Kevin Gage's Sheffield United Column: How I imagine Dave Bassett's Blades would fare against Chris Wilder's wizards!

And it’s a warm welcome to Bramall Lane for the match we’ve been thinking about, imagining in our head, and discussing in the pub... up until a few days ago anyway!It was the highest finish since the Tony Currie days of the mid-70s and older Blades still talk fondly of that team. We’ve decided to have this virtual game with the team from a slightly more recent time, just 30 years ago, and a year before the start of the Premier League.

The organizers have made sure the virtual conditions have totally evened out in the interest of fair play and after non-existent chats with both managers, it’s been decided that the first half will be played on a bumpy, uneven Bramall Lane pitch, circa March 1992, whilst the second half will be played on our current £1m perfect Desso surface.

The wind in the first half will also be swirling around and through the big gaps in the 1992 stadium, whilst during the second half in the new modern enclosed ground they’ll be virtually no wind at all!

The teams line up as follows: Bassett’s Blades (BB) start in a 4-2-4 with Tracey in net, Gage, Gayle, Beesley and Barnes at the back, Gannon and Hoyland in midfield, leaving Bradshaw and Whitehouse on the flanks and a strike duo of Bryson and Deane. Hodges, of course, is still suspended. After his dream derby-day debut, Davison has to settle for a place on the bench.

“Wilder’s Wizards (WW) line up in their now-famous 3-5-2 formation and it’s arguably their strongest line-up: Henderson is in goal, Basham, Egan, and O’Connell as centre backs, a midfield trio of Lundstram, Norwood and Fleck, with McBurnie and Sharp leading the line. On the bench, in a contrast with the free loan signing of Davison, is £10m Lys Moussett.

The virtual crowd aren’t making any noise at all, and we’re all set to kick off. It’s the BB getting us underway kicking toward the Kop end. WW are having a last minute huddle, and we’re virtually set to go!

Ten mins gone and it’s a flurry of action in and around the WW penalty area as the high tempo and direct style of BB is causing real problems. They’ve definitely started with their usual ferocity and intensity and WW just can’t get to grip with it yet. The surface and wind is helping them and it’s a first corner to BB.

Bradshaw with it. Curled under the bar for the big guys Gayle and Deane to attack, but Egan gets there first to head behind for another corner. Whitehouse with this one, whipped across the six-yard box. Deane gets a flicked head to it at the near post... GOAAAAAL! It's in!!! Bryson with the final touch at the far post, and it’s 1-0 to BB! It had been coming to be fair.

Twenty minutes gone and although WW are having a bit of possession at the back, BB are shutting the midfield down quickly. Norwood just can’t get on the ball, and Fleck can’t find any space. Gayle is having a few skirmishes with McBurnie and not giving him an inch.

Wilder's wingbacks are being closed off by BB wide men and you can sense the frustration as Basham is screaming at his front men to show for the ball. What possession they are having is not hurting BB at all so far. Sharp has wriggled free of Beesley a couple of times and got a shot off from just outside the box, but it was a comfortable save for Tracey.

BB attack again down the right. Gage clips the ball down the channel for Bradshaw to chase. He grapples with Stevens for the ball down the right-hand side of the box and muscles him out of the way! Brads has time to look up and fires the ball across the penalty box. Deane and O’Connell both slide in to get there first, and the ball deflects to Whitehouse running in at the far post. He slams it left footed from 10 yards into the roof of the net! GOOOAAAALLL! Two nil to BB!

Half an hour in, and finally WW are getting into something like their normal stride. Norwood is finally getting some possession, though Gannon and Hoyland keep snapping at his heels. Lundstram and Baldock exchange passes down the right, and patiently look for an opening. Sharp links up the play. The ball is with Baldock level with penalty box. He’s looking for support. Basham is moving forward on an inside surge forward. Baldock to Lundstram, to Sharp, who lays it off for the onrushing Basham. He’s past Barnes, cuts inside Beesley and slams a left-foot shot towards goal.....OH, WHAT A SAVE! WHAT A SAVE! Tracey has gone full length to tip that round the far post! A first corner to WW.

Fleck with it. Driven, flat to the far post. O’Connell wins the header and the ball is back across goal. Gayle heads clear, but only to Norwood, who pings a shot towards goal.... IT’S JUST OVER THE BAR! So close.

Forty minutes gone and it’s still a bit scrappy here, but that suits the BB style of course. WW are struggling to get a real firm foothold in the game, and the physicality of the BB game is troubling them at times. They are not used to dealing with it as in their usual Premier League games they very rarely face this style of football anymore, and the pitch isn’t helping their cause either. It’s a shock to the system but if anyone can find a way to get their team to overcome it, Chris Wilder can. After all, he is still a BB squad player!

Two minutes added time in this first half and its BB on the attack again, after a long goal kick from Tracey causes problems for the centre-backs. The ball bounces, Deane wins a header forward, Bryson chases it down and feeds Whitehouse, who makes a yard of space and whips a cross in.

Deane has raced into the box, lost his marker and its a free header from 10 yards! But my God!!! HENDERSON! A BRILLIANT SAVE!!!!! Unbelievable reactions from Henderson as he puts out a strong right hand to push the ball way! A stunning save that might just keep WW in this game.

The ref blows for half-time. Wilder disappears down the tunnel before Bassett, as he needs to find a way to get his team back into this game. He has work to do. Bassett will be delighted with his team’s first-half display. A typical barn-storming BB performance interspersed with great individual skill at times. Join us back here after the break for what promises to be a fascinating second half...

Look out for the virtual second half tomorrow everyone!

Kevin Gage owns Manor House Hotel/Bar/Cafe, High St, Dronfield. Follow him on Twitter: @Gageykev.