29th October Nick Montgomery admits to having had a torrid time watching United lose their way in the Championship in recent weeks. The tough-tackling midfielder suffered damage to his medial knee ligament in the 1-1 home draw with Doncaster earlier this month and has looked on from the sidelines as Kevin Blackwell's side have crashed to three successive league defeats. Montgomery said: "Because of the way I play I hate watching, especially at the minute when the lads are struggling and I just want to get out there and help the lads. "Hopefully we can get a result or two in the next couple of games and then I should be available for selection." He added: "I'm progressing well so it's just a case of doing all the rehab and, hopefully, I should be in contention in a couple of weeks."

27th October Striker Darious Henderson says he would have swapped his two goals in the defeat to Cardiff on Saturday for a much-needed win. Kevin Blackwell's injury-hit side lost 4-3 to the Bluebirds to slump to a third successive Championship defeat. The Blades now sit in 13th in the table - with just two points from their last six games - and Henderson would have swapped his goals for a much-needed win. He said: "Scoring goals is something a striker loves to do every game but the results are really what matters, especially at the moment when things aren't quite going for us. Small consolation "It's a very small consolation and although for me personally the two goals were nice, I'd have taken not scoring on Saturday if it had meant we had claimed all three points." Henderson was pleased with the performance against Cardiff, just not the result. He said: "In terms of getting on the ball and playing some good passing football I thought it was our best performance of the season but we didn't get the right result which makes things frustrating and disappointing."

24th October Sheffield United 3 Cardiff City 4 (Attendance: 25,021)

Blades Line-up: Bennett, Morgan, Kilgallon, Henderson, Evans (Camara 67), Harper, Taylor (Stewart 33), Little (Cotterill 62), Treacy, S.Quinn, Walker.
Subs Not Used: France, Williamson, Davies, Bunn.

Booked: Evans 25, Walker 80.

Scorers: Henderson 43, 45, Harper 90.

Man of The Match: Darious Henderson.

Cardiff Line-up: Marshall, Kennedy, Hudson, Whittingham, Chopra, Bothroyd, McPhail (Rae 74), Burke (McCormack 79), Gerrard, Ledley, Matthews.

Subs Not Used: P.Quinn, Taiwo, Enckelman, Comminges, Feeney.

Scorers: Bothroyd 41, Whittingham 45 (pen), 60, 85

Booked: Ledley 9, Chopra 80.

Referee: Trevor Kettle (Berkshire).

Peter Whittingham scored a hat-trick as Cardiff beat Sheffield United 4-3 in a thrilling Championship clash at the Lane.

Kevin Blackwell made four changes to the United side that lost 3-0 at Blackpool in midweek. Ian Bennett replaced Mark Bunn in goal and there were also recalls for Ched Evans, Glen Little and Keith Treacy.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones opted to name an unchanged starting eleven after his side's victory over Coventry on Tuesday.

The Bluebirds came close in the first minute. Adam Matthews lofted free-kick was headed out to Anthony Gerrard but the centre-half drilled his shot wide from the edge of the area.
It was instantly apparent that Cardiff favoured the long ball game and Jay Bothroyd was the tall target man with Michael Chopra buzzing around just behind him. Of course it is effective football when Cardiff, Newcastle, West Brom or Middlesbrough play the direct game, but when United adopt the same style of play there are outcries from the terraces.
It was an open game with the Blades having plenty of the early possession and they had an opportunity of their own soon after, but Gerrard was on hand to clear Morgan's goal-bound strike after goalkeeper David Marshall had flapped at Kyle Walker's cross. Cardiff thought they had taken the lead in the 18th minute when Bothroyd headed home another Matthews free-kick but the linesman's flag had already gone up for offside.

Following a scrappy passage of play the game then exploded into life with a spell of four goals in six minutes at the end of the first half.

Cardiff went in front after 42 minutes following a farcical mix-up in the Blades defence. Striker Bothroyd had the simple task of beating Bennett from four yards after Morgan's clearance had struck Harper on the backside. There was initial confusion as the linesman flagged for offside against Bothroyd but referee went to consult with the linesman at the Shoreham Kop end correctly awarded the goal as the ball had reached the Cardiff striker via an opposition player.

United levelled almost immediately as Little's cross hit Mark Hudson and fell invitingly for Henderson to slot home. But the visitors regained the lead in the 45th minute, Whittingham making no mistake from the penalty spot after Henderson had hauled down Jay Bothroyd.

