Harvey Wiles-Richards - 6
No goalkeeper wants to be on the end of that sort of shellacking but, in truth, Wiles-Richards had a decent enough game; good with his feet and slick with his handling when required. Plus the fact he also kept the scoreline to only four with a fine near-post stop to deny Osula further glory and then an athletic double stop at the end of the game.
Harry Leeson - 6
Was a constant attacking outlet in the first half with some devilish crosses and he found space in behind the Blades defence. If you’re being critical you’d say his delivery could have been more consistent. He wasn’t as effective a force after the break as City increasingly had to turn the other way.
Joe Low - 4
His mistake, as City had begun the game with some purpose, unfortunately put his side on a completely avoidable back foot from which they never recovered. Low miscontrolled a ball forward which kindly landed at the feet of Louie Marsh and the die was cast. Did force a good save from Luke Faxon with a header from a corner but after that it was an uncomfortable afternoon with Osula constantly targeting that channel between him and Leeson.
Duncan Idehen - 4
Similar to Low, albeit without making an outright mistake like his colleague, but he was never able to get a lid on the Blades attackers as they consistently broke on the shoulder and simply found Osula too hot to handle whenever the No9 drifted into his area on the field.
Callum Wood - 5
Wasn’t able to get forward as much as Leeson and influence the game in that way, although his long throws did prove a useful weapon at times albeit with minimal rewards. Increasingly found himself in the role of covering defender trying to stem the tide.
Dylan Kadji - 6
There was some good stuff from the defensive midfielder in how he was constantly there to compete for, and often win, second balls and his rangy stride allowed him to snuff out danger on more than one occasion. However, the Blades, at times, found playing through the midfield all too easy which perhaps brings his positioning into question.
Omar Taylor-Clarke - 6
Given his progress this season it would have been a game in which the teenager would have liked, and thought he was capable of, running but in the battle of the talented midfielders he very much lost out to Andre Brooks. That said, despite the deficit he kept going and while his ability on the ball is obvious, the way he puts himself about in a defensive sense continues to be encouraging.
Marlee Francois - 6
Stationed on the right wing, his moves infield opened the pitch up for Leeson to exploit but Francois didn’t do enough in possession himself to help convert City’s positive possession into penetration and he was replaced at half-time.
Ben Acey - 6
Unclear if he was injured but the No10 looked, at times, the Robins best player in the first half as he kept finding little areas of space to turn and then feed Backwell or the wide players and/or win a free kick ala Alex Scott. Surprisingly replaced at half-time for Marley Rose.
Elijah Morrison - 6
City weren’t able to get the ball out to the left-hand side enough and, as a result, Morrison was a little isolated especially with Wood not quite pushing on as much as Leeson did on the opposite flank. Did have a few sights of goal but they were mainly half chances and moments in which he would have had to fashion something truly special.
Tommy Backwell - 6
Led the line with discipline and formed a nice little partnership with Acey as they engaged in a few give-and-goes but he often resembled more of a withdrawn striker than a penalty box player, and would have benefitted with a more orthodox striker alongside him. Perhaps explaining the second half change but very soon the game got away from City.
Substitutes
Marley Rose (for Acey, 46) - 5
Made a bright start to the half by winning the ball and releasing Yeboah but was then a little in and out over the course of the second 45 minutes.
Ephraim Yeboah (for Francois, 46) - 6
Struck the post after Rose’s good work and the game may have had a different complexion to it had that gone in. While he and Morrison also got themselves in a muddle on the rebound. Did give some extra legs up front and something else for Sheffield United to think about.
Zac Bell (for Leeson, 85) - N/A
Kai Churchley (for Backwell, 85) - N/A
Subs not used: Josey Casa-Grande, Olly Thomas
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