Wet, Windy and Wonderful IT'S MILLER TIME

Fulham 0
Sheffield United 1

After Extra Time
Craven Cottage
Attendance 10,139
Away Blades 2,200 (estimate)

A very vocal and proud support of away Blades got a last gap reward in the capital as Sheffield United claimed another Premier League scalp for their collection, the final minute of extra time saw Shaun Miller pounce and secure our place in the fifth round.

The game itself had a few moments of interest and United were not scared to attack Fulham, but in truth it was not the best game of football in the world. But I like many Blades fans will not care, this welcome distraction from the league saw us come with a game plan, execute it, work hard and it payed off. There were four changes from the last fixture for The Blades, Howard replaced Long in goal and had a good game, his kicking is not quite up to par but he looked calm and up for the game, new boy Bob Harris took up the left back role ahead of Matt Hill and McGinn and Porter were recalled to the starting eleven. In the early going it was United who started the more positive having the first chance, Scougall won the ball from the much taller (and much better paid) Scott Parker before linking up with Flynn, the ball was given to Jamie Murphy who's effort went wide. Fulham had a few chances but they were limited mainly to long range efforts that never troubled Howard. United looked good from set pieces on the night and could have taken the lead after a good McGinn corner but Harry

Maguire couldn't get his header on target. Brayford and Murphy had further chances but could not convert them into goals. Dempsy fired shots in but also struggled to find the target. The first half was refreshing, we were not here to sit back, every time Fulham came at us we soaked up the pressure before releasing the ball forward to allow the front men opportunities to cause havoc. The home side won quite a few corners towards the end of the first half but Howard and the defense were never truly tested. As half time sounded the away support were the happier and rightly so, it had been a poor performance by Fulham, and whilst it wasn't the most entertaining game so far United had stuck to the task at hand and looked the more likely to be in front.

The second half saw much of the same United had the early chances with a Harris free kick, the new boy also had the second chance but saw his curling effort snapped up by Stockdale in the Fulham goal. harry Maguire and Brayford were rocks at the back and played out of their skins, the two men of the match in my opinion, they made it hard for Fulham to get chances away and the home sides frustration swelled and swelled throughout the game and they began throwing themselves to the floor, in my view it was this that cost them a penalty. If Kasami wasn't falling to the floor under every challenge the referee would maybe been more inclined to award a penalty when he was brought down in the box late on. Fulham had a spell of pressure but could not make anything of it. Scougall had his effort blocked by Hangeland as Fulham tried to keep United's counter attacks at bay. The rain began to fall from the London sky and the wind became more brutal, conditions that Fulham did not want. Baxter replaced Chris Porter late on as the forward (who had a quiet game) picked up a knock. Flynn fired over in the final ten minutes as Fulham tried to galvanize themselves, Sidwell and Dempsy both trying desperately to test Howard but neither succeeding. The second half ended and it was extra time and tired legs ahead for both sides. 

Extra time saw Matt Hill replace the booked Bob Harris, later Scougall had to go off due to severe cramp and was replaced by Shaun Miller. The first half of extra time got under way and chances were few and far between, United again were the team most up for this, but tired legs began to prevail and both teams were giving the ball away far to easily, it was this that lead to the best opportunity, John Brayford who had gotten forward exposed a hole in the Fulham defense skipping through, but his low hard effort was met with a fine save from Stockdale. Miller was booked for a challenge on Passley despite winning the ball and lowering his studs. The score remained  nil nil as the first half of extra time came to an end. The second half began and The Blades had an opportunity from a free kick but Baxter's woeful effort was high and off target. Fulham had their best chance for a winner go wide after Duff and Sidwell linked up well playing around The Blades back four before laying it to Kasami who hit a deadly shot that went just wide of the top corner. Fulham had two claims for a penalty turned down, as said previously the fans may feel aggrieved they were not given but if the Premier League players had not been so quick to throw themselves to floor previously they may have gotten the decisions. In the last minute of extra time as Penalties loomed Brayford did exceptionally well to win the ball and push forward, his cross was blocked and United won a corner, Brayford suffered cramp for his troubles but his hard work was about to pay off. In front of the away Blades

