Deadbat
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Pod to come later....will post link on here....
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After ending the long losing streak last week at home to Brighton, the more familiar losing feeling was experienced again after defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday evening. With neither side really having much to play for and both without managers, it was maybe not a game that the neutral would have been salivating over.
Much of the media’s attention seemed to be focused on events at Old Trafford with the fan protests leading to the postponement of today’s big game in the Premier League but the game went ahead in London with no such demonstrations. A Gareth Bale hat trick and a Son stunner saw off a woeful Blades side who lost away yet again and created another Premier League record, it is now 27 away games without a clean sheet.
United made one change from last week with Basham back in for Bryan who was not in the matchday squad through injury. The Blades had Sander Berge and Jack Robinson back on the bench after long term absences. For Berge, any game time now was surely a chance to put himself in the shop window in the summer? Ethan Ampadu was also out after picking up a knock in the week
Spurs started with Bale and Alli back in from the start with Moura and Winks dropping out. A Bale, Kane, Son and Alli front line suggested Spurs knew they could get at the beleaguered Blades side. Indeed, only perhaps Hojbjerg could be seen as a defensive player of any nature with Lo Celso completing the top 6.
The game started with United playing in all green and with Basham on the left-hand side of the back three. United began on the attack with a cross coming over but Osborn could not get enough on it to get it back across from the other side. Fleck’s give away at the other end saw Son play Kane in and he was denied by Ramsdale but the flag went up anyway. Spurs were knocking it around confidently and United could not get out for a period.
A ball over the top nearly Reguilon almost get in between Ramsdale and Baldock as the latter dithered. McGoldrick tried to break out but his shot was pulled badly wide but at least United got up the field after being penned in early. Spurs got back on the ball and moved it around as a static Blades side were defending very deep early on. Basham did well to stop Kane after he went round a few Blades players.
A deflected effort saw a shot go behind for a corner but United cleared before Bale fired well over. Spurs were not being pressed at all and the Blades defence was so deep it was almost asking for trouble. Bogle lost Alli who headed at Ramsdale from the angle with a looping effort.
Osborn got robbed from Aurier and Son took a pot shot but Ramsdale made a super save down to his right with a strong wrist to push it behind.
United had survived the first quarter of an but then were nearly behind as Egan gave it away and then chopped down Son before Kane checked inside Baldock easily and his shot lacked necessary power and Basham cleared off the line. Egan was booked. Baldock then was the next to give it away and the ball just evaded Son who came back on after treatment. United were trying to play it out but it was not working and they could barely string two passes together. Brewster had not been in the game and had barely had a touch.
A simple ball through the lines saw Son feed Reguilon who nutmegged Bogle and pulled back. United left Kane completely unmarked but he blazed miles over. United could not get into the Spurs half but then a rare break saw McGoldrick get down the left but his cross was poor. United at least got further up the field but a poor Ramsdale kick out nearly saw Tottenham in again. Brewster fired horrible wide before Ramsdale had to have treatment on his foot, which he seemed to injure in aforementioned kick out.
United’s best period of the game was punctuated by an excellent Norwood cross but United’s forward was statuesque again. Fleck and McGoldrick tried to link but it was given away cheaply and the brief pressure was not sustained.
Spurs took control again and with it the lead on 36 minutes. Aurier’s lofted ball over the top saw United’s defence completely disorganised with some coming out and some staying in and BALE ran through easily onside. Ramsdale was maybe a bit slow coming out but was not helped by the indecision in front of him as the Welsh international expertly lobbed it over him and into the net.
Another break from United saw Brewster play in Fleck but his shot was weak and Alli broke away and embarrassed Bogle before the same United man cynically pulled back Son but Kane could only hit the wall.
Lo Celso then curled over after patient football with men over. As the half entered stoppage time, Alli had an effort curled into Ramsdale’s hands just before the break but the Blades got in only one behind after being dominated for much of the first half.
The second half saw two changes instantly from the Blades as Burke and Berge came on for Bogle and Brewster. Baldock went back to right wing back and Basham right centre back.
United began the half well with some better commitment and some decent play saw some moments of attacking intent but nothing came of the improved play. Fleck then went into a challenge on Lo Celso and was perhaps fortunate that VAR did not get involved after his foot came down on the Spurs players head as he planted it down. It was clumsy to say the least.
