United's slow start was fairly and squarely to blame for the loss against Reading, claimed Kevin Blackwell following the 0-2 loss at the Lane.

And the Blades boss called upon his strikers to take their share of responsibility for wasting a succession of very acceptable opportunities:

"Three or four of the lads weren't bang at it from the beginning and you can't do that and get away with it against a quality team.

"I don't know why we were so sluggish from the off, we've trained well and looked sharp all week, but Reading were far brighter from the start.

"It took us about 25 minutes to get going and then we conceded a mickey mouse goal just before the break through poor defending. We knew what they were going to do and what we should have done - but didn't."

If there was encouragement to be taken it came in a much improved second-half display which the Blades largely dominated, and certainly had more efforts at goal:

"We took the game to them and when we got on top of them they couldn't play like they had in the first-half and had to rely on breakaways, but I suppose they could afford to.

"There were several chances and we should have finished some of them off so I am critical of our strikers tonight even though Hahnemann made some good saves.

"Sometimes they get a pat on the back or support when they have not had the service but today they should have put their heads above the parapet and done better."