Source: Telegraph
Brian Howard sets sights on the big time as Sheffield United attempt to overhaul Hull
Sheffield United v Hull CityKick-off: Sat Feb 14, 3.00pm; Bramall Lane, SheffieldRadio: BBC Radio 5 Live [LNB]Now with Sheffield United, the midfielder has the chance to repeat those fifth-round heroics against Hull City on Saturday. Howard, however, harbours loftier ambitions. [LNB]"Even now I'm tagged as the boy who scored against Liverpool, and they are very fond memories," the 26-year-old said. "It's nice to have but I don't want it to be a one-off, I want to be scoring against teams like that every week."[LNB]With Sheffield fifth in the Championship, such hopes are realistic, and Howard, who started his career with Chelsea and Southampton, was bullish about his team's chances against Premier League opposition today. [LNB]"In realistic terms, I think Sheffield United are a bigger club than Hull," he said. "We have big players who have Premier League and international experience and the manager has been building a team to compete in the Premier League. I'm confident we can get a result against Hull and then kick on and get promoted."[LNB]Despite such optimism, it has been a traumatic week for the red and white half of Sheffield, after Wednesday's 2-1 derby win at United gave them their first Steel City double since 1914. United manager Kevin Blackwell apologised to the fans, saying it had been the hardest week since he returned to the club a year ago, and Howard admitted the players had been steering clear of the city. [LNB]"I don't know what it's been like in the city because I've kept away, but it must have been tough for the United fans," he said. "It's just good that we have another Yorkshire derby straight away and the chance to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup."[LNB]Howard was hoping to test himself against England midfielder Jimmy Bullard, but Hull manager Phil Brown is likely to rest his new signing, who has been nursing a knee injury. [LNB]
