With the three teams immediately below them all winning; it was crucial United made no mistakes against second bottom Iron and won the game relatively comfortably. A well taken early goal from Shaun Miller gave them the start they needed and United threatened to blow Scunthorpe away. However the second goal did not come and the Blades had to survive a close call when Damien Mozika hit the bar and George Long had to make a great reaction save from the rebound. After the break the Blades regained control and further goal from a header from Dave Kitson and then a late penalty from Nick Blackman after some superb showboating involving a number of players that led to the award; sealed all three points.
United began with an unchanged side from the weekend and only tinkered slightly with the bench with Cresswell coming in for McFadzean. Scunthorpe, now managed by Brian Laws yet again, were without former Owls man Leon Clarke who had returned to parent club Charlton (now on trial at Coventry) and opted to start with one striker in Karl Hawley with experienced front man Nathan Ellington on the bench.
The game began in appalling weather conditions and with the rain absolutely lashing it down it was hard for both teams and the visiting side began cautiously knocking it out of touch twice in quick succession. However, Canavan did not clear the ball properly and MILLER picked up the loose ball and was able to come inside two defenders. He was still only on the edge of the box but he hit a powerful low shot right into the corner. The skidding surface aided the shot as the effort gave Mildenhall no chance. Scunthorpe won a corner in response but another mistake; this time from Ryan saw united break and Miller was in again. His ball to Blackman saw the winger come inside and hit a low shot but this time Mildenhall saved well diving low and holding the ball despite the tricky conditions.
McDonald and then Kitson combined with some clever interchange before Flynn’s centre eventually fell to Doyle but his shot was blocked. Soon after Miller and Flynn combined and the latter’s cross just evaded the head of the former as United looked to get further goals. The home side were in complete control and the only negative was when McMahon was booked when Barcham knocked the ball past him.
Slowly the visitors started to come back into the game as they began to knock it about and gained confidence from this. They won two corners in quick succession and then ought to have been level. Ryan’s cross was dangerous and evaded both United’s centre backs and Mozika looked certain to score. His headed bounced down and hit the bar and as the ball came out it seemed like Barcham was set to sweep in the rebound but Long did excellently to get up and just push the ball away. United should have been warned but soon after a cross came in that just evaded two Scunthorpe players.
United were now in a real contest and the game was much more even. However, despite this thy had a good shout for a penalty as Flynn got down the left and seemed to be clipped as two Scunthorpe players converged on him.
At the other end Maguire was maybe harshly adjudged to have fouled his man but after the protestations, the free kick was straight at Long. Still after a strong start United would have been glad to get to half time still in front.
Miller had taken a knock just before the break and when the second half began; he had been withdrawn and his place taken by Cofie. Not long after United had to make another change as Collins clashed heads with Mozika. The United man came off worst and the physio signaled immediately that he had to come off. As Collins trudged off he signaled it was his cheek with a fracture confirmed after the game. Williams went to left back and Hill came inside to partner Maguire.
Just before the hour, United got the crucial second goal. Canavan barged into the back of Kitson and from McMahon’s precise delivery, KITSON directed his header high into the net. He was quick to thank McMahon for his role in the goal. It was a crucial moment in the game and despite being relatively quiet the flame haired striker had made a vital contribution. United began to control things and McDonald was becoming increasingly influential in proceedings. They had another good shout for the penalty for a handball but the referee once again played on.
Scunthorpe had not been in the game but had a few shots that went tamely wide before United reasserted control and Blackman had a few dangerous runs at Newey. McDonald started to knock the ball about and with both wide men looking threatening it seemed like it was a matter of time before the third goal came. Djezeri came on for Hawley as Scunthorpe tried to find some kind of route back into it but in truth the game had been played almost entirely in their half. The third goal did come and when it did it came following oooh’s and aaah’s from the crowd. This came about after some showboating from the home side. It began after a lovely touch from Flynn was followed by some impish skill from McDonald who flicked the ball inside; Flynn got onto the ball and was felled by Newey. The spot kick was an obvious decision.
BLACKMAN did his usual routine of stopping and then starting again sending Mildenhall the wrong way as he rolled it into the opposite corner. Kitson was then taken off for Cresswell as the game was now decided. In truth it had been since Kitson’s goal. Cofie had an effort on goal but it was blocked and Blackman showed off his full repertoire of skills before the final whistle came not long after.
