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Lost Lee's back in the running - MATCH REPORT AND SLIDESHOW
Sheff Utd 2, Charlton 1 FAIR to say that Lee Hendrie, like the FA Cup, has suffered from an image problem of late.
But just as the famous old competition, labelled "the greatest in the world" by the stadium announcer before kick-off, has enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent months, so the Sheffield United midfielder aims to use it as a means to repair his own reputation.
Forget Prince Naseem or Paolo di Canio's famous disappearing act, Hendrie is South Yorkshire's greatest sporting enigma.
Since he signed from Aston Villa two summers ago, a series of debilitating injuries have undoubtedly hampered his progress in United colours.
But Kevin Blackwell, like Bryan Robson before, must have spent many an hour wondering how a player once deemed good enough to represent his country has struggled to make even the slightest impression since stepping down into the Championship.
But just as Blackwell's patience appeared to be on the wane a sequence of events, starting with an emotional heart to heart with his father and culminating in a spell on loan in the footballing backwater of Blackpool, have seen Hendrie rediscover his passion for the game.
An expertly-taken free-kick, converted just moments after appearing as a second-half substitute, not only provided a reminder of the quality the former England international still possesses but also guaranteed his team's safe passage through the the fifth-round stage.
Hendrie acknowledges he still has a point to prove - "To the manager and the supporters" - and, having claimed only his fourth goal in United colours, he spoke candidly about his desire to establish himself at Bramall Lane.
"I've got a smile on my face and it's great to be involved again," Hendrie said. "In fact, I'm thrilled to bits.
"It's been tough at times here - I'm not going to deny it - and when I first came I always seemed to have some knock or other. But I've had a chat with the gaffer, he's given me this chance and I'd be a fool not
to take it.
"Going to Blackpool recently was probably a wake-up call.
"No disrespect to them because they were good with me, but when you've got to wash your own kit it does make you realise what a massive club this is and how lucky you are to be here."
Such a bold statement of intent will be music to the ears of a manager who has seen injury and suspension ravage his squad to such an extent that United were unable to name a full complement of replacements on the bench.
Despite issuing a thinly-veiled threat to sell Hendrie during the January transfer window, Blackwell knows that if he can harness the talents of a player who has a season and a half of his contract left to run Hendrie could be worth his weight in gold as United chase success on two fronts.
"I've given myself a kick up the backside and perhaps I've been a little bit too complacent at times in this division because you do get a lot more time on the ball in the Premier League," Hendrie continued.
"I've told the manager that I just want to get my head down and work on my fitness.
"I've looked back over my career and, after speaking to my dad a lot, that was one of the things that was missing.
"It was always my strongest point, getting up and down the pitch, and that's what I want to get back too.
"I know people say that I'm this, I'm that, that I don't want to be here ... but I do.
"Only a fool would want to be in the reserves all the time and you can't beat that buzz of knowing that you're going to be involved.
"Hopefully I can use this as a stepping stone for me."
Although Hendrie applied the coup de grace - sweeping the ball home after Billy Sharp had been fouled by Mark Hudson on the edge of the box - Darius Henderson's combative performace laid the foundations for United's fifth consecutive victory.
Offloading James Beattie, their prolific striker, to Stoke was supposed to signal the end of United's season.
But Henderson, the most expensive acquisition of Blackwell's reign, is relishing the opportunity to enjoy a starring role and, despite heading wide from close range, gave Charlton a torrid afternoon.
The former Watford's marksman's displays have softened the blow created by Beattie's departure and if United, who have made no attempt to disguise the fact that financial considerations forced the 30-year-old's sale, needed any reassurance about the wisdom of their decision then the sight of the visitors, once a model for all lower-league clubs to follow and now, one mad spending spree later, penniless and destined for relegation should have calmed their nerves.
Deon Burton and the impressive Darren Ambrose, went close early on, but when Danny Webber scored with an audacious cross/shot and Hendrie doubled their deficit, the Londoners should have been and buried.
Instead, they threatened to snatch a replay when Chris Dickson, seizing upon a defensive error, reduced United's advantage.
"We made it harder than it should have been," Blackwell said. "But sometimes you need that ugly desire to win and we've got a winning mentality now."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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