Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonge believes the Blades need to sharpen their cutting edge if they are to survive in the Premiership.

Following Saturday's 1-1 curtain-raising draw at home to Liverpool on Saturday, Neil Warnock's side created little of note in losing 2-0 at Tottenham on Tuesday night.

The gulf in class was abundantly clear as United were handed a lesson Warnock is hoping his players will learn from.

United at least tightened up in defence after conceding goals to new £10.8million signing Dimitar Berbatov and Jermaine Jenas in the first 17 minutes at White Hart Lane.

But it was up front where Warnock's side were lightweight, not helped by the fact £2.2million summer signing Rob Hulse sustained a groin strain in training.

Tonge knows if United are to avoid an immediate return to the Coca- Cola Championship then far more opportunities need to be created.

"It's about how we bounce back and learn from results like this," said Tonge.

"We have to take the positives and put them into practice against Fulham on Saturday.

"I feel we've played some decent football up until the last third, and that is where the difference lies because it's difficult to break teams down in that area.

"Hopefully in weeks to come we can work on things, get cuter around the box and create a few more chances."

Warnock claimed after the loss his team were "naive" and "in awe" of Spurs, appreciating his side are currently learning at this level, but that they have to do so fast.

"We showed character with the way we went about things in the second half, and there were a lot of positives," insisted Warnock.

"The boys kept going, tried to score goals and I can't fault them for effort, but we have to be tighter and take our opportunities when we can.

"I just have to ask them to continue to be honest and work hard, starting at Fulham where we need to regroup.

"But we have played two tough teams now and come away with something which nobody expected.

"We just have to enjoy things because the Premiership is a fabulous place to be."

Warnock has described Hulse as having "an outside chance" of being fit for the clash at Craven Cottage, but the other two withdrawals prior to last night in Derek Geary and Paul Ifill are struggling.