Deadbat
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Ruben Selles start to his Blades career was a disaster as his United side got hammered 4-1 at home to Bristol City; a side they had despatched with ease at the end of last season. The home side trailed after a Scott Twine free kick early on but got back level thanks to a well-made goal finished by Tyrese Campbell. United were the better side after this but could not get the second goal and a mistake saw the away side break and it was well finished by Ross McCrorie. After the break, the Blades never got going and further goals from Mehmeti and Twine took the game away from United. It was a humbling start for the new manager that saw the stands emptying quickly well before the final whistle.
The opening day line up saw debuts for loanees Bindon and Barry and Norrington Davies was preferred to Robinson, who had been out injured and not risked from the start. Soumare and Ukaki were on the bench. City were missing several players out through injury but did give debuts to Vitek, Randell and Riis.
City began on the front foot and were picking up the loose pieces in the midfield and from one such moment; they advanced and Hamer brought down his man giving City a chance from outside of the box. TWINE, the free kick expert took it and it was perfect dipping over the ball and into the corner with Cooper nowhere near it. Stunned by this start, United tried to respond but City were looking the quicker and sharper and Twine sent another effort not far over as the crowd started to become restless. United won a few corners and started to get some momentum and got level after tenacious work from Callum O’Hare. The midfielder looked to have lost the ball but exchanged passed with Hamer and played in CAMPBELL who smashed the ball home. It was a lovely move and ruthlessly finished.
United looked to build on this and Barry was a threat down the left with his quick feet and dribbling. He had an effort flicked over by Vitek and then Burrows was denied also by the keeper. Another move saw Seriki play the ball over and somehow it deflected just wide off a City defender. United were now fully in the ascendancy but turned the ball over leading to a break and a visiting goal out of nowhere. Brooks lost possession initially and Bindon was beaten to the ball and then let his man get down the side to cross and MCCRORIE met it and arrowed a lovely finish beyond an exposed Cooper into the net. Suddenly, Bristol City were ahead after looking like getting overrun for a period of the game despite their good start.
Vitek made another good save as Peck tried to divert the ball goalwards from a Seriki cross shot. United tried to find space but Hamer overplayed the ball and then Campbell could not quite find an opening. The half time whistle came soon after and United could think themselves a tad unfortunate to be behind on the balance of play but poor defending had left them behind.
After the break, United’s chances of winning were thrown away inside the opening minute. It was only 41 seconds before the visitors scored. City broke quickly down the Blades left hand side and Riis again used his powerful running to get away from Burrows and as the ball came in Mehmeti got in front of his man to score way too easily. Twine then smashed a shot not far over as United seemed to be in complete disarray and had lost any control of the game they had. City scored a fourth as another poor giveaway, this time from Norrington Davies, saw McCrorie get in down the right and pull it back. TWINE’s effort took a deflection but looped up and into the corner – reminiscent of Hamer’s deflected effort in the previous game at the Lane – effectively ending the game.
The crowd and United’s players looked stunned as they were now getting a real hammering at home on opening day. Robinson, One and Cannon came on but United were creating little and indeed City could have scored another as Riis missed an excellent chance. The game became very disjointed and United were not really able to fashion much but McCallum had one effort saved – not long after he entered the field for Seriki. Late chances came for Peck and Cannon but both were denied at close range and City could have had another late on – as Armstrong was denied by Cooper. At the death McCallum was lucky not to concede a penalty after he upended his man, seemingly right on the line but this time the free kick went wide sparing United more embarrassment.
The final whistle came with many United fans having left the Lane – desperately disappointed that all the pre-season optimism had been completely punctured within 90 minutes. Credit to Bristol City, who missing quite a few starters came to the Lane, took the game to the home side and after being pegged back, responded superbly and in the end won the game comfortably.
