From the vault: Opponents in focus - Sheff United

Another of Pompey's no power championship opponents will be Sheffield United, so they are next to come under the microscope as PompeyFrippy has a look at them - we revisit this ahead of the meeting tomorrow...

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Stadium
Sheffield United were established in 1889, and ever since they've played their home games at Bramall Lane, which is allegedly the oldest major league ground in the world. The ground has been hosting football and cricket since it was built in 1855. After it's recent renovation in 2006, it now seats 32,609.

Trophies
The Blades have won all 4 Divisions in England, but haven't won the top flight for 112 years. They won the old Division 2 (now Championship) in 1952/53, and have won the FA Cup 4 times, all between 1899 and 1925.

Last 7 Season Finishing Positions
2003-04 - Division 1 - 8th
2004-05 - Premiership - 8th
2005-06 - Championship - 2nd (Promoted as Runners-up)
2006-07 - Premiership - 18th (Relegated)
2007-08 - Championship - 9th
2008-09 - Championship - 3rd (Lost in play-offs)
2009-10 - Championship - 8th

Previous Meetings
The last time these two sides met was in the Premier League at Bramall Lane. The hosts led for most of the game but a late goal from Gary O'Neil earned the visitors a deserved point.
The reverse fixture at Fratton Park that season was played just 3 weeks prior to the away fixture, and The Blues comfortably won thanks to goals from unlikely men. An own goal from defender Robert Kozluk and goals from Noe Pamarot and Sol Campbell saw Portsmouth win 3-1.

This season
The sides will meet at Bramall Lane on the 18th of September, and at Fratton Park on the 5th of March.

Manager
Kevin Blackwell managed Leeds and Luton before taking over at Sheffield United, and found little joy with his previous clubs. But he has had 2 and a half steady seasons since taking over The Blades, and Bookies rate them around 16/1 to win the league this season.

One to Watch
I was going to go for captain Chris Morgan, but instead opted for new signing Danijel Bogdanovic. The Maltese striker has spent his 10 year career at 13 different clubs across Europe, and spent last season at Barnsley, where he score 16 league goals in an impressive season.

Fun Fact
As well as being the oldest major league ground in the world, Bramall Lane also holds the privilege of hosting the first ever game under floodlights when Sheffield Club played Hallam in 1862 in front of 20,000 spectators.

Written by PompeyFrippy.

The views within this article are the views of the individual who wrote and submitted this piece, sometimes solely theirs. They are not necessarily shared by the Vital Pompey Site Journalists.

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