Deadbat
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The Blades somehow managed to toss away a two goal lead to Crewe before they netted a late winner from Billy Sharp to take all three points. In truth United should have won at a canter after a dominant first half performance but after letting Crewe off the hook, Alex levelled and looked as likely a winner at the end before Sharp’s late intervention.
Manager Adkins made changes again after the loss at Millwall with Che Adams back up front for Common Sammon and Basham and McEveley either side of Harrison McGahey in the central defence with Edgar away with Canada and Baptiste injured. There was no place in the squad for Florent Cuvelier who was presumably injured but three youngsters on the bench in Dominic Calvert Lewin, Graham Kelly and David Brooks (for the first time). Crewe were fighting for survival fielded a largely young side as they sought to repeat last season’s win at the Lane and the earlier victory over United this campaign at Gresty Road.
United began the game quickly out of the blocks and forced an early corner. From it they nearly took the lead which would have been a direct reversal of the previous game when they were behind after 2 minutes. Done took it and Brayford met it on the full but Garratt made a superb point blank save to somehow scoop it out when it seemed a certain goal.
United continued to dominate early on and Flynn was at the fore of many of the good play linking well with Sharp and Adams. Done was also getting forward down the left. From one decent move involving all the above, Sharp had a shot blocked when it seemed goal bound.
After a quarter of an hour Sharp worked an opening and hit a curling shot that caromed off the post. It was very unfortunate and Crewe were very fortunate not to be behind. However, the opening goal was not long coming. Sharp held it up well and fed Flynn and from his run and slipped pass, ADAMS was in on goal and coolly slipped it past the advancing Garratt.
Crewe offered one brief chance but Jones was crowded out despite going to the deck and United came again with Coutts shooting wide. Then good work from Done saw Adams have a powerful shot saved before Sharp was adjudged offside when he put the rebound in. United really ought to have doubled the lead when Sharp linked well with Adams and found his strike partner but he shot wide when he really should have scored.
At the break, Bingham came on for Nugent and Crewe seemed to change their formation and seemed to match United for 3 in the middle. They started to win loose balls and looked more determined and pushed the home side back. They had a number of chances and Inman nearly scored when he beat Basham for pace but Long and McEveley somehow saved it. Soon after Kirk had a low shot that Long did well to save. Crewe won two corners in succession and Long saved another long range shot as United seemed to have lost control of the game they ought to have been out of sight in.
Despite this change of focus in the pattern of the game, United got a second goal. Coutts got forward and sent over a deep cross and Sharp nodded the ball down and across. With the defence dithering, FLYNN was able to get into the box and reacted to the loose ball and with his back to goal acrobatically contorted his body to somehow score with an overhead kick that gave the keeper no chance. This should have been game over for United who had survived the better spell from Crewe.
It was not long before Crewe got back in the game. It came from a corner that was not cleared and FOX from range took a touch and hit long, low range grass cutter that skidded away from Long and into the corner. Alex were back in it and the crowd became edgy.
Whiteman had been waiting on the bench to come on before the goal and Adkins seemed annoyed that the change had not been made but the youngster finally replaced Hammond.
United made two changes in quick succession as Calvert Lewin came on for the tiring Adams and then Coutts hit the deck straight after and Reed had to replace him. The changes did not seem to stem the change of play as Crewe were now having more of the ball and United were looking stretched.
McEveley somehow scooped over his own bar and then Crewe came again with Inman tackled well by the same man. United were now becoming scrappy and it was not a surprise when the leveller came. Substitute Ainley sprinted away from both Reed and Whiteman and from his cross DAVIS converted as no one picked him up. Crewe retrieved the ball from the goal and sensed an unlikely comeback win. They knew they needed the three points and the game became very open. It was United who got the decisive goal and it came after good work from three home-grown players. Whiteman first played a lovely ball down the right that sent Reed clear and his chipped cross was perfect for SHARP to dive in and head in at the Kop end. It was certainly a goal made and taken in Sheffield (or rather Shirecliffe -- home of the SUFC Academy!). After this Long took his time over goal kicks and Calvert Lewin was booked for time wasting.
Six additional minutes were put up to the shock of many in the crowd and Crewe had three chances to level with Kirk and Inman going close. Then a superb chance to level again as from another cross from the left where Bakayogo got away from Brayford, Turton seemed set to score but Done made a great block to send the ball spiralling wide. The final whistle was greeted more with relief than elation as Crewe players sunk to their knees and the home players puffed their cheek out to signal a let off.
United – Weird game and performance. For the first half we were in complete control a la Oldham game and went 1-0 up and it could have been 3 or 4 and game over. Scored one good goal and could have had quite a few more. The keeper made a world class save from Brayford early on; Sharp hit the post and Adams shot wide when one on one. There were a few other half chances too. Crewe were not in the game at all and United had all the ball and territory. We were not scintillating but Sharp and Adams were a threat; Flynn and Done also caused problems too. It was very similar the Oldham game. A poor side but United did what they had to; save for the goals. The only fear was we had not put the game away and Crewe had got away with it.
