Do not underestimate the POWER of Sheffield United

[Darren]

Ahh, I thought the Arse game was the middle of the three.

I well remember coming home from Boothferry Park on NYE and discussing the up coming four games. Tottenham were next up (we drew 2-2) and we'd decided that this was THE crucial point of the season and if we could get over these games unscathed . . . . .

Indeed. I have a random memory of that Tottenham game. I was 11 at the time and was playing football on the Midhill on East Bank Road with my mates when we heard a huge roar coming from the direction of the Lane. We assumed United must have scored (we came back from 0-2 down I think).

It's funny how things like that stick in your memory.

 

[Ollessendro]

Cheers Dazzler.

If we discount the "Group Cup" when we were in the 4th and stick with the real cups that's an impressive (and quite understandable in my view) 0 from 6.

This means we need a win on Saturdy to be slightly closer to Olly's 1 in 5 otherwise my 1 in 10 prediction will be closer (even if it's still to be done even that once).

Still interseted in the 5/1 Olly?

never really fancied 1 in 5 to be honest, just thought it was about right. Some interesting analysis here, suggesting the bookies are offering short odds. But there is more to this than previous FA cup games. Have we not won on our last 4 trips to the Madejski? (albeit in different circumstances). The fact they struggled to see of Posh at home, going behind twice, in the cup could be an indicator and also that they play Chelsea on the following Wed. Could we expect an under-strength Reading team to turn up and be a bit complacent and for us to raise our game and beat them once if we played 5 times? I think so.

 

[Darren]

never really fancied 1 in 5 to be honest, just thought it was about right. Some interesting analysis here, suggesting the bookies are offering short odds. But there is more to this than previous FA cup games. Have we not won on our last 4 trips to the Madejski? (albeit in different circumstances). The fact they struggled to see of Posh at home, going behind twice, in the cup could be an indicator and also that they play Chelsea on the following Wed. Could we expect an under-strength Reading team to turn up and be a bit complacent and for us to raise our game and beat them once if we played 5 times? I think so.

We've won in our last 3 there, but I hardly think that is relevant given that United and Reading were both second tier teams at the time and there can't be a single player in United's team at least who played in any of those games.

 

[Balham]

We've won in our last 3 there, but I hardly think that is relevant given that United and Reading were both second tier teams at the time and there can't be a single player in United's team at least who played in any of those games.

That shows the level of churn in our squad perfectly. We last played at the Madejski on 25 April 2011, the line up was:

Simonsen (now unattached, left July 2012)

Lowton (Aston Villa, July 2012)
Lowry (Millwall, May 2011 (on loan))
Collins (still with the club)
Mattock (Sheffield Wednesday, May 2011 (on loan))

Quinn (Hull, August 2012)
Williamson (unattached, July 2012)
Montgomery (CC Mariners, August 2012)
Riise (Fulham, May 2011 (on loan))

Henderson (Millwall, July 2011)
Slew OFF 76 (Blackburn, August 2011)

Subs
Aksalu (Flora Talinn, January 2012)
Kozluk (Ilkeston, July 2011)
Roe (Port Vale, July 2011)
Doyle (still with the club)
Tønne ON 76 (still with the club)
Philiskirk (still with the club)

Of the 17 players in the squad that day, only Collins and Doyle are still first teamers at United. I'd imagine that Philiskirk and perhaps Tønne will be on the bench again on Saturday but they've not really pushed on from then.

 

[Kenilworth]

With the way our current midfield and defence are playing I am pretty certain that The Pog and Alfie are going to rip us a new one on Satdi. Even with a reserve side out I think Reading will be far too strong for our delicate little lambs and their fragile confidence. FFS we can't even create many chances or work the 'keepers against Hartlepool and Yeovil.




..




Kitson's bound to score the winner then eh?

 

[Balham]

With the way our current midfield and defence are playing I am pretty certain that The Pog and Alfie are going to rip us a new one on Satdi. Even with a reserve side out I think Reading will be far too strong for our delicate little lambs and their fragile confidence. FFS we can't even create many chances or work the 'keepers against Hartlepool and Yeovil.




..




Kitson's bound to score the winner then eh?

In a way, the lack of pressure should help us. We've really struggled this season against sides set up to restrict our play and close the space down - teams where the whole is more than the sum of the parts.

Reading being overwhelming favourites means their players may be less likely to implement the type of game plan Yeovil and Hartlepool both did. It depends how well McDermott and his team have done their homework and the mindset of the RFC players.

I'd also rather Le Fondre started than came off the bench - the advantage his speed of mind gives him over tired defences will be lessened.

Despite all that, I'm still expecting us to lose 3 or 4-1

 

[Kenilworth]

In a way, the lack of pressure should help us. We've really struggled this season against sides set up to restrict our play and close the space down - teams where the whole is more than the sum of the parts.

