30th September Wimbledon 1 Sheffield United 2 (Attendance: 6,016)
Line-up: Gerrard, Whitlow, Harley, Jagielka, Ndlovu, Montgomery, Tonge, McCall, Brown, Peschisolido (Lester 87), Ward.
Subs not used: Rankine, Allison, Armstrong, Cryan.
Bookings: Whitlow 45, McCall 48, Montgomery 51.
Scorers: Ward 62, Peschisolido 68.

The Blades extended their lead at the top of Division One with a win over Wimbledon. United with over 1,500 Bladesmen in the Milton Keynes crowd, were cheered on to another comeback victory. Stuart Murdoch's team had the better of the first half with young Michael Gordon twice going close in the first 30 minutes. But the Blades almost took the lead against the run of play in the 27th minute when Ashley Ward's header was brilliantly cleared off the line by Darren Holloway. The Dons' best chance of the first period fell to Patrick Agyemang. The forward followed up Joel McAnuff's drive, but somehow failed to head home from five yards. After the break, Wimbledon continued to attack and got their deserved break in the 48th minute. Adam Nowland fired home a super free-kick to send the home fans wild. he Blades refused to be written off however, and hit back with two goals in quick succession. Just after the hour mark, Ward headed home a Michael Brown free-kick before Paul Peschisolido added another minutes later. Wimbledon desperately tried to force their way back and Jermaine Darlington went close with a long-range drive. Nigel Reo-Coker almost rescued a point for the hosts in the dying seconds, but the Blades hung on for a valuable win.

27th September Bradford City 1 Sheffield United 2 (Attendance: 11,067)
Line-up: Gerrard, Whitlow, Harley, Kozluk, Jagielka, Montgomery (Peschisolido 46), Tonge, McCall, Brown, Ndlovu, Ward (Allison 65).
Subs not used: Armstrong, Lester, Cryan
Bookings: Ward 45, Harley 69.
Scorers: Ndlovu 29, McCall 54.

Tonight the Blades sit proudly at the top of Division One after another battling display at Valley Parade. Stuart McCall scored against his former club with a right-foot strike. Former United player Dean Windass, scored for The Bantams and later saw red, and Peter Ndlovu had earlier traded first-half goals within a frantic two minute spell as both sides created a glut of chances in a great advertisement for First Division football. McCall's winner extends their remarkable unbeaten run against City to 15 matches. Windass, who also opened his account for the season, ruined his day by collecting a red card with virtually the last kick of the game. Today though was always going to be abig day for Windass. So from the kick-off the he was pumped up to busting point for this encounter with his former manager and ex team-mates, and as expected he did pose problems for United, as he saw his ninth minute header fly just over the Blades bar. Stuart McCall carved out an opening for team-mate Michael Tonge after 21 minutes but Bantams centre-half Jason Gavin made a vital block to clear the danger. Just before the half-hour Windass got the goal he desperately wanted when Jon Harley's poor headed clearance fell at his feet and he drilled a low right-foot drive past Paul Gerrard from 16 yards. In City's next attack striker Michael Branch was accidentally clipped by Mike Whitlow as the defender made his way back into the penalty box. Referee Paul Taylor rightly waved away Bradford's hysterical penalty claims, and in United’s next attack Ashley Ward found the in-form Peter Ndlovu who leveled with a stunning strike. Poor defensive work by Gavin contributed to City's demise and when the ball sat up for the Zimbabwean he unleashed a fierce right-foot screamer from the edge of the box. The setback failed to upset City's composure and it took a desperate goal-line clearance from Rob Kozluk to deny Windass a second from a close-range header. At the start of the second half Blades keeper Gerrard brilliantly saved an Andy Gray point blank volley. The Blades began to take control of match with Michael Brown and Michael Tonge starting to have more of a say in proceedings. But it was ex-bantams hero McCall who fired United in front from just inside the Bradford box to give the Blades the lead. United then brought on Paul Peschisolido and Wayne Allison and between them they managed to cause havoc for the Bradford defenders. The Blades saw out the finally moments of the match, as the Bradford team ran out of steam, but the final act was left for Windass, who in the last seconds of the match lunged with a scything kick at Brown as he sprinted down the touchline, the referee instantly produced a red card for Windass for a moment of recklessness which could have caused injury to the United midfielder. Moments later the match was over.

