I thought the first half was shaded by Sheffield United - they deserved their goal (even though it was crap defending on our part) and played better than us. We had a couple of half chances with Colace going close, but I really couldn't see where we were going to get a goal from. Why were we playing 4-5-1 when, we had 3 strikers on the bench? I couldn't understand that, and I still can't. The sending off, in my opinion was just deserved for both players. So no qualms there. The second half belonged to us; we had two very good chances: 1) When Kozluk was put through only for him to fire his volley straight at Kenny and 2) Really an half chance when Odejayi failed to control a ball on the edge of the box, which I'm almost sure, anyone with any quality would have brought down and tested Kenny. The rest of the half resulted in us impressing with good build up play, but offering very little in the 18 yard box. I thought Whaley had a good debut up against Naughton who was solid at right back and up until United being given a very, very dodgy looking penalty - they were never in the 2nd half. The penalty decision was pure madness - I couldn't see what happened, but heard the 6000 United fans cries of 'handball'. The referee waved play on, only for the linesman to put his flag across his chest...from 55 yards away - what in the hell? How, could he possibly see that? I really have no idea, and for the referee - who had NO clue what to do, to give a penalty, was in my opinion very unprofessional, and mildly ridiculous. Beattie put the penalty away with ease, and the game was just about over. To our credit, we didn't keel over. Again, we attacked with Colace finding Whaley, who clipped a great cross into the box for Odejayi who produced a top drawer header to beat Kenny and give us a lifeline. We pushed and pushed but just couldn't find that equaliser. I'm a little frustrated, both with the officials and with Simon Davey's tactics. I can't for the life of me understand why we played 4-5-1 at HOME when we had 3 strikers on the bench. Does Davey not have faith in these players to deliver goals? It would appear not. Hume is 5 feet 5 - he is not a LONE STRIKER. Odejayi would have played that role far, far better... Anyways, whats done is done - we just have to put it behind us and get one with beating Watford next week. A good effort by the Reds, but a lacklustre first half coupled with strange tactics and shoddy officiating all added up to deliver a bad result.
looked a stonewall penalt from were i was in west stand although the linesmen shudnt be giving them from the halfway line wen the ref ad a better view
I was in the Ponty End... Kozluk was facing the Sheffield United supporters. I couldn't see the incident very well, but for the linesman to flag from 55 yards away, was quite frankly, disgraceful.
It defintely hit his hand. All of the West Stand could see that The issue is whether he intentionally stuck his arm out. You couldn't see from the West Stand whether that was the case. Neither could the linesman. Terrible, terrible decision. His reaction was SO delayed as well, verybizarre.
