My Take ...

[Guesty]

Most Key Passes on the Pitch. (4)
Most Accurate Passer. (51/58 - 87.9%)
Most Distance Covered.
80 Touches, only George Baldock had more. (81)
Accurate Long Balls = 100% (5/5)
8 Passes into the final 3rd (2nd highest on the pitch.)
6 Recoveries.
Two Assists.

A solid performance from Sander.

Factbased

"Facts" - one assist was blocking a shot with an arm in an offside position. Any competent official would have ruled it out.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Most Key Passes on the Pitch. (4)
Most Accurate Passer. (51/58 - 87.9%)
Most Distance Covered.
80 Touches, only George Baldock had more. (81)
Accurate Long Balls = 100% (5/5)
8 Passes into the final 3rd (2nd highest on the pitch.)
6 Recoveries.
Two Assists.

A solid performance from Sander.

Factbased

Defensively he's much better without Norwood and he's putting more effort in.

But it was very much a "not my job to take a risk Guv" performance in possession

 

[Guesty]

I've got a hypothesis that as many goals are scored from bad corners as good ones. Poor initial corners like Doyle's are often recycled into great chances - he got the ball back and swung it in to an now unmarked Robinson.

Also we scored from a good corner as well so the maths is sound.

 

[10-0 win]

"Facts" - one assist was blocking a shot with an arm in an offside position. Any competent official would have ruled it out.

Assists is the least interesting stats.

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

I’m not a Lowe fan but thought he had a good game yesterday, certainly around the 6/7 mark. Davies just doesn’t fill me with any confidence at all and the great save just before h/t shouldn’t have been necessary as the through ball was his to collect.
This highlights the importance of a settled side and the understandings that are built through playing together. The defence is used to Wes and he would have taken the ball. It unsettles the defence causing mistakes which could have cost us dearly yesterday.

 

[Grappler]

I'll take a scruffy 1-0 win, and three points, any day of the week, so a 4-1 win had me leaving BDTBL in high spirits.

Not sure how bad Basham's injury is, but Anel should be back, now that his wife has given birth (the reason he was left out of the squad).

McAtee is great because, like Illy, he is unpredictable. Illy's goal was a thing of great beauty and joy, the only thing that would have made it better would have been if the cameras had zoomed in on his face, after the ball hit the back of the net, and Illy looked straight into the camera and gave a cheeky wink.

Jack Robbo is fast becoming (or has already become) a cult favourite with the fans. Puts his body on the line, fears nothing and no one, and that unstoppable, bullet header calmed a few nerves, on and off the pitch.

I think a lot of opinion is based on where you sit in the ground, what angle you view from, because I thought Lowe had a half decent game, just doing the simple things.

Bogle needs a rest. We all know he has the skill and we all know he can score, because we have all seen it with our own eyes, in the past.

Last but not least, bringing the "old guard" on (Fleck, Norwood, Billy) to see the game out, was a nice touch. We all desperately want Billy to get that 250th goal, and he has been denied in two back-to-back games, by good goalkeeping.

A win next week and I will start to believe that it is really going to happen.

Up the Blades.

 

[Guesty]

Assists is the least interesting stats.

I actually don't agree that Berge had a bad game, as I argued in another thread, I was just pointing out that statistics can be very misleading.

 

[Dnblade]

Good to get the 3 points,but the scoreline flattered us a bit.
We had that period again where we couldn't clear the ball and kept giving it back to Cardiff or conceding corners and inviting pressure,and then concede a pen.
Showed good character though to come back..Great goal from Mcatee to level it,but not comfortable until Ndaiye scored,but more about 3 points than performance at the moment.

 

[Lower Drop Blade]

Generous score for Bogle
Thought Lowe was a 5
And agreed on Hinchcliffe was at match but he's a cunt and always will be

 

[georgebernardshaw]

Illi was amazing throughout given noone else had a clue how to play football.

Bogle and Lowe must have some sidebet going on. Both have sunk to pretty low depths.

JLT, Egan and Furious were immense given they were left isolated.

The City lads must play every minute of every remaining league game and told to just play football and express themselves.

McB works like a nubian slave but with no end product.

Berge was shocking and occaisionally ok if that makes sense. Would have subbed him for Fleck.

Davies is........

Anyway

Beat City #2 on Tuesday and we are there.

