Twelve months ago almost to the day, Sheffield United showed a performance that typified what is great about the football club with a team full of passion, guts and ability seeing off the great Arsenal in front of a packed Bramall Lane. United's manager that day Neil Warnock punched the air at the final whistle after his team had played the last half hour with an outfield player in goal and shown remarkable courage and tenacity. Who would have thought that Warnock would be returning as an opposition manager a year later and ultimately leading his new team, Crystal Palace, to a hard fought victory at Bramall Lane.

It was an emotionally charged atmosphere at Bramall Lane with the return of their former manager but United once again failed to deliver for their current manager, Bryan Robson, in another desperately disappointing afternoon. As they did against Blackpool, United created enough chances yet again to win the game but were undone by poor finishing and conceded a sloppy goal that ultimately proved their undoing. Despite their wastefulness in front of goal, United still did not put in any kind of performance for their patient home supporters. Indeed it was an atrocious game that lacked any kind of football, skill nor ability from both sides but the visitors won the key midfield battles and with a mixture of grit and luck, hung on for all three points.

United began with the pairing that had done so well for a period last season in Stead and Hulse, with Sharp dropped to the bench and Beattie out injured. Palace kept the same team that had surged up the table with it's latest conquest being Coventry on Boxing Day, with former Blade Shaun Derry in the starting line up and scorer at the Ricoh, Paul Ifil on the bench. United began the game with the first chance as Bardsley fired a shot straight at Speroni. However, United's inability to keep the ball in recent weeks came to the fore again as careless giveaways led to Palace having the lion share of possession in the opening stages.

Lucketti's handball gave Palace a chance but Watson fired wide past Kenny's right hand post. Scannel was played in by a delightfully simple ball inside the full back from Derry but Kenny saved well with a firm hand and deserved his luck as the winger smashed the rebound high over the goal.. United then had their first real chance as a quick interchange saw Stead play in his striker partner Hulse, who was in on goal. With just the keeper to beat he chose to go for power and hit a hard and low shot but it lacked direction and Speroni turned the ball away with his legs. Derry was booked for a crude challenge on Gillespie with the former United man continuing his tradition of being carded on each game he plays upon returning to Bramall Lane.

United had another good chance as Armstrong's slide rule pass evaded Hudson and Stead raced clear down the left hand channel. With Speroni advancing, the United striker shot the ball low past his left hand but unfortunately he pulled his shot and it went wide of the far post. However, play returned to the other end and Palace were nearly in on goal themselves with Bardsley making two vital blocks to stop Scannel and Soares. In a relatively even game that had seen both teams have a couple of chances, Palace were able to get their noses in front. From a needless free kick giveaway after a handball by Stead, the kick was drifted to the far post where Hudson got the jump on the United defence nodded it back and as three United players failed to react, SCOWCROFT hooked the ball into the far corner to stun the home fans. United were unable to respond and the home fans voiced their frustration as more passes went awry before half time.

The second half began with the crowd trying to lift the united players and they had a flurry of pressure without threatening the Palace rearguard. It was not long before Sharp entered the fray for the hugely disappointing Gillespie and went up front to partner Hulse with Stead drifting wide at times to supplement the front two. Palace still looked threatening on the break as they were contend to defend in numbers and had a half chance when Kenny was off his line but Soares clever lobbed effort landed on top of the United custodian's net. Another chance came when Morrison was played in by Scannel but Bardsley made another timely tackle. Stead was coming more into the play and his clever play from the left wing led to an opportunity for Hulse who turned well but fired straight at Speroni again. Hendrie came on for Armstrong and United then gained a free kick after a clumsy challenge on Hulse. From a dangerous position, Bardsley's free kick was powerful but once again Speroni was well positioned and ball cannoned clear off his chest to safety.

