United 1 Birmingham 1 - report

[Deadbat_DB]

After 26 games, United finally drew a game as they were held by lowly Birmingham at Bramall Lane in the late Sky TV game. A superb strike from Chelsea loan man Boga stunned the home fans but after the break United’s domination paid off when predictably Leon Clarke got the leveller. United continued to press but did not create any clear chances to win the game.

Manager Wilder kept faith with the same eleven and substitutes from the defeat in the week; whilst for Birmingham former Blades Adams and Cotterill were only on the bench.

United began well and forced the visitors back with Basham and Stevens well advanced. Birmingham had barely got into the United half in the first 10 minutes and Fleck and Lundstram controlled midfield but they were no clear chances of note.

The first chance did come when good work down the left saw Stevens play in O’Connell whose cross was met by Clarke but under pressure he headed wide. Birmingham had offered little but Jutkiewicz got in and Wright had to make a good block tackle. Back came the home side and Dean blocked from Lundstram who then hit a fierce low shot that Stockdale had to parry away. Clever build up saw Duffy play in Fleck and his cross seemed perfect for Clarke on his favoured left foot but he scuffed wide. It was the best chance of the game.

Sharp then could not get on the end of a deep Basham cross. Three times poor final balls undid United and then Duffy got crowded out. Birmingham had offered little threat going the other way but suddenly they stunned the home side.

Sharp lost the ball leading to a corner being won which Jota took. The ball was cleared but fell to the edge of the box on the right-hand angle. BOGA took a touch and hit a long-range effort that sailed into the net. Blackman got a hand to it but the power beat him. It was reminiscent of the goal Sessegnon scored on Tuesday (higher up) with the lack of challenge from a United player a concern. The sold-out Birmingham fans celebrated wildly at the far end of the ground.

Jutkiewicz then broke soon after and chose to go for goal but Wright made a great block to deny him showing him right before making the challenge. United kept going but no further chances came as they went in behind at the break for the second successive home game.

The second half saw United have most of the ball again but they were again struggling to create. Basham over hit a cross and then Stevens got blocked out. Sharp could not get in after a Fleck shot was blocked and then a nice move saw Stevens cross but Lundstram badly miscued wide.


Wilder decided to change things and Brooks and Carruthers came on for Carter Vickers and Sharp and United had more of a 4-4-2 although Basham and Carruthers seemed to alternate in the right wing back position.

A mix up between Wright and Blackman nearly saw Birmingham in but Jutkiewicz’s shot lacked power and O’Connell cleared after his initial slice had fell to him.

United then went down the other end and scored soon after Brooks through ball led to a cross that was palmed away from Stockdale corner. From the second phase of the set play, O’Connell linked with Clarke and the defender jinked into the box and crossed for Brooks who played the ball back. CLARKE took a touch and steadied himself before hitting a low right foot shot into the bottom corner past the stationery Stockdale who had no chance. The striker ran away to celebrate in front of the Kop; to acclaim his 9th goal in 4 games.

Duffy was more influential this half and his clever play nearly saw Stevens in before Clarke had a shot blocked as he looked for a winner.

Former Blade Adams came on for Boga who limped off and nearly got in but was his cross shot was held by Blackman as Wright did well to limit the chance. O’Connell fired over badly and Carruthers had a shot blocked.

Four minutes of stoppage time were to be played and most of it was played in Birmingham’s half but other than a moment when brooks got crowded out; they did not create anything of note and the game ended all square.


United – Disappointing that against two bottom half teams we only take a point from two games but that shows how far we have come. We played ok today but maybe were better in spells Tuesday but the opposition was a big drop off. I felt they were there for the taking but scored and had something to hold. We controlled play with almost 70% of possession, more shots, corners and so much control of the ball but lacked urgency in the final third and took too long to make decisions. Better choices in the final third and more shots and we would have won but seemed a bit powder puff when we got there. Birmingham defended well but how many crosses did we overhit or hit the first man. We got into ump**** positions but could not make this good build up play count and so often they just cleared the ball. The keeper only had one other save to make (Lundstram) other than a shot cross and then apart from Clarke’s shot wide we never really looked like scoring.

