United 2 Orient 2 - report

[Deadbat]

Late drama once again at Bramall Lane as United came from behind to seemingly win the game but were denied by the last kick/header of the game as Romain Vincelot stole a point for the visitors in the 98th minutes. Whilst it was United who stole the game two weeks previous it was the visitors this time that were the ones that got the late goal this time. After a poor first half and a sloppy goal conceded due to a goal keeping error from Mark Howard, United once again finally woke up and dominated the second half but poor final balls, poor finishing and bad luck saw United denied until a late leveller from home debutant Paddy McCarthy. The Blades then looked to have won it as Marc McNulty’s late header at the Kop end sent the crowd into delirium. However in the 98th minute poor defending led to a late corner and an unmarked header saw the spoils shared.

The Blades made numerous changes again as the chopping and changing continued. 9 players came in and the surprise omission was Neill Collins, left out of the 16 completely and was not due to injury. Paddy McCarthy made his home debut for the Blades. Orient were beset by injuries and were without Cox, Lisbie and Mooney. Former Blades Henderson and Lowry started the game.

The game kicked off and Henderson was quickly involved committing two quick fouls in a scrappy start. United had the first chance as Flynn cut the ball back and Baxter screwed horrible wide with the goal at his mercy. After the chance though United were on the back foot and Orient won two corners that came to nothing. It was a mid table battle as Orient looked to soak up pressure and the home side took too long to break and move the ball forward. Baxter had a rare effort from range but Untied had looked clueless going forward.

Orient had offered little going the other way in a lacklustre first half but then out of nothing took the lead. From the right hand side Omozusi’s cross seemed simple for Howard but the keeper somehow lost the ball and as it bounced away, SIMPSON, tapped it into the empty net. As in keeping with the rest of the season it was an awful goal that the Blades conceded.

Orient picked up a couple of bookings but United had struggled to create with Baxter, again from long range, the only effort on goal. The half petered out with some boos from a disappointed home crowd.

The second half at least saw United show some urgency and play at a higher tempo. They forced Orient back and won a corner which Alcock powered down but was cleared off the line. Soon after a deflected Murphy effort hit Lowry and then onto the post before somehow from only a yard Wallace scooped it over the bar. It was an incredible miss.

Murphy shot wide from a neat turn and United at least showed some life although too often the play was ponderous and slow. On came McNulty for Baxter and United continued to force the visitors back.

McNulty headed wide and then a corner was cleared before Orient were reduced to ten as McAnuff went for his second yellow. In truth it should have been Clarke for another clumsy foul minutes earlier. United brought on Campbell Ryce and Basham for Scougall and Wallace. Flynn then had a cross cum shot that was converted by McNulty but he was adjudged to be offside before Campbell Ryce went down in the area but it was not deemed sufficient for a spot kick by the linesman close by.

United continued to press and were playing with much better penetration and tempo but poor final balls and finishing were proving to be costly. Basham headed wide and then McNulty somehow hit the post from close range when he should have scored after Alcock headed down. Incredibly United hit the woodwork for the third time when Basham headed against the bar.

It seemed that was it but just as the game entered the last minute the pressure paid off. The ball ricocheted around the box and finally McCARTHY turned it home from close range. There were appeals for a foul but the goal stood. United rushed back to half way just before the board went up for 7 additional minutes; much of which added on for Orient’s time wasting. They were straight back on the attack and in the 2nd minute of stoppage time looked to have won it. Campbell Ryce sent over a lovely cross after patient build up and MCNULTY powered home a great striker’s header past the motionless Woods at the Kop End to lead to wild celebrations. It seemed as if United had come back to win again.

There was still 5 minutes of additional time and Untied tried to see time out with Flynn and McNulty chasing down balls but Orient won a corner that was cleared before going on the attack again and winning a cheap free kick after a silly foul.

The free kick was took short and Batt was unmarked but his cross was blocked for a corner. From the kick VINCELOT rose highest to power unchallenged into the net. The Orient players celebrated the unlikely late leveller. The kick off was taken and the referee blew instantly for full time. It was a cruel ending for the home side but they had conceded two goals from two efforts and had missed so many chances the other way.

United – I have to say it was a lacklustre and quite desperate performance but one where we still should have won maybe 4 or 5-1 for possession, chances and overall play. For the most part it was not good enough again though and the fact we need so many chances to score and can’t stop conceding from so few chances sums it up. The fact we are playing catch up every game and never start games on the front foot is becoming a pattern.

