Sheffield United’s winning streak continued as they came back from behind to make it seven consecutive wins in all competitions against Martin Allen’s Notts County. The home side had to come from behind as Alan Judge’s free kick deceived the whole United defence but a smart leveller from Ryan Flynn and an own goal after quick thinking from Evans and Quinn saw the Blades take another three points. It was a battling and workmanlike performance but United once again would argue they were just about value for the win despite a really good effort from the visitors who pushed United right to the end.
United’s only change from their winning run was the introduction of winger Ryan Flynn for the suspended Lee Williamson. Arriving home fans in the bigger than usual crowd for the Blades main Christmas game would have been buoyed to see James Beattie’s name amongst the substitutes. Visiting County began with the experienced pairing of Lee Hughes and Ben Burgess up front and
United began with Flynn on the left and Quinn wide right but County got amongst United early and it was a relatively even game in the early going. Evans had a run on goal but his pull back evaded everyone before Judge had a shot well off target. McDonald was influential in United’s passing moves but Hughes and Bishop were proving combative opponents and United were not having it completely their own way.
On 17 minutes United conceded their first goal for 5 league games (since Stevenage way back on Bonfire night). The ball forward saw Hughes and Maguire grapple for the ball and it appeared as if the experienced striker had hold of the youngster shirt but inexplicably referee Moss gave the award to the visitors. The free kick from wide on the left by JUDGE was curled in and bounced once before curling away from Simonsen into the top corner with no one getting a touch. It was poor defending as United’s defenders and keeper failed to attack the ball but a good goal from the County perspective.
United seemed aggrieved at the build up to the goal and Quinn was booked not long after when another foul was given against United. The home side tried to keep the ball better and a neat move led to a chance for Evans who fired the ball wide. Soon after; a corner led to confusion but County managed to scramble the ball clear. It was not long before the leveller came though after half an hour. Maguire took possession on halfway and threaded a nice ball into the path of Cresswell who let the ball run and then advanced before putting in a low cross into the path of the onrushing FLYNN who got across his defender to cooly sidefoot home first time. It was a well made and well finished goal and a deserved leveller for the home side.
United now were in control and went forward again. Lowton cleverly sidestepped his way into the box and his low shot was saved at the near post by Nelson before Evans volleyed wide after a cross from Francois. McDonald and Quinn then combined for the former to have a shot pushed away by the keeper after a neat flick had set him up and then Lowton should have scored but headed badly over when completely free at a corner. County were now on the back foot but had a chance to go back in front when a clever ball put Judge through but his low shot on the angle was saved well from Simonsen and Francois eventually cleared the rebound after confusion had ensued initially.
United began the second half strong and Quinn and Evans combined to set up a half chance for Cresswell but the home side took the lead on 51 minutes. Evans and Pearce both chased a long ball down the inside right channel and the ball went out of play. It was debatable who the ball had come off but as Pearce appealed Evans quickly took the throw and exposed the naive defending by finding Quinn. The winger lobbed the ball into box and as Cresswell and defender SHEEHAN converged on it, the ball spooned up over Nelson and into the net. It seemed as if it was an own goal despite the public address announcer giving it Cresswell.
After this United had another good spell and a series of corners led to a succession of chances. Collins had a header saved at point blank range and then McDonald and Lowton both had shots blocked from the second corner. Demontagnac and Hawley came on for County and they suddenly knew they had to throw more men forward and credit to them they were able to push United back. Jeff Hughes shot took a deflection and span up before Simonsen did well to claw the ball behind. United now were dropping deeper and had to contend with a number of excellent crosses from Sheehan. Collins and Maguire continued to stand firm but United still looked dangerous when they did go forward.
Evans lung busting run saw him beat two men for pace but his shot was straight at Nelson who pushed it away and then McDonald’s deflected effort looked as if it would land in the net but went just the wrong side of the post as the Kop held their breath.
United were now beginning to tire and opted to bring on Ertl for McDonald in perhaps trying to give the defence more protection. Evans had another half chance and it seemed as if he had strong appeals for a penalty when Sodje felled him but in the end it was the United man booked for his protests!
County had their best chance of the second half when after a scramble had seemingly been cleared the ball was returned and Hawley hit a spectacular overhead scissor kick that went round down the United keeper’s throat that held the ball well. Either side and it surely would have been a goal! After this let off United had their own moment of misfortune as a scramble at the other end from a corner saw Evans’ low shot hit the base of the post and away. It was entertaining stuff but United were not out of the woods as the visitors pumped the ball forward at every opportunity.
