Deadbat
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Sheffield United’s recent improvements in performances and results were continued as the Blades beat play off chasing Swindon Town at Bramall Lane. United were good value for the three points dominating for most of the contest and were finally rewarded for their domination when they finally converted thanks to Jose Baxter’s header. Swindon barely had an effort all afternoon and in truth were incredibly negative time wasting and effectively playing for a 0-0 from the start. United did not chance numerous chances but had enough opportunities and domination the football that anything but a victory would have been a travesty.
United made changes with White back in for the unfortunate Hill, Murphy starting after his impressive display at Cambridge and McMahon returning. Lappin moved to the bench joining Brandy who was back involved but there was no place for the injured McGinn.
The game began with United on top as they reverted back to a more orthodox 4-4-2 after last week’s different formation at Cambridge. United were looking to get the ball wide to Murphy who was looking dangerous. Baxter also was getting in dangerous areas and looking to prompt and probe. United were struggling to create much but McMahon tested Fodringham with a long range effort that he shovelled away. United won a free kick after Baxter was clipped and the former Everton man took it but it was deflected away by the head of a defender when it seemed goal bound.
United were causing problems down the left and Thompson was booked after a series of cynical fouls. The final one the referee should have played advantage but it summed up a number of odd decisions that saw the game stop – start. United won a number of corners and were controlling the game but were not penetrating the visitors defence enough and Porter was struggling for opportunities.
The referee then had a word with Collins after a Doyle foul! Swindon finally had an effort from Ajose from range but like McMahon’s it was beaten away by a diving keeper as Long pushed it away for danger.
Some wayward passing and overplay nearly saw Mason in but Long saved and then after Doyle was booked for a chop down on an opponent, Swindon wasted a good free kick opportunity. United’s poorest spell of the game had come just before the interval after previously dominating much of the game.
The second half saw United restore the domination they had enjoyed for much of the first half and started to turn the screw. After a quiet first half Flynn became more involved and twice nearly led to chances with runs. Baxter then had a shot saved after Doyle had fed him before Flynn’s low shot was just wide after the ball had caromed around the box. United won three corners on the bounce and were really upping the pace before they were very unlucky not to go ahead as the ball was prodded against a post from Porter from the final corner.
Fodringham was finally penalised for time wasting but United made a right mess of the free kick knocking it forward initially and allowing
Swindon to come out and crowd them out. It was all the home side and finally they got the goal their efforts deserved.
White put over the cross and a Flynn headed across BAXTER got on the end of it and looped his header back into the far corner. It was a clever finish and his second goal in a week.
United now had to make sure they did not give anything away as Swindon now finally had no choice but to attack but United remained solid. Murphy had made a positive impact but was tiring and Brandy came on to give Swindon something else to think about. McMahon was booked for a clumsy foul as Miller replaced Porter to give United fresh legs up front
Hill came on for White as United tried to ensure they remained solid at the back. Luongo finally had an effort for the visitors but it was well wide and then Pritchard employed Long for the first time in the second half but it was a routine save.
The game entered an additional four minutes stoppage time; much of it probably in an ironic way a result of Fodringham’s earlier time wasting. Byrne threw himself to the deck and was rightly booked for simulation and then Brandy wisely wasted time in the corner.
Swindon won a final corner at the death but this was headed away and the final whistle came to ensure United won a vital three points and helped them move away from the relegation zone.
United – It was another performance that showed improvements. We kept another clean sheet, we had more chances than the opposition, showed more urgency and won a hard fought 1-0 victory. It was game that if we had won by a few more goals then it would have been deserved. We were not scintillating and at times were way too slow to get it forward and get the ball into dangerous areas but at least we are finally creating some chances and showing some urgency (of not quite enough). First half we were the better side and had much of the ball but again struggled for penetration and chances. McMahon had one shot saved and Baxter had a free kick blocked but we struggled to have many clear cut chances despite being the better side.
The second half we upped it and I felt we showed far more penetration and finally chances came. The ball went wide and Flynn and Murphy started to go at the full backs. We had a few opportunities as the ball flew across the box and pinged around. We then hit the post after a corner as Porter stretched but could not quite convert. We kept plugging away and finally after Flynn headed back across, Baxter cleverly headed across the keeper and in. It was a deserved goal. After this we sadly sat back. I guess it was inevitable as we have struggled much of the season and needed the win but it was a shame we did not go for the jugular against a poor Swindon side. They had more of the ball and our defence sunk back 10 yards, with the midfield doing likewise and the attack reverting right into our half. You were concerned they may get a chance just by us dropping back and inviting the ball into our box but luckily they were so poor they could not create anything.
