Deadbat
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The Blades finally got a league victory in 2014 as they saw off Shrewsbury in a hugely important game at the bottom of League One. In a game played in very difficult weather conditions and a less than smooth playing surface the Blades did enough to win a scrappy contest. Goals came from Scottish duo Ryan Flynn and Stefan Scougall in a quick fire spell in the first half. This was enough and despite the visitors having a lot of the ball and a couple of good chances either side of the break; they did not ever really threaten the eventual outcome. For United it was more about the result than the performance.
Manager Clough opted to bring back Jose Baxter for Chris Porter as United employed an odd line up that did not feature one out and out striker with Baxter the most advanced supported by Scougall and Coady in attacking midfield positions and McGinn more withdrawn. Shrewsbury had former Blade David McAllister in the line up and they too played a conservative approach with loan striker Tom Eaves leading the line.
United began kicking towards the Kop and Brayford was involved as he galloped down the right and sent over a dangerous cross. The right back’s overlapping and Flynn’s work was a feature of the opening to the game. Shrewsbury had struggled get a foot hold in the game and the home side were able to get the opening goal with the first real effort by either side on 11 minutes.
Scougall ran with the ball and went beyond the defence before perfectly cutting the ball back and Baxter moved aside to allow FLYNN to hit a controlled first time finish into the goal. It was a well made and taken goal and gave the home side the vital breakthrough.
Soon after it was 2-0 and again it came via United’s Scottish connection. Collins brought the ball out of defence and fed SCOUGALL who took a touch, steadied himself and hit a shot that seemed fairly innocuous but it bounced off the turf and deceived Weale. The keeper was definitely at fault though. Many of the fans seem surprised when the net billowed! It was the young Scot’s first goal for the club and he was clearly delighted.
After this Shrewsbury had a spell of play but did not hurt United who kept a solid shape and were able to prevent any real chances. United were not able to add to the quick fire double and had retreated somewhat opting to hold what they had. The visitors did not really threaten the United goal and indeed the next chance came to Baxter who showed neat footwork but fired over the bar when well positioned.
Just before the break the Shrews did have a good chance when the ball came across and Parry just got not wrap his foot around the ball and it went wide. United would have been happy to go in with the comfort of a two goal lead and hoping they could see the game out.
Conscious of the throw away against Bradford, United would have wanted not to concede and give the visitors any kind of sniff but they did not heed the warning and were fortunate as Shrewsbury had a golden chance to get back in the game. As Taylor got in behind Collins but fired badly wide and off target with only Howard to beat.
After this the game became mired in a midfield battle with little football of note played and certainly few chances although Murphy came inside and fired a shot wide after he had got away from Woods for the first time all game. The weather had not been the best but had taken a further turn for the worse as the rain and wind lashed around S2. United just needed to keep firm and not give away anything daft at the back and so far Shrewsbury had done little to suggest they would get back into the game even if United had threatened little at the other end too.
Miller replaced McGinn as Baxter moved back as United tried to ensure they had more of the ball as they attempted to kill the game. The weather was unrelenting and this meant it was hard to know how much to put on the ball as earlier it had held up but now was shooting off as the pitch had become very wet. Howard just knocked the ball away from the substitute Schmeltz and then at the other end Miler was blocked out after good work from Murphy. Flynn cut inside and did everything right but the finish as he blazed over as United now seemed to be finishing the stronger with the Shrews looking a beaten side.
Porter came on for Coady and Miller went inside right with Flynn tucking into a more orthodox midfield position. Porter had the ball in the net but was ruled offside. There was an additional three minutes stoppage time but the referee only made it to 2 minutes 30 seconds! It seemed he’d had enough too as both teams squelched their way into the tunnel with United getting the all important three points in a less than classic contest.
United – It was enough. A really poor game where there was little excitement or chances all afternoon. We got two decent goals and got in command and then got a good shape and restricted them to many chances. On the ball we were mostly sloppy other than the odd pocket of decent play and our passing was not assured. Much of our best work was when we did not have the ball as players covered for each other; we pressed when we had to and kept a really disciplined shape. McGinn and Scougall stood out in midfield and Flynn was busy. The defence did ok and were fairly solid. Against Bradford we created tons of chances and played some smashing football but had not discipline at times. Today we were more ugly and workmanlike; albeit against a poorer side but did enough to win the game. As the rain lashed down and the wind swirled; I remarked they just needed to get out, win the game and get in. It was that simple. It was a game we had to win and we did.
