It just has to be said. If ever a player is deserving of being reviled by all opposing teams, it's this whiny, witless, cragged 'keeper.
Saturday against Watford he gets in the face of a striker who had the audacity to make a fair, innocuous challenge for a ball that was within his verbal sphere of control. With indignance, arrogance, vitriol, and plain assholedness (TM), Lehmann is in his face, shouting, chest pumping, and claiming foul. Lame, lame, Lehmann.
Let's compare that, shall we, with David James. Now, easy not to be a fan of Calamity James, but after Paul Robnson's recent disasters in goal for Spurs, surely a fresh appointment with the England squad beckons for the hairdo-'d one. Same weekend as Lehmann's weeny histrionics James dives in at the feet of [I think it was Teddy Sheringham]. It was a 50-50 ball, both committing to the challenge. James wins, jumps up with the ball, throws it out and gets on with the game. That was it. No getting in anyone's face. No teenage gesticulations at the ref. Just a hearty challenge won, and the game moves on.
Fair play, David James. Jens Lehmann, you're a dick.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
No Holiday Games
None of the Blades' Christmas games -- Portsmouth and Manchester City -- are being shown on either Fox Sports World or Setanta Sports. So no full reports. Next game on TV here is Arsenal.
Wigan vs Sheffield Utd 12/16
After a second half performance to lift the spirits against Villa, it was vital to get off to a good start in this tough game. And they did. Right off the bat Gillespie won two balls in the air, which was more than he'd accomplished in the 90 minutes last match. It helped set a tone.
Davis was back partnering Morgan in defense -- has to be a good move. Tonge back in midfield, with Bromby and Montgomery making way.
Wigan 0 Sheffield Utd 1
Kenny – Clean sheet, and saved the hide of Kozluk, blocking Kilbane's shot after the full-back screwed the pooch getting out of defense. Good saves from long shots, and positively coming out for catches when the jitters were evident at the end helped the cause. Best performance for a while. 8/10.
Geary – Tenacious in every challenge. I'm sure he'll come unstuck against more skillful opposition, but got something in the way when challenged throughout this 90 minutes. Like his attitude, and the fact that if his feet, size or speed let him down, he'll just throw his entire body in harm's way to make a stop. 7/10
Kozluk – But for the one glaring error -- bet his ears are still ringing -- when he gifted Kilbane the ball and a free route to goal, was solid and always dangerous. Gillespie's better performance allowed him a little more freedom, and that's got to be something to work on. 6/10.
Morgan – Man mountain! Took a sweet right-hook to the eye and still shook the fella's hand. Easier to do when you win, but Morgan has been playing above himself, and that's allowed Jags to play in midfield where he can be most effective. As a piece in the current puzzle, Morgan is critical right now. 8/10.
Davis – If only his positioning was good enough that he didn't need to make great desperation tackles... Although clearly flagging when under siege towards the end, played a terrific game coming back from injury. 7/10.
Jagielka – Hustled, bustled, harried, and played a few good balls on the rare occasion he got a chance to put his foot on the ball. Needs to calm down on the shooting from 35 yards. But marshalling midfield with increasing confidence over this good run that will hopefully make him more effective against the top-of-the-table teams. 7/10.
Tonge – Good contribution until running out of gas. Played the best ball of the match to Gillespie to split the defense and create a good chance. Would just love to see more of that, and with match fitness, that could come... it needs to. 6/10.
Quinn – Is more skillful on the ball than I imagined, but his size is a problem; was knocked off the ball pretty easily in situations where he could and should have been more of a nuisance. Still, kid's young, he played well enough, but shouldn't start if Armstrong is fit. 5/10.
Gillespie – Actually turned up and looked like a veteran pro takin gresponsibility among a gaggle of Premiership virgins. Beautiful control on the ball from Tonge that he took to the area and fired a stinging shot. Work rate throughout was excellent. 7/10.
Hulse – Scoring the winner goes a long way to earning the plaudits. A better game from him, and an excellent finish. Still needs to stay on his feet longer. 7/10.
Webber – Spent most of the game complaining to the ref about one thing or another. Hasn't adapted to the pace or requirements of the Premier League yet. Undoubtedly one of the most talented and skillful players on the pitch when he's on, but has yet to show awareness and understanding with his strike partner... or anyone else. 5/10.
Ragged defending at the end helped us hang on and get the three points that were fully deserved. Great to see we could put a battling performance together for a full 90 minutes. The Blades are staying up... perhaps.
Davis was back partnering Morgan in defense -- has to be a good move. Tonge back in midfield, with Bromby and Montgomery making way.
