30th October Derby County 2-1 Sheffield United (Attendance: 23,525)
Line-up: Kenny , Kozluk , Murphy , Page , Yates , Tonge , McCall (McGovern 89) , Brown , Jagielka , Boulding (Ndlovu 25) (Ten Heuvel 89) , Asaba
Subs not used: Harley , Montgomery
Scorer: Murphy 23
Bookings: Murphy 34

The Blades unbeaten run finally came to an end at Pride Park as United lost 2-1. Izale McLeod and Deon Burton grabbed the goals for Derby after Shaun Murphy had given the Blades the lead. United had won four of their five previous games and gradually took control with Murphy netting from close range in the 23rd minute after Derby failed to deal with a corner. But McLeod sparked a fightback with a 36th minute equaliser after Georgi Kinkladze and former United winger Lee Morris had put him in on goal. McLeod's pace was a constant threat to United who did not look the same side after on-loan striker Michael Boulding limped off in the first half. Derby gradually grew in confidence and threatened to take the lead on several occasions with McLeod forcing Paddy Kenny into two excellent saves. But United almost went back in front when Carl Asaba drove a left-foot shot just wide in the 74th minute but the last word went to Derby. Burton, who had not played before under manager John Gregory, marked his first Derby appearance since January with a well-taken goal after United failed to clear a corner from the left. Neil Warnock made two late changes but although there was three minutes of stoppage time, it was not enough for United to rescue a match that had run away from them. This was a vital win for Derby who were missing experienced players through injury but the enthusiasm of McLeod suggests this game could be a turning point in their season. It was United’s first defeat in six games. The Blades are now in 5th place in Division One.

30th October United have signed Fulham defender Jon Harley on a one-month loan. Neil Warnock has been looking to strengthen his defence since Robert Ullathorne was ruled out for six weeks following a double hernia operation. Former Chelsea full-back Harley cost Fulham £3.5 million last year, but has failed to make an impact at Craven Cottage.

29th October Neil Warnock has not ruled out the possibility of Wayne Allison playing some part in their game at Derby. The striker missed Saturday's draw with Wimbledon after sustaining a slight stomach strain and he was replaced by Grant Smith. Carl Asaba and Laurens Ten Heuvel are both improving with their fitness and could be called into the squad. The Blades have dismissed the latest round of speculation linking Michael Tonge with a move away from Bramall Lane. Tottenham are believed to be the latest Premiership club to have checked out the 19-year-old, who has also reportedly attracted the interest of Liverpool. United have confirmed on-loan winger Michael Boulding is to stay at Bramall Lane for a further month.

26th October Sheffield United 1-1 Wimbledon (Attendance: 17,372)
Line-up: Kenny , Kozluk , Yates , Murphy , Page , Brown , Smith (Asaba 45) , Jagielka , Tonge , Ndlovu (Boulding 78) , McGovern (Ten Heuvel 45)
Subs not used: McCall , Montgomery
Scorer: Asaba 90
Bookings: Brown 66

