Deadbat
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Sheffield United’s lowest moment last season came when they were heavily beaten at Gresty Road in February. The Blades were mired in the relegation place and looked hopeless. After the resurgent run of form under Nigel Clough saw them get away from danger and reach the cup semi final, United of course are nearer the top end this season. Indeed after a 1-0 win over the Railwaymen they are now well cemented in the top 6 places and only 2 points off second spot. It was the third win in a week for United and the third consecutive clean sheet.
The goal came from Stefan Scougall; his first of the season after great work from Jamie Murphy down the left hand side. United should have won more comfortably but Jose Baxter missed his spot kick after being fouled. 10 minutes stoppage time and a red card for Crewe were the other talking points in a game the away side thoroughly deserved to take the three points.
Manager Clough changed things against as he opted to ‘rest’ the outstanding player from the Yeovil game; Louis Reed and bring back fit again James Wallace. He also brought back Paddy McCarthy for Harrison McGahey and Jose Baxter came in for the unlucky Marc McNulty. Jay McEveley was back on the bench. Crewe had former Blade Fabian Brandy starting the game. He is currently on loan from Rotherham
United began the game well and were winning all the loose tackles and were keeping the ball well. They were on the front foot and penned Crewe back. Baxter had one chance blocked out and then a great opportunity saw Alcock’s shot after a cross from the right bounce into the ground and up against a post before rolling across the line and away. It was very unfortunate for the visitors but they continued to dominate the game with Doyle and Wallace winning the midfield and Campbell Ryce and Murphy seeing a lot of the ball out wide.
Scougall had a deflected effort saved and then two chances to cross were wasted. United had been well on top but poor service in the final third meant Crewe had not had to defend too many chances. Crewe had barely had an attack but then they did get forward and Cooper’s powerful shot was well saved by Howard who pushed the ball away. The first half came to an end not long after.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first with United well on top. Campbell Ryce had an effort wide and then Murphy got down the left and won a corner. It was all the visitors but they could not get the breakthrough. Wallace had a shot over and then a flurry of crosses came to nothing. Crewe had a rare break as Brandy got away but his deflected shot went wide and he was substituted soon after to ironic cheers from the Blades fans.
Finally United did get in front as Murphy sprinted from his own half and ran and ran going past two defenders, cutting inside and then playing in SCOUGALL who calmly sidefooted home with the keeper at the near post as the cross came over. It was the midfielders’ first United goal since Wembley and he celebrated towards the big Blades following.
United continued to have more of the ball even after the goal and at least did not sit back like they did at Bradford and went for the second.
Alcock knocked the ball into the box and Baxter got onto the through ball and was clumsily upended. It seemed it had to be a card of some sort as he was the last man but the referee chose not to punish the defender any further. Baxter took the kick and he hit it hard but it was a nice height and keeper Garratt pushed it away.
Basham took a knock to his head and had to be bandaged and Inman came off even worse and had to be stretchered off after a long delay.
As the game entered the final stages; United now were having to deal with a bit more pressure but Crewe could not fashion a chance as the two centre backs continued their dominant display.
United made a flurry of changes with McNulty on for Baxter and then soon after Reed and McEveley came on for the scorer Scougall and the stricken Basham.
McNulty got away from Ray and was clear akin to the chance at Bradford last week but this time his shot was too close to the keeper and hit his legs and went behind for a corner. It was another golden chance to seal the game but kept Crewe in it. Ray continued to remonstrate and was shown what seemed like a straight red card for his arguments with the referee. He maybe should have gone earlier for the foul on the penalty!
Now playing 10 men yet again (third time in four games); United tried to keep the ball for the closing stages. McCarthy made a superb tackle as Crewe had a rare chance just before the referee chose to add on 10 additional minutes after the earlier stoppage. United picked up a couple of bookings in this time and could have made it save with breaks for Campbell Ryce and Reed getting away but not testing the keeper. Crewe had one final chance but a long range shot was well wide and United could celebrate a perfect seven days as referee Bankes blew his final whistle around 5pm!
