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Just spoken to our ticket office, and they have assured me that there will be one turnstile open for away fans, to pay cash only on the day. Even when I offered to buy a ticket anyway to be sure, they said that I shouldn't bother. So, either I'll be fine or I'll end up being one of these fuming supporters who feels let down by our club.

Thing is when I got my ticket on Friday I asked how many they'd sold and was told about "50 or 60" so either people hadnt got around to it or are expecting to be able to pay on the day which the club said you can do...

Worst case go in the Home end!

ive not heard from any of my mates from devon that are coming up except the ones that go to every game anyway, and i dont think any of my sheffield mates will be coming with me either, again except the blades that go week in week out, too close to xmas is the excuse from every last one of them!!
still i have a drinking partner both before and after the game, plus the works xmas do to stagger along to in the evening!

interesting decision on who replaces Lathrope. Same system I'd imagine, new bloke available? Could play him centre back, move Robbo to right back and play Oastler in midfield. He would be the natural replacement in there for 1 game in this job. Or Leadbitter could come in at right back moving Oastler in there?

It's an interesting one, this one.

Leadbitter is decent but I just worry whether he is really ready, let alone against someone like Sheffield United. It's probably the choice I'd make as I'd rather have Manse going forward and keep the centre backs the same, but I could see him getting undone, especially if they have a decent left winger.

We are not expected to win this tie in reality - so lets go for it, play Leadbitter, Oastler as holding mid and keep Manse where he is....you never know, we might just sneak the win!!

There might be a few more Blades fans attending for two reasons

1 - they want to pay their respects to Speedo
2 - James Beattie might play his first game for them

I think I can make this - my first game for ages thanks to work and everything else.
Anyone local have any thoughts about pubs for essential pre-match pint? Somewhere that doesn't involve hiding a bright yellow shirt, please...

Sorry stargull but when i go to Sheffield for a match its usually the blue half i go with and they all go drinking mainly up top of penistone road instead of the city centre so i can't help you there. I got my ticket through the post today and can't wait for saturday, i think tragic circumstance being the death of Gary Speed will boost the attendance somewhat with Blades wanting to pay their respects. I'm sure a minutes silence will be well observed by both sets of fans and we can look forward to a great game.

In reality there is no point in playing Leadbitter - we will probably get hammered anyway but lets not make it easy for them. leadbitter is lightweight and isn't in the team for a reason ie he is crap.

brucie wrote:In reality there is no point in playing Leadbitter - we will probably get hammered anyway but lets not make it easy for them. leadbitter is lightweight and isn't in the team for a reason ie he is crap.

So what would you do with the formation then?

Agree with Brucie, although i don't quite share his sentiments in terms of our chances up there. I think Leadbitter playing in a game such as this and against quality players when he has had next to no playing time with the first team would be a mistake. Aldred could come in as he has a bit of experience i suppose but i've changed my mind about playing Manse in Lathropes position. I think we need him attacking rather than him having a focus on defending. If we manage to nick a lead and have to hold on then yes drop him back if need be but if we go out defensively we'll get 'hammered' as Brucie would put it. The stats are there for all to see, they concede lots of goals at home but also score lots too so if we go out there to stifle and they get one or two there will no way back anyway so lets to what Excretia did and take the game to them and get them wobbling if possible.

i'm not sure we can judge Leadbitter's abillity when he's hardly played (especially Brucie who hasnt even seen a game this season) Oastlers done very well at RB so far which is why Leadbitter has yet to show how good he is.

I seem to remember Oastler playing pretty well as a holding midfielder last year. If we are going to go with the same system I would probably go with that and slot Robbo in at right back and put the new guy alongside Ellis. It's a shame we will be under strength as I can't see us getting an upset without Lathrope but it should be a good day nonetheless.

AlexGulls wrote:i'm not sure we can judge Leadbitter's abillity when he's hardly played (especially Brucie who hasnt even seen a game this season) Oastlers done very well at RB so far which is why Leadbitter has yet to show how good he is.

Fair points AlexGulls but i wasn't really judging him saying he is no good,like you say, we haven't seen enough of him to make a judgment so on that basis given the limited amount of playing time and experience of league 2 football he has had this season, that may make him vulnerable, especially against the quality of players Sheff U have thats all. He may come in and play a blinder but IMO i would prefer it if he didn't start.