Sheffield United: Cardiff City are now "a very different" team
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Twelve months ago, after appointing Steve Morison as their manager, City were among the most dangerous clubs in the division from set-piece and other dead ball situations as they attempted to exploit the physical prowess of their squad.
Although Morison remained in charge until September, with Mark Hudson now confirmed as his permanent successor, Heckingbottom detected a subtle change in City’s approach when they travelled to Bramall Lane towards the end of last season. With Hudson accepting the position on a permanent basis earlier this week, he expects the former Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town defender to accelerate the opposition’s transformation into a more multi-dimensional team.
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Hide Ad“They’re different now,” said Heckingbottom, whose side will climb to the top of the Championship table with a win. “I think you started to see the change in Cardiff last term, when they came to our place.
“Down at their ground, they put so many crosses and balls into the box. They looked to make things difficult for you that way, because of the players they had at their disposal then. But you take certain personnel out and you have to do things differently. They weren’t quite the same at Bramall Lane but they were still tough to face and we know they’ll be tough again.”
On paper, despite being beaten by Rotherham in midweek, United will enter their meeting with City as strong favourites. Hudson’s men are 18th and have also prepared for the fixture on the back of a defeat having lost to Hull City on Tuesday.
But, on closer inspection, the outcome is not as clear cut as the table might suggest. Plagued by injuries throughout the campaign, United collected a number of fresh casualties during the meeting with their South Yorkshire neighbours. Oli McBurnie, according to both Heckingbottom and the player himself, expected to be available for selection despite turning an ankle. But John Fleck is a doubt after receiving a blow to the leg he fractured earlier this term while Anel Ahmedhodzic was taken ill after kick-off. Chris Basham is being nursed through a hip muscle problem while Rhian Brewster, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Sander Berge are confirmed absentees, alongside Jayden Bogle and Max Lowe.
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Hide AdFormer City loanee Tommy Doyle, signed on a temporary basis from Manchester City, could return for United’s final outing before the World Cup break after making progress in his battle to overcome a calf complaint.
United are unbeaten in their last three clashes with City, winning both of their encounters last season.
Captain Billy Sharp, Morgan Gibbs-White and David McGoldrick, now of Nottingham Forest and Derby County respectively, all wrote their names on the scoresheet at the Cardiff City Stadium.
“They’ve got dangerous players and they’re a good team, with excellent pace and energy,” said Heckingbottom, noting City are only seven points outside of the play-off positions. “They’ve just not been consistent and we’re striving for even more consistency. Because that’s the difference in this league.”