Sheffield United: Jamal Blackman would love to realise his FA Cup dream with Chris Wilder's side

Jamal Blackman hopes to take another step towards realising his ambition of lifting the FA Cup when Sheffield United face Leicester City tomorrow night.
Jamal Blackman is expected to feature at the King Power Stadium: Simon Bellis/SportimageJamal Blackman is expected to feature at the King Power Stadium: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Jamal Blackman is expected to feature at the King Power Stadium: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Chris Wilder’s side enter the fifth round tie as underdogs by virtue of their Championship status and the Premier League club’s form under Claude Puyel.

But Blackman, on loan from Chelsea, insists that does not mean United will be suffering from an inferiority complex at the King Power Stadium.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Jack Lancelott/SportimageSheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Jack Lancelott/Sportimage
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Jack Lancelott/Sportimage
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“We have talked about wanting to do well, the goalkeeper said. “It is a collective thing where we all want to do as well as possible.

“United is such a big club with a big history and we all want to be a part of that and bring what we can to the table.

“I have travelled to a few cup finals with different managers in different competitions and been lucky enough to be a part of that.

“Seeing them win things and being a part of that, wanting to do it myself and lifting a cup is the dream and ambition I want to reach. That is what everyone wants to do. Being so close to it, you want it even more.”

Jamal Blackman is looking forward to the trip to Leicester City: Simon Bellis/SportimageJamal Blackman is looking forward to the trip to Leicester City: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Jamal Blackman is looking forward to the trip to Leicester City: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
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Blackman, who helped Chelsea win the FA Youth Cup in 2012, also collected a Champions League winners medal after joining Roberto Di Matteo’s squad in Munich later that year.

Echoing the youngster’s sentiments, Wilder last night urged his players to draw inspiration from United’s most recent runs in the competition under Dave Bassett, Neil Warnock and Nigel Clough. Howard Kendall also steered them into the semi-finals during his spell at Bramall Lane.

“It’s no use me saying, don’t worry lads, it’s Leicester City away,” he said. “This is the fifth round of the FA Cup. There’s an opportunity for us and while there’s one there, we’ll have a go at it.”

“It’s incredible, looking back over the last 25 or so years,” Wilder continued. “It started with Harry, then through to Neil. Then it was on to Nigel and getting to the semi-final under him as well. It would be great to do something like that. We want to continue but we know how tough this will be.”

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Jack Lancelott/SportimageSheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Jack Lancelott/Sportimage
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Jack Lancelott/Sportimage
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Although United are set to be without a number of key players, David Brooks could return against City after recovering from glandular fever.

Blackman was on loan at Wycombe Wanderers when the League Two club came within a minute of knocking out Spurs last season and said: “With Wycombe, we were the underdogs and didn’t have as much pressure and it allowed us to go and play our game and that helped so much.”