Deadbat
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The Blades went back to the top of the Championship, albeit temporarily with one of Blackburn or Burnley set to displace them tomorrow but it was a fantastic way to finish before the international break. After the disappointment of the week when a poor performance saw United meekly lose to Rotherham, United with a severely weakened team were again not at the races in the first 45 minutes and should have trailed. However, after the break they improved hugely with substitute James McAtee having his best game as a Blade and his runs were the catalyst to many of the chances the visitors created. In the end it was an unlikely source that gave United the winner as wing back George Baldock smashed in after stealing possession from a dithering defender. United saw it out with relative comfort and had chances to make it more comfortable.
There were doubts over a number of players for United and McBurnie, Fleck, Ahmedhodzic and Doyle did not make it meaning it was a severely weakened United line up. Oliver Arblaster made his league debut for the Blades with Sharp partnering Ndiaye and Basham back in the line-up. Heckingbottom strangely named two keepers on the bench in a baffling selection.
Cardiff still under temporary manager Mark Hudson had experienced a stop start season with a managerial change after a poor run and seem a team/club in transition. They had former Blade Callum Robinson starting up top.
The game began with United having lots of possession but not really getting into the last third and the first ball over the top saw the ball pulled back and Robinson fired over. Baldock managed to play the ball off the corner flag in an incident that was as entertaining as it got inside the first 10 minutes. Robinson went down holding his leg after he landed awkwardly and it seemed another hamstring injury. Clark came on for him as the outgoing player limped off.
Arblaster had been quiet but a good run saw Baldock played in but for the second time in the game his cross was poor. Stevens poor ball then led to Cardiff having some pressure and a ball was cleared before a Robinson run saw the ball played inside but United again got a foot in. Robinson was causing problems and his strong running down the sides nearly paid off as he put a ball in and Foderingham held the low cross. Romeo then got past Stevens but Clark was able to step in and the home side were enjoying the better of the game.
United did have a decent spell as Sharp put a good ball in that was flicked just away from Ndiaye from Cardiff defender and Norwood was constantly looking for Baldock which seemed United’s main focal point of the attack with Sharp and Ndiaye quiet. After a better spell, the home side regained control again and Harris volleyed over before Sharp and then Osborn both went to ground too easily and City broke. The ball fell to Wintle and his shot dipped just wide with Foderingham well beaten. Soon after the ball went just past the same post again. Arblaster this time lost possession and Cardiff broke and O’Dowda stood up the cross that Robinson headed wide and narrowly wide.
Romeo then got in down the other side and Foderingham flapped at the cross but did enough to knock it away. Robinson continued to be the game’s most outstanding player and looked lively as the Blades looked clueless having not tested the Cardiff backline at all. Baldock was tripped but Norwood’s cross was headed into the air by Egan.
Calamitous defending should have seen United behind as Basham played a ball without looking and Harris nipped in and went round the keeper before looking certain to score but maybe took too long and in the end when the shot came in Egan made the last-ditch block to deny a certain goal. Cardiff continued to press and the Blades would have been glad of the half time whistle in the end in a game that they had never got going, creating nothing going forward and being breached too often at the back. Foderingham had not made a save of note either but two past his post and then last-ditch block denied them a deserved lead.
Heckingbottom opted to change things at the break after another flat performance and McAtee came on for Arblaster. Instantly the move nearly paid off as McAtee was in but with players over he dithered and the chance went. United had clearly felt they needed to play at a better pace and another move saw Norwood find Osborn and his cross was deflected wide. United had a series of corners with Egan having a header blocked and another not quite dropping.
One ball in from McAtee was really dangerous but Clark took it off Egan’s head who was probably in a better position. McAtee went on another driving run and his ability to carry the ball was a real feature of United’s improvements. Cardiff had been the better side before the break but had barely got the ball in the United half and another chance came for the visitors from a corner but Egan headed his effort down and wide when it was a really good opportunity. Sharp then turned inside and had a shot which was straight at Allsop. United had been dominant after the interval but Basham’s giveaway saw Cardiff break but Egan stepped in to make the interception.
Norwood’s free kick was straight down Allsop’s throat but the Blades were getting the ball into the box and quicker on and off the ball. Colwill came on for Harris for the home side but they had not been able to have any fluency or possession at all.
On 68 minutes the opening goal came. Unsurprisingly it came from McAtee’s running as Baldock slipped him in but after the cross was half cleared Nkounkou dithered badly and BALDOCK nipped in to rob him and smashed the ball in at Allsop’s near post who got his location all wrong.
