Deadbat
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The Blades advanced to the quarter final of the FA Cup after a less than impressive perfomance but ultimately a winning one in a game they led early on but needed a late goal from the old stager Sharp to win the game after a really disappointing second half showing.
United started with the backline that ended the game against Brighton 10 days ago but changed the rest of the line up with Berge in the axis of a three man midfield alongside Lundstram and Luke Freeman. Up top was David McGoldrick and Lys Mousset. Reading started with the same line up as the previous league game; a victory against Barnsley.
The Blades began in confident mood knocking the ball about and were ahead in two minutes. Patient build up saw the ball switched to the left-hand side and Osborn’s whipped cross was perfect for MCGOLDRICK to flick his header down and into the net. It was the first goal for the Irish frontman since last April at the KC Stadium.
The next 10 minutes, the Blades moves the ball around with fluidity and Berge was neat and tidy. McGoldrick came off the ball and was able to playmake and the wing backs were getting high up the field. Reading were struggling to get the ball off the away side and it was looking comfortable. However, Reading who had been second best by some distance had a chance when Meite hit a fierce drive when there looked no danger and Henderson had to make a superb save to beat the ball away. This gave Reading some new hope and they had a decent spell of possession forcing United back.
Normal service was resumed inside the twenty-minute mark and the Blades took back control. They won a corner which was whipped in by Freeman and Egan should have scored but headed over from close range.
United then had another chance when McGoldrick hit a shot from range but the keeper, Rafael made a comfortable save pushing it away. The next period of the game saw few chances and became mired in midfield with a number of petty free kicks given both ways. The game was drifting towards half time when a deep ball saw Rinomhota challenge with Basham and Baldock nearby and a push was penalised with the aware of a penalty by Kevin Friend. There is no VAR in the FA Cup of course but it is doubtful it would have been overturned as it was a clear push from Baldock. Albeit soft but the Blades player did not need to give the referee a decision.
PUSKAS took the kick and hit it hard and low into the corner giving Henderson no chance and out of nowhere Reading were level. Baldock then committed a silly foul and started to lose his discipline just before half time as the home side sensed a completely different game. The whistle went and it was clear which side were going in the happier from a half which for most of it, the Blades had controlled but naive defending had cost them dear.
The second half saw little happen in the early stages although Olise fired over. Rinomhota was booked for hauling Freeman down who looked dangerous with some slaloming runs early on in the second half. The game saw little quality and both teams were giving the ball away. Reading looked more confident on the ball than the first half and United were sloppy for a spell and could not get any head of steam up at all.
McBurnie came on for Mousset on the hour mark but Reading now maybe were looking the more likely with a through ball collected by Henderson and Meite nearly getting on Swift’s through ball. A dangerous Osborn cross saw McGoldrick flick a header just over as United finally found an opening.
Reading then had a spell on the ball and Egan and O’Connell had to make key blocks before United had another rare opening but Freeman’s long-range shot was saved by Rafael with the shot straight at him but needed dealing with.
Sharp came on for McGoldrick as the game then entered the final 10 minutes. Reading won a corner that came to nothing before United did likewise at the other end. The game had really lacked any quality in the second half and both sides seemed to be sleep walking to extra time with Reading pleased to be holding a Premier League side and United struggling to find energy and quality to cause the Championship strugglers much of a headache. The final whistle went after two minutes of stoppage time.
The extra period saw a plethora of changes for both sides – Reading made two changes and Berge came off for Robinson with Osborn moving further forward. Rinomhota had a decent chance but toe poked wide after Reading had knocked the ball deep into United territory. As the first period came to an end, Robinson found himself forward and after his cross was cleared, Freeman got on it and stood up a perfect cross for SHARP who peeled off and headed home in textbook fashion. United had the vital second goal and were now in pole position to advance to the next round.
After the turnaround, Retsos made his debut but gave it away as Reading looked to force penalties. McCleary sent a cross over that Baldock had to clear. Sharp and McBurnie took time out off the game in the corner area but Reading did have a final flurry. Pele’s shot was not hit hard but on target and Henderson had to push away for a corner. After the ball came back from the next attack, Pele then went even closer with a curling shot that went narrowly wide with Henderson was beaten to the wide. The final whistle went after two minutes stoppage time and despite a subpar performance, the Blades were in the quarter final draw continuing a fantastic season so far.
