'You go to the seaside for a day out, not to Wembley'

Sunday 09 Mar 2014
Nigel Clough watches on as his Blades beat Charlton

Nigel Clough heaped praise on his players as they reached The FA Cup Semi-Final - and then targeted victory at Wembley in May.

The Sheffield United boss was beaming with pride after the Blades overcame Charlton Athletic thanks to two goals in a two-minute second-half spell at Bramall Lane.

Ryan Flynn and John Brayford completed yet another Cup upset and sealed a trip to Wembley Stadium for the Semi-Final next month, and Clough now wants to go the whole way. 

Sheffield Utd 2-0 Charlton Ath

The FA Cup with Budweiser
Sixth Round proper
Sunday 9 March 2014
Bramall Lane, Sheffield
Winners receive £360,000 from FA Prize Fund

"There's not an awful lot of satisfaction for me personally," said Clough, who was an FA Cup runner-up with Nottingham Forest in 1991.

"I don't have a chart at home where you rank the games. It's about the players and supporters, especially this, celebrating together."

The Blades have been on a superb FA Cup run this season, beating Aston Villa, Fulham and Forest in previous rounds.

And on Sunday it was Championship outfit Charlton Athletic who fell to Clough's men as the League One outfit lined up a meeting with Hull City in the last four.

"We were nervous in the first 20 minutes and it was important to get in 0-0 at half-time," said Clough.

"The atmosphere, it saps you when you're not used to it and a lot of players playing in this sort of thing for the first time, this atmosphere takes your energy and it takes your breath away at times.

John Brayford celebrates for Sheffield United

John Brayford celebrates for Sheffield United

 

"To get to this stage as a League One club in the Semi-Final is an incredible achievement.

"No easy draws as well along the way, going down to Fulham and Villa Park and we've had a few breaks.

"It's essential that you get that little break at certain times."

Sheffield United's last trip to Wembley in The FA Cup was in 1993 when they lost out to city rivals Wednesday in the Semis.

They also made it to the last four in 1998 and 2003, losing to both Newcastle United and Arsenal, but now Clough wants to go one step further.

"We're going to try [and win it]," added Clough.

"You look at the teams left in and it's a little bit scary, who ever you get, but it's about the financial boost and everybody enjoying Wembley.

"But we're not going there for a day out. You go to the seaside for a day out, not to Wembley."

By Jamie Bradbury FA Editor