'Crucial' - Matt Doherty outlines the key to Sheffield United's promotion hopes
New Sheffield United recruit Matt Doherty wants the Blades to hit the ground running at the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
New signing Matt Doherty believes it is “crucial” that Sheffield United come flying out of the traps this season as they look to right the wrongs of last term.
United, who stepped up their pre-season preparations with a 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Shirecliffe on Tuesday, lost each of their first six Championship matches last season, scoring just one goal.
As well as losing their opening six games, the Blades suffered 11 defeats in their first 14 matches, meaning they found themselves embroiled in a relegation battle until they began to turn a corner following the November international break.
Following that juncture, United won 50 points from their final 31 matches, meaning they had the seventh-best record in the division between the November restart and the end of the campaign. However, it was not enough to prevent them from finishing in the bottom half of the table.
With six play-off places up for grabs this season, United’s hopes of returning to the Premier League at the third time of asking have been boosted. And in the opinion of Doherty, who completed his move to Bramall Lane earlier this week by signing a one-year deal, the key to pushing for promotion will be ensuring the Blades make a strong start to the campaign.
”For me, it's just [about] getting momentum at the right time,” Doherty told United’s YouTube channel. “For me, the start of the season is so important; I think you need to start off well.
“Like Coventry did last year, once you start well, teams, I think, start to give you wins, prioritising other games when you start off well.
“So, if you can start off well and, say, win ten of the first 13 or 14 games, you kind of create that fear factor around you, and games do become a little easier. So, the start of the season is crucial.”
Doherty, who has joined United on a free transfer, has previously won promotion to the Premier League, helping Wolverhampton Wanderers win the Championship title in 2017/18. The 34-year-old played a key role in that title-winning campaign, scoring four goals and registering five assists in 45 league appearances.