Sheffield United players receive FA Cup challenge after England manager's admission
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s quarter-final against Blackburn Rovers, which is being screened live on terrestrial television, Heckingbottom highlighted the “different audience” matches in the competition attract as being another potential springboard towards greatness.
“This is a chance for people to make a name for themselves,” he told The Star, refusing to downplay the significance of the meeting with Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side. “It’s a chance for them to do that and put a marker down. Especially if you are a young player coming through, these big games can put you on a different stage.”
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Hide AdTeenager Andre Brooks used United’s fifth round victory over Tottenham Hotspur to raise his own personal profile, impressing during the 1-0 win before being withdrawn during the closing stages. Making his full senior debut, Brooks’ display would have put him in contention to face Rovers were it not for an injury which Heckingbottom recently stated was sustained in training.
Second in the Championship table, United progressed past Millwall and Wrexham to set-up their meeting with Spurs. That contest was settled by a goal from Iliman Ndiaye, who travelled to the World Cup with Senegal last year. Goalkeeper Adam Davies also visited Qatar, after being named in Robert Page’s Wales squad.
With four EFL clubs reaching the last eight of this season’s tournament, Heckingbottom said: “The appeal for me is that this is a different competition. There seems to have been a little bit of a spark about the cup. There’s been a re-ignition of interest which is good. We’ve been involved in a couple of stories and different occasions.”
“It’s a different TV audience,” he added. “You see different people, It adds to the different feel and for me, that’s really enjoyable. We’ve got to try and make the most of it in every way possible.”