LINE-UP
De Vogt, Doane, Curle, Page, Nicholson, Javary, Montgomery, Jagielka, Ndlovu, D'Jaffo, Peschisolido — Subs not used: Blackwell, Sandford, Ford, Tonge, Smith
Scorers: D'Jaffo 39, Doane 71
Bookings: Ndlovu 16
Ben Doane scored his first goal for The Blades to deny Crewe a much-needed three points in their bid to avoid the drop. The 22-year-old lashed the ball home from 30 yards with 19 minutes remaining to earn the Blades a draw. Neil Warnock brought in Wilko de Vogt and Doane as direct replacements for Simon Tracey and Gus Uhlenbeek. Steve Lovell, Michael Brown and Rob Ullathorne all missed out through injury but Paul Peschisolido started up front despite carrying a foot injury. United had much of the early pressure as Peschisolido and D'Jaffo combined to put Peter Ndlovu through early on, but he failed to keep his shot on target. But it was a Laurent D'Jaffo's goal, his sixth goal of the season, that put United ahead on 39 minutes, when his right-foot shot from the edge of the area flew into the bottom corner. Crewe replied with two quick goals from Rob Hulse and Stephen Foster. However, Doane equalised for the Blades with a 30-yard drive on 72 minutes to give the United a deserved share of the points. Doane's strike means United stay in 13th place in Division One.
28th March
Gus Uhlenbeek has made a pre-deadline switch to Walsall, linking up with the First Division strugglers on loan for the rest of the season. Uhlenbeek is expected to leave Bramall Lane permanently when his contract expires in the summer. He has missed just one game since mid-December. His departure will give Ben Doane a chance between now and the end of the season.
26th March
Wilko de Vogt will take over in goal this weekend as regular custodian Simon Tracey begins a three-match ban for his red card against West Brom. De Vogt has made just four starts since arriving at Bramall Lane in the summer, one of those as a substitute against West Brom.
25th March
Neil Warnock could be on the verge of offering a contract to French midfielder Jean-Phillipe Javary. He has impressed in his first two appearances in the home wins over Millwall and Burnley since joining United on a non-contract. With Bobby Ford set to leave in the summer, Warnock is looking for midfield reinforcements and Javary has shown enough already to suggest he could prove to be a useful signing. Warnock may be preparing try to tie Javary to a permanent deal in order to ward off interest from other clubs.
LINE-UP
Tracey, Uhlenbeek, Page, Curle, Nicholson, Javary (Smith 88), Jagielka, Tonge (Montgomery 61), Ndlovu, D'Jaffo, Peschisolido (Ford 79) — Subs not used: De Vogt, Sandford
Scorers: P.Jagielka 20 88 ,D'Jaffo 47
Bookings: Peschisolido 39, Page 73, Uhlenbeek 73
The Blades dealt Burnley's play-off hopes a major blow at Bramall Lane as Phil Jagielka hit his first senior goals for Sheffield United. Jagielka fired United into a 19th-minute lead, shooting home from the edge of the penalty area. Laurent D'Jaffo gave the scoreline a more realistic look when he rifled in a 20-yarder of his own two minutes after the break. And 19-year-old Jagielka capped a fine performance by shooting low into the bottom corner in the closing stages. The result will have been doubly satisfying for Warnock. His side have now defeated two promotion-chasers in the space of four days after the 3-2 victory against Millwall on Tuesday. But the Blades boss had also received criticism from various quarters following last Saturday's fiasco against West Brom. And he was the subject of some less-than-charitable comments from Burnley boss Stan Ternent before this encounter. United thoroughly deserved their win, having dominated for much of the match. The star player for the Blades was Paul Peschisolido, who caused chaos in the Burnley defence all afternoon. It was not until the half-hour mark that Burnley first threatened, David Johnson bringing the best out of Blades keeper Simon Tracey from 20 yards and then sending a left-foot curler just wide. United should have had more to show for their dominance after Jagielka's opener. But D'Jaffo was rewarded two minutes after the interval when he crashed home from 20 yards into the top corner. A rasping drive from Gascoigne was blocked by D'Jaffo as the Clarets enjoyed their best spell. But it was too little too late for Ternent's side and in the 88th minute Jagielka fired home his second into the bottom corner from Peter Ndlovu's cross.
