The Blades’ long unbeaten run came to an end as league leaders Wolves were the first side to win at Bramall Lane since 16th November when Gillingham took the spoils. Wolves also became the first side to score against United since 16th February when Jamie Paterson converted. In total it was approximately 795 minutes since Mark Howard last picked the ball out of the net.
United were without the injured Harris and Hill but had the boost that talisman Brayford was back in the line up at right back with Freeman at left back. On the bench were academy youngsters Khan and Dimaio. Before kick off it was reported that Shaun Miller had joined Shrewsbury on loan till the end of the season and in all likelihood ending his United career. Wolves coming off a defeat in the week opted to begin without the dangerous forward duo Dicko and Sako but did start with former Blade McDonald in the heart of their midfield.
The game began with McDonald booed when he had his first touch but it was United who nearly went ahead in the early stages as good work from Freeman and Murphy saw the ball come over and Scougall hit a fierce shot that was clawed away by former Blades loan keeper Ikeme.
Jacobs went on a lovely mazy run nutmegging Doyle and then hit a curling shot that was saved by Howard. McDonald was looking to get on the ball at every chance as he acted as a quarter back to the Wolves play and his threaded ball nearly got Clarke in. The visitors were looking dangerous and showing their ability across the side but the opener came from a mixture of a good ball and a touch of fortune.
HENRY put in a cross into a dangerous area but it really should have been cleared by either a defender of the keeper but everybody stood and watched as the ball bounced on and beyond everybody into the far corner. It clearly was a cross but the one that often causes problems for defences and this had the ultimate reward for the visitors.
United tried to respond and Murphy was clipped as he ran through earning the first yellow of many to come for Wolves. Baxter’s free kick was deflected but straight at the keeper.
Coady then went forward and advanced into the box but perhaps went to ground a bit easy despite there being some contact and no play on the ball; and the referee waved away the appeals.
Wolves then had a chance when Jacobs showed quick feet again but he fired off target. United then came again as Baxter showed equally nifty foot work before his shot was held at the second attempt by Ikeme.
United then had a good chance to get level. From a corner from the right the ball bounced around and Brayford hit a half volley that was cleared away right on the line. In the follow up Collins appealed for a spot kick suggesting he was pulled to the floor.
The second half saw another early chance after some neat and tidy build up but as the ball came in Scougall fired over under pressure.
Wolves then got the crucial second goal as Henry was the architect again. The build up was neat and tidy as the ball was transferred quickly from left to right before a deflected cross came in and EDWARDS arrived with his run unchecked and he drilled in past Howard at his near post.
This goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home side although they had an opening after another cynical foul from the visitors. Baxter took the free kick and his curled went just the wrong side of the post with some on the other side of the ground thinking it had gone in. However, Clarke then had a goal disallowed before he then missed a sitter chipping over when it seemed certain he would score after Collins had lost his man.
Davies came on for Flynn but United were struggling to make headway. The ball was too slow to be moved forward and Wolves got men behind the ball but looked dangerous when they broke. Porter replaced Baxter but the chances had completed dried up and the atmosphere was decidedly flat. A further two Wolves bookings did not really affect the way the game was going and some in the crowd had seen enough and started to make their way into the Sheffield rain.
Paynter was brought on for Freeman as United tried to create something at the death but the game was drifting to a comfortable three points for the league leaders. A Porter header off target and another half hearted appeal for a penalty was all they could muster as the game petered out.
United – We were ok first half and Scougall missed a chance early on. After this whilst Wolves looked good on the ball, United were well in the game but Wolves did look very dangerous when they did attack and even though they scored a somewhat fortuitous goal (although a great cross) they hit the post and thus could have sealed the game first half. We had a spell when we had one cleared off the line and a few near things but overall they would argue they had some control of the game.
After the break Scougall missed another chance (harder one) but they scored a neat second and after this we kind of went. We never really had any efforts on goal and pirouetted around several times moving it side to side and back again without ever threatening as they got men behind the ball and saw us off easily. It was a bit Weir-esque at times albeit versus a good side.
Wolves moved it forward with speed and could have had more goals. Our midfield has been excellent recently but today other than bits from Scougall, we were well beaten in this area. Doyle and Coady were overrun by stronger, quicker and more skilful players. I felt that we could have still been playing now and we still would not score. We have nothing up top which means that when the midfield are off their game or we lose this area than it is a struggle. Today against a good side we looked leggy and clueless for long spells after we could argue we were well in the game and as good as them for the first half hour or so.
