Saturday afternoon provides Sheffield United with a huge chance to move up to 17th if they win versus Bournemouth and Luton don’t beat Crystal Palace at Kenilworth Road.
Although the relegation picture looks far less gloomy than it did a month ago after picking up four points against Wolves and Brighton, the Blades still know there is plenty more work to do despite being helped out by Everton’s ten-point deduction.
In regards to the Everton situation, Paul Heckingbottom has stated that the squad hasn’t received a boost by the Premier League’s decision.
“It’s not going to help us get the points we need. Not considering it. I think it’s a bigger issue for football in general than it is for us as a club at Sheffield United,” he said in his pre-match press conference on SUTV.
The ten-point deduction has put Everton a point behind the Blades. Even though the manager has played down this incident, if United stay up by a point while the Toffees suffer relegation because of that point then it will be a huge talking point for months.
Anyhow, Sheffield United must feel as though they have to beat Bournemouth this weekend, who have been really poor on their travels dating back to last term.
Nevertheless, Paul Heckingbottom has described the qualities that the Cherries possess:
“They’ll be an athletic, physical team. They do a lot of work without the ball and how they want to press, how they want to break when they win the ball back.
“We have to understand that and realise that’s a real big weapon for them and also make sure we can create chances and make difficult moments for them and then capitalise on that.”