We went behind (again – every week) and were slow and lacking urgency most of the game until for the last half hour we had a go. Yes we had chances and should have scored time and time again but this is often when we are chasing games. Why do we have to do this? It is desperate play. This is from the sense that we wait till we go behind or wait too late to have a go at teams. We look slow, lethargic and clueless going forward and look like we have a mistake waiting to happen at the back and so it proved. The first half was simply not good enough. We had maybe two weak Baxter shots all game and whilst they did little the other way, they coped with us so easily. It was sideways and backwards and it was so slow the pace it was played at. We looked like we simply had no idea. We basically played without a centre forward with Baxter the further forward but not even right up against the centre backs. We played high balls that were gobbled up and when we did keep the ball we never went forward quick enough or got wide to cause penetration. It was really poor.

Second half like some of the other recent home games we actually woke up and increased the tempo. We started to have chances and should have scored a few goals but poor finishing and some bad luck saw the goal evade us. For all the criticism of United another day, like Gillingham we could have had 5 or 6 goals but you could also say it is poor finishing as much as bad luck when we keep hitting the word work (3 times today). McNulty gave us an outlet up top and then Campbell Ryce added to the penetration but again we missed so many chances to create goals or when we did fluffed our lines.

We were lacking ruthlessness in front of goal and yes we had very little good luck but good teams make those chances pay. I felt we did show some better urgency and got the ball wide and finally of course we scored and then scored again (as much from sheer weight of pressure). That should have been enough to win but then we somehow gave the ball away three or four times in the 96th-98th minutes, gave away a free kick and then failed to mark from this. We escaped this but conceded a corner but then failed to mark again and they scored with the last kick of the game. It was a galling end and Orient deserved nothing but United should have cleared the ball umpteen times. The referee was waiting to blow but we gave them a chance to score and they did. A free header from a set play after we had 15-20 chances from such situations and rarely looked like scoring till the ones at the end. We have to work so hard for our goals whilst teams at the other end simply don’t.

Of course we should have won and won comfortably but we did not. It is really disappointing that it is taking us till we go behind to increase the pace, show some tempo and get the ball wide. We have basically been atrocious most first halves this season. Indeed if we had played 80 minute games we would be bottom. Nearly all our goals come in the last 10 minutes. It is great we score so late of course but why are we waiting so long to show some guts and fire. It is pathetic really and totally unacceptable that we have to go behind every game.

Overall, of course we should have won and for all the above criticism we did create enough chances to win two games but once again we did not. We defended abysmally under little pressure. They had maybe 3 or 4 attacks and scored from 2 of them. We have 20 odd chances and got 2. We are simply not doing the basics at either end of the field and as such are marooned in the middle of the league and still no closer to putting any kind of run together due to above deficiencies. I do feel Clough’s tactics are not working at home. Granted it worked last year when we went on the run and got away from the bottom of the table but now playing one up top who is not even a striker is incredibly negative.

We are a side with nearly 20,000 crowds at the Lane in League One and we are playing without any real strikers. It is so poor to watch and we have to wait till we go behind and teams sit back or Clough changes it before we come back in games. I have an idea? Let’s attack teams from the start and play with a tempo and get men in the box. Novel I know but it would work?!

It had been a really poor start to the season. We should have won today and yes second half we had incredible bad
luck but when will we begin games well. When will we not be chasing games or in a position to be 2 or 3 goals up on teams (will that ever happen?).

We are now in a position where we can’t stop leaking goals and know we need lots of chances to score goals. Clough has had a free pass but now needs to sort out his tactics and his side so we start to impose ourselves on teams (Chesterfield, Swindon etc can do that too us). The season is in danger of slipping away and we need to start going on a run of consistent 90 minutes (not 20 or 30 minute performances when we are chasing) performances and results. The fact some of the crowd were calling for Ched Evans sums it up. Whether he comes back or not and whatever people think, the fact we have never replaced him or moved anywhere further forward in 2 and a half years sums up how poor we are. We need Ched Evans to replace Ched Evans! Pinning our hopes on someone who has not played football for a long, long time and hoping he is going to come in and hit the ground running is ridiculous. He is not going to be match fit or ready for 2-3 months at least and we need to start worrying about what we have. It is preposterous that fans actually thin he will come in and start scoring goals and we will move up the league. I think some fans actually think this will happen and are in cloud cuckoo land if you ask me. Just my opinion of course. We need to deal with the now and the present. Get us playing 2 up top. Pressing the ball from the off. Getting it wide and creating chances and not waiting till we go behind. We need to show we are a big club at this level and take games to teams not the pitiful approach we are seeing to start games at the moment.

