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Sheffield United at home match day thread


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On a snowy Sunday back in November they easily beat us 2-0, our performance that day was woeful. Highlights: https://media.afrozaar.com/video/1/buildEnvelope/Y2lkPTE5MSZ2aWRlb1VybD1odHRwczovL2JyaXN0b2wtY2RuLmJhb2JhYnN1aXRlLmNvbS9wdWJsaWMvYnMvYmNmYy9tZWRpYS92aWRlby8yMDIxLzExLzI5LzE3ODEwNS8wL3NoZWZmaWVsZHVuaXRlZDItYnJpc3RvbGNpdHktaGlnaGxpZ2h0cy5tcDQmc3RhbmRBbG9uZT10cnVl

Ahead of that game kicking off we had the same points (23) as them. Fast forward to today they are on 65 points 17 more than us. On Friday while we were picking up three points against Stoke they lost at home to Reading.

The appointment of Paul Heckingbottom, who took over from Jokanovic in November, has certainly resulted in the Blades rediscovering  their mojo. His first game in charge was against us. When he was appointed he said: ‘My approach will be the same as last time. I always want to see hard work. I want to see people taking responsibility and being judged on that, making people accountable for their work, their effort and their standards, but I want to see smiles on faces again, everyone across the club.’ He has certainly turned things around! https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59405002

A recent media article explained that Hecky wants to ensure United enjoy every advantage possible between now and the end of the campaign. That has prompted him to focus on the minutiae of their tactical strategy, with particular emphasis being placed upon free-kicks, corners and throw-ins - at both ends of the pitch. https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/sheffield-united-new-area-of-focus-as-blades-attempt-to-win-promotion-3651011

Our overall record against them isn’t good, they have won 31 and lost 16 there have been 11 draws. Last six meetings:

08.12.2017 – Sheffield United 1-2 Bristol City (Championship)
06.05.2018 – Bristol City 2-3 Sheffield United (Championship)
15.09.2018 – Bristol City 1-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
30.03.2019 – Sheffield United 2-3 Bristol City (Championship)
10.02.2021 – Sheffield United 1-0 Bristol City (FA Cup Round 5)
28.11.2021 – Sheffield United 2-0 Bristol City (Championship)

As of last Monday approximately 1,400 tickets had been sold to traveling fans.

Their recent form has been variable it includes a draw against Bournemouth, a 1-0 defeat at Stoke, a 4-1 win against Boro and a 4-1 defeat at Coventry. On Good Friday it finished 1-2 against Reading, with United equalizing in the 90th minute and Reading bagging the winner in the 92nd minute! The last six games have seen both us and them win two, draw two and lose two. As unlikely as it seems we could just record our first back to back win of the season today.

They have a lot of injuries. They welcomed back Chris Basham to the substitute’s bench for the defeat on Friday and maybe will include him again for todays fixture. However, the Blades are without defenders; Charlie Goode (knee), Jayden Bogle (knee), Jack O’Connell (knee) and forwards Billy Sharp (groin), Rhian Brewster (hamstring) and former Cherries striker David McGoldrick (thigh). John Fleck is a doubt having missed the Reading game due to a groin problem. 

We will be without Williams, as NP has made clear he won’t play two games in quick succession, so guessing HNM will start, Tanner and King may be in the squad and I would not be surprised to see Wells start, perhaps replacing Martin. 

Programme: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/conway-to-do-it-more-in-your-free-robins-matchday-programme/

Today's referee is Keith Stroud he’s taken charge of 23 Championship games this season and issued 102 yellows and 3 reds.

