So we've reached the fabled 40 point mark quicker than a lot of people expected us to. At the start of the season, if you would have told a United fan that by February, with 11 games left, we'd not only have 40 points but that we're 7th in the table and 16 points(!) Off of relegation and level on points for a place in Europe(!) I think United fans would have told you to stop being silly. But here we are. A 1-1 draw to Brighton this weekend was met with some frustration by some Blades but there are definitely more positives to take away from this game than negatives. I think the biggest positive is for the first time in a while we looked like a very dangerous team and during various periods of the game we created various chance that had cooler heads prevailed could have seen us put this game to bed within 25 minutes. Another positive is the fact that we now haven't lost in the league for around a month and have picked up 11 points from a possible 15 in our last 5 league games. Anyway, enough about the build up, how was the match? Well United started like a house on fire and shots from Oli McBurnie and John Fleck (congratulations on the new contract!) Really should have resulted in goals but our pressure payed off in style when a corner routine was not fully cleared by the Brighton defence and after a touch to settle himself, Enda Stevens unleashed an absolute beast of a shot that fizzed past a stranded Mat Ryan and put the Blades one up. If you've not seen this goal I implore you to go out of your way and see it, it's a thing of beauty. Celebrations were cut short not long after this however when an Aaron Mooy set piece fell into the path of Neal Maupay who managed to stab home from close range. It was a sucker punch and gave Brighton the chance to sit back for the rest of the game and try and hit United on the counter. It was a frustrating game after this and despite United's continued probing, Brighton held firm with neither keeper really called into action for the rest of the game. Was it frustrating? Absolutely. Was it a bad performance? Absolutely not. On another day, like I mentioned earlier, United put away those early chances and everyone goes home happy. If there's one thing that United need to improve on in this next set of games, it's definitely their ability to finish in front of goal. However, a points a point and if we play like we did on Saturday for the rest of the season, then we'll definitely pick up a few more wins. Until next time, UTB.
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I'm a little bit all over the place tonight so do excuse me if I do go on a bit of a ramble but what a week it's been eh? Unfortunately, United were pushed out of the top six on Saturday because Bjorn Engels decided to forget how to be a defender and gifted Heung Min Son a goal that put Tottenham in 5th and us back to 6th. That however, has been quickly forgotten because it turns out that Man City have been naughty widdle boys and have been banned from European competition for potentially two years. So, that means that finishing 5th in the Premier League will probably get that club Champions League football. I'm not going to get ahead of myself just yet but all I'm going to say is that Wisla Krakow better be ready when The Blades come to town for the qualifying rounds in June. Before then though, there's still 12 games of the season left and our next one is against Brighton. So how's the Graham Potter revolution been going for The Seagulls?
It's been a transitional season for the South coasters with relegation still a very real possibility for Graham Potter's charges. The form book doesn't make great reading either with Brighton's last win in any competition coming on the 28th of December and their last away win coming at the start of December on the 5th. Despite the poor results, the football played under Potter has been a lot easier on the eye than that of which was played under previous boss Chris Hughton with a determination to play out from the back possibly being a reason for the inability to get many wins. New systems take a while to settle in and unfortunately for Potter, he's having to implement a brand new style of play in a division where not getting results will probably result in you losing your job before you get to see your vision for a club fully flourish. It's not like Brighton don't have talented players that are more than capable of making an impact in the Prem with players like Mat Ryan, Lewis Dunk and Aaron Mooy all garnering rave reviews whilst playing for The Seagulls. Perhaps the most dangerous player at Brighton's disposal is one that not many people expected to do big things in this division and that player is Glenn Murray. The evergreen centre forward was critical to Brighton retaining their Premier League status last season with his 13 goals proving that he can still perform at the top level. United will need to keep an eye on all of the players mentioned to ensure we get something from the game. So, how do I see this one panning out? Well despite us not being at our best in recent games, we've still managed to come away with positives results and on the other hand, Brighton just don't seem to be able to buy a win no matter what. I'm going to be cautious in my prediction and go for a 2-1 Blades win. Because despite their poor form Brighton are still a good team and could cause us problems if we give them anything in this game. Still, I think we should have enough to get the win. Until next time, UTB. I'm sorry John. I should never have doubted you. I got caught up in the gleaming smile and perfectly styled hair of our new Norwegian signing. I thought that we were done John but in reflection, I can never quit you John. Your the original heart throb of FNRL The Blog and that's how it'll stay. With that much needed apology out of the way, United once again secured a vital three points on the quest for European football(!) with a come from behind win against relegation threatened AFC Bournemouth. A goal just before half time from Billy Sharp, fresh off his appearance on A Question Of Sport, cancelled out an earlier opener from Callum Wilson. After a fairly attractional second half, my main boy John Lundstram came off the bench and does what he does best. He caused chaos and managed to burst into the box and slot home after picking up a pass from Lys Mousset. United now sit in 5th position going into our winter break, two points behind 4th placed Chelsea. I still can't quite fully comprehend that I wrote that sentence but that is the reality that we currently live in, Sheffield United are genuine contenders for European football and compared to our top 4 rivals (by gawd maggle) we arguably have a very, very kind run in. Out of our last 12 opponents, 6 of them are currently in the bottom half of the table. It's something that could make certain people very giddy but we need to keep our feet firmly on the ground and you know that Wilder will make sure that none of the boys are even thinking about that Champions League anthem (or the Europa League anthem, if the Europa League even has an anthem?) So, it's Brighton up next, let's hope that United come back from Dubai raring to go for that final push. Until next time, UTB.
