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26th February Sheffield United 0 Derby County 1 (Attendance: 21 084)
Simonsen, Nosworthy, Lowton, Collins, Ertl, Doyle (Vokes 70), Williamson, Quinn (Bent 70), Riise, Evans, Cresswell (Bogdanovic 63).
Subs Not Used: Long, Kozluk, Yeates, McAllister.
Booked: Williamson 73, Evans 78.
Man of The Match: Stephen Quinn.
Derby Line-up: Fielding, Brayford, Green, Barker, Savage, Robinson, Pearson (Cywka 58), Porter (S. Davies 80), Addison, Ayala, B. Davies (Buxton 89).
Subs Not Used: Pringle, Doyle, Bueno, Atkins.
Booked: Savage 33, Brayford 78.
Scorer: Robinson 27.
Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire).
Theo Robinson grabs his first Derby goal as the Rams beat United 1-0 at the Lane and pile more pressure on Micky Adams side.
Blades manager Adams made just one change to his side with Lee Williamson returning to face his hometown team, at the expense of the suspended Shane Lowry, which meant Johnny Ertl dropping back into central defence.
Nigel Clough made one notably change to his side with Frank Fielding making his debut in goal after re-joining on loan from Blackburn Rovers in place of the injured Stephen Bywater. Tomasz Cywka was replaced by Stephen Pearson, and Jamie Ward was ineligible to face the Blades.
The game was billed the battle of Championship's two 'out of form' teams, and a real chance for one of the sides to kick-start their campaign and mount some momentum going into the closing stages of the season. Neither side could get a full grip on the game in the early exchanges, and the first real chance of the game fell to United after 15 minutes.
A deep cross to the far post was headed back across goal towards Richard Cresswell, who scored the only goal of the game in September's meeting between the two sides at Park Park, but his shot on the turn was headed off the line by John Brayford.
Half-chances for Bjorn Helge Riise and Ertl came and went for United, who enjoyed a 10-minute flurry without working Fielding in the Derby goal. It meant the Rams had to hold firm as United launched cross after cross into the box, but time after time Shaun Barker and Daniel Ayala were on hand to head clear.
The after 27 minutes, Derby broke the deadlock with their first shot on target. Robbie Savage hooked a weak clearance from the Blades back into the box towards Ayala, who drove the ball low and hard across goal for Robinson to tap home at the far post to give the visitors the lead.
The anxious Lane faithful, frustrated at their side's three-and-a-half month run without a victory, began to vent their anger as Derby took control. Their frustration almost doubled minutes after Robinson's strike when a cross-shot from Green almost found its way to Porter at the far post, but a slight deflection off Neill Collins nudged the ball out of his path. Ched Evans gave United brief hope of a response in the final minute of the first half when he cut inside from the left and curled an effort goalwards, but Fielding reacted well and made a smart save. United were booed off the field at half-time.
United started the second period on the front foot and Ayala was called upon to block an Evans shot and Cresswell had the beating of Fielding in the air when Nyron Nosworthy whipped in a cross from the right, but he headed over the bar.
The pressure continued as the Blades pilled forward, but Derby stood firm and defended well and twice Barker was called upon to slide in and make vital last-gasp challenges in the box. Derby's defensive duties meant they were heavily reliant on catching United out on the break, and a Robinson shot on the breakaway on 70 minutes almost doubled their lead but goalkeeper Steve Simonsen pushed his shot away.
As the final 10 minutes approached, Fielding made a fine reaction save to keep Derby's lead intact. A corner from the right found Matthew Lowton six yards out, but his bullet header was tipped over by the 22-year-old.
Predictably United threw caution to the wind late on and piled bodies forwards late on putting the Rams goal under siege, cross after cross rained in, but they could not find a way through. In stoppage time, Robinson burst clear for the visitors but clear on goal he was denied by Simonsen. United continued to launch crosses in from every angle, but each time it was a Derby head on the ball to clear. Unfortunately, United could not get the equaliser they surely deserved, and are now six points adrift from safety.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Derby: Simonsen 7, Nosworthy 7, Lowton 6, Collins 5, Ertl 6, Doyle 5, Vokes 5, Williamson 6, Quinn 7, Bent 5, Riise 7, Evans 6, Cresswell 5, Bogdanovic 6.
