Deadbat
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The Blades Carabao Cup campaign ended after a penalty shoot out defeat to Southampton at Bramall Lane. In an entertaining and very open contest, United led early on thanks to the returning Enda Stevens but were pegged back before the break and after Ndiaye and Osborn missed clear chances, the Blades then trailed. Oli McBurnie’s strike saw parity restored before a late Wes Foderingham wonder save took the game to penalties. In the shootout, Brewster and McBurnie missed and United were out.
United made eleven changes where as Southampton made nine from the weekend games showing that the game was maybe not a priority for either manager.
It began in a very open style with both teams attacking. Southampton could have been ahead in the first minute bit Foderingham made a smart reaction save from Broja before United then were on the attack but the ball across evaded McBurnie. On 8 minutes, the Blades took the lead. Bogle did really well down the right and beat his man before pulling back an intelligent cross for STEVENS to calmly steer into the corner giving Forster no chance.
Soon after Burke sprinted away and was in on the angle but his finish was wayward not knowing whether to go for goal or cross the ball. His pace was causing problems and he nearly got in again after Norwood’s ball over the top.
Diallo has a shot over the bar before at the other end, good work from Ndiaye saw the ball worked to Guedioura but his effort was curled over. The game was end to end and Tella was the next man to have a chance but was narrowly off target after good work down the right-hand side saw the opportunity created. Lyanco headed over after Southampton won a flurry of corners in quick succession and it was not long after they were level. United failed to clear and Romeu had lots of time to send over a deep cross which DIALLO nodded down and in. It was a simple goal in it’s creating and execution and a disappointing one to concede for the home side.
United tried to respond and the talented Ndiaye twice showed his quick feet and nimble skills and on the second chance he came inside and beat his defender before curling his effort narrowly wide. It was a great chance to restore the lead.
McBurnie and Lyanco were booked for squaring up to each other as the ball came forward as referee Brooks started to frustrate both sets of players and fans with his inconsistent approach to contact. Burke and Freeman both seemed to be struggling and needed treatment as the game became stop start.
Southampton won another corner but the Blades cleared with Guedioura showing his experience to help the Blades see out the half without a further concession.
The second half began with the two aforementioned Blades players who had gone down coming off with Osborn and Brewster on for Freeman and Burke. Ward Prowse came on for Redmond for the visitors. The home side had a great chance to lead as McBurnie and Brewster linked to feed Osborn with a clear one on one chance but his first-time effort hit the legs off Forster and went behind somehow.
Buoyed from this let off, the Saints sprang forward and won two more corners. Both were taken as short ones and both times, United did not react and on the second one, they had two on one and the cross came over and was converted from close range from SALISU.
Southampton looked to turn the screw and Tella and Romeu had shots blocked as United were now at full stretch but still looked a threat themselves and twice Brewster got down the right but could not quite find the cross.
On 68 minutes, United were level. Osborn found space down the left and sent over an inviting cross and MCBURNIE met it and despatched it into the net taking advantage of gaps all over the Saints’ backline.
Southampton tried to take advantage of a high line but three times they were caught offside. Basham had an effort from a corner but United were now having to defend and throw bodies in the way as Southampton looked to regain the lead in this topsy turvy contest.
Bednarek replaced Lyanco and Fleck then came on for Ndiaye, as the youngster seemed to cramp up again. The game entered the final 10 minutes and McBurnie had a headed effort just wide from an Osborn cross before Adams came on for Tella in the final change for both sides.
Perraud sent over a delightful cross that Adams seemed certain to score but somehow Foderingham got back to tip the ball onto the post in a fantastic save. Southampton won another series of corners but United held firm and then right at the end more good work from Norwood and then Osborn saw the ball come over but Brewster could not finish and the game went to penalties.
Penalties
Ward Prowse – Southampton - SCORE 0-1. Great penalty, smashed high into the top corner.
Norwood – Sheff Utd - SCORE 1-1. Drilled low. Another good penalty.
Adams – Southampton -SCORE 1-2. Coolly rolled it in.
Brewster – Sheff Utd. MISS 1-2. Stutter run up. Hit it hard but Forster guessed right and nowhere near the corner.
Broja – Southampton - MISS 1-2. Foderingham gets across to push it onto the bar I think. Fantastic save!
Osborn – Sheff Utd - SCORE 2-2. Down the middle. Back to 2-2 after 3 each.
Diallo – Southampton – SCORE 2-3. Low to the corner but not smashed. Foderingham went right way but could not quite get it.
McBurnie – Sheff Utd – MISS 2-3. Worst of the shootout. Lacked power and accuracy. Forster saved quite easily.
