United's assistant boss Stuart McCall expects the uncertainty surrounding Neil Warnock's future to be resolved this week. McCall refused to give any clues as to whether the Blades boss will remain at Bramall Lane or turn his back on his home-town club to fill the vacancy at Portsmouth. But former Scotland international McCall, now concentrating on coaching duties as Warnock's number two, dismissed the notion that all the speculation had proved a distraction in the build-up to the defeat at Leicester. "It certainly hasn't been a problem for myself," said McCall. "We went to Leicester last season and started poorly - it's just one of those things. "Under the circumstances it would be easy for the players to use all the uncertainty as an excuse, but our preparations for Saturday's game were fine. "And we'll know come Wednesday or Thursday the outcome of everything, so we'll wait and see - personally I'm experienced enough to get on with it and we'll be preparing as usual for Saturday's derby."
Man of The Match: Paddy Kenny.
The Blades uneasy week took a turn for the worse as they were hammered 4-2 by a rampant Leicester City side at the Walkers Stadium. Draws against Millwall and Wolves had seen United surrender top spot in the Championship this week. Iain Hume and Ryan Smith had the hosts in cruise control before substitute Steven Kabba shrugged off speculation about his future to give United a glimmer of hope. But Elvis Hammond sealed the points before Hume scored his second and Webber scored in a frantic finish. The Blades had gone two Championship games without a win, but that had not detered the Blades following. Around 3000 Bladesmen and women made the journey and they were in a boisterous mood at the kick-off. Neil Warnock's men almost got off to a flier with Webber heading narrowly wide after just 26 seconds. And it was United who went closest at the start, but Hammond went even closer for Leicester five minutes later when his header hit the crossbar before he set up Hume for the opener. The Foxes striker got his head to Smith's cross and Hume lashed the ball home from close range with 11 minutes gone. The Blades had not fully recovered when Hume then turned provider with a quarter of an hour on the clock, creating space on the right before crossing for Smith to double the advantage with a header. Leicester continued to send dangerous crosses into the United penalty area and Hume forced Paddy Kenny into a save from another Smith centre. Warnock withdrew Keith Gillespie at the break and switche to a 4-3-3 formation and the tactical switch paid off after 51 minutes when his replacement Kabba halved the deficit with a tap-in following good work from Webber on the right. The home side refused to buckle and when Hammond raced clear at the other end it took a brave stop from Kenny to keep the Blades in the match. The game burst into life after Kabba's strike and Derek Geary was only denied an equaliser by an impressive save by Rab Douglas before Kenny produced an even better stop at the other end, again foiling the lively Hammond from close range. But the Leicester striker finally put the result beyond doubt with just over quarter of an hour left, beating Kenny with a cool finish into the corner with Smith again involved in the build up. Hume doubled his own tally with another powerful finish in time added on but there was still time for Webber to bundle home a header.
Blades boss Neil Warnock says he is prepared to sell Steven Kabba if the striker does not sign a new deal. Talks have stalled between the two parties and, rather than let Kabba, 24, go for a free at the end of the season, Warnock may sell him in January. "We have put forward as good an offer as we can in relation to the top strikers here," said Warnock. "There is always the possibility that we could be tempted by an offer to sell, if it is right for the club." Kabba joined United from Crystal Palace three years ago and is believed to want a deal which triples his current weekly wages. The Blades, however, are reluctant to meet such extreme demands for a player who has endured some troublesome injuries, and has also yet to prove himself over a full campaign.
United today signalled their intentions to keep Neil Warnock at Bramall Lane. Kevin McCabe, chairman of Sheffield United's plc, has promised Warnock a new, improved contract if the Blades reach the Premiership. He even added Warnock's current deal, which expires at the end of the season, would be extended if United stayed in the same division - and blasted Portsmouth manager Milan Mandaric for "casting improper designs" on him from the Lane. McCabe said: "What I have read is improper. It can cause unrest and I don't like it. Should we make the Premiership we'll be talking about a new contract (for Warnock) rather than extending the old one. "If we're in the Championship we'll probably extend it for a year." Alain Perrin is the latest manager to be sacked at Fratten Park as Mandaric chops and changes his staff on a regular basis. Perrin was installed in April and is the seventh manager Serb-American businessman Mandaric has seen leave since taking over Pompey in 1999. And now after the Blades rebuff; Mandaric faces a difficult task in attracting a top name. Warnock is a Blade and he wont leave.
Steven Kabba's has turned down Sheffield United's latest contract offer. Kabba's representatives and United agreed to defer any further talks until the New Year. The Blades striker has returned to his best form this season after an 18-month injury nightmare. Kabba, who has scored eight goals in 17 matches, made only 11 appearances for the Blades last season and only one throughout the 2003/4 campaign. Neil Warnock speaking about the situation commented: "We've not been able to agree, despite an amicable conversation, You always want players to sign and it is a good offer, but at the moment talks have been put on hold."
