Ollessendro
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Kevin Blackwell’s Sheffield United team booked themselves a place in the 4th round of the FA cup with a spirited victory over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in a 5 goal thriller. On a bitterly cold night in West London the 500/600 travelling supporters were somewhat warmed up by a passionate Blades performance. United will now travel to the Reebok stadium to take on premiership outfit Bolton Wanderers.
Blackwell opted for an attacking 4-4-2 formation with Seip, Williamson and Harper replacing Kilgallon, Ward and Camara from the first tie at Bramall Lane. This was my first pleasant surprise of the night, as Blackwell usually goes with the 4-5-1 formation away from home. He immediately signalled his intent that we wanted to come out win the game in 90 minutes.
QPR started much the brighter team and could have been ahead in the 1st minute. The Blades failed to deal with a long throw and the ball bounced o the unmarked Leigetwood, who could only shoot wide from 10 yards. The former Blade, who scored in the league tie at Loftus road less than a month ago, would be disappointed he didn’t hit the target. Within the first 5 minutes QPR had another decent chance and Bunn was forced to pull of ma good save to deny Ageymang. There was confusion in the Blades defence and Geary was easily beaten by Ageymang who fired a fierce shot with his left foot from inside the area. Bunn dived low to his left to make the save and the ball bounced back out into the area. With Simpson seeming certain to score captain Chris Morgan made a brilliant sliding tackle to deny the QPR midfielder.
The QPR pressure did not let up and they almost had the ball in the back of the net of a Sheffield United player. Attacking down the left hand side Buzasky beat Geary and put the ball was put into the area which caused confusion amongst the United defenders. The ball whizzed across the face of goal and hit Taylor. With Bunn stranded the ball was heading goal wards, but Taylor recovered and hacked it clear.
Routledge easily beat Taylor only to fluff his delivery. Then Simpson could have done better with a header after a good QPR move. It took heroic defending from both Morgan and Seip to deny QPR a goal after 15 minutes of the game had passed. Ageymang seemed through on goal and was about to pull the trigger before Morgan put in another fantastic tackle to deny the lively Simpson. Literally seconds later Simpson had another opportunity but Seip put in a brilliant last ditch challenge.
With barely 20 minutes on the clock United were having a torrid time. QPR could easily have been 3 goals up and we’d barely been out of our half. The 500 or so travelling Blades fans were shell shocked and hardly made any noise at all. Suddenly and completely against the run of play United took the lead through WILLIAMSON. Evans did very well to hold the ball up and linked with Monty who set Creswell free dowh the left hand side. The striker turned inside with onto his right foot and found his shot blocked. It fell kindly to Montgommery who showed composure and put in a superb left footed cross to the back post. The ball bounced and Williamson had time to control on his chest and drill a right footed shot past the helpless Cerney.
All of a sudden the United fans were in full voice and this rallied the Blades forward. United had a big shout for a penalty on 20 mins when Ched Evans was bundled over. Montgommery sent Quinn racing away down the left wing and the Irish man sent in a teasing cross. It seemed like Williamson would get the ball at the near post but it deluded him and fell to the better placed Evans. The young Welshman controlled the ball and from 6 yards out seemed certain to score. He was then crudely challenged from behind, but the referee waved play on. I think that Williamson left the ball to the better placed Evans because he heard a shout. Now it was difficult to see from where we were sat (the other end of the pitch) but it seemed to me like a stonewall penalty. Evans was sure to score and was flattened from behind by Buzasky. However, despite the referee putting the whistle to his lips and clearly thinking about giving the penalty, he didn’t.
Simpson then had another opportunity for QPR, only to shoot wide, around the half an hour mark after confusion between Morgan and Geary. Geary was then easily muscled off the ball and only a good interception from Seip saved the Blades. I have to say that Geary looked way off the pace at this stage, as did Taylor. Routledge and Buzasky were causing problems and the lively Simpson was dangerous. However the whole of the QPR attack showed a lack of composure and failed to take their chances.
Towards the end of the first half United really came into the game and started to dominate. Taylor put in teasing cross and Williamson had a goal bound shot blocked by Ramage. Evans found himself through on goal, from a Harper pass, but the striker opted for power rather than accuracy and the ball crashed off the top of the bar. I thought the linesman had flagged offside, but I asked some other fans at half time and they said he was onside. Evans had lots of time and space and really should have buried it.
