History Makers? FA Cup Preview

By 4two
February 13 2003

A Large away following will travel to Bramall Lane wondering whether they will witness the Saddlers making the last 8 of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.

Sheffield Utd Vs Walsall
Competition : FA Cup Round 5 Date & Time: 21.12.02 - 3.00pm
Tickets: We were allowed 5200, and are going to take just under 3000. Priced at £7(Conc) and  £14, and with discounted travel expect one of the best followings of the season.
	Directions Football Ground Guide: Leave M1 at Junction 34 and head into Sheffield City Centre. On reaching the inner ring road follow signs for A621 Baslow, the ground is about a 1/4 of a mile out of the other side of the city center. It is located on the A621 (Bramall Lane). Street Parking. For a map showing the location of the ground. (Click here for more information on Bramall lane on FootballGroundGuide).
News: Ian Roper is still struggling, Danny Hay is suspended and Emblen has gone back to Norwich. That leaves Carbon and Barass as the recognized center halfs. It could be back to 4-4-2 for the Saddlers, but it will be interesting to see what lee goes with.
News: The last time round Warnock gave some of his better players a "rest", and United still won through. No one is expecting any major changes to the last starting line up and their are no serious injury worries.
one2watch: Jimmy Walker is going to be a busy man on Saturday afternoon and he will need to reproduce his Brighton form to try and make sure we make the Quarters. A disappointing game last weekend will leave Whakka wanting to prove himself against United.
one2watch: Michael Brown scored the goal that settled the last game between the two sides and he has been at the Center of United's fantastic season that has seen them challenging for an automatic promotion spot. A threat outside and inside the box, Brown is a man who needs to be watched closely on Saturday.     The Last 10 Games.... Sheffield United       Walsall Ven Versus Pos A 2 - 3 Ipswich L 12 A 0 - 1 Millwall L 12 H 3 - 1 Sheff Wed W 23 A 2 - 1 Portsmouth W 1 H 0 - 0 Coventry D 6 A 1 - 0 Walsall W 19 H 1 - 0 Preston W 14 A 2 - 0 Reading W 5 A 0 - 0 Leicester D 2 H 2 - 1  Palace W 11 Ven Versus Pos H 1 - 4 Leicester L 2 H 1 - 0 Brighton W 24 A 0 - 0 Reading D 7 H 0 - 1 Wolves L 10 A 1 - 1  Forest D 5 A 2 - 3 Ipswich L 16 H 0 - 1 Sheff Utd L 5 A 1 - 2 Norwich L 4 H 2 - 0 Wimbledon W 11 H 3 - 1 Grimsby W 21     The Season So Far.... 3-1 vs Millwall, S Wed Biggest Home Win 4-2 vs Stoke 5-0 vs Bradford Biggest Away Win 3-0 vs Millwall 1-2 vs Watford Heaviest Home Defeat 1-4 vs Leicester 0-3 vs Nottm Forest Heaviest Away Defeat 1-3 vs Wolves 31 Players Used 25 9 Clean Sheets 8 6 Failed To Score 9 3 Best Winning Sequence 2 10 Best Unbeaten Sequence 3 2 Worst Losing Sequence 4 4 Worst Seq With No Win 6
Last Time 0-1 26/12/2002 - Nationwide League Div 1
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The Verdict: If league form goes out of the window for cup games then we stand a chance, Our favourite keeper Paddy Kenny who has endeared himself to Saddlers fans on many occasions (not !) will be in goal for United, and he usually has decent games against us. Saturday will hopefully bring back memories of last season when we secured our first division status at Bramall Lane in front of a big away following. The 2000 plus Saddlers fans should make a lot of noise, and our lads should be motivated. BUT, we are playing a Warnock side so can expect Gamesmanship, diving, dirtyness, long balls and arrogance from his players (and him). It has the potential to be a cracking cup tie
PREDICTION: Blades 1-1 Saddlers (Back to the Bescot...)
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