Spurs through they had doubled their lead when a ball through the middle saw Son in and the flag stayed down. Ramsdale back pedalled and Basham tried to get back but the South Korean picked his spot as the keeper left his near post. The checks saw that the Blades got lucky as the striker’s chest/torso had put him marginally offside and the goal was chalked off.
The Blades were getting closer to the Spurs players at least but they were not really threatening at all. United were playing higher up the field at least but it was a risky tactic and it seemed they had gone from one extreme to the other and led to a dangerous defensive strategy. More poor play in midfield saw the game effectively ended as Baldock tried to dive in and lost it and Spurs were in and as Osborn could not get back, Son put the ball through and BALE ran through from his own half and this time as Basham tried to get back, the Spurs player smashed it into the net clinically.
Spurs then started to move it around again and Bale was toying with the United defence and Stevens upended him but looking for his hat trick, the Spurs man dipping free kick was straight at Ramsdale. It was not long before he got his hat trick though as Aurier skipped away from Osborn and Stevens, played in BALE and he fired it into the corner giving Ramsdale no chance. It was another well taken goal but again way too easy.
It was damage limitation for the Blades at this stage and Tottenham were now able to just knock it about easily under no pressure. Winks came on for Lo Celso for Spurs just before the 70th minute.
Kane’s cross narrowly evaded Son after the England captain had got down the right. Spurs won a succession of corners and a flick at the near post was saved. Bale came off after lighting up a meaningless game, with Bergwjin replacing him.
McGoldrick was the latest to give it away and the ball was moved forward to SON and he came inside Basham and curled a delightful effort into the top corner. It was a brilliant goal and the Blades keeper had no chance on this at all.
Lamella for Alli was the final Spurs change. The Blades could barely get out of their half but a rare break saw Basham come forward and link with Burke but his pull back saw Osborn barely get any purchase on his shot. Burke again had a decent run but his cross was overplayed. Norwood then had an effort on goal but it was straight at the keeper in the Blades only effort at goal after Burke had done well.
Spurs were moving it around and looking for more in the one-sided contest. Kane shanked his finish and then took a poor touch in an uncharacteristically poor game from the Tottenham talisman.
Mousset replaced McGoldrick and United won a few corners but it came to nothing. The game went into additional time and Spurs nearly got a 5th as Reguilon broke through and was one on one but put his shot wide when it was easier to score. The full-time whistle came soon after and United trooped off after another away defeat.
United – We had our rare win last week so suppose we cannot have expected two good results. In many ways it does not matter and these games do seem a bit of a drag to watch or write about. They are meaningless in terms of points and without a new manager I am not sure the motivation is there for the players anymore. I get that they are professionals and have pride but I think even they just want this awful season to end.
Most games (last two apart where we looked ok v two poor teams) it looks like we are a League One side (not even Championship) going to a big club and have no belief we can keep the ball, get amongst them or create chances. The idea of getting a result seems fantasy stuff as the players look beaten before they start in set up, approach on and off the ball and desire. People will say well they are down so you can’t expect masses of effort and the confidence to be low but we won last week and also it has been like this all season? Today was so predictable really. I cannot believe they are considering Heckingbottom for the job as the players have not really improved individually or collectively. It is painful to watch players who have been so good for us look so inept and just out of their depth (especially as 18 months ago much of this side went to this ground and played Spurs off the park!).
We had a few players back today and Basham started but the same negative defensive set up and this new way of us coughing up possession as we attempt to play it out continued. Why we have started doing this when the players are not quick or good enough to pass it out of defence I do not know? This coupled with us being so deep meant it was just coming back all the time. The midfield did not press or tackle and sat off worried about them running through them as none of them of course have the pace or strength to keep up with runners. The forwards did not link or really move at all. We should have played an extra man in midfield or gulp…even Burke. We had no outlet whatsoever. We tried to pass it around and then just normally lost it or kicked it aimlessly away and they then came at us again. Spurs wasteful finishing and lack of composure in the final third stopped them scoring 3 or 4 more first half. We had a few half attacks I would call them but weak shots from McGoldrick and Fleck that nowhere near going in was all we could muster. We did not trouble the keeper at all first half and Spurs were not great but still comfortable.
