Sheffield United finally could enjoy that winning feeling as they scrapped their way to a crucial 1-0 victory against bottom of the table Peterborough United at a wet and windy Bramall Lane. The performance was certainly not vintage but thanks to a predatory strike from Henri Camara on his first full start for the club and a penalty save from returning keeper Mark Bunn; the Blades were able to take the three points.
Kevin Blackwell brought back Bunn for the injured Bennett and also could call on returning captain Chris Morgan. Lee Williamson made his Blades debut and Camara began alongside Ched Evans up front. Peterborough had new manager Mark Cooper on the sidelines and had brought a healthy following of supporters as they looked to move off bottom spot.
United began the game well with Camara looking very lively and linking well twice with Ward that nearly led to openings. Walker then sprinted clear and appeared to be checked but the referee waved play on preventing any potential debate over whether the challenge was made in our out of the box. It was a strong start by the home side in appalling weather conditions. Boyd then hit a fierce shot after United had coughed up possession but fortunately for the home fans it went just wide of the post. United went back on the offensive and were very unlucky not to get the lead they deserved on 25 minutes. From a corner Ward played in an intentionally driven ball to the edge of the box where Evans met it and hit a thunderous shot that smashed the underside of the bar, bounced down and away to safety.
United were playing some good football and a clever dummy by Ward almost set up a chance for Camara whose speed and alertness was at the heart of most of United’s opportunities. Peterborough were trying to get Boyd into the game at every opportunity but Walker was winning that battle and from one such tackle he was able to turn defence into attack and create the opening goal. The right back played a delightful chipped ball over the top of the full back and Ward darted onto the ball. The winger pulled the ball back right into the path of Evans who hit a fierce first time shot that Lewis did well to parry. However, CAMARA reacted quickest and slammed the ball past the prone keeper into the goal. It had been a long time since the Blades had led in a game having to go back to the Sheffield Derby almost two months to the day. United were soon back on the attack and Camara had two more shots blocked before Davies ought to have done better when Morgan returned a half cleared corner with interest.
The half time whistle came not long after and United had a rare lead to preserve. The second half saw Peterborough come out early and unusually warm up by the side of the pitch akin to the start of the game with organised springs. They certainly did start to come into proceedings and were seeing more of the ball in midfield. However, an excellent move that featured Ward, Evans, Williamson and Walker, saw the latter’s pinpoint cross headed over by Camara. McLean had an effort on goal saved by Bunn and then Mackail Smith had an opportunity that went just wide. The Blades now looked nervy and many of those that had impressed in their first starts for some time were now tiring and contributing to loss of possession.
It seemed like a clear chance may come for the Posh and so it proved as after poor defending led to McLean back heeling the ball into the path of Mackail Smith. The striker was challenged by Davies who had gone to ground and as Mackail Smith hit the ground, the referee waited for a few seconds before pointing to the spot. After the appeals had been waved away, Boyd took the kick but Bunn guessed right and sprang to his left to push the ball away. The kick was a poor one but the keeper’s strong hands were able to ensure that no rebound opportunity ensued either.
Treacy came on for Camara but at this stage United were being pegged back. Two more long range efforts from the visitors went wide and they forced two corners. United introduced Reid for Williamson and France for Ward. Harper then should have done better after Walker’s surging run but completely miskicked the ball. Four extra minutes were allotted and Treacy was then sandwiched by two challenges as he darted in the box but the referee waved away any penalty appeals United still seemed anxious bu the closest Peterborough came was Batt’s low effort which saw Bunn slip but fortunately the ball squirmed past the post with United’s supporters holding their breath.
United – In many ways it was an inferior performance to the one we showed in recent home games against Newcastle and Cardiff and we lost both of those games! We started today well and were well in control but then got sloppy for a spell before getting back on top and getting the goal. After the break I felt we were really poor and sat back letting Peterborough come onto us and it seemed almost inevitable they would score but for all their pressure they did not have that many clear shots on goal and were restricted to long range shots. A better side would have took us to the cleaners but maybe it was a case as is often the way that United play to the level of the opposition. Certainly the performances against Barnsley and today have been far worse than against Cardiff and Newcastle but the last two games have brought us four points.
