Birmingham 1 United 1 - report/view from the sofa

[Deadbat]

United’s promotion bid took a blow when they were held to a draw at St Andrews on Wednesday evening. The Blades were far from their best but led thanks to a powerful Enda Stevens strike but Michael Morrison levelled soon after with a scrappy goal. After this Dean Henderson was the busier keeper as Birmingham looked more likely for a period before United came on late at the end and tried to force a winner, to no avail.


United were still without Jack O’Connell and brought in Martin Cranie replacing Kieran Dowell and Enda Stevens switched to his familiar left wing back role. Gary Madine was back on the bench after suspension. Birmingham also had a key man missing with Maikel Kieftenbeld out for nine months with knee ligament damage. David Davis came in. Jota was still on the bench who started with free scoring former Blade Adams up top.


For the first five minutes United had all the possession and moved it about well and were looking comfortable on the ball without creating much. Baldock won an early set play but the free kick saw Sharp caught offside. Stevens, Fleck and Duffy combined and Stevens was in but opted not to shoot and his cross fell to Sharp who could only hook it over McGoldrick. United continued to push Birmingham back and McGoldrick was influential coming deep to receive the ball.


Stevens burst forward and his cross evaded everyone and then Norwood hit a superb cross field ball as United continued to control things without testing the keeper. Sharp held the ball up but lacked support.


Birmingham slowly came into the game and Adams started to hold the ball up well; from a half chance after Duffy gave it away, the ball was whipped over from Gardner it hit Cranie and Henderson had to scurry backwards to make a last ditch save. In doing so he hurt his elbow but was able to carry on after treatment.


Cranie made a good interception as United started to give the ball away. Norwood then could not clear and Dean sliced over. Davis was harshly booked for a foul on Norwood as the game started to become scrappy.


Duffy has been poor so far but got on the ball and edged it forward and invited the challenge and this led to STEVENS getting away and he took a touch before hitting a fierce shot that flew in past Camp who got a hand on it but could not keep it out.


The lead only lasted four minutes though. An innocuous cross came over to the far post and Baldock opted to go safety first. It led to a corner which Birmingham scored the leveller from. The corner saw Basham lose his man and Gardner headed goal wards. A combination of Norwood and Henderson blocked it but MORRSION hooked it into the far corner of the unguarded net.

After this Birmingham pressed and won another two corners and McGoldrick had to head the final one clear before the half time whistle came.


The second half saw Sharp caught offside twice in close succession and United began the second half as they ended the first; with poor play on the ball and too far off the Birmingham players in possession. Duffy ran into trouble and from the deep cross from Pederson, Jutkiewicz headed wide.


Norwood gave the ball away soon after and Egan had to step in to win it before a rare United break out, Stevens got checked for a free kick as Gardner fouled him. A chance came for United from the free kick when Norwood’s drilled effort as turned goal wards but Jutkiewicz got his toe to it before McGoldrick and Camp had to be smart to keep out a possible own goal.


The next period saw little happen in the way of chances although Adams was continued to cause problems with his running and strength. Changes came for both sides as Dowell and Madine came on for Cranie and Duffy as McGoldrick dropped deeper and Dowell went to left wing back and Stevens tucking inside. Jota came on for Mahoney as Monk tried to counter Wilder’s move.


The sub had an immediate impact as he beat Fleck to it and sent Adams through who hit a dipping first time effort that Henderson did brilliantly to tip away. Soon after this, Birmingham had another chance as Stevens lost it and Jota came inside and hit a low shot that Henderson saved at the near post.


United had been poor second half but Norwood had an effort driven wide before Basham’s cross was flicked away from McGoldrick but off target. Adams was playing on the last man and twice United had to be alert to see things out. At the other end, United won a corner as Basham tried to head back across goal from Stevens cross. Then from a poor Camp clearance, Norwood tried to knock it back. Slowly United started to have a spell in the game but often they were undone by poor passing when it mattered. Sharp nearly got in on a through ball but the defender did well. Fleck then drove goal wards but it was cleared.


Craig Gardner came on to join his brother for Davis as the game entered the final teen minutes of the game. Adams then nearly got in as Egan was struggling with his constant energy. United were now throwing men forward and they won a corner as the game entered the final minute but McGoldrick headed just over as the United fans held their breath behind the goal. The game went into three minutes of stoppage time and United were not really going for it and won another late corner after good work from Madine but Egan’s header was comfortable for Camp. The final whistle went not long after this and it was a point for both sides which probably helps Birmingham more than United.


United – I have to say I was quite disappointed with us tonight. I felt we were poor at Preston in the first half but improved hugely after this and deserved to edge it. I thought we would kick on tonight and the first 10 minutes tonight we kept it well without doing much but I felt we looked a good side and confident one. Slowly we started to give it away and then it became scrappy for a period and they had a few half chances. We then scored out of nowhere really but tossed it away with a poor goal. Some will blame Baldock, some will blame Basham, some will blame Henderson or Norwood for failing to deal with it and a number of players for not reacting to the ball after this. The reality is nobody imposed themselves with it be a call on the first ball to give Baldock some time (for what its worth I felt as a defender he did the right thing as he did not know what was behind him) and then the goal saw us lose the key battles and second and third ball really. We just did not react really.


After this this kind of knocked the stuffing out of us. They looked the more likely the second half and Adams and Jota had opportunities and they looked more dangerous. We never got going and we had so many players who normally play well who simply did not with Duffy, Sharp, Fleck and others all making poor decisions or not winning their individual battles. We just looked a bit tired. When we got into the last third, I felt we panicked with poor crosses from lots of players and we did not show any composure outside of McGoldrick. I felt the last 5 minutes we started to have a go and pushed men forward and suddenly had some half chances with a few efforts from corners or blocks made. To me we left it too late. Sure, a point is a point but we needed to go on and impose ourselves. They may have beat Leeds but they were no great shakes tonight and if we had raised the tempo or a few players up their game, I think we go on and win the game even after being pegged back but it never happened really. It was almost like we looked a bit scared to be beat and lose and really commit ourselves.