Looking at the table we are still in the bottom four and although we have a few games in hand these soon mean nothing if you do not pick up points as we saw last season. Tougher tests also await at the Lane. Looked at the fixtures and we play 4 of the top 6 at the Lane still and got a few relegation scraps to come with Carlisle and Stevenage to play. Brentford is a game I do not expect much from. With a heavy pitch taking its toll and Brentford not having played; we will struggle to get much I feel. I would be delighted with a point. I think we may change a few players around due to fatigue but also think we will play like we have in the cup and play on the break more and set up solid. Despite playing the leaders and then the game v Forest; I probably have more of an eye on the Bristol City game which is shaping up to be just as important as the Shrewsbury one and another we simply have to win.
Today showed we are not great as we were not much better than a side I expect to go down but I will take not great and picking up the wins we need to get out. It will go right to the wire but just hope we can still pick up a striker we do badly need to give us more of a cutting edge. Both teams looked so powder puff today and that concerns me as we are playing much better sides than Shrewsbury over coming weeks.
Shrewsbury – They looked a really poor side lacking in confidence which is odd after they held the leaders last week. Gave away two sloppy goals and never really recovered. It was odd as they set up with one up top and then even after letting two goals in continued with the same formation. They had a lot of the ball for the final 20 minutes of the first half but other than the chance at the far post did nothing with it in the final third. When they got in the last third they looked clueless and often clipped aimless crosses into the striker who got beat by Maguire and Collins all game. They had one great chance in the early stages of the second half but missed it badly and after this they did not have a chance of note and the game sort of fizzled out. They did not even put many tackles in or really have a go and I never felt they were ever going to come back.
If we finish beneath them we will go down. They look a relegation side to me but we were hardly much better but I would say that was one of our poorer performances in recent weeks and we have done better in some games we have lost/drawn since Clough came in.
As for players the keeper has always been decent over recent years but made a rick on the goal; not helped by the pitch. At the back they looked quite slow and I felt any kind of pace or running at them would cause problems and it did when Scougall ran with the ball. They had 5 in midfield but still did nothing with it. They often had it for long spells but went nowhere with it. The ex Blade McAllister looked particularly anonymous. I note he has not even been starting most weeks for them. Up front the lad Eaves just appealed for imaginary fouls and was never in the game. The experienced Parry also did not have much affect; nor did the promising Taylor. The best player was the lad Woods at right back. He was excellent showing pace, strength and some real ability on the ball. He did not give Murphy a kick. He looked wasted there and finally was put into midfield. Looks a real talent and one to maybe look at?
Manager Clough opted to bring back Jose Baxter for Chris Porter as United employed an odd line up that did not feature one out and out striker with Baxter the most advanced supported by Scougall and Coady in attacking midfield positions and McGinn more withdrawn. Shrewsbury had former Blade David McAllister in the line up and they too played a conservative approach with loan striker Tom Eaves leading the line.
United began kicking towards the Kop and Brayford was involved as he galloped down the right and sent over a dangerous cross. The right back’s overlapping and Flynn’s work was a feature of the opening to the game. Shrewsbury had struggled get a foot hold in the game and the home side were able to get the opening goal with the first real effort by either side on 11 minutes.
Scougall ran with the ball and went beyond the defence before perfectly cutting the ball back and Baxter moved aside to allow FLYNN to hit a controlled first time finish into the goal. It was a well made and taken goal and gave the home side the vital breakthrough.
Soon after it was 2-0 and again it came via United’s Scottish connection. Collins brought the ball out of defence and fed SCOUGALL who took a touch, steadied himself and hit a shot that seemed fairly innocuous but it bounced off the turf and deceived Weale. The keeper was definitely at fault though. Many of the fans seem surprised when the net billowed! It was the young Scot’s first goal for the club and he was clearly delighted.
After this Shrewsbury had a spell of play but did not hurt United who kept a solid shape and were able to prevent any real chances. United were not able to add to the quick fire double and had retreated somewhat opting to hold what they had. The visitors did not really threaten the United goal and indeed the next chance came to Baxter who showed neat footwork but fired over the bar when well positioned.
Just before the break the Shrews did have a good chance when the ball came across and Parry just got not wrap his foot around the ball and it went wide. United would have been happy to go in with the comfort of a two goal lead and hoping they could see the game out.
Conscious of the throw away against Bradford, United would have wanted not to concede and give the visitors any kind of sniff but they did not heed the warning and were fortunate as Shrewsbury had a golden chance to get back in the game. As Taylor got in behind Collins but fired badly wide and off target with only Howard to beat.
