Deadbat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2009
- Messages
- 6,333
- Reaction score
- 35,793
Sheffield United made a disastrous start to their home league campaign as they were humiliated by visiting QPR at Bramall Lane. The visitors raced into a three goal lead and completely overshadowed the returning Paddy Kenny and Neil Warnock as they won at a canter. The game ended with vociferous chants for the removal of the present United manager Kevin Blackwell as Rangers eased to the win. It was a really poor performance and result for the Blades and one that leaves much of the fans pre season optimism in tatters as they were taken apart by a slick QPR side. Just over an hour after the game the club confirmed that they and Blackwell had parted company and leaves the club in a state of disarray only weeks into the start of the new season.
After a hard fought point at Cardiff United made one change with Bartley coming in for the suspended Lowton and Ertl switching to right back. Rangers included former Blades Kenny and Derry with Leigertwood on the bench. Before the game kicked off much of the attention was centered on returning ex United keeper Kenny and as Rangers defended the Kop in the first half; he was given a hostile reception as he took up his position in front of the United fans.
The game began with much of the play around the midfield as Britton looked to get on the ball . United forced an early corner but Morgan was adjudged to have committed an offence. Taarabt nearly fed Mackie but there had been little in the way of chances until the 11th minute when United had genuine calls for both a free kick and penalty turned down and it led to Rangers breaking and scoring. Evans and then Ward both could argue they were felled with the former seeming a clear foul but Rangers broke at speed. United’s defence was nowhere to be seen and as United’s offside trap failed badly Taarabt played in EPHRAIM who ran unopposed to slot under Simonsen easily. United’s players appealed in vain for the indiscretions earlier but the defending after Rangers broke was schoolboy to the extreme.
Montgomery was then booked for an innocuous challenge and further decisions were given against the home side as the crowd became even more frustrated. However, Rangers stunned United on the 20 minute mark when they doubled their lead. It came from patient build up from the visitors and the ball was transferred to Ephraim who with time in abundance chipped the ball to the back post where MACKIE overpowered Taylor to nod down and into the net to double the lead. The home side and fans were shell shocked and this feeling increased even further when only minutes after this goal Rangers scored again.
This time Ephraim was influential again and he came inside and hit a low drive. Simonsen ought to have gathered but he spilt the ball and Taarabt was on it in a flash and nicked the ball away from the United keeper. As Simonsen tried to retrieve his error he only succeeded in bringing Taarabt down and referee Woolmer drew the wrath of the majority of the crowd again as he pointed to the spot.
TAARABT stepped up and clinically converted the kick sending Simonsen the wrong way. As United players trooped back for the re-start loud boos emanated around the ground as fans could scarcely believe the home side were 3-0 down inside half an hour of the opening home game.
United finally made a chance when Britton fed Montgomery who centered but Cresswell’s header was flicked acrobatically over by Kenny. Evans headed badly wide from a Ward cross as United tried to get a foothold back into the game. United did have a clear penalty award when Hill brought down Evans but assistant Fearn and Woolmer opted to play on leaving most of United’s players aghast. Gorkss then had a firm grasp of Bartley’s shirt as the resulting corner came over and frustration threatened to boil over. Bartley was then booked for a nothing foul and Woolmer was loudly booed as the players and officials departed at half time.
The second half began with Ward drilling a free kick into the wall; the third time United had failed to get the ball on target from dangerous free kick opportunities. The game though now as petering out with United failing to exert any real pressure on the QPR goal and the visitors looking comfortable. Indeed if anyone looked like scoring again it was the hoops. Faurlin was close to scoring a fourth but his shot was blocked by Ertl with the ball seemingly heading for the corner. Rangers still looked dangerous with the attacking play of Taarabt and Ephraim causing Taylor and Ertl all sorts of problems with their pace and interchange. Bogdanovic came on for Evans and then Ward ought to have done better when he scuffed a shot wide when he ought to have done better. Kozluk and Yeates came on for Taylor and Quinn as United attempted to change their ineffective left hand side both from a defensive and attacking standpoint. However, no more chances came United’s way and QPR substitute and former Blade Leigertwood went close near the end. The game was now effectively over and fans were streaming for the exits long before the end of the game
Referee Woolmer added an additional 5 minutes which drew the ire of the fans who had remained in the ground such was the anger at the first home performance and loud boos resonated around the ground at full time as former Blades Warnock and Kenny embraced at full time to signify ‘job done’ for the visitors.