22nd February Scunthorpe United 3 Sheffield United 2 (Attendance: 6,281)
Simonsen, Nosworthy (Yeates 73), Lowton, Lowry, Collins, Ertl (Bogdanovic 62), Doyle, Quinn, Riise, Evans, Cresswell (Bent 71)
Subs Not Used: Long, Kozluk, Parrino, Williamson.
Booked: Quinn 50.
Sent Off: Lowry 89.
Scorers: Evans 6, Cresswell 7.
Man of The Match: Bjorn Helge Riise.
Scunthorpe Line-up: Lillis, A. Wright, Gordon, Togwell (Ibrahim 79), Hughes (Collins 76), Nelson, J. Wright, Miller, Reid, Duffy (Raynes 84), Garner.
Subs Not Used: Slocombe, Grant, Nolan, Godden.
Booked: Wright 30, Nelson 56.
Scorers: Garner (pen) 37, 44, Miller 53.
Referee: David Foster (Tyne & Wear).
Sheffield United are now in real trouble after they lost to Scunthorpe in a crucial relegation match 3-2 at Glanford Park. The result boosts the Iron's survival hopes and sends the Blades tumbling ever-closer to the unthinkable - League One.
Manager Micky Adams made two changes to his side. Johnny Ertl came into midfield and Ched Evans was back in place of Daniel Bogdanovic. Iron boss Ian Baraclough named the same starting eleven that drew at home to Derby on Saturday. The importance of the match was instantly apparent with the 2051 Blades fans having made the evening journey to Scunthorpe to follow the side for this one.
The game could not have started an better, as the Blades went two goals up within six minutes. A cross from the right by Nyron Nosworthy found Stephen Quinn. Midfielder Quinn headed back to Evans and he powered the ball past goalkeeper Josh Lillis into his bottom left corner. Evans then running the length of the field to celebrate with the Blades fans.
A minute later the Blades doubled their advantage. A poor back pass from Paul Reid made its way to Lillis, who attempting to clear, and cannoned the ball off Cresswell into the empty net. A goal which sent the Blades fans in ecstatic celebrations.
The hosts were struggling to find any way back into the match and a thunderous strike by Bjorn Helge Riise from around twenty yards out left Lillis rooted to the spot and the keeper could only watch as it cannoned off the crossbar out of play.
Andrew Wright was the first man in the referee's book after half an hour when a challenge on Quinn on halfway produced a yellow card. Against the run of play the Iron were awarded a penalty in the 38th minute courtesy of Joe Garner. From a hopeful ball forward on the left flank, Neill Collins seemed to get the wrong side of Garner and clumsily hauled down the Scunthorpe striker. Collins picked up a booking, and Garner picked up the ball and smashed the ball straight down the middle of the goal past goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.
The Blades nearly restored their two goal advantage late in the half after impressive footwork by Evans gave him the chance to shoot just inside the box. The Blades striker however was unable to add to his tally and dragged the ball just wide of Lillis's right hand post.
But, just before the half time whistle United were hit by a sickener when the Iron managed to level the match. A ball from Mark Duffy found Andy Hughes at the back post whose header across the goalmouth found its way to Garner got in front of Shane Lowry and had the simplest tap-in at the back post and to draw the hosts level in this relegation six pointer.
Just eight minutes into the second half, Scunthorpe went ahead when on-loan striker Lee Miller got his name on the scoreboard.
A free-kick from Duffy was met by Millers’ head at the back post after some abysmal defending from Nosworthy, letting the Scottish striker get front of him and Miller could not miss and gave the home side the lead. The Blades made their first substitution on the hour mark when Bogdanovic was brought on in the place of Ertl and he slotted into an attacking midfield role.
