It might not have been pretty, it might not have been free flowing, we probably weren't at our best but we got through to the fourth round of the FA Cup. Yay. I say we weren't really at our best, but at no point did it really look like United would lose this match. It was one of those games where the quality of the individuals on one team was just too much for the team who were playing their heart out. It could possibly have been a bigger score line than 2-1 but that doesn't really matter, we won and that's all that matters in the end. Let's have a little deep dive into the game.
United made the expected 11 changes with the most exciting aspects of the starting 11 being the debuts of Michael Verrips and Jack Rodwell. Fylde started with the Danny Philliskirk corner of their ex Blades trifecta with Mark Yeates on the bench and Andy Taylor not in the matchday 18. United started off quite brightly and showed some good passing moves that got us in behind The Coasters defence. The early pressure payed off and after Luke Freeman found Callum Robinson in the box, the ex Preston man cushioned the ball and managed to turn and shoot past the Fylde goalkeeper. So far, so good. Then everyone just sat back. It was reminiscent of the two League Cup games earlier on in the season and Fylde nearly benefitted. A ball over the top saw a Fylde man clean through on goal but then outta nowhere (just like Randy Orton) Mo Besic came in and snatched the ball off of the strikers toes just before he was about to shoot. It was an early warning that was somewhat heeded as United tried to get on the front foot again. It looked like United would see out the half relatively comfortably, then Michael Verrips got injured. It was an unnecessary challenge from Kean Bryan that saw us potentially without a back up keeper for Friday. Anyway, half time came and so far, so good. It wasn't vintage United, but it was getting the job done. Second half and United once again started on the front foot with similar slick passing moves that saw us pull Fylde out of position. But then we became complacent again and Fylde smelt blood in the water and started knocking on the door which culminated in a free header from a corner that the Fylde man must have been disappointed to see flash wide of the Bramall Lane end goal. United did have the ball in the back of the net shortly after however, but Ravel Morrison's first goal for The Blades was ruled out for offside. But a minute later United doubled their lead, Ravel played in Freeman who's low drive hit the base of the right hand post and bounced out to an onrushing Leon Clarke (yes, you did read that correctly) who slotted home into an empty Kop net. It was nice to see Leon score again in a match that could potentially be his last for Sheffield United so it was fitting he scored in front of the stand that witnessed him go on a tear in our first season in the Championship. 2-0 Up and everything was looking good but then Fylde got in behind our backline and scored a delightful chip that made United sweat a little. It was a deserved goal for The Coasters but it wasn't enough to start a comeback and United's win was rewarded with a fourth round trip to... FACKIN MILWALL AT THE FACKIN DEN. Please excuse my inner cockney getting out there but yes, Millwall away is next up. So all in all, a win's a win and it puts us in good stead going into Friday and the visit of West Ham. Just before I sign off, full credit to Fylde and their fans. Both players and fans gave their all during the game and were a credit to their club. Best of luck for the rest of the season boys! Anyway, 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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