v Sheffield Utd (a) - 23/2/22 - Match Preview

[Herbie6590]

I stepped off the train, made my way out of the station, reached for the map in my pocket showing the location of Courtwood House; carried out some quick calculations and decided to walk.
Time was on my side and I could save the taxi money to put towards an LP. I was fifteen years old and on my way for my first ever interview. It was with Midland Bank… “The Listening Bank” - ask your grandparents -  applying for entrance into their graduate scheme. I was far from confident. Frankly, I felt as welcome as David Dunn visiting “The Royal Dyche” for a swift half and couldn’t wait for the ordeal to be over and soon to be on the earliest train home. That was the first time I had ever set foot in Sheffield and had it been the last, I would have been neither surprised nor concerned.

 

  

Fast forward fourteen years or so, I’m standing in the ballroom of the Royal Victoria Hotel in Sheffield, delivering my groom’s speech. I’d married a Yorkshire lass and Sheffield was now always going to be a significant part of my history; notwithstanding that at this point I lived in the West Midlands.

 

Sheffield’s claws were now in me. Visits to the in-laws meant trips to Meadowhall and if I played a shrewd strategic game, could be timed conveniently to “coincide” with away games at Hillsborough and Bramall Lane…how fortunate ?

By 2007, we’d moved both jobs and house. Birmingham was firmly in the rear-view mirror and Sheffield now became my home, as it remains to this very day. As a Lancastrian, I never expected ever to settle in South Yorkshire; but as I reflect for this piece, Sheffield has constantly appeared at significant junctions in my life…destiny perhaps ? 

If I’m being scrupulously honest; I’ve never felt more at home anywhere, than I do here.. 

I’d secured the Midland Bank gig, I’d married a Sheffield girl and as my Twitter bio proclaims…I’m now an “exiled Lancastrian undertaking important missionary work in South Yorkshire”.  As luck would have it, there is a little cluster of Rovers fans in this neck of the woods. We provide mutual succour and comfort to each other and when circumstances allow; we travel to Ewood together, meet up at away games and chew the cud on social media.

So it is that on 23rd February, I will proudly welcome my fellow Roverites to the Steel City and we will descend on Bramall Lane keen to secure three vital points.

Sheffield has suffered during the Covid lockdown. Many of our favourite shops have closed. The exit of John Lewis especially, being felt much like a death in the family. At least some of my favourite bars, restaurants and venues have somehow battled to keep heads above water and all being well, will survive and hopefully thrive.
 

If you’re arriving by train, visit the Sheffield Tap on platform 1 of the station. If you’re arriving by car (& not driving of course), the best selection of ales close to Bramall Lane is probably “The Beer Engine” on Cemetery Road. Most folks won’t have time on a Wednesday evening, but if you ever find yourself in Sheffield with more leisure time, check out the Kelham Island district in the city; especially The Cutlery Works, the Kelham Island Tavern and if you like pizzas and real ale, Craft & Dough.

 

From a footballing perspective, the city has seen the Owls spending more time fighting financial meltdown of late than footballing foes; whilst the Blades rose to the Premier League, taking the division by storm, only then to implode and drop back to the Championship. A period of readjustment now seems to have calmed things down, thanks to the appointment of former Barnsley & Leeds Utd boss Paul Heckingbottom.

In his enjoyable sporting memoirs, Michael Parkinson often used a generic name of “Arthur Strongitharm” to describe an all-purpose composite Yorkshireman; presumably to avoid legal issues with some of his more ascerbic pen portraits. Ignoring that fictional name and with the possible exception of Arnie Sidebottom, is there a more stereotypical Yorkshire sporting name ?

Legend has it that the Blades tend to attract the working-class Sheffielder, whilst the Owls are viewed as the more aspirational, middle-class club. Whichever opponent, Rovers have suffered some heartbreak in the Steel City over the years; the most memorable recent victories tending to come at Hillsborough rather than Bramall Lane.

