Deadbat_DB
Vital Squad Member
Match report below and pod here also:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KuTdoWGxJQAc0ooDtSJep?si=enXqKTygRJ6j2737wNpzRQ
United’s poor start to the new season continued as they drew at home to fellow strugglers Fulham at Bramall Lane. Today, the Blades were the better side for the first half and missed a number of good chances but after the break the visitors largely dominated and but for poor finishing from Alexander Mitrovic and a stupid penalty the same player gave away; they would have left the Lane with all three points. Maybe over the game, United could point to them being better in the first half and thus deserving a point but the big chances certainly went to the visitors with Ramsdale the much busier keeper and Fulham looked the more frustrated on full time as United were hanging on at the end. This of course is really worrying, against a promoted side and one expected to struggle. With three really tough games to come, United know they have to play much, much better than they have done so far this season. The narrative has been about poor refereeing decisions or lack of firepower but today United looked a poor side 2nd half all over the field and were outworked and outskilled for long periods. It is a point though and gets them off the mark and for now off the bottom
Manager Chris Wilder made changes to his side with Max Lowe coming in for his debut at left wing back and Ollie Norwood coming back into the side. There was a start for Oli McBurnie alongside David McGoldrick who was deemed fit. Oli Burke began on the bench alongside record signing Rhian Brewster. There was no place in the squad for the injured John Fleck. The reserve keeper selected was Michael Verrips in a surprise on the bench.
Fulham began with an attacking looking line up in the quest for points with the tricky Cavaleiro and Lookman flanking the dangerous Mitrovic at the top of the field. Summer Blades target Antonee Robinson got the start ahead of Joe Bryan at left back. In midfield, debutant Ruben Loftus Cheek and Zambo Anguissa got starts alongside skipper Tom Cairney.
With both teams desperate to get on the board, the game began in cagey fashion although the visitors started the better side and got on the ball more. Lowe went down after clashing with Loftus Cheek and seemingly was winded or even concussed. The visitors moved it around patiently and the first chance came Cairney had a low shot that Ramsdale pushed away. The Blades had been slow to get going but on 9 minutes awoke from their slumber. Lundstram had been the most involved home player and he took a long-range effort of his own that was tipped over by Areola. The next moment saw good work from Norwood and then Stevens and the cross shot was diverted wide via a deflection from the defender. The corner came over but was given away from Cairney and United were in again. Basham found himself on the ball on the wide right and his cross was headed wide from McBurnie.
After a poor start, the Blades now were on top and another ball from Basham came back to him and he pulled his shot wide but McBurnie may have been offside if it had gone in. Loftus Cheek came inside and had a shot straight at Ramsdale but United were back on the move and Norwood was playing several forward balls that beat the Fulham midfield.
Lowe was clearly struggling and after more treatment, he had to go off and was replaced by Robinson with Stevens going back to left wing back. United were having a great deal of joy in between Ream and Antonee Robinson and Basham and Baldock worked an opening but the ball was cleared. Lundstram then ran through midfield and Anguissa chopped him down and was the first player to be booked.
On 22 minutes another good move saw Berge, McGoldrick and then Lundstram but Stevens shot on the angle as the Blades broke through lacked power and was saved. Lookman was down injured but after Fulham played on, United then oddly put it out! United were actually not having as much possession according to the stats but the key areas, the Blades looked far more dangerous and were the better side. Berge got in but his ball was telegraphed when he was looking for McGoldrick.
Just before the half hour, the best chance came when Berge played it back to Basham whose excellent cross was begging to be converted by McBurnie but he seemed to glance it off his shoulder via his nose and the keeper made a good save. He really needed to score a chance like that.
Norwood continued to work the ball well through the lines and his pass found Berge who made the Fulham keeper work again.
Robinson’s long throw for United went through everybody and somehow was not turned home and as the ball came back Berge drove the ball rather than picking anyone one out. Stevens then was fed by McGoldrick but his cross was flicked wide by McBurnie. Again, the flag may have gone up if it had gone in.