After this the game became mired in a midfield battle with little football of note played and certainly few chances although Murphy came inside and fired a shot wide after he had got away from Woods for the first time all game. The weather had not been the best but had taken a further turn for the worse as the rain and wind lashed around S2. United just needed to keep firm and not give away anything daft at the back and so far Shrewsbury had done little to suggest they would get back into the game even if United had threatened little at the other end too.
Miller replaced McGinn as Baxter moved back as United tried to ensure they had more of the ball as they attempted to kill the game. The weather was unrelenting and this meant it was hard to know how much to put on the ball as earlier it had held up but now was shooting off as the pitch had become very wet. Howard just knocked the ball away from the substitute Schmeltz and then at the other end Miler was blocked out after good work from Murphy. Flynn cut inside and did everything right but the finish as he blazed over as United now seemed to be finishing the stronger with the Shrews looking a beaten side.
Porter came on for Coady and Miller went inside right with Flynn tucking into a more orthodox midfield position. Porter had the ball in the net but was ruled offside. There was an additional three minutes stoppage time but the referee only made it to 2 minutes 30 seconds! It seemed he’d had enough too as both teams squelched their way into the tunnel with United getting the all important three points in a less than classic contest.
United – It was enough. A really poor game where there was little excitement or chances all afternoon. We got two decent goals and got in command and then got a good shape and restricted them to many chances. On the ball we were mostly sloppy other than the odd pocket of decent play and our passing was not assured. Much of our best work was when we did not have the ball as players covered for each other; we pressed when we had to and kept a really disciplined shape. McGinn and Scougall stood out in midfield and Flynn was busy. The defence did ok and were fairly solid. Against Bradford we created tons of chances and played some smashing football but had not discipline at times. Today we were more ugly and workmanlike; albeit against a poorer side but did enough to win the game. As the rain lashed down and the wind swirled; I remarked they just needed to get out, win the game and get in. It was that simple. It was a game we had to win and we did.
Looking at the table we are still in the bottom four and although we have a few games in hand these soon mean nothing if you do not pick up points as we saw last season. Tougher tests also await at the Lane. Looked at the fixtures and we play 4 of the top 6 at the Lane still and got a few relegation scraps to come with Carlisle and Stevenage to play. Brentford is a game I do not expect much from. With a heavy pitch taking its toll and Brentford not having played; we will struggle to get much I feel. I would be delighted with a point. I think we may change a few players around due to fatigue but also think we will play like we have in the cup and play on the break more and set up solid. Despite playing the leaders and then the game v Forest; I probably have more of an eye on the Bristol City game which is shaping up to be just as important as the Shrewsbury one and another we simply have to win.
Today showed we are not great as we were not much better than a side I expect to go down but I will take not great and picking up the wins we need to get out. It will go right to the wire but just hope we can still pick up a striker we do badly need to give us more of a cutting edge. Both teams looked so powder puff today and that concerns me as we are playing much better sides than Shrewsbury over coming weeks.
Shrewsbury – They looked a really poor side lacking in confidence which is odd after they held the leaders last week. Gave away two sloppy goals and never really recovered. It was odd as they set up with one up top and then even after letting two goals in continued with the same formation. They had a lot of the ball for the final 20 minutes of the first half but other than the chance at the far post did nothing with it in the final third. When they got in the last third they looked clueless and often clipped aimless crosses into the striker who got beat by Maguire and Collins all game. They had one great chance in the early stages of the second half but missed it badly and after this they did not have a chance of note and the game sort of fizzled out. They did not even put many tackles in or really have a go and I never felt they were ever going to come back.
If we finish beneath them we will go down. They look a relegation side to me but we were hardly much better but I would say that was one of our poorer performances in recent weeks and we have done better in some games we have lost/drawn since Clough came in.
As for players the keeper has always been decent over recent years but made a rick on the goal; not helped by the pitch. At the back they looked quite slow and I felt any kind of pace or running at them would cause problems and it did when Scougall ran with the ball. They had 5 in midfield but still did nothing with it. They often had it for long spells but went nowhere with it. The ex Blade McAllister looked particularly anonymous. I note he has not even been starting most weeks for them. Up front the lad Eaves just appealed for imaginary fouls and was never in the game. The experienced Parry also did not have much affect; nor did the promising Taylor. The best player was the lad Woods at right back. He was excellent showing pace, strength and some real ability on the ball. He did not give Murphy a kick. He looked wasted there and finally was put into midfield. Looks a real talent and one to maybe look at?
