Less than two days to the big kick-off when United take on Middlesbrough, live on SKY on Friday night, and Kevin Blackwell recognises that the game throws up remarkable similarities to last season's opener in the Midlands:

"There is a kind of déjà vu about the fixture because we are in the same situation as we were last year, being involved in the first televised fixture of the season, away at a club that has just dropped out of the Premiership.

"Birmingham sneaked it over us in the 93rd minute last season, went on to win promotion and naturally Middlebrough will be hoping they can repeat the feat this time.

"The pace in this league is unrelenting and relegated teams from the top flight have to adjust to that. If they can do that quickly all three have clubs have players with the qualities to turn a game and they can be a force to be reckoned with."

As for his own squad's attitude Blackwell has no doubts whatsoever that the disappointing conclusion to last season will not affect his players:

"This is the first competitive game since the Play-Off Final but there is no hangover here. I have been please with the attitude of players and staff and maybe another high profile fixture like this will be just right for us.

"Both clubs know that but for a goal or two going in the wrong end last season this fixture could well have been in the Premiership, and getting back there is clearly the priority for 'Boro and ourselves."