United 1 Southampton 2 - report/ratings

[Deadbat]

After the victory on Saturday, the Blades were brought back down to earth very quickly as Will Still’s struggling Southampton came to the Lane and made it four defeats out of four at the Lane – continuing United’s desperate start to the campaign. United led thanks to Tyreese Campbell’s excellent strike in the first half but Chris Wilder was sent off for kicking the ball into the stands at half time after Adam Armstrong had missed a penalty. After the break, Ross Stewart scored twice in 7 minutes to completely turn the game around. The Blades huffed and puffed and had chances to level but could not find a leveller as referee Adam Herczeg controversially disallowed a late Sydie Peck header for a foul on Tom Cannon. The home fans frustration with the referee was clear for a number of baffling decisions late on but United also need to look at their own defending and inability to control games at home.



United made one change with Tom Davies in for Soumare in the Blades midfield. Ex Saint Danny Ings was on the bench. Southampton started with Stewart and Armstrong up top as former Blade Cameron Archer was on the bench. The game began with the game mired in a midfield battle but on 3 minutes, the visitors broke out and Azaz hit a shot that went over the bar. The same player flicked wide after a cross from Fellows as Southampton started to control the midfield and were moving the ball about confidently. United were struggling to find any opportunity to force Southampton back but O’Hare nearly fed Campbell. The best chance of the game came when Stewart had an effort palmed away from Cooper as the Blades failed to stop the cross.



A loose back pass saw another opportunity for Stewart as Cooper dallied and the striker looked set to profit but somehow the keeper managed to make the save. The visitors were looking the far more likely and United were sitting off an inviting pressure. They had a better spell with O’Hare and Hamer linking up but they could not find the final ball and the chance was lost. Campbell then had a shot blocked as United at least were now finding some opportunities.



Armstrong was allowed to cut in and had his shot blocked but then as the game switched to the other end, United were able to find a moment of quality. Hamer was able to thread the ball down the side but CAMPBELL had a lot to do but came inside and curled a beautiful finish beyond the keeper and into the top corner. It was against the run of play but United had got in front at the Lane, for the first time this season.



Southampton tried to respond and Stewart had two more chances, he was denied from close range as he headed down, by Cooper and had another effort pushed away as he single handedly was trying to drag his team back into it. Campbell was booked for dissent, after what seemed like a legitimate tackle from Mee was penalised, but the crowd’s fury went up a notch further when he gave a penalty to the visitors. It was little surprise that Stewart was involved. The ball forward from Manning saw him get away from McGuiness and Cooper committed himself. The keeper tried to pull out but there may have been contact from his legs with the striker but the way Stewart went down was quite theatrical but the referee decided there was enough contact to give the penalty. The Blades players were clearly not happy with the decision and Tanganga was then booked for knocking the ball away from the taker, Armstrong. His spot kick was high, wide and not very handsome as it sailed a long over the bar drawing cheers from the Kop. United had stayed in front and this was virtually the last kick of the first half.



As the players and coaches went in, Chris Wilder was one of the last to go in, but he kicked a ball into the stand, perhaps in frustration and the referee saw it and brandished a red card. It was a foolish moment from the returning Blades boss and meant the home side were without his services for the second half and for a future game.



After the break, O’Hare had a fantastic opportunity from a quick free kick but McCarthy made the save. It was a really good chance and the Saints made them pay. It came from a set play as Armstrong somehow outjumped the Blades defence and glanced his header off the bar. United failed to clear the ball and STEWART managed to get enough pace on the ball to send it under Cooper.



United should have been back in the lead when O’Hare played in Campbell but the striker shot wide when he really should have converted. Southampton then saw another set play go just off target as Armstrong got the jump on United’s defence again as more poor defending from a set play. However, it was not long after when the Saints took the lead – this time it came from open play but STEWART rolled McGuiness too easily but his shot was emphatic as it seared into the top corner giving Cooper no chance with this effort.



United tried to respond but a rather inconsistent referee was not helping with the momentum of the game. Hamer had a shot over the bar and then Knill made the changes putting on Matos and Cannon for Davies and Campbell. Ogbene looked to have been taken out but somehow nothing was given despite it looking a clear foul. The game moved into the final 15 minutes and the visitors also made changes as United finally started to have a spell with the ball. However, the Blades were struggling to create anything clearcut and it was all a bit frantic. Ings gave United a different dimension up top and



United won a flurry of late corners as the game moved into stoppage time. From one delivery Peck headed home but the referee had blown before the ball went into the net, deeming that Cannon’s contact on the keeper was excessive. It looked soft after replays but keepers sadly are often a protected species. Peck was booked for kicking the corner flag into pieces, as he celebrated what he thought was his first United goal. Bizarrely, the game took an age to restart as United officials had to find another corner flag to replace the broken one. After the game restarted, Ings was cynically brought down leading to a late free kick just outside the box. The inexperience referee was told by United players that the wall was not the correct distance but despite him counting out the yards serenaded by the home fans as he did so, he inexplicably stopped at 8 yards to fury from players and fans alike. Hamer’s clipped effort was deflected behind. The corner, with Cooper up, was cleared away and the final whistle went soon after heralding the continuation of United’s 100% home record – 4 played, 4 defeats – the worst start at the Lane since 1954.

