Following Tuesday evening's 1-1 draw between Walsall and hosts Sheffield United, Blades fan David Beeden shares his Match Report;Very abridged report tonight due to being very tired/early start for work tomorrow and the diabolical performance leaving me feeling less then enamoured to spend any time describing it; so apologies!
In short like against Colchester and Bristol we were woeful. We got a point but in truth were a shade fortunate to get anything. We had few chances of note and had no passing cohesion, penetration or real cutting edge all evening. Walsall were not much better but did pass it better, at least won loose balls (the midfield) and showed some desire. People will go on about formations, tactics, players in wrong/right positions etc, etc, but the truth is we are garbage. We lack shape, skill, passion, spirit, desire, pace, athleticism, scoring threat, composure, the lot. People may say a draw is not the worst result but those there will know the truth over what they score.
We brought Miller back in and Hill for Maguire but it carried on from the same aimless garbage from Saturday with little football, not winning individual battles and generally looked disinterested all game. The crowd I felt were patient considering the dross served up.
First half they controlled matters but had little chances despite us never having the ball more than for 5 seconds. They dictated play without having a clear opportunity until Long had to save after a horror White back pass. After this we had a clear penalty when White was felled but the ref somehow waved it away and gave a goal kick (the very least it was a corner!). It seemed a clear penalty and soon after far less convincing award saw a handball given. It was a clear make up call and Porter converted coolly after the appeals. We certainly did not deserve to lead but it was a bit of fortune maybe we could build on.
Not so as second half a good swift move saw White let the winger in too easily and then a good cross evaded both Collins and Hill as Westcarr powered home a good header. They deserved to be level to be fair but United’s shocking start to the 2nd half mirrored the previous home game. After this the game settled down into a general malaise of crapness. We did nothing of note. We took off Miller and even though he had done little this negated any kind of attacking threat. We huffed and puffed but in reality did very little. They too even though a little more fluent did nothing of note attacking wise and only our hesitancy looked like letting them in.
Changes came from both teams but it was a dire game. We still had no control over midfield and simply could not get hold of it all night. Sadly this has been story much of season, as we never really got into any dangerous positions and the ball just resembled a hot potato. Taylor had a flick header wide and we had a few long range efforts but the game could have gone on another hour and we still would not have scored. After McGinn somehow managed to hit the front man for what seemed like the 100th time right in stoppage time the game mercifully ended.
An awful game between two shocking sides but sadly for us the more composed and more committed were the visitors.
United – Think I have described the performance enough above. Positives were Hill who played really well and Porter gave his all with little help. The rest of the team were pretty woeful. I will detail ratings below but overall Clough will see we have a side that is simply not good enough. Lack of aggression, determination and desire was clear. This coupled with poor touch, passing and creativity meant it was simply dire to watch. Make no mistake this looks a relegation contending side and it will take a huge effort for this side to stay up. Those thinking we will slowly inch towards mid table gradually are in for a shock as I see nothing more than an odd win or draw in a series of games and Saturday at Orient (a good side) will show how poor we really are.
Most fans were bored by what they saw tonight as another spineless show which lacked ability and urgency was punctuated by a series of sub par individuals just kind of going through the motions. It was unacceptable and whoever is the manger must see that. So many times we lost the loose ball or the second ball and then when we had it we just sort of tossed it forward aimlessly as if no one wanted to take responsibility. Maybe some may be thinking I am exaggerating but I really thought it was dire again tonight and we did well to get anything. We have massive improvements to make in everything from individuals to the overall team performance. Many more games like that and the crowd will dip even lower than the 14,000 odd it was tonight.
F/T: Sheffield United 1 (Porter PEN 45+1') Walsall 1 (Westcarr 46')
ATT: 14,796
REF: Chris Sarginson
By: David Beeden.