'No surprise' - Why former Sheffield United favourite Paul Coutts never thought Blades would struggle in Premier League

The midfielder helped United into the Championship at the start of the club's journey under Chris Wilder, but departed after promotion to the Premier League was sealed. Coutts broke his leg in United's first season back in the Championship, and he couldn't get back in the team when he returned to full fitness.

But the Scot held no grudges - after parting on good terms with boss Wilder, who offered him the chance to stay at Bramall Lane - and joined Fleetwood Town. Together with another ex-Blade in Ched Evans, Coutts helped Joey Barton's men qualify for the League One play-offs, before they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Wycombe.

"I had no doubts they'd do well," Coutts admitted, speaking on the Northern Goal podcast.

"With the demands Chris puts on people and how he goes about it, you want to give your all and you're desperate to do well for him.

"He sets really high standards and they have a good team, to be fair. I thought they'd do pretty well - probably not quite as well as they have done - but I knew they'd survive with Chris in charge. It's no surprise to see."

Coutts is still fondly remembered at Bramall Lane, after a remarkable turnaround in his fortunes in South Yorkshire. Wilder placed him on the transfer list soon after taking charge of his boyhood club, but Coutts rejected a move to Burton Albion and impressed Wilder enough to earn a place in the team.

The Blades recovered from a horrendous start to the season to win 100 points and lift the League One title, and the club did not look back.

But Coutts' journey with United ended when he was released at the end of the promotion season. A challenge with Marvin Sordell, ironically at Burton, saw him suffer a badly broken leg and by the time he regained fitness, United had signed Ollie Norwood and were well on the way to promotion.

Coutts made a handful of appearances that season - memorably making his comeback to a rapturous reception away at Blackburn Rovers' Ewood Park - and was offered the chance to stay by Wilder.

"I spoke to Chris and he sort of asked me what I wanted to do. I said: 'I want to play now, I've been out for a year'. I came back and had six or seven months as a substitute. I needed to play, and he said that he knew I would say that.

"He said there was something for me, which I appreciated, but I said it was best for me to move on.

"I knew they were going to strengthen so it would be tough to get into the squad, never mind the starting 11. So I thought it'd be best for me to just move on."

Coutts was brought to United by Nigel Clough, his former Derby manager who tried to tempt him to Burton Albion, and was often played out of position by Wilder's predecessor, Nigel Adkins. Under Adkins, United slumped to 11th in League One before Wilder came in.

"He [Adkins] was a nice guy and I thought, when he got the job, that he'd be really good. But it just didn't work out.

"He struggled to get the fans onside, and it was really tough at times. We had too many pros on the books, United were the biggest payers in that league and players wouldn't leave.

"We had about 44 players at one point. He tried to keep everyone happy and it just didn't work at all.

"Then Chris came in. He doesn't take training or anything but he's a great motivator. He's kind of your mate Monday to Friday and is great in the dressing room and at half time. He knows what buttons to push and is just a manager, and is brilliant at it.

"We used to go away for pre-season, to Spain or Portugal, and when we got there he'd say 'everyone have a beer'. So we would, and he'd encourage us to have a few.

"The next morning, we were on the line running. It was about everyone dragging each other along, no-one chucking it in. If you did that, you were done with him.

"He wanted to see who pushed through for him and used to do little tests all the time. Everyone, all the staff, would be encouraging us to have a beer... and then we'd be on the line running at 8am the next morning!"

Coutts was named captain by boss Barton, and played 39 times last season as the Cod Army fell just short of a crack at promotion to the Championship. The former Cove Rangers man also counts Peterborough and Preston amongst his former clubs but, at 32, admits he has probably missed the chance of playing in the Premier League.

"You can always dream," he admitted.

"But being realistic I've probably missed the chance on that now.

"I could have stayed at Sheffield United and that would have been my best chance. But I've got to be more realistic about it now."

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