Momentum and confidence continued to grow as the Blades made it 5 straight wins after they comfortably saw off Bristol City 3-0 at Bramall Lane. United were full value for the victory and the margin of the score line as they edged in front just before half time thanks to John Brayford’s close range finish. Two further goals from the excellent Ryan Flynn and a Jose Baxter penalty finished off a woeful City side that looked a side destined for relegation on that performance.
After the win in the week against Gillingham, United had moved level with City and knew a win would give them vital breathing space. They made further changes to keep players fresh and the squad rotated as back in came Baxter, Murphy, Brayford and Scougall all back in and Hill, Porter and Paynter dropping out with McGinn failing a pre match fitness test.
City, like United, will surely have been surprised to have been in such a low position and although their fortunes have improved since Steve Cotterill took over; were also a side still in big trouble. They started with an eleven packed full of experience and also quality with the dangerous Emmanuel Thomas and prolific Baldock starting and also had loanee Tyrone Barnett starting. Another loan signing Simon Moore, best known to United fans from his Brentford days, was keeping goal.
A largely dry week had helped the pitch to recover from last week’s game but the decision to have sprinklers on pre game did seem an odd one!
The game began with United kicking towards the Kop; with first chance a long range effort from Elliott at the other end being well off target. It was not long before the home side had control with Doyle winning two early tackles allowing Coady to move the ball on. United had a good opportunity when Scougall’s deflected shot span into the air and Murphy almost knocked it past the keeper as it dropped as Moore struggled to keep it out.
United won a few corners and were dominating possession in the early exchanges. Maguire summed up United’s approach and ability to get on the front foot as he moved from midfield and right into the box before his shot was blocked for a corner.
Murphy had a spell down the middle as Baxter went wide but it was Flynn who nearly combined with Brayford for a chance but was crowded out.
The game continued in the same vein and although United had not created much they were putting more and more pressure on and it was inevitable a chance would come. It came just before half time and from another set play United had won. The corner from Baxter from the left was won well by Maguire who headed down and there were two United players unmarked and it was BRAYFORD who was the one who got there first to smash home from close range for his first goal for the club.
It was a deserved lead but a vital one just before half time.
The second half saw United continue where they left off with Murphy continuing to run at defenders. Coady had a half chance when he exchanged passes with Scougall but ran out of room and knocked it into the side netting with the outside of his right foot. Flynn then came inside and had a shot blocked before a free kick was won on the edge of the box but Harris’s free kick was comfortable for Moore on the ground.
The second goal seemed inevitable and it came from the source that had caused the problems for the opposition. Murphy advanced from half way and kept going beating a couple of men before playing a lovely ball right into the feet of FLYNN who barely had to stop his stride before hitting a low and firm drive past Moore right into the corner. It was a well made and taken goal and gave United the further margin of lead that their superior play had merited.
Harris was feeling the back of his leg and indicated his hamstring had tightened up so as a precaution was withdrawn with Hill coming on in his place.
It was not long after before the third goal came. Once again Murphy and Flynn were involved and as the ball broke Flynn went past one man who almost brought him down but then as the second clumsy challenge came in from Osborne. The award was easy to make and there was little complaints from any of the City players. The away side had been ready to make a double change and continued with this plan before the spot kick had been taken.
Burns and Reid replaced Emmanuel Thomas and Pack; as they sought to put pressure on new chosen taker BAXTER (with Porter not on the pitch). However the striker made no mistake dispatching the ball to the keeper Moore’s right hand side; that was well beaten despite going the right way.
Soon after the third goal that had virtually ended the game as a contest, Davies came on for his home debut replacing Flynn and going wide right. Cunningham also came off for Bristol City to be replaced by the experienced Pearson.
Paynter got some more game time with just over 10 minutes to play as he was brought on for the excellent Murphy who got a rousing ovation from three sides of the Lane for his efforts.
A rare chance for City saw Elliott’s shot move in the air but Howard saved and then got to the rebound to save from Baldock before Barnett blazed over the rebound when he should have scored. At the other end Moore saved from Scougall as he nearly gave the score line further gloss.
The final stages were played out without incident as United With results around the league confirming that 4 of the bottom 6 at the start of play had won; United knew it was a crucial victory.
United – At the moment we are on a roll. A bit like the Shrewsbury game, this was not a swashbuckling performance akin to those in the cup but a professional and assured job. However we were better than against Shrewsbury and I felt this was a more ruthless win in that we had an urgency from the start. United played well when they needed to and completely controlled the game. We were the better side for the first half but had not created too much and the goal came at a great time, just before half time. Still I think we deserved to be in front having dominated territory and possession. Second half we upped our game even more, got two more goals and won with Bristol having only the one real effort on goal (two really as it was a double Howard save on same chance).
