United 2 Barnsley 0 - report/pod | Vital Football

United 2 Barnsley 0 - report/pod

Deadbat_DB

Deadbat_DB

Vital Squad Member
Podcast links to come later. Report below….



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United went into the international break with a crucial victory in the South Yorkshire derby at Bramall Lane. Plagued by injuries amidst a run of so many games in close succession, a tired Blades side raised themselves for the second half after being poor before the interval. The visitors had been the better side to begin and United were grateful to Foderingham’s wonderful reflex save from Wolfe before the home side were able to go ahead against the run of play from Berge’s scrappy finish after a quick free kick. Gibbs White moment of quality sealed all three points 15 minutes from time and in the end the Blades eased to a comfortable win.



The side named once again was whoever United had left fit although they did make one chance in that Hourihane came in for Ndiaye against his former club. We did have MacBurnie, Fleck and Stevens back on the bench. Key Barnsley striker Carlton Morris was deemed fit enough to start after an injury in the week. Former Blades target, Domingos Quina also started for the visitors, on loan from Watford.



The game began with Norrington Davies well forward down the left and he won a free kick but the set play did not lead to a chance despite the keeper being blocked off. Gibbs White then made space but Osborn maybe took too long and as the ball came back Gibbs White overplayed and the Blades lost the ball. Barnsley then started to knock it about and often confidently from deep. They made space down the left and sent over a cross that Morris flicked down but it was easy for Foderingham. Gordon then struggled with the ball over the top and conceded a corner.



Egan was the next not focusing and an angled cross saw Foderingham have to come out and smother as Morris looked to get in. Gomes scuffed a shot wide as the visitors were now in the ascendancy. Morris continued to cause problems with his running and won yet another corner. United cleared this initially but then the Tykes had a great chance to take the lead. It was an innocuous cross but Egan lost his man and it was a free header back across and down to Wolfe who hit it toward goal and thought he had scored – Foderingham sprang down and made a superb save to deny him. It was a real let off for the Blades.



Gordon had struggled defensively but managed to get past his man who was looking for a foul but then as he attacked his pull back was well beyond everyone. United finally had a spell after this and the ball was moved across in a rare spell of possession and Norwood found Robinson but his low shot went just past the far post in United’s only and best effort so far.



Collins then hit Hourihane as he tried to kick out but this improvement was not maintained and Quina was clumsily felled by Egan. Barnsley came out of the corner twice to set up attacks after a wasted corner from Hourihane just before this. Quina got took out again but the football in the centre of the field was being played by the visitors whose play belied their lowly league position. Norrington Davies did pick up a foul and Norwood’s delivery was better as Gibbs White flicked on but it was straight at Collins.



The referee, Martin who replaced Donohue before the game maybe to the relief of many Blades, had handled the game well letting it flow but he got hit by the ball and then brought it back again after the quick take was not allowed frustrating the crowd. Gibbs White had struggled to make an impact and twice he gave the ball away that led to Bassy coming forward and slipping in Wolfe who shot wide on the angle as he cut in on goal. It was another decent opening for the midfielder.



Morris then got the better of Egan again and crossed but the ball looped up for Foderingham as the visitors took over again. Berge’s ball played straight out of play saw cheers from the Barnsley fans as neutrals would struggle to know which said was the one going for the playoffs. A chance did come when Berge was more accurate in his passing and found Osborn who came inside onto his favoured left foot and curled not far wide. There was a minute of stoppage time played but it was definitely Barnsley who would have been happier with the performance.



The second half you would have expected to see United improve but it was Barnsley who carried on from where they left off and they won three quick corners and had appeals for a penalty as one ball came over. A shot from Quina deflected just over and the body language from the Blades players looked poor as they looked jaded and without any energy. However, Gibbs White got down the right and sent over a good cross that Sharp did not react to before Brittain gave away another silly foul that led to a chance on the left.



Norwood took a quick one and went short down the line to Hourihane. The cross that came in was a good one as the Barnsley defence did not react and BERGE managed to bundle it home with a teammate Gordon in close attention as the ball squirmed over the line. Not the prettiest of finishes and certainly against the run of play but a pivotal moment in the game and maybe the season as the home side had not really looked at the races.



Immediately after Gordon was booked for bringing down Quina and the free kick was sent over and headed behind by Robinson. However, the goal had given United new life and Norrington Davies was a constant threat down the left with his running and he won a corner. Barnsley tried to counter but the same man got back to make a tackle after holding his man up and Hourihane made the second block.



On 64 minutes, Sharp went down and seemed to have pulled something and came off to be replaced by Jebbison. The skipper was able to walk off unassisted. United won two corners and looked to be the dominant force although Quina again caused problems leading to a wild Egan slice that Foderingham grasped.



