|
The Blades last game was on Saturday as they traveled to Madejski Stadium and beat a Reading team 2-0 who had yet to concede a goal in seven games. On-loan defender Jon Harley scored the first goal after weaving in and out around the Royals defenders before slotting past Marcus Hehnemann. Peter Ndlovu crossed in for the second goal as Windass beat off his marker to head home.
Missing from the 2-0 victory against Reading was Michael Brown who was injured and had to be replaced by Nick Montgomery, we are unsure if Brown will be fit but if not we imagine that Montgomery will once again be given a first team place.
Dean Windass will be defiantly be missing as he played his last game for United last Saturday, Neil Warnock is going to try and sign the player again but even if he does get him in time for Palace match he will still not be able to play as he is cup-tied. Also cup-tied is striker Steve Kabba who was signed for £250,000 from Palace in November this year.
Goal hero Jon Harley, who is also on-loan could be told by Fulham manager Jean Tigiana that he can not play but as Tigiana let him play in the game against Sunderland it is very likely that Harley will play on Tuesday night.
Possible Line-Up (4-4-2): Paddy Kenny, Phil Jagielka, Shaun Murphy, Robert Page, Jon Harley, Peter Ndlovu, Stuart McCall, Nick Montgomery, Michael Tonge, Wayne Allison, Carl Asaba.
While United were battering Reading 2-0, Palace were winning 2-0 as well. They beat play-off hopefulls Norwich City at Selhurst Park, it took Adebola just six minutes to score. Danny Granvilles over head kick found Black who's near post cross found Adebola who finished
|
with style. The second came when Shaun Derry found Granville on wing, his inch prestige cross found the head of Tommy Black who found the back of the net.
At the end of last week Palace were hit with a bug that has swept throughout the team. Alreday injured, Matt Clarke as picked up the bug has as Hayden Mullins (he has now recovered) and Kit Symons. Shaun Derry had the bug too but he soon recovered in time to face the Canaries.
Kit Symons has a foot injury, which means that if he does recover from the bug then the foot injury may mean that he will miss the game on Tuesday. Andy Johnson (ankle) and Eagles star Wayne Routledge (thigh) may also miss the cup clash.
Julian Gray (tonsillitis) was passed fit last Friday but came on as a substitute against Norwich, this could mean that he may start as well. In mid-week goalkeeper Credrick Berthelin made his debut in their 2-0 victory over Leyton Orient in the reserves which means he could start against the Blades, however Trevor Francis still has Latvian International Alex Kolinko and on-loan from Burley is Nik Michopoulos which means there is quite a choice of goalkeepers for one team.
During that Norwich match Tony Popovic picked a slight injury, but it is believed that it is enough to rule him out against United. Also missing is ex-Leeds United defender Danny Granville who is suspended for three games. Dougie Freedman missed the trip to Bramall Lane last time through injury, however he is yet to recover and will miss the trip again.
Possible Line-Up (5-3-2): Alexandrs Kolinko, Danny Butterfield, Kit Symons, Darren Powell, Haydn Mullins, Gary Borrowdale, Aki Riihilahti, Tommy Black, Shaun Derry (former Blade), Dele Adebola, Andy Johnson.
Blades-Mad would like to thank Crystal Palace fan Chris Winter for supplying me information about the Eagles team.
Our last meeting against Palace was the other week on 30th November where United won 2-1. It was the Blades who scored first when Steve Kabba worked his way on right hand side only for Windass to slot home after Kabba's square ball bang on half-time. Finish International Aki Riihilahti scored the equalizer on the 69th minute when Adebola put him through. However the match winner came from Wayne Allison in the last minute when Asaba's low cross found The Chief who chipped over keeper Kolinko.
Prediction: Blades fans must think this game is nothing more than a formality but sadly it isn't. United will have to work really hard at this game but I believe that in the end it will pay off and a Semi-Final tie could be ours.