NOW WE’RE A COUTT ABOVE

Blades tipped to last the course this time

McGoldrick PAUL COUTTS says 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 with a fourth victory in a row.

It’s 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 his leg last November, says the Blades are sharp enough to last the distance.

He said: “It’s been a great week and we are playing really well. The gaffer has added quality to the ranks and we have experienced boys. We need to recharge over the international break and try to cement our position up there and last as long as we can.

“We are definitely a better squad than we were last year. There are lads on the bench or not even involved who could 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 because there are some big, powerful clubs who have spent a lot of money.

“They are expected to be up there, but from within our own camp we know we have an honest, MOTM JACK O’CONNELL (SHEFFIELD UTD) hard-working bunch of lads, and some good players. We go into games expecting to do well.”

A David 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 had been grabbed in the area by Tommy Elphick.

The result means Hull are now bottom of the table with just two wins to their name. Defender Reece Burke says Tigers have to turn things around 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 the right time,” said Burke. “We can go away and come back fighting.

“No matter how you look at it, we are at the bottom and it hurts. We have to look at ourselves as individuals and we have to come back fighting.”