Deadbat
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The Blades continued their excellent league form with a comfortable 3-0 victory against a poor Swansea side at the Lane. Much like last season, United did what they had to and barely gut of first gear but did not have to as they brushed away a timid Swans side that barely had an attack all contest. Goals from Berge, Robinson and McBurnie resulted in an easy win as United continued to get the results they need in keeping a comfortable cushion in the promotion places. Burnley and Middlesborough both also won and as the Teesside side prepare to come to S2 in a few days, United know that they face a pivotal week in which they can put a realty sizeable cushion between themselves and any challengers in the race for the Premier League.
United made three changes from the side that beat Wrexham in the cup with Foderingham, Lowe and Bogle back into the starting line-up. McBurnie was still not quite seen as ready to start but on a bench that seemed much stronger with Fleck also back in the match day squad. Swansea started with former Blade Naughton in the backline and Piroe leading their line.
The opening of the game was relatively quiet with Swansea trying to play out of the back and move it on patiently but offering little in the way of attacking threat. United were somewhat feeling their way into the game. McAtee and Ndiaye were looking to get into those areas off the front but the game was relatively scrappy. Swansea had the first chance as Piroe forced Foderingham into a save on the angle and Cullen could not converge on the rebound.
United started to find some rhythm and Ahmedhodzic nearly got in before McAtee was tackled after an enterprising run but on 21 minutes United took the lead with their first meaningful effort on goal. It came from Bogle and McAtee moving the ball on and it was switched to BERGE who with no challenge incoming caressed the ball delightfully into the corner away from Fisher’s despairing dive. It was the Norwegian’s second goal in a week at the Lane with both excellent finishes showing his class and composure in such situations.
The Blades looked to build on this and nearly got a second goal soon after. A good move saw the ball played down the right and as it came over Sharp’s effort was deflected but saved as Swansea appealed for a foul and then Ndiaye had an effort saved from Fisher as United looked to turn the screw. Russell Martin was booked for his protestations prior to the challenge.
The Blades had upped the tempo and it the visitors were struggling to stay in the game and it came as no surprise when the second goal came. McAtee got away from Cooper had to resort to illegal means to bring him down. Norwood took the kick and his effort smacked the underside of the bar and bounced down but ROBINSON was quickest to react and smashed the ball home to double the United lead.
The second half began very stop start, not helped by a fussy referee with McAtee and Cabango both booked but Berge and Norwood were dictating midfield and the visitors were not laying a glove on United. It was relatively comfortable even if there was not much goal mouth action either way. Whittaker and Cundle came on for Ntcham and Cullen for the visitors who had not really caused the Blades many issues at all in a performance reminiscent of their efforts in a resounding defeat almost a year ago at the same ground.
Sharp picked up a knock and had to go off with McBurnie coming on. Osborn also replaced McAtee for United as the game ticked into the final 20 minutes. The crowd continued to be frustrated by the fussy Donoghue who was making a routine game much more bitty than it needed to be. United at times moved it around well but seemed happy to let the clock tick away. Swansea finally created a chance as Cooper’s header was saved from Foderingham after Piroe’s good work and Cabango then headed over as Swansea finally created something in a game they had barely entered the United box.
Wood then was booked for a bad tackle on McBurnie before Norwood’s free kick fell for Robinson hit the post with another instinctive effort. Bogle then had an effort blocked before Egan’s powerful header was saved at full length from Fisher down low as United looked to finish the game off. They did so with a minute left. Excellent work from Bogle saw him weave across the box and round the keeper before his cross Osborn’s effort blocked but MCBURNIE was able to apply the finish against his former club.
Allen had replaced Fulton and Coulibaly came on for Berge right at the death but the verdict had long been decided and United eased to three easy points with as comfortable a win as you could wish.
