Pre-match preamble
I’m not even going to speculate about the shape of the team tonight. So many possible permutations, but I think we can be sure of one thing – it will look a little different. Let’s hope ‘it’ works and we can all say ‘vive la difference’.
Szmodics and Nunez are rumoured to have recovered from their ankle injuries and may be included, if only on the bench. Kieran has hinted that Sindre Egali might not appear too soon, as he is new to English Football, new to the club and only 19 years old. I'm hoping Chuba Akpom gets a chance to fire a few at goal as he did at the end of the last home game, and Matusiwa gets into his stride. I thought he looked good last time out. Oh, basically, I just hope they all play like whirling dervishes and score a hatful of goals (not a hat-trick)!
Our opponents tonight are so far without a point this season and consequently sitting at the very bottom of the table. Sheffield United's management this season has brought turmoil to the club, with a change in manager and with fans querying summer transfer choices, so they will be out for a win, but so will we. Both teams have talented players. Hopefully, Town will have that edge needed to stave off any more banana skins!
Sheffield United Cricket Club was the first English sports club to use 'United' in its name (formed in 1854), and the football club was developed as an adjunct to it in 1889. Their nickname 'The Blades' reflects the city's steel industry, which was tantamount to its major involvement in the production of cutlery.
Originally, they were called the 'Cutlers', as their arch rivals Sheffield Wednesday were the Blades, but later, when the latter officially became 'The Owls' in reference to their new ground in Owlerton, United nicked their nickname. It sounds redolent of cutlasses more than cutlery to me, but I dare say they made some of those too at some point (pun intended).
(This reminded me of my friend Richard, who has not forgotten my attempts to explain the conundrum of not 'Notts’ (Forest) and the not just 'County' for the other Notts, in a report of mine from last season).
It was very quiet on the train, but I chatted with young Ollie and his Dad. Ollie predicted a 2-1 scoreline and said his favourite player was Omari Hutchinson.
Outside the station, I found the dynamic duo of Kevin and Gavin on Community duty and demanded a sticker.
First half
Sheffield started strongly and were pushing hard for the first 20 mins, it felt like a fight was on. The shape of things to come from Town first showed at the 10 minute mark when a brilliant Leif Davis cross was just missed by players in the box.
After around 20 minutes played, Philogene worked his first piece of magic and scored a pinpoint goal from an angle left of the box to the far right-hand corner.
Sheffield got their heads back up for a while, but didn’t create any real chances. Town continued to look dangerous with Jaden firing an angled shot close to the crossbar.
From then on, there were a few near misses for Town, but it felt like there were more goals hovering. There were a few misses from Sheffield United, too, but not so near.
Second half
A second goal from Jaden was perfectly placed in the corner out of their goalkeeper’s reach.
I thought Hirst looked a little tired, perhaps after his International stint, then suddenly he popped up and scored. Unfortunately, it was disallowed for a slightly marginal offside decision.
A few minutes later, he did it again for real, slotting a neat shot through the goalkeeper's legs. Unbelievable.
Then came Jaden Philogene again for his hat trick, with a rocket into the top of the net.
And to add to the hapless Cooper’s misery, fifteen minutes later, Jack Clarke scored, again, through his legs.
Men of the Match
Special mentions for Dara O’Shea, who was very solid today; for Matusiwa, who barely put a foot wrong; for Leif Davis, whose crossing and passing shots were sublime; for Hirst, for sticking with it; for Furlong, who showed promise; for Egeli and Nunez, who made a good start; for Clarke, who was his usual tricky self; for McAteer and Szmodics, who were in there; and for Cajuste, for just being Cajuste.
Did I forget someone?
MotM, of course, was Jaden Philogene – what a stunning performance.
He showed in this match what Kieran has always seen in him, and then some. I’m so pleased he kept the faith, so we all got to see it too. A trio of really clever goals, with each one better than the last. Wonderful to watch and hat trick of the season I suggest? If there isn’t such a thing, we must invent it.
Post-match pondering
Leaving the ground with a buzz of smiley people felt so, so good.
The whole Town team looked sharp and so much more ‘together’ than they have for a very long time. They were quicker and more creative and very much aware of what was going on around them, with lots of quick glances that I’ve not noticed before. There were two or three squeaky goalkeeper moments, but luckily the Blades were unable to capitalise on them.
I don’t believe Town simply won this because the Blades were poor, as some have said, though as the match progressed, obviously their confidence and skill grew. Sheffield had some decent spells of pressure throughout the match, but their finishing let them down. I think we can say we have had a spell of that, too, but hopefully this outing will kickstart the season and end the drought. It was, without a doubt, an exciting match to watch and a total spirit lifter – more please!
I think we’d all like to extend thanks to referee Farai Hallam, who played a big part in making it such a good game. He let the game flow and played advantage when relevant. He ignored ‘tried for’ stunts and had control of the game and the players from the first whistle, making clear and fair decisions for both sides. It really made a difference to have no unnecessary stoppages and vastly improved the quality of watching enjoyment all around.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was spotted in the ‘guest’ seats – down to see Sindre, I would think, or perhaps invited by his friend Kieran to help integrate his young fellow countryman into the English footballing world. If the latter, nice touch.
Shout out to the Sheffield fans who cheered their team to the end.
The train was very busy and I thought I would need to stand, until a young man called Charlie offered me his seat. Turning down the offer to sit on my lap broke the ice, and I chatted and laughed with him and his three friends, Cameron, Khaled and Hugo, all the way home. Oh, did I mention that they were all very handsome? They seemed to think I should. Notwithstanding, they were a really great bunch – thank you guys, it was lovely to meet you.
And finally, I can only say, what a difference one match can make...they got my hatful of goals AND a hat trick!