Neil Warnock saluted United's tactical discipline after watching them grind out a deserved goalless draw at Wolves. His squad were tested by the loss of skipper Chris Morgan through suspension and fellow defender David Unsworth through injury. But Alan Wright lined up as a surprise centre-half with Phil Jagielka and Derek Geary impressive at full-back. The Blades lost top spot as a result of Reading's win at Ipswich but Warnock made no secret of his delight with the result. "I'm really pleased with myself because I thought the tactics were spot-on," he said. "We eliminated their threat and showed what a good squad we have. To get a point off Wolves is excellent and this is another point along the way. "Wolves and Palace should really be where Reading and ourselves are so you should give credit to myself and Steve Coppell for getting our teams where they are."
Man of the Match: Derek Geary.
United surrendered their long-held Championship top spot but were happy with the point they took away from a disappointing deadlock at Molineux. The Blades have been overtaken at the summit by team of the moment Reading but they still looked an organised and efficient outfit as they completely stifled a Wolves team who went into the match on the back of two emphatic victories. Neil Warnock punched the air at the final whistle, clearly happy at his players coming through one of the more difficult assignments on the long road towards promotion. In truth, United survived very comfortably and the match was in injury time when Wolves managed their first on-target effort - a half-hit shot by Vio Ganea which bobbled harmlessly through to Paddy Kenny. The Blades keeper was otherwise superbly protected by the players in front of him despite the absence of both David Unsworth and suspended captain Chris Morgan. Phil Jagielka dropped back into defence and assumed the armband and helped douse the fire of Wolves in the first half. George Ndah as dangerous as anyone and both he and Ganea saw efforts blocked superbly in the opening surge. Ndah was again closed out of a promising situation in the second half while Ganea flashed a shot into the side-netting following a good link-up between Tom Huddlestone and Colin Cameron. In a contest short on goalmouth activity, United had the better of the on-target attempts. Neil Shipperley, having scored the winner when the sides met at the Lane last month, brought a reaction save from Stefan Postma with a powerful shot after a free-kick. The Dutchman also went down to his right to save smartly from Keith Gillespie, who also tested his handling with a low drive from 25 yards in the second half. Derek Geary was all over the park tonight and deserves some accolades for his outstanding performance, along with Michael Tonge who seized his opportunity and was back to his best. Both these two players surely have done enough to merit a permanent place in the team. Late on, Hoddle made a triple substitution with 15 minutes left by sending on Darren Anderton, Leon Clarke and Gabor Gyepes but his side could not raise the sort of head of steam needed to make United's defence wobble. The Blades may have dropped four points in two matches but Warnock will clearly see this more as a point gained. And remember Reading may have temporary replaced United at the summit, but they still have to visit Bramall Lane.
Sent-Off: Morgan 90.
Man of the Match: Paul Ifill.
Substitute Danny Webber grabbed a precious equaliser to preserve United's advantage at the summit of the Championship and deny struggling Millwall a priceless victory. Striker Bruce Dyer notched a clinical double to cancel out David Unsworth's early opener and put the Lions on course for a shock victory. But Webber was on hand to fire the ball home from close range in the 84th minute to extend the Blades unbeaten home record to 10 matches. Millwall had made their intentions apparent before the kick-off. They were coming to the Lane to defend and counter-attack. Even so, those entering through the turnstiles must have thought a result similar to United’s 4-0 win at the New Den was on the cards. United began strongly and were rewarded with Unsworth's fifth-minute opener, the ‘rhino’ (as Unsworth is nicknamed by the fans) thrashing home Alan Quinn's cross following a well-worked short-corner routine. The Blades then wasted no time in attempting to extend their lead when winger Paul Ifill collected the ball on 11 minutes before teasing and tormenting the Millwall defence before draging a left-footed effort narrowly wide. The Blades were dominant and came close to doubling their lead after 19 minutes as Unsworth delivered a delightful cross from the left flank. It was met by Vincent Pericard who planted a firm header goalwards but could only watch in agony as Lions goalkeeper Paul Jones produced a fine reflex save to deny the on-loan striker. But with 25 minutes gone, the Lions began to bare their teeth as Alan Dunne collected the ball 25 yards from goal and curled a superb effort just wide. United continued to dominate possession, but, after failing to make it pay, Millwall levelled after 34 minutes. A rare break from the Lions resulted in Barry Hayles firing in a shot which fell to Jermaine Wright, and the midfielder teed up Dyer to sweep the ball home from 12 yards. The Lions almost stole ahead on the stroke of half-time when Hayles header drew a fine save from Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. But with 55 minutes gone Millwall edged ahead as Dyer nodded home to stun the Lane faithful. The Lions were the last side to collect maximum points at Bramall Lane following their 1-0 victory in the Steel City last April. But United, sensing a embarrassing result was just around the corner, reacted positively and Ifill came close from distance with a superb effort. The Blades star suffered further agony on 64 minutes when he smashed a 35-yard effort against the crossbar with goalkeeper Jones beaten. Kabba and Pericard had been ineffective and finally and not without some prompting from the Kop; Webber replaced Kabba. Millwall began to defend like demons as United piled on the pressure, but they could not prevent Webber from diverting Quinn's header home from six yards to ensure they remain a point clear of Reading at the top of the Championship. United suffered a costly blow in the last minute as skipper Chris Morgan was dismissed for violent conduct while Millwall also collected five bookings during a feisty encounter.
