Out of ten, then

[pommpey]

Howard 6.5/10: Did well, commanded the area, collected when required. Distribution was pony though, hence drops 3.5
Harris 7/10: Showed promise, but was a bit naïve and dirty and was lucky not to go after the foul on the far side
Collins 7/10: Towering stuff, and looked to be 'back in the partnership' again
Maguire 8.5/10: Some great commitment and defensive acumen shown by him tonight. Had Dempsey in his pocket
Brayford 8.5/10: Good bit of pace on him but as he showed when he decided to go through the defence on his own, he is a bit isolated amongst players who can't read him. I saw him a few times way out wide with chalk on his boots crying out for a well hit pass to put him down the flanks. He wasn't even noticed. Stand out player tonight.
Flynn 6.5/10: Had a decent enough game, but above 25kt windspeed he is likely to be blown over the stand
Scougall 7/10 His little legs, eh? Saw him get really involved, against a pretty shit opposition midfield who didn't seem like they wanted a fight.
McGinn 6.5/10 Broke things up and got stuck in, but then again, Fulham weren't exactly making our midfield graft too much
Coady 7.5/10 Thought he had a decent game
Murphy 5/10 Our poorest player ... but
Porter 4.5/10 Crap. Utter shitola.

Baxter 5/10 Fucking hell, man. That free kick?
Hill 6/10 Kept up the decent work done by Harris, but gave away daft free kicks
Miller 7/10 Actually looks like he wants it. Great take for the goal

Oh, and Cluff 8/10 4-1-4-1 works well

Ref 7/10

Fans 10/10 You were fucking brilliant.

Fulham (overall) 3/10. If that. Spineless and inept as we are, its good to know there are others more so.

pommpey

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Baxter deserves at least a 7. I thought he was great when he came on and he set up the goal as well.

 

[UnitedBlade]

Two I'd give higher scores to:

Brayford 9, excellent at most things he did defensively and a delight to watch going forwards running at people

Flynn 7.5, thought he had a very good game

 

[itsinyerblood]

A bit pointless really as I thought that collectively we looked solid throughout the game, but Maguire and Collins were commanding and deserved at least 8.5 each. I thought Scougall looked better and better as the game went on UTB

 

[Hartley Hare]

McGinn did the Doyle job with a bit more panache. Played his part in a solid defense.

 

[Mendi]

Their were all hero

 

[SandyMcBlade]

They all did well and it's not about individuals, it's all about building a team and these are the kind of games we need for them to bond as a team...

 

[blader]

Murphy 5/10 Our poorest player

Watched a different game to me pal! Thought he had the better of his full back and put in a great shift. Been good in every game since his reintroduction to the team (apart from Crewe, but, well.... he isn't alone on that one)

 

[puppet]

A bit pointless really as I thought that collectively we looked solid throughout the game, but Maguire and Collins were commanding and deserved at least 8.5 each. I thought Scougall looked better and better as the game went on UTB

Collins 8.5 just shading Maguire with the same mark.

 

[itsinyerblood]

What I'm surprised by, as far as I can see, is that we haven't commented on Doyle's absence?

Our midfield kept their shape, but then so did the whole team. I think we're far too quick to criticise, and of course, as paying customers we're entitled to criticise, but perhaps we need to get behind the team for the remainder of the season. That's not a clapper's hymn, just the thought that Clough needs time and so do new formations. I can already anticipate those angry retorts that we don't have time - well I've got news, we've certainly mastered the art of the obvious.

Only recently there was a thread suggesting Miller's days were numbered, yet after beating Fulham it seems he's just what we've been missing. I hope Shaun gets more chances to show what he can do, but with the grains of sand rapidly slipping through the hourglass I know a lack time will make many of us experience a sense of desperation and we'll hear the howls of agony from one end of Sheffield to the other. Our next four games, all at home unless I'm wrong, are possibly make or break moments in our season. The players stole a wage last Saturday when they lost to Crewe, against Fulham they deserved to be paid. Now those same players need to put their chests out and approach each game without fear. We need a minimum of 8-9 points from those matches, my fingers are crossed we will see the type of winning performance we saw at Fulham UTB

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Murphy 5/10 Our poorest player

Not sure what game you were watching. He played well.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Watched a different game to me pal! Thought he had the better of his full back and put in a great shift. Been good in every game since his reintroduction to the team (apart from Crewe, but, well.... he isn't alone on that one)

Agree with that, just wish he could improve his passing though.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Collins 8.5 just shading Maguire with the same mark.

