Ollessendro
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Sheffield United were subjected to another away defeat when they travelled to Middlesex. In a bizare game Watford out 3 goals past the luckless Blades in a game that was spolit by the referee. United were one down when the referee hasrshly sent off two United players within minutes of each other. The 9 men Blades battled hard, but Watford used their advantage to score another two times and put more misery on United.
Ollessendro's thoughts
The referee spoilt was was looking like a potential decent football contest. The sendings off were harsh and it ruined the game. Watford went on to win easily, but even there fans were disappointed with how things turned out. They were happy to take 3 points, but were disappointed that the game was not a contest. United battled hard, but one goal down and down to 9 men we were never in the game.
What more can I say? It really was not a contest.
I was really looking forward to this one too. I was not going to go, but our lass was ill so I sneaked off. I texted a Watford fan who is a mate of mine and arranged to meet him for a drink. When I left my house it was beautiful sunshine and I had just a t-shirt on. It was a really nice Spring day as I got the train up North (I live in South West London). Unfortuantely I got on a train full of Palace fans. They were heading to Loftus Road and were making a lot of noise. Luckily they did not notice my shirt (I had a yellow and brown 1970's away shirt on) and they got off at Shepards Bush. There was another United fan on the train (coming up from Southampton) and we got chatting. We were both confident. I sank 4 beers in the sunshine before the game and was well up for it. I thought we had a good chance of winning and was hoping we would take the confidence from Tuesday into the game. It was shaping up to be a good contest before a combination of United's wankness (Collins) and the referee's incompetence ruined the game.
That was the final nail in the coffin for me. I have been expecting us to get relegated for a while, but today finally settled it for me. The Forrest game gave a tiny spark of hope, but it was snuffed out today. I am completely prepared for life in League One now.
The game
Both teams started quite brightly and there were chances straight away. The Blades were up for it after their midweek victory and Henderson put in a cross from the left that was cleared. Montgomery had to head away moments later. Suddenly, after 10 minutes, Watford took the lead out of the blue.
There seemed little danger as a cross came in from the right hand side. Collins was in front of his man and had time to clear. Everyone was expecting him to blast it out for a corner, but he horrendously sliced his clearance and it flew straight towards the United goal. A surprised Simmonsen did well to save it, but the ball fell to JENKINS to head home fro close range. Jenkins will not scire an easier goal. It was a soft goal and a gift to Watford. Exactly what you don't need when you are in a relegation battle. Shocking defending from Collins.
Minutes later Henderson and Taylor were tussling for the ball and the United forward was penalised and then cautioned. It seemed to me that 6ft 5in Taylor was all over Henderson and it should have been a Blades free kick. Instead the referee gave a free kick to Watford and also booked the United striker. It was bizare and clearly a case of Henderson's reputation getting in the way. Henderson and Taylor were having a decent battle and Henderson got unfairly penalised several times before the booking. The Watford players did not even appeal for the foul. It was a harsh booking.
United had a succession of chances, but failed to test the keeper. Vokes headed wide and then moments later fired across the face of goal. Then suddenly United were redced to 10 men.
A corner was cleared and then put back into the box. Henderson seemed to go for the ball and caught Hodson a little late. It was a 50 50 ball and the defender just beat Hendo to it. I actually though Hedno might get there first and score, but it was a good piece of brave defending. There didn't seem any malice in the challenge, but the ref opted to book Henderson and it being his second yellow he was off. It seemed like a harsh sending off. To be honest, the referee seemed out to get Henderson from the start and was looking to send him off.
Moments later United were reduced to 9 men and the game was over. I missed the incident, so it is difficult to comment. I was so pissed off with the referee that I was one of the cunts who went down to the front and shouted abuse at the referee. I was still shouting abuse (and not watching) when the referee brandish a straight red for Williamson. Most around me thought it was a soft sending off and a yellow card at most. I gather him and the defender jumoed for the ball and Williamson was a little late. Again, (apparently) there was no malice. Still the referee gave Williamson a straight red and sent him for an early bath. Kris Camara said the sending off was very harsh and it was barely a booking.
The game was over at this point, though United hung on at 1-0 down until half time.
