Huddersfield 0 United 0 - report/pod

[Deadbat]

Podcast to come later (half an hour max) and then report below…





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United got a point and kept their recent unbeaten run going with a hard-fought draw at the John Smiths Stadium against a resurgent Huddersfield side. The Blades were far from their best for long periods and got away with some officiating decisions going fore them but actually Wes Foderingham did not have that much to do in the grand scheme of things and as the game went on, the Blades fashioned the better chances with Fleck denied by a combination of Nicholls and the post and a scramble soon after being cleared off the line. In the end, the visitors will take the draw and move onto two consecutive home games back at the Lane.



The game was played in difficult conditions with the rain and wind swirling around West Yorkshire for the lunchtime kick off. United rotated their side again with the defence unchanged but Berge, Fleck, Gibbs White and McBurnie in for Norwood, Hourihane, Ndiaye and the injured McGoldrick.



Town also made changes but settled the far better of the two sides and were crisper with their passing, moving the ball around well and forcing United back. The Blades struggled to make much headway or keep the ball up the top of the field. The home side won two early corners and O’Brien and Russell were controlling the ball with Berge and Fleck struggling to get into the game. The Norwegian was booked for a clumsy foul as Town looked to break and the home fans senses they were getting on top. However, some better play saw two flicked headers from McBurnie, with Nicholls making one routine save and the other going wide.



After this it became hard work for United as Town pressed them and were working very hard. Thomas got into some good positions and Ward was holding it up allowing O’Brien to create, moving it side to side. They had not created any clear chances but were clearly the better side and had seen more of the ball. Gibbs White had struggled to make any impact and twice his flicks set the home team on the attack. Robinson was stepping in well to make some good interceptions but Huddersfield won a corner on 39 minutes where there was a pivotal moment in the game.



The corner came over and the header from Russell and Baldock seemed to shove Ward but as he then fell into Foderingham and may have been offside and also impeding the keeper, the ball bounced down and into the net but was eventually disallowed. It certainly may have been an offence but then might have been a penalty just before this and the Blades definitely may have got away with one.



Town did have another chance on goal just before half time as Foderingham smothered a shot from Ruffles after another ball in caused problems.



The half time whistle came and the Blades will have been happy to go in level after the controversial incident they survived and the home side certainly being the better side.



United did start the second half better as they kicked towards their own fans and Sharp’s swivelled and hit a shot into the side netting. McBurnie also had a looped header and Berge took a shot on at the keeper. This had been better but in playing higher up, they also gave gaps the other way and twice balls down the side of Baldock caused problems. Robinson was having an excellent game and made two vital interceptions to deny Town as the balls came in.



Koroma did have an effort saved from Foderingham before Robinson was booked for kicking the ball away after Berge’s poor pass put him into trouble. The game was more even than the first half and then McBurnie was the next Blade to be booked for leaning into his man on an aerial challenge.



Norwood came on for Gibbs White, who had certainly not had his best days before Pina had a decent shout for a penalty as he was felled before McBurnie maybe had a weaker appeal at the other end. Town made changes with Sinani and Holmes coming on but United were now probably having the better of things and had a lot more of the ball with Berge more advanced enjoying his best spell.



United worked a few decent moments but the corner given away was unnecessary from the full back. The clipped ball from Norwood saw Fleck take aim and his guided volley seemed goal bound but Nichols did superbly to push his shot against the post and it rebounded back off him and away as he maybe deserved his moment of fortune. From the next ball in, the ball fell for Berge and McBurnie who both had efforts cleared off the line as Town who had been the better side were now maybe hanging on somewhat.



Ndiaye came on for McBurnie who had looked dead on his feet for some time but with only 5 minutes to play it would be hard for him to make much of an impact.



Fleck tripped his man cynically as Town looked to break and then a ball came in and the header from Holmes was saved by Foderingham. The final three minutes saw United the side on the attack and a Robinson long throw did not quite reach it’s intended location and the visitors could not muster another chance as the game ended in stalemate.

 

[Deadbat]

United – Not our best and a fair way off the standards of previous games when we have seen off teams fairly comfortably. Matched up with a decent side (now unbeaten in 14) we had to stay in the game first half. Like in the week, we never really got going and they pushed us back and we were kind of holding on for spells – even though the clear chances were few and far between. Felt the changes (see why he made them with the number of games) disrupted us and the midfield never got control and that Russell and O’Brien controlled this section of the game. We just were really sloppy when we had it and quite slow. They were quicker and managed to nick the ball and get up the field. Sharp and McBurnie had little service but also did not keep it but felt the main issue was the midfield. Fleck and Berge were so sluggish and immobile and Gibbs White just had one of those games – maybe lacking match sharpness? Huddersfield looked much hungrier and forced us back. We did have a few half chances via McBurnie but not sure we had any sustained possession or pressure. As the half went on, they kept coming at us but not sure they really created much but then the big moment when we got away with the goal when it probably should have been a penalty. I was desperate for half time and glad when it came and we got in 0-0 even though outside of that one big controversial moment, they did not really test Foderingham too much.



