United 3 Preston 2 - report

The Blades got back to winning ways after a dramatic victory over Preston North End at Bramall Lane meaning it has been a defeat, a draw and a victory in a week. It has been a real mixed bag of performances for United. Today; the home side improved from the really disappointing performance against Birmingham and edged in front in a largely eventless first half with a Billy Sharp’s poachers’ goal. An extremely negative Preston side offered little to nothing in reply and it was quite comfortable for United even if they did not create hatful of chances. The second half saw a superb Chris Basham flicked header from a text book Olly Norwood delivery and that seemed to be it. United looked in complete control. Two goals out of nowhere after a strange tactical change saw Preston suddenly level and it looked like a complete throwaway. Undeterred, United came again and thanks to a superb Enda Stevens run and cross, the excellent McGoldrick turned home what proved to the winner. A really exciting end to a game that should have been seen out long before the late drama but ultimately the outcome was still the same for the relieved home side.

Wilder went back to the side that started against Villa with both wing backs restored and McGoldrick and Sharp back in the side. Preston came into the game after being smashed at Leeds in the week and had experienced a really touch start to the season after an impressive season last campaign.

The traffic around Bramall Lane and the city in general due to students arriving; meant a high proportion of fans were delayed getting to the ground and some missed the kick off. Indeed, Preston only arrived with just over an hour to go before kick-off.

The home side started on top and kept the ball well with Norwood and Duffy involved and McGoldrick looking busy. The two wing backs were getting forward and the play was already at a higher tempo than in the week even if the chances were not arriving early on. Preston were playing a very negative formation and approach and often had 10 men behind the ball. Maxwell was timewasting from the start which seemed an odd approach for a side that needed a win to get away from the bottom echelons of the table.

Duffy tried to play Fleck in and then Sharp was crowded out and United tried to probe but there was little space to get in and once again the play seemed to slow down and it became a frustrating spell. One chance came when Fleck fed Basham and his cross was met by McGoldrick but Huntington nodded his effort away. Freeman then put over a deep cross which the same player met but powered wide. Preston had offered little in reply other than a few aimless long-range shots. Although Egan made a superb tackle to deny Preston after Basham had lost the ball for the second time in quick succession.

United took over possession again with Norwood looking to get on the ball and find openings although Duffy lost his footing when in a good position and then had a shot blocked not long after.

United were able to nose in front just after the half hour. Freeman played a delightful ball behind the full back and McGoldrick beat the offside trap and cut in towards goal. His chipped effort was half parried away but only into the path of the waiting SHARP and from a few yards out the prolific striker could not miss and he tucked it away easily.

Stevens then sent a cross over that McGoldrick stretched for and headed wide as the striker continued to dominate over the centre backs. Preston had a rare break and United were at full stretch and Fisher had a shot that was blocked by O’Connell and then Egan again also got a good block in. The half time whistle came not long after.

The second half and the Blades remained in the ascendancy and started to force Preston back who oddly were still not coming out even with a deficit. United won a free kick on the right-hand side and from it, Norwood hit a superb angled and hard delivery that BASHAM flicked brilliantly on its way and right into the top corner. He celebrated his first goal of the season jubilantly in front of the Kop as United doubled their advantage.

United looked to put the game to bed and good work from Duffy fed in McGoldrick but his finish was not the best and he dragged it wide on the angle with only the keeper to beat. Preston had their first effort of the half when Clarke headed goalward but it was relatively easy for Henderson. Preston had a spell but were not really creating and United were keeping a solid enough line. Johnson started to cause some problems and finally they got between the lines on a few occasions but they were wasteful with the final ball when they got into some better positions.

Wilder took off Sharp to be replaced by Johnson and saw a change to the formation. This did seem odd in a game United were controlling. Whilst Preston had started to have a spell they had not really threatened. This change actually contrived to change the game and Preston had more of the ball and were now winning midfield and finding much more space. However, they still had created little. Still, the different formation did seem to throw United out of kilter. This coupled with United sitting back and not filling holes in the middle and pockets in front of the defence saw Preston edge back into the game.