History

  • Sheffield United FC was formed at No 10 Norfolk Row in what now is the City Centre on March 22nd 1889. The name ‘United’ was taken from the ‘Sheffield United Cricket Club’ and they claim to be the oldest ‘United’ playing football at professional level in the game.  
  • Within a decade of its birth, Sheffield United had won the League Championship (1897/98), won the forerunner of the Charity Shield, then known as the ‘Sheriff’s Shield’ and the FA Cup in 1899 – an incredible number of major honours in a short space of time.
  • United’s early playing colours were white shirts along with blue shorts and socks. A thin red stripe appeared in 1892 and the more common ‘candy stripes’ for which they are famous were adopted in 1894. Black shorts were introduced in 1910 along with red and occasionally black socks. 
  • In 1904 the club became the only one to this day in the top flight of the English game to field a starting 11 of full England international players. United would also go on to win the FA Cup on a further three occasions, playing in six finals. The Blades have also finished runners-up in the top flight on two other occasions and remain one of only a handful of clubs who have won every title in the League structure, culminating with lifting the League One trophy under Chris Wilder in 2017.
  • The nickname of The Blades is gleaned from the famous and bespoken cutlery and knife industry that Sheffield is famed for which thrived in the very shadow of their home ground, Bramall Lane.
  • They were founding members of both League Division Two (in 1892) and the Premier League (in 1992).
  • After a period struggling in the lower leagues, the Blades recently enjoyed their most prosperous period for a very long time. It culminated with proud Sheffield United fan Chris Wilder leading his boyhood club back to the Premier League in April 2019, https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48026965

Blades banter

  • The Greasy Chip Butty Song is their chant which is sung to the tune of "Annie's Song", it glorifies life in Sheffield, in chief the eponymous chip butty but also nightlife, beer and tobacco products. Along the lines of:

You fill up my senses
Like a gallon of Magnet
Like a packet of Woodbines
Like a good pinch of snuff
Like a night out in Sheffield
Like a greasy chip butty
Like Sheffield United
Come fill me again

  • They almost signed the one and only Diego Maradona back in the 1970’s. They were close to agreeing a deal for the then 17-year-old Maradona, but the board failed to stump up the necessary fee for the maverick Argentinian.Instead of signing one of the players who would go on to become one of the greatest the world has ever seen, the Blades instead opted for Alex Sabella, who was top class in bits, but he wasn't quite Maradona!
  • Sheffield United scored the first ever Premier League goal. Brian Deane scored it when he headed home against Manchester United at Bramall Lane on 15th August 1992. Deane would go onto convert a penalty in the same game, giving the Blades a famous 2-1 win over Alex Ferguson and his team.
  • Bramall Lane played host to the first ever game under floodlights way back in 1878, which is before Sheffield United were even formed! The game was played between two teams selected from the Sheffield area.
  • Another stadium one, but Bramall Lane is currently the oldest football ground in the world still to be hosting professional football matches. Bramall Lane was opened in 1855, a whole 39 years before the Blades were even formed. The ground was initially used to host cricket, before it was adapted later in the century to become the home of Sheffield United upon their formation in 1889. It has hosted both international football and cricket matches, making it one of only two grounds in England to have hosted such events.

Players that have played for us and them include Martyn Woolford (2011–2013 played 55 games for us with four goals, 2015–2016 Sheffield United where he played 28 games with one goal) and Luke Freeman who was with us 2014-2017 scoring 10 times in 105 appearances. Freeman signed for Sheffield United for a club-record fee in July 2019.

Let’s just hope that todays 530pm kick off results in a decent City performance and a home win, forgotten what it’s like to win consecutive games, oh it’s on Sky Sports COYR! 

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Not going today but continue the organisation and game plan from the second half versus Stoke and we have a decent chance.

predicted -

                                 Bentley

                Cundy     Atkinson     Klose

    Scott                                                DaSilva

                         HNM     James

                              Weimann

                     Wells               Martin

 

2-1 win.

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24 minutes ago, P'head Red said:

He was influential in our promotion season, arguably our best player in that side. He's never set the championship alight that's for sure, but to call him one of the most overrated is a bit ridiculous and disrespectful. 

Depends who rates him I guess. Clearly not overrated by @cidercity1987 ?

I wonder where Maradona’s career would have gone if he’d joined Sheffield Utd! 

