Deadbat
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In the first of three consecutive games against promotion contenders, United were able to grind out a point against an impressive Brentford side. In a game that featured chances at both end, United may have been the slightly happier side in the end due to the number of territory they conceded. However for all the play of the visitors, United had opportunities of their own and at the death Ryan Flynn nearly snatched it. The game will probably be most remembered for an incredible incident in which referee Eddie Ilderton somehow gave a red card and a penalty for a completely fair challenge from Kieron Freeman. After outrage from the fans and the players on the field; Ilderton went to speak to his assistant and after what seemed like an eternity correctly overturned his blunder sending Freeman back and re-starting the game on a drop ball. It was just one of a number of baffling decisions in a game that probably deserved more than the goalless stalemate it ultimately ended up as.
The Blades made changes; many enforced as Jose Baxter and Stefan Scougall were deemed not fit to start and were still without the suspended Harry Maguire and injured Matt Hill and Bob Harris. In came Billy Paynter and Ryan Flynn with John Brayford continuing at centre back with the reshuffled defence continuing. Brentford brought back Diagouraga after his loan spell at Portsmouth.
The high flying visitors were first out of the blocks and were sharper all over the field to begin things as they attacked the Kop. Howard’s poor slice saw Donaldson in but his shot was saved before Trotta ought to have scored but his shot was cleared by Freeman. After this Donaldson headed over when well placed and then shot wide. It was all Brentford as United’s crowd implored the Blades to get into the game.
Finally Murphy was to provide some respite with a few surging runs and a half hearted appeal for a penalty but it was only a momentary let up as Brentford were back on the attack. After Forshaw’s corner, Diagoruaga then shot wide after a poor punch out from Howard. Trotta was then nearly in but Doyle got a vital toe in.
Despite conceding much of play United had maybe the outstanding chance when Coady broke and beat the offside trap and as he advanced chose to cross from the able rather than shoot. It seemed Murphy would convert but Tarkowski made a superb tackle to deny him the goal.
On the half hour the game suddenly came to life after an incredible incident. After Freeman lost possession, the ball was played through and as Trotta advanced Freeman recovered and made a tremendous diving tackle that saw him get the ball. Unbelievably referee Ilderton saw something noone else in the ground did and pointed to the spot and then to compound his appalling decision sent off Freeman! The United players were incensed. As Freeman slumped off, Ilderton went over to the assistant referee on the insistence of the United players. He was in consultation for some time before incredibly he overruled his own decision and brought Freeman back. Noone quite knew what was happening but his signal of a drop ball confirmed he at least had rectified his mistake and Judge angrily kicked the ball out for a United goal kick! After United’s officials had gone berserk for the original decision, it was now time for Warburton and Weir to be incensed for the overturned decision. It was understandable in some ways as it rare you ever see a decision and red card overturned like that but also even they would concede it was the right decision.
After this Paynter received treatment and United at least now were now getting more in the faces of the Bees as the crowd also came to life. However there were no more chances as the additional 5 minutes (due to the referee’s own incompetence) were played with little happening other than a Brentford corner.
After the break the game the opening was relatively cagey with a good passage of play from Brentford matched by more good play from Murphy who was causing a whole manner of problems down the left. Freeman made a good block before Porter was introduced for the disappointing Paynter as Untied tried to hold the ball up in the forward areas.
Porter had a looping header tipped over and Flynn curled over as the contest was now relatively open. As both team committed men forward it seemed a goal may come. Douglas had a powerful effort well held and then Coady had a shot blocked at the other end. Brentford were looking dangerous with some quick and fluid attacks but United also were creating openings.
Another shot from Trotta was well held by Howard before at the other end, Collins header over.
Baxter came on for McGinn as Coady dropped back before Flynn thought he had won it as he cut in and curled inches past the far post as the Kop held their breath waiting for the net to billow. The action continued unabated and Dallas shot wide before Trotta danced through before his shot was once again well held by Howard. Kennedy replaced Flynn as the game entered four additional minutes of stoppage time but there were no more chances as an entertaining game ended without the goals it probably deserved.
