| U's 2 - 3 Blades - Noah's View 08:09 - Sep 17 with 816 views | noah4x4 |
After Magnus’s dismissal at Brisbane Road and the enforced change of tactics that provoked, I reported that we had discovered the value of having three forwards with searing pace (or should it be ‘Sears- n-pace’) and so it proved again against the Blades, but now with eleven men; with the competent and confident sure footed Frankie Kent making his full home debut enjoying a superb game including some accurate and decisive passing out of defence. Proving that we don't need to hoof the ball to be 'more direct'.
Sorry Magnus, but most fans are possibly thinking your time is probably up. There was one error by Kent that was remedied by the lad himself; who chased back and put in an amazing tackle deep in our box to save the day. I reckon that had this been Magnus either the attacker would never have been caught or a penalty would ensue. Frankie, I hope you keep the “number 4” shirt for longer that the four weeks ban of our (former) skipper as I reckon you are destined to be the fans firm favourite after the past calamities of Thompson and Magnus.
Tony Humes men played awesome passing football for 80 minutes. But rather than the previous ponderous build up style that typically saw the ball stuck in a corner and the U’s then struggling to “pass” the ball into the net we again saw the value of the fast through ball on the deck for Sears, Watt and Massey to run onto. Within minutes of kick off Alex Gilbey had had hit the upright and Moncur eventually gave the dominant U’s a deserved lead by half time. We look destined to take the three points and until the 80' I never once felt us to be vulnerable. What a change from the nail-biting last two seasons where we always looked under-dogs.
Sears might have had a hat-trick (but once again didn’t), but his determination to chase and compete did produce another goal on 77’ almost identical to that against Orient; albeit that this time he robbed the keeper of the ball in a similar wide forward position and he again scored from a difficult angle. Moments earlier Freddie had been 1:1 with the keeper (as he was against the O’s) and again fluffed his lines with a tame shot easily saved when it seemed easier to score. Frankly, we should have been out of sight at 3-0 with ten minutes to go. However, this was a far more assured, encouraging and confident performance by the former West Ham striker and his combination with (any two of) Watt, Massey or Vose suggests to me that the injured Jabo Ibrehe may struggle to regain his place. The laugh though is when we do hoof the ball towards Freddie’s head there is no chance of him ruffling his hair parting, but on the deck with a ball to run onto he is proving a real handful and the Blades ended up putting two defenders on him; which helped blunt their attacking prowess for much of the game. So keep it on the deck; fast to feet please, Tony!
But on 83’; and with a 2-0 home advantage; with the U’s cruising comfortably; and the Blades fans silenced; the wheels came off in an astonishing last seven minutes whereby Sheffield United stole three goals. I can only attribute this to an ill-judged tactical home substitution and an injection of more appropriate fresh legs by the visitors.
Tony Humes withdrew the injury prone Watt on 67'; presumably to protect him given that we do have three games in seven days; and replaced him with the equally attack minded Vose. That was good move, as Sears soon made it 2-0 on 77'; and it should have been game over. But a minute earlier, still at a slender 1-0, Humes replaced the hard working (defending too) Szmodics with another attack minded midfielder; debutant Lawrence, and (IMHO) from here we seemed to lose some defensive shape. In response, the Blades threw on the pace and fresh legs of Flynn and Scougall.
Suddenly we seemed repeatedly exposed down the right flank and Ben Gordon; who (IMHO) had perhaps engaged in a few too many lung busting attacking forays by then; perhaps needed help from some fresh defensive legs in front of him. The solo Gordon was repeatedly overwhelmed by dual Blades attackers. Where was the co.ver in front of him? The first Blades goal arrived on 83’, then another on 85’ and ultimately a penalty on 88’ as the Blades threw the kitchen sink at us.
I left shaking my head. At 2-0 or 2-1 or even 2-2, why didn’t Humes shore up things by bringing on the more defensive minded David Wright (and earlier the experienced and balanced Craig Eastmond rather than Lawrence)? We started the match with NO defenders on the bench except Wright. Yes, we do have an injury crisis at the back, but it's simple basics to take measures to protect a lead with ten minutes to go, and albeit that Lawrence should not personally bear the blame, it was tactical naivety by the manager and a desire to give him a debutant run out where I attribute the blame for the U's throwing away this game. The priority was to ensure that a hard won three points stayed with us. Even at 2-1 or 2-2 we had a third substitute available. I would have withdrawn Sears or Massey for Wright. This was reminscent of Brentford (away) a few years ago under John Ward where fresh legs (and our tired defensive legs) were our undoing. Instead we came away with zilch — but plenty of encouragement and hope. At least the football was enjoyable, positive and constructive. But only results will bring back the crowds.
[Post edited 17 Sep 2014 8:32]
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| U's 2 - 3 Blades - Noah's View on 16:36 - Sep 17 with 737 views | BluenWightExile |
Thanks once more Noah - that must have been so painful to write.
Agree onthe crowd too. The local core is now about 2750 so the figure was higher than I thought. Only results not performance will grow those.
