Norwich 2 United 1 - report/ratings

[Deadbat]

The Blades were defeated on the road to Norwich City continuing a poor week for Chris Wilder’s men. United once again threw away a winning position- after they failed to hold on against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend. Tonight, they took the lead through Jairo Riedewald but goals from Jack Stacey and Amankwah Forson turned the game round and gave the home side a much deserved victory.



United made two changes from the side that drew with West Brom at the weekend with Seriki and Cannon in for Hoever and the injured Bamford. Norwich included former Blade Anis Ben Slimane as they looked to continue their upward trajectory under new manager Phillipe Clement.



The early stages saw both teams feeling each other out but the first opening came when Peck gave the ball away and Stacey hit a dipping shot over the bar. United’s first opportunity came when Brooks combined with Seriki and the ball in was cleared by a Norwich defender. The home side sent a cross of their own over – from Stacey – and ex Blade Slimane headed over.

Burrows and Cannon worked an opening and after O’Hare was took out cynically on the far side, the referee played an excellent advantage. Cannon’s cross shot just evaded Brooks at the far post. United were now starting to control things and moving the ball around nicely with Riedewald at the base of the midfield prompting and Brooks a constant threat getting in and behind.



Seriki put over another really inviting cross but Cannon could not quite react to get on the end of it. However, on 21 minutes, the Blades took the lead. Cannon won the ball after a loose header from Cordoba and managed to hold the ball up and bring in O’Hare. The ball was teed up for RIEDEWALD whose first touch took it into the air and then he nonchalantly fired a left footer past Kovacevic.



Norwich tried to respond but Seriki did well to block out Ahmed before Bindon had to do likewise from the cross from Stacey. Norwich were slowly growing into the game now and had an opportunity to level on the half hour. O’Hare could not deal with the bouncing ball and the ball was pulled back for Darling but Bindon managed to block the shot and divert it past the post.



The home team won a number of corners and then Tanganga gave away an unnecessary foul. The ball dropped at the far post and Field tried to get on the loose ball but could not find any purchase and it came off Davies for another corner.



Norwich were now the dominant force after the Blades had controlled the opening 25 minutes and were finishing the half much the stronger and pinning United back. They won another three corners in quick succession and from one delivery Kvistgaarden firm header was cleared off the line by the retreating Tanganga.



United finally got out and Peck in moving the ball away was crudely taken out by McLean for the first booking of the game. The Blades were able to see out the remaining time without any concern and despite Norwich being the dominant force after the goal, they had not tested Adam Davies yet.



At half time, Norwich made a change with Maghoma on for Springett. Norwich began the second half as they ended the first – winning another corner. Campbell had a run out but dithered and Norwich took it off him too easily. Cannon then gave it away and Slimane had an effort saved by Davies. United were struggling to keep the ball and Tanganga had to make another block.



There was a triple change from Wright, Mundle Smith and Mattsson replaced Springett, Ben Slimane and Kvistgaarden before Riedewald and Campbell came off for Rothwell and Chong. Norwich won yet another corner but United cleared the ball before there was another interception from Bindon. Brooks played in Cannon, who got his shot away but he was on the stretch and it was comfortable for the keeper.



Norwich had a chance when the ball dropped for Fisher but Davies did well to get a hand to it. Maghoma was looking dangerous and was running in behind and Norwich now were finding gaps. It seemed like a goal was coming and it came from another corner. The ball came over and STACEY ran in and unchallenged headed into the net. It was not a surprise the home were level.



The Canaries were back on the attack and Ahmed shot over the bar after the ball was not cleared. Bindon continued to impress but United had offered nothing until they won two corners on a rare break with 15 minutes to go. Embarrassingly United were timewasting at 1-1 and Peck was rightly cautioned. This was not the first time United had been guilty of slowing the game down as they looked to try and hold what they had rather than force any pressure.



Cannon did have a header narrowly wide but Norwich broke and Wright was played in and Davies had to spread himself to make another important save. On 83 minutes, City got in front. It came from a United attack but O’Hare took too long and the ball came loose. Seriki recovered it but dribbled into the middle and lost possession. The ball was played forward quickly and Maghoma played in FORSON and with acres of space he smashed the ball past Davies. After Norwich had dominated the second half, it was not any surprise, they got the vital goal.



Ogbene, Ings and Hoever came on for Brooks,, O'Hare and Seriki but there were only 3 minutes remained and United could not find any pressure at all. Hoever gave the ball away four times in the short time he was on the pitch and was booked for hauling his man down after his final giveaway. Norwich ended the four minutes of stoppage time on the attack and the final whistle came seeing them continue their excellent form. For United, it has been two shocking performance which have yielded a single point. Their season is now petering out with the players recent efforts concerning with teams outworking them in consecutive games.

 

[Deadbat]

United - Pretty dreadful sadly and thoroughly deserved defeat. A negative performance where we got the lead but then sat back and invited pressure. The goals were inevitable and we looked a poor side that were there for the taking. Norwich were not amazing but much better than us and showed some positive forward play and tried to attack. They penned us in and put us under pressure. We seemed to have no concept how to keep the ball or a plan of what we could do to change the game. The commentators on Sky mentioned this and panned us for the complete no show in the second half but it had been like that since we scored. It was a depressing performance from the management, the players individually and the team. There were very few positives outside the keeper and two centre backs. The rest were out fought and out played. Saw Danny Hall in the Star say we were so good for so long and it was an even game. I think that is nonsense. We played well for about 15 minutes – the rest of the game, it was all them.



We started slowly but then found a foothold and from 5-20 minutes we played well and moved it around and put them under pressure. Few decent balls in and we had chances and then scored a good goal. After this we sat back, defended, did not try and attack and just invited pressure. Tactically the plan was bizarre and so negative. We conceded so much territory and they had corner after corner – so inevitable something may drop. Davies, Bindon and to some degree Tanganga – did well and prevented many clear chances but Norwich were dominating possession and winning all the loose stuff. We constantly gave the ball away and the forward players movement was to be frank, pitiful.



