The FA Cup had provided a rest bite from a dreadful league season when the Blades won at Bristol Rovers a fortnight ago and it proved again as they once again got the better of a League One side by an odd goal as they beat Plymouth 2-1 at Bramall Lane. Basham and Sharp got the goals for United who dominated the first hour but the final 30 minutes were more uncomfortable than they needed to be as Camara pulled one back but the Blades held on. They now face Bristol City in a couple of weeks in midweek, for the chance to go back to the quarter-finals again for the second consecutive season.
United named 9 of the 11 that started last week against Spurs with only the front two changed with Brewster and Sharp in for McGoldrick and Burke. Youngster Illian Ndiaye was the latest youngster given an opportunity on the bench. Plymouth was on the back of a midweek long trip to Sunderland which saw a welcome victory and was managed by former Owl Ryan Lowe. Luke Jephcott a talented Welsh striker who had scored 13 goals this season began upfront for the 11th placed Argyle.
United started well with Fleck down the left sending a cross over that was cleared and led to two corners in quick succession but Argyle managed to clear the danger but then Sharp had a chance but was just offside as he took too long to get his shot away. Brewster then was clipped down the left and a free-kick opportunity came but the routine did not come off at all.
It was all the home side and Stevens ball then put Sharp in down the left-hand side and he was onside this time but took too long again and the shot was blocked out for another corner. Patient build-up saw Fleck and Stevens then link but the cross was too high for Bogle and he could not direct his header. It had been a good start from United who was knocking it about confidently.
Plymouth had not got into the United half hardly and it continued to be one-way traffic with Stevens involved down the left again and his cross was headed down but wide from Brewster. The same man then had a go from range but Cooper got down well to his left to smother the powerful long-range shot. Fleck then got down the left-hand side but maybe took too long and then sent it into an area rather than picking someone one out and Brewster again on the stretch, had his third opportunity of the match but could only toe-poke wide on the stretch.
The domination continued with Stevens cross away from Sharp and Brewster and more patient football saw Norwood switch play but Bogle did not read the opportunity.
Report and ratings by Deadbat_db
The visiting side had simply not been in it but remarkably on 24 minutes they broke and missed a sitter. Lovely build-up saw them move it through the thirds and switch it to the left-hand side. Ampadu was not tight enough to his man and the pullback was perfect for Camara but somehow, he put it over when it seemed easier to score. United had switched off with Fleck also not going with his runner who got ahead of him into the box.
At the other end, United then had an equally good chance. Fleck pulled it back and Brewster knocked it back and Lundstram was well placed on the penalty spot but snatched at it and smashed it wide. Normally a decent and composed finisher he opted to try and take the leather out of it and it went past the post. Really it should have been 1-1 with two great opportunities at either end.
On the half-hour mark, United had a very strong appeal for a penalty. Ampadu got forward well and played a neat one-two and as he came inside, he took a powerful shot that the defender Watts seemed to use a hand to save it. Replays proved he raised both hands and it hit him on the hand and went out for a corner. A great save! The VAR check saw Australian official, Jarred Gillett, clearly saw it was in the ‘Green Zone!’ which would perhaps suggest his arms were close to his body/face as a protective factor but it seems to be hard to know what officials will give each week even with changes made. It seemed a strong call for a spot-kick.
Plymouth then won a corner at the other end but it came to nothing before Stevens and Fleck wasted crosses at the other end, hitting the first man. Not long after the lead came though as superb, patient football saw the ball moved forward and then from left to right and back to the left with a number of players involved. The ball eventually was worked to Sharp who chipped over an inviting cross and Brewster ducked underneath it for BASHAM to come in and power his header home. It was a deserved lead as despite the golden chance for Argyle for Camara, the Blades had controlled and dominated large swathes of the games and had a number of chances and an equally good one from Lundstram. For Basham, it was his first goal for 22 months with the last goal coming in the infamous Basham arriving goal at Leeds in March 2019.
