Deadbat
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Amidst the fog that enveloped the Reebok Stadium Sheffield United meekly limped out of the FA Cup as they were beaten 2-0 by Bolton Wanderers in a listless FA Cup 4th round tie. The first half had seen few chances and few moments of real quality but shortly after the break poor defending led to a goal by the full back Gretar Steinsson to give the home side the lead. The Blades struggled to create a chance of note and shortly before the end Johan Elmander fired in a copycat second goal to kill off any chances United has of earning a replay.
The Blades had to make a late change as Marcel Seip tore his hamstring in the warm up and was replaced by Jonathan Fortune. United also changed their frontline with Cresswell and Evans replaced by Camara and Henderson.
Bolton fielded a strong line up with Blades fan Kevin Davies captaining the side and spearheading the attack and former Blade Gary Cahill anchoring the backline.
There were large gaps in the home sections of the stadium but the visitors were buoyed by a large following from Sheffield as the game began mostly in the home sides half. Camara had a shot blocked and then another effort that whizzed wide of Jaaskelainen’s right hand post. Despite this strong start by the Blades they had not had an effort on goal and just after the quarter of an hour mark Cohen’s effort was saved by Bunn after good work by Davies.
Lee continued to cause problems for Taylor and another run saw the ball played across the box without a touch from an attacking player. United had a great chance when Montgomery threaded the ball through and Camara was onside and on goal but as the keeper advanced he lobbed the ball over him but over the bar as the Blades fans at the other end of the Stadium looked on in anguish. Samuel then had an opportunity as the former Villa man playing in a more advance position faked to shoot but then dithered after seeming to create the initial space he was crowded out.
Taylor’s cross seemed set to fall for Henderson but he clashed with his own teammate as the ball was knocked away from the danger area from Ricketts. Bolton won 2 corners in quick succession and also won two free kicks in difficult areas but the only chances they created were headers from Cahill and Klasnic that were not on target. Lee and Klasnic both went to ground in the last stages of the half but were not penalised for theatrical attempts to win penalty kicks.
The second half began with the fog showing no signs of lifting but Bolton were able to take the lead not long after the intermission. Davies played in STEINSSON down the right flank. Taylor was dragged out of position and Quinn failed to track his runner; the Icelandic full back cut in on goal and as no challenge came in, the defender hit a low shot that seemed to go under and through Bunn’s body at the near post. It was a sloppy goal to concede but meant the Premiership side had the vital advantage. Bolton now were playing the superior football and Cahill had a chance but was blocked out of things. United could not make much headway as Lee continued to be a threat down the right flank as Bolton sought to put Taylor under pressure at every opportunity.
Ward and Cresswell came on for Williamson and Quinn as United looked to try and get more players forward but in truth had created very little of note all game. Ward dragged two shots wide after some nice introductory play and Henderson’s cross was just flicked off Camara’s head but time was rapidly running out and United had still yet to test the palms of Jaaskelainen all game. Camara was replaced by Evans before Bolton killed the game. Once again the chance was created down United’s left hand side and ELMANDER cut in and fired low past Bunn as the visitors were caught with men forward in the closing stages. The final minutes of the game and stoppage time saw little action of note as the home side held on without any alarms to book a comfortable passage into round 5.
Bolton – Thought they were not much better than us really. They did enough to win and will argue they played to the level of their opposition; which was poor. The first half was even and they only had a few half chances but they scored straight after the break and then controlled things. They stopped us from having a shot on goal of note for the whole of the game. I felt that they were largely untroubled and they did what they had to. I think they may struggle to stay up as they really lack quality. They have a decent keeper and in defence Cahill and Knight are fairly strong. The former was excellent and showed all the form he displayed when he was on loan at the Lane. He had Henderson in his pocket all game. The full backs were steady enough but were untested and Steinsson under no threat from Quinn started to push forward and other goal apart was a real threat in the second half. In midfield I felt Muamba was lucky not to be booked for a few late challenges in the first half and he and Cohen were nothing better than workmanlike. Samuel tried to run Walker a few times but realised this was not as easy as he thought. I felt Lee was their main threat and that Bolton looked to go at him as much as they could. Up front Davies was a threat with his heading and hold up. Klasnic did not offer much and then the sub Elmander took his goal well under little pressure. Overall, I think they may go down as today even though we were poor, they were not much better. They took two chances; helped by appalling defending; and at times showed a smattering of quality. Mostly they were as sloppy as us in possession and played a lot of long ball which may be at odds with how Coyle wants them to play. However, with the likes of Davies this is the way that works for them and has helped them consolidate their position in the top flight for a number of years. Coyle may be better utilising their strengths and just keeping them up somehow and then looking to instill any changes to their style and personnel.