United – The start of a new season; a few new signings, retaining some of the experienced players and a new optimism but after the first game most realistic fans know that this squad and managerial team is already probably miles off being contenders for the top 6. We were taken to the cleaners by a ruthless QPR side in the first half who had the game sewn up inside 25 minutes. The last 65 minutes were a non event as they ran out the most comfortable winners you could imagine. Last week it was hard to assess the side due to the sending off and thus any assessment of this supposed different way to playing could not be made. Well after today it was simply the same if not worse than last season. Granted it was not a 3-0 game after half an hour in the general pattern of the game but we the fact is I can barely recall an attack of note from us nor a move when we kept the ball for more than 3 passes. QPR could do both of these things and did this on numerous occasions which accounts for the deficit and the game being up by half time.
It was a very worrying start in terms of the coaching, the performance, approach and the players out there who seemed to have no belief at all. To see players be shot for confidence after game 2 is not a good sign. It seems things are no better and thus a change has been made. I am surprised it has been made so soon as it surely should have been made in the summer if we were going to change the manager? It seems odd to let him bring 4 or 5 in and then after 2 games decide it was not working but after the result in the week and today then of course it is a results business. Whilst I would have made the change in the summer I am glad we have acted and hopefully now we can change the management, some of the personnel and the style we employ. McCabe must have seen the reduced season ticket sales and the performance and result against his old nemesis Warnock must have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. Still it does not seem like the way McCabe usually acts as he is usually more patient and pragmatic which may suggest something behind the scenes regarding investment/ownership change may be about to happen. It is certainly going to be an interesting few weeks.
Going back to today, we were really poor as the game was effectively over after half an hour. We did not get much luck nor help from the officials but the fact is we defended awfully, could not keep/pass the football like they could and looked nonexistent as an attacking threat. We had maybe one chance on goal in the first half and nothing of note I can recall in the second half at all. We barely tested QPR all afternoon. They maybe did not have lots of chances but what they did make they took and were clinical. They had midfielders getting ahead of the strikers and showed some fluency and ingenuity when attacking. We carried on the same predictable route one tactic of last season and it was awful to watch.
I felt for the likes of Britton, Ward and Evans who wanted to get on the ball and make things happen but were given little chance to exert things due to the inability of their teammates to keep the ball. Montgomery and Quinn were atrocious in possession of the ball. Cresswell was a passenger and at the back the likes of Taylor and Bartley were making errors at an alarmingly rate. Whilst I think we need 3 or 4 new signings to be even near the top 10 I think things go much beyond personnel as the likes of Evans, Britton etc are good players and the buck has to stop with the manager. He talked the talk in the summer about us playing a different way and getting players in that could allow us to do that but then he leaves two of these so called difference makers (I am not sure whether they are by the way); Bogdanovic and Yeates out and plays a style that renders Britton useless. Today was not good enough regardless of bad luck, refereeing etc.
Overall, Blackwell did a good job steadying the ship when he took over from Robson and then took us very close to promotion the other season even if the style of play was poor. If we had gone up things would have been different but for all the wins and late finish to that season it was still pretty dire to watch. The performance at Wembley was a complete let down and was the start of the end. McCabe ought to have taken his resignation there and then. He limped on for another year and he was not helped by injuries/sales and lack of continuity and I would say he has took the brunt of the wage bill being reduced. However, he ultimately still had the personnel and players to get this team playing better and a more entertaining style than he has done regardless of poor results that came with these depressing performances. I felt like he kind of was just doing the same thing week in, week out and season in, season out. I honestly could just see things getting worse before it got better and from a third finish to ninth would not have been surprised to see mid to lower table this year. Ultimately I am not sure he is good enough to manage in the Premiership or get a team out of this division and despite him showing promise as a coach his record in terms of performances/results at Leeds, Luton and United (sometimes admittedly under trying circumstances) leaves him a little short as a top manager in my opinion. I am sure lower Championship, League One he can do a steady job but he lacks ideas, tactical nous and ability to embed a creative and attacking style of play to be a real success in management I feel. Overall, United have had far better managers (Warnock, Bassett etc) but had far worse (Heath) and his overall verdict will be ‘not quite good enough’ which seems a little damning but probably wholly accurate in his assessment of his term in charge at the Lane.