Overall, a touch of disappointment but we are still in it and things can turn again at the weekend. We need a favour from our rivals but we need to get back to the football and performances we have not seen for a few games now. We need to get our swagger back. Hopefully O’Connell will be back. I would start Madine and Sharp up top with McGoldrick just off them against a big physical Millwall team. Duffy has been really poor the last two games – yes he made the goal but he gave it away constantly outside of this. Sharp also has been off his game the last two games and needs to up his levels after of course a fantastic season. The defence was ok tonight save for Adams getting away a few times and the set play but I just want to see a more fluent footballing performance. I felt we gave it away under little pressure a lot and was not as if they pressed us all over the field. We seemed to go route one too often and not play through the lines. Yes, they sat back and were deep but then you have to trust the football. We seem to have lost the confidence to get through teams playing this way.


It will only be seen at the end of the season if it is a good point but now Leeds with two home games to come (same as us of course) will really go for it. On paper they do have slightly harder fixtures. Ironically, I feel if we can win the next two (even if Leeds do) we can still do it but I am worried about Saturday – Millwall always come and scrap and we need a few players to wake from the slumber they showed tonight. Either they were tired and lacked energy or just off their game but one or two did not seize the moment. They have five games to go but if we need to go up, we need better performances than tonight.


Still for all the kind of down beat thoughts, we are third place, a point behind with 5 to go (3 are at home) and we need to keep the faith. I hope we will get back to form the next two games and really go for it. Now is not the time for caution really; especially at home. We need to attack teams pen them back again.

 

[Deadbat]

Birmingham – They played quite defensively for a home team and sat back a lot but then still had more efforts on goal than us and maybe shaded the 2nd half until we had a go at the end. I felt they ceded possession a lot early on and we looked far better but then slowly they started to turn things around. They pushed us back and we gave it away quite a bit. Then we scored and as Wilder said, I thought if we got to half time they would have to come out and change things. Second half they got behind us a bit but were reliant heavily on Adams who caused all the problems.


He was a real threat and played well and looked a much more mature player than the one we saw at the Lane. He played unselfishly and worked hard. Outside of him, Jota did ok but they were more workmanlike than anything else and not sure any other players stood out. They defended in numbers when they had to and got men very far back whenever we had it. They made sure when Norwood had it, they had all 11 behind the ball which meant it was hard for us too penetrate. They would have probably expected us to come out and push them back 2nd half but it did not happen until maybe the 80th minute when we had more of the ball and some half chances. They deserved the point for the efforts on goal and showing as much quality in the final third as us. Monk has done a good job there and if you take away the points deduction, they would not have been far off the play offs (Redknapp’s fault and the board for ridiculous overspending). They don’t have lots of talent but are a hardworking, honest group. They will lose Adams in the summer and he will be tough to replace but they have enough to be around the middle of the league again next season.

–


Opponent man of the match – Adams. They gave it Morrison who scored but Adams was the main threat, running across the front line, holding it up and looking a threat. I felt Jota also played well when he came on and it was odd, he did not start. The two centre backs were solid and kept Sharp quiet.


Weak link – Not sure anyone was awful. The lad in midfield Davis looked a bit of a clogger and I felt Colin and Pederson we did not get at, two fairly immobile and slow defenders. I also thought Maghoma was poor – he normally has good games against us.


Henderson 7.5/10 – Made three good saves; one in the first half after the deflection. The one from Adams was very good and then he did well to get down to the Jota one. The goal maybe he could have done a bit better as he pushed it back into the box but then you expect your defence to react better. Not sure he could have held it going down low. Outside of this he was fine and played quite well.


Baldock 6.5/10 – Not sure he got forward much at all outside of the first 10 minutes and ended up more of a regular right back. He was ok defensively against a decent winger in Maghoma but I felt on the ball at times he was a bit cautious.


Stevens 7/10 – Scored a tremendous goal and got forward well early on. He actually could have shot when well placed from a closer in one than the shot he scored from. Great shot and maybe should shoot more often if he can show that power. After this he was actually a bit sloppy on the ball and he gave it away a bit but had one good run second half. Ended up at wide centre back to end the game.


Egan 6.5/10 – Thought Adams gave him a tough game. It was odd he ended up marking him and Jutkiewicz peeled off to others. I would have thought Cranie being a bit more mobile may mark Adams but it did not work out like that. Adams got away from him a few times and he was outmuscled a few times. He did win a few headers and clearances and stepped out a few times.


Cranie 7/10 – He was fine. Nearly conceded an unlucky own goal but got some blocks and interceptions in and ‘old manned’ it a few times in terms of blocking people off. Actually, should have been booked for one of them! He never seems to let us down. He only went off as we were looking to get more men forward.


Basham 6.5/10 – Sliced a few out early on in the game but started to use it better for a spell. Lost his man on the corner or was certainly close enough to do more. In the second half he was ok defensively and got forward towards the end but his crossing and final ball for the most part was poor save for one McGoldrick flicked on.


Fleck 5/10 – Thought he was pretty anonymous all night. Felt we needed someone who could drive forward and get on the ball and make us tick. He never did and not only that but did not put a tackle in all night. His final ball was awful when he had it and he sent 3 crosses behind the goal. Had one run and shot blocked but other than that not sure I can recall much he did right all night. Just never in the game.


Norwood 6/10 – Started the game well with some crossfield balls that showed his class and he got on it; but then he started to get sloppy too and he had two clearances (one when Colin shot over) and then on the goal maybe he needs to give a shout and clear. Second half not sure he got on the ball and after him and Fleck dominated the second half at Preston, the same did not happen today. His set plays were not great either save for the one we nearly got the own goal from.


Duffy 5/10 – See Fleck. He did make the goal with an assist but outside of this I felt he was really poor. He lost it time and time again. He was not helping recover possession like he did at Preston and whilst I am glad Wilder kept him on as he showed he can make a goal just from one moment but second half he got even worse and they nearly got through us twice after he gave it away. He was subbed just after he gave it away again. He needs to improve massively for me after two poor games.