Remarkably, United equalised again in the subsequent three minutes of stoppage time. goalkeeper David Marshall made a fine initial save to keep out Evans close-range header but he was powerless to prevent Henderson heading home the rebound.

Matt Kilgallon volleyed over for the Blades nine minutes after the interval following Henderson's intelligent knock-down. But Cardiff were back in front for a third time on the hour as Matthews long throw was flicked into the path of Whittingham who thumped home from close range.

United boss Blackwell brought on new signing Henri Camara as his side looked to rescue at least a point. But although Kilgallon and Treacy had chances to equalise the Bluebirds remained a constant threat on the break and added a fourth late on when Whittingham rounded off a slick passing move.

Harper did stab home an injury-time consolation for the Blades before Shephen Quinn's late strike was chalked off to the disappointment of the Lane faithful. The result means United have now lost three successive league games for the first time since April 2007, while their unbeaten home record has also come to an end.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Cardiff: Bennett 6, Taylor 5, Stewart 6, Walker 5, Morgan 6, Kilgallon 5, Harper 5, Quinn 6, Little 6, Cotterill 6, Treacy 7, Evans 6, Camara 6, Henderson 7.

22nd October United have signed former Wigan striker Henri Camara on a deal until the end of the season. The Senegal international has been without a club since a four-year spell with the Latics came to an end at the conclusion of the 2008/9 campaign.

He spent time on trial with Hull City over the summer but a move failed to materialise and the Blades have now swooped to bring him in.

Manager Kevin Blackwell is delighted to have captured a player who has previously had stints with Wolves, Celtic, Southampton, West Ham and Stoke.

Camara is now looking to make an impression and hopefully secure a more permanent contract.

"I am keen to play and score goals and although I am lacking a bit of match fitness I am confident that I can make a difference," said the 32-year-old.

"I wanted to stay in England, I have played a lot of my football over here and I like it. This is a good move for me and I am desperate to get playing and be involved again. "I have signed until the end of the season and if all goes well I'd hope that can be made longer."

20th October Blackpool 3 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 8,042)

Blades Line-up: Bunn, France (Evans 72), Taylor, Morgan, Kilgallon, Walker, Cotterill (Williamson 79), Harper, Quinn, Cresswell (Treacy 72), Henderson.
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Stewart, Little, Fortune.

Booked: Cresswell 45.

Man of The Match: Darious Henderson.

Blackpool Line-up: Gilks, Crainey, Eardley, Ormerod, Taylor-Fletcher (Adam 45), Baptiste, Euell, Thomas, Bangura (Vaughan 45), Demontagnac (Bouazza 78), Seip.

Subs Not Used: Rachubka, Southern, Evatt, Clarke.

Scorers: Seip 60, Euell 69, Adam 82.

Booked: Eardley 45.

Referee: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire).

Injury-plagued Sheffield United went down to a 3-0 defeat against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. Kevin Blackwell made four changes to the side that was beaten at the weekend. Richard Cresswell, Ryan France, David Cotterill and Andy Taylor all started with Jordan Stewart, Glenn Little and Ched Evans dropping to the bench. Midfielder Lee Williamson was also on the bench. Darious Henderson was the lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation. Blackpool made seven changes from their previous match against Plymouth. Blackpool made seven changes from their previous match against Plymouth.
The Blades were the first to threaten in the sixth minute, although Seasiders goalkeeper Matthew Gilks was equal to Darius Henderson's firmly-struck shot from 20 yards. Blackpool had a decent opportunity of their own nine minutes later when Neal Eardley's cross picked out Jason Euell, but the veteran striker diverted his header wide. Blackpool goalkeeper Matthew Gilks was called on to parry away another left-footed effort from Henderson soon after, while at the other end Euell was off target with a header from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas cross.
United wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead 11 minutes before the break. Stephen Quinn's corner picked out Matt Kilgallon in the area and the centre-half headed over when it seemed easier to score. Henderson was denied by Gilks for a third time as the Blades finished the half strongly and the Blackpool stopper also had to be alert to keep out a long-range effort from James Harper. The home side made two changes at the break, with Adam and David Vaughan coming on in place of Taylor-Fletcher and Al Bangura. Alex Baptiste headed straight at Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn from an Adam free-kick in the 50th minute, but United went close again five minutes later through Taylor, who saw his 20-yard strike pouched by Gilks. Baptiste then directed a header over the bar from Vaughan's out swinging corner. And another Blackpool set-piece provided the game's opening goal on the hour mark as Seip escaped the attentions of Kilgallon to head home Vaughan's corner kick. Brett Ormerod and Neal Eardley both spurned chances to extend their side's lead as the hosts enjoyed their best spell of the match.
And the Seasiders were soon rewarded with a second goal as a flowing move ended with the overlapping Eardley crossing for Euell to side-foot home from 12 yards. The hugely impressive Adam then saw an audacious long-range lob tipped over by a back-pedalling Bunn.
However, the Scottish midfielder Adam was not to be denied a goal and he poured salt into United's wounds by firing home from 20 yards with eight minutes remaining.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Blackpool: Bunn 6, France 6, Taylor 6, Morgan 5, Kilgallon 5, Walker 5, Cotterill 6, Williamson 6, Harper 6, Quinn 5, Cresswell 6, Treacy 6, Evans 6, Henderson 7.

