Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

EFL Championship Matchweek 31 - Monday 9th February 2026 - 20:01 - Bramall Lane
Please keep all discussion related to the match within this thread.

Player Ratings:
Matchday Stats/Player Ratings - https://www.s24su.com/forum/match-day/match/sheffield-united-vs-middlesbrough.781/

Officials:

Referee: Gavin Ward
Assistants: Hugh Gilroy & Shaun Hudson
Fourth Official: David Webb

Coverage:

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Live TV Coverage:


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[Iffy Onuora's Shiny Head]

Remind me of us when we got promoted. Grind out the results after getting goals in a 20 minute great spell.

They some luck tonight with 2nd balls bouncing straight to their players, ANOTHER terrible referee (outside of red card) and good finishing/keeping when needed

 

[Jimmy Fleck]

Frustrating.

 

[Blade In Flame]

Send the cunt back, wtf was that

Hope Wilder bought him on Amazon. I'll drive him to the post office tomorrow myself. No box needed.

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

Frustrates the life out of me, especially because he’ll be assessed & because he got the ‘big decisions’ (red card) right, they’ll rate he had a good game.

Pathetic refereeing, summed up by two decisions - 1) penalising Tanganga for their player running at him from the second half kick off. Happens every single game & never gets penalised, but he couldn’t wait to pull us up. 2) Brooks clearly getting tripped in the first half (right in front of the linesman as well!), such an easy decision, and nothing given.

2nd one was the linos (Assistant referee) fault, he had z better view than the ref.

 

[Steve.C]

Midfield 1st half wasn’t right. Blaster not with it unfortunately. Peck was off it. Rothwell for a seasoned pro that was fucking dreadful surely Wilder must have given them the warning that that ref is a total wanker and any opportunity he will get his fucking hand in his pocket!

 

[blades_95]

Boro are a very good side in fairness, some of the midfield interplay was unbelievable & we couldn’t get near them. Frustratingly though I think we had the better chances, and more of them.

Some immediate reflections:
1) Ref was shite
2)) Midfield was completely overrun, they bypassed us too easily.
3) More changes should have happened at 50/55mins - we weren’t in the game at this point but let another 15 mins pass by without laying a glove on them.
4) Rothwell’s tackle was stupid.
5) Why wasn’t Rothwell on set pieces before the red? Quality of deliveries was poor today, surely he’s been brought in with this as one of his key attributes.
6) Ref was shite.

 

[The Crab]

Take out Coops errors, their keeper having a blinder, we could well have won

 

[JHaber]

Attacking wise, on another day we scored a couple more (on balance, maybe could too).

However, I think we made Boro look as good as they did at times today. I've seen Boro play a few times this season and they didn't look half as good as that at moving the ball in tight spaces and creating chances. We were just missing any bite to get into them and gave them the whole midfield first half - most of the pressing was sprinting at them to then just watch (O'Hare)and leave huge space in behind.

Better latter in the second. Rothwell, he was going off even if he won that ball.

 

[Jon B]

Very good team performance by Boro. They look like the real deal.

Frustratingly our players individually are at least as good.

Pity about Rothwell's moment of madness.

Even in defeat it was fun to watch 2 goalies in identical kit competing against each other in the Boro goalmouth.

 

[RWE]

Would like to see Hjelde come in for Burrows (who’s been shocking imo) next game. On to the next one.

 

[Sharp_as_a_Blade]

We'll see if Wilder learns from this, if we start Blaster-Peck next game it's clear why

 

[Kona]

Frustrating game, with plenty of positives but too many individual errors.

Early days but Philips looked class. Hopefully he can stay fit because he could be an important player for us in the run in.

Rothwell, however, should be scrubbing the bogs for the rest of the season. Stupid decision, stupid tackle. Not impressed by him at all

 

[wf9-Danny]

A better ref we win today. Who are Boro paying off?

 

[blAdes96]

Think it was a great advert for the Championship.

We came out really quick, had we taken the lead most likely we win.

Under their new manager, they’ve are the best side in the division - their confidence grew after going 1-0 up. They played some wonderful football too.

Our goal was well worked, great switch from Kalvin Phillips. We showed great character and fight & we could have even levelled it before Rothwell’s red…

 

[SB_90]

disappointing as always there a few mistakes that quality team will punish you for. like tanganga closing down & falling into their trap for 1st goal

but on the whole, happy with the performance against the champions elect we take our chances 1st half at 0-0 its a completely different game. for it to be the 1st defeat at home since 1st Nov & only only 2nd in 11 home games

Rothwell trying to go for the worst home debut award

 

[ancientblade]

boro best side weve seen at lane this season whittaker hackney and conway 3 brilliant young players pacey and skilful just what we are lacking we know arblaster isnt fit and shouldnt be starting but when will wilder realise him and peck cannot be in same team they play the same.roles arblaster needs putting to bed now were not going up and not going down and o'hare needs benching gave us nothing tonight just running about like a headless chicken and couldnt even control the ball when he did get it

 

[Geordie Blade]

I really enjoyed that, for a defeat.

Cracking game. Both sides going for it in a ding dong battle. A bit of everything. Bit optimistic thinking Arblaster would handle it alongside Peck. Shame we didn’t get anything, but it was a fair result and we weren’t going to go up anyway, so nothing lost really.

Overall, I prefer watching this football to the cagey 1-0 stuff last year.

 

[raimond]

Terrible challenge by Rothwell. Why would you do that in that situation?

If you're fat, not match fit, frustrated and trying to impress. Oh, and a bit shit.