Still, the goal came rather out of the blue when too they were afforded too much time to move it to the left after run through the middle. This led to an unopposed cross came over and an unmarked Johnson fired home as Egan lost him in the middle. If they had not scored at this point and a further few minutes had ticked away; the game would have been won but this suddenly buoyed the visitors and they came again. This time down the other side as after a shot was blocked, Hughes cross with Freeman too far off his man, was turned in by sub Johnson via a deflection. Ironically, replays showed it would have gone wide if it had not hit O’Connell. Suddenly, the game was turned on its head. United were stunned. They had looked relatively comfortable but bang, bang and it was level. They were now less than 10 minutes to play and Preston now would have fancied an incredible win.

United went quickly back to a more familiar formation after the tactical tweak had not worked at all.

It was the home side that scored the 5th goal of the game. Patient play saw Johnson find Stevens and he surged forward and past a defender before coming inside and sending over a perfect cross that MCGOLDRICK could not miss. It was a much-deserved goal for the striker who had played really well all afternoon without his reward until this point. Dean Henderson’s passion was summed up as he raced to celebrate with the South Stand jumping into the fans.

There was still a couple of minutes of normal time and then 6 minutes of stoppage time which drew groans from the home crowd. Admittedly there has been a number of subs (5 and then a further for United as Stearman came on for McGoldrick after the board had gone up) and goals but it seemed excessive. Most of the time wasting from Preston had come in the first half.

Preston continued to have a go at getting something and Henderson had to show his handling twice. Preston hit a number of balls and long throws in but did not create any more clear-cut chances. Johnson saw some time out in the corner for the Blades before Henderson took one final ball as the referee finally blew for full time 7 minutes 4 seconds after the board for 6 minutes went up!

United – Phew. It was more relief than anything. Course I was delighted to win and does not matter how it happens but after throwing it away to go away without winning that one would have been tough to take. We were much better than the game against Birmingham but still not outstanding. It was a bit quicker tempo, we were more on the front foot and had more up front with McGoldrick in particular looking impressive and a threat throughout. Norwood was more at it and Duffy also looked more threatening. We did not create tons but had all of the ball against a really poor Preston side. They never even tried to attack and you could see their confidence was rock bottom as even at 1-0 they never came out. After Sharp scored, United continued to control things and whilst we were not blowing them apart and was a way from the Villa game; it was a relatively controlled performance. The only chances they had were long range although Bash errored twice first half and Egan had to get him out of the cart. 1-0 at half time was about a fair scored.

2nd half we got a great goal with a tremendous delivery from a free kick (total contrast to the other night) and a super flicked header from Basham. That seemed it and even for the next 10-15 minutes we had more of the ball and if McGoldrick scores; it is game over. Still they started to edge back into it and we started to lose midfield and give it away more. We became a bit complacent and the subs for them helped them; whilst for us it hindered us. I could see why he took Sharp off but he should have kept 2 up top and by changing the formation. It seemed to be with Duffy just up the front and an odd midfield shape and we seemed to go 4 at the back. I might be wrong and it may have been different to 4-5-1. Basham certainly came into a midfield area and Duffy was just off McGoldrick. It was just strange and we lost the control. It all got a bit confused and they find little gaps and nearly got in but were just wasteful when they had it. I actually felt despite the formation changes and sub not helping; not sure I thought they were going to score and then they score two! They ran through us too easy and like Swansea at home got unopposed crosses in and then we were all over the place in the middle and they scored two dreadful goals from our point of view. After this I thought we may go on and lose. We seemed stunned but we then with brilliant work from Stevens; got the winner. Really pleased McGoldrick got the winner as his hard work and play merited it. Still not exactly comfortable after this and they chucked men forward and the extra time did not help the comfort! We got there in the end. It ended up being an exciting end and a late goal at the Kop end to win a game for the second game this season. It should have been a straight forward win but ended up being a real relief to get those three points.

Collectively we were ok for the most part. I felt playing an awful Preston team helped as they let us have it and still at times we took too long to move it and did not create lots. The keeper did not many saves if any all game really. We had a few headers and half chances but until we scored did we create enough for the amount of play we had? After we got the 2nd you felt that would be it but it became a bit ragged. Against Villa they had more of the ball but we made them go side to side and they did not get into the last third much. In this game gradually, Preston got into little gaps and went through us in the middle more. We became more stretched but did they have any clear efforts? Then it was just two quick goals out of nowhere. It happens. You can nit pick individual mistakes; both wing backs did not get tight but even before this the midfield let players carry the ball and then when the ball came in; we were not picking men up and they got in to score from not far out. There was a touch of luck on the equaliser but after they got one you felt they could get another but maybe not as quick. The winning goal was a really well-made goal.

