Well here we go then. The start of the real stuff. Our Football League campaign kicks off with a trip to Brammall lane to face a side who, like Leeds, were in the Premiership not long ago. In fact, they were in the top flight much more recently than Leeds - just five years since they dropped down from the big time.
Recent years have been pretty average for Sheffield though, as little over a year ago they endured their second relegation in three summers, dropping into the third tier. They almost went up at the first time of asking, but Danny Wilson's men were pipped at the post when they lost on penalties to Simon Grayson's Huddersfield in one of the more remarkable shoot outs of recent times.
After their failure to go up, the Blades have had to work on a smaller budget. They've managed to keep hold of wonderkid Harry Maguire (remember the name, future Premiership and possibly even England player there) and have assembled a mean squad - one which is amongst the favourites for the title this season.
However, there are a few holes. They, like Town, went out of the Capital One cup in its first round. Unlike Town, they lost to a side a division below them, bowing out on penalties to Burton Albion after a 2-2 draw. Burton appear to have been second best in most regards overall, but controlled possession. This was the Blades' first team and appeared to have been Danny Wilson's favoured 11, so there is definitely encouragement to be had.
I will start adding a slightly mores statistical element to my previews as the season gets older and statistics become more valid, but for this week I will include just the two facts.
Did you know? Sheffield United and Shrewsbury have played 8 times in League Football - Sheffield are still waiting for their first win.
Lenny's GRANDISON fact: Jermaine Grandison doesn't call the wrong number. You answer the wrong phone.
Lenny's prediction: Sheffield United 3-1 Shrewsbury (Richards), Attendance 12,497
Recent years have been pretty average for Sheffield though, as little over a year ago they endured their second relegation in three summers, dropping into the third tier. They almost went up at the first time of asking, but Danny Wilson's men were pipped at the post when they lost on penalties to Simon Grayson's Huddersfield in one of the more remarkable shoot outs of recent times.
After their failure to go up, the Blades have had to work on a smaller budget. They've managed to keep hold of wonderkid Harry Maguire (remember the name, future Premiership and possibly even England player there) and have assembled a mean squad - one which is amongst the favourites for the title this season.
However, there are a few holes. They, like Town, went out of the Capital One cup in its first round. Unlike Town, they lost to a side a division below them, bowing out on penalties to Burton Albion after a 2-2 draw. Burton appear to have been second best in most regards overall, but controlled possession. This was the Blades' first team and appeared to have been Danny Wilson's favoured 11, so there is definitely encouragement to be had.
I will start adding a slightly mores statistical element to my previews as the season gets older and statistics become more valid, but for this week I will include just the two facts.
Did you know? Sheffield United and Shrewsbury have played 8 times in League Football - Sheffield are still waiting for their first win.
Lenny's GRANDISON fact: Jermaine Grandison doesn't call the wrong number. You answer the wrong phone.
Lenny's prediction: Sheffield United 3-1 Shrewsbury (Richards), Attendance 12,497
Nice one Lenny 
