United 3 Plymouth 0 - report

[Deadbat]

The Blades eased into the third round of the FA Cup as they saw off Second Division Plymouth Argyle thanks to a brace of Jose Baxter penalties and a late Marc McNulty goal. However United were indebted to a penalty miss from Reuben Reid who blazed high and wide after Jay McEveley’s foul in the box had handed the visitors a golden chance to initiate the shock cup win.

United were without cup tied Chris O’Grady and Paddy McCarthy and started with Michael Higdon up top and Jose Baxter just behind with Chris Basham dropping into the back line and Ryan Flynn continuing at right back. Scougall operated further back in central midfield. There was a place on the bench for Cuvelier after coming back from injury.
The game began with the Blades on top and a few neat moves almost saw them get in but the first effort saw Reid drag wide when well placed. United came back and Doyle had a shot wide and then then Flynn tested McCormick with a low shot as United threatened to turn the screw. Campbell Ryce was getting in some good positions and put in some crosses that no one could get on the end of.

Blizzard had the best chance for Plymouth but shot just wide when well placed as the crowd began to get frustrated with United’s play. Flynn was able to get in but his cross was cleared and then Higdon miscontrolled twice just before half time. United had been the better side but struggled to create many clear chances in a lacklustre game.
Campbell Ryce was taken off at the break for McNulty as United were able to go two up top. The substitute nearly got in on Howard’s long kick and then Flynn’s good work nearly led to a chance. McNulty then clipped just wide after good play.

Plymouth had offered little in the game but then McEveley was adjudged to have fouled Allesandra in the box. It seemed soft but there was little appeal. Reid took it but blazed high and wide.

United were able to react from this boost and came at the visitors, Hartley lost the ball and McNulty got into a good position. He was fouled by Purrington but kept going and the defender pulled him down again. This time the whistle went and the penalty was given for the continuation of the foul.

United would see if they could do what Argyle could not as Jose Baxter stepped up to take the kick. BAXTER struck it low and hard to the keeper’s left hand and into the corner to give United the lead.

It was not long after when United doubled the lead as a neat move led to the ball being transferred inside and as Murphy shaped to shoot; his shirt was pulled back

BAXTER again took it but this time went down to the keeper’s right hand side and again put it firmly into the corner to double United’s lead.

United were now well in control and had some neat moves that led to more half chances with Flynn continuing his impressive performance.

Harris also was tenacious on the left as the home side threatened to score more goals. Reed came on for Scougall and then Baxter missed a great chance for the hat trick after a lovely move. The same man hit two balls against the wall from free kicks before departing for the returning Cuvelier.

McNulty shot wide after good build up but made no mistake not long after. Cuvelier was able to motor down the right hand side and got in lovely cross which enable MCNULTY to be first to it and managed to turn it smartly into the corner of the goal. McNulty had another chance to score but missed at close range after Harris did well again but it mattered little as the home side eased to the win.

United – We won the game. We were not brilliant but did enough to win the game by a comfortable margin. We had a big let off the penalty but after this seemed to wake up after being the better side but not convincing much of the game. We got the penalties and after this did knock it about quite a bit and were able to create chances. The defence other than the penalty were solid with the two full backs maybe the most outstanding players. I felt midfield we were busy and tried to get into good positions. It was just too slow and often sideways and backwards first half. Tempo increased after the let off and we got I quicker forward with McNulty making a difference.

I also felt that we got wide and helped by the two full backs bombing forward (a feature last year when Brayford (and Harris) did it so well) with little to play against we got more men forward. Baxter showed glimpses of talent with some neat and tidy play. Higdon was poor again sadly and I felt Murphy was off again. Overall it was a solid win. It could have been different if the penalty had gone in the other way but we did push on after this and showed some life against an admittedly poorer side than those we have faced. We had a lot of the game and a lot of the ball. It is all about tempo for me. When we stepped it up and got it into the right positions we were able to cause problems.

Plymouth – Plymouth gave it a go and missed the golden chance from the spot kick but other than a few long range shots did not penetrate much. They battled well for an hour but after the miss and we scored; then they kind of disintegrated and fell apart. It could have been a heavier defeat with better finishing and sharper play but overall Argyle could have no complaints. They had little of the ball and were restricted to long range shooting. They will of course talk about the big moment but we shaded the first half and then after the penalty we completely dominated the game and had lots of chances.

 

[Deadbat]

Howard 7/10 – Had little to do really in genera play. One shot fizzed past his post and then of course watched the pen fly over the bar. After this he was largely untroubled with a couple of long range shots handled easily.