The (if you believe it) working-class Blades have traditionally proved to be obdurate opponents and similar can be expected this February. The victory at Ewood earlier this season after *that* Fulham game, proved to be a catalyst for a sustained run of positive results which catapulted Rovers into automatic promotion contention. The New Year however, has served only to pour cold water on those heady dreams. Poor recent form means that Rovers really need to secure a decent Bramall Lane result this time, else the great work of November and December will turn us into footballing Bullseye contestants… “Look at what you *could* have won…”

The form table after the draw at The Hawthorns certainly calls out the size of the task ahead for Rovers. A re-energised and re-invigorated United are seemingly starting the sort of late season surge that can easily propel a team to the play-offs. We all know the challenges that Rovers currently face in the goal scoring department and given the Blades’ defensive record, this match in the Steel City requires Rovers to be on their mettle.

,  

With a hat tip to my fellow Sheffield-based Roverite Mike Delap - here’s a list of alumni of the two clubs…

Kevin Arnott

James Beattie

Marcus Bent

Alan  Birchenall

Nick Blackman

Nathan Blake

David Bradford

Viv Busby

Harry Chapman

Gordon Cowans

Tony Field 

 

 

Garry Flitcroft

Paul Gallagher

Terry Garbett

Keith Gillespie

Mick Heaton

Alan Kelly

Andy Kennedy

Matt Kilgallon

Jay McEveley

Nicky Marker

Andy Morrison

Mark Patterson

Neil Ramsbottom

Jack Rodwell

Craig Short

Mick Speight

Phil Starbuck 

Jon Stead

Keith Treacy

Lee Williamson

Alan Wright

 

Sheffield has many positive attributes that I find endearing - if United could afford us the sort of warm welcome that Wednesday managed in January 2020, then I’m sure many fellow Roverites would enjoy the city every bit as much as I do. 😊  #COYB

 

[Darrenbot]

If you could give 2 likes for a match Preview then this would be the one to give it to.Top notch preview there Herbie.

If we can win at an inform Sheff U on Wed with the run their on and with no goalscoring forward in our team and being on SKY which we never play well on,it'll go down as one of Mowbrays best wins with us.Teams all around us will keep dropping points so taking points off  another up with us  is doubly important.we just need to get out of this funk were in and 1 win could kickstart our season again however unlikely that'll be in Sheffield.

[roversfan99]

Very tough game. Suspect Mowbray will go with the same team as named today. Id swap Dolan for Buckley and Hedges for Khadra or even Gallagher and play on the counter attack.

[47er]

28 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Very tough game. Suspect Mowbray will go with the same team as named today. Id swap Dolan for Buckley and Hedges for Khadra or even Gallagher and play on the counter attack.

What would Hedges offer that Khadra doesn't?

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

He might be able to get his head up and pick out a pass.

[rigger]

That picture of Tony Field sent a shiver down my spine. 4 points from the next two games is what is required, if we have hopes of second place,

[G Somerset Rover]

The single worst fixture we could have right now given the run we’re on. They are the leagues form team and look pretty formidable opposition, especially at home. We couldn’t hit a barn door, BBD is out for a while, and our friends at Sky are showing it again. Surely the tide has to turn at some point? I really think it’s important we don’t lose, and have a feeling we may spring a surprise:

Sheff Utd 0 Rovers 1

Edited February 20, 2022 by Gavlar Somerset Rover!

[speedies gonna get ya.]

Brilliant preview. A point is far from a disaster. If we can keep it tight and nick a scrappy winner that would be perfect. 

[Dan]

Brilliant preview!! 
 

I don’t think we’ve a cat in hells chance. Knowing Rovers, we’ll nick a win and keep the hope that will eventually kill us going. 

Edited February 20, 2022 by Dan

[Upside Down]

On 14/02/2022 at 08:16, Herbie6590 said:

I stepped off the train, made my way out of the station, reached for the map in my pocket showing the location of Courtwood House; carried out some quick calculations and decided to walk.
Time was on my side and I could save the taxi money to put towards an LP. I was fifteen years old and on my way for my first ever interview. It was with Midland Bank… “The Listening Bank” - ask your grandparents -  applying for entrance into their graduate scheme. I was far from confident. Frankly, I felt as welcome as David Dunn visiting “The Royal Dyche” for a swift half and couldn’t wait for the ordeal to be over and soon to be on the earliest train home. That was the first time I had ever set foot in Sheffield and had it been the last, I would have been neither surprised nor concerned.

