30th April Chesterfield's Ian Breckin could be a target for Neil Warnock. Breckin is regarded by many as one of the best players in the lower divisions and he is looking to make the step up to Division One. Warnock has spoken of his plan to sign someone who can play at right-back and in central defence to increase the level of competition. Breckin fits the bill as he is mainly regarded as a centre-back, but has appeared many times on the right-hand side of defence. A possible stumbling block is that he is under contract to Chesterfield for another year and Warnock will have little cash, if any, to spend in the transfer market.

28th April Right-back Gus Uhlenbeek is set for talks with Colin Lee to discuss the prospect of returning to Walsall. Uhlenbeek has hinted in the past that he would consider making the move permanent.Uhlenbeek comes to the end of his contract at Bramall Lane this summer. Neil Warnock has already told him that he will not be offering him a new deal.

27th April Neil Warnock says he is highly unlikely to be able to make any major signings over the summer, due to the club's wage bill. Warnock has been instructed to cut the wage bill by a third and he began the process last week by releasing six players. Experienced trio Gus Uhlenbeek, Bobby Ford, Laurent D'Jaffo and Georges Santos will leave Bramall Lane when their contracts expire next month. Adam Burley and Mark Ward, both products of the youth system, are also leaving. Warnock is likely to be restricted to signing players on 'Frees'. Even though the signing of a proven striker is Warnock's top priority.

25th April Bobby Ford could be heading for Reading after being released by United, with Wigan also interested in the former Oxford midfielder. Ford is keen to return south after spending four-and-a-half years at Bramall Lane. Ford made over 150 appearances for The Blades after signing from Oxford. With the emergence of youngsters Phil Jagielka, Michael Tonge and Nick Montgomery, Ford was pushed down the pecking order.

23rd April Neil Warnock will not make a decision on whether to sign Steve Lovell until next month's board meeting. Lovell ended the season with United on loan from Portsmouth, scoring one goal in five appearances. Warnock was quite pleased with the striker's contribution, but he is unable to make any transfer plans before holding talks with the board. A striker will be one of Warnock's main targets post season.Warnock will almost certainly be limited to the signing of just one striker to compete with Carl Asaba and Paul Peschisolido.

21st April Birmingham City 2-0 Sheffield United (Attendance: 29,178)
Line-up: Tracey,Doane, Murphy, Page (Cryan 74), Ullathorne, Ndlovu, Javary (Lovell 67), Jagielka, Tonge, Smith (Montgomery 72), D'Jaffo
Subs Not Used: De Vogt, Nicholson
Bookings: Murphy 31, Page 68

Second-half goals from Geoff Horsfield and Martin Grainger condemed United to defeat at Birmingham City.The game was marred when Darren Purse collected a deserved straight red card in the 77th minute when he brought down substitute Nick MontgomeryStern John broke on the right and his cross was allowed to go unchecked by Tommy Mooney who watched Grainger's hooked shot bounce high forcing Simon Tracey to jump high to fingertip the effort away.There was some heavy tackling by both teams with Horsfield and Shaun Murphy having a running battle. The outcome was that Murphy collected a yellow card after tripping the Birmingham striker. But the game changed dramatically on the hour as Birmingham finally broke United's resistance.Following a throw-in Bryan Hughes put a low ball into the middle. Both Murphy and Rob Page failed to clear and Horsfield turned and scored from a couple of yards.The game was effectively settled two minutes later when Grainger fired a rocket free-kick past Tracey from 25 yards.Purse collected his red card for a foul on Montgomery, which resulted in Steve Vickers being drafted into the match for the final 13 minutes.The Blades finish the season in 13th position.

19th April Shaun Murphy has been removed from the transfer list after signing a new contract to keep him at Bramall Lane until 2004. Murphy had requested to be placed on the transfer list, and after returning from a loan spell at Crystal Palace found his place in the Blades first team blocked. He has now forced his way back into Neil Warnock's Team, and has been rewarded with a contract extension.

18th April Young French defender Benoit Croissant has signed a 12-month contract extension while Irish prospect Colin Cryan is considering a similar offer. Croissant joined United on trial last summer after being released by French club Troyes and after impressing in pre-season, he was handed a one-year contract. Neil Warnock has been pleased with Croissant's progress in the reserves and feels he could eventually force his way into the senior squad. Cryan, meanwhile, is thinking over the offer of another 12-month contract. The 21-year-old Dubliner has made a handful of appearances in the first team and has been on the substitutes bench in recent weeks. Cryan's first-team prospects could improve if, as expected, Lee Sandford quits Bramall Lane in the summer.

