Deadbat
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Pod and report….
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After the ecstasy of finally getting a Premier League victory, United were brought back down to earth with a bump as they were soundly beaten by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon at Bramall Lane. Spurs won for the first time at the Lane in the league since 1975 and were good value for the win. They started in rampant mood and Aurier headed home and they could have had more goals before Kane capitalised on a Norwood error to make it 2-0. McGoldrick, who was the only United player to come out with any real credit again, headed home a Fleck cross and hope was alive but almost straight away more sloppy work led to a third goal.
There was no Ben Osborn or Lys Mousset for the Blades with both out injured. Enda Stevens came back in at left wing back in an otherwise unchanged line up. George Baldock was back on a bench that only included 7 of a possible 9 he could include with no youngsters names this week to supplant those named. Jose Mourinho made three changes with Roden, Davies and Bergwjin in. Kane and Son began up top with Bale, Lamela and Moura on a strong bench. There was no place in the match day squad for Dele Ali showing the strength and depth of the Tottenham side.
Spurs came flying out of the traps and the tone was set after 45 seconds when Ramsdale sliced a back pass in the air. The visitors were pushed high up the field and Bergwjin was on the ball and fired a shot that Ramsdale had to tip over. From the corner the ball was in the net. Ramsdale stayed at home and Bogle was outmuscled by AURIER who headed home too easily. It was another headed goal from a set play with the defence looking at the keeper and Ramsdale looking at his defenders. Whoever was at fault it was way too easy.
Spurs were rampant and a simple slide rule ball from Kane to Son saw the striker in and he chipped over Ramsdale but it hit the near post. It was a huge let off. The game could have been over after 7 minutes. United had not been in the game at all and it was one way traffic with stronger and quicker players wearing Green. United did finally mount an attack on 10 but Burke’s shot was deflected wide. The corner saw Basham head back but Davies was able to head clear.
Basham gave it away and then Lundstram as the Blades could not even keep the ball. Son nearly got in again as Ampadu had to clear. The next spell saw Spurs just knock it about calmly and it was all too easily but at least Norwood had a shot that was blocked but then as Spurs broke Kane was pulled down by the midfielder who was booked. The ball went out for a corner and Ramsdale flapped away under no pressure.
Burke finally had a shot for the sluggish Blades but it was straight at Lloris. The keeper than had to make another regulation save from Fleck as finally we saw some life from the Blades. Norwood then nearly threaded McGoldrick in after this better spell.
Still, Spurs still looked the far more likely and Reguilon showed great skill to get away from two players and Son’s cross was half cleared but dropped under Ramsdale’s bar. The keeper was not convincing as he flapped the ball away as Kane challenged.
On 40 minutes, the second goal came and it was more awful defending. Ramsdale threw it out to Bogle who played it into Norwood and the midfielder’s touch was awful and he lost it. His attempt to win it back was pitiful and KANE was onto it. The midfielder shrugged off Basham easily and curled it into the bottom corner. It was a well taken goal and made to look easy but appalling play to give it away and the attempts to recover it from United was as bad.
Basham had a ball in that fell to Bogle whose shot was blocked by Dier and Rodon went down in the move with an injury but recovered. The half time whistle went soon after and it had been a comfortable 45 minutes for the away side.
The second half saw Stevens at least in the Spurs half and his cross was headed well over by Bogle. At least the wing backs were higher up the field. A better move on the next attack saw neat football with McGoldrick and Basham combining for the cross back to Stevens whose effort was blocked.
Spurs then broke from a corner United won and Bergwjin was away but Lundstram chopped him down for a yellow card. Kane took the free kick as United were half asleep and Ramsdale had to flick over the bar.
Ramsdale’s sloppy game continued when he came out to a routine through ball as Son went in and the keeper failed to gather again. Norwood once again gave the ball away and Kane advanced before curling just over the bar before United at least had an effort when Lundstram whipped one wide after good work from Fleck.
On the hour mark, United had a away back into the game. Fleck put over a lovely cross and MCGOLDRICK flicked the ball into the corner and it was 1-2 and game on!
