Bobby Ford is expected to quit United when his contract expires in the summer after failing to agree a new deal at Bramall Lane. The 27-year-old will be available on a free transfer after boss Neil Warnock revealed that talks with the midfielder failed to result in him pledging his future to the club. Warnock said: "I did make him an offer a while ago which his agent has refused at the moment." Ford has featured in the side of late following a spell on the sidelines before Christmas, but he could struggle to hold down a place between now and the end of the season as Warnock shapes his plans for next term. "I'm looking to play Jagielka, Tonge and Brown in the next few weeks to see how they can gel together," Warnock revealed. Ford has made over 150 appearances for The Blades since joining United from Oxford in a £400,000 deal in November 1997.
Crystal Palace vs Sheffield United
Tracey, Uhlenbeek, Curle, Page, Ullathorne, Ford, Brown, Jagielka, Ndlovu (Santos 87), Furlong (D'Jaffo 82), Peschisolido (Suffo 71) — Subs not used: Montgomery, Cryan
Scorer: Brown 60
Bookings: Uhlenbeek 45, Furlong 75, D'Jaffo 85
Crystal Palace boss Trevor Francis and £2.4m new boy Adi Akinbiyi felt the fury of Selhurst Park as The Blades delivered a dent to the promotion hopes of the London club. A second half strike from Michael Brown claimed all three points for the United. Peter Ndlovu tested Eagles goalkeeper Matt Clarke with an early shot and on-loan Paul Furlong also called Clarke into action with a close-range effort. The best chance of the first half fell to the Blades on 25 minutes with Furlong directing a free header straight at Clarke. At the other end Hayden Mullins headed over the bar from Kirovski's free-kick, which proved the best chance Palace could muster. The second half saw more trouble for Trevor Francis' team. Ndlovu shot straight at Clarke and Furlong had the Palace keeper diving full stretch. The Blades eventually broke the deadlock on the hour, after Hopkin lost possession in the central circle. United quickly worked the ball to Brown, hovering around the inside left channel. The talented midfielder checked his run before slotting the ball neatly wide of Clarke from 15 yards. Francis used all three substitutes as he changed the formation - but the home side made little impression on the Blades, and United had little to worry about before the final whistle blew to confirm their superoity, and collection of the three points.
George Santos and Laurent D'Jaffo are still waiting to receive offers after being made available by Neil Warnock last week. Santos joined Paul Devlin, Shaun Murphy and Gus Uhlenbeek on the transfer list after losing his place in the side. Although D'Jaffo has not been officially listed, Warnock announced that he was willing to listen to offers for the French striker. D'Jaffo, who will be out of contract at the end of the season, could be sold before next month's transfer deadline if a suitable offer is received, withUnited thought to be looking for a fee in the region of £100,000 for the ex-Stockport and Bury player. Meanwhile, Warnock is hoping that Devlin and Murphy move out on a permanent basis before the transfer deadline and are currently out on loan at Birmingham and Crystal Palace respectively.
Michael Tonge is hoping to be available for this weekend's trip to Crystal Palace after missing the last two games through injury. The highly-rated midfielder suffered an ankle injury in the defeat at Norwich earlier this month. There were initial fears that Tonge would be out for a number of weeks, but the injury was thankfully not serious and the player could recover in time for the weekend. He has quickly established himself as an influential figure in the Blades line-up.
Neil Warnock blasted his players saying that the 1-0 defeat against Grimsby at Blundell Park was the "worst display of the season". And Warnock believes that the team were poor right from the start of the match and lacked any real creativity. "I'm disappointed. I can't use the words that I want to, to describe that performance," said Warnock. "We've taken 2,200 fans here and we've let them all down and the players know that." He added: "I thought it was disappointing right from the kick-off and our experienced players let us down. There wasn't enough creativity. Their lads were up for the battle and we had 10 or 11 players below par. It was our worst display of the season."
Grimsby Town vs Sheffield United
Tracey, Ullathorne, Page, Curle, Uhlenbeek, Montgomery (D'Jaffo,86), Brown, Ford, Furlong, Ndlovu (Jagielka,53), Asaba (Peschisolido,53) — Subs not used: De Vogt, Sandford
Bookings: Furlong 16
Stuart Campbell's late header was enough to give the Mariners a rare home win and keep alive their hopes of avoiding the drop. A disappointing Blades team could still have stolen a late equaliser through substitute Phil Jagielka, who headed just wide from Gus Uhlenbeek at the death. The Blades had started strongly; after three minutes Carl Asaba got in on Danny Coyne but saw the keeper block his close range effort. A free kick from Robert Ullathorne was then headed on to Nick Montgomery, whose fierce right foot shot hit the side netting. United's Paul Furlong was booked for a late tackle on Groves before Grimsby's first real chance, Wayne Burnett volleying wide from a John McDermott cross. And Grimsby should have gone ahead in the 19th minute when Allen played Boulding clear, but Boulding hesitated and allowed Keith Curle to clear. Then, Tracey was well positioned to save a Stuart Campbell volley. It was Grimsby who stepped up the pressure after the break and Boulding saw a snap shot rebound off Tracey's chest. The keeper pulled off another fine save in the 59th minute, diving to his right to tip a Tony Gallimore free kick around the post. Intense Grimsby pressure finally saw the Mariners go ahead on 76 minutes. Danny Butterfield's cross from the right was deflected to Campbell at the far post and he headed home. Two minutes later, Jagielka beat Coyne with a firm header from Uhlenbeek's cross but the ball flew inches wide at the far post. In added time substitute Paul Peschisolido looked set to score but Simon Ford got back to put in a vital tackle. This was a really poor performance from the Blades, United fans expect better.
