United 0 Barnsley 0 - report

[1danewhitehouse]

I thought we were very fortunate yesterday that the ref disallowed their 'goal' for a foul. For me, Flynn was dispossessed of the ball in the area - I wouldn't have been happy if it had been the other way round!

It was one of those that I thought could have gone either way. A bit like Asaba v pigs when he muscled Bromby out. There was contact. Some refs wouldn’t deem it enough to give the foul whereas others would so yeah, perhaps a tad fortunate on that one.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

In his early performances Cuvelier showed a bit of pace and guile, but that all seems to have gone, so I agree with you Deaders, time to move him on.

Agree there’s been the odd glimpse of a decent performance. First half at Rochdale he looked very useful but faded badly in the second. Overall, no sustained form of more than 45minutes in 3 years from him means surely he has to go in the summer.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Good report DB, although Woolfords cross didn't just miss everyone, he passes the ball straight to their GK, it was shocking after he brought the ball down brilliantly and got into a great position after what was the ball of the afternoon from Baptiste, I think it was him anyway.

I think that’s a bit harsh on Woolford. He put the ball in an area between keeper and Sharp for Sharp to attack and the keeper just got there first. A bit more pace and whip on the ball would have made Sharp favourite but it wasn’t to be.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Although Basham tried hard (and I presume Done was trying as well) I thought it was our paucity of quality out wide that stuffed us.

Twice from the left, Done once, Woolford once, we got in great position and didn't deliver as we should, on the other side Bash couldn't actually get around his man (albeit the once he managed it and looked dangerous he was the victim of the most cynical "tackle" I've seen since Revie's Leeds perfected it) and, as such, I think the CB's were never in trouble and could concentrate on keeping Sharp and Adams firmly subdued.

As said, I can see why the ref blew for a foul on Flynn but I'd have been livid if we'd had a goal chalked off for something as tame as that tackle.

0-0, absolutely correct scoreline for me.

I thought Done had an absolute ‘mare if I’m honest. Plenty of effort as always but nothing came off for him. Never got the better of Scowen all game and that incident you mention when he was in an excellent position, he made a right hash of it. He charged down loads of 50-50s and hardly won any and on another day might have seen red instead of yellow for a McEveleyesque lunge.



I’ve just seen that the star gave Done and 8 and Scowen a 6. What were their reporters smoking?

 

[BushBlade]

I think the opposition had a lot to do with us looking flat. Barnsley were the fittest and most tenacious team I’ve seen at the lane this season. Not that surprising when you consider how young their squad is.


Fletcher looked a talent if very raw. Brownhill’s one I’d like to see us sign for our midfield next season.


They were no great shakes with the ball (odd moment from Hammill) but they pressed better than anyone I’ve seen this season. Coutts, Hammond and Flynn had a horrible time as they just couldn’t settle on the ball. That meant we tried to hit the front 2 quicker at times but their inter-play wasn’t coming off. You can tell it’s something they’re instructed to do but at times today, it was so rushed with poor weighting of the short passes to each other. Both needed to try to get hold of the ball a bit more and show some composure which was lacking from both teams.


It was a game full of endeavour, battling and scrapping. A typical ‘derby’ (I use that term loosely for the dingles) if you like. Neither side could quite muster the quality required to prize the game open but when we did go for it in the last 5-10 minutes, we moved the ball much better with some passes zipping around resulting in Sammon’s chance, Sharp almost meeting Woolford’s ball and a couple of half chances for Sharp at the death.


Overall, we came up just short but I was reasonably impressed with the effort and willingness to put bodies on the line and have to give credit to our six fingered neighbours as their team made it very difficult for us.


I actually thought Edgar was our MoM. Seemed to deal with everything they offered going forward and I don’t think he got caught in possession or gave it away cheaply the way Baptiste and McEveley did a couple of times each.


Overall, I think it showed where we are. Moving in the right direction in terms of endeavour and team spirit (not getting hammered by poor teams just cos they’re up for it and we’re not) but still lacking that bit of quality of genuine promotion contenders. We could probably get away with only signing 3 players in the summer if they were very good players (on top of Edgar and Hammond) for this level. CB, LWB and CM. Ideally we could do with a decent GK to challenge Long and a useful big man option up front.

Endeavour? I fucking knew it. Nige, we'd have got promoted if you'd spent more time dealing with the players instead of fucking around on here every day.
And stop running Turnbull's recommendations past us, get some proper scouts.

 

[Grecian2000]

I suppose Hammond had to come off due to his customary booking.

I thought he'd brought him off so he could get a standing ovation. The way he got up there and clapped like buggery looked like he'd been having an orgasm admiring his "invisible work".