19th October Kevin Blackwell has accused Matthew Kilgallon's agent of 'blackmail' in the unsettled United defender's contract wrangle.

The Blades are struggling to reach an agreement with Kilgallon, who is out of contract in the summer, after the club's latest offer was rejected two weeks ago by the player's advisors. Blades boss Blackwell has now admitted he doubts whether an agreement can be reached and has launched a stinging attack on the centre-back's representatives. Blackwell, who replaced the centre-half during Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Scunthorpe, said: "We've pushed the boat out and if it goes out any further all the other players would want to jump on it and there'll be no club left. "I would have to say that it would appear to be way off. It's a shame. The lad's earning a good living to be honest and it should not be all about money. "It's affecting him there's no doubt about it and as a manager I want it resolved." Blackwell added: "Agents sow seeds in the players' minds and that affects them and for me that stinks. "I don't think it's right that his agent comes to the club and holds a gun against our heads and says if you don't go to a certain level we're not prepared to negotiate. That's not negotiation, that's blackmail. "So it's a frustrating situation. I've got the highest regard for Matthew and I want to get him back to how he was playing last season and hopefully this can be resolved."

17th October United boss Kevin Blackwell refused to blame his side's injury crisis for their 3-1 defeat at Scunthorpe on Saturday. Blackwell, who was missing 10 players and could only name six substitutes, saw his side offer a poor showing at Glanford Park as they were beaten by a Grant McCann double and a Paul Hayes strike. United had briefly been level when Ched Evans, who was one of several players to play with an injury, fired home a free-kick, but Blackwell was not shying away from the disappointing performance. "It would be too easy for me to hide behind the fact we have had a load of injuries," he said. "Today we got what we deserved, which was nothing. We were poor from start to finish. "We have had 10 injuries and I have got a squad of 22. We couldn't fill the bench. But (to use it as an excuse) would disrespect Scunthorpe, who were at it and deserved the win."

Blades defender Matty Kilgallon was taken off after Scunthorpe forged ahead in the second period with two goals inside six minutes, and with transfer speculation constantly surrounding the defender's future, Blackwell insists he needs to focus on his football.

Asked why he took Kilgallon off, Blackwell said: "Did you see the last two goals? "'Killa' has got to deal with the speculation, it's part of football. You have to play through it and I am sure he is professional enough to play through that, only time will tell."

17th October Scunthorpe United 3 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 7,599)

Blades Line-up: Bunn, Davies, Stewart (Taylor 70), Morgan, Kilgallon (Reid 61), Harper, Little (Treacy 63), Walker, Quinn, Evans, Henderson.
Subs Not Used: France, Bennett, Fortune.

Scorers: Evans 51.

Booked: Quinn 35,

Man of The Match: Ched Evans.

Scunthorpe Line-up: Murphy, Williams, Togwell, Byrne, McCann (Woolford 77), Hayes, Hooper (Forte 83), Jones, Mirfin, O'Connor (Thompson 90), J. Wright.

Subs Not Used: Lillis, A. Wright, Spence, Canavan.

Scorers: McCann 22, 59, Hayes 53.

Booked: O'Connor 36, Mirfin 50

Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire).

