United 0 Millwall 1 report/ratings

[Deadbat]

Sorry for no report against Oxford due to family reasons. Did not see a kick as was in Wales on holiday and during the game was at a great niece’s 1 year old birthday party in a village hall and then in a care home seeing my cousin – both may have been more exciting than the game mind by the sounds of it! Anyway, could not even get wi fi so only saw the score around half time and then again full time. Hopefully should see the final six games (most in person I hope – I am at Plymouth)….



---

Not doing a full report from the game – will be more of a summary as tired and will find it hard to do a detailed blow by blow account. We started with the same team which was odd after Wilder’s comments. To be fair we had an early chance via Brewster but it went wide and then the game became scrappy. We were taking too many touches to do things and several key men were poor (Hamer, Burrows, Campbell, BBD etc) and it meant the game became a bit of a battle. We struggled to create much at all as they got men behind the ball and we ended up with almost three departments in the team. I felt that Choudhury was too deep and Brewster was in no mans lands. The number of touches we were taking to just move it on 10-15 yards was just allowing them to sit back and defend deep. The goal they scored was so simple and direct in comparison – one pass forward, another bit of good skill and then bang, a player turns and shoots. It was easy with poor defending throughout – started with the same overplay that led to the Cooper kick out of play and then there was two or three defenders not tight enough to their men.



After this we tried to find something but when Seriki and Peck (two young lads – as they had to do at Oxford by all accounts) were our main threats of attacking play that is a worry. We got nothing from Hamer and BBD – he was particularly ineffective and Campbell got muscled out of it. We seemed to have no idea how to create much at all. We had one header from BBD saved but the keeper had nothing else to do really.



JRS came on and at least got on the ball but missed one good chance over the bar and then took too long on another but it was hardly wave after wave. We made more changes but in a way we became even more disjointed and we had gaps all over. Cooper’s error nearly made it 2-0 and then they had a great chance with a clear one on one but missed it. We continued to make defensive mistakes and the lack of structure to our play or shape meant it became desperate. We pumped balls into the box which were easy for the centre backs and Cannon had no impact again. The clock ticked on and Cannon had a shot over but the closest we came was from their man – who nearly inadvertently knocked it past his own keeper. Peck fired over but we never really looked like getting one goal – let alone two – they ended up spending most of stoppage time in our half.



United – A depressingly poor showing again. We had two games against sides we ought to beat and beat well and we have not only struggled badly to create or score but we have conceded two awful goals and lost both games. We have gone from being in pole position to now chasing the top two and on current form and results, the automatics seem now unlikely – we would have to win all 5 and go to Burnley and win. I cannot see it sadly how the team are playing, Tactically we lost the battle again as we struggled to hurt an average side. We had no width to out play again and felt that despite a few chances here and there – we never built up any real fluency to our play. The shape was horrible at times with big gaps between the parts of the team. We made lots of defensive mistakes and easily could have conceded more. Individually not one player can say they played well. Again. That is two games running. A few of our key men seemed to have found their worst form of the season (Cooper, Burrows, Hamer) and we are taking too many touches to do things – a sure sign of nervousness. The one thing I agree with Wilder (don’t agree with his summation of it being a positive performance) is that some of these players have never been in this position and tonight it showed. The crowd tried to stay with them but the team looked miles of a promotion side and went from a team that smashed Coventry to a bit of a nervous mess tonight. In a week we have gone from the side to beat to one now that looks like it is falling apart under the pressure – the manager included sadly who is now slating its own fans and being stubborn with his selections and subs.



We need a big reaction but we have really made it hard now and I think play offs look more likely now sadly. Do I think we can win 5 on the bounce – probably not and I am not even confident of winning at Plymouth currently - after the last two games. It is a real shame that after such a good season in terms of results/points – we seem to be imploding at the death but then there was always the chance that might happen. All season we have won games by narrow margins and never looked totally dominant. Recently we have been the side losing out by the odd goal. It shows our gameplan has been around scoring first in many games and we have had little response to going behind and the lack of fight to come back has been a real worry. The body language of the players tonight for large periods was not good for a side that has been winning most weeks. It just feels they have run out of gas and that allied to some poor tactics and decisions by the coaching staff means we are now coming out on the wrong side of these narrow contests. We needed our big players to turn up and deliver those moments at both ends and they have not done it and we have seen two insipid performances.

