NOT quite brothers at war but Alan and Stephen Quinn are enjoying a healthy rivalry to win promotion, and finish top scorer in the family.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

NOT quite brothers at war but Alan and Stephen Quinn are enjoying a healthy rivalry to win promotion, and finish top scorer in the family.

Blues winger Alan Quinn has the play-offs in his sights with Ipswich while his brother Stephen is putting pressure on with Sheffield United, who have snuck up on the rails.

Both feel their old Blades boss Neil Warnock will not allow Crystal Palace to slip up but Alan believes Ipswich can sneak into a top six spot at the expense of Palace, Bristol City or Watford.

Quinn said: “I knew Palace would not be relegated because I know what Warnock is like but I'm a bit surprised they are in the play-off places.

“He has a good few young players there that they didn't know much about but he has given them a chance and it has worked for them.

“He will have them right up. I'm hoping they lose these two games but he won't let that happen. He will be right in their ears. If they only need a point last game then he will settle for that defensively.

“He knows this league inside out and knows what it takes. Hopefully they will be a bit nervous and slip up.”

Quinn speaks regularly with Stephen and appreciates they are a dark horse but the Blades could do Town a favour, and their own outside play-off hopes with a win over Bristol City today.

Gary Johnson's men have a minus one goal difference but need just one point to secure at least a top six spot and have Preston at home next week.

Quinn said: “Sheffield United are dangerous and are coming on and after battering Hull maybe City will get a rollicking and go on and beat place today.

“It is an exciting league with so many permutations but we are due a bit of luck so hopefully results will go for us.”

Quinn is not worried about Town's record at Preston, he has always done well enough when he has played at Deepdale and is aware that last week's saviour Tommy Miller loves scoring against them.

He said: “It was a good point at Wolves and if we play at Preston as we did at the first half there then we will win.

“It was a bit of a downer after seeing Tommy score that equaliser only to go in the dressing room and find out Palace had beaten Hull.

“Hopefully we can get a win at Preston and other results go our way.

“Sheff Utd beat them recently so there is no reason why we can't go there and beat them.

“Hopefully Tommy will go there and do it again.

“They are safe so they will be playing with no fear. But if we play our football we know we can beat anyone in this league.”

Quinn has built a good understanding on the left flank with David Wright who was outstanding at Wolves last week.

Quinn said: “David was whizzing by me so all I could do was put him in and he nearly scored. For me he was our man of the match there.

“He has done really well there and we have built a good combination. Hopefully we can do the same at Preston and this time we get three points.”

Quinn could have been part of the Palace revival but chose former team-mate Jim Magilton over old boss Warnock.

He said: “I have no regrets about coming here. I love it although I feel I could have done a bit between in some games.”

Since arriving Quinn has scored just once, his only goal of the season, and is level with Stephen with two games to go it is an interesting side show for the Quinn family.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk