Is Sheffield United The Worst Team In Premier League History?
Arguably the greatest soccer league in the world, the Premier League is chock full of the best players and teams on the planet. From Alex Ferguson's Man Utd to Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, and now Pep Guardiola's Man City, the Premier League has witnessed some of the greatest teams ever put together.
Now and again, however, a certain season can involve a team that is simply out of their depth in England's top division. Over the years there have been some teams that have made it to the promised land too early in their project, some teams that have been hit by injuries and off-field problems, but sometimes there are teams that are simply not good enough.
This season, it is Sheffield United that fit that bill, currently languishing at the bottom of the table with no end in sight to their horrific campaign. But are they the worst team of all time?
Sheffield United's Nightmare Season So Far
Yes, the 2023/24 season may still be in its early stages, but so far Sheffield United is proving to be well below the level needed to compete. Favorites for relegation in soccer betting, The Blades have won just one game out of their first fourteen, and have only collected five points from a total of forty-two available.
Thirty-nine goals conceded and eleven scored is a catastrophic return and things are only getting worse at Bramall Lane as the season continues. If they continue at the rate they are currently performing then after thirty-eight games they are on course for 13 points!
So how would this compare to the worst teams there have been in Premier League history?
Derby County 2007/08
Currently, the worst performing team there has ever been in the Premier League, the 2007/08 Derby County points total of eleven is the lowest there has ever been. Managed by Billy Davies, The Rams' only victory of the season came against Newcastle, but several heavy defeats put paid to any chance of survival.
Sunderland 2005/06
Just two years prior to Derby's disaster, Sunderland had set the record for the lowest points total of fifteen. Mick McCarthy was in the dugout at the time at the Stadium Of Light, but his team could only manage three Premier League wins in the entirety of the season. Relegation was confirmed at an early stage, with Sunderland finding themselves heading straight back to the Championship after one season.
Huddersfield Town 2018/19
As Huddersfield currently struggles at the bottom end of this year's Championship, it is hard to imagine that just five years ago The Terriers were in the Premier League. Unfortunately for their fans, that 2018/19 season was one to forget.
Having surprised many with their performances in finishing 16th the previous season, second-season syndrome set in at The John Smith's Stadium. Just sixteen points were collected, meaning that Huddersfield were back down to the Championship where their troubles have continued.
These are currently the three worst-performing teams in Premier League history, but as we have seen, Sheffield United are on course to join them. Paul Heckingbottom has been relieved of his duties at Bramall Lane, but the returning Chris Wilder will have his work cut out to turn things around.
Published by Patrick Jane
04.01.2024