Sky Sports pundit claims Sheffield United's start to the season already rules them out for automatic promotion

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: David McGoldrick of Sheffield United looks dejected after their side concedes a second goal scored by Dara O'Shea of West Bromwich Albion (not pictured) during the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United at The Hawthorns on August 18, 2021 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

The former Aston Villa manager was discussing Sheffield United’s promotion hopes this season ahead of this evening’s Championship clash with Preston North End.

Despite a brilliant 6-2 victory over Peterborough United at the weekend, Sherwood has already ruled the Blades out for automatic promotion this season following a poor start to the season.

Prior to their meeting with Posh, Sheffield United had endured two losses and two draws in the league under Slaviša Jokanović.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Iliman Ndiaye of Sheffield United celebrates with teammate Morgan Gibbs-White (R) after scoring their side's first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Peterborough United at Bramall Lane on September 11, 2021 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

While on Sky Sports News tonight, Sherwood said: “Hopefully this win will give them the confidence to really push on and kick on and start believing what hte manager is telling them. They still have good enough players to be in and around it, but I think even the start they have had rules them out for automatics.

“They are capable of nicking points but are they going to get automatic promotion? They wouldn't be my bet no, I think they need to change a lot more.”

Jokanović arrived in Yorkshire following the Blades’ relegation from the Premier League last season and is hoping to help the club to a swift return to the top tier as a new era without Chris Wilder gets underway.

Under Wilder Sheffield United were known for regularly playing with three centre-backs and wing-backs, however the former Fulham manager is keen to change things up at Bramall Lane.

"The manager is top draw,” Sherwood said.

“He's been around a bit and he's obviously got a proven record but good players, when he was at Fulham, got the promotion and I'm not saying Sheffield United don't but he [Jokanovic] is trying to change so much.

"They played with the three at the back and the wing-backs and he doesn't want to play like that, so it's a lot of time on the training pitch getting used to it and hopefully this win [against Peterborough] will give them the confidence to really push on and kick on and start believing what the manager is telling them.”

Prior to tonight’s fixture against Preston North End, Sheffield United were in 18th place after picking up the vital win against the newly-promoted Posh on Saturday afternoon.