Hull 1 United 0 - report/ratings

[Deadbat]

Despite the managerial change, the Blades start to the season continues to be one of their worst in history. Defeat in the lunchtime kick off at the MKM Stadium, means it is 8 out of 9 defeats for United. A season that had most pundits and fans predicting another promotion assault, has turned into an absolute disaster. Now, with the Blades firmly rooted to the foot of the table and almost certainly in a fight to stay in the league at the other end, Chris Wilder is perhaps wondering whether it was the right decision to return to the club. Since United beat Coventry last March, excluding the playoffs, United have won 3 games in 16 matches , losing 12 of these. The Blades fall off since last Easter has been incredible. United did have chances to take something as Gus Hamer hit the post, Hull survived a late goalmouth scramble and a missed Blades spot kick at the death. However, poor defending saw United once again fail to stop, and defend, a cross and Akintola scored at the far post. United had plenty of ball but looked largely clueless, outside of their one main tactic – give the ball to Hamer and in the end despite the late let offs, United did nowhere near enough from an attacking perspective once again.



In a miserable day punctuated by ‘Storm Amy’ swirling round the stadium, the Blades made two changes as the search for a winning formula continued. In came McCallum and Matos for Burrows and Davies. Hull started all four ex Blades players with Egan, Slater, Lundstram and the Championship’s second leading scorer McBurnie, lining against their former employer.



The Blades began having more possession and were moving it around in the Hull half without creating much. O’Hare went to the deck twice but was no free kick was given. The first chance came on 4 minutes when Ogbene went past his man down the right wing showing his pace. The cross came in and it fell for Hamer but Slater blocked his drive shot.



Slater then upended Ogbene but somehow escaped further action. Hamer took it but floated it off target as it sailed over the bar. Lundstram’s return last less then quarter of an hour – as he limped off. Hadziahmetovic replaced him.



Campbell made a good run but there was no support for him and it fizzled out. Hull’s first real chance came when Gelhardt found Slater who Gephardt got away from Mee. The ex-Blade’s shot deflected off McGuiness and out for a corner. Coyle’s cross then was pouched by Cooper after Gelhardt had got away from McCallum again.



The best opening of the game came for the Blades when the ball was fed to Hamer from Ogbene. The midfielder advance into the box and hit a rasping drive with his left foot but it smashed the near post with Pandor beaten.



United had probably shaded a close game but Hull had started to find some joy down the right side and it was from this area of the field that the first goal came. Coyle was not picked up by McCallum and the free cross came in with several Hull players in the box – a total contract to the other end of the field. Two home players just missed the header but AKINTOLA was completely unmarked. He struck a shot that hit the arm of Ogbene and nestled into the far corner. The Blades wing back had been United’s main attacking threat but was not tight enough to his man defensively.



Campbell won a corner as he ran down the left but this came to nothing. Ogbene was brought down cynically by the scorer Akintola – again no booking came and Peck missed a good opportunity heading over Hamer’s dangerous cross.



The final stages of the half became scrappy and United’s brittle confidence was on show as many players were now coming back rather than forward and with no real outlet at the top with Campbell largely anonymous and O’Hare ineffectual – it was hard to see where a response would come from.



United won an early corner from the kick off but Pandor pushed away. O’Hare was booked for bringing down Gelhardt after he lost the initial challenge. United were now wasteful in possession and staring to get frustrated as Hull began to start to win the loose challenges.



On 52 minutes, Hull should have probably finished the game. Mee made a mess of a Peck square pass and McBurnie came inside McGuiness and looked set to score but his shot lacked power and Cooper made the save. McBurnie and then McGuiness were both cautioned after tussling prior to a corner kick as Hull won two corners in quick succession.



The Blades had struggled to create anything but Pandur had to push away a Hamer strike as they finally forced the goalkeeper into action after over an hour. Both players made a double change as Crooks and Miller came on for Akintola and Gyabi. United replaced Peck and O’Hare with Davies and Ings. Campell went down after a challenge from Hughes and there did seem to be some contact but his theatrical fall maybe did not help his case?



Not long after this Campbell got on the loose ball but took a heavy touch when the pass to Ings was seemingly on. Cannon and Burrows then were the next to enter the field with Campbell and McCallum departing. Hull were now sitting back but the quality of United’s play was really poor. Crosses continued to be nowhere near any intended target and then Hamer came inside but curled over the bar.