Finally the crowd got they wanted when after weeks of injuries and illness they finally go to see James Beattie in a Sheffield United shirt again. He came onto the pitch to a standing ovation as the hard working Cresswell gave way. Instantly lovely control out of the sky showed the class of the returning hero and then he would have been disappointed when Evans cross sailed over his head when he was unmarked on the penalty spot. Burgess header was watched wide by Simonsen as the game entered
5 minutes of additional time.
Demontagnac got involved in a bit of unnecessary 'argy bargy' after a foul on a United player and seemed to firstly throw his arm towards Lowton and then hurled the ball at his face. After consulting with his assistant he showed the former Coventry man a red card. It may have been a little harsh but was a stupid act of indiscipline by the substitute. Right at the death Montgomery came on for Flynn but the final whistle was not long after as the Blades fans celebrated another victory.
United – In a really entertaining game, we did enough. We conceded chances and sat back too much but create a lot of chances too (more than them) and played some decent football. No one really stood out individually and whilst the likes of Evans and Collins have been leading lights in the winning run; today no one really played out of their skin but then no one played that badly. It was a game where they did enough as a team to get the win. It was not a classic performance but was another workmanlike showing where they had to come back from behind to get the victory.
I felt we had more of the ball, more chances and shaded things over the contest but the visitors gave it a really good go and second half they continued to put men forward and try and save the game. They were not the lame ducks that we have seen from some recent teams such as Rochdale, Bury and Colchester and were more akin to Walsall and Exeter. They actually had a go and did not seem to fear us or to sit back and defend.
The actual passing was mixed as at times we played some neat stuff but at other times we were a bit careless and gave it away. I also felt we did not win as many 50/50’s and lost a lot of the second balls today (certainly more than in recent weeks) and it was only after we went behind that we started to compete more and actually got amongst them and let out better individual players come to the fore. We scored a couple of well worked goals and had chances for a few more but we did not have it all our own way.
It was the sort of game where earlier in the season we would probably have let a late equaliser in but did enough to see off the visitors. Only the one chance for Hawley that so easily could have gone in was the really worrying moment. The main gripe was how deep we defended. It was evident on the goal where the defence should have been 5 yards further forward but by being so deep it created that uncertainty for the keeper and defence. It was definitely avoidable with better organisation. I also felt that in the second half after we went in front that we defended deeper and deeper and Collins and Simonsen had to do more to get the defence up. This created problems for us and with the excellent crosses coming in from the left you did fear they may nick a goal but credit to the defence. As deep as they did defend, at least they got bodies in the way, made blocks and headers. We have started scrapping and digging results out and with some good players such as Evans in your team we will always have chances of getting goals.
We do need more pace for me and I think maybe in the wide areas. Also we do lack depth. Sadly our neighbours across the city do have a deeper squad and whilst there is little in the two starting elevens, they do have 8 or 9 who could come in and play whilst we only have maybe 3 or 4. With Cresswell and Quinn now being suspended I suspect he will bring Williamson back in and also probably Porter who has got to start doing it (now 4th choice striker really) or he will be moving onto his 5th club in about as many years. I would be tempted to just play Beattie from the start but judging from Wilson’s words he is still nowhere near match fit. He did look quite trim actually today but of course has barely played any competitive football in the last 12 months. I do hope he can get fit, get in the team as the transfer window is imminent. We may need to get Clarke back even if Beattie does get himself fit as I think it is inevitable we may lose Ched in a few weeks. Cresswell also has pretty much run himself into the ground and not sure how much gas he has left in the tank.
Still 7/7 wins and 5/5 in the league. We are second in the league and as others like Huddersfield and Wednesday have started to stutter in recent weeks we seem to keep winning. We have to keep it going as we have to go to both the above, Charlton and MK Dons in the second half of the season. We need to remain strong at home and it is important we try and pick up 6-7 points at least from the next 3 (Hartlepool, Carlisle and Bury). That would set us up nicely for a touch February/March period. We just need to hang around and hopefully now we should at least make the playoffs. I don’t think we have been superb this year and the standard is quite poor at times but we have played better football, looked more solid and for the most part took advantage of poorer opponents with a more ruthless streak. Danny Wilson has to take credit for getting us to where we are and the excellent form. Just hope McCabe gives him some backing and does not sell 3 or 4 in January ( I do fear Evans and one of Monty/Quinn may depart). Unfortunately we are in direct opposition with our neighbours and I feel certain Mr Mandaric will give Megson funds to bring players in. It would be nice if our chairman did the same as if he did and somehow kept the rest of the team; got Beattie fit and added maybe Clarke, another winger and maybe a keeper we could then take the second place as it really is up for grabs now. I do fear the likes of Huddersfield and Wednesday may have a bit more than us in the long haul (really hope I am wrong) but of course they too could lose the likes of Clarke and Marshall respectively so January could change things for more than just us.
