Sheffield United's slim chances of the play offs were all but ended as they failed to score and failed to win for the second successive home game. Yorkshire neighbours Barnsley held the Blades to a goalless draw despite United controlling large parts of the game and having the better opportunities failed to really trouble the visiting keeper Lee Steele enough.
United were able to welcome back key players skipper Chris Morgan and forward Jamie Ward and also began with Glen Little operating on the right and Jordan Stewart back at full back. Making way were Andy Taylor, Kyle Bartley, Mark Yeates and James Harper. Barnsley was without the injured Daniel Bogdanovic and began the game with Ian Hume starting up front alongside former Blade Andy Gray. There was no place in the 16 for former Blades favourite Rob Kozluk.
United began the game on the front foot and were able to dominate the early proceedings. Appeals for a penalty came as Ward darted in and Moore seemed to block him off but referee Walton waved away the appeals. Quinn then fired just wide as United forced Barnsley firmly onto the back foot. Little was heavily involved in everything United did well. He skipped away from the full back twice and was able to send over dangerous balls but Barnsley scrambled the ball clear. It was one way traffic and the crowd warmed to the already improved performance from the previous week against Scunthorpe.
A further nice passage of play saw the ball transferred from left to right and the cross from Little was headed goalwards by Henderson but Steele managed to tip the looping header over the bar. United continued to dominate and another chance soon came their way as Ward was able to react to the loose ball after Morgan headed the ball back but Steele bravely blocked from point blank range.
Doyle was booked just before United were forced into a change. Stewart cleared the ball awkwardly and seemed to twist his knee. He tried to limp on but went to the turf and had to be stretchered off to be replaced by Andy Taylor. Henderson headed wide from a Connolly cross when perhaps Cresswell was in a better position. However, United's encouraging opening was not helped by yet another injury.
Ward sprinted clear but suddenly pulled up and it was clear his hamstring had gone and the substitution was immediate with United having to make their second change. Ward was helped off to be replaced by Yeates and yet again United had been hit with two potentially serious injuries and injuries that once again could be season ending. Barnsley finally were able to get deep into United territory and after Morgan was booked for bringing down Hallfredsson; Simonsen did well to hold the free kick from Colace. United had controlled most of the game but they had not made their advantage in play count in goals.
The second half began with United still in the ascendancy but they were unable to test Steele in the early stages with a wasteful ball or cross often a hallmark of United's play. Cresswell was moved into a more central position with Yeates going out wide and a clear chance came United's way when Quinn was first to the loose ball and as the ball span sideways Little perhaps ought to have scored but poked the ball wide when well placed.
United had a decent opportunity when a nice interchange of passes saw Taylor centre the ball; Little lay the ball towards Montgomery but the midfielders cross shot was hacked clear. Henderson then finally got away from his marker but his firm header was well held by Steele as United finally made the keeper work in the second half.
Barnsley had not really had any chances of note but had a brief flurry of possession that led to them winning two corners in succession. Simonsen's handling was sound and this helped United clear their lines. Connolly and Moore then were both booked; the latter for an off the ball altercation. The same man then somehow managed to trap the ball between his legs and as Quinn went to ground an almighty melee ensued that led to players pushing and shoving. The ball was restarted with a drop ball but Henderson was adjudged to have fouled Steele as the ball span into the air.
Hume departed not long after and a brief handshake with Morgan was part of his exit as he was replaced by Devaney. Williamson also came on for Little who was clearly flagging after an industrious performance. Devaney was booked for a foul on Nosworthy just before the referee deemed there would be an additional three minutes of stoppage time to be played. United could not make any further chances and the final incident was when Connolly was harshly sent off after he was given a second yellow card for a foul on Hammill. United now will have to make a further 3 changes from the one that started today for the game at Newcastle. The game petered out to a stalemate with the visitors clearly happier with the outcome than the home side.
United - It was a better performance than last week and we probably did enough to win the game but if you don't score....The first 20 minutes we came out all guns blazing and dominated proceedings with quite a few efforts on goal. We really should have got in front but I had a feeling if we did not score in this period then we would not go on and win the game and so it proved.
The second half disappointed me as even though we still had most of the play and defended well, won the midfield battle, we made some terrible decisions in the final third and this meant we simply did not have that many chances. The crossing was awful with Yeates the main culprit but others as bad. When we did get the ball in the box I never felt convinced Henderson or Cresswell would score and nor did they really look like scoring.