Neil Warnock expects striker Neil Shipperley to shrug off illness in time for Saturday's Championship visit of Millwall. The big striker missed a couple of days' training this week after feeling under the weather, but should be available to lead the line alongside Steven Kabba. But defenders Rob Kozluk and Craig Short will miss out again. Kozluk has missed the last two matches due to a hamstring injury, while veteran Short has been sidelined since early September with a calf problem. Midfielder Lilian Nalis has returned from a month's loan spell at Coventry and could be included in the squad, while winger Paul Ifill will be looking to put one over his former club. Millwall have an injury crisis in defence as they prepare for Saturday's match at the Lane. They are also without Matt Lawrence (foot) and Mark Phillips (groin), while Ady Williams (hamstring) and Jamie Vincent (calf) are rated doubtful. Vincent returned from a hamstring injury for the reserves in midweek - but complained of pain in his calf during the same match. The Lions are also likely to be missing former Blades striker Carl Asaba (calf), as well as suspended trio Andy Marshall, Jody Morris and Ben May.
Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has signed a contract extension which could keep him at the Lane until summer 2010. Kenny, 27, first joined the Blades on loan from Bury in July 2002 before signing a permanent deal three months later and going on to record 157 appearances to date. Kenny, who has five caps for the Republic Ireland, has put pen to paper on a new deal which will keep him at the club until 2009 with the option to extend for a further season.
Neil Warnock has confirmed Paddy Kenny and Steven Kabba will receive new contract offers later this week. The Blades have moved to end speculation surrounding both players with their current deals set to expire in the summer. Warnock commenting on the situation said: "We've spoken about them at great length and they will be receiving new offers later this week, The deals offered are very good for this club and I hope the players will be realistic." Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Kenny, 27, has been in protracted talks with the club, while 24-year-old striker Kabba is United's leading goalscorer this season after missing most of the last 18 months through injury.
Neil Warnock has confirmed that United will engage in contract talks with Paddy Kenny and Steven Kabba next week. Both players have been key performers in The Blades imperious start to the new campaign, with Warnock keen to tie the duo down to long-term deals. Striker Kabba has proven both his fitness and ability this term in coming back from a serious injury and having bagged eight goals already, tops the club's scoring charts. Whilst Kabba's contract expires at the close of the present campaign, Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has another year to run after that. Warnock has confirmed that offers will be made and is hopeful that both players will commit themselves to Bramall Lane. Speaking to Sky Sports ; he said: ''We are talking to them next week and we will be making them offers, We'll definitely be speaking to the pair of them but we'll have to see how it goes. You can never be confident until it's all concluded.''
Man of the Match: Chris Morgan.
There will be no bigger promotion test for United this season than the visit to Selhurst Park. And in-front of a noisy hostile crowd and facing an Eagles team full of quality - United passed that test in a hard fought victory. A goal by Blades striker Neil Shipperley helped Neil Warnock's men maintain their advantage at the top of the Championship after 'the ship ' (as Shipperley is known) headed the decisive goal after 56 minutes. Phil Jagielka, who netted twice in the 4-0 demolition of Luton in midweek, had taken his tally for the season to five in opening the scoring in the 15th minute and although Michael Hughes equalised seconds before the interval Paul Ifill's goal deep into stoppage time handed the advantage back to the Blades. Shipperley's goal put United further ahead and although a Dougie Freedman penalty five minutes from time set up a tense finale the Blades held on.After a tepid opening quarter of an hour the deadlock was broken following a dazzling run by Steven Kabba. The pacey Blades striker beat two defenders to get to the byline and cut the ball back for Jagielka to drive his low shot into the net via the post from close range. Moments earlier Palace could have taken the lead through Freedman but his left-footed effort from the edge of the six-yard box came back off the woodwork. Hughes thought he had sent his team into the interval all-square when he headed home Marco Reich's cross from close range for his first league goal of the season but Ifill had other ideas and restored the Blades' lead moments later. Palace emerged from the break rejuvenated and Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny twice had to be at his best early in the second half to keep Ian Dowie's side from getting ahead. The Irish International stop stopper getting his fingertips to Ben Watson's curling free-kick before denying Tom Soares' effort from the edge of the area. Emmerson Boyce then stung the palms of Kenny with a long-range drive as Palace looked for a reward for their pressure. But it was the Blades who struck the decisive goal 10 minutes into the second half through Shipperley. Freedman's fourth goal in as many matches, came after David Unsworth was adjuged to have fouled Boyce and Marco Reich then saw his header cleared off the line by Jagielka right at the death.
