Dave Bassett told Sky Sports News he expects Reading to meet Sheffield United at Wembley.
Bassett gives his views on the battle to play in the Premier League.
Dave Bassett believes his former club Sheffield United were worthy winners in their Championship play-off semi final with Preston North End.
United will now face Burnley or Reading at Wembley in two weeks time after Greg Halford's winner at Brammall Lane sealed a 2-1 aggregate victory.
"Sheffield United deserved it," he told
Sky Sports News. "Alan Irvine, the Preston manager, couldn't complain about his team but United had the edge in this tie with their hunger and physical presence.
"Sheffield were really up for the game and they were very aggressive in the sense that you could see they really wanted that goal.
"Preston showed some energy to get back into the game once United had got their goal but, in my opinion, that was a bit too late. United had shown they were looking to score from the start and, for me, it was just a matter of time."
Reading rebound
Their opponents at Wembley will be decided by tonight's clash at the Madejski Stadium, an encounter Bassett thinks the Royals will just edge.
The sides are currently separated by one goal, a Graham Alexander penalty, which gives the Clarets the advantage going into the second leg.
"Burnely are full of confidence at the moment and Reading have got it all to do - but I've got the feeling the Royals will get the rub of the green in this one.
"Yes, their home form has been abysmal this year but if they can pull that one goal back they are capable of pushing on.
"Burnely have confounded people with what they have achieved this season but they didn't play great in the first leg.
"Reading, though, may be missing Noel Hunt and Kevin Doyle, two of their strikers, so we'll have to wait and see if they've got enough fire power."
Survival
Whilst Burnley, Reading and Sheffield United battle to get into the top flight the fight to avoid relegation back into the Championship continues to hot up in the Premier League - with Newcastle securing what could be a vital victory over Middlesbrough in the Tyne-Tees derby.
Bassett believes the 3-1 defeat at St James' Park could be terminal for Boro's hopes of escaping the drop.
"I think Boro will go now," he said. "I can't see them surviving now. Newcastle have given themselves a good chance but, really, Hull have made it easy for Newcastle with the way their results have gone - they've given Newcastle hope."
However, Bassett insisted the Magpies weren't safe yet, with Hull more than capable of turning around their disastrous run of form that has seen them plummet into the drop zone.
"Newcastle are not safe by any stretch of the imagination. It could still twist and turn. I think it is too much for West Bromwich Albion, though they've had a good little run. I think Boro are in the same situation.
"It is between Newcastle and Hull now. Hull are on a slippery slope and they've got to get a result soon, especially against Bolton.
"People are saying Manchester United might put the kids out against them in the last game of season because they're in the Champions League final. Well, their kids are pretty good and that wouldn't be an easy game. Hull's cup final is the game against Bolton.
"Who will survive? It's in the balance but I think at the moment I would say Newcastle will do it."
Drinking culture
Bassett also responded to quotes from Harry Redknapp following the arrest of Tottenham captain Ledley King outside a London night club.
The Spurs boss has spoken of his intentions to impose an alcohol ban on his squad next season but Bassett believes players should be allowed to have a drink - in moderation.
"I don't agree with Harry. Players are entitled to have a drink. You can't say a player can't go out on a Saturday night when you're not playing until the next Saturday.
"I think what Harry's basically saying is players shouldn't be going out and being completely drunk and getting ill. Well, yes, of course footballers shouldn't do that, but you can't expect a footballer to spend his life going out with friends who are all drinking and not have a drink.
"Harry played with Bobby Moore and that mob at West Ham. They were big drinkers and they went on to win the world cup. Players don't drink like they did in the 80s and 90s, it has improved.
"You have to ask players to be responsible but also remember when you are young the body can recover from having a few drinks, no doubt about that."
