Town’s hopes of reviving their play-off challenge were dealt a significant blow as they drew 0-0 at home with Sheffield United. The Blades came closest to breaking the deadlock in the second half when sub James Wilson struck a post and skipper Billy Sharp failed to turn in the rebound, while Town have now gone four home games without scoring a goal.

Myles Kenlock, Bersant Celina, Stephen Gleeson and Dominic Iorfa all returned to the Blues’ starting XI, while Jonas Knudsen missed out due to a tight hamstring and Mustapha Carayol with the groin problem he suffered at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek. Jordan Spence and Luke Hyam dropped to the bench.

Kenlock replaced Knudsen at left wing-back, Iorfa was in for Spence on the right, while Gleeson started in the midfield trio with Cole Skuse and Callum Connolly. Celina played off main striker Martyn Waghorn.

Cameron Carter-Vickers, who spent the first half of the season with the Blades, was again part of a back three with skipper Luke Chambers and Adam Webster.

For the visitors, Ched Evans and John Lundstram came into the team replacing Clayton Donaldson, who was on the bench, and Mark Duffy, absent due to a tight calf. Ex-Blues loanee Richard Stearman started in the Blades defence.

George Baldock struck the game’s first shot for the South Yorkshiremen in the second minute but Blues keeper Bartosz Bialkowski, fresh from receiving his first Poland call-up yesterday, got down to his right to save comfortably.

Bialkowski was in action again two minutes later when Lee Evans curled a not overly testing 25-yard freekick into his arms.

The Blues threatened for the first time in the sixth minute, Kenlock breaking and then sending Waghorn away down the left with a perfectly weighted pass. Town’s top scorer crossed and Jack O’Connell turned the ball behind.

A minute later, Waghorn, scorer of both the Blues’ goals at Hillsborough, hit his first shot of the afternoon, cleverly turning away from his man before shooting across the face and wide.

Ex-Blues loanee Stearman got his name in the book in the ninth minute after he had been caught in possession midway inside the Blades’ half by Waghorn, who he hauled back as he broke towards goal. Another defender was covering so the yellow card looked the right decision.

Waghorn took the freekick himself and floated the ball towards the far post from where Iorfa stooped to head goalwards from a tight angle, Jamal Blackman in the Blades goal diverting it behind.

Bialkowski snaffled John Fleck’s well-struck shot for the visitors on 12, then four minutes later Celina scraped an effort wide at the other end.

After an entertaining first quarter of an hour of plenty of chances, opportunities dried up at both ends.

The Blades began to get on top and there was a major scare for the Blues on 33 when Fleck played his Sharp in behind the Town defence.

The former Doncaster man hooked the bouncing ball over the advancing Bialkowski but was unable to get in an effort at goal before he was outmuscled by Chambers. The Blades striker’s hopeful penalty appeal was ignored by referee John Brooks.

Soon after, Gleeson shot high and wide for Town, then on 40 Skuse was booked for catching Lee Evans late.

Town threatened as the break approached, Celina cutting in and shooting wide following a corner shortly before the half was brought to a close with the scores still level.

After an end to end first quarter of an hour or so in which both sides had chances, the Blades had the better of it but with Sharp’s chance where he got in behind the Town defence their only significant opportunity.

The Blues began to look more dangerous towards the end of the half but Blackman hadn’t been forced to make a serious save.

Ahead of the second half Spence replaced Iorfa at right wing-back for the Blues. The visitors hit the first shot of the second period, Bialkowski getting down to his right to save at his post.

Sheffield United should have taken the lead in the 49th minute when Lundstram got a fortunate bounce as he was challenged breaking into the Town box and found himself in the clear.

The former Everton youngster had a clear sight of goal but instead cut back to Ched Evans, who claimed a penalty as he was crowded out by Chambers while trying to get in a shot on the turn. Town sought to clear and the ball cannoned off Fleck and wide.

Celina forced Blackman to saved down to his right at his post on 52 with a low shot from distance, then three minutes later Skuse failed to find the in-space Waghorn with a ball in from the left having won possession on the left.

But the Blades were looking the more threatening side with Town defending desperately in their box at times.

On 59 Connolly blocked from Sharp from a Baldock cross from the right, not the first to have caused problems in the Town area.

A minute later, Hyam took over from Connolly for the Blues, the on 69 Ched Evans made way for the visitors, Wilson taking over.

Town were starting to see most of the ball but without threatening but in the 78th minute the visitors came within a whisker of taking the lead.

Sub Wilson struck a 25-yard effort which beat Bialkowski but hit the inside of the post. The loose ball fell to Sharp, who hit his rebound into the ground and over when he should have scored. While Bialkowski prepared to take the goalkick, the Blades swapped Sharp for David Brooks.

Blues boss McCarthy switched his system in the 79th minute swapping half-time sub Spence for Joe Garner as the Blues moved to 4-4-2. Four minutes later, Gleeson was booked for a foul.

