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.
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