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da poker： Sheffield United were back to winning ways in the London sunshine at the weekend with a comfortable 2-0 victory over stuttering Brentford at Griffin Park.
The Blades went into this game on the back of two straight defeats and three in their last four. A midweek 3-2 defeat to Walsall was less of a surprise than the league table might have suggested, with a completely different back four including two emergency loan players, exposing the lack of depth in the United squad.
However, Saturday saw the return of familiar faces with the return of Matty Lowton and Harry Maguire in defence, alongside the fit again Marcus Williams at left back, and Blackpool loanee Matt Hill partnering Magurie in the heart of defence, as Neil Collins remains absent through family reasons. Wilson also changed freshened things up in attack, with Richard Cresswell dropping to the bench to make way for Chris Porter to make a rare start, meaning Will Hoskins, making his first start in a Blades shirt, was forced to play wide midfield.
The game started scrappy, with the home side looking to get on top with a few early corners. However, it did not take long for United to take the lead. A routine goal kick from Simonsen was flicked on in the Brentford half by Porter. The ball fell to Evans, whose first touch lifted it over the centre half Logan, before allowing the ball to bounce and smashing it on the volley from 16 yeards out, finding the bottom corner of Moore’s net. He was allowed way too much time and space to pick his spot by the Brentford defence, adding further proof that he is probably too good for League One.
Unfortunately, Ched is out of contract at the end of the season, and should the Blades get promoted, there are already suggestions that if he decides to stay, he will have to do so on less money. Though on current form one would have to think United should try to do everything in their power to get him to stay. This was evident near half time; a mix up in the Brentford defence allowed Ched another attempt at goal, and with the keeper off his line it seemed inevitable he would double the advantage, but his shot flew wide. He then almost turned provider; a neat United move saw Evans roam free towards the by-line, and after keeping the ball in play, put a delightful ball across the six yard box, only for Porter to fire his header straight at Brentford keeper. It was still an outstanding save nonetheless.
United started the second half where they finished the first, and on 51 minutes saw their lead doubled. A shocking goal kick from Moore fell straight to the feet of Evans near the half way line, and in using his pace took the ball clear of the chasing defence, and after taking it round the helpless keeper with such composure, Evans slotted into the empty net in front of the 1,785 travelling Blades fans, to make it 25 goals for the season.
The goal seemed to completely knock the stuffing out of Brentford, who, in all honesty, offered very little going forward and looked very pedestrian at times. It is clear to see how they have managed to fall away from the fight for sixth place, as for all their industry in midfield, they seemed to fail in creating clear cut chances, and for much of the afternoon Steve Simonsen was largely a spectator. All in all it was a very routine victory for United, and a much needed one after recent form has seen the gap between second and third cut to just one point.
Wilson made all the right calls to justify why he is being so vocally backed by the Blades support at the moment. Fresh faces up front were exactly what United needed. In recent weeks things have become slightly stale up front, with Cresswell failing to find the net since the middle of January. Porter was unlucky not to score on his return to the action, and Hoskins also linked well with Evans, and the movement really did seem to be too much for Brentford. Defensively, they looked solid, but were seldom tested.
A bigger test came at in-form Colchester last night who themselves may still feel that they can make a late charge for the remaining playoff spot. A 1-1 draw meant we missed the chance to put clean air between us and City rivals Wednesday. Although Will Hoskins had given us the lead in the first half, the U’s levelled proceedings through Steven Gillespie mid-way into the second period. The Blades then had chances to win it late on but it was not to be and instead we remain nine points from Charlton and just two ahead of Wednesday.
After last night’s draw we have now claimed four points from the nine available from the three away games in the last eight days which is a reasonable return from three tricky fixtures for Wilson’s boys. But with Huddersfield and Wednesday both looking rejuvenated, United need to go into every game with the mind-set that every point dropped will go punished. Blades fans were clear in their message during Saturday’s victory when saying “We don’t want to go to Wembley”, and they will be hoping the players can deliver this in the run in to the end of the season.
By Sheffield United blogger Will Ollett
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