Sheffield United's hard life in League One

League One is tough division to get out of, Sheffield United know that more than most.
Nigel AdkinsNigel Adkins
Nigel Adkins

With just 12 games to go the Blades find themselves 12th in the table, and after back-to-back defeats, for many fans, the prespect of a sixth season in the third tier of English football is fast becoming a reality.

Since their relegation from the Championship in 2011 it’s fair to say United’s quest for promotion has been a rocky one.

Nigel AdkinsNigel Adkins
Nigel Adkins
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The closest the Blades came to a return to the Championship came in their first season in League One. Danny Wilson replaced Micky Adams as manager and he guided the Blades to third in the table.

Wilson’s men made it all the way to Wembley but were ultimately defeated by Huddersfield in the play-off final after a penalty shoot-out.

The following season Danny Wilson was sacked with just five games remaining with United in fifth place, just six points off the automatic promotion places. Chris Morgan took charge of the team until the end of the season, guiding the Blades to the play-offs but losing to Yeovil Town over the two leg semi final.

At the beginning 2013-14 season expectations were high after the appointment of David Weir.

Danny WilsonDanny Wilson
Danny Wilson
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Weir made a good start to his Blades career winning his opening game 2-1 against Notts County.

However, they were unable to build on that victory and Weir was sacked after just 13 games with United in 22nd place.

Morgan again took charge until the appointment of Nigel Clough.

The former Derby manager led the Blades to a seventh place finish that season and also an FA Cup semi final.

Danny WilsonDanny Wilson
Danny Wilson
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The following campaign United would again make the play offs, finishing fifth in table and reaching the League Cup semi final.

The Blades lost out to Swindon Town in the semi final, costing Clough his job.

When Nigel Adkins was appointed as Clough’s successor in the summer of 2015 many felt this would be the season which finally saw United gain promotion. With less than 15 games of the campaign remaining, Adkins men are sat halfway in the table but are still just four points off the top six.

2011-2012 SEASON:

David WeirDavid Weir
David Weir

League position: 3rd

League points: 90

League goals scored: 92

League goals conceded: 51

2012-2013 SEASON:

League position: 5th

Nigel CloughNigel Clough
Nigel Clough

League points: 75

League goals scored: 56

League goals conceded: 42

2013-2014 SEASON:

League position: 7th

League points: 67

League goals scored: 48

League goals conceded: 46

2014-2015 SEASON:

League position: 5th

League points: 71

League goals scored: 66

League goals conceded: 53

2015-2016 SEASON SO FAR:

Current league position: 12th

Current league points: 48

Current league goals scored: 47

Current league goals conceded: 45