 

[Deadbat]

Ratings:



Cooper 4/10 – He had a poor night. Maybe his worst performance for United but not helped by the calamitous showings in front of him. The goal he was given a poor back pass but kicked it out and this led to the goal. I thought he might have been a bit quicker on the goal as went in nearside but of course defenders at fault more than him. Second half he struggled again with the ball played back and nearly kicked one into his own net. Too slow to do things although did make the low save from the shot that they should have finished.



Seriki 5.5/10 - Started well and our main threat going forward but given way too much responsibility for a young lad I thought. He tried to at least drive forward and make things happen. As the game went on we saw less and less of him and also seemed to be too far forward and lost his shape second half. Came off as we ended up with Anel at right side of the defence.



Burrows 4/10 – I thought like Cooper this was one of his worst showings for the Blades. He struggled in possession, took way too many touches and got caught out defensively. Attacking wise he offered absolutely nothing and every cross hit the first man or was too long. He seemed to come back a lot and looked really timid and almost scared to attack.



Ahmedhodzic 4/10 – Both centre backs got pulled about and physically dominated too much by their front two. The goal was too easy as both lost their men and allowed it to come at goal too easily. He has to get tighter to Coburn. He at least tried to come out with it a few times but so often we lost the first ball or lost a header so we were forced back. We looked a mess in the centre of defence tonight.



Robinson 3.5/10 – Proved sadly tonight why he is not good enough. He lost the key battles time and time again and always is at full stretch as positionally gets it wrong too often. The goal the lad just spins off him and plays it forward easily. Too many ponderous touches or slow build up but for me it’s the fact for a so called determined and gutsy defender, he actually loses the physical battle/aerial stuff way too often. Their front two seemed to be stronger than our defence.



Peck 5/10 – Felt a bit sorry for him as he was in midfield on his own a lot due to the odd shape and where Choudhury was positioned. However, he was another who took too many touches and did not play forward enough. His passing was slow and his play when in the final third – too many poor shots or telegraphed passes. Worrying that likes of him and Seriki are being counted on to make things happen.



Choudhury 4/10 – Not in the game at all. He was way too deep and his passing and touch were off too. Did not drive us forward, did not pick up many loose bits and looked sluggish. We had no midfield for long periods. No idea why he kept coming back and essentially ended up as another centre back.



Brewster 4/10 – Had one early chance wide and then another shot but outside of that – not sure he helped at all. He was not really supporting midfield but not close enough to Campbell. He did well for a few games but recently it has not worked and I am sure we go back to O’Hare but might be too late now.



Hamer 4/10 – Needed him to step up as out best player but looked a complete flat track bully the last few games and influenced nothing against poor teams. Both Oxford and Millwall have sat deep so he has had a fair bit of the ball but created next to nothing. His set plays were awful all night and he spent more time moaning at the ref than trying to influence the game. Been really disappointed in him last few games.



Brereton Diaz 2.5/10 – Total non-performance I felt. Picked up a knock early but looked like he was not interested as he shied away from a few challenges and gave it away when he did have the ball. He has looked slow, sluggish and unfit for quite a while now. Had one header saved. I know JRS missed chances but at least he got on the ball and in the box.



Campbell 4/10 – He was another who did little tonight. He did not get much service but did not hold it up and the two Millwall lads in comparison looked much more of a threat in terms of nuisance/hold up. He had a few chances to run but his lack of right foot means he often goes one way.



Subs -



Rak Sakyi 5/10 – It is off to mark him as he missed 3 good chances – one he skied over and another few he took too long or missed the target but at least looked a threat and took up some good positions. His overall play was frustrating and he did make some poor choices (another who took too long to do things) but not sure he was any worse than anyone else and at least was a goal threat – even if he missed them!



Souza 4/10 – Ran around but got a knock early on and another who looked way off match fitness. He tried to get on it but we sort of missed midfield out and it became a mess the final stages.



O’Hare 4/10 – Bit bits and pieces but game was just scrappy at this stage. He was another taking too many touches. Will probably come back in now though.



