One of the fiercest derbies in English football is not Liverpool against Manchester United or the North London derby. Instead it’s in the Steel City where Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United clash against each other. And the first time these two clubs will meet this season happens this Sunday at Bramall Lane.

This season it’ll be quite different as both Sheffield clubs are seeking promotion from League One back into the Championship. Despite being a league lower than where you’d expect each club (at least, historically), this should be an exciting match. It’s the first time the two clubs have faced each other in the third tier of English football since 1980. Both clubs will be hopeful to pick up vital points to mount a serious promotion challenge.

“We’re excited about it, it’s a massive game and the city is buzzing – it can’t come round quick enough,” says United’s former Wednesday forward Richard Cresswell. “Both teams are looking for one thing and that’s promotion. It’s a Steel City derby but the main thing is to get out of League One. Both clubs really should be at a higher level. That’s the ultimate aim.”

For those of you who want to walk down memory lane, here are a couple of golden-oldie videos:

First, the 2003 win by United:

And here’s a 1994 victory by Wednesday over United:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzPVJKLm2nU

This week’s game of the week was the Saturday evening kick off at Bramall Lane, which was screened live on BSKYB. Those fortunate enough to catch the game either from the stands or via their television were treated to a five goal thriller featuring two sending offs, three penalties and a bucket load of late drama.

The punch line of this drama was that Sheffield United scored two goals in a controversial final five minutes to come from behind, snatching the points and  leaving Crystal Palace in the relegation mire.

Yet despite the end result it was the away side that took the lead, as Jean Calve was penalised for pushing Neil Danns inside the penalty area. The alleged victim was able to step up and convert the resulting penalty himself.

Sheffield United not to be outdone were able to equalise five minutes before half time with a penalty of their own, as Nathaniel Clyne was judged to have fouled Ched Evans, Richard Cresswell converted for the Blades.

This is despite replays suggesting that the defender won the ball and unable to accept the decision Owen Garvan talked his way into an early bath by earning a second yellow card for dissent.

With the sides level at half time, Crystal Palace were able to regroup and live up to the adage that it is sometimes harder to play against ten men than eleven, Sheffield United pressured but were unable to breakthrough. Despite this pressure Crystal Palace were able to take the lead against the run of play, as James Vaughan converted a Nathaniel Clyne cross just after the hour mark.

The advantage remained with the visitors going into the last ten minutes and optimistic Eagles fans must have sensed they were on the brink of a potentially season defining victory, however fate and the Blades had other ideas.

After piling on the pressure following the visitors goal, the Blades finally broke the Eagles’ resistance with just five minutes to play. Unsurprisingly this was the result of another controversial decision  which allowed a blatantly offside Ched Evans to hook home the rebound from a Kyle Bartley header which hit the bar.

Just two minutes later Sheffield United were able to break through again and break Crystal Palace hearts by winning another, but this time more clear cut penalty. As Claude Davis fouled Daniel Bogdanovic inside the area with his back to goal, the Blades striker however was able to recover and fire home from 12 yards.

The Maltese striker however went from hero to villain within a few minutes of his goal as he concluded an action packed game by earning a straight red card for serious foul play.

There was little incident after Bogdanovic left the field and Sheffield United secured a hard fought victory in a game that seemed to be alluding them until the final moments.

Both sides needed to win this game and although now clear of the relegation zone there will be much for Sheffield United to do if they want to get their season back on track, as for Crystal Palace a change in fortune is a must should they wish to play Championship football next season.

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Today the FA announced the England U21 squad to face Germany on the 16^th of November.

Included in this squad were seven players who are currently available for selection by Championship sides, either as part of their permanent squad or on loan deals from Premier League sides.

This is a great opportunity for each of these players and shows that despite the dominance of the Premier League in high level youth development, there is still a role to be played by the Championship in this area.

Whether the parent club or acting as a surrogate the Championship acts as a competitive environment for these youngsters to learn the game and develop into established professionals. It also acts as a shop window for loan players who are talented but unlikely to be offered long term deals with their parent club.

The squad to face Germany includes the following Championship players:

Frank Fielding – Derby (on loan from Blackburn)

Position: Goalkeeper

Age: 22

A much travelled and experienced goalkeeper with over 100 football league appearances under his belt spread over six different loan spells, these have gradually eased the Lancastrian towards the top flight.

He made the headlines without even playing earlier in the season when he received his first full England call up. This drew criticism as at that point he had not played any competitive football at a level higher than League One and was subsequently did not feature in the game.

