United 1 Port Vale 0 - report

[Deadbat]

As some have moaned! ......Slightly longer summary:

We did enough to win. It was a half decent performance in the sense the opposition never looked like scoring all game apart from Woolford nearly scored an own goal. Vale are dire how they are nearer the top than bottom I do not know. United defended well and the new 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 depending how you look at it; did actually work. The 3 centre backs were very good. I felt Sharp and Adams looked a threat and the midfield were workmanlike - although still felt this was weakest area of the side.

I felt if United had upped the tempo it was a game they could have won 3 or 4-0 but nervousness and desire to get the result was the overriding thing and meant they kind of sat back a bit when they went 1-0. Still it was a deserved three points. At times the tempo of passing and how we moved it was agonisingly slow and we still created very little due to not getting it forward quick enough. Too many sideways and backwards passes and too many still not wanting to take responsibility - Reed was average but he did at least try some forward passes. I thought we looked a bit clueless attacking wise even though we controlled large elements of the game and our lack of pace and power in midfield was key to this. We really need to look at this part of the team (yes know we need 2 new centre backs) in the summer. That is the area of the side that is still letting us down. Cuvellier and Coutts did well when they came on but not sure they are answer long term (not proved they can play 90 mins or a series of games well.

We are still 5 points off the playoffs and we have not shown we can pit together a series of wins to get into the top 6. The Millwall game in a few weeks is key. Assuming gap is similar then if we lost that it would be 8 points with 12 to play and seasons would be done. You think we have to get a run of 4 or 5 wins together including that one to get in there. It still seems a long shot.

Interesting McCabe was there although his interview did not really tell us anything other than what we have heard before and the figures don't add up to me when he talks about his/family and the Prince's investment. He still seems to be making excuses or talking about bad luck. The reason we are where we are is down primarily to him and the boards appalling mismanagement of the club for 10 years. Would be nice for him to acknowledge a semblance of blame

The only other point I will add is re Baxter. I am not wasting my time typing much about this moron. We get rid. Had too many chances both on and off the field. What happens to him from now is not SUFC's problem and I simply do not care.

As for ratings

Long 7/10 - Nowt to do really but dealt well with what he had to. At end he did well to get a punch away in a crowded box which was better than he has done on occasions like this.

Brayford 7/10 - Steady-ish. Thinking a wing back position may suit him more
Woolford 5.5/10 - He did ok defensively but not sure what he offer the other way really and his touch on the ball is quite poor. Do not see what he offer sadly.

Edgar 7.5/10 - More dominant than he has been. Thought not a lot got past him and he looked assured on the ball.
Basham 7.5/10 - He is much better at the back for me. He played the best he has played for a while
McEveley 8/10 - Been our best player in recent weeks. Not done anything wrong. Winning tackles, using the ball well and cut out the mistakes

Reed 7/10 - Started poorly and I felt game threatened to pass him by but he did get better as the game went on and I felt played some nice forward balls rather than always going sideways and backards. Still very weak and gets shoved out of it too much.
Hammond 6/10 - He broke things up a few times and was not the worst he has been but his penchant for fouling, often unnecessarily continues to frustrate. Had to be taken off after another yellow (now suspended) and was threatening a second yellow with another 2 daft fouls after.
Flynn 5/10 - Our poorest player. Barely noticed him. Playing wide of a midfield 3 was not really helping him but he did not get on the ball at all and I barely noticed him the other way; defesnively. I did actually forget he was playing.

Adams 7.5/10 - He played well today. He put more effort in than he has for a long time and looked up for it. Still some questionable decisions with the ball a few times but he did not hide and kept plugging away. His pace means he will always worry defenders.
Sharp 7.5/10- Showed intelligence in hold up and looked a threat when near goal. Scored a great finish that came from nothing.


Subs
Cuvelier - Really put himself about. Got stuck in, got on the ball and showed more in 20 minutes than he had in 3 seasons before. Hoping he might come in and give us a lift in the run in.
Coutts - Showed some lovely touches and passes. Thought he sensibly slowed things down as we looked to hold what we had and just used it very sensibly. A clever player just annoying he cannot play effectively for 90 minutes most of the time.
Done - Ran about as he always does and had one good chance but was too slow to get his shot away and was tackles.

 

[coaxingstar71]

I've stopped reading Shield's Shite and rely on you Deadbat for a much better detailed and accurate analysis.

