Orient Reportette

[JohnDenver]

The Blades have the vast majority of the ball and plenty of chances. Orient hold a very good defensive shape and hit well on the break with a pacey front man.

The O's take the lead after a simple straight ball from deep, and what looked like a clear foul on Maguire allowed their man to break free. A foul or not, the finish was a brilliant one into the top corner.

United never looked too flustered, maintained possession well, and patiently looked to find a way through. The deserved equaliser came just before half-time with a long ball finding Porter who was able to keep the ball in for Ched to cross for Willo to finish.

The second half saw the pattern stay the same. United passing and probing nicely with the odd break from Orient. One passing move allowed Doyle space to strike from distance into the bottom corner. If that wasn't game over, it pretty much was when Orient had a player given a straight red for a late tackle on Willo (who doesn't half seem to attract 'em). My view was fairly distant, but the reaction of the crowd nearby suggested a red was coming. It duly did, but to my eyes it might have merited a yellow+.

The remainder of the game saw United pick their opponents off, with Chedwyn scoring an excellent goal, beating his man and finishing across the keeper.

Happy days.

Simmo - 6 - No cock ups
Lowton - 7 - Mixed delivery but good in the build up
Hill - 6 - Solid enough
Harry - 5 - Seemed a touch nervous after being (potentially) at fault for their goal
Collins - 7 - Calm and tidy
Quinn - 6 - Mixed bag but good enough
Doyle - 8 - Steadier than Ayers Rock, but with a left foot like Roberto Carlos
McDonald - 7 - Some great passes, and better defensively than last week
Willo - 7 - Vital goal and maintained recent form
Cress - N/A - Crocked himself early with a bizarre attempt at a diving header
Chedwyn - 7 - Tired in the second half (understandably) but a great goal

Porter - 6 - Did Cresswell's spadework admirably
Flynn - N/A - Short spell but showed he wants his place back
O'Halloran - N/A - Better on the ball than previously

Orient - They're too good to drop on this showing. Well organised, if limited. The game was always on until the red card.

Ref - 6 - The O's will disagree....

Crowd - 6 - Think we're learning the Danny footballing way. Not one "gerrit forward" to be heard.

 

[sitwell]

Simmo - 6 - No cock ups agree
Lowton - 7 - Mixed delivery but good in the build up agree
Hill - 6 - Solid enough / 5 poor distribution and tackling.
Harry - 5 - Seemed a touch nervous after being (potentially) at fault for their goal / 6 Some great long balls to Porter.
Collins - 7 - Calm and tidy / 5 thought he was very nervous today worryingly
Quinn - 6 - Mixed bag but good enough / 4 predictable I know ,but I thought he was awful offensively and defensively.
Doyle - 8 - Steadier than Ayers Rock, but with a left foot like Roberto Carlos agree MOM 3rd game in a row great captaincy too.
McDonald - 7 - Some great passes, and better defensively than last week agree
Willo - 7 - Vital goal and maintained recent form agree
Cress - N/A - Crocked himself early with a bizarre attempt at a diving header agree
Chedwyn - 7 - Tired in the second half (understandably) but a great goal agree tried a bit too hard obviously carrying alot of tension.

Porter - 6 - Did Cresswell's spadework admirably/ 7 not only won a lot of headers but directed them very well ,good foil for Ched.
Flynn - N/A - Short spell but showed he wants his place back / should be in for Quinn
O'Halloran - N/A - Better on the ball than previously/ Looked comfortable on the ball ,is he a winger or a striker ?

Orient - They're too good to drop on this showing. Well organised, if limited. The game was always on until the red card. I thought we would always win but not bottom 4 material.

Ref - 6 - The O's will disagree....He tried to let the game run ,his first red of the season I think.

Crowd - 6 - Think we're learning the Danny footballing way. Not one "gerrit forward" to be heard.

Good work JD

 

[JohnDenver]

Good work JD

There'll be a well polished apple on your desk first thing Monday.

 

[Pragmatic Blade]

Less than a month ago there was a series of threads about lack of leadership. Perhaps Michael Doyle has provided that over the past few matches. Good on him. Maybe he is the new 'John Gannon'?

 

[Pinchy]

I thought Doyle was excellent again, today. Our one man team is getting plenty of goals from his midfield, isn't he?

Well done, Danny and the lads. Let's keep it one at a time and before you know it...

 

[Foxy]

Less than a month ago there was a series of threads about lack of leadership. Perhaps Michael Doyle has provided that over the past few matches. Good on him. Maybe he is the new 'John Gannon'?

He did however show flashes of his previous self and could have been sent off in the first half had the officials noticed his off the ball antics.

He's been great when concentrating on playing though.

 

[LSF]

Thats the thing with Doyle though, he's smart enough for the officials never to see his 'antics'. I'm assuming it was when Matt Spring appeared a little pissed off with Doyle?

 

[sitwell]

Thats great captaincy ,Spring never touched the ball after that and eventually was taken off.

 

[Foxy]

Thats great captaincy ,Spring never touched the ball after that and eventually was taken off.

He did, and he beat him for pace two or three times. He did get quieter though.

 

[LSF]

Foxy, you give the impression you don't like Doyle because of his 'ruthless' attitude in the hotbed of midfield? For me he has been absolutely outstanding recently when we've needed people to step up to the plate. No doubt he has a reputation amongst the players as one who will 'do' you given half the chance, but its a dog eat dog world where he plays the game and I'm glad he's on our side. Your earlier praise for him seemed to be delivered through clenched teeth?

 

[Foxy]

Foxy, you give the impression you don't like Doyle because of his 'ruthless' attitude in the hotbed of midfield? For me he has been absolutely outstanding recently when we've needed people to step up to the plate. No doubt he has a reputation amongst the players as one who will 'do' you given half the chance, but its a dog eat dog world where he plays the game and I'm glad he's on our side. Your earlier praise for him seemed to be delivered through clenched teeth?

Not at all, you've got my opinion of him all wrong...

In fact it speaks volumes for his recent performances that I was worried he'd be leaving us in the shit if caught.

Sometimes, he's just frustratingly far too obvious, better officials would have punished him.

 

[LSF]

Not at all, you've got my opinion of him all wrong...

In fact it speaks volumes for his recent performances that I was worried he'd be leaving us in the shit if caught.

Sometimes, he's just frustratingly far too obvious, better officials would have punished him.

Apologies for misreading you.

 

[SwissBlade]

I can't believe we're talking about the awful Mathew spring in the same breath as doyle. Spring is in my top 1 of the shitest players to ever wear a blades shirt

 

[wardlowwanderer]

He did however show flashes of his previous self and could have been sent off in the first half had the officials noticed his off the ball antics.

Funny you should say that. The bloke in front of me said that Doyle was going to be red carded before long, but have to admit it passed me by (as does life in general).

 

[Bergen Blade]

Sometimes, he's just frustratingly far too obvious, better officials would have punished him.

I think some of the nasty stuff he does is easier to see from the stands or on tv. There's been a few times where I've thought he's been lucky not to be booked/sent off.