Sheffield United (A) League One 20th Dec, 3pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

UTS members of a certain age will always link Sheffield United with Ron Green :wink: , whose penalty save ensured the Blades' relegation. Recent links have included Westlake and Andy Butler (whatever happened to him?), and Sheffield United are managed, of course, by Nigel Clough. His success in cup competitions in that job was pointed out this week after Southampton were disposed of - apparently United have only lost 2 out of their last 17 cup games, and of course one of those was against us in November. Current League form isn't anything to write home about, and if you compare the most recent six games for United and Walsall you find that they have amassed 6 points as opposed to our 14. :shock: Their last 6 games (all competitions) in detail:

22 Nov Oldham Athletic (H) Drew 1-1
28 Nov Notts County (H) Drew 1-1
2 Dec M K Dons (H) Lost 0-1
6 Dec Plymouth Argyle (H) Won 3-0 (F.A. Cup 2nd round)
13 Dec Fleetwood Town (A) Drew 1-1
16 Dec Southampton (H) Won 1-0 (League Cup quarter-final)

The Blades currently occupy 5th place in the table with 32 points, having lost the same number of League games as ourselves (6), and their goal difference isn't far away from ours either (+3, ours is +1). Top scorer is Marc McNulty with 8 goals, with Higdon and Jose Baxter weighing in with 5 each. If Florent Cuvelier makes an appearance he will be number 34. We haven't lost a League game since peppering Crawley without success in October, and if Tom Bradshaw's dodgy hamstring holds out everyone will be looking to him to kick on, having reached double figures. Our injury worries are not too desperate - there is the long-term problem of Sam Mantom's knee, and Andy Taylor's recent absence (although young Rico Henry seems to be providing perfectly adequate cover).

This game marks the start of a tricky 3-game programme against teams who would expect to be strong promotion candidates, and I would be quite happy with a 1-1 scoreline, our goal coming from (of course) Tom Bradshaw.

[Ancient Moaner]

Can you pay at the gate? Or, should I say, bypass the huge line of Blades fans to the far right window to get one of those bloomin auto tickets, that somehow never seem to work for me.......

Seems it's going to be a cold day, following the recent warm day/cold day scenario of late..........
Can't see many making the trip, as it's difficult to predict anything but a defeat by the 'Premiership wannabies' at Bramhall Lane. I'll be there, if Bradshaw aye crocked again we might scrape a 1-1, which might prove our only point from the next three fixtures. :?

[derbysaddler]

Their league form past few games is distinctly average.

Hit them on the break with a Sawyers, Cookie monster and Bradshaw combo.

They can then decide who they want to sign from us next summer then.

[hullsaddler]

Can you pay at the gate? Or, should I say, bypass the huge line of Blades fans to the far right window to get one of those bloomin auto tickets, that somehow never seem to work for me.......
:?

Still says this on our site
"A decision will be made closer to the game as to whether it will be possible to purchase tickets on the day of the game. If this is the case then adult price will increase by £2 and concessionary prices will increase by £1, although the admission price for juniors under-17 will remain at £1."

I'm assuming we haven't sold 2000+! ... so will as usual be available. Seem to remember last season there was a separate ticket office window for away supporters in the left hand side of the 2 portacabin type ticket offices.

[SoccerHQ]

They always say this...just go in the ticket office from 2pm and you'll get one, away fans have their own special booth.

Just amazed this game is being played ON A SATURDAY AT 3PM. :shock: Don't tell me an asteroid's going to hit Hallam around that time at such an unusual event!

What sort of away following do people reckon, I know it's the last weekend before xmas but I actually like Bramall Lane as an away venue so would be good following of 800-1k especially with the upturn in form.

Same as last year for me- 1-1. Both teams it's fair to say build from the back.

[BathSaddler]

I predict a 1-1 too, with about 300 of us.

Forde [as a sub] to score a second half equaliser.

[Big Dave wfc]

Really hope we get at least a draw out of this one as I work with a blades fan and here nothing but we are the biggest club in the league and blah blah blah, and to top it all off I was told they would only beat us by 2 in the jpt if they put there kids out.

