United 1 Yeovil 0 - report

[Deadbat]

At half time in the play off semi final; the Blades hold a narrow 1-0 advantage over Yeovil thanks to substitute Callum McFadzean’s second half deflected effort. In a game of little quality and few chances, United hold the edge after a relatively even game. The Blades had two decent first half appeals for penalties whilst Yeovil had appeals of their own in the second half. United now have to hope their outstanding defensive record stands up in the second leg if they are to return to Wembley for the second successive year.



United began with Darryl Westlake remaining at right back as Tony McMahon was still not fit. Caretaker manager Chris Morgan also opted to start with Barry Robson on the right and paired Porter and Kitson up top. On the bench it was mostly young players alongside veteran Danny Higginbotham. Yeovil’s three injury doubts were all fit to take their place in defence in a side that featured high scoring front man Paddy Madden who had scored a double at the Lane earlier in the season.



Early on Robson was involved with a cross that Kitson mistimed his header and then the former Celtic midfielder was fouled but his free kick was just off target going past Stech’s near post. Yeovil had offered little going forward and United controlled the early proceedings but were struggling themselves to create many clear cut chances and it was becoming a battle between two centre backs of considerable size against the physical Kitson and Porter. After a ball into the box United did have an appeal for a spot kick and McDonald looked at the referee after Burn appeared to grab his shirt but referee Atwell played on.



Porter headed over from a corner and then after the ball was transferred back into the box from a free kick it dropped nicely for Murphy but he fired badly over the bar when he ought to have done better. Robson tried to get in front of his man but McCallister checked his run and seemed to use an elbow to block him off.



After the earlier challenge and penalty appeal Robson could not continue as he seemed in some pain. He was replaced by youngster McFadzean. Soon after Kitson was booked for persistent fouling. Yeovil finally had a half chance when Dawson fired wide and then Edwards had a shot blocked. McAllister’s tackle on Westlake was rash and saw him go into the book. He was perhaps fortunate still to be on the field after the indiscretion earlier in the game on Robson surely should have seen some action also.





The second half began and it was not long before the home fans were celebrating as Murphy finally got down the wing and was able to pull the ball back. MCFADZEAN got in front of his man to meet the cross and managed to hit a first time shot that deflected off Burn onto the post and trickled over the line. It was a massive relief to the home fans who could finally celebrate a goal after three games without one. It was the first goal for the home grown McFadzean who celebrated in front of the Kop with his teammates.



Yeovil responded and a shot came in from Upson that Long pushed out as it moved in the air and then the offside flag thwarted Hayter who lifted the ball into the net after the flag was raised. Doyle’s wild lunge got him into the referee’s book but soon after McFadzean’s emerging confidence was in evidence when a smart turn took him inside the full back and he cut inside and hit a shot that was well saved by Stech. The rebound fell to Hill who sliced badly off target.



McFadzean linked well with Murphy who fired just wide after an excellent run inside and shot. Madden then had a half chance as his header looped goalwards but Collins headed away over his own bar taking no chances as it looped across the box. A half hearted appeal against McFadzean for handball was waved away soon after. It was an even contest and the away side were now creating chances. Ironside came on for Kitson but Webster’s header was well saved down low by Long. United then nearly got in Ironside as McDonald’s class was coming to the fore more.



Maguire clumsily cleared with stronger appeals for a penalty from the visiting fans and not long after this Maguire was booked for a tussle prior to a corner. As the game entered the final stages, Webster hooked the ball over his head but Long smartly tipped over for a corner. Right at the death Whitehouse came on for Porter as the game went into an additional 4 minutes of stoppage time. The game ended with both sides probably pleased and the contest still very much well alive.



United – It was better than some of the recent games but not by much. At least there was some energy and effort at times. It was a pretty poor game between two poor sides. Both sides could barely control nor pass the ball and chances were few and far between. We should have had a pen first half (two shouts) but they had a few possibles second half. Outside of this in general play we shaded it maybe in terms of possession and chances but we did not make the keeper work enough. First half we were too slow and predictable and never really got the wide man into the game. The front two did not quite do enough and overall it was a bit scrappy but Murphy had a good chance as did Kitson with a few half chances from headers. In the second half we scored early and then we started to believed more and the wide men had a go (did not always come off but they at least got down the wing and got crosses over). Porter put himself about and McDonald became more and more influential. I felt we really ought to have capitalised on their hesitancy and gone for the jugular but only had a few more chances (McFadzean and Murphy) but it kind of faded away after this. They maybe had the better chances as the game went on at the end and we started to retreat for some reason.



