Both the Blades supporters and boss Nigel Adkins will be searching for a quick turn around following a humiliating defeat to the hands of Shrewsbury Town last Tuesday night. The defeat marked the clubs' 500th league defeat at Bramall Lane since entering the Football League in 1892.
You have to go back to the 20th October to find a United victory in the league. As well as the defeat in midweek the Blades have also racked up disappointing results against; Millwall (1-2), Crewe Alexandra (0-1), Southend United (2-2) and last Saturday at Walsall (1-1), though some may add that a draw at the Banks Stadium was a respectable result. Needless to say, a run of five games without a victory now leaves the S2 club 12th in the table and 5 points behind 6th placed Bradford City.
Sheffield United have now gone five Sky Bet League One games without a win after Shrewsbury stunned them 4-2 at Bramall Lane. Conor Sammon broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when he added the finishing touch to a piercing pass from Jose Baxter, but that was as good as it got for the Blades with the visitors seizing control thereafter. Crystal Palace loanee Sullay Kaikai kicked off the fightback, cutting in from the left hand side and unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of George Long's goal.
Moments later, United failed to clear and Ian Black was on hand to fire home his side's second. As the home crowd's discontent grew, Shrewsbury furthered United's woes as Scott Vernon was left with an easy tap in after 35 minutes following neat play by Kaikai and Junior Brown on the left hand side.
Shrewsbury continued their good work after the break, with Captain James Collins finishing off a swift counter attack after 48 minutes. A well-placed header from Dean Hammond in the 65th minute proved to be a mere consolation for the shell-shocked hosts.
Following the midweek defeat, it is likely that Blades boss Nigel Adkins makes charges to his starting line-up and could include former Barnsley forwards Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Matt Done, along with defender David Edgar who appeared as a second half substitute on Tuesday. Meanwhile full-back John Brayford (ligaments) has recovered well from injury and may make the bench.
Possible Blades Line-Up (4-4-2);
Long
Freeman - Edgar - Collins - Harris
Campbell-Ryce - Basham (c) - Baxter - Adams
Sammon - Sharp
Blades-Mad Prediction: Barnsley 0 Sheffield United 1
