16/01/10 - Sheffield United v. Middlesbrough

[Foxy]

should they of had a pen ?

We certainly should. They kept diving, the only major surprise was D'Urso not giving them a penalty.

 

[Foxy]

Thought we were pathetic first half, but improved second half, when we outfought them. Think the pitch and our work rate prevented them from getting their passing game going.

We managed to string some good moves together on the same pitch.

Taylor's cross for the goal was fantastic, Wardy wasn't on from the start because he's still no quite right/carrying a knock.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Just seen the goal on Final Score, great cross

 

[ciento%hoja]

no need to stay up to see it tonight... great head... he does go where others dont want to stoop

 

[Ballinpigpubs13]

I say it as I see, first half shite, second half great. Some really good moves in the second half. If only Monty had scored with that shot that went mid-way up the kop

 

[stinkyblade]

First half, both teams were awful...seems to be every half time I say that was worst 45 minutes ive seen. Today was no different. Much better second half, and like the above post states, Monty scoring that would have been amazing.

The atmospheres are so poor at the Lane aren't they? Ever since Warnock left, only Wednesday this season and Preston in play offs have been any good. When the fans play their part so does the team, but as we are playing crap the fans are quiet. It's a vicious cycle.

Still, merited and welcomed three points, on to the Cup next week. Let's go there and attack, nothing to lose.

 

[Linz]

Best bit of today: Henderson warming up with Jamie Ward and Derek Geary.

Looked like a father taking his kids for a jog round the park

 

[Bladesman]

First half, both teams were awful...seems to be every half time I say that was worst 45 minutes ive seen. Today was no different. Much better second half, and like the above post states, Monty scoring that would have been amazing.

The atmospheres are so poor at the Lane aren't they? Ever since Warnock left, only Wednesday this season and Preston in play offs have been any good. When the fans play their part so does the team, but as we are playing crap the fans are quiet. It's a vicious cycle.

Still, merited and welcomed three points, on to the Cup next week. Let's go there and attack, nothing to lose.

Yep and only 23,974 at the lane today. Thats with no snow around the ground.

Anyway today was an OK game really I think overall we deserved the win despite the shocker of a game the ref Dumbo was having. Perhaps should of wrapped the game up with a 2nd goal. Thankfully Boro were too piss poor infront of goal to take advantage of any free kicks and corners we needlessly gave them.

 

[stinkyblade]

Yep and only 23,974 at the lane today. Thats with no snow around the ground.

I know mate, was shocked at that. Seemed more as they brought about 1500?

 

[Bladesman]

Id say 2k maybe more of their lot.

 

[rachyblade]

I thought the back of the kop did a fair job to try and get an atmosphere going, just didnt take off.

One day.... when monty does score at the kop end, bramall lane will go mental. I'd of loved that to of gone in today.

As for the game, shit first half, bit better 2nd half, prefer quinn on the left and not in the middle, think harper was very poor, we are looking a bit better than we did against Preston, still room for alot of improvement, and I'm glad Hendo is back as Ched and Creswell didnt win a header between them first half.

 

[Linz]

One day.... when monty does score at the kop end, bramall lane will go mental. I'd have loved that to of gone in today.

I loved the standing ovation that shot got

 

[dkc Blade]

I was over for the Preston game and as shocked that the atmosphere was so crap.

Still, we are back in the play offs with some big games coming up. Could be an exciting end to the season.

 

[Santos]

I can't fault too much with the performance today. I thought we were the more dominant team from start to finish and the only question was whether we'd be able to break down a decent Boro defence.

Things are shaping up quite nicely for us currently.

Bunn 8 - Didn't have any 'major' saves to make but didn't fumble anything and his kicking was excellent
Taylor 5 - Apparantly he provided the cross for our goal so fair play to the lad for that but other than I am starting to feel sorry for him. I feel he is out of his depth, weak, nervous and indecisive. A complete weak link for us today in my opinion. He seems like a smashing bloke and I feel bad being so harsh on what on the face of it seems like a decent lad but we could do with Naysmith back ASAP.
Morgan 8 - Didn't give the strikers a sniff
Siep 8 - Just looks like Killa's older brother, the game seems so easy to him - although that may be a reflection on Boro's toothless strikeforce.
Walker 8 - Another good performance, he seems able to make mistakes but due to his pace and strength is able to get himself out of these situations.
Quinn 9 - MOTM, great performance from Quinny today on the wing. Everything good about our play went through him.
Harper 7 - Did well, kept shape and pulled the strings.
Monty 7 - We saw the good and the bad of Nick Montgomery today.
Williamson 7 - Decent performance for a player who isn't a right winger.
Evans 8 - Getting better with every game I think and is learning there is a lot more to being a striker than scoring goals within the six yard box.
Cresswell 8 - Great signing.

Keep it up Blades.

 

[stinkyblade]

exciting end to the season.

Like last season

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I can't fault too much with the performance today. I thought we were the more dominant team from start to finish and the only question was whether we'd be able to break down a decent Boro defence.

Things are shaping up quite nicely for us currently.

