Blades Season Review: 2015/16 - January - Part 2

Last updated : 05 June 2016 By @blades_mad1889

United had to settle for an injury-time winner at Colchester united when a point looked to be on the cards. Billy Sharp's 20th minute goal was cancelled out by Eastman before Edgar bundled home in the final minute of the game to seal a much needed victory.

Sky announce that United's trip to Southend United, originally scheduled for Bank Holiday Monday will now take place on Wednesday, 30th March (7:45PM) and be shown live on TV. This move brought great discuss to the travelling support whom had already purchased train tickets in advance.

Billy Sharp was off the mark again as his strike against a strong Swindon side but the visitors level with 10 minutes remaining to draw the game.

Manager Nigel Adkins is put under pressure from supporters to gain better results in games which united perhaps should have scored more points than what they already have done. On the transfer front the former Southampton boss failed to bring in any new faces but did allow defender Kieron Freeman join Portsmouth on loan. Whilst as the transfer window was set to shut, United released Michael Higdon and Connor Dimaio. Both found new clubs with Tranmere Rovers and Chesterfield respectively.

The Blades ended the months’ worth of action with a difficult goalless draw at relegation threatened Blackpool. Seasiders keeper Colin Doyle kept United at bay in what was awful weather conditions to deal with and on another day may have seen the game postponed before it had even started.

 

Picture: Blackpool's Uche Ikpeazu holds onto Sheffield United's David Edgar (right), the latter was also the match-winner at Colchester.

Colchester United 1-2 Sheffield United
Saturday, 16th January 2016 - League One

David Edgar scored a late winner to help Sheffield United claim a vital 2-1 win at lowly Colchester United. Colchester winger Gavin Massey fired over from a tight angle early on, while Marvin Sordell also went close for the hosts. But Sheffield United took a 20th-minute lead through Billy Sharp, who squeezed a low shot past goalkeeper Jake Kean after Matt Briggs had failed to deal with George Long's long clearance.

Matt Done sent a shot well wide of the far post before the break but Colchester started the second half well. Long made a good save to push away Alex Gilbey's fine 25-yard effort before the U's equalised just before the hour through Tom Eastman, who glanced a precise header home from Sordell's cross. Colchester pushed for a winner after that and Long saved with his legs to save from George Moncur, following Sordell's assist. Long denied Moncur again but Edgar turned in a corner from close range in the 90th minute to secure victory for Sheffield United.

Sheffield United 1-1 Swindon Town
Saturday, 23rd January 2016 - League One

Sheffield United failed to capitalise on a first-half penalty from Billy Sharp as they were held 1-1 by Swindon. Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill scored for the visitors. Sharp (eight) scored from the penalty spot to put the hosts ahead after Paul Coutts was fouled by Jordan Turnbull following his burst into the area. United could have doubled their tally minutes later but the unmarked Sharp saw his header go wide of Swindon keeper Lawrence Vigouroux's goal.

Into the second half and an early mix up by Vigouroux and Swindon captain Raphael Rossi-Branco let Coutts in on goal but he was unable to apply the finish. Nicky Ajose thought he had won Swindon a penalty on the hour-mark after being tripped by United keeper George Long but he was adjudged offside. Swindon's continued pressing United and equalised through left-back Ormonde-Ottewill (79) after a neat turn and finish. Jonathan Obika's long-range effort almost won it for the visitors but Long saved well to his right.

Blackpool 0-0 Sheffield United
Tuesday, 26th January 2016 - League One

Goalkeeper Colin Doyle frustrated play-off chasing Sheffield United as he earned Blackpool a 0-0 draw at Bloomfield Road. The hosts' shotstopper was in fine form throughout, denying Connor Sammon and Jamal Campbell-Ryce in either half to earn lowly Blackpool a share of the spoils. The Blades squandered a great chance to take the lead within the first minute when an unmarked Sammon turned Paul Coutt's cross wide from 12 yards.

Brad Potts then forced a smart stop from Blades goalkeeper George Long with a powerful 20-yard drive after 12 minutes in an end-to-end opening. Sammon thought he had scored with a powerful drive from 12 yards after 27 minutes, but Doyle produced a wonderful save low to his right. The Seasiders threatened after 53 minutes when Danny Philliskirk teed up Jim McAlister six yards out, but his tame effort was easily held by Long.

And the hosts almost took the lead once more after a brilliant turn and shot from 18 yards by debutant Uche Ikpeazu landed on the roof of the net after 66 minutes. Nigel Adkins' men had an opportunity to win, it through Campbell-Ryce in the 75th minute, but Doyle's save meant it finished goalless.