QPR came very close to scoring when Gorks rose above Taylor to loop a header over Bunn. The ball seemed certain to go in but Geary threw himself at the ball and cleared it off the line. Then Williamson had the ball in the net again, but only after fouling keeper Cerney. Playmaker Monty then went close with a rocket of a shot from 25 yards out that whizzed over the cross bar.
United started the second half much as they did the first half and continued to dominate. On the counter attack another low Williamson shot seemed destined to find the net when Ramage made a block. QPR still looked like they could cause problems and the impressive Ramage left Taylor for dead only to put in a poor final ball (again). Creswell really should have done better with a header from a Harper corner, but he failed to hit the target.
Around the 60 minute mark the United fans were really in full voice and spurred United on. Seip, making his full debut for United, looked very impressive and was reading the game fantastically. Evans got goal side of Gorks and seemed through on goal. The QPR defender cynically ankle tapped the Welshman, just outside the area, and was lucky to stay on the pitch. To be fair there probably was defensive cover and hence it only warranted a yellow card.
Blackwell then made an inspired substitution by bringing on Jamie Ward for Williamson. With his first touch of the ball WARD drilled the ball home from the right hand side of the area. Quinn battled hard chasing a seemingly lost cause. He won the ball and sent Creswell away down the left hand side. Creswell then passed the ball to the advancing Quinn who seemed to have a great opportunity to shoot from the edge of the area. Cool as a cucumber Quinn drew 2 defenders and squared the ball to Ward. Ward fierce shot squirmed under Cerney, who’ll probably feel he should have done better. Within a minute United extended their lead when CRESSWELL found the back of the net. Ward found himself free on the right hand side and put in a brilliant cross. Creswell threw himself at the ball and it came off his outstretched right boot and flew into the back of the net, giving Cerney not chance. Cresswell and the team celebrated in front of the ecstatic United fans, with a few get over excited and being thrown out for jumping over the barriers.
Before United had finished celebrating QPR were thrown a lifeline. Geary was penalised for hand ball after Taarbart’s shot. This seemed a little harsh to me, but we were a long way away. Buzasky coolly dispatched the penalty and suddenly QPR were back in the game. Henderson had to clear from a Gorks header and then poor defending lead to QPR pulling another goal back through STEWART. United would be kicking themselves for switching off and it almost cost them. Taylor made an awful challenge which resulted in him getting booked and a free kick to QPR in a dangerous position. United failed to clear the danger and Stewart capitalised stabbing the ball past Bunn.
The referee signalled 5 minutes of injury time much to the will of the QPR fans. But as the fans were urging the home team forward it was United who should have finished the game. Walker, who’d replaced Geary, lead the counter attack. He advanced over the half way line and towards the area. With the QPR defence backing off he should have carried on his run but he opted to try and send Quinn through. It was a 3 on 3 situation with Evans and Quinn in support and Walker could have done better. His pass was cut out and United were under the cosh again. German, a QPR substitute, should have levelled when he turned and shot wide. Then as Uniteds nerves frayed the same player had another golden chance. There was confusion in the United penalty area and a poor clearance fell to German. His point blank shot was brilliantly kept out by Bunn. Seconds later the ref blew the full time whistle and the relieved United fans and players were allowed to celebrate.
United: Again it wasn’t a vintage performance, but I was impressed by our determination, effort and spirit. We looked a bit shaky at the back, but showed snippets of real quality going forward. Cresswell and Evans worked very hard up front and although they link together well, they linked well with the rest of the team. Seip made a very impressive debut and Harper and Monty played well in the centre of the park.
Our full backs looked very exposed and were the weak link last night. Geary got better as the game progressed, but Taylor was out of his depth. On paper the back 4, to me, looks weak. But in the end they did ok. Morgan and Seip were particularly impressive. However QPR could have had more than 2 goals.
We started really slowly! If we’d been 2 or 3 down after 20 minutes we couldn’t have complained. After the goal we settled a bit, but QPR still had chances. Towards the end of the first half we dominated and this carried on throughout the second half. Only when we went 3 up (after 70 mins) did we take our foot off the gas. I was disappointed that we gave away 2 sloppy goals and it almost costs us.
