United’s picked up a draw on the West Coast at Neil Critchley’s fast-improving Blackpool side against a weary and weakened Blades side whom the international break cannot come quick enough. United was the better side in the first half, whilst the home side shaded things after the break. Both teams had chances with Pool hitting the bar and then United having a goal seemingly harshly disallowed after a Norwood striker. The Blades are now out of the top 6 after several other contenders registered wins this midweek and will hope they can find something from the final game against Barnsley before these two weeks off.
The Blades made one change with Ndiaye in for Hourihane and there were more youngsters on the bench in Osula and Gomis – with none of the previously injured players deemed fit enough to make the matchday squad. Oli McBurnie joined the casualty list also. Former Blades CJ Hamilton and Gary Madine both started for the Seasiders who were on an excellent recent run, particularly at Bloomfield Road.
The opening saw a false start as United went too soon but when the game started, Berge was able to put in a muscular challenge before the Blades won an early corner. The short one eventually fell for Gordon but he misjudged the ball twice. The next spell saw the visitors dominate possession but it was all non-threatening stuff as Blackpool were able to let them have the ball without really penetrating. Finally, on 11 minutes Ndiaye burst forward robbing a man before feeding Sharp. The leading scorer had Gibbs White in support but rightly opted to shoot but his low effort flashed the wrong side of the post. It was a good opportunity and one you would expect him to hit the target. A minute later and good work from Norwood to win the tackle saw Sharp then feed Berge but the midfielder’s effort was wayward and well wide.
Blackpool 0-0 Sheffield United
Wednesday, 16th March 2022 – Kick-Off: 7:45 PM
SkyBet Championship
Report by Deadbat
Blackpool had not been in the game but Madine got on a loose ball and fired over from a long way out Gibbs White then won a corner at the other end as the Blades continued to make the running. As the corner came in, the ball bounced around and Grimshaw could not get there. Egan headed back and Berge toe-poked over the line seemingly as the defender tried to clear but the offside flag was raised.
Egan had been going long when he had it may be conscious of the issues Saturday where we were put under pressure and one such clearance nearly saw Sharp in on goal but Grimshaw did well to come out and clear. Norwood then took a shot that was comfortable for the keeper. Good work from Osborn saw his workspace down the right but he was chopped down as he centred. The free-kick came to nothing and Blackpool worked some space via Bowler whose cross was header just wide from Madine in their best effort of the game.
Gibbs White’s flicks and touches were mixed with some working and some not coming off but he did well to find some space before the defender cleared. At the other end, Norrington Davies gave away a cheap foul, a worrying trademark of his game seemingly but the free-kick was cleared by Robinson. The defender was booked soon after which seemed harsh as it was his first foul.
After a flat ball was changed, Ndiaye went on a good run but Norrington Davies’ shot was blocked when well placed before another silly foul was given away, this time by Gibbs White saw another chance for Madine who somehow was left unmarked but headed at Foderingham. After United had been far better of the two sides and had the chances, Blackpool through Madine had opportunities of their own and then came the closest to opening the scoring. Bowler had been a real pacy threat down the left and he came inside and with no Blades man going to him, he took a chipped shot which hit the bar and bounced down. Hamilton could not convert on the rebound and United survived. Despite being the better side, this was a real let off as a side hit the woodwork for the third time in two games.
Two late tackles from the home side, firstly on Gordon and then Gibbs White saw the Blades players frustrated. Connolly was booked for his crude tackle for the latter foul that saw the Wolves loanee pull up lame limping away. The free-kick was wasted as after the touch, Berge’s shot was blocked. Gibbs White then got in after he had seemingly recovered and fed Berge but the ball was behind the big Norwegian. Norrington Davies committed his second foul but somehow escaped official censure which upset the home players and fans alike. The halftime whistle came after a minute additional time in a period in which United had been the better side but actually, the home side maybe had come closest to scoring and, in the end, created as many clear chances as the Blades, despite the level of control United had. This was a far cry from the game on Saturday in terms of control and possession even if the final third had seen a lack of quality.
The second half saw the first chance fall to the home side as Ekpiteta headed across and Connolly flicked goalward and just wide. Blackpool had come out more on the front foot and was seeing much more of the ball. The next spell saw little quality from either side although Gordon had to concede a corner when at full stretch. United had not had the same control but did win a free-kick when Norrington Davies was fouled on the hour mark. The free-kick came to nothing and the home side were back on the attack quickly. Bowler’s cross was palmed away from Foderingham like a wicketkeeper dealing with a wide ball and palmed into the slips.
The home side was the better side this half a ball over the top from Dougal saw Hamilton get the better of Gordon but shot badly wide when almost one on one with Foderingham. United could not get going and after controlling possession, Berge and Norwood had been completely anonymous this half. The strikers were not in the game.
Bowler was able to find space again and worked his way down the left past Norrington Davies and was in on the angle. His cross-shot was seemingly touched round the post from Foderingham but a goal kick was awarded.
With 20 minutes to go, Hourihane came on for Ndiaye and Berge moved into a more forward position. Norwood’s awful passing continued with two giveaways under no pressure. United’s second-half fadeout had been worrying after being the better side and they had not created a single opportunity. Gibbs White then gave the ball away when he had a chance to break as the poor play continued with barely a move of note.
However, it seemed like United had taken the lead as after winning a corner, the ball dropped to Norwood who fired home with a great driven shot but as the players celebrated, the assistant had raised his flag. It seemed unclear whether it was for a player who had done down in the corner (Robinson) or Sharp but it was a very strange decision as it did not seem to affect the shot at all. It seemed an odd call and Blackpool players looked as surprised as anyone when the flag went up with only one token appeal. United was fired up after this and Sharp got down the left and won a corner. After this broke clear, Norrington Davies came inside and had a shot with his right foot at the keeper.
Bowler threatened to break as he went past two men but Robinson got back well to deny him as the game entered the final 10 minutes. Kirk and Lavery came on for Hamilton and Connolly. The next period became scrappy and neither side could create much. Norwood gave it away again and then Sharp could not come inside before at the other end Bowler for once had a poor touch. The game drifted to the final stages and even though United won a late throw, the ball was too far for Egan and it went out for a goal kick. The referee only played two and a half minutes of the allotted three stoppage time. United had dropped to 9th in the table after the mid-week results and had dropped four places in a week which was disappointing after a return of 1 point from 6 but were still in touch with the top 6.
Blackpool: Grimshaw, Connolly (Lavery 81), Husband, Stewart, Bowler, Dougall, Madine (Yates 86), Ekpiteta, Hamilton (Kirk 81), Thorniley, Sterling. Unused: James, Moore, Dale, Robson.
Blades: Foderingham, Berge, Sharp, Egan, Norwood, Robinson, Osborn, Gibbs-White (Osula 90), Ndiaye (Hourihane 70), Norrington-Davies, Gordon. Unused A. Davies, Lopata, Jebbison, Arblaster, Gomis.