Gibbs White then beat the offside trap and was able to find Osborn at the far post but his touch was heavy and he fired over learning back. McBurnie came on to a mixed reaction on 70 minutes for Berge, who outside of the goal had looked heavy legged. McBurnie instantly won a free kick as Brittain committed another cynical foul and was finally booked. Norwood’s free kick was wasted but United were moving the ball better now and good work Jebbison to slip it down the side for Norrington Davies saw the cross chipped over and Gibbs White’s header was tipped over the bar from Collins.



Barnsley had not really reacted to the goal and made a double change as Palmer and Leya Iseka came on for Wolfe and Style but it was not long after when the home side probably put the game to bed.



Gibbs White started the move in the middle of the field and was able to drive forward and played it to McBurnie who seemed to get it stuck under his feet but did well to scoop it back to the Wolves loanee who had beaten the offside trap. GIBBS WHITE’s first touch was prefect allowing him to take it away from the keeper who dived at his feet and even though on a tight angle, the finish was calm and composed as he rolled it into the net at the Kop end to double the Blades lead and get his 9th of the season.



Barnsley were now second best after playing well up to the United goal and McBurnie and Jebbison had given United some legs up the top of the field. Decent play saw the ball moved from side to side and Gibbs White, now seemingly given fresh impetus played in the ball and Jebbison fired over from the penalty spot. It was a decent chance for the substitute. Gibbs White’s work was done as Fleck came on as United looked to just finish the job professionally. McBurnie did well to keep the ball deep in the Barnsley half and then worked a chance brilliantly but then stumbled as he looked to shoot and Fleck did likewise!



A decent long ball sent Osborn in and his cross for McBurnie was headed behind for a corner before Egan completely missed his header when unmarked. Osborn then blazed miles over as he fell. Norrington Davies then was the next to have a go as he dragged a shot wide with his unfamiliar right foot. United were not well in control and a late free kick and corner from Barnsley did not come to anything. Although right on the stroke of 90 minutes, Morris had their best chance of the half but headed over from close range when under pressure. The game entered four minutes of stoppage time and Cole replaced Gomis.



McBurnie kept the ball well again and then he and Jebbison had chances but it would not quite sit before the final opportunity saw Cole flick his header meekly at Foderingham just before the final whistle was blown. In the end it was a crucial three points in a game United had once again been a long way from their best but had stepped up and done just enough to up the tempo and get the two goals that saw them in the end coast to victory after a difficulty first 54 minutes of the game.
 
United – Really important win where the three points were much more important than the performance. After some languid efforts and indeed results (Boro apart) we seemed to be really limping into the break and you worried that we had blown a great run by this recent spell, even though the top is still tight. It was therefore vital we somehow got the win today. It did not matter how. Get the victory and then get some players back and go again for the last 8 games (5 at the Lane).



First half was a continuation of what we have seen as a team looked hungrier and more at it than our players who seemed really slow and lacked any fluency on the ball and standing off when they had it. We could and should have been behind at half time as Barnsley were better. Yes, Robinson and Osborn had chances go past the post but they had the best opportunities with the Wolfe effort a superb save and then the same man putting one wide when through. They played better football and actually came out from the back too. Morris was a handful and we just never kept it or got anything going. The front three were not causing any problems at all and the midfield sat off and not controlling things. Defensively we were not close enough. I actually thought we did well to get in level. I just thought one last push second half but then we came out and seemed to carry on and they had a really good spell with corners and a chance deflected over.



I thought we would have to make changes at some point as it was so flat but then out of nothing, we score a goal from a set play (after some bad ones we took a quick one and a great ball from Hourihane – he has been poor the last week but he has set up two goals for Berge with great crosses). Berge has had a rotten week after such a good run of form but is getting in positions to score and now had 3 in 4. After this they had a few free kicks and breaks but felt we upped it. McBurnie and Jebbison actually helped us in terms of getting us up the pitch and giving us some runners/legs (same as the Forest game). McBurnie did well actually today and was holding it up and playing good keep football that helped us retain possession. We had a few half chances and then the second came and Gibbs White (another like Berge who was way off it) showed his quality and it was a well worked and finished goal. After this he improved and we could have had a few more goals actually with chances for Jebbison, Osborn, McBurnie and Egan. Barnsley sort of gave up despite a late header over and you sensed they had run out of belief and ideas after it had been the other way round first half.



In the end it looks an easy 2-0 win and probably ended up that way but we were far from fluent at all and only that last 30-35 minutes we were able to just up it. We started playing higher up the field, moving them about more and getting MGW on the ball. The midfield also started to finally impose themselves after sitting off first half and we started to get closer to them and win the loose stuff.



