Deadbat
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Sheffield United finished the season in fitting style by coming back to defeat Coventry City 2-1 at Bramall Lane in front of a crowd of nearly 21,000. After such a dismal first half of the season, United’s season had completely turned around to the extent they reached the FA Cup Semi Final and now finish the season in 7th place. Manager Nigel Clough was loudly cheered as he departed the Lane for the summer break as the team were given a richly deserved and warm round of applause as they lapped the pitch at full time.
Today’s game at times had an end of season feel to it as the first half offered little to no attempts on goal and no real action to talk about until City surprisingly broke to score just before the break. After the break United changed their tactics but more than that upped the tempo and got the ball forward quicker. Their renewed efforts saw two well made and converted goals to ensure the Blades ended the season 8 games unbeaten in the league.
United began with one change from the game that started at Oldham with Neil Collins coming back in for Terry Kennedy. City had the prolific Callum Wilson in attack and Wednesday loanee David Prutton in midfield and were backed by a large travelling following.
The game began with much of the ball around the middle of the field but had one long range shot from Coady but was straight at the keeper. City had offered little but Collins mistake saw Wilson in but Doyle blocked his shot. Coady claimed for a spot kick but it was waved away from the referee as United tried to build down the right. Brayford was getting forward well but twice his final ball went awry.
Scougall got kicked by Thomas; who was booked and was struggling after lengthy treatment but carried on.
The build up was slow from both sides and the game lacked incident or quality but one cross from the right from Baxter saw Doyle head at Murphy before the captain fired a better effort that Murphy shovelled away.
City had looked lively on the break with their pace and from one such break they took the lead maybe with their first effort on goal. Fleck got away from Coady and as the referee played on despite the City man being fouled, the ball was played forward and DELFOUNESO held off Freeman and was able to toe poke under Howard. It was a goal out of the blue but United fans will feel the lack of urgency and forward play had been punished despite City barely deserving a goal.
A poor Freeman shot and then a booking for Fleck for a foul on Murphy was the only other incidents before the break.
The second half started with United making a change with Scougall deemed not fit to continue and Porter came on. He began up top with Murphy switching inside and Baxter going down the left. United suddenly seemed to have upped the tempo and Brayford went on one marauding run and was fed from Porter but his touch took it away from him and Murphy saved at his feet.
United were now getting it forward quicker and City were now having something to contend with. Flynn had one run which saw him beat his man and his cross was just turned wide by Porter. Buoyed by this FLYNN then went on another run and this time exchanged passes with Coady before coming inside. He beat his man and with his left foot he finished expertly into the corner. It was a great way to celebrate signing his new contract.
Davies came on for Baxter and was straight on a set play after Murphy was fouled but it came to nothing. Soon after he had an even bigger impact. United were now well on top and after winning the ball and moving forward; Coady powered through. He went across goal and resisted the urge to shoot before patiently waiting and laying off for Davies.
The midfielder was in on goal and as Murphy came out, DAVIES side footed right into the corner with his trusty left foot.
It has been a good turnaround but deserved for the more determined attacking performance in the second half. Wilson was held by Collins who was booked but the visitors fired well over from the free kick. The action returned back to the other end and Maguire headed across for Collins who was just over. Doyle then hit a ferocious volley as it dropped that dipped and swerved but went over.
At the end Hill came on for Freeman and City at least had a few efforts but Marshall was wild in his finish and then another long range shot was well over target. The additional final four minutes saw United hold out relatively easily despite City forcing a late corner and the fans could celebrate signing off with a win.
United – Thought we were poor and looked quite disinterested in the first half. We were slow and moved it from side to side and even backwards. There was no penetration at all and when we did go forward, we then went back again. I cannot recall any decent efforts of note in the first half (Doyle one shot/header) but we certainly had most of the ball. They worked hard and maybe when they did have the ball they looked more threatening without any chances as they actually broke quicker as they capitalised on us overplaying. When United went behind it was against the run of play though in some senses but United had been asking for it with over complicating things and the slow and meandering play saw them lost it. They broke and got away but it was a simple through ball that dissected the defence too easily and Freeman was held off easily as they toe poked home. It was a really sloppy end of season game with no drive or penetration from United. We had nothing up front and struggled to get behind them, everyone was trying to be too precise and we could not get through them.
