Garry Birtles says Nottingham Forest fans should not worry about past play-offs despair as Sheffield United will have wanted to have avoided the Reds in the semi-finals.
Forest have lost in all four of their previous play-off campaigns without making it to Wembley. The most painful of those eliminations is up for a rather unpalatable debate, but defeat to the Blades in 2003 would top the poll of misery for some fans.
Forest's opponents are also lacking in play-off pedigree having missed out eight times, although they have at least made a final. European Cup winner Birtles says history is irrelevant as he backs the Reds to make through given head coach Steve Cooper's attacking outlook. If not Sheffield United, Forest would have played Luton Town, but Birtles says his old club should focus on how they can hurt teams.
