ECHOSPORT chats to Sheffield United fan Max Adler ahead of tomorrow’s League One clash at Roots Hall.

What have you made of the season so far?

“After a dreadful start left us bottom of the League, Blades manager (and ex-player and fan) Chris Wilder has turned things around and began to put his stamp on the club.

“Impressive form over Christmas has gained us top spot and finally after a few years of dross at Bramall Lane, the fans are being rewarded for their loyalty with exciting football.”

What are the hopes for the rest of the season?

“I’d be stupid to claim that we are by any means guaranteed promotion.

“But I must say that there is a feeling that this could at long last be our year.

“And, with the Blades having lost our last seven play-off campaigns, we are certainly praying that we finish in the top two.”

Why have things improved so much since you last played Southend?

“Wilder brought in a couple of strong defenders and a new keeper in Simon Moore, who is a commanding figure and seems to have settled the nerves of our defence.

“We also changed to a 3-5-2 formation which plays to our strengths as we attack in numbers.

“More commitment from the players is also naturally breeding success.

Echo:

Sheffield United fan - Max Adler

What players do Blues need to keep an eye out for?

“You won’t need telling about the threat that Billy Sharp poses, having scored 17 already this season, including five goals in his last four games.

“I expect Mark Duffy to get a lot of attention as he has the class to create chances, and Kieron Freeman is on for his third goal in three games from right wing-back so he’s worth a watch too.”

What’s the team news ahead of the game?

“Wilder rested two or three players at Bury on Monday, and although we won the game I’d expect two of our key midfielders, Mark Duffy and Paul Coutts to return.

“Caolan Lavery will most likely keep his place and Leon Clarke will miss out.

“But Marc McNulty has been recalled from his loan spell Bradford so he may feature again, most likely from the bench.”

What’s the predicted line up?

Moore, Wright, Ebanks-Landell, O’Connell, Freeman, Lafferty, Fleck, Coutts, Duffy, Sharp, Lavery.