With 20 minutes remaining, a Riise cross from the right somehow could not be turned in from a few yard's out after a goalmouth scramble involving Cresswell. Marcus Bent come on in place of Cresswell up front and the Blades made their third and final change a few minutes later when Nosworthy was withdrawn for midfielder Mark Yeates.
Yeates then missed a golden opportunity to draw the Blades level with ten minutes remaining. A counter attack from the Blades led to a three on two situation and after Bogdanovic played in Yeates far left, and he woefully dragged his shot wide.
The match was virtually sealed with two minutes to go when Shane Lowry was given a straight red for a professional foul on Garner as a last man. Lowry let himself and the Blades fans down with his dumb challenge, why he decided a body check was what was needed is anyones guess. The fourth official gave five minutes added time but the Blades were unable to find a way back and the Iron picked up a win that could prove crucial come the end of the season. So after a good start tonight, United threw away their golden chance.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Scunthorpe: Simonsen 6, Nosworthy 5, Yeates 5, Lowton 5, Lowry 4, Collins 5, Ertl 6, Bogdanovic 6, Doyle 5, Quinn 6, Riise 7, Evans 6, Cresswell 6, Bent 5.
19th February Crystal Palace 1 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 14,214)
Simonsen, Nosworthy, Lowton, Lowry, Collins, Doyle (Evans 72), Williamson, Riise, Quinn (Bent 72), Cresswell, Bogdanovic (Yeates 76).
Subs Not Used: Long, Calve, Parrino, Ertl.
Booked: Nosworthy 55, Lowton 58, Williamson 85, Evans 90+1
Man of The Match: Neill Collins.
Palace Line-up: Speroni, Clyne, Wright, McCarthy, Ambrose (Davis 87), Danns, Zaha (Scannell 66), Vaughan (Counago 87), Moxey, Gardner, Dikgacoi.
Subs Not Used: Barrett, Iversen, Price, Easter.
Booked: Zaha 65, Counago 90+5
Scorer: Ambrose 69..
Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire).
Sheffield United were defeated in a crucial match with Crystal Palace ant Sellhurt Park losing 1-0.
Manager Micky Adams made five changes to his side. Nyron Nosworthy, Shane Lowry, Bjorn Helge Riise , Matt Lowton and Daniel Bogdanovic all started in a 4-4-2 formation. Neill Collins and Lowry resumed their central defence partnership and Nosworthy was a right-back. Palace gave a debut to loan signing Kagisho Dikgacoi and Neil Danns returned to the starting eleven.
It was the Blades who started the better, launching a succession of crosses into the Palace 18 yard box, the best being when Collins headed wide a Riise corner. But it was the home side who created the first real opening when, against the run of play, Danns broke and found Wilfried Zaha and he found James Vaughan, who fired over, and then Dikgacoi forced goalkeeper Steve Simonsen to parry the ball clear.
Steven Quinn and Richard Cresswell were combining well and the later had a clever flick at goal cleared off the line by Palace right-back Nathaniel Clyne. A header from Nosworthy then saw goalkeeper Julián Speroni make a decent save as United continue to get success in the wide areas and put in some dangerous crosses. At the other end Vaughan won a free-kick that Darren Ambrose fired at goal, the ball deflecting off the United wall drawing a good save from Simonsen. The action swung from end to end, both side looking nervy. Just before the break United had two free-kicks from Riise, the best being the second which Collins headed wide.
At the start of the second half, a Riise cross just evaded Cresswell. The Blades continued to work hard and had the better of the possession without really threatening the Palace goal. Midfielder Dean Moxey fired straight at Simonsen, and then disaster struck when the home side went ahead. Eagles manager Dougie Freedman brought on Sean Scannell in palace of Zaha and his impact was immediate. The Republic of Ireland youngster winning a flick on to find Vaughan. The Everton loanee Vaughan found Ambrose, and he lifted the ball with his left-foot and hammering a 25yard volley over keeper Simonsen and into the top corner.
