United 4 Hull 1 - report

The Blades got back to winning ways with a thumping win against struggling Hull City at Bramall Lane. Despite trailing at the break to a long range Grosicki strike, United really should have been level having missed a number of chances. This theme continued in the second half with Alan McGregor in the Hull goal making a number of stunning saves. Finally, Leon Clarke got the Blades level and then it was his show after this with three further goals. In truth United could have had more in a thoroughly dominant second half performance where they played some superb football. Despite the domination United were also indebted to two great tackles from Enda Stevens and Jake Wright to stop Hull breakaways with the game still locked at 1-1. However, United were full value for the emphatic win and in Clarke they have someone playing the best football of his nomadic career. He looks unplayable at the moment and Hull certainly had no answer for his powerful forward play and on another day, he could have had 6 or 7 goals!

Manager Wilder named a much-changed side with no place for the injured Jamal Blackman or George Baldock. He brought in Simon Moore and played Chris Basham at right wing back with Jake Wright coming into the defence. Also, back in were Duffy, Sharp and Fleck with Brooks, Donaldson and Lundstram being back on the bench. Hull were low on confidence and had a number of injury issues but were still able to include a number of expensive and experienced players with the likes of Alan McGregor, Michael Dawson, David Meyler, Seb Larsson, Jackson Irvine, Kamil Grosicki featuring. They also had the impressive Jarrod Bowen starting just off experienced striker Fraizer Campbell. Manager Leonid ****sky went into the game under pressure knowing that he needed a result to halt a bad run.

United started on the attack and incoming defender Tomori missed his kick before Stevens cross just evaded two United players. McGregor then saved from Sharp from close range when the ball was played in. Clarke went down under a challenge soon after but his appeals were waved away.

Hull came back into the game and Grosicki’s low cross went just past the post before Moore misjudged a cross and from the resultant ball back in Larsson hit a powerful shot that the keeper had to push away.

Clarke was booked for a late foul whilst United fans were frustrated a few similarly late tackles were not dealt with in the same way. It had been an open game but United came back into the ascendancy and Duffy showed quick feet to work an opening and sent open a cross that Clarke met on the full but his powerful header was superbly saved from McGregor as he pushed it over the bar from point blank range.

United had been on top but Hull had opportunities and they scored with their next attack. Coutts gave it away and Irvine advanced feeding GROSICKI who picked up the ball and drifted inside. Without a challenge, he opted to try a long-range strike and hit a dipping effort that seemed to evade Moore in the air and nestled into the net. It was a good hit but the ball went in fairly centrally and the United keeper may have been a touch disappointed.

United tried to come back but were uncharacteristically sloppy with the ball and survived a handball appeal when the ball seemed to strike Wright although whether he could have done much was difficult to say. Another Coutts give away nearly led to another Grosicki goal but he fired over when well placed.

The crowd began to get a bit frustrated as United started to go longer than they normally do but despite this United had another flurry of chances before the break. Campbell was booked for a late foul on O’Connell and United won another foul when Sharp was pushed to the deck. From a free kick the ball then came out to Fleck who whipped in low left footed cross cum shot and Bowen headed out from his own line. O’Connell then had a header deflected just wide off the near post. From the resultant corner, Coutts then had an effort that looked goal bound but was headed away for another corner. The half time whistle came soon after and United trooped off behind. They had not been at their best but still had enough chances to be level at least.

The second half saw United step up from the off and Fleck and Coutts started to drive United forward. Duffy was also getting on the ball and Hull were now being forced back. United won a free kick that Fleck curled in and Clarke’s header was somehow scooped out by McGregor as the crowd waited for the net to bulge.


Patient build up finally saw the equaliser come. Fleck and Coutts linked well and then played it to Basham who moved it onto Carter Vickers who found himself deep in a wide right position. He drilled a cross over that CLARKE superbly flicked into the far corner giving McGregor no chance and finally United were level in the game.

United came again and Duffy nearly threaded Clarke in but Hull had a rare attack and Stevens had to get back to make a timely interception. The home side came back on the attack and a lovely short corner routine saw Fleck in and his cross seemed sure to be converted by Clarke but somehow the ball went wide.