 

  

Fast forward fourteen years or so, I’m standing in the ballroom of the Royal Victoria Hotel in Sheffield, delivering my groom’s speech. I’d married a Yorkshire lass and Sheffield was now always going to be a significant part of my history; notwithstanding that at this point I lived in the West Midlands.

 

Sheffield’s claws were now in me. Visits to the in-laws meant trips to Meadowhall and if I played a shrewd strategic game, could be timed conveniently to “coincide” with away games at Hillsborough and Bramall Lane…how fortunate ?

By 2007, we’d moved both jobs and house. Birmingham was firmly in the rear-view mirror and Sheffield now became my home, as it remains to this very day. As a Lancastrian, I never expected ever to settle in South Yorkshire; but as I reflect for this piece, Sheffield has constantly appeared at significant junctions in my life…destiny perhaps ? 

If I’m being scrupulously honest; I’ve never felt more at home anywhere, than I do here.. 

I’d secured the Midland Bank gig, I’d married a Sheffield girl and as my Twitter bio proclaims…I’m now an “exiled Lancastrian undertaking important missionary work in South Yorkshire”.  As luck would have it, there is a little cluster of Rovers fans in this neck of the woods. We provide mutual succour and comfort to each other and when circumstances allow; we travel to Ewood together, meet up at away games and chew the cud on social media.

So it is that on 23rd February, I will proudly welcome my fellow Roverites to the Steel City and we will descend on Bramall Lane keen to secure three vital points.

Sheffield has suffered during the Covid lockdown. Many of our favourite shops have closed. The exit of John Lewis especially, being felt much like a death in the family. At least some of my favourite bars, restaurants and venues have somehow battled to keep heads above water and all being well, will survive and hopefully thrive.
 

If you’re arriving by train, visit the Sheffield Tap on platform 1 of the station. If you’re arriving by car (& not driving of course), the best selection of ales close to Bramall Lane is probably “The Beer Engine” on Cemetery Road. Most folks won’t have time on a Wednesday evening, but if you ever find yourself in Sheffield with more leisure time, check out the Kelham Island district in the city; especially The Cutlery Works, the Kelham Island Tavern and if you like pizzas and real ale, Craft & Dough.

 

From a footballing perspective, the city has seen the Owls spending more time fighting financial meltdown of late than footballing foes; whilst the Blades rose to the Premier League, taking the division by storm, only then to implode and drop back to the Championship. A period of readjustment now seems to have calmed things down, thanks to the appointment of former Barnsley & Leeds Utd boss Paul Heckingbottom.

In his enjoyable sporting memoirs, Michael Parkinson often used a generic name of “Arthur Strongitharm” to describe an all-purpose composite Yorkshireman; presumably to avoid legal issues with some of his more ascerbic pen portraits. Ignoring that fictional name and with the possible exception of Arnie Sidebottom, is there a more stereotypical Yorkshire sporting name ?

Legend has it that the Blades tend to attract the working-class Sheffielder, whilst the Owls are viewed as the more aspirational, middle-class club. Whichever opponent, Rovers have suffered some heartbreak in the Steel City over the years; the most memorable recent victories tending to come at Hillsborough rather than Bramall Lane.

The (if you believe it) working-class Blades have traditionally proved to be obdurate opponents and similar can be expected this February. The victory at Ewood earlier this season after *that* Fulham game, proved to be a catalyst for a sustained run of positive results which catapulted Rovers into automatic promotion contention. The New Year however, has served only to pour cold water on those heady dreams. Poor recent form means that Rovers really need to secure a decent Bramall Lane result this time, else the great work of November and December will turn us into footballing Bullseye contestants… “Look at what you *could* have won…”

The form table after the draw at The Hawthorns certainly calls out the size of the task ahead for Rovers. A re-energised and re-invigorated United are seemingly starting the sort of late season surge that can easily propel a team to the play-offs. We all know the challenges that Rovers currently face in the goal scoring department and given the Blades’ defensive record, this match in the Steel City requires Rovers to be on their mettle.

