Wilder’s Blades have started their Championship campaign as the last unbeaten team standing.
With five wins and three draws from the opening eight games, it’s a stark contrast to last season’s start. Despite the points deduction, the Blades have already equalled last season’s points total of 16.
There is always some excitement to be the last side unbeaten in the league but today we will look at what it could mean based on previous impressive starts.
Last season, none of the final top six had an unbeaten start that lasted eight games and neither did the Burnley, Sheffield United or Luton Town teams of 22/23.
AFC Bournemouth 2021/22
The most recent success from an at least eight game unbeaten start was Scott Parker’s AFC Bournemouth side from 21/22.
After their initial eight games, the Cherries equally recorded five wins and three draws. Their run lasted until the 16th match in the league when they lost 2-1 to Preston.
The Cherries finished 2nd in the league on 88 points and recorded eight losses, and didn’t fall out of the top three all season.
The identical nature of the Cherries start to that of the Blades this season suggests the Blades could be in good stead.
It is also important to note, that Bournemouth also had a certain Kieffer Moore in their squad, perhaps a good omen?
West Bromwich Albion 2019/20
In 19/20, following the Blades promotion to the Premier League, West Bromwich Albion had a nine game unbeaten start to the Championship season.
Just like Bournemouth, West Brom finished 2nd in the league, this time with 83 points but only losing seven games.
If we compare the two, interesting stats for both are that the Baggies and the Cherries finished with the least amount of losses of all teams in their respective leagues and the most draws of their respective top sixes.
Leicester City 2023/24
Although, unbeaten starts aren’t everything and it can sometimes be more beneficial to get a definitive result as too many draws can be regretted as the season comes to a close.
The aforementioned Leicester City team of last season lost their fifth game of the season against Hull City but still made the best start to a Championship season ever winning 13 of their first 14 games.
Maresca’s Foxes went onto win the league despite rocky patches later on in the season, owing much of that eventual Championship trophy to their brilliant start.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Bournemouth and West Brom’s unbeaten starts show that a long unbeaten run at the start of a season can be very helpful in gaining automatic promotion.
Whilst, Maresca’s Leicester show that a positive start and good foundations can be integral for a Championship title push. Additionally, the odd early loss isn’t the end of the world as long as the Blades can pick themselves up and start another run.
Although, Wilder and his players should be reluctant to draw too many games or the top spot may be just out of reach.
It remains to be seen if Wilder’s side will continue their unbeaten run against Luton Town on Saturday.