Love to shove a victory down the scrotes throat, come on you saddlers! 1-2 higdon for them and cook and Sawyers for us

UTS

[Felix]

I'm optimistic re tomorrow. Sheff Utd are on a poor run will be suffering from after the Lords Mayor's show, and we must be one of the worst teams (from their point of view) to play after a match like that.
Take the aberration of Rochdale away out of the equation and we've conceded 7 goals away in 9 league games.
Also it's suprising how few away games Bradshaw's been fit for; assuming he will be tomorrow.
Prediction 0-2 or 1-2.

[ws9swift]

1-2 344 saddlers there.

[PT]

First visit here for a few years for me thanks to all those Tuesday night fixtures.

The usual "we'll make our minds up closer to the day" on pay on the day tickets. Well it is the day and still no clarity, but what do you expect from the ugliest football club in the world? Koeman was right in the week - "no respect". Sums them up perfectly.

We'll win 1-0. Don Penn with a pen, Givens to miss one for them and Stevie Waddington to take on all comers at the final whistle.

[Whitters]

I seem to have stumbled upon the Holy Grail.
It's got nothing at all to do with wearing favourite jumpers or having ones hat on backwards or even betting Mars Bars.
It's all down to my predictions.
I'm going to predict a big Blades win thus ensuring we'll do ok.
If it doesn't work then donald you Blades.

[saddla]

First visit here for a few years for me thanks to all those Tuesday night fixtures.

The usual "we'll make our minds up closer to the day" on pay on the day tickets. Well it is the day and still no clarity, but what do you expect from the ugliest football club in the world? Koeman was right in the week - "no respect". Sums them up perfectly.

From our OS:

It will be possible to purchase tickets on the day at Sheffield United.

Tickets will be available from the Away Ticket Office, which is adjacent to the away turnstiles.

Please note that it will be cash only from 1.30pm onwards – ticket prices are, as follows: £21.50 (adults), £14.00 (seniors & disabled), £12.00 (students & Young Adults) and £1.00 (juniors)

Bought mine in the week from the Bescot. :D

[PT]

First visit here for a few years for me thanks to all those Tuesday night fixtures.

The usual "we'll make our minds up closer to the day" on pay on the day tickets. Well it is the day and still no clarity, but what do you expect from the ugliest football club in the world? Koeman was right in the week - "no respect". Sums them up perfectly.

From our OS:

It will be possible to purchase tickets on the day at Sheffield United.

Tickets will be available from the Away Ticket Office, which is adjacent to the away turnstiles.

Please note that it will be cash only from 1.30pm onwards – ticket prices are, as follows: £21.50 (adults), £14.00 (seniors & disabled), £12.00 (students & Young Adults) and £1.00 (juniors)

Bought mine in the week from the Bescot. :D

Thanks Saddla. A quid for the boy! Bargain. Might get him a packet of crisps now, if he's good.

[Andy_Petterson]

Hoping they are a bit knackered from their cup exploits and this will counter the inevitable favourable referring decisions that will go their way.

1-1

[chestersaddler]

I fancy us to win this.

1-2 Sawyers and Bradshaw

Looking at the odds you can get 7/2 best price for a win and 5/2 the draw.

A level stake on each gives you 6/4 if we draw and 5/2 if we win.

[Sadders]

The midweek win for the Blades will do nothing but give them huge confidence and massive momentum, each player will now be at 120% in an attempt to get a spot in the starting XI in the League Cup Semi's. They are a fantastic price today at 19/20 and they are 5th in the table. I fancy them to win 2 or 3-0 - which would be no shame as the points previously mentioned. Hope I'm wrong, but it's a step too far today and I'd snap your hand off for a decent draw.

[Cully]

I fancy us to win this.

1-2 Sawyers and Bradshaw

Looking at the odds you can get 7/2 best price for a win and 5/2 the draw.

A level stake on each gives you 6/4 if we draw and 5/2 if we win.

