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Blades' £1.8m bid for smith
SHEFFIELD United manager Kevin Blackwell, who last night submitted a £1.8 million offer for Watford's Tommy Smith, is convinced the club's home support will emerge as a potent weapon in the race for the Premier League after learning season ticket sales have broken the 19,000 barrier.
Blackwell began plotting his latest challenge for promotion when the first-team squad resumed training at Shirecliffe this morning.
Preparations for August 7's Championship curtain-raiser against Middlesbrough kick off in earnest next week when United embark on a whistle-stop tour of Malta.
New boys Lee Williamson, Kyel Reid and trialist Glen Little are all scheduled to travel, while Blackwell could also unveil Bristol City's Michael McIndoe before boarding the flight to Valletta.
Blackwell cited Bramall Lane's crowd as being another important factor in the battle to shrug off the disappointment of losing May's play-off final with Burnley.
"The fans have a massive part to play in what we are trying to achieve," he insisted.
"The more we can get through the gate the better because they really can make a massive difference."
McIndoe is due to hold talks about a return to South Yorkshire after United agreed a fee with their rivals from Ashton Gate.
Blackwell has tried to distance himself from the former Doncaster Rovers and Barnsley midfielder.
But Gary Johnson, Blackwell's counterpart in the South-west, believes a deal will be concluded after speaking about the matter to the Press.
United are also known to have enquired about Smith, a former teammate of Williamson's at Vicarage Road.
Wolves, who are poised to capture former United loanee Greg Halford, had also been monitoring the 29-year-old but withdrew from the race when the Hertfordshire outfit revealed an offer had already been accepted.
The bidder's identity remains a mystery, but sources close to both United and Molineux insist it is Blackwell.
Smith has made more than 200 appearances for Watford after spells at Sunderland and Derby County.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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