For the first time in over 4 games the Blades found the net thanks to Chris Porter’s header and then 10 minutes from time another headed effort from his strike partner Dave Kitson sealed the points. In truth the game should have been over long before that as United missed countless chances and could have been at least 5 or 6 goals up at the break as they hit the post twice amongst many other openings. Swindon were well beaten and offered little in response other than some overly physical challenges, complaints and attempts to con the referee which saw 7 players go into the referees book.
New manager Morgan was introduced to the crowd before kick off as it emerged he had brought back Tony McMahon for Danny Higginbotham and also recalled Chris Porter for Jonathan Forte. The game began with United on the attack and players flying into tackles clearly determined to start well. After Doyle won one crunching tackle, United were on the attack and Murphy’s cross was touched over by McDonald. The midfield had started excellently and were winning all the early loose balls. A good move saw Murphy then felled and from the resultant free kick McMahon’s whipped effort got a slight touch from a combination of Maguire and a defender and hit the far post before being cleared.
United were well on top and then had a remarkable amount of chances in a close period of time and how they were not ahead was a mystery. Firstly Porter turned his man well and hit a good shot well saved by Foderingham and then from the rebound McDonald had his effort kicked off the line. Then soon after Hill played a lovely ball inside the full back but his effort when in on goal was saved by Foderingham. Porter had another effort saved by Foderingham when he raced away with Kitson well placed before Murphy came inside and hit a low shot that was well saved by the inspired keeper.
The tempo and pressure was unrelenting and soon after Doyle was on a quick free kick but shot badly wide when he should have scored one on one and in the clear. Then Porter was played in by Kitson and he pulled his shot past the far post. United had missed so many chances it was unbelievable it was still scoreless. Indeed the home side had probably created more chances in the first half hour than they had for the previous 4 home games!
Foderingham then was fortunate as he tried to dribble around Porter and the striker charged the ball down but the keeper recovered. It had been one way traffic with the ball barely being in the United half but the visitors sprang a chance and De Vita turned Collins and hit an effort that was tipped over by Long. Collins short back pass was nearly intercepted by Williams as Long cleared under pressure. Despite these two rare moments, United had been in total control and the goal finally came on 37 minutes after another foul by a Swindon player led to another booking.
McMahon took the free kick on the angle and his expert delivery was met by PORTER who was able to out jump and outmuscle his man and head firmly into the net. Swindon players asked for a foul but in truth there was never a question of the striker being penalised for simply being more determined than his opponent. It was a relief that United had finally scored a goal at Bramall Lane!
Soon after the goal United nearly made it 2-0. A ball over the top saw Flynn beat the offside trap and was in on goal. Flint appeared to pull the winger back but he kept on going and after keeping his footing his effort was kicked off the line by McCormack. It could have been a penalty and a red card with the credit for the Blades player for staying on his feet probably tempered by the fact it could have had a massive impact on the game. United then had another chance as another foul from Swindon saw McMahon hit a free kick which hit the same post he had struck earlier in the game.
The half time whistle came soon after and the crowd stood and applauded a superb first half performance from the Blades that really ought to have seen the game out of sight.
Swindon had been awful in the first half but had not been allowed to get going. They came out with more intent and had the better of the first 10-15 minutes but only a few long range efforts that did not trouble Long were all they had to show. Ward nodded wide as the game became much more of a contest but United were able to get going again and Flynn made a yard of space and sent a good cross in but Porter’s first touch was poor and the chance went.
Murphy was not having the same impact as the first half a question and was replaced by McFadzean who took up a position on the left hand side. United then had another great chance as poor defending saw the ball spin into the path of Kitson and for yet another one on one but the veteran took too long and the last ditch tackled stopped him even getting his shot away. The strikers’ glances to the sky told that he knew he had wasted a golden opportunity to put the game away.
Rooney’s attempts to con the referee saw him cautioned after he went down in the box as Swindon were starting to become frustrated. McDonald looked like he had got a knock and was taken off being replaced by Whitehouse with 15 minutes to go.
United were now back in control and Swindon’s improvements had abated and with just under 10 minutes to play they made the game save. After the industrious Flynn had been felled, McMahon took another free kick and is superb delivery saw KITSON get there and meet it with a header which went in via the bar to signal a relief all around the ground. His celebration as he kicked the advertising board in front of the Kop showed what it meant to him as the players mobbed him.
