Blades Preview

Bryan Robson brings his steadily improving team to the Valley on Tuesday evening for an intriguing league game.

Relegated with Charlton last season, the Blades got off to a poor start and Robson's position was looking shaky. However, the vital signs appear to be returning and they will come to the Valley looking to atone for their slip-up at home to Plymouth on Saturday, which prevented them from climbing to 10th. They will also remember that they avoided defeat in the two Premiership games they played against us last season - drawing 1-1 at the Valley and beating us 2-1 up there earlier in the season when Keith Gillespie nicked a late winner after Reidy had put us in front.

They have lost four on the road so far - 1-0 at Watford, 3-2 at Palace and Scunthorpe and 2-0 at Bristol City. Their squad still looks distinctly Premiership, albeit maybe low-end. James Beattie has been scoring again and will likely be partnered by Danny Webber or Jon Stead.

According to the report of Saturday's game, United looked vulnerable at the back and Plymouth might have scored a second or third. Whilst 4-5-1 has been serving us well, I would like to see us start 4-4-2 at home as they have a goal in them and I feel we will need at least two to win it.

Sean Bean has been a regular vistor to SE7 in the past and has stopped several times at the Rose of Denmark for a pre-match beer. My impression of him has improved significanly as a result over the years - if he's down for the match I hope he enjoys his pint but goes home
sulking.

I'm going for 2-1 and fancy a goal from one of our wide men and either Reid or Varney to wrap it up. We also need Jon Fortune and Sam Sodje to be on their game because James Beattie is a threat in the air and will need close supervision.

Come on you Reds!