United 2 Wolves 0 - report

The Blades moved up to second in the table after another excellent performance saw them beat big spending Wolves at a rain soaked Bramall Lane on Wednesday night. United were helped by an early red card to ex Blades Connor Coady who was rightly given his marching orders for bringing down Leon Clarke. Clarke then scored a smart first after excellent work from Enda Stevens before United had a let off when Neves hit the post from the spot after the break. Clarke then sealed the win with a powerful header from a lovely Duffy free kick. After this United eased to the win and kept their forward momentum going with 6 wins in 7 games now.

Manager Wilder kept the same eleven from the majestic win over the city hoping confidence would see through any tired legs. Wolves with a day longer to prepare brought back expensive winger Helder Costa for the first game for 6 months. He had cost Wolves 13 million pounds but incredibly was still not the most expensive signing they had made with Ruben Neves surpassing that for a reported 15 million. With numerous other big money players all over the park and after a good start, it reckoned to be a tough test for Wilder’s men.

The team received a huge ovation as they took the field returning to the Lane as heroes after the superb victory at Hillsborough over city rivals Wednesday.

The game began with the rain lashing down and Wolves started the better moving the ball about smartly. They looked to get Costa on the ball and were playing through the channels and started the game well. They had an early chance when Carter Vickers dithered and his slip saw Bonatini in but shot lacked direction and was straight at Blackman. Wolves were proving tough opposition and United had to keep their shape early on.

Eventually they started to come out and won a corner. From the delivery from Fleck, O’Connell headed goalwards but Ruddy scooped clear. Not long after this a through ball from Carter Vickers split the Wolves rear-guard and Clarke was in. Coady hauled him down clumsily and quite cynically. It seemed quite clear it was a red card and this duly followed despite a bit of confusion at first. There seemed little doubt but it was a long walk for the former favourite of the Lane as he trooped off. From the resulting free kick, Ruddy palmed away and Coutts hit the follow up over. It was a good chance for the home side.

The red card changed the flow of the game as United started to get on the ball and move it around. Coutts and Fleck started to dictate the game and the defence came out allowing United to move the play further up the field. Wolves now started to sit back and had to make a change due to the red card with danger man Costa sacrificed for Saiss as Wolves tried to stiffen up the middle of the field.

United now were really forcing Wolves back and Brooks showed some superb skill to get away from Batth and go into the box. He maybe got baulked as he moved forward but stayed on his feet and fed Fleck whose drive was blocked by Miranda despite claims for a hand ball as he stopped the shot at point blank range. Stevens had a cross cum shot that Reddy did not know much about and palmed up and onto his net for a corner. O’Connell was getting forward well from centre back and Stevens and Baldock were pretty much playing as wingers at this stage.

United had a number of corners in succession but the deliveries were a little disappointing. Still it was one-way traffic and a cross from Fleck saw Basham inadvertently turn it goalwards from point blank range but it went wide. Soon after Clarke nearly got in after Ruddy spilt the ball but the referee gave a foul on the United striker soon after.

The goal seemed to be coming and sure enough it came after more patient build up saw Fleck play in Stevens who drove across a peach of a ball that CLARKE could not miss and he slid in to convert from close range. There were players queuing up to convert this delightful ball but it was the former Wolves man that scored for the second successive game against his former club.

Brooks then nutmegged Neves to draw the cheers from the crowd as United’s confidence started to grow even further.

United saw out the final few minutes without any problems and indeed it was the Blades on the front foot to end another good 45 minutes first half.

At the break Lafferty came on for Stevens presumably due to an injury and slotted in at the left wing back position. Enobakhare came on for Bonatini at the break as Wolves tried to offer some fresh pace up top.

The half began with Wolves showing more life after being firmly pinned back and seemed to show more impetus in pressing for the ball and moving it forward quicker. They broke once but O’Connell made a good block but on the next attack they won a penalty. There were appeals for a spot kick on Carter Vickers for hand ball which was rejected but almost instantly Jota went down under his challenge. It seemed soft but referee Bankes point to the spot after taking his time. Neves spotted the ball but with Blackman an imposing figure in goal his kick taken high to the keeper’s left hit the outside of the post and bounced away to safety. It was a poor kick in truth.

