We're just not good enough - Robson. MATCH ACTION SLIDESHOW

But the facts and figures of Sheffield United's season so far speak a loud and uncomfortable truth.

Three minutes during first-half stoppage time will have convinced the visitors this was not going to be their day.

A David Noble goal - aided and abetted by some woeful defending - forced Bryan Robson to rip up his team talk before Alan Quinn saw a would-be equaliser cannon back off a post.

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Defining moments for a United side, which has now taken just two points from a possible 45 away from home, against hosts who boast an almost unparalelled record of success in games they lead at the interval.

If the maths are not bad enough for Robson, the man charged with delivering Premier League football to Bramall Lane, the performance will guarantee he spends an uncomfortable fortnight contemplating the problems that have left his players floundering in the lower reaches of the Championship table.

United are 20th and, as their leader admits, at this stage deservedly so.

"There's no getting away from it," Robson said after watching Michael McIndoe's late header put the seal on this agonising display at Ashton Gate.

"We are just not good enough at this moment in time.

"We were outbattled and how ever I change it around it keeps happening.

"For whatever reason, we can't tackle and we've got a weakness as a squad in all areas when it comes to defending.

"After 10 games, I can say that when I came here I thought some of the players here were better than they actually are.

"We are in the position that we should be. We can't have any complaints about that.

"I will clear some of them out if things don't improve because there's no point in keeping players if they can't get you to where you want to go."

Tough words and, as Robson confirmed, tough choices lie ahead.

The United manager has been admirably and refreshingly honest in his assessments but he is quickly discovering that finding solutions is a much more challenging task than identifying problems.

It is a puzzle Robson must solve before a campaign of promise descends into disappointment.

Fate has dealt him an unfortunate hand with a series of injuries to key players drastically limiting his options but, worryingly, a United team once famed for its tenacity has suddenly developed a tendency to look tame and toothless.

City, still bristling with confidence following their promotion last term, boasted leaders in all departments.

Among the United ranks there was, save for the 27 minutes before McIndoe's intervention, little cohesion between the back four, midfield and attack.

As City boss Gary Johnson succinctly put it "Everyone out there has to make a difference if you want to compete in this division," before expressing his belief that his counterpart will turn things around.

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The 825 supporters who made their way south were understandably upset but, as Johnson insisted, United are down but not out and there is still plenty of cause for optimism.

With a squad the envy of most at this level already at his disposal, Robson has proved himself to be a shrewd operator in the transfer market with most of his summer purchases - James Beattie, Gary Naysmith, David Carney and Lee Hendrie - having quickly shown their worth.

Unfortunately, injuries have limited the latter three’s involvement, but the forthcoming international fixtures provide a timely opportunity to work on fitness and, crucially, introduce new personnel.

Bramall Lane’s board of directors have invested a lot in Robson and, aware that while form is temporary class is permanent, are thankfully prepared to keep faith with a manager who enjoys the respect and admiration of some of the most knowledgeable figures in the business.

When United do start to equal the sum of their parts they will be a formidable proposition and remain capable of a top-six finish.

“I’m not under pressure,” Robson continued, glad of plc chairman Kevin McCabe’s overwhelming vote of confidence in midweek.

“The chairman and Terry Robinson (who heads the football arm of United’s board) are very supportive and they realise that things need to change and for that to happen you need time.

“Injuries to important players have affected our balance but then every team gets injuries.

“I’d like to get Gary Naysmith, Nick Montgomery and Derek Geary back because they are well-equipped to defend.

“Nick might not pass a ball 50 yards but he’s a very good defensive midfield players and he had an excellent season in the Premiership last year.”

United, with Chris Lucketti and Carney introduced to the starting line-up, found themselves under the cosh from the first whistle as Darren Byfield shot straight at Paddy Kenny after Gary Cahill was caught in possession, Liam Fontaine shot wide following a well-executed free-kick and Bradley Orr hit the woodwork.

Lacking fluency, United’s best efforts came from individual moments of skill with Jon Stead showing deft footwork before shooting over after Carney released him on the edge of the penalty area.

Noble marked his return from a long-standing groin problem by fending off Chris Armstrong’s challenge and acrobatically firing home after a Chris Morgan header sold Kenny short.

The luckless centre-half found himself in trouble when Hendrie, clearly still struggling for sharpness, saw an attempted clearance spiral towards his own box, but United responded positively after the break.

The purposeful Carney hooked high and wide on the turn before drawing a fine save from Adriano Basso following a driving run.

Jamie McAllister hacked Lucketti’s header to safety from the resulting corner but, as they chased the game, United inevitably left spaces behind them; a scenario City exploited to the full when McIndoe converted Ivan Sproule’s centre.

“I’m telling you now,” Johnson said. “Sheffield United will not be in the bottom half of the table at the end of the season.

“Whatever happened here they are a very, very good team.”