Morrison had another good chance from some clever football by Palace but toe poked wide when perhaps he ought to have done better before United had their best chance of the second half. Stead once again was the architect from wide on the left. His cross looked destined for the waiting Sharp but the former ace goal poacher missed the ball and it fell for the waiting Hulse. After taking a touch to steady himself it seemed certain he could convert but knocked the ball the wrong side of the post and into the side netting with the goal gaping. Two more chances came and went with Speroni comfortable saving from Stead's near post shot and then from Hulse's acrobatic overhead kick after a corner. Large appeals for a penalty were waved away after Lawrence appeared to make contact with the ball with his hand inside the box and then Sharp fired over with a long-range volley. Time was now starting to beat United and with Robson still stood motionless on the sidelines, Warnock was as animated as ever applauding every block and every tackle.

As the final four minutes of stoppage time ebbed away with not a chance created, the United fans frustration began to boil over and as referee D'Urso brought proceedings to a halt, many of the United fans were now making their feelings vehemently clear. As loud chants of 'Robson Out!' rang around the stadium, Neil Warnock shook every United players hand as they left the feel and then applauded the United supporters, long after his counterpart had scuttled down the tunnel.

United

Another head shaking performance. We should have taken some good chances that I would have thought Stead and Hulse would score and I am sure Robson will talk about goals changing games, blah, blah, blah but the reality is that the overall level of football served up was once again dire. It was interesting today as I took a relative who went for the first time this season and his viewpoint said a lot. He was amazed at how bad we were. He was amazed at how much aimless long balls were played and how little football they played. More than that he remarked that there was no kind of system at all and more worryingly the players just did not seem to know what they were doing. I told him that this performance was indicative of how the season had gone. However, the most galling point for him was that the United team was utterly devoid of passion, will to win and heart and their ability to win loose balls or tackles. United players were perennially on the back foot and were too infrequently first to the ball with only Bardsley and Kilgallon the exceptions to the rule.

Of course, we had chances to score and it could have been very different if these had been taken but Palace compressed the play and we just ran out of ideas. It was so narrow and we just could not really get behind them. The few times we did pass the ball and try and play football we created chances, such as the Hulse misses in either half. What was annoying it that we did not do anything out of the ordinary to create these few chances. We just passed it simply and got it wide before crossing from deep positions. We did this 3 times and nearly scored on every occasion. For the rest of the game it was horrific. We did not pass the ball, we did not control simple balls and above all we did not compete especially in the centre of the field. The crosses from Gillespie and Montgomery that spooned into the Kop when they were under no pressure whatsoever were both reminiscent of Kozluk's moment versus Port Vale in the dark days of Heath. It was comedy type football at times from the home side. Miscontrol from players, hospital balls and just awful telegraphed passes happened routinely right from minute one to the end of the game. Granted the awful, bobbly pitch did not help either team but their players did seem to do better in just the basics of football, like control and passing. One moment in the first half when we were defending and could not clear the ball and 4 players just sliced the ball completely the wrong way and it went out near the United corner flag. It was embarrassing.

The players confidence is at absolute rock bottom and they seem to be desperate for some kind of leadership both on the pitch and off it but none seems forthcoming and the team, regardless of who plays, just seems to limp weakly through games and almost looks like they are resigned to many of the poor performances and results they are suffering. For whatever reason the current players (most of them, not just a few) are just not performing for this current managerial team. He cannot motivate this team, he cannot get the tactics right, he cannot get them competing, he cannot get them organised and he certainly cannot get them playing any kind of attractive football, that was his supposed attraction when he was brought in. We play more long football now than we have for many years. The way all the players kept congesting together (Palace wanted this to help compress the play and make the game scrappy) was just baffling. The team played with no shape to speak of and thus the way the team played means it is difficult to create many chances from wide areas, especially considering how poor the wide players have been too.

