Sheffield United’s challenges keep mounting up and with Manchester United heading to Bramall Lane on Saturday night, the odds are stacked against Paul Heckingbottom’s side picking up that first victory.
It would represent a huge step forward, should it be achieved though, and we’ve already had more than a few examples of shock results this campaign in the top flight. And it could also provide a massive springboard for Paul Heckingbottom to take his team up the table and out of danger.
The Blades boss was speaking to the media on Thursday ahead of the 8pm kick off on Saturday and these are the main talking points as his team, dwindling in numbers due to injuries, get ready to welcoe another one of England’s big boys to S2.
5. Reinforcements in January
Heckingbottom hinted at bringing in fresh faces in January to cope with the injuries: "What is hurting us is the length of the injuries, we have still got people out from last season and now there's these injuries, that's what is hurting us. But there is nothing we can do about that until January. We can't lose any focus, it's all about getting through these next few months until January when we can do something about it. Photo: Simon Bellis
6. Strength from the bench
Heckingbottom has admitted that he has been looking on enviously when he sees opposition teams making substitutions as the strength in depth of Premier League clubs becomes more apparent. "That's been a big stand out thing for me and the staff in games and our changes and some of the weapons that other teams are bringing on or the money they're bringing on has been, really really apparent so we have to get the most out of our changes so that's been a big thing as well." Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS
7. Man Utd's moments of magic
Manchester United might not be firing on all cylinders at the minute but Hecky is well aware of the challenge facing the Blades on Saturday: "I don't know how much anyone's seen of them but they can be a team that can be difficult to live with, no matter who they are playing, so we have to prepare for that. On the flip side, I have seen teams think they are getting the better of them but they have got so many players with a little moment of genius and they win the game. It's going to be a game of 95, 100 minutes concentration needed and at the same time trying to impose ourselves as much as possible." Photo: Michael Regan