Deadbat
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The Blades’ miserable 2013 continued as they were once again beaten at home; the third straight loss at Bramall Lane; by a fast improving Coventry side. Former Owl Leon Clarke scored against United yet again repeating his strike for Scunthorpe to score in both halves to see off the home side. Clarke notched in the first half to give the Sky Blues a much deserved lead and despite an improved second half that saw Dave Kitson head home a leveller; a late Clarke opportunistic strike gave City all three points. For United the performances and results continue to get no better and today the level of effort, passing and control on show in the first half was to be frank, totally embarrassing. The second half was much improved but ultimately it mattered little as another large Lane crowd trooped away wondering if this side has the heart within it or leadership from its manager; to even make the playoffs. It is a season that is quickly slipping away as United have gone from top to clinging onto the last playoff space in just over a month.
The Blades opted not to start new signings Robson and Forte, putting them on the bench and began with Neil Collins and Ryan Flynn back in the side. The departing Nick Blackman and Daryl Westlake were the man to make way. United opted to continue with the pairing of Porter and Kitson. Coventry came to Sheffield on good form and were hoping to further cut the gap on the playoff places. They had some experienced performers in the likes of McSheffrey, Clarke, Wood and Murphy and would have fancied their chances after good recent results.
City began the game on top and were completely camped in the United half for much of the first 10 minutes in a very one sided beginning as the home side simply could not get going. The first clear chance came to City as a cross from the left was met by Baker who really ought to have scored but turned over. City had further corners and it really was alarmingly one way traffic. It was no surprise when City went ahead just before the quarter hour mark.
Porter clumsily put the ball out and from the quick throw City took full advantage as the cross came in unopposed and CLARKE got in front of both centre backs and expertly steered the ball in off the underside of the bar giving Long little chance.
After the goal City came again and McSheffrey was not far wide. The midfield area was being completely bossed by City and United’s only tactic seemed to be long balls up to Kitson and Porter who were struggling to get into the game. The full backs were making errors and McMahon was rightly booked for a cynical foul and the home side seemed to be grimly hanging on as Coventry looked to put the game away. Kitson was booked for a daft foul just after he had shot into a Coventry defender but the first half had been wretched from the home sides’ perspective with the visitors’ good value. The boos at half time were predictable but probably deserved for such a pathetic showing in which not only did United barely have an attack or shot but barely strung more than one pass together.
The second half began and United at least won a few challenges and started to get amongst Coventry. The ball was now being played more in the City half and Flynn started to run at his man. Murphy had a good chance but wildly blazed over. However, City nearly scored from a break as Long has to push away a header after a deep cross found Edjenguele unmarked with more slack United defending.
Porter had in truth had a shocker (he was not the only one) and was not surprisingly taken off to be replaced by Forte. The Sheffield born Blades fan was instantly involved and showed some neat touches. He then had the first effort on goal for United as he turned and hit a low shot that Murphy held.
McDonald went on a strong run and after a neat header down from Kitson sent him through; he seemed in on goal but as he fell to ground before he got his shot away waves for a spot kick were waved away.
Robson came off the bench and replaced the disappointing Murphy. From his first touch, a corner, the ex Celtic man sent over a delightful delivery that was met on the full by KITSON who powered home a terrific header. Despite such a poor showing for the most part United were back in the game. Kitson then volleyed wide after Robson had been blocked initially as the Blades crowd found their voices.
McDonald was now pulling the strings and seemed a different player as he ghosted past two men and nearly fed Forte. The former Meadowhead student then hooked just wide and it seemed like United were now well on top and Flynn in particular was proving to be a real handful. He had a few good runs and was impeded as he tried to get beyond the full back. He then came inside and darted across goal but errored when he opted to feed Robson who was offside instead of shoot himself.
United were certainly going for a winner suddenly out of nothing with just three minutes left it was the visitors who snatched the all important goal. United had the ball in the corner but three experienced players Doyle, Higginbotham and most critically Kitson overplayed and the latter gave it away. The ball was intercepted and City broke towards goal through Moussa who drove towards goal. The shot had power but Long ought to have done better than parry it weakly out and the ball fell invitingly to CLARKE who was onto the loose ball and from a slight angle placed the ball into the empty net. It was a hammer blow to United but a goal that they should never have been close to conceding. The City fans went berserk behind the goal as they celebrated what would probably prove to be a crucial goal.
United tried to instantly attack but other than a Doyle drive well over, Coventry actually had further chances as the game entered 5 additional minutes. Long twice made good saves denying Thomas one on one and also a low shot from Jennings. Coventry played the final minute out by the corner flag and saw out the game with little worries as Unite were consigned to yet another home defeat.