We are crying out for either some pace up top or a physical threat that can bring others into play. Baxter is doing his best but he is not either type of players. I suppose Clough will argue that the run and wins proves it has worked but against the first decent side we have played for a while when we went behind we had no plan B at all. I think we may see more of the same against some of the other top sides that have to come to the Lane which makes it imperative we win midfield and/or go in front as if either does not happen teams force Murphy and Flynn inside and then our goal threat evaporates somewhat.
The playoffs are now gone after the last two games and was always going to be difficult. We have seen how far we are off a promotion side despite some getting carried away. We were beaten comfortably today and should have lost by quite a bit Monday. Preston and Wolves have sadly looked far better than us and in that sense it has been a bit of a reality check to where we are moving forward despite the upturn and some very good performances and wins.
We need to get the extra 4 or 5 points we need to be safe (which won’t be easy considering we play two tough away games and then have 3 home games against 2nd, 3rd and 4th) and then of course attention turns to the semi final. Fortunately there are so many teams below us that we would have a run of losing proportions similar to the one we have just had of a winning nature. In all likelihood the rest of the season boils down to planning for next year and of course that one game.
Wolves – It was a classic, professional job from an away side at the top of the league. Yes at times they had a bit of luck and also were quite dirty but they did what they had to and going forward they were dangerous all game and played some good incisive football and had the stand out players in the game. They looked big, strong and quick but are quite youthful if you look at their side. The fact they left out their two most dangerous attackers in Sako and Dicko and also the skipper Ricketts and still won relatively easily says it all. The four midfielders in McDonald, Henry, Jacobs and Edwards were maybe the best four players on the park. McDonald sat deep, then Edwards was just in front and Jacobs the most advanced. The latter two kept swapping and we never picked them up all game. Edwards was the man of the match for me. Clarke was a handful up top but he missed a few good chances but it was behind him that made the difference as they got runners in behind. Us in contrast had no one supporting Baxter or if they did they rarely (other than Scougall) got deep into Wolves territory.
Of course we had chances too but they had just as many. If we had scored early or got back in it at 1-1 then who knows but they hit the post and also Clarke missed a sitter. They had maybe clearer chances. For me they were far more efficient on the ball in terms of how quickly they got it forward. We were well in the game up to 2-0 but for all our play and passing we never looked that dangerous. They got men behind the ball and said ‘try and go through us’ as they closed the wide areas off and we could not do it.
When they went forward they would make maybe 2 or 3 passes and often could be in. They could have conceded and at times sat back but overall they were comfortable winners and I cannot agree with Clough that it was just a case of them taking their chances as in general play when they moved it they passed it and got it forward with greater purpose and efficiency. They are the best side we have seen down here this season and that was without some of their main men.
McDonald is still a class act. Lazy, immobile and weak for someone so big but what a touch on the ball and a superb range of passing. People talk about have we missed him and the simple answer is yes. He is miles better than the likes of Baxter, Scougall (different players of course but some have made comparisons) in my opinion and stands out at this level. We have lost other players but he has just been voted the 3rd best player in the league and for me is still a player that could and should be playing at a higher level. The fact he is not is down to himself but when he moves up with Wolves he has to take that chance and keep improving. Not surprised at mixed reaction. He went for the money and whilst I cannot criticise that he seemed to forget he was on the football scrapheap when we rescued him and helped galvanise his career. He played more in a withdrawn role in front of the defence (for us this season he started just behind the strikers). The position he played today is his better one for me. He lacks pace to get up and down and has never really scored goals or looked like doing it. His strength is his passing and dictating and he can do that by getting on the ball.
They have pace, power and goals in Sako and Dicko and then they have some really promising young players who weigh in with goals. They have two imposing centre backs in Stearman and Batth (both clumsy and got booked but effective at this level) and a big keeper who can dominate in Ikeme. As we have seen with Maguire and Collins (when on form) that can be a big advantage this level. They just have that greater quality, pace and goals going the other way.
They have a nice blend of physique, power and skill. Despite some of the cynical play and fouls you had to admire some of the skill and running of the likes of McDonald, Jacobs and Edwards (who had not even been a regular!).