United – In the end it was comfortable and the performance was book ended by a very good start and then an excellent ending. We still had control for large parts of the game in between but a poor spell just before the break threatened to undo the good work till we got back control and in the second half we played some really good stuff in hard weather conditions with likes of McDonald, Flynn and Blackman playing some good stuff.
Obviously playing a lowly team it was important that we got in front and took away the crowds frustrations and impatience (that can be seen at the Lane!) and this early strike was crucial but then we had a few chances and some lovely play but could not get the second despite some this good football. After this they had a spell and from around the 20-25 minute mark they came on strong and we had a scrappy spell where it easily could have been level. They really ought to have scored with the header and then the rebound too. They had a really good spell and a few other balls whizzed across the box. We were probably glad to get to half time.
The second half we controlled things and dominated really. We got 2 more and could have had even more. We began to get it down and play football and Scunthorpe were never really in the game. McDonald started to dictate things and we got Blackman on the ball more that finally started to have an impact. With Flynn doing well and Doyle doing the dirty work we had most of the ball. Up front Miller did well until injured but Kitson was off his game despite the goal and Cofie did not exactly convince when he came on. This area still worries me slightly as if Miller is out we lack creativity and something different up here. It would not surprise me to see us sign another striker especially if Blackman stays out wide. The defence were solid enough against a poor attack although at times went long too much. Today the midfield was the stand out area for me which was pleasing after some ordinary performances in recent weeks.
In the end we won at a canter and for the final 5-10 minutes there were some impish pieces of skill as McDonald, Blackman and Flynn showed some superb skill to engineer the chance for the penalty kick award. Those not there should definitely watch this if they get chance when they show the highlights. We had a few other ‘showboat’ style moments after this as we threatened to get more goals and Scunny had basically ‘gone’.
Worrying we have a few injury concerns and I do feel we still need to strengthen; especially more so now. Hopefully we can see off Hartlepool (crowd has to be patient in this one – I would take 1-0 personally) and then we can head to Donny for a massive game in which we need to show how serious we are for automatic promotion. Other than Huddersfield away (maybe Stevenage this season) I can’t remember many games where we have played other top teams and won so would be nice to go to the Keepmoat and win. However it will mean nothing if we do not beat Hartlepool and they will win at some point so it won’t be as easy as it looks.
We have had two tricky games in hard weather conditions and won both with solid defensive performances and improved from Saturday to today in an attacking sense. It is frustrating as the division is there for the taking with some investment. Sign a couple of players like Duffy (from Scunny), Pogba from Crewe or Berrett (Carlisle) and I feel we would be able to have a great chance to go on and get promoted. It will be decisive what we do in the transfer window in a few weeks.
Scunthorpe – They started the game really poorly. They gave the ball away cheaply but think Laws does Miller a massive disservice saying it was a really bad mistake that led to the goal. It was a well-made and taken goal and the attacker deserves credit. After this you felt their confidence drop and we had a few other chances and it easily could have been 2 or 3 nil. They continued with just one up top; Hawley supported by wing men Barcham and Duffy but oddly despite having extra man in midfield still lost much of this battle early on. Gradually they got back into the game and had a few good moments and started to pass it around well (helped by us tossing it away for a period). They had a few half chances with some decent crosses and then a great chance when the ball came across and Mozika had to score but somehow headed the ball down and it hit the bar. The rebound also ought to have been converted but they allowed Long to save. After this they had another spell of possession and actually had a number of corners in the first half.
After the break they kind of regressed again and we got control. They struggled with Blackman and slowly as McDonald started to dictate the game; they sat back deeper and deeper. The 2nd goal sealed things and it was probably too late for them to bring on an extra striker (in Ellington – his career has really nosedived from the prolific scorer at Wigan along with Roberts – who is still Premier League at Reading). Maybe Laws felt he could have kept it 1-0 and tried to nick one but they had looked better when they attacked and when they started defending and conceded possession and kept moving back; they lost control of the game again.
At 2-0 they never looked like getting back into it and their confidence is clearly at a low ebb and they looked a relegation side. The third goal was due to them unable to knock the ball out in the corner and a clumsy challenge soon after. They then looked like they did not want to be there as the tricks came out from the home side. They looked well beaten by full time. Laws said the keeper did not have many saves to make but nor did ours and misses out the stats that we had 17 shots (12 on target); 10 corners to 5 and more possession. It was a deserved defeat sadly and even with the mistakes that led to the goals you kind of felt United had another gear to go up.
