A second-half goal from Oli McBurnie earned a 1-1 draw at Luton Town last night, leaving the Blades chasing their first away victory of the season. Regular forum poster, deadbat, delivers us his player ratings from last night’s Championship fixture.
Foderingham 6/10 – No chance on the goal but came and missed another cross and was much busier in the first half. He made one routine save but had to make it from Morris but then had a spell where he almost seemed dazed and then you realise, he is not well and tried to struggle on but was not coming for crosses/balls and we could not take any chances. Hopefully, he will be back for Tuesday as we are not exactly blessed with keeping over with one out on loan and another injured.
Baldock 6.5/10 – Got well forward first half but his final ball was lacking again and he just crosses it rather than picking out his man. He was harshly booked- just shoulder to shoulder. Then the ref let loads go after that of a similar nature! He defended ok and did what he had to but when he got into good positions going forward did not see much although played Bash in once and set up Norwood so was better 2nd half but was more defending than attacking. He actually did pretty well in that regard and stuck to his task. Maybe he (or McAtee) needs to get out to the man on the cross and also, we let too many crosses come in tonight.
Lowe 5.5/10 – Did not keep to his standards of the previous two home games both attacking and defensively. One wild shot over and a few poor passes going forward where he telegraphed balls. He also was nowhere near tight enough to his man as a barrage of crosses came in. Needs to be much closer and stop the ball coming in. Saw nothing going forward second half at all.
Basham 6.5/10 – Did well with a few clearances and blocks but I also thought we lost a lot of high balls and another day some of those flicks in or cause more problems. The goal he has to see the danger and being the nearest man has to attack it/go on Morris rather than drop back. Does Egan have to maybe communicate better too to tell him where the danger was? He improved after this and read the game well with a few blocks but they did also get in a few times down the sides.
Norrington Davies 7.5/10 – Our best defender again. Competitive as he did not stand for any nonsense and got stuck in, often on much bigger players. He loves the battle but is stuck at it. Going forward he put one good cross in but was not able to get into these attacking areas much. Though he was one of the few who won his battle most of the night and was first to the ball and made some good tackles/blocks. Been really good the last few games.
Egan 6/10 – I thought he was lucky to get away with a handball – slipping and clumsy as he ran back. After this, him and the defence struggled with the high ball and they won a lot of the aerial stuff. He did win the header for the goal but too often the ball forward they won as they picked up the loose bits. We looked way too open down the sides too and meant we often looked at full stretch. I am not sure the others helped by not stopping the crosses from coming in constantly.
Norwood 6.5/10 – Started ok but then they pressed and won the ball more and we did not really create much at all. They pressed him and we struggled to get into good areas. He did have the shot that hit Berge and the one just over 2nd half and outside of the goal these were our best efforts but the game seemed to pass him by as it became scrappy and they stopped him from having time on the ball. He was ok when he had it but the least, he has been involved since Watford.
McAtee 1/10 – A nightmare 45 minutes. He gave it away early on, slipped and they had a chance. This carried on. Way off the pace as he got outmuscled but worryingly his touch and passing were atrocious. He set them up for their first two attacks and then on the goal he has to react and go to the thrower. Got booked and then committed another foul. His set plays were dreadful save one to Norwood (that gets him his 1 mark!) as he hit his first man on everyone – including two in quick succession. Had to come off. I expected far better technically even if he got outmuscled but he has been poor in terms of his touch and passing. If he wants to play, he has to do much, much better. It was like having 10 tonight first half. I do worry that if we are a side going for promotion, we cannot have a young kid learning on the job and as I say he has to contribute. It looked all too much for him today but with any loan at the football league level, he is going to have games played at a fast pace and physical and is a long way from Premier League u23 football so needs to learn fast.
Berge 4/10 – I thought he was really poor tonight. Never influenced the game at all. He was safe when he had it or took too long and got robbed. Do not recall any runs at them and this is not helped with him being more withdrawn. His best position is further forward but Hecky seems like he wants to accommodate McAtee if he plays like he did tonight, not only does it mean we have an ineffective player in him but Berge is too being asked to play further back. He improved a bit after Doyle came on and had a few moments but nothing where you thought he has done really well and affected a chance or made something. If teams were looking at him tonight will not have helped him in terms of any move away.
Ndiaye 7/10 – Our best player first half looked like they were worried about him as he got into good areas, and used his body to contort himself and keep possession but had little help. Most of our good play came from his hold-up and link play. He made a few halves chances and then was involved second half in the lead-up before we scored. He then made one for Norwood but faded after this and was taken off. He does look a great player and I felt technically looked the best footballer on the pitch albeit in fits and bursts.
McBurnie 7.5/10 – Along with Norrington Davies our best player and he just gets my man of the match for his efforts. Tussled and harried and got involved in grappling early (loved the rugby tackle as he had been fouled first!) but in a good way as he put himself around to good effect. He only had one pulled shot wide but he was leading the line well with little service at all. His goal he took superbly and was a fine finish and out of character after so many scuffed/weak efforts. After this continued to work hard but nothing else really dropped for him. Pleased for him as the last few games starting and sub, he has done well.
Substitutes
Doyle 6.5/10 – Did ok actually and had the hockey assist for the goal (assist before the assist) and worked hard as we at least had someone who kept it some of the time in that area and also could get back. They still played through us too much in this area and at times he and Norwood did not win the physical stuff but he did alright overall and had one shot near the end. May have to start now with Fleck out and McAtee looking miles off being ready. Rather him and Norwood with Berge are more advanced personally than moving people around. Maybe the young lad Arblaster may get a chance too.
Amissah – Played the final 12 mins + 7 and he did ok. Not a good sign when he banged his head on the dugout but took his first cross and with high balls coming in looked fine. Got a big kick on him too. Made the save right at the end which was the expected save but he made it. Hopefully, this experience will stand him in good stead.
Brewster – One run where he won a corner and then another where he took a shot but it was weak. At the moment McBurnie offers far more to the team than him but sure he will get minutes with Sharp out. Those saying he was going to score lots of goals and be our leading scorer though – I struggle to see anything to convince me they are going to be right sadly as he looks a player that will play now and again but McBurnie and Ndiaye (and Khadra) done far more to claim the shirts ahead of him.
Ahmedhodzic – Not on for long. Won one header and clearance as his height was useful with balls coming into the box.
Its time to admit Brewster is not the player Wilder thought he was getting.
To me he seems a very average player in all departments.
Lacks real pace and first touch often lets him down.