United – On reflection it is a really good point but of course matters little in the scheme of things. The playoffs are now all but gone after the recent results only garnering 5 points from 15 after the great run. However Brentford, like Wolves showed why they were at the top and caused us quite a few problems. They easily could have scored a few early on and had a number of decent chances and efforts throughout the game. They missed a couple of clear chances and Howard made some good, albeit expected saves. I felt we stood off them in the first half and were too slow to press and that saw them come onto us. After the penalty incident it sort of buoyed us and we got stuck in but we were not secure with the football and we did not keep it enough. We were a shade fortunate to go in goalless at the break even though Murphy nearly scored after a break from Coady.
After the break we were better on the ball and also a bit more organised in defending. They had one clear header near the end and a few close shaves with shots from outside the box but can’t recall either keeper making any brilliant saves. If anything we went the closest of all with Flynn’s curling shot at the death going just past the post (somehow a corner was given which was another bizarre decision). The spirit, organisation (after a shaky start where we were all over the place) and general effort was good. I felt a few weak links stood out sadly (McGinn and Paynter who both looked slow and lightweight) and we continued to look punchless up top. Coady and Doyle stuck at it against good and quick footed opponents. Flynn was not really a threat but did defensive stuff well. I felt defence got stronger as the game went on and Brayford had an excellent second half. Murphy was once again our stand out man and even when they doubled up on him he still caused big problems.
Overall you saw the things Clough has brought in terms of organisation, togetherness and improved fitness and resilience. You saw some smatterings of football but also some poor stuff. We still to me lack strikers in terms of goal getter or hold up players. The current players in the squad have been deemed not good enough (Miller, Taylor) or those that have played have not really done it for me. It is an area we have to improve and need at least 2 strikers with pace and power to at least worry defenders. It was too easy tonight meaning all the graft behind is often wasted as it keeps coming back. Maybe some of it is the formation (that has after all worked for us) but I think long term if we want to go for promotion we have to score more goals than we have done before. At the moment we are one of the lowest scoring sides in the third tier of English football.
I think Maguire, Scougall and Baxter may come in Saturday and he may give Murphy and Coady a rest. It is important he rests people in the lead up to the semi but keeps players match sharp too. I do expect we will play a lot of youngsters against Rotherham next week which I have no issue with.
Brentford – They are a good side with power, pace and athleticism all over the field. I recall last season that I noticed how big they were but also had pace right from the defence up to the top and it was same tonight. The two front lads Donaldson and Trotta are a threat. They are quick but they are also strong and run at defenders getting them turned the other way. Donaldson is a real handful and for me is still maybe the stand out striker in this division due to his pace and power. He is really direct but comes back to hold the ball up too. He was everything Paynter was not.
In midfield they have size and also pace and play through you rather than sideways. They play one or two forward passes and with speed and are suddenly in where as United often went sideways or were too slow to move it on. Like Wolves they play in straight lines and are a little unorthodox in how they have midfielders behind each other rather than in a line across the park. Amazed the lad Diagouraga has been on loan at Portsmouth as he always impressed me but must have lost his way but they have some really talent even on the bench (lad Saville). They get men in and behind strikers and attack at pace and with numbers on the break. For all this and they had numerous decent efforts they did not really cut us apart when they got into the last third and in the second half other than one clear header many of their chances were more long range. Their best attacking spell was maybe the first 10 minutes when they easily could have had 2 or 3 goals from several close calls. After this the game settled down and there were chances at either end but cannot recall many wonder saves or real sitters.
At the back the two centre backs were relatively untroubled for much of the game but when Porter came on they at least had something to think about. I felt the lad at right back McCormack was really poor and Murphy gave him a bit of a roasting. He was lucky to stay on as he was continually fouling him and looked pretty clueless how to stop him.
They along with Wolves are the best side I have seen to come down here and we did well to stop them scoring and have some play going the other way. They are kind of a bench mark for where we need to be but daft as it sound if we had 1 or 2 strikers like those they would not be a lot between them. We need more pace and power all over the team though as we look sluggish and are too slow and predictable compared to some of their rapid breaks.
They left 3 or 4 up on corners (not sure Weir would have agreed with this tactic) and attacked often rather than just thinking defence which was refreshing.
They were a little indecisive in the last third and I can kind of see why they have struggled to beat some of the poorer teams such as Oldham and Carlisle in recent weeks. Equally you can see why at home they have blown some teams away due to power and pace.