After the break I felt we may change it with personnel and/or the way the players played but we kind of carried on as we had but at least the game became more open and we started to have as many opportunities as them. It was more even after the break but they looked good as they broke on us whereas we were more deliberate and plodding in our moves. Neither side actually had many clear chances I can recall. A few half chances at either end but nothing that prominent or where the two keepers had to work too much. Most fans were crying out for a chance and finally it came with Norwood on for Gibbs White. I felt Fleck, Berge, McBurnie or a few others could have gone at this stage as they all looked sluggish and had not done enough to affect the game positively. Norwood definitely improved us but they did have an appeal for a penalty which apparently could have been given -we had a lesser appeal against McBurnie too but they definitely had a stronger shout. With around 10-15 left, I was still happy to take a point as individually and collectively the selection and how we had played, meant we were not deserving of anything more. They actually started to run out of ideas with the ball down the side the main threat but often the crosses were poor when they got into these areas. We actually then finished the game the stronger and had the big chances with a few intricate and more dangerous moves and then we had the Fleck effort off the keeper/post and the double block right in front of goal from McBurnie/Berge soon after. These actually, as bad as we were for long spells, were as good as anything created. They had a half chance from a header but we definitely finished the stronger at the end and could have nicked an undeserved win but in the end, they would say they shaded the overall game. I was happy with a point. I did feel he needed to make changes and use all three subs. Too many were off the game or did not take their opportunity of a start and the game sort of drifted by. Maybe I am not giving Huddersfield enough credit who worked hard, pressed us and got up the field. They were well organised and had a lot of decent possession, even if it was not really hurtful stuff. You can see why they have been doing well though.



In the end we rested/rotated players and took a point. 4 from 6 from two tough games on paper you would take but today was also a bit of an eye opener against a team we will need to get above, showed we still have a way to go as they were probably better than us today. Too many did not quite do enough. The conditions were difficult but needed a few more of the midfield/attacking players to be better and more positive on the ball. Still, we restricted them to little chances. We maybe got away with a few decisions but in the end, I definitely would take a draw and would have done before the start.



We now have two more at home and you would be looking for 4-6 points again to keep us in touch with the congested top half where anyone from about 12-13 teams could arguably be contesting 4 places in the playoffs. The results after our game were mixed but we need to go and put in a more emphatic performance than we did today if we want to win games. I felt today was the first time we looked a bit off the pace and slow/stuck in the mud. It was not easy conditions but need key players to do more to help us win such games. If we want to get the playoffs, we need to do more of what we did in the week, rather the passive stuff we saw today.



Ratings:



Foderingham 6/10 – Actually had very little to do. Involved in the incident on the goal where he was obstructed and fouled but of course our player fouled Ward before this happened. He did fold quite easily on the line. Another corner he missed completely but then fielded most other things pretty well and his distribution even when put under unnecessary pressure was good with some decent driven half volley kicks outs.



Bogle 6/10 – Not sure he had the best of games and the quietest he has been offensively. They did push him back a fair bit and he had to defend. He did ok with this part of his game which I know has been a weakness before. They had a few moments where he was not quite tight enough but overall did what he had to. Saw very little attacking wise and when he did get forward some poor floated crosses or overhit balls. Seem to foul his man second half in the chance when Pipa advanced.



Baldock 6/10 – Played in the left-wing back role again. Had to see his defensive side more today and he did ok for the most part but had the let off on the foul for the goal that was disallowed. He also did get beat twice with the ball inside him for the winger to run onto in the second half. Going the other way, he got into some great positions second half but of course had to keep checking back onto his other foot and often the chance then went. Lucky to get away with the penalty appeal in the disallowed goal too.



Basham 7/10 – Steady enough with some good clearances and interceptions and usual lung bursting runs mixed in with some loose touches and sloppy moments. He did what he had to defensively and was ok in this regard. One of our more energetic performances overall with some good runs that sprang us out of our half but often then ran out of ideas.



Robinson 7.5/10 – My man of the match and maybe by some way. One loose moment apart where he knew he put them in almost and another floated weak cross apart, everything else was very good to excellent. Came out with the ball, won interceptions, made tackles and was our most commanding defender. He was the one making the covering blocks, tackles and reading the opportunities when they had them. He got stronger as the game went on and unlucky with his header across in the build up the two blocked chances at the end.



Egan 7/10 – Solid enough. Ward is a handful and good in the air/quite mobile but he kept him fairly quiet and was able to stop any clear chances coming through the middle. He used it ok when he had it but rarely went over half way. I felt 2nd half he was able to make some decent interceptions when they tried to get in although got away with one wild sliced clearance as a ball came in.



Fleck 5/10 – Not good and symptomatic of our poor play in midfield where other than the last 10 minutes, we never had any control of this area. His touch came off him too much and he was often just dangling his leg at balls. They came away too often due to him and Berge being loose with it. I also am not sure he drove with it or carried the ball to get us up the field. Looked well off the pace as we saw when the mis controlled a good chance and then scythed his man down for a dirty yellow near the end. However, he did have our best chance with the shot from the corner at the end that was a really good effort that the keeper did well to save. Another given a chance that did not really take it.



Berge 6/10 – Seen some he played well but I did not see that. He began slow and ponderous and they dominated the central area. He was slow to react to balls dropping and then they ran off him and he got booked for a cynical pull back as he could not be bothered to run back. Did improve after this and at least got on it more but rarely carried the ball and was all very safe. Out of possession I thought we let them come through us too much. Did have a good spell towards the end when he linked more and was deeper in their third and of course had one shot blocked. Did completely mis control one chance though. Incredibly timid and safe and another who looks woefully out of shape as could not run the final part of the game. Needs to do much more but at least at the end he got on it and made things happen more. I just want him to be more aggressive and assertive. Need more than 15 minutes of influence.