17th April Nick Montgomery is the latest youngster to pledge his future to the Blades, signing a deal which will keep him at the club until 2005. Michael Tonge and Phil Jagielka have all been secured on new contracts this season. Montgomery has been on the fringes of the side this season after making the first-team breakthrough this season.Warnock is looking for Montgomery to maintain the level of progress he has made so far and the player's target will be to get a good pre-season and holding down a regular place in the side next season.

16th April Contract talks are continuing with young Irish defender Colin Cryan, who has impressed in the reserve team this season. Cryan has made three appearances as a substitute so far for The Blades.Cryan would probably have made his full debut in Saturday's game against Walsall had the visitors not been battling against relegation. The manager felt it would be unfair on other struggling sides if he put out an experimental side, so the youngster had to settle for a place on the bench.

14th April United have agreed a two-year deal to keep French midfielder Jean-Phillipe Javary at the club on a permanent basis. Javary, who has had short spells with Brentford, Plymouth, Raith Rovers and Partick Thistle, initially joined on a non-contract basis until the end of the season, but his form has impressed Blades boss Neil Warnock enough to seal a full contract. Javary grabbed the opening goal in the impressive 3-0 away win at Watford last weekend and Warnock is clearly delighted to have completed the deal for the 24-year-old.

Neil Warnock said it was simply "one of those days" as The Blades lost 1-0 at home to battling Walsall but is glad his side can take local pride. Jorge Leitao's 44th-minute goal saved The Saddlers from the drop but meant the last game of the season at Bramall Lane was a damp squib for United fans. Warnock said: "We're disappointed obviously but it's just one of those days. "We've gone to sleep once and they've taken their chance really well but in the second half, we've done everything but score." United will finish the season higher than any of their local rivals - an achievement which is not lost on Warnock. He added: "It was a credit to the fans that over 20,000 turned out to see us and it's great that we've been the best team in South Yorkshire for the second year running."

13th April Sheffield United 0-1 Walsall (Attendance: 20,520)
Line-up: Tracey, Doane, Page, Murphy, Ullathorne, Ndlovu (Smith 78), Javary (Montgomery 60), Jagielka, Tonge, D'Jaffo, Lovell (Killeen 60)
Subs Not Used: De Vogt, Cryan
Bookings: Lovell 56

The Blades started brightly with full-back Rob Ullathorne thumping in a teasing corner in the 15th minute which evaded the Walsall back four and striker Laurent D'Jaffo, steaming in at the far post was unable to connect. Walsall carved out a half chance on 22 minutes after D'Jaffo conceded a free-kick on the right flank. Darren Wrack curled the ball into the box and Pedro Matias connected with a firm header, but ballooned the ball high over the bar. Walsall went ahead two minutes before half time. United failed to cut out Zigor Aranalde's deep cross from the left. Keeper Simon Tracey got a hand to the ball to sweep it away from the feet of Matias, but Leitao was at the far post to steer the ball over the line. The Blades went close minutes after the restart. Aranalde stuck out a foot to push Steve Lovell's penetrating cross away for a corner under pressure from Peter Ndlovu. Lovell managed to reach Ullathorne's corner but blasted his close-range effort over the top. D'Jaffo was a whisker away from grabbing an equaliser on 59 minutes, his spectacular rising strike from almost 25 yards beating Jimmy Walker but the ball grazed the top of a bar. D'Jaffo hit the woodwork again in the 79th minute as he stretched to meet a Rob Page cross, his header cannoning off the post.Phil Jagielka smashed in a fierce strike from 25 yards which took a deflection, the ball curling over the bar. United stay in 13th position in Division One.

10th April Keith Curle is battling to regain full fitness in time for Saturday's game against Walsall and present Neil Warnock with a defensive poser. Curle missed last weekend's 3-0 victory at Watford with a knee injury and his absence allowed Shaun Murphy to make an immediate return to the side after completing a spell on loan at Crystal Palace. Murphy put in a strong performance alongside Robert Page and Warnock will be faced with a tough decision if Curle declares his availability. Curle will be hoping to dislodge Murphy if he proves his fitness after having forged a good understanding with Page, who is certain of a place following an impressive first season at Bramall Lane.

9th April Neil Warnock looks set to bring in another keeper over the summer to provide cover for senior shot-stoppers Wilko de Vogt and Simon Tracey. United have got by with only two keepers this season, with de Vogt acting as Tracey's understudy.
But it is a risky policy which threatened to pose Warnock with a problem recently when Tracey was suspended for the game at Crewe, and there was a doubt over de Vogt's fitness. Warnock was forced to name his assistant Kevin Blackwell as a substitute, despite the fact that Blackwell is 43 and has not played for several years. With none of the younger keepers at the club ready for elevation to the senior squad, Warnock is expected to sign another specialist as a safe-guard.

