Sheffield United’s Michael Cooper had an evening to forget as the Blades were thrashed 5-0 by Ipswich Town on Friday evening.
With his side already trailing 2-0 to their potential promotion rivals, some terrible defending allowed George Hirst in behind.
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Hirst looked almost embarrassed to scoreCredit: Getty
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Cooper had a moment to forget in a season to forget so far for the Blades
Cooper initially did well to force the striker wide, and Cooper returned to his goalline.
Hirst then tried to score from a very tight angle and produced a weak shot that went straight through the goalkeeper’s legs and nestled in the back of the net.
It wasn’t even a good shot, but it somehow went in, handing the hosts a 3-0 lead.
This was soon followed by a fourth as the travelling Sheffield United fans turned on Ruben Selles.
Selles was already under pressure after four defeats from four to start the season, so they needed to get something, and they produced a horror display, and it’s only September.
Audible chants of, ‘We want Selles out’ could be heard from the away end.
Incredibly, things got worse before the end of the game as Jack Clarke added a fifth after more terrible defending.
Jaden Philogene had earlier scored twice before grabbing his hat-trick after Hirst’s goal as Kieran McKenna‘s men piled on the misery.
It is now five defeats from five for the Blades, who have scored one goal and conceded 12.
They are rock bottom of the Championship table and are below inner-city rivals Ipswich Town, while any hopes of promotion appear to be evaporating.
The Blades 12 points off early leaders Middlesbrough, having played a game more.
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Philogene was unplayable and scored three fantastic goalsCredit: Getty
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Selles’ future is looking bleakCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Sheffield United’s season goes from bad to worseWhat is going to happen to Selles?
A few months is a long time in football, given at the end of May, Sheffield United were 1-0 up in the Championship Play-Off Final against Sunderland.
The Black Cats then equalised before finding a winner deep into stoppage time through Tommy Watson.
Extremely popular manager Chris Wilder was then let go and replaced by Selles, who was surprisingly sacked by Hull City in the summer after keeping the Tigers up.
But since his appointment, it has been a nightmare.
Things started with a 4-1 defeat at Bramall Lane to Bristol City before the Blades crashed out of the Carabao Cup to Birmingham City.
Three consecutive 1-0 defeats to Swansea City, Millwall and Middlesbrough have followed before tonight’s shambles.
It means Sheffield United haven’t scored a league goal since the opening game of the season.
The fans have made their feelings known, so it remains to be seen what the hierarchy decide.
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Ipswich finally showed their promotion credentials after an average start to the campaignCredit: Getty
Speaking after the game to Sky Sports, Selles was asked about the situation, he said: “Obviously, it is very difficult.
“I think we need to accept that and not to find excuses and accept it is a difficult situation.
“I think in the first half, we were on top of the game, but the goal is a ball in the middle of the pitch that gets deflected to Jaden Philogene, and that changes the game.
“The key moment was the second goal.
“The team in the first half was exactly the one I want to see, but after the second goal, we never managed to get back into the game.”
Specifically on his future, he was asked if he understood why people would discuss his role, and he said: “Well, the business is like that.
“Your position is going to be discussed always, but we have to keep working hard.”
Selles was then asked about his relationship with the owners: “That is a big question. They have been supportive so far, I haven’t spoke with them after the game, obviously.
“But, listen, things happen in football, and people need to make decisions, so I am not worried about that, I am worried about working on the training pitch.
“What I would say to the supporters is I am the first critic of myself, and the support [from the owners] has been there.”