Gibbs White 4/10 – Had a bit of a nightmare really. Not sure anything came off all game. He tried flicks and tricks that gave it straight to them, he ran it into trouble and also set them on the attack three times first half with his give aways of possession. He looked frustrated and seemed to know it was not going for him but instead of going back to basics, he carried on trying adventurous things. Was a liability and other than one run down the right second half, cannot recall much of note he did that was positive and went off.



McBurnie 5.5/10 – He has looked good as a sub in the last few games. Held it up, played it nice and simple and looked a decent focal point. Today it did not work. He put effort in first half and tried to link but he had little service and when it came to him, it just bounced off him. One header drifted wide and that was it. After the break when we attacked more, I felt he at least got more involved but missed a decent chance after Sharp fed him and then got booked for a silly challenge. Feel he goes to ground too easy and needs to be stronger. The last 10-15 minutes before he went off, looked completely shot and dead on his feet. Needs to get much fitter and stronger. I thought he was given a start and did not really take it.



Sharp 5.5/10 – Worked hard but not as involved in the game as he has been recently. He at least held it up on occasions and tried to find others when he could. Had to come deep/wide to look for the ball and had one swivel shot wide second half and then set up his partner with a through ball. Worrying that he is the fittest of all the strikers in the club (including those outgoing or gone) and having to play almost every minute/game due to the lack of fitness of the rest. Probably needs a break but sadly may not get one due to the reasons described with the other strikers.



Subs –



Norwood – Improved us when he came on as at least we had more of the ball and started to get further up the field and have more of a foothold in this area. We had struggled before this and showed that when he does not play, we are a weaker side for all those that criticise him. Fleck and Berge never had the same level of control in the first 70 minutes of the game. He at least moved it side to side and moved us up the field too with his ball retention. Decent corner to the edge of the box for the Fleck chance too.



Ndiaye – Was ready to come on ages before he did and it all seemed a bit of a waste of time when he was given his chance with less than 5 minutes and change left. Had a few flicks and passes but as I say was too little time to make an impact.



Manager:



Heckingbottom 5/10 – I get he had to rotate the team with so many games but changing the two midfielders did not work at all as they dominated this area of the field for long spells with Berge/Fleck slow and sloppy on the ball. We got in 0-0 and I wanted us to play higher up the field and we did a bit I suppose but the game was too open and I thought we never had total control at any point until the changes. Everyone was crying out for them and Norwood improved things but it came too late and then incredibly he only used another one change and that was way too late – Ndiaye could not make much impact with the time he had left at all. We had Jebbison, Hourihane and others who could have come on and at least given us some freshness. I am perplexed he did not make the changes when several seemed off the pace/leggy and lacking fitness. He will probably bring a few back in the week but felt we almost missed a chance today – in a weird way winning today is more impactful than Hull or Swansea. Of course, if we get 4-6 points from those two than that answers the critics for the rotation. Personally I would have left one of Norwood/Hourihane in and also would have made changes and more of them earlier.

 

[Deadbat]

Huddersfield– They have been on a great run and had a brilliant season. Credit to the manager. I thought they may go down after a poor few seasons and the minimal impact he had last season since leaving Bielsa. However, he has made a few decent signings and with little big funds, got them working hard, really organised and moving up the league. They are hard working and stay in games. I feel their small squad and lack of quality up the top of the field may mean they may dip out of the playoffs but I might be wrong? They rarely concede and have a solid and experienced defence and do well at home. The likes of the, Blackburn and QPR have stayed up there that long, so maybe they may last the course? I do feel that the trajectory of Forest, Boro and us mean we might be the three teams that take a few of the above out but I might be wrong.



Today, they will feel they should have won. A couple of bad decisions went against them and on another day get a goal and or a penalty in the first half and a spot kick in the second half. They had a lot of the ball and forced us back, working really hard. They won the midfield battle with Russell and O’Brien better than Fleck/Berge. Up top Ward worked hard and Thomas and then Holmes showed their running/pace but they lacked quality to create many chances for a home side actually. For their decent performance cannot recall Foderingham having much to do. For their decent performance where they were better than us, they then rode their luck with a few chances cannoning about that could easily have gone in. The last 5 minutes we created 3 better chances than anything they created all game so in the end maybe they were glad of full time after perhaps feeling before that they did enough to just nick it themselves.





Opponent Man of the Match – Close call. The defence was solid enough, like ours, and Ward worked hard with Hogg acting as a good defensive shield too. The two midfield lads were by far their best players and O’Brien who is destined for much better things and Russell was very good. Tall and rangy midfielder who could run from deep and ping the ball about. He was rightly named man of the match. Sort of player I’d love in midfield. Mobile, can get around and quick/athletic. He made a big money player Berge look ordinary and lethargic in comparison.



Opponent Weak link – The defence was ok and have been solid but feel Lees is not really up to it if you want to go up from this league. He was released by our city rivals and he is quite slow. Sadly, Sharp only had a few moments where he turned him and McBurnie was well off the pace to trouble him or the equally immobile Pearson alongside him.



