Ruben Selles might have hoped for a less pointed opening-weekend fixture as Sheffield United manager. Three months earlier, his new club had beaten Bristol City 6-0 over two legs in a Championship play-off semi-final. Now here he was, having replaced Chris Wilder, facing the same opponent. A 4-1 home defeat followed.

Three league games later, at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium, chants of “sacked in the morning” were directed at Selles. If I could hear them on the back row of the West Stand, he could hear them by the pitch. That ditty is usually proffered by crowing home supporters towards an under-pressure coach, but not here. The song came from Sheffield United supporters.

Several minutes later, Wilder’s name was on the same lips. Whether the away end wanted him back or were merely im

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