The Blades entered February sitting comfortably in sixth position knowing that they would be expected to win three of their next six games comfortably.
They suffered a bitter blow just hours before the game against Watford when defender Kyle Walker was recalled to Tottenham Hotspur. Toni Kallio’s signature was too late to be involved, but Nyron Nosworthy made his debut, and a plethora of mistakes which led to two of Watford’s goals in a 3-0 victory for the Hornets.
What followed was one of the worst Sheffield United performances at Bramall Lane in a very long time. Mark Bunn suffered an injury in the first half but wasn’t withdrawn until much later on. United trailed to an early Robbie Savage goal, but Lee Williamson struck minutes from the end to rescue a point.
The Blades travelled to Deepdale three days later and after a controversial opener were always on the backfoot. Mark Yeates grabbed his first United goal but it was too little too late as North End walked away 2-1 victors.
United ended their four game streak without a win as they convincingly beat Bristol City 2-0. They had welcomed another defender into the side at Preston, as Kyle Bartley, on loan from Arsenal started in central defence and he made his home debut in this game.
However, it was Senegalese international Henri Camara who opened the scoring with a composed finish after breaking free of the defence thanks to an impeccible first touch. Henderson doubled the lead with a
header in the second half.
Rob Earnshaw struck on four minutes to give Nottingham Forest a 1-0 victory at the City ground, a reverse of the scoreline a year previous when Brian Howard’s volley was enough for United.
The Blades finished the month by putting four past Plymouth Argyle, but made hard work of the game only to be gifted the victory by David Stockdale.
A brace from Jamie Ward after Camara had given United the lead meant the Blades had a comfortable cushion, but goals either side of half-time from Argyle brought the visitors back into the game. They netted a third at the death but only after Richard Cresswell had sneaked behind Stockdale to rob him of the ball and slide into an empty net a la Dion Dublin.
Monthly grade: D
Monthly record: P6 W2 D1 L3 F8 A10 Pts 7 Pos 7th
Player of the month: Henri Camara – Hard to choose really, but when many performances lacked colour, Camara added a certain spark.
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