Can Sheffield United survive in the Premier League this season? You bet they can

Now, after two wins in the space of a week, Sheffield United enter Sunday’s Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur with renewed belief, confidence and optimism.

Can, after kick-starting their campaign with an FA Cup win over Bristol Rovers before beating Newcastle on Tuesday, a team which lost 15 and drew two of its opening 17 outings in this season’s competition survive? The Star’s James Shield thinks they can, and identifies seven reasons why.

A STRANGE SEASON: Let’s be honest, in any other season United would have been dead and buried long before they overcame Newcastle earlier this week. But, as results have shown, this is a season like no other with the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to wreak havoc with how teams are preparing for games and also the personnel at their disposal. The lack of consistency most are showing means the points total required to lift the title is likely to be much lower than in previous years. The same goes to avoid the drop too. United should actually take heart from the fact they are only nine points adrift of 17th place. In normal circumstances, it would have been a lot more. Another win and, if results above them go their way, it could be down to six. And then it really is game on.

MORE CONFIDENCE: The players were saying all the right things. So was the manager. But the longer United’s winless run went on, the lower their self-belief plummeted. There was no shortage of fighting spirit, underlined by the fact so many of United’s defeats came via the odd goal. The fact they were disappointed to draw with Brighton, despite playing the majority of last month’s contest at the AMEX Stadium with 10 men, also confirmed United were giving it their all. Instead, their shortage of confidence manifested itself in another way. Wilder’s men lacked conviction and the sense of purpose required to really take the game to opponents rather than just dig in and hope for a break. They displayed plenty of both against Newcastle, after also making a positive start at the Memorial Stadium.

CHANCE OF A CUP RUN: Winning breeds confidence and with all due respect to Plymouth Argyle, who they face in the FA Cup fourth round, Wilder’s men will be confident of reaching the next phase of the competition where either Millwall or Bristol City await the winner of this month’s tie at Bramall Lane. Although all three will view United as vulnerable, they are a top-flight side after all and, as such, should have better players and greater depth at their disposal. United have some tough games coming up - against Chelsea, both Manchester clubs and fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion. Progressing to the later stages of the competition, which appears eminently possible, would keep them in the right frame of mind if they suffer the odd defeat during that run.

GREATER FLEXIBILITY: Perhaps the biggest indication of the challenge teams like United face in the Premier League came at Crystal Palace earlier this month. Roy Hodgson’s side might be established at the highest level, but they are far from being a Premier League heavyweight. With injury and illness sweeping through his squad, Wilder was forced to name a short-handed bench at Selhurst Park with 16-year-old debutant Antwoine Hackford among the visitors’ substitutes. Palace’s, meanwhile, boasted a combined total of nearly 200 international caps. Although Wilder is unlikely to make too many changes against Spurs, the possible return of Oli McBurnie, Enda Stevens and George Baldock from injury will prove him with greater flexibility during matches from now on in - either to change the course of a contest or try and hold on to something.

THE MIDFIELD: When United’s results went south at the beginning of the season, before the tailspin continued over the festive period, much of the focus was on their defence and attack. This was inevitable. Goals were in short supply, which meant lapses in concentration at the other end of the pitch proved more costly than last term and were magnified. The real weakness in United’s armoury, however, could actually be found in the middle of the park where opponents found it too easy to impose their authority. With an injury to Sander Berge forcing Wilder to ignore the previous poor form of Oliver Norwood, John Fleck and John Lundstram and revert to the trio which helped his side finish ninth earlier this year. Has he stumbled across the solution to United’s problems here? Following two straight wins, perhaps.

THE WINDOW: In a sense, United’s return to form could not have come at a better moment. Yes, they would rather have been winning games in September and October. Yes, they still have a mountain to climb. But if Wilder can secure the two high-calibre loan signings he is chasing this month, the new arrivals will step into a team which is on the up rather than sinking rapidly. The boost their presence should prove to existing members of United’s squad means Wilder’s men can look to build on their recent progress. And as any footballer will tell you, it is easier to settle into a side that’s going well.

THE MANAGER: Although there are clearly issues behind the scenes, United’s return to winning ways means the spotlight on Wilder’s position is no longer as intense as it was only a week or so ago. The players should benefit from not having this unwanted distraction and it will certainly improve the atmosphere at their training ground. There are still some political problems which need to be ironed out behind the scenes. They existed last season too but, with United challenging for Europe rather than fighting to avoid relegation, the fact they didn’t become obvious until the autumn shows how success can solve, or at the very least soothe, all sorts of things in football.

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