Struggling at the wrong end of League One, the Blades made a number of late signings in the window.
After another disappointing season at Bramall Lane, in which sleeping giants Sheffield United finished 11th in League One, a drastic change was needed to get them back up the Football League.
Nigel Adkins was given his marching orders and was soon replaced by ex-Blades player Chris Wilder. Wilder guided Northampton Town to the League Two title last season but felt the opportunity to join the club he started his playing career at was too good to turn down.
After taking over relegation threatened Northampton Town in 2014, Chris Wilder led them to League One in two years
Despite the departures of several key-players from last season, there was a feeling that Wilder had assembled a squad capable of promotion.
Leon Clarke came in from Bury having scored 15 goals in League One last season, and with Billy Sharp scoring 21, the Blades now have a strike partnership to trouble any defence at this level.
Youngster Che Adams may have departed for Birmingham City in a deal that could rise to £2 million, but it was unlikely he would have been first choice. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s deadline day deal to Everton means the club have raked in a combined £3.5 million from the sales of players that have yet to establish themselves in the starting XI.
Che Adams scored 11 goals for Sheffield United in the League One last season
The sales may have disgruntled a portion of Blades supporters, but United are in no financial position to turn away such bids. Fundamentally, the youngters’ exits help to balance the books at Bramall Lane.
Another arrival from Bury is left-back Chris Hussey who enjoyed three seasons in the Championship with Coventry City. Hussey spent one season playing with midfielder John Fleck at the Ricoh during the 2012/13 season, and they reunite.
25-year-old Fleck was one of the best midfielders in League One last season as he was voted the player of the season by both Coventry’s players and fans.
John Fleck spent four seasons at Coventry, scoring eight goals in 182 games
Centre-halfs Jack O’Connell and James Wilson joined from Brentford and Oldham respectively, while Mark Duffy came in from Birmingham. Duffy knows what it takes to earn promotion to the Championship, after spending the entire of last season on loan at runners up Burton Albion, and was part of the League One Team of the Year.
Striker Caolan Lavery signed from neighbours Wednesday for an undisclosed fee after loan spells at Southend, Plymouth, Chesterfield and Portsmouth.
And on deadline day, United secured loan deals for central-defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell and left-back Daniel Lafferty.
The club did make attempts to sign midfielder Sam Morsey from Wigan Athletic and were hoping to use full-back John Brayford as a bargaining tool, however the ex-Derby man has joined Burton Albion on loan.
Sheffield United’s John Brayford sees himself as a Championship player and has reunited with fromer boss Brian Clough
Wilder’s team currently find themselves in the relegation zone, but after a comeback win last time out, there is no reason why they should not now look to build momentum.
And though there may be a completely refreshed squad at Bramall Lane, the combination of youthful talent and experienced Football League players should soon be lurking higher up the table, once they have found some chemistry.
However, the flipside argument and worrying truth, is that the team are only as good as where they are in the table.
Transfer window grading 6/10
In: Leon Clarke, undisclosed (Bury); Chris Hussey, undisclosed (Bury); Simon Moore; undisclosed (Cardiff City); Jack O’Connell, undisclosed (Brentford); Mark Duffy, free (Birmingham City); John Fleck, free (Coventry City); James Wilson, free (Oldham Athletic); Jake Wright, free (Oxford United), Harry Chapman, loan (Middlesbrough); Coalan Lavery, undisclosed (Sheffield Wednesday); Ethan Ebanks-Landell, loan (Wolves); Daniel Lafferty, loan (Burnley).
Out: Che Adams, £1.8 million (Birmingham City); Dominic Calvert-Lewin, £1.5 million (Everton); Jamal Campbell-Ryce, free (Barnet); Florent Cuvelier, free (Walsall); Ryan Flynn, free (Oldham Athletic); Bob Harris, released; Mark Howard, free (Birmingham City); Jay McEveley, free (Ross County); Callum McFadzean, free (Kilmarnock); Harrison McGahey, free (Rochdale); Diego De Girolamo, free (Bristol City); Martyn Woolford, free (Fleetwood).Jose Baxter, released; John Brayford; loan (Burton Albion); Marc McNulty, loan (Bradford City); Kieran Wallace, loan (Fleetwood).
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