Reading being overwhelming favourites means their players may be less likely to implement the type of game plan Yeovil and Hartlepool both did. It depends how well McDermott and his team have done their homework and the mindset of the RFC players. I'd also rather Le Fondre started than came off the bench - the advantage his speed of mind gives him over tired defences will be lessened. Despite all that, I'm still expecting us to lose 3 or 4-1

I think we will sit deep in the mistaken assumption that we can soak up pressure and hit them on the break. We will sit deeper and deeper, giving them too much respect, as the game goes on and catch a cold because of it. As we are being stretched from pillar to post plan B will be to limit the humiliation and attempt to restrict their chances to a couple of dozen - by sitting deeper and attempting to retain the ball in and around our back 4.

Le Fondler is way too good for our pedestrian level three divvies and The Pog will eat em up for breakfast and wash them down with a few shots of Wodka.

 

[Grecian2000]

I think we will sit deep in the mistaken assumption that we can soak up pressure and hit them on the break. We will sit deeper and deeper, giving them too much respect, as the game goes on and catch a cold because of it. As we are being stretched from pillar to post plan B will be to limit the humiliation and attempt to restrict their chances to a couple of dozen - by sitting deeper and attempting to retain the ball in and around our back 4.

Le Fondler is way too good for our pedestrian level three divvies and The Pog will eat em up for breakfast and wash them down with a few shots of Wodka.

I'm putting you down as not sure whether to take the 5/1 then.

 

[Ollessendro]

We've won in our last 3 there, but I hardly think that is relevant given that United and Reading were both second tier teams at the time and there can't be a single player in United's team at least who played in any of those games.

Hmmm, not exactly. For example, the last visit to their place, we were in the bottom 3 and certs for relegation and they were in the play offs. So whilst we were still in the same division, we were going down (certainties) and them potentially going up (in fact they were a whisker away). We should not really have stooof a chance that day. Plus, we could feasibly be in the same division next year.

 

[Kenilworth]

I'm putting you down as not sure whether to take the 5/1 then.

If that is is score prediction, considering we have shipped so many avoidable goals at home recently, then I am not going to bet against it I really do think that the little lambs are very fragile at the moment after the recent run of results so if the Mad Stad brigade get an early lead I think we could be on the end of a reight spanking. Reading between the lines (see what I did there) they will be more relaxed and they will relish the chance to play against a set of lightweight midfielders and a bunch of error prone defenders compared to the quality they normally have to try to aspire to in the EPL. It'll be a piece of piss compared. I am just not convinced our lads have the firght in 'em. LegsofWood is sure to be a key player in the game and he will boss KMac and Doyley like they were a pair of playful puppies in a park.

 

[Owlish]

Federici should be in goal and he has been in excellent form recently. Kelly is our new right back and looked very good in his first match last week - I expect him to play rather than Gunter or Cummings. If it's either of them, you may have unexpected success there. Gorkss might get a run-out at CB, but he's been out of favor this season despite being excellent last year - I expect CBs to be Morrison and Pearce and LB either Harte or Shorey. Our new midfielder Carrico should see some time, and Tabb might get some time as a farewell performance (he's been advised to look elsewhere for next season, and can leave now). On the attack, I'm not sure you'll see Pogrebnyak - likely Hunt and Le Fondre in a 4-4-2 and I don't think Roberts is match-fit. But with McDermott, we only know on the day.

We've gone to a 4-5-1 on the road and at home against top teams (any at 14 or above in the PL table <sigh>) and switch to a 4-4-2 late for a try at smash-and-grab, with some recent results. We'll likely use a 4-4-2 against the Blades - not because of lack of concern but because we need to work with that formation more as 4-5-1 has become our game standard in the PL. You'll face a side like I expect you'll see next season - a good Championship lineup that's almost competitive in the Premier League.

 

[Silent Blade]

Indeed. I have a random memory of that Tottenham game. I was 11 at the time and was playing football on the Midhill on East Bank Road with my mates when we heard a huge roar coming from the direction of the Lane. We assumed United must have scored (we came back from 0-2 down I think).

It's funny how things like that stick in your memory.

It as 0-0 at half time. After the break John Duncan broke away and Jim Brown got out of his goal to go for the ball. The ball slowed down, a few others joined in the scramble for the ball (and Brown desperate to pick it up from the melee) but Duncan poked his leg at the ball which headed for the goal in what it seemed to be in slow motion as Brown picked himself up to chase after the ball but lost his balance as the ball crept in the BL goal in front of the delirious Spurs fans. Peter Taylor increased Spurs lead before Keith Edwards reduced the arrears with a header. Gary Hamson (one of my favourite players) came on as a sub (he had been injured in the previous week) and fired in a low shot from the edge of the penalty box to level the scores

 

[BladeFisher]

Wow. From memory (I was only 10) we looked like we were about five divisions below them.

Only 5?

