Bryan Robson is backing his players to kick-start their season, starting on Saturday against Preston North End.

The Blades boss feels his players are low on confidence, but knows they have the ability to turnaround the Blades fortunes this campaign.

He began: "Sometimes players might not be good enough, but these are quality players here, who are lacking confidence, things I said the other week were blown out of all proportion."

The Gaffer feels a mounting injury list has hampered the progress to date, but is refusing to make excuses.

He continued: "The team has had plenty of disruption and suffered far too many injuries, but we can't make excuses about the current situation."

"We need to win and start building our season, we have given ourselves a lot to do, but the players have an excellent work ethic and are willing to learn.

"I need to find my best starting eleven and get the right balance in there. We have to play to a set pattern and play with cohesion."