I don't always agree on every point but we all see the players and the game slightly differently and you are never far away from my own take on the game.

Keep up the good work!

UTB!

 

[Woodwardfan]

352 makes us more flexible with the good players we have in the squad. Brayford could go back to CB with Flynn at wing back for next week for example with basham moving in to midfield.

I know we're up and down but yesterday I was encouraged by high pressing in the 2nd half and sharp and Adams were nearly nearly slipping each other through.

I didn't think Hammond had that bad a game which I think most fans were at, because when he as subbed I thought that everyone would ironically cheer, which some did. However most didn't. A midfield 3 from the 5 of Reed Hammond coutts cuvellier and basham should be more than good enough to compete in top 6. Could do with a bit more quality at left wing back which i think will
Suit Wallace when fit. Need someone pacey to complement up top too

All in all I am encouraged and I do wish we would stop bashing victories because there was a lot of pressure on those players yesterday, even if it was self inflicted

Calvert-Lewin will benefit from this system. Playing up alongside Sharp with Adams No.10 he would not be isolated and would hopefully have options on the ball.

I see him nodding a couple in at the far post before long.

 

[Karaoke Blade]

Coutts - Showed some lovely touches and passes. Thought he sensibly slowed things down as we looked to hold what we had and just used it very sensibly. A clever player just annoying he cannot play effectively for 90 minutes most of the time.

Done - Ran about as he always does and had one good chance but was too slow to get his shot away and was tackles.

Thanks for the report DB. Agree in most respects, but think Basham was MOM. Possibly best I've seen him.

Interesting comment about Coutts. I do think there is a place for him in centre midfield, but he needs someone alongside him with energy, cannot afford to have him and Hammond in the same team, and for me Hammond is poor (even at this level).

On Done. He seems very slow of thought, never seems to be on his toes. Then tries to make up by dashing about like a maniac. Not good enough. (and anybody that warms up in a coat needs talking to ).

 

[jt64]

Nothing game really. Two poor sides, they were a bit worse, great bit of work by Billy the only thing that separated the teams. Surprised we won given Flynn and Woolford's performances amounted to us playing with nine men

On the plus side, a contender for ironic chant of the year goes to the Vale fans for "Sheffield's a shithole, I want to go home"

 

[Come from away]

As some have moaned! ......Slightly longer summary:

We did enough to win. It was a half decent performance in the sense the opposition never looked like scoring all game apart from Woolford nearly scored an own goal. Vale are dire how they are nearer the top than bottom I do not know. United defended well and the new 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 depending how you look at it; did actually work. The 3 centre backs were very good. I felt Sharp and Adams looked a threat and the midfield were workmanlike - although still felt this was weakest area of the side.

I felt if United had upped the tempo it was a game they could have won 3 or 4-0 but nervousness and desire to get the result was the overriding thing and meant they kind of sat back a bit when they went 1-0. Still it was a deserved three points. At times the tempo of passing and how we moved it was agonisingly slow and we still created very little due to not getting it forward quick enough. Too many sideways and backwards passes and too many still not wanting to take responsibility - Reed was average but he did at least try some forward passes. I thought we looked a bit clueless attacking wise even though we controlled large elements of the game and our lack of pace and power in midfield was key to this. We really need to look at this part of the team (yes know we need 2 new centre backs) in the summer. That is the area of the side that is still letting us down. Cuvellier and Coutts did well when they came on but not sure they are answer long term (not proved they can play 90 mins or a series of games well.

We are still 5 points off the playoffs and we have not shown we can pit together a series of wins to get into the top 6. The Millwall game in a few weeks is key. Assuming gap is similar then if we lost that it would be 8 points with 12 to play and seasons would be done. You think we have to get a run of 4 or 5 wins together including that one to get in there. It still seems a long shot.

Interesting McCabe was there although his interview did not really tell us anything other than what we have heard before and the figures don't add up to me when he talks about his/family and the Prince's investment. He still seems to be making excuses or talking about bad luck. The reason we are where we are is down primarily to him and the boards appalling mismanagement of the club for 10 years. Would be nice for him to acknowledge a semblance of blame

The only other point I will add is re Baxter. I am not wasting my time typing much about this moron. We get rid. Had too many chances both on and off the field. What happens to him from now is not SUFC's problem and I simply do not care.

As for ratings

Long 7/10 - Nowt to do really but dealt well with what he had to. At end he did well to get a punch away in a crowded box which was better than he has done on occasions like this.