Watford came out second half and did a very porfessional job. They were patient and got their reward. They passed the ball well and waited till the United players were knackered to out us to bed. They passed it around and then exploited the gaps. United had little of the ball and although Vokes worked hard, we had no real outlet playing 4-3-1. Watford just came straight back at us.
Watford got their second around the hour mark when TAYLOR scored from close range. Watford were excerting a lot of pressure and had several chances. A cross came in from Cowie and Thompshon heded goalwards. Simmonsen pulled off a good save, tipping the ball onto the bar. However it fell to the big centre back and Taylor tapped it into the net.
Evans replaced Vokes and then United made a double subsitution with Yeates and Bogdanovic coming on for Monty and Quinn. However it had little impact upon the game and Watford continued to dominate.
In last few minutes Watford got their third when JENKINS headed past Simmonsen. A good cross from Eustace was met powerfully by Jenkins to score. He got in front of his man (Nos I think) and did well to put the header in the top corner.
Adams tactics
It is difficult to say about tactics, as the game was ruined by the referee, but what the fuck was Adams doing making al those changes. He started Henderon despite having Boogdanovic and Evans fit. He played Williamson out on the right and left cloggers Monty and Doyle in the middle. I can only presume that Lowton was injured and that is why Nos started.
I thought Adams got it wrong (again) but this might be harsh as the ref spoilt the game.
Player ratings
This is difficult, as the players were up against it. Rather than do ratings for all I will just make a few comments.
SS - generally pretty solid and kept us in the game (well not that we were ever really in it) but his lack of presence in the area continues. He came for one cross and completely missed it.
Collins - not good enough. Fuck off. The guy is very poor and has cost us time and time again. He is slow, terrible on the ball and just poor at defending. His sliced clearance that lead to the goal was embarassing. I have no idea how he is a proffessional footballer. I don' even know if he will be good enough in League One.
Mattock, Nos and Lowry did ok. They looked fairly solid, but still sruggled a little under pressure. I would probably play them with Ertl (maybe dropping Nos for Lowton).
Monty and Quinn worked hard, but were not really in the game.
Doyle was piss poor again and is not good enough at this level. He offers nothing going forward and is off the pace. Perhaps I am being harsh, as Monty and Quinn were not in the game, but the guy just makes up numbers (to me). Another poor signing by Adams. Perhaps he will do a job in League One, but he got dicked today.
Vokes worked really hard, but got little joy. He will be a decnt player in a few years. His work rate is good and he is a presence.
Watford
Credit to Watford. Sure it was not a contest, but they are a good side. They get the ball oon the deck and try and play. Even when it was 11 vs 11, they looked good. They played some good football and one touch passing. It shows it can be done and it was nice to see some tippy tappy, compared to our hoofs. Don't get me wrong, they are not Barcelona, but I like their philosophy. They try to play.
They have a young team that is hungry. They lack a bit of disciplined and are experienced, but they are a decent outfit. They have a wage cap at £5k a week and it shows. They have a good model (something we could learn from) and have made some good signings from the lower league and Scottish football. Credit to Mackay for instilling a footballing philosophy and for doing what he has done.
Atmosphere
The home support was piss poor. I think they were almost embarrased at the sendings off and how easy it was. There 11k fans did not make a peep all game. Conversely the United fans were brilliant.
Over a thousand off us really made some noise. We outsang Watford for the whole game. In the sedond half the suport was immense. When we got the 'Micky Adams Read and White Army ... SUFC' chant going it was awesome. I think the sendings off and apparent injustice made us stand up together and were really got behind the team. The ironic chants of 'off, off', off' after every foul (including our own players) were funny and even Watford fans after the game commented on the hillarity of it.
Disgusted: Despite the awesome support by Blades fans (in the face of adversity) I though booing their injured defender was shocking. I understand the frustration, but that was bang out of order. I was embarrassed by that. We are not fucking animals. The sending off was harsh. The referee deserved abuse. Their wanker keeper deserved abuse for winding the United fans up and kissing his badge. HOWEVER, that poor lad was badly injured and got stretchered off. Booing him and jeering him was pathetic. Anyone who did that should hang your head in shame. Absolute cunts. Can you imagine the Port Vale fans booing Whitehouse off after he got nailed in 1997/1998? He was clearly badly injured. Bad form United fans.