Referee/Officials – James Linington. We seem to have had a few officials who have helped us in recent weeks with a number of red cards (some nailed on) and today he could have given them two penalties and of course disallowed the goal too. A few appealed for the one on McBurnie but he went down easily. The one for them in the 2nd half I felt we got the ball but replays showed he got the man too and we could not have argued if it was given. The rest of the game he was odd as at times he let physical stuff go (saw two moments where he let players on either side barge each other over and played on!) and then he stopped it for little things. He never made sure free kicks were taken from the right position and the moving ball was rarely penalised for both sides on goal kicks/free kicks. Still the bookings he did give for cynical fouls from Berge and Fleck, a leading elbow from McBurnie and then a kick away from Robinson – were right. They only had one booking – Hogg – rightly for the foul on Sharp in the build up to a chance were he played advantage. Our players sadly never ran at them to allow them to make challenges or commit fouls. Definitely an away-er though in the grand scheme of things and we got away with a few today – often fans always say we never have refs in our favour but today we certainly did!



Matchday/Crowd/Day out – A rare away day for me. Got the early 8.36ish train to Hudds that stopped at 245 stations. Decent atmosphere on the train although two carriages was madness when they surely would have known a lot would be going across -at least Northern sorted it for the return leg with apparently a train with 6 carriages that almost went direct.



My last away day at Blackburn it threw it down and so it did again today of course. I had not been to Huddersfield for maybe 20 years? Been a few times but Asaba’s debut may have been the last game and we have kind of avoided them divisional wise in the recent periods of history with one of us being above/below the other. The town centre does not seem to have changed much and not the greatest place. Some nice buildings mixed with some really run down parts. My son said it reminded him of a big Worksop. Harsh but maybe fair!



After diving into a Wetherspoon for a wee and pint we ended up in a Sports Bar called The Warehouse which was good even if the poor lads serving had to really earn their money as they clearly did not have enough staff on. Walked up the ground going near the old Gasworks Club which is sadly shut down seemingly – remember this being a decent place for a drink. I like the sign saying you are nearly there as you approach the ground and go past the big car park. Sadly, you are no nearly there as you have a stupid wait as they funnel the away fans into almost single file in a big long queueing system which seemed nonsensical. They had 4 turnstiles open that ended up being 3 for over 2,000 fans. Last time I went we had the whole end and recall no issues but of course Huddersfield fans occupy half the stand with a small divide of stewards in between. This seems odd. Maybe it creates more of an atmosphere but when the other rend had a completely empty lower tier and hardly anyone in the top tier -why create problems and also lose revenue as many teams could sell more (Forest, Derby, us, Barnsley, Boro, Blackburn, Birmingham etc). Just seems poor business sense.



Anyway, we got to the ground at 12pm and thought we would have loads of time – sadly not as this slow funnelled, almost airport style queue with ticket checks and then rigorous searches and the old-fashioned turnstiles with no scanners meant we got in at 12.25pm. I reckon a fair few missed kick off.



Inside it was incredibly cramped and the toilet/bar was completely inadequate for a sold-out section. At half time, the toilet flooded with p**ss and it meant to in, you had to wade through it. There did not seem to be any attempt to clear it up or unblock things. It was appalling really. It seems like the sort of stadium that the club probably think is modern but has been there now for over 25 years and now actually looks its age and the facilities probably never been upgraded.



In the ground, the Blades fans made a fair bit of noise with the Status Quo chant and a return of the Follow, Follow, Follow one with different players of course! I think whilst the fans got behind the side, they knew we were not quite at it and that in the end were probably happy with a draw, although at the end we had those late chances right in front of us and I was convinced the Fleck one was going in as was right behind it!



After the game, met my cousin who lives near Huddersfield and had a coffee/bite to eat before heading home. Still a lot of Blades around and the train was pretty full again but fairly decent and good-natured atmosphere for the return journey home. The away day showed me that I have missed having a few beers and a good laugh away but also reminded me there are some right idiots too. It is a mixed bag and sometimes I cringe at how some Blades behave in towns/cities/trains when they travel.

 

[bakeblade]

Huddersfield– They have been on a great run and had a brilliant season. Credit to the manager. I thought they may go down after a poor few seasons and the minimal impact he had last season since leaving Bielsa. However, he has made a few decent signings and with little big funds, got them working hard, really organised and moving up the league. They are hard working and stay in games. I feel their small squad and lack of quality up the top of the field may mean they may dip out of the playoffs but I might be wrong? They rarely concede and have a solid and experienced defence and do well at home. The likes of the, Blackburn and QPR have stayed up there that long, so maybe they may last the course? I do feel that the trajectory of Forest, Boro and us mean we might be the three teams that take a few of the above out but I might be wrong.



Today, they will feel they should have won. A couple of bad decisions went against them and on another day get a goal and or a penalty in the first half and a spot kick in the second half. They had a lot of the ball and forced us back, working really hard. They won the midfield battle with Russell and O’Brien better than Fleck/Berge. Up top Ward worked hard and Thomas and then Holmes showed their running/pace but they lacked quality to create many chances for a home side actually. For their decent performance cannot recall Foderingham having much to do. For their decent performance where they were better than us, they then rode their luck with a few chances cannoning about that could easily have gone in. The last 5 minutes we created 3 better chances than anything they created all game so in the end maybe they were glad of full time after perhaps feeling before that they did enough to just nick it themselves.





Opponent Man of the Match – Close call. The defence was solid enough, like ours, and Ward worked hard with Hogg acting as a good defensive shield too. The two midfield lads were by far their best players and O’Brien who is destined for much better things and Russell was very good. Tall and rangy midfielder who could run from deep and ping the ball about. He was rightly named man of the match. Sort of player I’d love in midfield. Mobile, can get around and quick/athletic. He made a big money player Berge look ordinary and lethargic in comparison.



