Deadbat
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The Blades took another giant leap towards promotion as they saw off play off chasing Millwall 2-0 at Bramall Lane. A goal from Man of the Match Jack O’Connell in the first half was doubled up from another Kieron Freeman strike as United dominated for long spells. A nervy last 15 minutes saw Millwall finally create a few chances but in truth United had been in control until the inevitable late surge the visitors threw at them. The football played for long spells was a joy to watch as the Blades controlled possession and tempo. United now have a sizeable lead over the chasing pack and with a further home game to come in 8 days against an almost relegated Coventry, United can take another step towards the finish line.
Manager Wilder made three changes with Done, O’Shea and Ebanks Landell all missing out. The latter had a minor ankle injury. In came Lafferty, Duffy and Coutts. Millwall also made changes leaving out the experienced Steve Morison but had Blades fan Lee Gregory leading the line.
United were turned round at the start of the game and kicked towards the Kop. Millwall started the better but Moore caught a low cross and slowly United started to come into things and Coutts and Fleck began to dictate things. One move saw the ball switched from Coutts to Lafferty before the ball was intercepted. Freeman then played a neat ball and then after Fleck found Duffy and then Lafferty, the ball was just cut out before the waiting Freeman could get on the end of it. The corner came in and Archer was nowhere near it but the ball was cleared despite the goalkeepers appeals for a foul. This indecision was fatal moments later as another corner came in from Fleck and O’CONNELL met it at the back post to power his header home. It was the second successive game the big defender had scored at the Lane.
Soon after it was nearly 2-0. Lovely football saw Lafferty, Hanson and Duffy involved and the ball fell for Coutts who drove a fierce shot that looked bound for the top corner but keeper Archer made a superb save tipped over the bar at full stretch. Archer had been clearly struggling and had to limp off soon after. It seemed an age before the substitute keeper King finally emerged from the dugout with Lions goalkeeping coach Kevin Pressman seemingly more ready to go in goal than the sub!
After this stoppage, United continued to come again. The football was crisp and purposeful and Coutts and Fleck were controlling things all over the field. Millwall were struggling to get into the game at all and Freeman burst down the right and got into the box but his appeals for a penalty were turned away and referee Simpson somehow penalised the United man! Millwall changed their formation to try and tighten up midfield where they were simply not seeing the ball.
Wright was booked after a poor foul when Millwall threatened to break. In the same move Basham had been fortunate not to connect with his man after wild lunge himself! The free kick came to nothing and United came again.
Hanson had won most headers and nodded just wide from a cross from Fleck. Lafferty then played in Duffy but he overran the ball as Untied continued to make all the running. Fleck then shot wide after more great work from Coutts and then Duffy in the build-up. Thompson was booked for a poor tackle on Fleck. The half time whistle came with the fans applauding a good first half performance and a well-deserved lead.
After the break, it seemed Millwall had changed their formation again in an attempt to wrestle some control back. However United continued to control things and a half chance for Duffy after Hanson laid off was seen off. Freeman then got into space but his cross was cut out. Morison had come on for the disappointing Onyedinma but the experience striker was beat to the ball by the excellent O’Connell. The centre back sprinted up field beating a number of challenges and then keeping the ball in to cross after running the full half. The ball was not cleared and eventually it fell for FREEMAN who curled in a superb shot that gave the sub keeper King no chance. It was his 10th goal of the season in a remarkable campaign and another super finish showing his ability to score when in such areas of the field.
Carruthers came on for Duffy for United and O’Brien for Craig for Millwall as the game entered the final 25 minutes. It became a bit scrappy after this and neither side had many chances. However, a very good chance did come soon after when Wallace played in Gregory and he was in on goal but he shot wide as he collided with Moore. Both players lay prostrate on the floor. Moore seemed to have come off worse but after receiving treatment he was eventually ok to continue although seemed a bit groggy. United were now giving it away and sitting back deeper and Basham had to clear off the line from a good chance for Williams after a pull back from Romeo. The Blades had become somewhat ragged after having such control.
The crowd tried to give them the final push and although Morsion got into a good area, he handled the ball and was rightly booked. The game entered five minutes of stoppage time and United saw this out professionally to signal another win with a huge roar on full time. The embraces from groups of players on full time signalled what a big win it was as the crowd roared their approval.
