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* Watford Matchpack
Opposition
When Paul Heckingbottom took over at the end of November 2021, the Blades occupied the mid-table positions. A fantastic turnaround and run followed, with the South-Yorkshire outfit losing only five games during the rest of the campaign.Despite missing out to Nottingham Forest in the play-off semi-finals, Sheffield United will be hoping to find a similar spate of form in order to clinch promotion this time around.
Key Stats
- Watford and Sheffield United have played each other a total of 45 times, with the first meeting in an FA Cup tie in 1960.
- More than 50 players have worn both the colours red and yellow throughout their careers, including Keith Eddy and Tony Currie.
- The Hornets’ biggest victory over the Blades came in 1985, 5-0 in the third round of the FA Cup, with Luther Blissett notching four.
Head Coach Rob Edwards indicated in his pre-match press conference that the squad that played against Southampton in pre-season remains fit and ready for the upcoming match against the Blades.
The encounter on Monday night will come too soon for new signing Mario Gasper, though.
What Are They Saying:
Rob Edwards, Watford Head Coach:
“I want to see a team that plays with passion, with energy, with commitment and with bravery.
“It’s been great so far, and the lads have bought into what we are trying to do. They want to be successful as much as we do, and to do that we have to be together as a group.
“I’m well aware that there are a lot of strong teams in the league. I have a lot of respect for the clubs in this league, and there are a lot of strong managers and coaches that we will be up against.
“The Championship is always difficult. It’s going to be a challenge, and every game will bring different challenges. I’m expecting it to be tough for us, but also for anyone playing us. I think it will be competitive and it will be exciting to watch.”
Paul Heckingbottom, Sheffield United manager:
“Looking in from the outside [Rob Edwards] is a different kind of appointment. Rob is someone I know and he has put in the hours on the field coaching.
“He did a great job with Forest Green to get them up and he is someone they have been keeping tabs on. It probably signifies a change of approach from them as a club.
“You look at the Watford players, who they’ve kept, and you would expect them to be up there.”
Head-to-Head
Overall:
Won: 13
Drawn: 13
Lost: 19
Last Six:
December 2019: Sheffield United 1-1 Watford (Premier League)
October 2019: Watford 0-0 Sheffield United (Premier League)
March 2011: Watford 3-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
October 2010: Sheffield United 0-1 Watford (Championship)
February 2010: Watford 3-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
August 2009: Sheffield United 2-0 Watford (Championship)
Golden Flashback
In February 2010, Watford played the Blades at Vicarage Road in the second-tier, winning 3-0. Goals from Tom Cleverley, Heiðar Helguson and Don Cowie secured a memorable three points.
* https://www.watfordfc.com/news/match-pack-watford-v-sheffield-united