Sure there were one or two scrambles and a few efforts we should have done better on but I cannot recall Steele making too many saves after that opening 20-25 minutes. We wasted so many crossing chances or potential opportunities to get a shot on goal in the last third. Henderson and Cresswell were not able to offer anything in terms of being a goal threat and also we did not get any midfielders above and behind the front two making it easy for their defenders, as poor as they were, to see of the danger.
Barnsley were like many of the teams we have seen at the Lane and overall were average-poor and any side of note with some pace, creativity and killer instinct in the final third would have beaten them by 3 or 4. United looked more like a side; on paper and in practice with Ward and Morgan back but of course the former is now injured again. It seems hard to see what we have to look forward to the remainder of the season with a patched up team full of loan players and players who are not going to be here mixed with those few that will (Morgan, Quinn, Henderson and Cresswell). I actually cannot see us winning more game either with some tough ones to come against side with things to play for. It seems from Blackwell's comments earlier in the week he is already looking at the summer and potential new players.
What worries me is for all his excuses about injuries (he is right they have been horrific - two more today) and loan players; he had a chance last year with reasonable funds (spent at least 3-4 million on Evans, Williamson, Taylor, Reid, France and other odds and sods) to bring in permanent players and a quick glance at those players reveals he made some bad decisions. Faced with even less funds then I wonder if our manager/scouting network will see us pick up some surprises from the lower divisions, Europe or Scotland/Ireland like other teams seem to be able to do; or will we just go for ageing veterans, steady as some have been, looking for a last pay day as seems to have been the case recently. I want to see young, hungry players with pace and athleticism brought in that at least have some value. At the moment we are one paced, pedestrian and predictable. Even though our defence was solid and midfield was workmanlike we lacked real class and after our initial burst struggled to create chances. That Little, at 35 a player who no one wanted in the summer and also will not be back last year; was our main threat said it all really.
Barnsley - Thought they looked a very poor side and one that was there for the taking. They offered little to nothing going forward and also looked slow and cumbersome at the back. They had a few decent ball players in midfield in Colace and Hallfredsson but even they got hussled out of it for most of the game. They came for a point and got it. I had heard they try and get it down and play decent football but I cannot remember many moves of note all game from them. They actually gave the ball away a lot and were on the back foot most of the game.
I felt their defence was really poor with two pedestrian full backs that were ripe to be ran out. Little did well early on but then they had an easy ride with Yeats coming inside all the time and Little/Cresswell not having the pace to get at them. In Moore and Foster you won't find two poorer or slower centre backs at this level but the fact they managed to not concede says it all about our strikers' performance really. Robins has done a great job there and has took them from probable relegation fodder under Davey to a relatively comfortable mid table position.
It will be hard for them to push on and finish that much higher as they simply won't be able to afford players who can push them on. At best they may have a slight chance of the playoffs next campaign but at worst they may be near the bottom once again. The reality is they will probably finish middle or just below again I feel which for Barnsley is probably about as good as they can expect on crowds of 10-11,000 and without any significant funds.
Simonsen 7.5/10 - A competent display where he showed excellent handling, decision making and command of his box. Had little to do in general play and only recall one free kick and tame header as saves he had to make. A massive improvement on Bunn.
Connolly 6/10 - Had a pretty steady first half where he defended well and got forward when he could. He had a mad spell in the second half where he gave the ball away carelessly and also put in 2 or 3 daft challenges which culminated in him being booked. I felt the second yellow was a little harsh but the referee by that stage had been booking people for fairly innocuous challenges whilst letting some quite rough stuff go. With the state of the game and the time in the game it was a pointless and just yellow card but Connolly should have stood his ground rather than going for a ball he did not need to win.
Stewart - He actually was doing ok before he went off. Sure there was kamikaze defending still at times but he actually did more good things than bad and one run where he went down the flank and evaded two challenges led to him being brought down. However, a miskick out with his right foot seemed to lead to him injury himself and despite trying to hobble on he actually ended up going off on a stretcher and we may not see him again this season.
Morgan 7.5/10 - Not played for a while and up against Ian Hume after the incident eighteen months ago; it would have been easy for him to have a difficult afternoon. He gave a first rate professional performance where he led the defence well; gave no chances away and cleared his lines effectively all game. A little unfortunate to be booked when a poor ball from a United player led to Hallfredsson skipping round him but overall Morgs was excellent today and showed how much we miss him when he was out.
