The opponent: Sheffield United
After the last couple of weeks I have come to the conclusion that 90% of the contributors on This Is really are thicker than a constipated camel’s turd. From my understanding, we sit in a decent league position with a good chance of making the play offs, this is just 2 footballing seasons after we found ourselves bottom of the same league. Expectations have to be handled so carefully, its great to be able to raise them but the same needs to be said when it comes to lowering them. There are many questions that remain unanswered regarding our new owners, CG Development etc etc and I have no doubt the time will come when these questions will be asked, believe me, I am as cynical as the rest, but now, our concentration has to be on football, starting today against The Blades.
We have done the full history lesson on Sheffield United before, so once again we will take a look at some of the lesser known facts surrounding Sheffield. With the Blades being something of an old club, and Brammal Lane having a touch of the Tudors about it, it is thought the area that is now The City of Sheffield has been occupied since at least the last Ice Age, now that’s old! Another age related fact, Hallam FC play at the oldest football ground in the world! For those of you who fancy a bit of slalom, Sheffield currently has the 6th largest Ski village in Europe! I thought it was a bit chilly up north but that’s taking the piss. It seems the folk of Sheffield are something of an environmentally friendly lot having been voted as Europe’s most green city back in 2005. Perhaps one of the contributory factors to their eco-warrior status is the fact that Sheffield is the largest city in Europe not to have its own airport! And they let Luton have one? For those heading up north in search of pots of gold you will be interested to know Sheffield holds the record for the longest continuously visible rainbow at 6hrs back in 1994.
What are they saying about us? –
“massive game, I’ll be amazed if we win tho”
http://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?threads/swindon-game.29805/Sheffield United Last 6 – DLWDDL (Currently 5th on 70 points)
The Threat – With the useful Nick Blackman departed, Dave Kitson leads the way with 10 goals.
A Warm Welcome to – Poor old LJF has still only managed 1 appearance for Sheffield United.
The irrelevant stats – After a bit of a shaky run of form The Blades have parted company with ex Town boss Danny Wilson, although I think their destiny this season remains in their own hands for now. United’s last outing at home ended up in a 2-0 beating from Crawley. The home form really isn’t that great for a team in a position they find themselves in, perhaps a sign that the league really was not that strong this year? The home record reads played 20, won 7, drawn 9 and lost 4. Still, Franchise didn’t have the best home record either.
Head to Head – United hold the edge on this one with 11 wins, 7 draws and 7 defeats.
The Odds – Sheffield United 6/4 Draw 23/10 Swindon 7/4 (SkyBet) Some places have us at 2/1, I think I will go for another half time – full time bet, draw HT Win FT, generally 6/1 and bound to never happen If I put a few quid on it.
The Son Says – I told him that his lack of optimism caused me some concern for the Franchise game so he tried lifting my spirits by suggesting a 2-0 victory, although my hopes were soon dampened when my daughter claimed we would be lucky to scrape a 1-1 draw.
The Prediction – We are going to hurt them, beat them, tear them a new one and thrash the pants off them with a commanding 1-0 victory with a last minute miracle goal from Shit Williams, I feel 1342 loyal Town fans will be at the game today.
And Finally – Jupiter’s largest moon, Ganymede, has exactly the same area as Sheffield. Scientists were even more baffled when they found it also had 7 hills......again like Sheffield. Remarkable.