Opponent Weak link – The defence was ok and have been solid but feel Lees is not really up to it if you want to go up from this league. He was released by our city rivals and he is quite slow. Sadly, Sharp only had a few moments where he turned him and McBurnie was well off the pace to trouble him or the equally immobile Pearson alongside him.



Referee/Officials – James Linington. We seem to have had a few officials who have helped us in recent weeks with a number of red cards (some nailed on) and today he could have given them two penalties and of course disallowed the goal too. A few appealed for the one on McBurnie but he went down easily. The one for them in the 2nd half I felt we got the ball but replays showed he got the man too and we could not have argued if it was given. The rest of the game he was odd as at times he let physical stuff go (saw two moments where he let players on either side barge each other over and played on!) and then he stopped it for little things. He never made sure free kicks were taken from the right position and the moving ball was rarely penalised for both sides on goal kicks/free kicks. Still the bookings he did give for cynical fouls from Berge and Fleck, a leading elbow from McBurnie and then a kick away from Robinson – were right. They only had one booking – Hogg – rightly for the foul on Sharp in the build up to a chance were he played advantage. Our players sadly never ran at them to allow them to make challenges or commit fouls. Definitely an away-er though in the grand scheme of things and we got away with a few today – often fans always say we never have refs in our favour but today we certainly did!



Matchday/Crowd/Day out – A rare away day for me. Got the early 8.36ish train to Hudds that stopped at 245 stations. Decent atmosphere on the train although two carriages was madness when they surely would have known a lot would be going across -at least Northern sorted it for the return leg with apparently a train with 6 carriages that almost went direct.



My last away day at Blackburn it threw it down and so it did again today of course. I had not been to Huddersfield for maybe 20 years? Been a few times but Asaba’s debut may have been the last game and we have kind of avoided them divisional wise in the recent periods of history with one of us being above/below the other. The town centre does not seem to have changed much and not the greatest place. Some nice buildings mixed with some really run down parts. My son said it reminded him of a big Worksop. Harsh but maybe fair!



After diving into a Wetherspoon for a wee and pint we ended up in a Sports Bar called The Warehouse which was good even if the poor lads serving had to really earn their money as they clearly did not have enough staff on. Walked up the ground going near the old Gasworks Club which is sadly shut down seemingly – remember this being a decent place for a drink. I like the sign saying you are nearly there as you approach the ground and go past the big car park. Sadly, you are no nearly there as you have a stupid wait as they funnel the away fans into almost single file in a big long queueing system which seemed nonsensical. They had 4 turnstiles open that ended up being 3 for over 2,000 fans. Last time I went we had the whole end and recall no issues but of course Huddersfield fans occupy half the stand with a small divide of stewards in between. This seems odd. Maybe it creates more of an atmosphere but when the other rend had a completely empty lower tier and hardly anyone in the top tier -why create problems and also lose revenue as many teams could sell more (Forest, Derby, us, Barnsley, Boro, Blackburn, Birmingham etc). Just seems poor business sense.



Anyway, we got to the ground at 12pm and thought we would have loads of time – sadly not as this slow funnelled, almost airport style queue with ticket checks and then rigorous searches and the old-fashioned turnstiles with no scanners meant we got in at 12.25pm. I reckon a fair few missed kick off.



Inside it was incredibly cramped and the toilet/bar was completely inadequate for a sold-out section. At half time, the toilet flooded with p**ss and it meant to in, you had to wade through it. There did not seem to be any attempt to clear it up or unblock things. It was appalling really. It seems like the sort of stadium that the club probably think is modern but has been there now for over 25 years and now actually looks its age and the facilities probably never been upgraded.



In the ground, the Blades fans made a fair bit of noise with the Status Quo chant and a return of the Follow, Follow, Follow one with different players of course! I think whilst the fans got behind the side, they knew we were not quite at it and that in the end were probably happy with a draw, although at the end we had those late chances right in front of us and I was convinced the Fleck one was going in as was right behind it!



After the game, met my cousin who lives near Huddersfield and had a coffee/bite to eat before heading home. Still a lot of Blades around and the train was pretty full again but fairly decent and good-natured atmosphere for the return journey home. The away day showed me that I have missed having a few beers and a good laugh away but also reminded me there are some right idiots too. It is a mixed bag and sometimes I cringe at how some Blades behave in towns/cities/trains when they travel.

It really was appalling the queue to get in, we missed the kick off by a couple of minutes after queuing for about 25 mins.
There were loads behind us so some will have missed the first 10 or 15, obviously no chance of delaying the kick off due to sky.
Only 4 turnstiles and stewards searching everyone from 5 to 75, ridiculous really.

 

[Cheets]

Yes we got there early and it took us ages to get in. I remember saying that it would be a nightmare when the usual last minute rush occured. And that was WITHOUT Covid checks!

 

[Dkc]

Great report as always. Now have three consecutive games at BL not two

 

[Gin&Juice]

Agreed. I think Baldock was a 6.5 and Berge a 5/5.5. But that’s just me being pedantic.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Thanks for the report Deadbat and I reckon you were spot on with the player ratings. I kept shouting at the TV for Berge to pass the ball as he seems to take ages to make up his mind and almost got robbed a number of times. Also thought Robinson had a good game and he made a number of vital interceptions and tackles, often under pressure as he was usually the last man.

I thought their lad Koroma caused us loads of problems as he kept getting in behind with his pace, although his final ball (fortunately) wasn't great.

