Port Vale 0 United 3 - report

[Deadbat]

Sorry for report being uploaded late…..got back late last night and had partaken in a few cold drinks….so not sure how accurate the report is or the ratings are!

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United’s charge to the League One Championship trophy continued with yet another victory; this time at lowly Port Vale who were soundly beaten by Chris Wilder’s Blades machine. Despite making changes from the side that sealed promotion a week earlier, United got an early goal from Jay O’Shea and then doubled the lead thanks to a superb Leon Clarke strike. After this the away side barely needed to get out of second gear and it was comfortable against a really poor Vale side. A late Matt Done goal put the icing on the cake as United celebrated in front of 4,500 fans who were in party mood all afternoon.


Wilder made changes from the side that started at Sixfields with skipper Sharp back in the team. Also starting were Ethan Ebanks Landell and more surprisingly Matty Done. Done and Basham started as wing backs as United rested Freeman and Lafferty from these areas. Hanson missed out with a slight calf problem as Leon Clarke carried on up top. Vale had a trio of former Blades in the dug out with messrs Brown, Kelly and Morgan patrolling the touchline.


United kicked away from the visiting supporters but were off to a flyer. They won an early corner after neat work down the right. Coutts corner was half cleared but Basham got on the ball and played in O’SHEA with a nice ball. The former Chesterfield man hit a driven shot that keeper Mehmet got a hand to but could not keep out. It was a dream start although some Blades fans missed it as they were still coming into the ground!


After the goal United kept the ball well with Coutts and Fleck as they have all season pinging the ball about. Vale did break and had a long range effort from Kiko that was well over the bar but it was United who were in control and Sharp flicked a header goalward before Hooper did likewise at the other end.


Soon after this it was 2-0. More good work from Basham down the right saw him bustle his way though and eventually send a cross over. It fell towards CLARKE and he hit an absolute screamer leathering it into the top corner. Keeper Mehmet barely moved as the Blades fans celebrated again!


United continued to dominate and Fleck shot wide after good work from Sharp before more good football saw Done, Basham and then O’Shea involved before Vale had to concede a corner. It had been relatively comfortable as the half time whistle came.


The second half you wagered Vale may come and have a go. They had nothing to lose and needed points as scores from the other games may have furthered this desperation. Moore made a good save from a Foley effort who poked goalward. The keeper had to get down low to tip behind. Half-hearted appeals for a penalty for handball on Done followed and then Taylor flashed one over. Vale were at least making a fist of it.


Freeman was being serenaded to chants describing him as the ‘White Cafu’ and was soon coming onto the field replacing goal scorer O’Shea. Basham seemingly moved into a more central area of the field as Wilder shuffled things around.


Clarke was in on goal as he beat the offside trap and suddenly bearing down on goal but his finish was poor and too close to Mehmet who saved. United dithered for once at the other end but Smith’s shot was too close to Moore. United then started to get control again and Coutts took over play on a number of occasions. Freeman also started to cause problems with his running down the right.


Sharp had worked hard but got a rest when Chapman came on to play up front with Clarke. He nearly got in but the offside flag denied him. Clarke then had one shot saved after cutting in before blasting over. Vale sensed the game was up and it was the away side now doing more of the attacking as we moved towards the 90 minute mark.


Right at the end Marc McNulty got a rare outing as he came on for Clarke as the game entered stoppage time but there was the chance for a final flourish. Coutts sprayed a lovely ball out to Freeman who skipped down the right past his man and pulled the ball back. DONE met it and firmly despatched it low into the corner in front of the jubilant following packed behind the goal. Fortunately, only one lone fan made it on the field (number of police in front of us) and the players could celebrate this goal in front of the fans. Stoppage time passed without incident other than us just playing more keep ball against a despondent Vale side.


The fans and team celebrated together on full time at the end as chants of ‘Champions, Champions!’ rang out in anticipation of events to come. The players applauded the massed ranks and as they left the field Sharp and Wilder danced together to the ‘Billy Sharp’ song. They won’t be earning any invites to Strictly Come Dancing but the United fans enjoyed it!


United – It was a cakewalk. We scored really early to settle us down and then just knocked it about. It was like a practice game at times. We got the second and Vale looked a side that was 2 divisions below us (which will probably be the case). If ever there was a game where we looked too good for the division, this was it. That sounds arrogant but it is not. We played about 50-60% of what we are capable of and still won easily. There were a few sloppy moments and we did not start the second half that well but recovered and by the end we could have had 4 or 5.