From the freekick, the ball reached O’Connell beyond the far post but the defender was only able to direct it across the face and wide. With three minutes of scheduled time remaining Clayton Donaldson replaced Lundstram for the visitors.

Neither side created a serious chance in three minutes of injury time and the game petered out to a 0-0 draw.

The scoreline was a fair reflection of what was, after a promising first 15 minutes, a dull and scruffy game played on what’s an increasingly difficult Portman Road pitch.

The Blades, still ninth, five points off the play-offs with a game in hand, had the better of the chances in the second half with the Blues never really looking like claiming the three points.

Failing to win another home game - they have won only once in their last eight matches in all competitions at Portman Road - is a big blow to Town’s hopes of getting back into the play-off hunt.

They remain 12th but now nine points off the top six although with a game in hand, Tuesday’s home match against Hull City, a fixture they must win if the season isn't going to come to an early end from a competitive perspective.

Town: Bialkowski, Carter-Vickers, Chambers (c), Webster, Iorfa (Spence 46 (Garner 79)), Skuse, Connolly (Hyam 60), Gleeson, Kenlock, Celina, Waghorn. Unused: M Crowe, Garner, Ward, Sears, Nydam.

Sheffield United: Blackman, Basham, Stearman, O’Connell, Stevens, Fleck, L Evans, Lundstram (Donaldson 87), Baldock, Sharp (c) (Brooks 78), C Evans (Wilson 69). Unused: Moore, Leonard, Lafferty, Holmes. Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire). Att: 15,152 (Blades: 1,034).

Photo: TWTD

Lightningboy added 11:33 - Mar 11 Dejavu over and over and over.... Been saying for over 2 years that we need to get shot of McCarthy or this whole negative roundabout/circus will just carry on and on and on.....Amazingly too many still seem happy with him though,said it last week to the keep Mick brigade,have some ambition & a bit more pride in what we should strive for on the pitch,because at the moment the club under this guy is sleepwalking towards another couple of years of obscurity.

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Geddis78 added 15:17 - Mar 11 I was unlucky enough to sit through 90 minutes yesterday and nothing I can add that hasn't been said. As usual, all the blame is on the manager but with the exception of perhaps Ward for Gleeson, he played the team I would have picked assuming Garner was injured. There were plenty of obvious reasons why we were so crap yesterday. 3 midfielders who are all much of a muchness. None have pace, vision, creativity or the ability to beat a man. All decent enough professionals but they won't win games. All our decent midfielders are injured and I couldn't see what other real options McCarthy had there? Up front was a huge problem to as it was too easy for their defenders to pick off our front 2. We really need a physical presence up front and without Garner, we looked lightweight. I love Cellina as a player but he isn't any good with his back to goal and certainly not good in the air so with the way we played yesterday, he had no chance to get in the game. Finally, right back is a real worry. No one here rates Iorfa andwhilst I like Spences commitment and want him to do well, he really looks like a player who went a few months last year without a club. Like everyone else who went yesterday, I left feeling deflated and bored but in my view, we picked the best 11 available and this just highlighted the lack of depth or quality in our squad more than anything else. Interested to hear what others on here would have done yesterday had they been in charge.

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wayway added 17:09 - Mar 11 Now that we have no chance of the playoffs and no chance of relegation I would like to see all the loan players sent back to their clubs or if that is not possible tell them they will not be picked, and play some of the young players. They can't be any worse
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blueboy1981 added 18:32 - Mar 11 Geddis78 ....... have the intention of trying to win the game for a start ... !!! - McCarthy has admitted as much that he sets up the same at home as he does away - which is to protect the point we start with, which he (just about) did yesterday. More by luck than judgement, it has to be said. Surely you could see that was the mission- yet again ? - and don't insult people by asking how we could have had more attacking intention - which should have been obvious to ANYONE who knows the game we watch and follow.

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blueboy1981 added 18:35 - Mar 11 ......... he loves a 'point' at the end of a scrap. Total success for him Couldn't find better, or more appropriate words to describe him.
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Geddis78 added 19:28 - Mar 11 Not sure that answered my question Blueboy. It started as 3 5 2 but got pushed back to 5 3 2 too often. Not because of the manager but because we don't have very good players. So, you were the manager yesterday, what would your team have been? Who is going to make runs behind their defence? Who is going to beat their man? Are there some secret players in the squad I haven't seen yet?