 

[Deadbat]

Orient - Thought like most teams down here they were poor and timewasted, fouled and spoiled from the off. They never attacked all game and were very defensive but coped comfortably for the first hour of the game. They scored a scruffy goal and this added to the time wasting and cynical play but we were not clever enough to get at them and only towards the end did they start to tire and were lucky not to concede time after time. The goal we scored could have been a foul but there were numerous other moments when they had let offs (pen appeals) and Clarke should have been sent off long before McAnuff went.

They actually were fortunate to end the game with 10 after consistently fouling all game and never really trying to play much football. You could see why they were near the bottom and have been struggling but were missing Lisbie, Cox and Mooney (maybe their 3 key players last season). Former Blades Lowry and Henderson were dirty and poor. The latter committed 12 fouls before being booked and was generally abysmal looking to get in a fight rather than actually go for the ball. As I have said Clarke was booked and then was involved in challenges that should have been two more clear yellows. How he stayed on is beyond me. McAnuff actually committed a lesser foul for his second booking but he went. The keeper was booked when he should have been cautioned long before.

It was a classic spoiling away performance but it looked enough for the unlikely win as they had so much good luck, threw bodies in the way and somehow survived until we got the two late goals (Ironically the McCarthy one could have been chalked off as I said) and then a good late header from McNulty seemed to have led to justice as long as it had took United to get through. They then had the late corners/free kicks as they attacked finally when they were behind and it was ironic and galling they scored in the 98th minute (7 minutes of stoppage time added on for their time wasting).
They still have enough experienced players and when they get some of the aforementioned back to move up the league and be at least mid way. Slade was treated very unfairly but expectation was driven up from last season (much like with us with Clough) and then when things did not start well owners react.


Howard 5/10- Got to say he had very little to do today but was poor on the few times he was tested. He took two crosses but his throw outs were poor and then he was badly at fault spilling a routine cross when he tried to take with palms facing upwards rather than just clasping the ball. I have to say I think on the equaliser that he maybe should have done better. The ball was headed in from on the edge of the 6 Yard box and he remained rooted to his line. I could be wrong and will wait till the replays before totally criticising.

McEveley 6/10 – Not tested too much from a defensive point of view but he was guilty of some indecision on the goal and was sloppy at times in
possession. Not helping that he is being moved about positionally so much.

Harris 6.5/10 - A player that kind of sums up how things have gone for United in recent times. He ended the season well with players of confidence around him and seemed set to be our regular left back for a while but began the season shakily, lost his place and has been in and out. Today he was at least got back to somewhere near standards of last season with some good tackles and forward runs. His final ball like McEveley was also not good enough though and too often his passes were behind players.

Alcock 7/10 – Maybe our best defender. He coped with most things well and attacked the ball better than the other. His touch and passing at least gave us some forward momentum and tried to carry the ball. Had a good header cleared off the line in the second half. One of the few Clough signings who has been decent for me.

McCarthy 5.5/10- I have to say I was not impressed for most of the game. His passing and touch was atrocious and for a player who has played much of his football up the leagues was either off the pace or someone who is over the hill (maybe a combination of both). He gave the ball away umpteen times in the first half and when he did try and move it forward it was long, aimless punts. He improved second half as we were more on the front foot and at least moved it on quicker and to our players to allow us to attack. Scored the late leveller with a good reaction in a scramble. Sadly he looked no better than Collins, McGahey and most of the rest of the porous defence we have seen this season.

Wallace 7/10 – I like him. Aside from the miss of the season which was woeful (how he missed is beyond me from a yard with the goal at his mercy) he was one of the few in the first half at least trying to get on the ball and make things happen. Not every came off but he at least does try and go forward. Second half again he was one of few getting beyond the striker/s (what strikers!) and getting in the box. A few times his final ball was lacking though and yet to really unlock a defence or score a goal. Seemed to get a knock (again – he seems unable to stay fit) and went off.