Second half Crewe played further up the field and pressed us and they had a really good spell with a few chances and Long made a good save. They had a few corners and looked like they could score but we came out and Flynn netted the second. This seemed to be it and game over and we did look in control for another spell but then gradually we started to sit off. Hammond and Coutts laboured, Flynn’s influence diminished and they got a long range goal. After this we made changes and brought on young legs but could not stem the tide. They got more chances and eventually the equaliser came as we lost runners and did not mark. Crewe raced back and sensed they could win it as they sprinted back to the centre circle. After this they had a corner and you feared the worst but we came out and made and scored a really good goal involving three academy scholars, Whiteman, Reed and Sharp. Still it was hardly plain sailing after this. They had a certain goal blocked from Done and had other scrambles/half chances in stoppage time. We hung on really by the skin of our teeth. It was a performance that looked convincing ad fairly assured first half and then became desperate and ragged.
I suppose you could say over the course of the game the best team won if you take all first half into consideration but the way we played second half meant we were kind of lucky to win the game. We fell apart and looked as soft as you like. The way Crewe just came down either side and attacked and then down the middle and picked us off with one or two simple passes to get in was embarrassing. We barely put in a tackle, sat back deeper and deeper and they realised we were crap and easier to get at. The weak spine of the side was exposed as unfit and immobile midfielders Coutts and Hammond ran out of gas. The defence was put under more pressure and slow and languid play from likes of Basham and Brayford did not help. It would not have surprised me if we had lost the game.
We won and of course result matters but it masks another hugely fragmented and bitty performance in which a really poor side and one I am sure will go down so nearly got a point or even won the game. Adkins changed the team and it seemed to work but sadly tiring players meant he kind of had to change it. Some may argue subs further worsened things (would have given Adams longer even though tired) but I felt game was slipping away anyway.
We may only be 4 points off the play offs but I will be astonished if we follow up today with 2 wins in the next week. Anything less than 4 points would mean season is still probably over. Against better sides like Southend and also Walsall the ragged defence and midfield will get overrun I feel by better players. Crewe were a shocking side and even they could get through us and create lots of chances second half. There are major holes to sort in the summer. I fear he will sign Hammond (board should put their foot down) and that will further restrict us. We need to be looking for quicker, more athletic players (watching Power and Morsy at Wigan now as they are destroying Swindon shows type of player we need to go for) who can last 90 minutes and be as strong at the end as the beginning of games. I think in Long, Sharp and Adams we have a few pieces that should be ok but need several new players and a new outlook from Adkins (if he remains).
Crewe – Thought they looked all the world a relegation side, even despite the comeback. First half the defence was pulled apart, they were slow to the ball, lost midfield and did not win many individual battles. With better finishing it could have been over but they were still in the game at 1-0. Second half they put Bingham on in midfield and changed formation. They flooded midfield and got men around the ball. They started to play higher up the field and became sharper in all aspects of play. They started to get men forward and make us think about them as an attacking force. They had a few half chances and won a few corners. They will have been sickened though more sloppy defending when it became 2-0 and thought it was game over but stuck at it and made another change and then got a long range goal. After this they kept plugging away and sending us further back and had a few decent chances through neat and tidy football and it was not a massive surprise when it became 2-2 after a good run down the right and neat finish as the cross came in. After this they sensed blood but in over committing and going for the win they got caught out and we scored the winner.
They have a very young team (which made it more ironic when some fans felt we had relinquished lead when we put more youngsters on!) and no real experience at all in the side other than Fox (32). They have a few strikers out injured or international duty (Haber) but did have some talent on the bench in Dalla Valle and Cooper. The lad Ainley also made the second goal with a good run.
Still I fear they will go; as they do lack that experience and I do not see them getting the wins they would need either home (poor crowds do not give them much of an advantage) or away. Manager Davis does an admirable job despite lack of resources and I would not be surprised if they did go down due to the excellent youth pathway and players they bring through; if they did not come straight back up.
Opponent man of the match: Thought that they struggled as a whole first half. Keeper Garratt made a wonder save. However, I felt the lad Bingham came on second half was really good. Looked him up and he is actually 25 and was signed from Dagenham in the summer. He got on the ball and started to probe and I felt a lot of good things came from him. Fox also got in the game and they started to control midfield after losing this side of things first half.
Opponent Weak link: Thought the two centre backs got dragged around a lot and Guthrie and Davis (I think they were the centre backs) really never got to grips with Adams and Sharp all game. Guthrie especially was given run around by Adams who used pace and movement. Second half they got a bit better but crucially lost Sharp on the winner.
SUFC Player Ratings –
Long 7/10 – Did not have much chance on the goals and I felt as he often has was left badly exposed as defence sat deeper and midfield stopped pressing and allowed them to get in and have chances. Maybe being ultra-critical he could have used his feet but it was right in the corner so not sure he would have saved it anyway. The second goal was pulled back and converted from close range and had no chance. He made a few half blocks second half and then one good save when at 1-0 when they had a spell when he got down well. He punched a cross away and held a low shot towards the end. His kicking was bizarre as he was launching it second half to no one even though he seemed to look up and see where the players were. It was funny how one kick though that went out in the corner, then led to the winner as they could not get out from the throw so it is not always the worst things to launch deep into the opponents’ territory.
