Sheffield United v Blackpool: Lay off Blackwell, Speed pleads with Blades' fans

The Blades manager has come under fire after his side took just one point from the last three games to lose ground in the race for a place in the top six.

United sit three points adrift of Cardiff City in the final play-off place with the Welsh club also having the benefit of a game in hand on Blackwell's men.

With Blackpool being, along with Coventry City, one of the two clubs between the Blades and Cardiff in the Championship table, tonight's game is potentially of huge significance if either club is to prolong their season beyond May 2.

And assistant manager Speed is hoping the terrace critics can put aside their differences with boss Blackwell to get fully behind the team in such a vital encounter.

The 40-year-old former Leeds United and Newcastle United midfielder said: "I believe the majority of our fans recognise the problems which the gaffer is having to deal with, but a section of the support don't.

"Kevin is coping with it all tremendously well. He has been there before, at Leeds and Luton, so he knows what to expect and he can handle it."

United's season has been a mixed bag following the heartache of last May's play-off final defeat to Burnley at Wembley.

Forced to sell many of their best players to balance the books and without first-choice goalkeeper Paddy Kenny until late next month due to a failed drugs test, the Blades enjoyed an encouraging start and were fifth in the table after beating city rivals Wednesday on September 18.

An eight-game winless run then saw the Blades slide as low as 15th before rallying once their injury crisis had eased to force their way back into the top six by Christmas.

However, just as the Lane faithful started to look forward with confidence to the New Year, United's form collapsed once again and the last 10 games have yielded just eight points.

The slide has seen Blackwell come in for renewed criticism from a section of the club's fans with calls for his head being made during last week's defeat at rock-bottom Peterborough United.

Tonight, United's manager has a major decision to make with regards who should replace the suspended Chris Morgan, the club captain being due to start a two-game ban after collecting his 10th yellow card in the weekend draw at home to Queens Park Rangers.

With Toni Kallio, Derek Geary and Gary Naysmith all out, it means Blackwell is short of numbers at the heart of his defence.

Much will depend on whether Arsenal loanee Kyle Bartley, who was ruled out against Neil Warnock's side by a virus, is available with Speed rating the defender as "50-50".

Jonathan Fortune is back in the squad along with Andy Taylor, the latter likely to contest the left-back spot with Jordan Stewart

Whoever does step in, Speed is confident the Blades can claim a victory that would thrust them right back into the chase for the play-offs.

The former Welsh international said: "It is amazing how upbeat the players are considering all the setbacks we have had this season. But now it is a time for us to roll up our sleeves, get on with it and push on. And the confidence is still there that we can break back into that top six and stay there.

"We know we have the quality in the squad to do that."

In contrast to their shocking away form where the last seven games have ended in defeat, the Blades are on an impressive run of results at the Lane.

So much so, Blackpool will arrive in S2 tonight looking to end a 10-game unbeaten run for their hosts – Newcastle United being the last team to claim maximum points at the home of the Blades on November 2.

Last six games: Sheffield United WLWLLD, Blackpool DWWLWL.

Referee: O Langford (West Midlands).

Last time: Sheffield United 2 Blackpool 2; March 10, 2009; Championship.