United 1 Preston 0 - report/ratings

[Deadbat]

The Blades remained in the automatic promotion places after a narrow, but deserved victory, against mid table Preston North End at Bramall Lane. United should have been in front at the half as Tyrese Campbell missed two good chances, but the Blades’ leading scorer was not to be denied and headed in a fantastic Harrison Burrows cross on the hour mark. Preston had created little throughout the game and were intent on slowing the game down and trying to make it scrappy as possible but actually hit the woodwork just before United scored in what was a big moment in the game. Despite Preston pushing on towards the end, the home side saw it out without any further scares and ensure that they remained in second despite wins for fellow promotion chasers, Burnley and Sunderland.



Wilder kept with the same side that started the game last week against Queens Park Rangers and were still without Harry Clarke and Tom Davies. Preston had former Blades Ched Evans and Ben Whiteman on the bench. There was a nice round of applause for former manager Paul Heckingbottom as he came out and took his place in the opposition dugout.



The game started with Preston turning the Blades around and the home side having to kick towards the Kop but it almost back fired as United should have been ahead inside two minutes. The ball was moved forward and then onto the left-hand side. The cross came in from Burrows but Campbell with the goal at his mercy, got it all wrong and sliced it wide with his wrong foot. Soon after Porteous nearly put into his own net after Brereton Diaz sent the ball across. United were dominating and forced two early corners. Hamer was looking to get on the ball but his final piece of execution in terms of the pass was not quite coming off.



Preston had offered little and were trying to slow the game down at every opportunity and the referee was not really clamping down on this. Hamer did feed Campbell who was in on the left angle but Woodman made the block before Hamer had an effort just wide. Woodman then went down and was claiming he was injured as both players took time for a drinks break. Thodarson then felled Peck as the midfielder tried to drive away from his opponent as United continued to control the game. The chances were not coming as frequently though and the home side were guilty of taking too long to move it forward as the visitors were putting often the entire ten outfield players behind the goal. Preston had a rare break but Souza got back to make the challenge, despite some appeals for illegal contact from the midfielder on Potts.



After the break, Souza had to go off, as he seemingly had injured himself in that late first half tackle. Choudhury went into midfield and Seriki went to right back. The first chance came when Hamer played in Brereton Diaz but his shot was palmed away from Woodman. Seriki was trying to get forward and his link play offered another type of threat as United looked for the breakthrough. However, the closest either side came to scoring was from the away side as Seriki misjudged a ball over the top and Brady played in Greenwood. The Leeds loanee flashed a powerful shot past Cooper but it kissed the woodwork and bounced away – a let off for the home side.



It was not long after, that the Blades were able to recover from this moment and take the lead just before the hour mark. The ball was played out to the left hand side and Burrows took a touch before hitting an inviting cross over which CAMPBELL met to powerfully nod home past the exposed Woodman in the Preston goal.



Ledson came on for the visitors for Porteous and Cannon and Rak Sayki replayed Campbell and Brereton Diaz just after the hour mark. Further changes came not long after as Hughes, Whiteman and Evans were brought on in place of Thordarson, Keane and Brady. Preston sent one cross over which was headed over but the game was seeing few chances at either end. McCallum replaced Hamer for United as the game soon ticked into the final 10 minutes. A few fouls conceded saw Preston try and go more direct and find former United forward Evans but the Blades had introduced Holding as this stage and he helped soak up the high balls. The game had 5 minutes of additional time but Cooper was not really tested with only a tussle between Gibson and Robinson – both being booked – of any significance on this extra time. United in the end saw it out with a modicum of comfort and it was another crucial three points for the home side.

 

[Deadbat]

United – We won the game. That is the important thing. The performance was ok but nothing remarkable. I felt we never looked like blowing PNE away but equally were never in massive danger. It was a classic fair 1-0 win. We could have been a few goals up early on as we started on top and pushed them back. They could not get out but the goal never came and then the second part of the first half became scrappy and we sort of lost out way in terms of attacking threat, even if they did not threaten much at all. We were too slow to move it on and taking too many touches and guilty of going sideways and backwards too much. We were in control but not really dominating or creating enough to say we had all the ball. The second half carried on the same theme really and was sort of drifting to a stalemate but then they had a chance after our defensive mistake but hit the woodwork which really was a let off. Not long after, we put in a superb cross from Burrows and a brave header from Campbell to get the vital goal.



It felt like the sort of game where one goal may be enough and so it proved. We made some subs which did not help and sort of settled for what we had rather than go for the second but Preston did not have any chances at all. They huffed and puffed and knocked some balls into the box but we were not really troubled at all and saw it out quite comfortably. The performance was not that great but solid enough to get the win. There is a worry about Souza going off so we will have to wait and see. I am sure Bristol City will offer more of a threat attacking wise and be a harder game so we will have to step it up but today we did enough to beat a very ordinary, mid table side. We saw it out and made sure we got another important three points. Still concerns about us not really blowing teams away (the subs combined with a number who still lack fitness/stamina to last longer than 60-70 mins is a worry) and sort of have to just see games out rather than make things more comfortable. Burnley blew their opponent away 4-0 in comparison but matters little really (GD they are miles ahead anyway) as we both got the same number of points so I am less concerned about that but worry we seem a bit cautious at times. I think we move it quicker, so opposition cannot have time to get 9 or 10 behind the ball, and we create more and score more. It feels a bit laboured how we get the ball forward but then we keep winning so cannot complaint too much.