We made sure we were professional and did what we had to in terms of restricting them to few chances. When we got it we played it around them and just moved the ball. We did not always penetrate the defence but at 2-0 it was more about keeping the ball and not doing anything daft.


We played some decent football and Coutts stood out as the best player on the field. Both Basham and Done did well in roles that are not their best positions (ironic that Wilder said they would not play there for United but both did today!). Done has had a lot of stick at times but did well at Vale and nice to see him get a goal too.


Second half they did have a spell but other than one decent Moore save, they hardly pushed us back and we broke out and got complete control again. We should have had more goals and only poor final ball and some poor finishing stopped this. Good we got the late goal in front of the big following.


The only thing to stop United getting 100 points and winning every game is…United. We just need to keep going and keep powering on. I actually cannot see us doing anything but winning at the moment. The belief and confidence in the side is sky high. Bradford will be tough and depending on the Bolton score will maybe still have a chance of automatic but need a win to pretty much seal the playoffs. They are an odd side as they have some decent players but quite a few ordinary ones too. They will have a big away following but they have a really poor record at the Lane and it is a long time since they won here – I am thinking back to the 80’s and the game when Wally Downes got sent off after a few minutes! Have they won any since that? Be nice if we could seal the title if we have not already, in front of our own fans at the Lane! Odd that there are still 3 games left as it feels so relaxed at the moment. A great feeling for supporters and the team.

 

[Deadbat]

Port Vale – Abysmal. We have beat them 3-0 and 4-0 now (could have been 8 – remember the 4 disallowed goals) which is as dominating as it could be really. They conceded early and never recovered. We dominated the first half in terms of possession and even though they had a few spells of play they never looked like scoring. After the second went in they sort of gave up. I think if United had wanted more they could have scored more and really put the game to bed. After the break, they did have a decent passage and a few half chances but nothing that clear cut and Moore only had a couple of standard saves to make with the one down low early on his best one as it was a reaction stop low down. After this 15 minutes where they did not score, United got back control and they did not believe they were going to get back in it and if anyone was going to score more goals, it was us and so it proved.


They looked a side that feels it is going down and the body language was quite poor. I heard Brown say that they kept fighting and scrapping but I barely saw them put a tackle in all game. They did not lay a glove on us and it was easy. They will play poorer teams than us but I expected a Brown/Morgan side to get into it and maybe do the dirty stuff trying to break things up but it never happened. They were totally powder puff in all areas of the field. A scan down of the side/squad shows a real paucity of quality and they don’t really have any strikers who will score lots of goals.


I was surprised they plumped for Brown as manager although maybe it was a cost cutting move and but nothing to suggest it is permanent. I believe it was more till the end of the season and also this is the same situation with Morgan helping him out. With David Kelly there; the Blades connection is very strong. 3 good football people but with the lack of resources and limited budget, it will always be a struggle and they have taken off the mess Ribeiro left them in. He had signed a number of Portuguese and Dutch players but most seem to have long gone. It was a huge gamble last summer and one that has not worked. I remember tipping them to down at the start of the season and think they will go. They do not seem to have any fight let alone much quality.


Opponent man of the match : Not many stood out. They looked a side that feels it is going down and the body language was quite poor. The lad Nathan Smith kept going and looked knackered by the end. He was one of the few who really seemed desperate to win the ball or make tackles. Best of a bad bunch. The lad Bikey who used to play for Burnley and Reading seemed injured all game and looked very slow but actually was one of their better players and held off Sharp quite a few times.


Opponent Weak link : They had a few who were poor. I thought even experienced performers like Pugh (former Leeds) and Taylor (used to play for Newcastle and Wigan) were not in the game and showed how good our midfield is in comparison. However, the two that stood out as particularly bad was the centre forward Hooper who was woeful and could barely even control it and the left back Kiko who made numerous errors and we attacked at will down this side. Take your pick from those two.


SUFC Player Ratings –


Moore 7.5/10 – Easy game for Moore but give him an extra 0.5 for a great save down low just after half time. He made a few other standard saves but these were tame efforts really. Took most crosses that came in and looked a commanding keeper today. When you look at the nervy lad in goal for Vale you realise Moore is definitely one of the better ones at this level.


Basham 7.5/10 – Played at right wing back and like in the other positions he has played, he did a good job. Got up and down to support and at times he seemed to be everywhere regardless of where he was meant to be playing! Got two assists on goals also. Got foot in and also surged forward and caused the lad Kike all sorts of problems as him and O’Shea combined well down that side. Also, did a few fouls to stop them in their tracks which although you should not applaud, these were ‘good’ fouls. Ended up more centrally after Freeman came on for O’Shea and did a nice job of stiffening things up as they had been more dangerous in the 10 minutes after half time and some of attacks came down that side.


