What Sam Allardyce said about 'desperate' West Brom and Sheffield United ahead of Bramall Lane clash

United can go to within a point of The Baggies with victory at Bramall Lane, after falling 13 from safety over the weekend.

A Blades win will also see them match the points tally of Derby County in 2007/08, which saw them relegated with a record low of 11.

And Allardyce said: "We're desperate to get three points at Sheffield United."

"We are both in the worst positions we can be in so we have to go out and perform, be better than Sheffield United and take our chances when they arrive.

"Two points out of the two games against two teams around our area is not good enough to get us out of the problem we have.

"We had a great chance to win against Fulham, it's our fault we didn't win. All the lads had to do was defend properly.

"The battling qualities of the team encouraged me and the qualities they showed in the second half encouraged me.

"That fight and desire has to last for 90 minutes, not just 45.

"Historically 38 points has been enough (to stay up) and I think it'll be enough this year. Sooner or later we have to be the ones doing the winning when the others are losing."

Chris Wilder, Allardyce's opposite number who played under the former England manager when he was in charge at Notts County, again declined to issue an injury update on United's missing men, including Ben Osborn and Enda Stevens.

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