Deadbat
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An entertaining goalless draw at home to playoff bound Gillingham effectively ends United’s playoff hopes but maybe gives hope moving forward as a very good performance was served up in front of another healthy Lane crowd. United played with pace and purpose in passing and movement. They created some excellent chances and many more good ones. They controlled large swathes of the game but the Gills also contributed to a good game and they too had some guilt edged chances. United will have gone off feeling they should have won but it was a game that definitely was more entertaining than many at the Lane this season.
Manager Nigel Adkins named an unchanged side; a rarity this season with Cuvelier and Sammon back on the bench in place of youngsters Reed and Kelly. Gillingham had loan player El Abd and Crofts in their starting eleven but had the luxury of fielding stand out players at this level Dack and McDonald on the bench.
After only a minute United had the goal frame rattling. The ball was switched to the right and Adams cut in and hit a ferocious shot which hit the bar and bounced away. The keeper Nelson did not seem to be expecting it and it was a real let off. Play switched to the other end and the let off was for United this time.
Gillingham showed off a key weapon as they had on opening day; the long throw; and Long lost the catch and it dropped nicely for Donnelly but he had his back to goal and his twisted overhead kick fortunately for the home side fell on the roof of the net sparing the custodian’s blushes. Long then saved a low shot before United had another chance. Nelson did well when Done put in a super cross and Adams hit a low shot and the keeper got down well to save.
Nelson then made a good stop to deny Sharp from Basham headed down and Coutts drove across. Flynn then drew two defenders but his shot lacked power. It was breathless stuff and United kept coming with Coutts firing a low shot but this was easy for Nelson. Despite so many efforts and having so much of the play, Gillingham then squandered a sitter. From a deep cross Ehmer was left unmarked and then incredulously so was Oshilaja but he somehow headed over right in front of goal. It was a strange game as United were playing well but still contrived to give the Gills two great chances of their own.
Hessenthaler pulled up and had to off replaced by Williams on the half hour for Gilllingham.
Still the Blades were playing some great football and Hammond and Coutts were more involved than they have been for weeks. They continued to press and Adams was looking very lively and twice go into deep territory but got crowded out. After a series of fouls mainly from Gillingham had not been deemed yellow cards, Edgar and Ehmer both went into the book for late tackles as the referee decided enough was enough. A few well times tackles from both Hammond and Basham stopped the visitors down the left flank as they had a better spell.
Adams then played a lovely reverse ball but Sharp and Flynn both seemed to leave it each other and it drifted out before suddenly Flynn was in on goal. Nelson came out and Flynn tried to go round the keeper as he had against Oldham but as the midfielder went down the ball got away and appeals for a penalty came from many inside the ground. The referee waved play on as the ball went out for a corner. United appealed for a spot kick but there was not much of an appeal from Flynn or the other United players. The main appeals came from the bench
United continued to press and a late tackles from Wright on Coutts saw the third booking of the afternoon. Half time came not long and as the players trooped off, referee Lewis drew the ire from both sets of fans at half time with both sides feeling decisions had gone against them.
There were no further changes at the break as the away side started this half the better. They had more of the ball and started to pin the United wing backs into their own third for a concerted spell.
United started on top again with Flynn heading back at the far stick but it was cleared for another corner. A great chance came for another midfielder when Coutts found himself one on one down the right after lovely build up but he dithered and the keeper blocked and the rebound was also blocked by El Abd for a corner. It was in affect two great chances and the Scot held his head as did many on the Kop.
Gillingham certainly knew how to halt players’ progress and Dickenson as the next one to see yellow after chopping down Adams. The young striker was causing problems all game with his pace and purposeful running. United tried to take it quickly and it seemed had put Sharp in but the referee brought it back to the displeasure of the home crowd. Soon after this chance went awry; the Gills were not happy as they felt they should have had a penalty. Crofts got in and it was Coutts who seemed to upend him. It seemed a clear foul but it was given as a free kick and deemed to be outside the box. Ehmer fired over the bar from the resultant delivery after Long had failed to take the cross initially.
United came again though and Hammond fired a fierce shot over and Coutts played in Sharp but he was blocked out.
Cody McDonald has been a scourge of United in years past and replaced the hard working Donnelly on the hour.
A lovely piece of play saw the ball switched from left to right and Sharp sent over a delightful cross that saw Done on the end of but under pressure he headed over inside the six-yard box. It was another great chance though.
Hammond fired over again and then Adams and Sharp both got blocked out at corners when well placed. It seemed like it was not going to go in. This feeling was merely confirmed when a superb run and cross from Coutts somehow missed Flynn and Sharp when it needed only a touch.
Despite the home side having all the pressure, it went back to the other end in a pulsating game and after Long had failed to gather the ball ricocheted around and it fell kindly to Norris but with the keeper out of the play, his shot hit McEveley on the line. Appeals for a spot kick were heard again but this time it was more frustration over the miss. It would have been a smash and grab but was a great chance.
Gillingham brought on talisman Dack with the substitute Williams being taken off with just under 10 minutes to play. It was not long before his long flowing locks were in the action but he was crowded out as he appealed in vain to the referee.
More bookings came when Sharp and then Oshilaja both were booked. The latter escaping earlier in the game after blocking Done.