Yeovil then came back and had a decent spell and a few half chances as United started to sit back and almost settle for 1-0 (which I believe could be fatal) and just kind of waited for full time. There were some positives (Long, McDonald, Maguire and better second half from the wingers) and the defence kept a clean sheet but we will have to do better with the ball and be smarter in key areas Monday to advance as I feel Yeovil will play much better.



Overall, I would have taken 1-0 but I still feel we may just duck out Monday just due to the fact Yeovil have more goals in them than us. Hope I am wrong but despite the win tonight I have not seen enough that this side can get promoted (by winning or failing to lose in 3 games). We are very ordinary and believe that our inability to score goals will outweigh the strength at the other end where they can’t rely on keeping clean sheets for a further two games.



Yeovil – I have to say that I thought they were quite poor tonight and I expected more in terms of football played. Sure they had a bit of a go when they went 1-0 down but overall I felt they were a side that were for the taking (in terms of beating them 2 or 3 nil and sealing the tie). I thought overall they will be pleased to get out at just 1-0. I did not think they showed much fluidity, skill on the ball nor really got at us but they did work hard and closed United down for much of the game. However more than this I felt they looked susceptible at the back. We did not really take advantage.



They had two slow, cumbersome centre backs that were so immobile that even Porter looked quicker than them. They also had a right back Aying who looked very slow too and I felt they could be got at. In midfield it was fairly even but we got better as the game went on and Doyle and McDonald were more influential. Up front Hayter and Madden were never really a threat and whilst they had a few half chances from headers or flicks from scrambles I never felt they blew us away. I thought they were sloppy on the ball most of the game and overall they looked a much different side from the one that won so comfortably at the Lane earlier in the season and much of their performance relied on work ethic rather than them knocking it about or creating much.



I am sure they will be a different side Monday and I fear they may go up a gear in all areas. They will probably score so we will have to respond. If we go there and defend it will not work. Just hope now the pressure is on them somewhat we can take advantage and score on the break.

 

[Deadbat]

Long 7/10 – Had little to do in the first half and as the game went on his work did not really increase apart from kicking away. He did make one smart save from a header in the second half low down and then made a good reaction save from the Webster overhead kick. Spilt one shot but at least he kept it out. A few crosses he did not call or dithered on but other than that he was sound.



Westlake 6/10 – I am still not convinced by him. Defensively he gets in awful positions and seems miles off his man at times. He is slow to react defensively and also does not do the basics well enough. He kept taking free kicks but most were aimless or straight to the keeper. He does get up and down more than McMahon but I am unsure whether he is much of an upgrade; if at all.



Hill 7/10 – Another real steady eddy performance. Made blocks, clearances and did what he had to. Reads the game well, rarely got outmuscled and just does the basics and does them well. No flash but surprisingly consistent at what he does. He never will be scintillating but very rarely less than a 7/10.



Maguire 7/10 – He had a mad spell for 5 minutes where he miss controlled and nearly let them in and then miskicked again but other than that he was solid. He was strong and first to the ball. He won most challenges and really limited Madden who was mostly ineffectual. At times he looked a notch above many other players in the way he read things and was able to use his body to shield and prevent danger in the second half when they tried to up things but still too many errors.



Collins 7/10 – Once he backed off and nearly let them in as his lack of pace/mobility showed but other than that he was solid. He won headers and also led the line well until the final 20 minutes or so when for some reason we kept dropping deeper and deeper and he was often the one the furthest back. If United are to progress to the final it is vital that he and Maguire keep the front two quiet again.



Robson – Played for the first period of the game and did try and get on the ball. Put in a few dangerous crosses with Kitson just off target and a corner that was cleared. He then got knocked off the ball quite cynically. It did seem innocuous at the time but obviously having seen it back it was clear it was a deliberate penalty and an elbow. Probably the last we will see of him in a United shirt if he has broken ribs.



Doyle 6/10 – A weird game. At times he was simply awful with some wretched short passed, some awful headers up in the air mixed with some terrible touches. Then other times he got in won the ball, controlled midfield and allowed us to have large spells of possession (early on in the second half). His performance as best summed up when he won the ball by darting in front on a player in the second half and then sliced terrible wide. As bad as he is most of the time, we probably need him to have a decent game in the second leg as we still have no one else that can do what he does in terms of being combative and breaking things up.



