Some won’t believe in it but I think no fans has hurt them more than others. They had made Bramall Lane into a really hard place to go to with the help of the home support. They weren’t half the team upon returning from lockdown, combined with injuries to the back 3 which doesn’t help of course.
Also their purchases up front completely backfired. McBurnie is probably the worst striker to ever play in the PL. Brewster has failed them badly too. They needed all these things to go right to stay competing.
I happened to be in England last season and saw them play live. They were away from home and won but they were awful. They had a good start got on a run and went with it. They had a good work ethic, they still have, but the belief is gone now.
I think they have made a mistake. Wilder has done a good job and being relegated could be just part of a longer term process .