Deadbat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2009
- Messages
- 6,215
- Reaction score
- 34,876
Finally Sheffield United got back to winning ways with their first victory since the opening day of the season. United saw off 10 man Port Vale after former Owl Daniel Jones had been sent off for two bookable offences. United went ahead through a Neil Collins header but the Blades should have been out of sight long before Vale levelled just before half time with a freak cross from Yates ending in George Long’s goal. In the second half United struggled to create as many opportunities but gradually they were able to apply more pressure and skipper Michael Doyle scored from a shot from the edge of the box to restore the lead. After this United were able to see things out and in doing do get off the bottom of the league table.
Acting manager, Chris Morgan, made changes from the side that finished so well at Sixfields after starting so poorly. In came two goal Lyle Taylor and Stephen McGinn with Tony McMahon restored at right back. Jose Baxter was out with an injury and there was no place in the match day squad for Ryan Hall. Joining Westlake, Coady, Howard, Lappin and Cuvelier on the bench was fit again Shaun Miller.
Port Vale’s management team was led by former Blades Micky Adams and Robert Page. Vale included the prolific Tom Pope alongside the veteran Lee Hughes. Robertson and Lines both with Sheffield connections also started.
The game began with United starting with a 4-4-2 with Taylor partnering King. United were very much on the offensive and Taylor nearly got on the end of a Collins knock down and then a raft of free kicks and corners saw a number of half chances. Vale had been penalised for a series of offences that led free kicks but Taylor and McMahon twice could not test Neal. Maguire headed wide from a dangerous cross from McGinn. United had been very active in the final third and had penned Vale back who were struggling to keep the score level. The pace of the attacks was far quicker than
anything we had seen this season with Brandy and Flynn seeing plenty of the ball.
Eventually the deserved lead came when from a corner kick, the ball bounced around before Collins nodded down and eventually after it bounced through a body of players into the corner via a post. It was a scrappy goal but one United merited and saw COLLINS join Maguire on two goals for the season.
United were dominating and Brandy’s trickery and low sense of gravity was causing all sorts of problems and the winger jinked and then curled just over. Vale had not been in the game at all Loft had a rare chance but was a long way off target. The visitors struggles to get any kind of foot hold in the game was punctuated by a series of fouls and bookings and Jones after already being booked brought down Flynn rather cynically. The second yellow was not a surprise and he trooped off putting Vale in a real hole. Vale’s total lack of professionalism carried on as Myrie Williams was taken off and had a slanging match with manager Adams in full view of the South Stand. Soon after
Robertson and Pope clashed with each other and were very fortunate to escape yellow cards. It seemed Vale were the team at the bottom of the league rather than United such was the disarray they were in.
United could not get the second goal despite lots more play in and around the box with Neal looking uncomfortable as he pushed away a speculative effort from Maguire. Then soon after nice link up play involving Hill led to a chance for Taylor but Neal saved from close range. Vale did create a chance when Pope got in but he could not repeat the feat of last season and shot wide after holding off Collins.
United were back on the attack and Flynn fed Taylor whose shot was blocked and drifted out for a corner and then Collins finish from the subsequent corner lacked power and Neal held.
United had been in total control but were stunned just before the break. McMahon was remonstrating over a decision and let YATES receive a quick free kick but the full backs speculative cross was never intended as any kind of shot as it drifted into the far corner of the goal.
The half time whistle was greeted with appreciation from the United crowd despite the late sickener.
After the break United began with a couple of opportunities as Taylor struck a low free kick just wide before Flynn’s effort lacked power to beat Neal. Despite these early chances the game was more even in the opening to the second half and Vale forced a trio of corners as they seemed to be adapting to their numerical disadvantage better. Doyle and McMahon fired badly over before Miller was introduced for King to a large ovation from the home crowd. Hill had a long ranger over as United were now struggling to create meaningful chances.
Vale were more of a threat on the break and another corner saw Robertson head over. The game was drifting into the final 15 minutes when finally United got back in front. Flynn who had been busy second half was involved and eventually the ball found DOYLE who took a touch and drilled low past Neal into the corner.
United had a series of chances to seal the game with McMahon’s low effort parried away rather uncomfortably before Flynn took too long before being denied by the keeper. Then Miller was denied a returning goal as his finish one on one was saved by Neal after good work from Collins.
Westlake came on for Flynn to give United a bit more defensive protection and then Coady replaced Brandy. As the game entered stoppage time, a long ball into the box was cleared by Maguire after Long could not claim and then Coady had an opportunity to seal it but Neal saved again. The final whistle came soon after and United could celebrate that winning feeling again.
