29th November Sheffield United 2 Preston North End 0 (Attendance: 21,003)
Line-up: Gerrard, Kozluk, Wright, Morgan, Jagielka, Rankine (Ndlovu 48), McCall (Whitlow 87), Tonge, Brown, Allison, Lester (Montgomery69).
Subs not used: Parkinson, Peschisolido.
Scorers: Brown (pen) 31, McCall 75.

Two second half goals were enough to get past a useful Preston team who were the better of the two teams on the day. For long periods of the second half; Preston played like the home team pushing United back into their own half. But the Blades held out and finished the Plucky Lancashire team when Stuart McCall finished from close range. The visitors were the first to threaten, however, and it needed a superbly-timed tackle from Rob Kozluk to deny the Preston striker Ricardo Fuller. Wayne Allison failed to test Jonathan Gould with a mistimed volley - he had another effort blocked by Marlon Broomes - but Preston's pace on the break continued to trouble the United back-line. Fuller shot wide, Substitute Eddie Lewis forced a smart save from Gerrard and Richard Cresswell's strike was tipped over in the space of three minutes. Michael Brown struck the wall with a 25-yard free-kick, and stung Gould's palms before he broke the deadlock in the 31st minute. Jack Lester fell under the goalkeeper's challenge as he broke into the Preston penalty area, and Brown found the bottom left-hand corner of Gould's net with the spot-kick. The opening seconds of the second half saw Paul Gerrard and Gould pull off superb saves to keep out long-range efforts from Graham Alexander and Michael Tonge respectively. Peter Ndlovu, a 48th-minute replacement for an Mark Rankine, produced an early cross which Allison narrowly failed to convert, but Preston served further notice of their threat on the break when Fuller's drive was brilliantly kept out by Gerrard, playing his last game before his loan spell from Everton expires. Though Brown sent a curler narrowly the wrong side of the post from just outside the area, it was a rare moment of relief for United as Preston's pressure continued to mount. Preston substitute David Healy, missed the chance to cap a flowing North End move when he nodded wide, Fuller's drive struck Phil Jagielka and Brian O'Neil also misdirected a header. Preston were punished for the profligacy almost immediately, veteran Stuart McCall shooting through Gould's legs after latching on to Brown's flick-on. It was apparent from today’s game that United desperately need more firepower up-front, yet again two midfielders were the goal scorers, on a day when United fans were just happy to see another win. Preston had more ball possession, but United scored the goals, and that’s all that really matters; 3 more Points for the Blades.

28th November Striker Ashley Ward and defender Alan Wright are doubtful for the visit of Preston North End tomorrow. Ward has an "unspecified niggle", while Wright is struggling with the calf injury that kept him out of last week's defeat at Ipswich. Midfielder Michael Brown is expected to start after having no adverse reaction to a foot injury against Ipswich Town.

25th November Defender Alan Wright is hoping to be back in the blades side for the visit of Preston North End on Saturday. Wright missed the weekend’s game at Ipswich Town because of a problem he picked up in training last Friday. Blades Boss Neil Warnock confirmed "Alan picked up the calf injury in training before we set off for Ipswich. We gave it as long as possible but we decided not to risk him. At the moment he is improving daily and he has a outside chance of playing against Preston at the weekend".

22nd November Ipswich Town 3 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance:25,004)
Line-up: Gerrard, Kozluk, Armstrong, Morgan, Jagielka, Tonge, McCall (Montgomery 73), Brown, Lester (Peschisolido 62), Ward (Allison 66), Ndlovu
Subs not used: Whitlow, Boussatta.
Bookings: Lester, 36, Ward 62, Brown 71, Kozluk 90.

The Blades had an off day today at Portman Road as they were beaten by fellow promotion contenders Ipswich Town - and the officials. Some very poor refereeing decisions proved to be the turning point in this promotion fight. The match came to life when Ipswich's Richard Naylor headed a chance over on six minutes from a Matt Richards cross. The first flashpoint was when Jack Lester was caught by Ipswich keeper Kelvin Davis, United and should have had a penalty, but referee Mick Fletcher ruled Lester did not have control of the ball. Ipswich's Darren Bent saw an angled shot easily held by Paul Gerrard before putting a Jim Magilton corner over from six yards. Bent put another chance over before Westlake netted after Gerrard could only parry a Magilton shot, but he was ruled offside. Town went ahead on 43 minutes when Bent's flick put Kuqi in and Chris Morgan was alleged to have pulled him down - not by the referee but by the linesman - and on the linesman’s advice; a penalty was awarded. Kuqi drilled the penalty beneath the diving Gerrard. Davis produced a great save early in the second half to deny Lester who looked sure to score after turning onto an Ashley Ward knockdown. Fine defending by Rob Kozluk put off Bent as he looked set to head home a Magilton cross but Town did double the lead on 67 minutes when Kuqi's lay-off sent Westlake clear to fire past Gerrard. Bent was foiled by Gerrard, after the striker raced onto a Magilton through ball, and then substitute Paul Peschisolido had the ball in the net for the Blades, but keeper Davis had been fouled as he came for the ball. Bent finally got himself a goal when he converted a low Westlake cross in the final minute. It was a match to forget for Blades fans, luckily the teams in the promotion race slipped up, so very little ground in the league was lost.

