Fantastic performance under appalling circs

[seanbeenstattoo]

There were good grounds for claiming a 3-0 abandoned match but well done Blades in a shit place with a joke ref. Outstanding job Chris et al.
Lots of issues should have been better but slack given under the circs.

 

[shrubbery]

I sincerely hope that the atmosphere was to blame because that was a stinker of a second half performance.

 

[maidmarion]

We've won, doesn't matter how. The three points are ours and we march on into the Christmas fixtures. We can't always score lots of goals sometimes we just have to win.

 

[Lmaobob]

Don't care how we win the 3 points. As long as we get 3 points, then the blades go marching on on on

 

[brownie4583]

 

[DiggerBlade]

I sincerely hope that the atmosphere was to blame because that was a stinker of a second half performance.

It's 3 points and 3 points Bolton & Scunny would have gladly taken. Not pretty no but a very important win going into the Xmas period.

Well done Blades.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

Thought our first half was excellant bar too much sideways and back as per.
Second half we were poor as Billy agreedpost match.
That said we got 3 deserved points in terrible circumstances.
Hats off to all.
Onwards and hopefully upwards.

 

[Dalelane01]

Ugly win beautiful billy

 

[PokerBlade]

Tough conditions but they didn't favour either side so no excuses from me if we hadn't won. The pitch didn't help get our game flowing either. They nearly caught us out on the break but in fairness it took sheer luck to beat us. Fortunately we're a rare Blades side who you can back to pull out a goal from somewhere.

Sharp did that thing again where he does bugger all and then wins you the match. Thought Lavery was impressive when he came on and showed what a threat he could be. Must be pushing for a start soon.

All in all I feel as tired as if I'd played 90 minutes myself having watched that stop start slog, and it'll be New Year's before I get the sound of whistles out of my head.

Not pretty but deserved and an important win.

 

[Stretch]

I sincerely hope that the atmosphere was to blame because that was a stinker of a second half performance.

Agree with this mostly but we did really get going at around 75 minutes and I think would have scored anyway without the break of play. Up until that point hardly convincing though apart from 2 little spells in the first half.

Still, job done and we should not underestimate the importance of that win. Alexander and Parky will have been rubbing their hands when the play was stopped. We showed real character to come out and grab the winner and that will have really pissed those 2 off. Over to them now.

 

[Harry's Game]

Fantastic RESULT under appalling circs.

 

[Gavlar]

Result was sensational, performance was crap.

Though hitting the post twice was unlucky, and Duffy should have scored.

UTB

 

[Basegreen_Blade]

Result was sensational, performance was crap.

I feel like it was a crap performance too however I look back and think of all the decent chances we made: Sharp's two goals, Lavery's two off the post, Duffy's shot that got saved and Fleck's run and shot from the edge of the box that was saved. It's crazy how a team that isn't playing well still makes all these chances!

 

[Bartyblade]

Thought our first half was excellant bar too much sideways and back as per.
Second half we were poor as Billy agreedpost match.
That said we got 3 deserved points in terrible circumstances.
Hats off to all.
Onwards and hopefully upwards.

I was sat in the pub working out the excuses for losing because of the disruption and then I have to discard all of 'em!
Does anyone else think that the Gods might be smiling on us at last?
(well, maybe a sly grin)

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

Tonight was a ridiculous scenario and we should be proud of our overall performance and result.
Hopefully it will actually provide a huge learning experience that all players can learn from and take forward.
I am increasingly encouraged by our managers abilities,and game plans.
I am quietly and reservedly optimistic in Wilder,the Jan window and what we might achieve this season.
UTB. FTP.

 

[blade too long]

League Table
Team P GD Pts
1 Scunthorpe 21 23 44
2 Sheff Utd 22 17 44
3 Bolton 21 16 43
4 Bradford 21 9 36
5 Rochdale 21 3 33
6 Peterborough 20 10 32
7 Fleetwood 21 6 32
8 Southend 21 1 31
9 Bristol Rovers 21 -4 30

just 2 wins to be safe from relegation on 50 points, and not at halfway yet
12 points clear of 7th
2 points per game
and who said in september we would never ever catch Scunthorpe

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Just got back in from the game. I agree with seanbeenstattoo . So many disruptions on and off the field and Coventry made it difficult for us once they got that jammy deflected goal that looped over the keeper. Essent result for us, another 3 points in the bag. That's what matters. UTB

 

[Gavlar]

I feel like it was a crap performance too however I look back and think of all the decent chances we made: Sharp's two goals, Lavery's two off the post, Duffy's shot that got saved and Fleck's run and shot from the edge of the box that was saved. It's crazy how a team that isn't playing well still makes all these chances!

True, tho Cov could have scored a few also couldn't they? We should never have let them back in the game.