We had a run of 4 games (with all 4 in Sheffield) with 3 home games and that on paper was the easiest but was not dominant if still deserved and relatively comfortable. We will now face a harder opponent in a Bristol City side who outplayed us for long spells at their place and then a derby than can go either way before facing an in-form Coventry. It is a big 2 weeks where if we can get three positive results then we set ourselves up for the run in. The side is still not looking totally convincing and must annoy Leeds/Burnley who seem to be looking much more dominant (scoring 3 and 4’s in some recent games) but it is working so it cannot be fluke when it keeps happening.



Ratings:



Cooper 6/10 – Did not really have a save to make all game. One hit the woodwork but other than that it was just basic stuff he had to deal with and was competent with that he had to do.



Choudhury 6.5/10 - First half he was actually fine defensively but I get why people would be annoyed as he often took too many touches or went backwards and we had not threat down that side. Much better when played in his more natural position and felt he was decent 2nd half. He got on the ball, was quicker to make decisions and did what he had to in terms of picking up the bits and pieces. He does take an age to move it forward and lacks that drive that Souza does though but was ok 2nd half.



Burrows 7/10 – Tried to get up and support where he could and thought he tried to provide an outlet but sometimes the ball took too long to get to him first half. 2nd half he was a lot further forward and then he put in a superb cross that made the goal.



Ahmedhodzic 6.5/10 – Steady enough. Thought he actually carried the ball forward well at times and was positive in what he did. Dealt with their forward threat pretty well and not sure they stretched us much at all (outside the one big chance).



Robinson 6/10 – As above. Won the headers he had to and came onto the ball first. He did make a few mistakes but did get back on one of those to make the clearance. Another who takes too long to move the ball on at times but he was not really troubled hugely today.



Hamer 6/10 – I was a touch disappointed with him today. It was the sort of game against a very ordinary side where you would think he would just take the game by the scruff of the neck, but he never really did. He always tries things but more passes found a PNE shirt than ours and not sure outside that one ball to Campbell, much came from his play. He was careless in possession. Faded after the break and then went off – another that struggles to last the distance. Not sure he was injured? He just goes off this point many games. Needs to be well fitter so we can count on him to be involved to finish games.



Peck 7.5/10 – My man of the match. Nothing sensational but a very good performance where he got round the pitch, won the ball, carried it on, used it well and gave an incredibly mature performance for a 20-year-old and the best midfielder on the park. He seems to have a knack of picking up the ball and finding the right pass/teammate. His awareness of play and situations was excellent. Reads things well. He was the one who always seemed to be in the right place, making a tackle or interception or moving it on. Has a very bright future. When Arblaster comes back, we hopefully have two midfield players who can be a future for many years to come (but I worry bigger clubs will see their ability and may come in but hopefully not for a while).



Souza 6/10 – We controlled midfield without dominating completely first half and he was competent enough. Kept it simple and moved it on but thought he was another that was a bit ponderous and needed to get it forward quicker. Did pick up the balls and help us control the game but the tempo needed to be quicker. Hopefully it is more precautionary but he has had hamstring issues before and was holding it after a run and then went off. Just hope he is not missing for any length of time as we are already hugely missing Souttar, so his loss would be a massive blow.



O’Hare 5/10 – He has been largely very good in terms of leading the press and closing down and helping us keep pressure on even if he has not really had much influence in terms of chances, goals or assists. He has seen very little of the ball in recent matches and this continued today. I thought his touch was poor and he wen to the deck too often. Did not keep the ball enough and felt he his intensity was not there today for me.



Brereton Diaz 5/10 – Another who was sort of on the periphery of our play. Began well and a useful outlet down the right but his influence waned and not sure he was much of a factor after being involved a fair bit to start the game. He is another who seems like he is not quite able to last more than an hour. He tried to come inside and get on the ball but the game became scrappy and he was right to be taken off I felt.



Campbell 6.5/10 – Missed a sitter to start the game and then had another good chance the keeper saved but he was always a threat and his movement was good. He tried to link with others and run off the last man. He got the reward when he headed home as he anticipated the cross and got there first. A real poachers goal. He was taken off not long after this (maybe he cannot last much longer?) but our threat completely went after this and we had no out ball at all.



Subs –



Seriki 5.5/10 – Did get forward a few times and offered more than Choudhury from an attacking sense with a few runs/pieces of link play. However, his moment of indecision nearly cost us as his error saw them nearly score. He repeated this soon after as he and Anel got in a bit of a mix up and left to each other. We saw the best and worse of him in that cameo today.



Rak Sakyi 5.5/10 – Thought he may give us an outlet and push them back but did not really get into it, outside of one run. He tried to be positive but he kind of ran into traffic/trouble. Switched off at the back post as they had a headed chance from the left back towards the end. Needs to be more assertive when he gets his chances.



Cannon 4/10 – He offered next to nothing again. One piece of hold up apart, he looked languid, weak and static. He has to do more. I am not sure, again, what sort of player he is. He does not hold it up, does not run off defenders and not a goal threat. Not strong or quick. He looks a very odd signing. Moore or Brewster should be played in front of him. He has to earn minutes and so far he looks a long way off being someone who can impact games. May be harsh but he started/come off the bench and played in a number of different type of games and we have seen barely anything from him so far.



McCallum 5/10 – Ran around as he often does but also gave it away a few times in tight areas. He was just brought on to give us more legs at this stage.



Holding – Won a few headers and helped calm things down the final stages.