Second half we did better for a spell and at least got stuck in but it was like 5 minutes and we created nothing at all. We then went for a complete change of tactics as we went from defending deep to defending almost on half way. This saw Spurs score one with (VAR denied them) and then got the 2nd with another ridiculously high line. We fell apart after this and I could not understand Hinchcliffe saying we were much better – we did nothing really. They had more chances from this new stupid way of playing/defending and Bale got a few more. Son scored a great goal as we stood off time after time again. It could have been even more than 4-0. We had one shot on goal and that was straight at the keeper and easy from the Norwood shot.
Our away form is laughably bad. We have lost 15 out of 17 games away and 7 straight now. Other than the win at Man Utd and the point at Brighton we have lost most games easily. Cannot recall many games we were unlucky to not get anything – maybe Wolves the other week? We have had some right battering too – at Chelsea, Leicester, West Ham and Southampton. Games we have lost 3,4 or 5 and could have been way more. We have been woefully out of our depth this season. We are not even close to many of the teams, especially the top teams. It is hard work watching us play currently – really hard work. We are going into games of football and are playing rubbish, barely have an attack and the opponents look like scoring every time they attack. We are just garbage at this level. If I was a neutral watching this, I would be scathing about how bad we are. We have absolutely stunk up the league and we have wasted a place this season (sounds silly as we deserved it by getting here).
We now finish with 4 games and do not play particularly great sides. I want us to do well as I am a fan even if they are meaningless but I worry that if we do ok, that will be their justification for keeping him in charge. Today was not a great start if he was continuing his audition and wanting to be in with a shout. This week, there has been a few things come out from the manager search but nothing that significant really. Just we have five candidates which is not really a surprise (not sure I even believe that -may be just something they are saying to appease us and make us thing we have a plan) but I suppose shows they had not earmarked one in particular. Reports from Yorkshire Live (who have been more reliable than our friends at the Star) suggest Jokanovic is not one. You also worry they maybe were chasing Blessing and these potential work permit complications mean they have had to almost start again. It is worrying that Wilder had resigned twice (was it three times?) from the Prince’s interview but we had no back up plan or nothing ready from January to now. That is four months. It is two months since Wilder went also.
It seems like we have no plan sadly and the news about Heckingbottom emerging as one of the contenders seems very much ‘typical United’ as my Dad may so. The cheap option already at the club but surely this is not the move that is going to get us having a chance of returning to the top league soon. A nice guy who speaks well but has failed everywhere he has been since he was at Barnsley. I am not sure he can handle the challenges and the pressure of being here, especially when crowds come back? If this lazy appointment is made then it shows a lot about the plan (or lack of it) as I say. It will not endear the Prince or Bettis to fans. I have been one of those saying wait and see but now the longer things go on, the more it seems we have no real strategy at all to move things forward. We now are nearly at the end of the season and we have no manager and chairman. It seems a bit of a mess to me.
I do feel regardless of the managerial situation that those that think so many of these players will slide from dreadful form to being top end performers even at a lower level (Champ standard is poor granted) within a few months – are way off. I might be wrong. The likes of Osborn, Stevens, Fleck, Norwood, Brewster etc cannot even do many of the basics even when under no pressure so regardless of standard they seem to have no confidence or belief in things they do. There has to be a natural churn of players and many of these cannot argue if they are moved on. Sadly, no Premier League teams are looking at anyone the way games are going and the longer things go on the likes of Egan, Fleck and Baldock are not going to have any suitors at all. Berge may move on of course. The team is bereft of confidence and ability. I do not see what we would lose by playing a few youngsters? We are getting hammered anyway. I do not buy it would ruin them – no one is going to throw them under the bus. After watching more diabolical performances from many experienced performers why would we not change it?
Today was another thoroughly depressing night. We look completely overmatched. We have little skill, strength, pace, power, ability, threat and cannot defend. We have no clear system, way of playing or idea how to get up the field. I think we have got even worse under Heckingbottom overall and that is saying something as we were abysmal before. This season just needs to end but the club need to start having a plan. We seem to be limping around with no idea.