The goal brought an change in personnel within minutes from manager Adams. Ched Evans came on for Michael Doyle and Marcus Bent for a tiring Quinn. Then four minutes later Mark Yeates replaced Bogdanovic.
With the clock running down, Dikgacoi had a chance but Nosworthy cleared and Scannell looked dangerous on the left flank. United again had plenty of possession, set pieces and some neat passing but in the final third could not trouble the keeper with anything on note.
With five minutes to go, the Blades swung a corner in and Bent headed goal wards, the Palace keeper Speroni was beaten but David Wright cleared off the line. Scannell again broke brilliantly on the left, releasing Ambrose at just the right time but the goalscorer this time fired into the terraces. Five minutes of injury time was added, as the tension reach breaking point, but United did not trouble the Palace defence again.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Palace: Simonsen 6, Nosworthy 7, Lowton 6, Lowry 6, Collins 7, Doyle 6, Williamson 6, Riise 7, Quinn 7, Bent 5, Cresswell 5, Bogdanovic 6, Yeates 6, Evans 6.
15th February Sheffield United 1 Reading 1 (Attendance: 19,271)
Simonsen, Parrino, Jordan (Lowton 45), Collins, Ertl, Doyle, Williamson, Quinn, Yeates (Riise 62), Cresswell, Vokes (Bogdanovic 62).
Subs Not Used: Long, Nosworthy, Slew,
Booked: Jordan 27, Quinn 89.
Scorer: Bogdanovic (pen) 88.
Man of The Match: Steve Simonsen.
Reading Line-up: Federici, Griffin, Harte, Mills, Ingimarsson, Gunnarsson (Antonio 66), Tabb (Manset 74), Howard, Kebe, McAnuff, Long.
Subs Not Used: McCarthy, Khizanishvili, Armstrong, Robson-Kanu, Hunt.
Booked: Gunnarsson 55, Antonio 82, Long 88.
Scorer: Long 81.
Referee: Trevor Kettle (Rutland).
Daniel Bogdanovic's 88th-minute penalty rescued a point for Sheffield United as they claimed a 1-1 home draw with Reading.
The Blades made four changes with loan signing Sam Vokes in the starting line up in place of Marcus Bent, who dropped to the bench after several disappointing performances. Lee Williamson, Richard Cresswell and Johnny Ertl all came back into the starting XI. Manager Micky Adams continued with the 4-4-2 formation with Vokes partnering Cresswell in attack.
In the opening minute of the match, the Royals won a free kick on the right which was floated into the box. Ivar Ingimarsson wrestled his way in front of his marker and volleyed with but goalkeeper Steve Simonsen parried and gathered the loose ball before the Icelander could stab the rebound home. At the other end Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici had to be off his line quickly to stop Cresswell connecting with Michael Doyle's through ball, but Reading made the better start and went close again with eight minutes gone. Winger Jimmy Kebe's deep cross allowed Jobi McAnuff beat Mark Yeates for pace at the back post but his header struck the bottom of Simonsen's post. Yeates had two shots on goal , his first was over the crossbar and the second was saved by keeper Federici. After 30 minutes had elapsed, Ian Harte sent a cross field ball to find Kebe on the right side. The Malian touched it past Stephen Jordan and would have been in on goal had United left-back not clattered him to the floor. Jordan was booked, but Harte's free kick was well caught by Simonsen.
Reading were full of confidence and kept the pressure on. Long brought a searching ball down and touched it back to Brian Howard, who swept a left-footed effort just wide of the right upright. Then another breakaway from the visitors and winder Shane Long drilled a low cross into the middle for Jay Tabb. Tabb was completely unmarked but woefully missed his kick completely in front of the Shoreham Kop. Just before the break a shot from Stephen Quinn appeared to strike the arm of right back Andy Griffin, but the referee waved play on.
Five minutes into the second half, Reading had two chances to break the deadlock. McAnuff jinked his way into the box from the left firing at keeper Simonsen and then got the better of Elian Parrino and stabbed a second shot at goal but the Lane keeper made a another good save and Neill Collins cleared the danger.