Done 7/10 – He has struggled in this role but today he did well defensively and cannot recall too many times he made errors or let his man get away. He did what he had too and made a few interceptions/clearances. He made sure also that he got forward and showed some great energy; especially second half when he seemed to be in their half more than ours! Miscontrolled one chance when he got in a great position and was played in second half but kept trying to get forward and got his rewards at the death when he got in and converted Freeman’s pull back. Took it well as had a lot of time and made sure he kept it down and hit it firmly. Did get booked for a block off which seemed a bit harsh.


O’Connell 7.5/10 – Another consistent and committed where he headed and kicked everything that came his way. Also, made a few good tackles and blocks. He was not put under too much pressure though and it was a fairly easy game with few problems caused by their attack. Been a rock in the run in. Oh and he’s magic and wears a magic hat. Apparently! Credit to the lad in the away end who made his own magic hat – he really should have got this shirt maybe!


Wright 7.5/10 – As above. He did not seem to have to do much today but what he did, he did well. He was just nice and composed and ensured he picked up any of the loose pieces. You do not notice him much but then he will suddenly just cover a knock down or make an interception and then just lay it off. Will look forward to playing his hometown club on Monday and try and keep his record of not losing going.


Ebanks Landell 6.5/10 – He was ok but I thought he was the poorest defender (not that he was bad) and made a few errors with headers or clearances skewing off early on. He did improve though as the game went on and by the end was imposing himself more. Been difficult for him as he has been in and out of this side recently. Outside of us and maybe Bolton would walk into any other League One side. That shows our strength that he has not been a regular in the last few months. We do have to remember what a great job he did earlier in the season and the contributions he has made.


Fleck 7/10 – Not quite at level he has been but still better than their midfielders! He flitted in and out of this one and after the break I felt had a spell where he gave it away a few times but overall his passing was good again. Always tries to get on the ball. Showed a few neat flicks and touches in general play and linked well with Coutts. He took a few fouls but also gave a few kicks himself. Do like the fact he gets his foot in and will mix it up besides being a very good technical player. Put a few good threaded balls through.


Coutts 8/10 – Excellent today. Maybe Fleck has overshadowed him a bit (not that it is like that as we are a true team in every sense) recently even though Coutts has been good too. However, today Coutts really stood out. He actually really got stuck in and was chasing all over and made some really good defensive interceptions. Showed some strength in physical challenges also. On the ball he was assured, calm and just looked a class above. He ran with it more today and most of our good play came through him.


O’Shea 6/10 – Like in other games he has played; he scored but did not do that much else! That is maybe a bit harsh but he does not get on the ball enough for me. He was playing just behind Sharp and Clarke but spent more time down the flank seemingly! He did link well a few times down the right and obviously shows he does have an eye for goal. It was a decent enough driven shot but the keeper should have done better really. Came off after 55 minutes for Freeman which was not a surprise as we had started the half sloppily.


Sharp 6/10 – Once again showed he looks a bit tired/leggy. Clarke was more dangerous and got into better positions. He did keep the ball well first half when played into him but never got into the box to look like getting efforts in on goal. It was more of a performance for the team. He has not even looked like scoring in recent weeks and not sure he will score again this season on current form but things can change I know that. He did work hard and chase a few lost causes and linked a few times. Came off on 70 minutes. Hopefully he will be fresh enough to have another go at getting a goal or two in the next few games. Still clearly enjoying it all as you could see at the end!


Clarke 7/10 – He has come on strong to end the season. Today a lot of the decent attacks seemed to involve him. He caused problems with his strength and hold up. Showed he is a decent footballer in terms of holding ball and bringing people into play. Scored a cracking second goal which was barely a half chance but absolutely creamed it into the top corner. Missed a few chances second half with one run where he got one on one in a scenario similar to last week but shot at the keeper this time with a poor finish. He then had another effort that was saved. Continued to get into good areas but can be a bit greedy at times and a few times a pass and we may have scored. Has looked surprisingly full of running since he came back into the side and been a real nice lift to help us get over the line.


Subs


Freeman 7.5/10 – Given a rest but he came on before the hour and showed his class. Had a few mazy runs down the right and against a tiring defence he caused some problems. He had got into the box or near the byline a few times before the one he assisted on for the final goal. Not a bad lad to bring off the bench.


