Doncaster ready to push the Blades for promotion

Twelve months ago it was Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town who spent much of the season going toe-to-toe in the sprint for bragging rights and league supremacy.

This time around, United – having failed agonisingly in last season’s quest as their two White Rose rivals pipped them to first automatic and then ascension via the play-offs – find themselves squaring up to Doncaster Rovers.

Just as the three combatants rarely gave an inch in the second half of last season, so the stage is set for two more Yorkshire clubs to give everything they have in a ding-dong battle for promotion.

It could end triumphantly for the county, with both achieving their goal. But as 2013 begins and the inexorable charge to May commences, today’s derby between two teams in a congested top 10 could be as pivotal as it is mouthwatering.

Hosts Doncaster are the surprise side in the promotion mix, given the savage cutting of budgets that followed their relegation from the Championship, and the effect that had on playing resources.

The Blades are exactly where people expected them to be.

They begin 2013 a point and two games worse off than they were last year, but with 46 garnered from 25 they occupy second spot just as they did 365 days ago.

The way that season unravelled, being pipped at the post by Wednesday and beaten on penalties by Huddersfield, was a chastening experience, which has made everyone at the club even more determined to ensure it does not happen again.

“The motivation from our perspective comes because of what happened last year,” said Blades boss Danny Wilson.

“What happened last year is not raw, but it’s a lesson we’ve heeded very well.

“We’ve started very well this season, from the very first day, and it’s shown that we’ve got the determination to see it through this year.

“If somebody of the likes of Doncaster can spur us on even more, then we’ll take it.

“But I don’t think we need any more motivation than the 20,000 or so fans who have been at the last two games. That’s incentive enough and hopefully we can give them something to celebrate at the end of the season.”

Wilson dismissed questions that the Blades can learn anything from how last season’s promotion run unravelled.

The two Sheffield clubs set a relentless pace, with United only missing out because they dropped five points in the final weeks and the Owls never slipped up.

“We were consistent in both parts of the season,” recalled Wilson. “We got 47 points in the first half of the season and 43 in the second half.

“We’ve just got to keep picking up points like we did last season.

“We’ve picked up more points at home which has kept us in the hunt, and that’s a priority first and foremost, then we’ll see what we can do away from home.

“For now it’s about maintaining what we’re doing. We’re not doing a great deal wrong, we’ve just got to keep the players fit and keep them on the pitch away from suspensions.”

Squad depth is paramount and what will hearten Blades fans who may still fear a repeat of last season, is that Wilson is already busying himself in the January transfer window.

Motherwell forward Jamie Murphy, 23, will join the club today, with United paying a fee believed to be in the region of £100,000 for the former Scotland Under-21 international.

Wilson will allow fringe players to leave to help balance the books but as of yet, there has been no registered interest in young stars like Harry Maguire and George Long.

“They’re the kind of players we want to build the team around,” said the manager, who will have to do without the suspended Maguire today, with Tony McMahon set to slot into the centre of defence after his ban. Wilson’s priority this month is shoring up his backline.

On Murphy, who will not be registered in time to play today, Wilson added: “Jamie can play on either flank, he can play up behind the strikers, he’s quick, he creates goals, he scores.

“He’s somebody who can get from A to B in possession and be a threat. We need something extra, particularly going into the end of the season.”

United’s away form is among the best in the division, yet no side is better on their travels than Doncaster. Back on their home territory, however, Rovers have not been as dominant.

Wilson said: “When teams have gone to Doncaster they’ve possibly set up to be difficult to break down, and if that’s the way we’ve got to go today to get three points then we’ll do it.

“They’re very strong, they’re a very robust squad, but they’re capable of creating chances and scoring goals.

“So we have to strike that fine balance as well.”

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