Sheffield United 0 Nottingham Forest 0

[S36Reject]

Date: 8th December 2009

Venue: Bramall Lane

Attendance: 26490 (looked more than that TBH)

Referee: A.Haines (1/10)

Man Of The First Half: James Harper

Man Of The Second Half: Stephen Quinn

Man Of The Match: Nick Montgomery

Blades Line-Up:
Bunn, Walker, Morgan, Kilgallon, Taylor, Ward, Montgomery, Harper, Quinn, Evans, Cresswell
Subs:
France, Bennett, Stewart, Camara, Geary, Little, Williamson

First Half:
3 Changes were made for the visit of a resolute Forest side who were on a run of 11 games without loss. Williamson, Kallio and Ikeme all sidelined for 1 reason or other replaced by Evans, Taylor and Bunn respectively, United themselves on a decent run of 4 without loss also.
Controversy started just after the starting whistle, The referee blowing the whistle, followed by a Forest tap on the ball forward but was deemed to be a false start so as the Clock had already started ticking, the Time was wasted, Albeit 15-20 seconds. But it was Forest who started the brighter without really threatening. Blackstock, Earnshaw and McKenna all linking well. Montgomery eventually working the ball forward. Just under a minute on the clock and the first Half chance created by a lively Ward sent in a great low cross, Evans failed to connect but Cresswell hit the ball well wide of the target. The Forest game plan became all to evident with poor tactics in 'Defending in Numbers with little going forward', when the Home crowd made their frustrations known after 1 by 1 Forest Player took a tumble and seemed to buy the referee's decisions everytime. 15 minutes had past before the next half chance, Possession cheaply Surrendered by Walker, then Morgan, Then Ward allowed the Visitors to take hold and launch a rare Attack. Blackstock wriggling clear twice but McKenna and Earnshaw unable to test Bunn. The Next Attack saw the ridiculous turn into pantomime standard Refereeing. Mckenna found Gunter making an over-lapping run who then sent a good through ball to Blackstock, running wide of goal, Blackstock did well to lose Taylor and Quinn only to be foiled by Bunn, Kilgallon clearing out to Cresswell on the left. Passes to Montgomery, then Ward, then Harper, then Quinn and a little knock forward to the edge of the Forest Box and Referee Calls for play to be stopped and runs back to the box to see to Blackstock still sat in the 6 yard Box. The referee calls the trainer on, minutes pass and The player trundles off unaided to a ring of Boo's around the Stadium. The ball getting passed back to Bunn.
Evans hits a shot but Camp confortably Parried clear with it being cleared as far as Montgomery who hits the Ball in true Centre Half style.
Blackstock, Now Public Enemy no.1 in The home crowds attentions, was involved again, Controversially at both ends. The first just before the 45 Minute mark, Bunn getting down and again taking the ball Bravely at the Strikers Feet. At the other end, The 4th Official indicating 3 minutes of added time. A Montgomery walk-through won a Corner and Ward sent a good Corner into the Mixer, Blackstock Clearly (3 yards away from the Referee) hauled down Evans, The Home Players and Support instantly making Noise about a Penalty foiled by a very Poor and Stubborn Referee.
HT 0-0 (45+3)