United – For the most part it was a really good performance. We started the game a bit slowly but by 10 minutes in we got control and then until maybe 70-75 minutes we were in control. We passed it well, played with confidence and moved the opponents about. We did not create tons of chances but a spell of super football saw us win a few corners and score and then after this we nearly got a few more and Millwall really struggled. I felt we maybe should have been 2-0 up at half time but to be fair we kept it going second half, did get the second and then it looked over. We got sloppy towards the end and they had a few chances but it was about a fair score in the end. It was really enjoyable to watch for long spells with Coutts and Fleck excellent and Basham and O’Connell behind doing a great job of putting us on the front foot. Hanson was a handful up top and the two wide lads kept causing problems all night.
We were brave on the ball and even though we gave it away a few times we did not stop trying to pass it and kept being positive at what we did. We moved it around nicely and showed some lovely touches. Some of the moves were a joy to behold. We did not maybe create quite as many chances despite the good stuff and a few balls just evaded the strikers. The fact we won 2-0 and two key men Duffy and Sharp were not quite at it, shows how well the team did overall.
It was a big win tonight and we now are close. We have a decent run in with more winnable games but for me regardless of the results at the weekend it is up to us; you would expect Bolton and Fleetwood to win their games against poor sides. We just have to beat Coventry next week and then see where that puts us. We may only need to win 2 more games to go up now. 3 would almost certainly do it. We must make sure there is no let up. Do not even think about the last few games. Just focus on Coventry next week and our attitude being right again. If it is and the crowd remain patient – it might not be a comprehensive win; it might be a scrappy 1-0; then we will be fine. We have lost 3 games in 30 odd games now. I cannot see a meltdown in the last few weeks but we have to ensure we do not get complacent. We still have to get the points but you do sense we are close and Wilder has the team so focused on doing what they need.
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Millwall – I expected better. They had only lost 1 game in 16 was it before tonight and even though they had started to wobble with maybe the number of games catching up on them – the cup run and rearranged games; I look at the side and some of their players and I felt they would be a really tough game. I was pleased they left Morison out as he is a handful for me and they started with a few fresh players in after the aforementioned Saturday-Tuesday slog for last few weeks. They came out and started ok but after decent beginning, we completely took over and dominated the game. The keeper was hesitant and this led to the goal. They then had to change the keeper and then after this struggled to stay in the game and were fortunate to be just 1-0 at half time.
They changed formation about 3 or 4 times going from a 4 at the back to a 3 and then a 5 and then back to a 4 with 3 in the middle being a 2 and then back to a 3. I thought they offered little up top with Gregory isolated and the other lad Onyedinma not in the game. The midfield players could not close enough to Coutts or Fleck and they did not see much of the ball. For most of the game they struggled and the two centre backs just booted it out all game. They gave it away a lot and never really had any controlled spell – not sure what game Harris was watching when he said they were brave on the ball? They barely had it! They had a final flurry and had 2 or 3 decent chances with Gregory missing a one on one and then another few blocked or cleared away. To be hones they went long and started to knock it forward more and then pick up the pieces but they were always going to have a spell but it came too little, too late and not sure they did enough to even warrant a goal really. They were well beaten most of the game looking uncertain at the back, lacking in tenacity and skill in the middle and a bit powder puff up top.
A few weeks ago, they looked like making a run for automatic but it never happened and they have run out of gas completely and now look like struggling even for 6th. If they get in with some of the players they have though, I would fancy them in the playoffs despite them looking poor tonight.
Opponent man of the match : Tough win. Not sure anyone impressed that much. Even Morison when he came on did little. The midfield was struggling all night but the lad Wallace had a few neat balls/touches. The lad who came on, O’Brien might have been one of the few who came out with any credit as at least he got on the ball and tried to make things happen.
