Deadbat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2009
- Messages
- 6,268
- Reaction score
- 35,216
Sheffield United’s fans and players alike are now almost certainly resigned to League One football next season after they conceded a late goal to lose at home to Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane. The Blades had fought back from a goal down to level and had enjoyed most of the territorial advantage after this but poor finishing and more wretched defending saw them contrive to throw away another game and with the other results at the bottom of the league; United are now rock bottom both in terms of their status in the league table and their hopes for the future. It really is desperate times for the Bramall Lane faithful with little hope or excitement outside of the promising youth side that performed so admirably in the week. With no sign of investment, managerial improvements or changes for the better in the playing squad it is hard to see where the Blades go from here.
United were without Nick Montgomery who had become a father recently and the injured Ched Evans and began with Lowton in the centre of midfield and Lowry back in the heart of the defence. Darius Henderson made his first start at the Lane for around a year and was given the captains armband and was supplanted by Bogdanovic and Riise in a 4-3-3 formation.
Middlesbrough won a corner in the opening minute but it came to nothing before United mounted their first attack with Riise hitting a low shot straight at Smith. United forced a couple of corners of their own but were unable to create a clear chance with one corner going straight across the goal eluding Lowton and then the same man having an effort blocked in a crowd of players. Henderson ought to have done better with a header off target and United had been shading the early proceedings. However, Bailey came through and had a shot blocked and then after Collins’s header did not get enough distance; the ball was switched to BATES who hit a low shot beyond Simonsen.
United hit back and tried to get back into the game and had numerous efforts on goal with Henderson again off target with a header and then Doyle’s shot was deflected wide. Henderson was able to flick on a long throw but the ball was scrambled clear but the Blades did get level after good work from Riise. The winger made space and sent over a deep cross from the left. LOWTON came onto the ball and headed downwards and the ball went into the next via Smith who could not keep it out. United were deservedly level after going behind slightly against the run of play but Boro had another chances just before half time when Simonsen spilt McDonald’s low shot and the resultant corner also was nearly converted in a melee of bodies. A flurry of bookings came just before the break as Mattock halted Boro as they broke and then a cynical foul from Williams saw him carded too. The final booking came when Bennett went down in the box but it was clear there was no question of a penalty being awarded and the Boro man was booked for simulation.
The second half saw United have appeals for a spot kick but these were also more in hope as Bodanovic twice went down theatrically in the box. Mattock finally made Smith work when he hit a long range shot that was pushed away and then Collins was woefully off target from a corner not long after. Bailey had a low shot wide but United were the side in the ascendancy even if they were not creating many clear cut chances. They did finally create a chance after their best move of the game with Bogdanovic and Riise involved but Lowton’s shot was blocked inside the box and the visitors cleared the ball as it dropped. Boro hit back and had two great chances of their own with a nice crisp move leading to a pull back from Hines to McMahon that Simonsen turned around the post but then not long after the keeper made a wonderful save from point blank range to deny Williams when it seemed like it was goal bound. Bent came on for Nosworthy and operated on the right of the attack with Lowton going back to full back and then soon after United missed a golden chance to take the lead. Riise’s cross was touched on by Bent and Henderson seemed set to score but somehow contrived to head over the bar from 3 yards out with not a marker in sight and the keeper scrambling across his goal. Yeates came on to play on the left replacing Bogdanovic whose threat had now diminished somewhat but the wingers first contribution was to run the ball out. Lowry was booked for a foul on the edge of the box but McMahon’s effort was well wide before Tonne came on for the Blades replacing Doyle as United sought the crucial winner.
With the game entering the final 2 minutes disaster struck. Henderson lost possession and the ball was put forward from Arca and dissected the United backline. EMNES ran on and threaded the ball past Simonsen with ease and the large visiting following were sent into raptures behind the goal. There was 5 minutes of stoppage time; but United did not muster any effort on goal and will surely have been disappointed that keeper Smith had only had one save to make the whole second half and indeed other than a few tame efforts in the first half he had been largely untroubled for most of the game. The referee’s full time whistle signalled another home defeat for the Blades and surely time is almost up on their hopes of survival as they slipped to the bottom of the Championship table.
