Deadbat
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After finally being confirmed as relegated last week, there is a notion that teams whose fate has been sealed can relax and play care free football. Such sides often can start winning games or spring some surprises on better placed teams. On Saturday evening at Bramall Lane, we saw this in affect as the home side put in a much better performance. In an even first half, McGoldrick profited from some poor defending and then despite Brighton dominating after the break, United kept a firm rear guard and held out for a rare win.
Caretaker Heckingbottom with a 100% record from his games so far named a starting line up that saw Ampadu left out and Bogle back in with Baldock moving to centre back. Brewster continued up front with McGoldrick. On the bench were youngsters Brunt and Gordon once again.
Brighton manager Potter made three changes with Maupay, Lallana and Moder replacing Burn, Mac Allister and the suspended White. The visitors knew probably one more win would keep them safe in the top flight.
United started on the attack with Brewster having a shot blocked and then McGoldrick’s looping header going over the bar. Fleck then had an enterprising run but Baldock’s pass was poor on the right. The Blades played some neat stuff early on but Brighton started to ease back into it and had the first effort on goal on 11 minutes. Bissouma ran though the Blades midfield way too easily advancing past Norwood and slipping in Maupay. The striker was in on goal on the angle but as Fleck challenged, Ramsdale made the block with his chest. Brighton continued to control the possession for a period but it was a relatively even game.
On 18 minutes, United took the lead. Stevens played a ball through after Webster gave it away and Osborn was in down the left. He hit an early cross into a really dangerous area and Veltman could not clear and it bounced off Gross and Brewster to fall perfectly for MCGOLDRICK. The Blades leading scorer turned the ball home for his 7th of the season. It was awful defending and maybe a touch of fortune how it fell but United had put the ball into the box early which was a rarity this season.
Soon after the striker nearly intercepted another poor piece of play as Brighton attempted to play out again but this time he could not quite get there and indeed got booked for a high foot on the defender. Some decent play by United soon after saw them switch it wide but Bryan’s cross was poor.
Ramsdale’s had been composed kicking it out but he grubbed one that led to a chance for Brighton but United recovered and broke. Brighton intercepted but again unwisely tried to play out and it led to Brewster trying to get a shot off but it was blocked. The striker had looked lively so far though.
Just before the half hour, the Blades played some nice stuff down the right with Osborn, Bogle and Baldock involved but Brighton got a foot in and from a tight area, Lallana broke and Brighton played their best move of the game with some swift one touch stuff to go through the middle. Norwood did well to get back to his foot in. McGoldrick was then chopped down but the free kick was headed clear.
Veltman ran half the length of the pitch but United again got enough bodies in the way to hold it up. On half way soon after, McGoldrick executed two incredible pieces of skill to fool Dunk and create space, looking Ronaldo (the old one!) in his pomp. Stevens then came inside and few Brewster who showed some good industry and sent over a cross that was cleared. At the other end Brighton moved it around well but Stevens got a toe in to send it out for a corner.
Brighton finished the half with more possession and won a few corners before Bissouma tried an adventurous shot from a long way out and it sailed wide. The Seagulls then moved it on well to find an opportunity for Gross who was unmarked down the left and his cross fell to Trossard but it deflected wide for another corner that was cleared. The additional minute brought no other incidents of note as the Blades went in with a rare lead.
Brighton looked to have changed to a 3-5-2 and from the start Moder played in Lallana who had an effort saved from Ramsdale with the shot being too close the Blades custodian. Brighton then won a corner after good work from Moder and then Gross. Brighton won three corners early in the second half and had one good chance after a lovely flick turned it round the corner from Welbeck to Maupay who took his shot early but Ramsdale did well to get down and save well.
Bissouma driving through saw the ball to Lallana but Bryan backing off was able to make a block for another corner. This led to another corner. From this the ball was not properly cleared and as Osborn went to hook clear, Moder came back and turned it in to seemingly level. VAR looked it and showed the Brighton man was in an offside position and the goal was ruled out. Brighton came again and a ball across saw Lallana head just wide.
It had been one way traffic for the opening 15 minutes of the 2nd half and the Blades had simply not started in the second half after a decent first half showing.
United were struggling to get any kind of possession but a rare break saw Osborn do well to play McGoldrick in but his curling shot was straight at the keeper Sanchez.
The game ticked over into the hour mark and Brewster had picked up a knock and had to go off as Burke came on.
Bissoma then was not pressured at all and took a shot just wide as Brighton were inching closer to a leveller.
