Deadbat
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Podcast to come later and then report below….
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Firstly, sorry for the lack of regular reports recently. The last home game was a night match so hard to get a report out on a work night and then life/work took over next few days and never penned anything other than the ratings. I did not report from the Stoke game as ashamedly I did not see it! I went to watch Hallam with a few mates and weirdly it was far less stressful not watching it on a stream or trying to keep up. I got a few score updates from mocking Wednesday fans who I was with (not sure why they do not go to their home games?) but it was a nice break from it. I did not fancy us much with all the injuries and sadly so it proved.
Anyway, hopefully normal service will be resumed for the next period although Coventry might be the day after again – due to work yet again.
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The Blades poor spell since the international break continued as they failed to win for the fourth consecutive game and were knocked off the top of the table, after a dramatic draw in a six-goal thriller with Blackpool at the Lane. The Tangerines had won in S2 last season and yet again threatened to take the spoils as United’s bright start to the campaign now seems a distant memory with no win in four since the return and the injuries threatening to derail what looked like a genuine automatic promotion challenge. However, the fact that the points were shared does not do justice to an absolutely remarkable game which saw four red cards (3 for the visitors) and 5 yellow (all for United), a missed penalty, disallowed goals and a dramatic 98th minute equaliser. Despite a less than convincing performance, the Blades looked like were on track to win as goals from McAtee and Ndiaye put them in control.
A Yates double strike suddenly saw the visitors level and then they incredibly took the lead after a John Egan mistake in the second half. United huffed and puffed and made changes but Ekpiteta and then Thompson both got second yellows. The Blades were left facing 9 men in the closing stages but several incredible misses, goalkeeping saves and a missed penalty meant it looked like Blackpool were going to take a win against all the odds. Norwood’s late strike left them heartbroken but that was not the end of the drama as ex Blade Hamilton nearly won it on the break and on full time Foderingham and Lavery, an outgoing substitute ended up brawling on the field and both were given their marching orders. A breathless afternoon that maybe lacked quality in terms of football but was not stop from start to finish for excitement and drama.
The Blades started with some surprises in their side as Osborn, Baldock and Sharp all started with Brewster, McBurnie and Ahmedhodzic left on the bench. Jack Robinson was also back amongst the substitutes. Blackpool included former Blade Gary Madine to lead their attack.
The game started with the Blades kicking towards the Kop and had clearly made this decision with the sun in Maxwell’s eyes. Blackpool thought were clearly wanting to attack and were not sitting back but got caught and the Blades had the ball in the net after McAtee found Sharp who squared to Doyle but the offside seemed fairly obvious with the original pass ill timed. Blackpool were continuing to attack and Lavery and Yates linked well but United were able to see it out. On 8 minutes the home side were ahead and it came from Doyle’s excellent ball which Sharp intelligently cushioned into the path of McATEE who calmly took a touch and poked home. It was the on-loan youngsters first goal for the club. It was perhaps slightly against the run of play and Blackpool almost fashioned an immediate response as Madine fired over as he was left unmarked.
The game did resemble a basketball game as both teams tried to attack at will and they were gaps in both defences. Basham made two mistakes and then Ndiaye almost got in at the other end as it became very open. The Blades never seemed to have total control but did get a second after a better spell. It came as the ball was played wide after a corner was cleared and Norwood cut in and drove a cross which Maxwell could only parry into the air. NDIAYE nodded into the net and United had a two-goal cushion which may be flattered them but they had improved in the build up to this goal.
Blackpool remained undeterred despite some atrocious defending they saw gaps they could exploit the other way and Osborn and Baldock both were giving their man too much time and Egan had to be alert to step in and clear. United had another half chance with McAtee continuing to look in the mood but Blackpool were soon back in the game. It came from poor play as United gave away a foolish free kick and then with no pressure on the ball Dougall sent over a cross and YATES easily held off a weak challenge from Osborn to send a header into the far corner. They were back in but deservedly so for their attacking thrust which was in stark contract to their poor defensive work.