Opponent Weak link : The keeper Archer looked really poor at the start and his indecision in part contributed to the goal and then he made a great save and came off. I felt the two lads we have been linked with were really poor. Gregory was never in the game and then missed a good chance. He was outplayed by our back lads. I also thought Webster looked poor. Not sure I would want us to sign him but he was very good in the game at the Den. Took a knock and never recovered. He looked clumsy but was not helped by his partner, the lad Cooper. He was woeful all night and might just win the weak link, although he had a few contenders. The lad Onyedinma really was dreadful also and the midfield lads never were in the game.
Manager Wilder made three changes with Done, O’Shea and Ebanks Landell all missing out. The latter had a minor ankle injury. In came Lafferty, Duffy and Coutts. Millwall also made changes leaving out the experienced Steve Morison but had Blades fan Lee Gregory leading the line.
United were turned round at the start of the game and kicked towards the Kop. Millwall started the better but Moore caught a low cross and slowly United started to come into things and Coutts and Fleck began to dictate things. One move saw the ball switched from Coutts to Lafferty before the ball was intercepted. Freeman then played a neat ball and then after Fleck found Duffy and then Lafferty, the ball was just cut out before the waiting Freeman could get on the end of it. The corner came in and Archer was nowhere near it but the ball was cleared despite the goalkeepers appeals for a foul. This indecision was fatal moments later as another corner came in from Fleck and O’CONNELL met it at the back post to power his header home. It was the second successive game the big defender had scored at the Lane.
Soon after it was nearly 2-0. Lovely football saw Lafferty, Hanson and Duffy involved and the ball fell for Coutts who drove a fierce shot that looked bound for the top corner but keeper Archer made a superb save tipped over the bar at full stretch. Archer had been clearly struggling and had to limp off soon after. It seemed an age before the substitute keeper King finally emerged from the dugout with Lions goalkeeping coach Kevin Pressman seemingly more ready to go in goal than the sub!
After this stoppage, United continued to come again. The football was crisp and purposeful and Coutts and Fleck were controlling things all over the field. Millwall were struggling to get into the game at all and Freeman burst down the right and got into the box but his appeals for a penalty were turned away and referee Simpson somehow penalised the United man! Millwall changed their formation to try and tighten up midfield where they were simply not seeing the ball.
Wright was booked after a poor foul when Millwall threatened to break. In the same move Basham had been fortunate not to connect with his man after wild lunge himself! The free kick came to nothing and United came again.
Hanson had won most headers and nodded just wide from a cross from Fleck. Lafferty then played in Duffy but he overran the ball as Untied continued to make all the running. Fleck then shot wide after more great work from Coutts and then Duffy in the build-up. Thompson was booked for a poor tackle on Fleck. The half time whistle came with the fans applauding a good first half performance and a well-deserved lead.
After the break, it seemed Millwall had changed their formation again in an attempt to wrestle some control back. However United continued to control things and a half chance for Duffy after Hanson laid off was seen off. Freeman then got into space but his cross was cut out. Morison had come on for the disappointing Onyedinma but the experience striker was beat to the ball by the excellent O’Connell. The centre back sprinted up field beating a number of challenges and then keeping the ball in to cross after running the full half. The ball was not cleared and eventually it fell for FREEMAN who curled in a superb shot that gave the sub keeper King no chance. It was his 10th goal of the season in a remarkable campaign and another super finish showing his ability to score when in such areas of the field.
Carruthers came on for Duffy for United and O’Brien for Craig for Millwall as the game entered the final 25 minutes. It became a bit scrappy after this and neither side had many chances. However, a very good chance did come soon after when Wallace played in Gregory and he was in on goal but he shot wide as he collided with Moore. Both players lay prostrate on the floor. Moore seemed to have come off worse but after receiving treatment he was eventually ok to continue although seemed a bit groggy. United were now giving it away and sitting back deeper and Basham had to clear off the line from a good chance for Williams after a pull back from Romeo. The Blades had become somewhat ragged after having such control.
The crowd tried to give them the final push and although Morsion got into a good area, he handled the ball and was rightly booked. The game entered five minutes of stoppage time and United saw this out professionally to signal another win with a huge roar on full time. The embraces from groups of players on full time signalled what a big win it was as the crowd roared their approval.
