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In Ugo: MATCH REPORT AND SLIDESHOW
BLADES 1 v PRESTON NE 0: SHEFFIELD United should breathe a sigh of relief that Martin O'Neill swept out of Bramall Lane in his Mercedes during the half-time break.
Otherwise the Aston Villa manager, a feverent collector of fine English talent, would have witnessed Ugo Ehiogu cap a commanding individual display by scoring the goal which lifted Kevin Blackwell's side to fifth in the Championship table.
With his 36th birthday fast approaching, the defender, whose name is also etched into claret and blue history, might be in the twilight of his career but remains capable of producing the type of performance that could tempt a Premier League club to offer him a final top-flight hurrah.
The likes of James Beattie, who limped off during the closing stages nursing a nasty gash to his shin, and Kyle Naughton, again embellishing his growing reputation, might attract the headlines, but Ehiogu, working in tandem with the combative Chris Morgan, gives the team solid, dependable foundations.
Never was that more evident than against Preston North End on Saturday.
The visitors, despite losing for the sixth time in seventh outings, are an onerous proposition and for long periods of this match dragged United into the type of trench warfare Blackwell believes his players will face with increasingly regularity on home soil.
But, together with his partner at centre-half, Ehiogu nullified the threat posed by Jon "The Beast" Parkin before succesfully applying the coup de grace.
Strikes by the former Rangers veteran have become one of football's rarest commodities, but his sense of timing is impeccable.
His previous effort proved decisive in an Old Firm derby and, with United travelling to fellow promotion hopefuls Bristol City tomorrow, his latest was equally important.
"That's my first for the club and it came at the right moment," Ehiogu, playing his third game in less than a week, said. "We wouldn't have wanted to go down there with two points to show from our last three matches.
"That was a grind; we had to win ugly. With the sheer volume of games we've just had, it's impossible to be at your best.
"You play, recover, play, recover, and although the standard might not be as high as the Premiership at this level the intensity is right up there.
"I've waited for so long for a chance like that - where the ball just drops right for you in the box - and the manager has been encouraging me to go forward in those situations.
"With the likes of Birmingham and Wolves taking maximum points all the time it's important for us to stay within distance even though I think it's far too early to start looking (at the table) yet."
He was heavily criticised in some quarters following his arrival during the January transfer window, so the sound of Ehiogu's name reverberating around the stadium after the final whistle underlined the remarkable transformation he has undergone in the eyes of the United faithful.
But Ehiogu's influence extends far beyond the confines of the pitch.
Signed by Blackwell's predecessor, Bryan Robson, his presence in the dressing room has played a crucial role in ensuring youngsters like Naughton and Stephen Quinn can realise their potential.
Naughton, a more likely focus for O'Neill's attention, still has a few rough edges but, making only his 10th senior appearance, demonstrated the energy and positional sense which have seen him become a fixture on the right-hand side of United's rearguard.
"Robbo did bring in some good players," Blackwell said, "And when I first came here Sam (Ellis) my assistant commented you couldn't wish to inherit a better squad.
"Perhaps, if anything, Bryan tried to push the boat out too far too fast. I know what he was trying to achieve - in fact, I agree with it - but it can take a while.
"It's all right having loads and loads of youngsters but in our position know-how is invaluable.
"Kyle's learning curve will be superb because of the input from people like Ugo and Gary Speed.
"They're a credit to themselves because they don't keep their knowledge locked away in case someone comes and takes their place.
"They're always ready to impart it."
United, handing full league debuts to Matthew Spring and Anthony Stokes, started with the same team which finished the goalless draw with Southampton and continued in exactly the same vein.
A bright start could not prevent them from unravelling badly as the interval approached but, with Ehiogu pouncing just five minutes into the second period, they improved as the afternoon wore on.
Stokes had twice gone close for United and Parkin tested Paddy Kenny's reflexes with a powerful drive when Ehiogu pounced.
Andy Lonergan, who later foiled Naughton and Danny Webber, failed to hold Brian Howard's free-kick and when the ball was helped back into the danger zone Ehiogu bundled it across the line after Youl Mawene had blocked his first attempt.
As Blackwell admitted, United enjoyed their best spells when they passed with speed and precision rather than simply played the percentages.
But such a slender lead meant their margin for error was uncomfortably slim and Kenny completed two crucial saves during the closing stages.
The second denied Barry Nicholson who was fortunate to still be involved after, having already been cautioned, he appeared to catch Naughton with a late challenge during first-half stoppage time.
Referee Dean Whitestone incurred the wrath of the crowd when he booked the United man instead.
"Teams always come here and try that little bit harder against us because of who we are," Blackwell said.
"We have to grind teams down but it's been a long hard week and the lads have given me absolutely everything.
"We're all jockeying for position later in the campaign and so long as we're in the top eight or 10 when Christmas comes around then we'll be in a great position to strike." tailor-made fitness programme for Ehiogu and the decision has proved to be inspired.
"Ugo had started to pick up a few injuries," Blackwell said.
"But the fitness people here have looked at what he's doing and now, touch wood, he's not.
"He's now playing regularly rather than missing three or four games at a time."
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
