United 2 Stoke 1 - friendly report

[Deadbat]

The Blades continued their winning ways as they saw off Stoke with a late winner at Bramall Lane. United have won every game in pre-season and are now unbeaten right back to the 24th January when they lost to Fleetwood Town. United faced a strong Potters side packed full of quality and Premier League experience but deserved to win the game.

For long spells United bossed the game and for long spells the home side controlled possession and the tempo of the game. Indeed, United were unfortunate not to be in front at half time after having most of the game and chances. Two defensive errors from Shawcross and O’Connell gave goals to Sharp and Shaqiri respectively. Second half Stoke came into more and maybe had more chances than the Blades but United yet again finished stronger and after a series of chances at the end, Brooks scored the winner with almost the last kick of the game.

United began with only two chances from the side that won at Rotherham with Enda Stevens and Caolan Lavery coming in for Daniel Lafferty and Leon Clarke. There was still no place in the squad for injury stricken George Baldock, James Hanson or Ched Evans. Young development keeper Jim Pollard was on the bench for the Blades. Stoke had a strong side out packed full of internationals including newcomers Darren Fletcher and Chelsea loanee Kurt Zouma. They had a bench with Peter Crouch, Diouf, Bojan, Imbula and Charlie Adam.

United’s latest signing John Lundstram was introduced to the crowd just before the kick off.

The Blades began the game on the front foot with the typical pressing and harrying penning Stoke back. When they got the ball Coutts and Fleck got on it early and often but it was Carruthers playing the front of the three who had the early chances with a curling long range shot just wide and another shot saved by Grant. It was not long before United went in front though and it was that man SHARP. It was awful defending from Shawcross who failed to deal with the danger twice before his weak header did not get anywhere near enough purchase on it to get to Grant and Sharp got onto it and easily drilled past Grant.

Stoke had not been in it but Shaqiri had a shot over before United came back onto the attack. Neat, patient football saw Freeman, Basham and then Carruthers involved before Lavery nodded just wide from the cross from the right. Johnson drilled a cross that evaded everyone for the visitors. Sharp the hit a shot over after a good run from the skipper before Coutts switched play but Stevens cross was blocked. United were playing some lovely football and in many ways carried on the football from last season. More interchange and strong running saw Grant then save from Coutts.

Carruthers then hit a dipping volley from a corner before Sharp then linked well with Fleck but his low shot was saved rather more comfortably from Grant. United were in complete control and more goals looked like coming but then against the run of play Stoke got level.

O’Connell tried to control the ball but Stoke nipped in and Sobhi’s clever ball found Shaqiri who clipped past Eastwood giving the young keeper no chance. It was out of nothing but showed that you cannot make even half mistakes against Premier League quality. After this Stoke won a soft free kick and Shaqiri’s effort was palmed away from Eastwood. The ball rebounded and ricocheted around before being cleared away from Fleck.

The second half saw Berahino have a decent effort just wide and then another that went out for a throw as Stoke looked to up the pace of their attacks. Shaqiri continued to probe and prompt. Crouch was now on and he had a free header over as Stoke now looked more likely from an attacking sense but the game was still relatively even. A few sloppy defensive mistakes nearly saw the visitors in and the Blades made a few blocks from efforts both in and outside the box. United had not had the fluency of the first half but still with Coutts continuing to get on the ball and defenders coming out with the ball they were not settling for a draw.

A number of substitutions followed for both sides with Duffy coming on for the Blades and looking to get on the ball and prompt for the home side but it was a Stoke sub who nearly scored with Bojan’s shot not long after he came on deflecting wide.

Brooks was on for United and his touch and running saw United nearly get in down the right before Duffy fired just wide for the Blades and Adam just over for Stoke. Time was ticking down now and United had a late surge that culminated in the winner. Coutts had two shots blocked and then another effort was blocked inside the box, the ball was slipped inside to Freeman who played a clever ball across and BROOKS rammed home from close range. It was no more than United deserved. The winning goal summed up United’s tenacity over the last season as they kept going and going in an almost relentless determination not to be denied. The final whistle went seconds after the restart with no real stoppage time played.


United – We were very good tonight. First half especially we looked excellent. Stoke looked a bit shocked at how good we were on and off the ball. We zinged it about and it moved around at pace. We played some lovely interchange and the movement off the ball was very good. Coutts and Fleck carried on where they left off. We actually looked the higher division side for most of the first half save for some impish play from Shaqiri. If we had been a bit better with the final ball or more clinical it could have been 3 or 4-0 at half time. We made one mistake and it cost us and they levelled. After this it was more even and they had a few decent chances second half but we kept playing decent football and I felt we finished stronger and had players wanting to drive at the defence and make things happen. 2-1 was a fair reflection of the game in the end.