Giles managed to nutmeg Tanganga but McGuiness made the block before more changes came with Gelhardt and McBurnie on for Ajayi and Deston and Barry for Matos. Cannon at least had a touch as his shot deflected wide. From the corner, the ball bounced around and Crooks knocked Tanganga’s effort off the line and United could not scramble the rebound home and Hull survived. United had an even better chance on 88 minutes as Ings turned his man Ajayi cleverly and the sub clumsily brought his man down. Egan was booked for his protests but seemed a pretty clear cut decision and a moment of madness from the defender.



Burrows had scored from all of his attempts last season but he completely telegraphed his effort as Pandur went down and held his tame effort, which summed up United’s season. The game ticked into 6 minutes of stoppage time but the Blades could not create anything more of note and Crooks game management was superb as he jinked out of three United players to help run the clock down. The final whistle came soon after this and marked yet another defeat for the dreadful Blades.

 

[Deadbat]

United – Another game, another defeat, and another performance where for the most part we looked clueless when we entered the opposition half. We were not outplayed and another day the penalty goes in and we get out with a draw but we missed it which is poor play – not unlucky. For most of the game I was totally bored by how we played, we took forever to move it up the field and then when we got there, we never really looked like we might trouble the keeper unless Hamer took a shot.



Indeed, Hamer was the only player who looked a threat really (Ogbene few flashes apart) and without him, we would not have come close to scoring till the late scramble/penalty. We simply have no idea what to do when we get over half way. We have no movement; we are stagnant and look like we are scared to pass/penetrate forwards. Wilder says it was not the tactics why we lost which really concerns me? We had a lot of the ball and after the break they sat back but did nothing to hurt them till those late moments at the end. Defensively we were ok I suppose but then switched off on the goal and could have conceded another after more poor slack play and McBurnie got in. Hull are a very ordinary side and a decent side puts them away. They have some slow, immobile players themselves and not sure they are a side that really stretches you or hurts you but did what they had to do in order to win – getting the goal and then defending with relative comfort – till the last few minutes.



We could and should have got a draw but we did not. The Sky pundits said Hull deserved to win for doing the things that a team needed to and suppose they are right. It is ok saying we could have done this or that but we did not. Wilder talking about margins but we keep losing 1-0. Last year a lot said it cannot be lucky when we keep winning 1-0 but conversely perhaps you say we cannot be unlucky when we keep losing similarly tight games? The reality is we nicked a lot of close games last year but we never really dominated many teams and now the margins are dropping the other way. With some key men moving on and being replaced by inferior players – we now have further regressed.



Stats (XG/Possession) are pointless if you do not win and I will counter we have been 2nd best in those statistical areas all season today – if we were not perhaps today. The players look completely drained of any confidence and they are slow and often second to the ball – as Sky remarked about our fitness. I thought we were largely clueless and even though the counter is, Hull were not better – as Wilder said it is about winning games and creating big moments. We did not and this teams are increasingly looking like a pitiful set of losers. I have seen a few say it was an ok performance but I thought we were largely passive and got what we deserved. The late scramble/pen kind of makes it look like we were unlucky but for most of the game we were pathetic (as I say Hull not much better which makes it worse)



I am not saying they do not care but some look like they would rather not be there – they seem very accepting of the fate. Selles rightly got slammed but now we have Wilder who was supposed to galvanise and lift them and we have not seen much improvements really to my eye? Sure, we have had a few more chances but we look incapable of fashioning many meaningful attacks, let alone chance or goals. 2 goals in 9 games is a joke and the players should be totally ashamed. The new signings for the most part (Tanganga done ok/Ings caused a few problems) have not improved us at all and seemed to be just panic signings and likes of McGuinness and Matos look like League One players – which is where they could be heading.



The talk of playoffs a few games ago can be firmly consigned to the bin. Mid table looks fanciful to the extreme. We now need to just somehow get enough points to stay in this league. The rot has firmly set in but I believe it was long before the managerial change at the end of the season. The performances were mostly poor and after that Coventry win (where we battered a side now leading the league and miles ahead of us seemingly) we became even more cautious than we had after Xmas and our form/results fell off. We have won 3 in 16 league games (2 were dead rubbers essentially v Cardiff/Stoke) and lost 12 of these. TWELVE defeats in 17. The form at the end of the season was a team that was of one that should have been closer to going down than going up. That is why all the 92 (it’s 90 – we cheated so rightly got docked 2 points) points is kind of not relevant as recency of form shows we really were falling off. I still feel Wilder should have been given another go but I am not sure we would have got much better than a 5th/6th place and even that would have been a stretch. Our form and all the stats suggested if we carried on, with less quality in the squad it might be just over half way.