United – It was much better today. We began well and created more chances, played higher up the field and were pressing and more committed. The tempo of the game was significantly higher than we have seen since the opening day win. The first half was really good as we pressed Vale back and really forced the initiative with the pace of our attacks at times relentless even if the final ball and chances created were not always clear cut.
I felt at times we made poor decisions in the final third and really should have been more clinical. I had a feeling poor crosses/finishing would cost us and they got level. After this I felt we were not as good and the frail confidence of the side was shown again as the second half was more even and United struggled to get into the vital areas and create as many chances. Despite this over the course of the game Neal must have made 9 or 10 saves (many may have been routine). We had 17 efforts with 9 on target which is significantly more than we have had in most if not all games this season.
It was nice just to see some action and chances. We were not brilliant and at times some of the play and final decisions were really poor. The opposition were woeful much of the game and should have been beaten easily but hung around and got a lucky goal. After this we became more like the poor, clueless side without ideas that we have seen much of the season but got the winner. It was not scintillating but overall a better performance and at least you could say it was a game with things happening and some excitement of some note. We were better and we won. In short this was an improvement and something to build on.
After we went one up and they had the red card; I felt we should have gone on to win convincingly but it became a real struggle after they levelled and the side struggled to get beyond the ten men who packed the middle of the field. When we got it wide we did not get beyond and crossed from way too deep and it meant we kind of become restricted to long range shooting. It was the sort of game Baxter or maybe Cuvelier could have made a difference in terms of threading the needle as it was left to Flynn out wide, Brandy trying to create chances or long rangers from Doyle. I was concerned the game might peter out or even worse the way the season has gone, for Vale to nick it on the break. The second half became scrappy and I was pleased Miller came on to give us a lift. He looked busy but we still were not creating many clear chances. The goal was a real relief when it came and as poor as Doyle had been at least he kept taking responsibility and trying not to hide.
Hopefully now some confidence will be restored. Miller back is a boost and gives some competition. With McGinn improving the midfield, and Baxter, Coady and Cuvelier not starting we may have some completion finally. King needs to get fit as he won’t be much of a factor if he plays like he has the last two games. He has looked slow and disinterested. The full backs are still a concern both defensively and going forward but at least the centre backs were better today (albeit against two slow and immobile players – Peterborough will give much more of a threat in the week with power and pace akin to Coventry’s front two). Nice to get off the bottom and hopefully something to build on but we have a really tough game in the week. Anything we get is a bonus. By next Saturday we hopefully will have the new manager in. All signs still point to it being Clough (watched next Saturday’s opponents yesterday) but it does need to be sorted sooner rather than later preferably.
Acting manager, Chris Morgan, made changes from the side that finished so well at Sixfields after starting so poorly. In came two goal Lyle Taylor and Stephen McGinn with Tony McMahon restored at right back. Jose Baxter was out with an injury and there was no place in the match day squad for Ryan Hall. Joining Westlake, Coady, Howard, Lappin and Cuvelier on the bench was fit again Shaun Miller.
Port Vale’s management team was led by former Blades Micky Adams and Robert Page. Vale included the prolific Tom Pope alongside the veteran Lee Hughes. Robertson and Lines both with Sheffield connections also started.
The game began with United starting with a 4-4-2 with Taylor partnering King. United were very much on the offensive and Taylor nearly got on the end of a Collins knock down and then a raft of free kicks and corners saw a number of half chances. Vale had been penalised for a series of offences that led free kicks but Taylor and McMahon twice could not test Neal. Maguire headed wide from a dangerous cross from McGinn. United had been very active in the final third and had penned Vale back who were struggling to keep the score level. The pace of the attacks was far quicker than
anything we had seen this season with Brandy and Flynn seeing plenty of the ball.
Eventually the deserved lead came when from a corner kick, the ball bounced around before Collins nodded down and eventually after it bounced through a body of players into the corner via a post. It was a scrappy goal but one United merited and saw COLLINS join Maguire on two goals for the season.
United were dominating and Brandy’s trickery and low sense of gravity was causing all sorts of problems and the winger jinked and then curled just over. Vale had not been in the game at all Loft had a rare chance but was a long way off target. The visitors struggles to get any kind of foot hold in the game was punctuated by a series of fouls and bookings and Jones after already being booked brought down Flynn rather cynically. The second yellow was not a surprise and he trooped off putting Vale in a real hole. Vale’s total lack of professionalism carried on as Myrie Williams was taken off and had a slanging match with manager Adams in full view of the South Stand. Soon after
Robertson and Pope clashed with each other and were very fortunate to escape yellow cards. It seemed Vale were the team at the bottom of the league rather than United such was the disarray they were in.
