Sheffield Utd (A) League One, Tue Nov 29th 7.45pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

This is our "game in hand" following the postponement caused by international call-ups and we meet a Sheffield United side confidently chasing an automatic promotion spot, sitting 3rd in the table and only 2 points behind Bolton Wanderers. How different it might have been if this game had been scheduled for the start of the season - United lost three of their first four games and were firmly rooted to the foot of the table, but since then Chris Wilder seems to have found the magic touch and his Blades are currently undefeated in their last 15 League One games. The main unofficial website S24SU forum is already on page 2 for this game and the contributors are understandably very confident, but of course undefeated runs are there to be broken, aren't they? .... current form:

22 Oct Bradford City (A) Drew 3-3
29 Oct M K Dons (H) Won 2-1
13 Nov Chesterfield (A) Won 1-4
19 Nov Shrewsbury Town (H) Won 2-1
22 Nov Bury (H) Won 1-0
26 Nov Charlton Athletic (A) Drew 1-1

It should also be mentioned that United are almost scoring for fun these days - in fact since their awful start in August they've scored in every League One game, with captain Billy Sharp currently top scorer with 12 goals to his name. He was rested for the FA Cup game against Leyton Orient, and United still managed to win 6-0 !!! Additional motivation (if it were needed) for United would be for them to show us what they can really do after we put them out of the Checkatrade Trophy.

So, will it be "more of the same" from Jon Whitney? He is surely finding out what does, and does not, "gel" in his squad by now - and in this game more than most he is going to have to be extremely well prepared in terms of selection and tactics. Anything less could see a repeat of the Rochdale result because Sheffield United are no mugs (not at the moment, anyway, on a 15 game unbeaten run). We have scored 3 goals in our last 5 League One games and although it's easy enough to say "play 2 up front" to increase the chances of scoring, would that result in a weakening of our defensive capabilities specially against the free-scoring opposition at Bramall Lane? Bakayoko surely deserves a chance at 90 minutes - after all, he knows where the net is on this ground, and perhaps with a partnership of Jackson or Makris (fed by Turkish Messi) we might have a look-in.....

Prediction? I honestly can't see us winning this one, and if we can get a point I'll be happy (not to say surprised). A 3-1 defeat looms......... :(

[Exile]

Well we smashed them 2-1 in the Waste-of-Time Trophy. Let's try that again!

[latviancheese]

Could be a car crash this one...

[tinned]

Bakayoko surely deserves a chance at 90 minutes

Knowing Whitney he will get his chance at 90 minutes as in "On you go son, you've got injury time to save the game".

[reedswood sadler]

This is the sort of game that throws up that unexpected result. On form we are playing rubbish Sheff Utd on a big unbeaten run no brainer easy win for home side, but we have seen before what can happen.
Either another Rochdale or worse or a surprise 1-0 to use with the blades having 30 shots and not scoring and us breaking away and scoring with our one and only attack.

[chunkster]

I really don't know where to start? JW and this group of players just keep on astounding me. from the ineptitude of our play against those football giants Scunthorpe and rochdale, to the amazing performance against bolton :| . you would think that after 18 games? we would have a settled side, with a reasonable idea of a (working)system. so i am going with either a 0-1 to us or a 5-0 to them :lol:

[dobbster71]

3-0 to the Saddlers.
Makris hat-trick!

[killers left foot]

3-0 to the Saddlers.
Makris hat-trick!

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Ancient Moaner]

Going to miss this fixture for the first time in many, many, years. Not feeling too well.
To those brave enough to make the trip, wrap up warm.........temperatures set to be around minus 2/3 degrees in the evening. Just makes you think that occasionally it may feel like a time when it's NOT so good to be a pro footballer!
Will be just a matter of how many we concede, I'll go for 4 or 5-0 to the Blades. Have to be realistic, we are crud, with little or no attacking flair, and they are scoring goals for fun as they rise to the top of the League and Scunny begin to falter.

One piece of interesting news from our area, Bolton are in financial trouble again, can't pay players/staff/creditors, and may have to go into administration....... 12 point deduction would follow, but they would still be above us in the league :(

[SoccerHQ]

AM ripping up yet another of his betting slips....my heart bleeds. :wink:

Sheffield away is usually my favourite trip of the season but not going tomorrow after being to the last three...in fairness it's not just the poor form as am saving up for Fleetwood.

Like Rochdale I really can't see anything other than a resounding defeat.

3-1 to the Blades.

[layzeedude]

Going to miss this fixture...