Sharp tried to peel off his men on the left from a Norwood drilled cross but was penalised for a soft push before Plymouth broke and Camara did well to get away from a lunging Fleck to feed in Grant who had acres of space. The Plymouth man opted to go alone but put it into the side netting. Ampadu then gave away a ball in a mix up with Stevens and Plymouth won another corner but Ramsdale caught it eventually despite bobbling another cross around; a feature of his game this season sadly. After two minutes of stoppage time, mostly for a ridiculous foul given on Fleck (where the Plymouth man ran into him to cause himself to be injured) and for some malfunction with the official’s technology, the half came to an end.
Straight after half time and United doubled their lead with Norwood playing the ball through calmly and Sharp was in. He rounded the keeper and converted with ease. It was a simple goal but nice to see United go through the middle of the pitch, a rarity it seems, to score. However, whilst the defending was poor, it was a lovely assist and finish from two of United’s senior men.
There was nearly the first goal for Brewster as United broke again and Fleck’s cross fell for Brewster but his shot was too close to Cooper who denied him. Arguably he should have scored and it was another good chance for United who was dominating the game.
Another spell of possession saw United move it around and then the ball came over but it was cleared as Sharp could not get there on the stretch. Norwood then moved it onto Basham and back across to Fleck before it was cleared. Plymouth was still defending incredibly deep to say they were 2-0 down.
Reeves came on for Fornah on the hour mark as Lowe looked for something to give the away side some hope in a game, they had been second best in. United continued to control things and Lundstram’s cross was into a dangerous area but Sharp slipped.
Not long after Moore and Telford came on too, as with five changes, Plymouth knew they could try and gamble even more at this stage. Jephcott and Hardy were the two to depart as Lowe changed both his strikers.
On 65 minutes the ball over the top from Egan saw Sharp hold his man off really well using his strength and came inside but with no options, he blazed over. Norwood then picked up a regulation booking for him, as he gave it away and then pulled his man back. This was the sign of a sloppy period as Fleck failed to clear and Aimson shot wide on the angle – the first real chance for the visiting side. Stevens then was next to dither and twice lost it on the edge of his own box but at the other end, good work down the left saw Sharp pull it back for Brewster who somehow just fell over and failed to get his shot away under no pressure at all.
Baldock and Bryan came on for Lowe and Norwood with Ampadu moving into a midfield position. Telford had a bobbled shot that was easy for Ramsdale but at least Plymouth were forcing United back after the home team had been comfortable for the first hour of the game. On 74 minutes Sharp was away but seemed offside as he went clear and after he squared for Fleck to tap in, the flag then went up. This infuriating new rule reared its head again. It seems to just waste time and cause more confusion.
On 74 minutes, Plymouth was back in it. More sloppy play from United saw them give it away and Lundstram was the next culprit and then Basham made a horrible mess of the ball back to him. Argyle nipped in and broke down the left and squared it. The finish from CAMARA went in despite Ramsdale getting something to it. It seemed like the keeper could have done better but it was a poor goal to give away all round.
Next attack and Reeves shot wide and United suddenly started to panic. However, Stevens then broke and his cross to Sharp saw it blocked by a body of players and came back to Stevens who showed quick feet to work it onto his weak foot and fired it at Cooper who saved with his legs.
Sharp and Brewster came off for McGoldrick and Burke with 10 minutes to play but the game was not more even and United did not have anywhere near the control they had before. Lundstram gave away a silly foul but Grant’s cross was cleared but it stayed at that end for a period before finally, United cleared. Nouble was then on for Camara as the game entered the final minutes. Poor game management from Burke and McGoldrick saw it coming back and then Ramsdale tried a daft chipped ball which led to Basham then fouling his man. The free-kick dropped to Moore but he blazed over.
The game entered four minutes of stoppage time and Watts was booked for pulling back Burke, and the home side spent a decent spell in the right-hand corner before a final free-kick was punted upfield, but United headed clear, and the whistle went soon after. It was a deserved win for the Blades who had been the much better side but the final moments had been nervier than they needed to be after some poor play led to Plymouth having a lifeline. Still, it was a win and a performance where we saw some better moments albeit versus limited opposition.
