Hartlepool United 2 Sheffield United 0: Depleted Blades slump to Cup defeat at Hartlepool

KEVIN Blackwell never stopped complaining about his lack of options at Sheffield United last season but things are looking even worse this time around.

His squad was so heavily depleted by injuries and international call-ups at Hartlepool United last night that first-team coach Gary Speed and goalkeeping coach Paul Crichton were named on the substitutes' bench.

Welsh international Speed, 40, had 'retired' only this summer and former Grimsby Town goalkeeper Crichton, 41, last played in the Football League five years ago.

With only 22 senior professionals at his disposal – even when everyone is fully-fit – these are the first signs that Blackwell's task has just got even harder at Bramall Lane.

A first-round Carling Cup exit against League One opposition may soon be forgotten – if results go well in the league – but, alternatively, it could end up being remembered as the start of a rot.

Three years ago, Blackwell inherited a squad of 35 players from Bryan Robson and has been carrying the can for a raft of necessary cost-cutting measures since.

Progress in this competition was not a priority but the Blades now urgently need to restore confidence by getting a positive result against Neil Warnock's Queens Park Rangers on Saturday at Bramall Lane.

Anything less would make it a worrying start to the campaign for the Blades who also exited this competition in the first round last season, against Port Vale.

Despite the problems, Blackwell still chose to rest two first -teamers, Jamie Ward and Stephen Quinn, allowing teenagers Kingsley James and Jordan Chapell to make their first-team debuts.

In total, there were four changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Cardiff City on opening weekend.

Defender Rob Kozluk replaced the suspended Matt Lowton and Mark Yeates replaced the injured Ched Evans.

There were less than six minutes on the clock when Hartlepool took the lead.

Former Rotherham United winger Andy Monkhouse caused panic with a surge towards the area and Steve Simonsen half blocked a shot from Joe Gamble.

The loose ball fell to winger James Brown and, although Simonsen got another hand on the shot, it still made its way into the net.

Blackwell's men struggled to create anything from start to finish as Hartlepool enjoyed greater superiority in midfield and generally worked harder.

Richard Cresswell operated as a lone striker with youngsters Chapell and James offering support in behind.

On the few occasions that the Blades looked capable of advancing, possession was squandered far too easily. New signing Leon Britton has still to show his sparkle.

Hartlepool's more direct style of play kept centre-back Morgan busy in the air and proved highly effective.

A foul by Morgan provided former Blades defender Evan Horwood with a shooting opportunity 25 yards out but his free-kick cannoned into the wall.

Horwood, released in 2008 without starting a game, was just one of a number of men in the Hartlepool camp with links to Yorkshire.

Former Huddersfield Town manager Mick Wadsworth was recently appointed assistant to manager Chris Turner, a dyed in the wool Wednesdayite and former Owls manager.

The Blades showed improved vigour after the break yet Simonsen still had to dive low to prevent Adam Boyd adding a second for the hosts on 50 minutes.

Winger Mark Yeates showed greater threat and a willingness to shoot yet former Barnsley youngster Scott Flinders in the home goal had still not been called upon to make a decent save as the game reached the hour mark.

The Blades were just starting to get a foothold in the contest when a penalty was awarded against Kozluk for a foul on Antony Sweeney.

It was tough luck on the fullback who ran into the back of a player who had stopped to swing a boot at a shot initially blocked by Ertl.

Boyd stepped up for the penalty kick and coolly sent Simonsen the wrong way.

Hartlepool midfielder Gamble might have added a third just moments later but his 25-yard shot curled inches wide of Simonsen's far post.

If Blackwell needed proof of disenchantment, it was delivered by the 600-plus travelling supporters nine minutes from time. Exhibiting ironic joy as substitute Kyle Bartley tested Flinders from distance, the Blades sang "We have had a shot at goal, we have had a shot at goal."

Ambitions this season are far, far greater than that.

Hartlepool United: Flinders; Haslam, Collins, Liddle, Horwood; Gamble, Murray (Fredriksen 72), Sweeney; Brown (McSweeney 53), Monkhouse; Boyd (Behan 74). Unused substitutes: Rafferty, Larkin, Bjornsson, Hartley.

Sheffield United: Simonsen; Kozluk, Ertl, Morgan, Taylor; Britton, Montgomery, Yeates (Quinn 73); Chapell, James (Ward 67); Cresswell (Bartley 82). Unused substitutes: Roe, Crichton, Speed.

Referee: G Salisbury (Lancashire).