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It would have been ironic if Sheffield United club captain Chris Morgan was to make the headlines once again; this time for the right reasons - heading home from a corner in the 90th minute to clinch victory at Oakwell. This occurring would not only a dream but would leave a bitter taste in the mouths of the 'Super Reds' fans who will no doubt won't have forgotten the incidents of last seasons fixture.
The Blades won two-one in S71 a year to the day (8th November) with a double delight from hot shot James Beattie (now at Stoke City) but the highlight of the match didn't come from Beattie's opener; nor the sending off of duo Ugo Ehiogu and Anderson Silva but from the actions of former Tykes defender Chris Morgan.
Morgan allegedly elbowed Barnsley forward Iain Hume purposely as they both started to attack the ball, the former Tranmere Rovers and Leicester City striker was left with a fractured skull and took some time until he recovered.
Of course with legal preceding currently ongoing we wouldn't like to comment too much on this incident, however Hume has now recovered and is likely to feature somewhere in the Tykes team tomorrow night.
Sheffield United can be classed as nothing more than unfortunate as they slipped to their fourth consecutive defeat a week ago when they were outdone by what can be best described as a 'lucky' goal as Newcastle United left Bramall Lane with all three
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points.
The Red and White Wizards spurned a number of chances during the game with at times Toon shot stopper Steve Harper equally impressive, but the decisive blow came in the 54th minute; Kevin Nolan caught Kyle Walker in possession and found Ryan Taylor - he shot from distance which cannoned off the back of Morgan and spun cruelly into the net with keeper Ian Bennett stranded.
As a result of that tackle on Walker it left the youngster injured (crucial ligaments) and is unclear as to the length of time he will spend sidelined; meanwhile captain Chris Morgan was handed a booking against the Magpies - it was his 5th booking of the season and will now be suspended for this game at Barnsley. He will however return in our next fixture to face Peterborough United on 21 November at Bramall Lane.
The Blades will hop to Barnsley without keeper Paddy Kenny who was handed a nine month ban in early September and has since saw his appeal turn down - he will return in April 2010; on loan shot stopper Mark Bunn (Blackburn Rovers) is expected to take his place.
United, however will also be without strikers Jamie Ward (hamstring), midfielder Lee Williamson (back) who looks to require sugary after a pre-season out injured as well as Nick Montgomery (ligaments), Gary Speed (back) and Gary Naysmith (knee).
Jamie Ward, who almost signed for tomorrow's opponents before opting for the Blades last season could be back in action soon, it was first thought that he could be involved against the Tykes but (along with Nick Montgomery) looks set to return against Peterborough United in two weeks time.
Midfielder Lee Williamson has been included on the substitutes bench quite recently but whilst included in the squad and made his debut in the 3-0 defeat at Blackpool its been commented by Kevin Blackwell that the former Watford man isn't quite fit enough to make a full debut. Striker Henri Camara has come off the substitutes bench recently and he may make his full debut soon.
Blades boss Kevin Blackwell could feature two former Tykes against their old clubs; captain Chris Morgan (suspended) and winger Kyel Reid. Morgan, 32 came through the youth ranks at Oakwell - signing a professional contact in 1996, making his debut in a 6-0 defeat at West Ham United in January 1998 whilst in the Premier League.
The defender gradually went onto making 209 (+3) appearances and scored eight goals before signing for Sheffield United in July 2003 having being released by the Oakwell club.
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Reid came through the youth ranks at West Ham United, it's whilst he was at Upton Park that he moved to Oakwell on loan in November 2006 until the end of the season. He made his debut in a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town and scored his first goal the following game against Southend United (also sent-off); he also played on the final day of the season in a heavy 7-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion. In all he made 12 (+14) appearances for the Reds and scored twice.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Ian Bennett, Ryan France, Matthew Kilgallon (c), Andrew Davies, Jordan Stewart, Glen Little, Stephen Quinn, James Harper, Keith Treacy, Darius Henderson, Ched Evans.
| bennett | |||
| france | kilgallon (c) | davies | stewart |
| little | quinn | harper | treacy |
| henderson | evans | ||
Blades-Mad Prediction: Barnsley 1-1 Sheffield United
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:: Statistics ::
For Head to Head statistics please click here.
Last 10 Games... Home & Away
| Season | Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition |
| 2008/2009 | Tue 07 Apr | Sheff. Utd. | 2 - 1 | Barnsley | Championship |
| Sat 08 Nov | Barnsley | 1 - 2 | Sheff. Utd. | Championship | |
| 2007/2008 | Sat 22 Mar | Barnsley | 0 - 1 | Sheff. Utd. | Championship |
| Sat 15 Dec | Sheff. Utd. | 1 - 0 | Barnsley | Championship | |
| 2001/2002 | Sat 09 Mar | Barnsley | 1 - 1 | Sheff. Utd. | League Division One |
| Fri 14 Dec | Sheff. Utd. | 1 - 1 | Barnsley | League Division One | |
| 2000/2001 | Sat 07 Apr | Sheff. Utd. | 1 - 2 | Barnsley | League Division One |
| Sat 09 Dec | Barnsley | 0 - 0 | Sheff. Utd. | League Division One | |
| 1999/2000 | Tue 07 Mar | Sheff. Utd. | 3 - 3 | Barnsley | League Division One |
| Sat 06 Nov | Barnsley | 2 - 0 | Sheff. Utd. | League Division One |
| Head to Head Statistics... | Goals | |||||
| Venue | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against |
| Home | 29 | 15 | 8 | 6 | 52 | 28 |
| Away | 29 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 42 | 35 |
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Total |
58 | 25 | 19 | 14 | 94 | 63 |
* Statistics correct up to and including 01/08/2009
:: Match Officials ::
Referee: P. Dowd
Assistants: P. Thompson & J. Simpson
Fourth Official: A. Marriner