Sunday’s 8-0 capitulation to Newcastle United was the heaviest league defeat in Sheffield United’s history and has heaped more pressure on Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom
Chris Sutton has come to the defense of Paul Heckingbottom, claiming that the increasing pressure the Sheffield United boss is under to turn his fortunes around is “unfair”. Heckingbottom, appointed Blades boss in November 2021 after Slavisa Jokanovic was sacked, guided the club to automatic promotion last season.
But Heckingbottom is on the rise in the Premier League after taking just one point from his first six games this season. Sunday’s 8-0 loss to Newcastle United was the heaviest loss in the club’s history.
Heckingbottom received assurances from club owner Prince Abdullah and chief executive Stephen Bettis following their defeat at Bramall Lane. United are back in action tomorrow when they visit the London Stadium to take on West Ham United.
Writing in his BBC Sport predictions column, Sutton expressed his support for Heckingbottom. But the expert predicts United’s losing streak will continue in the capital, giving the Hammers a 2-0 win.
He say:
“It’s really important for Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom that his side show some response after being knocked out by Newcastle last week.
“The way the Blades have started the season means Heckingbottom is under pressure. I think that’s unfair after he got them promotion, but unfortunately that’s the way it is.
“I just hope he gets time to turn things around, but everyone will be watching this one to see if they go under again.
“I don’t think that will happen, because the effort and the attitude will be there, but I am not sure they will have the confidence or the quality to go to London Stadium and get a positive result.
“West Ham’s approach won’t change – we know how David Moyes likes to set his teams up – but the question is how long will the Blades hold out?
“They did well last time they were in London, when they sat in against Tottenham, nicked a goal and were only beaten in stoppage time, but it will be hard for them if the Hammers score early.”
United veteran Michael Brown admits their result against Newcastle will be a “shock to the system”. “Maybe they just thought staying at home could try their luck, but they underestimated their mission and it was largely delayed,” he told BBC Sport. “They tried to be confrontational and left big holes. They got it completely wrong.
“That outcome would really shatter the trust they have built. Obviously the training ground will be a disappointing place. That’s when you need good personalities and staff are important – the manager’s support staff too. I know Stuart McCall and Jack Lester well and this will be their job.
“You also can’t focus on the result, even though you have to understand why it happened. You have to be quick to say: ‘Guys, this is the Premier League and we need to fix it’. Figure it out. why the mistakes are there and try to improve them on the training field.
“It’s about realising the detail of what you’re up against and the concentration levels and details of how you train and apply it. They have been in games and had actually started the season quite well, only to not get results. This has really put them back.
“At times, you will lose to top sides, predominantly Sheffield United will. So, it’s about how to get the results and get some wins. It is possible to lose to Newcastle and still find out where the good was.
“From that game though, they could take nothing other than real disappointment.”
