Deadbat
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Podcast links to come later. Report below….
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United went into the international break with a crucial victory in the South Yorkshire derby at Bramall Lane. Plagued by injuries amidst a run of so many games in close succession, a tired Blades side raised themselves for the second half after being poor before the interval. The visitors had been the better side to begin and United were grateful to Foderingham’s wonderful reflex save from Wolfe before the home side were able to go ahead against the run of play from Berge’s scrappy finish after a quick free kick. Gibbs White moment of quality sealed all three points 15 minutes from time and in the end the Blades eased to a comfortable win.
The side named once again was whoever United had left fit although they did make one chance in that Hourihane came in for Ndiaye against his former club. We did have MacBurnie, Fleck and Stevens back on the bench. Key Barnsley striker Carlton Morris was deemed fit enough to start after an injury in the week. Former Blades target, Domingos Quina also started for the visitors, on loan from Watford.
The game began with Norrington Davies well forward down the left and he won a free kick but the set play did not lead to a chance despite the keeper being blocked off. Gibbs White then made space but Osborn maybe took too long and as the ball came back Gibbs White overplayed and the Blades lost the ball. Barnsley then started to knock it about and often confidently from deep. They made space down the left and sent over a cross that Morris flicked down but it was easy for Foderingham. Gordon then struggled with the ball over the top and conceded a corner.
Egan was the next not focusing and an angled cross saw Foderingham have to come out and smother as Morris looked to get in. Gomes scuffed a shot wide as the visitors were now in the ascendancy. Morris continued to cause problems with his running and won yet another corner. United cleared this initially but then the Tykes had a great chance to take the lead. It was an innocuous cross but Egan lost his man and it was a free header back across and down to Wolfe who hit it toward goal and thought he had scored – Foderingham sprang down and made a superb save to deny him. It was a real let off for the Blades.
Gordon had struggled defensively but managed to get past his man who was looking for a foul but then as he attacked his pull back was well beyond everyone. United finally had a spell after this and the ball was moved across in a rare spell of possession and Norwood found Robinson but his low shot went just past the far post in United’s only and best effort so far.
Collins then hit Hourihane as he tried to kick out but this improvement was not maintained and Quina was clumsily felled by Egan. Barnsley came out of the corner twice to set up attacks after a wasted corner from Hourihane just before this. Quina got took out again but the football in the centre of the field was being played by the visitors whose play belied their lowly league position. Norrington Davies did pick up a foul and Norwood’s delivery was better as Gibbs White flicked on but it was straight at Collins.
The referee, Martin who replaced Donohue before the game maybe to the relief of many Blades, had handled the game well letting it flow but he got hit by the ball and then brought it back again after the quick take was not allowed frustrating the crowd. Gibbs White had struggled to make an impact and twice he gave the ball away that led to Bassy coming forward and slipping in Wolfe who shot wide on the angle as he cut in on goal. It was another decent opening for the midfielder.
Morris then got the better of Egan again and crossed but the ball looped up for Foderingham as the visitors took over again. Berge’s ball played straight out of play saw cheers from the Barnsley fans as neutrals would struggle to know which said was the one going for the playoffs. A chance did come when Berge was more accurate in his passing and found Osborn who came inside onto his favoured left foot and curled not far wide. There was a minute of stoppage time played but it was definitely Barnsley who would have been happier with the performance.
The second half you would have expected to see United improve but it was Barnsley who carried on from where they left off and they won three quick corners and had appeals for a penalty as one ball came over. A shot from Quina deflected just over and the body language from the Blades players looked poor as they looked jaded and without any energy. However, Gibbs White got down the right and sent over a good cross that Sharp did not react to before Brittain gave away another silly foul that led to a chance on the left.
Norwood took a quick one and went short down the line to Hourihane. The cross that came in was a good one as the Barnsley defence did not react and BERGE managed to bundle it home with a teammate Gordon in close attention as the ball squirmed over the line. Not the prettiest of finishes and certainly against the run of play but a pivotal moment in the game and maybe the season as the home side had not really looked at the races.
