Originally Posted by
Deadbat_DB
O’Connell 7/10 – Had a real tussle with Morison and it was fairly even. They both won some headers and kept competing in a good honest scrap. He did kick it long a bit too much for me as they pressed us and he did not have the option to play it short all the time. Great play on the goal as he chased the ball down and intelligently headed across. A great assist. Headed a few other corners over when well placed. Felt the defence overall lost so many headers from defensive situations and that on another day could have been punished.
Stearman 7/10 – Steady performance and glad to see him back. He had a good battle with the two strikers. Took a booking for a bad foul when they broke but it was a decent one to take as they had men over. As with the others not sure we won enough aerially and again too many corners saw free headers or we lost. Sacrificed but it was an odd move we put a full back on and Stevens went inside. Would we have conceded – not sure but it was a poor goal with him off the pitch.
Fleck 7/10 – Did well in spells but for a big game I wanted a bit more from him. Had one shot saved and then another good effort after he weaved forward. Did not see enough of this after this effort and he played safe too much. Did keep the ball for the most part but not sure he or the other midfielders moved it on quick enough. It was all a bit safe.
Evans 7/10 – Got Man of the Match at the ground. Not sure he was quite that. He was ok doing some good stuff but also some sloppy stuff too. I am not sure anyone really stood out for us today. He was neat and tidy and had one shot wide and another well saved. Also made the goal. So, some good moment but also at times he was way too slow to do basic things and got caught a few times. His passing was ok but again a bit safe and at times we simply did not move it on quick enough allowing men to get back. Not sure at the end why he did not hit in and was a poor attempt to con the referee. A decent performance but not anything stand out.
Lundstram 5.5/10 – Had a poor start as he gave the ball away first minute and then repeated it a few minutes later. His passing was often short and put in a few hospital balls. He recovered and kept it nice and simple for a period and won a few interceptions but not sure in a big game he did enough and I felt it was a very pedestrian performance from him. Like I have said before they show potential some of our players but too many play well for one game and then poor for another; or do the same in a game. Lundstram is a classic example of this.
Brooks 6/10 – Expected more from him today. Showed a few neat touches and tried to come back to get on the ball as he had little service and we started to go long. He got fouled a few times and had a few runs but often they had men very tight to him. I wanted him to get on it more and drive into the box but it never really happened. I felt the front two for them worked harder than the front two for us at times which is a shame as we have some good quality up there. Stayed on for Duffy but not for that long and then was withdrawn. Need him to stand out more in big games. He played well in the week but out of the last 4 games he has played; he has had one good game and 3 very ordinary ones. He needs to do more.
Clarke 7/10 –Thought he was ok today at times but also a bit languid in other parts of the game. Spent too long trying to wrestle with the centre back. He had a few chances but took too long to get it down and drove one across the goal. He then got his goal; a poachers effort. After this he had another few half chances. Felt he did not get much service but again as I have said about the Millwall front two, you look at how hard they worked, chasing everything, holding it up, winning flick ons and never giving the defence a second. Could you say same about our strikers today?
Subs:
Duffy 7.5/10 – Our best outfield player for me and only played 45 minutes. Started badly as he gave it away and nearly put them in. However, he got on the ball, moved it about quicker and drove at defenders. Showed some lovely touches and most good things came from him. Has to start the final games for me. Dragged one shot wide but made a few opening with his close control and running. Had a late shot that deflected over when I thought it was goal bound. Even if we play him and Brooks. So what? We need to win games. To me he should have started today and it is criminal he has not been used in recent games when he is probably our most influential player.
Sharp – Not really an impact sub as he lacks pace but always that chance he could nick a goal of course. He did put a lot of effort in and a few times won some lost causes. He did have one big chance and did not convert. Sadly with some big opportunities (Brentford etc) he has been found wanting and not scored for a while albeit from the bench recently.
Lafferty – Not sure why he came on. They were not having lots of joy down our left and most of the threat came via set plays or punts forward and getting on the second ball. He had a few touches going forward and did ok in limited moments.
Manager: Wilder 7/10 – It was ok performance. Decent but not great. Even if we won, it was not as convincing as many other home games. We looked a bit sloppy and slow to move it. Still, we had enough chances and got in front. Then another stupid goal. Fair play to him for the brave moves of bringing on Duffy and Sharp. Did not understand the Lafferty change and having Stevens on the centre forward cost us at the end. We look like we will now miss out but what a go we have given it. I hope we do not just limply finish the season. Birmingham will be under massive pressure next week; assuming they lose at Wolves and so it will be an open game. This might help us. A win at least would take it to the final few weeks.
Officials – David Coote was better than the ref in the week but still not great. Stopped game too much to talk to people and did not let things flow. How he did not book both centre halves is beyond me? They work hard and do a great job but just jump into the defender all game. He booked a few for cynical trips and the worst foul was Stearman’s from us. They had a good call for a penalty – it was a daft over the back challenge from Basham and seen
them given. He had no faith in his assistant referees and gave most things even when they were right near the incident.
Crowd – Will be criticised for this but from where I sit in the South Stand felt it was really quiet. Maybe it was the nerves or the importance of the game but first half Millwall fans made a lot of a din and our end was silent. It got better after the break and helped drive United forward. The noise then the goal went in was deafening but we could not build on this and this flattened the crowd straight away. You then felt the crowd doing their best and the noise levels lifted but United could not force the winner. Too many times at home, United have edged teams higher up but too many times we have chucked away goals and points. Sure, United will sell out at Birmingham and the games v Preston and Bristol City still could be important but you sense the top 6 (and Derby with a game in hand) look in pole position now. Hope United can take it to the last day but we have made it very hard with the recent results. Still, whatever happens it has been a great season.