At the other end they had the one speculative shot to score but did little else and I felt were delighted with a point. They never had any real control of the game which was different to Tuesday but for all the good play for long spells, we did not do enough in the box where it mattered. I felt Sharp should have been hooked long before he did but then Brooks made little impact and for me needs to start a game as expecting him to make such an impact off the bench all the time is a reach.

Still, more good performance from key men Clarke and Fleck. The defence other than the indecision second half with the through ball and not closing down on the shot; were fine. They will say they hung in and we did not batter them but I felt we did enough to win the game but just did not make those good choices in the last third.

Overall, it was still good to watch – we moved it around and kept it. Maybe nit picking it was a bit slow and at times we took too long to move it. I would also say we overplayed at times. We need to shoot more and at times try and walk it in! This is lovely football of course and then sometimes when O’Connell and Carruthers shoot we all moan so hard to be too critical. I feel teams have matched out intensity in last week and managers tactically are starting to work out how to play against us more. I felt the first goal was crucial. I would not have been bothered if it was still 0-0 after say 70 minutes as I felt we had control and that a goal would come but when we went behind; this made it so hard for us. We also attacked mostly down the left and with Basham not having much of an impact it made they got men over on the other side. We missed Baldock/Freeman quite a bit.

We are conceding too many long range shots. Hull, Burton, Fulham and now today. Many may look at keeper and today they have a point as you could with Moore v Hull; but we are not closing down enough. Conversely you can say at least teams are not scoring loads of goals in the box and law of averages says teams will not keep scoring worldies against us. Still teams do shoot more than us from range.

When we scored I did feel we would go on and win and Brooks might unlock them but we never really had that massive wave of pressure or chances I expected.

Now we have a tricky game at Millwall but owe them one for the defeat last season. They are a big strong team and quite physical and I expect Basham back into central midfield and he may even go with Hanson or Donaldson alongside Clarke but I do feel Brooks needs a few games to get into a flow. He will make mistakes but can do things to win games.

It is ***** we keep in touch and with Bristol City and Villa winning; is very tight at the top. Wolves might run away but outside of this there is little in it between most of the top 6-8 sides. We need to get back to winning ways soon though as if we go 3 or 4 games without a win; then confidence may take a knock. We definitely need 2 or 3 incoming quality players. You can see some tired bodies at the moment and we are relaying on Clarke too much. If he stops scoring; then it will be even harder and the defence are conceding too many goals at the moment. Still we are third in the league and slightly down at not beating a team that cost millions in Birmingham. For the most part we looked a more skilled, fitter and well drilled side. It was just the final ball or choice. If we play 2 or 3 more accurate balls in, we could win the game comfortably.

In simple terms, if we carry on playing as we are and keep the level of pressure and passing; we will be fine and be around the top 6. We have to believe in what we are doing. We have had a bit of a drop off but easily could have won both games this week also. There are only two games this season where teams have been better (Cardiff and Fulham) and deserved to win every other home game. We should have got at least a point at QPR and Forest too. So we must be positive. To control most games and be better than our opponents in the majority shows how well we are doing.

[Deadbat_DB]

Birmingham – Fair play to them. They have been a soft touch away from home and beat routinely most weeks going down without so much of a whimper. They have been conceding goals and not scoring many but today they defended resolutely; stayed in the game at 0-0 even though it was all United and got a great goal. They set up with a 5 and got back into wing back positions nullifying space. They did not have a lot of the ball but defended really well. They got in blocks/put bodies in the way and stopped many clear chances. They maybe even felt they had done enough to edge it in a classic away performance but after we scored you felt they were hanging on a bit but also could argue we did not have many clear chances even if the ball was in their half most of the time. If we had scored late on not sure they could have argued too much with verdict as they defended and sat back for so much of the game. However, we were not good enough to break them down although ball did not quite break for us and for second game running felt balls did not quite sit.

Frustrating that Fulham and Brum have been poor most of the season but in the last week have scored some winder goals and maybe both given their best away performances of the season; at the Lane. It happens and teams are raising their game against us. Also, two different ways of combatting us. They were more like Norwich; than QPR and Fulham (who went for us with 3 up top) and had 1 up top with support around him; they packed midfield and they got men back to combat wide play. Their defence was very good and they made few mistakes. They slowed it down, time wasted quite a bit and cynically stopped game quite a bit (4 bookings but could have had more – keeper was another one that took ages of goal kicks)

They have spent an awful lot of money though and the likes of Jota, Dean, Roberts etc all cost millions. We have not one player that cost over a million pounds. Yet, individually and collectively we look better regardless of them getting a point. The table proves that. They will stay up I am sure but not sure they will be much higher than mid-way at best. Cotterill seems a bit of a stop gap manager; to stead the ship. Not sure he will be there in say 12 months.

