Bolton 0 United 3 - report

[Deadbat_DB]

Did not go today as sadly me and the lad could not really justify spending £50 on tickets and another £30 on train tickets etc especially when there were no trains to Bolton from Manchester (done that replacement bus route before and it was painful!) but watched on a stream…..and really pleased I managed to see the game by some form today……credit to those that went that got the reward of our best performance of the season.

----

It was three wins on the bounce for the Blades as they beat Bolton at the University of Bolton Stadium (I know!) with a superb performance where they dominated the previously unbeaten home side. Goals from Duffy, Freeman and Fleck accounted for the Wanderers but in truth it could have been even more. United played some lovely football and controlled the game from start to finish.

Duffy came back for Norwood and United playing in all yellow were straight out of the blocks and Sharp found Stevens whose shot on the angle was parried behind. From a clever short corner from Norwood the ball was pulled back to Fleck and his powerful shot was pushed onto the bar by Alnwick. It bounced down but the referee confirmed it was not over the line. It was a superb start and United were unlucky not to lead. However, 5 minutes in they did lead as Fleck, Freeman and then Basham were involved and the ball was played back and DUFFY arrived into the box and expertly passed it into the corner. A lovely move and finish. United were dominating and Norwood and Fleck controlling the ball with Duffy getting on it at every chance. Freeman and Basham were surging down the right and O’Connell and Stevens doing likewise on the other side.

Buckley fell in the box in Bolton’s first real attack but it was theatrical then Basham did well to clear. The same man got forward and played in Sharp who linked with Clarke but the ball was cleared for a corner with Sharp waiting to pounce. From the corner Basham fired inches wide with the keeper beaten. The second goal was not long coming. The midfield trio for United continued to pull the strings in the build up but the end result was not quite what even the away side expected. Clarke was involved in the initial play and fed FREEMAN. His low cross was stepped over by Clarke and the ball drifted in off the far post past the stunned Alnwick. If Clarke had meant it; then it was brilliant. Freeman looked as surprised as anyone when the ball hit the net!

United continued to dominate and Fleck ran off two players and brilliantly advanced at pace. He tried an audacious chip from 25 yards that beat Alnwick but drifted just over. Bolton had offered nothing in comparison but Henderson had to be alive to scoop round a ball at the back post and from a corner soon after Wheater actually got the ball goalwards but Clarke got back to kick away right on the line. It was a crucial moment just before the break.

Clarke had to go off with a tight hamstring at half time and McGoldrick came on. The substitute nearly made a stunning impact as he hit a dipping half volley that Alnwick tipped over. It was a stunning save at full stretch. Freeman then fed Sharp after a good run from the right wing back but the captain’s shot was blocked.

Freeman then volleyed wildly over after a lovely ball from Norwood. Magennis had a rare header drift wide and Ameobi came inside and had an effort blocked but it was the away side that still looked the more threatening. Basham had a surging run that saw him beat his man but Sharp missed badly when it came over. Stearman came on for Duffy as United tried to ensure they preserved the clean sheet.

On 73 minutes, the third goal came. Neat passing and patient build up saw Stevens get behind the defence and send over a low cross which FLECK buried as he came in to attack the ball. This effectively killed the game and many home fans headed for the exits.

United could have had more as Sharp again was in but sent his shot just wide on the angle. Freeman then had a shot blocked before Woodburn came on for Sharp. Bolton threw on former Blades man Donaldson but other than a few long range Ameobi efforts did not really muster anything and looked well beaten as the additional 4 minutes passed without any real incident as United saw things out easily in a dominant away performance.

[Deadbat_DB]

United – Enjoyed watching us today. Against a big, direct side we completely out footballed them and it was men v boys at times even if height/physique wise they may have towered above us in certain positions! We played some lovely football and the lovely little triangles, pass and move and defenders/wing backs helping the attacks we saw last season seemed to be back. We moved it from back to front quicker and got close to the ball to allow the neat football. It was all with a purpose and we had pace and movement and got it into the right areas quicker rather than some of the slow build-up we have seen in the closing months last season and at times to start this season. Today, everything we did had a purpose and we showed a zest and vigour as we moved it and attacked. The midfield three were excellent and Bash and Freeman bombing down the right caused all sorts of problems down that side where we had so much joy. We created maybe 10 good chances in the game; maybe more and a bit better finishing and it would have been an even bigger rout. We did the nasty, gritty bits too and won the ball and pressed a bit more than we have. I felt at times we have sat off but today we hounded in packs and then turned the possession over in our favour and were off and running. We won first and second balls today and then our superior quality took over.

The likes of @blades_analytic and @bladespod have said all week Bolton were in a false position looking at how teams have created more clear chances and that Bolton have effectively scored with the few chances they have had. They kind of built it up that if we played well and they carried on as they have; we could and would win and so it proved. Today was a good old-fashioned thumping. We played great football, made chance after chance, controlled midfielder, defended well and every player had a good, very good or excellent game. There were no weak links at all.

