Deadbat
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It was another 2-0 win at Bramall Lane for the second consecutive Saturday and four wins on the bounce in all competitions for manager Nigel Adkins. Struggling Blackpool were beaten thanks to a quick fire brace from Billy Sharp and substitute Marc McNulty.
Adkins had to make two enforced changes as injured Neil Collins and Stefan Scougall gave way to Kieran Wallace and Jamal Campbell Ryce with Wallace beginning at left back and club skipper McEveley moving back into the centre of the defence.
The game began with no real action in either final third and United struggled to make much headway with the build up slow. Adams was getting a great deal of defensive attention and was struggling to find space whilst Sammon and Sharp were having to come looking for the ball. Blackpool had offered little but a moment of indecision between Wallace and Howard led to a corner which eventually also saw a long range effort from McAllister whistle not far wide.
Campbell Ryce had a few decent runs and stood up one decent cross but it was cleared before Baxter gave the ball away cheaply once again under no real pressure.
United’s first chance came when Sammon turned but his shot lacked power and was easily saved. Robertson then headed into Howard’s arms from a corner at the other end. In a poor first half United’s best move came when Wallace played a neat one two and crossed but Sammon’s shot was blocked leading to a corner.
The second half began in a similar pattern with few chances of note and slow play from both sides. The game seemed to be forever stuck in midfield with little penetration or pace from either side in play or personnel.
The best effort for either side came when Basham chopped down Potts and was cautioned. Ferguson took the free kick and whipped it round the wall and against the base of the post with keeper Howard beaten. It was a let off for the lethargic Blades.
United finally woke up and Freeman played in Adams who got into the inside channel before squaring to Sharp but he took too long and his effort was deflected wide.
Campbell Ryce had caused problems all game and he beat two men for pace and trickery running down the right with purpose. His cross was superb cutting out the two centre backs to the back post but Sammon somehow with the goal at his mercy turned it wide. A golden chance that should have been converted and to add insult to injury the big bald striker was replaced immediately by Marc McNulty. Che Adams also came off for Martyn Woolford.
Not long after the breakthrough came. McEveley took a corner from the right hand side and SHARP latched onto the dropping ball and hit the shot firm enough but the keeper Letheren ought to have done better but it squirmed underneath him and into the net. Sharp celebrated wildly at the Kop End kissing his badge and saluting the fans behind the goal as he got this first goal since he came back to the club.
United seemed buoyed by the breakthrough and McEveley came out of defence on one run before it was cleared. It was not long before the second came though. Sharp, as he had done all afternoon, held it up well and then played into McNULTY. The substitute took a touch and made space before hitting a superb low taking drive into the corner beyond Letheren. The keeper certainly had no chance with this one.
James Wallace came on for Campbell Ryce, who seemed to pick up a knock but had done his job. United kept the ball better and with more tempo after this. Woolford nearly got a third with a run and shot that the shaky Letheren saved but only at the second attempt. McNulty almost got in aswell after a good run from McEveley out of defence.
Blackpool made some changes but it was too little, too late and they did not offer any real chances in the final stages. The game petered out somewhat with the rainfall and thunder causing the most excitement of the closing stages of the game. Four additional minutes were played but United saw things out easily to continue the ascent up the table albeit in the early formative stages of the competition.
United – It is another win and in some ways was comfortable but we struggled mightily for an hour to get many chances against a better than advertised Blackpool side. They were organised and defended well and we hardly created any chances in a very lacklustre performance. We then had a let off they hit the post and Sharp scored soon after. The second then came and after this it was plain sailing but it was not an easy win and save for this spell with the goals and a few other chances it was not overly convincing. It was hot and very humid but we have to be cuter to break down teams who will sit in and just defend. Still last year we might not have won that game so let us be positive.
