Paul Heckingbottom issues frank play-off prediction amid Sheffield United hopes

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom believes the race for the play-offs is going to go right down to the wire this season despite several sides’ different quality on paper, making this honest admission to The Star.

The Blades will be one of the favourites to secure their spot in the top six following their resurgence under the 44-year-old, initially struggling in the early stages of the season under Slavisa Jokanovic but picking up their form under the Serbian’s successor.

Retaining the core of their first-team squad following their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last term, with John Lundstram and Aaron Ramsdale their two main high-profile departures, they have one of the strongest squads in the league on paper.

However, their poor start to 2021/22 with Jokanovic set them on the back foot and this is the main reason why they aren’t in a more comfortable position, currently sitting in ninth place but just one point adrift of the play-offs going into this afternoon’s round of second-tier games.

They look set for a bitter battle with the likes of Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest for a spot in the promotion mix, two teams that have already won against Premier League sides in the FA Cup in recent months.

United’s run-in isn’t exactly the kindest either, needing to face AFC Bournemouth, Fulham and promotion rival Queens Park Rangers twice, a key reason why Heckingbottom believes this race won’t be decided early on.

Speaking to the Sheffield Star, he said: “So many of us who are either in or around it, we’ve got to face each other yet.

“Not just us, lots of others who are up there face people who are also in the mix.

“That’s why, personally, I think it’s going to go right down to the wire.”

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