My take ...

[Nightsweats]

Out of possession , Berge was a total passenger.
His halfhearted closing down coupled with lack of tackling almost contrived to let Coventry back into it.
When he had the ball , he did make a few positive contributions but after Egan went off , his misplaced passes to them were unforgivable.
Not the man you need in mf when the heat is on with 10 men.
Looked half asleep yet Hecky keeps him on + hooks McAtee.
Strange indeed.

Clearly you've missed the rule where you can't point out the managers clear and repetitive in game errors.

 

[Plymouthblade]

" midfield suitcase "

Louis Vuitton one at that

 

[coolasanidiot]

Good report.

Berge doesn't want out though- he's not fit-

Ndiaye- excellent description of his day- but score is wrong- 10/10, he was unplayable and if thats true- its only fair to get a perfect score. He's basically MOM every match.

To sell would be insane - he takes us up.

 

[metalblade]

Well we got 30mins out of Berge last week and probably 45-60 mins today before he was running on empty, looks way off match fitness and speed of thought but the quality is there. Still we need him in the team every game what would the shoutbox warriors do otherwise now Norwood is showing form? They cant even fall back on McBurnie as he is hitting form too although there was a few moans that he got injured again. So Sander it looks like your the scapegoat until C3PO gets back.

Coventry started the game very well pressing us hard and looked the better team but Billy gave them a warning heading down but of the crossbar when it looked easier to score. We were just getting into the game when we suddenly broke and scored a lovely goal showing real pace and skill from Ndiaye and the fast improving McAtee supported by Max Lowe following in. We controlled the rest of the half as Coventry's pressing started to slow down and Norwood got more time on the ball.
A soft penalty started off the 2nd half more like their player ran into Anel and fell down, justice served when Wes saved a tame spot kick from the "best #9 in the world". Coventry never defended set pieces too well giving Clark a free header for 2-0. Berge did well down the right and put a great ball across the six yard line that missed everyone apart from Lowe who cut it back for Doyle to make it 3-0 with his first kick.
Still it wouldn't be United if we didn't make it hard for ourselves and we let "the best#9 in the world" to grab a goal back and not long after he rolls Egan for about the 4th time and gets him sent off Egan was too close to him in those situations all game, closer to the halfway line that the goal too. Made for a let's say interesting last 15mins

Wes 6.5 needs to get some new gloves but a decent stop from the spot kick
Baldock 6 if only he could get a cross in
Anel looks to be getting fitter every game one goal saving tackle
Egan 4 let "the worlds best #9" roll him time after time
Clark 8 a good game and a goal
Lowe 7.5 looked like he'd never been away gives us so much more than Stevens
Berge 5.5 still looks well off the pace after a long lay off but the quality is there, slows defenders down then just strides past them
McAtee 8 the little un is getting up to speed and the skill is starting to show
Norwood 7 didn't get into the game for a while until Coventry started to tire got better and better as he got more space
Sharp 6 should have buried that early effort that bounced against the bar
Ndiaye 8.5 terrified Coventry all game as soon as he got the ball there were three on him set up the first goal inches off converting Berges cross before it came back for Doyle to finish. Some of the close passing with McAtee was outstanding and had city defenders dizzy.

Subs
Bash 7
Doyle 7
Jebbo 5.5 another one coming back from a long lay off unfairly criticised in shoutbox it really is toxic in there when the game is on even when we play half decent.

Ref a bit of a tosser fell for it on the penalty he really couldn't wait to give it. Coventry's Sheaf could have had two yellows first half for doing pretty much what Egan got punished for.

 

[Snowflake]

Pompey has pictures of sander on his dart board

Strange agenda

Bloody big dart board he must have.

 

[wavy-blade]

PEP " Both of them scored "

 

[Varkanoid]

Thanks good report. Personally it's getting to the point where I knew they wouldn't score that last 15 as is the improvement. What impressed me the whole match was when they attacked in our final 3rd a player would hound them and get the ball back before they could launch it or pass it into our box. Nearly every player did it including Sharp and Ndiaye it was like right we lost the ball they are attacking go nick it back and we did.

