retired_brianrt

unlucky abouth the playoffs gricehead, but maybe next season
KUTGW :thup:

retired_eneko5613

Maybe next season indeed.

Pre-season 2006/07

Compared with the previous season, the calendar of friendlies this year was poor. Only one home game, against Newcastle, the week before the league kicked off. Away ties at Gateshead and Peterborough, and a quick trip to Lisburn to play Distillery were the other elements in the lightweight programme, although it was expected that their would be a charity game played at Bramall Lane between the first team and the reserves.

Bravely continuing on with the same playing style they ended last season, a strong side hit Gateshead for 6 in front of an unlikely 10000 plus crowd at the International Stadium. Six different goalscorers, including two from second half substitutes, ensured the action was spread around. The team - Kenny, Geary, Jags, Unsworth, Gresko, Thompson, Tonge, Sierra, Nalis, Webber and Shipperley - was generally thought to be pretty close to the strongest available. The remainder of the first team squad were sent to Peterborough to try their luck, along with a few youngsters, giving the manager a first chance to look at promising centre half Dominic Roma. Kevan Hurst, Lee San, Jonathan Forte and Adrian Harper also saw action from the bench. The game ended, disappointingly, 0-0.

Jags, Gresko and Sierra all shone in Northern Ireland, with a 4-1 win. Again, the goals all came from different scorers. Ifill got his first start of preseason, and the combination of Keenan and Gresko on the left was seen for the first time. Media speculation had it that these two could become the regular left back/left wing pairing, especially if Michael Tonge's poor form continued. The fans were divided, especially as many of them had not made the trip over the Irish Sea.

The Saturday before the season started; the last Saturday in July, saw the 1st and 2nd elevens come together for a game in aid of the Sheffield Children's Hospital. This was the penultimate chance for the first team to get match fitness, and Jordan lined up with Kenny, Francis, Morgan, Unsworth, Keenan, Gillespie, Gresko, Thompson, Nalis, Abbott and Shipperley. Kit Symons fielded a young eleven of Robbie Ward, Nicky Law, Ian Ross, Kyle McFadzean, Travis Binnion, Kevan Hurst, Kyle nix, James Ashmore, Adrian Harper, Lee San and Gary Mulligan. Despite the party atmosphere before the game and at half time, the first team showed their professionalism, and prevented the reserves from having a single attempt at goal. At the other end it was Pawel Abbott with a first half brace who stole the show. Subs Tonge, Ifill, Quinn, McCann and Barnes all got on the field, but none particularly impressed.

It all got decidedly more serious on Tuesday night, with Newcastle bringing a strong side to Bramall Lane. The likes of Given, Babayaro, Solano, Luque, Bowyer, Hugo Viana, Owen and Ameobi lined up for the black and whites, and Jordan fielded an eleven that once again was only a couple of players away from his strongest. To be fair, it wasn't really a representation of the sort of football either manager would want to see their side play during the main part of the season, but the Sheffield United boss would probably have come away happier. After conceding an early Owen goal, his side fought hard, securing an equaliser on the hour mark from Webber. The introduction at the break of Nalis and Bopp in midfield, and Keenan for the lacklustre Tonge, seemed to give the team more creative outlets and, yes, that pairing of Keenan and Gresko was working well again. Paddy Kenny still had the most work to do of the two keepers, though, as the game ended in a draw.

Not a lot could be drawn from that set of pre-season results, and anybody trying to do so would be inviting criticism of their views upon themselves. But football fans are football fans, and there would be enough for them to chew over in the pubs as the excitement of Saturday, and the real business of the season, approached.

retired_blondie_524

Good luck this season !

:thup:

retired_eneko5613

Thanks mavericktango!

August 2006

The talking was over. Blades fans throughout the city had had their say. They'd analysed every possibility from every conceivable angle, and most of them had picked their own team. Some of the more anal ones had even written it down on a teamsheet. The first visitors of the season to Bramall Lane were Luton, and whilst they were by no means pushovers, it was (in the fans eyes) one of the easier ways to start. Other than the Fowls, of course. There was a huge cheer when Michael Tonge's name was read out, drowning out the shocked noises from those who had decided he would be left out in favour of the Gresko/Keenan partnership. Ifill had been chosen ahead of Thompson, and Morgan got the centreback spot alongside Jags. Shipps and Webber resumed their partnership up front, and it was the big striker who got the season underway with a goal on 20 minutes. The strike was enough to win him the Man of the Match, but not enough to win three points, as Luton equalised before the break with a screamer of a freekick. The fans got to see their left-of-field partnership for the last 25 minutes, but nothing became of it.