Ironside came on for Porter and showed his neat touch and strength on a couple of occasions and then had an effort blocked. Swindon had a decent effort as Francis’ low effort was well saved by Long. After this Doyle played in McFadzean and the young winger shot just wide with some on the far side thinking it had gone the right side of the post. The final moments of the game were played out with little incidents as the referee somehow decided there would be 5 minutes of additional time. Whitehouse sliced over his own goal from a corner but the game petered out for the visitors and as the final whistle went and Morgan and coach David Unsworth embraced to celebrate their 100% record in management at the Lane.
Morgan shook the hands of every Swindon player and the officials but of course saved his biggest salutes for his own troops as he warmly met them all as they went down the tunnel before saluting the crowd who were singing his game!
United – It was like night and day the performance from today to the other night and other lacklustre home showings. Today you hoped the side would have passion, tempo, attacking intention and real will to win. They had the lot. It was one of the best performances of the season in terms of application, getting to the ball for the first and second balls and creating chances. We had maybe 8 or 9 clear chances in the first half; hit the post twice and missed one on ones and had shots cleared off the line. Finally we scored and then if Flynn had gone down it may well have been 2-0 and us facing 10 men! Everything we did well was a result of the high tempo. We attacked relentlessly at times. Whilst the football was not scintillating, we got the ball in the right areas, the wide men were dangerous and the front two looked a threat. The midfield won nearly every loose ball and we got the ball behind the defenders. It was so much better. Things happened and we showed some life and determination! Why they could not have done this weeks ago I don’t know? 3 or 4 half’s like the first half today and we would have won 3 or 4 more games at home. It is that simple.
We scored a good well worked goal and as I say it should have been a lot more as there was only one side in the game. The only fear was that with the chances missed and the amount of effort we put in, could we keep it up or would we tire? It was inevitable they would have a spell in the game and they did but really did not hurt us in this spell and we got control again. It was always going to be nervous at 1-0 but when the second went in, it really was game over. It was the least we deserved for an excellent first half and a decent (if not quite as good) second half. It was a very good performance and a proper team performance. Not many were out of their skin, but not many were off their game either and there 8 or 9 very good performances from the side. Many played the best they have for some time.
Delighted to see United to finish the game with 5 players 20 and under (think that’s right) and all that have come through the Academy. In theory many of them will hopefully be the spine of the team for the future. All did ok too and hopefully one or two could make themselves heroes in the run in. The trio that came on all looked so hungry and enthusiastic which is a stark cry from the slow, one paced performers many have been this season.
Morgan and Unsworth as a twosome were interesting to watch. Cutting an intimidating presence (just due to their size) on the sidelines they kicked and headed every ball. They both got in the fourth official’s face and would not backed down when Kevin MacDonald (and the Swindon number two – Mark Cooper?) were ranting at them – Unsworth went right up to McDonald at one point. Morgan was animated at times but then he was more relaxed, considered on others occasions talking and cajoling certain players who came to him on stoppages/drinks breaks.
Overall it was the first time for ages I have enjoyed a game for a long time and I came away and thought I had seen a committed game with chances and goals. Even if they had say had caught us with a sucker punch and we had say unfortunately drawn; I still would have said the same. Things happened and it was interesting! With all the others winning it does not change much in terms of league position but what it does do is give us hope. I still think automatic is a big reach as Bournemouth and Donny now seem in pole position and if Bournemouth win their last two we would have to win our last 4 games and with some goals going in (could see Bournemouth winning both games handsomely). We are in playoffs now bar something daft happening mathematically so may as well go for it in terms of winning last 4. It is going to be tough but win Tuesday and who knows. Then if we could beat Pompey it would mean we go into the last week with a chance. Personally I can see us struggling to repeat tempo and performance today. We put so much into it that it will be hard to repeat. If we can get somewhere near it then I would be happy. What today gives me hope for too is that in a playoff scenario we would have probably as much chance if not more than the others if we can play like that. Just annoying we have chucked so many points away previously as we now probably have 3 more games and have a 1 in 4 chance of going up. Today was really good but probably is too little, too late but for one day it was just great to see a committed performance where we created bags of chances which has simply not happened this season.
Swindon – Thought they were atrocious and never really in the game but a huge amount of credit must go to United who made them look so poor by starting the game so well and putting them back early on. They could not keep up with our tempo from the kick off and were like we have been in so many recent games; slow and poor to react. They had a couple of chances but we had maybe 10-12 clear chances and for the most part they were chasing the game and were lucky to be only one down at the half when it should have been 4 or 5 nil at least.