Hull were holding on but again broke out well and Tomori was in on goal but Wright came across and made a superb tackle. He had to time it to perfection or it would have been a penalty.

Dicko and Stewart came on for Campbell and Larsson but Hull were now hanging on and most of the game was being played in their half. Stevens fired over when well-placed after a late run into the box and United won another corner soon after.

United were moving it around well and were often on the offensive. Some more lovely football saw Clarke thread a ball inside the full back to Stevens whose pull back was perfect for Sharp but his shot hit a defender and went just wide with the Kop holding their breath. The corner came in and O’Connell somehow headed wide when it looked easier to score. United had made so many chances but due to poor finishing, some bad fortune and the goalkeeper were somehow still only level.

The decisive moment came with just under 15 minutes to play. More neat build up saw the ball arrive at the feet of Duffy. He strode away from one challenge and was crudely brought down but not before he released the pass feeding CLARKE. The striker beat the offside trap and as McGregor advanced, Clarke coolly chipped the ball over him and into the far corner. It was a goal reminiscent of the one he scored at Hillsborough to seal the win.

It was not long later before United got a third and it was a hat trick for Clarke. Sharp picked up the ball down the left-hand flank and sent over an inviting deep cross that CLARKE headed in at the back post. United were now in dominant mood and some of the football was a joy to watch. Clarke nutmegged one player and then Duffy jinked round another as Hull looked a sorry side just wanting full time to come.

Brooks came on for Sharp and instantly executed his party piece, a nut meg, on a Hull man before soon after he linked well with Clarke but the ball would not sit for the finish. Henriksen replaced Irvine and then Lundstram came on for Duffy who got an excellent reception as he departed for an excellent second half display. United were not done though and a fourth goal came and incredibly a fourth goal for the superb Clarke. This time the goal was more straight forward. A long punt from Moore saw Dawson fail to deal with it. CLARKE’s first effort was blocked but he swept home wrongfooting McGregor who had been offered no protection in front of him all game.

United continued to delight with some of the free flowing one touch football and Brooks was getting in on the act but Clarke again was still toiling and the Hull centre backs would have been delighted to finally see the back of him. They did when the four-goal hero was given a well-deserved standing ovation from four side of Bramall Lane (even some Hull fans gave him applause) as Wilder replaced him with Donaldson in the final minute of stoppage time. The three minutes of stoppage time passed without incident as United played keep ball and moved up to second in the table after another superb performance punctuated by Clarke’s virtuoso display.

United – Overall a deserved win and an emphatic score line in the end. We have battered quite a few teams at home, Barnsley and Reading spring to mind amongst others; and today had been coming for a while. The only thing I would say is on another day we would have scored 10 goals! Clarke especially as superb as he was could have had 6 goals! We did not have it all our own way and they had some decent chances too and we were indebted to a few last-ditch tackles second half but on chances alone; we really could have had a lot more. McGregor was inspired and we put a few more past the post. Hull were right in the game though and of course had a goal to defend which made it even harder.

First half we were not quite at it again; as with QPR and sloppy at times on the ball. Hull scored after a give-away and some poor keeping and had a few other half chances too. However, despite some sloppy play and it being a bitty performance, on another day we could have scored 3 or 4 goals. McGregor denied Sharp and Clarke. We had 2 or 3 other efforts narrowly missed or cleared off the line. We had still peppered the Hull goal and despite the play being not quite as fluent were very unfortunate to go in behind. Still we needed to step up the intensity, move the ball quicker and look after it better. We did that and then some.

Second half we were excellent and really went for it (led to them having a few breakaways too!) and were all over the Hull team. The midfield all upped the game with Coutts, Fleck and Duffy outstanding, Clarke worked so hard and they could not cope with him. I felt the defence all upped the game and won 50/50’s and played higher up the field. We pressed, we tackled and we started to win all our individual battles. We then made sure when we had it we got into great areas and put some good balls across.

Clarke was unfortunate not to score again. We then scored a really well taken goal involving a number of players and then had 3 or 4 other good chances with Sharp, O’Connell and Clarke all missing when on another day we could have scored all of them. Still as poor as they were and the fact we pegged them back so much, they still had 2 or 3 breaks and Stevens, O’Connell and Wright in particular.