Thompson replaced Ifill for the second half of the home double-header; Ipswich on Tuesday night. The Tractor Boys came for a draw and got it, without getting a shot on target all night. Which, of course, meant that the Blades didn't score either. Jordan made the same substitutions, slightly earlier this time, but with no more effect than in the previous game. Which meant the Blades (minus Ian Ross, who was off to Darlington for 5 months) would head for freshly relegated Wigan still looking for their first win of the season.

Not the best of places to go in search of a result, as Wigan were favourites to go straight back up again. Geary came in for Francis, who had taken knocks in each of the first two games, and found the accumulation too much to go on with. The Blades kept the home side at bay for the first half hour, but Wigan were 2 goals to the good by half time, and there looked no way back. Gillespie replaced Thompson at halftime, with Quinn and Abbott coming on for Sierra and Shipps ten minutes later. Of course, this meant that Tonge would have to stay on the pitch for the whole game. So who should score in the last minute? Michael Tonge. It wasn't enough, though, and the Blades returned east with nil points.

Four things worthy of note happened in the week leading up to the next game at Preston. Stephen Quinn departed on loan to Shrewsbury until Christmas was probably the least of note. Noteworthy for the right reasons was the arrival on a three month loan deal of Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, the 20 year old Dutch striker, from Arsenal. Noteworthy for the wrong reasons (from the fans perspective at least) was the signing of 24 year old defender Danny Coles from Hull City. Albeit just for a minimal fee, but the arrival of a reserve player from a club who are struggling in the same division never goes down well. Coles' arrival did hint at something else though - the fourth thing. Jordan announced a team hinting at a complete change of not only tactics, but formation. Depending on how you looked at it, the Blades were going either 5-3-2 or 5-2-1-2. Kenny in goal; a back three of Jags, Morgan and Unsworth; wingbacks Geary and Gresko; Monty, Nalis and Sierra the trio in midfield; Abeyie and Webber up front.

Within 5 minutes of the game of the kick off at Deepdale, it was clear that Sierra was being a free role in the attacking midfield slot. Within 6 minutes, he'd scored - a great freekick. Preston equalised, with an almost identical freekick, as many minutes after half time. A tetchy second half followed, until Sierra got onto the end of a great build up, and beat the keeper from a narrow angle. A minute later he had his first Blades hattrick and Sheffield United were home and dry for their first win of the season.

Kevan Hurst joined the list of departing loanees, as he elected to visit Oxford for the remainder of the year. He needn't have worried about missing out on first team experience in the League Cup, as the manager elected to field an experienced side, despite a number of changes. Coles, Ifill, Keenan, Thompson, Quinn, Abbott and Lee San came in, Morgan, Unsworth and Tonge retaining there places for the visit of Bury. A brace from Tonge and one for Quinn ensured comfortable progression to the second round. Our reward? A trip to Colchester, which could be tricky as they've been strengthening this season.

Could the team, reverted back to that from the Preston match except for Webber and Nalis being replaced by Shipps and Tongey, carry the form forward to Burnley? First half goals from Sierra, who was on fire, and Abeyie, his first, certainly set things up nicely. Until Ade Akinbiyi scored just before the break. The inevitable happened. Akinbiyi got a second, and four minutes later Burnley took the lead - and they would hold on to it for the rest of the game. A harsh defeat, in reality. The Blades had been without a first team keeper on the bench, because Phil Barnes had eventually had enough and requested a transfer. Leeds had wasted no time in placing a £100k offer, and Barnes was allowed to leave. 18 year old Jamie Annerson was recruited from the youth team, as a temporary measure. Evan Horwood had again gone on loan, this time to York.

The last events of an unconvincing August took place at Bramall Lane. Millwall were the opponents for a third home game, and a third attempt to find a win. Keenan and Abbott came in for Shipps and Gresko. 35 minutes of nervy deadlock followed, until Abeyie eventually broke through. Millwall won a penalty just before the break, and Hayles converted it. Once again, it seemed like the Blades had handed the impetus to the opponent and made the half time team talk a lot easier for the opposing manager. Millwall couldn't make it stick, though, and allowed Abbott to score just after the break. Unsworth added a penalty, and Thompson made it four all before the hour mark. Abbott's second completed the rout, although the cockneys were allowed a final bite of the cherry to make it 5-2. Pawel Abbott, in his first league start of the season, claimed the man of the match award.

