Originally Posted by
Deadbat_DB
O’Connell 7.5/10 – Solid game. He has been quite consistent to start the season and whilst some of the other defenders have been a bit up and down, he has been fine. Won headers and tackles and also got forward when he could and at times was like an additional left winger. Put in a super cross for the goal, had another shot over and then a header when the keeper tipped over (might have done better). He did what was needed at the back and helped us nullify any real efforts on goal.
Wright 7/10 – As always when he had played for United he never let us down. He got in blocks, headers and interceptions. He reads the game well and just does the basics. He struggled in the week against power and pace but today against a rather pedestrian attack; had things more his way. Not got much pace but he just gets into the right position and soaks things up. Once he did not clear a header properly but fortunately O’Connell blocked. He will probably play the next few games but will face some tougher test than that Barnsley posed. Today he was really solid.
Fleck 6.5/10 – Mixed bag really. He gave it away quite a lot and at times I felt looked ponderous and slow. Twice they got in when he lost the ball and at times his passing was telegraphed. Gave away a booking for a poor foul and at times positionally got into some bad areas. However, I felt he got stronger as the game went on and started to show more of the Fleck of old. He passed it better and started some of our attacks. He also got his foot in and won a few key tackles. He has not been at his best to start the season and the pace and power at this level seems to have given him more to think about but he is a good player and hope he will adapt to the faster pace.
Coutts 7/10 – Some really good things and at times looked in complete control but then other occasions became a bit sloppy and gave it away or was too far off when doing the defensive work. On the ball, he looked class for the most part. He showed some lovely touches and was able to drift away from players and showed excellent close control. He used his body strength and played it both ways, short and long. I felt he was dictating some of our better play but also at times could do even better.
Duffy 8/10 – Maybe our best outfield player. Came in for his first start this season and played well. He got on the ball, prompted and probed and used it well. He always looked dangerous and they could not pick him up. A few balls did not work but a few did and you always felt things might happen when he got on it. I felt Duffy made a difference and whilst he will rarely last full games he will still cause problems, especially at home. He showed that despite lack of pace, his touch and brain will still be an asset at this level. His play and forward running also gave more space for others such as Coutts, Fleck and Sharp. Not sure he will play every week but showed he still can be a factor at this level.
Sharp 7/10 – Always a threat. Had one really good chance when he hit a shot from the penalty spot area that was well saved. He maybe ought to have scored. Second half he could not just get across from a superb Basham cross and poked wide. In between this he scored with a typical poacher’s goal. He always was on the shoulder and always a threat. He got a booking for a nothing real challenge although ref seemed close to booking him for his gesticulating on the goal (claimed he was pointing to the fans in the upper tier but his rubbing of his stomach seemed aimed at the Barnsley fans) so maybe it was an accumulation. After the break, he linked well a few times and helped us continue to have more of the play. He tired as he was up on his own and came off for Evans but we did not look as much of a threat after he came off.
Clarke 5/10 – Actually was a 7/10 for his general play up the red card and causing problems with his strength and hold up play. Two of three times he got in front of his man and shielded the ball. He chased things down and was a threat in terms of occupation. His final ball was off twice despite good play in the lead up. He won a few free kicks also as we dominated territory and linked up well with Sharp twice; once leading to us winning a free kick. As for the red card; he seemed to take offence to McDonald pushing (Wilder said punched) him and raised his arms to push him off. After this the Barnsley lad seemed to put his head towards him. Clarke was the one who may have escaped but he did raise his hands and got involved in a grapple he did not need to. It was stupid really regardless of what their man did and the fact years ago it may only have been a yellow. The ref had little choice really or would have been hammered by the assessor. Now will face a fight for his place when he comes back from three match ban.
Subs:
Brooks – Lively and forward thinking. He drove at players, showed his poise and body control and looked a threat. He had one run where he went past two players and shot towards goal (maybe should have passed) and then another where he just poked at the keeper when maybe should have done better after another strong run. He then hit the post as he got across his defender and was very unfortunate not to score. Not everything comes off for him but he has got bundles of talent and his close control and touch/running is something completely different to what others offer. He gets defenders turned and worried. Duffy played well today and will retain his place but Brooks is a great option off the bench.
Evans – He looked sluggish when he came on to be honest. He tried a few ambitious flicks over defenders and some through balls but he gave it away quite a bit and looked a bit slow today albeit only in 15 minutes. Impressed with him in cameos in other games but today he did not quite get up to pace and did not get to the ball first. Be good for him to get an hour or so from the start on Tuesday night.
Wilder 7.5/10 – It’s a win and a much better performance than the two that we have seen on the road. He made the changes and they worked; albeit one enforced and Duffy was the man of the match. We started at a much better tempo and got amongst them. We attacked them and created chances all game. Only poor finishing and poor final ball stopped it being much more. It was a good, controlled performance and one where we thoroughly deserved the win.
Officials – Mixed really. The red cards will be the main talking point. In the old days both players might have been given a talking to or a yellow card at most but today with the assessors watching he maybe had no choice. Clarke raised his hand but so did the lad McDonald and then he went in with a butt (not sure anything connected from either player) but the fact they pushed and raised hands/heads made it probably a decision he had to make. Interesting the assistant never raised his flag and only intervened when a few players (maybe more United’s side) asked the referee to go and talk to him. The other yellows seemed straight forward apart from the Sharp one which seemed very harsh. Stevens and Fleck deserved to be booked for late ones as did Pearson, Hammill and McCarthy. It did not seem that dirty a game really but 6 bookings and 2 reds give it a different story. In general play, he may have got booed off but not sure he made many really bad decisions. We had a half-hearted appeal for a penalty on a foul on Duffy, they had one for a hand ball that never was but cannot recall too much that controversial outside of the red card. He tried to play on a few times both ways after fouls and did this well and went back and booked people when he could. A spell after the red cards, he looked like he had lost control a bit but after the break he got control of the game again. The assistant on the South Stand side had a shocker with two offsides, one awful one where Sharp was probably 5 yards onside and he flagged. Never seen the mild-mannered Alan Knill go as mad!
Crowd – 25,482. A bit down on opening day but making it top whack/Category A seems a bit much. I know it was a local derby but at this level there will be much bigger clubs/games I feel. That is not being arrogant. Still the crowd got behind them and there was good noise for spells before it became a bit anxious nearer the end before the team helped will them to the three points. Both Evans and Brooks got really good receptions when they came on.
Barnsley brought just over 2,000 and they seemed more bothered about anti Ched Evans chants than getting behind their own side. They quietened down considerably as the game went on and their limp performance showed no sign of abating. They came with their usual ‘Deedah’ and ‘Sheffield is a s**t hole, I want to go home’ chant as they came down Bramall Lane being frog marched by police from the station. They do seem a rather simple bunch it has to be said. I recall years ago when he police marched them the wrong way towards the Moor and back round a few times and they had no idea. They kept walking aimlessly. Today they seemed to take great glee in punching their chests down Bramall Lane and most seemed to have not let the lunch time kick off get in their way of the alcohol consumption.