Sheffield United continued their impressive form by seeing off Ipswich Town at Bramall Lane in yet another convincing and deserved victory. The curse of the manager of the month did not occur as Kevin Blackwell's Blades took a two goal lead and then saw off the visitors with few difficulties to continue to out the pressure on Reading and Birmingham. It was two goals from bang in form players with a spectacular strike from Greg Halford and a textbook header from Darius Henderson seeing off Town. However, there were also impressive performances from Chris Morgan, Nick Montgomery and Jamie Ward in a fine team effort.

United opted to leave injury doubt Jon Joe O'Toole on the bench and started with an orthodox 4-4-2 with Henderson and Ward up front and Halford and Cotterill on the flanks. Ipswich started with two former Blades in Jon Stead and Alan Quinn who both received a warm welcome back to the Lane. Town were without centre back MacAuley and loanee Geovanni Dos Santos.

United sought to take advantage of the deficiency in height in Ipswich's backline early on with Henderson dominating the early battle with Campo. Bruce was also struggling with the lively Ward as United were on top in the opening stages of the game. Halford was heavily involved as he launched two long throws and also a dangerous cross and United had half hearted appeals for a penalty against Alan Quinn for handball. Ipswich's first opening came after Kilgallon's error led to Naysmith being booked but Alan Quinn's free kick in a dangerous position was way too high. United nearly took the lead when Morgan headed back across goal but it went inches the wrong side of the post.

However, United's early pressure was rewarded when after good patient football from Naysmith and Cotterill; the ball was played into HALFORD who took a couple of touches before firing an effort from over 20 yards that flashed past Wright into the bottom right hand corner of the goal. A superb strike and a vital one to calm the nerves on the field and in the stands.

United were now really on top and went for the jugular. Clever football from Ward, Halford and then Cotterill nearly led to a chance for Henderson but it was not long before the big striker had netted. The ball arrived at Naughton's feet and as the United fans bayed for a shot, the full back opted wisely to chip a deft cross towards the back post. As the ball hit its intended target HENDERSON leapt highest and powered a header into the far corner of the net to give Wright no chance once again who found himself picking the ball out of the same corner he had only eight minutes earlier.

Buoyed by this two goal cushion United continued to dominate and could have extended this lead as Ward's header struck the outside of the post with Wright nowhere. Not long after Wright palmed Cotterill's cross round the outside of the post and from the resultant corner Kilgallon headed narrowly wide as United completely dominated the game.

Ipswich had a rare opening after Kenny mistakenly came and missed a punch but Garvan only hit the side netting when he should have done better. Quinn then finally tested Kenny with a long range effort that was held comfortably.

The second half saw more of the same with United in control and an enterprising Ward run reminiscent of Peschisolido's effort against Forest in the unforgettable play off game, saw the little strikers shot pulled just wide. Henderson then tested Wright after more good work by his partner Ward. However the little striker ought to have scored after another wretched error in the Ipswich backline saw a free kick played right into the striker's path. However, Ward opted to take on a curler first time and the ball went just wide with Ipswich relieved they were let off and still in the game. Norris and Stead were replaced by Haynes and Counago as Ipswich tried to change things in a game they were frankly not in. Beattie replaced Cotterill not long after.

Ipswich finally awoke from their slumber and had their own half hearted appeals for a penalty for a push on Bruce but the dive was theatrical. Quinn was taken off with O'Toole coming on to play in the middle of the par. Ipswich finally extended Kenny as he spectacularly clawed the ball away from Balkestein's header after the keeper has punched Kilgallon rather than the ball in the lead up to the corner. Kilgallon had received treatment after this and was clearly struggling and eventually was taken off to be replaced by Bromby. Counago blazed over and then Ipswich's final effort on goal also came from Balkestein but Kenny palmed the ball away again.

Referee Miller rightly added an additional 5 minutes after numerous stoppages and injuries in the second half but Ipswich did not really test United any further and the final chance fittingly came after Montgomery had won a tackle and went past two men but Henderson's shot was saved easily by Wright. The final whistle came not long after as the Blades players congratulated each other on a solid performance and the continuation of the excellent run.