 

[Blades Glory Owls Down]

I thought that yesterday was possibly our least convincing performance for some time.
We didn't start very well and were sloppy, ponderous and disjointed for the most part. We didn't execute a pressing game and allowed Huddersfield too much time on the ball without challenge. However they didn't create too many chances in open play.
We had a few periods of pressure where we seemed to wake up but didn't keep up any momentum and gave the impetus back to them too often.
I thought Robinson was easily MOTM and looked far more confident and "safe" at the back. He did almost everything right. As DB has pointed out, there was the lapse that nearly let them in and a poor cross but that's nit picking.
Berge tried hard to influence the game but didn't have many willing runners around him to pass to, resulting in him often having to go square and back. He was however our best midfield player as Fleck didn't wake up until the last 5 minutes, Bogle had a rare off day where he was largely crowded out, MGW looked like a street dancer spinning and twisting but not having any real effect on the game (granted he is coming back from injury and will be rusty. And for the most part has been a shining light prior to that) and Baldock offered little to nothing as LWB. He doesn't have a left foot and telegraphed that he was going to cut back every time he got the ball in an advanced position. Could and probably should have been penalised for their disallowed goal so was very lucky.
The 2 up top were offered very little service.
Having said all that. For all of our faults, we restricted them to largely efforts from set pieces. We created much better chances and were unlucky not to score a couple.
We are now left with 3 home games in a row to try and get back to winning ways and move into the top 6.

 

[cahill]

Re: the trains. You have to do your research. The one you caught must have gone via Barnsley, Elsecar etc. Same with Leeds, get the wrong train then three thousand stops later you get to Leeds, OR, you could get the direct train. Hudders is more awkward but I suspect going direct to Leeds and change for Hudders could be quicker. I was amazed how easy it was to get to Derby t’other week

 

[Deadbat]

Re: the trains. You have to do your research. The one you caught must have gone via Barnsley, Elsecar etc. Same with Leeds, get the wrong train then three thousand stops later you get to Leeds, OR, you could get the direct train. Hudders is more awkward but I suspect going direct to Leeds and change for Hudders could be quicker. I was amazed how easy it was to get to Derby t’other week

I did do my research. For once.

Took 1 hrs 16 to get to Hudds in the stopoing one and 1 hrs 14 (with wait included when changing) to go via Leeds. A lot of mucking about changing to save 2 mins so already being on a train and seated we just stayed on.

Agree on Leeds. You need to get the direct one rather than the one that goes via Rotherham etc. Big difference there.

 

[Webding]

I thought that yesterday was possibly our least convincing performance for some time.
We didn't start very well and were sloppy, ponderous and disjointed for the most part. We didn't execute a pressing game and allowed Huddersfield too much time on the ball without challenge. However they didn't create too many chances in open play.
We had a few periods of pressure where we seemed to wake up but didn't keep up any momentum and gave the impetus back to them too often.
I thought Robinson was easily MOTM and looked far more confident and "safe" at the back. He did almost everything right. As DB has pointed out, there was the lapse that nearly let them in and a poor cross but that's nit picking.
Berge tried hard to influence the game but didn't have many willing runners around him to pass to, resulting in him often having to go square and back. He was however our best midfield player as Fleck didn't wake up until the last 5 minutes, Bogle had a rare off day where he was largely crowded out, MGW looked like a street dancer spinning and twisting but not having any real effect on the game (granted he is coming back from injury and will be rusty. And for the most part has been a shining light prior to that) and Baldock offered little to nothing as LWB. He doesn't have a left foot and telegraphed that he was going to cut back every time he got the ball in an advanced position. Could and probably should have been penalised for their disallowed goal so was very lucky.
The 2 up top were offered very little service.
Having said all that. For all of our faults, we restricted them to largely efforts from set pieces. We created much better chances and were unlucky not to score a couple.
We are now left with 3 home games in a row to try and get back to winning ways and move into the top 6.

First half I think Berge hid and passed the buck as much as the rest of them. It was like an oxymoronic game of ponderous hot potato at times.

Much improved second half, and a handful of almost influential bits, but he’s still too ineffective for me. Really want to see him improve, but we currently have better (if older) options. He will get game time though as Hecky will continue to rotate, so hopefully that will help him.

Re: the trains. You have to do your research. The one you caught must have gone via Barnsley, Elsecar etc. Same with Leeds, get the wrong train then three thousand stops later you get to Leeds, OR, you could get the direct train. Hudders is more awkward but I suspect going direct to Leeds and change for Hudders could be quicker. I was amazed how easy it was to get to Derby t’other week

Udders-Sheff is a train nightmare. Work with a bloke from up there and there’s no good way to do it, you either change or get the stopper, but it takes the same amount of time either way.

 

[metalblade]

Spot on player ratings and at least you haven't fallen into giving ridiculously low marks for our scapegoats Berge and McBurnie, even if they didn't have their best games for us they were no worse than the other players around them.

 

[Addison]

Agree with scores DB especially the 5 for PH. I thought we tactically out thought ourselves worrying too much about the opposition. It was reflected in the post match comments that O'Brien was their threat down the left and we countered that with MGW down the right. That was the problem MGW is best as a floating 10 behind Sharp.

As expected we started with a flat 3 with MGW out of position on the right. No issue with going with a flat 3 away from Home in certain games but the front 2 need an injection of pace and Mcb and Sharp has never worked. it failed again yesterday. Sharp needs the pace movement and work rate of Ndiaye alongside him in this formation. We only really threatened when we made the change and pushed Berge further forward. Why we took so long to bring on Ndiaye is a mystery as they were there for the taking in the last 20 minutes of the game.