The first 20 minutes we kept the ball on the floor, linked well with Ward and Camara to the fore but then we started going long again and lost much of the midfield battle completely in the second half. The confidence went but more than that the organisation and shape of the team was all over the place and it was ragged for much of the second half. I felt Peterborough deserved a point and we were a little lucky to escape with all three points. At the moment things just do not seem quite right with there being a lack of discipline and solidity that we had last year. The body language of the players does not seem the same and even though we won today it did convince me things are all right in the camp.
I do feel those that came in like Ward, Williamson and Camara offered us different things but unfortunately none of them are match fit and thus tired from the hour mark onwards. The positive is that in a week we will have Montgomery, Naysmith, Henderson and Cresswell back and then basically have a fully fit squad to choose from aside from goalkeeping situation. Indeed I would only see Stewart and Bennett as being injured after next week? However, it may mean some of the loanees are going back in a few weeks. Today nothing less than a win was acceptable and although the performance was decidedly average it was a win. We now have two long road trips and the way things go for our season and for our manager may well be decided. If we get a couple of results maybe we can push on with the aforementioned players returning but if we lost another couple then the pressure is firmly back on Blackwell even with today’s result. I am fearful that we are actually not capable of putting together a run of results like we have in the last few seasons and at best fear it will be one win, a defeat, a few draws, etc for the remainder of the season which will see us finishing exactly where we are now.
Peterborough – They looked like the side that were the bottom of the league for the opening spell of the game as United dictated things and their defence looked very shaky. However, they did improve a great deal after the break and started to pass the ball better and control the midfield. They did not create that many clear cut chances but had a number of long range shots that went narrowly wide. I felt Boyd was played well by Walker for the most part but he was dangerous when he drifted inside. Mackail Smith is a clever footballer who looked good when he came short to get it. McLean their other so called dangerman was not in the game that much and Morgan did a decent job. However a couple of their other players did impress much more than the vaunted three I have mentioned. Diagougara in the centre of the park was very good and was decent on the ball but was physically strong too. I also was impressed with the keeper Lewis who was commanding and took most crosses all game.
They play some neat and tidy football but looked a little punch less and I think their defensive liabilities means they rely on one of the three players I have mentioned above to do something special or create something. On that performance they will struggle due to these reasons and if they cannot score goals or create clear chances then they will be in trouble. However they were not particularly any worse than other sides I have seen down at the Lane this season and as today proved are no worse than us.
Bunn 7.5/10 – After a rocky period when he shipped goals, lost his confidence and lost his place he was given the jersey back only due to Bennett’s injury. Today he did nothing wrong whatsoever with sound handling, positional sense and distribution. He actually did not have that much to do as most of the shorts were wide of the post but of course the penalty save was a pivotal moment. It was not a great penalty but he still had to save it.
Walker 7/10 – For the most part he looked a class above the rest of the players on the pitch but that was also the problem with him too! Some lovely balls played down the line including the one that led to the goal and overall showed his touch, speed and strength. However, Walker has to ensure he does not do too much on occasions. One or two moments of over confidence saw him lose the ball in a similar situation to the Newcastle goal.
Morgan 7/10 – Came back into the team and was solid. Won most of the headers and limited McLean for much of the afternoon. Steady game without doing anything remarkable but did not make any significant mistakes and the fact Peterborough barely had an effort on goal in the box is a good sign for the defence I suppose.
Davies 6.5/10 - Defended alright and has improved after a poor start when we signed him but at times he does dive into challenges. This was evident of course with the daft challenge on the penalty. I felt it was a silly slide that did not need to be made as the player was not certain to even get a shot in with the angle he was moving towards but as soon as he went to ground it gave the referee little doubt.
