The game was relatively even for large periods but two goals at the start of each half from the prodigious young talent Che Adams did for the Spireites. Adams’ two goals both came after good work from Connor Sammon. United will play better but for most of the game did look the more dangerous in front of goal. Chesterfield had a lot of the ball and a number of corners but in truth looked short of ideas in the last third and the Blades won the game relatively comfortably in the end.
Manager Adkins made changes from the side that went down so dismally in Kent last week. In came new loan signing David Edgar and also Mark Howard; for George Long and Callum McFadzean. Also starting was Stefan Scougall who started on the left for the departing Jamie Murphy.
Before the game there was a nice tribute to the late Alan Woodward; with it being the first home game since he had passed away. After this a rousing version of the Greasy Chip Butty that Adkins had enthused about all week set the tone and it was not long before the home fans were celebrating.
After only three minutes; the Blades were ahead with the first meaningful attack of the game.
ADAMS started the move and transferred play to Sammon who advanced on the angle before hitting a firm shot that Lee pushed away but the ball fell right into the path of Adams who fired it into the ground and into the net. It was a clinical finish but a disappointing goal for the visitors to concede
Sharp has a shot wide after he came off his defender and United had started well with Sammon holding it up well and Baxter getting on the ball.
Chesterfield started to come back into the game and won a number of corners but fortunately United defended better this week and limited Chesterfield to restricting only half chances and they did not trouble Howard.
Morsy had one effort that Howard saved and Freeman made a good tackle to deny O’Shea but Collins and Edgar were keeping Novak and Ebanks Blake in check and Chesterfield’s main opportunities came from set plays.
United were giving the ball away more and the pace was too slow when they had it but they kept their shape and only one half chance came from Novak before the break.
Hird was booked for chopping down the dangerous Adams who broke away but the half time whistle came with United in front.
Soon after the break it was 2-0 and it was the same combination of players that made it.
ADAMS won the ball with a tackle and then advanced before playing the ball into Sammon. The big striker flicked it back into Adams’ path and the former Ilkeston man took a touch and then slotted under Tommy Lee. It was a well made and taken goal and a vital second to give United breathing space.
Adams nearly had a third but Lee saved with his legs before Edgar made a good block on Novak. Chesterfield won a few more corners and had a few scrambled efforts but they came to nothing.
Scougall had an effort saved too before Sharp fired a diagonal effort that was well saved by Lee. Chesterfield continued to have a lot of the ball but did very little with it as United kept their shape and line well. However the away side did have a good chance when Novak’s free kick somehow was kept out by a combination of bar and Howard. Sammon had a goal ruled out of offside which seemed harsh for a foul by Collins on Lee after a corner. Jones free kick was pushed away by Howard but in truth the game petered out to see United pick up the three points they needed.
United- It was not a stunning performance but a win. We were solid, kept the shape and scored two goals. We had a few other chances and maybe could have had more. At the other end whilst we would argue we need more of the ball and more control of the game; I cannot recall being too worried. Better sides may cause us more problems if we don’t have more of the ball though. I felt Sharp and Sammon worked hard and Adams was of course a threat.
The rest of the side was mixed. The midfield could do better for me and needed to get more ball possession but the defence did well heading and clearing away and restricting them to set plays and long range efforts.
A lot of work to be done and we look a long way off a promotion side but important just to bounce back from last week. After the Murphy sale and loss last week; a defeat could have been a disaster even this early in the season. Important we carry the momentum on in the week and do not get beaten at Peterborough.
Chesterfield –
To hear Dean Saunders interview was a little startling. It was a relatively even game for the most part and they had a lot of corners and possession but for the most part did not do anything with it. They looked a lot like us under Clough last season. It was all backwards and sideways and mostly in front of us. I never felt that worried by them and despite what Saunders say we were not lucky. We scored two goals and if anything looked more likely to score again. In short they looked a bit powder puff. I think Ebanks Blake and Novak is a decent pairing at this level. At the back they have no real pace and a lot of big lumps that could get turned (bit like us!). They have some decent ball players in the middle and did try and get it down and play but just did not create much and gave away two avoidable goals.
Saunders has struggled wherever he has been been recently and with the loss of so many key players he does have a lot of work to do. He has signed a bit of experience up top but I think they will struggle to replicate last season. Do not think they will go down or even struggle but I think they will be nearer the bottom than the top.
Opponent man of the match : Sam Morsy stood out for me. The lad O’Shea was busy but I felt Morsy in midfield looked good on the ball, always kept it simple but was quietly effective. Could be one of the next ones that moves on.
Opponent Weaklink : Drew Talbot. Played at right back but was really struggling to cope with Adams pace and power all game. Got left for dead a few times and surprised we did not get ball to Che more; as he had the beating of him.
Players –
Howard 7/10 – A clean sheet. He did come and catch a few corners early on and then in the second half he punched a few away. He did struggle on one corner with a weak punch but most times he got something on clearances when he had to. Somehow, combined with the bar, to keep out the effort from Chesterfield in the second half. It is odd though as although Chesterfield had a lot of set plays and possession; I cannot recall too many efforts on goal – he made a few routine ones. For now he will stay in goal I am sure but this is still an area I feel we could upgrade in.
