Blackwell: We are targeted

2nd December 2008

Kevin Blackwell believes smaller clubs in the Championship raise their game against Sheffield United in order to claim a prized scalp.

The Blades manager says results show teams then let their standards drop in subsequent matches, making it even harder for United to prosper.

Blackwell told the Sheffield Star: "Everyone really wants to beat us because of who we are and that makes it doubly difficult.

"Teams invest so much into their games against us that we are really going to have to grind out results.

"Just look at how some of our opponents have got on after they've played us. More often than not, they've gone on to lose or drop points, and that's because they've given so much when we've turned up at their ground.

"That's what comes with being a big club and that's why it takes a special type of player to handle the pressure."