The Blades have signed full-back Alan Wright on a free transfer from Middlesbrough. The defender has signed a two-and-a-half year deal after a successful loan spell at the Lane. United have also completed the signing of Paul Shaw from Gillingham on a two-and-a-half-year deal. The 30-year-old forward, signed for an undisclosed fee (believed to be around £75,000).
The Blades strengthened their bid for promotion from Division One as Paul Peschisolido's hat-trick earned them an impressive 3-0 victory at Gillingham. His treble came in the space of 28 minutes either side of half time. Gillingham started the better of the two teams. In the opening minute Mamady Sidibe had a chance saved by Paddy Kenny, a minute later the Gills had another chance saved by the Blades goalkeeper. United took a while to settle, and it was not until the 26th minute that United had their first real chance; Michael Tonge beat his marker to cross only for Wayne Allison to head wide from six yards out. Danny Spiller was looking the most dangerous for the Gills and in the 35th minute he turned superbly to fire in a shot which beat Kenny but struck the crossbar. In the 38th minute Canadian International grabbed his opener, a long ball into the Gills penalty box was flicked on by Allison to Peschisolido, whose left-foot shot beat Nico Vaesen to give United the lead. At the beginning of the second half the Blades surely has a case for a penalty claim? as Gill's goalkeeper Vaesen chattered into Allison just inside the penalty area. Ten minutes later Peschisolido hit the target for a second time, heading home Tonge's headed cross to give the Blades a commanding lead. Jack Lester hit the post six minutes later before Peschisolido sealed victory in the 66th minute. Allison got on the end of another long ball into the Gillingham penalty area, again flicking the ball on to his strike partner, who squeezed a low shot past Vaesen at the near post. The match was over after Peschisolido's third strike, and although Gillingham looked for a consolation goal in the closing stages they were frustrated by some resolute defending by the Blades; The closest they came was a header from Sidibe that flew wide of Kenny’s goal. A great win for the Blades, and for all the strikers to come to the Lane recently, it is ‘peschi’ and the ‘the chief’ who look the most effective attacking partnership at the moment for the Blades. This win keeps United in 3rd spot in Division One, and with a game in hand over the top two.
On loan full-back Alan Wright looks set to be handed a permanent contract at the Lane. The defender has been offered a two-and-a-half year deal to stay with United after Boro said they would let him quit the Riverside on a free transfer. Wright has been a success with United with some solid defensive performances; but is nearing the end of his three-month spell with the Blades.
Neil Warnock has confirmed that a fee (thought be around £75,000) has been agreed with Gillingham for Paul Shaw. The clubs face each other at The Priestfield Stadium on Saturday but Shaw will not feature for either side. Warnock said "We have agreed to the fee that Gillingham have suggested and Paul has made it known that he wants to join us. It is now down to Paul Scally (Gills chairman) and Gillingham to complete the deal. I wouldn't play him if we signed him and I would be surprised if he played against us."
A header by substitute Wayne Allison midway through the second half gave the Blades a deserved victory. He met a Michael Tonge cross in the 74th minute to consign the Bluebirds to their third home defeat in a row. United could have opened the scoring after only 36 seconds when Jack Lester had the first of three early goal scoring opportunities, but Cardiff goalkeeper Martyn Margetson tipped away his goal bound shot from point-blank range. The Blades had much the better of the first half, carving out a series of chances but lacking the finishing touch. The Bluebirds took half an hour before threatening the Blades goal when a Peter Thorne header zipped past the near post. Cardiff made a more competitive start to the second period, but the Blades continued to dominate the crucial midfield area. Neil Warnock replaced his strike force with Paul Peschisolido and Allison in the 64th minute and 10 minutes later they took the lead. The breakthrough for United came from a cross, Tonge finding the space down the left to get past Rhys Weston. Margetson missed the deep ball and the 'chief' (Allison) made no mistake with a firm header from six yards out to give the Blades a deserved lead. Cardiff threw on Andy Campbell on to make up a three-man attack, but in truth the Bluebirds were never in the game, and United's dominance was more comfortable than the final result suggested .