Deadbat
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It was another defeat and now three losses out of four for the Blades as late heartache saw Bristol City steal an undeserved win thanks to Aiden Flint’s late goal. After dominating the first half and hitting the woodwork three times, City took the lead thanks to Jamie Paterson’s wonder striker as yet another long-range shot went into the United goal. The Blades got back level thanks to another Leon Clarke goal but a rash John Fleck tackle saw the Blades man sent off. After this United hit the post again but it looked like United had done enough to take a share of the spoils before the late drama. Poor marking and lack of concentration saw Flint steal in at the back post to score. City now are clear of United in third and the Blades could fall to as low as 6th after the weekend games after a really poor run of results. Without two key men in Paul Coutts and John Fleck, the upcoming run of tough away games means it will be a real challenge for Chris Wilder to get United back on track.
United made changes with Simon Moore back in for Jamal Blackman and George Baldock back in the side at right wing back. Chris Basham switched to centre back and there was no place for either Cameron Carter Vickers or David Brooks with Billy Sharp back starting and captaining the side.
United started the game well and an early penalty appeal when Duffy went to ground after a challenge and then Fleck recycled the play soon after but Flint cleared away. United kept coming and a good move saw the ball played over to the left and Duffy hit a stinging drive that was pushed away. City had a rare break and Baker headed wide from a corner. United kept moving the ball around and won a free kick after Duffy was brought down. From the resultant kick, Duffy hit a curling effort that hit the far post with Fielding motionless. The ball was knocked back in the box from Baldock but Clarke headed over under pressure.
Duffy then got in a good position again but his shot was at Fielding. Moore’s long kick then was played inside by Clarke and Sharp hit a rising drive that clipped the bar. United ill fortune continued when Sharp hit the post again soon after. From a Fleck corner, Sharp headed goalward and Fielding pushed the ball onto the bar and the visitors scrambled clear.
United had been very unfortunate not to lead and some incisive football and good chances had not led to the opening goal but against the run of play; Stevens missed his tackle and brought down his man but the ball fell into PATERSON. The winger drifted inside past O’Connell and hit a swerving shot that flew into the goal stunning the home crowd. Stevens was booked for his original foul. The half time whistle came not long after leaving many bewildered by the score line.
The second half saw United Push City back from the start and Sharp won an early free kick before the leveller came. Lundstram pushed the ball forward down the right-hand side and CLARKE drove forward before smashing the ball past Fielding with his right foot. A deserved equaliser and another goal for the man in form.
After this United came again and Duffy hit a superb swerving shot that hit the post and came out but Sharp took too long to react and his shot was blocked by the face of Flint. Basham then piled forward and Clarke had a shot blocked. It seemed the home side were in complete control but the game turned on the hour mark.
The ball was loose on half way and Fleck went in dangerously on Smith with both feet up and high. The City man was in some pain and the red card was the right decision.
United did try and keep attacking with Baldock having a shot blocked and Clarke also coming close. City had brought on an extra attacker in Taylor but United also went for it with Brooks and Donaldson on for Duffy and Sharp. City had a chance with a deflected effort that went past the post and then after a mistake by Stearman, City broke and Moore made a great reaction save to deny Taylor and the home side hacked away the rebound.
Despite having 10 men United were still well in the game as it entered the final stages and Carruthers had a chance but took too long and Wright made a timely tackle. This was crucial as after the corner was cleared, the visitors broke up the other end. Carruthers brought down Reid but his cross was perfectly played and the advantage was played and no one was marking FLINT who swept home expertly just as the additional five minutes of extra time was announced. It was a cruel blow for United who had looked the better side for long spells and been very unfortunate not to score more goal.
The stoppage time saw more frustration with a number of fouls not going the way of the home side and despite several balls pumped forward City held on without a further chance and the reaction of the respective sets of players at the end showed the contrasting emotions from the game. United’s fans applauded off the players for a good performance; albeit in a losing effort.
