Preview: Sheff Utd {H}

Vital Scunthorpe preview the Iron’s key Championship relegation game at home to Micky Adams’ Sheffield United.

Vital Quotes:

Ian Baraclough:

‘It’s no secret that we’re looking for a left-sider to replace Woolford’

Scunthorpe United Team News:

The Iron come into this game off the back of their last 2 home games: and can over-take fellow strugglers Sheffield United if they beat the South Yorkshire side.

Manager Baraclough has admitted that he’s been sniffing round a left-winger to bring in to the building on loan now that the window has re-opened, but it’s not thought that the Iron will have someone in before the Sheff Utd game.

Eddie Nolan is back in contention after recovering from his calf knock. Josh Wright’s thigh injury was not as severe as first thought and thus he’s also thought to be in contention.

However: Joe Murphy, Cliff Byrne, Niall Canavan, Rob Jones, Michael O’Connor, Garry Thompson and Chris Dagnall all continue to still miss out owing to their respective injuries.

Player to watch: Mark Duffy

The fiery playmaker has been a revelation since signing from Morecambe: and by providing genuine width – having a good right peg on him, and being able to whip a good ball in or beat a man, has made him a danger for the Iron in every game he’s played in.

Hopefully for the Iron: this can continue against Sheffield United on Tuesday.

Sheffield United Team News:

Sheffield United find themselves in the drop zone – struggling massively all season, with new manager Micky Adams yet to have won with the Blades.

Owing to their awful form – compounded by their defeat to Crystal Palace on the Saturday: they need to find a victory against an Iron side who are only a point behind them with two games in hand: if they’re to stand any chance of avoiding joining city rivals Sheffield Wednesday in League One next season.

Defender Rob Kozluk returns to contention for them following his return from suspension.

But defender loanee Shane Lowry, Lee Williamson, Richard Cresswell and Sam Vokes are all doubts.

And Richard Wright, Joe Mattock, Chris Morgan, Andy Taylor, Nick Montgomery, Ryan France, Ched Evans and Darius Henderson are all confirmed as long-term absences for the Blades and will thus definitely miss out.

Player to watch: Daniel Bogdanovic

The Blades are the only side to have scored less goals than this Iron this season, but the ex-Barnsley target man has proved to be an asset for Adams’ men so far this season: given them a man to aim at for the long-reknowned direct football.

Match Facts & Stats

The Iron have a particularly good record against Sheffield United – and will be desperate to continue this.

Earlier on in the season: they superbly annaihalated the Blades 4-0, (their worst home defeat in over a decade) in Ian Baraclough’s first game in charge.

Last season: the Iron pulled off a brilliant double against the Yorkshire side: beating them 1-0 at Bramall Lane and 3-1 at home. Two wins that were absolutely vital in securing safety for the Iron.

Indeed: even when the Iron were relegated from the Championship: they took 4 points from Sheff United. Their 0-0 draw with 10 men was enough to get Bryan Robson the sack and their thrilling last minute 3-2 home win was a definite season highlight!

Match Prediction:

Both sides desperately need the win here: and with the Iron’s record against the Blades being 2nd to none: you would hope the Iron could crawl over the line with a win.

It wouldn’t matter too much as to how they could get it: and crawling above the South Yorkshire side would be absolutely massive for the Iron’s fate this season.

And we’ll stick our necks out and say that with the Iron’s 2 clean sheets on the bounce: and Sheff Utd’s awful recent & offensive record, that the Iron could sneak it 1-0.