Sheffield United sent Fleetwood Town warning as former striker Ched Evans looks to continue fine form
Sheffield United travel to Highbury Stadium on Wednesday night looking to book their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, but Fleetwood Town head coach Matt Lawlor has called on his side to show “desire, character and ability in abundance”.
Sheffield United could come up against a Fleetwood Town side full of “desire, character and ability in abundance” this week as they look to avoid a League Cup shock and book their place in the next round of the competition. The Blades travel to Highbury on Wednesday evening.
On paper it would seem a straightforward assignment for United, who are two divisions higher than the League Two side and have started their own season reasonably well. But cup competitions don’t work that way, and Chris Wilder will prepare his side for this game as much as any other the Blades will go into this season.
The Blades boss is always respectful of teams from lower down the pyramid and while he may take the chance to shuffle his pack, that will be down to a congested schedule rather than any sense of arrogance.
“We have to pay huge respect to Sheffield United because it’s going to be really tough,” said Matt Lawlor, the Fleetwood boss this week. “They’re a Championship team managed by an amazing manager who has won so much throughout his career.
“It’s an opportunity for us. We know it’s going to be a difficult one, but it will be a fantastic occasion for the club, the players and everyone involved to come up against an unbelievable football club.”
United reached this point by beating League One side Mansfield Town in the first round and followed that up by overcoming Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
This will be their third cup trip from three on the road, and Fleetwood’s third on home soil with former Blades striker Ched Evans is looking to continue his good form in this competition against his former club.
Evans scored the only goal of the game to beat Chesterfield in the first round before netting twice in the 4-0 win over Shrewsbury which set up a third-round clash with the Blades.
Lawlor’s side are unbeaten this season and the manager sees room for improvement still after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Newport County. “We’re never going to be in our best form every week,” Lawlor added.
“That’s impossible, but I want desire, character and ability in abundance. I demand that character from people in good moments, bad moments and different moments.
“That’s what I want my teams to represent. I want them to represent the town, the badge, the ownership and everything connected to the club.
“We’ve got players who always look likely to score, so that gives you a chance. The fact that our forwards are scoring and we have the ability to change the match-ups without losing quality is an absolute delight for me.
“We’re very dangerous going forward and we always have the belief that we’re going to score. The fans have shown grit, determination, desire and character, so we want to repay that in droves on Wednesday night against Sheffield United.”