Deadbat
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Podcast to come later. Report below….
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It has been an excellent week for Paul Heckingbottom’s Blades with back-to-back home wins on top of a hard-fought draw at Middlesbrough meaning United will end the weekend at the top of the table. Blackburn started the day at the summit of the Championship but had been on the receiving end of their first league defeat of the season at Reading in midweek. Today they suffered the same fate as a confident United side put them to the sword. The game finished 3-0 with two wonderful individual goals of contrasting types from Ollie Norwood an Iliman Ndiaye either side of a scrappier effort from Ndiaye. In truth the score line heavily flattered Rovers who were well beaten and aside from a scrappy 10 minutes after the break, the game was extremely one sided and but for the efforts of Thomas Kaminsky, it would have been an heavier defeat for the forlorn visiting side. United looked every inch a promotion contender and even with a number of players out injured, still had real strength in depth on the bench summed up by the players they could bring on.
United opted to use this full squad by rewarding Redi Khadra and Oli McBurnie for their efforts in the week when they came on and they both started. John Fleck also returned with McAtee, Brewster and Ndiaye rotated onto the bench. Blackburn started with talisman Ben Brereton Diaz up front despite a great deal of speculation with Nice the latest side to be linked with him. New manager Jon Dahl Tomasson would have been delighted with the start his new club had made, despite the defeat in the week, after losing key men Rothwell, Lenighan and Khadra from last season’s squad. New signing Sammy Smodzics started for the visitors.
The game began in bright sunshine with United kicking away from the Kop but whilst they had started slowly in the week, they began very well today. Norwood was constantly probing with the ball and with both wing backs pressing high up and Khadra buzzing around, it was one way traffic almost right from kick off. United won three corners in quick succession. Khadra had one effort with close control and a cross shot that was flicked over leading Rovers completely penned in. It was so one sided and with Egan and Norwood taking it in turns to probe, it was just a question of finding some gaps in a packed rear-guard. Norrington Davies and Lowe linked well down the left on a few occasions and then from another corner, the ball cannoned off a combination of Egan and Pickering and was cleared off the line with Kaminsky beaten.
Blackburn had offered nothing and it was an extremely negative approach for a side who had started the season well. United just continued to come in waves and it was attack after attack. They should have scored after Fleck did well to get in down the right after a slide rule ball from Berge and his cut back seemed set to be converted by McBurnie but somehow Phillips blocked his effort from point blank range. The striker should have finished but it was a great block. It continued to be all United and Khadra had a shot blocked and then Norrington Davies did well to dig out a cross, his second in the matter of minutes and McBurnie’s header drifted wide.
It was excellent stuff from United and the only frustration is they had not scored but it was hard with so many players to try and find a gap through but even with everyone behind the ball, they could do nothing about the opener when it came. Fleck was felled after running into the final third leading to a free kick from fully 25 yards. After no success from such positions for several seasons, not many fans would have expected success from such a situation. NORWOOD took it and hit an absolute beauty that rendered a wall, including a draught excluder, useless as he bent and arced it right into the top corner. Kaminsky barely moved as he watched the ball arrow into his net. A superb goal but maybe a long time coming for United and Norwood from such a position!
The dominant start showed no sign of abating with Norwood then in confident move sending a searing effort that dipped just over. McBurnie then headed wide from another excellent Norrington Davies cross. Brereton Diaz cut an isolated figure up front with Ahmedhodzic and Egan sweeping up anything that came their way and Berge also now becoming increasingly influential in helping United maintain such control. Blackburn had maybe their first proper attack of the half and Lowe was booked for kicking the ball away before a corner in a rare moment of sloppiness. The half-finished with United excellent value for their lead and should have really been out of sight.
The second half started with Norwood trying an audacious attempt straight from the kick that went over the bar as he tried to catch the keeper unaware. The next period at least saw Rovers try and play higher up the field after being almost camped in their own box most of the first half and at least tried to launch a semblance of an attack. They won two corners and Ahmedhodzic and Ayala were booked for grappling before one of these came over. Travis has the first effort of the game but it was a long way off but the game had been a bit scrappy and a for a period United lost their composure. Non the less a good break from Khadra saw him win a corner. Brereton Diaz was booked for kicking the ball away and United then started to regain control with Berge and Norwood getting back on the ball. Khadra had a great chance as he broke but took too long and had the ball nicked off his toe as he deliberated whether to shoot or square to McBurnie.