United – Felt for United tonight. We were poor at Millwall and got beat deservedly. We lost battles, did not play much football and created little. Tonight, we played some good stuff, knocked it about and competed all over the field (maybe too much – 2 or 3 poor tackles and the red card). On another day we win the game and maybe would have been 2 o 3 up at half time. Even at 1-1 you sensed there was only one winner but ill discipline from Fleck cost us the game. I felt at 1-1 with 10 men, they did not cause us too many problems and you felt either side could win it but I am not sure the changes to the side and how we approached it was that wise. We had men all over the place on the winner and nobody marking as got badly exposed on both sides of the box for the cross and the winner. Easy to say on reflection as of course we could easily go up the other end and win I suppose but it has happened quite a bit recently and when we are on a bad run, just taking a point is not always that bad. Now we have lost another and confidence takes a further big knock. As well as we played tonight; we lost. We let in two more poor goals, did not score when on top and rely on Clarke again too much. We have to be more clinical at both ends. Our domination with the ball and clever football ultimately has meant nothing in the last three home games with just one point coming. People will feel the bubble has well and truly burst and the results suggest it may have even if performances have not been that bad. Still for all the plaudits we can give United and wretched luck we had we are not helping ourselves in games and sadly becoming a bit of a soft touch again.
We are conceding lots of long range goals but that is what happens at this higher level. We sadly rarely even shoot from this far out (Duffy had a couple of great efforts tonight mind) and try and walk it in. We need to shoot more and vary how we attack. At times it is too slow the build-up and sadly teams that break fast and make quicker decisions get better chances. We have seen this numerous times over last few weeks despite us playing some really good football. It is great but often lacks thrust or the final ball. It is not pretty but not efficient football when it matters. Still, 2 or 3 of those that hit the post go in and we have a different conversation. It is fine lines.
They have to give Wilder some money in January now as the squad is badly stretched now and we have seen we do not have the depth. A few Wednesday fans said as much as I mocked them that if we got a few injuries we would tail off and we have with Coutts and Baldock missing. Sadly, the lads that have come in such as Lundstram, Stearman, Donaldson, Carruthers for others; have seen not hit same levels for me. We need to invest in some pace and athleticism and some goals from other players. We will have to battle on the two tough away games but with our best two players missing it is going to be tough and the midfield will be a bit of a hotch potch now. I would take a couple of scrappy 0-0 draws to stop the rot. Going to be a tricky few weeks now and sure everyone outside of SUFC will write us off and see us mid table now come the end of the season. I have to say Wilder has a big challenges to arrest the slide but I worry if we have the players to replace the key ones missing to keep us in touch. If we are still in the top 6 by the time the Sheffield Derby comes around we will have done well.
Bristol City – They won and will say what a great away victory and how they scored two good goals and dug in etc, etc. Reality is they were not that great I felt and nowhere near what I expected. First half we should have put the game away and then they scored a really good goal. We got level and there was only one winner. Our fault we gave them a lifeline as at 1-1 they were hanging on. After this they had a couple of chances but hardly blew us away and even for spells with ten men we were as good if not better. I felt they looked quite poor and tossed ball away a lot. They got a late winner. It was an incredibly fortunate win. Sure, we helped them massively but to see the keeper watch three shots hit the woodwork and not be anywhere near them (saved one other really well). They won’t have many other games where the other team hit the woodwork four times and whatever the final score says and the manager may say; it was a total smash and grab win. A sickening defeat for the better side really. They will say it is about what happens in both boxes but even outside of these areas I felt we played the better stuff.
On that evidence I am not sure they will threaten the front two at all. On another day they would have gone home losing the game fairly comfortably. Normally I will temper my critique of a game and look for strengths and things they did well. They scored a late winner and got the three points but over the game United were better tonight. Means nothing of course
Opposition Man of the Match: The two scorers were probably the best two players. Paterson scored a great goal and always looked a threat and then Flint who got his body in the way coolly took the winner as many stopped. The keeper made a few good saves including a superb one from Sharp. Outside of this a few decent players but felt they conceded a lot of the ball and even v 10 men they did not really do enough to hurt us.