It was a good win and we need 3 or 4 more like this over the coming weeks to keep pulling away. We have just become more solid and workmanlike and are grounding out results but I felt there were some glimpses of some more attacking and creative play with Baxter and Murphy playing with more freedom. Weak links remain with Porter not really offering much (I have defended him in the past) and Doyle continuing to make some baffling decisions with the football. I think we need 3 or 4 more players clearly and attacking wise we need to be show more urgency, pace and incisiveness. I do not see us doing much more than scraping the odd single goal victory at the moment until we get more reinforcements especially up top. Porter does his best and Taylor tried hard but Miller has not got quite to the level he was before (to be fair he only did it for a brief spell in after being previously in Crewe reserves and fans probably got carried away with him). We badly need 1 or possibly 2 quality strikers and another midfield player too. Doyle, McGinn, Coady, Lappin etc are all much of a muchness and we need a dominant physical player in this area.
We have a crunch game at Stevenage but now after today even if we just avoid defeat you would say that continues the run with a number of winnable home games to come. We are nowhere near out of danger but we have made a start at least and it is nice just to see us not being a soft touch. We will hopefully turn the attacking side of our game around over time but changes in personnel will only see this I feel.
Swindon – I was really surprised how bad they were. Like last season they have been in and around the playoffs, albeit with different personnel and have brought in a number of young players from Spurs especially. I must admit the thing I feared when looking at their players was the potential pace from the likes of N’Guessan and Ranger so was relieved neither was starting and only the former on the bench (even the Swindon fans ironically cheered when N’Guessan finally came on). I felt pace would cause our centre backs problems but they played Ajose out wide and sort of played without a striker at all with 3 just in front of the midfield and then a solid 3 behind them.
They never really tried to go forward all afternoon, apart from a 10 minute spell before half time where they had a few half chances and then after we finally scored when they had no real chances despite a few corners etc. I was amazed how negative they were. We are a team hardly settling the world alight and confidence is hardly surging despite recent improvements. So that fact Swindon defended from the off, barely had a striker on the field and just packed the midfield and tried to kill the game was odd. They would have had a better chance of getting a result by at least trying to attack.
The keeper was time wasting from minute one and should have been booked in the first half for taking over 10 seconds over every clearance out of his hand and double this for every kick from dead. When he was finally booked it was bizarre as it did not seem to be for holding the ball (mythical 6 second rule – does that even exist?) but for carrying out of the box? At least that is what it seemed to be as the free kick was taken outside of the box (or just on the edge) but it was all a little unclear.
At the back they defended ok (against poor penetration and final balls in the last third) but did seem to be hanging on for long spells and in the second half we had a number of corners, scrambles and then of course hit the post. You were never convinced they would hang on and the goal came finally. After this they came out more and at least got into our last third (had not done that before) but never had more than a few corners and long shots. It would have been a travesty if they had got a point from such a negative performance. The fact they are fairly high up in the league shows what a bad league it is and how it much of a muchness really. There are a couple of decent teams and a couple of poor ones but most are distinctly average – poor.
United made changes with White back in for the unfortunate Hill, Murphy starting after his impressive display at Cambridge and McMahon returning. Lappin moved to the bench joining Brandy who was back involved but there was no place for the injured McGinn.
The game began with United on top as they reverted back to a more orthodox 4-4-2 after last week’s different formation at Cambridge. United were looking to get the ball wide to Murphy who was looking dangerous. Baxter also was getting in dangerous areas and looking to prompt and probe. United were struggling to create much but McMahon tested Fodringham with a long range effort that he shovelled away. United won a free kick after Baxter was clipped and the former Everton man took it but it was deflected away by the head of a defender when it seemed goal bound.
United were causing problems down the left and Thompson was booked after a series of cynical fouls. The final one the referee should have played advantage but it summed up a number of odd decisions that saw the game stop – start. United won a number of corners and were controlling the game but were not penetrating the visitors defence enough and Porter was struggling for opportunities.
The referee then had a word with Collins after a Doyle foul! Swindon finally had an effort from Ajose from range but like McMahon’s it was beaten away by a diving keeper as Long pushed it away for danger.
Some wayward passing and overplay nearly saw Mason in but Long saved and then after Doyle was booked for a chop down on an opponent, Swindon wasted a good free kick opportunity. United’s poorest spell of the game had come just before the interval after previously dominating much of the game.
The second half saw United restore the domination they had enjoyed for much of the first half and started to turn the screw. After a quiet first half Flynn became more involved and twice nearly led to chances with runs. Baxter then had a shot saved after Doyle had fed him before Flynn’s low shot was just wide after the ball had caromed around the box. United won three corners on the bounce and were really upping the pace before they were very unlucky not to go ahead as the ball was prodded against a post from Porter from the final corner.
Fodringham was finally penalised for time wasting but United made a right mess of the free kick knocking it forward initially and allowing
Swindon to come out and crowd them out. It was all the home side and finally they got the goal their efforts deserved.
White put over the cross and a Flynn headed across BAXTER got on the end of it and looped his header back into the far corner. It was a clever finish and his second goal in a week.
