30th August Sheffield United 2 Coventry City 1 (Attendance: 20,102)
Line-up: Gerrard, Jagielka, Morgan, Page, Kozluk, Ndlovu (Peschisolido 76), McCall (Rankine 77), Montgomery (Lester 55), Brown, Tonge, Allison.
Subs not used: Whitlow, Parkinson.
Scorers: Brown 42 (pen), Lester 87.

Jack Lester scored the winner with just two minutes remaining to earn the Blades victory over Coventry City. Both sides started brightly, but it was United who should have opened the scoring on 12 minutes when Michael Tonge's cross found Morgan on the edge of the six-yard box, but the centre-back directed his header against the post and the ball was hacked to safety.Coventry soaked up the early Blades pressure, before catching United on the break in the 26th minute. Gary McAllister fired in a low strike from 15 yards that was snatched by the diving Gerrard. Gerrard foiled the Sky Blues again three minutes later. Midfielder Michael Doyle burst through as Gerrard pulled off another save. United took the lead 3 minutes before the break; Peter Ndlovu burst into the box before Yazid Mansouri was harshly adjudged to have felled the winger. Yazid Mansouri and Calum Davenport were booked complaining about the decision before Michael Brown dispached his spot-kick into the left-hand corner - Sky Blue's assistant manager Erik Black was sent to the stand as he continued the argument. Coventry started the second half with purpose with both Patrick Suffo and Dele Adebola going close. Only a desperate lunge from Robert Page then stopped Adebola scoring as he closed in on goal. Gerrard was again called into action on 58 minutes to stop Calum Davenport scoring from a McAllister corner. The Blades finally sparked into life in the 65th minute when Ndlovu raced onto a Stuart McCall through-ball, jinking past Davenport, but his left-footed shot went narrowly wide. Suffo struck the equaliser with a ferocious left-foot shot, the ball crashing against the underside of the bar past Gerrard. But it was United who grabbed the winner, when substitute Jack Lester headed home to keep United’s unbeaten run going. To be fair Coventry deserved a point from this game. It was a disappointing performance from the Blades... but we still won, and that’s all that matters, the 3 points. It’s a win which lifts United to third in Division One.

29th August Blades boss Neil Warnock will hand loan signing Paul Gerrard his debut for the visit of Coventry. Current number one goalkeeper Paddy Kenny was stretchered off with a knee injury during the midweek win at Crystal Palace and is ruled out for at least a fortnight. Gerrard has arrived on a three-month deal from Everton. Michael Brown plays his last game before starting a three-match ban. Ashley Ward will miss his third match due to a groin injury, but Jack Lester returns after being rested in midweek and he will partner Wayne Allison up front.

29th August The Blades have signed Paul Gerrard on loan from Everton. Neil Warnock has moved quickly to fill the gap left by the injury to Paddy Kenny. Warnock had the option of handing a first-team debut to Kristian Rogers, a summer signing from Wrexham, but decided to bring in more back-up for Blades' current player of the year Kenny, who damaged his knee at Selhurst Park. Gerrard will replace Kenny, stretchered off during the midweek win at Crystal Palace, for the visit of Coventry. The Blades boss said "I'm absolutely delighted - he's going to be joining us for three months, I've always rated Paul ever so highly, right back to his Oldham days - I've just never been able to afford him and I'm really pleased David Moyes has agreed to it. This is no slight on Kristian Rogers. I've told him he's doing well, but I think Paddy could be out for a couple of months and we just need to get quality cover in because of the extent of Paddy's injury."

27th August Neil Warnock has been handed a four-match touchline ban by the FA and fined £300 following two incidents during last season. The first charge related to improper behaviour following the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal on 13 April when he made comments about referee Graham Poll. The second charge related to improper conduct and using insulting and/or abusive words in comments made towards referee Steve Bennett at half-time during the Division One play-off final against Wolves. Warnock said he would consider giving himself more than four matches away from the dug-out. "I'm delighted with the outcome, said the Blades boss. "I had a really fair hearing and have no complaints. I didn't want a fine, but I can't argue with that. In fact, I might even give myself more than four matches in the stands because I actually enjoy watching them play from the sidelines."

