Match Preview: Sheffield United
Posted on: Thu 11 Feb 2010
Preston North End face another Deepdale double-header beginning with the Blades this Tuesday night before the big one against Blackpool.
North End handed full debuts to Paul Coutts and Keith Treacy against Swansea and there is every chance that the Lilywhites will see another debut on Tuesday evening as Manchester United loanee Matt James makes his bow.
James is an England U20 midfielder and he could slot in alongside Coutts who should make his first appearance at Deepdale following an encouraging start at The Liberty Stadium.
PNE currently lie in 13th position in the Championship table, seven points behind sixth placed Leicester City and six places behind their opponents who sit just outside the Play-Off zone.
The Lilywhites will be keen to avenge last season's Play-Off semi-final defeat to the Blades.
Darren Ferguson's Team News
"Richard Chaplow is still quite sore, he's had this operation and he's come back quite quick from it and he's still getting a fair bit of pain in there. We'll know more as the week goes on, we've got him on a rehabilitation programme now.
"Callum's struggling, Chappy is out, he won't be fit and they are the only two apart from the longer term ones.
"We were a little bit thin on numbers, slightly unbalanced. We've got these young ones in, they want to have a go and they have got good energy and they fit in along with the experienced players we have got at the club. You need a good mix of both."
The Opposition
Having lost their last three away games, Kevin Blackwell will be hoping that his Blades can reverse that form and push themselves back into the Play-Off zone.
Sheffield United have lost at Watford, West Brom and Wanderers (Bolton) over the last few weeks and after drawing at home to Derby on Saturday the natives are getting a little restless.
The Blades recorded a 1-0 win over PNE on the 28th December but so much has changed at both clubs since that match that the two sides will look a lot different come Tuesday night.
Blackwell has encountered serious defensive problems, not helped by losing the services Matt Kilgallon and Kyle walker in the transfer window.
The Blades boss brought in Nyron Nosworthy and Toni Kallio on loan on deadline day to add to the permanent signings of Richard Cresswell, Mark Yates and James Harper.
"I appreciate that we've not been at our best of late but I do think the lads deserve a bit more patience.
"I can understand why people get frustrated because the whole country is going through a tough time at the moment with the credit crunch and so when they see someone who they think isn't putting the effort in they're going to get on their backs.
"But I can assure you the boys are giving me absolutely everything. It's just that, with everyone we've got out, it's almost impossible to have any cohesion.
"I do sympathise (with the fans] and I know that we're lucky to be involved in football and that we get well paid for what we do.
"All I'd ask those giving them stick though is to ask whether, if when they went to work and had someone stood over their shoulder all day castigating them, whether they'd perform at their best? The lads might be well rewarded but they're not robots. They're human beings.
"I always enjoy going to Preston because it's a proper football club.
"They've actually had much more stability than us since we met in the play-off semi-finals last season but we just have to try and get on with things.
"Whenever we meet it usually tends to be a really good game."
Kevin Blackwell speaking in The Sheffield Star
The Player
"I certainly enjoyed the goal and it is that bit more special because I used to be a derby fan, but importantly for the team is gives us something to build on after two defeats.
"We struggled early on, but as the game went on, especially in the second-half we knew we could get something.
"The lads here will never give up regardless of the situation and we are buzzing after getting such a late goal which could be vital at the end of the season."
Former PNE loanee Lee Williamson after scoring the equaliser against Derby
PNE's all time record against Sheffield United W30 D26 L44
PNE's all time league record against Sheffield United W28 D23 L40
Last Meeting
Sheffield United 1 Preston 0
(Ward 86)
Monday 28th December 2009
Coca-Cola Championship
Bramall Lane
Preston North End 7/5 Draw 9/4 Sheffield United 19/10
PNEBetting.com Selected Bet
Paul Coutts to score first in a 3-2 win - 460/1.
PNE Player
Matt Hardman will be joined by Andy Fensome for full match commentary from PNE Player.
Any Other Business?
Sheffield United have completed the loan signing of Arsenal youngster Kyle Bartley ahead of tonight's match.
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