No hero worship from Oli
SHEFFIELD UNITED versus Burnley may not be the first game everyone looked for on the Premier League calendar – but it doesn’t get much bigger for Oliver Norwood.
The Blades midfielder will have a box full of people at Bramall Lane this afternoon – and most of them will be cheering on the Clarets.
He’s a Burnley boy through and through and he could see Turf Moor from his parents’ house.
Norwood spent every Saturday he could there watching his heroes until his own career got in the way – playing for Manchester United’s youth teams.
He didn’t make the grade at Old Trafford, but he has finally reached the Premier League after playing for eight different clubs.
However, the blinkers will be on this afternoon as he tries to upset his family and friends.
“All my friends are coming,” he said.
“I had to fork out for a box for them all. It will be interesting to see if they get kicked out.
“These are lads that I knocked about with at school and still do now.
“We used to enjoy going on the Longside at Turf Moor and giving the away fans stick from the bottom corner.
“But to me it’s just work. I’m not there to make friends, I’m there to do a job.”
This is the teams’ first Premier League meeting and their biggest clash since the 2009 Championship play-off final.
A decade ago it was Burnley and Norwood celebrating after Wade Elliott’s winner.
“I remember being there and the buzz of a play-off final,” he said.
“Going to Wembley is your dream as a boy.
“I’ve witnessed first-hand what it brings.
“Burnley isn’t the greatest town, but everyone is proud to be from there.
“We’ve got a club in the Premier League, so that’s one up on Blackburn, which is what we all want!”