[ 9 Apr 16 ] Sheff Utd v GILLS Match Thread

[gillsfan1066]

Anyone any idea how many tickets have been sold for Tuesdays game, what a shame it could not have been played on a Saturday ??

[fan_of_mulligan]

I know a few members on here really liked My Match Report for The Fleetwood Town Game, so I am going to do my write up for The Sheffield United Game in the same manner……….

POSITIVES.......

Another Point and Another Clean Sheet – Gillingham keep adding to there points tally by picking up a well earned point away at Sheffield United, and considering that Sheffield United had won there previous three home matches, then a point at Bramall Lane cannot be considered a bad point – OK we would of wanted all three - but if you cannot win the game in ninety minutes, then make sure you do everything you can not to lose game the game, and that is precisely what Gillingham have done.

One of the reason’s why Gillingham earned a point on Saturday was an impressive defensive display from Gillingham and in-particular another sensational performance from Adam El-Abd (more about him later) Gillingham have kept five clean sheets in the last six games, and four of these six league games have been played away from home, this run of clean sheet’s has seen Gillingham go unbeaten in the last six league games winning two and drawing four of these matches, if the defence can keep this defensive solidarity going, and Gillingham can re-discover our goal-scoring form, then we are going to be winning more matches and possibly pushing for a automatic spot – although that looks very unlikely at the moment.

The 5.3.2 / 3.5.2 Formation – This formation has given Gillingham the defensive solidarity required to keep five clean sheet’s in the last six league games and earn ten points out of a possibly eighteen, this run of clean sheet’s has seen Adedeji Oshilaja, Adam El-Abd and Max Ehmer put in high levels of consistency and all three defenders are keeping John Egan out of the team at the moment, now the entire team deserve credit for only conceding one goal in the last six games as defending is a team effort, but Adedeji Oshilaja, Max Ehmer and Adam El-Abd, along with Stuart Nelson especially deserve credit for this impressive run of clean sheet’s, as Gillingham have played four of the last six league games away from home.

STUART NELSON – Stuart Nelson has had to punch a few corner kicks’s clear and away from danger, Stuart Nelson also did extremely well to save that effort on goal from Che Adams with two very strong arms to divert the ball away from goal, Stuart Nelson denied a certain goal when Ryan Flynn went through on goal, and efforts from distance from Paul Coutts, Billy Sharp and Ryan Flynn have forced Stuart Nelson to make routine saves, but it is the saves to deny Ryan Flynn one on one and the effort from Che Adams which stands out, as Stuart Nelson has played a crucial role for Gillingham to preserve parity in the first half.

In The Second Half, Stuart Nelson had to save efforts on goal from distance from both Ryan Flynn and Che Adams, but it is the one on one save to prevent Paul Coutts from scoring which was Stuart Nelson’s best save of The Second Half, despite Sheffield United creating a succession of goal-scoring opportunities, Stuart Nelson has only been required to make one top draw save to earn Gillingham a point and a clean sheet at Bramall Lane.

ADAM EL-ABD – Needed to wear a bandage for The Second Half and with Max Ehmer wearing a face mask, our defence will have a collection of head injuries with all these un-punished aerial challenges – so many times the opposition’s arms or elbows are going into our players faces – the experienced centre back is an organiser and communicator in Gillingham’s defence, and both Max Ehmer and Adedeji Oshilaja are benefitting from having a player of Adam El-Abd’s experience alongside them – in-fact, I would even go far to suggest that Adam El-Abd was playing as a sweeper behind the two centre back’s, because he was always there to block or intercept the ball.

The fact that Adam El-Abd has a blood-wound sealed closed tells you the commitment Gillingham have put in to earn a point, sometimes loan players are criticised for a lack of effort or criticised for not caring as there not playing for there future’s, I don’t think any of our loan players this season can be criticised of this, and the addition of Adam El-Abd to Gillingham’s Defence has added someone with the experience and a voice to guide what is a very inexperienced back five – five clean sheets in six games tells you the impact Adam El-Abd has had since signing for Gillingham.

NEGATIVES.......

Sheffield United Fan – One Sheffield United Supporter who had been supporting the club for fifty years was speaking about Sheffield United’s Good Times and how many incredible results they have had over the years, but to call teams like Gillingham, Walsall, Burton Albion, Rochdale and the rest of the team’s in League One “Little Clubs” was quite disrespectful of every other team in League One, and there is no divine right for any team to say that they deserve to be in The Premier League or The Championship, teams have there good times and there bad times, and you have to through the bad times to truly appreciate the good times.

Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Coventry City, Norwich City, Charlton Athletic, Wolves, Preston North End and Brighton & Hove Albion have all been in League One in the past five / six year’s, some teams have bounced back at the first attempt, others have spent a long time in League One before returning to The Championship.

I think Sheffield United Supporters should be questioning there recruitment policy, questioning if the players understand who there playing for and questioning why did the club get rid of Nigel Clough in the summer, as Sheffield United had some incredible cup runs last season and reached The League One Playoffs, does Nigel Adkins get sacked and a new manager comes in with the remit to get the club promoted ??? or do Sheffield United stick with Nigel Adkins and re-build the club over the summer ??? - League One is a tough league, those who do earn promotion this season fully deserve to get promoted, having the resources and finances help, but Leicester City have shown what team spirit can do this season after there great escape last season, money helps, but what happens on the pitch isn’t about how much you can pay for a player.

ROB LEWIS – Get prepared for this section to be the longest section in my match report, because we can talk about Rob Lewis’s appalling refereeing all day, for a start, Max Ehmer was booked in the nineteenth minute for his first foul on Dean Hammond, your first foul should be a warning and considering what Gillingham Players were booked for throughout the entire match, compared to the lack of bookings Sheffield United got for more cynical challenges, I am not sure how Gillingham picked up five bookings to Sheffield United’s two.

Rob Lewis giving a foul against Luke Norris when Luke Norris intercepted the ball off Jay McEveley was very frustrating and too many climbing offences and arm challenges into our players faces are going un-punished, Luke Norris is getting climbed and pushed from pillar to post, nothing given, so when you see Luke Norris penalised for winning the ball fair and square, then that is doubly frustrating.

David Edgar was booked for his challenge on Luke Norris, the challenge from David Edgar was very reckless and deserved a booking, why some of the aerial challenges weren’t being penalised we had no idea, a huge sarcastic cheer was belted out from the back of the away end once a foul had been given in Gillingham’s Favour and David Edgar was shown a yellow card.

Rob Lewis annoyed every Gillingham Supporter when George Williams was clearly taken out by Ryan Flynn and no foul was given and Rory Donnelly is fouled by David Edgar moments later and no foul given, I don’t like swearing at football matches, but every Gillingham Supporter joined in with The “The Referee’s A - Enter profanity word here” chant, the aggravation was building up as constant bias refereeing decisions were awarded in Sheffield United’s Favour.

I thought for a moment that Rob Lewis was going to award Sheffield United a penalty kick when he awarded A Gillingham Goal-Kick, it felt like that type of game where The Referee is going to be the big talking point, Gillingham have been up against it from the officials, Sheffield United are playing well and I don’t want to take anything away from there performance, but it is very easy to dominate the possession stats when free kicks are constantly awarded in your favour - possession is also a very mis-leading stat, you can have 100% possession, but if the two centre back’s are passing the ball around the back, then all your doing is keeping the ball without hurting the opposition.

Rob Lewis denied Sheffield United from taking a quickly taken free kick as Billy Sharp was un-marked at the far post and Che Adams had picked Billy Sharp out with a quickly taken free kick, but play was brought back as Referee Rob Lewis was taking Brennan Dickenson’s name down in his note-book, on this occasion we didn’t mind the booking so well done Brennan Dickenson.

Billy Sharp is booked for his challenge on Luke Norris in The Seventy Eight Minute, about time Sheffield United got more players into The Referee’s Notebook, as they have got away with many cynical challenges throughout the entire match.

I just felt that Rob Lewis was caught up in the occasion, yes Sheffield United are a well supported club and Bramall Lane is an impressive stadium, but your supposed to referee the match and not the occasion, just like Justin Edinburgh will have told his players to play the match and not the occasion, let’s just say that every Gillingham Supporter had sore throats at the end of the game, because we were very aggravated and frustrated with Rob Lewis’s performance on Saturday.

[fan_of_mulligan]

JAKE HESSENTHALER SUBSTITUTED – It was disappointing to see Jake Hessenthaler substituted after thirty one minute’s, Me and Diane found out after the game that Jake Hessenthaler was substituted because a tooth had fallen out and once again, these aerial challenges are going un-punished as Max Ehmer broke his nose away at Bury and now Jake Hessenthaler has lost a tooth, George Williams came on for Jake Hessenthaler, which suggests that Bradley Dack isn’t fully fit enough to play for over a hour – and with the physicality from Sheffield United constantly not being picked up on, then it might be a good idea to keep Bradley Dack on the bench so that he doesn’t get taken out.

