- Published18 minutes ago
It's been quite a noisy past few months when it comes to Sheffield United.
The row between current and former owners dominated the airwaves and headlines for several weeks.
On the pitch, there had also been some unrest - in particular after the EFL Cup defeat at Fleetwood - which doesn't look quite as bad now following Arsenal's defeat at Highbury in the same competition.
Yet when you open up the Championship table and see United placed 10th, just three points off the play-off places, it's tempting to ask why the mood hasn't been better.
There are always going to be questions asked about selection, tactics or individual results. That's football.
For example, I don't think there was anything wrong with fans pining to see Romelle Donovan start against Wrexham.
He's an exciting player to watch. He took his opportunity on Friday, delivering another electrifying performance.
Overall, I think United are doing well.
Only Swansea have more clean sheets. Liam Kitching looks like a great addition, while goalkeeper Michael Cooper appears to be back to his very best.
They've been unlucky in multiple games - the Portsmouth red card, Stoke scoring worldies, a tight game against Wolves decided by a last-gasp winner.
I'm not suggesting there's anything unique about these games - all teams have them - but it's not as if United have been playing terribly and getting battered.
They're in a solid position after 13 games with a chance to kick on.
This is despite a summer where they lost Gus Hamer, Andre Brooks and Callum O'Hare and couldn't pump the millions earned into new permanent signings.
We shouldn't just forget that happened. How many clubs could have three of their best, most creative goalscoring and producing players surgically removed from the squad, and just crack on as if it never happened?
The ownership row over money owed to United World also didn't help at all, placing a dark cloud over Bramall Lane, creating doubt about the suitability of the people running the club.
Expectations have been raised considerably at United in recent years after multiple Premier League stints.
Perspective shouldn't be lost, though, on just how challenging recent times will have been.
Despite this, you could see on Friday a Blades team that is very useful. They passed with a purpose. They pressed relentlessly.
Wrexham barely had a sniff in the game. United should've had a penalty and if that is given, and scored, at 2-0 they'd have had a chance to turn the game into a romp.
Play like that more often than not and there's no reason why Chris Wilder's team can't be in the mix.
Tuesday at Preston will be a good next test. North End are struggling badly with only one win to their name. Can United go to Deepdale, get the job done, and handle an opponent like this without any drama?
It doesn't need to be free-flowing football and a 3-0 win. It just needs to be solid, professional, and three more points. On to the next one.
If they can manage that, some of the recent negativity may turn into an increasing level of optimism that this can be an interesting season.