Boro – I tipped them to win the league at the start of the season! Shows what I know. Seems things have just gone wrong and like us they have been through numerous managers over the last few years and despite many of them Southgate, Strachan and Mowbray having pretty good reputations; it does not seem to have clicked for any. It is remarkable they are near the bottom with some of the players they do have but also losses of players such as Wheater and O’Neill since Xmas have not helped. Maybe some of the Scottish players are finding the English league tougher than the patsies that the SPL serves up for Rangers and Celtic on a weekly basis. However, I still thought the likes of McDonald, McManus, Boyd etc would have done better than they have done. Boyd of course has been loaned out but I look at other players such as Bailey, Lita etc and they should be doing far better. Of course the crowds have really dwindled up there and it seems much of the momentum of the glory years of Juninho, Ravanelli et al has been lost. Gibson has ploughed millions in and even in recent years he has still put money in but there has been a lot of talent leave such as Viduka, Yakubu etc and they have never recovered from going down. Of course a lot depends on Gibson and if he still wants to put more in as undoubtedly with the parachute payments stopping next year they should have to cut back like we did. If he takes McCabe’s approach then they could do what we have done quite quickly.
Today I felt they were really poor and for the beating; like so many other teams we have played but we conceded daft goals and could not score. It was that simple. In general play and possession they were actually inferior to us for long spells but were ruthless when it mattered. They actually were settling for a point at the end so it was even more galling when they broke and scored but that is how it has gone for United. They did not pass the ball well, probably lost as many if not more 50/50’s and at the back looked susceptible. Still for all this they still tested our keeper as much as we did theirs and would have argued they deserved a point maybe. This was somewhat of a smash and grab job but you take your chances and this was so similar to a lot of other games/teams that have come down here.
Their actual team was a bit of a mish-mash and a long way from the one they would have expected to be the side getting them back into the Premiership (the keeper Smith has been the third choice keeper for Forest this season. They had a lot of young players in the line up that had come through their academy but left talent like Arca on the bench. I like Bailey who gets up and down and reminds me a bit of Quinn (but with more goals) and Emnes looked lively up front and took his goal well.
Outside of Bailey, McDonald and McManus most of the team were kids that have come though and were a far more inexperienced outfit than the side we had out; yet still saw us off and then snatched it at the death.
United – Cannot fault the effort and determination of the team and for the most part we were as good if not a shade better than the opposition but once again we could not defend and could not put the ball in the net when we did have chances. We put together a few nice moves and at times had a few chances but we never looking in total control of the game and I always felt like we would concede rather than score due to the defensive naivety we have shown all year and the inability to create and convert chances at the other end.
The game was fairly even with maybe United slightly on top in the first half and then bang; a mistake and it is 0-1. We get level not long after and then we are the better side and have chances but cannot take them. If anything the best chances still came to Boro in the second half and but for Simonsen they could have been ahead. Still, the game seemed poised for a draw when another poor mistake saw them go straight down the middle and win the game. It reminded me of many other goals; such as the one conceded against Reading at the Lane when Long went straight down the middle from an innocuous through ball.
Crucially whilst not awful in general play we are pretty unremarkable in our overall play and being so average means you have to be ruthless at both ends. We simply are not; conceding stupid goals for fun and failing to take chances when we have them. We lack goals from anywhere with no striker of note who can score regularly, no midfield threat in goals and then at the back we are so slow and easy to turn; any strikers with pace and a willingness to run into channels will get chances and goals.
Lowry and Collins are so slow it is untrue and the full backs get into awful positions. In midfield we have little creativity save for flashes from Riise and Quinn; with Doyle offering nothing whatsoever. Up front Henderson was not able to get beyond defenders being a stationery target most of the time and when he had chances he spurned them badly. Bogdanovic is not someone who will be up for the battle and drifts in and out of games. Overall whilst most of the players do their best they are not good enough and allied to poor coaching and management (not just Adams/Cork but previous managers/coaches too) we seem totally unable to stop the same things happening at both ends of the pitch.