Grant McCann scored twice as Scunthorpe beat a very poor Sheffield United 3-1 at Glanford Park. Manager Kevin Blackwell was forced into two changes with Matt Kilgallon and James Harper coming into the side. Andrew Davies was at right-back with Kyle Walker on the right wing. The Iron made four changes with Joe Murphy, Marcus Williams, David Mirfin and Michael O'Connor coming into the starting line up. The Blades had the first real chance of the game after 16 minutes when Ched Evans almost converted from Kilgallon's deep cross, which was headed across goal, but Mirfin was there to block his chance. The home side almost notched the first when O'Connor almost sublimely played through Hooper but the pace of the ball took it away from him. They finally did go ahead on 22 minutes when McCann's stunning left-footed effort flew into the roof of goalkeeper Mark Bunn's net from 30 yards out. Paul Hayes was next to come close for Scunthorpe but he curled high and wide after being teed up by McCann. Then, Marcus Williams wasted a glorious chance to make it 2-0 shortly after, as he received the ball after a superb flowing move and the ball cleared the crossbar.
The Blades improved towards the end of the half, with Glen Little curling wide and Evans' header drawing a save. United chased an equaliser at the start of the second half and they got their goal after 51 minutes as Mirfin felled Evans on the edge of the area and from the resulting free-kick, Stephen Quinn touched the ball for Evans and the striker quickly fired in from a free-kick with a low shot which beat Murphy. However, just 60 seconds after United had drawn level goalkeeper Bunn was guilty of, first indecision, and then a poor clearance which allowed a quick throw-in to be taken as Scunthorpe regained the lead. Gary Hooper laying a delightful ball into the path of stike partner Hayes to score with a superb volley with the outside of his right foot. Worse was to follow for United when Hooper charged through midfield and sent the ball across for Josh Wright, whose low shot came back into play off Bunn's bottom right-hand post. United were all over the place and defenders threw themselves in front of the ball to try to block, but McCann fired home the rebound from the left of the 18 yard box and effectively finished off the Blades hopes of getting any result. It was effectively game over at that point and chances were limited as the game wore on. Blades substitute Keith Treacy had a late chance but blasted over the crossbar after controlling the ball well inside the area. There were four minutes of stoppage time and irons substitute Jonathon Forte almost set up a goal for another substitute Martyn Woolford late on, who forced a save from Bunn with a header. As the full time whist blew the majority of the Unitedites had already left and were on their way home. It had been a really dispiriting showing from United today. The Blades have many injuries and key players out, but some of the defending and lack of creativity going forward was the most worrying aspect of this wretched outing. So now the trip to Blackpool looms and we will be hoping for a vast improvement otherwise we could be in an embarrassing mid-table position by the end of Tuesday night.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Scunthorpe: Bunn 5, Davies 6, Taylor 6, Morgan 6, Kilgallon 5, Stewart 6, Reid 6, Harper 6, Little 6, Treacy 6, Walker 6, Quinn 6, Evans 6, Henderson 6.

6th October United have confirmed Nick Montgomery will be out for two months with medial ligament damage. The 27-year-old midfielder picked up the injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Doncaster at Bramall Lane, although Blades manager Kevin Blackwell initially suspected he had suffered cruciate ligament damage. Although not as bad as first feared, Montgomery will be out of action for at least eight weeks and he adds to a growing injury list at United. "It's still a long-term injury and Nick will be a big loss for us," said Blades assistant manager Sam Ellis. "It will probably be early December before we see him playing for us again." Fellow midfielders James Harper, Lee Williamson and Jamie Ward are also currently sidelined for the Blades, while key defender Matt Kilgallon is out with an ankle problem. Derek Geary and Gary Naysmith are currently recovering from long-term injuries.

3rd October Manager Kevin Blackwell delivered a "could do better" verdict after the clash with Championship rivals Doncaster ended 1-1.

Richard Cresswell, on loan from Stoke, denied Doncaster another memorable afternoon at the Lane when heading a brave 65th-minute equaliser.

James Hayter had fired Rovers ahead just before half-time when racing on to Dean Shiels' precision pass to slide the ball under Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn.

Doncaster celebrated their first ever league win at Bramall Lane in January, but had to settle for an eighth draw from their opening 11 league matches ahead of next week's international break.

Blackwell insisted his side dominated the match, but conceded they were struggling to find their better form due to the number of loan signings he has been forced to make. Cresswell, Glen Little and Jordan Stewart all made their full home league debuts. Blackwell said: "Overall I can't complain. We've done most of the things we asked. "The debutants all did well. I think we've signed 12 or 13 players now and at times we do look a bit disjointed, but we dominated and they didn't pose us many problems." He added: "The lads are showing character in abundance, but the team's being rebuilt again. This is the third team I've built since being here and I've only been here 18 months. "After Christmas we signed five or six loans and this year I've got 12 new players in and six are loans.

