Deadbat
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Podcast links here and match report below
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It was the familiar feeling that United fans are now having to get used to with another defeat making it 6 out of 7 losses and 9 out of 10 going back to last season in a disastrous run of form and one of the worst runs in the Blades’ recent history. After 4 years of mostly brilliant times manager Wilder knows this season is almost certainly a relegation fight and that United will have to find points from somewhere soon to avoid a return to the Championship. In truth today was always going to be hard with an expensive and talented City side coming to town. However, the Citizens have misfired for spells this season and before kick-off were lying in 13th place and had only won 2 out of the 5 games they played. After a resounding win in the South of France in the week, today they followed it up with another convincing performance to see off Wilder’s Blades. It finished 1-0 but this score line flattered a desperately disappointing Blades side who could not muster a shot on target and lacked quality and idea. Without a sudden resurgence, the Blades look destined to continue to struggle.
United made one change from the one that faced Liverpool last week with Brewster and McBurnie up top and Ampadu continuing in midfield. Ben Osborn went into midfield and Max Lowe came back at left wing back with Enda Stevens inside him in defence. Contract rebel John Lundstram was dropped to the bench after Wilder confirmed he would almost certainly be leaving the club in January. He was on the bench with Sharp, McGoldrick and Burke also featuring.
City were without the injured Sergio Aguero but still boasted a formidable line up with De Bruyne and Sterling both starting along with the returning Riyad Mahrez. 18-year-old keeper James Trafford was a surprise inclusion on the bench with Scott Carson not involved seemingly having an issue in the warm up.
The game began in miserable weather conditions on Halloween with rain and wind swirling round S2. Inside 30 seconds McBurnie flattened Dias early on with a crude challenge and was lucky not to be booked. City had all the ball early on and could have been ahead on 6 minutes as Cancelo’s cross was met by Torres whose header was palmed away by Ramsdale. United were struggling to even get a foothold in the game and Laporte was the next to go close as he hooked wide nearly taking advantage of static United defending. City moved the ball and the United defenders about as they looked to create more openings and the home side could not get hold of the ball although a rare attack saw Lowe have his cross blocked.
Egan did well to get a foot on a through ball to deny Sterling who would have been in after De Bruyne’s vision spotted his run. Rodri then tried his luck with a pot shot that moved through the air but Ramsdale palmed away as it swerved around. United just had to sit in but were defending so deep and had no attacking threat whatsoever in a very one-sided game.
The best chance of the game came when Baldock was beaten easily and then Sterling’s cross was met from close range by Torres but Ramsdale made a great point blank save. Ampadu then lost the ball and City were away again but Mahrez fired well over.
Torres was then caught offside as City continued to completely dominate. United’s performance was reminiscent of the Arsenal game where they were not engaging the ball and allowing the opposition to come on. In this game, City had more of a threat and were looking like creating every time they went forward. Sterling was causing all sorts of problems and Baldock was not getting any help at all. The goal was coming bit it came from a rare United attack but Berge’s shot was blocked and Sterling was away. He beat Baldock and then Basham with superb skill and then his pull back saw WALKER come in and hit a low shot into the corner away from Ramsdale. Osborn and Lowe did not close down but there was a lack of engagement on a number of City players in the break. In truth 1-0 flattered United who had been second best all over the field.
City continued to pick up all the loose stuff and Sterling skinned Baldock again and came inside but Egan then pulled down Torres. McBurnie jumped on the wall too late on the free kick but Ramsdale held well as the ball went low down.
As the game entered the half hour, United had not mustered an attack of note and on a rare moment they actually got into the City half, Baldock’s cross was woeful. He repeated this same trick overplaying the ball again soon after. With most of United’s rare attacks coming down the left and Lowe and Baldock not having the quality to even put a simple cross somewhere into the box; then it seemed hard to grasp where United would create anything.
United did win a corner but a decent delivery from Berge was headed away from Walker for another corner which was cleared and led to a break but fortunately Baldock got back to make a diving tackle. United seemed at full stretch every time City broke and Sterling continued to cause absolute carnage.
Cancelo stood up Basham and came inside and crossed but Torres had a shot blocked. The final few minutes at least saw United have a bit more of the ball but poor crossing and decisions when they got anywhere near the last third rendered any chances of any opportunities on goal. The half time whistle came with United fortunate not to be 2 or 3 goals behind with only Ramsdale really taking any credit from a rotten first half performance where to be far City were just too good.
The second half started with Berge over hitting a free kick straight over the bar. City continued to dominate the ball though and Ramsdale was fortunate when he came racing out and Torres tried to lob him but the keeper got back to save well.