United – It was a listless performance for the most part. Sure we were in the game up to half time and had as many chances as them but it was the sort of game and opponent that meant any kind of conviction and possession football may lead to chances and goals. We did not have a shot on goal of note all game. Indeed after a solid if unspectacular first half; we conceded early in the second through an unbelievably sloppy goal. After this we barely threw the kitchen sink at Bolton. In fact we barely waved the tea towel at them! We did not have any real moves or chances of note and the game just faded away. We put on 3 attacking players but it made little difference. Bolton still looked the more likely of the two sides to score again and so it proved. We had little belief or urgency and this allied to complete lack of quality in midfield and up front meant we limped out the cup with little fight nor belief we could get a goal let alone a result.
At the moment, despite my criticisms being tempered by the obvious fact that we are a Championship side playing a Premiership side; we still looked a very ordinary/average side. There was no spark or ability to change the game from both the coaching staff or the personnel involved. Generally it was utterly dull and I never felt we would even make the Jaaskelainen make a save let alone look like scoring. It is difficult to be enthusiastic about this team and the way it is managed. We will try and keep in and around the top 6 I am sure but I cannot see this approach of tactics or selection leading to any kind of sustained promotion charge. We look like a team of plodders, who work hard but just lack quality or know how both themselves and from the management to see us improve matters. Now with Kilgallon gone and Seip out we have two big holes at the back; centre half and left back and the problems of ball retention and creativity remain higher up the pitch.
Bunn 5/10 – Had little to do in the first half but he nearly spilled a weak shot and his kicking was up and down. Thought he was partly responsible for the first goal and that he let a shot past him at the near post. It appeared the body went under his body but he should have covered the angles and spread himself better. On the second he had little chance.
Walker 7.5/10 – United’s best player comfortably. He got up and down; won tackles, covered for others and still looked our best attacker. At times he still makes errors due to his inexperience but almost always recovers with pace and athleticism. He plays the game intelligently and also attacks players when he goes forward. Basically he showed why he is headed for the Premiership at the end of this term.
Taylor 3/10 – The guy is basically out of his depth. He put one excellent cross in again (when Williamson and Henderson got in the way at the back post) but overall he was sorely lacking. He gave Lee Chung Yong way too much room from minute one and his positional sense and ability to stop his opponent is nonexistent. He tries hard and on the ball he is ok but first and foremost he should get in the right positions, stop his man and stop crosses. He cannot do any of these. Him and Quinn went missing on the first goal badly and he badly errored by going inside to try and cover when he should have kept his shape. The second goal also came down his side. Bolton attacked him often and always as he was clearly our weak link. Naysmith’s non selection indicates we are looking for a club to take his wages off us before the end of the season. Unfortunately Stewart is not much better than Taylor. Maybe Geary short term could do a job there?
Morgan 7/10 – Solid enough for most of the game against a difficult opponent in Davies who is excellent in the air. Got harshly penalised twice against Davies but overall he won the battle and were one of our few opponents to come out of the game with any credit.
Fortune 6/10 – Obviously he did not expect to play and had a difficult start where he looked very sluggish and also lost headers. However, he improved as the game went on and did an adequate job. Long term he is certainly not the answer and should only be used as cover as he lacks any kind of real pace or mobility despite him being half decent in the air and doing ok in most of the basics.
Montgomery 5/10 – Some of his touches were appalling in the first half. Twice he miscontrolled when he should have just put through the ball and this led to chances. He battled hard and kept going but like most of the rest of our team he just looked quality. I barely noticed him in the second half.
Harper 5/10 –After his recent improvements I was disappointed with him today. He put a few decent balls out by was mostly sloppy in possession and like the rest of the midfield he offered little in any kind of creativity.
Williamson 5/10 – Not a winger as he proved last week and today he was never really in the game either and flitted in and out of things. Went off in the second half and supposedly has pulled his hamstring. Would have liked to have seen him in the centre of the field.
Quinn 4/10 – He started the game ok and was involved in a few of our half decent moves. However, he then started trying the first time flicks and just disappeared from proceedings completely. In the second half as the full back got forward he did not even do the basics of tracking back. Seemed intent on playing and squeezing inside which meant Steinsson had so much room. Quinn was nowhere near him for the goal. Taken off and rightly so.