They will win the league going away I am sure. They have done well to get rid of a lot of the high earners, bring in some younger players and get straight back up (assuming they do). Wish we had done the same (maybe we are finally getting there with type of players, Murphy, Scougall, Baxter that have now come in) a lot longer ago but we now face another season (fourth) at this level when most other bigger teams (Leeds, Weds, Forest) had got out by now which is a real concern. Just hope since Clough came in we have seen some shoots but the last two games shows we still have a long way to go (that is with Coady and Brayford who wont be here next season).
Howard 5.5/10 – Thought he had a poorish game today and looked decidedly dodgy for the first time since he has come back and done so well. He looked more like the Howard I remembered from before who was shaky as the ball came across his box and also made some poor judgements. The first goal is a hard one as you can say he anticipates a touch to a really decent ball but then for me he still should follow the flight of the ball and kind of did nothing (know we had this argument when Long conceded v Bradford so won’t go through it again!). The defending was poor too but he has to take some responsibility. It was incredibly soft. After this he had some more hesitant moments with his kicking and slowness to clear nearly costing us. Just not as dominating or in control as he has been (nor were the defence).
Brayford 6/10 – His poorest game for the club since he came to the Lane. He at times gave his winger way too much room and they had quite a few attacks down this side. His touch was also not as sure for periods of the game. However he still had some good runs forward and tried to join in but cannot remember any clear crosses that led to chances.
Freeman 6/10 – Clearly right footed but played left back which means he always came back onto his right foot. Despite this he did ok although was facing a tough opponent in Henry who ran at him. Do not think Freeman was helped with attackers coming at him and often Murphy/Baxter not doubling back. Both goals did come from his side too.
Collins 5.5/10 – Been dominant for long spells of the run but he was slow footed on the ball and at times he was also not quick enough to spot danger. The moment when the ball ran under his feet in the second half summed up his game for me. He went forward on one run second half and just ran into a player and lost it and they broke and nearly scored.
Maguire 6.5/10 – Thought he was our stand out defender and a made a few blocks and tackles but still not quite at his best and at times Clarke caused problems for him (as he often does and could have had a few goals). Tried to do too much on the ball and this meant we were too slow to attack. When he did move it quicker and bring it out of play we did better but often him and Collins moving it from side to side saw them just get men behind the ball.
Coady 6/10 – Not his best game. A few decent pieces of control and touches apart, I felt we lost the midfield area today and he was not able to affect the game going forward or stopping midfield runners. They got men into key areas behind the strikers and were able to create chances and we never got to grips with them in this part of the pitch.
Doyle 5.5/10 – Felt he was largely anonymous. His passing was often slow and behind players but mostly he was not in the game or on the ball. He did not get close to any of the key Wolves midfielders who were the stand out players with Edwards, McDonald and Jacobs whose movement and touch was very good.
Scougall 7/10 – Probably our best player today but that is not saying much. Certainly first half everything good we did was through him as he tried to get on the ball and go forward. Linked well with others when he could and showed really nifty quick feet and lovely body control. He maybe should have scored with a good chance and he did fade (as they all did) after the break.
Murphy 6/10 – Teams are now starting to double up on him and today was no different. They show him inside and crowd him out and know his best asset is going to the by-line to use his pace. He did a few decent things first half but then was pushed inside as the lone striker and struggled to make much headway with little service. Second half he was nonexistent.
Flynn 5/10- Thought he looked like the Flynn of old today sadly. Maybe it was too many games or the knock he picked up late on Monday against Preston but was never I the game today and was poor. He lost several 50/50’s and his control, passing and touch (when he was involved which was not much) was not there today.
Baxter 6/10 – Was busy early and linked a few times with Scougall and Murphy but found it hard to get on the ball against two giant centre backs. Played a delightful cross that no one got on the end of and got fouled quite a bit but he ended up wide left for a long period of the game. Second half had a decent free kick just wide but was not a threat and taken off. His touch was not great but you still felt if we had gone anything today it may have come through him.
Subs-
Davies – Brought on for Flynn and played wide right. Did a few neat and tidy bits but his crosses from dead play and open play were not good considering what he has shown previously in this regard. They all were floated and often looped into the keepers’ hands. Lacks pace to be much of a threat out wide for me and not sure whether he is much more than a utility club man who can just cover a few positions ok but nothing remarkable.
Porter – Came on and did very little. He won a few headers but he did not really cause many problems and his link up was often slow and laboured. Missed a header at the end putting it well wide.