Sharp 5.5/10 – He has not been at his best the last two games and after missing chances on Saturday, he did not have any tonight or the half chances he had, he took too long to turn or get his shot away. He tried to work hard but was offside and I felt the only threat we had attacking wise was from Didsy. Looked tired tonight and frustrated and things were not sticking with him.


McGoldrick 7.5/10 – Our best player comfortably tonight. He came off the ball and had to as Duffy was not having any impact on the game. The lack of service meant he had to come deep. Just looked composed on the ball and the only bit of class we had. Our main source of us creating things. Had a decent chance at the end but would have done well to get that in on target.


Subs –


Dowell – Came on and actually did ok. They put Jota on and he caused a few problems running from deep but he came off Dowell to do this. He actually was able to get forward and despite a few telegraphed balls but a few crosses in and at least helped us push them further down the pitch.


Madine – Held it up a few times and a few others it came off him. He did win most headers but it was from deep positions. It was all a bit desperate at the end and he did link a little bit but not sure he got any chances or made anything but that was more due to the play coming into him.



Wilder 6.5/10 – Cranie playing seemed the right thing to do. I think that a few looked tired and he made the changes but not sure they improved things much either. I suppose we had more of a forward-thinking approach with Dowell left and then Madine up top with McGoldrick off the front two. We at least forced them back a little bit and had a bit of a go at the end but I did feel that this came too late. I think he will have been a bit disappointed with the lack of tempo and that we did not win those key battles and it was just all a bit wait and see. We need to seize the initiative more in games and force teams back more.


Referee – Darren Bond. He was fine actually. The booking for Davis was harsh but the commentators all forget he had been warned once. It was still soft. Cranie and Egan maybe should have been booked for us if Davis was yellow carded. Pedersen was booked for hauling Sharp down on the wing which seemed more routine. Other than this, there were not many tackles of note at all and he let the game flow when he could. The assistants got a few offsides wrong for both sides and also when you take a foul throw and it enters the field; why do you get to have another go?

 

[Jehovah]

Yep. Fleck anonymous, Duffy poor and Sharp offside sums it up. Mcg easily or best player tonight.

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

Birmingham – They played quite defensively for a home team and sat back a lot but then still had more efforts on goal than us and maybe shaded the 2nd half until we had a go at the end. I felt they ceded possession a lot early on and we looked far better but then slowly they started to turn things around. They pushed us back and we gave it away quite a bit. Then we scored and as Wilder said, I thought if we got to half time they would have to come out and change things. Second half they got behind us a bit but were reliant heavily on Adams who caused all the problems.


He was a real threat and played well and looked a much more mature player than the one we saw at the Lane. He played unselfishly and worked hard. Outside of him, Jota did ok but they were more workmanlike than anything else and not sure any other players stood out. They defended in numbers when they had to and got men very far back whenever we had it. They made sure when Norwood had it, they had all 11 behind the ball which meant it was hard for us too penetrate. They would have probably expected us to come out and push them back 2nd half but it did not happen until maybe the 80th minute when we had more of the ball and some half chances. They deserved the point for the efforts on goal and showing as much quality in the final third as us. Monk has done a good job there and if you take away the points deduction, they would not have been far off the play offs (Redknapp’s fault and the board for ridiculous overspending). They don’t have lots of talent but are a hardworking, honest group. They will lose Adams in the summer and he will be tough to replace but they have enough to be around the middle of the league again next season.

–


Opponent man of the match – Adams. They gave it Morrison who scored but Adams was the main threat, running across the front line, holding it up and looking a threat. I felt Jota also played well when he came on and it was odd, he did not start. The two centre backs were solid and kept Sharp quiet.


Weak link – Not sure anyone was awful. The lad in midfield Davis looked a bit of a clogger and I felt Colin and Pederson we did not get at, two fairly immobile and slow defenders. I also thought Maghoma was poor – he normally has good games against us.


Henderson 7.5/10 – Made three good saves; one in the first half after the deflection. The one from Adams was very good and then he did well to get down to the Jota one. The goal maybe he could have done a bit better as he pushed it back into the box but then you expect your defence to react better. Not sure he could have held it going down low. Outside of this he was fine and played quite well.


Baldock 6.5/10 – Not sure he got forward much at all outside of the first 10 minutes and ended up more of a regular right back. He was ok defensively against a decent winger in Maghoma but I felt on the ball at times he was a bit cautious.


Stevens 7/10 – Scored a tremendous goal and got forward well early on. He actually could have shot when well placed from a closer in one than the shot he scored from. Great shot and maybe should shoot more often if he can show that power. After this he was actually a bit sloppy on the ball and he gave it away a bit but had one good run second half. Ended up at wide centre back to end the game.


Egan 6.5/10 – Thought Adams gave him a tough game. It was odd he ended up marking him and Jutkiewicz peeled off to others. I would have thought Cranie being a bit more mobile may mark Adams but it did not work out like that. Adams got away from him a few times and he was outmuscled a few times. He did win a few headers and clearances and stepped out a few times.


Cranie 7/10 – He was fine. Nearly conceded an unlucky own goal but got some blocks and interceptions in and ‘old manned’ it a few times in terms of blocking people off. Actually, should have been booked for one of them! He never seems to let us down. He only went off as we were looking to get more men forward.


Basham 6.5/10 – Sliced a few out early on in the game but started to use it better for a spell. Lost his man on the corner or was certainly close enough to do more. In the second half he was ok defensively and got forward towards the end but his crossing and final ball for the most part was poor save for one McGoldrick flicked on.


Fleck 5/10 – Thought he was pretty anonymous all night. Felt we needed someone who could drive forward and get on the ball and make us tick. He never did and not only that but did not put a tackle in all night. His final ball was awful when he had it and he sent 3 crosses behind the goal. Had one run and shot blocked but other than that not sure I can recall much he did right all night. Just never in the game.


Norwood 6/10 – Started the game well with some crossfield balls that showed his class and he got on it; but then he started to get sloppy too and he had two clearances (one when Colin shot over) and then on the goal maybe he needs to give a shout and clear. Second half not sure he got on the ball and after him and Fleck dominated the second half at Preston, the same did not happen today. His set plays were not great either save for the one we nearly got the own goal from.