27th August Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny will miss Saturday's visit of Coventry after sustaining a nasty knee injury. Kenny was stretchered off in the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace following a 39th-minute clash with Palace midfielder Shaun Derry. Blades boss Neil Warnock said "Paddy has been to hospital and luckily nothing is broken, We will have to wait 48 hours before the swelling goes down to pin-point the problem, but I think that rules him out for Saturday.

27th August United will be without Michael Brown for the trip to Nottingham Forest on 9th September and subsequent fixtures following his second-half dismissal at Selhurst Park for his foul on Wayne Routledge.

26th August Crystal Palace 1 Sheffield United 2 (Attendance: 15,466)
Line-up: Kenny (Whitlow 45), Kozluk, Page, Morgan, Montgomery, Brown, Tonge, McCall (Rankine 76), Jagielka, Allison, Ndlovu.
Subs not used: Armstrong, Parkinson, Peschisolido.
Bookings: Tonge 74, Kozluk 78.
Sent-off: Brown 68.
Scorers: Ndlovu 18, Allison 45.

The Blades pulled off a battling win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in a thrilling encounter. United had keeper Paddy Kenny carried off, conceded two penalties and had Michael Brown sent off. The Blades showed their character and resilience to earn a deserved three points thanks to first-half goals from Peter Ndlovu and Wayne Allison. Ndlovu was the first to threaten the Eagles goal when his shot from the left side of the penalty area flew wide before Allison's header was off target from Michael Brown's centre. Ndlovu's shot across the face of goal was kept out by the feet of Palace goalkeeper Matt Clarke after seven minutes. On 18 minutes Ndlovu got his reward, firing the Blades in front after Shaun Derry had lost out in midfield, Michael Brown found Ndlovu and the winger slotted the ball to the keeper’s left. In the 26th minute Dougie Freedman's weaving run came to an end as he collapsed in the penalty area after a challenge by Phil Jagielka; although Freedman seemed to find his way to ground without any help from the defender. Freedman managed to injure himself and was unable to take any further part in proceedings, so Neil Shipperley took the spot kick and Paddy Kenny made a superb save for the Blades. Seventeen minutes later Kenny was carried off after colliding with Derry and the injury caused six minutes of injury time to be added before Kenny was stretchered off. Defender Phil Jagielka had to take over in goal as there was no goalkeeper on the bench. Palace poured forward at the beginning of the second period but had still not seriously troubled Jagielka with an hour gone. After 66 minutes, Palace received another boost from the referee when he harshly dismissed Michael Brown for a professional foul on Wayne Routledge. Nine minutes later the Eagles got another penalty after Johnson was brought down by Tonge, this time it looked a clear spot kick. Johnson successfully converted from the penalty spot. Palace threw everything but the kitchen sink at United in the last 15 minutes, but the Blades held out superbly for a remarkable three points.

25th August Ashley Ward will miss the Blades trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace. Ward missed the 1-0 win against Norwich on Saturday due to a groin injury and is unlikely to recover in time to face Palace. Wayne Allison is likely to continue his partnership with Jack Lester up front. Mark Rankine may also return for the Blades after missing out at the weekend. Michael Brown recovered from a thigh problem sufficiently to play 80 minutes on Saturday and will retain his place if he shows no adverse effects.

23rd August Sheffield United 1 Norwich City 0 (Attendance: 24,285)
Line-up: Kenny, Kozluk, Jagielka, Morgan, Page, Ndlovu (Armstrong 88) , McCall, Brown (Montgomery 81), Tonge, Lester (Peschisolido 78) , Allison.
Subs not used: Parkinson, Whitlow.
Scorer: Page 23