No-one expected us to be a relegation scrap but we are 100% are. Selles was a disaster and I think we thought we would see some upsurge from Wilder but we have not really – we got a win I suppose but the performances have not been that much better. Take out the Ipswich debacle and every other games has been similar under both managers. Opposition gets in front; we create nothing and show no real urgency to get back in games and meekly lose out. I am not convinced Wilder had a plan B attacking wise. Maybe he tries 2 up front now but you still need players who can gamble, try, and pass and move, dribble, and actually cross a ball from wide areas with accuracy. We are not even doing the basics but seem almost terrified to try and attack. The confidence thing will be thrown at them but we looked like this post Easter too? Wilder will remain now no matter what (they would not dare sack him again I am sure unless they go on an even bigger losing streak than Selles- which is possible) but I am concerned he is a bit of spent force and has no idea (him or his coaches) on how to progress the ball up the field, how to make chances and how to make us a dynamic attacking side? I hope I am wrong but I just do not see it. We can change players and granted a load are out of form and deserve to be dropped now- even just to send a message (did it with Burrows and surely Peck, Campbell, O’Hare should be taken out now?) but the reality is that we have little behind them either? I am struggling to see where the goals and points are coming from at all. The way we play is so ingrained, it is hard to get out of this and for all the Selles has destroyed what we had – as I say I am not sure we really had much as we ended the season looking not dissimilar. The Bristol City games (where they were better side until we scored/red card) kind of masked what we were doing – the red card effectively settled the tie.



I will say the recruitment has been poor (McGuinness, Chong, Matos, Barry, Bindon are not up to this level) but then January was really bad too (Cannon, Clarke, BBD) so we have major issues with this side of the club – regardless of the critique that stands about the coaching and in particular the way the players are coached to attack.



We will see how they respond after the international break but I see nothing in the manager (sorry for all the Wilder fans who were so enthused about him coming back) and players to suggest they can suddenly turn this around? We look absolutely shot. Those pinning their hopes on January need to realise that it could be too late if things carry on and also those previous windows. Sorry to be so downcast and maybe lots will be negative but when you have the form we have had since Easter – with the Playoff final bottle job thrown into the mix which has accelerated the decline even more – it is hard to be positive. 8 defeats in 9 and the worst record of any clubs in the whole football league pyramid means I have to say how I see it and will not try and sugarcoat or spin things. Wilder said it himself – we are losing games of football every week. The management/coaches (Selles and Wilder) and players have failed to do an effective job this season (and the end of last) and sadly deserve all the criticism they get. Fans will attend the next home game and will try and get behind them and give them that fresh start – as they rightly should every game – but I think the patience is wearing thin with many.









Ratings:



Cooper 6/10 – No chance on the goal. Another poor kick out early on but he did what he had to first half and left exposed really on the goal. After the break he made a decent save from McBurnie on the one on one. Both keepers had little to do all game with few chances of note.



Ogbene 5/10 – Our main attacking threat first half as he set up the two Hamer chances and was able to at least penetrate and run at his men. Sadly, despite being impressive he switched off defensively at a crucial moment (might have been a penalty if it had not gone in as he had his hand up) as he left him completely unmarked. After the break faded badly and saw very little of him at all as an attacking force. Some terrible crosses too looped to the keeper.



McCallum 4.5/10 – Not shocked Burrows was left out as despite people pointing to his stats being ok – I am not sure that he has been very good this season and defensively been a real issue not stopping crosses. McCallum was given a chance but he is hardly an inspiring replacement. He did ok at times with his forward play but then started to leave big gaps and lost his man completely and on the goal again failed to get close to stopping a cross. He does try and get about but lacks quality. Comes to something when he has been preferred to Burrows and is as bad but will probably keep his place.



Mee 4.5/10 –He was beaten by Slater on Hull’s first chance and not sure he looked quite as steady as he has been and did not read the game as well as the first two games. Not sure he looked as steady as he has done in other games really. He also made the howler that led to McBurnie’s chance.