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After ending the long losing streak last week at home to Brighton, the more familiar losing feeling was experienced again after defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday evening. With neither side really having much to play for and both without managers, it was maybe not a game that the neutral would have been salivating over.
Much of the media’s attention seemed to be focused on events at Old Trafford with the fan protests leading to the postponement of today’s big game in the Premier League but the game went ahead in London with no such demonstrations. A Gareth Bale hat trick and a Son stunner saw off a woeful Blades side who lost away yet again and created another Premier League record, it is now 27 away games without a clean sheet.
United made one change from last week with Basham back in for Bryan who was not in the matchday squad through injury. The Blades had Sander Berge and Jack Robinson back on the bench after long term absences. For Berge, any game time now was surely a chance to put himself in the shop window in the summer? Ethan Ampadu was also out after picking up a knock in the week
Spurs started with Bale and Alli back in from the start with Moura and Winks dropping out. A Bale, Kane, Son and Alli front line suggested Spurs knew they could get at the beleaguered Blades side. Indeed, only perhaps Hojbjerg could be seen as a defensive player of any nature with Lo Celso completing the top 6.
The game started with United playing in all green and with Basham on the left-hand side of the back three. United began on the attack with a cross coming over but Osborn could not get enough on it to get it back across from the other side. Fleck’s give away at the other end saw Son play Kane in and he was denied by Ramsdale but the flag went up anyway. Spurs were knocking it around confidently and United could not get out for a period.
A ball over the top nearly Reguilon almost get in between Ramsdale and Baldock as the latter dithered. McGoldrick tried to break out but his shot was pulled badly wide but at least United got up the field after being penned in early. Spurs got back on the ball and moved it around as a static Blades side were defending very deep early on. Basham did well to stop Kane after he went round a few Blades players.
A deflected effort saw a shot go behind for a corner but United cleared before Bale fired well over. Spurs were not being pressed at all and the Blades defence was so deep it was almost asking for trouble. Bogle lost Alli who headed at Ramsdale from the angle with a looping effort.
Osborn got robbed from Aurier and Son took a pot shot but Ramsdale made a super save down to his right with a strong wrist to push it behind.
United had survived the first quarter of an but then were nearly behind as Egan gave it away and then chopped down Son before Kane checked inside Baldock easily and his shot lacked necessary power and Basham cleared off the line. Egan was booked. Baldock then was the next to give it away and the ball just evaded Son who came back on after treatment. United were trying to play it out but it was not working and they could barely string two passes together. Brewster had not been in the game and had barely had a touch.
A simple ball through the lines saw Son feed Reguilon who nutmegged Bogle and pulled back. United left Kane completely unmarked but he blazed miles over. United could not get into the Spurs half but then a rare break saw McGoldrick get down the left but his cross was poor. United at least got further up the field but a poor Ramsdale kick out nearly saw Tottenham in again. Brewster fired horrible wide before Ramsdale had to have treatment on his foot, which he seemed to injure in aforementioned kick out.
United’s best period of the game was punctuated by an excellent Norwood cross but United’s forward was statuesque again. Fleck and McGoldrick tried to link but it was given away cheaply and the brief pressure was not sustained.
Spurs took control again and with it the lead on 36 minutes. Aurier’s lofted ball over the top saw United’s defence completely disorganised with some coming out and some staying in and BALE ran through easily onside. Ramsdale was maybe a bit slow coming out but was not helped by the indecision in front of him as the Welsh international expertly lobbed it over him and into the net.
Another break from United saw Brewster play in Fleck but his shot was weak and Alli broke away and embarrassed Bogle before the same United man cynically pulled back Son but Kane could only hit the wall.
Lo Celso then curled over after patient football with men over. As the half entered stoppage time, Alli had an effort curled into Ramsdale’s hands just before the break but the Blades got in only one behind after being dominated for much of the first half.
The second half saw two changes instantly from the Blades as Burke and Berge came on for Bogle and Brewster. Baldock went back to right wing back and Basham right centre back.
United began the half well with some better commitment and some decent play saw some moments of attacking intent but nothing came of the improved play. Fleck then went into a challenge on Lo Celso and was perhaps fortunate that VAR did not get involved after his foot came down on the Spurs players head as he planted it down. It was clumsy to say the least.
