Birmingham City vs Sheffield United preview: Lee Bowyer on Blades threat, protests, Billy Sharp

Some last minute thoughts from Lee Bowyer on Friday night’s game
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Birmingham City will be looking to make it a league double over Sheffield United when they face off on Friday evening.

The Blues were 1-0 victors over the Blades on match day one of the campaign - a 19th minute header from Maxime Colin proving the difference.

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Friday’s contest is expected to be much different though with plenty of change within both teams.

There could be up to six different starters taking the field at St Andrew’s for Lee Bowyer’s side with numerous ins and outs since the two went head-to-head last August.

Here’s some last minute thoughts from the boss ahead of the game.

Sheffield United's Ben Osborn (left) and Birmingham City's Kristian Pedersen battle for the ball when the sides met at Bramall Lane in AugustSheffield United's Ben Osborn (left) and Birmingham City's Kristian Pedersen battle for the ball when the sides met at Bramall Lane in August
Sheffield United's Ben Osborn (left) and Birmingham City's Kristian Pedersen battle for the ball when the sides met at Bramall Lane in August

Taylor & Hogan partnership

I know what Lyle brings. Lyle creates chances and scores goals so he’s added to the squad.

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Scotty seems to get a chance near enough every game so yeah, hopefully they can form some kind of partnership.

We’ve got a lot of games in a short space of time though and we’re going to have to rotate a little bit here and there.

I’ve got other good players, strikers also so once they get back fit then we can see who works best with each other.

Sheffield United challenge

A tough one. They are a good side.

Obviously just come down from the Premiership, we played them earlier on in the season and it was really tough.

Their strength in depth in the squad is exceptional.

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I watched them the other night against Peterborough and the lads they brought on; [John] Fleck, top quality player. [David] McGoldrick, top quality player and [Oli] McBurnie - they played 20 odd million for McBurnie. [Rhian] Brewster went off, 20 odd million.

They’ve got a good squad of players and we’re going to have to be at it the same as Sunday. We’ve got to be at it from the start, defend well and try and hurt them when we get the opportunities.

Billy Sharp

Billy Sharp scores goals for fun and he will be a big test for our defenders.

That’s something that we are going to have to make sure doesn’t happen and he’s got to be marked when he’s in the box because he’s definitely a threat.

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Saying that, they’ve got a lot of threats so we can’t just concentrate on one player we’ve got to concentrate on the other 10 as well.

Planned protest

I wasn’t aware to what extent will be happening until around five minutes ago.

All I would ask is that try and be as positive as they can because the players need them.

They are a great bunch these fans and they get behind the lads constantly home and away and I just want it to stay that way and try and keep the place positive if we can.

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We all can have frustrations, someone asked me if I would like things to be different regarding transfers and stuff.

All I would say is I know the fans, I’ve played in front of them and I know what positivity they can bring to the team and that’s what I want them to bring.

That’s not just Friday, that’ every time. Every time they step into that stadium bring positivity.

The players have got to earn it, don’t get me wrong, the players have got to run around and got to fight for the club but that’s one thing I demand from them so if we can just get behind the lads and sing their hearts out like they always do, that’s what I want.

Protest affecting players

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It’s difficult to answer that because some players mentality is stronger than others.

What I would say is, when the fans come into the stadium is please get behind the players. We need you, it’s going to be a tough game.

Get behind the players and support us and sing their hearts out like they usually do.

That’s what we need (loud support).

I want the stadium, the pitch to be a positive place and that will help the players I think.

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The most important thing is get behind the team and sing your hearts out for them.

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