At times O’Connell and Carter Vickers were like wing backs so dominant we were and you sensed goals could come at any moment and so it proved. Hull were never going to stem the tide for the whole half and after we went level, you felt there was only one winner. They did have a bit of a spell after we scored but we had all the chances. I cannot recall them having a shot of note second half and Moore barely had anything to do. In contract McGregor made more saves, the defence was pulled all over and United kept creating chance after chance. The stats say it all. 10 corners to 0 tells its own story and we had 59% possession; with 16 shots to 7 -somehow only 6 on target to 2 (it seemed more than that to me!).

United really put Hull to the sword second half. Clarke will get all the plaudits and deservedly so with his work rate, skill and hold up play allied to four goals. However, so many others played well around him too. The midfield stepped up massively after the break and the defence that had been sluggish all started to play on the front foot. I felt like it was wave after wave of attacks and that we would get goals if we kept patient.

It was *****ly important to go into the international break with a win after the set back in the week and you worried at half time (I said I would take a point to my mates) that we had hit a bit of a blip but we powered on second half and made sure there was no let down. It was a superb 2nd half performance and win in the end. Hull may be struggling but they still have a lot of experienced players but were took apart.

Now in the next run of games we have 2 out of 3 at home playing struggling Birmingham and misfiring Fulham. We go to Burton next of course who have been poor at home but kind of glad they won today as they are a side that rarely wins two in a row. With a noisy and packed away end, United have a chance to go back top of the league and put the pressure back on Wolves. At the moment it is important we just keep the wins coming and hopefully we are amongst the frontrunners come the turn of the year. At the moment we are playing really well and games are a delight to attend. Wilder has got such belief in the side that even when behind they can go and win games and win them well.

Hull – They have been on an awful form but were right in the game first half, scored a long ranger and then with a bit of luck, went in leading. They had played some neat football in patches and defended with bodies in the way. They did not look any worse than recent sides to visit Ipswich and Reading and carried more attacking threat. After the break you knew they would have to weather a storm but could not cope and even outside the goals United could have had a lot more.

They had 3 young-ish lads in the back due to injuries. Aina, Clark, Tomori played with Dawson but the defence fell apart second half but they were not helped by experienced performers in midfield such as Larsson, Meyler and Irvine that just lost the battle. The first half had been quite even and they nipped in and won some loose balls, they actually battled and competed and pressed. The striker Campbell ran around and pressed the defence and the midfield did not give us time to settle. However, they maybe ran out of gas and second half we picked them off when they had it but for the most part we had the ball and just pinged it about and kept stretching them from left to right and vice versa. Clarke gave them a torrid time and they could not handle him and it seemed goals were going to come. Dawson tried gamely and McGregor played well but they could not stem the tide and it was one-way traffic for so much of the second half. By full time they looked a sorry bunch as United played triangles around them and even started to embarrass them with little flicks, nutmegs and overs. It had been a demoralising experience for them second half. Their fans could scarcely believe that they had been in the game but just simply fell apart like a pack of cards but again credit to United.

They have been mismanaged recent years and lost so many good players and the ownership continues to frustrate Hull fans. Despite genuine concerns over the mismanagement from top down (they got up deservedly beating Wednesday but never gave it a proper go losing Steve Bruce from the outset and came down rather limply); they still have a squad packed full of talent. They spent over a million quid on Irvine, the lad from Burton and signed Dicko for 3.5 million. They also have a lot of Premier League players of recent years in Dawson, Hernandez (injured – out till after Xmas which is a big blow as he is a really good striker at this level), Larsson, Campbell, Meyler, Mason (injured), McGregor, Marshall etc. They certainly should be doing a lot better than they are. They have a talent in the lad Bowen who had scored a lot of goals and the Polish international, Grosicki, has a really good pedigree. They have hammered a few teams (Birmingham, Burton and Bolton) at home but also took some batterings too away such as today and at Derby. They seem to have a lot of players at the end of their career and then some just starting and it is not quite gelling. The manager ****sky seems a bit like a rabbit in headlights and unable to avert the slide from last season. He actually won 3 titles in 4 seasons at CSKA Moscow and got the Russian job but was unsuccessful as national team manager and then somehow ended up at Hull!

