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Sheffield United 3 U's 0  - Gerry's View
Sheffield United 3 U's 0 - Gerry's View
Sunday, 17th Feb 2013 19:35 by Gerry Us

Noah asked on the message board why "The BBC reckoned the Blades had an incredible '85% possession' in a match lasting 90 + 6 minutes??" Well probably they did but just for the last 15 minutes when the U’s regrettably lost their focus, commitment and more importantly their discipline. For the rest of the match we were close, but not just enough to match what looked like an accomplished Blades side. An overall figure of 60/40 to the Blades would be fairer estimate.

Now I am not one to complain about referee’s having been one for many years but Mr Webb had an "unfortunate" afternoon having put the U’s on the back foot after only five minutes of the game. Thompson's challenge in the penalty box for the Blades first sortie into our half was seen by all at the U’s end; only about 15 yards from the incident; as instantaneous contact with ball and attacker but the referee immediately pointed to the spot. This was a poor decision that certainly put U’s on the back foot very early from which they never really recovered. Only five minutes later a John White challenge inside the box and close to the goal line was a “nailed on” certain penalty and was given as a corner by the referee. And so the strange decisions went on including a caution for Freddies Ears for diving, having turned the defender and had his shirt tugged 35 yards from goal? I thought this “rule” was to avoid penalties being awarded incorrectly but obviously not as according to Mr Webb.

Now to a complaint about our keeper Walker who I had actually looked forward to seeing as he has had some pretty good reviews in the past weeks. Regrettably he had a mare and probably eventually affected the U’s defence as well. His kicking was atrocious, one clearance effort resulting in a corner and many finding touch well within our half of the pitch. In his defence the pitch looked pretty ordinary and several other players suffered miskicks throughout the match. He eventually lost his confidence and was actually side footing them out during the later stages of the match. Obviously he had no chance with the penalty but the second and critical goal “a low drive said one report” was speculative and from fully 25 yards, bounced at least four times and entered the goal at least two foot inside the post. I would have expected a goalkeeper of his size and ability to have made a better effort. Reports also said the third goal could have been attributed to him but the ball could have been cleared several times before it finished in the net.

In all honesty we did not compete with the Blades but were actually still in with a shout of getting something out of the game for 75 minute but have to say the Blades were eventually value for their win and Kitson led the line well even if he is a bit niggly for my taste, but he did give Magnus a torrid time. He also scored what I thought looked a good goal that was ruled out for offside even though he appeared to come from a long way back and what with a Doyle (I think) thunderbolt that struck the bar just before half time it could have finished even worse than it was.

I would have liked to have seen Drey Wright on a lot earlier. It was only when he came on in place of Gavin Massey that I actually realised Massey had been on the field. He was pretty anonymous for most of the time.

At the end of the match no discernible dissent, more muted appreciation from the travelling U’s supporters (around 150 I estimate) as we could not fault the effort for the first 75 minutes especially after the start we were given. During the time we were actually in the match we had several efforts on goal but the shooting boots had not been loaded on the bus, more like rugby boots unfortunately.

Photo: Action Images



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