Whyte came on for Ralls and Ojo for Nkounkou as the home side looked to find some energy but United still looking the better side and Stevens regained possession after he lost it to feed Sharp who was in on the angle but his shot was too close to the keeper who pushed behind. City’s final change was Rinomhota for Sang on 77 minutes but it was the Blades who should have finished the game. McAtee again did well to break free and his ball to Osborn saw him come inside and hit a powerful shot the keeper pushed away and Ndiaye looked set to score but could not find the finish as his effort trickled wide as a defender put him under pressure.
Cardiff won three corners but Egan and then Clark headed clear before Robinson had their first effort on goal but it was easy for Foderingham. The home fans got frustrated when they felt Robinson was fouled by Egan before referee Donohue pulled things up for an offence on Sharp. City had not threatened at all but a poor moment saw Basham and Egan lose their man and the header should have caused the Blades keeper more problems but was straight at him.
Khadra came on for Sharp with 2 minutes to play and Stevens then got down the wing and nearly got in and this led to a corner but United were content on playing timeout as the four extra minutes allotted were held up. Cardiff did win two late corners and Allsop was up for the second but their final chance came when the ball was pulled back and Ojo had a great chance but side footed well wide. United were able to celebrate a big three points soon after and will be relieved that a patched up side were able to go into the break with a win.
United – Big win and I did not really care about the performance. The most important thing with such a weakened team was not getting more injuries and trying to get something from the game. I would not have devastated at a draw when I saw the starting line up so three points is excellent. Of course, we did get another injury in Robinson but this seems to be just accepted now. The amount of hamstring injuries is really beyond bad luck and often these muscle injuries happen in first half of games which needs a serious review about preparation in terms of training, conditioning and before the game in what the fitness team are doing? They need to change what they are doing urgently or our season will be derailed.
In terms of the game first half, we were rubbish. It was the same, if not worse than Rotherham for me. We just sat off the ball and did not even try and attack save for the diagonal ball from Norwood to Baldock. Sharp and Ndiaye were not in it and Arblaster and Osborn rarely got on the ball. The other way we did not get tight to men and the runners (Robinson in particular) were not paid close enough attention to and chances came from slow play and ball watching. We were just not quick enough to react to simple balls over the top or loose stuff and they had chances as a result. Two efforts went just past the post and the defensive mess should have seen them score after Basham made a real rick. The other way we did nothing and never looked like scoring. Cardiff definitely did enough to lead and even though I felt they did press and run around a lot, not sure they had much quality and we did not hurt them at all the other way. It was like we were not even trying to pass it or attack and it was aimless balls for the most part of safe football in our half when we did keep it. Gage said we were fine and had been ok but must have been watching a different game as our intensity and quality on and off the ball was miles off – just like the week.
The most frustrating thing was Cardiff were not that great either. They had a few efforts but were hardly ripping us to shreds and it was just giveaways or sloppy marking that led to chances. I was worried outside of Ndiaye, who was quiet, where the creativity and chances/goals would come from. I felt we might just drip out 1-0 as they just looked more likely of two poor sides in a bad game. I just thought with more chances (glad he did not risk anyone though if not fully fit as not worth it) and we really only had maybe 4 or 5 players who would start in our strongest team, I would have been pleased just to nick a draw, especially how off it we seemed again in the first half.
Second half we were miles better and McAtee made a real difference. Do not think Arblaster was any worse than half a dozen others but McAtee helped us get up the field and was much braver than he has been in any other game. He ran at them and created/had chances. He was really good despite making a mess of the early one. The wing backs improved hugely and the whole team played further up the field. We got on the ball and started to make them face the other way and got things into better areas and into their box. We just seemed to look hungrier and were able to show how poor Cardiff actually are. We had a few half chances and then we scored with Baldock really showing his determination and took it well – although poor defending and keeping. After that we had a few chances to seal it but then at 1-0 you are always nervous and they had a few half chances but nothing actually that close in the end. We were miles better after the break and Cardiff sort of run out of ideas and in the end, we saw it out well. We will probably play better in games and not win and whilst it was better than at Bristol City, we managed to keep another clean sheet away (third straight- odd when we concede so many at home!).
Delighted to win a game I felt we probably would not when I saw the side and was even less convinced at half time but credit the manager and the players for doing enough to move the ball quicker and up the intensity. We scored a goal and then had the games other best chances really despite them going close first half – their keeper had more to do and we had a few better opportunities. We of course will be knocked off the top tomorrow but will go into the break top two which is great after such a drop off and all the injuries. To win 3/4 of the games before the break is a real fill up but it is typical United, we lose the one you would think was the easiest game but it was a tricky run and we have picked things up.