One thing that gets me is why we can’t always attack like this. Blackwell came out with the intent of winning the game and we did. Sure better opposition would have found us out, but playing 4-4-2 and to our strengths really works. Blackwell take note. I hope he gets us playing more attacking football away from home. There was a big difference here between the league game and the cup game. Blackwell was happy to draw the league game and the chance of 3 points went begging. For me, there is no excuse for not playing 4-4-2 away from home aginst some of the ‘poorer’ teams.
QPR: I’m not very impressed by them. Routledge is very lively, but lacks composure. Simpson was a nuisance but again lacks killer instinct. At times they looked half decent going forward, but they really opened up when we attacked them. On several occasions our quality really opened them up and left them exposed. They had no answer to Quinn, Ward and Williamson at different stages.
Bunn 7/10 – Steady game. His distribution was mixed, but I like the fact that he always looks for the short pass/throw. He made good judgements and 2 good saves. After stick earlier in the season I think he deserves some credit. He’s not shown us that he is fantastic, but he has contributed to our up surge in form. His confidence is up and he’s playing well. Well done Mark!
Geary 5.5/10 – thought he really struggled tonight. In the first half an hour he was all over the place. He grew in confidence as the game went on and also made a great clearance which has improved his mark.
Taylor 4.5 – Poor performance. He really struggled to get to grips with Routledge and looked exposed. Quinn worked hard to help him out by tracking back, but Taylor looked out of his depth. He is slow and his positioning is poor. This left back area is a problem and the sooner Naysmith is fit the better.
Morgan 6.5/10 – Thought he didn’t look as comfortable as he does playing along side Kilgallon. In the first half an hour he got caught out a few times. Still he put in a few very good tackles/blocks. He grew in stature as the game went on and put in a solid second half performance.
SEIP 7.5/10 – One word, ubiquitous. He was everywhere. Man of the match in my book. Great debut. He won headers, tackles and read the game very well. Finally we have good central defensive cover.
Monty 6.5/10 – Good solid performance. He made his usually blocks and breaking up the opposition attacks, but was creative too. Sure there were a few awful passes, but he set up a goal and had a shot just over the bar.
Harper 7/10 – Played well last night. Thought he was our best player in the first half although the faded in the second. He tracked back well and stuck his foot in a lot last night. Not only that but he is composed and always wants the ball. He doesn’t do anything fantastic, but rarely gives the ball away. I think he is improving. I watched him closely last night and he is very passionate. He is gobby and always talks to the players. He is an asset and should be on the pitch. I really like the fact that he came straight over to the fans after the final whistle to thank us. He obviously thought the support made a difference and wanted to show his thanks for supporters not only turning up, but being very noisy and getting behind the team.
Williamson 6/10 – struggled to get involved and should not be playing out wide right. However he looked classy with the ball at his feet. He took his goal very well and was unlucky not to score again, but for good defending. I’d like to see him and Harper as a midfield pairing.
Quinn 6.5/10 – Bit of a mixed bag tonight. He insists on these stupid flicks now and then and gave the ball away very cheaply in an attacking position which resulted in Seip getting booked. However he showed he has real class. He looked composed on the ball and set up Wards goal. Not only that but he worked really hard down the left hand side. His celebration for Wards goal was hilarious also!?
Cresswell 7/10 – Worked very hard and deserved his goal. I was pleased for him. You could see how happy he was when he celebrated in front of the United fans.
Evans 6.5/10 – thought he played well. His touch was very good and he is stronger than he looks. He won his fair share of headers and linked well with the rest of the team. There were flashes of why we paid what we did for him. However he needs a goal. He is clearly lacking in confidence. In the second half I saw his head go down on several occasions when things went against him. His miss was criminal though. It really was a sitter and he should have scored. He was unlucky not to score when Buzasky flattened him in the area also. I hope Blackwell sticks with him on Saturday. He is improving and could be a very good player. He just needs a goal and a bit of confidence.
Crowd/atmosphere. The attendance was piss poor and atmosphere flat as a pancake. However I was impressed by the United support. I was pleasantly surprised by how many united fans turned up and thought the support was very good. We were very quiet for the first 20 minutes when QPR bombarded us. However after the first goal the Blades fans found their voice. Credit to all the Blades who came down from Sheffield. I live in London and hence it was easy for me to make it.
