Despite the challenges faced by Paul Heckingbottom’s side in the 2023/24 season, they are showing resilience.
A crucial upcoming fixture against Bournemouth in the Premier League presents an opportunity for Sheffield United to reflect positively on the possibility of going unbeaten in a calendar month, having recently secured a gutsy draw against Brighton.
The mood is further lifted by news of Everton’s substantial ten-point deduction for breaching financial rules, placing both Everton in the drop zone.
The Blades, just one point behind the team outside the relegation zone (Luton Town), face a crucial match against the Hatters on Boxing Day.
While hope exists for Sheffield United, they need to address concerning patterns, such as being the only Premier League club yet to score in the opening half-hour of a league game this season.
This record, the worst across all top four divisions, extends to not finding the net in the first half of an away league game this season.
In the final quarter of league matches, Sheffield United have conceded 11 goals, the poorest record in the division, while scoring only twice. These troubling traits have cost them seven valuable points, emphasising the need for improvement to climb out of trouble in the league.