QPR – They were not outstanding but they had the basics in that they defended well, were well organised and looked a goal threat. They looked in short a far more confident, organised and skilful side than us and will sadly finish far higher up in the table due to better players but better attitude to ball retention and allowing them to be more rigid when defending but more inflexible and creative when attacking. They broke well with speed and could pass the ball on the floor. They kept the ball when in possession and had men breaking from midfield with pace. Mackie and Helguson were a handful and won their fair share of headers and balls forward but more than that they allowed the midfield to break beyond them. Faurlin, Ephraim and Taarabt are all comfortable in possession and can all break with speed. They all technically better than anything we have and all can control the ball, pass it short and long and look a goal threat. They want to receive the ball and look to play one twos or balls into the feet of the front two. Things Montgomery and Quinn simply cannot do. Derry sat on Britton and stopped him getting on the ball and just shielded the back four.
At the back the centre backs Hall and Gorkks just headed the ball away all game as they were faced with little threat on the floor where we could have hurt them. Kenny had little to do all game. He made one save from Cresswell’s flicked header (when he should have scored) but the rest of the game his only real contribution was just kicking the ball away and fielding our long clearances to no one in particular.
They have won two games comfortably and will be around the top 6. Whether they have enough quality at the top end of the pitch in terms of goalscorers or whether their defence has enough mobility against cleverer and better strikers’ remains to be seen but they will be there or thereabouts.
Simonsen 6/10 – Had little chance on the first goal when he was badly exposed and the situation as the same on the second. For the third he spilt the ball and clumsily upended his man. I was surprised by the appeals as it looked a clear penalty. After this he actually did not have many saves to make but the damage was done by then. He was given little protection in front of him as confusion reigned.
Ertl 5/10 – He was not the same as last week bit was in a position that does not suit him. He was nowhere to be seen on the first goal and did not prevent the cross for the second goal. Ephraim was given too much time and space all game. Ertl is not a right back for me. He was outstanding at centre back last week so why he was moved to another position is beyond me. He tried his best but lacks mobility and speed to be able to cope with quicker/nimble players who we often be faced with in this position.
Taylor 3.5/10 – Really poor from start to finish. He has no confidence in his own ability and most of the time he gives the ball away or slices clearances when it comes his way. Surprised he gets defended so much on various message boards who say he is ok and fairly promising. The fact he is woefully out his depth in the championship and is a lower division player treading water. His positional sense is appalling, he does not get tight enough to his man, his technical ability is poor, he offers no real defensive presence and is weak physically in all aspects of play and offers little going forward. I am unsure on the Jordan signing but he will replace Taylor at first opportunity as he is just not good enough.
Morgan 4.5/10 – He was not at his best as quicker/faster and more technical players passed the ball around him and his fellow United defenders in the first half. He won his usual share of headers and clearances after we were 3-0 down but faced with quick passing movement from midfield he struggled to keep the back line together. At times looked leaden footed and turned way too easily.
Bartley 4/10 – Thought he looked really poor today. His basic defending was not good enough and he also was sloppy in possession. Worryingly for a 6’3’’ defender he lost headers throughout the contest and was outmuscled in 50/50 challenges. Him and Morgan seemed miles apart and led to big gaps for the opponents to run into.
Montgomery 5/10 – Tried hard and covered lots of ground but as a player he is completely ineffective when we are chasing the game and need to keep the ball, get beyond the opponents defence and are crying out for creativity not someone just lumping it forward or into touch.