Maxwell denied Sharp but then he made a decent save from Doyle’s effort after a decent move but the game was still way too open and United were struggling when Blackpool broke through the middle. Lavery got the better of Norrington Davies who took too many touches and once again a cross came in with nobody closing the Blackpool player down. Lavery picked YATES out and Basham lost his man again and the forward coolly cushioned home under no pressure. It was level and Blackpool’s bold approach was rewarded. After this the game became ragged and Blackpool sensed they could create more chances but United equally with Ndiaye lively, were finding space in the Tangerines box. The half finished with controversy as McAtee went down but David Webb looked at his assistant and between them they felt he had dived and booked him. It seemed like their could have been some contact but equally maybe the fall was theatrical. The Blades fans booed the officials off but the frustration was maybe as much at the throwaway of their side after being in a great position.
The 2nd half saw the turnaround complete as poor play saw United cough up possession twice before Egan then somehow managed to inadvertently turn the ball right into the path of DOUGAL who was completely in the clear and scored easily. The Blackpool coaching staff and fans went berserk and could barely believe it. 2-0 down at the leaders and now unbelievable they led!
United started to become frustrated on and off the pitch with Heckingbottom looking to the heavens after several poor passes and crosses. The visitors started to take their time but who could blame them and the referee started to give a series of baffling decisions both ways. At times he let clear pushes go and then gave innocuous fouls. The game became bitty and this suited Blackpool. United were not doing anywhere near enough with an Ndiaye run where Baldock had a shot at the end and an Osborn half chance, the sum of the efforts really. Ekpiteta and Baldock were both booked for poor challenges before Heckingbottom made a triple change with Ahmedhodzic, Brewster and McBurnie came on for Osborn, McAtee and Sharp. United were trying to force it but were still seeing the visitors cause issues on the break and both Norwood and Ahmedhodzic were cautioned in the same move as they tried cynically to stop a break out.
Doyle was then booked and the referee’s busy afternoon was just getting started as Ekpiteta took Brewster out with a really poor foul and deservedly got his second yellow card. United won a corner and then Ndiaye and McBurnie nearly linked but the visitors went down to 9 men with over 10 minutes to play as Thompson kicked the ball stupidly at Ahmedhodzic. Blackpool tried to bring on a sub for the man sent off before they had to withdraw another man. The formation seemed to be 5-2-1 with Blackpool now just kicking it out and hanging on. Egan hit the side netting from a good cross before Khadra twice ran it out. The game was ticking to the last minute when a cross from the right saw Yates pull at Ahmedhodzic and the penalty was given by Webb. It seemed a golden chance for United to not only level but if they scored, to go on and win with a significant number of additional minutes to be played. With Sharp off and Norwood’s poor recent record, Brewster took responsibility but his effort high to the right smashed the post and away and right out of play. The Blades fans were stunned and it seemed like they were set to lose to 9 men!
The board showed 8 minutes of stoppage time and it arguably could have been more as Blackpool fans (keeping the ball) and players were doing their best to stop the game restarting. Two Blackpool players went down injured and the home fans were furious at Webb’s lack of intervention but Maxwell then saved from a header from McBurnie and Brewster poked wide on the rebound. It seemed like the Blades were not going to score despite winning corner after corner. Ahmedhodzic had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for offside before Connolly committed a far more blatant foul then the penalty, punching the ball clear in another goalmouth scramble. The Blades won two more corners and from the second punched clear, NORWOOD kept his composure to drill into the net. Could United win it with less than a minute left? They nearly lost it as Blackpool broke and Hamilton was played in but his shot was blocked as the Kop held their breath. The final whistle went soon after with the referee strangely not adding on any more time for the incredible amount of time wasting in the additional 8 minutes. As the players grouped together, tempers were frayed and several flare ups seemed to occur but the most significant saw Foderingham and a substituted player Lavery throw punches at each other and end up in a head lock on the floor. Both players were unsurprisingly sent off and a tempestuous game ended with two more red cards.
A remarkable afternoon where United won it, lost it and then should in the end maybe have won it but had to settle for just a point.