United – Perfect really. We did not seem to exert too much energy but did what we had to see off a poor side who were not that physical (so unlikely we would get injuries) and just sort of cantered to an easy win. It was very similar to last season. They came and had a fair bit of play but lost it in their own half and out themselves under pressure. They started ok and had one decent chance but they did not really control things and slowly we grew into it and once we felt them out, the likes of McAtee, Berge and Ndiaye supported from Norwood dictating behind; saw us take control. The goal we scored was easy but so well taken and reminiscent of many other games showed we can play decent but only need one of our quality technical players to just step up and show some quality and we get the chances/goals. It was only a half chance but Berge took it really well. After this Sharp and Ndiaye had chances and then after the superb free kick from Norwood, Robinson was Jackie on the spot and smashed home. You sensed with the lack of aggression and proper attacking threat from them, that could be enough and so it proved.
The second half was really comfortable. We did not play brilliant but did not need to and just moved it around and defended sensibly. They did not put us under too much pressure and only had one proper chance I can recall. We still had more chances even though we played within ourselves and our attacking play was somewhat limited after the break. You sensed we could up it if we wanted to but just did not need to. Swansea were so timid and lacked real intent and were dire to watch. I did think United were just ok but I felt if they needed to could have upped it. We just coasted it and then in the end had a few more chances before the final goal. 3-0 in the end was about right. It was an easy win and I do not say that arrogantly. It was just a win we eased to. I thought they may have learnt their lesson from last season but played exactly the same and got the same sort of insipid result. United were decent to good and it is as controlled a win as we have had for some time. We have won most games but been my narrow margins, even if the wins have not been with too much distress actually. Today I never felt like we would not win once we went ahead and actually probable could have gone on and scored more if we needed to.
Burnley won and seem well away from even us and Boro won but Watford/Blackburn/Luton drew and West Brom/Norwich lost. Millwall are quietly going well and it means with them and Boro the next two games- we have a chance to really cement our place in the top two in terms of any chances of teams catching us. Boro are in great form, but so are we. If we play like we can I think we are better than them – as the table shows. We need a performance like last year where we were really at it and came at them. They have some good attacking threats but I feel we can cause real problems the other way. The first goal will be important but I feel we will start with McBurnie and Ndiaye with Berge and McAtee supporting and that we can impose ourselves on them. It feels like a big game but if we lose; we still have a cushion. As good as they are going, if they lose this game with us having a much better goal difference it would be effectively 14 points and we have a game in hand and would feel like we have one foot back in the top fight. It is a big game and hopefully in front of packed Lane we can keep our brilliant run going.
United made three changes from the side that beat Wrexham in the cup with Foderingham, Lowe and Bogle back into the starting line-up. McBurnie was still not quite seen as ready to start but on a bench that seemed much stronger with Fleck also back in the match day squad. Swansea started with former Blade Naughton in the backline and Piroe leading their line.
The opening of the game was relatively quiet with Swansea trying to play out of the back and move it on patiently but offering little in the way of attacking threat. United were somewhat feeling their way into the game. McAtee and Ndiaye were looking to get into those areas off the front but the game was relatively scrappy. Swansea had the first chance as Piroe forced Foderingham into a save on the angle and Cullen could not converge on the rebound.
United started to find some rhythm and Ahmedhodzic nearly got in before McAtee was tackled after an enterprising run but on 21 minutes United took the lead with their first meaningful effort on goal. It came from Bogle and McAtee moving the ball on and it was switched to BERGE who with no challenge incoming caressed the ball delightfully into the corner away from Fisher’s despairing dive. It was the Norwegian’s second goal in a week at the Lane with both excellent finishes showing his class and composure in such situations.
The Blades looked to build on this and nearly got a second goal soon after. A good move saw the ball played down the right and as it came over Sharp’s effort was deflected but saved as Swansea appealed for a foul and then Ndiaye had an effort saved from Fisher as United looked to turn the screw. Russell Martin was booked for his protestations prior to the challenge.
The Blades had upped the tempo and it the visitors were struggling to stay in the game and it came as no surprise when the second goal came. McAtee got away from Cooper had to resort to illegal means to bring him down. Norwood took the kick and his effort smacked the underside of the bar and bounced down but ROBINSON was quickest to react and smashed the ball home to double the United lead.