United forced two more corners and Baptiste had a shot blocked before Adams was blocked out again. Then superb one touch football saw Sharp feed Flynn and he played in Adams but Ehmer somehow got a toe to it and this meant Adams could only touch wide and it thus denied in all probability the winning goal.
Norris was booked rightly for delaying getting treatment and trying to stay on the pitch as the game entered the final moments. Stoppage time was deemed to be 4 minutes but United could not muster another opportunity of note but the fans rightly praised the efforts on full time.
United – Excellent today. You would think after a 0-0 and a game that has effectively sealed out fate in terms of being stuck in League One for another season; I might come on and moan and groan but quite the contrary. Factor in Gillingham are high up in the table and of course stuffed us opening day. We played very well. We moved the ball at pace, we created chances and got it to the front two quicker and got men around them. The midfield trio all had a number of efforts on goal and got ahead of the strikers quite a bit. The wing backs got forward and attacked and all game we came forward and tried to get goals. It was remarkable it finished 0-0. It was a really good 0-0 despite BBC website lazily describing it as dour. That is a nonsense. It was anything but. It could have been 5-3 at half time and then maybe 7-4 by the end. Gillingham missed 3 great chances (overhead, free header and one off the line). United missed 3 of their own (Flynn one on one, Coutts one on one, Done free header) and then had 4 or 5 very good chances (the Adams one was only a half chance but of course hit the bar) and so many final balls just evaded the final man too. We seemed to get in the final third and have an opportunity to score or create a chance every few minutes.
I felt we controlled the first 20-25 minutes but then they had a good 10 before we finished half strong too. We definitely had the better of it. Second half they began well and had the opening and seemed to have got back in the game but gradually we wrestled back control and again were excellent for half an hour and the final stanza of the game. Indeed, other than that one free kick/penalty award and the chance which was a great one when McEveley cleared off the line; they were on the back foot and it was nearly all United who kept coming in swathes.
At times we were sloppy at the back and Long and McEveley (aside from stop and some surging runs at the end) but we did not have many poor players. All 3 in midfield were better and the top two showed good movement and running. I felt both wing backs worked so hard too and got up and down. The football was sharper, faster and with more purpose. We got it from back to front quicker (not long ball – it was played through midfield) and moved it from left to right quicker too. It got the crowd involved as they could saw that it was a different type of approach. I would say we played better than last week in this game without the end product and whilst Gillingham had chances (Walsall did not); we had so much of the ball today and got into so many good positions. We could play like that again and score 5 or 6 goals. We have to take our chances and missed some bad ones but equally there were a number of balls that just missed players or they got blocks in. We did not have much run of the ball when it mattered.
United were applauded off at half time and full time. That should show Adkins what we have wanted all season. Fast, attacking football that looks to score goals. I think even if that sucker punch goal had gone it at the other end, it would have been disappointing but United played the right way today.
Gillingham – They were much better than the dismal Walsall who came last week. They at least attacked and tried to score a goal. They did not sit back and it was only maybe the last 15-20 minutes when you felt they kind of settled on the point and decided to try and keep what they had. It was odd as they had 3 great chances, maybe as great or if not better than the ones we had – maybe we had the same amount but many more good ones. The overhead early on, the free header and the chance off the line. United just had a far higher volume of chances and much more of the ball and were generally better on it. Gillingham were fairly direct and looked to turn it forward to likes of Norris and McDonald latterly and get United facing the other way.
They got in high deep crosses and losing throws and tried to make most of Long’s weakness again. Still they did try and knock it about well at times too. Look a side that could do well in the playoffs. They came and had a go but United actually matched and bettered them for much of the game. At the back they struggled with movement of Sharp and Adams and also was unsure who to mark when Basham and Done went forward. On another day they could have scored 2 or 3 but also let in 6 or 7.
The lads at the back kept going and had a bit of luck as the ball hit them a few times in the face/chest but they did get bodies in the way and for all good play from United, Nelson did not have many saves to make due to good defending and/or poor final ball or that just missed final man. They got a toe in or final block in like the one on Adams or the one where Sharp and also Baptiste had goal bound shots blocked away.
They mixed it up a bit and did commit a few cynical fouls as players got away but some of the better sides do that. As for individuals the lads Donnelly and Norris chased up top without too much reward and midfield worked hard but lost individual battles and much of the territory to United. The defence was definitely the stand out area in terms of stopping United scoring or the keeper having to save too many.
Of course having McDonald and Dack (back from injury) on the bench were two useful cards. They were better options than any we had on the bench. They have been two key players and sure they will be in the run in.
Edinburgh has done really well there. He would definitely be someone who might get a mention in some circles for the Lane job if Adkins went. Done well on limited resources here and at Newport but of course the pressure would be much greater and that brings different expectations and demands.
Opponent man of the match: Had to be a defender really. Sounds odd to say that when Sharp and Adams were very good and dangerous all game. The lad in the mask Ehmer was all action but I felt the big centre back El Abd was very good and the stand out player. He is experienced having played for Brighton and currently on loan from Bristol City. He got 3 key blocks in second half on goal bound shots and generally threw his body on the line. Faced a tough battle with our front two but kept going. The keeper Nelson also made a few good saves of course and a good one on Coutts.
