Deadbat
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Sorry for late report. Went away after match and only got back home tonight. Anyway my final report........
Sheffield United finally were relegated the League One after a draw to local neighbours Barnsley at Bramall Lane. Recent back to back wins had given United fans some brief hope they could survive but failure to beat the Tykes confirmed the slide down to the League One trapdoor. United had fought back from a goal down to lead but more sloppy defending led to a late equaliser and confirmed the home side’s fate. In the end both Doncaster and Palace had earned draws meaning it would not have mattered how many goals United scored nor if they had won. In truth the damage had been done months ago and it was a surprise that United actually had managed to hang on until this penultimate game. The game finished with United fans clapping off the team and showing incredibly loyal support and a statement from the board at least finally acknowledged their failings this season and seasons’ past. United now have to simply draw a line under a wretched period in the club’s history and simply start again probably with a completely different team and maybe with a different manager; although still remains to be seen.
For the game with Barnsley, United began by recalling youngster Maguire in place of Collins and had Evans, McAllister and Cresswell all on the bench returning from injury. Barnsley began with two former Blades in their starting eleven in Mellis and Gray.
United were the first to show and had efforts off target from Williamson and Quinn but Barnsley won a series of corners and were competing well considering they had nothing to play for. The visitors then had a great chance to take the lead as Gray beat Lowry, Montgomery lost his runner and Mellis should have scored but blazed over with only Simonsen to beat. Maguire advanced forward but blazed wide from distance then the same man was at fault as Barnsley took the lead. It was an innocuous through ball but the youngster slipped and this allowed HAYNES to run forward unchallenged and slide the ball past Simonsen.
United tried to respond and Henderson and Riise had efforts blocked and then in a scramble following a corner the ball ricocheted around the box and cannoned clear. However, Barnsley were looking the more dangerous and were perhaps shading matters. Gray headed straight at Simonsen when well placed and Haynes movement was causing problems for Lowry who was having an uncomfortable afternoon. United did begin to come back into the game and finally produced a few moves of note with youngster Lowton always looking to get forward. Williamson was also playing well forward of the midfield area.
Slew had been quiet so far but a neat turn saw Hassell trip him and the Barnsley man was cautioned. From the resultant free kick; Williamson’s free kick was hit with pace and into a very dangerous area and LOWTON met it from close range to glance home. Questions marks may have been asked over the defending and goalkeeping as Steele perhaps should have got there as the ball was headed in from such close range but credit also must go to the taker and scorer. United had probably deserved to get back into the game and finished the half strong with Henderson opting to pass when he should have shot and then Williamson’s powerful goal bound effort being blocked. Lowton then nearly scored his second as he came inside, exchanged passed with Slew before firing over with his unfavoured left foot when maybe he should have done better. A poor challenge by Butterfield saw him cautioned just before the break.
The second half saw United on top from the start with Lowton once again getting into dangerous areas down the right hand side. From one such run and cross Henderson ought to have done better but headed wide. Mattock then had a shot blocked and United also won two corners in quick succession. United’s superiority told on the hour but it came from a goalkeeping howler. A long throw was cleared to the edge of the box and WILLIAMSON hit a firm effort through a crowd of bodies but Steele ought to have collected comfortably but somehow the ball squirmed through his body and trickled over the line.
United knew they needed more than just the win and would have to get more goals if they were to give themselves any chance of taking things to the final day of the season and buoyed by the crowd they threw more men forward. In this regard Adams threw on Evans and McAllister for Slew and the disappointing Riise as they searched to add to their advantage. United had a few chances to get in good balls but often made poor choices and now with men forward they were leaving gaps at the back. Barnsley almost profited when Trippier’s free kick was saved well by Simonsen who sprang to his left to push the ball away drawing applause from visiting keeper Steele at the other end of the pitch. However, this let off would only be temporary and from Hill’s cross, HAYNES came in unmarked to nod down and past Simonsen. This goal effectively ended any chances United had of staying up and now the noise was coming from the visiting fans that were enjoying their chance to taunt the Blades over the imminent demise with chants of ‘You’re going down in a minute!’
Cresswell came on for Mattock and United tried in vain to create another chance but the next notable incident saw substitute Evans go down injured and he had to be stretchered off with a serious looking injury. McAllister had a shot deflected away and then a flicked header from Henderson drifted wide. The tremendous support from the home fans saw many staying to sing and remain positive right up to the final whistle. The end came not long after but the positive reaction from the supporters saw the players applaud three sides of the ground. For many players it will probably be the last time they play for the Blades at this ground and it seemed like they knew it from the reaction from the likes of Montgomery, Henderson and Quinn.