Overall we did enough to get the win but too many were not quite at it today and we will have to improve against better sides. I felt that the play overall was very ordinary and despite a few decent performance from likes of Sharp, Campbell Ryce, Edgar, K Wallace, there were a lot of players just not quick enough or determined enough to make an impact. I felt that the passing was really slow and languid and that we just did not have zip we could have. We started the game slowly and got sucked into a really poor game of football. It was not very entertaining to watch and needed a spark but we struggled for it all game; outside of Campbell Ryce’s running and Sharp’s hold up play.
I still feel with the players we have and injuries we have, we need 2 or 3 players in the next week. Still need a centre half but also feel the middle of the field is too slow and predictable. The likes of Dack and Morsy have given us a real run around at times and we lack that mobility in there. A player who can also get in the box and score goals. Wallace sadly as decent a footballer as he is, also lacks this forward running and goal threat. I hope we can address these two areas and we probably need a left back too, as Kieran Wallace has done alright but with Harris out so long, McEveley not convincing me in either positon, we need someone there unless you put Flynn right back and Freeman left back but that is not ideal.
Overall thought 3 wins (4 if you count cup) out of 4 is a good start and when you see how well Gillingham are doing, maybe that result is not as bad as we all thought. Be a test at Swindon next week when we need to avenge the playoff defeat and then we have two home games in a row and hopefully an ensure we are not playing catch up as we have in the last 2 seasons. Be useful to be in and around the top 2 or 3 by Xmas and then we can look to strengthen again in January pending needs.
Blackpool – They were not as bad as I thought they might be and kept with United for most of the game. They looked powder puff up top and only played one up; opting to play 5 across the middle of the park but they were neat and today and restricted us to only one chance first half. They got men behind the ball and said ‘break us down!’ We simply could not do it and they kept us out really easily.
Second half they hit the post and that could have changed the game with the crowd getting frustrated. However we finally started to stretch the defence and the full backs began to struggle. We got beyond them and finally started to cause problems. The goal came and you could visibly see the confidence wilt. We got another and I think if United had continued to attack it could have been 3 or 4-0. However United just saw things out. Blackpool never really threatened after this and seemed to really look like a side that will struggle.
They are full of inexperienced players and the fact I had barely heard of them (no disrespect) of any says it all. They have a lot of kids or cast offs and now have not win since the end of January I believe. They do have some experience players such as the keeper Colin Doyle but he did not play today and it showed with the lad Letheren looking really shaky. Also the difficult Nile Ranger is still around I believe but was not involved today. Boyce the defender from Wigan is someone who has been around but even he looked poor today. They will feel they were right in the game but a 10-15 minute spell saw United do enough and that was all that was needed but as I say they will point to that spell when they hit the post and then the keeper made a hash of the Sharp effort, as the turning point in the game.
Sadly with all the turmoil off the field; I can see them going down again and it really is a difficult job for Neil McDonald with the Oyston family still standing firm. Supporting them has been a real test of loyalty and many have boycotted the home games. They kept with the team today but by the end much of the ire was understandably towards Oyston again with United fans recognising their plight; joining in the chants.
Opponent man of the match : The two blond lads stood out. Cullen worked hard all game with no real service but for me the midfielder POTTS was their best player. Decent on the ball and always tried to bring others into play. He got frustrated with many of his teammates who kept giving it away.
Opponent Weak link : Clark Robertson. The young Scottish left back was given a torrid time by Campbell Ryce who beat him time and time again. Chopped him down before being booked. Would have been glad to see back of the United player when he went off.
SUFC Player Ratings –
Howard 7/10 – A clean sheet. Did not have that much to do. The free kick that hit the post beat him but cannot recall many other chances they had on goal. A shot whistled over in the first half but other than there was not a lot for him to do.
Freeman 7/10 – Steady game. Won a few decent tackles and showed his ability on the ball. He was a little slow at times to react to some danger but got better as the game went on. One question as mentioned by my mate though? Is he wearing a top knot/man bob? Startling haircut.
Wallace 7.5/10 – Adkins seems to like him and he did a steady job today and actually showed some nice touches and go forward really well. Indeed first half he was our most impressive player, getting forward well and being involved in our few decent attacks. Not sure how he would cope against a quick/tricky winger but today he did not have much against him so he could get forward well. May face Byrne next week which will be a real test of course.
