Match Preview: Millwall v Sheffield United

Last updated : 18 October 2005 By @blades_mad1889

Managed by former Walsall and Wolves boss Colin Lee Millwall have slowly progressed early on in the season and despite being near the bottom have surprised many whom thought they would be rock bottom after seeing stars such as Daniel Dichio and Paul Ifill leave the club in the summer.

This weekend saw the Championship return after a two weeks absence, the Lions traveled to Norwich City where they claimed a glorious 1-1 draw.

Ady Williams had given the visitors a 23rd minute lead before highly acclaimed striker Dean Ashton handed the Canaries a draw on 52 minutes, Darren Huckerby later saw a penalty saved for the home side.

Former Leeds United midfielder Jody Morris returns to the Lions squad, Morris returned to the squad after suspension and was included in the 1-1 draw whilst Marvin Elliott could play his first game since 10 September (v Preston) after recovering from a knee injury.

After claiming that former Blades striker Barry Hayles was going to show United what he can do, now he will have to show it on the side-lines after receiving two yellow cards in the draw at Carrow Road.

Striker Ben May is likely to replace the suspended Hayles with Carlos Manuel Fangueiro or Kevin Braniff replacing May on the bench.

Millwall host no more than three former Blades players, of course we have already mentioned Barrington (Barry) Hayles who played for the first two months of the 2004/05 season making four appearances before being sold.

Elsewhere there is Don Hutchinson who turned down the opportunity to join the newly formed Australian league this summer to become part of Colin Lee's side. Previously with West Ham before a 1M move in January 1996 took him to the Lane.

Hutchinson played 70 (+ 8 as sub) times whilst netting five goals, he played in the 1997 Play-Off Final for United against Crystal Palace and left the Lane to join Everton in February 1998. The third former Blade on Millwall is Carl Asaba.

Asaba, who is best remembered for heading home a winner against Wednesday at Hillsborough (01.04.01) made 52 appearances (15 as sub) and scored 23 goals between March 2001 and August 2003.

However Asaba is also a doubt after picking up a knock whilst Mark Phillips will miss out with a groin problem but Matt Lawrence may return.

Predicted Lions Line-Up: Andy Marshall, Alan Dunne, Paul Robison, Ady Williams, Jamie Vincent, Phillip Ifil, Jermaine Wright, David Livermore, Jody Morris, Kevin Braniff, Ben May.

The Blades on the other hand kept their 100% home record win tacked with a 1-0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Neil Shipperley heading home on 16 minutes to separate the two sides.

On the Blades books are two former Lions players, Paul Ifill and Paul Shaw. Signed from Arsenal in September 1997 Shaw scored 26 goals in 88 (+ 21 as sub) appearances before joining Gillingham in July 2000.

Blades boss Neil Warnock could rest striker Neil Shipperley, the former Chelsea target-man has found life difficult in completing 90 minutes of the game despite scoring five goals this term, it would be likely that Vincent Pericard would get the nod though Danny Webber is also eying a place.

Ifill was netted on a 850k transfer this summer from Millwall, he signed as a trainee in June 1998 and went onto play 188 times (42 as sub) and scored 40 goals from Midfield. The Brighton born star played in the 2004 FA Cup Final which they lost to Manchester United.

Predicted Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Chris Morgan, Robert Kozluk, Leigh Bromby, David Unsworth, Paul Ifill, Alan Quinn, Nick Montgomery, Phil Jagielka, Neil Shipperley, Steven Kabba.


:: Championship Fixtures ::

18.10.05: Crystal Palace v Brighton & Hove Albion, Cardiff City v Preston North End, Hull City v Reading, Ipswich Town v Coventry City, Leeds United v Southampton, Leicester City v Burnley, Luton Town, Norwich City, Millwall v Sheffield United, Queens Park Rangers v Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield Wednesday v Watford, Stoke City v Crewe Alexandra, Wolverhampton Wanderers v Derby County.