22nd March
Jean-Phillipe Javary and Steve Lovell both have a great incentive to impress before the end of the season after making their debuts in midweek. The pair played their first games in the win over Millwall on Tuesday and they now have a month to try and persuade Neil Warnock they are deserving of contracts. Javary was signed on a non-contract basis last week after impressing on trial in several reserve-team appearances. The 24-year-old Frenchman was a free agent following spells with Raith, Brentford and Plymouth and could prove to be a useful addition to the squad after turning in an assured performance against the Lions. Lovell, meanwhile, was one of 16 players transfer-listed by Portsmouth earlier this week and is lacking full match-fitness, but Warnock will use the remaining four weeks of the season before deciding whether to try and sign him on a permanent basis.
21st March
West Brom have been awarded a 3-0 win and three points by the Football League after the abandonment of their game with Sheffield United. Last Saturday's game was abandoned eight minutes from time after United were reduced to six men through the dismissals of Simon Tracey, Georges Santos and Patrick Suffo, and injuries to Robert Ullathorne and Michael Brown. And a six-man Football League panel decided this afternoon to award West Brom - who were leading 3-0 at the time - the win. A League statement read: "The board of directors of the Football League has unanimously ruled that West Bromwich Albion will be awarded the three points for Saturday's abandoned game with Sheffield United." The Baggies chairman Paul Thompson admitted that United did not act improperly after Saturday's game and says no blame should be leveled at the directors or supporters.
20th March
Referee Eddie Wolstenholme will not be reporting the furore between managers Neil Warnock of Sheffield United and West Brom's Gary Megson during the game last weekend. The Football League will decide on Thursday whether to hand the three points to the Baggies, who were leading 3-0 on Saturday before the game was abandoned after 82 minutes with three Blades players sent off and two off injured after all three substitutes had been used."Neither manager will be reported, nor will I be reporting any remarks from the technical area," revealed Wolstenholme referring to an accusation that United boss Warnock allegedly told his players to feign injury to lead to the game's abandonment."Nothing was reported to me by the fourth official."They did both come to see me to ask questions, but both were well disciplined". Injury-hit pair Michael Brown and Paul Peschisolido await verdicts on their respective injuries before knowing how long they will be out. Brown will have an MRI scan today before seeing a surgeon on Monday. "They'll have an idea whether he'll need an operation or not after the MRI scan," said Neil Warnock. "The herniagram on Monday will confirm that." Warnock has revealed that Brown has been angered by claims that he feigned injury in Saturday's controversial clash with West Brom. The withdrawal of Brown and Rob Ullathorne forced the match to be abandoned as it left United with just six players on the pitch. "Michael's written to the PFA because he's been disappointed about comments made about him," added Warnock. Peschisolido, meanwhile, has been playing through the pain barrier. He is seeing a specialist in Manchester today to get to the root of his ankle problem.
LINE-UP
Tracey , Curle , Nicholson , Uhlenbeek , Page , Jagielka , Javary , Tonge (Smith 85), Lovell (Montgomery 78) , Peschisolido (D'Jaffo 78) , Ndlovu — Subs not used: De Vogt, Sandford
Scorers: Tonge 68, Ndlovu 88,90
Bookings: Peschisolido 56
Two late goals helped the Blades to a good victory over Millwall at Bramall Lane with goals from Peter Ndlovu and Michael Tonge. Early in the game Stuart Nethercott nearly put the ball in his own net as Steve Lovell threatened for United, but fortunately for Millwall his back-pass struck Tony Warner's left-hand post. Warner was on hand again to deny a couple of low drives from Ndlovu and Paul Peschisolido. Millwall scored the opening goal after 29 minutes, Cahill's cross was met by Ifill, who looped his header over Tracey and into the net. United went close shortly after, when Paul Peschisolido saw his header from Ndlovu's cross hit the bar. The Blades were back on level terms after 68 minutes when Tonge hammered a low shot past Warner from just inside the area. Millwall reaffirmed their advantage just five minutes later through Nethercott, whose header from Ifill's cross was fumbled over the line by Tracey. But,it was the Blades who were to have the final say on the night, Peter Ndlovu pulled things level for The Blades with a close-range shot after 88 minutes, and then made sure of all three points when he forced the ball home after the Millwall defence failed to clear a goalmouth scramble. United move up a place to 14th with the result, a point behind Gillingham.
Portsmouth striker Steve Lovell has joined United on loan until the end of the season.He could be allowed to leave Fratton Park on a permanent basis and will be looking to impress The Blades' management. Neil Warnock moved for Lovell after seeing his attacking options depleted.Paul Peschisolido and Laurent D'Jaffo are both carrying knocks while Carl Asaba is currently sidelined with an Achilles problem. Warnock is faced with a shortage of options for tonight's game with Millwall, although Shane Nicholson is set to come back into the side. New loan signing Steve Lovell is set to make his debut for United, but he may have to settle for a role as a substitute. Nicholson will replace hamstring victim Rob Ullathorne at left-back, while Nick Montgomery is likely to take over from Brown in midfield.
