Peterborough United (A) Sky Bet League 1 Tuesday 18th August 2015

I love being proved wrong.

Well it depends who is doing the wrong-proving really doesn't it, but as Connor Sammon smashed home his second goal on Tuesday night my good friend Lew took great delighted in telling me that "and you said he would only score 5 all season!'  He still might.  But Connor Sammon and the other 14 players who played for United contributed to the most convincing away victory since Barnsley last season.

When we arrived in Peterborough we had little opportunity to do anything but head towards the ground.  Finding out that the Blades were unchanged I was very pleased and couldn't remember the last time this had been the case?  Any statisticians out there care to inform me that would be brilliant.

We took our seats on row E which is always a treat especially when you are on the side and United kicked right to left first half.  Peterborough appeared to be playing with 3 at the back and following some detective work on twitter that proved to be the case.  This allowed Sharp and Scougall in particular to find plenty of space and begin to make their mark on the game.  United made a couple of good moves which broke down with the usual suspects of the SAS attack looking dangerous.

A good passage of passing play resulted in Sammon receiving the ball when he took on his man an emphatically smashed it beyond the keeper at around the 20 minute mark to put the Blades ahead.  His celebration was that of a man who was delighted to get a goal for his new club.  The intelligent play of Sharp in the build up was a massive contributing factor in creating him the space.

Injuries to Sougall, gashed ankled and Collins, thigh, blighted an otherwise exceptional first period of play.  K. Wallace and Campbell Ryce were introduced in their place.  

In fairness Peterborough also contributed to an exciting first half by putting the Blades under pressure and if not for an outstanding challenge by Kieron Freeman they could have made a dangerous entry into the box.  Meaning that at half time we were one nil up and I was very content indeed.

Unfortunately, the second half didn't begin as promisingly and United conceded early in the second half but luckily for us anxious supporters the team displayed a resolute confidence.  Within a few short attacks United were back in the lead after excellent work by Adams who cut the ball back for Sammon to smash home with his left foot.  

Chants of "feed the fish and he will score" rung out around the away end as the players celebrated in front of the 1,600+ travelling away fans.  I was definitely being proved wrong. Sammon was showing his ability to finish, one with each foot, could he get a hat trick?

United consolidated by replacing the far from nomadic Sharp with James Wallace and placing Baxter behind Sammon.  We held onto the ball fantastically.  Baxter dictated the tempo and despite the claims of many was fantastic like most of this seasons performances.  Baxter often receives criticism for misplacing passes, these passes tend to be forward and when they work devastate defences at this level.  His all action performance was rewarded late in the second period.

Wallace received the ball in midfield and drove forward with the ball and played a one two with Baxter.  He then played the Ball to Jose on the edge of the box who took one touch and smashed it home off of the underside of the crossbar.  Baxter's celebration spoke volumes about his somewhat troubled summer.

United finished up winning 3-1 and the performance of the team was fantastic.  Edgar was amazing in the air, Campbell - Ryce stretched play, both Wallace's made great contributions from the bench and Baxter was exceptional.  Lets hope he provides this with consistency for the remainder of the season.  I certainly hope so, but as Sammon proved what do I know?

RQQS91 Man Of The Match - Jose Baxter

Peterborough United: Alnwick, Ntlhe (Brisley 14), Zakuani, Bostwick, Maddison, Santos, Washington, Davey (Payne 73), Gormley (Coulibaly 54), H Anderson, Collison. Not used: Henry, Taylor, Vassell, J Anderson.

Att: 6,526

Sheffield United: Howard, Freeman, Basham, Sharp (J Wallace 75), Baxter, Collins (K Wallace 25), Scougall (Campbell-Ryce 20), Sammon, McEveley, Adams, Edgar. Not used: Long, McNulty, Woolford, Reed.

Credit to Sheffield Star for the photographs.

A Posh Day Out

A fantastic club only slightly tarnished in my eyes by the opinion of Durham on my drive home from work during the week, I really like Peterborough and would be happy to see them have a good season, starting of course, on Saturday.  A very pissed Sunday at V festival watching Noel Gallagher and the Stone Roses with some of their supporters the other year, one of whom looks like George Boyd, had a major effect on my affiliation towards them.  Yatesy, Dan and Bodle are the sort of lower league fans which this amazing game is built on and I look forward to hopefully bumping into them this evening for a quick scoop.