BRENNAN DICKENSON – Brennan Dickenson really did struggle at left wing back on Saturday, constantly caught in possession, booked after losing possession of the ball and Brennan Dickenson ran back and made the challenge which conceded the foul which saw Brennan Dickenson pick up a booking - on that occasion we didn’t mind Brennan Dickenson picking up the yellow card - but Brennan Dickenson was really struggling throughout the game at Bramall Lane, in-fact Justin Edinburgh was thinking about substituting Brennan Dickenson and bringing on Bradley Garmston, but consistent chants from Gillingham Supporters of “BRADLEY, DACK, DACK, DACK” Saw Bradley Dack brought on as Gillingham’s Third and Final Substitute.

JOSH WRIGHT – Josh Wright had a very disappointing game by his usual standards and he was also cheaply giving the ball away and losing possession of the ball in key area’s of the pitch, I think we have come to expect such high level’s of consistency from Josh Wright that when he has a poor game, we really do notice when Josh Wright has a poor game.

Josh Wright also dived in recklessly into a challenge on Paul Coutts as The Sheffield United Midfielder wasn’t going anywhere and the booking was fully deserved, but cheaply giving the ball away which allowed Ryan Flynn to go through on goal was the biggest mistake, and it took a top save from Stuart Nelson to spare Josh Wright from making a costly error, Josh Wright was in a position to clear the second ball away from goal in a attempt to atone for the original error.

BOOKINGS – The Yellow Cards Adedeji Oshilaja and Luke Norris picked up were ridiculous, especially The Luke Norris booking, as Luke Norris was off the field of play receiving treatment and Rob Lewis book Luke Norris for being – ON THE PITCH – Strong and unrepeatable chants were aimed towards The Referee and every Gillingham Supporter was aggravated by the bias refereeing that was on show at Bramall Lane.

And Adedeji Oshilaja was booked for his first foul, it doesn’t matter if the first foul conceded is in the first minute or the ninetieth minute (Oshilaja was booked after eighty one minutes), your first foul should be a warning, unless the challenge is completely reckless, which wasn’t the case for Adedeji Oshilaja.

[fan_of_mulligan]

CHANCES FOR SHEFFIELD UNITED.......

ONE MINUTE – George Long kicks the ball long down the right side of the pitch and Paul Coutts headers the ball on into Billy Sharp’s path, and Billy Sharp brings the ball down and tries to pass the ball down the line, but Billy Sharp’s pass is cut out by Max Ehmer, but Billy Sharp gets to the loose ball first, and plays the ball inside to Dean Hammond, who plays the ball forward to Che Adams, who needs a few touches to bring the ball down before passing the ball back to Billy Sharp, who plays the ball inside to Paul Coutts, who plays the ball out-wide to Chris Basham, who plays the ball inside to Che Adams, and from the left side of Gillingham’s Penalty Area, Che Adams shot on goal from a acute angle has smashed against the top of the crossbar – that would of been a dreadful start to the match if Sheffield United opened the scoring inside the opening sixty seconds of the match.

EIGHT MINUTES – Sheffield United create two goal-scoring opportunities in quick succession and both of these goal-scoring opportunities are created from Gillingham Error’s, the first of these goal-scoring opportunities see’s Max Ehmer play the ball back to Adam El-Abd, who squares the ball to Adedeji Oshilaja, and Adedeji Oshilaja’s pass down the line towards Ryan Jackson is intercepted by Matty Done who is able to go on a driving forward in possession of the ball, and Matty Done’s low cross would of picked out Billy Sharp at the back post had it not been Adam El-Abd’s crucial interception, but the chance is still alive as the loose ball goes to Che Adams on the edge of Gillingham’s Penalty Area and Che Adams first time strike is brilliantly saved by Stuart Nelson, as Stuart Nelson dived to his right to get two arms to the ball, and Adedeji Oshilaja and Ryan Jackson between the two of them get the ball clear and away from danger.

NINE MINUTES – And a minute later, Sheffield United created another goal-scoring opportunity and again this chance came from a defensive error from Gillingham, Ryan Jackson’s long throw down the line see’s Jay McEveley climb all over Luke Norris (one of many many climbing offences that Sheffield United were allowed to get away with all game) Alex Baptiste slid in and timed his challenge on Jake Hessenthaler to perfection, Jake Hessenthaler got to the loose ball first and played the ball back to Brennan Dickenson, who turned back on himself and his poor pass meant that Josh Wright had to slide in to intercept the ball from Billy Sharp, and the loose ball fell to Ryan Flynn, and The Sheffield United Midfielder was allowed to travel in possession of the ball, cut past Max Ehmer to go round Max Ehmer on the outside, and Ryan Flynn’s shot on target was routinely saved by Stuart Nelson.

