United 1 Sunderland 2 - report/ratings (sorry)

[CornwallBlade]

Reading an accurate match analysis even after another devastating defeat definitely does help me to get my head around the whys and wherefores of what wrong.

I do think Wilder will be given the opportunity to at least start in situ as manager next season but the new ownership regime will not be averse to pulling the trigger if we dont get off to a good start.

That would be a big mistake as he’ll blow next seasons budget on dross…..again. And we’ll have Brewster, JLT and Cannon playing regularly.

 

[54yrblade]

Another great season of reports from you - thanks for all your hard work.

Wilder needs to go. His behaviour off the field has left us open to stick, particularly now after another final defeat, and it always had the potential to bite him on the backside. He never accepts responsibility and always focusses on the lads, blaming them. We have issues with how to really hurt other teams over a full 90 minutes, fitness problems, striker problems, playing his favourites problems and the real killer for me, him ducking out on the final whistle yesterday.

His team needed him, the young lads needed an arm round the shoulder and the fans deserved to be clapped by him, after his exhortations for a sell out. That is unforgiveable for one who talks about culture and leadership.

He is not a leader. He currently has a legacy that he would do well to hold on to, stick in his back pocket and walk away. I, for one, am done with him. He's a hypocrite and been found wanting both personally and professionally. There should be no coming back from that IF we're serious about moving forward.

 

[Bladesince59]

My nose bled in 514 but a fantastic view of the good and the awful. Most of what I saw featured in this great report.

 

[Bladesince59]

Another great season of reports from you - thanks for all your hard work.

Wilder needs to go. His behaviour off the field has left us open to stick, particularly now after another final defeat, and it always had the potential to bite him on the backside. He never accepts responsibility and always focusses on the lads, blaming them. We have issues with how to really hurt other teams over a full 90 minutes, fitness problems, striker problems, playing his favourites problems and the real killer for me, him ducking out on the final whistle yesterday.

His team needed him, the young lads needed an arm round the shoulder and the fans deserved to be clapped by him, after his exhortations for a sell out. That is unforgiveable for one who talks about culture and leadership.

He is not a leader. He currently has a legacy that he would do well to hold on to, stick in his back pocket and walk away. I, for one, am done with him. He's a hypocrite and been found wanting both personally and professionally. There should be no coming back from that IF we're serious about moving forward.

Me too. He was past his sbd last time he buggered off.

 

[metalblade]

After the disaster of the three games we lost I thought maybe Wilder had had a reset when we hit a bit of form going into the play off's. All started well as we battered Sunderland in the first half then we come out of the second sitting back to protect a one goal lead. I will never know why we didn't do what we did first half nobody made much effort to go forward all the passing was back to Cooper or an aimless hoof up field. We surrendered the initiative to Sunderland who were hardly in the game until inevitably C-3PO lets there attacker get away to score. Only one winner after that. Not sure what Moore was thinking in injury time all he had to do was hold the ball up but at least it spared the fans extra time and maybe penalties. Talking of fans rather embarrassing that there were thousands of empty seats in our end and not just in the Club Wembley sections. A new low point for the club from manager down to support although with our record I can understand many not going. It is a good job season ticket sales will keep attendances healthy next season after that who knows serve up the same boring defensive football and we could be down to around 25,000 regulars. I do think the owners need to look long and hard at Wilder and his staff and maybe start afresh with someone less one dimensional than Wilder. For a few seasons now I have never seen so many players who can't last 90mins it needs to change and fast, the best player in the Championship is no good if he is blowing out of his arse on the hour every week. Of the players that came here in January only Choudary looks decent and fit the rest have been utter flops although Holding has not been given a chance Wilder preferring his favourite Robinson

 

[Putney Blade]

Referee / Officials – Chirs Kavanagh. A Premier League and European competition referee. He did us 3 times last time out in the top flight and sent off McBurnie deservedly away at Burnley and Ahmedhodzic against Forest in the 1-3 home defeat. He also did the game, which we won, at Luton. Going back, he was the one that got in the way of John Fleck in the goal Aguero scored in the 2-0 defeat at Man City, a point we were well in the game. The VAR is out of his control really but interesting none of the officials saw anything wrong at the time? If that is given – no one really says much I do not think. I do not even see any real appeals. It is bizarre that they use VAR just for one game – it is strange because it is ok saying well it is an important game but then there are others that can decide promotion or relegation in the same league throughout the season. Still, we do not lose because of this even if it was a big moment -we had plenty of time to respond. The rest of the game there were four bookings – a few soft ones (Brewster and Mundle) and three late on deserved but I would say that the worst tackle of the game on BBD seemed not to be penalised? The rest of the game not sure there was that much controversy really – the ref was largely fine.