McDonald 8/10 – First half he was so-so and seemed to fluctuate in and out of the game but after the break he got stronger and seemed to dominate proceedings. He looked like the McDonald of last season as he got on the ball, looked stronger than ever and made things happen. He was excellent and most good things we did came from him getting on the ball and moving it around the pitch. He tried to play balls wide and also through the middle and whilst everything did not always come off; he at least tried to be positive. Another who needs to repeat this form on Monday.



Kitson 5/10 – Thought he continued the poor form he has shown in many of the recent games I have seen. He still was looking for free kicks or arguing with the referee. He got booked after committing 4 or 5 fouls and seemed behind the play most of the time. He did not win many headers and the only half chance he had he headed wide. Taken off second half for Ironside. At the moment he looks like a player who is on his last legs. Hopefully somehow he can have one last flourish for the second leg as whilst Ironside is game there does not look like a goal threat.



Porter 7.5/10 – To be truthful he did not do much on the ball and was never really a threat for goals but he worked incredibly hard against two ‘lumps’ at the back. He never stopped all game and kept challenging, niggling at them and really working them over. This led to chances as the game developed and led to gaps opening.



Murphy 7/10 – First half he was poor and he never really looked a threat. He kept continually coming inside and looked bereft of idea or conviction. However something seemed to click second half and he started going at his full back. He made the goal by such attacking intent and a clever pull back and had a few other darts at his defender. He then had a great effort that just past the pas the post. A more encouraging second half performance where he finally woke up and started to get defenders going the other way.



Subs



McFadzean 7.5/10 – He did not really get in the game first half but second half he got across the defender and whilst his shot took a defection at least he had a go and it paid off. After this he started to relax and used the ball better and was more patient. He then had a lovely turn and got inside the full back and had a good shot that was well saved. He was involved in some of the other better moments we had and it was an encouraging second half. Both he and Murphy at least showed something second half.



Ironside – Came on for a tiring Kitson but never really got into the game and actually did not win many headers and was behind the play much of the time. Still feel he will be needed on Monday as not sure Porter/Kitson have 90 minutes in them.



Whitehouse – Brought on right at the end for Porter as the game went into stoppage time.



Officials – I actually thought that Stuart Atwell refereed it fairly well. I still think the spot kick on McDonald would have been harsh as yes it was a shirt pull but it was not enough for me. The second one on Robson at the time I did not think was either but of course having seen back on Sky it clearly was a blatant elbow and a penalty. The two for them for me were mixed. The one on McFadzean would have been harsh but the Maguire one could have been given as he played it onto his own arm (regardless of intent) . Overall he let a lot go but that was good as he wanted the game to flow. He booked McCallister (the same man who committed the foul on Robson) for a bad foul on Westlake (he did enough to be sent off twice really). McDonald had done a bad foul just before this tackle that was as bad that was not seen! Outside of this; he oddly booked Maguire for a nothing tussle on a corner late on, rightly booked Doyle and booked Kitson for persistent fouling. Over the course of the rest of the game he did try and let things flow and despite some of our crowd appealing for things, I felt he was fair both ways much of the contest.



Crowd - A disappointing crowd but not surprising. A sign of things to come for messrs McCabe and co for next season if we fail to go up. The fact a fair few who were probably regulars or season ticket holders did not go says it all about what they thought of the state of the club and the future outlook, both short and long term. United fans tried to get behind the team but there was nervousness on the terraces and when the likes of Doyle kept failing to do basic things the groans were clearly audible. I do think the football served up both tonight and much of the season has been poor and for the most part maintain fans have been patient but overall they did try and keep with them this evening. Yeovil brought maybe 1,500 and their fans were loud and passionate but I think even they saw it was two pretty poor sides they were watching.





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@Deadbat_DB

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

i thought westlake was genuinely abysmal. i cant be the only one??

