On a bitterly cold afternoon, Sheffield United and fellow Championship side Queens Park Rangers played out a desperately disappointing draw at Bramall Lane. The game was played out in front of a poor crowd that can be attributed to the Sunday scheduling, the difficult weather conditions and the dwindling lustre of this once proud competition. The prize for the winners of the replay is a trip to the Reebok Stadium; a ground where United won two years ago. In reality United know they should be already through after getting back on level terms and also bossing much of the game but failing to take the few chances they did create.
United make just one change with Taylor coming in for Stewart and Seip starting on the bench. United began the game on top and won a flurry of set plays deep in the Rangers half. Morgan headed just wide from a Ward delivery. United really ought to have gone in front on ten minutes neat interchange from Evans and Camara; saw the ball played across the box by the latter into the path of Quinn who smashed a shot against the bar when he perhaps ought to have scored. Taylor then picked out Camara with a delightful chipped cross but Borrowdale got back to make the block
Rangers had barely been in the game but Buzsaky managed to make Bunn make a blocked save and then the keeper scrambled across to save from the same player as the visitors finally came to life. Cresswell was booked for a handball and then Taylor was booked for bringing down Routledge. The winger was causing real problems for the left back and from another run and cross; it led to a sloppily conceded goal for Rangers. The cross should have been cut out but evaded Taylor and the two centre backs allowing SIMPSON time to drill the ball low and hard past Bunn.
Camara had a darting run on goal but was blocked off with half hearted appeals for a penalty being waved away by referee, Hall. Cresswell had gone down injured but moments after he had received treatment he had a significant impact on the game United were not behind for long. With the final minute of stoppage time in the first half being played; Quinn’s floated cross was headed up and past Cerny from CRESSWELL to bring the Blades back into it just before the break.
United made a change at half time as Seip replaced Kilgallon and was instantly involved clearing the ball from a long ball through. Camara had a chance on goal but his driven shot was punched away by Cerny as United looked to continue their superiority on the game. Ward then shot just wide after Evans had held the ball up well before the striker went down the byline and centered but Cerny held on with a clutch of players waiting.
Stewart headed the ball wide for Rangers from a corner but in truth United were controlling the game. The visitors defence continued to look uneasy as both Stewart and Gorkss miskicked and then Cerny hit Ward with his clearance and was lucky to survive as the ball was fortunately scrambled clear. Ephraim came on for Buzsaky and Williamson for Quinn as the game had now become very scrappy with few chances either way. As the game entered the final ten minutes it seemed a replay was inevitable but United were very unfortunate not to score with a free kick when Evans ferocious effort bounced off the underside of the bar and Cerny. Geary was then flagged offside as he skied the rebound. Morgan received treatment after bravely heading a clearance away at a scramble and then Little came on for Ward for the home side and Helguson for Agyemang for Rangers. The additional time allowed saw QPR win a corner but there were no further clear cut chances and the referee’s full time whistle signalled that the teams would have to do it all again in 9 days time in the capital.
Bunn 7/10 – Did not have that much to do. Made one or two routine saves and actually used his feet to make a couple of the saves. He had no chance on the goal. His distribution was excellent at times and not so good at others. I do like the way he looks to find a man but sometimes he puts defenders under pressure by doing this.
Geary 7/10 – Steady game. Did not get forward as much as he did in the Preston game but defended sensibly and stopped his man getting many crosses in or creating too much.
Taylor 4/10 – Thought he looked woefully out of his depth again aside from 2 clever balls through when he did go forward. Defensively he struggled badly. Routledge really gave him a torrid time and the only way he seemed able to stop him was by fouling him or by chopping him down. He let him get the cross past him for the goal and then QPR realised he was United’s weak link and kept getting the ball to Routledge. Worrying that he only plays when we have injuries and it seems like he is a signing that is a gamble that has not worked.
Morgan 7/10 – Played very well apart from goal. Culpable with others for the goal as he just let the ball go when it seemed easier to clear. Other than that he was solid for the most part and won the battle with Agyemang completely. Dominated in the air the whole game and looked very strong. Even showed some clever footwork at times like the turn and break with the ball when under pressure in the second half. Almost Zidane like!
Kilgallon 7/10 – See above on goal as it went past him and Morgan after Taylor had missed the cross. Defended well the rest of the half showing his class in reading the game. Surprised he started due to the potential of an impending sale with risk of injury and being cup tied but even more surprised he went off at half time but obviously listening to Blackwell it seems he did have an injury.
Montgomery 5.5/10 – Thought he won a lot of tackles and loose balls but in general football play he was poor for the most part save for one or two surprising passes and flicks that helped some of our better moves. At times it was almost comical watching him and Leigertwood just give it back to each other again and again!
Quinn 6/10 – I actually thought he was marginally better than Montgomery; as he had been versus Preston and at least managed to find a red and white shirt at times. I was slightly shocked when Blackwell took him off as he was involved in some of the better things we did.
Ward 6/10 – Did some nice things and showed his direct running but his crossing today was poor. He sent two behind the goal and also his corners were floated rather than driven.
Camara 6.5/10 – A game of two halves. Started the game in lively fashion and had one to two nice touches and involved in our early chances. Has a lovely first touch and can turn with quick feet. He did fade as the game went on and kept looking to the bench as if he was that tired he wanted to go off. He was not in the game for the final 20 minutes or so.
Cresswell 6/10 – Thought he was ineffecive for most of the game and his touch and control was poor with the odd flick header not warranting a permanent signing. The only thing I will say is that he does have a knack for scoring goals and gets into good, goalscoring positions.
Evans 6/10 – Once again as in recent games showed some nice touches and interchange play. He played intelligent, sensible football but other than the free kick which deserved a goal and was a tremendous effort, does not look like scoring which is worrying for a striker. At times he lets defenders have their way with him too much in that he is not strong enough and gets brushed aside too easily. Needs to be more forceful and more physical.
Subs –
Seip – Not put under that much pressure and dealt with what he had to comfortably. Looked decent in possession and fairly good in the air. I am sure harder tests will come and allow us to properly evaluate him.
Williamson – Came on and showed instantly he can pass better than the two incumbents who started the game there. I expect he will start the next game.
Little – As with the Preston game; he came on fairly late and it was difficult for him to get into the game.
Referee – Andy Hall. Rightly booked Taylor and Geary for bad challenges and Cresswell for a handball but only booked one of QPR’s players and they had just as many cynical hack downs or fouls as we had. He was a little fussy overall continuing to stop the game to talk to players or delaying corners or free kicks.
Crowd – The atmosphere was just dead. The stadium was a third full; credit to rangers who brought 600-800 and were the only ones making any noise. It seemed as lifeless on the terraces as it was on the field and with mist fans shivering in the cold and the players contriving to serve up a really poor game; it was certainly not a game that will live long in the memory.