Crowd/Day Out – Part of me did not want to go back but weirdly I have tended to enjoy the days/weekends in London for the Wembley games – until the inevitable loss. Normally a time to meet family/friends and have a good drink and laugh so my memories are not all bad -even if the inevitable trudge down Wembley Way has always ended in disappointment. I went through the other losses here and we were not favourites against them lot in 1993 or against Man City or Hull in the other semis- even though they still hurt. The other playoff finals – not sure you could really say before the games, that there was a clear favourite in the Palace, Burnley or Huddersfield games. Circumstances withy injuries/suspensions/imprisonments meant we went into every one of these games with gaps to fill and options limited -particularly up front. So, this game at least we had a relatively full deck to shuffle. However, we found a new way to contrive to lose – winning, VAR denied a 2nd and then throw it away and lose in stoppage time – even later than the Hopkin one.



We drove down and parked at High Wycombe and it was a good run in really – no bad traffic and train only 25 mins in. Went for breakfast at the Blue Check Café and then onto the Torch. Lively atmosphere in here before leaving to get in around 2.30pm. Usual queues to get in and then the long escalator up to the top tier. We were front of the top tier and the view was excellent – think anywhere you sit is decent even if our experiences there are awful. It was interesting that despite being reported we had sold out or close to- that was clearly not the case. It may be that big section behind the goal is Club Wembley but Sunderland filled the equivalent section the other side. There seemed to not be an empty seat in there end and we had swathes of sections empty. There also felt a lot of day trippers there – loads were not even watching the game near me and more bothered about chatting or going down to the concourse. I do not think it was more than 30k Blades there out of the 35k allocation and it will be a lot less next time we get there. People will say pathetic support and show pictures of the empty seats but I think so many are really done with the place. The fact we were so quiet summed it up – even when we were winning I thought. Next time we get there, we will struggle to take more than 20K I feel. It might not be for a long time of course – you never know.



I felt that the atmosphere was subdued in the United end – Sunderland fans seemed much louder in comparison but nerves clearly played a part. It was loud on both goals (I went mad on the 2nd but then it was disallowed of course) but I saw the look in people faces around this time and you sensed there was a genuine thought of ‘We have done it!’ Of course, this club never fails to find new ways to let you down. 10 playoffs and 7 defeats at Wembley is really something almost laughable. Wilder said he does not believe in the hoodoo and that was nonsense but at this stage, we have to think it is a thing and psychologically there seems a real feeling we simply cannot win at Wembley or win the playoffs. I do not think any fan will believe we will win the playoffs or at Wembley if we get there again. The facts back this up, regardless of whom the manager/players are. We seems to have a really weak mentality as a club (it’s not the fans fault -they should be incidental to it – even though some may say it seeps through). Wilder talked about mentality monsters but we are anything but as shown today. We have a reputation as a real choker club and it is deserved sadly. Yesterday was totally crushing. As the late winner went in, I looked round and people were stunned. It seemed unbelievable it was happening again. There was a mixture of pain and anger as the manager/players had it in control but once again blew it.



We trooped away down the stairwell after stairwell at the end (seemed to take an eternity and felt like a walk to hell as the wife said) and then emerged as we heard the fireworks going off (had this noise so many times of other teams celebrating as we leave) and barely a word was said on the way home. It felt like an absolute nightmare and as much as people say ‘get over it/wouldn’t want some of our fans in the trenches’ it is hard not to feel as we do. After a night’s sleep- I thought I may be more reflective today but it felt even worse. I keep going through every moment of where it went wrong but need to just bury it but will take a long time to get over this and my motivation for football and next season will take a long time to get back. At times this football club makes me so happy but I genuinely uttered the words in my head, ‘Just f**k off United. F**k off.’ That is how it got me. Why cannot they just win one game at Wembley and give us one day of joy – a night where we could go to the pubs and celebrate? It just keeps happening and to me rather than getting easier, it gets more painful each time. I know there is a lot of talk about manager/players etc but I am struggling to even think about that or even next season. I feel like I am grieving – which sounds ridiculous – it is just a game and when you think of things that have happened (Baldock, Maddy, Johnny from Shoreham View and so many more) you do get some perspective but it bloody hurts this morning.