McGuiness 5/10 – Looks a poor player. Defensively he is slow to react to stuff and gets turned too easily. A big bloke who is seemingly awful in the air – he gets smaller if anything? He seems to shrink. When he goes up for corners never seems to get near the ball. However, he did make two blocks and despite some hurried clearances and slices – he was probably better than Mee today.



Tanganga 5/10 – After his impressive first few games, he has started to regress but I would point to all the mess around him. Not sure he suited to be a wide centre back and we have not seem him be able to attack the ball as much from out wide. He did at least throw his body in a few times and get some tackles but he got badly beaten by Giles near the end.



Matos 3.5/10 – Largely anonymous. Supposed to be a midfield ratter who runs around but rarely did I see him pressing or tackling? I forgot he was playing for most of the game. He did make one tackle second half where he used some aggression but the few times he had the ball his passing was wretched often overhit or too soft. Technically he looks miles off even Championship standard to me – which is mad when he was with Chelsea but we saw this with Gilchrist who had the same struggles.



Peck 4/10 – Another disappointing show. Had a fair bit of the ball but takes way too much touches and slows play down. Had another good chance that he missed – what a surprise. The midfield actually began ok but as the game went on, he started to see less of it. He at least got more involved than Matos but we never seemed to pass the ball forward and he takes an age to do things. We improved after he went off. Needs a spell out of the side for me. Soumare might not be great but deserves a chance alongside Davies.



Hamer 6.5/10 – He has had a poor season but today at least he showed a threat with the two efforts first half (the one that hit the post was unlucky) and set up Peck for the header. Second half carries on with him being the only real threat as he had the two shots – one over and one saved. He was the one looking to thread the ball down and try and make things happen. A few poor passes I agree but he at least went forward. I have panned him a lot this season but he did try today and felt he had little help.



O’Hare 2/10 – Given a fair bit of the ball today – heard some say he has been starved of it as we do not go down the centre but today he did see the ball but did nothing with it. Got crowded out, had poor touches and just looked lost. Stupid booking. Weak and ineffectual and another in a big list that needs to be taken out of the team -sadly we have nothing in reserve. Second half, lost the ball and then foolishly pulled his man back and was booked. Then disappeared completely and I forgot he was even playing when he went off. Been largely awful this season and looks a player feeling sorry for himself.



Campbell 3/10 – Had very few touches. Couple of ok runs down the side apart, he seemed to avoid physical contact again, failed to hold it up and no goal threat at all really. Had a chance 2nd half but took a heavy touch. Well off the pace. We were much better when Ings came on as he at least moved off the ball and held it up a bit. Maybe we could play them both together but Campbell cannot complain if he is dropped – saw some improvement in the week but very little today. Little service but again he has to move to provide an outlet.



Subs -



Davies 5/10 – Came on and at least did try and get on it and some forward passes but things did not come off for him either. He is better than the two that started but again the fitness issues remain.



Ings 6/10 - He looked lively and won a few flicks and then clever play to get the penalty. Needs to start the next game but worry is if he can actually stay fit or last more than 60 minutes but we need to do something different up the top. We improved after him and Davies came on.



Burrows 2/10 – Dropped but comes on and has a moment to try and get us a point and completely messed it up. Another whose confidence looks shot. He was our designated penalty taker and scored them all last season so the argument for him to take is strong but might have been a bit cold and lacking confidence as dropped. Easy to say let Hamer or Ings take it – as that is just hindsight so would not criticise Wilder for this. He then just stopped even challenging or running when Crooks got away at the end.



Cannon 2/10 – Touched it twice. One shot blocked and a flicked header. Nothing else and do not know why we are even playing him at this stage? We need to just take him out of the squad and get him out on loan in January. To think we are going to be stuck with him for 4 more years!



Ings – He looked lively and won a few flicks and then clever play to get the penalty. Needs to start the next game but worry is if he can actually stay fit or last more than 60 minutes but we need to do something different up the top.



Barry – Came on, got the ball wide and I thought go on, have a go, but he sent a looping cross behind the goal. Another dreadful signing that looks way off it.