United had possession for a spell down the right but no cross was incoming and Baldock and then Ampadu gave it away and City nearly got it on the other end. Walker then skinned Osborn and the ball back fell for De Bruyne and the ball was smashed narrowly wide.
United at least did get the ball into the City half a few times but City were still creating chances and Mahrez nearly dribbled through before he had a free kick opportunity when Stevens gave away a cheap and unnecessary foul. Lundstram came on for Osborn. In truth he could have replaced any of the outfield ten Blades players. Basham at least tried to run forward twice but he fell over on the second run.
Norwood came on for Ampadu but City continued to look the more likely as De Bruyne nearly played in Sterling and then the same man also had a shot blocked. United had not created anything of note but finally a decent run by Berge saw his cross held by Ederson. At the other end Mahrez nearly danced through but Egan made a last-ditch block.
United finally had a chance and it came through great work from Berge who ran through two defenders and superbly nutmegged Cancelo and his pull back was perfect for Lundstram but he fired over when he really ought to have done better.
Soon after Brewster nearly got in but was offside as his failed chip attempt was saved anyway. City showed quick feet again down the left with Sterling somehow getting away from Baldock and Basham and got right to the goal bit his cross came off Egan and fell fortunately for Ramsdale to save.
Foden replaced Torres and McGoldrick came on for Lowe, just after good work from the full back to win a goal kick, as United went to a back four for the final 10 minutes.
Baldock and Basham were well forward but did not cross it again and the ball was cleared easily and City broke. Gundogan was the final City change for Mahrez. Lundstram gave it away cheaply and Silva came inside and forced Ramsdale into a great save. Ederson then punted the ball forward and Ramsdale had to clear with his head as he came out – the keeper again was very alert with most of his teammates sleeping again.
The game drifted into the final few minutes and United still were unable to get the ball into the box and several opportunities to get it forward or cross it were given up and United kept moving it back and sideways. The extra 3 minutes passed with City easily seeing time out and it was as comfortable a 1-0 as you could wish to see.
United – A loss again. We did expect that of course but felt different to the performance and our take on the defeat a week ago. It is hard at the moment to be positive. We improved last week at Liverpool and were a touch unfortunate not to get a point but took a step back today and I felt everything we showed last week, we did not really show today. I was concerned City could move the ball about more than Liverpool and cause our static midfield and defenders’ issues and so it proved. Seems like one step forward, two or three back. We did not even look like scoring at all.
Today it looked like they had 2 extra men. Honestly. First half it was wave after wave of attack and really they should have gone in 3-0 up at least as Ramsdale kept us in it with his saves and good work. We did not have an attack I can recall of note all half. It was so one sided. They passed it around us, Sterling caused us all sorts of problems and we never even pressed/tackled. I get that we can’t go toe to toe like Wilder says but at least engage. It was too easy and it was like we were waiting for them to score. After they did you felt that was it. Odd as last week it was quite different.
Second half I would not even say we had a go. They sat back a bit more and we had a few bits of play but only one chance of note the whole game. They in contrast still forced Ramsdale into 3 or 4 more saves second half and had countless chances to score but actually were also poor in the final bit. At least they got into our box. I think outside the Lundstram chance I cannot recall us even going in their box.
I am all for us passing it and trying to play good football but not even sure we are doing that? It is football going nowhere (it was a bit like Weir’s team at times as we passed it and passed it and then went back and then lost it). The number of times we had it down the right and failed to cross or get it into the box. News flash: if we don’t get it into the box/cross it or men drive into the box, we will not score and will be one of the lowest Premier League scoring teams ever as we do not shoot outside the box at all and have no one outside Lundstram (as much as he is criticised) who gets ahead or up with the strikers to try and score/shoot. The build up is painfully slow and lacks quality and purpose. Teams have started to work out we only create from wide and funnel us that way and then get more men into those areas. We then move it back or put an awful cross in and teams break and often then nearly score as we have men out of position. I honestly think we could play for a week and not score against City the way we played and approached things. Last year we were brave and purposeful and went at teams – now we seem to be scared – maybe it is confidence but players don’t look like they believe they can compete or cause problems for their respective opponents.
