Sheffield United vs Leeds United

v.
EPL Week 3 - Sunday 27th September 2020 - Bramall Lane​

Please keep all discussion related to the match within this thread.

Matchday Stats/Player Ratings - https://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?match-day/match/sheffield-united-vs-leeds-united.511/

Officials:

Referee: Paul Tierney
Assistant Referee: Ian Hussin
Assistant Referee: Harry Lennard
Fourth Official: Jarred Gillett
Video Assistant Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Andy Halliday

Coverage:

Follow via S24SU Twitter: https://twitter.com/s24su

Live TV Coverage:

 

[A Storm of Blades]

Look what happens when you actually get a half decent early cross in.

Will a new striker fix the issue that all the chances are falling to midfielders and defenders. Non strikers get a lot of chances in the way that we play and they have to take responsibility to score like they did last season.

Should have had 3 goals today

Spot on. It’s our supply line that’s the issue here.

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

Bit of a sickener that one, to say the least. I do genuinely feel for CW + all the lads because there were actually some good performances in there and signs of encouragement.

We now go into a very tough run of games with 0 points and we need to brace ourselves.

 

[Danetheblade]

We'll be fine, some really nice play. Like the balance of Ozzy, Sander and Lunny. Burke looks intelligent 70% of the time and excellent pressing again. That Leeds goal came from tiredness. Remember, we will sort it out up front and then we're laughing.

Just relax

Think we will sort out a new striker before the window closes.. we simply have to.. But this new striker has already missed ten percent of the season against winnable teams. Not looking good but hopefully we'll turn it around. It's a marathon not a sprint, but we can't get left behind early doors.

 

[RecordBreakers]

Can’t create? I take it you haven’t watched us this season?

Every game

 

[Kev Gee]

We also tend to overplay it when we are in the box. Sometimes it's better to have a shot and put your foot through it, rather than do yet another lay off or a back heel.

 

[essyoueffsee]

Did we just have the 3 best chances in the game and no strikers were on the end of them?

 

[RMBlade]

Every game

Did you miss the 3 very good chances vs wolves, the penalty vs Villa and the 4/5 good chances today?

 

[jt64]

That was better. McBurnie needs to start. Ampadu in the LCB role could be interesting. Working the central three around Berge will be important as he is by far our best player.

 

[bromtom]

Can’t create? I take it you haven’t watched us this season?

Too busy drafting his "we're doomed" post so it was ready to go straight up.

Created plenty today, nobody to tap them in.

 

[Kev Gee]

This Bielsa post match interview is embarrassing.

Arse lickinh of the highest order.

 

[Mojo]

Really hurting right now. That was tough to take. We didn't do too bad today

 

[bakeblade]

Ramsdale or Berge MOTM for me

Agreed both excellent

 

[Nah den]

Our best showing so far, but Leeds still looked a better team. Looked more dangerous, more composed, slicker passing and a better press. And they've just come up. We've gone backwards a bit. However, it's only 3 games in. Plenty of time to arrest the slump. JOC is going to be a big loss, Robinson isn't half the player.

 

[Mojo]

Those kicks on Berge that the ref didn't give as a foul in the build up to the Leeds goal were absolutely disgusting

 

[robbiez666]

There's simply not enough there. It was a fairly even game in terms of chances but Leeds always looked a little more in control. Our performance was much better and yet we still look to struggle for extended periods against a newly promoted side. They will do what we did last season. They have a great manager, that application we have but also players with pace and creativity.

Their new keeper is sadly excellent.

We looked good at times but slow and a bit too ponderous at others. There was a lot of workrate out there without really creating that many clear chances. We defended well but as the game went on you could see the players tiring. Too many little mistakes and eventually Berge's led to their goal. I fear for us a bit with JoC out. Robinson does ok in a lot of things but he's always slightly too slow. A little be off the pace. Looks like an accident waiting to happen when he gets tired. His miss led to that chance Bash cleared off the line. We look competitive without being that creative.

Burke and McGoldrick cannot be the answer to our goals problem. One of them needs to play with an out and out striker.

Desperately need a striker and an attack-minded midfielder. Otherwise, it's whether there are three worse teams than us (there might be).

Ramsdale MOM for me.

