Pretty bloody wonderful reaction to pinch the win off Birmingham City tonight. We dominated the first half and typically had zero efforts on target. Seems that City were nervy about our resurgence and resorted to isolating us in the wide areas to allow us to cough up possession or drift the ball across the box from side to side without any killer pass to bring one of the forwards to run onto and get on goal. It was pleasing and frustrating in equal measures because again, we were playing a team very much not feeling the love and with far more pedigree than the onfield performance suggested. We pushed them up the pitch a lot and went at then and it looked ace. Except we scored nil. The backline was pretty unpressed and the midfield unspectacular in that first 45. We looked to harry them down the flanks and from that came a fucking stonewall spot kick waved away by a flakey ref. Their expected front line was easily scooped up and they couldn't deal without 5-3-2, even with the engine room not really warmed up and firing.
Second half it was much of the same even though it was evident Bowyer had put a rocket up their arses about allowing us to play in their half too much, Although we looked purposeful at times, we wasted passes and crosses, fucked up some clear goes on goal and it came as no surprise t see them break out, feed Taylor and for him to knock the ball past a flat footed Fodders. Feared the worst there to be honest, whither us being managed out to a 1-0 defeat as we were at BDTBL, or for us to go further behind trying to respond. It nearly happened at one stage but Fodders got down well but fuck me, what have we been wanting for ages ... a midfielder to see and anticipate Billy's experienced run (he'd been doing it all game) thread a pass and him to slot home an equaliser. Billy is a proven goalscorer (pay attention Fallowfield, you twerp) but is only as good as those who feed him. It's a percentage game, and he plays it to the letter. Give him five opportunities in a game like tonight and he'll score two. Tap the fucking ball about out wide, faff endlessly until Norwood misplaces a ball (it happened tonight) and he'll stand with his arms up in the air. All he needs is half a chance, half a yard and a centre back like Roberts not watching him moving, and he's in.
Great to see also we didn't go for the draw and despite the Sky co-commentator's horrific anti-SUFC bias, the offside claims against Sharp in the initial pass forward were correct but Bogle's 'handball' wasn't. It was nice to see him set against a fucking passing contact-trip on Bogle and an inconsistent camera angle on both offside and handball. He must be sat in the studio shithouse right now issuing papercuts to his own fucking helmet in rage at the ref's decision. Awww. Whorra fucking shame. But from that offsie came Bogle's well worked winner. Whoda thought our right wingback and centre forward could be so prolific?
Good game management to the end too. Birmingham looked as bereft of ideas as we have earlier in the season when losing at home. I hope everyone who took a mask to the game tonight sees their idiocy and as for the whistles, be nice to see them lube them up and insert them into their individual balloon-knots. Strange how we have been 'victims' of two fan protests in the past five years yet the outcome has been pretty much the same, with the same player being involved in the coup de grace.
Foderingham 6.5/10: Loses a mark for not at least diving for Taylor's effort. Great stop a few minutes later though. Still gives me the leaky hoop over his delayed clearances
RND 7/10: Thought he did very well tonight. He's far from the finished article but tonight gave a lot up that flank linking well and causing problems for their right side defence
Davies 7/10: Good to see him back tonight and fairly solid in their air on on the deck
Egan 7/10: Another better performance from Egan given recent outings
Basham 6/10: First half had an uncharacteristically error-strewn outing. He didn't look quite the Basham we'd expected but this picked up somewhat after the break with better forays forward and a lovely knock-over
Bogle 8.5/10: Still a dangerous, effective asset for our side and worthy of MotM for me. Sometimes a bit exposed when so far up the pitch but when you have Basham covering your arcs, that largely isn't a problem. A very well taken goal from him
Fleck 6.5/10: Good to see him back and see him fit again and going the full ninety. But fuck me it was a typical 'John' (out on the pitch) and 'Jimmy' in front of goal with so much time to pick a spot, not straight at the fucking goalkeeper
Norwood 7/10: Another fairly good performance from him. Saw him commit to some good tackles and interceptions and some of his balls forward and passes were good. But some weren't. And at times, when other United players have the ball, he doesn't willingly show, run into space or link, he just 'points'
Berge 5/10: Save for the last ten, I thought he was pretty ordinary througout. Yep, made the pass to Billy for his goal, but you can't mark 90 minutes on that. Good to see him finish the game and hope he improves with time
Ndaiye 7/10: Decent match for Iliman. Again, seems to be the only player with a clue how to hold the ball, go past opponents and look threatening enough to drag players out of position to create opportunities for others. Still not understanding why he never completes a match.
Sharp 7/10: Grafted for the game and for the goal but didn't have that many chances overall. Needs to stay the fuck out of trouble. He has our backing whatever and needs to act responsibly and show leadership in times of tension rather than get all in-someone's-face about it. Pushing Ndaiye away is the right thing, getting all shovey and cunty is the way to risk being dismissed.
McBurnie 7/10: Good few minutes from him. Made himself a pest and was in the right areas defending and attacking
McGoldrick 3/10: Nowt much to go on. Weak shot at the keeper. Should have brought Jebbo on TBH
Overall it's a good away win and a decent message that Sheffield United is finally back in business in this division, even if we badly lack the potatoes to get anything out of the playoffs (if we scrape it) and absolutely need the whole team clearing out of we fluked a promotion. But we have a long way to go, a challenging next match and a butal February which will be doubtlessly plagued with injuries and suspensions which will challenge our squad in terms of strength in depth.
Well dome United. Well done Hecky.
pommpey