At the moment, lots will be made of players picked and who should play and even formations but the simple fact of the matter is that we have rotated things (sure we could change the strikers again – what is the point we do not create anything?) or maybe Bogle for Baldock but these are not going to fundamentally change our form/results for me. We need to get the ball in the box more and in simple terms the bulk (lets be honest 7 or 8 of the outfield players that started today will play the bulk of the games) of the team need to do much, much better. If they do not improve and try and be more aggressive attacking wise, we are going down. Our crossing is like that you would see on Graves Park. It is abysmal. We hit the first man or over hit it. We cannot even put it into the box. It is like we could not be that bad when we cross if we tried! However, often we are not even crossing it or causing defence issues. We never turn them round and rarely do the full backs or centre backs have to chase back or face their own goal. Sometimes the channel ball is not a bad thing but we never do that. It’s all safe and in front. Defences are having such an easy game generally against us (although last week we did cause problems). We are so slow to build up, we do not shoot, rarely cross and when we do they are awful. We rely on defenders (wing backs to create or chances) and have a system based on centre backs overlapping and overloading but they are not doing it.
We have no individual talent who will dribble or run at teams/unlock defences and all this means it is a perfect recipe for us not scoring goals at all.
At the moment, I would rather watch us lose and have a go. Today, losing 1-0 it was like Wilder kind of accepted it rather than have a go and lose by more? It was everything that does not represent how he has approached his time at United. It’s like he and s have lost our mo jo and focusing on how much better the opposition are. We play the same way and when that is not working are not trying anything different at all. I did not even think there was much fight. We did not even get a booking today. Get stuck in, harry them, make it uncomfortable. The team looked like they are almost half relegated today. There was no fight or leadership anywhere. Yes, I know they are quality but was it any different to the 2nd half v Fulham and some of the other games?
I do keep hearing people saying there is a long way to go but after next week we will have played nearly a quarter of the season so it is not like we are a few games in. It is hard as I am not sure where the next point is coming from. Even the games after next week teams are improving and look more like scoring than us almost every team really.
We now go to Chelsea which is will be an almost certain loss sadly – Lampard will have them up for it after the defeat in lockdown and they of course did not beat us in either game last season. We then have a series of games that will be billed as must win but the reality is, we would have to win one of the next 3 (West Ham, West Brom and Leicester). If we went 11 games without a win, it would be hard to come back from them.
The reality is that unless Wilder and the team improve and show more positivity with players massively upping their game, it matters little what tweaks he makes to formations and personnel. I am surprised that many think if we put player A in for B it will all change. Everyone bar Bogle has had a good go this season and none have really shown any level of consistency at all. Ramsdale has been our player of the season. That says it all. It is up to every single one of the team to do much better on and off the ball. To me the worrying side is we were no better v Fulham (a poor side) than we were today in the last two home games against one of the best sides. So it is not just about the opposition.
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It was the familiar feeling that United fans are now having to get used to with another defeat making it 6 out of 7 losses and 9 out of 10 going back to last season in a disastrous run of form and one of the worst runs in the Blades’ recent history. After 4 years of mostly brilliant times manager Wilder knows this season is almost certainly a relegation fight and that United will have to find points from somewhere soon to avoid a return to the Championship. In truth today was always going to be hard with an expensive and talented City side coming to town. However, the Citizens have misfired for spells this season and before kick-off were lying in 13th place and had only won 2 out of the 5 games they played. After a resounding win in the South of France in the week, today they followed it up with another convincing performance to see off Wilder’s Blades. It finished 1-0 but this score line flattered a desperately disappointing Blades side who could not muster a shot on target and lacked quality and idea. Without a sudden resurgence, the Blades look destined to continue to struggle.
United made one change from the one that faced Liverpool last week with Brewster and McBurnie up top and Ampadu continuing in midfield. Ben Osborn went into midfield and Max Lowe came back at left wing back with Enda Stevens inside him in defence. Contract rebel John Lundstram was dropped to the bench after Wilder confirmed he would almost certainly be leaving the club in January. He was on the bench with Sharp, McGoldrick and Burke also featuring.
City were without the injured Sergio Aguero but still boasted a formidable line up with De Bruyne and Sterling both starting along with the returning Riyad Mahrez. 18-year-old keeper James Trafford was a surprise inclusion on the bench with Scott Carson not involved seemingly having an issue in the warm up.
The game began in miserable weather conditions on Halloween with rain and wind swirling round S2. Inside 30 seconds McBurnie flattened Dias early on with a crude challenge and was lucky not to be booked. City had all the ball early on and could have been ahead on 6 minutes as Cancelo’s cross was met by Torres whose header was palmed away by Ramsdale. United were struggling to even get a foothold in the game and Laporte was the next to go close as he hooked wide nearly taking advantage of static United defending. City moved the ball and the United defenders about as they looked to create more openings and the home side could not get hold of the ball although a rare attack saw Lowe have his cross blocked.
Egan did well to get a foot on a through ball to deny Sterling who would have been in after De Bruyne’s vision spotted his run. Rodri then tried his luck with a pot shot that moved through the air but Ramsdale palmed away as it swerved around. United just had to sit in but were defending so deep and had no attacking threat whatsoever in a very one-sided game.