Manager: Wilder 6/10 – He will just be happy with the win in the end. We started well and could have been a few goals up in the first 10-15 minutes but it did not happen and then started to become a bit of an attritional battle. The second half carried on in that vein, with us still looking more likely but fewer chances were being created and they of course had the best chance. This goes in and who knows but we get the goal and then manage it out. I felt like the chances made us kind of settle but fortunately Preston did not have much idea and were just hoping a ball may drop and it never happened. The subs currently are not working and he may have to leave likes of Campbell and BBD on (granted latter was not offering much) as we seem to regress and settle when he makes the subs. We did need more from likes of Hamer, O’Hare, BBD and Cannon though as the defence was largely fine (aside one Seriki error) and the midfield picked up the pieces and controlled most of the game. I really hope his seemingly stubborn ways in putting Cannon on ahead of Moore and Brewster as the Campbell alternative, does not cost us valuable points. He needs to play the best and most impactful players, regardless of how much they cost. Cannon sadly is not looking like scoring but also not offering anything to help us hold the ball or keep it up the field.





Preston – Just looked a very mid table side. They started slowly and Campbell should score at least once early on and we pen them back. They did not really get out and were timewasting and stopping the game as much as they could. I get it, as we have a better and more expensive side and of course have to do what they can to get a result. The ref was weak and allowed them to do this. The keeper took forever over every kick and then feigned injury (which Hecky used to get Foderingham to do for us, so we know the tactics!). They got to half time goalless and did compete more to finish the half but were fortunate to be level. The second half became more of a contest but again still felt we looked more likely but then out of nothing, they hit the frame of the goal. It was a good effort this to be fair. After this they switched off on the goal with no one getting out for the cross and the keeper/centre back not attacking the ball and it cost them. They made changes and tried to go more direct but not sure they had anything clear cut. Cooper had nothing to do most of the game and in the end, the result was a fair one. They were not a dreadful side but very ordinary and had little in terms of creativity. They were too passive and almost sat back. The problem with that, is you always may cede a chance and a goal and that happened. United were not peppering their goal but had more efforts/many more touches in the box and most of the play in terms of possession. So, in the end, the result was about right. They may argue Woodman had little to do outside of the Campbell save and BBD effort second half but a few other shots went not far wide too. Hecky has done a great job to move them away from any relegation trouble and done what he often does – got them organised, hard to beat and functional. They won’t excite or entertain most weeks but considering the budget/squad and who they face at this level, they actually have done well – this is something you can say most seasons. It might be boring where they finish every season but for them consolidation and respectability is actually a really good achievement, even if it seems dull to the football world. They have an FA Cup Quarter Final to come (Hecky often does well in the cups) and that should be a good occasion at Deepdale. The league season will end up being a bit of a dull end but that is better than what they could have seen happen after such a poor start, which saw them bring Hecky and McCall in.



Opponent Man of the Match – Thordarson pinged a few nice balls out and Brady also got on it a few times and his pass made the chance for Greenwood. Kesley Hayden was tidy down the side and actually did a good job on Hamer so may take this award and thought he was good on the ball.



Opponent Weak link – Thought that the front two offered very little at all. Porteous also lost Campbell on a few occasions, including the goal I thought? I thought Woodman, who made a good save, first half, should have got out to the cross quicker and was quite close to the goal. Incredible that Evans is still playing -thought he got a bad injury and had some medical issues – that meant he had to pack in but is player coach I believe now? Whiteman always seems a tidy player whenever I watch him but was on the bench today.



Referee/Officials – Frustrated me. Started ok and not much he got wrong as he tried to let it flow and keep his cards in his pocket but then should have penalised the timewasting from PNE. The keeper was taking the proverbial but he kept letting him get away with it. The game became stop start and felt they committed a fair few niggly fouls but shared them, and the bookings, around. The game became scrappy and he sort of allowed that I felt. Towards the end, he struggled to keep up with the match and guessed giving them two or three soft fouls when they just fell to the floor as they tried to win free kicks to get it into our box and he fell for it. Their lad went in dangerously on Peck and thought could have got a second yellow – Peck got a fair bit of hammer but kept his cool for a while. Ref was too slow to give the foul near the end which led to the fracas with Robinson. Just sort of lost control towards the end of a nothing sort of game. His assistants were not helping as they may as well not have been there as they gave no decisions at all.



Crowd/atmosphere – Felt it was quiet and nervy. Never helps when we kick towards the Kop. Think fans do need to do more in terms of noise and support but the old argument is, the team need to get the fans involved too. I thought we played ok to start and needed more backing personally. One of the smallest Preston followings I have ever seen. Get they are mid table and had cup games etc but they normally bring much more than that – although their record at Bramall Lane is dreadful. Bit disappointing that there was not a proper introduction for Hecky and McCall? Think he should have been acknowledged – maybe Sinclair not being there still did not help that be recognised – but fortunately the South Stand did give a round of applause spontaneously when he did come out and he responded with a clap to the Blades fans. A good bloke who overall did a fantastic job here and was not helped at all by circumstances when we did go up.

 

[Jimmy23]

First! Well done Deadbat couldn’t agree more with the verdict

 

[HOT CURRIE 10]

Silver medal for me.

