Deadbat
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Pod and report below
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The FA Cup had provided a rest bite from a dreadful league season when the Blades won at Bristol Rovers a fortnight ago and it proved again as they once again got the better of a League One side by an odd goal as they beat Plymouth 2-1 at Bramall Lane. Basham and Sharp got the goals for United who dominated the first hour but the final 30 minutes were more uncomfortable than they needed to be as Camara pulled one back but the Blades held on. They now face Bristol City in a couple of weeks in midweek, for the chance to go back to the quarter finals again for the second consecutive season.
United named 9 of the 11 that started last week against Spurs with only the front two changed with Brewster and Sharp in for McGoldrick and Burke. Youngster Illian Ndiaye was the latest youngster given an opportunity on the bench. Plymouth were on the back of a midweek long trip to Sunderland which saw a welcome victory and were managed by former Owl Ryan Lowe. Luke Jephcott a talented Welsh striker who had scored 13 goals this season began up front for the 11th placed Argyle.
United started well with Fleck down the left sending a cross over that was cleared and led to two corners in quick succession but Argyle managed to clear the danger but then Sharp had a chance but was just offside as he took too long to get his shot away. Brewster then was clipped down the left and a free kick opportunity came but the routine did not come off at all.
It was all the home side and Stevens ball then put Sharp in down the left-hand side and he was onside this time but took too long again and the shot was blocked out for another corner. Patient build up saw Fleck and Stevens then link but the cross was too high for Bogle and he could not direct his header. It had been a good start from United who were knocking it about confidently.
Plymouth had not got into the United half hardly and it continued to be one way traffic with Stevens involved down the left again and his cross was headed down but wide from Brewster. The same man then had a go from range but Cooper got down well to his left to smother the powerful long-range shot. Fleck then got down the left-hand side but maybe took too long and then sent it into an area rather than picking someone one out and Brewster again on the stretch, had his third opportunity of the match but could only toe poke wide on the stretch.
The domination continued with Stevens cross away from Sharp and Brewster and more patient football saw Norwood switch play but Bogle did not read the opportunity.
The visiting side had simply not been in it but remarkably on 24 minutes they broke and missed a sitter. Lovely build up saw them move it through the thirds and switch it to the left-hand side. Ampadu was not tight enough to his man and the pull back was perfect for Camara but somehow, he put it over when it seemed easier to score. United had switched off with Fleck also not going with his runner who got ahead of him into the box.
At the other end, United then had an equally good chance. Fleck pulled it back and Brewster knocked it back and Lundstram was well placed on the penalty spot but snatched at it and smashed it wide. Normally a decent and composed finisher he opted to try and take the leather out of it and it went past the post. Really it should have been 1-1 with two great opportunities at either end.
On the half hour mark United had a very strong appeal for a penalty. Ampadu got forward well and played a neat one two and as he came inside, he took a powerful shot that the defender Watts seemed to use a hand to save it. Replays proved he raised both hands and it hit him on the hand and went out for a corner. A great save! The VAR check saw Australian official, Jarred Gillett, clearly saw it was in the ‘Green Zone!’ which would perhaps suggest his arms were close to his body/face as a protective factor but it seems to be hard to know what officials will give each week even with changes made. It seemed a strong call for a spot kick.
Plymouth then won a corner at the other end but it came to nothing before Stevens and Fleck wasted crosses at the other end, hitting the first man. Not long after the lead came though as superb, patient football saw the ball moved forward and then from left to right and back to the left with a number of players involved. The ball eventually was worked to Sharp who chipped over an inviting cross and Brewster ducked underneath it for BASHAM to come in and power his header home. It was a deserved lead as despite the golden chance for Argyle for Camara, the Blades had controlled and dominated large swathes of the games and had a number of chances and an equally good one from Lundstram. For Basham, it was his first goal for 22 months with the last goal coming in the infamous Basham arriving goal at Leeds in March 2019.
