Many had predicted the Blades to be title contenders pre-season but a disappointing run of form under former manager David Weir turned the season into a relegation battle and under Nigel Clough have narrowly missed out on the top six. However the their league form has been over shaddowed somewhat by the great run in the FA Cup which saw them reach the FA Cup Semi-Final. They drew 0-0 at Tranmere Rovers yesterday and with Peterborough United claiming victory means that United cannot reach the play-offs for a third successive year.
The team had been altered from the one which beat Stevenage by a single goal four days previous. Blades boss Nigel Clough told sufc.co.uk; "There was a lot of tired players out there, everything that has gone into the last two or three months has been a big ask but despite the draw we are delighted with a clean sheet. When you come to places like Tranmere and you don't win then you make sure you don't lose.
"We tried to put fresh legs in but Tranmere bossed things in the first half and we were hanging on a bit. In the second half we improved and the game looked more even looked more even. We could have nicked it late in the game. But we have reached the 60-point mark now and that in itself is an achievement. Results are going well and I think we can still get up into seventh or eighth by the end of the season.
"We are developing as a team but the mentality we are trying to instil is to ensure we don't lose. We have come from second from bottom in the last 10 weeks and we have had a great cup run and the players have responded magnificently."