United now had to make sure they did not give anything away as Swindon now finally had no choice but to attack but United remained solid. Murphy had made a positive impact but was tiring and Brandy came on to give Swindon something else to think about. McMahon was booked for a clumsy foul as Miller replaced Porter to give United fresh legs up front
Hill came on for White as United tried to ensure they remained solid at the back. Luongo finally had an effort for the visitors but it was well wide and then Pritchard employed Long for the first time in the second half but it was a routine save.
The game entered an additional four minutes stoppage time; much of it probably in an ironic way a result of Fodringham’s earlier time wasting. Byrne threw himself to the deck and was rightly booked for simulation and then Brandy wisely wasted time in the corner.
Swindon won a final corner at the death but this was headed away and the final whistle came to ensure United won a vital three points and helped them move away from the relegation zone.
United – It was another performance that showed improvements. We kept another clean sheet, we had more chances than the opposition, showed more urgency and won a hard fought 1-0 victory. It was game that if we had won by a few more goals then it would have been deserved. We were not scintillating and at times were way too slow to get it forward and get the ball into dangerous areas but at least we are finally creating some chances and showing some urgency (of not quite enough). First half we were the better side and had much of the ball but again struggled for penetration and chances. McMahon had one shot saved and Baxter had a free kick blocked but we struggled to have many clear cut chances despite being the better side.
The second half we upped it and I felt we showed far more penetration and finally chances came. The ball went wide and Flynn and Murphy started to go at the full backs. We had a few opportunities as the ball flew across the box and pinged around. We then hit the post after a corner as Porter stretched but could not quite convert. We kept plugging away and finally after Flynn headed back across, Baxter cleverly headed across the keeper and in. It was a deserved goal. After this we sadly sat back. I guess it was inevitable as we have struggled much of the season and needed the win but it was a shame we did not go for the jugular against a poor Swindon side. They had more of the ball and our defence sunk back 10 yards, with the midfield doing likewise and the attack reverting right into our half. You were concerned they may get a chance just by us dropping back and inviting the ball into our box but luckily they were so poor they could not create anything.
It was a good win and we need 3 or 4 more like this over the coming weeks to keep pulling away. We have just become more solid and workmanlike and are grounding out results but I felt there were some glimpses of some more attacking and creative play with Baxter and Murphy playing with more freedom. Weak links remain with Porter not really offering much (I have defended him in the past) and Doyle continuing to make some baffling decisions with the football. I think we need 3 or 4 more players clearly and attacking wise we need to be show more urgency, pace and incisiveness. I do not see us doing much more than scraping the odd single goal victory at the moment until we get more reinforcements especially up top. Porter does his best and Taylor tried hard but Miller has not got quite to the level he was before (to be fair he only did it for a brief spell in after being previously in Crewe reserves and fans probably got carried away with him). We badly need 1 or possibly 2 quality strikers and another midfield player too. Doyle, McGinn, Coady, Lappin etc are all much of a muchness and we need a dominant physical player in this area.
We have a crunch game at Stevenage but now after today even if we just avoid defeat you would say that continues the run with a number of winnable home games to come. We are nowhere near out of danger but we have made a start at least and it is nice just to see us not being a soft touch. We will hopefully turn the attacking side of our game around over time but changes in personnel will only see this I feel.
Swindon – I was really surprised how bad they were. Like last season they have been in and around the playoffs, albeit with different personnel and have brought in a number of young players from Spurs especially. I must admit the thing I feared when looking at their players was the potential pace from the likes of N’Guessan and Ranger so was relieved neither was starting and only the former on the bench (even the Swindon fans ironically cheered when N’Guessan finally came on). I felt pace would cause our centre backs problems but they played Ajose out wide and sort of played without a striker at all with 3 just in front of the midfield and then a solid 3 behind them.
They never really tried to go forward all afternoon, apart from a 10 minute spell before half time where they had a few half chances and then after we finally scored when they had no real chances despite a few corners etc. I was amazed how negative they were. We are a team hardly settling the world alight and confidence is hardly surging despite recent improvements. So that fact Swindon defended from the off, barely had a striker on the field and just packed the midfield and tried to kill the game was odd. They would have had a better chance of getting a result by at least trying to attack.
The keeper was time wasting from minute one and should have been booked in the first half for taking over 10 seconds over every clearance out of his hand and double this for every kick from dead. When he was finally booked it was bizarre as it did not seem to be for holding the ball (mythical 6 second rule – does that even exist?) but for carrying out of the box? At least that is what it seemed to be as the free kick was taken outside of the box (or just on the edge) but it was all a little unclear.
At the back they defended ok (against poor penetration and final balls in the last third) but did seem to be hanging on for long spells and in the second half we had a number of corners, scrambles and then of course hit the post. You were never convinced they would hang on and the goal came finally. After this they came out more and at least got into our last third (had not done that before) but never had more than a few corners and long shots. It would have been a travesty if they had got a point from such a negative performance. The fact they are fairly high up in the league shows what a bad league it is and how it much of a muchness really. There are a couple of decent teams and a couple of poor ones but most are distinctly average – poor.
). I half wondered if instead he'd given a handball for carrying the ball outside, but then he signalled it was indirect.
