Millers set to let loose

Boss Mark Robins feels that sooner or later his team with dish out a heavy beating if they can show staying power.

They led 1-0 against Notts Count at Millmoor last week but ended up with a draw.

Robins said: "I think we're not far away from giving somebody a good hiding.

"It looked as if we were going to do it to Notts County, then took the foot off the gas. It was as if we got the goal and then gave a sigh of relief, instead of going on from there. We need to asset ourselves more."

But he is still encouraged by the way the Millers are shaping up.

"We're not conceding many goals; we're good defensively; we've had chances; we need to be taking them.

"We're a decent side, a new team. We're not far away from where we want to be.

"With every game that goes by, the lads are getting to know each other better. There's a good team spirit. Everybody is trying to pick up as many points as we can."

Chris O'Grady shares Robins' view. "It's a shame we couldn't carry it on last week after we scored. After going 1-0 up we should have won comfortably," said the striker.

He added: "Most of the games in this division are the same, it's going to be a battle against Barnet.

"We know that we have to go down there and start well. Hopefully we can get an early goal and go for the win."

Sheffield United manager Bryan Robson has appealed for patience as his players prepare for two home games with the power to shape their season.

United entertain Southampton tomorrow before Cardiff City visit Bramall Lane on Tuesday and Robson, whose team lie 16th in the Championship table, has set them a six-point target.

United are unbeaten at home since Robson's appointment in May but a series of disappointing performances on the road have badly affected their league position.

However, as several key members of his squad return from injury and suspension, Robson says it is too early to judge United's progress.

Robson, who has been linked with Middlesbrough's Lee Cattermole, said: "We all want to get promoted. But I do hope the supporters can be a little bit patient.

"Brian Kidd (his assistant) and myself want to try and do things a little bit differently and it is taking a little while for people to get to grips with that, but that was probably always going to be the case.

"But two wins from these next two games will put us right back to where we want to be. We've played some difficult games and, although we've been disappointing away, we've beaten Wolves and West Brom at home already."

n Barnsley's Dennis Souza has warned Cardiff's cast of superstars: "Don't expect our respect."

As the lanky centre-half prepared to stop class-act strikers Robbie Fowler and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink, he warned: "Cardiff have to know that we also have quality in our team."

He added: "In football we don't have respect for other players, it does not exist. We have to just play and forget who it is in the other shirt.

"Every game is difficult for me and other defenders. We know this team, we know which players we have to take. I think I don't have to change my football for these players. I just have to keep my concentration."

Souza will be playing in a changed back four tomorrow.

Dominik Werling's suspension paved the way for a return to the team for Rob Kozluk. He was due to train with the first team today, having recovered from a groin injury.