Straight after this Spurs nearly got in and Basham was fortunate not to put through his own net as his toed clearance went just past Ramsdale’s post. United needed to stay in the game after they had got the goal but they could not do this. Amapdu got outmuscled originally on a ball through but then had it back and rolled a pass across to Norwood who lost it under little pressure and Spurs were in. The ball was sent to the far post and NDOMBELE managed to hook the ball over his head with the outside of his foot and into the far corner. It was a tremendous piece of skill and improvisation and a wonderful goal. Once again United had not helped themselves at all again.
This effectively killed the game. Egan had to clear when Ramsdale came and missed it again before Bryan came on for Norwood and Ampadu went into midfield. Brewster then came on for Burke but it seemed like Spurs were the more likely to score again. Kane was in on goal and came away from two weak challenges before it was blocked eventually and then Son had an effort deflected over the bar. Sharp came on for Basham but was caught offside and then fouled needlessly and United now looked well out of ideas and had created nothing since the third goal. Kane was nearly in again but took too long before a run down the right saw Bergwjin have a chance. Kane then fired over after working it onto his right foot before a flurry of late Spurs chances as the game entered three minutes of stoppage time. This passed without incident and Spurs eased to an easy three points as the home side looked completely despondent by the full-time whistle.
United – After the excitement of actually winning not just one but two games, I had some confidence if not hope, we could have a go today and be in the game. I knew we would have to be at it from the start but it was not the case at all today. It was back to what it had been all season where we were just miles off the opponent. The results yesterday were irrelevant but actually saw West Brom and Brighton pull further away and any hopes of an unlikely survival were probably ended but today has all but killed off these chances. There are games to play but you struggle to see more than the odd point here and there. The other teams are so much better than us almost to a team and when we play the better teams it is hard to watch as we look out of our depth individually and collectively and today, we were second best all game. We were well beaten today. Spurs were miles better. I thought 3-1 probably flattered us actually and they could have won by a lot more.
Hard to dissect in some ways as in the game they were just miles better in every aspect but the goals weirdly were bad mistakes (second and third well taken of course) and avoidable but taking away how we conceded, the actual game saw us just outplayed. I felt they may score every time the attacked, panicked every time it went near our keeper and at the other end, we never really hurt them save for maybe a 5-minute spell all game. In general football play they were much better even with the mistakes we made. People will point to us not making these errors and we had a chance but I just feel Spurs would have scored in other ways. I am not even sure they had to really get out of first or second gear to win the game. That is how easy it was. They just needed to play high up the field, press us and have a good attitude and then their superior attributes of skill, pace and power would take over.
I felt today we did not even show much fight and limped to an easy defeat. The manner of some of the chances and goals did not show a side that has stopped fighting. I felt we looked a bit spinless and like a side that just has no belief and that is odd as we had a shot in the arm in the week but started today like we had lost before we even did. After 5 minutes we had lost. On the first goal, I heard a player may have been ours (if it was ours then that is even worse) shout, ‘F****g easy boys!’ That quote summed up the game. After the second no one even remonstrated with Norwood, ditto on the third. At the point I’d take a few Villa away shoving matches. Least it would show someone is balling someone out for mistakes but for all this talk of captains all over the field, Norwood, Egan, Basham etc are all looking as spinless as each other. Not seen one man really rally the team or grab hold of the team. There is just an acceptance of the defeat and our plight. Every week.
The biggest takeaway from today is and I find it hard to type this, is at least next season we may be more on a level playing field with an opponent. Most weeks we are not at this level and if we don’t do the basics and concede goals like we did, we will lose almost every week. We may get the odd point or win v a Newcastle or a West Brom but it will be more of the same and it is hard to see this likeable set of lads just look so out of their depth. They were not last season and that makes it so odd in terms of the drop off but then it looks like we did just play out of our skin and massively over achieve. The evidence for these players over the rest oof their career suggests this season and what has gone before (Champ-Lg1-Lg2 players) is more the level they are at. No shame in that but makes it hard to watch as you know the majority of this squad and these players will never see this level again (granted a few are young and make come again).