 

[Ralph Blade]

Andy Hinchcliffe‘s continued inclusion as a co-commentator continues to bemuse. As I’ve said before they really need to introduce an alternative stream that mutes his observations most of which are of the ‘He didn’t want to do that, he should’ve done this’ a la Harry Enfield. I hate the fact that his nonsense allows him to presumably pick up a significant wage.

What was Bogle doing when he ran away from his man at the end of the First Half? Time to start Clarke?

Penalty should have been retaken as there was another Cardiff player almost level with the penalty spot by the time the kicker took it.

Loved the fact that Ndaiye belted the ball into the net rather than calmly rolling it in.

 

[SUFC Guy]

Great win for us. Another three points and a result which should have been written all over the game from start to finish but at times wasn't. In fact there were brief moments when we looked like we didn't even deserve to win. It actually illustrates that although we are where we are and looking at promotion, we are so far short of having a PL prepared team that unless we fuck a few players off and buy better, next season aint gonna be much fun again.

Usual United start for us, first ten look in control and likely to make some mark but then fade badly and allow the opposition, in this case Cardiff who are really bobbary-ploppar to get back at us. After ten they made some nice ventures up the pitch and made us work hard and eventually won a corner. This was odd as Cardiff played so deep and just mopped us up. Suddenly they have a penalty courtesy of Lowe's high kick (and it was a penalty, you can't expect to get away with that) and we are 0-1 down. I'm grateful we went back at them and within minutes McAtee breaks through and equalises but all over the pitch today we looked either fragile in defence (both wingbacks) uncomposed in midfield (Berge especially) and starved of opportunity particularly in the first half. There were periods also when one felt Cardiff could do what so many teams have done in the past and nick all three points by managing an undeserved lead. But, thanks to a simply epic cross and bravery by Jackie Boy, some sublime wonder from NDaiye and a tap in from the returning Clark we got the scoreline we should have really looked like having.

Part of our problem is the thinness and lack of competition by either injury hit positions. LWB has just a tremendously poor Lowe vying for the billet, when one CB drops out we have to resort to the utility player Baldock filling in and free rein to another underperformer in Bogle. I get Hecky's idea of 3-4-2-1 today but with the players we had it clearly wasn't making much impact and Cardiff really had a particularly easy time until we realigned to a mor familiar 5-3-2 with Baldock back in his RWB role did we look better and furthered our lead.

That said, Cardiff did play with the ref on their side - another disturbingly appalling performance from and official - and Sky Sports Football literally blowing hot wind into Boro and Luton's sails throughout the match and right now in Gillette Soccer Satdi. I don't wish ill on anyone but a lump in the teste-bag of Andy Hinchcliffe wouldn't have me too sorrowful because of his fucking abject loathing of Sheffield United and reluctance to complement us until we were 4-1 up and home and hosed. Utter fucking piggy cunt wanker.

Fuck them all.

Davies 6.5/10: Not a bad game for him. Gathers and catches but one or two dangerous parries and punches. No chance with the penalty
Bogle 1/10: Low score because there wasn't much he did right today and his fucking stupid fuck up in the first half almost had us 1-2 down. Unless we see some sot of epiphany and a change in fortunes, he can fuck off at the end of the season and miss the chance to be referred to as a 'Premiership Player' because he is a long, long way from being one
Baldock 6/10: Did what he could in an unfamiliar role against a front pairing of tall, imposing front line. Not a great game because he was placed thus and really should have started in RWB with Clark in as RCB
Egan 6/10: Fairly solid with his usual array of headed clearances, some which weren't very impressive. Backheaded a chance late on into the kop
JLT 7.5/10: Robust and solid. A well taken goal too. Good comeback since the fuckup at Turf Moor
Lowe 2/10: Another weak underperformance and indicative of him having zero competition at LWB. Poor going forward and poor defending.
Berge 4/10: Business as usual for much of the game with rare flashes of vague capability
Doyle 8/10: Really like this bloke. Dug out blind and didn't give up. Get's a ful point also for a fucking sublime cross for Jackie's goal after a shit corner
McAtee 7/10: Good graft from him and put the fear of shit into the Cardiff defence. Leant on somewhat and booted about but a cracking individual goal
NDaiye 8/10: What a fucking player. Just sublime and never lets the opposition off the hook. Go back and look at his goal. He knew McGuiness would fuck up, chased the ball, sold the keeper with unbelievable deftness, rounded him and with a flicker of a grin, booted the ball into the empty Shoreham End net. The best player in red and white I have ever seen. There. I have said it. Better than Woodward and Currie. Better than Edwards and Bobby Ford.
McBurnie 6/10: Did his best to get stuck in but is at his best in our box as a Centre Back to be honest