Moder and Gross came off for Jahanbakhsh and Connolly for the visitors on 66 minutes as Brighton looked to put more attacking intent into the game. United won a corner after more great work from McGoldrick fed Osborn. Fleck’s corner was cleared and Brighton broke at pace and the cross from Lallana’s cross was superb but Welbeck was on the stretch and could only head wide.
Fleck did well to hold Brighton up and some decent football saw them get out for a spell in a half that Brighton had dominated in possession, territory and chances.
Brighton missed a great chance as Jahahbakhsh skinned Stevens and put over a great cross and Maupay scooped over right in front of goal. It was another great chance spurned.
The Blades failure to get hold of the ball or break up sustained pressure was meaning that Brighton were almost camped in the United half in a second half that was quite different to the first with only the final part/chance denying Brighton a chance to level.
However, the Blades broke with a great move and run down the right that saw Burke link with Baldock and put over a cross that Bogle could only toe poke into the keeper in the Blades only other chance on target outside of the goal.
Baldock was booked for timewasting on a throw before Brighton continued to prompt and probe with the Brighton defenders now playing inside the Blades half as United were going back further and further. Trossard’s cross was comfortable for Ramsdale after more good work from Jahahbakhsh.
Lundstram came on for Osborn with 10 minutes to go as United looked for fresh legs. Izquierdo replaced Trossard for Brighton. Jahanbakhsh then came inside and tried to curl one but it was well over.
As the game entered the 85th minute, Burke had a chance but after him and McGoldrick dallied with it, Burke gave it away and Brighton broke. Izquierdo took on a shot from 30 yards and it dipped and swerved but Ramsdale did well to push away for yet another Brighton corner.
Stevens cynically brought down his man but Jahanbakhsh who had committed the foul shot wastefully wide soon after.
The game ticked over to 90 minutes and there was four minutes of additional time. Brighton won yet another corner (their 12th!) and with Sanchez, the keeper up, they had everyone in the box. The keeper got his head to it but it did not worry United and Ramsdale caught the ensuing deflection. Brighton could not muster another chance and the Blades held on for their first win in 7 games and the first victory for the caretaker manager Heckingbottom.
United – I thought last week was much better even though we lost and we saw some improvements today. First half we had a few decent moves, competed and were organised. We looked ok. Brighton were not great at all and we profited from them playing out from the back constantly. We got the ball forward a bit earlier and this led to a goal. We had a few half chances and so did they and of course Ramsdale made a good save from a Maupay effort when they broke through too easy. It was a relatively even first half though and as much of the ball they had, we looked as dangerous, even if it was as much from their daft give aways than great play from us. Osborn was busy and Brewster and McGoldrick both did ok. I thought we were decent and even though maybe a tad fortunate to lead we were right in the game and after last week at Wolves when we were as good as an opponent, it had happened again.
2nd half was a different story. We dropped off completely. Brighton changed the formation and we did not react and got deeper and deeper. We never got hold of the ball and just seemed content to let them have it. This was fine if they were not getting through but they had a number of chances and with better finishing and worse keeping would have levelled or won. Maupay missed an absolute sitter and they had a number of other opportunities. Maybe not clear chances but they had a lot and seemed to have a corner every other minute. We could not get out at all and seemed to just look very tired and stuck in a defensive line up. We just did not move up the field as a unit. Heckingbottom took too long to change it and whilst they upped the tempo and their whole side moved up the field, we needed to change the formation or personnel. By the time we did, the game pattern was set and in any case the sub (Burke) made little difference as he kept giving it away also! We hung on in the end and got a win which at least was nice after seemingly losing every single week. A rare clean sheet too. Not sure we deserved the win on play/possession or chances and 2nd half Brighton did dominate but they did not score and for once in a tight game we came out on top.
The thing I liked though is we saw more commitment, pressing and desire. Shame it has come after we have gone down. Maybe taking Lundstram and Ampadu out, two players who will not be here has helped even if just psychologically in terms of how we have approached things. I do think we have seen improvements though as we have played two poor sides out of form also! I think next week albeit v a team without a manager (in Spurs) we may see a different result in terms of how we look? I might be wrong of course. It is good though that after a series of games where we simply folded like a pack of cards and looked completely out of our depth, we did not do that last week or tonight. We were very much in both games.
We have gone another week without any news on a new manager. You would guess things are going on behind the scenes and heard more rumours and odds shortening on Jokanovic of course so remains to be seen if something is imminent. Rob Green said the owner had said the new manager was watching but why he would know and I have not seen any interview or soundbites from the Prince in recent days? I do hope we have someone in before the end of the season even if just for a few games as I think they need to assess in person the bulk of the side in person and work with them before the summer break and they go away.