Paynter – Seems a pretty pointless signing and a waste of a loan. He has been subpar in the games I have seen and then only came on right at the end today. To be honest I would have played him and Porter 2nd half and maybe given Wolves something to think about (roughed them up a bit). We may as well send him back and use the loan on another striker who may have some kind of impact that Clough thins can make a difference.
Manager rating – Clough 5/10
With injuries to a few he had little options who to select but Jackett out foxed him today as they controlled midfield and worked out our tactics very easily. They saw off threats of Murphy and Flynn and then made sure they had three midfielders in a line rather than sideways and we could not cope with this. They had so much of the ball and when they had it got it quickly forward (not lumped it) with so much more efficiency than we did as it was so slow and predictable. What concerns me most is that when we went behind and particularly in the second half, we did not change things and it was so slow to go forward and they coped easily. I would have put Porter and Paynter on and had a go but we had nothing up front and meant we barely got into the last third let alone tested the keeper. His changes were way too late and I felt the side looked well beaten and lacked fight and hunger for the second half. Of course they have had an incredible run but we were soundly beaten and lost with a bit of a whimper.
Officials – Seemed to cop quite a bit of flak from both teams fans but not sure there was anything of huge significance that he got wrong. Strange that both sets of fans probably were not happy with him but I would say did he get any major decisions or anything really obvious wrong most of the game? Probably not. He did book a lot (6 for them) but many were just stupid fouls from Wolves players or were they?! Maybe they were clever, often cute fouls as they did them before we got into really dangerous areas. They simply made sure we would not go any further but managed to share the bookings around. The two penalty appeals were not that convincing for me and I would have been surprised if he can give either.
I thought we actually had the lion’s share of many of the 50/50’s today (I actually heard a Wolves fan coming out saying he was the biggest homer he had ever seen – which was pushing it) but as I have said, they were quite dirty/professional at times so he did end up penalising them quite a bit. First half we got a fair few decisions that could have gone either way but equally they often checked/tripped us which gave the referee no option on some occasions.
Crowd – Decent crowd in poor weather (when the game had started at least) helped by around 2-2,500 from Wolves. Many said they expected more from them but they by all accounts are choosing new grounds (9,000 going to MK Dons next few weeks) as they won’t be going there for a while (or may think they are not). They have probably been to the Lane on a number of occasions and the price for this game is a lot higher than many other away grounds. They still took more to the Lane than we took to Molineux but they are top in fairness!
It was a decent atmosphere early buoyed by the old legends (and Jean Phillip Javary?!) being introduced before the game but after they scored it kind of sucked the lift out and when the second went in, it was really flat with the only chant that seemingly being sung was the Wolves tedious top of the league song.
I have to say whilst it was great to see the club try and do something to celebrate the 125th anniversary celebrations; I was a bit disappointed with what was on offer. The introduction of the old players was good (some must have been brought in as others had cancelled as hardly qualified as legends!) and the video before the game was ok. However outside of the game I ventured to the car park and expected to see lots of stalls, different things going on; maybe a beer tent or canopy or something different and it was to be honest, all a bit rubbish. The only bit where anything was going on was to the side the South Stand (Kop end) where was a stall selling hot dogs, another selling that new beer (which I had a pint of and was nice) and then there was a stage which you could not hear whoever was on it so was a waste of time. There were queuing to get in the shop and a saw McCabe and Bassett interviewed by that Clem chap off the Football League show but it all seemed a bit poor. Maybe I am being too harsh or I missed all the good bits but genuinely what did anyone else make of it?
Alan Birchenall
Tony Currie
Bill Dearden
Keith Edwards
Fred Furniss
Colin Collindridge
Eddie Colquhoun
Tony Agana
Ian Bryson
Simon Tracey
Geoff Salmons
Glyn Hodges
Mick Speight
Paul Tomlinson
Tommy Hoyland
John Hope
Alan Hodgkinson
Tony Wagstaff
Ken Mallender
Len Badger
Ted Hemsley
Paul Garner
Paul Stancliffe
Graham Benstead
Jean Phillipe Javary
George Santos
Leigh Bromby
Del Geary
Rob Hulse
Carl Asaba
Carl Bradshaw
Paul Wood
Bob Booker
Wayne Allison
Mitch Ward
Dane Whitehouse
Colin Hill
Bernard Shaw
Neil Shipperley
Mike Trusson
Relatives of William Foulke, Billy Gillespie and Jimmy Hagan
Any more?