Deadbat’s report on Saturday’s debacle.
Sheffield United`s disastrous league campaign sunk to it`s lowest ebb as the home side somehow failed to beat relegation fodder Scunthorpe United despite having a one man numerical advantage for over 80 minutes. By the final whistle, many fans had seen enough either having left the ground or by becoming involved in vociferous demonstrations aimed at the immediate removal of the first team manager. After a disappointing outcome at fellow basement dwellers Colchester, United reckoned that they should be able to kick start their campaign with a comprehensive performance and victory against the Iron. However, it was the nature of the performance as much as the unacceptable result that left most of the ground demanding changes yet again.
United began without those that had played for their respective countries in midweek with David Carney, Keith Gillespie, Stephen Quinn and Luton Shelton all left out. Shelton and Quinn made the bench. United started with loanees David Cotterill and Lee Martin on the flanks and Rob Hulse and James Beattie up front. Jon Stead was not in the 16 though his absence was supposedly to be explained by tonsillitis. The visitors, backed by a healthy following, had ex United men in their squad with Jonathan Forte in the starting line up and Kevan Hurst on the bench. They were without leading scorer Martin Patterson through suspension.
The game began in unseasonably warm sunshine on a distinctly uneven surface and neither side could gain the ascendancy. United were struggling to get any kind of momentum as Scunthorpe closed the home side down early and quickly and early chances were at a premium with tame efforts from Speed and Goodwin failing to test either keeper. However, in a game that had seen little in the way of illegal challenges suddenly had a red card inside less than 10 minutes. A 50-50 challenge saw McCann challenge Cotterill and left the United man prone in a heap. It seemed innocuous enough but referee Styles, brandished an instant red card and his motioning to McCann seemed to indicate he had been dismissed for a stamp on the United loan man. United were now given a golden opportunity to seize control of the game with having a large proportion of it up against ten men. Forte was employed as a lone striker with Hayes dropping back into midfield. United tried to force proceedings and Cotterill was one of the few players who looked like a threat as he had a long range effort on goal and then a clever through ball inside the full back before Martin was ruled offside. Ehiogu had been struggling for some time with an injury and finally conceded defeat on the half hour being replaced by Kilgallon, whose entrance drew rapturous applause from the United fans, clearly unhappy at his absence from the team after a strong season thus far. United`s best effort came not long after as Morgan`s flicked head went just past the far post. Scunthorpe were competing well and picking up more of the possession than you would expect and with Forte willing to chase any loose balls they began to gradually test the United backline. Indeed, Goodwin`s shot was a whisker wide after a nice interchange of passes. United were just not keeping the ball and created very little with the front two simply not in the game. The routine punt forward was earning little rewards and merely frustrated the crowd even further who were now beginning to voice their disapproval at yet another dismal home display. Scunthorpe then enjoyed the better of the final stages of the first half with two scrambles ensuing from set plays in the United box but Hayes was crowded out when the initial opening seemed to be inviting. The half time whistle came and went with the now customary boos after the now customary poor performance.
United did not get any better in the opening to the second half with Scunthorpe actually offering more of a threat, with Goodwin yet again just wide with an excellent long range effort with Kenny surely beaten as he scampered across his line. The subdued Beattie departed on the hour to be replaced by Sharp with the visitors matching the home sides applause, for the former hero. United still could not enjoy any kind of possession or pressure and the game was now an awful spectacle. Tonge’s wayward volley wide drew groans from the fans once again but United still ought to have gone ahead not long after as they created there best and only decent chance thus far. From Speed`s free kick, Sharp leapt well but unchallenged he should have scored but his firm header hit the outside of the post and bounced away when it seemed easier to score. United then managed to create another rare opening as Hulse who had been largely anonymous turned well and hit a firm rising drive but Murphy was equal to it, making his first real save of note as he palmed it behind for a corner. Sharp fired wildly over when presented with the ball at his feet and then Scunthorpe enjoyed another good spell with Hayes firing at Kenny. The same man was then was involved as he flicked out a foot at a dangerous cross with a better connection surely leading to a goal. Shelton was now part of the United attack but his miskicked cross/shot, which flew wildly into the Kop, summed up the performance. Referee, Styles allowed an extra 3 minutes to be played but he could have played an extra 3 hours and United still not would have scored. The final moments saw the game peter out with more action on the terraces than on the pitch with protests erupting throughout the ground that later continued in the Cherry Street Car Park.