GB as a LWB should only be used in certain games to nullify the oppositions pace, Florist for example. Our build up play down the left was pedestrian. We need to bring a left footer in for the Home games.

Berge playing deep slows us down. We will need pace and invention behind our main striker if we are to get the points to get us into the play offs. He doesn't satisfy the pace requirement but he could be used as one of the 2 floating 10's in certain games.

If PH's aim was to get some minutes into squad players legs yesterday so that we go full tilt playing 3-4-2-1 in the next 3 Home games then mission accomplished. Continue to play a flat 3 at Home and try to shoehorn Mcb in alongside Sharp then it won't be.

 

[wadblade]

McBurnie could have scored, but the thing about McBurnie is that he is so one paced and puts so little pressure on the opponants defenders when they have the ball. Our intensity always drops when he plays

 

[highgreeninjapan]

United – Not our best and a fair way off the standards of previous games when we have seen off teams fairly comfortably. Matched up with a decent side (now unbeaten in 14) we had to stay in the game first half. Like in the week, we never really got going and they pushed us back and we were kind of holding on for spells – even though the clear chances were few and far between. Felt the changes (see why he made them with the number of games) disrupted us and the midfield never got control and that Russell and O’Brien controlled this section of the game. We just were really sloppy when we had it and quite slow. They were quicker and managed to nick the ball and get up the field. Sharp and McBurnie had little service but also did not keep it but felt the main issue was the midfield. Fleck and Berge were so sluggish and immobile and Gibbs White just had one of those games – maybe lacking match sharpness? Huddersfield looked much hungrier and forced us back. We did have a few half chances via McBurnie but not sure we had any sustained possession or pressure. As the half went on, they kept coming at us but not sure they really created much but then the big moment when we got away with the goal when it probably should have been a penalty. I was desperate for half time and glad when it came and we got in 0-0 even though outside of that one big controversial moment, they did not really test Foderingham too much.



After the break I felt we may change it with personnel and/or the way the players played but we kind of carried on as we had but at least the game became more open and we started to have as many opportunities as them. It was more even after the break but they looked good as they broke on us whereas we were more deliberate and plodding in our moves. Neither side actually had many clear chances I can recall. A few half chances at either end but nothing that prominent or where the two keepers had to work too much. Most fans were crying out for a chance and finally it came with Norwood on for Gibbs White. I felt Fleck, Berge, McBurnie or a few others could have gone at this stage as they all looked sluggish and had not done enough to affect the game positively. Norwood definitely improved us but they did have an appeal for a penalty which apparently could have been given -we had a lesser appeal against McBurnie too but they definitely had a stronger shout. With around 10-15 left, I was still happy to take a point as individually and collectively the selection and how we had played, meant we were not deserving of anything more. They actually started to run out of ideas with the ball down the side the main threat but often the crosses were poor when they got into these areas. We actually then finished the game the stronger and had the big chances with a few intricate and more dangerous moves and then we had the Fleck effort off the keeper/post and the double block right in front of goal from McBurnie/Berge soon after. These actually, as bad as we were for long spells, were as good as anything created. They had a half chance from a header but we definitely finished the stronger at the end and could have nicked an undeserved win but in the end, they would say they shaded the overall game. I was happy with a point. I did feel he needed to make changes and use all three subs. Too many were off the game or did not take their opportunity of a start and the game sort of drifted by. Maybe I am not giving Huddersfield enough credit who worked hard, pressed us and got up the field. They were well organised and had a lot of decent possession, even if it was not really hurtful stuff. You can see why they have been doing well though.



In the end we rested/rotated players and took a point. 4 from 6 from two tough games on paper you would take but today was also a bit of an eye opener against a team we will need to get above, showed we still have a way to go as they were probably better than us today. Too many did not quite do enough. The conditions were difficult but needed a few more of the midfield/attacking players to be better and more positive on the ball. Still, we restricted them to little chances. We maybe got away with a few decisions but in the end, I definitely would take a draw and would have done before the start.



We now have two more at home and you would be looking for 4-6 points again to keep us in touch with the congested top half where anyone from about 12-13 teams could arguably be contesting 4 places in the playoffs. The results after our game were mixed but we need to go and put in a more emphatic performance than we did today if we want to win games. I felt today was the first time we looked a bit off the pace and slow/stuck in the mud. It was not easy conditions but need key players to do more to help us win such games. If we want to get the playoffs, we need to do more of what we did in the week, rather the passive stuff we saw today.



Ratings:



Foderingham 6/10 – Actually had very little to do. Involved in the incident on the goal where he was obstructed and fouled but of course our player fouled Ward before this happened. He did fold quite easily on the line. Another corner he missed completely but then fielded most other things pretty well and his distribution even when put under unnecessary pressure was good with some decent driven half volley kicks outs.



Bogle 6/10 – Not sure he had the best of games and the quietest he has been offensively. They did push him back a fair bit and he had to defend. He did ok with this part of his game which I know has been a weakness before. They had a few moments where he was not quite tight enough but overall did what he had to. Saw very little attacking wise and when he did get forward some poor floated crosses or overhit balls. Seem to foul his man second half in the chance when Pipa advanced.