We are now down. There is no doubt of that. Those saying we still have a chance are kidding themselves. We need to think about next year and start planning. My own personal opinion is this management team has shown nothing to convince me they can take this club forward. Yes, they were in a mess when he came but he has made things worse in terms of results and position. Also, he has saddled the club with players such as Collins and Doyle; two players as abject as they come. However, they probably cannot afford to pay him off so he will probably remain. This worries me as his decisions, selections, signings, tactics have been very poor. His record in results is appalling. I do think if the board were not just resigned to the fact we are going nowhere, there is no money and no hope; they would sack him at the end of the season as he deserves but the general malaise/no one gives a damn type atmosphere may just save him. I am not sure who would sack him as cannot see Birch being here, clearly Steer has no power whatsoever and McCabe is never here. Do the club even have board meetings any more and if so is McCabe even involved? I cannot remember the last time he actually commented on the club? I know he is a tax exile and in hiding but be nice if he actually came and admitted to making an almighty cock up of things. That would be a start.
In terms of personnel I would now try and send the loans, Bent, Riise, Mattock, Parrino, Lowry etc back to their clubs. None of those are going to be part of our plans going forward so why keep them for the last few games? Getting rid of Jordan, Calve and Wright was a start but in an ideal world we should be in discussions with Simonsen, Cresswell, Taylor, Collins and Doyle to look at moving them on too. Unfortunately the players who will almost certainly be playing their last games at the Lane next month for United will be Quinn, Montgomery, Evans and Henderson. These players have had their critics but retaining these would give us a chance of at least consolidating and bottoming out next year. I can imagine all four of these players’ agents will be talking to clubs now (probably at United’s request) to take over their contracts when the season finishes. I would be very surprised if any of those players remain at the club after the next 5 or 6 games.
In short the squad next season will be utterly woeful (think Simonsen, Cresswell, Collins, Doyle, Yeates, Lowton as the only ones probably definitely still around) and far inferior to the Wednesday squad that has struggled this year (and they brought additions in the summer and in January). I think next year will be as big a struggle as this year and I would gladly take mid table now. Unfortunately I fear we will be struggling to stay in the League below us this time next year. A sad inditement on what has happened at this club and a waste of all the hard work that had gone on before. McCabe’s silence continues to be deafening. He clearly does not give a damn anymore and will quite happily let Birch (surely his contract will be sacrificed at the end of the year too) and Steer be his fall guys as we continue to sink further down into the abyss and the wasteland of the lower leagues. It is ironic that he will get no further money out of the club (save for a few of the academy prospects maybe) and that the club will just continue to lose money for the next few years. He may as well leave as he isn’t going to ever get his money back and if he is not interested then why stay around?
The worry is for all those wanting him to go; there is no one to take on the club/his debts or invest so we are stuck. When he does go he may call in his debts and then thats it. Administration for sure and we could be in an even far worse mess than our city rivals were. I for one am really worried about the future of the club and think our very existence could be threatened. I can see nothing but a downward spiral I am afraid. This may seem ultra depressing but can anyone honestly see how we can get out of this with no money, big debts, a board that don’t care, crowds that will dwindle back to mid to late 80’s days and an awful squad that is burden with contracted players that are simply useless. Our management team’s record is awful too and they have shown nothing to suggest they could do a ‘Bassett’ 20+ years ago. I really do not know where we go from here.