Cannon 3/10 – Lots more issues than him tonight but minimal impact again. He did very little to nothing on the ball, did not win his duels and was not a goal threat at all. Ran down the side a few times but rarely held it or got on the ball – one shot over apart. Not sure what the scouts have seen in him at all. Looks a complete waste of money so far on the evidence we have seen. I hear he might come good from some but I have seen nothing to suggest he will make an impact at all (hope I am wrong). The fact he was put on instead of Moore showed the stubbornness of Wilder – they had big lads and we needed to rough them up/give them something to think about. They will have been delighted to have seen Cannon come on instead.



Holding 3.5/10 – Surprised he has not been given more games considering the fragility of the current central defence and he did well in limited time. Today when he came on he struggled and had some poor touches and struggled even with the basics. Was hard for him to come in when the side had no shape or real basis to try to get back into the game.



Manager: Wilder 2/10 – Hard to give him any more. He slated the fans pre game. Personally, I did not agree with the fans who criticised but it was a minority and as the manager you do not criticise your own support for me – he is skating on thin ice and then has to back it up and tonight he did not. Then said we would come out with more energy and would bounce back. He said he did not know whether to change the team but he did not. In the end, we came out flat. Again. The team he rolled out was the same but played poorly again with little energy and we conceded another poor goal and struggled to create much at all. We had a lot of ball and the stats make out we had lots of efforts but not sure we got that close really. The keeper only really had a save to make in either half and other than the big Rak Sayki chance, not sure we had too many other clear ones. We ended up a mess and they could have scored a few more on the break as we completely lost any kind of shape. We played too slow and then into their hands with two big centre backs. His stubbornness continued with his subs (the woeful Cannon instead of Moore) and in the end, we never really looked like getting back into the game. Two very ordinary managers in Rowett and Neill have out coached him. He needed to take some blame tonight but never does. I thought his post match comments were arrogant and insulting to think that was a positive performance. He has done superb this season and turned things around and maybe taken the expectations up further than it should have been (I did not expect us to be anywhere near automatic promotion) but now he has got us into this position – he has kind of set us up to go up but all the chest thumping and comments post the Wednesday game are starting to look a bit daft now -unless he can get it going again. Apart from Coventry, I am struggling to think of one good performance for 2 or 3 months now – harsh as it sounds so it was not a shock we were going to lose some. I am disappointed we still at game 41 – have no real clear plan or approach other than hope we score first and see games out. It’s odd really. It has somehow worked up to now but now has caught up with us.





Millwall – Had an odd season where they changed the manager despite Neil Harris seemingly doing ok since going back and steadying the ship but went to another experienced manager in Alex Neil. They have won some games you would not expect (Burnley and Leeds at home) but have had runs of poor results mixed in with some good ones. They have picked up recently to the extent that a late playoff run is still on. I still lazily think of them as a big, physical side (the lad up top is muscular and physical and of course have likes of Cooper too still) but that is probably wrong/unfair as genuinely not seen that much of them. They do well to be amongst some bigger spender sides. For all the talk of Wednesday overachieving – they have probably spent a similar amount and have a wage bill on par and have smaller crowds/infrastructure etc and are doing as well/slightly better. Neil (like Rowett/Mowbray and others) is a standard Champ manager that gets best out of what he had – the football is not sparkling but you have to do what you need to do – in order to compete with bigger sides who can spend more money. They always do quite well considering. They stayed up just last year but generally they seem to have been closer to the top than bottom in recent years and have flirted with the playoffs more than the relegation places since they came back to this level.



Tonight, to be fair they fought really hard. They had a few players missing but did a job on us, scoring a decent goal and then seeing it out. Not sure the keeper had loads to do really to say we are a side going for promotion? They got blocks in, defended well and on the break could have had a few more goals. It was the perfect away performance (and one we have done to many sides this season). They were good value for the win in terms of application -even if possession and stats (shots on goal etc) were heavily in favour. They actually had as many or if not better chances really. I am not sure they were hanging on at the end at all and saw it out comfortably. Had two great wins this week and will fancy their chances of sneaking in and maybe playing us again in a few weeks.