Flynn 8.5/10 – Excellent. Looked like he had played right back all his career. He won tackles, made blocks and got forward all game. Helped he had no one to make really and was able to get on the front foot but he was really forceful making run after run in the second half. We should have scored a few goals from such runs and balls. He had to stay in that position for now even though he will face tougher tests.

Harris 8/10 – As with Flynn thought he was excellent. He was always on the front foot and got in front of his man all game. He was able to win most balls and completely dominated his man.

McEveley 7/10 – As of Tuesday his mark would have been higher but for another daft challenge that could have been more costly than it was. He was very good apart from this with just a few careless balls but mostly on the front foot and solid. Just daft free kicks his undoing at the moment.

Basham 7.5/10 – Thought he was solid and won tackles/read the game well and was able to make some good interceptions. He to me is a superior defender to McCarthy and I feel him and McEveley will be the centre back pairing for much of the season unless a really bad run of form or injury for either.

Doyle 7/10 – Steady enough for much of the game. Most of the time kept it nice and simple but gave it away a few times with some sloppy balls too. He was solid enough against quite an insipid midfield.

Baxter 7.5/10 – May seem harsh to give him only 7.5/10 but he was up and down again. First half felt he was poor and gave it away or was not much of an influence when he played in his supposed best position off the front man but second half he became more involved (odd as he was out left) and of course stuck away two penalties. He did miss a couple of other chances including one sitter and had 3 free kick opportunities which did not get close to the goal. Still he played some lovely balls at time (one nutmeg and slide rule pass to McNulty was superb) and did score two goals amidst some mixed play.

Scougall 7.5/10 – Thought that was the best he has been this season. He was not stop with his running but had more of a threat and got in some good positions. He was busy all game and his touch and passing overall was crisper and quicker. Thought he looked more like player we saw of last season.

Murphy 6/10 – Not his day again and like Tuesday night he was ineffectual for much of the game. Started on the left but did not really beat his man much and was crowded out. Second half ended up on the right as Baxter went to the left. Things did not really come off and at times he lost 50/50 players. Maybe our most dangerous player on his day but he was not today.

Campbell Ryce 7/10 – I will be honest he went off at half time but there had been poorer players and was probably more dangerous than Murphy. Sure he wasted a few crosses but he also put 2 or 3 good ones in that no one connected with; they were certainly in the right area.

Higdon 4/10 – Sorry but felt he was pretty poor again. Ball came off him time and time again and he often was slow to react or was on the back foot. A few times he did control the ball and brought others in but most of the time he struggled both aerially and on the floor. A poor player on the evidence we have seen that lacks speed in thought and in terms of actual play.

Subs –

McNulty 7.5/10 – Showed more life than Higdon and was better than he has been in some recent outings. Looked busy and ball stuck to him more. Won a penalty and was involved in some of our better play. Missed a couple of really good chances either side of scoring a neat finish.

Reed – Brought on near the end and helped us keep the ball as we were well in control at this stage of the game

Cuvelier – Came on and had a few neat touches and then made the goal with a run and pass down the right hand side. Hopefully we can see more of him this time as he was ineffective when he played under Weir admittedly in a struggling side. Needs to show more strength in the challenge and hope some of his perceived ability can be seen more.

Manager rating : Clough 7.5/10 – It was a win. We were not scintillating but did deserve the win despite the let off with the penalty. He tried to play with a slightly more attacking side with Baxter off Higdon but it was slow and ponderous first half. Even though Campbell Ryce was not the worst player, credit to Clough as the change seemed to kick start us somewhat but the let off after the penalty was a big galvanising effect too. We did show more life going forward albeit versus an inferior side than those we have faced. Still like to see us more attacking. He may have stumbled on the best back four though which is a positive. Hopefully can get back to winning ways next week and get Murphy back on form and have O’Grady, Wallace and McCarthy available too giving us more options.

Officials – Better than the other night! All three penalties looked spot kicks. The first there was no appeal from United at all and even thought it seemed minimal contact there was contact. The first one for United, McNulty tried to stay on his feet and was fouled at first outside the box but then inside and the ref gave the second. Can see why he gave it as he tried to reward the player for trying to carry on but then I might have been a bit annoyed if an opposition fan as the worst fouls and most of the contact happened well before the one inside the box. Maybe it actually could have been a red but that would have been harsh as a man was coming back and he was on the angle but then some could have perceived it as him being the last man. The third again may have seemed soft but was a definite pull back and even though he stayed on his feet, it was good the linesman saw it. Again little appeal. Other than this there was little to referee with few really bad tackles and he could keep his book in his pocket much of the game. Odd for such a tackle free game there was three and three deserved penalties.

