Deadbat
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Brief summary more than a report as ‘school night’ and only got in at 22.45pm.
Three points is all that matters. It is not a game many will remember – even if I did report there were barely any goalmouth action or chances really! It was poor and played at a really slow pace till we improved around the hour mark with changes helping us.
First half we were really slow and poor with and without the ball. We sat off and they had more possession and moved it around but did not really create much despite playing quite well and being untroubled. There were no real chances at all. They had one shot saved from Cornick, we had a few half moments but nothing clear cut and there was the penalty appeal which I do not think was but it was a game of little incident. We just were sloppy on the ball and never moved it forward with any tempo. We seemed to be almost waiting for things to happen – the crowd tried to rally the side and be patient but so many misplaced passes or poor choices meant we never got any head of steam. I kept imploring us to keep the ball but we never did and Bristol City grew in confidence. I was just glad we got in without any damage in terms of goals conceded.
McAtee made a big difference and we were much better second half. Not sure we were brilliant but we ended up taking the game to them more and they started sitting back, time wasting and trying to slow it down. We had a few half chances and Berge shot over, Sharp then made a difference from the bench and we started to look more of a threat. The goal was well made and taken. After this they did not really threaten too much at all but it’s always nervy at 1-0. In the end we had chances to maybe kill it and Jebbison missed a sitter at the death.
It was a tricky game against a ‘nice’ football team who won’t go up and won’t go down and are mired in obscurity but still have some players who can hurt teams. They were better than us first half but after the break they never got going and we forced them back and, in the end, did just about enough to nick the game 1-0.
Overall, it’s a win despite it being a less than convincing performance but it does not matter at this stage. We feel close now. The side looks a bit leggy/weary and need one last push in the two home games next week where in all likelihood, one win might be enough but four points almost certainly will be. If Luton/Boro drop any points tomorrow and then of course play each other (so one will next Monday) then we are almost there. I’d love us to do it at the Lane in a game as often we go up when other teams’ results come in so be great if we could finish it at Bramall Lane but it feels one big performance and win is all that is needed now.
Ratings:
Davies 7/10 – Did everything well tonight. Came off his line more, swept up and dealt with everything he had to competently. One moment he could have caught rather than pushed. One slice but his kicking outside of that was good and he just was alert and came and saw off danger quite a few times as he cleaned up.
Baldock 7.5/10 – Thought Bell gave him some issues early on and there was one dodgy moment when he clashed with him (I did not see enough to give it) but after the break thought he improved and was quicker to the ball and showed real desire. He led the improvements with his ability to nip in and make the ball. Nearly got in a few times including a few good moves with Sharp that nearly led to a goal. He was superb in his desire and commitment to win his battles and drive us forward.
Lowe 6.5/10 – Much like Saturday, felt he was poor first half and gave it away too easily often under little pressure. He was not tight enough to his man and often just kicked it when he needed to be more composed. After the break much improved – he was better defensively nicking in a few times and also involved in the goal and the big chance for Jebbison with a great cross. Recall him making a great tackle towards the end as they looked to create. Had two good second half performances now!
Robinson 6.5/10 – He was ok first half apart from one moment where Cornick nipped in and at times, he and the defence was too slow to move it forward. He improved much like the rest after the break as he came onto the ball, won tackles and generally just upped it in everything he did.
Ahmedhodzic 6/10 – One good tackle on Bell and did try and move it forward but often overplayed when in good positions. Tried another overhead kick that failed again! Second half, he made some decent tackles and was more advanced with some breaks and link up. A few poor clearances and moments near the end where he was not as sure with his play. Obviously has a lot on his mind. Did not get booked and now will wait to see if his wife gives birth before the weekend so he can be available!
Egan 7/10 – Thought he was really steady and one of our better players tonight. He won his headers/clearances but also drove forward a lot and one of the few who seemed to want to carry it and advance it. Felt he was let down by some of those in front at times
Doyle 5/10 – Poorest he has been for some time. Just not really at it. His touch was off and he was careless with a lot of what he did. Had some ok pockets of play but his passing was either short or long and he did not really drive or get on it. Felt Bristol City controlled midfield much of the first half.
Fleck 4/10 – As above – the midfield was not close enough to their players – did not get on it and overall, we just did not have control. Thought whenever it went to Fleck/Lowe down this side, we ended up just losing it carelessly. He played well as a sub but his impact was very limited tonight and rightly hooked.
Berge 7/10 – Best of the midfield and played better overall than he has done. He was not always as involved as he needed to and crucially for long spells, we did not have enough of the ball in here first half but most good things we did came from him. He was ok and neat and tidy but wanted him to dominate more rather than safe/simple stuff. One good run where he crosses just beyond others and then after the break fired over. Had some involvement in the goal and he upped it significantly after the break and was a more of threat in the game. He did ok tonight and did put some rea effort in and chased back quite a bit too but still some awful headers (one just tricked down him and he got on the rebound) but overall, I felt others were not helping him with little movement in front.
