Deadbat
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Podcast links to come later (when we do it later tonight) and then report below….
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United’s stuttering season continued with another home defeat (their 4th of the season) and lost for the 4th time in 6 games as visitors Blackpool moved into the playoff places with a victory at Bramall Lane. United continued to be a complete soft touch in every aspect of play and the home venue us now an easy place for mediocre sides to come and plunder three points. To be fair the Blades dominated the opening half and had chances after the break too but from well before the hour mark, they regressed badly not helped by ill thought changes that led to United losing any semblance of shape. Blackpool knocked one ball over the top and Anderson scored a well taken goal beating a static and slow defence. After this United offered nothing and the away side saw it out with relative ease with not a shot toward goal for the final 30 minutes from the Blades. The boos at the end were deserved for Jokanovic’s men who now face two away sides and he will know even at this early stage the pressure will be on if he fails to pick up some results in fast. In truth whilst the points difference may not be big, promotion looks absolutely miles off and the concern is a nice footballing side that is a complete soft touch may get embroiled in a struggle at the other end.
There was one change for the home side with Gibbs White in for McBurnie as we saw an attacking looking front trio with the Wolves loanee supplanted by Mousset and Ndiaye. Norrington Davies was on the bench for Robinson in the only other change in the match day squad. Fast improving Blackpool started with Gary Madine up front and had old timer Richard Keogh at the back for a team that was in great recent form. Stuart McCall was also part of the coaching staff for the Seasiders They were backed by a healthy away contingent that were loud and supportive before the kick off. Before the game started, we had the traditional bugler and tributes to those fallen as it was the closest game to Remembrance Sunday.
United started slowly as Blackpool began well with Madine winning the early physical duels to help them up the field and the Blades careless in possession with Norwood and Fleck giving it away. United finally settled and Ndiaye was the player who started to make things happen, getting on the ball and running at defenders. The first decent move saw Norwood fire over before United worked an opening from a short corner and Fleck whipped over a cross but as Ndiaye headed home the offside flag went up. It seemed it was the right decision judging by the lack of reaction from those in line on both side stands.
Blackpool had the next chance when the ball from the left came in way too easily from Husband and Yates could not quite react as the ball went dangerously across the box. Soon after Olsen made the first save of note from a free kick that saw him react late as no one got a touch and he had to help Bowler’s cross behind and nearly did not react in time.
After this the Blades started to play some good stuff and Ndiaye and Gibbs white started to link and Mousset started to get involved too as Blackpool were pushed back. Ndiaye was able to twice find space and on the second occasion his turn saw him pull the ball back but Mousset’s finish lacked power and was easily saved by Grimshaw.
United were now controlling possession and Blackpool were struggling to stem the tide although Osborn took too long to make a decision and the cross was cut out. Mousset was finally starting to get involved and Fleck was also having an influence. Too many times Baldock and Stevens took too long to make decisions. The bright enterprising one touch stuff from Ndiaye, Gibbs White and Mousset continued but they were struggling to create much until they did find a really good chance.
Gibbs White threaded a lovely ball thought that saw Ndiaye through but his finish was wide when he really ought to have scored and done justice to the pass. The Blades continued to press but had not really had any clear efforts on goal outside of the Mousset tame effort and had maybe overplayed at times or not played it quick enough, despite dominating the last half hour.
The second half saw United start with a flurry of chances. Firstly, decent stuff saw Stevens play the ball back and Gibbs White hit it but Grimshaw did well to get down and save. Again, the finish maybe lacked the power necessary and then the same player hit an effort at the near post the keeper beat out after more decent one touch interplay from the front trio. United then had another effort as the ball came back and Mousset hit it powerfully but it struck the bar and bounced away before Blackpool cleared. United really should have scored after opening up the Tangerines down both sides but missed some pretty clear chances.
After this the Blades failed to build on this dominant period and the game became scrappy for a while and Blackpool made changes with Carey and Mitchell coming on for Bowler and Yates as they started to get a foothold in midfield with an extra man in this area. Oddly even though he had not played well, manager Jokanovic opted to counter this change by putting on another striker, McGoldrick who went wide left but ended up with United seemingly unbalanced. Clearly as he said in the week, he wants to attack but the game had started to become more even and perhaps a more pragmatic approach retaining shape was required.
