Deadbat
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United got back to action after nearly a fortnight off and got back to winning ways to win this vital game at Prenton Park. It was a dour game overall with few chances but the opportunities and efforts that came were nearly all from the away side and the Blades shaded a tight contest and probably just about deserved to take all three points. The game was played in difficult conditions in terms of the state of the surface which looked more like Blackpool beach than a football pitch! However, United got the crucial goal and then used their experience to see out the game without too many problems and get themselves back in touch with the leaders in League One.
United began without Jamie Murphy and had Forte and Kitson up top supplanted by wide men Robson and Flynn. On the bench there was a mixture of experience and youth for manager Danny Wilson to call upon. Rovers fresh from a win at the weekend against Stevenage
The match began with the ball bobbling around horribly for both sides and it was clear there was not going to be much football played. Tranmere forced a few early corners but Collins and McDonald both headed away. The game became mired in a scrappy midfield battle with a shot blocked from Wednesday loanee Palmer for the home side and then Forte likewise having a shot that was stopped by defender Taylor and span away to safety.
Tranmere shaded the early stages but did not have any real efforts on goal and gradually United started to get a foothold in the game as they saw more of the ball in midfield with McDonald’s influence growing.
United came out of defence and after Kitson smartly held it up, he played in Forte. The pacy striker had the first real effort of note on target as he was played through and used his pace to cut in on the angle but his low shot which was goal bound was turned around his near post by Williams. It was a fine save and stopped a certain goal.
Forte had another effort that lacked power and was easily saved by Williams after the Southampton loanee had turned in the box. Tranmere won two free kicks but these came to nothing and then soon after Flynn was the first man to be cautioned; as after he had originally gave the ball away he chased back to try and win it but pulled his man down.
Maguire was then harshly booked for allegedly holding Akpa Akpro as the ball came forward. It may have been a foul but a booking seemed very harsh considering it was his first offence and the contact was minimal.
United had a good chance as Robson sent over a whipped cross that Kitson met but his flashing header went wide. United were asking most of the questions but it was a real slice of luck that led to them breaking the deadlock.
A short free kick was taken and McMahon hit a long range effort that took a massive deflection off defender TAYLOR and span away from the wrong footed Williams and nestled into the other side of the goal where he was diving to. It was a fortunate goal but it rarely seems like United get much fortune or such goals so maybe lady luck had turned at a crucial time.
The second half saw United attack their massed throng of supporters behind Williams’s goal but the home side seemed more determined and tried to show some greater urgency with their play. However they failed to trouble Long and Collins and Maguire had easily won the battle with their respective opponents. Hill also was making several timely clearances. A ball landed on top of Long’s goal and a corner came to nothing before McGurk replaced Bell Baggie as Ronnie Moore tried to introduce fresh impetus to the Tranmere attack.
Robson had a shot straight at Williams before Tranmere finally had an effort of note as substitute McGurk’s shot hit a defender but fortunately for United; Long made the save down low. Sidibe was the first home man to be cautioned after he caught a United player with an elbow when the high ball came forward. A few misplaced passes from Tranmere saw the home crowd start to become a bit anxious as the visitors were frustrating them.
Robson and McDonald showed their class by keeping the ball for a period of play and whilst United had not been scintillating they continued to be professional in protecting their hard earned lead. Indeed they could easily have scored again with two good chances late on.
Flynn hit a speculative long range effort but it dipped late and clunked the top of the bar before bouncing back into play and the ball was eventually scrambled away before Forte could get on it. Soon after United had another effort as they looked to make the game safe. Robson cut in and hit a ferocious effort that Williams managed to push over for a corner. From the resultant kick United managed to waste a fair amount of time by keeping the ball and forcing another couple of corners.
As the game approached the final minute Poleon came on for Forte as United were actually looking more like scoring again than the home side. Tranmere in truth has never really threatened but as the game entered additional three minutes of stoppage time they pumped the ball forward at every opportunity but Collins and Maguire remained solid. In the final seconds Tranmere forced a corner and with the goalkeeper up they sensed a final chance but the ball was cleared and before Rovers could get it back into the danger area, the referee rightly called time with the game 30 seconds past the additional three minutes despite Tranmere players complaining they were still on the attack.
United – It was pleasing to see United get back to a solid base and defensive show after the debacle at Stevenage. If we do go up it will be based on games like this away and there are so many now away from the Lane where we have just been really tight at the back, got a goal and then just defended well without showing much attacking imagination. It has worked all season as the away performances and results prove. Of course at home it is a different story. Today the recipe for much of the away success continued as United. It was a really professional performance. We got a lead and protected it well and actually could have scored a few more late on. Overall we were not superb or flashy and at times frustrated with some poor play but we did enough to win and on a difficult pitch against fellow high flyers that is the most important think.
I thought the defence was excellent and all played their part. Further forward Forte and Kitson were up and down and both could have done more for me. Ditto for the wide men although both had decent late efforts and Robson showed his experience in keeping hold of the ball. I felt McDonald whilst not dominant looked the best midfielder on the pitch and whilst it was only bits and pieces he did (basic control, making a yard and passing to feet) this was more than many others for both sides could manage! Doyle was poor I am afraid but did better in final stages when we were trying to see the game out.
It was the sort of game where you just want to get the win and as I say the Blades continue to frustrate with poor balls and lack f adventure in the final third. It was an odd one though as we led and you wanted us to be solid which we were but against a really poor side with a bit more quality we could have won that game 3 or 4 nil. It just needed someone to really just grab game by scruff of neck but sadly we do not have that type of player so have to resort to huffing and puffing our way to 1-0 wins away against some awful opposition. Still it’s a win and now we move onto the game Monday. We have not scored the last 2 home games and it is crucial we can lift the home crowd with some kind of performance. Personally I would take a scrappy 1-0 again but I do feel it is about time they gave the home fans something to shout about. If we could win on Monday and inevitably a few around drop point then we hopefully could be right back in terms of points with the 3 above us. With a tough game at Walsall next week, it is imperative we follow up today with another win on Monday. After that we have 3 home games in a week including Swindon and Brentford. That could be the week that defines our season I feel.
Tranmere – Thought they were really poor. I watched them against Stevenage on Sky and they looked much better with Sidibe a handful; Palmer using the ball well and a good mixture of pace and power up top. Today they looked clueless for long spells. They had a few corners and set plays and a few balls in the box but our defence handled anything they did fairly comfortable and for a home side to only have one shot on goal (deflected effort) all game says it all. They could not argue with the verdict. I cannot see them going up and if I was a betting man they would be the ones that miss out on the top 6 at the end of the season.
Going back to the game; I thought Sidibe would cause more problems but looks a shadow of the man he was at Stoke where he was fast, strong and a real handful but obviously had so many injuries. Bell Baggie, Akpa Akpro and Bakayogo all possess pace but United defended deep and thus easily stopped any raids from such players. I rate the latter as an attacking full back but he was not a factor going forward. The lad from Wednesday Palmer did a few bits and pieces but faded and McDonald outshone him in the second half. The centre back Gibson is decent and handled Kitson quite well and is a good prospect (on loan from Boro). I heard Moore have a go at the lad who scored the own goal but that seemed harsh to me as I do not think he had time to really think about it. It seemed to hit him more than him trying to play it.
They badly needed something different today and I was surprised Moore did not put O’Halloran on. I know he was poor at the Lane but at least he gave them some direct running. The fact he only made one change when they never looked like scoring was odd. I felt they would have threw caution to the wind but it was not like United were getting chances at the end as they were throwing men forward; they just gave the ball away a lot.