From what you say the result hints at what I currently feel - too many boys - however promising -against too many real men. A manager with no managerial or leadership skills wont help us will it.
I'm taking the positives from your words but morale after this will be difficult to raise and the U's are clearly in a spot for now. |  |
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| U's 2 - 3 Blades - Noah's View on 17:28 - Sep 17 with 729 views | Leadbelly |
Result was massively disappointing but that's because, very strangely for me, I feel quite positive about the football we played last night. It was entertaining and we looked like a real team with a real purpose. We looked a far better outfit without Magnus and Jabo.
Whether or not the 10 minutes of madness was down to the substitutions I'm not sure. I do think, however, that had Sears not scored the second goal we would have hung on for 3 points. There was definitely a comedy element to the goal and it seemed to me that the team, management and supporters felt that it was "job done" and time for tea and medals. Clearly it wasn't and I hope everyone learns from the experience. |  |
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| U's 2 - 3 Blades - Noah's View on 18:25 - Sep 17 with 719 views | bwildered |
It's easy to forget that Sean Clohessy at 27 was three years OLDER than of the others in the side last night . They all run themselves into the ground and deserved much more than the score suggests. Seeing games out is another art to learn, let's hope they are not to despondent has they played some superb football at times in the first half.
Let's start with a win on Saturday, has home form is vital in picking up points . |  |
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| U's 2 - 3 Blades - Noah's View on 20:35 - Sep 17 with 704 views | durham_exile |
| U's 2 - 3 Blades - Noah's View on 18:25 - Sep 17 by bwildered |
It's easy to forget that Sean Clohessy at 27 was three years OLDER than of the others in the side last night . They all run themselves into the ground and deserved much more than the score suggests. Seeing games out is another art to learn, let's hope they are not to despondent has they played some superb football at times in the first half.
Let's start with a win on Saturday, has home form is vital in picking up points . |
Sadly the Blades have the Indian sign over the super U's at the moment.
It is up to us to learn from this and put the Bantams to the sword on Saturday.
Up the U's
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| U's 2 - 3 Blades - Noah's View on 06:53 - Sep 18 with 667 views | noah4x4 |
| U's 2 - 3 Blades - Noah's View on 20:35 - Sep 17 by durham_exile |
Sadly the Blades have the Indian sign over the super U's at the moment.
It is up to us to learn from this and put the Bantams to the sword on Saturday.
Up the U's
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Let's have a more humane killing please Durham.
Let's stun them first; with the sort of football that we played second half at Brisbane Road and for 80' on Tuesday.
I agree with Leadbelly, whilst we are dependent on 'boys', I too am strangely encouraged despite our worst start in umpteen years.
However, I still believe that Joe Dunne didn't need to have left and I reckon he would have taken the right steps at 2-0 or 2-1 or even 2-2 to close the Blades game down and bag the points. Substituting Szmodics and bringing on Lawrence was a huge mistake given that our full backs had run themselves into the ground and needed defensive cover in front of them. Mind you, I couldn't believe that we had only one defensive player on the bench; let alone not use him. By contrast Nigel Clough knew exactly what he was doing with his substitutions. | | | |
| U's 2 - 3 Blades - Noah's View on 09:51 - Sep 18 with 655 views | BluenWightExile |
Thanks again Noah - my men and boys analogy seems right. It's a pity. I can feel good about the youthful on field set up but we need them properly guided from the dug out. Joe would have been more experienced in the big world of first team matters. The U's didn't lose to Sheffield United, humes lost to Clough.
Managing takes time and our position one sixth of the wayin is awkward and wwe've precious little time.
Like you I am delighted by the youth policy and the football but div 1 is a stretch right now it seems! | |
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| U's 2 - 3 Blades - Noah's View on 20:49 - Sep 18 with 596 views | durham_exile |
| U's 2 - 3 Blades - Noah's View on 06:53 - Sep 18 by noah4x4 |
Let's have a more humane killing please Durham.
Let's stun them first; with the sort of football that we played second half at Brisbane Road and for 80' on Tuesday.
I agree with Leadbelly, whilst we are dependent on 'boys', I too am strangely encouraged despite our worst start in umpteen years.
However, I still believe that Joe Dunne didn't need to have left and I reckon he would have taken the right steps at 2-0 or 2-1 or even 2-2 to close the Blades game down and bag the points. Substituting Szmodics and bringing on Lawrence was a huge mistake given that our full backs had run themselves into the ground and needed defensive cover in front of them. Mind you, I couldn't believe that we had only one defensive player on the bench; let alone not use him. By contrast Nigel Clough knew exactly what he was doing with his substitutions. |
I am certainly encouraged by TH given his relative inexperience at this level. The U's play is uplifting and we could have beaten the Blades for the first time in ages the other night.
The point is that JD has gone and the club has moved on.
They will learn from Tuesday night.
I see that our pursuit of Rhys Healey from Cardiff has been put on hold now that they too have changed their manager!
Three points against Parky's charges and all be well.
Up the U's | |
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