The game began with Ramsdale’s miskick and this set the scene and tone for United’s sloppiness. They pressed us and were high up the field and we never reacted. They scored a set play goal but had other chances and it could have been 3-0 after 10 minutes. The first goal is a combination of Bogle losing his header and not doing enough and Ramsdale staying at home but they then got through us again soon after. We were so far off it and they were so on it. They were quicker to the ball and just swarmed all over us. The defence was not helped by the keeper’s indecision and jittery handling which carried on all game but we also had no midfield legs/protection and they ran through us. The second was an awful error by Norwood but then like at Palace no one reacted or covered and it was so easy. We had a go for a bit 2nd half but you always felt Spurs could up it and they did instantly and nearly scored straight away and then did - a great goal but awful play from Norwood (and Ampadu to some extent). After this it was a cakewalk and they strolled to a win and I think if they needed to, they could have scored more goal. The likes of Son, Kane, Ndombele were too quick and strong. It was like men v boys for long spells of the game. Even the smaller player they had like Hoijberg and Bergwjin still were physically too much for our lads. If they are quicker, stronger, more skilled and better in thought; then we are in trouble and so it proved.
I thought today we looked a side that knows they are down. They just had no belief that they could win individual battles or affect the game. Doing it for like 5 minutes first half for a spell and 10 minutes after the break is not enough in a 90-minute game. The odd triangle or move in a game of 90+ minutes is not enough and if we don’t do the ugly stuff like blocking off on set plays or winning tackles/blocks then we really have no chance at all.
McGoldrick had a go and was our main hope and one positive but the rest of the team to a man and department were not good enough to even come close to a decent side like Spurs. The defence pulled about all game and not quick enough or close enough. A midfield that does not press or compete and block off runs/balls and gives it away when they have it and creates little. Strikers who do not move much (Didzy aside) and are static and fixed. The two sides were poles apart and whilst tactically they got high up the field and pressed us back and had the right attitude, I do think they simply have miles better players. They have athletes and quick players. Our lads all look stuck in mud and just look like honest plodders that are not good enough for his level. Sad to see. They did so well for half to two third last season but the evidence of their careers before that and this season suggest some are just not up to this level.
The hopes of the week seem a long time ago and now we have trips to the two Manchester teams where you would think damage limitation could be sadly the main focus. Hate saying that but we are so far off these better teams and don’t even look like a game Championship team having a go in the Cup anymore. That is a damning inditement of where we are at but I am almost dreading watching the next two games. You feel the inevitable defeats that come will seal our fate.
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After the ecstasy of finally getting a Premier League victory, United were brought back down to earth with a bump as they were soundly beaten by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon at Bramall Lane. Spurs won for the first time at the Lane in the league since 1975 and were good value for the win. They started in rampant mood and Aurier headed home and they could have had more goals before Kane capitalised on a Norwood error to make it 2-0. McGoldrick, who was the only United player to come out with any real credit again, headed home a Fleck cross and hope was alive but almost straight away more sloppy work led to a third goal.
There was no Ben Osborn or Lys Mousset for the Blades with both out injured. Enda Stevens came back in at left wing back in an otherwise unchanged line up. George Baldock was back on a bench that only included 7 of a possible 9 he could include with no youngsters names this week to supplant those named. Jose Mourinho made three changes with Roden, Davies and Bergwjin in. Kane and Son began up top with Bale, Lamela and Moura on a strong bench. There was no place in the match day squad for Dele Ali showing the strength and depth of the Tottenham side.
Spurs came flying out of the traps and the tone was set after 45 seconds when Ramsdale sliced a back pass in the air. The visitors were pushed high up the field and Bergwjin was on the ball and fired a shot that Ramsdale had to tip over. From the corner the ball was in the net. Ramsdale stayed at home and Bogle was outmuscled by AURIER who headed home too easily. It was another headed goal from a set play with the defence looking at the keeper and Ramsdale looking at his defenders. Whoever was at fault it was way too easy.
Spurs were rampant and a simple slide rule ball from Kane to Son saw the striker in and he chipped over Ramsdale but it hit the near post. It was a huge let off. The game could have been over after 7 minutes. United had not been in the game at all and it was one way traffic with stronger and quicker players wearing Green. United did finally mount an attack on 10 but Burke’s shot was deflected wide. The corner saw Basham head back but Davies was able to head clear.
Basham gave it away and then Lundstram as the Blades could not even keep the ball. Son nearly got in again as Ampadu had to clear. The next spell saw Spurs just knock it about calmly and it was all too easily but at least Norwood had a shot that was blocked but then as Spurs broke Kane was pulled down by the midfielder who was booked. The ball went out for a corner and Ramsdale flapped away under no pressure.
