Apologies if already posted but just seen this..

Big Ugo takes takes care of business as Beattie brace decides battle at Barnsley

By FBFR - 10/11/2008 22:34

The Blades move up to fourth with a hard-fought win at Barnsley in another local game marred by a self-important, Premier League referee.

United played football, then stood up for themselves, then found it hard to get back to playing football. The early exchanges saw the Blades and the Tykes going at it with attacking football, which on quite a few occasions threatened goals at both ends.

Then as the visitors gained the advantage, scored and were clearly on top, the home side changed the emphasis of their tactics. Elbows were followed by a grotesque two-footed challenge, to which Big Ugo took exception but the referee chose to ignore. Just a few minutes later and the game was reduced to 10-a-side as Big Ugo dealt with the issues the ref had chosen not to.

Chris Morgan understood the Barnsley approach better than most and dealt with it crudely but effectively when, after an accidental collision, Ian Hume found his afternoon over as his face was broken.

Ten-a-side seemed to be more to the liking of our hosts as they dominated the remaining time in the first half. Just like the trip to the Sty, United lost a centre half to a referee incapable of taking hold of the game, but desperate to be centre of attention.

The second half was littered with refereeing decisions, demonstrating our Premier League officials' inability, but on the football side it quickly became their huff and puff against our guile and ability. Captain Calamity - aka Rob Kozluk - found himself one-on-one with ex-colleague Paddy Kenny, but it was the Irish keeper from Bradford who prevailed with point-blank save to keep United's lead intact.

As the hosts pressed for an equaliser, the game swung in United's favour when the afore-mentioned, former Lane favourite clearly handled the ball in his own box to prevent a goal-scoring chance for the Blades. Well, I say clearly; that was all apart from the Andy "What game of football?" d'Urso, mental referee who seemed unable to spot anything in the Barnsley gloom.

"I know," he thought (stretching the use of the word 'thought'). "I will consult with my assistant." So off he went to consult. The only problem with this course of action was that the assistant in question was the one monitoring the other half of the pitch! As the penalty was awarded, Mr Davey seemed to take it very badly and was sent to the stand on the instruction of the referee after consultation, of course, with the fourth official.

Some three and half days after the original offence - a hand ball by Kozzy to save you looking back up the page - had taken place, James Beattie very calmly slotted home and the Blades were home and dry-ish. But it's Sheffield United's way to keep your interest, and they duly conceded a goal to just press on the nerves for the five minutes of added time.

Now United face an altogether different challenge next week against Reading. The Blades have established themselves as a strong play-off side - it will be interesting to see if they are any more than that.

Paddy 8 - Great distribution as well as the normal shot stopping!

Sunny Jim 6 - Struggled

Ugo 7 - Well, he did what he had to

Morgan 7 - Well, he did what he had to

Killa 8 - Quality

Naughton 7 - Okay

Mini Quinny 6 - Found it hard but never stopped working

Speed 7 - Good game-ish

Spring 9 - Massive game, played superbly

Webber 8 - Still improving and his work rate is massive

Stokes 7 - I am still not sure!

Beattie 9 - Quality written through him like a stick of rock

 

This writer is almost as bad as Morgan. what a t8sser nt

 

"Chris Morgan understood the Barnsley approach better than most and dealt with it crudely but effectively"

Says it all really.

 

How can it be dealt with crudley & effectively but still accidentally?

F.ck wit.