United thus have to bring in 5 or 6 players in January and completely change the ethos and somehow hope Robson and Kidd can develop a new team to finish the season strong and build for a promotion push next season. That is the best case scenario now I feel, even if it is not one that I agree with. I personally would not give Robson any money at all. He has wasted the best part of 3 million on Sharp and Naysmith plus another good chunk on Hendrie's sizeable wages. The other option is of course for McCabe to swallow his pride and admit he made a mistake but his comments pre match indicate he is no nearer doing that no matter how much fans protest. I wonder how far he can go especially if United lost the up coming Sheffield derby and had a continuation of this poor form. I do feel supporters decide when a managerial reign comes to an end and today many made their feelings clear. A few more games of this standard and McCabe may have no choice as I am sure the other directors will make their feelings clear. I do believe they have to vote for decisions and surely even if McCabe wants Robson to continue and the others want a chance, he would have to listen.

Kenny 7/10
Had little to do in the scheme of things but his handling was ok as was his kicking on the whole (which was improved). Nearly got caught out too far off his line a few times as Palace attacked on the break. Had little chance on the goal.

Bardsley 7/10
I felt he was one of the few United players to come out of the game with any credit today. He actually should have done slightly better on the goal but Hudson seemed to get the jump on him and another United player to nod across goal. I think at 1 million he is still over priced but if he signs then play him right back and Geary left back when he returns. At times his attitude can be a bit 'billy big time' but then others he will bust a gut to make a block, which is strange. I think he has the attributes to be a very good player at this level and gets forward to support well when required.

Naysmith 4.5/10
Just a very ordinary player in a very ordinary team. No pace, strength, dies not tackles that well and positional sense is poor. He is not very good on the ball and has been a pointless signing. Sums up much of what is wrong with Robson's tenure. Slow and uninspiring.

Kilgallon 7.5/10
Played well. Maybe he could have been tighter on Scowcroft on the goal but overall he handled the front two well and did all the basics well. Also got forward well when he could. He has improved a lot as the season has gone on and is one of the few players whose place in the team should not be in jeopardy at the moment.

Lucketti 6.5/10
Steady enough despite obvious lack of pace and at times wretched distribution (but I would argue he is in to defend first and foremost and he did that alright). A few aimless punts forward was frustrating though and showed how limited he is.

Montgomery 3/10
Wretched. He did not even do the stuff he normally does well in terms of tackling and harrying. He was shoved aside too easily by his midfield opponents and then just was chasing shadows. On the ball, he was worse then ever, miscontrolling the ball, shinning it out and passing to imaginary men. He had a chance to cross in the second half and clumped the ball behind the goal into the Kop to the disbelief of many faces around me.

Tonge 3.5/10
Dreadful game. He made one or two runs with the ball that marginally saw him better than Montgomery but his overall performance was not good enough. The way he let players drift past him so easily and shied away from tackles that he should have won or at least attempted was unacceptable. He also did not even show his asset, which is passing, as this too was very poor. One ball he ridiculously fired at Bardsley's midriff from only metres away was symbolic of his game.

Armstrong 4.5/10
As with the others in midfield he was appalling. He did not win many tackles, lost the ball routinely when he had it and looked so slow in comparison to the Palace midfielders when reacting to loose balls. Subbed deservedly on the hour but to be honest it could have been any one of 6 or 7. He has actually been one of our better players this season and I still feel he has gone backwards in the last 18 months after a great final 6 months of the promotion season when he really came back with a bang. I think that statement shows how poor the rest of the players have been.

Gillespie 3/10
As with the other three in midfield, his performance was unacceptable but I am sure like the others he will still continue to get picked. I would have played two or three kids instead of him this season but he keeps on playing and picking up a good wage for basically inexcusable performances. His crossing continued to range from pub league at best to atrocious at worst. Time and time again he failed to beat the first man and if things did not come off he whined and petulantly over expressed his frustrations with his teammates or the referee. Another one who needs to be moved on and fast.