Britton 5.5/10 – Tried to get on the ball and make things happen but for the most part the game just passed him by as it has for so called creative players in the past like Howard and Harper. We need to get him on the ball more but when his fellow midfielders like Monty and Quinn can’t even find a shirt when stood 5 yards away from him then I do not know how he can be influential as the defenders behind him just punt it too.
Quinn 3/10 – Awful. Contributed little to nothing all game and continued his ‘hot potato football’ game of last season where he just flicked or helped the ball on to no one in particular. I personally would have let him move on in the summer as we cannot move forward with two players (see Monty) who run around a lot but have an inability to be calm in possession or try and keep the ball. His head went down early and he was remonstrating with the crowd who dared to give him stick when he was taken off for an utterly non existent performance.
Cresswell 3.5/10 – Won absolutely nothing in the air all game; did not hold the ball up and looked really sluggish in all aspects of the game. I know he is a worker and a trier who won’t give in but he lacks speed/strength and that bit of quality to really make a difference. He will still probably score a few goals and contribute through hard work and effort but he symbolises our side (100%, not much quality but not lacking in effort/work rate) which is worrying.
Evans 5.5/10 – Thought he was one of our sharper players in that he tried to make things happen and when given it to feet tried to link with others or turn and go towards goal. He is a decent footballer who with the right service would score goals or make things happens. Sadly with Blackwell’s route one style and lack of plan B; he will have to work the channels, chase lost causes and hope for scraps at the moment.
Ward 6/10 – At least showed some effort and a bit of spark and one of few players who looked a bit of a threat. He made a few darts down the right and tried to get at defenders but as the game went on his and United’s threat had completely petered out and he looked as frustrated as the rest with the complete lack of service or balls to his feet.
Subs –
Bogdanovic – Last week he came on when we needed someone to chase/harry and hold the ball up and he was unable to do this. Today we needed a spark or something different and he was unable to do this. Unsure quite how he will fit into things as already even with Henderson unfit Blackwell does not thing he is good enough to start.
Yeates – Came on but did not get in the game as the match was effectively over. He was a so called world beater at the end of last season and his performance against Ipswich had Blackwell crowing. So what happens at the start of the season? He is on the bench. Seems like another Cotterill situation in the making. Only he is probably not even as good a player.
Kozluk – Got beat for skill twice by his winger and generally looked off the pace. If we cannot find a better full back in all of world football than someone we released 3 years ago (when he was not good enough then) then it is very worrying and asks serious questions of our scouting network.
After a hard fought point at Cardiff United made one change with Bartley coming in for the suspended Lowton and Ertl switching to right back. Rangers included former Blades Kenny and Derry with Leigertwood on the bench. Before the game kicked off much of the attention was centered on returning ex United keeper Kenny and as Rangers defended the Kop in the first half; he was given a hostile reception as he took up his position in front of the United fans.
The game began with much of the play around the midfield as Britton looked to get on the ball . United forced an early corner but Morgan was adjudged to have committed an offence. Taarabt nearly fed Mackie but there had been little in the way of chances until the 11th minute when United had genuine calls for both a free kick and penalty turned down and it led to Rangers breaking and scoring. Evans and then Ward both could argue they were felled with the former seeming a clear foul but Rangers broke at speed. United’s defence was nowhere to be seen and as United’s offside trap failed badly Taarabt played in EPHRAIM who ran unopposed to slot under Simonsen easily. United’s players appealed in vain for the indiscretions earlier but the defending after Rangers broke was schoolboy to the extreme.
Montgomery was then booked for an innocuous challenge and further decisions were given against the home side as the crowd became even more frustrated. However, Rangers stunned United on the 20 minute mark when they doubled their lead. It came from patient build up from the visitors and the ball was transferred to Ephraim who with time in abundance chipped the ball to the back post where MACKIE overpowered Taylor to nod down and into the net to double the lead. The home side and fans were shell shocked and this feeling increased even further when only minutes after this goal Rangers scored again.
This time Ephraim was influential again and he came inside and hit a low drive. Simonsen ought to have gathered but he spilt the ball and Taarabt was on it in a flash and nicked the ball away from the United keeper. As Simonsen tried to retrieve his error he only succeeded in bringing Taarabt down and referee Woolmer drew the wrath of the majority of the crowd again as he pointed to the spot.