United – As bad an opening day as you could wish for. To get pumped 4-1 at home under a new manager is not something anyone expected at all. We had good spells and on another day we go 2 or maybe 3-1 up after we come back but having gone behind at the break – the second half was appalling, tactically and in terms of individual performances. Overall, despite City being ruthless, they scored 3 goals from 4 with decent chances/shots inside the box and we were horrible exposed really. The new set up looked exciting and gave us chances but as soon as we lost it, we had no protection at all. The first goal came from a stupid foul from Hamer who looked totally disinterested all game to me. The free kick was well taken but we get back level and then look good but we miss a few good chances and then another giveaway and they are off to the races. It was a mistake by Brooks but this was in our half and they had a lot to do. Bindon gets turned and then does not stop his man and we fail to mark at the back post. After this we had more chances but did not need to panic as we were creating but the start of the second half- we came out flat and never got going. There were more mistakes made in terms of giving the ball away and both goals came from errors but there were also fundamental mistakes in terms of how we set up. City just ran through us and the goals were too easy. After this, we just sort of gave up and the body language was poor. I wanted the likes of Hamer to get hold of the ball but looked disinterested. I felt for Campbell and O’Hare, both who tried -saw some decent stuff from Barry too. However, there were too many players who came out and were not ready and lost their battles completely. There will be a lot of talk about RND and Bindon – both were as bad as each other. RND should be nowhere near out side and the fact he is – is down to poor management and ownership not bringing in at least 1-2 centre backs.
However, the side is set up for this risk and reward and to try and load bodies forward but one mistake and teams can run through us. Peck was supposed to be the anchor but was too far forward and we had huge gaps. Seriki and Burrows both struggled defensively too and we ended up with big gaps all over the side. I hope it is as simple as just bringing in another two strong centre backs but it seems to be more than that – looking at the structure. A very ordinary side like Bristol City, should not be able to run through us and have such easy chances. They could have had more goals – despite the XG people will throw and say they only had 5 or 6 shots. We were badly exposed and it worrying for such a rated coach that we were so open. We saw some of this pre season but kind of outscored some weaker sides but even Burton cut us open but just missed their chances. I also thought the players attitude was poor today. Bristol City threw bodies in the way, won tackles and battled where as out players seemed to think they just could turn up but their desire was a lot greater. Really concerning that they were not out to impress a new manager.
I felt the decision to move Wilder on was harsh and said I would have kept him despite seeing the reasoning behind a change to a different approach/coaching style but today could not have been a bigger disaster for the owners. Those who advocated Wilder staying have been given all the ammunition they needed after today and the same fans on social media/Wilder’s mates will be rubbing their hands. Sadly, the new manager has to do much better. It might be one game but his approach was painfully naïve. Maybe individual mistakes were not helpful but you should not have teams in on goal after losing the ball on half way. It was a concern his subs too where he just kind of threw bodies on and the McCallum change for Seriki was baffling. He will now have to be given funds to bring in the 3 or 4 starters we need (a right back and two centre backs priority and another central midfielder probably too – Peck is not experienced enough or disciplined to play that role on his own – maybe Soumare can but a lot to ask for another young player who has never played in the UK?). We now have a tough game at a buoyant Birmingham and then a trip to Swansea – you hope we can turn things round quickly as failing to get that first win in these two, would mean he would ridiculously, he be under huge pressure against a big physical Millwall who would relish coming here against a small and soft looking side.
I thought we would come out today and put down a marker. I saw Ipswich and Southampton struggle against promoted sides, but out of the fancied sides we have come out and laid big fat egg on opening day and become the surprise of opening day. I thought we would concede more goals (and score more) but I was shocked how ill disciplined the side were and how there was no real plan. It looked like the players did not really know where they were supposed to be or what they were meant to do – if teams beat the press – which to be honest was a press lite if anything as we barely put them under pressure? After the Wembley disappointment and the change and a decent pre-season, you really wanted to turn up today and see a positive performance but already there are murmurings and mutterings and concerns more key men like Cooper, Hamer and Campbell might be the next out of the door. The next 3 weeks will show a lot about the new owners and how serious they are about taking us back to the top league as they have kept stating. More departures and the failure to invest (not spent a fee of note all summer) would show that any promotion tilt is highly unlikely.
