United 2 Middlesbrough 1 - report

The Blades got back to winning ways in a ***** win against fellow play off contenders Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane. After a poor run of results in recent weeks culminating in the defeat at Oakwell, United simply had to win this game. Lose and the season was likely over. Wilder opted to give the eleven who stated the game another opportunity. Donaldson was on the bench instead of Wilson.

United started on the attack on an evening where it was quite misty and rain in the air. Within two minutes, the home side were ahead. Fleck found Stevens who helped the ball over and the ball. The ball was cleared as far as EVANS who was around 25 yards from goal and as the ball dropped high out of the sky, he decided to try a cushioned volley. It seemed an ambitious move but the midfielder caught it perfectly and it sailed into the net past the despairing dive of Randolph who was grasping thin air. It was a genuine goal of the season contender.

United continued to take the initiative and soon after Lundstram fired over. Evans then was involved again as he fed Baldock who in turn found Basham but Clarke could not get the loose ball. United had made all the running but a break from Traore saw the ball drop to Bamford but his low shot was straight at Moore in the first effort of the game for the visitors.

United went back on the offensive and a lovely move just inside the quarter hour mark should have seen it 2-0. It was moved about patiently and Evans rolled in Clarke who was in on goal but his shot lacked power and conviction was kicked away by Randolph. United then were away again and Brooks who had looked lively so far, skipped away but Leadbitter cynically pulled him back getting a deserved booking. Brooks was then brought down by Ayala, a clear foul but incredibly ref Bond did not even give a free kick despite the United man needing treatment. United continued to move the ball about with Lundstram and Evans impressive in the middle and the wing backs ably supported by Basham and O’Connell.

Disaster struck for Boro before the half hour mark when Leadbitter brought down Fleck. It was a clear foul and quite late and Bond had no hesitation reaching for the red card. The departing midfielder took an age to go off before trooping down the tunnel. Fleck was then booked for a slight tug before another worse foul from the opposition was not given a yellow. Clarke then went down at a corner before it was taken. He seemed to complain that Ayala was the guilty party but none of the officials saw anything. The game was threatening to boil over. Fortunately, United kept their cool and doubled their lead soon after.

A short corner found Brooks and he showed lovely skill putting an opponent on the floor before checking back and chipping a well-played ball into the path of EVANS who for the second time in the game hit a delightful volley low into the right-hand corner of Randolph’s goal; once again giving him no chance.

United continued to play well and some lovely moment saw the ball moved around several times with Baldock a real threat and then Lundstram and Brooks linking well. It was an excellent first half performance and the crowd rightly gave them a standing ovation at the break.

Manager Pulis had seen enough and with his team with ten men and two behind, made a bold move changing three players with Assombalonga, Clayton and Fabio De Silva coming on for Bamford, Traore and Besic. They seemed to stiffen up the midfield and won a few loose balls and seemed more determined. Wright was penalised for a foul – again this seemed harsh and as the chipped free kick came over, AYALA stole in at the back post as Clarke lost him, and smartly drilled the ball low into the goal. It was a really sloppy goal to concede and Middlesbrough were back in it.

United were now giving the ball away and starting to panic a bit. Howson broke and hit a shot over and then Assambalonga caused problems with his pace. United broke out briefly with Baldock doing well down the right and Basham then showing some good work at the other end. The game became very scrappy with several stop start periods due to fouls or poor play.

Fabio was booked for remonstrating after Bond gave United a free kick (not against him) and several Boro players had to calm him down. Duffy was introduced for Wright as United tried to change the formation and stem the tide in a second half where they had struggled to keep the ball. Duffy ended up wide left as part of the realignment. Boro were now having a real go and started to win the loose balls. Howson then came inside after a slip from Basham and curled just wide with the crowd holding their breath. However, Evans fired over after good work down the left set up the chance.

Donaldson replaced Brooks as the game ticked down and the crowd were getting very anxious matched by the home side who kept tossing the ball away. The game became very stretched and United now were clock watching as they were wary of some of the late goals they have conceded in similar situations. Boro were now launching long throws into the box at every opportunity.


Leonard came on for Lundstram as the game entered four minutes of additional time. Clarke gave away a free kick and Moore had to punch away. Another long throw came in but United cleared and the final whistle came signalling a crucial win. The Blades players punched the air while the opposition players slumped to the floor.


United – Strange game and performance. It was in the end about a fair score. We should have been out of sight first half and it was the United we want to see. Second half we were a different side. Boro did not dominate but were the better team – yet we still had chances to kill the game but poor choices stopped this. They had more efforts. Still it was a deserved win over the piece regardless of drop off second half.

