After getting our first win at Gillingham all thoughts were turned to getting another three points at home to Sheffield United which would push us up to mid table.

For the seventh game in a row Ian Holloway was forced to change his line up. Paul Furlong was given the night off after his child was rushed to hospital after hurting his eye. Jamie Cureton stepped into his shoes for the night whilst Richard Edghill replaced the injured Terrell Forbes at the back.

Rangers started slowly but played some nice stuff at times spraying the ball about and looking to get the wide players involved. The away side showed why they have been in or around the playoffs for the last few years though as they looked the more likely to open the scoring.

Michael Tonge looked a decent player for them whilst the front two of Ward and Gray were causing problems especially with our lack of height at the back. After a quiet opening with both sides trying to get hold of the game Sheffield United took the lead with the games first real chance.

Alan Quinn got the ball after good work by Tonge and he played a cross to the far post, which looked to be pretty harmless. Rangers hesitated and waited for it to go out of play whilst Jon Harley was wide awake and brilliantly hooked the ball back in play for Gray to rise above Edghill and head past Day from eight yards out. Rangers were caught cold and were a goal down before we had got out of first gear.

The goal woke the team up and we dominated the rest of the game but those slow first fifteen minutes were really going to cost us. Gallen began to get in the game dropping deep to get the ball and sprayed some nice passes out wide to the Rowlands and Cook. Cureton was looking a threat and he dropped off the centre half to pick up a high ball. He controlled it well and tried to lob Kenny in the Sheffield goal. The keeper was beaten but the ball hit the bar and went over.

We were on top playing some good stuff and despite the high number of long balls from the back we were much improved in the final third creating chances against a very well organised defence. From a corner on the right we should have drawn level. Bignot acted as a decoy running for the short corner and taking two defenders out of the middle for Padula to cross to the far post. The chance was identical to one at Sunderland where Rose missed a free header. This time it was Bean with time and space to bury his chance but his header was weak and rolled harmlessly wide of the goal.

Cook was next to go close cutting in on the left and shooting for goal but he hit the bar. It was good stuff from Rangers though and some very nice football should have got us level. Gallen did well to find Rowlands who showed lovely skill to cut inside and leave the left back flat on his back after he evaded a sliding tackle. Rowlands cross found Cook who cleverly headed back across goal to an unmarked Cureton. A goal was inevitable but Cureton somehow hooked his volley high over the bar much to the astonishment of everyone in the stadium.

Despite all the good work we almost went further behind before the break. Quinn again was the provider and an excellent cross shot beat day and was heading in only for Santos to acrobatically clear off the line and save the day. Santos was again shoving a few comments down fans throats with another good performance.

Half time saw a few boos which was a bit harsh. Sheffield United are a good side and we were more than matching them and were a little unlucky to be behind at the break.

Holloway stuck with the same side for the second half hoping they’d carry on where they left off and get an equaliser but we got off to a poor start to the half. Movement off the ball was poor and Gallen was given very little options when he got the ball and ended up giving it away. Rowlands was hardly ever involved and we created very little.

Holloway was forced into action and he didn’t look happy with what his team were coming up with. Three changes were made and a tactical move, which fans have been crying out for since the start of last season.

Off went Edghill with Rose moving into the back four. Richard Johnson was replaced by the fit again Marc Bircham whilst Marcus Bean was replaced by Kevin McLeod. Beans removal led to many boos which I couldn’t understand as despite Bean having a decent game we needed to do something. Rowlands was moved into the middle with Cureton going wide and McLeod went up front where his pace was all set to add a new dimension to our attack.

Immediately we looked far more dangerous and with the visitors happy to sit back and defend the one goal lead we poured forward looking for a goal. McLeod was quickly involved on the right wing. He beat his man and put in an excellent cross. Gallen was on the end of it and all set to score when Santos denied him with a brilliant block tackle, shame he was on the same team as Kev though. It was a moment of confusion which summed the night’s frustration up.

McLeod continued to cause problems with his aerial ability and pace whilst Bignot was surging down the right producing another excellent performance.

Gallen set up one last chance for Bircham. Good hold up play and a neat ball into the box set Bircham free and his powerful shot across goal miss the goal by inches with Mcleod rushing in to finish it off.

Four minutes added time gave us hope but despite the team fighting till he last kick we couldn’t get that goal and lost at home for the second time this month. The players were given a standing ovation off the pitch though as an appreciation of their efforts.

It was a frustrating night where we played some decent stuff at times and with a bit of luck and better finishing would have got the point we deserved. Fair play to Sheffield Untied who were very well organised and made life hard for us with the two central defenders having excellent games for the visitors.

The performances of Bignot, McLeod and Santos will give Rangers plenty to be positive about although the continued disappointing form of Gallen, Padula and Johnson continues to be a concern.

So after one month in the Coca Cola Championship Rangers have just one win and sit just outside of the relegation places. Hardly a dream start but performances are improving and if we can learn from the mistakes made in the first few games then we should be able to improve and do reasonably well at this level.