‘Staying up is the goal’, but how will the blades do it?
In the last two Premier League seasons – 20/21 and 21/22, four of the six newly promoted teams have been relegated directly after promotion.
West Brom, Fullham, Watford and Norwich all suffered a direct relegation after just one season in the Premier League.
However, between 1995/96 and 2018/19 56% of newly promoted teams survived their first season in the Premier League after promotion according to a report from sky sports
(Premier League: Newly-promoted teams and the battle to avoid relegation | Football News | Sky Sports).
I spoke to Noah Snyder from the Red Side of Sheffield Podcast about where the Blades should be looking to finish.
He had this to say:
“So as far as next season is concerned, staying up is the goal.
“Not really bothered if it’s 17th or 14th as long as we stay in the Prem. That is the goal.”
Loan players Tommy Doyle and James McAtee have been crucial to the success of United this campaign and both the youngsters are desperately wanted back at Bramall Lane by fans for the new season.
Mr Snyder echoed this sentiment:
“Its going to be crucial both Tommy Doyle and James McAtee back.
“Doyle on a permanent and McAtee on loan from Man City.”
Investment at Bramall Lane has to be clear and focused if they want to stay up.
Newly promoted sides have often thought money buys success in England’s top flight but that is not always the case.
Fulham had an over £100 million net spend in the 18/19 season and got relegated, Aston Villa spent over £130 million in 19/20 and finished just 1 point outside of the relegation zone and Nottingham forest have spent over £140 million this season and they are firmly in a relegation scrap.
The Blades will have to improve their squad as Noah Snyder suggested ‘We’re going to need to replace certain positions. It’s difficult to say we need to strengthen just one position.’
It will help that the Blades have players that have experience in the Premier League playing for them and that should help some of the new and young players to settle into top flight intensity.
Bramall Lane will have to become a cauldron of fear for opposition teams, home form is crucial to newly promoted sides as the vast majority have dismal away records when in the Premier League.
To stay up this season Sheffield United must turn Bramall Lane into a fortress, they must strengthen the core of their team perhaps with a new striker as McBurnie has never proved prolific in the top flight and they must not upset the balance of a winning team by going overboard on transfers.
It’s going to be an exciting season next year and the Blades are sure to spring a few surprises.