First half we were superb. We were at it; pressuring them and got on the ball. We won midfield, we knocked it about and had lots of half chances and were getting through them through great play and clever movement. We scored two tremendous goals and could have had more. Clarke takes his chance and the game is over. We then switch off at the start of the second half and that changes the game. We then did not know what to do in terms of go for the third or defend and ended up doing neither very well. We got so sloppy in possession and players all over were making some shocking decisions and we constantly tossed the ball away.

We looked very nervous after struggling to see games like this out earlier in the season. Now we have won this the pressure is a bit different Saturday; it is another must win but one that we can go and relish. Millwall have pressure on them too knowing if they do not get a result they are out of the top 6 most likely. We have to just replicate the first half performance or how we played v Cardiff/Brentford and for 20 minutes at Oakwell the rest of the season. That is the issue – the lack of consistency of players and the team. We look brilliant at times; a joy to watch but then even in the same game the same players cannot perform a simple 5-yard pass or do the basics. It is a bit odd but that is why none of them have played top level I suppose and many other teams higher up have players that have. That is not a knock on the players. They do their best but at times they do great things and then the next moment you are thinking what have they done there?

Still the positives are it is a win and we are back in it. The likelihood is we will have to win probably all 4 -or at least 3 and draw one. Not sure we will do that on recent form and have not put wins together very often post Xmas. Still, it is all to play for. If we win Saturday; then we go to a nervous relegation threatened Birmingham and can just have a go. Get two results and then we have the final game at the Lane where a full house and you never know. Saturday though is the big one – despite the win last night; the other results means we have to win this one. A defeat and it is 6 points and like 7 with goal difference and that would be it. Keep thinking back to those two games over Easter and the throw away Saturday. We really should have won all 4 of the last 4 games or at the least got 3 wins and a draw.

I have to say despite how the game ended, how much I enjoyed watching United again at times last night. Some of the stuff first half is great to watch. The passing and movement and the way we keep going at teams is great. We have some really promising young players (forget how young Evans and Lundstram are). We are in a good place whatever happens at the end of the season – yes, we need that investment but if we could get those 2 or 3 real quality players allied to Coutts returning, we could go from a good side to a brilliant one.

Middlesbrough – Inverse of us. First half awful, second, they had a real go. To start the game, they could not cope with our movement and how we passed it. We got the ball off them and really caused them problems. Well before the red card, we were better so not sure that can be pointed to. After this the attacks continued of course and we got another goal. They really did struggle and at half time 2-0 was a bit generous to them. They relied on a long throw as main attack, only having won shot that Bamford had that was saved after ball dropped to him. Outside of this, United were far superior. They were very dirty too and just kicked us all game. It seemed not more than a minute elapsed before they tripped one of our players. Pulis argues about the second yellow being soft but it is a stupid tackle when on a yellow. They had a number booked and could have lost another man. They were very cynical and targeted Brooks from the off. It got a bit annoying and the ref needed to stamp down on them earlier.

Second half they made three changes and it worked. It was a bold move as if you get an injury or anything happens, you are in trouble but he had nothing to lose. They only had one up top but had more bodies in midfield and played a bit risky defensively but we could not take advantage. As much as the tactics and formation helped; they just put more effort in and chased us all over the field and did not give us time. They then got the ball forward more and at least had some chances. To be honest, they did not have tons of efforts – not sure Moore had much to do – a few shots over and wide. It was not like they were all over us but certainly forced us back and the final stages were nervous but not sure that was our own making as much as their brilliant play. It did not seem like we had an extra man. They stepped up the intensity and we did not match it. They gave it a real good go and you would not have been surprised if they got a leveller. They did not though and lost a crucial game and drop out of the top 6.

They have easily spent the most out of the teams competing for the final two spots and to have Assombalonga; a 15 million striker on the bench – cost more than our whole team I reckon – shows the riches. The lad from Everton, Besic was playing in the Premier League recently. They have a number of internationals and very well-paid players. They have picked up since Pulis came but of course now do seem to play more direct from what I have seen and the long throw and set plays feature. They do have some clever players and technical players in Downing, Traore, Bamford etc so can and have scored some really good goals but seem very inconsistent, much like us. Be tight if they can get in there but not sure I would tip them to go up out of all the teams up there really. They have some good individuals but feel there are better ‘teams’ than them.

Opposition Man of the Match: I thought Traore was a real threat first half and one who caused us problems but then they improved after he (and two others went off). Ayala scored the goal and kept Clarke quiet and was actually better than the highly rated Gibson. However, Howson was probably the main threat with his set plays and also the way he got on the ball second half and made them much more dangerous. He set up two chances and nearly scored. Noone really shined or stood out though – Pulis’ incredibly white shiny trainers stood out most for them!


