Backed by a trio of rich tycoons – Bernie Ecclestone, Flavio Briatore and Lakshmi Mittal – the Londoners have pushed the boat out on new players this season in an attempt to win promotion to the Premier League.
Blackwell, whose side host Rangers t
oday, said: "They could become regarded as the team to beat – not necessarily because of what's happening on the pitch, but because of circumstances off it.
"I wonder if, psychologically, that could go against them?"
While Rangers opened the season with a 2-1 victory over Barnsley last week, the Blades suffered a last-minute defeat at Birmingham City.
Blackwell is considering changes after a number of fringe players impressed in the Carling Cup victory over Port Vale.
Winger David Cotterill is expected to replace Greg Halford, while midfielders Lee Hendrie and Matthew Spring along with striker Danny Webber are also pushing for a start.
"Birmingham was a tough start, against the most fancied side in the division, but I felt we acquitted ourselves well," said Blackwell.
"We earned respect last season and now we have to live up to that."
Chinese international Sun Jihai will make his home debut after a solid performance at right-back on the opening weekend.
Although he prefers to play in midfield, the former Manchester City player said: "I have to do what the manager wants for the good of the team, and in many respects it is what I used to do at City. My main job is to defend, but also to get forward and overlap the winger when we are attacking."
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