Immediately after Gordon was booked for bringing down Quina and the free kick was sent over and headed behind by Robinson. However, the goal had given United new life and Norrington Davies was a constant threat down the left with his running and he won a corner. Barnsley tried to counter but the same man got back to make a tackle after holding his man up and Hourihane made the second block.
On 64 minutes, Sharp went down and seemed to have pulled something and came off to be replaced by Jebbison. The skipper was able to walk off unassisted. United won two corners and looked to be the dominant force although Quina again caused problems leading to a wild Egan slice that Foderingham grasped.
Gibbs White then beat the offside trap and was able to find Osborn at the far post but his touch was heavy and he fired over learning back. McBurnie came on to a mixed reaction on 70 minutes for Berge, who outside of the goal had looked heavy legged. McBurnie instantly won a free kick as Brittain committed another cynical foul and was finally booked. Norwood’s free kick was wasted but United were moving the ball better now and good work Jebbison to slip it down the side for Norrington Davies saw the cross chipped over and Gibbs White’s header was tipped over the bar from Collins.
Barnsley had not really reacted to the goal and made a double change as Palmer and Leya Iseka came on for Wolfe and Style but it was not long after when the home side probably put the game to bed.
Gibbs White started the move in the middle of the field and was able to drive forward and played it to McBurnie who seemed to get it stuck under his feet but did well to scoop it back to the Wolves loanee who had beaten the offside trap. GIBBS WHITE’s first touch was prefect allowing him to take it away from the keeper who dived at his feet and even though on a tight angle, the finish was calm and composed as he rolled it into the net at the Kop end to double the Blades lead and get his 9th of the season.
Barnsley were now second best after playing well up to the United goal and McBurnie and Jebbison had given United some legs up the top of the field. Decent play saw the ball moved from side to side and Gibbs White, now seemingly given fresh impetus played in the ball and Jebbison fired over from the penalty spot. It was a decent chance for the substitute. Gibbs White’s work was done as Fleck came on as United looked to just finish the job professionally. McBurnie did well to keep the ball deep in the Barnsley half and then worked a chance brilliantly but then stumbled as he looked to shoot and Fleck did likewise!
A decent long ball sent Osborn in and his cross for McBurnie was headed behind for a corner before Egan completely missed his header when unmarked. Osborn then blazed miles over as he fell. Norrington Davies then was the next to have a go as he dragged a shot wide with his unfamiliar right foot. United were not well in control and a late free kick and corner from Barnsley did not come to anything. Although right on the stroke of 90 minutes, Morris had their best chance of the half but headed over from close range when under pressure. The game entered four minutes of stoppage time and Cole replaced Gomis.
McBurnie kept the ball well again and then he and Jebbison had chances but it would not quite sit before the final opportunity saw Cole flick his header meekly at Foderingham just before the final whistle was blown. In the end it was a crucial three points in a game United had once again been a long way from their best but had stepped up and done just enough to up the tempo and get the two goals that saw them in the end coast to victory after a difficulty first 54 minutes of the game.
United – Really important win where the three points were much more important than the performance. After some languid efforts and indeed results (Boro apart) we seemed to be really limping into the break and you worried that we had blown a great run by this recent spell, even though the top is still tight. It was therefore vital we somehow got the win today. It did not matter how. Get the victory and then get some players back and go again for the last 8 games (5 at the Lane).
First half was a continuation of what we have seen as a team looked hungrier and more at it than our players who seemed really slow and lacked any fluency on the ball and standing off when they had it. We could and should have been behind at half time as Barnsley were better. Yes, Robinson and Osborn had chances go past the post but they had the best opportunities with the Wolfe effort a superb save and then the same man putting one wide when through. They played better football and actually came out from the back too. Morris was a handful and we just never kept it or got anything going. The front three were not causing any problems at all and the midfield sat off and not controlling things. Defensively we were not close enough. I actually thought we did well to get in level. I just thought one last push second half but then we came out and seemed to carry on and they had a really good spell with corners and a chance deflected over.
