Owner, manager and celebrity supporters
Sheffield Utd.’s nickname is “the Blades” derived from the city’s history of manufacturing cutlery. Celebrity supporters include Sean Bean (film actor), Matthew Fitzpatrick (golfer), Michael Palin (writer, actor and television presenter) and Joe Root (England cricketer). COH Sports, an investment company, purchased Sheffield Utd. from Prince Abdullah in December 2024. The current manager of the Blades, Chris Wilder, is well-known to Watford supporters. He was head coach on a short-term contract at Watford from March until May 2023. Wilder was appointed as manager of Sheffield Utd. after the sacking of Rubén Sellés in September 2025. Wilder was a boyhood fan of Sheffield Utd. and had also been manager on two previous occasions, including one successful season in the Premier League.
Players
Many players have represented both Watford and Sheffield Utd. More recently the list includes Robert Page, Tommy Mooney, Mark Yeates, Paul Furlong and Darius Henderson. Further back in time Tony Currie, Stewart Scullion and Keith Eddy played for both clubs. Ken Furphy and Dave Bassett were also managers at both clubs.
Their strikers include Tyrese Campbell (scorer of 6 goals this season), Tom Cannon (an Irish international signed from Leicester for a transfer fee reported to be worth up to £10 million and scorer of 5 goals this season), Danny Ings (signed on a free transfer) and Patrick Bamford (signed on a short-term deal – later extended - from Leeds Utd. and scorer of 9 goals).
Midfield players include Callum O’Hare (who has scored 8 goals) and Gustavo Hamer (who has scored 4 goals), El Hadji Djibril Soumaré (on loan from Braga) and Kalvin Phillips (signed on loan from Manchester City in January 2026).
Central defenders include Irish international, Mark McGuinness, Tyler Bindon (New Zealand international) on loan from Nottingham Forest) and the experienced Ben Mee. Harrison Burrows is an attacking left back or wing-back, who has scored 4 goals this season. Japhet Tanganga is the club captain and can play either as a central defender or a right back. Michael Cooper is the first choice goalkeeper.
Results and league position
Last season Sheffield Utd. finished in third place in the Championship, but lost to Sunderland in extra time in the play-off final. Wilder was sacked as a result, but returned again as manager after the dismissal of his replacement, Rubén Sellés, in September 2025.
Sheffield Utd. lie in 17th position in the table, only 3 points behind Watford in 12th place. Watford has lost the last four fixtures against the Blades, but had been unbeaten in the previous six games. Sheffield Utd. defeated Watford 1-0 with a goal from Callum O’Hare at Bramall Lane in October 2025.
Possible Watford Line-up
Ngakia and Bola may return to the bench, but Petris (right back) and Abankwah (left back) will probably start. Goglichidze has struggled for form recently so he could be replaced by Keban.
Papy Mendy had a disappointing game at Oxford so he may be replaced in midfield by Ekwah. Irankunda should start again after being one of the few players to play well at Oxford, but Maamma is also likely to start after a sparkling short cameo at Oxford. Doumbia could replace Kjerrumgaard, who has struggled as the central striker in recent games.
Sheffield Utd.’s nickname is “the Blades” derived from the city’s history of manufacturing cutlery. Celebrity supporters include Sean Bean (film actor), Matthew Fitzpatrick (golfer), Michael Palin (writer, actor and television presenter) and Joe Root (England cricketer). COH Sports, an investment company, purchased Sheffield Utd. from Prince Abdullah in December 2024. The current manager of the Blades, Chris Wilder, is well-known to Watford supporters. He was head coach on a short-term contract at Watford from March until May 2023. Wilder was appointed as manager of Sheffield Utd. after the sacking of Rubén Sellés in September 2025. Wilder was a boyhood fan of Sheffield Utd. and had also been manager on two previous occasions, including one successful season in the Premier League.
Players
Many players have represented both Watford and Sheffield Utd. More recently the list includes Robert Page, Tommy Mooney, Mark Yeates, Paul Furlong and Darius Henderson. Further back in time Tony Currie, Stewart Scullion and Keith Eddy played for both clubs. Ken Furphy and Dave Bassett were also managers at both clubs.
Their strikers include Tyrese Campbell (scorer of 6 goals this season), Tom Cannon (an Irish international signed from Leicester for a transfer fee reported to be worth up to £10 million and scorer of 5 goals this season), Danny Ings (signed on a free transfer) and Patrick Bamford (signed on a short-term deal – later extended - from Leeds Utd. and scorer of 9 goals).
Midfield players include Callum O’Hare (who has scored 8 goals) and Gustavo Hamer (who has scored 4 goals), El Hadji Djibril Soumaré (on loan from Braga) and Kalvin Phillips (signed on loan from Manchester City in January 2026).
Central defenders include Irish international, Mark McGuinness, Tyler Bindon (New Zealand international) on loan from Nottingham Forest) and the experienced Ben Mee. Harrison Burrows is an attacking left back or wing-back, who has scored 4 goals this season. Japhet Tanganga is the club captain and can play either as a central defender or a right back. Michael Cooper is the first choice goalkeeper.
Results and league position
Last season Sheffield Utd. finished in third place in the Championship, but lost to Sunderland in extra time in the play-off final. Wilder was sacked as a result, but returned again as manager after the dismissal of his replacement, Rubén Sellés, in September 2025.
Sheffield Utd. lie in 17th position in the table, only 3 points behind Watford in 12th place. Watford has lost the last four fixtures against the Blades, but had been unbeaten in the previous six games. Sheffield Utd. defeated Watford 1-0 with a goal from Callum O’Hare at Bramall Lane in October 2025.
Possible Watford Line-up
Ngakia and Bola may return to the bench, but Petris (right back) and Abankwah (left back) will probably start. Goglichidze has struggled for form recently so he could be replaced by Keban.
Papy Mendy had a disappointing game at Oxford so he may be replaced in midfield by Ekwah. Irankunda should start again after being one of the few players to play well at Oxford, but Maamma is also likely to start after a sparkling short cameo at Oxford. Doumbia could replace Kjerrumgaard, who has struggled as the central striker in recent games.
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Actually it's on the way to the Mayflower theatre this evening where we are going to enjoy the Birmingham Royal Ballets Don Quixote.