Defender Robert Page scored his first goal as United finally scored their first win of the season against Norwich City. The Blades skipper making his 99th appearance for United; volleyed home the winner midway through the first half after Phil Jagielka's overhead kick had struck the crossbar following a free-kick from midfielder Stuart McCall. The Blades made the early running as Jack Lester showed some outstanding skill after Stuart McCall had picked him out. Lester, circled by three defenders, still managed to find a gap and fire in a low shot held on the line by Robert Green. Minutes later, Lester had another opportunity, but he squandered it after midfielder Michael Brown had threaded the ball into his path, with the Norwich keeper charging to the edge of the area Lester slammed the ball against his legs instead of chipping it over him. The Blades domination of the first half was impressive. Indeed, United looked a class above the Canaries who were constantly on the back foot. City’s Paul McVeigh's long-range shot; blocked by the outstanding Chris Morgan was the only moment the visitors can point to in a one-sided first half. Michael Brown, back from a thigh injury, had a shot blocked by Craig Fleming as United turned the screw. Seconds later Michael Tonge had an effort blocked by Adam Drury and from the resulting corner Jagielka rose above the defense but his header was well held by Green. Norwich midfielder Damien Francis almost found a way through with a strike from 30 yards, the ball skidding inches wide of the target, before United snatched the lead in the 23rd minute. Brown's free-kick found striker Wayne Allison, his header was met by England Under-21 international Phil Jagielka whose stunning overhead kick crashed against the bar. The ball spun free to Page who finished clinically with a stinging strike from 15 yards. In truth; United should have gone in at half time with a bucket full of goals, but as the Blades players left the field to a standing ovation, the United Fans must have thought the avalanche was to come in the second half, such was the dominance in the first period. As the second half started; Lester almost grabbed a second, as he ran onto Allison's pass inside, hitting the ball first time from 12 yards with Green blocking the shot and grabbing the ball at the second attempt. But to the credit of the Canaries they started to find a way back. Canaries boss Nigel Worthington boosted his strike-force on the hour mark with the introduction of Iwan Roberts and Elvis Hammond as replacements for Rivers and the injured Abbey. Substitute Paul Peschisolido and Peter Ndlovu went close. In the dying minutes Norwich almost grabbed a shock equaliser, Rob Kozluk hacking a Mackay header off the line. But the Blades held on and even at this early stage it’s clear to see that United will be one of the promotion favorites this time.

22nd August The Blades hope to have Michael Brown back in action for the visit of Norwich after missing the last two games with a thigh problem. Mark Rankine should also be passed fit after picking up a slight knock. Ashley Ward picked up a groin injury in last weekend's draw at West Ham but should continue his partnership with Jack Lester up front.

21st August Michael Tonge says he is happy to stay the Lane despite constantly being linked with moves to other clubs. Tonge said "I am very happy playing for Sheffield United. Young players have to do really well to get a regular start in the Premiership, but in the Nationwide there are lots of players getting their chance early. Players like myself and my team-mate Phil Jagileka have made the most of opportunities that we would not perhaps have been given in the Premiership."

20th August Iffy Onuora has joined Second Division Wycombe on a month's loan. Onuora, who missed most of last season due to an Achilles injury, was one of 14 players released by boss Neil Warnock during the close season. Wycombe boss Lawrie Sanchez has moved to sign Onuora after a spate of injuries which have robbed him of four strikers.

16th August West Ham United 0 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 28,972)
Line-up: Kenny, Morgan, Kozluk, Page, Montgomery, Jagielka, Tonge, McCall, Lester, Ward, Ndlovu.
Subs not used: Rankine, Allison, Peschisolido, Parkinson, Whitlow.
Bookings: Page 10, Morgan 11.

Having been weaned on a diet of Premiership football for the past decade, the East End faithful were served up a huge dollop of reality as the Hammers first game in their return to The Football League ended in a poor goalless draw. Not that Blades fans will be complaining, this result will have been a warning to the arrogant Londoners that there are more title contenders than themselves in this division, and more to a game than fancy passing football. Indeed, it was the Blades dogged determination that proved to be the key to a valuable draw. With successive League and Cup victories, West Ham came into the game confidently, looking to make it a hat-trick of wins. But they were in for a shock!. In a feisty opening half punctuated with a string of niggly free-kicks and five bookings, the Hammers threatened Paddy Kenny's goal just twice. On the 15-minute mark, David Connolly could not quite connect with Jermain Defoe's low centre as it flashed across goal. Then, ten minutes before the break, Defoe ended his weaving run with a low eight-yard shot that crashed off the far post only for Connolly to spoon the rebound wide. In reply, Ashley Ward sent a couple of tame efforts over – not good viewing for the 28,972 spectators. The second half started in much livelier fashion as Jack Lester let fly with long-range effort while Defoe climaxed an electrifying burst with a 12-yarder that flew just inches over. West Ham replaced Richard Garcia with Neil Mellor for the final 20 minutes, in the end it was the Blades' Peter Ndlovu who almost settled it when he carved into the West Ham area and slashed his angled shot into the side-netting. A useful result, now we need a goal and a win.

