Chris Basham’s goal four minutes after half-time saw Sheffield United to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Bramall Lane. Martyn Waghorn went closest to scoring for the Blues with a shot against the bar shortly after the Blades’ goal, but the home side deserved their victory.

Striker Joe Garner missed out having picked up a knee injury as Town made three changes from the team which lost 3-1 to Bristol City a fortnight ago.

Bersant Celina and Jordan Spence dropped to the bench, while Myles Kenlock, Grant Ward and Adam Webster - who was making his first league start since January - all came into the XI in a 3-5-2 system matching the Blades’ formation.

Webster was to the right of skipper Luke Chambers with Jonas Knudsen to his left. Myles Kenlock and Dominic Iorfa were the wing-backs.

Tommy Smith was on the bench, back in the matchday squad for the first time since recovering from his hamstring injury.

Neither side threatened in the opening 10 minutes at a warm and sunny Bramall Lane, although the home side had most of the ball.

Town’s first serious attack came on 12, Knudsen playing a well-weighted ball down the left for McGoldrick, who cut in and found strike partner Martyn Waghorn but the former Rangers man was crowded out as he looked to turn and get in a shot.

But the Blades were looking the more dangerous side and on 18, following a freekick harshly awarded against Kenlock, Chris Basham returned the ball into the area but beyond all his team-mates and it was turned behind for the first of several home corners.

On 24 Jack O’Connell rose above Webster from John Fleck’s corner but nodded the ball well into the stand housing the Town support.

There was a scare for the Blues four minutes later when possession was lost on the right after Chambers and Iorfa were put under pressure and the skipper slipped. Bialkowski closed down Billy Sharp who cut the ball back and, with the Town keeper out of his goal, Webster was able to clear .

Enda Stevens sent in a dangerous cross from the left which flew across the area without anyone getting a touch, moments before the Blues won their first corner of the game on a rare foray into the Blades’ half. However, it came to nothing.

On 32 - Town having switched their system with Webster ahead of the back four and Waghorn and Ward wide - Waghorn sent McGoldrick away with a clever ball down the right and the Irish international crossed low but too far in front of Ward, who was breaking into the area at the far post.

A minute later, Leon Clarke was booked for an untidy foul on Ward, much to the frustration of the home fans, who may have had a point, although up to then they had had much the better of referee Tony Harrington’s over-fussy approach to officiating.

The Blues were starting come more and more into the game and on 34 Waghorn smashed a shot from distance on the right which home keeper Jamal Blackman palmed behind. From the corner, Knudsen won it in the air and headed over. The Dane will feel he should have done better.

Town were inches from going in front in the 37th minute when the ball broke to McGoldrick on the left of the box following Nydam’s shot from Ward’s cross from the left, but the Blues’ number 10’s effort went just wide.

Blades defender Kieron Freeman suffered a knock in the build-up to the chance and following treatment was stretchered off and was replaced by Jake Wright.

McGoldrick scuffed wide from distance in the 43rd minute with the Blues continuing to threaten.

In the second of five minutes of injury time, Chambers’s clearance was charged down by Sharp on the Town right and Knudsen did superbly to prevent the one-time Town target’s low cross from reaching Clarke and Bialkowski equally well to react and avert an own goal.

Blackman was almost embarrassed by McGoldrick two minutes later, the Blues’ striker reaching a long ball before the keeper could claim on the edge of his box but the interception fell helpfully for the on-loan Chelsea man who was able to claim.

The Blades wasted a freekick 25 yards out moments before referee Harrington brought the half to an end.

The home side had had much the better of the first half an hour but without creating many clear-cut chances, although much of that was down to some staunch defending from the Blues.

Town came into it more in the final 15 minutes following their change of system and Knudsen and McGoldrick may both feel they should have taken their opportunities.

The Blues switched things around ahead of the start of the second half with McGoldrick moving out to the right and Waghorn down the middle.