Sharp tried to peel off his men on the left from a Norwood drilled cross but was penalised for a soft push before Plymouth broke and Camara did well to get away from a lunging Fleck to feed in Grant who had acres of space. The Plymouth man opted to go alone but put it into the side netting. Ampadu then gave away a ball in a mix up with Stevens and Plymouth won another corner but Ramsdale caught it eventually despite bobbling another cross around; a feature of his game this season sadly. After two minutes of stoppage time, mostly for a ridiculous foul given on Fleck (where the Plymouth man ran into him to cause himself to be injured) and for some malfunction with the official’s technology, the half came to an end.
Straight after half time and United doubled their lead with Norwood playing the ball through calmly and Sharp was in. He rounded the keeper and converted with ease. It was a simple goal but nice to see United go through the middle of the pitch, a rarity it seems, to score. However, whilst the defending was poor, it was a lovely assist and finish from two of United’s senior men.
There was nearly the first goal for Brewster as United broke again and Fleck’s cross fell for Brewster but his shot was too close to Cooper who denied him. Arguably he should have scored and it was another good chance for United who were dominating the game.
Another spell of possession saw United move it around and then the ball came over but it was cleared as Sharp could not get there on the stretch. Norwood then moved it onto Basham and back across to Fleck before it was cleared. Plymouth were still defending incredibly deep to say they were 2-0 down.
Reeves came on for Fornah on the hour mark as Lowe looked for something to give the away side some hope in a game, they had been second best in. United continued to control things and Lundstram’s cross was into a dangerous area but Sharp slipped.
Not long after Moore and Telford came on too, as with five changes, Plymouth knew they could try and gamble even more at this stage. Jephcott and Hardy were the two to depart as Lowe changed both his strikers.
On 65 minutes the ball over the top from Egan saw Sharp hold his man off really well using his strength and came inside but with no options he blazed over. Norwood then picked up a regulation booking for him, as he gave it away and then pulled his man back. This was the sign of a sloppy period as Fleck failed to clear and Aimson shot wide on the angle – the first real chance for the visiting side. Stevens then was next to dither and twice lost it on the edge of his own box but at the other end good work down the left saw Sharp pull it back for Brewster who somehow just fell over and failed to get his shot away under no pressure at all.
Baldock and Bryan came on for Lowe and Norwood with Ampadu moving into a midfield position. Telford had a bobbled shot that was easy for Ramsdale but at least Plymouth were forcing United back after the home team had been comfortable for the first hour of the game. On 74 minutes Sharp was away but seemed offside as he went clear and after he squared for Fleck to tap in, the flag then went up. This infuriating new rule reared its head again. It seems to just waste time and cause more confusion.
On 74 minutes, Plymouth were back in it. More sloppy play from United saw them give it away and Lundstram was the next culprit and then Basham made a horrible mess of the ball back to him. Argyle nipped in and broke down the left and squared it. The finish from CAMARA went in despite Ramsdale getting something to it. It seemed like the keeper could have done better but it was a poor goal to give away all round.
Next attack and Reeves shot wide and United suddenly started to panic. However, Stevens then broke and his cross to Sharp saw it blocked by a body of players and came back to Stevens who showed quick feet to work it onto his weak foot and fired it at Cooper who saved with his legs.
Sharp and Brewster came off for McGoldrick and Burke with 10 minutes to play but the game was not more even and United did not have anywhere near the control they had before. Lundstram gave away a silly foul but Grant’s cross was cleared but it stayed at that end for a period before finally United cleared. Nouble was then on for Camara as the game entered the final minutes. Poor game management from Burke and McGoldrick saw it coming back and then Ramsdale tried a daft chipped ball which led to Basham then fouling his man. The free kick dropped to Moore but he blazed over.
The game entered four minutes of stoppage time and Watts was booked for pulling back Burke and the home side spent a decent spell in the right-hand corner before a final free kick was punted up field but United headed clear and the whistle went soon after. It was a deserved win for the Blades who had been the much better side but the final moments had been nervier than they needed to be after some poor play led to Plymouth having a lifeline. Still, it was a win and a performance where we saw some better moments albeit versus limited opposition.
