Just over a year ago, Sheffield United were in dreamland. They had just secured a wonderful 1-0 win at home against Unai Emery’s Arsenal, leaving them in ninth place after nine games – exactly where they finished that season.
Fast forward to the same stage this campaign and they’re still yet to secure three points. So, what’s changed for the blades?
While it is true United have certainly had one of the toughest starts to the season, already playing five of last year’s top eight, no United fan quite expected to be rock bottom just under a quarter way through.
The Blades conceded just 39 goals last season – the best defensive record of a newly promoted team since the division’s re-brand in 1992. This year, however, there are issues all over the pitch. Defensively, they are making just over three less interceptions per game, their tackle success rate has dropped by ten per cent and crucially, they are conceding 1.67 goals per game in comparison to last season’s 1.03.
Manchester City in 1995-96 and Sheffield Wednesday four years later both had one point after nine games in England’s topflight. Both went on to be relegated. If United want to avoid the same fate, they need to fix these problems.
Unfortunately, they’ll have to do it without arguably their best centre-back, Jack O’Connell, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an injured knee. The defender is such a pivotal component in United’s system, a reassuring presence at the back, but a surprising wildcard overlapping forwards in attack. Manager Chris Wilder admitted he has submitted “three or four” options to the club’s board in hope of bringing in a replacement for the 26-year-old in January.
While the newly recruited Aaron Ramsdale has done okay, ranking third in the league for both sweeper clearances made and shots saved, it is no secret the Blades are missing the charismatic and fan-favourite Dean Henderson, who returned back to his parent club, Manchester United, at the end of July – only Burnley’s Nick Pope and Man City’s Ederson collected more clean sheets in the league last season.
United’s worries don’t end in defence either. Not only is Chris Wilder without his tied top scorer for last season, Lys Mousset, record signing Rhian Brewster, who arrived on October 2nd for a fee believed to be around £23m, has only had one shot on target in the first five games he’s featured for the Blades.
Overall, both shots on target and goals scored per game have decreased, but worryingly for the Blades, so has big chances created. And while statistics show performances aren’t as good, you just can’t help but feel things seem flat. Of course, no side wants to play in front of empty stadiums but certain teams such as Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur, in particular, certainly make the best of less pressure. Sheffield United don’t.
Every club wishes to have a connection with their fans, but Chris Wilder’s side seem to just have that all more special relationship with supporters. Epitomised by Dean Henderson turning around to celebrate with the Kop last year after every goal, the Blades thrive off an atmosphere, should we be so surprised then that their overall intensity has dropped off?
“We have earned the right to be here and have to do some things pretty quickly to stay in it and protect our status as a Premier League club,” said Wilder, after his sides 1-0 defeat at home to West Ham on Sunday.
“There’s a long way to go,” he added, “without being disrespectful to some of the places this football club has had to go, it is no good taking a backwards step and feeling sorry for yourself.”
The Blades boss was later asked if he was starting to feel the pressure of being bottom of the table after nine games.
“I haven’t got the sack for 20 years, I don’t fear anything,” Wilder replied with a wry smile, “I’m concerned about the situation we’re in, of course I love my football club, I love my players.”
So how does the Blades boss turn things round, if he wants to keep the club he manages with such pride, a Premier League side?
With 29 games still left to play, the season is certainly far from over. The most important thing Sheffield United must not do, is sack Chris Wilder. The board must have faith that the former Blades right back can change United’s course for the better. Faith, however, will not be enough, Wilder needs financial backing in January, as mentioned, it is crucial they replace the much-missed Jack O’Connell.
The Blades travel to the Hawthorns to face fellow relegation strugglers West Bromwich Albion managed by Slaven Bilic, another topflight boss under the cosh. The Baggies remain alone with Wilder’s side as the only clubs in the division still yet to win a Premier League game.
There’s no doubt this fixture represents a huge chance for both sides to kick start their survival in what will be a massive ‘six-pointer’, as clichés go. Should United secure all three points, they’ll leapfrog Albion and the pressure will certainly feel a lot less for Wilder. Should they fall to defeat, again, the heat will only continue to rise for the Blades boss.
By Jack O’Connor