 

[Deadbat]

United – I have seen a number saying it was much better and how we were unlucky and perhaps with some of the decisions we were – but not sure it was a good performance at all. We never had any control of the game despite some better attacking stuff. Sure, it was better than it has been and we were in the game and we created some chances (O’Hare and Campbell have two superb opportunities either side of their two goals) and we at least looked like creating some moments but for a home side we did not create that much really – outside of those two and a very good goal. You could say that is 3 good chances but I would say they had more efforts and times they stretched us and the stats back that up (yes, our chances were big ones but they also hit the post/missed a pen/had a few saved right on the line)



Yes, there were moments and we did pin them back late on but felt a bit desperate at this stage. I thought for large periods, they were the more accomplished side. They kept the ball better, they controlled midfield and forced us back. Even first half, when we led, they had taken a few of their chances (Cooper made 2 good saves and a missed pen and the back pass and a few other half chances) they really could have led. I thought they dominated possession and we failed to press and yet when we had it, they seemed to move onto us quicker. It was the best we had seen from Campbell and O’Hare this season and the former scored a great goal but I felt at half time we were fortunate to lead on overall play/chances. I thought we sat back and played on the break and it looked like we were just hoping to keep them out, rather than trying to control possession/tempo and force them back. The penalty may have seemed controversial but if you watch it back, Cooper gets him with his legs. He sort of tries to pull out but there is a fair bit of contact and was a daft challenge as not sure he is scoring. We have the let off and should hopefully build from that but not sure we did 2nd half. Wilder’s moment of idiocy does not help. He is supposed to be leading us and showing a level of professionalism and this was stupidity. If his players did that, he would be rightly slamming them. The ref on this has little option really.



After the break though and O’Hare should score and they punish us straight away. More poor defending from a set play (Armstrong wins a header amongst giants – nearly scored another soon after) and we fail to react – so both first and second balls. Cooper should do better but so should the defenders. Campbell then misses a big chance – well worked move – but Stewart turns the slow McGuinness way too easily. It was a good goal but we cannot let a player just run inside and have a free shot. I thought after this the game became scrappy. The referee was really poor in terms of lots of little decisions that added up to real frustration from the crowd. So many decisions that seemed to not go in our favour. The Ogbene one was a blatant foul. He seemed to be so far behind the play and was just guessing at things. The disallowed goal he did blow well before but it seemed quit soft. I think he was always giving it regardless and had set his stall out before the kick as taken. Cannon sadly gives him a reason to blow but I think if he had given it, not sure there would have been huge complaints but sadly keepers are protected. I was more annoyed with the Ogbene one was seemed more blatant and then the Hame free kick where he counted 7 or 8 yards out. At this point he seemed to have completely lost the plot. I was frustrated with his decisions but I also think we need to be much better. I am not sure over the course of the game we deserved anything – maybe you can argue a point with the O’Hare and Campbell chances but they had 3 or 4 good ones too and missed a penalty/hit the post. I think they just about enough to win – but that is not to say it was not better – I admit it was but we look a shadow of the side we were a year go and our form since Coventry at Easter has been abysmal – 3 wins in 17 games now is it? The rot has been set in for a while despite some feeling it has just happened and pinning it all on Selles. Losing experience men like Anel, Souza and Moore and not replacing them (maybe Anel we have?) has of course been a big factor.



We did show more effort at times but looked like a struggling side that was a big desperate towards the end and I felt they showed more quality over the game. We did have some attacking moments (we have not had that in any other games) and were in the game. It was more exciting than other games but ultimately the visitors just seemed to have more quality when it mattered. They had more shots, more efforts on goal and double our XG. For all the improvements, they still had the big moments and were more ruthless. When we had the ball it was quite slow and ponderous and they pressed us but we did get out and find some link play at times but I just thought we were very passive out of possession. They had so much time on the ball and seemed to be able to pick their passes and moments and as a result go through us fairly easily. Stewart could have had 4 or 5 goals and Armstrong a hat trick too – for all those pointing to the misses we had – agree Campbell and O’Hare both should have scored. I think all the criticism of the referee will mask another quite poor performance in my eyes. I know a lot will say that is harsh but we never had any control of that game. We seemed to be just hanging on in there and even after we led, we sat back instantly. We do not take games to teams anymore and look almost frightened to attack. The last 10 minutes we had a go but really outside of the disallowed goal – never created any clear chances. We had the best chances after the break either side of their goals though but missed them.



I still feel physicality and fitness we are way off many other teams – we seem to sit off and look so leggy. Teams continue to run away from us and get behind us/create chances too easily. We do not look secure. As I say, we at least had some moments and maybe another day we take a chance or two and we nick a point. It was an improvement from the other home game but that is not hard. We still lost, threw away a lead and continue to be absolutely rooted at the bottom. Too many players are still way off it (Cooper, Peck, Hamer) and if we do not wake up quickly and get some results, it is undoubtedly going to be a relegation battle – if it not already. Those talking about the playoffs really need to think again. If we finished even half way this season, we have done fantastic. We are going to need decent form just to even get out of this. I worry there are a number of players that do not look up for the battle (if it becomes a scrap to stay up as it is looking) and some who look like they still would rather not be here. I know some of above may be criticised and people will feel I am being harsh but was it that a good a performance? It was better but still nowhere near enough to consistently win games. We still cannot defend and still score very few goals – 4 goals in 7 games is appalling, as is a -12 goal difference. The table and stats do not lie. We are the worst side in the league and until the players start doing basic right and some of the so-called better players step up, we will keep losing most games.





Ratings:



Cooper 3/10 – He made two really good saves from headers at either post but the rest of his night was a mess. He nearly got robbed on a back pass and then he conceded a penalty (he did not need to five in and caught him with his legs even if Stewart was on his way down). After the break, he lets a weak-ish shot under him again. Had little chance on the 2nd but his form has really nose dived this season. If we had any kind of able replacement – you would be asking for him to be taken out. He is nowhere near the level he showed previously.



Ogbene 5.5/10 – Some promising moments but he overran it a few times and does not have the pace I thought he did. He was upended on a clear foul and then he seemed to fade after this. Did try and at least get behind them though.



Burrows 5/10 – Another who continues to flatter to deceive. He put in a few crosses but too many hit the first man and defensively he was out of position a fair bit leading to unopposed crosses. Looks very leggy currently.



McGuiness 3.5/10 – He showed what I thought he was when we signed him – not bad in the air but against any kind of technical player he struggles. He routinely lost Stewart – even on headers and the goals he is nowhere near him. The first he does not react and the second just gets turned so easily. I am not sure he is any better than Robinson – I know that might be controversial – but we are stuck with him now.



