Well. Great, high-tempo first 20 minutes, well set up goal from Noel and then Hal's second 6-yarder in a few matches, 2-0 up and cruising... then we turned off. For both their goals in the first half there was absolutely no tracking, just seemed happy to let them run with the ball without ever stepping in, and we went in 2-2. Heard Jobi scream in frustration just after they scored their goal, summed it up really. We knew we shouldn't have let it happen. Come the second half, and it was a sucker punch to concede so early. I might be wrong here, but I thought McCarthy was too far behind his wall for that goal and not near enough the post, which led to him overstretching and losing the ball, resulting in the goal. But either way, a poor goal to concede. From there, well, just frustration - they defended with their backs to the wall, and we couldn't find that equaliser. Somehow, we never looked urgent enough. The substitutions made sense to me - Hal had faded from the game (as he did against Leeds), and Noel's first touch really is abysmal. Karacan, whilst giving us energy, doesn't offer enough going forward, and Howard was always looking for the ball on the floor rather than going for the long pump forward (as most of the team seemed to go for). He also hit the bar.
chilipepper91

I think the ball was passed across to someone who was offside, not 100% sure though. Performance was absolutely DIRE when they scored their first. Not hopeful for the play-offs at all if we defend anywhere near how we did today. Another time this season where our centre backs have been laughed at by a big centre forward, the other time that sticks out was grant holt. We do not like playing against physical presences at the back so to everyone worried by swansea, it might be a blessing playing against quicker centre forwards rather than one's that hold the ball up and win headers. I'm a pessimist, but I really can't see how this team can get promoted, too many false dawns in the play-offs, we play well going into them and lose, we are favourites and lose, we are underdogs with momentum and lose, the continuous pattern is....we always lose. Not up for seeing swansea celebrate getting to Wembeley in our ground like they've won the world cup, seen it all before.
Finerain

Bemused, frustrated and disappointed after that today; as has been said, playing some great football for the first 20-25 mins, totally ripped Sheffield Utd apart, and if it wasn't for Simonsen in goal the game would have been out of reach before the half hour mark. But the Shef Utd seemed to switch to playing 5 across the middle and 3 at the back, and with Quinn totally running the show from then on (thats the worst game the karacan/leigertwood combo has had) they got back in with a terrible goal from our point of view (a typical Henderson goal......a mishit that bobbled over the line) but even then its a case of "well, keep your shape, get to half-time, re-group, begin again and finish them off..." but instead we concede ANOTHER soft goal right on half time, followed by their winner early im the 2nd half, which came from a needless foul conceded by HRK which McCarthy did well to parry, but Shef U followed it up better and that was that.
Lots of huff & puff after that, Howard unlucky with the shot that hit the bar whilst Antonio showed glimpses of what he can do but in the end Shef U comfortable winners. Play-offs are ALL but secured (we would need to lose both games badly and have Millwall win both their games well) so this result in the context of will we reach the play-offs is in many respects an irrelevance; HOWEVER, it is how the team pick themselves up after this which is going to be vital. Win the last 2 and it sets up the Play-offs nicely; lose them, and we go into the play-offs without momentum.
Mr Angry

Though the defeat prevented Brian McDermott's Reading from cementing a play-off place, another point from their final two fixtures will be enough to extend their season. It looked like Reading would coast to victory as they dominated early on, Shane Long threatening when he pounced on a poor piece of control from Stephen Quinn 25 yards from goal, but he fired over. Hunt opened the scoring in the ninth minute after Long played in his strike partner on the left and the Republic of Ireland international cut inside before flashing a shot high between goalkeeper Steve Simonsen and his near post. The pressure was relentless from the Royals and it was no surprise when Robson-Kanu doubled the lead in the 20th minute. Long was fouled but the referee played the advantage, allowing Jobi McAnuff to put in a low cross which Steve Simonsen could only divert into the path of Robson-Kanu, who hooked the ball into the empty net. The Blades looked ragged and had barely made it into the Reading half when they pulled one back with their first shot, on the half-hour mark. Former Reading striker Henderson bundled through the Berkshire side's defence and chipped a shot wide of Alex McCarthy and into the corner.

Suddenly United found reserves of fight that had previously been non-existent. And they deservedly drew level at the start of first-half stoppage time when Quinn made progress down the left before finding Williamson breaking into the area, from where the midfielder sent a left-footed shot into the net. And Henderson, who had not scored in six previous appearances this season, completed the comeback when he tapped in on the line early in the second half. The Reading players were barely able to hide their shock and began to bicker amongst themselves as Sheffield United launched a rearguard action, making last-ditch challenges and throwing bodies in front of shots. Blades youngster Jordan Slew thought he had made it four for United but his slotted shot into the empty net after the Reading keeper's clearance had come off Henderson was chalked off for a foul in the build-up. Henderson was then denied a hat-trick by a brilliant save from McCarthy before Reading substitute Brian Howard almost relegated his former side when he struck the crossbar with a floated effort.
BBC Sport