Match Reports

Defensive lapses cost Blades

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Defensive lapses were a major factor in Sheffield United losing their undefeated record in the Coca Cola Championship at the Ricoh Arena tonight.

Goals from Jamie Ward and James Harper weren’t enough for the Blades who lost thanks to goals from Leon Best, Clinton Morrison and Martin Cranie.

It’s the first time the Blades have conceded three goals, since the start of December 2008 when Burnley managed a trio at Bramall Lane.

The Blades made just one change, with Matt Kilgallon missing due to a chest infection, so Ryan France played at full back, with Kyle Walker partnering Morgan in the centre.

The Blades defence were at sixes and sevens from the off, and were eventually punished on twelve minutes. Ex Blades target McIndoe finding Best who comfortably outmuscled Walker and got the better of Taylor before firing across goal past Bunn.

The Blades were struggling, and appeared to be the team that hadn’t won since the second game of the season, as Coventry took the game to them. It was Ryan France, the culprit for the second Coventry goal. The new signing from Hull City failed to deal with Montgomery’s ball, and was dispossessed by McIndoe, playing provider again, rolling the ball across the area for Clinton Morrison to bag his fourth of the season.

The goal ten minutes later, which would turn out to be decisive again saw an error at the back. McIndoe setting up his third of the evening after Martin Cranie headed home his corner completely unmarked.

On a more positive note for Blades fans, the two goals will provide talking points leading into the derby on Friday evening. The Blades had made it 1-1 just after half an hour; Taylor’s long ball picking out Ward who cut inside and unleashed a left footed thunderbolt that Westwood couldn’t save.

Westwood did prevent the Blades taking the lead towards the end of the half however, Stephen Quinn racing free, but was prevented by Westwood when he really should have done better.

With United trailing by two, with just 15 minutes remaining, they were given a slight glint of hope, Ward’s shot was saved by Westwood but James Harper was on hand to net his first Blades goal.

Ched Evans skimmed the cross bar in the final moments of regular time, and despite five added minutes, the Blades were unable to salvage a point.

Blades:Bunn, France, Walker, Morgan, Taylor (Stewart), Ward, Montgomery, Quinn (Evans), Harper, Treacy (Cotterill), Henderson

Unused: Bennett, Reid, Little


Kevin Blackwell
‘If you don’t take your chances and give away ‘Mickey Mouse’ goals then you don’t deserve to win games’.

‘We spurned three or four nailed-on chances that would have seen off Coventry – there’s no doubt about that – and then we give them goals.

‘If you do that, you can’t win games.

‘Effort and commitment were there, but we weren’t smart tonight.’

‘They talk about this word ‘bouncebackability’ – let’s see if that happens on Friday,’ he said.

‘There is no doubt I shouldn’t have to pick them up, that’s for sure.

‘They were frustrated tonight because they knew they should have got something out of the game.

‘I hope we’ve learnt if we create those chances on Friday they better be taken.’

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