After this Blackpool started to grow and they had chances. Anderson hit a shot that was deflected and OIsen had to parry away before another effort was blocked. Olsen also tipped over a long-range effort for a corner as the away side now looked the more likely against a strangely weary Blades side who had all the ball but now were flagging with Gibbs White and Ndiaye having no influence at all on the game after looking so dangerous. The game became more open and United tried to respond and Keogh blocked a goal bound McGoldrick effort superbly as Blackpool continued to defend with their lives. This was something the Blades have failed to do all season and once again an incredibly soft goal came. After twice trying to play offside and succeeding, Egan and Davies came up again but this time ANDERSON broke from deep and seemed well onside as he ran through to the punt over the top. He took his time and came inside and curled a delightful effort past Olsen who had no chance. A great finish but once again too easy to construct. United had not been able to find a finish of such quality all game despite having chances and yet again were chasing a game at home going behind for the third successive home game.
Sharp and McBurnie came on but it was a disorganised mess and United seemed to lack any kind of shape or structure meaning Blackpool had so much space when they had the ball in the midfield. For the final period, the visitors-controlled things easily and Madine had a free kick blocked as they looked more likely to score again despite the additional stoppage time of 5 minutes. Norwood’s give away under no pressure and then Ndiaye’s errant pass summed up the final stages of the game. Fans were streaming out long before full time as Blackpool saw this out the game with ease to move into the playoff spots. United had played well for a spell in the game but failed to take chances and actually their keeper had the same number of significant saves to make as Olsen overall. In the end it was a simple goal as more pathetic and naive defending saw the player one on one and I am not sure United’s performance for the final 35 minutes merited them taking more than a point anyway. Blackpool defended well and worked hard and in the end the bit of quality that saw the decisive goal came from them. There was some nice football at times but it counted for nothing as this spinless side continues its descent down the league rather than up it. Manager Jokanovic now faces serious questions as the Blades go on the road for two games and needs to arrest this slide and quick.
United – It is another desperately depressing defeat as we find new ways to lose and now after looking like we had turned the home form around, have lost back-to-back home games (and 4 games at home – most teams going for promotion generally barely lose more than 1 or 2 at home all season). It was a different way to lose I suppose as today after another sluggish start we played pretty well for maybe an hour and had lots of chances with Ndiaye, Mousset and Gibbs white all missing chances – at least one of them needs to be taken but the keeper only made one really hard stop I felt – the one low down from MGW after half time. Still, they are chances we need to take. We played some neat one touch stuff and those three at times looked good but at times it is all a bit too much very Harlem Globetrotters. We need to be more ruthless and clinical. We did play some nice stuff but for all that you have to score and make it count.
For all the neat one touch stuff, the keeper made one good save and two other more routine ones. Olsen had as much to do weirdly with the save from the free kick and then the one low down and tipped over. Again, only one was maybe difficult but Blackpool in the end probably nearly had as many chances as us for all the play we had. It seems like we almost want to score the perfect goal.
I did feel long before this the game had started to get away from us. We had those three chances after the break but then after this we did nothing. From maybe 50 minutes, the game became scrappy and we stopped having chances. We did nothing from an attacking note save one McGoldrick shot blocked. They put on two in midfield and this area they had more men so what did we do? Take a midfielder off and put on McGoldrick a striker. I am not sure Osborn was very good but then we had no shape or structure and they started to find space, particularly down this side and I thought they then looked more likely. Not saying they cut us to pieces but the chances from this point onwards came from them and they had seen us off and as Ndiaye and Gibbs White tired and Mousset then came off again (so predictable) and our threat diminished to the point of them being comfortable.
At this stage I felt it was a sure as eggs 0-1 as always concede but thought Madine would get it. They showed it does not always have to be so precise and intricate with one ball over the top and our static defence was square and they score. We had tried this offside trap a few times and nearly come a cropper so it was no surprise as the big punt undid us again. The lad showed more composure than any of our strikers and took it really well. Fair play to them. They then kept a clean sheet easily and our team ended up a sorry mess. Players were arguing with themselves and we just tossed it away and they saw it out really easily. The end I had no idea of the formation and shape but sadly it had been like that from the hour mark regardless of the late McBurnie change. The game just petered out and there were loud boos.