Baldock 6/10 – Played in the left-wing back role again. Had to see his defensive side more today and he did ok for the most part but had the let off on the foul for the goal that was disallowed. He also did get beat twice with the ball inside him for the winger to run onto in the second half. Going the other way, he got into some great positions second half but of course had to keep checking back onto his other foot and often the chance then went. Lucky to get away with the penalty appeal in the disallowed goal too.



Basham 7/10 – Steady enough with some good clearances and interceptions and usual lung bursting runs mixed in with some loose touches and sloppy moments. He did what he had to defensively and was ok in this regard. One of our more energetic performances overall with some good runs that sprang us out of our half but often then ran out of ideas.



Robinson 7.5/10 – My man of the match and maybe by some way. One loose moment apart where he knew he put them in almost and another floated weak cross apart, everything else was very good to excellent. Came out with the ball, won interceptions, made tackles and was our most commanding defender. He was the one making the covering blocks, tackles and reading the opportunities when they had them. He got stronger as the game went on and unlucky with his header across in the build up the two blocked chances at the end.



Egan 7/10 – Solid enough. Ward is a handful and good in the air/quite mobile but he kept him fairly quiet and was able to stop any clear chances coming through the middle. He used it ok when he had it but rarely went over half way. I felt 2nd half he was able to make some decent interceptions when they tried to get in although got away with one wild sliced clearance as a ball came in.



Fleck 5/10 – Not good and symptomatic of our poor play in midfield where other than the last 10 minutes, we never had any control of this area. His touch came off him too much and he was often just dangling his leg at balls. They came away too often due to him and Berge being loose with it. I also am not sure he drove with it or carried the ball to get us up the field. Looked well off the pace as we saw when the mis controlled a good chance and then scythed his man down for a dirty yellow near the end. However, he did have our best chance with the shot from the corner at the end that was a really good effort that the keeper did well to save. Another given a chance that did not really take it.



Berge 6/10 – Seen some he played well but I did not see that. He began slow and ponderous and they dominated the central area. He was slow to react to balls dropping and then they ran off him and he got booked for a cynical pull back as he could not be bothered to run back. Did improve after this and at least got on it more but rarely carried the ball and was all very safe. Out of possession I thought we let them come through us too much. Did have a good spell towards the end when he linked more and was deeper in their third and of course had one shot blocked. Did completely mis control one chance though. Incredibly timid and safe and another who looks woefully out of shape as could not run the final part of the game. Needs to do much more but at least at the end he got on it and made things happen more. I just want him to be more aggressive and assertive. Need more than 15 minutes of influence.



Gibbs White 4/10 – Had a bit of a nightmare really. Not sure anything came off all game. He tried flicks and tricks that gave it straight to them, he ran it into trouble and also set them on the attack three times first half with his give aways of possession. He looked frustrated and seemed to know it was not going for him but instead of going back to basics, he carried on trying adventurous things. Was a liability and other than one run down the right second half, cannot recall much of note he did that was positive and went off.



McBurnie 5.5/10 – He has looked good as a sub in the last few games. Held it up, played it nice and simple and looked a decent focal point. Today it did not work. He put effort in first half and tried to link but he had little service and when it came to him, it just bounced off him. One header drifted wide and that was it. After the break when we attacked more, I felt he at least got more involved but missed a decent chance after Sharp fed him and then got booked for a silly challenge. Feel he goes to ground too easy and needs to be stronger. The last 10-15 minutes before he went off, looked completely shot and dead on his feet. Needs to get much fitter and stronger. I thought he was given a start and did not really take it.



Sharp 5.5/10 – Worked hard but not as involved in the game as he has been recently. He at least held it up on occasions and tried to find others when he could. Had to come deep/wide to look for the ball and had one swivel shot wide second half and then set up his partner with a through ball. Worrying that he is the fittest of all the strikers in the club (including those outgoing or gone) and having to play almost every minute/game due to the lack of fitness of the rest. Probably needs a break but sadly may not get one due to the reasons described with the other strikers.



Subs –



Norwood – Improved us when he came on as at least we had more of the ball and started to get further up the field and have more of a foothold in this area. We had struggled before this and showed that when he does not play, we are a weaker side for all those that criticise him. Fleck and Berge never had the same level of control in the first 70 minutes of the game. He at least moved it side to side and moved us up the field too with his ball retention. Decent corner to the edge of the box for the Fleck chance too.



Ndiaye – Was ready to come on ages before he did and it all seemed a bit of a waste of time when he was given his chance with less than 5 minutes and change left. Had a few flicks and passes but as I say was too little time to make an impact.



Manager:



Heckingbottom 5/10 – I get he had to rotate the team with so many games but changing the two midfielders did not work at all as they dominated this area of the field for long spells with Berge/Fleck slow and sloppy on the ball. We got in 0-0 and I wanted us to play higher up the field and we did a bit I suppose but the game was too open and I thought we never had total control at any point until the changes. Everyone was crying out for them and Norwood improved things but it came too late and then incredibly he only used another one change and that was way too late – Ndiaye could not make much impact with the time he had left at all. We had Jebbison, Hourihane and others who could have come on and at least given us some freshness. I am perplexed he did not make the changes when several seemed off the pace/leggy and lacking fitness. He will probably bring a few back in the week but felt we almost missed a chance today – in a weird way winning today is more impactful than Hull or Swansea. Of course, if we get 4-6 points from those two than that answers the critics for the rotation. Personally I would have left one of Norwood/Hourihane in and also would have made changes and more of them earlier.

Cheers DB. Can’t argue with any of that.