Ndiaye 6.5/10 – He had moments of class where he came away from his man and helped us look dangerous and nearly got in the end of one move from McBurnie’s pass but made a poor choice at the end. He did always offer an outlet but things did not always come off tonight but then after the break any time he got involved I felt we might do something and he proved this as he helped make the goal. Not sure he has been totally at his best the last few but still always provides those moments of quality that can help change games.
McBurnie 4/10 – Thought he was really poor tonight and similar to how he played Saturday, and if anything even less impact. He looked immobile, slow and other than one pass to Ndiaye for a half chance, the ball never stuck with him, he lost his headers and never held it up. Looked unfit or injured as he so sluggish. He offered nothing at all sadly and we improved hugely when he went off. Needs to up his game as Sharp/Jebbison are probably better options at the moment the way he is playing. Really disappointed how little he has shown the last few and needs to start contributing again.
Subs –
McAtee 7/10 – Becoming a big-time player and again came up with a huge goal. As soon as he came on it lifted the team and crowd as he ran at people and had a half chance. Gets into those little pockets and always looks dangerous. He is becoming a great finisher and the goal he took superbly and such a big moment in a drab game. Another whom whenever he gets it you sense good things might happen.
Sharp 7/10 – Really good tonight and made a noticeable difference. He held the ball up really well and finally they had someone who was a nuisance. One good link up with Baldock and he was running the channels well. He won free kicks and helped the team get up the field. Desperate to get that 250th goal and hopefully it will come in the run in!
Norwood 7/10 – A mixed bag. Helped us keep it better and one or two great crosses whipped in (the one for the disallowed goal) but he also gave a silly free kick away not long after we scored that fortunately they made nothing of it.
Jebbison – Did ok in the time he was on and showed his running and pace to get down the sides and helped us keep the ball up the top of the pitch but then missed a sitter at the death where he has to score.
Manager: Heckingbottom 6.5/10 – His starters did not work in terms of Fleck/McBurnie and we improved after the subs but then you could say the fresher players came on as they had defenders tiring and made the difference – who knows if they would have as much impact from the start. We managed the game out really well after we got the big goal and had a much better shape second half after we look a bit ragged first half and never got control of the game or forced them back but the tempo was better and we seized the initiative after the break.
Bristol City – They will feel unlucky to lose to us twice this season as have had decent play and territory for large spells but they created nothing really other than the one shot first half and for all the decent football, it never hurt us. They held us easily though and will say they were the better team. After the break it flipped and we had the midfield and control but we created stuff too and got behind them and eventually with a moment if quality, the goal came. They will wonder how we are so high up and them so low down on these games but good teams defend well and are hard to breakdown and have moments of quality at the other end and that has happened both games.
Three points is all that matters. It is not a game many will remember – even if I did report there were barely any goalmouth action or chances really! It was poor and played at a really slow pace till we improved around the hour mark with changes helping us.
First half we were really slow and poor with and without the ball. We sat off and they had more possession and moved it around but did not really create much despite playing quite well and being untroubled. There were no real chances at all. They had one shot saved from Cornick, we had a few half moments but nothing clear cut and there was the penalty appeal which I do not think was but it was a game of little incident. We just were sloppy on the ball and never moved it forward with any tempo. We seemed to be almost waiting for things to happen – the crowd tried to rally the side and be patient but so many misplaced passes or poor choices meant we never got any head of steam. I kept imploring us to keep the ball but we never did and Bristol City grew in confidence. I was just glad we got in without any damage in terms of goals conceded.
McAtee made a big difference and we were much better second half. Not sure we were brilliant but we ended up taking the game to them more and they started sitting back, time wasting and trying to slow it down. We had a few half chances and Berge shot over, Sharp then made a difference from the bench and we started to look more of a threat. The goal was well made and taken. After this they did not really threaten too much at all but it’s always nervy at 1-0. In the end we had chances to maybe kill it and Jebbison missed a sitter at the death.
It was a tricky game against a ‘nice’ football team who won’t go up and won’t go down and are mired in obscurity but still have some players who can hurt teams. They were better than us first half but after the break they never got going and we forced them back and, in the end, did just about enough to nick the game 1-0.
Overall, it’s a win despite it being a less than convincing performance but it does not matter at this stage. We feel close now. The side looks a bit leggy/weary and need one last push in the two home games next week where in all likelihood, one win might be enough but four points almost certainly will be. If Luton/Boro drop any points tomorrow and then of course play each other (so one will next Monday) then we are almost there. I’d love us to do it at the Lane in a game as often we go up when other teams’ results come in so be great if we could finish it at Bramall Lane but it feels one big performance and win is all that is needed now.
Ratings:
Davies 7/10 – Did everything well tonight. Came off his line more, swept up and dealt with everything he had to competently. One moment he could have caught rather than pushed. One slice but his kicking outside of that was good and he just was alert and came and saw off danger quite a few times as he cleaned up.
Baldock 7.5/10 – Thought Bell gave him some issues early on and there was one dodgy moment when he clashed with him (I did not see enough to give it) but after the break thought he improved and was quicker to the ball and showed real desire. He led the improvements with his ability to nip in and make the ball. Nearly got in a few times including a few good moves with Sharp that nearly led to a goal. He was superb in his desire and commitment to win his battles and drive us forward.
