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...
5. Harrison Burrows
The left back saw a lot of the ball down the left early on and had a golden chance when O'Hare cut it back for him in space but he just couldn't wrap his weaker right foot around the ball and diverted it wide when it looked easier to score. Earlier he should have picked up an assist as well when he laid the ball on a plate for Bamford but he somehow missed, but then couldn't do enough to prevent Windass putting Wrexham in front after finding himself isolated against the former Wednesday man at the back post. Later made way for Chong | UGC Photo: UGC
6. Sydie Peck 5
A poor afternoon by the young man's usual high standards as he struggled to gain too much control of the game in the middle of the park and not much he tried seemed to come off as he would have liked it to. He was caught on the ball early on in a dangerous area and then looked to play it a little bit safe for a while after that, booting it clear on the next couple of occasions rather than putting his foot on it as usual. Replaced by Arblaster with just over 15 to go and cut a frustrated figure as he came off. He's well in credit this season though | UGC Photo: UGC
7. Jairo Riedewald 5
Perhaps this just wasn't the type of game for the men in the middle as the normally unruffled Riedewald also struggled to stamp his authority on the game for large parts. He almost made a mark when a lovely angled cross picked out the unlikely figure of Hamer at the back post but the goal was chalked off, rightly as the replays later suggested. Booked for bringing down O'Brien after an uncharacteristically poor touch surrendered possession in the middle of the park before he made way for Tom Davies | UGC Photo: UGC
8. Andre Brooks 7.5
Looked a danger down the right in the first half even if the absence of Seriki hampered him a little and he could have put the Blades ahead even earlier than he did when he was sent clear and forced a save from Okonkwo, being absolutely wiped out in the process as the penalty appeals were waved away. But he didn't linger on the disappointment too much and found the net minutes later, starting the move by feeding Bamford whose shot was saved and then following up to blast home the rebound and put the Blades ahead. He threatened again soon after when he turned on a sixpence in the box and fired just over and looked by some way United's biggest threat | UGC Photo: UGC