Tanganga 5.5/10 – He was ok but not sure he is suited to be a wide centre back. I think he would be more effective in the central area. He is not that great on the ball and means he has to cover the quicker forwards out wide. He looks a bit bewildered at the system and where he is supposed to be.



Mee 6/10 – Our best defender in the sense he did sweep up well and do what he had to. Won a great tackle and was harshly penalised. He kept going but seemed to struggle the longer the game went on before he was taken off.



Davies 5/10 – Thought he was ok but nothing more. We had no control of the midfield and sat off rarely challenging. Maybe that was a plan but saw us have to defend a hell of a lot? He did not see much of the ball in possession – when he did it was neat and tidy but neither he or Peck passed it forward much.



Peck 4/10 – Continues to be a struggle this season. So many poor touches or choices and seems to be struggling to snap/harry like he did so well this season. He telegraphed so many passes again and rarely plays it into the forwards. The header at the end summed up his season but then his stupidity after when it clearly had been disallowed slowed down the game and meant we could not play for 3 minutes.



Hamer 3/10 – I think he has been on the whole, a major disappointment most of this season. He played in Campbell for the goal but outside of this, he was wasteful on the ball, fell over when challenged and looked disinterested. He was such a key man but this season looks a shadow of the player he was. Many may point to formations and tactics but he has played a number of positions this season and contributed very little in any of them. The likes of him, Burrows, Cooper, Peck, Campbell have been so far off what they were and major reasons why we are bottom of the league. He needs to wake up and fast but looks so far off it physically and even mentally – when he loses it, he just ambles back and almost gave up a few times today.



O’Hare 5/10 – Had some bright moments and linked up a few times but missed an absolutely golden chance at 1-0 which would have given us breathing space. Another who is not really doing enough and sums up our weak, small, lightweight players that just got brushed off it too easily.



Campbell 6/10 – A better performance in that he scored a really good goal and looked a threat. I felt he was still, too static at times but he did run off the front line a few times and scored a brilliant finish and should have had another 2nd half. I would like to see him get a run with a partner as he is too isolated but he still needs to move off the ball more.



Subs –



Matos 5/10 – Felt he was fairly non-descript but did win a few tackles/recycled the ball a bit to keep us up the field.



Cannon 1.5/10 – Did he have a touch – maybe one – a flicked header. As soon as he comes on, we may as well wave the white flag. Weak, slow, does not move off the ball, does not press. Completely out of his depth. Whichever scout recommended him should be sacked. He will be stuck with us for 3 more years after this season. We need to get him out of the squad and somehow hope some sucker takes him on loan in January. I would rather anyone come on but him – why Wilder is persisting with him (as did Selles) I do not know. He is absolutely garbage.



Ings – Looked a handful when he came on and showed more in the limited time than Cannon has in his whole United career.



McCallum – Took a corner and knocked one down the line. Another player that just depresses me when he comes on – not sure he is particularly good at anything. Should be a fill in when we are leading and just wanting someone to run around but bringing him on when we are losing seems nonsensical?



Seriki – Tried to find some space down the right but got crowded out a few times.



Manager: Wilder 2/10 – A better effort and we scored a goal and led but we still lost. Still looked a bit of a mess in and out of possession and no control of the game I felt. We did have chances but did not take them – but so did they. The moment at half time was stupid and he needs to take full responsibility. We have him in the stands for a game we throw away and now for another game at the weekend. Idiotic and needs to be far more professional.





Southampton – Were completely out of their depth last season; similar to us, in the previous campaign in the top flight. I still thought (much like us) that they would be strong again at the lower level but of course had a new manager and some players moved on. The squad was still packed full of experience and quality and I fancied they would be around the top places and definitely make the top 6. The hangover from last season has maybe continued and they have struggled to pick up results. It is hard to shift it around and Still’s methods (not quite as bad as Selles) have not seen the run of wins you would expect. Statistically and all the metrics suggest they should be much higher. However, it has not properly clicked and there is some unrest already with Still – who did well in the French League – but has never managed in the UK.



Needed a win tonight and got one. I thought they played the better football and in terms of control and chances/XG, will say they deserved it. Maybe rode their luck a bit at the end but McCarthy has only had the one save to make all game. I thought we could of pressured them and forced a team lacking confidence to defend more but played too safe and they in the end were able to pick up the ball and kind of dominate midfield. I thought for an away side they had too much possession without challenges coming in. They do have some quality in the side and their bench was far stronger than ours. I think they will be a bit up and down but will be far closer to the top places than we are.





Opponent Man of the Match – Easy one. Stewart scored 2 and could have had many more!



Opponent Weak link – Thought the big lad Quarshie was poor and we could have played on him much more.



Referee / Officials – Adam Herczeg – Been promoted to the Championship this year. Not sure we have ever had him before looking at his statistics? Hope we do not have him for a long time. The Mee tackle started the crowd’s frustration. He will say it was leaving his feet and you cannot do that I suppose but seemed a good tackle. The penalty – I have watched back and can kind of see why he gave it as Cooper’s trailing legs catch him and he made it easy for him to give it. I am not as angry about that as many other decisions. Not sure we can be too critical of him on the Wilder one. Maybe some refs do not get involved but if a player does that – he would get booked not sent off in my opinion but was stupid from Wilder. The Ogbene foul is a clear one and so easy but he waves that away which had far more contact than the pen. He just became very frustrating after that and a number of odd ones go against us. The Peck one I have watched a few times and the contact seems minimal but he blows long before – it’s almost like he anticipates the foul but Cannon needs to keep his hands down – not sure the keeper would have got there. Again, could have gone either way but goes against us. The Hamer free kick was astonishing as he counted out 8 yards and decided that was enough. He looked a guy that has been promoted too soon and just really struggled to cope with things but almost doubled down towards the end – the more the home fans bayed for blood- the more he decided to give against us. A really poor night and I think he knew by the reaction of the home crowd at the end, that he had made some very inconsistent calls.

 

[Barry Butlin]

Sorry Deadbat I don’t agree, I thought we played well tonight & you do seem seem to be so negative….

