Sheffield United have been backed for Championship survival by reporter Chris Dunlavy, despite their poor start to the season.
Sheffield United remain in the Championship relegation zone. SUFC are in the bottom three along with Norwich City and rivals Sheffield Wednesday after their first 15 fixtures.
Image courtesy of: ANDREW BOYERS/REUTERS.
The Blades have 10 points on the board and are three points from safety behind Oxford United in 21st. Chris Wilder’s side drew 0-0 at home to QPR over the weekend in their last outing before the international break at Bramall Lane.
Journalist Dunlavy has delivered his verdict on the South Yorkshire outfit, as per the Football League Paper (09.11.25, page 7): “Relegation remains inconceivable. The Blades have owners who can spend their way out of trouble, with a manager with a track record of Championship success and quality in every position. In the mercurial Gus Hamer, they also possess a bona fide match winner who, on his day, is the most creative player in the division.
“At present, no side in the Championship looks less like the sum of their parts, but those parts are formidable nonetheless. There is simply no way a team that good can stay this bad – it is only a matter of time before the Blades stop turning a square.”
Sheffield United endure tough start to Championship season
Sheffield United reached the play-off final in the last campaign but were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland at Wembley and missed out on an immediate promotion to the Premier League. SUFC then made the surprise decision to sack Wilder.
Former Southampton, Reading and Hull City man Ruben Selles was appointed as the head coach in the summer. However, the Spaniard’s tenure turned out to be a disaster and he was given the chop back in September.
Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS.
Wilder was subsequently re-appointed on a contract until 2027 and returned to his beloved club for a third spell. However, the ex-Middlesbrough and Watford head coach hasn’t quite managed to get his team going yet and their results have been inconsistent.
The 58-year-old will be hoping to get the best out of his players after the international break. They have the chance to rest and recover over the next couple of weeks.
Chris Wilder stats since Sheffield United return
What now for Sheffield United?
Sheffield United have the chance to bring in some new faces in the January transfer window. SUFC could do with injecting some more quality into their squad this winter to give them the best chance of clawing themselves out of trouble.
Their recruitment over the summer appeared to be rushed and they need to be more careful with their signings next time around. The likes of Tyler Bindon and Louie Barry haven’t been able to make the impacts they would have wanted to.
Wilder’s men were left frustrated against QPR last time out and weren’t able to break down the Hoops. They must find a way to be more ruthless in front of goal and need the likes of Tom Cannon and Danny Ings to get firing.
Sheffield United are back in action on Sunday 23rd November with a clash against Sheffield Wednesday as they look to return to winning ways. Their upcoming opponents are bottom the division under Henrik Pedersen. The Blades then face Portsmouth and Leicester City to see off the rest of the month.