Wigan 0 Sheffield Utd 1
Kenny – Clean sheet, and saved the hide of Kozluk, blocking Kilbane's shot after the full-back screwed the pooch getting out of defense. Good saves from long shots, and positively coming out for catches when the jitters were evident at the end helped the cause. Best performance for a while. 8/10.
Geary – Tenacious in every challenge. I'm sure he'll come unstuck against more skillful opposition, but got something in the way when challenged throughout this 90 minutes. Like his attitude, and the fact that if his feet, size or speed let him down, he'll just throw his entire body in harm's way to make a stop. 7/10
Kozluk – But for the one glaring error -- bet his ears are still ringing -- when he gifted Kilbane the ball and a free route to goal, was solid and always dangerous. Gillespie's better performance allowed him a little more freedom, and that's got to be something to work on. 6/10.
Morgan – Man mountain! Took a sweet right-hook to the eye and still shook the fella's hand. Easier to do when you win, but Morgan has been playing above himself, and that's allowed Jags to play in midfield where he can be most effective. As a piece in the current puzzle, Morgan is critical right now. 8/10.
Davis – If only his positioning was good enough that he didn't need to make great desperation tackles... Although clearly flagging when under siege towards the end, played a terrific game coming back from injury. 7/10.
Jagielka – Hustled, bustled, harried, and played a few good balls on the rare occasion he got a chance to put his foot on the ball. Needs to calm down on the shooting from 35 yards. But marshalling midfield with increasing confidence over this good run that will hopefully make him more effective against the top-of-the-table teams. 7/10.
Tonge – Good contribution until running out of gas. Played the best ball of the match to Gillespie to split the defense and create a good chance. Would just love to see more of that, and with match fitness, that could come... it needs to. 6/10.
Quinn – Is more skillful on the ball than I imagined, but his size is a problem; was knocked off the ball pretty easily in situations where he could and should have been more of a nuisance. Still, kid's young, he played well enough, but shouldn't start if Armstrong is fit. 5/10.
Gillespie – Actually turned up and looked like a veteran pro takin gresponsibility among a gaggle of Premiership virgins. Beautiful control on the ball from Tonge that he took to the area and fired a stinging shot. Work rate throughout was excellent. 7/10.
Hulse – Scoring the winner goes a long way to earning the plaudits. A better game from him, and an excellent finish. Still needs to stay on his feet longer. 7/10.
Webber – Spent most of the game complaining to the ref about one thing or another. Hasn't adapted to the pace or requirements of the Premier League yet. Undoubtedly one of the most talented and skillful players on the pitch when he's on, but has yet to show awareness and understanding with his strike partner... or anyone else. 5/10.
Ragged defending at the end helped us hang on and get the three points that were fully deserved. Great to see we could put a battling performance together for a full 90 minutes. The Blades are staying up... perhaps.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa 12/11
Good performance, but could have inched further into safety by hanging on to all three points when we got our noses ahead. For all of what? A minute?
No doubting that this team works hard for each other, and occasionally shows flashes of class, but all too often suffer from headless chicken syndrome in midfield.
Anyway, player performances were all pretty terrible in the first half, but the second half improvement was dramatic.
Sheffield Utd 2 Aston Villa 2
Kenny – Unlucky but I still feel he could have done better with the shots that resulted in first goal. Did pull off an outstanding point blank double save shortly after Sutton hit the bar. 7/10.
Bromby – Started very slowly, a step behind the pace, and out of position way too often. Maybe due to lack of match fitness, but not impressive. 5/10.
Jagielka – All over the place. Did take a terrible free kick in a great position, but covered every inch of ground, and looked the smartest player on the park on both sides. Hopefully fitting in to the change of scenery in midfield. 8/10.
Morgan – Once again, got to hold the hands up and say fair play to the fella for performing above the level pretty much anyone thought possible. Of course, when the defense goes to sleep as pitifully as it did for Villa's second goal, can't levy too much praise on the back line. Plus, did very well when getting assaulted by Angel. 7/10.
Geary – His size is a problem, but he makes up by putting every inch of what he's got on the line in most situations. 6/10.
Kozluk – Hanging in there, and his long throws – which got the ball in the box that was flicked back for Quinn to score – are allowing us to get penalty area chances that don't require much football. Not ideal, but if it's effective enough to keep us up, so be it. 6/10.
Gillespie – Very disappointing. Looked lost for pace, vision, and ultimately interest as his contribution was marginalized into delivering corners, etc. Buck up. 4/10.
Quinn – Solid, occasionally creative, and displayed plenty of energy. Got to wonder about a long-term Premiership future given his size, but may have the footwork and bullishness to eke out a role. And he took his goal superbly. 7/10.
Montgomery – Love his endeavour, but it doesn't hide his passing, shooting, and awareness shortcomings. The vigor gets him in to good positions, but too often is then tied in his own feet by the available options. 5/10.
Hulse – Toiled ineffectively throughout. Seems not to have adapted too well to the freedom of having a strike partner in the last few matches. And stand up... too easy to get knocked over, looking for free-kicks. 4/10.
Webber – Struggled to get involved, getting the ball in places he couldn’t do a great deal of damage. Was pretty ineffective, and about to be subbed when his cheeky awareness nabbed the goal that put us ahead. This front two have still not got it together, and need to, quick. 4/10.
Angel's elbow in the face was a disgrace, and the fact the ref claims to have seen it and not acted adds insult to the injury.
No doubting that this team works hard for each other, and occasionally shows flashes of class, but all too often suffer from headless chicken syndrome in midfield.
Anyway, player performances were all pretty terrible in the first half, but the second half improvement was dramatic.
Sheffield Utd 2 Aston Villa 2
Kenny – Unlucky but I still feel he could have done better with the shots that resulted in first goal. Did pull off an outstanding point blank double save shortly after Sutton hit the bar. 7/10.
Bromby – Started very slowly, a step behind the pace, and out of position way too often. Maybe due to lack of match fitness, but not impressive. 5/10.
Jagielka – All over the place. Did take a terrible free kick in a great position, but covered every inch of ground, and looked the smartest player on the park on both sides. Hopefully fitting in to the change of scenery in midfield. 8/10.
Morgan – Once again, got to hold the hands up and say fair play to the fella for performing above the level pretty much anyone thought possible. Of course, when the defense goes to sleep as pitifully as it did for Villa's second goal, can't levy too much praise on the back line. Plus, did very well when getting assaulted by Angel. 7/10.
Geary – His size is a problem, but he makes up by putting every inch of what he's got on the line in most situations. 6/10.
Kozluk – Hanging in there, and his long throws – which got the ball in the box that was flicked back for Quinn to score – are allowing us to get penalty area chances that don't require much football. Not ideal, but if it's effective enough to keep us up, so be it. 6/10.
Gillespie – Very disappointing. Looked lost for pace, vision, and ultimately interest as his contribution was marginalized into delivering corners, etc. Buck up. 4/10.
Quinn – Solid, occasionally creative, and displayed plenty of energy. Got to wonder about a long-term Premiership future given his size, but may have the footwork and bullishness to eke out a role. And he took his goal superbly. 7/10.
Montgomery – Love his endeavour, but it doesn't hide his passing, shooting, and awareness shortcomings. The vigor gets him in to good positions, but too often is then tied in his own feet by the available options. 5/10.
Hulse – Toiled ineffectively throughout. Seems not to have adapted too well to the freedom of having a strike partner in the last few matches. And stand up... too easy to get knocked over, looking for free-kicks. 4/10.
Webber – Struggled to get involved, getting the ball in places he couldn’t do a great deal of damage. Was pretty ineffective, and about to be subbed when his cheeky awareness nabbed the goal that put us ahead. This front two have still not got it together, and need to, quick. 4/10.
Angel's elbow in the face was a disgrace, and the fact the ref claims to have seen it and not acted adds insult to the injury.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Watford vs Sheffield Utd 11/28
Nah nah nah nah, I'm a Blade and I'm a Blade. And I live in the U.S. But now, through the wonders of Fox Soccer Channel and Setanta Sports ($11.99 a month on DirecTV -- http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=1100075) I can see most games. Not the Fulham game, cos who'd want to see that bottom of the table, early season snooze-fest? But many of the others. And given the fact I've no local pub, no nearby friends to bitch to, no chat to get involved in, I figured I'd start a blog to expunge my Blades thoughts... Here it begins.
Watford 0 Sheffield Utd 1
I may post a West Ham game blog (http://www.http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=199218&cc=5901), which would act as a prelude to this game, but in the interests of getting on with it... I'll get on with it.
New formation... Rob Hulse finally gets evidence he doesn't have a serious B.O./halitosis/headless chicken problem and gets immediate support from Nade. Why Nade? What does Warnock see in him? Pacy. Sure. Strong. Without a doubt. Knows where the goal is? There's a goal? Goalscoring instinct? Whassat?
Morgan partnering Davis in central defence, Jags moves to midfield. Well, it's more aggressive, for sure. So I'm going the player-by-player direction to give the analysis... if it works.