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Firstly, sorry for the lack of regular reports recently. The last home game was a night match so hard to get a report out on a work night and then life/work took over next few days and never penned anything other than the ratings. I did not report from the Stoke game as ashamedly I did not see it! I went to watch Hallam with a few mates and weirdly it was far less stressful not watching it on a stream or trying to keep up. I got a few score updates from mocking Wednesday fans who I was with (not sure why they do not go to their home games?) but it was a nice break from it. I did not fancy us much with all the injuries and sadly so it proved.
Anyway, hopefully normal service will be resumed for the next period although Coventry might be the day after again – due to work yet again.
---
The Blades poor spell since the international break continued as they failed to win for the fourth consecutive game and were knocked off the top of the table, after a dramatic draw in a six-goal thriller with Blackpool at the Lane. The Tangerines had won in S2 last season and yet again threatened to take the spoils as United’s bright start to the campaign now seems a distant memory with no win in four since the return and the injuries threatening to derail what looked like a genuine automatic promotion challenge. However, the fact that the points were shared does not do justice to an absolutely remarkable game which saw four red cards (3 for the visitors) and 5 yellow (all for United), a missed penalty, disallowed goals and a dramatic 98th minute equaliser. Despite a less than convincing performance, the Blades looked like were on track to win as goals from McAtee and Ndiaye put them in control.
A Yates double strike suddenly saw the visitors level and then they incredibly took the lead after a John Egan mistake in the second half. United huffed and puffed and made changes but Ekpiteta and then Thompson both got second yellows. The Blades were left facing 9 men in the closing stages but several incredible misses, goalkeeping saves and a missed penalty meant it looked like Blackpool were going to take a win against all the odds. Norwood’s late strike left them heartbroken but that was not the end of the drama as ex Blade Hamilton nearly won it on the break and on full time Foderingham and Lavery, an outgoing substitute ended up brawling on the field and both were given their marching orders. A breathless afternoon that maybe lacked quality in terms of football but was not stop from start to finish for excitement and drama.
The Blades started with some surprises in their side as Osborn, Baldock and Sharp all started with Brewster, McBurnie and Ahmedhodzic left on the bench. Jack Robinson was also back amongst the substitutes. Blackpool included former Blade Gary Madine to lead their attack.
The game started with the Blades kicking towards the Kop and had clearly made this decision with the sun in Maxwell’s eyes. Blackpool thought were clearly wanting to attack and were not sitting back but got caught and the Blades had the ball in the net after McAtee found Sharp who squared to Doyle but the offside seemed fairly obvious with the original pass ill timed. Blackpool were continuing to attack and Lavery and Yates linked well but United were able to see it out. On 8 minutes the home side were ahead and it came from Doyle’s excellent ball which Sharp intelligently cushioned into the path of McATEE who calmly took a touch and poked home. It was the on-loan youngsters first goal for the club. It was perhaps slightly against the run of play and Blackpool almost fashioned an immediate response as Madine fired over as he was left unmarked.
The game did resemble a basketball game as both teams tried to attack at will and they were gaps in both defences. Basham made two mistakes and then Ndiaye almost got in at the other end as it became very open. The Blades never seemed to have total control but did get a second after a better spell. It came as the ball was played wide after a corner was cleared and Norwood cut in and drove a cross which Maxwell could only parry into the air. NDIAYE nodded into the net and United had a two-goal cushion which may be flattered them but they had improved in the build up to this goal.
Blackpool remained undeterred despite some atrocious defending they saw gaps they could exploit the other way and Osborn and Baldock both were giving their man too much time and Egan had to be alert to step in and clear. United had another half chance with McAtee continuing to look in the mood but Blackpool were soon back in the game. It came from poor play as United gave away a foolish free kick and then with no pressure on the ball Dougall sent over a cross and YATES easily held off a weak challenge from Osborn to send a header into the far corner. They were back in but deservedly so for their attacking thrust which was in stark contract to their poor defensive work.