Now we have a break, we can hope to get Baldock, Basham, Goode, Fleck, Stevens, McBurnie, Davies back – good to see three of them back on the bench today. We have to now really go for it in the last 8. We need to improve our away form. We have one tough one at QPR last away game but Stoke/Bristol are middle sides we need to go to and really assert ourselves. If we can say get 4 points from those 3 – then it means it comes down to what we do at the Lane. Granted we play 3 of the top 6 sides in the final 5 games and then have Cardiff and Reading, two strugglers. There are so many teams around us and it will be close. We have to find better form than we have shown though as the way we have played the last month or so, will mean we miss out. I am confident we can lift it again though and give a last push with some big games down at the Lane to come. Once we get in then who knows – well we do judging by our playoff record but we can say that cannot we?





Ratings:



Foderingham 7.5/10 – Kicked one straight out early but then a great save- to get down and stop it with a firm hand when it looked in. One of his best of the season and he has made some good ones! After this saw a shot flash wide and a few others times had to come out as they again did not protect him. Given him the above mark as it was such a vital save even though he had little else to do. After the break did not have much to do. One shot deflected over and a header over at the end.



Osborn 6.5/10 – A lot of play down his side and they did get in between him and Gordon a few times. He struggled with some of their forwards running into gaps. Did get forward a bit but always looking to get on his right foot and this was shown when he dithered a few times. Did have one shot not far wide. Second half much better. He got on the ball and linked well although two poor efforts at goal but he was just closer to his man and they had to worry about him more. His finishing though was abysmal!



Norrington Davies 7.5/10 – Good energetic performance. He got fouled a few times and was ok defensively first half but then he got in good positions and wasted them by taking too long or coming back. However, I felt throughout the game he was the player in our side with the most energy all game. He got better and better as the game went on and was always an option down that side. Won corners, free kicks and linked well. Final bits need to be better but he defended well when they tried to get down that side too. He was good today and one of the better players.



Gordon 5/10 – Bit of a struggle again. Lost the ball quite a bit, his man got away from him and he was sloppy with the ball. Looks very nervous and a bit of out his depth I felt first half. He got booked for a tackle second half after we scored but did do better with a few clearances and interceptions but not convincing really and I though looked one of our weak links.



Robinson 7/10 – Ok defensively and better then some of the others first half and his long throw set up an early chance for MGW to run at them. Had the shot just wide which was a decent effort. Second half he came onto the ball well and made some important blocks and headers on the rare attacks they made. He also got into some good forward positions too. The best of the three central defenders.



Egan 6/10 – Another strong and quick forward that gave him problems. Morris got down and at him a few times. He lost a header on the first half chance when he just was sleeping. Same again with a through ball where Wes had to come out. He seems to be in no mans land a lot at the moment. Second half again they won headers to begin with but he did get a bit better as we attacked more – one wild slice apart. He was at least able to settle down and limit the chances they had.



Norwood 6/10 – First half the whole midfield were miles off in terms of pressing and quality on the ball from general and set play. He seemed to be sitting off and even though we saw some range of passes, not sure he really impacted things that much and they saw more of the ball. After the break he did get better and laid off the free kick for the goal and took a few better ones. Started to get his foot in and win things and ensure we were far more competitive and won this area.



Hourihane 5.5/10 – See Norwood for his summary really. He was anonymous to begin and wasteful with the ball. He seemed to be jogging about too and not really in the game. I though they may bring him off for Fleck but then he sent over a lovely cross for the goal and actually did well for a period as he snapped at them and we started to move the ball around. Not convinced by him still. Looks a very ordinary player who does not affect games much – that being he has made some goals with his crossing.
 
Berge 5.5/10 – His mark would be even lower outside of his goal. A complete non event of a performance really first half where he barely touched the ball and when he had it, he played it back or sideways with simple safe passes. He just was not in and did not seem interested in driving at all. When he kicked one out before half time that summed him up. Second half saw one decent bit of skill where he went into the box down the right and then after this, he bundled home his goal – in the right place. Got a bit better after that for a period but then was sacrificed for fresher legs.



Gibbs White 7/10 – Mark a lot higher than it would have been without the last 20 minutes when it was more like a 5-5! Carried on from the games last week where things were not coming off or he was not realty a threat. He set them on the attack twice by giving it away and looked frustrated as he tried once again to do everything first time. Needed to just get hold of it and get on the ball. It looked another one of those days (had as many of them as the good ones since he came back from injury – even though some may debate that – just when he is really good – he is really good!). Still always looks for the ball and will not hide and eventually he improved. One good cross and then he scored the goal which he made and finished coolly. Made it and took it all himself. After this he started to show the quality, we know he has and linked well with others. Took him off so not to risk injury maybe but the game was done by this point.



Sharp 5.5/10 – Like the other forward players, not really his game I thought and despite some attempts to hold it up and combine, it did not really sit and he was often crowded out. They just looked more dangerous first half and we never got him in the game. They also started the second half well and then after we scored against the run of play, he came off with 35 minutes to go. Did not look a serious one but the right move considering we were winning and how important he is. Although some have said it may have been a hamstring which could mean more than two weeks? Hope not.