 

[bakeblade]

United – We won the game. That is the important thing. The performance was ok but nothing remarkable. I felt we never looked like blowing PNE away but equally were never in massive danger. It was a classic fair 1-0 win. We could have been a few goals up early on as we started on top and pushed them back. They could not get out but the goal never came and then the second part of the first half became scrappy and we sort of lost out way in terms of attacking threat, even if they did not threaten much at all. We were too slow to move it on and taking too many touches and guilty of going sideways and backwards too much. We were in control but not really dominating or creating enough to say we had all the ball. The second half carried on the same theme really and was sort of drifting to a stalemate but then they had a chance after our defensive mistake but hit the woodwork which really was a let off. Not long after, we put in a superb cross from Burrows and a brave header from Campbell to get the vital goal.



It felt like the sort of game where one goal may be enough and so it proved. We made some subs which did not help and sort of settled for what we had rather than go for the second but Preston did not have any chances at all. They huffed and puffed and knocked some balls into the box but we were not really troubled at all and saw it out quite comfortably. The performance was not that great but solid enough to get the win. There is a worry about Souza going off so we will have to wait and see. I am sure Bristol City will offer more of a threat attacking wise and be a harder game so we will have to step it up but today we did enough to beat a very ordinary, mid table side. We saw it out and made sure we got another important three points. Still concerns about us not really blowing teams away (the subs combined with a number who still lack fitness/stamina to last longer than 60-70 mins is a worry) and sort of have to just see games out rather than make things more comfortable. Burnley blew their opponent away 4-0 in comparison but matters little really (GD they are miles ahead anyway) as we both got the same number of points so I am less concerned about that but worry we seem a bit cautious at times. I think we move it quicker, so opposition cannot have time to get 9 or 10 behind the ball, and we create more and score more. It feels a bit laboured how we get the ball forward but then we keep winning so cannot complaint too much.



We had a run of 4 games (with all 4 in Sheffield) with 3 home games and that on paper was the easiest but was not dominant if still deserved and relatively comfortable. We will now face a harder opponent in a Bristol City side who outplayed us for long spells at their place and then a derby than can go either way before facing an in-form Coventry. It is a big 2 weeks where if we can get three positive results then we set ourselves up for the run in. The side is still not looking totally convincing and must annoy Leeds/Burnley who seem to be looking much more dominant (scoring 3 and 4’s in some recent games) but it is working so it cannot be fluke when it keeps happening.



Ratings:



Cooper 6/10 – Did not really have a save to make all game. One hit the woodwork but other than that it was just basic stuff he had to deal with and was competent with that he had to do.



Choudhury 6.5/10 - First half he was actually fine defensively but I get why people would be annoyed as he often took too many touches or went backwards and we had not threat down that side. Much better when played in his more natural position and felt he was decent 2nd half. He got on the ball, was quicker to make decisions and did what he had to in terms of picking up the bits and pieces. He does take an age to move it forward and lacks that drive that Souza does though but was ok 2nd half.



Burrows 7/10 – Tried to get up and support where he could and thought he tried to provide an outlet but sometimes the ball took too long to get to him first half. 2nd half he was a lot further forward and then he put in a superb cross that made the goal.



Ahmedhodzic 6.5/10 – Steady enough. Thought he actually carried the ball forward well at times and was positive in what he did. Dealt with their forward threat pretty well and not sure they stretched us much at all (outside the one big chance).



Robinson 6/10 – As above. Won the headers he had to and came onto the ball first. He did make a few mistakes but did get back on one of those to make the clearance. Another who takes too long to move the ball on at times but he was not really troubled hugely today.



Hamer 6/10 – I was a touch disappointed with him today. It was the sort of game against a very ordinary side where you would think he would just take the game by the scruff of the neck, but he never really did. He always tries things but more passes found a PNE shirt than ours and not sure outside that one ball to Campbell, much came from his play. He was careless in possession. Faded after the break and then went off – another that struggles to last the distance. Not sure he was injured? He just goes off this point many games. Needs to be well fitter so we can count on him to be involved to finish games.



Peck 7.5/10 – My man of the match. Nothing sensational but a very good performance where he got round the pitch, won the ball, carried it on, used it well and gave an incredibly mature performance for a 20-year-old and the best midfielder on the park. He seems to have a knack of picking up the ball and finding the right pass/teammate. His awareness of play and situations was excellent. Reads things well. He was the one who always seemed to be in the right place, making a tackle or interception or moving it on. Has a very bright future. When Arblaster comes back, we hopefully have two midfield players who can be a future for many years to come (but I worry bigger clubs will see their ability and may come in but hopefully not for a while).



Souza 6/10 – We controlled midfield without dominating completely first half and he was competent enough. Kept it simple and moved it on but thought he was another that was a bit ponderous and needed to get it forward quicker. Did pick up the balls and help us control the game but the tempo needed to be quicker. Hopefully it is more precautionary but he has had hamstring issues before and was holding it after a run and then went off. Just hope he is not missing for any length of time as we are already hugely missing Souttar, so his loss would be a massive blow.



O’Hare 5/10 – He has been largely very good in terms of leading the press and closing down and helping us keep pressure on even if he has not really had much influence in terms of chances, goals or assists. He has seen very little of the ball in recent matches and this continued today. I thought his touch was poor and he wen to the deck too often. Did not keep the ball enough and felt he his intensity was not there today for me.



Brereton Diaz 5/10 – Another who was sort of on the periphery of our play. Began well and a useful outlet down the right but his influence waned and not sure he was much of a factor after being involved a fair bit to start the game. He is another who seems like he is not quite able to last more than an hour. He tried to come inside and get on the ball but the game became scrappy and he was right to be taken off I felt.