Coutts was then booked for a poor tackle on Neves before Brooks nearly got in with some nice skill down the by line. Clarke was continuing to cause problems with his strength and hold up and slowly United broke out from this poor start to the second half.

Cavaleiro came on for Neves in Wolves final change of the night as the ten men tried to find a lift after the disappointment of the penalty miss.
Wright made way for Duffy in the same change as occurred on Sunday at Hillsborough. His impact was instant and significant again. After a foul on Baldock down the right, who again was impressing, the delivery from Duffy was excellent. CLARKE overpowered his marker to head home into the far corner. It sparked more wild celebrations as the players embraced in front of the Kop.

After this United moved the ball around really well and Coutts and Fleck once again were the heartbeat of the United side. They moved it about well and another decent move nearly saw Brooks feed Clarke again. Duffy then exchanged passes with Baldock and the wing back put a lovely cross in that was begging to be converted but somehow Duffy poked wide with the goal at his mercy.

Baldock was booked for complaining at a non-award of a free kick when he cleared before Basham’s daft handball earned him a card also after he had been sloppy to give the ball away. Despite this United still did not seem under much pressure. Two wild shots from Wolves were nowhere near with one going into the upper tier.

Evans came on for Clarke who got a deserved standing ovation from the United fans. He chased and harried as did the rest of the United side as they continued their hard work on and off the ball. Fleck showed his class to keep the ball near the end before Wolves had their only shot on goal right at the death as Jota forced Blackman to flick over. The corner came to nothing and four minutes of stoppage time were played out in comfort for the home side who took another deserved three points and hit the heady heights of second. News that local rivals Wednesday had lost again filtered through to give a nice bonus to the night.

United – We were excellent again. We started quite slow I felt and Wolves penned us back a bit and knocked it about quite well. We seemed a bit slow and they seemed to break our shape but they only had one chance and that was an error from Carter Vickers. Slowly we got back into it but just as this was happening (and we had a few chances), the red card came. It did change the game. They played nice football but now they had to change approach and conceded territory and the ball. For the final half hour of the half, it was all United. Fleck and Coutts controlled things, we were nice and patient and moved it about. We had a few chance and Brooks looked a threat with his running. Clarke also looked a nuisance and showing renewed strength and running, that we saw at the weekend. It seemed we would get a good chance and make the breakthrough and so it proved. A tremendous ball from Stevens and finish from Clarke.

As with Sunday we started second half a bit slow and they came back into it but never looked massively threatening until the penalty. It was a bit soft but no need to challenge when he was going nowhere really. The miss was huge as their heads dropped a bit after this. The second goal kind of killed it. A lovely delivery from Duffy and powered header from Clarke.

After this United just did a professional job and saw it out. We looked a bit tired near the end but so did they having chased us for a long time. The game kind of petered out which suited United really.

At the back we were ok save for Carter Vickers with a few hesitant moments and the wing backs were superb first half (Lafferty did ok when he came on too). Baldock is getting better and better and it will be a real fight for that spot when Freeman is fit. The midfield continued excellent play with Basham doing bits and pieces and then Fleck and Coutts excellent again. They are not only great ball players who see passes and move it on, but are fighting more than ever before. Coutts never put a tackle in before last season but now is putting boot in quite a bit (his booking puts him out for Forest doesn’t it - 5 bookings? – might be wrong but that would be a blow) Fleck is also one away I think.

I felt Clarke was a real threat all night and they looked petrified of Brooks running at them. Duffy is a great player to come on and showed his class in flashes also.

Overall, we were helped by the red card and penalty miss but make no mistake United were the better side and moved it around more, created more chances and looked more composed. We had more of the ball and won individual battles. Again. It was another solid display against a side that cost so much money but as we are seeing routinely it does not matter how much teams/players have been bought for.

The momentum we have is great at the moment and confidence is high. We will have some dips I am sure but we also have some players coming back soon and with Sharp, Donaldson and Stearman all nearly fit competition is fierce at the moment. I expect we may rotate things a bit Saturday but it is the last game for 2 weeks due to the break and one last big push is needed at Forest before we have this rest. I have seen Forest and they do try and play it out so they will offer chances but if they break our press can get into good areas. I expect a high scoring game Saturday but we go there full of belief against a side in a losing streak so no reason why we cannot go for another win.