18th March
Blades boss Neil Warnock says he has nothing to be ashamed of after Saturday's game against West Brom was abandoned. The game was called off after 82 minutes, with West Brom winning 3-0, because the Blades only had six players left on the pitch.Under FA rules, a team cannot continue if they have less than seven players left on the pitch.I have no regrets about how my bench behaved Simon Tracey, George Santos and Patrick Suffo were sent off inside 64 minutes. West Brom manager Gary Megson claims that Michael Brown and Rob Ullathorne were told to come off injured to force an abandonment.But Warnock vehemently denies these accusations."I have no regrets about how my bench behaved," he insisted. "We did not try to get the game called off."How anybody can make such accusations before the referee has submitted his report is totally out of order."The only regret I have is that we didn't finish the game and that we ended up with no points."Ullathorne has a hamstring injury and Brown a groin injury."Laurent D'Jaffo and Paul Peschisolido were also struggling, so there were three or four injured out there." Warnock has placed Suffo on the transfer list following his head-butt on West Brom skipper Derek McInnes and told Santos he will never play for the club again after his challenge on Andy Johnson.
17th March
Blades manager Neil Warnock has rejected suggestions that he deliberately manufactured the abandonment of his side's match against West Brom, dubbed the 'Battle of Bramall Lane'. Baggies boss Gary Megson pointed the finger firmly at Warnock after a farcical match was scrapped by referee Eddie Wolstenholme.With just eight minutes to go, Wolstenholme blew time on the match after the Blades were reduced to six men with Albion leading 3-0. Wolstenholme sent three Blades players off, but controversy surrounds Sheffield United players Michael Brown and Robert Ullathorne who limped out of the action. I don't think there was a commitment from Sheffield United players and officials to finish the game Once Sheffield were down to six men, Wolstenholme was left with no choice under the laws of the game. Megson has already threatened not to take part if a Football League board meeting on Thursday orders the game to be replayedThe Albion boss said: "It was a total and utter shambles created by one person. "I am not naming names but there was a single person on their bench telling people to come off and go down, in the certain knowledge that the game would not be allowed to finish. "It is not for me to say who it was, but I know who it was. They are clutching at straws. You only have to speak to our physio "There was one manager telling his players they would be fined two weeks wages if they are sent off, and the other saying something else to his team. Albion chairman Paul Thompson backed Megson, claiming: "I don't think there was a commitment from Sheffield United players and officials to finish the game. "I was sat just behind the tunnel and dugout and when Michael Brown came off, he didn't look injured. "He appeared to be called off by the United bench, and that appeared to be without the referee's permission. Warnock refuted the suggestions, describing them as: "utter nonsense". Blades' boss Neil Warnock described allegations as "utter nonsense" He said: "I don't need to comment on such rubbish."They are clutching at straws. You only have to speak to our physio. "Michael Brown has been carrying a groin injury for six to eight weeks and he has to have a herniagram on Monday."We had men sent off and we didn't want to take risks with a big game coming up on Tuesday. "I didn't envisage Brown and Ullathorne getting injured," added Warnock who said he had no complaints with the dismissals of his players. "If a snooker player needs four snookers, or a tennis player is two sets down, all they have to do is walk off and get the game played again."If this isn't allowed to stand, in future whenever my team is 2-0 down I will bring my players off. Albion director Clive Stapleton said: "Sheffield United are embarrassed. Their directors have been apologising since the game finished. "The game was reduced to the level of parks football - and I might be doing parks football an injustice."