Manager: Wilder 3/10 – I thought we may see a real response from the team after he come on but it has been largely the same really – even the biggest Wilder fans can only say it has been a marginal improvement. In terms of today, not sure how he can say the game was not lost tactically at all? We did lack quality in the final third and our crossing/choices were poor of course but we do not have any idea how to progress it up the field or how to hurt opponents – it is more than just individual poor choices and the structure of the side is all wrong – granted players are playing poorly of course. He was very critical of the players after the game and once again did not examine what he and the coaches could do different – saying he cannot go out there and do it. I listened to his pre match presser (gushing about McBurnie for 5 mins and criticising Selles for not bringing him back) and then his post-match and thought he has not changed. I am not convinced he is anywhere near the same manager he was and that he has the ability or staff around him (coaches and players – although as bad as they are – they should not even be contemplating relegation but the rot has set in and now they are showing they are a set of spineless losers) and that is a major concern. He has to do something drastic or his reign this time might not even last the season out (of course they would not sack him any time soon and would be stupid to do so unless they lose like every game for the next 8 or 9 up to Xmas!).

 

[Deadbat]

Hull – I tipped them to struggle and felt they would be right near the bottom – before they signed McBurnie – who has proven to be a good player at this level at least. Maybe his signing may have revised my tip for them to go down and they would survive and the start has seen this may come to fruition. They will be a long way off contending for the playoffs I feel and just below mid table would be perfectly adequate. They have another new manager and another from the continent as the conveyor belt continues. Selles was probably harsh to be sacked after keeping them up, following the Walter disaster but now looking at what he achieved at the Lane, maybe they knew a lot more than our incompetent board of directors.



They have had some decent results (win v Southampton recently) and of course McBurnie has scored freely. I would not have been averse to having him back and would be a far better option than anything we currently have but was not as angry as some. His spell at the Lane was a real mixed bag and for a lot of money, not sure he stayed on the pitch enough. We were probably right to take the money for an ageing Moore but have not replaced him at all – I maintain there were as good/better options than McBurnie despite everyone saying he was the only real choice (bit like Wilder coming back but that’s another discussion) but our recruitment is deeply flawed. We now have Wilder lauding his former striker for 5 minutes in a press conference pre match and criticising the previous manager for not signing him – which I thought was unprofessional but nothing surprises me with that sadly. I like Oli Mac. I didn’t for a long time but seemed a decent character but made lots of mistakes off the field not for what we paid – he did not always behave professionally either but he was someone I grew to quite like. However, he is not here. I am not sure he does much better than mid table Champ but that is what we aspire to now. He has done really well as the focal point. Of course they have Lundstram (who had one good season in about 4 at the Lane and done little since he left) who is on his way down and Egan who for me was finished at top level a year before we moved him on – should have been replaced same as Norwood, Fleck etc (when we went up under Hecky in the same way Sunderland have done ruthlessly and enjoying the success of being so driven in their recruitment) but he is another that will do a steady job (not sure he is any worse than a McGuiness type actually!).



In terms of the game today, we had a feeling one of the old trio (Slater too) would come back to haunt us. Lundstram went off, barely noticed Slater (should have been booked) and Egan was not really tested – he barely touched the ball as we got it nowhere near the danger areas. McBurnie was ok – not man of the match which was OTT – he won a few defensive headers but he was just ordinary really – one thing I agreed with in terms of Wilder but more of an outlet than Campbell. Hull overall were poor and not sure they really hurt us lots but got the goal and defended with comfort for most of the game restricting us to long range Hamer efforts till the late corner and moment of idiocy from the centre back. Overall, they will see it as a deserved win as they won a lot of the key moments in the games – the keeper only had one save to make outside of the penalty (which was easy!) and they were more determined when it mattered. They certainly showed more fight – the bit at the end where Crookes walked through 3 players summed up the desire. As I say, not a great side and have one of the poorest defensive records in the league but kept a clean sheet and rarely tested. That sums up our deficiencies.



Opponent Man of the Match – Gelhardt. They gave it McBurnie but he was the main threat for me and he was able to get away from us on several occasions and looked a real threat. Giles put some decent balls in too.



Opponent Weak link – Ajayi. Stupid moment that nearly cost them the points.