United – Finally it is over. It seems like we have been dying a slow death for months now and in some ways the last few weeks of wins have made it even more painful as it has just delayed the inevitable and given us some small hopes. I actually thought that we may take it to the last day; just due to the fact we normally go down or up on the last day with some sort of drama but it would not even have mattered if we had won today due to the results of Palace and Doncaster. In truth of course the damage was done weeks and months ago.
Today we actually did enough to win and in recent games we have definitely improved a bit but continue to let in stupid goals. This makes it incredibly difficult to win games as we are losing 2 or 3 goals routinely meaning we have to score as many at the other end! Today mistakes from Maguire (unfortunate as it was) and then Lowry (lost his man) were the key moments on goals but both goals had moments in the build up where they could have been avoided. A few other notable errors could have led to goals too. However, we did play some decent stuff at the other end and with a bit better finishing and selection of pass (tried to walk it in at times!) we could have had more goals ourselves. I felt Barnsley started the better side and controlled the opening and actually won more 50/50’s and strangely seemed really interested; even more so than us in winning the game. The opening goal was a tad unlucky but they could have scored before that through Mellis. We fought back and deserved to be level before half time and then it was mostly us after the break and we perhaps should have had 2 or 3 goals and seen the game off. We were chasing more goals when the leveller came but they also had a few chances just before this. Maybe we shaded the game and maybe we deserved to win especially when you look at possession, shots on and off target, corners etc. However, we just cannot go a game without making daft mistakes or not switching on at the right times.
Today was a mixed bag in terms of individual performances; the two youngsters Slew and Maguire were not as good as they have been but it is going to be like that with two 18 year olds and it will be up and down at times. However, neither hid and kept going. To be fair to both; Henderson seemed more bothered about grappling with the centre back than playing the ball and got drawn into a pushing and shoving match. Also, Lowry alongside him was poor today and mistake riddled throughout. We did have a very young defence though with Lowton at 21 the most senior player but he too showed his promise again and really has come on in recent times to the point I fear Championship clubs may be looking at him in the summer. I thought he was our best player today.
I thought Montgomery and Quinn were at times decent and others poor, especially in possession of the football and Riise did not look interested which was disappointing considering he has been one of few decent signings. I would send him and Mattock back now as we have nothing to achieve keeping them for the last game and can play players that will be ours and get them games. Williamson was god today and showed what a force he can be as an attacking midfielder as he got forward, put in some decent crosses (and some awful ones) and had quite a few shots including the second goal. Overall, I do think if we could have played the way we have the last few games from post Xmas onwards we would have stayed up. We have not been great but been better and showed some attacking intent and created more chances. However, we do continue to chuck daft goals away and it is like one step forwards, two back as we have to work doubly hard at the other end. For all the criticism he gets Henderson has improved things as a target and someone who can hold the ball up. We also have improved from injecting some youth and enthusiasm and the fact Doyle and Collins have been omitted and performances and results have improved does not seem to be a co-incidence.
I am glad this awful season is at an end and now we have a lot of work to do over the summer. The statement on the club website prepares us for player losses, no cash injection and a reliance on youth next season. I am thankful there has at last been a public apology for the mess the board has put us in. There are some frank and honest statements but it is alright apologising; we now need some strong action. I am also disappointed that our majority shareholder is once again silent and would appreciate some words from him. Maybe I am being petty saying this but everything seems to come through Birch,Steer and now his son.
I think with few experienced players left it would be tough next season for whoever is the manager. We were never going to be able to sign loan players anyway as we won’t be able to afford Champ/Prem loan players anymore but it is odd they are saying we had an over reliance on loans when they said they same thing 12 months ago and have done exactly the same. They (the board) also sanctioned the wages and signings and have appointed the managers who have brought such poor players and expensive drain on resources. They are the ones that have allowed the wage bill to get so high and allowed poor managers in and then allowed them to bring in poor players. They are also the ones who have ultimately destroyed the squad from top to bottom meaning no matter how poor the managers have been (and they have been poor) it is predominantly the fault of them for the mess we are in.
I am still unsure if Adams will be back next season. The comments today suggest he could be going (branch and root review, addressing all matter on and off the pitch etc) next week. Recent improved results mask that we lost so many games when it mattered, particularly to our relegation rivals. His interview at Reading when asked if he would be the man to bring us back and his long pause suggested it is not cut and dry and with rumours over Pemberton taking over swirling around; he seems to be unsure if he will be around himself. My feelings on the matter have been detailed in reports since Xmas and I will not change my opinion. Ultimately he has failed to deliver results and performances and saddled us with some appalling players. I have seen very little to suggest we won’t be nearer the bottom than top even in a division below. I may be wrong but feel we could be wasting another summer and opening months if we keep him in charge as the change in manager that may then come in early autumn would mean another man brought into do a salvation job. If we made the change at the end of the season the new manager has time to bring his own players in and properly prepare/coach the team. We will wait and see in the next few weeks I suppose.