Blackwell opted for an attacking 4-4-2 formation with Seip, Williamson and Harper replacing Kilgallon, Ward and Camara from the first tie at Bramall Lane. This was my first pleasant surprise of the night, as Blackwell usually goes with the 4-5-1 formation away from home. He immediately signalled his intent that we wanted to come out win the game in 90 minutes.
QPR started much the brighter team and could have been ahead in the 1st minute. The Blades failed to deal with a long throw and the ball bounced o the unmarked Leigetwood, who could only shoot wide from 10 yards. The former Blade, who scored in the league tie at Loftus road less than a month ago, would be disappointed he didn’t hit the target. Within the first 5 minutes QPR had another decent chance and Bunn was forced to pull of ma good save to deny Ageymang. There was confusion in the Blades defence and Geary was easily beaten by Ageymang who fired a fierce shot with his left foot from inside the area. Bunn dived low to his left to make the save and the ball bounced back out into the area. With Simpson seeming certain to score captain Chris Morgan made a brilliant sliding tackle to deny the QPR midfielder.
The QPR pressure did not let up and they almost had the ball in the back of the net of a Sheffield United player. Attacking down the left hand side Buzasky beat Geary and put the ball was put into the area which caused confusion amongst the United defenders. The ball whizzed across the face of goal and hit Taylor. With Bunn stranded the ball was heading goal wards, but Taylor recovered and hacked it clear.
Routledge easily beat Taylor only to fluff his delivery. Then Simpson could have done better with a header after a good QPR move. It took heroic defending from both Morgan and Seip to deny QPR a goal after 15 minutes of the game had passed. Ageymang seemed through on goal and was about to pull the trigger before Morgan put in another fantastic tackle to deny the lively Simpson. Literally seconds later Simpson had another opportunity but Seip put in a brilliant last ditch challenge.
With barely 20 minutes on the clock United were having a torrid time. QPR could easily have been 3 goals up and we’d barely been out of our half. The 500 or so travelling Blades fans were shell shocked and hardly made any noise at all. Suddenly and completely against the run of play United took the lead through WILLIAMSON. Evans did very well to hold the ball up and linked with Monty who set Creswell free dowh the left hand side. The striker turned inside with onto his right foot and found his shot blocked. It fell kindly to Montgommery who showed composure and put in a superb left footed cross to the back post. The ball bounced and Williamson had time to control on his chest and drill a right footed shot past the helpless Cerney.
All of a sudden the United fans were in full voice and this rallied the Blades forward. United had a big shout for a penalty on 20 mins when Ched Evans was bundled over. Montgommery sent Quinn racing away down the left wing and the Irish man sent in a teasing cross. It seemed like Williamson would get the ball at the near post but it deluded him and fell to the better placed Evans. The young Welshman controlled the ball and from 6 yards out seemed certain to score. He was then crudely challenged from behind, but the referee waved play on. I think that Williamson left the ball to the better placed Evans because he heard a shout. Now it was difficult to see from where we were sat (the other end of the pitch) but it seemed to me like a stonewall penalty. Evans was sure to score and was flattened from behind by Buzasky. However, despite the referee putting the whistle to his lips and clearly thinking about giving the penalty, he didn’t.
Simpson then had another opportunity for QPR, only to shoot wide, around the half an hour mark after confusion between Morgan and Geary. Geary was then easily muscled off the ball and only a good interception from Seip saved the Blades. I have to say that Geary looked way off the pace at this stage, as did Taylor. Routledge and Buzasky were causing problems and the lively Simpson was dangerous. However the whole of the QPR attack showed a lack of composure and failed to take their chances.
Towards the end of the first half United really came into the game and started to dominate. Taylor put in teasing cross and Williamson had a goal bound shot blocked by Ramage. Evans found himself through on goal, from a Harper pass, but the striker opted for power rather than accuracy and the ball crashed off the top of the bar. I thought the linesman had flagged offside, but I asked some other fans at half time and they said he was onside. Evans had lots of time and space and really should have buried it.