Duffy 5/10 – See Fleck. He did make the goal with an assist but outside of this I felt he was really poor. He lost it time and time again. He was not helping recover possession like he did at Preston and whilst I am glad Wilder kept him on as he showed he can make a goal just from one moment but second half he got even worse and they nearly got through us twice after he gave it away. He was subbed just after he gave it away again. He needs to improve massively for me after two poor games.


Sharp 5.5/10 – He has not been at his best the last two games and after missing chances on Saturday, he did not have any tonight or the half chances he had, he took too long to turn or get his shot away. He tried to work hard but was offside and I felt the only threat we had attacking wise was from Didsy. Looked tired tonight and frustrated and things were not sticking with him.


McGoldrick 7.5/10 – Our best player comfortably tonight. He came off the ball and had to as Duffy was not having any impact on the game. The lack of service meant he had to come deep. Just looked composed on the ball and the only bit of class we had. Our main source of us creating things. Had a decent chance at the end but would have done well to get that in on target.


Subs –


Dowell – Came on and actually did ok. They put Jota on and he caused a few problems running from deep but he came off Dowell to do this. He actually was able to get forward and despite a few telegraphed balls but a few crosses in and at least helped us push them further down the pitch.


Madine – Held it up a few times and a few others it came off him. He did win most headers but it was from deep positions. It was all a bit desperate at the end and he did link a little bit but not sure he got any chances or made anything but that was more due to the play coming into him.



Wilder 6.5/10 – Cranie playing seemed the right thing to do. I think that a few looked tired and he made the changes but not sure they improved things much either. I suppose we had more of a forward-thinking approach with Dowell left and then Madine up top with McGoldrick off the front two. We at least forced them back a little bit and had a bit of a go at the end but I did feel that this came too late. I think he will have been a bit disappointed with the lack of tempo and that we did not win those key battles and it was just all a bit wait and see. We need to seize the initiative more in games and force teams back more.


Referee – Darren Bond. He was fine actually. The booking for Davis was harsh but the commentators all forget he had been warned once. It was still soft. Cranie and Egan maybe should have been booked for us if Davis was yellow carded. Pedersen was booked for hauling Sharp down on the wing which seemed more routine. Other than this, there were not many tackles of note at all and he let the game flow when he could. The assistants got a few offsides wrong for both sides and also when you take a foul throw and it enters the field; why do you get to have another go?

Well done DB.

Once again you have provided an excellent report on the game itself coupled with individual assessments of players contributions which , by and large , I would find it hard to disagree with .

 

[pommpey]

Cheers Deadbat. Practically as I saw it.

I thought Birmingham let us have the ball in the first half and waited for us to make the mistakes and countered. Their goal was possibly avoidable.

I do think it's time to drop Fleck and bring in Coutts, give Stearman a run out and send Dowell back. He is just unsuited to our team and style of play. Norwood needs to have a word with himself too. To have enough time to have a crack on goal with his supposed mercurial ability and put it ten yards wide says a lot about his self-belief. Again, he's whumping passes too long and too direct with little subtlety.

McGoldrick played out of his skin tonight. He was everywhere.

Onwards and upwards, we hope.

pommpey

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I do think it's time to drop Fleck and bring in Coutts, give Stearman a run out and send Dowell back.

We should do none of these things. Coutts cannot play the same role as Fleck, Stearman is fine but rightly back-up (and none of those in front of him deserve dropping), and sending players back at this stage of the season is a nonsense idea. Dowell wasn’t effective when he came on, but LWB simply isn’t his position.

 

[S64 Blade]

Play Coutts in the wrong position and send Dowell back, who’s the most obvious choice to play in that position.

 

[sitwell]

It must look a different game on TV ,I thought Adams was non existent ,Egan had him in his pocket ,the only reason he got noticed so much is his past life with us. Dowell looks lightweight ,but he had to come off as the frustrating Duffy continues to be .... frustrating. With Norwood and Fleck having poor games it left us very short in midfield.

 

[Deadbat]

It must look a different game on TV ,I thought Adams was non existent ,Egan had him in his pocket ,the only reason he got noticed so much is his past life with us. Dowell looks lightweight ,but he had to come off as the frustrating Duffy continues to be .... frustrating. With Norwood and Fleck having poor games it left us very short in midfield.

Our manager disagreed with you and thought he was a real threat. Game of opinions but felt Adams bulled Egan a bit 2nd half and held the ball up really well. He had the best effort of the 2nd half and made the next best effort and won a few fouls off Egan by holding the ball up - he ran thhe channels and I thought always looked to get in behind. He also worked hard and pressed our defence and they never had an easy out ball all night. Theres a reason why he will go for 10 million pounds this summer. He has improved a lot since his United days and plays more for the team - seems to have grown up - always had the ability.

Thought him and McGoldrick were both good and the two outstanding players on the night but neither had any service and had to do a lot themselves.

Agree about the midfield - feel for 2 and a half games now Norwood, Fleck, Duffy/Dowell not been good enough for a team going for promotion and most of them look off the pace -they need to get on the front foot and start controlling things. Too many waiting for things to happen tonight.

 

[dc_blade]

“Bullied” is too strong for me, but Adams was definitely a handful and looks a real player these days.

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

I think you’re a bit harsh on Billy tonight, Deadbat Nothing really dropped for him but his runs were usually into the right spaces, he kept on making them right to the end, and only needed a bit of luck, or one or two balls played inches-differently to him, and he could easily have stuck one away. Caused their backline significant angst at times.

I thought we were the better team by a stretch first half, but without tempo and penetration. Second half, until the final ten mins, I thought we were average to say the least. Tried to play with more urgency, v visibly, but just couldn’t keep the ball well enough to do anything with it. Did I see 70+ mins on the clock before Bash made the first overlapping CH run of the night? Absence of this does hamper us. Getting JOC back will help.