Kenny -- Hardly challenged. One save to make that he dealt with easily, a couple of crosses he met forcefully. Can only hope he has several other outings as quiet as this one. 6/10.
Kozluk -- Good for him. Another solid outing where the challenges thrown his way were dealt with effectively. Seems to have good instincts to make quality covering decisions, and ultimately will make a tough selection problem for Warnock when Davis, Kozluk, Bromby, Geary, Armstrong, etc. are all fit. Got a break when a let penalty call for handball went our way. 7/10.
Geary -- Did okay against a weak attack, and produced the best quality crosses of the entire game. Why isn't he delivering dead balls? Every cross he made when he went on the overlap was a pearler, yet Gillespie's delivery was appalling. A yard faster and six inches taller and he'd be an international. Without that, he struggles but battles for every ball. 7/10.
Davis -- On the slippery surface his pace should have kept the feeble Watford attack in check. Shown lapses of concentration in several previous games, but not against this lot. Twisted knee will hopefully not see him out for long. NA.
Morgan -- Honestly, equal to Watford's worthless attack. I saw Morgan as the Paul Stancliffe of this promotion... led the line with guts and passion, but was found a yard short of pace and quality just one game in to the First Division campaign. Morgan has been better than I thought. It would be handy if his pace and positional sense didn't force him to make desperation, perfectly timed challenges, but at least his desperation lunge is usually well-timed (Liverpool game notwithstanding, since he did fine and the penalty decision was comically bad). A kick in the head, that he received early, proves the notion that where there's no sense there's no feeling. He was excellent. 8/10.
Quinn -- When is he going to turn the wheels, the hustle, the bustle, the commitment into quality. Failed to deliver a pass or cross of any worth. Covered ground, but to no appreciable affect. Disappointing outing. 6/10.
Jagielka -- It's not the switch to midfield, it's clearly a Jags "thing" but he takes 20 minutes to realize he's playing, wake up, and get in the game. Half a step slow, half a pass short, was worthless in the opening minutes, but then seemed the only Blade capable of making a pass. Head and shoulders smarter or wiser than the rest of the 'tards around him, even if a pass didn't go right, it showed more inventive quick thinking than anything Leg... Legit... that chump could manage. Hopefully we'll see better. 7/10.
Leigeterwood -- Oh dear oh dear. Slow. Sluggish. Slow. Slower. His disinterest in his surroundings is matched only by that of Kazim-Richards, but KZ's is clearly through arrogance that he has talent, and Leigertwood's excuse is...? No idea. Only time we've ever seen life is when he has pushed forward. In the holding role, he's clumsy, and woefully inacurrate with his passing. If he's the best we have for that role... well, his Premiership career is not going to last long. 5/10.
Gillespie -- Possibly the worst dead ball delivery of any game this season. All it needed was quality and he was woeful. Jeez, how hard is it? Geary showed in two runs how to make telling crosses, and Gillespie husteld in defense, but was worthless in attack. Nade had him open on the right side early before he was brought down from behind, but never looked like influencing the game beyond that. 5/10.
Nade -- Looked exhausted after five minutes. Clearly dangerous against weaker defense with his pace and strength, but woefully short of class for the Premiership. If we can ship him to Leeds for half a million, it'd be a good deal. Headed against the post when at this level you have to make the keeper make a save; side-footed high, wide, and ugly with another clear chance; created openings squandered quickly at other times. And it's not just games, experience, practice -- it's clearly talent, and he'll flatter to impress with his work rate, and consistently disappoint with the end result. Seriously, Akinbyi would have had a better day. 5/10.
Hulse -- Impressed with Hulse every game... until this one. Struggled to get his footing, gave up weak free kicks often, hustled, bustled, and failed to achieve anything. He's led the solo line admireably to this point, so I'll give him this one, but has to be disappointed that he didn't make himself a chance against that back four. 5/10.
Subs:
Webber -- He was offside. Clearly. But he was there, and he scored. So that offsets his 10 minutes of headless running.
Bromby -- Solid. Against better Premier opponents he'll struggle, but at least his throw-ins and dead ball delivery make him valuable to have around.
That's the round-up. Good result. Lucky, but deserved, and Warnock should file this against the Liverpool game we didn't deserve to lose.
Up the Blades.
Watford 0 Sheffield Utd 1
I may post a West Ham game blog (http://www.http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=199218&cc=5901), which would act as a prelude to this game, but in the interests of getting on with it... I'll get on with it.
