Sheffield United v Swindon Town: Sammon is urging Blades to hit the front first

The Blades find themselves outside of the top 10 ahead of tonight’s home encounter with Shrewsbury Town and are without a win in their past four League One matches, having fallen behind on each occasion.

The Irish striker is also particularly conscious of the merits that an early goal can bring in shredding the vast majority of visiting sides’ game plans at Bramall Lane – and is eyeing a flying start tonight.

Sammon said: “Scoring the first goal, being ruthless and taking chances when they come to get us 1-0 up means the game is completely different.

“Most visiting teams’ team-talk when they come to Bramall Lane is to keep it tight for 10 or 15 minutes and trying to get home fans on their backs.

“That’s their game plan and we know teams will try and frustrate us and nick that first goal and then maybe look to sit in.

“To avoid that scenario, if we can get the first goal, which is crucial, it will give us the best possible chance. Hopefully (against Shrewsbury), we can get a nice early goal to get the fans right behind us and build a good result.”

Sammon, who has not netted in the league in almost two months, acknowledges that the opening third of the league campaign has been largely underwhelming for the Blades.

But the forward believes that now is the time to stay resolute and not veer away from the script, with the Blades still only four points behind sixth-placed Bury.

The Dubliner, eyeing a start after going on for Billy Sharp just after the hour mark in the weekend draw at Walsall, added: “We are not where we want to be, for sure.

“But we have enough about us and a group of players and the talent to go and do the business.

“It’s very easy to talk the talk and the proof is in the pudding and it is up to us to show the quality we have on paper with results. It is up to us to keep working hard and doing the small things on a daily basis and make sure we do not get carried away and think: ‘It’s not working for us, so we need to just abandon everything.’”

Last six games: Sheffield United LLWDDD, Shrewsbury LLWLWL.

Referee: R Clark (Northumberland).

Last time: Sheffield United 2 Shrewsbury 0; February 8, 2014; League One.