Overall, we definitely deserved the win. Preston were negative and unambitious throughout. You can see why they have struggled but we made a game we should have just coasted to a 2 or 3-0 win into a dramatic and exciting win at the death! Still we have to try and not concentrate solely on that spell of madness but maybe think about the majority of the game where we played quite well. Not exceptional but solid enough and a 2-0 win would have been about right. We have to ensure we do not switch off and Wilder maybe needs to stick with what is working. Not sure it needed the tactical change. We ironically seemed to switch back to our more familiar shape straight after we scored.

Individually felt the wing backs did well; Basham made some real errors but got better and better. The other two centre backs were fine too until that mad spell. I felt Norwood got back towards his more normal self. Still made a few mistakes but he showed his quality. Duffy also first half was able to get on the ball more and make more things happen but as he usually does faded. Thought Fleck for the most part was off again other than a few bits and pieces and Sharp actually did not do much other than his goal really. McGoldrick was excellent and led the line superbly. He is now clearly the number one striker on current form and Sharp and the out of sorts Clarke will have to fight it out for the other spot.

Crucial to get the win. If we had now got the win we would have been around mid-table or just above. This win keeps us right in the top 6 and 4th sees us having an excellent start. Two tough away trips with an out of sorts Millwall sure to be fired up and desperate to kick start their season at a ground that has not bee a happy hunting ground. Then Blackburn who have been doing superbly. We need to look to see if we can try and put another run together and not be that win-draw-lose sort of side we have seen this week.

Today was more of a 7/10 performance for me – it was not brilliant but was decent-good and would have been desperately disappointing to have undone all that 80 mins of play and get just a point. As I say a deserved win; if a little bizarre how we got it.


Preston North End – I thought they were the poorest team I have seen down here. They defended with numbers and never really tried to even attack. The keeper was timewasting from the start and repeated this several times. They left for me their most creative player in Johnson on the bench and had one up top. They just sat deep and we had to try and pick our way thought them. This made it hard and they will say we did not create too much but reality was by sitting back so much; there were going to be chances and we may score and it happened. After we got the first they still were not going forward and even at 2-0 they did not change things too much although Johnson came on and started to get on the ball. I did not think they did much; they were not pinning us back but got in little areas and we started to switch off.

They will say they got wide and put in two good balls and converted two chances but I barely recall an effort of note other than a few long-range speculative ones and they were very fortunate to get level in a game they had never really been in. After this though they then seemed to sat back a bit again and think maybe a point will do. Also, maybe the fact we just went and scored after they got back showed how bad they were! Last season they were a real surprise packet and did really well to finish in the top half and have some underrated players. They have started this campaign poorly and seem to be in a rut.

They of course sold a few players but have not really replaced them and got a few injuries to key men (Maguire and Bodin) and have not really spent money to properly replaced some of these. Winning breeds confidence and they just seem to be struggling to get anything and now sit bottom. I do not think they will go down but have to improve and today was another real blow to them after fighting back. They have to change their approach for me. They were just so negative in how they approached things and their tactics and way they set out meant they deserved what they got; nothing.

Opponent man of the match – Robinson was the liveliest attacker (only attacker) and he scored and at least looked to try and carry the ball. Browne is a player I like but had a poor first half but then improved and was one of their key men as they had more of the ball after the break. It may well be that Johnson was their 2nd best player and he only played half an hour. Scored and gave them a lift overall but looking like he wanted to send them forward and actually started to probe and find gaps. Cannot understand why he did not start.

Weak link – Former Blade Paul Gallagher has been a threat against us before but he was shocking today and never got in the game. Even his free kicks were atrocious. The big lads at the back looked clumsy too. Clarke and Huntingdon are quite immobile for me and can be turned easily and so it proved today. Ledson did well for Oxford but he was not really in the game today. Barkhuizen has got a few goals and seen him go on some good runs when I have seen PNE but he was quiet.

