'No fear' - Paul Merson makes big Sheffield United survival claim after West Brom loss

The Blades were left rooted to the foot of the Premier League table after succumbing to Slaven Bilic’s side in their early-season relegation showdown on Saturday evening, but on another day may well have taken something from the clash after creating a host of chances.

Chris Wilder’s men had 21 efforts on goal at The Hawthorns, with five on target, and Merson was encouraged by the progressive nature of United's showing.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, he said: “I think this will be the one game where the manager will have gotten back on the coach and thought, ‘I know we’ve lost the game, but this is better’.

"This was Sheffield United. This was the Sheffield United of last season, in my opinion – playing with a lot of pace, playing with a lot of energy, getting the ball out wide and getting the ball in the box. They made lots of chances. This is what Sheffield United were all about last season – playing with no fear, playing with freedom.

"I’ve watched them at other times and the confidence just looked so low. Players were getting the ball and no-one was making runs. It looked like the shackles were off last weekend, and they just went out and played.

"I know they lost the game and it was a big six-pointer, but that was better.

"There’s been other games they’ve lost and it hasn’t been good enough – they keep on playing like that, they will drag themselves out of this.”