The opening day line up saw debuts for loanees Bindon and Barry and Norrington Davies was preferred to Robinson, who had been out injured and not risked from the start. Soumare and Ukaki were on the bench. City were missing several players out through injury but did give debuts to Vitek, Randell and Riis.
City began on the front foot and were picking up the loose pieces in the midfield and from one such moment; they advanced and Hamer brought down his man giving City a chance from outside of the box. TWINE, the free kick expert took it and it was perfect dipping over the ball and into the corner with Cooper nowhere near it. Stunned by this start, United tried to respond but City were looking the quicker and sharper and Twine sent another effort not far over as the crowd started to become restless. United won a few corners and started to get some momentum and got level after tenacious work from Callum O’Hare. The midfielder looked to have lost the ball but exchanged passed with Hamer and played in CAMPBELL who smashed the ball home. It was a lovely move and ruthlessly finished.
United looked to build on this and Barry was a threat down the left with his quick feet and dribbling. He had an effort flicked over by Vitek and then Burrows was denied also by the keeper. Another move saw Seriki play the ball over and somehow it deflected just wide off a City defender. United were now fully in the ascendancy but turned the ball over leading to a break and a visiting goal out of nowhere. Brooks lost possession initially and Bindon was beaten to the ball and then let his man get down the side to cross and MCCRORIE met it and arrowed a lovely finish beyond an exposed Cooper into the net. Suddenly, Bristol City were ahead after looking like getting overrun for a period of the game despite their good start.
Vitek made another good save as Peck tried to divert the ball goalwards from a Seriki cross shot. United tried to find space but Hamer overplayed the ball and then Campbell could not quite find an opening. The half time whistle came soon after and United could think themselves a tad unfortunate to be behind on the balance of play but poor defending had left them behind.
After the break, United’s chances of winning were thrown away inside the opening minute. It was only 41 seconds before the visitors scored. City broke quickly down the Blades left hand side and Riis again used his powerful running to get away from Burrows and as the ball came in Mehmeti got in front of his man to score way too easily. Twine then smashed a shot not far over as United seemed to be in complete disarray and had lost any control of the game they had. City scored a fourth as another poor giveaway, this time from Norrington Davies, saw McCrorie get in down the right and pull it back. TWINE’s effort took a deflection but looped up and into the corner – reminiscent of Hamer’s deflected effort in the previous game at the Lane – effectively ending the game.
The crowd and United’s players looked stunned as they were now getting a real hammering at home on opening day. Robinson, One and Cannon came on but United were creating little and indeed City could have scored another as Riis missed an excellent chance. The game became very disjointed and United were not really able to fashion much but McCallum had one effort saved – not long after he entered the field for Seriki. Late chances came for Peck and Cannon but both were denied at close range and City could have had another late on – as Armstrong was denied by Cooper. At the death McCallum was lucky not to concede a penalty after he upended his man, seemingly right on the line but this time the free kick went wide sparing United more embarrassment.
The final whistle came with many United fans having left the Lane – desperately disappointed that all the pre-season optimism had been completely punctured within 90 minutes. Credit to Bristol City, who missing quite a few starters came to the Lane, took the game to the home side and after being pegged back, responded superbly and in the end won the game comfortably.