Opposition Weak link: Only one man can win this. They had some defenders who were all at sea and the keeper did not look that convincing. Bamford was not a threat at all and was quite but Leadbitter with two moments of stupidity got himself sent off. First a clear yellow and whilst second may not have been bad as it seemed; was a poor foul and can see why ref gave him a card. Why leave your feet when on a yellow? Idiotic – would not say it cost them the game as they improved with ten but not the best decision in a really important game.

Moore 6/10 – Just looked really shaky to me – Moore shaky and a little stirred! No seriously I was very concerned whenever they had a long throw or set play. He came for them but was a bit passive and a few punches went down or even out for a corner. Not dominant enough. Blackman would have come and just caught a couple of them. He seems a bit nervous at the moment. The bit at the end when they had a free kick and he came and half punched it when it was a routine catch summed it up. Blackman would be back in for Saturday’s game for me. He has shown to be a better keeper this season and he gives the defence more confidence. All this talk about Moore is here next season; Blackman might not be here so let’s play Moore; needs to be forgotten – we pick the best man for the job and it is Blackman.

Baldock 8/10 – Think he might have been my man of the match just…ahead of Basham, Lundstram and Evans. His energy levels are something to behold. He never stops and is so quick too. He defended well when he could but going forward he used it well, kept going at them and was a real threat all game. His final ball, like with others needs work as so often he hits first man or rolls it in slowly on the floor rather than trying to pick someone out. Been a brilliant signing and at this rate Freeman will have a huge task to get back in the side.

Stevens 7/10 – Steady enough. Still a bit up and down in terms of what he does in the games but has improved slightly in recent weeks to some degree although a few Barnsley goals came down his side. He does sit off his man too much defensively though. Attacking wise he had some good runs and I felt second half was involved in the few decent moves we had. Final ball is not always the best and he needs to work at this. I had flashbacks when Howson came inside him and had that curling effort that just went wide as it was identical to the Snodgrass one apart from the final shot not nestling in the corner.

Basham 7.5/10 – Another really good performance where he pushed Baldock close to the man of the match. Committed and rarely ever loses a 50-50. He was first to the ball and so often set us on the attack by surging forward. He never stops and his fitness and work rate is Montgomery-esque. He kept busting forward and getting us on the attack; especially first half. The only knock is his final ball – he sent another over the goal after a great run and a few others he produced great skill but then panicked a bit when he got in the box. Did make a slip in the lead up to Howson chance which was a rare error. Been brilliant recently though.

O’Connell 7/10 – Solid enough. He tried to attack when he could first half and get at the opponents when we had overlaps but did not always come up. He did the basic defensive stuff fairly well and mopped up. Second half a few times he seemed to switch off and they often only had one striker. Been fairly consistent in recent weeks and a solid player – maybe future captain material as others have alluded to.

Wright 7/10 – He was ok but is a drop off from Stearman as he lacks his mobility and even athleticism really. He was fine first half although once he was a bit far off his man and he got a shot off. Second half they rat at the defence and he was backpedalling and getting deeper. Due to his lack of pace, he does sit back a bit more than Stearman which can have a negative effect. He was the one who gave the foul away in the lead up the goal. Not sure if that is one of reasons he came off – to give us an extra man in midfield but also help us get up the pitch. He is a really steady player and great to have around – never really lets us down but you would expect Stearman to come back if fit at the weekend.

Fleck 7/10 – Odd really as he may have been the worst of the three midfielders tonight yet was involved in lots of good stuff too. He was busy first half and threaded through some nice balls and was able to show his range of passing and also ran at them a few times too. He was involved in the red card – may have made a bit more of it than it actually warranted but other players have done the same to him and us this season. Second half he was sloppy and kept turning into trouble in his desperation to get onto his left foot. He was not as sure with his passing and I felt he like many others made some bad decisions. Was worried he may get a second booking – booked for a pull back which was fair enough in some respects (Pulis forgets this one being even more innocuous than the second yellow for Leadbitter) and then had to be careful. He seemed to pull up a few times and feel the back of his leg and that seemed to slow him down but he finished the game.

