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Cup is important to Blades, insists Robson
BRYAN ROBSON insists Sheffield United can shock Premier League leaders Arsenal tonight and progress to the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.
Blades manager Robson is also tipping Arsene Wenger to rest his entire first XI ahead of Saturday's top-of-the table tussle with champions Manchester United.
The Gunners, who have yet to be beaten in any competition this season, managed to reach the final of last season's Carling Cup despite fielding a team of youngsters.
Robson is under no illusions about the size of the task – especially with his own side struggling for consistency at the wrong end of the Championship table – but the former Manchester United and England captain believes the stage is set for a fourth-round upset.
"If I was in Arsene Wenger's shoes, I would be picking my team for Saturday's game and only playing with those who are left," said Robson. "I am absolutely convinced that is the way that Arsene will look at this game.
"Even with all their subs in, Arsenal are still a top-drawer team," he stressed. "But if we catch them on the wrong night, we can beat them."
The Blades inflicted a shock
1-0 league defeat on the Gunners on their last visit to Bramall Lane 10 months ago and Coventry City's victory over Manchester United in the previous round has been another source of great encouragement.
"When you are playing teams like Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal in this competition, they field reserve sides and it gives you a chance in the game," said Robson.
"We have nothing to lose because no-one expects us to win, but we are not going into this game saying 'the Cup doesn't matter' and 'let's get back to the Championship on Saturday.'
"Staying in the Cup is important and getting a scalp like Arsenal's is important.
"Everyone at the club is looking forward to this game because, this season, the fans are disappointed they are not watching Premiership football and the players are disappointed that they are not competing against Premiership players."
Five months into his reign as manager, Robson is still fighting to win over a section of supporters who have been unimpressed by the team's slow start to the season.
Victory tonight, however, would help speed up that process although, just like Wenger, Robson knows that the greater priority is winning league games.
The Blades have enjoyed recent success in the Carling Cup and reached the semi-finals under former manager Neil Warnock four years ago.
However, if ticket sales for tonight's game are anything to go by (less than 20,000 are expected), there is still some way to go before the Blades supporters start dreaming of a trip to Wembley.
With loan signings Gary Cahill and Phil Bardsley both cup-tied, Robson will need to make changes and there are likely to be recalls for club captain Chris Morgan and defender Leigh Bromby.
Summer signing Billy Sharp may also start for the first time since scoring twice against Morecambe in the previous round and Nick Montgomery will return in midfield after recovering from pleurisy.
Arsenal's line-up is virtually guaranteed to be missing top stars such as Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas and Emmanuel Adebayor, but their young replacements will be of the calibre of Brazilian midfielder Denilson, highly-rated full-back Justin Hoyte and England international striker Theo Walcott.
"It doesn't matter what team Arsene Wenger plays, they will be a really good side and difficult opposition," said Robson. "I also have to protect one or two of my players because the next two league games are too important to risk those who are carrying knocks."
Robson, who still hopes to complete the loan signing of a midfielder before Saturday's league game against Burnley, has expressed fresh concerns about goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, who limped off with a bruised shin eight days ago at Leicester.
The Republic of Ireland international was sent to a specialist yesterday for tests on a knee problem and there are fears that he may require surgery. Ian Bennett will again deputise tonight with veteran Paul Gerrard on the books providing extra cover if needed.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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