Interesting to watch David Weir show more emotion than he ever showed at the Lane. He came out after the penalty incident and even moved away from the dug out once. Hardly animated but more so than the motionless and insipid figure we saw at the Lane. He barely got much reaction but when he did become involved was given a bit of jeering due to the fact he actually showed some passion.
The Blades made changes; many enforced as Jose Baxter and Stefan Scougall were deemed not fit to start and were still without the suspended Harry Maguire and injured Matt Hill and Bob Harris. In came Billy Paynter and Ryan Flynn with John Brayford continuing at centre back with the reshuffled defence continuing. Brentford brought back Diagouraga after his loan spell at Portsmouth.
The high flying visitors were first out of the blocks and were sharper all over the field to begin things as they attacked the Kop. Howard’s poor slice saw Donaldson in but his shot was saved before Trotta ought to have scored but his shot was cleared by Freeman. After this Donaldson headed over when well placed and then shot wide. It was all Brentford as United’s crowd implored the Blades to get into the game.
Finally Murphy was to provide some respite with a few surging runs and a half hearted appeal for a penalty but it was only a momentary let up as Brentford were back on the attack. After Forshaw’s corner, Diagoruaga then shot wide after a poor punch out from Howard. Trotta was then nearly in but Doyle got a vital toe in.
Despite conceding much of play United had maybe the outstanding chance when Coady broke and beat the offside trap and as he advanced chose to cross from the able rather than shoot. It seemed Murphy would convert but Tarkowski made a superb tackle to deny him the goal.
On the half hour the game suddenly came to life after an incredible incident. After Freeman lost possession, the ball was played through and as Trotta advanced Freeman recovered and made a tremendous diving tackle that saw him get the ball. Unbelievably referee Ilderton saw something noone else in the ground did and pointed to the spot and then to compound his appalling decision sent off Freeman! The United players were incensed. As Freeman slumped off, Ilderton went over to the assistant referee on the insistence of the United players. He was in consultation for some time before incredibly he overruled his own decision and brought Freeman back. Noone quite knew what was happening but his signal of a drop ball confirmed he at least had rectified his mistake and Judge angrily kicked the ball out for a United goal kick! After United’s officials had gone berserk for the original decision, it was now time for Warburton and Weir to be incensed for the overturned decision. It was understandable in some ways as it rare you ever see a decision and red card overturned like that but also even they would concede it was the right decision.
After this Paynter received treatment and United at least now were now getting more in the faces of the Bees as the crowd also came to life. However there were no more chances as the additional 5 minutes (due to the referee’s own incompetence) were played with little happening other than a Brentford corner.
After the break the game the opening was relatively cagey with a good passage of play from Brentford matched by more good play from Murphy who was causing a whole manner of problems down the left. Freeman made a good block before Porter was introduced for the disappointing Paynter as Untied tried to hold the ball up in the forward areas.
Porter had a looping header tipped over and Flynn curled over as the contest was now relatively open. As both team committed men forward it seemed a goal may come. Douglas had a powerful effort well held and then Coady had a shot blocked at the other end. Brentford were looking dangerous with some quick and fluid attacks but United also were creating openings.
Another shot from Trotta was well held by Howard before at the other end, Collins header over.
Baxter came on for McGinn as Coady dropped back before Flynn thought he had won it as he cut in and curled inches past the far post as the Kop held their breath waiting for the net to billow. The action continued unabated and Dallas shot wide before Trotta danced through before his shot was once again well held by Howard. Kennedy replaced Flynn as the game entered four additional minutes of stoppage time but there were no more chances as an entertaining game ended without the goals it probably deserved.
United – On reflection it is a really good point but of course matters little in the scheme of things. The playoffs are now all but gone after the recent results only garnering 5 points from 15 after the great run. However Brentford, like Wolves showed why they were at the top and caused us quite a few problems. They easily could have scored a few early on and had a number of decent chances and efforts throughout the game. They missed a couple of clear chances and Howard made some good, albeit expected saves. I felt we stood off them in the first half and were too slow to press and that saw them come onto us. After the penalty incident it sort of buoyed us and we got stuck in but we were not secure with the football and we did not keep it enough. We were a shade fortunate to go in goalless at the break even though Murphy nearly scored after a break from Coady.