 

[Scousewig]

United – I have seen a number saying it was much better and how we were unlucky and perhaps with some of the decisions we were – but not sure it was a good performance at all. We never had any control of the game despite some better attacking stuff. Sure, it was better than it has been and we were in the game and we created some chances (O’Hare and Campbell have two superb opportunities either side of their two goals) and we at least looked like creating some moments but for a home side we did not create that much really – outside of those two and a very good goal. You could say that is 3 good chances but I would say they had more efforts and times they stretched us and the stats back that up (yes, our chances were big ones but they also hit the post/missed a pen/had a few saved right on the line)



Yes, there were moments and we did pin them back late on but felt a bit desperate at this stage. I thought for large periods, they were the more accomplished side. They kept the ball better, they controlled midfield and forced us back. Even first half, when we led, they had taken a few of their chances (Cooper made 2 good saves and a missed pen and the back pass and a few other half chances) they really could have led. I thought they dominated possession and we failed to press and yet when we had it, they seemed to move onto us quicker. It was the best we had seen from Campbell and O’Hare this season and the former scored a great goal but I felt at half time we were fortunate to lead on overall play/chances. I thought we sat back and played on the break and it looked like we were just hoping to keep them out, rather than trying to control possession/tempo and force them back. The penalty may have seemed controversial but if you watch it back, Cooper gets him with his legs. He sort of tries to pull out but there is a fair bit of contact and was a daft challenge as not sure he is scoring. We have the let off and should hopefully build from that but not sure we did 2nd half. Wilder’s moment of idiocy does not help. He is supposed to be leading us and showing a level of professionalism and this was stupidity. If his players did that, he would be rightly slamming them. The ref on this has little option really.



After the break though and O’Hare should score and they punish us straight away. More poor defending from a set play (Armstrong wins a header amongst giants – nearly scored another soon after) and we fail to react – so both first and second balls. Cooper should do better but so should the defenders. Campbell then misses a big chance – well worked move – but Stewart turns the slow McGuinness way too easily. It was a good goal but we cannot let a player just run inside and have a free shot. I thought after this the game became scrappy. The referee was really poor in terms of lots of little decisions that added up to real frustration from the crowd. So many decisions that seemed to not go in our favour. The Ogbene one was a blatant foul. He seemed to be so far behind the play and was just guessing at things. The disallowed goal he did blow well before but it seemed quit soft. I think he was always giving it regardless and had set his stall out before the kick as taken. Cannon sadly gives him a reason to blow but I think if he had given it, not sure there would have been huge complaints but sadly keepers are protected. I was more annoyed with the Ogbene one was seemed more blatant and then the Hame free kick where he counted 7 or 8 yards out. At this point he seemed to have completely lost the plot. I was frustrated with his decisions but I also think we need to be much better. I am not sure over the course of the game we deserved anything – maybe you can argue a point with the O’Hare and Campbell chances but they had 3 or 4 good ones too and missed a penalty/hit the post. I think they just about enough to win – but that is not to say it was not better – I admit it was but we look a shadow of the side we were a year go and our form since Coventry at Easter has been abysmal – 3 wins in 17 games now is it? The rot has been set in for a while despite some feeling it has just happened and pinning it all on Selles. Losing experience men like Anel, Souza and Moore and not replacing them (maybe Anel we have?) has of course been a big factor.



We did show more effort at times but looked like a struggling side that was a big desperate towards the end and I felt they showed more quality over the game. We did have some attacking moments (we have not had that in any other games) and were in the game. It was more exciting than other games but ultimately the visitors just seemed to have more quality when it mattered. They had more shots, more efforts on goal and double our XG. For all the improvements, they still had the big moments and were more ruthless. When we had the ball it was quite slow and ponderous and they pressed us but we did get out and find some link play at times but I just thought we were very passive out of possession. They had so much time on the ball and seemed to be able to pick their passes and moments and as a result go through us fairly easily. Stewart could have had 4 or 5 goals and Armstrong a hat trick too – for all those pointing to the misses we had – agree Campbell and O’Hare both should have scored. I think all the criticism of the referee will mask another quite poor performance in my eyes. I know a lot will say that is harsh but we never had any control of that game. We seemed to be just hanging on in there and even after we led, we sat back instantly. We do not take games to teams anymore and look almost frightened to attack. The last 10 minutes we had a go but really outside of the disallowed goal – never created any clear chances. We had the best chances after the break either side of their goals though but missed them.



I still feel physicality and fitness we are way off many other teams – we seem to sit off and look so leggy. Teams continue to run away from us and get behind us/create chances too easily. We do not look secure. As I say, we at least had some moments and maybe another day we take a chance or two and we nick a point. It was an improvement from the other home game but that is not hard. We still lost, threw away a lead and continue to be absolutely rooted at the bottom. Too many players are still way off it (Cooper, Peck, Hamer) and if we do not wake up quickly and get some results, it is undoubtedly going to be a relegation battle – if it not already. Those talking about the playoffs really need to think again. If we finished even half way this season, we have done fantastic. We are going to need decent form just to even get out of this. I worry there are a number of players that do not look up for the battle (if it becomes a scrap to stay up as it is looking) and some who look like they still would rather not be here. I know some of above may be criticised and people will feel I am being harsh but was it that a good a performance? It was better but still nowhere near enough to consistently win games. We still cannot defend and still score very few goals – 4 goals in 7 games is appalling, as is a -12 goal difference. The table and stats do not lie. We are the worst side in the league and until the players start doing basic right and some of the so-called better players step up, we will keep losing most games.





Ratings:



Cooper 3/10 – He made two really good saves from headers at either post but the rest of his night was a mess. He nearly got robbed on a back pass and then he conceded a penalty (he did not need to five in and caught him with his legs even if Stewart was on his way down). After the break, he lets a weak-ish shot under him again. Had little chance on the 2nd but his form has really nose dived this season. If we had any kind of able replacement – you would be asking for him to be taken out. He is nowhere near the level he showed previously.



