Match Preview: West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield United

Last updated : 10 February 2008 By @blades_mad1889

baggies vs blades
The Baggies, who have not lost at the Hawthorns since 4 December 2007 when Coventry City claimed a special 4-2 derby win. Since then the Baggies have gone from strength to strength, but fell foul at Oakwell last Saturday.

Returning striker Daniel Nardiello (30 minutes) and Jon Macken (45) handed Barnsley a two goal lead before the break but James Morrison (58) pulled one back in front of the Pontefract Road end; but missed chances by Zoltan Gera and Morrison handed all three points to the South Yorkshire club.

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray had hoped that midfielder Robert Koren (bruised calf) would have been included in the clubs two-one defeat to the Tykes, however he missed out.

As did Ishmael Miller (hamstring) who has returned to training but was unable to make himself available for the game at Oakwell.

Possible Baggies Line-Up: Dean Kiely, Bostjan Cesar, Karl Hoefkins, Martin Albrechtsen, Paul Robinson, James Morrison, Jonathan Greening, Felipe Teixeira, Chris Brunt, Kevin Phillips, Roman Bednar.

Sheffield United however could see Bryan Robson take his team to the Midlands for the last time with his job under threat following dismal displays and poor results - Ironically Robson started his career as a player with West Brom before joining Manchester United, he later returned as manager.

The Blades have now gone four games unbeaten, which included that elusive FA Cup win over Manchester City (2-1) but have since failed to win a game with draws against; Watford (1-1), Colchester United (2-2) and Scunthorpe United (0-0) last Saturday.

Despite the Iron being reduced to ten men as early as the tenth minute when Grant McCann was handed his marching orders the Blades failed to capitalise and take control of the game.

United will be without the services of Nick Montgomery (broken foot) who is likely to sit out the remainder of the season and Ugochuku Ehiogu (knee) who was forced to be substituted early on the the goal less draw against the Iron due to that injury.

The former Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Glasgow Rangers centre-half started his career at the Hawthorns where he made just two substitute appearances from July 1989 to July 1991 before moving to Villa Park for £40,000. He has also represented Leeds United whilst on loan from Boro.

Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Derek Geary, Chris Morgan, Matthew Kilgallon, Gary Naysmith, David Coterill, Gary Speed, Michael Tonge, David Carney, Rob Hulse, Billy Sharp.


:: Man in the Middle ::

Referee: L. Probert (Gloustershire)
Assistants: G. Stott & M. Murphy
Fourth Official: P. Joslin

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