The second half began very stop start, not helped by a fussy referee with McAtee and Cabango both booked but Berge and Norwood were dictating midfield and the visitors were not laying a glove on United. It was relatively comfortable even if there was not much goal mouth action either way. Whittaker and Cundle came on for Ntcham and Cullen for the visitors who had not really caused the Blades many issues at all in a performance reminiscent of their efforts in a resounding defeat almost a year ago at the same ground.
Sharp picked up a knock and had to go off with McBurnie coming on. Osborn also replaced McAtee for United as the game ticked into the final 20 minutes. The crowd continued to be frustrated by the fussy Donoghue who was making a routine game much more bitty than it needed to be. United at times moved it around well but seemed happy to let the clock tick away. Swansea finally created a chance as Cooper’s header was saved from Foderingham after Piroe’s good work and Cabango then headed over as Swansea finally created something in a game they had barely entered the United box.
Wood then was booked for a bad tackle on McBurnie before Norwood’s free kick fell for Robinson hit the post with another instinctive effort. Bogle then had an effort blocked before Egan’s powerful header was saved at full length from Fisher down low as United looked to finish the game off. They did so with a minute left. Excellent work from Bogle saw him weave across the box and round the keeper before his cross Osborn’s effort blocked but MCBURNIE was able to apply the finish against his former club.
Allen had replaced Fulton and Coulibaly came on for Berge right at the death but the verdict had long been decided and United eased to three easy points with as comfortable a win as you could wish.
United – Perfect really. We did not seem to exert too much energy but did what we had to see off a poor side who were not that physical (so unlikely we would get injuries) and just sort of cantered to an easy win. It was very similar to last season. They came and had a fair bit of play but lost it in their own half and out themselves under pressure. They started ok and had one decent chance but they did not really control things and slowly we grew into it and once we felt them out, the likes of McAtee, Berge and Ndiaye supported from Norwood dictating behind; saw us take control. The goal we scored was easy but so well taken and reminiscent of many other games showed we can play decent but only need one of our quality technical players to just step up and show some quality and we get the chances/goals. It was only a half chance but Berge took it really well. After this Sharp and Ndiaye had chances and then after the superb free kick from Norwood, Robinson was Jackie on the spot and smashed home. You sensed with the lack of aggression and proper attacking threat from them, that could be enough and so it proved.
The second half was really comfortable. We did not play brilliant but did not need to and just moved it around and defended sensibly. They did not put us under too much pressure and only had one proper chance I can recall. We still had more chances even though we played within ourselves and our attacking play was somewhat limited after the break. You sensed we could up it if we wanted to but just did not need to. Swansea were so timid and lacked real intent and were dire to watch. I did think United were just ok but I felt if they needed to could have upped it. We just coasted it and then in the end had a few more chances before the final goal. 3-0 in the end was about right. It was an easy win and I do not say that arrogantly. It was just a win we eased to. I thought they may have learnt their lesson from last season but played exactly the same and got the same sort of insipid result. United were decent to good and it is as controlled a win as we have had for some time. We have won most games but been my narrow margins, even if the wins have not been with too much distress actually. Today I never felt like we would not win once we went ahead and actually probable could have gone on and scored more if we needed to.
Burnley won and seem well away from even us and Boro won but Watford/Blackburn/Luton drew and West Brom/Norwich lost. Millwall are quietly going well and it means with them and Boro the next two games- we have a chance to really cement our place in the top two in terms of any chances of teams catching us. Boro are in great form, but so are we. If we play like we can I think we are better than them – as the table shows. We need a performance like last year where we were really at it and came at them. They have some good attacking threats but I feel we can cause real problems the other way. The first goal will be important but I feel we will start with McBurnie and Ndiaye with Berge and McAtee supporting and that we can impose ourselves on them. It feels like a big game but if we lose; we still have a cushion. As good as they are going, if they lose this game with us having a much better goal difference it would be effectively 14 points and we have a game in hand and would feel like we have one foot back in the top fight. It is a big game and hopefully in front of packed Lane we can keep our brilliant run going.