15th August Neil Warnock is likely to stick with new signings Ashley Ward and Jack Lester up front for the match at Upton Park. United hope to have Michael Brown and Mark Rankine back; both missed the League Cup game at Macclesfield.

13th August United insist there will be no rush to hold talks with Michael Brown over a new contract. It had be widely reported that the Blades were desperate to thrash out a deal with the star midfielder; but Neil Warnock says there is no hurry to hold talks, he said “There are no talks or meetings planned. Obviously we would like Michael to stay longer than this season, his contract runs out at the end of it, but there are o plans. It’s that simple”

12th August Macclesfield 1 Sheffield United 2 (Attendance: 2,764)
Line-up: Kenny, Morgan, Kozluk, Page, Jagielka, Montgomery, Tonge, McCall, Ndlovu, Lester, Ward (Allison 90).
Subs not used: Peschisolido, Armstrong, Parkinson, Whitlow.
Scorers: Lester 35, 87 (pen).

The Blades needed a late penalty to squeeze past a battling Macclesfield in the first round of the League Cup. United went through courtesy of an 88th minute spot-kick from Jack Lester. Macclesfield could have been ahead inside the first 15 minutes with John Miles and Martin Carruthers missing one-on-one chances against goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. Ex-Liverpool youngster Miles also hit the woodwork from long range twice in two minutes. However, United made them pay on 35 minutes when Michael Tonge slipped the ball through to Lester who stabbed it past Macclesfield keeper Boaz Myhill. A pulsating second half was set up when Miles lobbed the defense to set free Danny Whittaker who scored his first goal of the season with a clinical strike to the far corner. But it was Lester who had the final say, keeping a cool head to slot home the penalty awarded after Nick Mongomery was clipped by Danny Adams.

11th August Blades captain Robert Page has said he reckons United have what it takes to make automatic promotion; he said “we’re going for the automatic places - why not? If we do that and miss out then we’ll end up in the play-offs. If we just aim for the play-offs and miss out the there is nothing”

9th August Sheffield United 0 Gillingham 0 (Attendance: 21,569)
Line-up: Kenny, Jagielka, Morgan, Page, Armstrong (Parkinson 85), Ndlovu, Rankine, Brown, Tonge, Allison (Ward 65), Lester (Peschisolido 78).
Subs not used: Kozluk, McCall.

The new football season kicked off at the Lane this afternoon; and in sweltering temperatures United and Gillingham fought out a goalless draw. The Blades with Jack Lester, Chris Armstrong and Chris Morgan making their debuts, had an early chance as Tonge found space on the left flank. His low cross evaded a packed goalmouth and Wayne Allison steamed in at the far post but hammered the ball high over the target from ten yards. Jack Lester was given a half-chance in the 26th minute, as he twisted with his back to goal to unleash a low left-foot shot that was snatched on the line by Gillingham keeper Brown. Gillingham got round the back of the Blades back four, Nicky Southall threading the ball to the darting Danny Spiller who pulled the ball across the face of the United goal, Peter Ndlovu clearing with Mamady Sidibe waiting to pounce. Brown foiled United again in the 39th minute after Ndlovu’s darting run took him across the face of the Gillingham area. His deep cross was aimed at Allison lurking at the far post, the ball was cleared to Tonge unmarked on the edge of the box and his low strike was snatched by the diving Brown. Centre back Chris Morgan, one of eight new signings by United manager Neil Warnock, should have broken the deadlock in first-half injury time as he rose to meet a Tonge cross from the right but screwed his header wide of the far post from six yards. Brown then saved bravely at the feet of Allison after smart work by Michael Brown and in the dying minutes he jumped to his left to produce another eye-catching stop to keep out Tonge’s long-range effort. After the break, Gillingham began to grow in confidence and it was United on the back foot. The Blades soaked up the pressure and Warnock threw on new signing Ashley Ward and Paul Peschisolido in a desperate effort to clinch the points. The Blades nearly found a winner in the closing moments when a one-two between Ward and Tonge forced a great save from Brown but in the end, a draw was a fair result.