Ogbene 5.5/10 – Some promising moments but he overran it a few times and does not have the pace I thought he did. He was upended on a clear foul and then he seemed to fade after this. Did try and at least get behind them though.



Burrows 5/10 – Another who continues to flatter to deceive. He put in a few crosses but too many hit the first man and defensively he was out of position a fair bit leading to unopposed crosses. Looks very leggy currently.



McGuiness 3.5/10 – He showed what I thought he was when we signed him – not bad in the air but against any kind of technical player he struggles. He routinely lost Stewart – even on headers and the goals he is nowhere near him. The first he does not react and the second just gets turned so easily. I am not sure he is any better than Robinson – I know that might be controversial – but we are stuck with him now.



Tanganga 5.5/10 – He was ok but not sure he is suited to be a wide centre back. I think he would be more effective in the central area. He is not that great on the ball and means he has to cover the quicker forwards out wide. He looks a bit bewildered at the system and where he is supposed to be.



Mee 6/10 – Our best defender in the sense he did sweep up well and do what he had to. Won a great tackle and was harshly penalised. He kept going but seemed to struggle the longer the game went on before he was taken off.



Davies 5/10 – Thought he was ok but nothing more. We had no control of the midfield and sat off rarely challenging. Maybe that was a plan but saw us have to defend a hell of a lot? He did not see much of the ball in possession – when he did it was neat and tidy but neither he or Peck passed it forward much.



Peck 4/10 – Continues to be a struggle this season. So many poor touches or choices and seems to be struggling to snap/harry like he did so well this season. He telegraphed so many passes again and rarely plays it into the forwards. The header at the end summed up his season but then his stupidity after when it clearly had been disallowed slowed down the game and meant we could not play for 3 minutes.



Hamer 3/10 – I think he has been on the whole, a major disappointment most of this season. He played in Campbell for the goal but outside of this, he was wasteful on the ball, fell over when challenged and looked disinterested. He was such a key man but this season looks a shadow of the player he was. Many may point to formations and tactics but he has played a number of positions this season and contributed very little in any of them. The likes of him, Burrows, Cooper, Peck, Campbell have been so far off what they were and major reasons why we are bottom of the league. He needs to wake up and fast but looks so far off it physically and even mentally – when he loses it, he just ambles back and almost gave up a few times today.



O’Hare 5/10 – Had some bright moments and linked up a few times but missed an absolutely golden chance at 1-0 which would have given us breathing space. Another who is not really doing enough and sums up our weak, small, lightweight players that just got brushed off it too easily.



Campbell 6/10 – A better performance in that he scored a really good goal and looked a threat. I felt he was still, too static at times but he did run off the front line a few times and scored a brilliant finish and should have had another 2nd half. I would like to see him get a run with a partner as he is too isolated but he still needs to move off the ball more.



Subs –



Matos 5/10 – Felt he was fairly non-descript but did win a few tackles/recycled the ball a bit to keep us up the field.



Cannon 1.5/10 – Did he have a touch – maybe one – a flicked header. As soon as he comes on, we may as well wave the white flag. Weak, slow, does not move off the ball, does not press. Completely out of his depth. Whichever scout recommended him should be sacked. He will be stuck with us for 3 more years after this season. We need to get him out of the squad and somehow hope some sucker takes him on loan in January. I would rather anyone come on but him – why Wilder is persisting with him (as did Selles) I do not know. He is absolutely garbage.



Ings – Looked a handful when he came on and showed more in the limited time than Cannon has in his whole United career.



McCallum – Took a corner and knocked one down the line. Another player that just depresses me when he comes on – not sure he is particularly good at anything. Should be a fill in when we are leading and just wanting someone to run around but bringing him on when we are losing seems nonsensical?



Seriki – Tried to find some space down the right but got crowded out a few times.



Manager: Wilder 2/10 – A better effort and we scored a goal and led but we still lost. Still looked a bit of a mess in and out of possession and no control of the game I felt. We did have chances but did not take them – but so did they. The moment at half time was stupid and he needs to take full responsibility. We have him in the stands for a game we throw away and now for another game at the weekend. Idiotic and needs to be far more professional.





Southampton – Were completely out of their depth last season; similar to us, in the previous campaign in the top flight. I still thought (much like us) that they would be strong again at the lower level but of course had a new manager and some players moved on. The squad was still packed full of experience and quality and I fancied they would be around the top places and definitely make the top 6. The hangover from last season has maybe continued and they have struggled to pick up results. It is hard to shift it around and Still’s methods (not quite as bad as Selles) have not seen the run of wins you would expect. Statistically and all the metrics suggest they should be much higher. However, it has not properly clicked and there is some unrest already with Still – who did well in the French League – but has never managed in the UK.



Needed a win tonight and got one. I thought they played the better football and in terms of control and chances/XG, will say they deserved it. Maybe rode their luck a bit at the end but McCarthy has only had the one save to make all game. I thought we could of pressured them and forced a team lacking confidence to defend more but played too safe and they in the end were able to pick up the ball and kind of dominate midfield. I thought for an away side they had too much possession without challenges coming in. They do have some quality in the side and their bench was far stronger than ours. I think they will be a bit up and down but will be far closer to the top places than we are.





Opponent Man of the Match – Easy one. Stewart scored 2 and could have had many more!



Opponent Weak link – Thought the big lad Quarshie was poor and we could have played on him much more.



Referee / Officials – Adam Herczeg – Been promoted to the Championship this year. Not sure we have ever had him before looking at his statistics? Hope we do not have him for a long time. The Mee tackle started the crowd’s frustration. He will say it was leaving his feet and you cannot do that I suppose but seemed a good tackle. The penalty – I have watched back and can kind of see why he gave it as Cooper’s trailing legs catch him and he made it easy for him to give it. I am not as angry about that as many other decisions. Not sure we can be too critical of him on the Wilder one. Maybe some refs do not get involved but if a player does that – he would get booked not sent off in my opinion but was stupid from Wilder. The Ogbene foul is a clear one and so easy but he waves that away which had far more contact than the pen. He just became very frustrating after that and a number of odd ones go against us. The Peck one I have watched a few times and the contact seems minimal but he blows long before – it’s almost like he anticipates the foul but Cannon needs to keep his hands down – not sure the keeper would have got there. Again, could have gone either way but goes against us. The Hamer free kick was astonishing as he counted out 8 yards and decided that was enough. He looked a guy that has been promoted too soon and just really struggled to cope with things but almost doubled down towards the end – the more the home fans bayed for blood- the more he decided to give against us. A really poor night and I think he knew by the reaction of the home crowd at the end, that he had made some very inconsistent calls.

