Clough: History counts for nothing

The Blades take on Swindon in a two-legged semi-final in League One aiming to book a place at Wembley and put themselves one step away from ending a four-year stay in the third tier.

However, to be in the Championship next season they will have to do something they have never done in seven previous attempts - win a play-off campaign.

They were beaten in a 1987/88 relegation play-off before the end-of-season showpiece was revamped and the Blades have gone on to have unsuccessful experiences in 1997, 1998, 2003, 2009, 2012 and 2013.

But Clough, whose only experience of the play-offs as a manager also ended in disappointment with Burton, insists that record means nothing going into Thursday's first leg at Bramall Lane.

"It's something that doesn't even enter our minds," he said. "It's a fresh start and we go into it with as good a chance as anybody.

"We have told them the last 46 games don't count for anything so certainly the previous seasons don't.

"But to break the hoodoo is a great incentive. I don't like the phrase history-makers, that's over-egging it, but let's break this run. Let's be the one to break it.

"It's like a mini three-game cup season. They have been very good for football, keeping seasons alive and things like that, when you are in them it is a little bit more nerve-wracking.

"History doesn't mean anything. Firstly it's brilliant we are in them, ideally we wanted top two, but to get there is a brilliant achievement.

"Let's enjoy it and make the most of it, irrespective of what has happened in the past."