 

[Dynamo Kev]

phew, that was a bit nervy last half hour. typical us that tbh. get a bit complacent let a team get at us to easy when In front. usually the other team never get much of a sniff after they score though. but you had a few moments where i was nipping haha.
GG hopefully you keep up the play off push and make it. let's be honest, most of the teams above you are shyte. including the teams in the play off positions currently. i bet 70 points is enough. good luck lads.

 

[Hockey'sBeard]

I still can’t quite believe their second goal- how lucky can you get for ball to bounce off post up onto your head.
Do we ever get that luck?

 

[PrestwichBlade]

I'm not too disappointed with that all things considered. Earlier in the season we'd have been steamrollered first half. It's all a bit scrappy and hit and hope, but thought Phillips gave us some bite and composure in the middle which we seriously lacked with Peck and Arblaster together (why does Wilder keep trying that, it never works?). Might have been a different story had Rothwell not been carded, but hey ho.

 

[Half Bond Jls]

A better ref we win today. Who are Boro paying off?

Agree that ref was shite but Boro ripped us up going forward.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I’m a season ticket holder but been ill….so watched it on TV and enjoyed that…..high quality game played at pace…a great advert for the Champiomship.

Blades 1 Boro 2
Think overall…it was probably a fair scoreline….in a match with so many chances to both teams.
Did think so many loose balls and ricochets fell to their player….when we had players close by.
You could say they had the luck but it was happening too often to be lucky. Really good teams make their own luck.

Positive
1: We battled well in that 2nd half after finding ourselves 0-2 down….this shows character.
2: Thought Brooks was brilliant again….hard working and so positive with his runs…..really pleased for him.
3: Sereki again very good….his defending has really improved and his partnership with Brooks is a real weapon.
4: Bamford…..brilliant again….thought he was a real pain for the Boro defence and I also liked how Bamford gave 100% effort.

Negatives
1: Defence looked weak tonight…..I know we could have had 5 but they could have had 7. A few times I kept thinking…
…...stay away from the PL because if Boro have a chance of scoring 7 against us then what about a good Premier league team.
2: Whenever I see Tanganga on TV…..my memory is he either always seems to be unlucky or he’s arguing with the ref.
3: Rothwell is a committed player and on a wet service those types of challenges are so inviting…..but for a experienced player he should have let it go.

Overall not too down…..we were good tonight but Boro were a little better.
Nothing wrong with being good and play like that home and away…we still have a great chance.

 

[Dave9777]

Enjoyable game despite frustrations, cooper off it and I think was at fault for their second. Awful clearance, then he tried to play out from the back which also didn’t work out however they’re a bloody good team on the charge middlesboro! Think we did ok under the circumstances. Agree re Leeds dick rothwell who made a few other panicked hospital balls before that… Luckily the other Leeds two are looking very good, Bamford & Philips for his brief return, Brooke’s amazing as always! Lots of positives to take really…… that first 15 mins was edge of your seat stuff!

 

[Wetwang blade]

It's hard trying to play against 12 men but when you only have 10 men it's impossible to win. We had chances, we could have won but we make it worse by our rushed defensive clearances and our lethargic midfield. Our centre forward "Bam Bam" was unlucky twice as well as scoring once. I'm biased but Boro did pressing well.

 

[Jon B]

I still can’t quite believe their second goal- how lucky can you get for ball to bounce off post up onto your head.
Do we ever get that luck?

Lucky?

He raced into that position just in case there was a rebound. Unfortunately, Bindon, who I actually rate highly, didn't go with him.

 

[Silky Sabella]

boro best side weve seen at lane this season whittaker hackney and conway 3 brilliant young players pacey and skilful just what we are lacking we know arblaster isnt fit and shouldnt be starting but when will wilder realise him and peck cannot be in same team they play the same.roles arblaster needs putting to bed now were not going up and not going down and o'hare needs benching gave us nothing tonight just running about like a headless chicken and couldnt even control the ball when he did get it

Spot on to the core Ancient !
Boro controlled the game both attacking and defending, and could easily have been 3.0 up at the break They work as a total unit, and it is blatantly obvious that . Hellberg at such a young age is totally astute to what he wants and is going to achieve. When Ruben Selles departed, to bring the "Has Been" wilder back when the likes of a creative young exciting manager such as Hellberg were out there just endorses the blinkered and narrow minded view of the current owners and their total lack of how a football club should be run.

 

[Hillsboro Blade]

Frustrating game, with plenty of positives but too many individual errors.

Early days but Philips looked class. Hopefully he can stay fit because he could be an important player for us in the run in.

Rothwell, however, should be scrubbing the bogs for the rest of the season. Stupid decision, stupid tackle. Not impressed by him at all

Be about right scrubbing the karzi’s the shithead. Thought Wally Downes had signed again. We sure can pick em can’t we.

 

[Maltby_blade]

Spot on to the core Ancient !
Boro controlled the game both attacking and defending, and could easily have been 3.0 up at the break They work as a total unit, and it is blatantly obvious that . Hellberg at such a young age is totally astute to what he wants and is going to achieve. When Ruben Selles departed, to bring the "Has Been" wilder back when the likes of a creative young exciting manager such as Hellberg were out there just endorses the blinkered and narrow minded view of the current owners and their total lack of how a football club should be run.

Could have been 3-0 at half time?, it could if you ignore the chances and good play we had at times in the first half too.

 

[The Fox]

Good game despite the defeat .

Started well but once boro got going they were good to watch , what we should aspire to . Quick passing , accurate and always found space .

Ref had a bit of a mare but got the sending off correct, tackle that late I was almost on the bus home .. I'm sure ge booked brookes twice but probably my mistake .

Anyway not bad from us but beaten by a better side , fair play .