Evans 7.5/10 – Brilliant first half where he may have been a 9/10 – two wonderful goals and was involved in most goo things we did. He was always looking to get on it; on the front foot and really positive. Looked like he wanted to make amends for Saturday. The first goal was superb technique and skill – when he hit it you were thinking that is ambitious but it did sit up nicely. Second was also another great volley and both were so controlled. Shows he has that in his locker. He buzzed about and was excellent. Second half sadly different story. He missed a good chance to score a third blazing over but it was other stuff. He started to lose possession, was slow to react to players getting on him and his passing became a bit wretched. Odd to see a player go from playing so well to so poorly but of course he was not the only one. Him and Lundstram show real glimpses of being quality players and both are young enough to get better. They are not the most mobile pair and need to both get fitter and stronger I feel as big lads who should stamp authority more. Real promise shown at times but need that consistency. However, what a pair of goals and crucial we get more goals from midfield and not rely on Clarke and Sharp.

Lundstram 7.5/10 – As with Evans did some excellent things and first half he was really involved, pressing well and tackling more than I have seen. He played it short and long and was a big part of us winning the game and controlling things so well. Played some delightful cross field balls and helped us keep momentum going. After the break did some good things again but like with many of the others was also sloppy and gave it away a few times. He started to lose his runner (biggest weakness in his game is when quicker, more mobile midfielder run off him he switches off and then is chasing shadows – did this again a few times). He was taken off and needs to ensure he gets fitter in the summer as it is rare he is completing full games. I see a lot lauding his performance. He did well and did lots of good things but he also was inconsistent again and his final ball or decision in the last third needs to improve. He does have real potential though and if he can work on certain things we could have a really good player but cannot play one good game, one poor game. He needs to be at it most weeks but tonight overall was a good one.

Brooks 7/10 – I thought he did some really good things and first half in particular looked like the Brooks we saw earlier in the season – he came off the front and picked it up in little pockets, showed some neat touches and drew men all over the field. Really wanted to get on the ball and it seems he has had a bit of a rollocking after two poor games. He does probably need games and time to get used to pace and get his fitness up after such a bad illness so glad Wilder is persisting with him – not sure taking him out of the team will help him now and would leave the front two as it is. He showed great skill to set up the second goal to dump his man on the floor and then pick a man out. He was part of other good attacks and they struggled to pick him up and often resorted to just fouling him (he does go to floor a bit much although as he is so slight and runs with the ball, it only takes a little knock and he can be sent flying I suppose). Second half not as involved but I felt we did not get him the ball as much. He did show some delightful skill to nutmeg a player but I do want him to run at players more and get them facing their own goal. If he does that more and gets in the box, he has such good control and skill, defenders will not want to touch him. Improvement though overall tonight.

Clarke 6/10 – His mark reflects someone who kept trying I felt but things did not always happen. First half did ok despite the miss and nearly losing it with an opponent again. Felt first half he held it up well and was causing problems. He missed a bad chance when he panicked – he had way more time to take it on or steady himself and hit a weak shot straight at the keeper. He then got involved with Ayala – not sure what happened that sent him to the deck but after this seemed to have a personal vendetta and his stupidity in confronting him after the goal could have been costly. He then had a running duel with his man but lost him completely on the goal – switched off. After this he got a bit frustrated – gave away some silly free kicks, got caught offside. Second half; I felt he did not do enough and we needed a bit more from him. He is way too hit and miss at the moment and we need 4 big performances from him to finish the season.

Subs:


Donaldson – Brought on for Brooks. Did hold it up a bit better and helped us get in the corner but at this stage we were defending more than attacking which was odd with ten men.

Duffy - Positive move that he came on for Wright as we tried to something to change a game we were starting to struggle in. Came on and played wide left more than central and tried to give the something to think about down this side – they had been a bit of a threat. He got on the ball when he could and showed some skill to keep it in tight situations but also lost it a few times trying to be clever. Hard to know what to do with him in the run in as not sure Wilder will play both him and Brooks and the three behind have started to form a bit of a partnership. I expect him to play a part in all the games though regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench – he is an important player to us.

Leonard – Brought on right at the close as we sought to see the game out.

Manager: Wilder 7.5/10 – First half they could not live with our movement, passing and attacking. It was 2-0 and could have been more. We swarmed all over them and were bang at it -totally different to Saturday’s game. We looked a really good side. Committed, hungry and fluent in what we did. We scored two superb goals and looked like more were coming. Second half was a different story. Pulis has them higher up the field, they seemed to have more men than us especially in midfield and we did not win the battles but also struggled to cope with their new shape. I felt Wilder took too long to make changes tactically and personnel wise. After he did make changes, it was a bit late and the pattern had been set.

