pommpey
THE FUTURE ... AS IT USED TO BE
- Banned
- #1
Much better performance today. Right across the park we looked a lot better and moved the ball across the park with purpose. Okay, there were still overplaying occasions but these were a lot less and we did for large amounts of the game negate Millwall to the odd attack.
Wilder had made some changes and brought Stearman back in in place of Wright. The first twenty minutes were characteristically all us, with United passing a lot better and making play down each flank. The big problem is what to do with it whilst there, as Clarke seemed to be the only option in the box. Thence after most attacks were snuffed out with a lively Brooks assisting with developing the attack much of the time rather than being the 'second ball' option. Couple of times the lad did some rather dazzling skill flashes and Millwall, like Boro, were troubled each time he gained possession. Lundstram had a decent effort just wide and their keeper pulled off a few good saves to keep United out. the lack of bodies in the box was evident when a much improved Clarke stole into the box and flashed a ball across the empty net for no one to capitalise. It was all United and unfortunately, as in many games recently, nowt to show for it.
Second half saw Duffy on for Lundstram and an immediate change in dimension as we went on the attack with purpose but as each ball broke forward, for some strange reason rather than press on with the attack the ball was held up and passed sideways, backwards, anywhere rather than onto a runner toward the kop end. Millwall didn't have much to show except test Blackman who pulled off a cracking stop and we responded with equal tests for their keeper who had a great game keeping us out. Brooks came off for Sharp and straight away, rather than the ball-to-feet trickery, we went direct and Billy got stuck in. After a series of attacks and corners, we could do nothing else but score and we did with a clever hook across the box by Evans, a nod across the six yard and CLARKE to follow it in much to everyone's (and his) delight and relief. Suddenly the playoffs were back on.
Hoping to either capitalise or contain was very much on everyone's minds but a long punt forward caught out back three uncharacteristically flat footed and MORISON stole in to very skilfully steer the dropping ball past a sprawling Blackman from ten yards. It was a shattering blow and a bit bleeding typical that United had spent over an hour gradually plugging away and then fall to a goal against the run of play. Some Millwall fans spilled onto the pitch, and were immediately jumped on and booted out.
After this, Millwall smelled blood and came at us a bit which was a bit nervy at times, and our vocal home support gave way at times to their noisy 1500 or so underneath us. As the game went into the final throes we pushed on again and a few efforts again tested their very agile keeper, an effort by Evans seemed destined to better Tuesday's goal until it was slapped away.
The ref blew up and the fans trudged out - Bramall Lane now bisected by a heavy steel wall cordon and shitloads of coppers ready for the cockney twats to fuck off home.
Blackman 8/10: Not really much to do but was in the right place at the right time, especially with the save
Baldock 8/10: Much, much better, save for not having any options once in his advanced position
Basham 8.5/10: Great game. Involved in everything and made some key tackles and battled valiantly, even if he is not overly skilled. I do shit myself every time he gets on the ball, mind
O'Connell 8/10: Wrestled, battled and drove the back three into the Millwall attack so they had plenty to do especially in the air
Stearman 6.5/10: Obviously returning from injury and not as match sharp, but did well
Stevens 7.5/10: Dealt with the wide threat given by Millwall and tried to get forward
Fleck 8.5/10: Great game once again. Determined, aggressive and with a clever turn of speed when he wants it
Evans 8.5/10: A much improved game with some really intelligent positionings, even if we were at times forced to pass it about to find a way in
Lundstram 7/10: Still not convinced. He's okay ... but overcompensates for his lack of experience at this level by (get this) overplaying it. He is a bit error prone, too.
Brooks 7.5/10: Not on the ball half as much as he should be but when he was, the opposition don't like it. It seems to me that the rest of the team don't read him, or he doesn't read the rest of the team. Either way, he's fucking good when he can be
Clarke 7.5/10. Again, no one seems to 'read' what Clarke is doing or where he will be in ten seconds time when you look up and chance the cross or the ball across the box. Give him the space or the chance and he can score but he can't do that if the wingers or the midfield are not feeding him the right opportunity.
Duffy 8/10. Made a real difference when he came on fetching and carrying from the left into the area in front of the box. But its at that moment Millwall (and Boro) just shut out the 'killer ball' and it goes wide or backwards
Lafferty 6.5/10 Did okay for the small amount I saw him involved with. Caught out with their goal, mind
Sharp 7.5/10. He's back, and his contribution was very evident, albeit with little return. Shame really
Ref: 7/10. A lot better than Tuesday's idiot, but game a mysterious offside against us in the second half without the lino flagging
Crowd 9/10. We did hear a lot of the cockney fuckers below us, but the response was characteristically robust. Got behind the players and sung well.
Wilder 9.5/10. We couldn't lose this one, and Wilder will be disappointed we didn't win it, which we deserved to do
Desso 9.5/10. Some patches down at the BL end but looked well.
Food 10/10. After treating my family to a 'proper' fishcake butty with Hendersons outside Yellow Arch Studios the other day, I brought the same with chips and mushy peas back from Derbyshire Lane chippy. They loved it.
