Deadbat
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After the euphoria of the week for both sides, it was back to the promotion chase for both Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United in a lunchtime kick off in front of the cameras. With Rovers and the Blades now having an attack on two fronts, they found that they would play each other in both the league and the cup. However, after United easily beat them at the Lane, the second part of this trilogy saw Blackburn strike back and give themselves a new hope of catching their opponents in the chase for a return to the top flight.
The Blades made a number of changes as expected with Egan back from suspension and Lowe and Bogle back at wing backs. The midfield and forward line was all change with Norwood, Fleck and Berge back starting as were McBurnie and Ndiaye up top. Clark was fit enough to take his place in the match day squad in as strong a looking reserve pool as we have seen for some time. Rovers on the back of their own superb cup win over Premier League made fewer changes with star man Szmodics playing just behind Gallagher. Brereton Diaz was back on the bench after his own cup suspension.
With Rovers’s squad having a day’s extra rest, it might not have been a surprise they were quicker out of the blocks for the early kick off despite making few changes but it was United that started the better side and won an early corner and after the ball was moved across Egan’s shot struck a Blackburn player on the hand but was too close for a penalty and Rovers suddenly broke. The ball was moved forward and across to Gallagher who slipped in PICKERING and with United completely torn open, the Blackburn player picked his spot and put it across Foderingham. It was reminiscent of the goal Millwall scored where the wing backs were too far forward and the shape non-existent. The desire of the home side to spring and get forward was better than the away side.
United tried to respond and Berge had a low shot saved by Pears and Bogle and Lowe were well forward meaning the Blades had a lot of the ball and were pressing but also meant they could be countered on, as we saw on the goal. The visitors had a half chance when Robinson’s header flicked off a defender and Pears had to push away, although it may have been going wide. Fleck then had a shot blocked by Travis from another set play that was not cleared.
A big chance came for the Blades from an unlikely source as Basham weaved through and then beautifully stood up the last man jinking inside but his finish was horrible and easy for Pears with the goal gaping. Rovers nearly made United pay as a break saw Dolan cut in and smash an effort off the bar. It was a really good effort and unfortunate with the woodwork still rattling for some time after.
Egan had a header flicked over from a corner and United were controlling the game with the ball and looking dangerous but not able to realty test Pears. Bogle got down the right but his pull back was deflected and then cleared before Ndiaye and Bogle countered but the wing back once again overplayed rather than executing the basics.
Rankin Costello’s dive was pathetic in an attempt to con referee Smith before Fleck’s cross to McBurnie was cleared. The game was more even as the half time whistle approached and another Blackburn counter saw the ball came across and Dolan made a mess of a good chance as United once again lacked the solidity we had seen in the week.
The second half began and despite being behind, United could not respond and it was Rovers who started well. Two balls came across the box and no one could apply the finishing touch but this was quickly followed by two more corners. Fleck’s dangling a leg at a clearance summed it up. Berge then lost it cheaply again and it was all Rovers at this at this stage. Around the hour mark they had chances to finish United off, the ball across from the left saw a shot blocked by Lowe. Soon after another give away and Rovers were 3 on 2 again inexplicably. Szmodzics effort was a clever one but it smacked the bar and was another let off for United.
The Blades were not having any possession and losing all the battles. When they did commit to a challenge they were clumsy and cynical and Basham should have got a second yellow for a bad tackle which if VAR had been in operation would have maybe even been a straight red.
The lack of energy from a mostly well rested side was startling and Rovers swarmed all over the clueless Blades. McAtee and Baldock came on for Fleck and Bogle and Lowe for Osborn not long after as United tried to inject some competitiveness in a side that seemed lifeless. It did not really alter things at all. A Berge hook over was followed by Egan heading over also, when well placed. Blackburn continued to win all the 50-50’s and look more dangerous. Doyle and Sharp came on for Norwood and Basham but time was running out and it had been comfortable for the visitors.
Brereton Diaz and Hedges then replaced Dolan and Thomas but Rovers were just seeing the game out with no real danger from United. Egan then picked up a clumsy booking whose only way of stopping Blackburn seemed to be by illegal means. United looked spent and Ndiaye twice lost the ball running into bodies with McBurnie an isolated figure up front. A spell of possession saw them keep it well away from Pears’ goal before the game moved into stoppage time. United won a late free kick and corner but Doyle’s corner not even staying on the pitch summed up United’s abject display. The final whistle came after this and Rovers players embraced a big win and one, they totally deserved against an insipid Blades side.