United – The word I would use is controlled. We dominated the game for the large part and had most of the ball. We defended well under little pressure and had the midfield battle sown up inside the first 5 minutes. They were poor but to be fair we started the game better than we have for a while and made sure we played higher up the field and pressed well. At times our passing was a bit sloppy and the final ball not good enough but everything up the final third was decent but then that last ball or lack of an option *Baxter poor) and no real centre forward to hit meant we looked a bit powder puff. Saying that we hit the post, missed a penalty and a one on one so still had more than enough to get a few goals. They had one shot which Howard saved well in the first half and I cannot recall being concerned that they might score (suppose it could happen) even in the massive amount of stoppage time added on.
The last week has seen us deservedly win three games and win them with minimum of fuss. We have kept three clean sheets and look better than we have been. It has not been scintillating but solid and the defence seems to be getting back to standards we set last season. I think Basham being there has helped and may have found his best position. I also think in a strange way rotating the team might have helped some stay fresh even thought I kind of one some settling down of the side.
The major concern is still that final third. We at times made poor decisions, made bad final balls or did not look dangerous enough for all the play we did have. It was the sort of game with decent options up top it could have been 3 or 4-0 but too often we did well until that final area. Crewe will argue other than the aforementioned chances we did not really hurt them and I would agree. It is an area we need to improve. I cannot see the point of us having Higdon or Porter if Clough does not think they are good enough against sides such as Crewe. I personally would move them on if that is the case (either loan or permanent) in January and look to sign 2 quality strikers to compliment McNulty (Baxter not a striker for me). We need someone with real pace who can get behind and then we need a target man who can actually win headers and hold it up/. I don’t think Porter or Higdon offer any of those qualities sadly. Maybe keep one as a back up but we need those 2 players with the attributes I have mentioned.
I feel Bristol and Preston will not drop many points and both have experience and goals. If we want to be amongst those two we need to invest in these players. Hopefully we can stay there or thereabouts up to Xmas and then push on if we can add such players and quality. There should be no reason if defence stays solid that we won’t be in and around top 6 but need to add.
However today was good and we were solid, professional and did what we needed. It was a deserved win and a decent performance with some good individual showings but more of a team showing. It was a better tempo from the start than in recent weeks and we were not slow to going.
The goal came from Stefan Scougall; his first of the season after great work from Jamie Murphy down the left hand side. United should have won more comfortably but Jose Baxter missed his spot kick after being fouled. 10 minutes stoppage time and a red card for Crewe were the other talking points in a game the away side thoroughly deserved to take the three points.
Manager Clough changed things against as he opted to ‘rest’ the outstanding player from the Yeovil game; Louis Reed and bring back fit again James Wallace. He also brought back Paddy McCarthy for Harrison McGahey and Jose Baxter came in for the unlucky Marc McNulty. Jay McEveley was back on the bench. Crewe had former Blade Fabian Brandy starting the game. He is currently on loan from Rotherham
United began the game well and were winning all the loose tackles and were keeping the ball well. They were on the front foot and penned Crewe back. Baxter had one chance blocked out and then a great opportunity saw Alcock’s shot after a cross from the right bounce into the ground and up against a post before rolling across the line and away. It was very unfortunate for the visitors but they continued to dominate the game with Doyle and Wallace winning the midfield and Campbell Ryce and Murphy seeing a lot of the ball out wide.
Scougall had a deflected effort saved and then two chances to cross were wasted. United had been well on top but poor service in the final third meant Crewe had not had to defend too many chances. Crewe had barely had an attack but then they did get forward and Cooper’s powerful shot was well saved by Howard who pushed the ball away. The first half came to an end not long after.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first with United well on top. Campbell Ryce had an effort wide and then Murphy got down the left and won a corner. It was all the visitors but they could not get the breakthrough. Wallace had a shot over and then a flurry of crosses came to nothing. Crewe had a rare break as Brandy got away but his deflected shot went wide and he was substituted soon after to ironic cheers from the Blades fans.