Opponent Weak link: Not sure they had any awful players really. Like United not many outfield players had shockers. They worked hard and maybe did not have as much of the ball as they would like but kept to positions and shape when they could. Maybe Oshilaja. He should have been booked before he did and caused a few cynical fouls. Was a bit clumsy and late several times on challenges. Maybe a tad fortunate to remain on the field. He also missed a real glaring chance when he headed over.
SUFC Player Ratings – Several rating same; lots of very good performances from many. Hard to call man of the match. I would say Baptiste but could have been Hammond or many others. Some good and only a few out of touch (Long / McEveley for first hour)
Long 5/10 – Worst he has been for a long, long time and even though we had far more of the game and deserved to win; it was no thanks to some of his indecisive and sloppy goalkeeping. Began early when he came for a cross and took it high up and then somehow dropped it as he came down. They hit an overhead kick back towards the open goal but it landed on the net. They will have well remembered his jittery game on opening day and the way they shattered his confidence and thus looked to exploit this with high balls and in particular throw ins. The long throws caused him problems all game. He made one decent save low down after the first error but then a few other moments he did not know whether to come or go. Second half the chance they had when it got cleared off the line I felt he should have come and got. I also saw when him and Edgar dithered when it was Long’s ball all day. This happened a few times and his handling also was poor. A weak link today.
Basham 7.5/10 – Played right wing back second week running and did well again. Granted no goals/assists but we used his height well again as an outlet at the back post on crosses and diagonal balls and this is a real asset. Most full backs generally will be smaller than him and Basham is better in the air than Brayford. He used it well when he had it and always looked to go forward making them worry about him. His touch and passing in this new position the last few weeks has strangely been better. He has been more sure with what he has done with the ball. Had a few more good runs second half and a number of good bits of link play.
Done 7.5/10 – Very good. He bombed up and down all game. He made several good runs and one early on led to a chance to Adams. He then had another that saw ball just evade Sharp. Put some very good crosses over. Second half he then stole in at the back post and should have done better with a reaching header. I did feel a few times he went in the box too early and some deep crosses sailed over at the back stick; such was his enthusiasm to get in. A couple of time going the other way lost his man and his bearings but he did get back and get some good tackles in too. I like him. I am not sure he can defend properly; not sure he gets in ahead of Sharp and Adams up top but I think you definitely keep a player like him around. At home that position suits him. You might have to look at it in some away games and go horses for courses. However, his enthusiasm, zeal for the game and the way he does not stop running is a great quality. He seems to love playing football and is like a kid playing on the park. I think with such slow, weak and heavy laded players we have had; this is refreshing.
McEveley 5.5/10 – Sadly this was more like the McEveley of old. He sliced several balls out, hacked some in the air and played some real hospital balls. He seemed to do most things wrong and many of the giveaways from United players seemed to be from him. He had a nightmare first half. Second half he then made two poor errors in quick succession and you thought when is he going to do anything right. Then he slowly started to improve. He cleared a certain goal off the line when he got back and improved after this. He then got forward well and went on several cavalier runs forward running fully 40 or 50 yards. Won one corner and another nearly led to a chance. Oddly by the end he was playing as well as many of the rest but this was only the final say 20 minutes. The previous 70 he was calamitous at times
Edgar 7/10 – He was ok. Just steady. Headed and cleared it away. A few moments with Long where they seemed to be some indecision but overall he did a good job. The main chances they had came from Long’s fumbles/not claiming the ball. He is a decent defender but the number of goals we have let in with him playing a lot and we still seem quite open at the back causes me concern. The defence still plays too deep and that creates big chasms between the defence and midfield thus further hindering our midfielders who lack running ability. Still not sure I would sign him. I just feel we need someone a bit more dominant at this level. If we could get that player alongside Baptiste and maybe one other (if we play 3-5-2) we would be far better set.
Baptiste 8/10 – Stand out at this level. Overall showed good covering play and read interceptions on a number of occasions. Did get done for pace once first half when the lad ran beyond him which surprised me but the rest of the game showed good acceleration to cover round the back. Decent athlete actually even though he may seem a little ungainly. Had one powerful shot from a corner that looked goal bound. Would be an excellent signing as a good all-around defender and you are not going to get much better at this level.
Flynn 7/10 – Thought he was neat and tidy most of the game and quite involved. Busy early on and linked with others. Looked to probe and create. He is a good footballer who can control it well and pass it well. He is just lightweight and games pass him by. However, when he gets involved he is good. Today he did it well in spells. Got forward when he could and missed a big chance when he opted to round the keeper (a la Oldham). Maybe on this occasion as he went round the left side and got squeezed out; he would have been better just going for goal as the keeper came out. I also felt there was a bit of a dive. I know I am a Blade but he went down a bit pathetically. He got in the box a lot and a few balls just missed him. Felt second half he faded a bit and did not see him get on the ball as much but still was able to help us move ball on quicker and with more purpose than most of this season.
Coutts 7.5/10 – One of his best games I have seen him play. A few misplaced passes and a few times end product was not right (cross at the end) but he moved better today, seemed to last 90 minutes in terms of still running as well at the end as the beginning. Weird he showed he could do it today (don’t say his fitness is still coming back – just do not think it will ever properly come back) when mostly he runs out of steam by half time. Today he did not. Had 3 or 4 runs where he actually committed players. Did not exactly power past them but turned them round and led to either crosses in (a few good ones such as the one that evaded Flynn and Sharp early second half). He should have maybe scored when put through and fluffed his lines twice. Only other negative was the tackle that nearly led to a pen. He was good today. Never doubted he was not a neat and tidy footballer and a clever player but the lack of legs/running sadly at this level is a major worry. If he could replicate today, he would be fine at this level.