TAARABT stepped up and clinically converted the kick sending Simonsen the wrong way. As United players trooped back for the re-start loud boos emanated around the ground as fans could scarcely believe the home side were 3-0 down inside half an hour of the opening home game.
United finally made a chance when Britton fed Montgomery who centered but Cresswell’s header was flicked acrobatically over by Kenny. Evans headed badly wide from a Ward cross as United tried to get a foothold back into the game. United did have a clear penalty award when Hill brought down Evans but assistant Fearn and Woolmer opted to play on leaving most of United’s players aghast. Gorkss then had a firm grasp of Bartley’s shirt as the resulting corner came over and frustration threatened to boil over. Bartley was then booked for a nothing foul and Woolmer was loudly booed as the players and officials departed at half time.
The second half began with Ward drilling a free kick into the wall; the third time United had failed to get the ball on target from dangerous free kick opportunities. The game though now as petering out with United failing to exert any real pressure on the QPR goal and the visitors looking comfortable. Indeed if anyone looked like scoring again it was the hoops. Faurlin was close to scoring a fourth but his shot was blocked by Ertl with the ball seemingly heading for the corner. Rangers still looked dangerous with the attacking play of Taarabt and Ephraim causing Taylor and Ertl all sorts of problems with their pace and interchange. Bogdanovic came on for Evans and then Ward ought to have done better when he scuffed a shot wide when he ought to have done better. Kozluk and Yeates came on for Taylor and Quinn as United attempted to change their ineffective left hand side both from a defensive and attacking standpoint. However, no more chances came United’s way and QPR substitute and former Blade Leigertwood went close near the end. The game was now effectively over and fans were streaming for the exits long before the end of the game
Referee Woolmer added an additional 5 minutes which drew the ire of the fans who had remained in the ground such was the anger at the first home performance and loud boos resonated around the ground at full time as former Blades Warnock and Kenny embraced at full time to signify ‘job done’ for the visitors.
United – The start of a new season; a few new signings, retaining some of the experienced players and a new optimism but after the first game most realistic fans know that this squad and managerial team is already probably miles off being contenders for the top 6. We were taken to the cleaners by a ruthless QPR side in the first half who had the game sewn up inside 25 minutes. The last 65 minutes were a non event as they ran out the most comfortable winners you could imagine. Last week it was hard to assess the side due to the sending off and thus any assessment of this supposed different way to playing could not be made. Well after today it was simply the same if not worse than last season. Granted it was not a 3-0 game after half an hour in the general pattern of the game but we the fact is I can barely recall an attack of note from us nor a move when we kept the ball for more than 3 passes. QPR could do both of these things and did this on numerous occasions which accounts for the deficit and the game being up by half time.
It was a very worrying start in terms of the coaching, the performance, approach and the players out there who seemed to have no belief at all. To see players be shot for confidence after game 2 is not a good sign. It seems things are no better and thus a change has been made. I am surprised it has been made so soon as it surely should have been made in the summer if we were going to change the manager? It seems odd to let him bring 4 or 5 in and then after 2 games decide it was not working but after the result in the week and today then of course it is a results business. Whilst I would have made the change in the summer I am glad we have acted and hopefully now we can change the management, some of the personnel and the style we employ. McCabe must have seen the reduced season ticket sales and the performance and result against his old nemesis Warnock must have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. Still it does not seem like the way McCabe usually acts as he is usually more patient and pragmatic which may suggest something behind the scenes regarding investment/ownership change may be about to happen. It is certainly going to be an interesting few weeks.
Going back to today, we were really poor as the game was effectively over after half an hour. We did not get much luck nor help from the officials but the fact is we defended awfully, could not keep/pass the football like they could and looked nonexistent as an attacking threat. We had maybe one chance on goal in the first half and nothing of note I can recall in the second half at all. We barely tested QPR all afternoon. They maybe did not have lots of chances but what they did make they took and were clinical. They had midfielders getting ahead of the strikers and showed some fluency and ingenuity when attacking. We carried on the same predictable route one tactic of last season and it was awful to watch.
