LouTheBlade
Active Member
Just to stir up more debate on tomorrow's game, I thought it would be interesting to look at the likely one-on-one confrontations we might get in the game:-
Linz/Foxy - If you feel this would be better in the match thread please move it by all means.
Ched Evans Vs Clint Hill
I think it’s safe to say Cresswell will be locking horns with big Fitz Hall so an Evans v Hill pair up is quite likely. After Ched opened his account last week Blades fans will be hoping that he can kick on from here. He will be desperate to add another goal and build up his confidence, so it makes this battle quite intriguing. Hill will try to turn it into a physical contest and that is what Ched needs to avoid.
If Evans can get a yard on Hill in the box there could potentially be some penalty shouts here, as the former Palace man is no stranger to shirt pulling and close contact. Watch this space with these two..........
Leon Britton Vs Shaun Derry
It’s no secret that Warnock has often employed “spoiling” tactics in difficult games and the main feature of this has been to deploy a tough tackling midfielder on the oppositions most creative player. In his days at the Lane he used Monty. Our former manager will be very aware of Leon Britton’s creative instincts and will have him in mind to be tracked throughout the game.
Shaun Derry is a good old pro with an annoying habit of making life difficult for more talented opponents. He will be the one most likely to track little Leon and will take any opportunity he can to have a swipe at him (knowing Derry as we do). The winner of this battle will be determined simply by how the game pans out. If it descends into a hoof-fest, Derry will have an easy afternoon. If the ball spends a lot of time on the deck (but in our possession) then Leon could be the key to opening them up.
Nick Montgomery Vs Adel Taarabt
There is no doubt who will be instructed to give Taarabt a tough time and this is a one-on-one very similar to Britton and Derry. Taarabt is without question, QPR’s most gifted player and will get forward whenever possible. It will be vital that Monty never leaves his side because if this lad is given any space he has the ability to settle a game when he is up for it. United have no need to fear him as such, but they do need to be wary of him.
Monty is guaranteed to make his life difficult throughout but the danger will be if QPR spring a counter attack. This tends to be when Taarabt does the most damage.
Chris Morgan Vs Heidar Helguson
With Helguson most likely to play ahead of Leon Clarke, one would expect Morgan will be giving him close attention in this fixture. It is difficult to see Morgs having too many problems with Helguson but he is an opportunistic forward and must be monitored closely on crosses and set pieces.
Helguson will give as good as he gets physically but will probably spend a fair amount of time foraging on his own with Mackie dropping off slightly. I expect Morgs to win this battle comfortably.
The Crowd Vs Paddy Kenny
The topic on everyone’s lips. Visibly you would expect Paddy not to appear ruffled, but he will be thinking about this altercation tonight and I doubt he will be looking forward to it. He spent most of his Blades career un-phased by abuse from opposition support but this is a different kettle of fish and his reaction should be quite interesting.
I think it is important we remember we have an important home game and not to get to involved in the Paddy soap opera on the day. The Paddy situation is the sideshow, not the game!.........
But if anyone can get under his skin it’s United fans and they will be trying to do just that. His performance will determine how this is settled. If he drops a clanger, the credit for it will inevitably be given to the home crowd. If he plays a blinder, then it’s a victory for him.
Linz/Foxy - If you feel this would be better in the match thread please move it by all means.
Ched Evans Vs Clint Hill
I think it’s safe to say Cresswell will be locking horns with big Fitz Hall so an Evans v Hill pair up is quite likely. After Ched opened his account last week Blades fans will be hoping that he can kick on from here. He will be desperate to add another goal and build up his confidence, so it makes this battle quite intriguing. Hill will try to turn it into a physical contest and that is what Ched needs to avoid.
If Evans can get a yard on Hill in the box there could potentially be some penalty shouts here, as the former Palace man is no stranger to shirt pulling and close contact. Watch this space with these two..........
Leon Britton Vs Shaun Derry
It’s no secret that Warnock has often employed “spoiling” tactics in difficult games and the main feature of this has been to deploy a tough tackling midfielder on the oppositions most creative player. In his days at the Lane he used Monty. Our former manager will be very aware of Leon Britton’s creative instincts and will have him in mind to be tracked throughout the game.
Shaun Derry is a good old pro with an annoying habit of making life difficult for more talented opponents. He will be the one most likely to track little Leon and will take any opportunity he can to have a swipe at him (knowing Derry as we do). The winner of this battle will be determined simply by how the game pans out. If it descends into a hoof-fest, Derry will have an easy afternoon. If the ball spends a lot of time on the deck (but in our possession) then Leon could be the key to opening them up.
Nick Montgomery Vs Adel Taarabt
There is no doubt who will be instructed to give Taarabt a tough time and this is a one-on-one very similar to Britton and Derry. Taarabt is without question, QPR’s most gifted player and will get forward whenever possible. It will be vital that Monty never leaves his side because if this lad is given any space he has the ability to settle a game when he is up for it. United have no need to fear him as such, but they do need to be wary of him.
Monty is guaranteed to make his life difficult throughout but the danger will be if QPR spring a counter attack. This tends to be when Taarabt does the most damage.
Chris Morgan Vs Heidar Helguson
With Helguson most likely to play ahead of Leon Clarke, one would expect Morgan will be giving him close attention in this fixture. It is difficult to see Morgs having too many problems with Helguson but he is an opportunistic forward and must be monitored closely on crosses and set pieces.
Helguson will give as good as he gets physically but will probably spend a fair amount of time foraging on his own with Mackie dropping off slightly. I expect Morgs to win this battle comfortably.
The Crowd Vs Paddy Kenny
The topic on everyone’s lips. Visibly you would expect Paddy not to appear ruffled, but he will be thinking about this altercation tonight and I doubt he will be looking forward to it. He spent most of his Blades career un-phased by abuse from opposition support but this is a different kettle of fish and his reaction should be quite interesting.
I think it is important we remember we have an important home game and not to get to involved in the Paddy soap opera on the day. The Paddy situation is the sideshow, not the game!.........
But if anyone can get under his skin it’s United fans and they will be trying to do just that. His performance will determine how this is settled. If he drops a clanger, the credit for it will inevitably be given to the home crowd. If he plays a blinder, then it’s a victory for him.