Opposition Weak link: DJ uric was an absolute donkey. He fouled, grabbed, miskicked and looked like he had never played football in his life. The lad he replaced Eliasson was poor also. They did not have any really good or really bad players. Lot of ok footballers but I felt we controlled the game for long spells but did not get goals we deserved.
United made changes with Simon Moore back in for Jamal Blackman and George Baldock back in the side at right wing back. Chris Basham switched to centre back and there was no place for either Cameron Carter Vickers or David Brooks with Billy Sharp back starting and captaining the side.
United started the game well and an early penalty appeal when Duffy went to ground after a challenge and then Fleck recycled the play soon after but Flint cleared away. United kept coming and a good move saw the ball played over to the left and Duffy hit a stinging drive that was pushed away. City had a rare break and Baker headed wide from a corner. United kept moving the ball around and won a free kick after Duffy was brought down. From the resultant kick, Duffy hit a curling effort that hit the far post with Fielding motionless. The ball was knocked back in the box from Baldock but Clarke headed over under pressure.
Duffy then got in a good position again but his shot was at Fielding. Moore’s long kick then was played inside by Clarke and Sharp hit a rising drive that clipped the bar. United ill fortune continued when Sharp hit the post again soon after. From a Fleck corner, Sharp headed goalward and Fielding pushed the ball onto the bar and the visitors scrambled clear.
United had been very unfortunate not to lead and some incisive football and good chances had not led to the opening goal but against the run of play; Stevens missed his tackle and brought down his man but the ball fell into PATERSON. The winger drifted inside past O’Connell and hit a swerving shot that flew into the goal stunning the home crowd. Stevens was booked for his original foul. The half time whistle came not long after leaving many bewildered by the score line.
The second half saw United Push City back from the start and Sharp won an early free kick before the leveller came. Lundstram pushed the ball forward down the right-hand side and CLARKE drove forward before smashing the ball past Fielding with his right foot. A deserved equaliser and another goal for the man in form.
After this United came again and Duffy hit a superb swerving shot that hit the post and came out but Sharp took too long to react and his shot was blocked by the face of Flint. Basham then piled forward and Clarke had a shot blocked. It seemed the home side were in complete control but the game turned on the hour mark.
The ball was loose on half way and Fleck went in dangerously on Smith with both feet up and high. The City man was in some pain and the red card was the right decision.
United did try and keep attacking with Baldock having a shot blocked and Clarke also coming close. City had brought on an extra attacker in Taylor but United also went for it with Brooks and Donaldson on for Duffy and Sharp. City had a chance with a deflected effort that went past the post and then after a mistake by Stearman, City broke and Moore made a great reaction save to deny Taylor and the home side hacked away the rebound.
Despite having 10 men United were still well in the game as it entered the final stages and Carruthers had a chance but took too long and Wright made a timely tackle. This was crucial as after the corner was cleared, the visitors broke up the other end. Carruthers brought down Reid but his cross was perfectly played and the advantage was played and no one was marking FLINT who swept home expertly just as the additional five minutes of extra time was announced. It was a cruel blow for United who had looked the better side for long spells and been very unfortunate not to score more goal.
The stoppage time saw more frustration with a number of fouls not going the way of the home side and despite several balls pumped forward City held on without a further chance and the reaction of the respective sets of players at the end showed the contrasting emotions from the game. United’s fans applauded off the players for a good performance; albeit in a losing effort.