Quincy Owusu-Abeyie claimed runner up in the first Young Player of the Month award of the season. Which was nice, but of scant consolation to the fans.

retired_eneko5613

September 2006

The first weekend of the month was a break for the International games, which gave the Blades manager a better chance to examine the teams tactics. Evidence from observed training sessions tended to suggest that the experiment with 5 in defence was over, and that more emphasis was being placed on pace in attack, playing to Webber and Abeyie's strengths. Somewhat ironic, then, that by the time the visit to Stoke came around, the Arsenal striker was out with an injured elbow. Shipps stepped into the breach. First half goals from Monty and Webber tied this one up, a very solid away performance and a man of the match for the unsung Derek Geary.

Having proved the new formation worked away from home, Jordan switched back to 5-3-2 for the home fixture against Cardiff. It was Steve Kabba's return to Bramall Lane, and the crowd weren't best pleased to see him. United had their own striking issues: Shipps wasn't fit enough, so Abbott started. Coles made his debut in defence. The Blades fought hard, and should have been in the lead by the break, but the visitors kept it level, and then came out all guns blazing. Two goals in the second half did for United, and they left the field to boos at the final whistle. Would this be the death knell for 5-3-2?

Gresko returned for the local derby at Doncaster, but Tonge kept his place with Keenan dropping to the bench. The Blades annihilated their rivals, with goals from Thompson and Abbott in the first half. Donny conceded a penalty and a man advantage just before half time, and captain Unsworth sent his side into half time with an unassailable 3-0 lead. Quinn replaced Sierra and got his goal to make it four. Rovers got a consolation ten from the end, but the result was still comprehensive. It went down well with the fans as well, many of whom had watched on telly:

The Carling Cup meant change, in this round at least, but not to the extent of some of the big clubs. McCann, Nalis, Bopp, Gillespie, Morgan and Francis all started, along with Lee San and, debutant keeper Jamie Annerson. On his way back to fitness, and on the bench, was Abeyie. The first half performance was pretty dismal. The lower league opposition tried to help out by getting a man sent off as early as the 7th minute. An injury to Keenan just before the break left the Championship side facing the second half without a left back, and youngster Dominic Roma had to fill in out of position. Also off the bench at the break came Abeyie, and he put a Neil McCann cross away ten minutes later. Looking more comfortable, the manager brought on Iranian youngster Sharu Naraji, and he immediately made a smart move down the right, putting the ball into the path of Abeyie who slotted in at the far post. Up for his hattrick, the young Arsenal striker took charge of an 85th minute penalty, but the keeper was equal to it. No hattrick then, but a place in the next round. More difficult than it should have been, though. QPR in the next round for the trouble.

Back at home, and the manager finally played 4-4-2. Sadly, it resulted in nothing better than a 0-0 draw against Hull in front of the TV cameras. David Thompson broke a wrist in the 7th minute, and Abeyie proved that he still wasn't up to the pace of Championship football, lasting 70 minutes before being replaced by Shipps. Sierra took a knock towards the end of the second half, making him a doubt for the visit to Bristol City.

Gillespie and Quinn came in for the Bristol trip. No-one expected the team to miss the Chilean quite this much, as United took a 3-0 beating. Rank poor performances throughout the team, and not the sort of thing the fans really wanted to see.

Was that fan "working" the following Saturday? If so, it was a shame. He would have missed a much more convincing performance, not just from Quinn, but from the whole side. Ifill was in for Gillespie and Abott for Webber, with QPR the visitors at Bramall Lane. Abeyie, seemingly more on the pace now, opened the scoring in the 3rd minute with a 25 yard shot into the far bottom corner. The keeper had no chance, and the roof almost came off the kop at the sight of such a fine strike. The Blades fans were in good voice for ten minutes or so until QPR worked a neat equaliser straight through the middle. And that was it for the first half. Ten minutes into the second, though, Alan Quinn scored a goal of the season contender. Another 25 yarder, but this time curling in the air and beating the keeper at the near post after initially looking to be going well wide. A fine way to take the lead again. Abeyie's second, United's third, wasn't exactly a tap in either. The fourth - officially an own goal - came when Quinn's strike took a shocking deflection goalbound. And to top it off, Abeyie span in the box and forced home for his hattrick two minutes into stoppage time. The result was harsh on the visitors, but showed what this Sheffield United team is capable of on a good day.