Scunthorpe – A dreadful side but one that with 10 men was actually superior to us for long periods in terms of application and skill and they were wretched! They were missing their leading scorer, Patterson too. Forte put Beattie and Hulse to shame with his work rate and really worked the line today. He certainly never played like that at Bramall Lane and seems a lot stronger and less headless chicken like than I remembered. Their midfield looked superior in terms of reacting first to balls and then controlling possession but they were only a workmanlike unit. They had no real quality but still managed to look better than us. When they were put under pressure they did lose it as I expected they would as frankly they are poor players, but they needn`t have worried as we tossed it them back! The guy Goodwin had two excellent shots but he is another player that is playing above himself at this level. At the back Crosby and Hobbs won everything in the air as we hoofed ball after ball into the air. We had no speed to test them and when Shelton did come on it was too late for him to get into the game. The full backs were not tested at all despite us having wingers that are supposedly fast. Murphy only had a few shots to save and only one did he have to really have to dive, when he turned Hulse`s shot away at the near post. They were an awful side and will go down but deserved a point, possibly even three, just by effort, organisation and discipline alone. That they have taken 4 points off this season says it all really about our campaign. I wonder how many other teams they have/or will take a similar haul off. Not many I would hazard a guess.
United – I am struggling what to say about the performance. I have never seen such an unorganised, shapeless, demotivated and clueless side. It was as bad as anything we have seen this season and we have seen some dire games, and then multiply the poorness by 10. They were devoid of passion, enthusiasm, heart, ability, brains, drive. I have run out of objectives. It was appalling. The players actually looked like they did not want to be there and for the last 10-15 minutes a few kept glancing at the referee as if to say ‘how long?` Their heads were down and when they got the ball they just got rid. No blame can be attached to the crowd. They have rightly had enough. There is no set of fans in the land that would have put up with that without dissenting. The confidence is well and truly rock bottom but that comes from the manager not the fans starting to moan touches or passes go astray. They just do not look as if they can put together a performance under this management team either as individuals or as a team. Either they do not want to play for him or they just are given no direction, discipline or preparation to put any kind of performance together. There was no more than a couple of passes put together at any point. I have given up looking for what kind of system we are supposedly playing or for this so called neat and tidy football so removed from Warnock`s style, that Mr Robson promised us. All I look for now is a bit of effort but sadly I am not even seeing that. We had pacy wingers but rarely got the ball to them and when it did somehow get to them, usually by a punt or luck, they rarely did anything. The strikers did not win a single header nor hold a ball up all game and the team just not win first, second or third balls. With a bit more belief, composure or attacking intent, Scunthorpe would have won the game, no matter that they had a man less. You could not tell. It looked like we had one less than them. They worked hard and covered ground but were hardly stretched. When teams go down to 10, the other side should move it across from side to side and really tire the opponents meaning they will then be able to overpower them. The more fatigued they get, then you utilise the extra man and really use width. We seemed incapable of doing this with our management team unmoved on the sideline to change the tactics or organisation of the team as the dross just continued with no sign of anything changing. It actually got worse and worse. At the back we looked pedestrian, slow and clumsy and a better team would have punished United who were simply there for the taking, regardless of their numerical advantage. In midfield we created zilch and up front we looked so lumbering and immobile. Two so-called quality strikers barely had a kick. Indeed, we had 6 million pounds worth starting up front and another 4 million on the bench and not one of them had even an effort on goal. At the other side of the spectrum we had a former youth team player that we brought through and then sold on for peanuts that worked like crazy and looked a threat. I am not for one moment saying Forte is a better player than the above but shows what poor management and how little confidence or belief he is instilling in so called good players.
Player Ratings
Kenny 5/10
He made a few routine saves and also watched a few whistling shots go just past his post, when he was basically beaten. His throw outs/kick outs were puzzling as he often rushed them but put players under ridiculous pressure.
Geary 4/10
Poor performance for him today after recent standards. Thought he made a hash of a few clearances and also his passing was not as good as it has been, often telegraphing balls. He did not get over half way much but when he did Cotterill ignored him.
Naysmith 3.5/10
Still puzzles me what Robson saw in him. He cannot even kick a ball straight! His basic defending is poor, he does not get forward at all and his passing?if you can call his long diagonal punts that?is frankly excruciating to watch. If we could get a couple of hundred grand for him I would snatch another teams hands off.
Ehiogu 3/10
Ehiogu is a ridiculous signing and he has proved exactly what he is. Decent in the air but mistake prone and easy to turn. More importantly the guy is injury prone as evidenced again today. Unprofessional too as he tried to play on when injured and this nearly cost us, instead of going down when he could not go on. As with Hendrie, this signing is financial suicide when we had a perfectly good centre back, Kilgallon kicking his heels.
Morgan 5/10
Headed it away. Booted it away. Did alright but nothing special and against one forward for 80 minutes he should be able to stroll it, but he and his fellow defenders seemed remarkably at full stretch against minimal numbers and actually saw Scunthorpe create a number of decent chances.
Tonge 3/10
He barely touched the ball and when he did he usually lost it or was brushed aside. He looks like a footballer that does not even want to be on the pitch and his body language is appalling. He wants so much time on the ball and his levels of performances have been consistently poor for 3 or 4 years now. When a new manager does come in he will be moved on I feel, as they will not accept his pitiful application and performances.