A decent move saw Berge link with Baldock who’s cross was dangerous and this led to a corner and the ball was not properly cleared and as it came back in Egan, beat the offside trap and intelligently headed back across where McBurnie looked certain to score but somehow Kaminsky made the save. The ball rebounded to Egan who could not turn it home with another brave block from the Rovers back guard. As the ball was cleared, the Scottish striker looked up to the sky as he goal drought continued despite his hard-working performance. He knows he should have scored.
Ndiaye came on for Khadra and Dolan for Szmodics as both teams made a change. Ahmedhodzic headed wide as United looked for that killer second goal. Soon after McBurnie had another two chances but these were not easy with one blocked by the keeper and another from a combination of the keeper and defender. Both of these were more difficult chances and the second he made by his own persistence. The Kop rose to salute his work ethic and efforts despite his frustration to somehow not convert. Berge then fired over after the ball sat up. Morton came on for Phillips in Blackburn’s second change.
The vital goal to give United comfort did arrive and it was a result of more excellent work from McBurnie who did well to turn his man and then right from the by-line pull the cross back. Blackburn could not clear and it fell for Berge who hit it and it deflected in off the backside of NDIAYE and into the net. After all the excellent play, this was a scrappy way to score but it had been coming. Rovers appeals seemed to centre on the ball going out and a handball but it seemed desperation from a side that had been completely dominated all game.
Basham then replaced Baldock with the long serving favourite getting a huge ovation as he came on, with his first game back after signing a new contract in the summer.
If this goal was scrappy, then NDIAYE’s second and United’s third was a thing of beauty. The ball was inside United’s half when the Sengalese man nicked the ball off a Rovers player and turned inside. He evaded two challenges and skipped past another with a superb run that culminated with a step over to sidestep his final defender and then he curled a superb shot from the edge of the box that kissed Kaminsky’s right-hand post and nestled into the goal. An absolutely superb individual goal. Ndiaye took off his shirt and held it up, Messi-esque and of course was booked for his over excessive celebration. He then went down with cramp and needed treatment before the game could re-start.
As the crackle and excitement of seeing such a goal enveloped the Lane, United were not content to sit back and went for more. Berge had one powerful run beating several men for pace and power but run out of steam at the end. Norwood’s cross was headed over by Basham and Ndiaye brought out more tricks and flicks to draw oooos and aaaaas from the crowd. Heckingbottom opted to introduce two more substitutes with Berge and McBurnie replaced by Doyle (for his home debut) and Brewster. Both outgoing men got a lusty round of applause with the latter, despite not scoring, getting a real hand for his workmanlike efforts.
Lowe had a shot saved after more good build up with several players involved and then Brewster was provided an excellent opportunity to score his first goal of the season, after good work from Ndiaye and Lowe, but the sub on his right foot could not finish and Kaminsky made another save to turn it behind for a corner. In the end it did not matter and the Blades saw out the additional four minutes confidently knocking the ball around in a contest that was extremely one sided.
United – We were very good first half against Millwall and then in the week after a poor half hour, we dominated the game against a spirited Sunderland side. Today against the side that were top of the league (granted they lost in the week and won’t finish anywhere near there you would not think) we put in an almost complete performance. Aside from a sloppy 10 minutes after half time and they did not exactly threaten even in this period, United completely destroyed Blackburn. It was men against boys and one side looked a team full of confidence that wanted to get on the ball, pass it, attack and create things. Another just sat back with 10 men behind the ball and tried to just play on the break, at least if they had even launched an attack. The first half was like one of those training exercises where you have attack v defence and they clear it and then you start again.
I could not understand Blackburn’s approach at all? Yes, United dominated the ball and moved it about crisply with Norwood, Berge and many others on the ball but they just defended. It actually was a really poor approach but of course it is hard to break down but surely you have more chance of gaining a point/three points if you try and attack? Sunderland did that in the week and got a goal and had some chances. The whole philosophy and the way they started set the tone. Credit to United who moved it around and passed it well and were patient. They had a few chances and McBurnie missed a good one with another cleared off the line off a defender. Maybe they will say they were not tested in terms of the keeper making saves but you defend so deep, you know that chances and/or goals will result. The goal came from an unlikely source and what a free kick that shocked everyone! After this we could have had more and it was so one sided.