United could not get the second goal despite lots more play in and around the box with Neal looking uncomfortable as he pushed away a speculative effort from Maguire. Then soon after nice link up play involving Hill led to a chance for Taylor but Neal saved from close range. Vale did create a chance when Pope got in but he could not repeat the feat of last season and shot wide after holding off Collins.
United were back on the attack and Flynn fed Taylor whose shot was blocked and drifted out for a corner and then Collins finish from the subsequent corner lacked power and Neal held.
United had been in total control but were stunned just before the break. McMahon was remonstrating over a decision and let YATES receive a quick free kick but the full backs speculative cross was never intended as any kind of shot as it drifted into the far corner of the goal.
The half time whistle was greeted with appreciation from the United crowd despite the late sickener.
After the break United began with a couple of opportunities as Taylor struck a low free kick just wide before Flynn’s effort lacked power to beat Neal. Despite these early chances the game was more even in the opening to the second half and Vale forced a trio of corners as they seemed to be adapting to their numerical disadvantage better. Doyle and McMahon fired badly over before Miller was introduced for King to a large ovation from the home crowd. Hill had a long ranger over as United were now struggling to create meaningful chances.
Vale were more of a threat on the break and another corner saw Robertson head over. The game was drifting into the final 15 minutes when finally United got back in front. Flynn who had been busy second half was involved and eventually the ball found DOYLE who took a touch and drilled low past Neal into the corner.
United had a series of chances to seal the game with McMahon’s low effort parried away rather uncomfortably before Flynn took too long before being denied by the keeper. Then Miller was denied a returning goal as his finish one on one was saved by Neal after good work from Collins.
Westlake came on for Flynn to give United a bit more defensive protection and then Coady replaced Brandy. As the game entered stoppage time, a long ball into the box was cleared by Maguire after Long could not claim and then Coady had an opportunity to seal it but Neal saved again. The final whistle came soon after and United could celebrate that winning feeling again.
United – It was much better today. We began well and created more chances, played higher up the field and were pressing and more committed. The tempo of the game was significantly higher than we have seen since the opening day win. The first half was really good as we pressed Vale back and really forced the initiative with the pace of our attacks at times relentless even if the final ball and chances created were not always clear cut.
I felt at times we made poor decisions in the final third and really should have been more clinical. I had a feeling poor crosses/finishing would cost us and they got level. After this I felt we were not as good and the frail confidence of the side was shown again as the second half was more even and United struggled to get into the vital areas and create as many chances. Despite this over the course of the game Neal must have made 9 or 10 saves (many may have been routine). We had 17 efforts with 9 on target which is significantly more than we have had in most if not all games this season.
It was nice just to see some action and chances. We were not brilliant and at times some of the play and final decisions were really poor. The opposition were woeful much of the game and should have been beaten easily but hung around and got a lucky goal. After this we became more like the poor, clueless side without ideas that we have seen much of the season but got the winner. It was not scintillating but overall a better performance and at least you could say it was a game with things happening and some excitement of some note. We were better and we won. In short this was an improvement and something to build on.
After we went one up and they had the red card; I felt we should have gone on to win convincingly but it became a real struggle after they levelled and the side struggled to get beyond the ten men who packed the middle of the field. When we got it wide we did not get beyond and crossed from way too deep and it meant we kind of become restricted to long range shooting. It was the sort of game Baxter or maybe Cuvelier could have made a difference in terms of threading the needle as it was left to Flynn out wide, Brandy trying to create chances or long rangers from Doyle. I was concerned the game might peter out or even worse the way the season has gone, for Vale to nick it on the break. The second half became scrappy and I was pleased Miller came on to give us a lift. He looked busy but we still were not creating many clear chances. The goal was a real relief when it came and as poor as Doyle had been at least he kept taking responsibility and trying not to hide.
Hopefully now some confidence will be restored. Miller back is a boost and gives some competition. With McGinn improving the midfield, and Baxter, Coady and Cuvelier not starting we may have some completion finally. King needs to get fit as he won’t be much of a factor if he plays like he has the last two games. He has looked slow and disinterested. The full backs are still a concern both defensively and going forward but at least the centre backs were better today (albeit against two slow and immobile players – Peterborough will give much more of a threat in the week with power and pace akin to Coventry’s front two). Nice to get off the bottom and hopefully something to build on but we have a really tough game in the week. Anything we get is a bonus. By next Saturday we hopefully will have the new manager in. All signs still point to it being Clough (watched next Saturday’s opponents yesterday) but it does need to be sorted sooner rather than later preferably.
