I miss the summer of football we had already. It's only been two days as of writing this piece since our Lionesses put the icing on the cake of a fantastic tournament that saw Sheffield and the rest of the country fully embrace women's football with a mass outpouring of support and praise that should see these footballer's, rightfully so, on a level with their male counterparts. It was a fantastic summer that saw Sweden and The Netherlands stage a peaceful invasion of our city and bring an atmosphere to Bramall Lane that was just nice. That sounds a bit blasé but I think it's true. Being able to see people come together and support their respective nations whilst sat next to a fan of their opposition and just respect the fact they support someone else was great to see and is how football should be spectated in an ideal world. Sheffield United returned for our opening day of league action last night and put in a fairly lacklustre performance against newly relegated Watford to make that longing for a summer of no pressure football even more crystal clear. But, I guess we wouldn't have it any other way than pure pain would we? I guess it's time to review the game, let's get on with it.
A doozy of a surprise was in store for United fans as the team sheet was announced at 7PM. There was no inclusion for premier summer signing Ahmedhodzic in the starting XI as he had a suspension that he had to serve that apparently no one in the United camp knew about until Thursday. Not a fantastic hour for our scouting team but that's by the by. Ciaran Clark was the only summer signing to come into the starting eleven in a fairly hodgepodge backline that saw RND line up at left centre back rather than wing back and Enda Stevens start at LWB despite pre-season indicating that Max Lowe had usurped him in the role. Berge, Norwood and Fleck manned the midfield and Daniel Jebbison led the line in another mini shock line up choice alongside newly minted Senegal international Iliman Ndiaye. On the Watford side of things, the real standout was a very, very, very strong front three that saw Pedro, Sarr and Dennis all start despite moves away for the latter two looking likely in the pipeline. For now however, they're still in the yellow of Watford and both combined early doors to fire an early warning shot for United. Dennis sold Clark for a dummy on the halfway line and quickly released Sarr into the box. A snapshot from the Senegal man rustled the side netting of Wes's net. United did have more of the ball in the opening exchanges but struggled to find any openings on goal. Ndiaye tried his best to draw defenders and open up play but we weren't able to fully break The Hornets down. Sander Berge had our first effort on goal just before the 20 minute mark when he was left alone about 20 yards out from goal. His effort was pretty straightforward for Bachmann to claim however despite the keeper almost spilling the ball back into play. After this, momentum swung back to the hosts who had a few half chances with Dennis and Sarr causing issues for our backline. Dennis was released on the edge of the box a bit later on but his effort on the turn was tame and straight at Wes. United went close 10 minutes before the end of the first period when Foderingham hoofed a ball towards Jebbison who did extremely well to nod on to Ndiaye who muscled Kamara away from the ball and had the keeper to beat! Unfortunately, his effort was straight at Bachmann but it was encouraging stuff from United. Watford nearly took the lead just before the half ended however when Sema crossed for Pedro who's low header looked like it went in from the TV angle but thankfully, Wes was equal to it and claimed the ball with a smart save. A quick break from United at the end of the half saw Baldock, Berge and Jebbo combine with our England youngster seeing a lofted effort keep Bachmann on his toes. It was the last action of a fairly even first half that saw both teams have chances to take the lead, how would the second half pan out? Watford began the second half with a couple of probing moves in and around the United box but Egan and Clark did some good work to deny Dennis and Pedro. The early pressure for the hosts eventually paid off 10 minutes into the half. A United corner saw Norwood zip a ball at Fleck on the edge of the box. Flecky saw his effort blocked before it reached the penalty spot and Watford broke. United had a very good chance to clear the ball in midfield before it got to Sarr but RND and Fleck decided not to do anything about it as the ball reached Sarr. The Senegal man burst into the box and squared for Pedro who slotted between Wes's legs to give the hosts and deserved lead albeit a very disappointing goal to concede. Watford smelled blood in the water after this and a Pedro cross deflected off Clark and fell to Kamara who's volley bounced into the turf and over the bar. United rallied a little but never really had that final killer ball to put anyone in on goal. A platoon of Blades subs came on the cusp of the 70 minute mark with Brewster, Khadra and Osborn making way for Jebbo, Clark and Norwood. United continued to probe but just had very little creativity to get something on goal. Egan saw an effort from a Fleck free kick flash across the face of goal and go wide. That was it really for chances in the game and United fell to a fairly drab result and performance on opening day. A really, really disappointing night for United all in all. We looked a bit lost out there tonight and looked very scared of a Watford team that has just come off the back of a chastening relegation. They had a very dangerous front three yes, but we just didn't look too interested in attacking really and looked happy with the point which, to be fair, we would have had if either RND or Fleck put their foot through the ball that made it's way to Sarr before he crossed for Pedro. It's such a poor goal to concede and even if Sarr was offside that ball should never have got to him. The midfield was pretty poor and despite Ndiaye trying his best to link the midfield and forwards it just wasn't coming off with Fleck not having one of his best days in a Blades shirt. I don't really want to talk about this anymore, it's just a bit... Bleurgh. Oh well, hopefully there'll be a response against Millwall in front of the home fans on Saturday. Until then, 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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