Sheffield United got out of jail with a last gasp leveller to deny Roy Keane and Ipswich their first victory of the season at Bramall Lane. Having trailed early, Town hit back and seemed set for to take the three points after the Blades had thrown away more sloppy goals once again. Ipswich had a 3-1 lead inside the last 15 minutes but after Henderson had given United hope; Chris Morgan scored a scrambled late equaliser in stoppage time. Unbelievably United almost stole it in the 94th minutes as James Harper's shot went agonisingly wide just before the final whistle!
The game began with Evans restored to the starting line up and Quinn moving to the left to replace the sidelined Treacy. Alan Quinn started for the opponents whilst fellow former Blades Stead and Martin were on the bench.
The game began with both teams having half chances with Quinn having an opportunity for United and then Priskin being crowded out for Town. However, the first real chance led to a goal for the home side. Evans had a shot that was deflected into the air and as Wright tried to gather; HENDERSON nodded home. The keeper and his defenders appealed in vain for the foul but to no avail as the goal was given. Ipswich hit back with Kilgallon saving an almost certain goal after Peters cross from the left hand side. Walters was lucky to escape action after he went in late on Bunn after the keeper had gathered.
Quinn then nearly added a second after Evans knock down but after this chance; Ipswich responded and were level. Edwards skipped away down the right and evaded Quinn's wild challenged and from his cross WALTERS flicked the ball home with his back to goal. The goal was similar to Quinn's own goal at Swansea at the weekend.
United were stunned and worse was to come when Ipswich took the lead. More poor play from United saw the ball given away and as defenders backed off, smart interchange led to a chance opening up for LEADBITTER. The midfielder advanced and hit a low shot that Bunn ought to have saved but the ball crept into the corner to stun the Blades. Worse was to follow when Kigallon hobbled off, to be replaced by Davies immediately after the goal. Henderson had a half chance but in reality Untied were really treading water and just before the break Quinn missed a guilt edged chance for Town that should have given them an even further advantage.
The second half began in the same way the first had ended with Ipswich playing the more enterprising football and keeping the ball with more purpose. United were trying to create opportunities but Wright had barely been called upon all game . Ex Blade Stead came on for Priskin and was immediately forcing keeper Bunn into a save. The crowd were now becoming increasingly frustrated and this did not lessen after Quinn's flicked header was turned away by Wright and then the same man was denied by the legs of the keeper after good work by Walker. United were not exactly playing clever football and much of the chances were being created by knock downs and percentage football. Town continued to try and pass the ball and more good work almost led to another opening for Stead. A corner soon arrived and from the delivery from Leadbitter, MCAULEY leapt unopposed and crashed a header in off the bar to give Ipswich breathing space. Martin came on for Quinn for the jubilant visitors whilst Cresswell replaced Taylor with Stephen Quinn switching to left back.
United were trying to get back into the game but Harper's powerful drive was grasped by Wright. Finally, a way back came when Little showed his class and delivered an inviting cross which HENDERSON converted to give the Blades new hope.
United now were piling on the pressure and forced a number of throw in's and corners deep in the final third. It seemed as if the equaliser would not come but after the referee had decided there would be an additional 4 minutes; Little's corner was spilled by Wright and MORGAN knocked the ball home via deflection. United came again right after the leveller and Harper was close to a stunning winner when his shot through a crowd of bodies went agonisingly wide with Wright beaten.
United - For much of the game we were really poor. I mean really poor. We got in front via a scrappy goal and should have kicked on despite not being convincing but let Ipswich come back into the game. They scored a leveller after really poor defending and then even worse defending and keeping led to them leading. After half time we got not better and continued to kick the ball long. The third goal should have been the killer goal but we got back into it fairly quickly. Still it seemed time was against us but we could have actually scored 2 or 3 in the last few minutes and stoppage time as Ipswich panicked badly.
As for the actual football it was basically long ball once again for much of the game. The fact the Blades fans were sarcastically clapping the odd pass in the first half said it all as we continually pumped the ball in the direction of Evans and Henderson all game. Despite having talented wingers who can get crosses in like Cotterill and Little, we showed an inability to use them and resorted to the diagonal ball or long straight ball once again.
Unfortunately there were so many more negatives than positives. The good things was the never say die attitude and we got back into it and oh so nearly won it but in reality after taking the lead we should have built on it. We let Ipswich come back and basically stood off in defence and conceded three really bad goals. The first was due to poor play from the left side (Quinn and Taylor) as neither player closed down their men and the centre backs were not close enough to Walters. The second was reminiscent of the Swansea winner as no one closed down the shot and then Bunn was unbelievably slow down to a well placed but shot that should have been saved. The third was like the one at Coventry (their third) when a routine corner was headed home without so much of a challenge.
One of our strongest parts of our team in the last season or so has been our defence but to let in 10 goals in the last 4 games is really poor. We need to tighten up at this area of the pitch. We may have to replace the keeper and I am still not convinced by either Taylor nor Davies. Walker also is having his first real poor spell in the side. He was lacking versus Wednesday in the second half and today he was not at it all game. In midfield Harper looks no closer to the answer and has been a bit of a passenger thus far. Evans has been perhaps the biggest disappointment as for the money and investment made he looks like he is going through the motions.
