The Bramall Lane boo-boys are endangering Sheffield United's Coca-Cola Championship promotion charge, according to Blades boss Neil Warnock.

QPR became the first side to do the double over Warnock's men this season with a 3-2 win on Saturday which put arguably the biggest dent yet in United's Barclays Premiership ambitions.

The defeat means the Blades have won only one of their last five games, and with Leeds and Watford both winning, what was a 10-point gap to third place could be down to just two should Leeds win at Bramall Lane on Easter Monday.

It might have been so different had Paul Ifill netted a penalty when United were 2-1 up, but sloppy defending allowed Rangers to climb off the ropes, much to the ire of the home supporters.

In fact, certain sections of the crowd began venting their frustrations as early as the sixth minute, when Marc Nygaard took full advantage of a sleepwalking United defence to put Rangers ahead.

A lifelong Blades fan himself, Warnock insists he can understand the supporters' fears of throwing away their best chance of a top-flight return since relegation 12 years ago but argues such pessimism is counter-productive.

"Most of them just feel like I do." he said. "I think they're so frustrated, the fans, having been where they are for so many years.

"It is easy to criticise but unfortunately fans don't think about the damage it does to certain players.

"It was very frustrating in the first five minutes. I thought it was unfair really and put more pressure on people.

"Three or four lads, early doors, got rid of the ball a lot quicker than they should and they were knocking long balls rather than keeping possession.

"We've got to stand up and make sure we don't respond to that. The crowds are going to be frustrated at times but 15 minutes, 20 minutes later we're winning 2-1.

"As I said to them at half-time, it's 'Warnock out' or 'Warnock for England'."

Despite insisting he was not concerned about the threat of Leeds, Warnock admitted he would rather be playing them next than rock-bottom Crewe.

He said: "We haven't got to worry too much about the doom-and-gloom merchants, we've got to get on with the job in hand now, which is getting back to winning ways on Friday night.

"We've got bottom of the league next and I wish it was Leeds next week and not Crewe."

While Warnock has his critics, the clamour in the QPR camp is growing for caretaker-boss Gary Waddock to be handed the reins full time after a second win in just his third match in charge.

Having spent his entire playing career at Loftus Road, Waddock admits he would jump at the chance once Ian Holloway's gardening leave is resolved.

And midfielder Marc Bircham would love to see his "hero" and assistant Alan McDonald remain at the helm.

"If Wads got the job, I think everyone in that dressing room would be happy," said the boyhood Rangers fan.

"Waddo is more than capable. He's a fantastic coach and he's got the tactical know-how with the managers he's played under.

"He's played under some of the best managers like George Graham and Terry Venables and he can take the best bits under those managers and bring them to this side.

"Wadds was probably my first hero at QPR. He was Rangers through and through and Macca was there as a professional for 12 years.

"They've come in and done a brilliant job.

"You can't get two more QPR people than Gary Waddock and Alan McDonald - I remember watching them for years."

However, Bircham was critical of the manner of Holloway's departure almost three weeks ago, calling him "the best manager I've ever played under".

"They say Olly's on gardening leave but all of us know he isn't really coming back," Bircham said.

"The way it happened, that was the only disappointment. If he's going to leave the club, then it should be done properly.

"Whatever happens, he's left a legacy at the football club."