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Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 12:10 pm
by hatch
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The lowdown
Well this is it folks. Town’s last game of what has been a more than “frustrating” season as Keane put it earlier this week. It is also my last ever preview (although hopefully I can get a cameo appearance in the future). Just a big thank you to the kind messages everyone has been sending in the past few weeks, they’ve meant a lot. I expect to see my successor do twice the job I do though!
Having said this season had been frustrated I don’t think anyone can have much a problem with our results over the recent months. At the start of the season we looked a side that Ipswich Wanderers could thrash, weak all round. Now, 9 months on, we’re looking back at a solid draw at Newcastle where we could have perhaps even won! Keane and the players said back in the Autumn that they could see the improvements and things would eventually start to click. Perhaps they took longer to click than desired by most fans, but they have seemed to click and I still think we have a lot left in our locked. If we can get a draw away at St. James’ Park when we have little to play for and Tommy Smith* at CB then think what we can do next season with the five vital signings Keane has talked about.
To end on Sunday we will be facing the Blades of Sheffield United. When I saw the fixture list last summer I saw this as a superb fixture that could be two play-off sides fighting it out on the last day. As it has proven, neither side has anything to play for but pride. There is, however, that slight rivalry we’ve had with the Blunts for a few years now and matches against the Steel City side usually generate a good atmosphere. Tomorrow should see a fair attendance pushing over 24,000 I imagine. Let’s hopefully see the boys in blue show some pride in front of hundreds of soldiers who have shown pride and heroics for their country.
*No disrespect to Smith! Go for NZ, son!

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The stats
Sheffield United lie 6 points ahead of Ipswich in 9th position. Along with Ipswich, Preston and Forest they have won the fewest away games (4) in the top 16 of the league and they’ve lost the most away games out of all the top half teams (12). Blackwell’s men haven’t lost in three but haven’t got an away victory this year. A win on the last day for Sheffield Utd could therefore seem highly unlikely. They did, however, beat Swansea last week who were going all out for a win as well as drawing at Sheffield Wednesday who were desperate for all three points and they had another high profile match when they faced Newcastle a few months ago who needed a win to secure promotion. So it is proven that they can perform on the big occasions, but can they form on days like tomorrow? They’re statistically the worst away side in the top half of the Championship.

The player-to-watch
I would usually say without question that the dangerman is striker Darius Henderson – a man mountain with skill – highly regarded as one of the best strikers in the league. Not to mention that he always scores against us!
However, with Henderson seemingly injured I’ve gone for United’s highest goalscorer in Richard Cresswell. The 32-year-old Bridlington born striker has had mixed successes over his career. He spent his best years at Preston at the start of the century where he scored 46 goals in 176 appearances. Since then he has never really been able to excel anywhere but he may have found his home in Sheffield Utd whom he joined on loan on the same day he made his debut against us in the 3-3 draw at Bramall Lane back in September. He was signed permanently from Premiership Stoke in January and with 13 goals to his name already this season he must be enjoying his time back in the Championship.

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The team news
Damien Delaney will miss out again but it is hoped that the likes of himself and Civelli should be back playing come the start of next season. David Healy has returned to Sunderland following his knee injury while Daryl Murphy is now a doubt. With Keane keen to try more youngsters this could be a slight blessing in disguise as it will give him more of an excuse to try the youth products. Billy Clark has a good chance of starting alongside Connor Wickham up front while Tom Eastman, Troy Brown and Luke Hyam could all make appearances. Although this game means slightly less than last week I can’t imagine Roy will want to put a win at risk just for the sake of giving some youths a run out though. He will only play them if he feels they are ready enough to help us get the three points.

Hatch’s predicted team: B.Murphy, Smith, McAuley, O’Connor, Peters, Colback, Norris, Leadbitter, Walters, Clark, Wickham

The man in the middle
We are all aware of Andy D’Urso from Billericay. He is sure to get some criticism. His last Ipswich game was our home game against the rivals for Sunday’s opponents – Sheffield Wednesday. We drew that game 0-0 live on Sky back in November and he didn’t hand any yellows our to Ipswich players.

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Andy D'Urso and Roy Keane getting along

Hatch’s final word
So that is that. Hopefully we can end the season on a high and Keane can give the fans “something to shout about”. Not much else to say apart from make sure you give generously to the Help the Heroes fund and enjoy the events on show. I contacted both ITFC and SUFC over the past few weeks a number of times to ask if they could supply with my a high-profile interview of some sort as it was my last preview and I wanted to go out on a high. My fan-terviewee is at wedding and can’t be interviewed and Andy D’Urso is boring. So for my last preview I’m going to keep it short and sweet. Thanks again for all the support over the past two seasons and hopefully the previewers in seasons to come will be previewing a league match with Manchester United.