Romeu – Southampton – SCORE 2-4. Rolled into the corner and Southampton win the shootout 4-2
United – Do you know what, I thought we have it a good old effort considering we had our fringe/backups playing? It was very open and we looked less than secure at the back but attacked well when we could. It was certainly not dull and although you have your heart in your mouth at times watching us, at least it is entertaining! We lacked any kind of structure I felt tonight and this still worries me, albeit with lots of changes. Attacking wise we are now having a go and creating a lot more with individuals expressing themselves but we also leave ourselves open to the counter attack too.
We scored a good goal well made by Bogle and finished by Stevens but they gradually came back into it and you felt a goal coming but a shame it was a header from a cross, a concern that is continuing to happen. After this we had another spell and Ndiaye had a great chance but was just wise but they had chances too. I felt we were getting a bit overrun for a spell and half time came at a good time I thought.
After the break we missed a really good chance from Osborn and not long after they scored with a clear lack of concentration on the short corners – they had one and we got away with it but it went to another on the other side and they scored from it as no one switched on in time. I was concerned they may go away from us at that point but we stayed in it and had a few moments but nothing clear cut until McBurnie got in a good area and finished well from a lovely Osborn cross. After this they always looked the likely winner and had a few chances blocked or just evading incoming strikers from wide crosses before Foderingham made a fantastic save right near the end. Even after this Brewster had a chance but could not finish another deep cross after Norwood had been very good in the build up too.
United did give it a good go though. They never got completely torn apart even though Southampton you always felt had that bit more quality in attacking areas and if we take maybe the two biggest chances at 1-1 then you never know but after this, we were chasing it a bit but got a leveller and then take it to penalties, deservedly. I was concerned we had two strikers out of form that might miss and so it proved. Neither were awful in the game actually (both ok even though the narrative will be different from some fans – concerns from both still but neither were terrible) but they lack belief in big moments although you can argue without McBurnie it would not have gone to the spot kicks.
Positives were Stevens coming back and doing ok, Bash was decent and the two midfield lads I thought put a real shift in and did some decent bits with the ball. Ndiaye was good first half but faded whereas McBurnie was the opposite. The keeper was never totally secure but made a fantastic save. Osborn did really well when he came on too. I thought concerns are the lack of football intelligence and awareness of some, namely Robinson and Brewster. Bogle started well but struggled defensively. I thought overall despite the defeat in the end, there were more positives then negatives. Not sure, other than Osborn (and Fleck) that any that started or finished the game, will play Saturday. I expect Berge back for Brewster and the team to be what it would have been before he pulled out at Hull. I think he will stick with Norrington Davies but Stevens is pushing him after that.
United made eleven changes where as Southampton made nine from the weekend games showing that the game was maybe not a priority for either manager.
It began in a very open style with both teams attacking. Southampton could have been ahead in the first minute bit Foderingham made a smart reaction save from Broja before United then were on the attack but the ball across evaded McBurnie. On 8 minutes, the Blades took the lead. Bogle did really well down the right and beat his man before pulling back an intelligent cross for STEVENS to calmly steer into the corner giving Forster no chance.
Soon after Burke sprinted away and was in on the angle but his finish was wayward not knowing whether to go for goal or cross the ball. His pace was causing problems and he nearly got in again after Norwood’s ball over the top.
Diallo has a shot over the bar before at the other end, good work from Ndiaye saw the ball worked to Guedioura but his effort was curled over. The game was end to end and Tella was the next man to have a chance but was narrowly off target after good work down the right-hand side saw the opportunity created. Lyanco headed over after Southampton won a flurry of corners in quick succession and it was not long after they were level. United failed to clear and Romeu had lots of time to send over a deep cross which DIALLO nodded down and in. It was a simple goal in it’s creating and execution and a disappointing one to concede for the home side.
United tried to respond and the talented Ndiaye twice showed his quick feet and nimble skills and on the second chance he came inside and beat his defender before curling his effort narrowly wide. It was a great chance to restore the lead.
McBurnie and Lyanco were booked for squaring up to each other as the ball came forward as referee Brooks started to frustrate both sets of players and fans with his inconsistent approach to contact. Burke and Freeman both seemed to be struggling and needed treatment as the game became stop start.
Southampton won another corner but the Blades cleared with Guedioura showing his experience to help the Blades see out the half without a further concession.
The second half began with the two aforementioned Blades players who had gone down coming off with Osborn and Brewster on for Freeman and Burke. Ward Prowse came on for Redmond for the visitors. The home side had a great chance to lead as McBurnie and Brewster linked to feed Osborn with a clear one on one chance but his first-time effort hit the legs off Forster and went behind somehow.
Buoyed from this let off, the Saints sprang forward and won two more corners. Both were taken as short ones and both times, United did not react and on the second one, they had two on one and the cross came over and was converted from close range from SALISU.
