I will be expecting dog's abuse

Speed took over after the first two games of the season and he wants his side to take today's game by the scruff of the neck. Ahead of the game he said: "The first half against Watford was probably the poorest we have been since I took over. Although we were better in the second half it was too late and we can't afford to let our performances dip in this league because we will get punished. We have got to make sure that we get out of the traps from the start.

"You can go about it too much and develop a psychological block and there is no reason they should do that because they all have ability. So I have concentrated on reminding them that they must be prepared to miss because if they do, at least they will have been in a position to do so. If they become inhibited and worried they won't even put themselves in the right place."

Speaking about the Clarets, he added: "Their team hasn't changed much and they are still very much a Premiership outfit at the moment. You only have to look at their bench recently which has players such as Steven Thompson and Ross Wallace on it to see what they have at their disposal.

"Brian Laws has got them playing some good stuff and they have quality players in every department. Brian will have his team fired up and there is no doubt it will be a tough game for us.

"But it should bring the best out of us and I am sure our supporters will again give us great backing. Players reactions to big games like this lead them to be either fearful and inhibited, or inspired and looking forward to it, and we are definitely the latter."

Burnley boss Laws is hardly expecting a hero's welcome. On his last visit he was a winner as Sheffield Wednesday boss and that season (2008/09) the Owls recorded their first double over the Blades for 95 years.

"I'm taking my tin hat with me because I will be expecting dog's abuse, which goes hand in hand with the relationship in the Steel City," Laws said.

"It's very close and very tight and the rivalry is very, very fierce. They were always tough derbies and to have the bragging rights for Sheffield Wednesday was an incredible feeling. They have long memories as well. We did hurt them that day because it was incredible to end a 95-year run.

"They will still be smarting that we achieved that, and the fans will make it known to me so early that I will be disappointed if I don't get it in the first fifteen seconds. But that doesn't worry me at all, in fact it will probably spur us on.

"Burnley beat them to get to the Premier League too so the fans will be fairly smarting from that as well. So it should be a really good atmosphere and one I am sure they are looking forward to. It will be very noisy but I'm sure our fans will get behind us as well."

Laws added: "I know Sheffield United will be a strong contender and always will be. While they are not sparking at the moment I know that Gary Speed will get it right so this is a tough game for us.

"But the objective is to go to Sheffield United and win the game and get what they call the monkey off our back. The performances away from home are there but the results haven't gone with it, but sooner rather than later we will turn that round and I won't mind one jot if we do it against Sheffield United."