Opposition Man of the Match: Take your pick from either of the centre backs. Morrison and Roberts both blocked/defended and cleared and were very solid. The lad Boga made an impact also. Showed a bit of strong running with the ball and looked a threat when he broke and of course scored a great goal. Jutkiewicz did well on his own and felt he got in front of our men a few times. Adams came on at the death and nearly got in right at the end.

Opposition Weak link: Not sure anyone was awful. The two midfielders Kieftenbeld and Ndoye were a bit hatchet men and kicked us/pulled is whenever we tried to past them. I thought Jota was quite poor. I expected him to have more impact and started ok but barely in the game.

Blackman 6/10 – I felt he should have done better on the goal. It was well hit but he got a hand to it and should have saved it. Too many shots are going past him you could say but the 5 goals the other night not sure he could have saved any! Maybe he is just unfortunate that shots are going in and are right in the corners in many cases but not sure tonight’s was. Some will ask for Moore back saying that almost every shot teams are having is going in but I would leave it. His general play outside the goal was fine apart from one dithering moment when he should have taken second half. He took the high balls and his kicks were decent putting them on the back foot.

Basham 7/10 – Did ok defensively although his man scored the goal and maybe should have pressed (as the other night) but he rampaged forward and got into some good positions and was always positive. However, when he gets there he panics a bit and lacks composure. As with Stevens and quite a few others; his final ball was really poor. He overplayed it at least 4 or 5 times or did not execute the cross properly. Expect Baldock back next week all being well.

Stevens 7/10 – He was fine defensively after a difficult game v Fulham and I felt he did a decent job in stopping any real penetration down his side. He got forward really well and especially second half when he seemed to be playing as a winger. His final ball was really poor though and he overplayed or hit the first man. So many times, we got down there and so many times it was wasted.

Carter Vickers 7/10 – Much improved from the other night. Kicked it out a few times rather than pass back as he did not want to take any chances! Overall, he was fine though and defended sensibly with little fuss and used the ball better tonight also. Was sacrificed when we went for it but no real slight on his performance I do not think.

O’Connell 7/10 – Good for most of the game; coming onto the ball and trying to attack when he could. He made a few great challenges but again sometimes tries to steal it and leaves us vulnerable but he kind of sums up how we play in this sense – always going for it. He got forward loads tonight too and made so many overlapping runs although his final ball was not always the best and tried a stupid shot when he should have played Stevens in as we pressed at the end. He did make one error when he sliced away after stopping a shot after the mix up and was a bit lucky.

Wright 7.5/10 – He was excellent tonight after a bit of a dip in the week. Made two or three brilliant tackles including two when they broke and had a really good chance to score. Times things so well and reads the game brilliantly. I thought he was very composed and just so solid tonight. Rivalled Clarke for our man of the match. One moment of indecision when him and Blackman did not communicate and we got away with it.

Lundstram 7/10 – He did ok tonight. Yes, he gave it away a few times but overall, he was more sure with the ball, on the front foot more and looked to be more purposeful rather than just sideways and backwards. You can see he is getting stronger physically and fitness wise. I felt he was fine tonight. Of course, he is not Coutts and not the same kind of player; but he was alright tonight and we controlled midfield most of the game.

Fleck 7.5/10 – Another very good performance where he was our best midfielder on the field. He did give it away a few times tonight but for the most part he got on the ball, tried to go forward and drove at the opposition. He is a really good player who uses both feet, keeps it simple but can go short and long. Stepped up to this level comfortably and since the Coutts injury I feel has taken responsibility even more. Maybe he could have closed Boga down on the goal more but not sure even if he had rushed out it would have made much difference.

Duffy 7/10 – First half felt he carried on sloppy performance against Fulham and other than one lovely ball in build up to Clarke chance; he gave it away quite a bit and overplayed the ball three times. He never hid and always tried to get on it. That is why he is so invaluable. Takes his time to make decisions and that is a strength but also a weakness as sometimes allows teams to get men behind ball but to be fair tries to make sure we keep it. Second half he improved and was at the heart of many of our good moves and always the one prompting and threatening. A really clever footballer that showed touches of class. You look at the lad Jota who went for 6 million and Duffy is easily as good as him and actually influences games more.

