Deadbat
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United kept in touch with league leaders Burnley, as they made it 6 wins from 7 after seeing off relegation threatened Wigan at the DW Stadium on the Monday night game in front of the TV cameras. The Blades took the lead thanks to John Egan’s header from Oli Norwood’s corner and could have had more goals in a first half they controlled. Billy Sharp clinically converted from merely a half chance inside the hour mark and it seemed a routine win but a goal back from Nathan Broadhead gave Wigan hope. The final part of the game saw United defending more than attacking but they did enough to take the vital three points and remain a nice cushion in the automatic promotion places.
The Blades made one change with Sander Berge back in the starting line up with Ben Osborn missing out due to a muscle strain. Tommy Doyle was also back on the bench. Wigan started the evening in the bottom three for Kolo Toure’s first game as manager.
The contest begin with the home side quick out of the traps quickly and Baldock lost a challenge which saw Keane drive through but fired a long way over. McClean then sent a dangerous cross over which fell for Naylor but his shot struck Berge. It had been a strong start from Wigan as United had been careless with the ball with Sharp, McAtee and Norwood all giving cheap possession away.
However, the Blades slowly started to get into the game and McAtee drifted out wide before sending over a cross that fell for Sharp whose shot was saved by Jones. The returning Berge then drove at the Wigan defence and it led to a ball to Ndiaye, who cut one way and then another but his shot was saved by Jones. The follow up by Berge hit Darikwa. Suddenly after a slow start, United had created a flurry of chances.
From the resultant corner from Norwood, EGAN got across his man and powered in and past Jones. It was his first goal for 15 months, with his last effort being on the road in front of the TV cameras at Hull in September 2021.
The Blades sensed the visitor’s defensive frailty and Berge was central to the thrust. Another powerful run after he robbed his man saw him go at the retreating defenders before he ran out of steam.
Wigan seemed stunned but did break out and a speculative effort from McClean was fumbled from Foderingham but Keane was offside on the rebound fortunately for the Blades keeper. Sharp and Tilt then tussled off the ball and both were cautioned after he altercation continued for some time.
There was another good chance for United as Berge took advantage of Bennet’s mistake as Wigan continued to try and play out of the back. The midfielder fed Ndiaye but he could not quite get his feet sorted but managed to play it onto McAtee whose shot was blocked.
Wigan did win a corner that Foderingham fumbled but it was the away side that continued to cut Wigan open and more good work from McAtee saw United in but Sharp then overplayed the cross. Wigan continued to try and play out of the back and made another error which saw United steal the ball and Sharp’s backheel found McAtee whose shot was turned round his near post from Jones.
From the corner Clark had his shot ripped completely off his body and as the ball was cleared, he had to run back with the shirt in his hand. Wigan had a two-on-two break but the cross was away from any waiting attacker.
Norwood’s delivery was then headed over by Sharp who had strayed offside. United were looking like creating something every time they attacked but Wigan were not out of it as the game was really open. Whatmough and Tilt both went down injured at one point and soon after the former could not continue and Edmunds Green came on to replace him. The home side continued the policy of trying to move it from the keeper and out and it continued to cause them issues as Ndiaye nearly got in again.
Wigan finally started to go longer and found McClean whose crossing has been the main danger for the United defence. However, he could only flick his second effort wide of the post as it came back to him. Ndiaye’s superb skill saw him come out of an area where he seemed penned in and incredibly took two defenders out of the game as he came away with it. McAtee then dropped his shoulder and went down the left and his cross was perfect for Berge but he fluffed a really good chance with no real contact on the finish.
Stevens poor touch sent Wigan away and Egan chopped his man down for a yellow card. Wigan then were able to apply some sustained pressure for the first time since the opening few minutes and won two corners and Egan had to make a vital interception from another cross coming in. Tilt then brought McAtee down and was lucky not to get a second yellow card as the six minutes of stoppage elapsed soon after with United deservedly leading.
Cousens came on for Naylor at the break. United had a chance as Sharp got in but took too long and the tackle was made. Foderingham then took a low cross as the game was fairly even at this stage. However, on 55 minutes, the second goal came and Ndiaye made it with a run and pass into SHARP who took a touch and then from a position out wide, arrowed a perfect low left foot shot into the corner and beyond Jones. The striker celebrated his 249th goal of his career with the Blades fans behind the goal and cemented United’s strong position in the game.