Oh, and bollocks to whoever closed the A38 at Little Eaton on the way back, but organised the signage to say the closure was north of Alfreton. Twats thread this way >>>>>>>

 

[Keen Blade]

Our mf have really gone off the pace at exactly the wrong time - the business end of the season. Fleck was as poor as I've ever seen him - what on earth is wrong with him ? Norwood lost possession more times tonight than the rest of the season put together. Duffy managed to keep the he ball for 10 seconds longer than the other 2 but did nothing incisive with it. McGoldrick did more in mf than the other 3 whilst simultaneously playing as a more convincing striker than Sharp. If I were Didsy , I would seriously question my teammates' desire tonight. He was everywhere , full of running + intelligent play - put the rest to shame.

 

[Keen Blade]

I think you’re a bit harsh on Billy tonight, Deadbat Nothing really dropped for him but his runs were usually into the right spaces, he kept on making them right to the end, and only needed a bit of luck, or one or two balls played inches-differently to him, and he could easily have stuck one away. Caused their backline significant angst at times.

I thought we were the better team by a stretch first half, but without tempo and penetration. Second half, until the final ten mins, I thought we were average to say the least. Tried to play with more urgency, v visibly, but just couldn’t keep the ball well enough to do anything with it. Did I see 70+ mins on the clock before Bash made the first overlapping CH run of the night? Absence of this does hamper us. Getting JOC back will help.

Oh, and bollocks to whoever closed the A38 at Little Eaton on the way back, but organised the signage to say the closure was north of Alfreton. Twats thread this way >>>>>>>

Well done to Bash for that 70th minute overlap - but he had an acre of green space in front of him to reach the by-line , yet chose to send in an innocuous cross from way out - poor decisions all night by most players in the final third - it must be the stress getting to them.

 

[lakedistblade]

Nice one Deadbat.
Birmingham pretty well organised so we had to play with flair to beat them as our goal showed. Duffy did pop up everywhere first half but seems to have slightly lost his touch. Confidence affected by all the chopping and changing - very different player now to when we had a settled midfield. Still seems to be the case that when he plays well we play well. I do think our left side will be so much stronger and it will sort out midfield cohesion when we can get fleck, Stevens and JOC back in position. As an aside to be still right in the hunt for automatics and safely in playoffs with 41 games played far exceeds my best expectations for this season so no reason to be anything other than a contented Blade hoping for a few more twists and turns......

 

[Gateford Blade]

Is it just me or is Norwood great at the Hollywood balls but gives it away far too much at a shorter range. Can we splice him and Coutts together?

 

[pommpey]

We should do none of these things. Coutts cannot play the same role as Fleck, Stearman is fine but rightly back-up (and none of those in front of him deserve dropping), and sending players back at this stage of the season is a nonsense idea. Dowell wasn’t effective when he came on, but LWB simply isn’t his position.

So why play him, repeatedly, in an area he can't play in?

Surely the result is as it has always been that is play Dowell in the area he plays in - AM. I feel this could be Duffy's last season with us anyway and we do need a replacement - not Dowell - who recieves, runs on, poses a threat and can either attack their goal or work with Dids and Billy to create the chances we need. He did that very thing (okay, with Stevens) last night - once - and has done it a couple of times to good effect (Rotherham, for example) but he barely gets an hour these days and we need a 90+ minute man in that role. It's an area which needs addressing even if god forbid we fail to get promoted. Dowell is lightweight and poses no threat and doesn't have defences back pedalling or even worrying about his (supposed) talent. I keep hearing what a player he is and see nothing to back that up. And playing him at LWB solves nowt. He can't tackle, can't track and seemingly can't run past defenders.

Fleck - so what do we do? He has been on a consistent, steady slide since we lost Coutts last year. With Coutts we had those two bossing the middle of the park. I don't think that anyone can vouch that Fleck has had three consecutive games where he's been totally in control and effective in thecentre of the park. Last night it was business as usual, loads of foam thrashed up, but the boat goes nowhere. His distribution was piss poor as was his positional sense. Norwood sits deep, and he plays tippy tappy with the back three and no one fetches and carries it forward (Fleck's job IMHO) until Basham straps on a 'fuck this' and goes past their players to take it into their third. Fleck seemed lost and just going through the motions. If anyone has any ambitions of him remaining and getting away with that output next season if things go our way, just imagine what he is going to be like facing De Bruyne, Silva, Henderson, Ozil, Eriksson, Alli, et al. He simply won't get near the ball.

Norwood - yeah, he's gifted. But does he use that gift well? To me he doesn't. Regardless of the stats. he seems to waste more than he creates. He's in minus figures. Last night was again, a bit typical of him. Like Dowell, people say 'waddasigning!' but, really? He shows flashes of real PL capability, but I can't really see any consistency in this, and right now, at the squeaky bum time of the season, consistency is EXACTLY what you want.

I'm disappointed with last night. We didn't drop all three points, sure - and that would have effectively consigned us to the playoffs - but we really should have won that game. Birmingham are difficult to break down and Monk has them boringly well drilled in fending off the style of play we offer. But we didn't threaten in any real way last night and teams like Millwall will possibly be taking notes on that. They came to the Lane last year and capitalised on defensive frailty and a lack of dominance and threat from midfield, summat we are still blighted with. Forest are also a team whereby they can just sit and soak it up and suddenly its down the other end and in the net. People have said 'we look tired', but we have had International breaks and the players should be used to the playing tempo now and hungry to put teams like Birmingham to the sword. I think it again smacks of our painful lack of strength in depth. We need to rectify that if we even deign to go up.

pommpey

 

[coaxingstar71]

Cheers for the report Deadbat .

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Disagree with Egan score. Read everything and pretty much won everything against one of the best strikers in the championship. Norwood was very poor, slowed the game down consistently which possibly lead to Flecks poor game, once we picked up the tempo fleck came into the game

 

[PaulHalfway]

Our crossing and final ball into the box was poor at times
Good point in the end, all to play for going to be tence and exciting

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

“Bullied” is too strong for me, but Adams was definitely a handful and looks a real player these days.

He's certainly improved, and looks less 'over muscled' than he did in his latter days with us. I suppose if all the transfer chatter is to be believed, that's what a £15m player look like nowadays.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

So why play him, repeatedly, in an area he can't play in?

