A long held and proud record is at stake in tonight’s Sheffield derby. It is over 40 years since Wednesday won at Bramall Lane and over 90 years since our porcine neighbours achieved a derby double. For Blades fans who have become accustomed to winning in the home of our rivals, it is difficult to truly understand the (misplaced) excitement that the 3,000 Wednesday fans who are travelling to S2 tonight must be feeling.
Thankfully Bryan Robson is no longer the man entrusted to sending them home with their curly tails between their legs. In Kevin Blackwell we have a man who understands just what this game means and who won’t tolerate a spineless display like the one we endured at Hillsborough.
The Blades look a different team under Blackwell and whilst he might lack the natural charisma of notable pigslayers Bassett and Warnock, he will have no problems firing up the players for the game.
The key to our success will be breaking down a packed Wednesday defence. Brian Laws said before the Coventry and Scunthorpe games that his main aim was to avoid defeat in both, if that is his level of ambition against fellow relegation fodder then you can only expect an ultra negative showing against a team contending for the play-offs.
Although the sense of pre-derby doom that we felt with Robson in charge has evaporated, it has to be said that with the prize of a play-off place and the carrot of sending Wednesday back to the 3rd tier of English football at stake, most Blades will be feeling the tension. My own nerves were eased somewhat when Chris Rea’s ‘Road to Hell’ played on the radio this morning, it is of course the song that joyously accompanied footage of Wednesday 1990 relegation on ITV’s Goals of the Year programme.
Vital Quotes:
Brian Laws will have tried to tell a few jokes and generally played the role of Warnock-wannabe.
Blackwell had the following to say to the Blades’ official site ”It is a game that you shouldn’t need to talk up. I will walk in on Tuesday and shouldn’t have to say anything… but try keeping me quiet! I will be at them. There was an interesting comment from one of the players at Barnsley the other week who said he didn’t want the lads to feel like they did after the game at Hillsborough so they know. I might remind them about that.’
Sheffield United Team News:
There are doubts over the fitness of Paddy Kenny and Rob Hulse. With Beattie scoring a hat-trick at the weekend, Hulse will have to be content with a place on the bench if he is passed fit.
Chris Morgan is likely to return after suspension although Ugo Ehiogu was excellent against Leicester.
Player to watch: David Cotterill
He ran Leicester ragged at the weekend and his direct running and quality crossing will be key against a side with 10 men behind the ball.
Sheffield Wednesday Team News:
Wednesday are to give fitness tests to 6 players before the game and will doubtless try and throw a few ineligible players in given the shameful lack of a points deduction for their last transgression of the rules.
Player to watch: Francis Jeffers
The FA Cup lookalike has been in red hot form since joining the Owls and has more than justified his huge salary.
Match Facts & Stats
Wednesday wins at Bramall Lane are as rare as salads on Brian Laws’ dinner table. Continuing the food theme, I wonder which Wednesday player will get to play headers with a plate of sandwiches tonight?
Ref Watch:
Steve Bennett – Who thought he’d be a good choice to referee a game of this nature?
Match Prediction:
A brace from James Beattie, both headers from Cotterill crosses, will win this for the Blades. I’ll go for goals in the 16th and 78th minutes.
Next Fixtures:
April 12th – Burnley (a)
April 19th – Hull City (h)