Deadbat
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The Blades completed a seasonal and monthly double over Stoke City after winning 2-1 at the Bet 365 Stadium. United were the better side for much of the contest and deservedly led thanks to a scrappy goal from Jairo Riedewald and then a more clinical goal, from former Potter Tom Cannon. However, the Blades tendency to sit back and invite pressure as games develop continued to be their achilles heel. Ben Wilmott scored a scrappy goal from a ball that dropped inside the box and Stoke then put the visitors under pressure but could not find an equaliser. The final bit of notable action came when Ben Pearson was sent off for a cynical foul on sub-Patrick Bamford as be broke from halfway. After the disappointment of throwing away a two-goal lead on Boxing Day, United were able to see the game out and were good value for the three points despite concerns over the inability to keep the control up for the duration of games.
Manager Wilder continued to tinker with his line ups as he sought consistency from his side. He made several changes from the chastening defeat at Wrexham with McCallum, Arblaster, Chong, Hamer and Bamford all taken out of the side as half the outfield starters were dropped. Bamford’s omission was a surprise and surely could only be down to the sheer volume of games over this busy period – especially with his contact up in a matter of days? Stoke started with Gallagher and Nzonzi as they looked to try and find some consistency after some stuttering form of their own.
United began well with Seriki getting down the right and forcing an early corner when a challenge came in and Johansson had to receive treatment after falling awkwardly on the corner. O’Hare was seeing a lot of the ball early on and his run and dribble nearly saw a chance after Burrows played him in. At the other end Stoke won a corner but Gibson looped over.
Cannon did well to get down the side but overhit the ball as Campbell tried to get in. Burrows was high up the field again and sent over an inviting cross but Gibson beat Brooks to the ball to make an excellent interception with the winger looking to convert at the far post. There was another decent chance as Soumare, who had started well, threaded it through for O’Hare but the ball deflected over off the United player.
The visitors had been in total control and the game had been largely played in the Stoke half but United had not created anything clear cut and were perhaps guilty of overplaying at times despite getting in good positions. Brooks ran down the right and bizarrely a second ball came in to curtail his run. The crowd, of which the ball had come from, were aghast at the decision to return the ball back to the Blades but surely that was the only decision the referee could make? His interesting spell continued though when he ran into Soumare. Thomas twice went to ground too easily and with the home fans baying for fouls, Seriki and Soumare both could be pleased with their good work to stop the dangerman from advancing.
The next spell saw both teams giving the ball away too cheaply and the game was mired in midfield for a period. Soumare continued his much-improved display with a neat step over, run and pass but O’Hare and Campbell both took too long, Burrows then wasted a crossing opportunity and it deflected out off the United man. The best chance of the game came when Seriki did well down the right, sent over a cross and as Campbell dummied, O’Hare blazed miles over. He was completely unmarked on the penalty spot and his finish was a poor one.
Stoke, buoyed by this let off, finally had a spell in the game for the final 10 minutes of the half. A ball from the right was allowed to bounce and Seriki was well off Thomas but the winger headed tamely at Cooper, when he had time to steady himself and either go for goal or find a teammate. Stoke then had another moment when after Burrows’ wild slice, Cooper had to save from Phillips header from the long throw. Manhoef was the next to get in as he worked his way down the right past a few challenges but his shot was at Cooper. After not being in the game, Stoke had tested Cooper on three occasions, albeit tame efforts – in comparison to United who had played well for long spells but looked rather powder puff – only the O’Hare effort was fashioned despite a clear possession advantage.
United had been poor starters after the break this season but turned this narrative around as they were able to open the scoring, with their first effort on goal. The ball dropped inside the box and Campbell tried to power his shot goalwards but it was rather a mishit but Bindo dropped on it and his effort squirmed under Johansson. RIEDEWALD was able to ensure it went over the line as he and a defender converged on the ball on the goal line and the Blades were in front.
United were now in confident mood and O’Hare’s excellent run saw him play in Brooks but the wingers shot deflected off a defender and looped over the bar. From the corner on the right, Burrows took a short one and exchanged passes with O’Hare before sending over the deep cross. CANNON was inexplicably left completely unmarked and swept home clinically under Johansson. United had scored twice in the opening 6 minutes of the second half and now had firm control of the game. However, after events at the Racecourse Ground, United could not sit comfortably. Brooks looked to make it three but his low daisy cutter went wide.
Mark Robins had seen enough and made a rare quadruple change. Pearson, Cisse, Bozenik and Jun-Ho Bae replaced Nzonzi, Mubama, Manhoef and Gallagher. Stoke also changed their formation and put an extra man in the centre of the park and at least started to see more of the ball after being desperately disappointing for an hour. Bindon did well to cut out a through ball and the home side won two corners and looking to exploit the long throw. On 65 minutes, Stoke got a goal back from such a source. The ball came in and despite United having opportunities to clear, it remained in the box and dropped for WILMOTT who fired home via the underside of the bar.