Why?  I cried when the fixtures were released do we have Peterborough on a Tuesday, tonight is my fourth trip in the last 6 seasons to Posh and once more it is on a Tuesday.  A good mate of mine Alan Wilson once said, buy his fantastic book on Liverpool here Great Read, "Peterborough is a funny place but its most distinct feature is that it stinks of piss."  Very unfair comparison in my opinion mainly because of the excellent Charters.  A dry docked Dutch boat which has 10 cask ales on offer.  I have only ever managed 2 (honest Mum) when visiting midweek.  A great boozer with a Chinese upstairs - how good would that be to bookend a game one Saturday?  Well there is always next season or the FA Cup.

So why Posh?  Well since everyday is a school day I managed to extract this nugget of information from the Official Peterborough United website:

"Peterborough United are known throughout the world of football as 'The Posh' and the nickname was almost certainly inherited from earlier, unconnected professional clubs in their home city. 

Although the present club did not come into being until 1934, the 'Posh' name first came to the fore a decade earlier, almost certainly stemming from Pat Tirrel, player manager of Fletton United, a previous user of the present club's London Road ground, who announced in close season of 1921 that he was looking for 'Posh players for a Posh team' to compete in the Northamptonshire League (later the United Counties League). 

Fletton, previously known as the 'Brickies,' re-formed as Peterborough and Fletton United in 1923 and both nicknames were in use through the 1920s, although supporters complained that 'Posh' references were sometimes used by newspapers in a derisory manner. 

Peterborough and Fletton United folded in 1932, the present club was formed two years later and a Midland League debut against Gainsborough Trinity on 1st September 1934 was greeted with cries of 'Up The Posh' from the crowd."

So there.

Right, Blades.

What can we expect tonight, very hard to say as away games are always more tricky than home ones regardless of having SAS in attack.  Without drowning myself in football puns I would expect a hard fought narrow victory for the away side.

Why?  Well I would hope that there is a little momentum after the weekend going into tonights game.  Adkins will probably name the same side with the only question mark around Baxter, however, Adkins seems to back him to play in a two and personally I feel he can offers us lots at this level, he just needs to do it more often.

Billy Sharp was unlucky not to score on Saturday and I would expect that luck to change this evening and open his third Blades account.  If the scoreline was to be any more I would be very surpised but would love to see Sammon also open his account.

On Saturday we rode our luck somewhat allowing Chesterfield to have lots of the ball.  Although we restricted shots that amount of possession was not comfortable to watch and would be a very foolish approach against a talented Peterborough side.

So I am going for a narrow 1-0 victory for the Blades.  We tend to always play well at Peterborough in my experience and lets hope that continues tonight.

UTB

Chesterfield Football Club (H) Sky Bet League 1 Saturday 15th Of August 2015

Get in the back of the net!

I am not going to get carried away after Saturday.  I promise.  I mean we played well and some players played very well but one result doesn't make a season.  But since you all asked, the pint tasted very nice at 5:00pm especially since it was purchased by a Chesterfield fan.

He has taken all the headlines and rightfully so.  Che Adams is a young footballer of drastic talent and ability.  Both goals were taken very well and it was a pleasure to see us score so early on in both halves.  Adams has pace and can finish.  These two qualities are very rare at this level and I unfortunately feel we wont be able to watch this exciting talent for a long time to come as he has the attributes to go very far in the game.  Some lazy comparisons to Jordan Slew have been made and I don't think they could be further from the mark.  Regardless Adams was unplayable at times and will have a fantastic season with the blades.


However much credit has to go to his partners in crime Sammon and Sharp.  

Sammon was instrumental in both goals with his intelligent play and looked a real danger.  I described him as a much better Porter in terms of physicality and movement.  As lazy as that comparison may appear it was proved to be right.  If Sammon gets past 5 goals this season I will be shocked but his all round game will be vital to what we are trying to achieve.

Many people had reservations about Billy Sharp.  How wrong will they prove to be.  Billy worked his balls off for the team and his all round play deserved a goal.  We are very lucky to have a player of his quality at this level.