Ollessendro's thoughts
The referee spoilt was was looking like a potential decent football contest. The sendings off were harsh and it ruined the game. Watford went on to win easily, but even there fans were disappointed with how things turned out. They were happy to take 3 points, but were disappointed that the game was not a contest. United battled hard, but one goal down and down to 9 men we were never in the game.
What more can I say? It really was not a contest.
I was really looking forward to this one too. I was not going to go, but our lass was ill so I sneaked off. I texted a Watford fan who is a mate of mine and arranged to meet him for a drink. When I left my house it was beautiful sunshine and I had just a t-shirt on. It was a really nice Spring day as I got the train up North (I live in South West London). Unfortuantely I got on a train full of Palace fans. They were heading to Loftus Road and were making a lot of noise. Luckily they did not notice my shirt (I had a yellow and brown 1970's away shirt on) and they got off at Shepards Bush. There was another United fan on the train (coming up from Southampton) and we got chatting. We were both confident. I sank 4 beers in the sunshine before the game and was well up for it. I thought we had a good chance of winning and was hoping we would take the confidence from Tuesday into the game. It was shaping up to be a good contest before a combination of United's wankness (Collins) and the referee's incompetence ruined the game.
That was the final nail in the coffin for me. I have been expecting us to get relegated for a while, but today finally settled it for me. The Forrest game gave a tiny spark of hope, but it was snuffed out today. I am completely prepared for life in League One now.
The game
Both teams started quite brightly and there were chances straight away. The Blades were up for it after their midweek victory and Henderson put in a cross from the left that was cleared. Montgomery had to head away moments later. Suddenly, after 10 minutes, Watford took the lead out of the blue.
There seemed little danger as a cross came in from the right hand side. Collins was in front of his man and had time to clear. Everyone was expecting him to blast it out for a corner, but he horrendously sliced his clearance and it flew straight towards the United goal. A surprised Simmonsen did well to save it, but the ball fell to JENKINS to head home fro close range. Jenkins will not scire an easier goal. It was a soft goal and a gift to Watford. Exactly what you don't need when you are in a relegation battle. Shocking defending from Collins.
Minutes later Henderson and Taylor were tussling for the ball and the United forward was penalised and then cautioned. It seemed to me that 6ft 5in Taylor was all over Henderson and it should have been a Blades free kick. Instead the referee gave a free kick to Watford and also booked the United striker. It was bizare and clearly a case of Henderson's reputation getting in the way. Henderson and Taylor were having a decent battle and Henderson got unfairly penalised several times before the booking. The Watford players did not even appeal for the foul. It was a harsh booking.
United had a succession of chances, but failed to test the keeper. Vokes headed wide and then moments later fired across the face of goal. Then suddenly United were redced to 10 men.
A corner was cleared and then put back into the box. Henderson seemed to go for the ball and caught Hodson a little late. It was a 50 50 ball and the defender just beat Hendo to it. I actually though Hedno might get there first and score, but it was a good piece of brave defending. There didn't seem any malice in the challenge, but the ref opted to book Henderson and it being his second yellow he was off. It seemed like a harsh sending off. To be honest, the referee seemed out to get Henderson from the start and was looking to send him off.
Moments later United were reduced to 9 men and the game was over. I missed the incident, so it is difficult to comment. I was so pissed off with the referee that I was one of the cunts who went down to the front and shouted abuse at the referee. I was still shouting abuse (and not watching) when the referee brandish a straight red for Williamson. Most around me thought it was a soft sending off and a yellow card at most. I gather him and the defender jumoed for the ball and Williamson was a little late. Again, (apparently) there was no malice. Still the referee gave Williamson a straight red and sent him for an early bath. Kris Camara said the sending off was very harsh and it was barely a booking.
The game was over at this point, though United hung on at 1-0 down until half time.
Watford came out second half and did a very porfessional job. They were patient and got their reward. They passed the ball well and waited till the United players were knackered to out us to bed. They passed it around and then exploited the gaps. United had little of the ball and although Vokes worked hard, we had no real outlet playing 4-3-1. Watford just came straight back at us.