United

It was not a superb performance but it was a good one and the word I would use would be professional. We played very well in the first half and deserved a two goal lead at most. We actually could have had more goals if we had been more clinical. Ipswich did little to nothing in the first half. I expected them to improve in the second but they did not really and only had a few half chances and despite United's second half performance being a bit sloppy they kept their shape for the most part and deserved to win the game by some way. We had the outstanding defender in Morgan, the outstanding midfielder in Montgomery and two forwards that really worked hard and never gave the defenders a moments peace.

Playing with two wide men helped and we played some really good, enterprising football with Halford and Ward showing what good footballers they are aided and abetted by Montgomery winning every loose ball in the middle and Morgan stopping Ipswich gaining any kind of territory in the final third.

I do not want to get carried away as we have some really tough games coming up with Barnsley sure to be fired up Tuesday and then a real toughie that could be make or break at Reading in Friday. If we come through these two games with 4 points; then I will start to actually be quietly confident we could sneak into second but 4 points is a big ask. The last four with Forest, Burnley, Swansea and Palace do not concern me and I feel we are capable of reeling off 3 wins out of them but it is the next two that are crucial for me. We should be in the playoffs now and it is just a matter of maintaining it and going for it. We have nothing to lose as we should be safe for the playoffs so next Friday for instance why not just go for it?

Worryingly though we did pick up quite a few knocks with Naysmith getting a kick, Kilgallon going off concussed and Naughton hobbling away at the final whistle. Throw in the amount of work Ward and Henderson did and I hope they are as energetic and can work as hard on Tuesday as they really put a shift in today and gave the Ipswich defenders a torrid time.

Kenny 7/10
An odd game. He made two very good full stretch saves which helped preserve the two goal lead although arguable they were saves you would expect the keeper to save. However, he flapped at one or two crosses but got away with them as Ipswich failed to profit. His shot stopping continues to be excellent but his decision making and command of his box also continues to be suspect.

Naughton 7/10
Decent game with some good moments and for the most part defended well. Also made the goal with a great cross. A couple of times he tried to do too much instead of doing the basics. Surprisingly good in the air as he evidenced by winning most aerial balls against his man. The one thing I will say is even when he makes mistakes he has such quick powers of recovery and thus usually rectifies things.

Naysmith 7.5/10
As always a very solid game. He defended with calmness and authority when needed. Read the game well and despite being fouled quite a lot by Norris stuck to the task and completely won his individual battle which led to Norris being taken off. Haynes did not get much change out of him either although after being booked his heart must have been in his mouth when he committed a foul late in the game. Real contender for player of the season.

Kilgallon 7/10
Had a really bad start as two mistakes in a matter of seconds cost us a free kick in a dangerous position and also led to Naysmith having to take a booking. However he got better after this and along with Morgan the two centre backs won the battle against the forwards. Got badly concussed near the end and tried to go on but after winning a header not long after treatment he stumbled around like a punch drunk boxer and wisely signalled he had to go off.

Morgan 8/10
Really solid game. Won every single header and was immaculate all game in his defending. Really dominated whoever he was up against whether it was Lisbie, Stead or Counago. A proper centre back performance. Hopefully he will come out and repeat this on Tuesday when I am sure he may be under intense scrutiny and may be under some provocation from Barnsley.

Halford 8/10
Another good performance. He showed some lovely touches and played a real range of simple short balls and also some long range diagonal balls. The left back really could not play him as Halford showed good pace, control and more that that was just too clever for him. A superb goal from range that set United on the way. Just hope Sunderland do not want him back at the end of the season as he is definitely a player we should sign but feel there may be a bit of competition for his signature.

Montgomery 8/10
Outstanding from start to finish. Won so many loose balls and tackles and used the ball sensibly when he had it. Thought he was comfortably the best midfielder on the pitch and seemed to be everywhere at times. Really played well since returning to the team and one of the first names on the sheet.

Quinn 5/10
Just had one of those days. Every ball went awry, he hurried things when he had time and dallied when under pressure. The annoying tendency to just help the ball on or try a flick continues to be one of real annoyance. He was eventually taken off and given a hug from Blackwell who I also think knew what a bad game he had and knew he'd had some hammer from the crowd.