United – First half we looked fine. We scored and kept it. We maybe did not create tons but other than one long ranger, not sure they did much at all and we looked in cruise control dominating possession and territory. It looked like we would go on and maybe get a second and win the game easily. However, we conceded right before half time and this changed everything. After the break we seemed to sit back and were poor on and off the ball. They actually shaded things but neither team created much at all. I just felt they were a bit worried about giving us a chance and us vice versa but as a top flight team you would expect much more from us individually and collectively. It was a solid if not brilliant first half but a really poor second half where we barely kept it, created very little and just looked a bit clueless and lacking in belief and weirdly energy. Maybe the lack of match fitness or changing a few key players hurt us but would expect us still to have enough in terms of experience and quality to play much better but the second half was a complete non-event. We lacked fluency with the ball and we were careless when we did have it. It was all a bit sluggish. We sat off when they had it and there was little urgency from anywhere in the side after we had been so much in the ascendancy first half.
You felt that it was destined to go to penalties but then Billy does what he does best and we win it despite a few late scares. Not sure we were the better side or really deserved to win and you could not have grumbled if it went to penalties but we got through. A few of the players brought in (Lunny, Mousse and maybe Berge in the position he played) did not shine where as a few (Obsorn and Freeman) played well. We will go back to the normal side I feel Saturday – expect any knocks for Stevens and Fleck to be shook off after a 2-week break.
Hopefully some have knocked off some rust and we are back to our normal selves on Saturday. As for the cup, we are now a game from Wembley and 2 games from a Cup Final. We have of course been in 4 FA Cup finals in the last 27 years which is decent but this side is much better than any of those teams. Sadly, with Chelsea and Arsenal through and you expect Man Utd and City and also Leicester and Spurs to join them; it means us and Newcastle are the two you may think are outsiders but if we draw anyone at home then you never know. At least Liverpool are out! We certainly have a chance of having another big day at Wembley so be exciting to see the draw tomorrow – cue us getting City away!
Ratings:
Henderson 7/10 – Made a great save early on and no chance on the pen. Kicked one out with a back pass showing his weakness with his feet. Second half had little to do really and then only in extra time did he have to make one push away. Did palm a cross out when he got his position a bit wrong.
Baldock 5.5/10 – Silly foul and no need to do it. There was not even a chance really and he did not need to do it. Gave away another few daft fouls too. Did not see much of him going forward really but he did make one good interception right at the end which was vital from the cross. Odd to see him grappling with his brother at a corner late on! Probably poorest he has played this season really.
Osborn 7.5/10 – Great whipped cross for the goal and I thought along with Freeman he was our best player. Meite and a few others had a few runs near the end on him but for the most part he put in our best balls (along with Freeman) and looked more determined of the players going forward. I He stuck to his defensive part and I thought got forward well and made another few decent chances with crosses.
Basham 7/10 – Steady as normal. Got forward and then got crowded out a few times but he was solid defensively. He was probably as dismayed at anyone when they had the pen when he had it under control really. He was more advanced as the game went on and it became stretched but the final bits did not quite come off for us at all and we looked very ponderous attacking wise. Defensively he was fine again.
O’Connell 7/10 – Used the ball well first half and really solid and composed. Second half he did not get forward as much – he had been the most advanced out of him and Bash first half. The back three as they often are, were consistent and maybe wanted more protection and better work on and off the ball in front of then,
Egan 7/10 – Needed to score with that header early but outside of that he was solid; winning most headers and blocks. He was solid in his defensive work and only once did he lose out (Meite dumped him on the deck). Only knock on the defence is not closing down long shots as they had a few of these but they did not have any clear chances in the box.
Berge 6/10 – Lot of people called for him to play in his natural position he played for Genk. Well they got their wishes tonight and I am afraid I saw the same lad I have seen on the right side for the most part. He did get more involved and for the first 15-20 minutes he was solid, moving it on and helping us keep it. However, he did not play one pass more than 10-15 yards and never passed it further than the nearest man. That is fine if he keeps it all game but got robbed a few times and then gave it away too. He has the turning circle of an oil tanker and is incredibly slow too do things. Hope it is just a case of him getting used to the speed of the English game and that he is not simply too slow. I have not seen him run past a man yet or really dribble with the ball. Everything was quite safe and simple. He was ok for spells but also struggled more the game went on. He also looked very tired and was running on empty a long time before he came off. He was not awful but he was very average. I keep hearing he needs time and people are right but for 22 million, I do expect someone who can do more than just play a simple 10-12-yard square pass and that is all I have seen from him so far. Will expect criticism for the above but have to call it how I see it. So far, he has looked very ordinary indeed and needs to up his speed of play/thought and be more forceful in what he does. As bad as Lunny was tonight I’d go back to the normal three and drip feed Berge in.