We are starting games well and on the front foot and making sure we win the midfield. The defence is winning the ball when it comes forward and the midfield players are running at players and turning defenders. At the moment we are doing the basics well and as a result we are not conceding many and finally scoring goals. It sounds simple but the confidence is now a huge thing and it is like night and day from the start of the season.
Once again the now confident and increasingly consistent Flynn and Murphy were very good and made the difference. No one played particularly poorly and United won battles all over the field. The defence was solid and no nonsense. The midfield picked up the loose bits and then the runners, the wingers above and also Scougall and Baxter got in good areas and caused problems. Coady is improving game by game too and we dominated midfield. I actually think United could have gone up another gear if they needed but coasted to the win.
With so many winning at the bottom; it was important we won as we could have gone back in the bottom four if we had lost and I hope now we never go back there. I expect him to rotate the squad for two away games with Colchester now fast fading and being under pressure a bit and then against a team going nowhere in MK Dons. If we could pick up one win in those two games I would settle for that but it is crucial in the main we just keep the run going.
Some may have felt they would be tired or lack energy after so many games but it seems the opposite. The cup run has had a positive effect as confidence is high, the players seem much fitter now (as a result of so many games maybe?) and we look like a team that is wanting games to come thick and fast as we seem to now be in a winning mentality.
Bristol City – Steve Cotterill called their performance ‘abysmal’ and said ‘they did nothing today.’ He was right on the money. Said we deserved to win and they were well beaten. He has big problems as the team clearly has some decent players (Baldock, Emmanuel Thomas, Wade Elliott) but just seem kind of stuck a bit like we have been all season as they take one step forward and then two back. They had a full week with no games (we have played two since they last played) and had been unbeaten in three and won at Orient recently but today they were wretched and maybe the worst performance I have seen from an away side for some time as they meekly limped to a deserved defeat. They would have been lucky to go in level at half time as the manager admitted but then after the break they got even worse and United could have won by even more if they had desired.
They had few chances on goal, struggled defensively with movement of our players and never looked like they felt they could get anything. Their body language was awful and even at 0-0 they looked like they would rather be somewhere else. When they had the ball they tossed it back to us or out of play. More than any of the above football deficiencies though, the main thing that would worry me would be the lack of heart and desire. They lost nearly every single individual battle and seemed to just not want to know. Emmanuel Thomas summed them up. Clearly a talent, they opted to play him in a more withdrawn midfield role (which pleased me as he is more of a threat up top) and he was dire. I had told my Uncle what a good player he was and a real threat. He promptly looked one of the laziest and pedestrian players we have seen this season and when he was replaced you can imagine what my Uncle said to me! He seemed to be jeered off when he went so maybe we just see the decent goals he seems to score and are not party to his all around performances which if today is anything to go by shows why such a talent is moving down the leagues.
The centre back Flint is like an accident waiting to happen and seems to have a mistake in him every game I see. He is big and powerful but that is where the comparison with Maguire stops; who showed him how to marshall a defence and lead a team from the back today.
They have other experienced players like Elliott (remember him from playoff final? – scored winner for Burnley), Pearson etc but today they were woeful but it must be they had done that a lot this season as that explains where they are. I fear for them as you look at the results of games this week and many at the bottom are getting results now and fighting. They looked devoid of any kind of fight and if they don’t start working harder they will go down. Certainly if United finish below them this season I will be concerned put it that way.
Howard 7/10 – Untroubled most of the game. He did what he had to in terms of basic handling etc. His kicking remains an enigma as some go too long (straight to keeper), some go out and some barely reach half way! He saw a few shots go past his goal by a distance and did come out in the first half and got a bit lucky as they did not take advantage. He then made one double save when he actually spilt a long range shot (did move quite a bit to be fair to him) but then did well to react to save the follow up so made up for it.
Brayford 7.5/10 – Another good performance where he got up and down the wing. Very attack minded full back that must be a nightmare for opposition wingers who have to try and keep up with him. Has a really good touch and seems at ease with the football. He was in right position to score the first and seems the sort who will get goals as he goes forward so much.
Harris 7/10 – Still not quite sure about him yet. He does some good things and some odd things. However he seems decent on the ball and does seem sound from a positional point of view so overall more positive than negative. Still leaves his feet too much for me.
Collins 7/10 – Collins’ form has improved with the teams and he too was just solid today. One mistake apart when he overplayed and nearly led to a chance; he was good and made sure they were restricted to long range shots.
Maguire 7.5/10 – Thought like last week he was dominating and completely saw off any kind of threat from the forwards. Emmanuel Thomas, Baldock and Barnett can be dangerous players and we handled them fairly easily although often only Barnett was up making it easier. He was imposing in the air and on the floor. Had a few runs forward including one in the first half where he went all the way into the box and nearly scored. Been very good recent weeks.