Brayford 4.5/10 – I have to say that other than one good header he nearly scored from he was really poor again. On the ball he often played aimless balls or telegraphed things and was very wasteful in possession. Had a few neat and tidy passages second half with Coutts etc but even these were played at such a slow and deliberate pace and were easy to read. Crewe kept attacking down his side and several easy one-twos led to chances as they kept getting away from him. He looked very slow and quite cumbersome I felt. Needs to improve massively for next season or they may have to move him on especially if he is on such big wages. His form in last few months has been really poor. Hope he will come again and get back to form he can show. Today he was our worst player I felt.
Done 6.5/10 – Thought he was lively as an attacking force. He kept bombing forward and trying to attack. He had a number of runs down the left and whilst sometimes he overran it or ran into men, he always got players turned. He put a few decent crosses in mixed in with some poor corners (not sure why he is assigned to take them as had to spring 50 or 60 yards then back – as he takes inswingers on the right – say inswingers they are more floaters!). He always keeps running and was involved in some decent half chances. Defensively not quite as good. A few wild tackles let them in as he completely missed the ball and then second half they had quite a few attacks down that side including the build-up the equaliser. He also lost a tackle on the first but did save a certain goal right at the death when they seemed set to score.
McEveley 7/10 – Had a bit of a rocky start with a few errors/sloppy moments but then settled down and did well for most of the game being as steady as he has been. He did the sensible things and used it well when with the ball. I felt they never looked like scoring but then second half he had more work to do as they pressed up and played higher up the field. Made a good block when they threatened down the left in the second half but he became a bit panicky along with the rest of them. One moment where he sliced it over was either great defending or incredibly lucky! At the end he along with the rest were getting deeper and deeper and just hacking the ball away.
McGahey 7/10 – Was ok today. He defended alright save for the closing stages when the whole defence kind of went to pieces and started to sit back deeper and deeper. However, for the most part he cleared his lines well, headed it and used it fairly well when he had it. Long gave it him quite a bit and I was concerned how he would do but he brought it out and was better than I thought. Did have a few hesitant moments when Long came first half and it hit his chest and then second half when him and Basham dithered. Will wait to see how he does against some of the better teams but today he was fine and was one of our better performers. Still Crewe had nothing up top and he was often the spare man so it was an odd game to properly judge.
Basham 5.5/10 – Thought he was the poorest of the three central defenders. At times he was very slow and almost ball watching. He also lost quite a few headers to say he was against a smaller forward. I felt he was clumsy on the ball and was most careless of United players (along with Basham when he used it). Two moments second half he should have gone across when the man just run inside the left channel and straight towards goal but he took forever to realised Brayford was not there. Still not certain what he offers in either defence or midfield and hope he will be used as a utility cover man at best next season and not be a regular.
Flynn 7/10 – Like v Oldham looked our best midfielder for long spells. He was lively and was able to get into little pockets. He was neat and tidy and always looking to prompt. He linked well with others and I felt one of few who got further forward. Made the first goal with a neat pass. I felt second half as v Oldham he faded and we lost control of midfield. Ironically he did score with a well taken goal (did not think he had an overhead kick goal in him!) but cannot recall him being involved much other than that. He lost the ball a few times too which set them on the attack. He also neshed a tackle in the build up the second goal I think. is sort of player who seems to do it against soft touches like Oldham/Crewe but is non-descript/poor v better teams.
Hammond 5/10 – First half hour he was decent. No more, no less. He helped us moved it on a bit quicker, he broke play up and did his job just sitting in front of the back four. He was fine as we controlled the game all first half and should have been 3 or 4 nil up. At times he still took too long to get it under control and do simple passes and seems to need an age to do things. However, he did not give it away too much until the second half when he badly faded and started to sit deeper and deeper but without having any influence. His touch became poor and quicker midfield runners started to get into holes and cause problems. Simple one two’s led to chances and he was often caught ball watching. Telling that he often gets subbed which is worrying if he as seen as an experienced pro who is going to help us see games out; but he cannot even see games out (can’t recall Doyle going off much?). We were losing control before he went off and he was slow to close down the lad when they scored the first goal back. When he went off it was a change cheered by large sections of the crowd. Adkins must surely realised he does not offer much and we can get far more bang for our buck in the summer.
Coutts 5.5/10 – Another who did some good things but some bone idle things. He is incredibly lazy and does not show any interest in doing the defensive side. Too many times players ran away from him and he did not get back. On the ball showed some decent touches and passes and had one good spell in the second half when he linked well with Sharp and Brayford in a few spells. However, he often needs forever to make a pass and needs to take 5 or 6 touches to do something he could do with one touch. Still shows that technically he can be decent and I felt was one of better players in that respects. Still the few sideways passes and odd neat bits of link play does not compensate for the fact he simply cannot run and will not even attempt to get back. Second half this was shown in evidence as they had more and more of the ball. He then did his usual ‘I cannot go on/cramped up’ type routine and fell to the floor before limping up. If he has 2 new lungs and 2 new legs he may be half decent but as it is, a neat and tidy type player who mainly plays odd square ball or 5 yard pass is not what is needed for a team trying to get out of the league when most teams have athletic, fit midfielders who cover lots of ground; especially when he has Hammond alongside him who is similarly limited in mobility. Both him and Hammond would have been great 4 or 5 years ago. Their legs have gone and sadly at this level you need players who cover ground and can play 90 minutes as it is a league that fitness nearly as much as ability does matter. Their ability (decent passer of ball, Coutts more so) does not compensate for this total lack of mobility and they cannot last full games or even close to it.