Nosworthy 7.5/10 - A decent game from him and we looked relatively untroubled most of the game as Hume and Gray made little headway. His overall defending was good and he only really made one mistake all game. He read the game well and showed pace and strength. However, he still seems to turn the easy pieces of play into things that were more difficult than they ought to have been. Has a strange habit of somehow getting the ball above his head when the ball is on the floor. Also seems desperate to overplay or take too many touches when a simple clearance a la Morgs will suffice.
Montgomery 7/10 - One of the better midfielders on display and he picked up most of the loose balls and tackles. His passing was ok today too and he found a red and white shirt more times than most. Full of energy and industry and the tackles in the corner near the John Street/Bramall Lane corner epitomised his efforts. Despite limitations will be sorely missed if as expected he does depart.
Quinn 7/10 - He did some good things and managed to win a lot of 50/50's today. He also used ball fairly well and was able to try and get the ball wide when he could or play it into feet. Still mixed in with the decent stuff he still put a few too many short balls out or was unable to make the obvious pass comfortable for his teammates.
Cresswell 4.5/10 - Like last week I felt he was poor today. Was employed wide left and stayed there for a long period even when Ward went off which was odd. Did end up more central in the second half and as the game went on but he simply could not get into the game and had no real efforts on goal nor did he create much. Still worked hard and never gave up but overall we looked punchless, one paced and predictable up front today.
Henderson 4/10 - Another lacklustre showing on the whole where his touch, link up play and overall contribution was not really good enough. Did have two headers on goal but even these he should have done a bit better. Playing against two centre backs who are as immobile as you will get at this level Henderson still could not make much of an impact and had only one effort ( a header from a corner) on goal all game. Does not look fit at the moment as he actually seems yard behind play when the ball is played up to him. This coupled with his appalling first touch at the moment means we are not getting much out of him aside from the nuisance factor and odd header but even his headers often was errant (one in the second half where he actually cleared the ball when all he had to do is head it across the goal was a casing point).
Ward - Looked lively in opening stages and involved in some of the decent link play we did. Also had a few half chances but you knew as soon as he pulled up that his hamstring had gone and that means he is probably done for the rest of the season. With nothing to play for there is no point in risking him,
Little 7.5/10 - Worrying for both teams that a 35 year old was comfortably the best and most creative player on the pitch. He did well to last 85 minutes but most of the good things in United's play came though Little. He actually beat his defender 2 or 3 times in the first 15 minutes and put in a few dangerous balls. His influence lessened as the game went on and his crossing from general play and set pieces also deteriorated. However, despite this he still looked our most likely source. I was surprised when he scuffed the shot wide when well placed on the penalty spot.
Subs -
Taylor 6/10 - Actually looked inferior to Stewart today. Granted neither are anywhere near good enough but Taylor was badly out of position quite a few times after he came on. One of these instances led to him being rightly booked. He did improve after the break and actually put in one or two decent crosses. I do not think he is a bad footballer technically but he is just very weak physically and also niave in his defensive play and decisions.
Yates 4/10 - Thought he was pretty poor when he came on. Sure he does try and get it down and always looks to go at defenders which is encouraging but his final ball (or lack of it) was awful. The number of times he did not beat the first man on corners or free kicks or floated it over the top and out was very frustrating. He was always looking to come inside which made him predictable to play against. As a winger you are ultimately judged on assists/crosses and ability to get ball in box. The last few games despite getting on the ball a lot which is good to see he has failed miserably to do any of these things and after his good initial start has mixed in with rest of the mediocrity in terms of personnel on show.
Williamson - Came on for the final stages but did not really have much time to affect the game.
Referee - Totally opposite to the referee last week. This week ref Walton decided he was going to book people here, there and everywhere and ended up carding 7 people including the unnecessary second yellow to Connolly at the end which was to be frank really soft. A few of the cards were merited but quite a few were not needed at all; both ways. Sometimes when they were melees; a few near the end where Moore got the ball trapped and also in the centre of the field; he was slow to react when potentially these were worst situations than some of the ones where he came running in instantly brandishing his yellow card.
Crowd - It was an odd atmosphere as despite it being a local derby and the usual high police presence with helicopters circling above; it was fairly limp for the most part with little noise or atmosphere. Lived up a bit in the second half when a guy on the Kop decided he wanted to fight the whole crowd and then a few melees on the pitch saw the decibel level increase. However, for the most part it was a nothing game and this carried through to the stands.