First half they never got going and we completely pinned them back and they were up against it from the start. They survived so many chances and only Foderingham kept them in it. The goal really was inevitable as they had survived a charmed life with the ball hitting the same post twice and them clearing it off the line a couple of times too. They had two leaden booted centre backs that made Porter and Kitson look mobile and the full backs were both under pressure after committing early fouls and both booked eventually. They never got the ball in midfield and the usually dangerous Roberts was never in the game (and taken off). They played no real football of note and the two lads up front (Williams and Collins have scored a lot of goals) had little service but were handled well. They had one effort that Long saved before we scored the first and then maybe a 10 minute spell after half time but even with this did not create much and it was maybe a case of United just not being able to keep the pace up. After this the game was more even but united still were the better side second half and still edged possession and chances. They are on a sorry run and may struggle to hold onto their place in the playoffs on that performance. The manager McDonald ranted and raved about the officials but in truth he must have known they were well beaten and were lucky to get away with 2-0 and I believe he has even apologised to their supporters for their inept showing. Only Foderingham came out of the game with any real credit.
They were quite cynical and had numerous players booked for persistent fouls (both centre backs committed countless offences – most niggly). They complained about things all game (the goal was a regulation strong header and never a push) and then resorted to diving (two or three times this happened in the box and they were lucky to just get one yellow card – did the same guy not do it again after he was cautioned?).
Long 7.5/10 – Did not have that much to do but was excellent in what he did do. He made one smart save in the first half as he flicked over after a half of inactivity. He then made a smart low save when it was 2-0 from an angled shot. He punched one away well and handled excellently. His kicking was also good.
McMahon 8/10 – Maybe our stand out player in a proper team performance. Defended well and made some good tackles, interceptions and blocks. He also put in some lovely crosses; including for both goals which were just begging to be converted. He hit the post with a good free kick and assisted on another that was only slightly deflected onto the same post early in the game. He was involved in most good things in the game.
Hill 7/10 – He was steady defensively and made some of his usual covering tackles and headers etc. He was ok in this side but a few times he resorted to some awful lumps away and slices which often went very high into the air. Overall though he may not be pretty but he is quite effective as a defender. He did play an excellent ball into Murphy for a chance in the first half.
Maguire 7/10 – A couple of moments of hesitation or sloppy clearances but overall he was sound and played a couple of decent forwards very well. Showed his powers of recovery on a few occasions. He made a few covering tackles and showed his composure twice when he brought down high balls and controlled and passed forward. Was a bit concerned when he went to tackle their man and he went down but fortunately the referee deemed it a dive and thus spared us a penalty being conceded and him a 2 match ban (gone past cut off point now). A better performance than in recent games.
Collins 6/10 – Thought he was our poorest defender. Made some decent tackles and clearances but he also made some real ricks. Twice he nearly put them in courtesy of a poor back pass or an ill advised touch as he did on Tuesday. He also seems to struggle to get enough distance on clearances sometimes and in the second half he needed three attempts in one sequence to clear it. Maybe I am being harsh but his mistakes were their main route into coming back.
Flynn 7.5/10 – Lively and energetic even if the final product was not always there. He tried to get at his defender in the first half and linked well with others. He was able to stay wider and thus draw the full back away from the middle. He had a great chance at 1-0 when he went through and did well to beat the offside trap but then was guilty of being too honest as he tried to stay on his feet and instead of going down which would have been a penalty and a red card; he stumbled on and then scuffed a poor shot which was cleared off the line. Put a great cross in for Porter in the second half which he miscontrolled. Also his run led to another booking for a Swindon defender. A hard working performance with some decent moments.
Murphy 7/10 – Thought he was very good in the first half and maybe a 7.5-8 but then he faded badly as he seems too often (not fit enough?) in the second and I cannot remember him barely touch was ing the ball after the break and he was taken off. In the first half though he was very good. He was direct and this led to the full back being booked. He had a few runs and crosses and then one excellent run saw his shot saved by the keeper when maybe he should have done better. Improved (in the first half at least) performance looked lively and had more of an impact.
Doyle 7.5/10 – Much better today. He got amongst the Swindon midfield and helped us completely control this area of the field. In the first half we bossed the game and he and McDonald were key to this. He won loose balls, won second balls and also passed it well when he had it. He did miss a great chance when he ran off from a quick free kick and in truth it won as a shocking miss as he should have scored from 6 yards out or even squared to Kitson I think? At least he made the run and got beyond the front players and was alive. Second half he was not quite as good and for a spell early on we lost this area but he kept going and helped us get back on top. Does spend an extraordinary amount of time on the floor still which is annoying as it puts him out of the game.