United – For the most part it was a really good performance. We started the game a bit slowly but by 10 minutes in we got control and then until maybe 70-75 minutes we were in control. We passed it well, played with confidence and moved the opponents about. We did not create tons of chances but a spell of super football saw us win a few corners and score and then after this we nearly got a few more and Millwall really struggled. I felt we maybe should have been 2-0 up at half time but to be fair we kept it going second half, did get the second and then it looked over. We got sloppy towards the end and they had a few chances but it was about a fair score in the end. It was really enjoyable to watch for long spells with Coutts and Fleck excellent and Basham and O’Connell behind doing a great job of putting us on the front foot. Hanson was a handful up top and the two wide lads kept causing problems all night.
We were brave on the ball and even though we gave it away a few times we did not stop trying to pass it and kept being positive at what we did. We moved it around nicely and showed some lovely touches. Some of the moves were a joy to behold. We did not maybe create quite as many chances despite the good stuff and a few balls just evaded the strikers. The fact we won 2-0 and two key men Duffy and Sharp were not quite at it, shows how well the team did overall.
It was a big win tonight and we now are close. We have a decent run in with more winnable games but for me regardless of the results at the weekend it is up to us; you would expect Bolton and Fleetwood to win their games against poor sides. We just have to beat Coventry next week and then see where that puts us. We may only need to win 2 more games to go up now. 3 would almost certainly do it. We must make sure there is no let up. Do not even think about the last few games. Just focus on Coventry next week and our attitude being right again. If it is and the crowd remain patient – it might not be a comprehensive win; it might be a scrappy 1-0; then we will be fine. We have lost 3 games in 30 odd games now. I cannot see a meltdown in the last few weeks but we have to ensure we do not get complacent. We still have to get the points but you do sense we are close and Wilder has the team so focused on doing what they need.
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Millwall – I expected better. They had only lost 1 game in 16 was it before tonight and even though they had started to wobble with maybe the number of games catching up on them – the cup run and rearranged games; I look at the side and some of their players and I felt they would be a really tough game. I was pleased they left Morison out as he is a handful for me and they started with a few fresh players in after the aforementioned Saturday-Tuesday slog for last few weeks. They came out and started ok but after decent beginning, we completely took over and dominated the game. The keeper was hesitant and this led to the goal. They then had to change the keeper and then after this struggled to stay in the game and were fortunate to be just 1-0 at half time.
They changed formation about 3 or 4 times going from a 4 at the back to a 3 and then a 5 and then back to a 4 with 3 in the middle being a 2 and then back to a 3. I thought they offered little up top with Gregory isolated and the other lad Onyedinma not in the game. The midfield players could not close enough to Coutts or Fleck and they did not see much of the ball. For most of the game they struggled and the two centre backs just booted it out all game. They gave it away a lot and never really had any controlled spell – not sure what game Harris was watching when he said they were brave on the ball? They barely had it! They had a final flurry and had 2 or 3 decent chances with Gregory missing a one on one and then another few blocked or cleared away. To be hones they went long and started to knock it forward more and then pick up the pieces but they were always going to have a spell but it came too little, too late and not sure they did enough to even warrant a goal really. They were well beaten most of the game looking uncertain at the back, lacking in tenacity and skill in the middle and a bit powder puff up top.
A few weeks ago, they looked like making a run for automatic but it never happened and they have run out of gas completely and now look like struggling even for 6th. If they get in with some of the players they have though, I would fancy them in the playoffs despite them looking poor tonight.
Opponent man of the match : Tough win. Not sure anyone impressed that much. Even Morison when he came on did little. The midfield was struggling all night but the lad Wallace had a few neat balls/touches. The lad who came on, O’Brien might have been one of the few who came out with any credit as at least he got on the ball and tried to make things happen.
Opponent Weak link : The keeper Archer looked really poor at the start and his indecision in part contributed to the goal and then he made a great save and came off. I felt the two lads we have been linked with were really poor. Gregory was never in the game and then missed a good chance. He was outplayed by our back lads. I also thought Webster looked poor. Not sure I would want us to sign him but he was very good in the game at the Den. Took a knock and never recovered. He looked clumsy but was not helped by his partner, the lad Cooper. He was woeful all night and might just win the weak link, although he had a few contenders. The lad Onyedinma really was dreadful also and the midfield lads never were in the game.