After finally being confirmed as relegated last week, there is a notion that teams whose fate has been sealed can relax and play care free football. Such sides often can start winning games or spring some surprises on better placed teams. On Saturday evening at Bramall Lane, we saw this in affect as the home side put in a much better performance. In an even first half, McGoldrick profited from some poor defending and then despite Brighton dominating after the break, United kept a firm rear guard and held out for a rare win.
Caretaker Heckingbottom with a 100% record from his games so far named a starting line up that saw Ampadu left out and Bogle back in with Baldock moving to centre back. Brewster continued up front with McGoldrick. On the bench were youngsters Brunt and Gordon once again.
Brighton manager Potter made three changes with Maupay, Lallana and Moder replacing Burn, Mac Allister and the suspended White. The visitors knew probably one more win would keep them safe in the top flight.
United started on the attack with Brewster having a shot blocked and then McGoldrick’s looping header going over the bar. Fleck then had an enterprising run but Baldock’s pass was poor on the right. The Blades played some neat stuff early on but Brighton started to ease back into it and had the first effort on goal on 11 minutes. Bissouma ran though the Blades midfield way too easily advancing past Norwood and slipping in Maupay. The striker was in on goal on the angle but as Fleck challenged, Ramsdale made the block with his chest. Brighton continued to control the possession for a period but it was a relatively even game.
On 18 minutes, United took the lead. Stevens played a ball through after Webster gave it away and Osborn was in down the left. He hit an early cross into a really dangerous area and Veltman could not clear and it bounced off Gross and Brewster to fall perfectly for MCGOLDRICK. The Blades leading scorer turned the ball home for his 7th of the season. It was awful defending and maybe a touch of fortune how it fell but United had put the ball into the box early which was a rarity this season.
Soon after the striker nearly intercepted another poor piece of play as Brighton attempted to play out again but this time he could not quite get there and indeed got booked for a high foot on the defender. Some decent play by United soon after saw them switch it wide but Bryan’s cross was poor.
Ramsdale’s had been composed kicking it out but he grubbed one that led to a chance for Brighton but United recovered and broke. Brighton intercepted but again unwisely tried to play out and it led to Brewster trying to get a shot off but it was blocked. The striker had looked lively so far though.
Just before the half hour, the Blades played some nice stuff down the right with Osborn, Bogle and Baldock involved but Brighton got a foot in and from a tight area, Lallana broke and Brighton played their best move of the game with some swift one touch stuff to go through the middle. Norwood did well to get back to his foot in. McGoldrick was then chopped down but the free kick was headed clear.
Veltman ran half the length of the pitch but United again got enough bodies in the way to hold it up. On half way soon after, McGoldrick executed two incredible pieces of skill to fool Dunk and create space, looking Ronaldo (the old one!) in his pomp. Stevens then came inside and few Brewster who showed some good industry and sent over a cross that was cleared. At the other end Brighton moved it around well but Stevens got a toe in to send it out for a corner.
Brighton finished the half with more possession and won a few corners before Bissouma tried an adventurous shot from a long way out and it sailed wide. The Seagulls then moved it on well to find an opportunity for Gross who was unmarked down the left and his cross fell to Trossard but it deflected wide for another corner that was cleared. The additional minute brought no other incidents of note as the Blades went in with a rare lead.
Brighton looked to have changed to a 3-5-2 and from the start Moder played in Lallana who had an effort saved from Ramsdale with the shot being too close the Blades custodian. Brighton then won a corner after good work from Moder and then Gross. Brighton won three corners early in the second half and had one good chance after a lovely flick turned it round the corner from Welbeck to Maupay who took his shot early but Ramsdale did well to get down and save well.
Bissouma driving through saw the ball to Lallana but Bryan backing off was able to make a block for another corner. This led to another corner. From this the ball was not properly cleared and as Osborn went to hook clear, Moder came back and turned it in to seemingly level. VAR looked it and showed the Brighton man was in an offside position and the goal was ruled out. Brighton came again and a ball across saw Lallana head just wide.
It had been one way traffic for the opening 15 minutes of the 2nd half and the Blades had simply not started in the second half after a decent first half showing.
United were struggling to get any kind of possession but a rare break saw Osborn do well to play McGoldrick in but his curling shot was straight at the keeper Sanchez.
The game ticked over into the hour mark and Brewster had picked up a knock and had to go off as Burke came on.
Bissoma then was not pressured at all and took a shot just wide as Brighton were inching closer to a leveller.
