Deadbat
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Finally, after 4 months and 8 games, going back to the playoff final agony of last season, Sheffield United have won a game of football! The Blades finally scored a goal breaking a spell of around 6 hours without netting and kept a clean sheet at the other end, as they saw off Wilder’s former club Oxford, by a single goal. Callum O’Hare got the crucial goal, ably assisted by Chiedozie Ogbene and despite a few late scares, the Blades much improved second half performance saw them take the three points. United remain bottom of the league but at least have some life after a horrific start to this campaign and something for the new/old manager to build on.
Wilder’s words in the build up to the game has been sterner according to the man himself and he made two changes with Chong and Mee in for Matos and Godrey and it appeared it could be a change of shape? However, the Blades plans were changed even before kick off as Chong picked up an injury in the warm up and Soumare had to come in. Zatterstrom was promoted to the bench. Oxford, fresh off an impressive win at Bristol City last week to take them away from the Blades at the foot of the table, started with United’s former academy striker Will Lankshear.
The game began and it was not the 3 at the back that many had predicted as Tanganga started at a more orthodox right back position. Soumare was busy early but his touch was awry on more than one occasion. Campbell was played in but took too long and was crowded out but the home side quickly settled down to look the more cohesive unit. Peck’s errant pass saw the ball drop to Helik who had stayed up after a corner but his shot was blocked by Tanganga. The defender then lost the ball himself and the ball remained in the United third. Oxford were moving the ball about much more confidently but the Blades were so slow both with and without the ball. O’Hare nearly played in Campbell but his pass was overhit as the abysmal passing continued. Mee and Cooper were the next with cheap giveaways leading to the U’s having a further spell with the ball.
The ball came in and McGuiness had to clear before Mee repeated this as the ball was not sticking up at the top of the pitch with O’Hare, Hamer and Campell bullied out of it and slow to react to anything coming their way. Hamer released Ogbene for a rare cross to come in but it was headed out for a corner which came to nothing. Hamer then volleyed a pass wildly into the sky, and out of play drawing cheers from the home side.
Oxford played two dangerous balls into the box the was kept out and then Spencer headed wide. The neat build up saw them get down both the left- and right-hand sides, with a clever backheel setting the home side free and Burrows had to make a sliding tackle. The Blades could not get out and were getting nothing in terms of control. Soumare and Peck were tossing away possession so cheaply with bad touches and passes.
The home side had another shot blocked as Mee continued to be United’s best performer in a game which saw little positive to take of note. Despite United’s struggles, they created the best chance of the game when the ball was not cleared and Hamer threaded a lovely ball through the defenders’ legs to give Campbell a great opportunity. With the goal at his mercy, he blazed wide and the time since United’s last goal now approached an incredible 10 hours!
Oxford would have been harshly behind as they had controlled the game and ended the half as they had been, most of the game, well on top. They created their best chance as the ball bounced across the box and De Keersmaecker had his shot saved from Cooper and the ball was somehow scrambled clear. Plachetea then shot over. As the game entered the final minute of stoppage time, Branagan had a low shot that Cooper had to push away. The half ended with United at 0-0, despite them having the best chance, but had been another largely awful performance where they had been outmuscled, outfought, and out footballed by a much more cohesive side.
The second half saw United come out with a more determined approach and at least had a spell with the ball. Soumare hit a shot over the bar and then O’Hare carried the ball forward, feeding Campbell but his finish lacked conviction and bobbled across goal via a deflection off a defender. United then won three corners in succession and clearly were looking far more determined and on the front foot than they had since probably the opening day.
Burrows put a cross over and Peck headed down but straight at Cumming but at least the Blades finally fashioned something on goal. United continued to dominate, in a turnaround from the first half, and Peck was at the heart of some of the improved play. Hamer received a short corner and came inside but took too many touches and too long and failed to get a shot over.
United’s much improved effort was punctuated with a goal – Ogbene was the architect as he made the running down the right but he looked to have overrun it but somehow kept it in and sent over a cross. O’HARE took an excellent first touch to set himself up and his finish was precise, hard, and low into the far corner across Cumming. The Blades players celebrated in front of their jubilant away supporters, who had probably forgot what it was like to see a goal from their side!
United players were telling each other to calm down as Oxford made changes. Mills and Dembele, the scourge of United at this ground last year, came on – for Placeta and Prelec. Mee’s impressively calm performance was summed up by a superb slide tackle, where he won the ball and came away with it on the left-hand side. Soumare was replaced by Matos before Campell was lucky not to get a yellow card as he cynically pulled his man back. Burrows was not so fortunate, as he chopped Mills down, who went past him down the right-hand side. Cooper pushed the free kick away but then caught the cross that came back in from the other side.