I thought Done had an absolute ‘mare if I’m honest.

He topped it off by almost stopping when walking off as though we wanted to waste time. Very baffling thing to do and only started to trot again when someone gestured from the dugout that we wanted him off pronto.

 

[wizadry]

I think that’s a bit harsh on Woolford. He put the ball in an area between keeper and Sharp for Sharp to attack and the keeper just got there first. A bit more pace and whip on the ball would have made Sharp favourite but it wasn’t to be.

I wasn't harsh mate, that's just how I saw it. I think it was a fair assessment from me as I gave him praise for the control but slagged him off for the ball he played, a ball he had ample time to make right, he fucked it up remarkably, have another look.

 

[Dnblade]

Anybody recall how many times our thrower had nobody to throw the ball to and that in a home and local derby game of such magnitude that we had to win.

We do seem to make hard work of throw in's..When Baxter played,he was the one to receive the ball and either knock it off first time back to the thrower,or turn inside and pass it off to start us off ...you would think Coutts could do a similar job,but half the time it seems have no movement...a throw to us=possession back to the opposition.

 

[wizadry]

I agree that Barnsley were fitter and more athletic in midfield but you criticise a number of our players whilst praising theirs and say they worked harder etc. Your post gives an impression that we were outplayed, outworked and outthought when in reality, we had more possession, more shots, more corners. We shaded the game over all but didn’t quite have enough to break them down. There was little between the teams but their youthful exuberance certainly made it difficult for us to settle in midfield.


For what it’s worth, I would have put Woolford on for Done and either DCL or Sammon on for Flynn around the 70 minute mark. I suppose Hammond had to come off due to his customary booking. I’d have probably gone for Whiteman or Reed (if he had been named on the bench) over Flo who will surely be a goner at the end of the season.

Woolford and Sammon have been wank all season, DW.

 

[Woodwardfan]

We do seem to make hard work of throw in's..When Baxter played,he was the one to receive the ball and either knock it off first time back to the thrower,or turn inside and pass it off to start us off ...you would think Coutts could do a similar job,but half the time it seems have no movement...a throw to us=possession back to the opposition.

And I thought it was only me

Throw-ins, corners, making space, showing for the ball, more than 1 person moving off the ball at once - all hallmarks of a good side, we do none, haven't done for years.

 

[Dnblade]

I think the opposition had a lot to do with us looking flat. Barnsley were the fittest and most tenacious team I’ve seen at the lane this season. Not that surprising when you consider how young their squad is.


Fletcher looked a talent if very raw. Brownhill’s one I’d like to see us sign for our midfield next season.


They were no great shakes with the ball (odd moment from Hammill) but they pressed better than anyone I’ve seen this season. Coutts, Hammond and Flynn had a horrible time as they just couldn’t settle on the ball. That meant we tried to hit the front 2 quicker at times but their inter-play wasn’t coming off. You can tell it’s something they’re instructed to do but at times today, it was so rushed with poor weighting of the short passes to each other. Both needed to try to get hold of the ball a bit more and show some composure which was lacking from both teams.


It was a game full of endeavour, battling and scrapping. A typical ‘derby’ (I use that term loosely for the dingles) if you like. Neither side could quite muster the quality required to prize the game open but when we did go for it in the last 5-10 minutes, we moved the ball much better with some passes zipping around resulting in Sammon’s chance, Sharp almost meeting Woolford’s ball and a couple of half chances for Sharp at the death.


Overall, we came up just short but I was reasonably impressed with the effort and willingness to put bodies on the line and have to give credit to our six fingered neighbours as their team made it very difficult for us.


I actually thought Edgar was our MoM. Seemed to deal with everything they offered going forward and I don’t think he got caught in possession or gave it away cheaply the way Baptiste and McEveley did a couple of times each.


Overall, I think it showed where we are. Moving in the right direction in terms of endeavour and team spirit (not getting hammered by poor teams just cos they’re up for it and we’re not) but still lacking that bit of quality of genuine promotion contenders. We could probably get away with only signing 3 players in the summer if they were very good players (on top of Edgar and Hammond) for this level. CB, LWB and CM. Ideally we could do with a decent GK to challenge Long and a useful big man option up front.

Interesting that Hammill,Isgrove,Fletcher and I think Brownhill are loans...an area we seem to have missed out on in the last couple of seasons...only Coady springs to mind who improved after a shakey start.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Interesting that Hammill,Isgrove,Fletcher and I think Brownhill are loans...an area we seem to have missed out on in the last couple of seasons...only Coady springs to mind who improved after a shakey start.