On 38 minutes, Fulham had a rare chance when Cairney’s free kick nearly dropped for Loftus Cheek at the back post but Egan cleared. Basham then took down Anguissa as he dribbled forward with a silly foul. Mitrovic took it after the touch but his powerful shot was fortunately for United straight at Ramsdale.
After this brief flurry from Fulham, United who had controlled the key moments and chances, were back on the attack but Berge overhit his cross after powering down the right. After a quiet start, Berge had started to be a real threat down the right with his power and running ability.
There was three minutes of stoppage time played but no further chances came and United even though they had ceded possession 58% to 42% will have been disappointed not to have led after having a series of half chances and one very good one and being the much better side.
The second half saw United offer the first chance when Baldock’s cross was headed at the keeper by McBurnie weakly but the replay showed it would have been offside.
McBurnie forced a foul from Aina who chopped him down but Norwood’s floated cross was cleared.
On 50 minutes, a cross came over and Ramsdale dropped the ball but recovered and made a save from Lookman to make amends for his error. At the other end Robinson’s long throw was straight at Areola and the throw out saw Fulham on the break but it was a poor cross in the end. The next period of the game saw Fulham start to control the game. Norwood’s poor cross led to another break out and the Cottagers won a corner. The ball came over and inexplicably Robinson had his arm up and clearly handled the ball. Mitrovic took it but hammered it too high and it clipped the bar and went over. Buoyed from this let off you hoped United would recover but sadly this did not happen. A skewed shot from McGoldrick was all they could offer as the possession and chances for the breakthrough continued to come from Fulham.
They broke again and Lookman nearly fed Cairney before Mitrovic also was close to getting in again. United had no control of the game and Fulham were breaking through the lines easily and often had 3 on 3 or 2 on 2. It had become ragged from the home side. Berge gave it away with a poor ball and then Fulham were in again but Robinson did well this time to flick away.
On 63 minutes, McGoldrick was replaced by Brewster as he came on for his home debut. United had now lost their shape though and it was all a bit messy. Fulham now looked the more confident and Cairney had a shot blocked before Ramsdale had to make a save as the cross came in from the right hand side. A rare moment for the Blades saw Stevens and Brewster try and exchange passes but Stevens final ball was poor. The same man sent over a looped cross as United looked clueless this half.
Fulham’s much improved second half saw them rewarded with LOOKMAN coming inside and as Berge turned his back, the winger got a bounce off Basham but the finish was superb as he powered it past Ramsdale who had no chance.
Straight after, Mitrovic could have made it 2-0. Lookman again came inside getting away from Baldock and his cross fell for the striker but Ramsdale made a good save.
Sharp came on for Basham as United looked to save the game but a free kick easily cleared. United did have a chance when they sent the ball in the box and the keeper dropped it, much like Ramsdale did earlier in the game, as the ball dropped Robinson got his toe to it and seemed to take a whack from Mitrovic and appeals from the United players were immediate. The ball was sent the other way and Ramsdale had to make a save from Cairney down to his left. After this save, Marriner was told to look at his monitor by the VAR team and after taking a look went back to the earlier Mitrovic foul and gave the penalty fairly quickly.