I think a good few might if they're going on Tues the 28th Nov. That's next year! :P

As for the game...could be 2-0 either way. There's just no telling! Always interesting being a Saddler!

LD

[Welsh_Saddler]

Going to miss this fixture...

I think a good few might if they're going on Tues the 28th Nov. That's next year! :P

As for the game...could be 2-0 either way. There's just no telling! Always interesting being a Saddler!

LD

Whoops........ :oops: ..... duly amended :mrgreen:

[Micky Saddler]

5-0 Blades :(

Billie Sharp will tear Toner a new passage.

[Barren Flak]

The contrasting feelings of wanting to get something out of the game, but tempered with that probably extending what looks like the inevitable slow death of this experiment.

We may get the back four most have been calling for by default if the printer cartridge is injured. Gangster.

The midfield is a bigger concern for me. Edwards had his best game in the CheckWhatYourSponsoring nonsense at Sheffield by all accounts, hope he can do similar against a 1st XI that is putting real effort in. Stick Osbourne in if he's fit, and Ginnelly on the wing or bench, not inside left, top of the diamond, left quarter of the trapezium or whatever that was on Saturday.

Like Southend, couldn't see anything but defeat, meaning we'll get a point and praise for a battling effort that us fans could not ask for any more.

[Cheesebag]

On the bright side, if were 4 down at half time I can make it back to catch a bit of celebrity

[hullsaddler]

For various reasons this will be my first game of the season. and for that reason I am looking forward to it. This is despite the fact that we are probably going to get hammered, but you never know the blades might have an off-night. One thing I do know though is that if we put in the sort of insipid performance that we did there last season then it will be a cricket score.

[tinned]

On the bright side, if were 4 down at half time I can make it back to catch a bit of celebrity

Having been forced to watch (well it was on in the room but I was on the laptop) this shite last night then I think watching a pasting at Bramall Lane would be more fun!

[cumbria-saddler]

1-1 Matt Preston header.

Unfortunately not going again tonight with it being one of my more local games now... annoyingly it has come just before pay day.

[Welsh_Saddler]

Starting line-up against Sheffield United:

Etheridge

McCarthy
O'Connor
Preston
Laird

Edwards
Dobson
Morris
Oztumer
Chambers

Bakayoko

Substitutes: MacGillivray, Jackson, Cuvelier, Osbourne,Kinsella, Ginnelly, Makris

[boringteacher]

Etheridge
5McCarthy
4O'Connor
16Preston
3Laird
2Edwards
6Dobson
11Morris
10Oztumer
7Chambers
20Bakayoko

Substitutes

8Cuvelier
9Jackson
13MacGillivray
14Osbourne
15Kinsella
18Ginnelly
33Makris

3-5-2 with Morris at left wing back. Is Whitney on drugs?

[Walsallone]

If it is 3 at the back(which WM are reporting) I fear the worst....not sure about Laird as a the third CH or Morris as a wing back!!!! Perhaps I will be surprised!!!!

[Ancient Moaner]

Etheridge
5McCarthy
4O'Connor
16Preston
3Laird
2Edwards
6Dobson
11Morris
10Oztumer
7Chambers
20Bakayoko

Substitutes

8Cuvelier
9Jackson
13MacGillivray
14Osbourne
15Kinsella
18Ginnelly
33Makris

3-5-2 with Morris at left wing back. Is Whitney on drugs?

Yes.......and more self harming (giving appallingly cringeworthy after-match interviews) will follow.

Dobson? Baky? No Makris or Jackson? Preston? What odds on a red card for him tonight?
Reminds you so much of going to 'ludicrous speed' (Spaceballs) into 'deep embarrassment' defeat.

[Whitters]

Hate to dampen everyone's enthusiasm but I watched Chesterfield v Sheff Utd on telly a couple of weeks ago and Sheff looked quick, strong and incisive.
They made the opposition look like a works team.
Whitney probably watched it as well hence the way he has set the team up.
Best of luck lads!

[Welsh_Saddler]

In the first 9 minutes, we've had 2 corners, had a shot blocked, and hit the woodwork......

[chunkster]

ozzy has hit the bar :shock:

[Exile]

Lively start. Two corners and a blocked shot to us, plus we've not conceded at 11'...

[Walsallone]

A good start for us...hit the bar ! We seem to be very good at that!!

[Exile]

A good start for us...hit the bar ! We seem to be very good at that!!

The fans certainly are!

[Welsh_Saddler]

Every time we have a goal kick I think "Great, that'll be another 3 minutes gone....." :D

[saddla]

Anyone having difficulties with saddlers player commentary? I can't even get anything on the Sheffield website!