Wolves – They started well and knocked it about with a similar formation to us but then we got into it about the same time as the red card and after this for most of the game save 10 minutes after the break, United controlled it and were better. They were poor in possession and just resorted to sitting back after losing it. They were never going to be able to do that and hold out for over 75 minutes and the goals were going to come. Clarke and Brooks caused them problems and the backline looked quite slow and languid I felt. After starting ok in midfield, they surrended the ball and territory and United dominated. They brought a few quick lads on but they never really threatened. They maybe got a touch lucky with the penalty; it seemed soft but missed it. After this the second came and they never looked like getting back into it.

They had one shot of note on goal all game really and were well beaten by full time. Spent a lot of money of course and I am sure some of the players have some real quality but tonight we saw little of Costa, a few flashed from Neves and little from Jota. They have a number of other big money international pedigree players and you wonder if they miss a bit of a dirty so and so in the middle to break things up. I am sure they will be around the top 6 though as they may spend more money in January if they are not. Tonight, they met their match though and were well beaten. Shows how far we have come.
Their manager Nuno Esprito Santo was funny as he came out of his technical area constantly (Wilder sent off for this) and never seemed to think anything was a foul against his team although he admitted it was a red card (could not say anything else). One moment he shouted for a foul when United just tackled their man and he went berserk. Wilder was just laughing at him

Opposition Man of the Match: Hard to pick one out. Ruddy made a few saves but he did not look convincing either. I felt the lad Neves showed a few flashes when he got on the ball and the big lad N’Diaye at least got his foot in a few times. Struggling to find one player who was really that impressive though.

Opposition Weak link: Coady. His challenge was stupid. He got wrong side of his man but to haul Clarke down he knew what could happen and what did happen. We never know what may have happened if he had not done this but cost Wolves any chance of getting anything in the game. I felt Batth was really slow at the back too. The lad Miranda also struggled with Clarke all game and never got to grips with him as the second evidenced.

Blackman 7/10 – Fine. Made one easy regulation save at the beginning and then a tip over near the end that he ought to save really. Outside of this nothing to do really. He had a few through balls to deal with and his kicked was ok tonight. Made himself look big on the penalty and went the right way!

Baldock 7.5/10 – Thought he was excellent and all game got up and down. He won tackles, defended intelligently and showed he could get down the wing and is quick. He had been very good since he came in. Daft booking but felt he had been fouled so complained.

Stevens 7/10 – He too was good first half as he got on the ball and moved it forwards when he could. He defended ok when he had to but seemed to be almost exclusively in the Wolves half. He linked well when he could and then put a dream of a cross in for the goal. Came off at half time. Hope it is nothing major – did not seem to be as he was not limping or did not go down?

Carter Vickers 6/10 – Thought he was our weakest player tonight and he was not bad but made two mistakes, one when he slipped and they nearly got in first half and then the penalty. It seemed very soft but he put his arms onto him and gave him an excuse to go down. Outside of this he was a bit slow at times to react to things but then put a great ball in for Clarke on the sending off and used the ball ok. He won headers and defended alright but can’t make mistakes like he did as they could have been costly.

Wright 7/10 – Solid enough. Wolves did not really attack much first half so it was quite easy for him. He just did the basics and swept up. Looked annoyed to come off but you can see why we made the change as we had got penned in a bit and needed to move the team up and Duffy helps with that.

O’Connell 7.5/10 – Thought he was very good. Won headers and got first to the ball. Made some good clearances and read the game well too. He is becoming a very consistent and assured defender. He also got on it and came down the left well using the ball when he could and seemed to be another attacked quite a bit.

Basham 7/10 – Solid if not spectacular. Broke things up and won the bits and pieces. On the ball at times he is a bit clumsy but he was also involved in some of the good stuff too when we had it. He always shows for the ball and makes a number of runs, often down the right wing and linked well with Baldock. Just a solid pro who does not seem to let us down wherever he plays.

Fleck 8/10 – Thought he was excellent tonight. He won so many loose balls, got stuck in and won tackles. He used it well when he could and covered a lot of ground. He started season a bit slow but has been excellent last 4 or 5 games I have seen him play. He seems to be everywhere and does the defensive stuff as well as moving it forward and showing his skill in passing and also dribbling.

