The Blades finally got a league victory in 2014 as they saw off Shrewsbury in a hugely important game at the bottom of League One. In a game played in very difficult weather conditions and a less than smooth playing surface the Blades did enough to win a scrappy contest. Goals came from Scottish duo Ryan Flynn and Stefan Scougall in a quick fire spell in the first half.
This was enough and despite the visitors having a lot of the ball and a couple of good chances either side of the break; they did not ever really threaten the eventual outcome. For United it was more about the result than the performance.
Manager Clough opted to bring back Jose Baxter for Chris Porter as United employed an odd line up that did not feature one out and out striker with Baxter the most advanced supported by Scougall and Coady in attacking midfield positions and McGinn more withdrawn. Shrewsbury had former Blade David McAllister in the line up and they too played a conservative approach with loan striker Tom Eaves leading the line.
United began kicking towards the Kop and Brayford was involved as he galloped down the right and sent over a dangerous cross. The right back’s overlapping and Flynn’s work was a feature of the opening to the game. Shrewsbury had struggled get a foot hold in the game and the home side were able to get the opening goal with the first real effort by either side on 11 minutes.
Scougall ran with the ball and went beyond the defence before perfectly cutting the ball back and Baxter moved aside to allow FLYNN to hit a controlled first time finish into the goal. It was a well made and taken goal and gave the home side the vital breakthrough.
Soon after it was 2-0 and again it came via United’s Scottish connection. Collins brought the ball out of defence and fed SCOUGALL who took a touch, steadied himself and hit a shot that seemed fairly innocuous but it bounced off the turf and deceived Weale. The keeper was definitely at fault though. Many of the fans seem surprised when the net billowed! It was the young Scot’s first goal for the club and he was clearly delighted.
After this Shrewsbury had a spell of play but did not hurt United who kept a solid shape and were able to prevent any real chances. United were not able to add to the quick fire double and had retreated somewhat opting to hold what they had. The visitors did not really threaten the United goal and indeed the next chance came to Baxter who showed neat footwork but fired over the bar when well positioned.
Just before the break the Shrews did have a good chance when the ball came across and Parry just got not wrap his foot around the ball and it went wide. United would have been happy to go in with the comfort of a two goal lead and hoping they could see the game out.
Conscious of the throw away against Bradford, United would have wanted not to concede and give the visitors any kind of sniff but they did not heed the warning and were fortunate as Shrewsbury had a golden chance to get back in the game. As Taylor got in behind Collins but fired badly wide and off target with only Howard to beat.
After this the game became mired in a midfield battle with little football of note played and certainly few chances although Murphy came inside and fired a shot wide after he had got away from Woods for the first time all game. The weather had not been the best but had taken a further turn for the worse as the rain and wind lashed around S2. United just needed to keep firm and not give away anything daft at the back and so far Shrewsbury had done little to suggest they would get back into the game even if United had threatened little at the other end too.
Miller replaced McGinn as Baxter moved back as United tried to ensure they had more of the ball as they attempted to kill the game. The weather was unrelenting and this meant it was hard to know how much to put on the ball as earlier it had held up but now was shooting off as the pitch had become very wet. Howard just knocked the ball away from the substitute Schmeltz and then at the other end Miler was blocked out after good work from Murphy. Flynn cut inside and did everything right but the finish as he blazed over as United now seemed to be finishing the stronger with the Shrews looking a beaten side.
Porter came on for Coady and Miller went inside right with Flynn tucking into a more orthodox midfield position. Porter had the ball in the net but was ruled offside. There was an additional three minutes stoppage time but the referee only made it to 2 minutes 30 seconds! It seemed he’d had enough too as both teams squelched their way into the tunnel with United getting the all important three points in a less than classic contest.
United – It was enough. A really poor game where there was little excitement or chances all afternoon. We got two decent goals and got in command and then got a good shape and restricted them to many chances. On the ball we were mostly sloppy other than the odd pocket of decent play and our passing was not assured. Much of our best work was when we did not have the ball as players covered for each other; we pressed when we had to and kept a really disciplined shape. McGinn and Scougall stood out in midfield and Flynn was busy. The defence did ok and were fairly solid. Against Bradford we created tons of chances and played some smashing football but had not discipline at times. Today we were more ugly and workmanlike; albeit against a poorer side but did enough to win the game. As the rain lashed down and the wind swirled; I remarked they just needed to get out, win the game and get in. It was that simple. It was a game we had to win and we did.
