Sheffield United v Portsmoth: Time for Blades to clean up their reputation – Speed

Speed thinks the Blades get a hard time from match officials who, down the years, have often been vilified at Bramall Lane.

Former manager Neil Warnock, who spent nearly eight years at the helm, was never slow to criticise referees in the wake of a defeat.

Speed, unhappy with the performance of referee Neil Swarbrick in Tuesday night's 4-0 defeat against Scunthorpe United, said: "I don't want people coming here with pre-conceived ideas that it's going to physical and horrible against us. I think that has been the case in the past and I am not blaming officials for that because they don't do it on purpose.

"We have to change the attitude and view they have of us. It's not a question of integrity because I believe referees always go out to be fair. It's about getting a fair crack of the whip in the future."

Speed insists there will be no 'knee-jerk' reaction to the Scunthorpe result when he picks his side for today's home game against Portsmouth.

However, captain Chris Morgan is expected to return in defence. Striker Darius Henderson will not be available until December after suffering a serious hamstring injury in the summer.

"There is no doubt we have missed his presence and his goals," said Speed who is short of competition for Jamie Ward, Richard Cresswell and Ched Evans. Portsmouth have not won at Bramall Lane since 1955 and are struggling on and off the pitch after last season's relegation from the Premier League.

Bottom of the table and without a win after six Championship games, Pompey have scored only twice – the lowest tally in the division.

"When you look at their players, they have still got Premier League quality," said Speed. "I think they are in a false position and they will come here hurting. That makes them a wounded animal and consequently more difficult opponents."

Former Blades midfielder Michael Brown, now at Portsmouth, has warned his side to expect a possible backlash.

Former Blades manager Kevin Blackwell is now free to manage again after completing "all issues in relation to his departure from the club".

A statement from the League Managers Association said: "The (LMA) can confirm that Kevin Blackwell and Sheffield United Football Club have settled all issues in relation to his departure from the club on August 14, 2010."