THIRTEEN MINUTES – Another chance for the hosts as Billy Sharp plays a one touch layoff into Chris Basham’s path and Chris Basham runs forward in possession of the ball and was looking to tee himself up for a shot before squaring the ball to Ryan Flynn, and The Sheffield United Midfielder plays the ball forward to Che Adams, who cannot get past Adedeji Oshilaja and Oshilaja’s clearance only falls as far to Ryan Flynn, who squares the ball to Paul Coutts, and Paul Coutts skips past Brennan Dickenson’s challenge and goes on a driving run towards goal and with Gillingham having everyone back-peddle it meant that Paul Coutts was given the invitation to have a go for goal, but Paul Coutts low shot on target was saved and gathered at the second attempt by Stuart Nelson.

SEVENTEEN MINUTES – Brennan Dickenson has headed Ryan Flynn’s dangerous in-swinging free kick away from danger as Referee Rob Lewis starts to take centre stage, one thing me and Danial said before the match was – play the match and not the occasion – and Gillingham are doing this, unfortunately for Gillingham, we have a set of officials who are intimidated by how big Sheffield United are as a football club, and there is defiantly a home advantage approach to refereeing from Rob Lewis on Saturday.

TWENTY / TWENTY ONE MINUTES – After Max Ehmer was booked for that challenge on Dean Hammond, Ryan Flynn’s in-swinging cross from the resulting free kick see’s David Edgar header the ball over the crossbar, a minute later and Sheffield United created an even better goal-scoring opportunity as Ryan Flynn goes on a driving run forward from the halfway line up to the edge of Gillingham’s Penalty Area, and The Sheffield United Midfielder was crowded out by Adedeji Oshilaja and Josh Wright, and Ryan Flynn’s pass out-wide is cleared by Brennan Dickenson, but Sheffield United could create a goal-scoring opportunity from the second phase on the same attack as Jay McEveley has possession of the ball, and The Sheffield United Left Centre Back hits a cross-field pass to the far post, and Chris Basham’s cushioned header tee’s up Paul Coutts to have a shot on target from distance, and Paul Coutts shot on target is directed goal-wards by Billy Sharp and Stuart Nelson makes an instinctive save – every Gillingham Supporter showed aggravation towards the linesman as Billy Sharp was standing in a offside position.

SHEFFIELD UNITED CHANCE (FIRST HALF) – Gillingham have a free kick and turn attack into defence as Luke Norris’s driven free kick ricochets off the wall, Josh Wright gets to the loose ball and plays the ball back to Adam El-Abd, and Adam El-Abd knocks the ball high up towards the far side of Sheffield United’s Penalty Area, and Adedeji Oshilaja almost picks out Luke Norris with a cushioned header and Alex Baptiste intercept’s the ball and plays the ball forward to Chris Basham, who plays a cross-field pass and Brennan Dickenson wins the aerial challenge, but the loose ball falls to Matty Done, who runs forward in possession of the ball and Matty Done tries his luck from distance and Matty Done’s shot on target hits the advertisement board and falls to test Stuart Nelson between the sticks – and yet Sheffield United are somehow awarded a corner kick.

SHEFFIELD UNITED CHANCE (FIRST HALF) – Chris Basham’s long throw down the line is headed clear by Brennan Dickenson, but Dean Hammond wins the next header and Adedeji Oshilaja intercepts the ball from Billy Sharp, but Josh Wright’s square pass is intercepted by Ryan Flynn and Che Adams plays the ball back into Ryan Flynn’s path, and The Sheffield United Midfielder is baring down on goal and Stuart Nelson comes rushing off his line to make a goal-saving challenge with his feat and Josh Wright clears the loose ball away from danger, Sheffield United Supporters wanted a penalty, but Ryan Flynn had theatrically dived to the floor and Ryan Flynn should of been booked for diving.

There was the chance for Gillingham to counter attack as Andrew Crofts intercepted the ball from Dean Hammond, Rory Donnelly does pass the ball out-wide to George Williams, but the deflection slowed the pace of the attack down and George Williams squares the ball to Andrew Crofts, who had no other choice but to boot the ball up into the air and George Williams losses out to Chris Basham in the air and Paul Coutts has possession of the ball, and The Sheffield United Midfielder runs forward in possession of the ball un-challenged before playing the ball out-wide to Billy Sharp and Billy Sharp’s cross is deflected out of play for A Sheffield United Corner Kick off Max Ehmer.