Doyle 6.5/10 – Steady game. Nothing spectacular but like many of the others guilty of going sideways and backwards too often really. He did his job of breaking up play and moving it on but often like many today we needed to get it wider and quicker with more tempo. The midfield had a lot of the ball but did little with it. On the goal he lost his man (look at the video/picture) and this was disappointing as any kind of contact on Vincelot and he probably does not score but had a free run and header.

Murphy 6/10 – Another so-so game in a so-so season sadly. Had numerous chances to run at a big lumbering full back in Cuthbert but too many times came inside or was unable to get beyond him. Switched from left to right and back again but he never really stretched the Orient defence. He had a couple of half chances but dithered. Needs to improve for me and start being more assertive in his play committing defenders.

Flynn 6/10 – As above really. First half he barely was involved and so often he came inside or got crowded out. He finally became more involved in the second half and was involved in some of our passages of play. Ended up moving between right, left and then central. He needs to be more consistent from the start too and not wait to get into games.

Scougall 4/10 – Really poor. I have heard he turned the game at Colchester but have to say what a poor season he has had in the games I have seen. Looks nothing like the player of last season. Totally anonymous most of the game. Rarely got on the ball, never caused the defence any problems and sadly seemed to hide much of the game. When the ball came to him his touch was poor. He was excellent last season when he came in but has to improve massively for me. No surprise he went off when he did. He could have come off a lot sooner.

Baxter 6/10 – He was our only real threat for the first half and at least got into some opportunities to shoot and had two decent efforts although both
comfortably saved. He tried to link with Wallace and Murphy and was probably our main threat (although we had little) in the first half but that is not saying much. At times his touch also was not the best but service was poor and often chasing high or long balls. Not his best day for you could say same for many of the forward players. Second half he started to tire and went off after having not played much recently. Like to see him playing up top with someone or at least just off them.

Subs-

McNulty – Made a real difference even just for being up there and a nuisance value but also looked a goal threat. We had an actual striker on the pitch! His touch and hold up was good and he had a few chances. Granted he has to do better with some (he has missed a lot of chances and many very scorable) but kept plugging away and scored a very good header. He then chased a few other balls down (sadly others did not) at the end. Worth a start (alongside someone) next game.

Campbell Ryce – Really impressive again when he came on and got at the full back ad delivered more crosses and chances than Murphy/Flynn did all game between them. Could have won a penalty and was involved in many of our late chances. Needs to start instead of either Murphy/Flynn (take your pick for me – both not doing it for 90 minutes).

Basham - Came on and won a few headers and looked quite busy. Headed one poor effort wide but then hit the bar with another.

Clough 4/10 – Not doing it for me in most aspects of the game. Our fitness and fighting spirit is pleasing but we need more than that. Every game the opposing manager seems to get their tactics right and we have to change formations/tactics/personnel. Why cannot we get it right at the start and why can’t we impose ourselves on the game from the start? Why are we waiting every game and so slow to try and have a go at teams. His tactics and selections are very negative (especially at home) and to say we played really well today is a stretch. We did well once again when behind and chasing games as we seem to do every week. We only seem to score in the dyeing embers of games when we are chasing and never seem to be able to control games like we did last season. He has to make some big improvements for me if we are too be anywhere near the top 6; that is from getting his team right (and sticking with it for a period) to the tactics and approach to games. At the moment we are a side that is playing in front of nearly 20,000 fans every week and are playing to scrape 1-0 wins and then if we do behind (most weeks) we are then relying on desperate comebacks most games. We have not had control of a game all season. That is sadly down to poor tactics as much as the personnel (of which Clough picks) having off games. For it to happen every week says he needs to change his approach.

Officials – Odd game for the officials. It was frenetic and action packed but did they affect the verdict much? Probably not I have to say. I felt we got quite a few 50/50’s go for us earlier on but then some went their way later on. Andy Haines tried to let things flow and often seemingly did not want to book anyone first half. He then had to as the crude challenges from Orient saw the bookings mount up. Clarke committed enough fouls to get send off twice over. McAnuff went and Henderson also committed numerous fouls as per usual. Alcock was rightly booked for us but they had 5 booked and it could have been more. The ref played 7 minutes stoppage time which in truth was right for their time wasting and it was just ironic when they did score. You could see him nearly blow before they got the free kick and then corner. It was our fault as we should have cleared and like the game v Gills other week I have no complaints when they scored ; even if it was a little galling they profited from their own time wasting. On the penalty when Campbell Ryce seemed to be felled I was not sure but to be fair to the ref; he looked at the linesman who was close and he did not move. It was just strange then they did not book him for diving if they felt it was not a penalty? I felt that whilst they were cynical and did time waste the ref kind of did what he could. Aside from that decision; I cannot remember too many clear decisions he got wrong (maybe when Flynn got goal side and was penalised strangely when it seemed he just outmuscled his man).