Campbell 6.5/10 – Missed a sitter to start the game and then had another good chance the keeper saved but he was always a threat and his movement was good. He tried to link with others and run off the last man. He got the reward when he headed home as he anticipated the cross and got there first. A real poachers goal. He was taken off not long after this (maybe he cannot last much longer?) but our threat completely went after this and we had no out ball at all.



Subs –



Seriki 5.5/10 – Did get forward a few times and offered more than Choudhury from an attacking sense with a few runs/pieces of link play. However, his moment of indecision nearly cost us as his error saw them nearly score. He repeated this soon after as he and Anel got in a bit of a mix up and left to each other. We saw the best and worse of him in that cameo today.



Rak Sakyi 5.5/10 – Thought he may give us an outlet and push them back but did not really get into it, outside of one run. He tried to be positive but he kind of ran into traffic/trouble. Switched off at the back post as they had a headed chance from the left back towards the end. Needs to be more assertive when he gets his chances.



Cannon 4/10 – He offered next to nothing again. One piece of hold up apart, he looked languid, weak and static. He has to do more. I am not sure, again, what sort of player he is. He does not hold it up, does not run off defenders and not a goal threat. Not strong or quick. He looks a very odd signing. Moore or Brewster should be played in front of him. He has to earn minutes and so far he looks a long way off being someone who can impact games. May be harsh but he started/come off the bench and played in a number of different type of games and we have seen barely anything from him so far.



McCallum 5/10 – Ran around as he often does but also gave it away a few times in tight areas. He was just brought on to give us more legs at this stage.



Holding – Won a few headers and helped calm things down the final stages.



Manager: Wilder 6/10 – He will just be happy with the win in the end. We started well and could have been a few goals up in the first 10-15 minutes but it did not happen and then started to become a bit of an attritional battle. The second half carried on in that vein, with us still looking more likely but fewer chances were being created and they of course had the best chance. This goes in and who knows but we get the goal and then manage it out. I felt like the chances made us kind of settle but fortunately Preston did not have much idea and were just hoping a ball may drop and it never happened. The subs currently are not working and he may have to leave likes of Campbell and BBD on (granted latter was not offering much) as we seem to regress and settle when he makes the subs. We did need more from likes of Hamer, O’Hare, BBD and Cannon though as the defence was largely fine (aside one Seriki error) and the midfield picked up the pieces and controlled most of the game. I really hope his seemingly stubborn ways in putting Cannon on ahead of Moore and Brewster as the Campbell alternative, does not cost us valuable points. He needs to play the best and most impactful players, regardless of how much they cost. Cannon sadly is not looking like scoring but also not offering anything to help us hold the ball or keep it up the field.





Preston – Just looked a very mid table side. They started slowly and Campbell should score at least once early on and we pen them back. They did not really get out and were timewasting and stopping the game as much as they could. I get it, as we have a better and more expensive side and of course have to do what they can to get a result. The ref was weak and allowed them to do this. The keeper took forever over every kick and then feigned injury (which Hecky used to get Foderingham to do for us, so we know the tactics!). They got to half time goalless and did compete more to finish the half but were fortunate to be level. The second half became more of a contest but again still felt we looked more likely but then out of nothing, they hit the frame of the goal. It was a good effort this to be fair. After this they switched off on the goal with no one getting out for the cross and the keeper/centre back not attacking the ball and it cost them. They made changes and tried to go more direct but not sure they had anything clear cut. Cooper had nothing to do most of the game and in the end, the result was a fair one. They were not a dreadful side but very ordinary and had little in terms of creativity. They were too passive and almost sat back. The problem with that, is you always may cede a chance and a goal and that happened. United were not peppering their goal but had more efforts/many more touches in the box and most of the play in terms of possession. So, in the end, the result was about right. They may argue Woodman had little to do outside of the Campbell save and BBD effort second half but a few other shots went not far wide too. Hecky has done a great job to move them away from any relegation trouble and done what he often does – got them organised, hard to beat and functional. They won’t excite or entertain most weeks but considering the budget/squad and who they face at this level, they actually have done well – this is something you can say most seasons. It might be boring where they finish every season but for them consolidation and respectability is actually a really good achievement, even if it seems dull to the football world. They have an FA Cup Quarter Final to come (Hecky often does well in the cups) and that should be a good occasion at Deepdale. The league season will end up being a bit of a dull end but that is better than what they could have seen happen after such a poor start, which saw them bring Hecky and McCall in.



Opponent Man of the Match – Thordarson pinged a few nice balls out and Brady also got on it a few times and his pass made the chance for Greenwood. Kesley Hayden was tidy down the side and actually did a good job on Hamer so may take this award and thought he was good on the ball.



Opponent Weak link – Thought that the front two offered very little at all. Porteous also lost Campbell on a few occasions, including the goal I thought? I thought Woodman, who made a good save, first half, should have got out to the cross quicker and was quite close to the goal. Incredible that Evans is still playing -thought he got a bad injury and had some medical issues – that meant he had to pack in but is player coach I believe now? Whiteman always seems a tidy player whenever I watch him but was on the bench today.



