The Blades lost out to Burnley in the play off final last season and have signalled their intention to go one better this season by splashing out £3m on Man City striker Ched Evans.

Last Season: Third, beaten play off finalists The Blades fell at the final hurdle in 2008/09 as Burnley took advantage of a lacklustre Wembley performance in the final match of the season. They started the campaign as one of the promotion favourites but Billy Sharp again failed to fire, except against QPR, and they had further problems when James Beattie moved back to the Premiership in January – his replacement Craig Beattie showed that surnames are all the two have in common. United were a dogged and determined side rather than an eye catchingly talented or entertaining one – they were difficult to play against and notched up an unbelievable run of 15 away games without defeat through the middle of the season including draws at Swansea and Wolves and impressive wins at Cardiff and Reading. They rather stumbled over the line with only one win, and one goal, in their final four games and although they got it together sufficiently to beat Preston in the play off semi final Burnley were far too good for them in the showcase. A month before the end of the season United lost to the Clarets at Turf Moor – a game where Burnley calmly passed around Kevin Blackwell’s men while they tried to kick seven bells of shit out of them. That, and the disgusting Chris Morgan on Iain Hume incident that continues to shame the player, his club and the Football League, rather summed up United under Kevin Blackwell last season.

Head to Head: QPR were annihilated at Bramall Lane on the second weekend of the season. The lightweight midfield combination of Ledesma and Parejo was bulldozed by the Blades and Billy Sharp ran amok among the startled figures of Fitz Hall and Kaspars Gorkss. Sharp scored a hat trick, QPR’s bubble was well and truly burst. At Loftus Road the teams fought out one of QPR’s famous 0-0 draws where absolutely nothing of any significance happened all afternoon.
Sheff Utd 3 QPR 0
Sheff Utd 0 QPR 0

Odds: Fifth favourites for the title, shortest price 9/1 with extrabet, longest price 12/1 with Victor Chandler, SkyBet and others.

Manager: Having seen Leeds United fall apart around his ears and then Luton Town as well Kevin Blackwell must have started to think he was cursed. Harshly sacked from both clubs while doing a reasonable job in trying circumstances he has now landed on his feet at a reasonably secure club with a decent playing squad. He also followed Bryan Robson into the position which is always a good thing to do – however incompetent you are, you’re never going to be that incompetent. Blackwell was a goalkeeper in his playing days, and an assistant to Neil Warnock when he cut his coaching teeth, so the style of play his team’s employ is understandable. Sheff Utd last year were tough, uncompromising, nasty at times, and very difficult to beat. Blackwell isn’t afraid to upset people along the way and his Blades are likely to make few friends next season, but having lost a play off final for the second time in his managerial career in May he and they have a point to prove and will be dangerous opponents. Seemed set to walk out on the club following that Wembley defeat and is unlikely to be around this time next year if United fail in their quest to return to the Premiership for a third time.
Survival chances – 6/10

Players: United have strength right across the park. With Beattie gone finding another goalscorer was a priority this summer and in Ched Evans I feel they have picked up a potential star and Championship top goal scorer this season. His big man-little man combination with Henderson will cause all sorts of problems in this league and suit Blackwell’s preferred style of play down to the ground – Webber and Sharp provide back up of sorts but neither are prolific or particularly good in the air so another striker may yet be added to the arsenal. Keep an eye on Jamie Ward, intelligent signing from Chesterfield last season underlining the importance of good scouting. The main strengthening this summer has been done across midfield with Lee Williamson (Watford) and Kyel Reid (West Ham) both added after impressive loan spells last season at Preston and Blackpool respectively. Ryan France has come in from Hull and Brian Howard was picked up from Barnsley last season. While you may say the likes of Buzsaky, Taarabt and Routledge give QPR an edge here all these players Sheff Utd have for their midfield can go both ways, attack and defence, whereas QPR may have to sacrifice a place or two to Leigertwood and/or Mahon to allow the others to play their natural game. United look a better balanced side across the middle for me. At the back Chris Morgan has rejected the chance to retire into BBC Radio Sheffield’s Chris Morgan’s Classical Music and Poetry Hour and will again be committing needless assaults on unsuspecting forwards this season. Greg Halford and Kevin Naughton were two of their stand out performers last season and are big losses yet to be replaced – full back is their key weakness as we stand now even allowing for the addition of former QPR loanee Andy Taylor, a somewhat out of the blue, left field signing from Tranmere Rovers. Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny may yet find himself banned for the whole campaign after failing a drugs test during the play offs last season.
Likely Star Man – Ched Evans

Transfers:
In:
Ched Evans from Manchester City - £3m
Lee Williamson from Watford – Undisclosed
Andy Taylor from Tranmere Rovers – Undisclosed
Leigh Bromby from Watford – Free
Ryan France from Hull City – Free
Kyel Reid from West Ham United – Free
Keith Treacy from Blackburn Rovers – Loan

Out:
Kyle Naughton to Tottenham Hotspur – *Joint deal potentially worth up to £10m
Kyle Walker to Tottenham Hotspur – *Joint deal potentially worth up to £10m
Adam Chapman to Oxford United - £15k
Ben Starosta to Darlington – Free
Sun Jihai – Released

Prediction: With the three relegated teams in various states of disarray this season represents an excellent chance for the likes of Sheff Utd, Ipswich and Cardiff to really make a big push for the top flight after years of knocking on the door. For me United look best placed to make a fist of it. They have added to their squad intelligently, with good young players coming into areas of the field that can affect the game. The sale of Walker and Naughton and the loss of Halford from last season has weakened them, but also provided a sizeable war chest for Blackwell and a useful link up with Spurs for loans which could come in handy when injuries bite. If Evans is as big a success as I think he will be they will go very close indeed.
Verdict: Possible champions.

Photo: Action Images

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