Match Day Thread Sheffield United 1 v 2 Swansea City

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Sheffield United v Swansea City

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Division - The Sky Bet Championship
Date - Saturday 4th August
Kick off - 17.30
Venue - Bramall Lane

Following last season's relegation from the Premier League, the Swans travel to Bramall Lane for their opening fixture against Sheffield United.

When Graham Potter was appointed to the hot seat, there was optimism amongst the Jack Army of a return to The Swansea Way and that there would be a number of signings made to give the Club the best chance of bouncing back at the first time of asking.

Whilst, the style of football may be a return to 'first principles', the squad has not been strengthened to the extent expected, and following a disappointing pre-season tour of Germany & Austria, the Jack Army will be traveling to Sheffield more in hope than expectation.

The Blades are managed by Chris Wilder, and he is assisted by former Swan, Alan Knill. It is reported that Wilder expects the transfer market to "ramp-up" this weekend after admitting his Sheffield United squad still need strengthening ahead of the new Championship campaign. Ipswich Town centre-forward Martyn Waghorn and Ben Woodburn of Liverpool and Wales have both emerged as targets as United turn their attention to attack following the arrivals of John Egan, David McGoldrick and Dean Henderson.

The Swans and the Blades have played each other on 40 occasions, with the Swans winning 10, drawing 11 and losing 19.

The teams last met in May 2011 in the last 'regulation' Championship fixture of the season - before the play-offs which saw the Swans promoted to the PL - and the Swans run out comfortable 4-0 winners, thanks to goals from Steve Dobbie (2), Scott Sinclair & Leon Britton.

The Swans team that day was:

De Vries
Rangel
Williams
Tate
Taylor
Allen
Britton
Dyer
Borini
Dobbie
Sinclair

If only the current squad was half as good as the team that played in May 2011......

Turning to Saturday, I'm hoping that the Swans will return with a point, but I'm expecting a 3-1 defeat.

 

Did you have to put this up, trying not to think about how embarrassing this could get. Especially as they are talking about strengthening and we are talk about weakening an already threadbare squad, cant see anything other than a comfortable win for Sheffield. But going to be positive and we will squeak a 1-1 draw.

 

Sorry......

 

Won't comment as I haven't got a clue what the team is going to be yet.

 

Neither does Potter .....

 

2-0 Blades I fear, hope I am wrong

 

current market over here, Sheff Utd 2.4 (7/5), Swans 3 (2/1), draw 3.1 (85/40)

 

Possible starting line up for next Saturday. I’d make Olsson play and tell him he can have a rest when/if we get reinforcements

Starting X1


Nordvelt


Roberts – van der Horn – Amat – Olsson


Narsingh – Carroll - Fulton – Clucas* – Montero


Oli McBurnie​

Subs: Mulder, Dyer, Grimes, Govea, Asoro, Anyone else from the Under 23’s, Any new signings​

Likely to be sold so probably won’t to feature:

Alfie Mawson, Fernandez, Kyle Naughton, Jordon Ayew, *Clucas?

Injured:

Bony, Fer


Prediction: Sheff Utd 2 Swans 0

 

Hate to say can’t see anything less than a Swans loss!! 2-0

 

[VDH came off with groin injury in last match so probably won;t feature. I thought Clucas wouldn't be fit until mid August and hasn't trained yet.

 

Being positive for a second, we are still undefeated in a League match under Potter.....

 

No way will we win this game, 0-2 for a comfortable win for Sheffield..............

 

My team will need surgery then! Olson probably wont play so that means we would need changes at LB, CH and CM.

 

Olssen back with Swans fpr a few days now he had some game time in the word cip so should be match fit. So no reason that he shouldn't play.

 

Hopefully a poor pre season will push the yanks to invest. Otherwise it will be panic stations and we will lose but hopefully there will be a wake up call from this game if they have not already got it.

 

1 - 0 Swans win as long as we have signed a good striker by then. if not probably a 0-0 draw...

 

I am going for the positive prediction a 2-1 defeat!

 

At least your predicting a goal glam!

 

I live in hope PG

 

Musty, Oz is one hell of a country mate! Just arrived in Cairns for a few days from Sydney.