Adams 7.5/10 – Liked his attitude today and bounced back from being left out. I thought he tried and won several lost causes with his running. His play often led to our better chances. He chased defenders down and was always down the channels. Took his goal very well and then missed an even better chance when he clipped wide. Always tried to work well with Sharp and felt his pace and running was one of main assets for United and caused Crewe a lot of problems. Of course if a player totally tosses it off in training can understand why he would be dropped but Adkins needs to stop messing about with him and leave him in the team. Sure he may have some poor games but he is going to be part of things and I feel improve. Likes of Sammon will not be here. Felt we lost some of our threat when he went off
Sharp 7.5/10 – Thought he was always a threat and looked most intelligent player on the field. Used it well and tried to link with others. Had one shot that hit the post as he made an angle and used a defender as a shield and was very unlucky. Him and Adams were able to play a number of one-twos and looked to always try and work with each other. I felt he still got caught offside too much but then made the second with a header down when Flynn got on the loose ends and then took his goal really win with a diving header. Always looks like getting a goal. Been one of our most consistent, if not most consistent players, even in the poor spells and they have been many of them this season!
Subs
Calvert Lewin – Adkins seems to have a lot of faith in him. I still struggle to see what he offers. He came on and was caught offside quite a bit but did make one good challenge and run but often he ran into the wrong areas. He seems very much ‘bambi on ice’ and one awkward overhead kick seemed to sum up his lack of co-ordination. Seems to struggle how to play the game and looks like someone who has been converted into a striker. Adams was tired but was still causing problems and I would have left him on. It led to us losing even more control after this change.
Whiteman – Mixed bag when he came on. He was brought on to give us some more legs in midfield with Coutts and Hammond of course tiring. I felt he did some good things and thing I like is he moves it on first time when he has it rather than taking several touches as the aforementioned did. It was odd though as those two were tiring you would have thought he wold have given us more legs but it seemed too late and the midfield had lost control and likes of him and Reed could not get the initiative back. It had happened before the subs and just carried off after they went off.
Reed – Bit Jekyll and Hyde performance really when he came on. He actually used it well when he had it and of course made the goal with a great cross that was begging to be converted but defensively he lost his man a few times and seemed yards off when they attacked. Adkins said it was him who lost his man for the equaliser. Not sure he is strong enough and for someone who is young he does seem not seem to run back when teams attack. Still he did create the winner and showed some useful touches on the ball.
Manager – Adkins 6/10 – It was a win and should have been 8/10 for him for changing side for the better and bringing back Adams who made a difference. They also started the game really well and seemed up for it which is credit to the manager but the good first half was not matched second half and we lost control. Crewe made one change but more than that they pressed and harried and started to attack and we did not know what to do. He seemed furious with ground we were conceding but you have players with no legs (not literally) and you will lose midfield against younger and hungrier players. We became soft in the middle and at the back we were losing runners all over the field. We lacked leaders and became wretched. He made changes but these did not improve things (felt we were losing midfield before and after these changes). I would have left Adams on as he was still causing problems and they had less to worry about with Calvert Lewin. However, whilst two of young lads, Reed and Whiteman may have lost players as Crewe attacked, they made winner with two very good passes that led to Sharp’s header. Overall they we do not seem any closer to an organised, committed and consistent side. We look very dishevelled and if teams flick a switch and up the tempo we fold like a pack of cards. Even poor sides like Crewe realised they could carry the game to us and will regret not doing it at the start. Adkins knows he has major work to do if he is left in charge. Think even he probably knows deep down we won’t make the playoffs as we struggle to beat sides like this and we have some tough games coming up.
Ref – Andy Woolmer. He was ok. It was not a dirty game and cannot recall any bad fouls at all. There were barely any tackles put in all game and both teams sat off so much. He tried to let the game flow most of the time and did let teams take free kicks from different areas as long as it was in the same sort of area which was refreshing but then at
A few odd decisions you could question. The one where Flynn had a shot at the end and it seemed to go straight out and he gave a corner but then decided to give an instant free kick to them as if he had realised his mistake.
Also felt we got away with one where Hammond hacked a player from behind second half and could have been given. The bookings were right as the Wigan lad jumped in front of a throw and then Calvert Lewin kicked the ball away.
The 6 minutes’ stoppage time seemed generous even though they had been 4 goals and also 5 (?) subs second half. I cannot recall many injuries of note or many stoppages. Long time wasted a bit when it went 3-2 but 6 minutes seemed a lot!
Crowd – Another 18,500+ crowd. Crewe only brought 314 and they only came to life when it was 2-1 and then sensed another famous win at the Lane when they levelled. United crowd was quiet. They appreciated the bits of good play but of course you could tell many felt the chances we missed would come back to haunt us and it did. When it became 2-1 and then 2-2, the groans came and Adkins seemed to get a bit of stick (no direct chants but quite a few fans in South Stand at bottom seemed to be remonstrating). Fans just seemed aghast that a game we were in complete control of and should have been out of sight that we tossed it away. The goal at the end brought more relief than cheer. At the end there were definitely some boos mixed in with applause at the win and a lot of fans were frustrated at another really mixed performance. McCabe was in the directors’ box and will know we look a long, long way off a promotion side and that there is a lot of work to do in the summer.