Lundstram 5/10 – Poor game. Not much came off for him and he was sloppy on the ball and off the ball he sort of ambled around. He was sloppy in everything he did and after some decent sub performance did not really take his chance today, I felt. After we scored, then he was another who for the final period then started keeping it and playing like he can. Toss up for Saturday who starts out of him and Berge – neither took their chance really.
Freeman. L 8/10 – Maybe his best performance in a United shirt. He started off a bit so-so and the ball came off him a few times and he was not really in the game but slowly started to get into it. He was our main threat with the ball and in a really subpar 2nd half and extra time (till we scored); he was the only one who looked like he could create anything. He started to make runs and use his body to draw fouls. He then set up the goal with a great cross.
McGoldrick 7/10 – Started the game with a great header and superb to see him off the mark. Looked lively and dropped off and looked like the Didzy we know and love with some lovely touches and set up play. He then had a shot saved. After this the ball was not sticking as much and second half the whole team regressed. Did make one good flick leading to a chance but again not surprised when Billy came on for him. Think it will be Sharp and McBurnie again at the weekend.
Mousset 4/10 – Thought he was garbage tonight. Ball never stuck to him, he was greedy when he did have it and keep it and gave it away constantly. Looked disinterested out of possession and playing for himself when he had it. Not surprised he was hooked and he won’t start Saturday or any time soon after that showing. He has not been great since Xmas and indeed not scored since then albeit in less game times.
Subs –
McBurnie – Never really got in the game as we gave our strikers little to no service and it was bouncing around. He needed to get the ball under control and move it quicker but as I say he did not see much of the ball. After we scored then he started holding it up better and showing more life.
Sharp – Did what he does best. Did not have much of the ball as we struggled to keep it and then all of a sudden, he peels off and scores the winner. Nearly got another with a dipping volley too. Then won a few free kicks. Did more in a 5-minute spell in extra time than Mousset did for all his time on the pitch.
Robinson – Involved in a goal as he was at Millwall as he drove in the box and helped the initial move.
Retsos – Is he the first 4th sub we have ever had? Might be the only thing notable about his appearance! Not the greatest of cameos. A miskicked pass, a booking and seemed to have no idea what was going on or where he was playing. Seemed to play defensive midfield?
Manager Wilder 7/10 – A win that was better than the performance. Up to them scoring we were in control but after this the team sat back and hardly anyone took responsibility. We just were waiting for things to happen. He tried to change it but surprised we did not move higher up the pitch as we saw little of the ball. Reading looked as likely to score as us and it seemed set to go to penalties but then his sub scores. He will have been disappointed some players did not take the chances given (Mousset, Lundstram and Berge – in a new position).
Reading – First 20 minutes they were never in the game as we knocked it about and they could not get it off us. We scored and it seemed men against boys but then Meite had a shot and they found something and started to believe more. Still after this we took control and the penalty came out of the blue. They did not deserve to be level. 2nd half was different. They had a go and won midfield and started to force us back. Not sure they had many clear chances but we barely had any either with a few long-range shots. They actually more than matched us and gave it a real go. Extra time I thought they would win it to be honest but then right before the break we got the goal and you felt that maybe it. Credit to them, they came again and Pele came close twice and it would not have been a shock if they had scored and maybe they deserved extra time. You would question why for some really talented technical players – lot of pace and strength and some skill (Pele and Puskas in the same side!) – they are so low down. Clearly, they don’t do it every week and lack the consistency needed to win games week in, week out. They have only beat Barnsley and Wednesday in the last dozen games, I think?
Opponent Man of the Match – A few lads stood out. Always liked Swift and he showed bits and pieces. Meite is a beast and really caused us problems. He may have been the one who I thought gave us most problems. Obita is a decent player too. Pele had two great efforts when he came on too. They have a lot of pace and runners but not sure they have the experience in the key spine of the side or a regular goal scorer.
Opponent Weak link – The two centre backs looked like they would make mistakes and switched off on both goals. Morrison and Miazga did not have much to defend but on the big moments they lost the strikers and this effectively cost them the game.
Referee/Officials/VAR – Odd really as for the most part Friend waved away some appeals from both teams for soft fouls and saw both teams going down too easily. However, he gave a penalty for a relatively soft foul. VAR would not have overruled it though as it was a push but you would have 20 penalties a game and the player made a meal of it. After this he let every push go. Ironic that on the goal I don’t think Robinson was off (could be wrong) but McBurnie might have been on the cross that came in. Certainly, glad for once we did not have VAR as may have been ruled out!