Hammond 7.5/10 – Played well. A much better game the stupid fouls notwithstanding. I will say he did a lot of things so much better. He moved the ball on quicker, he got forward more and had a number of shots or crosses in the last third (which I have rarely seen – know he has got a few headed goals). He again should have been booked but somehow escaped. One hospital ball to Done apart he was better in possession and did hit passed left and right and at pace. He got up and down more and was just more involved. I still would not sign him. It was one good game and I feel his legs for the most part have gone. We need more mobility in this area. Today we seemed to have it and controlled much of midfield but this was a rarity compared with most games. Was always involved. That was the player we expected and wanted to see.
Adams 7.5/10 – Slowly I think he is starting to understand the game. His link play continues to improve, his positional sense also has improved and he is working more for the team. He chased back a few times after losing it and did not give up when the ball did not always come to him. I thought he showed some neat touches and flicks all game. He hit the bar with a rasping shot from a narrow angle and made the keeper save another low shot. A few others times he could not quite get his shot away. Flagged a bit last 10 minutes but he was still a better option so rightly Adkins left him on. He seems to be starting to really understand the game. Still raw but a real prospect I feel.
Sharp 7.5/10 – He was lively and the ball stuck to him a lot. I thought him and Adams worked well and that he always looked to get on the shoulder. A couple of times balls and/or crosses just evaded him but he played well. I felt he chased well with through balls and played some intelligent passes himself after running the channels. Shame not one really clear chance fell to him expect the one first half when he and Flynn seemed to both leave it to each other. He has worked really hard this season (got a booking chasing back to try and break up play today) and his effort has outdone so many of his colleagues. I was not sure about signing him back but he has been one of the few shining lights.
Subs:
None – which shows how well everyone did; particularly on the attacking side.
Manager – Adkins 7.5/10 – He got the side playing with pace and enthusiasm and carried the game to higher opposition. It was good. Players were sharp from the off and many won individual battles. In terms of tactics we did have men over quite a bit and it seemed they struggled to cope with us. They had chances of course but we had many more and much more of the ball. The only thing we lacked was a finish. So many crosses and shots and remarkable that it did not go in.
Very interesting with all the rumours swirling around about him going and that there is a clause that if we don’t make the playoffs then his contract is terminated. I think Adkins know some of the recent better performances have come way too late. Maybe they have done it now the pressure is off? Difficult to say if we could have done this when it mattered and the fact is we did not. We will wait and see what happens I suppose to Adkins. I am not letting these performances mask what has been an awful tenure from him so far. He seems to have found a formation and a relatively settled side but it has taken too long. We also still cannot put two wins together (haven’t since Xmas) and the season is now over. I am not sure what McCabe will do. He usually does the unexpected but on this one; it could either way and there is an argument for and against.
Ref – Rob Lewis. It is interesting but I did not think he was anywhere near as bad as most seemed to. Tin hat on! He got jeers all afternoon from both sets of fans but I actually thought he had a fairly decent game and did not get much wrong. Gillingham cheered ironically when he gave them a free kick after 15 minutes or so but they had been the team committing all the offences and rightly United had a lot of free kicks. Not sure what United fans were booing at half time? That is looking at it impartially.
Two big decisions were penalties either ways; the first was definitely not one for me. The telling sign was Flynn did not even appeal and looked quite sheepish when he got up. I did not see any other United player even speak to the referee. The keeper got something on it and Flynn just stumbled. The one the other way was hard to tell as I am in the South Stand but seemed just outside (I could be wrong). The other things, such as the McEveley one off the line could not be hand ball even if it hit him. It was fired at him from close range. It seemed to hit his chest as much as hand.
Early on he did not book a few Gills for tackles from behind and could have booked Hammond but then did start booking players. You could argue there was some inconsistency but sometimes that is how it works as referees cannot always book players right from the off. It looked like he had just had enough and then rightly booked a couple of Millwall players and then Edgar. The one on Coutts was a poor one but not a red.
Second half he had a bit of a funny spell and definitely should have allowed us to take the quick free kick to Sharp which saw Adkins incredulous and then a few others were 50/50 both ways but I cannot recall too many awful decisions. He always tried to let play go on (aside from above!) and booked players when they committed fouls. The lad who blocked Done off should have been brought back after play went out and booked. I felt he got no help from the assistants at all and had to give throw in’s a lot of the time too.
My only main gripe was he got in the way a few times. The one where he tackled Adams was poor positional sense. I had no major issues with the referee today. It was a good end to end game and he tried to keep it flowing where he could and not keep stopping it. He brought things back when he could.
Crowd – 18,152. It seemed a similar crowd to last week but was declared a 1,000 less. Very odd. Gillingham brought maybe 600-700 fans. The home support was quiet early on but got behind them more as the team continued to press. I felt they were very appreciative of some good football. We moved it well and at pace and it was exciting with lots of crosses and shots. Fans saw there was pressing, effort and real zest to entertain. If you had said United fans had applauded off a 0-0 v Gillingham then you would have thought we were nuts but those that were there saw without doubt one of our best performances of the season. They got the atmosphere going and second half fans were urging them on positively. If we replicated that all season we would be around the top 2-3 no question. Sadly we have not. It is too little, too late. However gives some promise moving forward hopefully.