Manager Adkins made changes again after the loss at Millwall with Che Adams back up front for Common Sammon and Basham and McEveley either side of Harrison McGahey in the central defence with Edgar away with Canada and Baptiste injured. There was no place in the squad for Florent Cuvelier who was presumably injured but three youngsters on the bench in Dominic Calvert Lewin, Graham Kelly and David Brooks (for the first time). Crewe were fighting for survival fielded a largely young side as they sought to repeat last season’s win at the Lane and the earlier victory over United this campaign at Gresty Road.
United began the game quickly out of the blocks and forced an early corner. From it they nearly took the lead which would have been a direct reversal of the previous game when they were behind after 2 minutes. Done took it and Brayford met it on the full but Garratt made a superb point blank save to somehow scoop it out when it seemed a certain goal.
United continued to dominate early on and Flynn was at the fore of many of the good play linking well with Sharp and Adams. Done was also getting forward down the left. From one decent move involving all the above, Sharp had a shot blocked when it seemed goal bound.
After a quarter of an hour Sharp worked an opening and hit a curling shot that caromed off the post. It was very unfortunate and Crewe were very fortunate not to be behind. However, the opening goal was not long coming. Sharp held it up well and fed Flynn and from his run and slipped pass, ADAMS was in on goal and coolly slipped it past the advancing Garratt.
Crewe offered one brief chance but Jones was crowded out despite going to the deck and United came again with Coutts shooting wide. Then good work from Done saw Adams have a powerful shot saved before Sharp was adjudged offside when he put the rebound in. United really ought to have doubled the lead when Sharp linked well with Adams and found his strike partner but he shot wide when he really should have scored.
At the break, Bingham came on for Nugent and Crewe seemed to change their formation and seemed to match United for 3 in the middle. They started to win loose balls and looked more determined and pushed the home side back. They had a number of chances and Inman nearly scored when he beat Basham for pace but Long and McEveley somehow saved it. Soon after Kirk had a low shot that Long did well to save. Crewe won two corners in succession and Long saved another long range shot as United seemed to have lost control of the game they ought to have been out of sight in.
Despite this change of focus in the pattern of the game, United got a second goal. Coutts got forward and sent over a deep cross and Sharp nodded the ball down and across. With the defence dithering, FLYNN was able to get into the box and reacted to the loose ball and with his back to goal acrobatically contorted his body to somehow score with an overhead kick that gave the keeper no chance. This should have been game over for United who had survived the better spell from Crewe.
It was not long before Crewe got back in the game. It came from a corner that was not cleared and FOX from range took a touch and hit long, low range grass cutter that skidded away from Long and into the corner. Alex were back in it and the crowd became edgy.
Whiteman had been waiting on the bench to come on before the goal and Adkins seemed annoyed that the change had not been made but the youngster finally replaced Hammond.
United made two changes in quick succession as Calvert Lewin came on for the tiring Adams and then Coutts hit the deck straight after and Reed had to replace him. The changes did not seem to stem the change of play as Crewe were now having more of the ball and United were looking stretched.
McEveley somehow scooped over his own bar and then Crewe came again with Inman tackled well by the same man. United were now becoming scrappy and it was not a surprise when the leveller came. Substitute Ainley sprinted away from both Reed and Whiteman and from his cross DAVIS converted as no one picked him up. Crewe retrieved the ball from the goal and sensed an unlikely comeback win. They knew they needed the three points and the game became very open. It was United who got the decisive goal and it came after good work from three home-grown players. Whiteman first played a lovely ball down the right that sent Reed clear and his chipped cross was perfect for SHARP to dive in and head in at the Kop end. It was certainly a goal made and taken in Sheffield (or rather Shirecliffe -- home of the SUFC Academy!). After this Long took his time over goal kicks and Calvert Lewin was booked for time wasting.
Six additional minutes were put up to the shock of many in the crowd and Crewe had three chances to level with Kirk and Inman going close. Then a superb chance to level again as from another cross from the left where Bakayogo got away from Brayford, Turton seemed set to score but Done made a great block to send the ball spiralling wide. The final whistle was greeted more with relief than elation as Crewe players sunk to their knees and the home players puffed their cheek out to signal a let off.
United – Weird game and performance. For the first half we were in complete control a la Oldham game and went 1-0 up and it could have been 3 or 4 and game over. Scored one good goal and could have had quite a few more. The keeper made a world class save from Brayford early on; Sharp hit the post and Adams shot wide when one on one. There were a few other half chances too. Crewe were not in the game at all and United had all the ball and territory. We were not scintillating but Sharp and Adams were a threat; Flynn and Done also caused problems too. It was very similar the Oldham game. A poor side but United did what they had to; save for the goals. The only fear was we had not put the game away and Crewe had got away with it.