If you want to watch him in the Championship you may have to hurry as this weekend’s game against Leicester may be his last as Derby number one Stephen Bywater edges towards full fitness, which would mean a return to Blackburn for Frank.

Jason Steele – Middlesborough

Position: Goalkeeper

Age – 20

From the North West Jason Steele has come through the youth ranks to the first team at Middlesbrough via a loan spell at Northampton Town.

Highly rated by the Teesiders he has kept his place in the first team and at just 20 will excite many as he still has up to ten years of development before he will approach his peak.

Ryan Bertrand – Nottingham Forest (on loan from Chelsea)

Position: Left Back

Age: 21

A talented full back who has the misfortune of being at a club that includes Ashley Cole limiting his long term prospects at Chelsea. Therefore his numerous loan spells which include Reading, Norwich and now Nottingham Forest, would appear to be a shop window as well as a development tool.

He has impressed at every club he has played for in the Championship and as a converted winger, he has the ability to add an additional attacking dimension to his game, something that could not have been hurt by training with arguably the world’s best left back.

Kyle Walker – Queen’s Park Rangers (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)

Position: Right Back

Age: 20

Another player with multiple loan moves in a fledgling career, he has made one substitute appearance in the Tottenham first team. These loan spells include an extended stay with his schoolboy club Sheffield United that yielded 25 Championship appearances last term.

Having been on the edge of the Tottenham first team, it may be that should injuries hit White Hart Lane this product of the steel city will get a chance to prove his worth at the highest level.

Jack Cork – Burnley (on loan from Chelsea)

Position: Central Midfield

Age: 21

Another Chelsea player farmed out on loan due to a lack of opportunities at Stamford Bridge, he has already got Premier League experience, playing for his current club Burnley who renewed his loan at the start of the season.

Having already earned the praises of the Match of the Day panel last season he is tipped to make it in the Premier League, if not at Chelsea. Only time will tell how long the creative midfielder waits to see if things will pan out for him at Chelsea.

Danny Rose – Bristol City (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)

Position – Winger

Age – 20

Danny Rose had he debut that any aspiring footballer dreams about by scoring an amazing volley against his club’s bitter derby rivals in a memorable 2-1 victory, a strike which many polls placed as their goal of the season both for Tottenham and the Premier League.

He is an exciting prospect and should gain vital experience in the West Country that will be vital should he wish to get a chance to repeat the goal he scored in his only previous league start for Tottenham.

Scott Sinclair – Swansea

Position: Winger/Striker

Age: 21

As I am sure the Gaffer will tell you, Scott Sinclair has been in fine form since joining Swansea from Chelsea in the summer.

After promising so much early in his career, things just did not work out for the former Bristol Rovers player who like many of the players in this list have spent much of their career on loan.

However now playing first team football he is on fire having scored 7 goals already this season, I doubt that it will be long before Sinclair will be desperate to have another crack at proving himself in the Premier League.

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Can Kevin Blackwell turn around United's fortunes?

It is probably against all the rules of a blog to direct the reader away in the first paragraph, but I think it’s worth it. Before you read this little ramble, have a listen to the BBC interview with Kevin Blackwell, conducted after Sheffield United’s 3-0 defeat at Blackpool a week ago last Saturday.

Fun, isn’t it? To my mind, that is an interview every bit as shocking and, let’s be honest, amusing as Kevin Keegan’s famous ‘I’d love it’ moment or Rafa Benitez’s accusations aimed at Manchester United last season. As it’s in the Championship, though, the media seemed to have largely ignored it.

To me, that sounds like a manager in meltdown. Poor Seth, the journalist, asks a pretty valid question: “Do you still feel the spirit is strong?” United, who came third last season and possessed an incredibly mean defence, had just lost 3-0 at Blackpool. Moreover, it followed a defeat at Scunthorpe, a last-gasp draw at home to winless Ipswich, a failure to defeat Doncaster and a loss at Swansea. After Saturday’s 4-3 home defeat to Cardiff, the Blades have failed to keep a clean sheet since September 12th and have conceded a rotten 21 goals in their last eight games. If anything, Seth was being kind in his phraseology.

Blackwell, however, did not see it that way at all. Seth’s question provoked a response so defensive and so visceral that you cannot help but assume the journalist had touched a very raw nerve indeed. Blackwell proceeds to spend three minutes desperately reaching for excuses. Injuries come high up the list, but excuses about injuries rarely wash – all clubs face the same problem.

