Deadbat
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The Blades advanced to the second round of the Carabao Cup after an entertaining contest at Bramall Lane on Tuesday evening. In a game where both managers changed most of their starting line ups, United came back from behind to go through with ease in the end. Will Boyle scored after a set play but Auston Trusty responded with a goal of his own from a corner. The second half saw Rhian Brewster contribute with a run and cross that led to a third goal and then his penalty saved and Louis Marsh finished the rebound. Anis Slimane got a fourth goal after the impressive Harry Souttar’s header was saved before Seb Revan scored with almost the last kick to give the scoreline a more realistic feel, as Wrexham had competed and been in the contest for much of the duration.
Chris Wilder changed all eleven from their opening day win whilst Wrexham similarly made wholesale changes with only James McClean remaining from their win on the first day of the season, with ten other changes. United started with 5 academy players with Seriki, Boyes, Hampson, Peck and Marsh all featuring from the off. Debutant Harry Souttar captained the side.
The game began with Wrexham almost ahead after a minute when Brewster failed to clear and the ball was turned inside and Boyle steered his effort goalwards and Grbic made a smart save to turn it around the post. Seriki was looking lively down the right and had two excellent runs, with the second one leading to a corner. From the set play routine, the ball was pulled back and Brewster hit it powerfully on the volley but it flashed over the bar. Seriki had taken two whacks during his enterprising runs and could not carry on. Gilchrist was pressed into action much earlier than his manager would have wanted but came on to replace him. Peck had an effort over the bar and was looking to get on the ball at every opportunity. Brewster had another chance but his shot after Slimane turned inside the box, was straight at Burton.
Just before the half hour mark, the visitors took the lead. Coulibaly had been guilty of dithering on the ball and from one such occurrence, Wrexham won a corner. The delivery was to the far post and Trusty lost his man, Scarr, and as the header came back BOYLE got away from Brewster and Souttar to turn home.
United did react quickly and were level within 6 minutes. It came from a similar source, a corner, as Peck swung the ball in and Trusty made up for his goal with a powerful header across the keeper and despite it being cleared off the line, the referee checked his watch and signalled it had crossed the line.
Peck continued to impress with his aggression and desire to get on the ball and McClean was booked for a poor challenge on him, this was after he had committed offences earlier that led to the departure of Seriki. The game had swung from end to end and whilst United had created chances and restored parity, Wrexham had two opportunities just before the break to restore the lead. Grbic denied Rathbone and then an excellent chance came when the ball was knocked forward and as Gilchrist waited for his keeper, Revan nipped in and his toe poke went narrowly wide nearly exploiting the hesitancy from the Blades defence.
There were no changes at the break and the game lacked the chances of the first half but United were enjoying more of the ball and youngsters Peck, Marsh and Hampson linking well at times. Souttar was dominant in the air, winning everything but nearly scored with his feet as the ball dropped after his initial breast down fell back into his path but his shot went just wide. On 57 minutes, the Blades took the lead Brewster won the ball and exchanged passes with Hampson and darted down the right. His cross-field ball deflected in off BRUNT and whilst Brewster celebrated and the PA gave it to him, it was clearly an own goal.
Marriott, Fletcher and Lee came on for Dalby, McClean and Rathbone in a triple change for the visitors. United were moving it around nicely now and Peck was at the heart of most good things but Brewster was buoyed from his part in the goal and was looking sharp. A decent piece of build up saw the ball played into Slimane and as he advanced into the box, Bolton upended him and the award of the spot kick seemed routine. After Peck held the ball, Brewster took it to cheers from the crowd who were desperate for him to score but his effort was poor and too close to the keeper. Fortunately, MARSH was following in and did well to finish.
Immediately after the third goal, Marsh, Brewster and Boyes left the field and Hamer, One and Norrington Davies came on with 20 minutes remaining. Hamer tried to show off some party pieces and Slimane had an opportunity but was crowded out.
Hampson was replaced by Brooks with 10 minutes to go and he had a great chance came when Slimane teed him up but the finish was too close the keeper. United won a corner from the result of this move and Brooks delivery to far post was met by Souttar. Burton pushed the ball out and SLIMANE turned it into the roof of the net from close range.
One nearly got in as United were now in rampant mood after good work from Hamer just before the game entered four minutes of stoppage time. Fletcher’s overhead effort was ambitious but Wrexham did have the final word as Lee fed REVAN and he drove under Grbic to give the Red Dragons a consolation goal. After the ball had gone into the net, Marriott and Peck became involved in a skirmish that saw others get involved from both teams and it took some time for players to be separated. The main instigators, Marriott and Peck, were both booked. It was not long before Keith Stroud brought proceedings to an end and United advance into the next round and got some valuable minutes into players in a fulfilling night for Chris Wilder and his men.
