Wembley woes add to Blades’ cash concerns

The Blades are counting the cost of defeat to Huddersfield Town in the League One play-off final and manager Danny Wilson is now under orders to reduce the wage bill.

Prize assets Stephen Quinn, Harry Maguire and Matt Lowton are wanted by Championship clubs and goalkeeper Steve Simonson – who missed the crucial penalty in a shoot-out at Wembley – is facing the axe.

McCabe says the Blades will need to rely on younger players next season but is still tipping Wilson to inspire another promotion push.

He has also urged supporters to ‘stick with the club’ despite the disappointment of a second consecutive season in League One.

“We have suffered a setback but we are looking to the future and planning for success,” he said.

“The last two seasons have cost us about £15m. High wage bill, less revenue – and even less revenue next season. It has cost us an awful lot of money, but that’s sport.

“With the new financial fair play rules, we are going to have to work with a lower budget next season. Unless we get the wage bill down next season, we’ll face financial penalties.”

Quinn, Maguire and Lowton are not officially up for sale but McCabe admits that Blades may face a fight to keep their services.

“I’d love to keep hold of them and there is certainly no ‘for sale’ signs on their heads,” he said.

“They have all had great seasons – and we don’t want to lose them – but, obviously, we have a problem if someone comes in and offers them a package we can’t match.”

Swansea City and Aston Villa are expected to lead the chase for Maguire, Quinn is wanted by Blackpool and Charlton Athletic, while Ipswich Town and Cardiff City have been linked with Lowton.

“I expect there will be quite a few changes,” McCabe said. “Logic says we have got some good Academy youngsters who have had a year in the development squad. There are people who I know the staff feel are ready to make the step up and they’ll be given the opportunity together with others who I’m sure will be coming in.”

Goalkeeper George Long heads a queue of teenage talent that also includes Terry Kennedy, Elliott Whitehouse, Joe Ironside, Aaron Barry and Callum McFadzean.

“The aim next season is simple,” stressed McCabe. “Promotion and automatically. The key is to get a stronger squad and, if we get 90 points (again) next season, it will be automatic.”

McCabe issued a rallying call to the Blades supporters who have now endured the agony of six play-off campaigns without success. The Blades also failed to score in a play-off final for the fourth time.

“Our supporters have been fantastic this season and that’s been very much noted and appreciated by all,” he said.

“We hope they stick with us because they are a crucial part of what we are trying to achieve.

“That’s five play-offs we have lost – six if you add the one in the 80s – but that’s not to say we are not going to win the next one. They are one-off games and we have not had the best of luck. We never seem to get the break but next time we will.

“We have fallen at the final hurdle and that hurts. It hurts a lot,” he said.

“It’s the agony and the ecstasy of being involved in football. There is a thin line that determines success and failure. This season we have had great success but, ultimately, it has ended in failure. Circumstances have gone against us.”

Blades goalkeeper Simonsen, meanwhile, is sweating over his future as manager Wilson ponders the best way to trim the wage bill.

Simonsen, 33, described his penalty miss at Wembley as the lowest point in his career and would love the chance to make amends next season.

However, with teenager Long and former Blackpool goalkeeper Mark Howard both on the books, Simonsen – who will be out of contract this summer – could yet be a casualty of the cuts.

“I would love to stay at Sheffield United,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed my time here so much and, after the way things ended on Saturday, I personally feel as though I need to be back there again to make things right for the football club.”

Simonsen has yet to watch a replay of the moment when his spot-kick sailed over the bar and gave Huddersfield an 8-7 victory on penalties.

“It’s been horrendous. It’s the lowest part of my career,” he added. “Up until that point everything had gone brilliantly. You never expect to be in the situaion I was in. And it will probably never happen again.

“Although I know everything doesn’t come down on my shoulders, deep down, you just feel like it’s all your fault and my kick ended our chances of promotion. I still have a sick feeling in my gut that, ultimately, my penalty kick ended it all.

“On the face of it, I was happy with the job I am paid to do. It was probably one of my most assured displays for Sheffield United at the perfect time, but no one could have predicted what was around the corner,” he added.

“I’ve replayed it a million times in my head but I can’t bear to watch it. Hopefully, in a few weeks time, I might be able to.

“I’m gutted for myself, the club, the fans, all my team-mates, and my family.

“I have got to live with that, but I am big enough and ugly enough to come back from it.”

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