24th September Neil Warnock insisted he was not disappointed about his side's unexpected exit from the League Cup. Two goals from QPR's Martin Rowlands at the Lane sent United tumbling out at the second round stage after reaching the semi-finals of both major cup competitions last season. He said “I can't have any complaints because I thought QPR deserved it, they played some good football but, taking nothing away from them, I thought my lads played how I felt. I couldn't get into it tonight. I'll apologise for the result but not the team selection. I made changes because some of them needed games. The cups are romantic but we've got such a small squad that we can't take risks with how we do in the league".

23rd September Sheffield United 0 Queens Park Rangers 2 (Attendance: 9,578)
Line-up: Rogers, Armstrong, Whitlow (Cryan 46), Kozluk, Parkinson (Hurst 82), Rankine, Jagielka, Tonge, Brown, Lester (Peschisolido 69), Allison.
Subs not used: Ward, Ross.
Bookings: Lester 38, Rankine 81.

The Blades were sent tumbling out of the cup by second division Queens Park Rangers. United, who have smashed in 10 goals in their last two games, made seven changes to last Saturday’s starting line-up? Did those players need to be rested for this match, or was this game deemed not as important as a League match. Well Blades fans still had to pay full price at the turnstiles so we expected to see United’s best eleven up for the cup. Truth is United failed to find any real rhythm and Ian Holloway's side took full advantage, and snatched both goals in the opening half as United hardly got a look in. Jack Lester had an early stab at the Rangers goal but was closed down and blocked by Danny Shittu before Rangers took control. Rangers striker Paul Furlong wriggled into space as two players closed in but his shot from the edge of the box flew high over the top. Furlong and Kevin McLeod both had shots blocked before QPR almost snatched the lead on 24 minutes, Rowlands picking out Kevin Gallen whose header was pushed round the post by debutant keeper Kristian Rogers. Rangers went ahead in the 30th minute, McLeod picking out Gallen, and he crossed to Rowlands who lashed the ball beyond the diving Rogers from 15 yards. United had a chance to equalise minutes later, Wayne Allison flicking the ball to Lester but from six yards he pulled his header wide of Chris Day's right-hand post. QPR hit back instantly with McLeod involved. He pumped in a centre from the right and Gallen, steaming in, took his eye off the ball and thumped his right foot shot over the top. Rowlands struck again in first-half injury time. Gallen carved out the move as United failed to close him down, and his cross was finished in style by the former Brentford player, his low shot flying across the face of goal and into the far corner of the net. McLeod almost grabbed a third minutes after the restart, but his fierce strike from 25 yards was pushed away by Rogers. Wayne Allison then twice went close to reducing the deficient, first heading a Kozluk cross wide on the hour, before forcing Day into a save moments later from Michael Brown's ball in. The Blades had a lot of possession in the later stages but we unable to find a way back and QPR held on for a surprise but deserved victory.

22nd September Both Paul Gerrard and Jon Harley are cup-tied for this League Cup Second Round match, so Kristian Rogers and Chris Armstrong should be their replacements. Robert Page will miss the game with a leg injury, while Chris Morgan's is out with a fractured arm. Michael Brown will return after a three-match suspension. While Colin Cryan will be added to the squad.

20th September Sheffield United 5 Cardiff City 3 (Attendance: 21,323)
Line-up: Gerrard, Kozluk, Harley, Whitlow, Jagielka, McCall (Rankine 89), Montgomery, Tonge, Ndlovu, Peschisolido (Allison 70), Ward (Lester 70).
Subs not used: Armstrong, Parkinson.
Bookings: Ward 25, Harley 37.
Scorers: Tonge 53, Ndlovu 62, 78 (pen), 89 (pen), Lester 85.

