Southend United v Sheffield United: Blades still have chance to put things right, says Billy Sharp

BILLY SHARP: Striker is determined to add to his 17-goal tally for the Blades this season.

The Blades head to Southend United tonight knowing that time is running out in their quest to extend the season beyond May 8.

Victories on Easter Monday for Gillingham, Barnsley, Millwall and Bradford City mean nine points separate Nigel Adkins’s men from the top six.

With Southend United on the same number of points as United, the stakes are high for the two clubs going into tonight’s televised encounter.

Lose and the play-offs are probably out of reach but if the Blades can win then Sharp believes a run-in featuring games with Coventry City, Barnsley, Gillingham and Walsall offers a possible route towards the top six. “We have got a lot of teams above us coming up now,” said the 17-goal striker.

“If we can win those games then we are taking three points ourselves and three off them as it were. It is still do-able.

“We should be a lot higher (in the table) with the quality we have got. But Chelsea should be a lot higher in the Premier League, too.

“We know we haven’t been good enough but at least we’ve got a chance to put it right. The club isn’t going to disappear or fold if we are still in League One but ‘yes’, we have been in here far too long and we are the ones who can get us out.

“Our problem is we have not won more than four (games) on the trot all season and we have got to do better than that now.”

United have struggled for consistency but that has not prevented Sharp hitting the goal trail.

He has 17 to his name, the joint fourth highest tally in League One behind Nicky Ajose, Alun Armstrong and Paddy Madden.

Despite that, Sharp admits to having been disappointed by his return following last summer’s move from Leeds United.

“I would have liked to have scored more. The other two seasons I have had in League One, I got 32 and 24. I still believe I will get 20-plus. Once I get to 20, anything else is a bonus.”

Last six games: Southend United LDLWDL, Sheffield United LLDWLW

Referee: S Attwell (Warwickshire).

Last time: Southend United 3 Sheffield United 2; October 1, 1996; Division One.