Notts County – They were decent actually and competed well, passed the ball well at times and got the ball into dangerous areas. I think that regardless of the style or amount of passing, they actually got in amongst us and won a lot more 50/50’s than many teams in recent weeks. They chased down balls, harried and made it difficult for us. They did not cut us to shreds but had one or two nice moves and were not afraid to attack. This made the time wasting from the keeper and other players all the more bizarre as they did not need to time waste as they looked more effective when they attacked. The goal they scored was fortunate in that it was not a foul for the free kick but it was an excellent delivery and very hard for the defence. They had one or two stand out players; the lad Hughes in midfield played well and always looked to get on the ball. I also thought the two centre backs other than the two goals they conceded kept Evans and Cresswell fairly quiet and were fairly quick and strong. The left back Sheehan who scored the own goal was very good and maybe the outstanding player on the pitch. He got forward well and put in some superb crosses in the second half. Very good on the ball and assured he is one player that looks like he could play at a higher level.
I felt that the two experienced strikers Hughes and Burgess did not do a great deal actually and were played fairly well from our two centre backs. I feared Hughes would score but we limited him and cannot remember him having a shot on goal and resorted to grappling, fouling and trying to referee the game.
You can see why County have maybe overachieved a bit this year though. As with most Allen team’s they are really fit, hard working and well organised. I can see them finishing mid table comfortably.
Simonsen 7/10 – Made two good saves; the shot at the end of the first half and then right near the end when the volley went down his throat. He made a few other routine saves. However, I do think he would be a touch disappointed with the goal as he seemed rooted to his spot (not necessarily the line). Of course you could say he was waiting for a touch but surely you should just follow the flight of the ball and it gets headed the other direction or flicked in; it’s not your fault? Maybe I am being too harsh but felt he should have read it a bit better and seemed slow to react but it was a great ball.
Lowton 7/10 – Played very well today from an attacking point of view. He got up and down and had a few great runs. Nearly scored after a dribble inside in the first half and then also was involved in many of our better attacks in the second half. Still can do better defensively even though even though for the most part he did well in this regard. However, I did feel in the second half with not as much protection that he was not quite tight enough defensively but often he was faced with 2 v 1 and Quinn/Flynn did not always help him. Still showed his football brain and lovely control and balance and looked one of the more assure players on the pitch.
Francois 7/10 – His actual performance was sound and he showed good strength, excellent heading ability and did what he had to. He also got forward when he could but a couple of dreadful crosses (where he kicked it straight behind) were frustrating after he did the hard work. However, his annoying habit of making stupid mistakes nearly came back to haunt him at times. When Simonsen saved the shot near the end of the first half he almost handed it them on a plate in the box! He also dallied in the corner in the second half that led to them nipping in. If he can cut these out he maybe is better than Williams and makes this signing not needed in terms of where our resources can be used as surely Taylor can serve as back up.
Maguire 7.5/10 – Solid enough game. He has quietly got back to some of the standards he set earlier in the season but just doing the basics and not trying to be too clever. Facing an experienced pairing in Burgess and Hughes; he did well and was unlucky for their goal. He kept going and got on top more and more as the game went on. Assisted on the first goal and put one or two other decent balls out.
Collins 8/10 – Another solid performance where he headed/cleared and defended everything consistently all game. He won probably around 80% of the balls against Hughes and Burgess that came his way and got stronger as the game went on. Once he did dally in possession that led to a chance for them but his actual passing and use of the ball for most of the game was sensible. He had had an excellent season so far and his standards have been consistently good.
Doyle 6.5/10 – Thought he won some loose balls and got amongst County but this was after the game had began with perhaps us losing a fair few midfield battles. Gradually he started to get his foot in and made more and more interceptions. His passing was better today but at times he still gave a few balls that did not carry to the intended target. He had mostly started passing it to nearest man and not tried to do things he can’t. As we are winning at the moment he probably deserves to remain in the side.
McDonald 7/10 – Thought he was excellent from maybe 10-15 minutes in until around about the hour mark and for that period he was one of the better players on the pitch and our most creative force. He began slowly as Hughes and Bishop imposed their physical play onto United but gradually he got on the ball more and more and started to show his range of passing. Some of his touches out of the sky were also excellent. A very sensible and intelligent player who really shows he should be playing much higher. The reason he isn’t of course as he rarely does it week in, week out and also struggles to do it for a full game. His lack of fitness and stamina showed again as he became less and less influential and when we had to dig in and be more defensive that of course is not his type of game as he lacks pace to get back and his natural game is more of attacking one. For the last 20 minutes or so before he went off he was struggling and was rightly taken off for Ertl. Still his positives far outweigh the negatives.