I cannot see them anywhere near the top and as you see with the likes of Sunderland, it is not ridiculous to envisage them getting sucked into a struggle. I think they will move the manager on as I predicted pre-season- my word were: ‘You sense that things might get worse before they get better. I’d wager that they will have a new manager before Xmas after being nearer the bottom than the top at the start of the season.’ Seems like it may be coming true. Indeed, he may not survive this week.


Opposition Man of the Match: Grosicky scored the goal with a long-range strike that was a good hit and showed some flashes and caused Basham some problems first half. The lad Meyler was also good for the first hour and did not give the ball away. The lad Campbell tried hard but got little support. The outstanding player was the goalkeeper McGregor though. He was superb and without him it could have been double figures. The two saves he made from Clarke were instinctive but brilliant reaction saves. I thought Dawson tried to keep things together but he was at full stretch and at fault for the fourth goal.

Opposition Weak link: The midfield did ok first half with Irvine getting on the ball and intercepting a few things but as the game went on they completely lost this area. Larsson looked a long way from the player I remember being a really solid player for Sunderland in the top flight and the lad Bowen was never really in the game. As for the weak links though, take your pick really from the three young lads at the back who all struggled. The two full backs never stopped the balls coming in but the centre back Tomori had a bit of a nightmare and Clarke gave him a really difficult game. He lost out on strength, skill, pace and movement. He had no answer for him.

Moore 6/10 – Came back in and I felt was very nervy first half. Dropped a cross that nearly led to a chance, he pushed away the shot soon after that came in and then on the goal I felt he was poor. He was well set in a good position and the shot was hit hard but it was central and did not move that much. He seemed to just lose it in flight and it went through his hands. It was poor for me. After this he did ok but was largely untroubled. Second half he took one cross but also dithered on one through ball and Carter Vickers had to clear when he should have come and kicked away. He did assist on the fourth with a long kick into Clarke’s path.

Basham 6/10 – He started the game poorly and I felt gave it away quite a bit and was sloppy. I am not convinced by him in this position and feel his lack of pace exposes him defensively. Most things he tried did not come off and he overplayed it a few times. He also got caught out defensively too. Second half he improved and came onto the ball more and started to make better decisions. He played a few good balls into spaces and managed to get into good areas.

Stevens 7/10 – Thought he started the game a bit slowly but grew into it and some of our better moments first half came from his runs down the left. Second half this continued and he fired over when well-placed and should have done better. A few times his passing was off but he kept going and then also put in a great ball for Sharp after a lovely overlapping run. He has boundless energy and keeps on attacking but also got back well to make one good tackle. He has been an excellent signing.

At times takes a bit long to make decisions when he gets it and could maybe get some crosses in a bit earlier as he is a good crosser of the ball but his attacking play gives us a new dimension.

Carter Vickers 7/10 – Thought he had a better game today. He was better on the ball than he has been and more sure footed. Cannot recall too many errors of note and he was playing in a right sided centre back role. He was a bit sloppy once first half when they attacked and he let his man brush him off but other than that he was strong, resolute and attacked well when he could. He put in a great cross for the leveller and was often surging forward when he could.

O’Connell 7.5/10 – First half he gave it away once but got back to make a really good tackle. Made another good tackle second half too. So, committed in everything he did. A few times he went too long and Wilder told him so but kept going. He was our outstanding defender for me as he showed he always wanted to be first to the ball and was so determined in every tackle. Twice he just tossed one of their players out of the way in his desire to get it. Had a number of lung bursting runs and often was our most forward player. Only knock is he had two headed chances and missed both. He really should have had a goal this week as along with the chance at QPR; won’t get much better chances to score.

Wright 7/10 – Steady game but one moment of real class second half. First half a few times the defence were caught cold but this often came from giveaways first half and Campbell was able to pull him around a bit but second half he got to the ball first and never let his man get in front of him. He then summed up his desire and will to win with a superb late tackle to deny Hull a great chance. He had to run a long way and time it to perfection. After this we scored the second and I cannot recall another chance they had.