Apart from injuries, though, Blackwell insists: “That’s life… It just happens… It’s just not happening for us… Things aren’t dropping for us at the moment.” Essentially, he seems to be suggesting that it’s just bad luck. But when even that doesn’t seem to convince anyone, he resorts to insulting the journalist who is calmly trying to do his job: “That’s a stupid question,” he retorts. “Come on, don’t be stupid,” he argues. “That’s rubbish, Seth,” he falters. But what has Seth said? Seth’s question is perfectly valid. It is Blackwell’s retorts that stink of refuse and panic.

Perhaps this is all a result of a bit of deja vu for the United manager. Back in 2006, he took Leeds all the way to a play-off final, one win away from the Premier League. That season he never spurned an opportunity to bemoan how little he had to spend on his team (usually just before spending over a million on Rob Hulse or Richard Cresswell) but clearly Leeds had better resources than most at that time. Following a transparent attempt to position Leeds as the underdogs against Watford in the final, Blackwell was tactically destroyed by Aidy Boothroyd as the Hornets won 3-0. Leeds’ descent the following season was rapid and they finished bottom.

I wonder if that season is now rattling around his brain once more. Only that injury time equaliser against Ipswich stops it from looking like a fully-fledged crisis.

Blackwell is keen to blame injuries, new players and a lack of fit midfielders. Yet this is a side that on Saturday included Matt Kilgallon, Chris Morgan, James Harper, Glen Little, Stephen Quinn, Kyle Walker and £3m-worth of Ched Evans. Henri Camara was only on the bench. Can a manager who can field those players in this league really be moaning about injuries?

Whichever way you look at it this is a dire run and the Blades’ defence, the rock on which their season was built last season, appears to be crumbling.  Blackwell’s outburst against an honest, local journalist after a poor result only serves to highlight the pressure the manager is feeling. Perhaps the Blades’ next game, at home to Newcastle on Monday, will galvanise the crowd and shake the team up. Blackwell will hope so, because many more defeats and goals conceded and he might find himself on nodding terms with Gareth Southgate in the dole queue.

Sheffield United are in talks with free agent Leroy Lita, following his release by fellow promotion challengers Reading.

The former England Under-21 international could be an ideal replacement for current Blades striker Billy Sharp, who has recently been placed on the transfer list. However, Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell has expressed some frustration at how the negotiations have progressed. He told BBC Radio Sheffield: “I’ve been in contact with his agent. It’s a classic example of too many people talking for him.

“I’d like to think the kid could play his football and let the rest take care of itself, sadly it’s never like that.”

Lita scored 6 goals in his 9 appearances for the under-21′s and has already attracted plenty of interest, with Leicester City also said to be keeping an eye on the situation. Their manager Nigel Pearson spoke to BBC Radio Leicester but was not giving too much away.

“We will see what happens” said Pearson.

“I know there’s a lot of speculation about him [Lita] but I wouldn’t like to make any comment at the moment.”

Lita made his name at Bristol City, where he scored 36 goals in just 47 starts, earning him a £1million move to Reading in 2005. However despite getting off to a solid start, scoring 15 goals in his first season, he soon fell out of favour and was loaned out to Charlton in 2007-08 and Norwich last season.

During the latter of the loan deals, Lita enjoyed a resurgence in form, netting 7 times in 16 appearances and eyebrows were raised when he was released by the Royals earlier in the summer.

While he shouldn’t have a problem finding a club of similar stature, the decision is sure to have knocked Lita’s pride and so whoever does sign him could have quite a player on their hands. A wounded striker, like a wounded animal, can be a dangerous beast.

Back in the day, commentators, football writers and outfield players all used to laugh at goalkeepers. They were sometimes described as ‘a breed apart’ but mostly they were bluntly referred to as ‘mad’. Keepers were allowed to have rushes of blood and make silly mistakes, because that is what they were there for. They provided added entertainment to football.

Goalies were weird. Just think…

Imagine that over-enthusiastic fan who sits near you. The one who screams, cries and laughs for 90 minutes. Now give him the fabled powers of a top class goalkeeper. You’ve got Les Sealy. Memorably, he once had an enormous row with the Man Utd physio who was insisting he come off the pitch after an injury. To Les, that was not an option.

John Burridge was one of the prototypes. I believe he played at least one game for every single professional football club in existence in England. Burridge freely admits that he sleeps with a football every night. Even now.

Years before David Ginola smouldered at the camera and said: “Because I’m worth it,” Phil Parkes thought it would be a fine idea to do a Cossack Hairspray commercial. Footballers had advertised things before, but that was Bobby Moore promoting pubs (yes, just pubs in general) and Kevin Keegan splashing Brut all over his toned body. Phil Parkes’ commercial was shot soft-focus and looked like a perfume ad.