I thought we would have to make changes at some point as it was so flat but then out of nothing, we score a goal from a set play (after some bad ones we took a quick one and a great ball from Hourihane – he has been poor the last week but he has set up two goals for Berge with great crosses). Berge has had a rotten week after such a good run of form but is getting in positions to score and now had 3 in 4. After this they had a few free kicks and breaks but felt we upped it. McBurnie and Jebbison actually helped us in terms of getting us up the pitch and giving us some runners/legs (same as the Forest game). McBurnie did well actually today and was holding it up and playing good keep football that helped us retain possession. We had a few half chances and then the second came and Gibbs White (another like Berge who was way off it) showed his quality and it was a well worked and finished goal. After this he improved and we could have had a few more goals actually with chances for Jebbison, Osborn, McBurnie and Egan. Barnsley sort of gave up despite a late header over and you sensed they had run out of belief and ideas after it had been the other way round first half.
In the end it looks an easy 2-0 win and probably ended up that way but we were far from fluent at all and only that last 30-35 minutes we were able to just up it. We started playing higher up the field, moving them about more and getting MGW on the ball. The midfield also started to finally impose themselves after sitting off first half and we started to get closer to them and win the loose stuff.
Now we have a break, we can hope to get Baldock, Basham, Goode, Fleck, Stevens, McBurnie, Davies back – good to see three of them back on the bench today. We have to now really go for it in the last 8. We need to improve our away form. We have one tough one at QPR last away game but Stoke/Bristol are middle sides we need to go to and really assert ourselves. If we can say get 4 points from those 3 – then it means it comes down to what we do at the Lane. Granted we play 3 of the top 6 sides in the final 5 games and then have Cardiff and Reading, two strugglers. There are so many teams around us and it will be close. We have to find better form than we have shown though as the way we have played the last month or so, will mean we miss out. I am confident we can lift it again though and give a last push with some big games down at the Lane to come. Once we get in then who knows – well we do judging by our playoff record but we can say that cannot we?
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United went into the international break with a crucial victory in the South Yorkshire derby at Bramall Lane. Plagued by injuries amidst a run of so many games in close succession, a tired Blades side raised themselves for the second half after being poor before the interval. The visitors had been the better side to begin and United were grateful to Foderingham’s wonderful reflex save from Wolfe before the home side were able to go ahead against the run of play from Berge’s scrappy finish after a quick free kick. Gibbs White moment of quality sealed all three points 15 minutes from time and in the end the Blades eased to a comfortable win.
The side named once again was whoever United had left fit although they did make one chance in that Hourihane came in for Ndiaye against his former club. We did have MacBurnie, Fleck and Stevens back on the bench. Key Barnsley striker Carlton Morris was deemed fit enough to start after an injury in the week. Former Blades target, Domingos Quina also started for the visitors, on loan from Watford.
The game began with Norrington Davies well forward down the left and he won a free kick but the set play did not lead to a chance despite the keeper being blocked off. Gibbs White then made space but Osborn maybe took too long and as the ball came back Gibbs White overplayed and the Blades lost the ball. Barnsley then started to knock it about and often confidently from deep. They made space down the left and sent over a cross that Morris flicked down but it was easy for Foderingham. Gordon then struggled with the ball over the top and conceded a corner.
Egan was the next not focusing and an angled cross saw Foderingham have to come out and smother as Morris looked to get in. Gomes scuffed a shot wide as the visitors were now in the ascendancy. Morris continued to cause problems with his running and won yet another corner. United cleared this initially but then the Tykes had a great chance to take the lead. It was an innocuous cross but Egan lost his man and it was a free header back across and down to Wolfe who hit it toward goal and thought he had scored – Foderingham sprang down and made a superb save to deny him. It was a real let off for the Blades.
Gordon had struggled defensively but managed to get past his man who was looking for a foul but then as he attacked his pull back was well beyond everyone. United finally had a spell after this and the ball was moved across in a rare spell of possession and Norwood found Robinson but his low shot went just past the far post in United’s only and best effort so far.
