Sheffield United dropped deep into the mire when they lost by one goal to nil at home to Preston North End last weekend. Duo Marlon King and Ryan Hall both made their debut, the performance was better but United still slipped to their fifth defeat in a row and Stuart Beavon's second half strike ended a 35 year losing duck at Bramall lane. The defeat keeps United in the bottom four.
Their five match losing streak isn't a record (but aren't find behind), between 19 August and 20 September 1975, under the leadership of Ken Furphy the Blades lost seven First Division matches against; Arsenal (1-3), Manchester United (1-5), Everton (0-3), Leeds United (0-2), Liverpool (0-1), Coventry City (0-1) and West Ham United (0-2) - only a 2-1 home win over Burnley, there first of the season stopped the rot. United changed managers via Jimmy Sirrel's appointment but defeats continued and didn't win another league fixture until 14 February and despite a late surge in the final six games were duly relegated.
Blades boss David Weir will be without striker Shaun Miller (knee) and forward Jamie Murphy (leg) through injury.
Blades manager David Weir will likely field defenders Neill Collins and Matt Hill to face their former club. Scottish born Collins joined Wolves from Sunderland in a £150,000 transfer in January 2007 following a successful two months loan. He made his debut on Boxing Day (2006) in a 2-0 victory at Derby County. He netted against United two years later in a 1-1 draw as he played a vital part in Wolves promotion to the Premier League. In January 2010 he joined Preston North End following a loan spell. He left the Midlands club have made 87 (+10) appearances and scored 9 goals.
Hill signed for the 'Old Gold' in September 2008 from Preston, he made his debut in a 3-0 home win over Derby County and like Collins was part of the side which won promotion into the top flight. He was barely used in the Premiership and joined QPR on loan before, in October 2010 he signed for Barnsley on a free transfer. He made a total of 16 (+1) appearances without scoring.
Wolves have made a good start to the season despite their back-to-back relegation chaos which has seen them dropped from the Premier League down two leagues into League One in the space of two years. They have lost just once in the league after been outdone by local rivals Walsall by a goal to nil a fortnights ago and thus proving that Molineux isn't as much an impossible place to visit for the travelling team.
They were in action at Shrewsbury Town last weekend, they set a new ground record attendance of 9,510 at the Shrews Prostar Stadium, and it was also the first time home manger Graham Turner faced his former club since he left in 1994. In controversial style the Wolves won 1-0, Bakary Sako netting a penalty six minutes from time following an alleged handball on the line.
The Molineux club were hopeful to see one time Blades target Sam Ricketts (knee) fit for last weekend’s clash but failed a fitness test and is likely to be doubtful also this Saturday. Former Reading striker Kevin Doyle (thigh) and Leigh Griffiths (ankle) may also be ruled out through injury.
Wolves boss Kenny Jackett is likely to field trio Carl Ikeme, Danny Batth and Kevin McDonald to face their former club. Keeper Ikeme joined the Blades on a month’s loan (from Wolves) amidst a keeper crisis in November 2009 with Paddy Kenny on a season’s long ban and Ian Bennett injured. He played just twice for United, his debut - a dramatic 3-2 win at Bristol City were Darius Henderson scored a hat-trick and his second a 1-0 win at Plymouth Argyle, both away from Bramall Lane.
Defender Batth played just 5 minutes of professional football for the Blades after joining on a month’s loan from the Molineux club in November 2010, he appeared as a substitute during a 1-0 home win over Swansea City. Last season he spent a season’s long loan at rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
McDonald (Midfielder) was signed by Danny Wilson in August 2011 on a free transfer following his release from Burnley. He made his United debut at home to Brentford (won 2-0) and was an instrumental player in the two full seasons he played at the Lane. He scored on the opening day of the 2013/14 season at home to Nott's County before completing a full transfer to the Molineux club for an undisclosed fee in August 2013. He made a total of 89 (+2) appearances and scored 5 goals with the Blades.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Sheffield United