Crowd – Another excellent crowd. Over 19,000 inside the Lane and only maybe 300 from Orient. Crowd were frustrated first half but then came to life as we started to show some life. Annoying the team is starting so slowly and the crowd almost have to lift them. Noisy at the end as the goals went in both ends. If the team could get on a run and play consistently well at a tempo; the Lane would be a huge factor in our favour but the team and manager are not helping at the moment with sow, sluggish starts. The only other moment to mention was the pockets of chanting for Ched Evans. It began on the Kop and spread to H Block of the south Stand. I heard a few murmurs of boos but nothing that defiant to suggest that if he came back the reception from a lot of the Lane probably would be more positive. It is sad that a convicted rapist would be welcomed back probably quite loudly and positively but sadly says as much about the state of the current team as the morals of many fans.

 

[sitwell]

I would mark Flynn up one personally ,and Howard had no chance with the 2nd ,the players seemed to blame McNulty at the time. Thought the crowd really got behind the team today for a change.

 

[Small Mendonca]

Can't disagree with most of that DB, good report! Only two things is I thought Alcock didn't play great and Flynn probably deserves a 7 over a 6. The players are lucky they get to play in front of 19,000, they don't deserve the support they get a lot of the time. To concede in the last minute though against ten men when their goalscorer was unmarked is very poor. I do feel that Clough's tactics are very negative, especially at home - this has to change. Like others have said today, McNulty and JCR must start the next game.

 

[Guesty]

The number of shots on target by away teams over the last two matches at the Lane have been the same as the number of goals conceded. That is to say Howard hasn't been stopping anything. That's not remotely good enough.

 

[Chezzy Blades]

Alcock gave the foul away that led up to the equaliser, then switched off and let Batt get a run on him to win the corner. He also let the cross come in unchallenged for the first, though admittedly it was Howard's error that gave them the goal.

Agree with the rest other than his rating though (I don't see all the general fuss from Blades about him to be honest).

Thanks for the report as always, excellent read.

 

[metalblade]

I'd drop a point off Alcock and Scougal, the latter was woefull all game otherwise your report nailed it Deadbat

 

[super_pig]

thanks for the report as usual DB
what does JCR need to do to start?? he won the last home game i went to by himself

 

[OllyBlade]

4/10 generous on Clough. I'm not sure he knows what he is doing. Maybe he'll stumble on a solution, as last year, and we'll shoot up the table...

Thank you for the detailed report as always; I have to say though after a game like this I know they will be a bit painful to read.

 

[super_pig]

i think he knows what he is doing but if anything has too many average players (especially midfielders), no striker although the mcNulty situation is a bit weird and can't quite find the system

 

[Jehovah]

Cost me £350 in an acca their 657th minute equaliser. What a wank day.

 

[Blackheath Blade]

Great report as per usual Deadbat, essential (and often painful) reading after every game for those who couldn't make it.
Your comments about some fans expectations from Evans are absolutely spot on. It is incredible to read some posters (on here and BM) who think that he'll be back in a United shirt by the end of this month, ready to start knocking goals in again as if nothing has happened. It's total fucking nonsense.

 

[Small Mendonca]

Your comments about some fans expectations from Evans are absolutely spot on. It is incredible to read some posters (on here and BM) who think that he'll be back in a United shirt by the end of this month, ready to start knocking goals in again as if nothing has happened. It's total fucking nonsense.

Exactly. I think it's a bit stupid chanting about a player who's locked up rather than chanting to encourage the team - but to be honest, I think that every time we unleash a 'Hate Wednesday' chant. All a bit pointless, who cares about them?

 

[sheffielder]

for 4 years we have made our pitch look big for the opposition. Every manager seems to have mentioned it yet done fuck all about it. We need to push up 10 yards all over the pitch.

Is he picking the defence out of a hat these days or just going off ones performing well in training, lack pre-season?

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Deadbat, got to give you a like for that avatar, brilliant mate, where the f*** did you get a Davy Gysbrechts sticker from and which team is it?

