Five months ago the Blades faced Barnsley at Oakwell were the two teams shared a 2-2 draw, but from a Blades fans point of view it was a less than convincing performance. The scores were locked level at 0-0 at the break with United making two forced changes in the form of Matthew Kilgallon (for Derek Geary) and Ian Bennett (for Mark Bunn).
But it was the Tykes who found the back of the net first, Franca Anderson Silva (53 minutes) firing home from the edge of the area in a crowded box, but straight from the kick-off Keith Treacy weaved around the back four before slamming his shot against the post.
On 61 minutes United were handed a lifeline when Ched Evans was judged to have been tripped in the box by keeper Luke Steele; up stepped Darius Henderson who hammered the ball home - but Daniel Bogdanovic (74) was left unmarked to hand Barnsley a 2-1 lead. It was the former Watford strikers seventh goal of the season, and his fourth goal in the previous three outings.
But it was deja vu for the Colliers as another penalty was awarded; Adam Hammill this time the culprit when he needlessly
tripped Kyle Walker - Henderson again finishing off the spot kick.
For those who are interested in statistics it was the Blades fifth straight game without defeat against the Tykes (home and away), whilst it was the fourth consecutive penalty awarded for either team in the previous three fixtures between the two clubs.
Former Blades striker James Beattie (now Stoke City) converted his penalty in the 2-1 win at Oakwell last season, whist Jamal Campbell-Ryce saw his penalty saved by Paddy Kenny at Bramall Lane the same season; and of course that leaves the two penalties hammered home by Darius Henderson earlier this season.
Also, Barnsley forward Daniel Bogdanovic has scored in two South Yorkshire derbies in a row between United and the Tykes. One other statistic to bring you is that the results over the previous two seasons have been relatively the same; during the course of the 2007/08 campaign the Blades won both fixtures 1-0 whilst last season recorded 2-1 victories at both grounds, is this season set up for a 2-2 draw at the Lane?
The Blades come into this game on back of a 1-0 home defeat to Scunthorpe United last Sunday; Paul Hayes (45) goal shortly before half-time marked the home sides first defeat at Bramall Lane in 2010; they hadn't lost on home soil since 2 November when they lost by the same score line to Newcastle United - twelve games ago.
United welcomed back strikers Darius Henderson and Henri Camara in that defeat to the Iron; although Camara (groin) came off the substitute's bench and was later replaced due to injury. Former Watford forward Henderson completed a full 90 minutes.
They will also be without Jamie Ward (hamstring), Ched Evans (broken collarbone), Derek Geary (ankle), Gary Naysmith (hamstring) and Ryan France (leg). Meanwhile skipper Chris Morgan (calf) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season - Nick Montgomery should deputise as club captain.
Blades boss Kevin Blackwell has two former Reds players on his books, skipper Chris Morgan (injured) and winger Kyel Reid - though the latter is currently on loan to Charlton Athletic.
Reid spent time at the Oakwell club in a six month loan deal from West Ham United, he was signed in November 2006 and made his Reds debut in a 1-0 home win over Ipswich Town, though he scored and was sent off in the following fixture with Southend United. In total he made a total of 12 (+14) appearances and scored twice for the S71 club.
Barnsley born skipper Chris Morgan came through the youth ranks at Oakwell - signing a professional contract in August 1996, though he didn't make his debut until January 1998 when the Tykes lost 6-0 at West Ham United in the Premier League. He made a total of 109 (+3) appearances for the club and scored eight goals.
Blades Last Line-Up (28/03/2010 vs. Scunthorpe United): 23. Steve Simonsen, 31. Paul Connolly, 21. Kyle Bartley, 06. Nyron Nosworthy, 16. Andy Taylor, 11. Mark Yeates, 04. Nick Montgomery, 15. James Harper, 28. Stephen Quinn, 17. Richard Cresswell, 07. Darius Henderson. Substitutes: 37. Henri Camara, 25. Glen Little, 34. Matthew Lowton, 13. Ian Bennett, 12. Lee Williamson, 33. Jonathan Fortune, 20. Marcel Seip.
Possible Blades Line-Up:
simonsen | |||
connolly | bartley | nosworthy | taylor |
yeates | Montgomery (c) | harper | quinn |
cresswell | henderson | ||
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2-0 Barnsley
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:: Statistics ::
For Head to Head statistics please click here.
Last 10 Games... Home & Away
Season | Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition |
2009/2010 | Mon 09 Nov | Barnsley | Sheff Utd. | Championship | |
2008/2009 | Tue 07 Apr | Sheff. Utd. | Barnsley | Championship | |
Sat 08 Nov | Barnsley | Sheff. Utd. | Championship | ||
2007/2008 | Sat 22 Mar | Barnsley | Sheff. Utd. | Championship | |
Sat 15 Dec | Sheff. Utd. | Barnsley | Championship | ||
2001/2002 | Sat 09 Mar | Barnsley | Sheff. Utd. | League Division One | |
Fri 14 Dec | Sheff. Utd. | 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 |
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 |
Total | 58 | 25 | 19 | 14 | 94 | 63 |
* Statistics correct up to and including 01/08/2009