United – It was a good night in the sense that we won the game, scored four goals and came back from conceding to go on and win easily in the end. It was a competitive game and there were chances at both ends but the Blades in the end were the better team and deserved winners. There were a number of positives collectively and individually. I felt we kept our composure and played some good football at times and did not panic to going behind. We played some neat stuff and were patient and did not go long trying to play through a compact and organised side. The goals were not goals that will live long in the memory but we saw despite my comments about the football we played, we were dangerous on set plays and two came from corners. I think if Souttar plays, with Moore too, and the likes of Burrows delivery allied to Hamer and O’Hare, then we have some real threats aerially with people who can deliver good balls too into the box.
Going back to tonight, I thought that Hampson and Marsh showed some flashes but that Seriki was very good till he went off. However, the stand out of all the youngsters by some distance was Peck who gave a superbly mature display and got stronger as the game went on. He was very good and enjoyed watching his take the game on and face up to more experienced players. Behind him Souttar was excellent and won every header and looked commanding. I still was not totally convinced by Grbic and Trusty whose weaknesses were exposed at times again but both had good moments too. I felt that Brewster was another who showed some energetic and positive pieces of play mixed with snatching at things and poor choices too. Slimane did a few decent things but at times the game passed him by too. A few showed that are probably not quite at the level we need and maybe it is time to move on – namely Boyes and Coulibaly (granted you could say the same about Grbic and Trusty but these will be hard to shift). I thought Coulibaly was diabolical most of the night and constantly gave the ball away or got caught. I was surprised he remained on till the end and thought the youngster Peck, carried him.
Sometimes when you change that many (both teams) it can be a bit flat but the rivalry from before maybe piqued the interest of both sets of supporters and it was a lively contest on the field and in the terraces (chants back and forth). It was an entertaining game and with several chances and goals and so those that went probably were glad they did (I enjoyed it and was surprised as when I saw the two teams thought it might be a scrappy and disjointed game).
I think Wilder will be pleased that he has a few really pushing those in the team (Souttar and Peck) and with Cooper and Rak Sayki in the stand then we have further competition. It’s early days but 2 wins out of 2, albeit against a poor side in Preston and a League One team, is a good start. Saturday feels very important in getting a positive performance and result when the Lane will be much fuller. We have not won a league match at home since December (last year!) – my wife missed that and said tonight was the first time she had seen United win for nearly 10 months! – so feel we really need to build on what we have done. I expect the line up with be the same as last week but expect the new lads to be on the bench perhaps.
Chris Wilder changed all eleven from their opening day win whilst Wrexham similarly made wholesale changes with only James McClean remaining from their win on the first day of the season, with ten other changes. United started with 5 academy players with Seriki, Boyes, Hampson, Peck and Marsh all featuring from the off. Debutant Harry Souttar captained the side.
The game began with Wrexham almost ahead after a minute when Brewster failed to clear and the ball was turned inside and Boyle steered his effort goalwards and Grbic made a smart save to turn it around the post. Seriki was looking lively down the right and had two excellent runs, with the second one leading to a corner. From the set play routine, the ball was pulled back and Brewster hit it powerfully on the volley but it flashed over the bar. Seriki had taken two whacks during his enterprising runs and could not carry on. Gilchrist was pressed into action much earlier than his manager would have wanted but came on to replace him. Peck had an effort over the bar and was looking to get on the ball at every opportunity. Brewster had another chance but his shot after Slimane turned inside the box, was straight at Burton.
Just before the half hour mark, the visitors took the lead. Coulibaly had been guilty of dithering on the ball and from one such occurrence, Wrexham won a corner. The delivery was to the far post and Trusty lost his man, Scarr, and as the header came back BOYLE got away from Brewster and Souttar to turn home.
United did react quickly and were level within 6 minutes. It came from a similar source, a corner, as Peck swung the ball in and Trusty made up for his goal with a powerful header across the keeper and despite it being cleared off the line, the referee checked his watch and signalled it had crossed the line.
Peck continued to impress with his aggression and desire to get on the ball and McClean was booked for a poor challenge on him, this was after he had committed offences earlier that led to the departure of Seriki. The game had swung from end to end and whilst United had created chances and restored parity, Wrexham had two opportunities just before the break to restore the lead. Grbic denied Rathbone and then an excellent chance came when the ball was knocked forward and as Gilchrist waited for his keeper, Revan nipped in and his toe poke went narrowly wide nearly exploiting the hesitancy from the Blades defence.