Hammil was signed as a free agent but only to the end of the season.

 

[Dnblade]

Hammil was signed as a free agent but only to the end of the season.

Oh right,thought he was on loan...Good signing for them,didn't have his best game,but their good run seems to have coincided with bringing him back in.

 

[2win!]

Have to agree. It looked soft to me. I think a lot of refs would have played on. Flynn hits the deck so much often with minimal contact.

It was a clear foul on Flynn & the Ref whistled when he was pulled down - Watch the highlights. Barnsley had done their homework on him and he was brought down on numerous occasions (Adam Hammill was one offender who was yellow carded). They also had two players tracking his off the ball runs, which should have created more space for our attacks but it was a bad team performance all round, and not enough urgency until too late on in the game. Poor tactics! UTB.

 

[K16]

Hammil was signed as a free agent but only to the end of the season.

He's a similar player like Brandy (a one trick pony) who is dropping down the leagues each season. Probably won't be long until he back up north at Dunfermline.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I agree that Barnsley were fitter and more athletic in midfield but you criticise a number of our players whilst praising theirs and say they worked harder etc. Your post gives an impression that we were outplayed, outworked and outthought when in reality, we had more possession, more shots, more corners. We shaded the game over all but didn’t quite have enough to break them down. There was little between the teams but their youthful exuberance certainly made it difficult for us to settle in midfield.


For what it’s worth, I would have put Woolford on for Done and either DCL or Sammon on for Flynn around the 70 minute mark. I suppose Hammond had to come off due to his customary booking. I’d have probably gone for Whiteman or Reed (if he had been named on the bench) over Flo who will surely be a goner at the end of the season.

Interesting. They achieved their objective and we were nowhere near achieving ours apart from hitting a post and the usual injury time cavalry charge.

Stats were pretty even considering they only needed a point. They certainly didn't play 10 men behind the ball when other teams would have done, that shows good method and confidence in it.

Our manager left his substitutions too late and didn't really try to change the pattern of the game, either system-wise or with a more aerial route until the 86th minute. Some risk was needed in view of the stakes of the game. 3-4-3 would have helped from 70 minutes or so.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Interesting. They achieved their objective and we were nowhere near achieving ours apart from hitting a post and the usual injury time cavalry charge.

Stats were pretty even considering they only needed a point. They certainly didn't play 10 men behind the ball when other teams would have done, that shows good method and confidence in it.

Our manager left his substitutions too late and didn't really try to change the pattern of the game, either system-wise or with a more aerial route until the 86th minute. Some risk was needed in view of the stakes of the game. 3-4-3 would have helped from 70 minutes or so.

I think we agree then that the change should have been around 70 minutes.

I disagree that Barnsley's objective was to take a point though. Better result from them than us but given all of the teams in the mix, they would have loved to get all 3 points. Pretty even game as you say. I thought we just shaded it overall but they were very effective at closing any space down.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I think we agree then that the change should have been around 70 minutes.

I disagree that Barnsley's objective was to take a point though. Better result from them than us but given all of the teams in the mix, they would have loved to get all 3 points. Pretty even game as you say. I thought we just shaded it overall but they were very effective at closing any space down.

Yes Barnsley would have loved to win it but they effectively closed us out of the promotion race and we were probably their main rivals along with Scunthorpe.

I'd have taken Hammond off on the hour actually and played Whiteman in his role as he's much more mobile and plays a quicker forward ball as his first instinct, often one touch, at least he does when Reed and Lewin are on the pitch, so maybe not so much last Saturday.

Then 70 minutes 3-4-3 with Lewin and Sammon up top, Sharp alongside them and Adams in place of Done on the left, though I might just have used Done up front instead of Sharp who was weary of it all by then. Coutts off, Basham swap with Flynn who would give them another challenge on the right flank as well.

Unfortunately subs too late and no change of system left us wanting. Bringing Sammon on so late was criminal really and I have to mention, where was this elusive "pathway" again.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Yes Barnsley would have loved to win it but they effectively closed us out of the promotion race and we were probably their main rivals along with Scunthorpe.

I'd have taken Hammond off on the hour actually and played Whiteman in his role as he's much more mobile and plays a quicker forward ball as his first instinct, often one touch, at least he does when Reed and Lewin are on the pitch, so maybe not so much last Saturday.

Then 70 minutes 3-4-3 with Lewin and Sammon up top, Sharp alongside them and Adams in place of Done on the left, though I might just have used Done up front instead of Sharp who was weary of it all by then. Coutts off, Basham swap with Flynn who would give them another challenge on the right flank as well.

