Sheffield United showed there is fight left in them yet after battling with 10 men for more than half an hour to win 1-0 against Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
It would still take a brave person to bet against Chris Wilder’s side being relegated from the Premier League, with a 12-point chasm left to bridge in the remaining 11 matches.
The PA news agency takes a look at five must-win games for the Blades if they are to have any chance of pulling off the greatest of escapes.
March 6, Southampton (H)
Southampton have lost eight of their last nine league games and are there for the taking. The Blades have not recorded back-to-back Premier League victories yet this season and Saturday would be the perfect time to start.
April 17, Wolves (A)
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been hit-and-miss this season, doing the league double over Arsenal and taking four points off Chelsea, but losing against West Brom and Crystal Palace and failing to beat Newcastle home or away. Wilder will hope the Blades catch Wolves on one of their off days.
April 24, Brighton (H)
If Wilder’s men can remain in touch with the pack and then win against Brighton, it would pile huge pressure on their opponents and give the Blades an added boost.
May 8, Crystal Palace (H)
Manager Roy Hodgson and 11 players are out of contract in the summer and Wilder will be hoping some of that uncertainty transmits on to the pitch against his team.
May 15, Newcastle (A)
Newcastle have slid alarmingly towards the drop zone after just two wins in 15 Premier League games and they too face a daunting end to the campaign, with matches against Tottenham, West Ham, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester and Manchester City to come.
