Defiant Slavisa Jokanovic issues Sheffield United promotion rallying cry ahead of Reading clash
Slavisa Jokanović has reaffirmed his belief that Sheffield United can still be promoted to the Premier League this season, insisting: “This is not the time to give up and prepare for next season”.
The Blades travel to Reading tomorrow evening nine points shy of the play-offs in 17th position – and the hosts can leapfrog the Blades in the table with victory, despite being hit with a six-point deduction last week.
Already United are 20 points behind second-placed Bournemouth, as we approach the end of November – and the Blades need to piece together victories, and fast, if they are to stand any chance of making the play-offs.
But today, asked if he feels the promotion picture is already beyond his side, a defiant Jokanović insisted: “No. I believe completely differently. There is a huge number of games ahead of us and this is not the time to give up.
“We have to be positive, hide our weaknesses and show our strengths. I believe it’s still possible for us. There is no reason at this stage to give up and say we will prepare for next season.
“There is a huge amount of games ahead of us and our obligation is to fight. We believe it’s possible. In realistic situation, we are 17th in the table and a lot of teams are ahead of us at the moment.
“We need to take it step by step, and go game by game. But I believe it is possible for us to fight for a different target.”