Tuesday 29 January 2019

Hogan in to push Blades on

It is to my understanding that Sheffield United have today agreed a loan deal with Aston Villa for there forward Scott Hogan. The loan will be till the end of the season, with United subsidising Hogan's wages. Subject to Medical.

Hogan, a Republic of Ireland international will join the Blades for the rest of the season with manager Chris Wilder hoping the striker can be the final piece of the jigsaw to either push them into the auto's or cement their play off place. Hogan, previously of Brentford is unwanted at Villa having suffered major injury set backs. At the Bees he discovered his form scoring 21 goals in 33 apps then alerted the attentions of Aston Villa.

What are your thoughts on the impending move of Hogan United fans? Is he the man to fire the Blades along with Mr.Sharp back to the promise land?
Man in form: Hogan back when he was red hot.

Thursday 24 January 2019

Blades Vs Norwich

Sheffield United travel to Carrow Road hoping to put the defeat to Swansea last weekend behind them. United have dropped to 4th in the Championship table after West Brom moved upto third after beating Bolton on Monday night. United after Saturday's display now know this is a key game with Norwich having the chance to go top if Leeds lose.


Predicted line up - The lineup i expect Wilder to go with will be a unchanged lineup. McGoldrick and Sharp other than last weekend have scored a hatful of goals in recent games, Fleck and Norwood although both had a off game last weekend are expected to start. The back three will you'd expect be the same after remaining so solid the past few games and the wing backs to. New signing Gary Madine will be possibly make a earlier appearance than last weekend if the tie is deadlocked at say the 60th minute. Duffy i expect to start as well as in recent matches Norwich have been very open at the back and have ad recent defensive injuries. Although a away game, i expect Chris Wilder to persevere with his attacking approach in such a key game.


Opposition threats - Noticeably the biggest Norwich threat is Teemu Pukki. The Finland International has had a impressive first half of the season with the Canaries scoring a whopping 16 goals this season already (the same as a certain fat lad though). Another dangerous threat is Obel Hernandez, this tricky winger is a definite threat. Causing all sorts of problems for teams that Norwich have played all year including coming on against Nottingham Forest and leading the come back for Norwich to get a draw. And one more also, Jordan Rhodes. Wednesday's £10million man was shipped out on loan by Jos Luhuaky at the start of this season and has to be honest scored some key goals for Daniel Farke's men including one at the reverse fixture at the Lane earlier this season. Definitely a danger in the box as well as Pukki.

All in all this has the recipe to be a very decent game. Two teams that will go for a win in such a key game could see a lot of goals.

Leave me your thoughts and score predictions below --
Sharpy celebrating in front of the KOP after a last minute winner in the reverse fixture.



Thursday 22 November 2018

Rotherham United Vs Sheffield United preview

The Blades go into this weekend's lunch time kick off sitting 4th in the Championship table. Facing a Rotherham United side who sit 19th, 2 points behind United's steel city rivals Wednesday. Chris Wilder's men have drawn 2 of their last five games with only one win coming against Wigan in their 4-2 win. Rotherham meanwhile have done well at home and have one win in their last five with that coming against Swansea.

Opposition review

Manager Paul Warne has revitalised Rotherham's return to the Championship, impressive home form see's the Millers sitting 2 points above the drop zone but 3 points of 15th. The Millers have improved their home form this year which has helped them a lot. With important victories coming against top team's like Swansea and inform Derby, whilst also picking impressive draws against promotion chasing team's like Middlesbrough away from home. Rotherham's dangers come from mainly midfield with players like Joe Newell, Ryan Manning (on loan from QPR) and Will Vaulks. Manning, a young prodigy from QPR has been banging in the goals and has scored 4 goals in 15 games most coming from penalties. Impressive home form see's Rotherham fighting for survival and may help them stay up.

Chris Wilder's men if winning the game will go joint top up until the 3pm kick off's. Facing a tough schedule with a trip to London coming the week after to face Brentford it is difficult to see what kind of side Wilder will play. After the week of internationals it is expected that changes will be made by the self confessed Blade. 