Second half the change of formation helped as we had two up front in Porter and Murphy and this drew the centre backs into actually having something to think about. This extra attacking threat gave space down the flanks and from the right in particular. Brayford bombed forward and had some surging runs and although they did not always come off; the Coventry defenders now had men coming at them. Flynn was now heavily involved.
I did feel we stepped it up in terms of tempo and players having a go at committing defenders but I also thought we got it forward quicker to start with and at times it could be labelled direct football to kick start the passing in the final third. In the first half we dithered and dallied around playing it about across the back and then by the time we got into the last third seemed to run out of steam. Second half at times the centre backs played long balls and the Coventry defenders were forced to turned or knock it out. We then played some decent football from winning possession but in the final third where it mattered. The two goals were excellent with nice passing movement. Coady had a very good second half and was involved in both goals. Overall we did enough to deservedly win the game. Coventry had a few long range efforts near the end but they were not an attacking threat at all second half really with much of the game played in their half.
Today showed why we should expect to contend nearer the top more consistently next season but also showed that we lack pace and maybe some physical threat in areas of the field; particularly up top. It stands out a mile that we lack strikers (with those aforementioned threats) but we also need to add in other areas. We are still some way off being the side that can blow teams away like Brentford and Wolves have and not sure we can carry off gritty defensive 1-0’s, 2-1’s for a whole season to get the points we need. There is a solid base but we need that attacking threat and goals.
Credit to United for finishing the season strong and despite fatigue and the fact we have finished 8 games unbeaten and won 3 and drew 2 of the last 5 since the cup semi, shows the professionalism of the management and the team.
They have not ended limply and ended the season in the highest position of the season (taking away the fact they were top when they played before all the rest when they beat Notts County).
Coventry – Thought they played ok first half in a nothing game and pressed us more than we did to them. They had two strikers working hard and making nothing easy. In midfield they maybe picked up more of the scraps than we did but it was a relatively even game. They played a few neat triangles but never looked like scoring really and the goal was out of nothing as we gave it away and they ran through before neatly finishing. They seemed in relative control defensively as we had offered very little. They had kept Murphy and Flynn quiet and forced them into the middle of the field. They seemed happy we just passed it about and had no penetration or pace.
Second half faced with more balls coming at them they were finally put under pressure. The likes of Brayford, Coady and Flynn finally went at defenders and they struggled somewhat. It did not take much (2 or 3 passed mixed in with players driving at them) for them to be undone and the lead to disappear. After this they had a few efforts over the bar but kind of looked disinterested once United had upped the tempo and decided to have a go.
Pressley has done a good job and after a tough start and the 10 point deduction had moved them away from the danger area and at one stage they thought they even may make the playoffs. They then fell away and were back in trouble but they stayed up relatively easily in the end. With all the issues with the owners and having to play in front of tiny crowd’s miles from him at the Sixfields; they have done really well to even be where they are. I think Pressley talks some absolute nonsense at times (remember some ludicrous and quite bitter interviews after games earlier in the season – Bradford away when he slated their style etc) but he has done a good job.
They lost Clarke and one or two others but have managed to keep in touch with a relatively young and inexperienced side. They have let in a lot of goals but scored a lot and it was not common place to see 4’s and 5’s at both ends earlier in the season. The lad Baker who was sub always looked a decent player who works hard in the middle. Delfouneso took his goal well and promised much at Villa but seems to have lost his way. Of course Wilson is the one who gets all the plaudits and has impressed him with his pace and also calm finishing. Today he did not get much service but he did work hard for the team. I expect him to move on to a Championship side and fear he may be a bit out of our price range as goal scorers like him and Wells normally fetch into the million+ bracket even at this level. The lad Marshall (down the left) was quick but that was about it with no final product at all. I never really noticed Fleck, who we were after previously; nor Prutton until he went off and got some stick for his Wednesday connection.
Defensively when got at you could see why they have let in a lot of goals as they seemed woefully exposed when we did go at them. Down their left hand side they seemed at times to be playing without a full back. The two centre backs looked slow and easy to turn but had an easy game until Porter at least gave them someone to battle with and allowed us to get extra runners in.
Next season will be even tough and unless they can move back home (seems no closer to happening) they will have small crowds and a small budget and the FFP rules will hurt them even more. It will be tough for them to be among the frontrunner despite some of the young talent and I think mid table at best may be a scenario I envisage.
Today’s game at times had an end of season feel to it as the first half offered little to no attempts on goal and no real action to talk about until City surprisingly broke to score just before the break. After the break United changed their tactics but more than that upped the tempo and got the ball forward quicker. Their renewed efforts saw two well made and converted goals to ensure the Blades ended the season 8 games unbeaten in the league.
United began with one change from the game that started at Oldham with Neil Collins coming back in for Terry Kennedy. City had the prolific Callum Wilson in attack and Wednesday loanee David Prutton in midfield and were backed by a large travelling following.
The game began with much of the ball around the middle of the field but had one long range shot from Coady but was straight at the keeper. City had offered little but Collins mistake saw Wilson in but Doyle blocked his shot. Coady claimed for a spot kick but it was waved away from the referee as United tried to build down the right. Brayford was getting forward well but twice his final ball went awry.
Scougall got kicked by Thomas; who was booked and was struggling after lengthy treatment but carried on.
The build up was slow from both sides and the game lacked incident or quality but one cross from the right from Baxter saw Doyle head at Murphy before the captain fired a better effort that Murphy shovelled away.
City had looked lively on the break with their pace and from one such break they took the lead maybe with their first effort on goal. Fleck got away from Coady and as the referee played on despite the City man being fouled, the ball was played forward and DELFOUNESO held off Freeman and was able to toe poke under Howard. It was a goal out of the blue but United fans will feel the lack of urgency and forward play had been punished despite City barely deserving a goal.
A poor Freeman shot and then a booking for Fleck for a foul on Murphy was the only other incidents before the break.
The second half started with United making a change with Scougall deemed not fit to continue and Porter came on. He began up top with Murphy switching inside and Baxter going down the left. United suddenly seemed to have upped the tempo and Brayford went on one marauding run and was fed from Porter but his touch took it away from him and Murphy saved at his feet.
United were now getting it forward quicker and City were now having something to contend with. Flynn had one run which saw him beat his man and his cross was just turned wide by Porter. Buoyed by this FLYNN then went on another run and this time exchanged passes with Coady before coming inside. He beat his man and with his left foot he finished expertly into the corner. It was a great way to celebrate signing his new contract.
Davies came on for Baxter and was straight on a set play after Murphy was fouled but it came to nothing. Soon after he had an even bigger impact. United were now well on top and after winning the ball and moving forward; Coady powered through. He went across goal and resisted the urge to shoot before patiently waiting and laying off for Davies.
The midfielder was in on goal and as Murphy came out, DAVIES side footed right into the corner with his trusty left foot.
It has been a good turnaround but deserved for the more determined attacking performance in the second half. Wilson was held by Collins who was booked but the visitors fired well over from the free kick. The action returned back to the other end and Maguire headed across for Collins who was just over. Doyle then hit a ferocious volley as it dropped that dipped and swerved but went over.
At the end Hill came on for Freeman and City at least had a few efforts but Marshall was wild in his finish and then another long range shot was well over target. The additional final four minutes saw United hold out relatively easily despite City forcing a late corner and the fans could celebrate signing off with a win.
United – Thought we were poor and looked quite disinterested in the first half. We were slow and moved it from side to side and even backwards. There was no penetration at all and when we did go forward, we then went back again. I cannot recall any decent efforts of note in the first half (Doyle one shot/header) but we certainly had most of the ball. They worked hard and maybe when they did have the ball they looked more threatening without any chances as they actually broke quicker as they capitalised on us overplaying. When United went behind it was against the run of play though in some senses but United had been asking for it with over complicating things and the slow and meandering play saw them lost it. They broke and got away but it was a simple through ball that dissected the defence too easily and Freeman was held off easily as they toe poked home. It was a really sloppy end of season game with no drive or penetration from United. We had nothing up front and struggled to get behind them, everyone was trying to be too precise and we could not get through them.
Second half the change of formation helped as we had two up front in Porter and Murphy and this drew the centre backs into actually having something to think about. This extra attacking threat gave space down the flanks and from the right in particular. Brayford bombed forward and had some surging runs and although they did not always come off; the Coventry defenders now had men coming at them. Flynn was now heavily involved.