Sharp 5/10 – Sadly for second game running; looked one of our weak links. Gave it away in the build up to the corner for their first goal and he got outmuscled or the ball came off him too much. He looks very slow at the moment and if he is not scoring not sure what he offers. Needs to play closer to Clarke also. I felt he did not get in front of his man and did not even offer much of a nuisance factor. Lucky to stay on as long as he did. Ok against weak defences like Burton but against big, strong powerful defences that we have seen in the last week he just is bit of a non-factor.

Clarke 7.5/10 – Or talisman again. He worked hard, led the line and looked a threat. Not everything stuck tonight and a few times he was slow to react but he still looked our main threat. He showed good strength and running and got into the channels. Looks so mobile and fast. Not sure where this pace has come from! Missed a chance first half when he may have done better but rammed home second half. Looks like scoring every game.

[Deadbat_DB]

Subs:

Brooks – Poorest he had been and I felt the game was there for him to go on and win it a la Leeds but did not make much impact but did play a good reverse ball and also played in Clarke on the goal. Twice he ran it out or into blind alleys. Hard to expect him to make an instant impact coming off the bench all the time. Think he needs a run of games for me and I would give Sharp a rest next few away games.

Carruthers – Thought he was poor be honest. He was half asleep and three times gave it away in silly areas and put them in. Seemed to want ages on the ball and dallied too much. He ended up in an unfamiliar wing back role which did not suit him. Watching him tonight made you see why he has not started. One that has struggled with step up leagues and not sure he is reliable enough to be more than a bit part player when we are chasing games. He is way too careless with the ball and does not get back to defend. Twice a player just ghosted past him and he barely ran back.

Manager: Wilder 7/10 – Started to see managers change formations and maybe are scouting us more than ever. He is having to change our shape (as he did with the subs) to counter what other teams are doing. We started well again and pinged it about but maybe were a bit slow to move it and allowed them to get back. Tempo increased more after the break but still at times took too long to move it left to right and vice versa and you could see his frustration. After the goal I felt we would really chuck men forward but after what happened in the week; not sure we did that as much as we have done before. We had only Clarke in the box on several attacks/moments down the left near the end. I also felt at times today we went a bit more route one than we have done (first half).

Officials – Jeremy Simpson. He booked a few Brum men for some cynical tackles and also Fleck for a pull back. Penalised Clarke quite a few times but some seemed harsh. He also was poor on the advantage rule and stopped the game way too much after fouls. He seemed to take forever to write down a booking and this meant we could not take quick free kicks. Why could he not do it at next stoppage. Is it that hard to remember one number? How he failed to book Stockdale for more blatant timewasting was ridiculous too. When is an opposition keeper going to get booked at the Lane for this cynical tactic. 4 minutes was not enough. There were 5 subs; a goal and at least 2 stoppages (one where the lad had cramp was nearly 3 minutes). I think 6 might have been fairer. Still not sure we would have scored. One positive is Clarke and Stevens escaped a booking meaning they escape any ban as it is past the cut off point (end of November).

Crowd – 27,427 is a really good crowd and show how we are progressing as it was on TV but counter argument is that it was kid a quid. Birmingham sold out and restrictions on the upper tier (had to sell out rest of the ground) I believe before they sold tickets up there meant this bit was almost empty but the rest of the ground was pretty full. I felt as with Tuesday the crowd were quiet for long spells and most noise came from the away end but second half it improved and after the goal it was better. I felt the whole place lifted and sensed a late winner. Still they responded with good applause at the end for another decent performance.

One funny story is before the game going through Decathlon car park and a Birmingham fan (did not know it at the time) asked me; ‘Do you know where the Hawaiian was?’ I was unsure of this new tiki bar/restaurant in Sheffield. I answered; ‘Sorry never heard of it mate!’ He then asked someone else who also shrugged. It was only a few minutes on when I realised he had asked me where the away end was – say it in Brummie accent!

[GrayBlade]

Spot on DB. Getting Baldock back will be a massive boost. I love Bash but we need a proper right sided wingback to give us the balance.