Still think we have a chance to get in the playoffs, but I don't think we have a chance IN the playoffs. We are too inconsistent and nervy and despite massive possession, give the ball away and lose composure when we come under attack. A great season though. Well done Wilder and the team.
pommpey
Wilder had made some changes and brought Stearman back in in place of Wright. The first twenty minutes were characteristically all us, with United passing a lot better and making play down each flank. The big problem is what to do with it whilst there, as Clarke seemed to be the only option in the box. Thence after most attacks were snuffed out with a lively Brooks assisting with developing the attack much of the time rather than being the 'second ball' option. Couple of times the lad did some rather dazzling skill flashes and Millwall, like Boro, were troubled each time he gained possession. Lundstram had a decent effort just wide and their keeper pulled off a few good saves to keep United out. the lack of bodies in the box was evident when a much improved Clarke stole into the box and flashed a ball across the empty net for no one to capitalise. It was all United and unfortunately, as in many games recently, nowt to show for it.
Second half saw Duffy on for Lundstram and an immediate change in dimension as we went on the attack with purpose but as each ball broke forward, for some strange reason rather than press on with the attack the ball was held up and passed sideways, backwards, anywhere rather than onto a runner toward the kop end. Millwall didn't have much to show except test Blackman who pulled off a cracking stop and we responded with equal tests for their keeper who had a great game keeping us out. Brooks came off for Sharp and straight away, rather than the ball-to-feet trickery, we went direct and Billy got stuck in. After a series of attacks and corners, we could do nothing else but score and we did with a clever hook across the box by Evans, a nod across the six yard and CLARKE to follow it in much to everyone's (and his) delight and relief. Suddenly the playoffs were back on.
Hoping to either capitalise or contain was very much on everyone's minds but a long punt forward caught out back three uncharacteristically flat footed and MORISON stole in to very skilfully steer the dropping ball past a sprawling Blackman from ten yards. It was a shattering blow and a bit bleeding typical that United had spent over an hour gradually plugging away and then fall to a goal against the run of play. Some Millwall fans spilled onto the pitch, and were immediately jumped on and booted out.
After this, Millwall smelled blood and came at us a bit which was a bit nervy at times, and our vocal home support gave way at times to their noisy 1500 or so underneath us. As the game went into the final throes we pushed on again and a few efforts again tested their very agile keeper, an effort by Evans seemed destined to better Tuesday's goal until it was slapped away.
The ref blew up and the fans trudged out - Bramall Lane now bisected by a heavy steel wall cordon and shitloads of coppers ready for the cockney twats to fuck off home.
Blackman 8/10: Not really much to do but was in the right place at the right time, especially with the save
Baldock 8/10: Much, much better, save for not having any options once in his advanced position
Basham 8.5/10: Great game. Involved in everything and made some key tackles and battled valiantly, even if he is not overly skilled. I do shit myself every time he gets on the ball, mind
O'Connell 8/10: Wrestled, battled and drove the back three into the Millwall attack so they had plenty to do especially in the air
Stearman 6.5/10: Obviously returning from injury and not as match sharp, but did well
Stevens 7.5/10: Dealt with the wide threat given by Millwall and tried to get forward
Fleck 8.5/10: Great game once again. Determined, aggressive and with a clever turn of speed when he wants it
Evans 8.5/10: A much improved game with some really intelligent positionings, even if we were at times forced to pass it about to find a way in
Lundstram 7/10: Still not convinced. He's okay ... but overcompensates for his lack of experience at this level by (get this) overplaying it. He is a bit error prone, too.
Brooks 7.5/10: Not on the ball half as much as he should be but when he was, the opposition don't like it. It seems to me that the rest of the team don't read him, or he doesn't read the rest of the team. Either way, he's fucking good when he can be
Clarke 7.5/10. Again, no one seems to 'read' what Clarke is doing or where he will be in ten seconds time when you look up and chance the cross or the ball across the box. Give him the space or the chance and he can score but he can't do that if the wingers or the midfield are not feeding him the right opportunity.
Duffy 8/10. Made a real difference when he came on fetching and carrying from the left into the area in front of the box. But its at that moment Millwall (and Boro) just shut out the 'killer ball' and it goes wide or backwards
Lafferty 6.5/10 Did okay for the small amount I saw him involved with. Caught out with their goal, mind
Sharp 7.5/10. He's back, and his contribution was very evident, albeit with little return. Shame really
Ref: 7/10. A lot better than Tuesday's idiot, but game a mysterious offside against us in the second half without the lino flagging
Crowd 9/10. We did hear a lot of the cockney fuckers below us, but the response was characteristically robust. Got behind the players and sung well.
Wilder 9.5/10. We couldn't lose this one, and Wilder will be disappointed we didn't win it, which we deserved to do
Desso 9.5/10. Some patches down at the BL end but looked well.
Food 10/10. After treating my family to a 'proper' fishcake butty with Hendersons outside Yellow Arch Studios the other day, I brought the same with chips and mushy peas back from Derbyshire Lane chippy. They loved it.
Still think we have a chance to get in the playoffs, but I don't think we have a chance IN the playoffs. We are too inconsistent and nervy and despite massive possession, give the ball away and lose composure when we come under attack. A great season though. Well done Wilder and the team.
pommpey
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