Four minutes after the restart the Blades took the lead. Fleck got away from Webster down the Sheffield United left and sent in a cross to Basham, who got in front of Kenlock to head past Bialkowski from six yards.

The Blues almost levelled in the 55th minute when Nydam found Waghorn, who brought the ball inside on the left of the area and crashed a shot against the crossbar.

Town made their first change of the game in the 58th minute, Flynn Downes taking over from Kenlock, which saw Knudsen move to left-back, Webster to left centre-half and Downes into midfield.

Within seconds of the switch Sheffield United went close to doubling their lead, Clarke striking the bar with a powerful shot having cut into the box from the right.

Waghorn had another chance to level for the Blues in the 62nd minute of an increasingly open game. McGoldrick, now back in the middle between Waghorn on the right and Ward to the left with the Blues lined-up 4-3-3, played in the Town number nine on the right of the box, where he turned and hit a shot across the face of the box.

The Blades swapped captain Sharp for youngster David Brooks on 68 and soon after the Wales international and Knudsen clashed as they chased a ball down the middle. Referee Harrington penalised the Dane and showed him a yellow card.

Four minutes later, Town swapped Nydam and McGoldrick for Celina and Freddie Sears. The Kosovan international was straight into the action, heading a bouncing ball over after Chambers had nodded back a Waghorn corner from the left.

On 80 Brooks brought the ball in from the left before hitting a weak shot through to Bialkowski. A minute later, Mark Duffy crossed from the right and Clarke’s bouncing header was claimed by Bialkowski to his left.

With six minutes remaining Celina crossed deep from the left but the ball was too high for Iorfa at the far post. As Blackman prepared to take the goalkick, Duffy was replaced by Daniel Lafferty.

In injury time a Celina freekick from the left - Cameron Carter-Vickers having been booked for a foul on Sears - was just about dealt with by the Blades backline, then two long Knudsen throws from the right were similarly repelled.

But the Blades weren’t to be denied a win which takes them to second in the Championship behind leaders Cardiff on goal difference alone.

While the Blues might have claimed a draw had Waghorn’s shot not struck the bar or his later effort not flown across the face of goal, the home side could just as easily have added to the goal they scored just after half-time and were in charge for the most part after the break.

Other than the final couple of minutes Town never put the Blades under significant pressure during the second half and a home win was a fair reflection of the game overall.

The Blues, who are now down to 10th, are next in action a week tomorrow in the East Anglian derby against Norwich City, who drew 1-1 at home to Hull City climb up to eighth a point ahead of Town, at Portman Road.

Town: Bialkowski, Iorfa, Chambers (c), Webster, Knudsen, Kenlock, Ward, Skuse, Nydam (Celina 72), Waghorn, McGoldrick (Sears 72). Unused: Gerken, Smith, Spence, Connolly.

Sheffield United: Blackman, Basham, Carter-Vickers, O’Connell, Stevens, Freeman (Wright 40), Fleck, Duffy (Lafferty 86), Lundstram, Clarke, Sharp (c) (Brooks 68). Unused: Moore, Donaldson, Hanson, Lafferty, Carruthers. Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland). Att: 25,799 (Town: 1,452).

Photo: Action Images

BillBlue added 18:19 - Oct 14 SWN98 - I agree with your comment 100% but without further comment it looks as though you are defending the Managers team selection and tactics which, in my opinion, you shouldn't be. In spite of saying that the defence at corners does seem very weak and your comment was well made.
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EssexTractor added 18:19 - Oct 14 The real truth of our treading in water for so long has been the absence of a midfield. We fail to impose ourselves on any decent team. no one to collect the ball from the keeper with vision in his eye, with a range of passing, with inspiration and a driving force, and an eye for goal. Some have appeared, shown some promise, but not maintained it. I have tried so hard to see the value in Cole Skuse, Micks Generalissimo, two goals, assists, count on one finger: yes he can sometimes break down an opponents surge, clear the ball, but simply not good enough. Certainly not a player to raise us from the truly nondescript middle of the park performances so long suffered. We have a great keeper, we have a couple of guys who can score, we might put together decent defence when all defenders are fit ( and with respect I do not nclude Iorfa as part of that group) but between now and January, seek them here there and everywhere but please locate some stylish vibrant exciting midfielders. Magilton, Holland , Dyer...Those Were The Days.....