I did feel we stepped it up in terms of tempo and players having a go at committing defenders but I also thought we got it forward quicker to start with and at times it could be labelled direct football to kick start the passing in the final third. In the first half we dithered and dallied around playing it about across the back and then by the time we got into the last third seemed to run out of steam. Second half at times the centre backs played long balls and the Coventry defenders were forced to turned or knock it out. We then played some decent football from winning possession but in the final third where it mattered. The two goals were excellent with nice passing movement. Coady had a very good second half and was involved in both goals. Overall we did enough to deservedly win the game. Coventry had a few long range efforts near the end but they were not an attacking threat at all second half really with much of the game played in their half.
Today showed why we should expect to contend nearer the top more consistently next season but also showed that we lack pace and maybe some physical threat in areas of the field; particularly up top. It stands out a mile that we lack strikers (with those aforementioned threats) but we also need to add in other areas. We are still some way off being the side that can blow teams away like Brentford and Wolves have and not sure we can carry off gritty defensive 1-0’s, 2-1’s for a whole season to get the points we need. There is a solid base but we need that attacking threat and goals.
Credit to United for finishing the season strong and despite fatigue and the fact we have finished 8 games unbeaten and won 3 and drew 2 of the last 5 since the cup semi, shows the professionalism of the management and the team.
They have not ended limply and ended the season in the highest position of the season (taking away the fact they were top when they played before all the rest when they beat Notts County).
Coventry – Thought they played ok first half in a nothing game and pressed us more than we did to them. They had two strikers working hard and making nothing easy. In midfield they maybe picked up more of the scraps than we did but it was a relatively even game. They played a few neat triangles but never looked like scoring really and the goal was out of nothing as we gave it away and they ran through before neatly finishing. They seemed in relative control defensively as we had offered very little. They had kept Murphy and Flynn quiet and forced them into the middle of the field. They seemed happy we just passed it about and had no penetration or pace.
Second half faced with more balls coming at them they were finally put under pressure. The likes of Brayford, Coady and Flynn finally went at defenders and they struggled somewhat. It did not take much (2 or 3 passed mixed in with players driving at them) for them to be undone and the lead to disappear. After this they had a few efforts over the bar but kind of looked disinterested once United had upped the tempo and decided to have a go.
Pressley has done a good job and after a tough start and the 10 point deduction had moved them away from the danger area and at one stage they thought they even may make the playoffs. They then fell away and were back in trouble but they stayed up relatively easily in the end. With all the issues with the owners and having to play in front of tiny crowd’s miles from him at the Sixfields; they have done really well to even be where they are. I think Pressley talks some absolute nonsense at times (remember some ludicrous and quite bitter interviews after games earlier in the season – Bradford away when he slated their style etc) but he has done a good job.
They lost Clarke and one or two others but have managed to keep in touch with a relatively young and inexperienced side. They have let in a lot of goals but scored a lot and it was not common place to see 4’s and 5’s at both ends earlier in the season. The lad Baker who was sub always looked a decent player who works hard in the middle. Delfouneso took his goal well and promised much at Villa but seems to have lost his way. Of course Wilson is the one who gets all the plaudits and has impressed him with his pace and also calm finishing. Today he did not get much service but he did work hard for the team. I expect him to move on to a Championship side and fear he may be a bit out of our price range as goal scorers like him and Wells normally fetch into the million+ bracket even at this level. The lad Marshall (down the left) was quick but that was about it with no final product at all. I never really noticed Fleck, who we were after previously; nor Prutton until he went off and got some stick for his Wednesday connection.
Defensively when got at you could see why they have let in a lot of goals as they seemed woefully exposed when we did go at them. Down their left hand side they seemed at times to be playing without a full back. The two centre backs looked slow and easy to turn but had an easy game until Porter at least gave them someone to battle with and allowed us to get extra runners in.
Next season will be even tough and unless they can move back home (seems no closer to happening) they will have small crowds and a small budget and the FFP rules will hurt them even more. It will be tough for them to be among the frontrunner despite some of the young talent and I think mid table at best may be a scenario I envisage.