Referee / Officials – Gavin Ward. When I saw it was him, I turned to my family and said he is a silly, little man who seems to almost want to over compensate for his lack of height by blowing his whistle constantly and show he is ‘about.’ Nothing against small people! Just recall some very poor games over the years with him in charge. Did the Sunderland game last year at the Lane where there two red cards and a penalty and remember thinking he lost control early on. Overall though he was fine really. Maybe the Campbell one could have been given but I think was a hard one as not sure many of us thought it was at the time as it just seemed a coming together but replays made it look different. He did go down to make it look like a dive. The penalty we did get was 100% of course. I felt they could have had a few bookings for cynical fouls first half as we were in the final third and then O’Hare gets booked for something on half way. Not sure we can attribute the loss to the officials.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Cheers for the report Deadbat .
I notice the action was described more briefly than usual and I assume that is down to apathy following the performance.

As I've said elsewhere, I think it's fair to say that nothing is going for us at the moment, particularly in the big moments. Today Gus hits the inside of the post, they score with a shot that would have gone over the bar if it hadn't deflected off Ogbene, there is a massive melee where the ball just doesn't drop for us and it culminates in the missed pen.

Having said that, it seemed to me there was a stark contrast in terms of balls into the box. Our corners and general set plays were poor, Hull scored from a cross from deep but they had at least 4 or 5 players in the box. We, on the other hand, either didn't get the ball in early enough or when it did go in the box, there was hardly anyone there.

I actually thought McCallum was an improvement generally on Burrows and on the goal, it's not unusual for us to defend like that in those situations. As you rightly said, when the ball goes out wide, McCallum is nowhere near the full back on the touchline, he's much more narrow and nearer to our CB's. I see that a lot when we defend so perhaps it's intentional and he's simply playing to instructions. Anyway, we didn't stop the cross, about 3 of our defenders missed the cross and the lad is unmarked when he controls it, so it's a catalogue of errors that lead to it.

 

[Ceasefire]

Great report Deadbat. I appreciate and look forward to your contributions. Seriously choppy waters ahead.. this squad is so imbalanced.

 

[bakeblade]

Hull – I tipped them to struggle and felt they would be right near the bottom – before they signed McBurnie – who has proven to be a good player at this level at least. Maybe his signing may have revised my tip for them to go down and they would survive and the start has seen this may come to fruition. They will be a long way off contending for the playoffs I feel and just below mid table would be perfectly adequate. They have another new manager and another from the continent as the conveyor belt continues. Selles was probably harsh to be sacked after keeping them up, following the Walter disaster but now looking at what he achieved at the Lane, maybe they knew a lot more than our incompetent board of directors.



They have had some decent results (win v Southampton recently) and of course McBurnie has scored freely. I would not have been averse to having him back and would be a far better option than anything we currently have but was not as angry as some. His spell at the Lane was a real mixed bag and for a lot of money, not sure he stayed on the pitch enough. We were probably right to take the money for an ageing Moore but have not replaced him at all – I maintain there were as good/better options than McBurnie despite everyone saying he was the only real choice (bit like Wilder coming back but that’s another discussion) but our recruitment is deeply flawed. We now have Wilder lauding his former striker for 5 minutes in a press conference pre match and criticising the previous manager for not signing him – which I thought was unprofessional but nothing surprises me with that sadly. I like Oli Mac. I didn’t for a long time but seemed a decent character but made lots of mistakes off the field not for what we paid – he did not always behave professionally either but he was someone I grew to quite like. However, he is not here. I am not sure he does much better than mid table Champ but that is what we aspire to now. He has done really well as the focal point. Of course they have Lundstram (who had one good season in about 4 at the Lane and done little since he left) who is on his way down and Egan who for me was finished at top level a year before we moved him on – should have been replaced same as Norwood, Fleck etc (when we went up under Hecky in the same way Sunderland have done ruthlessly and enjoying the success of being so driven in their recruitment) but he is another that will do a steady job (not sure he is any worse than a McGuiness type actually!).



In terms of the game today, we had a feeling one of the old trio (Slater too) would come back to haunt us. Lundstram went off, barely noticed Slater (should have been booked) and Egan was not really tested – he barely touched the ball as we got it nowhere near the danger areas. McBurnie was ok – not man of the match which was OTT – he won a few defensive headers but he was just ordinary really – one thing I agreed with in terms of Wilder but more of an outlet than Campbell. Hull overall were poor and not sure they really hurt us lots but got the goal and defended with comfort for most of the game restricting us to long range Hamer efforts till the late corner and moment of idiocy from the centre back. Overall, they will see it as a deserved win as they won a lot of the key moments in the games – the keeper only had one save to make outside of the penalty (which was easy!) and they were more determined when it mattered. They certainly showed more fight – the bit at the end where Crookes walked through 3 players summed up the desire. As I say, not a great side and have one of the poorest defensive records in the league but kept a clean sheet and rarely tested. That sums up our deficiencies.