Second half Crewe played further up the field and pressed us and they had a really good spell with a few chances and Long made a good save. They had a few corners and looked like they could score but we came out and Flynn netted the second. This seemed to be it and game over and we did look in control for another spell but then gradually we started to sit off. Hammond and Coutts laboured, Flynn’s influence diminished and they got a long range goal. After this we made changes and brought on young legs but could not stem the tide. They got more chances and eventually the equaliser came as we lost runners and did not mark. Crewe raced back and sensed they could win it as they sprinted back to the centre circle. After this they had a corner and you feared the worst but we came out and made and scored a really good goal involving three academy scholars, Whiteman, Reed and Sharp. Still it was hardly plain sailing after this. They had a certain goal blocked from Done and had other scrambles/half chances in stoppage time. We hung on really by the skin of our teeth. It was a performance that looked convincing ad fairly assured first half and then became desperate and ragged.
I suppose you could say over the course of the game the best team won if you take all first half into consideration but the way we played second half meant we were kind of lucky to win the game. We fell apart and looked as soft as you like. The way Crewe just came down either side and attacked and then down the middle and picked us off with one or two simple passes to get in was embarrassing. We barely put in a tackle, sat back deeper and deeper and they realised we were crap and easier to get at. The weak spine of the side was exposed as unfit and immobile midfielders Coutts and Hammond ran out of gas. The defence was put under more pressure and slow and languid play from likes of Basham and Brayford did not help. It would not have surprised me if we had lost the game.
We won and of course result matters but it masks another hugely fragmented and bitty performance in which a really poor side and one I am sure will go down so nearly got a point or even won the game. Adkins changed the team and it seemed to work but sadly tiring players meant he kind of had to change it. Some may argue subs further worsened things (would have given Adams longer even though tired) but I felt game was slipping away anyway.
We may only be 4 points off the play offs but I will be astonished if we follow up today with 2 wins in the next week. Anything less than 4 points would mean season is still probably over. Against better sides like Southend and also Walsall the ragged defence and midfield will get overrun I feel by better players. Crewe were a shocking side and even they could get through us and create lots of chances second half. There are major holes to sort in the summer. I fear he will sign Hammond (board should put their foot down) and that will further restrict us. We need to be looking for quicker, more athletic players (watching Power and Morsy at Wigan now as they are destroying Swindon shows type of player we need to go for) who can last 90 minutes and be as strong at the end as the beginning of games. I think in Long, Sharp and Adams we have a few pieces that should be ok but need several new players and a new outlook from Adkins (if he remains).
Crewe – Thought they looked all the world a relegation side, even despite the comeback. First half the defence was pulled apart, they were slow to the ball, lost midfield and did not win many individual battles. With better finishing it could have been over but they were still in the game at 1-0. Second half they put Bingham on in midfield and changed formation. They flooded midfield and got men around the ball. They started to play higher up the field and became sharper in all aspects of play. They started to get men forward and make us think about them as an attacking force. They had a few half chances and won a few corners. They will have been sickened though more sloppy defending when it became 2-0 and thought it was game over but stuck at it and made another change and then got a long range goal. After this they kept plugging away and sending us further back and had a few decent chances through neat and tidy football and it was not a massive surprise when it became 2-2 after a good run down the right and neat finish as the cross came in. After this they sensed blood but in over committing and going for the win they got caught out and we scored the winner.
They have a very young team (which made it more ironic when some fans felt we had relinquished lead when we put more youngsters on!) and no real experience at all in the side other than Fox (32). They have a few strikers out injured or international duty (Haber) but did have some talent on the bench in Dalla Valle and Cooper. The lad Ainley also made the second goal with a good run.
Still I fear they will go; as they do lack that experience and I do not see them getting the wins they would need either home (poor crowds do not give them much of an advantage) or away. Manager Davis does an admirable job despite lack of resources and I would not be surprised if they did go down due to the excellent youth pathway and players they bring through; if they did not come straight back up.
Opponent man of the match: Thought that they struggled as a whole first half. Keeper Garratt made a wonder save. However, I felt the lad Bingham came on second half was really good. Looked him up and he is actually 25 and was signed from Dagenham in the summer. He got on the ball and started to probe and I felt a lot of good things came from him. Fox also got in the game and they started to control midfield after losing this side of things first half.
Opponent Weak link: Thought the two centre backs got dragged around a lot and Guthrie and Davis (I think they were the centre backs) really never got to grips with Adams and Sharp all game. Guthrie especially was given run around by Adams who used pace and movement. Second half they got a bit better but crucially lost Sharp on the winner.
SUFC Player Ratings –
Long 7/10 – Did not have much chance on the goals and I felt as he often has was left badly exposed as defence sat deeper and midfield stopped pressing and allowed them to get in and have chances. Maybe being ultra-critical he could have used his feet but it was right in the corner so not sure he would have saved it anyway. The second goal was pulled back and converted from close range and had no chance. He made a few half blocks second half and then one good save when at 1-0 when they had a spell when he got down well. He punched a cross away and held a low shot towards the end. His kicking was bizarre as he was launching it second half to no one even though he seemed to look up and see where the players were. It was funny how one kick though that went out in the corner, then led to the winner as they could not get out from the throw so it is not always the worst things to launch deep into the opponents’ territory.
Brayford 4.5/10 – I have to say that other than one good header he nearly scored from he was really poor again. On the ball he often played aimless balls or telegraphed things and was very wasteful in possession. Had a few neat and tidy passages second half with Coutts etc but even these were played at such a slow and deliberate pace and were easy to read. Crewe kept attacking down his side and several easy one-twos led to chances as they kept getting away from him. He looked very slow and quite cumbersome I felt. Needs to improve massively for next season or they may have to move him on especially if he is on such big wages. His form in last few months has been really poor. Hope he will come again and get back to form he can show. Today he was our worst player I felt.