Neil Warnock must decide whether to hand Gus Uhlenbeek an instant recall at full-back in place of Ben Doane for Saturday's game at Grimsby. The Dutch defender missed last weekend's win over Portsmouth through suspension after picking up five yellow cards, and Doane made his first appearance in two months at right-back and will be hoping to retain his place. Sheffield-born Doane lost his place in the side through suspension after being sent-off at Walsall in November, and Uhlenbeek is now faced with the threat of suffering a similar fate. The former Fulham and Ipswich star was placed on the transfer list at the start of the season when it became clear that he was surplus to requirements. But an injury to Rob Kozluk, ruling him out for the rest of the season, has given Uhlenbeek a fresh chance to stake his first-team claims.
Neil Warnock is poised to hold showdown talks with Patrick Suffo, which will decide whether the Cameroon striker has a future at Bramall Lane. Suffo helped his country win the African Nations Cup last weekend, scoring in their penalty shoot-out win over Senegal in the final. But the Blades boss is unhappy with the fact that Suffo has missed too many games for the Blades due to his international commitments. "He's got decide what he wants because I've had enough of it," said Warnock. "He's been away five weeks and probably played 20 minutes, so he won't be fit." Warnock is likely to tell Suffo that he must put United first in the future if he wants to remain at the club, and if the former Barcelona man is not prepared to do that, he will probably be made available for transfer. Suffo has only made 16 starts and 20 appearances as a substitute for The Blades, scoring six goals.
Paul Furlong has started his on-loan Blades spell with a bang and believes he can forge a successful strike partnership with Carl Asaba. Furlong scored twice on his debut against Portsmouth at the weekend after signing on a temporary basis from Birmingham City, and he feels the immediate understanding he struck up with Asaba will improve over the next few weeks. He said: "There's a few things we can work on in training and the partnership can only flourish." Warnock has indicated that he will put any possible bid to sign Furlong on a permanent basis on hold until the summer. The Blades boss has several possible targets in mind and he plans to carefully consider his options because United now have healthy competition for places in attack. Patrick Suffo is due to return after helping Cameroon retain the African Nations Cup, and he will compete for a place along with Paul Peschisolido and Laurent D'Jaffo.
Stuart Ripley's fitness is being assessed as Neil Warnock and coach Kevin Blackwell run the rule over him in training with a view to a loan move. The veteran Southampton winger is set to turn out in tomorrow night's reserve game at Barnsley, and if Ripley can prove his fitness, Warnock could try to take him on loan. Ripley will be out of contract in the summer and he is looking to return north after finding himself out of favour at Southampton under Gordon Strachan. Ripley said: "I am looking forward to going up to Sheffield United. It's a chance for them to look at me and me look at them. ''If everything goes well then a loan could follow or even something permanent but I don't want to look too far ahead.''
Sheffield United vs Portsmouth
Tracey, Doane, Page, Curle, Ullathorne (Sandford 65), Montgomery (Peschisolido 78), Brown, Ford, Ndlovu, Asaba (Jagielka 84), Furlong — Subs not used: De Vogt, D'Jaffo
Scorers: Furlong 26 & 90, Asaba 40, Montgomery 18.
Bookings: Ndlovu 57, Brown 60, Curle 81
Paul Furlong capped an impressive debut by scoring an injury time winner - his second goal of the game - in a seven-goal thriller. Michael Brown was fouled in the penalty area in the dying seconds and Furlong stepped up to slot home the penalty. The first half had seen five goals and a host of other chances and Peter Crouch started the scoring by putting Portsmouth ahead after just six minutes with a well-placed header. The lead only lasted 12 minutes as Nick Montgomery scored his second senior goal when he pounced on Dave Beasant's handling error. United took the lead in the 25th minute when Furlong powered home a header from Bobby Ford's cross. And it was 3-1 five minutes before half-time when a long ball forward was headed back towards Portsmouth goalkeeper Dave Beasant by Jason Crowe only for Carl Asaba to nip in to score his seventh goal of the season. On the stroke of half-time, however, a Simon Tracey mis-kick let in Portsmouthv midfielder Robert Prosinecki and he was left with the simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net. That goal gave Portsmouth new incentive and they came out firing in the second half and equalised just after the hour mark through Nigel Quashie, whose header beat Tracey at his near post. Portsmouth then missed two clear-cut chances through Crouch and substitute Steve Lovell and Beasant also pulled off a tremendous save from Peter Ndlovu. This was all before the penalty in the final minute when United old boy Shaun Derry brought down Brown. And there was still time for Derry to be later red-carded for a tackle on Peter Ndlovu.