It was pleasing that we seem fit, sharp and passed it well. The no fear factor seems to have continued even against even better players, albeit a friendly and Stoke seemed a bit disinterested a times. I was really pleased with what I saw tonight. We can improve in different areas but if we replicate that level of commitment, passing and skill, we will be fine.

The two weakest players might have been the two new lads. Not that they were awful. They were ok but struggled with pace of our play, both without the ball and with it. You have to press and constantly be trying to get it back and then when you have it, you have to move it quickly and then move into space. They both struggled at times and you can see how well drilled you have to be to get to the way United play.

Carruthers at times struggled last season but looked more with this type of intense play tonight. The rest of the side, it was same as really. Basham and O’Connell (a couple of errors apart) attacked the ball and came onto it. Freeman got forward well. Fleck was combative and busy and Coutts just dictated play. Sharp looked lively first half and Lavery also showed some flashes of good play. Overall lots of plusses tonight. Stearman and Stevens actually got stronger as the game went on and Duffy and Brooks looked decent when they came on, wanting to get on the ball and make things happen. Clarke also seems to have lost weight and moved around well chasing defenders down.

We still need a few more players. You feel another centre back will come in and the rumours around Leonard suggest that may still happen at some point despite Lundstram being signed. The priory will be a keeper. It seems Moore was walking without crutches which is a good sign despite rumours of a ligament injury but you feel he still could be out for a while and miss the start of the season. Eastwood did well but you we need an experience keeper regardless of how long Moore will be out for. Also with doubts over fitness of Evans and Hanson, I am not sure we have enough up top. A pacy Premier League loanee would be nice to add to the mix. I am not sure Clarke and Lavery are quite good enough and feel it is still an area we need to improve.

[Deadbat]

Stoke – Hard to tell in a friendly and they seem to be packing in lots of games but are of course a bit behind our schedule in terms of fitness. However, I felt they looked poor at times and United actually looked the better side for long spells. They looked a bit disinterested and flat save for the lad Shaqiri and some glimpses from Berahino. Felt they were shell shocked at the pressing and harrying of United and also the passing and movement when we had the ball. They came into the game second half more and maybe could have scored a few but did not really deserve anything from the game so could not argue with the final verdict.

Stoke and Hughes have done superbly to keep them mid table or even higher at times. They have been remarkably consistent over the last few years and massive credit to Hughes for carrying on work of Pulis and slowly adding more quality each year. They have a squad packed full of experience and doubt will struggle but they have quite a few plodders that will be exposed against quicker, athletic Premiership players. They will miss the lad they sold to West Ham, Arnautovic, who was a bit of a talisman and probably need to sign a few players but then you see difference in levels when likes of Bojan, Crouch, Adam and Diouf come on. However, Hughes has admitted they need new players in and you sense they will struggle to match last years finish unless they get a few more in as many have strengthened that finished in and around them.

Opposition Man of the Match: Shaqiri was excellent in the first half, he showed some lovely touches and pieces of skill and drifted around the field. He took his goal really well and nearly assisted on a number of others chances. He is a portly looking fella to say the least but a class act on the ball. When he came off he got a round of applause from both sets of fans and gave a thumbs up to the United fans who were clearly appreciative of his performance. Grant made a few decent saves and I felt that Berahino made some good runs off the ball also but did not have much help playing up top on his own. Crouch won a few headers and held the ball up well when he came on but missed a good headed chance. I thought that Adam did well when he came on for the closing stages and nearly scored a great goal and sent another great crossfield ball in.


Opposition Weak link: I thought both centre backs looked clumsy and Shawcross made a right rick on our first goal. The other lad Zouma has come in from Chelsea on loan but he looked leaden footed at times also. I felt both struggled with movement of our play. Glen Johnson also looked a defender who has seen better days.


Eastwood 7.5/10 – Fine. Did really well in fact. Handling was good from crosses (think he came for one and did not quite get there but caught two others) and he made one good save from a free kick. He had no chance from the goal. He talked to his defence well and commanded his area. A really tall lad (6’2’’ at least and maybe taller than Moore) he has a really good kick on him too both from his hands and from back passes. We will bring someone in I am sure but he looks a promising talent on what I saw tonight.

