Said the City manager: "I said immediately after the game on Saturday that I don't want anyone getting on the bus with me if they are not ready for a war on Tuesday night.
"Because Sheffield United turn it into that, especially in their own back yard where they are strong and physical.
"And if you are up there with no appetite for football or a fight on a cold night at Bramall Lane, you shouldn't be there at all. So let's see how we go tonight.
"We dominated the first half last season and then came out in the second and gave a goal away when we didn't appear to be in any sort of trouble. We gave away another and looked a bit flimsy, and going on the last 25 minutes deserved to lose 2-1.
"They are a good team and will probably knock the ball long and get a lot of balls into the box to put us under pressure.
"They have just lost to Derby who have not won for almost a year and either their confidence will be hit or we could have a backlash.
"Every game is different and we know what to expect and we are going there thinking it will be a battle and we are prepared for that."