Chris Wilder was named the runner-up manager of the year by the League Manager’s Association last July. Less than 7 months later, his Sheffield United side sit bottom of the league with only 2 points from 17 games. The Blades took the Premier League by storm in the 2019-20 season as they finished 9th, on 54 points, in their first season back in the Premier League since the 2010-11 season.

Wilder set his side up in a 5-3-2 which often limited the opposition and created chances in transition with efficient attacking play. Wilder received plaudits for his unique overlapping centre backs tactic and Sheffield United were in the running for European football for most of the season. 

This season has been the polar opposite. The Blades are yet to win a game and although they don’t look quite as bad as 2 points from 17 games may suggest, it’s clear that they’re not the same team as they were last season. Star defender Jack O'Connell has been out of action since September 21 with a knee injury, and with club-record signing Sander Berge set to miss up to four months with a leg injury, their relegation is all a mere formality at this point.

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