McEveley 7/10 – He did make a few poor long passes to noone and a couple of earlier moments of indecision but to be fair he had a decent game today and got stronger as it went on, making sure second half he was always first to the ball and even came out for a few decent runs into midfield. Still never sure what he will do next and really worries me when he overplays and constantly wants to go through the ball even when it is not there to win it. Did take the corner though which was an odd one from which we scored.
SUFC MAN OF THE MATCH – Edgar 8/10- He was excellent today and barely put a foot wrong all game. He was commanding in the air, read the game well and made some good tackles/blocks. He was constantly talking to the defence trying to get them out so we were not sitting deep and seemed to be doing more organising than the skipper next to him. Looks a really good signing for this level. Hopefully we can get someone to play alongside him; as McEveley and Collins are not the answers to me.
Basham 6/10 – Too slow to move it on often today. Him and Baxter were as guilty as anyone for just taking forever to move it on and when they did it was so pedestrian. He takes an age to get it under control and then move it on and often it goes sideways or behind the man. He won a few decent tackles but often this was down to when he lost it himself. He committed a bad foul when they had the free kick that his the post. Both him and Baxter have got to improve as the last two games at the Lane with a lot of the ball we have not done enough with it and they lack pace and dynamism for me for us to blow teams away. He is a steady player and useful to have about dud to his versatility but unsure what his main attributes are as a midfielder.
Baxter 5/10 – In some ways he had a lot of the ball and control of the midfield band he never stopped looking for the ball and came off into some really good positions and was always square ready to receive. That was as good as it got though as on the ball he was mostly really poor. His passing today was simply atrocious. Short, behind his man, to an away shirt, you name it, he managed to make the mistake. I will say he kept plugging away but against poor and inexperienced players with a lot of time on the ball he has to do better than that. Also booked for a cynical block. His pass completion rate to a red and …erm white shirt would have been very low and passes forward to our shirt almost nil.
Adams 5.5/10 – Not his day. His control was a bit off and his runs seem to not come off as the full back read his intentions a few times. He did work hard and kept trying but not the threat he has been. He did have one chance when he had a break and intelligently squared for Sharp but the chance went awry. Not that surprised he came off really. He is young and will have some days where it will not come off for him but his threat/strength still makes him a chance.
Sharp 7.5/10 – First half was a bit frustrating as a number of times he had to go looking for the ball. When it came him and Sammon were feeding off scraps and it was hard work with the midfield not really providing. Second half as the game got stretched and United started to up the tempo he was more influential and was able to impact game more in the final third. Missed a decent chance when Adams set him up but could not finish but then from a corner his shot somehow squeezed under the keeper and into the net. He clearly loved the goal and seemed to get stronger after this running the channels and linked really well with McNulty for the second goal.
Sammon 6/10 – Not as effective as he has been in previous games but he still tried to hold it up and bring others into play. However it did not quite stick as much as it has done and also the service was so poor. He had a really good chance when Wallace worked an opening down the left but took too long and it was deflected over. Then in the second half he was given a glorious chance to score when Campbell Ryce made an almost open goal for him but he stabbed wide. Seemed to go for it with his wrong foot and got in a tangle. Was taken straight off after this. I did not think it was right to take him up feeling Sharp and McNulty would be too similar but shows what I know as they did really well linking up together to score and set up a few other chances.
Campbell Ryce 7.5/10 – Thought he was really good and was close to being man of the match. He put a few errant crosses in but for the most part he was very good. He drew the full back who did not know what to do with him all game and several really good crosses came from him. He was influential when we had that spell just before the goal, crossing for Sammon who should have scored and then winning a corner that led to the goal. Seemed to be holding the back of his leg when he went off and had run himself into the ground. A player who was much maligned last season but for me, whilst frustrating, he still was one of our main assets and today he proved what a threat he can be. The Blackpool defence did not know what to do with him.
