David Cotterill scores the only goal of the game at Bramall Lane to end the Swans' hopes of featuring in the play-offs
Ray_Delauney
1st half
Opening 15 - 20 mins all us really, neat passing, Sheff Utd looked like they were there for a 0-0 draw.
Their offside goal is disallowed, mood in ground darkens as a result. Why they were getting so het up I don't know.
Blackwell is sent to stand for persistently yorping off; this only seemed to galvanise the Sheff Utd players.
Penalty!!! Was it bow-locks, but Styles was behind the play, so couldn't see the dive as well as us. Dorus goes right way and almost saved it.
Styles in danger of losing the game - he is one of those "show-man" refs and likes to have as much attention as possible. He doesn't seem to mind Sheff Utd gaining ground at free kicks/throw-ins but insists we take ours exactly in the correct spot, and only when he's ready. He gives nothing to us, then books Leon for a trip. He eventually books a Sheff Utd player - for answering back, not the dirty foul he committed.
Half-time
2nd Half. Nearly get a goal straight away, but Joe can't quite pick Sctoland out. My neck is hurting now with all that looking up at the sky.....Sheff utd fans must be given neck braces to allow them to recover between games.
Huff and puff; Gomez wins free kick after Sheff Utd players set about him with blunt instruments - Styles is forced to concede that this is actually a foul. Wall goes back about 9 feet, as measured by Rob Styles baby steps. Ball hits Sheff Utd player in face - because he is so close.
Pintado comes on. He is fouled by Montgomery in the box, but no penalty, ball goes out for a corner.
Another corner for Swans; Pratley is pushed to ground this time, everyone can see it. Styles says no and flashed Sheff Utd membership badge to Swans fans. No, I think I made that bit up.
Pintado is lively and forces Sheff Utd player into an error. IN THE PENALTY BOX. Player falls over, landing on ball. Said player then wraps arms around the ball in attempt to prevent its release. A stonewall penalty if ever there was. What's the decision Rob? A penalty?? Sorry I must be misinterpreting your arm movements - you seem to be indicating play on.
Swans fans by now are incensed by this joke of a ref. If Sheff Utd's was a penalty then this definitely was too. Fans jump over wall at front of seating area to vent anger at ref, not to get at the home fans. I know exactly how they felt.
Styles feels he's gone a bit too far now, the FA might be watching this shambles. We get a few free kicks awarded, in order to make us feel better. It doesn't.
More lumping the ball up in the air......Butler comes on and is penalised for handball. Even the Sheff Utd players are surprised by this. They were positioning themselves to defend, instead they can now cross the ball into the penalty area. Luxury.
Final whistle
So okay we lost, but it makes me shudder to think that Blackwell was interested in becoming our manager....thank the Lord. Also, that cheap nylon tracksuit he was in; perhaps Roberto should give him the name of a good tailor????
Blades: Paddy Kenny; Greg Halford, David Cotterill, Chris Morgan (C), Matthew Kilgallon, Darius Henderson, Nick Montgomery, Jamie Ward, Stephen Quinn, Kyle Naughton, Kyle Walker.
Subs: Arturo Lupoli, Danny Webber, Lee Hendrie, Craig Beattie, John O'Toole.
Swans: Dorus de Vries; Angel Rangel, Garry Monk (C), Ashley Williams, Alan Tate; Joe Allen, Leon Britton, Darren Pratley, Jordi Gomez, Nathan Dyer; Jason Scotland.
Subs: Andrea Orlandi, Gorka Pintado, Shaun MacDonald, Albert Serran, Tom Butler.