Weekend heroics can help map out return to Wembley, feels Scougall

STEFAN SCOUGALL says Sheffield United will tomorrow night use a weekend that saw many of the Premier League big guns humbled as inspiration when looking to book a return trip to Wembley.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Jan 2015, 05:01 BST
Sheffield United's Stefan Scougall battles with Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane during last week's first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final (Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire).Sheffield United's Stefan Scougall battles with Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane during last week's first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final (Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire).
Sheffield United's Stefan Scougall battles with Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane during last week's first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final (Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire).

The Blades host Tottenham Hotspur in the last four of the Capital One Cup knowing they must overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit to reach the March 1 final.

Scougall is the first to admit it will be a tall order against a Spurs side still smarting from crashing out of the FA Cup.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the United midfielder believes the heroics of Bradford City, Middlesbrough et al last Saturday prove that the League One side can upset the odds once again.

Scougall said: “Anything is possible. We have shown that over the years and so did Middlesbrough, Bradford and even Bolton (who drew at Liverpool) on Saturday.

“Bramall Lane will be absolutely rocking and we have already seen (in the first leg) that we have nothing to fear. The weekend showed that anything can happen in football and, hopefully, on Wednesday night it is going to be our time again.”

Andros Townsend’s penalty separates the two clubs ahead of the return at a sold-out Bramall Lane.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After losing unexpectedly to Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is expected to revert to his first-choice starting XI.

Scougall added: “It was always going to be a hard game, but, after losing to Leicester, I think Spurs will be a bit down and they will be wanting to bounce back by making sure they want to get into the final of the League Cup.

“They will be trying to put it right but, hopefully, we can catch them cold, go 1-0 up and then take it from there.

“There is not much pressure on us. There is nothing to lose and we have got a confident group of boys.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The place will be absolutely rocking. The fans will be right behind us through the whole game so hopefully we can give them something to cheer about.

“Hopefully, Spurs will be in the exact same mood as Southampton were (in the last round). They were a wee bit shell-shocked by how loud the fans are here and the atmosphere they can create.

“It gives you extra motivation, extra courage to put a performance on for the fans. It is going to be a sell-out and that can only help us. It certainly helps me. We have courage, determination and the will to never give up.”

A hero returns: Page 18.

Related topics:BladesWembleyPremier LeagueMauricio PochettinoTottenham HotspurMiddlesbrough