We now had a four-week break. We hope Ndiaye does not get injured (do hope he plays a bit though so we can watch him!) and hope we can get some of the players back. We will wait on Robinson – did not seem like a really bad one but never can tell with our injuries. Lowe and Bogle seem close and then you would think Anel, Fleck, McBurnie and Doyle all will be fine after a month off. Throw in maybe Berge getting back and we suddenly have a lot more options and do not have to name two keepers on the bench – was this a nudge to the Prince as it seemed an off move when you could name an academy player like Marsh maybe instead?
There were doubts over a number of players for United and McBurnie, Fleck, Ahmedhodzic and Doyle did not make it meaning it was a severely weakened United line up. Oliver Arblaster made his league debut for the Blades with Sharp partnering Ndiaye and Basham back in the line-up. Heckingbottom strangely named two keepers on the bench in a baffling selection.
Cardiff still under temporary manager Mark Hudson had experienced a stop start season with a managerial change after a poor run and seem a team/club in transition. They had former Blade Callum Robinson starting up top.
The game began with United having lots of possession but not really getting into the last third and the first ball over the top saw the ball pulled back and Robinson fired over. Baldock managed to play the ball off the corner flag in an incident that was as entertaining as it got inside the first 10 minutes. Robinson went down holding his leg after he landed awkwardly and it seemed another hamstring injury. Clark came on for him as the outgoing player limped off.
Arblaster had been quiet but a good run saw Baldock played in but for the second time in the game his cross was poor. Stevens poor ball then led to Cardiff having some pressure and a ball was cleared before a Robinson run saw the ball played inside but United again got a foot in. Robinson was causing problems and his strong running down the sides nearly paid off as he put a ball in and Foderingham held the low cross. Romeo then got past Stevens but Clark was able to step in and the home side were enjoying the better of the game.
United did have a decent spell as Sharp put a good ball in that was flicked just away from Ndiaye from Cardiff defender and Norwood was constantly looking for Baldock which seemed United’s main focal point of the attack with Sharp and Ndiaye quiet. After a better spell, the home side regained control again and Harris volleyed over before Sharp and then Osborn both went to ground too easily and City broke. The ball fell to Wintle and his shot dipped just wide with Foderingham well beaten. Soon after the ball went just past the same post again. Arblaster this time lost possession and Cardiff broke and O’Dowda stood up the cross that Robinson headed wide and narrowly wide.
Romeo then got in down the other side and Foderingham flapped at the cross but did enough to knock it away. Robinson continued to be the game’s most outstanding player and looked lively as the Blades looked clueless having not tested the Cardiff backline at all. Baldock was tripped but Norwood’s cross was headed into the air by Egan.
Calamitous defending should have seen United behind as Basham played a ball without looking and Harris nipped in and went round the keeper before looking certain to score but maybe took too long and in the end when the shot came in Egan made the last-ditch block to deny a certain goal. Cardiff continued to press and the Blades would have been glad of the half time whistle in the end in a game that they had never got going, creating nothing going forward and being breached too often at the back. Foderingham had not made a save of note either but two past his post and then last-ditch block denied them a deserved lead.
Heckingbottom opted to change things at the break after another flat performance and McAtee came on for Arblaster. Instantly the move nearly paid off as McAtee was in but with players over he dithered and the chance went. United had clearly felt they needed to play at a better pace and another move saw Norwood find Osborn and his cross was deflected wide. United had a series of corners with Egan having a header blocked and another not quite dropping.
One ball in from McAtee was really dangerous but Clark took it off Egan’s head who was probably in a better position. McAtee went on another driving run and his ability to carry the ball was a real feature of United’s improvements. Cardiff had been the better side before the break but had barely got the ball in the United half and another chance came for the visitors from a corner but Egan headed his effort down and wide when it was a really good opportunity. Sharp then turned inside and had a shot which was straight at Allsop. United had been dominant after the interval but Basham’s giveaway saw Cardiff break but Egan stepped in to make the interception.
Norwood’s free kick was straight down Allsop’s throat but the Blades were getting the ball into the box and quicker on and off the ball. Colwill came on for Harris for the home side but they had not been able to have any fluency or possession at all.
On 68 minutes the opening goal came. Unsurprisingly it came from McAtee’s running as Baldock slipped him in but after the cross was half cleared Nkounkou dithered badly and BALDOCK nipped in to rob him and smashed the ball in at Allsop’s near post who got his location all wrong.
Whyte came on for Ralls and Ojo for Nkounkou as the home side looked to find some energy but United still looking the better side and Stevens regained possession after he lost it to feed Sharp who was in on the angle but his shot was too close to the keeper who pushed behind. City’s final change was Rinomhota for Sang on 77 minutes but it was the Blades who should have finished the game. McAtee again did well to break free and his ball to Osborn saw him come inside and hit a powerful shot the keeper pushed away and Ndiaye looked set to score but could not find the finish as his effort trickled wide as a defender put him under pressure.