This matchup brings back fond memories. Matches like the 5-3 at The Lane when John Cofie scored perhaps the greatest goal of his career, or when United went to Bournemouth and came away with a 2-0 win after two own goals. It's incredible that these matches happened within the past ten years (2013/14 to be exact) and I doubt either a Blade or a Cherry would believe you if you told them that both teams would be entering the new decade in the Premier League with both having spent upwards of £20 million on just one player. I think it would have also come to a bit of a shock to Blades fans that not only were we in the Prem, but we're making a genuine attempt at qualifying for the Europa League and (whisper it) the Champions League. So will the Blades continue their march to Europe? Or will The Cherries cause us to stumble? First off, let's see how United did last time out in League action.
I don't think I've ever seen an own goal scored quite like what Vicente Guaita did on Saturday. If you've not seen it, I implore you to stop reading this and go and see it for yourself, it really is something special. For those of you that would prefer a description what happened was Ollie Norwood whipped in a corner that looked like a comfortable enough catch for the Palace No.1 to make however, Guaita spilled the ball and instead of trying to stop it from crossing his goal line helped it further into his goalmouth. You'd like to think that this was due to some immense pressure from a United player but it wasn't. He just dropped the ball into his own goal. Apart from that, a staunch United rearguard repelled any attack that Palace attempted and saw out the win pretty comfortably. Not only was it another three points and another clean sheet but it also saw the debut of our new Norwegian boy Sander Berge. By all accounts it was a pretty decent debut with our 6ft 5in destroyer showing flashes of why he's one of the most promising talents in European football and why we parted around £22 million for his services. All in all, a very good win and it keeps momentum going into the clash against our south coast opponents. Speaking of them... Are the wheels finally falling off the Bournemouth juggernaut that saw them rise from the depths of League One to the top end of the Premier League? Their League form this season would seem to indicate yes with The Cherries being dragged into a relegation dogfight, finding themselves two points off 18th placed West Ham. Before entering the season, a fight for survival was probably not on the cards for Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe with the man many have tipped for some of the top jobs in English football, including the England job, now looking to steer a team that contains internationals from Colombia and Holland clear of the drop. To be fair to Howe and his charges form has picked up as of late with back to back league victories over fellow relegation candidates Aston Villa and Brighton showing that the fight hasn't completely left The Cherries players yet. The obvious danger man for the south coasters is probably England international Callum Wilson with the 27 year old following up a stellar season that saw him get 14 goals in 30 league games with a fairly respectable 6 in 24 this year. Surrounding the talismanic frontman will probably be attacking midfielders Harry Wilson and Ryan Fraser. Blades fans will need little introduction to Welsh international Wilson with the set piece specialist following us into the Premier League after an impressive loan spell at Derby County where the youngster helped lead the Frank Lampard managed Rams to a play off final loss to eventual winners Aston Villa. Wilson is a mercurial talent and is thought of highly at his parent club Liverpool, as mentioned, his set pieces are deadly so United will have to watch where we give away fouls. Ryan Fraser is another looking to rediscover top form with the Scotsman having a stellar 2018/19 that saw him on the radar of some of the big clubs in the summer. It's a talented outfit and United would be wise not to underestimate Eddie Howe's men. How do I see this one panning out then? Well if it's not cancelled due to potential blowy wind, I could see United coming away with a hard earned win. Despite Bournemouth winning their last two, before that they lost to Norwich, Watford and West Ham all by very comfortable margins. So if the resurgent Bournemouth turn up we could have a game on our hands, if the Bournemouth that lost to Norwich (yes, Norwich) turn up then it could be a tough afternoon for The Cherries. I'm going for a solid 2-0 Blades win with Moose bagging against his former employers and Oli McBurnie back in amongst the goals. Until next time Blades fans, stay safe and enjoy the game! UTB. |
AuthorHi my name is John and i will be giving my thoughts on the blades matches and all blades related news in this section Archives
November 2022
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