Opponent Man of the Match – We had a number of 3’s-5’s They had a number of 6’s and 7’s. The centre halves won most balls and limited Campbell/Cannon/Brewster to scraps. The midfield won a lot of loose stuff when it mattered and moved it quicker but thought the goal scorer Coburn was excellent. A real threat and scored a good goal and caused problems with his physicality and pressing.



Opponent Weak link – The lad Ivanovic worked hard but missed an absolute sitter at 0-1 that could have sealed it.



Referee/Officials –Sam Allison. Wilder was critical of him and said he does not like when we get him which was another poor comment I am afraid (what does he mean?). He was not great and a few things both ways he got wrong. Could not see the pen appeal on Anel that well and equally they had a shout soon after the other way. I am not sure you get pens for these things (well maybe Boro did with that one earlier in the season!). A few things annoyed fans and as I say I felt it became stop, start but not sure we lost because of the ref.



Crowd – Flat and got frustrated but I would say that the players have to do so much more and get the fans going. It was such a nothing performance and we lacked energy and this then spread to the terraces. The fans were trying to get the players going but the slow build up and backwards/sideways passing meant it kind of became anxious. We needed to get it forward quicker and move it on to get more of the ball in the box. Millwall took about 400-500 fans but got a great win and made the journey worth it. Made a fair bit of noise too for so few fans there.

 

[Jon B]

No disrespect intended DB, but after tonight's showing I'd have more enjoyed a report on the Birthday Party.

 

[HOT CURRIE 10]

A miserable 2nd place for me,always the bridesmaid.

 

[Champagneblade]

Allison’s poor decision to wrongly gics a corner to Luton turned that game.

That’s why Wilder doesn’t like him. He was poor that day and his poor decision cost us a penalty.

That said, he wasn’t the one who had 25 goal efforts with a success rate of 0!

 

[Rufus Smalls]

Great report DB, as usual.

The last 2 games have showed how we have struggled to change our formation and tactics when a goal behind. It’s the play-off’s now, unfortunately, unless something bizarre happens and we go and beat Burnley away.

 

[Blade56]

Wilder does not take criticism well. In his post match he set the scene where fans are going to have a go at him, and rightly so but it has already him angry and that will impair his thinking for the rest of the season.

Keep saying it he’s done a fantastic job to put us top of the league 2 games ago but his poor tactical ability has blown us out of the water, he’s good but he’s not good enough.

Who knows, something strange might happen like the time Leeds battered us at theirs but a Basham scored the winner and then they lost to 10 man Wigan. Nah, lightning doesn’t strike twice. Wider belongs on the terrace or at a lower league side where results are about the manager not the club.

He might prove me wrong and get us up, that could be even more serious in the long run if he’s given money to spend by new owners and given the opportunity to carry on.

 

[Shakin Stevens is my Dad]

Any chance of a report on Yorkshires first innings against Hampshire? It has to be better reading than this.

 

[Revolution]

I do not understand why O’Hare has been dropped. The team has been better with him in it.

We aren’t going up are we?

 

[Bladesince59]

So, Cannon, Brewster and Wilder = £40,000,000+ with wages. None of them worth more than 2 last night.

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: It would be completely undeserved for this team to finish this season in an automatic place.
We've had way more than our fair share of luck when it comes to snatching 3 points from performances where we barely deserved 1 point. It was always going to catch up with us eventually. I'd be looking to rest key players before the playoffs now so they can go into the play off games refreshed and energised. Hamer and Campbell both look like they could do with a break before the playoff games.

 

[Bladesince59]

I do not understand why O’Hare has been dropped. The team has been better with him in it.

We aren’t going up are we?

Not on this week's showing. And likely to be absolutely mullered by Burnley. This is our big chance - next year we lose Hamer, JRS, Souza and BBD (hopefully).

 

[JOEYDEE]

Agree with your excellent report DB,apart from the marks for Peck and Choudhury,,maybe worth another point each ?
The rest were hopeless,play offs here we come !

 

[wadblade]

I fail to understand why he never put K Moore on for the last two games both teams were sitting deep and packing their box
is there a reason i dont know about?

 

[de g.]