It all seems to be a complete mess with no one knowing quite how low we will go. Sure we do not owe masses of money to external creditors but with is haemorrhaging money week by week; crowds dropping and no sign of any external investment and exiting board members not putting funds in I cannot see anything but years and years of more misery. Of course maybe some of the Academy kids (for what it’s worth there may be one or two ok players but I don’t think we have any Walker or Naughton’s in that set up – I have seen them 4 or 5 times so maybe not totally qualified to comment) may come through but then we would sell them for any kind of bid we receive as history has proved in the past so it is difficult to get excited about their success even though it is good to see. Be interesting to see how many are in the team in 3 years or how many made it and then got sold on?
United were without Nick Montgomery who had become a father recently and the injured Ched Evans and began with Lowton in the centre of midfield and Lowry back in the heart of the defence. Darius Henderson made his first start at the Lane for around a year and was given the captains armband and was supplanted by Bogdanovic and Riise in a 4-3-3 formation.
Middlesbrough won a corner in the opening minute but it came to nothing before United mounted their first attack with Riise hitting a low shot straight at Smith. United forced a couple of corners of their own but were unable to create a clear chance with one corner going straight across the goal eluding Lowton and then the same man having an effort blocked in a crowd of players. Henderson ought to have done better with a header off target and United had been shading the early proceedings. However, Bailey came through and had a shot blocked and then after Collins’s header did not get enough distance; the ball was switched to BATES who hit a low shot beyond Simonsen.
United hit back and tried to get back into the game and had numerous efforts on goal with Henderson again off target with a header and then Doyle’s shot was deflected wide. Henderson was able to flick on a long throw but the ball was scrambled clear but the Blades did get level after good work from Riise. The winger made space and sent over a deep cross from the left. LOWTON came onto the ball and headed downwards and the ball went into the next via Smith who could not keep it out. United were deservedly level after going behind slightly against the run of play but Boro had another chances just before half time when Simonsen spilt McDonald’s low shot and the resultant corner also was nearly converted in a melee of bodies. A flurry of bookings came just before the break as Mattock halted Boro as they broke and then a cynical foul from Williams saw him carded too. The final booking came when Bennett went down in the box but it was clear there was no question of a penalty being awarded and the Boro man was booked for simulation.
The second half saw United have appeals for a spot kick but these were also more in hope as Bodanovic twice went down theatrically in the box. Mattock finally made Smith work when he hit a long range shot that was pushed away and then Collins was woefully off target from a corner not long after. Bailey had a low shot wide but United were the side in the ascendancy even if they were not creating many clear cut chances. They did finally create a chance after their best move of the game with Bogdanovic and Riise involved but Lowton’s shot was blocked inside the box and the visitors cleared the ball as it dropped. Boro hit back and had two great chances of their own with a nice crisp move leading to a pull back from Hines to McMahon that Simonsen turned around the post but then not long after the keeper made a wonderful save from point blank range to deny Williams when it seemed like it was goal bound. Bent came on for Nosworthy and operated on the right of the attack with Lowton going back to full back and then soon after United missed a golden chance to take the lead. Riise’s cross was touched on by Bent and Henderson seemed set to score but somehow contrived to head over the bar from 3 yards out with not a marker in sight and the keeper scrambling across his goal. Yeates came on to play on the left replacing Bogdanovic whose threat had now diminished somewhat but the wingers first contribution was to run the ball out. Lowry was booked for a foul on the edge of the box but McMahon’s effort was well wide before Tonne came on for the Blades replacing Doyle as United sought the crucial winner.
With the game entering the final 2 minutes disaster struck. Henderson lost possession and the ball was put forward from Arca and dissected the United backline. EMNES ran on and threaded the ball past Simonsen with ease and the large visiting following were sent into raptures behind the goal. There was 5 minutes of stoppage time; but United did not muster any effort on goal and will surely have been disappointed that keeper Smith had only had one save to make the whole second half and indeed other than a few tame efforts in the first half he had been largely untroubled for most of the game. The referee’s full time whistle signalled another home defeat for the Blades and surely time is almost up on their hopes of survival as they slipped to the bottom of the Championship table.