We played ok tonight , didn't get the rub of the green and your ratings are dreadful

 

[coaxingstar71]

That was the most disgraceful one-sided refereeing performance I've seen for a long time. You get some refs who give everything, they love the sound of their own whistle, you get others who let everything go, but for both sides. All you expect is consistency, however this guy continually gave minor fouls for them and nothing for us. I'm ok that he gave the penalty but he let a number of worse fouls by them outside of the box go, and two penalty shouts for us that were as valid as the one he gave to them were denied. Similarly with the disallowed goal, he let worse fouls go by them but ruled out our goal for a bit of minor pushing and holding. The free kick debacle at the end just summed up his performance.

On the Cannon sub; I said exactly the same, we might as well declare now he's come on because there is no way we're going to score. I'd rather see One coming on as at least he's a handful despite still being raw. Cannon shouldn't be anywhere near the squad, let alone the bench.

 

[Harry's Game]

United – I have seen a number saying it was much better and how we were unlucky and perhaps with some of the decisions we were – but not sure it was a good performance at all. We never had any control of the game despite some better attacking stuff. Sure, it was better than it has been and we were in the game and we created some chances (O’Hare and Campbell have two superb opportunities either side of their two goals) and we at least looked like creating some moments but for a home side we did not create that much really – outside of those two and a very good goal. You could say that is 3 good chances but I would say they had more efforts and times they stretched us and the stats back that up (yes, our chances were big ones but they also hit the post/missed a pen/had a few saved right on the line)



Yes, there were moments and we did pin them back late on but felt a bit desperate at this stage. I thought for large periods, they were the more accomplished side. They kept the ball better, they controlled midfield and forced us back. Even first half, when we led, they had taken a few of their chances (Cooper made 2 good saves and a missed pen and the back pass and a few other half chances) they really could have led. I thought they dominated possession and we failed to press and yet when we had it, they seemed to move onto us quicker. It was the best we had seen from Campbell and O’Hare this season and the former scored a great goal but I felt at half time we were fortunate to lead on overall play/chances. I thought we sat back and played on the break and it looked like we were just hoping to keep them out, rather than trying to control possession/tempo and force them back. The penalty may have seemed controversial but if you watch it back, Cooper gets him with his legs. He sort of tries to pull out but there is a fair bit of contact and was a daft challenge as not sure he is scoring. We have the let off and should hopefully build from that but not sure we did 2nd half. Wilder’s moment of idiocy does not help. He is supposed to be leading us and showing a level of professionalism and this was stupidity. If his players did that, he would be rightly slamming them. The ref on this has little option really.



After the break though and O’Hare should score and they punish us straight away. More poor defending from a set play (Armstrong wins a header amongst giants – nearly scored another soon after) and we fail to react – so both first and second balls. Cooper should do better but so should the defenders. Campbell then misses a big chance – well worked move – but Stewart turns the slow McGuinness way too easily. It was a good goal but we cannot let a player just run inside and have a free shot. I thought after this the game became scrappy. The referee was really poor in terms of lots of little decisions that added up to real frustration from the crowd. So many decisions that seemed to not go in our favour. The Ogbene one was a blatant foul. He seemed to be so far behind the play and was just guessing at things. The disallowed goal he did blow well before but it seemed quit soft. I think he was always giving it regardless and had set his stall out before the kick as taken. Cannon sadly gives him a reason to blow but I think if he had given it, not sure there would have been huge complaints but sadly keepers are protected. I was more annoyed with the Ogbene one was seemed more blatant and then the Hame free kick where he counted 7 or 8 yards out. At this point he seemed to have completely lost the plot. I was frustrated with his decisions but I also think we need to be much better. I am not sure over the course of the game we deserved anything – maybe you can argue a point with the O’Hare and Campbell chances but they had 3 or 4 good ones too and missed a penalty/hit the post. I think they just about enough to win – but that is not to say it was not better – I admit it was but we look a shadow of the side we were a year go and our form since Coventry at Easter has been abysmal – 3 wins in 17 games now is it? The rot has been set in for a while despite some feeling it has just happened and pinning it all on Selles. Losing experience men like Anel, Souza and Moore and not replacing them (maybe Anel we have?) has of course been a big factor.



We did show more effort at times but looked like a struggling side that was a big desperate towards the end and I felt they showed more quality over the game. We did have some attacking moments (we have not had that in any other games) and were in the game. It was more exciting than other games but ultimately the visitors just seemed to have more quality when it mattered. They had more shots, more efforts on goal and double our XG. For all the improvements, they still had the big moments and were more ruthless. When we had the ball it was quite slow and ponderous and they pressed us but we did get out and find some link play at times but I just thought we were very passive out of possession. They had so much time on the ball and seemed to be able to pick their passes and moments and as a result go through us fairly easily. Stewart could have had 4 or 5 goals and Armstrong a hat trick too – for all those pointing to the misses we had – agree Campbell and O’Hare both should have scored. I think all the criticism of the referee will mask another quite poor performance in my eyes. I know a lot will say that is harsh but we never had any control of that game. We seemed to be just hanging on in there and even after we led, we sat back instantly. We do not take games to teams anymore and look almost frightened to attack. The last 10 minutes we had a go but really outside of the disallowed goal – never created any clear chances. We had the best chances after the break either side of their goals though but missed them.