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

Not at the game today (in Germany to be fair, good enough excuse I reckon). I don't want to make much comment as a result, but I'd really like to see an 11 where JCR and Murphy start wide with McNulty up top and Baxter in support.

I was really surprised (and disappointed) to see McNulty on the bench. I think he has done more than enough to deserve a run in the side, and I'd like to see whether his movement combined with Baxter's vision could create some goals for us.

 

[ChrisBlade]

Only thing I'd have to see different is your assessment of the ref. Not sending Clarke off, not giving what seemed a clear-cut pen on JCR - a view confirmed after replays by Karl Robinson - then failing to give what looked a good goal from McNulty, before over-stating the initial time added-on and allowing the corner and free-kick when even the generous 7 minutes were well expired to me is affecting the result big time.

You really do err on the side of trying to be too objective in your reports. Today United clearly deserved a win three times over. We also played easily good enough to get it. The fact we did not win was down to the fact we could not defend for toffeee on the rare occasions they got near us - and the referee giving all key decisions in Orient's favour.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I am many thousands of miles away and appreciate such Deadbat reports.

Away from all the emotion, no the emotion is still here with text reports from daughter who ran out of power in the 88th minute. I have to say on Flash scores is no way to follow today's game, awaiting a score that came in some 6 minutes after all the others had finished, and then was what we just knew it would be! That's supporting United in a nutshell.

Anyway emotion aside, we have plenty in the tank, we are only 6 points from 2nd and a game in hand. It is very early, our hpool team was almost as good as today's, there lies the rub, that's where NC has gone wrong. Despite that, we will get stronger and stronger while others will fall away, particularly Peterborough. Hope that makes sense we're off out to dinner!

Six hours behind you - Easter Island.

When we were 18 (1968) we had to travel half way across Majorca to get to a bar which had some sort of radio signal that gave us final whistle results. Today, in the middle of the Pacific on the most remote inhabited island in the world, I knew United's result within minutes of it happening. Couldn't believe there would be all that added time, when all the others had finished.

 

[Deadbat]

Only thing I'd have to see different is your assessment of the ref. Not sending Clarke off, not giving what seemed a clear-cut pen on JCR - a view confirmed after replays by Karl Robinson - then failing to give what looked a good goal from McNulty, before over-stating the initial time added-on and allowing the corner and free-kick when even the generous 7 minutes were well expired to me is affecting the result big time.

You really do err on the side of trying to be too objective in your reports. Today United clearly deserved a win three times over. We also played easily good enough to get it. The fact we did not win was down to the fact we could not defend for toffeee on the rare occasions they got near us - and the referee giving all key decisions in Orient's favour.

I think I have stated we did deserve to win. However I do believe once again we were too slow to get going. Why not play with urgency and tempo from the start and once again only started playing 2nd half when we were behind and chasing.

As for the officials. A lot of Utd fans have felt JCR one was not a pen. The offside one also has been said to be rightly off by many United fans. I have no idea on either as was too far away (suggest Robinson had same view of me if cameras were central South Stand and you could not tell from there). As for the extra time; it was right and the extra, extra time was added for the goal we scored . You cannot have it both ways as the other week it was the same v Gills; when they played over the additional time. It is sadly a minimum of 7 minutes. We had umpteen chances to clear and conceded a daft free kick and corner. (as others have said Alcock to blame in both instances which I should have mentioned and maybe took off a mark).

We should have won but as you say if you can't defend for toffee, put the ball in the net or you wait 60 mins before actually playing; then you only have yourselves to blame. United showed for 30 mins in the second half what they could do if they played more positively and with the right tempo but it is taking till we behind and chasing every game for this to happen.

 

[Deadbat]

Deadbat, got to give you a like for that avatar, brilliant mate, where the f*** did you get a Davy Gysbrechts sticker from and which team is it?

Just on google. FC Mechelen.

Will try and rotate random, obscure Blades each week.

 

[Ballinpigpubs13]

Just seen the equaliser on tv and to be honest you've got to be disappointed conceding with what looks like virtually a free header against 10 men.
Regarding the "Ched" chants it looked as though it was getting a bit heated at the top of the kop with a yeah and nay argument going on. Won't be long before the brawling starts.

 

[SE1Blade]

Where did you see the goals? Can't find them anywhere seeing as there wasn't a Football League Show.

