course he has ben relatively untroubled but has continued to be switched on.
Gilchrist 6/10 - Thought he was ok at times but then a bit slow/sloppy at other occasions. Competitive in the tackle and covered a lot of ground but made a mistake start of the second half that nearly cost us and felt he tired towards the end before he went off. Not sure he was as assured on the ball as he has been.
McCallum 6.5/10 – Came in and was relatively solid with few mistakes made defensively at all. He got up and down and showed some neat touches. He did ok and showed he was another player who can do a job – today it gave Burrows a rest -after a lot of games he has played.
Ahmedhodzic 7/10 – Poor booking when he turned the wrong way and then chopped his man down, but he defended well outside of this and also once again came out of the back and drove forward too. He did the basics well and swept up when he had to.
Souttar 7.5/10 –Thought he was a bit off it on Wednesday night with sloppy passing and touches but today he was back to his best. Won headers and was able to step in and get to the ball first most of the game. He looks dominant and so strong and thought he was imperious throughout.
Souza 7.5/10 – Very good today. Broke up play, won tackles, covered back and then when he had the ball, used it well and tried to keep us going forward. Very unlucky with the shot off the post. Protected the defence well again.
Arblaster 7/10 – Showed what we have missed, in terms of someone who can get it on the half turn or take a touch, control it and drive forward. Just kept it simple but his composure was excellent all game. Never seems to panic much and just takes his time to ride a challenge of find the right pass. S composed for someone so young.
Rak Sayki 8/10 – Easily man of the match. Scored two well taken goals and a constant outlet and threat down the right hand side. The first he took so well and the second, he also showed really good composure. He was a real threat and the full back Walters, was given a torrid time. Ran at his man, got shots/crosses way and looked a threat throughout.
O’Hare 5/10 – Another game where he offered little at all. A few touches or runs but often got harried out of it or crowded out. Fell on the floor too much and was lacking endurance at the end, as he looked very tired. He is continuing to be busy but his overall threat/influence on the ball is limited at the moment. May end up out of the team unless he contributes more, as harsh as that sounds.
Brewster 6/10 – He did ok in that position just off the striker. Quite a few times he got on the ball and linked well or had a decent shot blocked. He did nothing amazing but worked hard, offered an alternative behind the striker. He kept it when he could and was fairly competent today. Nowhere close to scoring but then again he is playing further back at the moment.
Moore 6.5/10 – Once again he will get criticism but I thought he led the line well, held it up when he could and occupied space, thus drawing gaps for the strikers. At times things did not always quite come off but he did move across the front area and helped us stay up the field.
Subs -
Hamer 5/10 – Got on the ball quite a bit and often in good areas but his final product was lacking as he was guilty of trying to find the killer pass.
Brooks 5.5/10 – Did not often the same threat as Rak Sakyi as United did not go forward anywhere near as much. He had a few bits of play but nothing clear cut led to any kind of opportunity.
Norrington Davies 6/10 – Intercepted a few moves down the right and showed his positional sense to stop anything coming over from that side.
Campbell – Actually did well when he came on with some decent bits of hold up and interchange.
Shackleton – Defended what he had to as we mopped up near the end.
Manager: Wilder 7/10 –Yet another clean sheet and another routine three points. He ensure we were quicker on and off the ball, than the week and we controlled the tempo and intensity for the whole game. We defended solidly but looked a threat going forward and the subs were made at the right times too. He has done well to rotate players around, keep people fresh and yet keep us winning in the meantime.
Luton – Had a real hangover since going down and today they continued their poor start to the season. Looked fairly hopeless on the ball and overall were dominated for most of the afternoon. They never coped with Rak Sayki but were ran through on a number of occasions throughout. It just seemed too easy to get through them and they lacked any kind of defensive solidity. They had little of the ball and I felt the old Luton, although direct and physical, was not realty on show. They seemed a long way from the identity that has seen them go up and give a good account in the Premier League and seemed almost caught between styles. Edwards rightly has been given so much credit for their ascension but they look a long way off the side that did so well not long ago. Maybe as they are no longer underdogs and finding it hard when they are expected to do better than what they are, but are really struggling and find themselves right near the bottom half.
Today they just never got going at all and it was a game where they barely threatened and never got on the ball or properly kept it for any real spell. They looked flat and bereft of ideas and at the back were at full stretch. Edwards suddenly is under pressure and it is ridiculous to think another few defeats and he might lose his job after such a rise not long ago, but that is the harsh reality of football.
Opponent Man of the Match – Do not think anyone played that well. I did not even know Victor Moses played for them until I scanned the sides post-game. Nakamba had a few neat touches and Doughty got into space a few times but they rarely threatened much of note all game. Baptiste at least had some attacking runs but overall, they missed the injured Morris and of course Barkley, who departed in the summer.
Opponent Weak Link - Thought the whole back line struggled and we also controlled midfield but Walters had a bit of a nightmare at left wing back as Rak Sayki scored both goals and just caused him all sort of problems all game.
Referee/Officials – John Brooks. Overall he was fine. A few fussy moments and even though Anel’s booking was correct, felt Arblaster and Walters’ cards were harsh for both sides/players. After this he kept his book away and the game flowed relatively well for the second half. Tried to play on where he could and the game lacked intensity of tackles/incident that made it an easy game to officiate.
Crowd – Better atmosphere than the week in the sense the home fans, as Wilder asked for, were louder and felt more ‘into the game’ than they had been the last game. Luton brought more than Swansea but their fans had little to be enthused about in a relatively one side contest.