Manager Nigel Adkins named an unchanged side; a rarity this season with Cuvelier and Sammon back on the bench in place of youngsters Reed and Kelly. Gillingham had loan player El Abd and Crofts in their starting eleven but had the luxury of fielding stand out players at this level Dack and McDonald on the bench.
After only a minute United had the goal frame rattling. The ball was switched to the right and Adams cut in and hit a ferocious shot which hit the bar and bounced away. The keeper Nelson did not seem to be expecting it and it was a real let off. Play switched to the other end and the let off was for United this time.
Gillingham showed off a key weapon as they had on opening day; the long throw; and Long lost the catch and it dropped nicely for Donnelly but he had his back to goal and his twisted overhead kick fortunately for the home side fell on the roof of the net sparing the custodian’s blushes. Long then saved a low shot before United had another chance. Nelson did well when Done put in a super cross and Adams hit a low shot and the keeper got down well to save.
Nelson then made a good stop to deny Sharp from Basham headed down and Coutts drove across. Flynn then drew two defenders but his shot lacked power. It was breathless stuff and United kept coming with Coutts firing a low shot but this was easy for Nelson. Despite so many efforts and having so much of the play, Gillingham then squandered a sitter. From a deep cross Ehmer was left unmarked and then incredulously so was Oshilaja but he somehow headed over right in front of goal. It was a strange game as United were playing well but still contrived to give the Gills two great chances of their own.
Hessenthaler pulled up and had to off replaced by Williams on the half hour for Gilllingham.
Still the Blades were playing some great football and Hammond and Coutts were more involved than they have been for weeks. They continued to press and Adams was looking very lively and twice go into deep territory but got crowded out. After a series of fouls mainly from Gillingham had not been deemed yellow cards, Edgar and Ehmer both went into the book for late tackles as the referee decided enough was enough. A few well times tackles from both Hammond and Basham stopped the visitors down the left flank as they had a better spell.
Adams then played a lovely reverse ball but Sharp and Flynn both seemed to leave it each other and it drifted out before suddenly Flynn was in on goal. Nelson came out and Flynn tried to go round the keeper as he had against Oldham but as the midfielder went down the ball got away and appeals for a penalty came from many inside the ground. The referee waved play on as the ball went out for a corner. United appealed for a spot kick but there was not much of an appeal from Flynn or the other United players. The main appeals came from the bench
United continued to press and a late tackles from Wright on Coutts saw the third booking of the afternoon. Half time came not long and as the players trooped off, referee Lewis drew the ire from both sets of fans at half time with both sides feeling decisions had gone against them.
There were no further changes at the break as the away side started this half the better. They had more of the ball and started to pin the United wing backs into their own third for a concerted spell.
United started on top again with Flynn heading back at the far stick but it was cleared for another corner. A great chance came for another midfielder when Coutts found himself one on one down the right after lovely build up but he dithered and the keeper blocked and the rebound was also blocked by El Abd for a corner. It was in affect two great chances and the Scot held his head as did many on the Kop.
Gillingham certainly knew how to halt players’ progress and Dickenson as the next one to see yellow after chopping down Adams. The young striker was causing problems all game with his pace and purposeful running. United tried to take it quickly and it seemed had put Sharp in but the referee brought it back to the displeasure of the home crowd. Soon after this chance went awry; the Gills were not happy as they felt they should have had a penalty. Crofts got in and it was Coutts who seemed to upend him. It seemed a clear foul but it was given as a free kick and deemed to be outside the box. Ehmer fired over the bar from the resultant delivery after Long had failed to take the cross initially.
United came again though and Hammond fired a fierce shot over and Coutts played in Sharp but he was blocked out.
Cody McDonald has been a scourge of United in years past and replaced the hard working Donnelly on the hour.
A lovely piece of play saw the ball switched from left to right and Sharp sent over a delightful cross that saw Done on the end of but under pressure he headed over inside the six-yard box. It was another great chance though.
Hammond fired over again and then Adams and Sharp both got blocked out at corners when well placed. It seemed like it was not going to go in. This feeling was merely confirmed when a superb run and cross from Coutts somehow missed Flynn and Sharp when it needed only a touch.
Despite the home side having all the pressure, it went back to the other end in a pulsating game and after Long had failed to gather the ball ricocheted around and it fell kindly to Norris but with the keeper out of the play, his shot hit McEveley on the line. Appeals for a spot kick were heard again but this time it was more frustration over the miss. It would have been a smash and grab but was a great chance.
Gillingham brought on talisman Dack with the substitute Williams being taken off with just under 10 minutes to play. It was not long before his long flowing locks were in the action but he was crowded out as he appealed in vain to the referee.
More bookings came when Sharp and then Oshilaja both were booked. The latter escaping earlier in the game after blocking Done.
United forced two more corners and Baptiste had a shot blocked before Adams was blocked out again. Then superb one touch football saw Sharp feed Flynn and he played in Adams but Ehmer somehow got a toe to it and this meant Adams could only touch wide and it thus denied in all probability the winning goal.
