Vital QPR get up close and personal with Blades crazy supporter Paul Holland (www.blades-mad.co.uk.
1) Sheff Utd had an incredible start to the season but
ore recently you have started to stutter a little, do
ou still believe 2nd place is yours or are you
orried about a collapse with Leeds and Watford
round?
Why United hit a bad run of form I don’t know, maybe
eading were always destined to finish up as Champions
ut I see no embaressment in finishing second (look at
igan), I can only see the Blades going up this
eason.
2) Neil Warnock’s considered to be a good manager, but
ll Rangers fans can see is that he has spent a huge
mount of money on players- something we could not
ompete with, is there something about him we do not
now?
United spent around one million in pre-season but saw
.1M back when Andy Gray was sold to Sunderland (he
as only worth 300K in fans eyes) so Neil warnock did
ome good barganing. Unfortunaly 1.75M was a lot for
kinbiyi though has re-paid us with two goals from
our games though any goal against your bitter rivals
s worth any transfer fee.
A lot of money was spent on the striker from Burnley
ut players like Keith Gillespie, Garry Flitcroft,
raig Short, Bruce Dyer, David Unsworth, Brian Deane
nd Neil Shipperley all came on a free transfer and
ll of which (apart from Dyer) have had Pemiership
xperience!
In truth the money spent has been recouped from
ransfers that wern’t made in the past, the money made
rom the glorious trebble season of 2002/03 were
nited made two Cup semi-finals and Play-Off final was
ever really spent and all went into squashing debts.
3) Bramall Lane was voted in the top 3 grounds in the
hampionship, why is it so special?
Beautiful Down Town Bramall Lane is changing from the
ast time QPR visited the Lane, the corner between the
way end and the South Stand is going to see a new
orner stand in May (work is currently on going) which
hould add another thounsend to the near 31,000
apacity it alreday holds. Also a hotel is to be built
hen planning permission is granted whilst plans to
e-build the Kop is to be put in place, though this
ill not happen until next season.
No doubt neutral fans will compare Bramall Lane to
willsorough, yes they have a higher capacity but when
id they last spend any money on their ground (1989?
fter tyhe disaster). Since 1990 the majority of the
round have been transformed, all four sides have seen
mprovments with an entire new stand (John St Stand)
nd a new corner stand whilst others have seen seating
pdated (out have gone the woodern seats from the
round).
4) What style of football to Sheff Utd play at home
nd whats an average crowd, do you make much noise?
There is no question that 4-4-2 will be used, at times
nited will aimlessly pump the ball up in the air
hough playing on floor is our best way of playing.
nited, if possible like to play on the wings as well.
5) Who are your unsung heroes to watch out for on
aturday?
Michael Tonge and Chris Armstrong were Wizards last
eek in the Sheffield Derby and were arguably joint
an of the Match of me but should Nick Montgomery be
ir then he could play a huge role in the middle. I
ould expect Morgan to be strong at the back and new
oy Neill Collins had a stormer against the Pigs last
aturday on his debut.
6) Rangers come without much to play for now until the
nd of the season, what do you expect from us?
I would imagine that the Hoops will still play for 3
oints, there is nothing like upsetting pomotion
argets but United will expect to win. There is no
anged of the Londoners going down and with 12 points
o the Play-Offs I can’t see Rangers finding the
oints with eleven games left. I expect QPR to put up
challenge.
7) Which Rangers players are you looking forward to
eeing?
Unitedites don’t want to see Gareth Ainsworth play, we
ill never forget him ending Dane Whitehouse career
hen he was at Port Vale. Danny Shittu (high rated)
ill be good to watch whilst former Blades; Dean
turridge, Georges Santos and Paul Furlong will go
own well. Expect Santos top get the biggest cheer
hilst we can not forget Phil Barnes who despite still
eing a United keeper is on loan to Rangers, thats if
e is allowed to play?
8) Promotion and Relegation predictions?
To be honest Reading are already up whilst I would be
ery disappointed to see United not finish second,
nything bellow will be a disaster. The Play-Off pact
ill be difficult and not sure who will be in it,
eeds look strong but I don’t doubt Watford or Palace
ill facy going up, I think the Hornets will surprise
s all.
As for the bottom three I sadly think Crewe can do no
ore unless they beat Brighton this weekend, Millwall
ere my tip at the begining of the season and I still
hink they won’t avoid the drop though look for
ealthier than most. And, at last there is no doubt
hat United will be wanting Wednesday to go back to
ere they belong. Paul Sturrock complains about his
oor strikers but he’s the one that signed them!
9) Match prediction for saturday?
Blades 1-0 QPR