Sheffield United return to action after a prolonged rest with a visit to Pride Park to face Derby County, and will face Lee Hendrie, who is set to make his Rams debut.
The ‘random’ fixture generator brings us a repeat of last year, when the County ended their losing streak thanks to a 2-1 victory over the Blades.
However, this game will provide a chance for two players to show their former clubs what they lost on Deadline Day.
Jordan Stewart exchanged the midlands for South Yorkshire, with Lee Hendrie putting his Blades ‘hell’ at and end.
Vital Quotes:
Kevin Blackwell:
‘Our game here with them last season showed what they are like. We murdered them in the first-half but they really came back at us in the second.
‘That is the enigma for Nigel Clough; when they are good they are very good, when they are bad they tend to be very bad, and he will be looking to instill consistency into what is a very good squad of players.
‘There is experience and ability with the likes of Bywater, Commons, Savage, Hulse, Barker etc, plus some promising youngsters like Addison.
‘On their day they can give anyone a game and with their fans and infrastructure Derby have the potential to be in the top ten.
‘Lee Hendrie doesn’t have a point to prove as far as I’m concerned. When a player leaves you wish him all the best and both parties move on.
Lee Hendrie:
‘It is absolutely ironic that the first game since I arrived here is against Sheffield United but that’s football for you.’
‘So many people have said to me that it just stinks of me coming on and scoring a winner!
‘I need to prove I can get in the squad first but I’d love to be a part of that game.
‘And coming away with a win would be a bonus.’
‘I’ve got a point to prove to a lot of people – the Derby fans, the gaffer (Nigel Clough) and the old gaffer (Blackwell), who I want to show what he’s missed out on.’
‘It got to the stage where a lot of the other players were saying: ‘How are you not playing?’
‘I was fit, I was training well but it got to the point where I was thinking: ‘There is no way in here’.
‘But I just got my head down and I thought, if I didn’t get in the team this season, I would have to get out and play, because you do get forgotten.’
‘The final straw was when I didn’t travel to Reading and they only had 6 subs.’
Derby County Team News:
Derby County could recall Paul Dickov and hand a debut to Lee Hendrie, but for Steve Davis, the game comes a bit too soon, which means he misses out.
Player to watch: Lee Hendrie
Rob Hulse got his first Derby goal against the Blades last season, and after a poor two years with the Blades, it’s just written in the stars that ex Villa man Hendrie will punish United tomorrow.
Sheffield United Team News:
The Blades have no new injury problems, and could welcome back Glen Little into the squad, along with new arrivals Jordan Stewart and James Harper.
Player to watch: James Harper
The former Reading midfielder described himself as being ‘buzzing’ about his move to Bramall Lane, and will be looking to make a big impact from the off.
Match Facts & Stats
Courtesy of BBC
? Sheffield United have won four of their last six Championship matches against Derby.
? These clubs first met in 1893 and have never been involved in a goalless draw when Derby have been the home side.
Ref Watch:
Andy D’Urso takes charge of the game at Pride Park tomorrow. D’Urso last took charge of the Blades in the controversial South Yorkshire derby at Oakwell last year when he booked Chris Morgan for a ‘supposed’ elbow on Iain Hume.
Match Prediction:
I have a feeling this could be the Blades first defeat of the season, but if Derby are caught on a bad day then the Blades have the ability to punish them. Derby 1-1Blades
Next Fixtures:
United travel to Coventry City on Tuesday in preparation for the Steel City derby in a week.