Excellent save from Stuart Nelson, which preserved parity and kept the score-line level, unfortunately Josh Wright is having a poor game by his usual high standards, as that pass sideways was intercepted by Che Adams and your asking for trouble when you play loose passes like that in your own final third of the pitch.

[fan_of_mulligan]

SECOND HALF

FORTY SIX MINUTES – Sheffield United had the first goal-scoring opportunity of The Second Half, Chris Basham kicks the ball long down-field and Che Adams plays the ball back to Billy Sharp, who plays the ball forward to Che Adams, who plays the ball out-wide to Paul Coutts, who’s cross to the far post is kept in play by Ryan Flynn, Adam El-Abd takes no chances and concedes the corner kick.

FIFTY MINUTES – Four Minutes later and the hosts create a much better goal-scoring opportunity and Sheffield United should of scored – I thought they did score at the time as well – Stuart Nelson passes the ball out-wide to Adedeji Oshilaja, who has no other choice but to kick the ball long down-field, Luke Norris was clearly fouled by David Edgar as The Sheffield United Centre Back had a high boot into Luke Norris’s face, play continued as Alex Baptiste has possession of the ball and The Sheffield United Centre Back plays a one / two with Chris Basham before playing the ball forward to Ryan Flynn who plays the ball out-wide to Chris Basham, who was allowed to travel in possession of the ball before playing the ball the ball forward to Billy Sharp, who plays a fantastic through-ball through to Paul Coutts, who is one on one with Stuart Nelson and Paul Coutts shot on target is saved by Stuart Nelson and the follow up is blocked on the goal-line by Adam El-Abd – great defending from the experienced centre back to prevent Sheffield United from breaking the deadlock.

FIFTY THREE MINUTES – Matty Done’s in-swinging free kick is headed up into the air by Chris Basham and Rory Donnelly’s defensive header has no height or distance and basically tee’s up Chris Basham to hit a snap-shot effort well wide of Gillingham’s Goal.

SIXTY ONE MINUTES – Gillingham kick the ball long down-field and Jay McEveley headers the ball clear, Josh Wright’s pass out-wide is dreadful and this allows Paul Coutts to get to the ball and with Brennan Dickenson out of position, Paul Coutts can run into space with possession of the ball, And The Sheffield United Midfielder plays a magnificent pass inside to Ryan Flynn, who would passed the ball out-wide to Matty Done on the left wing, but Matty Done ran into Ryan Jackson and both players fell to the floor, Ryan Flynn shapes up to shoot and his low shot on goal is easy for Stuart Nelson to save - Sheffield United Supporters wanted a free kick as they thought Ryan Jackson should of been penalised for his foul on Matty Done.

SIXTY FOUR MINUTES – Sheffield United are pushing hard for the opening goal as Chris Basham in a advanced position down the right side of the pitch, plays the ball back to Paul Coutts, who goes past Andrew Crofts and plays the ball forward to Chris Basham, who has three players marking him, and Chris Basham plays the ball back to Billy Sharp on the edge of Gillingham’s Penalty Area, and Billy Sharp plays a fantastic cross towards the far post and Matty Done header’s the ball over the crossbar.

SHEFFIELD UNITED CHANCE (SECOND HALF) – The Hosts are piling on the pressure with a succession of corner kicks, and Matty Done’s in-swinging corner kick is headed clear by Max Ehmer who gets a knock from Chris Basham, play continues as Che Adams is on to the loose ball and one on one with Brennan Dickenson, and Che Adams plays the ball back to Dean Hammond, who has hit a pile-driver from distance which has just about gone over Stuart Nelson’s crossbar – Danial disliked how deep Gillingham were defending that set play as your just inviting the shot on goal from distance.

It has been one way traffic from Sheffield United in The Second Half as a succession of goal-scoring opportunities and corner kick’s are seeing Gillingham’s Defence being put under a lot of pressure, it is requiring last ditch tackle’s and desperate defending to preserve what is currently a 0-0 draw, but if that is what it takes for Gillingham to get a result, then we would gladly take a point – or a smash and grab win – if Gillingham have to defend for long period’s of the match to get a valuable result.

SHEFFIELD UNITED CHANCE (SECOND HALF) – George Long plays a long kick down-field and Billy Sharp and Max Ehmer both compete for the aerial challenge and the loose ball falls to Paul Coutts, who wins the foot-race with Brennan Dickenson and Brennan Dickenson falls to the floor expecting a free kick, but play continued, and Paul Coutts fires a low cross across the face of goal and Che Adams cannot direct the ball goal-wards and that is a massive let off for Gillingham.