SHEFFIELD UNITED 2-1 PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
United – Deserved win and for 65-70 minutes, you thought it was an outstanding, professional performance. We started well on top and looked dangerous and the front two had a number of half-chances. It was all us and maybe the only criticism is the final bit again or us not being clinical when we needed to be, whether it was a cross, final ball or finish. I felt Brewster and Sharp needed to be a bit quicker or the final ball come in a bit earlier. Some of the football was good. It was crisp, patient and measured and we moved them about. They stood off us of course but the likes of Fleck, Stevens and Norwood were much more involved. We had a number of attacks down the left and we penned them in. Then they had a great chance and we had a let off. We then missed a big one through Lundstram but then scored a really good goal after a number of passes. We also should have had a penalty I felt before that. We began the second half well and scored a lovely goal again and nice to see a different line of attack (down the middle). After this, we just took the sting out of the game if Brewster scores one of a few good chances (Sharp had one too) the game is done but you knew we would give them a chance as we have all season and showed that even v Bristol Rovers.
Sure enough, we started going sloppy. Many may point to the changes but we gave it away a fair bit before this around the 60-65 minutes with a few just giving it away under no real pressure. We then made the subs but errors from Lundstram and then Basham saw then score with Ramsdale not great again. It was then a bit panicky and they had a few half chances and you thought here we go. We managed to do just enough to see it out but the final part was as poor as the first hour was good. You sensed the lack of confidence and us not knowing how to win games even versus an inferior opponent.
Overall though we were good value and deserved the win. It should have been more. We saw some decent if not brilliant performances from a handful and felt Sharp was a nuisance and a constant threat throughout. We won the game and are through. Be really interesting to see us versus a Championship team in Bristol City though – as of course, this is who we are going to be playing next season and be good to see how we measure up v a team that is on our level and will be on our level of course.
Now we face games we may have to watch behind our cushions. I am not sure even our own fans give us any chance whatsoever but look at Burnley in the week of course but then not sure we have the organisation and defensive qualities and I worry whenever the ball goes near Ramsdale – saw it again today. Of course, we will not have Egan for the first game as well. However, let us enjoy the win and the fact we are in the 5th round with a game we can win at the Lane.
Ramsdale 4/10 – Little to do first half as they missed one good chance and shot another into his side netting but a few crosses still seemed a bit hesitant and one bobbled out of his hand again. Second half saw one whizz wide but then on the one chance at him he made a bit of a mess of it again I felt. Maybe I am over analysing and certainly others at fault long before but he has to have stronger hands and seems to go in too easy again. I also thought near the end he did a stupid lofted kick out that did not even get to half that put us under pressure again. 4 may seem harsh but other than one cross he caught first half not sure he did much right or with any authority again and he had nothing to do hardly!
Bogle 6/10 – Thought he was well forward and involved in some decent moves but he gave too much space defensively and they had a few forays down this side and seems to be not close enough at times. He was not as influential as the last round but as I say we did seem to be attacking more down the left. He had a few forays second half before he was taken off on the 70-minute mark. At the moment not sure there is much between him and Baldock on the form. Bogle offers more going forward but George is better defensively. I think overall Baldock will still get his place back eventually in the short term.
Stevens 7/10 – Well advanced all game and he was right up into the final third. Just more involved than he has been for some time. Some ok crosses mixed with some poor ones but the fact he just got up the pitch was good. He was definitely more mobile than he has been in terms of running past people and moving into good areas. He was a good outlet throughout. Second half this continued and he could have scored when he used his right foot after some decent quick feet. One poor moment when he had two chances to clear and kept dithering and lost it – this time he refused to use his right foot.
Basham 6/10 – He did not have to defend much early on and played almost as another right-winger. Involved in a number of attacks early. Sometimes went too early and a few times he maybe did not quite read things (like the quick free-kick) but he was continually up the field. Lovely header and nice to see him get a goal – ironic after we have criticised his heading recently but he buried this one really well. Second half he continued to get up the field well and was involved in a number of attacks and put in a few balls. On the goal we conceded he was really sloppy I felt and failed to cut out the ball although Lundstram had been poor before too. After this, he and others started to get a bit sloppy.
