Could Sheffield United survive the drop?

After 18 games, 15 defeats, two draws and one more defeat on penalties, Sheffield United finally managed their first win of the season. 

Then a few days later, they managed another.

The first came on Saturday against League One Bristol Rovers in a back and forth 3-2 FA Cup win. It was a little messy against a side two tiers below, but the job was done, albeit against ’easier’ opponents. At that point in time, the Blades would probably have taken a win against city rivals Sheffield FC in the Northern Premier League Division One South East.

But despite facing weaker opponents, it really is amazing what difference a win can make. The shackles of that long barren run finally thrown off, the mental pressure of finally seeing a game out released.

And then, after being denied in the 87th minute by a Danny Welbeck equaliser in December, Sheffield United got a long awaited Premier League win.

It came against Newcastle United last night with a 1-0 scoreline, and sees the Blades now in a real tussle with Derby County for the lowest ever Premier League points tally. Incidentally, the Rams’ single win that season was also a 1-0 victory against Newcastle.

But could Wilder’s men possibly move past that riveting battle, and instead make a case for staying in the Premier League?

It may still seem far fetched at this point, but last night the Blades did seem to have some of their verve back.

There was more energy in the performance. Players were streaming into the wide areas to create overloads down the sides of Newcastle’s defence. Red and white striped shirts piled into the box waiting for the delivery – a chance for Jayden Bogle early in the second half saw six players waiting in the box, including galloping centre back Chris Basham.

It was something more akin to the Sheffield United we saw last season, like a mental weight had suddenly been removed by that win over The Gas on Saturday.

That work rate and drive to get up the pitch and outman opponents in the final third to create chances was back but not only that, the players seemed more confident and comfortable on the ball. There was an ease of passing that we haven’t really seen from the Blades this season, as well as more conviction in their delivery into the box.

Finishing was still a little bit of an issue with two good chances for Bogle and David McGoldrick missed, but after half a season of torrid fortune in front of goal, perhaps the xG Gods will begin to look down on the Blades more kindly.

The win sees United now sit nine points behind Brighton in 17th. It’s a big gap, but one that it is not inconceivable for a team to close in on with half a season to play. Despite such a terrible start to the season, the Blades’ victory against Newcastle sees them not sitting not so far adrift.

A continuation of good performances will be needed, as well as more clinical finishing and results going in their favour. But the faintest glimmer of hope is now there for Sheffield United – albeit hope that could make an eventual relegation more painful.

A few wins in a short space of time can go a long way at the bottom of the table, given that most other teams around that area will likely be losing or drawing.

The Blades do, however, have an extremely difficult run of games coming up. They face Tottenham, Manchester United and Manchester City consecutively. Brief respite is given with a fixture against West Bromwich Albion, although probably a more important one, before a match against Chelsea.

It will take something spectacular to keep Sheffield United up this season but their win against Newcastle showed some of the verve and excitement that took them so far last season.

If they are able to replicate this kind of performance, the Blades may give themselves half a chance of survival.

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