Team News
Sheffield United : The Blades are expected to have a fully fit squad to choose from. John Egan returned early this week from International duty with a suspected calf injury but is expected to be available for selection. No other injury concerns for the Blades.

Rotherham United:  Paul Warne is not expecting any fresh injury problems after his squad to like United's returned from the international break unscathed. Sean Raggett on loan from Norwich is expected to be fit soon as he's playing in a reserve game this week to.


Manager's comments :

Chris Wilder : http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06sjxxc (BBC RADIO SHEFFIELD)
Paul Warne :  https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2018/november/freeview--warnes-sheffield-united-team-news/ (Courtsey of RUFC website)



Image : Courtesy of Scottish Sun 

Sunday 26 July 2015

Adkins IS and WILL be the right man

From watching the game against Newcastle United today it's clear to see the statement at the top is 100% true! Today was a special day for us all as it was a legend's last game captian fantastic Chris Morgan's testimonial. Infront of a 12,000, the Blades completley outhought, outplayed and out muscled a Newcastle side fulled of Premier League quality. Adkins, on the back of signing Billy Sharp (on a two year deal) and Connor Sammon ( season long loan) started upfront with the duo of Marc McNulty and Che Adams. Che has received glowling reports from the pre season programme from both manager and supporters and today showed exactly why. Newcastle, who were thought to be interested in Che before the Blades snapped him up should of been 2-0 after Tim Krul somehow palmed away a stunning powerful shot from Che just outside the box. He contiuned to cause problems for the Newcastle defence all game. Linking up well with Marc he slid the ball through a massive gap in the Newcastle defence to McNulty who nut megged international goalkeeper Tim Krul to level 1-1. Keiron Freeman scored a whopper just outside the box as he immaculetly curled the ball in the corner on a first time volley. 


But I didn't want to write about the goals and moments in the game, I wanted to comment on the peformance as a whole. Nigel's team absolutley dominated a quality Newcastle side with european asparations from start to finish. Basham and Baxter (yes, he played well) dictated the game in midfield. Basham continuously halting Newcastle attacks and Baxter playing exquisite balls through and all over the pitch. As a Blade this peformance proved to me that this is our season! I've been sceptical over the past couple of seasons but on the back of this peformance i fully believe Jim and co have definiatley found the right man. I mean, we completley bossed a full strength Newcastle side. Che is gonna be a star and Adkins will certanliy have selection headaches in the forwards department. I fully believe that if we sign a decent centre half (will soon) then promotion will definitley be sealed. The front line have got 10/15 goals between them each easily. Yes even Connor Sammon and Higdon. 

But, yeah we will go up this season. Believe Blades! UTB. Below: Our new strike force! 

Sunday 19 July 2015

Benteke to Liverpool

Liverpool Football Club are on the verge of signing Belgian Christian Benteke in a deal worth 32.5 million pounds. The clubs agreed a fee on Friday and now the Belgian is set for a medical at Melwood training ground. Statistically this is a great signing for Liverpool as a graph from (AVafC.co.uk) shows Benteke has scored double figures in the 3 seasons he's had in the Premier League. Consistent or what! Although, some Liverpool fans (we'll the majority) will be underwhelmed with the signing seen as he doesn't replicate the fast, pacey strikers that their fans craved. Benteke seemed to be Rodgers only striker target, and now Raheem Sterling has left he's got £49million at his disposal and he's chose to spend it on the upcoming inform Belgian striker. Every game Villa played against Liverpool over the last 3 seasons, Benteke has been a key feature scoring and assisting goals in near enough every game. With the service of Coutinho and Firminio  whipping balls In for the Belgian Liverpool fans would hope he'd double his total of 13 last season. In my eyes the signing of Benteke is a good signing for Liverpool and is make or break for Rodgers. He blew the Suarez money and now FSG have given him the Sterling money and he's got his Number one target. If he fails I think that will be the end of Rodgers if he succeeds maybe more big signings in January, who knows?