Stoke’s fans came to life and another corner saw Phillips head back over from the far post but Riedewald did well to clear under pressure. Soumare, Brooks and Campbell departed for Bamford, Arblaster and Chong. Rigo also came on for Seko for Stoke. Seriki was booked for timewasting as the game had now changed with the home team in the ascendancy and the Blades struggling to see much of the ball. Thomas got away from Seriki down the left-hand side and Bozenik headed down and wide. Lawal then hit an effort over the bar via a deflection as Stoke kept the pressure on.
United had a break but Bamford and Chong made a mess of it before they did have another chance from another breakaway soon after. Cannon fed Burrows who played it to Bamford but the shot was pushed away from Johansson.
McGuiness came on for Cannon on 85 minutes but soon after Stoke were reduced to ten men. Bamford was played in and was suddenly through and Pearson hauled him down. Whilst the United sub was a long way from goal, the sub was the last man and did not complain at the decision and he exited the field before his teammates – with his seventh red card of his career.
Rigo had a shot well off target at the ball dropped as despite having a man less, Stoke continued to try and find the leveller. There was 7 minutes of stoppage time to be played and the Stoke supporters did appeal twice for penalties but Lawal went down rather easily under the challenge from Chong and then as players clashed in the box, they asked for a foot up but was rather desperate from the crowd with the home players barely raising an appeal. Matos came on for Riedewald who had struggled with cramp but United were able to see out time and make sure, that this time they were able to hang onto the three points on the road.
United – It was a deserved win and for 60 minutes we were in complete control (save for a 10-minute spell before the half time whistle). We had more of the ball, played more in their final third and looked the better footballing side. We won our battles, controlled midfield and played some good stuff. We did not really look threatened (save for that little spell) at all and kept their dangermen quiet. However, for all the control and decent play and football with Soumare and Riedewald controlling the middle and O’Hare/Seriki busy – we did not really create much. Only the one cross that just evaded Brooks and then the big O’Hare chance- which he should have scored. We did not test the keeper at all -despite all our control and decent play up to the final third. I thought we were guilty of overplaying at times – as pretty as some of our football was. Someone needed to be more direct and get the cross in or take the shot in. O’Hare was excellent but he was one of the main culrpits. Burrows looked better than he has for some time and as I say, Soumare was excellent showing some good skill and some clever through balls down the middle. I was pleased generally with howe we played but we had not tested the keeper and then they put us under pressure and had as many chances as we had in a 5-minute spell.
This worried me for after the break as we have seen us drop off and I worried that the trend had started again but credit Wilder and the team. We came out fast and scored two goals and against a really poor side, that should have been enough. Brooks nearly gets a third and you want us to go on and finish them off. Yet again we sit off though. I know it was inevitable they would have a spell and would put a few corners/throws in but you want us just to get hold of the ball and break it up. Make it scrappy for a spell but we just sat back, ceded possession and almost asked them on. Robins put an extra man in the middle (actually took a striker off) and they had all the ball from when they scored. They were then allowed to get crosses in. We took too long to make changes again and when we did, we still did not change the shape – it was just like for like. Worrying that the coaching staff cannot adapt. We just needed to slow the game down but like at Wrexham became quick and frantic and we showed no effort to keep the ball or just have a few passes to take the sting out of it. Our game management is pathetic really and as soon as teams change things and up the intensity/sent balls into our last third, we start to crumble. Better teams than Stoke would have completed the turnaround but they had little in the way of dangerous forwards and in the end they did not create too much to be fair. I thought Bindon and Tanganga did well and made sure they won their battles/headers when it mattered and they only really had half chances and protected Cooper well. We had chances to finish it off towards the end and then the red card helped us see it over the line. WE did deserve to win but made it a lot harder than it needed to be.
The positive is we played well for an hour and for an away side controlled the game – but we need to create more from such good play. It is just a worry we almost need to be 2 or 3 goals up to see games out as we know that we drop off – whether it is mentality, confidence or fitness, we must address this if we want to keep climbing the lead. I think Stoke were largely in both games and they just seemed to be desperately appealing to the officials for anything and kept falling to the floor which was a bit pathetic.
It is concerning the lack of news on Bamford and he could conceivably have played his last game for us which would be a big blow – as he has played really well and you saw the difference again when he came on. Campbell was again poor and despite scoring, Cannon was quiet throughout. I was pleased with the defence as at least they stood firm towards the end but they must have been annoyed with those in front who stopped winning their battles and/or keeping the ball. It just kept coming back and from being comfortable, it became unnecessarily uneasy again.
