'The statistics say...' - What Blackburn Rovers are expecting from 'direct' Sheffield United
Sheffield United travel to take on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Tuesday night
Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray is preparing his team to take on ‘the most direct team in the league’ as Sheffield United head to Ewood Park tonight.
The Blades saw off Blackburn Rovers at the same venue two weeks ago in the Carabao Cup, with Romelle Donovan scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory.
Both teams were much-changed for the cup tie so that won’t act as much of a barometer but in his analysis, Mowbray has outlined a direct approach that he feels the Blades will take to Lancashire.
There’s also the chance that a couple of Rovers old boys will be turning out for United, though Ben Brereton Diaz is likely to get a better reception from the home support than Joe Rothwell, who was jeered on his return for that Carabao Cup match.
“Ben’s there, Ben Brereton Diaz, on loan again, Joe Rothwell is an option for them as well,” Mowbray told RoversTV.
“They have Patrick Bamford up top, Tom Cannon, [Japhet] Tanganga at the back, who are all players we know and players who have been in the Championship a long time.
“They are physical players who play a direct brand of football, because Chris is someone who likes to get the ball in the box and ask questions.
“I don’t think they’ll change too much and the statistics say that they’re the most direct team in the league.
“We know what’s coming and I hope we have the ammunition to see them off and cause them some problems.
“It’s a big task for us, but a great game to see if we can get our brand of football going, ask questions of them and to get enough bodies in the box to score some goals and win a game.”