There were no changes at the break and the game lacked the chances of the first half but United were enjoying more of the ball and youngsters Peck, Marsh and Hampson linking well at times. Souttar was dominant in the air, winning everything but nearly scored with his feet as the ball dropped after his initial breast down fell back into his path but his shot went just wide. On 57 minutes, the Blades took the lead Brewster won the ball and exchanged passes with Hampson and darted down the right. His cross-field ball deflected in off BRUNT and whilst Brewster celebrated and the PA gave it to him, it was clearly an own goal.
Marriott, Fletcher and Lee came on for Dalby, McClean and Rathbone in a triple change for the visitors. United were moving it around nicely now and Peck was at the heart of most good things but Brewster was buoyed from his part in the goal and was looking sharp. A decent piece of build up saw the ball played into Slimane and as he advanced into the box, Bolton upended him and the award of the spot kick seemed routine. After Peck held the ball, Brewster took it to cheers from the crowd who were desperate for him to score but his effort was poor and too close to the keeper. Fortunately, MARSH was following in and did well to finish.
Immediately after the third goal, Marsh, Brewster and Boyes left the field and Hamer, One and Norrington Davies came on with 20 minutes remaining. Hamer tried to show off some party pieces and Slimane had an opportunity but was crowded out.
Hampson was replaced by Brooks with 10 minutes to go and he had a great chance came when Slimane teed him up but the finish was too close the keeper. United won a corner from the result of this move and Brooks delivery to far post was met by Souttar. Burton pushed the ball out and SLIMANE turned it into the roof of the net from close range.
One nearly got in as United were now in rampant mood after good work from Hamer just before the game entered four minutes of stoppage time. Fletcher’s overhead effort was ambitious but Wrexham did have the final word as Lee fed REVAN and he drove under Grbic to give the Red Dragons a consolation goal. After the ball had gone into the net, Marriott and Peck became involved in a skirmish that saw others get involved from both teams and it took some time for players to be separated. The main instigators, Marriott and Peck, were both booked. It was not long before Keith Stroud brought proceedings to an end and United advance into the next round and got some valuable minutes into players in a fulfilling night for Chris Wilder and his men.
United – It was a good night in the sense that we won the game, scored four goals and came back from conceding to go on and win easily in the end. It was a competitive game and there were chances at both ends but the Blades in the end were the better team and deserved winners. There were a number of positives collectively and individually. I felt we kept our composure and played some good football at times and did not panic to going behind. We played some neat stuff and were patient and did not go long trying to play through a compact and organised side. The goals were not goals that will live long in the memory but we saw despite my comments about the football we played, we were dangerous on set plays and two came from corners. I think if Souttar plays, with Moore too, and the likes of Burrows delivery allied to Hamer and O’Hare, then we have some real threats aerially with people who can deliver good balls too into the box.
Going back to tonight, I thought that Hampson and Marsh showed some flashes but that Seriki was very good till he went off. However, the stand out of all the youngsters by some distance was Peck who gave a superbly mature display and got stronger as the game went on. He was very good and enjoyed watching his take the game on and face up to more experienced players. Behind him Souttar was excellent and won every header and looked commanding. I still was not totally convinced by Grbic and Trusty whose weaknesses were exposed at times again but both had good moments too. I felt that Brewster was another who showed some energetic and positive pieces of play mixed with snatching at things and poor choices too. Slimane did a few decent things but at times the game passed him by too. A few showed that are probably not quite at the level we need and maybe it is time to move on – namely Boyes and Coulibaly (granted you could say the same about Grbic and Trusty but these will be hard to shift). I thought Coulibaly was diabolical most of the night and constantly gave the ball away or got caught. I was surprised he remained on till the end and thought the youngster Peck, carried him.
Sometimes when you change that many (both teams) it can be a bit flat but the rivalry from before maybe piqued the interest of both sets of supporters and it was a lively contest on the field and in the terraces (chants back and forth). It was an entertaining game and with several chances and goals and so those that went probably were glad they did (I enjoyed it and was surprised as when I saw the two teams thought it might be a scrappy and disjointed game).
I think Wilder will be pleased that he has a few really pushing those in the team (Souttar and Peck) and with Cooper and Rak Sayki in the stand then we have further competition. It’s early days but 2 wins out of 2, albeit against a poor side in Preston and a League One team, is a good start. Saturday feels very important in getting a positive performance and result when the Lane will be much fuller. We have not won a league match at home since December (last year!) – my wife missed that and said tonight was the first time she had seen United win for nearly 10 months! – so feel we really need to build on what we have done. I expect the line up with be the same as last week but expect the new lads to be on the bench perhaps.