United were simply excellent and dominated from start to finish. It was a complete domination and really should have been a lot more. We dominated possession (54% to 46% the BBC says – it seemed so much more) and had all the clear chances. It could have been 3-0 after 5 minutes and after we went 2 up the game was done. You just had a slight worry they may get one from a set play and nearly did when Clarke cleared off the line but other than this and a slight half chance Henderson kind of batted behind just before half time; they were restricted completely and only had long range shots. Only Ameobi looked a threat and we did the job at corners/throws/free kicks really well. Felt the only negative was we maybe conceded a few too many of these to give them chance to get it into the box but the delivery was poor from them and when they did get it in; we cleared it well. The only down side attacking wide was we needed to be more ruthless but at least it was at 2 or 3-0 rather than 0-0 although we had two good chances early on but more of a good save and then the woodwork denied us rather than profligacy from us.

Seems after a poor start, we have gradually improved as Wilder says. We still need that striker this week (especially if Clarke is injured – tight hamstring) and Coutts coming back will make us even stronger. The midfield today oozed class and will be a key factor in any push for the top 6. Technically we looked excellent in there and we have skill, passing, movement and creativity. The goals we scored today were superb. It was lovely to see the interchange and pass and move. We also kept a clean sheet and that was important.

Bolton – Will temper above slightly in saying how poor Bolton were. It seems they maybe in a slightly false position after other teams had been better than them in some games as they took their chances and defended well. I felt today they could not live with our movement, passing and creativity. They got a bit of a going over really today. Parkinson spoke of mistakes or them being punished but it was not like they made loads of mistakes; they just could not get the ball off us at times. If the keeper had not played well it would have been embarrassing. They had two efforts of note all game other than a few shots blazed over at the end.

They managed to power their way up to promotion and credit to them for staying up on limited resources and difficult stuff off the pitch also. Parkinson gets criticised for his style and it is dire to watch but he has got them up and kept them up. Not sure how he plays will take them much higher and they will be near the bottom I feel at the end of the season; despite a decent start. I tipped them to go down and still think it will be a struggle.

For all the praise you could say that Millwall under similar resources have done better; they too play a direct style I suppose. I would not want to watch them every week I have to say and today showed what good footballers can do to a team that play like they do. They have quite an old side and lots of experience but that is not always a good thing when they are slow. The two lads at the back will get turned easily even if they score goals at the other end. Oztumer will struggle in the style they play to get much of the ball. I feel Ameobi is a talent but is a bit wasted too. They have lots of journeyman and very average strikers in Magennis, Donaldson, Wildschut, Buckley etc. The midfield is quite poor too and the full backs had a sorry time today. A squad that lacks consistency and quality but also pace/technical ability but they have had a decent start; today withstanding and if they can be organised and gritty they will always get the odd results and will play better than today I am sure but they were really given a hammering today.

Opposition Man of the Match – Ameobi or the keeper. Ameobi had a few shots and drifted inside and caused a few problems. The keeper Alnwick made a great save to deny Fleck to push against the bar early on after saving from Stevens and then he made a superb save to deny McGoldrick too. He made a few other saves from Sharp etc too. Little chance on the first and third goal but the second he maybe should have reacted quicker. Oztumer had a few moments on the ball near the end but we closed him off – glad he did not start as always causes us problems!

Opposition Weak link – Take your pick. The full backs were awful, Olkowski and Grounds were given a torrid time but had no protection. The centre backs slow and static and often ball watching. The midfield never won any tackles and had little of the ball and Vela was dominated by Fleck. Barely noticed the former Leeds lad Murphy or Lowe who used to play for Birmingham didn’t he? The front lads also never got in the game and were dealt with easily. Donaldson came on but barely touched the ball. How he will wish he was still with us!

[Deadbat_DB]

Henderson 7/10 – Solid game where he was largely untroubled. Not sure he had a save of note to make all game aside from one that was probably not even going in where he flicked behind and hurt himself in the process. Clarke cleared one off the line but other than that he had an easy game. He was well protected from the defence and other than a few crosses he took it was routine. His first clean sheet which is important. Nearly assisted Clarke with a big kick down field.

Freeman 8/10 – Played really well and like Basham seemed to be involved in so many of our attacking moves. Showed again that as good as Baldock was last season there is much more of end product from Freeman. He scored a fortunate goal – not sure he was shooting that reminded me of the goal at Oxford a few years ago as his cross just drifted inside the near post. Showed great energy, linked well and good pace ad zip to always be in the final third. Defensively I think Baldock might be better as he is a bit stronger and does not get caught out as much. Freeman gave away a silly booking and let his man get away a few times but when the game was about done.

Stevens 7/10 – Solid enough and set up the third goal and involved in lots of good attacking play. He just let Ameobi come inside onto his left foot a few times and gave away a few daft fouls but overall, he was steady and also got forward well, especially first half and was involved in some of our attacking moves. Made the keeper make an excellent save in the first minute which led to the chance for Fleck where we hit the bar – kept this momentum that led to the goal.

Egan 7.5/10 – Solid showing. Won a lot of headers and routine clearances but more than that used it much better today. Felt he got in good positions and showed he is not as slow as I thought but maybe was against quite slow attackers today. Looked to get forward and cause problems at the other end from set plays but it was his headers and play against the big lads on set plays they had that was important. He let his man turn him once and was slow to react second half and one other time he gave it away but that is nit picking. Love the way when he made a block first half he punched the air.