Was it an awful performance? Not really but not sure we did enough to win. We did not play for the first 10 minutes and then did nothing for the final 40 minutes. Yes, were actually good for the other 40 minutes or so but that is not enough and we did not take the chances when we did play some nice stuff. You knew if anyone would snatch it, then it would be then. I am not sure you can even say we were pushing for a winner and they caught us on the break as from 50 minute-ish after all the subs, the game was even and they had the better chances from this point. Seen the words sucker punch and smash and grab, but was it? They had looked more dangerous after that flurry of chances which came 45-50 minutes from us. After this the game was more even and they maybe shaded it. The final 12 minutes and 5 minutes of stoppage time they much better, played better football and had a cohesion and discipline we lacked. We were all over the place with senior players making stupid decisions and no one taking responsibility. I felt no one had any real urgency or felt they could do something to get us a goal. The players heads dropped and they looked a beaten side when it went 0-1. Worrying that there was no response or fight after the goal.
After such a poor start there does have to be questions levelled at the manager now, I am afraid. I am not for one minute calling for his head but the squad he has even for the drop offs of so many over the last 18 months (Egan, Norwood, Baldock, Stevens and Fleck simply look a mile off the players they were and even Egan and Baldock now have to be questioned in terms of their places in the side so poor the levels of performance they are offering up). We lack any kind of control of games and have never had any all season (save Peterborough). It’s odd as we regularly dominate the ball but do not control games or the shape of games. It is so strange really and teams simply sit back, defend deep and pick us off and break. I thought Blackpool were no great shakes at all – they began well but United then actually played well but we have to score when we are on top and for all the play, we only had maybe one really good chance – Ndiaye first half – Mousset maybe had a decent one. They had as many dangerous attacks even though we dominated and the closest might have been the free kick Olsen nearly made a mess of. Second half we started really well but did not score and that last half hour was a mess. Same as last week really and many other games this season. We start games badly and end them badly. Not a great recipe for success. I also think for an experienced manager he makes some odd subs. Osborn was not great but surely, he could see we started to lose some of the midfield after they put extra bodies in there? Him just chucking strikers on may seem positive but it also seemed a bit bonkers and the final stages we looked all over the place. We seemed to be playing almost 3-1-6. Maybe that is fine for the final minute if you are desperate but you need to have a structure to keep the ball and have control of the game/midfield. It was a real mess. I worry that his we will keep attacking and trying to score more than others mantra is not going to change. Clearly this will only work against the crap teams. Even mid table mediocrity like Huddersfield, Millwall, Preston and now today have worked us out.
Sit back, pick off the little tricks and flicks and then one ball and our sorry, soft defence will fold. Teams now they only need one or two chances as we cannot defend. It keeps happening and will keep happening unless we have a structure to our play and sort out or soft centre both defence and midfield. I liked watching the front three at times but they still failed to score and our play was woefully slow in general play. It seems hard work to create things and yet the other way, easy for teams to create and ultimately score. It is about individuals somewhat but feel this system and shape is no more effective than the bust Wilder approach that teams worked out. We have loads of ball but concede as many chances as we create and lose to late goals regularly. The spine is soft and we do not have leaders that should have seen us finish a game today 1 or 2-0.
We now face two away games but I am not convinced we will get anything at either side who both have picked up. It is going to be a big week for him and the players. I worry this time next week we may be nearer the bottom 3 and that he will have serious questions asked about him. The team are trending down in performances and results and as I say even ordinary teams roll up and win down at the Lane. I think it is going to take a long time for his approach to work but without a major overhaul of personnel (and will the board allow him the funds and time to do this?) this squad cannot execute how he wants (again not even sure what that is – seems to be pass it out and try pretty one touch football but it is hardly like we are carving teams open – we simply rely on a bit of magic from MGW, Mousset or Ndiaye -there is not real plan to consistently break teams down. Worrying times.
