KEVIN Blackwell has fired his own salvo in the psychological battle ahead of tonight's match between Bristol City and Sheffield United at Ashton Gate.

Gary Johnson, commented on the Yorkshire club's tactics as the two teams prepared to lock horns for the second time this month.

United were emphatic victors when they last met with James Beattie scoring twice during a 3-0 winat Bramall Lane.

But, after hearing Johnson accuse them of employing a route-one approach, Blackwell said: "Of course he's worried about us.

"The fact that he's talking about us shows that we're in his mind.

"There was a time when teams were happy to come to our ground.

"But, I tell you what, they're not so happy anymore.

"I'm sure we'll be in for a tougher game because City are at home."

Blackwell also disputed his side were a long-ball team, saying: "If he (Johnson) thinks that, then he doesn't watch us play very often. We have actually played total football in the second half of the last couple of games.

"At the end of the day, you have got to be able to deal with long balls, square balls, and round balls.

"And you can count on one hand the teams that have totally played their way out of the Championship in 30 or 40 years," he said.

"To get out of this division, you have got to have a mixture of physical prowess, cleverness, astuteness, and good players and the first ingredient you need is hard work."