Surely the result is as it has always been that is play Dowell in the area he plays in - AM. I feel this could be Duffy's last season with us anyway and we do need a replacement - not Dowell - who recieves, runs on, poses a threat and can either attack their goal or work with Dids and Billy to create the chances we need. He did that very thing (okay, with Stevens) last night - once - and has done it a couple of times to good effect (Rotherham, for example) but he barely gets an hour these days and we need a 90+ minute man in that role. It's an area which needs addressing even if god forbid we fail to get promoted. Dowell is lightweight and poses no threat and doesn't have defences back pedalling or even worrying about his (supposed) talent. I keep hearing what a player he is and see nothing to back that up. And playing him at LWB solves nowt. He can't tackle, can't track and seemingly can't run past defenders.

Fleck - so what do we do? He has been on a consistent, steady slide since we lost Coutts last year. With Coutts we had those two bossing the middle of the park. I don't think that anyone can vouch that Fleck has had three consecutive games where he's been totally in control and effective in thecentre of the park. Last night it was business as usual, loads of foam thrashed up, but the boat goes nowhere. His distribution was piss poor as was his positional sense. Norwood sits deep, and he plays tippy tappy with the back three and no one fetches and carries it forward (Fleck's job IMHO) until Basham straps on a 'fuck this' and goes past their players to take it into their third. Fleck seemed lost and just going through the motions. If anyone has any ambitions of him remaining and getting away with that output next season if things go our way, just imagine what he is going to be like facing De Bruyne, Silva, Henderson, Ozil, Eriksson, Alli, et al. He simply won't get near the ball.

Norwood - yeah, he's gifted. But does he use that gift well? To me he doesn't. Regardless of the stats. he seems to waste more than he creates. He's in minus figures. Last night was again, a bit typical of him. Like Dowell, people say 'waddasigning!' but, really? He shows flashes of real PL capability, but I can't really see any consistency in this, and right now, at the squeaky bum time of the season, consistency is EXACTLY what you want.

I'm disappointed with last night. We didn't drop all three points, sure - and that would have effectively consigned us to the playoffs - but we really should have won that game. Birmingham are difficult to break down and Monk has them boringly well drilled in fending off the style of play we offer. But we didn't threaten in any real way last night and teams like Millwall will possibly be taking notes on that. They came to the Lane last year and capitalised on defensive frailty and a lack of dominance and threat from midfield, summat we are still blighted with. Forest are also a team whereby they can just sit and soak it up and suddenly its down the other end and in the net. People have said 'we look tired', but we have had International breaks and the players should be used to the playing tempo now and hungry to put teams like Birmingham to the sword. I think it again smacks of our painful lack of strength in depth. We need to rectify that if we even deign to go up.

pommpey

Dowell has been attempting to fill in temporarily with JOC out. If JOC is back on Saturday (with him back in training, this seems likely) we don’t really need to worry about that.

Fleck – I get that he hasn’t been consistent, but he’s the best option in that role inconsistent or not. We will gain nothing by throwing in a replacement not suited to the role, particularly when the replacement you suggest hasn’t been able to show anywhere near his past quality in a more familiar position this season.

Norwood – we’re where we are in large part because of him. He wasn’t voted into the team of the season by his peers because they were all wowed by a ‘whaddasigning’ frenzy, it’s because he’s an excellent player. He is absolutely essential to our style, and if you’re seriously suggesting what we need now at this crucial point is to bump him out of the team for Coutts, we may as well just give up. It’s a mad suggestion.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

I watched it on TV, and thought that we lacked our usual fluidity and rhythm. We were allowed a fair bit of the ball last night, but didn't really impose ourselves.

It could be argued that over the last few weeks our early season style has been on the wain, and we've turned into a more pragmatic unit. Less expansive, but more defensively sound. I thought we looked tired, both mentally and physically (although we did perk up in the last 10 mins), that might be the effects of a long season and recent foreign travel or it might be nerves. Players not wanting to make the run for fear of being caught out against a decent counter attack side. Not wanting to be the player that gets caught out and leads to a goal being conceded.

In recent matches, i don't think that we've been sussed out, more that we've lost our shape, which in some part involves Norwood and McG.

I'm not sure that McG and Sharp work together as a pairing. My views about a front two are old fashioned I suppose, and centre around them playing as a pair, playing off each other, aware of the other at all times, and trying to dovetail in with them. Deane & Agana being a textbook example. There is no doubting that McG is a lovely silky, technically sound player, but he doesn't seem to link with BS at all. He also has a habit of wandering and dropping deep, like a poor man's Zlatan. When he does this he isolates BS and we don't seem to push people into the gap he leaves, Duffy should be that player but doesn't seem to be doing it or he should be playing in the WB's in the last 3rd of the pitch. Last night in the 2nd half was a good example, it was about 15 to 20 left and he was in our half on the by line near the benches and he eventually gave away a foul. I want him 20 yrds further up the pitch.

When Norwood first came, he didn't seem to play as deeply as he does now, and he regularly splits our CB's when we push one up, which i can't remember a CM doing before. He also seemed more expansive with his passing. So it's now less of an overload, more changing the angle of attack, which might be more easily dealt with by teams. But it also seems to isolate the midfield, and seems to break the links between players, we seem a bit spread out, but boxed in, if that doesn't should too contradictory. Because when we have McG and BS on the pitch, the opposition defence can happily play 10 yrds further up because the ball over the top or down the sides is no threat. Our midfield isn't that mobile and what you then get is BS contesting for balls on or just past the half way line, with no real benefit to be had if we wins or loses them and it's a waste of his talents. I'm not suggesting playing Basham in CM is the answer, but it is worth noting that he managed to get played in 3 times against Leeds, making runs from midfield and ending up 1 v 1. I always though Conor Coady was great at doing that for us.

 

[pommpey]

Dowell has been attempting to fill in temporarily with JOC out. If JOC is back on Saturday (with him back in training, this seems likely) we don’t really need to worry about that.

So what about Stearman, and leave Stevens to do what he does best? I disagree that the back three are nailed into their places because of the preferred foot they kick with. That is equally a ludicrous suggestion.