Freeman 7.5/10 – As he was last season, a few bits of indecision defensively apart (one poor foul first half), he got on the front foot, drove forward and was involved in some good attacks. He always looked to get behind the defenders. He ended up as an almost right winger as the game ended and set up the winner.

Stevens 7/10 – Started the game a bit slowly and I felt Shaqiri who played down his side for spells caused him some problems and he could not get close to him. His positional sense was not great early on but then he improved and ended up having a decent second half including a few good runs/bits of link up. Be interesting to see if him or Lafferty gets the nod to start the season. Stevens seems a bit more mobile and maybe a bit quicker.

Basham 7.5/10 – Solid game. He won tackles, headers and used it well when he could. He stepped out quite a few times and tried to get us onto the attack by running or simply finding Coutts. One error second half where he over committed himself nearly let them in but he played well apart from that.

O’Connell 7/10 – He made a few mistakes tonight by trying to control it with a header or piece of control when he maybe should have just kicked it away but he needed a shout I feel on both occasions. One of these led to the goal. Still other than this he won tackles, got forward often outstripping Stevens down the left first half and continued to be attacking even from a defensive position. He got a few good blocks in second half also.

Stearman 7/10 – Looked our weakest defender in that he got caught square a few times and did not see Berahino get in behind. He also overplayed or gave it away a few times and seemed to not have the same ability in ball retention as his two fellow centre backs which is a surprise for someone who has been in the Championship. He struggled with how quick we passed it about but got better as the game went on. He is quite mobile and has long legs which saw him nick the ball away a few times from attackers.

Fleck 7/10 – Not his best game but he got his foot in and won a few tackles and did a job for the team. Played as our most defensive players with Coutts and Carruthers maybe both more advanced much of the game. Maybe you can see why we have signed Lundstram and are after Leonard as not sure he is a typical defensive midfielder and is better when driving forward but had to hang back a bit tonight. Still showed some of his usual quality with some of his typical runs and passes and harried the Stoke players to hold up attacks also.

Coutts 8/10 – Thought he was our best player and ran the game at times. Got on it and switched play often and just dictated the play. First half he seemed magnetised to the ball and everything seemed to come through him. Against experienced players like Fletcher, Allen and Adam looked better than all three! Looks fittest he has ever been and actually had some runs and shots also as well as his range of passing too.

Carruthers 7/10 – Started game really well and got on the ball, had 2 or 3 really good efforts, linked well and was able to be involved in most of our good attacks. He looked fitter than he ever has been since he came to United (maybe the bald head makes him look more slimline!). His passing was mixed with some things coming off and others not so. I felt he faded as the game went on but his effort was really good and kept pressing and hassling to get the ball back. Looks determined to be a starter but not sure him being the furthest forward of the three will be his eventual position. He is a good footballer though and showed that tonight in fits and starts.

Sharp 7/10 – Took his goal really well profiting on a mistake. He had a few other decent efforts including one good run and shot just wide. He linked well with Lavery and others behind. He held it up well. I felt at times his lack of pace showed but he has never been that fast really. He came off around the hour.

Lavery 7/10 – Looked lively early on. Had a few runs and shots and a header just wide. Showed some neat touches and bits of link play. Not everything came off and at times he got crowded out against two big lads at the back. Never looked like scoring though and I feel Clarke is more of a goal threat and you sense him and Sharp may get crowded out against big lads at the back. Good for him to get an hour under his belt but not convinced he is a starter.

Subs:

Clarke – Did ok when he came on as he won a few physical battles and helped the ball on a few times also. Looks a bit fitter and leaner than this time last season.

Brooks – A few runs at the defence. One saw him tackled, where as another saw a good ball knocked out for a corner. Had a shot well over but overall when he got the ball just has a nice poise and style about him. You kind of sense something might happen when he gets it. Took his goal well getting in the right area attacking the near post. Is asking strong questions to start but think he is best off the bench at the moment against tiring defenders. You just worry the more he plays, the more Premier League teams will be circling. Sadly, you fear he may not be with us long. Teams pay a lot of money for potential.

Duffy – Been a stop start preseason with his wife giving birth and him not playing that much but he did ok when he came on and you forget how much quality he has. He showed some neat touches and had a few efforts not far off.

Officials – Ref was fine really. The linesman on the South Stand side was useless not getting much of anything right and not seeing things right in front of him.

Crowd – 7,096. Stoke brought 632 fans which was decent for a friendly but then you remember we took 2-3,000 twice in the last week to games! The South Stand was fairly full and only a sprinkling in the John Street Stand. We have a new scoreboard and a new screen (that shows replays and you can see Gary Sinclair in massive also as he interview people etc). Desso looked grand. No complaints at all. Apart from no sign of any Moretti as promised; just Heineken and Fosters in the South Stand that I could see.