United were not creating any chances of note and after 62 minutes Adams made a double substitution with Daniel Bogdanovic replacing Vokes and another loan signing Bjørn Helge Riise coming on for Yeates. The game entered a scrappy spell and Royals manager Brian McDermott introduced Michail Antonio for Brynjar Gunnarsson with 20 minutes remaining, before Mathieu Manset entered the fray for Tabb.
Bogdanovic picked out Doyle with a deep cross but the midfielder could only head back across goal and then a shot from Riise was blocked by Harte. Reading were looking to counter and it paid off with ten minutes remaining. McAnuff raced through the centre of midfield and slid a ball into Long on the edge of the 18 yard box. He got beyond Matt Lowton and coolly rifled a low right-footed effort past Simonsen and into the back of the net. But with five minutes remaining, United earned a penalty. In forcing Bogdanovic wide, Grffin was adjudged to have fouled the Blades substitute as he rushed into the box in front of the Kop. Bogdanovic stepped up and converted comfortably, sending Federici the wrong way. United continued to pilled forward looking for a winner but the best opportunity went to the visitors in injury time when Long, again fed by McAnuff was denied by a brilliant left handed save from Simonsen.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Reading: Simonsen 8, Parrino 6, Jordan 5, Lowton 5, Collins 6, Ertl 6, Doyle 6, Williamson 6, Quinn 7, Yeates 7, Riise 7, Cresswell 6, Vokes 6 ,Bogdanovic 8.
15th February The Blades have bolstered their ranks with the loan signings of Bjorn Helge Riise and Sam Vokes. Wolves striker Vokes has switched to Bramall Lane for 33 days, while Fulham midfielder Riise has joined until the end of the season. Vokes, who will be available until the home fixture with Leeds United on 19th March, will bolster an attack still missing Darius Henderson, who is several weeks away from a return to action, and Ched Evans, who has not fully recovered from illness. Riise, signed by former Fulham boss Roy Hodgson in July 2009, has switched after featuring in only three Premier League games for the Cottagers this term. The 27-year-old Norway international, who has won 27 caps for his country, was advised by his national boss Egil Olsen to find a club where he can play more regularly.
12th February Sheffield United 1 Millwall 1 (Attendance: 19,793)
Simonsen, Parrino, Jordan, Lowry, Collins, Montgomery, Doyle, Yeates, Quinn, Evans (Bogdanovic 67), Bent (Cresswell 67).
Subs Not Used: Long, Calve, Nosworthy, Ertl, Lowton.
Booked: Quinn 44.
Scorer: Bogdanovic (pen) 77.
Man of The Match: Shane Lowry.
Millwall Line-up: Forde, Dunne, P. Robinson, Trotter, Schofield (Lisbie 79), Henry, Barron, Morison, T. Robinson (Harris 71), Abdou, Purse.
Subs Not Used: Eastmond, Hackett, Smith, Mildenhall, Askou.
Booked: Morison 16, Robinson 76,
Scorer: Lisbie 90.
Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire).