Looking at the table we are still in the bottom four and although we have a few games in hand these soon mean nothing if you do not pick up points as we saw last season. Tougher tests also await at the Lane. Looked at the fixtures and we play 4 of the top 6 at the Lane still and got a few relegation scraps to come with Carlisle and Stevenage to play. Brentford is a game I do not expect much from. With a heavy pitch taking its toll and Brentford not having played; we will struggle to get much I feel. I would be delighted with a point. I think we may change a few players around due to fatigue but also think we will play like we have in the cup and play on the break more and set up solid. Despite playing the leaders and then the game v Forest; I probably have more of an eye on the Bristol City game which is shaping up to be just as important as the Shrewsbury one and another we simply have to win.
Today showed we are not great as we were not much better than a side I expect to go down but I will take not great and picking up the wins we need to get out. It will go right to the wire but just hope we can still pick up a striker we do badly need to give us more of a cutting edge. Both teams looked so powder puff today and that concerns me as we are playing much better sides than Shrewsbury over coming weeks.
Shrewsbury – They looked a really poor side lacking in confidence which is odd after they held the leaders last week. Gave away two sloppy goals and never really recovered. It was odd as they set up with one up top and then even after letting two goals in continued with the same formation. They had a lot of the ball for the final 20 minutes of the first half but other than the chance at the far post did nothing with it in the final third. When they got in the last third they looked clueless and often clipped aimless crosses into the striker who got beat by Maguire and Collins all game. They had one great chance in the early stages of the second half but missed it badly and after this they did not have a chance of note and the game sort of fizzled out. They did not even put many tackles in or really have a go and I never felt they were ever going to come back.
If we finish beneath them we will go down. They look a relegation side to me but we were hardly much better but I would say that was one of our poorer performances in recent weeks and we have done better in some games we have lost/drawn since Clough came in.
As for players the keeper has always been decent over recent years but made a rick on the goal; not helped by the pitch. At the back they looked quite slow and I felt any kind of pace or running at them would cause problems and it did when Scougall ran with the ball. They had 5 in midfield but still did nothing with it. They often had it for long spells but went nowhere with it. The ex Blade McAllister looked particularly anonymous. I note he has not even been starting most weeks for them. Up front the lad Eaves just appealed for imaginary fouls and was never in the game. The experienced Parry also did not have much affect; nor did the promising Taylor. The best player was the lad Woods at right back. He was excellent showing pace, strength and some real ability on the ball. He did not give Murphy a kick. He looked wasted there and finally was put into midfield. Looks a real talent and one to maybe look at?
Howard 7/10 – He did not have a great deal to do and the chances they had they put wide. Did ok and was relatively assured. I felt his handling was very good on the whole with some high balls that he had to take. Not totally convincing at times as there was confusion a few times when he didn’t come out second half. Once this led to a corner and another time he finally came and sort of fisted it away diving low and we were fortunate they did not take advantage. His kicking was mixed but weather did not help with that.
Brayford 7/10 – Not as impressive as in the other games he has played so far but it was still a steady performance. Shows incredible energy and fitness (to say he has not been playing) to get up and down the wing. Put a couple of excellent crosses in early. Defensively solid enough under little pressure. Always trying to make his man go the other way and let them worry about him. A very good footballer who will end up back at Cardiff pressing for a place or in the Championship at the very least.
Harris 6.5/10 – Like Brayford nothing spectacular but solid enough. Put in some crunching tackles and is not afraid of contact/getting dirty. He is fairly mobile and for League One seems a solid full back from what I have seen so far. Is a player that will pick up quite a few bookings I think as he can be a bit reckless at times but like the fact he does try and tackle rather than stand off. Although a couple of time him diving in led to chances. The cross in the first half that was nearly put in and then second half his challenge led to the miss.
Collins 7/10 – Thought he did some really good things and then some daft things. He made a number of interceptions and read the game really well, particularly second half. He also gave it away a few times that could have led to trouble. He did show urgency though in crowding men out and winning the ball to ensure Shrewsbury never could settle in the second half.
Maguire 7/10 – A few clumsy slices and clearances apart he also was solid enough today. Won most of the battle against Eaves and was able to bring it out quite often to help initiate the attack. Realised no one was pressing or in front of him so employed this tactic quite often.