Crowd – Trend of poor crowds in the opening rounds of this competition continued as only around 7,000 inside the Lane with only around 500 from Plymouth. Their fans made some decent noise and kept singing even after the big penalty miss and turnaround at the other end. United fans were quiet but been so many games at the Lane and so many poor results you can understand the apprehension to some degree.

 

[sitwell]

Really surprised the ref gave our first pen ,the lino was clearly flagging before he got in the box ,most refs would have given a freekick. Shouldn't it have been a red card for our second pen ?
Our full backs played well ,I think that is our best back 4.
Flynn my MOM ,looked better with 2 up top.
They were shite

Good report DB ,although I would take a mark off Scougall ,Baxter ,Doyle Murphy and Mceveley personally.

 

[Bladesman]

Really surprised the ref gave our first pen ,the lino was clearly flagging before he got in the box ,most refs would have given a freekick. Shouldn't it have been a red card for our second pen ?
Our full backs played well ,I think that is our best back 4.
Flynn my MOM ,looked better with 2 up top.
They were shite.

That penalty of theirs was shocking. People were wondering why Ruben Reid had become a journeyman striker, today he showed why.

 

[Foxy]

Agree with most of that, though thought Higdon did better when they starting playing the right sort of balls to him and when he had a busy partner in McNulty, would have given him a higher mark than 4.

As with sitwell , I'd take a point or half a point off Baxter too, like you say he was mixed, but I thought he was poor up until his pen, then he seemed to have found an extra yard from somewhere and a bit more positivity. Before that, he had long spells as a complete passenger and I lost count of the number of passes yards behind the recipient.

 

[sitwell]

Agree with most of that, though thought Higdon did better when they starting playing the right sort of balls to him and when he had a busy partner in McNulty, would have given him a higher mark than 4.

As with sitwell , I'd take a point or half a point off Baxter too, like you say he was mixed, but I thought he was poor up until his pen, then he seemed to have found an extra yard from somewhere and a bit more positivity. Before that, he had long spells as a complete passenger and I lost count of the number of passes yards behind the recipient.

somebody pointed out on here the little skip he does before he gets the ball ,never noticed before but once you've seen it you start missing it when he doesn't

 

[pommpey]

Good report DB, and thanks

Given what we have for Flynn and Harris, would there be any purchase in the following formation

--------------------Howard-------------------------
Flynn--Alcock--McCarthy --Basham --Harris
------------Doyle-----------Scougall----------------
----------------------Baxter----------------------------
-------------COG ----------Murphy------------------

to start the match or defend a lead and then to push the two wingbacks on into

---------------------Howard---------------------------
---------Alcock--McCarthy--Basham------------
-----------Doyle-----------------Scougall-----------
--Flynn--------------Baxter----------------Harris--
---------------COG-----------Murphy---------------

To go on the attack. The Alcock-Flynn-Doyle and Basham-Scougall-Harris triangles seem to be the outlets down the flanks and it also frees Baxter into that roaming role in the upper part of the park he likes. Two up front keeps the opposition back four occupied enough not to be able to hang onto the ball and have to double up on the likes of Murphy.

pommpey

 

[sitwell]

Good report DB, and thanks

Given what we have for Flynn and Harris, would there be any purchase in the following formation

--------------------Howard-------------------------
Flynn--Alcock--McCarthy --Basham --Harris
------------Doyle-----------Scougall----------------
----------------------Baxter----------------------------
-------------COG ----------Murphy------------------

to start the match or defend a lead and then to push the two wingbacks on into

---------------------Howard---------------------------
---------Alcock--McCarthy--Basham------------
-----------Doyle-----------------Scougall-----------
--Flynn--------------Baxter----------------Harris--
---------------COG-----------Murphy---------------

To go on the attack. The Alcock-Flynn-Doyle and Basham-Scougall-Harris triangles seem to be the outlets down the flanks and it also frees Baxter into that roaming role in the upper part of the park he likes. Two up front keeps the opposition back four occupied enough not to be able to hang onto the ball and have to double up on the likes of Murphy.

pommpey

I prefer a 4-4-2 personally. I think Murphy is half the player without Harris behind him ,he has been particularly poor in the last 2 games ,they have a great partnership. Also think there are legs in a Flynn JCR partnership down the right. We get too bogged down in the middle with the present 5 man midfield and don't use our width enough. Clough is obviously wary of losing the midfield through numbers but surely 2 strong wings would bring one of the opposition out too.
My team :
Howard
Flynn-Basham-Mceveley-Harris
JCR-Doyle-Reed/Wallace-Murphy
McNulty-OGrady.

would piss this league.