[BlockD]

Thanks DB,muchly appreciated

[GrayBlade]

Cheers DB.

[rodcurrie]

Stoke – Hard to tell in a friendly and they seem to be packing in lots of games but are of course a bit behind our schedule in terms of fitness. However, I felt they looked poor at times and United actually looked the better side for long spells. They looked a bit disinterested and flat save for the lad Shaqiri and some glimpses from Berahino. Felt they were shell shocked at the pressing and harrying of United and also the passing and movement when we had the ball. They came into the game second half more and maybe could have scored a few but did not really deserve anything from the game so could not argue with the final verdict.

Stoke and Hughes have done superbly to keep them mid table or even higher at times. They have been remarkably consistent over the last few years and massive credit to Hughes for carrying on work of Pulis and slowly adding more quality each year. They have a squad packed full of experience and doubt will struggle but they have quite a few plodders that will be exposed against quicker, athletic Premiership players. They will miss the lad they sold to West Ham, Arnautovic, who was a bit of a talisman and probably need to sign a few players but then you see difference in levels when likes of Bojan, Crouch, Adam and Diouf come on. However, Hughes has admitted they need new players in and you sense they will struggle to match last years finish unless they get a few more in as many have strengthened that finished in and around them.

Opposition Man of the Match: Shaqiri was excellent in the first half, he showed some lovely touches and pieces of skill and drifted around the field. He took his goal really well and nearly assisted on a number of others chances. He is a portly looking fella to say the least but a class act on the ball. When he came off he got a round of applause from both sets of fans and gave a thumbs up to the United fans who were clearly appreciative of his performance. Grant made a few decent saves and I felt that Berahino made some good runs off the ball also but did not have much help playing up top on his own. Crouch won a few headers and held the ball up well when he came on but missed a good headed chance. I thought that Adam did well when he came on for the closing stages and nearly scored a great goal and sent another great crossfield ball in.


Opposition Weak link: I thought both centre backs looked clumsy and Shawcross made a right rick on our first goal. The other lad Zouma has come in from Chelsea on loan but he looked leaden footed at times also. I felt both struggled with movement of our play. Glen Johnson also looked a defender who has seen better days.


Eastwood 7.5/10 – Fine. Did really well in fact. Handling was good from crosses (think he came for one and did not quite get there but caught two others) and he made one good save from a free kick. He had no chance from the goal. He talked to his defence well and commanded his area. A really tall lad (6’2’’ at least and maybe taller than Moore) he has a really good kick on him too both from his hands and from back passes. We will bring someone in I am sure but he looks a promising talent on what I saw tonight.

Freeman 7.5/10 – As he was last season, a few bits of indecision defensively apart (one poor foul first half), he got on the front foot, drove forward and was involved in some good attacks. He always looked to get behind the defenders. He ended up as an almost right winger as the game ended and set up the winner.

Stevens 7/10 – Started the game a bit slowly and I felt Shaqiri who played down his side for spells caused him some problems and he could not get close to him. His positional sense was not great early on but then he improved and ended up having a decent second half including a few good runs/bits of link up. Be interesting to see if him or Lafferty gets the nod to start the season. Stevens seems a bit more mobile and maybe a bit quicker.

Basham 7.5/10 – Solid game. He won tackles, headers and used it well when he could. He stepped out quite a few times and tried to get us onto the attack by running or simply finding Coutts. One error second half where he over committed himself nearly let them in but he played well apart from that.

O’Connell 7/10 – He made a few mistakes tonight by trying to control it with a header or piece of control when he maybe should have just kicked it away but he needed a shout I feel on both occasions. One of these led to the goal. Still other than this he won tackles, got forward often outstripping Stevens down the left first half and continued to be attacking even from a defensive position. He got a few good blocks in second half also.

Stearman 7/10 – Looked our weakest defender in that he got caught square a few times and did not see Berahino get in behind. He also overplayed or gave it away a few times and seemed to not have the same ability in ball retention as his two fellow centre backs which is a surprise for someone who has been in the Championship. He struggled with how quick we passed it about but got better as the game went on. He is quite mobile and has long legs which saw him nick the ball away a few times from attackers.