Norris was booked rightly for delaying getting treatment and trying to stay on the pitch as the game entered the final moments. Stoppage time was deemed to be 4 minutes but United could not muster another opportunity of note but the fans rightly praised the efforts on full time.
United – Excellent today. You would think after a 0-0 and a game that has effectively sealed out fate in terms of being stuck in League One for another season; I might come on and moan and groan but quite the contrary. Factor in Gillingham are high up in the table and of course stuffed us opening day. We played very well. We moved the ball at pace, we created chances and got it to the front two quicker and got men around them. The midfield trio all had a number of efforts on goal and got ahead of the strikers quite a bit. The wing backs got forward and attacked and all game we came forward and tried to get goals. It was remarkable it finished 0-0. It was a really good 0-0 despite BBC website lazily describing it as dour. That is a nonsense. It was anything but. It could have been 5-3 at half time and then maybe 7-4 by the end. Gillingham missed 3 great chances (overhead, free header and one off the line). United missed 3 of their own (Flynn one on one, Coutts one on one, Done free header) and then had 4 or 5 very good chances (the Adams one was only a half chance but of course hit the bar) and so many final balls just evaded the final man too. We seemed to get in the final third and have an opportunity to score or create a chance every few minutes.
I felt we controlled the first 20-25 minutes but then they had a good 10 before we finished half strong too. We definitely had the better of it. Second half they began well and had the opening and seemed to have got back in the game but gradually we wrestled back control and again were excellent for half an hour and the final stanza of the game. Indeed, other than that one free kick/penalty award and the chance which was a great one when McEveley cleared off the line; they were on the back foot and it was nearly all United who kept coming in swathes.
At times we were sloppy at the back and Long and McEveley (aside from stop and some surging runs at the end) but we did not have many poor players. All 3 in midfield were better and the top two showed good movement and running. I felt both wing backs worked so hard too and got up and down. The football was sharper, faster and with more purpose. We got it from back to front quicker (not long ball – it was played through midfield) and moved it from left to right quicker too. It got the crowd involved as they could saw that it was a different type of approach. I would say we played better than last week in this game without the end product and whilst Gillingham had chances (Walsall did not); we had so much of the ball today and got into so many good positions. We could play like that again and score 5 or 6 goals. We have to take our chances and missed some bad ones but equally there were a number of balls that just missed players or they got blocks in. We did not have much run of the ball when it mattered.
United were applauded off at half time and full time. That should show Adkins what we have wanted all season. Fast, attacking football that looks to score goals. I think even if that sucker punch goal had gone it at the other end, it would have been disappointing but United played the right way today.
Gillingham – They were much better than the dismal Walsall who came last week. They at least attacked and tried to score a goal. They did not sit back and it was only maybe the last 15-20 minutes when you felt they kind of settled on the point and decided to try and keep what they had. It was odd as they had 3 great chances, maybe as great or if not better than the ones we had – maybe we had the same amount but many more good ones. The overhead early on, the free header and the chance off the line. United just had a far higher volume of chances and much more of the ball and were generally better on it. Gillingham were fairly direct and looked to turn it forward to likes of Norris and McDonald latterly and get United facing the other way.
They got in high deep crosses and losing throws and tried to make most of Long’s weakness again. Still they did try and knock it about well at times too. Look a side that could do well in the playoffs. They came and had a go but United actually matched and bettered them for much of the game. At the back they struggled with movement of Sharp and Adams and also was unsure who to mark when Basham and Done went forward. On another day they could have scored 2 or 3 but also let in 6 or 7.
The lads at the back kept going and had a bit of luck as the ball hit them a few times in the face/chest but they did get bodies in the way and for all good play from United, Nelson did not have many saves to make due to good defending and/or poor final ball or that just missed final man. They got a toe in or final block in like the one on Adams or the one where Sharp and also Baptiste had goal bound shots blocked away.
They mixed it up a bit and did commit a few cynical fouls as players got away but some of the better sides do that. As for individuals the lads Donnelly and Norris chased up top without too much reward and midfield worked hard but lost individual battles and much of the territory to United. The defence was definitely the stand out area in terms of stopping United scoring or the keeper having to save too many.
Of course having McDonald and Dack (back from injury) on the bench were two useful cards. They were better options than any we had on the bench. They have been two key players and sure they will be in the run in.
Edinburgh has done really well there. He would definitely be someone who might get a mention in some circles for the Lane job if Adkins went. Done well on limited resources here and at Newport but of course the pressure would be much greater and that brings different expectations and demands.
Opponent man of the match: Had to be a defender really. Sounds odd to say that when Sharp and Adams were very good and dangerous all game. The lad in the mask Ehmer was all action but I felt the big centre back El Abd was very good and the stand out player. He is experienced having played for Brighton and currently on loan from Bristol City. He got 3 key blocks in second half on goal bound shots and generally threw his body on the line. Faced a tough battle with our front two but kept going. The keeper Nelson also made a few good saves of course and a good one on Coutts.
Opponent Weak link: Not sure they had any awful players really. Like United not many outfield players had shockers. They worked hard and maybe did not have as much of the ball as they would like but kept to positions and shape when they could. Maybe Oshilaja. He should have been booked before he did and caused a few cynical fouls. Was a bit clumsy and late several times on challenges. Maybe a tad fortunate to remain on the field. He also missed a real glaring chance when he headed over.