The Blades made a number of changes as expected with Egan back from suspension and Lowe and Bogle back at wing backs. The midfield and forward line was all change with Norwood, Fleck and Berge back starting as were McBurnie and Ndiaye up top. Clark was fit enough to take his place in the match day squad in as strong a looking reserve pool as we have seen for some time. Rovers on the back of their own superb cup win over Premier League made fewer changes with star man Szmodics playing just behind Gallagher. Brereton Diaz was back on the bench after his own cup suspension.
With Rovers’s squad having a day’s extra rest, it might not have been a surprise they were quicker out of the blocks for the early kick off despite making few changes but it was United that started the better side and won an early corner and after the ball was moved across Egan’s shot struck a Blackburn player on the hand but was too close for a penalty and Rovers suddenly broke. The ball was moved forward and across to Gallagher who slipped in PICKERING and with United completely torn open, the Blackburn player picked his spot and put it across Foderingham. It was reminiscent of the goal Millwall scored where the wing backs were too far forward and the shape non-existent. The desire of the home side to spring and get forward was better than the away side.
United tried to respond and Berge had a low shot saved by Pears and Bogle and Lowe were well forward meaning the Blades had a lot of the ball and were pressing but also meant they could be countered on, as we saw on the goal. The visitors had a half chance when Robinson’s header flicked off a defender and Pears had to push away, although it may have been going wide. Fleck then had a shot blocked by Travis from another set play that was not cleared.
A big chance came for the Blades from an unlikely source as Basham weaved through and then beautifully stood up the last man jinking inside but his finish was horrible and easy for Pears with the goal gaping. Rovers nearly made United pay as a break saw Dolan cut in and smash an effort off the bar. It was a really good effort and unfortunate with the woodwork still rattling for some time after.
Egan had a header flicked over from a corner and United were controlling the game with the ball and looking dangerous but not able to realty test Pears. Bogle got down the right but his pull back was deflected and then cleared before Ndiaye and Bogle countered but the wing back once again overplayed rather than executing the basics.
Rankin Costello’s dive was pathetic in an attempt to con referee Smith before Fleck’s cross to McBurnie was cleared. The game was more even as the half time whistle approached and another Blackburn counter saw the ball came across and Dolan made a mess of a good chance as United once again lacked the solidity we had seen in the week.
The second half began and despite being behind, United could not respond and it was Rovers who started well. Two balls came across the box and no one could apply the finishing touch but this was quickly followed by two more corners. Fleck’s dangling a leg at a clearance summed it up. Berge then lost it cheaply again and it was all Rovers at this at this stage. Around the hour mark they had chances to finish United off, the ball across from the left saw a shot blocked by Lowe. Soon after another give away and Rovers were 3 on 2 again inexplicably. Szmodzics effort was a clever one but it smacked the bar and was another let off for United.
The Blades were not having any possession and losing all the battles. When they did commit to a challenge they were clumsy and cynical and Basham should have got a second yellow for a bad tackle which if VAR had been in operation would have maybe even been a straight red.
The lack of energy from a mostly well rested side was startling and Rovers swarmed all over the clueless Blades. McAtee and Baldock came on for Fleck and Bogle and Lowe for Osborn not long after as United tried to inject some competitiveness in a side that seemed lifeless. It did not really alter things at all. A Berge hook over was followed by Egan heading over also, when well placed. Blackburn continued to win all the 50-50’s and look more dangerous. Doyle and Sharp came on for Norwood and Basham but time was running out and it had been comfortable for the visitors.
Brereton Diaz and Hedges then replaced Dolan and Thomas but Rovers were just seeing the game out with no real danger from United. Egan then picked up a clumsy booking whose only way of stopping Blackburn seemed to be by illegal means. United looked spent and Ndiaye twice lost the ball running into bodies with McBurnie an isolated figure up front. A spell of possession saw them keep it well away from Pears’ goal before the game moved into stoppage time. United won a late free kick and corner but Doyle’s corner not even staying on the pitch summed up United’s abject display. The final whistle came after this and Rovers players embraced a big win and one, they totally deserved against an insipid Blades side.