Referee/Officials – Frustrated me. Started ok and not much he got wrong as he tried to let it flow and keep his cards in his pocket but then should have penalised the timewasting from PNE. The keeper was taking the proverbial but he kept letting him get away with it. The game became stop start and felt they committed a fair few niggly fouls but shared them, and the bookings, around. The game became scrappy and he sort of allowed that I felt. Towards the end, he struggled to keep up with the match and guessed giving them two or three soft fouls when they just fell to the floor as they tried to win free kicks to get it into our box and he fell for it. Their lad went in dangerously on Peck and thought could have got a second yellow – Peck got a fair bit of hammer but kept his cool for a while. Ref was too slow to give the foul near the end which led to the fracas with Robinson. Just sort of lost control towards the end of a nothing sort of game. His assistants were not helping as they may as well not have been there as they gave no decisions at all.



Crowd/atmosphere – Felt it was quiet and nervy. Never helps when we kick towards the Kop. Think fans do need to do more in terms of noise and support but the old argument is, the team need to get the fans involved too. I thought we played ok to start and needed more backing personally. One of the smallest Preston followings I have ever seen. Get they are mid table and had cup games etc but they normally bring much more than that – although their record at Bramall Lane is dreadful. Bit disappointing that there was not a proper introduction for Hecky and McCall? Think he should have been acknowledged – maybe Sinclair not being there still did not help that be recognised – but fortunately the South Stand did give a round of applause spontaneously when he did come out and he responded with a clap to the Blades fans. A good bloke who overall did a fantastic job here and was not helped at all by circumstances when we did go up.

Luton having a man sent off after 19 minutes helped Burnley today, their games are usually as tight as ours

 

[FriethBlade]

Comprehensive report as usual, thanks a lot.

Re Cannom I'm prepared to give him a lot of time but totally agree with your assessment. Most 10m strikers you would expect to be able to point to one attribute, ie good in the air, quick, holds it up well, runs the channels etc....but so far I genuinely can't pick out one attribute

 

[1973Blade]

A bit harsh on O Hare who I thought had a very good first half

 

[Deadbat]

I should say I did not mention the penalty call which Hecky said was- in terms of the referee. It was not one for me. He went down looking for it and seemed more of a coming together. He had let a lot go in the middle of the field with Hamer and Peck getting kicked around and no fouls a few times so to give a penalty for a higher threshold (tends to be in the box) would have infuriated the crowd. Potts should have concentrated more on getting the ball than throwing himself down.

 

[Addison]

Strange game. Started very well OHare was causing them problems with his running, balls being hit first time into the box and Campbell misses a sitter. Couple of good moves getting Campbell in again working the goalkeeper and then we slow it all down.

We revert to flicks and tricks going back on ourselves countless times with the ball allowing PNE to sit deep and let us try to walk the ball into the net. For some unexplained reason we decide that playing down the left hand side of the pitch is a no no and the game is compressed into half a pitch on the right. This is where the decision to play Hamer and BBD out wide falls down as both drift inside naturally. Lost count of the number of times Burrows looked up to find no one available for a pass down the left having to check inside. Our build up play became pedestrian and it suited PNE.

Despite this PNE gave away a number of free kicks on the edge of their area yet Hamer and Burrows seemed to have a competition to see how many times they could chip the ball onto PNE's CB's head. Our delivery from set pieces gets worse as the weeks go by. Just for once it would be different if someone tried to test the keeper with a shot from these situations. We needed the goal and it came from a player crossing the ball into the box first time and a forward getting across his man. Football is a simple game when you move the ball quickly. Thereafter we were never troubled apart from a late hoofwaffen assault.

Found it a frustrating game. We seemed content to keep possession and try to walk the ball into the net. Against sides who sit deep quick counter attacks are the solution but we never used Serikis and JRS pace when they came on. We played well in patches but seem to have lost the ability to be a threat down the flanks and at set pieces. Not sure if its the coaching or the players going off message. Its 3 points again but the real concern is the growing injury list and the management of players time which is now the rule and no longer an exception.

 

[Addison]

I should say I did not mention the penalty call which Hecky said was- in terms of the referee. It was not one for me. He went down looking for it and seemed more of a coming together. He had let a lot go in the middle of the field with Hamer and Peck getting kicked around and no fouls a few times so to give a penalty for a higher threshold (tends to be in the box) would have infuriated the crowd. Potts should have concentrated more on getting the ball than throwing himself down.

Matt Donoghue would have loved giving a pen against us for that one. Agree ref did let a lot go but he at least showed some consistency in not falling for players going down in the box. He'd already turned down one earlier where Burrows was looking for a pen, that may have influenced his thinking on Potter.

 

[Harry's Game]

I was a little embarrassed that we didn’t give a welcome and thank you to Hecky and Stuart..

I hope that it was down to the useless stand in PA man and not the request of the current management team not to do so.

 

[Paisley Blade]

A bit harsh on O Hare who I thought had a very good first half

Agree. I thought COH was just as good as Peck. Joint MoM's for me.

 

[RealMcCoy]

A bit harsh on O Hare who I thought had a very good first half

Yes indeed. Thought he had a reasonably good game. Didn’t he lay on a very good pass in the second half for one of our off target strikers?

 

[Deadbat]

Agree. I thought COH was just as good as Peck. Joint MoM's for me.

I like O Hare and a big part of what we do well but thought he well off it today. Ball came off him too much sbd his touch was not secure. Did not press much 2nd half either.

 

[RealMcCoy]

Peck and Anel both blowing out their arses at the end. Not surprised about Peck - put a full shift in to earn his motm.

