But the Sheffield United manager is convinced his team are more than a match for the richest club in the Championship, predicting the Londoners' vast wealth could actually count against them when the promotion race draws to a close in May.

Blackwell suffered his first significant defeat in the transfer market earlier this week when Lee Martin - the Manchester United winger who spent the tail end of last season on loan in South Yorkshire - joined Nottingham Forest.

But praising the mental strength of his own players, Blackwell warned that 'contender status' could weigh heavily on QPR's shoulders.
"One of the things that QPR are going to have to get used to is being up there for everyone to shoot at," he said.

"That brings its own pressures and, who knows, it could turn out to be an issue.

"In fairness to QPR they haven't behaved as if money is no object.
"Iain Dowie (their manager) knows the division and, despite what some people think, they have a strong nucleus which has been there for some time.

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"The difference between them and the rest of us though is that if they have a few problems they can immediately go out and spend in the transfer or the loan market.

"But we've got a strong nucleus too and we've shown that we can deal with the pressure of being one of the favourites."

Revealing that Wednesday night's Carling Cup victory over Port Vale has given him "a few selection headaches" Blackwell, whose side suffered a 92nd minute defeat on the opening day of the campaign at Birmingham, added: "Lee (Hendrie) showed us what he can do, Cotts (David Cotterill) tore them apart

after the break and Danny Webber played his first 90 minutes in ages.
"So we've got options.

"Danny can go from nought to 100 in about two seconds flat.

"It's fair to say we've got a couple of tanks up front; he can be the Mini-Cooper."

Martin's loan move to the City Ground represents a major disappointment for Blackwell who will now pursue other options in the transfer market.
But, according to Blackwell, it could also be a surprise for the player concerned too.

"It's disappointing because I know Lee wanted to come back," Blackwell said.

"And I'm already very happy with what I've got.

"If I bring a winger in then it's got to be the right one long-term because there are too many out there with not enough end product.

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