Ronnie Moore has done a sterling job and I thought they may go down this year with the lack of resources but with the loan players he has got in and some excellent management, the fact they are anywhere near the top is a tremendous achievement. Next season will tough if as I expect they just miss out as they will have to follow this up and the high level energy and effort they have put in this year may be hard to replicate but it depends on who he can get in on loan again.
United began without Jamie Murphy and had Forte and Kitson up top supplanted by wide men Robson and Flynn. On the bench there was a mixture of experience and youth for manager Danny Wilson to call upon. Rovers fresh from a win at the weekend against Stevenage
The match began with the ball bobbling around horribly for both sides and it was clear there was not going to be much football played. Tranmere forced a few early corners but Collins and McDonald both headed away. The game became mired in a scrappy midfield battle with a shot blocked from Wednesday loanee Palmer for the home side and then Forte likewise having a shot that was stopped by defender Taylor and span away to safety.
Tranmere shaded the early stages but did not have any real efforts on goal and gradually United started to get a foothold in the game as they saw more of the ball in midfield with McDonald’s influence growing.
United came out of defence and after Kitson smartly held it up, he played in Forte. The pacy striker had the first real effort of note on target as he was played through and used his pace to cut in on the angle but his low shot which was goal bound was turned around his near post by Williams. It was a fine save and stopped a certain goal.
Forte had another effort that lacked power and was easily saved by Williams after the Southampton loanee had turned in the box. Tranmere won two free kicks but these came to nothing and then soon after Flynn was the first man to be cautioned; as after he had originally gave the ball away he chased back to try and win it but pulled his man down.
Maguire was then harshly booked for allegedly holding Akpa Akpro as the ball came forward. It may have been a foul but a booking seemed very harsh considering it was his first offence and the contact was minimal.
United had a good chance as Robson sent over a whipped cross that Kitson met but his flashing header went wide. United were asking most of the questions but it was a real slice of luck that led to them breaking the deadlock.
A short free kick was taken and McMahon hit a long range effort that took a massive deflection off defender TAYLOR and span away from the wrong footed Williams and nestled into the other side of the goal where he was diving to. It was a fortunate goal but it rarely seems like United get much fortune or such goals so maybe lady luck had turned at a crucial time.
The second half saw United attack their massed throng of supporters behind Williams’s goal but the home side seemed more determined and tried to show some greater urgency with their play. However they failed to trouble Long and Collins and Maguire had easily won the battle with their respective opponents. Hill also was making several timely clearances. A ball landed on top of Long’s goal and a corner came to nothing before McGurk replaced Bell Baggie as Ronnie Moore tried to introduce fresh impetus to the Tranmere attack.
Robson had a shot straight at Williams before Tranmere finally had an effort of note as substitute McGurk’s shot hit a defender but fortunately for United; Long made the save down low. Sidibe was the first home man to be cautioned after he caught a United player with an elbow when the high ball came forward. A few misplaced passes from Tranmere saw the home crowd start to become a bit anxious as the visitors were frustrating them.
Robson and McDonald showed their class by keeping the ball for a period of play and whilst United had not been scintillating they continued to be professional in protecting their hard earned lead. Indeed they could easily have scored again with two good chances late on.
Flynn hit a speculative long range effort but it dipped late and clunked the top of the bar before bouncing back into play and the ball was eventually scrambled away before Forte could get on it. Soon after United had another effort as they looked to make the game safe. Robson cut in and hit a ferocious effort that Williams managed to push over for a corner. From the resultant kick United managed to waste a fair amount of time by keeping the ball and forcing another couple of corners.
As the game approached the final minute Poleon came on for Forte as United were actually looking more like scoring again than the home side. Tranmere in truth has never really threatened but as the game entered additional three minutes of stoppage time they pumped the ball forward at every opportunity but Collins and Maguire remained solid. In the final seconds Tranmere forced a corner and with the goalkeeper up they sensed a final chance but the ball was cleared and before Rovers could get it back into the danger area, the referee rightly called time with the game 30 seconds past the additional three minutes despite Tranmere players complaining they were still on the attack.