Chesterfield it has to be said payed well.  Sam Morsy was outstanding and we should consider a bid in my opinion as he dominated the midfield.  The midfield was very much patched up and I was surprised to see Baxter play considering he couldn't walk 5 days previously.  Scougall although not sparkling was busy and involved in some good passages of play.


I felt the back four didn't have much to contend with and what was thrown their way they dealt with very well indeed.  The captain was more comfortable at left back and Collins was strong in the air and very vocal.  The fact we faced a total of 15 corners would also give you confidence that we are improving in that area.

Although they had lots of the play we dealt with them and I always thought we would go another gear if needs be.  Onwards and upwards it seems starting at Peterborugh on Tuesday.

UTB  

RQQS91MOM: Che Adams

Attendance: 23,031

Sheffield United: Howard, Freeman, Basham, Sharp, Baxter (J Wallace 59), Collins, Scougall (Reed 68), Sammon McEveley, Adams (Woolford 64), Edgar. Not used: McNulty, Campbell-Ryce, Long, K Wallace.

Chesterfield: Lee, Jones, Hird, Morsy, Evatt, Gardner (Gnaduillet 81), Ebanks-Blake, O’Shea, Novak, Banks (Ariyibi 68), Talbot (Raglan 81). Not used: Humphreys, Onovwigun, Orrell, Cairns.

'Tahn' Are Coming To Town Duck

A local derby to welcome the new manager officially in at Bramall Lane, marvellous.

Many people will have been grinning ear to ear when this fixture came out as the first home game, particularly those who booked their holidays in the off season.  So when Dean Saunders brings his fresh Chesterfield side into the 'fortress' tomorrow the atmosphere should be fantastic and make for an entertaining afternoon, hopefully ending with a better feeling than we all had last Saturday at 5:00pm.

Do you want the good news or the bad news?  Lets start with a negative.  Like any blade I am devastated to see Jamie Murphy go.  At best he is a pacy goal getting winger who can cause problems for any side.  At worst he goes missing in games and in my opinion gave Bob Harris far too many headaches last season.  If the fee is in the region reported then he has to be moved on for better or worse.  No player is bigger than Sheffield United and I do believe the money will be reinvested.

That aside we should be optimistic about tomorrows game.

Chesterfield are a lot weaker despite turning Barnsley over last week at home.  They have lost many players to the division above and although still have some quality we should be in with a chance of the three points.  Saunders in my opinion is a shocking manager but I will always remember his time with us fondly.  The throw in goal anyone?  But his managerial credentials are not as sparkling.  My Chesterfield supporting mate has been depressed all Summer!

Firstly, Billy Sharp at home for the third first team home debut, on the front of the programme has to be favourite to score for the Blades.  I agree with Alan Biggs in that alongside Sammon we could have a real strike partnership on our hands.  Billy will have a big year in white and red, how weird does that sound,  starting tomorrow afternoon.

Secondly, the captain.  Lets get behind him until he makes a mistake.  He is not the answer in my opinion but we have to trust the gaffer 100% until there is sufficient evidence to suggest that a change is needed.  Yes last season he wasn't very good in spells but last weeks debacle rests at the feet of the collective as I have mentioned previously.

Thirdly, the fans.  I pray to god, despite not being religious, the positivity the gaffer shows is reflected in the stands.  If we are not winning by two goals to nil inside 20 minutes I hope we stay with the team.  I love a good moan and whinge as much as the next one but I tell you what I don't love.  Being bottom of the league.  So lets sing loud and proud.

United should line up in my opinion 442 right to left as follows: Howard, Freeman, Edgar, Collins, McEveley, Adams, Wallace, Basham, Woolford, Sharp and Sammon.

I wouldn't be surprised if Scougall and/or K. Wallace was also involved.

I expect the Blades to win by a narrow margin and can see Chesterfield scoring.  I will go for an optimistic 3-1 home victory.  Whatever happens lets hope by the time I get my pint of farmers blonde in The Crown after the game tomorrow I feel a lot better about life than I did 7 days ago.  Enjoy the first home game boys and girls, I can't wait.

UTB

Morecambe Football Club (A) Tuesday 11th August 2015

A win as they say is most certainly, a win.

United as many, including myself, predicted lined up with many changes on Tuesday night.  The back five received wholesale changes apart from the captain.  A fresh midfield apart from Mr Woolford.  Whilst McNulty and Sammon played together for the first time up front.