16th March
Sheffield United 0-3 West Bromwich Albion (Abandoned after 82 minutes)
Sent-Off: Tracey 8, Santos 63, Suffo 63
Sheffield United's First Division match against West Bromwich Albion was abandoned after the Blades were left with only six players on the field. The Blades had three players sent off and two had to leave the field through injury. West Brom were leading 3-0 when referee Eddie Wolstenholme brought the match to a halt with just eight minutes remaining. Football League officials will discuss in a meeting on Thursday whether to award the three points to the visitors or to order the game to be replayed. But West Brom manager Gary Megson insisted his side will refuse to take part if the League orders the game to be replayed. The game was ended after 82 minutes when Robert Ullathorne limped off, reducing Neil Warnock's United team to six men. Megson said: "There will be no replay. If we are called back to Bramall Lane we shall kick-off and then walk off the pitch."I've been in professional football since 16 and I'm 42 now. I've never ever witnessed anything as disgraceful as that. "There is no place for that in any game of football, let alone professional football. Football League spokesman John Nagle said: "The Football League has the authority to allow the result to stand, or to order the game to be replayed. "The matter will be discussed at the league's board meeting on Thursday, following a full examination of the relevant information." The afternoon began badly when Blades keeper Simon Tracey was sent off on nine minutes for handling Scott Dobie's shot outside the penalty area. Deputy goalkeeper Wilko de Vogt came on at the expense of Peter Ndlovu. Ten-men Blades held out for ten minutes until Dobie scored with a diving header from Andy Johnson's cross. It was not until the 62nd minute that Albion added a second goal, with Derek McInnes powering home a shot from the edge of the penalty area. he game exploded in the 65th minute when George Santos, who had come on seconds earlier, clattered into Andy Johnson and was sent off. There is some history between the pair, Santos having his jaw broken by a swinging Johnson elbow while the Albion man was at Nottingham Forest. In the skirmish that followed another substitute, Patrick Suffo head-butted West Brom defender Darren Moore and was also dismissed. The game degenerated into farce and United captain Keith Curle was lucky to escape a red card after appearing to land punches on McInnes. then a third goal for West Brom came in the 77th minute when Moore headed a deep corner kick back across the goalline and Dobie pounced. Blades' Michael Brown had already limped off in the 79th minute and Ullathorne's injury meant the game had to be stopped.
12th March
Manchester City winger Terry Cooke has joined the Blades on trial and could play in the reserve game tomorrow.Cooke has trained with the rest of The Blades' squad today and is expected to turn out for the reserves tomorrow night. Boss Neil Warnock views Cooke as a potential replacement for Paul Devlin on the right-wing after previously looking at Stuart Ripley and Nick Wright on trial.
11th March
Neil Warnock has vowed to keep hold of the club's talented youngsters such as Michael Brown, Michael Tonge and Phil Jagielka. The talented trio and others have caught the eye with their performances this season and are attracting interest from elsewhere, but Warnock insists United will do everything possible to ensure they stay put. "There's no way we'll sell those players unless we receive silly money," said the Blades boss. Warnock says that the youngsters feature prominently in his plans for next season as he plots a promotion push. "It's exciting to think about the prospect of adding some new faces to the existing squad," added Warnock. "I just hope I'm lucky in the transfer market." A striker is at the top of Warnock's wanted list as he looks to solve the problems United have experienced in front of goal this season.
LINE-UP
Tracey, Uhlenbeek, Curle, Page, Ullathorne, Brown, Tonge (Santos 74), Jagielka, Ndlovu (Nicholson 82), D'Jaffo (Asaba 74), Peschisolido — Subs not used: De Vogt, Montgomery
Scorer: D'Jaffo 29
Bookings: D'Jaffo 43, Uhlenbeek 80
Laurent D'Jaffo's early strike wasn't enough for the Blades at Oakwell, nevertheless it was a useful point for the Blades. While Barnsley are still in trouble at near the bottom of Division One. The game started at a lightening pace. Gus Uhlenbeek hit the woodwork for the United. The Blades finally made the breakthrough as D'Jaffo finished off a swift breakaway move. Michael Brown surged down the left and crossed to Paul Peschisolido, whose blocked shot found D'Jaffo to fire home. But the Barnsley got their goal just before half-time. on-loan Kevin Betsy floated a cross to the back-post and found Dyer to head home. After the break Barnsley's Chris Lumsdon was only denied by a brilliant stop from Simon Tracey, who then produced another spectacular save to block Naylor's shot. With 11 minutes left United were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men when Naylor was chopped down by Uhlenbeek on the edge of the box. From the Darren Barnard's free kick Curle was forced to clear off the line to ensure United held on for a point.
8th March
Neil Warnock is must decide whether to restore Carl Asaba to the side at the expense of Laurent D'Jaffo for tomorrow's clash at Barnsley. Asaba made a return to action as a substitute in the midweek game at Coventry after missing the previous two games with an Achilles injury, and it appears that D'Jaffo would be the man to make way.Lee Sandford is available again after serving a three-match ban.