United – A real performance of two halves. First half we were diabolical and an absolute shambles. We were sllow, lethargic and never got in the game. We did not win first, second or third balls and for long spells the game was just played in our last third. Coventry would have been 2 or 3 nil up at half time and the team were rightly booed off. There was barely an individual who did anything right and the side tossed away possession whenever they had it. We looked bereft of confidence and no one wanted to get hold of the ball or take control. They all seemed to want rid of it and often we just punted it up field to the awful pairing that clearly would not work of Kitson and Porter. Regardless of the levels of skill, passing and technique, once again the biggest issue was the lack of effort and passion. We never got to the ball and were so slow to react to anything all half. It was like watching a car crash in slow motion. We were that bad and if you could have subbed the entire team at half time, then you would have. Coventry had a few other half chances and will have been disappointed the game was not dead and buried. They had more chances after the scored as went for the leveller but overall I reckon they had maybe 5 or 6 clear chances to maybe a couple for us and for the away side they played nice football and limited us the other way. They would argue they did enough to win.
Second half the Blades had to improve and they did. They must have had a rollicking and finally they awoke from their coma. McDonald actually got on the ball, Doyle got stuck in and Flynn was a threat. Kitson got in front of his ma n and sub Forte showed some energy and strong running. The goal was well taken and well made with Robson creating with his first touch from a corner. After this we got on top and had a few other chances. It seemed there would only be one winner at this point and we had a few other chances but then some stupid overplay in the corner, a giveaway and less than convincing save and the ball was in the net. We had lost again. A draw on reflection may have been a fair result but then Coventry could argue they still had 2 or 3 good chances themselves second half and for the dominant first half along they may have just about done enough to win the game. United cannot afford to just start playing after the break and the level of effort combined with the dreadful football on show meant the first half performance was totally unacceptable. Wilson may harp on about the improvements but sadly we cannot wait till half time when we are at home against a team who are desperate to get within distance of us in the playoffs. The side had a go second half but generally looks shot of confidence.
Some may point to the crowd but I do not buy that. The crowd were quiet patient even with such an awful performance first half. Some of the players have got to grow some and start taking the games by the scruff of the neck. They are paid more money than most (if not all) in this division but are just chucking the season away. So many seem not to be bothered for opposition players to outwork them and show more desire.
Overall it is another defeat and for the most part a performance not good enough despite big improvements in the second half. Forte showed some life and Robson made the goal but the team is so slow and plodding it is untrue. To think 3 of the back 4 have played top level is frightening as most of them don’t look good enough to handle League 1 attacks (Collins and Doyle led a merry dance by Leon Clarke). The keeper’s confidence looks brittle and the two full backs are very slow. In midfield McDonald and Doyle just keep getting outworked and more nimble, quicker players show more energy and often just pick them off. Up front Kitson and Porter battle for long, high balls but both are so slow and have no mobility. Kitson at least is a goal threat occasionally but he too looks to becoming to the end of his career. Defenders can sit deep knowing we have no pace. Flynn did ok today but Murphy was another major disappointment.
That is now 3 back to back home defeats and I cannot see where the next win is coming from. We give goals away so easily and don’t really look like scoring at the other end but for all the talk about tactics, personnel etc, it is still about application and desire for me and at the moment many do not have it. Sadly with such attitude we will continue to move down the league and probably finish around midway. I got hammered on many of the forums when I had the incredulity to suggest we would struggle to even make the playoffs such was my concerns (even around Xmas) and many said I was mad to suggest we would not make the top 6 as that was a given with top 2 a strong possibility. Sadly I take no glee in suggesting I was right as at current time we will do very well to even be in contention. We have to face facts that we aren’t going to go up and even if we scraped the playoffs, sides like Brentford, Bournemouth, Swindon and today’s opponents, Coventry would see our team of bottlers off over 2 legs. We may need to face up to the future and start building more long term. That’s not throwing up the white flag as of course we are still 6th but can anyone see anything other than us falling away based on the current application levels of the side. They seem to be unable to step up a gear or be ready for games and Wilson seems to have sadly lost the ability to motivate them. He too looks lost and sadly as nice a guy as he is, is probably starting to approach the point where his position may have to be questioned. McCabe and the board have made a right royal mess of everything but they aint going and no one wants to take us over. We are stuck with them. Also due to the stupid mismanagement of those we are stuck with many of the players for the foreseeable (Doyle, Collins, Cresswell all here for a few more seasons). So the only thing you can really change now is the manager and if things continue in the same vein with the mostly pathetic limp performances then he may have to be replaced. He seems a really nice guy but his track record suggest mid table League 1 is about his level and he seems incapable of taking teams out of this division (the right way!). A poor performance on Tuesday and the knives will be out. It is a massive game for him and the side. Another poor showing and a defeat and things will turn nasty. There were murmurings today but a better second half meant despite the late goal and that first half, the side kind of got away with any real criticism at the end but the current form and overall displays have for the most part been unacceptable and despite players leaving (Blackman the latest – who is a major loss as today proved) Wilson still had an experienced collection of players that most have played much higher levels. Unfortunately the buck stops at the manager when players are not playing to the best of their ability and ours clearly are not.