United – As bad an opening day as you could wish for. To get pumped 4-1 at home under a new manager is not something anyone expected at all. We had good spells and on another day we go 2 or maybe 3-1 up after we come back but having gone behind at the break – the second half was appalling, tactically and in terms of individual performances. Overall, despite City being ruthless, they scored 3 goals from 4 with decent chances/shots inside the box and we were horrible exposed really. The new set up looked exciting and gave us chances but as soon as we lost it, we had no protection at all. The first goal came from a stupid foul from Hamer who looked totally disinterested all game to me. The free kick was well taken but we get back level and then look good but we miss a few good chances and then another giveaway and they are off to the races. It was a mistake by Brooks but this was in our half and they had a lot to do. Bindon gets turned and then does not stop his man and we fail to mark at the back post. After this we had more chances but did not need to panic as we were creating but the start of the second half- we came out flat and never got going. There were more mistakes made in terms of giving the ball away and both goals came from errors but there were also fundamental mistakes in terms of how we set up. City just ran through us and the goals were too easy. After this, we just sort of gave up and the body language was poor. I wanted the likes of Hamer to get hold of the ball but looked disinterested. I felt for Campbell and O’Hare, both who tried -saw some decent stuff from Barry too. However, there were too many players who came out and were not ready and lost their battles completely. There will be a lot of talk about RND and Bindon – both were as bad as each other. RND should be nowhere near out side and the fact he is – is down to poor management and ownership not bringing in at least 1-2 centre backs.
However, the side is set up for this risk and reward and to try and load bodies forward but one mistake and teams can run through us. Peck was supposed to be the anchor but was too far forward and we had huge gaps. Seriki and Burrows both struggled defensively too and we ended up with big gaps all over the side. I hope it is as simple as just bringing in another two strong centre backs but it seems to be more than that – looking at the structure. A very ordinary side like Bristol City, should not be able to run through us and have such easy chances. They could have had more goals – despite the XG people will throw and say they only had 5 or 6 shots. We were badly exposed and it worrying for such a rated coach that we were so open. We saw some of this pre season but kind of outscored some weaker sides but even Burton cut us open but just missed their chances. I also thought the players attitude was poor today. Bristol City threw bodies in the way, won tackles and battled where as out players seemed to think they just could turn up but their desire was a lot greater. Really concerning that they were not out to impress a new manager.
I felt the decision to move Wilder on was harsh and said I would have kept him despite seeing the reasoning behind a change to a different approach/coaching style but today could not have been a bigger disaster for the owners. Those who advocated Wilder staying have been given all the ammunition they needed after today and the same fans on social media/Wilder’s mates will be rubbing their hands. Sadly, the new manager has to do much better. It might be one game but his approach was painfully naïve. Maybe individual mistakes were not helpful but you should not have teams in on goal after losing the ball on half way. It was a concern his subs too where he just kind of threw bodies on and the McCallum change for Seriki was baffling. He will now have to be given funds to bring in the 3 or 4 starters we need (a right back and two centre backs priority and another central midfielder probably too – Peck is not experienced enough or disciplined to play that role on his own – maybe Soumare can but a lot to ask for another young player who has never played in the UK?). We now have a tough game at a buoyant Birmingham and then a trip to Swansea – you hope we can turn things round quickly as failing to get that first win in these two, would mean he would ridiculously, he be under huge pressure against a big physical Millwall who would relish coming here against a small and soft looking side.
I thought we would come out today and put down a marker. I saw Ipswich and Southampton struggle against promoted sides, but out of the fancied sides we have come out and laid big fat egg on opening day and become the surprise of opening day. I thought we would concede more goals (and score more) but I was shocked how ill disciplined the side were and how there was no real plan. It looked like the players did not really know where they were supposed to be or what they were meant to do – if teams beat the press – which to be honest was a press lite if anything as we barely put them under pressure? After the Wembley disappointment and the change and a decent pre-season, you really wanted to turn up today and see a positive performance but already there are murmurings and mutterings and concerns more key men like Cooper, Hamer and Campbell might be the next out of the door. The next 3 weeks will show a lot about the new owners and how serious they are about taking us back to the top league as they have kept stating. More departures and the failure to invest (not spent a fee of note all summer) would show that any promotion tilt is highly unlikely.
owners is warranted. Think they’ve watched to many episodes of Wrexham and thought it would be a walk in the park to PL and riches. Turns out they have as much nouse as Chansiri at running a football club and probably less money.
