Sponsored by
Collins throws down cup gauntlet
NEILL Collins has challenged his Sheffield United teammates to bounce back in style when they host Birmingham City in the FA Cup on Saturday.
The fourth round tie sees Danny Wilson’s side return to action for the first time since losing their top-of-the-table clash at Charlton Athletic last weekend.
United relinquished their grip on the automatic promotion places after suffering a rare defeat at the hands of the League One leaders.
But Collins said: “When we’ve had a set-back in the past we’ve always responded in a positive way.
“That shows the strength of character and togetherness there is in this squad.
“There’s a really good atmosphere behind the scenes and I think people can see that out there on the pitch.”
United’s team spirit was ravaged by poor results and an influx of loan signings en route to relegation from the Championship last season.
But the damage has been repaired by a consistent selection policy and manager Wilson’s decision to encourage players to express themselves despite the high-stakes.
Goalkeeper Steve Simonsen has also praised United’s new-found camaraderie, drawing comparisons between attitudes at Shirecliffe and those which helped Stoke City reach the top-flight in 2008. Simonsen, who spent six years at the Britannia Stadium before moving to United in 2010, said: “Every club is different but there are certainly similarities.
“If someone gets into trouble on the pitch then the rest of the lads are ready to step in and help them get out of a hole.
“They’re ready to cover their teammates’ backs and watch out for them.
“It was the same at Stoke and you need that spirit.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 13 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Honolulu VVednesday 1867
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 06:56 PMIm not going to throw down the gauntlet, im going to throw down my pink fluffy feather duster and say MEN TAKE ME IM YOURS. Just be gentle with me. Im delicate
Donny Blades
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 08:57 AMWhere we all hiding?? On a wed nyt? Its called having a life lads or having a job for some ppl! Worth a try u might like it.....
(0v0)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:35 PMWe're are all the pigs hiding ?
UTO
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 09:18 PMWhere's all the massive? Not in hiding after the Charlton defeat are they? We all know they can't face defeat especially after giving it large beforehand...... Maybe they've learned their lesson? Anywho..... COME ON BIRMINGHAM. There's no excuses for not getting a "Big" crowd at the stain, Birmingham have sold their allocation of 4,000 according to my blunt mate. And the tickets are only £15 that's a fiver cheaper than ours against West Ham. So no excuses for the massive if it doesn't happen. UTO
Honolulu Wednesday 1867
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 08:07 PMI've heard the dirty truffle sniffers are arranging a live beam back to the sty, Currys have just announced they are providing 2 portable TV's
doggtheveryspecialdeputy
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 07:40 PMHey Rotsky you wont find me ranting, I just go for a bit of banter and you lot seem to get emotional...absolutely cr4p poem by the way
rotsky
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 07:13 PMthere once was a pig they called diesel whose strong point was rants not appeasal he slandered our heros quite reduced them to zeros but we all know the dogs just a weasel
doggtheveryspecialdeputy
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 01:33 PMHey there Harvey, who put 10p in you?
harvey1
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 01:23 PMdiesel ÒvÓ dogg get a life sado
doggtheveryspecialdeputy
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:23 AMYes I would like to get out a bit more and No zero friends.
lingsbord
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:12 AMyou don't have any friends do you?
Mancblade
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:11 AMYou really do need to get out more
doggtheveryspecialdeputy
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 10:25 AMComment removed by moderator
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.