Deadbat
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Momentum and confidence continued to grow as the Blades made it 5 straight wins after they comfortably saw off Bristol City 3-0 at Bramall Lane. United were full value for the victory and the margin of the score line as they edged in front just before half time thanks to John Brayford’s close range finish. Two further goals from the excellent Ryan Flynn and a Jose Baxter penalty finished off a woeful City side that looked a side destined for relegation on that performance.
After the win in the week against Gillingham, United had moved level with City and knew a win would give them vital breathing space. They made further changes to keep players fresh and the squad rotated as back in came Baxter, Murphy, Brayford and Scougall all back in and Hill, Porter and Paynter dropping out with McGinn failing a pre match fitness test.
City, like United, will surely have been surprised to have been in such a low position and although their fortunes have improved since Steve Cotterill took over; were also a side still in big trouble. They started with an eleven packed full of experience and also quality with the dangerous Emmanuel Thomas and prolific Baldock starting and also had loanee Tyrone Barnett starting. Another loan signing Simon Moore, best known to United fans from his Brentford days, was keeping goal.
A largely dry week had helped the pitch to recover from last week’s game but the decision to have sprinklers on pre game did seem an odd one!
The game began with United kicking towards the Kop; with first chance a long range effort from Elliott at the other end being well off target. It was not long before the home side had control with Doyle winning two early tackles allowing Coady to move the ball on. United had a good opportunity when Scougall’s deflected shot span into the air and Murphy almost knocked it past the keeper as it dropped as Moore struggled to keep it out.
United won a few corners and were dominating possession in the early exchanges. Maguire summed up United’s approach and ability to get on the front foot as he moved from midfield and right into the box before his shot was blocked for a corner.
Murphy had a spell down the middle as Baxter went wide but it was Flynn who nearly combined with Brayford for a chance but was crowded out.
The game continued in the same vein and although United had not created much they were putting more and more pressure on and it was inevitable a chance would come. It came just before half time and from another set play United had won. The corner from Baxter from the left was won well by Maguire who headed down and there were two United players unmarked and it was BRAYFORD who was the one who got there first to smash home from close range for his first goal for the club.
It was a deserved lead but a vital one just before half time.
The second half saw United continue where they left off with Murphy continuing to run at defenders. Coady had a half chance when he exchanged passes with Scougall but ran out of room and knocked it into the side netting with the outside of his right foot. Flynn then came inside and had a shot blocked before a free kick was won on the edge of the box but Harris’s free kick was comfortable for Moore on the ground.
The second goal seemed inevitable and it came from the source that had caused the problems for the opposition. Murphy advanced from half way and kept going beating a couple of men before playing a lovely ball right into the feet of FLYNN who barely had to stop his stride before hitting a low and firm drive past Moore right into the corner. It was a well made and taken goal (BBC coverage does not show full build up sadly) and gave United the further margin of lead that their superior play had merited. The involvement of those two summed up the improvements they have made.
Harris was feeling the back of his leg and indicated his hamstring had tightened up so as a precaution was withdrawn with Hill coming on in his place.
It was not long after before the third goal came. Once again Murphy and Flynn were involved and as the ball broke Flynn went past one man who almost brought him down but then as the second clumsy challenge came in from Osborne. The award was easy to make and there was little complaints from any of the City players. The away side had been ready to make a double change and continued with this plan before the spot kick had been taken.
Burns and Reid replaced Emmanuel Thomas and Pack; as they sought to put pressure on new chosen taker BAXTER (with Porter not on the pitch). However the striker made no mistake dispatching the ball to the keeper Moore’s right hand side; that was well beaten despite going the right way.
Soon after the third goal that had virtually ended the game as a contest, Davies came on for his home debut replacing Flynn and going wide right. Cunningham also came off for Bristol City to be replaced by the experienced Pearson.
Paynter got some more game time with just over 10 minutes to play as he was brought on for the excellent Murphy who got a rousing ovation from three sides of the Lane for his efforts.