Subs
Woolford – Came on for Adams. Played down the left and had a few decent runs. Coupe where he just sort of bumbled into defenders but one where he had a decent shot that was spilt by the keeper.
McNulty – Surprised he came on but he scored a really good goal latching onto Sharp’s pass, creating a yard and hitting an excellent low rasping goal into the corner.
Wallace J – Played wide right which is not a natural position but he did alright and showed his ability to pass the football. Still think if he gets games and gets fit he could be a better option that either of the two midfield players currently possessing the shirts. He lacks pace but is good on the ball.
Manager – Adkins 7/10 – He gets a higher mark than maybe you would imagine due to the substitutions. I felt as ordinary as Adams and Sammon had been, I would have left them o for the type of threat they provided but Woolford did ok and McNulty scored the vital second goal and we looked more lively up top after the changes. I would say we were too slow all game today and the team’s tempo was not at the standard it would need to be for a promotion side. Adkins knows we will play better than that and probably not take all three points this season. Still he will be happy that other than a few long range efforts, the defence was a lot firmer all game.
Ref – Fine. Booked a few for both sides that were for cynical blocks/fouls. Let game go mostly (one or two times he pulled it back and was a bit fussy) but not an overly difficult game to referee. The two linesmen/women did not help him much and often just went with whoever appealed loudest. He had to overrule both of them at least once.
Crowd – Another 20,000 plus (maybe 6-700 from Blackpool) crowd is excellent. I felt they got behind them early but got a little restless and at times were too impatient. I was frustrated with the slow build up but some of the time they were keeping the ball and still getting slated. Also at 2-0 I still was hearing cries of. ‘Gerrit forward!’ At this stage we were 2-0 up and coasting so keeping the ball was fine. I think some fans don’t know what they want. Granted it was too slow and the tempo was appallingly slow but chanting for long punts forward were equally not going to work. No problems keeping the ball but it was the pace and time it took to move etc that was the problem. Still minor dig aside great to see the Lane overall feeling a lot more positive about our chances and so many inside the ground again for on the whole sub standard football (today was a mostly awful game of football) is still reassuring for the club.
Adkins had to make two enforced changes as injured Neil Collins and Stefan Scougall gave way to Kieran Wallace and Jamal Campbell Ryce with Wallace beginning at left back and club skipper McEveley moving back into the centre of the defence.
The game began with no real action in either final third and United struggled to make much headway with the build up slow. Adams was getting a great deal of defensive attention and was struggling to find space whilst Sammon and Sharp were having to come looking for the ball. Blackpool had offered little but a moment of indecision between Wallace and Howard led to a corner which eventually also saw a long range effort from McAllister whistle not far wide.
Campbell Ryce had a few decent runs and stood up one decent cross but it was cleared before Baxter gave the ball away cheaply once again under no real pressure.
United’s first chance came when Sammon turned but his shot lacked power and was easily saved. Robertson then headed into Howard’s arms from a corner at the other end. In a poor first half United’s best move came when Wallace played a neat one two and crossed but Sammon’s shot was blocked leading to a corner.
The second half began in a similar pattern with few chances of note and slow play from both sides. The game seemed to be forever stuck in midfield with little penetration or pace from either side in play or personnel.
The best effort for either side came when Basham chopped down Potts and was cautioned. Ferguson took the free kick and whipped it round the wall and against the base of the post with keeper Howard beaten. It was a let off for the lethargic Blades.
United finally woke up and Freeman played in Adams who got into the inside channel before squaring to Sharp but he took too long and his effort was deflected wide.
Campbell Ryce had caused problems all game and he beat two men for pace and trickery running down the right with purpose. His cross was superb cutting out the two centre backs to the back post but Sammon somehow with the goal at his mercy turned it wide. A golden chance that should have been converted and to add insult to injury the big bald striker was replaced immediately by Marc McNulty. Che Adams also came off for Martyn Woolford.
