This was with 10 men for almost 80 minutes with the extra time added on. United in truth had been second best much of the contest as their performance belied the fact that the side had won three on the spin. Coventry began quicker and were then given a huge boost when Jose Baxter was sent off for a silly two footed tackle. City scored a good individual goal from Dominic Samuel after sloppy defending from United down their left hand side and then straight after the break he scored again. It seemed a comfortable upset win was on and United were simply not at the races. Poor touch, passing and lack of any real penetration saw the game petering out amidst lousy weather. Suddenly the introduction of Kieran Freeman seemed to galvanise United and they found some energy. They got balls in the box and Doyle scored a chipped effort before Murphy’s shot with the aid of a deflection and suddenly it was level. It was a remarkable comeback that came out of nothing. After this the home side roared on the Blades but the game ended all square.
Manager Clough made changes again despite winning three straight. Jay McEveley, Jamal Cambell Ryce and Baxter were back in the starting line-up. Kennedy and Reed missed out with Holt injured. Iain Turner continued in goal. It was a young Coventry line up but did feature former Blades nemesis and ex Owl Marcus Tudgay.
United began slowly and were sloppy in possession and Harris gave it away and then was booked for a clear pull back. Samuel had a chance but was wide before O’Brien fired over. United were poor and McEveley gave it away under no pressure leading to another half chance. Baxter found Campbell Ryce and his cross was missed by Doyle before Harris fired at the keeper. Suddenly on 18 minutes the game changed completely as Baxter lunged in on Barton and after the clear displeasure from the Coventry players and management, referee Drysdale eventually showed a red card. It seemed to take forever but on reflection it was probably the right decision despite the reaction from the visiting staff being as over the top as the tackle itself. United had to regroup but in truth they had been poor anyway up this point and the game continued in this pattern.
City had not created much in truth had been the better side and it was not a big surprise when they went in front. It came from a poor United corner and city broke but it seemed like there was little danger before Harris missed the tackle and Doyle also could not get there and United in trouble. SAMUEL got a bit of fortune as the ball came away, but ran all the way down the right hand side and unopposed he slotted it into Turner’s near post.
After this City had another chance but Phillips fired over before Samuel was in again after good work from Fleck but Turner made a really good save. United had a late flurry when Murphy shot wide and then Coutts curled over after some good build up but it had been a desperately disappointing first half for United.
Kennedy came on for Campbell Ryce at the break and Coutts went inside and Basham into midfield as United played with a 4-4-1 formation but at times Murphy seemed to be more central. However any plans United had to try and get back in the game seemed over before they began. Neat football down the right completely caught United out and a cross came in from Phillips. SAMUEL was able to find space and hit a fierce shot that Turner saved well. The rebound fell straight back to Samuel and he smashed in unopposed. It seemed the game was up for United as the travelling fans celebrated an unlikely win.
After this United were really struggling and Coventry were drawing the ole’s from the visiting fans knocking it around well. Turner had to save from Thomas after United gave it away in the middle of the field. City had a few other breakaways and looked like they wanted to finish United off. The Blades could not get going and the 10 men seemed a beaten side. City’s delaying tactics on substitutions and injuries were not being penalised by the referee further adding to the frustration of the fans.
Clough introduced Freeman on the right hand side of midfield to the bewilderment of many Blades fans inside the ground. However he gave them instant energy and as involved in a chance for Done when a wretched back pass put him in and the striker seemed to do the hard work side stepping the keeper but stumbled at the last minute and the chance was gone as Freeman tried to convert.
However Freeman then did cross to the back post and Done seemed certain to score but his body shape all wrong and the chance was blocked on the line. The ball was not cleared and in the scramble DOYLE kept his head to cleverly dink the ball into the far corner of the net. United were back in it.
With the crowd levels rising, the Blades went at City straight from the restart and pegged them back. Brayford and Freeman combined down the right, the ball came over and Done laid it off for MURPHY to strike home. It may have taken a slight deflection (maybe off Done – one for the dubious goals panel – do they even have one low down the leagues?!) but keeper Jones had no chance.
McNulty came on for Done and United now sensed an unlikely victory. Doyle shot wildly over and United kept pouring forward as City seemed completely rocked. They did have a few breaks of their own towards the end of the game as the allotted extra time was confirmed as 6 minutes. In truth there no further clear chances after this and the game finally ended in an unlikely draw.
United – It was definitely a point gained. Before the game you would not have been happy with a draw but in the circumstances it was a good result. We were poor today even before the red card and never showed any cohesion all game save for the late flurry which was more about simply getting the ball into the box and causing Coventry to panic. Too many players had off days but of course Baxter’s idiocy did not help matters. After this they did not create loads but still seemed the better side I felt playing better football.
