Chris Wilder's current Sheffield United team ranks as one of the best in the club's history alongside Tony Currie's side from the seventies.

The Blades boss has made some astute signings in his four years at the club, from John Fleck, Enda Stevens and Mark Duffy on a free to Jack O'Connell, Leon Clarke and George Baldock for nominal fees.

Even higher up the transfer market in terms of price, signings such as Oliver Norwood for £2million and John Egan for £4million have proved excellent pieces of business.

But while Wilder has hardly put a foot wrong in the transfer market, there has been some terrible signings over the years.

Admittedly, most of these have featured during United's terrible six-year spell in League One, which tells its own story.

Is this Sheffield United's worst XI?

Steve Simonsen

The goalkeeper arrived during a difficult time. Signed on a free from Stoke City, Simonsen was the goalkeeper as United tumbled out of the Championship in 2011. He never inspired confidence among the terraces or his defenders and his absolutely atrocious penalty in the League One play-off final shoot-out at Wembley the following year was his final appearance in a United shirt.

Nyron Nosworthy

Only ever played for the Blades on loan but was another who was part of the disastrous final season in the Championship when United were relegated having had four managers. Played at both centre back and right back but never looked comfortable and supporters were far from impressed with his performances.

Darryl Westlake

Signed from Walsall for a small, undisclosed fee, by Danny Wilson at the start of the 2012-13 League One season, Westlake came in as a right back but was largely underwhelming. Played just 18 times before being shipped out on loan to Mansfield.

Jay McEverley

The left-back played for United during one of the worst seasons in modern day history. The 2015-16 season saw United finish 11th and McEverley, who also played centre half did little to impress during that season.

Febian Brandy

One of David Weir's first signings in 2013 from Walsall. Was a regular under Weir but not fancied much under Nigel Clough. Two red cards in quick succession, leading to a seven game ban, didn't help his cause but after being used sparingly by Clough, he was sent back to Walsall on loan before being released from his two-year contract after just one year. Played just 15 times and flattered to deceive.

Dean Hammond

Perhaps Nigel Adkins' biggest mistake. The midfielder did nothing in a United shirt and then became a hated figure when he triggered a contract extension despite being told by new manager Chris Wilder that he was not wanted.

James Harper

Signed by Kevin Blackwell from Reading, where he had been a standout player for the Royals during a glorious period for the club. However, Harper was likened to someone 'directing traffic' after he spent most of his time in the middle of the park standing and pointing.

Martyn Woolford

Another Adkins signing. The winger had done well for the manager at Scunthorpe but it's fair to say he was never able to repeat that form during Adkins' disastrous season in League One.

Hao Haidong

The Chinese striker was a legend in his home country but was a huge flop over here. Warnock was the manager but in his defence it was a PR stunt by the club who thought signing one of the best ever strikers in China would help with the club's purchase of Chengdu Blades.

Conor Sammon

Another Adkins flop. Signed on loan from Derby but missed a bagful of chances during a season when United were in desperate need of wins. Scored five goals but his shooting was way off.

Laurens Ten Heuvel

Dutch striker played just five times for Neil Warnock. Arrived with a lot of promise having scored 20 times in 31 appearances for Stormvogels Telstar but was hopeless in a United shirt and was shipped out on loan to Grimsby and Bradford.

This article first appeared on Yorkshire Live on March 26, 2020.