They have picked up a bit since Laws came but they are in deep trouble. I look at some of their players and I feel they are better than a few teams above them though. I liked the lad Duffy last season when they played at the Lane (and he scored) and he was good again. He is very slight but attacks the full back and is very progressive with the ball. Definitely think he could play for a better team (no offence intended). At the back they looked quite slow and immobile and I felt you could get through them quite easy. They tried to keep a high line but often this led to problems and I also felt they gave the left back, Newey, no help in the second half when Blackman started beating him. Mind you he had stopped him every time in the first half. I never felt Mozika, Ryan and Collins (for them) never really got a grip of our midfield and it was too easy for McDonald to knock the ball about. The teams at the Lane who have done well have nullified him and Blackman but in the second half both had free reign.
Not sure if they will stay up really as they do seem in a spot of bother and some of the other strugglers such as Walsall, Orient and Carlisle have started picking up points. I do feel Colchester and Shrewsbury will get dragged in. I suppose with Hartlepool almost gone and Pompey maybe the same after 10 point deduction; it would only be two spots to play for which helps them. They will have to do better than they have done at home which traditionally has been one of their main allies in attempts to go up/stay up.
Long 7.5/10 – Had very little to do other than a few crosses he took and routine back passes he had to deal with. However the one real chance they had of note all game saw them hit the bar and set to turn the rebound home but he made a great reaction save. He got up quickly and sprang himself across his goal. It was the sort of save that last year would have gone in as Simonsen would not have got up in time. A crucial save that was perhaps a turning point in the game.
McMahon 7/10 – He has improved in recent weeks both defensively and going forward and this continued. Kept it simple when defending with a few tackles and blocks and going the other way he put in some good crosses from free kicks. Made the second goal with a powerful delivery that Kitson met on the full. He did get booked when he blocked off a Scunthorpe man (little he could do to get out of the way really). Amusing moment when crowd shouted ‘Shoot!’ when he had a free kick near the touchline in the second half and he turned and grinned to the crowd.
Hill 7/10 – Another steady game. Played the first half at left back and then most of the second at centre back after Collins went off injured. He was solid defensively a few punts to no one in particular notwithstanding but overall he has been pretty consistent this season. He attacks the ball and makes sure he gets there before his man. He is nothing flash but does the job required and may now have to play centre back if Collins is out for a while.
Maguire 7/10 – Did not make any real mistakes defensively even though I thought it was not his best game even though Scunny barely troubled us or had many chances. He did ok but gave away a foul when he dived in and also telegraphed a simple ball. However what annoyed me most was his continual hoofing of the ball forward instead of passing it. Do not mind the odd diagonal ball or cross field ‘pass’ but he relied on the long punt too much today.
Collins 7/10 – Was playing ok first half and won quite a few headers with his determination and power. Kept things simple defensively and kept them to few chances. Early in the second half he won a firm header and seemed to get there first and got clattered although both players were going for the ball. Looked a bad one and was confirmed as a probably broken cheekbone. Unsure how long he will be out for as years ago you would be out for a couple of months but now you can play with protective masks. If he is out for a few weeks (minimum I would expect) then his loss will be a blow and now we have to move things around and with very little cover.
Flynn 7.5/10 – Played well today and was one of our better players. He started the game well and was involved in most of our better things of note in the first half. Maybe could have had a penalty and a few times still dithered over crosses again but at least he got on the ball and did carry at quite a few times. Not quite as effective in the second half as we went through Blackman more. He was an integral part of the third goal as he, McDonald and Blackman linked with some superb skills to lead to the penalty as Flynn was clearly fouled.
Doyle 7/10 – Thought he did some good things and helped us win the central area. He got his foot in and for the early stages we dictated things as he and McDonald were key to this. Had a dodgy spell for a period towards the end of the half (poor pass; as did McDonald led to McMahon booking) as they started to get on top in this area but so did all the team. Got back on it in the second half as we again got complete control. When he keeps it simple and McDonald gets on the ball; we are a tough side to beat.
McDonald 8/10 – Thought he was very good today. Sure not everything came off but he started to show some flashes of the McDonald of old for longer spells today. He showed some delightful skills and passes and often was the hub of the best things that we did. He even showed some good strong running and got ahead of the strikers quite a few times. Some great skill in the build-up to the third as he linked well with others.