"The understanding of what I want isn't quite there, but we're still getting results. "So I'm pleased with that. We're sitting sixth after 11 games so that school report is 'doing okay, but could do better".

3rd October Sheffield United 1 Doncsater Rovers 1 (Attendance: 26,211)

Blades Line-up: Bunn, Walker, Stewart, Davies, Morgan, Montgomery (France 45), Cresswell, Little (Cotterill 82), Quinn, Evans (Treacy 76), Henderson.
Subs Not Used: Kilgallon, Reid, Bennett, Taylor.

Scorers: Cresswell 65.

Man of The Match: Richard Cresswell.

Doncaster Line-up: Sullivan, O'Connor, Chambers, Spicer (Dumbuya 90), Hayter, Wilson (Roberts 38, Heffernan 75), Woods, Shackell, Hird, Shiels, Webster.

Subs Not Used: Guy, Smith, Elliott, Fairhurst.

Scorers: Harper 45.

Booked: Roberts 53.

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).

Richard Cresswell scored his first goal for the Blades in a 1-1 with Doncaster at the Lane in an exciting match. Glenn Little Jordan Stewart and Cresswell were all given their full home league debuts and they were joined in the starting line-up by Andy Davies.  Defender Matt Kilgallon and Keith Treacy were amongst the substitutes. Rovers brought in James O'Connor with James Chambers moving over to the left. Adam Lockwood was out with injury but Jason Shackell returned to the side to form a central defensive trio alongside Sam Hird and Byron Webster.
The game kicked –off with a blustery wind blowing towards the Shoreham Kop.  The visitors had the better of the opening minutes with Dean Shiels getting in a shot from the left that goalkeeper Mark Bunn easily saved. The Blades team retaliated with a cross from Stewart on their left for Ched Evans to shoot wide from 18 yards out. A couple of minutes later Martin Woods got in a strike from 30 yards that Bunn stopped. At the other end Darious Henderson had a weak header saved by Neil Sullivan in the Rovers goal. United were defending the Kop end and it was hard to tell weather the wind was having any effect, the ball was spending a considerable amount of time in the air and midfield play dominated the opening fifteen  minutes. The Blades then started to have plenty of the possession in the Rover half and then over a two minute period had four corners. One was headed wide by Henderson and another was put over the bar by Stephen Quinn whilst Chris Morgan had a volley blocked and Nick Montgomery's shot was deflected wide. Then, following a quick Quinn free-kick, Stewart's cross flashed off Sam Hird's shin and needed Sullivan to be well-placed to stop the ball. United had dominated the possession and Doncaster had only made fleeting flurries in to the Blades 18 yard box. But as half-time loomed Rovers came more into the game and in added -on time took a shock lead. A ball played through by Shiels into the penalty area to James Hayter was fired towards goal and deflected of Kyle Walker, the ball flying over Bunn into the net. Just before the half-time whistle Henderson's cross from the left was controlled by Cresswell but his shot was pushed around the post by Sullivan.
The Blades came out meaning business and 10 minutes into the half began a sustained attack on the Rovers goal, with the Rovers defending desperately before Henderson got in a strike from the left that went well wide of the far post. A couple of minutes later and Little put wide from 25 yards. The Blades were pushing on now with the Kop roaring them forward a breakthrough was inevitable.
After 66 minute the deserved goal came when Little got to the byline before chipping a great ball over Sullivan to the far post where Cresswell rushed in to head into the net for the equaliser. Over the next fifteen minutes or so the play swung backwards and forwards at tremendous pace but the two defences held their ground. After 73 minutes, following a Blades free-kick, Henderson came in with a header that hit the top corner of the post and bounced clear. At the other end Gareth Roberts chipped a ball from the left side just wide of the far post. The visitors had their backs to the wall for a spell as the United chased a winning goal but they held firm and created a few counter-attacks at the other end. Four minutes of added time was signalled as Treacy fired in from 15 yards but Sullivan tipped it over for a corner. United piled on the pressure with a couple of corners in the dying seconds. But at the final whistle a point was the correct outcome. United have lost their ability to dominated their opponents in recent matches and that showed today, while some credit goes to the visitors who took the game to United for long periods in the second half. The Blades must now be targeting six points from their next two away matches to keep the pressure on at the top of the Championship.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Doncaster: Bunn 6, Walker 6, Stewart 6, Davies 7, Morgan 7, Montgomery 7, France 6, Cresswell 7, Little 7, Cotterill 6, Quinn 6, Evans 5, Treacy 5, Henderson 7.