Can see where you are coming from Puppet, but Harry shaded it for me due to Collins nearly deflecting a shot into goal, granted he would have been unfortunate, and Harrys header setting up the winner, but both on top of their game last night.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Howard 6.5/10: Did well, commanded the area, collected when required. Distribution was pony though, hence drops 3.5
Harris 7/10: Showed promise, but was a bit naïve and dirty and was lucky not to go after the foul on the far side
Collins 7/10: Towering stuff, and looked to be 'back in the partnership' again
Maguire 8.5/10: Some great commitment and defensive acumen shown by him tonight. Had Dempsey in his pocket
Brayford 8.5/10: Good bit of pace on him but as he showed when he decided to go through the defence on his own, he is a bit isolated amongst players who can't read him. I saw him a few times way out wide with chalk on his boots crying out for a well hit pass to put him down the flanks. He wasn't even noticed. Stand out player tonight.
Flynn 6.5/10: Had a decent enough game, but above 25kt windspeed he is likely to be blown over the stand
Scougall 7/10 His little legs, eh? Saw him get really involved, against a pretty shit opposition midfield who didn't seem like they wanted a fight.
McGinn 6.5/10 Broke things up and got stuck in, but then again, Fulham weren't exactly making our midfield graft too much
Coady 7.5/10 Thought he had a decent game
Murphy 5/10 Our poorest player ... but
Porter 4.5/10 Crap. Utter shitola.

Baxter 5/10 Fucking hell, man. That free kick?
Hill 6/10 Kept up the decent work done by Harris, but gave away daft free kicks
Miller 7/10 Actually looks like he wants it. Great take for the goal

Things definitely improved when Baxter came on, has the ability to be our stand out player, an Andy Reid type player, but has to show it consistently. 120 minutes against premier league opposition and can only remember Howard having to make one save of any note, says a lot for our defensive performance. Lads and lasses who went last night, I salute you.
Oh, and Cluff 8/10 4-1-4-1 works well

Ref 7/10

Fans 10/10 You were fucking brilliant.

Fulham (overall) 3/10. If that. Spineless and inept as we are, its good to know there are others more so.

pommpey

 

[dingledog]

It's a team game, so 100 out of 10 for me. A team 2nd from bottom in the third division made a premiership team look awful and beat them. Great night.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

The back 4 were immaculate - and we simply wouldn't have won that corner where Miller scored without Brayford's determination.

I also thought Flynn was superb - and the early signs are that Wee Scougs is going to be a lot of fun to watch.

 

[Balham]

My tuppenth'

Howard 5 - solid enough but his distribution was Sunday league woeful
Brayford 9 - wow. Compare and contrast with McMahon.
Collins 8 - I'm normally a critic but he played well
Maguire 8.5 - As Collins but without the sliced clearance which almost ended up in the bottom corner and a great header to set up Miller's winner
Harris 7 - solid at the back, decent going forward but perhaps slightly lucky to not get sent off - a soft, soft booking in the first half followed by a cynical trip in the second half.
Flynn 8 - I wanna tell you/about a boy who/can do almost anything/he comes from Scotland/his name is Ryan/Ryan Flynn Ryan Flynn Ryan Flynn (moDtheGod that's for you)
McGinn 7 - did the basics well but there were a couple of misplaced passes
Coady 6.5 - I know he's only young but his decision making let him down at times. I'd have been happy to see Dimaio come on for him for extra time.
Murphy 7 - assertive, always looking to take on the rookie right back with mixed success. One great dribble in extra time followed by a poor cut back summed up his night.
Scougall 7.5 - a proper footballer. Welcome to United, Stefan. He and Baxter should link up well.
Porter 5 - I'm not against Porter but tonight his strength in the air was utterly negated by Fulham's monstrous centre halves. We looked far more dangerous when Baxter came on and we started moving the ball on the floor.

Subs:
Baxter 7.5 - put himself about and wanted the ball. Caused Burns and Hangeland far more problems in his 45 mins than Porter did in 75
Hill 6 - one decent block but after his hesitance almost let Dejagah in.
Miller 6 - he's not a winger but his awareness to get onto Maguire knock-down was pleasing.

Tactics
Clough 7.5 - first half, we needed to get Scougall in and around Parker, who was controlling the game. Playing Porter up front was also an error but in terms of defensive shape we definitely can't complain. I do feel though that with a bit of initiative and invention in the 90 mins we would have beaten a very poor Fulham side.

Fulham 2 - woeful. Devoid of confidence, ideas, basic ability...they're in big trouble, which is a pity as it means only two spaces for West Ham and Cardiff to fill

Finally
Fans 11 - superb. Absolutely superb.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Brayford 9 - wow. Compare and contrast with McMahon.

This might be a bit over the top, but I would go back one right back further and suggest he might be a better player for the position than Lowton was. Certainly strikes me as a better defender, and going forward the signs look very positive so far.

 

[Flakey]

Bugger, Bugger.

The trouble is............................

We've just thrown our next 6 points away (Shrews, Brentford) becuase this bunch of fair weather players won't want to get in nasty tackles and miss the next round.