It is a big three points as another defeat or even draw and we are back nervously looking over our shoulders. We now have 2 home games and hope we can get at least 4-6 points from these and try and keep moving up towards the middle places and just a position of comfort.
Manager Wilder continued to tinker with his line ups as he sought consistency from his side. He made several changes from the chastening defeat at Wrexham with McCallum, Arblaster, Chong, Hamer and Bamford all taken out of the side as half the outfield starters were dropped. Bamford’s omission was a surprise and surely could only be down to the sheer volume of games over this busy period – especially with his contact up in a matter of days? Stoke started with Gallagher and Nzonzi as they looked to try and find some consistency after some stuttering form of their own.
United began well with Seriki getting down the right and forcing an early corner when a challenge came in and Johansson had to receive treatment after falling awkwardly on the corner. O’Hare was seeing a lot of the ball early on and his run and dribble nearly saw a chance after Burrows played him in. At the other end Stoke won a corner but Gibson looped over.
Cannon did well to get down the side but overhit the ball as Campbell tried to get in. Burrows was high up the field again and sent over an inviting cross but Gibson beat Brooks to the ball to make an excellent interception with the winger looking to convert at the far post. There was another decent chance as Soumare, who had started well, threaded it through for O’Hare but the ball deflected over off the United player.
The visitors had been in total control and the game had been largely played in the Stoke half but United had not created anything clear cut and were perhaps guilty of overplaying at times despite getting in good positions. Brooks ran down the right and bizarrely a second ball came in to curtail his run. The crowd, of which the ball had come from, were aghast at the decision to return the ball back to the Blades but surely that was the only decision the referee could make? His interesting spell continued though when he ran into Soumare. Thomas twice went to ground too easily and with the home fans baying for fouls, Seriki and Soumare both could be pleased with their good work to stop the dangerman from advancing.
The next spell saw both teams giving the ball away too cheaply and the game was mired in midfield for a period. Soumare continued his much-improved display with a neat step over, run and pass but O’Hare and Campbell both took too long, Burrows then wasted a crossing opportunity and it deflected out off the United man. The best chance of the game came when Seriki did well down the right, sent over a cross and as Campbell dummied, O’Hare blazed miles over. He was completely unmarked on the penalty spot and his finish was a poor one.
Stoke, buoyed by this let off, finally had a spell in the game for the final 10 minutes of the half. A ball from the right was allowed to bounce and Seriki was well off Thomas but the winger headed tamely at Cooper, when he had time to steady himself and either go for goal or find a teammate. Stoke then had another moment when after Burrows’ wild slice, Cooper had to save from Phillips header from the long throw. Manhoef was the next to get in as he worked his way down the right past a few challenges but his shot was at Cooper. After not being in the game, Stoke had tested Cooper on three occasions, albeit tame efforts – in comparison to United who had played well for long spells but looked rather powder puff – only the O’Hare effort was fashioned despite a clear possession advantage.
United had been poor starters after the break this season but turned this narrative around as they were able to open the scoring, with their first effort on goal. The ball dropped inside the box and Campbell tried to power his shot goalwards but it was rather a mishit but Bindo dropped on it and his effort squirmed under Johansson. RIEDEWALD was able to ensure it went over the line as he and a defender converged on the ball on the goal line and the Blades were in front.
United were now in confident mood and O’Hare’s excellent run saw him play in Brooks but the wingers shot deflected off a defender and looped over the bar. From the corner on the right, Burrows took a short one and exchanged passes with O’Hare before sending over the deep cross. CANNON was inexplicably left completely unmarked and swept home clinically under Johansson. United had scored twice in the opening 6 minutes of the second half and now had firm control of the game. However, after events at the Racecourse Ground, United could not sit comfortably. Brooks looked to make it three but his low daisy cutter went wide.
Mark Robins had seen enough and made a rare quadruple change. Pearson, Cisse, Bozenik and Jun-Ho Bae replaced Nzonzi, Mubama, Manhoef and Gallagher. Stoke also changed their formation and put an extra man in the centre of the park and at least started to see more of the ball after being desperately disappointing for an hour. Bindon did well to cut out a through ball and the home side won two corners and looking to exploit the long throw. On 65 minutes, Stoke got a goal back from such a source. The ball came in and despite United having opportunities to clear, it remained in the box and dropped for WILMOTT who fired home via the underside of the bar.