I was unsure whether to a report and maybe should have skulked off like I did yesterday but thought I would – bit of therapy maybe. I also have wrote an end of season review which I will send out from early next week (probably start around Tuesday and that is an in-depth analysis of the season) but I know some will not want to read it – I understand that after the way things finished – but it’s mostly wrote so I will put it out there.



I am off to Paul Heaton in a bit and to be honest, the last place on earth I probably want to be (after Wembley) is Bramall Lane. I will go along but not sure I will be in the mood to sing, ‘Happy Hour!’ after yesterday!



Anyway, ….I will of course be back with more tedious reports and hopefully feel better when August rolls along but that feels a long time away!

 

[blademan31]

“Why cannot they just win one game at Wembley and give us one day of joy – a night where we could go to the pubs and celebrate? It just keeps happening”

Nailed it mate.

Exactly this. Genuinely not bothered about not goon up, just wanted that one big moment that would be ours forever - a win at Wembley - that ‘completed it’ feeling.

 

[TJ blade]

Well done Deadbat. You summed it up correctly. We all felt just the same. I got up this morning thinking will we ever win at Wembley in my lifetime. A sad thought.

Even worse was Saturday night, me and my son went out in Marylebone, for a pint, and came back to the hotel sharpish! Every were we went fucking Sunderland fans! Singing and laughing at us, still feel fucking sick! Came home this afternoon, called in our local... first person I bumped into a lad wearing a Sunderland shirt! It will take me a long long time to get this fucking weekend out of my system I'm afraid!!

 

[Northernsoulblade]

Thanks Deadbat great work this season look forward to ur reports/rating next season

 

[CornwallBlade]

After the disaster of the three games we lost I thought maybe Wilder had had a reset when we hit a bit of form going into the play off's. All started well as we battered Sunderland in the first half then we come out of the second sitting back to protect a one goal lead. I will never know why we didn't do what we did first half nobody made much effort to go forward all the passing was back to Cooper or an aimless hoof up field. We surrendered the initiative to Sunderland who were hardly in the game until inevitably C-3PO lets there attacker get away to score. Only one winner after that. Not sure what Moore was thinking in injury time all he had to do was hold the ball up but at least it spared the fans extra time and maybe penalties. Talking of fans rather embarrassing that there were thousands of empty seats in our end and not just in the Club Wembley sections. A new low point for the club from manager down to support although with our record I can understand many not going. It is a good job season ticket sales will keep attendances healthy next season after that who knows serve up the same boring defensive football and we could be down to around 25,000 regulars. I do think the owners need to look long and hard at Wilder and his staff and maybe start afresh with someone less one dimensional than Wilder. For a few seasons now I have never seen so many players who can't last 90mins it needs to change and fast, the best player in the Championship is no good if he is blowing out of his arse on the hour every week. Of the players that came here in January only Choudary looks decent and fit the rest have been utter flops although Holding has not been given a chance Wilder preferring his favourite Robinson

Cracking summary!

 

[Bellypork]

Good summary.

By the way, seen anything of Eggy?

 

[Pollingtonblade]

. I live 5,000 miles away and all I can do is mope around, cursing the disallowed goal, poor defending for the equaliser and wanting to hit Kieffer Moore with a shovel.

 

[Keen Blade]

If 'Jack the Hat' - sorry - 'Jack the Two-Hat' is on a nice new contract as a first-choice CB for us next season , then not only he , but also Wilder & Brewster & Kieffer must fuck right off , together with the Cannon which won't feckin fire , before I set foot in the Lane again.

My ST , which is already bought , will be consigned to the bin - which ought to be the destination of all of the above-named.