Spurs through they had doubled their lead when a ball through the middle saw Son in and the flag stayed down. Ramsdale back pedalled and Basham tried to get back but the South Korean picked his spot as the keeper left his near post. The checks saw that the Blades got lucky as the striker’s chest/torso had put him marginally offside and the goal was chalked off.
The Blades were getting closer to the Spurs players at least but they were not really threatening at all. United were playing higher up the field at least but it was a risky tactic and it seemed they had gone from one extreme to the other and led to a dangerous defensive strategy. More poor play in midfield saw the game effectively ended as Baldock tried to dive in and lost it and Spurs were in and as Osborn could not get back, Son put the ball through and BALE ran through from his own half and this time as Basham tried to get back, the Spurs player smashed it into the net clinically.
Spurs then started to move it around again and Bale was toying with the United defence and Stevens upended him but looking for his hat trick, the Spurs man dipping free kick was straight at Ramsdale. It was not long before he got his hat trick though as Aurier skipped away from Osborn and Stevens, played in BALE and he fired it into the corner giving Ramsdale no chance. It was another well taken goal but again way too easy.
It was damage limitation for the Blades at this stage and Tottenham were now able to just knock it about easily under no pressure. Winks came on for Lo Celso for Spurs just before the 70th minute.
Kane’s cross narrowly evaded Son after the England captain had got down the right. Spurs won a succession of corners and a flick at the near post was saved. Bale came off after lighting up a meaningless game, with Bergwjin replacing him.
McGoldrick was the latest to give it away and the ball was moved forward to SON and he came inside Basham and curled a delightful effort into the top corner. It was a brilliant goal and the Blades keeper had no chance on this at all.
Lamella for Alli was the final Spurs change. The Blades could barely get out of their half but a rare break saw Basham come forward and link with Burke but his pull back saw Osborn barely get any purchase on his shot. Burke again had a decent run but his cross was overplayed. Norwood then had an effort on goal but it was straight at the keeper in the Blades only effort at goal after Burke had done well.
Spurs were moving it around and looking for more in the one-sided contest. Kane shanked his finish and then took a poor touch in an uncharacteristically poor game from the Tottenham talisman.
Mousset replaced McGoldrick and United won a few corners but it came to nothing. The game went into additional time and Spurs nearly got a 5th as Reguilon broke through and was one on one but put his shot wide when it was easier to score. The full-time whistle came soon after and United trooped off after another away defeat.
United – We had our rare win last week so suppose we cannot have expected two good results. In many ways it does not matter and these games do seem a bit of a drag to watch or write about. They are meaningless in terms of points and without a new manager I am not sure the motivation is there for the players anymore. I get that they are professionals and have pride but I think even they just want this awful season to end.
Most games (last two apart where we looked ok v two poor teams) it looks like we are a League One side (not even Championship) going to a big club and have no belief we can keep the ball, get amongst them or create chances. The idea of getting a result seems fantasy stuff as the players look beaten before they start in set up, approach on and off the ball and desire. People will say well they are down so you can’t expect masses of effort and the confidence to be low but we won last week and also it has been like this all season? Today was so predictable really. I cannot believe they are considering Heckingbottom for the job as the players have not really improved individually or collectively. It is painful to watch players who have been so good for us look so inept and just out of their depth (especially as 18 months ago much of this side went to this ground and played Spurs off the park!).
We had a few players back today and Basham started but the same negative defensive set up and this new way of us coughing up possession as we attempt to play it out continued. Why we have started doing this when the players are not quick or good enough to pass it out of defence I do not know? This coupled with us being so deep meant it was just coming back all the time. The midfield did not press or tackle and sat off worried about them running through them as none of them of course have the pace or strength to keep up with runners. The forwards did not link or really move at all. We should have played an extra man in midfield or gulp…even Burke. We had no outlet whatsoever. We tried to pass it around and then just normally lost it or kicked it aimlessly away and they then came at us again. Spurs wasteful finishing and lack of composure in the final third stopped them scoring 3 or 4 more first half. We had a few half attacks I would call them but weak shots from McGoldrick and Fleck that nowhere near going in was all we could muster. We did not trouble the keeper at all first half and Spurs were not great but still comfortable.