Coutts 7/10 – Thought he gave it away a few times first half and he was at fault for the goal in some ways as his stray pass saw them intercept. He did it again another time and they nearly scored again. Bit lackadaisical and took too long first half. Still despite this still pinged some nice balls about in amongst his less than convincing display. Second half so much better. He got on the ball and was more assured and started to help make us tick. He sprayed it right and left and was able to allow us time in front to have space and hurt Hull with Duffy and Fleck driving at them. His passing has not been as consistent last 2 or 3 games but he still has played some great balls and he never hides and keeps coming and showing for the ball.

Fleck 7.5/10 – Thought first half he lost a few challenges and was quiet for him but he still was involved in some of the decent moments in terms of moves we had. However, I felt we did not have control of this area like we have in some home games. Second half was a different story and we completely took over this area. Fleck was his old self and was winning loose balls, driving with it and carrying it on. He played some nice balls and got into good areas. He did not lose any of the loose stuff and we got a grip of the game.

Duffy 8/10 – First half they pressured him and restricted him. The midfield was close to the defence and it made it hard for him to get on the ball. Larsson in particular seemed to have been employed to stop him getting it. However, one excellent bit of skill and cross nearly made a goal for Clarke but he did not quite have the influence has done. Second half the other midfield players for United improved, the whole team played further forward and on the front foot and he started to enjoy more space and time. He got into good areas and helped make us tick. Had a few runs and balls that nearly led to chances and then made the ***** second goal (got hammered when he passed it but loved seeing him get up and punch the air to the Kop as Clarke ran away to celebrate). After this he started to bring out the party tricks and some lovely jinks, pieces of skill led to more chances. Him and Clarke linked really well and he was very influential second half.

Sharp 6.5/10 – Thought he was fairly quiet today but did a job for the team. Did work hard and tried to get into areas but at times a bit slow to get in front of his man and I felt he looked a bit sluggish to be honest. Still loved the fact he kept working hard. He could have scored first half with a chance and missed another second half that was deflected wide. I was saying he should come off for Brooks but then he drifted wide and put in a great cross (did this a few times last year) and Clarke could not miss. At the moment he knows Clarke is the number one striker and that him, Brooks, Duffy, Donaldson and co have to fight for the other two places.

Clarke 9.5/10 – Wow. He was superb again. Unplayable. A talisman. He scored 4 and could have had 6 or 7. Indeed, he missed two easier chances – the one he headed first half and then the header second half he may have done better but they were great saves. He also missed one from close range from the lovely short corner routine. He also got booked for a late tackle. That is why he does not get 10 (chances missed and booking!) but that was even considered. The rest of this game he was superb. Even first half he was our best player, running the channels, harrying defenders, holding it up, showing power and pace and skill. Second half this continued and he looked a goal threat again. This time he finished. The first goal was a brilliant conversion and not easy. The second a sublime chip after a great run and the third a far post header. The fourth was just opportunistic. Even in between the goals everything good we did came around his play. His touch was superb and he showed some pieces of skill even I did not think he was capable of. Playing probably the best in his career. You do look at the likes of him and Duffy and is Wilder that good (motivation/getting the best out of him) or should they be a touch disappointed not to have played like this for longer and higher up, earlier in their career. Still not going to talk about that too much; I want to end just praising Clarke again for a phenomenal display. He run Hull ragged and they could not cope with him. Strong as an ox, faster than you evert thought he was and the ball sticks to him. He showed neat skills and the range of goals he scored showed his quality. Never thought I would be saying such words about him.’ Never seems to smile much but even he was grinning from ear to ear as the match ball was tossed into his arms. He even took his gloves off for a photo with the ball at the end. What a performance and as the chant goes, ‘Leon! Leon! Leon!’

Subs:

Brooks – Came on and immediately nutmegged a defender. Promptly carried it 20 yards and ran it out. A few other neat flicks and passes but also kicked it out a few times trying a lobbed flick! At this stage the game was over so he could try things. Came inside and had one shot blocked when you thought he may score right at the end.