The Blades opted not to start new signings Robson and Forte, putting them on the bench and began with Neil Collins and Ryan Flynn back in the side. The departing Nick Blackman and Daryl Westlake were the man to make way. United opted to continue with the pairing of Porter and Kitson. Coventry came to Sheffield on good form and were hoping to further cut the gap on the playoff places. They had some experienced performers in the likes of McSheffrey, Clarke, Wood and Murphy and would have fancied their chances after good recent results.
City began the game on top and were completely camped in the United half for much of the first 10 minutes in a very one sided beginning as the home side simply could not get going. The first clear chance came to City as a cross from the left was met by Baker who really ought to have scored but turned over. City had further corners and it really was alarmingly one way traffic. It was no surprise when City went ahead just before the quarter hour mark.
Porter clumsily put the ball out and from the quick throw City took full advantage as the cross came in unopposed and CLARKE got in front of both centre backs and expertly steered the ball in off the underside of the bar giving Long little chance.
After the goal City came again and McSheffrey was not far wide. The midfield area was being completely bossed by City and United’s only tactic seemed to be long balls up to Kitson and Porter who were struggling to get into the game. The full backs were making errors and McMahon was rightly booked for a cynical foul and the home side seemed to be grimly hanging on as Coventry looked to put the game away. Kitson was booked for a daft foul just after he had shot into a Coventry defender but the first half had been wretched from the home sides’ perspective with the visitors’ good value. The boos at half time were predictable but probably deserved for such a pathetic showing in which not only did United barely have an attack or shot but barely strung more than one pass together.
The second half began and United at least won a few challenges and started to get amongst Coventry. The ball was now being played more in the City half and Flynn started to run at his man. Murphy had a good chance but wildly blazed over. However, City nearly scored from a break as Long has to push away a header after a deep cross found Edjenguele unmarked with more slack United defending.
Porter had in truth had a shocker (he was not the only one) and was not surprisingly taken off to be replaced by Forte. The Sheffield born Blades fan was instantly involved and showed some neat touches. He then had the first effort on goal for United as he turned and hit a low shot that Murphy held.
McDonald went on a strong run and after a neat header down from Kitson sent him through; he seemed in on goal but as he fell to ground before he got his shot away waves for a spot kick were waved away.
Robson came off the bench and replaced the disappointing Murphy. From his first touch, a corner, the ex Celtic man sent over a delightful delivery that was met on the full by KITSON who powered home a terrific header. Despite such a poor showing for the most part United were back in the game. Kitson then volleyed wide after Robson had been blocked initially as the Blades crowd found their voices.
McDonald was now pulling the strings and seemed a different player as he ghosted past two men and nearly fed Forte. The former Meadowhead student then hooked just wide and it seemed like United were now well on top and Flynn in particular was proving to be a real handful. He had a few good runs and was impeded as he tried to get beyond the full back. He then came inside and darted across goal but errored when he opted to feed Robson who was offside instead of shoot himself.
United were certainly going for a winner suddenly out of nothing with just three minutes left it was the visitors who snatched the all important goal. United had the ball in the corner but three experienced players Doyle, Higginbotham and most critically Kitson overplayed and the latter gave it away. The ball was intercepted and City broke towards goal through Moussa who drove towards goal. The shot had power but Long ought to have done better than parry it weakly out and the ball fell invitingly to CLARKE who was onto the loose ball and from a slight angle placed the ball into the empty net. It was a hammer blow to United but a goal that they should never have been close to conceding. The City fans went berserk behind the goal as they celebrated what would probably prove to be a crucial goal.
United tried to instantly attack but other than a Doyle drive well over, Coventry actually had further chances as the game entered 5 additional minutes. Long twice made good saves denying Thomas one on one and also a low shot from Jennings. Coventry played the final minute out by the corner flag and saw out the game with little worries as Unite were consigned to yet another home defeat.