Hatch’s prediction – Ipswich Town 2-1 Sheffield United

Bye.


Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 12:37 pm
by lucy
Good luck Hatch don't miss us too much 8) .

I'll go for a boring 1-1 draw just can't see us winning.

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 1:07 pm
by Bluemike
Many Thanks Hatch, enjoyed the previews, all the best to you. Im going 2-1 to Town.

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 1:46 pm
by VictaLawnMower
I promised myself I wouldn't cry...

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 2:20 pm
by Mr.Punch
VictaLawnMower wrote:I promised myself I wouldn't cry...

:D :D :D

well done hatchy - last time i saw town play sheffield utd we won 5-0 and we'll do the same tomorrow.

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 3:07 pm
by Andym
Thanks again for your hard work. They've always been informative and an interesting read.

I'll go for a 1 - 1 draw.

Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 3:20 pm
by Jamma123
Thank you for all your efforts in putting together such enjoyable previews week in, week out, Hatch. I love the Keano v D'Urso picture! Let's hope we aren't seeing similar scenes tomorrow, and that the Town go out in style with an entertaining 3-2 win.

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 6:21 pm
by The Don
:cry: bye hatchy :cry:

I'm just looking forward to an entertaining game. Another draw I would expect but end to end stuff to keep everyone happy.

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 11:43 pm
by phily bon bon
Nice one old boy and all the best for the future in what ever you do.Its an end of an era but i hope your replacement will get the backing and help you have.I hope we win 6.0 but realistically I see a 1-1 draw.

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 12:44 am
by hallamblue
15 - ferkin 0 - to Town

EASY ...EASY.....EASY...EASY...EASY....
:mrgreen:

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 8:53 am
by bluearmy78
Draw,just has to be. :lol:

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 11:25 am
by James Scharmann
1-1

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 1:11 pm
by sirbobby
Line Up?

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 1:54 pm
by coolcole93
When is kick-off?

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 2:17 pm
by daddysgirl
It was 1pm, 2nd half now starting

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 2:21 pm
by coolcole93
I see that ITFCvideo is taking a day off :(

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 2:31 pm
by daddysgirl
Well, to be honest, you're probably better off not listening at the moment - 2 goals down and Eastman has just been sent off following a second yellow card :? I'm listening on ITFC Player

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 2:39 pm
by Shed on tour
3-0 now so glad I decided to give it a miss today.

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 2:39 pm
by Mr.Punch
0-3 :cry:

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 2:42 pm
by FATBOY
whats the lineup???

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 2:47 pm
by daddysgirl
* 26 Murphy
* 04 McAuley
* 12 Peters
* 35 Smith (O'Connor 57)
* 41 Eastman yellow card, red card
* 06 Leadbitter
* 07 Garvan
* 10 Norris (Clark 57)
* 17 Colback (Brown 62)
* 19 Walters
* 40 Wickham

Substitutes

* 28 Lee-Barrett,
* 39 Brown,
* 08 Martin,
* 23 Edwards,
* 30 O'Connor,
* 42 Clark,
* 46 Hyam

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 2:53 pm
by FATBOY
cheers

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 2:59 pm
by phily bon bon
Jesus h christ ...... :(

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 3:05 pm
by daddysgirl
FT 0-3

Should have ended the season on a high last weekend :lol:

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 3:38 pm
by VictaLawnMower
Well, that's that done.

*dusts hands*

Who's up for a game of Boggle?

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 3:51 pm
by daddysgirl
What's Boggle?

I'd be up for poker. Or Monopoly.

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 3:56 pm
by VictaLawnMower
Image

Seems appropriate as the vast majority have had our minds boggled for the better part of the last ten months.

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 4:00 pm
by Ohiotractorboy
VictaLawnMower wrote:Well, that's that done.

*dusts hands*

Who's up for a game of Boggle?
How about Stratego??

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 4:01 pm
by daddysgirl
If you want appropriate, how about Hangman? :wink:

Re: Hatch's SHEFFIELD UTD Preview and Match Thread

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 4:04 pm
by VictaLawnMower
I'm hoping Monopoly will be much more reflective of the club next season. :wink: