Blackpool v Sheffield United: Team news, match updates and reaction

Rhys Norrington-Davies’ cross deflects off James Husband and out for a Sheffield United corner.

What a racket already from the North Stand. It should be another cracking atmosphere tonight.

Sheffield United get tonight’s game underway.

Up the mighty Pool!!

It’s a chilly evening on the Fylde coast, which might explain why so many supporters are yet to reach their seats. I don’t blame them staying on the concourse for as long as possible!

We’re expecting just over 1,900 Sheffield United fans in the away end this evening.

Neil Critchley opts to stick with the same system he used on Saturday, where Blackpool made it three wins in a row with a 1-0 victory against Swansea City.

It sees Pool line up with three at the back to match up Sheffield United’s formation.

He still makes two changes though, bringing Jordan Thorniley back into the side in place of Reece James after recovering from illness.

Thorniley slots back in on the left-hand side of the back three, seeing James Husband push higher up to left wing-back.

CJ Hamilton also comes in, replacing Charlie Kirk who drops down to the bench.

Chris Maxwell (quad), Richard Keogh (calf), Jordan Gabriel (hamstring), Luke Garbutt (knee), Matty Virtue (ACL), Grant Ward (achilles), Sonny Carey (metatarsal) and Keshi Anderson (hamstring) all remain sidelined.

The Blades, who begin the day six points ahead of the Seasiders, make one change from their 4-1 defeat to Coventry City at the weekend.

Will the Seasiders revert to 4-4-2? Or stick with three at the back, the system they used against Seansea at the weekend.

The Blades normally line up with a three themselves, so I’m half expecting it to be the latter.

Should that be the case, Neil Critchley will have to decide whether or not to bring Jordan Thorniley back into the fold. If he does, he’s likely to start on the left of the back three, either pushing James Husband to the bench or to left wing-back, where he could replace Reece James.

Elsewhere, the team more or less picks itself apart from left wing, where CJ Hamilton will be pushing to take Charlie Kirk’s spot in the team.

Up front, Gary Madine will be wanting to continue his impressive scoring run against his former club.

Here’s how Blackpool FC writer Matt Scrafton thinks the Seasiders might line up.

“They might make passes at the back, but predominantly they will look to go forward and get the ball up to (Gary) Madine and get runners off that,” Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom said.

“Coventry caused us problems when they were very direct, although it might have been a different outlet with pace. But it’s certainly about the first ball and the second ball.

“This Blackpool side on Wednesday night, this is how they’ve been posing problems along with how and where they’ve been winning the ball back and set plays. It’s going to be a good test.

“They’re on a good run and I think Neil’s team has evolved.

“They had a really good start. Speaking from experience, I think you can put that down to newness, freshness, excitement and energy that comes with promotion.

“But credit to Neil, because his team has evolved over the following months to a point now where I’m seeing a good balance to it.

“He makes a couple of changes tactically but they still pose the same threats. He does it to adapt to the opposition, so his team has evolved to a place where you can see why they’ve won their last three.”