Once again United went behind at home as Mark Duffy scored on the half hour but a red card for Sam Togwell (the second for Scunthorpe against the Blades and with Michael Doyle involved yet again) helped turn the game. Two changes at the break also contributed to the turnaround as goals from Lee Williamson and Stephen Quinn helped end the Blades hoodoo over the Iron. It was the first for United over Scunthorpe since 1983 and restored the 5 point cushion over the teams below them in the table.
United began slowly and Scunthorpe made the early running looking neat and tidy on the ball and combative when they had to be in winning it back. However, United had a half chance when Evans shot was blocked and then had a golden chance to take the lead when Beattie played in Ertl but the big midfielder shot wide when he should have scored with just the keeper to beat.
Parkin was battling hard with Maguire and Scunthorpe were attacking with intent and purpose. Duffy down the right was looking a real threat and showed quick feet to get away from Francois before Collins cleared the subsequent cross. Barcham had an effort wide and then O’Connor also had an effort just past the post as the crowd started to become frustrated with United’s poor passing. Scunthorpe were growing in confidence and the cat calls continued when Doyle and then Ertl tossed the ball away in quick succession.
The visitors’ good opening was rewarded with a goal just after the half hour as O’Connor beat Doyle to the ball and played it forward inside the left hand channel. DUFFY came inside and got away from Francois again and made space before drilling a smart finish inside Simonsen’s left hand post to stun the Blades. It had been a poor performance so far but the goal still came out of nothing.
Parkin was booked for persistent fouling soon after and the game was becoming very scrappy as United’s poor touch seemed to be catching all over the field as not one player seemed confident in possession. The home side were given a massive boost though just before half time.
Doyle got to the ball first and Togwell lunged in. The tackle seemed very reckless and referee, Tierney had no doubt as the Blades skipper lay stricken clutching his leg and the red card was instant. There were some appeals from the Scunthorpe men but it did seem a stupid and wild lunge especially with his team in control at this stage.
The half time break saw Wilson shuffle his troops as Quinn and Cresswell came on for Ertl and Beattie as he sought to change a disappointing performance instantly. Quinn seemed to be operating down the right but he and Williamson seemed to interchange in the early stages as United finally started to show some life. Midfielder Walker was somehow allowed to take his boot off, put it on and take it off again before finally tying his laces without any action being taken against him at a stoppage.
Scunthorpe were certainly now timewasting at every opportunity and the referee had to speak to the Iron skipper on numerous occasions. They did not heed the warning and Mifrin was booked for cynically slowing the game down.
United had been more playing with more purpose and with Lowton getting forward well and Williamson and Quinn linking well, they looked like they may create an opening. A few half chances had just been cleared inside the box but the Iron defence was now looking stretched. The equaliser came when Cresswell fed Quinn and the midfielder cleverly played in Evans down the right hand channel. The cross came over and WILLIAMSON was on the end of it and emphatically smashed the ball home. It was not an easy chance but the way he got his body over the ball and hooked a powerful half volley home was impressive and testament to the skill of the midfielder.
United now were firmly in the ascendancy and Evans showed good skill to get away from Mirfin before having his shot saved from Slocombe. Quinn then fired just wide with the keeper motionless as the visitors were getting further penned back. Duffy had a rare opening but shot wide as the Scunthorpe danger man once again found space.
Slocombe was finally booked for timewasting as the keeper was taking an age to take goal kicks but United kept coming and Evans nearly played in Quinn before the same combination almost led to a chance for the striker but the ball was cleared. Barcham came off for Thompson with the Kop giving the departed player the slow hand clap as he painfully made his way off taking an eternity.
Wilson made his final change with Hoskins coming on for Flynn and going to a wide position as United sought the all-important winner. It came after a corner was not properly cleared and QUINN’s low drive flicked off Reid and into the net. It was a crucial goal and one celebrated wildly by the Irishman. After the vital goal United actually had two further chances Quinn’s run and cross was flicked just wide by Cresswell and then Evans got away and after his first shot was blocked by Slocombe his follow up went over as Mirfin caught him with a late challenge.
