Blades have nothing to lose - Boss

25 February 2009 15:48
However the Blades have garnered some impressive results in cup competitions in recent seasons, and their confidence in overturning a side they took four points off in the Championship last season has been in no way diminished by the 1-1 fifth-round draw between the two sides at Bramall Lane 11 days ago.[LNB]Blackwell will be without several key players, as recent signings Craig Beattie, Arturo Lupoli, Leigh Bromby and Jamie Ward are all cup-tied.[LNB]Ian Bennett (gastroenteritis) and Brian Howard (hamstring) missed Saturday's 2-2 draw at Plymouth Argyle, and the possible absence on Thursday of Howard, Matt Kilgallon and Lee Hendrie through injury at Hull has perhaps helped engender the manager's "nothing to fear" approach.[LNB]Blackwell said: "Kilgallon had to come off with a back strain on Saturday and Bennett and Howard didn't travel, which could leave us a bit bare at Hull."[LNB]But he added: "Let's go and enjoy it. We've got nothing to lose. We are slightly down on numbers, but if the lads show that sort of spirit then we will be okay."[LNB]Blackwell's side slipped out of the play-off positions following their failure to beat Plymouth, and a return to the Premier League for next season will clearly be higher up on their list of priorities than a cup run.[LNB]Likewise, Hull will put much greater store in ensuring they remain in the top flight for longer than one season after waiting 104 years to get there, than performing heroics in the FA Cup.[LNB]The Blades reached the semi-finals of both major cups six years ago before going on to lose in the Championship play-off final to Wolves, and after dumping Bolton and Manchester City out of last season's FA Cup they will harbour few fears about heading to East Yorkshire - especially as they are unbeaten in their last 14 meetings with Hull.[LNB]United defender Gary Naysmith believes the Blades were unlucky not to edge past Hull in their initial clash at Bramall Lane, after Greg Halford's early opener was cancelled out by Tigers defender Kamil Zayatte before half-time.[LNB]Naysmith said: "The lads will be confident like we were at home when everybody believed that we could beat them.[LNB]"We have got a good away record so there is no reason why we can't go there and get through to the next round."[LNB]It took an unfortunate own goal by Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny which allowed Middlesbrough to finally get the better of United in a replay that went to extra-time at this stage of last season's FA Cup, after a goalless draw at Bramall Lane.[LNB]A possible quarter-final clash with Arsenal awaits the winners on Thursday night, but first Arsene Wenger's side must see off Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on March 8.[LNB]Blackwell insisted he and his players would not look beyond the replay with Hull when asked about the chance of another meeting with Arsenal, who thrashed his side 6-0 at the Emirates in the Carling Cup in September.[LNB][LNB] Hull v Sheff. Utd To Qualify: Sheff Utd 6/4[LNB] 

Source: Team_Talk