A rare chance for City saw Elliott’s shot move in the air but Howard saved and then got to the rebound to save from Baldock before Barnett blazed over the rebound when he should have scored. At the other end Moore saved from Scougall as he nearly gave the score line further gloss.
The final stages were played out without incident as United With results around the league confirming that 4 of the bottom 6 at the start of play had won; United knew it was a crucial victory.
United – At the moment we are on a roll. A bit like the Shrewsbury game, this was not a swashbuckling performance akin to those in the cup but a professional and assured job. However we were better than against Shrewsbury and I felt this was a more ruthless win in that we had an urgency from the start. United played well when they needed to and completely controlled the game. We were the better side for the first half but had not created too much and the goal came at a great time, just before half time. Still I think we deserved to be in front having dominated territory and possession. Second half we upped our game even more, got two more goals and won with Bristol having only the one real effort on goal (two really as it was a double Howard save on same chance).
We are starting games well and on the front foot and making sure we win the midfield. The defence is winning the ball when it comes forward and the midfield players are running at players and turning defenders. At the moment we are doing the basics well and as a result we are not conceding many and finally scoring goals. It sounds simple but the confidence is now a huge thing and it is like night and day from the start of the season.
Once again the now confident and increasingly consistent Flynn and Murphy were very good and made the difference. No one played particularly poorly and United won battles all over the field. The defence was solid and no nonsense. The midfield picked up the loose bits and then the runners, the wingers above and also Scougall and Baxter got in good areas and caused problems. Coady is improving game by game too and we dominated midfield. I actually think United could have gone up another gear if they needed but coasted to the win.
With so many winning at the bottom; it was important we won as we could have gone back in the bottom four if we had lost and I hope now we never go back there. I expect him to rotate the squad for two away games with Colchester now fast fading and being under pressure a bit and then against a team going nowhere in MK Dons. If we could pick up one win in those two games I would settle for that but it is crucial in the main we just keep the run going.
Some may have felt they would be tired or lack energy after so many games but it seems the opposite. The cup run has had a positive effect as confidence is high, the players seem much fitter now (as a result of so many games maybe?) and we look like a team that is wanting games to come thick and fast as we seem to now be in a winning mentality.
After the win in the week against Gillingham, United had moved level with City and knew a win would give them vital breathing space. They made further changes to keep players fresh and the squad rotated as back in came Baxter, Murphy, Brayford and Scougall all back in and Hill, Porter and Paynter dropping out with McGinn failing a pre match fitness test.
City, like United, will surely have been surprised to have been in such a low position and although their fortunes have improved since Steve Cotterill took over; were also a side still in big trouble. They started with an eleven packed full of experience and also quality with the dangerous Emmanuel Thomas and prolific Baldock starting and also had loanee Tyrone Barnett starting. Another loan signing Simon Moore, best known to United fans from his Brentford days, was keeping goal.
A largely dry week had helped the pitch to recover from last week’s game but the decision to have sprinklers on pre game did seem an odd one!
The game began with United kicking towards the Kop; with first chance a long range effort from Elliott at the other end being well off target. It was not long before the home side had control with Doyle winning two early tackles allowing Coady to move the ball on. United had a good opportunity when Scougall’s deflected shot span into the air and Murphy almost knocked it past the keeper as it dropped as Moore struggled to keep it out.
United won a few corners and were dominating possession in the early exchanges. Maguire summed up United’s approach and ability to get on the front foot as he moved from midfield and right into the box before his shot was blocked for a corner.
Murphy had a spell down the middle as Baxter went wide but it was Flynn who nearly combined with Brayford for a chance but was crowded out.
The game continued in the same vein and although United had not created much they were putting more and more pressure on and it was inevitable a chance would come. It came just before half time and from another set play United had won. The corner from Baxter from the left was won well by Maguire who headed down and there were two United players unmarked and it was BRAYFORD who was the one who got there first to smash home from close range for his first goal for the club.
It was a deserved lead but a vital one just before half time.
