JohnDenver
¡No Pasarán!
This was one of the handful of away visits I make, taking my old dad, so thought I'd put this up to compare with DB's sofa view.
Not a hard game to sum up - we tried hard and deservedly lost. We defended reasonably(ish), but simply could not control the game in any way barring a few minutes late on. The midfield was woeful compared to what we've become accustomed to. We couldn't retain the ball, and when chances to deliver dangerous balls arose, we failed to do so every time. Up front, Clarke looked hungry and menacing but he'd had to have created something for himself, as no-one else was going to do it for him.
The first half was fairly even (and very dour) with little for either side to get excited about, but PNE started to exert more control as half time approached. That was a hint of what was to come, as they took control and started to open us up in the second. They could have scored a couple before they did so, and it was unfortunate for us that the introduction of Lafferty for Baldock may have led to the slight loss of cohesion they capitalised on.
In sum, a hugely frustrating and unfortunate situation, but no complaints with our effort or the outcome. Our best XI has played better than any Championship team I've seen this season. However the second string are a side that would really struggle to stay up. I had very much hoped that I'd get to show my old man the best footballing Blades side I've seen in my lifetime, but it wasn't to be. They simply weren't there.
Wilder might have to get radical to get this midfield functioning in some useful way. Good luck with that, Chris.
Moore - 8 Made some good saves, and looked composed.
Baldock - 5.5 Did fine, but worrying to see him taken off early. If he's injured that would be yet more ridiculous luck.
Stevens - 5.5 Again, he did fine. But our wing backs are there to support offensive play, not sustain it, so they suffer from the wider malaise.
Stearman - 6.5 Solid, always talking, won most challenges.
O'Connell - 6.5 As above.
CCV - 4.5 Appears to have lost confidence.
Basham - 5 Gave his all and covered the ground but he's nothing more than an emergency midfield option in this league. If we can get him back in CCV's slot we should.
Lundstram - 5.5 Tried to be the one to put his foot on the ball and build, but without Duffy or Fleck supporting that was a tough ask.
Carruthers - 3.5 A couple of nice touches (literally a couple) but his movement, work rate and defensive responsibility just aren't there. He looks a million bucks when coming off the bench in a won game, but unless he shows he can do the hard yards over Christmas, he'll be out of the picture very quickly.
Sharp - 4.5 Not sure what we can expect him to offer when the service isn't there. He dropped into a withdrawn role late on and that helped, but making something out of nothing isn't his game (or many striker's game for that matter!)
Clarke - 6.5 Looks so fit and hungry it's a shame he had nothing to work with.
Lafferty - 4.5 We desperately needed some quality delivery, but no joy at all.
Donaldson - 6 Actually gave PNE something to think about by getting close to Clarke and causing a bit of confusion. But nothing clear cut resulted.
Slater - 6.5 Lets not get too excited, but he came on played tidily if conservatively and he always found a man. The fact he appears to have a touch and a pass on him might make him a better option than Samir at Villa.
Ref - fine
Weather - shite
Carvery - 9 Highlight of the trip
Not a hard game to sum up - we tried hard and deservedly lost. We defended reasonably(ish), but simply could not control the game in any way barring a few minutes late on. The midfield was woeful compared to what we've become accustomed to. We couldn't retain the ball, and when chances to deliver dangerous balls arose, we failed to do so every time. Up front, Clarke looked hungry and menacing but he'd had to have created something for himself, as no-one else was going to do it for him.
The first half was fairly even (and very dour) with little for either side to get excited about, but PNE started to exert more control as half time approached. That was a hint of what was to come, as they took control and started to open us up in the second. They could have scored a couple before they did so, and it was unfortunate for us that the introduction of Lafferty for Baldock may have led to the slight loss of cohesion they capitalised on.
In sum, a hugely frustrating and unfortunate situation, but no complaints with our effort or the outcome. Our best XI has played better than any Championship team I've seen this season. However the second string are a side that would really struggle to stay up. I had very much hoped that I'd get to show my old man the best footballing Blades side I've seen in my lifetime, but it wasn't to be. They simply weren't there.
Wilder might have to get radical to get this midfield functioning in some useful way. Good luck with that, Chris.
Moore - 8 Made some good saves, and looked composed.
Baldock - 5.5 Did fine, but worrying to see him taken off early. If he's injured that would be yet more ridiculous luck.
Stevens - 5.5 Again, he did fine. But our wing backs are there to support offensive play, not sustain it, so they suffer from the wider malaise.
Stearman - 6.5 Solid, always talking, won most challenges.
O'Connell - 6.5 As above.
CCV - 4.5 Appears to have lost confidence.
Basham - 5 Gave his all and covered the ground but he's nothing more than an emergency midfield option in this league. If we can get him back in CCV's slot we should.
Lundstram - 5.5 Tried to be the one to put his foot on the ball and build, but without Duffy or Fleck supporting that was a tough ask.
Carruthers - 3.5 A couple of nice touches (literally a couple) but his movement, work rate and defensive responsibility just aren't there. He looks a million bucks when coming off the bench in a won game, but unless he shows he can do the hard yards over Christmas, he'll be out of the picture very quickly.
Sharp - 4.5 Not sure what we can expect him to offer when the service isn't there. He dropped into a withdrawn role late on and that helped, but making something out of nothing isn't his game (or many striker's game for that matter!)
Clarke - 6.5 Looks so fit and hungry it's a shame he had nothing to work with.
Lafferty - 4.5 We desperately needed some quality delivery, but no joy at all.
Donaldson - 6 Actually gave PNE something to think about by getting close to Clarke and causing a bit of confusion. But nothing clear cut resulted.
Slater - 6.5 Lets not get too excited, but he came on played tidily if conservatively and he always found a man. The fact he appears to have a touch and a pass on him might make him a better option than Samir at Villa.
Ref - fine
Weather - shite
Carvery - 9 Highlight of the trip
