Hornets Review


By Paul Holland
September 27 2002

The Hornets from Heartfordshire travel a very long distance to Bramall Lane, Sheffield to face the Blades in Nationwide League Division One encounter. Blades v Hornets

Blades v Hornets
Saturday 28 September 2002
Nationwide League Division One
The Hornets from Heartfordshire travel a very long distance to Bramall Lane, Sheffield to face the Blades in Nationwide League Division One encounter.

The Red And White Wizards coming to this game unbeaten in just four league games (Norwich City, Rotherham United and Grimsby Town). Their fourth unbeaten game came last Saturday away to Gillingham as the Blades drew 1-1.

The Gills had taken the lead in first half, but the Blades battled on and their Yorkshire grit and determination handed United a equalising goal on hour mark when Wayne 'The Chief' Allison hammered home after Murphy and Ndlovu's headers where brilliantly saved.

United sadly have some injury worries, Carl Asaba did not start the game v Gills due to a back problem and we don't know if he will be fit this Saturday.

Canadian International Paul Peschisolido (Achilles) is injured again after he came off on Saturday. Laurens Ten Heuvel is also not 100% fit but might make the bench.

Their is good news for Unitedites though as Welsh International Robert Page could be in starting line up this Saturday. Page has not played since that 2-1 defeat away at Coventry City on first day of the football league season. 

I think that Neil Warnock will go for 4-4-2 formation with a starting line up of:

Paddy Kenny (GK), Robert Kozluk (RB), Shaun Murphy (CB), Phil Jagielka (CB), Robert Ullathorne (LB), Jon-Paul McGovern (RM), Stuart McCall (CM), Michael Brown (CM), Michael Tonge (LM), Wayne Allison (LF), Carl Asaba (RF). 

Last weekend Watford entertained Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road and it was defiantly entertaining as both sides shared six goals in the 3-3 draw.

Hayden Mullins had put the Eagles ahead on 24th minute but Ardley leveled four minutes later, Micah Hyde put Watford in front on 40 minutes but ex Leeds United player Danny Granville scored a minute later.

On stroke of half time Hayden Mullins put in his second and Palaces first and go in at half time 3-2 up. Two minutes into second half Hornets hit man and Icelandic International Heidar Helguson drew level.

We do not know yet what injury's Watford have but we do know that the Hornets are in a serious cash flow problem and could possibly be the next Bradford City in Division One (lets just hope that does not happen).

In the league however Watford are going strong, standing just 8th in league and could go level on points with United if they beat United on Saturday. I can not see them go in above Blades on goal difference as they would have to win by 7 goals to do so.

Since being relegated from FA Premier League in 1999/00 season Watford have beat United at Bramall Lane both times. During 2000/01 season the Blades lost 1-0 to a Tommy Mooney goal and 2-0 last season with goals from Smith and Helguson.

Prediction: I reckon United can win this game, it is at home and is a massive game for United. A win could but them back up to 4th if Nottingham Forest beat Rotherham United at City Ground. 2-0 Sheffield United win.


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