Collins then hit Hourihane as he tried to kick out but this improvement was not maintained and Quina was clumsily felled by Egan. Barnsley came out of the corner twice to set up attacks after a wasted corner from Hourihane just before this. Quina got took out again but the football in the centre of the field was being played by the visitors whose play belied their lowly league position. Norrington Davies did pick up a foul and Norwood’s delivery was better as Gibbs White flicked on but it was straight at Collins.
The referee, Martin who replaced Donohue before the game maybe to the relief of many Blades, had handled the game well letting it flow but he got hit by the ball and then brought it back again after the quick take was not allowed frustrating the crowd. Gibbs White had struggled to make an impact and twice he gave the ball away that led to Bassy coming forward and slipping in Wolfe who shot wide on the angle as he cut in on goal. It was another decent opening for the midfielder.
Morris then got the better of Egan again and crossed but the ball looped up for Foderingham as the visitors took over again. Berge’s ball played straight out of play saw cheers from the Barnsley fans as neutrals would struggle to know which said was the one going for the playoffs. A chance did come when Berge was more accurate in his passing and found Osborn who came inside onto his favoured left foot and curled not far wide. There was a minute of stoppage time played but it was definitely Barnsley who would have been happier with the performance.
The second half you would have expected to see United improve but it was Barnsley who carried on from where they left off and they won three quick corners and had appeals for a penalty as one ball came over. A shot from Quina deflected just over and the body language from the Blades players looked poor as they looked jaded and without any energy. However, Gibbs White got down the right and sent over a good cross that Sharp did not react to before Brittain gave away another silly foul that led to a chance on the left.
Norwood took a quick one and went short down the line to Hourihane. The cross that came in was a good one as the Barnsley defence did not react and BERGE managed to bundle it home with a teammate Gordon in close attention as the ball squirmed over the line. Not the prettiest of finishes and certainly against the run of play but a pivotal moment in the game and maybe the season as the home side had not really looked at the races.
Immediately after Gordon was booked for bringing down Quina and the free kick was sent over and headed behind by Robinson. However, the goal had given United new life and Norrington Davies was a constant threat down the left with his running and he won a corner. Barnsley tried to counter but the same man got back to make a tackle after holding his man up and Hourihane made the second block.
On 64 minutes, Sharp went down and seemed to have pulled something and came off to be replaced by Jebbison. The skipper was able to walk off unassisted. United won two corners and looked to be the dominant force although Quina again caused problems leading to a wild Egan slice that Foderingham grasped.
Gibbs White then beat the offside trap and was able to find Osborn at the far post but his touch was heavy and he fired over learning back. McBurnie came on to a mixed reaction on 70 minutes for Berge, who outside of the goal had looked heavy legged. McBurnie instantly won a free kick as Brittain committed another cynical foul and was finally booked. Norwood’s free kick was wasted but United were moving the ball better now and good work Jebbison to slip it down the side for Norrington Davies saw the cross chipped over and Gibbs White’s header was tipped over the bar from Collins.
Barnsley had not really reacted to the goal and made a double change as Palmer and Leya Iseka came on for Wolfe and Style but it was not long after when the home side probably put the game to bed.
Gibbs White started the move in the middle of the field and was able to drive forward and played it to McBurnie who seemed to get it stuck under his feet but did well to scoop it back to the Wolves loanee who had beaten the offside trap. GIBBS WHITE’s first touch was prefect allowing him to take it away from the keeper who dived at his feet and even though on a tight angle, the finish was calm and composed as he rolled it into the net at the Kop end to double the Blades lead and get his 9th of the season.
Barnsley were now second best after playing well up to the United goal and McBurnie and Jebbison had given United some legs up the top of the field. Decent play saw the ball moved from side to side and Gibbs White, now seemingly given fresh impetus played in the ball and Jebbison fired over from the penalty spot. It was a decent chance for the substitute. Gibbs White’s work was done as Fleck came on as United looked to just finish the job professionally. McBurnie did well to keep the ball deep in the Barnsley half and then worked a chance brilliantly but then stumbled as he looked to shoot and Fleck did likewise!