Wigan made their third and fourth changes as Nymabe and Aasgaard came on for Bennett and Darikwa. Clark did well to get his foot in that led to a corner as Wigan tried to find a way back. The home side had a great chance when Lang danced his way into the box and his shot was saved by Foderingham but as the ball dropped, the shot came in from Aasgaard and appeared to hit Baldock’s hand but the referee waved play on despite strong appeals.
However, the reprieve was temporary for the Blades as Wigan did get a goal back soon after, on 65 minutes. The ball was knocked forward and Ahmedhodzic’s made a hash of the clearance and his slice saw Wigan turn it down the side and Aasgaard was able to get in and sent a low cross over. Foderingham made a mess of it and only pushed it to the waiting BROADHEAD who took a touch and tapped home from the six-yard box. A really soft goal to concede, although replays showed two Wigan players were offside in the build up and this would only add to United’s frustrations.
Wigan now sensed a real way back into the game and Clark’s wild tackle saw him rightly booked as he tried to stop Wigan advancing down the right again. The Latics were now having more of the ball in the midfield area and were stretching the Blades who had previously been in control. Ndiaye got United out with some superb skill once again as wriggled away from two defenders and drew a foul. Norwood took it but his effort went narrowly over.
Aasgaard was causing problems for United and won a free kick but Egan cleared before Sharp and McAtee came off for McBurnie and Doyle. The Man City loanee nearly go in after Baldock’s clever ball and Edmunds Green had to come in to make the last-ditch tackle that led to a corner. Fletcher came on for Broadhead and nearly got in after good work Power and Lang led to a cross coming in and Ahmedhodzic had to make the last-ditch tackle.
Khadra replaced Ndiaye and tried to get United up the field but only succeeded in running it out of play as the game entered 5 minutes of additional time. Power had a long-range effort that went a long way over but United were able to see things out without any further scares and give themselves a nice 5-point cushion in the top two before they return to the Lane against Coventry City.
United – A bit like Huddersfield, it was not a fantastic performance but enough to win against a poor side. We started slowly but then grew into it and from 5 minutes to about 35 we were very good attacking wise, scoring a set piece goal again (we are now incredibly one of the best teams in the league at corners/set plays after previously lamenting this before!) and having countless other breaks with Berge, McAtee, Sharp and Ndiaye all having chances to score. We should and could have been out of sight. We were not ruthless and some indecision and openness the other way with a shaky Wes meant they did possess a threat too. Still, I felt we should have put the game away. After the break we get a second, despite starting slowly again and Sharp seems to have finished them off but we then got sloppy and give a silly goal away. We seemed to lose our shape and did not keep the ball. Much like last week, we sat deeper, stopped passing it and became a side that was setting. We did not make changes and give us fresh legs and in the end, we sort of limped home even if they did not have tons of chances (bit like Huddersfield). A number who had played well first half faded badly and we sort of lost our composure. Still against two poor sides we get two big wins and not sure it matters how well we play in such games. The Championship can always throw up surprises so just pleased to get the win again and give us a nice breathing space.
Individually Ndiaye was good again and thought some of the usuals like Egan/Norwood were solid and McAtee continues to improve. Berge was excellent first half and really poor second half. Clark did some good things mixed with errors. Ditto for Anel. Wes was unusually off his game and looked like the keeper I recall from his Swindon days. He needs to make sure this was a one off.
Overall though we take the win and got more minutes into returning players. I do feel Stevens still looks a weak link and surely it will not be long before Lowe returns? I also think Doyle might start for McAtee next game (as well as McAtee has done) as him Berge and Norwood is our strongest midfield. McBurnie might be back too against a physical Coventry backline.
I detailed in threads on forums we still would benefit from another midfielder with legs and the way two poor teams have run through us too much in two successive second half reinforces this need. I also think another striker would be beneficial, especially watching Khadra’s headless chicken cameo that had me having flashbacks of Oli Burke!