Finally United did get in front as Murphy sprinted from his own half and ran and ran going past two defenders, cutting inside and then playing in SCOUGALL who calmly sidefooted home with the keeper at the near post as the cross came over. It was the midfielders’ first United goal since Wembley and he celebrated towards the big Blades following.
United continued to have more of the ball even after the goal and at least did not sit back like they did at Bradford and went for the second.
Alcock knocked the ball into the box and Baxter got onto the through ball and was clumsily upended. It seemed it had to be a card of some sort as he was the last man but the referee chose not to punish the defender any further. Baxter took the kick and he hit it hard but it was a nice height and keeper Garratt pushed it away.
Basham took a knock to his head and had to be bandaged and Inman came off even worse and had to be stretchered off after a long delay.
As the game entered the final stages; United now were having to deal with a bit more pressure but Crewe could not fashion a chance as the two centre backs continued their dominant display.
United made a flurry of changes with McNulty on for Baxter and then soon after Reed and McEveley came on for the scorer Scougall and the stricken Basham.
McNulty got away from Ray and was clear akin to the chance at Bradford last week but this time his shot was too close to the keeper and hit his legs and went behind for a corner. It was another golden chance to seal the game but kept Crewe in it. Ray continued to remonstrate and was shown what seemed like a straight red card for his arguments with the referee. He maybe should have gone earlier for the foul on the penalty!
Now playing 10 men yet again (third time in four games); United tried to keep the ball for the closing stages. McCarthy made a superb tackle as Crewe had a rare chance just before the referee chose to add on 10 additional minutes after the earlier stoppage. United picked up a couple of bookings in this time and could have made it save with breaks for Campbell Ryce and Reed getting away but not testing the keeper. Crewe had one final chance but a long range shot was well wide and United could celebrate a perfect seven days as referee Bankes blew his final whistle around 5pm!
United – The word I would use is controlled. We dominated the game for the large part and had most of the ball. We defended well under little pressure and had the midfield battle sown up inside the first 5 minutes. They were poor but to be fair we started the game better than we have for a while and made sure we played higher up the field and pressed well. At times our passing was a bit sloppy and the final ball not good enough but everything up the final third was decent but then that last ball or lack of an option *Baxter poor) and no real centre forward to hit meant we looked a bit powder puff. Saying that we hit the post, missed a penalty and a one on one so still had more than enough to get a few goals. They had one shot which Howard saved well in the first half and I cannot recall being concerned that they might score (suppose it could happen) even in the massive amount of stoppage time added on.
The last week has seen us deservedly win three games and win them with minimum of fuss. We have kept three clean sheets and look better than we have been. It has not been scintillating but solid and the defence seems to be getting back to standards we set last season. I think Basham being there has helped and may have found his best position. I also think in a strange way rotating the team might have helped some stay fresh even thought I kind of one some settling down of the side.
The major concern is still that final third. We at times made poor decisions, made bad final balls or did not look dangerous enough for all the play we did have. It was the sort of game with decent options up top it could have been 3 or 4-0 but too often we did well until that final area. Crewe will argue other than the aforementioned chances we did not really hurt them and I would agree. It is an area we need to improve. I cannot see the point of us having Higdon or Porter if Clough does not think they are good enough against sides such as Crewe. I personally would move them on if that is the case (either loan or permanent) in January and look to sign 2 quality strikers to compliment McNulty (Baxter not a striker for me). We need someone with real pace who can get behind and then we need a target man who can actually win headers and hold it up/. I don’t think Porter or Higdon offer any of those qualities sadly. Maybe keep one as a back up but we need those 2 players with the attributes I have mentioned.
I feel Bristol and Preston will not drop many points and both have experience and goals. If we want to be amongst those two we need to invest in these players. Hopefully we can stay there or thereabouts up to Xmas and then push on if we can add such players and quality. There should be no reason if defence stays solid that we won’t be in and around top 6 but need to add.
However today was good and we were solid, professional and did what we needed. It was a deserved win and a decent performance with some good individual showings but more of a team showing. It was a better tempo from the start than in recent weeks and we were not slow to going.