United started with the backline that ended the game against Brighton 10 days ago but changed the rest of the line up with Berge in the axis of a three man midfield alongside Lundstram and Luke Freeman. Up top was David McGoldrick and Lys Mousset. Reading started with the same line up as the previous league game; a victory against Barnsley.
The Blades began in confident mood knocking the ball about and were ahead in two minutes. Patient build up saw the ball switched to the left-hand side and Osborn’s whipped cross was perfect for MCGOLDRICK to flick his header down and into the net. It was the first goal for the Irish frontman since last April at the KC Stadium.
The next 10 minutes, the Blades moves the ball around with fluidity and Berge was neat and tidy. McGoldrick came off the ball and was able to playmake and the wing backs were getting high up the field. Reading were struggling to get the ball off the away side and it was looking comfortable. However, Reading who had been second best by some distance had a chance when Meite hit a fierce drive when there looked no danger and Henderson had to make a superb save to beat the ball away. This gave Reading some new hope and they had a decent spell of possession forcing United back.
Normal service was resumed inside the twenty-minute mark and the Blades took back control. They won a corner which was whipped in by Freeman and Egan should have scored but headed over from close range.
United then had another chance when McGoldrick hit a shot from range but the keeper, Rafael made a comfortable save pushing it away. The next period of the game saw few chances and became mired in midfield with a number of petty free kicks given both ways. The game was drifting towards half time when a deep ball saw Rinomhota challenge with Basham and Baldock nearby and a push was penalised with the aware of a penalty by Kevin Friend. There is no VAR in the FA Cup of course but it is doubtful it would have been overturned as it was a clear push from Baldock. Albeit soft but the Blades player did not need to give the referee a decision.
PUSKAS took the kick and hit it hard and low into the corner giving Henderson no chance and out of nowhere Reading were level. Baldock then committed a silly foul and started to lose his discipline just before half time as the home side sensed a completely different game. The whistle went and it was clear which side were going in the happier from a half which for most of it, the Blades had controlled but naive defending had cost them dear.
The second half saw little happen in the early stages although Olise fired over. Rinomhota was booked for hauling Freeman down who looked dangerous with some slaloming runs early on in the second half. The game saw little quality and both teams were giving the ball away. Reading looked more confident on the ball than the first half and United were sloppy for a spell and could not get any head of steam up at all.
McBurnie came on for Mousset on the hour mark but Reading now maybe were looking the more likely with a through ball collected by Henderson and Meite nearly getting on Swift’s through ball. A dangerous Osborn cross saw McGoldrick flick a header just over as United finally found an opening.
Reading then had a spell on the ball and Egan and O’Connell had to make key blocks before United had another rare opening but Freeman’s long-range shot was saved by Rafael with the shot straight at him but needed dealing with.
Sharp came on for McGoldrick as the game then entered the final 10 minutes. Reading won a corner that came to nothing before United did likewise at the other end. The game had really lacked any quality in the second half and both sides seemed to be sleep walking to extra time with Reading pleased to be holding a Premier League side and United struggling to find energy and quality to cause the Championship strugglers much of a headache. The final whistle went after two minutes of stoppage time.
The extra period saw a plethora of changes for both sides – Reading made two changes and Berge came off for Robinson with Osborn moving further forward. Rinomhota had a decent chance but toe poked wide after Reading had knocked the ball deep into United territory. As the first period came to an end, Robinson found himself forward and after his cross was cleared, Freeman got on it and stood up a perfect cross for SHARP who peeled off and headed home in textbook fashion. United had the vital second goal and were now in pole position to advance to the next round.
After the turnaround, Retsos made his debut but gave it away as Reading looked to force penalties. McCleary sent a cross over that Baldock had to clear. Sharp and McBurnie took time out off the game in the corner area but Reading did have a final flurry. Pele’s shot was not hit hard but on target and Henderson had to push away for a corner. After the ball came back from the next attack, Pele then went even closer with a curling shot that went narrowly wide with Henderson was beaten to the wide. The final whistle went after two minutes stoppage time and despite a subpar performance, the Blades were in the quarter final draw continuing a fantastic season so far.
