Internet Blades vs Internet Millers Match Preview

Match: Vs Inter Blades
Meet: 9am Meadowhall Railway Station Car Park or Straight to ground for 9:30am

Kick Off: 10am
Location: Hallam FM academy (Owned by Sheff U and located on Firshill Crescent in Sheffield)

Surface: Artificial Grass, the same as Manvers so will take blades or astros.

Kit: Away Kit – Black IMFC Shirt, White IMFC Shorts, Black IMFC Socks

Manager: Skip

SQUAD
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Jebu
Denti
Dan
Steve
Duds
Adis
Symon
Jonny
John
Shark
Paul El
Chappel
Chris Grist
Lee
Steve R
Chris Cope

Comments on Opposition

Last season the Internet Millers came up against Sheffield United three times, coming out on top in two 90 minute encounters and losing in the final of a 30 minutes match tournament.

The first was on the 13^th December where the Millers ran riot for a 7-2 victory in the IFA League, Steve Burns notching an impressive 5 times. The Millers then got paired with Sheffield United in the final regional stage of the UK Supporters and the subsequent match on the 17^th January was classed both IFA league and cup game. Once again the Millers started very brightly and flew into a 3-0 commanding lead. However, the Blades with an extremely healthy squad got on top and pulled it back to 3-2, a goal in the last 10 minutes killed off the blades making it 4-2 and the double for the season, Jebu and Burns notching the goals on the day.

Finally, a Summer 2004 Comfort Day tournament in Grimsby saw the Millers remain unbeaten all the way to the final, scoring an abundance of goals. However, the squad was very depleted and with the semi and final being played with the same 11 players a strong looking Sheffield United Squad pipped IM to the trophy in an entertaining final that finished 2-1 to the Blades. IM took an early lead through Jebu in the opening minutes but an extremely strong 5 minutes of football saw the blades breach the Millers defence twice before half time. Despite late pressure the Blades hung on for a well deserved first win over the Millers for the season. The Millers will be looking for some revenge for this result.

Matches between Sheff U and IM have been taking place for a number of seasons. The overall record between the two sides is Played 7 Won 3 Drawn 2 and Lost 2. The Millers have scored 29 goals in these 7 games and the Blades 20 so expect an high scoring game, the defence that copes the better could be the team that grabs the victory.

Squad Comments

The Internet Millers are missing a few regular players but over the past season we have built up a very large squad that is capable of remaining strong despite the loss of a few players. Andy Parker, Jammer, Gaz Elliot and Gav are 4 midfielders all capable of a first team place. Team Physio and fitness coach Dazza will also not be at the match.

However, the experience of Steve R, gritty determination of Dan, quick feet of Adis and an array of younger lads such as Jonny, John, Lee and Symon the midfield should be in safe hands even without the missing players.

Mark the Shark will begin the season in net as Skip takes on a managerial role, Mark has been impressive since joining the Millers with a number of local sides taking notice considering his young age.

Defence has the power of Duds, experience of Paul El and all round qualities of Denti to provide a strong rearguard against the blades attack. Copey provides the team with a natural full back with both Jonny and Lee capable of stepping into defensive roles. Resident utility player and die hard miller, Chappell will be ready to step in and help get one over the Blades!

Up front IM are as strong as ever. Both Steve Burns and Joe Roebuck (Jebu) are ready for a new season with a few landmarks to hit. 5 goals in this match will see them hit 100 goals for the club between them. Waiting in the wings with some impressive performances towards the back end of last season are youngsters Chris Grist and Symon. Both have notched their first goals for IM and are eager to build on this, no doubt both will get a run out up front to once again show their skills in the forward line.

Pre Match Comments

Whether the millers opt for a 352 , 442 or a mixture of both will be revealed on Saturday as the managerial team finished discussions midweek and passed the details onto manager skip who agreed with the plans. Its important to remember that the IFA is not all about winning, as we know its fun and brings supporters together. Therefore, what everyone may consider the IMFC best 11 will not be playing for 90 minutes as we ensure everyone gets some time on the pitch to help them progress as a player and enjoy their football. I have full confidence on whoever is out on the pitch to do their business and enjoy themselves.

For the first time Skip will be taking on the official role as manager on the sidelines. Therefore Jebu and Denti will no longer need to worry about substitutions while playing their match and can get on with playing their football. This will be a big boost not only personally to me but to the entire squad as Skip will be able to see and hear things from the sidelines that I do not and use his experience in football to drive us. Hopefully this will help us become more organised throughout the season.

We will be playing in the black kit and will be looking to get hopefully our first of many wins in it throughout the season. A lot of you already have personal shirts which you are welcome and encouraged to wear, also please remember to bring any kit black socks and white shorts that you may have kept on at the end of worldnet.

Sheffield United are a very strong team at the best of times, we have shared the spoils with them over the past few seasons so this will be a very tough game. We are a few midfielders missing but the strength in depth lets us still look strong in that position so all those people that not only start the game but come on throughout I urge you to work extremely hard. I would be extremely surprised if this is like the 7-2 cakewalk of one of our games last year so lets battle out a result and remember to keep passing and playing the good football I know we can.

A full review of the game will be posted early next week.

Jebu out….