The best chance of the game came when Baldock was beaten easily and then Sterling’s cross was met from close range by Torres but Ramsdale made a great point blank save. Ampadu then lost the ball and City were away again but Mahrez fired well over.
Torres was then caught offside as City continued to completely dominate. United’s performance was reminiscent of the Arsenal game where they were not engaging the ball and allowing the opposition to come on. In this game, City had more of a threat and were looking like creating every time they went forward. Sterling was causing all sorts of problems and Baldock was not getting any help at all. The goal was coming bit it came from a rare United attack but Berge’s shot was blocked and Sterling was away. He beat Baldock and then Basham with superb skill and then his pull back saw WALKER come in and hit a low shot into the corner away from Ramsdale. Osborn and Lowe did not close down but there was a lack of engagement on a number of City players in the break. In truth 1-0 flattered United who had been second best all over the field.
City continued to pick up all the loose stuff and Sterling skinned Baldock again and came inside but Egan then pulled down Torres. McBurnie jumped on the wall too late on the free kick but Ramsdale held well as the ball went low down.
As the game entered the half hour, United had not mustered an attack of note and on a rare moment they actually got into the City half, Baldock’s cross was woeful. He repeated this same trick overplaying the ball again soon after. With most of United’s rare attacks coming down the left and Lowe and Baldock not having the quality to even put a simple cross somewhere into the box; then it seemed hard to grasp where United would create anything.
United did win a corner but a decent delivery from Berge was headed away from Walker for another corner which was cleared and led to a break but fortunately Baldock got back to make a diving tackle. United seemed at full stretch every time City broke and Sterling continued to cause absolute carnage.
Cancelo stood up Basham and came inside and crossed but Torres had a shot blocked. The final few minutes at least saw United have a bit more of the ball but poor crossing and decisions when they got anywhere near the last third rendered any chances of any opportunities on goal. The half time whistle came with United fortunate not to be 2 or 3 goals behind with only Ramsdale really taking any credit from a rotten first half performance where to be far City were just too good.
The second half started with Berge over hitting a free kick straight over the bar. City continued to dominate the ball though and Ramsdale was fortunate when he came racing out and Torres tried to lob him but the keeper got back to save well.
United had possession for a spell down the right but no cross was incoming and Baldock and then Ampadu gave it away and City nearly got it on the other end. Walker then skinned Osborn and the ball back fell for De Bruyne and the ball was smashed narrowly wide.
United at least did get the ball into the City half a few times but City were still creating chances and Mahrez nearly dribbled through before he had a free kick opportunity when Stevens gave away a cheap and unnecessary foul. Lundstram came on for Osborn. In truth he could have replaced any of the outfield ten Blades players. Basham at least tried to run forward twice but he fell over on the second run.
Norwood came on for Ampadu but City continued to look the more likely as De Bruyne nearly played in Sterling and then the same man also had a shot blocked. United had not created anything of note but finally a decent run by Berge saw his cross held by Ederson. At the other end Mahrez nearly danced through but Egan made a last-ditch block.
United finally had a chance and it came through great work from Berge who ran through two defenders and superbly nutmegged Cancelo and his pull back was perfect for Lundstram but he fired over when he really ought to have done better.
Soon after Brewster nearly got in but was offside as his failed chip attempt was saved anyway. City showed quick feet again down the left with Sterling somehow getting away from Baldock and Basham and got right to the goal bit his cross came off Egan and fell fortunately for Ramsdale to save.
Foden replaced Torres and McGoldrick came on for Lowe, just after good work from the full back to win a goal kick, as United went to a back four for the final 10 minutes.
Baldock and Basham were well forward but did not cross it again and the ball was cleared easily and City broke. Gundogan was the final City change for Mahrez. Lundstram gave it away cheaply and Silva came inside and forced Ramsdale into a great save. Ederson then punted the ball forward and Ramsdale had to clear with his head as he came out – the keeper again was very alert with most of his teammates sleeping again.
The game drifted into the final few minutes and United still were unable to get the ball into the box and several opportunities to get it forward or cross it were given up and United kept moving it back and sideways. The extra 3 minutes passed with City easily seeing time out and it was as comfortable a 1-0 as you could wish to see.
United – A loss again. We did expect that of course but felt different to the performance and our take on the defeat a week ago. It is hard at the moment to be positive. We improved last week at Liverpool and were a touch unfortunate not to get a point but took a step back today and I felt everything we showed last week, we did not really show today. I was concerned City could move the ball about more than Liverpool and cause our static midfield and defenders’ issues and so it proved. Seems like one step forward, two or three back. We did not even look like scoring at all.