Done 6.5/10 – Thought he was lively as an attacking force. He kept bombing forward and trying to attack. He had a number of runs down the left and whilst sometimes he overran it or ran into men, he always got players turned. He put a few decent crosses in mixed in with some poor corners (not sure why he is assigned to take them as had to spring 50 or 60 yards then back – as he takes inswingers on the right – say inswingers they are more floaters!). He always keeps running and was involved in some decent half chances. Defensively not quite as good. A few wild tackles let them in as he completely missed the ball and then second half they had quite a few attacks down that side including the build-up the equaliser. He also lost a tackle on the first but did save a certain goal right at the death when they seemed set to score.
McEveley 7/10 – Had a bit of a rocky start with a few errors/sloppy moments but then settled down and did well for most of the game being as steady as he has been. He did the sensible things and used it well when with the ball. I felt they never looked like scoring but then second half he had more work to do as they pressed up and played higher up the field. Made a good block when they threatened down the left in the second half but he became a bit panicky along with the rest of them. One moment where he sliced it over was either great defending or incredibly lucky! At the end he along with the rest were getting deeper and deeper and just hacking the ball away.
McGahey 7/10 – Was ok today. He defended alright save for the closing stages when the whole defence kind of went to pieces and started to sit back deeper and deeper. However, for the most part he cleared his lines well, headed it and used it fairly well when he had it. Long gave it him quite a bit and I was concerned how he would do but he brought it out and was better than I thought. Did have a few hesitant moments when Long came first half and it hit his chest and then second half when him and Basham dithered. Will wait to see how he does against some of the better teams but today he was fine and was one of our better performers. Still Crewe had nothing up top and he was often the spare man so it was an odd game to properly judge.
Basham 5.5/10 – Thought he was the poorest of the three central defenders. At times he was very slow and almost ball watching. He also lost quite a few headers to say he was against a smaller forward. I felt he was clumsy on the ball and was most careless of United players (along with Basham when he used it). Two moments second half he should have gone across when the man just run inside the left channel and straight towards goal but he took forever to realised Brayford was not there. Still not certain what he offers in either defence or midfield and hope he will be used as a utility cover man at best next season and not be a regular.
Flynn 7/10 – Like v Oldham looked our best midfielder for long spells. He was lively and was able to get into little pockets. He was neat and tidy and always looking to prompt. He linked well with others and I felt one of few who got further forward. Made the first goal with a neat pass. I felt second half as v Oldham he faded and we lost control of midfield. Ironically he did score with a well taken goal (did not think he had an overhead kick goal in him!) but cannot recall him being involved much other than that. He lost the ball a few times too which set them on the attack. He also neshed a tackle in the build up the second goal I think. is sort of player who seems to do it against soft touches like Oldham/Crewe but is non-descript/poor v better teams.
Hammond 5/10 – First half hour he was decent. No more, no less. He helped us moved it on a bit quicker, he broke play up and did his job just sitting in front of the back four. He was fine as we controlled the game all first half and should have been 3 or 4 nil up. At times he still took too long to get it under control and do simple passes and seems to need an age to do things. However, he did not give it away too much until the second half when he badly faded and started to sit deeper and deeper but without having any influence. His touch became poor and quicker midfield runners started to get into holes and cause problems. Simple one two’s led to chances and he was often caught ball watching. Telling that he often gets subbed which is worrying if he as seen as an experienced pro who is going to help us see games out; but he cannot even see games out (can’t recall Doyle going off much?). We were losing control before he went off and he was slow to close down the lad when they scored the first goal back. When he went off it was a change cheered by large sections of the crowd. Adkins must surely realised he does not offer much and we can get far more bang for our buck in the summer.
Coutts 5.5/10 – Another who did some good things but some bone idle things. He is incredibly lazy and does not show any interest in doing the defensive side. Too many times players ran away from him and he did not get back. On the ball showed some decent touches and passes and had one good spell in the second half when he linked well with Sharp and Brayford in a few spells. However, he often needs forever to make a pass and needs to take 5 or 6 touches to do something he could do with one touch. Still shows that technically he can be decent and I felt was one of better players in that respects. Still the few sideways passes and odd neat bits of link play does not compensate for the fact he simply cannot run and will not even attempt to get back. Second half this was shown in evidence as they had more and more of the ball. He then did his usual ‘I cannot go on/cramped up’ type routine and fell to the floor before limping up. If he has 2 new lungs and 2 new legs he may be half decent but as it is, a neat and tidy type player who mainly plays odd square ball or 5 yard pass is not what is needed for a team trying to get out of the league when most teams have athletic, fit midfielders who cover lots of ground; especially when he has Hammond alongside him who is similarly limited in mobility. Both him and Hammond would have been great 4 or 5 years ago. Their legs have gone and sadly at this level you need players who cover ground and can play 90 minutes as it is a league that fitness nearly as much as ability does matter. Their ability (decent passer of ball, Coutts more so) does not compensate for this total lack of mobility and they cannot last full games or even close to it.