SHARP took responsibility and smashed it home, high into the roof of the net. Sharp ran back with the ball as United wanted to try and get a winner and soon after he had a chance but was offside. With the game ticking into the last minute, Fulham had a number of chances. Lookman came inside and hit a shot that deflected wide for a corner and then from a cross, Mitrovic headed wide when you would have backed him to score. The away side were looking the more likely and they came again with Mitrovic headed wide again just before the end of the five minutes of stoppage time. United were giving it away and Fulham scented the winner but the contest was ended by Andre Marriner with Fulham on the attack. In the end, the Blades were probably the more relieved of the two sides. They had been the better side first half but second half; it had been a largely anonymous performance from the Blades who shrinked somewhat and stopped taking responsibility and lost control.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KuTdoWGxJQAc0ooDtSJep?si=enXqKTygRJ6j2737wNpzRQ
United’s poor start to the new season continued as they drew at home to fellow strugglers Fulham at Bramall Lane. Today, the Blades were the better side for the first half and missed a number of good chances but after the break the visitors largely dominated and but for poor finishing from Alexander Mitrovic and a stupid penalty the same player gave away; they would have left the Lane with all three points. Maybe over the game, United could point to them being better in the first half and thus deserving a point but the big chances certainly went to the visitors with Ramsdale the much busier keeper and Fulham looked the more frustrated on full time as United were hanging on at the end. This of course is really worrying, against a promoted side and one expected to struggle. With three really tough games to come, United know they have to play much, much better than they have done so far this season. The narrative has been about poor refereeing decisions or lack of firepower but today United looked a poor side 2nd half all over the field and were outworked and outskilled for long periods. It is a point though and gets them off the mark and for now off the bottom
Manager Chris Wilder made changes to his side with Max Lowe coming in for his debut at left wing back and Ollie Norwood coming back into the side. There was a start for Oli McBurnie alongside David McGoldrick who was deemed fit. Oli Burke began on the bench alongside record signing Rhian Brewster. There was no place in the squad for the injured John Fleck. The reserve keeper selected was Michael Verrips in a surprise on the bench.
Fulham began with an attacking looking line up in the quest for points with the tricky Cavaleiro and Lookman flanking the dangerous Mitrovic at the top of the field. Summer Blades target Antonee Robinson got the start ahead of Joe Bryan at left back. In midfield, debutant Ruben Loftus Cheek and Zambo Anguissa got starts alongside skipper Tom Cairney.
With both teams desperate to get on the board, the game began in cagey fashion although the visitors started the better side and got on the ball more. Lowe went down after clashing with Loftus Cheek and seemingly was winded or even concussed. The visitors moved it around patiently and the first chance came Cairney had a low shot that Ramsdale pushed away. The Blades had been slow to get going but on 9 minutes awoke from their slumber. Lundstram had been the most involved home player and he took a long-range effort of his own that was tipped over by Areola. The next moment saw good work from Norwood and then Stevens and the cross shot was diverted wide via a deflection from the defender. The corner came over but was given away from Cairney and United were in again. Basham found himself on the ball on the wide right and his cross was headed wide from McBurnie.
After a poor start, the Blades now were on top and another ball from Basham came back to him and he pulled his shot wide but McBurnie may have been offside if it had gone in. Loftus Cheek came inside and had a shot straight at Ramsdale but United were back on the move and Norwood was playing several forward balls that beat the Fulham midfield.
Lowe was clearly struggling and after more treatment, he had to go off and was replaced by Robinson with Stevens going back to left wing back. United were having a great deal of joy in between Ream and Antonee Robinson and Basham and Baldock worked an opening but the ball was cleared. Lundstram then ran through midfield and Anguissa chopped him down and was the first player to be booked.
On 22 minutes another good move saw Berge, McGoldrick and then Lundstram but Stevens shot on the angle as the Blades broke through lacked power and was saved. Lookman was down injured but after Fulham played on, United then oddly put it out! United were actually not having as much possession according to the stats but the key areas, the Blades looked far more dangerous and were the better side. Berge got in but his ball was telegraphed when he was looking for McGoldrick.
Just before the half hour, the best chance came when Berge played it back to Basham whose excellent cross was begging to be converted by McBurnie but he seemed to glance it off his shoulder via his nose and the keeper made a good save. He really needed to score a chance like that.
Norwood continued to work the ball well through the lines and his pass found Berge who made the Fulham keeper work again.
Robinson’s long throw for United went through everybody and somehow was not turned home and as the ball came back Berge drove the ball rather than picking anyone one out. Stevens then was fed by McGoldrick but his cross was flicked wide by McBurnie. Again, the flag may have gone up if it had gone in.