Opponent Man of the Match – Gelhardt. They gave it McBurnie but he was the main threat for me and he was able to get away from us on several occasions and looked a real threat. Giles put some decent balls in too.



Opponent Weak link – Ajayi. Stupid moment that nearly cost them the points.



Referee / Officials – Gavin Ward. When I saw it was him, I turned to my family and said he is a silly, little man who seems to almost want to over compensate for his lack of height by blowing his whistle constantly and show he is ‘about.’ Nothing against small people! Just recall some very poor games over the years with him in charge. Did the Sunderland game last year at the Lane where there two red cards and a penalty and remember thinking he lost control early on. Overall though he was fine really. Maybe the Campbell one could have been given but I think was a hard one as not sure many of us thought it was at the time as it just seemed a coming together but replays made it look different. He did go down to make it look like a dive. The penalty we did get was 100% of course. I felt they could have had a few bookings for cynical fouls first half as we were in the final third and then O’Hare gets booked for something on half way. Not sure we can attribute the loss to the officials.

On a positive note, I thought Cooper had his best game of the season and looked much more confident. Hopefully he now gets back to last seasons form, we need it.

 

[Geordie Blade]

Chris Wilder is perhaps wondering whether it was the right decision to return to the club.

I suspect that it wasn’t actually his decision.

 

[Cheets]

How did Ings do?

 

[dc_blade]

The only difference from last season is that when things are going for you, Hamer's shot that hit the post goes in and we score from the penalty. It would still have been a pretty meh performance against a poor team but it's what we did all of last season.

It concerns me that Wilder comes out after the game and talks about individuals like Ings and Davies being the difference for us going forward. Both good players but how about setting the team up to do a bit more collectively? We have some dross in the squad and some big gaps but we have the players to be better than we are without relying on moments. It might also be a bit more enjoyable to watch.

 

[bakeblade]

How did Ings do?

Comfortably our best attacker

 

[Deadbat]

How did Ings do?

Decent. Looked lively and moved off the ball. Held it up. Everything Campbell and Cannon have struggled to do this season.

 

[Addison]

Than you for taking the time to write an accurate reports of proceedings DB. You usually get it right 9 times out of 10 and today is no exception. It was rinse repeat again. Start reasonably well. Concede a poor goal and then look bereft of ideas to get back in the game. Yes we hit the post there was a late scramble and we missed a pen but we were second best in the key area of the park. The middle. The sky commentators referred to Dulls desire to win the second balls and our lack of fitness. Add in the comment that Dull had 3 or 4 players in our box every time they attacked and we had none pretty much sums up where the faults lie. Starting Peck Hamer and COH again in midfield is just a pointless exercise. They don't work yet CW seems oblivious to their failings.

You are right to point out that we are trying to play the same way with players of lesser ability that failed in the latter part of last season. The reality of how poor we are doing are reflected in your stat of 3 wins in the last 16 under this current style of play. The slow build up and lack of pace down the flanks has been a regular feature.

CW 's post match comments are concerning. He criticises the players but not his tactics. An all too familiar response when it is not going well. For a short period when we belatedly went with a two up top we applied a little pressure. We then with 10 minutes to go decide to have only Davies in midfield by bringing Barry on. This causes our biggest threat Hamer to have to drop deeper at a time when he needed to be dictating play on the edge of Dull's box. It is decisions like this that call into question the competency of the coaching team. Add in our appalling standard of set pieces and our ability to place the ball on McBurnies head all game enabling him to deal with them that are frustrating. The first time Mcburnies off the pitch we create a scramble from a corner.

I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel at the moment. The manager seems to have morphed back in to his old self of picking his favourites. Not using Soumare's physicality in the middle and left foot suggests he has already been consigned to the scrap heap at a time when we should be making full use of the squad.

The question is how long can we keep losing in this fashion. Six games before we play our neighbours. Lose all those and the big one and the knives will be out. At the moment we are incapable of keeping a clean sheet and scoring more than 1 goal. Unless that changes and I see nothing currently on the pitch to suggest it does amongst the players or tactics then pressure will be back on the owners to make a change again.