Fleck 6.5/10: Back to get minutes before next week. Didn't do too badly and was odds on at one point to score if found with a pass
Clark 6/10: Brought more stability to the back three and allowed George back into his normal role. Good goal from distance (25mm)!
Norwood 5/10: Not much to report
Sharp 6/10: Caused them problems with his industry and fight and unlucky with a late chance
Jebbison 5/10: Not really in the game

HJ&SMcC 8/10: They can only do what they can do with what they have and let's face it, much of it is still Wilder's legacy. Still, three points and well earned in the end after some frosty moments and going a goal behind too.

pommpey

Good report as always mate. A bit harsh on Berge for me, spot on with Lowe and Bogle.

Also agree on Ndiaye. By far the best player we've had at the Lane. He's obviously going places so let's enjoy him while we've got him. He's going to go all the way to the top and can easily seeing him slotting in at Man City/Arsenal. He's far too good for this division.

Eze is turning into a top top player at Palace and I rate Ndaiye as similar but better than him.

 

[SUFC Guy]

Davies just doesn’t fill me with any confidence at all and the great save just before h/t shouldn’t have been necessary as the through ball was his to collect.
This highlights the importance of a settled side and the understandings that are built through playing together. The defence is used to Wes and he would have taken the ball. It unsettles the defence causing mistakes which could have cost us dearly yesterday.

I agree with that and Davies should have come for it. Wes would have done, but his decision making can be poor as well - Burnley as an example when he shouldn't have come out, but he did and didn't take control by not lifting the lot into the stand.

If we go up then a better goalkeeper is an absolute must. If would go back in for Henderson.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Bogle. For me worst player on the pitch today by far.

He is going through a bad patch, following a serious injury. In his defence, when he sprinted to collect the ball from the poor corner from Doyle, we were struggling to match Cardiff; he committed to getting to the ball first, took an instant decision to play a simple pass to a player better placed than him, continued his sprint down the wing, which occupied the minds of 2 defenders, and the quality of his simple pass created the possibility for the sheer brilliance of Doyle’s cross and Robinson’s finish. Never underestimate the importance of doing simple things well and quickly. I hope he gets some confidence from this, and other players seek to do the same (Ndiaye and McAtee have permission to go it alone and create something out of nothing).

 

[N20 Blade]

I may be wrong about Hinchcliffe- but my recollection is that when we went up last he praised the hell out of us and said we would be a breath of fresh air in the prem and easily hold our own - which of course he was right about

Maybe I’m wrong ?

No you’re right. Generally I think he’s fairly objective and one of the better co commentators.

He’s critical at times but fairly so, let’s face it compared to this forum he’s generous with his comments about us.

Given our squad and the individual talent available, I think he’s right to judge us by higher standards than other championship clubs.

 

[Guesty]

I always think about Hinchcliffe, if he dislikes United, at least he came by it honestly, unlike Don Goodman who is sour for some reason none of us know about.

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

I agree with that and Davies should have come for it. Wes would have done, but his decision making can be poor as well - Burnley as an example when he shouldn't have come out, but he did and didn't take control by not lifting the lot into the stand.

If we go up then a better goalkeeper is an absolute must. If would go back in for Henderson.

Every keeper makes mistakes though and Wes has been pretty stable this season. I’m afraid to say that we won’t be able to afford Henderson’s wages anymore, after his last pay rise at Man U. I think that we will be sticking with Wes next year and money will be spent in more urgent positions. Just a crazy situation that we don’t know who our owner will be and what, if any, the budget will be.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

A very important 3 points & at this stage that’s what really matters . Performance wise we only got going in the 2nd half & I was mighty relieved we got that 2nd goal early on , first half we liked a side that thought we’ve only gone to turn up to get the win , they were a big side & playing Baldock in the back 3 wasn’t working & we looked a lot more solid when Clark came on . Ndiaye’s composure on the 3rd was a delight to watch , but the top performers for me were McAtee , Doyle and Robbo who all had very good games , Berge & Bogle less said the better .
4-1 really flattered us but & certainly not complaining , onto Tuesday & hopefully another win