McDonald 7.5/10 – Like Doyle he helped us control this area of the field and I have never seen us not only have so much of the ball but win so many loose balls. He actually (like Doyle) won a lot of the 50/50 loose stuff and both won a lot of headers or balls that ran loose. On the ball he passed it well and moved it side to side. At the heart of many of the good things that we did. He nearly scored with a rebound after a Porter effort. His influence lessened second half and he did pick up a knock (did not look that serious and taken off maybe as more of a precaution). Now escapes suspension too. Hopefully will be ok for Tuesday. Middle of the field was the key area for me today and both players were immeasurably better than they have been in terms of effort and will to win.
Porter 7.5/10 – He missed some chances and his first touch was often poor but he worked really hard today. He chased loose balls and looked a nuisance and made centre backs work and both got booked. He actually faced two centre backs as slow as him and a few times he got the run on them. Missed one shot when he turned and hit one that was decent and a good save. He then missed a one on one where he pulled wide. He scored with a firm header (they appealed for a foul but was simply stronger than his man). He got in decent positions all game and really ‘bust a gut’. Did get caught offside too much and also his touch when given a few other chances (one from Flynn cross second half) was wayward but contributed in making us more of a goal threat.
Kitson 6.5/10 – I actually thought he was poor for the most part today and without his goal his mark may have been lower. However it was a crucial goal and sealed the game and a textbook header from a great ball from McMahon. Aside from this he fought a running battle with the centre backs and so often resorted to just looking for free kicks or grappling with defenders instead of focusing on the ball. Most of the time I felt they were not fouls to be honest and the referee was right to wave them away. Was flagging when he got the vital second goal. His performances recently have not been at level as earlier in the season.
Subs
McFadzean – Did alright. He showed a few neat touches and played a good one two that led to a corner. He worked up and down the wing and did nothing much wrong (although one poor touch led to a breakaway for them and a corner. He then was involved in a good move and got on the end of the final ball and shot just wide at the near post.
Ironside – Really impressed again in a short spell when he came on for Porter. Showed real strength and intelligence in holding the ball up and played like a seasoned veteran. Definitely has something about him and seems very close to a start but of course Kitson and Porter scored and will keep the shirts for now I expect.
Whitehouse – Disappointed he not been involved or given a chance with poor performances in the midfield in recent times after he was given his bow at Doncaster. He came on today and did ok. He got stuck in and amongst things and kept it when he could. He did nearly slice in a corner which fortunately went the right side of the post from our point of view! Hopefully we will see more of him.
Officials – I felt today for maybe the first time this season we actually had what I would term a ‘homer’ but saying that we contributed to winning many decisions. Swindon were quite cynical and did commit a lot of fouls and quite a lot of the bookings were deserved but I would say a number of 50/50 decisions went our way early on (Swindon fans were overly sarcastic but you could see their point of view a little) and this led to frustration and more fouls. However many fouls committed were correctly given in our favour despite this point and the pressure we put on them led to fouls. The one centre back (Ward) committed at least 10 fouls in the first half alone! The full backs both committed fouls that were bookings and then they complained often. The one where Rooney was booked for diving was made worse when he did it again soon after! They were often so slow to react and stuck their leg in. The linesman on the John Street side also liked us and gave us lots of free kicks (some were/some weren’t!). Overall though the fact they fouled so much and had 7 players booked sums it up. Even if you argue a few of them they did lost their composure and left the referee with little choice on many of the indiscretions.
Crowd - Really good. Just felt positive in the pubs and in the concourse before the game. They got behind them from the off and backed Morgan with the chants early on. The crowd saw the team was getting stuck in, playing at a pace and attacking and responded. In turn the players were geed up even more and got even better. It was how the Lane should be. There was a quiet spell in the second half but this was probably as much down to nervousness and as the team came again, the crowd then responded in turn. A proper afternoon of football at Bramall Lane with the players fighting hard and giving it 100% and the fans recognising this effort.
Swindon brought a decent following actually; maybe 1,000 I would say that contributed to a crowd of 19,000+ and tried to get behind their team despite a pretty abject showing. Fair play for them for staying and applauding the team at the end when after such a showing you could not have blamed them if they had been long gone!
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