'Absolute shocker' - Adrian Durham claims Sheffield Utd are 'accepting relegation' under Wilder, makes 'worst ever' claim

The Blades have endured a torrid start to the season, taking just one point from their opening 12 matches – a run of results that Durham has described as an “absolute shocker”.

Wilder’s men are currently rooted to the foot of the table, and are already eight points from safety.

Despite their predicament, however, the boss’ position appears to be relatively secure, with the 53-year-old making preparations for the upcoming January transfer window.

But Durham believes that the club might have to oust the man who sealed their return to the Premier League if they are to retain their top flight status this term.

Speaking on talkSPORT, the host said: “If they do stick with Chris Wilder then they’re basically saying, ‘we’re absolutely fine with relegation’.

“Now, they may not go down under Chris Wilder, but it looks like they will go down under Chris Wilder. One point from 12 games is an absolute shocker.

“If they get to Christmas and they haven’t won a game then you’re fearing the worst for them. Could they even end up being the worst ever Premier League side?

“I just go back to Leicester when they won the title with [Claudio] Ranieri [in the 2015/16 season]; the next season they were Champions League quarter-finalists and they’re hurtling down the Premier League table.

“They didn’t blink, they didn’t hesitate because they didn’t want to go down.

“They had no problem firing the manager who had just won them the Premier League and who was still in the Champions League. Leicester had no problem with that.

“We were all outraged for about a week and then they just carried on and life went on.

“So yes, I could understand the sentiment, but they are basically accepting relegation if they stick with Chris Wilder.”

The Blades' record of one draw and 11 losses in 12 games is the worst ever start to a Premier League made by any club since the competition began.

The second worst return from the first 12 matches of season is held jointly by Everton in 1994/95 and QPR in 2012/13, with both clubs drawing four and losing eight.