 

[Bladebiker]

I don’t get to BTBL very often since moving away so I’ve seen more of our games on tv. Berge to me is a complete mystery to me and even more so seeing him on the flesh. The guy is a real unit but never seems to have any physicality about him and for a guy his height he is woeful in the air. He has ability otherwise other bigger clubs wouldn’t be interested but he just seems incapable of really imposing himself. An awful lot of safe passing today in areas of the pitch where you are unlikely to hurt the opposition. Even after all this time I can’t work him out. Maybe he just doesn’t fit us.

 

[ancientblade]

I always think about Hinchcliffe, if he dislikes United, at least he came by it honestly, unlike Don Goodman who is sour for some reason none of us know about.

of course he hates united its blatantly obvious in every commentry he does on us hes a pig and makes it clear he dislikes us

 

[Lane Ender]

Bogle looks lost, has zero confidence in his ability. The composed, light feet have gone and he seems to doubt his whole game. Even Doyle was pointing to where he should be and he didn't listen. He needs some time in the U23's to get that confidence back. Luckily he was not the cause of a goal against, let him sit out put Clarke in

Most Key Passes on the Pitch. (4)
Most Accurate Passer. (51/58 - 87.9%)
Most Distance Covered.
80 Touches, only George Baldock had more. (81)
Accurate Long Balls = 100% (5/5)
8 Passes into the final 3rd (2nd highest on the pitch.)
6 Recoveries.
Two Assists.

A solid performance from Sander.

Factbased

Ok but I want to see him go past defenders with that injection of pace like he had early season that seems to have deserted him

 

[Guesty]

of course he hates united its blatantly obvious in every commentry he does on us hes a pig and makes it clear he dislikes us

Agreed but what I mean is, it's natural - he played for Wednesday so he dislikes us, I don't mind that. But what the fuck did we do to that snide cunt Goodman?

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

Berge 4/10: Business as usual for much of the game with rare flashes of vague capability

Jebbison 5/10: Not really in the game

How does Pomp's expect us to take him seriously?

 

[1066blade]

I don't think he does. I've stopped taking him seriously ages ago, makes for better reading.

 

[pommpey]

How does Pomp's expect us to take him seriously?

How about you tell us why Berge doesn't deserve a 4/10 and and Jebbison a 5/10?

Then I'll take you seriously, and not just another troll.

pommpey

 

[Constantly Optimistic...]

Thanks as always, incisive, provocative and humorous.

Bogle has lost the plot mentally in my opinion. I was desperate to see him start some weeks back, now I think he is just a liability. It is in his head, not his skill. Hecky needs to sort it. Why start him and stuff Furious into unknown territory against a bunch of giants? I still wonder about our team selections, subs and forward planning. Clark should have been on from the start and Furious at RWB. I think anyone could see that?

The Berge debate goes on......has class at times, for just a few minutes a game, but rarely utilises his abilities to their best for more than a few minutes. Was totally useless in steaming through the midfield to supply McAtee and Illi, which he had started to do in the last couple of games.

My usual moan, the disconnect between defence and the "number 10s", who are sensational, is deplorable.

Hoofing to McB is useless, he couldn't hold on to a greasy chip butty if it was shoved in his gob! He is another one reverting to early season form.

We see so many strikers of lower value, sometimes ageing, play against us, and all of them provide more than hapless McB. Carlton Morris, Andy Carroll, Akpom, Gallagher, Molumby, Kaba, even Madine..... We have to realise he is Bambi and should be sent back to the forest. His defensive headers are good, but I have realised he is given free range on corners to go after the incoming ball, no marking duties, and it does work! BUT HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A STRIKER!

Lowe, apart from the penalty headfit played better I thought.

Where we will be without Citeh boys against Citeh is frightening. I hope Hecky throws caution to the wind, and plays the youngsters, Jebbo, Osula, Arblaster, Coulibaly. They have no fear, it is a nothing game really. We are expected to lose heavily. I expect we will put on the old guard and lose miserably but honourably.
I fear everything will be on Illi's shoulders to find a miracle goal. Too much pressure on our precious star.
3 more points in the bag to the main target, Luton are becoming almost as annoying as Hinchcliffe, Boro are shot, hope they beat Luton now.