There was a double change for both sides, as Vaulks and Harris replaced Krastev and Lankshear for the home side. Cannon and McCallum replaced Campbell and Burrows for the visitors. The game ticked into the final 10 minutes and United had not really been threatened since the break. Vaulks was booked for protesting following a foul on O’Hare before Hamer had to be taken off – following a bout of cramp. Seriki came on. Leigh also came on for Currie for the U’s.
McCallum headed behind the deep cross as Oxford won a corner and suddenly they almost levelled out of nowhere. The ball dropped into the box and Leigh turned and swivelled and his shot hit the foot of the post. It was a let off for United. However, soon after Branagan’s attempts to con the referee into giving a penalty kick was pathetic in contrast. Referee, Speedie, waved off the appeal and really should have booked the attacking player.
There was to be 6 minutes of stoppage time and with Vaulks long throw, the Blades were suddenly under some sustained pressure and another chance came when Mills again got away, beating McCallum this time. His cross was inviting for Long but headed a few yards wide as the Blades sat very deep. Leigh then header over from a corner. The ball kept coming back and a late free kick was won after Ogbene’s silly foul but after an Oxford player gave his best seal impersonation, heading it onto himself twice, the ball was cleared and fell to Vaulks who smashed over. That was the final act as the referee’s whistle went after Cooper played the ball back into play. It was sheer relief for the Blades player and coaching staff, that they finally were able to end a match with smiles on their faces.
United – It is a win and at this stage, it matter little how we get it. We could not afford to lose again for the confidence of the players and fans. I genuinely think it would have been hard to raise the players if we had been defeated again. I am not saying we will climb the league but you can at least see some confidence come back and we can maybe relax a bit and in turn play better. I have to say, the game today was a real game of two halves. First half we were pathetic and as bad as anything we have seen this season. The defence played ok in terms of blocks and heading/kicking it away but we were penned back for long periods. Our passing was atrocious with so many bad first touches or misplaced balls. We never kept it and never got up the field. Campbell was not moving and Hamer and O’Hare just ineffective and muscled out of it. We offered absolutely nothing until that late Campbell chance – which ironically was the best of the half. Oxford did not create tons but had a few decent chances and played all the decent football. They controlled the game and were winning first and second balls. We could not really get our foot in and were played around too easily. I felt a goal was coming but it never materialised. Mee really helped us to just defend with more composure but the midfield pair of Soumare and Peck were dreadful – just tossing the ball away time after time. It was hard to see what the plan was to get up the field and we looked really sorry side that looked no idea how they might fashion a chance, let alone score a goal.
As I say, Oxford did not create lots but Cooper made a few (expected) saves and a number of balls whizzed around our box and did not quite fall for them. They had a lot of decent passages of play and Oxford were playing forward passes and trying to force us back and succeeded. I was happy to go in level but worried how we might get even a foothold in the game – was it changes needed in formation or personnel but the alternatives in reserve did not fill me with much hope. I was surprised we seemed to play a flat back four essentially with Tanganga at right back. I thought it would be 5 with the selection. With Chong getting injured – who is even more attacking than Soumare really – it would be an even better chance to look at that formation but maybe they could not change it if they had planned the 4 in the week? I just thought it saw the same issues as before with full backs exposed and the midfield not given enough bodies and lots of lightweight players at the top of the field.
To be fair to United, the second half was far better and we came out with a more determined approach. We forced them back, had some efforts (Soumare/Peck) albeit tame and we started to control the possession. Peck improved hugely and we saw at least Burrows and Ogbene get into some advanced positions. We won three corners and started to at least look threatening. They offered nothing at all but it helped our whole team played higher up the field and were able to by us keeping the ball better and dropping on loose balls/50-50’s. We improved hugely but it was not hard from the first half or what we had seen most of the season. I am not sure we saw much of so called key men Hamer and Campbell but the side as a whole were just on the front foot and able to look the aggressor.
The goal was well made and finished and to be fair had been coming. After this the game became a bit stop start and several subs for both sides. We sort of made it scrappy and whilst we did not find the same fluency and maybe stopped attacking. I kind of get it, as we had not got a point and wanted to ensure we were not cavalier and is not natural that we may drop back and defend deeper. We did not really look like conceding and the subs slowed things down and there was no real sustained pressure from them at all. I was surprised when I looked at the clock and it said 85 minutes. It was not until they hit the post – that they even had an effort. This was a bit of a let off and the one time we let the ball drop and did not attack it. After this they had a few more chances – headers wide and had the ridiculous penalty appeal but despite them chucking men up and long throws/balls into the box- we were able to see it out.
