Sheffield United’s season appears all but over after a 2-1 defeat at Wrexham this afternoon. The Blades went into the game needing to win to keep their faint top-six hopes alive and looked good value when Andre Brooks put them ahead.
But familiar defensive failings cost them again as first former Wednesday man Josh Windass and then Sam Smith found the back of the United net too easily, after Patrick Bamford and, to a lesser extent, Harrison Burrows missed golden early chances to put the Blades ahead.
Here’s how we rated the United players on another afternoon of frustration this season...
1. Adam Davies 5
A virtual spectator in the first half but was beaten early in the second, even though the offside flag cut short the celebrations as Windass raced clear and fired home. That effort squirmed through Davies rather than beating him and he got a hand to the shot when Windass did eventually score to drag Wrexham level, although it wasn't enough to keep it out as United were cut open down their right | UGC Photo: UGC
2. Ki Jana Hoever 4
Back in the side from the start in Seriki's absence and his afternoon didn't get off to the best of starts when he ballooned a cross over the Wrexham bar under very little pressure. He also gave the ball away on a few occasions but one of his eye-of-a-needle passes did set O'Hare free when it came off for a chance for Burrows. He lacks the dynamism of Seriki and as such the partnership with Brooks didn't spark down the right and he was caught out of position for Wrexham's equaliser as a simple pass dragged both Tanganga and Bindon out of position and created space for Windass to score at the back post. Replaced by Ogbene | UGC Photo: UGC
3. Japhet Tanganga 5
Also found himself completely taken out of the game by that simple ball down the left which led to Wrexham's equaliser and was then left rooted to the spot as his man Smith peeled off him and met a delicious Kabore cross to put the visitors ahead. He's been largely good since he came to the club but does seem to have a habit of switching off at times and that cost him and the Blades here | UGC Photo: UGC
4. Tyler Bindon 5
Largely dealt well with the different threats of Smith and Windass as they linked up in tandem but was dragged out of position for the equaliser to try and cover Hoever and Tanganga, before Smith crossed for Windass and United's hard-fought lead was evaporated by another instance of an opposition side not having to work terribly hard to break open United and find the back of their net | UGC Photo: UGC