Henderson 8/10
A very good display where he held the ball up well and completely dominated Campo and Bruce winning the ball in the air nearly every time and using his chest and thigh to bring others into play when he could too. Great centre forward's header to score

Ward 8/10
A tireless performance where he never gave the defenders a minute. Chased all game and never stopped working from the first minute to the last. Also when he got on the ball he showed some clever touches and interchange with his teammates. Had a couple of very direct runs when he beat men for both skill and pace. Forming a really effective partnership with Henderson and has been a real plus since coming into the team. Only negative was the miss when he received the ball and perhaps had more time and maybe also tried to be too precise and curled it wide when he ought to have converted.

Cotterill 7/10
A quieter game than in recent weeks but despite not having the same individual flashes he kept his head and continued to play more as a team player which has been one of the significant improvements in his play recently. Had one or two good crosses and moments of trickery, particularly in the first half but faded in the second and as we tried to keep our shape more and did not need to go for more goals, it was probably right he was taken off.

Subs

Beattie
He has not really convinced me so far and is certainly not a left winger. He looks very lackadaisical in his style and it is always frustrating when a player with fresh legs comes on and is jogging about, particularly when he left his full back that overlapped on two occasions. Did put two dangerous balls into the box which Henderson nearly got on the end of.

O'Toole
Came on and really got stuck in, helping win quite a few loose balls in the centre of the park. His passing was patchy but he showed he is a good athlete and does not shirk a challenge. Hope he is recalled for Quinn for the game on Tuesday night.

Bromby
Came on for Kilgallon to play centre back for the last few minutes and got booked for a nothing challenge right on full time.

Ipswich

I expected a lot tougher game today but Ipswich were really disappointing. Their defence was atrocious for the most part with the four defenders taking it in terms to make horrendous mistakes. On top of this we did look like scoring every time we attacked; particularly in the first half. They improved after the break but only had one or two efforts and hardly threw the kitchen sink at us. They seemed almost resigned to defeat and seemed to give up the ghost. They effectively knew their season was pretty over as any chance of getting into the playoff is now gone. Their fans knew it and sarcastic applause came when Quinn's tame effort was clutched by Kenny which was their first effort on goal and only came just before half time. They jeered substitutions and seemed really unhappy with their team.

Campo is wasted at the back as even though he has little pace, he is a clever footballer and can really see a pass so I was pleased to see him at the back where Henderson outmuscled him and was too physical for him. Campo was eventually taken off as he was really struggling. Bruce alongside him was erratic and Ward also was too bright and clever for him. The full backs were little better with Balkestein and Thatcher making basic mistakes often in the game. Wright made one or two saves but often seemed slow down to shots and saw one come off his post when he was not really alert. He had no chance on the goals. Shumulikoski was not really in the game. I like Garvan and felt he was one of the few decent Ipswich performers who showed a good touch and actually kept the ball and showed his range of passing. I was glad with the strikers they picked as I feel Counago and Haynes may have given us a harder time with their respective ingenuity and pace than Stead and Lisbie. When the substitutions came it was too little, too late as the game was effectively over.

Stead was never in the game as Morgan completed dictated things in that area of the pitch. I always liked Stead and he is a good footballer but he did have a tendency to disappear against more physical centre backs and the number of times he has been substituted at the 60-65 minute mark throughout his career must be a sign of a weakness in his game. Alan Quinn started the game well but then he too showed all the hallmarks of his time as a United player as any runs he can became headless with little to no end product and he was barely in the game as it went on. They played a smattering of good football but looked punchless for the most part as United were too strong for them both physically and in terms of the more penetrative football we played in the final third which actually looked like leading to chances and maybe goals.

Referee

Nigel Miller. Thought it was a strange performance that was littered with inconsistency. He seemed to let some wild tackles go unpunished with not even free kicks being given let along bookings and then booked players on both sides for nothing fouls or incidents. Really inconsistent both ways. An example was when he booked Alan Quinn for kicking the ball away but let Cotterill get away with the same sort of thing in the first half. He was one of those referees who you were not sure what he was going to give and let go unpunished. At least either let the game flow or stamp down on things. He seemed to take neither approach. Also near the end I felt Ipswich started to get frustrated with a few wild challenges on Naughton and Halford and a cynical lash out from Counago on Morgan that went unpunished. To be fair to Miller his linesman did not help as they gave quite a few wrong decisions that at least the referee had the gumption to overturn. A few balls that seemed quite a way over the touchline also were not signalled as out which led to further frustrations for both managers.