Wilder’s words in the build up to the game has been sterner according to the man himself and he made two changes with Chong and Mee in for Matos and Godrey and it appeared it could be a change of shape? However, the Blades plans were changed even before kick off as Chong picked up an injury in the warm up and Soumare had to come in. Zatterstrom was promoted to the bench. Oxford, fresh off an impressive win at Bristol City last week to take them away from the Blades at the foot of the table, started with United’s former academy striker Will Lankshear.
The game began and it was not the 3 at the back that many had predicted as Tanganga started at a more orthodox right back position. Soumare was busy early but his touch was awry on more than one occasion. Campbell was played in but took too long and was crowded out but the home side quickly settled down to look the more cohesive unit. Peck’s errant pass saw the ball drop to Helik who had stayed up after a corner but his shot was blocked by Tanganga. The defender then lost the ball himself and the ball remained in the United third. Oxford were moving the ball about much more confidently but the Blades were so slow both with and without the ball. O’Hare nearly played in Campbell but his pass was overhit as the abysmal passing continued. Mee and Cooper were the next with cheap giveaways leading to the U’s having a further spell with the ball.
The ball came in and McGuiness had to clear before Mee repeated this as the ball was not sticking up at the top of the pitch with O’Hare, Hamer and Campell bullied out of it and slow to react to anything coming their way. Hamer released Ogbene for a rare cross to come in but it was headed out for a corner which came to nothing. Hamer then volleyed a pass wildly into the sky, and out of play drawing cheers from the home side.
Oxford played two dangerous balls into the box the was kept out and then Spencer headed wide. The neat build up saw them get down both the left- and right-hand sides, with a clever backheel setting the home side free and Burrows had to make a sliding tackle. The Blades could not get out and were getting nothing in terms of control. Soumare and Peck were tossing away possession so cheaply with bad touches and passes.
The home side had another shot blocked as Mee continued to be United’s best performer in a game which saw little positive to take of note. Despite United’s struggles, they created the best chance of the game when the ball was not cleared and Hamer threaded a lovely ball through the defenders’ legs to give Campbell a great opportunity. With the goal at his mercy, he blazed wide and the time since United’s last goal now approached an incredible 10 hours!
Oxford would have been harshly behind as they had controlled the game and ended the half as they had been, most of the game, well on top. They created their best chance as the ball bounced across the box and De Keersmaecker had his shot saved from Cooper and the ball was somehow scrambled clear. Plachetea then shot over. As the game entered the final minute of stoppage time, Branagan had a low shot that Cooper had to push away. The half ended with United at 0-0, despite them having the best chance, but had been another largely awful performance where they had been outmuscled, outfought, and out footballed by a much more cohesive side.
The second half saw United come out with a more determined approach and at least had a spell with the ball. Soumare hit a shot over the bar and then O’Hare carried the ball forward, feeding Campbell but his finish lacked conviction and bobbled across goal via a deflection off a defender. United then won three corners in succession and clearly were looking far more determined and on the front foot than they had since probably the opening day.
Burrows put a cross over and Peck headed down but straight at Cumming but at least the Blades finally fashioned something on goal. United continued to dominate, in a turnaround from the first half, and Peck was at the heart of some of the improved play. Hamer received a short corner and came inside but took too many touches and too long and failed to get a shot over.
United’s much improved effort was punctuated with a goal – Ogbene was the architect as he made the running down the right but he looked to have overrun it but somehow kept it in and sent over a cross. O’HARE took an excellent first touch to set himself up and his finish was precise, hard, and low into the far corner across Cumming. The Blades players celebrated in front of their jubilant away supporters, who had probably forgot what it was like to see a goal from their side!
United players were telling each other to calm down as Oxford made changes. Mills and Dembele, the scourge of United at this ground last year, came on – for Placeta and Prelec. Mee’s impressively calm performance was summed up by a superb slide tackle, where he won the ball and came away with it on the left-hand side. Soumare was replaced by Matos before Campell was lucky not to get a yellow card as he cynically pulled his man back. Burrows was not so fortunate, as he chopped Mills down, who went past him down the right-hand side. Cooper pushed the free kick away but then caught the cross that came back in from the other side.