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United’s stuttering season continued with another home defeat (their 4th of the season) and lost for the 4th time in 6 games as visitors Blackpool moved into the playoff places with a victory at Bramall Lane. United continued to be a complete soft touch in every aspect of play and the home venue us now an easy place for mediocre sides to come and plunder three points. To be fair the Blades dominated the opening half and had chances after the break too but from well before the hour mark, they regressed badly not helped by ill thought changes that led to United losing any semblance of shape. Blackpool knocked one ball over the top and Anderson scored a well taken goal beating a static and slow defence. After this United offered nothing and the away side saw it out with relative ease with not a shot toward goal for the final 30 minutes from the Blades. The boos at the end were deserved for Jokanovic’s men who now face two away sides and he will know even at this early stage the pressure will be on if he fails to pick up some results in fast. In truth whilst the points difference may not be big, promotion looks absolutely miles off and the concern is a nice footballing side that is a complete soft touch may get embroiled in a struggle at the other end.
There was one change for the home side with Gibbs White in for McBurnie as we saw an attacking looking front trio with the Wolves loanee supplanted by Mousset and Ndiaye. Norrington Davies was on the bench for Robinson in the only other change in the match day squad. Fast improving Blackpool started with Gary Madine up front and had old timer Richard Keogh at the back for a team that was in great recent form. Stuart McCall was also part of the coaching staff for the Seasiders They were backed by a healthy away contingent that were loud and supportive before the kick off. Before the game started, we had the traditional bugler and tributes to those fallen as it was the closest game to Remembrance Sunday.
United started slowly as Blackpool began well with Madine winning the early physical duels to help them up the field and the Blades careless in possession with Norwood and Fleck giving it away. United finally settled and Ndiaye was the player who started to make things happen, getting on the ball and running at defenders. The first decent move saw Norwood fire over before United worked an opening from a short corner and Fleck whipped over a cross but as Ndiaye headed home the offside flag went up. It seemed it was the right decision judging by the lack of reaction from those in line on both side stands.
Blackpool had the next chance when the ball from the left came in way too easily from Husband and Yates could not quite react as the ball went dangerously across the box. Soon after Olsen made the first save of note from a free kick that saw him react late as no one got a touch and he had to help Bowler’s cross behind and nearly did not react in time.
After this the Blades started to play some good stuff and Ndiaye and Gibbs white started to link and Mousset started to get involved too as Blackpool were pushed back. Ndiaye was able to twice find space and on the second occasion his turn saw him pull the ball back but Mousset’s finish lacked power and was easily saved by Grimshaw.
United were now controlling possession and Blackpool were struggling to stem the tide although Osborn took too long to make a decision and the cross was cut out. Mousset was finally starting to get involved and Fleck was also having an influence. Too many times Baldock and Stevens took too long to make decisions. The bright enterprising one touch stuff from Ndiaye, Gibbs White and Mousset continued but they were struggling to create much until they did find a really good chance.
Gibbs White threaded a lovely ball thought that saw Ndiaye through but his finish was wide when he really ought to have scored and done justice to the pass. The Blades continued to press but had not really had any clear efforts on goal outside of the Mousset tame effort and had maybe overplayed at times or not played it quick enough, despite dominating the last half hour.
The second half saw United start with a flurry of chances. Firstly, decent stuff saw Stevens play the ball back and Gibbs White hit it but Grimshaw did well to get down and save. Again, the finish maybe lacked the power necessary and then the same player hit an effort at the near post the keeper beat out after more decent one touch interplay from the front trio. United then had another effort as the ball came back and Mousset hit it powerfully but it struck the bar and bounced away before Blackpool cleared. United really should have scored after opening up the Tangerines down both sides but missed some pretty clear chances.
After this the Blades failed to build on this dominant period and the game became scrappy for a while and Blackpool made changes with Carey and Mitchell coming on for Bowler and Yates as they started to get a foothold in midfield with an extra man in this area. Oddly even though he had not played well, manager Jokanovic opted to counter this change by putting on another striker, McGoldrick who went wide left but ended up with United seemingly unbalanced. Clearly as he said in the week, he wants to attack but the game had started to become more even and perhaps a more pragmatic approach retaining shape was required.
