The Blades drew 4-4 with Exeter City in our meeting with the Grecians earlier in the season on 29 October; it was the first time that United had registered such a score line since 24 August 1996 when an exact result was registered with Birmingham City at Bramall Lane. The visitors had sprung into a two goal lead when a mix up involving Marcus Williams and young shot stopper George Long allowed former Barnsley striker Daniel Nardiello (9 minutes) to take advantage and slot home into an empty net before David Noble’s (23) long range shot deflected into the goal.
Williams made amends from his early error by setting up Matt Phillips (45) who pulled one back before the half time whistle blew. After the break the United fight back continued and was rewarded with good play when Billy Clarke (65) shot home his first goal for the club. United took the lead five minutes later to make the score 3-2 in favour of the Blades when Matt Lowton (70) hooked home after Harry Maguire headed goal wards from a corner.
Substitute John O’Flynn (82) headed over Long to pull back to 3-3 and moments later Phillips (85) looked to have secured the win when he slammed home Williams cross. But there was to be a twist in the tale when James Dunne (86) fired home from the angle to draw the match 4-4.
Sheffield United must win at St. James Park this Saturday and hope that Sheffield Wednesday either lose or draw against their opponents Wycombe Wanderers at Hillsborough in order to win automatic promotion; either way it is guaranteed that one Steel City club will play Championship football next season whilst the other could also join them via the play-offs. Both games will kick-off at 3:00pm tomorrow with both teams keeping a watchful eye on each others results.
A win against Stevenage in United's fixture (live on TV) last Saturday would have put them into poll position ahead of this weekends game but could only muster a 2-2 draw after coming from behind in a tense game. Joel Byron (31) and Scott Laird (47) both fired the visitors into a two-goal lead.
Changes were made with winger Ryan Flynn and Richard Cresswell (for Stephen Quinn and Chris Porter) entering the field and it paid dividends when the former Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City striker (63) headed the Blades a life-line, Chris Day in the Stevenage goal made good saves to keep the Blades at bay but there net was penetrated when Matt Lowton's (85) far-post volley flew into the net; 2-2. Despite further chances United couldn't find a winner.
Blades boss Danny Wilson could be without star defender Neill Collins after he limped off the field at the final whistle against Stevenage a week ago; unless the manager reverts to a flat back three then he could be replaced by former Crystal Palace man Johnny Ertl.
Meanwhile fellow defenders Lescinel Jean-Francois (knee) and Chris Morgan (knee) are both absent through injury whilst striker Will Hoskins is sidelined after an operation last weekend.
Probable Blades Line-Up:
| Simonsen | |||
| Lowton | Maguire | Collins | Taylor |
| Williamson | McDonald | Doyle (c) | Quinn |
| Cresswell | Beattie | ||
A heavy 4-1 defeat at Carlisle United last Saturday confirmed Exeter City's place in League Two next season; Francios Zoko netted twice, firstly in 34th minute before Exeter levelled through Liam Sercombe (35) before Jordan Cook (42) put the Cumbrians back on track. Liam Noble (51) doubled their lead but former Barnsley forward Daniel Nardiello (44) squandered his chance to dig their way into the game when he shot his spot-kick against the bar before Zoko (77) netted to seal the victory.
The Devon club could see Richard Duffy return to the starting eleven, as could Jonathan Fortune (hamstring) after returning from injury. However they are without Danny Coles (spine) through injury and veteran Jamie Cureton and Jake Taylor are deemed doubtful.
Grecians boss Paul Tisdale could field former Sheffield United defender Jonathan Fortune, 31 against his former club; he joined the Blades under the leadership of Kevin Blackwell in September 2009 on a free transfer (free agent) but had to wait until 9th November to make his debut in a 2-2 draw at Barnsley but was mostly a second-string player and made just 4 (+2) appearances and scored once in a 3-0 win over Reading before leaving the club in August 2010.
Blades-Mad Predictions:
Exeter City 0-2 Sheffield United
Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers