Not many clubs lose their captain and vice-captain to surgical procedures in the space of a week but John Egan and Chris Basham face long rehabilitations after ankle operations. Oli McBurnie, another leader of the team, is out with a groin injury, and George Baldock is only now coming back from calf trouble.

Like Basham, Tom Davies probably does not make the strongest XI in all honesty but his 155 Premier League appearances are pretty handy in a newly-promoted side.

Throw in the summer departures of then-captain Billy Sharp and Enda Stevens, another key figure of the team which finished ninth in the 2019-20 Premier League, and there are big holes to fill.

But there are no bonus points for excuses, however valid, so the Blades will just have to crack on without them – except the fit-again Baldock – in a match they really need to win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

It comes to something when opponents who have beaten Manchester City and drawn with Aston Villa and Newcastle United in their last four matches (the other was a sweet victory at Bournemouth for manager Gary O’Neil) is a game to target but after one point from 10 games and have have just come through defeats against Manchester United and Arsenal, this home game has been looming large.

Other characters simply have to step up to stop the relegation already looking highly likely becoming inevitable. It will figure in manager Paul Heckingbottom’s thinking when he picks the team he throws to O’Neil’s Wolves but with double-figure injuries, not as much as he would like.

“If we have everyone fit you guys would always say last season, ‘You’ve got a tough decision,’ but it’s the best way to get a response,” he argues.

“If I’m telling my kids off every day and I’m still buying them sweets they’re not going to listen to me. If I’m telling them off and they’re not getting what they want, they might.

“That weapon in my armoury has been taken away from me.

“Sometimes when you’re a player in the dressing room, you want to hide and you’re happy if someone else is getting the stick for you. We can’t afford that.

“We have to show the togetherness, the spirit, that’s got us here.

“The boys who haven’t (been part of last season’s promotion) have maybe stepped into a more difficult environment – show what you’re about now, show us your character. We’ll certainly back them if we get the energy and the application, without a doubt.

“But it is easier said than done.”

Baldock’s return – as a 71st-minute substitute at Arsenal – at least helps. For most of last season it was too close to call when injuries allowed a choice between the more attacking Jayden Bogle and the more experienced Greek international at right wing-back but of the final 12 matches, Baldock started all but one – and that was after promotion had been secured.

“He brings an energy and a personality which is important,” says Heckingbottom. “We need that personality from everyone. Don’t be a bystander, don’t be a shrinking violet, you have to bring your personality to our team in every game.”

He has to stand up too, knowing the scrutiny he is under and honest enough not to argue back. The worst start to a Premier League season tells a story that is hard to dispute