SHEFFIELD UNITED CHANCE (SECOND HALF) Che Adams has hit an effort from distance which is straight at Stuart Nelson, and Paul Coutts has hit an effort on goal from the edge of the penalty area which is blocked by Adam El-Abd – the hosts are creating plenty of goal-scoring opportunities as we approached the final ten minutes of the match, we were hoping that Gillingham at the very least can held on for a point, or go one better and pick up all three points.

SHEFFIELD UNITED EIGHTY FOUR MINUTES – Jay McEveley goes on a surging run forward in possession of the ball and manages to win a corner kick for the hosts, Gillingham are sitting a bit too deep for our liking, like we’re playing for the point, Danial felt that Gillingham should of changed formation, I felt that the next six minutes and added time will determine if we were right to stick with the 3.5.2. / 5.3.2 formation, or whether we should of changed formation ??? – Ryan Flynn goes across to take the resulting corner kick, and Ryan Flynn’s in-swinging corner kick to the far post is headed up into the air by David Edgar and Alex Baptiste’s volleyed effort is blocked and deflected out of play off Max Ehmer.

Matty Done’s in-swinging corner kick from the resulting corner kick is headed down by Billy Sharp and Che Adams chests the ball down and plays the ball across the six yard box and Ryan Jackson is well positioned to intercept the ball and clear the ball away from danger, the defending is getting more and more desperate with each passing minute, every Gillingham Supporter was nervous in the back of the away end, I can only imagine what it is like for those who were supporting Gillingham from afar and couldn’t turn up to Bramall Lane at the weekend.

SHEFFIELD UNITED CHANCE (SECOND HALF) – Chris Basham plays the ball back to Alex Baptiste who plays the ball through to Billy Sharp, who plays the ball back to Che Adams who runs forward in possession of the ball and Che Adams plays the ball through to Ryan Flynn, who plays a return pass to Che Adams inside Gillingham’s Penalty Area, but Max Ehmer’s sliding challenge ricochets the ball off Che Adams and Gillingham have a goal-kick – great defending from Max Ehmer.

[fan_of_mulligan]

CHANCES FOR GILLINGHAM.......

THREE MINUTES – Gillingham have a long throw deep in Sheffield United Territory, and Ryan Jackson’s long throw is completely mis-judged by George Long and Rory Donnelly’s over-head kick lands on top of the roof of the net, Ryan Jackson’s long throw lead to Gillingham’s opening goal in the 4-0 win on the opening day of the season, Me and Danial both agreed after that close effort on goal for The Gills, that Gillingham should put in as many crosses and long throw’s into Sheffield United’s Penalty Area as possible.

FIVE MINUTES – And from the resulting goal-kick, Gillingham created another decent goal-scoring opportunity, George Long’s long kick down-field is flicked on by Chris Basham and Billy Sharp losses out to Max Ehmer challenging for the second ball, and Adam El-Abd headers the ball clear and Brennan Dickenson flicks the ball on, Paul Coutts keeps the ball in play and his attempted through-ball ricochets off Brennan Dickenson and Sheffield United Fans wanted a free kick for hand-ball, when the ball clearly hit Brennan Dickenson in the chest, from here Gillingham hit Sheffield United on the counter attack as Andrew Crofts runs forward in possession of the ball and Rory Donnelly ran wide to provide a passing option, and Andrew Crofts cuts inside and skips past Dean Hammond’s challenge and squares the ball to Jake Hessenthaler, who takes a touch to control the ball and Jake Hessenthaler tee’s himself up for a shot on target which has to be parried by Sheffield United Goalkeeper George Long – excellent strike from Jake Hessenthaler and Gillingham had recovered from that shaky start.

FIFTEEN MINUTES – Fifteen Minutes into the match and Luke Norris does extremely well to retain possession of the ball and Luke Norris plays the ball inside to Andrew Crofts, who from a similar position to Jake Hessenthaler tries his luck on goal, and Andrew Crofts shot on goal fails to hit the target and hits the advertisement board – WHY NOT, WHY NOT – Was my response, as Gillingham had created very little since that effort on goal from Jake Hessenthaler.