 

[Ballinpigpubs13]

SSN

 

[bartman]

Alcock gave the foul away that led up to the equaliser, then switched off and let Batt get a run on him to win the corner. He also let the cross come in unchallenged for the first, though admittedly it was Howard's error that gave them the goal.

.

Alcock and Flynn also switched off for the throw in that led to the first goal

 

[bartman]

I would mark Flynn up one personally ,.

I thought Flynn was poor in the closing 5 minutes. twice he ran himself into trouble instead of hitting the ball down the line and turning the full back. The 2nd occasion led to their initial free kick for the equaliser. He was also lacking concentration for the throw in that led to their first goal

 

[Deadbat]

I agree on Flynn hence my mark. He was involved in both goals we conceded and was caught ball watching twice. As you say on the second he had 2 chances to run the ball down the line and lost it leading to us being back under pressure. If he had just knocked it down the line and ran; we would have seen out time. Him and Alcock were major culprits in us conceding that 2nd goal. If one of them is switched on we win the game.

 

[OllyBlade]

Having seen the highlights on Youtube, there can be no argument that the 'tackle' on JCR should have been a pen, but perhaps it was evened out with the eventual equaliser, perhaps a foul from McNulty?

 

[ChrisBlade]

The JCR pen, for me, was nailed on. If you watch the highlights, their defender is highly alarmed. His entire body language is not one of "he dived", but one of "damn it, this will be tight", as he hectically points to the corner flag.

For the ref to then give a goal-kick was highly weird as even their defender basically volunteered that he had been touching and diverting the ball. That was common sensical psychology almost. No defender points to the corner if JCR knocks it past and dives. They do so when aware of some contact being made.

The fact we only briefly crowded the ref, but did not "over-Chelsea" things is a common thread with United. We never go over-board on protesting but usually conduct ourselves with much more decorum then many other teams. I applaud that. It can under no circumstances be used to suggest not giving us stonewallers is correct as otherwise we would have gone bananas.

On the offside, things remain inconclusive. So I am tempted to give him that. The time added on to me still is excessive, both the initial 7 and certainly the added 2 were very much borderline. The corner should not have been allowed. Already the freekick before was in excess of what you'd get for adding our goal celebration or the sub on. But so be it - I am probably just bitter about being denied the euphoria of a richly deserved, gritty, spirited come from behind win at the death.

Finally, I agree we can and should do better. But to hit the woodwork three times, score three times, miss from a yard and concede from the only two shots all game is a freak constellation. If we, for the sake of the argument, pretend to be Colchester fans for a second, I am fairly certain that you would have felt the other week that their switching off for those fatal last eight minutes was so criminal, that really they did not deserve anything from the game. I'd have said they played well enough to beat United and sadly collapsed from a cruise-control position - being cruelly robbed of a regulation win.

I never disagree with your basic reading of the game, just sometimes with your slight tendency to assess United far more critically than whoever it is we play a certain week.

 

[Deadbat]

Watched the highlights and the JCR one was a definite pen. He took his legs and was a clumsy tackle. Incredulous that it was not given. Hard to see on the day from where I was but I thought it looked sus at the time and I was right. We should have got that one.

Still no issues with the stoppage time. Apart from the fact it was annoying they benefitted from own timewasting. All we had to do was one simple thin in the last minute and we failed giving away the ball twice, a free kick and then a corner. That was a before the Sunday League defending on the goal. We had bad luck and should have scored umpteen goals but not many of our chances aside from Wallace did they not have chuck bodies in the way or throw themselves at the ball. The way they scored so easily on their two goals was laughable.

That is my point we did deserve to win the game and should have won comfortably but like most things with United it is coulda, woulda, shoulda. We should not even have been in a position to chuck the game away. With ruthless finishing we would have been out of sight. Yes it is unlucky to hit the post/bar but you could also argue to keep doing it from such point blank range is also poor finishing too. It may be a freak constellation but against the Gills the other week it was almost identical. That suggests we give goals away a lot easier than scoring them and need to to work so much harder to score than the opponents do. Whatever we do and how we play; that is going to make it a long, hard season.

I have no argument that we did not deserve to win but to wait 50-60 mins and then only really start to create when they go down to 10 men is poor. We need to show the life and good stuff we had on display for the last 20 from the start. I have really enjoyed the closing stages v Gills and Orient but should not have to wait for an hour or for us to go behind before we show any life.

 

[Deadbat]

Oh and the offside was. Not on McNulty but on Basham on the first effort that he deflected into McNulty's path.