I guess it would be easy to just thrust a 4-0 or 5-1 scoreline on you and look to the next round. After watching Arsenal dismantle Palace and United squeek by West Ham it would be tempting to do so. Add to the mix that it’s a match at Highbury and it’s easy to look ahead. These matches are played on the weekend though and not on the pages of the internet, so here’s to the Gunners playing hard and taking care of business.
United are a South Yorkshire club who play their home matches at Bremmel Lane (I hope I spelled that right.) They currently sit 8th in the Championship and are outside the playoff round, for now. They hold a record of 13-9-9, but are actually better on the road, and one of the Championships best road squads. 8-3-4 on the road, it might help the Blades as they have to visit one of the most daunting stadia in England.
United hold a mediocre defense and should be without captian, Chris Morgan. His red card against West Ham should keep him out of the match. Paddy Kenny stands in goal and is probably the strongest member of the goal-stopping crew. He’s a fan favorite for his no nonsense approach and after last weekends shootout, he has more stock than ever. He managed blocks of Sheringham and Harewood to single handedly win the game for United.
There’s real strength in the midfield with some young talent. Tonge has been a Liverpool target all year and is an U/21 international. Andy Gray, the Scottish International, has 8 goals on the season and is the offensive focal point of the club. They possess a lot of energy and move the ball well amongst them.
The striking core would seem to be one man. Andy Liddell is a 31y/o Scotsman, who actually played for Barnsley when they were in the Premiership. He went to Wigan and scored a lot of goals, so the pressure was really on him when he arrived at United. He scored twice against Villa and scored the only goal on a beautiful set piece, against West Ham. He’s not the fastest player on the pitch but he has tons of experience that should not let him down in this big match.
The match against West Ham was the story of three clubs. United pressured for the first 25 minutes and played some of the most energetic football I’ve seen. After this culminated in a goal, United fell back to be an evenly matched opponent for West Ham. When the Hammers finally scored, United fell back to be a group of scared defenders fighting for their lives. The OT was more evenly matched. This sounds a lot like the Palace match where the energetic Palace players beat the Gunners to the ball for thirty minutes. After the first goal it was as if the flood gates were open and the goals came rushing in. I believe the same will occur here. The Gunners will be forced to fight for every ball but once it’s done, it’s done!
Arsenal 4-0 Sheffield United
6 Responses to “The Blades of Sheffield United”
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February 18th, 2005 at 9:38 am
Thanks again, KYGunner.
From what I read, a few things may be different than our match against Palace, mainly Wenger’s insistence that both Henry and Vieira sit out for Tuesday’s clash with Bayern. Cole is still sick and Campbell still hurt. I also read that Edu is out with a hamstring problem. Denny Boy will be in, though? Sorry, I mean Nigel?so let’s hope that the midfield can hold its own enough to get it to him frequently.
I see this as a lower scoring affair than Monday’s game as a result, even where Sheffield sit on the Championship table. 2-0. MAYBE a late consolation penalty. You know how generous we foreigners can be.
February 18th, 2005 at 10:27 am
I believe we are hitting our stride.
Little River Band says: “Ain’t Nothing Gonna Break My Stride, Ain’t Nothing Gonna Slow Me Down”
We will score early… all the pressure will be off, and we’ll end it quickly. Do you all remember those matches early last season… Arsenal scores early and often… game over in 30 minutes… excitement and any type of drama gone. Thats the way I see this one.
I don’t think Arsene will sit both Vieira AND Henry. I’d rather see BOTH play… and take them off at half time, when we lead 3-0.
Remember… we have Dennis Bergkamp. I know, I know… he’s not actually British… but I don’t really give a “blank” about that. I want to win trophies!
(so does Dennis)
We WIN!
3-0 to the Arsenal.
HEAVILY SUPPORTING EVERTON and NEWCASTLE to burst the United and Chelsea bubbles!
That would make my weekend!!!!
February 18th, 2005 at 10:41 am
I think Matthew Wilder sang that song, but I’m almost encouraged that you didn’t know that.
And Freddies’ back!
February 18th, 2005 at 12:31 pm
That ‘NIGEL BERGKINGHAM’ thing was just a rumor…I hope (DON’T TELL ME I HAVE TO CHANGE THE LETTERING ON ALL MY JERSEYS!). What am I suppose to do, have ‘HAM’ running down my sleeve!
MMMMMMMMMM…….HAM.
February 18th, 2005 at 5:11 pm
You are CORRECT Sir!
Matthew Wilder it was…
100 points for oldies musical tunes.
February 18th, 2005 at 11:15 pm
Oldies?
I guess I am getting old.
By the way, is Matthew Wilder British?