Blades now have summit special
PAUL COUTTS insists Championship leaders Sheffield United are better equipped to cope with life at the top end of the division than they were last season.
The Blades replaced Yorkshire rivals Leeds at the top of the table after victory over Hull on Saturday – their fourth in a row.
It is not the first time Chris Wilder’s men have topped the division. They found themselves in a similar position this time last year but fell away in the second half of the season.
This time, however, Scottish midfielder Coutts, who came off the bench to make his first appearance at Bramall Lane since breaking a leg last November, says the Blades are sharp enough to last the distance.
“The boys are going along well,” he said. “It’s been a great week and we are playing really well. The gaffer has added quality to the ranks – David McGoldrick scored again today – and we have experienced boys.
“We got off to a good start last year as well. We need to recharge over the break and try to cement ourselves up there and last as long as we can in that sort of position.
“We are definitely a better squad than we were last year.
“There are lads on the bench and not even involved who would be expected to play. It’s what the gaffer wants, headaches, and it’s what he has got.
“It’s a bit early to be thinking about where you are going to be finishing in the division.
“There are some big powerful clubs who have spent a lot of money and who are expected to be up there.
“But from within our own camp we know we have a good, honest bunch of lads, hard-working, and some good players. We go into games expecting to do well.”
A McGoldrick penalty 20 minutes from time was the difference between the two sides, the striker sending David Marshall the wrong way after Jack O’Connell was grabbed in the area by Tommy Elphick.
The result means City are now bottom of the table with just two wins to their name, and defender Reece Burke says they have to turn around their fortunes quickly if they are to avoid a long, hard season.
“Being bottom of the table is a difficult one to take, but the international break has come at a right time. We can go away and come back fighting,” he said.
“No matter how you look at it, we are at the bottom and it hurts for me as a player and as fans. We have to turn it around. We have to look at ourselves as individuals and we have to come back fighting.”