Blades Fall Rock Bottom

Last updated : 28 September 2013 By @blades_mad1889

It was considered an improved performance against recent games where United have failed to make shots on target and with more attempts than there opponents the Blades faithful will no doubt feel disappointed that they didn't come away from the West Midlands without a point to show for there efforts.

However the newspapers will still say that United lost and with results around them not going there way they slipped to bottom of the League One table. It is now six games with consecutive league defeats and one more (at home to Crawley next Friday night) will equal the club record bestowed upon them in the early stages of the 1975/76 season.

United fans travelled to Molineux with little hope of coming away with anything. Wolves who two years ago was a top flight outfit have had a decent start to the season and see themselves in the top six of the table.

Wolves looked dangerous from the off and within 30 seconds had won a corner, former Blade Kevin McDonald forced Hill (a former Wolves defender) to concede, but the kick taken by Sako was poor.

Both sides were guilty of woeful possession and losing the ball in dangerous areas - in one moment McDonald was caught asleep and Brandy surged forward who in turn released Baxter but his cross fired across Ikeme's box.

McDonald could quite easily be labelled as the perfect pantomime villain was greeted with cheers from the home crowd and a ring of boos from the travelling fans after he switched to the Wanderers over a month ago from the Lane. At the other end King, a former Birmingham City striker was also treated to the same gestures.

King was in the thick of things soon after on 9 minutes when he found Baxter and his shot saw Ikeme scramble away at the near post and a minute later Ryan Hall cut inside before the keeper was called into action again from his effort.

As the game progressed the visitors looked good and were a  former shadow of the team which looked 'amateurish' at the seasons start. A beautiful touch from King found Baxter but he fired wide as the pair looked to produce a formidable partnership.

McDonald almost slipped into the referee's book on 26 minutes after he fouled Cuvelier when the Belgian national looked to attack. Brandy launched another attack on goal with Ikeme equal to it and Cuvielier poked wide following a centre.

It was certainly a different United side which had come out against Wolves but at the other end they looked strong in defence - Maguire was called upon on 39th minute to stop a crucial interception when Icelandic Sigurdarson broke free and tried to find Griffths.
 
United had looked sharp in the first half and in the following 45 minutes Kenny Jackett, the Wolves boss was to introduce Kevin Doyle (for Sigurdarson) at the break and his introduction sparked ironic cheers from the home crowd.

Game stopped play when captain Ricketts required treatment following a collision and the second half was to see Wolves spring to life. On 54th minute Edwards was inches away from connecting with Griffiths' cross whilst at the other end Brandy headed wide after King centred before the latter missed the target after out muscling Ricketts before firing.

On 63 minutes Danny Batth, once with Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday was booked after a clumsy challenge on King and three minutes later GRIFFITHS sparked the games first goal. Batth surged the ball forward with Sako crossing and the striker, from close range scrambled home.

Advantage had sprung into Wolves hands and from here on in there was to be only one winner. They could have soon doubled their lead when Florent Cuvelier escaped an appeal for handball in the United box whilst Edwards saw his goal ruled out for offside, despite much drama 1-0 it remained.
 
Lyle Taylor replaced Hall and immediately moved into the centre. Sako saw his shot swatted away by George Long and Baxter saw his effort pushed out for a corner once Taylor and Brandy had combined.
 
The Blades battled until the bitter end but the game was truly won in stoppage time, Ironside had replaced Brandy in a last ditch attempt to claw their way back into the game but became spectators as SAKO wrapped things off, his 30 yard strike proved unstoppable as it almost burst Long's net as it flew into the goal; 0-2.