I think many of our players looked totally disinterested and Norwich worked far harder than us. They tried to attack and were positive – we just looked like we hoped we could see the game out but this is a terrible negative way of playing. It was reminiscent of last season but we had better players to see games out. The second half fadeouts and way we turn leads says a lot about the players mentality and the lack of coaching and management from the sidelines. It genuinely looks like we have no idea how to keep the ball and how to get up the field. The timewasting was absolutely embarrassing and we got what we deserved. There will be criticism of Seriki and rightly so – for a big error – but the goals were coming. It is easy to say someone did not mark on the goal or the error from Seriki – but outside of this they were completely dominant and forcing us back. We conceded so many corners as we could not get out. Cannon, Campbell and O’Hare barely got their kits dirty and were second to every ball and did no move. Riedewald did ok but faded badly and Peck was totally anonymous looking slow and leggy. Brooks had a poor night after starting well. So, the front 6 were all ineffective for the most past. This put so much pressure on the defence. I cannot be too critical of them – even with the error from Seriki. Burrows made mistakes too but the ball was constantly coming at them. Felt so sorry for Bindon and Tanganga – latter still not convincing but saved a few goals tonight. Davies did well and they would have won by more without him. Those three are only ones who take much credit.



The rest of the team jogged around, did not win 50-50’s and when they had it, did not keep it or pass it forward. It just looked like a team going through the motions. It was a hard watch – and like Saturday. I can accept players not being good enough and we have major issues with lack of pace, dynamism and a really slow and unfit side but what I cannot accept – is them not looking bothered and sadly that was the case tonight. They were not sprinting or making runs and then when they had the ball, we passively sat off. I think Norwich should have won by more than 2-1 really – although Cannon misses a great chance at 1-1 – they had several opportunities as good as this one.



The season is now definitely done and all those silly playoff points threads can be consigned to the dustbin. We were never getting close and now we need to just get the 4 or 5 points to ensure we are ok (sounds silly and do not think we will be anywhere close to the bottom three but I do not see anything but defeats to Brum and Wrexham and then suddenly we are probably back in the bottom 7 or 8). I am not convinced a see even a semblance of a side that can contend for the top places next year. Our young players Peck, Seriki and Brooks are good but are inconsistent and the rest sadly I would not care if they moved on tomorrow. Even O’Hare has dropped off hugely and looked awful tonight. Our front players have to be some of the laziest players around – they do not move. The team needs almost completely gutting really for us to be anywhere close but with limited funds and us saddled with some dreadful players on big contracts – then we are going to be stuck with what we have -with little room for movement. I still have big reservations about the management and coaching. Wilder had improved us and done well after an awful start but the last few weeks we have seen a worrying regression to the types of performances from the end of last season where we dropped off badly – even in the 90-point season. We see no in game changes or tactical tweaks and the second half drop offs/throw aways from leads happen too often. Clement clearly made changes to the set up and shape and made 4 changes. We just made like for like changes and too late -the pattern was already set. The timewasting we adopted summed up how clueless we were. The 3 subs on 87 minutes are ridiculous – what are they meant to do in that time? We have gone from an exciting spell around Xmas, particularly at home to us now looking a dull, slow and predictable side and it seems so flat all of a sudden.



Ratings:



Davies 7/10 – Fine and not blaming him for the defeat at all. He does not come for crosses and teams know this but to be fair first half the defence protected him with blocks from both centre backs and most of their efforts were off target. Second half worked more and made a couple of smart saves. Seen some blaming him for the goal but he is not a keeper coming out for corners and to be fair even that one, not sure it is keepers’ ball? The defence has to help him. Little chance on the second. He was decent and without him we might lose by more.



Seriki 3/10 – Put a few good early crosses in and linked well with Brooks. One ball to Cannon – the forward must anticipate. Defended well too against a quick and tricky player in Ahmed. He was fine first half and one of our better players but after the break he dropped off badly and they got down his side a lot. They came inside him and he left space – not helped by Brooks. The lead up the first he lost it by the touchline and they broke and got a corner. The 2nd goal, he wanders inside and loses it and they break and score. A dreadful mistake. Wilder’s criticism of him will be right for once!



Burrows 3.5/10 – Got forward well and linked in some attacks but defensively he got beat a few times or took too many touches and they had most of their attacks came down this side. He left way too much space. The 2nd goal, he is ridiculously high up the field – even with the mistake – look where he is when his man scores- 50 yards off him!



Bindon 7.5/10 – Very good and our best player on the night – several good interceptions and blocks – one that saved a certain goal. Read the game well and looked composed. He continued to be the one cutting things out and making the tackles. Was lucky to get away with a clear penalty after a clumsy tackle near the end. One of our weak links a while ago – now been our best player these last few weeks- which says a lot about the rest too.



Tanganga 6.5/10 – He did a lot of good things tonight even though there were a few moments where he made poor decisions. Great clearance off the line but then he made some mistakes (poor foul) and slow to react. However, he made more key blocks and threw his body in the way. He is a bit s**t or bust but tonight he was one of the few putting a lot of effort in and trying his best to keep the ball out.



Peck 3/10 – A non-existent performance. Gave it away a lot and looked slow and leggy. Early on his poor pass led to a shot and then he settled down but I felt was a bit slow to do things and got caught a few times. He was overran and we never got a foot in and slowed it down. There were big gaps and he seemed to be incredibly slow to react to runners. No protection for the defence all night.



Riedewald 4.5/10 – We began well and he was good with the ball and neat/tidy. Took the goal very calmly – only a half chance I felt. After this though he faded like the rest of the team and tired and ended up getting withdrawn. He cannot last more than 45 minutes before his legs do. We then bring on a player who is equally slow and immobile when we needed legs to try and get around.



O’Hare 3/10 – Set up the goal but outside of this felt he was slow and looked lethargic. He often came back rather than forward and seemed to be not switched on. He ran down blind alleys or took a bad touch and he did not work back when we needed to just compress the midfield. He has put in two awful games now back-to-back.



Brooks 5/10 – Lively and tricky to begin with – causing the full back problems. He was the main threat early on and linked down the right with Seriki. Showed his athleticism and running but used it well. Became less involved as the game went on and then second half, like Seriki we saw nothing as we had to defend- not sure he always helped Seriki and then just drifted around as we offered no attacking threat in general play.



Cannon 3.5/10 – A nothing sort of game but he had a few moments – more than the other attackers. Did well in the goal winning the ball and holding it up. He did not offer much else. A few balls from Seriki came in and he did not react quick enough. He does not show for the ball and seemed never to be in motion. The front two were pathetic in how little they moved or tried to even chase things down – when we did not have possession. He did have a header wide and so despite the lack of impact, he was involved in the goal and had our next best chance.