Stoke’s fans came to life and another corner saw Phillips head back over from the far post but Riedewald did well to clear under pressure. Soumare, Brooks and Campbell departed for Bamford, Arblaster and Chong. Rigo also came on for Seko for Stoke. Seriki was booked for timewasting as the game had now changed with the home team in the ascendancy and the Blades struggling to see much of the ball. Thomas got away from Seriki down the left-hand side and Bozenik headed down and wide. Lawal then hit an effort over the bar via a deflection as Stoke kept the pressure on.
United had a break but Bamford and Chong made a mess of it before they did have another chance from another breakaway soon after. Cannon fed Burrows who played it to Bamford but the shot was pushed away from Johansson.
McGuiness came on for Cannon on 85 minutes but soon after Stoke were reduced to ten men. Bamford was played in and was suddenly through and Pearson hauled him down. Whilst the United sub was a long way from goal, the sub was the last man and did not complain at the decision and he exited the field before his teammates – with his seventh red card of his career.
Rigo had a shot well off target at the ball dropped as despite having a man less, Stoke continued to try and find the leveller. There was 7 minutes of stoppage time to be played and the Stoke supporters did appeal twice for penalties but Lawal went down rather easily under the challenge from Chong and then as players clashed in the box, they asked for a foot up but was rather desperate from the crowd with the home players barely raising an appeal. Matos came on for Riedewald who had struggled with cramp but United were able to see out time and make sure, that this time they were able to hang onto the three points on the road.
United – It was a deserved win and for 60 minutes we were in complete control (save for a 10-minute spell before the half time whistle). We had more of the ball, played more in their final third and looked the better footballing side. We won our battles, controlled midfield and played some good stuff. We did not really look threatened (save for that little spell) at all and kept their dangermen quiet. However, for all the control and decent play and football with Soumare and Riedewald controlling the middle and O’Hare/Seriki busy – we did not really create much. Only the one cross that just evaded Brooks and then the big O’Hare chance- which he should have scored. We did not test the keeper at all -despite all our control and decent play up to the final third. I thought we were guilty of overplaying at times – as pretty as some of our football was. Someone needed to be more direct and get the cross in or take the shot in. O’Hare was excellent but he was one of the main culrpits. Burrows looked better than he has for some time and as I say, Soumare was excellent showing some good skill and some clever through balls down the middle. I was pleased generally with howe we played but we had not tested the keeper and then they put us under pressure and had as many chances as we had in a 5-minute spell.
This worried me for after the break as we have seen us drop off and I worried that the trend had started again but credit Wilder and the team. We came out fast and scored two goals and against a really poor side, that should have been enough. Brooks nearly gets a third and you want us to go on and finish them off. Yet again we sit off though. I know it was inevitable they would have a spell and would put a few corners/throws in but you want us just to get hold of the ball and break it up. Make it scrappy for a spell but we just sat back, ceded possession and almost asked them on. Robins put an extra man in the middle (actually took a striker off) and they had all the ball from when they scored. They were then allowed to get crosses in. We took too long to make changes again and when we did, we still did not change the shape – it was just like for like. Worrying that the coaching staff cannot adapt. We just needed to slow the game down but like at Wrexham became quick and frantic and we showed no effort to keep the ball or just have a few passes to take the sting out of it. Our game management is pathetic really and as soon as teams change things and up the intensity/sent balls into our last third, we start to crumble. Better teams than Stoke would have completed the turnaround but they had little in the way of dangerous forwards and in the end they did not create too much to be fair. I thought Bindon and Tanganga did well and made sure they won their battles/headers when it mattered and they only really had half chances and protected Cooper well. We had chances to finish it off towards the end and then the red card helped us see it over the line. WE did deserve to win but made it a lot harder than it needed to be.
The positive is we played well for an hour and for an away side controlled the game – but we need to create more from such good play. It is just a worry we almost need to be 2 or 3 goals up to see games out as we know that we drop off – whether it is mentality, confidence or fitness, we must address this if we want to keep climbing the lead. I think Stoke were largely in both games and they just seemed to be desperately appealing to the officials for anything and kept falling to the floor which was a bit pathetic.
It is concerning the lack of news on Bamford and he could conceivably have played his last game for us which would be a big blow – as he has played really well and you saw the difference again when he came on. Campbell was again poor and despite scoring, Cannon was quiet throughout. I was pleased with the defence as at least they stood firm towards the end but they must have been annoyed with those in front who stopped winning their battles and/or keeping the ball. It just kept coming back and from being comfortable, it became unnecessarily uneasy again.
It is a big three points as another defeat or even draw and we are back nervously looking over our shoulders. We now have 2 home games and hope we can get at least 4-6 points from these and try and keep moving up towards the middle places and just a position of comfort.
and thx for efforts this year 
