QPR v Sheffield United: Experience key if Blades are to achieve their play-off aims

IF experience counts for anything amid a tense race for the last two Championship play-off spots – and more especially the final one – then Sheffield United seem very well catered for.

It might just prove to be the trump card.

With two games to go, the league table shows that the Blades, who occupy sixth place, are in the box seat ahead of tonight’s key game in west London.

A victory would move them five points clear of Chris Wilder’s Middlesbrough and intensify the pressure on them ahead of their home game with Stoke City tomorrow afternoon.

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom acknowledges the fans at Bramall Lane Picture: Simon Bellis/SportimageSheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom acknowledges the fans at Bramall Lane Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom acknowledges the fans at Bramall Lane Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
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If that transpires, Blackburn Rovers and Millwall would also have to win their matches on home soil against Bournemouth and Peterborough United to keep their outside top-six hopes alive and take matters to the final day.

Blades manager Paul Heckingbottom is fully expecting the fate of his side – who welcome promoted Fulham tomorrow week – to go ‘down to the wire’.

The other prediction that he will safely make is that the nerves will be palpable and inescapable, whether it be for the Blades, Boro, Blackburn or Millwall.

It is about who handles the pressure best and it is not lost upon Heckingbottom that his squad contains nine players promoted from this level three seasons ago when the Blades held off Yorkshire rivals Leeds United to take the second automatic promotion place in 2018-19.

KEY MAN: Sheffield United's Oliver Norwood battles with Cardiff City's Tommy Doyle at Bramall Lane Picture: Simon Bellis/SportimageKEY MAN: Sheffield United's Oliver Norwood battles with Cardiff City's Tommy Doyle at Bramall Lane Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
KEY MAN: Sheffield United's Oliver Norwood battles with Cardiff City's Tommy Doyle at Bramall Lane Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
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Other senior players also have successful experience at the business end of campaigns at this level. It could well be invaluable.

Heckingbottom said: “I’d like to think there’s a few nerves, but you have got to know how to use them. It gives you the energy and adrenalin that you need to go and perform and be at your best.

“We have got players who have been there and achieved promotions out of this league.

“Oli (Norwood) is on a good run at the minute and if you take the two Premier League seasons apart, he’s maybe on course for his fourth in a row.

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom - pictured at Bramall Lane Picture: Andrew Yates/SportimageSheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom - pictured at Bramall Lane Picture: Andrew Yates/Sportimage
Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom - pictured at Bramall Lane Picture: Andrew Yates/Sportimage
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“I was watching a play-off game the other day and Conor (Hourihane) was in the Aston Villa team (promoted in 18-19).

“We have players who have achieved automatic promotion and promotion via the play-offs in this league.

“We are in a good place in terms of experience to get over that first hurdle of getting in the play-offs.”

Previously promoted from this level with the Blades, Brighton and Fulham, Norwood is positively ravenous in his desire to re-acquaint himself with that feeling for a fourth time. He is not alone.

BEEN THERE< DONE THAT: Sheffield United's Billy Sharp  Picture: Isaac Parkin/SportimageBEEN THERE< DONE THAT: Sheffield United's Billy Sharp  Picture: Isaac Parkin/Sportimage
BEEN THERE< DONE THAT: Sheffield United's Billy Sharp Picture: Isaac Parkin/Sportimage
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The 31-year-old has done the hard yards in the EFL alongside many senior team-mates.

A number of them – from Norwood to John Fleck, Billy Sharp to Chris Basham and John Egan and Enda Stevens – have their own personal stories which incorporate handling setbacks earlier in their careers at big clubs and bouncing back.

Plenty of sacrifices have also been made along the way and strong mindsets forged.

“I was told plenty of times I wouldn’t make it by plenty of people, but I have had the last laugh,” Norwood said.

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“There are always people who tell you that you cannot do things in life and until you do it, you can then stick your middle finger up after all that and sit back and enjoy all that.

“I have dedicated my life to football and want more and more success and you get greedy for it and want to be successful.

“I cut short my honeymoon to two days to come back training to be fit and ready to go for a season. I (also) cancelled a holiday to go and play an international at the time and missed birthdays.

“As a kid growing up, you miss everyone else going out and enjoying themselves when you are not because you are playing football on a Saturday.

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“When you get to the age I am now, you think thank God I did do all that. I can look back and think every single second was worth it to sacrifice to get to where I am.

“We are in a privileged position and living out everyone’s dream.

“Here, we have players who have seen it and done it. Having been at teams in the past, a lot comes down to your senior players who drive the standards.”

Opponents QPR have fallen away from the play-off spots at the worst possible time and while they can still mathematically catch the Blades with two games remaining, a 10-goal swing makes that extremely unlikely.

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That said, R’s chief Mark Warburton has pledged that fans can ‘rest assured’ that his side will be giving their all this evening.

There’s also considerable pride at stake in what will be his farewell home match in charge at Loftus Road, with the 59-year-old’s contract not being renewed for next season.

For his own side, the importance of tonight speaks for itself, according to Heckingbottom.

He added: “We have to expect it to go down to the wire and prepare for this game to be the most important game of the season.

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“And hopefully, I am saying the same again for Fulham. That’s the mindset.

“Don’t think too far ahead; it’s all about Friday night and getting the points.”

Last six games: QPR LLLDWL; Sheffield United LWDLDW.

Referee: P Bankes (Merseyside).

Last time: QPR 1 Sheffield United 2, August 11, 2018; Championship.

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