Chapman – Nice to see him get a run out. Tried to get on the end of flicks and a few through balls and put ball in net twice but was offside long before on both occasions. I cannot recall him doing too much but I suppose he has been out for so long, it will take time.


McNulty - Brought on for a rare appearance. For all his critics for his play for United (and maybe some of overplayed antics off the pitch) he seems to have been a real pro/member of the squad in recent months saying all the right stuff on twitter etc. I think it showed today how Wilder wanted to get him on and make sure everyone is part of things.


Manager – Wilder 8/10 – Another win; another solid performance and another party atmosphere. Perfect away day really. He changed the side and rested a few but the changes in terms of players and where they played work when it could have been a risk. The early goal really helped us but huge credit to Wilder for having them prepared despite a week of ahem…excesses. We were at it and professional and made sure there was no let up. The performance showed how driven Wilder and this group are. I think he really wants the 100 points (to go 1 point better than last season with Northampton) and we now are only 3 wins away. I would not best against him and us doing it now! He was able to rest Hanson, Freeman (for a spell), Lafferty and Duffy. I expect all 4 to come back in against Bradford on Monday.


Ref – Nick Kinseley. Easy game to referee. Booked Done for a bit of a block but that seemed a bit harsh. I cannot recall many other moments of controversy or thinking he had many any really poor decisions. A couple maybe could have gone either way (in terms of foul or no foul) for both teams but that is really picky. He won’t have many easier games to referee but he did let it flow. In recent weeks we have had some really good referees (seems like that we are winning I suppose!) and after some shockers earlier in the season it is worth noting!

 

[Deadbat]

Crowd/Day Out – Another huge following and as vocal as they have been all season. There were lots of singing all day and such positivity inside the ground. Real range of chants such as the ‘Down the right, down the right Kieron Freeman Down the right, down the right I say, down the right, down the right, Kieron Freeman is the White Cafu!’ to the tune of Sing Hosanna. Freeman loved it. He kept laughing as he warmed up. ‘Coutts there it is!’ and ‘Samir Carruthers, He’ll p**s where he wants, that boy Carruthers he’ll p**s where he wants.’ Carruthers also was giggling as this as he warmed up.


The most sung song was the O’Connell hat song. ‘ Jack O’Connell’s magic, he wears a magic hat! And if you throw a brick at him, he’ll head the fucker back, he’ll head it to the left, he’ll head it to the right, And when we get promoted we’ll sing this song all night’ This song boomed around the concourse for ages pre and post game and continued in the game. We also had a loud rendition of ‘We’re on the march with Wilder’s Army!’ for a lot of half time. It was a real party atmosphere. We also had ‘We’re going up as f****g champions!’ which was simple and to the point! Champions rang around. Odd that they were selling Champions flags and scarves outside the ground, especially as the flags just said ‘Sheffield. Champions.’ No mention of United. Very cheap and poorly made but people were buying them!


Glad no one went on the pitch (well one lone idiot did) when we scored or on full time and we could properly salute the side who in turn saluted us.


It seemed good natured to a degree inside the concourse/ground although why people would buy beer and then throw it around – especially when they sold out at half time; yes, the Blades fans literally drank the ground dry!


The tannoy announcement telling us we had seats and should sit in them was met with derision and howls of laugher as it was clearly not happening! There were a number in the boxes to the side and saw a few also in the Vale stand to the right. Each goal was met with great celebrations as was full time.


The ground itself is odd. Been a few years since I have been and they have still not finished the stand to the right – seems to have been nearly finished for 10 years! They have a whole section where it is just concrete and they do not have seats on it. Odd. Suppose they don’t fill it bit how much would it cost to bolt some seats on and makes it look really sub-standard. The ground was as full as it has been all season (9,000 – well 8,999 with half from Sheffield) but still seemed big gaps all over – it does hold 19,000 according to ground guides but I would be surprised if they could get that many in? The end behind the goal was empty almost with most of their ‘hard core’ assembling in the side stand to the left of us with many trying to get as close to us as possible. I was on the other side so could not see much of what was happening and it seemed pathetic as some of their lot tried to storm through a gate. It seemed a few of their lot came intent on having a scrap as they often do down there as they undoubtedly have a certain smattering of knob head fans…like we do of course. Not quite sure that those Vale fans would have done if they had through to be met by 4,000+ Blades fans! I heard reports of a flare/smoke bomb being thrown into their stand but also one coming back the other way too but not sure how true this is?


