Reply With QuoteUnited – Superb performance. Been a bit critical of the team recently thinking they have been a bit safe in certain aspects of the game and been more workmanlike but today we came out and attacking wise we took the game to Hull. The wing backs got forward and we were on it. The midfield got close to the opponents, swarmed all over Hull and forced them back. We were pressing them back and forcing the issue. We scored a goal from a corner and then a lovely individual goal but could have had more goals as chances aplenty came. We looked the side we had seen for much of the season but maybe have not seen as much in recent times as we have been more pragmatic. Today, we got back to the high intensity pressing United who played on the front foot with the whole team in an attacking philosophy and we really pushed them back. We scored three first half but it could have been more. They could not live with us. It was a superb first half display. They had a few attacks early on and right at the end of the half but really, they were never in it at all and the Blades surged all over them. The midfield won most of the loose stuff, the wing backs got forward and Duffy got into those little areas. McGoldrick was simply sensational and scored two goals. Stevens was another one (along with McGoldrick in the form of his life) and scored and could have had another. United looked imperious and they were not to be held back. 3-0 was about right. We had been that good; on and off the ball.
Second half it was about managing the situation and we did that well. If anything, we still had as many chances as they did but the game was done but we made it that way by professionally doing our job. O’Connell, Cranie and Egan were rock solid and stopped any running getting in deep. The wing backs stopped the crosses and the midfield did their job with tackles, blocks but also little passes to keep the ball. The 2nd half performance was just totally professional and United looked a good side. As I said to my mate; just a proper performance. We saw it out with ease. We did the job first half and then were solid without being silly.
Some really good performances. Stevens great again and McGoldrick is just playing out of his skin. Everything he touches turns to gold. What a player. Technically supreme. Playing in his own pace at the moment and teams cannot live with him. Fleck was excellent today. Back to his best, harrying and pressing, turning us the other way with his tackling and then forward passing. Hogan was a nuisance if not that effectual with the ball. Duffy also did a good job. No one was bad today. A really solid team performance. The defence just kept a good shape and cleared and blocked when they had to. United looked a proper team and it was a regulation win as much for the effort off the ball as the play on it.
The players came to the fans at the end and you sensed the belief on and off the field. A real togetherness. You sensed that everyone believed we can do this. The result at Leeds a few hours later means United have an incredible chance of promotion. Leeds have really faltered badly and United to be fair have seized the initiative with two big wins. We know now we are one win away from nearly being there. We have to be patient next Saturday and ensure that even if we don’t score, that no one panics. All we need to do is win the game. Does not matter when it comes. The fans have to be incredible next week. They have to cheer every pass, boo every opposition touch and really push them over the line. It could be a special week. We are not there yet, but a big last effort next week and we are nearly there.
Hull – I expected better. They have been very strong at home. They started the game ok and pushed us back but they did not create much and then slowly United took control. Poor marking on the header and then let McGoldrick come inside. They tossed away two poor goals and then another from a cross and header. United looked like scoring every time we attacked and they were all over the place at the back. They had a few attacks but did not look like scoring really. Even second half it was all a bit desperate and half hearted. They knew the game was up. They were well beaten. The flair players Grosicki and Bowen never got in the game and United forced them back. They have been excellent at home but United swarmed all over them and they had no answer. They have nothing to play for and it showed second half as the Blades just saw things out easily.
To be fair to Adkins, he has done a good job to get them half way. They have a few decent individual players although may lose a few of these in the summer. They lack experience in key areas and not sure defensively they are that solid and concede a lot of goals (7 in 2 games sums it up against the better teams). Still a lot of ownership stuff off the field but will be delighted with a mid-table finish. Next season will be tough for them to push much higher without investment. Adkins is apparently close to a new contract and as I say has done ok there considering a poor start and they even flirted with the playoffs. Still glad he is not our manager. Today, they a pretty insipid passion less bunch and lost fairly comfortably but of course have not shown this since Xmas where they have done well, especially at home. The atmosphere in the ground cannot help with large swathes of the ground empty.
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Opponent man of the match – Had a few injuries at the back and plugged a few gaps. Long got a start instead of Marshall but he had little chance on the goals and given no protection. No one really stood out. Rosicky got in a few times but did not make the most of chances. Pugh had a few efforts but no one really stood out.
Weak link – The defence was all at sea. De Wijs and McKenzie struggled with the touch and movement of McGoldrick who scored two goals and run them ragged at times. In midfield Batty and Irvine, I felt lost the battle and Norwood and Fleck controlled things most of the game. Campbell was totally ineffective up top and not sure Dicko improved things as they chased the game.
Henderson 7/10 – Solid game. Punched a few away and took a few crosses. Flicked a cross away early on but cannot remember him making many saves of note as the defence protected him well.
Baldock 7.5/10 – Up and down all game. Energetic and caused more problems attacking than Hull caused him. Great cross for the third goal and actually sent a few other decent balls over. Just a solid performance where he showed great fitness all game.
Stevens 8/10 – Another superb performance. Defended well and read danger when it came but bombed forward all game. Scored a great header and had a few other efforts blocked. Getting better and better. He is playing brilliantly at the moment.
Egan 7.5/10 – Solid. Headed everything away and just was solid. Not sure they had any real chances all game and he read things and kept a good solid line.
O’Connell 7.5/10 – As above. Plugged the gaps and just saw us keep a nice line with few breaks from then. We looked very solid at the back today.
Cranie 7.5/10 – Part of a god defensive line but he also got forward when he could and was involved in some decent attacks too. He has been a great signing and massively underrated. There was one moment second half where he headed and cleared it away three times just by intercepting thought balls.
Fleck 7.5/10 – Much better from start to finish. Buzzing around and picked up loose balls but also kept us moving forward. Got into those little areas and helped us turn defence into attack. He was just very busy all game and I felt go on the ball and drove us forward when he could and also ran with it too. Much more like it and did it for a full game too.
Norwood 6.5/10 – Not sure he is playing that great at the moment and his performances are more workmanlike than technically good. He did some decent things with some lovely crossfield balls but also overplayed or tried to be too clever a few times. He did sit in and read things nicely and tracked runners and kept a nice solid shape. Just a bit sloppy on the ball at times but he was ok without being outstanding. Do need one more big performance where his passing leads to chances/goals – next week be nice!
Duffy 6.5/10 – I felt he was busy and got into some decent areas and helped keep them occupied but not sure he was that effective with the ball but he helped move us up the field. Recall a few dribbles and runs but it did not always come up today but you keep him on as he can always draw men and cause a problem. Came off on the hour as we looked to see the game out.