Maxwell denied Sharp but then he made a decent save from Doyle’s effort after a decent move but the game was still way too open and United were struggling when Blackpool broke through the middle. Lavery got the better of Norrington Davies who took too many touches and once again a cross came in with nobody closing the Blackpool player down. Lavery picked YATES out and Basham lost his man again and the forward coolly cushioned home under no pressure. It was level and Blackpool’s bold approach was rewarded. After this the game became ragged and Blackpool sensed they could create more chances but United equally with Ndiaye lively, were finding space in the Tangerines box. The half finished with controversy as McAtee went down but David Webb looked at his assistant and between them they felt he had dived and booked him. It seemed like their could have been some contact but equally maybe the fall was theatrical. The Blades fans booed the officials off but the frustration was maybe as much at the throwaway of their side after being in a great position.
The 2nd half saw the turnaround complete as poor play saw United cough up possession twice before Egan then somehow managed to inadvertently turn the ball right into the path of DOUGAL who was completely in the clear and scored easily. The Blackpool coaching staff and fans went berserk and could barely believe it. 2-0 down at the leaders and now unbelievable they led!
United started to become frustrated on and off the pitch with Heckingbottom looking to the heavens after several poor passes and crosses. The visitors started to take their time but who could blame them and the referee started to give a series of baffling decisions both ways. At times he let clear pushes go and then gave innocuous fouls. The game became bitty and this suited Blackpool. United were not doing anywhere near enough with an Ndiaye run where Baldock had a shot at the end and an Osborn half chance, the sum of the efforts really. Ekpiteta and Baldock were both booked for poor challenges before Heckingbottom made a triple change with Ahmedhodzic, Brewster and McBurnie came on for Osborn, McAtee and Sharp. United were trying to force it but were still seeing the visitors cause issues on the break and both Norwood and Ahmedhodzic were cautioned in the same move as they tried cynically to stop a break out.
Doyle was then booked and the referee’s busy afternoon was just getting started as Ekpiteta took Brewster out with a really poor foul and deservedly got his second yellow card. United won a corner and then Ndiaye and McBurnie nearly linked but the visitors went down to 9 men with over 10 minutes to play as Thompson kicked the ball stupidly at Ahmedhodzic. Blackpool tried to bring on a sub for the man sent off before they had to withdraw another man. The formation seemed to be 5-2-1 with Blackpool now just kicking it out and hanging on. Egan hit the side netting from a good cross before Khadra twice ran it out. The game was ticking to the last minute when a cross from the right saw Yates pull at Ahmedhodzic and the penalty was given by Webb. It seemed a golden chance for United to not only level but if they scored, to go on and win with a significant number of additional minutes to be played. With Sharp off and Norwood’s poor recent record, Brewster took responsibility but his effort high to the right smashed the post and away and right out of play. The Blades fans were stunned and it seemed like they were set to lose to 9 men!
The board showed 8 minutes of stoppage time and it arguably could have been more as Blackpool fans (keeping the ball) and players were doing their best to stop the game restarting. Two Blackpool players went down injured and the home fans were furious at Webb’s lack of intervention but Maxwell then saved from a header from McBurnie and Brewster poked wide on the rebound. It seemed like the Blades were not going to score despite winning corner after corner. Ahmedhodzic had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for offside before Connolly committed a far more blatant foul then the penalty, punching the ball clear in another goalmouth scramble. The Blades won two more corners and from the second punched clear, NORWOOD kept his composure to drill into the net. Could United win it with less than a minute left? They nearly lost it as Blackpool broke and Hamilton was played in but his shot was blocked as the Kop held their breath. The final whistle went soon after with the referee strangely not adding on any more time for the incredible amount of time wasting in the additional 8 minutes. As the players grouped together, tempers were frayed and several flare ups seemed to occur but the most significant saw Foderingham and a substituted player Lavery throw punches at each other and end up in a head lock on the floor. Both players were unsurprisingly sent off and a tempestuous game ended with two more red cards.
A remarkable afternoon where United won it, lost it and then should in the end maybe have won it but had to settle for just a point.
