Post by Taxigirl on Feb 4, 2006 10:00:08 GMT
www.leedsunited.com
Kevin Blackwell has warned Sheffield United that Leeds are not about to give up on the chase for the second automatic promotion place.
The Blades are 14 points ahead of Leeds having played a game more, but the size of the gulf between the Whites and his old club is not about to deter Blackwell.
"In any other league right now we would be top of the table," he said.
"That tells you the freak nature of Sheffield United and Reading's performances.
"The next ten games are crucial, I think if we get to 40 games and they are still 14 points clear then you have to accept the chance has gone, but there are still 16 games to go.
"It should be in the back of your mind right now that we've seen Crystal Palace two years ago come from nowhere, third from bottom around January, and end up getting promoted.
"Last season in the Premiership West Bromwich Albion were twelve points adrift at Christmas, and the bottom three up to then always went down, but they stayed up.
"If we can win two games and they lose two games there's a 12 point shift, so things are still in position for us to chase them."
Sheffield United's next four results could have a big influence on whether they can maintain their stranglehold over second place.
Warnock's men face fourth placed Watford at home on Monday followed by a trip to Plymouth, a home game against runaway leaders Reading and then a Sheffield derby against Wednesday at Hillsborough.
Kevin Blackwell has warned Sheffield United that Leeds are not about to give up on the chase for the second automatic promotion place.
The Blades are 14 points ahead of Leeds having played a game more, but the size of the gulf between the Whites and his old club is not about to deter Blackwell.
"In any other league right now we would be top of the table," he said.
"That tells you the freak nature of Sheffield United and Reading's performances.
"The next ten games are crucial, I think if we get to 40 games and they are still 14 points clear then you have to accept the chance has gone, but there are still 16 games to go.
"It should be in the back of your mind right now that we've seen Crystal Palace two years ago come from nowhere, third from bottom around January, and end up getting promoted.
"Last season in the Premiership West Bromwich Albion were twelve points adrift at Christmas, and the bottom three up to then always went down, but they stayed up.
"If we can win two games and they lose two games there's a 12 point shift, so things are still in position for us to chase them."
Sheffield United's next four results could have a big influence on whether they can maintain their stranglehold over second place.
Warnock's men face fourth placed Watford at home on Monday followed by a trip to Plymouth, a home game against runaway leaders Reading and then a Sheffield derby against Wednesday at Hillsborough.