#afcb v #sufc

Last week, I watched a very poor Bournemouth performance – for me worse than under Groves. I then had to put up with patronising tweets from people who hadn’t just spent 5 ½ hours on a coach, and with no prospect of a further 5 ½ hours, saying “It’s just a blip, don’t worry”.

At the time it was too soon for that kind of pep talk, and my match report, written and posted on the coach journey back, reflected some of that anger.

I am, therefore, glad that this week, I had to drive home without being able to consult twitter and it has given me “some” perspective.

It would be very easy of me to say that this was possibly the worst ref we’ve had here, constantly getting decisions wrong and seemingly biased towards the away team. I could add that the linesman near the east stand offered no help, blind to all but a few cast iron throw in decisions.

I could also say that rarely have I seen an away side so blatantly cheat going down for “injuries” , bouncing back up as if given the kiss of life once they realised play hadn’t stopped and constant time wasting.

Boo bloody hoo

Refs come in all shapes, sizes and ability – it is how we deal with them that matters. As decision after decision didn’t go our way, the players reacted poorly, bringing their reaction into their football as frustrated pass after pass went astray

For the second point, are you telling me that if AFCB were 0-1 up away to league rivals you wouldn’t be cheering us running into the corners? Sure they took it further than I find comfortable but who am I to draw the line?

For me, the fact is we simply weren’t good enough.

There are 2 more things that I am convinced of:

1 The Sheffield Utd DVD player is in full working order and they have used it to good effect by watching the Preston game

2 EVERY other team we are still to play will now be studying DVDs from BOTH these games to see how to play us.

They needn’t bother, I can tell them now:

1 Pressure each and every AFCB player with the ball – we don’t like it and will give the ball away

2 Pick a side with height and strength as AFCB are so easily bullied off the ball both in the air AND on the deck

3 Put all players behind the ball as we lack the creativity and movement to unpick a well drilled defence

4 If Painter is playing, attack down the right

It was Painter’s error that eventually separated the teams. A dubious free kick was awarded to Utd and the ball was fired up in the air to the left back position.

Having let it bounce once, we all waited for it to be planted up-field but no, Painter decided it needed another bounce to make sure. While he sent for his abacus and protractor to fully gauge what angle the ball needed to be before clearing, Murphy nipped in and hit a shot against the post. Luckily for him the ball rebounded straight back to him and he tucked it away nicely.

The rest of the half was shaded by Utd as they kept the ball well and worked tirelessly to get it back when lost.

My personal highlight was Shwan “The Distributor” Jalal took a quick free kick, booted it out for a Utd goal kick and then blamed everyone else – class

The second half started no better as Utd stifled AFCB and AFCB got increasingly desperate with wayward passing because of the lack of movement up front and no confidence in the munchkins running around in the middle.

Thankfully Painter was hauled off for Ritchie to return to the only position he’s played well in so far and both Pitman and Grabban were removed for Tubbs and Fraser.

I for one was glad that Pitman had gone after his dreadful over-reaction to being barged into – clutching his face like a petulant child. As much as I hated the Utd injury scams, this one incident was worse.

With Pugh/Ritchie on the left, Fraser/Francis we finally started to get some crosses in – but I ask you – what was the point?

Much as I was disappointed in Pitman, he’s the only man we had on offer that could head the ball. Cross after excellent cross was fired in but we could have played all day and all night and we still wouldn’t have scored

2 shots on target, all game, at home, tells you all you need to know

Summary – Sheffield Utd were a well drilled, experienced side that had a game plan and executed it perfectly. They stifled AFCB, soaked up what little pressure we exerted and snatched the goal that won the game. We are a good side when the play is open but only a foolish team would allow that to happen. We seem unable to unlock this puzzle and have no plan B when plan A isn’t working

Star Performer – Francis – Tireless up and down the wing and I hope in Fraser he finally gets some help in attack