They had a bit of a spell after half time but more just bits and pieces and corners. We went a bit scrappy and gave it away a few times and started going long but then reasserted ourself and Norwood/Berge/Fleck got on it and we moved back up the pitch (and indeed the gears). McBurnie somehow missed a trio of chances. The first unbelievable how he did not score although credit to the keeper. I think the crowd knew he was trying hard and contributing so like McGoldrick the fans recognised these efforts and the part he played. I know he missed two sitters (two others harder chances) but I almost can live with that to a degree if he does the rest which he did today. I was just worried, a bit like Sunderland, that the second would not come and they could always nick one with a few dangerous attackers but it finally did come. It was scrappy – off his backside but it was deserved. After this Ndiaye scored one of the best individual goals (of that type – do not see many like that- weaving, individual run) fans have seen at the Lane for many years. It was all his own making – nicking the ball (which he does a lot) and running and running and then the sublime finish. My Uncle turned to me and said it is one of those goals you will remember for a long time.
After this we could have had more and Brewster missed a golden chance (sure some will say if we had strikers who could finish – citing the chances McBurnie and he missed – we could be even better) but overall we coasted to the win.
The statistics actually do not reveal the true nature of how domain United were. 55% to 45% possession (it seemed much more!) and 23 shots to 10 with 10 on target for the home side to 0 for the away side but if the game had finished with United winning by at least double the margin they achieved it would have been a fairer reflection.
We played some great football and not even sure some were as good as they can be with key men Ahmedhodzic and Berge playing well but maybe not as good as the other night. We had no one really play badly with lots of 7 and 8/10 performances. I thought despite my praise for McBurnie, that the left side was the surprise stand out. Lowe was good and Norrington Davies- he was immense today. Norwood controlled midfield and the rest of the defence was solid too. Overall, it was an excellent team performance with two brilliant individual goals. Even with likes of Bogle, Sharp, Robinson and Clark out (missed anyone – Stevens and O’Connell?) we still look strong in terms of who we could throw on and the youth of the two City lads on loan and likes of Bash around as well, it looks really positive in terms of strength of the squad. I do not want to get carried away but we looked a powerful side today and blew Blackburn away and with better finishing/worse keeping, it would have been a deserved hammering.
Been a really good week. You worry about scouts and clubs circling around Berge and maybe even Ndiaye but if we can keep those two and get some players back added to the above, then there is no reason we cannot stay up there. The division seems to lack stand outside/s and with Watford haemorrhaging talented strikers and Burnley/Norwich/Boro not starting that well, we have to feel good but not get carried away. Luton will be tough and we need to now start adding to our impressive home form with improvements in points and also approach on the road. For now, though let’s just enjoy a great performance and an excellent week.
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It has been an excellent week for Paul Heckingbottom’s Blades with back-to-back home wins on top of a hard-fought draw at Middlesbrough meaning United will end the weekend at the top of the table. Blackburn started the day at the summit of the Championship but had been on the receiving end of their first league defeat of the season at Reading in midweek. Today they suffered the same fate as a confident United side put them to the sword. The game finished 3-0 with two wonderful individual goals of contrasting types from Ollie Norwood an Iliman Ndiaye either side of a scrappier effort from Ndiaye. In truth the score line heavily flattered Rovers who were well beaten and aside from a scrappy 10 minutes after the break, the game was extremely one sided and but for the efforts of Thomas Kaminsky, it would have been an heavier defeat for the forlorn visiting side. United looked every inch a promotion contender and even with a number of players out injured, still had real strength in depth on the bench summed up by the players they could bring on.
United opted to use this full squad by rewarding Redi Khadra and Oli McBurnie for their efforts in the week when they came on and they both started. John Fleck also returned with McAtee, Brewster and Ndiaye rotated onto the bench. Blackburn started with talisman Ben Brereton Diaz up front despite a great deal of speculation with Nice the latest side to be linked with him. New manager Jon Dahl Tomasson would have been delighted with the start his new club had made, despite the defeat in the week, after losing key men Rothwell, Lenighan and Khadra from last season’s squad. New signing Sammy Smodzics started for the visitors.
The game began in bright sunshine with United kicking away from the Kop but whilst they had started slowly in the week, they began very well today. Norwood was constantly probing with the ball and with both wing backs pressing high up and Khadra buzzing around, it was one way traffic almost right from kick off. United won three corners in quick succession. Khadra had one effort with close control and a cross shot that was flicked over leading Rovers completely penned in. It was so one sided and with Egan and Norwood taking it in turns to probe, it was just a question of finding some gaps in a packed rear-guard. Norrington Davies and Lowe linked well down the left on a few occasions and then from another corner, the ball cannoned off a combination of Egan and Pickering and was cleared off the line with Kaminsky beaten.
