Jamie O’Hara believes Sheffield United should not be able to secure promotion to the Premier League next year following relegation.
The Premier League has confirmed that pending appeals from Nottingham Forest and Everton over points deductions, the Blades have been demoted to the Championship following a 5-1 defeat to Newcastle.
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It has been a campaign to forget for everyone associated with Sheffield United, and the Toon drubbing summed up their problems.
Chris Wilder’s side opened the scoring at St James’ Park and could have been two or three goals ahead before Alexander Isak equalized for the hosts.
Newcastle then scored four in 18 minutes in the second half to condemn the Blades to another brutal defeat.
They have now conceded 97 goals this season, which is a record for a 38-game campaign.
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And O’Hara believes Sheffield United should not be allowed promotion from the Championship for a season.
He said: “Sheffield United have conceded 97 goals. That’s a record. I mean, it’s not a Sunday league.
“I think they should be banned. Give them a season ban. They came in, sold their two best players and were a disaster.
“They have 16 points. There should be some sort of ban. If you are that bad you shouldn’t be allowed back in the Premier League for a season.
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“Sheffield United were a joke. They were an embarrassment.”
His co-host, Gabby Agbonlahor, also tore into the Blades.
He said: “Some of the defenses are disastrous. They’re just not up to standard.
“When Sheffield United were in the Premier League before, they took their chances. This season it was terrible.
“If you concede more than 100 goals, what they will do, it’s crazy.”
Not only will the Blades be playing in the second tier of English football next year, but they will also start with -2 points due to payment defaults.
Overall, it was a shocking return to the top flight for Sheffield United, who will go down as one of the worst Premier League teams of all time.
Speaking after relegation was confirmed, Wilder said: “It stings and it hurts. We have to own it. We have so much work to do on the training ground. We have to have a good pre-season .
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“Sheffield United are a very good football club. I think everyone understands that, but it has been a very poor season.
“I still have one year left on my contract and I would like to think that the fans can trust me. I am enthusiastic and determined, along with my coaching team, to do things well.
“We know exactly what direction we need to go, what the culture is going to look like and what our preseason is going to look like.
“It’s going to be a tough summer for everyone.”
