Paul Heckingbottom's first stance vindicated as Sheffield United prove their top six credentials

When Sheffield United came off the pitch after the 2-0 defeat to Derby at Pride Park, they sat in 14th position in the Championship table, a daunting 10 points shy of the play-off picture. Even more daunting was the fixture schedule that had been handed to them as a result of four postponed matches over Christmas and New Year seeing their festive programme wiped out.

That Derby game on January 15 was the first of 16 matches in just nine weeks and they were left with little room for error if they were to force their way into the promotion picture. Yet, fast forward to today and the Blades are waking up fifth in the table, two points clear of QPR, who play later today.

Incidentally, Rangers, who were one of the sides to postpone a fixture, were fourth after that defeat to Wayne Rooney's men, some 12 points and nine goals better off. Added into the mix that 11 players have been out through injury, and Paul Heckingbottom was still without eight yesterday, makes this remarkable climb up the table even more impressive.

"When I sat in this seat for the first time, there was a lot of talk about the future of the club, long term and being sustainable and these long-term plans, I kept speaking about this season and what an opportunity it was, and is, to be working with these players," Heckingbottom said. "The position that they have put us in is fantastic right now.

"That's down to a lot of hard work and I have also not said much about the injuries or teams cancelling on us around Christmas with Covid. We never did that. There were lots of things that niggled me without a doubt and, because of how we have got on with it and because of how the players have played in different positions and put themselves forward to play when they