Micky Adams was denied his first win as manager of Sheffield United as Millwall grabbed a last-gasp 1-1 draw at the Lane. Adams, who brought in former Blades boss Dave Bassett to help out this week in some capacity, also rang the changes on the pitch by recalling Stephen Jordan, Mark Yeates, Stephen Quinn and Ched Evans. Marcus Bent and Ched Evans were the forwards in a 4-4-2 formation. Surprisingly Adams still preferred Bent (who has not scored for 2 years) to Daniel Bogdanovic who has been on form in his appearances since the start of the New Year. The Blades started with purpose and Lions goalkeeper David Forde was called into action on six minutes with a save from Bent's speculative shot. Forde then produced a brilliant save just two minutes later to deny Yeates, who having seen his initial free-kick blocked by the defensive wall, rifled a half-volley towards the bottom corner only to be thwarted by the fingertips of Forde. The Referee then brandished yellow cards to Jimmy Abdou and Steve Morison who had lashed out at Quinn and was forever complaining. Liam Trotter had a low drive saved by United goalkeeper Steve Simonsen and then a move down the left involving Theo Robinson and Trotter created an opening, but Nick Montgomery was there to clear for a corner. Paul Robinson's header was parried by Simonsen and Lions striker Theo headed straight back to the United keeper. At the other end a low drive from Michael Doyle flashed a yard wide. Two minutes before the break, Robinson’s inviting cross had a touch too much pace for Danny Schofield, and his header from close range flew over the bar. The final incident of the half involved Quinn who was booked for diving in the Millwall 18 yard box, even though the Blades midfielder got straight back to his feet after the fall. It was a nervous start to the second half, Elian Parrino made a mistake which forced Shane Lowry to make an important challenge in defence. Then an attempted clearance from Neill Collins hit a Millwall player but fortunately Simonsen was there to take the ball. The first attacking action of the second half saw an Evans free kick saved by Millwall keeper Forde. Then at the other end, Trotter headed over, and James Henry's shot was deflected wide by Montgomery. Adams made two substitutions with Bogdanovic and Richard Cresswell coming on and minutes after, Bogdanovic was blocked off in the Millwall 18 yard box by Robinson. The referee pointed to the penalty spot and Bogdanovic fired to the right of the keeper to score and give the Blades a deserved lead. The goal lifted the anxiety from Lane faithful and the players were looking more relaxed on the ball. Yeates was just off target with a free-kick on 83 minutes. But in the final minute of normal time a cross field ball from Darren Purse picked out substitute Neil Harris on the right, his first-time delivery was met by substitute Kevin Lisbie with the latter's drive deflected wide for a corner. It was from this, with the clock approaching the first few seconds of injury-time, that Lions striker Henry despatched another pinpoint delivery, the ball spun past Trotter and found Lisbie, who made no mistake with a low finish into the back of the net.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Millwall: Simonsen 5, Parrino 6, Jordan 6, Lowry 7, Collins 7, Montgomery 7, Doyle 7, Yeates 6, Quinn 7, Evans 7, Bogdanovic 7, Bent 5, Cresswell 6.
5th February Ipswich town 3 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 18,280)
Simonsen, Parrino (Kozluk 61), Lowry, Collins, Ertl, Montgomery, Doyle (Quinn 56), Williamson, Cresswell, Bent (Yeates 56), Bogdanovic.
Subs Not Used: Calve, Long, Lowton.
Booked: Doyle 33, Lowry 71, Williamson 76.
Sent off: Kozluk 88 (straght red card), Williamson 89 (second booking).
Man of The Match: Steve Simonsen.
Ipswich Line-up: Fulop, Edwards, McAuley, Delaney, Kennedy, Martin (Civelli 90), Norris, Leadbitter, Bullard (Healy 84, Wickham, Priskin (Scotland 90).
Subs Not Used: Lee-Barrett, Peters, Smith, O'Dea.
Scorers: Delaney 29, Norris 53, Wickham 87.
Referee: Dave Phillips (West Sussex).
Sheffield United’s terrible run continued at Portman Road today after being thrashed 3-0 by Ipswich Town.
Blades manager Micky Adams made two changes with Neill Collins making his first appearance and Daniel Bogdanovic returning in place of Ched Evans who was suffering from gastroenteritis. Shane Lowry lined up at left-back in place of the injured Joe Mattock. Ipswich kept with the same side that beat Derby in midweek, Jimmy Bullard receiving a applause from the home fans as he made his home debut.
United started the better side, Gareth McAuley blocking Richard Cresswell's cross then Michael Doyle firing over the bar. Marcus Bent tested Town goalkeeper Marton Fulop from the angle of the box, while at the other end Lee Martin could not find the space to have a shot after Tamas Priskin had set him up.
Then, a surging run from Martin won a free-kick for Town on the edge of the box, Bullard seeing his 25 yarder comfortably saved by goalkeeper Steve Simonsen. Connor Wickham fired a left foot volley just wide of the far post before the hosts got the breakthrough on 28 minutes. United conceded a free-kick just outside the 18 yard box and Bullard floated over a free-kick from the right wing and Delaney was left completely alone to thump his header into the net.