 

[Old Programme seller]

I agree with Clark but I gave Norwood mom because I thought that Clark can’t get applauded twice in one week and Norwood gets some abuse from me/us anyway great report I’ll give you 7/10 because you can’t be mom Merry Christmas

 

[Aganarama]

Foderingham 6.5/10: Drops a half, plus a half, for his distribution and dropping a few crosses. Good stop from Hamer's strike and a great bit of anticipation to save another vital spot kick, but better than his game v Wogan

I hope that was intentional

 

[John Street West Terrace]

Strange game today ..Gotta say I never saw a 3-1 after the first half performance & would have snapped your hand off with that result beforehand .. other than one piece of class from Illy the first half had 0-0 written all over it and very forgettable , his weight of pass to McAtee was sublime & he tucked it away with the confidence of a more experienced finisher .
Second half started dozy & gave away a sloppy pen which proved to be the turning point of the game ..after Wes’s save kicked us into life for 20mins & 2 further goals finished the game , last 15 mins was a bit school yard football with a bit of desperate defending against a very average team .. good we should have kept the ball better but when Jebbo is your only outlet you’d have more chance of the corner flag holding the ball better or causing a threat !! .
Special mention to AS for two quality timed tackles in each half that snuffed out a couple of breaks for them .
Positives today Illyas usual , Lowe , McAtee , AA & Norwood …Clark for me was MOTM in a Red & White shirt getting better game by game
Negatives & could do betters Berge , Billy and the hapless Jebbo .
Illy will need some help up top if we want to stay up there , I was hoping for an addition up top in the JTW but I’ll be surprised if that materialises with the owner trying to sell up .
3 wins on the spin & a good 9 points and that’s all the table records .. but I can’t say we’ve been convincing in any of the last 3 ??
Onwards & upwards UTB

 

[Antonb]

wow thats harsh on Berge who ran himself into the ground. He is giving his all without a doubt. He never hid he just isn't up to speed to last 90 minutes. 6.5 for me. Norwood had a strange game. He did some great interceptions but his passing was a bit all over the place in terms of quality. He over hit a few or to an imaginary player! So I don't think he was as great as some are saying. Same with Lowe, we looked more solid but his final decision making in the box broke down a few good looking attacks. He gave the ball away also quite a bit in the first half. SO for me another 6.5 rating. However we just seem to have that bit more quality than Coventry have and it was a deserved victory. We will miss Egan but should have enough to beat Blackpool. ( I hope.)

 

[Sportbilly /Detroit Blade]

Pompey has pictures of sander on his dart board

Strange agenda

I imagine Pompey has a picture of Maria Whittaker (or some other 1980s topless pin up) on his dart board. Uses it for target practice when he's sat at home cuffing his carrot

 

[Benitachel]

Completely wrong and unfair about Berge

Completely right and fair about Berge

 

[billyblademan]

pommpey usually read your reports for comedic value and take the footballing side with a pinch of salt, but agree with everything you’ve written there (other than Jebbo. Surely ‘poor kid’ was needed. He tried but did he manage to hold it up even once?).

Great game to be at - some of the football is almost literally jawdropping at times, and very un-Sheffield United. My Dad mentioned that McAtee and Ndiaye almost seemed to be getting a connection similar to MGW/Ndiaye last year - let’s hope so.

UTB

 

[United Aren't Back.]

PEP " Both of them scored "

Nauseating cunt that is.

 

[Stanthemanfan]

Berge clearly isn’t match fit yet, he was absolutely hanging for the last 15-20 mins. But there was no obvious sub to bring on having taken Mcatee off for Doyle.

This 100%
I remember seeing an interview with jermaine defoe where he said it took him 5 or 6 games after injuries to get fully match fit
Berge defo isn't there yet

 

[A_Bladesman]

This 100%
I remember seeing an interview with jermaine defoe where he said it took him 5 or 6 games after injuries to get fully match fit
Berge defo isn't there yet

thanks for your visit.... your input was amazing.