Lundstram – Brought on with 5 minutes to play. Cannot remember him touching it that much but at that stage the ball seemed magnetised to Clarke’s feet! He was not one of our worst players in the week but Fleck was always going to come back in.

Donaldson – Only played final minute as the game was won and Clarke was given a nice ovation due to the change. Had to play better when he gets another start as was poor in the week.

Manager: Wilder 8/10 – Another home win and another great performance albeit second half saw is up it considerably. Changed the team bringing back Jake Wright who did well as he always seems to. Two changes he had to make with the keeper and Basham going right wing back and although their performances were mixed, Duffy and Sharp came back in and contributed with an assist each. Duffy played really well second half and glad he left him on when temptation could have been to change it and throw Brooks on earlier for either him or Sharp.

At the moment I love the fact when we have lost, we bounce back and show such resolve to get back to winning ways. To win 4/5 in this month is superb and we had some tough games in this. We now have a break and a change for the players to have a well-deserved break. We will hopefully have Blackman and Baldock back for Burton and Freeman and Evans cannot be too far away. The squad depth is stronger now but we do see a drop off when the likes of Duffy, Coutts and Fleck do not play. We have a few close to yellow cards (Clarke and Stevens on four) and with the cut-off point not being till 30th November will have to make changes in the next run of games probably but we need to make sure that we are bang at it for two very winnable games against Burton and Birmingham.

Officials – Darren Bond. Thought he was ok and one of the better ones we have had recently. A massive improvement from that twerp we had at QPR. The Clarke booking was a yellow and he had to go back. They committed a few fouls after that were not quite as late or as crude and so I could kind of see why he did not book one but I can also see why the crowd were frustrated as they were committing a few in a row. Finally, a bad one did get punished when Campbell was booked for his tackle on O’Connell. Aina was booked for a dive and rightly so but he could have played on as we were attacking at this point and then got back as he did with Clarke. Most of the time he was decent on the advantage rule and did try and let things flow. They had a reasonable shout for a handball but Wright probably knew little about it and Clarke had a decent shout for us at the other end for a trip. He did not book any second half and I cannot recall too many controversial decisions. Normally I criticise the assistants but today they were good. They got all the throw ins right and also got all the offsides right; well certainly from my vantage point. There was one where the crowd felt our man was not off and he flagged for the other one (Clarke?) but I felt they were both off being fair.

Crowd – 27,466 was an impressive crowd and especially as Hull did not even sell out and were not even that close – maybe brought 1,700 tops? The apathy with their results and boardroom troubles clearly emanated to the terraces as they always travel really well and with real noise (they have brought 4 or 5,000 to the Lane in recent visits when they have had both tiers) but today despite leading (gave it the ‘How s**t must you be, we are wining away!’ chant) they seemed quiet and maybe knew what was coming. United’s fans had a few groans first half as things did not quite go for them but they kept with the team and were encouraging. The noise levels increased as the score matched the domination as the game went on. By the end the Lane was rocking and four sides of the ground gave the side a real ovation on full time to salute another impressive display. The Lane is a great place to be at the moment. It’s packed with good positive noise and the team are playing some great football, scoring goals and winning games. Times are good and we need to enjoy them!

Think the crowd figure given was nowhere near the correct figure. At least 3/4000 more than the Reading game.

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Originally Posted by mahatmafoot

Think the crowd figure given was nowhere near the correct figure. At least 3/4000 more than the Reading game.

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I thought that. We couldn’t park anywhere near our usual spot it was miles fuller than Reading and Dull brought more.

Great report DB. I’ve just got one issue (as per) and that’s Wright who had to be an 8 for me. THAT tackle alone was worth a point mate.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GrayBlade

Great report DB. I’ve just got one issue (as per) and that’s Wright who had to be an 8 for me. THAT tackle alone was worth a point mate.

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The handball was JACK not JAKE and was a stonewaller,it wudda give them the chance for 2-0.I thought the 2 tackles in't 2nd half by ENDA&JAKE were far better than good.A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon AGAIN at BDBL,cheers as always DB.UTCB

Thanks DB.....just nice to re-live the match again this lovely morning

UTCB