A decent long ball sent Osborn in and his cross for McBurnie was headed behind for a corner before Egan completely missed his header when unmarked. Osborn then blazed miles over as he fell. Norrington Davies then was the next to have a go as he dragged a shot wide with his unfamiliar right foot. United were not well in control and a late free kick and corner from Barnsley did not come to anything. Although right on the stroke of 90 minutes, Morris had their best chance of the half but headed over from close range when under pressure. The game entered four minutes of stoppage time and Cole replaced Gomis.
McBurnie kept the ball well again and then he and Jebbison had chances but it would not quite sit before the final opportunity saw Cole flick his header meekly at Foderingham just before the final whistle was blown. In the end it was a crucial three points in a game United had once again been a long way from their best but had stepped up and done just enough to up the tempo and get the two goals that saw them in the end coast to victory after a difficulty first 54 minutes of the game.
United – Really important win where the three points were much more important than the performance. After some languid efforts and indeed results (Boro apart) we seemed to be really limping into the break and you worried that we had blown a great run by this recent spell, even though the top is still tight. It was therefore vital we somehow got the win today. It did not matter how. Get the victory and then get some players back and go again for the last 8 games (5 at the Lane).
First half was a continuation of what we have seen as a team looked hungrier and more at it than our players who seemed really slow and lacked any fluency on the ball and standing off when they had it. We could and should have been behind at half time as Barnsley were better. Yes, Robinson and Osborn had chances go past the post but they had the best opportunities with the Wolfe effort a superb save and then the same man putting one wide when through. They played better football and actually came out from the back too. Morris was a handful and we just never kept it or got anything going. The front three were not causing any problems at all and the midfield sat off and not controlling things. Defensively we were not close enough. I actually thought we did well to get in level. I just thought one last push second half but then we came out and seemed to carry on and they had a really good spell with corners and a chance deflected over.
I thought we would have to make changes at some point as it was so flat but then out of nothing, we score a goal from a set play (after some bad ones we took a quick one and a great ball from Hourihane – he has been poor the last week but he has set up two goals for Berge with great crosses). Berge has had a rotten week after such a good run of form but is getting in positions to score and now had 3 in 4. After this they had a few free kicks and breaks but felt we upped it. McBurnie and Jebbison actually helped us in terms of getting us up the pitch and giving us some runners/legs (same as the Forest game). McBurnie did well actually today and was holding it up and playing good keep football that helped us retain possession. We had a few half chances and then the second came and Gibbs White (another like Berge who was way off it) showed his quality and it was a well worked and finished goal. After this he improved and we could have had a few more goals actually with chances for Jebbison, Osborn, McBurnie and Egan. Barnsley sort of gave up despite a late header over and you sensed they had run out of belief and ideas after it had been the other way round first half.
In the end it looks an easy 2-0 win and probably ended up that way but we were far from fluent at all and only that last 30-35 minutes we were able to just up it. We started playing higher up the field, moving them about more and getting MGW on the ball. The midfield also started to finally impose themselves after sitting off first half and we started to get closer to them and win the loose stuff.
Now we have a break, we can hope to get Baldock, Basham, Goode, Fleck, Stevens, McBurnie, Davies back – good to see three of them back on the bench today. We have to now really go for it in the last 8. We need to improve our away form. We have one tough one at QPR last away game but Stoke/Bristol are middle sides we need to go to and really assert ourselves. If we can say get 4 points from those 3 – then it means it comes down to what we do at the Lane. Granted we play 3 of the top 6 sides in the final 5 games and then have Cardiff and Reading, two strugglers. There are so many teams around us and it will be close. We have to find better form than we have shown though as the way we have played the last month or so, will mean we miss out. I am confident we can lift it again though and give a last push with some big games down at the Lane to come. Once we get in then who knows – well we do judging by our playoff record but we can say that cannot we?