Sheffield United are going through a bit of a rough patch it would be fair to say.

At the time of writing, they sit four points off the play-offs and fans are becoming increasingly frustrated with what appears to be a lack of effort from the players, to get the club back to the Championship.

Manager Nigel Adkins appears to be fighting a losing battle as he tries to get his players to perform to the level he wants them to.

Consistency in results has been a problem for the Blades, and they face a real fight on their hands to even make the top six now.

A club like Sheffield United should be sitting higher in the football pyramid, but as we all know, you are where you are on merit in football, and the Blades are no different.

Here at FLW, we take a look at FIVE things learnt from Sheffield United's season so far........

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE THINGS!

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The squad is too large

At the start of the season Nigel Adkins admitted he needed to trim the squad, with 43 professionals on the books being too difficult to manage and maintain.

While Adkins has managed to get rid of some players in January, the squad is still massively top heavy, and plenty of players are not getting a look in.

This cannot be good for squad morale, with players on the fringes and simply not getting a look in with the first team, players egos are bound to take over, and there can be little doubt this has contributed to the poor results the team has been churning out for the majority of the season.

If Adkins keeps his job, one of his biggest tasks will be to shape his squad properly ready for next season.

Have the players stopped caring?

Over 15 players are out of contract in the summer, and none so far have had their contracts renewed as yet.

Many fans are sceptical and believe that these players have been told already their contracts are not going to be renewed, and this is leading to a deterioration in performances and attitude from the players.

United were booed off during the midweek defeat at Burton, and chants of your not fit to wear the shirt were heard during last weekend's loss to Rochdale away.

If the players do not care, then manager Adkins might be wise to use the young players as the season draws to an end, players who want to play and have a point to prove to the management.

Billy Sharp has finally proved his worth to the Blades

United fan Sharp returned to the club in the summer for his third spell with his boyhood club, and has finally excelled and shown fans exactly what he is all about.

Without his goals, United would no doubt be facing a relegation battle, and some fans are baffled as to why his passion and commitment is not rubbing off on the rest of his teammates during games.

Sharp though can hold his head high, no matter how the season finishes, and he has more than contributed to the team as the season has progressed.

Sharp is one player fans will certainly be hoping does stay in the summer, in the hope he can fire them to promotion next term.

The crowds are still following home and away

United have the biggest average home crowd in the league and take the most fans to away games most weekends, something which has become synonymous with the club over recent years.

With home crowds averaging around the 18,000 mark, it is quite simply support that the team may not deserve.

Fans though have finally started to vent their frustrations, with boos ringing out at recent games.

The Blades fans though have and will always turn out in their numbers, and simply ask that their team shows a bit of passion and hunger to get the win, something which has been missing in recent weeks.

The Blades board will be concerned for next season if performances continue though, with season ticket sales sure to drop in the summer if promotion can not be achieved this time round.

At least there are some promising youngsters!

Sheffield United have a rich history of producing young talent, with the likes of Kyle Walker, Phil Jagielka, and Harry Maguire coming through in recent years, and that has at least continued.

The Blades have one of the hottest young talents outside the top flight in Che Adams, and have continued to show faith in young goalkeeper George Long as the season has progressed.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has recently made his debut for the first team, while midfielder Ben Whiteman came on against Burton the other night for his full debut. Add these to other young hopefuls like Diego De Girolamo, then the future should at least look quite bright for the Blades.

Adkins may turn to these young players as the season draws to a close, and get them much needed experience in preparation for next season at the very least.