Troubled Blades still have play-off ambitions

Without a win since the opening day of the season, United are desperate to stop the rot after four successive league defeats to Bradford City, MK Dons, Rotherham United and Carlisle United.

They sit third-from-bottom with just four points from seven matches – a whopping 17 points adrift of early leaders Leyton Orient – but Doyle is adamant they can make up the gap.

And they will face no bigger challenge than their next two games, the visit of Simon Grayson’s Preston North End to Bramall Lane today before a trip to title favourites Wolverhampton Wanderers next weekend.

“It’s very early season,” said 32-year-old Doyle. “Our target at the start of the season was to be up around the play-offs, and obviously at the minute it’s disappointing.

“With the players we have got we are more than capable of stringing a run together and be right in amongst it.

“But at the same time, I think the most important thing for us is to try and get that win under our belt, then build on it. We have two big games coming up for us.

“I think we are better than the results have shown and that’s the main thing at the end of the day.

“Apart from Brentford (where United lost 3-1), I personally think we should have won the other games but lost. Mistakes and not taking chances have cost us.

“On Saturday (at Carlisle) we dominated in the first half, the Rotherham game we should have been out of sight by half-time.

“The last couple of years at this club we have won a lot of games, a lot of highs, so I suppose it’s been a bit of a shock.

“It’s all about character now. It’s about getting that first result, not getting on a run, just get that first result.

“We need to turn it round, keep it going, and climb up that table. We are more than confident we will climb up the table, get back around that top six.”

Manager David Weir has introduced a more patient style of football, keeping possesion and building from the back, which is taking time for both players and supporters to adjust to.

But Doyle is adamant it’s the right approach for the Blades, who this week brought in veteran striker Marlon King to provide a cutting edge in attack.

“Have we bought into what the gaffer wants us to do? Too right we have,” insisted Doyle.

“It’s the way football is going now and we’ll be so much better for it.

“I definitely think we should have more points on the board than we have. But, fact is, we haven’t and there’s nothing to be gained from making excuses.

“We’ve just got to make sure that we get things completely right.

“There have been times in games, including last week at Carlisle, when we should have been out of sight at half-time. It’s our fault as players that we weren’t and so we’ve got to start getting more ruthless.

“But what we are doing, the methods that the gaffer is putting in place, are completely necessary.

Today’s opponents North End have made an impressive start to the campaign, unbeaten in League One, albeit four of their seven games ending in draws.

“Preston are a strong team,” said former Leeds United and Coventry midfielder Doyle.

“They’re physical, well-organised and will probably fancy their chances of getting one over on us.

“But I’m more bothered about us to be honest. We’ve got nothing to be afraid of.

“The main thing is making sure we get out of our bad phase and start posting some results. We owe the manager and the supporters a performance.

“The staff deserve it because of all the hard work they’ve done and the fans for sticking by us through thick and thin.

“They’ve been so loyal and passionate. Sometimes you feel terrible going over and applauding them after we’ve lost but it’s the right thing to do. I know how disheartening it must be for all of them. To see us not winning games. But, trust me, no one is more disappointed or annoyed about what’s happen than us the players.

“So that’s why it’s time to step-up. To go out there and put things right.

“We want to do it for the manager, the coaches and the people who come to watch us. And there’s no better time than now.”

Doyle believes the loss of fellow midfield partner Kevin McDonald – who quit for rivals Wolves last month in a £250,000 deal – had a negative impact on the squad left behind and it has taken time for United to adapt to life without the influential Scotsman.

“We had enjoyed such a positive pre-season that our start has been doubly disappointing for everyone connected to the club, but it certainly hasn’t been for a lack of effort and endeavour.

“After comfortable beating Notts County on the opening night of the season we lost Kevin (McDonald) who was instrumental to what the gaffer wanted to do and that took us a couple of weeks to get over his loss.

“It has been such a frustrating start but on different days, apart from the Brentford game, we could have easily been sitting here with five or six wins.”

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