QPR came very close to scoring when Gorks rose above Taylor to loop a header over Bunn. The ball seemed certain to go in but Geary threw himself at the ball and cleared it off the line. Then Williamson had the ball in the net again, but only after fouling keeper Cerney. Playmaker Monty then went close with a rocket of a shot from 25 yards out that whizzed over the cross bar.
United started the second half much as they did the first half and continued to dominate. On the counter attack another low Williamson shot seemed destined to find the net when Ramage made a block. QPR still looked like they could cause problems and the impressive Ramage left Taylor for dead only to put in a poor final ball (again). Creswell really should have done better with a header from a Harper corner, but he failed to hit the target.
Around the 60 minute mark the United fans were really in full voice and spurred United on. Seip, making his full debut for United, looked very impressive and was reading the game fantastically. Evans got goal side of Gorks and seemed through on goal. The QPR defender cynically ankle tapped the Welshman, just outside the area, and was lucky to stay on the pitch. To be fair there probably was defensive cover and hence it only warranted a yellow card.
Blackwell then made an inspired substitution by bringing on Jamie Ward for Williamson. With his first touch of the ball WARD drilled the ball home from the right hand side of the area. Quinn battled hard chasing a seemingly lost cause. He won the ball and sent Creswell away down the left hand side. Creswell then passed the ball to the advancing Quinn who seemed to have a great opportunity to shoot from the edge of the area. Cool as a cucumber Quinn drew 2 defenders and squared the ball to Ward. Ward fierce shot squirmed under Cerney, who’ll probably feel he should have done better. Within a minute United extended their lead when CRESSWELL found the back of the net. Ward found himself free on the right hand side and put in a brilliant cross. Creswell threw himself at the ball and it came off his outstretched right boot and flew into the back of the net, giving Cerney not chance. Cresswell and the team celebrated in front of the ecstatic United fans, with a few get over excited and being thrown out for jumping over the barriers.
Before United had finished celebrating QPR were thrown a lifeline. Geary was penalised for hand ball after Taarbart’s shot. This seemed a little harsh to me, but we were a long way away. Buzasky coolly dispatched the penalty and suddenly QPR were back in the game. Henderson had to clear from a Gorks header and then poor defending lead to QPR pulling another goal back through STEWART. United would be kicking themselves for switching off and it almost cost them. Taylor made an awful challenge which resulted in him getting booked and a free kick to QPR in a dangerous position. United failed to clear the danger and Stewart capitalised stabbing the ball past Bunn.
The referee signalled 5 minutes of injury time much to the will of the QPR fans. But as the fans were urging the home team forward it was United who should have finished the game. Walker, who’d replaced Geary, lead the counter attack. He advanced over the half way line and towards the area. With the QPR defence backing off he should have carried on his run but he opted to try and send Quinn through. It was a 3 on 3 situation with Evans and Quinn in support and Walker could have done better. His pass was cut out and United were under the cosh again. German, a QPR substitute, should have levelled when he turned and shot wide. Then as Uniteds nerves frayed the same player had another golden chance. There was confusion in the United penalty area and a poor clearance fell to German. His point blank shot was brilliantly kept out by Bunn. Seconds later the ref blew the full time whistle and the relieved United fans and players were allowed to celebrate.
United: Again it wasn’t a vintage performance, but I was impressed by our determination, effort and spirit. We looked a bit shaky at the back, but showed snippets of real quality going forward. Cresswell and Evans worked very hard up front and although they link together well, they linked well with the rest of the team. Seip made a very impressive debut and Harper and Monty played well in the centre of the park.
Our full backs looked very exposed and were the weak link last night. Geary got better as the game progressed, but Taylor was out of his depth. On paper the back 4, to me, looks weak. But in the end they did ok. Morgan and Seip were particularly impressive. However QPR could have had more than 2 goals.
We started really slowly! If we’d been 2 or 3 down after 20 minutes we couldn’t have complained. After the goal we settled a bit, but QPR still had chances. Towards the end of the first half we dominated and this carried on throughout the second half. Only when we went 3 up (after 70 mins) did we take our foot off the gas. I was disappointed that we gave away 2 sloppy goals and it almost costs us.