,  

With a hat tip to my fellow Sheffield-based Roverite Mike Delap - here’s a list of alumni of the two clubs…

Kevin Arnott

James Beattie

Marcus Bent

Alan  Birchenall

Nick Blackman

Nathan Blake

David Bradford

Viv Busby

Harry Chapman

Gordon Cowans

Tony Field 

 

 

Garry Flitcroft

Paul Gallagher

Terry Garbett

Keith Gillespie

Mick Heaton

Alan Kelly

Andy Kennedy

Matt Kilgallon

Jay McEveley

Nicky Marker

Andy Morrison

Mark Patterson

Neil Ramsbottom

Jack Rodwell

Craig Short

Mick Speight

Phil Starbuck 

Jon Stead

Keith Treacy

Lee Williamson

Alan Wright

 

Sheffield has many positive attributes that I find endearing - if United could afford us the sort of warm welcome that Wednesday managed in January 2020, then I’m sure many fellow Roverites would enjoy the city every bit as much as I do. 😊  #COYB

 

Well there is no way that I can possibly compose a post that is anwhere near the excellence and eloquence of this so I've no choice but to go in the opposite direction.

 

 

Cum un r0VeR5 🤓

[lraC]

Great preview Herbie. The picture of Tony Field brought back some Childhood memories and a bit of heartbreak. He was one of my first heroes and I remember him also being, one of the first players to be transferred, whilst I was a young fan. Relying on my memory rather than looking it up, I think  we lost the boss, Ken Furphy to the Blades, who then came back and raided the club.

Other things that spring to mind when I think of the blades, is the FA Cup quarter final defeat there on penalties and also a couple of friends who have played for them.

Hope we can get something, but do fear the worst on Wednesday. A draw would keep them at arms length and a win would be wonderful. A scabby 0-1 against the run of play please and a return to our winning run, will go down nicely.

[martonrover]

5 hours ago, Upside Down said:

Well there is no way that I can possibly compose a post that is anwhere near the excellence and eloquence of this so I've no choice but to go in the opposite direction.

 

 

Cum un r0VeR5 🤓

That’s like a Rovers Facebook Group post 😉

[Mattyblue]

Great stuff Herbie.

Real football city is Sheffield, even when both clubs are outside the top flight (way outside in SWFC’s case) they still muster 50000+ crowds between them.

Yet, as a place it gets zero recognition as such, in contrast to those two other similar cities that happen to just have the one club, but are deemed as unique hotbeds of passion.

Edited February 20, 2022 by Mattyblue

[arbitro]

Great preview Ian.

I really like Sheffield. I like the accent and The Full Monty still makes me laugh. A few of my refereeing colleagues were from Sheffield and they were always solid and supportive whilst never afraid to speak their minds. I normally like to see both teams doing well but on Wednesday (no pun) we are in for one he'll of a tough game. Hopefully we can sneak a win but if you offered a draw now I'd snatch your hand off.

[Herbie6590]

1 hour ago, lraC said:

Great preview Herbie. The picture of Tony Field brought back some Childhood memories and a bit of heartbreak. He was one of my first heroes and I remember him also being, one of the first players to be transferred, whilst I was a young fan. Relying on my memory rather than looking it up, I think  we lost the boss, Ken Furphy to the Blades, who then came back and raided the club.

Other things that spring to mind when I think of the blades, is the FA Cup quarter final defeat there on penalties and also a couple of friends who have played for them.

Hope we can get something, but do fear the worst on Wednesday. A draw would keep them at arms length and a win would be wonderful. A scabby 0-1 against the run of play please and a return to our winning run, will go down nicely.

Furphy, Field, Garbett & “first £1m footballer” David Bradford of course. They all went on to have careers in the NASL, I think with NY Cosmos at the time Pele was there.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6130493.ewood-youngster-might-made-history/

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, Herbie6590 said:

Furphy, Field, Garbett & “first £1m footballer” David Bradford of course. They all went on to have careers in the NASL, I think with NY Cosmos at the time Pele was there.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6130493.ewood-youngster-might-made-history/

I was browsing the racks in TK Maxx a few years back, what should I see but a modern copy of that very shirt that Pele is wearing in that photograph. I just had to buy it. The colour is green. It was the “ away “ shirt. A few weeks later I came across the white “ home “ shirt. I got that as well.

Edited February 20, 2022 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[chaddyrovers]

Heckingbottom has done a good job there since taking over from Jokanovic. He has gone back to a formation and style that suits the players there. Jokanovic seems not to want to play that way. From what I have read he was never the first choice there. 

Its will be very tough game and we need to be defensive solid and make sure we kept Billy Sharp quiet. 