The Blades staged a memorable comeback grabbing three goals in 11 minutes to beat Cardiff City at Bramall Lane. Neil Warnock's Blades came back from 2-3 down to edge out the Bluebirds, with Peter Ndlovu grabbing a hat-trick including two from the penalty spot. The game had 8 goals; incredibly all in the second half - which takes some beating. The first half was a lively affair both sides showing why they were regarded as amongst the best teams in Division One. Blades goalkeeper Paul Gerrard was by far the busier in the early exchanges saving well from Peter Thorne and Graham Kavanagh. Paul Peschisolido, Ndlovu and Phil Jagielka all went close for United. The half ended 0-0 with no one expecting the goal-fest that was to follow in the second half. Cardiff snatched the lead just 23 seconds after the restart, Peter Thorne setting up the opportunity with a shot on the turn from just inside the area. Paul Gerrard could only half push the ball away and Welsh International Robert Earnshaw pounced, beating Jon Harley to the ball to finish from eight yards. United equalised in the 53rd minute after Richard Langley upended Paul Peschisolido and earned a booking. Ndlovu dispatched the spot-kick in front of the Kop. Then it was Michael Tonge who stepped forward to strike a spectacular goal from a free-kick from 25 yards out. Ndlovu put United ahead in the 62nd minute as he spotted Neil Alexander off his line and beat him with a stunning 35-yard drive. Just two minutes later the Bluebirds were back on level terms. Rhys Weston's cross was headed on by Thorne and Earnshaw sprang the offside trap to beat Gerrard with a low 15-yard strike. Langley grabbed Cardiff's third in the 69th minute with an eye-catching strike. Gerrard was only able to get a hand to his 25-yard free kick after Nick Montgomery had been penalised for handling the ball. Thorne's close-range header was kept out by Gerrard before the Blades hit an equaliser 12 minutes from time. Montgomery's cross from the right was handled by Chris Barker and Ndlovu comfortably tucked away the spot kick for his second of the game. Substitute Jack Lester show great skill to strike United's fourth five minutes from time, chesting down a pass from Wayne Allison to beat Alexander with a fierce volley. A minute from time after Willie Boland upended Tonge and Ndlovu scored his third, again from the penalty spot. It was another memorable afternoon at the Lane, with some outstanding individual performances. These are some of the best days I’ve seen at the Lane in the last 30 years – they even compare with the days of Currie, Woodward and Co in the early 70’s. 10 goals in two games and Michael Brown will be back next week. United are now in 2nd place in Division One.

16th September Sheffield United 5 Rotherham United 0 (Attendance: 22,572)
Line-up: Gerrard, Kozluk, Harley, Morgan (Whitlow 34), Jagielka, McCall, Montgomery (Armstrong 62), Tonge, Ndlovu, Peschisolido, Ward (Allison 81).
Subs not used: Rankine, Parkinson.
Scorers: Tonge 12, Peschisolido 23, 57. Ndlovu 61, 83.

Paul Peschisolido and Peter Ndlovu grabbed two goals apiece as the Blades crushed Rotherham in a very one-sided match at the Lane. United were without Robert Page, and started with Chris Morgan and Phil Jagielka in the centre of defence. New loan signing Jon Harley was at left back. The Blades took control instantly and went ahead in the 12th minute, Michael Tonge burst into the area and sweept past defender Shaun Barker before ramming a low left-foot shot past Mike Pollitt from 12 yards. Tonge had a hand in the second on 23 minutes, his free-kick from 25 yards hit Stuart McCall, the ball ricocheted to Paul Peschisolido who finished with a stinging left-foot strike into the top left-hand corner. Michael Tonge was on top form as he conducted proceedings from midfield, with Stuart McCall snapping and hurrying the Miller’s midfielders at every turn. Peter Ndlovu was weaving his magic and Peschisolido appeared to be everywhere running the hapless Rotherham defenders ragged. In the 34th minute Morgan had to be substituted with a suspected broken wrist with Mike Whitlow taking over in defence. Rotherham had to wait until the 42nd minute for their first shot on target, Barker made his way to the edge of the area, but his shot had no pace and Paul Gerrard collected on the line with ease. Darren Byfield squandered a half chance minutes after the restart as he wriggled past his marker, but from a good angle he hit a tame shot at the United keeper. United's third came in the 57th minute, Ashley Ward's shot from the right seemed to be drifting wide, Pollitt sprang to his right to push the ball away and Peschisolido pounced, stabbing the ball over the line from close range. The Millers were in disarray and four minutes later Peter Ndlovu added a fourth, prodding the ball past the helpless Pollitt from 10 yards. Ronnie Moore stood arms folded glaring at his players, he must have wanted the ground to open and swallow him as the Blades fans taunted ‘Ronnie what the score’. With 7 minutes remaining; United added a fifth goal. Tonge picked out Ndlovu from 35 yards who finished with a header after 83 minutes. A superb performance from the Blades which lifts them up to 6th in Division One

15th September United have re-signed Jon Harley on loan from Fulham. The left back was a big hit at the Lane during his first loan spell last season, and has agreed terms for a second stay with the Blades. Harley may well figure in Neil Warnock's squad for the match versus Rotherham tomorrow.

