O’CONNELL: MY BLADES WON’T FADE

SHEFFIELD UTD 2 O’Connell 5, Duffy 74 ROTHERHAM 0 JACK O’CONNELL says the Blades have what it takes to go the distance in the promotion race.

The defender (above) scored the opening goal in Sheffield United’s win over Rotherham to remain just two points behind second-placed Leeds and four behind leaders Norwich.

His team are finding form at the right time, having won seven home games on the bounce and lost only once in their last 14 league matches.

With Brentford next tomorrow and a mouth-watering clash at Leeds on Saturday, O’Connell believes the Blades squad is much better equipped to deal with a promotion push than last season, when they fell away.

“This squad is definitely better. We have good experience and that helps in the changing room, when you have experienced lads pushing us along,” he said.

“We can mix it up, we have got a bit of everything. You need to have that if you want to be a successful team.

“We have got a great bunch of lads, that comes from the gaffer, there are no big-time players in our dressing room.”

O’Connell gave United the perfect start when he slotted home a clever routine from Ollie Norwood’s fifth-minute corner.

Rotherham’s task became harder when Will Vaulks was sent off for a lunge on George Baldock on the half hour and 16 minutes from time Mark Duffy let fly from 20 yards into the top corner.

Defeat leaves the Millers third from bottom and midfielder Joe Newell said: “It’s coming down to the exciting part of the season and we have got to rise to it.”