New formation... Rob Hulse finally gets evidence he doesn't have a serious B.O./halitosis/headless chicken problem and gets immediate support from Nade. Why Nade? What does Warnock see in him? Pacy. Sure. Strong. Without a doubt. Knows where the goal is? There's a goal? Goalscoring instinct? Whassat?
Morgan partnering Davis in central defence, Jags moves to midfield. Well, it's more aggressive, for sure. So I'm going the player-by-player direction to give the analysis... if it works.
Kenny -- Hardly challenged. One save to make that he dealt with easily, a couple of crosses he met forcefully. Can only hope he has several other outings as quiet as this one. 6/10.
Kozluk -- Good for him. Another solid outing where the challenges thrown his way were dealt with effectively. Seems to have good instincts to make quality covering decisions, and ultimately will make a tough selection problem for Warnock when Davis, Kozluk, Bromby, Geary, Armstrong, etc. are all fit. Got a break when a let penalty call for handball went our way. 7/10.
Geary -- Did okay against a weak attack, and produced the best quality crosses of the entire game. Why isn't he delivering dead balls? Every cross he made when he went on the overlap was a pearler, yet Gillespie's delivery was appalling. A yard faster and six inches taller and he'd be an international. Without that, he struggles but battles for every ball. 7/10.
Davis -- On the slippery surface his pace should have kept the feeble Watford attack in check. Shown lapses of concentration in several previous games, but not against this lot. Twisted knee will hopefully not see him out for long. NA.
Morgan -- Honestly, equal to Watford's worthless attack. I saw Morgan as the Paul Stancliffe of this promotion... led the line with guts and passion, but was found a yard short of pace and quality just one game in to the First Division campaign. Morgan has been better than I thought. It would be handy if his pace and positional sense didn't force him to make desperation, perfectly timed challenges, but at least his desperation lunge is usually well-timed (Liverpool game notwithstanding, since he did fine and the penalty decision was comically bad). A kick in the head, that he received early, proves the notion that where there's no sense there's no feeling. He was excellent. 8/10.
Quinn -- When is he going to turn the wheels, the hustle, the bustle, the commitment into quality. Failed to deliver a pass or cross of any worth. Covered ground, but to no appreciable affect. Disappointing outing. 6/10.
Jagielka -- It's not the switch to midfield, it's clearly a Jags "thing" but he takes 20 minutes to realize he's playing, wake up, and get in the game. Half a step slow, half a pass short, was worthless in the opening minutes, but then seemed the only Blade capable of making a pass. Head and shoulders smarter or wiser than the rest of the 'tards around him, even if a pass didn't go right, it showed more inventive quick thinking than anything Leg... Legit... that chump could manage. Hopefully we'll see better. 7/10.
Leigeterwood -- Oh dear oh dear. Slow. Sluggish. Slow. Slower. His disinterest in his surroundings is matched only by that of Kazim-Richards, but KZ's is clearly through arrogance that he has talent, and Leigertwood's excuse is...? No idea. Only time we've ever seen life is when he has pushed forward. In the holding role, he's clumsy, and woefully inacurrate with his passing. If he's the best we have for that role... well, his Premiership career is not going to last long. 5/10.
Gillespie -- Possibly the worst dead ball delivery of any game this season. All it needed was quality and he was woeful. Jeez, how hard is it? Geary showed in two runs how to make telling crosses, and Gillespie husteld in defense, but was worthless in attack. Nade had him open on the right side early before he was brought down from behind, but never looked like influencing the game beyond that. 5/10.
Nade -- Looked exhausted after five minutes. Clearly dangerous against weaker defense with his pace and strength, but woefully short of class for the Premiership. If we can ship him to Leeds for half a million, it'd be a good deal. Headed against the post when at this level you have to make the keeper make a save; side-footed high, wide, and ugly with another clear chance; created openings squandered quickly at other times. And it's not just games, experience, practice -- it's clearly talent, and he'll flatter to impress with his work rate, and consistently disappoint with the end result. Seriously, Akinbyi would have had a better day. 5/10.
Hulse -- Impressed with Hulse every game... until this one. Struggled to get his footing, gave up weak free kicks often, hustled, bustled, and failed to achieve anything. He's led the solo line admireably to this point, so I'll give him this one, but has to be disappointed that he didn't make himself a chance against that back four. 5/10.
Subs:
Webber -- He was offside. Clearly. But he was there, and he scored. So that offsets his 10 minutes of headless running.
Bromby -- Solid. Against better Premier opponents he'll struggle, but at least his throw-ins and dead ball delivery make him valuable to have around.
That's the round-up. Good result. Lucky, but deserved, and Warnock should file this against the Liverpool game we didn't deserve to lose.
Up the Blades.
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