 

[pommpey]

I prefer a 4-4-2 personally. I think Murphy is half the player without Harris behind him ,he has been particularly poor in the last 2 games ,they have a great partnership. Also think there are legs in a Flynn JCR partnership down the right. We get too bogged down in the middle with the present 5 man midfield and don't use our width enough. Clough is obviously wary of losing the midfield through numbers but surely 2 strong wings would bring one of the opposition out too.
My team :
Howard
Flynn-Basham-Mceveley-Harris
JCR-Doyle-Reed/Wallace-Murphy
McNulty-OGrady.

would piss this league.

Fair nuff, I see the merits of that. I understand the misgivings of a five man MF. My concern is that at times our defence seems easy to bypass or even punch through. With five at the back whilst defending and sitting, five back there makes a formidable barrier, one which oppositions need to commit more players forward to get through. The easiest transition into attack for us is to sit at 5-2-1-2 then move that to 3-2-3-1 using those combinations. 4-4-2 (or 4-4-1-1 as we tend to play) seems okay, and plays toward that one-in-front-one-behind wingplay. I am pleased Flynn seems to have found a role that suits him.

What now for Alcock and Davies?

pommpey

 

[sheffielder]

We could end up stumbling on a team here which gives Clough the best of both worlds. 2 up front without losing his 5 man midfield. This is because Basham and McEverley have the ability to bring the ball out.

A back four of Flynn, Basham, Mceverley and Harris will certainly help the midfield going forward.

 

[sheffielder]

I prefer a 4-4-2 personally. I think Murphy is half the player without Harris behind him ,he has been particularly poor in the last 2 games ,they have a great partnership. Also think there are legs in a Flynn JCR partnership down the right. We get too bogged down in the middle with the present 5 man midfield and don't use our width enough. Clough is obviously wary of losing the midfield through numbers but surely 2 strong wings would bring one of the opposition out too.
My team :
Howard
Flynn-Basham-Mceveley-Harris
JCR-Doyle-Reed/Wallace-Murphy
McNulty-OGrady.

would piss this league.

No Baxter?

 

[Bladesman]

No Baxter?

I would have Baxter as a sub at the moment.

 

[Pinchy]

Oh dear....more nonsense.

I repeat yet again, in the forlorn hope that it might sink in at last:

A missed penalty (or any other missed chance) is not a let-off. It isn't lucky. It is poor play by the player missing the chance.

 

[Blade56]

Higdons heat map

 

[Kentblade]

I prefer a 4-4-2 personally. I think Murphy is half the player without Harris behind him ,he has been particularly poor in the last 2 games ,they have a great partnership. Also think there are legs in a Flynn JCR partnership down the right. We get too bogged down in the middle with the present 5 man midfield and don't use our width enough. Clough is obviously wary of losing the midfield through numbers but surely 2 strong wings would bring one of the opposition out too.
My team :
Howard
Flynn-Basham-Mceveley-Harris
JCR-Doyle-Reed/Wallace-Murphy
McNulty-OGrady.

would piss this league.

In total agreement on this selected side.UTB

 

[Fulwood Blade]

would piss this league.

Picked that bit out of your quote and just add as a prefix.......... "If Mcnulty started, we...."

UTB

 

[Dkc]

Slightly harsh on Higdon, he tried a few moves that almost came off but yes, he seems to have a magnet in his feet at the moment that repels footballs. I still think he could play a part. I want to see McNulty / COG both playing in a 442

 

[Nick Jansky]

The easiest transition into attack for us is to sit at 5-2-1-2 then move that to 3-2-3-1

pommpey

Which only adds up to 9.................

 

[pommpey]

Which only adds up to 9.................

Red card. Shocking decision.

I meant 3-2-3-2.

pommpey

 

[Derby_Blade]

Disagree about McEverly. Thought his distribution was awful, kept hoofing it up aimlessly or ran straight into a defender and lost the ball with Basham and Doyle luckily being there to clear up his mistakes

 

[JohnDenver]

Disagree about McEverly. Thought his distribution was awful, kept hoofing it up aimlessly or ran straight into a defender and lost the ball with Basham and Doyle luckily being there to clear up his mistakes

I gave him a four. As poor today as he was good vs MK.