It annoyed me that in the week Clough had stated that he wanted us to be quick out of the traps and take the game to Coventry but in reality the opposite happened and it was a poor start. We never really got going and this carried on throughout the game. Basic stuff like passing and control was off. We then lost the man and Done was further isolated. The goal we conceded was rubbish defending but we will were in the game but then despite reorganising personnel at the break tossed another poor second away straight after the break and it seemed game over
After this they controlled the game and you never thought we would even score one let alone two. We had one shot on goal, Harris’s effort early on, but that was it and then when Done missed a chance when he seemed to have done the hard work and rounded the keeper, you felt it was over. Indeed some fans did start to leave. Done missed another chance in the lead up to the Doyle goal. But it was game on and then we scored again with the help of a deflection. I really wanted us to go for it after this but maybe the players fatigue kicked in and they could not give it that extra push and the game ended with few chances after this. It seemed both sides were a little unsure what to do. United did not want to lose after coming back but equally sensed a Coventry side on the rack.
Overall despite the comeback and the point it is a hard game to analyse. We were poor and of course not helped by Baxter at all but even before this seemed second best. It was just one of those games whether it be lacking energy or the fact so many had an off day; that you just have to kind of take the point and move on. Shame some of the others lost at the top and we could not take advantage but I do think automatic is a real stretch now looking at the number of games left. It is going to take a big collapse from one of the top 3 and an incredible run from us and from watching us today I am not sure we still have the creativity and style to be able to dispatch teams. We will win more than we lose but are still relying mostly on nicking games (Colchester was a one off if you look at the season) by the odd goal. That approach is dangerous as you could equally lose as much as you would win; Notts County in the week was a casing point.
Coventry – They did not look a side threatened by relegation to me. They were helped by not playing anywhere near as many games as us recently and seemed fresher and more determined from the off. They did not look like they lacked confidence and knocked it about well at times. They have a lot of young players who did well and were a handful especially going forward. However despite scoring two good goals and having other chances they did buckle when under pressure. When the first went in you sensed that they may cave in and they did. I felt if United had kept going at them they would have lost. They had no idea what to do when it went 2-2 as ordinarily they would have attacked facing 10 men but they sat back and seemed now just happy with a point.
I felt with them moving back to the Ricoh and some of the decent young players they had with a smattering of experience that they would be nearer the top than bottom but they have really struggled this season and since moving home I would wager they have an even worse home record than they had at the Sixfields. I did not know many of their players save for the obvious such as Tudgay and the ex Barnsley man O’Brien. The lad Samuel was a handful all day. He is on loan from Reading but gave them pace, power and goals. He looks a really promising player. The lad Fleck who we went after was decent in midfield and the big la Barton who rolled around and got the bird from the United fans actually was also a tidy player. They did have experience on the bench in the likes of Andy Webster and Simeon Jackson but the side does seem quite inexperienced. Despite them doing well today and looked far from a relegation side.
Despite them doing well today and looked far from a relegation side (they were much better than many we have seen down at the Lane); you fear if they can’t get the win they need soon, it could become a struggle but I still think they won’t go down. To be fair to the fans they have been through a lot and always seem well supported (better away than at home though – crowds not great at the Ricoh).
Not keen on the manager Pressley. Heard some of his ridiculous out bursts after games in recent years and although he has not been helped by the owners, they still should have enough in their squad to be doing better than what they are doing. His reaction to the red card was poor (leaping up and running onto the pitch) so it was amusing when he kicked the bottle away near the end when we pegged them back.
Turner 7/10 – First goal I felt being ultra-critical that he showed too much of his near post. He left it to shoot at and made it easy to score. He made a good save just before half time blocking when they seemed certain to score. On the second he made a good reaction save and was left exposed by bad defending as nobody reacted from us. After this he made a few routine saves but had little else to do as most of the shots went wide or over.
Brayford 6/10 – Weird performance. At times his control and passing was wretched and looked far removed from player we expect. One moment second half he lost his balance and just fell over rather comically. However he did get forward a lot, even first half and I felt he was one of our main outlets all game. Some good link play when we came back to help create things. Defensively he was sloppy as many others were in doing the basics. Booked for a cynical foul too. (but one he maybe had to take).
Harris 5/10 – Heard people in the week on various forums championing Harris as the best left back in the division and raised my eyebrows. He is a decent left back but makes way too many mistakes to be considered that. I could go through half a dozen that have directly cost us goals this season. He is odd as at times looks excellent, making good tackles, balls or pieces of skill, but then moments later he makes a hash of something basic. That happens quite often in a game alternating between good to rotten. Today there was more of the latter. The first goal he missed his tackle and let the man run in completely to score.
McEveley 5/10 – Like most of the defence he was poor today. He lost too many tackles, headers and interceptions. Quite a few times he was brushed aside and their lad got in or he would give it away under no pressure. Another that is very inconsistent. He has played really well at times but you always feel a daft mistake or free kick give away is coming. I would argue Kennedy deserves a chance alongside /Basham for a period although that restricts pace we have there. The best thing he did today was mark out 10 yards and tell the referee how to do his job when he forgot he had his spray.
Basham 7/10 – In defence first half he was not great and also made some mistakes, but after the break he was put into midfield and thought he was one of our better players. He gave us a presence in there, winning headers; making tackles and helping us surge forward especially in closing stages. He was poor in midfield when the season started but he has done well in that position when he has been put there recently. I still believe his best position is centre back but lack of physique in there means he may still have to be pushed into midfield at times.