Flynn 6.5/10 – Showed some flashes once again even if he was not quite as involved as perhaps he would have liked but he is an intelligent, neat and tidy footballer. He is a decent player on the ball but does lack strength and pace so needs it to his feet as he is not someone who will chase long balls or be able to outmuscle his man. Took his goal really well anticipating the cross and getting across his man in ‘Dane Whitehouse’ style. I do feel that at times in the second half he was not helping his full backs as much (I know they kept swapping wings but both he and Quinn left Lowton and JLF exposed) with Sheehan in particular marauding down the wing.
Quinn 6.5/10 – Thought he was a bit of a mixed bag. He looked very good on the ball at times and showed his close control and skills with a few neat and tidy things. He also made space for a few crosses through clever footwork but then often put crosses too close to the keeper. Combined well with Evans, Lowton and Cresswell a few times to create some chances but all too often he flicked at the ball or tried to be too clever instead of doing the basics. As with Flynn he did not get back enough to help out and check both full backs from getting forward and we had to defend numerous crosses due to our inability to stop them coming in. There was an occasion at the end where they broke and he just stood with his hands on his hips instead of busting a gut to get back Doyle actually ran past him to try and salvage things!
Evans 7/10 – Worked hard even though he had a rare day without scoring. Hit the post with an instinctive finish and maybe could have done better with a chance in the first half after a nice move. He really did put a graft in though and chased defenders down and held the ball up when he could. Be interesting to see him and Beattie together as both are intelligent footballers that can strike a football and score goals.
Cresswell 7/10 – Thought he worked really hard today and his effort was phenomenal at times. I have been one of his biggest critics this season and in recent times but he never stopped today. Clearly his legs have almost gone and he is so slow it is painful to watch but he made up for these things with willingness to chase everything (and I mean everything), intelligent hold up play and also some experienced pieces of play (such as for the first goal, getting in amongst it for the second and winning a fair few free kicks due to getting his body in the right position). Maybe could have come off 10 mins earlier as had ran himself into ground.
Subs
Ertl – Came on for his defensive presence in midfield. He is a useful utility player to have and can play both centre back and centre midfield and will be a handy player to have around for the second half of the season.
Beattie – Surprised to see him on the bench after Wilson had said he was not ready. Not on for long but his introduction certainly enthused the crowd. He won a header and showed nice control to bring a ball down and play in a teammate. Also cleverly won a free kick. Hope he can get fit and be a factor as he clearly does love the club (sure he could have got a Champ club and picked up more money).
Montgomery – Been out of the team for a while due to illness/personal matters but Doyle and McDonald have done well so he probably will have to wait his chance. Still have a nagging feeling he may go in January and someone like Leeds may come in for him.
Officials – I thought they were all quite poor again I am afraid. The referee, a Mr Moss and his officials got some major decisions wrong. The free kick for the goal they scored was if anything a free kick for us. The throw in for our second goal was a throw in for them (of course linesman mainly to blame) and generally he got a lot of things wrong not knowing when to play on, when to blow for fouls or to handle the game with any kind of common sense. Seemed to just want to be the star of the show and so frustrating with his stop-start type of officiating. Some of the bookings were very harsh for both teams. Cresswell seemed to get the ball- Quinn and Evans were maybe for mouthing off but these were of course after debatable decisions. Also a few of their bookings seemed a little harsh – the one for the foul on the touchlines seemed right I suppose. The red card I felt was harsh. He raised his hands and chucked the ball at Lowton and was daft but to me was a yellow card at most. It was handbags really and with the game pretty much over was an overreaction from the referee although I suppose they get marked down if they don’t go by the guidelines. I just think he could have reffed with a bit more common sense and it was a very fussy, almost robotic performance. The two linesmen were not much better though and were often just guessing at decisions. The one where the County keeper carried it out supposedly; may have gone out but the linesman on the John Street side was so far behind play and would have had no idea from his angle if it had gone out!
Crowd/Atmosphere – Thought the crowd were much better today in terms of noise and encouragement. Maybe it was the chance to go second, maybe it was the chance to go above Wednesday or just the extra oomph that games around Christmas have? The fans certainly were behind the team and even when we went behind there was not much negativity. I felt when we were protecting the lead (would not say hanging on as they hardly had tons of chances) the crowd played their part and helped see United past the finishing line. Some good vocal encouragement and singing throughout and a decent crowd of over 20,000 (despite it being on TV). I also thought the introduction of Beattie helped get the crowd going again right at the end for the final push and was a good move from this perspective as Wilson referred to in his after the match interview. County brought a healthy following; maybe around 1,500 (?) and got behind their team well. This made it a good atmosphere and it was a relatively decent game with chances on goal, tackles flying in, bookings, a red card and some good football for this level.