Statistics Blades Relegation Battles (with a points deduction)

[mattbianco1]

I keep seeing loads of posters suggesting that we are in a relegation battle (regardless) and seen a number of people suggest 21st position would be a successful season.

I know our fanbase is historically a glass half empty type, in fact, we're more of a - i've just dropped the glass on the floor and got nothing left type. I often liken many posters on here to Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh.

In addition to the pending relegation battle, people have also suggested that if we get -12pts, then we are 100% relegated... I don't see where this impression comes from. Here is our second tier record since 1994/95. I have highlighted in RED each season where a 12pt deduction would have seen us relegated.

• 1995 - 8th (+20 above relegation)
• 1996 - 9th (+10)
• 1997 - 5th (+27)
• 1998 - 6th (+26)
• 1999 - 8th (+20)
• 2000 - 16th (+8)
• 2001 - 10th (+20)
• 2002 - 13th (+11)
• 2003 - 3rd (+34)
• 2004 - 8th (+20)
• 2005 - 8th (+17)
• 2006 - 2nd (+48)
• 2007 - n/a (PL)
• 2008 - 9th (+14)
• 2009 - 3rd (+34)
• 2010 - 8th (+18)
• 2011 - RELEGATED
• 2012 - n/a (L1)
• 2013 - n/a (L1)
• 2014 - n/a (L1)
• 2015 - n/a (L1)
• 2016 - n/a (L1)
• 2017 - n/a (L1)
• 2018 - 10th (+18)
• 2019 - 2nd (+49)
• 2020 - n/a (PL)
• 2021 - n/a (PL)
• 2022 - 5th (+38)
• 2023 - 2nd (+47)
• 2024 - n/a (PL)
• 2025 - 3rd (+41)
• 2026 - 13th (+13)

So in the previous 22 second tier seasons, the closest to relegation we've finished (other than in 2011) was 8pts. On only 3 occasions in that time would a minus 12 deduction have sent us down.

We're not aiming for top 6 either this season, it's top 8. In the previous 22 seasons, we have finished in the Top 8 on 14 occasions - 64% of the time.

We rode our luck last night and at Cardiff, but we didn't lose either. We will take some beatings, but we'll also give out some. Our starting XI last night was very strong, we've lost some good players, but we still have a very capable squad.

The free agents are still available to sign too - Jairo and Bamford are good examples of this. Wilder will still be scouring the market.

 

[mattbianco1]

To caveat...

I am aware that it's not just as plain as - "we finished 13pts above last year, so would have survived". There's obviously the mental affect it has on the players being dragged into the battle

 

[Selly]

One thing that history has shown us is that we are not great at getting out of a relegation battle. 1994, 2007, 2011, 2021, 2024

All cases where we we in a battle - and did not get out - I can only think of 2000 and last season where what felt like a relegation battle turned out ok (and in both of those cases we had got ourselves out of it by a good period mid season.

If we are in danger of relegation in April - we are f**ked

 

[Revolution]

The main thing I learned from this is that people need to stop spouting uninformed speculative nonsense about points deductions.

 

[mattbianco1]

The main thing I learned from this is that people need to stop spouting uninformed speculative nonsense about points deductions.

And buy some Tena Pants

 

[Davalon]

I'm no expert on the legalities and financial rules but unless further issues crop up, I don't see how we can get a points deduction just for the owners owing the Prince.

As regards relegation, its too early to tell. Despite 5 goals in our last two games, I'm genuinely concerned about our attacking threat. Too much on the shoulders of a 19 year old loanee imho.

At present it feels like a tough old season but until we play the better sides and we get towards winter and the league has bedded down, it's hard to tell.

I certainly wouldn't rule out a relegation battle at this stage as one or two injuries to players like Bamford and Donovan would cripple us.

Then again lower mid table doesnt seem out of reach either.

 

[ChezVegasBlade]

The only argument I can see for a points deduction is where failing to pay debts can be seen as giving an unfair financial advantage to a team. No one can point to this transfer window and say our £0 spend has given us any unfair advantage!

 

[sportsmanblade]

What advantage have we gained to deserve a points deduction?

 

[sportsmanblade]

The only argument I can see for a points deduction is where failing to pay debts can be seen as giving an unfair financial advantage to a team. No one can point to this transfer window and say our £0 spend has given us any unfair advantage!

Its not the clubs debt tho is it?

 

[nopigfansintown]

I look at the balance of the squad, the massive ongoing fitness issues - exacerbated again by our failure to get players in - and the inability to neither keep clean sheets or score goals and I worry. Hopefully we can build all our unfit/injured lads up and get to January in a place where we can genuinely strengthen and function in multi game weeks for longer than 60 minutes per match. A lot rests on players like Donovan, Ryan One, BBD, Arblaster, Phillips staying fit and improving game by game. The performances in the last two games weren't an accident.

The above could be written for next season too by the way. I thought I'd be the first...

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Chill.
If minus 12 does happen it might fuck our automatic spot. We'll just steam it in the play-offs.

 

[Geordie Blade]

One thing that history has shown us is that we are not great at getting out of a relegation battle. 1994, 2007, 2011, 2021, 2024

All cases where we we in a battle - and did not get out - I can only think of 2000 and last season where what felt like a relegation battle turned out ok (and in both of those cases we had got ourselves out of it by a good period mid season.

If we are in danger of relegation in April - we are f**ked

If you're counting 1994, you also need to include 1991, 1992 and 1993 where we (very) successfully got out of the relegation battles.

 

[Godbeblade]

I know it's only early doors still and a few teams have got to sort themselves out still and I expect the big boys (relegated from PL) to be at the top regardless but everyone else seems to be 'championship' in the sense that anyone can beat anyone.

I think we'll have some stinkers but i also think we'll get a few results against some teams at the top of the table- i just hope we get enough points on the board.

 

[Selly]

If you're counting 1994, you also need to include 1991, 1992 and 1993 where we (very) successfully got out of the relegation battles.

You arent wrong, and I did intentionally pick '94 as the start point because I still think that relegation haunts this club. We had a backbone in these sort of battles until then.

Were I 10-15 years older i may very well have picked Don Givens as the starting point...

 

[Revolution]

You arent wrong, and I did intentionally pick '94 as the start point because I still think that relegation haunts this club. We had a backbone in these sort of battles until then.

Were I 10-15 years older i may very well have picked Don Givens as the starting point...

We had no such backbone. We last stayed up on the last day of the season in 1930.

 

[Ridgeway Blade]

The only argument I can see for a points deduction is where failing to pay debts can be seen as giving an unfair financial advantage to a team. No one can point to this transfer window and say our £0 spend has given us any unfair advantage!

That is true because we have sold three best players to generate funds and can hardly be accused of just spending it on players. All the staff are being paid I assume and external creditors.

 

[joe casey]

What advantage have we gained to deserve a points deduction?

Have you not seen the new South Stand bogs!?!

 

[Silent Blade]

We had no such backbone. We last stayed up on the last day of the season in 1930.

Yes, we won 5-1 at Man U.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I admire the logical approach but this is like the gambler's fallacy version of English second tier football.

Each Sheffield United team stands or falls on it's own performances/results.

It can't remember the past and it can't predict the future.

I don't think we'll get relegated this season but the Micky Adams team from the latter half of the 2010-11 season or any other has fuck all to do with the current Wilder team.