Ramsdale 8 - Some great saves one really excellent punch. It's not just about making the save it's also where he directed the ball. Best game for us by a mile. His distribution was poorer than it has been.
Stevens 7 - Thought he was our poorest player first half but improved a lot and had a lot to do with their sib coming on and looked for too cute for him. Not a lot going forward but difficult in a changed left-hand side. That side is our biggest problem.
Robinson 6 - He played really we and made some really timely blocks but as games go on he loses concentration badly when he begins to tire. He made a succession of mistakes second half. He's good cover at this level but I worry a lot if he's playing there for the full season with JoC out. Not Wilder's fault he may have to do that but this is why we needed to improve the squad and not just the first team. I can see Enda playing there instead.
Ampadu 7 - Did well on his full league debut. For such a young lad he oozes confidence. Seems to have fitted into the system well. I'm not sure about his Hollywood passes though...
Bash - 7 Steady and solid. Still poses arguably one of our greatest threats going forward
Baldock - 8 Our best outfield player. He was out greatest threat. Booked ridiculously for a really good challenge then got away with a bad one (which he pulled out of but that was a booking for me) with their keeper. Prepared to run at the opposition and cut inside and have a go.
Osborn 7 - Made a few errors but always running around and providing support. He's an odd player as he always seems to be supporting and never really taking charge himself. Much better energy levels than Fleck. Deserves to stay in the team, for me.
Berge 7 - Was our best midfield but looked absolutely shattered at the end and loses a point for losing the ball for their goal. Started to make mistake after mistake but on another day should have been pulled off. For who, I don't know.
Lunny 6.5 - Had our best chance which produced a worldly save. But a couple of excellent balls in but we had no out and out striker on the pitch to attack them. Looked a bit slow at times but as at many times last season our best play comes when he's involved.
Burke 6 - Covers so much ground and has the pace we badly need. He also has a directness that we're lacking within the squad. However, clearly not that comfortable as a striker and just that little bit away from being in the right place. That should improve with match sharpness but he's not the answer to our goalscoring problems, for me. He needs a bit of luck/confidence as well.
McGoldrick 5.5 - He does ok but not up to the high standards he set himself last season. Nothing much worked for him today, but like Burke he needs a goalscorer next to him.

Norwood 4 - Looked fairly atrocious when he came on. Not easy to come on in this kind of game and get up to speed but ranged from anonymous to slow and sloppy. We looked worse with him on.
Sharp 5.5- Does the running and hold-up play pretty well, albeit always seemingly on the verge of losing it. Gets in good position but doesn't make the most of them. Looks that yard too slow when the ball's at his feet.
McBurnie 5.5 - Didn't really have much to work with and whilst he was ok I'm not confident of him getting close when he has the ball at his feet.

Wilder - 6 - Difficult to know what more he could have done. I feel you can't play McBurnie and Sharp or Burke and McGoldrick as partnerships but that's exactly what he's done all season so far. We're on a dire losing run and have looked off it since the end of lockdown. He could really use some luck right now as we look a little out of ideas.

 

[Jinxy1966]

Just seen replay of the challenge on Berge in the build up to the goal. Fuckin hell....... 3 times they kicked him without getting a foot on the ball. Tierney wants fuckin sacking

 

[Lawrence]

Thought we played well and deserved more out of the game.

Before the game I was worried about Rambo but thought he had a great day today, Burke, ampadu, baldock, Burge, Robinson all played well, Lundstram and osborn were OK

Norwood didn’t do much when he came on. Didzy not bad until he tired, bit clumsy, same with sharp. Thought McBurnie was great when he came on.

Ultimately we played well I thought, we had enough good chances but No goals!

I‘m feeling all week (and before the season started) that this season is going to be a tough, the lack of money from the owners is obvious!, I said this when they took over and It’s clear to see. We all know and understand that CW is looking in the bargain basement for unproven players but is still not allowed to even get these, it seems he can’t even get the cheapest players he wants.

Thought we would lose today, but thought we played well and could have even won it!

Let me know your thoughts? especially on the restrictions CW is working under!

 

[ilovesufc]

It's not a mistake by Berge in the lead up to their goal, it's a clear foul. Two actually. Also a yellow card for Baldock for a perfectly good tackle. We all know Egan's red wasn't a red last week. Really feel like we're getting no luck at the moment. Nothing much wrong with that performance today other than not being able to score. Can't get my head round people thinking Leeds were better than us today - it's a very even match and they're lucky to walk off with 3 points. Their keeper is motm FFS! But ...we need a striker!!!!!!

 

[A Storm of Blades]

Tell me Freeman would have played worse if he’d come on instead of Norwood

 

[N.E.Blade]

Thought we played well and deserved more out of the game.

Before the game I was worried about Rambo but thought he had a great day today, Burke, ampadu, baldock, Burge, Robinson all played well, Lundstram and osborn were OK

Norwood didn’t do much when he came on. Didzy not bad until he tired, bit clumsy, same with sharp. Thought McBurnie was great when he came on.

Ultimately we played well I thought, we had enough good chances but No goals!

I‘m feeling all week (and before the season started) that this season is going to be a tough, the lack of money from the owners is obvious!, I said this when they took over and It’s clear to see. We all know and understand that CW is looking in the bargain basement for unproven players but is still not allowed to even get these, it seems he can’t even get the cheapest players he wants.

Thought we would lose today, but thought we played well and could have even won it!

Let me know your thoughts? especially on the restrictions CW is working under!

can’t argue with any of that.
There is a piece of the puzzle missing for sure. But wilder has not given any of us a reason to doubt him in 4 years. Hopefully he will get the signings he wants. And even if he doesn’t I still think he will find a way to keep us up. We also need that fickle bitch Lady Luck to come back round to us. Haha

 

[ilovesufc]

Thought we played well and deserved more out of the game.

Before the game I was worried about Rambo but thought he had a great day today, Burke, ampadu, baldock, Burge, Robinson all played well, Lundstram and osborn were OK

Norwood didn’t do much when he came on. Didzy not bad until he tired, bit clumsy, same with sharp. Thought McBurnie was great when he came on.

