Paul Heckingbottom urges winless Sheffield United to 'enjoy' challenge

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Paul Heckingbottom urges winless Sheffield United to ‘enjoy’ their Premier League survival challenge and insists playing for the club is ‘still the best job in the world’

  • Sheffield United are one of two sides in English football yet to win this season 
  • Late goals from Fulham condemned the Blades to their seventh defeat in eight 
  • Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

With every passing week, the wait goes on for a Sheffield United win. 

They are one of only two sides in English football yet to taste victory in any competition this season. Cheltenham Town in League One are the other.

With 15 minutes remaining at Craven Cottage, the Blades were level before Tom Cairney’s bizarre strike and Willian’s stoppage-time goal sent Paul Heckingbottom’s side to a seventh defeat in eight.

Heckingbottom however called on his side to ‘enjoy’ the challenge, emphasising how they had fought to reach the Premier League. 

‘We’ve lost so many players but we’ve got what we’ve got,’ he said. ‘It’s up to me, the staff, the players to enjoy this battle and enjoy the problems the Premier League poses.’

Paul Heckingbottom has urged Sheffield United’s players to relish their survival challenge

Fulham condemned the Blades to yet another loss with Tom Cairney netting in the second half

After a poor transfer window where both Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge left, United’s return to the top flight has been brutal, including an 8-0 home defeat by Newcastle. 

And after losing club captain John Egan last week, who will be ‘out for a while’, Saturday’s clash was overshadowed by a horrific leg injury to Chris Basham.

‘I can’t be faulting the effort,’ said Heckingbottom. ‘I’ve been in that dressing room and it’s still the best job in the world. The players won’t feel it now but it is. 

‘And I’ve probably got the second-best job.’

Though Heckingbottom desperately needs some luck and some wins to stay in that job.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

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