Campbell 2.5/10 – Never in the game and hardly touched the ball. I barely noticed him at all. He had one bit of play early on when we had a decent move but just seemed very stagnant and not an outlet at all. He seemed to be unable to run second half and we had nothing to hit even if our passing was poor.



Subs -



Rothwell 2/10 – Another that had no impact on the game whatsoever. Not sure I noticed him have any of the ball – just seemed to be running in treacle. A dreadful signing so far who we are stuck with for another season. Rangers fans were right on the evidence we have seen. We have a knack of signing unfit players who cannot get around the pitch or play 90 minutes.



Chong 4/10 – Not really given much of the ball – he had a few passes and touches at least but he is not quick, nor does he power past men. He is a nothing sort of player but there were much more issues than him tonight.



Hoever – Mis controlled it three times in one move and then fell over, ran back and pulled his man back for a cynical booking. Another awful singing.



Ings – Given no time and at this stage, we had no idea even to get up the field.



Ogbene – As above.



Manager: Wilder 2/10 – Awful performance. We get a lead and look ok but from minute 20-90, we are second best and by some distance. They won corner after corner and we only were level due to Davies and some full stretch defending. We never got hold of the ball and when we had it, we did not move forward or keep it. Half time comes and you think, let’s change it, but maybe he was hampered by the poor options on the bench (he signed a number of them – in another appalling transfer window in January – as much as the talk was of Matos, Chong, Ings, McGuiness etc but the lads in January are as bad – Rothwell and Hoever are laughably bad. The fact none of the players he signed, are starting tells a story. The lack of in game changes and coaching of the side came to the fore again as Clement and Norwich clearly had a clear plan and were able to move the ball, put us under pressure and the goals were always going to come. Sure, there will be talk of errors and the goals but they had so much pressure and the ball – it was always going to result in us conceding. The last two performances have been unacceptable and he has to look at how he is setting the team up and what the plan is to try and have control of games or create. To just time waste and spoil, is a pathetic way to try and win games and he can talk of being pragmatic but this approach will ensure any time we play a half decent team we lose. We may get away with it against weaker sides but rarely when we have played higher placed teams have we won. We beat all the rubbish and lose to all the decent teams. We are bang average and without major reconstruction, mid table is about the best we will be next season but with losses of some of our better players – it will be hard to even emulate this position. He has a lot of work to do this summer but the trend of his coaching and game set up – does not convince me, he will ever get back to what he was before. He will be here next season but performances like the last few we have seen are not going to wash with fans I am afraid – even though he has done well to get us up the league and away from trouble.





Norwich – Been on a great run and Clement has shown he is a good manager and has got a side (that I would say is weaker than us on paper) playing to a clear plan and getting a lot more wins now. They have a few decent individuals but is mostly the same team that was right at the bottom but now have a confidence and belief. They kept coming at us tonight and deservedly got the win with a well taken winner. They had most of the other big chances and their approach was to try and win -the inverse of what we showed most of the night.



Opponent Man of the Match – Stacey scored the goal and defended well but was a threat going forward too. Maghoma was lively too and most of the running came from the Norwich players. The subs made a difference with some pace and positivity- complete opposite of ours.



Opponent Weak link – Cordoba looked hesitant and made a mistake (with McLean) on the goal. Anis Slimane looked the same disappointing player I remembered from his United days.



Referee / Officials – Ben Toner. No issues with his performance. The bookings were right and he only booked three. Our timewasting could have been punished long before he finally booked one. He could have given a penalty against Bindon at the end though – looked clearcut. Played a good advantage for us in the first half and same for their winner.

 

[Maurice Maurice]

Come on, give Hoeve a mark. He did more damage in the short time he was on than anyone I've ever seen for us.

 

[The Vicar]

I can see the next 9 games being similar, think we will finish about 16th at best. Only games I can see us winning are Blackburn and Preston, maybe a few draws, Watford, Swansea, maybe Derby if there is nothing to play for. But in the end it’s not the players I have growing doubt about, it’s the management team and their back room staff.

 

[Putney Blade]

A team full of mid-to-lower Championship players. And that’s where we’ll end up this season. Worrying there isn’t any strong foundations of quality to build on next season. Bindon returns to Forest. Need to sell to help fill the financial hole from not getting parachute payments. Only sellable players, probably Hamer, Brooks, Seriki, One and Peck. Doesn’t leave much to work with. Worrying!

 

[Gannon's perm]

United - Pretty dreadful sadly and thoroughly deserved defeat. A negative performance where we got the lead but then sat back and invited pressure. The goals were inevitable and we looked a poor side that were there for the taking. Norwich were not amazing but much better than us and showed some positive forward play and tried to attack. They penned us in and put us under pressure. We seemed to have no concept how to keep the ball or a plan of what we could do to change the game. The commentators on Sky mentioned this and panned us for the complete no show in the second half but it had been like that since we scored. It was a depressing performance from the management, the players individually and the team. There were very few positives outside the keeper and two centre backs. The rest were out fought and out played. Saw Danny Hall in the Star say we were so good for so long and it was an even game. I think that is nonsense. We played well for about 15 minutes – the rest of the game, it was all them.



We started slowly but then found a foothold and from 5-20 minutes we played well and moved it around and put them under pressure. Few decent balls in and we had chances and then scored a good goal. After this we sat back, defended, did not try and attack and just invited pressure. Tactically the plan was bizarre and so negative. We conceded so much territory and they had corner after corner – so inevitable something may drop. Davies, Bindon and to some degree Tanganga – did well and prevented many clear chances but Norwich were dominating possession and winning all the loose stuff. We constantly gave the ball away and the forward players movement was to be frank, pitiful.



