BLADES boss Kevin Blackwell has pointed to Ipswich Town as an example of how money can't always buy success.The compensation packet agreed between Sheffield United and west Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair has come too late for Blackwell to use this season but that has not stopped him taking his side to fourth-place in the championship and still looking at automatic promotion.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

BLADES boss Kevin Blackwell has pointed to Ipswich Town as an example of how money can't always buy success.

The compensation packet agreed between Sheffield United and West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair has come too late for Blackwell to use this season but that has not stopped him taking his side to fourth-place in the championship and still looking at automatic promotion.

Although Ipswich boss Jim Magilton has been backed extensively by their new owner they remain in tenth place, and have been no higher than eighth all season.

Blackwell said: “Marcus Evans gave Jim Magilton �12m to spend at the beginning of the season and they are a bit disappointed on the results they have got from that. But it just shows that money won't always buy you a team.”

After picking up 14 points from a possible 18 last month, Blackwell was named the Championship manager of the month for March but even though his side are unbeaten in seven, and Ipswich have won just one in six, he appreciates the Blues will make it hard for then at Bramall Lane today.

He said: “Ipswich are going to be a tough side; their away record this season is far, far better than their home record. Their away record is the third best in the division and I think they will come here and try and make it difficult for us."

United are looking to push into the top two ahead of Reading and Birmingham City so Blackwell knows they can't afford any slip ups.

He said: “The last seven games are all vitally important and the good thing is that we are going in with confidence on a good run of form and we are desperate to keep that going.”

United's only injury concern is on-loan Watford midfielder john Joe O'Toole who has a knee injury. Danny Webber is back fit, while Northern Ireland international Jamie Ward is pushing for a start and after giving Iv�n Campo such a hard time while playing for Chesterfield against Ipswich in the FA Cup earlier in the year, he could well be considered.

Town will be without injured skipper Gareth McAuley, on loan Mexican winger Giovani dos Santos and full-back David Wright.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk