Division One:

Sheffield United v Blackburn Rovers - Andy Neild's preview

FOR years they were rivals for the number one jersey at Sheffield United.

And tomorrow Simon Tracey and Alan Kelly will square up again at Bramall Lane, this time in opposing goalmouths.

Dave Bassett, Howard Kendall and Steve Bruce have all had sleepless nights trying to choose between the two in the past.

And the pair are still pretty inseparable today when it comes to comparing their ability.

But what doesn't need clarifying is the impression they've made on their respective teams this season.

Alan Kelly admitted it was a gamble when he quit United for Rovers in the summer.

John Filan was the Ewood number one and his sterling performances towards the end of last season had made the Australian a popular figure.

But Republic of Ireland international Kelly seized his chance when Tony Parkes became caretaker and he's been inspirational ever since, helping Rovers go eight games unbeaten.

Yet Kelly isn't the only one to have benefited from his move for that has allowed Tracey to emerge from the shadows at Bramall Lane.

And although United are struggling at the foot of the First Division, they would have been in deeper trouble had it not been for Tracey.

In his 1841 minutes of action so far, he has kept three clean sheets compared to Kelly's four from 630 minutes.

But Tracey is playing behind one of the leakier defences in the First Division and since Neil Warnock took over the former Bury boss has made new defensive recruits his number one priority. That's explained by the fact that Tracey has been forced into a total of 78 saves, 71 per cent of which have been successful.

Kelly on the other hand has had to make just 24 stops in his seven games to date although he has an 86 per cent success rate.

But if the Irish international is the better shot stopper then Tracey comes out better on crosses. Kelly just has the edge on distribution, though, as well as the discipline side.

But, whoever edges it overall, they will both be tough men to beat tomorrow.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.