The second half saw United continue where they left off with Murphy continuing to run at defenders. Coady had a half chance when he exchanged passes with Scougall but ran out of room and knocked it into the side netting with the outside of his right foot. Flynn then came inside and had a shot blocked before a free kick was won on the edge of the box but Harris’s free kick was comfortable for Moore on the ground.
The second goal seemed inevitable and it came from the source that had caused the problems for the opposition. Murphy advanced from half way and kept going beating a couple of men before playing a lovely ball right into the feet of FLYNN who barely had to stop his stride before hitting a low and firm drive past Moore right into the corner. It was a well made and taken goal (BBC coverage does not show full build up sadly) and gave United the further margin of lead that their superior play had merited. The involvement of those two summed up the improvements they have made.
Harris was feeling the back of his leg and indicated his hamstring had tightened up so as a precaution was withdrawn with Hill coming on in his place.
It was not long after before the third goal came. Once again Murphy and Flynn were involved and as the ball broke Flynn went past one man who almost brought him down but then as the second clumsy challenge came in from Osborne. The award was easy to make and there was little complaints from any of the City players. The away side had been ready to make a double change and continued with this plan before the spot kick had been taken.
Burns and Reid replaced Emmanuel Thomas and Pack; as they sought to put pressure on new chosen taker BAXTER (with Porter not on the pitch). However the striker made no mistake dispatching the ball to the keeper Moore’s right hand side; that was well beaten despite going the right way.
Soon after the third goal that had virtually ended the game as a contest, Davies came on for his home debut replacing Flynn and going wide right. Cunningham also came off for Bristol City to be replaced by the experienced Pearson.
Paynter got some more game time with just over 10 minutes to play as he was brought on for the excellent Murphy who got a rousing ovation from three sides of the Lane for his efforts.
A rare chance for City saw Elliott’s shot move in the air but Howard saved and then got to the rebound to save from Baldock before Barnett blazed over the rebound when he should have scored. At the other end Moore saved from Scougall as he nearly gave the score line further gloss.
The final stages were played out without incident as United With results around the league confirming that 4 of the bottom 6 at the start of play had won; United knew it was a crucial victory.
United – At the moment we are on a roll. A bit like the Shrewsbury game, this was not a swashbuckling performance akin to those in the cup but a professional and assured job. However we were better than against Shrewsbury and I felt this was a more ruthless win in that we had an urgency from the start. United played well when they needed to and completely controlled the game. We were the better side for the first half but had not created too much and the goal came at a great time, just before half time. Still I think we deserved to be in front having dominated territory and possession. Second half we upped our game even more, got two more goals and won with Bristol having only the one real effort on goal (two really as it was a double Howard save on same chance).
We are starting games well and on the front foot and making sure we win the midfield. The defence is winning the ball when it comes forward and the midfield players are running at players and turning defenders. At the moment we are doing the basics well and as a result we are not conceding many and finally scoring goals. It sounds simple but the confidence is now a huge thing and it is like night and day from the start of the season.
Once again the now confident and increasingly consistent Flynn and Murphy were very good and made the difference. No one played particularly poorly and United won battles all over the field. The defence was solid and no nonsense. The midfield picked up the loose bits and then the runners, the wingers above and also Scougall and Baxter got in good areas and caused problems. Coady is improving game by game too and we dominated midfield. I actually think United could have gone up another gear if they needed but coasted to the win.
With so many winning at the bottom; it was important we won as we could have gone back in the bottom four if we had lost and I hope now we never go back there. I expect him to rotate the squad for two away games with Colchester now fast fading and being under pressure a bit and then against a team going nowhere in MK Dons. If we could pick up one win in those two games I would settle for that but it is crucial in the main we just keep the run going.
Some may have felt they would be tired or lack energy after so many games but it seems the opposite. The cup run has had a positive effect as confidence is high, the players seem much fitter now (as a result of so many games maybe?) and we look like a team that is wanting games to come thick and fast as we seem to now be in a winning mentality.