Deane tips Sheffield United for promotion

BRIAN DEANE is tipping Sheffield United to qualify for the play-offs but thinks Middlesbrough may need another season to return to the Premier League.

Deane, who hung up his boots three years ago, will be in the stands for this weekend's meeting between his two former clubs at Bramall Lane.

The Blades have climbed the Championship table to eighth spot, after losing only one of their last nine league games, but Boro are on a slide after picking up just eight points from 10 league games under new manager Gordon Strachan.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Now 11th in the table, Boro can still draw level on points with the Blades if they upset the formbook and come away with a victory.

However, with Boro in a transitional period, Deane thinks it would be 'a great achievement' if Boro win promotion just yet under his former Leeds United team-mate Strachan.

"Whatever way you look at it, there is always a transitional period when a manager leaves and a new manager comes in," he said. "If Middlesbrough creep into the play-offs now it will have been a great achievement but it might take another season.

"Gordon needs time to put his own fingerprints on the team. I went to see them play at the beginning of the season against Doncaster and it was clear that they needed a strong backbone and needed to add some steel. Gordon will probably have identified that and he is already starting to bring his own players in on loan."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

One-time England striker Deane, now 41, spent three years at Boro between 1998-2001 but had three spells with the Blades that spanned three separate decades. Not surprisingly, he is regarded as a cult hero at Bramall Lane and attends games on a regular basis.

Although the Blades have yet to live up to their pre-season billing among the favourites for automatic promotion, Deane feels the side have turned a significant corner in the last few weeks and can finish the season with a flourish.

"It was always going to be difficult to motivate the team after the disappointment of (losing at) Wembley," he said, referring to last season's play-off final against Burnley.

"But, after an indifferent and difficult period due to injuries, players are now coming back and United are starting to string some results together.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I don't think they are far off from where they would like to be and, under the circumstances, they are well positioned.

"Historically, United have always finished seasons quite strongly and I have got confidence they will do the same this time around."

Despite his optimism, Deane concedes that it may now be too late for the Blades to secure automatic promotion, saying: "Nottingham Forest are doing exceptionally well, as are West Brom, while Newcastle are five points clear at the top.

"It will be tough to get in the top two now but I think they will definitely be contesting the play-off place.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"There is very little to choose between the teams in this season's Championship. If you win three games in a row, you are just outside the play-offs and if you lose three in a row you are looking over your shoulders; it is a good league to watch."

Whatever the outcome of Saturday's game, Deane, who is now joint manager of the Leeds University football team, is adamant that both Boro and the Blades belong back in the top flight.

"Attendances may be declining at Middlesbrough but it doesn't take a lot to bring the fans back," he said.

"They were in the Premier League for a long time and that is where a club of that size needs to be. I look out for the results of all my former clubs but I have special relationship with those in Yorkshire."