Elian Parrino sent the ball across goal with Carlos Edwards doing enough to divert the ball behind, then Fulop held firm from Cresswell's cross just before the break as the Blades briefly threatened an equaliser.
Town striker Wickham was denied by Parrino after Norris forced the ball into his path as the second-half got underway, while at the other end keeper Fulop had to be alert to stop Bogdanovic.
The home side were firmly in the driving seat eight minutes into the second-half when Delaney crossed and Norris connected with the ball on the edge of the six yard box, again alarmingly unmarked and volleyed into the net. Priskin nearly added a third a minute later, the Hungary international hitting the post and then Leadbitter going close soon after with a volley.
The Blades had used all their substitutions as the clock approached the hour mark as Adams juggled his pack, with Stephen Quinn, Mark Yeates and Rob Kozluk joining the action, Bent was one of the three players who made way. Bullard found Leadbitter on the edge of the box and his volley deflected wide, Martin then slashing a shot into the side netting.
Leadbitter had a great chance to seal the points on 80 minutes when Priskin was bungled over by Lowry in the box but Simonsen saved superbly from the penalty spot. Ipswich tied up the points on 87 minutes after the ball was hoofed out of the Ipswich box and Wickham ran down the right wing from in his own half, then cut inside easily side stepping United defenders and slotting the ball in past Simonsen for an outstanding individual goal. If that was not bad enough, in the final moments Kozluk got involved in a clash with Martin and was rightly sent off. If that sending off was stupidity from a player who should have known better, seconds later Williamson stormed over to the referee to argue and was also shown a red card. United now have three key games which could decide their destiny. Two home matches which we desperately need to win, and should win if these players are as good as they keep insisting there are, and then a crunch game at Crystal Palace. The fans are still with the manager and team, it’s now up to the players to show they are good enough for this Division. Those of us who clearly remember the last time United were relegated to the third tier will never forget that day, we remember everything about that day, and it is etched in our memories. We just hope the players realise how serious this situation is now becoming and hope they will start to perform soon or it will be too late.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Ipswich: Simonsen 7, Parrino 5, Kozluk 4, Lowry 5, Collins 6, Ertl 6, Montgomery 6, Doyle 6, Quinn 6, Williamson 4, Cresswell 5, Bent 5 , Yeates 6, Bogdanovic 7.
2nd February Blades boss Micky Adams is still yet to record a win since he took over at the Lane and the defeat leaves United in the relegation zone. Adams was at a loss to explain how United came away with nothing and urged his players to show a positive response to their latest defeat. The Blades are now without a win in eight games in all competitions and Adams said: "It's one of those nights, a sloppy goal conceded. "What can you say, I thought we were the better team but for some good goalkeeping bit of good fortune, we definitely should have had a penalty when (Sol) Bamba handled it in the second half. "But that's football. In terms of the effort and the application I can't fault the boys, I wish I could. I wish I could go into the dressing room and rip their heads off but I can't after that. "We've dropped into the bottom three I believe and it's how we respond now. We've got to pick ourselves up, if we have any less application than we've shown tonight then we'll get beat wherever we go, but I think we're making strides."
1st February Sheffield United 0 Leicester City 1 (Attendance: 20,464)
Simonsen, Parrino, Mattock (Kozluk 33), Lowry, Ertl, Montgomery, Doyle (Yeates 70), Williamson, Cresswell, Bent (Bogdanovic 75), Evans.
Subs Not Used: Long, Lowton, Quinn, Ward.
Booked: Parrino 50, Kozluk 85.
Man of The Match: Nick Montgomery.
Leicester Line-up: Weale, Van Aanholt, King, Dyer (Gallagher 64), Naughton, Wellens, Abe (Oakley 70), Yakubu (Waghorn 87), Bamba, Mee, Vassell.
Subs Not Used: Howard, Logan, Berner, Hobbs.