Blades striker Carl Asaba grabbed a last-gasp equaliser to save the Blades' blushes against lowly Wimbledon. Half-time substitute Asaba, who is not fully fit after a back injury, knocked the ball in from close range after Laurens Ten Heuvel got in a header with United desperately trying to snatch an equaliser as the seconds ticked away deep into stoppage time. Wimbledon’s David Connolly scored his first goal of the season after 12 minutes. The Republic of Ireland international, in only his third appearance of the campaign after a knee injury, latched on to Nigel Reo-Coker's pass to slide the ball past Paddy Kenny in the United goal. Grant Smith then had an effort saved as United looked to make an immediate response, before Jermaine Darlington wasted a good opening for the visitors, as he put a free header wide from Darren Holloway's cross. United looked out of sorts - particularly in defence, and it didn't help having a small section of the crowd constantly `booing` every mistake made by the United players. In the second half, United piled on the pressure as manager Neil Warnock threw on two new strikers in an attempt to show more teeth - Asaba and Ten Heuvel. Asaba was in the thick of the action within a minute with a header that went wide, before he struck a volley that soared over the bar from Ndlovu's cross. Then Shaun Murphy headed over the top after a free-kick given when Peter Hawkins fouled Asaba.Asaba looped a difficult chance over the top after Ndlovu was given space to cross from the right and centre back Shaun Murphy headed over from close range as United looked for a way back. Kenny kept United in the game again with an eye catching stop to divert Joel McAnuff's long-range strike and United escaped again when Nigel Reo-Coker tumbled over in the area with Murphy and Michael Brown snapping at his heels. United almost levelled matters in the dying seconds, when substitute Laurens Ten Heuvel headed wide from eight yards out. In the dying seconds Brown carved out the equaliser, when his cross was headed back across the goalmouth by Ten Heuvel, for Asaba to bundle over the line. It appeared it was not to be United’s day, but at the death, Carl Asaba scored the equaliser ensuring the Blades stay in 4th place in Division One.

25th October Neil Warnock will delay naming his side for the clash with Wimbledon as Wayne Allison is doubtful with a shoulder injury. Steve Yates is expected to continue at left-back, while Warnock has the luxury of several options in midfield and up front. Stuart McCall could also return to the side having been rested against the Potters. Robert Ullathorne, who missed United's fourth successive win, will have surgery to cure a long-standing hernia problem and could be out for up to six weeks.

23rd October Sheffield United 2-1 Stoke City (Attendance: 15,163)
Line-up: Kenny , Kozluk , Murphy , Yates , Page , Brown , Jagielka , Tonge (McCall 80) , Asaba (Ndlovu 59) , Allison , McGovern (Boulding 60)
Subs not used: Montgomery , Ten Heuvel
Scorers: Handyside (own goal) 63, Brown 70
Bookings: Ndlovu 73

The Blades moved up into fourth spot as they dumped managerless Stoke City with two goals in eight minutes. United are now unbeaten in ten matches. In the first half, Carl Asaba and Wayne Allison blew a string of chances as United failed to cash in on their stylish approach work. Asaba spun cleverly in the 12th minute but dragged his shot wide and seconds later he failed to control an awkward ball and hoisted his effort over. Asaba then created a chance for Allison when he stabbed the ball through but his effort was off target. Another shot from Asaba brought a last-ditch block from Stoke keeper Neil Cutler. In the opening minutes of the second period Stoke’s Tommy Mooney's glancing header was pushed away by keeper Paddy Kenny. Kenny produced another good save six minutes later, holding Bjarni Gudjonsson's powerful strike. An injury to Carl Asaba proved the catalyst for the Blades, with manager Neil Warnock forced to replace the striker in the 59th Minute due to a back problem. Substituted by Peter Ndlovu, Ndlovu immediately hit the post with his first effort on goal and then forced defender Handyside to turn the ball into his own net under pressure with 62 minutes gone. Eight minutes later, the Blades all but sealed the three points when Brown fired home from the penalty spot after Wayne Thomas had brought down Tonge inside the area. Stoke pulled themselves back into the game when substitute Greenacre claimed his first goal for the club with a finish from 18 yards. But United held on to ensure they did not throw away the win their performance deserved.

22nd October Neil Warnock will have midfielder Phil Jagielka back from suspension for the home game with Stoke City. Jagielka missed the 4-2 win over Brighton as he served a one-match ban following his red card against Watford last month. Carl Asaba, who scored a hat-trick against the Seagulls, is also a doubt as he is yet to reach full fitness after a back problem. Warnock will make a late decision on the forward but may have to do without defender Rob Ullathorne who is struggling with a hernia

19th October Brighton & Hove Albion 2-4 Sheffield United (Attendance: 6,810)
Line-up: Kenny , Yates , Murphy , Page , Ullathorne (Kozluk 64) , Tonge , McCall (McGovern 66) , Brown , Ndlovu , Boulding (Asaba 59) , Allison
Subs not used: Montgomery , de Vogt
Scorers: Brown 70, Asaba 77 86 88