 

[puppet]

I watched it on one of those fuzzy picture computer things... I could not believe how aimless we were for the majority of what I saw (the second half). Maguire seemed to be wearing boots soled by Lurpak, though to be fair his worst moments seemed to be when Westlake and Collins were nowhere to be seen. A couple of moments near the end seemed to redeem him but on seeing the replays, both posed no danger (an overhit corner headed out at the back post and the one he lobbed over his shoulder which looked like a great interception but bloke had over egged it with his nod forward). Only seen us on TV all season, all utterly forgettable apart from the Johnstones 5-er at Notts County but can see why we've been increasingly frustrated as a fan base... that said we've had games where we've hit the woodwork 2/3 times any one which going in couldve been game changing results and league positions. Maybe the deflection is finally our bit of luck... though god knows where the goals will come from in the next two games - though I remember Brian Deane couldnt buy a goal for months until the ball literally went in off his arse cheek at Stamford Bridge... so who knows?
If we DO go up, we need to seriously up the playing staff. It's well documented we lost a glut of players from last season that if we'd had them, we would have walked it this season... if we scrape it and try and do things on the cheap, we won't get a point, let alone a goal in the Championship. I'd sell Harry and George cheap-ish with sell ons for the future and try and pass off a few of the Doyles and Flynns (like the lawnmower parts you post on eBay in vain hope, some bugger will want to take them off your hands so get rid!!), recruit a spine of decent Championship players down the middle, get some excitables to run off McDonalds passes - including McFazdean and De Fancynamedone, get a Kevin to play up front (Davies and/or Phillips) with Murphy/Porter/Ironside, and we might hold our own.....

 

[Jehovah]

Twice last night Doyle completely broke down our attacks by booting the ball into oblivion. I also thought KMac was excellent along with Mcfadzean. I think we'll make the final now by drawing at Yeovil. The mega, but still bastard blades, blades.

 

[grafikhaus]

Thanks, as ever, deadbat and pretty much as I saw it. Yeovil are certainly no Brentford and, yet again, anybody with the ability to score for United would have made Monday's game academic.

Thought Porter put a real shift in. McFazdean is a star for the future - somewhere else, as usual. Hill reads the game well but - like most of the others - his distribution is abysmal. As for Kitson, now I'm not a fan. He tries to be all over the pitch but our game changed drastically when he was subbed. He's a workhorse and an outlet that was sorely missed when he left the field.

Talking of outlets, in the second half we had a free kick into the kop end. Yeovil left two up at the halfway line so we had three back covering them. Minutes later, Yeovil had a corner (or it may have been a free kick) and the furthest United player up was Porter - over near the John Street side and 40 yards from the halfway line. Result? All ten Yeovil outfield players pressing on our defence. Is it that hard for Morgan/successive United managers to see?

Puppet, you say 'I'd sell Harry and George cheapish with sell-ons for the future...' Don't worry, McCabe will sell Long whether we go up or not. The first £1m will seal it. Harry? Decent-ish Championship stopper but no more. About as much chance of making it to the top as us insisting on sell-on clauses...

So we lurch on. If we score first on Monday it's game on. If not, it's back to the Crewe-ture next season.

 

[Houso]

Wow, just shows how we can see things different Deaders!

Aside from the marks I agree with, I'd have
Maguire - 6 - looked so very shaky and slipped or miscontrolled a worrying amount.
McDonald - 5 - constantly turned into the wrong areas losing the ball and one or two runs apart, was a more of a liability than the player we know he can be.

I also though the penalty shout against McFadzean was more likely than Harry's which in no world was a penalty. But, both of ours were. However, I tend to agree that Atwell did okay apart from those big shouts. I like a ref who likes an advantage.

Porter was outstanding and MotM for me.

 

[Houso]

Oh and despite taking a lead to the away leg on Monday, my pervasive feeling is...

 

[mpjacko]

Was surprised by the result but "well done Blades"

 

[mpjacko]

W

Porter was outstanding and MotM for me.

If only Porter could play against two terribly slow CB's every week in the championship / league 1

 

[ZoneManWilf]

Kitson lucky to get 5. The amount of times he just gives up contesting a header and moans about not getting a foul is ridiculous.

 

[bartman]

A


I am sure they will be a different side Monday and I fear they may go up a gear in all areas. They will probably score so we will have to respond. If we go there and defend it will not work. Just hope now the pressure is on them somewhat we can take advantage and score on the break.

I don't think Yeovil will be much better,DB. They came for a draw (they didn't start attacking with any intent until we scored) and if we defend as we normally do away from home,I think w'll be OK down there. I'm a critic of McDonald but I also thought the second half yesterday he was excellant. If he performs like that for the next 2 games we will have a greater attacking threat.