Second Half:
United came out in the second in the Same vein as did the disappointing Visitors, who really didn't look like a side that had scored 12 Goals in their last 3 Matches
Chances were few and far between as upto the Hour mark Forest had 2 good chances. McKenna carving out a chance for Blackstock but he couldn't connect and Blackstock wriggling clear of Walker again to find Earnshaw Lurking, but he hit the shot well wide. United instantly went up the other and carved out 2 chances in succession. Montgomery linking with Harper sent Quinn racing down the left, after beating his Marker found Ward with a low cross, Ward, at the near Post, making Camp save well but Parried to W.Morgan who half cleared to Harper. He found Walker on the right and returned the ball to Harper, who finds Montgomery Lurking at the edge of the 12 yard Box. Montgomery Hitting a Bullet shot towards the net only for Cresswell to deflect the ball clear (Pastit standing and shouting, well defended Cresswell).
Camara raplaced Evans(62) and was instantly brought into the action when he let fly with a tame 25 yard shot which was comfortably collected by Camp.
United, Clearly in the ascendency, worked yet another golden opportunity 5 minutes later. Morgan finding Harper, he hits the ball over the Forest Defence Quinn seeing an opportunity races towards the ball and gets a toe on the Ball to force Camp into another reaction save.
As the last quarter of the match approached, The game seemed to Open up and Chances were quite often. United having the Lions Share.
Camara hitting a stinging shot on 73 which forced the over-worked Forest Keeper into a double save with Quinn onrushing. Chances at either end followed, Earnshaw hitting a Deflected shot well wide but was disappointed and left the United Faithful Smiling while scratching their heads as to how that turned out to be a Goal Kick Camp, at the other end, needing 2 attempts to gather a Camara effort from range.
United, clearly on the front foot, then carved out another chance with Quinn, again beating his man, on the return to his favoured Flank, sent a low cross to Kilgallon, But Camp, Again, got down at the feet of the defender before he could get the shot away.
Another poor Refereeing display played out the rest of the game as Montgomery was booked for Persistent Fouling (which in truth was, Forest players falling over again) and as Kilgallon went on a promising, penetrating run through the Forest Centre, he was clearly brought down by Chambers. The referee blew his whistle and booked Kilgallon for Diving
Blackwell was the next to make a strange substitution. Quinn clearly one of the most dangerous players in the United Line-up was taken off replaced by Stewart. The Decision had some quarters in the Stadium asking why when Taylor had, just 1 minute before, been on the floor with a strain of some sort and was struggling to run.
5 Minutes was added at the end and was arguably the most exciting part of the game as United won 3 set pieces, all wasted and Forest created a chance of the ir own McCleary shooting towards the stars. The last chance fell for United however. Camara finding Stewart who in turn found Ward but his Shot was blocked.
FT 0-0 (90+5)

We were unfortunate tonight we battered them in the second half we play like that we.ll. Be ok

What Pastit said

Their keeper was outstanding and the positive from our point of view is that the chances we had were saved rather than off target - most other games we would have scored last night. Another clean sheet as well

Overall a good performance, especially 2nd half and the crowd responded so it was like the BDTBL atmosphere of old.

cheers for brekkie

Yes their keeper had a good game, but what really pleased me was ours didn't need to. I can't even recall Bunn having to make an actual save, the back four looked so much better, playing in familiar positions and having the protecting figure of monty ahead of them.
I wouldn't say taylor or walker actually played that well but as a unit we looked very solid, a definite improvement!

yeah much improved display thought their left back ( shorey ) i think played well, all in all unlucky not to come away with 3 points

Wota - thanks for the breakfast mate - thought it was only me that had remembered where the kitchen is..........

S14 - welcome to the Crossed Blades mate - the best virtual boozer on the net - it's never too early and the first is always on the landlord

Can't really say any different to what anyone else has said - was great to hear the Bramall Lane faithful back in good voice last night - Only bettered this season against the pigs. In fairness, 2nd half in particular the boys gave us something to sing about.

King Monty is back - but didn't Harper have a good game in the middle as well. We actuially looked as though we had a midfield and even better, when we used it we created things. I don't think it was the half time team talk that changed things though - it was the introduction of Camara. Their keeper made 6 great saves, one of which was world class - as opposed to Bunn who made one all game and that was hit straight at him - in fact more of a back-pass!

How funny was it to hear the Kop singing "We've got Billy Sharp...." after he popped one in for Donny.

Now if we can raise our game like that for Forest there's no excuses not to keep it up - playing football like we did in the 2nd half we will easily make the play-offs because not many teams will have a keeper in form like Camp was last night.

Probably one of the more entertaining 0-0 draws you'll ever see.

I thought it was an OK performance last night. Forest don't take any risks going forward and so inevitably we had a lot of possesion in and around the attacking 3rd of the pitch.
Lee camp was forests MOM with a couple of good saves, and I would give our MOM to Monty.
Yet another abysmal display from the referee! He let a potential leg-breaker from Adebola on Taylor go unpunished, and then booked Monty and Killa for.....well....I don't know what for He also missed a clear handball in the area by a scab defender. Aweful, just aweful.

