Coventry City vs. Sheffield United

Last updated : 15 August 2014 By @blades_mad1889

Following a defeat to Bristol City on the opening day of the new campaign the Blades have yet to rack up any League One points but first goals for Andy Butler and Marc NcNulty saw United beat Mansfield Town by two goals to one and set up a second round League Cup tie at West Ham United on 26 August.

Summer signing Marc McNulty scored a late winner for Sheffield United to see off Mansfield 2-1 in the first round of the Capital One Cup. McNulty sent the Blades through after Alex Russell levelled for Mansfield just four minutes after Andy Butler's opener. United's Jose Baxter had an early shot beaten away by goalkeeper Sascha Studler while Neill Collins and Butler both headed off-target. Mansfield threatened when Simon Heslop made a good run at the defence and laid the ball off to Sam Clucas whose low shot was saved by Mark Howard.

Heslop saw an effort deflected wide soon after the re-start and a header from Clucas flicked the top of the bar before Butler headed home at the far post in the 53rd minute after Davies' corner caused problems for Studler. But Fisher drew the League Two side level with a shot from inside the area after Lee Beevers' effort had struck a defender. The game looked to be heading for extra time until McNulty grabbed his first Blades goal in the 86th minute to give the home side victory. The forward held off Ritchie Sutton's challenge inside the area before firing hard and low past Studler.

Blades boss Nigel Clough is likely to recall striker Michael Higdon to the starting line up after he appeared as a substitute in the victory over the Stags. Meanwhile midfielder Florent Cuvelier (ligaments) has returned to light training and expected to return to action in early November.

United could field midfielder Michael Doyle to face his former club. He was part of the Sky Blues team for over ten years between July 2003 to January 2011. He made his City debut in a League Cup win (2-0) over Peterborough United having made the switch from Scottish club Celtic a few months previous and scored his first goal three games later against Port Vale. In total he made 286 (+11) appearances for the Sky Blues and scored 22 goals.

Coventry City were dealt a blow on the opening day of the season when a last minute goal denied them of a point. Bradford striker James Hanson scored a last-minute goal to earn his new-look side a dramatic 3-2 victory over Coventry in a thrilling finale at Valley Parade. Coventry skipper Reda Johnson, a summer signing from Sheffield Wednesday, looked set to have earned his side a point when he equalised with two minutes of normal time left, hammering home the rebound after goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had blocked his initial shot. But a minute later and with only seconds left of normal time, Hanson bent low to head home the winner - his second goal of the match - from Jason Kennedy's right-wing cross to secure Bradford all three points.

The home side went in front after 27 minutes through Hanson, who made amends for a miss four minutes earlier. Billy Knott, a summer signing from Sunderland, dispossessed Danny Swanson before feeding another new boy, Billy Clarke, and Hanson headed his cross into the far corner beyond the reach of Coventry goalkeeper Ryan Allsop. Coventry equalised after 41 minutes when skipper Johnson headed Danny Pugh's in-swinging corner into the net for his first goal of the game after beating Pickford to the ball. Alan Sheenan restored Bradford's lead four minutes after the interval when Johnson was booked for impeding Hanson as the big forward tried to reach a corner.

The Sky Blues were beating in their League Cup fixture at home to Cardiff City (2-1) and eliminated from this year’s competition at an early stage. Boss Steven Pressley is likely to recall keeper Ryan Allsop (AFC Bournemouth) who was unable to play during his loan spell. Meanwhile defender Reda Johnson (knock) is doubtful and Danny Seaborne (hamstring) and Andy Webster (back) are sidelined through injury.

The Sky Blues are likely to field former Sheffield United striker Shaun Miller to face his former club. Miller was signed in a free transfer by Danny Wilson from Crewe Alexander in July 2012 and made his debut in a 2-2 draw with Burton Albion in the League Cup (lost on penalties). His time at United was mostly plagued by injuries but he will be best remembered for scoring a last minute extra-time winner at Fulham in the FA Cup en-route to Wembley in 2014. He left Bramall Lane in July 2014 having made 17 (+18) appearances and scored 9 goals.

Blades-Mad Prediction: Coventry City 1 Sheffield United 1


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