I think many of our players looked totally disinterested and Norwich worked far harder than us. They tried to attack and were positive – we just looked like we hoped we could see the game out but this is a terrible negative way of playing. It was reminiscent of last season but we had better players to see games out. The second half fadeouts and way we turn leads says a lot about the players mentality and the lack of coaching and management from the sidelines. It genuinely looks like we have no idea how to keep the ball and how to get up the field. The timewasting was absolutely embarrassing and we got what we deserved. There will be criticism of Seriki and rightly so – for a big error – but the goals were coming. It is easy to say someone did not mark on the goal or the error from Seriki – but outside of this they were completely dominant and forcing us back. We conceded so many corners as we could not get out. Cannon, Campbell and O’Hare barely got their kits dirty and were second to every ball and did no move. Riedewald did ok but faded badly and Peck was totally anonymous looking slow and leggy. Brooks had a poor night after starting well. So, the front 6 were all ineffective for the most past. This put so much pressure on the defence. I cannot be too critical of them – even with the error from Seriki. Burrows made mistakes too but the ball was constantly coming at them. Felt so sorry for Bindon and Tanganga – latter still not convincing but saved a few goals tonight. Davies did well and they would have won by more without him. Those three are only ones who take much credit.



The rest of the team jogged around, did not win 50-50’s and when they had it, did not keep it or pass it forward. It just looked like a team going through the motions. It was a hard watch – and like Saturday. I can accept players not being good enough and we have major issues with lack of pace, dynamism and a really slow and unfit side but what I cannot accept – is them not looking bothered and sadly that was the case tonight. They were not sprinting or making runs and then when they had the ball, we passively sat off. I think Norwich should have won by more than 2-1 really – although Cannon misses a great chance at 1-1 – they had several opportunities as good as this one.



The season is now definitely done and all those silly playoff points threads can be consigned to the dustbin. We were never getting close and now we need to just get the 4 or 5 points to ensure we are ok (sounds silly and do not think we will be anywhere close to the bottom three but I do not see anything but defeats to Brum and Wrexham and then suddenly we are probably back in the bottom 7 or 8). I am not convinced a see even a semblance of a side that can contend for the top places next year. Our young players Peck, Seriki and Brooks are good but are inconsistent and the rest sadly I would not care if they moved on tomorrow. Even O’Hare has dropped off hugely and looked awful tonight. Our front players have to be some of the laziest players around – they do not move. The team needs almost completely gutting really for us to be anywhere close but with limited funds and us saddled with some dreadful players on big contracts – then we are going to be stuck with what we have -with little room for movement. I still have big reservations about the management and coaching. Wilder had improved us and done well after an awful start but the last few weeks we have seen a worrying regression to the types of performances from the end of last season where we dropped off badly – even in the 90-point season. We see no in game changes or tactical tweaks and the second half drop offs/throw aways from leads happen too often. Clement clearly made changes to the set up and shape and made 4 changes. We just made like for like changes and too late -the pattern was already set. The timewasting we adopted summed up how clueless we were. The 3 subs on 87 minutes are ridiculous – what are they meant to do in that time? We have gone from an exciting spell around Xmas, particularly at home to us now looking a dull, slow and predictable side and it seems so flat all of a sudden.



Ratings:



Davies 7/10 – Fine and not blaming him for the defeat at all. He does not come for crosses and teams know this but to be fair first half the defence protected him with blocks from both centre backs and most of their efforts were off target. Second half worked more and made a couple of smart saves. Seen some blaming him for the goal but he is not a keeper coming out for corners and to be fair even that one, not sure it is keepers’ ball? The defence has to help him. Little chance on the second. He was decent and without him we might lose by more.



Seriki 3/10 – Put a few good early crosses in and linked well with Brooks. One ball to Cannon – the forward must anticipate. Defended well too against a quick and tricky player in Ahmed. He was fine first half and one of our better players but after the break he dropped off badly and they got down his side a lot. They came inside him and he left space – not helped by Brooks. The lead up the first he lost it by the touchline and they broke and got a corner. The 2nd goal, he wanders inside and loses it and they break and score. A dreadful mistake. Wilder’s criticism of him will be right for once!



Burrows 3.5/10 – Got forward well and linked in some attacks but defensively he got beat a few times or took too many touches and they had most of their attacks came down this side. He left way too much space. The 2nd goal, he is ridiculously high up the field – even with the mistake – look where he is when his man scores- 50 yards off him!



Bindon 7.5/10 – Very good and our best player on the night – several good interceptions and blocks – one that saved a certain goal. Read the game well and looked composed. He continued to be the one cutting things out and making the tackles. Was lucky to get away with a clear penalty after a clumsy tackle near the end. One of our weak links a while ago – now been our best player these last few weeks- which says a lot about the rest too.



Tanganga 6.5/10 – He did a lot of good things tonight even though there were a few moments where he made poor decisions. Great clearance off the line but then he made some mistakes (poor foul) and slow to react. However, he made more key blocks and threw his body in the way. He is a bit s**t or bust but tonight he was one of the few putting a lot of effort in and trying his best to keep the ball out.



Peck 3/10 – A non-existent performance. Gave it away a lot and looked slow and leggy. Early on his poor pass led to a shot and then he settled down but I felt was a bit slow to do things and got caught a few times. He was overran and we never got a foot in and slowed it down. There were big gaps and he seemed to be incredibly slow to react to runners. No protection for the defence all night.



Riedewald 4.5/10 – We began well and he was good with the ball and neat/tidy. Took the goal very calmly – only a half chance I felt. After this though he faded like the rest of the team and tired and ended up getting withdrawn. He cannot last more than 45 minutes before his legs do. We then bring on a player who is equally slow and immobile when we needed legs to try and get around.



O’Hare 3/10 – Set up the goal but outside of this felt he was slow and looked lethargic. He often came back rather than forward and seemed to be not switched on. He ran down blind alleys or took a bad touch and he did not work back when we needed to just compress the midfield. He has put in two awful games now back-to-back.



Brooks 5/10 – Lively and tricky to begin with – causing the full back problems. He was the main threat early on and linked down the right with Seriki. Showed his athleticism and running but used it well. Became less involved as the game went on and then second half, like Seriki we saw nothing as we had to defend- not sure he always helped Seriki and then just drifted around as we offered no attacking threat in general play.



Cannon 3.5/10 – A nothing sort of game but he had a few moments – more than the other attackers. Did well in the goal winning the ball and holding it up. He did not offer much else. A few balls from Seriki came in and he did not react quick enough. He does not show for the ball and seemed never to be in motion. The front two were pathetic in how little they moved or tried to even chase things down – when we did not have possession. He did have a header wide and so despite the lack of impact, he was involved in the goal and had our next best chance.