Ampadu 7/10 – Like Basham, got forward well and involved in a number of attacks. Had a few moves where he gave it and went and then had the shot that could have been a penalty. Seemed fairly composed when he did come forward and onto it. A few dodgy moments where he let his man go (know it was down the other side but it was his) on the really good chance first half and then gave it away before half time when they broke. I thought though today he was nice and composed on the ball and showed some good sensible play and was decent in most things he did. Nothing remarkable but steady and functional.
Egan 6.5/10 – Did not have much to do really and one of the least involved players for us I felt. They had so little of the ball and so few attacks he did not even have to kick and head it away much. He had little really to do and even the goal and chances came down the side of the defence. He headed a few away at the end as they had a better spell for the final part of the game.
Lundstram 5/10 – Thought he was the least involved and influential of the midfield as we went down the left more first half of it came via Fleck and Norwood more. He had a great chance but missed it badly on the half-hour. He just did not see as much of the ball today and was quiet. Then he gave away a few daft fouls before making a mistake that led to the goal. He got on it a bit near the end to see time out but not his best day and he has been the better of the three so far this season.
Fleck 6.5/10 – Definitely more influential than he has been. Seemed to be constantly on the ball. He did have more time than the Premier League level but did lots more positive things than he has been doing in terms of being in motion, linking and probing. Some things again a bit slow but he did have a lot of involvement in many of our attacks and most chances he was involved with either an assist or an assist to an assist. Seemed more like his old self and was looking for the ball and not always just moving it on straight away. He set up a few chances for Brewster with crosses from wide and was able to link better. Still at times not always reacting or doing things as quickly as I would like and at full stretch defensively trying to foul men a few times but some better glimpses and was always involved.
Norwood 6/10 – Had lots of time on the ball, to begin with, and I felt was steady without having to be too adventurous. Did put some nice switches out and kept it moving but as I say was not pressured. He did give it away once dawdling but most of the time he had so long to do things. Put a few decent balls out the first half and then set up the second with a slide rule ball where we passed it through the middle which was a novel change! In possession decent but out of it a struggle again. He gave the ball away and pulled his man back for his usual booking – he seems to do this every game at the moment. He went off as the game seemed to be over but we were poor after the double change. Whether that was down to the substitutions I am not sure as Ampadu was ok there but felt it was just a number of players giving it away and getting sloppy rather than us missing him or Bogle who went off. I worry in the week v Man Utd against mobile, quick and athletic players but then we do not have much choice but to play these three with the injuries we have to Osborn and Berge.
Brewster 5.5/10 – First half had lots of half chances with a shot saved, missed a header and a toed finish, both on the stretch. He just seemed a bit slow to react to a few things but at least was getting in better areas. He was involved in a few decent moves though (such as pullback for Lundstram). He then second half had a great chance. He had to score that – penalty spot under no pressure with time. He hit it straight at the keeper and rather snatched at it. He then fell over when given another chance. It seemed like the players were desperate to set him up to get him a goal and today he did have opportunities but did not take them. The co-commentator said he played really well. Not sure I agree with her. He was ok and involved/worked hard and at least got into some great positions and some ok link play but still not sure I can play really well or looks assured in front of goal.
Sharp 7.5/10 – Began the game poorly with a few misses where he took way too long, granted one was probably offside but the second he was just too slow to get it away. He seemed quite slow overall but he did start to get into it and become more involved in the game and just grew into it and by the end was our best player and maybe the most dangerous player on the field. He used good strength and also had some good runs forward. He set up the first goal with a lovely chip and then scored the second with a good run and finish. He then was involved in other chances and I felt they were really worried about him all game. Against League One defences his movement and know-how makes up for his lack of pace, mobility and athleticism. Played well today though but do not expect him to start either game next week as he would not get a kick if he did!
Subs –
Baldock – Came on and we started to struggle but maybe that was a coincidence. Not sure he did much wrong but the game just started to turn. He had a few moments where he attacked and took too long to make decisions. At the end was poor in retaining possession in the corner when he could have kept it better.
Bryan – As above really. We just seemed to lose our momentum and the control we had. As I say not sure any of the incoming was making horrific mistakes but we just did not get up the field as much and they did start to find some gaps in our defence and had some chances.
