Last season we took four points off the blades. When we played them at home last October, we won 3-2 in a game that was eventful to say the least. Gary Roberts, Eoin doyle and Jimmy Ryan scored the goals for us before Marc McNulty and Niell Collins scored late (but pointless) goals for United. Blades striker Michael Higdon was sent off for a late tackle on Dan Jones, and Tommy Lee was also sent off as he was seen to take down a Sheff Utd player on the edge of the box, after a short back pass from Ian Evatt. However, Tommy Lee's red card was later taken back after it was reviewed, and it was seen that he actually made no contact with the player. The Brammall Lane fixture took place on May 3rd, the last day of the general season. In a fast paced, competitive match, we were unlucky to only go away with a 1-1 draw. Marc McNulty again scored against us, to put them 1-0 up, then after a sweet cross from Dan Jones, Ian Evatt headed home to give us the equaliser. So four points achieved from a possible six, after we outplayed them in both games and definitely played the better football. Let's hope for the same tomorrow...
While United are heavy favourites to win the title (yet again), and we are expected to be mid table at best, you wouldn't of though so after the first League game of the new season. The Dee Dahs had an awful start to the season, losing 4-0 away at Gillingham. This was down to some absolutely dier defending, as three of Gillingham's four goals came from simple crosses into the box, that led to lots of confusion among the Sheff Utd defenders. However, we had an excellent start to the season. We completely outplayed Barnsley, another side expected to get promotion, and came away with a thoroughly deserved 3-1 win, with goals from Sam Morsy, Jay O'Shea and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
Saunders has a fully fit squad tomorrow, and another option in the form of Lee Novak, signed this morning on a season long loan from Championship side Birmingham. Drew Talbot and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake will both be 100% tomorrow, after being rested on Tuesday night in our 3-1 loss to Carlisle United. Ollie Banks has featured in both games so far this season, but without wanting to sound harsh, Saunders HAS to leave him out in tomorrow's game. Instead of playing our usual 4-2-3-1 formation with Morsy and Banks in front of the defenders, and Blake up top by himself, Saunders should switch to a 4-4-2 formation with Blake and Kovak up front. This will leave midfield options pretty open as well. Saunders could either play Morsy and O'Shea in the middle, with Ariyibi and Gardner out wide, or he could play O'Shea and Ariyibi out wide with either Onovwigun or maybe O'Donoughue partnering Sam Morsy in the middle of the park. Nigel Adkins also has a fully fit Sheff Utd squad to choose from. Jamal Campbell Ryce, Jose Baxter, Terry Kennedy and Craig Alcock have all returned to training, and Adkins made seven changes from the squad he played against Gillingham, in their midweek clash with Morecombe in the League Cup, so he has a very big squad to choose from.
Biggest Threat: Stefan Scougall
To be honest, last season Stefan Scougall was a pain in the arse both times we played the Blades. He can play in the middle or out wide, and he is a very tricky, skillful player. He is fast and doesn't mind running at defenders. While United have their big names in Billy Sharp, Campbell-Ryce, Jose Baxter and Jamie Murphy, Scougall is somewhat under the spotlight, and very underrated. He is everywhere on the pitch, and when all else fails, Scougall's pace really comes in handy. After moving to Sheff Utd for £500,000 from Livingdton in January 2014, last season Scougall made 35 appearances, and has featured in both games so far this season for United. He came on as a sub against Gillingham, and played the full 90 minutes against Morecombe, so he is more than likely to feature tomorrow afternoon.
Predicted Score: Sheff Utd 1-2 Chesterfield
I have decided not to base my prediction on Tuesday night but on last Saturday instead. Tuesday was a cup game, away, we had a reserve striker on, a CB playing in RB, and we were down to ten men for the last half an hour, so were were kind of up against it. I think if we exploit United's poor defending, and give Kovak and Blake plenty of service, then we should be able to find the net two times at least. However, after last Saturday, the Blades will be out to prove a point, and are a tough side to beat anyway. Against our error prone defense, they are more than likely to score with the quality they have going forward. But I think we can handle them, and if we can outplay them like we did twice last season, then i think it should be another three points on the board, and a brilliant start to the season under our belts. A debut goal for Kovak would be nice too.
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