Campbell 2.5/10 – Never in the game and hardly touched the ball. I barely noticed him at all. He had one bit of play early on when we had a decent move but just seemed very stagnant and not an outlet at all. He seemed to be unable to run second half and we had nothing to hit even if our passing was poor.



Subs -



Rothwell 2/10 – Another that had no impact on the game whatsoever. Not sure I noticed him have any of the ball – just seemed to be running in treacle. A dreadful signing so far who we are stuck with for another season. Rangers fans were right on the evidence we have seen. We have a knack of signing unfit players who cannot get around the pitch or play 90 minutes.



Chong 4/10 – Not really given much of the ball – he had a few passes and touches at least but he is not quick, nor does he power past men. He is a nothing sort of player but there were much more issues than him tonight.



Hoever – Mis controlled it three times in one move and then fell over, ran back and pulled his man back for a cynical booking. Another awful singing.



Ings – Given no time and at this stage, we had no idea even to get up the field.



Ogbene – As above.



Manager: Wilder 2/10 – Awful performance. We get a lead and look ok but from minute 20-90, we are second best and by some distance. They won corner after corner and we only were level due to Davies and some full stretch defending. We never got hold of the ball and when we had it, we did not move forward or keep it. Half time comes and you think, let’s change it, but maybe he was hampered by the poor options on the bench (he signed a number of them – in another appalling transfer window in January – as much as the talk was of Matos, Chong, Ings, McGuiness etc but the lads in January are as bad – Rothwell and Hoever are laughably bad. The fact none of the players he signed, are starting tells a story. The lack of in game changes and coaching of the side came to the fore again as Clement and Norwich clearly had a clear plan and were able to move the ball, put us under pressure and the goals were always going to come. Sure, there will be talk of errors and the goals but they had so much pressure and the ball – it was always going to result in us conceding. The last two performances have been unacceptable and he has to look at how he is setting the team up and what the plan is to try and have control of games or create. To just time waste and spoil, is a pathetic way to try and win games and he can talk of being pragmatic but this approach will ensure any time we play a half decent team we lose. We may get away with it against weaker sides but rarely when we have played higher placed teams have we won. We beat all the rubbish and lose to all the decent teams. We are bang average and without major reconstruction, mid table is about the best we will be next season but with losses of some of our better players – it will be hard to even emulate this position. He has a lot of work to do this summer but the trend of his coaching and game set up – does not convince me, he will ever get back to what he was before. He will be here next season but performances like the last few we have seen are not going to wash with fans I am afraid – even though he has done well to get us up the league and away from trouble.





Norwich – Been on a great run and Clement has shown he is a good manager and has got a side (that I would say is weaker than us on paper) playing to a clear plan and getting a lot more wins now. They have a few decent individuals but is mostly the same team that was right at the bottom but now have a confidence and belief. They kept coming at us tonight and deservedly got the win with a well taken winner. They had most of the other big chances and their approach was to try and win -the inverse of what we showed most of the night.



Opponent Man of the Match – Stacey scored the goal and defended well but was a threat going forward too. Maghoma was lively too and most of the running came from the Norwich players. The subs made a difference with some pace and positivity- complete opposite of ours.



Opponent Weak link – Cordoba looked hesitant and made a mistake (with McLean) on the goal. Anis Slimane looked the same disappointing player I remembered from his United days.



Referee / Officials – Ben Toner. No issues with his performance. The bookings were right and he only booked three. Our timewasting could have been punished long before he finally booked one. He could have given a penalty against Bindon at the end though – looked clearcut. Played a good advantage for us in the first half and same for their winner.

It's quite a skill Burrows has, to be absolutely miles away from players on his side. Happens so often and even when we're under the cosh and everyone is behind the ball. Ball gets switched to our left and Burrows is nowhere to be seen.

When he finally appears , he runs away from the ball, points to whoever is on the left to take his man and continues running away to the middle of our box. Seems to be what Burrows does on repeat.

 

[Harry's Game]

Bindon, Davies and possibly Tanganga apart after an okay 20 mins when we scored it was a quite dreadful showing from everyone involved.

Second half Norwich ran us ragged with movement and pace, we could not get on the ball or mount any attacks.

Boredom ball is fully back in charge post the loses to Boro and Coventry.

End the season now.

 

[Sportbilly /Detroit Blade]

From what little I've seen of us from afar, we just look completely lacking in consistency.

One step forward and two back it seems.

 

[bladesince64]

How did we manage to morph from a slick passing, competitive side, fully controlling the game, scoring a quality goal, creating chances, being so dominant and then suddenly becoming a bunch of wimps who couldnt even string 2 passes together and looked totally disinterested and pathetic.

The number of times we coughed up possession time after time was absolutely staggering.

We made a very average Narich look like Real Madrid.

 

[BazWainwright]

Good write up for a disappointing, gutless performance. But it isn't on it's own. The defeats at Charlton, Southampton, the draw on Saturday and tonight's complete capitulation are enough reason for the blind optimists to give up and stop hoping and praying we are anywhere near as good, or consistent, to make the playoffs. On that, the whole point of the playoffs is promotion, right? With recent disasters still fresh in our minds, can we also just have a coke and a smile for once and say firmly that none of our players - including Hamer - are anywhere near Premier League standard. None. For us to even dream of that and not fear the serial, week-on-week executions we had, we need a completely new squad, if not a new manager. Get real.

Davies did have a good game (I bumped into his cousin last year and out of a conversation he mentioned him and I remined polite until even he said 'He's fucking shit, isn't he?' in a Welsh dialect, and at that time, I did try to conceal my nod of agreement) but tonight he was pretty on form and blameless for anything else. The wide full backs were, as you say, diabolical for most of the game. Tanganaga and Binden propped our game up a lot, the midfield was chaotic and sloppy and out wide we just didn't really threaten with much potency.

Oh, we had two up front? Could have fooled me.

Wilder is now trying his best to squeeze any value from some pretty rubbish signings and loans, Chong, Ogbene and the well-out-of-his-depth Hoever are not where we have anything like a challenging, cohesive footballing squad. I'm not at all convinced by Rothwell either. He looks a bit Red Lion v Frog and Foreskin on the Manor Rec for my liking and Danny Ings is simply playing a one season long testimonial.