He goes to ground in the penalty area quite often and finally misjudged one.

 

[curtisblades]

I think 4 is very harsh. I felt he controlled the ball well and passed it off to our more creative players. I know his movement is often non-existent but maybe if some of our crosses went to the positions he takes up he would be more effective.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

I'd have topped Baxter's mark up to 8 and knocked a point of Scougal. Some of Baxter's passes in the second half were sublime, there were 3 or 4 times when it took real vision and weight on the pass to execute it but he did it brilliantly, there's only Baxter at the club with that type of talent.

My MotM was Harris from Baxter, Flynn and a good second 45 from McNulty. Hopefully we might get an unexpected bonus in the second half of the season with the return of No 34. He did with his first cross what numerous wingers and full backs have failed spectacularly with all season and that is find a United player (as opposed to the first man of the opposition) to set up a goal.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

They were a poor side which only made our first half performance all the more disappointing. Second half we were better and I felt that even if their penalty had gone in we would have pulled it back. I never felt that we really got at them with any real venom until the last five minutes when they looked like they had given up, but maybe that's been picky. Nice cameo for Flo, and how Reed is not starting is baffling. Oh and one more thing, at 3-0 up, couldn't we have thrown Khan on for 5 minutes ?.

 

[Bergen Blade]

We changed formation to 4-4-2 after about 20 minutes, Murphy swapping with Baxter.

I don't think we were very good in the first half and again our main problem was forward movement off the ball. Taking off a creator in JCR for a runner/striker in McNulty helped. When Murphy played up front he tended to come short for the ball, rather than running in behind or pulling centre halves out of position. There was also little overlapping/crossing from the full backs, and we looked too static. I thought our central midfielders had a lot of space to cover at times, and better teams may have punished us.

We did better in the second half, but I'm not convinced this game was a break through in terms of finding the ideal line up/formation.


Is Plymouth's right back Kelvin Mellor one to watch as he's another who's made Clough move Murphy away from left wing?

 

[Esablade]

Cheers Deadbat,

Poor first half with some awful passing in the final third and elsewhere...

Howard solid, thought McEverley was so erratic today...Scoog's did great for me apart form one horrendous pass first half..Baxter is clearly better with the game in front of him to pick out passes/players...Murph's quite, JCR frustrated/frustrating...Doyle=Doyle, but with some awful shooting...Bash, strong, solid and composed...Harris, solid/good game....Flynn, great game...

...and then there's HIggo. I've stuck up for the bloke in the past, because he clearly does know where the net is if the ball get's near him, but can't quite defend him today...a passenger, the game mostly going by and around him, with little or no influence...not good enough.

Reed looks absolute quality and nice cameo from Cuvelier...let's hope he can bring that bit of extra quality to the team also.

 

[Deleted member 875]

I thought Higdon did OK today, he might not have much end product but he can hold up the ball and bring others in to play, although he did look a bit slow and unfit today, prehaps he it is the effect of still coming back from inury.

I thought the back four looked solid together, and Flynn and Harris especially played well. Without getting ahead of ourselves we played an average League 2 side. I thought we looked a lot better side in the second half when we had both Higdon and Campbell-Ryce up front.

 

[Esablade]

I thought Higdon did OK today, he might not have much end product but he can hold up the ball and bring others in to play, although he did look a bit slow and unfit today, prehaps he it is the effect of still coming back from inury.

I thought the back four looked solid together, and Flynn and Harris especially played well. Without getting ahead of ourselves we played an average League 2 side. I thought we looked a lot better side in the second half when we had both Higdon and Campbell-Ryce up front.

Campbell-Ryce up front second half?

Higgo did actually lay a few passes off to his own team mates today, you're right..but a few more still bounced off him and a few more went awol and well, he just doesn't dominate his CB the way you'd think he would from looking at him...I guess Nigel gave him the full 90 for fitness, and boy, does he need it!

 

[Deleted member 875]

Campbell-Ryce up front second half?

Higgo did actually lay a few passes off to his own team mates today, you're right..but a few more still bounced off him and a few more went awol and well, he just doesn't dominate his CB the way you'd think he would from looking at him...I guess Nigel gave him the full 90 for fitness, and buy, does he need it!

Schoolboy error. I meant to put McNulty

 

[sitwell]

Higdon looked better with Mcnulty ,he and Baxter looked like the Hagan/Dooley statues in the first half.The pace of our game went up 50% when Baxter was replaced ,and why does he take 5 minutes to walk to take a corner when we have momentum ? Good pens though.