Deadbat_DB
Vital Squad Member
Podcast links to come later and report below….
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Surprise side Coventry came to the Lane in confident form against a struggling Blades side who had lost their last two games and were hunting for any semblance of form and results to move up the league. The early kick off provided little in the way of entertainment for either set of fans. Coventry edged the first half and at least tested the Blades returning keeper Foderingham as United were booed off the field. The second half saw some improvements from the home team but in truth they rarely looked like scoring until the final stages when ex Blade Moore finally made a save of note on 83 minutes before making an even better one at the death from Gibbs White. McGoldrick made a difference in general play but was utterly dreadful in blazing two good chance over the bar. It was a clean sheet for United but in truth it was another lacklustre performance where they only really had a go in the closing stages. For a side riding high Coventry did not offer much more the other way but will ultimately be happier with the point in the end.
After the two-week break, there were four changes for United as Norwood (suspended), Brewster, Osborn and Olsen (injury) were out with Houirihane, Ndiaye, Davies and Foderingham back in. There was also a change of formation as United went back to 3 at the back with Gibbs White playing in the number 10 position behind Sharp and Ndiaye. Coventry opted to leave in form Godden on the bench but did have former United players Moore and McFadzean starting as part of the City rear guard.
The game began with little attacking action from either side and Coventry were quick to pick up the loose balls and were going forward quicker than United who preferred the more patient build up. City looked lively down the sides and Gyokeres a handful up top. However, the Blades had the first effort as Fleck showed nice skill to nutmeg his man but his effort was sent well wide. United had spell after this with Fleck influential in creating and Gibbs White starting to get involved but Sharp and Ndiaye were struggling to get in the game against a physical defence. Bogle had a few chances to cross but was wasteful on both occasions sending his cross too far.
The away side gradually started to take over and were winning the ball and sending it down the side and they had a chance on 15 when Hamer hit a shot which Foderingham had to push away. They started to realise the vulnerability of the Blades defence and Gyokeres outfoxed Egan who cynically pulled him back and was rightly yellow carded. Hamer’s free kick was over the bar but it was certainly Coventry who now looked the better side and Dabo was causing problems down the left-hand side with trickery and strong running. Basham twice had to get back to make challenges before. Dabo had a shot blocked and then the ball came across and no one could react. The home fans were starting to get frustrated although Gibbs White jinked away from Hamer who brought him down and was the first Coventry player to be cautioned.
O’Hare then was the next to have a go before Hourihane also did not fancy running back and pulled his man down not long after he gave away the ball twice with the crowd clearly not happy with his contribution. City won a corner but the Blades were able to clear. Sharp was struggling to get in the game and tried to buy a free kick but the ref was not having it and cautioned Sharp for handball as he fell. United had huge gaps between the three departments and even though they may have looked a bit tighter and not as open at the back, they never really looked like creating anything the other way. Stevens woeful right footed shot was the first effort since the early Fleck chance. At the other end Gyokeres had an effort blocked and his strength and trickery were causing Egan all sort of problems. United were wasteful with basic passing but were too slow to come out and no one wanted to take responsibility outside of possibly Fleck and Basham. The half time whistle came and boos reigned down on the Lane as Jokanovic looked up to the terraces sheepishly as he departed down the tunnel.
The Serbian had clearly seen enough and hauled off the ineffective Ndiaye for McGoldrick at the break. The sub instantly started to get involved getting on the ball and drifting in and out to try and move United into better areas. However, City had a flurry of chances with Gyokeres testing Foderingham with a low shot before a dangerous cross from Dabo who beat Bogle too easily saw United struggle to clear. O’Hare went down too easily in the scramble as he looked for the penalty but the referee called it right and booked the City man for simulation.
The game was a dreadful contest but Gibbs White tried to make something happen and a cross was close to Sharp as the Blades finally got the ball into the box. Bogle then showed quick feet but his cross was straight at Moore. Basham was trying to make some positive thrusts but often was getting crowded out and there was little quality in terms of crosses coming in or a final ball. City made two changes with Godden and Walker on for Gyokeres and Hamer.
The sub nearly made an instant impact with a low shot held well by Foderingham who had been faultless with his handling with nothing coming off him. The game now entered the final 20 minutes and even though the Blades had been better this half, they still did not look like scoring with City having more chances and testing the keeper much more throughout, even if the efforts were not that dangerous.