Henderson 4/10 – Never in the game really. He did not dominate in the air as he does mostly in the Championship and Cahill won the battle easily. His touch and overall contribution was poor today. Had a few poor efforts that went nowhere near the goal and looked generally off the pace.
Camara 5/10 – Felt despite a few decent flicks and link ups he did not really contribute that much today either. He showed that he tries to keep the ball and find a teammate but needs to be more involved. He missed our best chance of the game when put through and then in the second was not a factor. He seems to tire way too easily and needs to be able to show greater match fitness to last 90 minutes.
Subs –
Ward – Came on and had two shots (more than most of the team) but these were poorly aimed and went wide. He at least gave us some energy and spark but sadly many of the rest of the team were stuck in the mediocrity they had offered from the start of the match.
Cresswell – Was given a role wide left and then up front but he never got in the game.
Evans – As above in that he did not really contribute towards any kind of fightback.
Ref- Andre Mariner. Favoured Bolton quite heavily in the first half as two blatant dives, a late foul on Walker and other challenges were ignored without any kind of caution. He also gave them numerous free kicks in and around our box for nothing challenges and definitely seemed a ‘homer.’ In the second half he did improve and gave fewer controversial awards to either side but the game petered out after they scored.
Crowd – The crowd was poor and the atmosphere was non existent. Despite a good United following, even the away fans did not really make much noise as the game was so poor. When we went behind these killed things even more and the United fans were given little to lift themselves and get behind the side who put in a poor performance.
As an aside maybe it was the cheap tickets that brought a certain younger, more immature element out but some of the behaviour from United fans today was really disappointing. For instance at the train station at Horwich Parkway (charging at the Police for no reason as the train has not arrived and we had to wait till we could go on the platform; so they could split up home and away fans on the train– the Police were only under orders for gawds sake) and then smashing windows on the train at Victoria. Also saw two pubs had been smashed up along Piccadilly. I am not certain these were United fans and will be hopefully corrected but saw a load running out chanting Blades songs as the Police arrived. A number of other idiotic incidents of behaviour as we came home left me shaking my head. Not good and whilst I like going away and having a good day out with a few beers etc (even with today listless performance) it did not exactly see me yearning to go to lots more away games due to the type of behaviour/actions I saw. Maybe that is a boring line/response on events but I saw so many morons today in terms of how they behaved it was an embarrassment to the club and city of Sheffield at times. I would like to say they were in the minority but they were not.
The Blades had to make a late change as Marcel Seip tore his hamstring in the warm up and was replaced by Jonathan Fortune. United also changed their frontline with Cresswell and Evans replaced by Camara and Henderson.
Bolton fielded a strong line up with Blades fan Kevin Davies captaining the side and spearheading the attack and former Blade Gary Cahill anchoring the backline.
There were large gaps in the home sections of the stadium but the visitors were buoyed by a large following from Sheffield as the game began mostly in the home sides half. Camara had a shot blocked and then another effort that whizzed wide of Jaaskelainen’s right hand post. Despite this strong start by the Blades they had not had an effort on goal and just after the quarter of an hour mark Cohen’s effort was saved by Bunn after good work by Davies.
Lee continued to cause problems for Taylor and another run saw the ball played across the box without a touch from an attacking player. United had a great chance when Montgomery threaded the ball through and Camara was onside and on goal but as the keeper advanced he lobbed the ball over him but over the bar as the Blades fans at the other end of the Stadium looked on in anguish. Samuel then had an opportunity as the former Villa man playing in a more advance position faked to shoot but then dithered after seeming to create the initial space he was crowded out.
Taylor’s cross seemed set to fall for Henderson but he clashed with his own teammate as the ball was knocked away from the danger area from Ricketts. Bolton won 2 corners in quick succession and also won two free kicks in difficult areas but the only chances they created were headers from Cahill and Klasnic that were not on target. Lee and Klasnic both went to ground in the last stages of the half but were not penalised for theatrical attempts to win penalty kicks.
The second half began with the fog showing no signs of lifting but Bolton were able to take the lead not long after the intermission. Davies played in STEINSSON down the right flank. Taylor was dragged out of position and Quinn failed to track his runner; the Icelandic full back cut in on goal and as no challenge came in, the defender hit a low shot that seemed to go under and through Bunn’s body at the near post. It was a sloppy goal to concede but meant the Premiership side had the vital advantage. Bolton now were playing the superior football and Cahill had a chance but was blocked out of things. United could not make much headway as Lee continued to be a threat down the right flank as Bolton sought to put Taylor under pressure at every opportunity.
