Hat-trick of home wins is 
the target for Doyle

United are still haunted by last season’s Wembley shoot-out defeat against Huddersfield Town and harbour hopes of clinching automatic promotion alongside Doncaster Rovers.

To do that, the Blades must make home advantage count ahead of three Bramall Lane games in eight days, starting tonight. The game is swiftly followed by Saturday’s visit of Swindon and next Tuesday’s game with Brentford.

Doyle believes these three games are key to United’s ambitions but their home record has been abysmal, with just seven wins in 19 League One games.

Since beating Scunthorpe United at home on Boxing Day, the Blades have won at Bramall Lane just once, 3-0 against Colchester. They lost to Hartlepool, Yeovil and Coventry, while their last three homes games have seen them frustrated with 0-0 draws against Leyton Orient, MK Dons and Carlisle.

“We have three home games coming up and they are probably going to be crucial to where our season goes,” said Doyle.

“Those three home games will have a big bearing on our season. Our future is in our own hands.

“I don’t think we have scored too many goals all season. We haven’t been as free-scoring, but we are still very strong.

“It’s been disappointing. Obviously there has been a lot of negativity around the last three home games where we haven’t scored. It’s been disappointing for the players, but that’s just the way it is.

“We are in a good position, although we still have a lot of work to do with these games in hand. They are no good to you unless you win them.

“The Carlisle game wasn’t good on the eye but we should have still won. We still had chances.

“We are only one goal away from really kicking on, in our home form. It just needs that one goal to get everybody out of their shells and add that bit of relief.”

Doncaster are eight points clear of fifth-placed Blades, who look certain of at least a play-off spot, as they lead seventh-placed Tranmere by four points and have three games in hand.

They also have three games in hand on second-placed Bournemouth and trail by six points.

What has kept United in the race is their terrific away form, plus a stubborn defence which has seen them beaten just six times all season - the best record in the Football League.

Last six games: Sheffield United WDLWDD Crawley Town DDWDLD

Referee: N Miller (C Durham).

Last time: Crawley Town 0 Sheffield United 2, December 22, 2012.