We're done. It's been a while since we've faced declaring so early in the season but there it is. Usually our run-in is a bit more eventful and exciting but a bad start, rubbish recruitment, a dismally crap manager and a losing streak gave us what we have today, an inconsistent, poorly arranged set of players who clearly don't like it at BDTBL any more and have given up. Wilder has saved us from joining Wednesday downstairs and if anything, we need to look to selling Hamer for whatever we can get for him (and it won't be much) and holding onto offers for our better players like Seriki and Brooks, whilst tempting real footballers like Philips and Bamford to stay another year.

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

A team full of mid-to-lower Championship players. And that’s where we’ll end up this season. Worrying there isn’t any strong foundations of quality to build on next season. Bindon returns to Forest. Need to sell to help fill the financial hole from not getting parachute payments. Only sellable players, probably Hamer, Brooks, Seriki, One and Peck. Doesn’t leave much to work with. Worrying!

It’s remarkable that after a full season in the premier league, plus 2 more seasons of parachute payments that the only genuine “assets” we have are a fat and unfit Gus Hamer, a crocked goalkeeper who’s form has fallen off a cliff this year, and we sold Vini and replaced him with McGuinness, Chong and Matos! The other assets in Seriki and Peck were homegrown.

We’ve completely wasted the best part of £100million!

 

[HOT CURRIE 10]

Good report as always,saw it from far away and it’s staggering how poor in reality we really are. You mentioned “running “ a few times,that is where we are lacking and it’s never been addressed,same as the left/right defensive partnership,Bindon done ok, we look all over the place,midfield lethargy,forward line apart from Bamford nailed to the floor. Worrying times,that is 15 abject performances out of 33 ? Since he came back. Get ready next season when the payments stop because for the last 5 years he’s stopped pulling rabbits out of hats and now he’s pulling waxwork dummies out. Wilders done,like it or not.

 

[Champagneblade]

And folk wonder why the Wednesday thread is one of the most active?

The most Sheffield football fans have to crow about for the majority of the time is the ills of their rivals rather than generating something to get excited about by either team.

As poor as we were at the start of the season, a decent week from winning positions and we’d have been in with a shout.

It’s pathetic we couldn’t even put away two teams that were behind us in the table to kick on.

It’s a really poor period to be a Unitedite at the moment. There aren’t many green shoots to be quite honest.

 

[bakeblade]

United - Pretty dreadful sadly and thoroughly deserved defeat. A negative performance where we got the lead but then sat back and invited pressure. The goals were inevitable and we looked a poor side that were there for the taking. Norwich were not amazing but much better than us and showed some positive forward play and tried to attack. They penned us in and put us under pressure. We seemed to have no concept how to keep the ball or a plan of what we could do to change the game. The commentators on Sky mentioned this and panned us for the complete no show in the second half but it had been like that since we scored. It was a depressing performance from the management, the players individually and the team. There were very few positives outside the keeper and two centre backs. The rest were out fought and out played. Saw Danny Hall in the Star say we were so good for so long and it was an even game. I think that is nonsense. We played well for about 15 minutes – the rest of the game, it was all them.



We started slowly but then found a foothold and from 5-20 minutes we played well and moved it around and put them under pressure. Few decent balls in and we had chances and then scored a good goal. After this we sat back, defended, did not try and attack and just invited pressure. Tactically the plan was bizarre and so negative. We conceded so much territory and they had corner after corner – so inevitable something may drop. Davies, Bindon and to some degree Tanganga – did well and prevented many clear chances but Norwich were dominating possession and winning all the loose stuff. We constantly gave the ball away and the forward players movement was to be frank, pitiful.



I think many of our players looked totally disinterested and Norwich worked far harder than us. They tried to attack and were positive – we just looked like we hoped we could see the game out but this is a terrible negative way of playing. It was reminiscent of last season but we had better players to see games out. The second half fadeouts and way we turn leads says a lot about the players mentality and the lack of coaching and management from the sidelines. It genuinely looks like we have no idea how to keep the ball and how to get up the field. The timewasting was absolutely embarrassing and we got what we deserved. There will be criticism of Seriki and rightly so – for a big error – but the goals were coming. It is easy to say someone did not mark on the goal or the error from Seriki – but outside of this they were completely dominant and forcing us back. We conceded so many corners as we could not get out. Cannon, Campbell and O’Hare barely got their kits dirty and were second to every ball and did no move. Riedewald did ok but faded badly and Peck was totally anonymous looking slow and leggy. Brooks had a poor night after starting well. So, the front 6 were all ineffective for the most past. This put so much pressure on the defence. I cannot be too critical of them – even with the error from Seriki. Burrows made mistakes too but the ball was constantly coming at them. Felt so sorry for Bindon and Tanganga – latter still not convincing but saved a few goals tonight. Davies did well and they would have won by more without him. Those three are only ones who take much credit.



The rest of the team jogged around, did not win 50-50’s and when they had it, did not keep it or pass it forward. It just looked like a team going through the motions. It was a hard watch – and like Saturday. I can accept players not being good enough and we have major issues with lack of pace, dynamism and a really slow and unfit side but what I cannot accept – is them not looking bothered and sadly that was the case tonight. They were not sprinting or making runs and then when they had the ball, we passively sat off. I think Norwich should have won by more than 2-1 really – although Cannon misses a great chance at 1-1 – they had several opportunities as good as this one.



The season is now definitely done and all those silly playoff points threads can be consigned to the dustbin. We were never getting close and now we need to just get the 4 or 5 points to ensure we are ok (sounds silly and do not think we will be anywhere close to the bottom three but I do not see anything but defeats to Brum and Wrexham and then suddenly we are probably back in the bottom 7 or 8). I am not convinced a see even a semblance of a side that can contend for the top places next year. Our young players Peck, Seriki and Brooks are good but are inconsistent and the rest sadly I would not care if they moved on tomorrow. Even O’Hare has dropped off hugely and looked awful tonight. Our front players have to be some of the laziest players around – they do not move. The team needs almost completely gutting really for us to be anywhere close but with limited funds and us saddled with some dreadful players on big contracts – then we are going to be stuck with what we have -with little room for movement. I still have big reservations about the management and coaching. Wilder had improved us and done well after an awful start but the last few weeks we have seen a worrying regression to the types of performances from the end of last season where we dropped off badly – even in the 90-point season. We see no in game changes or tactical tweaks and the second half drop offs/throw aways from leads happen too often. Clement clearly made changes to the set up and shape and made 4 changes. We just made like for like changes and too late -the pattern was already set. The timewasting we adopted summed up how clueless we were. The 3 subs on 87 minutes are ridiculous – what are they meant to do in that time? We have gone from an exciting spell around Xmas, particularly at home to us now looking a dull, slow and predictable side and it seems so flat all of a sudden.