Baxter hit a corner into the box, Maguire rose high and his header drifted across the face of goal, an unmarked Shaun Miller pounced getting his head low and prodding the ball past Stockdale who watched helplessly as the back of the net bulged, The Blades fans behind the goal blew the roof off of Craven Cottage, Miller like the fans was in jubilation, the whole team joined him in celebrating right in front of the traveling faithful, a magic moment and one that shows that hard work and a strong resolve can and will pay off no matter how many places below your opponent you are. Fulham piled forward straight from kick off but after a scramble in the box United came away with the ball and the referee blew his whistle, United had dumped out another big boy showing no fear. The Players and staff were straight over the the amazing supporters to thank them for being magnificent and the fans applauded their heroes, no matter the result in the next round moments like this will live long in the memory of us all, and give us something we can be proud off. 

-Jonathan Gascoigne

Please find some more photos in the slideshow on the sidebar, for best results click view with cooliris

Standing Above The Trapped Door

Crew Alexandra 3
Sheffield United 0
The Alexandra Stadium
Attendance 5,437
Away Blades 1,298

A great following witnessed a disgraceful performance from The Blades and one that lands us deep in the brown smelly stuff, I don't care how many games we have in hand, with performances like this we will be making trips to the likes of AFC Wimbledon, Newport County and Mansfield next season. Despite Nigel Clough's reactions after the game slating the players I think Clough is as much to blame as the players, awful substitutions and arrogance in the transfer window from our gaffer has lead to us being in a very challenging fight for survival. To the match first and the team looked weak, they looked lacklustre and they didn't show any character. In hard conditions Crewe (who are noted for playing some nice football) knuckled down and adapted their approach, they didn't let the pitch or weather affect them. The returning Paynter failed to make any sort of impact, he looked a million miles away from his previous two appearances, Baxter couldn't get himself into the game, the midfield were missing in action with the exception of Scougall but his efforts were in vein as he couldn't get his team mates assistance, nor could he do everything himself. Harry Maguire and Brayford gave it there all but with Colins and Hill had awful games and the workload became to much for John and Harry. Long made a few clangers but also made some good saves to save a cricket score being on the cards, whilst he should have done better for the third goal the blame cant be put at Georges feet for this game. Scougall tried from range twice early on but both times saw his shots blocked, Crewe quickly took control back over the game and began testing the Blades defence. On the thirty seven minute mark Arsenal loanee Chucks Aneke made Coady look foolish by out muscling him and holding him of the ball, Collins recognised the threat and that no one was going to deal with it, but before he could make a challenge Aneke had already curled it into the back of the net. A foolish obstruction from Hill lead to us conceding a free kick and as it was played in the defence could only clear it to the edge of the box where Aneke again

pounced and hit hard into the back of the net. In the second half a weak penalty appeal was turned down as Scougall was challenged by Mark Ellis before tripping over Garratt in the Crewe goal. Clough then made the mind boggling decision to take off both of his wingers and replace them with a left back and a central midfielder, proving this squad has no where near enough depth and that his statements in the transfer window were beyond farcical. Porter replaced Paynter and despite Chris showing determination and a fire that is rarely seen from him his lack of ability again let him down, but fair play to the striker he showed some guts unlike most of his team mates. Crewe never let us back into the game and in stoppage time George Long made and absolute hash of Inmans shot leaving Moore to slice the ball into the net, three nil and the end of the game, Crewe deserving all three points. This squad has no where near enough depth, we are four to five players short, Cloughs refusal to approach permanent signings and instead rely on loans screams ignorance and his comments that this squad is big enough and good enough makes me believe he suffers from delusion. With the exception of Maguire, Brayford, Scougall and Porter non of the players who featured today deserve their glamour tie away at Craven Cottage, and unless there is a drastic change that trap door will burst open from underneath us and the fall will cripple us. Perhaps Nigel's idea to send the youth team to Fulham is not a bad idea.

-Jonathan Gascoigne

Gone For Good

Deadline Day is upon us and whilst Nigel Clough has vowed not to panic buy we have seen one bit of business done. Tony McMahon has joined Blackpool on a permanent basis, the twenty seven year old right back has had his contract taken over by Championship Blackpool after making twenty six appearances for us this season. Whilst I think this is a good deal, as McMahon was not a player I wanted to remain at Bramall Lane with only one remaining right back (Brayford on loan) I do believe an adequate back up is required. So now with fans wanting to see a central midfielder, a centre forward and now a right back it could be a busy and demanding day for the management. I agree Clough can not simply panic buy, but if he has targets in mind he needs to make his approaches quick and get deals done quickly, with our record on deadline day (fax machines and journeymen) one would hope we have learned our lesson. I would also hope the loan of Harris can now be extended or a deal to bring him in permanently can be struck.