Not really a good day for Jags, though, as he took a knock which could keep him out for a while. The maturing league table saw United in, believe it or not, 9th. Dominic Roma should have been going to Grimsby for a few months on loan, but the Codmen loaned someone else at the last minute, and in the awards Quincy Owusu Abeyie deservedly got the Young Player of the Month this time.

Alan Quinn's "goal of the season contender" turned out only to be good enough for third place this month. Must be some fine goals around.

retired_eneko5613

October 2006

With matches against two of the relegated premiership clubs scheduled for October, there wasn't a lot of optimism around Sheffield 2. Still, at least the club were still in the Carling Cup, and there was the Steel City derby scheduled for the 21st. That was a guaranteed three points, surely, not to mention the opportunity to restore the bragging rights after the unfortunate events at Hillsborough last season.

Sheffield United fans again found themselves with a whole fortnight to ponder such thoughts. The International weekend came and went, and the only news coming out of the club was that Dominic Roma had been lucky at the second time of asking, and had agreed a loan deal with Huddersfield. By the time the trip to 6th placed Leicester came around, everyone concerned was itching to get back into action. The only change to the side which had annihilated QPR was Shipperley coming in for Abbott, so this would be a breeze, right? Wrong. Two first half goals for Leicester, and no reply until the 82nd minute when Abeyie got on the scoresheet. Leicester even went down to ten men for the last six minutes when Stephen Hughes was crocked and they'd made all three substitutions, but to no avail. The travelling supporters wailed their derision at the final whistle. Little did they know this was the last time they'd taste defeat in the league for some time.

The league leaders Bolton visited Bramall Lane on Tuesday night. They dominated the game, but only went away with a point from a 0-0 draw. That's all there is to say about it really. Yes, it was that boring. Still, most of the the fans would have been talking about the derby anyway.

The buildup to the Steel City derby started almost as soon as the final whistle had blown. Radio Sheffield, as usual, made a complete meal out of it. Wednesday were already struggling down in 18th, looking forward to another season of trying to avoid relegation. This was one weekend where the Blades fans could forget about their own (relatively speaking) mediocre league position. Danny Webber returned to the side for the special occasion, and in front of the cameras, the two sides kicked off on Saturday evening. For half an hour the game was a typical derby affair; scrappy with the odd niggle. The Owls' star striker Geoff Horsfield left the field injured after 25 minutes. Sheffield's bragging rights were settled in a crazy 5 minute spell just after the half hour mark. A long cross from Gresko was headed home by Webber, beating two markers to the ball. Less than five minutes later, Webber turned provider, squaring the ball for Abeyie to score a typical near post goal. Straight from the kickoff, Abeyie robbed Kirilov (whose poor clearance had led to the 2nd goal) and stormed away from the stranded Wednesday defence and slotted past the keeper again. A great period of United play, with Abeyie reaching the 10 goal landmark. The fact that Wednesday, through Steve MacLean, got one back in the second half, was largely irrelevant to the home supporters, who were too busy partying in the stands.

Perpetual loanee Colin Marrison missed out on all the celebration, as he had already departed to spend three months at Burton. Not that he seemed to care much anymore, being one of a small group of younger reserve team players who wanted away from the club. With the derby victory putting the club back into 10th place, they needed to make the most of the euphoria and push on in the next game. Unfortunately, sods law insisted that they play a Carling Cup game first...

Just under 10500 turned up to watch a Blades second string play out a dull-as-ditchwater 0-0 draw against QPR. No debuts in the starting eleven, but Gary Mulligan and Adrian Harper both got their first taste of first team action in the second half. QPR eventually lost the tie thanks to probably their worst ever penalty shootout, which saw young Jamie Annerson save all three penalty attempts. Shipperley, Thompson and Mulligan all scored, and no further kicks were necessary. The fourth round of the Carling Cup awaited, and Premiership opponents, in the form of Manchester City, would be the visitors to Bramall Lane.