14th September Neil Warnock has blamed central defenders Robert Page and Chris Morgan for their 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest. Page had an unhappy afternoon, highlighted by the part he played in Forest regaining the lead while Morgan was sent off after a clash with former United striker Gareth Taylor. The Blades boss said "We shot ourselves in the foot, we got back on level terms and could easily have gone on to win the match Blades. I've had a word with them both. They are experienced players who let us down and I feel very sorry for the younger lads in the team, Morgan retaliated after having his mouth cut open but he knows the score. I was screaming from the directors' box for him to calm down because I could see something happening. We shot ourselves in the foot because having been outplayed in the first half, we got back on level terms and could easily have gone on to win the match. The opportunity was certainly there for us to do so."

13th September Nottingham Forest 3 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 25,209)
Line-up: Gerrard, Kozluk (Armstrong 46), Jagielka, Morgan, Page (Cryan 70), Rankine, Montgomery, Tonge, Ndlovu, Peschisolido, Allison (Ward 67).
Subs not used: McCall, Parkinson.
Sent-off: Morgan 62.
Scorer: Ndlovu 42 (pen).

The Blades finally lost their unbeaten start to the season at the city ground today. United went into the match without Jack Lester who had been hoping to play against his former club; the Blades were also without key midfielder Michael Brown who was suspended. Ashley Ward started on the substitute’s bench. It meant a deserved start for Paul Peschisolido who partnered Wayne Allison up-front. After 10 minutes forest lost David Johnson - battling for the ball, he fell awkwardly and had to be substituted by Gareth Taylor. After 30 minutes, the Blades went behind, Marlon Harewood was awarded a penalty after he was brought down by Robert Page and it was Harewood who converted the penalty. United offered no real form of attack and only managed one shot in the whole of the first half and this was in the 45th minute. The service to the forwards was poor – Peschisolido in particular looked isolated. Even in defence; Robert Page having played two internationals last week looked match weary and made some unaccustomed mistakes. Just minutes into the second half Paul Peschisolido missed a golden chance when he was left unmarked six yards out, but with only the keeper to beat he blasted wide. After 54 minutes United got a penalty after Michael Dawson brought down Michael Tonge. Peter Ndlovu converted the spot kick to put the Blades back in the match. Minutes later, Harewood broke free of a disoriented defence and one on one with the keeper he slotted home for the second of the afternoon. On the hour mark Andy Reid and Chris Morgan clashed and the ref was called into action again, this time producing a red card for Morgan for violent conduct after striking Reid. With 20 minutes to go Forest got their third, a through ball found Reid who struck the ball first time ten yards out leaving Paul Gerrard helpless to save. It was a day when injuries, suspensions and international duties finally took their toll on the team. United looked out of sorts today. Man-for-man United have better players than forest and will be looking for a reversal of the result when forest visit the Lane next April.

10th September Laurens Ten Heuvel has signed for Dutch side De Graafschap after a successful trial.Ten Heuvel arrived at the club earlier in the week on trial after buying out his contract. De Graafschap coach Frans Adelaar was delighted to sign up the former Telstar, Barnsley and Den Bosch player. The striker made nine substitute appearances for the Blades.

5th September United's board has pledged to protect manager Neil Warnock's squad from Premiership vultures. The Blades have seen the transfer window deadline come and go without incident but the Bramall Lane board is determined to keep their guard up for the remainder of the season. United’s Vice chairman Terry Robinson said: "Prior to the deadline, agents made preliminary approaches for a number of our players which does appear to be the way things are done at this moment in time. We've made our policy clear, however, to any clubs wanting to take away our better players - they are under contract and we have no intention of allowing our promotion prospects to be undermined by letting them go. Keeping them together over the summer has been no accident, The board has determined to keep faith with the squad which did so well last year in an attempt to go better this time.

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."