Sheffield United registered their first victory of the 2022/23 season, following a 2-0 victory over Millwall via first-half goals from Illiman Ndiaye and Sander Berge. Regular VitalBlades message board user, deadbat, gives us his player ratings from yesterday’s victory.
Foderingham 7/10 – Had little to do all game. One save from a deflected header. A couple of punches from long throws – one excellent, one he maybe did not get enough on but overall, he was solid today although totally unemployed for the most part which is good. The only negative was he was rightly booked for taking an age on set plays – he did not really need to.
Baldock 7/10 – No issues. A solid performance where he did the defensive stuff well and got up and down with usual energy. A few times his final moments attacking-wise let him down, but he did some of the stuff in those areas too. I love Pommpey’s description in comparing him to the Bill Roache/Ken Barlow character in his report – in that he plays the same role every week. Lots of effort etc/lacking quality. However today he was fine
Norrington Davies 6.5/10 – As with Baldock he was fine but maybe our weakest defender in terms of not necessarily his defending (I know that should be his priority) but his overall play – control, passing and link-up. I felt he did not really offer much going that way and often came back inside or his touch was not as secure as it needed to be. Silly to get involved at the end in the pushing match and a cheap booking. He was fine and we looked improved in this area from the previous game. He needs a run of games for me and with Stevens out and Lowe’s showing in the week, should get it.
Ahmedhodzic 8/10 – Excellent debut. He clearly is exemplary on the ball and technically superb for a defensive player at the Championship level. He loves getting on it and coming out and was Bash-like in this sense, but he may offer more of a threat, and he set up a few chances for Ndiaye and Jebbison. He had a few shots too as he showed his confidence. Defensively I was intrigued to see him as that still must be what he will ultimately get judged on and he was good with a few clumsy fouls apart (but liked he got stuck in) he made a number of great tackles. One early second half denied a clear shot at goal as he came across to make the interception. His long legs mean he can make those recovery runs and tackles. Just looked unflustered and you can see why they spent a fair bit of money and pursued him for so long on that evidence. Be tough for Bash to get back in if he plays like that.
Clark 7.5/10 – Was close to an 8 but for two or three hurried slices or odd clearances and a wild finish when he went forward but his defensive work was excellent, and he summed up the improvements in terms of performance from Watford. He was solid on the ball and moved it on well, but it was his ability to make interceptions, read things and get into good areas to deny any chances that impressed. He made a number of these and second half he just got positioned himself well.
Egan 7.5/10 – Really sound showing in which he marshalled the back line and won the headers and clearances that he needed to. He also was quite advanced in the first half as we initiated our attacks almost from halfway with him and Norwood rotating the initial outlet pass or the start of that phase. He dealt with Afobe well as he can be a strong and powerful runner.
Norwood 6/10 – Thought he was our weakest player, but he was still ‘ok.’ I just thought he gave the ball away an awful lot and was often under no pressure. Don’t get me wrong, he began well and was key to us getting up the pitch and moving it quickly. Some nice passes and switch of play and he was influential and involved. However, as the game went on, he started to misplace passes and we saw two or three before halftime. He then missed the penalty – you can argue he strikes a ball well and has scored penalties before for us, but he has missed a lot too (recall at least 2 in shootouts he has missed and now today – his record is maybe no more than 50%?). He seems to put the ball in the same area which is a nice height to save. I would have let Brewster take it – he won the penalty and would have been good to get the goal. After the break, he helped us keep control with some of the things but then kept trying that first time whipped cross and 2 or 3 times it just sailed over everyone and kept giving it back to them. Sure, some may disagree with my rating but that is how I saw it.
Fleck 7/10 – Far better than the week and first half thought he was good as he got on the ball, probed and was central to some of our play in the middle and down the left. He got his foot in and used it better than the week. He was quicker in what he did, and we dominated midfield. Had one shot over and then on the goal he was good as he intercepted and turned defence (from clearing the free kick) into a goal – the opposite of what he did in the week! Second half he was quieter as we saw less of the ball and came off near the end, but the job had been done.
Berge 8/10 – Thought he played very well today. Yes, at times maybe he can do more and not only do it in fits and bursts, but I actually think that is the kind of player he is. He is not going to burst through constantly but what he did well today is keep the ball and give us control and move us up the field. First half he just got on it and moved it left and right but also had some runs down the channel and was able to force them back. He took his goal well too. Second half he was our best player as he was the one who just kept getting on it and moving it up the field. I think he got frustrated with the lack of movement/options in front a few times, but I felt they were terrified whenever he got it and glided forward and could not hold him up. Maybe you could ask for those final bits after a few of his lung-bursting runs but overall, he was one of the games stand out and along with Ndiaye and Ahmedhodzic, the man/men of the match.
Ndiaye 8/10 – I struggle to separate him and Berge for a man of the match even after time to reflect. I thought has by far the best player on the pitch first half and everything we did well seemed to have him at the hub of it. Came off the defence and picked it up and was always on the half turn and wanting to go at the defenders. His close control, strength and dribbling is superb to watch. He took the goal very well showing power to shrug off his man (he seems to have got even stronger over the summer) and composure (he has missed a few like that before). After this he nearly had another and then shot wide in the second half with more good movement. He did fade as we had less of the ball but then got cramp again and came off (hoping this is less of an issue this season). Exciting first few games from him and the only worry is that if he carries on playing like he is and keeps improving, surely there is going to be interest from above? He looks to have a fantastic future and sort of footballer you love to watch (much like Gibbs White).
Brewster 7/10 – I have been critical of him in the past but today thought he gave a mature first-half performance were for a youngster playing as a lone striker (yes Ndiaye and others supported) he held it up, linked well and worked hard. He had no real chances at goal I suppose but think it just did not sit for him. He helped ‘set’ up the first goal and thought generally he did not get knocked off the ball like he did when he first joined us. He chased and harried, and general play was ok. Maybe the only knock is him not having any efforts, but he did then win the penalty and as I say would have been a great way to get him off the mark for the season but easy to say in hindsight.
Substitutes
Sharp 7/10 – Usual Sharp-type stuff. Sticking his arse in, won a free kick, sent over a good cross and just did the experienced veteran stuff we needed to help see out the game.
Jebbison 6/10 – Mixed bag. Won a free kick and put himself about with his running across the line but he was selfish on one chance he did well initially to come inside after Anel had set him up but could have had the pass back. At times I do worry that he does not quite know the game yet as he sometimes players (Berge was one) seem to be wanting a run at certain times and he does not always know when to come short or go off long on a run for a pass.
Osborn – Just brought on to give us more legs but actually saw him in an attacking sense more with a header over and another where he nearly got in down the left.
The Gaffer
Manager: Heckingbottom 8/10 – Solid win where we played well first half and tactically, we got up the pitch, moved it quickly and caused them problems. It was a perfect first half apart from the penalty miss. The defence was onto the ball quicker and the midfield won the ’50/’50s and we had a good tempo. We were switched onto set plays and did the basic/ugly stuff to stop them from getting a sniff from these – their only real threat. Second half we managed the game. I do think we sat a bit deep but then you can argue they did not cause us any issues and just saw it out. Maybe if I was being greedy, a good side goes on and gets more goals but then you attack more and concede, and everyone criticises the manager, so he probably got it right in the approach.