Other than the (not) pens, I thought Allison was a decent ref. I liked that he consistently blew whenever someone went under the man jumping for the ball - it's been banned in rugby union, and it's about time it was clamped down on on football too.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

We’ve struggled to break sides down that sit deep all season , we’re slow in moving the ball forward & lack composure & confidence in the last third when picking a pass or besting a man .
The number of times last night Burrows was in acres of space & chose to cross early from outside the box or square / backward pass to retain possession.
An Enda Stevens / George Baldock of a few years ago would have been all over it .
Very disappointing last night , said beforehand we might struggle against them .
We’ve had a fair share of results this season where we’ve scraped a win without being too impressive & our lucks running out .
The only positive is in the next four games the other sides need wins too so will probably be more open … let’s see

 

[Tarqs]

We’ve struggled to break sides down that sit deep all season , we’re slow in moving the ball forward & lack composure & confidence in the last third when picking a pass or besting a man .
The number of times last night Burrows was in acres of space & chose to cross early from outside the box or square / backward pass to retain possession.
An Enda Stevens / George Baldock of a few years ago would have been all over it .
Very disappointing last night , said beforehand we might struggle against them .
We’ve had a fair share of results this season where we’ve scraped a win without being too impressive & our lucks running out .
The only positive is in the next four games the other sides need wins too so will probably be more open … let’s see

Burrows is completely hung out to dry. By the time the ball gets over to him, he's no options ahead and has to come back.

A couple of chances he had to put ball in box yesterday, there was nobody even in the box. For a centre forward, cannon's positioning and runs are abysmal.

 

[Harry's Game]

We need a new manager next season which ever division we are in. (likely to be the Championship )

Thanks for everything Chris but the club needs a fresh start and a new direction

 

[metalblade]

Can't argue with any of that Deadbat a thoroughly depressing last two games which ought to have seen us 4points clear of both Leeds and Burnley. In true United style they promise so much but always let you down when push comes to shove.

 

[Addison]

Accurate analysis as ever DB. This Wilders not for turning. Before the Oxford game I had the Wall down as a slip up. We can't deal with aerial hoof at the back.

Our manager doesn't do adversity. His ill timed comments pre match placed undue pressure on himself. If he felt it was important to make a point about player abuse that should have been done immediately after the Oxford game and left there. Instead 48 hours later the pre match presser sets the narrative in the national media that Sheffield United supporters are a disgrace.

JLT is undroppable with an experienced EPL centre back having a splinters in arse crisis. If yesterday didn't convince CW JLT is a liability nothing will. Wall targetted Robinson all match and Coburn won every header. Just after the goal JLT decides to pass the ball straight to one of their players and they nearly score again. Against teams that play football on the ground and come at us we play our best see Coventry and Boro at Home. Hoof requires a different approach including team changes and formation but it never happens. Anel was a revelation alongside a commanding organiser like Souttar. Holding was supposed to replace him. It hasn't happened and the only changes likely to be made now are Holding for Anel or shunting Anel out to RB. Robinson has secured his contract for another season so there is no reason now preventing Holding being given some game time.

Has Brewster also got an appearance clause for a new contract? Thats the only rational explanation I can find for not starting COH. The younger players may be feeling pressure yet Seriki was our most dangerous forward first half but the removal of BBD left him exposed. Peck floundered at times but was fighting a one man battle trying to win second ball headers. Its the senior players that are not stepping up. That includes the captain who just doesn't display leadership and organisation qualities. Hamer was lucky we had a ref who loved to be in the spotlight and lecture players rather than hand cards out otherwise he would have picked up another unnecessary booking.

Then there is the Cannon conundrum. CW did him no favours yesterday. Against the giants of Wall the stage was set for Moore to come on, he never did.

We have got ourselves into a very good position and the manager deserves the plaudits that have come his way. Equally when he continually makes the same mistakes he has to accept criticism. The concern is his personality is preventing him from acknowledging this. The season is not over there are 5 games to go but which Sheffield United will turn up against Plymouth? Hopefully one that starts Holding, Souza and COH. This is probably CW's biggest test during his SUFC career. The remaining games require an individual approach where team selection and tactics are determined by the oppositions style of play. Keeping to rigid formations week in week out doesn't work as the last 2 games have shown. I sincerely hope CW gets us over the line as the fall out from failure is likely to push him over the edge. Moving forward it may be advisable he listens to his media team for his own peace of mind.