SUFC Player Ratings – Several rating same; lots of very good performances from many. Hard to call man of the match. I would say Baptiste but could have been Hammond or many others. Some good and only a few out of touch (Long / McEveley for first hour)
Long 5/10 – Worst he has been for a long, long time and even though we had far more of the game and deserved to win; it was no thanks to some of his indecisive and sloppy goalkeeping. Began early when he came for a cross and took it high up and then somehow dropped it as he came down. They hit an overhead kick back towards the open goal but it landed on the net. They will have well remembered his jittery game on opening day and the way they shattered his confidence and thus looked to exploit this with high balls and in particular throw ins. The long throws caused him problems all game. He made one decent save low down after the first error but then a few other moments he did not know whether to come or go. Second half the chance they had when it got cleared off the line I felt he should have come and got. I also saw when him and Edgar dithered when it was Long’s ball all day. This happened a few times and his handling also was poor. A weak link today.
Basham 7.5/10 – Played right wing back second week running and did well again. Granted no goals/assists but we used his height well again as an outlet at the back post on crosses and diagonal balls and this is a real asset. Most full backs generally will be smaller than him and Basham is better in the air than Brayford. He used it well when he had it and always looked to go forward making them worry about him. His touch and passing in this new position the last few weeks has strangely been better. He has been more sure with what he has done with the ball. Had a few more good runs second half and a number of good bits of link play.
Done 7.5/10 – Very good. He bombed up and down all game. He made several good runs and one early on led to a chance to Adams. He then had another that saw ball just evade Sharp. Put some very good crosses over. Second half he then stole in at the back post and should have done better with a reaching header. I did feel a few times he went in the box too early and some deep crosses sailed over at the back stick; such was his enthusiasm to get in. A couple of time going the other way lost his man and his bearings but he did get back and get some good tackles in too. I like him. I am not sure he can defend properly; not sure he gets in ahead of Sharp and Adams up top but I think you definitely keep a player like him around. At home that position suits him. You might have to look at it in some away games and go horses for courses. However, his enthusiasm, zeal for the game and the way he does not stop running is a great quality. He seems to love playing football and is like a kid playing on the park. I think with such slow, weak and heavy laded players we have had; this is refreshing.
McEveley 5.5/10 – Sadly this was more like the McEveley of old. He sliced several balls out, hacked some in the air and played some real hospital balls. He seemed to do most things wrong and many of the giveaways from United players seemed to be from him. He had a nightmare first half. Second half he then made two poor errors in quick succession and you thought when is he going to do anything right. Then he slowly started to improve. He cleared a certain goal off the line when he got back and improved after this. He then got forward well and went on several cavalier runs forward running fully 40 or 50 yards. Won one corner and another nearly led to a chance. Oddly by the end he was playing as well as many of the rest but this was only the final say 20 minutes. The previous 70 he was calamitous at times
Edgar 7/10 – He was ok. Just steady. Headed and cleared it away. A few moments with Long where they seemed to be some indecision but overall he did a good job. The main chances they had came from Long’s fumbles/not claiming the ball. He is a decent defender but the number of goals we have let in with him playing a lot and we still seem quite open at the back causes me concern. The defence still plays too deep and that creates big chasms between the defence and midfield thus further hindering our midfielders who lack running ability. Still not sure I would sign him. I just feel we need someone a bit more dominant at this level. If we could get that player alongside Baptiste and maybe one other (if we play 3-5-2) we would be far better set.
Baptiste 8/10 – Stand out at this level. Overall showed good covering play and read interceptions on a number of occasions. Did get done for pace once first half when the lad ran beyond him which surprised me but the rest of the game showed good acceleration to cover round the back. Decent athlete actually even though he may seem a little ungainly. Had one powerful shot from a corner that looked goal bound. Would be an excellent signing as a good all-around defender and you are not going to get much better at this level.
Flynn 7/10 – Thought he was neat and tidy most of the game and quite involved. Busy early on and linked with others. Looked to probe and create. He is a good footballer who can control it well and pass it well. He is just lightweight and games pass him by. However, when he gets involved he is good. Today he did it well in spells. Got forward when he could and missed a big chance when he opted to round the keeper (a la Oldham). Maybe on this occasion as he went round the left side and got squeezed out; he would have been better just going for goal as the keeper came out. I also felt there was a bit of a dive. I know I am a Blade but he went down a bit pathetically. He got in the box a lot and a few balls just missed him. Felt second half he faded a bit and did not see him get on the ball as much but still was able to help us move ball on quicker and with more purpose than most of this season.
Coutts 7.5/10 – One of his best games I have seen him play. A few misplaced passes and a few times end product was not right (cross at the end) but he moved better today, seemed to last 90 minutes in terms of still running as well at the end as the beginning. Weird he showed he could do it today (don’t say his fitness is still coming back – just do not think it will ever properly come back) when mostly he runs out of steam by half time. Today he did not. Had 3 or 4 runs where he actually committed players. Did not exactly power past them but turned them round and led to either crosses in (a few good ones such as the one that evaded Flynn and Sharp early second half). He should have maybe scored when put through and fluffed his lines twice. Only other negative was the tackle that nearly led to a pen. He was good today. Never doubted he was not a neat and tidy footballer and a clever player but the lack of legs/running sadly at this level is a major worry. If he could replicate today, he would be fine at this level.
