Player ratings: Plymouth Argyle positives from loss at Sheffield United

Here are the player ratings of Plymouth Live's Argyle reporter Chris Errington from the Pilgrims' 2-0 defeat by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. You can give your marks too using our special widget further down this story.

Dan Grimshaw 6 - Got a glove to Gustavo Hamer's 19th minute shot from outside the Argyle penalty area which gave United the lead but could not keep it out. He made a good low save to his right soon afterwards to prevent Callum O'Hare from scoring a second but, after that, he was rarely called into action. Was beaten by Kieffer Moore's 88th minute penalty when he dived to his right and the Blades' striker hit the ball down the middle.

Bali Mumba 7 - There was a much better balance to Argyle's back four at Bramall Lane, not least because the naturally right-footed Mumba played at right-back. He has often been used at left-back or in a wide left attacking role during his time with the Pilgrims but here was the evidence that he would be best suited at right-back.

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Kornel Szucs 6 - Returned to centre-back after playing at right-back in the 2-1 midweek home defeat by Swansea City and had a solid game. Was one of two Argyle players booked - the other was Darko Gyabi - for a foul on United's Wales international striker Kieffer Moore.

Lewis Gibson 7 - Back on the left side of central defence this was the sort of performance the Green Army have come to expect from the captain as he won his headers and made important blocks. Went close to getting a second half equaliser when his header from an Adam Randell free-kick into the United box clipped off the outside of Michael Cooper's right post.

Brendan Galloway 7 - Conceded the penalty which led to United's game-clinching goal in the 88th minute for a rash challenge on Tom Davies. Other than that, Galloway put in a good performance playing out of position at left-back. In the first half, it was surprising how effective he was going forward against the Championship leaders and he set up Darko Gyabi for one tremendous scoring chance which he should have taken.

Adam Randell 8 STAR MAN - In a tweak to their tactics, Argyle lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation at Bramall Lane, with Randell in the deep midfield role and he was excellent in the first half, nullifying the threat of the talented Callum O'Hare while getting on the ball and using it well. United changed their shape for the second period as a direct result of that and while Randell was not quite as effective he still put in a good shift for his side.

Mustapha Bundu 7 - Has scored a couple of goals recently, albeit in defeats, but seems to be playing with more confidence and is showing more purpose when on the ball. Played wide on the right and put in some good crosses which, on another day, might have led to at least one goal for Argyle. As with Bali Mumba, there was a better balance about the Pilgrims with Bundu in this role.

Darko Gyabi 6 - What a chance he had to put Argyle level in the 35th minute, and to end a run of eight successive home games for United where their former Pilgrims' goalkeeper Michael Cooper had not conceded a goal. Brendan Galloway played the ball back to Gyabi who was close to the penalty spot but with the goal at his mercy he made a complete mess of his shot as it went wide, and it was even that close to the target.

Rami Al Hajj 7 - It has been a difficult couple of months for the Swedish midfielder who has struggled for game time, especially away from home, after some earlier ineffective performances but this was better from him. He got on the ball and dictated the play, which Argyle really need from someone in the central attacking area. Went close to scoring with one curling first half shot which was not far wide.

Michael Obafemi 7 - The on-loan Burnley striker played wide on the left for Argyle and made some good attacking forays in the first half as he linked up well with Brendan Galloway on that side of the pitch. Obafemi had one very good shooting opportunity in the second period and will have been disappointed he could not make better contact with the ball as he fired tamely wide.

Ryan Hardie 6 - Argyle attacked from the wide positions more than through the central areas so Hardie was not always involved in the build-up that much. He never stopped running, though, and forced a fabulous save out of former team-mate Michael Cooper in the second half when he flicked a cross from Mustapha Bundu towards goal.

SUBSTITUTES

Adam Forshaw 5 - Was a 74th minute replacement for Darko Gyabi. By that stage, United's change of formation and the introduction of some substitutes had enabled the home side to gain some control of the game and Argyle could not regain that themselves.

Andre Gray 5 - Had very little opportunity to show what he could do after being sent on for Ryan Hardie in the 74th minute.

Freddie Issaka - The Wales under-19 international was an 80th minute substitute for Mustapha Bundu. Wayne Rooney would have hoped he could make an impact off the bench as Argyle looked for an equaliser but it did not work out that way.

Callum Wright - Replaced Michael Obafemi in the 80th minute. As with the other Pilgrims' substitutes, Wright could not find a way of having an impact on the match as United saw out the win very professionally.

Substitutes (not used): Conor Hazard, Nathanael Ogbeta, Jordan Houghton, Julio Pleguezuelo, Victor Palsson.

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