Ruben Selles opens up on Sheffield United ‘mistakes’ as pressure mounts after third successive defeat

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Ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, nobody expected Sheffield United to be in this position three games into the season.

The Blades are rooted to the bottom of the Championship table, having lost all three of their opening matches, scoring just one goal and conceding six.

Gerhard Struber masterminded a 4-1 victory with Bristol City over Ruben Selles’ side on the opening day, before Swansea City and Millwall both scored 1-0 wins over the South Yorkshire outfit in the last two weeks.

Questions will be asked about the new Sheffield United boss’ future, especially if they are beaten by the fast-starting Middlesbrough next weekend and Selles has spoken about the pressure he is facing.

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Ruben Selles explains his Sheffield United problems following Millwall defeat

Luke Cundle scored the only goal of the game for Millwall at Bramall Lane just before half-time, with his strike ensuring that the Blades remain 24th in the table.

After losing to Sunderland in the play-off final, many expected Sheffield United to be challenging for promotion once again but this start has left them way behind their rivals and frustrations are mounting in S2.

Pressure will build, but Selles is not shying away from it and opened up on the problems facing his side. He said (via: The Star): “Well definitely, this isn’t the situation I want to be in now, that is for sure. I know the professional, I have been in the game more than 18 years as a professional coaching teams and sometimes it goes the right way from the very beginning.

“Sometimes it doesn’t. I think the difference is how hard you work every day because I know I make mistakes, I’m the first to admit that. But I also know that I have given my 100 per cent and sometimes it’s not good enough, like right now.

“And sometimes it is. And sometimes it’s exactly the same and then you find the moment that you connect and change the dynamic. So, if you ask about if I am concerned about myself or concerned about the situation, I’m not concerned.

“I know this team has passion, intensity and togetherness to change the situation. And then get back on track. But obviously it’s not the situation we wanted.”

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Ruben Selles has to pick up a result against Middlesbrough

Next weekend’s fixtures are the last in the Championship before the first international break of the season, and if Sheffield United do head into that break without a point, Selles could be in a tricky position.

It’s vital that the Blades have a strong end to the transfer window, and adding more strength to the defence is crucial.

However, it must also be stated that their goal threat has been extremely limited this season and they must find a way to get the ball into more threatening areas at a quicker pace.

Confidence is lacking for those at Bramall Lane and Selles has work to do over the next few days to get Sheffield United back to their best.