Carl Asaba destroyed Steve Coppell's hopes of a dream start to his career as Brighton manager with a second-half hat-trick. Brighton were two up at half-time and looking anything but relegation fodder as they went in search of a first home victory of the season. But they could not hold on as the Blades battled back. United boss Neil Warnock had warned his players to expect their toughest test of the season so far in the wake of Coppell's appointment as boss. Brighton went ahead when Gary Hart, who was recalled to the starting line-up by Coppell, met Graham Barrett's cross with a powerful header past Paddy Kenny. Eleven minutes later Barrett scored his first goal for the Seagulls when he thumped a header into the roof of the net from Bobby Zamora's left-wing cross. Warnock sent on Asaba in the 60th minute for his first appearance for a month after a back injury, and United pulled one back 10 minutes later when Michael Brown fired in a low shot from the edge of the box. United drew level after 77 minutes when Michael Tonge burst forward from midfield and drew a tackle, with Asaba pouncing on the loose ball. Asaba was then bundled over in the penalty box by Brighton goalkeeper Michels Kuipers and got up to score the 86th-minute penalty. He completed his hat-trick with another penalty two minutes later after Adam Virgo had pulled down in-form striker Wayne Allison. The Blades move up to 4th place after another superb win.

17th October Steve Yates, Rob Kozluk and Carl Asaba all look to be in contention for the Blades game at Brighton. Yates and Kozluk will be competing for the right-back vacancy for Saturday's clash at The Withdean Stadium. Phil Jagielka is ruled out through suspension. Asaba, who has been sidelined for United's last four games, could be included among the substitutes.

16th October United have completed the signing of on-loan goalkeeper Paddy Kenny from Bury for an undisclosed fee. The keeper was signed on a three-month loan deal from the Bury in the close season as cover for long-term injury victim Simon Tracey. Blades manager Neil Warnock stepped in to make Kenny's move permanent as the loan period is up this week.

14th October The Blades have been boosted by news that defender Steve Yates is to resume training following a groin strain. Yates has not played since picking up the injury in earlier in the season.He is unlikely to be included in the squad for Saturday's trip to Brighton but is close to returning, as is striker Paul Peschisolido, who has been missing for a month with a foot injury.

11th October Blades assistant boss Kevin Blackwell has denied reports that Liverpool have lined up a £3m deal for Michael Tonge. The 19-year-old midfielder has earned rave reviews since breaking into Neil Warnock's first team on a regular basis last season. Assistant boss Blackwell confirmed a number of Premiership scouts were monitoring Tonge's progress but insisted no club had been in direct contact with Bramall Lane. Tonge has scored five goals for the Blades this season and has forced his way into the England Under-20 set-up. He has reportedly been tracked by Reds boss Gerard Houllier for the past 12 months, although Tottenham, Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Newcastle are also interested.

7th October Goalkeeper Simon Tracey expects to be back in action by the end of this month after recovering from summer knee surgery. Tracey has not played for the Blades this season. Tracey knows he will face a fight on his hands to win his place back from Paddy Kenny when he finally makes his comeback.

6th October United could be without Phil Jagielka for the match at Brighton in two weeks' time.The 20-year-old will have to serve a one-match suspension after being sent off during last week's defeat against Watford. Neil Warnock has decided against making a formal appeal after the controversial dismissal. United lost the game 2-1 after Jagielka saw red in the 35th minute.

