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Bristol backlash
SHEFFIELD United have been warned to expect a backlash from Bristol City this afternoon as they attempt to claw themselves up the Championship table.
Kevin Blackwell made the prediction after hearing Gary Johnson, his opposite number at Ashton Gate, criticise his players' attitude during City's 4-1 defeat by West Bromwich Albion.
Blackwell, who could hand debuts to loan signings Carl Ikeme and Toni Kallio, said: "City are an experienced side in the division now.
"Gary obviously wasn't happy at what he saw against West Brom and he's told his lads so.
"They're a good team and so we are expecting a response from them. We'll be ready for it."
Johnson provided every member of his squad with their own personal 'video nasty' of a match which saw him lambast City's workrate and lack of leadership.
Despite seeing a fresh spate of injuries wreak havoc with his preparations for the journey south, Blackwell has no such concerns about his own players after watching them record their first victory since September against Peterborough last weekend.
Henri Camara, whose goal ended United's run of eight games without a win, is likely to miss out after damaging a hamstring while Derek Geary, Gary Naysmith, Ched Evans and Lee Williamson are also major doubts.
However, Nick Montgomery and Richard Cresswell could return after recovering from knee and rib problems respectively.
United remained 14th following that success, but cut the gap between themselves and the play-off positions to six points; exactly the same margin which separates Blackwell's charges from Plymouth Argyle in 22nd.
With their campaign so delicately poised - and Home Park the next destination on United's itinery - coaching staff must hope they soon have a full complement at their disposal.
Blackwell said: "I don't think there's been an instance this term where we've been able to pick 'our' team.
"We seem to have been constantly fire-fighting one thing or another.
"That's why, whatever anyone else might say or think, I'm proud of the character and professionalism my lads have shown."
United's opponents aim to use the West Brom debacle as a motivational tool.
"Everyone has worked hard this week and none of the lads have been shirking," City captain Louis Carey said.
"We want to put things right and no-one has been shirking or hiding in the treatment room.
"We went away and looked at our own performances as individuals and then came back to work as a team.
"There has been a real intensity to training and we've all responded.
"The quality has been excellent and it shows how determined we are to put in a good team performance against Sheffield United."
n United have given 25 free tickets for matches at Bramall Lane to Angela Smith MP - a massive Sheffield Wednesday fan! The donation is part of her annual Christmas card competition which challenges primary school children to create their own designs.
United's Mark Todd joked: "I'm sure we can forgive her for following the team across the city."
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