Freeman 7/10 – Steady-ish game. He has been the most consistent defender at the back end of last season and has settled down well to become a main stay of the side.
McEveley 7/10 – I am not his biggest fan but do prefer him at left back but one reason for that is that he is more out of the way and can cause less damage! Today he was ok. A few poor pieces of control and indecision but overall he did ok here. To me he should not be more than a cover player though and when Harris is back I expect him to go back into that position.
Collins 7/10 – Solid game. Won headers and made clearances. No real errors today. Not convinced long term he can be one of our regulars if we are serious about promotion. Do not doubt the guys passion but he is woefully slow and also does make mistakes. He was fine today and was up against two decent forwards at this level.
Edgar 7/10 – As above. He is a big lad but was fairly mobile and gives us a lot more of a presence than we have had at the back. Need to see more of him but today he did his job and recall a few headers he made from corners to help clear the danger which of course was a big area of weakness last week. He also made a few tackles/blocks from Novak who will be a danger at this level.
Basham 6.5/10 – Thought he was quiet-ish today. He won a few tackles and made some interceptions but was not on the ball as much. He kept his shape and helped protect the back four.
Baxter 6.5/10 – Still find it incredible but pleasing that he has lost so much weight. Today he was ok but maybe did not get on the ball as much as I would like and Chesterfield had a lot of the ball in this area (to be fair did little with it). He started the game well but his influence seemed to lessen as the game went on.
Scougall 5.5/10 – Played on the right and was one of our weak link really. He is not a winger and I think that showed today. For the most part of the last 12 months; he has really disappointed and not pushed on at all from his encouraging start when he signed. There is simply no end product most of the time and I am unsure what he offers. Today his control and passing was off and I was not surprised when he was taken off. Not sure where he fits in.
ADAMS 8/10 (UNITED MAN OF THE MATCH)– The lad is a real talent. He has power, pace and touch. He just looks the part and I think it will be a real challenge to keep him. Would not even be surprised if there are bids before the end of August from the Premier League. He is raw and at times makes poor decisions or does not do the tracking back/dirty work but you can definitely live with that. He may be better in a striking role eventually but with us having options in those two positions; he may have to play wide with Murphy going. As long as he is in the forward area of the pitch he will cause problems. A few runs where just shrugged off players and also showed his pace. Always wants to go forward and always wants to get on the ball. First was a poachers effort but he made the goal. The second was a very good goal as he won the ball and then interchanged with Sammon again and then took it really well. He nearly got a hat trick with another shot after. Had quiet spells and will play better strangely but two goals and the main threat.
Sharp 7.5/10 – Thought he worked really hard today. Had one shot saved second half but did not have too many other opportunities. He did work the channels and his hold up play was good as he brought others into play. Looks a lot more intelligent of a player than he was when he was here before (although still got caught offside a few times which I remember was an issue before!). Sure the goals will come although he did a lot of his best work outside the box today. At this level he should be too good for many defences you would hope.
Salmon 8/10 – Pleasantly surprised by him today. He worked hard and was all action. I had heard quite negative things from Derby fans I work with and they are right for a big guy he is pretty rubbish at heading. However on the floor he was really good. He held it up, the ball stuck to him all game and he was involved in many of our better things. He made the first with a shot that was saved and then the second with a flick around the corner.
Subs :
Wallace – Bit of a mixed bag. Struggled to get used to speed of game and committed two fouls chasing back. On the ball showed some decent touches but some giveaways too. He does lack pace and needs to get fitter as seemed shattered after a few runs and he was not on the pitch very long. Still think he can be an asset but needs to get minutes in and prove he can stay fit of course.
Woolford – Did alright when he came on. A few good runs and had one shot when he cut inside. Better than what I had seen of him so far. He is another that does not look fully fit.
Reed – May not have grown much height wise but has put on a bit of muscle. Did alright when he was on and helped us keep the ball.
Manager –
Adkins – 7.5/10 – A win and a clean sheet. After last weeks disaster he needed a win and with the Muprhy sale in the week you could feel there may be a reaction from the crowd if we did not win or went behind. We got the early goal and the crowd was fully on side. Adkins seems to be slowly addressing the height issue and today was workmanlike and functional rather than inspiring. We won though and did look a goal threat. We will play better as he alludes to. Still feel we need more players, goalkeeper, centre back, left or right winger (Adams will play other for now) and probably still a central midfielder to give us more bite but at least now we have a bit of momentum back after the good pre season saw us came back to earth with a bump.
Crowd – Great crowd (23,000+) with a good 2,000 following from down the road. It was noisy at the start with a lusty rendition of GCB. I think Adkins will have enjoyed that. Overall the crowd noise was decent and they were supportive but the two goals at the start of each half did help.
The pitch also did look much better than it did a few weeks ago; with no sign of some of the chunks of brown that was there. So that was a good sign.