Bruce Grobbelaar’s regular title in Roy of the Rovers in the 1980s was ‘The Clown Prince of Soccer’. When it was raining he’d run onto the pitch while shielding himself with an umbrella. He once wore an old man’s mask at the start of a game. He swung on the crossbars. His legs sometimes turned to spaghetti at key moments.

In fact, all over the world goalies have been unusual. Rene Higuita and his famous scorpion kick.  Jorge Campos and his luminous, Picasso-style goalkeeper jerseys. Dead-ball specialist José Luis Chilavert scored an astonishing 62 goals in his career. Jens Lehmann performs a strange jump and click of the heels before taking a goal kick, like Dorothy in Oz. Peter Schmeichel was the most scary man to ever stand between the sticks.

Yet sadly the age of the eccentric goalkeeper is coming to an end. Football is just too much of a business to tolerate someone like Grobelaar actually enjoying himself on a football pitch and entertaining the fans.  And, thanks in part to the back pass rule, goalkeepers have become integrated into mainstream pro-footballer society.

Look at the keepers around these days: Chris Kirkland, Rob Green, Scott Carson, Shay Given. I’m sure they’re all nice blokes. But the closest they get to being described as eccentric is when they drop a cross. David James is conisdered slightly different because he likes painting. Give me strength.

So today I kneel down in praise of Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. A true throwback. A man who proudly carries the tradition of weird goalkeepers.

Paddy Kenny looks like he wears his kit all week so he doesn’t have to bother changing between games.

Paddy Kenny looks a bit overweight. Keepers always used to be a bit chunky. Now they’re all skinny like Kirkland or muscly like James.

Paddy Kenny doesn’t stand around his penalty spot before kick-off doing a few exercises. He stands somewhere off to the left, shoulders slumped, looking at the planes passing overhead, his goal wide open.

Paddy Kenny looks like a bloke who drinks WKD every Friday night in the Yorkshire clubs.

Paddy Kenny will respond to crowds who chant that he likes to eat pies.

Paddy Kenny is never, ever limited by his penalty box.

Paddy Kenny has no need for a substitute goalkeeper.

Paddy Kenny is the last of a dying breed… unless there’s one at your club?

The 5^th round of the FA Cup gets underway this Saturday and Sunday and the question is will there be any upsets or will it be business as usual?

Watford v Chelsea – Vicarage Road

Just last week I would have said there was no chance of Watford pulling an upset but I’m not sure. With Chelsea playing poor football and Scolari being sacked just 4 days before the match how will Chelsea react? Will they come out and have a hangover or will they take any anger over their managers dismissal out on Watford? The talent gulf is clear between the two clubs but that doesn’t always guarantee a victory. Watford does have the home pitch advantage which will help boost them. However, I still think Chelsea will squeak by Watford 2-1 but it won’t be pretty.

Derby County v Manchester United Episode III  “Revenge of the Rams?”- Pride Park

This will be the third time Derby and United have faced off this year, with Derby taking the first leg of the Carling Cup 1-0 and United taking the tie and second leg 4-2. I give Derby a 15% chance of springing the upset on United. Derby are playing good football right now, Rob Hulse and Kris Commons are on hot streaks and Commons has showed he not intimidated by United. Pride Park will be a sell out and the Rams fans will be loud and in full support of Derby. However United are full of talent and if they play like they can, Derby wont stand a chance. I think Derby will do well but I expect United to take this 3-2.

Swansea City v Fulham – Liberty Stadium

This is a battle of two teams who are performing above expectations in their respective leagues. Swansea City is showing it can handle life in the Championship with no problems while Fulham are having a good year after barely escaping relegation last season. Swansea isn’t afraid of any team and they will be playing at home which will help Fulham dispatched non-league Kettering Town while Swansea struggled to beat non-league Histon. I think Fulham will take this tie but it depends on which Swansea team shows up that will determine the score, my guess 3-1 Fulham.

Blackburn Rovers v Coventry City – Ewood Park

I sense an upset here, Blackburn are not playing well at all while Chris Coleman has Coventry doing well in the Championship. Blackburn struggled to get past fellow BPL team Sunderland while Coventry likewise had issues with BSP Torquay. I think out of all the ties this one has the best chance for an upset. Coleman has Coventry believing they can win and Blackburn are having a bad season. My guess 2-1 Coventry.