Cardiff won three corners but Egan and then Clark headed clear before Robinson had their first effort on goal but it was easy for Foderingham. The home fans got frustrated when they felt Robinson was fouled by Egan before referee Donohue pulled things up for an offence on Sharp. City had not threatened at all but a poor moment saw Basham and Egan lose their man and the header should have caused the Blades keeper more problems but was straight at him.
Khadra came on for Sharp with 2 minutes to play and Stevens then got down the wing and nearly got in and this led to a corner but United were content on playing timeout as the four extra minutes allotted were held up. Cardiff did win two late corners and Allsop was up for the second but their final chance came when the ball was pulled back and Ojo had a great chance but side footed well wide. United were able to celebrate a big three points soon after and will be relieved that a patched up side were able to go into the break with a win.
United – Big win and I did not really care about the performance. The most important thing with such a weakened team was not getting more injuries and trying to get something from the game. I would not have devastated at a draw when I saw the starting line up so three points is excellent. Of course, we did get another injury in Robinson but this seems to be just accepted now. The amount of hamstring injuries is really beyond bad luck and often these muscle injuries happen in first half of games which needs a serious review about preparation in terms of training, conditioning and before the game in what the fitness team are doing? They need to change what they are doing urgently or our season will be derailed.
In terms of the game first half, we were rubbish. It was the same, if not worse than Rotherham for me. We just sat off the ball and did not even try and attack save for the diagonal ball from Norwood to Baldock. Sharp and Ndiaye were not in it and Arblaster and Osborn rarely got on the ball. The other way we did not get tight to men and the runners (Robinson in particular) were not paid close enough attention to and chances came from slow play and ball watching. We were just not quick enough to react to simple balls over the top or loose stuff and they had chances as a result. Two efforts went just past the post and the defensive mess should have seen them score after Basham made a real rick. The other way we did nothing and never looked like scoring. Cardiff definitely did enough to lead and even though I felt they did press and run around a lot, not sure they had much quality and we did not hurt them at all the other way. It was like we were not even trying to pass it or attack and it was aimless balls for the most part of safe football in our half when we did keep it. Gage said we were fine and had been ok but must have been watching a different game as our intensity and quality on and off the ball was miles off – just like the week.
The most frustrating thing was Cardiff were not that great either. They had a few efforts but were hardly ripping us to shreds and it was just giveaways or sloppy marking that led to chances. I was worried outside of Ndiaye, who was quiet, where the creativity and chances/goals would come from. I felt we might just drip out 1-0 as they just looked more likely of two poor sides in a bad game. I just thought with more chances (glad he did not risk anyone though if not fully fit as not worth it) and we really only had maybe 4 or 5 players who would start in our strongest team, I would have been pleased just to nick a draw, especially how off it we seemed again in the first half.
Second half we were miles better and McAtee made a real difference. Do not think Arblaster was any worse than half a dozen others but McAtee helped us get up the field and was much braver than he has been in any other game. He ran at them and created/had chances. He was really good despite making a mess of the early one. The wing backs improved hugely and the whole team played further up the field. We got on the ball and started to make them face the other way and got things into better areas and into their box. We just seemed to look hungrier and were able to show how poor Cardiff actually are. We had a few half chances and then we scored with Baldock really showing his determination and took it well – although poor defending and keeping. After that we had a few chances to seal it but then at 1-0 you are always nervous and they had a few half chances but nothing actually that close in the end. We were miles better after the break and Cardiff sort of run out of ideas and in the end, we saw it out well. We will probably play better in games and not win and whilst it was better than at Bristol City, we managed to keep another clean sheet away (third straight- odd when we concede so many at home!).
Delighted to win a game I felt we probably would not when I saw the side and was even less convinced at half time but credit the manager and the players for doing enough to move the ball quicker and up the intensity. We scored a goal and then had the games other best chances really despite them going close first half – their keeper had more to do and we had a few better opportunities. We of course will be knocked off the top tomorrow but will go into the break top two which is great after such a drop off and all the injuries. To win 3/4 of the games before the break is a real fill up but it is typical United, we lose the one you would think was the easiest game but it was a tricky run and we have picked things up.
We now had a four-week break. We hope Ndiaye does not get injured (do hope he plays a bit though so we can watch him!) and hope we can get some of the players back. We will wait on Robinson – did not seem like a really bad one but never can tell with our injuries. Lowe and Bogle seem close and then you would think Anel, Fleck, McBurnie and Doyle all will be fine after a month off. Throw in maybe Berge getting back and we suddenly have a lot more options and do not have to name two keepers on the bench – was this a nudge to the Prince as it seemed an off move when you could name an academy player like Marsh maybe instead?
