Defender Chris Armstrong is a target for Reading, Derek Geary is wanted by Crystal Palace and Celtic, and James Beattie is repeatedly being linked with Middlesbrough – but unless the deals sound right to the Blades, they are simply not going to happen.

Blackwell – who had to sell players to survive at both Leeds United and Luton Town – says: "We want to be successful and the chairman (Kevin McCabe) has put us in a position where we can let players go where and when we decide and at what price. We are in total charge and for me, as a manager, that is a lovely feeling!

"We are in the enviable position of being able to keep players without having to worry about the finances."

Blackwell confirmed that several players are attracting interest from rival clubs.

With 28 players in his first-team squad, the Blades have the sort of competition for places that every ambitious club needs, though he admitted: "The only way to keep everyone happy is to keep winning.

"If you keep winning, it blunts anyone's argument when they come knocking on your door. It's when you have a big squad and you are struggling that the problems start!

"I wouldn't want to be a player who loses his shirt due to a loss of form because it might be a long time before they see it again.

"If you have a strong bench, it tells you how strong the first team is," reflected Blackwell. "The Championship is such a long season and you have to play two games a week. You need strength in reserve to carry you through. Loan players are all right but you would rather not have to rely on them."

The Blades shook off the disappointment of their opening day defeat at Birmingham City by recording back-to-back victories over Port Vale, in the Carling Cup, and QPR in the Championship.

Blackwell is keen to ensure that his players do not under-estimate the threat tomorrow's opponents Blackpool pose.

"There are questions in my own mind about going to Blackpool," he admitted. "It's one thing playing against Birmingham 'live on Sky' and then playing the QPR 'billionaires' but what about the likes of Blackpool, who you know will scrap for the right to stay in the Championship?

"If we turn up thinking we are the be all and end all, Blackpool will turn us over," he warned.

Defender Chris Morgan will visit a neurologist to check whether he is fit to play after suffering concussion in last weekend's game at Bramall Lane.