Blades' problems were all avoidable

Anel Ahmedhodzic left Sheffield United to join Feyenoord in the summer

The consensus was Sheffield United were a bit better against QPR, even as they failed to find the goal that would have provided a much-needed three points.

However, the extent of the job Chris Wilder has returned to has been brutally laid out between the October and November international breaks.

The players brought to the club simply have not improved the squad. It was always going to be a challenge to deal with the loss of players such as Vini Souza and Anel Ahmedhodzic. However, it was manageable if left in the right hands.

Instead, the Blades have signed a collection of players who have either had minimal impact, do not appear to be anywhere near good enough, or need time to get up to speed with their fitness.

Meanwhile, the impact of going from one manager to another, letting that manager oversee pre-season, enduring a nightmare start to the season, only then to pivot back to the original boss, has clearly knocked the confidence and performance of key players.

Several have gone from influential figures in last season's promotion push to scrambling to regain their best form.

It was only fair United's owners were given some credit for the U-turn that led to Wilder's return. Yet the truth is they have created a mess that has made life far harder than it needed to be.

In a weaker Championship this year, it is plausible the Blades could have emulated Leeds United from a year ago, when they regrouped and won the league. If only that had been the mindset over the summer.

It is still too early to judge what this season is now about. United remain in the bottom three. It still seems likely they will eventually start to climb the league. It is not a given though.

So how will the owners view this situation? Will they learn from their mistakes?

After buying a club that appeared well placed to get back into the Premier League, how would they feel about a squad refresh that now appears necessary and might take time?

Are they in this for the long haul, if it means pressing pause on top-flight ambitions for this season? They have proven people in key positions at the club but will they be afforded the space to get on with the job?

This was all avoidable.