I felt for the likes of Britton, Ward and Evans who wanted to get on the ball and make things happen but were given little chance to exert things due to the inability of their teammates to keep the ball. Montgomery and Quinn were atrocious in possession of the ball. Cresswell was a passenger and at the back the likes of Taylor and Bartley were making errors at an alarmingly rate. Whilst I think we need 3 or 4 new signings to be even near the top 10 I think things go much beyond personnel as the likes of Evans, Britton etc are good players and the buck has to stop with the manager. He talked the talk in the summer about us playing a different way and getting players in that could allow us to do that but then he leaves two of these so called difference makers (I am not sure whether they are by the way); Bogdanovic and Yeates out and plays a style that renders Britton useless. Today was not good enough regardless of bad luck, refereeing etc.
Overall, Blackwell did a good job steadying the ship when he took over from Robson and then took us very close to promotion the other season even if the style of play was poor. If we had gone up things would have been different but for all the wins and late finish to that season it was still pretty dire to watch. The performance at Wembley was a complete let down and was the start of the end. McCabe ought to have taken his resignation there and then. He limped on for another year and he was not helped by injuries/sales and lack of continuity and I would say he has took the brunt of the wage bill being reduced. However, he ultimately still had the personnel and players to get this team playing better and a more entertaining style than he has done regardless of poor results that came with these depressing performances. I felt like he kind of was just doing the same thing week in, week out and season in, season out. I honestly could just see things getting worse before it got better and from a third finish to ninth would not have been surprised to see mid to lower table this year. Ultimately I am not sure he is good enough to manage in the Premiership or get a team out of this division and despite him showing promise as a coach his record in terms of performances/results at Leeds, Luton and United (sometimes admittedly under trying circumstances) leaves him a little short as a top manager in my opinion. I am sure lower Championship, League One he can do a steady job but he lacks ideas, tactical nous and ability to embed a creative and attacking style of play to be a real success in management I feel. Overall, United have had far better managers (Warnock, Bassett etc) but had far worse (Heath) and his overall verdict will be ‘not quite good enough’ which seems a little damning but probably wholly accurate in his assessment of his term in charge at the Lane.
QPR – They were not outstanding but they had the basics in that they defended well, were well organised and looked a goal threat. They looked in short a far more confident, organised and skilful side than us and will sadly finish far higher up in the table due to better players but better attitude to ball retention and allowing them to be more rigid when defending but more inflexible and creative when attacking. They broke well with speed and could pass the ball on the floor. They kept the ball when in possession and had men breaking from midfield with pace. Mackie and Helguson were a handful and won their fair share of headers and balls forward but more than that they allowed the midfield to break beyond them. Faurlin, Ephraim and Taarabt are all comfortable in possession and can all break with speed. They all technically better than anything we have and all can control the ball, pass it short and long and look a goal threat. They want to receive the ball and look to play one twos or balls into the feet of the front two. Things Montgomery and Quinn simply cannot do. Derry sat on Britton and stopped him getting on the ball and just shielded the back four.
At the back the centre backs Hall and Gorkks just headed the ball away all game as they were faced with little threat on the floor where we could have hurt them. Kenny had little to do all game. He made one save from Cresswell’s flicked header (when he should have scored) but the rest of the game his only real contribution was just kicking the ball away and fielding our long clearances to no one in particular.
They have won two games comfortably and will be around the top 6. Whether they have enough quality at the top end of the pitch in terms of goalscorers or whether their defence has enough mobility against cleverer and better strikers’ remains to be seen but they will be there or thereabouts.
Simonsen 6/10 – Had little chance on the first goal when he was badly exposed and the situation as the same on the second. For the third he spilt the ball and clumsily upended his man. I was surprised by the appeals as it looked a clear penalty. After this he actually did not have many saves to make but the damage was done by then. He was given little protection in front of him as confusion reigned.