Finally, some efforts came from the Blades as Gibbs White shot wide with Moore probably having it covered but soon after McGoldrick had the ball pulled back but smashed it horribly over. Something we have seen far too often from the centre forward who for all the good work in general play, lacks any kind of composure in front of goal. Hourihane had a decent effort wide from range as the game started to open up finally but neither side were showing the necessary quality in the right areas.
Kelly came on for Sheaf before United were too busy arguing with the officials as the ball stayed in and Egan clumsily fouled Walker, leading to a free kick. The Blades were able to clear the ball for a corner but then Foderingham was a safe pair of hands again not long after saving from O’Hare.
United won their first corner of the game on 80 minutes and soon after had their first effort on goal as Gibbs White neat approach fashioned a chance for McGoldrick but his effort was weak and easy for Moore, who at least had made a save! United did sense a chance to snatch and suddenly after playing most of the game with no tempo or urgency mixed with sloppy, slow passing, they started to have a go.
Hourihane who had improved after a dreadful first hour fed the ball to McGoldrick who cut in but somehow ballooned it miles over the bar again to groans from most of the fans inside the Lane. Osborn came on for Stevens and United now were pushing City back at least who now were settling for the point and trying to slow down every throw and free kick.
United won a series of free kicks but Moore took a cross and another Hourihane free kick did not quite drop. As the game entered the final minute, United had a chance as the ball dropped to Gibbs White who hit it through a series of bodies and it maybe took a nick off one defender but Moore readjusted to make a really good save.
The game entered three minutes of stoppage time and finally United had built up a head of steam and a ball pulled back Hourihane was seemingly perfect for Gibbs White but his shot lacked power and was blocked by McFadzean. The Blades still had one final chance but Hourihane’s shot drifted wide and the full-time whistle came not long after. There was a more positive reaction for the improvements second half, at least the final 10-15 minutes of the game but despite the clean sheet, it was another less than inspiring game from the Blades. The only consolation is the high-flying Sky Blues looked no better in a really drab game where the keepers were barely properly tested all game.
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Surprise side Coventry came to the Lane in confident form against a struggling Blades side who had lost their last two games and were hunting for any semblance of form and results to move up the league. The early kick off provided little in the way of entertainment for either set of fans. Coventry edged the first half and at least tested the Blades returning keeper Foderingham as United were booed off the field. The second half saw some improvements from the home team but in truth they rarely looked like scoring until the final stages when ex Blade Moore finally made a save of note on 83 minutes before making an even better one at the death from Gibbs White. McGoldrick made a difference in general play but was utterly dreadful in blazing two good chance over the bar. It was a clean sheet for United but in truth it was another lacklustre performance where they only really had a go in the closing stages. For a side riding high Coventry did not offer much more the other way but will ultimately be happier with the point in the end.
After the two-week break, there were four changes for United as Norwood (suspended), Brewster, Osborn and Olsen (injury) were out with Houirihane, Ndiaye, Davies and Foderingham back in. There was also a change of formation as United went back to 3 at the back with Gibbs White playing in the number 10 position behind Sharp and Ndiaye. Coventry opted to leave in form Godden on the bench but did have former United players Moore and McFadzean starting as part of the City rear guard.
The game began with little attacking action from either side and Coventry were quick to pick up the loose balls and were going forward quicker than United who preferred the more patient build up. City looked lively down the sides and Gyokeres a handful up top. However, the Blades had the first effort as Fleck showed nice skill to nutmeg his man but his effort was sent well wide. United had spell after this with Fleck influential in creating and Gibbs White starting to get involved but Sharp and Ndiaye were struggling to get in the game against a physical defence. Bogle had a few chances to cross but was wasteful on both occasions sending his cross too far.
The away side gradually started to take over and were winning the ball and sending it down the side and they had a chance on 15 when Hamer hit a shot which Foderingham had to push away. They started to realise the vulnerability of the Blades defence and Gyokeres outfoxed Egan who cynically pulled him back and was rightly yellow carded. Hamer’s free kick was over the bar but it was certainly Coventry who now looked the better side and Dabo was causing problems down the left-hand side with trickery and strong running. Basham twice had to get back to make challenges before. Dabo had a shot blocked and then the ball came across and no one could react. The home fans were starting to get frustrated although Gibbs White jinked away from Hamer who brought him down and was the first Coventry player to be cautioned.