I knew their equaliser was coming at the end of the move , right from the throw-in which began it.
People around me must have thought me a lunatic as I screamed "get this ball , FFS , tackle !" but my wisdom from almost 60 years of Blades misery , knows exactly when a goal's getting conceded and by golly , I was right again.
Mayenda must have thought it was Christmas Day as he ran-in behind a poorly positioned JLT , who was then of course too slow to catch him.

How on earth can we tolerate a manager who - having lost Souttar - *fails to prioritize a CB in January.
*instead recruits a Cannon that will never fire with the £10m ,
*which should have been spent on a matchfit CB.
*then finally recruits an unfit Holding.
*whom he then chooses not to play even when he is fit ,
*coz he prefers his slow-coach mate Robbo ,
* who every match exhibits a significant clumsy error or characteristic deficiency ?

It's the "replace JoC with Brewster" madness , all over again.

Do the owners yet have the insight to see through Wilder's "I feckin luv this club" emotional bollox
And
Get a manager with a feckin brain ?

They better wise-up quickly or their investment is beginning to look very very dodgy.

And by next May it'll be the equivalent of a company whose shares are suspended from trading.

Did Wilder ever actually look at Gbrix before buying him and putting him in the team , let alone in goal ?

Well , he'll be back here soon , so he'll get the chance in the close-season , once Coops has decided he can find a better chance for a PL salary.

C'mon you Yankees , make a feckin decision on your two hats before you lose your shirt.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Great report there but I dare say you've been generous to Brewster there. 4/10 at best.

Selecting him to start whilst omitting JRS from the squad has to be one of the most moronic things Wilder has ever done. Brewsters contribution this season has been poor (less poor than other seasons but still poor) and he's just dining out on a tap in vs the pigs really. Both Brooks and JRS are far superior to him and should start ahead of him.

In a game that can go to extra time and pens starting both Moore and Campbell together was ridiculous. It's vital to have a quality striker on the bench in these games. We had Cannon. 4-2-3-1 with O'hare starting as ACM, Campbell up top, then replace him with a fresh Moore when needed.

You've also been quite kind to our fans who were an utter disgrace in their complete apathy to the concept of backing their team vocally. Though I understand that may be you being diplomatic so fair enough.

Other than that though you're pretty much spot on and thank you for all your hard work this season (and past seasons) with these reports.

I look forward to seeing the player report points tallies now the season has ended.

Put simply: Brewster, was, is,and always will be, shi.. But he's going to be here next season.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

He is not a leader. He currently has a legacy that he would do well to hold on to, stick in his back pocket and walk away. I, for one, am done with him. He's a hypocrite and been found wanting both personally and professionally. There should be no coming back from that IF we're serious about moving forward.

. We are Sheffield United.
Problems moving forward about sums it up. In both ways.
He needs to go.

 

[metalblade]

If 'Jack the Hat' - sorry - 'Jack the Two-Hat' is on a nice new contract as a first-choice CB for us next season , then not only he , but also Wilder & Brewster & Kieffer must fuck right off , together with the Cannon which won't feckin fire , before I set foot in the Lane again.

My ST , which is already bought , will be consigned to the bin - which ought to be the destination of all of the above-named.

I knew their equaliser was coming at the end of the move , right from the throw-in which began it.
People around me must have thought me a lunatic as I screamed "get this ball , FFS , tackle !" but my wisdom from almost 60 years of Blades misery , knows exactly when a goal's getting conceded and by golly , I was right again.
Mayenda must have thought it was Christmas Day as he ran-in behind a poorly positioned JLT , who was then of course too slow to catch him.

How on earth can we tolerate a manager who - having lost Souttar - *fails to prioritize a CB in January.
*instead recruits a Cannon that will never fire with the £10m ,
*which should have been spent on a matchfit CB.
*then finally recruits an unfit Holding.
*whom he then chooses not to play even when he is fit ,
*coz he prefers his slow-coach mate Robbo ,
* who every match exhibits a significant clumsy error or characteristic deficiency ?

It's the "replace JoC with Brewster" madness , all over again.

Do the owners yet have the insight to see through Wilder's "I feckin luv this club" emotional bollox
And
Get a manager with a feckin brain ?