After the game we were further transported back to the 1980’s as the Staffordshire police as they have done before here and at Stoke; decided to pen us in a car park. I felt the United fans were really restrained considering. There was no announcement other than some garbled message in the ground telling us to go to our coaches (most had not come in coaches and those on the train/driving) had to also wait in this coach area. The idea I suppose was to let many of the Vale lot move away from the ground but surely any fans wanting to engage in handbags would just do it later? It all seemed a bit odd. We then had the scenario of 20 or 30 chavs over the hill goading the United fans safe in the knowledge the police were there. Why they did not just move them on or police them I am not sure – seemed easier than policing 4,000 Blades. Eventually we were let out. Saw a bit of trouble in town down some side streets but I think most Vale fans had long gone so I suppose in that sense Police will say it worked – think I saw reports of 3 arrests but the article in the Daily Express makes out it was huge crowd trouble when it clearly wasn’t.


The rest of the day was good. Met my mate at Derby station (he came from Nottingham) and we joined the train to Stoke which was full of Blades and also Notts County fans on the way to Crewe. They seemed well oiled even at 10am! We got to Stoke and decided to walk into Hanley and went via the very pretty Hanley Park and past the Emma Bridgwater factory before having a breakfast and our first pint at the Reginald Mitchell Wetherspoons. After this we walked past the Stanley Matthews statue and opted to walk to Burslem (I know it is a fair way and we could have jumped in a cab or got a taxi but decided to do pubs on the way and use exercise as way to justify our drinking!)


We went past another park (Central Forest Park) and then actually waited outside a pub at 11.58am (the Bullhead) until it opened with a fellow drunk. Must have looked right losers. Had a quick pint in here. We noticed every single pub has a darts board in. No wonder they produce such good darts players! Pictures of Phil Taylor adorned quite a few walls of pubs also.


After this we walked up towards a place called Sneyd and drank at a chain pub called the Sneyd Arms. We then moved towards Burslem and found a pub called the Forresters which was not too full but saw the first Vale fans of the day. Had 2 pints in here that were very cheap. We then walked the last 10-15 minutes to the ground. I think I may have walked to Vale from Stoke station before and it seemed a really long way (4 miles) but today it seemed short but all the drinking stop offs helped.


After the game we walked past the pub Robbie Williams grew up (Red Lion – big St Georges cross emblazoned across the front) in but is now shut. We saw a few pubs in town said home only but we settled on the lovely Johnny’s micro pub and fittingly had 2 pints of Sharp’s Ale. After this we got a few cans from an off licence and walked to the closer Longport station. Again, we were met on the train by a rowdy bunch of Notts Country fans a friendly sing off ensued. One County fan seemed very angry and desperate for a fight but most United fans were too happy to care about him! We got too Derby and ended up in a blokes 60th birthday party in a pub near the station. We then had another at a pub nearby before moving off for our trains back home. Got home around 10pm ish a little worse for wear but it had been a grand day out. Gromit.


Be back for more at MK next week. That report will not be on till Sunday either as staying over for the weekend!

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

United’s charge to the League One Championship trophy continued with yet another victory ... [We] barely needed to get out of second gear and it was comfortable ... United celebrated in front of ... fans who were in party mood. ... A great feeling for supporters and the team.

Story of the season in fewer than 50 words ? That'll do it for me.

Thank you, Deadbat

 

[grafikhaus]

According to this PV plank, there was 'huge trouble' and Vale 'stormed the United end'. Yeah. Right.



Look out for the Uncle Fester Appreciation Society at the end.

 

[Hilly]

Have you ever had a girlfriend Deadbat?

 

[Deadbat]

Had a few. Most left me when I debriefed their performances!!!

Now happily married. Yes incredible I know

 

[Deadbat]

Just seen the replay of the third. The cross was played perfectly to Mcnulty but he completely miskicked it! It fell straight to Done. His finish was excellent and not as easy as it seemed at the time.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Cheers Deadbat !
Enjoyed reading about your pub crawl, almost as much as the game.
How many pints?

 

[Deadbat]

Cheers Deadbat !
Enjoyed reading about your pub crawl, almost as much as the game.
How many pints?

Lost count...doube figures. Not big or clever. MK will top it I am sure

 

[pesch the mini genius]

Cheers deadbat, always thoroughly enjoy reading your reports whether been to the game myself or not !
Can't believe as you said the other day you have been doing these for was it 19 !? Years , I remember reading them in library at hallam uni back in 99/00 !

 

[penthouseblade]

Had a few. Most left me when I debriefed their performances!!!

Now happily married. Yes incredible I know

Debriefed......chortle chortle!! Great choice of word, although we've come to expect that from you! Thank you for all the reports, they really do make super reading, hats off to you mate!