Moder and Gross came off for Jahanbakhsh and Connolly for the visitors on 66 minutes as Brighton looked to put more attacking intent into the game. United won a corner after more great work from McGoldrick fed Osborn. Fleck’s corner was cleared and Brighton broke at pace and the cross from Lallana’s cross was superb but Welbeck was on the stretch and could only head wide.
Fleck did well to hold Brighton up and some decent football saw them get out for a spell in a half that Brighton had dominated in possession, territory and chances.
Brighton missed a great chance as Jahahbakhsh skinned Stevens and put over a great cross and Maupay scooped over right in front of goal. It was another great chance spurned.
The Blades failure to get hold of the ball or break up sustained pressure was meaning that Brighton were almost camped in the United half in a second half that was quite different to the first with only the final part/chance denying Brighton a chance to level.
However, the Blades broke with a great move and run down the right that saw Burke link with Baldock and put over a cross that Bogle could only toe poke into the keeper in the Blades only other chance on target outside of the goal.
Baldock was booked for timewasting on a throw before Brighton continued to prompt and probe with the Brighton defenders now playing inside the Blades half as United were going back further and further. Trossard’s cross was comfortable for Ramsdale after more good work from Jahahbakhsh.
Lundstram came on for Osborn with 10 minutes to go as United looked for fresh legs. Izquierdo replaced Trossard for Brighton. Jahanbakhsh then came inside and tried to curl one but it was well over.
As the game entered the 85th minute, Burke had a chance but after him and McGoldrick dallied with it, Burke gave it away and Brighton broke. Izquierdo took on a shot from 30 yards and it dipped and swerved but Ramsdale did well to push away for yet another Brighton corner.
Stevens cynically brought down his man but Jahanbakhsh who had committed the foul shot wastefully wide soon after.
The game ticked over to 90 minutes and there was four minutes of additional time. Brighton won yet another corner (their 12th!) and with Sanchez, the keeper up, they had everyone in the box. The keeper got his head to it but it did not worry United and Ramsdale caught the ensuing deflection. Brighton could not muster another chance and the Blades held on for their first win in 7 games and the first victory for the caretaker manager Heckingbottom.
United – I thought last week was much better even though we lost and we saw some improvements today. First half we had a few decent moves, competed and were organised. We looked ok. Brighton were not great at all and we profited from them playing out from the back constantly. We got the ball forward a bit earlier and this led to a goal. We had a few half chances and so did they and of course Ramsdale made a good save from a Maupay effort when they broke through too easy. It was a relatively even first half though and as much of the ball they had, we looked as dangerous, even if it was as much from their daft give aways than great play from us. Osborn was busy and Brewster and McGoldrick both did ok. I thought we were decent and even though maybe a tad fortunate to lead we were right in the game and after last week at Wolves when we were as good as an opponent, it had happened again.
2nd half was a different story. We dropped off completely. Brighton changed the formation and we did not react and got deeper and deeper. We never got hold of the ball and just seemed content to let them have it. This was fine if they were not getting through but they had a number of chances and with better finishing and worse keeping would have levelled or won. Maupay missed an absolute sitter and they had a number of other opportunities. Maybe not clear chances but they had a lot and seemed to have a corner every other minute. We could not get out at all and seemed to just look very tired and stuck in a defensive line up. We just did not move up the field as a unit. Heckingbottom took too long to change it and whilst they upped the tempo and their whole side moved up the field, we needed to change the formation or personnel. By the time we did, the game pattern was set and in any case the sub (Burke) made little difference as he kept giving it away also! We hung on in the end and got a win which at least was nice after seemingly losing every single week. A rare clean sheet too. Not sure we deserved the win on play/possession or chances and 2nd half Brighton did dominate but they did not score and for once in a tight game we came out on top.
The thing I liked though is we saw more commitment, pressing and desire. Shame it has come after we have gone down. Maybe taking Lundstram and Ampadu out, two players who will not be here has helped even if just psychologically in terms of how we have approached things. I do think we have seen improvements though as we have played two poor sides out of form also! I think next week albeit v a team without a manager (in Spurs) we may see a different result in terms of how we look? I might be wrong of course. It is good though that after a series of games where we simply folded like a pack of cards and looked completely out of our depth, we did not do that last week or tonight. We were very much in both games.
We have gone another week without any news on a new manager. You would guess things are going on behind the scenes and heard more rumours and odds shortening on Jokanovic of course so remains to be seen if something is imminent. Rob Green said the owner had said the new manager was watching but why he would know and I have not seen any interview or soundbites from the Prince in recent days? I do hope we have someone in before the end of the season even if just for a few games as I think they need to assess in person the bulk of the side in person and work with them before the summer break and they go away.