Bunn 8 - Didn't have any 'major' saves to make but didn't fumble anything and his kicking was excellent
Taylor 5 - Apparantly he provided the cross for our goal so fair play to the lad for that but other than I am starting to feel sorry for him. I feel he is out of his depth, weak, nervous and indecisive. A complete weak link for us today in my opinion. He seems like a smashing bloke and I feel bad being so harsh on what on the face of it seems like a decent lad but we could do with Naysmith back ASAP.
Morgan 8 - Didn't give the strikers a sniff
Siep 8 - Just looks like Killa's older brother, the game seems so easy to him - although that may be a reflection on Boro's toothless strikeforce.
Walker 8 - Another good performance, he seems able to make mistakes but due to his pace and strength is able to get himself out of these situations.
Quinn 9 - MOTM, great performance from Quinny today on the wing. Everything good about our play went through him.
Harper 7 - Did well, kept shape and pulled the strings.
Monty 7 - We saw the good and the bad of Nick Montgomery today.
Williamson 7 - Decent performance for a player who isn't a right winger.
Evans 8 - Getting better with every game I think and is learning there is a lot more to being a striker than scoring goals within the six yard box.
Cresswell 8 - Great signing.

Keep it up Blades.

That's pretty much how I read the game. What I would say on Taylor is that after about 15 minutes I thought he was in trouble - the instance where he thought Morgan was going to close down the right winger, leaving him completely free to advance to the box, was particularly worrying. However, in spite of Boro focusing on trying to expose him further, I thought he did start to improve, and ultimately did enough right in the 2nd half to redeem himself. That said, a fit Naysmith (or a loaned Kyle Mark I), would really provide a bit more reassurance there.

Harper deserves a bit more praise too. He's had a very good week - thought he was excellent on Tuesday, and did well again today. Such a shame that he couldn't finish what was a great move 2nd half where you had the Cressie cross and Evans's unselfish knockdown.

 

[Pinchy]

I thought the back of the kop did a fair job to try and get an atmosphere going, just didnt take off.

One day.... when monty does score at the kop end, bramall lane will go mental. I'd of loved that to of gone in today.

As for the game, shit first half, bit better 2nd half, prefer quinn on the left and not in the middle, think harper was very poor, we are looking a bit better than we did against Preston, still room for alot of improvement, and I'm glad Hendo is back as Ched and Creswell didnt win a header between them first half.

What made you think Harper was very poor? Are you unfamiliar with a Blades midfielder passing to his own teammates?

I can scarcely believe you were at the match in the light of that observation.

Sorry.

 

[Deleted member 1486]

Me and the kids got the bus into town as I fancied a couple of pre-match beers. I pressed the bell to get off on Pond Street and when the bus pulled round the corner there was about 300 pigs stood at the stop we were getting off at!

We were fully kitted out in hats, scarfs and shirts in the middle of a sea of blue. I expected some serious piss taking tbh but they were as good as gold, only one bloke said owt: "bet you wish you'd picked the next stop", to which I replied "never!"

 

[rachyblade]

What made you think Harper was very poor? Are you unfamiliar with a Blades midfielder passing to his own teammates?

I can scarcely believe you were at the match in the light of that observation.

Sorry.

Passing to his own team mates? I seem to remember most of his passes going to a boro player.

 

[Pinchy]

Passing to his own team mates? I seem to remember most of his passes going to a boro player.

As I said, I can scarcely believe you were at the match. Perhaps you were too busy going mental at the sheer exhiliration of Monty's 'shot'?

Harper used the ball creatively and efficiently. He was instrumental in us keeping possession of the ball much better than is usually the case. He is a proper footballer. You'll get used to it.

I suspect you are confusing him with Nick Montgomery. A visit to the optician may be in order.

 

[happyhippy]

I can't fault too much with the performance today. I thought we were the more dominant team from start to finish and the only question was whether we'd be able to break down a decent Boro defence.

Things are shaping up quite nicely for us currently.

Bunn 8 - Didn't have any 'major' saves to make but didn't fumble anything and his kicking was excellent
Taylor 5 - Apparantly he provided the cross for our goal so fair play to the lad for that but other than I am starting to feel sorry for him. I feel he is out of his depth, weak, nervous and indecisive. A complete weak link for us today in my opinion. He seems like a smashing bloke and I feel bad being so harsh on what on the face of it seems like a decent lad but we could do with Naysmith back ASAP.
Morgan 8 - Didn't give the strikers a sniff
Siep 8 - Just looks like Killa's older brother, the game seems so easy to him - although that may be a reflection on Boro's toothless strikeforce.
Walker 8 - Another good performance, he seems able to make mistakes but due to his pace and strength is able to get himself out of these situations.
Quinn 9 - MOTM, great performance from Quinny today on the wing. Everything good about our play went through him.
Harper 7 - Did well, kept shape and pulled the strings.
Monty 7 - We saw the good and the bad of Nick Montgomery today.
Williamson 7 - Decent performance for a player who isn't a right winger.
Evans 8 - Getting better with every game I think and is learning there is a lot more to being a striker than scoring goals within the six yard box.
Cresswell 8 - Great signing.

Keep it up Blades.

Good to see a 'glass half full' post, and in reality, I reckon that's not too far wrong. I did miss quite a bit at the start of the second half though, as Brownie and I were far more interested in drinking beer, talking about cricket, and attempting to kick bottles over the wall (with the consent of the stewards), after the terrible first half.

 

[rachyblade]

As I said, I can scarcely believe you were at the match. Perhaps you were too busy going mental at the sheer exhiliration of Monty's 'shot'?

Harper used the ball creatively and efficiently. He was instrumental in us keeping possession of the ball much better than is usually the case. He is a proper footballer. You'll get used to it.

I suspect you are confusing him with Nick Montgomery. A visit to the optician may be in order.

:fishy::fishy::fishy::fishy::fishy: