Former Sheffield United striker Brian Deane feels the current team were unprepared for the Premier League.

Deane, who also played for Leeds, feels the squad lacks overall quality.

He told offers.bet: "They're just short in every area and I don't think that's an individual thing.

"Just how the plan has unfolded to now. It's just unfortunate that they aren't better than any team in any department at the moment. The real problem has been the recruitment and the lack of ideas over the last few years. There hasn't been a refresh of the squad quickly enough and the squad has aged really badly.

"Look at how they play, it's difficult for them to even get behind the opposition with pace – one of the fundamental things that you need in the Premier League. They haven't bought players who are naturally do that or have the nous to see them through games, and that's a major issue. It's just been a bridge too far. I'm not defending anybody but I'm also not criticising anybody. We have to take a view of what has happened from the top down, it can't be from the bottom up.

"People have to look at the players and how they're looking forward to the future in the short, mid and long term."