After the break we were better on the ball and also a bit more organised in defending. They had one clear header near the end and a few close shaves with shots from outside the box but can’t recall either keeper making any brilliant saves. If anything we went the closest of all with Flynn’s curling shot at the death going just past the post (somehow a corner was given which was another bizarre decision). The spirit, organisation (after a shaky start where we were all over the place) and general effort was good. I felt a few weak links stood out sadly (McGinn and Paynter who both looked slow and lightweight) and we continued to look punchless up top. Coady and Doyle stuck at it against good and quick footed opponents. Flynn was not really a threat but did defensive stuff well. I felt defence got stronger as the game went on and Brayford had an excellent second half. Murphy was once again our stand out man and even when they doubled up on him he still caused big problems.
Overall you saw the things Clough has brought in terms of organisation, togetherness and improved fitness and resilience. You saw some smatterings of football but also some poor stuff. We still to me lack strikers in terms of goal getter or hold up players. The current players in the squad have been deemed not good enough (Miller, Taylor) or those that have played have not really done it for me. It is an area we have to improve and need at least 2 strikers with pace and power to at least worry defenders. It was too easy tonight meaning all the graft behind is often wasted as it keeps coming back. Maybe some of it is the formation (that has after all worked for us) but I think long term if we want to go for promotion we have to score more goals than we have done before. At the moment we are one of the lowest scoring sides in the third tier of English football.
I think Maguire, Scougall and Baxter may come in Saturday and he may give Murphy and Coady a rest. It is important he rests people in the lead up to the semi but keeps players match sharp too. I do expect we will play a lot of youngsters against Rotherham next week which I have no issue with.
Brentford – They are a good side with power, pace and athleticism all over the field. I recall last season that I noticed how big they were but also had pace right from the defence up to the top and it was same tonight. The two front lads Donaldson and Trotta are a threat. They are quick but they are also strong and run at defenders getting them turned the other way. Donaldson is a real handful and for me is still maybe the stand out striker in this division due to his pace and power. He is really direct but comes back to hold the ball up too. He was everything Paynter was not.
In midfield they have size and also pace and play through you rather than sideways. They play one or two forward passes and with speed and are suddenly in where as United often went sideways or were too slow to move it on. Like Wolves they play in straight lines and are a little unorthodox in how they have midfielders behind each other rather than in a line across the park. Amazed the lad Diagouraga has been on loan at Portsmouth as he always impressed me but must have lost his way but they have some really talent even on the bench (lad Saville). They get men in and behind strikers and attack at pace and with numbers on the break. For all this and they had numerous decent efforts they did not really cut us apart when they got into the last third and in the second half other than one clear header many of their chances were more long range. Their best attacking spell was maybe the first 10 minutes when they easily could have had 2 or 3 goals from several close calls. After this the game settled down and there were chances at either end but cannot recall many wonder saves or real sitters.
At the back the two centre backs were relatively untroubled for much of the game but when Porter came on they at least had something to think about. I felt the lad at right back McCormack was really poor and Murphy gave him a bit of a roasting. He was lucky to stay on as he was continually fouling him and looked pretty clueless how to stop him.
They along with Wolves are the best side I have seen to come down here and we did well to stop them scoring and have some play going the other way. They are kind of a bench mark for where we need to be but daft as it sound if we had 1 or 2 strikers like those they would not be a lot between them. We need more pace and power all over the team though as we look sluggish and are too slow and predictable compared to some of their rapid breaks.
They left 3 or 4 up on corners (not sure Weir would have agreed with this tactic) and attacked often rather than just thinking defence which was refreshing.
They were a little indecisive in the last third and I can kind of see why they have struggled to beat some of the poorer teams such as Oldham and Carlisle in recent weeks. Equally you can see why at home they have blown some teams away due to power and pace.
Interesting to watch David Weir show more emotion than he ever showed at the Lane. He came out after the penalty incident and even moved away from the dug out once. Hardly animated but more so than the motionless and insipid figure we saw at the Lane. He barely got much reaction but when he did become involved was given a bit of jeering due to the fact he actually showed some passion.