Henderson 7/10 – Not a lot to do in general play and his handling was sound. He had little chance with the first and the second hit O’Connell and wrong footed him. Outside of this he had to catch a few crosses and mop up but was great in stoppage time taking a couple of big crosses and just looking so calm and composed. He is ultra-confident. Plays with a smile on his face and his reaction on the goal when he sprinted into the South Stand showed what it means to him. He is not a loan player just going through the motions and the crowd in turn have taken to him.

Freeman 7/10 – Definite improvement from the other night with him coming back in. He got forward more than Baldock (helped by others playing well) and was more of a threat attacking wise. He played a lovely through ball for the first goal which set up McGoldrick. He had a few other moments that did not come off (a silly back heel early). Second half he got into more good areas but did not get deep enough to get many crosses in and we overplayed a few times down that side. On the second goal he was miles off his man and a few times near the end was not quite in right place positionally but the change in formation did not help either wing back.

Stevens 7.5/10 – As above really. Saw a definite improvement in our attacking play from the wide areas and he contributed to this. He got forward well first half even if his final ball did not always come off. Put in one great cross for McGoldrick which he headed wide. Second half he was fine again but again as with Freeman when we changed shape he was left exposed and the cross came from his side for the first goal. The winning goal was all down to him. He burst down the wing, feigned to cross and then carried on and for once sent over a delightful cross right between two defenders and McGoldrick could not miss. Today I comparison to Johnson on Tuesday may shut up some of his critics.

Egan 7.5/10 – Another solid performance for me. He made two great tackles first half with one after Bash left it; a superb sliding retrieval. He won most headers and looked really solid throughout. He came onto the ball and again used it well. Then like most of the defence went a bit ragged as we got stretched but this was probably as much about what was happening in front of him. Seemed to switch off on the goal as Robinson beat him to the pull back. Still; he has made improvements since the start of the season and looks a solid centre back.

O’Connell 7/10 – He had a solid enough game. Made one great block from a shot first half and got a few tackles in and interceptions. He covered ground well to help deny a few openings and I felt was improved from the other night. However, at times he did switch off a bit and at the end when they did stretch us he lost his man a few times. Still; he too like Egan has improved since a wobbly start to the season.

Basham 7.5/10 – People may saw this is a touch low but he did make 2 or 3 mistakes first half. He seemed to have his hand up in apology for a spell for about 5 minutes! He kept going and made a number of good interceptions after this and then he was very good. Surged forward and got on the offensive. Got down the right to support the attackers and then scored a great headed goal. On the goal he was closest to Johnson but not sure this was his man; he just reacted as the ball came across.

Fleck 6/10 – I thought he was not quite at his best again. He did some ok things and moved the ball on a few times but end product was lacking. He was better than the other night and his passing was better but we did not see many of those surging runs nor did he carry it too much today. He left a few passes short and I felt did not get as involved as he normally does. Maybe he is still carrying that knock a bit but the last week is not quite the standards he has set. He was ok just not the Fleck we know.

Norwood 7/10 – After the nightmare the other night; he got somewhere close to the standards he has set. Not like he was in those first 4 or 5 games; but a decent performance. He got on the ball and was more careful in his passing. He moved it left and right and his set plays were better; although we only had 4 corners today; they were more threatening. The delivery for the Basham goal was superb; hit with pace and into a great area. I felt he got a bit sloppy near the end and committed a few fouls and got booked. The whole midfield started to lose control after we had dominated the ball for so long.

Duffy 6.5/10 – First half he saw a lot of the ball and was involved in most of our good attacks but not sure we saw many chances created really from him. He kind of got crowded out and they swarmed round him when he had it. He had it too far out to make anything happen. Still, he kept going and I felt he was always looking to send us forward or try that key pass to dissect the packed midfield and defence. He played in McGoldrick for the chance he should have scored but then went off when they got back to 2-2. He does continue to tire in games and rarely does he influence matches in the second half.

Sharp 6/10 – His mark may seem harsh but not sure he had many touches. He scored the tap in and was in the right place. Did not have any other chances and he did not really hold the ball up. Ran around a fair a bit and chased things but cannot recall him winning many fouls or linking that much. Still he plays so he can score the sort of ‘Johnny on the spot’ goals he did today.

