Fans 'will be happy to wave goodbye to the Premier League'

Dejected Sheffield United players during match against ArsenalImage source, Getty Images
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Sheffield United "don't need to come straight back up" to the Premier League and should take time to find their "identity" instead.

The Blades' season went from bad to worse on Monday when they were humiliated 6-0 by Arsenal at Bramall Lane.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Blades fan Harvey Hinkler said: "We came into the season woefully underprepared.

"I know Burnley aren't having a great season. but they spent about £100m and backed their manager. Luton had a clear progression plan in place, a brilliant coach and a really well put together structure. We sold our two best players a few days before the season.

"With that kind of preparation it was only a matter of time before these kind of results happened.

"Since Chris Wilder has come back, I think one of the biggest positives is the young players who have come in. Andre Brooks has been a real spark and had some really good performances against good sides. He has just signed a new long-term contract - as has Ollie Arblaster.

"You hope, going forwards, those two are what we look to to build our identity around.

"We should stop this mad spending thing everyone does when they come down to the Championship - this: 'We need to spend £50m to get back up.' We don't need to come straight back up. We can take a few years and find our identity, find a structure. Those two players are perfect to build around."

The result against the Gunners left Chris Wilder's side rooted to the bottom of the table on 13 points, with their -50 goal difference 15 worse than Burnley in 19th.

"You would think you would want an immediate response after such a poor season. You'd want a much, much better one," Hinkler added.

"We will win games next season and I think that will be enough for a lot of fans - because I think a lot will be happy to wave goodbye to the Premier League for a bit.

"Our past two seasons [in the Premier League] we've accumulated 36 points as it stands, which probably wouldn't be enough to keep you up in a single season never mind across the two."

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