Saturday Interview: Cresswell has finally bridged

As a former Sheffield Wednesday player, Cresswell was subjected to jeers during his first few games for the Blades and then suffered a broken rib to add injury to the insults.

Now, after scoring four goals in his last five games, the striker appears to have been forgiven for his 'sins'.

Over 40 players had crossed the Steel City divide before Cresswell took on the challenge and nearly all endured the same bumpy ride; Terry Curran, Walter Rickett, Owen Morrison, and Carl Bradshaw to name just a few.

Cresswell had spent 18 months with the Owls nearly a decade earlier and had scored only three goals and started eight games. He was also one of several players who failed to live up to expectations at Hillsborough during the start of the club's decline.

Now 32, Cresswell has over 500 senior appearances and over 100 goals under his belt. He has played for eight different clubs and is regarded as one of the hardest working strikers in the game.

To some, it may seem strange that a brief association with another employer should be held against a player but that would be forgetting the rivalry that exists in a two-club city.

"It was never going to go down well with everybody," he reflects. "But I think they have accepted me now.

"I am not the first player to have done it but I have been around long enough to know what it takes to get fans on your side. Whenever I pull on the Sheffield United shirt, I give 110 per cent commitment and, hopefully, I am proving my worth. Although I have played in midfield for the last couple of years, I am also happy to play wherever I am needed."

Blades manager Kevin Blackwell knew all about Cresswell's value to a Championship side following a spell with the player at Leeds United in 2006.

The striker's absence from a play-off final against Watford, after a red card in a semi-final against Preston, was a major reason why Leeds missed out on a speedy return to the Premier League.

Blackwell was axed just a few months later – opening the door for chairman Ken Bates to install his former Chelsea favourite, Dennis Wise, as manager.

Cresswell had every sympathy for Blackwell, who was working against a variety of financial pressures at Elland Road.

"The gaffer would probably say that he was treated badly by Leeds but football is a strange game at times and you have to live with the decisions that other people make," he said. "He has not had that much money to spend at Sheffield United but, to his credit, he has still managed to put a new team together that is pushing for promotion."

Cresswell played a key role in Stoke City's promotion to the top flight two seasons ago but was pushed down the pecking order when manager Tony Pulis signed James Beattie, ironically, from the Blades.

"I had enjoyed my time at Stoke and I could have sat there picking up my money in the reserves but I am not that type of player so I asked if I could go out on loan," he said. "The manager was not too keen on the idea but I was delighted when a big club like United came in with and he allowed me to leave."

Cresswell's goal against Reading in midweek helped the Blades secure another victory and return to the top six. Ahead of today's trip to third-placed West Bromwich, they are 11 points adrift of the top two but the striker aims to make up that difference and avoid the play-offs.

"I have been involved in three play-off finals with Leeds and Preston and I have been unsuccessful in them all," he sighed.

"Ideally, I don't want to go through that lottery again although at least the finals are now held at Wembley rather than Cardiff... and I suppose I am unbeaten there!

"There is no reason why we cannot target automatic promotion because there are always a few twists and turns at the back end of the season," he added.

"You can never say never. Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest are on great runs but everybody takes a dip in form at some point so it's down to us to keep pushing all the way.

"Hopefully, they might slip up and we can take advantage. We are playing well, we have a good mix of youth and experience, and our confidence is high."

Cresswell has matured since his days as a Wednesday player and is now a father of three young children, Charlie, Frankie, and Alfie.

All three are adopted Blades supporters and have been attending games at Bramall Lane in their red and white shirts.

"They have worn a few different shirts down the years, supporting their Dad, but, hopefully, they are going to be wearing this one for a long, long time!"

Unfortunately for Cresswell, there is still one member of the family who is unwilling to switch allegiances to the Blades – his mother, who was born in Sheffield, and has supported Wednesday all her life!

"Everyone knows that my Mum is a Wednesday fan," he admitted. "But she has still been to see me play a couple of times at Bramall Lane and I know she will be delighted – for me – if we win promotion."

West Brom v Sheff Utd

Team news: If Jonathan Fortune fails a fitness test, full-back Kyle Walker may switch into the centre of defence. Jordan Stewart will replace Andy Taylor after the left-back suffered a groin injury in midweek.

Last six games: Albion WWLDWD, Sheff Utd WDWLW

Last time: Albion 0 Sheff Utd 0, February 12, 2008, Championship.

Referee: MP Russell (Hertfordshire)

SkyBet odds: Albion to win 8-11, Sheff Utd to win 4-1, Draw 5-2.