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1 hour ago, P'head Red said:

He was influential in our promotion season, arguably our best player in that side. He's never set the championship alight that's for sure, but to call him one of the most overrated is a bit ridiculous and disrespectful. 

Absolutely, was great for us that season. Also in his first full season at QPR, after leaving us, was voted player of the season there. Now on loan at Millwall from Sheff Utd I believe.

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2 hours ago, cidercity1987 said:

Ah Luke Freeman, one of the most overrated footballers I have ever known. Where is he not playing now? Pretty sure that lad has never regularly played for anyone above bottom half Championship 

Freeman for me falls into that no mans land of not quite good enough or effective enough at Championship level but far too good for League 1. 

I think the problem he finds are defenders are too intelligent/cultured at this level for him to be able to cause the damage he can at League 1 level.. The pockets of space that he needs to work in he just can’t seem to find in the Championship and thus goes missing.

That being said he is still more than capable as a squad player at this level hence why he keeps on getting deals and loans in the Championship..  For me I’d  certainly rather him than some of the wasters we currently have on our books (COD being a prime example).

Edited by bris red
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My first visit to Bramall Lane in 1958 resulted in the following.

Sitting in the cafe in John Street right outside the  stadium and drinking tea with United players.

Free Complimentary ticket from Alan Hodgkinson, the current England Goalkeeper.

A 4-0 defeat.

Bottle of beer on train home from Bert Tindill and in the same carriage as the City squad.

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5 minutes ago, cidered abroad said:

My first visit to Bramall Lane in 1958 resulted in the following.

Sitting in the cafe in John Street right outside the  stadium and drinking tea with United players.

Free Complimentary ticket from Alan Hodgkinson, the current England Goalkeeper.

A 4-0 defeat.

Bottle of beer on train home from Bert Tindill and in the same carriage as the City squad.

Lived up the hill from Bramall Lane for a while and wasn't averse to sitting on their Kop End to watch the odd midweeker. Decent set of fans! 

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9 minutes ago, cidered abroad said:

My first visit to Bramall Lane in 1958 resulted in the following.

Sitting in the cafe in John Street right outside the  stadium and drinking tea with United players.

Free Complimentary ticket from Alan Hodgkinson, the current England Goalkeeper.

A 4-0 defeat.

Bottle of beer on train home from Bert Tindill and in the same carriage as the City squad.

Great story apart from the 4-0 defeat !!

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1 hour ago, italian dave said:

Depends who rates him I guess. Clearly not overrated by @cidercity1987 ?

I wonder where Maradona’s career would have gone if he’d joined Sheffield Utd! 

They signed Alex Sabella instead!!!  One for you oldies.

1 hour ago, Son of Fred said:

Good that a certain Mr Sharp's groin is still a trouble for him...

For once he won't notch against us!!

Sharp would be a good test for Cundy and Atkinson today.

image.thumb.png.cafbefe6c7ceec466800ea1f42c7a96f.png

McBurnie was great for Swansea a few seasons back, but Gibbs-White is the key-man, been v.good this season.

Today might suit Massengo putting pressure on an increasingly slowing-down Hourihane.

Got to say George Baldock has impressed me over the past couple of seasons.  Thought he would live in his brothers shadow, but he’s probably one of the best RWBs in the champ.

Hope we play with some confidence.  Nige hinted at a couple of changes (Williams being one of them).  Wonder if Martin gets a rest too?  Wells or Conway?  Personally I’d like to see Weimann play with Semenyo and Benarous come into a genuine MF3.

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4 hours ago, cidercity1987 said:

Ah Luke Freeman, one of the most overrated footballers I have ever known. Where is he not playing now? Pretty sure that lad has never regularly played for anyone above bottom half Championship 

Freeman did well in League one in the face of some seriously average defences, having several in form strikers (Wibs, Smith, JET and Agard) and wing backs (Bryan/Little) to help him along the way. Was toilet for us in the Championship, kept running around like Dill the Dog from the Herbs

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1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

They signed Alex Sabella instead!!!  One for you oldies.