After this Blackpool started to grow and they had chances. Anderson hit a shot that was deflected and OIsen had to parry away before another effort was blocked. Olsen also tipped over a long-range effort for a corner as the away side now looked the more likely against a strangely weary Blades side who had all the ball but now were flagging with Gibbs White and Ndiaye having no influence at all on the game after looking so dangerous. The game became more open and United tried to respond and Keogh blocked a goal bound McGoldrick effort superbly as Blackpool continued to defend with their lives. This was something the Blades have failed to do all season and once again an incredibly soft goal came. After twice trying to play offside and succeeding, Egan and Davies came up again but this time ANDERSON broke from deep and seemed well onside as he ran through to the punt over the top. He took his time and came inside and curled a delightful effort past Olsen who had no chance. A great finish but once again too easy to construct. United had not been able to find a finish of such quality all game despite having chances and yet again were chasing a game at home going behind for the third successive home game.
Sharp and McBurnie came on but it was a disorganised mess and United seemed to lack any kind of shape or structure meaning Blackpool had so much space when they had the ball in the midfield. For the final period, the visitors-controlled things easily and Madine had a free kick blocked as they looked more likely to score again despite the additional stoppage time of 5 minutes. Norwood’s give away under no pressure and then Ndiaye’s errant pass summed up the final stages of the game. Fans were streaming out long before full time as Blackpool saw this out the game with ease to move into the playoff spots. United had played well for a spell in the game but failed to take chances and actually their keeper had the same number of significant saves to make as Olsen overall. In the end it was a simple goal as more pathetic and naive defending saw the player one on one and I am not sure United’s performance for the final 35 minutes merited them taking more than a point anyway. Blackpool defended well and worked hard and in the end the bit of quality that saw the decisive goal came from them. There was some nice football at times but it counted for nothing as this spinless side continues its descent down the league rather than up it. Manager Jokanovic now faces serious questions as the Blades go on the road for two games and needs to arrest this slide and quick.
United – It is another desperately depressing defeat as we find new ways to lose and now after looking like we had turned the home form around, have lost back-to-back home games (and 4 games at home – most teams going for promotion generally barely lose more than 1 or 2 at home all season). It was a different way to lose I suppose as today after another sluggish start we played pretty well for maybe an hour and had lots of chances with Ndiaye, Mousset and Gibbs white all missing chances – at least one of them needs to be taken but the keeper only made one really hard stop I felt – the one low down from MGW after half time. Still, they are chances we need to take. We played some neat one touch stuff and those three at times looked good but at times it is all a bit too much very Harlem Globetrotters. We need to be more ruthless and clinical. We did play some nice stuff but for all that you have to score and make it count.
For all the neat one touch stuff, the keeper made one good save and two other more routine ones. Olsen had as much to do weirdly with the save from the free kick and then the one low down and tipped over. Again, only one was maybe difficult but Blackpool in the end probably nearly had as many chances as us for all the play we had. It seems like we almost want to score the perfect goal.
I did feel long before this the game had started to get away from us. We had those three chances after the break but then after this we did nothing. From maybe 50 minutes, the game became scrappy and we stopped having chances. We did nothing from an attacking note save one McGoldrick shot blocked. They put on two in midfield and this area they had more men so what did we do? Take a midfielder off and put on McGoldrick a striker. I am not sure Osborn was very good but then we had no shape or structure and they started to find space, particularly down this side and I thought they then looked more likely. Not saying they cut us to pieces but the chances from this point onwards came from them and they had seen us off and as Ndiaye and Gibbs White tired and Mousset then came off again (so predictable) and our threat diminished to the point of them being comfortable.
At this stage I felt it was a sure as eggs 0-1 as always concede but thought Madine would get it. They showed it does not always have to be so precise and intricate with one ball over the top and our static defence was square and they score. We had tried this offside trap a few times and nearly come a cropper so it was no surprise as the big punt undid us again. The lad showed more composure than any of our strikers and took it really well. Fair play to them. They then kept a clean sheet easily and our team ended up a sorry mess. Players were arguing with themselves and we just tossed it away and they saw it out really easily. The end I had no idea of the formation and shape but sadly it had been like that from the hour mark regardless of the late McBurnie change. The game just petered out and there were loud boos.