The striker could continue after treatment as the referee added on four minutes of stoppage time; ironically most of it for the timewasting from the visitors; and there were a few scary moments for the home side to survive. One ball into the box bobbled around before being cleared and two corners led to a final chance for Iron but the ball was sliced wide. The final whistle came when Simonsen punted the dead ball clear and United celebrated a big three points with the result clearly better than the performance.
United – It was one of the poorest performances for some time. The first half was dreadful with awful passing, terrible first touches and no kind of football whatsoever. We also lost the battles and seemed to not win many tackles, loose balls or second balls. We were second best in this aspect but you would expect some of our decent footballers to show ability but they did not. It seemed like not one player could do anything right with every touch seemingly miscontrolled and every pass telegraphed. We created little chances (Ertl chance and that was it?) and Francois was all over the shop (not the only one). The goal was so easy as the lad just ran down the wing, cut in and fired home with no real challenge. I could not believe how bad we were. The defence looked slow and easy to turn and the midfield looked so lacking in ideas with players in the centre too similar and those out wide offering nothing. The front two lacked movement and could not hold the ball up. It seemed no one wanted to take responsibility and everyone was hiding meaning players had to go long or try balls that were not on. We lacked belief and desire to take the game by the scruff of the neck. I also thought we lacked leadership and no one seemed to be talking or trying to rally the troops. It really was dire in every aspect.
The sending off was a big moment as we then had an extra man and new life. We then made 2 changes (right ones but could have been any of 7 or 8 players coming off really) and Quinn got on the ball and tried to make things happen. Lowton started to get forward and others such as Williamson and Evans came to the ball and we started to actually want the ball and pass the ball. We played some little triangles, got the ball down wide and played the ball into the right areas with people making space. We began to move the ball from left to right and vice versa and started to show urgency at the right times but also patience when required to find the extra pass. Quinn was key in most things we did. The goal was well made and well taken and then we had a few other half chances. After this we kept pressing and eventually the winner came. We could have had a few more actually. The second half was much better in every respect but could not be any worse than the first. I do not know without the red card whether we would have come back to be honest as it was so flat but credit for Wilson. His changes to start the game did not work but he did change it and changed it quicker than Sunday. He also gave Hoskins more time when he brought him on. At least he tried to make things happen and did not wait.
It was a huge win but the performance was scrappy to say the least. It was very unconvincing and we have to improve massively in the coming games. McDonald has been a big loss and hopefully will be back sooner rather than later. Montgomery/Ertl or whoever else has not worked but Quinn and Williamson both playing more centrally in the second half allowed us to get on the ball more and have a threat from this area. I was disappointed with Beattie too who looked very slow and totally immobile but he maybe got caught up with the rest of the poor play. We need to come at it from the start on Saturday and not wait till we go behind or an incident (red card). It is reaching crunch time and a few more performances like that and the gap will be narrowed in no time. It is pleasing we scrapped out the win I suppose but it was not good at all despite the patches of improvement in the second half as Scunthorpe had little choice with ten to try and hold onto what they had.
We are still in a great position and have to make sure we capitalise with a win over Oldham before the trio of consecutive away games. There is going to be a lot of twists and turns and the strange decision from over the city with the departure of our friend Mr Megson adds to the drama. I never liked the man who was full of his own self-importance but he had done a decent job (ugly side to watch admittedly) and they were right there. Clearly there had been a breakdown in relationships between him and the chairman. I did find it amusing Wednesday fans all slamming Mandaric when without him they would maybe have gone into administration or even receivership. At the end of the day it is his business and he does what he wants I suppose but it does seem an odd move.
They must have a manager ready to take over and expect Dave Jones or someone else to take over by tomorrow or Friday at the latest.
Scunthorpe – They always seem to be struggling but always seem to be beat us no matter what division we are in and tonight was a welcome respite. First half they were very good. They got amongst us, closed the ball down and made us give it away. We were really poor and did not keep it but they did win the first and second ball much of the opening 45 minutes. Duffy the right winger had looked a threat and he took his goal really well. Parkin was a nuisance up front and they defended n numbers restricting us to one significant chance in the first half. They actually played a bit of football and were much more adventurous than say Preston. As Knill has said other teams have come to the Lane and played 4-5-1 or 5-4-1 and done ok for a spell and then conceded and ended up losing the game comfortably. He said they would have a go and despite the timewasting they did attack and up to the red card were deservedly in front I felt as they won the battle but also kept the ball better.