Fleck 7/10 – Not his best game but he got his foot in and won a few tackles and did a job for the team. Played as our most defensive players with Coutts and Carruthers maybe both more advanced much of the game. Maybe you can see why we have signed Lundstram and are after Leonard as not sure he is a typical defensive midfielder and is better when driving forward but had to hang back a bit tonight. Still showed some of his usual quality with some of his typical runs and passes and harried the Stoke players to hold up attacks also.

Coutts 8/10 – Thought he was our best player and ran the game at times. Got on it and switched play often and just dictated the play. First half he seemed magnetised to the ball and everything seemed to come through him. Against experienced players like Fletcher, Allen and Adam looked better than all three! Looks fittest he has ever been and actually had some runs and shots also as well as his range of passing too.

Carruthers 7/10 – Started game really well and got on the ball, had 2 or 3 really good efforts, linked well and was able to be involved in most of our good attacks. He looked fitter than he ever has been since he came to United (maybe the bald head makes him look more slimline!). His passing was mixed with some things coming off and others not so. I felt he faded as the game went on but his effort was really good and kept pressing and hassling to get the ball back. Looks determined to be a starter but not sure him being the furthest forward of the three will be his eventual position. He is a good footballer though and showed that tonight in fits and starts.

Sharp 7/10 – Took his goal really well profiting on a mistake. He had a few other decent efforts including one good run and shot just wide. He linked well with Lavery and others behind. He held it up well. I felt at times his lack of pace showed but he has never been that fast really. He came off around the hour.

Lavery 7/10 – Looked lively early on. Had a few runs and shots and a header just wide. Showed some neat touches and bits of link play. Not everything came off and at times he got crowded out against two big lads at the back. Never looked like scoring though and I feel Clarke is more of a goal threat and you sense him and Sharp may get crowded out against big lads at the back. Good for him to get an hour under his belt but not convinced he is a starter.

Subs:

Clarke – Did ok when he came on as he won a few physical battles and helped the ball on a few times also. Looks a bit fitter and leaner than this time last season.

Brooks – A few runs at the defence. One saw him tackled, where as another saw a good ball knocked out for a corner. Had a shot well over but overall when he got the ball just has a nice poise and style about him. You kind of sense something might happen when he gets it. Took his goal well getting in the right area attacking the near post. Is asking strong questions to start but think he is best off the bench at the moment against tiring defenders. You just worry the more he plays, the more Premier League teams will be circling. Sadly, you fear he may not be with us long. Teams pay a lot of money for potential.

Duffy – Been a stop start preseason with his wife giving birth and him not playing that much but he did ok when he came on and you forget how much quality he has. He showed some neat touches and had a few efforts not far off.

Officials – Ref was fine really. The linesman on the South Stand side was useless not getting much of anything right and not seeing things right in front of him.

Crowd – 7,096. Stoke brought 632 fans which was decent for a friendly but then you remember we took 2-3,000 twice in the last week to games! The South Stand was fairly full and only a sprinkling in the John Street Stand. We have a new scoreboard and a new screen (that shows replays and you can see Gary Sinclair in massive also as he interview people etc). Desso looked grand. No complaints at all. Apart from no sign of any Moretti as promised; just Heineken and Fosters in the South Stand that I could see.I think Stevens played well and don't forget DB he'll not be up against a talent like Shakiri in the league despite what some say we're in't Championship not the Champions league.I've seen four of the five friendlies(Malaga on line)and i've been impressed and one thing you know for definate we won't be found wantin in the desire to do well dept.I agree we still need a few more in but the club know that also.Thank you for the report mate,it's one of the things i miss in the close season.UTCB

[RavBlade]

I think Stevens played well and don't forget DB he'll not be up against a talent like Shakiri in the league despite what some say we're in't Championship not the Champions league.I've seen four of the five friendlies(Malaga on line)and i've been impressed and one thing you know for definate we won't be found wantin in the desire to do well dept.I agree we still need a few more in but the club know that also.Thank you for the report mate,it's one of the things i miss in the close season.UTCB

I listened to the game on Signal2 sport last night Rod, and both the commentators were glowing in praise for the way we played, Carruthers especially. They were both relieved when he went off as he was causing Stoke so many problems.

[silentjourneyhome]

I listened to the game on Signal2 sport last night Rod, and both the commentators were glowing in praise for the way we played, Carruthers especially. They were both relieved when he went off as he was causing Stoke so many problems.

Cheers for the report DB - I feel the season has started now I have read that.

I thought Carruthers played really well too. Sure he lost the ball a couple of times as DB says but he chased it down and won it back again - not sure he would have done that last season.

Jack the Hat and Stearman don't seem to have reached an understanding yet but maybe it will just take a few more games?