Southampton looked to turn the screw and Tella and Romeu had shots blocked as United were now at full stretch but still looked a threat themselves and twice Brewster got down the right but could not quite find the cross.
On 68 minutes, United were level. Osborn found space down the left and sent over an inviting cross and MCBURNIE met it and despatched it into the net taking advantage of gaps all over the Saints’ backline.
Southampton tried to take advantage of a high line but three times they were caught offside. Basham had an effort from a corner but United were now having to defend and throw bodies in the way as Southampton looked to regain the lead in this topsy turvy contest.
Bednarek replaced Lyanco and Fleck then came on for Ndiaye, as the youngster seemed to cramp up again. The game entered the final 10 minutes and McBurnie had a headed effort just wide from an Osborn cross before Adams came on for Tella in the final change for both sides.
Perraud sent over a delightful cross that Adams seemed certain to score but somehow Foderingham got back to tip the ball onto the post in a fantastic save. Southampton won another series of corners but United held firm and then right at the end more good work from Norwood and then Osborn saw the ball come over but Brewster could not finish and the game went to penalties.
Penalties
Ward Prowse – Southampton - SCORE 0-1. Great penalty, smashed high into the top corner.
Norwood – Sheff Utd - SCORE 1-1. Drilled low. Another good penalty.
Adams – Southampton -SCORE 1-2. Coolly rolled it in.
Brewster – Sheff Utd. MISS 1-2. Stutter run up. Hit it hard but Forster guessed right and nowhere near the corner.
Broja – Southampton - MISS 1-2. Foderingham gets across to push it onto the bar I think. Fantastic save!
Osborn – Sheff Utd - SCORE 2-2. Down the middle. Back to 2-2 after 3 each.
Diallo – Southampton – SCORE 2-3. Low to the corner but not smashed. Foderingham went right way but could not quite get it.
McBurnie – Sheff Utd – MISS 2-3. Worst of the shootout. Lacked power and accuracy. Forster saved quite easily.
Romeu – Southampton – SCORE 2-4. Rolled into the corner and Southampton win the shootout 4-2
United – Do you know what, I thought we have it a good old effort considering we had our fringe/backups playing? It was very open and we looked less than secure at the back but attacked well when we could. It was certainly not dull and although you have your heart in your mouth at times watching us, at least it is entertaining! We lacked any kind of structure I felt tonight and this still worries me, albeit with lots of changes. Attacking wise we are now having a go and creating a lot more with individuals expressing themselves but we also leave ourselves open to the counter attack too.
We scored a good goal well made by Bogle and finished by Stevens but they gradually came back into it and you felt a goal coming but a shame it was a header from a cross, a concern that is continuing to happen. After this we had another spell and Ndiaye had a great chance but was just wise but they had chances too. I felt we were getting a bit overrun for a spell and half time came at a good time I thought.
After the break we missed a really good chance from Osborn and not long after they scored with a clear lack of concentration on the short corners – they had one and we got away with it but it went to another on the other side and they scored from it as no one switched on in time. I was concerned they may go away from us at that point but we stayed in it and had a few moments but nothing clear cut until McBurnie got in a good area and finished well from a lovely Osborn cross. After this they always looked the likely winner and had a few chances blocked or just evading incoming strikers from wide crosses before Foderingham made a fantastic save right near the end. Even after this Brewster had a chance but could not finish another deep cross after Norwood had been very good in the build up too.
United did give it a good go though. They never got completely torn apart even though Southampton you always felt had that bit more quality in attacking areas and if we take maybe the two biggest chances at 1-1 then you never know but after this, we were chasing it a bit but got a leveller and then take it to penalties, deservedly. I was concerned we had two strikers out of form that might miss and so it proved. Neither were awful in the game actually (both ok even though the narrative will be different from some fans – concerns from both still but neither were terrible) but they lack belief in big moments although you can argue without McBurnie it would not have gone to the spot kicks.
Positives were Stevens coming back and doing ok, Bash was decent and the two midfield lads I thought put a real shift in and did some decent bits with the ball. Ndiaye was good first half but faded whereas McBurnie was the opposite. The keeper was never totally secure but made a fantastic save. Osborn did really well when he came on too. I thought concerns are the lack of football intelligence and awareness of some, namely Robinson and Brewster. Bogle started well but struggled defensively. I thought overall despite the defeat in the end, there were more positives then negatives. Not sure, other than Osborn (and Fleck) that any that started or finished the game, will play Saturday. I expect Berge back for Brewster and the team to be what it would have been before he pulled out at Hull. I think he will stick with Norrington Davies but Stevens is pushing him after that.