Burke finally had a shot for the sluggish Blades but it was straight at Lloris. The keeper than had to make another regulation save from Fleck as finally we saw some life from the Blades. Norwood then nearly threaded McGoldrick in after this better spell.
Still, Spurs still looked the far more likely and Reguilon showed great skill to get away from two players and Son’s cross was half cleared but dropped under Ramsdale’s bar. The keeper was not convincing as he flapped the ball away as Kane challenged.
On 40 minutes, the second goal came and it was more awful defending. Ramsdale threw it out to Bogle who played it into Norwood and the midfielder’s touch was awful and he lost it. His attempt to win it back was pitiful and KANE was onto it. The midfielder shrugged off Basham easily and curled it into the bottom corner. It was a well taken goal and made to look easy but appalling play to give it away and the attempts to recover it from United was as bad.
Basham had a ball in that fell to Bogle whose shot was blocked by Dier and Rodon went down in the move with an injury but recovered. The half time whistle went soon after and it had been a comfortable 45 minutes for the away side.
The second half saw Stevens at least in the Spurs half and his cross was headed well over by Bogle. At least the wing backs were higher up the field. A better move on the next attack saw neat football with McGoldrick and Basham combining for the cross back to Stevens whose effort was blocked.
Spurs then broke from a corner United won and Bergwjin was away but Lundstram chopped him down for a yellow card. Kane took the free kick as United were half asleep and Ramsdale had to flick over the bar.
Ramsdale’s sloppy game continued when he came out to a routine through ball as Son went in and the keeper failed to gather again. Norwood once again gave the ball away and Kane advanced before curling just over the bar before United at least had an effort when Lundstram whipped one wide after good work from Fleck.
On the hour mark, United had a away back into the game. Fleck put over a lovely cross and MCGOLDRICK flicked the ball into the corner and it was 1-2 and game on!
Straight after this Spurs nearly got in and Basham was fortunate not to put through his own net as his toed clearance went just past Ramsdale’s post. United needed to stay in the game after they had got the goal but they could not do this. Amapdu got outmuscled originally on a ball through but then had it back and rolled a pass across to Norwood who lost it under little pressure and Spurs were in. The ball was sent to the far post and NDOMBELE managed to hook the ball over his head with the outside of his foot and into the far corner. It was a tremendous piece of skill and improvisation and a wonderful goal. Once again United had not helped themselves at all again.
This effectively killed the game. Egan had to clear when Ramsdale came and missed it again before Bryan came on for Norwood and Ampadu went into midfield. Brewster then came on for Burke but it seemed like Spurs were the more likely to score again. Kane was in on goal and came away from two weak challenges before it was blocked eventually and then Son had an effort deflected over the bar. Sharp came on for Basham but was caught offside and then fouled needlessly and United now looked well out of ideas and had created nothing since the third goal. Kane was nearly in again but took too long before a run down the right saw Bergwjin have a chance. Kane then fired over after working it onto his right foot before a flurry of late Spurs chances as the game entered three minutes of stoppage time. This passed without incident and Spurs eased to an easy three points as the home side looked completely despondent by the full-time whistle.
United – After the excitement of actually winning not just one but two games, I had some confidence if not hope, we could have a go today and be in the game. I knew we would have to be at it from the start but it was not the case at all today. It was back to what it had been all season where we were just miles off the opponent. The results yesterday were irrelevant but actually saw West Brom and Brighton pull further away and any hopes of an unlikely survival were probably ended but today has all but killed off these chances. There are games to play but you struggle to see more than the odd point here and there. The other teams are so much better than us almost to a team and when we play the better teams it is hard to watch as we look out of our depth individually and collectively and today, we were second best all game. We were well beaten today. Spurs were miles better. I thought 3-1 probably flattered us actually and they could have won by a lot more.
Hard to dissect in some ways as in the game they were just miles better in every aspect but the goals weirdly were bad mistakes (second and third well taken of course) and avoidable but taking away how we conceded, the actual game saw us just outplayed. I felt they may score every time the attacked, panicked every time it went near our keeper and at the other end, we never really hurt them save for maybe a 5-minute spell all game. In general football play they were much better even with the mistakes we made. People will point to us not making these errors and we had a chance but I just feel Spurs would have scored in other ways. I am not even sure they had to really get out of first or second gear to win the game. That is how easy it was. They just needed to play high up the field, press us and have a good attitude and then their superior attributes of skill, pace and power would take over.
