The five things Sheffield United must do during the international break in order to save their Premier League season

Bottom of the table, without a win in eight matches and having taken only a point so fat this term, they entered the international break being told the next 10 games could decide the club’s top-flight future.

The claim, made by manager Chris Wilder following last weekend’s defeat by Chelsea, confirms there is plenty of work to do before West Ham visit South Yorkshire on November 22 - the first in a sequence of fixtures which also pits his team against fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion and Brighton and Hove Albion.

With eight members of his squad called-up by their respective countries, including two thirds of the defence which started at Stamford Bridge and both members of his preferred attacking partnership, Wilder;s room for manoeuvre is limited at the Steelphalt Academy this week.

But The Star’s James Shield identifies five key things coaching staff can still do over the course of the next fortnight - besides keeping their fingers crossed everyone stays fit and healthy - in order to turn around the campaign.

Compartmentalise and Reset: Okay, it was an attempt at damage limitation. Speaking after the trip to Stamford Bridge, Wilder insisted United’s fate “will not be decided” by results against Liverpool. Manchester City and Frank Lampard’s side - the final three teams they faced before the latest pause in the domestic calendar. To some extent, he is right - Wilder’s side is not going to challenge any of those clubs for the title. But there is no such thing as a ‘free hit’ in professional sport either. No player, manager or coach enters a match expecting to lose. Defeat always hurts. Still, United must draw a line under those results and almost start the season afresh when competition resumes. If they can pick up something against David Moyes’ men, a win over West Brom could completely change the complexion of the table. Even so, they must avoid the temptation to invest too much, or place too much emphasis, on any one game.

Source a replacement for Jack O’Connell: We all knew losing the centre-half to a knee injury would be a blow. Particularly when it emerged the chances of him returning before the summer following surgery were slim. Powerful in the air and strong going forward, O’Connell is one of the most influential players - if not the most influential - at Wilder’s disposal. United needed to bring in a new striker during the last transfer window, and they did that when Rhian Brewster arrived from Liverpool. But the failure to sign a direct replacement for O’Connell, despite flirting with Huddersfield Town’s Terence Kongolo and Ben Davies of Preston North End, was a major mistake. Two of the four goals United conceded at Chelsea would probably have been kept out had a genuine centre-half been purchased when the seriousness of O’Connell’s predicament became apparent, rather than asking wing-back Enda Stevens to provide cover in his absence. A deal must be put in place, and completed quickly, as soon as the market reopens.

Consider a change of system: United’s solution to the problem O’Connell’s absence has caused has, with no ready-made replacement available, been to move Stevens alongside John Egan and Chris Basham. Stevens provides more attacking thrust than, say, Jack Robinson or Phil Jagielka, but his switch has simply created another issue elsewhere. Wilder clearly has high hopes for Max Lowe, signed from Derby County during the close season. But he wanted to ease him into the team, acquaint him properly with the choreography required in order for United’s 3-5-2 system to function properly, rather than ask him to learn on the job against the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Raheem Sterling and Mo Salah. On his day, Stevens is one of the best attacking wing-backs in England. United have lost more than they have gained by switching him into the middle, but Wilder will argue they have no other choice. If United can not function this way properly without O’Connell, a change of plan could be required although, having played this way for the best part of four years, Wilder is reluctant to do so. It might be a mistake, but it shouldn’t be completely taken off the table either.

Get John Fleck and Lys Mousset fit: Every club in the top-flight would suffer without one of their best players. Liverpool would not be as threatening if Salah was unavailable, City have definitely lost some of their aura after Sergio Aguero was struck down by injury and, on the evidence of last weekend’s match, Chelsea can ill afford to lose Ziyech or Thiago Silva if they are to challenge for the title. The effect is amplified the further down the table you go, as the depth of quality within squads becomes shallower. Technically strong, tenacious in the tackle, mobile and capable of scoring goals, United’s midfield always looks stronger with Fleck in it. Mousset, providing he can stay focused and in shape, should also be one of the first names on Wilder’s team sheet. Of all the strikers at the manager’s disposal, he is the one best equipped to wreak havoc among even the best defences in the division. Fleck and Mousset will not save United on their own. But they will increase their survival chances.

Remind themselves what the club is all about: Call it a ‘Siege mentality’ or whatever you like, but United are at their best when they are being written-off and have a chip on their shoulder. However they do it, United must find a way of psychologically channelling the criticism they are receiving following this disappointing run into something positive. Because it won’t go away and, given the media spotlight on the competition, is impossible to escape. Being dismissed and derided, providing confidence levels can be replenished, suits the personality of this team.

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