United – Deserved win and for 65-70 minutes you were thinking it was a really good, professional performance. We started well on top and looked dangerous and the front two had a number of half chances. It was all us and maybe the only criticism is the final bit again or us not being clinical when we needed to be, whether it was a cross, final ball or finish. I felt Brewster and Sharp needed to be a bit quicker or the final ball come in a bit earlier. Some of the football was good. It was crisp, patient and measured and we moved them about. They stood off us of course but the likes of Fleck, Stevens and Norwood were much more involved. We had a number of attacks down the left and we penned them in. Then they had a great chance and we had a let off. We then missed a big one through Lundstram but then scored a really good goal after a number of passes. We also should have had a penalty I felt before that. We began the second half well and scored a lovely goal again and nice to see a different line of attack (down the middle). After this we just took the sting out of the game if Brewster scores one of a few good chances (Sharp had one too) the game is done but you knew we would give them a chance as we have all season and showed that even v Bristol Rovers.
Sure enough we started going sloppy. Many may point to the changes but we gave it away a fair bit before this around the 60-65 minutes with a few just giving it away under no real pressure. We then made the subs but errors from Lundstram and then Basham saw then score with Ramsdale not great again. It was then a bit panicky and they had a few half chances and you thought here we go. We managed to do just enough to see it out but the final part was as poor as the first hour was good. You sensed the lack of confidence and us not knowing how to win games even versus an inferior opponent.
Overall though we were good value and deserved the win. It should have been more. We saw some decent if not brilliant performances from a handful and felt Sharp was a nuisance and a constant threat throughout. We won the game and are through. Be really interesting to see us versus a Championship team in Bristol City though – as of course this is who we are going to be playing next season and be good to see how we measure up v a team that is on our level and will be on our level of course.
Now we face games we may have to watch behind our cushions. I am not sure even our own fans give us any chance whatsoever but look at Burnley in the week of course but then not sure we have the organisation and defensive qualities and I worry whenever the ball goes near Ramsdale – saw it again today. Of course, we will not have Egan for the first game as well. However, let us enjoy the win and the fact we are in the 5th round with a game we can win at the Lane.
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The FA Cup had provided a rest bite from a dreadful league season when the Blades won at Bristol Rovers a fortnight ago and it proved again as they once again got the better of a League One side by an odd goal as they beat Plymouth 2-1 at Bramall Lane. Basham and Sharp got the goals for United who dominated the first hour but the final 30 minutes were more uncomfortable than they needed to be as Camara pulled one back but the Blades held on. They now face Bristol City in a couple of weeks in midweek, for the chance to go back to the quarter finals again for the second consecutive season.
United named 9 of the 11 that started last week against Spurs with only the front two changed with Brewster and Sharp in for McGoldrick and Burke. Youngster Illian Ndiaye was the latest youngster given an opportunity on the bench. Plymouth were on the back of a midweek long trip to Sunderland which saw a welcome victory and were managed by former Owl Ryan Lowe. Luke Jephcott a talented Welsh striker who had scored 13 goals this season began up front for the 11th placed Argyle.
United started well with Fleck down the left sending a cross over that was cleared and led to two corners in quick succession but Argyle managed to clear the danger but then Sharp had a chance but was just offside as he took too long to get his shot away. Brewster then was clipped down the left and a free kick opportunity came but the routine did not come off at all.
It was all the home side and Stevens ball then put Sharp in down the left-hand side and he was onside this time but took too long again and the shot was blocked out for another corner. Patient build up saw Fleck and Stevens then link but the cross was too high for Bogle and he could not direct his header. It had been a good start from United who were knocking it about confidently.
Plymouth had not got into the United half hardly and it continued to be one way traffic with Stevens involved down the left again and his cross was headed down but wide from Brewster. The same man then had a go from range but Cooper got down well to his left to smother the powerful long-range shot. Fleck then got down the left-hand side but maybe took too long and then sent it into an area rather than picking someone one out and Brewster again on the stretch, had his third opportunity of the match but could only toe poke wide on the stretch.
The domination continued with Stevens cross away from Sharp and Brewster and more patient football saw Norwood switch play but Bogle did not read the opportunity.