Not long after the breakthrough came. McEveley took a corner from the right hand side and SHARP latched onto the dropping ball and hit the shot firm enough but the keeper Letheren ought to have done better but it squirmed underneath him and into the net. Sharp celebrated wildly at the Kop End kissing his badge and saluting the fans behind the goal as he got this first goal since he came back to the club.
United seemed buoyed by the breakthrough and McEveley came out of defence on one run before it was cleared. It was not long before the second came though. Sharp, as he had done all afternoon, held it up well and then played into McNULTY. The substitute took a touch and made space before hitting a superb low taking drive into the corner beyond Letheren. The keeper certainly had no chance with this one.
James Wallace came on for Campbell Ryce, who seemed to pick up a knock but had done his job. United kept the ball better and with more tempo after this. Woolford nearly got a third with a run and shot that the shaky Letheren saved but only at the second attempt. McNulty almost got in aswell after a good run from McEveley out of defence.
Blackpool made some changes but it was too little, too late and they did not offer any real chances in the final stages. The game petered out somewhat with the rainfall and thunder causing the most excitement of the closing stages of the game. Four additional minutes were played but United saw things out easily to continue the ascent up the table albeit in the early formative stages of the competition.
United – It is another win and in some ways was comfortable but we struggled mightily for an hour to get many chances against a better than advertised Blackpool side. They were organised and defended well and we hardly created any chances in a very lacklustre performance. We then had a let off they hit the post and Sharp scored soon after. The second then came and after this it was plain sailing but it was not an easy win and save for this spell with the goals and a few other chances it was not overly convincing. It was hot and very humid but we have to be cuter to break down teams who will sit in and just defend. Still last year we might not have won that game so let us be positive.
Overall we did enough to get the win but too many were not quite at it today and we will have to improve against better sides. I felt that the play overall was very ordinary and despite a few decent performance from likes of Sharp, Campbell Ryce, Edgar, K Wallace, there were a lot of players just not quick enough or determined enough to make an impact. I felt that the passing was really slow and languid and that we just did not have zip we could have. We started the game slowly and got sucked into a really poor game of football. It was not very entertaining to watch and needed a spark but we struggled for it all game; outside of Campbell Ryce’s running and Sharp’s hold up play.
I still feel with the players we have and injuries we have, we need 2 or 3 players in the next week. Still need a centre half but also feel the middle of the field is too slow and predictable. The likes of Dack and Morsy have given us a real run around at times and we lack that mobility in there. A player who can also get in the box and score goals. Wallace sadly as decent a footballer as he is, also lacks this forward running and goal threat. I hope we can address these two areas and we probably need a left back too, as Kieran Wallace has done alright but with Harris out so long, McEveley not convincing me in either positon, we need someone there unless you put Flynn right back and Freeman left back but that is not ideal.
Overall thought 3 wins (4 if you count cup) out of 4 is a good start and when you see how well Gillingham are doing, maybe that result is not as bad as we all thought. Be a test at Swindon next week when we need to avenge the playoff defeat and then we have two home games in a row and hopefully an ensure we are not playing catch up as we have in the last 2 seasons. Be useful to be in and around the top 2 or 3 by Xmas and then we can look to strengthen again in January pending needs.
Blackpool – They were not as bad as I thought they might be and kept with United for most of the game. They looked powder puff up top and only played one up; opting to play 5 across the middle of the park but they were neat and today and restricted us to only one chance first half. They got men behind the ball and said ‘break us down!’ We simply could not do it and they kept us out really easily.
Second half they hit the post and that could have changed the game with the crowd getting frustrated. However we finally started to stretch the defence and the full backs began to struggle. We got beyond them and finally started to cause problems. The goal came and you could visibly see the confidence wilt. We got another and I think if United had continued to attack it could have been 3 or 4-0. However United just saw things out. Blackpool never really threatened after this and seemed to really look like a side that will struggle.