Possible Right Back Solutions-
Seamus Conneely - Sligo Rovers
Jack Dean - Formally of Fulham
Theo Jones - Formally of Norwich and Brighton
Nii Nortey - Formally of Chelsea

Kieron Freeman - Notts County

-Jonathan Gascoigne

He Is Our Captain?!?!

Michael Doyle, if everyone is honest it is not what a majority of us like to hear when the team sheet is announced. The so called skipper struggles with passes over five yards, can not seem to be a force or difference maker when putting in a challenge, and of course along with the latest incident against Fulham he does idiotic things when we need someone to lead by example most. We have said for nearly three seasons now that we require a better caliber player in midfield and a better caliber captain, but unfortunately our cry for improvement is often ignored as every manager seems to see something we don't. But even if he is a hard trainer, grafts hard week in week out when coaching sessions are going on if that does not translate onto the pitch even after three years surely the staff can see what we see, something is wrong. Doyle does not particular inspire or lead the players, on many occasions I have seen other players spurring on their team mates and barking instructions, Maguire, Collins, Baxter and more recently Paynter have shown more leadership with their actions as of late, most notably I have seen Baxter and Paynter being

the ones slapping their hands together and trying to spur the team on with Doyle being only a spectator joining in once the other has done his job for him. A viable replacement for his position is needed, now not in the summer it is needed now. And after his latest actions the armband needs to be passed, otherwise its unfair on players like Brandy who were shipped out on loan because of their actions and attitude. With Doyle out for three games now it is up to other players to perform out of their skin to show why they deserve to be in the first team more, because if he is allowed to walk straight back into the team it will cost us. During The Fulham game with eleven men and a goal advantage we looked like we could see off The Premiership opposition, but due to a man that supposedly is a great honest professional and work horse physically trying to cause harm to another player we had the game taken from us. He cost us, our leader who is their to guide us through to victory cost us the game. If Doyle is not dealt with the road to recovery is a million miles away for this football club.

-Jonathan Gascoigne
-See 'Captain Not So Fantastic' for previous article on Michael Doyle

Playing Swaps

As I and many other Blades have stated lately Tony McMahon was quickly becoming a liability for the team, and with the arrival of Brayford it would seem McMahon's days are numbered at The Lane. The right back had a habit of hitting hopeful balls forward which in turn landed straight at the feet of opposition players, mix this with a lack of pace and a defender who struggles to keep pace with wingers and weakness became easy to exploit by the opposition. Often making silly challenges and picking up seven avoidable yellow cards it is clear we had to deal with an issue. Now without a shred of proof I can not moraly put a story with full details about the rumored meeting between Nigel Clough and McMahon when Clough first came in, but anyone who has heard it will know The Gaffer had certain concerns in regards to McMahons attitude on and off the pitch, and with his move to Blackpool it would seem these concerns were never put to rest. So with only a week left of the transfer window McMahon has been sent on a twenty eight day loan to Blackpool, what makes the deal interesting is the arrival of Bob Harris from the other side of the deal. The twenty six year old left back who made five appearances and scored one goal for South Yorkshire neighbors

Rotherham last season has struggled to get into the first team set up at Blackpool, and they had decided it would be beneficial for the player to get playing time under his belt. Now after what I saw on Sunday I am happy for him to get that time here with us, freeing up Hill to play in his preferred centre back role and looking strong and technically sound Harris could be an absolute bargain deal. After his debut Harris has already hinted that an extension of the loan deal and it would be a move he would want, this is good news for us as it gives a lot more depth and quality at the back, along with more combination options come team selection time. All we need now is McMahon to want the move and both clubs could start hashing out a deal, here is hoping.

