This season’s main focus for Sheffield United is to obtain promotion into the Championship, but many fans feel that a good run in the League Cup which saw them eliminated at the semi-final stage to Tottenham Hotspur has hindered their plans to rocket to the next level. There league form isn't too good with just three wins (and two draws) in the last ten matches the Blades have dropped to 7th in the table and all three points tonight will come as a welcoming boost to our promotion push. However they are 18 points away from the top two and after last weekend's disappointing defeat at Gillingham a lot of hard work and wins will be needed to gain promotion automatically.
Late goals from Jermaine McGlashan and Cody McDonald helped Gillingham beat Sheffield United 2-0 in front of new manager Justin Edinburgh. For all their first half industry, the Blades were punished after the break as boss Nigel Clough cut a forlorn figure at the final whistle following a fifth away league game without a win. Che Adams forced the first proper save of the game in the 21st minute when his low shot from a Jamie Murphy cross was tipped wide by Stuart Nelson.
Gillingham, who announced the appointment of Edinburgh from Newport before kick-off, thought they had taken the lead in the 55th minute as Jake Hessenthaler's low cross was superbly volleyed onto the crossbar by McDonald. The home side were looking much brighter in the second half but wasted another good chance with just over an hour gone when Bradley Dack poked wide after a fine run and cut-back by Gavin Hoyte. The game was becoming more open with both sides pushing forward in search of a winner and Murphy made the most of the space to get behind the Gills defence but his tame shot was easily saved.
Gillingham took the lead with just four minutes remaining when Max Ehmer's long ball was latched onto by substitute McGlashan who coolly slotted the ball under the on-rushing keeper to steal all three points. But there was still time for McDonald to make it two as he smashed in on the counter-attack following McGlashan's lay-off.
Blades boss Nigel Clough will be looking to rotate his squad again for the visit of Colchester. Forward Matty Done is likely to make his debut since he joined from Rochdale on transfer deadline day. Michael Doyle, Marc McNulty and Jamal Campbell-Ryce are all looking for recalls whilst Stefan Scougall (knee) and Ryan Flynn (Achillies) remain sidelined.
Colchester United have been slightly rejuvenated since the signing of Chris Porter from Sheffield United and has scored twice in three appearances for the U's. They have beaten Leyton Orient (2-0) and drew at Bradford City (1-1) with four points giving them a valuable edge towards safety away from the relegation zone. However they lost to fellow drop-zone rivals Crewe Alexandra last Saturday despite taking the lead and now lay just in the bottom 4.
Crewe produced a fine second-half display to record a crucial 3-2 victory at fellow strugglers Colchester. Chris Porter went close for Colchester early on while Jamie Ness' shot just missed the target for Crewe, soon after. Colchester took the lead in first-half stoppage-time when Porter chested down Matthew Briggs' pass before lashing home from the edge of the area. Crewe's Lauri Dalla Valle and James Jones both went close for Crewe, early in the second half.
And after Porter had fired into the side netting, the visitors equalised midway through the second half through Jones, who slotted home Dalla Valle's pass from close range after good work by Nicky Ajose. Ajose put Crewe ahead five minutes later when he collected Anthony Grant's pass before shooting home. And Grant made it 3-1 with nine minutes remaining, turning and planting a low shot past Sam Walker. Substitute Jack Marriott pulled a goal back for Colchester with five minutes left after Alex Wynter had helped on a throw but Crewe held on.
The U's will be looking for their fifth unbeaten match away from home when they visit S2 tonight and manager Tony Humes is expected to field an unchanged side. Midfielder Elliott Hewitt will serve the last of a three match suspension. Chris Porter is likely to start against his former club but defender Frankie Kent (knee) is injured.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 3 Colchester United 0