Sheffield United finally were relegated the League One after a draw to local neighbours Barnsley at Bramall Lane. Recent back to back wins had given United fans some brief hope they could survive but failure to beat the Tykes confirmed the slide down to the League One trapdoor. United had fought back from a goal down to lead but more sloppy defending led to a late equaliser and confirmed the home side’s fate. In the end both Doncaster and Palace had earned draws meaning it would not have mattered how many goals United scored nor if they had won. In truth the damage had been done months ago and it was a surprise that United actually had managed to hang on until this penultimate game. The game finished with United fans clapping off the team and showing incredibly loyal support and a statement from the board at least finally acknowledged their failings this season and seasons’ past. United now have to simply draw a line under a wretched period in the club’s history and simply start again probably with a completely different team and maybe with a different manager; although still remains to be seen.
For the game with Barnsley, United began by recalling youngster Maguire in place of Collins and had Evans, McAllister and Cresswell all on the bench returning from injury. Barnsley began with two former Blades in their starting eleven in Mellis and Gray.
United were the first to show and had efforts off target from Williamson and Quinn but Barnsley won a series of corners and were competing well considering they had nothing to play for. The visitors then had a great chance to take the lead as Gray beat Lowry, Montgomery lost his runner and Mellis should have scored but blazed over with only Simonsen to beat. Maguire advanced forward but blazed wide from distance then the same man was at fault as Barnsley took the lead. It was an innocuous through ball but the youngster slipped and this allowed HAYNES to run forward unchallenged and slide the ball past Simonsen.
United tried to respond and Henderson and Riise had efforts blocked and then in a scramble following a corner the ball ricocheted around the box and cannoned clear. However, Barnsley were looking the more dangerous and were perhaps shading matters. Gray headed straight at Simonsen when well placed and Haynes movement was causing problems for Lowry who was having an uncomfortable afternoon. United did begin to come back into the game and finally produced a few moves of note with youngster Lowton always looking to get forward. Williamson was also playing well forward of the midfield area.
Slew had been quiet so far but a neat turn saw Hassell trip him and the Barnsley man was cautioned. From the resultant free kick; Williamson’s free kick was hit with pace and into a very dangerous area and LOWTON met it from close range to glance home. Questions marks may have been asked over the defending and goalkeeping as Steele perhaps should have got there as the ball was headed in from such close range but credit also must go to the taker and scorer. United had probably deserved to get back into the game and finished the half strong with Henderson opting to pass when he should have shot and then Williamson’s powerful goal bound effort being blocked. Lowton then nearly scored his second as he came inside, exchanged passed with Slew before firing over with his unfavoured left foot when maybe he should have done better. A poor challenge by Butterfield saw him cautioned just before the break.
The second half saw United on top from the start with Lowton once again getting into dangerous areas down the right hand side. From one such run and cross Henderson ought to have done better but headed wide. Mattock then had a shot blocked and United also won two corners in quick succession. United’s superiority told on the hour but it came from a goalkeeping howler. A long throw was cleared to the edge of the box and WILLIAMSON hit a firm effort through a crowd of bodies but Steele ought to have collected comfortably but somehow the ball squirmed through his body and trickled over the line.
United knew they needed more than just the win and would have to get more goals if they were to give themselves any chance of taking things to the final day of the season and buoyed by the crowd they threw more men forward. In this regard Adams threw on Evans and McAllister for Slew and the disappointing Riise as they searched to add to their advantage. United had a few chances to get in good balls but often made poor choices and now with men forward they were leaving gaps at the back. Barnsley almost profited when Trippier’s free kick was saved well by Simonsen who sprang to his left to push the ball away drawing applause from visiting keeper Steele at the other end of the pitch. However, this let off would only be temporary and from Hill’s cross, HAYNES came in unmarked to nod down and past Simonsen. This goal effectively ended any chances United had of staying up and now the noise was coming from the visiting fans that were enjoying their chance to taunt the Blades over the imminent demise with chants of ‘You’re going down in a minute!’
Cresswell came on for Mattock and United tried in vain to create another chance but the next notable incident saw substitute Evans go down injured and he had to be stretchered off with a serious looking injury. McAllister had a shot deflected away and then a flicked header from Henderson drifted wide. The tremendous support from the home fans saw many staying to sing and remain positive right up to the final whistle. The end came not long after but the positive reaction from the supporters saw the players applaud three sides of the ground. For many players it will probably be the last time they play for the Blades at this ground and it seemed like they knew it from the reaction from the likes of Montgomery, Henderson and Quinn.