Still wouldn't mind seeing Porter and Murphy down the middle thou

 

[Houso]

Still wouldn't mind seeing Porter and Murphy down the middle thou

Agreed. Especially if Flynn is fit... or for that matter McMahon with Westlake playing on the right.

 

[Bladesman]

It was a very very very poor game of football.

If I was KMac I would have been pulling my hair out for most of that. Everything was lumped anywhere and then Yeovil just lumped it back. Then the ping pong defending that goes on when Maguire and Collins get themselves into bother is laughable. If we go up (not sure how that will happen) then we need to replace pretty much the entire squad bar Macca and McFadzean.

 

[true99blade]

In my opinion Long and Westlake deserved higher ratings. I know Westlake isn't a class above or anywhere near that but I thought he looked okay last night, he started off very well I thought but I admit he did look dodgy defensively in the second half. Long won us the game in the end. The reaction save right at the death was amazing and I recall him saving a header quite well. His kicking was really good and especially with his weaker foot. Although I did get quite nervy whenever he had the ball whilst Madden was chasing his down (we all know what happened the last time them two met).

Also, Maguire, McDonald and Murphy don't deserve the high marks. Murphy was the weak link in the first half and never ran at his man. In fact, he ran at his man about... once the entire game and it led to the goal! McDonald was awful in the first half, never looked to go forward and was keeping hold of the ball for too long. Anyone remember him dribbling it back into our box with 3 Yeovil players looking to chase him down!? Maguire was solid enough for most of the game but was indeed very nervous on the ball and did slip a couple of times which led them into a chance.

Kitson was crap, Porter was very good, McFadzean did well, Hill was solid enough (loved his shot at the end ), Collins probably deserved a 7.5, Doyle was about right.

And what actually happened for the "penalty appeals?" The only thing I saw which was a definite penatly was Maguire's hand stop the ball.

 

[Bladesman]

Can someone tell me why Murphy who was rather prolific (well has scored more than most our squad) this season and last season playing as a striker for Motherwell is always being played on the wing?

Why do we keep playing people out of position when they haven't the quality to play elsewhere. May as well bring Coyne on as a striker for what its worth.

 

[Houso]

And what actually happened for the "penalty appeals?" The only thing I saw which was a definite penatly was Maguire's hand stop the ball.

Maguire's was no way a penalty. Both Rob Jones and Don Goodman said exactly the same. It bounced off his thigh and on to his hand. I wouldn't have appealed the other way.

McFadzean's handball was more likely though would have been harsh. But his hands were above his waist and he had some time to move them.

Both the appeals for us were penalties. First one McDonald was pulled to the ground with the player not even look at the ball. Second one McAllister blatantly elbowed Robson in the chest and to tell the truth, there should be a retrospective punishment as it was a clear and deliberate elbow.

That said, Harry was tangling far too much in the first half with one of their players and could have given a penalty from a corner.

 

[Houso]

Can someone tell me why Murphy who was rather prolific (well has scored more than most our squad) this season and last season playing as a striker for Motherwell is always being played on the wing?

Why do we keep playing people out of position when they haven't the quality to play elsewhere. May as well bring Coyne on as a striker for what its worth.

He played in both positions for Motherwell and scored lots from the flank too.

That said, I would prefer to see him up front with Porter on Monday and McFadzean on the left.

 

[Bladesman]

He played in both positions for Motherwell and scored lots from the flank too.

That said, I would prefer to see him up front with Porter on Monday and McFadzean on the left.

He has a bit of pace to get round the back of defenders and last night we were hoping Porter had the pace to get behind the defense.

 

[Foxy]

He has a bit of pace to get round the back of defenders and last night we were hoping Porter had the pace to get behind the defense.

Which he did actually do a few times, including the goal we scored.

The main problem was that as usual we expected him to work wonders with lofted, poorly placed balls and no support.

 

[alcoblade]

It was a very very very poor game of football.

I think it was a 6.5 / 10 (by 3rd division standards) - but would be in one of the top 5 games of the season at home. Which says it all.

UTB

 

[Trafford]

i thought westlake was genuinely abysmal. i cant be the only one??

I've been very critical of Westlake in the few games that he's played this season and, to be fair, I do think that he gets caught the wrong side of his man too often but I he had a good game last night. Defended competently and offered an attacking option down the right hand wing with McFads that we haven't had all season.

 

[cooperblade]

Murphy's hard to work out - he seems to do one of 3 things when he gets the ball.

