We brought together two men who played in those derbies six seasons ago – former Wednesday midfielder David Prutton and ex-United striker Richard Cresswell to get their views.
EXPRESS: “It’s the first Sheffield derby in the Championship for eight seasons. How much does this game mean to both sets of fans?”
RICHARD CRESSWELL: “Everything. I lived in Sheffield when I was at Wednesday and then I spent over three years at Sheffield United. It’s the build-up to it which is special. All the fans start talking about it in their workplace. The first thing I did as a player was look to see when the derby fixture was. You feel the intensity building up.
DAVID PRUTTON: “Growing up in Yorkshire and knowing how big both Sheffield clubs are, when I got the chance to play for Wednesday and at Hillsborough, it was perfect.
“Scoring at Hillsborough is a wonderful feeling – I can remember because it happened very few times- and playing in derby games were just great for the city. When you were out and about and saw people on the street, the derby was the one game that they would always mention.”
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EXPRESS: “What are your memories of the games six years ago?”
PRUTTON: “They were vital games that season because both teams were so close from a promotion point of view. They weren’t beautiful games, just two sets of players going hell for leather at each other.
“We had Gary Megson in charge who was a massive Owl and a devout Wednesday follower. He was always going to make sure that we went into the games as ramped up as possible. He made it very clear how much the game meant to him and everyone around.
“The games lived up to the expectation. You felt the passion of the fans, of the players and the coaching staff. The roar of the crowd and the energy that comes off people who are passionate about their club, that’s what it’s all about.”
CRESSWELL: “Danny Wilson was our manager. He’s so relaxed and laid back, one of the nicest guys I’ve met in football and he took the pressure away from the players especially in the first game at Bramall Lane when it was 2-2.
“Wednesday weren’t on a great run in the lead-up to the second game, whereas United were doing really well, but they pipped us 1-0. Form really can go out of the window in derbies.”
EXPRESS: “Both clubs have been in the Premier League and want to get back there. How do you think they are doing at the moment?”
PRUTTON: “The expectation levels are there for Wednesday. If you have got to the play-offs in the last two years, then that has to be the minimum this season.
“There is no doubt that they have a wonderful squad to choose from. Even if there isn’t one player that stands out in the Wednesday side, it’s a team that on paper should be firmly ensconced in the Championship top six now.
“It’s Carlos Carvahal’s third season. It’s not make or break but he’s an ambitious manager and I’m sure he’s been coveted by other clubs.
“Absolutely the pressure is on. Not just from internally but Carlos and his players but from the fans and the club hierarchy, the owners.”
CRESSWELL: “I played for both clubs and for me they have completely different identities. The only thing they have in common is that they are in the same city.
“Wednesday still think about the Waddle, Sheridan, Hirst era a lot, while United are based upon what Chris Wilder has brought in which is great determination, enthusiasm and that desire to win.
“It’s great to see them back in the Championship. They have been trying a long time to get back in there.
“Chris has changed the whole philosophy of the club, the way the lads play, the academy, everything. He’s a Blade through and through. His captain is Billy Sharp who’s a massive United fan. You’ve got ex-players in the academy and around the place and the whole dynamic of the club has changed in the last 18 months while Chris has been there. There’s a lot of positivity.
“He got them promotion last season, he’s put a great squad together and he’s got a team now that can really push on in the Championship. He is the absolute perfect man to take the club where they want to be.”
EXPRESS: “Who are going to be the key players on Sunday?”
PRUTTON: “Barry Bannan seems to get absolutely everywhere for Wednesday. He’s been a key man ever since he came to the club. He seems very settled now and he must be one of the first names on the teamsheet.
CRESSWELL: “And Gary Hooper has hit the ground now for Wednesday with four goals in his last four. He’s an out-and-out goalscorer. He did it in Scotland year after year.”
“John Fleck has come on leaps and bounds in the United midfield. He has found a system that suits him and Chris has got the best out of him. He’s got the ability to find a pass into the striker.
“And I always look at Billy Sharp. He’s been there and done it. I know he was left out last weekend because he had a slight injury but I think they might have been resting him for this fixture. He’s a proven goalscorer. If you get him the ball in the box, he’s going to finish it.”
EXPRESS: “Finally, the big question – how is Sunday’s game going to go?”
PRUTTON: “It will be a very close game. It’s a real test for Wednesday. The confidence that United have started the season with has been as a result of the momentum of them getting promoted last year.
“It’s not a foregone conclusion that Wednesday will turn them over just because it’s at Hillsborough. Chris Wilder will have United absolutely flying and because of the way they play with a back three which allows a lot of energy and width down both sides of the pitch.
“That’s something that Wednesday are going to have to contend with and it’ll be a big test of the way that Carlos sets his team up.
“This game couldn’t be more perfectly poised especially with the way the last two seasons have gone for Wednesday and how good United have been so far this season.
“What’s running through United at the moment is Sheffield United people. But they’ve got to manage that emotion and not get themselves whipped up too much. You’ve got to go hell for leather but do it in a controlled manner.
“The pressure from an established Championship point of view is on Wednesday, but the pressure from the point of expectation because you cut them in half and they run red and white blood is on United.”
CRESSWELL: “That’s a great point. Will the Wednesday players be a bit more relaxed because Carlos is more relaxed? United will be pumped up and ready to go for it but if somebody loses their discipline in the first 10 minutes and maybe gets a red card, it changes the whole thing straightaway.
“These things happen in derbies. Some players can build themselves up too much and all of a sudden they’re off the pitch. That will be one of the key aspects, especially in both changing rooms before the game. They both need 11 players on the pitch.
“Wednesday still have the purer footballers but United have a different edge to them. They will use that on Sunday, but it is so difficult to predict.”
Sky Bet are the proud title sponsors of the EFL. You can see the full interview with David Prutton and Richard Cresswell here