'Absolutely, they have to be...' Sheffield United's ambitions laid out ahead of season opener against Watford
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While Friday night sees the EFL kick-off again for the new season, the Blades have to wait a few more days for their return to competitive action as they head to Watford for their televised encounter at Vicarage Road.
It took a penalty shoot-out defeat against soon-to-be promoted Nottingham Forest to deny Paul Heckingbottom’s men a place at Wembley and the chance of a swift return to the Premier League and according to The Star’s James Shield, that top six place needs to be the very least of United’s ambitions for the 2022/23 season.
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Hide Ad“They have to be,” James told The Star Blades podcast when asked if the play-offs, at least, should be expected at the end of this season. “Absolutely, they have to be. They've talked from board level downwards in very ambitious terms and a club like Sheffield United should be challenging for the top six in the Championship, there's absolutely no doubt about it.
"Players like Khadra, players like Ahmedhodžić, players like Ciaran Clark, players like Tommy Doyle, they've not come here to tread water in the division. And players like John Egan or Ben Osborne whom we've talked about, Chris Basham, Illiman Ndiaye, Rhian Brewster... they're not here to finish mid-table.
"Absolutely no doubt about it, the absolute minimum that Sheffield United should be going for this season is top six. I don't even think there's a debate there to be had.”