Second half we did better for a spell and at least got stuck in but it was like 5 minutes and we created nothing at all. We then went for a complete change of tactics as we went from defending deep to defending almost on half way. This saw Spurs score one with (VAR denied them) and then got the 2nd with another ridiculously high line. We fell apart after this and I could not understand Hinchcliffe saying we were much better – we did nothing really. They had more chances from this new stupid way of playing/defending and Bale got a few more. Son scored a great goal as we stood off time after time again. It could have been even more than 4-0. We had one shot on goal and that was straight at the keeper and easy from the Norwood shot.
Our away form is laughably bad. We have lost 15 out of 17 games away and 7 straight now. Other than the win at Man Utd and the point at Brighton we have lost most games easily. Cannot recall many games we were unlucky to not get anything – maybe Wolves the other week? We have had some right battering too – at Chelsea, Leicester, West Ham and Southampton. Games we have lost 3,4 or 5 and could have been way more. We have been woefully out of our depth this season. We are not even close to many of the teams, especially the top teams. It is hard work watching us play currently – really hard work. We are going into games of football and are playing rubbish, barely have an attack and the opponents look like scoring every time they attack. We are just garbage at this level. If I was a neutral watching this, I would be scathing about how bad we are. We have absolutely stunk up the league and we have wasted a place this season (sounds silly as we deserved it by getting here).
We now finish with 4 games and do not play particularly great sides. I want us to do well as I am a fan even if they are meaningless but I worry that if we do ok, that will be their justification for keeping him in charge. Today was not a great start if he was continuing his audition and wanting to be in with a shout. This week, there has been a few things come out from the manager search but nothing that significant really. Just we have five candidates which is not really a surprise (not sure I even believe that -may be just something they are saying to appease us and make us thing we have a plan) but I suppose shows they had not earmarked one in particular. Reports from Yorkshire Live (who have been more reliable than our friends at the Star) suggest Jokanovic is not one. You also worry they maybe were chasing Blessing and these potential work permit complications mean they have had to almost start again. It is worrying that Wilder had resigned twice (was it three times?) from the Prince’s interview but we had no back up plan or nothing ready from January to now. That is four months. It is two months since Wilder went also.
It seems like we have no plan sadly and the news about Heckingbottom emerging as one of the contenders seems very much ‘typical United’ as my Dad may so. The cheap option already at the club but surely this is not the move that is going to get us having a chance of returning to the top league soon. A nice guy who speaks well but has failed everywhere he has been since he was at Barnsley. I am not sure he can handle the challenges and the pressure of being here, especially when crowds come back? If this lazy appointment is made then it shows a lot about the plan (or lack of it) as I say. It will not endear the Prince or Bettis to fans. I have been one of those saying wait and see but now the longer things go on, the more it seems we have no real strategy at all to move things forward. We now are nearly at the end of the season and we have no manager and chairman. It seems a bit of a mess to me.
I do feel regardless of the managerial situation that those that think so many of these players will slide from dreadful form to being top end performers even at a lower level (Champ standard is poor granted) within a few months – are way off. I might be wrong. The likes of Osborn, Stevens, Fleck, Norwood, Brewster etc cannot even do many of the basics even when under no pressure so regardless of standard they seem to have no confidence or belief in things they do. There has to be a natural churn of players and many of these cannot argue if they are moved on. Sadly, no Premier League teams are looking at anyone the way games are going and the longer things go on the likes of Egan, Fleck and Baldock are not going to have any suitors at all. Berge may move on of course. The team is bereft of confidence and ability. I do not see what we would lose by playing a few youngsters? We are getting hammered anyway. I do not buy it would ruin them – no one is going to throw them under the bus. After watching more diabolical performances from many experienced performers why would we not change it?
Today was another thoroughly depressing night. We look completely overmatched. We have little skill, strength, pace, power, ability, threat and cannot defend. We have no clear system, way of playing or idea how to get up the field. I think we have got even worse under Heckingbottom overall and that is saying something as we were abysmal before. This season just needs to end but the club need to start having a plan. We seem to be limping around with no idea.
