Carlton Palmer fears Sheffield United could go into freefall unless they quickly turn their season around.
The Blades suffered relegation from the Premier League last season and underwent a summer of transition as Slavisa Jokanovic was brought in as Chris Wilder’s eventual permanent successor in the dugout.
Jokanovic has already won promotion to the top flight twice, with Fulham and Watford, so Jokanovic’s appointment was met with optimism.
Will Sheffield United win promotion this season?
Yes
No
However, Sheffield United have got their campaign off to an underwhelming start and remain without a win in their first five Championship outings.
The poor run of results means the South Yorkshire club went into the international break in the relegation zone, with Nottingham Forest being the only side with a worse record.
Although Palmer believes the Blades will get out of the trouble they currently find themselves in and challenge for an immediate return to the Premier League, the ex-England midfielder concedes the form must improve quickly.
He exclusively told TIF: “It is worrying but it is early. The new manager has got to understand the depth of feeling the players had for Chris and he’s got to come up with his own identity and put his own stamp on that team to get those players running through a brick wall for him.
“If they can do that, then they should get firing again soon. If not, it could take a transition and they could end up in freefall.
“I still expect Sheffield United to be there or thereabouts.”