ADVER SPORT'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO TOWN'S NEXT OPPONENT, SHEFFIELD UNITED.

The Chalkboard

NIGEL Clough favours a 4-2-3-1 with a solid back line offsetting a set of fast-breaking forward players, set-up to counter attack.

To an extent, this explains their success against bigger clubs in cup competitions, as they do not have to adapt the way they play to take on the big boys.

The Blades can be direct on the break, with John Brayford, just re-signed after his successful loan spell last season, providing thrust from full-back whilst a three from Jose Baxter, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Ryan Flynn, Jamie Murphy or Stefan Scougall supporting lone striker Marc McNulty.

Likely Line-Up

Swindon Advertiser:

A Man In Form: JAY MCEVELEY

SINCE his switch to Bramall Lane, the former Town man has been converted from full-back to a solid centre-half and now provides the defensive fulcrum for Nigel Clough’s side.

Not long after McEveley’s return to the County Ground earlier in the season - a game Town won 5-2 - he was moved inside to a central position, a role the Liverpudlian is enjoying after admitting recently that at 29, he was ‘no Ashley Cole’.

At centre-half, McEveley’s role is more of an old-fashioned defender, doing the dirty work rather than playing out from the back, but Town fans know that McEveley is no lump and is more than capable with the ball at his feet.

Treatment Room

JAMES Wallace is the Blades’ biggest absentee. The midfielder has scored four goals in just eight starts but has been absent frequently with a variety of ailments.

The latest is a calf injury but that could be a knock-on from any of the niggles Wallace has had this season.

The other guaranteed absence is former Belgium youth international Florent Cuvelier, best-known as a handy pick-up from former club Stoke City on previous editions of Football Manager.

Otherwise, Blades boss Nigel Clough will be balancing fitness levels from Wednesday’s energy-sapping League Cup semi-final against Tottenham before their FA Cup replay against Preston on Tuesday.

The Form Guide

Sat, Jan 10
SKYBET LEAGUE 1
2-1 Win v 
PRESTON (H)

Sat, Jan 17
SKYBET LEAGUE 1
1-o Defeat v
MK DONS (A)

Tue, Jan 21
LEAGUE CUP SEMI FINAL
1-0 Defeat v 
TOTTENHAM (A)

Sat, Jan 24
FA CUP Fourth Round 
1-1 Draw v 
PRESTON (A)

Wed, Jan 28
LEAGUE CUP SEMI FINAL
2-2 Draw v 
TOTTENHAM (H)

Top Goalscorers

Marc McNulty: 10
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: 6 
Jose Baxter: 5
Michael Higdon: 5
Ben Davies: 4
Jamie Murphy: 4 

The Stat

The Blades have won just three of their 13 games immediately following a cup fixture this season.