Still, we win just before Christmas and get an extra day’s rest to Coventry who play again before we do and with a packed Lane (well almost packed!) then we can hopefully get back to a more fluid way against a team that might have more of a go at us than the last two opponents have done. It will be a much tougher contest and that is why tonight was so vital just to get the win, no matter how we play which again was ok but not quite at our best.
[DB1]
The Blades made one change with Sander Berge back in the starting line up with Ben Osborn missing out due to a muscle strain. Tommy Doyle was also back on the bench. Wigan started the evening in the bottom three for Kolo Toure’s first game as manager.
The contest begin with the home side quick out of the traps quickly and Baldock lost a challenge which saw Keane drive through but fired a long way over. McClean then sent a dangerous cross over which fell for Naylor but his shot struck Berge. It had been a strong start from Wigan as United had been careless with the ball with Sharp, McAtee and Norwood all giving cheap possession away.
However, the Blades slowly started to get into the game and McAtee drifted out wide before sending over a cross that fell for Sharp whose shot was saved by Jones. The returning Berge then drove at the Wigan defence and it led to a ball to Ndiaye, who cut one way and then another but his shot was saved by Jones. The follow up by Berge hit Darikwa. Suddenly after a slow start, United had created a flurry of chances.
From the resultant corner from Norwood, EGAN got across his man and powered in and past Jones. It was his first goal for 15 months, with his last effort being on the road in front of the TV cameras at Hull in September 2021.
The Blades sensed the visitor’s defensive frailty and Berge was central to the thrust. Another powerful run after he robbed his man saw him go at the retreating defenders before he ran out of steam.
Wigan seemed stunned but did break out and a speculative effort from McClean was fumbled from Foderingham but Keane was offside on the rebound fortunately for the Blades keeper. Sharp and Tilt then tussled off the ball and both were cautioned after he altercation continued for some time.
There was another good chance for United as Berge took advantage of Bennet’s mistake as Wigan continued to try and play out of the back. The midfielder fed Ndiaye but he could not quite get his feet sorted but managed to play it onto McAtee whose shot was blocked.
Wigan did win a corner that Foderingham fumbled but it was the away side that continued to cut Wigan open and more good work from McAtee saw United in but Sharp then overplayed the cross. Wigan continued to try and play out of the back and made another error which saw United steal the ball and Sharp’s backheel found McAtee whose shot was turned round his near post from Jones.
From the corner Clark had his shot ripped completely off his body and as the ball was cleared, he had to run back with the shirt in his hand. Wigan had a two-on-two break but the cross was away from any waiting attacker.
Norwood’s delivery was then headed over by Sharp who had strayed offside. United were looking like creating something every time they attacked but Wigan were not out of it as the game was really open. Whatmough and Tilt both went down injured at one point and soon after the former could not continue and Edmunds Green came on to replace him. The home side continued the policy of trying to move it from the keeper and out and it continued to cause them issues as Ndiaye nearly got in again.
Wigan finally started to go longer and found McClean whose crossing has been the main danger for the United defence. However, he could only flick his second effort wide of the post as it came back to him. Ndiaye’s superb skill saw him come out of an area where he seemed penned in and incredibly took two defenders out of the game as he came away with it. McAtee then dropped his shoulder and went down the left and his cross was perfect for Berge but he fluffed a really good chance with no real contact on the finish.
Stevens poor touch sent Wigan away and Egan chopped his man down for a yellow card. Wigan then were able to apply some sustained pressure for the first time since the opening few minutes and won two corners and Egan had to make a vital interception from another cross coming in. Tilt then brought McAtee down and was lucky not to get a second yellow card as the six minutes of stoppage elapsed soon after with United deservedly leading.
Cousens came on for Naylor at the break. United had a chance as Sharp got in but took too long and the tackle was made. Foderingham then took a low cross as the game was fairly even at this stage. However, on 55 minutes, the second goal came and Ndiaye made it with a run and pass into SHARP who took a touch and then from a position out wide, arrowed a perfect low left foot shot into the corner and beyond Jones. The striker celebrated his 249th goal of his career with the Blades fans behind the goal and cemented United’s strong position in the game.