So, back to the question of carrying forward the league form. Well, a trip to 3rd placed Fulham produced an impressive 2-2 draw, another epic game that had everything. Abeyie scored a brace, one from the spot, Sierra departed injured and Fulham scored in the aftermath, Thompson handled for a Fulham penalty so they could equalise, and Abbott missed a sitter to win the game. Phew. A hard earned point, the benefits of which looked to have been thrown away for most of the game against next to bottom Watford in the last game of the month. Once the Hornets took the lead on the half hour mark, the Blades never looked at the races, but a goal for sub Alan Quinn 5 minutes from time made sure of a point.

Despite losing just one game all month, the Blades ended October in 11th. "Could try harder" in school report language.

retired_eneko5613

November 2006

After a frenetic last month, November would bring just three games, due once again to international fixtures, but it wasn't the calendar that was causing most concern at the club. Abeyie's loan deal was due to be up after the Southampton game, and Arsenal were playing hard to get. It wasn't the sort of thing the fans wanted to hear at the moment, but despite all attempts to keep the situation under wraps, news still leaked out that the Southampton game could be the prolific strikers last. Chris Morgan made a return to the side to replace Danny Coles, who had played poorly in the last couple of games.

The Saints took an early, expected lead, and looked comfortable for most of the first half, but they self-destructed just before the break when Cygan was sent off for a foul in the box. Webber comnverted the resulting penalty, and United went in to half time level. Luckily so. The dominance of the eleven men told eventually, as not for the first time Alan Quinn popped up in the last minute to score a vital goal. Other results went United's way, and they climbed to 7th.

Quincy Owusu Abeyie left the field to a standing ovation.

The International break at least gave some time for a deal to be thrashed out with Arsenal. Eventually, and at a reasonable cost to the club, Abeyie rejoined for a second three month spell. His first job was to rescue a point with yet another last minute equaliser down at Plymouth. The Pilgrims, who were holding on to the last playoff place, had taken the lead on the stroke of half time. Quinn and Sierra had partenered each other in an attacking midfield, and the Irishman had claimed the man of the match in what, retrospectively, was probably a good result.

Fourth placed Reading visited Bramall Lane for the last game in November. The United manager shuffled his midfield, moving Thompson into the middle and bringing Ifill in. Sierra was the player missing, with an injury keeping him right out of contention. Tonge scored a rare goal to give United an early lead, but then they conceded a penalty and looked like going into halftime level. Danny Webber had other ideas, and ensured that the Blades' lead was restored. And thus it stayed until 10 minutes from time, when Reading fashioned a scarcely deserved second equaliser.

Unbeaten throughout the month. It sounded good enough. But on paper, the two draws had impeded upwards progress. Sheffield United would enter December in that old favourite, 9th place.

retired_eneko5613

December 2006

The Blades entered the seasonal month of December in what on paper looked like top form, unbeaten in seven league games, and still in the Carling Cup. Yet the league table told a different tale, that of a team still hovering in midtable and not yet having broken into the playoff zone. Still, having played a number of higher placed clubs in the last two months, December looked easier on paper. It would be tiring, though, with eight games already scheduled.

The first of those games was a trip to struggling Swindon Town. Unsworth joined Jagielka in central defence, with the manager continuing to use an attacking midfield pairing. Early goals from Quinn and Webber gave United a distinct advantage, and the game should have been over, but Swindon fought back well, getting a goal back and being unlucky not to snatch an equaliser. Jordan acknowledged Swindon's comeback, but put it down to the players taking it easy to save themselves for Wednesday night.

The Carling Cup threw up it's usual dilemma: strongest eleven vs giving the squad players a run out. With Premiership opposition "there to be shot at" according to the fans, it was important that the manager got it right. He chose to rest just two first teamers; Quinn and Jagielka; and brought in Sierra and Danny Coles. A man of the match performance from the former Tigers defender certainly won both the player and the manager plaudits from the fans, but it wouldn't have mattered one bit without the happenings at the other end of the pitch. The Blades took an early lead against their top flight opponents, pushing forward with support from the partisan home crowd, and letting Abeyie do the damage. Much of the rest of the game for the red and whites involved defending, and defending well - hence Coles' award, and as City came forward, thus they exposed themselves at the back. Late goals from Webber and substitute Abbott made the scoreline flattering, not that the fans would worry about that!

There would be no such luck. A trip to Aston Villa would await later in the month, whilst Burnley would be the destination in the FA Cup. There were also comings and goings at Bramall Lane, with Travis Binnion off to Oxford for three months and, with all due credit to Stuart Pearce for his grace after their defeat, David Sommeil coming in from Man City for the same period. Sommeil would be straight in the squad for the televised derby against Derby(!)

Sommeil replaced Coles, with Jagielka and Quinn continuing to sit on the sidelines, but United reverted to their old ways. Derby finished a poor first half with a goal three minutes before the break, and it took a last minute penalty from captain Unsworth to clinch a home point. An inexpicably average performance ahead of another tricky derby at Elland Road. Tonge and Ifill both missed out through knocks, meaning Keenan at left back, Gresko left wing and Gillespie in the side for a rare start on the right. Sierra was dropped to the bench after a particularly poor Derby performance. If the fans thought the Derby game was a tight local encounter, then the term was about to be redefined. No goals, and very few chances, in 93 and a half minutes of play, and then up popped Vratislav Gresko on the back post to head home his first Sheffield United goal. The travelling fans went crazy, as this ensured they would have a great night celebrating in the West Yorkshire city, once they'd escaped the wrath of the local lunatics. There was the small matter of 6th place to celebrate as well.

The only issue coming out of the game was a knock to Danny Webber, but he quickly recovered in time for the second televised game of the month, at Portman Road. With only eight days before Christmas, many Blades fans would relish the opportunity to watch the game at home, or down the local, rather than making the 400 mile round trip to Ipswich. Others, of course, would do anything to escape from the shopping. The squad would be bolstered as well, with the addition of two radically differing defensive loan signings from Sunderland. Alan Stubbs brought years of experience to the squad, whilst Stephen Caldwell had Premiership quality, but had struggled to break in to the Black Cats side, and was therefore distinctly lacking fitness. Stubbs would be on the bench at Ipswich.

Ifill returned to an otherwise unchanged side. United were one down as early as the third minute, and stayed that way for over an hour. Eventually Abeyie equalised, before a match changing double substitution brought on Sierra and Abbott. Each scored a goal inside ten minutes, and the home side were left with just a consolation goal in stoppage time to cheer about. The win just maintained the sides 6th place, anything less and it would have been a very brief trip to the playoff zone.

Despite the now eleven games unbeaten league run, United's Carling Cup escapades were to come to a messy end at the quarter final stage, 5 days before Christmas. Villa Park was a sell-out, with a full contingent of away supporters making the trip. For the first time in the competition, the manager fielded an unchanged side from the previous league game. They lost 3-0, and never looked in with a sniff. Webber took another knock, and would be doubtful for Saturday's game against Preston.

Sierra replaced Quinn, and Webber recovered, but only long enough to last 25 minutes before going off with a much more serious looking injury. Not for the first time this season, the Blades relied on an Unsworth penalty to earn them a home point, although this time all the action took place in the first half. It was enough to ensure Christmas in the playoffs.

With the turkey out of the way, Pawel Abbott joined the Sheffield United first eleven to welcome 2nd placed Wigan Athletic to Bramall Lane. In true festive spirit, United conceded a penalty to give Wigan the lead. Not wanting to seem unfriendly, Wigan scored an own goal to equalise. The farce continued into the second half, with David Sommeil conceding another penalty and receiving a red card. 2-1 to the high flying visitors, with United down to ten men. Not a promising situation. It got worse, as Wigan made it 3-1 on 64 minutes. Some United fans were already heading for the exits, composing their rants for Praise and Grumble as they went. They would regret it. Unlike the Ipswich game, there was no inspiring tactical switch by the manager, but the players picked themselves up when Abeyie got a goal back with 20 minutes to go. Wigan didn't know what to do, and although they held on to the lead for nearly 15 minutes, they couldn't stop the revitalised United side. Abeyie equalised on 83, and Sierra put United into the lead 4 minutes later. Into stoppage time, and a long cross-ball into the area found the Wigan keeper flapping, and Ifill headed home from the tightest of angles to make it a comprehensive 5-3 victory. José Luis Sierra took man of the match in one of the best games ever seen at Bramall Lane, well for the neutral anyway. The result also gave United a single point breathing space in 6th place.

Alan Stubbs made his first start in place of the suspended Sommeil, as United looked to build on the magnificent second half performance against Wigan. Three goals in the first half for Abeyie, Thompson and Abeyie again put the result more or less beyond doubt, and when Luton coneded a penalty midway through the second, it definitely was all over. Unsworth saw the spotkick saved, but was on hand to put home the rebound, and Luton's late consolation really didn't matter much.

