Sheffield United: Why it impossible to stick a label on this Blades team

So rather than becoming irritated by suggestions that Sheffield United are all about defence, Chris Wilder has chosen to simply laugh them off instead. In fact, speaking ahead of Saturday's game against Burnley, he insisted the narrative surrounding their most recent performances has been influenced by many people's need to attach labels to clubs.

"It is quite interesting that we're labelled as a defensive minded team," Wilder said. "I don't really see that. I just think we're as balanced as possible. We're still trying to create chances and play our own way, even though the standards have gone through the roof from where we were last year."

Inevitably, given the step up in class, United have been forced to tweak the strategy that helped them win promotion from the Championship. Possession rates of over 70 per cent, as they sometimes enjoyed in the third tier during Wilder's first campaign at the helm, are a thing of the past. Opponents now have to be picked apart, rather than overwhelmed.

West Ham, where United drew 1-1 last weekend, saw more of the ball at the London Stadium. But Wilder's men enjoyed as many shots on target and only two fewer attempts on goal. They also made only one more tackle in the defensive third of the pitch, suggesting the work they are undertaking to improve their team shape is being put to good effect. They enter the meeting with Sean Dyche's side boasting the best defensive record in the division. The fact 16 of United's rivals have scored more goals can be attributed to the disparity in financial resources across a competition where some manager's routinely spend £50m plus on strikers; roughly Wilder's entire transfer spend during the most recent window.

" I don't see us as a defensive team," Wilder said. "I don't see us as a counter-attacking team. I just see us as a team that is trying to play football and do its best."