McGoldrick 8/10 – Our best player and deserved man of the match. Led the line, worked hard, held it up, showed some lovely control and touches. Showed his running and strength and gave them a really hard match. He missed a trio of headed chances; only one was a really good chance and actually were decent efforts as a fair bit out. After this he carried on working hard but did miss that chance but kept plugging away and never stopped and was always in motion. I worry he will keep this up as he has missed a lot of games due to injury the last few seasons. Clearly our main and best striker on current form and finally got the reward with a goal at the death. Been a good signing so far and a pleasant surprise what he has offered.

Subs –

Johnson – Not his fault really that the game kind of started to change when he came on and not sure he was awful but he did not seem to know where he was playing. He is a bit ‘nesh’ when it comes to the challenge and for a big lad seems to avoid contact. His touch is a bit mixed but actually today we were defending more and not sure his actual play was the reason why things started to change when he came on; more that we moved others about etc. To be fair he played in Stevens on the goal and ran a ball down to the corner after the winner. Not sure where he can play if Stevens plays as I expect as we do not play with wingers and his touch and discipline is not good enough for a more central role.

Clarke – Came on and looked quite languid to say he was only on the field for say 15 minutes (with stoppage time). He ran one ball down on the keeper but overall, he was sort of sauntering around when we needed him to press and basically run around like a nutter to stop them having an easy out ball. Needs to up his game but think Wilder will go with front two he played today for the next few games.


Wilder 7/10 – His mark may seem harsh but let me explain. We won and that is great and the performance was decent. He gains marks for realising his mistakes from the other night and putting the regulars back in but also loses some for an odd change. He withdrew Sharp which I could understand and maybe tried to match up with them having an extra man in the middle but with Johnson there and Duffy wider or further up; we had even less cover and then we also lost the protection down the wings as we seemed to go more to a 4 at the back. They got in and got crosses over and suddenly we were pegged back. His subs this season have not really worked and something he needs to get better with. For the most part the performance was good and deserves praise for the first 70 minutes or so where controlled things and limited them. The only knock is we did not create enough for all the ball we had.

Referee – Scott Duncan. Two bookings for them. Huntingdon for a pull back on McGoldrick and Ledson for a cynical foul also I think? Norwood also deserved a booking for a fairly late foul as they tried to get away. Other than this there were not many bad fouls; no clear penalty appeals and even involving the other officials no real clear or dubious offside decisions. The team of officials had a decent afternoon and all were solid. Maybe the only knock is he did not penalise the keeper for blatant timewasting from the off and just let him get away with it. Then he also added 6 minutes on. This seemed rather a lot to me even with the subs/goals. It would have been cruel that for all the timewasting Preston did (just 1 minute first half?!) if they had nicked another equaliser.

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Crowd – Just under 24,000 and only 600 or so from Preston so decent really considering the traffic problems and all the delays getting in and around Sheffield. The crowd were better than the other night but equally there were quiet spells and I felt at 2-0 we could have done a better job of lifting the side to go on and finish things and it was a bit quiet. Then the noise levels went up at both ends after all the late goals. Nice to see two late winners at the Kop end this season. Going back to the delays; this is the second season running (Norwich last year was it?) that we have seen terrible delays and congestion and with more student flats and complexes popping around Bramall Lane; the club/Police will have to think about it for next season. They know the date when all the students go back/start and may have to think about asking to be away. One aside, I have criticised Gary Sinclair before but the lad that replaced him temporarily whilst he was on holiday looked like Duncan Norvelle and sounded like Joe Pasquale! Come back Gary all is forgiven!

I agree Goldie was MotM but disagree that he's our best striker,cos he misses too many chances but his link play is very good.I thought Enda deserves credit for bein in't r8 place in't 2nd half to stop a Preston player havin a tap in and the interplay between him and Marvin for our winner was superb.We shudda coasted home when it went 2-0 and Goldie shudda scored to mek it 3.I agree it was strange when Tufty went to just one up top but our boys deserve creit for gerrin the winner after throwin away a 2 goal lead.The traffic was horrific gerrin to BDBL,we set off at noon and it took us more than an hour before we got parked up where normally it teks us 20mins from our house to get parked.A much needed win cos we dunt usually get much at the New Den and then we have Blackburn away the followin midweek and they've started well in their return to the Championship.UTCB