Was it an awful performance? Not really but not sure we did enough to win. We did not play for the first 10 minutes and then did nothing for the final 40 minutes. Yes, were actually good for the other 40 minutes or so but that is not enough and we did not take the chances when we did play some nice stuff. You knew if anyone would snatch it, then it would be then. I am not sure you can even say we were pushing for a winner and they caught us on the break as from 50 minute-ish after all the subs, the game was even and they had the better chances from this point. Seen the words sucker punch and smash and grab, but was it? They had looked more dangerous after that flurry of chances which came 45-50 minutes from us. After this the game was more even and they maybe shaded it. The final 12 minutes and 5 minutes of stoppage time they much better, played better football and had a cohesion and discipline we lacked. We were all over the place with senior players making stupid decisions and no one taking responsibility. I felt no one had any real urgency or felt they could do something to get us a goal. The players heads dropped and they looked a beaten side when it went 0-1. Worrying that there was no response or fight after the goal.
After such a poor start there does have to be questions levelled at the manager now, I am afraid. I am not for one minute calling for his head but the squad he has even for the drop offs of so many over the last 18 months (Egan, Norwood, Baldock, Stevens and Fleck simply look a mile off the players they were and even Egan and Baldock now have to be questioned in terms of their places in the side so poor the levels of performance they are offering up). We lack any kind of control of games and have never had any all season (save Peterborough). It’s odd as we regularly dominate the ball but do not control games or the shape of games. It is so strange really and teams simply sit back, defend deep and pick us off and break. I thought Blackpool were no great shakes at all – they began well but United then actually played well but we have to score when we are on top and for all the play, we only had maybe one really good chance – Ndiaye first half – Mousset maybe had a decent one. They had as many dangerous attacks even though we dominated and the closest might have been the free kick Olsen nearly made a mess of. Second half we started really well but did not score and that last half hour was a mess. Same as last week really and many other games this season. We start games badly and end them badly. Not a great recipe for success. I also think for an experienced manager he makes some odd subs. Osborn was not great but surely, he could see we started to lose some of the midfield after they put extra bodies in there? Him just chucking strikers on may seem positive but it also seemed a bit bonkers and the final stages we looked all over the place. We seemed to be playing almost 3-1-6. Maybe that is fine for the final minute if you are desperate but you need to have a structure to keep the ball and have control of the game/midfield. It was a real mess. I worry that his we will keep attacking and trying to score more than others mantra is not going to change. Clearly this will only work against the crap teams. Even mid table mediocrity like Huddersfield, Millwall, Preston and now today have worked us out.
Sit back, pick off the little tricks and flicks and then one ball and our sorry, soft defence will fold. Teams now they only need one or two chances as we cannot defend. It keeps happening and will keep happening unless we have a structure to our play and sort out or soft centre both defence and midfield. I liked watching the front three at times but they still failed to score and our play was woefully slow in general play. It seems hard work to create things and yet the other way, easy for teams to create and ultimately score. It is about individuals somewhat but feel this system and shape is no more effective than the bust Wilder approach that teams worked out. We have loads of ball but concede as many chances as we create and lose to late goals regularly. The spine is soft and we do not have leaders that should have seen us finish a game today 1 or 2-0.
We now face two away games but I am not convinced we will get anything at either side who both have picked up. It is going to be a big week for him and the players. I worry this time next week we may be nearer the bottom 3 and that he will have serious questions asked about him. The team are trending down in performances and results and as I say even ordinary teams roll up and win down at the Lane. I think it is going to take a long time for his approach to work but without a major overhaul of personnel (and will the board allow him the funds and time to do this?) this squad cannot execute how he wants (again not even sure what that is – seems to be pass it out and try pretty one touch football but it is hardly like we are carving teams open – we simply rely on a bit of magic from MGW, Mousset or Ndiaye -there is not real plan to consistently break teams down. Worrying times.