Sheffield United: Firepower will take its toll on rivals

Chris Wilder responded - “What, it’s gone after two games?” - when asked whether he still retained confidence in his squad following defeats by Bolton Wanderers and Crewe Alexandra.

Speaking ahead of today’s meeting with Rochdale, captain Billy Sharp also brushed aside concerns about United’s form.

Describing himself as frustrated rather than fearful by their results, Sharp said: “The result is the main thing. But if we can play like we have done in the first half in our first two games, and take our chances, we will be fine.

“The way the gaffer sets us up and wants us to play, we should be performing against most teams and get the results we, and the fans, want.”

Sharp and Wilder both agreed it is ridiculous to draw conclusions about a team’s prospects after only 2 per cent of its fixtures have been played. But, such is clamour for promotion at Bramall Lane, they accept defending themselves against knee-jerk reactions is part and parcel of the job.

“What the gaffer wants us to do is simple, he has made it clear,” Sharp said. “But with the players we’ve got, we’ll start putting away the chances we’re creating for sure.”