NINETEEN MINUTES – Ryan Jackson’s long throw again causes havoc in Sheffield United’s Penalty Area as George Long punches the ball clear as Max Ehmer went up for the aerial challenge, if Gillingham are going to score against Sheffield United then I can see the goal coming from a set play, three of Gillingham’s goals came from a set play against Sheffield United on the opening day of the season, and it appears that Sheffield United haven’t improved defensively from that opening day result.

TWENTY FIVE MINUTES – Gillingham created the best goal-scoring opportunity of the entire match and Gillingham should of scored, again this goal-scoring opportunity came from a free kick, Brennan Dickenson’s in-swinging corner kick to the far post see’s Max Ehmer header the ball across the face of goal and Adedeji Oshilaja header’s the ball over the crossbar when we all thought that Adedeji Oshilaja should of opened the scoring for The Gills – that was a guilt edge golden goal-scoring opportunity for The Gills, and we’re not going to get many goal-scoring opportunities better then that one.

CHANCE FOR GILLINGHAM – FIRST HALF – After David Edgar was penalised for his challenge on Luke Norris, Gillingham create a half chance from the resulting free kick as Brennan Dickenson clips in a dangerous free kick and Adedeji Oshilaja and George Long both challenge for the high aerial ball and George Long punches the ball clear, why Adedeji Oshilaja was flagged for offside, we had no idea ???

SECOND HALF

FIFTY FIVE MINUTES – The biggest and most controversial incidents in quick succession coming up, Ryan Jackson’s long throw into Sheffield United’s Penalty Area is headed clear by Jay McEveley and Josh Wright headers the ball out-wide to Ryan Jackson, who plays the ball back to Josh Wright, and Josh Wright plays the ball through to Andrew Crofts, who has made a third man run and I thought that Ryan Flynn’s challenge on Andrew Crofts was inside the Sheffield United Penalty Area, and how on earth did Ryan Flynn not get booked for that challenge, the appeals from The Gillingham Players tells you that they thought it was a penalty kick - I thought it was a penalty kick at the time.

Brennan Dickenson goes across to take the resulting free kick, and Brennan Dickenson’s in-swinging cross is punched clear by George Long, but only as far to Adam El-Abd, who cannot direct the ball goal-wards and Billy Sharp gets the ball clear, but only as far to Ryan Jackson who takes a touch and kicks the ball long into Sheffield United’s Penalty Area and once again Chris Basham is allowed to climb all over the back of Adedeji Oshilaja and get away with yet another climbing offence, but the loose ball ricochets back to Max Ehmer, who’s snap-shot effort on goal is fired over the crossbar – not only would Gillingham have taken the lead if Max Ehmer scored, but Danial would of won £10 as Danial had Max Ehmer for first goal-scorer.

SEVENTY SEVEN AND SEVENTY EIGHT MINUTES – Gillingham have a rare goal-scoring opportunity in The Seventy Seventh Minute and Brennan Dickenson is standing over the ball for a dangerous free kick – and if Gillingham are going to score then it is going to come from a set play - Brennan Dickenson’s in-swinging cross from the resulting free kick is flicked on by Adam El-Abd and Adedeji Oshilaja’s shot towards goal is saved by George Long and the ricochet falls to Luke Norris who see’s his shot blocked by Jay McEveley on the goal-line and Alex Baptiste clears the second ball – there was nothing at the time to suggest that Jay McEveley had handled the ball on the goal-line – but the highlights and the players reactions tell a completely different story - Had Rob Lewis spotted that incident then Gillingham would have been awarded a penalty kick and Kay McEveley would of been sent off.

[fan_of_mulligan]

SUBSTITUTIONS – SIXTY ONE MINUTES - Cody McDonald on for Rory Donnelly – The right substitution but we were all surprised that Cody McDonald was going to play for a good thirty minutes, the scene is set for Cody McDonald to come on and score a late winner for Gillingham.

With George Williams and Cody McDonald coming on, the third substitute we were expecting to see was Bradley Dack on for one of Josh Wright or Andrew Crofts, Justin Edinburgh was thinking about substituting Brennan Dickenson and bringing on Bradley Garmston, but consistent chants from Gillingham Supporters of “BRADLEY, DACK, DACK, DACK” Saw Bradley Dack brought on as Gillingham’s Third and Final Substitute, although we were surprised to see George Williams substituted as I felt for the young midfielder to be substituted on and off in the same game, as Bradley Dack came on for the final eight minutes plus stoppage time.

TRAFFIC.......

