Being just about the only Blades fan who didn’t see our win over Manchester City at the weekend, I listened incredulously to the pre-match talk in the Albion of just how well we’d played in the cup tie. Talk of a team playing with hunger, desire and pace just didn’t seem to tally with what I’d be watching since August. Still I was little more hopeful than usual when I took my seat.
That hope soon left me as the game began at testimonial tempo. It was strange to see a Watford side who didn’t look like they were on a day trip from the land of the giants. Robson certainly seemed to have set the Blades up to withstand an aerial bombardment with Ehiogu and Morgan at centre back. That never materialised with Steven Kabba and Nathan Ellington providing a very different sort of threat, one that our centre backs dealt with, for the most part, quite comfortably.
Watford’s goal when it came was a surprise, not because we were on top but because so little was happening. Speed gave away possession with a poor pass and the Blades defence was all at sea after both Naysmith and Morgan inexplicably lunged at Kabba on the touchline. Even when Ellington struck his shot it didn’t seem like there was any danger, difficult to tell from where I sit, was Kenny at fault?
Although the Blades were booed off at half-time I thought the fans had been remarkably patient. Lee Hendrie was withdrawn at the break and rightly so. Whoever stole £2,000 from the Manchester City dressing room on Sunday is no more guilty of pinching money then Hendrie. His 3 year contract is a sad illustration of the way this club is going. David Carney came on, and fair play to him, he improved things a bit with his willingness to run at defenders.
It was Carney who equalised turning home a Hulse cross/shot from close range. Even the goal had a touch of the farcical about it coming from a throw in which ballooned out of the taker’s hands. A winner never really looked on the cards and the game fizzled out to a draw.
This was a poor result against a Watford side without the likes of Mart Poom, Danny Shittu, Darius Henderson and the departed Marlon King. Worse than the result though was the performance, lacklustre beyond belief yet again. The crowd were fairly gentle with Robson I thought, just one chant of ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ when Shelton was withdrawn but Billy Sharp left on the bench leaving us with one striker. Robson seems to favour players and then leave them in the wilderness in spells. Sharp seems to start a few and then get left out in the cold for a time, it’s been the same for Stead.
Player Ratings
Kenny
5/10 As I say, I didn’t have the best view but it looked as though he might have been at fault for the goal. Had little else to do other than one save from Kabba.
Bromby
5/10 Steady enough but we lose a lot going forward when we have 2 full backs who aren’t capable of getting forward.
Naysmith
4/10 Apparently he was very good against City. I suppose there’s a first time for everything. Another Robson signing who is looking like an expensive flop.
Morgan
6/10 Won his headers and looked comfortable for the most part. Along with Speed and Naysmith, at fault for Watford’s goal.
Ehiogu
6/10 Didn’t have a great deal to do. Again I have to question how expensive he’s going to prove and what return we’ll get.
Martin
5/10 Started well but faded.
Speed
4/10 Much like his performance at Hillsborough. Doesn’t get about the pitch or involved in the game a lot and his ball retention isn’t at the expected standard.
S Quinn
4/10 I like Quinny but his consistency is badly lacking. He had a stinker last night and gave the ball away more than anyone else.
Hendrie
3/10 Just an absolute disgrace. Are we going to see anything at all for the £10,000 or so a week we’ll be handing over for the next 3 years?
Hulse
4/10 Looks a shadow of his former self. Struggling to regain full fitness or keeping himself fit for a move before the end of the window?
Shelton
5/10 One of his frustrating nights.
Carney
7/10 Starting to see flashes from him. Still doesn’t like tackling or going up for headers but looks more dangerous on the ball and added his second goal of the season.
Armstrong
4/10 Not really on for long enough but wasted a good opportunity late on.