James Shield's Sheffield United Column: Can prioritising the FA Cup save The Blades' Premier League season?

James Shield
By James Shield
Published 21st Jan 2021, 20:32 BST
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Eight years ago, Emerson Boyce led his Wigan Athletic team mates up the stairs leading to Wembley Stadium’s royal box and, following a brief conversation with members of the presentation party, raised the FA Cup aloft.

Three days later, the winning side’s skipper was coming to terms with relegation after a defeat by Arsenal sent them down. That result, rather than their dramatic win over Manchester City, set the tone for what was to come.

After trying and failing to regain their top-flight status, Athletic now find themselves languishing in League One. However, that slide through the divisions can be attributed to the chaos in their boardroom.

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Playing Championship football shouldn’t threaten a club’s existence. But reckless owners and ridiculous decision making off the pitch can.

Barring a dramatic change in fortune, Sheffield United will almost certainly be back in the second tier next season only three after gaining promotion. They reached the halfway stage of the campaign at the bottom of the table and 11 points from safety after losing to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

With matches against Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea on the horizon, Chris Wilder’s side could soon find themselves in the position of being required to claw back an average of one per game in order to stand a chance of survival. And the odds on that happening, given they have won only twice since September, are painfully slim.

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“We’re not giving up, we’ve got to keep on going and that’s exactly what these lads will do,” Wilder insisted after the meeting with Spurs, in an effort to lift spirits behind the scenes.

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Why shouldn't Sheffield United dream of making a return to Wembley?: Jamie McDonald/Getty ImagesWhy shouldn't Sheffield United dream of making a return to Wembley?: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Why shouldn't Sheffield United dream of making a return to Wembley?: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

“There’s so much I admire about them, even though we’re clearly going through a difficult period. And one of them is their attitude and desire to keep on going right until the end, no matter what.”

Yet, with Plymouth Argyle set to arrive in South Yorkshire tomorrow evening ahead of Saturday’s fourth round tie at Bramall Lane, Wilder and his players still have an opportunity to ensure what has so far been a thoroughly forgettable campaign ends on a high note.