The game started in suitably scrappy fashion.  Morecambe tried to play in spells as did the Blades but it was not one for the neutrals.  Most of United's positive play came from a combination of Wallace, Scougall and Freeman.  Despite Scougall having a complete lack of ability to control a ball with his first touch, "he has been so bad for so long" quipped Lew, his energy alone was a major positive.  As for most weeks it goes without saying Basham was his assured self in the midfield, however, this energy and effort did not stop Morecambe hitting the post in the opening period.  His box to box style isn't suited to a 442 in my opinion.

United broke on occasion but it was never particularly decisive.  The best move ended in Freeman firing one past the post.  After great endeavour and work from Socugall.  McNulty always creates himself half a chance and on one occasion really should have found the back of the net.  My good mate Josh stated that his movement just isn't good enough when you compare it to someone like Sharp; even against Gillingham this was evident.

So as the teams headed in at half time I was left thinking.  Is this better?  Yes.  Is it good enough?  No.  Sammon worked his socks off without ever looking dangerous and in the back four defensively McEveley actually looked the most assured.  Howard spilled one easy ball but luckily it wasn't destined for the back of the net, take notes George.

The second half continued in a similar fashion and like many grounds at this level it is hard to judge incidents at the other end as it is next to impossible to see what is happening.  Adams was introduced for Woolford and showed signs he can offer us an option from wide positions.  David Edgar, who had a quiet game and one very hard to comment upon, was later withdrawn for Neil Collins.

United seemed to have wave after wave of attack without really testing the goalkeeper.  People screaming "shooooooooooot" and singing, what in my opinion is the worse chant in football, "attack, attack, attack" surely didn't help the cause.  The only thing worse than playing in tin pot stadiums watching sub standard football is the moronic nature of many of the fellow Unitedites.  I believed throughout we would win the other night and the performance needed to be better but the important thing was getting into the hat.  Which in a strange manner we did.


So as extra time loomed United managed to grab a winner through many peoples nemesis Neil Collins.  His celebration spoke volumes about his frustrations over the last year.  Collins cares about the club, he is by no means a perfect player but defensively it is not his fault for some of the issues, defending starts from the front and is a team ethic.  The experts in the twitterverse banging on about 'he will cost us in't league' and 'don't be fooled by what he has said he is shit' need to seriously look at themselves.  What fan doesn't love a bit of passion?

So United had won and we are in the next round with lots of exciting potential ties in front of us.  Happy days as a late legend would say.  We got the business done.

So who else is worth a mention?  Basham was his assured self, Scougall was energetic as was Freeman, K. Wallace had a solid outing and I hate to say it but McEveley defended very well.  But the stand out performer was J. Wallace with responsibility in abundance he is often 5 or 6 steps ahead of his teammates in his thinking.  With Jose unfortunately injured this could, touch wood, be his chance.

On Saturday lets hope the momentum continues.

RQQS91 MOM - James Wallace

MORECAMBE: Roche , Beeley , Edwards , Devitt, Molyneux (Miller 79), Mullin, Goodall, Wildig (Kenyon 57), Fleming (Ellison 70), Wilson, Parrish. Not used: Thompson, McGowan, Ryan, Doyle.

SHEFFIELD UNITED: Howard, Freeman, McEveley, Edgar (Collins 83) K Wallace, Scougall, J Wallace (Reed 90), Basham , Woolford (Adams 46) , McNulty, Sammon. Not used: Long, McFadzean, Higdon, Sharp.

Images credit to sufc.co.uk and the Sheffield Star.

What shall we expect up at Morecambe?

A better performance!

Well we can all live in hope cant we?  As I sit here twiddling my thumbs ahead of the trip to the most North of North Lancashire I find myself wondering what to expect this evening.  The answer is simply I don't know.  I hope on the other hand for a drastically contrasting effort by the eleven the manager selects.

Mark Howard, James Wallace, Marc McNulty and Louis Reed are the names of four whom many would select in their preferred starting elevens.  These four need to come into the team as a matter of urgency.  Taking David Edgar will make his first team bow as a given that would mean 5 changes.  Personally I think that would suffice but we will have to see as I am clueless as to Adkins and his policy with cup matches.  Young Diego was omitted from the U21 squad yesterday which would also suggest his inclusion in the 18 for this evening.