Doyle 6.5/10 – Had a poor first half and he was guilty of anyone of giving the ball away and not keeping it. He was not able to get a foothold an when we lost a man it became even harder of course. He also failed to get tackle in with Harris when they scored but would suggest it was more the fault of the full back even though both culpable. Second half he improved and he was actually involved in many of our attacks; scoring one and having a few other efforts. Disappointing to see him rolling around when he was fouled (poor foul but never a red card) in an attempt to try and even things up.
Coutts 4/10 – I have to say he had a decent second half v Colchester but I have not been overly impressed by him so far. He does not look any better than what we had and is very lacking in pace and fitness. He was struggling from the off today giving it away or getting outmuscled in the tackle. He also seemed shattered even early in the game. From half time onwards he kept looking at the bench as if he wanted to come off. He was put on the right but did no better there. Hopefully we can get Wallace back at some point (a stretch I know) as I am not sure what this lad offers yet but it is early into his United career.
Baxter 1/10 – Not a lot to say. He ran around a lot early and played one 40 yard pass that was sublime (that gets him his 1/10) and then of course made a moronic tackle with two feet in the air and high. He did not exactly scythe the player down and sure he made more of it than it was but that does not escape Baxter from criticism. It was stupid and no need for it. Some around me said it was not a red but most referees would have deemed it such as per the rule book. Baxter did not even complain one bit. Pressley’s reaction was disappointing but then Clough/Garner have done the same to react to some things this season. Should get the maximum fine and hopefully we play well and win when he is out and he does not get back in.
Murphy 7/10- First half he got crowded out and could not get in the game much and his touch and passing was poor. It was the worst he had played for some time not helped by the fact they could double up on him knowing we only had 10 men. Second half he moved around a bit in terms of position ally and was much more of a threat. He was able to get at the full back and helped us create a few things. Scored the second and was involved in our better things. One moment they had three men on him which showed what a threat he has become.
Campbell Ryce 5.5/10 – He was not really able to get at his man first half and often lost it or it bounced away. He was not the worst player by any means but Clough decided to sacrifice him and change the shape with us having ten men.
Done 6/10 – Worked hard but had no service much of the game. First half he just fed off scraps and it seemed the same second half as he had no balls to his feet or no one to link up with but then he suddenly had a few chances but today he missed them. One where he rounded the keeper and then dithered and the chance went and then another before Doyle scored he somehow missed when right in front of goal. Still he gets in the right positions and as he has showed he will get goals (may even get credited with the second eventually?!) Came off for McNulty as he tired.
Subs-
Kennedy 7/10 – Came on at the break and suddenly we were two down and both he and McEveley failed to defend a routine cross. After this he settled down and was steady really. He does the basics and rarely seems to let us down. I can’t recall many mistakes when he has played this season and just does his job with little fuss.
Freeman – When we brought on a left full back to play wide right you wondered what Clough was playing at but fair play it was a move that worked. He gave us energy, legs and some running. He played really well and was able to get up and down the right flank. Was one of few who looked decent on ball, showed some energy getting forward and put in some decent passes/balls.
McNulty – Came on for the last 10 minutes or so (with stoppage time). He did not have too many touches I can recall. Maybe Done was tired but he had started to get in good positons and maybe he should have been left on but it would have been hard for him to go two up when we had got it back. I actually would have brought McNulty or Adams on but much earlier as did not look a goal threat.
Manager rating –
Clough 6.5/10 – His words pre match of starting the game by taking the game to Coventry did not happen and we looked very sluggish at the outset. Baxter’s red card was of course not his fault but then he picked him after we had won a few without him. I know we have had a lot of games but he does mess around with the team way too much (granted teams do have injuries) and means it is hard for us to have continuity. After we went 2-0 down I was imploring him to make a change but he did and we looked dead and buried. However the move to put Basham into midfield and then the odd Freeman move worked and it allowed us to come back. Simply putting the ball into the box and forcing them back and having to defend was to me as significant though.
Officials – Darren Drysdale. He was a poor referee. He booked Harris early for a pull back rightly and then kind of set his stall out and was very fussy from this point. The red card I felt he had little choice really. Unsure why he was fiddling with his ear for so long and why he took so long if he was certain it was red (do they even link up to fourth official at this level!). After this he seemed to lose it and was brandishing yellow cards all over. He was going on crowd/player/manager reaction to influence what he was doing. Let them get away with some blatant time wasting and the moment when the player went down when he was clearly not injured was pathetic and he let them get away with it. Forgot he had his magic spray two or three times (only marked it out a couple of times when there were other free kicks he did not bother with in similar positions). The word I would use to sum him up was weak.
Crowd – Really good crowd of over 20,000 again, swelled by a decent 1,000+ following from Coventry. They clearly were making their feelings known as they protested against the ownership group and were quite vocal throughout. United fans on the other hand were subdued with only real noise being groans at poor play and poor officiating. The noise levels rose when we got back into it and you felt we could maybe even nick it with the noise from the Kop added to the momentum. Funny to see some leaving at 2-0. Will feel rather silly now I would guess.