-Jonathan Gascoigne

Highs, Lows and Disbelief

Sheffield United 1
Fulham 1
Bramall Lane
Attendance 16,324

As the rain came down on a bleak Sunday afternoon the man who would be center of attention gave the Bramall Lane pitch the all clear and United vs Fulham was game on. It would prove to be a game that with the exception of one player (one of the usual suspects) every player in a Red and White shirt could hold their heads up high and be proud. The Blades gave John Brayford his debut, Porter was recalled to the side and Coady was selected ahead of McGinn. Andre Marriner got the tie under way and Fulham took control of possession and kept it that why for a lot of the early going. As in the previous tie whilst the Premier League team held possession well it was played sideways a lot and they found it hard to break United  down. When possession was won by United they went straight onto the attack Murphy winning a free kick in a dangerous position, unfortunately nothing came of it neither did an attempt by Porter (who had a good game by all accounts) as it missed the target. Fulham were never going to sit back and had chances of their own, one of the more dangerous saw Rodallega heading over the bar after Karagounis found enough space to put in a dangerous cross. Fulham's day took an early blow as John Arne Riise had to be replaced due to an injury after missing a sliding tackle on Flynn. The continuing rain ensured

the game remained a scrappy affair for most of the first half. Midway through the first half Porter was brought down by Hughes on the outside of the box, this lead to Baxter bending his effort just wide of goal. The Blades got a lucky escape as shortly after a cross from Kasami got stuck in the fresh goalmouth mud and the defense were able to get it clear from danger. As the rain came to a halt and a brief spell of sunshine hit the field of play Harry Maguire made an uncharacteristic run forward with the ball, he bounded past the Fulham midfield, once at the edge of the box he turned his body to block their defense and get off a hard low shot, it was this shot that hit the leg of Chris Porter and gave League One Sheffield United the lead over Premiership Fulham, and the crowd erupted as the front man peeled off to celebrate his goal. It was almost short lived as Rodallega's run towards goal was stopped by George Long who bounded off his line towards the Colombian, The

striker managed to get the ball past long but his trailing leg made contact with Long and he went down, on this occasion the referee saw fit not to award a penalty much to the dismay of the traveling Fulham fans. In all honesty if I was a fan of Fulham I would be convinced this is a penalty as they are given week in week out in The Premiership, and one would think a Premiership referee would have blown his whistle, but also we see them not given on a regular basis in League One. A major blow came on half time as Harry Maguire went down in the box at the death of the half, he didn't make it back onto the pitch before the whistle and at half time The Blades had a deserved lead. The performances of Brayford, Maguire, Hill, Murphy and dare I say it Porter were all top draw, especially Brayford who looked composed and confident.


As the teams made their way to the field for the second half many fans were glad to see Harry Maguire appear from the tunnel still dressed to compete, a tactical substitution was made as new boy Stefan Scougall replaced goal scorer Porter, this left us without a recognized striker and in my view showed we were ready to defend our lead, whether this was the right choice or one made to early is down to interpretation. Scougall however would go on to have an impressive debut and look comfortable against Fulham and showed a vast

amount of promise, he battled hard and constantly wanted the ball, one can only hope he is in the team come midweek. After the game resumed delight turned to horror as Harry Maguire went down again early due to the previous knock, he was replaced by new signing Bob Harris who took up the left back position moving moving Hill to centre half. Baxter managed to get off a tame shot which was easily saved by Stockdale in the Fulham goal, the chance came after some good work by Coady and Scougall who had began to link up well. United had a few chances on the wings but with no target man and Baxter laying deep there was no one in the box to convert the crosses. Just under ten minutes into the half United were down to ten men after Doyle lost his cool and was shown a straight red for an off the ball incident, Doyle (who was average at best in the game and one of the weaker players on the day) is club captain and should lead by example instead of getting caught up in a retaliatory incident. Doyle had

previously taken a blow from Chris David leaving him bloody mouthed but no foul was given, but he should have gotten on with the game, instead he stamped on the Fulham player's ankle in front of the referee, whilst Davies reaction was theatrical at best and many on the Kop were trying to pin point where the sniper was in the stadium it could not be excused that Doyle had acted idiotically and deserved his red card. A disappointing action and one that should result in punishment from the club, and it meant that United would now have to try and keep pace despite their opponents having the extra man. Surprisingly however it was the Fulham freekick that nearly led to The Blades doubling their lead, Flynn got hold of the ball and broke with pace at Fulham, he got past Hughes with ease and drilled an effort towards goal forcing Stockdale to make a tough save with his feet. Fulham held onto possession for large portions of the half and continued to try and take advantage of the extra man going forward but United defended heroically. The away side brought on Darren Bent and Adel Taarabt to try and swing the game in their favor but United remained resistant. Not only would The Blades not roll over for Fulham but they kept going at the away team and when Flynn managed to bear down on goal he fouled by Hughes who stamped on the wingers foot tripping him in the box, a stone wall penalty but the Blades fans were left outraged as referee Marriner (who was in clear view of the incident) waved away the penalty appeals, robbing the home side of their rightful penalty and chance to take a two goal lead and claim another Premiership scalp. Cloughy and Morgan were