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

I should add this is possibly a bit too kind to Brewster giving him just 1 point less than Peck and Rak-Sakyi who had much more involvement. (granted Rak-Sakyi was wasteful but at least we knew he was on the pitch)

 

[originaltrueblade]

Spot on with hour analysis of Wilder. He’s not dealing with the Prince now. Fail to go up and new owners might decide to look elsewhere despite the new contract.

These last few games will determine not just our clubs future but most certainly the manager’s future

 

[Servigliano]

Burrows is completely hung out to dry. By the time the ball gets over to him, he's no options ahead and has to come back.

A couple of chances he had to put ball in box yesterday, there was nobody even in the box. For a centre forward, cannon's positioning and runs are abysmal.

He had Anel next to him before Soutar got injured. That gave him more freedom to go forward without having to hang back because the oppo. were worried about Anel charging forward. Sadly they can easily crowd him out knowing that Robbo can't offer the same threat They also know Robinson has limited aerial ability compared to Soutar.
I return to my main theme, namely that this side is also severely limited defensively because we have no big bastard CH.

 

[Grappler]

Accurate analysis as ever DB. This Wilders not for turning. Before the Oxford game I had the Wall down as a slip up. We can't deal with aerial hoof at the back.

Our manager doesn't do adversity. His ill timed comments pre match placed undue pressure on himself. If he felt it was important to make a point about player abuse that should have been done immediately after the Oxford game and left there. Instead 48 hours later the pre match presser sets the narrative in the national media that Sheffield United supporters are a disgrace.

JLT is undroppable with an experienced EPL centre back having a splinters in arse crisis. If yesterday didn't convince CW JLT is a liability nothing will. Wall targetted Robinson all match and Coburn won every header. Just after the goal JLT decides to pass the ball straight to one of their players and they nearly score again. Against teams that play football on the ground and come at us we play our best see Coventry and Boro at Home. Hoof requires a different approach including team changes and formation but it never happens. Anel was a revelation alongside a commanding organiser like Souttar. Holding was supposed to replace him. It hasn't happened and the only changes likely to be made now are Holding for Anel or shunting Anel out to RB. Robinson has secured his contract for another season so there is no reason now preventing Holding being given some game time.

Has Brewster also got an appearance clause for a new contract? Thats the only rational explanation I can find for not starting COH. The younger players may be feeling pressure yet Seriki was our most dangerous forward first half but the removal of BBD left him exposed. Peck floundered at times but was fighting a one man battle trying to win second ball headers. Its the senior players that are not stepping up. That includes the captain who just doesn't display leadership and organisation qualities. Hamer was lucky we had a ref who loved to be in the spotlight and lecture players rather than hand cards out otherwise he would have picked up another unnecessary booking.

Then there is the Cannon conundrum. CW did him no favours yesterday. Against the giants of Wall the stage was set for Moore to come on, he never did.

We have got ourselves into a very good position and the manager deserves the plaudits that have come his way. Equally when he continually makes the same mistakes he has to accept criticism. The concern is his personality is preventing him from acknowledging this. The season is not over there are 5 games to go but which Sheffield United will turn up against Plymouth? Hopefully one that starts Holding, Souza and COH. This is probably CW's biggest test during his SUFC career. The remaining games require an individual approach where team selection and tactics are determined by the oppositions style of play. Keeping to rigid formations week in week out doesn't work as the last 2 games have shown. I sincerely hope CW gets us over the line as the fall out from failure is likely to push him over the edge. Moving forward it may be advisable he listens to his media team for his own peace of mind.

"...Against the giants of Wall the stage was set for Moore to come on, he never did..."

Yep, that baffled me as well. We were never getting anything from JLT's long throws, as the Millwall players were just too big, so I thought he would bring Moore on to shake things up, ruffle a few feathers, try and get a head on the ball, and generally cause trouble.

Nope, Cannon came on, similar height and build to Campbell.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

We were never getting anything from JLT's long throws

When did we last score from JLT throw?

 

[Barry Butlin]

9 times out of 10, we would win that game & be top of the league, you lot would be absolutely gutted