'Running out of time' - Sky pundit delivers 'damaging' verdict on Sheffield United's Premier League survival hopes

Former Aston Villa and Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says time is running out for Sheffield United and their bid to retain their Premier League status.
Sheffield United lost 2-1 to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. (Photo by Oli Scarff - Pool/Getty Images)Sheffield United lost 2-1 to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. (Photo by Oli Scarff - Pool/Getty Images)
Sheffield United lost 2-1 to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. (Photo by Oli Scarff - Pool/Getty Images)

The Blades remain bottom of the table after a narrow 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday evening, which leaves them 12 points from safety.

Chris Wilder’s side have improved of late with five wins in their previous eight games in all competitions, but Warnock believes results elsewhere have proved costly.

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Speaking to Sky Sports’ Football Show, he said: “They’re definitely running out of time. The results for Newcastle and Brighton in the last week and a half have probably damaged their chances of survival.

"Don’t get me wrong, they had a couple of fantastic results against Manchester United and Manchester City but it does seem too little, too late.

"It does seem it’s going to be very, very difficult for them to get themselves out of that poor start they found themselves in.”

Losing by just one goal has become a common theme for Wilder’s side this season – 13 of United’s 18 top-flight defeats have ended with a one-goal margin.

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Warnock added: "I know what you’re saying about the goal margins, there are sometimes when you go back in as a manager, you’ve got something to hang onto there and say to the players ‘listen it’s fine margins that you’re losing the game by.’

“But when there has been that many, that’s the disappointing thing and they just don’t seem to have that game changer who's capable of changing a game every single game.

"They have players who step up from time to time but there is not a consistent player who’s there to do it consistently.”