7th April Neil Warnock believes his side were geed up by recent events involving West Brom, for which the repercussions are still being felt, following the Blades 3-0 win at Watford on Saturday. United were cleared by the FA of attempting to force the abandoned match against the Baggies on March 16 to be called off early although the club have still been charged on six counts relating to the match."We are not proud of that afternoon but it had a good effect on the dressing room," admitted Blades boss Warnock."We are quite tight-knit now because that appeared to forge us together."We let our football do the talking and I thought we could have scored more but we provided a rare delight for United fans seeing us three goals up with 15 minutes to go. "People talk about end of the season games but we have brought in several youngsters and for them it is the beginning of the season and while I personally could have settled for it finishing now they want it to go on and on.

6th April Watford 0-3 Sheffield United (Attendance: 13,377)
Line-up: De Vogt, Doan, Murphy, Page, Ullathorne, Jagielka, Tonge (Montgomery 80), Javary, Lovell (Nicholson 82), D'Jaffo (Smith 86), Ndlovu
Subs Not Used: Tracey, Cryan
Scorers: Javary 13, Jagielka 39, Lovell 62

Sheffield United extended Watford's miserable run to just one point from their last four games with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Vicarage Road. Watford controlled the opening passage of play, but were stung by the Blades' first attack after 13 minutes.Gavin Mahon was caught ball watching as Steve Lovell sprinted clear down the right. After reaching the by-line, he cut the ball back across the six-yard box for Jean-Phillipe Javary to slide home from close range. The Hornets sought an instant response, and tested the Blades keeper with two good efforts. In the 37th minute Paul Robinson joined Paul Okon in the book for a foul, but his indiscretion was to have far more serious consequences for his teammates. From Michael Tonge's resulting free kick, Phil Jagielka was afforded enough space in the area to sidefoot home from around 12 yards. Lloyd Doyley was brought on after a collision near the goal line meant Gavin Mahon had to be stretchered off. He was soon joined by Heidar Helguson and Anthony McNamee as Watford sought to find a route back into the game at the start of the second half. It came as no surprise when United increased their lead after 62 minutes when Lovell raced clear to crack a right-footed half volley into the far corner from just inside the area.

3rd April Neil Warnock looks set to draft some youngsters into the side to face Watford on Saturday, following Phil Jagielka's impressive form of late. Jagielka is not the only youngster to have impressed recently with Grant Smith having been handed a couple of run-outs as a substitute. Young French defender Benoit Croissant and Irishman Colin Cryan could force their way into Warnock's plans for the remaining fixtures and Ryan Mallon, who made a brief appearance as a substitute against Grimsby in October, is another who could be considered. Tyrone Thompson will also hope to be given a chance.

2nd April Sheffield United 0-1 Wimbledon (Attendance: 19,712)
Line-up: De Vogt, Doane, Page, Curle, Nicholson, Tonge (Javary 42), Jagielka, Montgomery (Lovell 67), Ford, Ndlovu, D'Jaffo (Smith 60)
Subs Not Used: Tracey, Sandford
Booking: Javary 45

It was a poor performance from the Blades at the lane this afternoon in front of 19712. Wimbledon started best and Neil Shipperley missed a good early chance, knocking a header off target from eight yards.United's first chance came in the 25th minute after Laurent D’Jaffo and Shane Nicholson exchanged passes as the latter raced into the box.However away keeper Kelvin Davis was quickly out to dive at his feet.Nicholson then tried his luck with a curling free-kick a yard outside the area, which Davis did well to smother at the foot of the far post.The Dons snatched the lead in the 37th minute after Patrick Agyemang cut inside to crack in a fierce shot from just inside the box.The ball cannoned of Wilko de Vogt’s knees to the lurking Ardley, whose stinging shot took a deflection off Keith Curle to wrong-foot the keeper and spin over the line.Then, Bobby Ford hammered in a shot that Davis did well to push away as D’Jaffo steamed in looking for a rebound.United had the better of the second period, with Grant Smith and Steve Lovell both testing Davis with shots. They came close to levelling in the 73rd minute when a stinging Peter Ndlovu strike was pushed away by an acrobatic Davis save, after Wimbledon had failed to cut out Lovell’s precise cross from the right.Ndlovu had another good chance a minute from time, but unmarked and just eight yards out he toe-poked the ball wide.