Are Sheffield United the worst team in Premier League history? Although Derby’s record in 2007/08 remains statistically unrivalled, there’s no doubt the Blades are worse in some regard.
Let’s take a look at the data and statistics.
25 games have passed in the Premier League at the time of writing, and this has seen Sheffield United let in a stunning tally of 65 goals already.
Chris Wilder on #SHUBHA 🗣️— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) February 18, 2024
Chris Wilder on #SHUBHA 🗣️
In fact, after a 5-2 home loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup and 5-0 defeats at Bramall Lane back in the league against the Seagulls and Aston Villa, the Blades have let in five goals in all three of their recent home games.
Combine this with a record-breaking 8-0 loss to Newcastle United and a 5-0 beating from Burnley and Arsenal away from home and it now means Sheffield United have become the second team in Premier League history to let in five or more goals in a single game in all competitions, after Derby did so all them years ago. Worse yet, there’s still lots more action to go down.
However, with 65 already let in and 13 games left to play, if the Yorkshire side let in 25 more goals, they will officially be the worst defensive team in Premier League history.
Moreover, given how they’ve let in 15 in their past three home games alone, this record could be beaten by matchday 30.
Despite being worse on the defensive front, the Blades have a better overall record this season. Derby secured only 11 points back in 2007/08, won just one game and went on a stunning 32-game winless run in the Premier League.
What’s more, ironically enough, that season witnessed Derby be the first club in Premier League history to be relegated in March and the first since Sheffield United in 1975-76 to face the drop from that month - only Huddersfield Town in 2019 have done the same since.
After 25 games and with the Blades sitting bottom of the table, they have still managed to win two more games already than the Rams and with 13 more games left to play.
This also sees Sheffield United with two more points on the board and they have managed to rack up a win in 2024 already too, beating Luton Town 3-1 at Kenilworth Road.
Ultimately, the Yorkshire side are probably better than the Derby team from 16 seasons ago. However, there isn’t much in it, and it would be interesting to see the two battle against one another.