 

[Stanthemanfan]

thanks for your visit.... your input was amazing.

What's your problem?
Some people think berge isn't trying which is ridiculous
In 3 - 4 games time (if he's still here) you'll see the difference

 

[A_Bladesman]

What's your problem?

Problem hopefully solved mate.

 

[Old Programme seller]

Berge does look dopey sometimes he has the ability but the quick thinking

 

[Champagneblade]

Norwood and Clark were standout for me. Ndiaye is just getting boring how good he is now, I just expect 8/10 minimum every game.

Lowe made a massive difference on the left.

Good summary pommpey

The goal summed up Ndiaye at the moment.

I think he managed to beat the same man twice in the build up then his pass was so pinpoint it put the defender on his arse.

He's an absolute joy. He's what we enjoyed about Brooks and more.

 

[Alex Cheeseright]

Norwood man of the match for me. Covered every blade of grass, got tackles in, was always available and just a really good performance, working hard for the team. Clark and Lowe did the basics, but they did them very well and with Enda not even managing that lately, that was a huge improvement.
Berge continues to be an enigma, some lovely skill and balance running with the ball, a couple of excellent crosses but off the ball, he does absolutely fuck all. Maybe attitude, more likely fitness, who fucking knows, it's just getting tiresome making excuses for him.

Gotta agree..still reckon we should get some cash for him. Pull Liverpools pants down for once

 

[Bladedog]

Tremendous win today, with the given factors of it coming off the back of a break, returning players and down to ten men against a side I fancied to pull down our undergarments and draw on our tails with a magic marker.

Hopefully tuned into the freshly laid abortion that is Sky Red Button and suffered the same pissy service it seems most did with it slowing and freezing on three minutes so by the time I'd fired up my laptop, switched to Romania and bought the game we were eight minutes in and looking a bit frail, but in fairness despite Coventry's early intent, unlikely to concede. Across the park we started to thread passes and push the game into their half and then the colours were nailed onto the mast as Billy's downward header cannoned off the Bramall Lane end crossbar. Coventry, no real 'shit team' suddenly started to feel the heat as we turned it up. Just after half an hour we deservedly took the lead with an impressive McAtee goal and saw out the half very much on the front foot with Coventry not really having any answer for us either utilising a hardworking Norwood or the two wingbacks supporting the attacks. We needed to get at them straight away the next half rather than do what we can do being sit back and mop up the onslaught. Coventry tried that and missed a nailed on penalty thans to Wes but we stuck firm and as soon as N'Daiye got on the ball they were overcommitting to stop him doing more damage and embarrassing them. This left great gaps which we either worked the ball into or we gained free kicks from. One of these, a tremendously delivered Norwood knock into the box found an unmarked Clarke and he steered the ball down past their keeper and the Sky Blues, still looking capable when allowed had it all to do now. Oddly, Hecky hooked McAtee for Doyle instead of a struggling Berge but his first touch came punching the ball into the kop end net to make it all but done and dusted.

Coventry tried a few subs and pushed further at us and a punt into the box which should have been dealt with found the head of the misplaced Gyokyres (who should be up a level if you ask me) to bring things back a notch and Egan, already on a yeller gets himself sent for an early bath so we finish defending the 3-1 lead with 5-3-1. It was a pleasing win, dusted with small setbacks but we are points level with Burnleh now and the pressure is definitely on them to stay ahead. Promotion could be, indeed ... soon.