United – First half we looked fine. We scored and kept it. We maybe did not create tons but other than one long ranger, not sure they did much at all and we looked in cruise control dominating possession and territory. It looked like we would go on and maybe get a second and win the game easily. However, we conceded right before half time and this changed everything. After the break we seemed to sit back and were poor on and off the ball. They actually shaded things but neither team created much at all. I just felt they were a bit worried about giving us a chance and us vice versa but as a top flight team you would expect much more from us individually and collectively. It was a solid if not brilliant first half but a really poor second half where we barely kept it, created very little and just looked a bit clueless and lacking in belief and weirdly energy. Maybe the lack of match fitness or changing a few key players hurt us but would expect us still to have enough in terms of experience and quality to play much better but the second half was a complete non-event. We lacked fluency with the ball and we were careless when we did have it. It was all a bit sluggish. We sat off when they had it and there was little urgency from anywhere in the side after we had been so much in the ascendancy first half.
You felt that it was destined to go to penalties but then Billy does what he does best and we win it despite a few late scares. Not sure we were the better side or really deserved to win and you could not have grumbled if it went to penalties but we got through. A few of the players brought in (Lunny, Mousse and maybe Berge in the position he played) did not shine where as a few (Obsorn and Freeman) played well. We will go back to the normal side I feel Saturday – expect any knocks for Stevens and Fleck to be shook off after a 2-week break.
Hopefully some have knocked off some rust and we are back to our normal selves on Saturday. As for the cup, we are now a game from Wembley and 2 games from a Cup Final. We have of course been in 4 FA Cup finals in the last 27 years which is decent but this side is much better than any of those teams. Sadly, with Chelsea and Arsenal through and you expect Man Utd and City and also Leicester and Spurs to join them; it means us and Newcastle are the two you may think are outsiders but if we draw anyone at home then you never know. At least Liverpool are out! We certainly have a chance of having another big day at Wembley so be exciting to see the draw tomorrow – cue us getting City away!
Ratings:
Henderson 7/10 – Made a great save early on and no chance on the pen. Kicked one out with a back pass showing his weakness with his feet. Second half had little to do really and then only in extra time did he have to make one push away. Did palm a cross out when he got his position a bit wrong.
Baldock 5.5/10 – Silly foul and no need to do it. There was not even a chance really and he did not need to do it. Gave away another few daft fouls too. Did not see much of him going forward really but he did make one good interception right at the end which was vital from the cross. Odd to see him grappling with his brother at a corner late on! Probably poorest he has played this season really.
Osborn 7.5/10 – Great whipped cross for the goal and I thought along with Freeman he was our best player. Meite and a few others had a few runs near the end on him but for the most part he put in our best balls (along with Freeman) and looked more determined of the players going forward. I He stuck to his defensive part and I thought got forward well and made another few decent chances with crosses.
Basham 7/10 – Steady as normal. Got forward and then got crowded out a few times but he was solid defensively. He was probably as dismayed at anyone when they had the pen when he had it under control really. He was more advanced as the game went on and it became stretched but the final bits did not quite come off for us at all and we looked very ponderous attacking wise. Defensively he was fine again.
O’Connell 7/10 – Used the ball well first half and really solid and composed. Second half he did not get forward as much – he had been the most advanced out of him and Bash first half. The back three as they often are, were consistent and maybe wanted more protection and better work on and off the ball in front of then,
Egan 7/10 – Needed to score with that header early but outside of that he was solid; winning most headers and blocks. He was solid in his defensive work and only once did he lose out (Meite dumped him on the deck). Only knock on the defence is not closing down long shots as they had a few of these but they did not have any clear chances in the box.
Berge 6/10 – Lot of people called for him to play in his natural position he played for Genk. Well they got their wishes tonight and I am afraid I saw the same lad I have seen on the right side for the most part. He did get more involved and for the first 15-20 minutes he was solid, moving it on and helping us keep it. However, he did not play one pass more than 10-15 yards and never passed it further than the nearest man. That is fine if he keeps it all game but got robbed a few times and then gave it away too. He has the turning circle of an oil tanker and is incredibly slow too do things. Hope it is just a case of him getting used to the speed of the English game and that he is not simply too slow. I have not seen him run past a man yet or really dribble with the ball. Everything was quite safe and simple. He was ok for spells but also struggled more the game went on. He also looked very tired and was running on empty a long time before he came off. He was not awful but he was very average. I keep hearing he needs time and people are right but for 22 million, I do expect someone who can do more than just play a simple 10-12-yard square pass and that is all I have seen from him so far. Will expect criticism for the above but have to call it how I see it. So far, he has looked very ordinary indeed and needs to up his speed of play/thought and be more forceful in what he does. As bad as Lunny was tonight I’d go back to the normal three and drip feed Berge in.