Adams 7.5/10 – Liked his attitude today and bounced back from being left out. I thought he tried and won several lost causes with his running. His play often led to our better chances. He chased defenders down and was always down the channels. Took his goal very well and then missed an even better chance when he clipped wide. Always tried to work well with Sharp and felt his pace and running was one of main assets for United and caused Crewe a lot of problems. Of course if a player totally tosses it off in training can understand why he would be dropped but Adkins needs to stop messing about with him and leave him in the team. Sure he may have some poor games but he is going to be part of things and I feel improve. Likes of Sammon will not be here. Felt we lost some of our threat when he went off
Sharp 7.5/10 – Thought he was always a threat and looked most intelligent player on the field. Used it well and tried to link with others. Had one shot that hit the post as he made an angle and used a defender as a shield and was very unlucky. Him and Adams were able to play a number of one-twos and looked to always try and work with each other. I felt he still got caught offside too much but then made the second with a header down when Flynn got on the loose ends and then took his goal really win with a diving header. Always looks like getting a goal. Been one of our most consistent, if not most consistent players, even in the poor spells and they have been many of them this season!
Subs
Calvert Lewin – Adkins seems to have a lot of faith in him. I still struggle to see what he offers. He came on and was caught offside quite a bit but did make one good challenge and run but often he ran into the wrong areas. He seems very much ‘bambi on ice’ and one awkward overhead kick seemed to sum up his lack of co-ordination. Seems to struggle how to play the game and looks like someone who has been converted into a striker. Adams was tired but was still causing problems and I would have left him on. It led to us losing even more control after this change.
Whiteman – Mixed bag when he came on. He was brought on to give us some more legs in midfield with Coutts and Hammond of course tiring. I felt he did some good things and thing I like is he moves it on first time when he has it rather than taking several touches as the aforementioned did. It was odd though as those two were tiring you would have thought he wold have given us more legs but it seemed too late and the midfield had lost control and likes of him and Reed could not get the initiative back. It had happened before the subs and just carried off after they went off.
Reed – Bit Jekyll and Hyde performance really when he came on. He actually used it well when he had it and of course made the goal with a great cross that was begging to be converted but defensively he lost his man a few times and seemed yards off when they attacked. Adkins said it was him who lost his man for the equaliser. Not sure he is strong enough and for someone who is young he does seem not seem to run back when teams attack. Still he did create the winner and showed some useful touches on the ball.
Manager – Adkins 6/10 – It was a win and should have been 8/10 for him for changing side for the better and bringing back Adams who made a difference. They also started the game really well and seemed up for it which is credit to the manager but the good first half was not matched second half and we lost control. Crewe made one change but more than that they pressed and harried and started to attack and we did not know what to do. He seemed furious with ground we were conceding but you have players with no legs (not literally) and you will lose midfield against younger and hungrier players. We became soft in the middle and at the back we were losing runners all over the field. We lacked leaders and became wretched. He made changes but these did not improve things (felt we were losing midfield before and after these changes). I would have left Adams on as he was still causing problems and they had less to worry about with Calvert Lewin. However, whilst two of young lads, Reed and Whiteman may have lost players as Crewe attacked, they made winner with two very good passes that led to Sharp’s header. Overall they we do not seem any closer to an organised, committed and consistent side. We look very dishevelled and if teams flick a switch and up the tempo we fold like a pack of cards. Even poor sides like Crewe realised they could carry the game to us and will regret not doing it at the start. Adkins knows he has major work to do if he is left in charge. Think even he probably knows deep down we won’t make the playoffs as we struggle to beat sides like this and we have some tough games coming up.
Ref – Andy Woolmer. He was ok. It was not a dirty game and cannot recall any bad fouls at all. There were barely any tackles put in all game and both teams sat off so much. He tried to let the game flow most of the time and did let teams take free kicks from different areas as long as it was in the same sort of area which was refreshing but then at
A few odd decisions you could question. The one where Flynn had a shot at the end and it seemed to go straight out and he gave a corner but then decided to give an instant free kick to them as if he had realised his mistake.
Also felt we got away with one where Hammond hacked a player from behind second half and could have been given. The bookings were right as the Wigan lad jumped in front of a throw and then Calvert Lewin kicked the ball away.
The 6 minutes’ stoppage time seemed generous even though they had been 4 goals and also 5 (?) subs second half. I cannot recall many injuries of note or many stoppages. Long time wasted a bit when it went 3-2 but 6 minutes seemed a lot!
Crowd – Another 18,500+ crowd. Crewe only brought 314 and they only came to life when it was 2-1 and then sensed another famous win at the Lane when they levelled. United crowd was quiet. They appreciated the bits of good play but of course you could tell many felt the chances we missed would come back to haunt us and it did. When it became 2-1 and then 2-2, the groans came and Adkins seemed to get a bit of stick (no direct chants but quite a few fans in South Stand at bottom seemed to be remonstrating). Fans just seemed aghast that a game we were in complete control of and should have been out of sight that we tossed it away. The goal at the end brought more relief than cheer. At the end there were definitely some boos mixed in with applause at the win and a lot of fans were frustrated at another really mixed performance. McCabe was in the directors’ box and will know we look a long, long way off a promotion side and that there is a lot of work to do in the summer.
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