Blackburn Rovers’ Steve Waggott sees Sheffield United as an example to follow

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Sheffield United are setting the right example to newly-promoted clubs.

Blackburn Rovers chief executive Steve Waggott suggests Sheffield United are the team to emulate as he praises the Blades’ rise since earning promotion back to the Championship, the Lancashire Telegraph report.

“We saw Sheffield United who came up the year before last improved their squad and improved again and we will be looking at a similar pathway,” Waggott explained.

“Each window we will be trying to improve the squad, trying to bring in higher quality players so Tony [Mowbray] has the skill and depth level in the squad. Speaking to their club [Sheffield United] they were saying it’s the strongest they’ve been in two or three years but it’s been a gradual burn. We’ll be looking at the same.”

Sheffield United spent three seasons in League One before finally returning the Championship, and they’ve made quite an impression on their league rivals following their success since.

The Blades briefly flirted with the playoffs last term before finishing in tenth position, and after strengthening in the summer they now find themselves leading the Championship after 12 matches.

Chris Wilder’s men have gradually improved their squad with the summer arrivals of Oliver Norwood and record signing John Egan making a big difference this term, and now they feel in a position to challenge.

Blackburn, League One champions last season, have enjoyed a solid start to life back in the second tier as Tony Mowbray’s men have collected 18 points from 12 games – near playoff form over a 46-game season.

But they saw their year-long unbeaten home record ended recently with the Blades winning 2-0 at Ewood Park, and it seems they are looking at the Yorkshire club as the ideal side to try and emulate.

Not many expected Blackburn to challenge this season therefore a midtable spot would represent decent progress, and if expected they strengthen next summer, a playoff challenge next season is within reason.