Ultimately we played well I thought, we had enough good chances but No goals!

I‘m feeling all week (and before the season started) that this season is going to be a tough, the lack of money from the owners is obvious!, I said this when they took over and It’s clear to see. We all know and understand that CW is looking in the bargain basement for unproven players but is still not allowed to even get these, it seems he can’t even get the cheapest players he wants.

Thought we would lose today, but thought we played well and could have even won it!

Let me know your thoughts? especially on the restrictions CW is working under!

Absolutely this. Plenty of positives to take from today and hugely frustrating to concede that late goal, particularly when it should've been blown up for the foul on Berge anyway. But if we can't score, well...the board really need to pull their fingers out here.

 

[Greg.]

It's not a mistake by Berge in the lead up to their goal, it's a clear foul. Two actually. Also a yellow card for Baldock for a perfectly good tackle. We all know Egan's red wasn't a red last week. Really feel like we're getting no luck at the moment. Nothing much wrong with that performance today other than not being able to score. Can't get my head round people thinking Leeds were better than us today - it's a very even match and they're lucky to walk off with 3 points. Their keeper is motm FFS! But ...we need a striker!!!!!!

Yeah, looking at it in slow motion, it does look like a foul on Berge. Guy of his height and strength does just fall over so easily. Crazy only 4 fouls awarded to Leeds all game.

Foul?

 

[BangorBlade]

Tell me Freeman would have played worse if he’d come on instead of Norwood

Probably better and more mobile

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

This is what i posted after the Wolves game,i had a feeling that this was coming, the situation is now even worse with JOC out for the season.

Next 5:

Villa (A) lose 2-1...............................actual 1-0 L
Leeds (H) lose 2-0............................actual 1-0 L
Arsenal (A) lose 3-0
Fulham (H) win 1-0
Liverpool (A) lose 4-0

Those are mine,lets be having yours.

I did not dare look what was coming after Liverpool.

 

[Vikkster]

Relegation fodder absolute dross, can't score cant create wont win games simple.

I don’t know you because i’m new on here, but ........................ go away

 

[SilkyBlade]

GK - Good today

Defence - Baldock/Bash good. Ampadu good on ball but not as strong as Egan defensively. Robbo ok in defence but poor going forward certainly not a JOC deputy. Stevens, not sure why he is starting anymore...takes the ball standing still and looks like legs have gone. Lowe has to have a run out next game.

Midfield - Berge oozes quality, great strength and incredible deceptive pace, eats up the ground. Lunny more composure at top end but at least getting in right areas to score. Osbourne a willing runner but lacks any real quality in final third. Norwood looked like running in treacle when came on.

Strikers - if we want to stay in PL we have to get past our strikers being good runners/link up players etc. Bit like a pornstar with a big schlong who can’t get it up at the critical time. They have to score goals end of and I’m afraid McB, Sharp, Didzy, Burke are simply not good enough at this level. Moose unlikely to be fit until New Year so unless board back CWAK with at least 2 new strikers even the most die hard are going to find optimism hard to come by.

 

[ilovesufc]

GK - Good today

Defence - Baldock/Bash good. Ampadu good on ball but not as strong as Egan defensively. Robbo ok in defence but poor going forward certainly not a JOC deputy. Stevens, not sure why he is starting anymore...takes the ball standing still and looks like legs have gone. Lowe has to have a run out next game.

Midfield - Berge oozes quality, great strength and incredible deceptive pace, eats up the ground. Lunny more composure at top end but at least getting in right areas to score. Osbourne a willing runner but lacks any real quality in final third. Norwood looked like running in treacle when came on.

Strikers - if we want to stay in PL we have to get past our strikers being good runners/link up players etc. Bit like a pornstar with a big schlong who can’t get it up at the critical time. They have to score goals end of and I’m afraid McB, Sharp, Didzy, Burke are simply not good enough at this level. Moose unlikely to be fit until New Year so unless board back CWAK with at least 2 new strikers even the most die hard are going to find optimism hard to come by.

Agree with most of this but I thought Stevens had a decent game today. You're 100% right regarding the striker situation. When you list them like that... McBurnie, McGoldrick, Sharp and Burke being our available forwards...you really can't see barely any goal's coming from them. We need two in my opinion with Mousse out till Christmas and then he won't be anything like fit till probably the end of the season knowing him! The board have got to pull their fingers out here and speculate to accumulate. It'll cost us a hell of a lot.more if we get relegated due to lack of fire power!

 

[Kenworthy’s Tash]

Second best today. Lost to Wolves, Villa & Leeds all of whom will be “also rans” come the end of the season. Big teams to play soon, we simply have to beat Fulham or I’m fearing the worst.

 

[essyoueffsee]

Just seen replay of the challenge on Berge in the build up to the goal. Fuckin hell....... 3 times they kicked him without getting a foot on the ball. Tierney wants fuckin sacking

Apparently they are introducing this video referee where they look at the build up to see if there's a foul. We must not have it in our games yet.

 

[RecordBreakers]

I don’t know you because i’m new on here, but ........................ go away

Wow that hurt.... to easy to get people to bite on ere these days