To sum it up, in my eyes this is a class signing. Well done Rodgers.

Tuesday 23 June 2015

Pre Season... Importance

The players return from their lads holiday's, family holiday's and stag do's soon ready for pre season  next Monday. This will give Nigel Adkins the time to reassess his squad and adapt it to spear head a promotion charge next season. In this article i will look at every one of the Blades pre season opponents. 


First up it's Ilkeston away.

Che Adams and Kieran Wallace's former club will stage the Blades first pre season challenge. Ilkeston finished 5th in the EVO stik league last season with a total of 81 points, 11 points of the league champions FC United. Kevin Wilson's side will prove a stern test for the Blades. Che Adams will be relishing  the opportunity of going back to the New Manor Ground.


Next up is Cheltenham Town 

The Blades will face Cheltenham away on Tuesday 21st of July. Previously relegated Cheltenham faced United in the FA cup in 2003 where the Blades smashed them 4-0. Cheltenham fans didn't have a lot to cheer about last season. Their top goalscorer finished with a total of 4 goals and they recently released 8 players notably Mathieu Manset. Manager Gary Johnson will be looking forward to Nigel Adkins new Blades outfit travelling to the Abby Business Ground. 

Exeter away is the Blades third pre season game

Exeter will also provide a stern test for the Blades in their pre season programme. Going well in League 2 they are also on the verge of developing ST James Park. They recently earned 1.75million from Swansea as they bought Matt Grimes. Finishing strongly in League 2 their top goalscorer finished with 15 goals. The Blades may face a difficult asset and maybe pushed to the limit against a in form Exeter. 



Chris Morgan's testimonial will take place at Bramall Lane against Newcastle United, now managed by Steve McClaren. Newcastle survived relegation on the last day beating West Ham with goals from Gutierrez who they have now released by a  phone call. Although a near miss in the premier league, a new look Newcastle side will prove a real hard test for Adkins men. This will probably give Blades fans a picture of where the squad is at so close to the season facing such difficult opponents. 



Next up is Macclesfield Town...
Macclesfield are in National League the EVO Stick Premier League one league below League 2. They will provide a difficult opponent for the Blades as they went quite well in their League last season. Their top goal scorer scored a decent total of 10 goals. They finished 6th just outside the play offs by one point. This team will cause problems for Adkins men but hopefully by the 29th of July we will be seeing the squad complete and ready to go for Gillingham away.


Last but not least it's Hull City at Bramall Lane. 

Now this is where we will probably see Adkins decide on his strongest squad. Hull relegated from the PL will almost certainly put a strong team out managed by Steve Bruce. Ex Blade Harry Maguire will possibly be starting and returning to the Lane, although Stephen Quinn won't as he nears a move to Reading. This will be a good test right before the start of the season and will help Nigel decide where we are at Vs Championship opposition. 

Thursday 11 June 2015

Nigel Adkins new beginning, new ideas!

Nigel Adkins, became the new Sheffield United manager 9 days ago. Fans we're pestering Jim Phipps (co chairman) on social media and Twitter was been refreshed at least every 5 seconds. But finally after that the announcement was made that proven promotion winning manager Nigel Adkins would take over the Blades at a press conference in London. Joined by Andy Crosby and Dean Wilkins, Adkins made it clear that he's determined that  this season he will  get the Blades into  the Championship. Adkins has promotions on his CV and is proven in League 1 having taken teams such as Scunthorpe and  Southampton up to the next level and i believe this is what got him the job, United want a proven manager that#s been their and got the t-shirt and this man certainly has once again a clear show of intent from our board prizing some of Nigel's calibre to a club. Nigel, is now known as 'positive Nigel' amongst the United fan base as his philosophy is  positive,exciting,thrilling football unlike his  predecessor 'negative Nigel Clough'. Blades fans have now been re galvanised by such a great appointment and are now looking forward to a thrilling season and ATTACKING FOOTBALL!!