We left from Rainham at 8AM and arrived at Bramall Lane at 12.45PM, there were a few road-works and fifty mile speed limit’s which added time to our travel time, we also parked quite a way from the ground which meant a ten minute walk to Bramall Lane as Diane didn’t want to risk anyone damaging her car – on my first visit to Sheffield United when I travelled via Supporters Coach, a few idiots threw bottle’s at the coach – and because of what happened in the aftermath of that match, Diane has always parked quite far away from Bramall Lane, just to make sure that nothing happens to her car.

Traveling back was not too bad, we arrived at Watford Gap Services just before 9PM so we could get something to eat and drink, and I had brought Nine Chicken Nuggets, Fries and A Coke for £5.90, Diane used the charger in McDonalds to charge her phone up, while I had used Diane’s Car Charger to charge my phone up on the way back home again - it was only after we had left Watford Gap did we encounter severe traffic problems with “incident” being highlighted on the road sign’s, as road works and lane closures added additional time on to our journey, we didn’t have to pay for The Dartford Crossing, but the journey back home was longer then expected.

FURTHER THOUGHTS.......

I had brought two tickets for this match and I was expecting to make a twenty pound loss as I had forgotten that Diane had already brought me a ticket, thankfully, I was able to sell my spare ticket to another Gillingham Supporter and not lose twenty pounds, so before entering the ground I was pleased not to make a loss from buying an additional ticket, and I was pleased leaving Bramall Lane as Gillingham earned a valuable point against A Sheffield United Side who have badly under-achieved by there standards this season.

The Chip Shop near Bramall Lane was really nice and I paid £3.90 for A Small Portion Of Chips, A Cheese-Burger And A 500ML Bottle Of Coca Cola and it was nice to sit down on the bench outside the chip shop in the sun to eat our dinner, food and drink inside all football stadiums is expensive and not of the same quality that you can find from food and drink outlets around the ground.

Gillingham’s Form in the last six games is P6 W2 D4 L0 F5 L1 PTS 10 – Five clean sheets in the last six games is sensational when you consider that Gillingham have travelled to Southend United, Scunthorpe United, Bury and Sheffield United – defensively Gillingham are doing everything right and a point away at Sheffield United can never be considered a disappointing result, especially as Sheffield United created a lot of goal-scoring opportunities in The Second Half, and Max Ehmer, Adedeji Oshilaja and Adam El-Abd were out-standing defensively, I went for Adam El-Abd for Gillingham’s Man Of The Match, but you could of picked anyone out of Ryan Jackson, Adedeji Oshilaja, Max Ehmer and Adam El-Abd for Gillingham’s Man Of The Match – Brennan Dickenson struggled on Saturday and Justin Edinburgh was seriously considering substituting Brennan Dickenson and bringing on Bradley Garmston, before changing his mind and bringing on Bradley Dack.

I really do like The 3.5.2. / 5.3.2 formation, and when Gillingham signed Ryan Jackson, Max Ehmer, Adedeji Oshilaja and Bradley Garmston in the summer I thought this was precisely how Gillingham were going to line up and I am surprised that Justin Edinburgh hasn’t played this system more frequently, this formation gets three centre backs, two strikers and Bradley Dack in the central attacking midfielder role all on the pitch at the same-time, the obvious weakness is the lack of width in wide area’s, and Ryan Jackson and Brennan Dickenson could be playing against a winger and a full back if the opposition like to get the ball wide and whip in a lot of crosses, but I do like this formation a lot though.
With Max Ehmer wearing a face-mask, Adam El-Abd having glue on his head to seal a blood-wound closed and Jake Hessenthaler having a tooth smashed out, Gillingham have picked up a few war wounds at Bramall Lane and the players effort and commitment cannot be questioned, perhaps a lack of quality in key area’s and at crucial moments is a explanation for no goals in the last two league games, but we’re not getting any protection from the referee regarding these arm aerial challenges where someone’s arm or elbow is hitting one of our players in the face.

RULE CHANGE - And finally, one rule I like to see brought in, is that if a player has to leave the field of play to receive treatment for a injury, then the opposing player who committed the foul for that player to require treatment should also leave the field of play until that player is back on the pitch, or a substitution has taken place, When Jake Hessenthaler went off the pitch to receive treatment, Gillingham were ten verses eleven, imagine how we would of felt if Sheffield United scored while Gills had a numerical disadvantage, because A Sheffield United Player had injured one of Gillingham’s Players, I would also want this rule introduced if the reverse happened and A Opposition Player needed treatment after one of our players committed a foul that see’s the opposition go down to ten men.

Perhaps the one problem with this rule, will be players conning The Referee to try and get the opposition’s best / key players on the sidelines for a few minute’s, and that is where this rule starts to get complicated.