I still feel physicality and fitness we are way off many other teams – we seem to sit off and look so leggy. Teams continue to run away from us and get behind us/create chances too easily. We do not look secure. As I say, we at least had some moments and maybe another day we take a chance or two and we nick a point. It was an improvement from the other home game but that is not hard. We still lost, threw away a lead and continue to be absolutely rooted at the bottom. Too many players are still way off it (Cooper, Peck, Hamer) and if we do not wake up quickly and get some results, it is undoubtedly going to be a relegation battle – if it not already. Those talking about the playoffs really need to think again. If we finished even half way this season, we have done fantastic. We are going to need decent form just to even get out of this. I worry there are a number of players that do not look up for the battle (if it becomes a scrap to stay up as it is looking) and some who look like they still would rather not be here. I know some of above may be criticised and people will feel I am being harsh but was it that a good a performance? It was better but still nowhere near enough to consistently win games. We still cannot defend and still score very few goals – 4 goals in 7 games is appalling, as is a -12 goal difference. The table and stats do not lie. We are the worst side in the league and until the players start doing basic right and some of the so-called better players step up, we will keep losing most games.





Ratings:



Cooper 3/10 – He made two really good saves from headers at either post but the rest of his night was a mess. He nearly got robbed on a back pass and then he conceded a penalty (he did not need to five in and caught him with his legs even if Stewart was on his way down). After the break, he lets a weak-ish shot under him again. Had little chance on the 2nd but his form has really nose dived this season. If we had any kind of able replacement – you would be asking for him to be taken out. He is nowhere near the level he showed previously.



Ogbene 5.5/10 – Some promising moments but he overran it a few times and does not have the pace I thought he did. He was upended on a clear foul and then he seemed to fade after this. Did try and at least get behind them though.



Burrows 5/10 – Another who continues to flatter to deceive. He put in a few crosses but too many hit the first man and defensively he was out of position a fair bit leading to unopposed crosses. Looks very leggy currently.



McGuiness 3.5/10 – He showed what I thought he was when we signed him – not bad in the air but against any kind of technical player he struggles. He routinely lost Stewart – even on headers and the goals he is nowhere near him. The first he does not react and the second just gets turned so easily. I am not sure he is any better than Robinson – I know that might be controversial – but we are stuck with him now.



Tanganga 5.5/10 – He was ok but not sure he is suited to be a wide centre back. I think he would be more effective in the central area. He is not that great on the ball and means he has to cover the quicker forwards out wide. He looks a bit bewildered at the system and where he is supposed to be.



Mee 6/10 – Our best defender in the sense he did sweep up well and do what he had to. Won a great tackle and was harshly penalised. He kept going but seemed to struggle the longer the game went on before he was taken off.



Davies 5/10 – Thought he was ok but nothing more. We had no control of the midfield and sat off rarely challenging. Maybe that was a plan but saw us have to defend a hell of a lot? He did not see much of the ball in possession – when he did it was neat and tidy but neither he or Peck passed it forward much.



Peck 4/10 – Continues to be a struggle this season. So many poor touches or choices and seems to be struggling to snap/harry like he did so well this season. He telegraphed so many passes again and rarely plays it into the forwards. The header at the end summed up his season but then his stupidity after when it clearly had been disallowed slowed down the game and meant we could not play for 3 minutes.



Hamer 3/10 – I think he has been on the whole, a major disappointment most of this season. He played in Campbell for the goal but outside of this, he was wasteful on the ball, fell over when challenged and looked disinterested. He was such a key man but this season looks a shadow of the player he was. Many may point to formations and tactics but he has played a number of positions this season and contributed very little in any of them. The likes of him, Burrows, Cooper, Peck, Campbell have been so far off what they were and major reasons why we are bottom of the league. He needs to wake up and fast but looks so far off it physically and even mentally – when he loses it, he just ambles back and almost gave up a few times today.



O’Hare 5/10 – Had some bright moments and linked up a few times but missed an absolutely golden chance at 1-0 which would have given us breathing space. Another who is not really doing enough and sums up our weak, small, lightweight players that just got brushed off it too easily.



Campbell 6/10 – A better performance in that he scored a really good goal and looked a threat. I felt he was still, too static at times but he did run off the front line a few times and scored a brilliant finish and should have had another 2nd half. I would like to see him get a run with a partner as he is too isolated but he still needs to move off the ball more.



Subs –



Matos 5/10 – Felt he was fairly non-descript but did win a few tackles/recycled the ball a bit to keep us up the field.



Cannon 1.5/10 – Did he have a touch – maybe one – a flicked header. As soon as he comes on, we may as well wave the white flag. Weak, slow, does not move off the ball, does not press. Completely out of his depth. Whichever scout recommended him should be sacked. He will be stuck with us for 3 more years after this season. We need to get him out of the squad and somehow hope some sucker takes him on loan in January. I would rather anyone come on but him – why Wilder is persisting with him (as did Selles) I do not know. He is absolutely garbage.



Ings – Looked a handful when he came on and showed more in the limited time than Cannon has in his whole United career.



McCallum – Took a corner and knocked one down the line. Another player that just depresses me when he comes on – not sure he is particularly good at anything. Should be a fill in when we are leading and just wanting someone to run around but bringing him on when we are losing seems nonsensical?



Seriki – Tried to find some space down the right but got crowded out a few times.



Manager: Wilder 2/10 – A better effort and we scored a goal and led but we still lost. Still looked a bit of a mess in and out of possession and no control of the game I felt. We did have chances but did not take them – but so did they. The moment at half time was stupid and he needs to take full responsibility. We have him in the stands for a game we throw away and now for another game at the weekend. Idiotic and needs to be far more professional.





Southampton – Were completely out of their depth last season; similar to us, in the previous campaign in the top flight. I still thought (much like us) that they would be strong again at the lower level but of course had a new manager and some players moved on. The squad was still packed full of experience and quality and I fancied they would be around the top places and definitely make the top 6. The hangover from last season has maybe continued and they have struggled to pick up results. It is hard to shift it around and Still’s methods (not quite as bad as Selles) have not seen the run of wins you would expect. Statistically and all the metrics suggest they should be much higher. However, it has not properly clicked and there is some unrest already with Still – who did well in the French League – but has never managed in the UK.