Foderingham 6.5/10: Drops a half, plus a half, for his distribution and dropping a few crosses. Good stop from Hamer's strike and a great bit of anticipation to save another vital spot kick, but better than his game v Wogan
Baldock 7/10: Industrious and worked well to counter multiple threats down their flank
Clark 9/10: Really good game from him. Involved in a lot moving forward and defended like a Trojan. Well taken header too
Egan 5/10: Solid enough but don't fucking get sent off, eh?
Anel 7.5/10 Some pretty outstanding defending if at times a bit kick-and-hope. Did manage to maraud forward on occasion and again, an improvement on the last game against a more capable opposition
Lowe 8/10: Really impressive full game return from him. Shows what we have been missing since RND got crocked. His anticipation and movement was first class today
McAtee 7.5/10: Very pleasing to see him now maturing and being more confident of his abilities. Well taken goal and very much a worry for Coventry cutting in and bypassing their defence
Norwood 8.5/10: Not everything came off for him today but his graft, his tackling, his crossing, his movement and his interceptions were top class. Where the fuck has he been hiding since before the lockdown?
Berge 3/10: Not a good game for him. Should have intercepted Gyorkyres goal, doesn't aerially challenge, looked leggy and clueless and was very easily driven through. Looks like he wants out. There, I said it.
N'Daiye 8.5/10: Complete fucking nuisance for them today. They didn't know what to do with him and concentrated on stopping him, whilst letting in three goals. Don't fucking sell him.
Sharp 6.5/10: T'owd man did what he could today and they didn't like it, the SISU cunts

Doyle 7/10: Graft and maturity from him (if once or twice a bit over committed) but took his deserved goal well
Jebbison 6/10: Worked what he could from the game and was obviously on his own once we'd gone down to ten men
Basham 6.5/10: Nice to see him back doing what he does so well

Blackpool next and with a performance like today we should fucking shove them aside. Characteristically however, as it is Sheffield United we'll possibly get trunked 6-0. It's what we do so well!

pommpey

Would have an opinion.. but Ian,t cos I'm elsewhere.. always interesting though...UTMB.

 

[pommpey]

Completely wrong and unfair about Berge

Go on. I've been waiting.

Explain why, then?

pommpey

 

[pommpey]

Gotta agree..still reckon we should get some cash for him. Pull Liverpools pants down for once

No one will buy a sicknote nesher like him who basically does a few 'runs' per game and takes his time to defrost after time on the treatment table. The cash piled into Berge is the same as the cash piled into Brewster - sunk cost. See also Burke, Freeman and Robinson ... oh and wasn't there some 'semi-professional' straphanger Eddie Howe palmed off onto us for a record fee at the time also? What was the fat cunt's name again?

pommpey

 

[Alex Cheeseright]

But the commentators love him....is thatnot enough? If he stays great, if he leaves for millions great, either way win win

 

[shorehamview]

Tremendous win today, with the given factors of it coming off the back of a break, returning players and down to ten men against a side I fancied to pull down our undergarments and draw on our tails with a magic marker.

Your opinions are sometimes similar to mine, and sometimes different, but never dull, and this kind of stuff is pure gold. Cheers Pommps.

 

[Bell4]

pommpey usually read your reports for comedic value and take the footballing side with a pinch of salt, but agree with everything you’ve written there (other than Jebbo. Surely ‘poor kid’ was needed. He tried but did he manage to hold it up even once?).

Great game to be at - some of the football is almost literally jawdropping at times, and very un-Sheffield United. My Dad mentioned that McAtee and Ndiaye almost seemed to be getting a connection similar to MGW/Ndiaye last year - let’s hope so.

UTB

Good point that

Let’s all hope so hey

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

To see a game in proper perspective, and to gauge the contribution of individual players (especially midfielders), you need to be in the ground and watching from a decent vantage point.

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

Berge 3/10: Not a good game for him. Should have intercepted Gyorkyres goal, doesn't aerially challenge, looked leggy and clueless and was very easily driven through. Looks like he wants out. There, I said it.

There ain't arf some bullshite barbs being thrown at some of our players from so-called fans. Sander Berge is now the new target, despite being significantly involved in setting up the killer goal. Also - just in case our resident experts missed it - Jebbison stopped their No 6 cruising away with the ball (looking comfortable about to set Coventry off on another attack) and Sander was able to pick it up from there. Without Jebbo's sharp reaction and intervention we wouldn't have got that crucial goal. Try to see the whole effing picture guys!!!