Fleck – I get that he hasn’t been consistent, but he’s the best option in that role inconsistent or not. We will gain nothing by throwing in a replacement not suited to the role, particularly when the replacement you suggest hasn’t been able to show anywhere near his past quality in a more familiar position this season.

The only way Coutts will be able to regain his past confidence and ability is to play. As it stands, he is facing seeing another twelve months of his life drift by with precious little game time and that does him, or us, no good. And if we go up, he simply won't be experienced enough or able enough to command a shirt in the squad. Let's not forget how good he, Fleck and Duffy once were in our midfield. People couldn't touch us and it is arguable that our fade last year was because of his absence.

Norwood – we’re where we are in large part because of him. He wasn’t voted into the team of the season by his peers because they were all wowed by a ‘whaddasigning’ frenzy, it’s because he’s an excellent player. He is absolutely essential to our style, and if you’re seriously suggesting what we need now at this crucial point is to bump him out of the team for Coutts, we may as well just give up. It’s a mad suggestion.

And I haven't suggested Norwood is dropped. I suggest Fleck is dropped. If you are suggesting Coutts can only play in one midfield slot, I think you are being disingenuous and unfair to him. Norwood needs to modify his game and also others need to modify too. Yes, he can hit a forty yarder diagonally across the pitch but he tends to want to try that once too may times and it is only a matter of time before the opposition susses him out. He needs to carry the ball forward and lay off, find ball to feet and work on his 'legendary' long shooting, of which I haven't seen much to be honest. We do seem to be a little one dimensional at times, and Norwood (regardless of his sometimes great contributions) is apt to do the same thing over and over again. Last night he did that and it's why he had (I feel) a pretty nondescript game, whereas really, he could have been the difference.

pommpey

 

[LoughboroBlade]

So what about Stearman, and leave Stevens to do what he does best? I disagree that the back three are nailed into their places because of the preferred foot they kick with. That is equally a ludicrous suggestion.

No, I’m suggesting that on Saturday we have JOC come in. If not, I’d be happy with Cranie starting again, as he was fine. I’d be equally fine with Stearman starting. Dowell was inserted last night because we were attempting to win the game. It didn’t work. It doesn’t mean we need to send Dowell back as you suggested.

The only way Coutts will be able to regain his past confidence and ability is to play. As it stands, he is facing seeing another twelve months of his life drift by with precious little game time and that does him, or us, no good.

Now is not the time to build up Coutts’s game-readiness. I am completely comfortable with the idea of Coutts not playing another minute this season, as he is yet to display anywhere near the quality we’ve come to expect. With so few games left, there simply isn’t the time to get him up to speed with a run of games. There is little room for sentiment in Wilder’s approach, and even less room at this stage of the season. That might seem harsh based on what he’s done in the past, but I equally don’t think we should start throwing Jake Wright into the mix based on his past seasons for us. Now is not the time to gamble on whether Coutts can be fitted into a role he’s not performed in to date. He’s only ever played well in one role for us, having been tried by various managers in other roles unsuccessfully. That was pre-injury too. Play Coutts in any emergency situation where Norwood is out injured or suspended, otherwise keep him on standby and get him up to speed in pre-season.

And I haven't suggested Norwood is dropped. I suggest Fleck is dropped. If you are suggesting Coutts can only play in one midfield slot, I think you are being disingenuous and unfair to him.

Apologies – I assumed based on the rest of what you said that your call for more consistent players was a suggestion Norwood should be removed. At least we agree that should definitely not happen.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

United’s promotion bid took a blow when they were held to a draw at St Andrews on Wednesday evening. The Blades were far from their best but led thanks to a powerful Enda Stevens strike but Michael Morrison levelled soon after with a scrappy goal. After this Dean Henderson was the busier keeper as Birmingham looked more likely for a period before United came on late at the end and tried to force a winner, to no avail.


United were still without Jack O’Connell and brought in Martin Cranie replacing Kieran Dowell and Enda Stevens switched to his familiar left wing back role. Gary Madine was back on the bench after suspension. Birmingham also had a key man missing with Maikel Kieftenbeld out for nine months with knee ligament damage. David Davis came in. Jota was still on the bench who started with free scoring former Blade Adams up top.


For the first five minutes United had all the possession and moved it about well and were looking comfortable on the ball without creating much. Baldock won an early set play but the free kick saw Sharp caught offside. Stevens, Fleck and Duffy combined and Stevens was in but opted not to shoot and his cross fell to Sharp who could only hook it over McGoldrick. United continued to push Birmingham back and McGoldrick was influential coming deep to receive the ball.


Stevens burst forward and his cross evaded everyone and then Norwood hit a superb cross field ball as United continued to control things without testing the keeper. Sharp held the ball up but lacked support.


Birmingham slowly came into the game and Adams started to hold the ball up well; from a half chance after Duffy gave it away, the ball was whipped over from Gardner it hit Cranie and Henderson had to scurry backwards to make a last ditch save. In doing so he hurt his elbow but was able to carry on after treatment.


Cranie made a good interception as United started to give the ball away. Norwood then could not clear and Dean sliced over. Davis was harshly booked for a foul on Norwood as the game started to become scrappy.


Duffy has been poor so far but got on the ball and edged it forward and invited the challenge and this led to STEVENS getting away and he took a touch before hitting a fierce shot that flew in past Camp who got a hand on it but could not keep it out.


The lead only lasted four minutes though. An innocuous cross came over to the far post and Baldock opted to go safety first. It led to a corner which Birmingham scored the leveller from. The corner saw Basham lose his man and Gardner headed goal wards. A combination of Norwood and Henderson blocked it but MORRSION hooked it into the far corner of the unguarded net.

After this Birmingham pressed and won another two corners and McGoldrick had to head the final one clear before the half time whistle came.


The second half saw Sharp caught offside twice in close succession and United began the second half as they ended the first; with poor play on the ball and too far off the Birmingham players in possession. Duffy ran into trouble and from the deep cross from Pederson, Jutkiewicz headed wide.


Norwood gave the ball away soon after and Egan had to step in to win it before a rare United break out, Stevens got checked for a free kick as Gardner fouled him. A chance came for United from the free kick when Norwood’s drilled effort as turned goal wards but Jutkiewicz got his toe to it before McGoldrick and Camp had to be smart to keep out a possible own goal.


