Vital Season In Review: January

Following an impressive end to the year, Sheffield United entered 2010 full of prosperity and began with a visit from Paul Hart's QPR in the FA Cup 3rd Round.

Jay Simpson put the visitors in front before Richard Cresswell equalised on the stroke of half-time.

A replay was required nine days later, and the Blades ran out 3-2 victors. Cresswell was on the scoreshee again, adding to Lee Williamson's opener, and Jamie Ward's strike to put the Blades three up, and despite the home side pulling two back, it wasn't enough, and lined up a 4th round trip to the Reebok Stadium, for a repeat of the 2008 3rd round tie.

David Carney got the winner for United on that day but history failed to repeat itself, and United were eliminated from the competition following a 2-0 defeat.

Prior to the Blades visit to Bolton, Cresswell claimed the solitary goal as United beat a Middlesborough team that included soon-to-be Manchester City winger Adam Johnson.

Cresswell continued his fine scoring form, bagging the second in United's 3-0 hammering of Reading. Jonathan Fortune had given the Blades an early lead, and Chris Morgan completed the scoring. Mark Bunn saved his second penalty of the season, this time denying Gylfi Sygurdsson.

The Blades, in high spirits following an impressive run of results were brought back down to earht at the Hawthornes, as promotion chasing West Brom put three past Blackwell's men, with only Darius Henderson's penalty as a response.

Monthly grade: C

Monthly record (league): P3 W2 D0 L1 F5 A3 Pts6 Pos6th

Player of the month: Richard Cresswell - Four goals in 6 games led to Kevin Blackwell securing the services of the Stoke City striker on a permanent basis following his loan spell. Cresswell would go on to finish the leading goalscorer for United.

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