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Swn98 added 19:45 - Mar 11 Come on bluebore answer Geddis question don't faff around with your usual soundbites ......!!!!
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cat added 20:57 - Mar 11 Geddis78 - Nice debating fella. Soz to butt in but I won't leave you hanging!! With the players who were involved yesterday I would have played Chambers, Webster and CCV in the middle with Ward & Kenlock wingbacks, Skuse holding & Connolly more offensive in CM, with the front 3 of Celina on left, Waghorn right up top & Sears or Garner (fitness permitting) on the right. You could mix them front 3 up pretty much as you wish. Instructions to Ward and Kenlock would have been to get the feck forward at every opportunity, pushing UTD back and to play the ball on the deck as we have no target man. Easy this management malarkey ain't it!!! (Lol)

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blueboy1981 added 21:05 - Mar 11 Swn98 ..... mind your own business. Anyway I answered the question in McCarthy's own words - surely even you could understand that. Maybe I give more credit to intelligence than deserved or applicable to some. I learnt ABC some 60 years back - maybe some didn't. Thousands ( !!! ) who watched the game yesterday could see the writing was on the wall from the start - Garner - warming up for twenty minutes, and coming on for ten ??, Hyam coming on in midfield when more attacking options were available ?? - how much more definative does it need to be ????? Don't keep blaming the 'squad' as being inadequate - the inadequacy is in the Manager not capable of getting the best from it with his Dinosaurian tactics and thought process. Understand all that ?? - I don't wish to complicate it too much.

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Geddis78 added 21:10 - Mar 11 So, to clarify, you would have brought Garner on earlier and wouldn't have brought Hyam on? I would love to believe that would have radically changed the game and given me something to cheer but whilst Garner def would have given us a presence, I still can't see where the service is coming from. Come on Blueboy, rise to the challenge, you are in the hot seat, you can do better than one non substitution and one earlier one!

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warktheline added 21:23 - Mar 11 Budget or not, McCarthy always looks for 'versatility' , jack of all trades master of none! Thus he is responsible for such occurrences . He shuns flair and always has! Yesterday and many more before have continually highlighted this managers ability to 'spoil' but not 'entertain' football matches! Lame excuses continue to be churned out!
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Geddis78 added 21:26 - Mar 11 Cat, thanks for your answer. Ward at right wing back? Like it, could work. He couldn't be worse than Iorfa or Spence in his current form. Let's be honest though, Ward and Sears is clutching at straws! Ward is so frustratingly inconsistent and Sears has been hopeless for ages. Perhaps Sears up front with Celina in the number 10 position would have given some creativity but even if Sears had a chance, he probably would fluff it at the moment . Blueboy, your turn to step up!

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Geddis78 added 21:29 - Mar 11 Warktheline, we have just signed that injured winger whose name I can't remember because I have had a few beers! Also courted Celina. Can't be completely anti flare?
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blueboy1981 added 21:53 - Mar 11 Geddis78 ..... we will all have different opinions i.e your opinion ref Ward and Sears - two players who I consider have both been ruined by McCarthy, therefore totally disagree with your comments ref both players. I don't know how many times I have to say this but rather than keep touting different line ups - McCarthy has answered your original question with his one liner. Any other suggestions including yours are pointless - suffice to say I consider the squad of players to be capable of much more in terms of achievement and entertainment - with the right Manager and desire to progress thro' ambition. The excuses from the normal people have long since been extinguished - about time certain people accepted that, and the current situation with the Club is not what the caring amongst us want it to be. The disgraceful pitch is a typical example - this could, and should (ask Alan Ferguson) have been addressed way back before the current deterioration became so serious. If people chose to bury the head and ignore, it's their choice - but that achieves NOTHING. The buck has to stop at some point - with those responsible, and excuses eradicated.

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blueboy1981 added 22:04 - Mar 11 ......... added to that Geddis78 (if I must ) - Hyam was going to create nothing - sideways and backward passes only, because that's what he's told to do - in other words like for like substitution. And yes - Garner was desperately needed on earlier - IF the Manager had ANY intention of trying to win the game early enough - which he hadn't. How often has he left it until the last few minutes at home before he shows tepid intention of attack until it's to late to achieve anything ??? Garner is nuisance value for the whole 90 minutes - just ask players who play against him. But completely out of it - if you play DEFENSIVELY which is all McCarthy can bring himself to do. I REST MY CASE. Goodnight. Sleep tight, and dream of better things to RETURN for us ALL.

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Geddis78 added 22:09 - Mar 11 A good debate all involved. I will certainly join you in hoping for better times! And for at least a goal on Tuesday! Cheers all.
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Swn98 added 22:13 - Mar 11 But he still didn't answer your question Geddis did he.😊
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Swn98 added 22:16 - Mar 11 But as we all know bluebore is excellent at criticising but when asked for a detailed description of how HE would fix things ummm mm fresh air nite nite.
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blueboy1981 added 22:18 - Mar 11 That's it - I'm fed up to the back teeth of imbeciles such as Swn98 - and won't be posting further. Thanks for all the support from fellow posters, much appreciated. - the minus happy clappers have won the day. Goodnight. May God Bless you All.
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TimmyH added 14:18 - Mar 12 Spence has done okay this season in my opinion but admittedly he does have the odd poor game, you just have to look at the amount of MoM's he's got this season (probably second to Bart) as voted by the supporters on this website and had 3 goals to boot. Carry on posting blueboy and don't worry about a small minority on this site (we know who) - they'd argue that black is white...always like to read your posts, so DON'T give into them.

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