 

[KOPPO]

my man of the match was sydie he ran the show

 

[KOPPO]

a really great write up pal.but i thought o hare was class and my Man of the Match was great lad SYDIE PECK he ran the show

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Luton having a man sent off after 19 minutes helped Burnley today, their games are usually as tight as ours

A quick look at Burnley's GD would suggest that isn't the case.
They've battered a few sides, where I think we've only scored 3 once all season. Poor return with the attacking talent we have.

 

[Maurice Maurice]

The bloke who fell down for the penalty that wasn't had his hair in a fucking bun. For that reason alone that's a no penalty all day long for me, fucking fanny.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Hamza was woeful I thought first half, also still not clear why we signed Cannon and the argument is he needs to settle etc, is it only us who signs players that are unfit or not ready? And need a pre season?

Also why is it out players look collectively fucked after an hour and why do we get so many injuries?

The fact Wilder is getting a squad of unfit players with only one striker who can score goals should be commended, he deserves a medal the size of a dustbin lid. Especially when the team are more inclined to pass back than forward.

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

Comprehensive report as usual, thanks a lot.

Re Cannom I'm prepared to give him a lot of time but totally agree with your assessment. Most 10m strikers you would expect to be able to point to one attribute, ie good in the air, quick, holds it up well, runs the channels etc....but so far I genuinely can't pick out one attribute

Agree, but I also think that it’s hard to judge any Wilder striker sub in the second half, if we are winning, as they are invariably left very isolated chasing lost causes with little support.

 

[Yewsman]

Thought Peck was outstanding again. Gets better every week. Easily MOTM for me.
Thought Choudrey was awful first half. He is not a RB and just about every time he got the ball have gave it away to Preston with poor pass, second half much much better. Plenty of energy cut outs and tackles in midfield and didn’t give it away anything like as much but hit some good passes.

I know Holding only on for very short time but I really feel he should play in place of JLT. I have always felt that JLT and Anel make us vulnerable to aerial crosses and corners. Agonist Oinkers we will be bombarded and we need a dominant CH like Souttar.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Strange game. Started very well OHare was causing them problems with his running, balls being hit first time into the box and Campbell misses a sitter. Couple of good moves getting Campbell in again working the goalkeeper and then we slow it all down.

We revert to flicks and tricks going back on ourselves countless times with the ball allowing PNE to sit deep and let us try to walk the ball into the net. For some unexplained reason we decide that playing down the left hand side of the pitch is a no no and the game is compressed into half a pitch on the right. This is where the decision to play Hamer and BBD out wide falls down as both drift inside naturally. Lost count of the number of times Burrows looked up to find no one available for a pass down the left having to check inside. Our build up play became pedestrian and it suited PNE.

Despite this PNE gave away a number of free kicks on the edge of their area yet Hamer and Burrows seemed to have a competition to see how many times they could chip the ball onto PNE's CB's head. Our delivery from set pieces gets worse as the weeks go by. Just for once it would be different if someone tried to test the keeper with a shot from these situations. We needed the goal and it came from a player crossing the ball into the box first time and a forward getting across his man. Football is a simple game when you move the ball quickly. Thereafter we were never troubled apart from a late hoofwaffen assault.

Found it a frustrating game. We seemed content to keep possession and try to walk the ball into the net. Against sides who sit deep quick counter attacks are the solution but we never used Serikis and JRS pace when they came on. We played well in patches but seem to have lost the ability to be a threat down the flanks and at set pieces. Not sure if its the coaching or the players going off message. Its 3 points again but the real concern is the growing injury list and the management of players time which is now the rule and no longer an exception.

Seriki is the only player to have the ability to skin defenders . He got one run and if we had a striker would have meant a goal. I look up and BBD is where Seriki is effective. Fucking dull.

 

[Revolution]

Seen that game a lot this season. A bit better than the opposition and do just enough to deserve the victory.

The last 20 mins was painful as neither Cannon nor JRS could keep the ball and they kept coming at us. I thought Cooper had more to do than Deadbat suggests: he made 3 saves in 3 mins at one point, though none were that difficult. Cannon looks like a very expensive mistake. We needed Moore on.

I think people are hard on Choudhury. His passing is wretched most of the time but he can break up play and he did try more to get the ball forward today. Peck was excellent and Burrows industrious.

I saw no reason to roll out a welcome mat for the man who oversaw the Newcastle, Bournemouth, Arsenal and Burnley debacles and just shrugged his shoulders, although he did a lot more for the club than Evans. I cannot wait until there’s no prospect of seeing the latter at the Lane again.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

I was a little embarrassed that we didn’t give a welcome and thank you to Hecky and Stuart..

I hope that it was down to the useless stand in PA man and not the request of the current management team not to do so.

I was a little embarrassed that we didn’t give a welcome and thank you to Hecky and Stuart..

I hope that it was down to the useless stand in PA man and not the request of the current management team not to do so.

No warmth from Wilder or Hecky at handshake time. Not a word.

 

[bartman]

I like O Hare and a big part of what we do well but thought he well off it today. Ball came off him too much sbd his touch was not secure. Did not press much 2nd half either.

Agree. Indeed I thought your mark for COH was a tad generous. He can lead the press well at times but he dissappears in games. He rarely contributes towards goals and assists which for an attacking midfielder is a concern. He also gives the ball away alot

We needed to hold the ball up front more after we scored yesterday and COH can't do this

 

[Bell4]

I usually almost fully agree with your ratings and assessment DB but I think ..

COH for the most part , especially the first half was very good . His touch was superb and his bringing in of other players was excellent - imo . I agree he faded mid second half .