Coutts 7.5/10 – As above. Another very good game. He used it well bringing it out from the back and seemed to be the one starting most of our attacks. Saw so much of the ball and moved it left and right, short and long. He is a clever player who can ghost away from others at ease and linked well with teammates. He did give it away a few times sloppily second half and a daft yellow card.

Brooks 7/10 – Not quite at level of Sunday but he showed real flashes still. One great run at the defence nearly made a chance for Fleck. He played it in little pockets and triangles near the corner flags and helped us keep it well. Kept it simpler and at times they had 2 or 3 on him. He did run at them a few times and the ref missed one bad foul on him. Managed to nut meg the lad Neves first half and then did someone else second half near the South Stand/Kop corner. Things did not always come off for him tonight but he is a lovely footballer to watch and even when a bit quieter he takes men away. He is much quicker than you think and once he gets going really can stretch his legs.

Clarke 8/10 – Led line superbly and won the red card, held it up, ragged the defenders about and generally causes problems with his movement. He took both goals really well and could have had a few more. He has been excellent the last few games and a real surprise giving us that focal point up top and someone who can play the ball off and link with others. He has put a real shift in too and never seen so much effort than recent games. Long may it continue as with Donaldson and Sharp waiting in the wings, he has to keep it going.


Subs:

Lafferty 7/10 – Fine. I worry about his lack of pace but he was solid and did not do a lot wrong when he came on. Just defended sensibly and kept it simple when he had it. Not at level of Stevens but a decent fill in.

Duffy – Made the second with a great ball and just did the simple things as we saw out time. He should have scored a goal though missing from right in front of goal after good work from initially.

Manager: Wilder 8.5/10 – Kept the same team and it worked with the momentum from Sunday carrying on. Team played well, showed good hunger and did not let standards drop. He made another change with Duffy that contributed to the second but also helped us move out more as we did not need 3 defenders. Everything he does seems to be coming off at the moment. Long may it continue. He is doing an amazing job. I never felt we would be anywhere near the top and would have settled for anything around mid-way to 15th/16th at this stage. He is determined not to settle for a mediocre/consolidation season if possible and wants to drive us on. It is early but be interested what happens in a few months in January if we are around the top 6 still.

Officials – Ref got the red card right and most of the yellows. I thought the spot kick was soft and seeing it back still feel that way. He went through a spell of not giving us much second half but overall, he reffed it ok. The main gripe I had was the awful assistant referees he had ‘helping’ him. They did not give a decision all night waiting for him on throw in awards and then missing some quite frankly dreadful foul throws (ref gave one in the end). Some of them were awful as the player seemingly did not know how to take a throw. They were embarrassing.

Crowd – Great ovation as they came on after Sunday and this carried on right to the end. The fans appreciated more great efforts with key men from Sunday Clarke and then Duffy getting great cheers when their names were announced. The latter got a huge cheer when he came on and the former the same when coming off after another two goals. Wolves travelled in numbers with over 2,000 on a wet Wednesday night really impressive. Thought they kept with the side considering the score and gave them a good hand at the end when they could have been a bit critical but understood they had ten men and also, they had been beaten by a good side. Heard one Wolves fan say we won’t be up there and they have to beat sides like that. Keep these comments coming as quite like us being under the radar. We know we are a really good side and that is all that matters. I am at Forest so report to come Saturday night/Sunday morning depending on my state of inebriation! UTB

Good report as per DB yes you're right about coutts according to those sat around me,it will be interesting to see how we cope without another of our must haves in the side on sat,personally I think he will be a bigger miss him and fleck control the ball for us I'm not sure we will keep possession as well with only one of them there,anyway time will tell I thought we'd struggle to score at the sty so what the hell do I know Xd

Brilliant read DB. It really is a pleasure to read anything about United these days but your reports are the highlight every time you post them. Thanks for a great effort.

UTB

Always good to read DB's reports,i just think he's a little harsh on CCV,yes it was silly to put his hands on their lad for the pen but to have a go for him slippin,really? it was pishin it darn all neet,and don't forget it was CCV's pass that caused the sendin off,i think everyone on the pitch deserved a minimum 7 for last night.But what a good night to be a BLADE(again)We move on to satdi.UTCB