Coady 5.5/10 – To me he was one of our poorest players. Played more attacking than defensive midfield but did not seem to know how to influence the game. I have been calling for him to get more games but today he did not convince. Did not get on the ball that much and when he did his passing was poor most of the game. I think he gave it away more than he kept it or played really uncomfortable passes behind his man or too far in front. An odd player as he seems to have good athleticism, not a bad touch and a decent stature but games often just pass him by and for all the potential he may have I am not sure he has really got any better from the first time we saw him sadly. Cannot see Liverpool keeping him as he has looked mostly ordinary even at League One level.
McGinn 8/10 –.He was good today. Yes he gave the ball away 3 or 4 times but I felt he was very busy and showed some real neat and tidy touches. Managed to turn away from trouble and create space and allow us to move the ball forward after he had started attacks. Seemed keen to impress against a side he played for last season. Showed better strength in challenges. Playing against such poor opponents helped but he was the best midfield player on show today. The only knock is he does seem to tire quite easily and rarely lasts 90 minutes. Unsure why this is but he needs to improve his fitness (as does Baxter and a few others) in the summer.
Scougal 7.5/10 – Very good first half. Some strong runs forward, made the first goal with a driving run and clever pulled back pass. Like the fact he played it to a man rather than hit it aimless and also managed to hit it on the run rather than stop. He then scored a second goal that was a decent shot but maybe a tad fortunate with poor keeping/bounce off pitch. Second half he was not as influential as we tried to see the game out and he was more withdrawn and did not attack as much. Does look a cracking little player though and I feel with better players around him (hopefully next season) he can be even more influential. For a tiny guy he does not shy from contact and gets really stuck in.
Murphy 5.5/10 – Not his day and for most of the game looked like the Murphy we have seen for most of his spell at the Lane. He could not beat his full back and got out muscled and crowded out. Had a few runs inside and a shot over but overall he did not influence the game much at all until they brought on Grandison at right back and then he beat his man twice and nearly led to a goal!
Flynn 7.5/10- Another decent game. He scored a well taken goal (decent finisher who does not tend to panic when in such positions) and worked hard for the team. Had a few other efforts over the bar and got in some good positions. His performances have improved markedly since Clough came in and seems keen to win a new contract.
Baxter 7/10 – Not his best game but it was hard for him up top on his own. He had a few neat touches and passes but also turned into trouble a few times aswell. Showed his range of passing as he switched the ball from left to right and did his best to try and get us moving but often he was a tad slow to move the ball on or decide what he wanted to do and took too many touches. Felt he got little support and it was a tough day to have to play up top on their own; as the Shrewsbury striker also found and ended the game in midfield.
Subs-
Miller – Came on and went up top as Baxter came back into midfield. Showed decent control a few times but missed a good chance when Murphy pulled the ball back and he took too long to shoot and it was blocked. Ended up on the right hand side as the game finished.
Porter – Thought he was right to be brought on as we needed someone to try and hold the ball up and players were tiring. Sadly he came on, got caught offside three times (one where he scored but was poor in getting caught offside) and generally stumbled around doing very little.
Manager rating –
Clough 7.5/10 – He got the tactics and team selection right as it may have seemed a negative line up but he realised that we needed to be solid, deny chances and ensure they had the ball behind us and never got in front. This worked as they had a lot of the ball but did nothing with it. As soon as they got into the last third we mostly pressed well and stopped them getting crosses/shots in. He ensured we were solid in midfield and were able to get men forward for that spell in the first half when we scored twice. In simple terms it was a professional performance where we did enough to win the game.
Officials – I thought he was one of the best referees we have had this season. There were not many bad tackles and he only booked one player for the cynical trip on Murphy near the end and seemed disappointed he had to get his book out which was good to see. He let the game flow and tried to ensure there was a bit of common sense with some of tackles in such dreadful weather. I did not notice the referee or really comment on him which shows when they have been the most effective. I would say the assistant referees had a weakness in that they simply could not spot some of the most blatant foul throws I have ever seen by the Shrewsbury left back.
Crowd – It was a nothing sort of atmosphere and one of our poorer crowds this season. We got the two goals and this killed the nerves/tension but as the game was relatively comfortable there was nothing to get excited about. It was very quiet and many fans just peered into the sky and perhaps were more worried about getting soaked on the way home! Credit to the Shrewsbury fans that sang most of the game and really tried to get behind the team which was hard as they were so poor (we were not much better).