The atmosphere improved with news of our Billy scoring I'm glad he's found a team that suits his play, and hopefully he'll crank up his value so that we can cash-in come January. I also think we may have to lose Ched Evans, cos he too is a quality striker and needs a team that suits his style.
Strikers in our team have to be able to recieve the ball very early in the build up play, and then be strong enough to do something with it. The likes of Sharp and Evans are more comfortable and more effective when they are on the end of the build up to slot home the chance.

I agree with Youfy entirely. That ref last night was a Crappity Smacking joke...

Where on earth do they find 'em?

On a different note, credit where it's due and all that - Stephen Quinn, take a bow son. He had an excellent game last night, and I'm pleased to say he stuffed some of the comments we've all been making right back down our throats. Just keep it up lad.

I did notice he'd shaved that ginger badger off his chin for last night though. Coincidence? I think not...

Ok fella's Rate 'em

Bunn
Walker
Morgan
Kilgallon
Taylor
Ward
Montgomery
Harper
Quinn(86)
Cresswell
Evans(62)
Camara(62)
Stewart(86)

[S36Reject]

Bunn..............7
Walker...........5
Morgan...........6
Kilgallon..........7
Taylor............6
Ward.............5
Montgomery.....9
Harper...........8
Quinn(86)........8
Cresswell.........6
Evans(62)........7
Camara(62)......7
Stewart(86)......6

[spamneggs]

Bunn...........7
Walker........6
Morgan........7
Kilgallon.......7
Taylor..........7
Ward...........7
Montgomery...7
Harper.........8
Quinn(86)......8 ( best he's played in.....er....a bloody long time!)
Cresswell.......6
Evans(62)......5
Camara(62)....6
Stewart(86)....6

[Pastitblade]

Bunn...........7
Walker........5
Morgan........7
Kilgallon.......7
Taylor..........7
Ward...........5
Montgomery...7
Harper.........8
Quinn(86)......7
Cresswell.......6
Evans(62)......6
Camara(62)....7
Stewart(86)....not on long enough

[Ashblade]

Bunn...........7
Walker........6
Morgan........6
Kilgallon.......7
Taylor..........7
Ward...........6
Montgomery...8
Harper.........8
Quinn(86)......7
Cresswell.......6
Evans(62)......6
Camara(62)....8
Stewart(86)....not on long enough

[HSBCBLADE]

Bunn - 7
Walker - 6
Morgan - 7
Kilgallon - 8
Taylor - 7
Ward - 7
Montgomery - 7
Harper - 8
Quinn(86) - 8
Cresswell - 7
Evans(62) - 6
Camara(62) - 7
Stewart(86) - 6

[YouFUMS]

Bunn..................7
Walker...............6
Morgan...............7
Kilgallon.............8
Taylor................6
Ward................6
Montgomery........8
Harper..............6
Quinn(86)..........7
Cresswell...........6
Evans(62)..........6
Camara(62)........7
Stewart(86)........7

[Halfvampire Halfman]

Bunn..................6 - Might sound a bit harsh but he really didn't have anything to do.
Walker...............5 - Thought he was poor - we've robbed Spurs
Morgan...............7 - Solid
Kilgallon.............8 - The Killa of old?
Taylor................7 - Still don't like him but he looked OK
Ward................6 - Very disappointed first half - has brought his score up with the 2nd half performance
Montgomery........9 - My Man of the match - he was everywhere
Harper..............8 - Was impressed with him tonight. one of the few that looked to bring the ball down and play with it (which got him a gobful from KB )
Quinn(86)..........8 - Praise where it's due had a great game
Cresswell...........6 - lost in the first half - looked a different player when paired with Camara
Evans(62)..........6 - Did more work than Cresswell in the first half but the 2 don't pair together well.
Camara(62)........8 - Changed the game when he came on - oozes class.
Stewart(86)........N/A - Wasn't on long enough to rate really.