Blades good enough to go up via play-offs if required, says Wilson

The Blades could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to Stevenage on Saturday after rivals Wednesday returned from Brentford with a 2-1 victory.

The results saw the Steel City neighbours swap places in the table ahead of next weekend’s final fixtures.

Now Wednesday occupy the second automatic promotion spot and United are a point behind in third place.

If the Owls beat relegated Wycombe Wanderers at Hillsborough, they will be promoted regardless of the Blades’ result away at Exeter City.

Cresswell, who played for the Owls 10 years ago, said: “I’m not going to lie, it does hurt. A lot of the lads are disappointed but we have to stick together and lift our chins up.

“We knew we had to win our game and now they have the advantage – but strange things can happen on the final day of the season. The pressure is back on them.”

Only two games ago, the Blades had a four-point lead over the Owls and looked odds-on favourites to seal second spot.

But since the jailing of leading marksman Ched Evans for rape, the Blades have lost to Milton Keynes Dons and drawn with Stevenage which has allowed the Owls to take over thanks to back-to-back victories.

If the Blades do now finish third, there is a possibility that they will again play Stevenage – who are currently sixth – in the play-off semi-finals.

Fourth-placed Huddersfield Town will be playing fifth-placed Milton Keynes Dons in the other semi-final.

Blades manager Danny Wilson said: “If we have to go into the play-offs, we have to go into the play-offs – but we will not be going into them feeling disappointed or disheartened. We will go into it knowing that we can win it.

“I expect Sheffield Wednesday to win at home next weekend,” he added. “That’s obvious. They are very strong and they have the players to win the game at home.

“But, as we have seen (against Stevenage), anything can happen in football. You just never know.

“There is a lot at stake next weekend and we are not in control any more so we have to deal with that side of it.

“It’s been nip-and-tuck all season. We’ve had the advantage and lost it. I think we will win at Exeter and it’s up to Wednesday then. We will go down there and win the game and see if we can sneak in.

“It’s not a bad season, is it, if you go into the play-offs? It’s not a disappointment.

“Everybody always throws it up, that it can ‘go any way’ – but we are good a enough team to win the play-offs, if that’s what we have to do.”

Although Stevenage are sixth in the table, they will still have to hold off pressure from Notts County and Carlisle United next weekend to make the play-offs.

Assessing the possibility of meeting Stevenage, Wilson said: “We have to play somebody, haven’t we? I wish we didn’t.

“They are a good side and have done very well to get where they are but it’s a tough fight for that sixth position.

“I am sure they will be buoyed by a 2-2 at Bramall Lane. It is a very good point and it will be a big game for them next weekend as well as the other teams who can still get into that position.

“We have to give credit where it’s due but, if we play them again, we will be more ready.”

Goals from Joel Byrom and Scott Laid gave Stevenage a 2-0 lead at Bramall Lane on Saturday before replies from substitute Cresswell and defender Matt Lowton rescued a point for the Blades.

The game had been moved to a 5.20pm kick-off time for coverage by Sky Television and the Owls increased the pressure by winning at Brentford in the afternoon.

Wilson, who had already criticised the decision to stagger the kick-off times on such an important weekend, said: “That’s not the reason we didn’t win this game but it is difficult when you have one eye elsewhere.

“It put pressure on us. It’s not fair. But they had to contend with it and so did we.”

Wilson also refused to blame the absence of the jailed Evans for his side’s result, saying: “ It’s not an excuse at all. It has not affected the players. They are professionals and very committed and focused in what they do.

“They are going to have testing times in their careers and professionalism brings you through it.”

Cresswell, who had missed the previous game with a shoulder injury, was only deemed fit enough to start on the bench.

He was given pain-killing injections both before and after and will undergo further treatment in the next few days.

Defender Neill Collins suffered a heavy knock in the final seconds of the game but, according to Wilson, should be available next weekend.