They are full of inexperienced players and the fact I had barely heard of them (no disrespect) of any says it all. They have a lot of kids or cast offs and now have not win since the end of January I believe. They do have some experience players such as the keeper Colin Doyle but he did not play today and it showed with the lad Letheren looking really shaky. Also the difficult Nile Ranger is still around I believe but was not involved today. Boyce the defender from Wigan is someone who has been around but even he looked poor today. They will feel they were right in the game but a 10-15 minute spell saw United do enough and that was all that was needed but as I say they will point to that spell when they hit the post and then the keeper made a hash of the Sharp effort, as the turning point in the game.
Sadly with all the turmoil off the field; I can see them going down again and it really is a difficult job for Neil McDonald with the Oyston family still standing firm. Supporting them has been a real test of loyalty and many have boycotted the home games. They kept with the team today but by the end much of the ire was understandably towards Oyston again with United fans recognising their plight; joining in the chants.
Opponent man of the match : The two blond lads stood out. Cullen worked hard all game with no real service but for me the midfielder POTTS was their best player. Decent on the ball and always tried to bring others into play. He got frustrated with many of his teammates who kept giving it away.
Opponent Weak link : Clark Robertson. The young Scottish left back was given a torrid time by Campbell Ryce who beat him time and time again. Chopped him down before being booked. Would have been glad to see back of the United player when he went off.
SUFC Player Ratings –
Howard 7/10 – A clean sheet. Did not have that much to do. The free kick that hit the post beat him but cannot recall many other chances they had on goal. A shot whistled over in the first half but other than there was not a lot for him to do.
Freeman 7/10 – Steady game. Won a few decent tackles and showed his ability on the ball. He was a little slow at times to react to some danger but got better as the game went on. One question as mentioned by my mate though? Is he wearing a top knot/man bob? Startling haircut.
Wallace 7.5/10 – Adkins seems to like him and he did a steady job today and actually showed some nice touches and go forward really well. Indeed first half he was our most impressive player, getting forward well and being involved in our few decent attacks. Not sure how he would cope against a quick/tricky winger but today he did not have much against him so he could get forward well. May face Byrne next week which will be a real test of course.
McEveley 7/10 – He did make a few poor long passes to noone and a couple of earlier moments of indecision but to be fair he had a decent game today and got stronger as it went on, making sure second half he was always first to the ball and even came out for a few decent runs into midfield. Still never sure what he will do next and really worries me when he overplays and constantly wants to go through the ball even when it is not there to win it. Did take the corner though which was an odd one from which we scored.
SUFC MAN OF THE MATCH – Edgar 8/10- He was excellent today and barely put a foot wrong all game. He was commanding in the air, read the game well and made some good tackles/blocks. He was constantly talking to the defence trying to get them out so we were not sitting deep and seemed to be doing more organising than the skipper next to him. Looks a really good signing for this level. Hopefully we can get someone to play alongside him; as McEveley and Collins are not the answers to me.
Basham 6/10 – Too slow to move it on often today. Him and Baxter were as guilty as anyone for just taking forever to move it on and when they did it was so pedestrian. He takes an age to get it under control and then move it on and often it goes sideways or behind the man. He won a few decent tackles but often this was down to when he lost it himself. He committed a bad foul when they had the free kick that his the post. Both him and Baxter have got to improve as the last two games at the Lane with a lot of the ball we have not done enough with it and they lack pace and dynamism for me for us to blow teams away. He is a steady player and useful to have about dud to his versatility but unsure what his main attributes are as a midfielder.
Baxter 5/10 – In some ways he had a lot of the ball and control of the midfield band he never stopped looking for the ball and came off into some really good positions and was always square ready to receive. That was as good as it got though as on the ball he was mostly really poor. His passing today was simply atrocious. Short, behind his man, to an away shirt, you name it, he managed to make the mistake. I will say he kept plugging away but against poor and inexperienced players with a lot of time on the ball he has to do better than that. Also booked for a cynical block. His pass completion rate to a red and …erm white shirt would have been very low and passes forward to our shirt almost nil.
