Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday play in the Steel City derby this weekend. And both sets of fans may quietly fancy their chances for this one.
For Sheffield United, they have the better form right now, and perhaps the better team, too. For Sheffield Wednesday, they arguably have the underdog status, and a decent track record of upsetting teams higher in the table under Danny Rohl.
There’s no telling which way the game will go this weekend, especially with the last three Steel City derbies having been 0-0 draws.
Ahead of the game, Neil Warnock has spoken highly of Barry Bannan, highlighting the Owls’ skipper’s quality over the years, and his experience will be vital on Sunday afternoon.
He, Liam Palmer, and Dominic Iorfa have all played in the Steel City derby. Sheffield United meanwhile have no players who have played the game, with the Blades also boasting the second-youngest team in the Championship with an average age of 24 years, compared to Wednesday’s 26.9.
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Danny Hall highlights lack of Steel City derby experience at Sheffield United
And herein lies Sheffield Wednesday’s biggest advantage in the Steel City derby; the prior experience of names like Bannan, Palmer, and Iorfa, and their overall experience of Championship football compared to United’s team.
Speaking on The Steel City Derby Preview on Shots!, The Star’s Sheffield United reporter Danny Hall commented on the Blades’ lack of Steel City derby experience.
He said: “No one in a United shirt has experienced this. Last time when they rocked up at Hillsborough, the team was settled, you could’ve picked it beforehand.
“This time it’s more sort of moving parts. No one’s really experienced that sort of atmosphere in a United shirt yet.”
He concluded: “We don’t know how that will affect them.”
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Dominic Iorfa sends warning to Sheffield Wednesday
Although Wednesday do have the upper-hand in terms of derby experience, there’s still a number of Owls players who haven’t played in this game before, along with Rohl who’s never managed a derby game before.
Speaking earlier this week, Iorfa revealed what he’s told his Sheffield Wednesday teammates ahead of the trip to Bramall Lane.
He explained: “A lot have not been part of the game and only a handful have played in this kind of game before.
“Everyone is up for it. They don’t know what to expect, which is good to be fair. We have told them, without putting too much pressure on them.”
Rohl will be counting on Iorfa, Bannan and Palmer, who may well come into the XI for this game given the magnitude and his experience, to guide the rest of the team through what will be a fierce encounter at Bramall Lane.
Kick off is at 12:30pm on Sunday.