Lowe 6.5/10 – Much like Saturday, felt he was poor first half and gave it away too easily often under little pressure. He was not tight enough to his man and often just kicked it when he needed to be more composed. After the break much improved – he was better defensively nicking in a few times and also involved in the goal and the big chance for Jebbison with a great cross. Recall him making a great tackle towards the end as they looked to create. Had two good second half performances now!
Robinson 6.5/10 – He was ok first half apart from one moment where Cornick nipped in and at times, he and the defence was too slow to move it forward. He improved much like the rest after the break as he came onto the ball, won tackles and generally just upped it in everything he did.
Ahmedhodzic 6/10 – One good tackle on Bell and did try and move it forward but often overplayed when in good positions. Tried another overhead kick that failed again! Second half, he made some decent tackles and was more advanced with some breaks and link up. A few poor clearances and moments near the end where he was not as sure with his play. Obviously has a lot on his mind. Did not get booked and now will wait to see if his wife gives birth before the weekend so he can be available!
Egan 7/10 – Thought he was really steady and one of our better players tonight. He won his headers/clearances but also drove forward a lot and one of the few who seemed to want to carry it and advance it. Felt he was let down by some of those in front at times
Doyle 5/10 – Poorest he has been for some time. Just not really at it. His touch was off and he was careless with a lot of what he did. Had some ok pockets of play but his passing was either short or long and he did not really drive or get on it. Felt Bristol City controlled midfield much of the first half.
Fleck 4/10 – As above – the midfield was not close enough to their players – did not get on it and overall, we just did not have control. Thought whenever it went to Fleck/Lowe down this side, we ended up just losing it carelessly. He played well as a sub but his impact was very limited tonight and rightly hooked.
Berge 7/10 – Best of the midfield and played better overall than he has done. He was not always as involved as he needed to and crucially for long spells, we did not have enough of the ball in here first half but most good things we did came from him. He was ok and neat and tidy but wanted him to dominate more rather than safe/simple stuff. One good run where he crosses just beyond others and then after the break fired over. Had some involvement in the goal and he upped it significantly after the break and was a more of threat in the game. He did ok tonight and did put some rea effort in and chased back quite a bit too but still some awful headers (one just tricked down him and he got on the rebound) but overall, I felt others were not helping him with little movement in front.
Ndiaye 6.5/10 – He had moments of class where he came away from his man and helped us look dangerous and nearly got in the end of one move from McBurnie’s pass but made a poor choice at the end. He did always offer an outlet but things did not always come off tonight but then after the break any time he got involved I felt we might do something and he proved this as he helped make the goal. Not sure he has been totally at his best the last few but still always provides those moments of quality that can help change games.
McBurnie 4/10 – Thought he was really poor tonight and similar to how he played Saturday, and if anything even less impact. He looked immobile, slow and other than one pass to Ndiaye for a half chance, the ball never stuck with him, he lost his headers and never held it up. Looked unfit or injured as he so sluggish. He offered nothing at all sadly and we improved hugely when he went off. Needs to up his game as Sharp/Jebbison are probably better options at the moment the way he is playing. Really disappointed how little he has shown the last few and needs to start contributing again.
Subs –
McAtee 7/10 – Becoming a big-time player and again came up with a huge goal. As soon as he came on it lifted the team and crowd as he ran at people and had a half chance. Gets into those little pockets and always looks dangerous. He is becoming a great finisher and the goal he took superbly and such a big moment in a drab game. Another whom whenever he gets it you sense good things might happen.
Sharp 7/10 – Really good tonight and made a noticeable difference. He held the ball up really well and finally they had someone who was a nuisance. One good link up with Baldock and he was running the channels well. He won free kicks and helped the team get up the field. Desperate to get that 250th goal and hopefully it will come in the run in!
Norwood 7/10 – A mixed bag. Helped us keep it better and one or two great crosses whipped in (the one for the disallowed goal) but he also gave a silly free kick away not long after we scored that fortunately they made nothing of it.
Jebbison – Did ok in the time he was on and showed his running and pace to get down the sides and helped us keep the ball up the top of the pitch but then missed a sitter at the death where he has to score.
Manager: Heckingbottom 6.5/10 – His starters did not work in terms of Fleck/McBurnie and we improved after the subs but then you could say the fresher players came on as they had defenders tiring and made the difference – who knows if they would have as much impact from the start. We managed the game out really well after we got the big goal and had a much better shape second half after we look a bit ragged first half and never got control of the game or forced them back but the tempo was better and we seized the initiative after the break.
Bristol City – They will feel unlucky to lose to us twice this season as have had decent play and territory for large spells but they created nothing really other than the one shot first half and for all the decent football, it never hurt us. They held us easily though and will say they were the better team. After the break it flipped and we had the midfield and control but we created stuff too and got behind them and eventually with a moment if quality, the goal came. They will wonder how we are so high up and them so low down on these games but good teams defend well and are hard to breakdown and have moments of quality at the other end and that has happened both games.
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Just want us to go for it, and to hell with the consequences