O’Connell 7.5/10 – Steady performance and improved on opening games. Like a few others he seems to be growing into the season. Recall one give away when he let them nearly get in but other than that defended sensibly and competently. Got forward well first half when he could but sat back more second half. Bolton’s attack featuring Magennis, Buckley, Wildschut have caused problems but today we dealt with them very comfortably.

Basham 8.5/10 – Superb performance. Close call for man of the match with him and Fleck. He was everywhere at the back and everywhere going forward. The ball seemed magnetised to him. Involved in the build up to the first two goals and made several other chances. One lung bursting run saw him chase down the wing and beat his man for skill and pace but Billy could not convert his delightful pull back. His industry today was superb as he seemed to literally cover every blade of grass but on the ball, he was so much better and barely wasted a pass.

Fleck 8.5/10 – After a slow start to last season he rivalled Norwood for man of the match last week against Norwich and today upped it even more. Felt he completely ran the game. Got on the ball, linked with the defence and attack and made things happen from start to finish. Played a range of passes, advances with it, drew players, attacked space and everything good we did come from him. Involved in everything we did well. He hit the bar with a great effort in the first minute which was very unlucky after he peeled off from a corner and then had another superb run and chip after he held off a challenge which went just over with the keeper beaten. Second half he continued to cause problems with his positive forward running, dribbling and passing. He linked so well with Duffy and Norwood. Got the goal his performance deserved. I felt Vela got close to him twice. Once to foul him and then the only other time when he shook his hand at full time! When he plays like that they are not many better midfielders at this level. Frightening to think of the combinations when Coutts if fit with him, Norwood and Duffy.

Norwood 8/10 – Just looks sheer quality. Today he carried on from his first two games. Superb on the ball, good athleticism and pace that sees him get around the pitch. Links well with the other midfielders and a lovely cushioned touch and pass. Zipped and zinged the ball about and played just in front of the defence and helped us dictate the play and pace of the game. Did some good defensive work too and won a few tackles, loose balls. Already looking a superb signing.

Duffy 8/10 – Like at QPR made a difference as he got on the ball and played in that little area in between the strikers and midfield. He showed his skill and creative side as they could not pick him and often was the man receiving it from Fleck and Norwood or the wing backs. He then turned and helped us get into the heart of the Bolton defence. Scored a good well taken goal (needs to do more of this as does not score enough goals or have even enough attempts) and was at the heart of the good stuff we did. Faded a bit second half as he often does but you live with that when we dominated the opposition so much like we did today. He will have odd games when it does not come off but you live with that. When he plays we are invariably a better side.

Clarke 7/10 – He worked hard today and was a good team player. He linked with others, got on the shoulder and his dummy made it 2-0 which was inspired and clearly meant. He gave it away a few times sloppily but he did work hard to win it back. Felt he gave us an outlet and was able to hold it up. He made one massive contribution defensively when he cleared off the line when he was back defending on set play. Also had a feeling he would score second half so unfortunate he went off injured- hoping it is nothing major.

Sharp 7/10 –Like Clarke; he may not have scored but worked hard. Actually, on chances created for him he probably deserves lower in terms of a mark as missed 2 good chances and was unfortunate on another. Chances you expect him to take really. However, like with Clarke I can live with that if he works hard, links play and provides that hold up/runner we need also. He did all of those things and I felt he closed down and harried and his work ethic was excellent.

Subs –

McGoldrick 7/10 – Had an instant impact as he hit a dipping volley that was brilliantly tipped over. Had another effort blocked later on and was able to help carry on the momentum of the team by linking well and working from front to back. Against an ageing back line even he looked quite quick today I felt. We turned them several times and he too was unfortunate maybe not to get a goal from crosses coming in. Did well and contributed.

Stearman – Brought on for Duffy as we tried to ensure we held what we had at 2-0 and I felt he too did what he had to winning headers and clearing it; especially on set plays. Useful player who will start games and be used a lot.

Woodburn – Came on for Sharp. Had a few runs and carried it well but ran it out on another occasion. Does seem quite weak at times and gets brushed off it but clearly decent on the ball and nimble when he runs with it. Thing at the moment cameos and odd bits are what we will see till he gets used to the pace of the Championship.

Wilder 8/10 – 3-0. Clean sheet. Change to the team worked with Duffy starting. Subs worked also to help keep the performance going. Tactically we completely out thought them and as long as we were strong on the set plays we would win – he ensured we caused them all sorts of problems going forward with our shape, movement and running. We controlled midfield and completely dominated the game. Pretty much the perfect away performance. If we had won 5-0 it would not have flattered us.

Ref – Andy Madley. Easy game to ref but he had a really good game where you barely noticed him – a good sign. Let it flow when he could and brought it back when he had to. Three regulation bookings for Buckley (blatant foul – tried one first half), Vela for a poor foul on Fleck and then also for Freeman for a cynical block. All were right.

[RonnieWaldock]

Great read Roy, thanks!

[mahatmafoot]

Great report as usual.