20th November Neil Warnock has said he is close to signing a new deal with the Blades, ending a media speculation of a move to Leeds United. The Blades boss told BBC Radio Sheffield that had not had any contact with Leeds. "Nobody's spoken to me or the chairman," he said. "I'm staying with Sheffield United. I'm very happy here and loving every minute of it. Warnock also said he was close to agreeing a new deal to keep him at the Lane. "We've had preliminary discussions about my contract and hopefully it will be sorted out in the next couple of weeks," he added. It'll be for two more seasons after this, but if we get into the Premiership it'll be for a third season."

18th November Striker Steven Kabba has resumed training after being sidelined with a knee injury. Kabba has played no part this season after injuring his knee pre-season. The 22-year-old, who scored 18 goals in all competitions last season, has since struggled with tendinitis, but is hoping to return to action early in the New Year.

13th November Blades player-coach Stuart McCall has revealed he will not be applying for the vacant managerial position at Bradford City. The former Bradford midfielder was thought to be in line for the job after Nicky Law's sacking, but McCall has insisted he wants to remain at the Lane under manager Neil Warnock. McCall speaking about the Bradford post said "I won't be applying for the Bradford job, I love coaching but managing is a totally different ball game. I'm learning new things every week from Neil Warnock. The Bradford job has put the spotlight on me and management is somewhere I want to go but at the moment I'm enjoying every minute of being at Sheffield United."

11th November Neil Warnock has spoken for the first time about reports linking him with the vacant manager's job at Leeds. The Blades boss is understood to be among the leading contenders to replace Peter Reid who left the Premiership's bottom club last night.

11th November Neil Warnock has spoken for the first time about reports linking him with the vacant manager's job at Leeds. The Blades boss is understood to be among the leading contenders to replace Peter Reid who left the Premiership's bottom club last night. But Warnock confirmed he has not been contacted by anyone from Elland Road and remains fully committed to guiding United into the top-flight, saying: "I've not heard anything from them whatsoever. As far as I'm concerned I'm concentrating all my energies on my work here and will continue to do so until my chairman Derek Dooley informs me otherwise. I know he'd tell me if anything untoward was going on." Dooley confirmed that no contact had been made from Elland Road and said his first reaction would be to tell Leeds to 'clear-off'. The Blades boss has asked Unitedites to show loyalty to the cause and support the Blades through the season, something which they have done in their thousands - United's average home attendances are the biggest for years, so it would be a shock if the Blades boss was to leave for one of the Blades most bitter and hated rivals.

8th November Sheffield United 2 Crewe Alexandra 0 (Attendance:20,967)
Line-up: Gerrard, Kozluk, Wright, Morgan, Jagielka, Armstrong, McCall, Tonge, Ndlovu (Parkinson 79), Ward (Allison 89), Lester (Peschisolido 73)
Subs not used: Whitlow, Montgomery.
Scorer: Tonge 45.

The Blades carried on their promotion push for the Premiership as the United beat a poor quality Burnley with a freak goal. The Blades got off to the better start with Chris Armstrong, continuing in his unaccustomed – yet successful midfield role, picking out Lester in the 12th minute but the striker tried to feed Ashley Ward instead of picking his spot and Arthur Gnohere cleared. Burnley survived minutes later when Gnohere was caught flat-footed. The ball went through his legs to Peter Ndlovu and the United midfielder pumped in a curling cross, which Ward lunged at but could not get a final touch. Burnley keeper Brian Jensen had luck on his side when Ndlovu lashed in a strike from the edge of the box. He failed to hold on to the shot and was challenged by Lester as the ball spun agonisingly the wrong side of the post. The Clarets, who had won just one of their last eight games, were in trouble again in the 35th minute, as dangerman Ndlovu coolly teed up the ball before finishing with a volley that was snapped up on the line by Jensen. Armstrong went close minutes before the interval as he charged into the area, his left-foot shot rising the wrong side of the bar. Burnley, lacking any ideas, were completely outclassed for most of the half, Richard Chaplow wasted their only real chance heading Dean West's cross over the top. The Lancashire side finally crumbled under the intense pressure in the 44th minute. Lester surged into the area as West and Gnohere converged on him. Gnohere stuck out a foot to hack the ball clear and it spun off West into the path of the unmarked Tonge who slotted it into an empty goal. Ward and Lester should have increased the lead in the second half as United failed to take their chances. Still it is another win; which puts the Blades into second place in Division One.