On 38 minutes, Fulham had a rare chance when Cairney’s free kick nearly dropped for Loftus Cheek at the back post but Egan cleared. Basham then took down Anguissa as he dribbled forward with a silly foul. Mitrovic took it after the touch but his powerful shot was fortunately for United straight at Ramsdale.
After this brief flurry from Fulham, United who had controlled the key moments and chances, were back on the attack but Berge overhit his cross after powering down the right. After a quiet start, Berge had started to be a real threat down the right with his power and running ability.
There was three minutes of stoppage time played but no further chances came and United even though they had ceded possession 58% to 42% will have been disappointed not to have led after having a series of half chances and one very good one and being the much better side.
The second half saw United offer the first chance when Baldock’s cross was headed at the keeper by McBurnie weakly but the replay showed it would have been offside.
McBurnie forced a foul from Aina who chopped him down but Norwood’s floated cross was cleared.
On 50 minutes, a cross came over and Ramsdale dropped the ball but recovered and made a save from Lookman to make amends for his error. At the other end Robinson’s long throw was straight at Areola and the throw out saw Fulham on the break but it was a poor cross in the end. The next period of the game saw Fulham start to control the game. Norwood’s poor cross led to another break out and the Cottagers won a corner. The ball came over and inexplicably Robinson had his arm up and clearly handled the ball. Mitrovic took it but hammered it too high and it clipped the bar and went over. Buoyed from this let off you hoped United would recover but sadly this did not happen. A skewed shot from McGoldrick was all they could offer as the possession and chances for the breakthrough continued to come from Fulham.
They broke again and Lookman nearly fed Cairney before Mitrovic also was close to getting in again. United had no control of the game and Fulham were breaking through the lines easily and often had 3 on 3 or 2 on 2. It had become ragged from the home side. Berge gave it away with a poor ball and then Fulham were in again but Robinson did well this time to flick away.
On 63 minutes, McGoldrick was replaced by Brewster as he came on for his home debut. United had now lost their shape though and it was all a bit messy. Fulham now looked the more confident and Cairney had a shot blocked before Ramsdale had to make a save as the cross came in from the right hand side. A rare moment for the Blades saw Stevens and Brewster try and exchange passes but Stevens final ball was poor. The same man sent over a looped cross as United looked clueless this half.
Fulham’s much improved second half saw them rewarded with LOOKMAN coming inside and as Berge turned his back, the winger got a bounce off Basham but the finish was superb as he powered it past Ramsdale who had no chance.
Straight after, Mitrovic could have made it 2-0. Lookman again came inside getting away from Baldock and his cross fell for the striker but Ramsdale made a good save.
Sharp came on for Basham as United looked to save the game but a free kick easily cleared. United did have a chance when they sent the ball in the box and the keeper dropped it, much like Ramsdale did earlier in the game, as the ball dropped Robinson got his toe to it and seemed to take a whack from Mitrovic and appeals from the United players were immediate. The ball was sent the other way and Ramsdale had to make a save from Cairney down to his left. After this save, Marriner was told to look at his monitor by the VAR team and after taking a look went back to the earlier Mitrovic foul and gave the penalty fairly quickly.
SHARP took responsibility and smashed it home, high into the roof of the net. Sharp ran back with the ball as United wanted to try and get a winner and soon after he had a chance but was offside. With the game ticking into the last minute, Fulham had a number of chances. Lookman came inside and hit a shot that deflected wide for a corner and then from a cross, Mitrovic headed wide when you would have backed him to score. The away side were looking the more likely and they came again with Mitrovic headed wide again just before the end of the five minutes of stoppage time. United were giving it away and Fulham scented the winner but the contest was ended by Andre Marriner with Fulham on the attack. In the end, the Blades were probably the more relieved of the two sides. They had been the better side first half but second half; it had been a largely anonymous performance from the Blades who shrinked somewhat and stopped taking responsibility and lost control.