Needed a win tonight and got one. I thought they played the better football and in terms of control and chances/XG, will say they deserved it. Maybe rode their luck a bit at the end but McCarthy has only had the one save to make all game. I thought we could of pressured them and forced a team lacking confidence to defend more but played too safe and they in the end were able to pick up the ball and kind of dominate midfield. I thought for an away side they had too much possession without challenges coming in. They do have some quality in the side and their bench was far stronger than ours. I think they will be a bit up and down but will be far closer to the top places than we are.





Opponent Man of the Match – Easy one. Stewart scored 2 and could have had many more!



Opponent Weak link – Thought the big lad Quarshie was poor and we could have played on him much more.



Referee / Officials – Adam Herczeg – Been promoted to the Championship this year. Not sure we have ever had him before looking at his statistics? Hope we do not have him for a long time. The Mee tackle started the crowd’s frustration. He will say it was leaving his feet and you cannot do that I suppose but seemed a good tackle. The penalty – I have watched back and can kind of see why he gave it as Cooper’s trailing legs catch him and he made it easy for him to give it. I am not as angry about that as many other decisions. Not sure we can be too critical of him on the Wilder one. Maybe some refs do not get involved but if a player does that – he would get booked not sent off in my opinion but was stupid from Wilder. The Ogbene foul is a clear one and so easy but he waves that away which had far more contact than the pen. He just became very frustrating after that and a number of odd ones go against us. The Peck one I have watched a few times and the contact seems minimal but he blows long before – it’s almost like he anticipates the foul but Cannon needs to keep his hands down – not sure the keeper would have got there. Again, could have gone either way but goes against us. The Hamer free kick was astonishing as he counted out 8 yards and decided that was enough. He looked a guy that has been promoted too soon and just really struggled to cope with things but almost doubled down towards the end – the more the home fans bayed for blood- the more he decided to give against us. A really poor night and I think he knew by the reaction of the home crowd at the end, that he had made some very inconsistent calls.

Good report I agree with pretty much all that apart from the Burrows rating who was dreadful again a 2 or 3 from me.

Cooper now a huge concern, he has not dropped to Grbic levels but he’s now down at Simmo and George Long levels, I think those rumours of him playing through an injury might have some basis to them the drop off since March / April time has been massive, if we had a competent back up of a Wes standard he would surely now be out of the team, only the fact that Adam Davies is National League level is keeping Cooper in place

How has Cannon made it this far as a professional footballer ? He is legitimately the worst forward I have ever seen, seen better players on the Sunday parks.

Wilder a complete dickhead, 3 match touchline ban for a straight red isn’t it.. already looking a huge huge error to bring him back again.. should have tried for Sean Dyche.

We are nailed on for relegation with this squad.. need the transfer window of all time to save us.. do we have confidence in them GettIng in right in January? If last January is anything to go by absolutely not.

 

[Northernsoulblade]

Cheers Deadbat agree with most of that last 20 they were there for the taking but we just cannot step up

 

[Benitachel]

Good report Deadbat your ratings are spot on. Thank you for your incredible effort.

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

Before kick-off I was looking at the midfield of Ogbene, T.Davies, Peck, O'Hare and Hamer and it just seemed powder puff. Lacking pace, balance, physicality and short on goals. Hamer really needs to buck his ideas up, he can't be surprised if he gets benched playing the way he has lately. Was nice to see Ings make a nuisance of himself when he came on, hope he gets more minutes next game.

 

[dc_blade]

I’d be more inclined to stress the positives but can’t really argue with your review overall. We competed better, had some moments of looking more dangerous, didn’t look like a mob of panicked-filled strangers as we did under Selles. But we don’t create enough chances and haven’t for a long time.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Hamer getting a lot of stick again and he’s been far from perfect but we had 3 decent chances in the game, he supplied the pass for Campbell’s goal and the pass for O’Hare to miss a chance early in the 2nd half.

3 moments of quality and 2 came from his passes. We massively rely on him to do anything positive. Needs to lose a stone and put a bit more effort in but he’s still our best player.

 

[Edwards of Nazareth]

Campbell more than O’hare? Are you sure?

 

[unitedbhoy]

Probably the first time I’ve ever disagreed with some of your ratings!

Don’t know how you can give Davies and O’Hare the same rating. Davies oozed class and drifted past players effortlessly whilst O’Hare just runs around like anyone of us in the crowd would do with zero quality and pushed off the ball. He really is like a little kid in the playground against the big boys.

Agree regards Cooper. Such a shame and I’m sure he’s as frustrated as anybody - he’s got to be playing through an injury.

 

[lakedistblade]

Normally I’m in full agreement with you but I think you let your disappointment in the false result ( actually 2-2) get the better of you this time. Cannon was better in a two though he has a huge amount of ground to make up. Davies was good. Thanks for all the effort you put in - really appreciate your reports which are a key part of my match day.

 

[54yrblade]

Great report and not harsh at all.

The ref criticism will be a smokescreen over another hugely disappointing effort for many.

Poor leadership and players who don't fancy it is a dreadful mix going forward.

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

Really harsh on Davies & Peck IMO. Davies was our best player last night by a country mile and Peck was tidy (better than a 4 anyway).

Burrows and Hamer were the worst players on the pitch. Absolutely shocking from both - couldn’t find a red & white shirt with a pass, couldn’t run with the ball, attacks broke down every time either got the ball. 2’s for both.

Other than that, spot on.

 

[coolasanidiot]

Very Harsh-

Thought Knilly was very good in the Presser spoke calmly and saw the match pretty much as I did. Definitely signs we are now competitive. Improving game on game.

COH/ T Davies/ Ogbene/ Tangy/ Mee all 7's let down by rest who were all 5/6's

Wilder 6

Exception Cannon agree 1 - offers literally nothing - time to stop until we get on a winning run.