O’Hare then was the next to have a go before Hourihane also did not fancy running back and pulled his man down not long after he gave away the ball twice with the crowd clearly not happy with his contribution. City won a corner but the Blades were able to clear. Sharp was struggling to get in the game and tried to buy a free kick but the ref was not having it and cautioned Sharp for handball as he fell. United had huge gaps between the three departments and even though they may have looked a bit tighter and not as open at the back, they never really looked like creating anything the other way. Stevens woeful right footed shot was the first effort since the early Fleck chance. At the other end Gyokeres had an effort blocked and his strength and trickery were causing Egan all sort of problems. United were wasteful with basic passing but were too slow to come out and no one wanted to take responsibility outside of possibly Fleck and Basham. The half time whistle came and boos reigned down on the Lane as Jokanovic looked up to the terraces sheepishly as he departed down the tunnel.
The Serbian had clearly seen enough and hauled off the ineffective Ndiaye for McGoldrick at the break. The sub instantly started to get involved getting on the ball and drifting in and out to try and move United into better areas. However, City had a flurry of chances with Gyokeres testing Foderingham with a low shot before a dangerous cross from Dabo who beat Bogle too easily saw United struggle to clear. O’Hare went down too easily in the scramble as he looked for the penalty but the referee called it right and booked the City man for simulation.
The game was a dreadful contest but Gibbs White tried to make something happen and a cross was close to Sharp as the Blades finally got the ball into the box. Bogle then showed quick feet but his cross was straight at Moore. Basham was trying to make some positive thrusts but often was getting crowded out and there was little quality in terms of crosses coming in or a final ball. City made two changes with Godden and Walker on for Gyokeres and Hamer.
The sub nearly made an instant impact with a low shot held well by Foderingham who had been faultless with his handling with nothing coming off him. The game now entered the final 20 minutes and even though the Blades had been better this half, they still did not look like scoring with City having more chances and testing the keeper much more throughout, even if the efforts were not that dangerous.
Finally, some efforts came from the Blades as Gibbs White shot wide with Moore probably having it covered but soon after McGoldrick had the ball pulled back but smashed it horribly over. Something we have seen far too often from the centre forward who for all the good work in general play, lacks any kind of composure in front of goal. Hourihane had a decent effort wide from range as the game started to open up finally but neither side were showing the necessary quality in the right areas.
Kelly came on for Sheaf before United were too busy arguing with the officials as the ball stayed in and Egan clumsily fouled Walker, leading to a free kick. The Blades were able to clear the ball for a corner but then Foderingham was a safe pair of hands again not long after saving from O’Hare.
United won their first corner of the game on 80 minutes and soon after had their first effort on goal as Gibbs White neat approach fashioned a chance for McGoldrick but his effort was weak and easy for Moore, who at least had made a save! United did sense a chance to snatch and suddenly after playing most of the game with no tempo or urgency mixed with sloppy, slow passing, they started to have a go.
Hourihane who had improved after a dreadful first hour fed the ball to McGoldrick who cut in but somehow ballooned it miles over the bar again to groans from most of the fans inside the Lane. Osborn came on for Stevens and United now were pushing City back at least who now were settling for the point and trying to slow down every throw and free kick.
United won a series of free kicks but Moore took a cross and another Hourihane free kick did not quite drop. As the game entered the final minute, United had a chance as the ball dropped to Gibbs White who hit it through a series of bodies and it maybe took a nick off one defender but Moore readjusted to make a really good save.
The game entered three minutes of stoppage time and finally United had built up a head of steam and a ball pulled back Hourihane was seemingly perfect for Gibbs White but his shot lacked power and was blocked by McFadzean. The Blades still had one final chance but Hourihane’s shot drifted wide and the full-time whistle came not long after. There was a more positive reaction for the improvements second half, at least the final 10-15 minutes of the game but despite the clean sheet, it was another less than inspiring game from the Blades. The only consolation is the high-flying Sky Blues looked no better in a really drab game where the keepers were barely properly tested all game.