Today it looked like they had 2 extra men. Honestly. First half it was wave after wave of attack and really they should have gone in 3-0 up at least as Ramsdale kept us in it with his saves and good work. We did not have an attack I can recall of note all half. It was so one sided. They passed it around us, Sterling caused us all sorts of problems and we never even pressed/tackled. I get that we can’t go toe to toe like Wilder says but at least engage. It was too easy and it was like we were waiting for them to score. After they did you felt that was it. Odd as last week it was quite different.
Second half I would not even say we had a go. They sat back a bit more and we had a few bits of play but only one chance of note the whole game. They in contrast still forced Ramsdale into 3 or 4 more saves second half and had countless chances to score but actually were also poor in the final bit. At least they got into our box. I think outside the Lundstram chance I cannot recall us even going in their box.
I am all for us passing it and trying to play good football but not even sure we are doing that? It is football going nowhere (it was a bit like Weir’s team at times as we passed it and passed it and then went back and then lost it). The number of times we had it down the right and failed to cross or get it into the box. News flash: if we don’t get it into the box/cross it or men drive into the box, we will not score and will be one of the lowest Premier League scoring teams ever as we do not shoot outside the box at all and have no one outside Lundstram (as much as he is criticised) who gets ahead or up with the strikers to try and score/shoot. The build up is painfully slow and lacks quality and purpose. Teams have started to work out we only create from wide and funnel us that way and then get more men into those areas. We then move it back or put an awful cross in and teams break and often then nearly score as we have men out of position. I honestly think we could play for a week and not score against City the way we played and approached things. Last year we were brave and purposeful and went at teams – now we seem to be scared – maybe it is confidence but players don’t look like they believe they can compete or cause problems for their respective opponents.
At the moment, lots will be made of players picked and who should play and even formations but the simple fact of the matter is that we have rotated things (sure we could change the strikers again – what is the point we do not create anything?) or maybe Bogle for Baldock but these are not going to fundamentally change our form/results for me. We need to get the ball in the box more and in simple terms the bulk (lets be honest 7 or 8 of the outfield players that started today will play the bulk of the games) of the team need to do much, much better. If they do not improve and try and be more aggressive attacking wise, we are going down. Our crossing is like that you would see on Graves Park. It is abysmal. We hit the first man or over hit it. We cannot even put it into the box. It is like we could not be that bad when we cross if we tried! However, often we are not even crossing it or causing defence issues. We never turn them round and rarely do the full backs or centre backs have to chase back or face their own goal. Sometimes the channel ball is not a bad thing but we never do that. It’s all safe and in front. Defences are having such an easy game generally against us (although last week we did cause problems). We are so slow to build up, we do not shoot, rarely cross and when we do they are awful. We rely on defenders (wing backs to create or chances) and have a system based on centre backs overlapping and overloading but they are not doing it.
We have no individual talent who will dribble or run at teams/unlock defences and all this means it is a perfect recipe for us not scoring goals at all.
At the moment, I would rather watch us lose and have a go. Today, losing 1-0 it was like Wilder kind of accepted it rather than have a go and lose by more? It was everything that does not represent how he has approached his time at United. It’s like he and s have lost our mo jo and focusing on how much better the opposition are. We play the same way and when that is not working are not trying anything different at all. I did not even think there was much fight. We did not even get a booking today. Get stuck in, harry them, make it uncomfortable. The team looked like they are almost half relegated today. There was no fight or leadership anywhere. Yes, I know they are quality but was it any different to the 2nd half v Fulham and some of the other games?
I do keep hearing people saying there is a long way to go but after next week we will have played nearly a quarter of the season so it is not like we are a few games in. It is hard as I am not sure where the next point is coming from. Even the games after next week teams are improving and look more like scoring than us almost every team really.
We now go to Chelsea which is will be an almost certain loss sadly – Lampard will have them up for it after the defeat in lockdown and they of course did not beat us in either game last season. We then have a series of games that will be billed as must win but the reality is, we would have to win one of the next 3 (West Ham, West Brom and Leicester). If we went 11 games without a win, it would be hard to come back from them.
The reality is that unless Wilder and the team improve and show more positivity with players massively upping their game, it matters little what tweaks he makes to formations and personnel. I am surprised that many think if we put player A in for B it will all change. Everyone bar Bogle has had a good go this season and none have really shown any level of consistency at all. Ramsdale has been our player of the season. That says it all. It is up to every single one of the team to do much better on and off the ball. To me the worrying side is we were no better v Fulham (a poor side) than we were today in the last two home games against one of the best sides. So it is not just about the opposition.