Ward and Cresswell came on for Williamson and Quinn as United looked to try and get more players forward but in truth had created very little of note all game. Ward dragged two shots wide after some nice introductory play and Henderson’s cross was just flicked off Camara’s head but time was rapidly running out and United had still yet to test the palms of Jaaskelainen all game. Camara was replaced by Evans before Bolton killed the game. Once again the chance was created down United’s left hand side and ELMANDER cut in and fired low past Bunn as the visitors were caught with men forward in the closing stages. The final minutes of the game and stoppage time saw little action of note as the home side held on without any alarms to book a comfortable passage into round 5.
Bolton – Thought they were not much better than us really. They did enough to win and will argue they played to the level of their opposition; which was poor. The first half was even and they only had a few half chances but they scored straight after the break and then controlled things. They stopped us from having a shot on goal of note for the whole of the game. I felt that they were largely untroubled and they did what they had to. I think they may struggle to stay up as they really lack quality. They have a decent keeper and in defence Cahill and Knight are fairly strong. The former was excellent and showed all the form he displayed when he was on loan at the Lane. He had Henderson in his pocket all game. The full backs were steady enough but were untested and Steinsson under no threat from Quinn started to push forward and other goal apart was a real threat in the second half. In midfield I felt Muamba was lucky not to be booked for a few late challenges in the first half and he and Cohen were nothing better than workmanlike. Samuel tried to run Walker a few times but realised this was not as easy as he thought. I felt Lee was their main threat and that Bolton looked to go at him as much as they could. Up front Davies was a threat with his heading and hold up. Klasnic did not offer much and then the sub Elmander took his goal well under little pressure. Overall, I think they may go down as today even though we were poor, they were not much better. They took two chances; helped by appalling defending; and at times showed a smattering of quality. Mostly they were as sloppy as us in possession and played a lot of long ball which may be at odds with how Coyle wants them to play. However, with the likes of Davies this is the way that works for them and has helped them consolidate their position in the top flight for a number of years. Coyle may be better utilising their strengths and just keeping them up somehow and then looking to instill any changes to their style and personnel.
United – It was a listless performance for the most part. Sure we were in the game up to half time and had as many chances as them but it was the sort of game and opponent that meant any kind of conviction and possession football may lead to chances and goals. We did not have a shot on goal of note all game. Indeed after a solid if unspectacular first half; we conceded early in the second through an unbelievably sloppy goal. After this we barely threw the kitchen sink at Bolton. In fact we barely waved the tea towel at them! We did not have any real moves or chances of note and the game just faded away. We put on 3 attacking players but it made little difference. Bolton still looked the more likely of the two sides to score again and so it proved. We had little belief or urgency and this allied to complete lack of quality in midfield and up front meant we limped out the cup with little fight nor belief we could get a goal let alone a result.
At the moment, despite my criticisms being tempered by the obvious fact that we are a Championship side playing a Premiership side; we still looked a very ordinary/average side. There was no spark or ability to change the game from both the coaching staff or the personnel involved. Generally it was utterly dull and I never felt we would even make the Jaaskelainen make a save let alone look like scoring. It is difficult to be enthusiastic about this team and the way it is managed. We will try and keep in and around the top 6 I am sure but I cannot see this approach of tactics or selection leading to any kind of sustained promotion charge. We look like a team of plodders, who work hard but just lack quality or know how both themselves and from the management to see us improve matters. Now with Kilgallon gone and Seip out we have two big holes at the back; centre half and left back and the problems of ball retention and creativity remain higher up the pitch.
Bunn 5/10 – Had little to do in the first half but he nearly spilled a weak shot and his kicking was up and down. Thought he was partly responsible for the first goal and that he let a shot past him at the near post. It appeared the body went under his body but he should have covered the angles and spread himself better. On the second he had little chance.
Walker 7.5/10 – United’s best player comfortably. He got up and down; won tackles, covered for others and still looked our best attacker. At times he still makes errors due to his inexperience but almost always recovers with pace and athleticism. He plays the game intelligently and also attacks players when he goes forward. Basically he showed why he is headed for the Premiership at the end of this term.