Boro – I tipped them to win the league at the start of the season! Shows what I know. Seems things have just gone wrong and like us they have been through numerous managers over the last few years and despite many of them Southgate, Strachan and Mowbray having pretty good reputations; it does not seem to have clicked for any. It is remarkable they are near the bottom with some of the players they do have but also losses of players such as Wheater and O’Neill since Xmas have not helped. Maybe some of the Scottish players are finding the English league tougher than the patsies that the SPL serves up for Rangers and Celtic on a weekly basis. However, I still thought the likes of McDonald, McManus, Boyd etc would have done better than they have done. Boyd of course has been loaned out but I look at other players such as Bailey, Lita etc and they should be doing far better. Of course the crowds have really dwindled up there and it seems much of the momentum of the glory years of Juninho, Ravanelli et al has been lost. Gibson has ploughed millions in and even in recent years he has still put money in but there has been a lot of talent leave such as Viduka, Yakubu etc and they have never recovered from going down. Of course a lot depends on Gibson and if he still wants to put more in as undoubtedly with the parachute payments stopping next year they should have to cut back like we did. If he takes McCabe’s approach then they could do what we have done quite quickly.
Today I felt they were really poor and for the beating; like so many other teams we have played but we conceded daft goals and could not score. It was that simple. In general play and possession they were actually inferior to us for long spells but were ruthless when it mattered. They actually were settling for a point at the end so it was even more galling when they broke and scored but that is how it has gone for United. They did not pass the ball well, probably lost as many if not more 50/50’s and at the back looked susceptible. Still for all this they still tested our keeper as much as we did theirs and would have argued they deserved a point maybe. This was somewhat of a smash and grab job but you take your chances and this was so similar to a lot of other games/teams that have come down here.
Their actual team was a bit of a mish-mash and a long way from the one they would have expected to be the side getting them back into the Premiership (the keeper Smith has been the third choice keeper for Forest this season. They had a lot of young players in the line up that had come through their academy but left talent like Arca on the bench. I like Bailey who gets up and down and reminds me a bit of Quinn (but with more goals) and Emnes looked lively up front and took his goal well.
Outside of Bailey, McDonald and McManus most of the team were kids that have come though and were a far more inexperienced outfit than the side we had out; yet still saw us off and then snatched it at the death.
United – Cannot fault the effort and determination of the team and for the most part we were as good if not a shade better than the opposition but once again we could not defend and could not put the ball in the net when we did have chances. We put together a few nice moves and at times had a few chances but we never looking in total control of the game and I always felt like we would concede rather than score due to the defensive naivety we have shown all year and the inability to create and convert chances at the other end.
The game was fairly even with maybe United slightly on top in the first half and then bang; a mistake and it is 0-1. We get level not long after and then we are the better side and have chances but cannot take them. If anything the best chances still came to Boro in the second half and but for Simonsen they could have been ahead. Still, the game seemed poised for a draw when another poor mistake saw them go straight down the middle and win the game. It reminded me of many other goals; such as the one conceded against Reading at the Lane when Long went straight down the middle from an innocuous through ball.
Crucially whilst not awful in general play we are pretty unremarkable in our overall play and being so average means you have to be ruthless at both ends. We simply are not; conceding stupid goals for fun and failing to take chances when we have them. We lack goals from anywhere with no striker of note who can score regularly, no midfield threat in goals and then at the back we are so slow and easy to turn; any strikers with pace and a willingness to run into channels will get chances and goals.
Lowry and Collins are so slow it is untrue and the full backs get into awful positions. In midfield we have little creativity save for flashes from Riise and Quinn; with Doyle offering nothing whatsoever. Up front Henderson was not able to get beyond defenders being a stationery target most of the time and when he had chances he spurned them badly. Bogdanovic is not someone who will be up for the battle and drifts in and out of games. Overall whilst most of the players do their best they are not good enough and allied to poor coaching and management (not just Adams/Cork but previous managers/coaches too) we seem totally unable to stop the same things happening at both ends of the pitch.