Blackburn had offered nothing and it was an extremely negative approach for a side who had started the season well. United just continued to come in waves and it was attack after attack. They should have scored after Fleck did well to get in down the right after a slide rule ball from Berge and his cut back seemed set to be converted by McBurnie but somehow Phillips blocked his effort from point blank range. The striker should have finished but it was a great block. It continued to be all United and Khadra had a shot blocked and then Norrington Davies did well to dig out a cross, his second in the matter of minutes and McBurnie’s header drifted wide.
It was excellent stuff from United and the only frustration is they had not scored but it was hard with so many players to try and find a gap through but even with everyone behind the ball, they could do nothing about the opener when it came. Fleck was felled after running into the final third leading to a free kick from fully 25 yards. After no success from such positions for several seasons, not many fans would have expected success from such a situation. NORWOOD took it and hit an absolute beauty that rendered a wall, including a draught excluder, useless as he bent and arced it right into the top corner. Kaminsky barely moved as he watched the ball arrow into his net. A superb goal but maybe a long time coming for United and Norwood from such a position!
The dominant start showed no sign of abating with Norwood then in confident move sending a searing effort that dipped just over. McBurnie then headed wide from another excellent Norrington Davies cross. Brereton Diaz cut an isolated figure up front with Ahmedhodzic and Egan sweeping up anything that came their way and Berge also now becoming increasingly influential in helping United maintain such control. Blackburn had maybe their first proper attack of the half and Lowe was booked for kicking the ball away before a corner in a rare moment of sloppiness. The half-finished with United excellent value for their lead and should have really been out of sight.
The second half started with Norwood trying an audacious attempt straight from the kick that went over the bar as he tried to catch the keeper unaware. The next period at least saw Rovers try and play higher up the field after being almost camped in their own box most of the first half and at least tried to launch a semblance of an attack. They won two corners and Ahmedhodzic and Ayala were booked for grappling before one of these came over. Travis has the first effort of the game but it was a long way off but the game had been a bit scrappy and a for a period United lost their composure. Non the less a good break from Khadra saw him win a corner. Brereton Diaz was booked for kicking the ball away and United then started to regain control with Berge and Norwood getting back on the ball. Khadra had a great chance as he broke but took too long and had the ball nicked off his toe as he deliberated whether to shoot or square to McBurnie.
A decent move saw Berge link with Baldock who’s cross was dangerous and this led to a corner and the ball was not properly cleared and as it came back in Egan, beat the offside trap and intelligently headed back across where McBurnie looked certain to score but somehow Kaminsky made the save. The ball rebounded to Egan who could not turn it home with another brave block from the Rovers back guard. As the ball was cleared, the Scottish striker looked up to the sky as he goal drought continued despite his hard-working performance. He knows he should have scored.
Ndiaye came on for Khadra and Dolan for Szmodics as both teams made a change. Ahmedhodzic headed wide as United looked for that killer second goal. Soon after McBurnie had another two chances but these were not easy with one blocked by the keeper and another from a combination of the keeper and defender. Both of these were more difficult chances and the second he made by his own persistence. The Kop rose to salute his work ethic and efforts despite his frustration to somehow not convert. Berge then fired over after the ball sat up. Morton came on for Phillips in Blackburn’s second change.
The vital goal to give United comfort did arrive and it was a result of more excellent work from McBurnie who did well to turn his man and then right from the by-line pull the cross back. Blackburn could not clear and it fell for Berge who hit it and it deflected in off the backside of NDIAYE and into the net. After all the excellent play, this was a scrappy way to score but it had been coming. Rovers appeals seemed to centre on the ball going out and a handball but it seemed desperation from a side that had been completely dominated all game.
Basham then replaced Baldock with the long serving favourite getting a huge ovation as he came on, with his first game back after signing a new contract in the summer.
If this goal was scrappy, then NDIAYE’s second and United’s third was a thing of beauty. The ball was inside United’s half when the Sengalese man nicked the ball off a Rovers player and turned inside. He evaded two challenges and skipped past another with a superb run that culminated with a step over to sidestep his final defender and then he curled a superb shot from the edge of the box that kissed Kaminsky’s right-hand post and nestled into the goal. An absolutely superb individual goal. Ndiaye took off his shirt and held it up, Messi-esque and of course was booked for his over excessive celebration. He then went down with cramp and needed treatment before the game could re-start.
As the crackle and excitement of seeing such a goal enveloped the Lane, United were not content to sit back and went for more. Berge had one powerful run beating several men for pace and power but run out of steam at the end. Norwood’s cross was headed over by Basham and Ndiaye brought out more tricks and flicks to draw oooos and aaaaas from the crowd. Heckingbottom opted to introduce two more substitutes with Berge and McBurnie replaced by Doyle (for his home debut) and Brewster. Both outgoing men got a lusty round of applause with the latter, despite not scoring, getting a real hand for his workmanlike efforts.
