Blackwell salutes superb display

12 May 2009 06:28
The Blades boss says it was a superb team effort that saw United through to Wembley with a narrow 2-1 aggregate win over their promotion rivals. Holding off a late challenge at Bramall Lane, the home side required a solitary Greg Halford goal to secure their passage to Wembley in two weeks' time. Asked if he felt the result was deserved, Blackwell said: "I think so, I thought the players were magnificent tonight. "We were relentless but at one point I thought we weren't going to get the goal. "But it came and it was a very good goal and Greg took it well." He added: "These games are all about big characters but I think the youngsters really came of age tonight without question. "Kyle Naughton and (Kyle) Walker were awesome tonight, (Keith) Quinn and (David) Cotterill as well. I think the future is bright if we can keep it going." Blackwell admitted to having some unfinished business in the play-offs, saying: "I lost my job (at Leeds) over it last time so I'm well aware of the expectations in the play-offs. "We're not celebrating yet," he added. "But we're there and we still have a chance of playing in the Premier League." Preston boss Alan Irvine confesses his side were second best to the Blades in both legs of the semi-final. "We wanted to go the next step and then the one after that, so we're all clearly very disappointed. "I can't speak for previous play-offs and it wasn't down to luck this time in any case. "Sheffield United were better than us in both games and deserved to go through overall. "But we've made great progress and the lads can be very proud and I told them that. "As a result of their hard work they've managed to progress to a level nobody expected."

Source: Team_Talk