Blackman 7/10 – Thought he was abject in the first half and very predictable as he tried the same trick but never got past his man once. He at least I suppose kept going at his man. In the second half he was far superior and started to beat his man going both inside and outside. He was tough to stop and showed some delightful skills, such as the flicks that led to the penalty and then also the piece of control where he rolled it off his own foot and then jinked outside. Bags of ability even if he had lacked a bit of consistency in recent weeks and has been far better in the second half of games.
Miller 7/10 – Scored a superb first goal where he ran at the defence checked inside and then hit a precise shot right into the corner. A great individual effort. He then had a few other efforts too and assisted for Blackman who nearly got a second. He also nearly got onto a cross from Flynn. He got a bad knock after the ball had gone away (again like the Collins one it was an accident and I don’t think even a foul – not given). He tried to limp up but came off at half time. Seemed like he could be out a while (knee injury) and not sure we have a player like him to replace him as many of the rest (Cofie/Blackman) and (Porter/Kitson/Cresswell) are quite similar.
Kitson 6/10 – I thought he was quite ordinary today and felt that he actually did not always get to the ball quick enough. His control was ok and he did win a few headers but felt like Saturday that he kind of coasted through the game. However despite this he scored an excellent header that effectively sealed the game. Came off for Cresswell towards the end.
Subs
Cofie 6/10 – Thought he was given a real chance today for 45 minutes after the Miller injury but again did not totally convince. He was slightly better than he had been in that he had a few runs down the flanks and stretched his legs but often he again held onto the ball too much trying to ‘do a trick’ rather than keep it simple. I am afraid that if Miller is out for a period I am not sure he is the answer really as he lacks the football intelligence and strength to be counted upon for a team going for promotion.
Williams 6.5/10 – He came on and went to left back. He gave the ball straight to Scunthorpe (whose fans had given him a decent reception when he came on) and then sliced another one out. He did improve after this and Scunthorpe’s attacking threat had petered out as he actually combined well with Hill and Flynn on a few occasions.
Officials – Another poor showing from a referee. He was inconsistent from start to finish. He never seemed to have control of the game as some challenges were penalised and others saw him play on. It was a difficult game to referee in the conditions but he did not use any common sense. We had two possible penalty appeals (he claimed a defender got the ball when Flynn went down but clearly they did not as the ball ran on in the same direction. The one in the second half seemed a really good shout for handball but those on the Kop may have a better opinion?)
I felt as poor as he was some United fans blamed him for everything though and sometimes occasionally I could see why he gave some of the decisions. He was I suppose, going by the letter of the law, so the tackle from behind from Doyle, the overzealous tackle from Maguire, you could kind of see why they were given. Grated the Maguire one he did get the ball but referees are giving these more when players go to ground or raise their foot even slightly. Ridiculous I know. Also not a lot he could do about the injuries as they were both kind of accidental. Miller actually missed the ball and then the player went on him late but this was as the ball was cleared and was no intent. The Collins one saw him just get there first but again was an accident. However there were a lot of odd decisions and how he did not book their player for completely poleaxing Kitson was beyond me was not helped by two more incompetent linesman who often had no idea whose throw it was and simply guessed. It is becoming more of a surprise
Crowd - Good to see a healthy crowd inside the Lane as nearly 22,000 were in the ground despite awful weather conditions as the rain lashed down. The Kop was much fuller and the upper tier at the Bramall Lane end had quite a lot of Blades inside it too. If we can keep the crowds around or over 20,000 it can hopefully help us keep the unbeaten record. Hard to believe that if we don’t lose to Hartlepool we will only have lost once in the calendar year (Oldham) and indeed since Charlton last October, I believe we have only lost this once.
The crowd were buoyed by the early goal and were pleased with some neat interchange early on but then there was a spell when the crowd got frustrated as we gave the ball away and they came back into it. If they had scored then you could imagine the frustration with the crowd creeping in. After the break the second went in and the crowd could relax. Maybe too much as it was still fairly quiet for a comfortable win and a biggish crowd. Indeed I heard the keeper Mildenhall shouting to ‘Stop f’ing passing it back!’ on two occasions at his defence!
Good to beat Laws though. I remember him unfurling his scarf when ‘they’ beat us a few years ago. Tempted to walk down the steps of the South Stand and do the same as I exited the ground at the end but would not have wanted to look like a prized prat like him!