Keith Curle is considering the offer of a new 12-month contract on reduced terms, which would allow him to continue playing and coaching. Warnock is keen to keep the experienced defender, but he is unable to match the salary he has been receiving since arriving from Wolves in the summer of 2000. Curle, who will be 39 in November, is determined to carry on playing beyond his 40th birthday.Rob Ullathorne has committed himself to United by signing a new one-year contract, with a view to a longer-team deal. Ullathorne, who was on week-to-week terms after rejoining The Blades before Christmas, is now under contract until the end of next season.
LINE-UP
Tracey, Ullathorne, Page, Curle, Uhlenbeek, Brown, Tongue (Montgomery 82), Jagielka (Santos 86), Ndlovu (Asaba 77), Peschisolido, D'Jaffo — Subs not used: De Vogt, Nicholson
Bookings: Ullathorne 27
A goal from David Thompson gave Coventry a narrow victory over the Blades at Highfield Road. Thompson tapped home from close range just before the interval and City kept a spirited United side at bay in the second half.Coventry should have taken the lead as early as the sixth minute when Muhamed Konjic's header from Barry Quinn's free-kick crashed against the post. United fought back and earned a ninth-minute corner, Robert Ullathorne latching on to Michael Tonge's cross but drilling wide.City snatched the lead in first-half injury time when Thompson tapped home from close range after Tracey parried Gary Breen's drive from a Youssef Safri cross.United almost drew level just seconds into the second half when Safri cleared Robert page's header off the line after an accurate inswinging corner from Michael Brown.Coventry boss Roland Nilsson introduced Youssef Chippo and Julian Joachim in place of Bothroyd and Hughes as he attempted to put the game beyond United's reach.But the move failed to stem the tide of United pressure and, after Safri was booked for a foul on Peter Ndlovu, Barry Quinn needed to block Page's powerful header from Tonge's cross.As United began to sense an equaliser Ndlovu was replaced by Carl Asaba and Nick Montgomery went on for Tonge.Asaba should have made an instant impact but his close-range header was cleared.With three minutes remaining Michael Brown's corner was cleared as United poured forward, but the breakthrough would not come for the Blades..
5th March
Patrick Suffo and Michael Tonge are set to return at Coventry tomorrow, while Carl Asaba and Bobby Ford have been ruled out. Asaba is to have a scan today after missing the last two games with an Achilles problem. Paul Furlong was due to complete his spell on loan from Birmingham, but he has returned to St Andrews after suffering a hamstring injury in Saturday's game against Stockport. Ford is also expected to be missing on Wednesday after suffering a dead leg, while Tonge maybe recalled to the midfield following his comeback from injury as a substitute on Saturday. Tongue is expected to take Ford's place in the side. United have also been boosted by Suffo's return to training following a knee injury and the Cameroon international could compete with Laurent D'Jaffo to fill the vacancy in attack alongside Paul Peschisolido.
LINE-UP
Tracey, Uhlenbeek, Page, Curle, Ullathorne, Ford (Tonge 36), Brown, Jagielka, Ndlovu, Peschisolido (Santos 77), Furlong (D'Jaffo 24) — Subs not used: Nicholson, Montgomery
Scorers: Woodthorpe (OG) 51 , Peschisolido 55, Ndlovu 61
The Blades swept rock-bottom Stockport aside with a superb second-half display. Strikes from Paul Peschisolido, Peter Ndlovu and an own-goal from Colin Woodthorpe sealed Stockport's fate. Carlton Palmer's men simply had no answer.United took the lead six minutes into the second half, when Woodthorpe headed past his own keeper. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Luke Beckett was sent off for a second bookable offence after 53 minutes. From the resulting free-kick, Keith Curle found Paul Peschisolido who blasted home a spectacular effort from 25 yards to double the Blades advantage. United then killed off Stockport with a third goal on the hour, Ndlovu netting after the goalkeeper had parried Michael Tonge's effort.
1st March
Carl Asaba and Patrick Suffo are still battling against injury. Asaba is still struggling with an Achilles problem while Suffo picked up a knock playing for the reserves and, with a shortage of cover in attack, Neil Warnock is expected to keep Paul Peschisolido in the side despite the Canada international still receiving treatment on a foot problem. Michael Tonge is expected to return to the side from injury after making his comeback in the midweek reserve game against Rotherham. Warnock is keen to give some of the younger players a run in the side between now and the end of the season. Tonge could take over from Bobby Ford in midfield, who is tipped to quit The Blades when his contract expires in the summer. United picked up an impressive win at Crystal Palace last week, while Stockport are rooted to the foot of the table, well adrift of the teams above them. They have won just once away from home this season.