Paul Furlong is set to make his debut in the home clash with Portsmouth, but Gus Uhlenbeek and Michael Tonge are unavailable. Furlong should be part of a new-look strike-partnership alongside Carl Asaba.Neil Warnock is forced to make changes in defence and midfield as Uhlenbeek is suspended and Tonge has an ankle injury that he picked up against Norwich. Ben Doane is expected to make his first appearance in two months at right-back while Nick Montgomery or Phil Jagielka could feature in midfield. The Blades face Portsmouth star Robert Prosinecki, who netted a hat-trick last week, and he is set to play tomorrow.
Neil Warnock has placed Georges Santos on the transfer list and also is ready to listen to offers for Laurent D'Jaffo. Santos, who arrived on a Bosman free from West Brom in the summer of 2000, has been out of favour in recent weeks, and his last appearance in the starting line-up came in the New Year's Day game against Manchester City. Warnock is keen to bring on Phil Jagielka and Santos's departure would improve the youngster's prospects. Santos has played in defence and attack during his career, but he has mainly featured in midfield for United. But the French striker will be out of contract in the summer and Warnock has decided to try and cash-in on him. D'Jaffo will be allowed to go if a suitable offer is received. D'Jaffo, who was linked with Aberdeen earlier this season, arrived from Stockport two years ago.
Neil Warnock reached an agreement with his Birmingham counterpart Steve Bruce to do a loan swap involving Furlong and transfer-listed winger Paul Devlin yesterday. And although the striker is training alongside his new team-mates, the necessary paperwork will be filled in over the next few days. Providing there are no last-minute hitches, Furlong will go straight into the squad for Saturday's game against Portsmouth. Meanwhile, Warnock has admitted there is more chance of Devlin moving on a permanent basis than Furlong, a comment backed up by Blues chief Bruce. Bruce said: "In the case of Paul Furlong I am not completely shutting the door on him. He needs games and I can't guarantee him that there will be games which he needs. "So it is an ideal chance to get some games under his belt and get himself match fit again." Bruce also revealed that Devlin is itching to put on a Blues shirt again, and said: "We welcome back Dev who is Birmingham through and through. "I worked with him before and I have never known anyone so excited about coming back."
Norwich City vs Sheffield United
Tracey, Uhlenbeek, Curle, Page, Ullathorne, Brown, Ford, Devlin, Tonge (Montgomery 78), Asaba (D'Jaffo 85),Ndlovu (Peschisolido 78) — Subs not used: De Vogt, Sandford
Scorer: Brown 77
Bookings: Asaba 32,Ford 45,Page 89
The Blades chances of making the play-offs seem to be fading, after defeat at the hands of Norwich City, United losing 2-1. Two Darren Kenton goals secured victory for the Canaries. Kenton struck twice in as many minutes midway through the second half to secure Norwich their first win of the year. Blades quickly replied through Michael Brown but the home side hung on for a win. The highlight of a dull first half came on 28 minutes when Norwich goalkeeper Robert Green - recalled to the side - produced a fine fingertip save to deny Bobby Ford. Peter Ndlovu needed treatment one minute into the second half but was quickly on his feet and winning a corner with a dangerous left-wing cross headed behind by Darren Kenton at the far post. The second half followed a similar disjointed pattern before bursting into life in incredible fashion with three quick goals between the 71st and 76th minutes. The deadlock was broken when the ball fell into the path of Kenton following a Robert Page challenge on Nielsen. In Norwich's next attack they won a corner and Kenton was on hand to power home Steen Nedergaard's cross, with Brown unable to block it on the line. The Blades cut the deficit within three minutes when Devlin pulled the ball back to Michael Brown and his 25-yard drive eluded Green's despairing dive and nestled into the top corner of the net. But despite forcing three corners in injury time the Blades could not find an equaliser. United stay in 16th position with 40 points, 13 points from the play-off positions.
Paul Peschisolido and Paul Devlin are set to return to the Blades squad for Sunday's trip to Norwich. Peschisolido, who has missed the last eight games with a foot injury, returned to training this week but it remains to be seen whether the Canadian international striker will feature. Warnock is also keeping his fingers crossed that strike duo Carl Asaba and Laurent D'Jaffo will be passed fully fit. United have won four out of their last five league away games, while Norwich come into the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat at Crewe in midweek.
Shaun Murphy has joined Crystal Palace on a month's loan with a view to a permanent move. The 31-year-old Australian has not featured in United's first team since an alleged bust-up with Neil Warnock.He is expected to make his debut for Trevor Francis's outfit tomorrow. Murphy will stay with Palace until March 1, and could make the move permanent if he impresses during his stay at Selhurst Park. Also, Premiership giants Newcastle and Sunderland have joined the long list of admirers showing an interest in Blades star Michael Brown. It has also been revealed that Crystal Palace have failed with an improved offer for the midfielder. United recently turned down a £1million bid from Palace for the 25-year-old and their latest offer is still well short of the £3million price tag placed on the player's head.