We are now down. There is no doubt of that. Those saying we still have a chance are kidding themselves. We need to think about next year and start planning. My own personal opinion is this management team has shown nothing to convince me they can take this club forward. Yes, they were in a mess when he came but he has made things worse in terms of results and position. Also, he has saddled the club with players such as Collins and Doyle; two players as abject as they come. However, they probably cannot afford to pay him off so he will probably remain. This worries me as his decisions, selections, signings, tactics have been very poor. His record in results is appalling. I do think if the board were not just resigned to the fact we are going nowhere, there is no money and no hope; they would sack him at the end of the season as he deserves but the general malaise/no one gives a damn type atmosphere may just save him. I am not sure who would sack him as cannot see Birch being here, clearly Steer has no power whatsoever and McCabe is never here. Do the club even have board meetings any more and if so is McCabe even involved? I cannot remember the last time he actually commented on the club? I know he is a tax exile and in hiding but be nice if he actually came and admitted to making an almighty cock up of things. That would be a start.
In terms of personnel I would now try and send the loans, Bent, Riise, Mattock, Parrino, Lowry etc back to their clubs. None of those are going to be part of our plans going forward so why keep them for the last few games? Getting rid of Jordan, Calve and Wright was a start but in an ideal world we should be in discussions with Simonsen, Cresswell, Taylor, Collins and Doyle to look at moving them on too. Unfortunately the players who will almost certainly be playing their last games at the Lane next month for United will be Quinn, Montgomery, Evans and Henderson. These players have had their critics but retaining these would give us a chance of at least consolidating and bottoming out next year. I can imagine all four of these players’ agents will be talking to clubs now (probably at United’s request) to take over their contracts when the season finishes. I would be very surprised if any of those players remain at the club after the next 5 or 6 games.
In short the squad next season will be utterly woeful (think Simonsen, Cresswell, Collins, Doyle, Yeates, Lowton as the only ones probably definitely still around) and far inferior to the Wednesday squad that has struggled this year (and they brought additions in the summer and in January). I think next year will be as big a struggle as this year and I would gladly take mid table now. Unfortunately I fear we will be struggling to stay in the League below us this time next year. A sad inditement on what has happened at this club and a waste of all the hard work that had gone on before. McCabe’s silence continues to be deafening. He clearly does not give a damn anymore and will quite happily let Birch (surely his contract will be sacrificed at the end of the year too) and Steer be his fall guys as we continue to sink further down into the abyss and the wasteland of the lower leagues. It is ironic that he will get no further money out of the club (save for a few of the academy prospects maybe) and that the club will just continue to lose money for the next few years. He may as well leave as he isn’t going to ever get his money back and if he is not interested then why stay around?
The worry is for all those wanting him to go; there is no one to take on the club/his debts or invest so we are stuck. When he does go he may call in his debts and then thats it. Administration for sure and we could be in an even far worse mess than our city rivals were. I for one am really worried about the future of the club and think our very existence could be threatened. I can see nothing but a downward spiral I am afraid. This may seem ultra depressing but can anyone honestly see how we can get out of this with no money, big debts, a board that don’t care, crowds that will dwindle back to mid to late 80’s days and an awful squad that is burden with contracted players that are simply useless. Our management team’s record is awful too and they have shown nothing to suggest they could do a ‘Bassett’ 20+ years ago. I really do not know where we go from here.
It all seems to be a complete mess with no one knowing quite how low we will go. Sure we do not owe masses of money to external creditors but with is haemorrhaging money week by week; crowds dropping and no sign of any external investment and exiting board members not putting funds in I cannot see anything but years and years of more misery. Of course maybe some of the Academy kids (for what it’s worth there may be one or two ok players but I don’t think we have any Walker or Naughton’s in that set up – I have seen them 4 or 5 times so maybe not totally qualified to comment) may come through but then we would sell them for any kind of bid we receive as history has proved in the past so it is difficult to get excited about their success even though it is good to see. Be interesting to see how many are in the team in 3 years or how many made it and then got sold on?