Ratings:



Davies 7/10 – Fine and not blaming him for the defeat at all. He does not come for crosses and teams know this but to be fair first half the defence protected him with blocks from both centre backs and most of their efforts were off target. Second half worked more and made a couple of smart saves. Seen some blaming him for the goal but he is not a keeper coming out for corners and to be fair even that one, not sure it is keepers’ ball? The defence has to help him. Little chance on the second. He was decent and without him we might lose by more.



Seriki 3/10 – Put a few good early crosses in and linked well with Brooks. One ball to Cannon – the forward must anticipate. Defended well too against a quick and tricky player in Ahmed. He was fine first half and one of our better players but after the break he dropped off badly and they got down his side a lot. They came inside him and he left space – not helped by Brooks. The lead up the first he lost it by the touchline and they broke and got a corner. The 2nd goal, he wanders inside and loses it and they break and score. A dreadful mistake. Wilder’s criticism of him will be right for once!



Burrows 3.5/10 – Got forward well and linked in some attacks but defensively he got beat a few times or took too many touches and they had most of their attacks came down this side. He left way too much space. The 2nd goal, he is ridiculously high up the field – even with the mistake – look where he is when his man scores- 50 yards off him!



Bindon 7.5/10 – Very good and our best player on the night – several good interceptions and blocks – one that saved a certain goal. Read the game well and looked composed. He continued to be the one cutting things out and making the tackles. Was lucky to get away with a clear penalty after a clumsy tackle near the end. One of our weak links a while ago – now been our best player these last few weeks- which says a lot about the rest too.



Tanganga 6.5/10 – He did a lot of good things tonight even though there were a few moments where he made poor decisions. Great clearance off the line but then he made some mistakes (poor foul) and slow to react. However, he made more key blocks and threw his body in the way. He is a bit s**t or bust but tonight he was one of the few putting a lot of effort in and trying his best to keep the ball out.



Peck 3/10 – A non-existent performance. Gave it away a lot and looked slow and leggy. Early on his poor pass led to a shot and then he settled down but I felt was a bit slow to do things and got caught a few times. He was overran and we never got a foot in and slowed it down. There were big gaps and he seemed to be incredibly slow to react to runners. No protection for the defence all night.



Riedewald 4.5/10 – We began well and he was good with the ball and neat/tidy. Took the goal very calmly – only a half chance I felt. After this though he faded like the rest of the team and tired and ended up getting withdrawn. He cannot last more than 45 minutes before his legs do. We then bring on a player who is equally slow and immobile when we needed legs to try and get around.



O’Hare 3/10 – Set up the goal but outside of this felt he was slow and looked lethargic. He often came back rather than forward and seemed to be not switched on. He ran down blind alleys or took a bad touch and he did not work back when we needed to just compress the midfield. He has put in two awful games now back-to-back.



Brooks 5/10 – Lively and tricky to begin with – causing the full back problems. He was the main threat early on and linked down the right with Seriki. Showed his athleticism and running but used it well. Became less involved as the game went on and then second half, like Seriki we saw nothing as we had to defend- not sure he always helped Seriki and then just drifted around as we offered no attacking threat in general play.



Cannon 3.5/10 – A nothing sort of game but he had a few moments – more than the other attackers. Did well in the goal winning the ball and holding it up. He did not offer much else. A few balls from Seriki came in and he did not react quick enough. He does not show for the ball and seemed never to be in motion. The front two were pathetic in how little they moved or tried to even chase things down – when we did not have possession. He did have a header wide and so despite the lack of impact, he was involved in the goal and had our next best chance.



Campbell 2.5/10 – Never in the game and hardly touched the ball. I barely noticed him at all. He had one bit of play early on when we had a decent move but just seemed very stagnant and not an outlet at all. He seemed to be unable to run second half and we had nothing to hit even if our passing was poor.



Subs -



Rothwell 2/10 – Another that had no impact on the game whatsoever. Not sure I noticed him have any of the ball – just seemed to be running in treacle. A dreadful signing so far who we are stuck with for another season. Rangers fans were right on the evidence we have seen. We have a knack of signing unfit players who cannot get around the pitch or play 90 minutes.



Chong 4/10 – Not really given much of the ball – he had a few passes and touches at least but he is not quick, nor does he power past men. He is a nothing sort of player but there were much more issues than him tonight.



Hoever – Mis controlled it three times in one move and then fell over, ran back and pulled his man back for a cynical booking. Another awful singing.



Ings – Given no time and at this stage, we had no idea even to get up the field.



Ogbene – As above.



Manager: Wilder 2/10 – Awful performance. We get a lead and look ok but from minute 20-90, we are second best and by some distance. They won corner after corner and we only were level due to Davies and some full stretch defending. We never got hold of the ball and when we had it, we did not move forward or keep it. Half time comes and you think, let’s change it, but maybe he was hampered by the poor options on the bench (he signed a number of them – in another appalling transfer window in January – as much as the talk was of Matos, Chong, Ings, McGuiness etc but the lads in January are as bad – Rothwell and Hoever are laughably bad. The fact none of the players he signed, are starting tells a story. The lack of in game changes and coaching of the side came to the fore again as Clement and Norwich clearly had a clear plan and were able to move the ball, put us under pressure and the goals were always going to come. Sure, there will be talk of errors and the goals but they had so much pressure and the ball – it was always going to result in us conceding. The last two performances have been unacceptable and he has to look at how he is setting the team up and what the plan is to try and have control of games or create. To just time waste and spoil, is a pathetic way to try and win games and he can talk of being pragmatic but this approach will ensure any time we play a half decent team we lose. We may get away with it against weaker sides but rarely when we have played higher placed teams have we won. We beat all the rubbish and lose to all the decent teams. We are bang average and without major reconstruction, mid table is about the best we will be next season but with losses of some of our better players – it will be hard to even emulate this position. He has a lot of work to do this summer but the trend of his coaching and game set up – does not convince me, he will ever get back to what he was before. He will be here next season but performances like the last few we have seen are not going to wash with fans I am afraid – even though he has done well to get us up the league and away from trouble.





