Deadbat
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The Blades relegation was confirmed after another heavy defeat saw them concede a further 5 goals, making it 13 in a week; as Newcastle took them apart for the second time this season. United had played well in the first half, certainly from an attacking point of view and scored an early goal from Ahmedhodzic and could have had more with Archer x2, Brereton Diaz and Brooks missing good chances. However, their impressive attacking play in terms of build-up was undone by more sloppy defending which saw Isak score too easily. After the break, the home side came out with a totally different intent and goals from Guimaraes, Isak again, a Ben Osborn own goal and a Wilson strike saw the Magpies run away with it. The Blades once again completely imploded with poor marking, inability to tackle/press or react to danger leading to chance after chance being create. In the end the home side were full value for their big victory and once again the visitors looked completely out of their depth at this level. Manager Chris Wilder brought the players together at full time in a huddle but a good portion face an uncertain future with the club either being on loan, out of contract or potentially surplus to requirements.
United named an unchanged side but had Robinson back on the bench, where he was joined by youngster Louis Marsh. Wes Foderingham continued in goal after impressing on his return in the week. Newcastle had injury issues, like the Blades, but still named a very strong starting line up as they looked to finish as high as they can after a season which they may be disappointed not to have pushed on after their efforts last season.
The backdrop at St James Park is always impressive and often intimidating with around 50,000 home fans in attendance but United settled well. Brereton Diaz was in on the angle but his shot was blocked leading to corner. From the resultant corner, on only 5 minutes, their positive play was rewarded as United won a corner and Arblaster worked a short one to Hamer who’s cross was headed home at close range from AHMEDHODZIC. There was a check for offside but the goal stood.
United then broke out from a corner and suddenly Archer was in but his shot deflected wide. Ahmedhodzic had an effort from the corner as United looked the more likely to score again. They should have done when Archer broke away and did well initially but then he took too long and Burn got back to block his goal bound shot. Newcastle had offered little but Trusty got back to make a tackle after the home side had done down the left-hand side as Osborn was guilty of giving his man too much time. Isak then was denied with a last-ditch tackle from Holgate as the Blades had to stay alert but the chances still came at the other end – as Brereton Diaz shot was saved from Dubravka.
The leveller came out of nothing as Murphy was not pressed down the right-hand side and his ball dissected Trusty and Ahmedhodzic and ISAK was in on goal. The finish was precise and into the far corner giving Foderingham no chance. It was well taken but really poor defending.
United should have been back in front almost instantly as Ahmedhodzic came out of defence and played a lovely through ball and Brereton Diaz was in and rounded the keeper but did not spot Burn getting back who cleared the ball before it crossed the line. The corner came over and Archer then got his head on it and it bounced off the post. The rebound fell for Brooks who smashed wide. United had created so many chances and really should have been in front. However, Hall had an effort that Foderingham had to do well to get down to, just before half time.
The second half saw Newcastle make a change with Schar on for Krath and the home side came out with a different approach and they were onto the loose balls and winning tackles. United were now penned back and Livramento won a free kick which Gordon floated in and GUIMARAES shook off Brereton Diaz too easily and headed across into the corner with the marking completely absent. Newcastle now sensed United could fall apart and Foderingham had to deny Gordon. The same man got away from Holgate who clumsily brought him down and the penalty award was routine. ISAK took it and converted easily and the game seemed up for the Blades.
The almost gamely implosion continued for United as a fourth came soon after. Longstaff won a corner and after Anderson headed down, OSBORN (OG) flicked it into his own net. There was a flurry of changes with Barnes and Wilson on for Murphy and Anderson for the home side and Osula, Robinson and Souza for the Blades – with Archer, Holgate and Brooks departing.
The firth goal came though soon afterwards as sub-Barnes was allowed to run through three players without even a challenge and the ball was played to fellow sub-WILSON who emphatically smashed into the top corner. Newcastle scored their 13th league goals against the Blades this season - the most one team has registered against another in a single Premier League campaign. United’s players cut a sorry state now with heads down after yet another absolute hammering. With probably around 25 minutes left, it was now a case of if the Magpies could match the goals they scored at the Lane.
Foderingham had to make a series of saves in the next 10 minutes as United’s legs had gone but he continued to excel for the second successive game. Osula had a break but his shot was weak before in stoppage time, Bogle’s run brought the award of a penalty but after a VAR check, it was ruled Anderson had got the ball before the ensuing tangle of legs depriving the fans the chance to see a goal in front of them. The final whistle went and at least United were able to avoid further humiliation but the relegation was confirmed. In truth, it had probably been decided as early as August when United sold their star two players and failed to adequately replace them.
