Michael Brown, who signed for us in 2004 after starring for Sheffield United, is joined by Danny Hall, Sheffield United writer for the Sheffield Star, to preview Sunday's Premier League clash at Bramall Lane (2pm).
Introducing the panel
Michael Brown - Browny came through the youth system to play for Manchester City between 1995-2000. He then shone at Sheffield United, leading to a move to Spurs in 2004. An all-action midfielder, he spent 18 months with us before switching to Fulham, and had spells at Wigan, Pompey, Leeds and Port Vale before retiring at 40 with 650 career appearances under his belt. He’s now a busy broadcaster and pundit for Sky Sports, BBC Five Live, City TV and Quest. @michaelbrowny1
Danny Hall - Sheffield United writer at the Sheffield Star, Danny also owns Vertical Edition Books and is the author of Paddy Kenny's autobiography The Gloves Are Off. @dannyhall04
Michael Brown
“I’m sure Sheffield United will have a go a bit more than of late. They had been a little cautious, but they had a go at Newcastle, came straight out much quicker, much more positive and felt like they could go for it a bit more. That’s more difficult when you know what Spurs can do in regard to counter-attacking, they can soak up pressure and then hit you, so clinical. But against Newcastle, that was the biggest sigh of relief I’ve heard in a long time on the final whistle. Remember the end of the game? A ball over the top aiming for Andy Carroll and Jayden Bogle nodded it back to Aaron Ramsdale, who had already started to come out. The ball trickled towards the goal in slow motion and just went wide. It was so tense with all the staff there, the people in the stadium, all desperate for that first win. But they know it’s still a tough journey ahead. Spurs will be well aware about the situation of conceding from winning positions. The building blocks have been there, the second goal hasn’t been of late. That invites pressure, which can lead to individual mistakes. At 1-0, teams have nothing to lose. Get that second goal, and it’s a different story. That’s key for Spurs."
Danny Hall
"It’ll be another incredibly tough game for United and although it sounds like a cliche, they’ve all been difficult since promotion back to the Premier League, especially given their start this time around. They’ll be buoyed by getting that first win of the season at last recently, and I think they’ll set up no differently to any game this season - they’ve not sat back and parked the bus at all this season, and now wouldn’t be a smart time to start, for my money, against such a good side. With the position they’re in in the table, there’s no point setting up in a cagey manner and in some ways this game is a bit of a free-hit - and maybe Fulham’s point against Spurs will give United a little more belief that they can at least emulate that. Of course, it could go the other way and Jose’s boys may take their frustrations out on United! But hopefully that doesn’t happen. Jose clearly has a lot of respect for Chris Wilder, judging by their touching moment after last season at Bramall Lane, and both those games were engaging affairs - United felt really hard done to after the VAR call that seemed to take an eternity before going against them, and a lot of things went their way at Bramall Lane in the return leg. It’s a game I’m looking forward to - but if Spurs’ frightening front three are in the mood, that optimism might disappear very quickly on Sunday afternoon!"