8th August Ashley Ward could make his Blades debut against Gillingham at the Lane tomorrow. Ward is lacking match fitness having not played any pre-season matches; but could still get the nod and partner Jack Lester in attack. Steven Kabba has an ankle injury and will miss out. In midfield Michael Brown will play after coming though a run-out against Middlesborough last week, with Stuart McCall or Mark Rankine vying for the anchor role in midfield. Chris Morgan or Phil Jagielka will partner Robert Page at centre-back, with Chris Armstrong set to start at full-back.

7th August Ashley Ward has signed on a two-year deal with the Blades. The 32-year-old agreed the move to the Lane after being released from his contract with Bradford earlier this week. Blades boss Neil Warnock was delighted to have secured Ward's signature; he said "Ashley is a great leader of the frontline and I'm looking forward to working with him, as are the lads. This move is all about football, not money, and it is a fresh start for him."

6th August The Blades expect to unveil Ashley Ward as their latest signing within the next 48 hours. Ward is on the verge of clinching a move to Bramall Lane following discussions aimed at negotiating his release from Valley Parade. Neil Warnock wants Ward to lead his side's push for Promotion next season and expects him to form a partnership with Steven Kabba, Paul Peschsolido and Jack Lester.
Meanwhile, Carl Asaba has completed his move to Stoke City on a free transfer. Asaba, who played under Potters boss Tony Pulis during their time together at Gillingham, passed a medical and finalised personal terms on a three-year contract on Tuesday.

5th August Blades striker Carl Asaba is poised for a shock move to Stoke City. Asaba will sign for the Potters if he passes a medical scheduled for this morning. The departure will be a shock to many Blades fans, Asaba has been a favorite at the Lane for many years, but with the signings of Jack Lester and Andy Parkinson, it probably means Asaba is not in Neil Warnock’s plans for this season. The exit of Asaba could be the sign that the signing of Ashley Ward is imminent, Ward is in talks today at the Lane. One stumbling block to Wards signing; could be his wages, he is currently on £18000 at Bradford; and he would have to accept a massive wage cut if he was to come to the Lane.

3rd August Neil Warnock has confirmed he is interested in bringing Bradford City striker Ashley Ward to Bramall Lane. 32-year-old Ward, is available on a free transfer, and Warnock is keen to add the former Blackburn Rovers striker to his ranks after recently missing out on transfer target Shaun Goater. Warnock said "We have enquired about Ashley. We have been looking at him for a number of weeks, We couldn't afford Goater, but we are still looking to bring another striker in during the next week."

2nd August United went down 3-2 to Middlesbrough in a friendly pre-season match at the Lane in keeper Simon Tracey's testimonial. Tracey, forced to quit due to a long-standing knee injury, received a rousing reception from a crowd of over 6,000, but United went two goals down when Szilard Nemeth and Juninho put Boro in control. But a brace from midfielder Michael Tonge put the Blades back on level terms before Jonathan Greening grabbed the winner for the visitors.

1st August Simon Tracey makes his final appearance for the Blades tomorrow in his testimonial game against Middlesbrough. The 35-year-old goalkeeper spent more than 15 years at Bramall Lane and played a total of 329 league games + 50 cup ties. Tracey will make one last appearance when Boro travel to the Lane, he said: "I will play some part and I expect it to be my last for United. Preparations are going well and I hope the fans turn out - it will be their first chance to see the new signings at Bramall Lane. Steve McClaren says he will send out a strong side so I'm expecting it to be a good pre-season workout for both sides."