The Blades drew 1-1 at Glanford Park last Saturday but for the traveling Blades will be seen more as a point gained rather than points lost in what a traditional disappointment against our M18 rivals. United made hard work of there point despite playing a reasonable game, they were reduced to ten men however when captain Michael Doyle (15 minutes) was dismissed for allegedly stamping on forward Mike Grella before, in the second half former Sheffield Wednesday striker Leon Clarke (60) headed home.
Matters where made worse by the visitors when they were reduced to nine men after winger Ryan Flynn's (72) high foot challenge was seen red by referee Steven Rushton but the Blades soldered on and came very close when Neil Collins header crashed against the bar, he was to get his moment of glory and score his second goal of the season when a timed free-kick was headed home by the defender (83) moments from time.
In last seasons encounters against the Shakers the Blades made great account of themselves; scoring seven goals without reply against the Lancashire club. In our game at Bramall Lane on 3 September Chris Porter, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Matt Lowton and Erik Tonne all scored in a 4-0 thrashing whilst at Gigg Lane on 14 January; Richard Cresswell, Ched Evans and Lee Williamson all scored second half goals in a 3-0 win. Repeat score-lines this season would do nicely.
Blades boss Danny Wilson had lodged appeals into the sending offs of both Doyle and Flynn abut were both rejected, the duo will be forced to miss this weekend's fixture with Bury along with games against Doncaster Rovers (h) and at Yeovil Town (a) and will be made available again for selection at home to Nott's County. Loan replacements may be sought after but David McAllister and Joe Ironside may take they place.
However, Leicester City striker Paul Gallagher has been brought in on a months loan and is likely to make his debut this weekend, meanwhile Dave Kitson and Darryl Westlake could also make there Blades debuts against the Shakers.
Blades boss Danny Wilson is likely to name striker Chris Porter somewhere in his sixteen man squad to face his former club. He started his football career with the Gigg Lane club, signing professional terms in March 2003. He made his league debut the same month in a 0-0 draw at Macclesfield Town as a substitute. The following (2003/04) season he went onto become a regular in the team and netted his first goal in a 3-2 home defeat to Scunthorpe United and went onto score ten goals in total that campaign. He netted a further ten goals the following season before in June 2005 signed for rival Lancashire club Oldham Athletic In total he made 54 (+24) appearances for the shakers and netted 20 goals.
Bury lay 23rd in the League One table after a unhappy start which has failed to see them win any of there league matches to date this season. They have two points to there tally following draws against Brentford (0-0) and at Coventry City (2-2) despite the signing of veteran striker David Healy. Defeats to Doncaster Rovers, Nott's County and in last weekend's local derby at home to Preston North End has left them firmly in the preverbal bottom four.
The Shakers caretaker boss Peter Shirtliff (formerly a player with Sheffield Wednesday) has no injury concerns to deal with after forward David Healy and defender Efe Sodje both recovered from injury to be involved in last weeks loss to North End.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2-0 Bury
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