A fine end to the month, stretching the unbeaten run to thirteen games, and lifting the Blades to 5th place. Now thoughts would turn to the transfer window, and a double header against Burnley in league and cup. The monthly awards saw another 3rd place for Quincy Owusu Abeyie in the young player of the month category, and a runner up in the Manager of the Month for Sheffield United boss Colin Jordan.

retired_eneko5613

January 2007

Would 2007 be the big year for Sheffield United? January is typically a time for optimism, and there seemed to be plenty to be optimistic about for Blades fans. Still unbeaten in the league since 17th October, a striker at the top of the goalscoring charts, and rumours of more signings in the transfer window. There was a tricky double header against Burnley to negotiate, a club which United had a poor record against. The fans knew what they'd prefer to see from these games.

No-one was rested for the league game, which would make that fan happy as long as he wasn't too hungover. Jagielka returned to the defence in place of Stubbs. Both sides elected to play the game in a manner which would avoid exacerbating their respective fans' hangovers, and thus a 0-0 scoreline was fairly inevitable. Neither keeper had a great deal of work to do, and the only talking point was an injury to Derek Geary which would certainly make him miss a couple of games. United remained 5th...

...and wouldn't have to worry about a cup run either. Francis replaced the injured Geary for the Turf Moor return match, and although Abeyie reached a milestone with his 20th of the season to open the scoring, Ade Akinbiyi continued to be a thorn in the United defence, scoring a brace to send United packing. Disappointing at first glance, but probably irrelevant if they could keep the league form rolling.

Injuries to Paddy Kenny and Paul Ifill meant enforced changes for the trip to Millwall, but at least Danny Webber was fit again. Annerson and Eugen Bopp came in, and Sommeil returned to defence having completed his suspension. The Cockneys were struggling in 20th. It soon became apparent why. Twice in the first half Millwall players made long back passes under pressure to their keeper David Preece. Both times Preece miscontrolled the ball, and the pace of the United attackers meant he was disposessed. First Webber, then Abeyie had easy shots into open goals, whilst the Millwall keeper watched on helplessly. The third goal, in the second half, was a much more conventional affair, with good link up play, and a header from Webber against the bar. Abeyie was there to tidy up and claim another brace from the game. It was voted a man of the match performance from Annerson, bizarrely as he actually had very little to do! United moved 2 points clear in 5th place.

There was three out and one in at Bramall Lane, as the manager manipulated the loan market before the Stoke game. Youngsters Ian Ross, Nicky Law and Nick Travis departed on three month deals to Hartlepool, Darlington and Rochdale respectively. Inbound was another Premiership striker in the shape of Neil Mellor from Newcastle, on loan until the end of the season. Mellor was clearly lacking fitness, so would take a seat on the bench to start with. It was an unchanged side that faced the midtable side from the Potteries at home. Inevitably, United eventually came unstuck from their good run of form, and conceded a goal in each half to a Stoke team with a very clear game plan. The visiting side, including former Blade Leigh Bromby, outplayed their hosts, especially in defence, and a last minute Unsworth penalty this time counted for nothing. Neil Mellor made his debut from the bench at half time, but didn't really add anything to the proceedings. Too early for the fans to judge, though.

Cruelly, this first defeat in 17 games sent United crashing down to 8th place, a point outside the playoffs. The next game would be a tough trip to 7th placed Cardiff, but that wasn't for nine days. First was FA Cup fourth round weekend, not featuring United. Jordan took the opportunity to sort out some more deals. Colin Marrison departed to Gravesend for another 3 month loan spell, whilst the manager's first signing for the club was turned into a sale as Neil McCann departed to Brighton for a nominal £10k fee.

The club had actually completed a deal to bring a player in, and it wasn't Gavin Williams. It was Josip Skoko, the Australian international, from Wigan. There were work permit issues, however, so no formal announcements were going to be made until that problem was sorted.

Kenny and Ifill were back in the side for the Cardiff game, and Jordan handed a start to Alan Quinn in place of the injured David Thompson. This was the sort of game United had to win to separate themselves from the other playoff hopefuls. Sadly, it was just the sort of performance that wasn't going to achieve that. With remarkable similarities to the Stoke game, Cardiff stuck to their game plan and outplayed the Blades. Even with ten men they were the better side, and a two goal lead was more than United could overhaul. A late goal for Quinn meant that even the scoreline was the same.

