"When I see our fans in the North Stand, I can't ask for any more from our fans when they show us this energy. When the stadium has full energy like this, our stadium will be hell for the away teams." - Acun Ilicali
That's a hell of a quote ain't it? Because when you think of hellish atmosphere's in football, you ignore the Turk Telecom Stadium, the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium and go straight to the *checks notes* MKM Stadium. Even the name strikes fear into the fiercest of away fans. And the fans, my god the fans! They rachet up the atmosphere in their MKM dome by doing the equivalent of a 'rawr XD' at opponents whlist they sing about mauling you. Really terrifying stuff I'm sure you'll agree dear reader so, how did United come away from this cauldron of noise? Let's discuss. Unchanged for United which is a bit of a rarity since Hecky took over but you know what they say about winning teams and continuing to pick them. Our gladiatorial opponents lined up with names to send shivers down your spine. Ingram, Jones, Woods and Elder all lined up for the opposition. Our former academy graduate Regan Slater manned the midfield with league leading scorer Oscar Estupinan up top. With the baying masses behind them, Hull started quicker and Estupinan had a cushioned header claimed by Wes. United somehow managed to overcome the cacophony of 'rawr's' from Hull and got a couple of efforts on goal with Sander dragging wide from distance and Doyle having one easily saved by Ingram. Somehow, someway, despite the hellacious atmosphere, it would be United who took the lead in the 20th minute when good work down the Hull left saw Lowe knock the ball onto McBurnie who took the ball just outside the box and saw his deflected shot slip past Ingram and give us the lead. It's three in three for Oli which after a nearly two years without a League goal is a very nice surprise and gives us somewhat of goalscoring forward line with Ndiaye on 4 and Oli on 3. Something really must be in the water. United nearly chucked away this opening goal minutes later however when a dodgy corner routine reminiscent of the one against Watford saw Norwood robbed and Estupinan set clean through with nobody back defending. Despite having the freedom of the MKM, Estupinan saw his first effort blocked by Wes and the follow up expertly turned behind for a cracking double save that's up there with Deano's triple save against Watford. It kept us in the game and next to have a go was Elder but his effort was blocked. Anel took the game by the scruff of the neck after this but his effort from outside the box went well wide of Ingram's post. United probably should have had a second when a brilliant through ball from Doyle was latched onto by Sander who rounded Ingram but couldn't quite pick out Ndiaye to tap home and saw his cross turned behind for a corner. Hull should have had another goal as we came towards the end of the half when Tufan was set free by Estupinan but his chipped effort cleared the crossbar and landed on the top of the net. It was the last action of much note in the first half as United went into the break ahead but probably lucky to not be behind thanks to the two guilt edged chances we gifted Hull. No changes from either side at the break but United came out swinging and should have had a second eight minutes after the restart. Iliman Ndiaye danced into the box, ignoring the challenges of various Hull defenders, and worked his way into a good position in the box. Unfortunately, his effort wasn't as good as the build up and was comfortable for Ingram. The game became a bit of a Mexican stand off after this with Hull beginning to probe for an equaliser but not getting anything concrete on Wes's net thanks to some great defending from United. As the game entered the final fifteen it would be United who would get the next goal in the game and more or less secure the three points. More good work from Ndiaye saw our Senegalese international make a mockery of Jean Michael Seri and lay the ball off to Berge who trucked past Slater, took aim, and had a deflected effort arrow past Ingram and give us our second and Sander's third of the season. United ended the game stronger after this with Hull and the masses looking somewhat dumbstruck that United would dare come into their colosseum and steal the proverbial fire from the gods in this case that being the three points on offer. Norwood, Doyle and Brewster all saw efforts either saved or go wide as United hung on to a comfortable win despite nearly nine minutes being added on at the end. Hull turned out to be all bark and very little bite as United practically suffocated our opposition into having very little in the way of clear cut opportunities in the second period after giving them a couple of very good chances in the first half that better teams would have probably converted. Thankfully, Hull couldn't capitalise but that doesn't excuse us handing teams clear opportunities on our goal which we have done various times this season. It's something we need to iron out but it is still early days and hopefully it's something we're working on because everything else is basically flawless. We've started the campaign better than even the most positive of fans probably couldn't have imagined. We're scoring goals (lots of them), we're keeping clean sheets and we're unbeaten since opening day. So far, so good for United but the tests keep on coming. Another tough game next week in the visit of Rotherham to The Lane. It should be a good one, let's hope for another good result! Until next time, UTB.
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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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