Nigel Clough's Blades will be going all out to go far in the FA Cup again

Steve Davis says his Crewe Alexandra side will face a tough FA Cup assignment against Sheffield United this weekend because Nigel Clough always shows the competition great respect. The FA Cup trophy remained the only trophy to elude Nigel’s famous father Brian. The father and son combination helped Nottingham Forest reach the 1991 FA Cup Final but they eventually lost 2-1 in extra-time to Tottenham.

Clough junior guided the Blades to the semi-final stage last season, but they were eventually beaten 5-3 by Hull City at Wembley. Hull went on to lose the final to Arsenal.

Ahead of our weekend clash against the four time winners, the Alex boss said: “Sheffield United have a proud Cup history and they did fantastically well last season to reach the semi-final.

“They always pride themselves on doing well in the cups and have done well in the Capital One Cup again this season. Nigel (Clough) always likes to do well in the Cups and he will be like every manager, he will be trying to win every game.

“Nigel can change his side from the League game and that is the beauty of the FA Cup and seeing the team-sheet when it comes out. You can plan accordingly but it can all change very quickly when they change.

He added: “The most important thing is the players’ play the way then can. They need to play the game and not the occasion. The FA Cup is in the culture and make-up of the English game. It is something we are all brought up with in this country.”