Kilgallon 6.5/10 – Prefer him at centre back but he did a decent job. He defended ok for most of the game he stopped the crosses or made the tackles/clearances needed but he was one of the guilty people on the penalty incident as he was too slow to react to the initial danger. Amazing how he was supposed to be out for a significant period (just like Davies) through injury but came right back. Some of this distribution was mixed with way too many long balls played; albeit some of them found the likes of Ward and Evans.
Quinn 6/10 – Thought he continued his wretched form first half and constantly gave the ball away but he did improve after the interval and was one of our better performers in the second half when most of the players seemed to regress. At least he got the odd foot in, made a few tackles and blocks and there was some genuine effort there. Overall though not good enough once again.
Williamson 7/10 – Impressed with him. Obviously his fitness still is not there in terms of match sharpness but I still felt he offered something a bit different in terms of being able to get forward and support; he can pass the ball and looked composed in possession. I can see him being paired with Montgomery in coming weeks and offering us a more solid midfield and will give him the chance to move forward more.
Harper 5/10 – Another very disappointing performance when the game seemed to just pass him by. He does one or two decent things and technically you can see he is fairly decent but equally gives ball away too much. Also, his level of fitness is woefully short as he often leaves his man too much room or lets them get away. This led to one or two openings or shots from Peterborough. I have been patient with him but he seems no closer to the answer in central midfield.
Evans 6/10 – Had a cracking shot that hit the bar and the effort that led to the goal which were both made by his excellent movement but other than that I am struggling to find many other really positive contributions he made on the game. Proving he is nowhere near as strong and good in the air as many of us thought as he won nothing aerially often jumping too soon or too late. However, taking away that he is not a target man/hold up player; he did little else in terms of chasing defenders, acting as an outlet or linking with other players. Like Harper I am patiently waiting for a 90 minutes performance but it seems no closer and the fact both of these players were so tired at the end is worrying.
Ward 7/10 – Started the game well as did most of the United team and made some clever runs, dummies and balls. His cross led to the goal and he was involved in most of the good things we did. Faded badly in the second half and even when he went up front he did not get any more involved. Another like Williamson and Camara that needs game and match fitness.
Camara 7/10 – Started the game brightly and was at the heart of everything we did. Had a few decent chances and his running and clever link up with the likes of Ward nearly led to numerous chances. Took his goal well showing real predatory instincts and something we have missed; a guy who can get on a rebound or loose ball and finish. Tired second half as United started to wilt but definitely offers us pace and movement. I would like to see him teamed with Henderson from next week.
Subs-
Treacy – Disappointed he did not start as even though he may flit in and out of games he can offer that bit of class. When he came on he did little of note as we were defending but was a touch unlucky not to get a penalty right at the death when he appeared to get sandwiched.
Reid – Surprised to see him appear as he seemed right out of favour even with all the injuries. Made one run when he should have crossed and shot and generally showed his raw pace but poor touch and awareness.
France – Came on for Williamson and went wide right as Quinn came inside. Not really involved at all.
Referee – He did not get his cards out which is something I like in referees but felt a couple of incidents maybe should have led to a card. Davies on the penalty for instance; Walker for kicking the ball away and Bunn for timewasting for us. For them, the guy who body checked Reid and also the challenge on Davies in the first half was incredibly late. To not book anyone was a bit incredulous really but despite this he mostly let the game flow and had a good game. The penalty for me was an obvious one despite many around me on the Kop saying it was not. It was from behind, he did not get the ball and went to ground as he challenged. Although I thought maybe we could have had one on Treacy near the end when he was took out.
Crowd/Atmosphere – The crowd were quiet and seemed to be almost waiting for something to happen but even after we scored there was not much singing/cheering. The poor form in recent weeks has seen the crowd put on edge as well as the players. I think many expected the equaliser and were more surprised when it did not come such as been the way things have gone. At full time it was an odd reaction as there some smatterings of boos despite the win. It was not a vintage performance but after the run of results I thought fans would be just happy to see a win for once. Peterborough brought a decent following and they were fairly vocal to say they are bottom of the league.