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MIDDLESBROUGH v SHEFFIELD UNITED - BLACKWELL EYEING CUP SUCCESS
By Sheffield United FansOnline
You've got to admire Kevin Blackwell's optimism, however unrealistic it may seem. Blackwell sees no reason why Sheffield United cannot win the FA Cup this year and march into Europe next season.
Blackwell's comments will certainly raise a few eyebrows ahead of Wednesday's fifth-round replay with Middlesbrough at the Riverside. Victory over Boro would set up a quarter-final clash with Cardiff at Bramall Lane, and beyond that is the prospect of a trip to Wembley for the semi-final.
Blackwell insists the Blades' ambitions are the same as Middlesbrough's. He said: "To be honest, I like Europe. It's a route there for us too because we're thinking just as big as Middlesbrough."
"I wouldn't have come here if this club was only thinking, 'well, you know, we'll see what happens'. We want to go and win it, as simple as that. If we go into Europe, we'll take a lot of fans abroad, so we're going for it."
United held Boro to a 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane nine days ago. Blackwell had only been in charge for 48 hours and had barely time to draw breath, let alone get his ideas across.
The Blades had already knocked Bolton and Manchester City out when Blackwell arrived and the manager is insitent that his team can add Middlesbrough to their list of Premiership scalps.
"Right now, it's 50-50 as to which way the result could go, but I think we are more than capable. Gareth was more than happy to get us back to the Riverside because if you look at the chances, we had the better of them."
"But even though we are away, I don't think our chance has gone, so I'm going there tonight fully expecting us to get a result. If we're not at it and we don't work hard then Middlesbrough will give us a lesson, but I'm not going there for anything other than to learn how to beat them."
Former Boro defender Ugo Ehiogu is poised to return after missing the last three matches with a hamstring strain, while winger Lee Martin is also fit after sitting out Saturday's Coca-Cola Championship draw at QPR with a rib injury.
Only winger David Cotterill, on loan from Wigan, is unavailable as he is cup-tied.
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