KEVIN Blackwell's men will be glad to look ahead to the new season after suffering play-off heartbreak in May and a 'banana skin' style defeat in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.

Despite having had less time than most to prepare for the 2009/10 season, the Blades pre-season has gone well winning against non-league Sheffield FC 4-3 along the way to go unbeaten.

The Blades kicked off the new Football League season last Friday with an away clash at Championship new boys Middlesbrough.

United had several good chances on target in the game and there was little to separate the two teams in the match.

Goalkeeper Mark Bunn made some cracking saves to ensure that Blades earned themselves a 0-0 draw; a decent point against the ex-Premiership team.

However, the good form ceased to continue as Blackwell's men were on the wrong side of a cup shock on Tuesday evening.

The manager made several changes from Friday's draw for the clash against Port Vale.

The League Two side opened the scoring at Bramall Lane with Marc Richards taking the glory.

Blades striker Billy Sharp tried to get the Blades back on track but a terrible error from United keeper Ian Bennett gave Richards his second of the night as the ball trickled past his finger tips into the goal to complete the shock win.

Blackwell will no doubt be hoping that his new additions in the shape of ex-Manchester City striker Ched Evans and the re-signing of promising youngster Kyle Walker on a season long loan from Tottenham will come into play in their next few games to keep their promotion dreams alive.

The loss of United's emerging talent Kyle Naughton was a blow, but with the money from the Carlos Tevez affair the Yorkshire outfit look set to be in the frame come the end of the season.

The Hornets will have to show plenty of grit and determination to get a result in front of the passionate Sheffield crowd.

The teams share plenty of links with a number of Sheffield United players having played for the Golden Boys.

New boy Lee Williamson, the latest addition to the red and white's line-up having, departed the Vic during the summer.

Former Golden boy and Blades new boy Lee Williamson

Last time the teams met

The last encounter between the two sides came in January last year, with United coming away from Vicarage Road with a hard fought victory, with two former Watford men claiming the spoils in the process.

With Watford struggling near the bottom of the table, the Blades were riding high looking to bolster their charge for an automatic promotion place.

United had won the first encounter back at Bramall Lane, toppling the Hornets 2-1.

Both teams had displayed mixed fortunes in previous games with Watford coming off a drubbing at the hands of Reading, whilst Sheffield United had overturned Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.

The visitors started the better with Danny Webber forcing a good early save from Scott Loach.

Despite being on the back foot the 'Orns went closest. Grzegorz Rasiak having a header cleared off the line whilst later in the half the inspired Matt Kilgallon denied Jack Cork.

The second half saw Kevin Blackwell's men step up the pace. Just seven minutes in Webber bundled the ball past Loach after former fan favourite Darius Henderson managed to head the ball into his strike partner's path.

Jobi McAnuff looked set to level the scores but for Kilgallon to deny the winger from all of six yards out.

Jobi McAnuff goes for goal

Minutes later the blades doubled their lead. Henderson, who led the line for Watford the previous season, raced on to a flick on from Greg Halford and hooked the ball past Loach.

Watford made changes but were unable to get past a stubborn United back line, leaving the Hornets stung and looking over their shoulders at a relegation dogfight.

Team News

Returning for the Hornets are internationals Scott Loach, Jay DeMerit and Ross Jenkins.

DeMerit will be resuming his captaincy and returns to his centre-back position with Adrian Mariappa moving to right-back.

Sheffield United forward Jamie Ward is available after a ban while Ched Evans, David Cotterill and Kyle Walker are all back from international duty.

There also may be recalls for Chris Morgan, Keith Treacy and Nick Montgomery who were all rested on the bench for the Carling Cup defeat at Port Vale.

Goalkeeper Mark Bunn is likely to return to his place between the sticks after Ian Richard's slip-up against The Valiants.

Head to Head

The Blades have battled the Hornets a total of 39 times, with the Yorkshire men winning 18 times to the Hornets nine.

Last season United did the double over the 'Orns on their way to a play-off final defeat.

The two teams have met for the past 13 consecutive seasons.

The Golden Boys best performance at Brammall Lane came in 2006 where Marlon King scored twice in a 4-1 victory in front of the television cameras.

Hornets Bet with Bet365.com

Home win: 7/10

Away Win: 4/1

Draw: 13/5