Doyle 7/10 – Quietly efficient today. Broke up play and moved it on. Not massively involved on the ball but did a lot of good work and covering off the ball. Think we all realise that long term he will not be here if we want to progress but despite all the criticism he gets; he would probably start for many teams in this division and do a decent job.
Coady 8/10 – Seems to be improving and now he is playing most weeks, is getting fitter and stronger. Like Doyle ensured they barely had any attacks of note as he shielded defence well. He got around the pitch and used ball sensibly when he could. Does not do anything sensationally but equally not particularly weak at anything either and is becoming more consistent. Thought today he was very good.
Scougall 7.5/10 – Complete breath of fresh air. Seems to just love playing football and an old fashioned footballer who just gets it and runs with it. Another game where we saw glimpses of what a special player he could be. Gets into areas where he can be a threat, runs with the ball, lovely touch and vision. He does have spells in games where he is not involved as much and he needs to ensure he gets used to pace of games more but he does seem a fit lad so not sure that will be a problem. Not sure what his best position will be and played more advanced today at times but current formation suits him as he gets into little pockets in the last third.
Murphy 8.5/10 – Another very good performance. He ran at his man, got into good areas and generally looked most dangerous forward on the field. Was mostly out left but came inside a lot and also had a spell playing as the central forward with Baxter dropping left. He was involved in most of the better things we did. Made the crucial second goal with a probing run and had a number of runs like that that led to chances or potential opportunities. Like a different player since Clough came in and looking like someone we may not keep hold of but for completely different ones (teams will be looking at him – look at a similar type of player Paterson who is tearing up the Championship for Forest). Proving most of us wrong who thought he was nowhere near good enough (including me – made me eat my words).
Flynn 8/10- Ran Murphy close for man of the match. He scored a well taken goal and won a penalty. Ran and ran all game and made tackles, covered when he had to and then going forward was a threat all game with runs at the full back and interchange with Brayford. Playing very well at the moment and worth a new contract if he keeps this up.
Baxter 6.5/10 – Thought he was maybe our poorest player and the last few weeks he has not really shown form of previous months. His touch which is normally good has deserted him at times and he has been a bit sloppy in his passing. Nothing came off for him first half. Not sure he is quite suited as out and out striker but we are winning so something must be working even if it is just the players behind him. Second half he was better and more assured in his touch. He tucked away the penalty well which was his first goal for 10 games.
Subs-
Hill – Did ok when he came on and made sure Bristol did not get any joy down that side. Technically he is inferior to Harris and maybe not as mobile but Hill for me is a solid club man that rarely lets the side down (Notts County apart) and will be needed when Maguire inevitably gets suspended.
Payntner – Never really got in the game. Looks woefully off the pace in the games I have seen and not sure what he adds? We need a loan striker with some pace and something different. He offers nothing different to Porter in my opinion.
Davies – Came on and went wide right but never really got much of the ball. Another who is either quite powerful in his build or is overweight depending how you look at it! Hopefully he is another body and one who we can rotate with other midfielders.
Manager rating –
Clough 7.5/10 – Brought back the players who perhaps needed the rest but the one who are the runners in the side and they made the difference as Murphy was our best player for the second successive week. The players were up for it from the start and there was no carry over in terms of fatigue or let up after the two games in the week. His subs made little impact in terms of attacking impact (Hill did ok to be fair) as Davies and Paynter struggled to get into the game.
Officials – Scott Duncan. Not a name I have come across but it was an easy game to referee. He did well though. He did not book anyone and did not need to. The penalty was an easy decision and the player’s challenge was stupid (especially as Flynn had been caught before that tackle and so would have already been in the ref’s mind). The rest of the game passed without much incident in terms of barely being a bad foul. Bristol City hardly put a tackle in. He played less than the allotted time at the end as I think he had realised Bristol City just wanted to get off. Some implored him to book Maguire so he would be suspended (and back for quarter final) but conversely surely if he does not get booked then he is not suspended. If he is going to get one then it would have to be in the week as after that he would miss the cup game.
Crowd – It was a bit of a come down from the Forest game as was much quieter obviously but still a very good crowd (19,000+ but helped by ticket offer). It did not seem like there was that many in from looking around the stands and the lack of noise but I was in the South Stand so maybe that was quite full? The noise rose a bit in the second half but the game was so comfortable it was hard to fans to really get excited I suppose. Bristol brought around 1,000 fans which was a decent following (sat up in the upper tier) but most of the noise was sarcastic clapping and chants aimed at their own pitiful side and many had left long before the end. Long way to come (having done reverse fixture earlier in the season) for such a shambolic display and I saw quite a few Bristol City fans in town very early so had been an early start I guess and I would not have been happy to see a team display such little fight and effort. Credit to them. They kept singing and songs such as ‘We’re Bristol City. We want to go home!’ and ‘Embarrassing! Embarrassing!’ did make me laugh. Seemed to have a good sense of humour. As we know all too well you have no choice when you are that bad!