United – A real performance of two halves. First half we were diabolical and an absolute shambles. We were sllow, lethargic and never got in the game. We did not win first, second or third balls and for long spells the game was just played in our last third. Coventry would have been 2 or 3 nil up at half time and the team were rightly booed off. There was barely an individual who did anything right and the side tossed away possession whenever they had it. We looked bereft of confidence and no one wanted to get hold of the ball or take control. They all seemed to want rid of it and often we just punted it up field to the awful pairing that clearly would not work of Kitson and Porter. Regardless of the levels of skill, passing and technique, once again the biggest issue was the lack of effort and passion. We never got to the ball and were so slow to react to anything all half. It was like watching a car crash in slow motion. We were that bad and if you could have subbed the entire team at half time, then you would have. Coventry had a few other half chances and will have been disappointed the game was not dead and buried. They had more chances after the scored as went for the leveller but overall I reckon they had maybe 5 or 6 clear chances to maybe a couple for us and for the away side they played nice football and limited us the other way. They would argue they did enough to win.
Second half the Blades had to improve and they did. They must have had a rollicking and finally they awoke from their coma. McDonald actually got on the ball, Doyle got stuck in and Flynn was a threat. Kitson got in front of his ma n and sub Forte showed some energy and strong running. The goal was well taken and well made with Robson creating with his first touch from a corner. After this we got on top and had a few other chances. It seemed there would only be one winner at this point and we had a few other chances but then some stupid overplay in the corner, a giveaway and less than convincing save and the ball was in the net. We had lost again. A draw on reflection may have been a fair result but then Coventry could argue they still had 2 or 3 good chances themselves second half and for the dominant first half along they may have just about done enough to win the game. United cannot afford to just start playing after the break and the level of effort combined with the dreadful football on show meant the first half performance was totally unacceptable. Wilson may harp on about the improvements but sadly we cannot wait till half time when we are at home against a team who are desperate to get within distance of us in the playoffs. The side had a go second half but generally looks shot of confidence.
Some may point to the crowd but I do not buy that. The crowd were quiet patient even with such an awful performance first half. Some of the players have got to grow some and start taking the games by the scruff of the neck. They are paid more money than most (if not all) in this division but are just chucking the season away. So many seem not to be bothered for opposition players to outwork them and show more desire.
Overall it is another defeat and for the most part a performance not good enough despite big improvements in the second half. Forte showed some life and Robson made the goal but the team is so slow and plodding it is untrue. To think 3 of the back 4 have played top level is frightening as most of them don’t look good enough to handle League 1 attacks (Collins and Doyle led a merry dance by Leon Clarke). The keeper’s confidence looks brittle and the two full backs are very slow. In midfield McDonald and Doyle just keep getting outworked and more nimble, quicker players show more energy and often just pick them off. Up front Kitson and Porter battle for long, high balls but both are so slow and have no mobility. Kitson at least is a goal threat occasionally but he too looks to becoming to the end of his career. Defenders can sit deep knowing we have no pace. Flynn did ok today but Murphy was another major disappointment.
That is now 3 back to back home defeats and I cannot see where the next win is coming from. We give goals away so easily and don’t really look like scoring at the other end but for all the talk about tactics, personnel etc, it is still about application and desire for me and at the moment many do not have it. Sadly with such attitude we will continue to move down the league and probably finish around midway. I got hammered on many of the forums when I had the incredulity to suggest we would struggle to even make the playoffs such was my concerns (even around Xmas) and many said I was mad to suggest we would not make the top 6 as that was a given with top 2 a strong possibility. Sadly I take no glee in suggesting I was right as at current time we will do very well to even be in contention. We have to face facts that we aren’t going to go up and even if we scraped the playoffs, sides like Brentford, Bournemouth, Swindon and today’s opponents, Coventry would see our team of bottlers off over 2 legs. We may need to face up to the future and start building more long term. That’s not throwing up the white flag as of course we are still 6th but can anyone see anything other than us falling away based on the current application levels of the side. They seem to be unable to step up a gear or be ready for games and Wilson seems to have sadly lost the ability to motivate them. He too looks lost and sadly as nice a guy as he is, is probably starting to approach the point where his position may have to be questioned. McCabe and the board have made a right royal mess of everything but they aint going and no one wants to take us over. We are stuck with them. Also due to the stupid mismanagement of those we are stuck with many of the players for the foreseeable (Doyle, Collins, Cresswell all here for a few more seasons). So the only thing you can really change now is the manager and if things continue in the same vein with the mostly pathetic limp performances then he may have to be replaced. He seems a really nice guy but his track record suggest mid table League 1 is about his level and he seems incapable of taking teams out of this division (the right way!). A poor performance on Tuesday and the knives will be out. It is a massive game for him and the side. Another poor showing and a defeat and things will turn nasty. There were murmurings today but a better second half meant despite the late goal and that first half, the side kind of got away with any real criticism at the end but the current form and overall displays have for the most part been unacceptable and despite players leaving (Blackman the latest – who is a major loss as today proved) Wilson still had an experienced collection of players that most have played much higher levels. Unfortunately the buck stops at the manager when players are not playing to the best of their ability and ours clearly are not.