Overall though it was decent enough display and I thought Lundsrum had a decent game.

[mahatmafoot]

FFS where do you sit. On Norfolk Park? If you think the Lane is quiet just go to the Sty and Old Trafford to see what silence is really like. For some reason you always have a go at the Blade fans. Starting to wonder.

[mahatmafoot]

Spot on DB. Getting Baldock back will be a massive boost. I love Bash but we need a proper right sided wingback to give us the balance.

Overall though it was decent enough display and I thought Lundsrum had a decent game.

Lundstram was better and is starting to develop.

[Deadbat_DB]

What are you starting to wonder? As it call it how it was. A few Brum fans leaving said it was the quietest home fans he had heard all season. He may have a point and it was quiet for long spells. Brum fans were singing 'Is this a library' and sarcastic applause for first chant fans made. Just because I am a Blade does not mean I cannot make comments about the fans. I think for where we are that at times it is a biit quiet at home. Away the fans are very noisy with chants all game. It's like that for a lof teams at home. You allude to other teams where it can be quiet. Just my take on things. I sit in the South Stand (centre) and the Birmingham fans made a lot more noise than us for long periods of the game.

[rodcurrie]

What are you starting to wonder? As it call it how it was. A few Brum fans leaving said it was the quietest home fans he had heard all season. He may have a point and it was quiet for long spells. Brum fans were singing 'Is this a library' and sarcastic applause for first chant fans made. Just because I am a Blade does not mean I cannot make comments about the fans. I think for where we are that at times it is a biit quiet at home. Away the fans are very noisy with chants all game. It's like that for a lof teams at home. You allude to other teams where it can be quiet. Just my take on things. I sit in the South Stand (centre) and the Birmingham fans made a lot more noise than us for long periods of the game.

I agree the crowd were a bit quiet last night DB,but i think the blame for the goal was allowin their lad all that space he got for the goal more than Jamal,that said when a keeper get's a hand to the shot ya do tend to think could he have done better but perhaps he warrants a bit of praise for gerrin that close to savin it.Lundstarm is no COUTTSY has i 've always said but he is a good player in his own right in my view but Tufty will almost certainly look to strengthen in January.The sooner Baldock's back the better also but as Tufty said he won't risk him until he thinks George's fit cos we don't wanna play him too early then lose him for months.I thought we played well without bein gr8 and in my view we did enuff to win the game but hey ho we dint and we move on to Millwall.UTCB

[bulmer1889]

Can't really disagree with owt it was painfully slow most of the time but we've lost the telepathy between coutts fleck an Duffy they just seem to instinctively know where to go and where the others are which allows us to zip it about quicker so catching defences on the hop we were constantly up against 2 banks of 4 cos they had time to get in position,hopefully they will get an understanding with each other as they play more game time together,baldock is a big miss as gray says it gives us balance goin forward,I think maybe it's time for stearman to come back in I'd give CCV a rest as he's had a dodgey couple of games. As has been said until Samir attends to the defensive side of his game he will be a bit part player

I think we all feel that things could unravel through no fault of our own we need to get back to winning ways but if we were offered this position before the season had started we would have all taken it gladly just need to keep backing the lads they will be working hard during the week to try and make things click

It was noticeable last night how Brum pressed us further up the pitch as Fulham did on tues not giving us as much time as usual and caused us to go long quite a lot,something else for us to work on I have faith the management will work round the problems we're encountering and come up with some solutions

Keep the faith UTB

[mahatmafoot]

What are you starting to wonder? As it call it how it was. A few Brum fans leaving said it was the quietest home fans he had heard all season. He may have a point and it was quiet for long spells. Brum fans were singing 'Is this a library' and sarcastic applause for first chant fans made. Just because I am a Blade does not mean I cannot make comments about the fans. I think for where we are that at times it is a biit quiet at home. Away the fans are very noisy with chants all game. It's like that for a lof teams at home. You allude to other teams where it can be quiet. Just my take on things. I sit in the South Stand (centre) and the Birmingham fans made a lot more noise than us for long periods of the game.

Thought with the numbers they brought their support was pitiful. I sit in South stand G and never heard the library comment. Maybe you got mixed up with the support.Not the greatest vocal support for the Blades but still better than most teams get.