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martin587 added 18:37 - Oct 14 Essex Tractor. You are so spot on.We were desperate for a midfielder today.!
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Lathers added 18:37 - Oct 14 When I saw the starting XI I knew we wouldn't a) score today and b) keep a clean sheet. Like Cat said, losing doesn't hurt as much anymore... I'm just soooo bored with it all. We will be bottom 6 by New Years Day... Mark my words!
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runaround added 18:38 - Oct 14 Expected but disappointing defeat. Still being hamstrung by injuries which doesn't help but next weekend is now massive. Heaven forbid we lose to the participants then all of the early season optimism & positivity will have gone & we will be in danger of falling back to how last season was which will be a real shame
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StowTractorBoy added 18:39 - Oct 14 I am disappointed with the result and accept Sheffield United deserved to win but they were not that much better than us. Yes they had a lot of the ball but scored the winning goal from one of the very few chances they had. Once we had settled after a poor start we grew into the game and looked as though we could achieve something and it could have been different if Nydam had not wasted a decent chance, Unfortunately our build up play generally led to little but I was reasonably happy with the first half. Second half was a different story however and we never looked like scoring apart from Waghorn hitting the bar and taking McGoldrick off finished off our goal scoring threat. Not sure where our defence was when Basham headed in the winner but he headed home unchallenged and one wonders where Bart was for the cross, Lose next week and the early results will almost certainly be forgotten and MM will be back to square one with the fans not that they were ever fully onside. Not that it helps us but what a display from Duffy in the Sheffield Utd midfield today - he was superb,

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IPSWICHINIO added 18:40 - Oct 14 Iorfa was abysmal today. Ward is technically very poor. Waghorn was very good until he tired around 70th minute mark. Defending for the goal was embarrassing.
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norfstanda added 18:40 - Oct 14 Skuse was fantastic today. His range of passing reminds me of andrea pirlo. Simply majestic.
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Taricco_Fan added 18:42 - Oct 14 Some Town fans got a bit too excited off the back of a kind August and September fixture list that handed us a run of winnable games. Up against the more c Iohallenging teams in this division we have failed the test every time. I'll say it again: we are flat-track bullies. Bang average. Mid-table beckons, which given the resources of our club, is all we can realistically achieve. This isn't a a poor run as such, it's affirmation of where we are in this division. Normal service resumed.

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dirtydingusmagee added 18:50 - Oct 14 Well it went much a I expected. We had chances and could perhaps have equalised. That was until Dino played another master stroke and pulled McGoldrick off, he was playing well as was Waghorn,there was some hope, but not only did we lose McGoldrick we lost Waghorn too, he never got into the game from that point.Another questionable tactical decision.Those people who were slagging off and down marking anyone who dared suggest our early league position was false, need to smell the coffee , we are on the slide and harder games are looming . WAKE UP .!

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BillBlue added 19:01 - Oct 14 Tarrico - Very sorry, gave you a negative which was meant to be a positive! Actually it is time we should be able to change a vote like you can on most places you post.
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Swn98 added 19:05 - Oct 14 Thanks for the comment Bilboy unfortunately im affraid we carry to much baggage Ward not good enough but when Celina was given his chance was very average Iorfa all arms and legs not enough skiill Select sears ? Kenlock got a lot to learn. Having said that they should be able to do the basics well defend set pieces to start with. However i dont and never will contribute to the conversation that MM doesnt know what hes doing he sees them every day in training so must have reasons for his is judged by his decisions where i only get down arrows for my thoughts