United – Another hammering and another game we concede 5 or more (8 games now) and in the last week it has been 4,4 and 5. You cannot win games or come close to winning when you ship goals so easily. Teams score against us ridiculously easy. I get the argument about our lack of ability or even lack of fitness which means we get overpowered and I do agree, but there has to be a collective level of organisation and some resolve to be tight and hard to beat. There has to be some pride but teams concede against us in every way. Through balls, set plays, crosses, long range shots. I have no idea how we are defending (as a team – it’s not just the defence). There is no spine, we are not close together, we don’t go up as a defence, nor we defend deep. We seem to have a hybrid of absolute nothingness and teams have space all over. The notion it’s just because we are tired or do no have the ball is a valid argument but then the first goal today, we had probably had more possession, chances and play and it is one ball where we do not press and an easy run where the defence is not aware and not close enough together.
It is strange as in the first half, attacking wise that is the best we have been for a long time in 45 minutes. We created 5 or 6 good chances and the front two looked dangerous and both should have scored at least two each. Arblaster played well and Brooks did a few ok bits too. We moved it around crisply and that is the best we have looked in terms of controlled possession, certainly away, maybe all season? We could have been 2 up, then maybe 3 or 4-1 up. We were the better side but still looked a bit hesitant at the back and they also had chances as the half went up. Thought Osborn and Trusty down the left looked really out of their depth. Still, we had played pretty well and been in the game but the Premier League is ruthless and if you do not take your chances then you get punished.
We were pathetic second half as they upped it and blew us away. Some shambolic defending granted but we became passive, with and without the ball and lost it cheaply and then stood off giving them so much space to just run at us. The second goal I have seen Wilder say it was a foul but not sure there is enough really having watched it back. They are both grappling throughout the passage. We have to do better and stay with our men. After this, they just went away. More poor defending on a set play and then Holgate makes several mistakes in a bad 2nd half for him and gives a penalty away. They bring on more pace, power and trickery and another goal comes. We end up completely giving up at this stage. Again. That is inexcusable and why so many players need to move on. The culture is of losing and losing without even a fight. Even with the decent first half performance, we have to put together a game but we failed to do that and the second half once again we looked like a League 1 or 2 side playing at St James Park in the cup with players just too quick and strong and us flailing at runners or swinging at things to clear.
5-1 seems ridiculous after the first half but they actually had even more chances 2nd half than we had first half. A fair score might have been about 8-4! The way we just implode and give up – yes we give up is frankly embarrassing. At the end you see them look at the floor and almost seem like they do not want to be there. They must know they are not good enough in ability, power, pace and fitness. Surely no one can think I can play this level and it’s down to my teammates? (maybe Arblaster eventually and Hamer apart).
Wilder’s post-match was very honest. We are simply not good enough but that is the players, the board and the manager/s. The buck stops ultimately with the board and their complete lack of backing and decisions in the summer. I am getting sick of ‘it’s not his fault he’s got no money’ argument. IT does not wash with me. If when he won the court case, he aspired for us to remain at the top level, then he needs to be able to sustain a level of investment or why did he get involved? Was it just a vanity project? If he cannot or does not have funds, he needs to get out – he seems to want to still try and make money from us and clearly the complete lack of bona fide investors interested (even Bettis says he cannot understand why no one is looking to buy us?) show he is asking too much. He is sort of hanging round but not really bothered about taking us forward and now without properly trying to sell (I am not sure he does want to sell personally) then we are left in this no-mans land, a sort of half way house.
The players are not good enough and as MOTD said – it’s about them not being good enough but I still think at times some could do better in terms of application and effort. The way they just give up and accept big defeats will hurt many of them moving forward in terms of any interest they may garner.
However, the manager/s do have to take some blame too. Whilst much of the blame lies at the hands of the owner/board for not properly supporting and sustaining what is needed at this level, the managers have not done enough to get us playing as a unit (as you say look at Luton/Burnley who are both at least fighting to stay up). Neither have made us tough to beat or a unit that is hard to break down. Hecky had us very rarely looking like scoring at all but weirdly we were tighter to begin with till that run of big defeats. Wilder came in and at times we have done ok going forward but if anything, we are even worse at the back now and whilst we do attack more, we are so open and easy to be countered on. We are getting smashed almost every other game (every game at the moment) and I see no improvement in the way we defend individually or collectively. Even with inferior players, surely we should have a structure to make it hard for teams to go through us – but they do it routinely. The last few games, teams easily could have scored even more (Man Utd and Newcastle certainly).