Sheffield United v Hull City – Bramell Lane

The surprise package of the BPL travels to a solid Sheffield United squad. While United are playing well and on track for the CCC playoffs, Hull are having a magical season in the BPL. They are not afraid of anyone which has contributed to their success. Hull takes this 1-0 in typical Hull fashion.

Arsenal v Cardiff City 4^th Round replay – Emirates Stadium

Cardiff did well to hold Arsenal in the first match but I think Arsenal will show their class in the replay of the tie. The talented youngsters Wenger has at his disposal is frightening. Arsenal to advance 4-2.

Sadly I see this weekend as a continuation of business as usual for the FA Cup. Other then Coventry springing an upset on Blackburn I think it will be a clean sweep for the BPL Clubs. I hope and would love to be proven wrong and of course Lets Go Ewe Rams!!

The thrid round of the FA Cup draw is out and here is who the teams of the CCC will face. The ties will be played the weekend of January 3, 2009. If the tie is tied then a replay will be played.

Portsmouth v Bristol City – Ashton Gate

Sheffield Wednesday v Fulham – Hillbrough

Preston NE v Liverpool – Deepdale

Birmingham City v Wolves – St. Andrew’s Stadium

West Ham United v Barnsley – Upton Park

Manchester City v Nottingham Forest – Eastlands

Cardiff City v Reading – Ninan Park

Ipswich Town v Chesterfield/Droylesden – Portman Road

Charlton v Norwich – The Valley

Torquay v Blackpool – Plainmoor

Leyton Orient v Sheffield United – Brisbane Road

Southampton v Manchester United – St. Mary’s Stadium

Histon v Swansea City – Bridge Road

Forest Green Rovers v Derby County – The New Lawn

QPR v Burnley – Turf Moor

Leicester City v Crystal Palace – Walkers Stadium

Morcambe/Cheltenham v Doncaster

Arsenal v Plymouth – Emirates Stadium

Watford v Scunthorpe – Vicarage Road

Coventry City v Kidderminster – Richo Arena

The transfer window may be closed but Championship Teams are still active in the loan market. Deals that are struck between clubs about transfers won’t go through until Janruary 1st, 2009. Here is the latest activity in the loan market:

Andy Todd: From Derby County to Northampton Town

Keith Gillespie: From Sheffield United to Charlton Athletic

Chris Weale: From Bristol City to Hereford United

Luke Varney: From Charlton to Derby County (will be made permanate in Jan for 1M)

Graham Stack: From Plymouth to Blackpool

Bartosz Slusarski: From West Brom to Sheffield Wed

Kurt Robinson: From Ipswich Town to Northampton Town

Kyel Reid: From West Ham to Blackpool

Steve Jones: From Burnley to Bradford City

Shane Higgs: From Cheltenham Town to Wolves

Joshua Gowing: From Bristol City to Hereford United

Mitchell Hanson: From Derby County to Notts County

Liam Dickenson: From Derby County to Blackpool

Mark Davies: From Wolves to Leicester

Jamie Cureton: From Norwich to Barnsley

Deon Burton: From Sheffield Wed to Charlton

Steve Brooker: From Bristol City to Doncaster

Liam Bridcutt: From Chelsea to Watford

Chris Birchall: From Coventry City to Carlisle United

Ashely Barnes: From Plymouth to Gainsbrough Trinity

Here are the scores for the Championship teams that were still alive in the Third Round of the Carling Cup.

Arsenal 6 ( Bendter 31′, 42, Vela 44′, 50′, 87′, Wilshere 57′) Sheffield United 0

Burnley 1 ( Rodriguez 88′) Fulham 0

Rotherham 3 ( Fenton 20′, Harrison 56′, Broughton 69′) Southampton 1 ( John 61′)

Swansea 1 ( Gomez 57′) Cardiff City 0

Stoke 2 ( Pericard 9′, Sidibie 50′) Reading 2 ( Henry 45′, 75′) Stoke win 4-3 on penalties

Watford 1 ( Mullins 70′ (og) ) West Ham 0

Aston Villa 0 QPR 1 ( Stewart 58′)

Ipswich 1 ( Walters 61′) Wigan 4 ( Cattermole 52′, Kapo 64′, Sharner 70′, Camara 90′)

Manchester City and Brighton Hove and Albion played thier 2nd Round tie today after it had been postponed due to Manchester City’s involvement with the UEFA Cup. The winner will face Derby County.

Brighton 2 ( Murry 89′, Anyinsah 95′) Manchester City 2 ( Gelson 64′, Ireland 108′) Brighton win  5-4 on penalities

Brighton will face Derby at Withdean Stadium, the date has yet to be determined.