The visiting side had simply not been in it but remarkably on 24 minutes they broke and missed a sitter. Lovely build up saw them move it through the thirds and switch it to the left-hand side. Ampadu was not tight enough to his man and the pull back was perfect for Camara but somehow, he put it over when it seemed easier to score. United had switched off with Fleck also not going with his runner who got ahead of him into the box.
At the other end, United then had an equally good chance. Fleck pulled it back and Brewster knocked it back and Lundstram was well placed on the penalty spot but snatched at it and smashed it wide. Normally a decent and composed finisher he opted to try and take the leather out of it and it went past the post. Really it should have been 1-1 with two great opportunities at either end.
On the half hour mark United had a very strong appeal for a penalty. Ampadu got forward well and played a neat one two and as he came inside, he took a powerful shot that the defender Watts seemed to use a hand to save it. Replays proved he raised both hands and it hit him on the hand and went out for a corner. A great save! The VAR check saw Australian official, Jarred Gillett, clearly saw it was in the ‘Green Zone!’ which would perhaps suggest his arms were close to his body/face as a protective factor but it seems to be hard to know what officials will give each week even with changes made. It seemed a strong call for a spot kick.
Plymouth then won a corner at the other end but it came to nothing before Stevens and Fleck wasted crosses at the other end, hitting the first man. Not long after the lead came though as superb, patient football saw the ball moved forward and then from left to right and back to the left with a number of players involved. The ball eventually was worked to Sharp who chipped over an inviting cross and Brewster ducked underneath it for BASHAM to come in and power his header home. It was a deserved lead as despite the golden chance for Argyle for Camara, the Blades had controlled and dominated large swathes of the games and had a number of chances and an equally good one from Lundstram. For Basham, it was his first goal for 22 months with the last goal coming in the infamous Basham arriving goal at Leeds in March 2019.
Sharp tried to peel off his men on the left from a Norwood drilled cross but was penalised for a soft push before Plymouth broke and Camara did well to get away from a lunging Fleck to feed in Grant who had acres of space. The Plymouth man opted to go alone but put it into the side netting. Ampadu then gave away a ball in a mix up with Stevens and Plymouth won another corner but Ramsdale caught it eventually despite bobbling another cross around; a feature of his game this season sadly. After two minutes of stoppage time, mostly for a ridiculous foul given on Fleck (where the Plymouth man ran into him to cause himself to be injured) and for some malfunction with the official’s technology, the half came to an end.
Straight after half time and United doubled their lead with Norwood playing the ball through calmly and Sharp was in. He rounded the keeper and converted with ease. It was a simple goal but nice to see United go through the middle of the pitch, a rarity it seems, to score. However, whilst the defending was poor, it was a lovely assist and finish from two of United’s senior men.
There was nearly the first goal for Brewster as United broke again and Fleck’s cross fell for Brewster but his shot was too close to Cooper who denied him. Arguably he should have scored and it was another good chance for United who were dominating the game.
Another spell of possession saw United move it around and then the ball came over but it was cleared as Sharp could not get there on the stretch. Norwood then moved it onto Basham and back across to Fleck before it was cleared. Plymouth were still defending incredibly deep to say they were 2-0 down.
Reeves came on for Fornah on the hour mark as Lowe looked for something to give the away side some hope in a game, they had been second best in. United continued to control things and Lundstram’s cross was into a dangerous area but Sharp slipped.
Not long after Moore and Telford came on too, as with five changes, Plymouth knew they could try and gamble even more at this stage. Jephcott and Hardy were the two to depart as Lowe changed both his strikers.
On 65 minutes the ball over the top from Egan saw Sharp hold his man off really well using his strength and came inside but with no options he blazed over. Norwood then picked up a regulation booking for him, as he gave it away and then pulled his man back. This was the sign of a sloppy period as Fleck failed to clear and Aimson shot wide on the angle – the first real chance for the visiting side. Stevens then was next to dither and twice lost it on the edge of his own box but at the other end good work down the left saw Sharp pull it back for Brewster who somehow just fell over and failed to get his shot away under no pressure at all.
