Managers have their say on the promotion run-in

Last updated : 12 April 2009 By Bladesmadeditor

Kevin Blackwell
Image copyright to SportBox.TV
With the play-offs all but guaranteed for the current top six, at least the top five will still believe that automatic promotion is still possible. Thorough hard work and determination plays a big part in the success earned at the business end of the season, but momentum surely has to be the biggest factor, and the Blades are no short of it.

Let's see what managers of all the top six teams think of the current situation:


Mick McCarthy (Wolves) - "It's taken the pressure off me and my players (Wolves' 3:0 victory over Southampton) and it's heaped it somewhere else, whoever fancies it they can have it."

Alex McLeish (Birmingham) - "Nobody has got an easy game left, no matter what. I guess it comes down to temperament and how much the players want it because there's nothing really between the teams."

Kevin Blackwell (Sheffield United) - "We are all determined to succeed in promotion, and that means automatic. We are working as hard as we can for a great chance to be promoted, it is what the club needs."

Dave Jones (Cardiff) - "All the players are in for training every day, even those with knocks and bruises. We are all in this together - and we will stick by each other all the way."

Steve Coppell (Reading) - "The goals have gone cold and we don't 'throw the kitchen sink at the opposition' very well. Sometimes I wish that we could have a five minute breather, have a chat to the players, and tell them that everything's OK."

Owen Coyle (Burnley) - "I think we have spoke volumes and we have plenty to shout about. We've had an opportunity to widen the gap between ourselves and seventh and we have done just that."


So which three teams out Wolves, Birmingham, Sheffield United, Cardiff, Reading and Burnley will succeed in promotion? One team will have to go via Wembley whilst another two will say their goodbyes to the second tier on the 3rd May or before. Unfortunately for three of the sides, they will suffer.

Catch more of Blades Mad's special promotion features in the coming days and weeks.