I think I mentioned on Twitter after the draw at the weekend that that first half performance is our worst since the opening day against Watford. I mentioned that I reckon we'd get a response at yesterday's game against QPR and for the first half it looked like we did. We were in control of the game and could have had a goal had the finishing been a tiny bit better. We're now it, and we look like we're finding our way back for the minute (HAIM is, indeed, the f'n sound). However, that optimism soon died in the second half as we put in a performance even worse than Watford and that's saying something. Let's just reminisce about that first half yeah?
One change is all it took for Hecky from Saturday with Jayden Bogle coming in for Khadra for his first start since January. United did start on the front foot and Chris Basham sent an effort from a corner screaming towards goal that could have caused issues had it been anywhere but straight at Dieng in The Hoops goal. United were back at it again a minute later with Norwood sending an effort just a bit too high over the Bramall Lane End goal. The good start and pressure continued from The Blades as Tommy Doyle was next to have a crack at Dieng but his effort from a set piece routine sailed high and wide. It seemed United had an impetus to test Dieng from distance, but he didn't really have a save to make as our efforts were usually high and wide. After a first twenty largely dominated by United, the game settled down a little bit and it became a bit quiet. QPR had a good opportunity just before the half hour mark when Chair was set free just inside the box with Wes getting down quickly to send his effort behind for a corner. United responded with an arrowing effort from John Egan with our Ireland international sending one just wide of Dieng's post. We were getting towards the end of the half when Iliman Ndiaye nicked the ball just outside the QPR box and duly went on a jinking run that saw him end up in front of goal. Illi unfortunately saw his effort just go wide of the post in a run that really did deserve a goal. It would be the last action of note in the half. So United looked decent, how could this possibly go wrong? We should have known it wasn't going to be our night when Baldock went off a minute after the restart. The walking wounded division claims another member and Hecky once again went for the Khadra at wing back experiment from Saturday. It didn't work then really and was perhaps marginally better last night. United, however, didn't improve and in fact got worse. The half time Horlicks kicked in and QPR duly passed the ball around the wing with Chris Willock finishing off the move at Wes's near post. It was a real shock to the system but after the way we restarted it wasn't much of a shock. To be fair, we did go close to equalising a few minutes after this with Norwood forcing Dieng into a super save after sending an effort in from distance. Unfortunately, this was the last real chance United had on goal for the rest of the game. This was in the 60th minute. For half and hour, United huffed and puffed but never really looked like getting an effort in on goal. QPR sat back, time wasted and had some useful counters. United just passed the ball a bit and looked a bit toothless. There was a shout for a penalty at then end that claimed Sander Berge to the injury room and that was that for United's unbeaten run. A very disappointing night especially after a fairly decent first period. Just really disappointing last night. We had a really good first half where we controlled play and hardly let QPR have a sniff whilst we created a fair few good chances that could have seen us score at least one goal. The second half was just plain B A D bad. QPR had very little to do as we pondered whether to attempt a forward pass, let alone a shot on goal. The only positive that I can think of last night is that we're still top of the league and have a chance to put these two results behind us at the weekend. Another plus is the possibility of Anel perhaps coming back which is something we definitely need. Overall, not happy, but we go again. 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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