Brayford 7/10 - Steady-ish. Thinking a wing back position may suit him more
Woolford 5.5/10 - He did ok defensively but not sure what he offer the other way really and his touch on the ball is quite poor. Do not see what he offer sadly.

Edgar 7.5/10 - More dominant than he has been. Thought not a lot got past him and he looked assured on the ball.
Basham 7.5/10 - He is much better at the back for me. He played the best he has played for a while
McEveley 8/10 - Been our best player in recent weeks. Not done anything wrong. Winning tackles, using the ball well and cut out the mistakes

Reed 7/10 - Started poorly and I felt game threatened to pass him by but he did get better as the game went on and I felt played some nice forward balls rather than always going sideways and backards. Still very weak and gets shoved out of it too much.
Hammond 6/10 - He broke things up a few times and was not the worst he has been but his penchant for fouling, often unnecessarily continues to frustrate. Had to be taken off after another yellow (now suspended) and was threatening a second yellow with another 2 daft fouls after.
Flynn 5/10 - Our poorest player. Barely noticed him. Playing wide of a midfield 3 was not really helping him but he did not get on the ball at all and I barely noticed him the other way; defesnively. I did actually forget he was playing.

Adams 7.5/10 - He played well today. He put more effort in than he has for a long time and looked up for it. Still some questionable decisions with the ball a few times but he did not hide and kept plugging away. His pace means he will always worry defenders.
Sharp 7.5/10- Showed intelligence in hold up and looked a threat when near goal. Scored a great finish that came from nothing.


Subs
Cuvelier - Really put himself about. Got stuck in, got on the ball and showed more in 20 minutes than he had in 3 seasons before. Hoping he might come in and give us a lift in the run in.
Coutts - Showed some lovely touches and passes. Thought he sensibly slowed things down as we looked to hold what we had and just used it very sensibly. A clever player just annoying he cannot play effectively for 90 minutes most of the time.
Done - Ran about as he always does and had one good chance but was too slow to get his shot away and was tackles.

Thanks Deadbat. Being a supporter of SUFC it is only natural to be depressed, glad you decided to share despite.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

It's the fluidity and mobility I've got a thing about and getting players into the final third. I'm sick and tired of players not doing the hard yards and supporting the striker/s. As good as Sharp has done, he still needs support alongside him and when we cross into the box just having 1 or 2 there is not enough.

3 at the back stay put, Hammond protects them and the rest can attack. If we go down the right then the left wing back can hold back. the rest should get up there.

Remember when Bash broke from the back and charged forwards with the ball?

From memory he had 3 or 4 players to his left all running(!)forwards(!) at pace(!!). Last time I saw that was Shrewsbury overran us for their fourth I think it was.

After all that excitement he shot and I think it was easily blocked. (Seriously Bash when was thee last time you hit a screamer into the top corner?)

Actually given how shot shy we've been all season I didn't mind, at least he had the confidence, and he took responsibility.

That little passage of play was encouraging for the break, the movement ahead of the ball, and the taking responsibility.

Hope to see more of the same - but we have to make more of our chances.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I did not bother a few weeks ago when we lost. I got in quite tired, had supped a few ales pre and post match and had promised family we would watch a film etc together. Sorry.

Hopefully normal service will be resumed in a few weeks - they do take a while to write them (good hour or so) to be fair.

But take all the praise that comes your way, always good work Deadbat.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Wingbacks hey lads. Port Vale at home had me expecting nostalgia from November 1999 and instead I got 97-98 albeit without the talent.

Didn't we draw 0-0 with Vale at home that season with Whitehouse suffering his career ending injury?

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Indeed they were - perhaps Adkins has stumbled on a formation to take (hopefully) into the playoffs?

Worked for brizzle.

K Wallce at left wing back - only change needed to personnel AND press 10 yards further up.

Basham should go in the MIDDLE of Edgar and McEv - he reads the game so well and could be an emergency sweeper, covering behind both of them.

UTB

Disagree about Basham. I think his strength is attacking the ball and having Edgar sweeping behind him allows him to do that and to bring the ball out from the back.

 

[DI36O]

Didn't we draw 0-0 with Vale at home that season with Whitehouse suffering his career ending injury?

I think that was the reverse fixture.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I think that was the reverse fixture.

Right you are. We beat them 2-1 at home. Was that the game where Saunders scored THAT goal?