 

[Ollessendro]

Federici should be in goal and he has been in excellent form recently. Kelly is our new right back and looked very good in his first match last week - I expect him to play rather than Gunter or Cummings. If it's either of them, you may have unexpected success there. Gorkss might get a run-out at CB, but he's been out of favor this season despite being excellent last year - I expect CBs to be Morrison and Pearce and LB either Harte or Shorey. Our new midfielder Carrico should see some time, and Tabb might get some time as a farewell performance (he's been advised to look elsewhere for next season, and can leave now). On the attack, I'm not sure you'll see Pogrebnyak - likely Hunt and Le Fondre in a 4-4-2 and I don't think Roberts is match-fit. But with McDermott, we only know on the day.

We've gone to a 4-5-1 on the road and at home against top teams (any at 14 or above in the PL table <sigh>) and switch to a 4-4-2 late for a try at smash-and-grab, with some recent results. We'll likely use a 4-4-2 against the Blades - not because of lack of concern but because we need to work with that formation more as 4-5-1 has become our game standard in the PL. You'll face a side like I expect you'll see next season - a good Championship lineup that's almost competitive in the Premier League.

any chance the Royals might have one eye on Wednesday or not turn up for this one?

 

[Owlish]

any chance the Royals might have one eye on Wednesday or not turn up for this one?

Not much, I'm afraid. We will likely rest a few players, but will still start a reasonably strong side. Honestly, while I've seen some talk here about your club's mental state, we've just collected our first back-to-back wins in the Premier League after 23 matches. We have a fragile veneer of good feeling in the club and amongst the fans about the club just now and remember Sheffield United as a strong opponent that will have no respect for any league difference. We'd really prefer not to add to your collection of scalps from Cup competitions and I see no sign (at least on RR) of any overconfidence.

But the matches are played on the pitch, not on paper, and the ball knows nothing of any league differences. I wish I could say differently, but I believe 5 for 1 odds understate the Blades chances - IMO, you'll have a fair chance to have a happy trip back from MadStad. I know we've won a match or two that we should not have on paper (Everton and West Brom this season, for example) and the same result could certainly come our way this match.

 

[JohnDenver]

But the matches are played on the pitch, not on paper, and the ball knows nothing of any league differences.

Ever fancied a job on television?

 

[Ashtonsmashton]

'I would love if we beat them,' and then get Chelsea home or away and do a bradfrod.

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

everybody at the club must be praying we win. so we can blame the distraction of a cup run for us finishing 12th in the league. anything but admit we have no players, cos we sold em all!

 

[blade too long]

In our history, United have won a grand total of 5 away matches in the FA Cup against teams in a higher league:

2008 won 1-0 at Bolton in the 3rd round
1961 won 3-1 at Newcastle in the quarter final
1961 won 1-0 at Everton in the 3rd round
1958 won 3-0 at Tottenham in a 4th round replay
1939 won 2-1 at Blackpool in the 3rd round

Note how we have only done it once in our recent lower division wilderness years.

considering we never finished lower than 11th in div 2 (old money) up to 1975 its hard for us to be considered giant killers till the last 37 years and only 32 of those below the top

 

[raul]

Have a like BTL. Not ever Blair, Mandelson and Campbell would have the front to paint 5 years out of 37 in the the flight as a positive.

Don't you go changing.

 

[blade too long]

its like being a liberal democrat , you have to big up the positives
and in all but 8 of those 32 seasons there were only 20 teams in a higher league

its a matter of perspective
in our history we still havent had 10 seasons below div 2 old money
way some go on youd think we were on a par with Rochdale

 

[metalblade]

So in effect this generation of supporters are right lucky bastards having all the seasons lower than division two in a relatively short time span.

 

[Jehovah]

£20 well spent FFS

 

[Grecian2000]

£20 well spent FFS

Ahh, but you started a decent thread so it was well worth the money (obviously more so to those of us who it didn't cost anything at all).

So that's 0 from 7. What will next season bring? Early League Cup exit because it's not worth a shite and a "run" to the 3rd round before capitulation to any random side above us in the league.
Always my least favourite week of the season when we bow out of the Cup.

 

[Darren]

considering we never finished lower than 11th in div 2 (old money) up to 1975 its hard for us to be considered giant killers till the last 37 years and only 32 of those below the top

1978 actually, when we finished 12th in Div 2.

 

[Kenilworth]

It pisses me off because cup runs allow the club to generate more income and therefore strengthen the squad. Getting a prem team at home in the cup, and on the telly if it's a good'un, coins it in - relative to the level we are playing at. More revenue means what? That the 65% McCabe and DW have to play with is 65% of a larger figure so we can get better quality players in.

Going out meekly to Burton in the League Cup on pens, ditto Coventry in the JPT and laying down like a whore with her legs wide apart in the FA Cup taking up the council does not help to increase anything but derision and apathy.

Maybe the lads like it nice'n cushy - with none of this nasty competition for places - so they accepted a weak effort. If that's the attitude then they are no where near equipped to make any impression on the league table from here on in.