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brittaniaman added 19:06 - Oct 14 Oh well we soon dropped back to our mid table position, it is only October, and Norwich have overtaken us, we were laughing to think how far behind they were, a few weeks ago, who is laughing now, certainly not us .Christ sake Sheffield utd. were in Div 2 last season ? they have certainly Progressed!! Well Dino you have been at the Club 5yrs. in a few days time, and I expect we will just keep plodding on the same old road, with You not knowing which way to turn, and seeminglly Going Back to Last Seasons Tactics, the only ones you Know. to try and grind out results

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Rensham added 19:13 - Oct 14 nothing wrong with grinding out a few results against the better teams in the division. give Mick a chance
-16

Lathers added 19:27 - Oct 14 Rensham - presume you were being Sarcastic... Re giving Mick a chance... Mick's lost the ability to grind... He must be gutted about no draws in 11 games
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TimmyH added 19:29 - Oct 14 Not unexpected result to be honest and it seemed they didn't have to get out of 1st gear to win. Yes we're an improved unit upfront with Garner and Waghorn and the fit and rejuvenated McGoldrick but lets be honest the rest of the side still leaves somewhat to be desired, Mick continues to flaff around with the defense although can understand Webster coming straight back in BUT the continuation of average on loan Iorfa at RB when Spence who played there the second half of last season was dropped was incorrect. Knudsen is a big no no out wide and the midfield just is scuppered with Ward and Skuse and can't really put too much pressure on Nydam and Downes who are learning their craft and the generally defensive minded McCarthy particularly away from home is never likely to start Celina on a regular basis. Should hopefully be boosted somewhat when Adeyemi and Huws are fit (makes you wonder why we bought them when injured)? Doesn't surprise me though we're dropping like a hose knickers down the league. BIG match for McCarthy next weekend, lose and the supporters will be back on him, win and all will be forgotten for a while but sadly wouldn't surprise me if one of those McCarthy draws resurfaces (as we haven't had one this season) which still wouldn't be good enough for me and the 2009 drought will go on.

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brittaniaman added 19:32 - Oct 14 Rensham it is going back to the no Entertainment value again of last season, the reason why the stadium is less than half full ??? ( Next Sunday will be the exception) and he has had 5yrs of chances. I do love the Club by the way. !!
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BillBlue added 19:33 - Oct 14 Swn98 - By me that is fine, that is your opinion. Now I cannot comment as I cannot see the matches , so my opinions are based on what you and other people write but I would just point out that these players you are questioning were all brought in by McCarthy are trained, selected, and told how to play and are substituted by him so surely that is where the blame must be placed. - 5 Years??

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KiwiTractor added 19:47 - Oct 14 How many changes of formation by McCarthy in this match? Does he have any idea what he is doing?
4

warktheline added 20:02 - Oct 14 Down the table we go! Absolutely convinced another manager would get more out of squad. @swn, charm when we lose, and arrogance when we win! Not too dissimilar to our very own McCarthy!
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19781981twtd added 20:02 - Oct 14 Normal service resumes mid table average ahead if we are lucky god help us next Sunday I am going fishing I on a deserted beach for week to beat the embarrasment of yet a another defeat to the scum we can't defend and now can't score no plan B . !!!
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grumpyoldman added 20:08 - Oct 14 At the start of the season when we were winning matches I counselled the “happy, clappy” supporters to judge progress under MM when he had a fully fit squad to choose from, not formations and teams forced on him by circumstances. He now as a mainly fit squad to choose from he has reverted to type. Oh well another day nearer him leaving.
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Taricco_Fan added 20:22 - Oct 14 @BillBlue No probs. I've given the occasional mistaken down vote a few times.
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barrystedmunds added 20:37 - Oct 14 Rensham, tell me that's a wind up, right?
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Tessah added 20:45 - Oct 14 The problem is we are now in a position where we are totally dependent on McGoldrick for the skill to create any real attacking threat. Let's hope that Huws and Bishop are soon fully fit again. We found out last season that having a replacement target man for Murphy was crucial if we were going to seriously compete for a play-off position. Nydam and Downes are talented youngsters but they are not yet mature enough to build the team around.

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