Hulse 6/10
Did not look anywhere near match fitness to me. His usual mobile play which includes his back to the goal shielding and bringing people into play was not really there. He also missed two very good chances, a one on one and then a sitter at the back post in the second half. I am sure he will get fitter and stronger and be a big asset. That is of course if Robson does not sell him.

Stead 7/10
Not played for ages and then bang, 'You are back in son', says Robson. Hard not to have sympathy for him as he has not done much wrong but when he does play he knows if he is not very good, he is back to the bench, which is the opposite to the likes of Beattie, Gillespie, Tonge and Montgomery who play come rain or shine. He did alright and was asked to play wide more after Sharp came on. His effort and willingness to run was a bright point in our attacking play that on the whole was woeful. I personally would play him wide right even if he is not selected up front. He cannot do any worse than the current incumbent and actually got two or three good crosses in. He was silly to handle the ball that led to the goal from the free kick.

Subs

Hendrie
Looking like another dreadful signing who has never been fit and when he comes on he just wants to put the boot in with unnecessary challenges. He could have been sent off for a stupid challenge on the keeper near the end. Whoever's idea it was to give him a three year contract (Robinson?) needs to be seriously questioned. As poor as he has been I would still throw him in. He cannot do any worse than the current midfielders and if we are paying him ridiculous wages he may as well be included and try and earn them.

Sharp
As usual he put himself about and his actual movement and hold up play was ok. He did make some good runs in the box for when crosses came in but badly missed connecting on two good chances. For all this busy play and effort, he does not look like scoring at all. For 2 million pounds, a striker that has not scored one league goal and barely even had one shot on goal (think about it) he has been a failure so far and it was an emotional but wrong and expensive decision to being him back. Despite my criticism, I would probably give him a run in the side between now and January and if he does not start producing I would get feelers from other clubs and see how much we could recoup before the end of the window. The longer he goes with this depressingly barren run the more his value decreases.

Palace

Palace were exactly as I expected and what United had expected. They were strong, physical, combative and above all well organised and difficult to break down. We had chances to score and it could have been very different if these had been taken but Palace compressed the play and we just ran out of ideas. It was so narrow and we just could not really get behind them. The few times we did pass the ball and try and play football we created chances, such as the Hulse misses in either half. We did not do anything out of the ordinary. We just passed it simply and got it wide before crossing from deep positions. We did this 3 times and nearly scored on every occasion. For the rest of the game it was horrific. We did not pass the ball, we did not control simple balls and above all we did not compete especially in the centre of the field. The crosses from Gillespie and Montgomery that spooned into the Kop when they were under no pressure whatsoever were both reminiscent of Kozluk's moment versus Port Vale in the dark days of Heath. Miscontrol from players, hospital balls and just awful telegraphed passes happened routinely right from minute one to the end of the game. Granted the awful, bobbly pitch did not help either team but their players did seem to do better in just the basics of football, like control and passing.

Speroni got man of the match from Sky and he did make two or three decent saves but to be truth they were all straight at him. Hulse, in the first half hit his legs and then hit him in the second after a sharp turn. He saved Bardsley's drive with his chest and then fielded Hulse's overhead kick. He was a bit fortunate in some of the saves he made as they were not always orthodox and could have easily fallen to a United man but then I suppose that is as much down to United players being on their heels.

Clint Hill is a Morgan prototype that actually has less skill than the United skipper but is a bruising centre back that takes no prisoners. Hudson is also physically imposing and wins a lot of headers but generally stops the centre forward from having much space. Lawrence is also uncompromising but just does the simple things by positioning himself well and making basic clearances and tackles. I felt the right back Butterfield had a nightmare for 60 minutes with every touch he made going wrong. He made mistakes under no pressure whatsoever but he was not tested at all by Armstrong or whoever else was up against him. The defenders got good blocks in and earned their luck at times as not many balls fell for United. It was midfield as it has been all season that United were completely dominated and outmuscled and outclassed. Soares and Watson were comfortably better than anything we had, just in being able to control a ball, turn and make a simple pass. Derry was his usual hatchet man self but won most of the loose balls and dominated our midfield physically (as the others did also).