Burke – Looked a threat again with his running and bought a few fouls and got a booking for a defender. A few times did not get his head up and could have made better decisions or seen time out better.
McGoldrick – Did not really get into it. One stupid ball when our player was offside.
Manager Wilder 7/10 – To be fair the attitude was good from the start and we began the game really well and swarmed all over them. We should have led but then had a let-off before scoring. We then made it 2-0 and you felt we should coast it. Critics will say his chances upset the rhythm but we started making silly giveaways before that and got a bit sloppy but we did not have as much control after the 2 changes and then the 2 other changes. Maybe he should have left it? Still, you cannot legislate for players giving it away and we kept doing that and finally, they got one and it was nervy. He gave Brewster a chance and he did not score again so will be disappointed but will be pleased to see some of the old guard such as Sharp, Stevens and Fleck doing better. Had a week ahead of where we could be in for some rude awakenings so just hope we can at least be competitive and stay in the next two games. Still, we have won a few games at least recently, albeit in the cup.
Plymouth – Reminded me of watching us all season v better teams. They never got going, sat back, defended and offered little going forward (until the last 20). They struggled to cope with our movement, did not get close to us and it was one-way traffic for the first 20-25 minutes. We were all over them but they restricted us to half chances. The big moment came when they had their first real attack and Camara missed badly. After this, we scored and they were chasing it and you felt 2nd half we would get away and score a few more but they hung in and then got a goal and had a go. I felt they capitalised on our nerves and pushed us back and another 5-10 minutes and they may have forced extra time. Over the game, they were second best though but at least had a go at the end. I felt they gave us too much respect for the most part and sat off. To be fair to them they have had a tiring week with travel and went all the way to Sunderland in the week and won and then back up North to Sheffield. I worked it out as 1,398 miles they have done all in!
Ryan Lowe seems a good up and coming young manager. A bit like Wilder has done well and got promotions at a few clubs and steadily improving his reputation. They are around the middle of League One and will settle for that I am sure after promotion and look to keep building. They played some nice football at times today and have a few decent players but maybe lack a bit of experience.
Opponent Man of the Match – The keeper made a few decent saves and was busy all game but the best player by a mile was the lad Camara. Missed a sitter but then was on the ball and ran at us and looked confident and assured. He was the main threat and made the few chances they had and scored the goal.
Opponent Weak link – Thought the centre backs Opuku and the lad Watt struggled with Sharp’s experience all game so one of those might take this award. I thought Mayor was a talent at Bury and did he play for Wednesday too? Decent technician but he was not in it as our midfield controlled it. The lad Jephcott has been talked up but never had a kick but that was down to service really.
Referee/Officials – Lee Mason. Began giving a ridiculous foul on Fleck where the man ran into him. It was a relatively easy game to ref though. The VAR decision for the goal seemed ridiculous. I thought it was a clear penalty and he raised both hands and saved it! Yes, he protected his face but surely that is a preventing a shot by moving them up there! I know they talk about the natural silhouette or whatever but I don’t get that one. We heard the Aussie guy doing VAR, Jarrod Gillett, say it is in the Green Zone? What does that even mean – is that the area near the body or an area of the military operation in Bagdad (listen to the pod!). I have no idea. Outside of this Norwood for us and Watts for them were booked for clear cynical fouls. The rest of the game was quite easy to ref.
Coverage – I enjoyed the musical accompaniment on BBC I player before and at half time! The coverage was odd as the commentator and co-commentator seemed to give the pretence they were at the ground but they could not hear each other as they were too far apart – I do wonder if they were even there or even together or in separate studios! The woman, an ex-keeper, Rachel Brown Finnis was frustrating. She kept talking constantly but did have Ramsdale’s number saying how shaky and he looked like he would make mistakes – sure enough, he dropped across! She was going on about a game with Palace and New Years Day at the Lane! I cannot remember that. Both spent new ways of bringing up how crap we were for the season throwing new stats of ineptitude at us at random moments. Her description of Brewster’s performance was a bit over the top. Odd how we heard the VAR decision also? Are we meant to or was that an error that they have synced up the BBC coverage – they seemed to go and mess with the wires at some point and we heard it all crackling!