Why there's more to Sheffield United's sluggish seasons start than THIS lazy punditry suggests

Not, I should stress with every fibre of my being, my views or opinion. Nor, I suspect, those of anyone that has watched United for any length of time.

Instead, that 'analysis' came from Talksport, via Jermaine Pennant, Jamie O'Hara and a presenter called Craig Mitch.

Following the Blades' poor start to the current campaign, they have once again been written off by large sections of the media - as they were last season, when they challenged for Europe before lockdown and eventually finished ninth.

We took a look at the trio's points, and compared them with actual reality...

Craig Mitch: I can't actually pinpoint what's gone wrong with them.

Probable translation: I haven't ever actually watched them play, so I don't know what was right with them.

It speaks volume that the loss to injury of Jack O'Connell isn't mentioned once during the whole segment. Or John Fleck, or Lys Mousset - last season's joint top-scorer.

The entire left-hand side of United's side has been decimated and disrupted, with O'Connell so key to the Blades both in defence and attack. United's patched-up side, understandably lacking a little confidence and belief, lost by a single goal to both Liverpool and Manchester City. Which leads to the inevitable conclusion that...

Jamie O'Hara: I think teams have figured them out.

One of my favourite reasons for any drop off in any team's performances. We heard it about United in the Championship, that they wouldn't be able to continue their innovative style and would get picked off.

We were told that United would get mullered if they had defenders turning up in the opposition box. (Cheers, ...)

And apparently, FOUR years after it was first implemented, clubs in the Premier League - with scouting teams that run into double figures and every point worth millions of pounds - have only just cottoned on to United's system and how they go about their business.

Jermaine Pennant: They haven't made any massive signings, and to stay in the Premier League you have to keep getting better and better.

Pennant half-touches on a fair point about the need to keep improving season on season, which is something Chris Wilder has spoken about in the past.

And by Premier League standards, their summer business will barely have caused a ripple. But for Sheffield United, it was another big window in terms of fees - Rhian Brewster became the club's most expensive player while Aaron Ramsdale cost a few quid too.

If O'Connell, Fleck and Mousset were fit and available, United's squad would look stronger than it was last season. There seems to be genuine competition in the wing-back areas for the first time in a while, and the versatile Ethan Ampadu can slot in a number of positions.

But if that injured trio are a big miss, this one is colossal...

O'Hara: Not having fans in the ground has cost United the most.

No arguments here, or I suspect with any Unitedite. But that very pertinent point is rather glossed over, and we move onto...

Mitch: "That means they're not a great team then, doesn't it?"

The less that's said about that insight, the better.

Pennant: They ground out results last season and grew in confidence.

There were results when United's character, spirit and determination saw them through last season. But it would be grossly unfair to suggest that their whole season was built on that.

There were also games when they completely took apart the opposition - the first half against Burnley to go in 3-0 ahead springs to mind, as does going 2-0 up against Manchester United (albeit escaping with a point in the end).

After lockdown, United dismantled Spurs and Chelsea at Bramall Lane - without fans - so clearly possess a bit of ability in their ranks. Which passes "They're not a great team" Mitch by completely...

Mitch: To go from last season to one point from six games is a huge drop-off.

United are clearly not the force they were at their prime last season, when their players had belief coursing through their veins and could perform with a swagger that a full Bramall Lane provides.

But comparisons with previous seasons can be unhelpful and problematic, especially when the circumstances are night and day.

Even considering the opponents after six games offers an insight into why the Blades are struggling (which the experts declined to offer in mitigation.)

Their first six league games last season were against Bournemouth (relegated), Crystal Palace (14th), Leicester (5th), Chelsea (4th), Southampton (11th), Everton (12th), Liverpool (champions).

Their 'easiest' game, in the biggest inverted commas possible, on paper so far this term has been against a Fulham team scrapping for their lives. They have faced the champions again, a much-improved Arsenal and Aston Villa, plus newly-promoted Leeds and the excellent and expensively-assembled Wolves.

The conversation about United's struggles so far this season is a legitimate one, but one that also requires balance.

Losing at least three key men, and arguably four with Mousset, in Dean Henderson, Jack O'Connell and John Fleck, was always going to cause disruption that will take time to overcome, if it can at all.

But the biggest loss by a country mile has been those 30,000 at Bramall Lane, every other Saturday.

And for United especially, their return can't come soon enough.

Thank you for reading this article, one of dozens we publish every single day to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative coverage of YOUR club. This depth of Blades coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at The Star, please consider taking out a subscription to our new discounted sports-only package. You'll find all the details HERE. Your support is much appreciated. Chris Holt, Football Editor