Would I make any changes to the team that was meant to play against Millwall? probably bring in Dolan for Khadra. Dolan speed and closing down their back 3 players will force mistakes from them and it how was capitalise on them by scoring. 

My team

Kaminski; Lenihan, Van Hecke, Wharton; Nyambe Travis Rothwell, Pickering; Buckley; Dolan, Gallagher

[Gav]

@Herbie6590 

Great preview as many have said, but I have to take issue with you not mentioning The Fat Cat, a Sheffield institution, just round the corner from The Kelham Island Tavern, what are you thinking? 😉

https://www.thefatcat.co.uk/

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

Heckingbottom has done a good job there since taking over from Jokanovic. He has gone back to a formation and style that suits the players there. Jokanovic seems not to want to play that way. From what I have read he was never the first choice there. 

Its will be very tough game and we need to be defensive solid and make sure we kept Billy Sharp quiet. 

Would I make any changes to the team that was meant to play against Millwall? probably bring in Dolan for Khadra. Dolan speed and closing down their back 3 players will force mistakes from them and it how was capitalise on them by scoring. 

My team

Kaminski; Lenihan, Van Hecke, Wharton; Nyambe Travis Rothwell, Pickering; Buckley; Dolan, Gallagher

That’d be my team I think.

[Herbie6590]

1 hour ago, Gav said:

@Herbie6590 

Great preview as many have said, but I have to take issue with you not mentioning The Fat Cat, a Sheffield institution, just round the corner from The Kelham Island Tavern, what are you thinking? 😉

https://www.thefatcat.co.uk/

Sheffield is not short of great pubs…this is definitely one of them

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

10 minutes ago, Herbie6590 said:

Sheffield is not short of great pubs…this is definitely one of them

I remember going over there once on business about 30 years ago and in the middle of this huge empty area that had obviously been the site of an enormous factory there was this little pub stood on it’s own. The guy I was with said that it kept different opening hours to the rest of the country so the steel workers coming off shift could get a drink.

Was that right ?

Edited February 20, 2022 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[1864roverite]

Great preview 👍 will be in Mexico on Wednesday celebrating my birthday hoping to wake up with a victory and 3 points however the reality is we are misfiring which will probably cost us the points

[only2garners]

That preview could easily have been mine, albeit many years earlier. I went to Sheffield in October 1971 to university, also describing my trip as missionary work. I stayed on in 1974 first driving a van and then got a graduate post which then got me transferred first to the West Midlands but only 9 months later back to Liverpool and then back to living at home. If I had taken a different job I might still be there. Thoroughly enjoyed my time there and met the lady who is now my wife.

In Freshers week in 1971 a few of us went to Hillsborough with some free tickets to see Wednesday and I still have a soft spot for them because of that. One of those who went that day was and is a Sunderland supporter (he was hard to live with in 1973) (and he also worked pretty much all his working life for the Midland Bank and is still in Sheffield). Two of the others didn't really have a team but have been Wednesday season ticket holders for most of the intervening period.

I felt a deep connection with Tony Field's career. Going to school in Ormskirk a few of us regularly went to watch Southport when they played home games on a Friday night so I saw him develop there before moving to Ewood. Then he moved to United whilst I was in Sheffield. Then later in the 70s I saw him play for New York Cosmos when visiting my brother-in-law.

On pubs I spent a lot of time in the Red House on Solly St in the mid 70s, even playing in their darts team at the time. That was a time when finding a decent pint was a lot more of a challenge. Sadly I see it closed in 2016.

[only2garners]

3 minutes ago, 1864roverite said:

Great preview 👍 will be in Mexico on Wednesday celebrating my birthday hoping to wake up with a victory and 3 points however the reality is we are misfiring which will probably cost us the points

What time are you planning to get up? Kick-off will be at 11.45am Mexico time.

[AllRoverAsia]

21 minutes ago, 1864roverite said:

Great preview 👍 will be in Mexico on Wednesday celebrating my birthday hoping to wake up with a victory and 3 points however the reality is we are misfiring which will probably cost us the points

It's on Sky HD TV Mexico

https://m.livesoccertv.com/match/4039467/sheffield-united-vs-blackburn-rovers/

Edited February 20, 2022 by AllRoverAsia