Nigel Spackman hadn’t long being installed as the new manager of Sheffield United when they travelled to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 1997, and with two strong sides who had both competed in the Play-Offs several months previously drew out a 0-0 stalemate in an otherwise entertaining fixture.
Wolves had headed into this fixture with two consecutive fixtures but found the strong force of Sheffield United too much for them, though neither side walked away with the spoils. The quality Molineux pitch allowed the Blades the pass the ball with ease but, understandably, both sides suffered towards the end in the scorching heat. Over the years this fixture has sprung many surprises with late winners but this time around would draw an exception with the game finishing goalless. United wouldn’t be faultless for believing that they should have got more out of the game. They were extremely well organised, solid at the back and dangerous on the break.
Wolves v Sheff Utd 16/8/97 Nationwide Division 1 Pic : Nick Potts / Action Images Wolves’ Steve Bull in a race for the ball with Sheff Utd’s Carl Tiler Sheffield United Wolverhampton wanderers
But a fixture which usually ends in late drama resulted in a point apiece and Wolves were left to consider an afternoon when they repeatedly had to play second fiddle to the visitors who were supremely organised, dangerous on the break and rock-solid at the back. Indeed, the best two chances of the match were created by the Blades, both crosses from the left by Quinn, and Deane was desperately unlucky not to open his account on each occasion. In the first half, Stowell’s instinctive block turned the big man’s volley aside, and after the break, the goalkeeper threw himself to his left to paw away a header which Deane brilliantly deflected goalwards at full stretch.
The sight of Bull, apparently uninjured, being substituted on the hour was testimony to the effectiveness of United’s display as their 3-5-2 formation drew Wolves’ sting and gave themselves scope to keep plenty of possession. Patterson, despite the hot sun, was a terrier and played some of the best forward balls of the contest, Marker, though the recipient of the game’s only booking, was extremely effective even if relatively unnoticed and Whitehouse forged a promising link with Quinn.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 Sheffield United
Saturday, 16th August 1997
Nationwide League Division One
Deane was afforded little protection by Referee Danson but was always a threat although Katchouro, in for Fjortoft despite the feeling that he was injured, expended a lot of energy without much end result.
But no one could be faulted in a confident display in which McGrath, Holdsworth and Tiler were always comfortable on the ball and never look like cracking, whilst Tracey must have been surprised to have had so little to do. His most anxious moment came in the 31st minute as he watched Goodman’s glancing header graze the outside of the upright.
Scott’s introduction for Katchouro almost paid dividends as his pace and fresh legs enabled him to get to a pass from Borbokis and go past Stowell but the ‘keeper did well to recover and cut out the cross with a goal on the cards. United played calmly at the end, trying to lure Wolves forward before springing a runner behind the defence but the home team clearly lacked the conviction that a home team should have to go for the points – the Blades had their measure and Wolve knew it.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Mike Stowell, Jamie Smith (Jermaine Wright 52), Dariusz Kubicki, Mark Atkins, Steve Sedgley, Keith Curle, Robbie Keane, Darren Ferguson, Steve Bull (Mixu Paatelainen 60), Don Goodman, Steve Froggatt. Unused: Chris Westwood
Sheffield United: Simon Tracey, Vass Borbokis, Wayne Quinn, Paul McGrath, Carl Tiler, David Holdsworth, Mark Patterson, Petr Katchouro (Andy Scott 69), Brian Deane, Dane Whitehouse. Unused: Mark Beard, Jan Age Fjortoft