Officials – Thought Darren Bond got a bit overwhelmed really. He struggled to have control of the game from start to finish. He got a few senior players/captains together towards the end to ask things to be calmed down but this was way too late. Boro were filthy first half. They kept pulling us or kicking us and targeted Brooks. One foul on him was incredibly not given when they scythed him down. The first yellow on Leadbitter was correct as he dragged a United man back. He then left his feet to foul Fleck. Fleck did make a meal of it and was not as bad as I first though on second viewing as Pulis says but why give the ref a chance to send him off. These days sadly for Pulis they end up being yellow cards. He then booked Fleck for a slight tug and then ignored one from them which was in their half. He booked Fabio for complaining but he carried on for most of the rest of the game and had completely lost it.

Missed the Ayala incident with Clarke but do did everyone else and this threatened to blow over – Clarke daft to go up to him and should have been booked for me. Number of fouls both ways he missed or at times was too fussy taking to players for age but doing nothing to stop them doing things again a few moments later. A ref that was too involved but not for the right reasons. Two assistants that again did not help – they missed several clear foul throws – the lad who took the ling one (Shotton) kept coming over the line. He then decided to penalise someone gaining yards on a throw buy giving it us – this is the second time this season a ref has down this – it is not even in the rules is it? You can send him back yards or book him but not sure you can give it the other team (unless a foul throw). Pulis was getting more and more irate but it could easily have been Wilder as he was so poor both ways. Still Boro were very dirty, mainly first half and if you keep tripping or shoving people to the floor makes it hard for the referee.

Crowd –




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Sorry for not report on the game at Barnsley – watched it on a phone as I was trying to watch Everton v Liverpool and St Pauli’s games in a bar in Hamburg. Saw enough of our game to see how poor we were first half and then despite giving it a go second half, failed again to see out our game.

I have just spent 4 days in Hamburg (thanks to Hamburg Blade for the tips) and Berlin so that is why my report is delayed from last night. Had a great time but drank way too much. Hamburg a great city – Reeperbahn bit like a mix between Blackpool / Amsterdam but entertaining all the same. The rest of the city was superb – lovely harbour, lots to see and do. Good to go to Berlin and see all the famous sights there too. Whilst we were there, we went to see Hamburg v Schalke. Hamburg are on the verge of going down for the first time in their history – have a timer showing how long they have been in the Bunsdesliga (since it started!) and that may have to be reset. Amusingly their caretaker manager is called Titz. Schalke are second and doing really well. However, this game Hamburg played great and won 3-2 with a tremendous winner 5 minutes from the end from 30 yards at our end. Schalke never really turned up despite getting back into it twice and the home side produced maybe their best performance of the season. The standard was quite good and some good football played. Defending a bit suspect but both teams attacked and I was really surprised how good it was to watch.

The stadium, Volksparkstadion, was far better than I thought it would be – bit like the Millennium Stadium. We had a great view and were sat high behind the goal – the ultras were sat below us stood up with guys with speakers and megaphones choreographing the singing. Funny to see frustration of home fans as certain players made errors or misses but overall, they were incredibly positive even when the home side threw away the lead twice. We all remarked that we would not see a side in England getting the same level of positivity if they were bottom of the league and imagined some of our fans at the Lane reacting to some of the things in the game.

Schalke brought 6 or 7,000 fans which was impressive. Fans were all hammered. We were easily most sober people we saw all pre-game and post game. Indeed, there was some significant fighting near the St Pauli ground (went and had a look there too) between the two sets of fans that made the local news the next day. Love going to games abroad to see the atmosphere and how things work. Would have liked to take in another game somewhere but did not quite fit into our schedule.

What a first goal from Evans
I wondered whether we'd seen the last of him and destroyed his confidence after he was hauled off at Barnsley

To be taken off mid way through the first half suggests that Wilder had blamed him for our sloppy performance

To take him off and give him no time to redeem himself seemed harsh to me at the time, especially when he was no worse than three or four other players.

Some players would have thrown a right strop but he's certainly shown he's got the bottle to come back from such a disappointment

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JJBlade

What a first goal from Evans
I wondered whether we'd seen the last of him and destroyed his confidence after he was hauled off at Barnsley

To be taken off mid way through the first half suggests that Wilder had blamed him for our sloppy performance

To take him off and give him no time to redeem himself seemed harsh to me at the time, especially when he was no worse than three or four other players.

Some players would have thrown a right strop but he's certainly shown he's got the bottle to come back from such a disappointment

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Good observations. Stroke of genius from Wilder?

In terms of the report, not sure I agree with the score for Lundstram, thought he was dreadful second half and was blowing out of his aris. No surprise it looked evenly matched when effectively it was 10 x 10.

Fleck was 7 first half and 5 second = 6 overall.

Thanks DB for the report.

pullis did a number on us second half brought 3 fresh legs on straightaway pushed up and closed us down just showed how much he respected our first half performance having said that i think that once again we sat 10 yards too deep and invited em on to us utb ftp