Ertl 5/10 – He was not the same as last week bit was in a position that does not suit him. He was nowhere to be seen on the first goal and did not prevent the cross for the second goal. Ephraim was given too much time and space all game. Ertl is not a right back for me. He was outstanding at centre back last week so why he was moved to another position is beyond me. He tried his best but lacks mobility and speed to be able to cope with quicker/nimble players who we often be faced with in this position.
Taylor 3.5/10 – Really poor from start to finish. He has no confidence in his own ability and most of the time he gives the ball away or slices clearances when it comes his way. Surprised he gets defended so much on various message boards who say he is ok and fairly promising. The fact he is woefully out his depth in the championship and is a lower division player treading water. His positional sense is appalling, he does not get tight enough to his man, his technical ability is poor, he offers no real defensive presence and is weak physically in all aspects of play and offers little going forward. I am unsure on the Jordan signing but he will replace Taylor at first opportunity as he is just not good enough.
Morgan 4.5/10 – He was not at his best as quicker/faster and more technical players passed the ball around him and his fellow United defenders in the first half. He won his usual share of headers and clearances after we were 3-0 down but faced with quick passing movement from midfield he struggled to keep the back line together. At times looked leaden footed and turned way too easily.
Bartley 4/10 – Thought he looked really poor today. His basic defending was not good enough and he also was sloppy in possession. Worryingly for a 6’3’’ defender he lost headers throughout the contest and was outmuscled in 50/50 challenges. Him and Morgan seemed miles apart and led to big gaps for the opponents to run into.
Montgomery 5/10 – Tried hard and covered lots of ground but as a player he is completely ineffective when we are chasing the game and need to keep the ball, get beyond the opponents defence and are crying out for creativity not someone just lumping it forward or into touch.
Britton 5.5/10 – Tried to get on the ball and make things happen but for the most part the game just passed him by as it has for so called creative players in the past like Howard and Harper. We need to get him on the ball more but when his fellow midfielders like Monty and Quinn can’t even find a shirt when stood 5 yards away from him then I do not know how he can be influential as the defenders behind him just punt it too.
Quinn 3/10 – Awful. Contributed little to nothing all game and continued his ‘hot potato football’ game of last season where he just flicked or helped the ball on to no one in particular. I personally would have let him move on in the summer as we cannot move forward with two players (see Monty) who run around a lot but have an inability to be calm in possession or try and keep the ball. His head went down early and he was remonstrating with the crowd who dared to give him stick when he was taken off for an utterly non existent performance.
Cresswell 3.5/10 – Won absolutely nothing in the air all game; did not hold the ball up and looked really sluggish in all aspects of the game. I know he is a worker and a trier who won’t give in but he lacks speed/strength and that bit of quality to really make a difference. He will still probably score a few goals and contribute through hard work and effort but he symbolises our side (100%, not much quality but not lacking in effort/work rate) which is worrying.
Evans 5.5/10 – Thought he was one of our sharper players in that he tried to make things happen and when given it to feet tried to link with others or turn and go towards goal. He is a decent footballer who with the right service would score goals or make things happens. Sadly with Blackwell’s route one style and lack of plan B; he will have to work the channels, chase lost causes and hope for scraps at the moment.
Ward 6/10 – At least showed some effort and a bit of spark and one of few players who looked a bit of a threat. He made a few darts down the right and tried to get at defenders but as the game went on his and United’s threat had completely petered out and he looked as frustrated as the rest with the complete lack of service or balls to his feet.
Subs –
Bogdanovic – Last week he came on when we needed someone to chase/harry and hold the ball up and he was unable to do this. Today we needed a spark or something different and he was unable to do this. Unsure quite how he will fit into things as already even with Henderson unfit Blackwell does not thing he is good enough to start.
Yeates – Came on but did not get in the game as the match was effectively over. He was a so called world beater at the end of last season and his performance against Ipswich had Blackwell crowing. So what happens at the start of the season? He is on the bench. Seems like another Cotterill situation in the making. Only he is probably not even as good a player.
Kozluk – Got beat for skill twice by his winger and generally looked off the pace. If we cannot find a better full back in all of world football than someone we released 3 years ago (when he was not good enough then) then it is very worrying and asks serious questions of our scouting network.