Hammond 7.5/10 – Played well. A much better game the stupid fouls notwithstanding. I will say he did a lot of things so much better. He moved the ball on quicker, he got forward more and had a number of shots or crosses in the last third (which I have rarely seen – know he has got a few headed goals). He again should have been booked but somehow escaped. One hospital ball to Done apart he was better in possession and did hit passed left and right and at pace. He got up and down more and was just more involved. I still would not sign him. It was one good game and I feel his legs for the most part have gone. We need more mobility in this area. Today we seemed to have it and controlled much of midfield but this was a rarity compared with most games. Was always involved. That was the player we expected and wanted to see.
Adams 7.5/10 – Slowly I think he is starting to understand the game. His link play continues to improve, his positional sense also has improved and he is working more for the team. He chased back a few times after losing it and did not give up when the ball did not always come to him. I thought he showed some neat touches and flicks all game. He hit the bar with a rasping shot from a narrow angle and made the keeper save another low shot. A few others times he could not quite get his shot away. Flagged a bit last 10 minutes but he was still a better option so rightly Adkins left him on. He seems to be starting to really understand the game. Still raw but a real prospect I feel.
Sharp 7.5/10 – He was lively and the ball stuck to him a lot. I thought him and Adams worked well and that he always looked to get on the shoulder. A couple of times balls and/or crosses just evaded him but he played well. I felt he chased well with through balls and played some intelligent passes himself after running the channels. Shame not one really clear chance fell to him expect the one first half when he and Flynn seemed to both leave it to each other. He has worked really hard this season (got a booking chasing back to try and break up play today) and his effort has outdone so many of his colleagues. I was not sure about signing him back but he has been one of the few shining lights.
Subs:
None – which shows how well everyone did; particularly on the attacking side.
Manager – Adkins 7.5/10 – He got the side playing with pace and enthusiasm and carried the game to higher opposition. It was good. Players were sharp from the off and many won individual battles. In terms of tactics we did have men over quite a bit and it seemed they struggled to cope with us. They had chances of course but we had many more and much more of the ball. The only thing we lacked was a finish. So many crosses and shots and remarkable that it did not go in.
Very interesting with all the rumours swirling around about him going and that there is a clause that if we don’t make the playoffs then his contract is terminated. I think Adkins know some of the recent better performances have come way too late. Maybe they have done it now the pressure is off? Difficult to say if we could have done this when it mattered and the fact is we did not. We will wait and see what happens I suppose to Adkins. I am not letting these performances mask what has been an awful tenure from him so far. He seems to have found a formation and a relatively settled side but it has taken too long. We also still cannot put two wins together (haven’t since Xmas) and the season is now over. I am not sure what McCabe will do. He usually does the unexpected but on this one; it could either way and there is an argument for and against.
Ref – Rob Lewis. It is interesting but I did not think he was anywhere near as bad as most seemed to. Tin hat on! He got jeers all afternoon from both sets of fans but I actually thought he had a fairly decent game and did not get much wrong. Gillingham cheered ironically when he gave them a free kick after 15 minutes or so but they had been the team committing all the offences and rightly United had a lot of free kicks. Not sure what United fans were booing at half time? That is looking at it impartially.
Two big decisions were penalties either ways; the first was definitely not one for me. The telling sign was Flynn did not even appeal and looked quite sheepish when he got up. I did not see any other United player even speak to the referee. The keeper got something on it and Flynn just stumbled. The one the other way was hard to tell as I am in the South Stand but seemed just outside (I could be wrong). The other things, such as the McEveley one off the line could not be hand ball even if it hit him. It was fired at him from close range. It seemed to hit his chest as much as hand.
Early on he did not book a few Gills for tackles from behind and could have booked Hammond but then did start booking players. You could argue there was some inconsistency but sometimes that is how it works as referees cannot always book players right from the off. It looked like he had just had enough and then rightly booked a couple of Millwall players and then Edgar. The one on Coutts was a poor one but not a red.
Second half he had a bit of a funny spell and definitely should have allowed us to take the quick free kick to Sharp which saw Adkins incredulous and then a few others were 50/50 both ways but I cannot recall too many awful decisions. He always tried to let play go on (aside from above!) and booked players when they committed fouls. The lad who blocked Done off should have been brought back after play went out and booked. I felt he got no help from the assistants at all and had to give throw in’s a lot of the time too.
My only main gripe was he got in the way a few times. The one where he tackled Adams was poor positional sense. I had no major issues with the referee today. It was a good end to end game and he tried to keep it flowing where he could and not keep stopping it. He brought things back when he could.
Crowd – 18,152. It seemed a similar crowd to last week but was declared a 1,000 less. Very odd. Gillingham brought maybe 600-700 fans. The home support was quiet early on but got behind them more as the team continued to press. I felt they were very appreciative of some good football. We moved it well and at pace and it was exciting with lots of crosses and shots. Fans saw there was pressing, effort and real zest to entertain. If you had said United fans had applauded off a 0-0 v Gillingham then you would have thought we were nuts but those that were there saw without doubt one of our best performances of the season. They got the atmosphere going and second half fans were urging them on positively. If we replicated that all season we would be around the top 2-3 no question. Sadly we have not. It is too little, too late. However gives some promise moving forward hopefully.
, my team had played well and tried. Not a lot to ask!!