Cotterill 5/10
He started the game well and was lively enough but his crossing was up and down. He at least tried to go at his man and try to make things happen; even it did not always come off. By the end when he made a few mistakes, then he was as much part of the malaise as the rest of them
Speed 4/10
Speed huffed and puffed but he has quickly found his way to our poor standard. He looked amazed at how poor his teammates were as routinely he collected the ball and then had noone square or who came close to collect it or give an option. He at least put in two excellent free kicks (Morgan header wide and Sharp header off the post). He ended up arguing with the referee and his performance deteriorated to the levels where he was as bad as the rest.
Martin 3/10
He is no better than what we had. Sure he is fast but rarely gets on the ball and when he does opponents physically intimidate him. He has had a decent 15 minutes against Man City and that is it. He is so weak it is untrue. Seems to lose the ball when he is blown on by an opponent. When he did actually keep the ball it was not for long as he tossed away possession way too easily. Did not get a cross/shot or pass in of note all game.
Hulse 2.5/10
Not happening for him at all. I have defended him thus far over fitness, long break, bad luck but not anymore. He actually looks nowhere near the same player as before. He does not win the headers, does not even put pressure on the centre back and his hold up play is non-existent. My main concern is that he used to work his socks off but now he looks total devoid of passion and effort. Had one turn and shot and that was it.
Beattie 2/10
Dreadful. Looked unfit and disinterested from start to finish. He did not get first to the ball and won nothing aerially. His movement was appalling and did not get near his striker partner at any time. Dominated by two pub league cloggers. Unacceptable no matter what he has done for the club so far. Regardless of poor service I expect him to do more than a few ambles or jogs in 60 minutes. Did he even touch the ball today?
Kilgallon 5/10
Been treated appallingly, a la Stead, by Robson. Played great this season and finally looked like turning into a player and then he is dropped for no reason whilst other players who have done nothing of note keep getting picked week it, week out. Came on and looked far more comfortable than Ehiogu and tried to at least pass it at times but he too was not great in his actual distribution.
Sharp 5/10
Worked hard but missed a golden chance with a header when he hit the post. One of few who actually looked interested but embarrassing goal drought continues. Amazes he still gets such acclaim when he comes in when for 2 million pound he has basically done nothing but today he was one of few who got his boots dirty and looked interested.
Came on for the last 10 minutes and joined in the general circus like performance from the rest of the players, with balls bobbling off his shins, hitting various parts of his body and rebounding to nothingness.
Crowd
Today definitely had similarities with the Port Vale game under Heath`s stewardship. I thought they were amazingly patient and surprised the displeasure did not start earlier. After about half an hour the first mumblings began and it grew louder up to half time before the predictable boos at half time. As events on the pitch got worse, the anti Robson chants began in earnest and perhaps got to their loudest yet with 10 minutes to go. The usual flare ups between fans who try and argue to get behind the team and those who are getting on the teams backs etc started with steward having to split up disagreements left, right and centre on the Kop. I find it hard to argue with the voices calling for a managerial change, even if the personal attacks in terms of the nature of the chants are uncalled for. Criticise him for his managerial skills, or lack of them but why call him names? Maybe I am alone on this but I felt it was nasty and plain wrong. Fans want him out because he cannot manage not because what kind of a person he is, although some may argue of course that his general apathy as a person in leading the club is a major factor. The mood towards the end of the game was extremely volatile to say the least as it first the stunned feelings gave way to anger as they watched what was unfolding in front of them. I did not go round to the car park but I am saddened McCabe was not there as I feel he would have no choice to act if he had seen the game. I have never heard in all my time at Bramall Lane, chants of ‘Boring! Boring! Boring!` or ‘Asleep, we are falling asleep!`. That sums it up. I dread to think what the atmosphere will be like at the next home game if he survives. A truly horrible atmosphere and one that dictates something has to be done one way or the other. It will be an interesting Monday morning assuming McCabe does come back from Canada and meet Robson. I am also disgusted he did not have the guts to come and face the media after the game. Sending out Speed was pathetic I felt. At least come out, apologise for the performance or at least say something. The fact now he has nothing to say, really does say it all. Unfortunately I feel he may hang on for another few days but fear a good hiding at West Brom on Tuesday. That could be the final straw for McCabe where he will have to swallow his pride and act for the integrity and future prospects of his club and business by changing the managerial team. The reality is today should be the final straw.
Referee
Rob Styles obviously did us no favours last season but he did his best for us today. He sent off their player after only 10 minutes and then gave most decisions to us throughout the afternoon. I thought the sending off did seem harsh but it was an instant red card with no hesitation and if he did stamp on Cotterill then he had to go but I would have to see it again. Styles was only yards from the incident though. The player reacted at first but then seemed to walk off without much of a protest though. Regardless of this, I felt all the officials favoured us for the most part and that we got nearly every 50/50 decision. We got a lot of innocuous free kicks around the edge of the box but of course wasted them all. Unfortunately Styles could not go and head one in for us.