Taylor 3/10 – The guy is basically out of his depth. He put one excellent cross in again (when Williamson and Henderson got in the way at the back post) but overall he was sorely lacking. He gave Lee Chung Yong way too much room from minute one and his positional sense and ability to stop his opponent is nonexistent. He tries hard and on the ball he is ok but first and foremost he should get in the right positions, stop his man and stop crosses. He cannot do any of these. Him and Quinn went missing on the first goal badly and he badly errored by going inside to try and cover when he should have kept his shape. The second goal also came down his side. Bolton attacked him often and always as he was clearly our weak link. Naysmith’s non selection indicates we are looking for a club to take his wages off us before the end of the season. Unfortunately Stewart is not much better than Taylor. Maybe Geary short term could do a job there?
Morgan 7/10 – Solid enough for most of the game against a difficult opponent in Davies who is excellent in the air. Got harshly penalised twice against Davies but overall he won the battle and were one of our few opponents to come out of the game with any credit.
Fortune 6/10 – Obviously he did not expect to play and had a difficult start where he looked very sluggish and also lost headers. However, he improved as the game went on and did an adequate job. Long term he is certainly not the answer and should only be used as cover as he lacks any kind of real pace or mobility despite him being half decent in the air and doing ok in most of the basics.
Montgomery 5/10 – Some of his touches were appalling in the first half. Twice he miscontrolled when he should have just put through the ball and this led to chances. He battled hard and kept going but like most of the rest of our team he just looked quality. I barely noticed him in the second half.
Harper 5/10 –After his recent improvements I was disappointed with him today. He put a few decent balls out by was mostly sloppy in possession and like the rest of the midfield he offered little in any kind of creativity.
Williamson 5/10 – Not a winger as he proved last week and today he was never really in the game either and flitted in and out of things. Went off in the second half and supposedly has pulled his hamstring. Would have liked to have seen him in the centre of the field.
Quinn 4/10 – He started the game ok and was involved in a few of our half decent moves. However, he then started trying the first time flicks and just disappeared from proceedings completely. In the second half as the full back got forward he did not even do the basics of tracking back. Seemed intent on playing and squeezing inside which meant Steinsson had so much room. Quinn was nowhere near him for the goal. Taken off and rightly so.
Henderson 4/10 – Never in the game really. He did not dominate in the air as he does mostly in the Championship and Cahill won the battle easily. His touch and overall contribution was poor today. Had a few poor efforts that went nowhere near the goal and looked generally off the pace.
Camara 5/10 – Felt despite a few decent flicks and link ups he did not really contribute that much today either. He showed that he tries to keep the ball and find a teammate but needs to be more involved. He missed our best chance of the game when put through and then in the second was not a factor. He seems to tire way too easily and needs to be able to show greater match fitness to last 90 minutes.
Subs –
Ward – Came on and had two shots (more than most of the team) but these were poorly aimed and went wide. He at least gave us some energy and spark but sadly many of the rest of the team were stuck in the mediocrity they had offered from the start of the match.
Cresswell – Was given a role wide left and then up front but he never got in the game.
Evans – As above in that he did not really contribute towards any kind of fightback.
Ref- Andre Mariner. Favoured Bolton quite heavily in the first half as two blatant dives, a late foul on Walker and other challenges were ignored without any kind of caution. He also gave them numerous free kicks in and around our box for nothing challenges and definitely seemed a ‘homer.’ In the second half he did improve and gave fewer controversial awards to either side but the game petered out after they scored.
Crowd – The crowd was poor and the atmosphere was non existent. Despite a good United following, even the away fans did not really make much noise as the game was so poor. When we went behind these killed things even more and the United fans were given little to lift themselves and get behind the side who put in a poor performance.
As an aside maybe it was the cheap tickets that brought a certain younger, more immature element out but some of the behaviour from United fans today was really disappointing. For instance at the train station at Horwich Parkway (charging at the Police for no reason as the train has not arrived and we had to wait till we could go on the platform; so they could split up home and away fans on the train– the Police were only under orders for gawds sake) and then smashing windows on the train at Victoria. Also saw two pubs had been smashed up along Piccadilly. I am not certain these were United fans and will be hopefully corrected but saw a load running out chanting Blades songs as the Police arrived. A number of other idiotic incidents of behaviour as we came home left me shaking my head. Not good and whilst I like going away and having a good day out with a few beers etc (even with today listless performance) it did not exactly see me yearning to go to lots more away games due to the type of behaviour/actions I saw. Maybe that is a boring line/response on events but I saw so many morons today in terms of how they behaved it was an embarrassment to the club and city of Sheffield at times. I would like to say they were in the minority but they were not.