Subs –



Jebbison 6/10 – Hard one to rate as in general play he looked a bit bumbling and missed one good chance but he did run around and stretch them and they had to be kept honest by them having to defend. Not sure him and McBurnie were brilliant and the latter was definitely better in all around play, but we did improve when they came on. Maybe it was a coincidence but I think not – they made sure we got higher up and had some runners. They also put themselves about and made Barnsley have to panic when they had been playing it out from the back unchallenged first half. Will have been disappointed with his chance though and had another half chance.



McBurnie 7/10 – Disappointed he got a lot of boos when he came on. I think he has been rubbish and for the money we spent, a huge waste of resources and for the last 18 months has contributed pretty much nothing (ok, know he has been injured/ill etc) for the club. Still I do not think any United player should be booed when he comes on. Maybe I misheard it but Asaba referred to it too? He did well today to be fair and one of those cameos where he held it up, linked well (did well on the second to get it through and gets an assist) and was strong and led the line. He nearly got in after some nice skill and had a few other possible moments. Kept it well in the corners and linked well with MGW, Jebbison etc. Fair play to him in that he contributed well and we did improve after he came on.



Fleck – Played final 5 minutes or so. One decent chance when he linked with McBurnie but sort of fell. Helped us keep the ball otherwise as we saw it out.





Manager: Heckingbottom 7/10 – It’s a solid 2-0 win and another home clean sheet. We were able to just about do enough and improved hugely after scored. We had looked so flat again first half and I thought we would do well to even get a draw as Barnsley looked better but we did improve weirdly after starting as bad. The changes did help and he recognised the front three (even though two scored) needed to come off at certain stages albeit MGW late. In the end we eased a few players back, got not more injuries (think Sharp’s will be ok) and it was a professional three points but as I say the score line masks a really poor first 55-60 minutes. Towards the end we could have had more but 2-0 probably flattered us. Will now look forward to getting some players back.



Barnsley – Had really struggled a finally one of their punts on a manager did not work last summer after they lost Ismael. Schlopp did not work and they looked nailed on to go down. They were really struggling and even though they lost a few players like Mowatt and Dike, still had the spine of the side that did so well the previous campaign. However, the change in November has seen their form pick up and then recently they have gone on a good run and gone from being dead and buried to now having a chance of getting out of the bottom three.



It does seem like it is 3 from 4 almost certainly – maybe 2 from 3 with Peterborough the obvious one who look the weakest side in the league. Asbaghi has made a difference and brought in some decent loan players. Quina has done well and Morris has started to be a bit of a talisman up top too. The home form has been impressive with some great results recently but had struggled on the road.



Today they showed why they have been doing well and Wolfe’s shot goes in and it probably is a different result. First half they moved it about well and also showed confidence to come out from the back to. They coped with us fairly easily the other way too and then came out strong second half. The goals are terrible static defending. The first they switch off twice. The free kick no one reacts and then the cross they are statuesque. It was onside. The second is as bad as MGW runs through unchecked and no one goes with him. It’s a really poor goal. That was that – they kind of gave up a bit after that and one late Morris header apart, it was us who looked like scoring again. In the end it looks like a routine defeat but they will know for 55 minutes they were better than us and maybe could/should have led. Still, I think they showed enough that it maybe close between them, Reading and Derby for the final two places – assume Posh go.





Opponent Man of the Match – Morris was a threat early with his running and power but Quina was their best player for me. A player we nearly signed in the Champ under Wilder, he was clever on it, ran with it and drew a number of fouls. Looked decent.



Opponent Weak link – Thought the centre backs looked slow when facing more pace and movement second half but the lad Brittain was awful – all he did was keep kicking our players- RND 3 times, MGW and then McBurnie. Finally got booked. His daft foul led to the goal which seemed fitting.



Referee/Officials – Steve Martin. Matthew Donohue was meant to be the ref but was replaced? Maybe we complained?! He started ok and felt he let things go and we watched the players rather than him but then the ball hit him and he then brought it back and you thought here we go! However, to be fair he was fine. Not sure I recall many arguments from either sets of players. Both goals looked offside and replays confirm this as United players ran from deep. Only two bookings. One of the better refs we have seen but when we knew it was not Donohue, maybe our expectations changed anyway!



Matchday/Crowd – I wasn’t there as I was off with Covid so watched on a feed! Certainly, weird a game going on with a crowd a few miles from where you live and you cannot go. I switched between SUTV and Mr Gage (deary me) and then Sky RB when the first one broke. Not the same and never well be as being at the match but it was a poor game on the whole even though we won, so maybe not the worst one to miss!
 
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