1) Run straight into the full back
2) Check back and run away from the full back (and the goal)
3) Carry the ball sideways across the pitch

When he does no.3, he looks good. When he does the other 2 he makes Ryan Flynn look like the world's most confident footballer.

 

[Karaoke Blade]

Why do we keep playing people out of position when they haven't the quality to play elsewhere.

It seems that Morgan has kept with the same annoying (and IMO, ridiculous) tactic employed by Wilson of playing left footed players on the right and right footers on the left wing. MacFadzean in particular seems particularly hampered by this and I reckon would have a much better chance of beating his man on the left. Robson is possibly the most one footed (lefty) player I have seen since the days of Michael Twiss and has been consistently played on the right.

I honestly cannot see how Kitson justifies a start, so for me I would play Murphy off of Porter with McFadzean left and a right winger on the right. Is Flynn injured? Is Chappell good enough?

 

[Bladesway]

About as good a result as any of us could have hoped for. At least we have a chance. I would look to put Murphy up top with porter and play them on the counter. I dread Wembley if we get there with our lack of pace and fitness.

 

[metalblade]

About as good a result as any of us could have hoped for. At least we have a chance. I would look to put Murphy up top with porter and play them on the counter. I dread Wembley if we get there with our lack of pace and fitness.

Actually the pitch at Wembley is a good bit smaller than the one at the lane

Correction Wembley is measured in Metres so give or take a few inches is exactly the same pitch size as we have at the lane

 

[BerksBlade]

I'd have to mark KMac lower than 8 for a poor first half. Got caught 2 or 3 times trying to walk the ball round 2-3 players - one nearly cost us a goal.
Porter comfortably outpaced their centre-backs more than once. So I'd be tempted to try Murphy just behind him. Lumping it for Kitson to battle with their giants didn't work.

 

[oaklandrdblade]

Actually the pitch at Wembley is a good bit smaller than the one at the lane

Correction Wembley is measured in Metres so give or take a few inches is exactly the same pitch size as we have at the lane

Looks like it is 115 x 75 yds and ours is 112 x 72yds

 

[Athens Blade]

I

Long 7/10 – Had little to do in the first half and as the game went on his work did not really increase apart from kicking away. He did make one smart save from a header in the second half low down and then made a good reaction save from the Webster overhead kick. Spilt one shot but at least he kept it out. A few crosses he did not call or dithered on but other than that he was sound.



Westlake 6/10 – I am still not convinced by him. Defensively he gets in awful positions and seems miles off his man at times. He is slow to react defensively and also does not do the basics well enough. He kept taking free kicks but most were aimless or straight to the keeper. He does get up and down more than McMahon but I am unsure whether he is much of an upgrade; if at all.



Hill 7/10 – Another real steady eddy performance. Made blocks, clearances and did what he had to. Reads the game well, rarely got outmuscled and just does the basics and does them well. No flash but surprisingly consistent at what he does. He never will be scintillating but very rarely less than a 7/10.



Maguire 7/10 – He had a mad spell for 5 minutes where he miss controlled and nearly let them in and then miskicked again but other than that he was solid. He was strong and first to the ball. He won most challenges and really limited Madden who was mostly ineffectual. At times he looked a notch above many other players in the way he read things and was able to use his body to shield and prevent danger in the second half when they tried to up things but still too many errors.



Collins 7/10 – Once he backed off and nearly let them in as his lack of pace/mobility showed but other than that he was solid. He won headers and also led the line well until the final 20 minutes or so when for some reason we kept dropping deeper and deeper and he was often the one the furthest back. If United are to progress to the final it is vital that he and Maguire keep the front two quiet again.



Robson – Played for the first period of the game and did try and get on the ball. Put in a few dangerous crosses with Kitson just off target and a corner that was cleared. He then got knocked off the ball quite cynically. It did seem innocuous at the time but obviously having seen it back it was clear it was a deliberate penalty and an elbow. Probably the last we will see of him in a United shirt if he has broken ribs.



Doyle 6/10 – A weird game. At times he was simply awful with some wretched short passed, some awful headers up in the air mixed with some terrible touches. Then other times he got in won the ball, controlled midfield and allowed us to have large spells of possession (early on in the second half). His performance as best summed up when he won the ball by darting in front on a player in the second half and then sliced terrible wide. As bad as he is most of the time, we probably need him to have a decent game in the second leg as we still have no one else that can do what he does in terms of being combative and breaking things up.