Unfortunately subs too late and no change of system left us wanting. Bringing Sammon on so late was criminal really and I have to mention, where was this elusive "pathway" again.

I'd say not knowing Gills result at the time, they were the main rivals for 6th and a draw at the time didn't put it in Barnsley's hands so they would have been desperate for a win.

Disagree about swapping Bash and Flynn as I though Basham was giving them problems coming in on the back stick from the wide area. Just needed better service but with Done having a stinker, it wasn't to be.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I'd say not knowing Gills result at the time, they were the main rivals for 6th and a draw at the time didn't put it in Barnsley's hands so they would have been desperate for a win.

Disagree about swapping Bash and Flynn as I though Basham was giving them problems coming in on the back stick from the wide area. Just needed better service but with Done having a stinker, it wasn't to be.

We could go on talking about just the one game forever, that's cos we're keen and no doubt nerdy too.

I thought we overplayed the high ball to Bash and don't recall him getting any service for it anywhere near the penalty area and Barnsley eventually put the central defender out there to nullify it too. I'd have put Bash in the forward central midfield role to get about them a bit as they had had a comfortable time v Coutts and Flynn and Hammond. He could also aggressively pick up the second balls from the more aerial assault to Lewin and Sammon, particularly those headed out and upwards. All different views in hindsight to some degree though I was crying out for something different from half time onwards.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

He's a similar player like Brandy (a one trick pony) who is dropping down the leagues each season. Probably won't be long until he back up north at Dunfermline.

Disagree. Hammil has far more end product, work rate, team ethic etc. He's already had a much more successful career than Brandy playing for a number of years at championship level. Now he's a good league 1 player.

 

[BushBlade]

Disagree. Hammil has far more end product, work rate, team ethic etc. He's already had a much more successful career than Brandy playing for a number of years at championship level. Now he's a good league 1 player.

In the early hours of 7 October 2012, Hammill was involved in an altercation outside a Liverpool nightclub while celebrating a friend's birthday and was arrested for assaulting two female paramedics.[28] The paramedics had attended the scene after Hammill had collapsed inside the club drunk and been taken outside.[29] He was formally charged with two counts of assault on 27 October,[30] to which he pleaded guilty on 12 November.[31] On 20 November 2012 he was sentenced to 12 weeks of jail suspended for 12 months, 150 hours of unpaid work and to pay £350 to each of the paramedics.[29]

He also appears to be a bit of a twat.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Disagree. Hammil has far more end product, work rate, team ethic etc. He's already had a much more successful career than Brandy playing for a number of years at championship level. Now he's a good league 1 player.

My Barnsley pal said weeks ago that Hamill and White we way too good for League 1.

 

[BushBlade]

My Barnsley pal said weeks ago that Hamill and White we way too good for League 1.

Makes you wonder why they're playing in L1 doesn't it.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Makes you wonder why they're playing in L1 doesn't it.

Yes, same as Sharp and Baptiste.

 

[BushBlade]

Yes, same as Sharp and Baptiste.

Not at all. Sharp's playing for us because he's had a long and lucrative career and wanted to play for a team local to Sheffield as he doesn't want to leave the area.

Baptiste is recovering from injury.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Not at all. Sharp's playing for us because he's had a long and lucrative career and wanted to play for a team local to Sheffield as he doesn't want to leave the area.

Baptiste is recovering from injury.

Suit yourself. Shame we haven't a couple more!! Edgar, Sammon, Hammond for example but no. A Coady or a young Gary Cahill or a Richard DeLait again. It happens.

 

[BushBlade]

Suit yourself. Shame we haven't a couple more!! Edgar, Sammon, Hammond for example but no. A Coady or a young Gary Cahill or a Richard DeLait again. It happens.

Hamill isn't on loan, if that's what you mean by a couple more.

As you seem to be missing my point I'll make it clear; it appears that Hamill is playing in L1 because he's a waster.
I've had enough of technically gifted players who lack what it takes to be a successful professional footballer.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Hamill isn't on loan, if that's what you mean by a couple more.

As you seem to be missing my point I'll make it clear; it appears that Hamill is playing in L1 because he's a waster.
I've had enough of technically gifted players who lack what it takes to be a successful professional footballer.

Well I never knew that, does his mother know? does his manager know? He looked really good to me and is apparently seeing the season out carrying a serious injury for the sake of the club promotion charge.

And I had this romantic version that he was playing for a club he loves in his 3rd or 4th spell and that he feels as though he belongs there and has an affinity with the fans and always has had.

 

[Pedro Verde]

My Barnsley pal said weeks ago that Hamill and White we way too good for League 1.

White was shite for us there is no way he is way too good for L1