Adams 5.5/10 – Not his day. His control was a bit off and his runs seem to not come off as the full back read his intentions a few times. He did work hard and kept trying but not the threat he has been. He did have one chance when he had a break and intelligently squared for Sharp but the chance went awry. Not that surprised he came off really. He is young and will have some days where it will not come off for him but his threat/strength still makes him a chance.
Sharp 7.5/10 – First half was a bit frustrating as a number of times he had to go looking for the ball. When it came him and Sammon were feeding off scraps and it was hard work with the midfield not really providing. Second half as the game got stretched and United started to up the tempo he was more influential and was able to impact game more in the final third. Missed a decent chance when Adams set him up but could not finish but then from a corner his shot somehow squeezed under the keeper and into the net. He clearly loved the goal and seemed to get stronger after this running the channels and linked really well with McNulty for the second goal.
Sammon 6/10 – Not as effective as he has been in previous games but he still tried to hold it up and bring others into play. However it did not quite stick as much as it has done and also the service was so poor. He had a really good chance when Wallace worked an opening down the left but took too long and it was deflected over. Then in the second half he was given a glorious chance to score when Campbell Ryce made an almost open goal for him but he stabbed wide. Seemed to go for it with his wrong foot and got in a tangle. Was taken straight off after this. I did not think it was right to take him up feeling Sharp and McNulty would be too similar but shows what I know as they did really well linking up together to score and set up a few other chances.
Campbell Ryce 7.5/10 – Thought he was really good and was close to being man of the match. He put a few errant crosses in but for the most part he was very good. He drew the full back who did not know what to do with him all game and several really good crosses came from him. He was influential when we had that spell just before the goal, crossing for Sammon who should have scored and then winning a corner that led to the goal. Seemed to be holding the back of his leg when he went off and had run himself into the ground. A player who was much maligned last season but for me, whilst frustrating, he still was one of our main assets and today he proved what a threat he can be. The Blackpool defence did not know what to do with him.
Subs
Woolford – Came on for Adams. Played down the left and had a few decent runs. Coupe where he just sort of bumbled into defenders but one where he had a decent shot that was spilt by the keeper.
McNulty – Surprised he came on but he scored a really good goal latching onto Sharp’s pass, creating a yard and hitting an excellent low rasping goal into the corner.
Wallace J – Played wide right which is not a natural position but he did alright and showed his ability to pass the football. Still think if he gets games and gets fit he could be a better option that either of the two midfield players currently possessing the shirts. He lacks pace but is good on the ball.
Manager – Adkins 7/10 – He gets a higher mark than maybe you would imagine due to the substitutions. I felt as ordinary as Adams and Sammon had been, I would have left them o for the type of threat they provided but Woolford did ok and McNulty scored the vital second goal and we looked more lively up top after the changes. I would say we were too slow all game today and the team’s tempo was not at the standard it would need to be for a promotion side. Adkins knows we will play better than that and probably not take all three points this season. Still he will be happy that other than a few long range efforts, the defence was a lot firmer all game.
Ref – Fine. Booked a few for both sides that were for cynical blocks/fouls. Let game go mostly (one or two times he pulled it back and was a bit fussy) but not an overly difficult game to referee. The two linesmen/women did not help him much and often just went with whoever appealed loudest. He had to overrule both of them at least once.
Crowd – Another 20,000 plus (maybe 6-700 from Blackpool) crowd is excellent. I felt they got behind them early but got a little restless and at times were too impatient. I was frustrated with the slow build up but some of the time they were keeping the ball and still getting slated. Also at 2-0 I still was hearing cries of. ‘Gerrit forward!’ At this stage we were 2-0 up and coasting so keeping the ball was fine. I think some fans don’t know what they want. Granted it was too slow and the tempo was appallingly slow but chanting for long punts forward were equally not going to work. No problems keeping the ball but it was the pace and time it took to move etc that was the problem. Still minor dig aside great to see the Lane overall feeling a lot more positive about our chances and so many inside the ground again for on the whole sub standard football (today was a mostly awful game of football) is still reassuring for the club.
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