Defeat to Oxford United would be disastrous for Sheffield United as unwanted record looms

Add as preferred source on Google

Sheffield United have made a terrible start to their Championship campaign this season as they have failed to secure a point in their opening six fixtures.

After losing his opening five fixtures in the second tier, Ruben Selles was removed from his position as manager to be replaced by Chris Wilder, with nothing seemingly changing as he lost his opening match against Charlton Athletic.

This defeat should have been expected for new Sheffield United manager, as Chris Wilder has failed to win any of his opening fixtures after being appointed Blades manager, in each of his three spells.

However, Wilder will be desperate to secure a win for his beloved Sheffield United to avoid them becoming part of a trio of clubs with an unwanted record.

• READ MORE: Former striker sets Chris Wilder deadline to keep Sheffield United promotion hopes alive

Sheffield United could become third Championship side to lose their seven opening fixtures

Sheffield United will face Oxford United this weekend in the Championship with the Blades desperate for a first win of the season, or to even get a point to avoid achieving an unwanted record.

Should the Blades suffer defeat this weekend, they will join Peterborough United (2012-13) and Wycombe Wanderers in (2020-21) in losing their seven Championship fixtures.

This record is only since the rebrand of the second tier, when it became the Championship in 2004.

While Chris Wilder will be desperate to deliver a win to get the Blades’ season back on track, with there still being a desire to reach the play-offs to make a return to the Premier League, he may accept a draw to avoid becoming the third club to lose their opening seven fixtures.

• READ MORE: Sheffield United had AEK Athens chief fuming over ‘outrageous’ demands for former Blades ace

Sheffield United will take confidence from their recent record against Oxford United

While Oxford United won this exact fixture in April, 1-0, they haven’t beaten Sheffield United in consecutive league meetings since October 1984.

The Blades will also take confidence from the fact that they have won three of their last four visits to Oxford, an improvement on their record previously as they only won one in 10 away visits between 1969 and 1996.

The current Blades boss will also be determined to improve his record against Oxford, having won only six of the 13 occasions he faced them as a manager.

This personal incentive for Chris Wilder along with his desire to end Sheffield United’s terrible start to the Championship campaign may see him lean on this recent record against Oxford to secure a victory.