There was a double change for both sides, as Vaulks and Harris replaced Krastev and Lankshear for the home side. Cannon and McCallum replaced Campbell and Burrows for the visitors. The game ticked into the final 10 minutes and United had not really been threatened since the break. Vaulks was booked for protesting following a foul on O’Hare before Hamer had to be taken off – following a bout of cramp. Seriki came on. Leigh also came on for Currie for the U’s.
McCallum headed behind the deep cross as Oxford won a corner and suddenly they almost levelled out of nowhere. The ball dropped into the box and Leigh turned and swivelled and his shot hit the foot of the post. It was a let off for United. However, soon after Branagan’s attempts to con the referee into giving a penalty kick was pathetic in contrast. Referee, Speedie, waved off the appeal and really should have booked the attacking player.
There was to be 6 minutes of stoppage time and with Vaulks long throw, the Blades were suddenly under some sustained pressure and another chance came when Mills again got away, beating McCallum this time. His cross was inviting for Long but headed a few yards wide as the Blades sat very deep. Leigh then header over from a corner. The ball kept coming back and a late free kick was won after Ogbene’s silly foul but after an Oxford player gave his best seal impersonation, heading it onto himself twice, the ball was cleared and fell to Vaulks who smashed over. That was the final act as the referee’s whistle went after Cooper played the ball back into play. It was sheer relief for the Blades player and coaching staff, that they finally were able to end a match with smiles on their faces.
United – It is a win and at this stage, it matter little how we get it. We could not afford to lose again for the confidence of the players and fans. I genuinely think it would have been hard to raise the players if we had been defeated again. I am not saying we will climb the league but you can at least see some confidence come back and we can maybe relax a bit and in turn play better. I have to say, the game today was a real game of two halves. First half we were pathetic and as bad as anything we have seen this season. The defence played ok in terms of blocks and heading/kicking it away but we were penned back for long periods. Our passing was atrocious with so many bad first touches or misplaced balls. We never kept it and never got up the field. Campbell was not moving and Hamer and O’Hare just ineffective and muscled out of it. We offered absolutely nothing until that late Campbell chance – which ironically was the best of the half. Oxford did not create tons but had a few decent chances and played all the decent football. They controlled the game and were winning first and second balls. We could not really get our foot in and were played around too easily. I felt a goal was coming but it never materialised. Mee really helped us to just defend with more composure but the midfield pair of Soumare and Peck were dreadful – just tossing the ball away time after time. It was hard to see what the plan was to get up the field and we looked really sorry side that looked no idea how they might fashion a chance, let alone score a goal.
As I say, Oxford did not create lots but Cooper made a few (expected) saves and a number of balls whizzed around our box and did not quite fall for them. They had a lot of decent passages of play and Oxford were playing forward passes and trying to force us back and succeeded. I was happy to go in level but worried how we might get even a foothold in the game – was it changes needed in formation or personnel but the alternatives in reserve did not fill me with much hope. I was surprised we seemed to play a flat back four essentially with Tanganga at right back. I thought it would be 5 with the selection. With Chong getting injured – who is even more attacking than Soumare really – it would be an even better chance to look at that formation but maybe they could not change it if they had planned the 4 in the week? I just thought it saw the same issues as before with full backs exposed and the midfield not given enough bodies and lots of lightweight players at the top of the field.
To be fair to United, the second half was far better and we came out with a more determined approach. We forced them back, had some efforts (Soumare/Peck) albeit tame and we started to control the possession. Peck improved hugely and we saw at least Burrows and Ogbene get into some advanced positions. We won three corners and started to at least look threatening. They offered nothing at all but it helped our whole team played higher up the field and were able to by us keeping the ball better and dropping on loose balls/50-50’s. We improved hugely but it was not hard from the first half or what we had seen most of the season. I am not sure we saw much of so called key men Hamer and Campbell but the side as a whole were just on the front foot and able to look the aggressor.
The goal was well made and finished and to be fair had been coming. After this the game became a bit stop start and several subs for both sides. We sort of made it scrappy and whilst we did not find the same fluency and maybe stopped attacking. I kind of get it, as we had not got a point and wanted to ensure we were not cavalier and is not natural that we may drop back and defend deeper. We did not really look like conceding and the subs slowed things down and there was no real sustained pressure from them at all. I was surprised when I looked at the clock and it said 85 minutes. It was not until they hit the post – that they even had an effort. This was a bit of a let off and the one time we let the ball drop and did not attack it. After this they had a few more chances – headers wide and had the ridiculous penalty appeal but despite them chucking men up and long throws/balls into the box- we were able to see it out.