So the month of traditional optimism ended with pessimism all round. United in 8th, two defeats on the trot, and no deal for Skoko thanks to the Home Office refusing a work permit.

retired_eneko5613

February 2007

Here came February. Rounding the corner into the home straight of another season. Five games, only one of them against teams in real contention for the playoffs, and starting with a local derby against Doncaster. There were a few bits of paperwork to resolve at the club first. First was a query to the Young Player of the Month award, to clarify that their decision to award Simon Francis third place in the January competition was correct. Francis had been involved in two consecutive defeats, whilst at the other end Abeyie had knocked three more goals in. Strange decisions.

Kevan Hurst departed for a three month loan spell at Oxford before the Doncaster game, and a deal was set up which would see Ben Starosta going to York for a couple of months after the weekend. None of this had any impact on the first team choices for the derby, but there were three changes to the starting eleven. Geary returned at right back, and Tonge was dropped in favour of Keenan and Gresko on the left. Eugen Bopp replaced Sierra alongside Alan Quinn in midfield. For once a derby went to form, and United ran out comfortable winners. Solid performances right through the team, with Abeyie grabbing a hattrick to move himself onto 25 for the season, United back up to 6th, and put the Donny boys further into real relegation trouble.

The same team went to QPR the following week, and had to perform a major escape act. Despite bossing the first half, they conceded disappointingly from a set piece just before the break. Another one went in for the cockneys after half time, but Quinn and Abeyie pulled United level. The Blades had a late winner ruled out for offside, but the draw was enough to keep United in 6th, albeit a false position with Preston and Southampton having had no game.

Was there any truth in it? The club weren't saying. Abeyie was in the side for the Tuesday night trip to the KC Stadium, alongside Mellor who's first start was the only change. Ifill opened the scoring against the side currently occupying 17th position, and within three minutes Unsworth had made it 2-0 from the penalty spot. Abeyie didn't help end any speculation by waving and blowing kisses to the travelling Blades at the final whistle. Paddy Kenny took a deserved man of the match award for keeping a determined Hull City attack at bay in the second half. United were 6th, and 4 points clear of game-in-hand Southampton.

Talk for the rest of the week was not of the solid performance at Hull, nor of the impending crucial game against hapless Bristol City, but of the young Dutch striker with 26 Sheffield United goals to his name.

Whatever the story was, Abeyie wasn't on the team sheet to face Bristol City. Neil Mellor lined up alongside Danny Webber, whilst another change in defence saw Unsworth move across to left back to replace Keenan, and Caldwell come into central defence. Joe Keenan had come out of the Hull game with what looked like a minor knock, but hadn't recovered as quickly as expected.

United raced into an expected 2-0 lead in the first half, thanks to goals from Webber and Quinn, but the defending after the break was awful and the visitors got one back straight away. Despite going down to ten men, they got an equaliser in the last ten minutes. Numerous misses from Neil Mellor, who was still struggling to find form and confidence, could prove costly by the end of the season. United? 5th. Southampton? 2 behind. Fans? Furious.

Morale amongst the supporters wasn't helped by Southampton's demolition of Swindon in their game in hand. United were back to 6th and teetering on the edge of the playoff zone.

Having let the fans stew for most of the week, the club released a statement on the Friday before the Leicester game:
Lost in the furore caused by this news was the cancellation of Alan Stubbs loan. The veteran returned to Sunderland on Friday night. Also of little relevance was the departure of Jordan Robertson for Cambridge United on a months loan deal. Perhaps of more relevance, and hinting that just maybe the club weren't being entirely honest about the Abeyie situation, was the unexpected arrival of another loan striker, Robert Colautti. The 24 year old would see the season out at Bramall Lane, joining teammate Neil Mellor in the United first team squad.

Finally, once the dust settled, United got back down to playing football. Sierra was picked in the squad to face Leicester, in place of Bopp, and proceeded to score an excellent freekick, the only goal of the game. The victory moved United back up to 5th place, safe by two points, thanks to a defeat for Southampton. The only player in Sheffield 2 who wasn't happy was Chris Morgan, who picked now to whinge publicly about not getting first team football. A scathing response in the media from the manager made it clear what the situation was, and Morgan backed down. Sensible chap.

Some month! Unbeaten again, and looking pretty good odds for a playoff place. Fans of Sheffield United were happy. Stressed out, but happy.