Ahead of facing Liverpool, Chris Wilder says Sheffield United should take “inspiration” wherever they can.
It was put to him that another newly promoted side, Norwich City, might do that. The Canaries beat reigning champions Manchester City less than two weeks’ ago.
And even though they will be clear underdogs this weekend, the Blades could do something similar at Bramall Lane.
“There’s always a one-off result in any division, at any period of football’s history. You can look back right the way through,” Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.
“So whatever inspiration anybody can take.
“The game isn’t decided before the kickoff and anything can happen either way.”
The result that should inspire Sheffield United against Liverpool
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Back when the Blades were last in the Premier League during 2006/07, they also pulled off a shock result in a season that eventually ended in relegation.
On 30 December 2006, Arsenal were the visitors to south Yorkshire. Champions League finalists earlier that year, the Gunners were not the fading giants many view them as now. They were a powerhouse of English football and clear favourites for this game.
So when a Christian Nade goal secured a 1-0 home victory for the Blades, it sent ripples around the footballing community.
Unfortunately the results that campaign weren’t enough to keep United in the top flight. They went down on the final day, relegated on goal difference.
It would be 12 years before they returned to the big time – including six years spent in League One.
Yet Wilder has turned things around with two promotions in three years. Not many would have predicted that, but they have achieved it.
So why couldn’t the Blades cause an upset against the European champions on Saturday lunchtime? It may have happened more than a decade ago now, but that game against Arsenal in late 2006 shows that it’s possible.