From the highs of a top-10 finish, to a record low of the worst winless start to a Premier League campaign – the slump of Sheffield United this season has been a dramatic one. Their 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace meant that Chris Wilder's men are the first English top-flight side not to win any of their first 17 games in a season since Bolton Wanderers in 1902-03. They have managed just two draws, scoring eight goals, conceding 29 along the way and their 15th defeat leaves them six points adrift at the bottom of the table, 12 away from safety. After their latest defeat, at Selhurst Park on Saturday, Wilder admitted his team need an "incredible run" to avoid dropping down to the Championship. "It was the perfect storm last season – players were at the top of their game and we had no injuries," said Wilder. "Now injuries are hitting us quite hard... but we had enough on the pitch to get us a result. The result wasn't decided when the team sheet came in. It was decided in the fourth minute and the last 30 seconds of the first half. "This club, over the past three, four years, is not used to losing games. It's difficult, it's a struggle, its ruthless and murders you at times with what you're up against. "We have to do it sooner than later. There are records to be broken – we have to find a win from somewhere." Where that win comes from, is another matter. After this weekend's potential banana skin against third-tier Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup third round, Sheffield United then face a tough run of fixtures in the league during January. It kicks-off with two home games in a row – against Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur – then a daunting double trip to Manchester to take on United and then City in the space of three days. Potentially, the Blades could reach February still without a win to their name. A game-by-game look at their catastrophic start can be seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe on the picture.