Scorer: King 4.
Referee: David Webb (County Durham).
Sheffield United’s run of bad luck continued with a 0-1 home defeat to Leicester City. Michael Doyle was handed his debut, and there was recalls for Johnny Ertl and Lee Williamson. After the departure of Kyle Bartley, Ertl took up a central defensive position, alongside Shane Lowry, whilst Elian Parrino and Joe Mattock were the full-backs. The Blades has Ched Evans and Marcus Bent in up front in a 4-4-2 formation.
Leciester manager Sven-Goran Eriksson made one change to his side with new loan signing Patrick Van Aanholt Berner at left-back. The Foxes also had former Blade Kyle Naughton at right back.
Just four minutes into the match and disaster struck for United when a Lloyd Dyer throw-in on the left reached Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who fell to the ground but managed to hook the ball back to the oncoming Andy King, who finished with ease looping the ball over goalkeeper Steve Simonsen to put the Foxes ahead.
Nick Montgomery struck a thunderbolt half-volley towards the top corner the net from distance, with goalkeeper Chris Weale making a tremendous save at full stretch as the Blades showed for the first time. Then, Mattock whipped in a couple of dangerous corners and Sol Bamba needed to be alert to block from Williamson. Mattock, against his former club, suffered what appeared to be a serious injury around the half-hour mark after appearing to slip awkwardly and was stretchered from the field after lengthy treatment, his left-back role taken by Rob Kozluk. Doyle was fouled by King and from the resulting free-kick, 25 yards out, Williamson curled over the wall and Weale was beaten but the ball came back off the angle of post and crossbar. Before the break, United had an appeal for a penalty turned down following a scramble in the penalty area and Parrino prodded another effort just wide. In injury-time, Lowry's shot looked to be heading for the bottom corner before Bamba hacked the ball away.
A scrappy start to the second-half from both sides saw neither set of players able to get control or enjoy a decent spell of possession. An ambitious long-range free-kick from Richie Wellens failed to threaten keeper Simonsen. But eventually, United started to force the visitors back and there was panic in the Foxes defence after a great centre from Williamson, resulting in Bent blazing over from close range.
A long delay for a head injury to Naughton was then followed by Eriksson's first substitution of the game, with Dyer replaced by Paul Gallagher in the 63rd minute. Another lengthy delay, this time caused by an injury sustained by Van Aanholt, led to another break in play, as the Lane faithful grew even more restless with the bubbling referee stopping the game each time with United in an advantageous position on the pitch. In the 70th minute, Yuk Abe was replaced by Matt Oakley for the Foxes, with Mark Yeates replacing Doyle for the Blades. Yeates' first contribution was to whip in a corner, which found an unmarked Lowry, but the defender disappointingly head straight over. Then, Wellens was forced to concede a corner, but Yeates backed by the baying Kop made a complete mess of his corner and it was poorly put straight out for a goal kick. United then made their final change of the evening with Daniel Bogdanovic coming on for Bent in the 75th minute. Three minutes later, another corner for the Blades gave Yeates another chance to deliver, but Gallagher cleared well this time. Lowry fired over after a long throw caused problems in the 18 yeard box as United pilled on the pressure virtually camped in the Leicester half but bravery from Weale prevented the equaliser. Evans then fired one across goal, but Weale again saved the Foxes. With the Shoreham Kop creating bedlam Yeates delivered a corner from the left and Parrino's powerful header beat goalkeeper Weale but substitute Oakley headed off the line to save the visitors. in the third minute of injury time, Ertl's shot looked goal bound only for Weale to pull off another incredible save. With everyone forward for United the visitors nearly made it two right at the end when Waghorn sent winger Vassell storming forward into the box, but the ex England international could not finish from about 8 yards out and fired over.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Leicester: Simonsen 6, Parrino 7, Mattock 6, Kozluk 6, Lowry 6, Ertl 6, Montgomery 8, Doyle 6, Yeates 5, Williamson 7, Cresswell 6, Bent 5, Bogdanovic 6, Evans 7.
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