After the sending off they tried to defend in numbers, getting men behind the ball and also timewasting quite cynically at every opportunity. They never were going to keep this going for a whole half an after we levelled you felt it would be hard for them to hold on. To be fair we did not create lots of chances but a number of balls whizzed across the box or just eluded Blades players. The goal was a little fortunate with a deflection but with the pressure gaining you felt it always might come. They then sent on another attacked and tried to press us back but they only had 5 minutes to do so and other than a late chance from the corner right at the death did not really threaten other than a few set plays.
They did look a better side than a team that is in real danger of going down and up to the red card they would have felt very comfortable and delighted with the performance. After this they had to defend even more and seemed unable to keep the ball and this made it hard for them. If they had kept eleven on then it might have been different and they would have reckoned they may have got at least a point. On that performance and efforts they are better than a great deal of sides that have come down the Lane this year and should stay up.
Simonsen 6/10 – Had little chance with the goal but his overall performance was a little jittery. He missed a few crosses including one that sailed over his head in the first half and his distribution was really poor with numerous kicks into touch. The only consolation is the Scunthorpe keeper’s distribution was even worse!
Lowton 6.5/10 – Thought he was off it in the first half along with the rest of the team with a poor touch, some passes overplayed and losing his man when the Iron attacked. He did improve a lot after the break and got forward and supported the attacks. When we play football and he, Williamson, Evans and Quinn combine and keep it on the deck we look a really good side. He was involved in some of our better attacks and combined well. He needs to be more consistent though.
Francois 3/10 – Has a nightmare. Did nothing right all night pretty much from losing his man constantly (he eventually scored after he had given him 15-20 yards of space all first half) to bad control to sliced clearances. An utterly calamitous performance really but he was not the only one who had an absolute shocker.
Maguire 6/10 – Thought he got mired in the general malaise for a lot of the game for long spells but then in the final stages he did finally start imposing himself on a tiring Parkin (up on his own and ploughing a lone furrow against four defenders). For much of the first half he showed a decent touch but played so many daft long balls too quickly.
Collins 6.5/10 – A few misplaced passes and clearances but he was one of the players that did ‘ok’ and I mean just ‘ok.’ He was as slow as the rest of them first half but at times he was frustrated with others for not attacking the ball. After we went behind he had no one to mark and at least tried to keep it down and play it on the floor and get it moving.
Doyle 6/10 – Thought he was poor first half and gave the ball way a lot and was unable to have any impact. More worryingly he did not win many loose balls or enable us to recycle the football. He took a nasty knock in the sending off (strangely second time he has been involved in a red card for a Scunthorpe player). He got much better in the second half with more space and was able to play it simple and help us move it left and right.
Ertl 3/10 – Came in and looked like a fish out of water. Played in central midfield but like with Montgomery and Doyle the partnership did not work at all. We gave the ball away a lot but more than that it seemed our midfielders did not even want the ball and it was like a hot potato. He did not seem to know where he was playing and often players were asking him to get out (seemed right on top of the centre backs). He did get forward once but missed a sitter. His touch and passing was quite poor too and not surprised he was taken off. He is not really good enough. Everyone says he is not a central midfielder, then he is not a right back, then he is not a centre back. I am not sure where his position is. I think using him to back up players as someone who can do a fill in for 10-15 minutes off the bench is about the best he can offer really.
Williamson 7/10 – A mixed bag. In the first half his touch and link up was poor and he gave the ball away quite a bit. He did not look with it amongst the rest of them. He did improve a lot after the break and got on the ball more and managed to use his undoubted technical ability. He took his goal really well and had a few other chances/assists that could have led to goals. Another that has to show it more consistently as he should dominate at this level.
Flynn 5.5/10 – Never really got in the game for me and at times got hurried out of it. He also did not help Francois much for all the criticism I have given him as the threat was coming down the right but he did not get back and help nullify this danger. He was not really a threat going forward and did not have much influence but once again whilst he was taken off, it could have been 4 or 5 others that went.
