We’re having a bit of luck at the moment. 3-0 flattered us against Barnsley, and today, we were lucky to win. But…’You make your own luck.’ Apparently. We didn’t deserve to lose, and on another day we probably would have done - for instance, if this had been played this time last year, we’d have been turned over. Just one of those days…keep them coming.
I think they hit the woodwork three times. BBC website says twice. Anyway, the first time was a great volley from about 20, 25 yards which clipped the top of the bar as it went over. Westy had it covered all the way. Of course.
It was scrappy in the early stages, and neither side really played that well. We had built up some pressure right from kick off, but after that it sort of faded off, until a fantastic cross from Gunnar was nodded back across goal by Platt, for Sheffers to head the ball into the top corner. They were both very impressive headers.
Against Sheff United, the only side not to have reached double figures in the ‘Goals For’ tally in the Championship, I believe, a 1-0 lead looked good, and we were fairly comfortable for the rest of the first half. That is, apart from one awful defensive header from Richard Wood, who should have let the ball drop and just passed it forward. However, he played in the United striker, who hit the post. Lucky escape.
In the second half, we were probably the better side. Again, it was scrappy, but with the experienced Carsley in there, and Sammy Clingan, who slows the game down, we always had a degree of control. Baker looked dangerous when he came on, Clingan tested Simonson with a free kick, and we played some pretty nice stuff. A late free kick – incidentally, never a free kick, went down so easily it was unreal – hit the woodwork again, and Westy was quick out to make an impressive save at the death, but all in all…probably JUST about deserved.
Ratings
Westy – 8 – brilliant save at the end, and very good handling and control of his area.
Cranie – 6.5 – played fairly well. One key bit of tracking back with his man which potentially saved us. Not really a left back, however.
Turner - 7 – won most of his headers after a rocky start
Wood – 6 – he’s had better games. One bad mistake.
Keogh – 7.5 – one skillful run down the wing. Wish he’d been tighter to his man at times.
Sheffers – 8 – touch of class at times.
Carsley and Clingan – 7 – tidy.
Gunnar – 6.5 – bit quiet
Platt – 8 – a rock. Must be so horrible to play against
Juke Box – 5.5 – tried hard, worked hard, ran all day, but it was just one of those days where the ball wasn’t falling for him.
SUBS
Baker - 7 – looked very dangerous and skillful. Overdoes it though. Once you’ve skilled your man CROSS IT IN.
King – 6 – didn’t have much time
Baker – unrated – not enough time.
Best start for a decade I hear. PUSB!
Tags: 1-0, Bramall Lane, Coventry, Coventry City, Sheffield United, Sky Blues, The Blades