Lundstram 5/10 – Poor game. Not much came off for him and he was sloppy on the ball and off the ball he sort of ambled around. He was sloppy in everything he did and after some decent sub performance did not really take his chance today, I felt. After we scored, then he was another who for the final period then started keeping it and playing like he can. Toss up for Saturday who starts out of him and Berge – neither took their chance really.
Freeman. L 8/10 – Maybe his best performance in a United shirt. He started off a bit so-so and the ball came off him a few times and he was not really in the game but slowly started to get into it. He was our main threat with the ball and in a really subpar 2nd half and extra time (till we scored); he was the only one who looked like he could create anything. He started to make runs and use his body to draw fouls. He then set up the goal with a great cross.
McGoldrick 7/10 – Started the game with a great header and superb to see him off the mark. Looked lively and dropped off and looked like the Didzy we know and love with some lovely touches and set up play. He then had a shot saved. After this the ball was not sticking as much and second half the whole team regressed. Did make one good flick leading to a chance but again not surprised when Billy came on for him. Think it will be Sharp and McBurnie again at the weekend.
Mousset 4/10 – Thought he was garbage tonight. Ball never stuck to him, he was greedy when he did have it and keep it and gave it away constantly. Looked disinterested out of possession and playing for himself when he had it. Not surprised he was hooked and he won’t start Saturday or any time soon after that showing. He has not been great since Xmas and indeed not scored since then albeit in less game times.
Subs –
McBurnie – Never really got in the game as we gave our strikers little to no service and it was bouncing around. He needed to get the ball under control and move it quicker but as I say he did not see much of the ball. After we scored then he started holding it up better and showing more life.
Sharp – Did what he does best. Did not have much of the ball as we struggled to keep it and then all of a sudden, he peels off and scores the winner. Nearly got another with a dipping volley too. Then won a few free kicks. Did more in a 5-minute spell in extra time than Mousset did for all his time on the pitch.
Robinson – Involved in a goal as he was at Millwall as he drove in the box and helped the initial move.
Retsos – Is he the first 4th sub we have ever had? Might be the only thing notable about his appearance! Not the greatest of cameos. A miskicked pass, a booking and seemed to have no idea what was going on or where he was playing. Seemed to play defensive midfield?
Manager Wilder 7/10 – A win that was better than the performance. Up to them scoring we were in control but after this the team sat back and hardly anyone took responsibility. We just were waiting for things to happen. He tried to change it but surprised we did not move higher up the pitch as we saw little of the ball. Reading looked as likely to score as us and it seemed set to go to penalties but then his sub scores. He will have been disappointed some players did not take the chances given (Mousset, Lundstram and Berge – in a new position).
Reading – First 20 minutes they were never in the game as we knocked it about and they could not get it off us. We scored and it seemed men against boys but then Meite had a shot and they found something and started to believe more. Still after this we took control and the penalty came out of the blue. They did not deserve to be level. 2nd half was different. They had a go and won midfield and started to force us back. Not sure they had many clear chances but we barely had any either with a few long-range shots. They actually more than matched us and gave it a real go. Extra time I thought they would win it to be honest but then right before the break we got the goal and you felt that maybe it. Credit to them, they came again and Pele came close twice and it would not have been a shock if they had scored and maybe they deserved extra time. You would question why for some really talented technical players – lot of pace and strength and some skill (Pele and Puskas in the same side!) – they are so low down. Clearly, they don’t do it every week and lack the consistency needed to win games week in, week out. They have only beat Barnsley and Wednesday in the last dozen games, I think?
Opponent Man of the Match – A few lads stood out. Always liked Swift and he showed bits and pieces. Meite is a beast and really caused us problems. He may have been the one who I thought gave us most problems. Obita is a decent player too. Pele had two great efforts when he came on too. They have a lot of pace and runners but not sure they have the experience in the key spine of the side or a regular goal scorer.
Opponent Weak link – The two centre backs looked like they would make mistakes and switched off on both goals. Morrison and Miazga did not have much to defend but on the big moments they lost the strikers and this effectively cost them the game.
Referee/Officials/VAR – Odd really as for the most part Friend waved away some appeals from both teams for soft fouls and saw both teams going down too easily. However, he gave a penalty for a relatively soft foul. VAR would not have overruled it though as it was a push but you would have 20 penalties a game and the player made a meal of it. After this he let every push go. Ironic that on the goal I don’t think Robinson was off (could be wrong) but McBurnie might have been on the cross that came in. Certainly, glad for once we did not have VAR as may have been ruled out!
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