One thing that gets me is why we can’t always attack like this. Blackwell came out with the intent of winning the game and we did. Sure better opposition would have found us out, but playing 4-4-2 and to our strengths really works. Blackwell take note. I hope he gets us playing more attacking football away from home. There was a big difference here between the league game and the cup game. Blackwell was happy to draw the league game and the chance of 3 points went begging. For me, there is no excuse for not playing 4-4-2 away from home aginst some of the ‘poorer’ teams.
QPR: I’m not very impressed by them. Routledge is very lively, but lacks composure. Simpson was a nuisance but again lacks killer instinct. At times they looked half decent going forward, but they really opened up when we attacked them. On several occasions our quality really opened them up and left them exposed. They had no answer to Quinn, Ward and Williamson at different stages.
Bunn 7/10 – Steady game. His distribution was mixed, but I like the fact that he always looks for the short pass/throw. He made good judgements and 2 good saves. After stick earlier in the season I think he deserves some credit. He’s not shown us that he is fantastic, but he has contributed to our up surge in form. His confidence is up and he’s playing well. Well done Mark!
Geary 5.5/10 – thought he really struggled tonight. In the first half an hour he was all over the place. He grew in confidence as the game went on and also made a great clearance which has improved his mark.
Taylor 4.5 – Poor performance. He really struggled to get to grips with Routledge and looked exposed. Quinn worked hard to help him out by tracking back, but Taylor looked out of his depth. He is slow and his positioning is poor. This left back area is a problem and the sooner Naysmith is fit the better.
Morgan 6.5/10 – Thought he didn’t look as comfortable as he does playing along side Kilgallon. In the first half an hour he got caught out a few times. Still he put in a few very good tackles/blocks. He grew in stature as the game went on and put in a solid second half performance.
SEIP 7.5/10 – One word, ubiquitous. He was everywhere. Man of the match in my book. Great debut. He won headers, tackles and read the game very well. Finally we have good central defensive cover.
Monty 6.5/10 – Good solid performance. He made his usually blocks and breaking up the opposition attacks, but was creative too. Sure there were a few awful passes, but he set up a goal and had a shot just over the bar.
Harper 7/10 – Played well last night. Thought he was our best player in the first half although the faded in the second. He tracked back well and stuck his foot in a lot last night. Not only that but he is composed and always wants the ball. He doesn’t do anything fantastic, but rarely gives the ball away. I think he is improving. I watched him closely last night and he is very passionate. He is gobby and always talks to the players. He is an asset and should be on the pitch. I really like the fact that he came straight over to the fans after the final whistle to thank us. He obviously thought the support made a difference and wanted to show his thanks for supporters not only turning up, but being very noisy and getting behind the team.
Williamson 6/10 – struggled to get involved and should not be playing out wide right. However he looked classy with the ball at his feet. He took his goal very well and was unlucky not to score again, but for good defending. I’d like to see him and Harper as a midfield pairing.
Quinn 6.5/10 – Bit of a mixed bag tonight. He insists on these stupid flicks now and then and gave the ball away very cheaply in an attacking position which resulted in Seip getting booked. However he showed he has real class. He looked composed on the ball and set up Wards goal. Not only that but he worked really hard down the left hand side. His celebration for Wards goal was hilarious also!?
Cresswell 7/10 – Worked very hard and deserved his goal. I was pleased for him. You could see how happy he was when he celebrated in front of the United fans.
Evans 6.5/10 – thought he played well. His touch was very good and he is stronger than he looks. He won his fair share of headers and linked well with the rest of the team. There were flashes of why we paid what we did for him. However he needs a goal. He is clearly lacking in confidence. In the second half I saw his head go down on several occasions when things went against him. His miss was criminal though. It really was a sitter and he should have scored. He was unlucky not to score when Buzasky flattened him in the area also. I hope Blackwell sticks with him on Saturday. He is improving and could be a very good player. He just needs a goal and a bit of confidence.
Crowd/atmosphere. The attendance was piss poor and atmosphere flat as a pancake. However I was impressed by the United support. I was pleasantly surprised by how many united fans turned up and thought the support was very good. We were very quiet for the first 20 minutes when QPR bombarded us. However after the first goal the Blades fans found their voice. Credit to all the Blades who came down from Sheffield. I live in London and hence it was easy for me to make it.
