Sheffield United were relegated from the Championship last season and aim to bounce back at the first attempt, starting at Oldham Athletic this weekend.
The Blades have had quite a productive pre-season, playing fixtures against Sheffield FC (drew 1-1), Worksop Town (won 1-0), Doncaster Rovers and Blackpool as well as completing a mini-tour of Malta, winning games against Sliema Wanderers (3-1) and Hibernians (2-1).
They have also played out two fixtures at Bramall Lane; losing to Doncaster Rovers (0-1) and claiming a draw with Blackpool (1-1).
During the summer new manager Danny Wilson has tinkered in the transfer market and could give first team debuts to defender Lescinel Jean-Francois (Swindon Town), winger Ryan Flynn (Falkirk) and striker Chris Porter (Derby County) who has all joined in permanent deals. Forward Danny Philliskirk (Chelsea) has also signed after a successful loan spell last season.
Blades boss Danny Wilson is without defenders Chris Morgan (groin) and Johannes Ertl (knee) ahead of their opening game of the season through injury.
Oldham Athletic manager Paul Dickov was in attendance to witness the Blades friendly fixture with Blackpool last Sunday and will no doubt be keen to try out his new signings against their first opposition of the season.
The Latics have brought in Jean-Yves Mvoto (Sunderland) and Zander Diamond (Aberdeen) in permanent transfers whilst Matthew Lund (Stoke City has joined Boundary Park on loan.
We’ve met before...
A repeat of the Blades biggest victory recorded against Oldham Athletic would be a welcome return for all Blades fans; that were a 7-2 win at the Lane in December 1990; this was in the Full Members Cup.
However the last time these two teams faced one another at Boundary Park was in the former Nationwide League Division One (Championship) in September 1996 – the score finishing 2-0 in favour of the Blades.
|
venue |
p |
w |
d |
l |
gf |
ga |
|
Bramall Lane |
26 |
21 |
3 |
2 |
57 |
22 |
|
Boundary Park |
25 |
8 |
7 |
10 |
41 |
35 |
|
Total |
51 |
29 |
10 |
12 |
92 |
63 |