McDonald 8/10 – First half he was so-so and seemed to fluctuate in and out of the game but after the break he got stronger and seemed to dominate proceedings. He looked like the McDonald of last season as he got on the ball, looked stronger than ever and made things happen. He was excellent and most good things we did came from him getting on the ball and moving it around the pitch. He tried to play balls wide and also through the middle and whilst everything did not always come off; he at least tried to be positive. Another who needs to repeat this form on Monday.



Kitson 5/10 – Thought he continued the poor form he has shown in many of the recent games I have seen. He still was looking for free kicks or arguing with the referee. He got booked after committing 4 or 5 fouls and seemed behind the play most of the time. He did not win many headers and the only half chance he had he headed wide. Taken off second half for Ironside. At the moment he looks like a player who is on his last legs. Hopefully somehow he can have one last flourish for the second leg as whilst Ironside is game there does not look like a goal threat.



Porter 7.5/10 – To be truthful he did not do much on the ball and was never really a threat for goals but he worked incredibly hard against two ‘lumps’ at the back. He never stopped all game and kept challenging, niggling at them and really working them over. This led to chances as the game developed and led to gaps opening.



Murphy 7/10 – First half he was poor and he never really looked a threat. He kept continually coming inside and looked bereft of idea or conviction. However something seemed to click second half and he started going at his full back. He made the goal by such attacking intent and a clever pull back and had a few other darts at his defender. He then had a great effort that just past the pas the post. A more encouraging second half performance where he finally woke up and started to get defenders going the other way.



Subs



McFadzean 7.5/10 – He did not really get in the game first half but second half he got across the defender and whilst his shot took a defection at least he had a go and it paid off. After this he started to relax and used the ball better and was more patient. He then had a lovely turn and got inside the full back and had a good shot that was well saved. He was involved in some of the other better moments we had and it was an encouraging second half. Both he and Murphy at least showed something second half.



Ironside – Came on for a tiring Kitson but never really got into the game and actually did not win many headers and was behind the play much of the time. Still feel he will be needed on Monday as not sure Porter/Kitson have 90 minutes in them.



Whitehouse – Brought on right at the end for Porter as the game went into stoppage time.



Officials – I actually thought that Stuart Atwell refereed it fairly well. I still think the spot kick on McDonald would have been harsh as yes it was a shirt pull but it was not enough for me. The second one on Robson at the time I did not think was either but of course having seen back on Sky it clearly was a blatant elbow and a penalty. The two for them for me were mixed. The one on McFadzean would have been harsh but the Maguire one could have been given as he played it onto his own arm (regardless of intent) . Overall he let a lot go but that was good as he wanted the game to flow. He booked McCallister (the same man who committed the foul on Robson) for a bad foul on Westlake (he did enough to be sent off twice really). McDonald had done a bad foul just before this tackle that was as bad that was not seen! Outside of this; he oddly booked Maguire for a nothing tussle on a corner late on, rightly booked Doyle and booked Kitson for persistent fouling. Over the course of the rest of the game he did try and let things flow and despite some of our crowd appealing for things, I felt he was fair both ways much of the contest.



Crowd - A disappointing crowd but not surprising. A sign of things to come for messrs McCabe and co for next season if we fail to go up. The fact a fair few who were probably regulars or season ticket holders did not go says it all about what they thought of the state of the club and the future outlook, both short and long term. United fans tried to get behind the team but there was nervousness on the terraces and when the likes of Doyle kept failing to do basic things the groans were clearly audible. I do think the football served up both tonight and much of the season has been poor and for the most part maintain fans have been patient but overall they did try and keep with them this evening. Yeovil brought maybe 1,500 and their fans were loud and passionate but I think even they saw it was two pretty poor sides they were watching.





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Twitter –

@Deadbat_DB

I thought it was a dire game. These are paid to play football and can't control or pass the ball. It was like watching pub football. Back to the long ball upfield and knock it down (if we find the target man). Shove the season ticket. Could this be one of the worst united teams in the last twenty years?

 

[metalblade]

Looks like it is 115 x 75 yds and ours is 112 x 72yds

Which isn't really worth bothering about

 

[bartman]

I
I thought it was a dire game. These are paid to play football and can't control or pass the ball. It was like watching pub football. Back to the long ball upfield and knock it down (if we find the target man). Shove the season ticket. Could this be one of the worst united teams in the last twenty years?

We won...that is all that matter in a play off game