I felt today we did not even show much fight and limped to an easy defeat. The manner of some of the chances and goals did not show a side that has stopped fighting. I felt we looked a bit spinless and like a side that just has no belief and that is odd as we had a shot in the arm in the week but started today like we had lost before we even did. After 5 minutes we had lost. On the first goal, I heard a player may have been ours (if it was ours then that is even worse) shout, ‘F****g easy boys!’ That quote summed up the game. After the second no one even remonstrated with Norwood, ditto on the third. At the point I’d take a few Villa away shoving matches. Least it would show someone is balling someone out for mistakes but for all this talk of captains all over the field, Norwood, Egan, Basham etc are all looking as spinless as each other. Not seen one man really rally the team or grab hold of the team. There is just an acceptance of the defeat and our plight. Every week.
The biggest takeaway from today is and I find it hard to type this, is at least next season we may be more on a level playing field with an opponent. Most weeks we are not at this level and if we don’t do the basics and concede goals like we did, we will lose almost every week. We may get the odd point or win v a Newcastle or a West Brom but it will be more of the same and it is hard to see this likeable set of lads just look so out of their depth. They were not last season and that makes it so odd in terms of the drop off but then it looks like we did just play out of our skin and massively over achieve. The evidence for these players over the rest oof their career suggests this season and what has gone before (Champ-Lg1-Lg2 players) is more the level they are at. No shame in that but makes it hard to watch as you know the majority of this squad and these players will never see this level again (granted a few are young and make come again).
The game began with Ramsdale’s miskick and this set the scene and tone for United’s sloppiness. They pressed us and were high up the field and we never reacted. They scored a set play goal but had other chances and it could have been 3-0 after 10 minutes. The first goal is a combination of Bogle losing his header and not doing enough and Ramsdale staying at home but they then got through us again soon after. We were so far off it and they were so on it. They were quicker to the ball and just swarmed all over us. The defence was not helped by the keeper’s indecision and jittery handling which carried on all game but we also had no midfield legs/protection and they ran through us. The second was an awful error by Norwood but then like at Palace no one reacted or covered and it was so easy. We had a go for a bit 2nd half but you always felt Spurs could up it and they did instantly and nearly scored straight away and then did - a great goal but awful play from Norwood (and Ampadu to some extent). After this it was a cakewalk and they strolled to a win and I think if they needed to, they could have scored more goal. The likes of Son, Kane, Ndombele were too quick and strong. It was like men v boys for long spells of the game. Even the smaller player they had like Hoijberg and Bergwjin still were physically too much for our lads. If they are quicker, stronger, more skilled and better in thought; then we are in trouble and so it proved.
I thought today we looked a side that knows they are down. They just had no belief that they could win individual battles or affect the game. Doing it for like 5 minutes first half for a spell and 10 minutes after the break is not enough in a 90-minute game. The odd triangle or move in a game of 90+ minutes is not enough and if we don’t do the ugly stuff like blocking off on set plays or winning tackles/blocks then we really have no chance at all.
McGoldrick had a go and was our main hope and one positive but the rest of the team to a man and department were not good enough to even come close to a decent side like Spurs. The defence pulled about all game and not quick enough or close enough. A midfield that does not press or compete and block off runs/balls and gives it away when they have it and creates little. Strikers who do not move much (Didzy aside) and are static and fixed. The two sides were poles apart and whilst tactically they got high up the field and pressed us back and had the right attitude, I do think they simply have miles better players. They have athletes and quick players. Our lads all look stuck in mud and just look like honest plodders that are not good enough for his level. Sad to see. They did so well for half to two third last season but the evidence of their careers before that and this season suggest some are just not up to this level.
The hopes of the week seem a long time ago and now we have trips to the two Manchester teams where you would think damage limitation could be sadly the main focus. Hate saying that but we are so far off these better teams and don’t even look like a game Championship team having a go in the Cup anymore. That is a damning inditement of where we are at but I am almost dreading watching the next two games. You feel the inevitable defeats that come will seal our fate.