Watford got their second around the hour mark when TAYLOR scored from close range. Watford were excerting a lot of pressure and had several chances. A cross came in from Cowie and Thompshon heded goalwards. Simmonsen pulled off a good save, tipping the ball onto the bar. However it fell to the big centre back and Taylor tapped it into the net.
Evans replaced Vokes and then United made a double subsitution with Yeates and Bogdanovic coming on for Monty and Quinn. However it had little impact upon the game and Watford continued to dominate.
In last few minutes Watford got their third when JENKINS headed past Simmonsen. A good cross from Eustace was met powerfully by Jenkins to score. He got in front of his man (Nos I think) and did well to put the header in the top corner.
Adams tactics
It is difficult to say about tactics, as the game was ruined by the referee, but what the fuck was Adams doing making al those changes. He started Henderon despite having Boogdanovic and Evans fit. He played Williamson out on the right and left cloggers Monty and Doyle in the middle. I can only presume that Lowton was injured and that is why Nos started.
I thought Adams got it wrong (again) but this might be harsh as the ref spoilt the game.
Player ratings
This is difficult, as the players were up against it. Rather than do ratings for all I will just make a few comments.
SS - generally pretty solid and kept us in the game (well not that we were ever really in it) but his lack of presence in the area continues. He came for one cross and completely missed it.
Collins - not good enough. Fuck off. The guy is very poor and has cost us time and time again. He is slow, terrible on the ball and just poor at defending. His sliced clearance that lead to the goal was embarassing. I have no idea how he is a proffessional footballer. I don' even know if he will be good enough in League One.
Mattock, Nos and Lowry did ok. They looked fairly solid, but still sruggled a little under pressure. I would probably play them with Ertl (maybe dropping Nos for Lowton).
Monty and Quinn worked hard, but were not really in the game.
Doyle was piss poor again and is not good enough at this level. He offers nothing going forward and is off the pace. Perhaps I am being harsh, as Monty and Quinn were not in the game, but the guy just makes up numbers (to me). Another poor signing by Adams. Perhaps he will do a job in League One, but he got dicked today.
Vokes worked really hard, but got little joy. He will be a decnt player in a few years. His work rate is good and he is a presence.
Watford
Credit to Watford. Sure it was not a contest, but they are a good side. They get the ball oon the deck and try and play. Even when it was 11 vs 11, they looked good. They played some good football and one touch passing. It shows it can be done and it was nice to see some tippy tappy, compared to our hoofs. Don't get me wrong, they are not Barcelona, but I like their philosophy. They try to play.
They have a young team that is hungry. They lack a bit of disciplined and are experienced, but they are a decent outfit. They have a wage cap at £5k a week and it shows. They have a good model (something we could learn from) and have made some good signings from the lower league and Scottish football. Credit to Mackay for instilling a footballing philosophy and for doing what he has done.
Atmosphere
The home support was piss poor. I think they were almost embarrased at the sendings off and how easy it was. There 11k fans did not make a peep all game. Conversely the United fans were brilliant.
Over a thousand off us really made some noise. We outsang Watford for the whole game. In the sedond half the suport was immense. When we got the 'Micky Adams Read and White Army ... SUFC' chant going it was awesome. I think the sendings off and apparent injustice made us stand up together and were really got behind the team. The ironic chants of 'off, off', off' after every foul (including our own players) were funny and even Watford fans after the game commented on the hillarity of it.
Disgusted: Despite the awesome support by Blades fans (in the face of adversity) I though booing their injured defender was shocking. I understand the frustration, but that was bang out of order. I was embarrassed by that. We are not fucking animals. The sending off was harsh. The referee deserved abuse. Their wanker keeper deserved abuse for winding the United fans up and kissing his badge. HOWEVER, that poor lad was badly injured and got stretchered off. Booing him and jeering him was pathetic. Anyone who did that should hang your head in shame. Absolute cunts. Can you imagine the Port Vale fans booing Whitehouse off after he got nailed in 1997/1998? He was clearly badly injured. Bad form United fans.
wtf ollie Watford is in Hertfordshire.
