Reply With QuoteJust got back from the Coach and Horses...healthy crowd although not sure of the full attendance - holds around 2,500 does it - might not have been far off that.....the whole four sides were full 2 sides standing - one a small bank and then behind the goal another, one seated stand and then a covered terrace.
Of course mostly United fans but a few loyal Sheffield FC followers there...although many of course may follow both teams.
Sheffield had a number of guest players that came on near the end and United made a lot of changes but played a lot more first teamers than I thought they would so credit to Wilder but imagine the outcry if Duff or Sharp had got injured. Freeman played the full 90 mins too - maybe needs to keep getting back to full fitness?!
United played a very strong team: Moore, Cranie, Stearman, Lafferty, Freeman, Johnson, Coutts, Doherty, Lundstram, Duffy, Sharp
We had a few away on international duty such as Washington, Norwood, Egan, Stevens and Henderson and with Fleck, Bryan, Baldock, Wright and Clake probably all not risked after recent injuies or recovering. No sign of Bash but he seems to play every game!
Duffy and Sharp was up top wth Lundrstram, Doherty and Coutts in the middle and Johnson as left wing back, Freeman right wing back and Lafferty, Stearman and Crainie centre backs.
The lad Roney got a great reception as did of course the returning Coutts
United took the game very seriously for large parts....the intensity was high and I felt for some of the Sheffield FC lads who could not cope....3 of these had excelled as we destroyed Aston Villa at the weekend! They did not seem to let up which may seem harsh but shows there is no off switch. Training, practice games, first team proper games; we have to play same way and we have to win.
Freeman was a huge threat down the right and some of his play was a joy to watch. Coutts did not play full whack and kind of strolled it but we saw range of his passing; he made the first with a great ball to Freeman who crosses for Johnson to score with his virtual first touch as a United player. After this United pinged it about and could have had more. Coutts then hit the bar with a raking drive. A second game when Doherty headed in Johnson's cross. Freeman, Duffy and Sharp linked a lot and the young lad Doherty also was involved in a lot of the moves as the Blades just fizzed the ball about. A sloppy goal came when Moore made a hash of punching a corner and they turned in. This was the first attack they had! The third came when Doherty put a cross in that was turned in by a defender for an own goal. Sharp missed a few sitters; as well as he played but then Duffy scored a smart goal and then Sharp set him up with a run though and unselfish lay off for a tap in goal for Duff. So 5-1 at half time.
United brought on Eastwood for Moore, O'Connell for Doherty and McGoldrick for Duffy as Lafferty went left wing back and Johnson came more inside. There was a lull for the first 10 minutes or so but then McGoldrick scored a smart finish - earlier he had shown some sublime skill to beat a defender in another move. Coutts was continuing to just ease his way in. Some of his passes were not quite on the radar but you saw all the touch and control we have seen that makes him a class act. He had another good effort brilliantly saved by the keeper. He came off on the hour for Jordan Hallam. Sharp also came off after missing 3 or 4 more guilt edged chances with keeper making some great saves. How he did not score tonight I dont know - he took it very seriously though arguing with the ref and then shoving the keeper after a corner was not given! Sharp came off and not sure who no 12 was who came on for us - was it Norrington Davies - hard to tell in the final change for us?
Matt Duke, Derek Geary, Rob Kozluk and Michael Brown are came on, making guest appearances against the Blades before Hallam scored a lovey taken goal after smart build up to make it 7-1. Michael Vaughan came on to chants of ' Pig, pig, pig!' His touch was not bad the few occasions he was involved although **** himself when O'Connell went anywhere near him. Brownie has put some timber on but still ran around like a mad man, Kozzy had a very sharp haircut but was neat and tidy.
Matt Duke made 2 or 3 stunnign saves against his ex and boyhood club (now an Academy coach for us) before Hallam scored another goal and then two quick goals at point blank range from CGoldrick saw him complete his hat trick and it go to 11-2 and the scoreboard in the corner were frantically struggling to get the double figures up; seemingly not having enough numbers! Right near the end the predictable staged finish saw Vaughan go through and Stearman 'trip' him - he didn't but it was all part of the act and the ref gave a penalty. Roney came back on and Eastwood at least did not try and save it and the Blades fan scored in his testimonial. Would have been nice in a way if he had played maybe final 5 minutes for the Blades possibly?
Really good night - not sure the refreshments, toilets or the Coach and Horses pub may have expected the numbers that packed into the small ground judging by the queues. Plenty of ex Blades there such as Agana, Hemsley, Badger etc. Gary Sinclair was on the mic although at least he could go a bit rogue without fear this time after his *******ing on Saturday! Wilder's mate Ian Whitehorne was one of the managers for Sheffield as was former Sheffield FC boss/chairman Dave McCarthy who is of course now at United. Wilder wore smart chinos and a sweater.
Decent night. Main thing is the lad got a good crowd and also MacMillan charity raised quite a bit too from auctions, buckets etc. For us Coutts played an hour and eased his way back in - saw no ill affects but he kind of strolled it - with the midfield as it is we dont have to rush him.
Other new lads - Cranie looked very rusty and clearly not played much football, Johnson did soem decent things but did not read others runs etc at other times but he is very quick. The two young lads Doherty and Hallam did well, both scoring and looked like they had a bit about them. Think Hallam is a good footballer; bit of a poor mans Duffy when I have seen him for the u23s but a clever player who can finish. Doherty has filled out since a year or so ago and did well - he needs to get some games on loan National League or League Two as looks promising.
Also being so close to it (right on the touchline) you saw the touch, movement and inter play; all at speed of top level Champ players. They do eveything so easily and the none league lads looked knackered as we just played it round them. It was a bit cruel if I am being honest but Wilder is not the sort to take it easy on anyone!
Originally Posted by Deadbat_DB