United have no new injury or suspension problems for the trip to Crystal Palace. Defenders Rob Kozluk and Craig Short remain on the sidelines. Kozluk is struggling to shake off a recurrence of his hamstring injury, while Short's latest setback is an ankle problem. Warnock must decide whether to start with Steven Kabba and Neil Shipperley up front or switch his strikeforce round to accommodate on-loan Vincent Pericard and Danny Webber, who both stepped off the bench in the midweek win over Luton Town. The Eagles have Mikele Leigertwood and Tony Popovic back in their squad. The duo have been out for a long period with ankle and calf injuries respectively, but they both played for the reserves in midweek and are available against the Blades. Goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly has recovered from a chest injury and should play, but strikers Andrew Johnson (knee) and Jon Macken (hamstring) are out. Defender Danny Granville played 90 minutes for the reserves but is still some way from a return to the first-team squad.
Blades manager Neil Warnock has revealed that he will use one of Thursday's Uefa Cup ties to monitor a potential transfer target. He commented: "I am going to Europe to watch the game and then will fly back to Heathrow to join up with my team at the hotel. "I've seen this lad play before and it is an excellent opportunity for me to watch him perform again. I will take training in the morning and then take the plane to Europe."
Man of the Match: Phil Jagielka.
Phil Jagielka grabbed a brace as Championship leaders Sheffield United crushed high-flying Luton. The highly-rated midfielder's 34th-minute opener was complemented by Chris Morgan's header five minutes after the break and substitute Vincent Pericard's 71st-minute tap-in. Jagielka's late second capped another precious victory for the Blades, who showed impressive fortitude to overpower the Hatters and reignite their promotion challenge after two successive draws. The win edges them 13 points ahead of Luton, whose promising start to the season to the season is beginning to drain away. The Hatters have now won just once in five games, and a trip to Bramall Lane was always going to be the acid test for Mike Newell's men. But they did not disappoint during the early exchanges and generally matched United for the opening 45 minutes. Indeed, just 18 seconds had passed when Luton winger Carlos Edwards carried the ball forward from the half-way line and hit a well-struck effort from 25 yards which warmed Paddy Kenny's hands. United came back strongly two minutes later when Alan Quinn embarked on a scampering run which took him past a couple of visiting defenders and to the byline. The speedy left-winger cut the ball back but Jagielka could only blaze his shot wildly over the bar from 12 yards. Luton continued to press, however, and after nine minutes, Edwards flighted in a dangerous cross from the right which forced Morgan to head clear. Five minutes later, Luton's vibrant approach almost saw them open the scoring when six-goal striker Steve Howard powered a firm goalwards, which again required Kenny to be alert. But United began to pin the Blades back inside their own half and they claimed the all-important opening goal 11 minutes before the break. Following a Quinn free-kick on the left flank, the ball found its way to Paul Ifill, whose effort was blocked, but Jagielka was on hand to rifle the ball home right-footed from six yards. However, a minute before the break; Luton were almost level when Kenny was forced to push Warren Feeney's shot out for a corner. The Blades made the points safe five minutes after the break when Ifill was manhandled and Quinn flighted in the resulting free-kick which Morgan nodded home powerfully from 10 yards to register his first goal of the season. The doughty Blades refused to give up but for all their effort and endeavour they were unable to find the end product. And United took advantage with 19 minutes remaining when substitute Pericard fired slid home Derek Geary's low cross from the right as United eased to victory. Jagielka's second of the night and fourth of the season came with two minutes remaining as he seized on a loose ball inside the Blades' box and rifled home from 15 yards to cap an impressive night's work.
Blades defenders Rob Kozluk and Craig Short are out but striker Vincent Pericard is back. Danny Webber will be hoping for a recall to the starting line-up, but Steven Kabba and Neil Shipperley are expected to continue up front. Luton will again be without Sol Davies and Paul Underwood, while Steve Robinson is short of match fitness. Defender Kevin Nicholls is expected to retain his place after coming through the defeat at Coventry unscathed.