Baldock and Bryan came on for Lowe and Norwood with Ampadu moving into a midfield position. Telford had a bobbled shot that was easy for Ramsdale but at least Plymouth were forcing United back after the home team had been comfortable for the first hour of the game. On 74 minutes Sharp was away but seemed offside as he went clear and after he squared for Fleck to tap in, the flag then went up. This infuriating new rule reared its head again. It seems to just waste time and cause more confusion.
On 74 minutes, Plymouth were back in it. More sloppy play from United saw them give it away and Lundstram was the next culprit and then Basham made a horrible mess of the ball back to him. Argyle nipped in and broke down the left and squared it. The finish from CAMARA went in despite Ramsdale getting something to it. It seemed like the keeper could have done better but it was a poor goal to give away all round.
Next attack and Reeves shot wide and United suddenly started to panic. However, Stevens then broke and his cross to Sharp saw it blocked by a body of players and came back to Stevens who showed quick feet to work it onto his weak foot and fired it at Cooper who saved with his legs.
Sharp and Brewster came off for McGoldrick and Burke with 10 minutes to play but the game was not more even and United did not have anywhere near the control they had before. Lundstram gave away a silly foul but Grant’s cross was cleared but it stayed at that end for a period before finally United cleared. Nouble was then on for Camara as the game entered the final minutes. Poor game management from Burke and McGoldrick saw it coming back and then Ramsdale tried a daft chipped ball which led to Basham then fouling his man. The free kick dropped to Moore but he blazed over.
The game entered four minutes of stoppage time and Watts was booked for pulling back Burke and the home side spent a decent spell in the right-hand corner before a final free kick was punted up field but United headed clear and the whistle went soon after. It was a deserved win for the Blades who had been the much better side but the final moments had been nervier than they needed to be after some poor play led to Plymouth having a lifeline. Still, it was a win and a performance where we saw some better moments albeit versus limited opposition.
United – Deserved win and for 65-70 minutes you were thinking it was a really good, professional performance. We started well on top and looked dangerous and the front two had a number of half chances. It was all us and maybe the only criticism is the final bit again or us not being clinical when we needed to be, whether it was a cross, final ball or finish. I felt Brewster and Sharp needed to be a bit quicker or the final ball come in a bit earlier. Some of the football was good. It was crisp, patient and measured and we moved them about. They stood off us of course but the likes of Fleck, Stevens and Norwood were much more involved. We had a number of attacks down the left and we penned them in. Then they had a great chance and we had a let off. We then missed a big one through Lundstram but then scored a really good goal after a number of passes. We also should have had a penalty I felt before that. We began the second half well and scored a lovely goal again and nice to see a different line of attack (down the middle). After this we just took the sting out of the game if Brewster scores one of a few good chances (Sharp had one too) the game is done but you knew we would give them a chance as we have all season and showed that even v Bristol Rovers.
Sure enough we started going sloppy. Many may point to the changes but we gave it away a fair bit before this around the 60-65 minutes with a few just giving it away under no real pressure. We then made the subs but errors from Lundstram and then Basham saw then score with Ramsdale not great again. It was then a bit panicky and they had a few half chances and you thought here we go. We managed to do just enough to see it out but the final part was as poor as the first hour was good. You sensed the lack of confidence and us not knowing how to win games even versus an inferior opponent.
Overall though we were good value and deserved the win. It should have been more. We saw some decent if not brilliant performances from a handful and felt Sharp was a nuisance and a constant threat throughout. We won the game and are through. Be really interesting to see us versus a Championship team in Bristol City though – as of course this is who we are going to be playing next season and be good to see how we measure up v a team that is on our level and will be on our level of course.
Now we face games we may have to watch behind our cushions. I am not sure even our own fans give us any chance whatsoever but look at Burnley in the week of course but then not sure we have the organisation and defensive qualities and I worry whenever the ball goes near Ramsdale – saw it again today. Of course, we will not have Egan for the first game as well. However, let us enjoy the win and the fact we are in the 5th round with a game we can win at the Lane.