United – It was pleasing to see United get back to a solid base and defensive show after the debacle at Stevenage. If we do go up it will be based on games like this away and there are so many now away from the Lane where we have just been really tight at the back, got a goal and then just defended well without showing much attacking imagination. It has worked all season as the away performances and results prove. Of course at home it is a different story. Today the recipe for much of the away success continued as United. It was a really professional performance. We got a lead and protected it well and actually could have scored a few more late on. Overall we were not superb or flashy and at times frustrated with some poor play but we did enough to win and on a difficult pitch against fellow high flyers that is the most important think.
I thought the defence was excellent and all played their part. Further forward Forte and Kitson were up and down and both could have done more for me. Ditto for the wide men although both had decent late efforts and Robson showed his experience in keeping hold of the ball. I felt McDonald whilst not dominant looked the best midfielder on the pitch and whilst it was only bits and pieces he did (basic control, making a yard and passing to feet) this was more than many others for both sides could manage! Doyle was poor I am afraid but did better in final stages when we were trying to see the game out.
It was the sort of game where you just want to get the win and as I say the Blades continue to frustrate with poor balls and lack f adventure in the final third. It was an odd one though as we led and you wanted us to be solid which we were but against a really poor side with a bit more quality we could have won that game 3 or 4 nil. It just needed someone to really just grab game by scruff of neck but sadly we do not have that type of player so have to resort to huffing and puffing our way to 1-0 wins away against some awful opposition. Still it’s a win and now we move onto the game Monday. We have not scored the last 2 home games and it is crucial we can lift the home crowd with some kind of performance. Personally I would take a scrappy 1-0 again but I do feel it is about time they gave the home fans something to shout about. If we could win on Monday and inevitably a few around drop point then we hopefully could be right back in terms of points with the 3 above us. With a tough game at Walsall next week, it is imperative we follow up today with another win on Monday. After that we have 3 home games in a week including Swindon and Brentford. That could be the week that defines our season I feel.
Tranmere – Thought they were really poor. I watched them against Stevenage on Sky and they looked much better with Sidibe a handful; Palmer using the ball well and a good mixture of pace and power up top. Today they looked clueless for long spells. They had a few corners and set plays and a few balls in the box but our defence handled anything they did fairly comfortable and for a home side to only have one shot on goal (deflected effort) all game says it all. They could not argue with the verdict. I cannot see them going up and if I was a betting man they would be the ones that miss out on the top 6 at the end of the season.
Going back to the game; I thought Sidibe would cause more problems but looks a shadow of the man he was at Stoke where he was fast, strong and a real handful but obviously had so many injuries. Bell Baggie, Akpa Akpro and Bakayogo all possess pace but United defended deep and thus easily stopped any raids from such players. I rate the latter as an attacking full back but he was not a factor going forward. The lad from Wednesday Palmer did a few bits and pieces but faded and McDonald outshone him in the second half. The centre back Gibson is decent and handled Kitson quite well and is a good prospect (on loan from Boro). I heard Moore have a go at the lad who scored the own goal but that seemed harsh to me as I do not think he had time to really think about it. It seemed to hit him more than him trying to play it.
They badly needed something different today and I was surprised Moore did not put O’Halloran on. I know he was poor at the Lane but at least he gave them some direct running. The fact he only made one change when they never looked like scoring was odd. I felt they would have threw caution to the wind but it was not like United were getting chances at the end as they were throwing men forward; they just gave the ball away a lot.
Ronnie Moore has done a sterling job and I thought they may go down this year with the lack of resources but with the loan players he has got in and some excellent management, the fact they are anywhere near the top is a tremendous achievement. Next season will tough if as I expect they just miss out as they will have to follow this up and the high level energy and effort they have put in this year may be hard to replicate but it depends on who he can get in on loan again.
The mardy fucker. 
).