I'm betting against us this week [expect lots of tears and sobbing from the SMITHIN's as they struggle once again to comprehend life without SMITHOUT], had a couple of great wins in the last two weeks backing Walsall in particular last week was easy money :D

Tried to get a bet for Man of the Match last week :wink: but unfortunately the bookies aren't stupid.

See you all on Boxing Day................UTS :D

ps. Hate to mention it but The Vile are playing the Manchester scutters today and I hereby give warning that The Rev. Sound_Bite's annual outing to watch his favourite team might end in an evening of record breaking ego fuelled posting fury from the smoky comfort of his garden shed should they actually upset the odds and win.

[Cully]

The midweek win for the Blades will do nothing but give them huge confidence and massive momentum, each player will now be at 120% in an attempt to get a spot in the starting XI in the League Cup Semi's. They are a fantastic price today at 19/20 and they are 5th in the table. I fancy them to win 2 or 3-0 - which would be no shame as the points previously mentioned. Hope I'm wrong, but it's a step too far today and I'd snap your hand off for a decent draw.

Just like to point out that it is impossible to exceed 100% - Paul Merson would be proud of you.

[BarnsleySaddler]

I well remember the penalty save. Just bought a yellow TR7 and took my mother for her first ride in it to the game. Got thumped from behind by some coward when I cheered their penalty miss.

Will go for a nervous 2-1 win with the frame of mind that the lads are currently in.

[Welsh_Saddler]

Starting line-up against Sheffield United:

O'Donnell

Purkiss
Chambers
Downing
Henry

Baxendale
Cain
Chambers
Cook

Sawyers
Bradshaw

Substitutes: MacGillivray, O'Connor, Benning, Flanagan, Grimes, Forde, Manset.

Andy Taylor must have failed a late fitness test on his ankle. Florent Cuvelier on the bench for the Blades.

[Welsh_Saddler]

No goals anywhere in League One after 10 minutes, but I can give you Dingles 0 Brighton 1 :wink:

As soon as I write that, we get Barnsley 1 Leyton Orient 0

..... and MK Dons 1 Oldham Athletic 0

[BarnsleySaddler]

Barnsley have just broken the dead lock of no goals in Div. 1 now 1-0 up.

[Welsh_Saddler]

Bradford 0 Scunthorpe 1

According to the BBC website Florent Cuvelier has just won a free kick, having been fouled by Purkiss - the only snag is that he hasn't come off the bench yet...............

There's more - Coventry City 0 Fleetwood Town 1
and Gillingham 0 Chesterfield 1

[itasaddler]

Bournemouth top of the Championship!!

Had tickets for today's game but couldn't go as the kids are ill, those pesky kids!!

[BarnsleySaddler]

Welsh, you must be cyclic where`s the Scunthorpe score from as I cannot find it?

[Welsh_Saddler]

Swindon Town 0 Doncaster Rovers 1 :shock:

At Bramall Lane, Walsall are having the most possession but all goal attempts and corners are from the Blades. Sound familiar?

[Guest]

Bradford 0 Scunthorpe 1

According to the BBC website Florent Cuvelier has just won a free kick, having been fouled by Purkiss - the only snag is that he hasn't come off the bench yet...............

I always thought he was good - but not that good!

[Welsh_Saddler]

Welsh, you must be cyclic where`s the Scunthorpe score from as I cannot find it?

It was on the Sky live scores website - they've put it back to 0-0 now !!!

Try Crawley 0 Port Vale 1

Comment on the BBC site - "Jose Baxter (Sheffield United) has gone down, but that's a dive". Should be booked???

Sky now says Bradford 1 Scunthorpe 0 :mrgreen:

[BarnsleySaddler]

According to ITV Sheffield have had 74% possession and 5 shots off target and 2 corners to Walsall 26% possession 0 shots and 0 corners.

[Welsh_Saddler]

According to ITV Sheffield have had 74% possession and 5 shots off target and 2 corners to Walsall 26% possession 0 shots and 0 corners.

BBC have the possession as Blades 47% Walsall 53%, and Sheffield Utd have had 2 corners :?