5th October Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 Sheffield United (Attendance: 24,625)
Line-up: Kenny , Murphy , Page , Ullathorne , Brown , Jagielka , Tonge (Smith 90) , McCall , Allison , Ndlovu , Boulding (Montgomery 73)
Subs not used: Doane , McGovern , Ten Heuvel
Scorers: Tonge 45 50, Allison 48
Bookings: Brown 10, Page 47

The Blades struck three times in an inspired performance. Midfielder Michael Tonge grabbed a brace and in-form striker Wayne Allison scored his fourth in four games. Wolves had been fortunate to lead through a Rob Ullathorne own goal, but there was no way back after United's purple patch. Alex Rae orchestrated the 35th-minute opening goal slipping a pass through to George Ndah, whose cut-back was turned past goalkeeper Paddy Kenny by Ullathorne. But the Blades equalised with a Tonge strike deep into first-half added time. Within three minutes of the restart United were ahead when Ullathorne sent over a pinpoint cross for Allison to fire in a bullet header. Wolves barely had time to catch their breath before it was 3-1, with Tonge striking a superb 15-yard shot past Murray in the home goal after 50 minutes. There were few chances in the first half, but United were the better side and posed plenty of problems. Goalkeeper Kenny was twice called on to make saves, keeping out a shot from Marc Edworthy and tipping over Ndah's header, but Wolves were stuggling to stay with the Blades. Michael Boulding nearly scored a fourth goal but was denied by Murray before Wolves briefly awoke from their slumber. Ullathorne denied Kenny Miller at the far post with a timely clearance, and substitute Kevin Cooper had a shot from distance deflected narrowly wide. It was the Blades who finished the stronger, with Murray denying Michael Brown and Ndlovu in the dying minutes. This win puts United in 5th position in Division One.

5th October The Blades have been handed a home derby against Leeds United following Saturday afternoon's League Cup third round draw. The Blades welcome their Yorkshire neighbours to Bramall Lane on either 5th/6th November, with the tie decided on the night. The Blades have had home victories over York City and Wycombe Wanderers to reach the third round, with Leeds entering at this stage of the competition due to their involvement in Europe.

2nd October Neil Warnock faces a selection poser in defence ahead of Saturday's game at Wolves, with Phil Jagielka and now Robert Page vying to start. Page made his first start since the opening day of the season in Tuesday night's 4-1 League Cup win over Wycombe. His appearance in central defence resulted in Jagielka reverting to midfield, with Stuart McCall being rested as part of the re-shuffle. McCall, who has had a great influence on United this season, looks certain to play on Saturday leaving Warnock with a choice between Page and Jagielka at the back. Warnock was full of praise for Michael Boulding after he scored against Wycombe. Boulding netted the opening goal, although a lack of recent match action saw him struggle towards the end of the game. Warnock believes Boulding will prove to be a very useful signing once he has regained full-match fitness, adding: "He now needs a few games under his belt."

1st October Sheffield United 4-1 Wycombe Wanderers (Attendance: 4,389)
Line-up: Kenny , Doane , Murphy , Ullathorne , Page , Brown , Tonge , Jagielka (Montgomery 82) , Boulding (Ndlovu 74) , Allison , McGovern (Ten Heuvel 84)
Subs not used: McCall , Smith
Scorers: Boulding 14, Brown 48 87, Montgomery 86

The Blades brushed aside Wycombe Wanderers to reach the third round of the League Cup. Neil Warnock said earlier this season that he is sure a First Division side will win this competition in the next couple of years. And goals from Michael Boulding, Nick Montgomery and two from Michael Brown ensured it could still be United this season. United created two good chances in the opening 10 minutes as Wycombe struggled to contain wave after wave of United attacks. In the 14th minute United scored, Boulding drilled home a low left-foot shot from the edge of the box. The Blades continued to dominate after taking the lead, with Brown in particular dominating in the centre of the park. United doubled their lead three minutes after the interval. Boulding played in Brown, who slipped the ball past Taylor. Wycombe’s response was a triple-substitution, but any hopes of an unlikely comeback were finally extinguished by the dismissal of goalkeeper Martin Taylor for deliberate handball outside the box. And without a recognised keeper on the bench, midfielder player Steve Brown was forced to play in goal for the last 15 minutes. Montgomery and Brown made their advantage count with two goals in quick succession. Wycombe did score a last-minute consolation with Paul McCarthy heading in Michael Simpson's free-kick.