Its all very well saying how good we were last night, when it comes to keeping us in L1 this season, they can't be arsed.

 

[Houso]

This might be a bit over the top, but I would go back one right back further and suggest he might be a better player for the position than Lowton was. Certainly strikes me as a better defender, and going forward the signs look very positive so far.

For the little we've seen, I would say he's definitely better than Lowton.

Real pity that we won't be able to keep him beyond this season.

 

[Balham]

This might be a bit over the top, but I would go back one right back further and suggest he might be a better player for the position than Lowton was. Certainly strikes me as a better defender, and going forward the signs look very positive so far.

Possibly; but then it was Brayford's run in the first half of extra time which gave us our best chance before the goal and it was his burst into the box which led to the corner we scored from. Add to that the fact that he's barely played this year and his refusal to get treatment for the inevitable cramp and you've got a player I'm happy to see play for the club.

In terms of his defensive game he was up against Kasami or Duff, who were probably Fulham's best players but he stuck to his game with none of the inherent nastiness that you'd get with McMahon.

I've probably overdone his mark but only because it's good to see a decent right back for once.

 

[MobileBlade]

I will watch again later just prior to the corner. I cannot figure how Baxter was at right back and played the ball to Brayford who was in the area winning the corner.

 

[BusheyBlade]

I will watch again later just prior to the corner. I cannot figure how Baxter was at right back and played the ball to Brayford who was in the area winning the corner.

Watching the highlights when I got home it almost looked as if he was tucking to cover for Brayford pushing up. Having said that, it's perhaps more because he was knackered. I didn't notice at the time but the build up to the goal was yet another example of Fulham giving away possession cheaply.

 

[gavtheblade]

Brayford has got the makings of being a bit of a cult hero if he wants to stay beyond the season.
He looks well up for it to me.
Mcmahon isnt fit to lace his boots.

 

[Gavlar]

for me Brayford was top drawer, esp as he hasn't played much recently, he played like a right back and right midfield rolled into one, superb performance.

Harris for me didn't look that great, his free kick looked close tho.

McGuire and Collins were awesome. Howards kicking was dire, but he was fine aside from that.

Scougall looks good but more of a winger to me. McGinn did great, Coady was ok, but made some poor choices with the ball.

Murphy was good but ran out of steam, Flynn was good and never stops running. Im over the moon Miller scored, I thought he should have been up front and Baxter dropped back. Baxter was ok, but that free kick is still going! Hill did ok, still think he's better at centre half.

 

[bartman]

What I'm surprised by, as far as I can see, is that we haven't commented on Doyle's absence?

On Saturday's performance he (or someone playing that role) was obviously missed .however ,did Clough drop a bollock by not picking McGinn in that role against Crewe as last night he picked up plenty of second balls ,got his tackles in & passed the ball well ?

 

[United Aren't Back.]

They all did well and it's not about individuals, it's all about building a team and these are the kind of games we need for them to bond as a team...

Major problem is that they only play in cup ties. Need some wins urgently starting Saturday.

 

[Bergen Blade]

On Saturday's performance he (or someone playing that role) was obviously missed .however ,did Clough drop a bollock by not picking McGinn in that role against Crewe as last night he picked up plenty of second balls ,got his tackles in & passed the ball well ?

Clough was once asked if McGinn could do the holding role, but he said he had too many attacking qualities to play such a 'restricted' role. I'm not sure McGinn is mobile enough to do a attacking/box to box role, but I think he could make a decent holding playmaker and maybe Clough will agree after last night.

 

[alanj]

Brayford is a class act,give him time and you will discover what a talented player he really is,followed him through Crewe,to Derby,to Cardiff and the latter didn't deserve him,Cloughie knows when he sees a really good player,your team did really well yesterday congratulations, as yet ime not a Sheffield fan, but I could get used to it with players like John Brayford, but I don't think that John is a real defender I would love to see him through the midfield but Mr Clough is more knowledgable in these matters than I .
But once again well done

 

[ListerBlade]

The only low score I would give would be Howard, 5/10. He didn't have much to do to earn a high score like the rest, his distribution was woeful but there was one punch from a corner that impressed me as I thought had it been Long he'd have flapped and put it on the head/boot of an opponent.

For me, Coady was one of the top performers but most were a solid 7/10, Brayford up at 8-9/10. Porter perhaps a 6/10 as he had a tough task up there, but when the ball was at his feet he gave it away cheaply a lot or made a poor pass putting the receiver under pressure. Baxter made us a lot more threatening going forward, with trickery and a calmness on the ball Porter will never have. He also did well up top against the likes of Hangeland, making sure the defenders didn't have as easy a time as they perhaps should have against someone of his size.

Let's hope it inspires some belief in the League