HE has told us throughout the last month to trust him and now is the time for Mark Cooper to deliver.

Since about 9.40pm on April 14, the Swindon manager has been planning for this moment. He has made decisions which plenty have questioned, but always with the justification that come the play-offs it would benefit his team.

If it does not come off, the idea to sacrifice the results and their form-building potential for fitness will be called into question. If after Monday night we are planning a Wembley supplement then it will be shown to be justified.

If not, Cooper will come under serious questioning.

Personally I find the idea of the side who took the field and stumbled to a draw against Colchester last week suddenly clicking into gear after sporadic playing time over the last few weeks a stretch. I would like to be proved wrong.

One element working in their favour is the fact that the Blades are hardly the baying beasts of Bramall Lane at the moment.

They, like Town, have not won in five and only drawn their last two home games.

United boss Nigel Clough would take a draw tonight I believe. He almost said as much last Sunday, indicating his first instinct is to make sure his side are still in the tie after the first leg.

One thing is certain though, this current crop of Blades are a cup side and have two major cup semi-finals in the last two season to show for it. When it comes to game management, evaluating risk against reward and knowing how to get it done Clough and his side are in their element.

However the Blades’ failures in play-offs are becoming more than a coincidence. If it does not factor in the players mentality then it will certainly play on the minds of the home fans in Sheffield. They will be loud, but also nervous.

It is up to Town to take advantage of that.

Despite both Cooper and skipper Nathan Thompson claiming their side will come out and attack, tonight is likely to be a cagey stand-off. Town will try and keep their opponents at arm’s length with possession and United will be doing everything not to get caught out.

There is a lot at stake.