The promised land is upon us, after much heartache, without promotion we are knackered, with this team we are knackered if we go up, but financially we need promotion. Otherwise LG 1 beckons. As always, interesting times being a Blade.

 

[MobileBlade]

"Facts" - one assist was blocking a shot with an arm in an offside position. Any competent official would have ruled it out.

Think numbers 8 and 6 played him on at time original header was played. It was tight though through a crowd of players. Without var the attacker will always get the benefit of being level. Think you're doing lino a disservice there.

Agreed it would have been disallowed for handball with var. Not that he could do much about it. But incredibly difficult to spot. Look how to naked eye everyone missed Robinson's handball against Blackburn.

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

How about you tell us why Berge doesn't deserve a 4/10 and and Jebbison a 5/10?

Then I'll take you seriously, and not just another troll.

Your obsession and prejudice against Sander Berge isn't really worth my time responding Pomp's, though you certainly do know a thing or two about Trolling I must admit. Jebbison comes on in the 82nd minute with the game well wrapped up and you rate him higher than Sander - now you spell out the contributions made by each player relative to the game as a whole, given that Sander was on the pitch for the whole game and maybe, just maybe..... I'll do my level best to take you seriously for once. As our resident Court Jester strutting your stuff on this forum like you probably do when fronting your band, I suspect that (deep down) you don't take yourself that seriously either!

 

[pommpey]

Your obsession and prejudice against Sander Berge isn't really worth my time responding Pomp's, though you certainly do know a thing or two about Trolling I must admit. Jebbison comes on in the 82nd minute with the game well wrapped up and you rate him higher than Sander - now you spell out the contributions made by each player relative to the game as a whole, given that Sander was on the pitch for the whole game and maybe, just maybe..... I'll do my level best to take you seriously for once. As our resident Court Jester strutting your stuff on this forum like you probably do when fronting your band, I suspect that (deep down) you don't take yourself that seriously either!

Well, personal snipes aside (what I, personally or my band has anything to do with Sander Berge is indeed inside your somewhat small head) and given you said you wouldn't waste your time, yet explained what you saw I'll say this. When Jebbison came on he started as a five and remained at that level. He doesn't start at '0' (i.e. he's dogshit) and earn points to get above the median. Berge similarly started on a five but displayed his worrying tendency, once again, to simply pick the ball up and run sideways with it. If that gains you blood in your cock then you're welcome to it. I saw Berge play a lot better against Wigan (from my wonderfully one-ended seat in the BLUT) where he put a foot in now and again, won headers, provided forward moving link play and had a few cracks on goal which is what I expect from a player who has been here three years (quite a bit of it injured) and cost us £20m. Game against Cardiff? Robbed of the ball a few times, some play just bypassed him and he picked up a daft yellow from a player accelerating away from him after he'd fucked up.

Try and keep the subject on 'football' and Sheffield United, eh? If you want to commentate about my band visit it's facebook site and slag me off on there, huh?

Be careful though, you might face some opposition and get people calling you a bellend.

pommpey

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

Well, personal snipes aside (what I, personally or my band has anything to do with Sander Berge is indeed inside your somewhat small head) and given you said you wouldn't waste your time, yet explained what you saw I'll say this. When Jebbison came on he started as a five and remained at that level. He doesn't start at '0' (i.e. he's dogshit) and earn points to get above the median. Berge similarly started on a five but displayed his worrying tendency, once again, to simply pick the ball up and run sideways with it. If that gains you blood in your cock then you're welcome to it. I saw Berge play a lot better against Wigan (from my wonderfully one-ended seat in the BLUT) where he put a foot in now and again, won headers, provided forward moving link play and had a few cracks on goal which is what I expect from a player who has been here three years (quite a bit of it injured) and cost us £20m. Game against Cardiff? Robbed of the ball a few times, some play just bypassed him and he picked up a daft yellow from a player accelerating away from him after he'd fucked up.

Try and keep the subject on 'football' and Sheffield United, eh? If you want to commentate about my band visit it's facebook site and slag me off on there, huh?

Be careful though, you might face some opposition and get people calling you a bellend.

pommpey

Chill out Pomp's