One thing that annoys me is how we didn't work hard enough to keep the ball in play for their goal. So instead of us being able to pass the ball down the pitch, we have a throw in near our box in a tricky area giving them time to push up and mark us, and low and behold, they score from it.

 

[Ricky]

True, tho Cov could have scored a few also couldn't they? We should never have let them back in the game.

One thing that annoys me is how we didn't work hard enough to keep the ball in play for their goal. So instead of us being able to pass the ball down the pitch, we have a throw in near our box in a tricky area giving them time to push up and mark us, and low and behold, they score from it.

That was all down to Lafferty. I was livid with him. He could have comfortably got to the ball and smashed it into their half but he couldn't be arsed, and instead we have to deal with a throw in near our own corner flag. Brainless piece of play from him and he's lucky we got the winner.

Our performance wasn't that bad. Coventry aren't bad at home, they have some decent players and it was a difficult pitch. We created plenty in the second half and deserved to win. It was still clear to see what we're lacking in the team though.

 

[Bayingblade]

Thought United looked lethargic last night. Not sure why, probably the off pitch circumstances but the midfield just didn't click as they have been doing (IMHO). I thought Coutts had his worst game in a while (again IMHO), the defence looked edgy and resorted to too many long balls and Billy Sharp got little or no support up front until Done went off.

BUT..........!!

It says (to me) so much about this team that they can put in a performance like that in an environment like that and still get the 3 points. They have proved they can win with style and now they have won dirty while nowhere near their best. Well done to the team, the management and those in the stands. A hugely significant result!

 

[bladesadviser]

That was all down to Lafferty. I was livid with him. He could have comfortably got to the ball and smashed it into their half but he couldn't be arsed, and instead we have to deal with a throw in near our own corner flag. Brainless piece of play from him and he's lucky we got the winner.

Our performance wasn't that bad. Coventry aren't bad at home, they have some decent players and it was a difficult pitch. We created plenty in the second half and deserved to win. It was still clear to see what we're lacking in the team though.

Ricky, fully agree with you re Lafferty and throw in but I looked back at the footage and he sort of stops for an instant and i did wonder if he thought a foul had been given. With all the whistles it can't have been easy to know when the real one had been blown

 

[Barnette]

pitch was crap
atmosphere was awful

hard to get going in those circumstances and to manage a winning goal after the farcical pitch invasion was nothing short of miraculous....I had written the game off by then

most satisfying result of the season due to above

 

[GrayBlade]

Thought United looked lethargic last night. Not sure why, probably the off pitch circumstances but the midfield just didn't click as they have been doing (IMHO). I thought Coutts had his worst game in a while (again IMHO), the defence looked edgy and resorted to too many long balls and Billy Sharp got little or no support up front until Done went off.

BUT..........!!

It says (to me) so much about this team that they can put in a performance like that in an environment like that and still get the 3 points. They have proved they can win with style and now they have won dirty while nowhere near their best. Well done to the team, the management and those in the stands. A hugely significant result!

Exactly my thoughts BB.

And even in that 'crap second half' we still could have scored 4 in the last twenty minutes when we regained some control, but for their keeper, and the post. We did eventually score 1, and it's hard to recall Moore doing anything more than making a couple of punches. Sure they had a couple of shots wide but they hardly battered us did they, our expectations are high I suppose?

Anyone who saw Bolton on the box in their 2 away recent games though will know that they looked far worse on their travels than we did last night. Getting a result away anywhere is never a gimmi, but under last night's circumstances I think we did well in the end.

 

[Grappler]

Coventry, last night, were a proper "League 1" team, all big, tall, strong players, who bullied us off the ball, were quick to close us down, won just about everything in the air, time and time, and time again.

In the last few seasons, we would have lost that game, but thankfully, under CW and AK, we kept on fighting to the last whistle.

While I don't want to to see changes to a winning side, I really think we need a big, strong, powerful midfielder, who is hard as nails and fast, to have as an option if Coutts, Fleck or Duffy come off. We need someone who could take on (and beat, physically) players like Coventry had last night.

 

[BushBlade]

Coventry, last night, were a proper "League 1" team, all big, tall, strong players, who bullied us off the ball, were quick to close us down, won just about everything in the air, time and time, and time again.

In the last few seasons, we would have lost that game, but thankfully, under CW and AK, we kept on fighting to the last whistle.

While I don't want to to see changes to a winning side, I really think we need a big, strong, powerful midfielder, who is hard as nails and fast, to have as an option if Coutts, Fleck or Duffy come off. We need someone who could take on (and beat, physically) players like Coventry had last night.

We've got one but he was playing in defence. I wouldn't dream of telling CW how to do his job but I did wonder if he was going to bring Wright on for Coutts and push Basham into CM.

I know he's not fast but you'll struggle to find anyone who's hard as nails, big, strong powerful, fast and good at football in L1.

 

[Bladesthorpe]

Well we will have to get used to these whistles , flares and flag waving when were playing in Europe.