Kevin Blackwell admits he is facing the toughest period of his Bramall Lane tenure and will draw on his experience at previous clubs to help him out of the crisis.

A sequence of injuries, suspensions, and disappointing defeats have combined to hamper his attempts to maintain a promotion challenge in the face of criticism from some fans, but the Blades boss knows it is par for the course:

"If you are a manager you have to accept that. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that we have been dealt a lot of problems and, in fact, to be where we are is a phenomenal achievement by the players, but some fans won't accept it.

"About 90% of out team from the end of last season has gone, and about 60% of them to the Premiership, but supporters still have massive expectations and I have got to try and get a team and a bench for Saturday."

Blackwell had difficult circumstances to deal with at both Leeds and Luton before taking over at United and can't help make comparisons:

"This is the life of a football manager, it is a mental battle and at the moment that is working out how to deal with so many new players who we are still getting to know.

"It is a worse situation than when I was at Leeds because at least the 24 we brought in all came in one go over the summer and we were able to work through with them.

"Here, it has been a continual, disruptive process that keeps having to be addressed and it does nothing for continuity."