The next period saw little happen in the way of chances although Adams was continued to cause problems with his running and strength. Changes came for both sides as Dowell and Madine came on for Cranie and Duffy as McGoldrick dropped deeper and Dowell went to left wing back and Stevens tucking inside. Jota came on for Mahoney as Monk tried to counter Wilder’s move.


The sub had an immediate impact as he beat Fleck to it and sent Adams through who hit a dipping first time effort that Henderson did brilliantly to tip away. Soon after this, Birmingham had another chance as Stevens lost it and Jota came inside and hit a low shot that Henderson saved at the near post.


United had been poor second half but Norwood had an effort driven wide before Basham’s cross was flicked away from McGoldrick but off target. Adams was playing on the last man and twice United had to be alert to see things out. At the other end, United won a corner as Basham tried to head back across goal from Stevens cross. Then from a poor Camp clearance, Norwood tried to knock it back. Slowly United started to have a spell in the game but often they were undone by poor passing when it mattered. Sharp nearly got in on a through ball but the defender did well. Fleck then drove goal wards but it was cleared.


Craig Gardner came on to join his brother for Davis as the game entered the final teen minutes of the game. Adams then nearly got in as Egan was struggling with his constant energy. United were now throwing men forward and they won a corner as the game entered the final minute but McGoldrick headed just over as the United fans held their breath behind the goal. The game went into three minutes of stoppage time and United were not really going for it and won another late corner after good work from Madine but Egan’s header was comfortable for Camp. The final whistle went not long after this and it was a point for both sides which probably helps Birmingham more than United.


United – I have to say I was quite disappointed with us tonight. I felt we were poor at Preston in the first half but improved hugely after this and deserved to edge it. I thought we would kick on tonight and the first 10 minutes tonight we kept it well without doing much but I felt we looked a good side and confident one. Slowly we started to give it away and then it became scrappy for a period and they had a few half chances. We then scored out of nowhere really but tossed it away with a poor goal. Some will blame Baldock, some will blame Basham, some will blame Henderson or Norwood for failing to deal with it and a number of players for not reacting to the ball after this. The reality is nobody imposed themselves with it be a call on the first ball to give Baldock some time (for what its worth I felt as a defender he did the right thing as he did not know what was behind him) and then the goal saw us lose the key battles and second and third ball really. We just did not react really.


After this this kind of knocked the stuffing out of us. They looked the more likely the second half and Adams and Jota had opportunities and they looked more dangerous. We never got going and we had so many players who normally play well who simply did not with Duffy, Sharp, Fleck and others all making poor decisions or not winning their individual battles. We just looked a bit tired. When we got into the last third, I felt we panicked with poor crosses from lots of players and we did not show any composure outside of McGoldrick. I felt the last 5 minutes we started to have a go and pushed men forward and suddenly had some half chances with a few efforts from corners or blocks made. To me we left it too late. Sure, a point is a point but we needed to go on and impose ourselves. They may have beat Leeds but they were no great shakes tonight and if we had raised the tempo or a few players up their game, I think we go on and win the game even after being pegged back but it never happened really. It was almost like we looked a bit scared to be beat and lose and really commit ourselves.


Overall, a touch of disappointment but we are still in it and things can turn again at the weekend. We need a favour from our rivals but we need to get back to the football and performances we have not seen for a few games now. We need to get our swagger back. Hopefully O’Connell will be back. I would start Madine and Sharp up top with McGoldrick just off them against a big physical Millwall team. Duffy has been really poor the last two games – yes he made the goal but he gave it away constantly outside of this. Sharp also has been off his game the last two games and needs to up his levels after of course a fantastic season. The defence was ok tonight save for Adams getting away a few times and the set play but I just want to see a more fluent footballing performance. I felt we gave it away under little pressure a lot and was not as if they pressed us all over the field. We seemed to go route one too often and not play through the lines. Yes, they sat back and were deep but then you have to trust the football. We seem to have lost the confidence to get through teams playing this way.


It will only be seen at the end of the season if it is a good point but now Leeds with two home games to come (same as us of course) will really go for it. On paper they do have slightly harder fixtures. Ironically, I feel if we can win the next two (even if Leeds do) we can still do it but I am worried about Saturday – Millwall always come and scrap and we need a few players to wake from the slumber they showed tonight. Either they were tired and lacked energy or just off their game but one or two did not seize the moment. They have five games to go but if we need to go up, we need better performances than tonight.


Still for all the kind of down beat thoughts, we are third place, a point behind with 5 to go (3 are at home) and we need to keep the faith. I hope we will get back to form the next two games and really go for it. Now is not the time for caution really; especially at home. We need to attack teams pen them back again.

I don't know how you do it Deadbat. Are you making notes during the game or do you do the write-up while watching recordings later? Very impressive, either way.

 

[Balham]

Our midfield was poor because Birmingham were extremely well organised. Fleck was ineffective because the Brum midfielders denied him the space to move into and Norwood was ineffective because there weren't free men for him to find with his medium and long range passing. Birmingham's pressing also prevented us getting any space down the wings meaning the centre halves couldn't get forward and Sharp was isolated.
I agree with Deadbat on Adams: he was a threat and when Jota came on he improved. They definitely targeted the channels either side of Stevens at that point as Egan isn't comfortable on his left foot and Dowell isn't a great defender.

That said, McGoldrick's header goes in on 91 minutes and it's another decent away performance. Small margins.

 

[Deadbat]

I don't know how you do it Deadbat. Are you making notes during the game or do you do the write-up while watching recordings later? Very impressive, either way.

Mostly just make it up as I go along! Last night I watched on TV so easier to remember things and write straight after than Saturday when I consumed around 6 pints pre match and the same after!

 

[Chezzie Blade]

We miss JOC and his runs....

Cranie has done well BUT he is so right footed, that it didn’t suit our style of play with him on the left at the back, so he kept coming back inside to Norwood or Egan rather than left footing to Stevens or overlapping.

Just saying....