 

[sitwell]

Ridiculously harsh on McGuiness and Peck, but its fashionable I suppose. McGuiness was better than Tanganga today ,if you watch the game.

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

I didn't watch the game, only saw Burrows penalty which he hit hard and true, keeper did well.

Agree recruitment has been a disaster, especially when you consider both Anel and Souza went for big sums this Summer... Tanganga, Mee and possibly Ings the only ones who look respectable and 2 of them came on free transfers. We need assurances that whatever scouting and recruitment methodology was used in the Summer will NEVER be used again.

 

[Cheets]

Decent. Looked lively and moved off the ball. Held it up. Everything Campbell and Cannon have struggled to do this season.

Was just wondering why you didn't mention him in your report

 

[bakeblade]

Was just wondering why you didn't mention him in your report

He did

 

[54yrblade]

I suspect that it wasn’t actually his decision.

Curious at to whose decision it was then? It's his decision to sign the contract to return.

Great report DB, correctly identifying that this started mid last season.

It's 'on' the previous owner and then manager too.

Gutting to watch.

 

[Deadbat]

Ridiculously harsh on McGuiness and Peck, but its fashionable I suppose. McGuiness was better than Tanganga today ,if you watch the game.

I watched the game

Interesting as most I've correspondence with thought McGuiness was dreadful and I overmarked him!

I didn't think he was that bad, hence the mark.

Weren't much in it but McGuiness was very clumsy at times and lost s number of headers to McBurnie. I think Tanganga has dropped off. He got beat once but seemed to win more challenges and come onto the ball quicker. He is better in a 2 though I feel.

Peck was really poor again. He may have a fair bit of the ball but takes too many touches and has to pirouette round every time he has it. Rarely passed forward and slows us down. We were much better after he went off. He is neat and tidy but does not have the zip he had last year, rarely makes interceptions and offensively he offers nothing. 0 goals for a central midfielder in a year is not good enough.

I'd give him a spell out as we may progress the ball forward quicker but sadly options in reserve aren't great. Davies and Soumare may need a chance. Heck we've tried all yhe other combos to no avail!

 

[Richeee]

Thanks for the report DB...next game hamer peck and ohare to start with campbell up front on his own..cannon to come on after 70 minutes....its like groundhog day

 

[Cheets]

He did

Whoosh.

 

[sitwell]

Theres a biased view of McGuiness ,people dont look objectively , maybe because he played for the pigs or some who have just judged him on playing for other teams. Whereas Tanganga is the opposite ,however I saw him have some stinkers for Millwall. I disagree on Peck ,he worked his nuts off today and most of it was good.

Just a note ,a lot look at your reports when they cant go to a game ,and they used to be quite accurate, you seem to have taken up a position as chief critic as a few other have mentioned. It does skew your view and I dont think it reflects the game sometimes. Just my opinion though.

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

Today was by far Hamers best performance of the season IMO. He looked up for it, made things happen in the final 3rd and could easily have scored a corker. More of that please Gus.

Tanganga was really poor I thought. I don’t think he’s grasping the right side of a 3 and tends to stand off players rather than going in to engage them, leaving (usually a winger) the chance to run at him. There was a point in the second half where he seemed to just allow the ball to run through his legs for absolutely no reason and allowed his man to run through at goal. In his defence, Ogbene isn’t really covering right back as he tends to be further up the pitch.

I’m not surprised TC can’t last more than 70 minutes when he’s the only one making any runs in the final 3rd. IMO should be looking to partner him with Ings who made lots of smart movement off the ball when he came on.

Small margins but thought we were worth at least a point today. Burrows shocking penalty aside, I felt like we had enough to get at least 1 today. The international break has probably come at a good time - reset, come up with some new ideas & go again.

 

[Super Furry Blades]

Very detailed report mate ,is this from just one viewing or do you re watch the game ?
Just curious

 

[bakeblade]

Very detailed report mate ,is this from just one viewing or do you re watch the game ?
Just curious

I can't imagine anyone wanting to rewatch that game

 

[1987]

Really do appreciate the effort this must take, and would miss not seeing your report

But it does seem now that you're playing the result/ pandering to some of the smaller brains on here.