That considered I would have United line up four four two right to left as follows: Howard, Freeman, Edgar, Basham, McEveley, Adams, Wallace, Reed, Woolford, Sammon and McNulty.  Before the wooden staffs are lit and you hound me out I despise McEveley, however, Adkins will and should not bomb his captain out straight away.  He might be an alright option at left back after Saturday's  horror show.

Although Adkins claimed Basham is a midfielder by his and the players omission a move to centre half is vital for the time being and this match is a perfect opportunity to partner him with Edgar.  This may be a controversial statement but I don't think the defence would be as bad with added midfield bite, don't get me wrong it needs improving.  Reed and/or Wallace may be the answer but this is a perfect opportunity to test this theory.

So tonight there should be a sense of excitement(ish) again as we get to see our beloved Blades.  Who knows what to expect but it can't be any worse can it?

UTB

Gillingham Football Club (A) Sky Bet League 1 Saturday 8th August 2015

Anticipation has a habit to set you up for disappointment...  You all know the rest of the lyrics.

Sheffield United had a fantastic pre season in terms of results; they didn't lose a game.  So when at 8:00am Adam picked me up to make the short trip down to Kent I was excited that at the fifth time of asking we had a very good chance of going up.  As the rest of the lads jumped in the car the sense of excitement grew and we all collectively seemed very positive indeed.

Having squeezed a holiday in between tramlines and the start of the season it was very apparent that the good feeling that surrounded the club hadn't left during my trip to France, which was very pleasant indeed by the way since you asked.  When we had Wilson we all knew we had a good squad but the manager had serious question marks making for a nervous start to the season.  The inevitable failure losing out to them lot and the loss of key players made the following summer a similar affair.  Weir is best left unmentioned.  Last year Clough had galvanised us the previous season so there was optimism but this season felt different.  Adkins has done it before and we all genuinely believe he can do it for us.

The journey was full of football discussion but the only real bone of contention to do with the Blades was dovetailed in the form of a lack of any recruitments in defence doubled with the appointments of our new captain.  We arrived in Gillingham around half 12 and consumed a couple of pints in the designated away boozer.  We went to the same one last year and I have to say it is a toilet and will gladly never go there again.  Despite the slightly expensive ale the optimistic mood grew as more and more blades arrived.  When we made our descent towards the scaffold supported away end songs about Billy Sharp bounced off of the walls of the terraced housing as the near 2,000 blades most kitted out in our new strips made their way to their seats.

A lethargic start saw what appeared to be Long dropping the ball into his net via a Gillingham player and any optimism soon begin to peel away.  United showed very little fight and the first half could have been a greater score if it wasn't or some solid defensive work from Baxter clearing balls which had been whipped into the box past the stationary back four.  Murphy and Woolford swapped wings and the team seemed somewhat confused as to where they were playing.  Sound familiar? 

Basham as always showed a degree of commitment but this was in vain as the early goal soon led to a second as the defence never seemed to recover from the opening 10 minutes.

After half time, Baxter was withdrawn with injury and this led to the introduction of Sammon and what appeared to be some form of diamond formation with Basham sitting in front the back four.  No real chances of note were created and Gillingham soon score a 3rd goal which coincided with the exodus from the away end.  This then led to a very good goal for Gillingham's fourth towards the end of the game but despite the ferocious strike being good enough to beat any keeper, United appeared to be asleep from the throwing.
So United lost 4-0.

This was a disaster 4 of the back 5 are not good enough.

I am so angry at the performance and the result I have no desire to go into all the individual errors.

Tuesday in the cup the season starts again and the blades better book their ideas up.

GILLINGHAM: Nelson , Jackson, Egan, Houghton, Williamson, Morris (Hessenthaler 45), Osadebe (Wright 88), Norris, Dack, Dickensen, Oshilaja. Subs not used: Garmston, Ehmer, McGlashan, Morris, Donnelly.

SHEFFIELD UNITED: Long , Freeman, Basham, Murphy, Sharp, Baxter (Sammon 46), Collins, Woolford (Reed 70), McEveley, McFadzean, Adams,(Scougall 70). Subs not used: Howard, J Wallace, Higdon, K Wallace.

ATTENDANCE: 7,511.

Images - credit to Sheffield Star