Saturday 13th March 2010
The Coca Cola Championship
Bramall Lane Stadium
Referee: A Bates
Kick-off: 15:00
Sheffield United (9th) V Queens Park Rangers (15th)
By The Godfather

Neil Warnock will return to his former club, Sheffield United, on Saturday afternoon, in what promises to be a lively encounter. Rangers have already played out three fixtures against the Blades this season, failing to win any of them. However, after two back-to-back victories under the new boss, Rs supporters will be feeling confident that the team can pick up a decent result at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United

Manager: Kevin Blackwell

Season 2008-09 finish: 3rd place.

As we have seen this season, Sheffield United favour a very direct and unattractive style of football. However, there is no doubt that in a league like the Championship, brawn and aggression can reap a lot of success. Last season, for instance, Kevin Blackwell and his team narrowly missed out on automatic promotion, eventually being defeated by Burnley in the play-off final.

The 2009/10 campaign, however, has not been quite as successful, with the Blades establishing themselves as play-off contenders rather than competing for automatic promotion. They currently sit in 9th position, four points off the top six. Team morale could be low after suffering two disappointing defeats against Crystal Palace and Peterborough.

United's squad is packed full of players proven at this level and, as a result, the fans will be expecting the team to reach a play-off position. Blackwell will be viewing this as a crucial fixture.

Men to watch

Experienced centre-forward, Richard Cresswell, who has made an irritating habit out of scoring against QPR this season, is likely to be United's main attacking threat. The 32 year-old enjoyed successful spells with York City, Preston and Leeds before signing for Stoke in 2007. After the Potters' promotion to the Premiership, Cresswell struggled to break into the first team. As a consequence, he signed for United on an initial three-month loan in September, but joined on a permanent deal after impressing both the manager and the supporters. Cresswell is a proven goalscorer at Championship level and must be marked closely.

United also have talented forward, Jamie Ward. The 23 year-old first gained a reputation at Chesterfield, where he scored 29 goals in a two-year spell. This impressive total attracted the interest of the Blades, who purchased him for £330,000 last January. The Northern Ireland U-21 international could pose a threat on Tuesday night.

In midfield, Stephen Quinn could start. The 23 year-old joined the Blades from Partick Thistle in 2005 and has since made 97 appearances for the club. The Irishman is a favourite with the fans, having picked up the Young Player of the Year award in 2008.

Kevin Blackwell also has experienced central midfielder, James Harper, at his disposal. The 29 year-old joined the Blades on a season-long loan from Reading (where he has made over 300 appearances). Harper is a product of Arsenal's youth academy and could provide the likes of Leigertwood and Faurlin with a stern test if he plays.

At the back, Chris Morgan could start. The 32 year-old has a reputation for throwing his elbows about, having fractured Iain Hume's skull last season. Fortunately, the Canadian went on to make a full recovery. Morgan, who has made 224 appearances for Sheffield United since signing for them in 2003, holds the record for the club's most red-carded player.

With Paddy Kenny banned for 9 months for failing a drugs test, goalkeeper, Mark Bunn, will keep his place. The 25 year-old signed for Sheffield United from Blackburn Rovers on a six-month loan deal in August.

Previous Match

January 2010 (FA Cup Third Round Replay): In many ways, this was the same old story for Queens Park Rangers, in what would be Paul Hart's last match in charge. A combination of shocking defending and poor finishing in front of goal allowed Sheffield United to take the advantage. I have to say, when Richard Cresswell tapped into the net to make it 3-0 to the away side, I did think that the game had been put out of the Rs' reach. However, despite some bizarre (and unpopular) substitutions, Hart's men staged a late comeback, netting two goals and almost equalising in stoppage time.

QPR Manager, Paul Hart: "The way we started the second-half was a disaster. We've gone 15 games without a clean sheet and you can see why. That is a side of our game that has to improve. It was a very spirited comeback but it was too little, too late."

Queens Park Rangers 2-3 Sheffield United

QPR Team News

Mikele Leigertwood has been passed as fit to play after picking up a knock during the Plymouth match. Lee Cook is likely to return to the starting line-up following his recovery from a virus. Meanwhile, Gavin Mahon and Martin Rowlands remain long-term absentees.

Prediction

With Warnock in charge, I feel much more confident that the Rs will be able to grind out points away from home. This is likely to be a tough and very physical encounter against a strong Sheffield United side. However, I fancy the Super Hoops to pick up a creditable point.

Sheffield United 1-1 Queens Park Rangers