They better wise-up quickly or their investment is beginning to look very very dodgy.

And by next May it'll be the equivalent of a company whose shares are suspended from trading.

Did Wilder ever actually look at Gbrix before buying him and putting him in the team , let alone in goal ?

Well , he'll be back here soon , so he'll get the chance in the close-season , once Coops has decided he can find a better chance for a PL salary.

C'mon you Yankees , make a feckin decision on your two hats before you lose your shirt.

I'll be regretting getting a season ticket if bomb scare Robbo is still at the club likewise Cannon who would be doing really well if he scored double figures in a season. Who the feck thought he was worth £10m whoever it was needs sacking I'm yet to see one good attribute in the bloke. Grbic why did you have to mention that tosser I've been doing my best to forget ever setting eyes on him probably the worst keeper ever to play for United.
The wife summed it up when she said you have bought a season ticket but will only go to half the games to see that set of tossers when it's cold and pissing it down, she's probably right. Not much enthusiasm at the moment for United and looking at the turnout for Wembley I'm not alone they always let you down. Grim reading that post but it is spot on.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

The pivotal moment without a doubt was the disallowed goal .. 2-0 and at the time dominant we were home & dry . That said we had more than enough chances to win that . Patterson save from Moors header absolutely top draw , Moore not playing Campbell in on the break & fk me Brooks tame attempt when through & the ball sat up on the half volley unforgivable I’m sorry . We’ll never have a better chance than we had on Saturday & that’s what makes it all the more sickening.
Disappointed with our approach 2nd half yet again we decided to sit deep with possession & that's cost us before this season .. is that the players or the manager I don’t know ?
MOTM Choudhury … lots more I could say but I just can’t be arsed as I just to put this behind me now UTB

 

[Bladepicker]

Referee / Officials – Chirs Kavanagh. A Premier League and European competition referee. He did us 3 times last time out in the top flight and sent off McBurnie deservedly away at Burnley and Ahmedhodzic against Forest in the 1-3 home defeat. He also did the game, which we won, at Luton. Going back, he was the one that got in the way of John Fleck in the goal Aguero scored in the 2-0 defeat at Man City, a point we were well in the game. The VAR is out of his control really but interesting none of the officials saw anything wrong at the time? If that is given – no one really says much I do not think. I do not even see any real appeals. It is bizarre that they use VAR just for one game – it is strange because it is ok saying well it is an important game but then there are others that can decide promotion or relegation in the same league throughout the season. Still, we do not lose because of this even if it was a big moment -we had plenty of time to respond. The rest of the game there were four bookings – a few soft ones (Brewster and Mundle) and three late on deserved but I would say that the worst tackle of the game on BBD seemed not to be penalised? The rest of the game not sure there was that much controversy really – the ref was largely fine.







Crowd/Day Out – Part of me did not want to go back but weirdly I have tended to enjoy the days/weekends in London for the Wembley games – until the inevitable loss. Normally a time to meet family/friends and have a good drink and laugh so my memories are not all bad -even if the inevitable trudge down Wembley Way has always ended in disappointment. I went through the other losses here and we were not favourites against them lot in 1993 or against Man City or Hull in the other semis- even though they still hurt. The other playoff finals – not sure you could really say before the games, that there was a clear favourite in the Palace, Burnley or Huddersfield games. Circumstances withy injuries/suspensions/imprisonments meant we went into every one of these games with gaps to fill and options limited -particularly up front. So, this game at least we had a relatively full deck to shuffle. However, we found a new way to contrive to lose – winning, VAR denied a 2nd and then throw it away and lose in stoppage time – even later than the Hopkin one.



We drove down and parked at High Wycombe and it was a good run in really – no bad traffic and train only 25 mins in. Went for breakfast at the Blue Check Café and then onto the Torch. Lively atmosphere in here before leaving to get in around 2.30pm. Usual queues to get in and then the long escalator up to the top tier. We were front of the top tier and the view was excellent – think anywhere you sit is decent even if our experiences there are awful. It was interesting that despite being reported we had sold out or close to- that was clearly not the case. It may be that big section behind the goal is Club Wembley but Sunderland filled the equivalent section the other side. There seemed to not be an empty seat in there end and we had swathes of sections empty. There also felt a lot of day trippers there – loads were not even watching the game near me and more bothered about chatting or going down to the concourse. I do not think it was more than 30k Blades there out of the 35k allocation and it will be a lot less next time we get there. People will say pathetic support and show pictures of the empty seats but I think so many are really done with the place. The fact we were so quiet summed it up – even when we were winning I thought. Next time we get there, we will struggle to take more than 20K I feel. It might not be for a long time of course – you never know.



I felt that the atmosphere was subdued in the United end – Sunderland fans seemed much louder in comparison but nerves clearly played a part. It was loud on both goals (I went mad on the 2nd but then it was disallowed of course) but I saw the look in people faces around this time and you sensed there was a genuine thought of ‘We have done it!’ Of course, this club never fails to find new ways to let you down. 10 playoffs and 7 defeats at Wembley is really something almost laughable. Wilder said he does not believe in the hoodoo and that was nonsense but at this stage, we have to think it is a thing and psychologically there seems a real feeling we simply cannot win at Wembley or win the playoffs. I do not think any fan will believe we will win the playoffs or at Wembley if we get there again. The facts back this up, regardless of whom the manager/players are. We seems to have a really weak mentality as a club (it’s not the fans fault -they should be incidental to it – even though some may say it seeps through). Wilder talked about mentality monsters but we are anything but as shown today. We have a reputation as a real choker club and it is deserved sadly. Yesterday was totally crushing. As the late winner went in, I looked round and people were stunned. It seemed unbelievable it was happening again. There was a mixture of pain and anger as the manager/players had it in control but once again blew it.



We trooped away down the stairwell after stairwell at the end (seemed to take an eternity and felt like a walk to hell as the wife said) and then emerged as we heard the fireworks going off (had this noise so many times of other teams celebrating as we leave) and barely a word was said on the way home. It felt like an absolute nightmare and as much as people say ‘get over it/wouldn’t want some of our fans in the trenches’ it is hard not to feel as we do. After a night’s sleep- I thought I may be more reflective today but it felt even worse. I keep going through every moment of where it went wrong but need to just bury it but will take a long time to get over this and my motivation for football and next season will take a long time to get back. At times this football club makes me so happy but I genuinely uttered the words in my head, ‘Just f**k off United. F**k off.’ That is how it got me. Why cannot they just win one game at Wembley and give us one day of joy – a night where we could go to the pubs and celebrate? It just keeps happening and to me rather than getting easier, it gets more painful each time. I know there is a lot of talk about manager/players etc but I am struggling to even think about that or even next season. I feel like I am grieving – which sounds ridiculous – it is just a game and when you think of things that have happened (Baldock, Maddy, Johnny from Shoreham View and so many more) you do get some perspective but it bloody hurts this morning.



I was unsure whether to a report and maybe should have skulked off like I did yesterday but thought I would – bit of therapy maybe. I also have wrote an end of season review which I will send out from early next week (probably start around Tuesday and that is an in-depth analysis of the season) but I know some will not want to read it – I understand that after the way things finished – but it’s mostly wrote so I will put it out there.



I am off to Paul Heaton in a bit and to be honest, the last place on earth I probably want to be (after Wembley) is Bramall Lane. I will go along but not sure I will be in the mood to sing, ‘Happy Hour!’ after yesterday!



Anyway, ….I will of course be back with more tedious reports and hopefully feel better when August rolls along but that feels a long time away!

Brilliant report Deadbat that puts the day, how it went and how we feel into words perfectly. Unfortunately the failures and weaknesses of our tactics all season came back to haunt us on the biggest stage and, as I fortunate as it is, Wilder and his players have shown that when the going gets tough, they check out.

Thanks for your efforts, reports and ridiculously low scores this season (most warranted to be fair!) it is much appreciated.

I just wish we could have one day. It's not too much to ask is it?

 

[Large Mendonca]

Great report DB.

Wilder absolutely cost us that second half. When things weren’t going well, and long before their equaliser, I would have gone to a 5 and brought Holding & Seriki on, moving Choudhury into midfield and push Peck further up. I’m convinced we would have won if we’d done this, considering how the game played out (thinking about the two goals we conceded).