Sharp would be a good test for Cundy and Atkinson today.

image.thumb.png.cafbefe6c7ceec466800ea1f42c7a96f.png

McBurnie was great for Swansea a few seasons back, but Gibbs-White is the key-man, been v.good this season.

Today might suit Massengo putting pressure on an increasingly slowing-down Hourihane.

Got to say George Baldock has impressed me over the past couple of seasons.  Thought he would live in his brothers shadow, but he’s probably one of the best RWBs in the champ.

Hope we play with some confidence.  Nige hinted at a couple of changes (Williams being one of them).  Wonder if Martin gets a rest too?  Wells or Conway?  Personally I’d like to see Weimann play with Semenyo and Benarous come into a genuine MF3.

HNM for Williams is nailed on.

I wondered about Martin finally getting a break too, Wells then might get another go.

Pring for Scott with JD asked to shift to RWB is another possibility. Can’t see Tanner featuring.

Benarous hasn’t even made the bench of late, far more likely to be a sub today, I reckon. 

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2 hours ago, Davefevs said:

They signed Alex Sabella instead!!!  One for you oldies.

Sharp would be a good test for Cundy and Atkinson today.

image.thumb.png.cafbefe6c7ceec466800ea1f42c7a96f.png

McBurnie was great for Swansea a few seasons back, but Gibbs-White is the key-man, been v.good this season.

Today might suit Massengo putting pressure on an increasingly slowing-down Hourihane.

Got to say George Baldock has impressed me over the past couple of seasons.  Thought he would live in his brothers shadow, but he’s probably one of the best RWBs in the champ.

Hope we play with some confidence.  Nige hinted at a couple of changes (Williams being one of them).  Wonder if Martin gets a rest too?  Wells or Conway?  Personally I’d like to see Weimann play with Semenyo and Benarous come into a genuine MF3.

I`ve always been a fan of Enda Stevens too,

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2 hours ago, cidered abroad said:

My first visit to Bramall Lane in 1958 resulted in the following.

Sitting in the cafe in John Street right outside the  stadium and drinking tea with United players.

Free Complimentary ticket from Alan Hodgkinson, the current England Goalkeeper.

A 4-0 defeat.

Bottle of beer on train home from Bert Tindill and in the same carriage as the City squad.

Thanks for sharing - great memories!

Oh yesterday.........

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4 hours ago, Red Army 75 said:

Just been for a nice 7k walk around Ashton Court stopped and looked at the Gate as you do. And surprisingly looking forward to it today, shame about the 5-30 kick off though. Could we get back to back wins? Could we get a penalty?

COYR

Afternoon all!   So it's a 17.30 KO now, I wish they would make their minds up. First of all it was a normal 15.00 then it was changed to 19.30 and now it's changed again. All those times were on the OS, it's a good job I saw your post, otherwise I would have been tuning in at 21.30 here.  Thanks for that.

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3 hours ago, bris red said:

Freeman for me falls into that no mans land of not quite good enough or effective enough at Championship level but far too good for League 1. 

I think the problem he finds are defenders are too intelligent/cultured at this level for him to be able to cause the damage he can at League 1 level.. The pockets of space that he needs to work in he just can’t seem to find in the Championship and thus goes missing.

That being said he is still more than capable as a squad player at this level hence why he keeps on getting deals and loans in the Championship..  For me I’d  certainly rather him than some of the wasters we currently have on our books (COD being a prime example).

 Not good enough in the championship? ?

QPR player of the year before going to the premier league

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2 minutes ago, Sir Geoff said:

Just started a  2 hour train journey to get there. Just want a decent performance. Would be no surprise imo to see Tanner start. Massengo for JW and maybe Scott in Weimanns position with him up top and Martin rested.

Not sure Tanner is fit enough having seen him twice for the U23s.

But I hope you are right, it'll give us a bit of balance having a specialist right back/wing back in the team and it'll free up Scott.

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