United – Finally it is over. It seems like we have been dying a slow death for months now and in some ways the last few weeks of wins have made it even more painful as it has just delayed the inevitable and given us some small hopes. I actually thought that we may take it to the last day; just due to the fact we normally go down or up on the last day with some sort of drama but it would not even have mattered if we had won today due to the results of Palace and Doncaster. In truth of course the damage was done weeks and months ago.
Today we actually did enough to win and in recent games we have definitely improved a bit but continue to let in stupid goals. This makes it incredibly difficult to win games as we are losing 2 or 3 goals routinely meaning we have to score as many at the other end! Today mistakes from Maguire (unfortunate as it was) and then Lowry (lost his man) were the key moments on goals but both goals had moments in the build up where they could have been avoided. A few other notable errors could have led to goals too. However, we did play some decent stuff at the other end and with a bit better finishing and selection of pass (tried to walk it in at times!) we could have had more goals ourselves. I felt Barnsley started the better side and controlled the opening and actually won more 50/50’s and strangely seemed really interested; even more so than us in winning the game. The opening goal was a tad unlucky but they could have scored before that through Mellis. We fought back and deserved to be level before half time and then it was mostly us after the break and we perhaps should have had 2 or 3 goals and seen the game off. We were chasing more goals when the leveller came but they also had a few chances just before this. Maybe we shaded the game and maybe we deserved to win especially when you look at possession, shots on and off target, corners etc. However, we just cannot go a game without making daft mistakes or not switching on at the right times.
Today was a mixed bag in terms of individual performances; the two youngsters Slew and Maguire were not as good as they have been but it is going to be like that with two 18 year olds and it will be up and down at times. However, neither hid and kept going. To be fair to both; Henderson seemed more bothered about grappling with the centre back than playing the ball and got drawn into a pushing and shoving match. Also, Lowry alongside him was poor today and mistake riddled throughout. We did have a very young defence though with Lowton at 21 the most senior player but he too showed his promise again and really has come on in recent times to the point I fear Championship clubs may be looking at him in the summer. I thought he was our best player today.
I thought Montgomery and Quinn were at times decent and others poor, especially in possession of the football and Riise did not look interested which was disappointing considering he has been one of few decent signings. I would send him and Mattock back now as we have nothing to achieve keeping them for the last game and can play players that will be ours and get them games. Williamson was god today and showed what a force he can be as an attacking midfielder as he got forward, put in some decent crosses (and some awful ones) and had quite a few shots including the second goal. Overall, I do think if we could have played the way we have the last few games from post Xmas onwards we would have stayed up. We have not been great but been better and showed some attacking intent and created more chances. However, we do continue to chuck daft goals away and it is like one step forwards, two back as we have to work doubly hard at the other end. For all the criticism he gets Henderson has improved things as a target and someone who can hold the ball up. We also have improved from injecting some youth and enthusiasm and the fact Doyle and Collins have been omitted and performances and results have improved does not seem to be a co-incidence.
I am glad this awful season is at an end and now we have a lot of work to do over the summer. The statement on the club website prepares us for player losses, no cash injection and a reliance on youth next season. I am thankful there has at last been a public apology for the mess the board has put us in. There are some frank and honest statements but it is alright apologising; we now need some strong action. I am also disappointed that our majority shareholder is once again silent and would appreciate some words from him. Maybe I am being petty saying this but everything seems to come through Birch,Steer and now his son.
I think with few experienced players left it would be tough next season for whoever is the manager. We were never going to be able to sign loan players anyway as we won’t be able to afford Champ/Prem loan players anymore but it is odd they are saying we had an over reliance on loans when they said they same thing 12 months ago and have done exactly the same. They (the board) also sanctioned the wages and signings and have appointed the managers who have brought such poor players and expensive drain on resources. They are the ones that have allowed the wage bill to get so high and allowed poor managers in and then allowed them to bring in poor players. They are also the ones who have ultimately destroyed the squad from top to bottom meaning no matter how poor the managers have been (and they have been poor) it is predominantly the fault of them for the mess we are in.
I am still unsure if Adams will be back next season. The comments today suggest he could be going (branch and root review, addressing all matter on and off the pitch etc) next week. Recent improved results mask that we lost so many games when it mattered, particularly to our relegation rivals. His interview at Reading when asked if he would be the man to bring us back and his long pause suggested it is not cut and dry and with rumours over Pemberton taking over swirling around; he seems to be unsure if he will be around himself. My feelings on the matter have been detailed in reports since Xmas and I will not change my opinion. Ultimately he has failed to deliver results and performances and saddled us with some appalling players. I have seen very little to suggest we won’t be nearer the bottom than top even in a division below. I may be wrong but feel we could be wasting another summer and opening months if we keep him in charge as the change in manager that may then come in early autumn would mean another man brought into do a salvation job. If we made the change at the end of the season the new manager has time to bring his own players in and properly prepare/coach the team. We will wait and see in the next few weeks I suppose.