Robinson and Anel were also very good . Robbo gets a lot of unfair stick imo and I thought he played and led well .

I fully agree re Peck , fantastic- I also agree re Tommy C , why oh why oh why ? Either Brewster and especially KM would have been a much better option . We all hope that TC works out but he offers nothing I’m afraid and CW seems to feel compelled to have to play him ahead of others - very risky with only 10 games to go and no wriggle room .

As you say - we just about do enough . The overall standard on this league is poor so we don’t have to be that good , but Burnley and Leeds are a much different matter .

Will we finish ahead of one of those ? My heart says hope so - my head says probably not - but what do I know

 

[FriethBlade]

I usually almost fully agree with your ratings and assessment DB but I think ..

COH for the most part , especially the first half was very good . His touch was superb and his bringing in of other players was excellent - imo . I agree he faded mid second half .

Robinson and Anel were also very good . Robbo gets a lot of unfair stick imo and I thought he played and led well .

I fully agree re Peck , fantastic- I also agree re Tommy C , why oh why oh why ? Either Brewster and especially KM would have been a much better option . We all hope that TC works out but he offers nothing I’m afraid and CW seems to feel compelled to have to play him ahead of others - very risky with only 10 games to go and no wriggle room .

As you say - we just about do enough . The overall standard on this league is poor so we don’t have to be that good , but Burnley and Leeds are a much different matter .

Will we finish ahead of one of those ? My heart says hope so - my head says probably not - but what do I know

Well after losing at Pompey it seems Leeds might be falling apart again.

Wilder is compelled to play Cannon as it will look a little strange if he's putting a freebie 30 plus year old on ahead of a 10m signing.

 

[Harrisblade]

The Blades remained in the automatic promotion places after a narrow, but deserved victory, against mid table Preston North End at Bramall Lane. United should have been in front at the half as Tyrese Campbell missed two good chances, but the Blades’ leading scorer was not to be denied and headed in a fantastic Harrison Burrows cross on the hour mark. Preston had created little throughout the game and were intent on slowing the game down and trying to make it scrappy as possible but actually hit the woodwork just before United scored in what was a big moment in the game. Despite Preston pushing on towards the end, the home side saw it out without any further scares and ensure that they remained in second despite wins for fellow promotion chasers, Burnley and Sunderland.



Wilder kept with the same side that started the game last week against Queens Park Rangers and were still without Harry Clarke and Tom Davies. Preston had former Blades Ched Evans and Ben Whiteman on the bench. There was a nice round of applause for former manager Paul Heckingbottom as he came out and took his place in the opposition dugout.



The game started with Preston turning the Blades around and the home side having to kick towards the Kop but it almost back fired as United should have been ahead inside two minutes. The ball was moved forward and then onto the left-hand side. The cross came in from Burrows but Campbell with the goal at his mercy, got it all wrong and sliced it wide with his wrong foot. Soon after Porteous nearly put into his own net after Brereton Diaz sent the ball across. United were dominating and forced two early corners. Hamer was looking to get on the ball but his final piece of execution in terms of the pass was not quite coming off.



Preston had offered little and were trying to slow the game down at every opportunity and the referee was not really clamping down on this. Hamer did feed Campbell who was in on the left angle but Woodman made the block before Hamer had an effort just wide. Woodman then went down and was claiming he was injured as both players took time for a drinks break. Thodarson then felled Peck as the midfielder tried to drive away from his opponent as United continued to control the game. The chances were not coming as frequently though and the home side were guilty of taking too long to move it forward as the visitors were putting often the entire ten outfield players behind the goal. Preston had a rare break but Souza got back to make the challenge, despite some appeals for illegal contact from the midfielder on Potts.



After the break, Souza had to go off, as he seemingly had injured himself in that late first half tackle. Choudhury went into midfield and Seriki went to right back. The first chance came when Hamer played in Brereton Diaz but his shot was palmed away from Woodman. Seriki was trying to get forward and his link play offered another type of threat as United looked for the breakthrough. However, the closest either side came to scoring was from the away side as Seriki misjudged a ball over the top and Brady played in Greenwood. The Leeds loanee flashed a powerful shot past Cooper but it kissed the woodwork and bounced away – a let off for the home side.



It was not long after, that the Blades were able to recover from this moment and take the lead just before the hour mark. The ball was played out to the left hand side and Burrows took a touch before hitting an inviting cross over which CAMPBELL met to powerfully nod home past the exposed Woodman in the Preston goal.



Ledson came on for the visitors for Porteous and Cannon and Rak Sayki replayed Campbell and Brereton Diaz just after the hour mark. Further changes came not long after as Hughes, Whiteman and Evans were brought on in place of Thordarson, Keane and Brady. Preston sent one cross over which was headed over but the game was seeing few chances at either end. McCallum replaced Hamer for United as the game soon ticked into the final 10 minutes. A few fouls conceded saw Preston try and go more direct and find former United forward Evans but the Blades had introduced Holding as this stage and he helped soak up the high balls. The game had 5 minutes of additional time but Cooper was not really tested with only a tussle between Gibson and Robinson – both being booked – of any significance on this extra time. United in the end saw it out with a modicum of comfort and it was another crucial three points for the home side.

"the home side were guilty of taking too long to move it forward as the visitors were putting often the entire ten outfield players behind the goal."

And we still only scored 1 goal
Disgraceful!
Wilder out

 

[bruce]