Blackwell beds in: Bad night at chairman's can't deter new Blades boss

He was so keen to get started as Bryan Robson's successor that he raced up the motorway on Thursday night and slept on a camp bed in the chairman's front room.

Blackwell has yet to discuss a contract or salary, such was the urgency with tomorrow's FA Cup fifth round tie against Premier League Middlesbrough to come before a run of vital Championship games.

Former United No 2 Blackwell has dreams of conjuring the spirit of 2003 to propel Sheffield to a late promotion push against the odds.

He revealed: 'I had nowhere to stay up here so I slept at Terry Robinson's. My back's killing me now but it was very kind of him — lovely accommodation.

'I've already had a call from Neil Warnock to tell me I can rent his house and he says he'll even deduct the rent from the asking price if I decide to buy it!

'I was down at the training ground for 8am — we have to get cracking. Boro is a great game to start with and it will get the fans back behind us at Bramall Lane. When this place is rocking it's a great atmosphere and we want to make it a fortress again.

'But it's more important to beat Queens Park Rangers than Boro. There's a job to be done and we want to be playing Boro twice a season. That might take a bit of time and patience.

'The pitch is the worst I've seen it for years but that could work in our favour. It won't be conducive to good football but at least we will be familiar with the problems and our opponents won't.

'The players say that if you take your eye off the ball it's up around your throat. Teams do come here and shut up shop, so it will be up to us to do something about it.'

Blackwell was Warnock's No 2 when United reached the FA Cup semi-final, the League Cup semifinal and the play-off final — which was his last game before joining Leeds as Peter Reid's No 2.

He said: 'I always felt I would come back one day. I've had some great times here. The 2002-03 season was a phenomenal achievement and being a part of that was special for me.

'The club has developed immensely, but the heart and passion is still here. If everything went to plan and you get the luck, that team is capable of playing in the Premier League.

'This isn't just any job. This one is special. I had the offer to come and work with Bryan on Monday and didn't dismiss it but obviously things then changed.'

Sacked at Leeds and Luton as manager, Blackwell added: 'I feel for Bryan Robson. It's become a harsh game. I don't know how you can devlop anything in eight or nine months — I've been there.

'I know you can go from hero to villain in a few matches.'