Norwich – Been on a great run and Clement has shown he is a good manager and has got a side (that I would say is weaker than us on paper) playing to a clear plan and getting a lot more wins now. They have a few decent individuals but is mostly the same team that was right at the bottom but now have a confidence and belief. They kept coming at us tonight and deservedly got the win with a well taken winner. They had most of the other big chances and their approach was to try and win -the inverse of what we showed most of the night.



Opponent Man of the Match – Stacey scored the goal and defended well but was a threat going forward too. Maghoma was lively too and most of the running came from the Norwich players. The subs made a difference with some pace and positivity- complete opposite of ours.



Opponent Weak link – Cordoba looked hesitant and made a mistake (with McLean) on the goal. Anis Slimane looked the same disappointing player I remembered from his United days.



Referee / Officials – Ben Toner. No issues with his performance. The bookings were right and he only booked three. Our timewasting could have been punished long before he finally booked one. He could have given a penalty against Bindon at the end though – looked clearcut. Played a good advantage for us in the first half and same for their winner.

The club has spent the hundreds of millions of Premier League money in building a lower league championship team.
A shambolic performance by everyone involved and they should hang their heads in shame. This particular punter is not happy.
Don't even think about an above inflation increase in season ticket prices

 

[b1ade4life]

Campbell looked so so unfit, he will never fulfill his full potential, we need to get rid of him in the summer along with ings , hamer and cannon and refresh the whole attack,

 

[Tray]

I really enjoyed the first 25 minutes or so, they looked troubled almost every time we came forward with Brooks and co. My major issue is the lack of fitness and lack of concentration. Campbell was blowing in the first half, Riedewald is good at what he does, but is immobile. Brooks looked out on his feet from about 65 minutes - but at least you can understand why with him as he's up and down most the game. We seemed so slow to track back at times, particularly once we ran out of steam in the first half.

I thought Cannon put in a good shift in the first half doing most of Campbell's closing down for him, his time with us up to this point seems to be the reason this gets missed, however his general play is still so below par.

Two moments really wound me up - 1 was Peck misplacing a very easy pass in our own half leading to a Norwich attack, and then O'Hare waiting for the ball to reach him in the box, before the Norwich attacker nipping in front of him and (I think) getting a cross in. Just a basic lack of concentration/awareness.

Hoever can go back for me, just get some academy lads in to fill the bench. Same goes with our forwards - if Bamford isn't fit, get some young lads some minutes.

Our fitness has been an issue since about 2020. It's so frustrating that we've never tried to sort it out.

Bindon was excellent, I would like to see him signed in the summer if possible but can't see it. Tanganga had one of his better days, and Davies looked solid for what he had to do. However, we were terrible at defending crosses. We need a dominant CB. I thought Tanganga was going to be that CB but I don't think he is. Need a Souttar-style CB alongside a Bindon-type next season for me. Oh, and a midfielder that has legs. And a striker that can hold the ball up. And possibly a keeper.

Big summer ahead, as has been the case for 6 years now. Sigh.

 

[Blade59]

Report sums it up perfectly as usual. Even in our good spell we managed one shot (the goal) which just highlights our poor decision making and lack of urgency and clinical edge. Said after 30 minutes this would end in a 2-1 defeat as I have seen this performance so many times before. Norwich were not great but we simply just let them have the ball back so it was inevitable that they would do something with it. Feel a bit sorry for the defence as they are constantly on the back foot as those in front of then do not retain the ball and leave gaps all over the place. Most of our squad are done after 60 minutes and the replacements hardly add anything when they come on.

 

[71Blade]

Great write up again ... only disagreement i feel Brooks was overmarked decent first half and like the Blades as a whole disappeared in the 2nd half -

 

[Addison]

DB admire your dedication in writing such a detailed report after another SUFC deja vu moment. Danny Halls comments sum up the blowing smoke up the managers arse culture amongst local journos. Last night on Radio Sheffield CW was given a tap in with "Hard for Femi after that it was an even game at 1-1 and could have gone either way". What utter bollocks we never looked like scoring second half.

CW deserves credit for avoiding relegation although it will be a close call if we repeat last nights performance in the remaining games. Its a low bar to measure against after this car crash of a season.

Lack of fitness, pace, tactical nous, same owd same owd subs, hoping to hold onto a 1-0 win. Second half fade out. Second half of season fade out. Take your pick. Lessons are not being learnt. The manager constantly tries to deflect criticism putting it at the players door. Yet in the final analysis its down to him and his coaching team. They're past their sell by date and its time for changes.

Off the field we continue to stagnate. A major overhaul of sports science and recruitment is required. Unlikely to happen with the present structure. Until this is rectified we will continue to drift along aimlessly as a mid to lower table championship team.

 

[Maurice Maurice]

Campbell looked so so unfit, he will never fulfill his full potential, we need to get rid of him in the summer along with ings , hamer and cannon and refresh the whole attack,

Campbell looked so so disinterested. Old school striker who comes alive when he's given the ball close to goal to work with.....apart from the coming alive bit. Sulky, lazy twat wants binning off, he's definitely not one to hang your hat on as he offers nothing. I thought when we signed him that he'd weigh in with a few goals, have a few 'injuries' before becoming a bit part player and sadly I was right.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Where is the team that went 1 nil up and then pressed for a 2nd and 3rd?

We can’t defend as a team so there’s no point holding out for 1 nil’s.

It’s either poor tactics or players shitting the bed.

 

[Bladeloyal]

Sydie started with a calf strapping on and got a good whack first half plainly carrying it second half should have been subbed,poor from the manager and coaching staff

 

[Balham]

Where is the team that went 1 nil up and then pressed for a 2nd and 3rd?

We can’t defend as a team so there’s no point holding out for 1 nil’s.

It’s either poor tactics or players shitting the bed.

Combination of poor tactics and chronic lack of fitness/athleticism and, in a lot of cases, technical ability. Can't fault the pashun though.