Lowe had a shot saved after more good build up with several players involved and then Brewster was provided an excellent opportunity to score his first goal of the season, after good work from Ndiaye and Lowe, but the sub on his right foot could not finish and Kaminsky made another save to turn it behind for a corner. In the end it did not matter and the Blades saw out the additional four minutes confidently knocking the ball around in a contest that was extremely one sided.
United – We were very good first half against Millwall and then in the week after a poor half hour, we dominated the game against a spirited Sunderland side. Today against the side that were top of the league (granted they lost in the week and won’t finish anywhere near there you would not think) we put in an almost complete performance. Aside from a sloppy 10 minutes after half time and they did not exactly threaten even in this period, United completely destroyed Blackburn. It was men against boys and one side looked a team full of confidence that wanted to get on the ball, pass it, attack and create things. Another just sat back with 10 men behind the ball and tried to just play on the break, at least if they had even launched an attack. The first half was like one of those training exercises where you have attack v defence and they clear it and then you start again.
I could not understand Blackburn’s approach at all? Yes, United dominated the ball and moved it about crisply with Norwood, Berge and many others on the ball but they just defended. It actually was a really poor approach but of course it is hard to break down but surely you have more chance of gaining a point/three points if you try and attack? Sunderland did that in the week and got a goal and had some chances. The whole philosophy and the way they started set the tone. Credit to United who moved it around and passed it well and were patient. They had a few chances and McBurnie missed a good one with another cleared off the line off a defender. Maybe they will say they were not tested in terms of the keeper making saves but you defend so deep, you know that chances and/or goals will result. The goal came from an unlikely source and what a free kick that shocked everyone! After this we could have had more and it was so one sided.
They had a bit of a spell after half time but more just bits and pieces and corners. We went a bit scrappy and gave it away a few times and started going long but then reasserted ourself and Norwood/Berge/Fleck got on it and we moved back up the pitch (and indeed the gears). McBurnie somehow missed a trio of chances. The first unbelievable how he did not score although credit to the keeper. I think the crowd knew he was trying hard and contributing so like McGoldrick the fans recognised these efforts and the part he played. I know he missed two sitters (two others harder chances) but I almost can live with that to a degree if he does the rest which he did today. I was just worried, a bit like Sunderland, that the second would not come and they could always nick one with a few dangerous attackers but it finally did come. It was scrappy – off his backside but it was deserved. After this Ndiaye scored one of the best individual goals (of that type – do not see many like that- weaving, individual run) fans have seen at the Lane for many years. It was all his own making – nicking the ball (which he does a lot) and running and running and then the sublime finish. My Uncle turned to me and said it is one of those goals you will remember for a long time.
After this we could have had more and Brewster missed a golden chance (sure some will say if we had strikers who could finish – citing the chances McBurnie and he missed – we could be even better) but overall we coasted to the win.
The statistics actually do not reveal the true nature of how domain United were. 55% to 45% possession (it seemed much more!) and 23 shots to 10 with 10 on target for the home side to 0 for the away side but if the game had finished with United winning by at least double the margin they achieved it would have been a fairer reflection.
We played some great football and not even sure some were as good as they can be with key men Ahmedhodzic and Berge playing well but maybe not as good as the other night. We had no one really play badly with lots of 7 and 8/10 performances. I thought despite my praise for McBurnie, that the left side was the surprise stand out. Lowe was good and Norrington Davies- he was immense today. Norwood controlled midfield and the rest of the defence was solid too. Overall, it was an excellent team performance with two brilliant individual goals. Even with likes of Bogle, Sharp, Robinson and Clark out (missed anyone – Stevens and O’Connell?) we still look strong in terms of who we could throw on and the youth of the two City lads on loan and likes of Bash around as well, it looks really positive in terms of strength of the squad. I do not want to get carried away but we looked a powerful side today and blew Blackburn away and with better finishing/worse keeping, it would have been a deserved hammering.
Been a really good week. You worry about scouts and clubs circling around Berge and maybe even Ndiaye but if we can keep those two and get some players back added to the above, then there is no reason we cannot stay up there. The division seems to lack stand outside/s and with Watford haemorrhaging talented strikers and Burnley/Norwich/Boro not starting that well, we have to feel good but not get carried away. Luton will be tough and we need to now start adding to our impressive home form with improvements in points and also approach on the road. For now, though let’s just enjoy a great performance and an excellent week.
