MATCH PREVIEW: SHEFFIELD UNITED VS NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest

John Fleck and Ryan Yates battle for possession in the sides last meeting. (Image: Simon Marper/PA Wire)

Friday night sees two inform Championship clubs go head-to-head at Bramall Lane as seventh placed Sheffield United entertain a Nottingham Forest side that sits two places and two points below them.

The Blades will be looking to increase their seven-game unbeaten run, on home turf with their last home defeat coming against Blackpool back in October (they also haven't conceded at home in this time).   

Meanwhile Forest, on the other hand, will be looking to overtake their Yorkshire based opponents and pick up their first win at Bramall Lane since 2004. Just like Sheffield United, Forest come into this game on a rich vein of form with Steve Cooper’s men unbeaten in five games in all competitions.  

Managers 

Paul Heckingbottom 

(Image credit: David Davies)

Heckingbottom was appointed as Blades manager in November 2021 following the dismissal of Slavisa Jokanovic after a poor start to the season. Heckingbottom was previously Under-23 coach with the Blades and has also had managerial stints with Barnsley and Leeds. 

It was with Barnsley where he enjoyed more success leading the Tykes to Wembley glory twice in the 2016/17 season, winning the League One playoffs and the Football League Trophy (now the Papa John’s Trophy).  

As a player Heckingbottom played for a host of clubs, however appeared the most for: Darlington, Barnsley and Bradford City before hanging up his boots in 2012 when at Harrogate Town. 

Steve Cooper 

 (Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Cooper was also appointed earlier in the season. The Welshman took the reins at Forest following the club's disastrous start to the season under Chris Hughton. He has had an impressive time at Forest so far leading his side up the table and also guiding them to the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup, where they’ll take on fellow Championship side Huddersfield Town. 

After a quiet playing career at a handful of Welsh clubs, Cooper made a name for himself by managing England to Under-17 World Cup glory in 2017. He also enjoyed a successful two years at Swansea City prior to his appointment at the City Ground in September.   

Key Player 

John Egan 

 (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

Republic of Ireland international Egan has started every game for the Blades this season and has played a crucial role at the heart of a defence that has kept 14 clean sheets (the joint most in the division), and has also helped out at the other end netting twice so far this term. Egan has racked up 150 appearances at Bramall Lane since his 2018 arrival from Brentford.  

After coming through Sunderland’s academy Egan enjoyed loan spells at Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Bradford and Southend United. Despite impressing at Southend, parent-club Sunderland released the centre back in the summer of 2016. League One club Gillingham fought of opposition to get the Irishman's signature. Egan impressed massively at the Kent club which then led to his move to West London before going to Bramall Lane. 

Brennan Johnson 

Johnson's first goal this season
came at Derby (JON HOBLEY/MI NEWS)

20-year-old local lad Johnson has been a sensation so far in his breakthrough season at the City Ground. The Wales international has been at Nottingham Forest since he was eight years old and this season has netted ten goals and picked up six assists in the Championship.  

Johnson caught the eye during his loan spell with League One side Lincoln City last season. The then-teenager bagged double figures in his first season of professional football. His contributions helped guide The Imps to the League One playoffs last season, even netting in the Semi Final first leg against Sunderland. Unfortunately for Johnson, Lincoln would lose the playoff final 2-1 against Blackpool at Wembley. His most notable achievement with Lincoln was bagging an 11-minute hat-trick against MK Dons. 

Since his return to Forest, Johnson has made many headlines attracting Premier League interest. If Forest are to challenge for promotion this season, they’ll need Johnson to be on form. A bright future beckons for the young attacker. 

Recent Results  

Sheffield United 

0-0 vs Hull City (H) 

4-0 vs Swansea City (H) 

1-0 vs Blackburn (H) 

0-1 vs Millwall (A) 

 

Nottingham Forest 

2-0 vs Blackburn Rovers (A) 

2-2 vs Stoke City (H) 

0-0 vs Preston North End (A) 

2-0 vs Bristol City (H) 

 

Head-to-Head

Date	Home Team	Score	Away Team
02.11.21	Nottingham Forest	1-1	Sheffield United
19.04.19	Sheffield United	2-0	Nottingham Forest
03.11.18	Nottingham Forest	1-0	Sheffield United
17.03.18	Sheffield United	0-0	Nottingham Forest
30.09.17	Nottingham Forest	2-1	Sheffield United

 

   By Nathan Williams