I knew Watson and Soares were more skilful than our midfielders but they were actually physically stronger too. It was embarrassing as our players were brushed aside like flies. The lad on the wing, Scannell looked lively and caused a few problems early on in the game but he faded away towards the end of the game. Morrison had a quiet game but held ball up well and worked hard. He did not sulk as he had before and seemed to want to play for Warnock and defend from the front. Scowcroft won a lot of ball in the air but he too was not in the game much until he had a sniff and scored with a clever hooked finish. I felt our centre backs did alright though against the front two. Palace are not exactly awash with quality players but will probably be there or thereabouts for the playoffs. Warnock has proved could very well get them up in the next few seasons. Of course whether he is harrying, pressure football can be sustained long term and whether he can attract enough quality to keep a team in the top flight remains to be seen. At this level though he is an exceptional manager and the way he has duplicated what he did with United in the first few months he was with us, at Selhurst Park, proves that.

Referee

Andy D'Urso. Thought he did alright in the first half but then started to get a few things wrong, not helped by two incompetent linesman, especially the one on the South Stand side. He perhaps should have given us a penalty for handball near the end but by this time the United crowd were desperate. A few decisions both ways he got wrong and as United fans got frustrated, D'Urso started to be in the firing line in the same way as the United players and manager. He stopped the game twice, one for a Palace player being injured and one for a United player, when neither seemed head injuries and he had initially played on. I thought the directive was to continue unless it was a head injury?

Crowd

I was really pleased before the game as Warnock got an excellent reaction with a loud standing ovation and also his name was chanted. I applauded him as most did. I felt after we went down it was the right time for a change and the time had come for him to depart. Obviously his replacement is not cutting the mustard but that does not mean it was not the right thing to replace Warnock. However, Warnock did do a good job in his time at the club and did leave the club in a far better position than when he took over. He certainly gave us many, many great days/nights and although the pain of Wigan will linger for a long time, so will nights like Leeds, Liverpool, Forest and the games after we clinched promotion. The ovation to Warnock at the beginning was fair and deserved but then the crowd was unbelievably quiet as the team once again gave us nothing to shout about at all. When we missed chances and then they scored you could feel the anger starting to emerge and the pro Warnock and anti Robson chants emerged.

During the game I did not agree with the pro Warnock chants. At this stage he was just another opposition manager and we should have got behind our own team or even if fans wanted to vent their feelings, it should have been about our team, manager and not the opponents. However, it was a surreal moment and Robson must have wished the ground would open and swallow him up as all four sides of the ground were chanting Warnock's name for a period in the game. As the game drew to a close, it was a horrible atmosphere. With certain fans chanting Warnock's name and others shouting for the current manager out. I felt if people wanted to do the latter then fair enough at the end of the game. People had paid their money and can show their displeasure if they please. Warnock must have loved it at the end and thought of all those fans who wanted him out so many times but to be fair he did not over celebrate and was fairly muted. If United fail to pick up a win in the next few games and lose at home to QPR, then it will be more than large sections of the crowd shouting for Robson's head but the whole crowd.

The soulless atmosphere that is such a change from last season reminds me of the mid 80s under Ian Porterfield where we had a similarly slow and passionless side who looked completely clueless playing in front of a quiet and disbelieving crowd. Fans belief is slowly ebbing away and it is getting to the point where many do not even seem interested nor bothered. The way fans were sarcastically clapping every touch we made in the second half was a casing point as they are now having to amuse themselves. I listen to BBC Radio Sheffield whose presenters have criticised the fans continually but the fans in my mind have been patient but they are watching garbage week in, week out and are being told by the manager to be patient. We have now waited for over 6 months and things are actually getting worse.

On that note... Happy New Year!