United – Felt for United tonight. We were poor at Millwall and got beat deservedly. We lost battles, did not play much football and created little. Tonight, we played some good stuff, knocked it about and competed all over the field (maybe too much – 2 or 3 poor tackles and the red card). On another day we win the game and maybe would have been 2 o 3 up at half time. Even at 1-1 you sensed there was only one winner but ill discipline from Fleck cost us the game. I felt at 1-1 with 10 men, they did not cause us too many problems and you felt either side could win it but I am not sure the changes to the side and how we approached it was that wise. We had men all over the place on the winner and nobody marking as got badly exposed on both sides of the box for the cross and the winner. Easy to say on reflection as of course we could easily go up the other end and win I suppose but it has happened quite a bit recently and when we are on a bad run, just taking a point is not always that bad. Now we have lost another and confidence takes a further big knock. As well as we played tonight; we lost. We let in two more poor goals, did not score when on top and rely on Clarke again too much. We have to be more clinical at both ends. Our domination with the ball and clever football ultimately has meant nothing in the last three home games with just one point coming. People will feel the bubble has well and truly burst and the results suggest it may have even if performances have not been that bad. Still for all the plaudits we can give United and wretched luck we had we are not helping ourselves in games and sadly becoming a bit of a soft touch again.
We are conceding lots of long range goals but that is what happens at this higher level. We sadly rarely even shoot from this far out (Duffy had a couple of great efforts tonight mind) and try and walk it in. We need to shoot more and vary how we attack. At times it is too slow the build-up and sadly teams that break fast and make quicker decisions get better chances. We have seen this numerous times over last few weeks despite us playing some really good football. It is great but often lacks thrust or the final ball. It is not pretty but not efficient football when it matters. Still, 2 or 3 of those that hit the post go in and we have a different conversation. It is fine lines.
They have to give Wilder some money in January now as the squad is badly stretched now and we have seen we do not have the depth. A few Wednesday fans said as much as I mocked them that if we got a few injuries we would tail off and we have with Coutts and Baldock missing. Sadly, the lads that have come in such as Lundstram, Stearman, Donaldson, Carruthers for others; have seen not hit same levels for me. We need to invest in some pace and athleticism and some goals from other players. We will have to battle on the two tough away games but with our best two players missing it is going to be tough and the midfield will be a bit of a hotch potch now. I would take a couple of scrappy 0-0 draws to stop the rot. Going to be a tricky few weeks now and sure everyone outside of SUFC will write us off and see us mid table now come the end of the season. I have to say Wilder has a big challenges to arrest the slide but I worry if we have the players to replace the key ones missing to keep us in touch. If we are still in the top 6 by the time the Sheffield Derby comes around we will have done well.
Bristol City – They won and will say what a great away victory and how they scored two good goals and dug in etc, etc. Reality is they were not that great I felt and nowhere near what I expected. First half we should have put the game away and then they scored a really good goal. We got level and there was only one winner. Our fault we gave them a lifeline as at 1-1 they were hanging on. After this they had a couple of chances but hardly blew us away and even for spells with ten men we were as good if not better. I felt they looked quite poor and tossed ball away a lot. They got a late winner. It was an incredibly fortunate win. Sure, we helped them massively but to see the keeper watch three shots hit the woodwork and not be anywhere near them (saved one other really well). They won’t have many other games where the other team hit the woodwork four times and whatever the final score says and the manager may say; it was a total smash and grab win. A sickening defeat for the better side really. They will say it is about what happens in both boxes but even outside of these areas I felt we played the better stuff.
On that evidence I am not sure they will threaten the front two at all. On another day they would have gone home losing the game fairly comfortably. Normally I will temper my critique of a game and look for strengths and things they did well. They scored a late winner and got the three points but over the game United were better tonight. Means nothing of course
Opposition Man of the Match: The two scorers were probably the best two players. Paterson scored a great goal and always looked a threat and then Flint who got his body in the way coolly took the winner as many stopped. The keeper made a few good saves including a superb one from Sharp. Outside of this a few decent players but felt they conceded a lot of the ball and even v 10 men they did not really do enough to hurt us.
Opposition Weak link: DJ uric was an absolute donkey. He fouled, grabbed, miskicked and looked like he had never played football in his life. The lad he replaced Eliasson was poor also. They did not have any really good or really bad players. Lot of ok footballers but I felt we controlled the game for long spells but did not get goals we deserved.