Wigan made their third and fourth changes as Nymabe and Aasgaard came on for Bennett and Darikwa. Clark did well to get his foot in that led to a corner as Wigan tried to find a way back. The home side had a great chance when Lang danced his way into the box and his shot was saved by Foderingham but as the ball dropped, the shot came in from Aasgaard and appeared to hit Baldock’s hand but the referee waved play on despite strong appeals.
However, the reprieve was temporary for the Blades as Wigan did get a goal back soon after, on 65 minutes. The ball was knocked forward and Ahmedhodzic’s made a hash of the clearance and his slice saw Wigan turn it down the side and Aasgaard was able to get in and sent a low cross over. Foderingham made a mess of it and only pushed it to the waiting BROADHEAD who took a touch and tapped home from the six-yard box. A really soft goal to concede, although replays showed two Wigan players were offside in the build up and this would only add to United’s frustrations.
Wigan now sensed a real way back into the game and Clark’s wild tackle saw him rightly booked as he tried to stop Wigan advancing down the right again. The Latics were now having more of the ball in the midfield area and were stretching the Blades who had previously been in control. Ndiaye got United out with some superb skill once again as wriggled away from two defenders and drew a foul. Norwood took it but his effort went narrowly over.
Aasgaard was causing problems for United and won a free kick but Egan cleared before Sharp and McAtee came off for McBurnie and Doyle. The Man City loanee nearly go in after Baldock’s clever ball and Edmunds Green had to come in to make the last-ditch tackle that led to a corner. Fletcher came on for Broadhead and nearly got in after good work Power and Lang led to a cross coming in and Ahmedhodzic had to make the last-ditch tackle.
Khadra replaced Ndiaye and tried to get United up the field but only succeeded in running it out of play as the game entered 5 minutes of additional time. Power had a long-range effort that went a long way over but United were able to see things out without any further scares and give themselves a nice 5-point cushion in the top two before they return to the Lane against Coventry City.
United – A bit like Huddersfield, it was not a fantastic performance but enough to win against a poor side. We started slowly but then grew into it and from 5 minutes to about 35 we were very good attacking wise, scoring a set piece goal again (we are now incredibly one of the best teams in the league at corners/set plays after previously lamenting this before!) and having countless other breaks with Berge, McAtee, Sharp and Ndiaye all having chances to score. We should and could have been out of sight. We were not ruthless and some indecision and openness the other way with a shaky Wes meant they did possess a threat too. Still, I felt we should have put the game away. After the break we get a second, despite starting slowly again and Sharp seems to have finished them off but we then got sloppy and give a silly goal away. We seemed to lose our shape and did not keep the ball. Much like last week, we sat deeper, stopped passing it and became a side that was setting. We did not make changes and give us fresh legs and in the end, we sort of limped home even if they did not have tons of chances (bit like Huddersfield). A number who had played well first half faded badly and we sort of lost our composure. Still against two poor sides we get two big wins and not sure it matters how well we play in such games. The Championship can always throw up surprises so just pleased to get the win again and give us a nice breathing space.
Individually Ndiaye was good again and thought some of the usuals like Egan/Norwood were solid and McAtee continues to improve. Berge was excellent first half and really poor second half. Clark did some good things mixed with errors. Ditto for Anel. Wes was unusually off his game and looked like the keeper I recall from his Swindon days. He needs to make sure this was a one off.
Overall though we take the win and got more minutes into returning players. I do feel Stevens still looks a weak link and surely it will not be long before Lowe returns? I also think Doyle might start for McAtee next game (as well as McAtee has done) as him Berge and Norwood is our strongest midfield. McBurnie might be back too against a physical Coventry backline.
I detailed in threads on forums we still would benefit from another midfielder with legs and the way two poor teams have run through us too much in two successive second half reinforces this need. I also think another striker would be beneficial, especially watching Khadra’s headless chicken cameo that had me having flashbacks of Oli Burke!
Still, we win just before Christmas and get an extra day’s rest to Coventry who play again before we do and with a packed Lane (well almost packed!) then we can hopefully get back to a more fluid way against a team that might have more of a go at us than the last two opponents have done. It will be a much tougher contest and that is why tonight was so vital just to get the win, no matter how we play which again was ok but not quite at our best.
[DB1]
