Coventry City and former Sheffield United defender Kyle McFadzean is set to make his 100th league appearance for the Sky Blues tomorrow when they host Paul Heckingbottom’s Blades at the Coventry Building Society Arena (kick-off; 3:00 pm).
Coventry City comes into this fixture without a victory in their last four Championship fixtures. Their last victory came at Bristol City on 22nd February as they snatched a late 2-1 victory at Ashton Gate. Since then they recorded a 1-1 draw at home to Preston North End and suffered defeats at Swansea (lost 1-3), and at home to Luton Town (lost 0-1) last Saturday.
After eight years of uncertainty which has seen the club struggle financially as well play in both League One and League Two during this period, as well as play in three different stadiums (Ricoh Arena, Sixfields, and St Andrews), before returning to what is now known as the Coventry Building Society Arena. In the 2019-20 campaign, they were Champions of League One, and in their first Championship campaign, they finished a respectable 16th in the table. After 35 league games played, the Midlands club is currently 11th in the table.
Sky Blues boss Mark Robins is expected to be without midfielders Liam Kelly (hamstring), and Josh Eccles (calf), through injury. Meanwhile, keeper Simon Moore and defender Kyle McFadzean are likely to feature against their former clubs. If selected, the defender will make his 100th league appearance against the Blades after starting 96 matches and appearing from the substitute’s bench on 3 occasions since he signed from Burton Albion in July 2019.
Moore was signed in August 2016 for a reported £500,000 fee from Cardiff City, making his debut in a typical 2-1 defeat at Millwall. He was part of the Blades squad which won promotion to the Championship at a cantor as they achieved 100 points tally. He was unfortunate to be injured in a 2-1 victory at Rotherham United in July 2017, which sidelined him for several months. During this time, Jamal Blackman arrived on-loan from Chelsea and he, unfortunately, lost his number one jersey. He was part of the Blades squad which won promotion to the Premier League in 2019, and the one which was relegated in 2021, though played backup to Dean Henderson and Aaron Ramsdale. Following the expiration of his contract in 2021, the keeper made his final appearance on 24th June 2020 in a 3-0 defeat at Manchester United. He left Bramall Lane having made 70 appearances for the Blades in all competitions.
McFadzean came through the youth ranks at Sheffield United during Neil Warnock’s reign. Unfortunately, the defender failed to make the grade at S2 and after only one substitute appearance in a League Cup tie at Shrewsbury Town on 21st September 2005. He replaced Danny Webber on 89 minutes, and after a goalless extra-time, the match was won by the Blades 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out. He left United in 2007 and joined non-league Alfreton Town.
Last Six Meetings
21.02.2015 – Sheffield United 2-2 Coventry City (League One)
13.12.2015 – Sheffield United 0-1 Coventry City (League One)
30.04.2016 – Coventry City 3-1 Sheffield United (League One)
15.12.2016 – Coventry City 1-2 Sheffield United (League One)
05.04.2017 – Sheffield United 2-0 Coventry City (League One)
20.11.2021 – Sheffield United 0-0 Coventry City (Championship)