'Fans hadn't turned, they know the narrative isn't necessarily correct'
- Published
After 11 Premier League games, Sheffield United finally claimed their first victory after promotion thanks to Oliver Norwood's injury-time penalty against Wolves.
On BBC Radio Sheffield's Blades Heaven podcast, former striker Carl Asaba explained how important the fans' unconditional support has been for Paul Heckingbottom and his players: "The fans hadn't turned. We know that a massive part of the promotion, and a massive part of the Heckingbottom regime and era, is the re-connect between the players and the fans.
"No one has been happy to be losing but the fans are still turning up, and still backing the boys at all of the away matches. Some of the atmospheres at Bramall Lane have been electric. It's been brilliant to see. As long as the players go out there and give it their all, the fans will cheer them off the pitch whether they win, lose or draw.
"There have been mutterings over the last couple of games, but not just from the fans, I mean we've spoken to [George] Baldock about it. The players weren't happy with it, the senior players who know what Sheffield United are about were not happy with the manner of the defeats.
"The fact that the players had behind-closed-doors chats, with no management in the room, is just incredible. From my conversations with George [Baldock], there's about three or four players that are essential in that dressing room.
"Everyone is against us from the outside, so it's easy for fans to say 'they are rubbish' or 'Heckingbottom has got to go', but the fans have stuck by them. The fans know that the narrative is not necessarily correct.
"So I'm not surprised the fans are sticking with the players. I'm delighted with it."