Mk Dons Tuesday The Second Of December 2014 - Not Enough To Win, Didn't Desrve To Lose

Football is, as they often say, a funny old game.  This season much joy has occurred amongst the Blades ranks with dramatic late equalisers and winners.  Last night the shoe was very firmly on the other foot.  The Blades did not deserve to lose the game, but once again they did not do enough to secure 3 points at home in front of a relatively big crow.  Those lucky enough to be in a warm home, it has dropped and was a good 8 degrees colder than Friday"


Not one for being negative, lets start with the positives, it shouldn't take me long.

1. Chris Basham - another outstanding committed performance.  If he is injured it a massive blow as he is fast becoming one of our key players.  'Bash' wanted the ball and although hesitant in releasing it on occasion, he gave MK Dons as good as they gave us.
2. Chances created - before you all get on my driveway and start a lynch mob - we created more than we have done in the recent home games.  Yes they were not the best chances but the ball was going into the box more and that was pleasing.
3. O'Grady - looked exactly what we had been missing until he went off.  Industry, ability to win the ball in the air and a ball ache for defenders.

Negatives:

1. The officials.  Personally I hate refereeing a bunch of fourteen year old boys so wouldn't entertain the idea of refereeing at a higher level but please.  The officials were an embarrassment.  Mk Dons were in over the ball, kicking it away constantly and would appeal if someone did as much as farted.  Horrendous.  I understand all three of those things are part of football but it is the consistency by which the referee addresses them, I haven't seen a crowd at the lane that irate in a long time.  The football league need to support referees in this league more whether that is a spray or not, a top six clash like that needs to be managed with consistency and clarity.  I am sure MK Dons will be equally bemused for the inconsistent bookings they received.
2. Set Pieces - broken record.  Pick men up when the ball breaks, get out, press the loose ball and every other simple cliché we are not doing.  Attacking wise they were good when Bob was putting it in the box but the short passes are useless - get the big lads up and whack it in.
3. Substitutions - Michael Higdon scored two goals against MK Dons less than a month ago.  Instead Nigel puts on a 18 year old centre back up front.
4. Nigel Clough - not changing the system again when we could have, late substitutions, poor decision making, stubbornness and then the two biggest errors.  Firstly, charging on the pitch to shout at the ref, I don't like it and it looks desperate not passionate.  Secondly, claiming we played well and he was pleased.  Sorry Nigel but nobody else in red and white was pleased.  Don't insult us.
5. Injuries - god help us if Basham joins Wallace on the treatment table.

I don't feel the players require rating as the game should have ended 0-0 and they all did ok, but we shot ourselves in the foot.  When will the luck change?  When we start setting up games in a manner to win them and give ourselves a platform to make our own luck.


Its the magic of the FA Cup on Saturday I cannot wait.


Until next time.


Jon