Key to Sheffield United promotion hopes now clear after another reminder in Stoke City loss

Paul Heckingbottom had reminded his players in the build-up to yesterday's 1-0 defeat at Stoke that the only occasion a team had beaten them during his time in charge was when his players had dipped below their best. When at those levels, no team has been able to beat them, but the defeats to Derby, Coventry and Millwall saw United well below par and duly punished.

It's a shame then that having enjoyed a much-needed rest to recharge bodies and minds that they returned to action yesterday with a performance similar to those.

United were lethargic and lacking their usual spark. They also lacked quality in the final third. The first two are surprising given the international break had come at a good time and a number of senior players, such as Ben Davies, George Baldock and John Fleck, had returned to fitness.

But the third of those problems is easily explained. Just when Heckingbottom thought his injury woes were showing signs of easing, he was hit with another blow. Billy Sharp had not recovered in time from his hamstring injury suffered in the 2-0 defeat to Barnsley, while Oli McBurnie also suffered a thigh strain in training and could not be risked.

That left 18-year-old Daniel Jebbison, in for his first start under Heckingbottom, leading the line. Morgan Gibbs-White also faded in the second half having looked a threat in the first 45, but having reported ill on Friday, that could be understandable. A trip to Stoke is not easy at the best of times, but one with no senior strikers is even harder.

And it showed in the performance. United had 57% possession but had only one shot on target. Losing leading scorer Sharp was a blow not just for his goals but also for his link-up and partnership with Gibbs-White.

Sharp (14