'If the manager's job isn't up for debate - prove it'

Rob Staton, BBC Radio Sheffield

Sheffield United deserved a bit of luck with the penalty against Wolves (even if their opponents are surely also due some officiating fortune with the way their season has gone). This was a critical result and performance. You could see the connection between team and supporters. The old Bramall Lane atmosphere was back, with a team rising to the occasion.

Those inclined to give the players and staff the benefit of the doubt pointed to the upcoming run of fixtures as a more realistic opportunity to get points on the board. Beating Wolves is a great start, with games against Bournemouth and Burnley around the corner.

The other teams around United in the table have not fared much better than the Blades and the group of four 'relegation mini-league' appears well established (even if there is room for another to join the party).

That Oliver Norwood penalty, smashed into the goal with conviction, could be a turning point. Despite a summer that worked against the manager's hopes to start strongly and a growing injury list, the Blades seem to be up for the fight. On to Brighton next.

It is also good for manager Paul Heckingbottom. On two occasions the national media have reported he is on the brink of losing his job. On two occasions, it has not happened.

He has got enough on his plate without having to deal with this. It is a reality of football, perhaps, but speculation that does not go anywhere surely raises a question of the source?

I still think the Blades should make a call. Back their boss like Nottingham Forest did a year ago with Steve Cooper and get a new deal done. If the manager's job is not up for debate, prove it.

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