I understand Wilder thumping his badge and saying what a great football club it is. We all think that and so he won’t say any different but I am concerned at the state of things. He seems confident he can turn it round and has a plan but we will not have much money at all. We will see a number of players move on (most probably I will be glad to see go – some less so but have reached the end of the road and right to do it) and we will have a mish mash of inexperienced players, a few holdovers from this season and some that are not good enough to be part of a side even at the top end of the league below. Throw in the two-point deduction and it is hard to be too optimism. The only positive seems to be we won’t be playing teams as good and we can start afresh to a degree. Yet, I would argue the squad going down (or what it might look like) could be far worse than the one that went down last season – that team struggled mightily too with a big hangover.
I am just glad this season is over now (even if we have three games left). I know we have a rivalry with Forest and have to honour the competition but we have not been doing that anyway in getting pumped every week! I would not be even entertaining playing any of those he has made decisions on to move on or the loan lads. We have two strikers playing who won’t be here, a centre back who won’t be here and then a few others who will hopefully be sold (Ahmedhodzic and Souza?) so he may as well try some of those who might still be here – even Osula, Slimane who probably are not up to it but might be a bit better in the league below and youngsters like Curtis and Marsh. Some will say we might hammered but we are anyway? I just think he needs to start the planning now. We are down, so why play people who will not be here – it’s not as if (BBD apart but he has faded) or doing well!
It's been 1 win in 17 since Xmas Day and not a single home win either and fully expect us to end up with losing the final 7 games and probably be nearer 110 goals conceded than 100. Forest, there is a rivalry I get but they will be too strong, as will the other two we play but it matters little now. Not helped that our local rivals now almost certainly will be safe and an awful season cannot end quick enough. We will wait and see if the radical changes on (and off the field) happen over the summer but I will be quite glad to have a break from it all – it has been so depressing just to see your team get beaten and so easily almost every week and you have no hope. We are a laughing stock and the media now almost feel sorry for us. The club as a whole has shown they are simply not equipped to be a top flight club (in the times we have been up there – 3 out of 4 seasons up there since the millennium been relegated) and probably have to accept (I do not think we should but not sure we have a choice as what can we do?) we are a second tier club at best. There needs now to be a long-term plan where we can get things moving with an infrastructure that means if somehow we do go back up (even without big investment) we have a chance to at least be competitive. At the moment I sense it could be a long time before we see stadiums like St James Park unless something radical happens.
United named an unchanged side but had Robinson back on the bench, where he was joined by youngster Louis Marsh. Wes Foderingham continued in goal after impressing on his return in the week. Newcastle had injury issues, like the Blades, but still named a very strong starting line up as they looked to finish as high as they can after a season which they may be disappointed not to have pushed on after their efforts last season.
The backdrop at St James Park is always impressive and often intimidating with around 50,000 home fans in attendance but United settled well. Brereton Diaz was in on the angle but his shot was blocked leading to corner. From the resultant corner, on only 5 minutes, their positive play was rewarded as United won a corner and Arblaster worked a short one to Hamer who’s cross was headed home at close range from AHMEDHODZIC. There was a check for offside but the goal stood.
United then broke out from a corner and suddenly Archer was in but his shot deflected wide. Ahmedhodzic had an effort from the corner as United looked the more likely to score again. They should have done when Archer broke away and did well initially but then he took too long and Burn got back to block his goal bound shot. Newcastle had offered little but Trusty got back to make a tackle after the home side had done down the left-hand side as Osborn was guilty of giving his man too much time. Isak then was denied with a last-ditch tackle from Holgate as the Blades had to stay alert but the chances still came at the other end – as Brereton Diaz shot was saved from Dubravka.
The leveller came out of nothing as Murphy was not pressed down the right-hand side and his ball dissected Trusty and Ahmedhodzic and ISAK was in on goal. The finish was precise and into the far corner giving Foderingham no chance. It was well taken but really poor defending.
United should have been back in front almost instantly as Ahmedhodzic came out of defence and played a lovely through ball and Brereton Diaz was in and rounded the keeper but did not spot Burn getting back who cleared the ball before it crossed the line. The corner came over and Archer then got his head on it and it bounced off the post. The rebound fell for Brooks who smashed wide. United had created so many chances and really should have been in front. However, Hall had an effort that Foderingham had to do well to get down to, just before half time.