Evans 7/10 – Worked hard and tried to make things happen but he was another where things did not really go for him tonight. Made the goal with a good pull back and involved in many of our better attacks but the ball often did not stick as it has been with him in recent times. He still showed some good pace, skill and strength on a few attacks but his final product was missing (chance at the end should perhaps have been converted).
Beattie 4.5/10 – Did very little of note in the first half albeit with little service. He won the odd header but he seemed woefully behind the pace and often could not react to the balls coming forward or into his area of the pitch. I was pleased he was given a chance tonight and maybe he got caught up in the poor play from everyone but I was disappointed with him. I thought he would really grasp his chance but he still somehow looked woefully off the pace and if he is not look match fit now I wonder if he ever will be by the end of the season.
Subs
Quinn 7.5/10 – I never thought I would say this and I am not his biggest fan but he helped change the game. Admittedly the sending off changed the momentum but Quinn got on the ball and drove at the defence. He maybe needed a kick up the backside and being dropped maybe made him realise he needs to get back to his standards of earlier in the season. He linked well, showed decent touch and more than anything wanted the ball and wanted to make things happen. Involved in most of our good attacks and of course scored the winner albeit with a deflection.
Cresswell 6.5/10 – He might not have been superb on the ball but he came on and actually worked hard to stretch the defence and chased players down. He was more of a nuisance factor than Beattie and at least covered a lot of ground. Did seem tired after only 10-15 minutes of coming on but at least this showed the level of effort he was putting in. He does hold the ball up well at times and runs the channels but is woefully lacking pace and mobility. He had a few half chances and would have been disappointed not to score with a few balls going across the box.
Hoskins – His actual touch when he came on was quite poor and three times it shot off his feet. Maybe it was the pitch or maybe it was the ball but it seemed it was contagious amongst players on both sides as the ball did not stay under control for longer than a few seconds seemingly for long stages of the game. He did show a few better touches nearer the end of the game. I would like to see him have a longer spell in the game and maybe partner Evans on Saturday.
Officials – The big decision was of course the red card. It was hard to see from where I was sat but he did seem late and high. Doyle actually went in quite committed but the difference is he got there first I suppose and it did seem the Scunthorpe man went over the ball. The referee had no doubt and the red card was instant. He booked Parkin for persistent fouling (had committed 3 or 4 fouls) and then the ‘Beast’ continued to commit more fouls (I lost count on 9) but seem disinterested in taking any more action.
I do not think Scunthorpe were particularly dirty (not in same way as Preston were) and had a few decent footballers but they were niggly and did just enough to keep slowing the game down and make it hard for the game to flow. Aside from the red card there were lots of little fouls rather than many really bad ones.
However, he was woefully weak with the ridiculous timewasting with numerous Iron players taking the biscuit to say the least. The moment when the player somehow lost his boot when it was a free kick, then put it on, took it off, tied it, untied and tied it and escaped a booking was remarkable! The keeper was also pathetic as he took a minute at least over every goal kick moving it from side to side and patting the ball down and making divots. He was finally booked but then knew the ref would not book him again so he carried on again right until the end (or at least till they went behind). He booked one other for timewasting and has numerous words with their captain to warn him that any more would result in yellow cards but actually only booked one more after this. Unsure why their captain was so annoyed when the referee was finally putting a stop to the blatant cheating.
Crowd/Atmosphere – One of the poorest crowds of the season (if not the poorest?) and for much of the first half the atmosphere was not good as the poor play and the goal United conceded saw a great deal of frustration on the terraces. The crowd were getting more and more impatient but you could see why as it was truly dire. The crowd seemed caught between wanting us to keep it and be patient and get it forward quicker. We got caught somewhere in the middle and the boos at half time were predictable but maybe a little deserved. We finally woke up second half and the crowd started to make some noise and get behind the team. After we levelled you sensed there was only one winner but it took right until the 83rd minute to come. After this the crowd seemed to really will United over the finishing line. It was a weird atmosphere as the news of Megson’s departure happened at the same time as United were trying to get the winner so there was an odd buzz in the crowd.