The Sheffield United manager has precious few of either at the moment as the grim realities of economic recession begin to bite.

Having stared into the abyss at Luton and Leeds, Blackwell is only too aware of what can happened when club's allow an insatiable appetite for success to overshadow the bottom line.

After hearing Bramall Lane's hierarchy admit they must "cut their cloth accordingly", he stands full square behind the measures being taken to prevent United from joining the likes of Crystal Palace and Portsmouth in football's financial graveyard.

But he readily admits those steps have made an already difficult task even more onerous.

"It's proving to be very hard this season," he said after watching Lee Williamson's late equaliser end United's two match losing streak.

"It's a frustrating time for everyone, not just us.

"We don't have our Premier League parachute payment anymore and so we're going through a transitional period.

"Do people really think I want to be selling my best players? Of course not.

"But the taxman is everywhere at the moment and there are a lot of teams going into administration or are on the verge of going bust.

"Fortunately the situation here is nothing like that, nowhere near in fact, but that's only because we've had to take tough choices.

"I'm having to marry expectation levels with money and making sure we can still compete.

"What would the fans think if we had come down and been absolutely riddled with so much debt that we couldn't do a thing?"

Quite a lot, he suspects - and large sections were also quick to voice their opinion about the quality of United's performance against a Derby County side who missed several opportunities to extend their lead after Robbie Savage's first-half strike.

True, the hosts appeared disorganised, disparate and dangerously fractious until finally whipping up a head of steam during the closing stages.

But, having seen goalkeeper Mark Bunn become the latest victim of an
injury crisis which has already forced United to award 19 debuts since last term's play-off final defeat, Blackwell insists being seventh is an achievement in itself.

"It's a case of getting through this period without losing too much ground," he said.

"So, in that sense, I think more credit should be given."

Derby deserved plenty for delivering an industrious and inventive display despite languishing at the opposite end of the Championship table.

Former United favourites Rob Hulse and Michael Tonge, making his first appearance since arriving on loan at Pride Park from Stoke, both caught the eye, but it was Kris Commons' incisive running along the flanks which really impressed.

"A couple of things did for us," Derby manager Nigel Clough said. "Like not getting a second or even third goal before the interval.

"But overall I thought we did really well.

"It's difficult for them (United) at present, though, because they've lost a lot of people.

"Chris Morgan, their captain, was standing with us in the tunnel and we'd much rather have him there than out on the pitch.

"We had similar problems earlier in the campaign so I know how awkward it can be."

Blackwell, though, needs defensive reinforcements not sympathy.

The sight of United's cobbled-together back four being tormented by Commons presented the most persuasive case yet for directors to release at least some of the money recouped following the departures of Matthew Kilgallon and Kyle Walker.

Midfielders Jordan Stewart and Nick Montgomery were deployed as makeshift full-backs, and Derby created chances aplenty with Hulse nearly converting the Scotland international Commons' centre during the early exchanges.

Bunn, who received two dead legs and damaged his hand stopping the ball from crossing the line, could do nothing about Savage's rasping drive but denied Tonge at the near post before hobbling off after the break and must now be rated as a serious doubt for tomorrow's trip to Preston North End.

"I knew I needed the subs to try and change things so I had to ask Bunny to carry on for as long as he could," revealed Blackwell. "And I take my hat off to him because he did.

"We're mixing and matching so much at the moment and of course it's having an effect.

"All good teams are built on stability but I'm lucky if I can put the same one out two games in a row at the moment."

It certainly showed as United looked anything but promotion contenders.

But while they lacked even the slightest hint of panache, their persistence paid off.

Having seen Richard Cresswell and substitute Henri Camara go close - the latter's shot being scrambled to safety after Stephen Bywater parried Stewart's pile-driver into his path - Williamson drilled home following some good work by Mark Yeates.

"Courage manifests itself in many ways," Blackwell said. "It might be going in for a heavy tackle or simply having the belief to make a mistake and get back on the ball."

What United must do now, however, is to try and combine it with a touch more class.

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