The second half saw Newcastle make a change with Schar on for Krath and the home side came out with a different approach and they were onto the loose balls and winning tackles. United were now penned back and Livramento won a free kick which Gordon floated in and GUIMARAES shook off Brereton Diaz too easily and headed across into the corner with the marking completely absent. Newcastle now sensed United could fall apart and Foderingham had to deny Gordon. The same man got away from Holgate who clumsily brought him down and the penalty award was routine. ISAK took it and converted easily and the game seemed up for the Blades.
The almost gamely implosion continued for United as a fourth came soon after. Longstaff won a corner and after Anderson headed down, OSBORN (OG) flicked it into his own net. There was a flurry of changes with Barnes and Wilson on for Murphy and Anderson for the home side and Osula, Robinson and Souza for the Blades – with Archer, Holgate and Brooks departing.
The firth goal came though soon afterwards as sub-Barnes was allowed to run through three players without even a challenge and the ball was played to fellow sub-WILSON who emphatically smashed into the top corner. Newcastle scored their 13th league goals against the Blades this season - the most one team has registered against another in a single Premier League campaign. United’s players cut a sorry state now with heads down after yet another absolute hammering. With probably around 25 minutes left, it was now a case of if the Magpies could match the goals they scored at the Lane.
Foderingham had to make a series of saves in the next 10 minutes as United’s legs had gone but he continued to excel for the second successive game. Osula had a break but his shot was weak before in stoppage time, Bogle’s run brought the award of a penalty but after a VAR check, it was ruled Anderson had got the ball before the ensuing tangle of legs depriving the fans the chance to see a goal in front of them. The final whistle went and at least United were able to avoid further humiliation but the relegation was confirmed. In truth, it had probably been decided as early as August when United sold their star two players and failed to adequately replace them.
United – Another hammering and another game we concede 5 or more (8 games now) and in the last week it has been 4,4 and 5. You cannot win games or come close to winning when you ship goals so easily. Teams score against us ridiculously easy. I get the argument about our lack of ability or even lack of fitness which means we get overpowered and I do agree, but there has to be a collective level of organisation and some resolve to be tight and hard to beat. There has to be some pride but teams concede against us in every way. Through balls, set plays, crosses, long range shots. I have no idea how we are defending (as a team – it’s not just the defence). There is no spine, we are not close together, we don’t go up as a defence, nor we defend deep. We seem to have a hybrid of absolute nothingness and teams have space all over. The notion it’s just because we are tired or do no have the ball is a valid argument but then the first goal today, we had probably had more possession, chances and play and it is one ball where we do not press and an easy run where the defence is not aware and not close enough together.
It is strange as in the first half, attacking wise that is the best we have been for a long time in 45 minutes. We created 5 or 6 good chances and the front two looked dangerous and both should have scored at least two each. Arblaster played well and Brooks did a few ok bits too. We moved it around crisply and that is the best we have looked in terms of controlled possession, certainly away, maybe all season? We could have been 2 up, then maybe 3 or 4-1 up. We were the better side but still looked a bit hesitant at the back and they also had chances as the half went up. Thought Osborn and Trusty down the left looked really out of their depth. Still, we had played pretty well and been in the game but the Premier League is ruthless and if you do not take your chances then you get punished.
We were pathetic second half as they upped it and blew us away. Some shambolic defending granted but we became passive, with and without the ball and lost it cheaply and then stood off giving them so much space to just run at us. The second goal I have seen Wilder say it was a foul but not sure there is enough really having watched it back. They are both grappling throughout the passage. We have to do better and stay with our men. After this, they just went away. More poor defending on a set play and then Holgate makes several mistakes in a bad 2nd half for him and gives a penalty away. They bring on more pace, power and trickery and another goal comes. We end up completely giving up at this stage. Again. That is inexcusable and why so many players need to move on. The culture is of losing and losing without even a fight. Even with the decent first half performance, we have to put together a game but we failed to do that and the second half once again we looked like a League 1 or 2 side playing at St James Park in the cup with players just too quick and strong and us flailing at runners or swinging at things to clear.
5-1 seems ridiculous after the first half but they actually had even more chances 2nd half than we had first half. A fair score might have been about 8-4! The way we just implode and give up – yes we give up is frankly embarrassing. At the end you see them look at the floor and almost seem like they do not want to be there. They must know they are not good enough in ability, power, pace and fitness. Surely no one can think I can play this level and it’s down to my teammates? (maybe Arblaster eventually and Hamer apart).
Wilder’s post-match was very honest. We are simply not good enough but that is the players, the board and the manager/s. The buck stops ultimately with the board and their complete lack of backing and decisions in the summer. I am getting sick of ‘it’s not his fault he’s got no money’ argument. IT does not wash with me. If when he won the court case, he aspired for us to remain at the top level, then he needs to be able to sustain a level of investment or why did he get involved? Was it just a vanity project? If he cannot or does not have funds, he needs to get out – he seems to want to still try and make money from us and clearly the complete lack of bona fide investors interested (even Bettis says he cannot understand why no one is looking to buy us?) show he is asking too much. He is sort of hanging round but not really bothered about taking us forward and now without properly trying to sell (I am not sure he does want to sell personally) then we are left in this no-mans land, a sort of half way house.
The players are not good enough and as MOTD said – it’s about them not being good enough but I still think at times some could do better in terms of application and effort. The way they just give up and accept big defeats will hurt many of them moving forward in terms of any interest they may garner.
However, the manager/s do have to take some blame too. Whilst much of the blame lies at the hands of the owner/board for not properly supporting and sustaining what is needed at this level, the managers have not done enough to get us playing as a unit (as you say look at Luton/Burnley who are both at least fighting to stay up). Neither have made us tough to beat or a unit that is hard to break down. Hecky had us very rarely looking like scoring at all but weirdly we were tighter to begin with till that run of big defeats. Wilder came in and at times we have done ok going forward but if anything, we are even worse at the back now and whilst we do attack more, we are so open and easy to be countered on. We are getting smashed almost every other game (every game at the moment) and I see no improvement in the way we defend individually or collectively. Even with inferior players, surely we should have a structure to make it hard for teams to go through us – but they do it routinely. The last few games, teams easily could have scored even more (Man Utd and Newcastle certainly).
I understand Wilder thumping his badge and saying what a great football club it is. We all think that and so he won’t say any different but I am concerned at the state of things. He seems confident he can turn it round and has a plan but we will not have much money at all. We will see a number of players move on (most probably I will be glad to see go – some less so but have reached the end of the road and right to do it) and we will have a mish mash of inexperienced players, a few holdovers from this season and some that are not good enough to be part of a side even at the top end of the league below. Throw in the two-point deduction and it is hard to be too optimism. The only positive seems to be we won’t be playing teams as good and we can start afresh to a degree. Yet, I would argue the squad going down (or what it might look like) could be far worse than the one that went down last season – that team struggled mightily too with a big hangover.
I am just glad this season is over now (even if we have three games left). I know we have a rivalry with Forest and have to honour the competition but we have not been doing that anyway in getting pumped every week! I would not be even entertaining playing any of those he has made decisions on to move on or the loan lads. We have two strikers playing who won’t be here, a centre back who won’t be here and then a few others who will hopefully be sold (Ahmedhodzic and Souza?) so he may as well try some of those who might still be here – even Osula, Slimane who probably are not up to it but might be a bit better in the league below and youngsters like Curtis and Marsh. Some will say we might hammered but we are anyway? I just think he needs to start the planning now. We are down, so why play people who will not be here – it’s not as if (BBD apart but he has faded) or doing well!
It's been 1 win in 17 since Xmas Day and not a single home win either and fully expect us to end up with losing the final 7 games and probably be nearer 110 goals conceded than 100. Forest, there is a rivalry I get but they will be too strong, as will the other two we play but it matters little now. Not helped that our local rivals now almost certainly will be safe and an awful season cannot end quick enough. We will wait and see if the radical changes on (and off the field) happen over the summer but I will be quite glad to have a break from it all – it has been so depressing just to see your team get beaten and so easily almost every week and you have no hope. We are a laughing stock and the media now almost feel sorry for us. The club as a whole has shown they are simply not equipped to be a top flight club (in the times we have been up there – 3 out of 4 seasons up there since the millennium been relegated) and probably have to accept (I do not think we should but not sure we have a choice as what can we do?) we are a second tier club at best. There needs now to be a long-term plan where we can get things moving with an infrastructure that means if somehow we do go back up (even without big investment) we have a chance to at least be competitive. At the moment I sense it could be a long time before we see stadiums like St James Park unless something radical happens.
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