5th November The Blades have signed winger Dries Boussatta until the end of the season. Boussatta is seen as ideal cover for Peter Ndlovu, who will be on African Nations Cup duty with Zimbabwe for a month in the New Year. "Boussatta's had a medical and he has agreed to sign for us until the end of the season." said manager Neil Warnock The former Ajax winger signed for the United on a non-contract basis two years ago before injury ended the move. "He has a lot of quality and creates things, which is what we want," Warnock added. "He's got a good touch, a good brain and he speaks good English as well."

4th November Sheffield United 2 Crewe Alexandra 0 (Attendance:17,396)
Line-up: Gerrard, Kozluk, Jagielka, Morgan, Wright, Ndlovu (Parkinson 79), Tonge, McCall (Montgomery 90), Armstrong, Ward, Lester (Peschisolido 79).
Subs not used: Whitlow, Allison.
Scorers: Armstrong 21, Lester 74 (pen).

Chris Armstrong and Jack Lester scored the goals to send the Blades back up to third in Division One. Armstrong headed United in front against workmanlike Crewe with his first goal for the club before Lester's penalty 17 minutes from time earned the Blades a first win in five games. Armstrong, brought into the team in place of the injured Nick Montgomery, justified his selection in the 20th minute. The 21-year-old headed home Stuart McCall's cross, his downward header wrong-footing Clayton Ince and finding the net via a post. Lester, who was partnering Ashley Ward up front, scored his seventh goal of the season with a second penalty in four days, after McCall's 73rd minute cross struck Neil Sorvel on the arm. The opening goal took the sting out of the railwaymen who had spent much of the opening exchanges exploiting space behind United's back four. Crewe's David Vaughan enjoyed the most freedom and his interchanging with Kenny Lunt on the right-hand side produced the visitor's best two chances, but both times he shot wide. United took their time to get into gear, but slowly started to dominate proceedings, and it was the opening goal that swung the match as United took control of the match. The Blades opening goal came in the 20th minute when a punt into the box from Stuart McCall was headed by Armstrong; the ball going in off the post to leaving goalkeeper Clayton Ince wrong-footed. The goal seemed to knock the confidence out of the railwaymen and in the 35th minute, Lester nearly got a second as he forced Ince into a reaction save at his near post. Steve Jones had Blades' keeper Paul Gerrard scrambling to tip his 20-yard shot around the post on the stroke of half time. Armstrong's crosses continued to cause Crewe problems after the break. Lester benefited in the 49th minute but fired wide. Lester nearly doubled the advantage when he blocked an Ince clearance but the ricochet looped onto the roof of the net. He did not have to wait long however, his 73rd minute penalty settling the match.

1st November Stoke City 2 Sheffield United 2 (Attendance:14,217)
Line-up: Gerrard, Kozluk, Wright (Allison 88), Morgan, Jagielka, McCall, Montgomery (Armstrong 64), Tonge, Ndlovu (Parkinson 71), Ward, Lester.
Subs not used: Whitlow, Rankine
Bookings: Kozluk 39, Jagielka 68.
Scorers: Kozluk 53, Lester (pen 90).

A last-gasp penalty from Jack Lester gave The Blades a share of the points as they came back from two goals down in a 2-2 thriller at the Britannia Stadium. It was one-way traffic for much of the second half, especially after Stoke were reduced to 10 men shortly after the interval as Wayne Thomas received his marching orders after being shown a second yellow card. That served to inspire the Neil Warnock's men as they sought to press home their numerical advantage. The Blades halved the deficit after 53 minutes as Rob Kozluk took a pass from Michael Tonge and drove the ball beyond Ed de Goey to reduce the deficit. The Potters were desperate to stop an alarming slump which had seen them win just one of seven league games before this match, and they stunned the Blades in the opening 20 minutes. Tony Pulis' side served swift notice of their intentions as they had the first effort on goal after just two minutes, United goalkeeper Paul Gerrard parrying Ade Akinbiyi's left-footed drive. Gifton Noel-Williams hammered the ball past Gerrard a couple of minutes later to give Stoke the early breakthrough. Stoke pushed forward Karl Henry had a shot blocked as Gerrard became involved in the thick of the action again, saving a shot from Kris Commons. Stoke regained the initiative and they doubled their advantage after 18 minutes with a well-worked goal. A cross from Commons found Akinbiyi, who headed home from close range and put Stoke in command at the interval. In the early stages of the second half Stoke once again dominated proceedings, But Neil Warnock's men never give in, and suddenly the Blades started to show their steely determination to fight back. Stoke keeper de Goey suddenly became a busy man as he cleared an effort from Stuart McCall, and then having to watch a shot from Tonge clear his crossbar. He then saved well from Peter Ndlovu on the hour and saw a header from Phil Jagielka hit the woodwork as United piled on the pressure. In the closing moments it looked as though Stoke would just hang on; until Lester was floored in the area. He got up to take the spot-kick himself, beating de Goey to earn the Blades a point. Not the best defensive display from United but a precious point all the same, which come the end of the season might make all the difference.