Sheffield United 1 Birmingham City 1: Managers' reaction as Blades and Blues share spoils

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Sheffield United couldn’t extend their lead at the top of the Championship table this afternoon as they drew 1-1 with Birmingham City at Bramall Lane.

Oli McBurnie opened the scoring for the Blades in the second half but they were pinned back soon after by Troy Deeney’s equaliser.

Here’s the story of the game, with reaction from John Eustace and Paul Heckingbottom.

Blades v Birmingham

and the Blades make two changes for the clash with Birmingham - Reda Khadra and Tommy Doyle start in place of Ahmedhodzic and Rhian Brewster, and we’re still none the wiser really over the shape United will play - will it be a back four or a three with Khadra at wing-back?

A bit of pre-match discussion

from our Blades team, including a recap of the international break and a look ahead to this afternoon’s game

In case you missed it, the Blades are in the game...

What Hecky said about Anel’s absence

How do the Blades solve a problem like Anel?

With the big Bosnian missing out, United must decide whether to either replace him through personnel or shape - Kyron Gordon could come in, United could experiment with someone at left wing-back and shift Norrington-Davies inside to centre-half or even tear it up completely and go back to a back four considering their personnel available - whatever happens United will back themselves to get through it but it’s a significant blow to have one of their star men so far this season out injured

and the Blades are back at Bramall Lane after what seems like forever, 32 days to be exact - Birmingham the visitors this afternoon as the Blades look to pick up where they left off before the international break

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