so incensed by this that Marriner had to speak to them on the touchline, but Clough escaped being sent to the stands. As with most big mistakes by referees, the victim of said decision (United) were punished after great link up play from Duff and Tankovic enabled Rodallega to find space and drill a low shot past George Long to level up the tie. Fulham from then on piled on the pressure, and Senderos rattled the cross bar with a header along with Matt Hill miraculously managing to get the slightest touch on Kasamis header across the face of goal stopping the effort crossing the line. Fulham had a hopeful effort look like it was goal bound but it flashed just wide of the top corner. It was from the resulting goal kick Fulham again attacked us, but Scougall managed to disposes his opponent and make a darting run forward and as the last few seconds ticked down he played the ball to Murphy on the wing, his run towards goal saw three Fulham defenders crowed him, leaving Scougall open making his way into the box, but Muphey didn't look up instead he stopped at the edge of the box, and the last chance of the game was wasted as Scougall was then marked, Murphey couldn't do anything useful and the final whistle sounded. A brave performance from the ten man Blades left us proud, but at the same time we genuinely think we did enough to win the game was it not for forces working against us. A replay at Craven Cottage awaits us, the reward for progression, either Nottingham Forest or Preston at Bramall Lane. We will have to work hard, but I believe we can upset the odds yet again.

-Jonathan Gascoigne

Humble or Happy Come Sunday?

When Fulham arrive at The Lane on Sunday for our FA Cup Forth Round tie its has been reported that officials will be offering the red carpet treatment, this is all well and good but as soon as the players walk on to that pitch the so called red carpet needs to be yanked from under their feet. After the ecstasy of Villa Park and seeing arguably the best United performance in over five years we need to be prepared for a real tough time. Whilst the press have speculated bigger name players like Berbatov could be left behind in London due to fixture congestion and squad rotation this does not give us a free pass into the next round. The Blades will have to work hard and imitate and possibly surpass the heroics of the previous round, we will need the wingers finding space and testing the full backs, we cant have them static and just looking for crosses to the box like in League games of old, we need them to try their look, play with confidence and be willing to act as a game changer. We need our strikers to be ready to fight for the ball in the air, something that Porter has lacked before and after the last cup game, but he showed us all that he can do it, he can challenge for the ball, he can get into dangerous positions, and despite poor league performances we need him to be that nuisance he was. Most of all we need Matt Hill to play the blinder he did when he was given the duties of dealing with Albrighton, and for the defense to be imposing and dominating.

Even if the likes of Berbatov are left behind we have to look at other dangers, especially Darren Bent and Adel Taarabt, Bent has the pace to cause Collins a lot of problems, and Taarabt as we have seen in the past at Q.P.R can rip a defense to shreds if they don't prepare for him adequately. René Meulensteen has big decisions to make, if he fields a youth team and we play like we have shown we can upset the odds and show up Fulham for not showing us the proper respect, if he were to go the other way and play a strong side it is down to us, we have to be able to adapt, and pile pressure on, if we sit back like we have in previous games we will be left humbled by the Premier League outfit. Their managers attitude towards game play could be our biggest lifeline, their slow build approach is something we dealt with at Villa Park and Villa had to start throwing balls forward because we didn't allow them the chance to progress when they were trying to play conservatively. Fulham are not a flair team, they play conservatively and rely on patiently getting the ball forward, hardly a Barcelona style of tica taca but one that many foreign managers adopt when making the move to the Premiership. So many differentials apply in this game, its makes preparation a game of chess, and adaptability essential, this will not be an easy game, nor impossible to win, its in our own hands, its up to us to forge our own path, we cant rely on their team selection or tactics, we just have to be prepared for everything, and if the support is even half as good as that at Villa we will know we have done our part.

-Jonathan Gascoigne