At the moment even without looking at the lack of football, ball retention, creativity etc, the thing that worries me even more is the organisation and solidity we had last year where when we were poor, we still were hard to beat, seems to have gone. We need a few clean sheets and some solid defensive performances as much as we need to improve our passing and creativity. The former was always there with us until recently; the latter has never really been there in the last 4 or 5 years so I cannot complain too much about that!
Ipswich - For a struggling side they recovered well after trailing to get back into it and then played some really good football. They at least tried to use the ball and keep the football. As a result chances opened up and they were unlucky not to win the game. However, as the game went on and as full time neared you could see them start to get anxious. As they had now in all season, they did begin to panic near the end and they were really hanging on desperately. If the game had gone on another 2 or 3 minutes, they would have conceded again.
I am sure they will finish half way up the league and won't be bad enough to struggle but not good enough to go up. Leadbitter and Edwards are good signings and will help them but they do have a lot of ordinary players throughout the team. Stead and Quinn; as much as they were applauded for their service to the Blades would both probably still struggle to get into the United team; as they did when they were here. Wright is now a shadow of the former England keeper and was at fault for two goals and looks decidedly edgy when the ball is played high into the box.
Bunn 5/10 - For me he was his fault badly for the second goal as he replicated the last two games; Wednesday (Esajas) and Swansea (Butler) with really poor footwork which saw long range shots beat him all too easily. His overall goalkeeping is a mixed bag with some good things but unfortunately the main thing we want from a keeper (to be able to stop shots) is still a question mark. All those that criticised Kenny(myself included) are wishing he was back now.
Walker 5/10 - Thought it was his poorest performance for some time. He did some decent things going forward with one or two excellent crosses in the second half but he was hesitant and often careless in possession much of the night. Defensively he was slow to react and we looked vulnerable down both flanks tonight.
Taylor 5/10 - Looks extremely nervous and I felt Ipswich really exploited him tonight. Many of their attacks came down his side and he really did give his man way too much room. The first goal came from his inability to get close to his man and Quinny stupidly diving in. He needs to do the basics which are stop the cross and get close to the winger. At the moment he is coming up short in both aspects.
Morgan 7/10 - Did alright save for one mistake that nearly led to a goal but I felt for him as with Killa going off and the rest of the back line being off form once again he had to try and hold things together. Got the late equaliser that of course saved a point.
Kilgallon - Seemed to be struggling from the start and of course he was taken off. With injuries to Ward and Treacy; I hope he is not going to be another one on the sidelines for an extended period of time.
Harper 4.5/10 - In the two home games I have seen I have not been that impressed and he has been pretty anonymous. It is still early doors and maybe he is lacking match sharpness not being a regular at Reading. I do expect him to get more on the ball and be more involved as when he does get involved he does look decent but for too long the game passed him by. Nearly scored a great goal at the death.
Montgomery 5.5/10 - He was not great tonight and I felt Ipswich controlled midfield. Tried to keep scrapping away but we gave up far too much possession in the central areas of the pitch.
Cotterill 5/10 - There may have been quite a few boos when he went off but overall I thought he flattered to deceive once again. Yes, he tried to get it down on one or two occasions but often the ball was lost and it was like a hot potato too much. The guy has talent but we need some level of consistency or he is destined to play much of his football lower down the leagues. I have always been one of his biggest fans but felt he did not do enough and shied numerous challenges.
Henderson 7.5/10 - Excellent. Only forward who looked a threat. Scored two goals, led line well and tried to bring others into play. Gets hammered a lot on forums/phone ins but we would be a lot lower down the league without him. I know which one looks the better player out of him and Evans at the moment.
Evans 4/10 - Really been a big disappointment this season for me. I thought he would prove an excellent buy and eventually that still may prove to be the case but he labours through games and very rarely is involved. Sure, the style of football is poor and probably not helping but we do need more from someone that cost that much even if it is running the channels, or working for the team, winning the odd flick on etc. At the moment he seems to look as if he feels he is superior to the level he is playing at and seems to be on a 'bit of a stroll.' Needs to improve and fast.
Quinn 6.5/10 - Thought Quinny was one of our better players tonight. Jumped in stupidly that led to their first goal but he was one of our better competitors tonight and when he went to left back strangely he looked better in that position. At least he was one of the few that competed and got involved in a sea of mediocrity overall.
Subs-
Little - Came on and showed decent touch and a bit of composure. Put in a few decent crosses and generally made things happen. Would like to see him get a start Saturday.
Davies 5/10 - Not convincing at all. Slow to react and indecisive. Tendency just to whack it out too even when under no pressure.
Cresswell - Our latest Stoke loanee. Got booed on from some of the crowd (Weds connections?). Played left side but did not get that involved.
Referee - He was alright but it was a fairly easy game to referee with little bad challenges throughout. Despite this I still thought he got the book out very quickly and booked one or two from both sides harshly. Seemed to think any kind of hand ball was a yellow card even if the ball was fired at players; both Taylor and Walters suffered this fate.